COLLECTIVE THOUGHTS FOR MAY 2015: THE 90s, CREEPY THINGS, AND A WHOLE LOTTA LISTS OF THINGS (AS OPPOSED TO ONE LIST OR TWO)


Jedi Master KC Carlson

Jedi Master KC Carlson


by KC Carlson

THIS MONTH IN CLASSIC COMIC BOOK COLLECTIONS

Batman: Cataclysm

Batman: Cataclysm


Batman: Cataclysm (DC Comics): In this 18-chapter storyline from 1998, Gotham City is rocked by a devastating earthquake in the prelude to the year-long storyline Batman: No Man’s Land. This volume includes Batman #553-554, Detective Comics #719-721, Batman: Shadow of the Bat #73-74, Nightwing #19-20, Azrael #40, Catwoman #56-57, Robin #52-53, Batman Chronicles #12, Blackgate: Isle of Men #1, Huntress/Spoiler: Blunt Trauma #1, and Batman: Arkham Asylum: Tales of Madness #1. Several of these comics were not included in previous editions of this material and are being reprinted for the first time. Creators include Chuck Dixon, Alan Grant, Doug Moench, Dennis O’Neil, Devin Grayson, Kelley Puckett, Jim Aparo, Mark Buckingham, Scott McDaniel, Graham Nolan, Jim Balent, and Klaus Janson. 464-page color softcover. Available in June.

Captain America Epic Collection: Streets of Poison

Captain America Epic Collection: Streets of Poison


Captain America Epic Collection: Streets of Poison (Marvel): Volume #16 in the Captain America Epic Collections. Captain America joins the war on drugs! When Cap targets a gang selling the new designer narcotic Ice, he receives an accidental overdose that combines with the Super-Soldier Serum in his blood. Left permanently enraged, a volatile shield-slinger finds himself in the middle of a street war between the Red Skull and the Kingpin. With deadly villains Crossbones and Bullseye included in the showdown, Cap will need to rely on his friends. But Ice-induced rage is alienating him from allies like Daredevil and the Black Widow — and even his girlfriend, Diamondback. Steve must get free of the powerful drug, but it will come at a cost. Will he be fit to celebrate his 50th anniversary — or to face the Serpent Society, the Watchdogs and…Iron Man?! Collecting Captain America (1968) #372-386 and Annual #9-10. Written by Mark Gruenwald, Roy Thomas, Dann Thomas, Randall Frenz, Fabian Nicieza, and DG Chichester. Penciled by Ron Lim (who also drew the cover), Mark Bagley, Chris Marrinan, Ron Frenz, Ron Wilson, Jim Valentino, Don Hudson, Mike Manley, Larry Alexander, and others. 512-page color softcover. Available in June.

Creepy Presents Alex Toth

Creepy Presents Alex Toth


Creepy Presents Alex Toth (Dark Horse): Collecting all of Alex Toth’s stories from Creepy and Eerie, in hardcover for the first time. What more is there to say? Additional work by Archie Goodwin, Gerry Boudreau, Doug Moench, Roger McKenzie, Nicola Cuti, Bill DuBay, Steve Skeates, and others. 168-page 8.5” x 11” B&W hardcover. Available in July.

Grave Business and Other Stories

Grave Business and Other Stories


Grave Business and Other Stories (Fantagraphics): The latest in Fantagraphics’ series spotlighting the great EC Comics artists and writers. This is the second volume to feature the influential work of horror artist “Ghastly” Graham Ingels. (See also Sucker Bait.) The nickname was given to Ingels during his time at EC, extremely appropriate given the style of artwork he was producing for them. It became apparent to both publisher Bill Gaines and writer/editor Al Feldstein (who wrote the stories in this collection) that Ingels was an ideal choice to illustrate horror tales.

Ingels was the lead artist for The Haunt of Fear and also developed the “Old Witch” character who “hosted” the title and appeared in other EC titles. Ingels’ work at EC would set new standards for horror illustration. The Ghastly Award for excellence in horror comics is, of course, named after him, and he was the award’s first Hall of Fame nominee. We don’t have a title listing for the stories in this volume, but we expect it to include many of the classic tales that are both the best of the genre and masterworks by the artist. Grave Business also includes historical and biographical detail about Ingels, as well as commentary by EC Comics experts. 244-page 7.25” x 10.25” B&W hardcover. Available in June.

Legends of the Dark Knight: Norm Breyfogle

Legends of the Dark Knight: Norm Breyfogle


Legends of the Dark Knight: Norm Breyfogle (DC Comics): Spotlighting the moody Batman artwork of Norm Breyfogle from Batman Annual #11-12 and Detective Comics #579, 582-594, and 601-607, featuring the Ventriloquist, the Demon, a horde of Clayfaces, and more! Bob Greenberger takes an in-depth look at this book — soon — right here at the Westfield blog. 520-page color hardcover. Available in July.

Marvel Masterworks: Luke Cage, Hero for Hire Volume 1

Marvel Masterworks: Luke Cage, Hero for Hire Volume 1


Marvel Masterworks: Luke Cage, Hero for Hire Volume 1 (Marvel): Sweet Christmas! Luke Cage finally gets his Masterworks volume! (And just in time for his upcoming Netflix debut on A.K.A. Jessica Jones, before he gets his own solo show!) Cage burst onto the comics scene in 1972 as the Hero for Hire. Equal parts Marvel Method and Blaxploitation boldness (it says here), he was a new kind of hero for a new era. Now, the Marvel Masterworks proudly present the complete Luke Cage, Hero for Hire — the historic first title to headline an African-American superhero — in one hardcover volume! Cage’s adventures depicted New York City’s 1970s grit and the plight of its people, all while incorporating larger-than-life villains, including Black Mariah and Doctor Doom. Each issue is thoroughly remastered for optimal reading and sweet coolness for the eyes. Collects Luke Cage, Hero For Hire #1-16. Art by George Tuska and Billy Graham (who also wrote a bit). Writers include co-creator Archie Goodwin, Steve Englehart, Tony Isabella, and Gerry Conway. Cover by co-creator John Romita Sr. 336-page remastered color hardcover, available with choice of dustjacket design. Available in August.

Walt Disney’s Donald Duck: The Pixilated Parrot

Walt Disney’s Donald Duck: The Pixilated Parrot


Walt Disney’s Donald Duck: The Pixilated Parrot (Fantagraphics): More Carl Barks classics! Donald gives Uncle Scrooge a parrot for his birthday, but the feathered troublemaker escapes with the combination to Scrooge’s safe holding “ninety tons of money”. Hijinks ensue as Donald and his nephews set off on an unexpected adventure to recover the lovesick bird. Then, Donald and the boys are shanghaied by a mysterious stranger, who whisks them off to face perils in the desert in “Ancient Persia”, where they uncover a lost city — and its reconstituted inhabitants!

Barks also cuts loose from his regular panel designs to deliver one of his finest stories. In “Vacation Time” (which has its own Wikipedia page), [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vacation_Time] Donald displays unusual depths of courage and heroism when he has to rescue Huey, Dewey, and Louie on a wilderness outing gone wrong. It’s an amazing example of how a master artist can assemble simple storytelling techniques into something more than just “a comic book story”. One of the more intense Barks reading experiences, and a template for learning “how to do it”, it’s pretty much worth the price of the book itself. 216-page 7.5” x 10.25” color hardcover. Available in May. (And see next week’s column for info on Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse Volume 7: “March of the Zombies”.)

Walt Kelly’s Pogo: The Complete Dell Comics Volume 3

Walt Kelly’s Pogo: The Complete Dell Comics Volume 3


Walt Kelly’s Pogo: The Complete Dell Comics Volume 3 (Hermes Press): Continuing the remastered early Dell Comics adventures of Pogo Possum and his friends, which began in these comic books before the revered newspaper strip started in 1948. The stories in this volume (from Dell’s Pogo Possum #3-6) were originally published in 1950-51, simultaneous with the strip during its early years. So, here you can begin to witness the evolution of the characters co-existing with the classic newspaper strip (also being collected in fine hardcovers by Fantagraphics). All stories and art by Walt Kelly. 240-page 7.8” x 10.2” color hardcover. Available in June.

Also Available

Archie Archives Volume 11

Archie Archives Volume 11


Archie Archives Volume 11 (Dark Horse): Collecting, from the 1940s, Archie Comics #35-36, Pep Comics #70-72, and Laugh Comics #29-31. It says here that these are all “gut-busting” stories, but I hope not literally, because I’d like to keep this very nice book nice! Also includes vintage puzzle pages and ads. Features work by Bill Woggon, Samm Schwartz, Bill Vigoda, Irv Novick, and Joe Edwards. 232-page 7” x 10” color hardcover. Available in July.

EC Archives: Weird Science Volume 4

EC Archives: Weird Science Volume 4


EC Archives: Weird Science Volume 4 (Dark Horse): Collecting Weird Science #19-22 and Weird Science-Fantasy #23-24, in eye-popping remastered color! Features work by Wally Wood, Al Feldstein, Harry Harrison, Harvey Kurtzman, William M. Gaines, Joe Orlando, Bill Elder, Jack Davis, Frank Frazetta, and many others. 216-page 8.25” x 11” color hardcover. Available in July.

Green Arrow Volume 3: The Trial of Oliver Queen

Green Arrow Volume 3: The Trial of Oliver Queen


Green Arrow Volume 3: The Trial of Oliver Queen (DC Comics): In these stories from 1988-89, Green Arrow relocates to Portland to be with Black Canary. After helping out a local resident, he finds himself the target of an assassin who wants to bring his own brand of deadly vigilante justice to the city. By Mike Grell, Ed Hannigan, Dan Jurgens, Dick Giordano, and others. 208-page color softcover. Available in June.

Kabuki Library Edition Volume 1

Kabuki Library Edition Volume 1


Kabuki Library Edition Volume 1 (Dark Horse): Collecting the first two original Kabuki volumes by David Mack, Circle of Blood and Dreams, in an oversize format, which also includes an introduction and drawings by Brian Michael Bendis and an intro by Jim Steranko. First of four volumes collecting the entire series. 400-page 9” x 12” color hardcover. Available in July.

Lone Wolf and Cub Omnibus Volume 9

Lone Wolf and Cub Omnibus Volume 9


Lone Wolf and Cub Omnibus Volume 9 (Dark Horse): Collects two stories from the original Volume 19, all of Volume 20 and four stories from Volume 21, by Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima. 672-page 5” x 7” B&W softcover. Available in July.

BIG BOOKS

Green Lantern by Geoff Johns Omnibus Volume 2

Green Lantern by Geoff Johns Omnibus Volume 2


Green Lantern by Geoff Johns Omnibus Volume 2 (DC Comics): Collects Green Lantern #26-52, Blackest Night #0-8, DC Universe #0, Untold Tales of Blackest Night #1, and Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps #1-2. Written by Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Peter J. Tomasi, and others. Art by Mike McKone, Ivan Reis, Philip Tan, Doug Mahnke, Ed Benes, and others. Cover by Ivan Reis and Oclair Albert. 1,040-page oversize color hardcover. Available in July.

Marvel Firsts: The 1990s Omnibus

Marvel Firsts: The 1990s Omnibus


Marvel Firsts: The 1990s Omnibus (Marvel): Okay, list time! Here’s what’s in it: Ghost Rider (1990) #1, Deathlok (1990) #1, New Warriors (1990) #1, Foolkiller (1990) #1, Darkhawk #1, Sleepwalker #1, X-Force (1991) #1, X-Factor (1986) #71, Warlock and the Infinity Watch #2, Death’s Head II (1992a) #1, Silver Sable and the Wild Pack #1, Terror Inc. (1992) #1, Night Thrasher: Four Control #1, Darkhold: Pages From the Book of Sins #1, Nightstalkers #1, Spider-Man 2099 (1992) #1, Venom: Lethal Protector #1, Cable (1993) #1, Deadpool: The Circle Chase #1, Thunderstrike (1993) #1, Gambit (1993) #1, War Machine (1994) #1, Blackwulf #1, Force Works #1, Blade the Vampire-Hunter (1994) #1, Generation X San Diego Preview, Fantastic Force (1994) #1, Web of Spider-Man (1985) #118, Bishop #1, X-Man #1, Elektra: Root of Evil #1, Green Goblin #1, Captain Marvel (1995) #1, Heroes For Hire (1997) #1, Maverick #1, Quicksilver #1, Spider-Girl (1998) #1, Slingers #0, Spider-Woman (1999) #1, Deathlok (1999) #1 and Warlock (1999) #1; and material from Captain America Annual #9, Web of Spider-Man (1985) #100, Marvel Comics Presents (1988) #147 and #158, and Tales of the Marvel Universe.

And here’s who made ‘em up! Written by Howard Mackie, Gregory Wright, Fabian Nicieza, Peter David, Dan Abnett, DG Chichester, Christian Cooper, Tom DeFalco, John Ostrander, Jorge Gonzales, Tom Peyer, and more. Penciled by Javier Saltares, Jackson Guice, Mark Bagley, Angel Medina, Steven Butler, Richard Case, Ron Garney, Art Thibert, Ron Frenz, Gabriel Gecko, Tom Tenney, Scott McDaniel, Pasqual Ferry, Jim Cheung, and more. Guns! Swords! Leather! Clones! Pouches! Don’t dis the 90s, they’re totally dope! WARNING: Do not read in bed! If you fall asleep, it will crush your head! (Which may be sweet relief for your brain, as maybe one or two of these might not be the most stellar reads. Take it from somebody who lived through all this!) 1,288-page oversize color hardcover. Pogs, Tamagotchi, laser-etched hologram covers, Pop Rocks, Trapper Keepers, Rollerblades, Crystal Pepsi, and AOL (sadly) not included. Available in August.

Ultimate Marvel Omnibus Volume 1

Ultimate Marvel Omnibus Volume 1


Ultimate Marvel Omnibus Volume 1 (Marvel): Now that it seems to be on the verge of being fully integrated into the Marvel Universe, here’s a big book o’ comics to reminds us of the awesome beginnings of the Ultimate universe, reprinting the initial storylines of their most popular series. Collects Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #1-7, Ultimate X-Men (2001) #1-6, Ultimates (2002) #1-6, and Ultimate Fantastic Four #1-6. Includes work by Brian Michael Bendis, Bill Jemas, Mark Millar, Mark Bagley, Adam Kubert, Andy Kubert, and Bryan Hitch. 768-page oversize color hardcover. Available in August.

NEXT WEEK: Mickey Mouse, Superman, and Prince Valiant are considered together (what an awesome super-team, eh?); Sandman, Frank Miller’s Daredevil, and The Goon get the Artist/Gallery Editions treatment; a 25th anniversary celebrated by a unique publisher; books about Ant-Man, Agent Carter, and Wally Wood; and a shambling mess of a great new history of monster comic books in the 1950s to the 1970s. Muck on!

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KC CARLSON: You know, now that I actually think about it, everything is awesome!

WESTFIELD COMICS is not responsible for the stupid things that KC says. Especially that thing that really irritated you. Wassup.