Another week looms...
*There was a bunch of stuff, however, in
LAST WEEK'S REVIEWS:
Dragon Head Vol. 1 (of 10) (good, crawly horror stuff, a manga struggle for survival in darkness and stone)
All Star Superman #2 (featuring the gender realities present within the Fortress of Solitude)
Planetary #24
Iron Man: The Inevitable #2 (of 6), X-Statix Presents: Dead Girl #1 (of 5) (two ways to play with older toys)
Seven Soldiers - Mister Miracle #3 (of 4)
That's all of 'em.
*Leaking Dam Dept: (EDIT 1/24/06 2:01 AM) Apparently, Grant Morrison is taking over The Authority now in addition to Wildcats. This is according to information revealed in this Wednesday's upcoming issue of Wizard (here's but one message board chatting about it). The artist will be Gene Ha of Top Ten. In other Wildstorm news, all of those Kev miniseries appear to have created some demand, as Garth Ennis is now going to write a Midnighter solo book, with Chris Sprouse of Tom Strong on art. This Wildstorm superhero revival seems to be gaining some heat...
*Again, a time of possibility
THIS WEEK IN COMICS!
Ganges #1: Probably the least surprising paragraph in today’s post, since you all know I’ve been waiting for the latest Kevin Huizenga release, and this one’s all-new material, 32 pages of it in the lavish 8 ½” x 11” format standard to all of Fantagraphics’ Ignatz books. Here’s some general preview art, plus one of the full stories featured inside. I expect very good things from this one, and there’s really not much more to be said.
Sexy Chix: I think we’ve all retained some very special memories of the discussion that surrounded the announcement of this all-female comics anthology from Dark Horse, as well as its cover art (which now appears to have been expanded); let’s keep those special times close to ourselves as we flip through these pages, now that the book is actually out and hopefully not primed to raise a mighty “You mean this didn’t come out already?” among the interested. Such is the trouble of pre-release controversy. Full contributor list here, in an interview with editor Diana Schutz (instead of in the press release, oddly); among the formidable talents included are Colleen Coover, Carla Speed McNeil, Laurenn McCubbin, Gail Simone, Colleen Doran, Roberta Gregory, Jill Thompson, Trina Robbins, and Joyce Carol Oates. And more. Preview here, all of it from Sarah Grace McCandless’ and Joelle Jones’ story.
Borgia: Blood for the Pope: In the year and one half I’ve been running this site, I do believe this is the first time I’ve highlighted an upcoming Heavy Metal graphic album; I’ve actually flipped through the occasional issue of Heavy Metal, even when I wasn’t regularly reading comics, and sometimes found myself impressed with the contents therein. Plenty of dross, but some good tidbits. This is probably one of the better among the feature-length selections, and actually prompted me to purchase an issue of the magazine only last year - the presence of writer Alexandro Jodorowsky and artist Milo Manara caught my eye, two skilled souls indeed, and they’ve basically put together a lavish historical exploitation film on paper, chronicling the sour rise of the titular 16th century political/religious player to the head of the Catholic Church. Whippings down at the nunnery, appendages hacked off and stuffed into bags, all manner of sexual hi-jinx; you can practically see the English dubbing fluttering away from matching everyone’s lips. Here’s the 56-page hardcover album, apparently uncensored, and actually only part 1 of the saga - I believe Tome 2 was only released in Europe in recent weeks.
Warren Ellis’ Blackgas #1 (of 3): Fairly big week for Ellis debuts - this is his entry in Avatar’s ever-expanding horror spread, a classic-type tale of folks trapped on an island with a mysterious gas that’s transforming the locals into flesh-chewing thingies. In blood-red color! Sit yourself down, choose your favorite cover, and remain confident the in the probability that Ellis and Avatar will not hold anything back as far as the bleeding goes. Art by the solid Max Fiumara, though Jacen Burrows’ cover art is apparently all Avatar is previewing on their site (more covers here).
Nextwave #1: Of course, I’m sure this Ellis debut will be getting a wee bit more attention, as a whole bunch of underused characters get thrown together in a superhero fighting romp, with no storyline to last longer than two issues, if I’m remembering all this. More overtly humorous than the average Ellis book, and Stuart Immonen’s visuals look to add a nicely playful edge to the proceedings. Here’s about half the book or thereabouts in lettered and unlettered art, plus a link to that ‘theme song,’ the idea for which I must confess I laughed harder at when James Kochalka did it (my favorite was Carol Tyler’s, though).
Gødland #7 and Gødland Vol. 1: Hello, Cosmic: Wow! Now you have the rare opportunity to catch up on every single bit of a very fun series in one swing by the new comics rack. Issues #1-6 are compiled into the first trade edition of this Joe Casey/Tom Scioli excursion into cosmic adventuring and Kirby-inspired smashing - truly, this is a book that doesn’t stop moving. And then you can pick up the latest issue, to hopefully see what all that exploding head business was about. Just the right time to get onboard.
Local #3 (of 12): This time, we’re in Richmond, Virginia. Series continues to hold up. Check it out.
The Comics Journal Library Vol. 6: The Writers: Honestly, this compilation of interview material from the Journal’s copious archives is probably going to be worth the $19.95 just for the legendary Harlan Ellison chat, which got both parties in hot water with writer Michael Fleischer. Now everyone can treasure it in their home. Plus: Alan Moore, Marv Wolfman, Len Wein, Steve Englehart, Gerry Conway, and Denny O’Neil, from all across history (EDIT 1/26/06 5:40 PM: although Mark Evanier and Mike Baron will not be appearing in this book, as Tom Spurgeon points out in the comments section directly below - their chats will be included in a future volume).
LAST WEEK'S REVIEWS:
Dragon Head Vol. 1 (of 10) (good, crawly horror stuff, a manga struggle for survival in darkness and stone)
All Star Superman #2 (featuring the gender realities present within the Fortress of Solitude)
Planetary #24
Iron Man: The Inevitable #2 (of 6), X-Statix Presents: Dead Girl #1 (of 5) (two ways to play with older toys)
Seven Soldiers - Mister Miracle #3 (of 4)
That's all of 'em.
*Leaking Dam Dept: (EDIT 1/24/06 2:01 AM) Apparently, Grant Morrison is taking over The Authority now in addition to Wildcats. This is according to information revealed in this Wednesday's upcoming issue of Wizard (here's but one message board chatting about it). The artist will be Gene Ha of Top Ten. In other Wildstorm news, all of those Kev miniseries appear to have created some demand, as Garth Ennis is now going to write a Midnighter solo book, with Chris Sprouse of Tom Strong on art. This Wildstorm superhero revival seems to be gaining some heat...
*Again, a time of possibility
THIS WEEK IN COMICS!
Ganges #1: Probably the least surprising paragraph in today’s post, since you all know I’ve been waiting for the latest Kevin Huizenga release, and this one’s all-new material, 32 pages of it in the lavish 8 ½” x 11” format standard to all of Fantagraphics’ Ignatz books. Here’s some general preview art, plus one of the full stories featured inside. I expect very good things from this one, and there’s really not much more to be said.
Sexy Chix: I think we’ve all retained some very special memories of the discussion that surrounded the announcement of this all-female comics anthology from Dark Horse, as well as its cover art (which now appears to have been expanded); let’s keep those special times close to ourselves as we flip through these pages, now that the book is actually out and hopefully not primed to raise a mighty “You mean this didn’t come out already?” among the interested. Such is the trouble of pre-release controversy. Full contributor list here, in an interview with editor Diana Schutz (instead of in the press release, oddly); among the formidable talents included are Colleen Coover, Carla Speed McNeil, Laurenn McCubbin, Gail Simone, Colleen Doran, Roberta Gregory, Jill Thompson, Trina Robbins, and Joyce Carol Oates. And more. Preview here, all of it from Sarah Grace McCandless’ and Joelle Jones’ story.
Borgia: Blood for the Pope: In the year and one half I’ve been running this site, I do believe this is the first time I’ve highlighted an upcoming Heavy Metal graphic album; I’ve actually flipped through the occasional issue of Heavy Metal, even when I wasn’t regularly reading comics, and sometimes found myself impressed with the contents therein. Plenty of dross, but some good tidbits. This is probably one of the better among the feature-length selections, and actually prompted me to purchase an issue of the magazine only last year - the presence of writer Alexandro Jodorowsky and artist Milo Manara caught my eye, two skilled souls indeed, and they’ve basically put together a lavish historical exploitation film on paper, chronicling the sour rise of the titular 16th century political/religious player to the head of the Catholic Church. Whippings down at the nunnery, appendages hacked off and stuffed into bags, all manner of sexual hi-jinx; you can practically see the English dubbing fluttering away from matching everyone’s lips. Here’s the 56-page hardcover album, apparently uncensored, and actually only part 1 of the saga - I believe Tome 2 was only released in Europe in recent weeks.
Warren Ellis’ Blackgas #1 (of 3): Fairly big week for Ellis debuts - this is his entry in Avatar’s ever-expanding horror spread, a classic-type tale of folks trapped on an island with a mysterious gas that’s transforming the locals into flesh-chewing thingies. In blood-red color! Sit yourself down, choose your favorite cover, and remain confident the in the probability that Ellis and Avatar will not hold anything back as far as the bleeding goes. Art by the solid Max Fiumara, though Jacen Burrows’ cover art is apparently all Avatar is previewing on their site (more covers here).
Nextwave #1: Of course, I’m sure this Ellis debut will be getting a wee bit more attention, as a whole bunch of underused characters get thrown together in a superhero fighting romp, with no storyline to last longer than two issues, if I’m remembering all this. More overtly humorous than the average Ellis book, and Stuart Immonen’s visuals look to add a nicely playful edge to the proceedings. Here’s about half the book or thereabouts in lettered and unlettered art, plus a link to that ‘theme song,’ the idea for which I must confess I laughed harder at when James Kochalka did it (my favorite was Carol Tyler’s, though).
Gødland #7 and Gødland Vol. 1: Hello, Cosmic: Wow! Now you have the rare opportunity to catch up on every single bit of a very fun series in one swing by the new comics rack. Issues #1-6 are compiled into the first trade edition of this Joe Casey/Tom Scioli excursion into cosmic adventuring and Kirby-inspired smashing - truly, this is a book that doesn’t stop moving. And then you can pick up the latest issue, to hopefully see what all that exploding head business was about. Just the right time to get onboard.
Local #3 (of 12): This time, we’re in Richmond, Virginia. Series continues to hold up. Check it out.
The Comics Journal Library Vol. 6: The Writers: Honestly, this compilation of interview material from the Journal’s copious archives is probably going to be worth the $19.95 just for the legendary Harlan Ellison chat, which got both parties in hot water with writer Michael Fleischer. Now everyone can treasure it in their home. Plus: Alan Moore, Marv Wolfman, Len Wein, Steve Englehart, Gerry Conway, and Denny O’Neil, from all across history (EDIT 1/26/06 5:40 PM: although Mark Evanier and Mike Baron will not be appearing in this book, as Tom Spurgeon points out in the comments section directly below - their chats will be included in a future volume).
posted by Jog at 11:57 PM
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