Days without Superman, Spiderman, other supes

A few non-superhero comics worth your time and hard earned money--

Mr. Stuffins 2
“My teddy bear’s a secret agent!” In this issue, the action continues as Mr. Stuffins fights for his family with all the power a plush toy can. Chaos, fun, and mayhem ensue, from the creator of EUREKA Andrew Cosby and EUREKA writer Johanna Stokes with art from hot newcomer Axel Medellin! Series Features “A” covers By MOUSE GUARD’s David Petersen.

Pride and Prejudice
IT is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife… Tailored from the adored Jane Austen classic, Marvel Comics is proud to present PRIDE AND PREJUDICE!

Back to Brooklyn (5 issues)
The controversial over the top crime thriller is finally collected! Big Bob Saetta made the biggest mistake of his life by pissing off his brother, one of the biggest and most brutal crime bosses in New York City. This is the story of two brothers at war, wrapped in a special package of extreme language and hardcore violence. Join award winning writer GARTH ENNIS (Preacher, The Punisher), JIMMY PALMIOTTI (Jonah Hex, Painkiller Jane) and artist MIHAILO VUKELIC on an adrenaline ride that rips the roof off Brooklyn’s criminal underworld!

Air (Air issue #11 out July 15)
Written by G. Willow Wilson; Art and Cover by M.K. Perker
Collecting the story that started it all, from AIR # 1 - 5! Blythe knew it was a risky time to be an airline stewardess, but the skies might be much more dangerous than anyone imagines. She's just learned of the Etesian Front – vigilantes dedicated to take the skies back from terrorism.

The Sword

Read #1 for free!
It was a day like any other for Dara Brighton, a promising young college student, until three strangers knocked on her door, looking for a unique sword, and destroyed her life.

Echo (Trades 1 and 2 available)
Terry Moore is back with a new series, and this time he's going nuclear! Julie Martin is taking photographs in the desert when she witnesses a massive explosion in the sky. Covered in the bizarre, metallic fallout, she races home to find a chunk of the mercury-like metal came with her. When the metal becomes attached to her skin, Julie is unaware that she is host to a new symbiotic technology: a living bomb! The first printing of this issue will feature a special silver-embossed cover!

House of Mystery (Trades 1 and 2 out)
Written by Matthew Sturges and Bill Willingham; Art by Luca Rossi, Ross Campbell, Sean Murphy, Zachary Baldus, Steve Rolston and Jill Thompson; Cover by Sam Weber "

Welcome to the House of Mystery! Filled with peculiar, otherworldly characters from all walks of life, this series from Matthew Sturges (JACK OF FABLES) and Bill Willingham (FABLES) focuses on five people trapped in the reality-warping House of Mystery, a supernatural bar where tales are the legal tender and only the finest storytellers are patrons!

Jack of Fables (Trades 1-6 available)
Written by Bill Willingham and Matthew Sturges; Art by Tony Akins and Jose Marzan, Jr. ; Cover by Brian Bolland
When Bookburner's army attacks Revise's compound, Jack returns not as a prisoner but as Commander-in-Chief. In this new title collecting issues #28-32 of Jack's monthly series, secrets are revealed, including the strange relationships between Jack and the Page sisters.

The Literals (3 issues of Fables crossover)
Written by Bill Willingham and Matthew Sturges; Art by Mark Buckingham and Andrew Pepoy Cover by Mark Buckingham
"The Great Fables Crossover" part 9 of 9! In this issue it's all over. No, we don't just mean that the big crossover event is over, we mean it's all over for the universe and everyone in it. Kevin Thorn, the Literal embodiment of storytelling, wants to rewrite the universe, beginning again with a new blank page. In this issue he gets his wish. What more is there to say?

DMZ (issue #43 July 15th)
» View Larger Image
Written by Brian Wood; Art by Ryan Kelly; Cover by John Paul Leon"No Future" continues, tracking the inner workings of the DMZ's notorious death cult from its more mindless and random street actions to the more sophisticated operations that betray its thug exterior.

quotable

The best lines from my recent comic stack- at least according to my own sense of humor or intellect:

Air 6:
"In 1937, I was chosen from among the ninety nines for the most ambitious flight in history: circumnavigating the globe in a hyperprax aircraft" - Amelia Earhart

Fringe 2:
"They just showed us a billion-dollar teleportation machine. What else could they be possibly hiding?"

House of Mystery 10:
"Poet, look at me. Get the goddamn bundt pan!"

Buffy VS 22:
"Vampires aren't cute and fluffy! And a kitty cat? Come on!"

Birds of Prey 126:
"I mean, maybe it is an "evil internet".."

Jack of Fables 30
"What do we do now? Everybody read for your lives!"

giving you Vertigo

Vertigo panel 2/6/09
New monthlies (floppies), some for $1 to start, new graphic novels...

Notes:
Mike Carey- The Unwritten Lucifer team, in May, $1 for 32 issues
Hellblazer- Peter Milligan came out a few weeks ago
Daytripper- Moon and Ba, Brazil, struggle between fathers and sons
Unknown Soldier- 7th issue, new arc, good place to pick up, trade in summer

DMZ- Zee one shot
The Nobody- May- invisible man updated in a small Maine fishing village
Air- issue7- why Blythe in Zahns body
Bang/Tango- lobster gave up life of hitman to tango

100 Bullets- normal funny but crochety Brian Azzarello would reveal nothing about the last issues "you'll get 99 and like it" Thoughts on 100 Bullets "It's done. Thanks"

Gone to Amerikay- original GN, Colleen Doran on art Irish immigrants turn of 2 centuries
House of Mystery 13- 4 stories, each drawn by diff artists- Neil Adams, Aragones, Powell..one I didn't catch
Madame Xanadu- 1945 #11-15 designing her lair
Seaguy- Morrison, 3 different versions?

Cuba: One Story- Dean Haspiel GN, fiction memoir, very personal collaboration, out next year How to Understand Israel in 60 days of Less- GN Sara Glidden popular mini comic artist about her trip and prep for Israel, next year or so out

Luna Park GN coney island
Greek Street- Milligan, greek mythology tied into Greek Street London starring Eddie $1 for oversized issue
Fables prose book
Absolute V and Death
Jack of Fables and Fables- crossing into each others books, Jack Frost, Jack babysits Bigby and Snow Whites cubs

the Unknown

The Unknown Soldier 1
Joshua Dysart

Vertigo on the ledge with Joshua Dysart

I heard Joshua speak briefly about this book at a Vertigo panel last year, so I decided to give it a try. I never read the original Unknown, the vigilante soldier of the past.

This story is different: a native Ugandan (Moses Lwanga) gets a Harvard medical degree and goes back to his homeland. He has flashes of violence, while he and his wife a pacifist doctors.

Moses and his family fled Uganda when he was young and
"Its easy to become wrapped up in being an American",
but "one cannot run away from who they are".

An appearance is made by a well meaning and famous American actress, and violence, politics, anti-war, love, pain and family themes are touched on. At the end of issue 1, Moses thinks that "anyone who profits from misery..you could kill them all"

January 8 Unknown Soldier #4 is to be released

Also enjoyed Secret Six 4 and Jack of Fables 29.

Still to read--
Back to Brooklyn 3
Buffy 20
JLA 28
JSA 22
Birds of Prey 125
Air 5
Hellcat 4

3 blondes and a redhead

Got in 4 comics on the train ride to NY.
Hope you all are getting tickets to New York Comiccon-- it turns out I'll be doing a session during the professional time on "Creating a mini-con at your library (or in your community)". Can you dig it??

Air 4
The story continues with Blythe, bird snakes, wishing for Zayn. After issue 3, I nearly gave up on Air, but the story is imaginative and unusual enough by G. Willow Wilson to hang on. The art by MK Perker is vivid and expressive. I always want to support Vertigo titles, so I'll stay with Air. Enjoyed the bird naturalist cover this issue.

Buffy, Season 8, issue 19
Phillygirl and I admitted to not truly understanding Season 8, and what is going on, despite being huge Buffy fans. I think it was the delay and the time jump-- this issue with a future (bad) Willow and Buffy choices helped it gel better for me. Fray is spotlighted again.

Spider-Man loves Mary Jane 4
COVER BY: TERRY MOORE
WRITER: TERRY MOORE
PENCILS: CRAIG ROUSSEAU
A cyber-bully website trashing Mary Jane appears, and MJ wonders who hates her so much. The writing continues to be cute, teenagey. I have to say the cross hatches on MJ's face in the interior this issue bugged me. It made her look wrinkly to me -not the look they want for a teenage MJ!



Jack of Fables
Simply the best dialogue in all of comics right now, Sturges and Willingham continue to hit the mark with the rogue Jack. Part of 1 of 5 involves a war at Golden Boughs, the Page sisters, Book Burner, Revise-- and Jack being their leader?

Hanna and goodbye Selina

Riding out TS Hanna- rain and wind stirred up pretty well. So far today I've gone to the gym, picked up things in the yard and patio, watched one episode of the Wire, got bagels, ate a hamburger, swiffered two floors, watched a Daily Show from the RNC.

The RNC conventioners are both funny, and tragic. Sarah Palin wanted to ban library books! I can imagine the intellectual climate for the head librarian with someone who answered most questions with "god's will". I really may have to move to Canada...

Comicwise, I've caught up on Trinity 11-13, Jack of Fables 25 (the Page sisters!), JSA 18, and JLA. Also, The not so long kiss goodbye... to Catwoman in issue 82. I have been a regular follower of the Catwoman series, through writers and artists, and the occasional cheesecake covers. I will miss Selina, but I'm glad the last issue was just her and Batman, discussing who and what they are (with some rooftop chasing in between). If you didn't read these (and I guess people weren't or the series wouldn't have ended), I would def. recommend in trade.

I guess I'll make the best of it and now save $2.99 an issue. Plenty of other comics to spend dough on!

late to the Fables table

So for years I've been wanting to read Fables, and feeling guilty that I didn't love the first trade enough to carry me along. I know, everyone says "it gets better after the first trade". So I'm re-reading Fables: Legends in Exile, starting with my friend Jack of Fables racing to tell Bigby Wolf about the blood stained room of Rose Red. (yet another stunning redhead comic character). I have the second trade on hold so I can roll into that.

I love Willingham's take on the Fable and the "Mundane" world- his writing is witty, smart, dramatic, with sexy women and men but not bimbos and himbos. The art style of Medina's pencils in Fables: Legends in Exile is full of emotion and expression with unique framed panels that give that old dusty book feel.

There was once a Fables vs. Y the Last Man debate, and the Fables fans were more adamant about their title. Any big Fables fans out there? I am a believer in Jack of Fables.

Distinguished pool owner

I just saw a piece of my mail addressed to "distinguished pool owner". I think that is excellent. Although the only thing I've done in that pool is push water on the cover toward the pump to drain.


Today I worked out in the 'cardio theatre'- running to a U2 concert. Bought bulk stuff at BJ's, watched Lost, and need to get ready for tomorrows big St. Patty's parade-- 100,000 people!


Recent reads-
Kong King of Skull Island 2
(whoa, I am behind, because the site says Kong 5 is out this week!)
Writer Chuck Satterlee continues the tale of Vincent Denham, stranded on the same island his father found Kong. Tommy Castillo has a great Kong and dinosaur cover. An ad states the Kong, King of Skull Island is 'soon to be a major motion picture', so let's all prepare!


Jack of Fables 19
How can I not love this series where Hillary Page runs around in her "Hot Librarian" T shirt? A cracked Humpty Dumpty, Gary, Jack chased by zombies or "animated corpses with bad grammar".A chase across prohibition, the Great White North "freezing cold, hockey and weak beer" and onto New York, the south...finally to the Lost City of Gold!

Phillygirl let me borrow her Powers trades-- I've read #2 Roleplay "Roleplay is nearly perfect, combining a compelling story, drop-dead gorgeous artwork, and outstanding production values that put most other trade paperback collections to shame".
Oeming's constantly interesting panels and art with Bendis' story that winks all the 'reals' fans, with tragic results.

and #3 Little Deaths. When hot superhero Olympia dies, and the Powers team investigates. I especially like the double page spread of women from Olympia's black book-- every one of them a redhead! Nice taste. The ads, interviews, and kids coloring book- chock full of Powers content. I still have 3 more trades to read!

The Boys movie I say they have to roll back the old X rating to get 10% of the comic in this film.

Black Hole, Akira films

Joe Hill's Locke and Key for film or TV? I haven't read, but I did love Heart Shaped Box.

A lot of television use

I meant to post this pic of me with some of my pull list. I have 8 unread comics from the last few weeks to read.

Despite the writers strike, I've been busy watching shows like Project Runway, and while I don't like reality shows, now I've been watching The Biggest Loser. Just watched the first Sarah Conner Chronicles- great to see River from Firefly. And new Daily Shows and Colberts have been keeping Tivo busier than I thought.

And, watching Dexter season 1 on DVD and Doctor Who Season 3. With Torchwood starting this Saturday, and Lost on the 31st, more TV.

Not to mention, The Giants in the Superbowl. Very torn here, because I like Tom Brady and the Patriots (shoreturtle roots Brady because he went to UMichigan) -- but I've been a mild Giants fan if I have to pick a team. The NEW JERSEY Giants-- I hate when they show midtown Manhattan as if that is right next to the Meadowlands, in Jersey! I like both Manning brothers too.

Plus, we got the Wii zapper so it's been Ghost Squad and Link's Crossbow Training. So that Family Room has been in use a lot; guess the cold weather has kept us in a lot.

Although I worked yesterday, had today off for MLK day and we went to see No Country for Old Men. Blood and guns and dusty Texas landscape.

Work has been very busy planning programs and writing annual reports and many patrons. I really deserve a damn promotion.

joker venom block

Took a nice run today, in 50 degree weather here, due to El Nino and greenhouse gases. The campus I run at was quiet until the entire men's cross country team smoked by me. My plan is to run a few 5Ks this year, with C and Phillygirl. Last night stopped by to see B at the comic store, and he was reading a book because it was deadly quiet- on a comic Wed? But the holiday pushes books til tomorrow. He is big on the new Virgin line of comics, particularly 7 brothers and Devi. When the reprints come in, I'll give them a shot. Hindu mythology didn't appeal to me, but the glossy art does look different. This is what I try to convince the other librarians: comics and graphic novels are a format for the entire world of stories, not just a genre of superheroes.

Recent reads:
Jack of Fables 6
If you are like me and have only read one Fables trade and want to get in, I highly recommend the Jack of Fables series. Sturges and Willingham in this issue construct yet another Jack from fables-- Jack Frost. It involves his normal scoundrel ways to woo the Winter Queen. Pop up interruptions from Priscilla Page and Revise from the first series arc are just perfect. Steve Leialoha's art of the winter castle, the queen and Jack are a great match for the story, where the art doesn't overpower the writing. Absolutely one of my favorites from 2006.

Creeper 5

The joker and creeper scenes were great this issue. Their 'sharing of blood' is discussed in this panel.

Crossing Midnight 2
I will say I am still on the fence on this title. From the sales figures, it's not selling like hotcakes, but seems to be listed through a first arc at least. Mike Carey has crafted the story that uses Japanese mythology and horror elements in the modern day story of twins- Toshi and Kai- only one of which the power to bend knives and not get hurt. Art is by Jim Fern (FABLES) and Mark Pennington (SHADE, THE CHANGING MAN). I can't say I love the art, just from personal preference -- it reminds me of japanese tapestry. Except for the many gallons of blood spilled. Horror, myth, siblings, tradition, in one package.

The Boys 6
(you need to read it just to understand the cover art!)
So now I'm all caught up and actually looked forward to issue 6 here. There is no doubt it is vile in some ways, and could have probably restrained and still gotten the same message across. But, from the all American Starlight getting her top sliced open for her new costume, to Hughie's loss of his girlfriend because of showboating supes, the series makes me pull for this team of crazies. The supes are the drug addicted, perverted, get anything they want characters-- see them as the 80s jock in the teen movie. From the mockery of costumes to superhero funerals, Ennis adds it all to the mix.

Getting more excited for next months' New York Comic Con. Not only will the huge array of artists and writers be there, and Stephen King!, but Brian K. Vaughan was just announced. Thank god they recognize librarians as professionals and gave me a badge!