The Spectral Engine (2013) Ray Fawkes

My review of The Spectral Engine is now on The Comics Alternative. If you haven't picked up this great ghost story for Halloween, you really should. 

The First Kingdom Vol. I: The Birth of Tundran by Jack Katz

My review of the first volume of Jack Katz's The First Kingdom is now at The Comics Alternative. 

Upcoming Artist's Editions from IDW

If you're a fan of Watchmen or of Jack Kirby, here's cause for celebration: artist's editions of Watchmen and Kirby's New Gods will be forthcoming from IDW in 2014.  

I enjoyed Watchmen, but have no interest in picking this one up. The Kirby, however, is another story. It's long been said by many in the comics field that we would never see a Kirby artist's edition, since most of his original artwork was bought years ago and would be next to impossible to collect for such a project. Yet this New Gods edition will collect reproductions of Kirby's original artwork on issues # 2, 5, 6, 7, and 8. 

While New Gods is not my favorite Kirby work, I'm tempted to pick this one up (or put it on my birthday wish list. In case you haven't priced them, the artist's editions aren't cheap.). This may be the only shot Kirby fans will ever get for an artist's edition. 

Yet the biggest temptation for me is the announcement of two Steranko artist's editions featuring Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. with and without Captain America. Most artist's editions are 12 x 17", but the S.H.I.E.L.D. edition will be a whopping 15 x 22" monster! I'd better start saving now....

Graphic Novels Read in September

T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents Classics Volume I (1965-66/2013) Various

Previously discussed.

4/5

Tommysaurus Rex (J-Fic 2004) Doug TenNapel 

Tommysaurus Rex, an older work by TenNapel that’s recently been reprinted, is a warm-hearted coming-of-age “Old Yeller with Dinosaurs” story that worked for me about half the time. TenNapel’s focus wanders a bit, but it’s worth a look.  

3/5

The Flying Beaver Brothers and the Evil Penguin Plan (J-Fic 2012) Maxwell 
Eaton III 

Previously discussed. 

3.5/5

Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales: One Dead Spy (J-Fic 2012) Nathan Hale

4/5

Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales: Donner Dinner Party (J-Fic 2013) Nathan Hale

5/5

All three (but mainly Donner Dinner Party) discussed at Comics Alternative.

Manhattan Projects, Volume 2 (2013) Jonathan Hickman, Nick Pitarra

I really enjoyed this, probably not quite as much as I did the first volume, but that could be due to the fact that I’m just not sure if I can wrap my head around the story... Yet I can’t deny it’s weird, wild and fascinating.

4/5

Astro City Vol. 1: Life in the Big City (1995) Kurt Busiek, Alex Ross

I really enjoy Busiek’s writing and the Alex Ross art is a wonder to behold. Busiek and Ross have literally created a world with a fresh look at superheroes and their lives. I’m certainly onboard for more, including the new Astro City series. 

4/5

Fatale, Book Three: West of Hell (2013) Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips

Look for an review over at Comics Alternative soon.

4/5

Gotham Central, Book One: In the Line of Duty (2004) Ed Brubaker, Greg Rucka, Michael Lark

Gotham Central, put simply, is the Gotham Police working on crimes when Batman isn't around. Of course, it's more complicated than that, but that's a good starting point if you're considering whether you should pick this up (and you should). 

Rucka and Brubaker are both excellent writers and Lark's artwork is the perfect match for their stories. It becomes clear from the first story how difficult and frustrating it is for the police not only to solve crimes in Gotham, but also to work in the shadow of Batman (who does appear briefly). 

SPOILER

I refrain from giving this volume 5 stars only because Batman acts as a deus ex machina a couple of times. Of course, maybe that's the point, adding another level of frustration to the G.C.P.D.

4.5/5

Review on The Comics Alternative

I'm very pleased to announce that I've had a review posted on The Comics Alternative, a site and podcast I've enjoyed greatly for the past several months. I'm looking forward to writing more reviews for them in the future. In the meantime, check out some of the great stuff these guys are covering.

The Flying Beaver Brothers and the Evil Penguin Plan (2012) Maxwell Eaton III

Ace and Bub, the flying beaver brothers, are always up for some adventures. Well, actually that's not true: Ace is ready for any adventure, especially those related to extreme sports, but Bub is, unfortunately, addicted to napping. All. The. Time. When a group of penguins seeks to freeze Beaver Island to make a polar resort, the brothers have to come up with a plan to stop the penguin shenanigans in time for the Beaver Island Surfing Competition. 

The Flying Beaver Brothers is extremely goofy, but lots of fun. Some of the panels may be a little confusing to young readers; many are from the point-of-view of the beavers while they're underwater looking up, but it's pretty easy to figure out. Good transition graphic novel to get younger kids interested in reading. Check out Eaton's website for more on this series. 

4/5

Star Trek: The Art of Juan Ortiz (2013)

Although it's not completely graphic novel-related, I'm including posting this here anyway:

Star Trek: The Art of Juan Ortiz (2013)

Oversized hardcover (14.3” x 10.5”)

Titan Books, 112 pages

ISBN 9781781166703

Retail $39.99

Juan Ortiz was first and foremost a fan, which comes across in each of his retro-style posters based on the 80 episodes from the original Star Trek television show (1966-69). Many of these works are absolutely stunning, some of them humorous, all of them interesting. If you grew up in the late 60s/early 70s, you’ll recognize the styles represented here, some borrowed from German Expressionism, comic book, pulp and magazine covers, and other examples of period pop art. 

Making things even more authentic, Ortiz has given many prints a worn, discolored look around the edges. Many of them even have built-in creases in their images. All in all, the retro-style is a perfect fit for Ortiz’s art. 

The Starship Enterprise features prominently in most of the prints, usually to great effect. I find it interesting that some of the most stunning posters are based on some of the show’s weakest episodes. In the Index and Commentary, Ortiz gives brief thoughts on each of the prints and how they were created.  

Poke around on Ortiz’s website and you’ll find even more of his work. He’s also working on posters for the animated series (1973-74) and much more. 

Even if you’ve seen every episode many times, these artworks will give the stories a fresh, unique flavor. This book instantly jumps to the top of the gift list for any Star Trek fan. But buy it soon before it goes out of print. 

5/5