New Comics Roundup, Yeehaw!

Well, I got a slightly anemic haul from my local comics shop on Wednesday, and ended up heading down to Rohnert Park for even more comics. And I still didn't find a few of the things I wanted!

Still missing in action from both nearby stores: Or Else #3, the new issue of Kevin Huizenga's amazingly diverse series, and Salamander Dream, Hope Larson's debut graphic novel. I've also discovered that I'm missing one single issue of Cerebus! I'm not sure how I missed this fact, but I apparently never picked up issue 205 when I was buying it monthly. This was right near when I dropped the series all together, so maybe that explains it. Anyways, I've got a copy on order, and my Cerebus reading is way ahead of my blogging, so that'll give me some time to catch up with myself.

But here's what I did get:

100 Bullets #64 (DC Comics, $2.99)
a standalone story that picks up the trail of Jack Daw, former Minuteman and former drug addict, in his new career as a bare-knuckle boxer. Like a lot of this series lately, this story seems to be laying the groundwork for future events, and adding a little more dimension to the characters as it does. Not a lot to say about this book at the moment, as it's takig it's time playing around with it's own complicated backstory and dropping hints about the larger plotline. There've been a few major developments lately, but this issue basically seems like more build-up. When are we going to get some payoff again?

Fell #1 (Image Comics, $1.99)
Now this is refreshing: 16 pages of self-contained story for $1.99. I've ever been a big Warren Ellis fan (tried Transmetropolitan and wasn't that impressed), and I think he tends for the over-the-top darkness vibe because it's just what he does, not necessarily because it's what's called for in a particular title. But the atmosphere of Templesmith's artwork meshes perfectly with Ellis' story here, and the short, satisfying chunk of story a nice change of pace from today's decompressed/writing-for-the-trade aesthetic (and a good contrast to this week's 100 Bullets, above).

Following Cerebus #5 (Aardvark-Vanaheim/Win-Mill Press, $3.95)
I swear, I'm not THAT obsessed with Cerebus. But this issue of the post-Cerebus "fanzine" looked pretty interesteing, as it consists of a series of interviews with assorted comics creators, on the subject of editorial input on graphic novels. It has it's origins in a panel discussion between Dave Sim, Will Eisner, and Chester Brown. Inspired by the discussion, Dave conducted interviews with Craig Thompson, Paul Pope, Seth, Frank Miller, Neil Gaiman, Joe Matt, and Andy Runton ont he same topic. It's an interesting way to get a glimpse into the working methods of some of the most talented artists working in comics at the moment, and a little bit of insight into the process of comics itself.

Hopeless Savages #1-3 (Oni Press, $2.95)
I've had my eye on this series for a while, and finally decided to pick up the first few issues (#4 is on it's way as I type this). There've been plenty of creators I really enjoy involved in this one at one point or another, including Bryan Lee O'Malley (he did a cover), Becky Cloonan (who did a few pages in a one-shot issue) and Andi Watson (who did the first 4 covers). So I figured if it was good enough for them, it was good enough for me. So far it's alright...I wouldn't say I'm blown away, but it's a charming story. I've only read the first issue so far though, so I reserve final judgement at this point.

Bare Foot Riot: Martin Cendreda Sketchbook Collection (Giant Robot, $11.99)
Maybe a little over-priced for it's size (roughly quarter the dimensions of a regular comic book, squarebound, and roughly 100 pages), but there's some nic work in here, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. Mostly standalone sketches, and crowded pages filled with variations on an idea, but there are several short "strip" style sketches as well, and an extensive color section. Probably only for die-hard fans, but worth a flip-through if you happen to see it on the shelf.

Blood Orange #4 (Fantagraphics, $5.95)
Another installment of the always diverse, often baffling fantagraphics anthology. At this point, I have 3 of the 4 published issues, and it's hard to know what to expect of any given issue. There's a wide range of experimental, surreal, formalist, and outsider art in this book. Most interesting int his particular issue is the first selection, a several page sequence showing a slowly changing, highly complicated cityscape (for lack of a better word) that looks like something out of Dr. Seuss. There's a lot happening on each page/panel, and it's hard to follow all the events from page to page, but it's a unique experiment with the medium. I'm not sure who did it though, because the credits aren't very clearly indicated. Other highlights include a bizarre bait-and-switch sotry by Tobias Tak, and a cute sci-fi comedy number by Brian Ralph.

Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #195 (DC Comics, $2.50)
The penultimate installment of a decidedly oddball take on the Dark Knight. I really like Fisher's approach to Batman's costume. Most artists have pushed it into iconic territory, with blank white eye-holes that seem to line up exactly with the edge of Bruce Wayne's eyelids, and a beak-like protrusion that shows no trace of the actual nose beneath it. But Fisher draws the costume as a costume, with the small details that implies. The action sequences toward the end are a little confusing, but there's an energy here that's hard not to get swept up in. DC was reportedly hoping for a mass-market, all-ages take on Batman with it's botched All Star Batman & Robin, but maybe they should have used this creative team instead. It's a much lighter take, both in the writing and the visuals (except that opening splash page int he first issue, with Batman bloodied and beaten int he Batcave).

Mother, Come Home (Dark Horse Books, $14.95)
Wow.
This book is excellent. Artistically ambitious and emotionally devastating. Paul Hornschemeier's work has grown in leaps and bounds since his earliest experients in Sequential, and this book, collecting the story from issues 2-4 of his Forlorn Funnies books, is a striking success. It's the story of a father and son, and how they cope with the death of their wife/mother. It's told from the point of view of the son, at age 20, looking back on events that took palce when he was 7. There's an air of avoidance to a lot of the narration, a tiptoeing around the central subject, up until the inevitable and shocking final events, when they can't be avoided any longer. Hornschemeier walks a tightrope between maintinging a childlike perspective and voice, yet still revealing the grown-up truths to the reader. Highly recommended.

And that's all for now...looks like there's a new Acme Novelty book coming out this week though, so I'm sure I'll have more to talk about soon. Plus, I've got some Desolation Jones on it's way from Mile High, along with that missing Cerebus issue. See you then...