Blog From Beyond Part 2

Graphic novels are pretty cool, but it is my love for the single-issue comic that made me want to work at Star Clipper. While many pamphlets don’t play to the strengths of the format, I am hard pressed to find a reading experience more enjoyable that a well put together comic like Paul Pope’s “THB” or Ed Brubaker’s and Sean Phillips’s “Incognito.” If that said, here some soon-to-be released comics that will do the format proud.



“King City” by Brandon Graham

In my early days at Star Clipper, “King City” was a go to book for recommendations. Brandon Graham’s imaginative art combine with his punny wit that make him on of my favorite cartoonists. When Tokyopop decided not to print the second volume in the “King City” series, I found myself less excited about getting readers hooked into a graphic novel series that would never reach its end. Graham and Image Comics were able to convince the publisher to let King City live again as a 12-issue comic series beginning in August. The first six-issues reprint the series first volume, but Graham promises tons of all-new extras as well six issues of new material to wrap up the story.

“Criminal: The Sinners” by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips

The previous “Criminal” series done fine by Star Clipper, especially when it comes to trades, but the same creative team’s “Incognito” has been a hit. Now, “Criminal” and “Incognito” are packed with the same kind of thrills, great art, and well-executed plots yet readers have only really gotten behind the super-powered antics of “Incognito.” When the new “Criminal” arc starts, it would be cool if some of those readers made the jump to the crime series. They really don’t know what they are missing.

“Wednesday Comics” by a ton of great comic’s creators

With each progressive series, DC readers have become more and more tired of the weekly comic series. Hopefully when their newest one, http://www.dccomics.com/dcu/comics/?cm=12047 “Wednesday Comics,” hits in July they aren’t too over the concept to give the series a try. Over its twelve issue run, 16 creative teams will present 16 different features. Each one will focus on a different DC character in an accessible, out of continuity storyline. A quick look at the talent lined up to create these tales shows that it will be a top-quality series. Throw in the fact that each issue folds out the classic 14” x 20” tear sheet size, and it becomes an once-in-a-lifetime kind of project!

“Strange Tales” by even more great various comic’s creators

Like “Wednesday Comics,” Marvel’s “Strange Tales” features top creators telling out of continuity tales the company’s respective characters. While some of these top creators overlap, like Paul Pope, “Strange Tales” draws pretty exclusively form the realm of alt-comix to fill its pages. I’m expecting some pretty funny stuff like Johnny Ryan on Submariner or the long-awaited release of Peter Bagge’s “Incorrigible Hulk” story. With it’s impressive list of contributors, this three-issue miniseries looks like a book to watch when it kicks off in September.



Detective Comics by Greg Rucka, JH Williams III, and Cully Hamner

I was really tempted to make the last comic to mention the upcoming “Simpsons Treehouse of Horror” edited by Sammy Harkham, but I’ve been waiting a long time for the much rumored Batwoman project that teams writer Greg Rucka with artist JH Williams III. Williams has to be one of my favorite artists currently drawing for the big two. To make things even better, Rucka is teaming with artist Cully Hamner on a Question backup feature that is sure to bring even more thrills and suspense. Add to this how much I’ve been wanting to read some superhero comics with a good mystery lately and it becomes no surprise that this comic will jump off the shelf and into my hands.

I guess that’s it for my last blog before I roll on out for the Windy City. Now, I know all these recommendations are no substitute for me being around the store to point out all the books I think are cool but hopefully one or two of them will make it home with you out there. I am going to miss all the G’nort jokes and conversations about D-List villains that truly make writing for this blog out of sight. I’ll miss even more being around the shop on a Wednesday when all you regulars come by for your lastest fix. The staff at Star Clipper is one in a million and the customers are the best I’ve ever dealt with. You will all be missed. If you are ever in Chicago, look me up and maybe I’ll have a new comic or two to point you towards.

-Nick

Blog From Beyond Part 1

And since I spaced and forgot to post a blog yesterday - everyone gets 2 posts today! Wowza! New Comics & 2 Blog Posts!?! Star Clipper is AMAZING.

As revealed in the blog post of Jon’s drawing of me as the Human Torch, my days at Star Clipper are dwindling. In the next week, I’m moving on to the Windy City. One of my favorite things about working here at Star Clipper has been connecting people if a comic or graphic novel that they end up really liking. Since I won’t be around to do that for Star Clipper’s customers and blog readers much longer, I thought I’d take the chance to leave some last recommendations. This blog I’ll cover 5-ish graphic novels to keep your eyes peeled for while in the next one, it’s all about the floppies.

“The Marquis: The Inferno” by Guy Davis

“The Marquis” is the solo effort of one of my favorite artists Guy Davis (“B.P.RD”). This period comic follows the 18th century monster hunter, the Marquis, as he fanatically hunts down some of the most twisted creatures ever to have eyes gaze upon them. Davis shows off his ability to create some of the eeriest moments in comics in this black and white volume, collecting both previously released “The Marquis: Danse Macabre” and “The Marquis: Intermezzo.” If I’m mentioning “The Marquis,” I have to give an honorable mention to the zombie black comedy, “Zombies That Ate the World,” that Davis drew for the European publisher Humanoids. The first volume of that series is scheduled to be released in July, while “The Marquis: The Inferno” is suppose to hits stores in September.



“3 Story: The Secret History of the Giant Man” by Matt Kindt

Matt Kindt isn’t just one of the nicest guys in St. Louis, he also has created some pretty awesome comics with “Super Spy” and “2 Sisters.” In September, Dark Horse will release his latest graphic novel, “3 Story.” The preview art that have I seen online for this tragic tale of the world’s largest man looks great. He has yet to disappoint, so I have a good feeling this one will deliver.

“Popeye Vol 4: Plunder Island” by E C. Segar

The first volume of Fantagraphics’ “Popeye” effort delivered E. C. Segar’s classic newspaper strip in all its glory. As much as I loved this 2006 release, I have to say that I found the subsequent volumes lost in the tidal wave of timeless strips hitting Star Clipper the last few years. Fans of “Popeye,” however, hold the “Plunder Island” storyline as one of the series crowning achievements. I’ve anxious to see if it lives up to its reputation ever since I heard about it. When it comes ashore to comic shops in July, we’ll get a chance to see!

Yotsuba &! Vol. 6 by Kiyohiko Azuma

This all-ages series has to be one of my favorite mangas. The slice-of-life adventures of the kindergarten-aged Yotsuba possess an endearing charm that makes it one of the most accessible manga series being translated into English right now. When ADV quit publishing the series, I was pretty disappointed. Luckily, Yen Press is picking up the title and in September they’ll be debuting their editions of the series along with the all new volume 6!



“Myth of 8-Opus: The Labyrinth” by Tom Scioli

Before he was drawing the cosmic epic “Godland,” Tom Scioli cut his teeth the Jack Kirby inspired “Myth of 8-Opus.” It has been five years since a new 8-Opus hit the shelves and in that time, Scioli has really grown as a creator. No longer so strictly bound by his Kirby roots, he creates some truly far out stories in that classic tradition but with his own distinct twist.

That’s all for now. I’ll return for my final blog to talk about some old fashion comics.

Nick

Don't Believe The Hype

I figured I'd post Jon and Jim's scathing commentary on the Cap-fiasco as back to back posts. It not like we can sell this dog anyways...

p.s. Jon and Jim: try not to write about the same stuff...hint, hint...

Spoiler Alert - There was suppose to be a pretty big hoopla about the recent 600th issue of Captain America. Marvel Comics only informed retailers that something big was going to happen in the issue and they allowed Cap to go on sale on Monday June 15, two days before normal comics are suppose to be released. Well, the date has come and passed. Though it will likely be the biggest selling comic for Star Clipper this week, Captain America 600 didn't really live up to the hype. This is not to say it wasn't a good issue of Captain America, just it wasn't anything to rush out two days early to buy, especially if you weren't already a reader.

Since Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting began working on Captain America in 2004 and it has since been one of Marvels most popular and critically acclaimed books. The series has kept readers hooked even with the questionable resurrection of Bucky Barnes as the Winter Solider, the death of Steve Rogers, and Bucky's subsequent role as the new Captain America. However, the much lauded issue 600's major revelation was that Steve Rogers will be returning as Captain America. Though resurrections happens all the time in comics, how much death and rebirth is to much?

Steve Rogers' death was particularly significant in the world of comics because it was the first modern comic death since Flash Barry Allen (also recently reborn) that felt like the character was going to stay dead. Outside of dedicated comic readers, Captain America was best known as a symbol for the patriotic hero. This is significant because over being the comic book story of Steve Rogers, the only surviving person of the super solider experiments from WWII, people knew Cap is a emblem of America. That's why it felt like Rogers' death counted. You could kill Steve Rogers but Captain America would live on in the American mythos.

Now, Captain America is merely a comic book hero once again. His shocking, non-comic bookie assassination outside a New York City courthouse after the Marvel Civil War no longer feels like it matters. Steve Rogers' resurrection only reinforces that he is merely a spectacular fictional character. Unfortunately, the phrase "Steve Rogers will never die" is a lot less poignant and meaningful than "Captain America will never die."

-Jon

Cap Not Quite Back Yet

Two weeks ago today Captain America #600 dropped. The sad thing is that it dropped with a thud. Yours truly was on duty that Monday and I have to say that the results were somewhat disappointing. Marvel had assured retailers that this was going to be HUGE, and that stores should order tons of copies, and media hype would bring people in for the early release of this special issue. The problem was that there wasn't really much media attention outside of the comic nerd world, and that Monday went by just like any other Monday. On Wednesday however, the issue started to move and I anticipate that it will eventually sell out.

Don't get me wrong, Cap #600 is a seminal issue that put the word out that Steve Rogers would come back to life and resume the mantle of the American spirit, but he didn't actually return and the issue became like a sitcom episode where characters get stuck in a freezer and reflect back on past episodes. It's a good issue, but I'm not so sure that it warranted the hype Marvel circulated about it to your neighborhood funny book retailers. It's obvious that it was something of a prelude to the Rebirth story that will bring Rogers back, which leaves me wondering where this leaves Bucky Barnes who I would have liked to see as Cap for an extended period of time. But hey, why nit-pick about such things which fan-boys are notorious for doing over fictional characters? Just enjoy the ride, I say.

What I would like to see for the return of Steve Rogers would be similar to how Marvel brought Cap back in the pages of Avengers #4 in the early 60's, frozen in a block of ice being worshiped by Eskimo's as Namor comes along and throws a temper tantrum resulting in Steve thawing out. Now that's how you bring a character back from the dead!

-Jim

Review: 20th Century Boys Volume 2

With Nick heading up to Chicago as I type this, it brings a tear to my eye as I post one of his last reviews...sniff.



When Viz first announced that they were bringing Naoki Urasawa’s mangas “20th Century Boys” and “Pluto” to the States, I truly thought that “20th Century Boys” was going to be the series for me. How could a sci-fi thriller starring a failed rock star with a baby strapped to his back not be better than a re-envisioning of an old “Astro Boy” storyline? After reading the first volume of each series, I surprisingly found myself favoring “Pluto’s” mystery/suspense take on classic “Astro Boy” story “The Greatest Robot in the World.” In the months that have past since the release of those initial volumes, two more books of “Pluto” have come through Star Clipper’s doors. The wait for “20th Century Boys” Volume 2 has been much longer, with it only arriving on our shelves in the last week. After devouring this second volume’s pages, it unexpectedly climbed past “Pluto” to be my favorite manga I am currently following.

“20th Century Boys” story makes some pretty big strides in its second installment. While the first volume shows early in its pages a mysterious band of heroes being celebrated at the United Nations for saving humanity, it spends the remainder of its pages on establishing Kenji’s decades old childhood friendships, a mysterious cult inexplicably tied to those friendships, and the death of one of those friends. Building off the premise established in the initial book, volume two expands on lead character Kenji into fascinating directions all while unveiling the truly grand scope of its mysteries as hinted in volume one.

Kenji had been established as a sympathetic lead in the series’ first volume. His struggles to raise his missing sister’s baby and run his family’s convenience store business made Kenji come off as equally noble and defeated. The fact that this new life is built out of the ashes of his failed childhood dreams of rock stardom doesn’t help matters. In volume two, Kenji’s interactions with childhood friend and reformed tomboy Yukiji serve to remind readers of Kenji’s change from the brave boy shown in the flashbacks to the frustrated man he is now. The questions about where Kenji is going raised by the reconnection of this old friend, along with the fleshing out of Kenji’s relationship to his absent sister, establish a pretty compelling arc for the lead. To make things even more interesting, the volume’s last pages place Kenji at the heart of the series’ mysteries.

These mysteries are expanded upon greatly in this second installment. The scope of the machinations of the cult-like organization run by the mysterious “Friend” are revealed, along with hints as to groups size and how they will execute the sinister plot. As the investigation into “Friend” and his ties to the death of Kenji’s friend Donkey move forward, Urasawa and writing accomplice Takashi Nagasaki pack enough twists and turns to keep it interesting.

While series looks to promise an epic science fiction tale, I am astonished at how well it contains these elements. Instead of overloading the readers with a ton of fantastic ideas, the creative team have decided to build the narrative around highly relatable characters all while slowly unveiling just how sci-fi the stories is going to grow. As a result, they have hit on an engaging mystery that is outstandingly well paced. I can’t wait to see what unfolds in volume three!

-Nick

Casting Call Gets The Green Light

My favorite part about reading Wizard Magazine when I was a kid was the casting predictions for comic book movies. If I remember correctly, Wizard predicted Patrick Stewart would play Professor Charles Xavier about 10 years before it actually happened. With the Green Lantern movie on the horizon but still not cast, I wanted to get my two cents in before it was to late. Here goes:



Chris Pine as Green Lantern Hal Jordan

I know this has already been rumored, but I simply could not think of anyone better for an origin story. His portrayal of Captain Kirk in the recent Star Trek relaunch is basically the same role as Hal Jordan. They could essentially make the same exact movie, with Pine aimlessly jumping into battle and getting beat up, and I would be completely satisfied.



Bright Eyes' Conor Oberst as Green Lantern Kyle Rayner

He looks the part. Kyle Rayner is a sensitive artist just like Oberst. Plus, you would have the ever-important "rock star making his Sci-Fi acting debut element" to draw the non-comic nerd audience. My second more realistic choice would be Milo Ventimiglia from Heroes.



Anne Hathaway as Star Sapphire Carol Ferris

Carol Ferris has to be cast as a woman who is attractive but all business. There is no other actress that comes to mind faster than Anne Hathaway that fits those qualification. Plus, Chris Pine and Anne Hathaway have already acted together in Princess Diaries 2 - The Royal Engagement (I swear I didn't know that until I researched it on imdb).



Mickey Rourke as trainer Lantern Kilowog

That's right poozers, cast a better Kilowog with out doing it entirely CGI.



Finally, John Waters as Sinestro

John Waters was born to play Sinestro. Could you image his gaudy Yellow Lantern and Ring. Image John Waters saying, "In blackest day, in brightest night, Beware your fears made into light Let those who try to stop what's right, Burn like my power*... Sinestro's might!" Please, Please let it happen.

I haven't come up with anyone better then the already rumored Common to play Green Lantern John Stewart, or anyone at all for Jock Green Lantern Guy Gardner. If any one comes to mind feel free to post.

-Jon

Buffy Slays Me

I became a Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan well after the series was over. I discovered it through my fiancee, who would watch episodes on HULU while she worked on her knitting projects. There was a finite number of episodes posted, so I broke down and found the box set for the complete series cheap on Ebay after getting hooked. I was aware of the comic series, but couldn't start on it until I had finished watching the TV series, so my fiancee and I powered through all seven seasons in about 2 months, then I dove into the season eight comic series.



I've enjoyed how what was established in the TV series has been given a comic book treatment without losing the vibe it had when Buffy was a small screen series. Through the comic series, the Buffy-verse has expanded allowing for one-shot issues like BTVS: Tales of the Vampires. It's a great Buffy comic that doesn't have Buffy and the Scooby gang in it. The story deals with a bored, video game arcade dwelling high schooler in a small town who gets off on being bitten by vampires, but soon finds himself changing once he himself becomes a blood sucker.

The great thing about this story is that it follows the recent story in the series where Harmony makes Vampires mainstream through using the media, so the public at large is aware of the vampires walking amongst them at night, but now it's not that big a deal, despite the fact that most vamps are still very dangerous.

-Jim

The Short Halloween

Spider-Man and Saturday Night Live, two great flavors that taste great together. This is what we get when Bill Hader and Seth Meyers from SNL get together to write a Spidey one-shot titled; Short Halloween
which is a pretty smart spoof of Batman: the Long Halloween. Mistaken identity is abound as Spidey is confused for a drunk guy wearing a Spider-Man costume who gets into a scrape in a bar with a couple of guys dressed as Doc Ock and the Green Goblin. The real Spidey is knocked out in battle, and Spidey dude passes out in the same garbage filled alley where Spider-dude's friends drag the real Spider-Man home while the guys dressed as Doc Ock and the Goblin are trying to track him down.


Meanwhile, the Spider-dude finds himself captured by a new super villain group consisting of some real C-list villains like Fumes, a misguided former vacuum repairman who manages to be the one to knock out Spidey, Gossip Girl, who is just a girl with mouths on her hands and shoulders, Haymaker, who is a big burly bearded man who's outfit is stuffed with hay, Mr. Think, the mastermind, and a loose cannon Sabretooth wannabe named Badger Teeth. The group call themselves the Furious Five, and anyone who hears this name has to crack, "like Kung-Fu Panda?" Although I think Grandmaster Flash.

So Ronnie the Spider-dude has to deal with bickering super-villains while the real Spider-Man has to deal with a bickering girlfriend and dude friends as well as angry party goers dressed as two of his arch-nemesis'. Comedic confusion ensues as both unlikely situations come to a head, and Fumes has to decide at that moment whether he really wants to be a super-villain.

This was just a one-shot issue, but I think I would enjoy a future Heder/ Meyers project.

-Jim