It's Wednesday... 11/19/14

November 19, 2014

Just one single issue today:

Intersect #1 (Image) 

Story and Art: Ray Fawkes

The official description from Image: 

“Blood rains from the skies. A hypnotic voice trills over the airwaves as bodies shift and grow in horrifying new directions. Are you ready for the new world? RAY FAWKES, acclaimed creator of One Soul and writer of Constantine and Batman: Eternal, launches a terrifying monthly odyssey of madness and warped flesh in this lush, fully painted debut issue!”

I’ve certainly enjoyed Fawkes’s previous work and look forward to this new ongoing horror title. If you’re in the Annapolis, MD area and would like to meet Fawkes, he’ll be at Third Eye Comics on December 13, 2014.  

Saga Deluxe Edition Volume 1 (Image)

Story: Brian K. Vaughan

Art: Fiona Staples

The Big Kahuna of the week - maybe even the year - is the much-anticipated hardcover deluxe edition of Saga, covering the first 18 issues (or three trade paperbacks) of one of the most imaginative comics I’ve read in years. It’s definitely not for kids, but Saga is a true wonder of imagination and storytelling. There’s a reason it just keeps winning award after award. 

Mind MGMT Volume 4: The Magician (Dark Horse)

Story and Art: Matt Kindt

I know you’re tired of hearing it, but along with The Massive, Mind MGMT is the best title being produced in comics today. Seriously. Get on that. This volume also features my favorite comics cover of 2014. (Hey Matt - Any chance we'll be able to buy prints of that cover?)

Cerebus Volume 1 Remastered (Aardvark Vanaheim)

Story and Art: Dave Sim

I’m not sure if I’m ready for the long commitment that is Cerebus in its multitude of volumes (6,000 pages running from 1977 to 2004) , but I know that at some point I should at least attempt this important series. (I've heard that High Society - the second volume in the series - is a better place to start.) Interlibrary loan may be my best course of action...

That’s it for me. How about you? 

Rai (2014) Kindt, Crain

Rai Volume 1: Welcome to New Japan

Matt Kindt, Clayton Crain

(Valiant) 

I haven’t had much success journeying through the Valiant universe, picking up only a few titles here and there, never really latching on to anything long-term, but when I saw that Matt Kindt was writing a comic set in Japan in 4001, I knew I couldn’t turn it down.

In the year 4001, Japan has been pulled out of its geographic home and now orbits an Earth that’s little more than a wasteland. Strict rules are in force and no one has committed a murder in over 1,000 years. Until now. People wonder if the mysterious folk legend known as Rai will come to enforce the laws of a people living under the rule of an even more mysterious god-like being called Father. 

Rai actually has much in common with one of Kindt’s other creations (and my current favorite comic book series) Mind MGMT. Like that title, Rai begins with a mystery: who committed the first murder in Japan in 1,000 years and why? But also like Mind MGMT, Rai also explores the theme of personal (and collective) identity through the investigation of a mystery. The themes and superb artwork make comparisons to Blade Runner inevitable, but Rai carries its own compelling and distinctive energetic force. (Collects Rai #1-4)

4/5 

It's Wednesday... 10/29/14

October 29, 2014

Just a couple of single issues on my radar this week, starting off with Rasputin #1 by Alex Grecian and Riley Rossmo with colors by Ivan Plascencia (Image). I’m onboard for any work by Rossmo, plus, after reading Petrograd a few years ago, I can’t deny a affinity for anything related to the Mad Monk.

Of course, Matt Kindt’s Mind MGMT #27 (Dark Horse) is a must-buy. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: if you’re not reading Mind MGMT, you’re missing one of the best titles out there. 

I picked up the first issue of C.O.W.L. a few months back and enjoyed it enough to put it on my “Pick up the trade” list. The tale of the first superhero labor union is told in C.O.W.L. Vol. 1: Principles of Power (Image), story by Kyle Higgins & Alec Siegel, art by Rod Reis. (Collects C.O.W.L. #1-5)

I won’t be getting this one today, but I’d love to take a look at Basil Wolverton’s Weird Worlds Artist’s Edition from IDW. Wolverton (no relation, at least as far as I know) produced some really wild stuff, so if you’ve never experienced his work, this might not be the place to start, and certainly not the cheapest. (A couple of good places to start might be with the more affordable Spacehawk or the upcoming volume Creeping Death from Neptune: The Life and Comics of Basil Wolverton Vol. 1, both from Fantagraphics. 

This one’s been out for a week, but you should certainly consider it: Lynda Barry’s new non-fiction work Syllabus: Notes from an Accidental Professor, reviewed by me recently at The Comics Alternative. 

That’s it for me. How about you? 

It's Wednesday... 9/24/14

September 24, 2014

Lots of temptations this week, so I’m only listing a few...

Roche Limit #1 - Michael Moreci, Vic Malhotra (Image)

Man, all you have to tell me is crime noir, science fiction and Image. I’m in. Lots of folks have been waiting for this one for months, including me. 

Mind MGMT #26 - Matt Kindt (Dark Horse)

If you haven’t read Mind MGMT yet, I’m telling ya, get the first collected edition and dive in. Have I ever steered you wrong? Well??? Trust me. Read Mind MGMT. 

Star Trek: City on the Edge of Forever #4 - Harlan Ellison, Scott Tipton, David Tipton (IDW)

The penultimate issue of Harlan Ellison’s original teleplay adaptation arrives today. This project has been a wonderful experience. I’ve been buying all the single issues with the Juan Ortiz covers, which are absolutely stunning. Don’t wait for the trade. 

American Comic Book Chronicles: The 1970s - Jason Sacks, Keith Dallas (TwoMorrows) 

The folks at TwoMorrows have done a bang-up job of collecting an informative and entertaining archive of American comic book history so far, and I’m sure this edition is no exception. This is actually the volume I’ve been looking forward to the most, since I spent a large part of the 70s reading comics. If you’re interested in comics history, these volumes are a must-own.

Fatale Vol. 5: Curse the Demon - Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips (Image)

I’m sad to say that this is the final collection of Fatale, but happy to say that Brubaker and Phillips have delivered a series that’s nothing short of stellar. If you’ve never read their collaborations, Fatale is a great title to start with.  

The Incal - Alexandro Jodorowsky, Moebius (Humanoids - new third printing)

Okay, let’s get this out of the way... If you haven’t read The Incal, you really shouldn’t call yourself a comics fan. The books from Humanoids are expensive, and I’ll confess, this is the only one I own, but it’s worth every cent of the $44.95 list price. Get it now. The Incal has gone out of print before and who knows if it’ll be reissued? Don’t risk it - pick it up.    

Batman: Gordon of Gotham - Chuck Dixon, Dennis O’Neil, Klaus Janson, Jim Aparo, Bill Sienkiewicz, Dick Giordano (DC) 

Aaaaaand... I’m not sure I’m going to get this one. This volume collects Gordon of Gotham #1-4, Batman: GCPD #1-4, and Batman: Gordon’s Law #1-4. Sort of looks like it might be a money-grab on the part of DC to cash in on the new TV series Gotham. If they’d been smart, DC would’ve collected Gotham Central into a nice omnibus edition, which I would gladly purchase. Don’t know why they didn’t... So for me, the jury’s out on Gordon of Gotham. (If you pick it up, or if you’ve read the individual issues, let me know what you think.)

That’s going to do it for me. Be sure to tell me what you plan to pick up today.

It's Wednesday... 8/27/14

I think I’m going to need a self-imposed limit at the comic shop today, maybe 10 minutes or so, otherwise my wallet is going to be in sad shape....

I do plan on picking up the first issue of Sundowners (Dark Horse) by Tim Seeley and Jim Terry. Hard to tell if this an action/adventure, sf, horror, or superhero title (or all of the above), but I’m onboard. 

After last month’s first issue, I’ve been rabidly awaiting Low #2 (Image) from Rick Remender & Greg Tocchini. 

And of course picking up Matt Kindt’s Mind MGMT #25 is a no-brainer. 

I’m really enjoying Harlan Ellison’s The City on the Edge of Forever: The Original Teleplay (IDW), so I’m planning on picking up #3 today. I’m normally not a licensed comics buyer, but this is an exception worth making. 

I should just pick up these three issues and stop there, but there are a couple of trades I may linger around for...

I’ve heard a lot of good things about Charley’s War by Pat Mills and Joe Colquhoun and the first omnibus collection comes out today from Titan. 

Also I missed out on the initial hardcover release of Tales Designed to Thrizzle, Volume I by Michael Kupperman, so I’m pleased to see the trade paperback coming out today from Fantagraphics. 

Be sure to tell me what you plan to pick up today.

It's Wednesday... 7/30/14

I've got lots of books on today's radar, starting off with the conclusion of a great series by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips with Fatale #24. I hate to see this title end, but Brubaker and Phillips have another new Image title on the way with The Fade Out #1 releasing on August 20.

Matt Kindt's outstanding series Mind MGMT continues today with issue #24. If you're not picking up this title in single issues, you should. 

Bodies #1 from Vertigo gives us a story of four dead bodies, with four detectives investigating their murders over four different eras in London. I'm in. 

I've already read an advance copy of Low #1 for the most recent Comics Alternative podcast and I can tell you that this is - so far - my favorite single issue of any comic published in 2014. Highly recommended. 

I'm very much intrigued by this collected edition of Weapon Brown - Charlie Brown as an avenging cyborg? I've gotta check this out. 

There's so much more this week, but work calls. Let me know what you're picking up today. 

Graphic Novels Read in July 2014 Part I

July has been a pretty good month here at Graphic Novel Universe. While I read fewer overall titles compared to June, there’s still plenty of good stuff, hopefully something that will spark your interest. Here’s the first part of what I’ve read this month. More to come!

(All works with a + are part of the ongoing SXSW 2014 Starter Pack review series.)

+ Deadhorse, Book 1: Dead Birds (2013) Eric S. Grissom, Phil Sloan, David Halverson (Frankenstein’s Daughter) 

Collects Deadhorse: Dead Birds #1-6 and includes character sketches, pinups, deleted pages, and more. William Pike is a reclusive shut-in who comes into possession of a powerful key and becomes the target of an evil industrialist. When Pike learns the key may help solve the mystery behind his father's death, he embarks on a journey into the farthest reaches of Alaska while being pursued by a man in a plastic ape mask. (ComiXology)

I’m not quite sure why Deadhorse works, but I was intrigued by the mystery of Pike’s father and thought the humor worked well. The book tries to do a lot: mystery, adventure, suspense, action and comedy, and most of the time succeeds. I wouldn’t mind having this in book form and will certainly seek out more collections as they become available. 

4/5

This One Summer (2014) Mariko Tamaki, Jillian Tamaki (First Second)

Your level of enjoyment of This One Summer will largely depend upon your age and expectations. This is labeled (in our library, at least) as a YA book. I think a small segment of the YA audience might enjoy it and relate to it, but it's greatest appeal seems to be for adults. This is a very quiet, reflective book that will likely resonate with adult readers, while many YA readers might react with "Nothing much really happens." If for no other reason, you should pick up this title for the wonderful art, filled with shades of blue and purple, which complement the story perfectly.

4/5

Dalen and Gole: Scandal in Port Angus (J 2011) Mike Deas (Orca)

Dalen and Gole: Scandal in Port Angus is a fun, silly, goofy graphic novel about aliens discovering tunnel that leads to Earth, where they discover an interplanetary scandal. An entertaining book that works best for very young readers. 

3/5

Ant Colony (2014) Michael DeForge (Drawn & Quarterly)

Ant Colony is an amazingly weird book that somehow becomes less weird the more you read it. DeForge is a Canadian artist responsible for many of the designs for the animated TV show Adventure Time, which makes a lot of sense after seeing his work in Ant Colony. If you think of Ant Colony as sort of an Adventure Time for adults - except a lot darker with ants and spiders - you’ll probably enjoy it. I know I did.  

4/5

Rust: Secrets of the Cell (J 2012) Royden Lepp (Archaia)

The second book in the Rust series proves that Royden Lepp is onto something. The first book in the series, Rust: Visitor in the Field introduced us to the Taylors and their struggle to keep a farm going after a devastating war, a war which included robot fighters. Oswald - the youngest of the three Taylor siblings trying to run the farm after the death of their parents - becomes highly suspicious of a mysterious boy named Jet, who comes to work on the farm. 

While not a lot of questions from the first book are answered here, we do get deeper into the story and things start becoming clearer. The artwork in this series is simply astounding. Lepp uses beautiful sepia tones and an absence of sound effects for a unique reading experience. Volume 3 (the penultimate volume) is available now and a Rust film project is in the works. 

4/5

Mind MGMT, Vol. 3: The Home Maker (2014) Matt Kindt (Dark Horse) 

I wish I could describe just how good Matt Kindt’s Mind MGMT is... I discussed the first two volumes at The Comics Alternative last year, so feel free to read that review if you want to get the gist of the series. This third volume is a bit of a departure, a collection of interconnected one-shot stories that answers several questions while asking several more. Buying the collected editions is easy - they’re nice, hardcover editions in full color for under 20 bucks. But you might want to buy the individual monthly issues, since those include some nifty extras that aren’t collected in the hardcover volumes. Dive in. This is really good stuff. 

5/5

So - tell me what you read in July...

It's Wednesday... 6/25/14

Full disclosure: I’m getting ready to buy a new computer, so I probably won’t be hitting my favorite comic shop in the world, Third Eye Comics, for a few weeks, but if I were to somehow accidentally wind up there, and if dollars started falling from the sky, here’s what I’d be picking up:

The Mercenary Sea #5

I loved the first issue of this title and have been debating whether to buy it in individual issues or just wait for the trade. If you haven’t read it, this is simply a great adventure in the vein of Jonny Quest (only without kids) with wonderful artwork by Mathew Reynolds. 

Mind MGMT #23

Matt Kindt is simply amazing. This is another series I began buying as individuals issues, then waited for the trades, but since Kindt adds so many extras to the floppies (extras which never make it into the collected editions), I might just start picking the single issues up again. Haven’t read Mind MGMT? If you like spy stories, adventure, suspense, action, or just good stories (and who doesn’t?), pick up Mind MGMT. 

Rachel Rising #23

I do buy Rachel Rising, but usually only in collected editions. If you like horror and you’re not reading this title, you should correct that oversight immediately. 

As far as trade/collected editions go, the only thing that really grabs me this week is Brian Wood’s The Massive, Vol. 3: Longship. While Vol. 1: Black Pacific was an exceptional introduction to the world of The Massive, Vol. 2: Subcontinental was a largely disappointing venture with a revolving door of artists. I have high hopes, however, for Longship. 

Be sure to tell me what you plan to pick up today.

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. 

Hellboy Day and Upcoming Temptations

There's really not all that much I'm interested in at the comic shop this week, but I do plan to drop in at Third Eye Comics for Hellboy Day. Should be a lot of fun, even if Ron Perlman doesn't show up! 

It's probably a good thing I won't be picking up anything new this week, since I have at least six graphic novels in my "to read" stack, most of them (thankfully) from the library. The rest of March should be okay, but look at some of the stuff that's coming in April:

 

Matt Kindt (Mind MGMT) takes on Star Wars with Rebel Heist #1 (I'll take the variant on the right, drawn by Kindt.)

Astro City HC

Lazarus Vol. 2

Manhattan Projects Vol. 4

Afterlife with Archie Vol. 1

and soooooo much more!