Shawn Says: Spotlight on New Releases February 09, 2011

In which Shawn looks at the New Releases and lets you know which Creator-Owned books she is most excited about!

1) Love and Capes Ever After #1

Looking for a little romance in your comics? Well look no farther than Love and Capes by Thom Zahler. Zahler practically does the whole book by himself (writes, draws, letters, colors). This is the first issue published since its more to IDW and it is the perfect jumping on point for new readers. Love and Capes is a great romantic comedy that just happens to have superheroes in it. If you are interested in the backstory check out your local comic books store for volumes 1 and 2!

2) Frenemy of the State #4

Frenemy of the State is a fun twist on the spy motif. It is written by Rashida Jones (yes, the actress), Christina Weir and Nunzio DeFilippis and it is illustrated by Jeff Wamester. Wamester also did the cover and it was colored by the ever-lovely Rico Renzi! Frenemy of the State is published through Oni Press which is a quality publisher that really seems to support creator owned material.

3) 27 #3

27 is a weird, far-out book, and I mean that in the best way possible. Charles Soule and Renzo Podesta are creating a wild ride. In this issue Will Garland is trying to figure out what has been done to him and who or what The Nine is. I’m not sure we are any closer to learning the truth but things sure are getting more intense. I can’t wait for the next issue! 27 is published by Image which is another big supporter of creator owned work.

Other creator owned work of note out this week: Dream Logic #3 (David Mack) and Bone Quest for the Spark Book One HC/SC (Jeff Smith and Tom Sniegoski).

Other books out this week that are possibly creator owned: SpongeBob Comics #1, Casanova Gula #2 and Cinderella Fables are Forever #1.

Review: Scenes from an Impending Marriage

Every Wednesday Heroes Aren’t Hard to Find Warehouse Manager Seth Peagler writes a weekly “Spotlight on New Releases” column for the Heroes blog, which is available at: www.heroesonline.com/blog.  This past Wednesday, the last book on the list was “Scenes from an Impending Marriage” by Adrian Tomine. I am not familiar with Tomine, but the miniature bride and groom rushing hand in hand across the blue cover reminiscent of a Tiffany box as well as the included panel of the couple discussing their seating chart intrigued me.  I managed to snag the last copy from Heroes and read it that night. 

Tomine did not disappoint.  “Scenes” is an honest and humorous look into his journey from engagement to wedding with his wife, Sarah.  The couple navigates what can be treacherous waters of guest lists, family requests and terrible DJs.  Wedding planning can be a very stressful time in a couple’s life and Tomine captures that while showing it can be overcome with laughter and understanding. 

I love finding comics that are not what most people think of as comics.  Good comics don’t always have to be about superheroes or action and adventure.  Good comics can just be about life and the joys we find in our everyday lives. 

This is a book I would recommend for the non-comic readers in your life. It is the first comic book I’ve ever given to my mom to read and she actually read and enjoyed it!  It would make a nice gift for a newly engaged couple embarking on a new life together.

Book Review: Hereville

Not being terribly religious myself and having been raised in a small to medium-sized Arkansas town in the middle of the Bible Belt for most of my life Orthodox Jews, Muslims, and any other religious group not Southern Baptist were not in large supply.  In fact, the first time I met an Orthodox Jew was in my late twenties at a trade show for advertising and promotional products.  I didn’t understand why this guy got so mad (he actually turned red and stormed) off when I commented on how cool his beanie was and asked how much it would cost to get names or logos on it, or if it could be Bedazzled, until my boss through tears of laughter pulled me aside and explained it to me.

Hereville is a trade paperback for younger readers, aged 8-12, based on the web comic series by Barry Deutsch.  Oh, and this book is Jewish.  This book so Jewish that I am surprised it wasn’t shipped with its own yarmulke and certified kosher and I mean that in a good way.  I consider myself to be a fairly educated person but knowledge of different religions is an apparent large blind spot for me as I am sure it is for many children growing up in small towns across America. For those children, this book serves as a great introduction.

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Shawn Says: Spotlight on New Releases February 02, 2011

In which Shawn looks at the New Releases and lets you know which books she is most excited about!

1) Vietnamerica GN

Vietnamerica is a beautiful book. I am going to keep this short because I plan on writing a detailed review of this book after I have read and enjoyed it. GB Tran wrote and illustrated this book which is both family history and self exploration. Seek this book out. Visit Tran’s website for some preview pages and a trailer done by Joe Tomcho.

2) Cursed Pirate Girl TP vol 1

Jeremy Bastian is the creator and illustrator of Cursed Pirate Girl. You may also recognize him from a story he did in Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard #1. Originally Cursed Pirate Girl was published in three lavishly executed mini-comics-style issues. I am thrilled that the story is conveniently collected because the single issues are pretty hard to come by. Bastian is another creator who is due for a break out year. His art is highly detailed without being cluttered or hectic. I can’t wait to see more from him in the future!

3) Uncle Scrooge #400

Uncle Scrooge hits a huge milestone with this 400th issue! This issue contains two main tales along with several stories by the incomparable Carl Barks. Uncle Scrooge has been a consistently solid and fun read. I love taking a break from more serious titles to reconnect with my childhood. If you haven’t picked up a Scrooge book in a while this is the perfect issue to jump in on!

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Shawn Says: Spotlight on New Releases January 26, 2011

In which Shawn attempts to get her act together and post these on a regular basis!

1) Off Road TP

Don’t you love it when you order a book, forget about it and then it shows up unexpectedly? I was delighted when I picked up my comics and Sean Murphy’s Off Road was in my bag. Off Road is the story of three guys who go off-roading in an attempt to escape their problem-filled lives. It is written and illustrated by the phenomenal Sean Murphy whose recent work includes Joe the Barbarian and Hellblazer: City of Demons. I love the immediacy of his art, especially in this black and white, sketchy style. When I saw this solicited in Previews I knew I had to have it! Off Road was originally published through Oni Press back in 2005 and it was Murphy’s first graphic novel. This time around it is published by IDW is a slick (slightly smaller than average) trade paperback.   If I were you I would keep my eye out for anything and everything Murphy has done! Oh and check out his rockin’ DeviantART page!

2) Twilight Guardian #1

Written by Troy Hickman with art by Siddharth Kotian, this is Top Cow’s 2008 Pilot Season winner. Twilight Guardian has been over two years in the making but it looks like it is worth the wait. In this four issue mini-series Hickman tells the origin story of a female vigilante whose mission is to clean up the streets in her suburban neighborhood. It is an interesting take on the “regular guy turns crime fighter” story. I especially love the pages parodying old comics. It is a nice touch! I have been digging the stuff Top Cow has been putting out lately and I can’t wait to see what they have in store for the rest of 2011!

3) The Sixth Gun #8

I love this book! Everyone should be reading it! Cullen Bunn and Brian Hurtt are doing an amazing job at putting out a monthly comic that just keeps getting better and better. I am looking forward to telling them that in person at HeroesCon 2011. They were just announced as guests a week ago. They are two of the best creators working in the industry today. Pick up The Sixth Gun and see if you don’t agree with me. The first trade paperback, which collects the first story arc, came out several weeks ago so if you are behind the times you can catch up on this amazing series. The Sixth Gun #8 is the second issue of the new storyline which explores the repercussions of the battle at the Maw and delves deeper into the secrets of the six guns. I love where the story is going and it is getting harder and harder to wait a whole month for the next issue to come out. Buy this book and support these awesome creators!

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