COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS
MAY141558 ABC WARRIORS VOLGAN WAR GN VOL 04 (MR) $22.99
JUN141511 ARCHER & ARMSTRONG #23 REG WALSH $3.99
JUN141512 ARCHER & ARMSTRONG #23 VALIANTCRAFT CVR $3.99
MAY141010 ARCHIE FUNHOUSE DIGEST #7 $4.99
MAY148341 ARMOR HUNTERS #2 2ND PTG $3.99
JUN141492 ARMOR HUNTERS #3 REG BRAITHWAITE (AH) $3.99
JUN141493 ARMOR HUNTERS #3 VALIANTCRAFT CVR (AH) $3.99
MAY140989 CAVEWOMAN FALLEN ONE SHOT CVR A DURHAM $3.99
FEB141051 CLIVE BARKER NEXT TESTAMENT #12 (MR) $3.99
JUN140878 CROSSED BADLANDS #59 (MR) $3.99
JUN140881 CROSSED BADLANDS #59 FATAL FANTASY CVR (MR) $3.99
JUN140880 CROSSED BADLANDS #59 TORTURE CVR (MR) $3.99
JUN140879 CROSSED BADLANDS #59 WRAP CVR (MR) $3.99
JUN141561 DEADMAN WONDERLAND GN VOL 04 $9.99
JUN141132 DEJAH THORIS & GREEN MEN OF MARS TP VOL 02 (MR) $16.99
JUN141187 DF GUARDIANS O/T GALAXY #1 EXC CVR BONUS PKG $14.99
MAY141530 DINOSAURS HC VOL 03 JURASSIC SMARTS $10.99
JUN141125 DOODLE JUMP #3 $3.99
JUN141296 EL NINO OMNIBUS HC (MR) $44.95
JUN140756 F1RST HERO #1 MAIN CVR $3.99
JUN141307 FAIRY TAIL GN VOL 41 $10.99
JUN141615 GFT AGE OF DARKNESS TP VOL 02 $15.99
JUN141617 GFT HELSING TP $15.99
JUN141585 GFT INFERNO RINGS OF HELL #1 A CVR JOHNSON (AOFD) (MR $3.99
JUN141586 GFT INFERNO RINGS OF HELL #1 B CVR LAISO (AOFD) (MR) $3.99
JUN141587 GFT INFERNO RINGS OF HELL #1 C CVR QUALANO (AOFD) (MR) $3.99
JUN141599 GFT WONDERLAND #26 A CVR KROME (MR) $3.99
JUN141600 GFT WONDERLAND #26 B CVR LEISTER (MR) $3.99
JUN141601 GFT WONDERLAND #26 C CVR EHNOT (MR) $3.99
JUN140858 GOD IS DEAD #18 (MR) $3.99
JUN140859 GOD IS DEAD #18 CARNAGE WRAP CVR (MR) $3.99
JUN140860 GOD IS DEAD #18 END OF DAYS CVR (MR) $3.99
JUN140861 GOD IS DEAD #18 ICONIC CVR (MR) $3.99
JUN140851 GOD IS DEAD BOOK OF ACTS OMEGA (MR) $5.99
JUN140852 GOD IS DEAD BOOK OF ACTS OMEGA CARNAGE WRAP CVR (MR) $5.99
JUN140854 GOD IS DEAD BOOK OF ACTS OMEGA END OF DAYS CVR (MR) $5.99
JUN140853 GOD IS DEAD BOOK OF ACTS OMEGA ICONIC CVR (MR) $5.99
MAR141073 HEART OF THE BEAST HC 20TH ANNV ED (MR) $24.99
MAR141074 HEART OF THE BEAST HC 20TH ANNV SGN ED (MR) $49.99
MAR141075 HEART OF THE BEAST HC 20TH ANNV SGN REMARK ED (MR) $95.00
JUN140934 HEXED #1 $3.99
MAY148197 HUGH HOWEYS WOOL GN $14.95
JUN141567 ITSUWARIBITO GN VOL 12 $9.99
MAY141580 JASON SHIGA DEMON #1 $4.95
MAY141404 JIM HC $29.99
MAR140841 KEVIN KELLER #14 REG CVR $2.99
MAY141365 KINGS WATCH TP VOL 01 $19.99
MAY141464 KODT BUNDLE OF TROUBLE TP VOL 45 $14.99
JUN141102 LADY ZORRO #2 $3.99
MAY141298 LEGENDERRY A STEAMPUNK ADV #6 $3.99
JUN141129 LEGENDS OF RED SONJA TP VOL 01 $19.99
MAY141545 LENA FINKLES MAGIC BARREL GN $17.00
JUN141568 LOVELESS GN VOL 12 $9.99
JUN141544 MAGI GN VOL 07 $9.99
JUN141297 MEGALEX HC $29.95
APR140798 MEN OF MYSTERY #93 $29.95
MAY140965 MIDNIGHT TIGER #1 MAIN CVR $3.99
JUN141309 MONSTER SOUL GN VOL 02 $10.99
MAY141470 MY LITTLE MONSTER GN VOL 03 $10.99
JUN141310 NEGIMA GN VOL 28 KODANSHA ED NEW PTG (MR) $10.99
JUN140774 NIGHT O/T LIVING VIDIOTS GN (MR) $19.95
JUN141106 PATHFINDER CITY SECRETS #4 EXC SUBSCRIPTION CVR $4.99
JUN141104 PATHFINDER CITY SECRETS #4 MAIN GENZOMAN $4.99
JUN141107 PATHFINDER CITY SECRETS #4 ULTRA LTD CUMMINGS CVR $19.99
MAR141082 PATHFINDER HC VOL 02 TOOTH & CLAW $29.99
APR141254 PHANTOM COMP SUNDAYS HC VOL 02 1943-1945 $60.00
JUN141335 PRINCESS UGG #3 $3.99
MAY140956 RACHEL RISING #27 $3.99
MAR141089 RED SONJA #11 FRISON CVR $3.99
MAR141090 RED SONJA #11 LUPACCHINO CVR $3.99
APR141060 RED TEN TP VOL 01 $14.99
MAY141465 ROBOT CLOWN MOB GN (MR) $9.99
SEP130869 RUN LIKE HELL GN (MR) $14.99
JUN141385 SAN HANNIBAL #3 $2.99
JUN141160 SANITARIUM #2 (MR) $3.99
FEB141355 SCOTT PILGRIM COLOR HC VOL 05 $24.99
MAR141264 SHEENA #3 $3.99
DEC130802 SKYWARD #8 MAIN COVERS $2.99
JUN141362 SMURFS ANTHOLOGY HC VOL 03 $19.99
JAN141243 SNAKEPIT 10 YEAR ANNVERSARY ED GN (MR) $14.95
MAY141035 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #263 REG CVR $2.99
JUN140769 SOUTHERN DOG #1 ROSSMO CVR (MR) $3.99
JUN140930 SPONGEBOB COMICS #35 $2.99
JUN141049 THE DEVILERS #2 $2.99
APR141286 THE PEOPLE INSIDE HC $24.99
JUN140951 THOMAS ALSOP #3 $3.99
JUN141317 TOWER CHRONICLES DREADSTALKER #1 $3.99
JUN141417 TWISTED DARK GN VOL 01 $9.99
JUN141496 UNITY #10 REG SUAYAN (AH) $3.99
JUN141497 UNITY #10 VALIANTCRAFT CVR (AH) $3.99
MAY148342 UNITY #8 2ND PTG $3.99
JUN141397 US JUDGE DREDD COMP CASE FILES TP VOL 08 $19.99
MAY140969 VAMPLETS NIGHTMARE NURSERY HC BOOK 02 $15.99
APR141148 WARLORD OF MARS TP VOL 04 (MR) $24.99
JUN141528 WOLFSMUND GN VOL 05 $12.95
MAY148343 X-O MANOWAR #26 2ND PTG $3.99
MAY141483 ZOMBILLENIUM HC VOL 02 HUMAN RESOURCES $14.99
MAGAZINES
MAY141891 BRICKJOURNAL #30 $8.95
JUN141697 COMIC SHOP NEWS #1417 PI
APR141643 DC SUPERHERO CHESS FIG COLL MAG #62 KILLER FROST BLACK PAWN $16.00
MAY141844 DC SUPERHERO CHESS FIG COLL MAG #63 ZOD BLACK KNIGHT $16.00
MAY141845 DC SUPERHERO CHESS FIG COLL MAG #64 BRAINIAC BLACK PAWN $16.00
JUN141710 GIRLS AND CORPSES MAGAZINE SUMMER 2014 (MR) $8.95
APR141669 HOBBY JAPAN JUL 2014 $16.60
JUN141693 JUXTAPOZ #164 SEP 2014 $5.99
APR141647 MARVEL CHESS FIG COLL MAG #12 LIZARD BLACK PAWN $16.00
MAR141582 STAR TREK STARSHIPS FIG COLL MAG #21 USS ENTERPRISE E $20.00
MAR141583 STAR TREK STARSHIPS FIG COLL MAG #22 KRENIM TEMPORAL WEAPON $20.00
MAY141887 STAR WARS INSIDER #151 NEWSSTAND ED $7.99
MAY141888 STAR WARS INSIDER #151 PX ED $7.99
JUN141709 WALKING DEAD MAGAZINE #9 SDCC EXCLUSIVE COVER (MR) $9.99
BOOKS
MAY141811 DC SUPER FRIENDS WORD ADV BOARD BOOK SUPERMAN $6.99
MAY141812 DC SUPER FRIENDS WORD ADV BOARD BOOK WONDER WOMAN $6.99
MAY141803 DC YR BOARD BOOK SM BATMAN SHAPES $5.99
MAY141805 DC YR BOARD BOOK SM CATWOMAN COUNTING $5.99
MAY141807 DC YR BOARD BOOK SM SUPERMAN COLORS $5.99
MAY141809 DC YR BOARD BOOK SM WONDER WOMAN ABCS $5.99
MAY141830 DOC SAVAGE DOUBLE NOVEL VOL 76 MINDLESS MONSTERS $14.95
JUN141474 DON HECK A WORK OF ART HC $39.95
JUN141661 FOUNDATIONS IN COMIC BOOK ART SCAD CREATIVE ESSENTIALS SC $24.99
FEB140903 JOSEPH WIGHT ART BOOK TP VOL 01 $25.00
MAY141796 MARVEL COMICS COVER ART HC $50.00
JUN141618 NEVER UNDERESTIMATE A HERMIT CRAB SC $9.99
JUN141674 SHADOW DOUBLE NOVEL VOL 86 TREASURE TRAIL $14.95
APR141582 SPIDER DOUBLE NOVEL #4 WINGS OF BLACK DEATH $14.95
MAY142819 WARHAMMER 40K FALL OF MACHARIUS HC $24.99
MAY142821 WARHAMMER 40K VENGEFUL SPIRIT TP $20.00
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Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for August 13, 2014
Labels:
Archie Comics,
Art Book,
Book News,
BOOM Studios,
comics news,
Diamond Distributors,
Dynamite Entertainment,
manga news,
Smurfs,
Star Trek,
Star Wars,
Valiant Comics,
VIZ Media,
Walking Dead
Monday, August 11, 2014
Happy Marriage?! - Will I Be Tied Down to You?
I read Happy Marriage?!, Vol. 7
I posted a review at the ComicBookBin, which is seeking donations. Follow me on Twitter.
I posted a review at the ComicBookBin, which is seeking donations. Follow me on Twitter.
Labels:
Comic Book Bin,
Maki Enjoji,
manga,
Nancy Thislethwaite,
shojo,
Shojo Beat,
Tetsuichiro Miyaki,
VIZ Media
Sunday, August 10, 2014
Comics Review: THE STRAIN #6
THE STRAIN #6
DARK HORSE COMICS – @DarkHorseComics
STORY: Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan
SCRIPT: David Lapham
ART: Mike Huddleston
COLORS: Dan Jackson
LETTERS: Clem Robins
COVER: E.M. Gist
28pp, Color, $3.50 U.S. (July 2012)
Part 6: “Dear Ones”
Some time ago, Dark Horse Comics made PDF copies of all 11 issues of its horror comic book series, The Strain, available to its media mailing list. This was part of DHC’s promotional effort for the follow-up series, The Strain: The Fall. Between those PDFs and hard copies, I was able to review all 11 issues of The Strain for the ComicBookBin.
I have previously posted my reviews of The Strain, issues #1 through 5, here on the “I Reads You” blog. Over the course of the coming weeks, I will post the reviews of issues 6 to 11 on this blog in conjunction with the broadcast of “The Strain,” the television adaptation of the novel that is the source material for both the TV series and Dark Horse’s comic book. The first episode aired on Sunday night, July 13, 2014 on cable channel, FX, with each new episode airing the following Sunday.
---------------------
The Strain is an 11-issue comic book adaptation of The Strain, a 2009 vampire novel from filmmaker Guillermo del Toro and novelist Chuck Hogan. The adaptation is scripted by David Lapham, drawn by Mike Huddleston, colored by Dan Jackson, and lettered by Clem Robins.
In the story, Dr. Ephraim “Eph” Goodweather of the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) heads the Canary Project, a rapid-response team that investigates biological threats. With his second-in-command, Nora Martinez, Eph has found such a threat at J.F.K. International Airport in New York City. There, a Boeing 777 went dead silent after landing, while inside, almost all the passengers and crew were dead.
As The Strain #6 opens, Eph and Dr. Martinez tentatively take Professor Abraham Setrakian’s claims seriously. Someone is going to use the “v” word. The scientists go to Setrakian’s antique shop, where they visit his basement and see the thing the old man keeps in a jar.
Next, Eph, Martinez, and Setrakian search for the “dear ones,” in a bid to track the path of the strange virus that could destroy life in New York City. Meanwhile, Eldritch Palmer, CEO of the Stoneheart Group, tries to resolve some loose ends in the part he plays in the growing horror.
It has been two months since I last read the fifth issue of The Strain, and it is still good as I remember. By now, this series is a back issue, with second trade due to arrive and the second series (entitled The Fall) preparing to launch. New release or back issue, The Strain is a great read.
If The Strain does not become a perennial or backlist favorite, then, the comic book gods must be crazy. Lapham and Huddleston’s efforts have earned readers’ notice. Fans of horror comic books should get The Strain.
A+
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux
The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.
DARK HORSE COMICS – @DarkHorseComics
STORY: Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan
SCRIPT: David Lapham
ART: Mike Huddleston
COLORS: Dan Jackson
LETTERS: Clem Robins
COVER: E.M. Gist
28pp, Color, $3.50 U.S. (July 2012)
Part 6: “Dear Ones”
Some time ago, Dark Horse Comics made PDF copies of all 11 issues of its horror comic book series, The Strain, available to its media mailing list. This was part of DHC’s promotional effort for the follow-up series, The Strain: The Fall. Between those PDFs and hard copies, I was able to review all 11 issues of The Strain for the ComicBookBin.
I have previously posted my reviews of The Strain, issues #1 through 5, here on the “I Reads You” blog. Over the course of the coming weeks, I will post the reviews of issues 6 to 11 on this blog in conjunction with the broadcast of “The Strain,” the television adaptation of the novel that is the source material for both the TV series and Dark Horse’s comic book. The first episode aired on Sunday night, July 13, 2014 on cable channel, FX, with each new episode airing the following Sunday.
---------------------
The Strain is an 11-issue comic book adaptation of The Strain, a 2009 vampire novel from filmmaker Guillermo del Toro and novelist Chuck Hogan. The adaptation is scripted by David Lapham, drawn by Mike Huddleston, colored by Dan Jackson, and lettered by Clem Robins.
In the story, Dr. Ephraim “Eph” Goodweather of the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) heads the Canary Project, a rapid-response team that investigates biological threats. With his second-in-command, Nora Martinez, Eph has found such a threat at J.F.K. International Airport in New York City. There, a Boeing 777 went dead silent after landing, while inside, almost all the passengers and crew were dead.
As The Strain #6 opens, Eph and Dr. Martinez tentatively take Professor Abraham Setrakian’s claims seriously. Someone is going to use the “v” word. The scientists go to Setrakian’s antique shop, where they visit his basement and see the thing the old man keeps in a jar.
Next, Eph, Martinez, and Setrakian search for the “dear ones,” in a bid to track the path of the strange virus that could destroy life in New York City. Meanwhile, Eldritch Palmer, CEO of the Stoneheart Group, tries to resolve some loose ends in the part he plays in the growing horror.
It has been two months since I last read the fifth issue of The Strain, and it is still good as I remember. By now, this series is a back issue, with second trade due to arrive and the second series (entitled The Fall) preparing to launch. New release or back issue, The Strain is a great read.
If The Strain does not become a perennial or backlist favorite, then, the comic book gods must be crazy. Lapham and Huddleston’s efforts have earned readers’ notice. Fans of horror comic books should get The Strain.
A+
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux
The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.
Labels:
Book Adaptation,
Chuck Hogan,
Dan Jackson,
Dark Horse,
David Lapham,
EM Gist,
Guillermo Del Toro,
Mike Huddleston,
Review,
vampires
Saturday, August 9, 2014
Manga Review: SPELL OF DESIRE Volume 1
SPELL OF DESIRE, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia
CARTOONIST: Tomu Ohmi
TRANSLATION: JN Productions
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Ysabet Reinhardt MacFarlane
LETTERS: Monalisa de Asis
ISBN: 978-1-4215-6775-4; paperback (August 2014); Rated “M” for “Mature”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK
Tomu Ohmi is a female mangaka who made her debut in 2000. VIZ Media is currently publishing the English-language version of her series, Midnight Secretary. The San Francisco-based publisher is also making her most recent series, Spell of Desire, available to North American readers.
Spell of Desire focuses on Kaoruko “Koko” Mochizuki owns and operates an herb shop in a small seaside town in Japan. One day, a mysterious man dressed in black walks into the Moon Witch Herb Shop and introduces himself as Kaname Hibiki. Kaname tells Kaoruko that she is actually a witch and that he has arrived to help her control the power that is awakening in her.
Spell of Desire, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 5) opens with the arrival of Kaname. He is bringing shocking news about Koko and her mother and grandmother. He says that he is a “Knight.” He tells her about being the target of humans and demons alike. And now her customers think that Kaoruko finally has a boyfriend. Kaoruko wants to reject Kaname, but then, he steals a kiss…
It is worth comparing the Spell of Desire manga to Midnight Secretary, the previous manga produced by Spell of Desire creator, Tomu Ohmi. Midnight Secretary is by turns sweet and silly and also dark and mysterious. Its scenario is playful, which belies the danger inherent in some characters.
Spell of Desire seems like something I’ve read countless times before. While Midnight Secretary manages to be different as vampire fiction, Spell of Desire scenario of the Knight-without-shining-armor rescuing the magical-novice-damsel seems a bit soft. The best scenes are the ones featuring Kaname’s familiars, Dragon and Unicorn. Like Midnight Secretary, I think Spell of Desire will start to differentiate itself in the second and third volumes. Meanwhile, Spell of Desire Volume 1 has beautiful art, but the magic does not crackle. Still, Fans of Tomu Ohmi may want to try Spell of Desire.
B-
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux
The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia
CARTOONIST: Tomu Ohmi
TRANSLATION: JN Productions
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Ysabet Reinhardt MacFarlane
LETTERS: Monalisa de Asis
ISBN: 978-1-4215-6775-4; paperback (August 2014); Rated “M” for “Mature”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK
Tomu Ohmi is a female mangaka who made her debut in 2000. VIZ Media is currently publishing the English-language version of her series, Midnight Secretary. The San Francisco-based publisher is also making her most recent series, Spell of Desire, available to North American readers.
Spell of Desire focuses on Kaoruko “Koko” Mochizuki owns and operates an herb shop in a small seaside town in Japan. One day, a mysterious man dressed in black walks into the Moon Witch Herb Shop and introduces himself as Kaname Hibiki. Kaname tells Kaoruko that she is actually a witch and that he has arrived to help her control the power that is awakening in her.
Spell of Desire, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 5) opens with the arrival of Kaname. He is bringing shocking news about Koko and her mother and grandmother. He says that he is a “Knight.” He tells her about being the target of humans and demons alike. And now her customers think that Kaoruko finally has a boyfriend. Kaoruko wants to reject Kaname, but then, he steals a kiss…
It is worth comparing the Spell of Desire manga to Midnight Secretary, the previous manga produced by Spell of Desire creator, Tomu Ohmi. Midnight Secretary is by turns sweet and silly and also dark and mysterious. Its scenario is playful, which belies the danger inherent in some characters.
Spell of Desire seems like something I’ve read countless times before. While Midnight Secretary manages to be different as vampire fiction, Spell of Desire scenario of the Knight-without-shining-armor rescuing the magical-novice-damsel seems a bit soft. The best scenes are the ones featuring Kaname’s familiars, Dragon and Unicorn. Like Midnight Secretary, I think Spell of Desire will start to differentiate itself in the second and third volumes. Meanwhile, Spell of Desire Volume 1 has beautiful art, but the magic does not crackle. Still, Fans of Tomu Ohmi may want to try Spell of Desire.
B-
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux
The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.
Labels:
JN Productions,
josei,
manga,
Review,
shojo,
Shojo Beat,
Tomu Ohmi,
VIZ Media,
Ysabeth Reinhardt MacFarlane
Friday, August 8, 2014
Comics Review: THE AMATEURS
THE AMATEURS
FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS – @fantagraphics
CARTOONIST: Conor Stechschulte
EDITOR: Eric Reynolds
ISBN: 978-1-60699-734-5; paperback (June 2014)
64pp, B&W. $14.99 U.S.
Conor Stechschulte is a Baltimore-based comic book artist and a painter. Fantagraphics Books recently published his graphic novella debut. Entitled The Amateurs, it is the story of two amnesiac butchers who find their shop without meat and their heads with any memory of how to do their jobs.
The Amateurs opens with an entry from the diary of Anne M. Nemeth, a student at Lyre School for Girls. On the morning of September 3rd of an unknown year, Anne and fellow student, Bethany, discover a severed human head that still seems to be talking.
The story then introduces (via flashback?) a pair of butchers named Jim and Winston. They arrive for work at their butcher shop (of which Winston may be the owner) one morning only to discover that there is no meat in the shop. Still more shocking, the two men also realize that they have completely forgotten how to do their jobs. With the arrival of Martha and Shelly, two customers, Jim and Winston become fearful for their livelihood, too afraid to admit their dilemma. This leads to a series of increasingly disastrous events. The questions remains, what has caused their strange amnesia?
Somewhere between David Lynch and The Three Stooges lies the weird horror-comedy that is The Amateurs. This graphic novel is inscrutable, surreal, and brilliant. I could have read another 64 pages of it; I wanted to read another 64 pages. It is a fascinating read, and I found myself reading a few pages at time and going back to re-read those pages.
Stechschulte may not be a draftsman as a comic book artist, but he is able to create evocative graphics separate from the words in balloons and caption boxes. Those words, however, are also powerful and gripping, making the characters and situations intriguing and fascinating, even if both largely remain a mystery. Bring words and pictures together, and the result is a robust story of mystery and dark humor.
There is a sad-sack, human quality in Stechschulte’s character art and in his cartooning of the human figure. Jim and Winston’s nakedness, down to their mundane and feeble genitalia, makes them seem fragile. That fragility is what keeps Jim and Winston’s dilemmas and struggles tangible and genuine. That is what makes me care (still) about the two men’s fate long after reading The Amateurs.
The Amateurs could be a criticism of human nature, particularly of the disconnect between people. I think this fantastic graphic novella reveals that there is a connection, but also that there is a lack of understanding in how to use that connection. This leads to awkwardness and lots of flailing – hurting in lieu of uniting. That’s amateurish.
The Amateurs by Conor Stechschulte is an ambition debut. It is a small, black and white graphic novella with a story that is as explosive and as visceral as any superhero comics spectacular. Its black comedy is funnier than many straight humor comics. Readers looking for an ambitious alternative to the status quo will find it in The Amateurs.
A
www.fantagraphics.com
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux
The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.
FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS – @fantagraphics
CARTOONIST: Conor Stechschulte
EDITOR: Eric Reynolds
ISBN: 978-1-60699-734-5; paperback (June 2014)
64pp, B&W. $14.99 U.S.
Conor Stechschulte is a Baltimore-based comic book artist and a painter. Fantagraphics Books recently published his graphic novella debut. Entitled The Amateurs, it is the story of two amnesiac butchers who find their shop without meat and their heads with any memory of how to do their jobs.
The Amateurs opens with an entry from the diary of Anne M. Nemeth, a student at Lyre School for Girls. On the morning of September 3rd of an unknown year, Anne and fellow student, Bethany, discover a severed human head that still seems to be talking.
The story then introduces (via flashback?) a pair of butchers named Jim and Winston. They arrive for work at their butcher shop (of which Winston may be the owner) one morning only to discover that there is no meat in the shop. Still more shocking, the two men also realize that they have completely forgotten how to do their jobs. With the arrival of Martha and Shelly, two customers, Jim and Winston become fearful for their livelihood, too afraid to admit their dilemma. This leads to a series of increasingly disastrous events. The questions remains, what has caused their strange amnesia?
Somewhere between David Lynch and The Three Stooges lies the weird horror-comedy that is The Amateurs. This graphic novel is inscrutable, surreal, and brilliant. I could have read another 64 pages of it; I wanted to read another 64 pages. It is a fascinating read, and I found myself reading a few pages at time and going back to re-read those pages.
Stechschulte may not be a draftsman as a comic book artist, but he is able to create evocative graphics separate from the words in balloons and caption boxes. Those words, however, are also powerful and gripping, making the characters and situations intriguing and fascinating, even if both largely remain a mystery. Bring words and pictures together, and the result is a robust story of mystery and dark humor.
There is a sad-sack, human quality in Stechschulte’s character art and in his cartooning of the human figure. Jim and Winston’s nakedness, down to their mundane and feeble genitalia, makes them seem fragile. That fragility is what keeps Jim and Winston’s dilemmas and struggles tangible and genuine. That is what makes me care (still) about the two men’s fate long after reading The Amateurs.
The Amateurs could be a criticism of human nature, particularly of the disconnect between people. I think this fantastic graphic novella reveals that there is a connection, but also that there is a lack of understanding in how to use that connection. This leads to awkwardness and lots of flailing – hurting in lieu of uniting. That’s amateurish.
The Amateurs by Conor Stechschulte is an ambition debut. It is a small, black and white graphic novella with a story that is as explosive and as visceral as any superhero comics spectacular. Its black comedy is funnier than many straight humor comics. Readers looking for an ambitious alternative to the status quo will find it in The Amateurs.
A
www.fantagraphics.com
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux
The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.
Labels:
alt-comix,
Eric Reynolds,
Fantagraphics Books,
OGN,
Review
Thursday, August 7, 2014
Review: FOOD WARS!, Shokugeki no Soma Volume 1
FOOD WARS!, Shokugeki no Soma VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia
STORY: Yuto Tsukuda
ART: Shun Saeki
TRANSLATION: Adrienne Beck
LETTERS: NRP Studios
EDITOR: Jennifer LeBlanc
ISBN: 978-1-4215-7254-3; paperback (March 2014); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
208pp, B&W, $9.99 US, $12.99 CAN
Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma is a shonen culinary arts manga from writer Yuto Tsukuda and artist Shun Saeki. The series focuses on Soma Yukihira, a 15-year-old boy forced to attend an elite culinary arts school.
Soma’s father, Joshiro Yukihira, runs a small family restaurant in the less savory end of town. Soma aims to one day surpass his father’s culinary prowess, so the teen hones his skills day in and day out. However, one day, his father suddenly decides to enroll Soma in a classy culinary school. Soma does not believe he needs to go to culinary school, so can he really succeed in a place that prides itself on a 10 percent graduation rate?
Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma, Vol. 1 (Endless Wilderness; Chapters 1 to 5) opens with Soma trying out some horrifying recipes on the customers at Yukihira Family Restaurant. Soma’ father, Joshiro, challenges his talented son to a cooking duel, which he wins. The son still has a lot to learn, but Soma believes that he is ready to take over the family business.
Before he leaves the country, however, Joshiro registers Soma at Totsuki Saryo Culinary Institute, the premiere culinary school in Japan. First, Soma has to win his admission. Standing in his way is Erina Nakiri, the beautiful, domineering heiress of the school, of which her grandfather, Senzaemon Nakiri, is the dean. She immediately scares away all of the new student seeking entrance into the school… except Soma. Can he convince her that he belongs there at all?!
[This story contains two bonus stories, the “special short,” Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma” and a side story, “Kurase’s Diary.”]
VIZ Media sent me a copy of the Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma Volume 1 for review. The publisher first released Vol. 1 for its digital manga app (March 2014). The print release is due this month (August 2014).
I didn’t think much Food Wars! after giving it a cursory glance, although I am a fan of “foodie manga” like Yakitate!! Japan and Oishinbo (as well as Toriko, which focuses on imaginary food stuffs and ingredients). After reading Food Wars! Vol. 1, I love it! I have another item for my full-course manga menu.
Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma mixes elements of samurai fiction, the culinary arts, and high school shonen comedy, and it certainly is funny. In Soma, the series has a brash, but likeable young male lead. His adversaries are culinary, cooking, and foodie snobs like Erina Nakiri and his fellow Totsuki Saryo students. I don’t want to spoil much more, but Soma’s cooking talents do something both outrageous and funny to people who doubt him and then, taste his cooking. Soma also has a mad scientist like tendency that gives the series another layer of humor.
The first volume of Food Wars! is a fantastic start to this series. I hope the second volume proves that this start is not a fluke. Fans of foodie manga and of shonen comedies aimed at older male teens will like Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma.
A-
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux
The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia
STORY: Yuto Tsukuda
ART: Shun Saeki
TRANSLATION: Adrienne Beck
LETTERS: NRP Studios
EDITOR: Jennifer LeBlanc
ISBN: 978-1-4215-7254-3; paperback (March 2014); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
208pp, B&W, $9.99 US, $12.99 CAN
Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma is a shonen culinary arts manga from writer Yuto Tsukuda and artist Shun Saeki. The series focuses on Soma Yukihira, a 15-year-old boy forced to attend an elite culinary arts school.
Soma’s father, Joshiro Yukihira, runs a small family restaurant in the less savory end of town. Soma aims to one day surpass his father’s culinary prowess, so the teen hones his skills day in and day out. However, one day, his father suddenly decides to enroll Soma in a classy culinary school. Soma does not believe he needs to go to culinary school, so can he really succeed in a place that prides itself on a 10 percent graduation rate?
Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma, Vol. 1 (Endless Wilderness; Chapters 1 to 5) opens with Soma trying out some horrifying recipes on the customers at Yukihira Family Restaurant. Soma’ father, Joshiro, challenges his talented son to a cooking duel, which he wins. The son still has a lot to learn, but Soma believes that he is ready to take over the family business.
Before he leaves the country, however, Joshiro registers Soma at Totsuki Saryo Culinary Institute, the premiere culinary school in Japan. First, Soma has to win his admission. Standing in his way is Erina Nakiri, the beautiful, domineering heiress of the school, of which her grandfather, Senzaemon Nakiri, is the dean. She immediately scares away all of the new student seeking entrance into the school… except Soma. Can he convince her that he belongs there at all?!
[This story contains two bonus stories, the “special short,” Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma” and a side story, “Kurase’s Diary.”]
VIZ Media sent me a copy of the Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma Volume 1 for review. The publisher first released Vol. 1 for its digital manga app (March 2014). The print release is due this month (August 2014).
I didn’t think much Food Wars! after giving it a cursory glance, although I am a fan of “foodie manga” like Yakitate!! Japan and Oishinbo (as well as Toriko, which focuses on imaginary food stuffs and ingredients). After reading Food Wars! Vol. 1, I love it! I have another item for my full-course manga menu.
Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma mixes elements of samurai fiction, the culinary arts, and high school shonen comedy, and it certainly is funny. In Soma, the series has a brash, but likeable young male lead. His adversaries are culinary, cooking, and foodie snobs like Erina Nakiri and his fellow Totsuki Saryo students. I don’t want to spoil much more, but Soma’s cooking talents do something both outrageous and funny to people who doubt him and then, taste his cooking. Soma also has a mad scientist like tendency that gives the series another layer of humor.
The first volume of Food Wars! is a fantastic start to this series. I hope the second volume proves that this start is not a fluke. Fans of foodie manga and of shonen comedies aimed at older male teens will like Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma.
A-
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux
The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.
Labels:
Adrienne Beck,
manga,
Review,
shonen,
Shonen Jump,
Shun Saeki,
VIZ Media,
Yuto Tsukuda
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
I Reads You Review: SALLY OF THE WASTELAND #1
SALLY OF THE WASTELAND #1
TITAN COMICS – @ComicsTitan
WRITER: Victor Gischler
COVER/ART: Tazio Bettin
LETTERS: Jon Chapple
VARIANT COVER: Tim Seeley
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (August 2014)
Sally of the Wasteland is a new comic book series from writer Victor Gischler (X-Men, Angel & Faith) and newcomer, artist Tazzio Bettin. Right off the bat, I gotta say that Bettin makes a star-turn with his work in the first issue of Sally of the Wasteland, and he and Gischler seem to have excellent chemistry as a creative team.
Sally of the Wasteland #1 opens 82 years after the Fall. This was a war of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons that killed off ninety-nine percent of the human population of Earth. The story begins in Southern Louisiana, outside of Baton Rouge, now known as “Red Stick” (the English translation of Baton Rouge).
On the west side of the Mississippi River, across from the former capital city of Louisiana, is a rundown, but active bar called “Bottom Feeders.” A wounded mystery woman, who calls her “Kat,” limps into the bar. She needs to get to New Orleans, now known as the “Forbidden City.” To make that journey, travelers have to face river pirates, mutants, and assorted gigantic genetic freaks and roving gangs of blood-hungry barbarians. And that is in addition to the mutant crawfish. To protect her object of desire, Sally and her beloved shotgun, Bertha, will run the gauntlet with Kat. Yeah, things will go from bad to worse.
When I first read about Sally of the Wasteland, I was all like, whatevs. Mutant crawfish, puh-lease. Titan Comics wouldn’t even be publishing this if Victor Gischler wasn’t a “name” writer, I thought. But I was just hatin.’ Sally of the Wasteland is a great read. I want more… NOW! As far as I can remember (at the moment), this is one of best post-apocalyptic comic books that I have ever read.
Gischler mixes familiar elements that remind me of one of my favorite bad-future scenarios: L.Q. Jones and Alvy Moore’s 1975 film, A Boy and His Dog (an adaptation of Harlan Ellison’s story that first appeared in 1969). There are also similarities to the films, Mad Max (d. George Miller, 1979) and Idiocracy (d. Mike Judge, 2006). In true Louisiana fashion, however, Gischler uses familiar ingredients to make his own gumbo. Even if some of the ingredients are mutated, Sally of the Wasteland still goes down good.
Tazio Bettin, who draws and colors this comic book, does a great job creating a distinctive graphic appearance. I live in Louisiana, so I recognize the topography and a few landmarks. More than a few people have said that every parish in Louisiana is like its own state. I think you can travel from town to town and find that each has its own diverse or distinctive culture. So it is important that Sally of the Wasteland looks different from other post-apocalyptic comics, not just in the characters (which it does), but especially in settings, backgrounds, and interior and exterior environments. Plus, Bettin, with his eye-candy coloring, just has a pretty art style.
I heartily recommend Sally of the Wasteland #1. Go and grab that.
A
www.Titan-Comics.com
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux
The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.
TITAN COMICS – @ComicsTitan
WRITER: Victor Gischler
COVER/ART: Tazio Bettin
LETTERS: Jon Chapple
VARIANT COVER: Tim Seeley
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (August 2014)
Sally of the Wasteland is a new comic book series from writer Victor Gischler (X-Men, Angel & Faith) and newcomer, artist Tazzio Bettin. Right off the bat, I gotta say that Bettin makes a star-turn with his work in the first issue of Sally of the Wasteland, and he and Gischler seem to have excellent chemistry as a creative team.
Sally of the Wasteland #1 opens 82 years after the Fall. This was a war of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons that killed off ninety-nine percent of the human population of Earth. The story begins in Southern Louisiana, outside of Baton Rouge, now known as “Red Stick” (the English translation of Baton Rouge).
On the west side of the Mississippi River, across from the former capital city of Louisiana, is a rundown, but active bar called “Bottom Feeders.” A wounded mystery woman, who calls her “Kat,” limps into the bar. She needs to get to New Orleans, now known as the “Forbidden City.” To make that journey, travelers have to face river pirates, mutants, and assorted gigantic genetic freaks and roving gangs of blood-hungry barbarians. And that is in addition to the mutant crawfish. To protect her object of desire, Sally and her beloved shotgun, Bertha, will run the gauntlet with Kat. Yeah, things will go from bad to worse.
When I first read about Sally of the Wasteland, I was all like, whatevs. Mutant crawfish, puh-lease. Titan Comics wouldn’t even be publishing this if Victor Gischler wasn’t a “name” writer, I thought. But I was just hatin.’ Sally of the Wasteland is a great read. I want more… NOW! As far as I can remember (at the moment), this is one of best post-apocalyptic comic books that I have ever read.
Gischler mixes familiar elements that remind me of one of my favorite bad-future scenarios: L.Q. Jones and Alvy Moore’s 1975 film, A Boy and His Dog (an adaptation of Harlan Ellison’s story that first appeared in 1969). There are also similarities to the films, Mad Max (d. George Miller, 1979) and Idiocracy (d. Mike Judge, 2006). In true Louisiana fashion, however, Gischler uses familiar ingredients to make his own gumbo. Even if some of the ingredients are mutated, Sally of the Wasteland still goes down good.
Tazio Bettin, who draws and colors this comic book, does a great job creating a distinctive graphic appearance. I live in Louisiana, so I recognize the topography and a few landmarks. More than a few people have said that every parish in Louisiana is like its own state. I think you can travel from town to town and find that each has its own diverse or distinctive culture. So it is important that Sally of the Wasteland looks different from other post-apocalyptic comics, not just in the characters (which it does), but especially in settings, backgrounds, and interior and exterior environments. Plus, Bettin, with his eye-candy coloring, just has a pretty art style.
I heartily recommend Sally of the Wasteland #1. Go and grab that.
A
www.Titan-Comics.com
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux
The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.
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