That Damn Mr. Darcy!

I read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: The Graphic Novel

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin.

Tim Hensley at Giant Robot

Tim Hensley Book signing at GR2

GR2
2062 Sawtelle Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90025
gr2.net
(310) 445-9276
Sunday, May 30, 2010, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Giant Robot is proud to host a reception and book signing with Tim Hensley to celebrate the release of his new graphic novel, Wally Gropius.

Superficially resembling 1960s teenage humor comics, Wally Gropius is actually an acute satire of power, celebrityhood, and modern culture that tells the story of the titular character, who bears a closer resemblance to a teenaged Richie Rich or a classmate of Archie Andrews at Riverdale High than he does the famous Bauhaus architect whose name he shares.

Wally is the human Dow Jones, the heir to a vast petrochemical conglomerate. When the elder Thaddeus Gropius confronts Wally with the boilerplate plot ultimatum that he must marry “the saddest girl in the world” or be disinherited, a yarn unravels that is part screwball comedy and part unhinged parable on the lucrativeness of changing your identity.

"One of my favorite 'graphic novels’' of all time. Hilarious and utterly unique, Wally Gropius is a work of unassuming genius that rewards on ever-deepening levels with each rereading." - Daniel Clowes

Originally serialized in Fantagraphics' house anthology Mome, the story is presented here in a larger format with additional, previously unseen material.

Tim Hensley was born in Bloomington, Indiana in 1966. He has published comics sporadically over the past decade and Wally Gropius is his magnum opus. The 2009 Ignatz Award nominee for Outstanding Artist lives in Los Angeles.

Giant Robot was born as a Los Angeles-based magazine about Asian, Asian-American, and new hybrid culture in 1994, but has evolved into a full-service pop culture provider with shops and galleries in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York City, as well as an online equivalent.

The reading and signing will take place on May 30 from 3:00 - 5:00. For more information about the event, GR2, or Giant Robot magazine, please contact:

Eric Nakamura
Giant Robot Owner/Publisher
eric@giantrobot.com
(310) 479-7311

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D.Gray-man Parting Ways

I read D. Gray-Man, Vol. 17: Parting Ways (D.Gray-Man)

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin (which now as an update of its iPhone app).

Queen of England Appears in Gay Superhero Comic Book, Spandex

Queen appears in outrageous gay superteam comic!

After controversially grabbing global headlines in November last year with their glamorous comic debut, the world’s first gay superteam are back for more action! And Issue Two features none other than Her Majesty herself, the Queen – as a Buckingham Palace burglary sparks off Spandex’s latest adventure!

Issue two sees the Brighton-based gay-team head to Japan to recover the crown jewels and replace a fallen team-mate! There, they face the formidable swords of the Pink Ninjas, the terrifying Gayzilla, and they recruit Neon, the world’s first gay, fluorescent ninja!

Spandex creator Martin also promises possibly the most shocking scene ever shown in a gay superhero comic! “Things really kick off in issue two,” says Martin. “We really get to know the characters a lot more, and I’m going to be playing on the expectations of the readers. You will not believe what happens! I really want to explore aspects of sexuality and relationships in this comic. These guys’ adventures don’t finish at the bedroom door. This issue is mature and definitely not for kids – comics have finally grown up.”

Spandex is now being published as an ongoing comic title, with eventual book collections in the pipeline. “The original plan was to publish issue one, and then work on a bigger book,” says Martin, “but after global media attention, it was just too exciting to wait!” Spandex hit the headlines back in November – not just in the UK, but in Australia, Russia, America, Germany – all over the world – too.

Spandex comic #2 will be on sale from 22 May – launching at the Bristol Expo Comic Convention – and then will be available from the Spandex website, selected comic shops and via online download. Each reader will receive a special Pink Ninja badge (while stocks last!).

Tying in with this issue is ‘Japandex’, an online gallery of Japan - related artwork all with a Spandex twist – provided by the UK’s best independent comic artists.

Spandex comic #2
On-sale 22 May

For more information on Spandex comic, visit: http://www.spandexcomic.com

Become a fan on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Spandex-Comic/137375331859

More information on Spandex and the Spandex team:

LIBERTY
The leader of the team and the world’s first transvestite superhero! Libery has a (female) power suit which gives her strength and flight, and she also has her own ‘Gaydar’ (like Spider Sense, but gayer). In Issue Two, we learn that the cheerful leader has a very manipulative side...

BUTCH
Brooding and quiet, Butch is dealing with the assassination of her brother, and the fact she is dating the team’s biggest enemy, Pussy.

GLITTER
The team’s joker – but when his lover is murdered, how will this affect his behaviour?

PROWLER
Prowler has the power to absorb the skills and abilities of any gay person – so that could mean taking the powers of a team-mate or enemy, or, in this issue, learning how to speak Japanese!

DIVA
Inspired by Britney Spears (!), Diva is the most beautiful superhero you’ll ever see... But don’t let those good looks deceive you... Diva is deadly in a fight, and she has many, many deep, dark secrets...

INDIGO
Indigo has her ‘Indigo Room’, a room full of weapons, gadgets and costume changes, which she can visit in the blink of an eye. Issue Two sees her develop feelings for a male team-mate…

NEON
Trained by Pei Gay, Neon is the world's first gay flourescent ninja and a former member of Japan's biggest superteam, The J-Team.

FUTURE ISSUES
Prepare for gay zombies in issue three in a story called '...If You Were The Last Man Alive'. The issue focuses on Glitter and we get to see a very different side to him. Then issues four to six contain a huge Spandex epic, as the team are attacked individually by Les Girlz

I Reads You Review: RATMAN, VOL. 1

Creators: Sekihiko Inui with Bryce P. Coleman (English adaptation) and Adrienne Beck (translation)
Publishing Information: TOKYOPOP, B&W, paperback, 208 pages, $10.99 (US), $13.99 CAN
Ordering Numbers: ISBN: 978-1-4278-1745-7 (ISBN-13)

Ratman is a shonen manga (comics for teen boys) from Sekihiko Inui. To date, Ratman is the manga that is most like an American superhero comic book that I’ve read.

The protagonist of Ratman is a teenaged boy named Shuto Katsuragi. Shuto is a superhero otaku (fanboy), and it is his fervent desire to grow up to be a superhero. Superheroes do exist in Shuto’s world, and it is possible for someone to become a superhero (through various means). That dream seems impossible for Shuto, a short of stature boy who is a joke to many people.

However, a meeting with an apparent criminal syndicate, the Jackal Organization, changes Shuto’s life when they give him the suit that turns him into Ratman. Shuto sees the suit as his chance to be a superhero, but can he be a hero when he works for the bad guys and steals from the good guys, the Hero Association?

Like Animal Academy, TOKYOPOP has a young readers’ winner in Ratman. As a superhero comic, it reads just as well as any of the superhero titles that Marvel Comics (their “First Class” and “Marvel Adventures” lines) and DC Comics (Johnny DC) aim at young readers. I also think that Ratman, while it does have the missteps and misfires one would expect early in a series, has much potential.

As of right now, the series has a winning character in Shuto Katsuragi. He is the underdog, that everyman (or boy) with which readers can identify and for whom they will certainly root. Shuto is the main reason that this is an energetic series, and his adventures promise to keep readers interested. Combining superhero comics with a strong shonen manga and anime flavor, Ratman certainly puts fun into teen superheroes.

B+


Ratman Volume 1

Happy Boys Comes to a Happy Ending

I read Happy Boys Volume 2

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin (which has an iPhone app).  This is a DokiDoki title from DMP.

Morning Glories: Ike

An all-new series from Nick Spencer, writer of the critically acclaimed titles FORGETLESS, EXISTENCE 2.0, EXISTENCE 3.0, and SHUDDERTOWN.