Xenozoic

by Josh Crawley

It’s that time of the month! This week, though, I’m just focusing on the first half of the catalog. Next week I’ll wither focus on the second half of the catalog or babble a bit more in-depth on a couple particular books I skipped this week from one of my favorite publishers these days. Now, on with the show!

Graphic Novels

Xenozoic: The Complete Collection trade paperback

Many thanks to my friend Steve Bryant for sending me one of his less-than-healthy-yet-still-great-for-reading copies of an old Kitchen Sink collection of some of this material. My mind was blown; my body shocked! If you only buy one book this year, this should be the one! Sure, you may have the Dark Horse reprints, but this book has a bigger trim size to better showcase Mark Schultz’s awesome sequentials, as well as Denise Prowell’s gorgeous hand lettering!!!

Atlantis Attacks

Atlantis Attacks Omnibus hard cover (Bob Layton cover)

As much as I’d actually like to read a bunch of these old crossovers from the annuals, I’m not sure they deserve omnibus treatment (especially since something as consistent and awesome as Nextwave doesn’t have one yet).

Captain America Lives

Captain America Lives! Omnibus hard cover

I know these omnibus editions aren’t for everyone, but I’m looking forward to having this on my bookshelf.

Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty

Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty hard cover

Is there a Captain America movie coming out next year? Kidding aside, I want this so bad! I wasn’t reading many comics at that time, and I have yet to pick all of these issues up. Hopefully the reproduction on it is better than some of Marvel’s other collections of material from the same time period. Not that they’re horrible, but I find it distracting. Keep in mind, though, I get distracted by a book being printed & bound with the paper grain going the wrong direction.

Coffin

The Coffin: 10th Anniversary hard cover

I won’t lie: I don’t remember much about this book specifically (aside from having my first issue signed by Mike Huddleston about ten years ago and not having a chance to get Phil Hester to sign it until three months ago). Sure, Huddleston’s art is gorgeous, and as my introduction to Hester’s writing I was amazed with his talent. Beyond that, though, I’m ashamed to say I haven’t read this in far too long. Do yourself a favor and read this if you haven’t. Also, not mentioned in the item description: guest pin-ups!

Executive Assistant Iris

Executive Assistant Iris trade paperback

I’d never seen Eduardo Francisco’s work (that I know of) prior to this, but I knew from the moment I saw his work I wanted this trade paperback. It doesn’t hurt that Witchblade co-creator David Wohl wrote the story!

Liberty Comics 2010

You may remember last fall when I asked you to do some good. Well, I’m asking again. Believe it or not, you might be the next person someone tried to deprive of their Rights.

Rocketeer

The Rocketeer: The Complete Deluxe Edition

Oh my gods if you were as brainless as I was and skipped on this the first time it was offered, order it immediately!!! Sure, it looks great at standard comic size, but the small percentage larger that this version is makes such a huge difference in adding so much more to the presentation!

Two Step

Two Step trade paperback

So we finally — FINALLY — get a Two Step trade paperback, and it retails for practically $20?! I’d really like to recommend this, but there’s no way I can at this price. Now, if ten dollars of that price were being split between Warren Ellis and Amanda Conner (which it most definitely is not), I wouldn’t think twice.

War Machine Classic

War Machine Classic Volume 1 trade paperback

Don’t be fooled by the alias: Gabriel Gecko is the same artist as Gabriel Hardman (the guy soon to be on Hulk after he wraps up Atlas). The 90s get a bad rap in many comic book circles, but there really was some great material. As for how this stands up, I can’t really say, but I get the feeling I’ll really enjoy the (hopefully not too far off but not inevitable) second volume, as my friend Tim and I tend to have similar tastes in 80s & 90s superhero comics.

That’s all she wrote, folks. Have a great week!

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Josh Crawley is the tenured Master of Disaster at Westfield Comics. He is not the keyboardist for Everclear.

http://www.twitter.com/joshcrawley

josh@westfieldcomics.com

Westfield Comics

ATTN: JOSH

7475 Mineral Point Rd STE 22

Madison WI 53717