Comic Reviews

Looking for something new to read?

We have a new, related website - comicsintheclassroom.ca, designed to provide information for teachers and school librarians to stock their schools with graphic novels. But it can also be a tool for you! We have write-ups about a variety of books at various reading levels. Looking for something for yourself? Or your kids? We have the suggestions that will fit you! Check it out!

Recommended Reading:I Kill Giants

Many of you probably skimmed past this quirky looking miniseries when it was on the new releases shelf. Co-created by writer Joe Kelly and Spanish artist JM Ken Nimura the story follows a young fifth grader named Barbara who is so lost in her D&D world that she swears she is a giant killer. She tells her class, the principal of her school and anyone who will listen that the giants are coming and she will be the only defense against them. Early on in the story you will learn that Barbara's wild delusions are spinning from a troubled home life, but that trouble is hidden so well you will not know what it is until the panels reveal it.
This book is a slice of life story told through wild imagination and unique graphics. The story will move you and make you feel for Barbara and all her awkwardness, even if you have never played Dungeons and Dragons. Anyone looking for a little drama in their comics should give I Kill Giants a try. The series has been collected into a single volume which retails for 19.00.

Comic Foundry:

It's not often that I endorse a comic magazine, but this magazine requires one to change one's habits. I stopped reading Wizard some time ago because I was tired of them constantly paying lip-service to DC and Marvel without ever looking critically at their products or the industry. Then, while at NYCC a couple of weeks ago, I met the founder of Comic Foundry, a new magazine about comics, now on its second issue. This magazine covers the gamut of the comic world, including non-mainstream titles, comic book fashion, and articles on other pop culture spheres, such as music, gaming, and movies. There are also interviews with comic-related celebrities like Kristen Bell and Avril Lavigne, and articles such as the "All Star Batman and Robin Drinking Game". This is a witty, smart, well-written publication, and you will soon see it at The Dragon. Meanwhile, there will soon be copies of issues one and two in the store for you to peruse and see if you are interested in picking up some worthwhile industry reading. I cannot say enough good things about this publication, and I know you will agree.

Recommended Reading:Solanin

Written and illustrated by Inio Asano, a relative new comer to manga, Solanin is a touching and beautiful story about young adults finding their place in the world. Focussing on Meiko Inoue the story follows her as she decides to quit her Tokyo office job, that she has had since graduating college, and try to figure out what she really wants to do with her life. Along the path of Meikos adventure we are introduced to her small group of friends, Narou her freelance artist and live in boyfriend, Ai who works in a womens clothing store, Kato who is currently on his sixth year of college and Rip who runs his familys Pharmacy.
Much like Box Office Poison and Tricked by Alex Robinson and Blankets by Craig Thompson, Asanos storytelling style jumps across characters and time to lead the reader to the end of the story. We get to see a snippet of their early days in college when the group first met and formed a band, and what life is like later as each tries to make a living in busy Tokyo without sacrificing all of their dreams. Though the story spans only approximately a years time the characters are so real that you begin to feel for them and hope that everything will work out. I will admit that at one point the story brought tears to my eyes because I was so empathic for the characters. The subject matter of losing ones self to a job you hate combined with Asanos fantastic art style make this book a must read for anyone who enjoys the slice of life style of graphic novel.
Solanin is a single oversize manga volume from Viz Media Signature Series and retails for $21.00.

Recommended Reading: Walking Dead

Its hard to explain why zombies have suddenly become one of the most used scares in the horror industry, but perhaps its because of George A. Romero and his description of zombie stories as social commentary that is making them pop up all over todays mainstream media. You can find one of the best zombie stories in Robert Kirkmans on going Image series The Walking Dead. Already past the three trade mark this series is one of the most popular yet least noticed series by the comic reading public today and maybe that is because people see zombies and either get scarred, uncomfortable or automatically think the story will be cheesy. Walking Dead is as far from cheese as you can get these days.

Kirkman is the much loved writer of Invincible, the comedic yet highly plot driven superhero book that has brought Image back to the land of popular spandex. Many of the books he wrote for Marvel this past year did not do so well though, and it is hard to explain why. I think it is because he was always focussing on his two comic babies, Invincible and the Walking Dead.

This series follows a small group of people trying to survive in a world that suddenly became overrun with zombies. They do not know what started it, and for almost the first six issues no one even refers to them as 'zombies' because they don't want to believe they are actually seeing dead people walking around. Every character has lost someone, some of them everyone, in an attempt to get to a larger city centre as ordered by the government. This tactic did not work, the cities became overrun and totally ruled by zombies and those left alive must live like nomads moving around trying to stay alive, and sane.

The Walking Dead is fantastic. I was wary of it in the beginning, because honestly zombie movies scare me so why would I want to read about them? But I gave the first trade a try and read through it so fast my eyes hurt. This series is monumental in the realm of reality comics. That may seem odd to say, zombies being reality, but the story is not about the zombies, it is about the people surviving the zombies, and how their views on society and survival change. George A. Romero was right, there is no better social commentary then a group of people trying to survive against an enemy that is already dead.
 

Past Comic Reviews

Runaways

If you are not reading Runaways, you should most definitely start. This teenage friendly series was created by writer Brian K. Vaughn and newcomer artist Adrian Alphona. It follows a group of teenagers as they discover that their parents have been controlling Los Angeles for years as the super villain team The Pride. As each child comes to term with this they find that their lives were not what they seemed, and that they as a group can't allow their parents' reign to continue. This series takes teen angst to an all new level, in a great way. Rather than being a highschool romance this dramatic action series pairs super powered action with real life teen hormones. Self doubt, backstabbing, and short lived teenage romance, it's all here and it's all gripping and highly addictive. Recently the series has been taken over by Buffy creator Joss Whedon with art by Michael Ryan. Covers to the series have been by fan favourite Jo Chen from the start. Sitting at almost 30 issues in the second volume of the series, it is also collected in the highly affordable Marvel Digest format. There are seven volumes available which we restock regularly. This series is a good read for girls, teenagers, young adults, and adult fans of such titles as Invincible, Robin, and Strangers in Paradise. New comic readers who enjoy tv shows like the OC, Smallville or Buffy the Vampire Slayer should also give it a try.

Box Office Poison

Before Blankets ever saw print there was Alex Robinsons book Box Office Poison. This 2001 graphic novel follows the lives of a group of people living in in a big city experiencing life as it really can be, difficult. The book starts with Sherman, the most obvious main character, finding a new place to live after he broke up with his long time girlfriend. Other characters include Jane, an indie comic writer and artist, Shermans bestfriend Ed, an artist trying to get into the business and other totally believable characters that you will think you are watching a documentary rather then reading a graphic novel.

Peoples relationships are challenged, lives are ruined and some things turn out great in the end. This book is fantastic and I would suggest it to anyone looking for something different, and free of spandex.

Scott Prilgrim's Precious Little Life

This is the first book from Brian O'Malley, writer and artist of the Lost at Sea graphic novel. Scott Pilgrim is a 25 year old slacker, lives in Toronto, dates a high school girl and plays in a band, but there is something new catching Scotts eye. Ramona is an American in Canada, works as a courier and has really cool boots. Ok, so the boots are not so important to the story, but caught your interest, right?

Precious Little Life is a great read. It has combines true to life problems with fantastical situations and occurrences seamlessly. O'Malley has hit the nail on the head for the new punk/mod generation. If you like other books like Hopeless Savages or Blue Monday then you will defiantly like Scott Pilgrim.

Blankets gn

The story of a boy's first love with a twist, Blankets is a complex tale about a young man trying to find himself through various stages of life. We follow the main character through his relationship with his brother, family, God and eventually his first love. The story is both well written and well drawn, drawing the reader into the world of the young man. There is no touchy feely to this story, but pure and sometimes harsh honesty. It's a large read but defiantly worth it, for it combines a good combination of art and text to create a strong story. People who enjoyed Box Office Poison, Breakfast Afternoon, or Cut My Hair, will enjoy this book.

Promising Titles

Some of our best sellers right now are the newest series being published by Marvel. Their new Tsunami, or mangaesque line is very popular with titles like Sentinel, Namor and Wolverine Snikt selling out regularly. CG Entertainments Route 666 is a breath of fresh, spandex free air for anyone who likes the occult. In DC world, Loeb and Lees take on Batman is still selling out regularly, and the promising Superman Birthright starts next week.

If you are ever looking for something new to read please do not hesitate to ask our staff, we would be happy to help you find something that suites your taste!

Fray by Joss Whedon

After over a year of waiting Fray 7 is finally being offered in the February Previews, and to celebrate I am going to tell you a bit about this great series. In Whedons well known style he keeps the action moving quickly and the plot deepening with every issue. Fray is an eight issue mini series about a future vampire slayer named Melaka Fray. Melaka is a teenage thief working for whom ever will pay using her inborn physical prowess to her advantage, but she does not know how different she is. Everyone in the city where Melaka lives and works knows about Lurks, they just do not know what they really are, vampires. Melaka is thrown into the battle of her life when the usually quiet street hood Lurks begin to attack the public more often and violently. Who is behind these attacks, and why does Melaka not have all of the powers usually granted a slayer? She has the strength, the agility and the natural aptitude for fighting, but what about the visions, the inborn knowledge of demons and devils? What about the memories of the past slayers? Melaka has none of that, and must survive with what she has, and the help of a Demon trying to save the world from hellish destruction. The February Previews lists issue 7, as well as all six of the previous issues on page 25. The art, by Karl Molne and Andy Owens, is top notch, especially by Dark Horse standards. If you like Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Angel, or any of the sci fi films Joss Whedon has worked on then you will love Fray. I highly recommend it.

Daredevil

Since Joe Quesada took over as Marvel Editor in Chief, there have been some drastic changes made to the comics they produce. The most noticeable change is the improvement of writing quality, due in large part to the hiring of writers who normally work in the small press field. For example, just look at the Ultimate Marvel Special put out in the last year which features some of the hottest independent artists and writers in the field today. Daredevil made a huge splash even before Quesada took over, by hiring film writer Kevin Smith to pen a story arc. The story did very well. However, it was in the stories that followed this run, that Daredevil really began to shine as one of the best books at Marvel.

"Parts of a Hole" is written by David Mack (Kabuki) with art by Joe Quesada. It is a combination of what we know about superheroes, and the unique vision of David Mack, which results in a very well written story, steeped with emotion and heartbreak. Here we have two characters struggling to deal with their own double lives, one version of themselves being allies, the other version of themselves being enemies. It is, certainly, a story that has been done before, but I have never seen it done so well. There is something very mystical about the way Mack writes, that makes it well worth the read.

Following this story, Brian Michael Bendis took over writing chores, with Mack providing the art for the storyline "Wake Up". I am sure nothing needs to be said about the sheer talent of Bendis to take any situation and write it well. Just check out the diversity of his work on Powers, Jinx, Ultimate Spiderman, Fortune and Glory, and Alias, to see what I am talking about. With "Wake Up", Bendis crafts a story of the psychological horror of one child, and the helping hand of Daily Bugle writer Ben Urich. Daredevil basically takes a back seat in this story, a supporting character in his own title, and it works, it works really well. There is unbelievable empathy in this story, making it very hard to put down. Then Bendis switches gears entirely, for "Underboss", teaming up with artist Alex Maleev to create an entirely different atmosphere. Here, Bendis returns to his crime drama roots, dealing, in a very black manner, with organized crime. It is a smart and very dark story, starting with the death of Kingpin and ending with the unmasking of Daredevil. It is a whirlwind of fear and treachery, and it is very, very good. Bendis has continued to write the series very successfully. It is, in fact, impossible to keep on the shelves. Bendis constantly surprises and impresses his audience with good solid stories that intrigue the mind and the heart. Parts of a Hole, Wake Up, and Underboss are all available in trade paperback form, and are all available in the store.

Fortune and Glory

Its no wonder that this short graphic novel by Brian Michael Bendis is on Wizards top 100 list in the number 70 spot. This book follows the adventures of Mister Bendis as he attempts to make any of his graphic novels into movies. The art style is fun and works great with the comedic writing of Bendis. I recommend this book for anyone who wants to know what goes through the mind of a great and well known comic book scribe, or wants a good laugh.

Fathom vol.1 Trade Paperback

Many people dismiss this big seller from Top Cow as nothing but eye candy, and I will admit that it could be seen as that, but not in the way you would think. Michael Turners pencils are beautiful on the basis that he is able to render everything from sea life to high tech planes and gorgeous people, and I do mean gorgeous. Everyone in the world of Fathom is beautiful, its that simple, and it works with the story. The book takes the reader on a journey exploring the life of Aspen Matthews, a young marine biologist who does not know anything about her past before the age of ten. She is hired by the government to work at a secret deep-sea facility studying a craft that was found but cannot be explained, when a rouge torpedo destroys the facility her life changes in many ways. Turner's story and art style work well for Fathom. Everything flows as you move through the story, which is a different view on the popular water breathing sea people plot. This book should looked at by anyone who likes a good story with magi, military, science and personal growth and battles, as well as anyone who enjoys good art and funny forewords.

J. Michael Straczynski (June)

J. Michael Straczynski is probably best known for his ground breaking work on the series Babylon 5, which is his personal project, and for which he wrote the majority of the episodes. Having enjoyed such innovation in TV, he is now presenting that innovation again in comics. He isn't new to comics, and has in fact, written comics in the past. Now however, with the support of Image comics, he has made his own imprint Joe's Comics, which contains Rising Stars and Midnight Nation, both critically acclaimed. Rising Stars is a superhero book following the lives of a group of super powered people who were all conceived during the same supernatural event. Midnight Nation is a strange psychological journey, as one man dies and comes to grips with what happens next. Straczynski also used his imprint to publish Delicate Creatures, a hardcover fantasy book, illustrated by Michael Zulli. Straczynski is also writing Amazing Spiderman and has revitalized that series so that it has again become a top seller for Marvel. Straczynski has a unique way of setting up a story, always knowing the end of the story before he begins. He is also working on Jeremiah, a TV series for the US network Showtime, based on a European comic of the same name. Check out his work in the 2 available Rising Stars trades, the Amazing Spiderman trades, and the upcoming Midnight Nation trade.

David Lapham (May)

You may never heard of David Lapham, unless you have been paying attention to the indy scene. He is the co founder of the independent publisher El Capitan, and has been producing his own work, Stray Bullets, through that label since 1995. He is that rare breed of writer, illustrator, and producer rolled into one. His efforts have not gone unnoticed, having won an Eisner (the highest award in the comic industry) in 1996, and having been nominated 5 times since then. In 2001, he created a full length graphic novel called Murder Me Dead. Lapham shows himself at ease in both writing and illustrating. His plots are convoluted, his characters are vice laden, and he creates a tremendous amount of atmosphere. His work most easily falls into the crime-drama category. His illustration is full of depth, and he is very able to portray recognizably different people, that is, his women do not all look alike, in fact no character resembles another. He is comfortable with quiet scenes and action scenes, and his portrayal of emotion is excellent. We still have some copies of his offering for Free Comic Day, which is a flip book of Stray Bullets 2 and the Matrix comic he did for the website. Pick one up for a sample of his work. Lapham is for mature readers only. Available for order (although they may be in stock) are Murder Me Dead, and Stray Bullets Volumes 1-6, with the comic up to issue 24.

Greg Rucka (April)

Greg Rucka entered the comic industry as a crime novel author. He has swiftly gone from indy writer to being very sought after for all sorts of projects. His writing is perfectly suited to the crime drama genre, and so he has been an excellent choice to write Detective Comics since its relaunch after No Mans Land. He has made the Bruce Wayne Murderer story read like a very good episode of Law and Order. He is very very adept at writing strong female characters, witness his addition to the Bat-posse - Sasha the bodyguard. He has written Whiteout, followed by Whiteout Melt for Oni Press. Whiteout has recently been optioned for film. Both follow a female cop as she tries to solve big mysteries in the Antarctic, while trying not to freeze to death. Rucka is also currently writing Queen and Country (trade paperback 1 out this month) for Oni, Felon for Image, and Elektra for Marvel (starting with issue 11). He will shortly be moving from Detective Comics to Batman. He will also write Wonder Woman Hiketeia for DC, and Black Widow Pale Little Spider for Marvel. I very highly recommend Whiteout.

Tripwire (March)

This is in fact not a comic, it is a magazine, and is probably the best magazine on comics out there. Sure, Wizard gives great full colour coverage of the industry, but haven't you ever felt that the Wizard staff are maybe swayed by popular opinion, or by which company has the most money? Well Tripwire does not suffer from that. This is a British publication, which means that they have access to interviews with the industry's hottest talent... Grant Morrison, Alan Grant, Mark Millar, Neil Gaiman, and so on. They cover comics well and honestly. They talk about mainstream, and independent publishers. They discuss the animation scene, comics in movies, have monthly reviews of individual comics, and of graphic novels. They have great interviews! The latest issue has an extensive section on Frank Miller. Pick up a copy, you won't be disappointed.

September 11 Volume 2 (Feb. 6th, 02)

I am rather reluctant to compare Volumes 1 and 2 of 9-11. Like Volume 1, Volume 2 is a collaboration of artist and writers throughout the industry. Both books are simply stacked with talent. But the content of both is very different. As Volume 1 is a reaction, Volume 2 acts as an explanation, an attempt to make sense of the WTC disaster. As a result it is often too heavy handed and overly serious. But there are very bright moments that make this volume extremely important. For one, there is a new Astro City story by Busiek and Anderson. But also, shocking in the fact that it is not announced in any way, there is a new Endless story by Gaiman and Bachalo. And so, on the one hand, one has to deal with a horribly moralistic story by Stan Lee, and several mediocre stories by people you've never heard of. On the other hand, you have a cover by Alex Ross, pinups by Glenn Fabry, Richard Corben, Dave Gibbons, Dave McKean and others. You also have stories starring DC icons - Superman, Raven, and John Constantine. And I cannot refute the power of some of the stories in this collection, real gems by Paul Levitz, JM DeMatteis, Tim Sale, and Dan Jurgens. Buy it for the cause, buy it for the talent, but be prepared to take the bad with the good.

Here's a partial list of contributors (other than those already mentioned):
Dan Abnett, Neil Adams, Sergio Aragones, Brian Azzarello, Chris Bachalo, Kyle Baker, John Bolton, Ed Brubaker, Rick Burchett, Mark Chiarello, Amanda Conner, Darwyn Cooke, Colleen Doran, Kieron Dwyer, Mark Farmer, Keith Giffen, Tom Grummett, the Hildebrandts, Klaus Janson, Phil Jimenez, Geoff Johns, Dan Jurgens, Michael Wm. Kaluta, Joe Kelly, Barry Kitson, Joe Kubert, Andy Lanning, Michael Lark, Jim Lee, Steve Leialoha, David Lloyd, Jeph Loeb, Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez, Scott McDaniel, Michael Moorcock, Ariel Olivetti, Denny O'Neil, Carlos Pacheco, Jimmy Palmiotti, Paul Pope, Humberto Ramos, Darick Robertson, Steven T. Seagle, Bill Sienciewicz, Brian Stelfreeze, Jill Thompson, John Van Fleet, Rick Veitch, Marv Wolfman, Michael Zulli, and more.

September 11 Volume 1 (Jan.31st)

This is the first of two volumes put together by the comic industry in general (not just one or two companies) in aid of the World Trade Centre Relief funds. Perhaps you are tired of hearing about this stuff, perhaps you don't want too much reminder, perhaps you were let down by Heroes. Well, take my word for it, you will be pleasantly surprised by this. It is not heavy handed, it is not preachy, and it is not overly sorrowful. It is an interpretation by various artists of the things they felt as a result of September 11th. Many of the stories don't even discuss the events themselves, rather feelings and images. These stories are the product of inspiration, and as a result, are better than the average comic offering. If that isn't enough incentive, there's the low price tag of $16.95 for the most amazing collection of artists and writers in the industry. Who, you might ask? I'm glad you did...

Frank Miller, Jon J. Muth, Kevin Nowlan, Paul Chadwick, Dave Gibbons, C.Scott Morse, Leland Myrick, Jeph Loeb, J. Scott Campbell, Alcatena, Darko Macan, Trina Robbins, Terry Anderson, Jim Valentino, Chynna Clugston-Major, Joe Casey, Sean Phillips, Dylan Horrocks, P.Craig Russell, Steve Darnell, Jim Mahfood, Bryan Talbot, Will Eisner, Fabian Nicieza, Chris Eliopoulos, Dean Motter, John Ostrander, Roger Stern, Ron Boyd, J. Torres, Tony Millionaire, Stan Sakai, Alan Moore, Leinil Francis Yu, Dave McKean, Alex Maleev, Humberto Ramos, Mike Mignola, Brian Pulido, and more... no really.

Next week, I'll review Volume 2...

 
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