KC Carlson

by KC Carlson

BIG BOOKS

Astro Boy Omnibus Volume 2

Astro Boy Omnibus Volume 2 (Dark Horse): Who will stand against invaders from space, robot slave masters, and a dictator producing human clones? Astro Boy, that’s who! The most popular and influential creation of Osamu Tezuka, “the Walt Disney of Japan”, Astro Boy is all-ages adventure packed with action, laughs, and a few tugs at the heartstrings. Animerica says: ”The Astro Boy stories always end with peace and human supremacy restored, but usually not before both sides, human and robot, have committed great wrongs.” Robots… Humans… whaddya gonna do? 680-page 4.5” x 6.5” B&W softcover. Classic stuff available in December.

Batman Illustrated by Neal Adams Omnibus

Batman Illustrated by Neal Adams Omnibus (DC Comics): Let’s make this easy! This book contains every Neal Adams Batman story ever (even the bad ones…) in one massive volume. From the pages of Batman, The Brave and the Bold, Detective Comics, World’s Finest, Batman: Odyssey, Batman: Black and White, and more, including oodles (which is bigger than a heap) of genre-defining covers! Also features work by Dick Giordano, Dennis O’Neil, Bob Haney, and others. If this book came crashing through my window right now, I would stop writing, dress up like a book, and go out and fight crime! … waiting… waiting… Anyway, it’s a 640-page oversize color hardcover, and it’s available in December. Hey, I could disguise myself as a Christmas present (who doesn’t like books?) and wait until that nefarious Christmas tree tries to steal me! It could happen! Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na… BOOKMAN! Wow. That really sucks… but this Batman book shouldn’t!

Captain America: The 75th Anniversary Vibranium Collection

Captain America: The 75th Anniversary Vibranium Collection (Marvel): Not sure how this can be the 75th Vibranium Anniversary since Vibranium has been around for over 10,000 years (and is also imaginary, to boot!) Captain America has been around almost as long, so Marvel’s producing a book so big it might take two Captain Americas to lift it! (Good thing there are two of them now!)

Celebrate 75 years of the Sentinel of Liberty with this collection of Captain America’s greatest adventures from each decade — from the Golden Age to Cap’s 1950s revival to his return after years on ice! Cap battles the Red Skull and his Sleepers, socks Hitler in the jaw (my favorite!), faces M.O.D.O.K. and the Secret Empire, and races against time in Baron Zemo’s Bloodstone Hunt. Bucky Barnes returns as the Winter Soldier, and the Falcon steps up to wield the shield for an all-new era! Iconic tales of suspense from a score of industry legends. Features work by Jack Kirby, Joe Simon, Stan Lee, John Romita Sr., Steve Englehart, Roger Stern, John Byrne, Sal Buscema, Mark Gruenwald, Kieron Dwyer, Mark Waid, Ron Garney, Steve Epting, Ed Brubaker, Michael Lark, Rick Remender, Stuart Immonen, and many others. Cover by Alex Ross. Collects Captain America (1968) #169-175, #255, and #445-448; Captain America (2005) #8-9 and #11-14; and All-New Captain America #1-6 — plus material from Captain America Comics #1-2, #7, and #10; Captain America (1954) #76-78; Tales of Suspense #72-74 and #92-94; and Captain America (1968) #357-362. 824-page Vibranium-sized slipcased color hardcover. Better start looking now for that bookcase made out of Vibranium — to hold it!

The Superior Foes of Spider-Man Omnibus

The Superior Foes of Spider-Man Omnibus (Marvel): This spidery sleeper-hit series is collected in one stylish, superior volume! Boomerang and his “team” of villains have a plan and the means to pull it off, but they’re about to learn the hard way that you can’t steal the head of cyborg mob boss Silvermane without severe repercussions. Now, Boomerang has been targeted for death — but what does the Beetle know about it? Is Overdrive a rat? Can Shocker and Boomerang repair their relationship? And if Speed Demon can’t do the time, then he shouldn’t have done the crime! Now the Foes are up against the world’s most dangerous thing — The Truth! Manhattan descends into chaos as the gang war begins. Lives are lost, feelings are hurt, and car keys get misplaced as the Foes take on all comers. Features work by Nick Spencer, Steve Lieber, Richard Ellis, James Asmus, Tom Peyer, and other superior talents. Cover by Marcos Martin. Collecting The Superior Foes of Spider-Man #1-17. You know, just because these losers got themselves this fancy-schmancy big new book doesn’t make them superior. Eerie, maybe… Definitely not Ontario… 376-page oversize color hardcover. Available in February 2016. Losers… (I’m feeling superior…. Wait a minute…)

The Uncanny X-Men Omnibus Volume 3

The Uncanny X-Men Omnibus Volume 3 (Marvel): Here’s where it starts to get really serious! Experience some of the greatest stories the blockbuster X-Men franchise has to offer. Many of them aren’t even in the regular X-Men series! (But included here!) First off is the frighteningly scary mutant milestone “Brood Saga”, where it looks like the team cannot survive. Then, author Chris Claremont rises to find perhaps his most poignant and challenging expression of the mutant metaphor in the fan favorite graphic novel “God Loves, Man Kills”, as drawn by Brent Anderson. Claremont’s work with Frank Miller on the first Wolverine miniseries skyrocketed the character’s popularity, setting the stage for his breakout as a global icon! And there’s still more — the X-Men classics continue with a look into Professor X’s past with Magneto, Kitty Pryde and Colossus’s growing romance, Illyana Rasputin’s transformation into Magik, encounters with Dracula, Rogue’s debut with the X-Men, the first appearance of the Morlocks, and the wedding of Cyclops and Madelyne Pryor. Other creators include Dave Cockrum, Paul Smith, Bill Sienkiewicz, Walter Simonson, John Romita Jr., Michael Golden, Bret Blevins, Ron Frenz, and both John and Sal Buscema! Collects Uncanny X-Men (1981) #154-175, X-Men Annual (1970) #6-7, Marvel Graphic Novel #5, Wolverine (1982) #1-4, Special Edition X-Men #1, and Magik (1983) #1-4. (If you think this book is too expensive, you should try to buy some of the originals!) Available in two different covers — one by Jerome Opeña and the other by Paul Smith. 968-page oversized color hardcover. Available in February 2016.

Graphic Ink: The DC Comics Art of Ivan Reis Deluxe Edition HC

Graphic Ink: The DC Comics Art of Ivan Reis Deluxe Edition HC has been resolicited this month, and all previous orders have been cancelled. If you still want this book, please reorder it this month! Now available in December.

THIS MONTH IN CLASSIC COMIC STRIP COLLECTIONS

Alex Raymond: An Artistic Journey: Adventure, Intrigue, and Romance

Alex Raymond: An Artistic Journey: Adventure, Intrigue, and Romance (Hermes Press): Now, for the first time, and long overdue, Hermes Press presents a comprehensive, definitive, art monograph covering Alex Raymond’s complete artistic output with an authoritative text by noted comics historian Ron Goulart. This new, exhaustive, full-color art book features over 400 images, many scanned directly from Raymond’s original artwork. It’s published under license from King Features as part of their 100th anniversary celebration. See original artwork from Raymond’s classic runs on Secret Agent X-9, Flash Gordon, Jungle Jim, and Rip Kirby, together with numerous examples of his earliest strip artwork, commercial illustration, and more. This art book is presented in large size, so collectors can savor every detail of Raymond’s artistic genius. 304-page 10.2” x 13.2” B&W and color hardcover. Available in December.

The Complete Peanuts 1997-1998

The Complete Peanuts 1997-1998 (Fantagraphics): In this volume, Charlie Brown gets caught up in a fake celebrity autographs racket, Rerun gets accused of sexual harassment, the infamous “Crybaby” Boobie returns, Snoopy’s brothers go on a quest to find Mickey Mouse, Snoopy gets his driver’s license, Rerun continues to pursue the underground arts, Linus starts his own church of Great Pumpkin believers and is declared a false prophet, and other surprises that make these last few years of Peanuts ripe for reconsideration. I never read any of this stuff in its day, but I am loving it all, and don’t understand all the discussion from back then about the strip losing its way. Some of it is pretty loopy — but that’s right up my alley as well! This is the next to the last volume of the series. Don’t give up now! Don’t you want to know how many times Joe Shlabotnik is mentioned in the entire strip? (Index joke.) Also available is the holiday boxed set, offering Volumes 23 and 24. (This one and the previous in a wonderfully designed gift box.) This book is a 344-page 8.5” x 7” B&W hardcover.

Only What’s Necessary: Charles M. Schulz and the Art of Peanuts

Peanuts fans should also check out Only What’s Necessary: Charles M. Schulz and the Art of Peanuts this month for a look at the actual artistry of the strip, by one of today’s leading designers — Chip Kidd. I’m hoping it’s as good as I think it should be.

ARTIST/GALLERY EDITIONS

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Kevin O’Neill Gallery Edition

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Kevin O’Neill Gallery Edition (DC/Graphitti): As the Victorian era draws to a close, Allan Quatermain, Captain Nemo, Hawley Griffin, Dr. Henry Jekyll, Mr. Edward Hyde, and Mina Murray have been gathered together to save their nation. Now, the adventures of this group have been collected and sourced from the original art for the first time ever in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Kevin O’Neill Gallery Edition.This hardcover edition includes all of Kevin O’Neill’s artwork from the original six-issue The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Volume I, scanned in full color from the original art boards. Also included are the covers and various League artwork that showcase Kevin’s incredible craftsmanship.

Graphitti Designs’ Gallery Editions replicate the look, feel and attitude of the artwork. Every page is reproduced at original size on heavy paper stock to provide the fan and collector with museum-quality reproductions that are obtainable nowhere else. It’s the next best thing to buying original art (and usually much cheaper — assuming the actual artwork is available). Kevin O’Neill’s collaboration with writer Alan Moore resulted in a timeless tale set in an era in desperate need of champions. 184-page 12” x 17” B&W (but scanned in color) Smythe-sewn hardcover. Available in December. Mature Readers.

League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Nemo Trilogy Slipcase Edition

And if you’re looking for MORE League of Extraordinary Gentlemen material this month, IDW is offering an awesome Nemo Trilogy Slipcase Edition. These spinoff graphic novels follow the terrifying pirate queen Janni Nemo in her confrontations with unearthly Antarctic horrors (Heart of Ice), mechanical metropolitan monstrosities (The Roses of Berlin), and depraved tropical tyrants (River of Ghosts). These three handsome hardcovers are joined in a magnificent slipcase gloriously illustrated by Kevin O’Neill. 168-page (total) color slipcase hardcover. Available in November. Mature Readers.

Sam Kieth’s The Maxx Artist’s Edition

Sam Kieth’s The Maxx Artist’s Edition (IDW): Sam Keith’s beautiful and delicate linework has earned him legions of devoted fans over the years. Now is your chance to see his pages as close to the original art as possible — as if you were peering over his shoulder onto his drawing board! This new Artist’s Edition collects the first six issues of The Maxx (the basis for the cult-favorite cartoon on MTV) and a selection of gorgeous covers — all at their full size, all scanned from the original art, and all produced by the multiple Eisner Award-winning IDW Artist’s Edition team! Each copy of the first printing will feature a bound in signature plate signed by Sam Kieth at no extra charge. 168-page 12” x 17” B&W (but scanned in color) hardcover. Available in December.

BOOKS ABOUT COMICS

Marvel’s The Avengers Encyclopedia

Marvel’s The Avengers Encyclopedia (DK): This promises to be the most comprehensive single volume on the Avengers to date. Features the origins and powers of over 250 characters and 40 teams (and favorite team-ups, like Captain America and Black Widow). Plus, in-depth looks at 20 major Avengers storylines, character profiles, and key moments about Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and their foes. I like these books because they are great if you’re looking for something fast and don’t want to get mired in long explanations and detail you might not need. Packed with illustrations from decades of comics and artists! 352-page 10” x 12” color hardcover. Available in October.

ZINES

Back Issue #85

Back Issue #85 (TwoMorrows): Christmas in the Bronze Age! Featuring Batman, X-Men, Luke Cage, and Lobo, from the wild west to the far-out future! Plus, an article on the superhero merchandise catalogs of the late ‘70s. Includes work by Simon Bisley, Chris Claremont, Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez, Keith Giffen, the Kubert Studio, and more. Spidey vs. Santa Kingpin cover by Marie Severin and Mike Esposito. 84-page 8” x 11” color magazine. Ho ho ho!

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KC CARLSON: Has done nothing but sort and inventory comic books for the last week. When I was young, I dreamed about having a life like that. Now, I can’t wait to find that stupid “missing” issue that I know I own, just so I can put it away! Comic book collecting is often a twisted, life-altering experience… Take it from me, kids… (SHUT UP, Grampa! Sheesh!)

Thanks, Chip!

WESTFIELD COMICS is not responsible for the stupid things that KC says. Especially that thing that really irritated you. Thanks, Chip!