Dave's Dozen: Collections/GNs

Concluding my look through the February Previews (for items supposedly shipping in April), here are a baker's dozen collections and graphic novels that I feel are worth your attention:


X-Men and Power Pack: The Power of X Digest
(Marvel, $6.99, p. M87)
Really, at only sveen bucks, there's just no excuse for you not giving this a go. Unless you just don't like fun, well-drawn, all-ages super-hero comics. The first digest is available for reorder too, so you can double your Pack for just $7 more.


Eden: It's an Endless World! vol. 3
(Dark Horse, $12.95, p. 40)
The first volume was a pleasant surprise: an intelligent science fiction manga with good art and an intriguing story. This series should appeal to those of you who enjoyed Planetes or Akira, even though it is a different sort of story than those.


Y: The Last Man, vol. 7 – Paper Dolls
(DC/Vertigo, $14.99, p. 123)
Another quality speculative fiction series, available in reading-size chunks with no ads for crappy rock bands. Plus, we get to check in on what's been going on with Ampersand the monkey, and monkeys always make comics better.


The Tourist
(Image, $9.99, p. 146)
Originally scheduled to come out from Ait/PlanetLAR, this OGN from Brian Wood and Toby Cypress finally makes an appearance under the Image banner. Action, drama, and cool drawings of oil rigs.


Lost in Space: Voyage to the Bottom of the Soul
(Bubblehead, $37.95, p. 242)
IIRC, this more adult take on LiS by Bill Mumy and Michal Dutkiewicz only saw six of its planned twelve issues come out before Innovation folded way back when. So despite the hefty price I'm anxious to see the conclusion after all these years.


Shades of Gray Comics & Stories
(Century Comics, $24.95, p. 244)
Jimmy Gownley cut his comics teeth on this self-published comic about teenagers in outer suburbia. It was a bit rough at times, especially the earlier issues, but it was very earnest and heartfelt, and rang true to those of us who grew up in such an environment.


A Patch of Dreams
(Fanfare/Ponent Mon, $22.99, p. 278)
I know next to nothing about this comic by Hideji Oda, but with F/PM's track record I have faith that it'll be good.


The Complete Peanuts, vol. 5: 1959-1960
(Fantagraphics, $28.95, p. 278)
The comprehensive Peanuts collections reach the end of the first decade, and I'm in it for the long haul. This features the debut of such long-time Peanuts themes as Lucy's Psychiatric booth, The Great Pumpkin, and sally, plus one of the most famous Peanuts strips ever.


Adventures in Oz
(IDW, $39.99, p. 292)
Finally, all of Eric Shanower's original OZ albums get collected into one place. Shanower manages to capture the magic of Baum's original stories in lush graphic narrative. Not to be missed.


Little Star
(Oni Press, $19.95, p. 306)
For those of us who were wating for the trade on Andi Watson's latest, here it is. I haven't read it yet, but it's gotten good reviews so I'll be picking it up.


Kat & Mouse, vol. 1
(TokyoPop, $5.99, p. 329)
Alex de Campi & Federica Manfredi team up for an OEL manga about myserty solving boarding school girls. Aimed at tweens, but I'm young at heart!


Kings in Disguise
(W. W. Norton, $16.95, p. 361)
I've heard a lot of good things about this classic series set in Detroit during the Great Depression, but I've never been able to read it, until now.


The Cartoon Guide to (Non) Communication
(Harper-Collins, $16.95, p. 379)
This classic by Larry Gonick is probably my favorite out of everything he's done, and it's a must read for anyone involved in Web work and the information professions. I'm very happy to see this book back in print.



Yeah, that's a baker's dozen. Deal with it.

That concludes Dave's Dozen for this month (previously I covered mainstream comics and indy comics). Come back next month for 36 (or 37 or 38...) picks.

New Library Comics: Week of January 30, 2006

Here are the comics we got in for our library collection last week:


Chiarello, Mark. The DC Comics guide to coloring and lettering comics /New York : Watson-Guptill Publications, 2004.

DeFelippis, Nunzio. Skinwalker /Portland, OR : Oni Press, 2003.

Groth, Gary. Drawing the line /Seattle, Wash. : Fantagraphics, c2004.

Hornschemeier, Paul. Stand on a mountain, look back /Columbus, OH : I Don't Get It Graphics, 2001.

Knight, Keith. Dances with sheep : a K chronicles compendium /San Francisco : Manic D Press, 1997.

Knight, Keith. Fear of a black marker : another K chronicles compendium /San Francisco : Manic D Press, 2000.

Knight, Keith. Red, white, black & blue : a (th)ink anthology : cartoons /San Francisco, Calif. : Manic D Press, c2004.

Komikwerks. /Boston : Komikwerks. v. 1-2

Sadogawa, Jun. Noodle fighter Miki /Houston, Tex. : ADV Manga ; London : Diamond [distributor], 2005. v. 1

Monkey Covers

Sunday is Monkey Covers day here at YACB. Because there's nothing better than a comic with a monkey on the cover.

Primate returns on the cover of 1997's Explorers #2 by Al Bigley & Bill Neville, one of those titles that was sadly lost in the Caliber/Tapestry implosion.

(Standard disclaimer about apes not really being monkeys applies.)

Image courtesy of the GCD. Click on the image for a larger version.

Dave's Dozen: Indy Comics

Continuing my look through the February Previews (for comics supposedly shipping in April), here are a dozen indy comics that I feel are worth your attention:


Superior Showcase #1
(Adhouse Books, $2.95, p. 207)
Spinning out of Project: Superior, it's an anthology series of indy cartoonists doing their take on super-heroes. This first issue features the talents of Nick Bertozzi, Mike Dawson & Dean Trippe.


Tron: The Ghost in the Machine #1
(Slave Labor Graphics, $3.50, p. 212)
Another comic springing out of the strange alliance between SLG & Disney, this sequel to the groundbreaking film takes place in teh present day. It'll be interesting to see what changes they make now that 'cyberspace' is something that many more people are actually familiar with, and the computer landscape has changed so much.


Horrorwood #1 (0f 4)
(Ape Entertainment, $3.50, p. 218)
It's a mystery set against the backdrop of Hollywood, and I find the art attractive, so I'll probably give Brandon Terrell & Brent Schoonover's new comic a try.


Mouse Guard #2
(Archaia Studios, $3.50, p. 220)
I've read the original black and white version of the first issue of Mouse Guard, and it's intrigued me enough that I'll be giving this color series a go.


Warren Ellis' Wolfskin #1 (0f 3)
(Avatar Press, $3.99, p. 229)
Surely it won't be at the level of Nextwave or ay of Ellis's other major works, but with full-color art from Juan Jose Ryp this barbarian tale is bound to be full of plenty of good-looking senseless violence.


Cthulhu Tales #1
(Boom! Studios, $6.99, p. 240)
Six new comic book tales based on Lovecraft's Cthulu mythos. While I prefer the tales presented in their original style, the mythos have shown to be easily adapted into other types of stories too, so no matter what the take is here I imagine it'll be enjoyable.


Or Else #4
(Drawn & Quarterly, $5.95, p. 275)
Or Else #2 was quite possibly the best single issue of last year, and by now you've surely read all the praise that's been heaped on Huizenga's recent Ganges. If you're already on board, this is a no-brainer. If not, well, this'll give you the perfect opportunity to see what all the fuss is about.


Action Philosphers: Hate the French!
(Evil Twin Comics, $2.95, p. 278)
Fred Van Lente & Ryan Dunlavey take the Larry Gonick approach to make comics that are both irreverant and informative, showing that educational comics can also be a lot of fun.


Dorothy #7
(Illusive Arts, $5.00, p. 294)
This photocomic for the 21st century continues the intriguing modern take on the Wizard of Oz.


Buckaroo Bonzai #1 (of 3)
(Moonstone, $3.50, p. 298)
Adapting the never-produced tv pilot script into comic book form, this is the return of the great 80's cult hero. (It's in full color, which I think will improve the B&W art from the preview issue.)


Monkey vs. Lemur: Crisis with Infinite Critters #1
(Silent Devil, $3.95, p. 310)
Assuming this extra-sized issue equals the madcap wanton combat of the first special, it should be a lot of fun. I just wish that the monkey wasn't the 'bad guy'.


The Middleman volume 2 #4
(Viper Comics, $2.95, p. 353)
While most tv writers who slum in comics turn to the mainstream publishers, Javier Grillo-Marxuach has taken the road less travelled and teamed up with Les McClaine to produce a creator-owned story of secret agents protecting us from the unexplainable.



That wraps up my look at indy comics. A couple of days ago I highlighted mainstream comics, and ina few days I'll put up my Collections/GNs picks.

YAFQ: Favorite Non-Super-Hero Comic Movie

What is your favorite comic book-based movie that is not super-hero related?

For quality I'd opt for American Splendor, but for sheer entertainment value it would have to be Josie and the Pussycats, which took the Archie comics property and turned it into a funny, biting satire of the music industry.

What about you: which non-super-hero comic book movie is your favorite?

And all this time I thought I was Clark...

Well, at least my alter-ego tied for a distant second...

Your results:
You are Spider-Man

Spider-Man 85% Robin 55% Superman 55% Hulk 45% Green Lantern 40% Iron Man 35% The Flash 35% Batman 30% Supergirl 28% Catwoman 25% Wonder Woman 23%

You are intelligent, witty, a bit geeky and have great power and responsibility.

Click here to take the Superhero Personality Quiz

Dave's Dozen: Mainstream Comics

Gone is Previews-O-Rama, and in its place is Dave's Dozen. I'll be going through Previews each month, highlighting twelve items worthy of attention in three categories: Mainstream Comics, Indy Comics, and Collections/GNs.

So first up for the February Previews (comics supposedly available in April) are the following dozen mainstream comics picks:


Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane #5
(Marvel, $2.99, p. M12)
For some reason I thought this was a four-issue mini? I'm pleasantly surprised then to find that it's going beyond that, as McKeever & Miyazawa have found the perfect series for their style and sensibility.


Avengers and Power Pack Assemble! #1 (of 4)
(Marvel, $2.99, p. M33)
More Power Pack? Yes! More bright, colorful fun with Marvel's youngest super-hero team.


Star Wars: Tag & Bink Episode I--Revenge of the Clone Menace
(Dark Horse, $2.99, p. 24)
Kevin Rubio brings his loving but irreverant look at the Star Wars universe to the prequels, telling the story of hapless Tag and Bink as kids in this one-shot. Should be fun.


BPRD: The Universal Machine #1 (of 5)
(Dark Horse, $2.99, p. 36)
Is it wrong that I like the BPRD comics by Mignola, Arcudi & Davis more than I like Hellboy proper? This series promises to reveal secrets of the organization's past.


Infinite Crisis #7 (of 7)
(DC, $3.99, p. 78)
Unsurpringly there's zero-content in the solicitation copy. So we'll just assume that this final issue will make fanboys squeel with glee and/or piss them off to no end, whilest detatched bloggers look on with scorn.


Checkmate #1
(DC, $2.99, p. 82)
Greg Rucka reunites with Omac artist Jesus Saiz to give us metahuman espionage in the DCU. Should be right up his alley.


Jonah Hex #6
(DC, $2.99, p. 90)
Nuns with Guns! I've never been much of a western fan, but I'm liking how Palmiotti, Gray & Ross manage to deliver stories that are done-in-one each month yet still manage to have a feeling of scope.


Seven Soldiers #1 (of 1)
(DC, $2.99, p. 96)
It all comes down to this, as J. H. Williams III returns to finish off Morrison's anti-crossover.


Bite Club: Vampire Crime Unit #1 (of 5)
(DC/Vertigo, $2.99, p. 118)
I'll buy just about anything with art by David Hahn (though I'm still hoping he goes back to his own Private Beach someday), and I liked the story from the first mini enough to go for this follow-up.


Rocketo: Journey to the Hidden Sea #7
(Image, $2.99, p. 136)
Speakeasy's biggest critical hit escapes to a more hospitable publisher. Based on the preview art I'm assuming that this will still be done in landscape format.


Astro
(Image, $6.99, p. 138)
This one-shot by the uni-monikered Nilson about a crash-landed astronaut looks lovely and cute.


Angel Spotlight: Illyria
(IDW, #3.99, p. 290)
As she's essentially a blank slate, it ought to be interesting to see what Peter David makes of Illyria's post-Angel wanderings on Earth.



Look for the other two parts, Indy Comics & Collections/GNs, sometime over the next week.