Books received 4/10/13

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

How to Fake a Moon Landing: Exposing the Myths of Science Denial

by Darryl Cunningham

Promo copy:

Is hydro-fracking safe? Is climate change real? Did the moon landing actually happen? How about evolution: fact or fiction? Author-illustrator Darryl Cunningham looks at these and other hot-button science topics and presents a fact-based, visual assessment of current thinking and research on eight different issues everybody’s arguing about. His lively storytelling approach incorporates comics, photographs, and diagrams to create substantive but easily accessible reportage. Cunningham’s distinctive illustrative style shows how information is manipulated by all sides; his easy-to-follow narratives allow readers to draw their own fact-based conclusions. A graphic milestone of investigative journalism!

Fascinating use of the graphic medium. More on this later. Continue reading

Graphic novel/books received 4/2/2013 DC edition

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

Batman Vol. 2: The City of Owls

Written by Scott Snyder and James T Tynion IV
Art by Greg Capullo, Jonathan Glapion, Jason Fabok, Rafael Albuquerque, Becky Cloonan, and Andy Clarke
Cover by Greg Capullo

Promo copy:

• After a series of deadly discoveries, Bruce Wayne has learned that the Court of Owls is real — and a deadly threat out to control Gotham City!

• Unleashing their deadly assassins known as the Talons, Batman must stop the insidious Court of Owls before they claim the city for their own. In doing so, The Dark Knight will uncover dark secrets — not just about the city he’s sworn to protect, but about the history of the Wayne family.

• Collects BATMAN #8-12 and BATMAN ANNUAL #1. Continue reading

Stuff received 3/11/13

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

Hand-Drying in America: And Other Stories

Hand-Drying in America: And Other Stories

by Ben Katchor

Promo copy:

WITH BEAUTIFUL FULL-COLOR ILLUSTRATIONS THROUGHOUT

From one of the most original and imaginative American cartoonists at work today comes a collection of graphic narratives on the subjects of urban planning, product design, and architecture—a surrealist handbook for the rebuilding of society in the twenty-first century.

Ben Katchor, a master at twisting mundane commodities into surreal objects of social significance, now takes on the many ways our property influences and reflects cultural values. Here are window-ledge pillows designed expressly for people-watching and a forest of artificial trees for sufferers of hay fever. The Brotherhood of Immaculate Consumption deals with the matter of products that outlive their owners; a school of dance is based upon the choreographic motion of paying with cash; high-visibility construction vests are marketed to lonely people as a method of getting noticed. With cutting wit Katchor reveals a world similar to our own—lives are defined by possessions, consumerism is a kind of spirituality—but also slightly, fabulously askew. Frequently and brilliantly bizarre, and always mesmerizing, Hand-Drying in America ensures that you will never look at a building, a bar of soap, or an ATM the same way. Continue reading

Graphic novels/comics received 3/10/13 DC edition

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

Batman: Night of the Owls

Written by Scott Snyder, James T Tynion IV, Tony S. Daniel, Judd Winick, Peter J. Tomasi, Duane Swierczynski, Gail Simone, Scott Lobdell, Kyle Higgins, Justin Gray, and Jimmy Palmiotti

Art by Greg Capullo, Jason Fabok, Tony S. Daniel, David Finch, Marcus To, Patrick Gleason, Travel Foreman, Ardian Syaf, Kenneth Rocafort, Guillem March, Eddy Barrows, and Moritat

Cover by Greg Capullo

Promo copy:

• In this new hardcover, evil spreads across Gotham City as Batman’s allies, including Red Robin, Batwing, Robin, Batgirl, the Birds of Prey, Nightwing and even Catwoman find themselves in a battle coming from all sides.

• The Court of Owls makes its move against justice in this sprawling tale of corruption and violence.

• Collects BATMAN #8-9, BATMAN ANNUAL #1, DETECTIVE COMICS #9, BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #9, BATWING #9, BATMAN AND ROBIN #9, RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #9, BIRDS OF PREY #9, BATGIRL #9, NIGHTWING #8-9 and ALL-STAR WESTERN #9. Continue reading

Revisiting the Uncanny Un-Collectibles 2013

In Fall 2010, twenty-eight of my friends and I compiled the Uncanny Un-Collectibles: Missing Comic Book Trades, a list of 52 comic series that deserved to be collected. In April 2012, I revisited the six part bitchfest to see if any of our wishes had been granted. I reported that six of the titles had been collected: Sugar and Spike, the Murphy Anderson and Neal Adams Earth-2 1960s Spectre stories, All-Star Squadron, Levitz/Giffen Legion of Super-HeroesFlex Mentallo, and Chase.

Let’s see what’s changed in the year since.

Showcase Presents Rip Hunter, Time Master Vol. 1

Collects SHOWCASE #20, 21, 25 and 26 and RIP HUNTER: TIME MASTER #1-15
Published July 18, 2012

Lewis Shiner wrote:

The comic that my father forbade me to read because of the way it distorted history. The early issues — before the team started wearing spandex — featured incredibly cool stories in which aliens turned out to be meddling in most of the important events in human history. The art was fun at worst, and at best, when Joe Kubert was at the helm, it was fabulous.

This would be a good candidate for the current Showcase Presents black and white titles from DC.

Showcase Presents Sea Devils Vol. 1

Collects SHOWCASE #27-29 and SEA DEVILS #1-16
Published May 23, 2012

Lewis Shiner wrote:

It remains utterly baffling to me why DC has not devoted one of their Archive Editions to the Sea Devils. While the stories were, of course, ridiculous, they were no more so than those in Strange Adventures or Green Lantern or any of the other DC comics of the day. And the art was staggeringly beautiful, Russ Heath at his finest — King Neptune riding a giant seahorse, the Octopus Man with a monstrous octopus on an anchor-chain leash — and the wonderful colors, with everything blue-shifted (the team’s red wetsuits are purple underwater, etc.). This needs to be reprinted in full color on good paper.

 

Pretty pathetic especially when compared to last year’s new collections.

Come on publishers, get on the ball and collect these excellent comics!

Graphic novels/comics received 2/10/13 DC/Vertigo edition

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

 

Green Arrow #17

Written by Jeff Lemire
Art by Andrea Sorrentino

Promo copy:

• Welcome the new team of writer JEFF LEMIRE and artist ANDREA SORRENTINO!

• As Ollie struggles to come to terms with the loss of his fortune, his company and his heritage, he discovers a shocking truth about his father that ties to his time stranded on an island before he became Green Arrow.

• Plus: Green Arrow battles the deadly archer known as Komodo!

 

Justice League, Vol. 2: The Villain's Journey (The New 52)

Justice League, Vol. 2: The Villain’s Journey

Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Jim Lee, Scott Williams, Gene Ha, and Carlos D’Anda

 Promo copy:

The Justice League is the greatest force for good the world has ever seen. But not everyone sees them that way.

Their never-ending battle against evil results in casualties beyond its super-powered, costumed combatants. The League’s attempts to safeguard innocent lives cannot save everybody. Unbeknownst to Earth’s greatest champions, their greatest triumph may contain the seeds of their greatest defeat.

For heroes are not the only people who face tragedy and are reborn as something greater than they were before. Villains can take this journey, too.

And once they start out on this dark path, the road could lead straight to the destruction of the Justice League….

The New York Times bestselling team of Geoff Johns (Green Lantern) and Jim Lee (Batman: Hush) are joined by artists Gene Ha (Top 10) and Carlos D’Anda (Deathblow) for JUSTICE LEAGUE VOL. 2: THE VILLAIN’S JOURNEY, collecting issues #7-12 of the series. Can the world’s greatest super heroes survive a voyage deep into the heart of darkness? It all ends with one of the most shocking … and surprising moments in DC history!

 

Sweet Tooth #4o

by Jeff Lemire

Promo copy:

Gus’s journey comes to an end and the fate of the hybrids is revealed in the final issue of the acclaimed Vertigo series!

Books received 12/8/12 Graphic Novels edition

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

Saucer Country Vol. 1: Run

Saucer Country Vol. 1: Run

Written by Paul Cornell
Art by Ryan Kelly

 Promo copy:

Arcadia Alvarado, the leading Democratic candidate for President of the United States, says she was ‘abducted by aliens.’ As the Mexican-American Governor of New Mexico, she’s dealing with immigration, budget cuts and an alcoholic ex. She’s about to toss her hat into the ring as a candidate for President in the most volatile political climate ever. But then…a lonely road and a nightmarish encounter have left her with terrible, half-glimpsed memories. And now she has to become President. To expose the truth–and maybe, to save the world.

Arcadia’s quest is at the heart of this new title from writer Paul Cornell (DEMON KNIGHTS, ACTION COMICS, Doctor Who) and artist Ryan Kelly (NEW YORK FIVE, NORTHLANDERS, Local). With the help of her quirky staff, Arcadia will pursue the truth of her abduction into danger, mystery and awe.

Saucer Country is a dark thriller that blends UFO lore and alien abduction with political intrigue, all set in the hauntingly beautiful Southwest.

 

Uglies: Cutters (Graphic Novel)

Uglies: Cutters

Written by Scott Westerfeld and Devin Grayson
Art by Steven Cummings

 Promo copy:

Experience the riveting, dystopian Uglies series seen as never before—through the eyes of Shay, Tally Youngblood’s closest and bravest friend, who refuses to take anything about society at face value.

“From the moment we are born, we are considered threats in need of ‘special’ management. We are watched and shaped and exploited by a force most of us never see. . . . All to keep us safe. . . . Do you feel safe?! Or do you feel like you’re in a cage?”—Shay

In Pretties, Tally Youngblood and her daring best friend, Shay, both underwent the operation that turned them from ordinary Uglies into stunning beauties. Now this thrilling new graphic novel reveals Shay’s perspective on living in New Pretty Town . . . and the way she sees it, there’s more to this so-called paradise than meets the eye.

With the endless parties and custom-made clothes, life as a Pretty should be perfect. Yet Shay doesn’t feel quite right. She has little to no memory of her past; it’s as if something in her brain has inexplicably changed. When she reunites with Tally and the Crims—her rebellious group of friends from Uglyville—she begins to recall their last departure to the wild, and the headstrong leader she used to be. And as she remembers the truth about what doomed their escape, Shay decides to fight back—against the status quo, against the mysterious Special Circumstances, even against her own best friend.

 

Welcome to Alflolol: Valerian Vol. 4 (Valerian 4)

Welcome to Alflolol: Valerian Vol. 4

Written by Pierre Christin
Art by Jean-Claude Mézières

 Promo copy:

Technorog is a planet essential to the economy of the Terran empire. For 200 years, it has been a centre of industry, research and agriculture. Suddenly, the indigenous population—believed long extinct—comes back to the planet they know as Alflolol. Earth’s laws are strict: They must be allowed back on their ancestral grounds. But when Valerian and Laureline are assigned to facilitate their “reinsertion,” they see the difference between the letter of the law and its spirit…

 

Earlier this year, I interviewed  Jerome Saincantin, who translated this very volume, as part of my Nexus Graphica column.

 

He Ain’t No Judas: My Conversation with Walter Simonson

For my latest Nexus Graphica column over at SF Site, I was lucky enough to interview the legendary Walter Simonson about his new graphic novel The Judas Coin as well as other things artistic.

What was the impetus for The Judas Coin?

Back when I was working on Michael Moorcock’s Elric: The Making of a Sorcerer, Mark Chiarello at DC approached me and asked me about contributing to a new comic he was going to be editing for DC. It was called SOLO. Each issue was going to be written and drawn by a single writer/artist. The book was to be a 44 page comic of short stories, at least one of which was to be about a DC character. Otherwise, it was wide open. I was delighted to be asked. I started thinking about what I might do, and eventually had the idea for an anthology of short stories, threaded together by one of the coins Judas was paid to betray Christ. I worked out the plots for each of the stories, but in the end, the Elric book took me longer to do than I’d thought — no surprise there — and by the time I’d completed it, SOLO had run 12 issues and was done. I still liked my idea for the comic, so I spoke to Dan Didio at DC about the anthology. He liked the idea, and suggested I find an editor and write up a proposal for a 96-page hardcover. That worked out, but Mark was the guy whose initial approach sparked the book.

Check out the entire interview over at SF Site.

 

Thor #337  Alien: The Illustrated Story Elric: The Making of a Sorcerer Thor as a frog