Thursday, December 31, 2020

I Reads You Juniors: December 2020 - Update #108

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MARVEL - From BleedingCool:   Spider-Man gets a new costume for 2021, and it debuts in "The Amazing Spider-Man #63."

MANGA TO FILM - From AlJazeera:   "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie – Mugen Train," the film based on the manga, is now Japan's top-grossing film of all-time.

DC CINEMA - From IndieWire:   DC Films president, Walter Hamada, says that going forward, there will be six films per year based on DC Comics characters, with the releases of those films split between movie theaters and HBO Max.  The big surprise may be the reveal that there will be "two different film sagas involving Batman — played by two different actors — running at the same time."

MARVEL - From GamesRadar:  Kieron Gillen is talking about Eternals #1, which Marvel would have us believe will see the light of day (finally) the first week of 3021 ... I mean 2021.

COLORING BOOKS - From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press announces a Vice-President Kamala Harris-themed coloring book.

MATT BAKER - From BleedingCool:  This article about the vintage hero, "Phantom Lady," has some information about the first known African-American comic book artist, Matt Baker.

DC CINEMA - From Deadline:  Because of the success of "Wonder Woman 1984" ($16.7 million debut at the box office), Warner Bros. is fast-tracking "Wonder Woman 3" for development.

DC CINEMA - From IndieWire:   Pedro Pascal is impressing viewers with his performance as "Maxwell Lord" in "Wonder Woman 1984."  He was played an LAPD detective in TV super-producer Davie E. Kelley's 2011 "Wonder Woman" pilot for NBC.

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:  What was Wonder Woman really doing back in 1984 ... in the comic books.

MARVEL COMICS - From BleedingCool:  In August 2021, Marvel Comics will publish the "Marvel August 1961 Omnibus" which will collect every title published by Marvel Comics in August 1961.  That includes "The Fantastic Four #1.

CELEBRITY - From BleedingCool:  According to the site's owner, Rich Johnston, Warren Ellis is returning "to some form of digital media outlet" in 2021.  Over this past summer, a series of abuse allegations caused Ellis to withdraw from his social media accounts.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Here is an early look at art from writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist David Marquez's "Justice League," which is scheduled to begin March 16, 2021.

DC CINEMA - From THR:  Talking about the mid-credit scene in "Wonder Woman 1984." Warning: link leads to spoilers.

DC CINEMA - From YahooNews:  Former "The Price is Right" model, Gwendolyn Osborne, will show off her acting and stunt skills as an "Amazon" in "Wonder Woman 1984."

BOOM STUDIOS - From BleedingCool:   In March 2021, "Firefly" is returning, in a new comic book series with new characters with a long legacy. "Firefly: A Brand New Verse" is set twenty years after the original series and movie, with the daughter of Zo and Wash as the new captain of the Serenity, a new crew to captain. Firefly: A Brand New Verse will be created by Josh Lee Gordon and Fabiana Mascolo.

DC TV - From IGN:  Two classic animated Batman TV series are coming to HBO Max.  Starting Jan. 1st, 2021, fans can stream "Batman: The Animated Series" (1992-1995) and "Batman Beyond" (1999-2001) to their heart's delight.

COMICS - From BleedingCool:   Ablaze Publishing to publish Maria Llovet's "Eros/Psyche."

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  The notorious Richard Meyer vs. Mark Waid comic book lawsuit has been voluntarily dismissed by Meyer.

COMICS - From THR:   The site has a preview of Tyler Boss' upcoming comic book miniseries, "Dead Dog's Bite."

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics will publish a line of variant covers featuring two-tone colors and classic interpretations of its characters.  Michael Cho will be the artist.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Marvel will follow its "The Rise of Ultraman" miniseries with a second one, "The Trial of Ultraman," which begins March 2021.

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:  Here is a six-page preview of "Superman #28," the final issue written by Brian Michael Bendis.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  "Justice League" director Zack Snyder wants to write a comic book in which the Joker would kill Robin.  He wants Jim Lee to draw it.

DC CINEMA - From Insider:   "Wonder Woman 1984" director Patty Jenkins says that she was paid seven times less than male directors to direct the original film.  Even after getting a record setting raise for the sequel, she is still behind a male counterparts.

MANGA - From ComicBook:   "Boruto" manga reveals the "key visual art"for its "Vessel" story arc.

DC COMICS - From IGN:   Yoshitake Amano, the artist by "Final Fantasy," has produced a variant cover for "Harley Quinn #1," which is due March 23, 2020.

DC COMICS-MANGA - From ComicYears:   The studios behind the "Attack on Titan" manga is producing a "Joker" manga for DC Comics.

MARVEL - From GamesRadar:  Here is a preview of this week's "X-Men #17."

DC COMICS - From GamesRadar:   James Tynion IV talks about Batman for February 2021 and beyond.

DC CINEMA - From Deadline:   "Wonder Woman 1984" leads the overseas box office with an estimated take of 38.5 million dollars.

MARVEL - From FlickeringMyth:   Here is a preview of Marvel's upcoming "King-Size Conan #1."

BOOM STUDIOS - From BleedingCool:   Here, is a first look at Ron Garney's art for Keanu Reeves' upcoming comic book, "BRZRKR."

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Hot cover artist, Peach Momoko, will writer and draw a five-part X-Men comic book series, entitled "Demon Days: X-Men."

DC CINEMA - From LATimes:   "Wonder Woman" start Gal Gadot hopes that the new film, "Wonder Woman 1984," will end this rough year on a high note.

MARVEL - From GamesRadar:   Hot Marvel Comics character, America Chavez, will get a new ongoing series beginning March 2021.

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:   Nightwing returns with a new comic book series in March 2021.  Batgirl will be his partner when he returns to the city of Bludhaven.

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:   To celebrate the 80th anniversary of Wonder Woman's debut, DC Comics has announced an all-new digital-first series, "Sensational Wonder Woman."  The first issue will be available January 6, 2021 on participating digital platforms.  The print debut is March 2, 2021.

COMICS - From SmashPages:   The Joker is getting his own ongoing monthly comic book via writer James Tynion IV and artist Guillem March.

COMICS - From SmashPages: Archie Comics has announced that "Deadpool" and "Youngblood" creator, Rob Liefeld, will produce a new version of its superhero team, "The Mighty Crusaders."  The four-issue miniseries will also "re-imagine" characters like "The Shield" and "The Comet."

DC COMICS - From THR:   DC Comics has announced a new anthology comic book series, "Batman: Urban Legends," which will debut sometime after the "Future State" event.

DC CINEMA - From THR: Actress Quintessa Swindell will play the character "Cyclone" in the Warner Bros.' DC Comics film, "Black Adam," which stars Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.

DC CINEMA - From EW:  Zack Snyder is hoping to bring his four-hour director's cut of "Justice League" to theaters.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Hot gossip is that Random House will be publishing original DC Comics graphic novels.

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  What if Edgar Rice Burroughs' "John Carter" was black?  Scott Fogg talks about his new project ("Prince of the Silent Planet") and his parents.

MANHUA - From CBR:  A Chinese boys' love (BL) comics, "Mo Dao Zu Shi," is hot on Tumblr.

MARVEL - From CommericalAppeal: The "Commercial Appeal" newspaper of Memphis, TN celebrates the fact that four authors born in Memphis or are Memphis-based have a story in a "Black Panther" short story anthology, "Black Panther: Tales of Wakanda."

MANGA - From HypeBeast:   The hit manga, "Chainsaw Man," is set to be adapted into an anime by MAPPA, the studio behind the "Attack on Titan" manga.

DISNEY - From BleedingCool:   David Levithan and Nick Bertozzi are adapting the Broadway musical, "Be More Chill," into a graphic novel that will be published by Disney-Hyperion.

NEWSPAPER COMICS - From YahooEntertainment:   Jean Schulz, the widow of Charles Schulz, the creator of the classic newspaper comic strip, "Peanuts," addresses the recent controversy concerning the depiction of African-American Peanuts character, "Franklin," in the animated holiday TV special, "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving."

MARVEL STUDIOS - From Marvel:  Here is a link to all of the Marvel Studios news coming out of The Walt Disney Company’s 2020 Investor Day Presentation

DISNEY+ - From BlackFilm:  Disney+ Teams Up With Kugali To Create Pan-African Comic Book Series “Iwájú”

EISNERS - From BleedingCool:  The "Will Eisner Comics Industry Awards" have named the six judges for the 2021 edition of the awards.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:   DC Comics has confirmed the "Tim Fox," brother of Luke Fox (Batwing) and son of Lucius Fox," is the new Batman.

IN MEMORIAM - From BleedingCool:  Richard Corben, a comic book artist who worked in everything from underground comics and "Heavy Metal" to small press and Marvel and DC Comics, has died at the age of 80, Thursday, December 2, 2020.

DC CINEMA - From YahooEntertainment: Patty Jenkins On ‘Wonder Woman 1984’ Move To HBO Max And Theatrical: “There Was No Good Option”

UK COMICS - From 2000AD: Rebellion has announced the full schedule of Treasury of British Comics graphic novel titles for 2021. The Treasury of British Comics is bringing classics from the world’s largest archive of English language comic books back into print.

MARVEL/MANGA - From ComicWatch:   Marvel is teaming up with Shonen Jump to release a brand new manga series centered around the one and only Merc with a Mouth. The new series will be titled DEADPOOL: SAMURAI and it will be written by Sanshira Kasama with art by Hikaru Uesugi. You will be able to find the manga series on the Shonen Jump+ app on December 10th!

MANGA - From UnreservedCulture:  Japanese tennis star, Naomi Osaka, will star in her own manga.

DC COMICS - From GamesRadar:  DC Comics announces new "Green Lantern" and "Justice League Dark" titles and also "Teen Titans Academy."

DC TV - From MurphysMultiverse:   Here is a first look at Tyler Hoechlin's "Superman" suit in The CW's "Superman and Lois."

MARVEL - From Newsarama:   Marvel releases a trailer for its upcoming miniseries, "Maestro: War and Pax."

COMICS - From Newsarama:   Freddie Williams II, a longtime exclusive comic book artist at DC Comics, is joining writer Tim Seeley at AfterShock Comics for the creator-owned title, "The Bequest."

DC COMICS - From Newsarama:   DC Comics announces a new "Harley Quinn" ongoing series by writer Stephanie Phillips and artist Riley Rossmo launches on March 24th. Gene Luen Yang and Ivan Reis take over the Batman/Superman ongoing series with issue #16, also on March 24th. 

MARVEL/MANGA - From BleedingCool:   The manga, "Deadpool: Samurai," the new Deadpool manga launching in Japan in collaboration with Shonen JUMP, will reportedly fit into Marvel Comics' continuity.

 MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics will release its first "Alien" comic book in March 2021.  "Alien #1" by writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson and artist Salvador Larroca will be based on the original 1979 film, "Alien."

MARVEL TO FILM - From MensHealth:   8 Marvel Comics movies you will never see.

SONY MARVEL U - From WeGotThisCovered:   Rumors suggest that Sony Pictures wants a big "Avengers: Endgame" type finale for Tobey Maguire, the first cinematic Peter Parker/Spider-Man, in an upcoming Spider-Man film.

FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS - From PW:   Publishers Weekly talks to cartoonist Peter Bagge about "The Complete Hate," the three-volume, box set collection of his seminal alternative comic book, "Hate."

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Also arriving in March 2021 is a new "Suicide Squad" comic book, entitled "The Suicide Squad," and it will be Harley Quinn free.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  One of the first series launching in March 2021 after "Future State" is a new "Swamp Thing" series from writer Ram V and artist Mike Perkins.

DC TV - From THR:   Ava DuVernay is teaming up with Jill Blankenship ("Arrow") to develop a TV series based on the DC Comics title, "Naomi," for The CW.

MARVEL - From TribLive:  The nurses of "Allegheny Health Network" in Pittsburgh, PA are featured in the new Marvel Comics' title, "The Vitals: True Nurse Stories."

DC COMICS - From GamesRadar:   At the CCXP World event in Brazil, DC Comics reveals that the "Future State" character, "Red X," will be a character from animation that is making the jump to comics.  Fan favorite, Harley Quinn, was originally a character in "Batman: The Animated Series."

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:   The site has provided an eight-page preview of the new "Batman: Black & White #1," which is due in comic book stores, Tuesday, Dec. 8th or Wednesday, Dec. 9th, 2020.

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:   Writer John Ridley talks about his hot new DC Comics' miniseries, "The Other History of the DC Universe."

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:   Rob Liefeld apparently has stated that he is returning to Marvel Comics to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the first appearance of the character, Deadpool.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Despite recent layoffs, DC Comics is looking to fill three senior level positions.

FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS - From TCJ:   Publisher Gary Groth talks to Katie Skelly about creating her graphic novel, "Maids."

FANTAGRAPHICS - From OprahMag:  Two Fantagraphics Books' publications, "Red Rock Baby Candy" and "Stone Fruit," make "Oprah Magazine's" list, "LGBTQ Books That Will Change the Literary Landscape in 2021"

DIAMOND - From BleedingCool:  The 500 most ordered comics and graphic novels for October 2020 via Diamond Comic Distributors.

UK COMICS - From DreddEpicsRanked:  A new blog, "Judge Dredd Epics: Ranked" will rank "Judge Dredd" story arcs.

MARVEL STUDIOS - From CBR:  Is this video of actress Hailee Steinfeld as "Kate Bishop" film for the Disney+ series, "Hawkeye?"

DC COMICS - From GamesRadar:   DC Comics moves "Wonder Woman 1984" variant covers to January 2021.

DARK HORSE - From BleedingCool:  Why a throwaway 2013 "Star Wars" OGN is now a eBay bidding jewel.

IMAGE COMICS - From GamesRadar:   Image Comics and Top Cow Productions are launching a new "Witchblade" series in 2021 with writer Marguerite Bennett and Ariel Kristantina.  The original wielder of the Witchblade, Sara Pezzini.

MARVEL - From GamesRadar:  Legendary "Wolverine" writer Chris Claremont will join artist Steve McNiven to produce an exclusive "Wolverine" comic book.  How can you get it...

DIGITAL COMICS - From GamesRadar:   Here is a list of all the comics and manga coming to "comiXology Unlimited" (comiXology's flat-rate service) in December 2020.

 GRAPHIC NOVELS - From PublishersWeekly:  Simon & Shuster has announced two new graphic novel lines, "Little Simon Graphic Novels" and "Ready-to-Read Graphics," which will be focused on readers in ages 5 to 9.  "Ready-to-Read" will teach kids to read graphic novels.

CONVENTIONS - From PublishersWeekly:  ReedPop has announced that it is "retiring" two of its book publishing trade shows, "BookExpo" and "BookCon."  BookExpo is the largest book publishing trade show in the United States.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  "I got screwed" is what Alex Ross is saying about DC Comics.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Writer Tom King said that Batman and Catwoman will have sexual relations in the debut of their upcoming comic book, "Batman/Catwoman #1."

DC CINEMA - From ArsTechnica:   "Justice League: The Snyder Cut" black and white trailer - released Nov. 17th, 2020.

DC TV - From HBOMax:   See HBO Max's "Titans" Season 1-Episode 1 ("Titans," 2018) for free - for the time being.

From HBOMax:  See HBO Max's animated "Harley Quinn" Season1-Episode 1 ("Till Death Do Us Part," 2019) for free - for the time being.

DC FUTURE STATE

From BleedingCool:  DC "Future State" has a video teaser trailer.

From DCComics:  Here is the "Future State" page.

From DCBlog:  DC Future State Takes You Beyond Tomorrow

From GamesRadar:  What is DC saying about the post "Future State" Batman title?

From GamesRadar:  DC Future State "Flash" will be part of a gender-swapped "Teen Titans."

From TheBeat:   A first look at "Nubai," the classic Wonder Woman character as she will be in DC Future State's "Immortal Wonder Woman."

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics will make all their "Future State" comic books returnable for comic book stores.

From GamesRadar:  DC Future State Superman and Justice League January 2021 solicitations

From GamesRadar:   DC Future State Batman January 2021 solicitations

From GamesRadar:  "DC Future State" reveals the Next Batman, the fate of Bruce Wayne, and a whole new line of titles

From GamesRadar:  "DC Future State" details.

From THR:   DC Comics is starting 2021 by looking into the future of its superhero universe with "DC Future State," a two-month publishing event (January and February 2021) that offers glimpses at what might be coming for Batman, Wonder Woman and the rest of the Justice League.

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DECEMBER 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for December 2020
From BleedingCool:  Albatross Funnybooks for December 2020

From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for December 2020

From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for December 2020 

From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for December 2020

From BleedingCool:  Chapterhouse for December 2020

From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for December 2020
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for December 2020

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for December 2020
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for December 2020

From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for December 2020

From 2000AD:   Rebellion Comics for December 2020

From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for December 2020

From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for December 2020 
From BleedingCool: VIZ Media for December 2020
 
JANUARY 2021 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for January 2021
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for January 2021
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for January 2021
From BleedingCool:  AWA for January 2021 
From BleedingCool:  Behemoth Comics for January 2021
From BleedingCool:  Black Mask Studios for January 2021
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for January 2021
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for January 2021
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for January 2021 
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for January 2021
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for January 2021 
From BleedingCool:  Kodansha for January 2021
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for January 2021
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics - King in Black for January 2021
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for January 2021
From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for January 2021
From BleedingCool:  Source Point Press for January 2021
From BleedingCool:  Titans Comics for January 2021
From BleedingCool:  Vertical Comics for January 2021
From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for January 2021
From BleedingCool:  Yen Press for January 2021

FEBRUARY 2021 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for February 2021
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for February 2021
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for February 2021
From BleedingCool:  Artists, Writers & Artisans for February 2020
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for February 2020
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for February 2021
From TheBeat: DC Comics for February 2021
From BleedingCool:  Hero Collector for February 2021 
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for February 2021
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for February 2021
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for February 2021
From BleedingCool:  Marvel's "King in Black" for February 2021
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for February 2021
From 2000AD:   Rebellion Comics for February 2021
From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for February 2021
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for February 2021
From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for February 2021
From BleedingCool:   Zenescope Entertainment for February 2021
 
MARCH 2021 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for March 2021 
From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for March 2021
From BleedingCool:  Behemoth Comics for March 2021 
From BleedingCool:  Black Mask Comics for March 2021
From BleedingCool:  BOOM Studios for March 2021
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for March 2021
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for March 2021
From BleedingCool:  Heavy Metal for March 2021
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for March 2021 
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for March 2021
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave for March 2021
From BleedingCool:  March Comics for March 2021
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for March 2021
From BleedingCool:  Second Sight for March 2021
From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for March 2021
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for March 2021
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for March 2021
From BleedingCool:  Zenescope Entertainment for March 2021


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Wednesday, December 30, 2020

#IReadsYou Review: DARTH VADER ANNUAL #1

DARTH VADER ANNUAL No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon. Visit the "Star Wars Central" review page here.]

STORY: Kieron Gillen
PENCILS: Leinil Yu
INKS: Gerry Alanguilan
COLORS: Jason Keith
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
COVER: Leinil Yu
44pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (February 2016)

Rated T

Annual


Marvel Comics recently released the first two “Annual” editions of its flagship Star Wars comic book titles, Star Wars and Darth Vader.  Although Marvel published three Star Wars Annuals for its original Star Wars series (1977 to 1986), this is the first Darth Vader Annual, and it is written by Kieron Gillen, who writes the ongoing Darth Vader series.  This inaugural annual features arts by Leinil Yu (pencils) and Gerry Alanguilan (inks); colors by Jason Keith; and letters by Joe Caramagna.

Darth Vader Annual #1 finds Darth Vader traveling to the planet, Shu-torun.  It is a Mid-Rim world known for producing valuable ore needed by the Empire for its ceaseless building projects.  The planet is ruled by the King who must also manage the dukes (“Ore-Dukes”), each one ruling over a domain that mines the precious ore so important to the Empire.

Of late, Shu-torun has failed to meet the delivery quotas set by the Emperor, so he has sent Lord Vader to reinforce the cooperation of the King and the Ore-Dukes.  There is, however, some game afoot.  The King has sent his third child, his daughter Trios, to meet Lord Vader, and perhaps to stall him.  Rebellion is reportedly brewing on Shu-torun, but against whom?  Plus, the malevolent droid duo, 0-0-0 (Triple Zero) and BT-1 (BeeTee One), have fun on their own.

I flipped through Darth Vader Annual #1 about two weeks before I got around to reading it.  Honestly, I put off reading it because it did not look appealing.  I was wrong – so wrong.  Writer Kieron Gillen offers a simple, straight-forward story, but it depicts Vader as the fearsome, bad-ass villain Star Wars fans want him to be.  That's all; this story is just Vader being Vader.

Gillen and Jason Aaron (who writes Star Wars) are proving to be the among the best Star Wars comic book writers ever, and at the rate they are going, I will likely think of them as the best if they can give us a few years of the same high quality at which they are already performing.  Gillen adds to the Star Wars universe, offering another world and another society, without altering anything.  It is nothing groundbreaking, but it enriches the ground that has already been broken.

Leinil Yu and Gerry Alanguilan's art stylistically resembles the work of P. Craig Russell, but the storytelling recalls Alex Raymond's Flash Gordon, which I am sure is one of the works that influenced George Lucas' creation of Star Wars.  This touch of Flash Gordon makes Darth Vader Annual #1 seem like classic space opera, with a touch of interplanetary romantic courtly intrigue.

This is the perfect one-off story for a comic book “Annual” special.  Here's to many more.

A-

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


The text is copyright © 2016 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and 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"


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Monday, December 28, 2020

BOOM! Studios from Diamond Distributors for December 30, 2020

BOOM! STUDIOS

AUG201005    FIREFLY UNIFICATION WAR TP VOL 01    $14.99
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Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for December 30, 2020

DARK HORSE COMICS

AUG200431    ALEISTER & ADOLF TP (MR)    $19.99
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Dynamite Entertainment from Diamond Distributors for December 30, 2020

DYNAMITE

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IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for December 30, 2020

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