New This Week: October 26, 2005

Based on the NCRL list for this week's comics shipping from Diamond, here are a few things to look for at the local comic shop later today:


The pick of the week is the first collection of Illusive Arts' Dorothy, a fascinating photo-art retelling of the Oz story in a modern (and not-for-kids) vein. Yes, it's vastly decompressed, but it sure looks pretty while getting along the Yellow Brick Road.


In other comics:

About Comics have their 24 Hour Comics Day Highlights 2005 collection.

Abstract Studios have another issue of Strangers in Paradise (#77).

Amaze Ink debut their Disney license Haunted Mansion just in time for Halloween; and also the first issue of Andi Watson's Paris.

Antarctic Press have a new issue of Gold Digger (#68).

Dark Horse have the second Conan collection in paperback, and new issues of BPRD: The Black Flame (#3) and Usagi Yojimbo (#88).

DC weigh in with the debut of the Azzarello & Frusin's western Loveless; and new issues of JLA Classified (#13), JSA Classified (#4), Jack Cross (#3), Legion of Super-Heroes (#11), The Losers (#29), and Solo (#7--Mike Allred!).

Fantagraphics have Richard Sala's Mad Night Featuring Judy Drood Girl Detective, more spooky fun for your Halloween weekend.

iBooks have the long-delayed second Mister X collection.

IDW have the final issue of Angel: The Curse (#5).

Image have new issues of Age of Bronze (#21), Ferro City (#3), Noble Causes (#14), and Stardust Kid (#3).

Kenzer & Co. have a new issue of Knights of the Dinner Table (#108).

Mavel debut JMS & Colleen Doran's Book of Lost Souls, and heft up new issues of Black Widow: The Things They Say About Her (#2), Captain America (#11), Daredevil (#78), Defenders (#4), Drax the Destroyer (#2), Kabuki (#5), and New Thunderbolts (#14).

Oni have the penultimate issue of Andi Watson's Little Star (#5).

Radio Comix have a collection fo the furry comic Ebin & May.

Speakeasy have the second issue of Hero at Large (#2).

TokyoPop have the second volume of Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad, and the debuts of the OEL titles A Midnight Opera and Mark of the Succubus.


And finally, stuck way down in the Books sections is The Life of Groo as 'available again'--if this shows up at your LCS, grab it, because there are few things better than the Sergio Aragonés funny.

Review: John Constantine Hellblazer: All His Engines

John Constantine Hellblazer: All His Engines
by Mike Carey & Leonardo Manco
DC/Vertigo, $24.95


In the quintessential Hellblazer story, John Constatine encounters, stumbles across, or is brought into a situation of evil nefariousness. Constatine starts to tackle the problem with much of a plan, developing his strategy has he goes, which ultimately backfires. He then regroups, and through a combination of luck, skill and deviousness, triumphs, although often a hefty price must be paid by someone close to him.

All His Engines is pretty much a quintessential Hellblazer story: When his long-suffering friend Chas's granddaughter goes mysteriously ill, the family reluctantly brings John in to help. Of course there's some otherworldly cause, one that leads he and Chas to Los Angeles, where a hellspawn has brought a bit of Hell to Earth, and is looking to franchise. The demon blackmails John into helping his get rid of his rivals, and John complies, all the while looking for the angle that will successfully get Chas's granddaughter back.

Carey and Manco, currently the creative team on the regular Hellblazer comic, bring their A-Game to the table here. Carey crafts the story tightly, and keeps the familiar characters true to their past depictions while telling a big story with personal stakes. I've always appreciated Manco's art for its grittiness, but here he seems to add a touch of well-needed control and discipline, while at the same time pulling out some interesting visuals. This is a good, solid Hellblazer story, and if you like the character you'll probably like this.

The questions remains however as to why this perfectly good Hellblazer story needed the deluxe hardcover OGN treatment. Surely this story would have fit just fine within the normal comic? Undoubtedly it was created to tie into the perceived excitement around the Constantine movie, both to cash in to the potential windfall and to reward the creators. Is it a life-changing event in John Constatine's life that no true fan will want to go without reading? No; it's just solid entertainment. You'll have to decide if that's worth the deluxe treatment to you.

Rating: 3.5 (of 5)