Feelin' like a Criminal

Criminal 1
Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips

As sure as every Visa starts with the #4, and every Mastercard with #5, we can count on great crime fiction from Ed Brubaker. As a big fan of Sleeper, I have been awaiting Criminal 1 to arrive. [Previous post on Sleeper. It's cool that I have been comic blogging long enough now to see series start and end]. We've seen Ed Brubaker's star rise as he revitalized Captain America and Daredevil, and his roots doing Dark Horse, Alternative Comics, more.

Scared to die in prison, like his father, Leo is a criminal but a very careful one. A criminal who doesn't like violence and chooses to avoid it? Not usually the lead in a series.
"What seperates a professional from a punk/pimp/gangsta/lowerider with a gun. Those idiots are cannon-fodder for the system."

One big score, a dicey diamond job, a woman at his door-- Leo asks "and what diamonds are every easy picking" as he gets in deeper.

Denied!

Denied!
I was hoping to do a "Great Graphic Novels of 2007 for Teens and Adults" at the NJ library conference, but our proposal was turned down due to 90 committee suggestions. I may still be part of the 'comic book mafia' as David calls us and for the Rock and Roll Librarian's GN session.

Anyway, I thought I would share my general suggestions here-- these were GNs and trades that libraries could have in their collections. Not at all a complete list for 2007.

Garage Band - Gipi
I loved the unusual art of this Italian GN, and forming a rock band is a great topic.


Minx line:
The Plain Janes, Clubbing, and Confessions of a Blabbermouth
For the teen drama fan in me; if you watched Veronica Mars or Dawsons or The OC, these are for you. The art and dialogue are sharp and modern, and deal with more than a supervillian.

Criminal 2: Lawless
Crime noir with melancholy characters by Ed Brubaker ;Sean Phillips art is pitch perfect
Criminal 1 post

Jack of Fables: The Nearly Great Escape
Vertigo: Bill Willingham, Matthew Sturges and Tony Akins
Fun, literate with excellent characterization and art that supports the Fables.

52 - volumes 1-4 in trade
Compiling the successful weekly trades, making C list characters the heart of the DC universe, and year in the world without Superman, Batman or Wonder Woman.
Much better received than the weekly Countdown DC is putting out.

DMZ 2: Body of a journalist
Brian Wood's political and thoughtful series. War, the media, responsibility, home, place, all rolled up in one package.

Any of these series highlight back issues of the characters-- Showcase Presents (DC) and Essential (Marvel).

Others I've bought for our library--
The Middleman [Viper]
Silverfish
Elephantmen
Elk's Run
The Otherside
God Save the Queen
The Castaways [NBM] Rob Vollmer, Pablo Callejo
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Omnibus
Death Note series
Inubaka series

YALSA- Top ten great graphic novels for teens Most are 2005 and 2006 releases, so I tried to go more recent in my list for an 2008 presentation. Particularly liked Sloth and loved Pride of Baghdad.

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.

Pulling my list

Redhead Fangirl's current pull list--

Vertigo
Y the Last Man
The Un-Men
Vinyl Underground
Jack of Fables
DMZ
Faker

DC Comics
Justice Society
Justice League
Catwoman
Birds of Prey
Wonder Woman (just started with Simone on writing)

Mice Templar (Oeming in issue 2 put me in the blog warrior list! Yea!)
The Sword
Buffy Season 8
The Boys
Rex Libris
Invincible (sometimes)
Atom Eve (issue 1)
Dynamo 5
Criminal

And look how little I've been supporting Marvel titles--
She-Hulk
Spider-Man loves Mary Jane (an issue hasn't been published for a while, Terry Moore in 08)

Reading in Trade: Preacher series, 30 Days of Night

I thought I had weeded a lot of titles from my list, but this still looks pretty long! What have I been enjoying most? Jack of Fables, Criminal, Y, The Boys, The Sword and Buffy. Dynamo 5 is losing steam and so has Birds of Prey for me.

Now that phillygirl gave us Doctor Who Season 3 to watch-- can't wait to see Captain Jack from Torchwood on it-- I may pick up the upcoming Doctor Who comic. As I mentioned, until recently I'd never ever seen a DW, but David Tennant is just wacky, smart and now I'm there.

People live on

Spent the day on Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, yesterday went to the Broadway show Mamma Mia with the Michiganders.

If you like police procedurals, with the added twist of a Icelandic forensic scientist as the protagonist, try Umbra- written by Murphy, with Mike Hawthorne, art. It's 5.99- issue 1 of 3 is out from Image now. Hawthorne was at my last MidJersey Comicon, and he is funny and should get more widespread attention for his art.

Brave New World: $1 for 80 pages of previews-- it's like giving me fentanyl laced-heroin because I'm hooked on 4 of the 6 series and intend to buy them--

Omac, for the 'everyman' on the run angle, and the boy-girl interplay in the preview
The Creeper, for the Fox News type blowhard in Jack Ryder, selfish button pusher now formed into the vigilante Creeper. Justiniano's art is very vivid.

Martian Manhunter- in the DC panel, there was talk of MM trying to blend in always, and now becoming more "Martian-American". Barrioneuvo's art is a good match for Lieberman's interior dialogue of MM.

The All-New Atom- Just for Simone's writing. John Byrne's art, well, B at the comic store always complains about everyone they match Simone with (except on BOP)

I'm torn on Uncle Sam. It's a little too "yippee kay ya, motherfucker" for me, and I hate that the only female is breastfest Stormy. Daniel Acuna's art though-- each panel is very powerful, like cover art.

A few other tidbits to catch up on:

Marvel Romance redux: I should have been a blonde
I was howling on just about every page of the main story "Patsy loves Satan". Not only are snarky lines inserted on the original art, but asides on the art inself and perspective really hit the mark. Scissor like hands, huge plumes of car exhaust called to the carpet. I love the juxtaposition of the swooning, crying and fashion slave women to the smart-ass and driven characters in these stories. Whether it's Satan, Scientology, Comic Books- the women in the Marvel Romance Reduxes get what they want, even if it's criminal or black magic to do so!

Superman and Batman 26
Sam Loeb (Jeph Loeb's son who died) and too many big names to list

Robin (Tim Drake) remembers typical teenage fun with Superboy (Connor Kent).
Partying in the Fortress of Solitude-
>>>>"Batgirl was such a lightweight" <<<<>"way too much time on the internet looking for pictures of Raven. and Starfire."
young Toyman missed a Batmobile delivery, they get sucked into a series of events (the different artists add to the dramatic change between robots, toy rooms).

Toyman
"you were lonely, so you tried to kill us? Learn 3 chords on the guitar and write bad love songs "
In the end, the motto holds true for Sam Loeb as it does for the characters contained:
People live on. Tell stories about them.


Thing 7 [Dan Slott, Kieron Dwyer]
"Benjamin J. Grimm, what have you done!"
Fights with Hercules, trying to win back Alicia, who feels perhaps too much has happened with them, and is dating a great guy.
Rocky troll, thou has much to answer for!
Hey, put me down, ya big Greek goofball!

The archives o' quotes

August 2005
'Will you help us, Mark Grayson of Earth?' 'Of course I will. But I need to explain to my mother what's going on and tell people where I'll be.'- Invincible, 25.

Sept 2005
"Yes, well I suppose we can add gaydar to the extraordinary number of common senses you seem to lack" Dr. Mann to Yorick, Y Book4

Oct 2005
But sometimes, grrr...trying to make things work on this stupid planet with all these stupid people just...overwhelms me. Supergirl 2 Nov 2005

It felt like the world was looking at us. Asking how we could lead if we couldn't keep order at home. It was a fair question." Busiek, Astro City Dark Age 3

Nov 2005
'Observe time code- Preserve the past, protect the present, and forget the future.''Is it me, or does that sound like the GOP platform?' She-Hulk 2, #1

Dec 2005
"Lois. Please stop talking for one second. I have something to tell you." Clark Kent, All Star Superman 1

January 2006
"So, Algebra- Algebra's cool, huh? Your so weird, Peter Parker." Spider-man loves Mary Jane

March 2006
"I don't usually bleed this much on a team-up" Hal Jordan to Batman, Green Lantern 9

April 2006
Joker: I want what everybody wants...to be loved. Short of that..I'll take a little vengence-a-go-go"

May 2006
You're an adult! Why are you buying dolls? They're Action Figures!-Comic Book Guy in Bongo Free Comics

June 2006
You want fun and money that won't kill you- then learn to !@#^* READ! Cinnamon: El Chiclo 2

August 2006
Nine-tenths of any super freak battle is just rank banter. Birds of Prey 95

October 2006
Education is forbidden for slaves. "Denyin' freedom of opportunity just pisses me off!"Rex Libris 5

Jan 2007
We're going down a manhole? Nah. These days, it's just a hole. Y the last man 53

March 2007
May I just say "ouch!", Manhunter? Oracle, Birds of Prey 103

Have you seen this place? I got all my sisters 'n' me! Xander to Dawn, Buffy Season 8, 2

She was alive in all the ways he wasn't. And she radiated it like the sun, or like a wild animal. Criminal 8

Number five, from a strictly, punctiliously factual point of view--he's not human. Faker 4

"Well, well. Our little golden goose both rises and shines." Joker in Booster Gold 5

We can't go past the gate. We're trapped inside this house. House of Mystery 2

The world stopped mocking Peter Parker

The redhead is back!

Since I have been on blog-break, I haven't put in my two cents on he topic of Spider-man unveiling his mask to reveal Peter Parker. How does this fangirl feel about it? My gut instinct was "No, no!", and with time, wisdom, and reading other blogs, I still don't like it.

Besides my base reaction, let's remember what Jor-El advised Superman (in Superman the Movie) -- there were two reasons to keep his 'secret identity' [if a dorky plaid suit, thick glasses, and some clumsiness are really a secret identity].

Jor-El's second reason has been oftened cited: You put the people you love in harm's way from your foes if they know who you are 'off the job.'. I understand, but haven't read, that in the recent Spidey's both Mary Jane and Aunt May have encouraged Peter to reveal himself. That takes away some of the thunder of keeping his Parker ID secret-- if the people he loves most feel he should be open, why not?

Plus, much has been made of the Avengers tower/butler service/Iron Spidey, who is a far cry from the dorky teen. Spidey seems to be in some Tony Stark trance "yes'm master, I'll wear the new suit, live in your tower, mmm more please". The Avengers Tower has been used as strong reason to unveil - Sp and his family would be even safer in the revelation because of the assumed security of the Avengers tower.

Personally, I wouldn't let my hot redhead wife live with Luke Cage, Captain America, Tony Stark, and with known redophile Wolverine stopping by. With all that can happen in superhero world (just as in soap operas), partners get swapped around. One storyline did have Logan hitting on MJ when she thought Spidey was dead, and she resisted and thanked him for the distraction, because 'he knew she would never go for him'. Nice try there Logan.

The first reason Jor-El tells Superman is the one I want to focus on:
If you reveal your true identity, you will never have a moments peace. You will be called on for things humans could handle themselves, 24 hours a day. It is their nature to abuse their resources.

If everyone knows who Spider-man really is, Peter Parker could never walk down the street, get a coffee, take MJ to the art gallery or Aunt May to the store. It would be like celebrity multiplied by 1000; every car crash, dispute or crime would be his burden. Anyone who has been robbed, or abused, or wants to find who killed the neighborhood dog would call on him. The drain of the constant requests from legit requests and bonkers people-- it's like the paparazzi following Brangelina for a photo, and yelling out questions-- with a 24 hour a day criminal dispatch responsibilities. As a librarian, I experience a thumbnails worth of this - you want to be of service, and helpful, but sometimes you end up following someone down the rabbit hole.

What do other (that I read) bloggers think?
Gordon What do you think of Marvel's Civil War? Don't know - I'm swearing off massive crossovers, and if I want to peruse them, will read them at the comics shop.

Chris You know what? I kind of like it...For those of us like myself who have never been that invested in Spider-Man as a character, it's the first time in a LONG time that Marvel's given us a reason to care about him.. I understand why fans are crying foul at the move, though. Many see Peter's anonymity as central to the character.

Jake I'll second the rest of the residents of comicblogavenue who have said it really doesn't matter what's done with Spidey since A) we know this will all be reversed by this time next year and B) this isn't even really Spidey any more. This penthouse-livin', supermodel-lovin', armor-wearin', butler-havin' idol of millions no longer resembles the character I enjoyed reading about ten to fifteen years ago.

The Comic Treadmill asked if it's readers were following Marvel's Civil War event series?
52 of 139 votes, was: I'm ignoring it. The DCU is the only place for me!

Comic Book Commentary
(Civil War #2's big reveal had slightly more fanboy impact than Earth 2's Superman bursting off the last page of Infinite Crisis #1 -- which isn't saying much, of course -- but without seeing the thought that presumably went into the admittedly big decision over in his primary series, it lost some of its intended oomph.)

Tom at the Fortress of Solioquy declares it 'more dumbassery'
I anxiously await the inevitable mindwipe/restoration of the Spider-Man status quo that will accompany this storyline, as well as your much-vaunted undoing of the Peter/Mary Jane marriage, since that's the natural progression as far as your comments are concerned.

Since the 1990s clone saga; the Spidey: Chap 1 where Sp and Doc Oc came from the same accident; MJ's plane crash; JMS tolemic spider spirit-- and we still care about Spidey! Amazing Fantasy, indeed.

The Sinners

Criminal: The Sinners -- check out the author they make a cop in Sinners #1!

Didn't know there was a new arc of this until I went to Jim Hanley's last week. Tracy Lawless is back starring in this story.

The Marvels Project

I picked up 2 Marvel titles- The Marvels Project written by Criminal writer Ed Brubaker and Amazing Spider-Man #600, the $4.99 oversized issue.

The Marvels Project is 1 of 8, and includes a big roster of Marvel artists for covers (McNiven, Vines, Hollowell, Epting, Prel, Jimenez), with Brubaker and Epting writing, and Dave Stewart on color art. There is some intriguing late 1930's art with a taste of character- Sub-Mariner, Human Torch, Nick Fury. Brubaker adds depth to characters, but dipping in the well of the Nazi's as enemies..but we'll see. I will pick up issue 2, slated for Sept. 9th

Amazing Spider-Man I've only read a few pages..but Aunt May is marring JJ Sr?

"This isn't just gonna blow over"

After spending a near week with only dial-up in Ohio, god bless ya if you visit my site without high speed internet access. You are dedicated!

I think I better change my profile picture here- I'm gonna be cold this winter!

Thanks to all new 'friends' on my comic space account. It's great getting your comments and coming across new artists and fans. Now I've been playing in the locations tags to find 'friends' from around the world.

French message board discussing my redhead countdown.


Criminal 3


Ed Brubaker, I adore this title (and fedoras!). In the same brutal yet sweet way I loved Sleeper, you have again brought the crime story, with desperation, redemption and romantic tinges to life. The tender interplay here wtih Greta and Leo, while she recovers from a gun shot wound, is a nice bridge from the set-up action to the forthcoming action.

When the naked auburn haired Greta (Sean Phillips beautiful but not exploitative art) wonders if she should show her hideous scar to him, Leo responds with:
"Scars make your body more beautiful, Greta". I reread this scene several times, pondering how Leo told her the version of the always-loved 'I like you just for who you are'.
I wonder if Ed or Sean have a thing for redheads, because Miss Misery in Sleeper also was of the trouble/love interest vein.

and the ain't-it-the-truth quote--
"You're different than I always thought you were.
"People usually are..."
"Yeah, but usually it's a disappointment."

Hop on board if you haven't yet- it's only issue 3 so you can catch up.

Phillygirl lent me her floppies of Garth Ennis The Boys. Only read issue 1, raunchy and sick at points, but intriguing to consider the dark side of superpowers. The first 6 issue will be available March 07 in trade

Phillygirl and I also disagree on Brian K. Vaughan joining the writing staff of Lost. Love BKV, love Lost, but as one of his DC coworkers said to me, once Hollywood comes calling, not just the money but the creative freedom making film and shows-- it will be hard to give comics the time. Look how long it took Lindelof (Lost co-creator) to work on the Ultimate Hulk vs. Wolverine. With Y ending, and the leaving Runaways, there will be less BKV tasty comic goodness for all.

More reviews to come because I got caught up while away. The trip has reminded me that I'm so lucky to have 2 comic stores in about 15-20 minutes, plus a Barnes and Noble for GN's, and the library, 'course. At a guitar shop in Angola, IN, they asked if "I was from around here". Nice midwestern types, in a cute but small town- guess they pegged me as not local.

Astro City Dark Age

Astro City Dark Age link

I really enjoyed the new Astro City Dark Age, with the Alex Ross cover. The two brothers, one cop and one criminal, are interesting and gritty. Intrigued to see where this series will go!

One of my favorite comics of all time is Astro City vol 2, No. 1/2, The Nearness of You. Every night Mike goes to sleep and dreams of Miranda, a girl he's never met, but who is real to him. He always chased blondes, but this girl has wave brown hair and light freckles across her nose...In the end the Hanged Man reveals that time can be rewoven and altered. Hanged man says "I can allow you to forget". But he chooses not to, and now he can sleep, knowing he did know her, and he loved her. "And that makes all the difference." How romantic!