My new love is Milo Manara. His Library Editions available through Dark Horse Comics have been repeatedly on and off of my radar for a little while now. I recently broke down and got myself the first volume only. It’s listed as “Erotica” and most comic book/graphic novel erotica is not. In my opinion, most of it is trash. Milo impressed the hell out of me and you can read my review of that first volume on my own website. What I wanted to comment about here though, is that in discussing this with a friend, I said the quality of work was reminiscent of Juanjo Guardino’s Blacksad, and that’s high praise indeed. I think overall, Blacksad is a wonderfully magical experience. Now I’ve come to appreciate two separate masters of their fields and neither is American. Neither does superhero stories, at least in what I’ve read. Growing up being a fan of Kirby or Lee or McFarlane or Claremont, wrapped in Superman, Spider-man or any other contemporary heroes.. Sure there have been some high moments; Swamp Thing, Animal Man, Cerebus, and Elfquest to name a few, yet it’s not the same. We all acknowledge that comics aren’t just for kids, that they offer a lot. I’m starting to feel like there’s a whole world of quality books out there that are so far off of our collective radars that we’re missing the beauty of what is arguably the greatest medium. Not just good comics but exceptional comics. Not just comics, but experiences. Don’t ever be afraid to explore. You may surprise yourself with what you find.
This week I’m looking for something a little out of the ordinary, and from Dark Horse Comics I’m looking for Mister X: Eviction #1 (of 3), $3.99, by Dean R. Motter. Dean and his groundbreaking creation are back in a new series perfect for first-time readers and longtime fans! Radiant City's government has been overtaken in a coup, and only the mysterious Mister X can stop its new masters from using authoritarian “psychetecture” to remake the minds of every citizen…
I didn’t order Girl with the Dragon Tattoo HC vol two, $19.99, from DC Comics, even though the first volume was thoroughly enjoyable. Vertigo’s concluding volume is written by Denise Mina with art by Leonardo Manco and Andrea Mutti and a cover by Lee Bermajo. This is the adaptation of the popular novel by Stieg Larsson…
Mad Magazine #521, $5.99. Yes, it’s still being published and who can resist the madcap antics of Spy vs. Spy…
IDW’s got the Jack Davis EC Stories Artist Edition, price varies, and while I never appreciated or read EC, I do so love the Artist Edition books…
From 01 First Second/St. Martin’s Press is Color Earth graphic novel vol 2 Color of Water by Kim Dong Hwa. In the tradition of My Antonia and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, from the pen of the renowned Korean manhwa creator Kim Dong Hwa, comes the second volume of a trilogy about a girl coming of age, about first love and second chances. Ehwa thinks she's finally found true love - but her heart is tested in more ways than one. Set in the vibrant, beautiful landscape of pastoral Korea, this affecting story will bring out the romantic in every reader…
The Grey Museum GN, $20.00, from Conundrum Press, written and illustrated by Lorenz Peter looks interesting. The Grey Museum is a galactic romp set in the future following a small group of survivors as they deal with mystic beings, interstellar parasites, and themselves. The fate of all Earthly life is up to eight hairy hunters preserved in jelly. They just don't know it yet…
From Humanoids Inc., Alejandro Jodorowsky and Moebius, What Lies Beneath Hardcover (for Mature Readers), $79.95, comes the third volume of The Incal, the bestselling international comic masterpiece by Mœbius and Jodorowsky. What Lies Beneath is a unique gem in the creative timeline that can be enjoyed either as part of the series or on its own. The stakes are raised and the intergalactic chase continues for John Difool and his entourage. Published in its original colors and in the same deluxe, limited and numbered (999 copies only), super-oversized format as The Black Incal and The Luminous Incal…
SelfMadeHero (Abrams) is sold out of Chinese Life GN, $27.50 for the softcover, written by Philippe Otie and illustrated by Li Kunwu. A Chinese Life is an astonishing graphic novel set against the backdrop of the creation of the People's Republic of China in 1949. This work chronicles the rise and reign of Chairman Mao Zedong and his sweeping, often cataclysmic, vision for the most populated country on the planet. Li Kunwu spent more than 30 years as a state artist for the Communist Party and working with Ôtié the artist has created a memoir of self and state, a rich, very human account of a major historical moment with contemporary consequences…
.. And plenty more that are not listed. For a more complete list, feel free to visit your local comic store or favorite site. If you’re interested in more of what I think, follow me on Twitter at Mycomicstore001 or like my Facebook page.
Michael R. Murray is a full time Letter Carrier for the United States Postal Service who’s just discovered that he didn’t change this little thought bubble last week. It’s a little embarrassing that he represented as ‘Cranky Daddy’ for two (three) weeks in a row.