Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for January 16 2013

DARK HORSE COMICS

NOV120038 BILLY KIDS ODDITIES & ORM LOCH NESS #4 $3.50

NOV120030 BLACK BEETLE #1 NO WAY OUT $3.99

NOV120037 BPRD 1948 #4 $3.50

NOV120031 CONAN THE BARBARIAN #12 $3.50

SEP120048 CONAN TP VOL 12 THRONE OF AQUILONIA $19.99

NOV120041 EX SANGUINE #4 (MR) $3.99

NOV120096 GOOD LUCK TROLLS MYSTERY BOX SERIES 2 PI

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for January 16 2013

IMAGE COMICS

NOV120549 COMEBACK #3 (MR) [DIG] $3.50

NOV120550 CREATOR OWNED HEROES #8 CVR A MORSE (MR) [DIG] $4.99

NOV120551 CREATOR OWNED HEROES #8 CVR B CONNER & MOUNTS (MR) $4.99

MAY120604 DARKNESS #101 SIGNED SILVESTRI & HAUN CVR (MR) $20.00

AUG120509 ELEPHANTMEN #45 (MR) [DIG] $3.99

NOV120466 HOAX HUNTERS #6 [DIG] $2.99

NOV120497 INVINCIBLE TP VOL 17 WHATS HAPPENING [DIG] $16.99

MAY120616 LIL DEPRESSED BOY #15 [DIG] $3.99

NOV120442 ONE TRICK RIP OFF DEEP CUTS HC $29.99

NOV128073 SAGA #7 2ND PTG $2.99

NOV120578 SAGA #9 (MR) [DIG] $2.99

NOV120456 TODD THE UGLIEST KID ON EARTH #1 [DIG] $2.99

Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for January 16 2013

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

OCT121260 AFTERSCHOOL CHARISMA TP VOL 07 $12.99

NOV121338 ARCHER & ARMSTRONG (NEW) #6 REG LUPACCHINO CVR $3.99

NOV120864 B & V FRIENDS DOUBLE DIGEST #231 [DIG/P+] $3.99

NOV121098 BIONIC MAN VS BIONIC WOMAN #1 $3.99

NOV121336 BLOODSHOT (ONGOING) #7 REG ANDRASOFSZKY CVR $3.99

NOV121228 BLUE BLOODS HC GN VOL 01 $19.99

NOV120904 CALIGULA HEART OF ROME #2 (MR) $3.99

NOV120906 CALIGULA HEART OF ROME #2 GORE CVR (MR) $3.99

NOV120905 CALIGULA HEART OF ROME #2 WRAP CVR (MR) $3.99

NOV120843 CRAWLING SKY #1 [DIG] $3.99

NOV120912 CROSSED BADLANDS #21 (MR) $3.99

NOV120914 CROSSED BADLANDS #21 TORTURE CVR (MR) $3.99

NOV120913 CROSSED BADLANDS #21 WRAP CVR (MR) $3.99

SEP121042 DARK SHADOWS #12 $3.99

SEP121063 DF VAMPIRELLA #25 RISQUE RED EXC $19.99

AUG121355 DOGS TP VOL 07 (MR) $12.99

JUL120735 DREAMWORKS ADVENTURE MAGAZINE #1 $4.99

SEP120772 DREAMWORKS ADVENTURE MAGAZINE #2 $4.99

NOV120892 EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT ASSASSINS #7 CVR A GUNDERSON $3.99

NOV120893 EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT ASSASSINS #7 CVR B LAISO $3.99

NOV120894 EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT ASSASSINS #7 CVR C TORQUE PI

NOV121004 EXTERMINATION #8 MAIN CVRS [DIG] $3.99

NOV120997 FANBOYS VS ZOMBIES #10 MAIN CVRS [DIG] $3.99

NOV120908 FASHION BEAST #5 (MR) $3.99

NOV120909 FASHION BEAST #5 WRAP CVR (MR) $3.99

NOV120924 FERALS #12 (MR) $3.99

NOV120926 FERALS #12 GORE CVR (MR) $3.99

NOV120925 FERALS #12 WRAP CVR (MR) $3.99

NOV121408 FLY VOL II #4 A CVR DEBALFO (MR) $2.99

NOV121409 FLY VOL II #4 B CVR ERIC J (MR) $2.99

OCT120889 FREELANCERS #3 MAIN CVRS [DIG] $3.99

NOV121251 GARFIELD & CO HC VOL 08 SECRET AGENT X $7.99

SEP120994 GARTH ENNIS JENNIFER BLOOD #21 (MR) $3.99

OCT121035 GREEN HORNET YEAR ONE SPECIAL #1 $4.99

NOV121393 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #81 A CVR CAFARO (MR) $2.99

NOV121394 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #81 B CVR MYCHAELS (MR) $2.99

OCT121261 JORMUNGAND GN VOL 10 (MR) $12.99

AUG121017 KEVIN SMITH BIONIC MAN #15 $3.99

AUG121044 LORD OF THE JUNGLE #11 (MR) $3.99

NOV121238 MISSIONS OF LOVE GN VOL 02 $10.99

OCT121017 PATHFINDER #4 $3.99

NOV121119 PETER CANNON THUNDERBOLT #5 $3.99

NOV120951 SIMPSONS COMICS #198 $2.99

NOV120928 STITCHED #11 (MR) $3.99

NOV120930 STITCHED #11 GORE CVR (MR) $3.99

NOV120929 STITCHED #11 WRAP CVR (MR) $3.99

SEP121026 WARLORD OF MARS DEJAH THORIS #21 (MR) $3.99

NOV120876 WORLD OF ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #25 [DIG/P+] $3.99

MAGAZINES

OCT121323 BACK ISSUE #62 $8.95

OCT120867 BLEEDING COOL MAGAZINE #2 (MR) $4.99

SEP121322 CLASSIC MARVEL FIG COLL MAG #190 VANCE ASTRO $14.00

OCT121318 CLASSIC MARVEL FIG COLL MAG #191 CONSTRICTOR $14.00

OCT121317 CLASSIC MARVEL FIG COLL MAG SPECIAL GIANT MAN $28.00

NOV121434 COMIC SHOP NEWS #1334 PI

NOV121435 COMIC SHOP NEWS #1335 PI

SEP121323 DC SUPERHERO CHESS FIG COLL MAG #22 RED HOOD BLACK PAWN $16.00

SEP121324 DC SUPERHERO CHESS FIG COLL MAG #23 BATWING WHITE PAWN $16.00

OCT120652 DISNEY JUNIOR MAGAZINE #11 $4.99

NOV121423 JUXTAPOZ #145 FEB 2013 $5.99

OCT121361 RUE MORGUE MAGAZINE #130 $9.95

NOV121475 SCARY MONSTERS MAGAZINE #85 $8.95

SEP121337 SKETCH MAGAZINE #41 $6.95

BOOKS

NOV120819 AGENT GATES & SECRET ADVENTURES OF DEVONTON ABBEY GN $14.99

NOV121457 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN ORIGIN STORY YR HC 2ND ED $8.99

OCT121357 COMPLETE JOHN THUNSTONE HC (RES) $40.00

NOV121459 MIGHTY AVENGERS AN ORIGIN STORY HC 2ND ED $8.99

OCT121382 NEIL GAIMAN CHUS DAY HC $17.99

NOV121483 TOY CONFIDENTIAL SECRET LIFE SNARKY TOYS SC $12.99

SEP121339 UNSTOPPABLE WOLVERINE AN ORIGIN STORY HC $8.99

SEP122053 WARHAMMER 40K RAVENWING MMPB $11.99

Jiu Jiu: (Ex) Fiance

I read Jiu Jiu, Vol. 3

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin.

I Reads You Review: THE HIDDEN

THE HIDDEN
FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS – @fantagraphics

CARTOONIST: Richard Sala
DESIGN: Richard Sala and Jacob Covey
ISBN: 978-1-60699-386-6; hardcover (2011), 8.25" x 8.25" (dimensions)
136pp, Color, $19.99 U.S.

The Hidden is a 2011 full color, hardcover, original graphic novel from cartoonist and comic book creator, Richard Sala. Sala is known for his comic book series, Evil Eye (Fantagraphics Books), and such works as Cat Burglar Black, Delphine, and The Chuckling Whatsit. Published by Fantagraphics Books, The Hidden follows a group of survivors of a mysterious worldwide catastrophe that seems like it could be an extinction level event for humanity.

The story begins on a day when strange creatures begin an assault on humans, and it seems as if dark forces are at war with nature. An indeterminate amount of time later, the narrative finds civilizations in ruins. We meet two wanderers looking for safe haven or, perhaps, someplace not in ruins. They are a young woman named Colleen and Tom, her boyfriend. The couple finds a middle-aged man asleep in a cave. Although he cannot remember his name, he does remember an old trading post that he claims is a safe place.

Along their journey, the trio meets another couple, Glen and Sally, who claim to have witnessed a horrific and surprising massacre. When the small band finally arrives at the trading post, they find more mystery. Colleen also begins to learn of the terrible conspiracy and dark secrets behind the man who cannot remember his name.

Richard Sala’s Delphine was a modern take slash re-imagination of the fairy tale, “Snow White.” The following is a possible spoiler: Sala’s The Hidden is a modernization of Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein: or, The Modern Prometheus (1818), but told in the context of our current times (which are beset by end-of-the-world fears). In fact, The Hidden goes beyond the end of Shelley’s novel, imagining a different fate for man, monster, and humanity. This graphic novel is essentially a parable about ethical-free, morality-light, cutting-edge science. Why do anything? Why play God? The answer to both questions is “because we can.” “Damn the consequences” is The Hidden’s unspoken refrain.

The back cover of The Hidden has a quote about Sala’s work from Publisher’s Weekly, which describes reading Sala as “an experience both jarring and fun.” That is quite true. I tore through The Hidden, flipping pages as if I were reading the latest potboiler, suspense thriller on the prose bestsellers’ list. I couldn’t wait to get to the next shocking and thrilling revelation.

The Hidden is jarring because of the action taken by the characters, both the leading actors and the bit players. Much of Sala’s work has a playful gothic aesthetic, similar to the mischievous macabre of Charles Addams and the lighthearted ghoulishness of Tim Burton. Sala goes past Addams and Burton. His comics contain moments in which the capricious nature of life and the seeming fickleness of existence delivers cruelty. This does not always appear as physical violence; sometimes, the result is a spiritual wound or a gash on the psyche. In The Hidden, the characters don’t do “playful gothic aesthetic.”

The Hidden is what Sala’s work always is, entertaining and bizarre, but it also reveals that Richard Sala isn’t just some guy drawing peculiar cartoons. Sala is a talent like no other. When I think of the comic book creator/hacks that are more famous (and perhaps wealthier) than Sala, it makes me realize that there may be a God, but there ain’t no justice.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

Psyren: Light

I read Psyren, Vol. 8

I posted a review at ComicBookBin (which has free smart phone apps and comics).

Review: 21st CENTURY BOYS Volume 1

21ST CENTURY BOYS, VOL. 01
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

WRITER: Naoki Urasawa with Takashi Nagasaki
ARTIST: Naoki Urasawa
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Akemi Wegmüller
LETTERS: Freeman Wong
ISBN: 978-1-4215-4326-0; paperback; Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
200pp, B&W, $12.99 U.S., $14.99 CAN, £8.99 UK

20th Century Boys is a science fiction and mystery manga from creator Naoki Urasawa. The series was originally serialized from 1999 to 2006 in the Japanese manga magazine, Big Comic Spirits. The series, a seinen manga (comics for adult men), was collected in 22 graphic novels (called tankobon in Japan). The series also has a 16-chapter sequel (of sorts), entitled 21st Century Boys.

20th Century Boys is concluded. The war is over. The “Friend,” leader of the worldwide cult known as the “Friends,” is dead. But has peace really come to Tokyo, after the world was on the brink of destruction? Many mysteries concerning the Friend remain, such as the Friend’s true identity. Are any of his diabolical plans still in motion? The answers may be in the memories of Kenji Endo, the returning hero and the Friend’s sworn enemy. Welcome to 21st Century Boys.

Naoki Urasawa’s 21st Century Boys, Vol. 1 (entitled Death of the Friend) picks up after the end of the Eisner Award-winning Naoki Urasawa’s 20th Century Boys. The Friend dies, but not before speaking cryptically to Kenji. The Friend’s stand-in, Sadakiyo, lies in a hospital. He is watched over by Kenji’s niece, Kanna, as she tries to understand what Sadakiyo is trying to tell her. United Nations Forces move into Tokyo, and Kenji prepares to makes a dangerous trip into the mind games of the Friends.

This first volume of the 21st Century Boys manga, the sort of sequel to the 20th Century Boys manga, offers more of the same, but not quite. The first series pitted a large cast of characters against a primary adversary, the Friend. In this new series, it seems as if the heroes are chasing ghosts and confronting a vaguely outlined adversary, so the series strikes an odd tone. It is as if creator Naoki Urasawa wants the characters to discover things about their pasts that are better left alone and unknown.

Comic book readers who loved 20th Century Boys will want the follow-up, VIZ Signature’s Naoki Urasawa’s 21st Century Boys.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux