Let’s take a quick look to see what’s arrived at the Geek Compound.

Chew Volume 4: Flambe
Written by John Layman
Art by Rob Guillory

Promo copy:

These are strange times for Tony Chu, the cibopathic federal agent with the ability to get psychic impressions from the things he eats. Strange writing in extraterrestrial script has appeared in the skies of Planet Earth – and stayed there! People don”t know if the end days are upon them or not, but they don”t seem terribly concerned about the laws of the FDA, and what was once the most powerful law enforcement agency is rapidly descending into irrelevancy. So where does that leave the FDA best agent, Tony Chu?

I’ve been a fan of this extraordinary series almost from the beginning. The Chew Omnivore Edition, Volume 1 even ranked among my top ten graphic novels of 2010.

On the Ground: An Illustrated Anecdotal History of the Sixties Underground Press in the U.S.
Edited by Sean Stewart
Cover by Simon Benjamin

Promo copy:

Forthright anecdotes and interviews fill this eye-opening account of the birth of the underground newspaper movement. Stemming from frustration with the lack of any mainstream media criticism of the Vietnam War, the creation of the papers was emboldened by the victories of the Civil Rights–era, anticolonial movements in the Third World and the use of LSD. In the four short years from 1965–1969, the subversive press grew from five small newspapers in five cities in the United States to more than 500 newspapers—with millions of readers—all over the world. Stories by the people involved with the production and distribution of the papers, such as Bill Ayers, Paul Buhle, Paul Krassner, and Trina Robbins, bring the history of the movement to life. Full-color scans taken from a broad range of publications, from the Berkeley Barb and the Los Angeles Free Press to Chicago Seed and Screw: The Sex Review, are also included, showing the incredible energy that fueled the counterculture of the 1960s.

Tanner Hall

Promo copy:

As Fernanda (Rooney Mara) enters her senior year at Tanner Hall–a sheltered boarding school in New England–she’s faced with unexpected changes in her group of friends when a childhood acquaintance, the charismatic yet manipulative trouble-maker Victoria (Georgia King), appears. Shy and studious, Fernanda is usually the voice of reason among her friends–adventurous and sexy Kate (Brie Larson) and tomboy Lucasta (Amy Ferguson)–but when she begins a complicated friendship with Gio (Tom Everett Scott), an older family friend, she decides it’s finally time to take some risks. Jealous of Fernanda’s exciting relationship, Victoria begins to sabotage Fernanda’s plans and plots to publicly humiliate her. Meanwhile, Lucasta struggles with her newfound feelings towards another classmate, and mischievous Kate is too preoccupied with making her teachers nervous to pay much attention to her actual classes. However, as each of the girls flirt with adulthood, they realize they still need each other to help get through their first grown-up decisions–and the consequences they bring.

Directed by Tatiana von Furstenberg and Francesca Gregorini, Tanner Hall also stars Amy Sedaris and Chris Kattan. Featuring designs by Diane von Furstenberg Studios. Produced by Julia R. Snyder, Tatiana von Furstenberg and Francesca Gregorini. Executive producer by Richard L. Bready.

Robin Hood: People’s Outlaw and Forest Hero
by Paul Buhle

Promo copy:

Using a unique blend of text, collage, and comic art, this social commentary written in graphic novel format analyzes the continuity between the myth of Robin Hood and the occurrence of social uprisings among peasants. In addition, the book explores the mysteries, factual evidence, and trajectory that led to centuries of village festivals, songs, films, and cult television shows about the mythical hero who robbed from the rich and gave to the poor. Featuring a collage of various artistic renderings of Robin Hood over the past seven centuries, the comic portion presents a distinct perspective of the folk hero. Furthermore, the book reveals a largely unknown and unconsidered environmental side of Robin Hood, and touches on ecological wholeness that, for the most part, is absent in the mythos.

Back Issue No. 53
Edited by Michael Eury
Cover by Walter Simonson

Promo copy:

BACK ISSUE #53 (84 pages with FULL-COLOR, $8.95) takes an in-depth look at WALTER SIMONSON’s Thor in this “Gods” issue! And there’s more Thor: the Thunder God in the Bronze Age and a TOM DeFALCO/RON FRENZ “Pro2Pro” interview. Plus: Hercules: Prince of Power, Moondragon, Three Ways to End the New Gods Saga, and an exclusive interview with fantasy writer MICHAEL MOORCOCK. Featuring art and/or commentary by GERRY CONWAY, JACK KIRBY, BOB LAYTON, and more, with a hammer-swinging Thor cover by Simonson. Now in FULL COLOR!

The excellent Moorcock interview by RevSF’s own Alan J. Porter focuses on the SF master’s comic book career.

Stuff received 12/18/11 was originally published on The Geek Curmudgeon

Let’s take a quick look to see what’s arrived at the Geek Compound.

Chew Volume 4: Flambe
Written by John Layman
Art by Rob Guillory

Promo copy:

These are strange times for Tony Chu, the cibopathic federal agent with the ability to get psychic impressions from the things he eats. Strange writing in extraterrestrial script has appeared in the skies of Planet Earth – and stayed there! People don”t know if the end days are upon them or not, but they don”t seem terribly concerned about the laws of the FDA, and what was once the most powerful law enforcement agency is rapidly descending into irrelevancy. So where does that leave the FDA best agent, Tony Chu?

I’ve been a fan of this extraordinary series almost from the beginning. The Chew Omnivore Edition, Volume 1 even ranked among my top ten graphic novels of 2010.

On the Ground: An Illustrated Anecdotal History of the Sixties Underground Press in the U.S.
Edited by Sean Stewart
Cover by Simon Benjamin

Promo copy:

Forthright anecdotes and interviews fill this eye-opening account of the birth of the underground newspaper movement. Stemming from frustration with the lack of any mainstream media criticism of the Vietnam War, the creation of the papers was emboldened by the victories of the Civil Rights–era, anticolonial movements in the Third World and the use of LSD. In the four short years from 1965–1969, the subversive press grew from five small newspapers in five cities in the United States to more than 500 newspapers—with millions of readers—all over the world. Stories by the people involved with the production and distribution of the papers, such as Bill Ayers, Paul Buhle, Paul Krassner, and Trina Robbins, bring the history of the movement to life. Full-color scans taken from a broad range of publications, from the Berkeley Barb and the Los Angeles Free Press to Chicago Seed and Screw: The Sex Review, are also included, showing the incredible energy that fueled the counterculture of the 1960s.

Tanner Hall

Promo copy:

As Fernanda (Rooney Mara) enters her senior year at Tanner Hall–a sheltered boarding school in New England–she’s faced with unexpected changes in her group of friends when a childhood acquaintance, the charismatic yet manipulative trouble-maker Victoria (Georgia King), appears. Shy and studious, Fernanda is usually the voice of reason among her friends–adventurous and sexy Kate (Brie Larson) and tomboy Lucasta (Amy Ferguson)–but when she begins a complicated friendship with Gio (Tom Everett Scott), an older family friend, she decides it’s finally time to take some risks. Jealous of Fernanda’s exciting relationship, Victoria begins to sabotage Fernanda’s plans and plots to publicly humiliate her. Meanwhile, Lucasta struggles with her newfound feelings towards another classmate, and mischievous Kate is too preoccupied with making her teachers nervous to pay much attention to her actual classes. However, as each of the girls flirt with adulthood, they realize they still need each other to help get through their first grown-up decisions–and the consequences they bring.

Directed by Tatiana von Furstenberg and Francesca Gregorini, Tanner Hall also stars Amy Sedaris and Chris Kattan. Featuring designs by Diane von Furstenberg Studios. Produced by Julia R. Snyder, Tatiana von Furstenberg and Francesca Gregorini. Executive producer by Richard L. Bready.

Robin Hood: People’s Outlaw and Forest Hero
by Paul Buhle

Promo copy:

Using a unique blend of text, collage, and comic art, this social commentary written in graphic novel format analyzes the continuity between the myth of Robin Hood and the occurrence of social uprisings among peasants. In addition, the book explores the mysteries, factual evidence, and trajectory that led to centuries of village festivals, songs, films, and cult television shows about the mythical hero who robbed from the rich and gave to the poor. Featuring a collage of various artistic renderings of Robin Hood over the past seven centuries, the comic portion presents a distinct perspective of the folk hero. Furthermore, the book reveals a largely unknown and unconsidered environmental side of Robin Hood, and touches on ecological wholeness that, for the most part, is absent in the mythos.

Back Issue No. 53
Edited by Michael Eury
Cover by Walter Simonson

Promo copy:

BACK ISSUE #53 (84 pages with FULL-COLOR, $8.95) takes an in-depth look at WALTER SIMONSON’s Thor in this “Gods” issue! And there’s more Thor: the Thunder God in the Bronze Age and a TOM DeFALCO/RON FRENZ “Pro2Pro” interview. Plus: Hercules: Prince of Power, Moondragon, Three Ways to End the New Gods Saga, and an exclusive interview with fantasy writer MICHAEL MOORCOCK. Featuring art and/or commentary by GERRY CONWAY, JACK KIRBY, BOB LAYTON, and more, with a hammer-swinging Thor cover by Simonson. Now in FULL COLOR!

The excellent Moorcock interview by RevSF’s own Alan J. Porter focuses on the SF master’s comic book career.

For the latest Nexus Graphica, Mark London Williams and I revealed our top 5 selections for the best graphic novels of the year.

Swing over to SF Site to read the reasons behind our selections.

The Other Half of the Best was originally published on The Geek Curmudgeon

For the latest Nexus Graphica, Mark London Williams and I revealed our top 5 selections for the best graphic novels of the year.

Swing over to SF Site to read the reasons behind our selections.

Due to the Thanksgiving holiday and a particularly hectic schedule at the Geek Compound (more on that in future posts), I’m just getting around to telling y’all about my recent 20 second brush with fame.

Unbeknownst to most of you, I like to shop for groceries. At first blush, that would seem pretty weird unless you factor in that I like to eat (a lot!) and that my first job was sacking groceries for Randall’s in Houston. For over four years, I worked at the Dairy Ashford & Memorial location. Because of all this (and that Brandy hates to grocery shop), I handle all the food shopping for the Geek Compound.

In mid-October during my weekly sojourn, I was approached by a familiar-looking woman. I searched my mind for who the hell she was. This isn’t that uncommon for me. After living in Austin for 24 years, I’ve met a lot of people. Problem is that even though I have a great memory for faces, names often elude me. (So if you run into me and I look dumbfounded, it’s because I’m trying to recall your name)

Turns out the well-dressed woman was the local NBC affiliate KXAN evening anchor Leslie Rhode. She stopped me because I was the only guy she could find in the grocery store who was using re-usable bags. They were doing a story on the cleanliness (or not) of the bags. She asked if she could take two of my bags to test for bacteria levels. They’d give me two brand new bags right then and return my bags after the piece ran.

Leslie Rhode

Seemed like a dumb idea for a news report but what the hell. We exchanged the bags and I continued my shopping.

Soon after, Leslie and a cameraman advanced on me. “I’ve been looking for you. We’d like to interview you on camera.” While the cameraman prepped, Leslie told me how impressed she was that I did all the grocery shopping. Apparently her husband can’t be trusted to do it right. They interviewed me for a few minutes.

The piece finally ran on November 21. I appear on camera for all of about 20 seconds, saying something snarky. A transcript and video are available on the KXAN site.

Our bags to be tested are on the far right.

Bags, Bacteria, TV, and Me was originally published on The Geek Curmudgeon

Due to the Thanksgiving holiday and a particularly hectic schedule at the Geek Compound (more on that in future posts), I’m just getting around to telling y’all about my recent 20 second brush with fame.

Unbeknownst to most of you, I like to shop for groceries. At first blush, that would seem pretty weird unless you factor in that I like to eat (a lot!) and that my first job was sacking groceries for Randall’s in Houston. For over four years, I worked at the Dairy Ashford & Memorial location. Because of all this (and that Brandy hates to grocery shop), I handle all the food shopping for the Geek Compound.

In mid-October during my weekly sojourn, I was approached by a familiar-looking woman. I searched my mind for who the hell she was. This isn’t that uncommon for me. After living in Austin for 24 years, I’ve met a lot of people. Problem is that even though I have a great memory for faces, names often elude me. (So if you run into me and I look dumbfounded, it’s because I’m trying to recall your name)

Turns out the well-dressed woman was the local NBC affiliate KXAN evening anchor Leslie Rhode. She stopped me because I was the only guy she could find in the grocery store who was using re-usable bags. They were doing a story on the cleanliness (or not) of the bags. She asked if she could take two of my bags to test for bacteria levels. They’d give me two brand new bags right then and return my bags after the piece ran.

Leslie Rhode

Seemed like a dumb idea for a news report but what the hell. We exchanged the bags and I continued my shopping.

Soon after, Leslie and a cameraman advanced on me. "I’ve been looking for you. We’d like to interview you on camera." While the cameraman prepped, Leslie told me how impressed she was that I did all the grocery shopping. Apparently her husband can’t be trusted to do it right. They interviewed me for a few minutes.

The piece finally ran on November 21. I appear on camera for all of about 20 seconds, saying something snarky. A transcript and video are available on the KXAN site.

Our bags to be tested are on the far right.

For the latest Nexus Graphica, Mark London Williams and I revealed our bottom half (10-6) selections of the best graphic novels of the year.

Swing over to SF Site to read the reasons behind our selections.

Half of the Best was originally published on The Geek Curmudgeon

For the latest Nexus Graphica, Mark London Williams and I revealed our bottom half (10-6) selections of the best graphic novels of the year.

Swing over to SF Site to read the reasons behind our selections.