COLLECTIVE THOUGHTS: FOR JANUARY ’14 BOOKS


KC Carlson in his Halloween costume.

KC Carlson in his Halloween costume.


by KC Carlson

THIS MONTH IN CLASSIC COMIC BOOK COLLECTIONS

The Adventures of Nilson Groundthumper and Hermy

The Adventures of Nilson Groundthumper and Hermy


The Adventures of Nilson Groundthumper and Hermy (Dark Horse): About a zillion years ago (and a couple of lifetimes for me), I published a Westfield Newsletter cover featuring Nilson Groundthumper (and Hermy). (Back in those days, the newsletter was still printed on 8.5 x 11 office paper, assembled (and folded) by hand, and unstapled.) Nilson was appearing in Fantagraphics’ late, lamented Critters funny-animal book, and he was about to get a special Critters one-shot, collecting everything (then) published to date. We had already run a couple of Critters pieces, so editor Kim Thompson (now also late and much lamented) called and asked if we wanted a Stan Sakai cover for the newsletter. I said yes even before finding out what the cover was going to be about. As you can see below, it was of Nilson (and Hermy), and it was one of the most charming (and popular) Westfield covers we ever ran.

From the Westfield Archives: Nilson & Hermy in 1987.

From the Westfield Archives: Nilson & Hermy in 1987.


Flash forward in time to March 2014, and you are holding a copy of The Adventures of Nilson Groundthumper and Hermy hardcover, featuring their complete exploits, from the pages of several long-out-of-print small press comics (with very expensive asking prices!). It features every existing Nilson story, as well as little-seen art, all scanned from originals and colored by Usagi Yojimbo colorist Tom Luth. Not many people remember this, but Nilson and Hermy actually predates Usagi Yojimbo by about a year or so, so this is some of Stan Sakai’s earliest epic storytelling work. (Stan had originally plotted out about 1,000 pages of Nilson stories, but got sidetracked by some rascally rabbit — who was originally planned as a secondary character in the original Nilson saga.) These stories are just as funny, exciting, and beautifully illustrated as Usagi Yojimbo. One more thing: Nilson (and Hermy) make a special appearance in Dark Horse Presents #30, on sale in November (this month). 96-page color hardcover.

The Amazing Spider-Man: The Art of the Movie

The Amazing Spider-Man: The Art of the Movie


The Amazing Spider-Man: The Art of the Movie (Marvel): The latest in the series of Marvel movie tie-in books, this covers 2012’s The Amazing Spider-Man with exclusive concept artwork, behind-the-scenes photographs, production stills, and in-depth interviews with the cast and crew, including director Marc Webb, Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Denis Leary, Martin Sheen, and Sally Field. 240-page oversize color hardcover (slipcased). Available in February 2014.

Archie Archives Volume 9

Archie Archives Volume 9


Archie Archives Volume 9 (Dark Horse): It’s back! Dark Horse’s high-quality, full-color reprints of classic Golden Age Archie material, featuring every Archie-related story (circa 1948) from Archie Comics #29-31, Pep Comics #65-67, and Laugh Comics #25-26. Artists include Al Fagaly (who also drew Captain America and Human Torch for Timely), Irv Novick (who worked on Golden Age MLJ superheroes, like The Shield, but Silver Age fans remember his work on DC’s various war titles and Batman), and Bill Vagoda (the workhorse for Archie Comics during the war years, while the other artists were drafted). Golden Age Archie material is rarely reprinted (except for “key” stories), so this Archives series is a pretty special project. And many Archie fans prefer this more “wild” style of humor over the slickness and “blandness” that the characters evolved into in later decades. For many, this Archie was the real deal! Forward by Jill Thompson. 240-page color hardcover. Available in March 2014.

Captain Midnight Archives Volume 2

Captain Midnight Archives Volume 2


Captain Midnight Archives Volume 2 (Dark Horse): More wonderful Captain Midnight stories from the Golden Age Fawcett comics series. The hero first appeared on radio, but here you can see the moon creatures, purple pirates (gasp!), and the bizarre and villainous Xog! Featuring work by writer Bill Woolfolk and art by Leonard Frank and others. Featuring selected stories from issues #48, 50, 52-56, 58-60, 62, 64, and 66. 152-page color hardcover. Available in March 2014.

Marvel Masterworks: Amazing Spider-Man Volume 16

Marvel Masterworks: Amazing Spider-Man Volume 16


Marvel Masterworks: Amazing Spider-Man Volume 16 (Marvel): More 1970s Spidey-ventures by Len Wein (with Bill Mantlo) and Ross Andru (with Gil Kane). Doc Ock teams up with the ghost of Hammerhead (huh?), The Kingpin tries to resurrect his dead son (wha-?), and The Punisher, Nightcrawler, and Spidey try to coexist in the same story (yikes!). Plus dinosaurs, Spider-Slayers, and the Spider-Mobile. Yay! (I think…) Collecting Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #156-168, plus Annual #10. All spruced-up and pretty! 288-page color hardcover. Available in April 2014.

Marvel Masterworks: The X-Men Volume 6

Marvel Masterworks: The X-Men Volume 6


Marvel Masterworks: The X-Men Volume 6 (Marvel): Collecting the end of the run of the original X-Men comic, which you would think would be horrible, but Marvel was trying to save the book, so this features the entire kick-butt, experimental run of issues by Roy Thomas and Neal Adams. Introduces Havoc, Sauron, and Sunfire and also features a Sentinels battle, the Living Pharaoh, Ka-Zar and the Savage Land, and the return of Magneto and the “dead” Professor X! (That trick never works!) Also features work by Arnold Drake, Dennis O’Neil, Sal Buscema, Don Heck, and Werner Roth. Collects X-Men (1963) #54-66. Cover by Neal Adams. 312-page color softcover.

Warlock by Jim Starlin: The Complete Collection

Warlock by Jim Starlin: The Complete Collection


Warlock by Jim Starlin: The Complete Collection (Marvel): This material is seldom out of print, and for good reason! This is some of the best from Marvel in the 1970s! In the hands of writer/artist Jim Starlin, Warlock’s early struggles with Thanos (that guy in the next Avengers movie!) were often literally life vs. death struggles. Or at least battles for their very souls (if either actually had them). And totally cosmic, too, man! See the very first assembly of the Infinity Gems, the debuts of Gamora and Pip the Troll, and cosmic cosmic-ness! Plus Captain Marvel, The Thing, and what some folks call one of the very best Spider-Man stories ever, where he goes to space for the first time! 328-page color softcover.

Zorro: The Complete Dell Pre-Code Comics

Zorro: The Complete Dell Pre-Code Comics


Zorro: The Complete Dell Pre-Code Comics (Hermes Press): Zorro appeared in comic books long before his most popular incarnation, the Disney TV show of the late 1950s. Those early comics were first published by Dell as part of their Four Color series (#228, 425, 497, 538, 574, 617, and 732); were based on the original novels by Johnston McCulley about the dashing, sword-wielding hero; and were illustrated by Everett Raymond Kinstler (issues #497, 538, and 574), Bob Fujitani, Bob Correa, and Alberto Giolitti. This collection also features an historical essay about the series and character by Max Allan Collins. It’s an excellent companion to Hermes Press’ previous collection of Dell Zorro comics, Alex Toth’s Zorro: The Complete Dell Comics Adventures, which is still available. 256-page color hardcover. Available in April 2014.

THIS MONTH IN CLASSIC COMIC STRIP COLLECTIONS

Batman: The Silver Age Newspaper Comics Volume 1: 1966-1967

Batman: The Silver Age Newspaper Comics Volume 1: 1966-1967


Batman: The Silver Age Newspaper Comics Volume 1: 1966-1967 (IDW/LoAC): The DC Comics newspaper strips project takes a big giant step with the previously never-before-collected Batman strips from 1966-1967. This era is projected to cover three definitive volumes and will feature work by writer and former DC editor Whitney Ellsworth (producer/story editor on TV’s The Adventures of Superman) and artists Sheldon Moldoff, Joe Giella, and Carmine Infantino, all of whom worked on the Batman and Detective Comics titles. The Dynamic Duo face off against Catwoman, the Penguin, the Joker, and Poison Ivy and also team up with Batgirl! This volume collects both the B&W dailies and color Sunday strips from this period. Introduction by Batman historian Joe Desris. Colored by Pete Poplaski. Edited by Dean Mullaney. Holy Archive, Batman! 256-page oversize B&W (w/color) hardcover.

Gasoline Alley Volume 1: The Complete Sundays 1920-1922

Gasoline Alley Volume 1: The Complete Sundays 1920-1922


Gasoline Alley Volume 1: The Complete Sundays 1920-1922 (Dark Horse): Frank King’s early Gasoline Alley strips have been frequently reprinted, but this new Dark Horse edition purports to collect all the earliest Sunday strips, using the original color proofs, all in chronological order in this physically huge book. Gasoline Alley is an American classic as well as a generational saga, as the characters are allowed to age — although not always necessarily in real-time, as it was once claimed, as that would make several of the characters very old! That’s Walt Wallet and baby Skeezix on the cover of this book, and both are still alive in the current comic strips. The Sunday comics were a special treat, as they generally took a break from the ongoing daily continuity of the strip. Instead, King produced beautiful pages involving nature, daydreaming, or simply small-town life, often with expressive or naturalistic artwork. Something to think about: the strips in this book are close to 100 years old and yet are still celebrated as among the very best of their medium. 128-page oversize (12 x 16) color hardcover. Available in March 2014.

Steve Canyon Volume 4: 1953-1954

Steve Canyon Volume 4: 1953-1954


Steve Canyon Volume 4: 1953-1954 (IDW/LoAC): This book begins the adventures of Canyon as a newly-minted Light Colonel (does that make him less filling?) as he brings the jet age to the town of Indian Cape — where the natives are after an old friend’s scalp! Introducing new sidekick Pipper the Piper and old friends like Princess Snowflower, Dogie Hogan, Herself Muldoon, Summer Olson, and Miss Mizzou — still wearing that trenchcoat! All by the legendary Milton Caniff. Fantastic production and presentation by The Library of American Comics! 336-page oversize (11 x 8.5) B&W (w/color) hardcover.

BIG BOOKS

Justice League of America Omnibus Volume 1

Justice League of America Omnibus Volume 1


Justice League of America Omnibus Volume 1 (DC Comics): Considered to be some of the all-time classics of the Silver Age of Comics, featuring the definitive DC characters of the era — Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Green Arrow, The Atom, and Hawkman. These stories have been reprinted many times (as they are classics of the era), but this probably will be the definitive collection. Collecting The Brave and the Bold #28-30, Justice League of America #1-30, and Mystery In Space #75 featuring Adam Strange. Written by Gardner Fox with art by Mike Sekowsky, Bernard Sachs, and Murphy Anderson. 896-page oversize color hardcover. Available in March 2014.

Showcase Presents: Men of War

Showcase Presents: Men of War


Showcase Presents: Men of War (DC Comics): This collects all 26 issues of the 1970s war comic, best known for the series Code Name: Gravedigger and the revival of Enemy Ace. Creators include Robert Kanigher, David Michelinie, Ed Davis, Dick Ayres, and Howard Chaykin. Features covers by Joe Kubert. Bob Greenberger will have more details soon, right here at the Westfield blog. 496-page B&W softcover. Available in February 2014.

Superman: The Man of Tomorrow Archives Volume 3

Superman: The Man of Tomorrow Archives Volume 3


The Superman: The Man of Tomorrow Archives Volume 3 is being resolicited (again) for May 2014 release. Previous orders have been cancelled. Please reorder if you still want this 424-page hardcover volume of Silver Age Superman stories.

The Uncanny X-Men Omnibus Volume 2. Cover by Byrne & Austin.

The Uncanny X-Men Omnibus Volume 2. Cover by Byrne & Austin.


The Uncanny X-Men Omnibus Volume 2 (Marvel): How strange! I was just talking about the first Uncanny X-Men Omnibus a few weeks ago, and now here’s the solicitation for the new Volume 2! This one picks up where the first left off and features both “Days of Future Past” and “The Dark Phoenix Saga” — both hugely important tales in the foundation of Marvel Comics, as well as featuring the first appearances of Emma Frost and Kitty Pryde. This book collects X-Men #132-141, Uncanny X-Men #142-153, and Annuals #4-5 but also includes a Brood-load of bonus stories, including material from Avengers Annual #10 (a good one! First appearance of Rogue!), Marvel Fanfare #1-4 (The Savage Land!), Marvel Treasury Edition #26-27, Marvel Team-Up #100 (1st appearance of Karma), Bizarre Adventures #27 (the all-Mutant issue), and Phoenix The Untold Story #1 with unused pages from the original ending and a crazy interview about what went down behind-the-scenes in one of Marvel’s most controversial stories!

The Uncanny X-Men Omnibus Volume 2. Art by Immonen & Grawbadger.

The Uncanny X-Men Omnibus Volume 2. Art by Immonen & Grawbadger.


Most of the stories in this volume were written by Chris Claremont and drawn by John Byrne (who also co-plotted), Dave Cockrum, and Terry Austin. The bonus material also features work by John Buscema, George Pérez, Frank Miller, Michael Golden, Paul Smith, John Romita Jr., Brent Anderson, and Bob McLeod. Plus, this mutant tome comes with an impossible choice: many “vintage” fans may want the classic original cover to Uncanny X-Men #137 by John Byrne and Terry Austin, but new readers may be knocked out by the 2013 remake of the same cover by current All-New X-Men artists Stuart Immonen and Wade Von Grawbadger. Forget “The Thing vs. The Hulk” — this may be the biggest conflict in Marvel history! 912-page oversized color hardcover. Available in April 2014.

X-Men: Age of Apocalypse Companion Omnibus

X-Men: Age of Apocalypse Companion Omnibus


X-Men: Age of Apocalypse Companion Omnibus (Marvel): Another major Marvel mutant story! And it’s not actually included in this volume (that book already exists as the 2012 X-Men: Age of Apocalypse, the 1,070-page oversize hardcover). This gigantic book includes all the “orphaned” stories featuring the original concepts and characters that have appeared throughout the Marvel Universe over the years. And there have been a lot of them, including: X-Men Chronicles #1-2, Tales From The Age of Apocalypse #1-2, X-Man #Minus-1 and #53-54, Blink #1-4, X-Universe #1-2, Exiles (2001) #60-61, X-Men: Age of Apocalypse #1-6 and One-Shot, What If? (1989) #77 and #81, and What If? X-Men: Age of Apocalypse — plus material from Hulk: Broken Worlds #2, X-Men Prime, X-Men Annual ‘96, X-Men: Endangered Species, Exiles: Days of Then & Now, and Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Age of Apocalypse. Dozens of creators worked on these projects. Here’s just a few: Brian K. Vaughan, Rick Remender, Chris Bachalo, Carlos Pacheco, Terry Dodson, Ian Churchill, and Steve Epting. Cover is by Adam Kubert. 992-page oversized color hardcover. Available in April 2014.

Basil Wolverton’s Weird Worlds: Artist’s Edition

Basil Wolverton’s Weird Worlds: Artist’s Edition


Basil Wolverton’s Weird Worlds: Artist’s Edition (IDW): This month’s Artist’s Edition is a weird one! Basil Wolverton lived up to his uncommon name by being one of the most unique artists ever to draw comic books. He loved to design and draw monsters (as long-time MAD Magazine and DC’s Plop! comic will recall). But back in the Golden Age he also produced amazing and memorable SF series like Powerhouse Pepper and Spacehawk. This month’s IDW Artist’s Edition draws from this early work (and from his series of end-of-the-world illustrations) and more, for its giant-size (actual art size) presentation, scanned so fine (and in color) from the original artwork, you can still see some of the pencil work and original editing mark-ups. 176-page oversize (15 x 22) hardcover. Available in February 2014.

BOOKS ABOUT COMICS

Hellboy: The First 20 Years

Hellboy: The First 20 Years


Hellboy: The First 20 Years (Dark Horse): A beautiful art book about Mike Mignola’s Hellboy empire, now entering its 20th year! Much of this book will be showcasing selected finished pieces of his much-admired artwork alongside sketches and raw art from the past two decades. I’m hoping for lots of commentary about the origins and behind-the-scenes info on the various spin-off and media projects which all stemmed from Mignola’s fertile imagination. Introduction by Dark Horse Publisher Mike Richardson. 136-page oversized (12 3/16 x 8) color hardcover. Available in March 2014.

______________________________

CLEVER PERSON:     Knock Knock

KC CARLSON:   Who’s there?

CLEVER PERSON: Boo.

KC CARLSON:   Boo who?

CLEVER PERSON: Don’t cry. It’s just a joke!

WESTFIELD COMICS is not responsible for the stupid things that KC says. Especially that thing that really irritated you. Like knock knock jokes. Happy Halloween!