Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Review of Watson and Holmes: A Study in Black and Some News


My latest review of the Eisner-nominated Watson and Holmes is now up at The Comics Alternative. If you haven't experienced this series yet, there's no better time than right now. The first trade paperback edition covers issues #1-5 and is a fantastic take on the entire Sherlock Holmes/Dr. Watson universe. I hope you'll check it out.


On the news front, I'm very excited and honored to be an official part of The Comics Alternative staff! You can read about the other guys and me (scroll to the bottom; yes, that's me in the B.P.R.D. t-shirt). I'm humbled to be in the same company with these gentlemen, guys who know waaaaaaaaaay more about comics than I do. But I'm having a great time, learning tons, and hopefully sharing a bit of what I do know about comics and graphic novels. You can check out my previous reviews and listen to me podcasting with Derek on Episodes #74, 76, 77 and 80

Friday, April 25, 2014

Four New Comics Discussed at The Comics Alternative

 

 

It's always fun being a part of The Comics Alternative Podcast. Derek Royal and I recently discussed four new #1 comics: Dead Letters, Shutter, Star Mage, and an adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Premature Burial."

Speaking of The Comics Alternative, things are just exploding over there. Derek is podcasting like a demon, producing great interviews, such as current ones with Shannon Wheeler and Bob Fingerman. Check it out!

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

One Day Only - Get The Massive


Today only (as an Earth Day special) you can get the first four digital issues of Brian Wood's excellent series The Massive for free from Dark Horse. You can also get the first 22 issues (which would bring you up to date) for only $10.  

Friday, April 18, 2014

Eisner Award Nominees, The End of Marvel Essentials and More


If you haven't already done so, check out the recently announced nominees for the 2014 Eisner Awards, some of which have previously been discussed at The Comics Alternative. (Keep an eye out for their Eisner Awards Preview show as well.) I know I'll be discussing these nominees further in the coming months. 

  

Did you know that the Marvel Essentials line is finished? Marvel Essentials were thick black-and-white editions of (usually) Marvel comics from the 1960s and 1970s. They're still a pretty good deal; for about $20 you can get at least 20 issues (at least 400 pages). Marvel's new Epic line will be more expensive (starting at $35), but will be in color. 

And last, but certainly not least, I should have more reviews posted at The Comics Alternative during the coming weeks and maybe even a podcast. Stay tuned!

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Review of Rubicon


If you're into war-related graphic novels, take a look at my recent review of Rubicon over at The Comics Alternative, a story that not only looks at the war in Afghanistan, but is also a homage to Akira Kurosawa's classic film Seven Samurai

Thursday, April 3, 2014

More New Titles Discussed at The Comics Alternative Podcast


I hope you'll tune in to Episode 77 of The Comics Alternative Podcast where Derek and I discuss the wonderfully imaginative new graphic novel Aama Volume I: The Smell of Warm Dust as well as two new titles, Stray Bullets Killers #1 and The Returning #1.  

Graphic Novels Read in March 2014 Part II


FBP (Federal Bureau of Physics) Vol. 1: The Paradigm Shift (2014) Simon Oliver, Robbi Rodriguez (Vertigo)

When any physics-related catastrophe occurs, such as losing gravity at your local school, you need an agency to call. Good thing FBP is there. (“Better Call Saul” just won’t cut it, I’m afraid.) “The impossible is always possible” is the big tag-line of the series and this is played out in a big way with young FBP agent Adam Hardy. As you might imagine, the agency is filled with its own inner problems as well as the physics problems it seeks to counter. It’s a very simplistic comparison, but think X-Files meets Ghostbusters. Sort of. So far I’m enjoying the series, although I wish the art style was a little more well-defined.  

4/5


March: Book One (NF 2013) John Robert Lewis, Andrew Aydin, Nate Powell (Top Shelf)

The first of a projected three-volume series, March is written by Congressman John Lewis, chronicling both Lewis’s own life and the Civil Rights Movement. The black and white illustrations are wonderful and the story powerful without being pedantic. I’m very eager to read the next volume in this series. 

4/5


The Glorkian Warrior Delivers a Pizza (J 2014) James Kochalka (First Second)

Review to be posted soon at The Comics Alternative

4/5


The Mighty Thor Omnibus Vol. 2 (2013) Stan Lee, Jack Kirby (Marvel)

Lee and Kirby really hit their collective stride with this volume, blending Norse mythology, action, and drama, along with some cosmic craziness that was pure Marvel back in the day. These stories still hold up pretty well, far better than those from the first Thor omnibus. I'm not the biggest fan of controversial inker Vince Colletta, but that didn't stop my enjoyment of this volume. If you’re not familiar with how the Thor comic worked in those days, the first 16 pages were devoted to the main Thor story (which often was a little on the trippy side) while the last five pages showcased “Tales of Asgard,” stories of Thor’s early adventures. (Sometimes these are better than the main stories.) Well worth a look. Collects Journey Into Mystery (1952) #121-125, The Mighty Thor (1966) 126-152, Thor Annual #2, Not Brand Echh (1967) #3. 768 pages! Forsooth!

4/5


Locke & Key Vol. 4: Keys to the Kingdom (2011) Joe Hill, Gabriel Rodriguez (IDW)

Like any good suspense/mystery/horror story, Locke & Key Volume 4 ramps things up even higher with more incredible backstory, character building and mayhem. Really enjoying this. 

4.5/5


Red Handed: The Fine Art of Strange Crimes (2013) Matt Kindt (First Second)

Matt Kindt’s mind just doesn’t work like ours and that’s a good thing. He’s got the ability to spin several plates and keep them from smashing to the floor, which means while you’re watching one or two plates wobbling dangerously close to a bad end, others are just getting started, which makes Red Handed: The Fine Art of Strange Crimes worth multiple reads. 

The story is set in the city of Red Wheelbarrow, where Detective Gould - the greatest detective in the world - works. Yet Gould is stumped by a series of seemingly unrelated, bizarre crimes. I’ve loved Kindt’s work on Super Spy and Mind MGMT, but Red Handed may be his finest work yet.  

5/5


The Lost Boy (J 2013) Greg Ruth (Graphix)

I can't believe so few people are talking about this wonderful graphic novel. The artwork alone is simply stunning and the story - while clearly a fantasy - is anything but typical. Drawn in absolutely gorgeous pencil and ink, Greg Ruth has created a story that's just as strong as his artwork. Nate's family has just moved to a new town and a new house, where Nate discovers an old tape recorder and reels of tape in his room. What he hears sends him on a quest to discover a place called The Kingdom.... And that's all I'm going to tell you. Read it.

5/5


B.P.R.D.: Plague of Frogs 1 (2011) Mike Mignola, Guy Davis, et. al. (Dark Horse) 

If you’re unfamiliar with Hellboy and B.P.R.D. (Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense), here’s all you need to know: 

B.P.R.D. is an agency based in Fairfield, Connecticut that investigates and defends the world from all occult threats. 

Hellboy (who - played by Ron Perlman - was in two movies, in case you never read the comics) was once part of this group.

He’s not anymore. 

You might think that without Hellboy as the “headliner” that B.P.R.D. might be a lesser title. It’s not. It does, however, take awhile for the title to find it’s way. The first section (which is the first trade paperback), Hollow Earth and Other Stories, is a good introduction to the group and a pretty good adventure. The second section, The Soul of Venice and Other Stories, consists mainly of short adventures and lacks direction somewhat. The final third begins the long Plague of Frogs story line, which finishes this volume and is taken up with three more hardcover omnibus volumes. 

B.P.R.D. is something of an acquired taste, but in my opinion, just as entertaining as the Hellboy stories. Over 400 pages in a very nice, sturdy hardcover book, retail priced at a very reasonable $34.99. 

4/5


That’s it for March. Tell me what you read. 

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Graphic Novels Read in March 2014 Part I

It was a good month for graphic novels here at Graphic Novel Universe, so much so that I’m having to split the list up. I’ll cover half of the March titles today and the other half next time. 


aama: The Smell of Warm Dust (2011/2014) Frederik Peeters (SelfMadeHero)

Frederick Peeters’s sf graphic novel (translated from the French) is a compelling, strange ride, one I highly recommend. My discussion of this book with Derek Royal should be available in the next day or two at The Comics Alternative Podcast

4/5


A Treasury of Victorian Murder Compendium (2013) Rick Geary (NBM)

No one does true crime graphic novels quite like Rick Geary. All of his work is worth your time, but this collection of several of his works is a must-read. You can see Geary's artwork and storytelling techniques sharpen and develop throughout the volume, and although some of the tales have problems (The early stories, especially "Jack the Ripper," are often inked too heavily), they're still quite good. If you enjoy true crime stories and haven't yet encountered Geary, you're missing a real treat. In addition to “Jack the Ripper,” this volume includes “The Beast of Chicago” (H.H. Holmes and the 1893 Columbian Exhibition in Chicago) and “Fatal Bullet” (the assassination of President James A. Garfield).

4/5


Jane, the Fox and Me (J 2012/2013) Fanny Britt, Isabelle Arsenault (Groundwood Books)

As often happens, girls can be pretty cruel to each other at school (although girls do not have a monopoly on school-age cruelty), and Hélène is learning this the hard way. She finds comfort only in the pages of her favorite novel, Jane Eyre. On a school trip, Hélène encounters a wild fox, an animal she feels strangely drawn to... 

This is one of those stunning graphic novels about children that’s probably best appreciated by those who have successfully made it through childhood. Although it’s probably in the J or Children’s graphic novel section, this is a wonderful book for teens and adults, too. 

4.5/5


Fatale Vol. 4: Pray for Rain (2014) Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips (Image Comics)

All of the Fatale volumes have been good, but Pray for Rain delivers the strongest, most cohesive arc yet. Not only do we find out more about Josephine and her powers, we also get a non-stop, full-throttle story that absolutely blisters. Stunning stuff. If you’re into either horror or noir, start reading this hard-hitting series now.

5/5


The Park (2014) Oscar Zárate (SelfMadeHero)

This realistic graphic novel has a lot to say about culture and even more about relationships. Discussed at The Comics Alternative Podcast

3/5


The Misadventures of Salem Hyde: Spelling Trouble (J 2013) Frank Cammuso (Abrams)

Fun-filled graphic novel for kids previously discussed at Graphic Novel Universe.

4/5


Locke & Key Vol. 3: Crown of Shadows (2010) Joe Hill, Gabriel Rodriguez (IDW)

I'm not sure if it took me three volumes to get used to Gabriel Rodriguez's art style or if the story finally solidified, but Crown of Shadows seems the strongest entry in the Locke & Key series so far. Hill has managed to give each volume an individual, distinctive flavor while moving the overall story in a very compelling way. If the rest of the volumes are this good, this could be a horror classic in the making.

5/5


The Undertaking of Lily Chen (2014) Danica Novgorodoff (First Second)

Please read my review at The Comics Alternative

5/5


Part II coming up soon! And please let me know what you read and liked (or didn’t) in March.