Comics and More

Greg Rucka & J.H. Williams III This hardcover collects issues #854-860 of Detective Comics . A lot has been said about J.H. Williams III's art on this run, and I'm also quite a fan of it. Some of his scenes are just stunning, and demand that you stop to admire them. He kind of jumps between a more traditional art that he uses on panels when the story focuses on Kate Kane's civilian life, to a more painted look with tons of splash pages and elaborate designs when she's Batwoman, out fighting crime. Dave Stewart is due credit for his coloring on this title, making happier moments more bright and lively, with shadows and more subdued tones darkening the panels as Batwoman skulks the streets of Gotham (except for that lovely flair of bright red hair). People weren't exaggerating when they said this was one of the best superhero titles coming out last year. A lot of that has to do with the art, but Greg Rucka's writing is top-notch here as well and might be a l

Here are a few quick reviews to get caught up on some titles that I've recently read... Weathercraft HC  ( Jim Woodring) - I've never read any of Jim Woodring's Frank comics before, but his latest addition to the universe he created, and his first full-length graphic novel period, features his character Manhog, whose luck seems like it can't get any worse.  He is tortured, stalked, and imprisoned as he makes his way through the crazy world he lives in, discovering fantastic creatures and ways to manipulate the environment.  He has some fun along the way too, but it's always short-lived.  This is a nice showcase for Woodring's beautiful art, which often dips into the grotesque, but is always interesting and somehow pretty no matter what is depicted.  He's a great cartoonist, which he shows off through his imaginative creatures and the curious monsters, and fully-realized alien world.  It's a whimsical journey, completely silent, but unforgettable and h

Sorry, no Manga Monday this week.  It will return next week with a review of House of Five Leaves .  Anyway, amid a big week for comic releases, this is the book you should be paying attention to in comic shops this Wednesday... You'll Never Know (Book 2): Collateral Damage HC - Carol Tyler continues to explore her relationship with her father in the second book in her You'll Never Know memoir trilogy, relating her father's time in Italy during World War II while exploring her own family traumas. Other Noteworthy Releases 7 Billion Needles (Volume 1) Absolute Promethea (Volume 2) HC Al Jaffee's Mad Life SC American Vampire (Volume 1) HC Barney Google HC Chip: Second Crack #1 (of 3) De Tales HC Eerie Archives (Volume 4) HC Franklin Richards: Son of a Genius Ultimate Collection (Book 1) TP Heralds HC Hetalia: Axis Powers (Volume 1) John Cullen Murphy's Big Ben Bolt Dailies (Volume 1) TP Liquid City (Volume 2) GN The Occult Files of Doctor Spektor

Jaime Hernandez & Gilbert Hernandez The Hernandez Brothers return for the third annual release of Love and Rockets: New Stories , and this may be their best offering yet, with both artists contributing a few short stories.  Gilbert Hernandez has long been a favorite artist of mine, and he doesn't disappoint with his new offerings.  The first story from him is "Scarlet by Starlight," another comic adaptation of one of Fritz's movies (of which the graphic novels The Troublemakers , Chance In Hell and Speak of the Devil are a part of), in which she plays a fur-covered beast that becomes curious about some explorers who are doing research in the area.  She becomes attracted to one of the human men, resulting in the jealous rage of her mate.  It's a bloody little fantasy with plenty of disturbing sexual sequences.  Gilbert's second story is "Killer * Sad Girl * Star," following Killer, who may or may not have what it takes to follow in Fritz's

Here's the book you should be paying attention to in comic stores tomorrow... Smurfs (Volume 1): The Purple Smurf GN  and Smurfs (Volume 2): The Magic Flute GN - These are the classic reprints of Peyo's Smurf comics that Papercutz is beginning to put out.  They are available in both hardcover and paperback formats, the latter available for just $5.99.  Great all-ages stories in full color. Other Noteworthy Releases Art of Neal Adams HC Beetle Bailey Dailies & Sundays: 1965-1966 HC Broadcast GN Earl & Mooch: A Mutts Treasury TP Fire & Water: Bill Everett, The Sub-Mariner, and the Birth of Marvel Comics HC Four Color Fear: Forgotten Horror Comics of the 1950's TP House of Leaves (Volume 1) TP John Stanley Library: Tubby (Volume 1) HC Skullkickers #1 Swedish Comics History HC Telara Chronicles #1 (of 4)

Natsume Ono Gente is a new book from not simple creator Natsume Ono.  It's actually a book that examines characters from another book from her that was recently released through Viz's Signature line, Ristorante Paradiso .  In Ristorante Paradiso , the restaurant Casetta dell'Orso, in Rome, is already a hit, with a loyal clientele who come in droves to be waited on by the gentlemen in glasses.  Gente backs up the story of this chic place to dine to its humble beginnings.  As the owner opens its doors to the public, he hires waiters, establishes the trademark eyeglasses his waitstaff wears, and has to replace a chef who quits early on.  This book ends with the one-year anniversary of the restaurant's opening, getting all of the characters that readers have gotten to know over the course of the previous four short stories together in a nice little gathering celebration.  The art, of course, is fantastic.  We've come to expect this as a given when picking up an On

I've started a new blog focusing on young adult novels in case anybody who enjoys Comics-and-More is interested.  Here's the link: http://teensylittlebook.blogspot.com/

Warren Ellis & Various This didn't hold up very well from my youth.  I was a huge fan of Excalibur growing up.  The very first comic that I picked up (thanks to a Marvel Universe trading card featuring Shadowcat) was Excalibur #48 , and I went back and collected all of the back issues and kept up with it until the series ended.  So, I was rather disappointed when rereading Warren Ellis' run on the title from #83-90.  I'd remembered a few of his storyarcs quite fondly, especially The Soul Sword Trilogy and Dream Nails Trilogy .  And while they are cool stories, they just weren't executed well.  At all.  I had many moments during these stories, particularly in The Soul Sword Trilogy , where I remembered a big reveal or a big moment in my head much differently than how it played out on the page.  I must have just built them up in my mind, turning these sub-par drawings into iconic scenes.  It's a rather odd experience discovering this.  There's a scene on

Atomic Robo and the Fightin' Scientists of Tesladyne TP Brian Clevinger & Scott Wegener Atomic Robo is a really fun superhero title.  Put out by the small Canadian publisher Red 5 Comics , there have been several Atomic Robo mini-series that have been collected over the years, this being my first taste of the guy.  It seems pretty likely that this was heavily influenced by Hellboy .  Not only do the pencils by Scott Wegener look very Mike Mignola-ish, but the premise harbors striking similarities.  Hellboy is about a demon in the employ of the government who handles cases that are beyond the limitations of man.  He's also an outsider who wisecracks as he fights.  Atomic Robo has the same sort of personality traits, often to rather funny results, and works for the government as well, although he is obviously a robot instead of a demon.  But Clevinger and Wegener have no problem making Atomic Robo seem like a breath of fresh air.  It's highly entertaining, and lik

Here's the book you should be paying attention to in comic shops on Wednesday... Harvey Comics Treasury (Volume 1): Casper TP - Dark Horse's previous Harvey Comics Classics line was so successful that they've continued to publish Harvey Comics in this new line of compendiums.  Each book contains 200 color pages at just $14.99. Other Noteworthy Releases Daniel Clowes Conversations SC Koko Be Good GN The Marvelous Land of Oz HC Prison Pit (Book 2) GN Thor: First Thunder #1 (of 5)

A Drunken Dream and Other Stories HC Moto Hagio Moto Hagio is a real talent from Japan, where she was not only the first recipient of the Osamu Tezuka Culture Award grand prize, but was one of the Magnificent Forty-Niners who made comics for girls a real force to be reckoned with in the 70's.  It's not hard to see what all of the fuss is about.  Moto Hagio's artwork is stunning.  Her storytelling is fluid, her characters expressive, and her drawings in general are beautifully arranged and look effortless.  Each and every one of the ten stories in this "best of" collection of short stories featuring the talented Hagio are enchanting, full of warmth and wonderful characters, and brimming with emotion.  You have to have a heart of ice not to be moved.  From the strange Girl On Porch With Puppy to the eerie, yet sad Hanshin: Half-God to the rich family drama of Iguana Girl (my personal favorite), there's plenty here for everybody. Fantagraphics' present

Michael McMillian & Anna Wieszczyx Lucid is a new mini-series published by Archaia in association with Before the Door , the media company co-founded by Heroes star Zachary Quinto, with Corey Moosa and Neal Dodson.  This is actually the first of many collaborations between the two companies, and is filed under Archaia's new Black Label imprint.  Lucid is written and created by Michael McMillian, who you may be familiar with, as he played a big guest role on season two of HBO's True Blood .  He's been a long-time comic book fan and is now living his dream of creating them.  The story is kind of a mixture of the spy genre with magic.  It follows Matthew Dee, an experienced magician who's hired by the President of the United States to protect the country from magical threats.  He works with a small group of covert magicians, and now has a new handler in the enigmatic, aloof Vivian Lock.  It's a fun premise, with plenty of potential.  The storytelling is clea

Comics will be on sale a day later due to Labor Day.  This is the book you should be paying attention to in comic shops this week... Simon and Kirby Superheroes HC - Including works like The Fighting American , Lancelot Strong and The Fly , this deluxe format 480 page hardcover includes every comic the two legends collaborated on that weren't published at Marvel or DC in the forties through the sixties, complete with an introduction by Neil Gaiman. Other Noteworthy Releases Conan Newspaper Strips (Volume 1) HC Cuba: My Revolution HC From Shadow To Light: The Life & Art of Mort Meskin HC I Am Legion Deluxe HC Lucid #1 (of 4) Mighty Samson Archives (Volume 1) HC Spider-Man: Fever TP X-9: Secret Agent Corrigan (Volume 1): 1967-1969 HC

Dengeki Daisy (Volume 1) Kyousuke Motomi I'm really tired of seeing completely clueless heroines in shojo manga.  Even worse than Haruna in High School Debut  is Teru in Dengeki Daisy .  At least Haruna is a strong person who tries to fix her own problems.  Whenever Teru gets into trouble, she just texts a guy to help her.  Let me start at the beginning...  Teru Kurebayashi is a high school girl who lost her brother, who was always there for her.  Before his death, he let Teru know that someone would always be there watching out for her, and that person was Daisy, who she began to text on her cell phone.  Whenever she was blue, he would encourage her.  Whenever she had a problem, he would help her work it out.  He's the one person she can trust in the world.  If it's not bad enough that Teru has to rely on a man to feel good about herself and solve her problems, she's also picked on because she's a poor girl in a school full of rich kids.  When she accidentally b

Wading through the phonebook that is Previews Catalogue so you don't have to...  Here are fifteen choice books that you may have overlooked or that I'm just plain excited about, shipping to comic shops in November! The Acme Novelty Library (Volume 20) HC - Last year was the first year in a while we didn't get anything from Chris Ware, but we're lucky enough to get an offering this year in the form of this 72 page hardcover featuring CEO Jordan Wellington Lint. Castle Waiting (Volume 2) HC - Linda Medley's fantasy returns in this second collected volume of the acclaimed series. Return of the Dapper Men HC - I had a chance to see some of the original painted woodblocks that make up this original graphic novel from Archaia (at C2E2) and the art here is just beautiful.  This is going to be a book you won't want to miss. Krazy and Ignatz: The Sketchbook Strips 1910-1913 HC - This collection of Krazy Kat strips features George Herriman's sketches that

Simon Spurrier & Gabriel Hernandez Walta As part of the Curse of the Mutants crossover, X-Men: Smoke and Blood deals with the virus that has been engineered and released into the world, infecting people, such as former X-Men and mutant Jubilee, with a vampiric disease that makes them weak to sunlight and the mental suggestions of actual vampires, until it slowly transforms them into vampires themselves.  X-Men: Smoke and Mirrors is a one-shot that focuses on the scientist group of the X-Men, including Dr. Nemesis Dr. Rao and Jeffries, as they try to find a cure for this new virus.  So, the X-Men have captured a live subject for them to do tests on, and they think that they've found a cure that they've put into a serum, but before they have time to test it out, the vampire escapes.  There's plenty of good creepy moments in this dark, moody book.  Great idea, great atmosphere, all taking place in an isolated area where the scientists are stuck with a monster that'