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

Marvel's "The Avengers" Gets 2013 Oscar Nomination

by Leroy Douresseaux

Since 1998's Blade, comic book movies have been surprise hits and surprise blockbusters.  Now, such movies are expected to be massive hits that big Hollywood studios depend on to bring in lots of money.  These movie also earn Academy Award nominations and even wins.

However, even with big hits like The Dark Knight Rises and The Amazing Spider-Man released in 2012, only one comic book film earned a 2013 Oscar nomination.  That is Marvel's The Avengers, in the category of "Best Achievement in Visual Effects."  Here, are the nominees in that category:

Best Achievement in Visual Effects


• The Avengers: Janek Sirrs, Jeff White, Guy Williams, Daniel Sudick

• The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey: Joe Letteri, Eric Saindon, David Clayton, R. Christopher White

• Life of Pi: Bill Westenhofer, Guillaume Rocheron, Erik De Boer, Donald Elliott

• Prometheus: Richard Stammers, Trevor Wood, Charley Henley, Martin Hill

• Snow White and the Huntsman: Cedric Nicolas-Troyan, Phil Brennan, Neil Corbould, Michael Dawson

Bleach: Goodbye to Our Xcution

I read Bleach, Vol. 54

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin.

BAFTA Nods for "The Avengers" and "The Dark Knight Rises"

The nominations for the 66th EE British Academy Film Awards were announced yesterday (Wednesday, January 9, 2013).  Two comic book films, Marvel's The Avengers (known in the U.K. as "Marvel Avengers Assemble") and The Dark Knight Rises received nominations in the "Special Visual Effects" Category.

Here are all the nominees in that category:

SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS

• THE DARK KNIGHT RISES - Paul Franklin, Chris Corbould, Peter Bebb, Andrew Lockley

• THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY - Joe Letteri, Eric Saindon, David Clayton, R. Christopher White

• LIFE OF PI - Bill Westenhofer, Guillaume Rocheron, Erik-Jan De Boer

• MARVEL AVENGERS ASSEMBLE - Nominees TBC

• PROMETHEUS - Richard Stammers, Charley Henley, Trevor Wood, Paul Butterworth.

Go to http://www.bafta.org/ for a complete list of nominees or go to Negromancer.

I Reads You Review: Star Wars #1

STAR WARS #1
DARK HORSE COMICS – @DarkHorseComics

["Star Wars Central" review page is here.]

SCRIPT: Brian Wood
ART: Carlos D’Anda
COLORS: Gabe Eltaeb
LETTERS: Michael Heisler
COVER: Alex Ross
28pp, Color, $2.99 U.S.

“In the Shadow of Yavin” Part One (of Three)

In the timeline of Star Wars Expanded Universe, “The Rebellion” is a five-year period that begins with the Battle of Yavin, the climatic battle in Star Wars in which the Death Star is destroyed. It includes the events depicted in the classic Star Wars films (the original trilogy): Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi. This story period ends with the death of the Emperor, high over the forest moon of Endor and also as the Rebellion starts to transform itself into a government.

This is the story period in which Dark Horse Comics is setting its new Star Wars comic book series, simply entitled Star Wars. The series will explore new storytelling possibilities that “The Rebellion” period offers (according to Dark Horse Comics editor, Randy Stradley).

[According to Dark Horse: This is Star Wars as you remember it . . . and as you have never seen it before! We’re taking you back to those heady, adventure-filled days following the destruction of the Death Star—when the Empire ruled, the Rebels were on the run, and the galaxy was a dangerous place where anything might happen! The creative of Star Wars is writer Brian Wood, artist Carlos D’Anda, colorist Gabe Eltaeb, and letterer Michael Heisler. Alex Ross provides the cover for the first issue.]

Star Wars #1 opens after the Battle of Yavin, in which the Rebel Alliance destroyed the Galactic Empire’s fearsome space station, the Death Star. Still, the Alliance struggles. New allies are hard to gain, as even systems and worlds that have been able to fend off the Empire’s advances, refuse to side with the rebels. The Alliance also needs new sources of supplies, and most of all, they need a new permanent base.

That’s why the three-member, X-Wing, exploration team of Senator (Princess) Leia Organa, flight officer Luke Skywalker, and fighter pilot Wedge Antilles enter the Dominus Sector in the Outer Rim Territories. Meanwhile, Han Solo, with a death mark on his head in practically every system, and Chewbacca go on a mission for the Rebel Alliance. Mon Mothma, leader of the Alliance, makes a shocking offer to Senator Leia.

Meanwhile, the Emperor prepares to make his own moves in the aftermath of the Battle of Yavin. How will Darth Vader fare?

[This issue comes with a code to download a free digital issue of the comic book.]

First, I have to admit that when I read Star Wars novels, I read the ones involving characters from the original Star Wars film trilogy. Secondly, I can’t remember reading a Dark Horse Comics-produced Star Wars comic book that I did not like. Thus, I love this new Star Wars series. What’s do I like about it? The work of the creative team is what.

Dark Horse Comics may push the “come back to the adventure” angle, but for this series to thrive, the characters and the character drama will have to capture the reader’s imagination. Enter Brian Wood, an illustrator, comic book artist, and writer known for writing captivating characters in science fiction and fantasy settings.

Wood not only imagines and fashions conflicts within individual characters, but he also constructs lines of tension and conflict between allies and friends. The reader might wonder what is going on between Luke, who thinks often of what has been lost (even after victory), and Leia, who looks steadfastly towards the future. In Han Solo, Wood presents a man who is both a hustler and a survivor, but he seems to asks, can this man be hero in what might essentially be a lost cause. Also, Wood may be the only writer outside of George Lucas and Lawrence Kasdan who has probed so deeply into the desires and struggles behind the mask of Darth Vader.

Visually and graphically, artist Carlos D’Anda never lets the reader doubt that this is classic Star Wars. In terms of style, D’Anda’s art recalls the very first Star Wars comic book artist, Howard Chaykin. D’Anda takes the cartoonish elegance of J. Scott Campbell (obviously an influence on him) and turns it into compositions that emphasize storytelling over quirkiness and style. However, it is the detail D’Anda puts in the Star Wars tech and star ships, the customs, sets, backgrounds, and backdrops that are the most impressive. Looking at the detail he puts into drawing the X-Wing and Tie Interceptors, for example, makes me wonder if D’Anda draws this solo. Gabe Eltaeb’s sparkling colors make the art even livelier.

I’ll just get it out of the way and say that this new Star Wars starts off the New Year as one of the best new series of the year. Readers of Star Wars comics and fans of the original Star Wars trilogy should try this Star Wars comic book, at least once.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux