Let’s take a quick look to see what’s arrived in the mail here at the Geek Compound.
Chew Omnivore Edition Volume 1
Written by John Layman
Art by Rob Guillory
Promo copy:
Tony Chu is a detective with a secret. A weird secret. Tony Chu is cibopathic, which means he gets psychic impressions from whatever he eats. It also means he’s a hell of a detective – as long as he doesn’t mind nibbling on the corpse of a murder victim to figure out whodunit and why. He’s been brought on by the Special Crimes Division of the FDA, the most powerful law enforcement agency on the planet, to investigate their strangest, sickest and most bizarre cases. This gorgeous, oversized edition loaded with extras follows Tony for the first ten issues of IGN.com’s pick for "Best Indie Series of 2009," and MTV Splash Page’s "Best New Series of 2009." Collects the New York Times‘ best seller "Taster’s Choice," as well as the follow-up story-arc "International Flavor."
I’m a big fan of Chew. I had this to say in "Nexus Graphica" about the first collected volume "Taster’s Choice":
| Quote: |
| Layman and Guillory create an alternate present where, due to avian flu fears, the American government has criminalized the possession, sale, and consumption of all poultry! Tony Chu, investigator for the Special Crimes Division of the powerful FDA, employs his abilities as a cibopathic — he gets psychic impressions from whatever he eats — to solve crimes. Guillory’s over-the-top humorous illustrations and Layman’s clever script expertly mix to spawn an enjoyable concoction of cannibalism, conspiracy, and murder. |
American Vampire Vol. 1
Written by Scott Snyder and Stephen King
Art by Rafael Albuquerque
Promo copy:
From writers Scott Snyder and Stephen King, AMERICAN VAMPIRE introduces a new strain of vampire – a more vicious species – and traces the creatures’ bloodline through decades of American history.
This first hardcover volume of the critically acclaimed series collects issues #1-5 and follows two stories: one written by Snyder and one written by King, both with art by future superstar Rafael Albuquerque. Snyder’s tale follows Pearl, a young woman living in 1920s Los Angeles, who is brutally turned into a vampire and sets out on a path of righteous revenge against the European monsters who tortured and abused her. And in King’s story set in the days of America’s Wild West, readers learn the origin of Skinner Sweet, the original American vampire – a stronger, faster creature than any vampire ever seen before.
Don’t miss out as Snyder and King set fire to the horror genre with this visionary, all-original take on one of the most popular monster stories!
This beautiful collection features a new introduction by Stephen King and bonus art including character sketches, variant covers and more!
The Crusades Volume 1: Knight
Written by Steven T. Seagle
Art by Kelley Jones
Promo copy:
The Dark Ages Begin Again! An enigmatic 11th century Crusader has come to render terrible justice on the citizens of 21st century San Francisco. His acts of unspeakable violence spark a firestorm of moral soul-searching in the hearts and minds of the city’s most colorful figures. Putting together the pieces of the Knight’s mysteriously brutal puzzle is the voluptuous Venus Kostopikas, a fact checker for a dying newspaper who has aspirations to rise above her station and lead her own crusade. This first of two skull-crushing, re-mastered volumes collects – for the first time – the macabre Vertigo crime series by noted creators Steven T. Seagle (Soul Kiss, Sandman Mystery Theater) and Kelly Jones (Sandman, Batman, The 13th Son).