by KC Carlson

NEW (like, not reprinted) STUFF

Neil Gaiman’s The Graveyard Book: The Graphic Novel Volume 1 (HarperCollins): This is very cool! It’s Neil Gaiman’s Newbery and Carnegie Medal-winning 2008 children’s fantasy novel The Graveyard Book, recast into a graphic novel and illustrated by notable artists primarily known for their comics work. Some have previously collaborated with Gaiman. This new overall adaptation is by P. Craig Russell — also one of the illustrators — joined by Kevin Nowlan, Tony Harris, Scott Hampton, Galen Showman, Jill Thompson, and Stephen B. Scott. The first volume is due in July and contains Chapter One through the Interlude, while Volume Two (which will be listed soon) is scheduled for September and includes Chapter Six to the end of the book. From the back cover:

It Takes a Graveyard to Raise a Child.

Nobody Owens, known as Bod, is a normal boy. He would be completely normal if he didn’t live in a graveyard, being raised by ghosts, with a guardian who belongs to neither the world of the living nor the dead.

There are adventures in the graveyard for a boy — an ancient Indigo Man, a gateway to the abandoned city of ghouls, the strange and terrible Sleer. But if Bod leaves the graveyard, he will be in danger from the man Jack — who has already killed Bod’s family.

Volume One is a 192-page 9” x 6” color hardcover and is highly recommended.

(For more Neil Gaiman (with Dave McKean, who provided illustrations for a previous version of The Graveyard Book), please check out the Mr. Punch 20th Anniversary hardcover volume, now with additional sketch material, over in the DC/Vertigo area.)

Revenge: The Secret Origin of Emily Thorne (Marvel): An all-new graphic novel exploring the origins of the lead character from the ABC TV show Revenge — an intriguing mix of high society backstabbing, high-octane fight scenes, martial arts mystery, hidden identities, electronic hacking, and sudden changes of allegiance. Emily Thorne (real name: Amanda Clark) is the one seeking revenge against the socially elite Grayson family, who framed young Amanda’s father for a crime he didn’t commit 2O years ago, leading to his death (maybe). This graphic novel is the “origin” story of how Amanda became Emily to seek revenge for her father (and the loss of her childhood and idyllic family). The scope is global, with Emily training in Japan and establishing high society cred in Geneva before moving back into her childhood home in the Hamptons — right next door to the Graysons! Plus, this graphic novel just might be exposing some new secrets, before they are revealed on the show. Co-written by series writer Ted Sullivan, with Erica Schultz, and art by Vincenzo Balzano, this book will be a great companion to the TV series, now in its third season, and likely to be renewed for a fourth. Cover by Dustin Nguyen. 112-page color hardcover. Available in September (possibly to tie in with the fourth season premiere?).

Buck Rogers in the 25th Century Volume 1: Grievous Angels (Hermes Press): Calling this “new stuff” is slightly cheating, as this is reprinting last year’s Howard Chaykin-written and drawn back to basics miniseries. The book will be packed with extras (interviews, original artwork, script samples, and pin-ups). Plus, the hardcover version (with a new Chaykin cover for this edition) is only available through comic shops and comic subscription services! This is Buck Rogers as only Howard Chaykin can do him, sending the WWI air ace 500 years into the future, and including all of the classic characters — Buck, Wilma Deering, Ardala, Killer Kane, Dr. Huer and Black Barney — as well as a host of brand-new characters. Both volumes have identical 128-page contents, but the hardcover features the exclusive cover, while the softcover cover is cover to issue #1. Available in August.

THIS MONTH IN CLASSIC COMIC BOOK COLLECTIONS

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen III: Century: The Complete Edition (Top Shelf): Collecting the three previous graphic novels by Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill — Century #1 – 1910, Century #2 – 1969, and Century #3 – 2009 — in one deluxe hardcover (for the first time). The book spans nearly 100 years of adventures, with new characters such as the trans-gendered immortal Orlando, the ghost-finder Thomas Carnacki, and the gentleman thief A.J. Raffles recruited by the perpetual youthful Nina Murry and Allan Quartermain to replace their deceased or missing colleagues. Captain Nemo has retired to his Pacific pirate island to decline in surly isolation. From the occult parlours and crime-haunted wharfs of 1910 through the criminal, mystical, and psychedelic underworlds of 1969 to the financially and culturally desolated streets of 2009, the disintegrating remnants of Miss Murray and her League must combat not only the hidden hand of their undying adversary, but also the ethical and psychological collapse accompanying this new era. A lot of things can happen in a century. 256-page oversize (6 5/8” x 10 3/8”) color hardcover (with dust jacket).

Luba and Her Family: A Love and Rockets Book (Fantagraphics): Gilbert Hernandez’s sprawling family saga focuses on the United States, where newly immigrated Luba and her sisters, body-builder Petra and therapist/film star Fritz, find their families’ and friends’ lives becoming more and more intertwined. As the three sisters reminisce, the next generation finds the spotlight: Luba’s adult daughter Doralís and Petra’s little girl Venus. This is Volume 10 of the Love and Rockets Library, featuring these never-collected-before stories by Gilbert. 288-page black & white softcover.

Marvel Masterworks: Ms. Marvel Volume 1 (Marvel): From 1977, Marvel gains a marvelous new superheroine! (Although her alter ego, Carol Danvers, was originally introduced as a supporting character back in Captain Marvel in 1968). This new Masterwork collects Ms. Marvel #1-14 by Chris Claremont (with Gerry Conway, Archie Goodwin, and Jim Shooter) and Jim Mooney (with John and Sal Buscema, Keith Pollard, and Carmine Infantino). Bob Greenberger will be along soon to provide some more history and behind-the-scenes stories about this great series. 272-page remastered color hardcover. Available in October.

Rocky & Bullwinkle Classics Volume 2: Vacational Therapy (IDW): The first volume was quite fun, so here’s Volume 2 with more Rocky & Bullwinkle, Mr. Peabody & Sherman, Dudley Do-Right, and other great features — newly remastered from the original Rocky & Bullwinkle comics #5-8. Includes work by Al Kilgore, Jack Mendelson, Dave Berg, Fred Fredericks, Jerry Robinson, and more. Cover by Kilgore. 124-page color softcover.

Walt Disney’s Uncle Scrooge and Donald Duck: Son of the Sun by Don Rosa (Fantagraphics): To accompany their Carl Barks reprints, Fantagraphics launches another series focusing on a classic duck artist. This is the first in a series of chronological volumes collecting over twenty years of new Scrooge and Donald stories by Don Rosa (Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck), given the Fantagraphics touch: great colors and production, with lots of extra material about the stories and storyteller. Duck expert Roger Ash will have more detailed info about this series soon. 208-page color hardcover. Available in August.

Also Available:

Eerie Archives Volume 17 (Dark Horse): Collects Eerie magazine #81-85, including seven stories inspired by a classic Frank Frazetta cover. Plus, Darklon the Mystic by Jim Starlin, work by Richard Corben, Carmine Infantino, and more Frazetta color covers. Foreword by Denis Kitchen. 280-page color hardcover. Available in September.

The First Kingdom Volume 5: The Space Explorer’s Club (Titan Comics): I’m unclear if this is actually new or “newly collected”, and the solicitation material is vague (I’m leaning toward the latter), but it is all part of Jack Katz’ mad masterpiece of space-faring humans and strange new gods. 160-page, partial color hardcover. Mature Themes. Available in September.

Nexus Omnibus Volume 6 (Dark Horse): Collects Nexus Volume 2 #66-80 by Mike Baron, Hugh Haynes, and Mark Heike. Cover by Steve Rude. 424-page color softcover. Available in September.

The Savage Sword of Conan Volume 17 (Dark Horse): Collects Marvel’s Savage Sword of Conan the Barbarian #171-#180, with work by Gerry Conway. Never before collected. 520-page black & white softcover. Available in September.

THIS MONTH IN CLASSIC COMIC STRIP COLLECTIONS

Alley Oop: The Complete Sundays Volume 2 (Dark Horse): Collects all the Sunday strips, from 1936-1938, of V.T. Hamlin’s classic, strange, and hilarious caveman Ally Oop. 128-page oversize (12” x 16”) color hardcover. Available in September.

Barnaby Volume 2 (Fantagraphics): In strips from 1944 and 1945, Barnaby and his Fairy Godfather J.J. O’Malley travel to Washington to serve in Congress. Plus seaside treasure hunts, ermine hunters, soap salesmen, and the introduction of Launcelot McSnoyd, the invisible leprechaun! Fantastically charming work by Crockett Johnson (Harold and the Purple Crayon) in this second volume of five. Forward by Jules Feiffer and designed by Dan Clowes. 372-page (32 pages in color) 10.5” x 6.75” black & white hardcover.

Leonard Starr’s Mary Perkins on Stage Volume 13 (Classic Comic Press): Collecting the dailies and Sundays from January 13, 1974, to November 8, 1975. Introduction by Jackson Guice. Only two more volumes of this beautifully produced series left to go. 264-page black & white softcover.

Rip Kirby Volume 7 (IDW/LoAC): Al Williamson takes a larger role in the strip as John Prentice’s assistant, and you can watch his growth beginning in this volume. Collecting over 800 sequential strips from February 12, 1962, to October 10, 1964. Shot from the original King Features proofs. 288-page 11” x10” black & white hardcover from the Library of American Comics.

Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!: The Original Classic Cartoons by Robert Ripley (IDW/LoAC): Beginning reprints of the classic panel of human and other oddities, still wildly popular around the world. This first volume features the very first cartoons from 1929 and 1930. Robert Ripley was an explorer; a radio, movie, and television personality; an entrepreneur; and a museum impresario, but this strip demonstrated his strengths as an artist-cartoonist, and it made him an international celebrity. This volume also features bonus background material from Ripley’s impressive archives. 328-page 11” x 7.5” black & white hardcover.

Stan Drake’s The Heart of Juliet Jones Volume 4: Sundays 1954-1958 (Classic Comic Press): Taking a break from collecting the daily strips, this volume will collect the Sunday strips from the first ( May 2, 1954) to August 3, 1959. Plus, a great interview with Stan Drake, conducted by Shel Dorf, which originally appeared in Comics Interview magazine. 240-page black & white softcover.

Wallace & Gromit: The Newspaper Strips Volume 2 (Titan Comics): The first volume was quite cracking — so here’s Volume 2! Originally published in The Sun (UK) newspaper, the full-color strip continues the mad adventures of the plucky, bald, and oblivious inventor racing from one hair-brained invention to another, usually needing his loyal dog Gromit to rescue him. Warning: Extreme silliness and bad puns. This was made for me! 136-page color hardcover.

Windsor McKay: The Complete Little Nemo 1905-1927 (TASCHEN): Of course, this public domain material has been packaged and re-packaged what seems like scores of times, but this giant volume by acclaimed publisher TASCHEN may be the one that stands the tests of time (if you wish to pay the cover price). Little Nemo in Slumberland by Windsor McKay is one of the most celebrated comic strips in the world. This collects all 550 episodes in full glorious color. Plus, an extensive text, illustrated with photos and documents, places the strip within US cultural history by art and comics historian Alexander Braun. 672-page oversize (13” x 17”) color hardcover. Recommended: TASCHEN does very nice books.

BIG BOOKS

 

Absolute Batman, Incorporated (DC Comics): This collects the entirety of Grant Morrison’s popular and acclaimed Batman, Incorporated series and specials. It’s got a convoluted publishing history, but the stories are largely impeccable. They’re from Batman, Incorporated 1-8; Batman, Incorporated: Leviathan Rises #1; Batman, Incorporated Volume 2 #1-13; and Batman, Incorporated Special #1. Featuring the worldwide franchise of Batmen, including some old favorite characters from titles of the 1950s and 60s (Knight & Squire, El Gaucho, and others) updated here. The wonderful volume also showcases the artwork of Yanick Paquette, Chris Burnham (who also provides the cover), Frazer Irving, Jason Masters, Cameron Stewart, Scott Clark, and others. 608-page oversize (8.125” x 12.25”) color hardcover. Available in November.

Alias Omnibus (Marvel): Back in print! Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Gaydos’ acclaimed cult adventures of Jessica Jones, the woman who failed at being a costumed hero and became a private investigator. (Unfortunately, a chain-smoking, self-destructive alcoholic one.) This collects all 28 issues of the former MAX series (so, not for kids), plus What If Jessica Jones Joined The Avengers? (Ultimately, she did, briefly.) Also included is behind-the-scenes bonus material compiled by Bendis. This series is a bit downbeat at times, but Alias is generally the series that shuts down the Bendis critics that say he can’t write. The series won the Comics Buyer’s Guide Award for “Favorite Comic Series” in 2003 and the Harvey Award for “Best New Series” in 2002. It was also nominated for two Eisner Awards in 2004: “Best Continuing Series” and “Best Serialized Story” (for “The Secret Origin of Jessica Jones” & “Purple”). 720-page oversized color hardcover. Explicit Content.

The Flash Omnibus (DC Comics): We’ve already seen Silver Age Omnibi for Green Lantern and the Justice League, so the next logical one is for The Flash. This awfully large book collects the very first adventures of the (Barry Allen) Flash from the early stories in Showcase #4, 8, 13, 14, and The Flash #105-132. There are a lot of very important DC Universe stories in this volume, including the origin and introduction of the Flash, the first appearances and origins of virtually all the Flash’s famous Rogues Gallery villains, the first appearances of Elongated Man and Kid Flash, and — most importantly — “The Flash of Two Worlds”, the story that introduced the concept of multiple Earths to the DC Universe. Later, we get the first modern-day glimpse of the legendary Justice Society of America. Also, some first-hand looks at the initial charm of this series, aka the unusual predicaments the Flash gets himself into: strapped to a giant boomerang, turned into a mirror, suddenly becoming 1,000 pounds, chasing a man who runs on air, “disappeared” right out of his costume, and more. You may balk a bit at the cover price of this book, but (as they used to say) it would cost you hundreds (now thousands, due to inflation and rarity) of dollars to buy these books individually! Don’t be a Turtle. Be smart like Grodd, and buy this book today! The Silver Age begins here! 864-page oversize color hardcover. Available in September.

Marvel Covers: Artist’s Edition (IDW): This month’s IDW Artist’s Edition is pretty special: A 144-page collection of the very best covers that Marvel has produced — all shot directly from the original artwork! Iconic images abound: Bullseye vs. Elektra. Wolverine vs. Sabretooth. Namor vs. NYC! The X-Men in the Danger Room and the iconic Giant-Size X-Men #1 cover. Captain America vs. Everybody! The Avengers vs. the FF! The Hulk being crushed by his own logo! And the artists… Adams! Buscema! Byrne! Cockrum! Kane! Kirby! Miller! Romita! Starlin! Steranko! What a feast for the eyes. 144-page oversize (12” x 17”) black & white (but scanned in color) hardcover. Available in August.

NOW IN SOFTCOVER

Showcase Presents: Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew (DC Comics): Another long-awaited (at least by me!) collection finally makes it to press! Masterminded by Roy Thomas and Scott Shaw!, Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew was a brilliant, odd, and very funny (and punny!) combination of two popular comic book genres — superheroes and funny animals! All of the original comics are here: Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew #1-20, the preview story from New Teen Titans #16, and the very interesting Oz-Wonderland War three-issue miniseries from 1986. Bob Greenberger will have more on the history of the Zoo Crew very soon! 672-page black & white softcover. Available in August.

Marvel Masterworks: Amazing Spider-Man Volume 8 (Marvel): Collecting Amazing Spider-Man #68-77 from the Swingin’ Sixties (so Smilin’ Stan Lee’s dialogue will be awesome!). Art is by Jazzy John Romita (with John Buscema and Jim Mooney appearances). Most of the volume is taken up with the classic “Saga of the Stone Tablet” storyline, featuring the recently introduced Kingpin, but there are also battles with Quicksilver, the Shocker, and the Lizard! Plus, a rare Lee/Ross Andru story from Marvel Super-Heroes #14! 248-page remastered color softcover.

BOOKS ABOUT COMICS

American Comic Book Chronicles: The 1970s (TwoMorrows): The latest in this great ongoing History of Comic Books series focuses on the 1970s — one of the great transitional periods in comic books. The Silver Age gives way to the Bronze Age, and both Marvel and DC experiment like crazy in an attempt to keep sales from their long historical decline. Other publishers continue to fall by the wayside during this time, but the decade is rich with projects that still resonate today : the dawn of relevance with Denny O’Neil and Neal Adams’s Green Lantern/Green Arrow! Jack Kirby’s Fourth World saga! Revisions to the Comics Code that open the floodgates for monsters and the supernatural! Conan the Barbarian! The return of the X-Men! The beginnings of Marvel/DC crossovers — and of the graphic novel, as well as a wave of new indy publishers. Plus, a major Marvel death! Jim Shooter! Jenette Kahn! The Direct Market! The DC Explosion — and Implosion! And many new creators enter the field — and want better recognition from their publishers! Written by Jason Sacks and Keith Dallas (who incidentally edits the whole series). 288-page color hardcover with some of the best representative art from the decade, both familiar and rare! Available in August. Highly recommended!

Back Issue #75 (TwoMorrows): Technically not a book, but with enough content that a slightly stiffer cover would make it one, this issue’s theme is 80s Independent Comics. Contents will include lengthy articles on Concrete (with a alternate Concrete #2 cover by Paul Chadwick), Elfquest, and Cerebus the Aardvark. The latter is especially notable since it was researched and written by Westfield’s own Roger Ash! (I’ve already read it, and like the comic itself, it is both overwhelming and thought-provoking!) Also in this issue: Pacific Comics, California Girls (not Brian Wilson’s), and Death Rattle! Edited by Michael Eury. 84-page color magazine, packed with features!

Big! Big! Overstreet Price Guide (Gemstone): The large print version of the regular Overstreet listings (for near-blind folks like me), manufactured with a flexible spiral ring binding, so it will lay flat on your desk while you’re working with it. (Actually a lot more useful and cool than you might think.) I don’t get these every year, but the new Francesco Francavilla Afterlife With Archie cover makes it a must-have for me this time around. 772-page 8” x 11” black & white softcover.

Marvel Comics: 75 Years of Cover Art (DK): A giant (10” x 14”) art book celebrating the greatest and unusual (I bet they’re talking about Steranko. Or maybe Skottie Young…) cover artwork from Marvel Comics’ 75-year history. You and I know that there have been many, many awesome Marvel covers in the last couple of decades, but I hope the compilers don’t short-change guys like Jack Kirby, Gil Kane, John Buscema, Steve Ditko, Joe Maneely, Alex Schomburg, and other lost greats. I’m encouraged by seeing a Herb Trimpe cover on the cover of the book (granted, one of the most iconic covers of the Marvel Age, featuring two of their most popular stars — one in his first cover appearance). Also hoping for some historical perspective on the covers. Not asking for much, am I? Introduction by artist Adi Granov (who should know about great covers!). 320-page oversize color hardcover. Available in August.

Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy: The Art of the Movie (Marvel): You should know the drill with these books by now: lots of exclusive behind-the-scenes photos, concept artwork, production stills, and in-depth interviews with the cast and crew, designed to make you feel like an insider. Considering that two of the main characters in the film are completely CGI (and that there are a lot of very funny people on-set), those photographs should be really interesting! 304-page slipcased (oversize landscape format) color hardcover. Available in August. Look for lots of other Guardians of the Galaxy books in the Marvel section of the latest catalog and website.

Swampmen: Muck-Monsters of the Comics (TwoMorrows): Over ten years in the making, this long-awaited book will be finally available in August. Technically, the Summer Annual issue of Comic Book Creator (#6), this covers not only the creatures in the comic books, including Swamp Thing, Man-Thing, The Heap, Lurker of the Swamp, It, Bog Beast, and even Marvin the Dead Thing — but also the creatures (er… creators) that created them, including Bernie Wrightson, Alan Moore, Mike Ploog, Len Wein, Frank Brunner, Steve Gerber, Stephen R. Bissette, Rick Veitch, Gerry Conway, Val Mayerik, Joe Orlando, Marty Pasko, Jim Mooney, John Totleben, Tom Yeates, Karen Berger, Jesse Santos, Michael Uslan, Michael W. Kaluta, Louise Simonson, Roy Thomas, and many others. And check out these article titles: “It Started With It: The Theodore Sturgeon Connection”; “The Romance of Swamp Thing: Heartbreak Inside the House of Secrets”; “With the Helping of the Heap: Alan Moore’s Anatomy Lesson”; “Jesus Is Not Alright With DC: Rick Veitch and Cancelled Comics of Calvary”; and “The Lost Bernie Wrightson Swamp Thing Graphic Novel.” Edited by Jon B. Cooke. Cover by Frank Cho. 192-page, black & white w/partial color softcover. Recommended, but don’t get it wet.

(English version of this column by Johanna Draper Carlson and Roger Ash. We don’t know what it was before they got to it.)

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KC CARLSON SEZ: Yeah, I know everyone’s expecting me to chime in on the upcoming death of Archie Andrews in Life With Archie 36/37, but frankly I’m still trying to figure out their slightly impenetrable marketing plan for the event. So I need to do a little more research on this project so I can recommend the best and most complete version of everything that is going on with this multifaceted project, so you don’t have to buy all 37 variations of it. (Admittedly, my math may be a little off. It’s hard for me to concentrate with those damn Marvel eyeballs staring at me!)

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