Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for November 14 2012

IMAGE COMICS

JUL120497 ELEPHANTMEN #44 (MR) [DIG] $3.99

SEP120391 GREAT PACIFIC #1 (MR) [DIG] $2.99

AUG120484 GRIM LEAPER TP (MR) $14.99

JUL120500 HACK SLASH #20 CVR A SEELEY (MR) [DIG] $3.50

JUL120501 HACK SLASH #20 CVR B LAISO (MR) $3.50

SEP120506 HOAX HUNTERS #5 [DIG] $2.99

AUG120519 INVINCIBLE #97 [DIG] $2.99

AUG120524 PETER PANZERFAUST #7 [DIG] $3.50

SEP120517 POINT OF IMPACT #2 (MR) [DIG] $2.99

AUG120489 ROCK BOTTOM HC [DIG] $19.99

SEP120520 SAGA #7 (MR) [DIG] $2.99

SEP120433 SCENE O/T CRIME DLX HC (MR) [DIG] $24.99

OCT110480 SHINKU TP VOL 01 (MR) $14.99

SEP120427 SPAWN 20TH ANNIVERSARY POSTER #4 $9.99

SEP120522 THIEF OF THIEVES #10 [DIG] $2.99

SEP120523 THINK TANK #4 (MR) [DIG] $3.99

SEP120524 WALKING DEAD #104 (MR) [DIG] $2.99

SEP120405 WHERE IS JAKE ELLIS #1 [DIG] $3.50


IMAGE COMICS/MCFARLANE TOYS

AUG128349 TMP NFL NY GIANTS AF 3-PK PI

Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for November 14 2012

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

SEP121238 07 GHOST GN VOL 01 $9.99

AUG121232 17 X 23 SHOWCASE TP VOL 01 (MR) $15.95

SEP120933 ADVENTURE TIME MARCELINE SCREAM QUEENS #5 MAIN CVRS [DIG] $3.99

SEP121144 ANTHOLOGY PROJECT HC VOL 02 (MR) $29.95

SEP121228 ARCHER & ARMSTRONG (NEW) #4 DOE CVR $3.99

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AUG120795 ARCHIE COMIC SUPER SPECIAL #1 [DIG] $9.99

SEP121267 ARONS ABSURD ARMADA OMNIBUS TP VOL 01 (MR) $18.99

AUG121247 ASTERIOS POLYP MAZZUCCHELLI SGN BOOKPLATE ED $29.95

JUL121205 ATOMIC ROBO FLYING SHE DEVILS O/T PACIFIC #4 $3.50

JUL121038 BAD TEACHERS EQUATION GN VOL 05 (MR) $19.95

AUG121246 BAT MANGA HIST OF BATMAN IN JAPAN KIDD SGN BOOKPLATE ED $60.00

JUL121218 BETTIE PAGE IN DANGER #5 (MR) $9.95

AUG128396 BLOODSHOT (ONGOING) #1 2ND PTG LAROSA CVR $3.99

AUG128397 BLOODSHOT (ONGOING) #2 2ND PTG LOZZI SKETCH CVR $3.99

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SEP120975 BOYS #72 (MR) (NOTE PRICE) $4.99

SEP121268 BUNNY DROP GN VOL 07 $13.99

AUG120782 CHAMPIONS OF THE WILD WEIRD WEST GN $14.95

SEP121089 CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS STOCKING HC $9.99

FEB120742 CITY IN THE DESERT HC VOL 01 (MR) $24.95

SEP121166 COURTNEY CRUMRIN ONGOING #7 $3.99

SEP121250 CROSS GAME TP VOL 08 (RES) $14.99

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JUL121244 ENGINES OF DOOM ONESHOT (MR) $3.99

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JUL120743 EVIL TREE GN (MR) [DIG] $14.95

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SEP120918 EXTERMINATION #6 MAIN CVRS [DIG] $3.99

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SEP121297 GFT MYTHS & LEGENDS #23 A CVR CAFARO (MR) $2.99

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FEB120745 HOPELESS MAINE HC VOL 01 $19.95

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JUL121240 INFERNO SLEEP AND A FORGETTING TP $14.99

AUG121370 INU YASHA VIZBIG ED GN VOL 13 $17.99

SEP121271 JAMES PATTERSON ZOO GN $25.99

AUG121010 JENNIFER BLOOD FIRST BLOOD #2 (MR) $3.99

AUG120883 JOAN OF ARC FROM THE ASHES #1 (MR) $3.50

JUN121066 LORD OF THE JUNGLE #9 (MR) $3.99

OCT121294 MANKIND STORY OF ALL OF US TP VOL 01 (MR) $14.99

AUG128180 MANKIND STORY OF ALL OF US TP VOL 01 (RES) (MR) $14.99

AUG120804 MEGA MAN #19 [DIG/P+] $2.99

SEP121272 MELANCHOLY OF SUZUMIYA HARUHI CHAN GN VOL 06 $11.99

AUG121200 MISSIONS OF LOVE GN VOL 01 $10.99

SEP121273 NABARI NO OU TP VOL 12 $11.99

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SEP121241 STREET FIGHTER X SANRIO STICKER BOOK $7.99

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AUG121187 TWOKINDS TP VOL 01 (MR) $14.99

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SEP121280 UMINEKO WHEN THEY CRY GN VOL 01 LEGEND GOLDEN WITCH PART 1 $18.99

APR121013 VAMPIRELLA RED ROOM #4 $3.99

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AUG121027 WITCHBLADE DEMON REBORN #4 $3.99

SEP121287 WONDERLAND #5 A CVR LEISTER (MR) $2.99

SEP121288 WONDERLAND #5 B CVR BONK (MR) $2.99

AUG120811 WORLD OF ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #23 [DIG/P+] $3.99

MAGAZINES
SEP121409 AVENGER DOUBLE NOVEL VOL 08 $14.95

SEP121396 CINEMA RETRO CLASSICS #4 DR NO $15.95

SEP121328 COMIC SHOP NEWS #1326 PI

SEP121344 DR WHO INSIDER SPECIAL $7.99

SEP121315 JUXTAPOZ #143 DEC 2012 $5.99

AUG121503 RUE MORGUE MAGAZINE #128 $9.95

AUG121524 SFX #228 $10.99

SEP121410 SHADOW DOUBLE NOVEL VOL 66 $14.95

AUG122122 WHITE DWARF #394 $10.00

BOOKS
AUG121446 ART OF ASSASSINS CREED III $29.95

AUG121445 ART OF WRECK IT RALPH HC $40.00

AUG121250 ASTERIX WHERES DOGMATIX HC $14.95

AUG121466 AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL COMICS LIFE WRITING IN PICTURES HC $55.00

JUN121423 DOCTOR WHO YR ADV BOOK 05 MONSTROUS MISSIONS $10.99

SEP121359 DRAW MORE FURRIES SC $22.99

AUG121482 ELISABETH SLADEN AUTOBIOGRAPHY SC $15.95

SEP121309 IMAGINATION ILLUSTRATED JIM HENSON JOURNAL $29.95

SEP121361 IN YOUR FACE COMP GT DRAWING FACIAL EXPRESSIONS SC $13.99

SEP121282 INDIGNATION OF HARUHI SUZUMIYA HC $15.99

SEP121281 INDIGNATION OF HARUHI SUZUMIYA SC $8.99

SEP121312 JAMES BAMA AMERICAN REALIST HC $34.95

SEP121310 JAMES BAMA PERSONAL WORKS HC $45.00

SEP121313 JIM SILKE SKETCHBOOK SC VOL 01 (MR) $19.95

SEP121717 LEGO NINJAGO CHARACTER ENCYCLOPEDIA $18.99

AUG121249 MYTHOLOGY ART OF ALEX ROSS LTD SGN BOOKPLATE ED $75.00

SEP121111 NAUGHTY & NICE GOOD GIRL ART BRUCE TIMM BIG POCKET ED (MR) $29.95

AUG110810 TALES OF MACABRE GN $29.95

AUG121456 ZOMBOOK HC $45.00

Albert Avilla Reviews: The Final Issue of Captain America

The Final Issue of Captain America (Captain America #19)
Marvel Comics

Review by Albert Avilla

Writer: Ed Brubaker
Art: Steve Epting

The greatest run of Captain America comes to an end. This is comparable to Frank Miller leaving Daredevil. You have to appreciate the knowledge of Captain America and the understanding of who Captain America is that Brubaker has.

During his run Brubaker never strayed from the traits that made Captain America who he is. If anything, Brubaker has cemented them in his stories. Captain America has been a leader and an inspiration for other superheroes. Under Brubaker, Captain America has become the undisputed leader of the Marvel Universe. The character’s popularity has grown to a level that is unprecedented. Brubaker has taken a stagnant character and made him interesting and vibrant. This is difficult to do with a character with such steadfast morals and personality. Through his masterful storytelling, Brubaker has made this an award-winner when many thought the character was outdated. This story is our opportunity to appreciate a great talent that may not be seen for years to come if ever again on Captain America.

Thank You, Mr. Brubaker, for your hard work and for sharing your talent. Another generation of comic readers will be inspirited by the heroism of Captain America because of Brubaker’s monumental effort.

Epting did some of his best work in this issue. Brubaker and Epting will be linked to Captain America forever.

I rate The Final Issue of Captain America Recommend it to a Friend. This is the Al-O-Meter's highest ranking.

We Were There: Sengenji and Takeuchi Don't Hold Their Peace

I read We Were There, Vol. 15

I posted a review at ComicBookBin.

Review AFTER THE FALL: An Illustrated Novel

AFTER THE FALL: AN ILLUSTRATED NOVEL
W.W. NORTON & COMPANY – @norton_fiction and @NewYorker

AUTHOR: Victoria Roberts – @TNYcartoonistVR
ISBN: 978-0-393-07355-3; hardcover (November 2012)
188pp, B&W, $24.95 U.S., $26.50 CAN

After the Fall: An Illustrated Novel is a new book from Victoria Roberts, who has been a contracted cartoonist (or staff cartoonist) for the magazine, The New Yorker, since 1988. Her illustrations and cartoons have also appeared in numerous other periodicals, including The New York Times, Barron's, Playboy, Time, Town & Country, Wall Street Journal, and the Washington Post, among many.

After the Fall: An Illustrated Novel is exactly that – an illustrated novel. Featuring over 200 cartoons and illustrations, After the Fall is a sparkling New York City fairy tale that reinvents a familiar story – a well-to-do family suddenly becomes homeless. This book may be aimed at The New Yorker’s sophisticated audience, but this slim volume will eventually be a favorite of young readers – at least I think so.

The story is narrated by Alan, a 10-year-old-boy from a wealthy family (a fabulously wealthy family) that lives in an Upper East Side penthouse. His father, Pops, is a mad inventor and self-made millionaire because of creations like Smokos (a simulation cigarette) and GloveDip (an invisible replacement for medical gloves). Mother is a chain-smoking socialite with a sharp wit and an even sharper tongue. His sister is Alexandra, a creative 7-year-old also known as “Sis.”

One morning Alan awakens to find himself in Central Park. It seems that regime change and bad investments have left the family destitute and exiled from the penthouse. However, the entire contents of the penthouse – from furniture and artwork to clothes and the family pugs (Olive, Phoebe, and Sancho), have been relocated to the Park. In fact, everything has been positioned around Central Park, as if the park were the penthouse.

Usvelia the housekeeper and Gudelia the cook remain in the service of the family. Monsieur Marcel, the maître d’ of the family’s favorite restaurant, Le Château Boheme, regularly drops by to deliver food. As winter approaches, however, old tensions and furniture magnate, Hamid Kohlrabi, divide Pops and Mother. Now, it’s up to the resourceful Alan and the imaginative Sis to restore home and hearth.

After the Fall has that singular quality of an old book that remains timeless because its story seems to carry an enchantment. Roberts’ illustrations are lovely, and they come on with the force of a New Yorker collection of cartoons. Still, it is important not to downplay Roberts’ prose, which shimmers with charm and wit. Like a classic children’s story, it mixes imagination with melancholy, so it doesn’t come across as syrupy. That’s why this fantastical and fanciful scenario seems almost real – like some human interest story that could happen just once, and also manage to capture national interest, if only for a day or so.

Since part of After the Fall’s story takes place during Christmas, it has the makings of a Christmas (or Holiday) favorite. I hope Victoria Roberts tries the illustrated novel again. I hope another New Yorker cartoonist attempts this. Heck, I wish Charles Addams had written a book like this just once.

A

www.wwnorton.com

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

------------------------------

Vampire Knight: Return to Cross Academy

I read Vampire Knight, Vol. 15

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

Review: MARVEL COMICS: The Untold Story

MARVEL COMICS THE UNTOLD STORY
HARPERCOLLINS – @HarperCollins

AUTHOR: Sean Howe
ISBN: 978-0-06-199210-0; hardcover
496pp, $25.99 U.S.

Sean Howe has been an editor at Entertainment Weekly and for The Criterion Collection, and he edited the Deep Focus series of books about films. Howe’s recent book is Marvel Comics: The Untold Story, and it is a freaking great book.

HarperCollins describes Marvel Comics: The Untold Story, as “An unvarnished, unauthorized, behind-the-scenes account of one of the most dominant pop cultural forces in contemporary America.” “Unvarnished” is just the right word to describe this book. Also, it takes a “behind-the-scenes account” to reveal the outsized personalities that took Marvel Comics from nothing to a whole lotta something.

Howe’s nonfiction book takes readers back to the early years of the life of Martin Goodman, the hardscrabble magazine publisher of pulps whose luck rarely ran out (which includes just avoiding the Hindenburg’s ill-fated final voyage). One man’s economic misfortune meant Goodman was handed the material that would become the seminal comic book, Marvel Comics #1. Essentially, its publication is the dawn of Timely, the company that would eventually become Marvel Comics.

Most of this book, however, focuses on the Goodman publishing division that took the name, Marvel Comics, Howe chronicles Marvel Comics’ beginnings as a struggling company operating out of a tiny office on Madison Avenue in the early 1960s. The company began publishing comic books featuring a roster of brightly costumed characters: Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Captain America, the Incredible Hulk, the Avengers, Iron Man, Thor, the X-Men, and Daredevil. Distinguished by smart banter and compellingly human flaws, these characters not only won over children, but also captured the imaginations of college students, pop artists, public intellectuals, and even some assorted radicals, beatniks, and peaceniks.

From that point in time, Howe takes the reader on a journey over the course of a half-century, as Marvel becomes a multibillion-dollar enterprise. Howe chronicles how Marvel survives both Hollywood’s and Wall Street’s machinations, as well as clueless, greedy owners. There are struggles over credit (who created what) and control (who gets what, if any, and how much). There are battles between editors and management, editors and creators, creators and management, and even creators vs. creators.

There are so many storylines. Stan Lee and Jack Kirby becomes Kirby versus Lee. Spider-Man mastermind Steve Ditko’s goes Randian and then, goes away. See Jim Shooter’s ego trip, and then, see him lose his damn mind! Learn about “the next generation,” those renegade creators Stever Gerber, Steve Englehart, Don McGregor, and Jim Starlin. Follow the birth of the Direct Market. See the Image Comics guys before they were Image, and then, get another side to the story of their exodus.

Sean Howe has packed Marvel Comics: The Untold Story with so much history and story that I’d need more page space to describe it than you, dear reader, are willing to read. According to the publisher, Howe conducted over a hundred original interviews of Marvel insiders for this book, and I guess those interview subjects had a lot to say. With the additional information and reference material he obtained from other books and interviews, Howe has created a behind-the-scenes look at the history of Marvel Comics.

I think the best of Marvel Comics: The Untold Story is Part 1: Creations and Myths. This opening section opens with Martin Goodman and ends with Jack Kirby’s departure from Marvel Comics in March 1970. Despite the ups-and-downs of the company and the conflicts and feuds among people at the company – from the top down – the first three decades of Timely/Marvel is a time of discovery and wonder. It is a new frontier, and it doesn’t matter if Howe’s telling is “unvarnished.” Those first three decades are varnished enough that they outshine even the media behemoth that Marvel Comics has become, as well as the decades of squabbling.

It’s like reading about the space race, as if this book were written in the space age, capturing a new frontier. Marvel Comics: The Untold Story is a great book not because of the story it tells, but because how it tells that story.

A

http://seanhowe.com

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux