IDW Previews Review for October Part 2 of 2

DOCTOR WHO, VOLUME 2: TESSARACT
Written by Tony Lee, art by Al Davison, Blair Shedd, cover by Paul Grist.
The ongoing tales of Doctor Who continue as master storyteller Tony Lee puts the Doctor and fellow travelers, Emily and Matthew, in one unpleasant situation after another! This volume collects issues #7-12 of the series comprising of the two-part "Tessaract" and the four-part "Don't Step on the Grass." 136 pages, $19.99, in stores on Oct. 13.
Lee: OOHHHH look Dr. Who volume 2. Ya know, someone (Greg), anyone (Greg) should really try to do an interview with Tony Lee. Most creators are really, really nice so I’m sure Tony Lee will overlook a bad review by unknown (Greg) persons. I’m sure there’s no way a creator (Tony Lee) would spew nasty vile things at an innocent person (Greg) who actually likes the books he’s writing. The more I talk about it, I think it’s a good idea for someone (Greg) to do an interview.
Jim: Geez, I wonder if Lee is trying to make a point.

GENIUS, ISOLATED: THE LIFE AND ART OF ALEX TOTH
Written by Dean Mullaney, Bruce Canwell, art and cover by Alex Toth.
Written by the Eisner Award-winning team of Dean Mullaney and Bruce Canwell--who produced Scorchy Smith and the Art of Noel Sickles--Genius, Isolated includes many examples of Toth's art, from his earliest stories at DC in the 1940s, his defining work at Standard, his incomparable Zorro comics in the 1950s, examples from his thousands of drawings for animation studios, through his mature--and some say best--work, such as Bravo For Adventure, in the 1970s and 80s. A special section collects, for the first time, the complete Jon Fury pages that Toth produced while in the army, a section that alone is worth the price of admission. To flesh out the complete story of his life and art, Mullaney and Canwell have conducted wide-ranging interviews with dozens of Toth's peers, friends, and family members. Written by 400 pages, $49.99, in stores on Oct. 27.
Lee: WOW! This is one huge book. But 400 pgs for $50 is a really good deal. I just wish I knew how many stories were actually reprinted in here.
Jim: It doesn't really matter, I find that I'm more interested in learning more and more about some of these artist from the earlier days in comics. People like Williamson, Toth and many others were true masters and unrecognized as such because being a comic book artist carried little cache. Often these guys were just interesting people also.

CAPTAIN EXCELSIOR
Written by Zach Weiner, art and cover by Chris Jones.
Captain Excelsior is having a bad... life. His ex-wife, Mrs. Mind, is marrying a mortal. His eldest son, Kid Liberty, is struggling with his sexual identity. His daughter, Tesla Curl, can't get a date to the prom. And, his mortal middle child... what's-his-name... is, well, mortal. Over the course of a very long day and a half, Captain Excelsior attempts to fix his daughter's problems, work out things with the son he cares about, and do whatever he can to prevent Mrs. Mind (soon to be Mrs. Mind-Meriweather) from being happy without him. 104 pages, $17.99, in stores on Oct. 20. Read the adventures of Captain Excelsior here.
Lee: This is another web comic that is making the move from computer to printed page. It’s pretty vicious in it’s send up of superheroes and not for kids. It is pretty funny though.
Jim: The webcomic is a way to get noticed without having to have the expense of self publishing. Print is dying a slow death anyway, so many people are making names for themselves this way first.

THE COFFIN: 10TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION
Written by Phil Hester, art and cover by Mike Huddleston.
The legendary cult classic returns to print in this deluxe hardcover tenth anniversary edition. Dr. Ashar Ahmad is a brilliant but heartless scientist intent on proving the physical existence of the soul, going as far as to create an impenetrable cybernetic skin that will trap the human soul after the body within has died--a walking coffin. Only when a dying Ahmad is encased in one of his prototypes does he realize the value of the life he has wasted. A desperate race to reclaim his technology from an evil corporate overlord, and save the life of the daughter he once disavowed, force him to become the man he never was in life. An amazing combination of science fiction, horror, and spiritual awakening, The Coffin is one of the classics of independent comics. 136 pages, $21.99, in stores on Oct. 6.
Lee: You hate to agree with hype when it says things like “one of the classics of independent comics.” But in this case, it’s well deserved. This is some of Hester’s earliest work as an author and some of his best. An excellent story if you haven’t already read it.
Jim: Heck I was all set to pass on this book until Lee has to go and sell me on it. (sigh) Oh well another $20 something bucks gone to good entertainment.

FALLING FOR LIONHEART
Written, art and cover by Ilias Kyriazis.
Lionheart, the world's greatest, toughest super hero is on top of the world... publicly. With the out-of-control parties and girls throwing themselves at him, you'd think he'd be happy. But the one girl he loves, the woman he put on a pedestal, is the team tramp. Swimming in his bad mood, Lionheart meets someone else. Someone who shares his interests. Maybe he'd give her the time of day if he could take his eyes off that tramp... 112 pages, $19.99, in stores on Oct. 6. Visit Ilias Kyriazis here.
Lee: The description sounds generic but I’m betting this is very good. To start, Kyriazis is/was part of DC’s Zuda line (Comic: Melody) so you know he has skills. And, his art looks awesome. I’m always a sucker for good art so I’m sold.
Jim: This sounds a little young to me and by that I mean more for the 20 something crowd and not me.

Lee: Lee is on vacation and forget to put in an ending comment. I'm sure he would say how IDW is truly a publisher with vision and on the rise.
Jim: I have to agree with Lee. I see IDW as a company that has a plan and is executing against that plan. Building publishing in not just the direct market but other niche markets and aggressively pursuing the digital market. It would not surprise me if they are not one of the first companies to publish a truly unique digital book with scripts and art side by side, options for audio commentary and / or interviews with creators. Right now comic companies are taking a comic and putting out as a digital comic, there are so many capabilities with digital it is like someone hired Michelangelo to paint their bathroom.