Showing posts with label Noah Van Sciver. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Noah Van Sciver. Show all posts

Thursday, August 24, 2023

#IReadsYou Review: NOW: The New Comics Anthology #12

NOW: THE NEW COMICS ANTHOLOGY #12
FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS

CARTOONISTS: Cecilia Varhed; Bhanu Pratap; Cynthia Alfonso; J. Webster Sharp; Kayla E.; Noah Van Sciver; Rahel Suesskind; Francois Vigneault; Tim Lane; Max Clotfelter; Matt Lawton & Peter Bagge
DESIGN: Jacob Covey
EDITOR: Eric Reynolds
COVER: Alex Graham
BACKCOVER: Noah Van Sciver
ISBN: 978-1-68396-695-1; paperback (February 2023)
112pp, Color, $12.99 U.S.

NOW: The New Comics Anthology is an alternative-comics anthology series launched in 2017 and edited by Eric Reynolds.  Now is published by alt-comix and art comics publisher, Fantagraphics Books.  Over its four-plus decades of existence, Fantagraphics has published what is probably the most diverse collection of comic book anthologies in the history of North American comic books.  That line-up includes such titles as Anything Goes, Critters, Mome, Pictopia, and Zero Zero, to name a few.

NOW: The New Comics Anthology #12 offers a selection of works from thirteen cartoonists and comics creators, as well as a back cover “comics strip” from one of its contributors, Noah Van Sciver.  Now #12, as usual, holds to editor Eric Reynolds' creed (from NOW #1) that this anthology showcase “...as broad a range of quality comic art as possible...”

The contributors list also includes a Leroy favorite, the great Peter Bagge.  But let's take a look at each of Now #12's cartoonists' contributions individually:

THE LOWDOWN:  The illustration that acts as Now #12's cover art is entitled “Untitled,” and is produced by Alex Graham.  Like the cover for Now #11, it looks like something at least partially inspired by the animation seen in late British sketch comedy television series, “Monty Python's Flying Circus” (1969-74).

“Coronation Station” by Cecilia Vårhed:
While riding a commuter train – apparently during the height of the COVID pandemic – a young woman is harassed by a quintet of hipsters who are too cool to wear face masks.  After making them feel guilty, she finds herself invited to an apartment where a “spiritual experience” brings about unpleasant revelations.

Despite its surreal twists, “Coronation Station” captures the tensions of the pandemic.  The lead character is absolutely lovable, and I find that Vårhed has composed this story in a way that makes me feel connected to her lead.  This story is both a fascinating slice-of-life and slice of recent history.  I'd love to see this character again.

Big Head Pointy Nose” by Bhanu Pratap:
A boy with a beak-like nose and mouth feels out of place until... he doesn't.  This 16-page story has a picture book quality.  In fact, Pratap's lavish, rich colors convey a story that embraces both an alt-comix aesthetic and a story book sensibility.

Untitled by Cynthia Alfonso:
This 18-page story reminds me of the animation and production design of the films, Pink Floyd – The Wall (1982) and Heavy Metal (1981).

Untitled by J. Webster Sharp:
If David Cronenberg's nightmare about a ventriloquist's dummy and Tim Burton's dream about doll-making were somehow merged, there would be trouble.  Or we'd get Sharp's visually striking eight-page short story.

“Precious Rubbish” by Kayla E.:
Kayla's nine-page story riffs off old St. John Publications romance comics and religion.  Divided into five vignettes, it plays with childhood trauma and the adult securities inherited from them.  I enjoy Kayla's comix, although they trouble my imagination.  The thing is that Kayla E.'s work exemplifies the experimental, adventurous spirit of Now.

“Mellow Mutt” by Noah Van Sciver:
Yarn-spinning, tale-tellin,' and lies shape this lovely four-page story by Noah Van Sciver, one of my favorite regular contributors to Now.  Set in the halcyon days of the original theatrical release of Jurassic Park (1993), Noah summons pieces of the ghosts of Peanuts and one of those 1980s coming-of-age Hollywood movies.  “Mellow Mutt” epitomizes the crazy imagination of children, and how they can take mass media and make of it what they will.

“Monster Finger” by Rahel Suesskind:
A booger eats a booger.  This colorful throw-back short comix is an absolute delight even if I lack the imagination to adequately describe it to you.

“The Bird is Gone” by François Vigneault:
I first came across the “passenger pigeon,” the extinct species of pigeon that was once the most abundant bird in America, via a “CBS Evening News” segment decades ago.  Vigneault's seven-page comix, “The Bird is Gone,” is a history of the demise of the passenger pigeons in gory and horrific detail.  Ostensibly a historical piece, the aesthetic of “The Bird is Gone” recalls another extinct entity, EC Comics.  Dark and detailed, the story is a damnation and condemnation of Americans' careless appetites and of our appetite for destruction.

“Li'l Stevie” by Tim Lane:
This story is not the first comix in which Lane has used the late actor, Hollywood legend, and screen icon, Steve McQueen, as his subject/muse.  This is story made me do some research, and I was shocked to discover that McQueen had a very troubled childhood (to say the least).

Lane uses the form of the early comic book and style of the “Big Little Book” to detail the horrors of Li'l Stevie's boyhood, with Li'l Stevie being a stand-in for Steve McQueen.  In drawing “Li'l Stevie,” Lane uses the visual style of cartoonist Ernie Bushmiller and his famed comic strip, Nancy.  The result is a spellbinding, heartbreaking tale.  Other than an actual audio-visual recording of McQueen's childhood (which obviously doesn't exist), I don't think anything can convey the loneliness and desperation of an abused Li'l Stevie with more blunt force and brute power than what Tim Lane does here.  This is not genius.  It's fucking genius.

Untitled by Max Clotfelter:
This one-pager, a reminiscence of a comic book fan's experiences with other comic book people, is a delight.  Is there more?  I must have more.

“The Cartoonist” by Matt Lawton and Peter Bagge:
Burt Fisher is a newspaper cartoonist who draws a single-panel comic, “The Ruckus Room,” which he inherited from his late father, who created it.  Fisher hates the strip, and he says that he has been trying to destroy it via his take on the strip.  However, his version of The Ruckus Room has proven to be quite popular with readers.  With deadlines piling up, Burt's editor, Nancy, has hired an assistant to help him.  The young man, named Glen, is about to discover just what a mess Burt Fisher is.

The Ruckus Room is a thinly-veiled version of the classic newspaper comic, The Family Circus, which was created by the late Bil Keane, who drew it until his death.  One of Bil's four sons, Jeff Keane, now writes and draws the strip.  I think “The Cartoonist” is less about The Ruckus Room and more about Burt Fisher, one of those self-absorbed GenX types who ages into a slightly sociopathic curmudgeon.  Matt Lawton and Peter Bagge seem like a perfect pairing, at least I think so and want more.  I've been reading Bagge's comix and comic books for four decades (Lord, help me), and “The Cartoonist” is the pure essence of him.

I usually pick a “best of” entry after each edition of Now that I review, but, as far as Now #12, I can't.  There are five stories here from which I could pick a favorite, but I don't won't to slight any of them by saying, “this one is the best.”  The other stories are experimental and also explore the medium of comics in interesting ways, and even the stories that perplex me also impress me.  Not only does editor Eric Reynolds have a knack for getting acclaimed veteran and star cartoonists to appear in Now, but he also has a golden eye for talent – emerging cartoonists or little seen creatives.

Now #12 – wow, I don't know if I have the words to convey just how impressed I am with this edition.  I'll take the easy way out and say that I'm blown away.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of classic alternative-comics anthologies will want to discover NOW: The New Comics Anthology.

A+
10 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


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Sunday, July 31, 2022

I Reads You Juniors: July 2022 - Update #59

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon.

NEWS:

EN MEMORIAM - From Deadline:  American illustrator and cartoonist, Paul Coker, Jr., has died at the age of 93, Saturday, July 23, 2022.  Cocker drew for "MAD Magazine" for over 40 years.  He may be best known for his work for the production company, Rankin/Bass Animated Entertainment, executing character and production designs for over 20 of the company television specials.  This includes "Frosty the Snowman" (1969), "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" (1970), and "Twas the Night Before Christmas" (1974), to name a few.

DYNAMITE - From BleedingCool: Legendary rock musician, Alice Cooper, is returning to comic books in a new title from "Killadelphia" creator, Rodney Barnes, and artist Edu Menna. The comic book will be published by Dynamite Entertainment.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comic's Blade the vampire hunter will appear in the one-shot comic book, "Blade: Vampire Nation #1," which is due Nov. 16th.  His daughter, "Bloodline," will appear in "Crypt of Shadows #1," which is due Oct. 19th.

SDCC/COMICS - From BleedingCool:  San Diego Comic-Con 2022 was the source for hot gossip about LionForge/Oni Press.

IMAGE - From Deadline:  Comic book writer and creator, Rodney Barnes ("Killadelphia," the upcoming "Blacula" graphic novel), has extended his overall deal with HBO to continue to develop, create and write television series.

REVIEW - From Here:  I Reads You reviews "Thor: Love and Thunder."

SDCC:

From IGN:  This article has "everything announced at the Marvel Studios San Diego Comic-Con 2022 Panel."

From BleedingCoolTodd McFarlane will write and Greg Capullo will draw the third Batman/Spawn crossover comic book, which is due in December 2022.

From CBR:  DC Comics' "Dark Crisis" event miniseries is now known as "Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths" so that it can be a sequel to the legendary "Crisis on Infinite Earths" (1985-86).

From ComicBook:  DC Comics Chief Creative Officer and Publisher, Jim Lee, says that there are no plans to return to director Zach Snyder's earlier plans for "Justice League" films, also known as the "Snyderverse."

From ComicBook:  Rumors say that actor Henry Cavill will appear at Comic-Con to talk about Superman, a character that he has played in three films, beginning with "The Man of Steel."

From ComicBook:  Art that Jim Lee drew for Comic-Con supposedly shows what Michael Keaton's new Batman suit will look like for the movie, "The Flash."

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RUMORS - From TheDirect:  Disney has applied for trademarks for the following:  "Avengers: Secret Wars" and "Avengers: The Kang Dynasty."

EN MEMEMORIAM - From BleedingCool:  The Scottish comic book writer, Alan Grant, has died at the age of 73, Wednesday, July 20, 2022.  He was best known for his work in the British comics magazine, "2000 AD," especially for co-writing "Judge Dredd" with fellow writer, John Wagner.  In the U.S., Grant was best known for his work on various "Batman" titles, especially "Detective Comics," "Batman," and "Shadow of the Bat."

INTERVIEW - From PW:  This article is an interview of cartoonist Noah Van Sciver and a feature about his two new comic books, "As a Cartoonist" (Fantagraphics) and "Joseph Smith and the Mormons."

DYNAMITE - From TheBeatDynamite Entertainment has entered a publishing partnership with Immortal Studios, which produces comic books set in a Wuxia martial arts fantasy shared universe.

DC CINEMA - From RollingStone:  A WarnerMedia report reveals that fake social media accounts, bots, and other inauthentic users bolstered the fan-led campaign that demanded that Warner Bros. allow director Zack Snyder be allowed to finish his version of the film "Justice League," (2016). This led to the four-hour "Justice League: Snyder Cut."

MANGA TO LIVE-ACTION - From IGN:  Netflix has provided a first look at Takumi Kitamura, the actor who will play the lead, Yusuke Urameshi, in its live-action adaptation of the classic manga, "Yu Yu Hakusho."

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:  In an interview, writer Ram V talks about his upcoming run on DC Comics' "Detective Comics" and more.

IMAGE - From ComicBook:  Actress Iman Vellani, the star of Marvel Studios' "Ms. Marvel," says that she would like to be involved in a film adaptation of the Image Comics' title, "Bitch Planet," from writer Kelly Sue DeConnick.

COMICS - From BleedingCoolWhatnot Publishing will be the home of the Wesley Snipes' graphic novel project, "The Exiled," which is near the end of a successful crowdfunding campaign.

BLACK COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Hip-hop icon, Snoop Dogg, will star as "the Cryptkeeper" in the graphic novel, "Tales from the Crip." It will be released this fall by Zombie Love Studios, the comic book publishing imprint of television and comic book writer, Rodney Barnes.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Here is a checklist for Marvel Comics's A.E.X.:Judgement Day comic book crossover event, which begins in July and ends in November.

COMIC-CON - From Deadline:  The site has a schedule of Film and TV industry panels for San Diego Comic-Con 2022 from Thurs., July 21st to Sun., July 24th.  The convention runs from Wed., July 20th to Sun., July 24th.

EN MEMORIAM - From TheDailyCartoonist:  Author, cartoonist, and comics historian, R.C. Harvey, has died at the age of 85, Thursday, July 7, 2022.  His book about comics including, the two-volume, "Cartoons of the Roaring Twenties" and "Meanwhile... A Biography of Milton Caniff, Creator of Terry and the Pirates and Steve Canyon," to name a few.

DC ANIMATION - From DCVideos:  Here is the official trailer for "Batman and Superman: Battle of the Super Sons," which is due on Blu-ray Oct. 18th.

EN MEMORIAM - From Variety:  Manga artist and game creator, Takahashi Kazuki, was found dead at the age of 60, Wednesday, July 6, 2022.  He is best known for creating the manga, "Yu-Gi-Oh," in 1996, which spawned a media franchise, which includes spin-off manga, trading cards, and anime, to name a few.

MARVEL - From THRRichard Newby talks about the recent Marvel Comics controversies regarding Miles Morales and about who writes his comics.

DC TV - From DCBlog:   Executive producer and showrunner, Todd Helbing, talks about Season 2 of "Superman & Lois."

RUMOR - From ScreenGeekHugh Jackson has posted a photo on Twitter that has fans up-in-arms over the rumor of him playing the character, "Wolverine," in a Marvel Cinematic Universe film.

DC ANIMATION - From DCComics:  There is a teaser trailer for Season 3 of HBO Max's "Harley Quinn."

LGBTQ+ - From BleedingCool:  In Virginia, two Republican politicians have filed an obscenity lawsuit against the authors, Maia Kobabe and Phoebe Kobabe, and the publisher, Lion Forge/Oni Press, of the graphic novel "Gender Queer."

COMICS - From FinancialTimes:  An article about Scott McCloud's "how-to" book, "Understanding Comics," and why it is a Silicon Valley bible.

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JUNE 2022 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for June 2022
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for June 2022
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for June 2022
From BleedingCool:  Behemoth Comics for June 2022
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for June 2022
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for June 2022
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for June 2022
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for June 2022
From BleedingCool:  Hero Collector DC Comics Graphic Novels for June 2022
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for June 2022
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for June 2022
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for June 2022
From BleedingCool:  Kodansha Comics for June 2022
From BleedingCool:  Lev Gleason for June 2022
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for June 2022
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for June 2022
From BleedingCool:  Marvel "Banner of War" for June 2022
From BleedingCool:  Marvel "X-Men" for June 2022 
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for June 2022
From BleedingCool:  Opus Comics for June 2022
From BleedingCool:  Seven Seas Entertainment for June 2022
From BleedingCool:  Source Point Press for June 2022
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for June 2022
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for June 2022
From BleedingCool:  Vertical Comics for June 2022
From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for June 2022
From BleedingCool:  Yen Press for June 2022

JULY 2022 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for July 2022
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for July 2022
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for July 2022
From BleedingCool:  Artists Elite Comics for July 2022
From BleedingCool:  Behemoth Comics for July 2022
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for July 2022
From BleedingCool:  CEX Publishing for July 2022
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for July 2022
From GamesRadar:  DC Comics covers and solicitations for July 2022
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for July 2022
From BleedingCool:  Fairsquare Comics for July 2022
From BleedingCool:  Heavy Metal Magazine for July 2022
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for July 2022
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for July 2022
From BleedingCool:  Kodansha Comics for July 2022
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for July 2022
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for July 2022
From BleedingCool:  Marvel "Star Wars" comics for July 2022
From BleedingCool:  Merc Publishing for July 2022
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for July 2022
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion Comics for July 2022
From BleedingCool:  Red 5 Comics for July 2022
From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for July 2022
From BleedingCool:  Silver Sprocket for July 2022
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for July 2022
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for July 2022
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for July 2022
From BleedingCool:  Vertical Comics for July 2022
From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for July 2022
From BleedingCool:  Yen Press for July 2022

AUGUST 2022 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  AfterShock for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  Asylum Press for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  Behemoth Comics for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  BOOM Studios for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  CEX Publishing for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  Comic House for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  Kodansha Comics for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "A.X.E.: Judgement Day solicitations for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  Red 5 Comics for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  Seven Seas Entertainment for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  Source Point Press for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  TOKYOPOP for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  Yen Press for August 2022

SEPTEMBER 2022 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  Aftershock Comics for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  Artists Elite Presents for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  AWA for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  Blood Moon Comics for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  CEX Publishing for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics solicitations for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  It's Alive for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  Kodansha Comics for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  Lev Gleason for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  Red 5 Comics for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  Seven Seas Entertainment for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  TOKYOPOP for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  Yen Press for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  Z2 for September 2022

OCTOBER 2022 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for October 2022
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for October 2022
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for October 2022
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Star Wars" for October 2022
 
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Tuesday, September 21, 2021

#IReadsYou Review: NOW: The New Comics Anthology #10

NOW: THE NEW COMICS ANTHOLOGY #10
FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS

CARTOONISTS: Julia Gfrörer,; Tim Lane; Jacob Weinstein; Steven Weissman, M.S. Harkness; Walt Holcombe; Theo Ellsworth; Joakim Drescher; Silvia Rocchi; Alex Nall & Hartley Lin; Chris Wright; Noah Van Sciver; Celia Vårhed; Richard Sala; Karl Stevens
DESIGN: Jacob Covey
EDITOR: Eric Reynolds
COVER: Rebecca Morgan
BACKCOVER: Nick Thorburn
ISBN: 978-1-68396-399-8; paperback (July 2021)
108pp, Color, $12.99 U.S.

NOW: The New Comics Anthology is an alternative-comics anthology series launched in 2017 and edited by Eric Reynolds.  NOW is published by alt-comix and art comics publisher, Fantagraphics Books.  Over its four-plus decades of existence, Fantagraphics has published what is probably the most diverse collection of comic book anthologies in the history of North American comic books.  That line-up includes such titles as Anything Goes, Critters, Mome, Pictopia, and Zero Zero, to name a few.

NOW: The New Comics Anthology #10 offers a selection of sixteen cartoonists and comics creators, as well as a back cover “comics strip” from Nick Thorburn.  NOW #10 holds to editor Eric Reynolds' creed (from NOW #1) that NOW showcases “...as broad a range of quality comic art as possible...”  This latest edition also includes nine pages of never-before published comics from the late Richard Sala (1955-2020).

The contributors list also includes a Leroy favorite, Noah Van Sciver.  But let's take a look at each of NOW #10's cartoonists' contributions:

THE LOWDOWN:  The illustration that acts as NOW #10's cover art is entitled “Feminist Mountain Man,” and is produced by Rebecca Morgan.  The illustration is what it says it is, with some modern additions, such as a button bearing the logo of the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers – a sight I always welcome.

“The Counterweight” by Julia Gfrörer:
This beautiful one-page comic is composed of 24 panels that depict the evolution of love and war and the impermanence of a union.  Gfrörer's lovely art also celebrates drawing the human figure in motion.

“The Mobbing Birds: by Tim Lane:
Tim Lane's story, “The Mobbing Birds,” has two things going for it.  The first is its textured, almost photo-realistic art.  The second is having the legendary Hollywood star and cultural icon, Steve McQueen (1930-1980).  The combination of the two create the sense of this story being select scenes from an actual Steve McQueen movie.  “The Mobbing Birds” is like a slice of Americana, probably the dominant theme of Lane's comics, and I find myself fascinated by it.  I wouldn't mind seeing it as a full-length graphic novel, but then, there's the McQueen estate...

“T.D. Ramanujan” by Jacob Weinstein:
This story focuses on T.D. Ramanujan, the administrator of a table tennis federation in the nation of India.  The art reminds me of mid-90s Chris Ware, and the lead character and the setting are quite interesting.  The story's most powerful moments are set during World War II, and the way Weinstein draws the characters makes each one look like a unique figure.  I would certainly like to see more comics set in this milieu.

“No More Or Less Alive” by Steven Weissman:
I have read so many alt-comics anthologies that I am sure I have previously come across Steven Weissman's amazing comics many times.  “No More Or Less Alive” is NOW #10's most explosive, in-your-face story.  A nature story and quasi-animal fable, it is set in “Black Feather Valley” and focuses on a mother gopher fighting a wheat snake for the lives of her seven nursing pups.  If I ever had the words to convey to you, dear readers, the power of this story, I can't find them as I write this.  There must be some literary comics award that will recognize this story as one of the year's best comics.

“Go Big, Then Stay Home” by M.S. Harkness:
Cartoonist M.S. Harkness is also a competitive weightlifter, and this autobiographical comics short story recounts a trip she took with her friend, Elis Bradshaw, a competitive female power lifter.  Early in 2020, Harkness and Bradshaw travel to Columbus, Ohio for a power-lifting event, the “Arnold Fitness Expo,” where Bradshaw will compete, with Harkness there to help.  “Go Big, Then Stay Home” provides an interesting look at the world of power-lifting, but what really amps up the drama is that COVID-19 looms over this story.  Interestingly, the story is set in the last days before the pandemic shutdown so much of public life.

“I'm Trying to Sleep!” by Walt Holcombe:
“I'm Trying to Sleep!” is comic relief, the short story equivalent of a gag strip.  I think I have read Walt Holcombe before, and I'd like more.

“You Wouldn't Think So but It Happens All the Time” by Theo Ellsworth:
This colorful story is about the interaction of humans and animal-hybrids, but such interaction requires traveling to the animal-hybrids' world.  But it ain't easy to go to the animal-hybrid world.  I wish there were more of this story, because it seems like there should be.

“Miserable Mildrid” by Joakim Drescher:
One might mistake this for a series of “funny animal” one-page comics, except “Miserable Mildrid” is not that, even if it has a passing resemblance to such.  However, the porcine-ish Mildrid offers humor as creator Joakim Drescher digs into such ailments of modern culture and popular culture as conspiracy theories, incels, fan culture, COVID-19, and the subsequent shutdown.  “Miserable Mildrid” is solidly alt-comics, and it is one of my favorite entries in NOW #10.

“I Hate Parties” by Silvia Rocchi:
“I Hate Parties” is an observation more than it is a story, and it is indicative of something that I have noticed in the four volumes of NOW that I have read.  Many of these stories could be longer … in my humble opinion.  It's as if these cartoonists don't realize either their own potential or the potential of what they create.  “I Hate Parties” is an example of this...

“Real Witches” by Alex Nall & Hartley Lin:
...On the other hand, “Real Witches” is a two-pager that feels complete.  Its 21 panels recall classic 1950s and 1960s newspaper comics concerning the lives and adventures of children, except that “Real Witches” has a strong angle of modern edginess.  If Charles Schulz's Peanuts debuted today, it might look and read like “Real Witches,” another of my favorites from this volume.

“Taffy” by Chris Wright:
“Taffy” is like a demented children's picture book that is entirely inappropriate for anyone to read.  I find it fascinating.  Strangely, “Taffy” reminds me of the work of another cartoonist featured in NOW #10, the late Richard Sala.

“Mellow Mutt” by Noah Van Sciver:
A boy and his toy triceratops and using the imagination to play action heroes:  that's “Mellow Mutt.”  It's silly, funny, crude, and ultimately sad.  What would NOW be like without an offering from the great Noah Van Sciver.

“Free Cone Day” by Celia Varhed:
“Free Cone Day” would be funny even if it weren't painfully true.  When you want something, like a job or a particular career, you can fool yourself to the point of foolish oblivion.  “Free Cone Day” is the kind of superb work of alternative comics that only NOW is original enough to publish.

“Five Shorts”
Richard Sala (1955-2020) was one of the great cartoonists and most unique comics creators of the last four decades.  I have reviewed many of his works and have compared his comics to Charles Addams, Gahan Wilson, and Edward Gorey.  Sala's “pop macabre” sensibilities placed him in the company of contemporaries and of such fellow purveyors of Gothic pop art and entertainment as Charles Burns, Tim Burton, Lemony Snicket, and Guillermo Del Toro, to name a few.

“Five Shorts” is a nine-page suite of never-before published comics from early in Sala's career.  He apparently never even showed them to his friends, according to NOW editor Eric Reynolds.  I thought the world of Sala as an artist and cartoonist, and I exchanged some emails with him back in the Aughts.  I am happy to get this early work in NOW #10.  In them, one can see the beginnings of the graphic style and sensibilities that made Sala an artist whose influence is probably wider than many suspect.

“In This Short Life” by Karl Stevens:
This one-page comic features beautiful, photo-realistic art, and some contemplation.

“Then... But... NOW” by Nick Thorburn:
This is another befuddling back cover strip from Nick Thorburn.  I like it.

So, in conclusion, NOW #10 is the best volume of the series that I have read since I read NOW #1.  It is full of excellent stories, inventive pieces, and beautiful art, but I must choose “No More Or Less Alive” by Steven Weissman as the best of NOW #10.  Like B. Krigstein, Weissman is innovative in the use of the space of a comic book page for “No More Or Less Alive.”

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of classic alternative-comics anthologies will want to discover NOW: The New Comics Anthology.

A
9 out of 10


Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


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Thursday, July 15, 2021

#IReadsYou Review: NOW #9

NOW: THE NEW COMICS ANTHOLOGY #9
FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS

CARTOONISTS: Theo Ellsworth; Raquelle Jac; Keren Katz; Noah Van Sciver; Emil Friis Ernst; Ben Nadler; Ethel Wolfe
DESIGN: Jacob Covey
EDITOR: Eric Reynolds
COVER: Raquelle Jac
BACKCOVER: John Ohannesian
ISBN: 978-1-68396-371-4; paperback (September 2020)
120pp, Color, $12.99 U.S.

NOW: The New Comics Anthology is an alternative-comics anthology series launched in 2017 and edited by Eric Reynolds.  NOW is published by alt-comix and art comics publisher, Fantagraphics Books.  Over its four-plus decades of existence, Fantagraphics has published what is probably the most diverse collection of comic book anthologies in the history of North American comic books.  That line-up includes such titles as Anything Goes, Critters, Mome, Pictopia, and Zero Zero, to name a few.

NOW: The New Comics Anthology #9 offers a selection of seven cartoonists and comics creators, as well as a back cover “comics strip” from John Ohannesian.  NOW #9 holds to Eric Reynolds' creed (from NOW #1) that NOW would showcase “...as broad a range of quality comic art as possible...”

The contributors list includes a Leroy favorite, Noah Van Sciver.  But let's take a look at each of NOW #9's cartoonists' contributions:

THE LOWDOWN:  The illustration that acts as NOW #9's cover art is entitled “Nine,” and  is produced by Texan, Raquelle Jac.  It is a beautiful piece that reminds me of the drawings and doodles high school students commit to their tablets to pass the time or to ignore a teacher.  It is a striking image, a slice-of-surreal life that embraces a selection of the myriad variations of apartment living.

“The Real Me” by Theo Ellsworth:
This is a one-page comic that reminds me of the work of cartoonist/illustrator, Jim Woodring.  It has an unsettling quality, and I really felt that the subject of “The Real Me” was talking to me.

“Misguided Love” by Raquell Jac:
This story is the cover times 41.  The autobiographical story, “Misguided Love,” with its garish and sometimes subdued colors, is beautiful to look at.  Unfortunately, it is an ugly read.  There is just too much clutter, and some of the panels are drawn as to be impossible to read.  All of it is static between the author and her audience.  What I actually can understand or interpret is interesting, but this is way too obtuse in its graphical storytelling.

“The Raindrop Prelude” by Keren Katz:
The story offers some of the most beautiful drapery that I have seen in a comic book in a while.  The art has a Japanese woodblock printing quality, and the story involves, in a way, one of composer and pianist Frederic Chopin's 24 “Preludes,” specifically the “Raindrop” prelude.  The story is composed of several single-page illustrations (for the most part), and I felt my imagination floating through the story, while also trying to linger to keep looking at the pretty art.

“Spacehawk” by Noah Van Sciver:
This story is a tribute to cult cartoonist, Basil Wolverton (1909-1978), and his first character of note, the kooky “Spacehawk.”  Of course, Van Sciver's art does not match the peculiar nature for which Wolverton was known, but he captures the kookiness.

“Zoom” by Emil Friis Ernst:
At times, there is a Moebius-like quality about “Zoom.”  I could see it having a place in Metal Hurlant from long ago.

“Quarryhouse” by Ben Nadler:
I have mentioned in previous reviews that I once read a review of an Annie Lennox album (perhaps, in Spin Magazine), in which the reviewer said that every LP needed at least one great song.  I believe that every volume or issue of a comics anthology needs at least one great story.

“Quarryhouse” is the first of NOW #9's two great stories.  A mixture of Hey, Wait... era Jason and Acme Novelty Library-era Chris Ware, “Quarryhouse” takes place over a sixty-hear period – 1989, 2019, and 2049 and involves a tragedy (similar to the one in Hey, Wait...).  Depending on how one reads “Quarryhouse,” each time period introduces a new theme to the story.  I also believe that author-cartoonist Ben Nadler suggests that different generations of a family are connected much more deeply and intimately than by bloodline alone.  They share stories, pain, curses, guilt, and obligations, and are tethered by the need to reach across time to help one another.

“How Mums Annoy You” by Ethel Wolfe:
The 2013 Martin Scorsese film, The Wolf of Wall Street, was an adaptation of the 2007 memoir of the same name by notorious stockbroker and trader, Jordan Belfort.  The film received criticism because some people interpreted it as glorifying Belfort's criminal behavior and nihilistic lifestyle.  In answer to this, the film's screenwriter, Terence Winter, said that the film was about two things:  people don't change, and they never learn.”

NOW #9's second great story, “How Mums Annoy You,” is a story of abuse that focuses on an Internet “celebrity” who is also a predator and a manipulator of the young women who follow him.  Ethel Wolfe (a pen name used by the cartoonist John Harvey) may not realize that his story has a theme:  people don't change and they never learn … and they lie to themselves and others.  If Hollywood really paid attention to alternative comics, this story would have been optioned for film or television already.  It is a bracing read that left me wanting more.

“Art” back cover strip by John Ohannesian:
Meh.

So, in conclusion, the cover art and two great stories, “Quarryhouse” and “How Mums Annoy You,” are what make NOW #9.  There ended up being a little controversy about one of the contributors some months after this issue was published, but I'll let you find out the details for yourselves, dear readers.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of classic alternative-comics anthologies will want to discover NOW: The New Comics Anthology.

A-
7.5 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"



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The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.

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Tuesday, December 29, 2020

#IReadsYou Review: NOW #8

NOW: THE NEW COMICS ANTHOLOGY #8
FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

CARTOONISTS: Theo Ellsworth; Sami Alwani; E.S. Glenn; Veronika Muchitsch; Henry McCausland; Zuzu; Noah Van Sciver; Walt Holcombe; Maggie Umber; Tara Booth
DESIGN: Jacob Covey
EDITOR: Eric Reynolds
COVER: Al Columbia
BACKCOVER: Nick Thorburn
ISBN: 978-1-68396-276-2; paperback (March 2020)
128pp, Color, $12.99 U.S.

NOW: The New Comics Anthology is an alternative-comics anthology series launched in 2017 and edited by Eric ReynoldsNOW is published by alt-comix and art comics publisher, Fantagraphics Books.  Over its four-plus decades of existence, Fantagraphics has published what is probably the most diverse collection of comic book anthologies in the history of North American comic books.  That line-up includes such titles as Anything Goes, Critters, Mome, Pictopia, and Zero Zero, to name a few.

NOW: The New Comics Anthology #8 is a recent strong entry in this anthology series.  I wish that everyone could read the introduction to NOW #1, written by Eric Reynolds, even those who have not read that debut issue.  In the intro, Reynolds states that he wants to showcase “...as broad a range of quality comic art as possible...”

Does NOW #8 do that?  Let's take a look at each of NOW #8's cartoonists' contributions:

THE LOWDOWN:  The illustration that acts as NOW #8's cover art is entitled “Isle of Enchantment,” and it is produced by Al Columbia.  It is a beautiful piece – mixing the elements of nature illustration and vintage cartoons.  It is a striking and arresting image, and I can't stop looking at it.

“Psychic Bug Spy” by Theo Ellsworth:
I like the art for this one-page story that opens NOW #8, and speaking of story, “Psychic Bug Spy” does nothing for me.

“The Misfortunes of Virtue” by Sami Alwani:
I totally and completely love this story because it is a sheer delight to read.  So the story follows an alternative cartoonist and art comics creator, “Saehmeh the Dog.” Yes, Saehmeh Aehlawahni is an anthropomorphic dog, and he is also something like a lovable blend of snob and crank.  For years, he struggles as a cartoonist, mainly because most art comics publishers won't take the work of a dog seriously – no matter much they like that dog's work.

Ultimately, this 16-page story plays out, as a theme, this quote that opens the story, “When you desire control, you let desire control you.”  Sami Alwani's drawing style, a kind of pliable and elastic line work, is perfect for this story's shifting landscape of surrealism and Saehmeh's self-absorbed and internal way of living with himself and with others.  “The Misfortunes of Virtue” is the kind of comics short story that will one day be used to justify whatever time NOW exists as an ongoing publication.

“The Gigs” by E.S. Glenn:
This surreal story follows several characters that are criminal types.  Three of them can be described as an artist and a hit man:  Junior, the struggling painter-hit man; Butterfly, the recently paroled blues singer-songwriter-hit man; and Philip T. Crow, a self-published poet-hit man.

The Gigs'” graphical storytelling and graphic design are like a modern take on the revered cartoonist Winsor McCay's old-timey Little Nemo work.  The beautiful clear-line art and the gorgeous rich colors are mesmerizing.  My mind's eye savored the experience of reading this story.

“I, Keira” by Veronika Muchitsch:
Keira lives in an Ikea-like “home goods” store (Store No. 87) as a living mannequin.  The story is a procession of lighting, geometric shapes, colors, and patterns into which Keira becomes another object.  I am more intrigued by the graphics and graphical storytelling than I am by Keira … but I actually want more of this.

“Garden Boys” by Henry McCausland:
Two boys go on a treasure hunt and adventure through urban back lots and vacant properties – all of which seem to have a pastoral theme.  “Garden Boys” is like a young adult graphic novel distilled into 12 beautifully drawn pages.  I want more of this.

“Red” by Zuzu:
I know I've seen Zuzu's art somewhere before, or I saw something that looked like it.  “Red” is a slice-of-life of a larger story, but what is here – an except of friendship – is sweet.

“Saint Cole” by Noah Van Sciver:
I'm calling this an autobiographical comic, although I am not sure that anyone uses that term anymore.  Van Sciver recounts a book store signing in Paris that he did to promote his new graphic novel.  However, one of his best known works, the graphic novel, Saint Cole (Fantagraphics Books, 2015), hangs over the story.  This story offers flashbacks concerning the road Van Sciver took to Saint Cole, which included stints as a sandwich shop manager and hawking his minicomics from one comic book shop to another.

I'm prejudiced, but I love “Saint Cole” the short story, and I guess it's time for me to read the actual graphic novel.  A portrait of the artist as an always striving man … this story is poignant and absorbing because Van Sciver makes cartoon Noah so damn likable.

“Cheminant Avec Emily” by Walt Holcombe:
In English, the title is “Walking with Emily.”  This is another autobiographical tale in which Holcombe recounts his deep friendship with a young woman, Emily, whom he meets at San Diego Comic-Con in the late 1990s.  Their relationship gets a soundtrack when Emily introduces Holcombe to the music of the real-life French-Canadian duo, singer-songwriters and sisters, Kate and Anna McGarrigle.

Beautifully drawn, poignant, and bittersweet, “Cheminant Avec Emily” testifies that it is the bittersweet in life that acts like salt on the fruit of love and friendship – accentuating the sweetness.  This story reveals the art of the comics short story and exemplifies the comics short story as art.  I feel like a traitor making Noah Van Sciver's “Saint Cole” the second best story in NOW #8, but Holcombe's story steamrolls through this comic book like the Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James charging into the lane on the way to a power-dunk.

“The Intoxicated” by Maggie Umber:
I think this story is supposed to evoke emotions in the reader.  That it scares me must say something about me.  I like the art which looks as if it were drawn in charcoal.

“Binge Eating” by Tara Booth:
Yeah, if you have issues with eating too much, you will get this in-your-face gem.

“Now” by Nick Thorburn:
This back cover comic strip about the playful evolution of a father-son relationship is an excellent bit of macabre comedy expertly executed in three panels.

So, the final verdict on NOW #8 is that there is a lot of interesting drawing and illustrating going on in here.  Some are simply examples of beautiful illustrating, while others are visually striking.  Others are odd and unique, while others are not so much about being pretty, as they are simply powerful.

Of NOW#1, I said that if the volumes that followed were half as good as the debut was, then, NOW would be a must-read series for serious comic book readers.  NOW #8 is more than half-as-good, much more.  So get NOW … now.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of classic alternative-comics anthologies will want to discover NOW: The New Comics Anthology.

8.5 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


https://www.fantagraphics.com/
https://twitter.com/fantagraphics
https://www.instagram.com/fantagraphics/
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The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.

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Friday, November 13, 2020

#IReadsYou Review: NOW #1

NOW #1
FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

CARTOONISTS: Gabrielle Bell; Sara Corbett; Antoine Cossé; Eleanor Davis; Kaela Graham; Sammy Harkham; Conxita Hererro; Malachi Ward and Matt Sheean; J.C. Menu; Rebecca Morgan; Tommi Parrish; Tobias Schalken; Dash Shaw; Noah Van Sciver; Daria Tessler; Nick Thorburn
DESIGN: Jacob Covey
EDITOR: Eric Reynolds
COVER: Rebecca Morgan
ISBN: 978-1-68396-052-2; paperback (September 2017)
128pp, Color, $9.99 U.S.

NOW is a comics anthology series launched in 2017 by alternative comics (alt-comix) and art comics publisher, Fantagraphics Books.  Over its four-plus decades of existence, Fantagraphics has published what is probably the most diverse collection of comic book anthologies in the history of North American comic books.  That line-up includes such titles as Anything Goes, Critters, Mome, Pictopia, and Zero Zero, to name a few.

NOW #1 proves that Fantagraphics has not lost a step with age when it comes to anthologies.  I wish that everyone could read the introduction to the first issue written by NOW's editor, Eric Reynolds, even those who have not read this first issue.  It seems as if everything Reynolds hopes NOW could achieve is in evidence in NOW #1.  Reynolds wants to showcase “...as broad a range of quality comic art as possible...”

NOW #1 does that, so let's take a look at each cartoonist's contribution.

THE LOWDOWN:  The illustration that acts as NOW #1's cover art is entitled “Plan B on Easter Morning,” and it is produced by Rebecca Morgan.  It is a stylish, colorful, full-color illustration that is surreal and kooky, and it reminds me of the work of Aline Kominsky-Crumb.

“Constitutional” by Sara Corbett:
This is a beautiful piece featuring an elderly woman and her wily cat that has vivid green eyes.  This one-page comic has a striking graphical style, dazzling colors, and eye-catching patterns drawn on characters and objects.  I could see “Constitutional” being a cover for The New Yorker.

“21 Positions/The Final Frontier” by Tobias Schalken:
This is a pantomime comic featuring two characters, one female and one male, each alone and each on the opposite side of the page.  They are imitating the ways in which people hold and touch one another.  I am impressed by the figure drawing, and every time I look at this story, I feel some raw emotions emanating from the page.

“Hurt or Fuck?” by Eleanor Davis:
This is a black and white comic, drawn apparently with a lead pencil.  I like its composition, but I don't know what to make of it.  I don't want to read too much into it... or read the wrong thing...

“Scorpio” by Dash Shaw:
The incomparable Dash Shaw (Cosplayers) offers this story of childbirth on Tuesday, November 8, 2016 (a.k.a. “The Day of the Clown”).  The intimacy and familiarity between the expecting couple feels genuine, and the story is warm and humorous.  I could read an entire graphic novel built around these characters.

“Dear Naked Guy In the Apartment Across from Mine Spread Eagle & Absent-mindedly Flicking his Penis While Watching TV,” by Gabrielle Bell:
This one-page comic is exactly what it says – a young woman sees her pudgy, naked neighbor lying in his bed and playing with himself every time she is in the kitchen of her (apparently) small apartment.  I read the neighbor as being aggressively passive-aggressive, but I'm not sure about the young woman (whom I'm assuming is the cartoonist).  Is she disgusted or distressed... “Dear Naked Guy...” is one of NOW #1's best entries.

“S.O.S. Suitcases” by J.C. Menu:
This 14-page, black and white, comic is a wild and woolly, surreal adventure tale that is alternative comics and neo-underground comix.  I think this story would be a perfect fit in a certain kind of comics anthologies:  from Zap Comix to Weirdo and from Zero Zero to... well, to NOW.

“Wall of Shame” by Noah Van Sciver:
This 15-page story is my NOW #1 favorite.  In an autobiographical slash slice-of-life comics story, Noah returns to his hometown of Denver, Colorado because the Denver Art Museum is holding an exhibition of his comics and illustrations.  Returning home, however, means a return to family... and a reunion with his younger brother, Jonah, a loud, shameless, womanizing, pussy-hound.

If I have encountered Van Sciver's work before, it could not have been much.  After reading “Wall of Shame,” I definitely want to read more it, especially anything like this story.  Once upon a time, I spent much of the 1990s reading the autobiographical, mock-auto-bio, and slice-of-life comics, comic books, and graphic novels produced by a number of alternative cartoonists and comic book creators, including Joe Matt, Seth, David Greenberger, and Julie Doucet, to name a few.

“Wall of Shame,” a very entertaining story, brings me back to those days.  That aside, this is a thoroughly engaging story of family ties, with Jonah as the kind of scene-stealing character that captures the imagination.  Noah leaves me wanting more.

“Untitled” by Tommi Parrish:
This lovely story is about two people talking about the struggles of understanding oneself when coming out as gay.  Reading this is like listening in on an intimate conversation, and at seven pages, this story is over much too soon.  After I read this, I could not stop thinking about the idea of “poisonous scripts,” which comes from the world of culture and pop culture and tells us what and how we should be, act, think, feel, live, etc.

“Pretend We're Orphans” by Kaela Graham:
This story has a delightful, picture book and fairy tale quality.  It works as a self-contained tale of imagination, but it would still be quite good as a piece from a larger work.”

“Songs in the Key of Grief” by Daria Tessler:
I feel like this is about Kurt Cobain.

“Here I Am” by Conxita Hererro:
This story is apparently based on an earlier work by cartoonist Gabrielle Bell, a contributor to Now #1.  I got nothing from it.

“Widening Horizon” by Malachi Ward (story/art) and Matt Sheean (story):
This is an intriguing science fiction comics short story.  I won't call it “alternative history,” because it reads like a classic science fiction short story that imagines a different past, present, and future.  Ward's beautiful clear-line drawing style perfectly captures the atmosphere of a story about spaceflight.

“Statue” by Antoine Cossé:
A stylish blend of landscape architecture, industrial design, Art Deco, and minimalism, “Statue” is a haunting tale that also manages to gleam with possibility.  I found that Cossé engaged my imagination with a story that challenged me to unravel its mysteries.  “Statue” is an example of a story that the reader can enjoy without having to know everything the cartoonist wants to convey.  I look forward to seeing more of this creator's work.

“I, Marlon” by Sammy Harkham:
The only reason that I know that the “Marlon” in “I, Marlon” is the legendary American actor, Marlon Brando, is because I recently read Michael J. Mann's massive biography of the actor, The Contender: The Story of Marlon Brando.  Shockingly, Harkham's one-age comic (apparently produced in 2016) summarizes some key themes in Mann's 700+ page book, which was published in late 2019 (and took me several months to read).

“Untitled” by Nick Thorburn:
This is a comic strip that runs at the top of the back cover.  I like Thorburn's drawing style.

So, the final verdict on NOW #1 is that it is one of the best first issues of a comics anthology that I have ever read.  If the issues that follow NOW #1 are half as good as it is, then, NOW is a must-read series for serious comic book readers.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of classic alternative-comics anthologies will want to discover NOW.

9 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


https://www.fantagraphics.com/
https://twitter.com/fantagraphics
https://www.instagram.com/fantagraphics/
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https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtLxEaspctVar287DtdsMww


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.

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