Leroy Douresseaux on UPTIGHT #4

UPTIGHT #4

FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS

CARTOONIST: Jordan Crane
36pp, B&W, $3.95

If the author of Uptight was named Neil Gaiman, this comic book series would be a multiple Eisner Award-winner. Indeed, the Eisner committee might even come up with new categories specifically to give Gaiman and Uptight more trophies.

After the first issue was released, Uptight would have been optioned by Hollywood, to be butchered into a stop-motion animated film or poorly conceived 3D animated film. If Vertigo were Uptight’s publisher, the Eisner-winning, comics “news” site, Comic Book Resources, would cover every issue’s release as if that were a big event.

Neil Gaiman is not the author of Uptight; cartoonist Jordan Crane is. Uptight has not received any Eisner Awards. Hollywood has not called on it. Fantagraphics Books and not Vertigo is the publisher, so the Eisner committee and CBR ignore it on principle.

Still, the comic book series Uptight is a showcase for creator, cartoonist Jordan Crane. With each issue, Crane displays his mastery of both edgy adult drama and imaginative all-ages adventure.

Uptight #4 opens with “Chapter 2: Trash Night,” the ongoing saga of Leonard “Leo” and Delores “Dee’s” troubled relationship. Upsetting dreams and a suspicious mind have Leo trying to catch Dee cheating, and the situation reaches a boiling point thanks to a raccoon.

Also, the Simon & Jack (from Crane’s The Clouds Above) fun continues in “Dark Day.” Simon’s classmate, Rosalyn Devareaux and Jack (Simon’s talking cat) find themselves trapped in the office of Principal Pernicious Codswollop, who has diabolical plans for them. Meanwhile, school custodian, Mr. Cook, enters the bowels of the school to find Simon.

I like that Jordan Crane had decided not to play the victim of infidelity/villainous partner dynamic with the story of Leo and Dee. He has stripped them bare, which forces the reader to make his or her own decisions. Of course, the readers cannot do this through a passive reading experience. Being forced to engage isn’t a bad thing, because what we are engaging is a lush graphic narrative told in beautiful greytone art.

Believing that Crane is equally good with character drama and kids’ comics may be difficult to accept, but the rollicking Simon & Jack will not only make you a believer, but also an acolyte of Crane. This is an all-ages tale because its sense of wonder and imagination will captivate all ages, and it is not too early to declare Uptight #4 one of the year’s best comics.

A

First Look at Adrianne Palicki as NBC's New Wonder Woman

EW.COM EXCLUSIVE FIRST LOOK: Adrianne Palicki as Wonder Woman in NBC’s new fall pilot, exec produced by David E. Kelley

Link to FULL story and FIRST PHOTOS on EW.com: http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/03/18/wonder-woman-adrianne-palicki-photo/

Leroy Douresseaux on UPTIGHT #3

UPTIGHT #3

FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS

CARTOONIST: Jordan Crane

20pp, B&W, $2.75 U.S.

In his comic book series, Uptight, cartoonist Jordan Crane offers surprising variety. Each issue has a short story or two and in early issues, Crane serialized his imaginative, sprawling graphic novel, Keeping Two. In Uptight #3, Crane turns to other things.

First is Chapter One of Crane new serialized tale of infidelity, “Vicissitude,” which focuses on mechanic and night school student Leo. Leo’s wife Delores is cheating on him. The second half of the comic book features the return of the boy Simon and his large talking cat, Jack, the stars of Crane’s graphic novel, The Clouds Above. Along with Simon’s classmate, Rosalyn, Simon and Jack discover something big, hairy, and hungry in the school lunchroom freezer.

Crane’s work is highly emotionally charged, but in a quiet way. Illustrated in a lush, enveloping greytone, Vicissitude has a Film-Noir quality that adds an air of mystery to this story of melancholy and rotting love. It is so engaging and enthralling that its ending is jarring. “Freeze Out,” the Simon and Jack tale, is fantastic. It is all-ages comic book magic. Reading it made me feel like a kid again, reading stories of adventure, fantasy, and magic for the first time on my own.

Uptight #3 is a guarantee that you’ll want to read Uptight #4.

A+

Rocket Girls: The Last Planet Now on Shelves

VIZ MEDIA’S HAIKASORU IMPRINT LAUNCHES A NEW OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD ADVENTURE WITH ROCKET GIRLS: THE LAST PLANET
 
Latest Paperback Novel Brings The Next Exciting Space Mission In The ROCKET GIRLS Series To North American Readers

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced the release today of author Housuke Nojiri’s science fiction adventure, ROCKET GIRLS: THE LAST PLANET. The new paperback edition is the second in the ROCKET GIRLS series, is published under the company’s Haikasoru imprint, and carries an MSRP of $13.99 U.S. / $15.99 CAN.

Haikasoru publishes some of the most compelling contemporary Japanese science fiction and fantasy stories for English-speaking audiences. The imprint is the first to launch in North America with a dedicated focus on Japanese science fiction.

When the Rocket Girls accidentally splash down in the pond of Yukari Morita's old school, it looks as though their experiment is ruined. Luckily, the geeky Akane is there to save the day. Fitting the profile – she's intelligent, enthusiastic, and petite – Akane is soon recruited by the Solomon Space Association. Yukari and Akane are then given the biggest Rocket Girl mission yet: to do what NASA astronauts cannot and save a probe headed to the minor planet Pluto and the very edge of the solar system.

“We’re very excited to announce the release of the latest installment of the ROCKET GIRLS series from the award-winning author Housuke Nojiri,” says Nick Mamatas, Haikasoru editor. “It’s the perfect combination of hard science fiction and teenage hijinks—a novel that harkens back to the Golden Age of science fiction while being hip and fresh. We’ve heard from so many fans about the original ROCKET GIRLS, and look forward to readers jumping on board to find out what happens when the Girls help out, and butt heads with, no less than NASA itself.”

Author Housuke Nojiri was born in Mie, Japan, in 1961. After working in instrumentation control, CAD programming, and game design, he published his first work, The Blind Spot of Veis, based on the video game Creguian, in 1992. He gained further popularity with subsequent works the Creguian series and also for the ROCKET GIRLS series. In 2002, he published USURPER OF THE SUN (also available from Haikasoru), which ushered in a new era of space science fiction in Japan. After first appearing as a series of short stories, USURPER won the prestigious Seiun Award for the best Japanese science fiction novel of 2002. His other notable works include Pendulum of Pinieru and Fuwa-Fuwa no Izumi.

For more information on ROCKET GIRLS: THE LAST PLANET and the Haikasoru imprint, please visit the dedicated website at http://www.haikasoru.com/.

VIZ Media Announces New Manga for Second Half of 2011

VIZ MEDIA MANGA ACQUISITIONS SLATED FOR RELEASE THE SECOND HALF OF 2011

Eagerly Anticipated New Titles Include Kids Favorites, Stirring Sci-Fi Action, Shojo Fantasy Drama, And Works By Natsume Ono And The Celebrated CLAMP Manga Creative Team

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has detailed a variety of notable new manga (graphic novel) acquisitions for the second half of 2011.

Scheduled for release in coming months, perfect for kids’ summertime fun, are a pair of new POKÉMON™ titles including a Travel Activity Kit and the debut of the POKÉMON BLACK & WHITE manga series. The highly anticipated cute and quirky bean dogs of MAMESHIBA will also debut in their own manga and in a character guide. Other titles aimed at Teen and Older Teen readers will feature the high-speed action of YU-GI-Oh! 5D’s in an innovative new original story, the tense mystery drama PSYREN, a re-mastered 3-in-1 collection of the classic apocalyptic saga X by the celebrated manga creative team CLAMP, an anthology of 14 never-before-released stories by Natsume Ono in TESORO, and the dramatic fantasy of DAWN OF THE ARCANA.

POKEMON TRAVEL ACTIVITY KIT • Rated ‘A’ for All Ages • MSRP: $11.99 US / $13.99 CAN • Available May 2011

This Activity Kit offers a variety of brand-new Pokémon from the new Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version video games. The box of fun delivers hours of entertainment and allows kids to play alone or with friends. Included is a 64-page activity pad (featuring word puzzles, mazes, etc.), two sheets of stickers, one double-sided play poster, six crayons and two standees. All of this is contained in a durable, suitcase-type package with Velcro closures and a handle for easy portability.

POKÉMON BLACK & WHITE Vols. 1-2 • Rated ‘A’ for All Ages • MSRP: $4.99 US each / $5.99 CAN each • Available July 2011

Meet Pokémon Trainers Black and White! White has a burgeoning career as a Trainer of performing Pokémon. Black is about to embark on a Training Journey to explore the Unova region and fill a Pokédex for Prof. Juniper. Who will Black choose as his first Pokémon? Who would you choose...? Plus, meet brand-new Pokémon Tepig, Snivy, Oshawott, and many more never-before-seen Pokémon from the unexplored Unova region!

Mameshiba: ON THE LOOSE! • Rated ‘A’ for All Ages • MSRP: $6.99 US / $7.99 CAN • Available July 2011

It's a BEAN! It's a DOG! It's...BOTH?! Meet Mameshiba, the cute little bean dogs with bite! Starring in their first-ever adventures, they rescue friends, explore outer space and offer interesting bits of trivia when you least expect it! Hold on tight--Mameshiba are on the LOOSE! And don't miss the Mameshiba Shorts!

MEET Mameshiba • Rated ‘A’ for All Ages • MSRP: $6.99 US / $7.99 CAN • Available July 2011

Are they beans? Are they dogs? Not quite either one--they're Mameshiba! Though they all love to share weird facts, each has its own quirky personality. Find out about Edamame, Chili Bean, Lentil and all their friends in this insider's guide packed with trivia, quizzes, comics and activities!

YU-GI-OH! 5D’s Vol. 1 • Rated ‘T’ for Teens • MSRP: $9.99 US / $12.99 CAN • Available July 2011

In New Domino City, the hottest game in town is the Turbo Duel, fought on blazingly fast motorcycles called Duel Runners. On the outskirts of New Domino City, in a district known as Satellite, a new Turbo Duel hero emerges named Yusei Fudo! On his custom-built Duel Runner, Yusei takes on all challengers, fighting for his friends and the future of Satellite! Also included in first print-run editions is a bonus Dark Highlander collectible trading card!

PSYREN Vol. 1 • Rated ‘T’ for Teens • MSRP: $9.99 US / $12.99 CAN • Available October 2011

Ageha Yoshina just got transported to a warped alternate dimension where you've got to fight your way back to our world – or die trying. "Save me!" Those were Sakurako Amamiya's last words to her friend Ageha Yoshina before she mysteriously went missing. Now Ageha's on a quest to find her. He's convinced that the mythical Psyren Secret Society has something to do with the recent rash of disappearances. And now he seems to be caught up as a player in their very deadly game...

X 3-IN-ONE Vol. 1 • Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens • MSRP: $19.99 US / $22.99 CAN • Available October 2011

X, the epic fantasy series from CLAMP, will be released in deluxe collector’s editions. The pages have been recomposed in the original right-to-left reading format and restored to their highest quality. Each volume contains three of the original graphic novels, along with gorgeous, full-color illustrations never before published outside Japan!

In X, Kamui Shiro is a young man followed by mystery. Taken from Tokyo by his mother while still a child, he must leave behind his closest friends. Returning to Tokyo after his mother's death, Kamui is now a changed young man – moody and distant to his old friends, yet determined to protect them from the dark forces that constantly swirl around him. He is the nexus of a great cataclysm to come, and the inheritor to a strange destiny that could decide the fate of the entire world.

TESORO • Rated ‘T’ for Teens • MSRP: $12.99 US / $14.99 CAN • Available November 2011

This is an engrossing manga treasure trove containing 14 charming stories about family, friends, couples and unexpected bonds. Written by Natsume Ono over ten years, here is the long-awaited collection of her early work, including numerous illustrations and previously unpublished stories!

Dawn of the Arcana Vol. 1 • Rated ‘T’ for Teens • MSRP: $12.99 US / $14.99 CAN • Available December 2011

To end the conflict between the warring kingdoms of Senan and Belquat, Princess Nakaba of Senan is sent to Belquat to marry Prince Caesar. Accompanied solely by her half-beast attendant Loki, Nakaba must learn not only how to survive the intrigues of a hostile court but also how to handle the mercurial Caesar. And in the swirl of secrets and treachery, there could be one thing greater than all: the mysterious power of the Arcana.

Leroy Douresseaux on UPTIGHT #1

UPTIGHT #1

FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS

CARTOONIST: Jordan Crane

20pp, B&W, $2.50

For over three decades, Fantagraphics Books has made a determined effort to introduce alternative comics and alternative cartoonists to readers, often in attractive and affordable comic book packages. Published back in 2006, Uptight #1 was the first issue of a new series by Jordan Crane, whose 2005 graphic novel, The Clouds Above, earned enthusiastic and sometimes glowing reviews from the likes of The New Yorker, Publisher’s Weekly, and Entertainment Weekly.

First of all, Uptight’s packaging is very nice and quiet attractive for a black and white comic book. The cover is in color, and both the inside and outside of the back covers are used for story. The paper is a soft white stock, not the glossy stuff most big publishers use for color comics, but the text and art print beautifully on it, almost as if Crane drew directly onto the paper.

Both stories are ruminations on death – sudden death, actually. The first tale, “Below the Shade of Night,” is a ghost story with a hook, which would certainly be familiar to anyone who’s seen the film, The Sixth Sense. The story isn’t so much haunting as it is tragic – a story of things left unsaid because of pride and stubbornness. So while this kind of story isn’t new, Crane’s execution gives it a fresh coat of heartache.

The second tale is actually a chapter from Crane’s next graphic novel, Keeping Two. The first chapter deals with phobias, fixations, and superstitious fears of death. Honestly, the way Crane presents how neurosis affects the bereaved hits so close to home that if you’ve lost loved ones and are still in pain over it you might blush with embarrassment. I did.

As far as his art and storytelling goes, Crane has drawn comparisons to Tim Burton and Lewis Carroll, and the elements of Crane’s compositions do resemble Burton’s art, as well as that of Windsor McCay (Little Nemo in Slumberland). In terms of the components of his art, Crane again favors McCay and also perhaps a little of David Mazzuchelli (at least to my eye).

Make no mistake, however; Jordan Crane is clearly an original voice and a cartoonist to watch for years to come.

A

The Origin of Hayate the Combat Butler

I read Hayate the Combat Butler, Vol. 17

I posted a review in the Comic Book Bin (which has FREE smart phone apps).