Shawn Says: Spotlight on New Releases April 20, 2011

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

1) Dark Horse Presents #1

In this massive 80-page issue Dark Horse’s legendary anthology series has returned. The original DHP featured some incredibly talented creators over the years including Ed Brubaker, Paul Pope and Eddie Campbell. It also gave rise to Concrete, Sin City and Next Men. This issue contains and all-new Concrete story. Along with that we are treated to stories from Howard Chaykin and Neal Adams. This book has a lot to offer and, for me, it is worth the $8 admission price.

2) Pood #3

Some of you may be shocked to find out that I am not just getting this book for the awesome title, though that does factor into my decision to purchase it. Pood is an Indie anthology that contains a mix of old and new. One of the highlights for me is the US Ape story from the Eisner-nominated team of Jim Rugg and Brian Maruca. I love the mix of color and black and white. Plus I love the over-sized newspaper format of this series. If you are looking for something new and different I highly recommend that you track down and copy of Pood and flip through it!

3) Darkwing Duck #11

I don’t believe I have giving a shout-out to my Boom! Buddies recently. I love the current story-arc on Darkwing Duck. DW has teamed up with one of his enemies, Steelbeak, in hopes that they can prevent the rise of Duckthulhu. Yes you read that correctly. How can you not read a book that parodies an H.P. Lovecraft creature? Ian Brill does a fantastic job writing all the characters. They are so funny and entertaining. They are very well-defined and yet not predictable. If you enjoyed the cartoon you will love this book! Plus it is a great way to introduce your kids to the cartoons you enjoyed as a youngster!

Review: Set to Sea by Drew Weing

Last night as I sat down to read Drew Weing’s first graphic novel, Set to Sea, I didn’t realize what an impression it would leave on me. It is so much more than a hauntingly inspiring story about a poet who ends up on a sea vessel. It is so much more than page after page of highly-detailed illustrations. It feels like a small precious art book full of engravings or paintings on each page or an old illustrated maritime novel. Weing has even said that he wanted the book to be reminiscent of old gilded novels from the romantic period and that really comes across, especially with the faux-gilt lettering and embellishments on the cover and the title page.

The story reveals itself with one panel per page and with the sparse use of words, I flew through the book. I regret reading it at such a quick pace and I intend to go back and re-read it (multiple times) to more thoroughly absorb and appreciate the detailed illustrations. Weing’s art is mesmerizing. You could stare at one page for hours. Each page is carefully planned and crafted to maximize its storytelling ability and it is easy to see the love and effort that went into each line and crosshatch.

It would be easy to compare this to Sammy Harkham’s Poor Sailor or Chris Schweizer’s Crogan’s Vengeance. These books are loosely tied together with similar themes and artistic choice but Poor Sailor and Crogan’s Vengeance feel modern in their interpretation of the past. The tone and aesthetic of Set to Sea hearken back to a time long ago. It is as if we have discovered a long-lost relic. Furthermore, Set to Sea is a little more life-affirming than Poor Sailor. Poor Sailor is a heartbreakingly sad story that leaves you feeling morose. Although they both have circular stories that end where they begin you feel like the poet in Set to Sea has lived a happy and fulfilled life. Also, Set to Sea isn’t a kid-friendly boy adventure like Crogan’s Vengeance. There is action and adventure but it is a more character-driven story than an action-driven story. That is a long way of saying, if you enjoyed those two books then I feel certain that you will enjoy Set to Sea. It will have familiar elements but it won’t be the same read.

I don’t want to write a long and exhaustive review of this book to somehow convince you to purchase it. I just want you to pick it up and look at it. Once you do, the art will do the rest.

Shawn Says: Spotlight on New Releases April 13, 2011

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

1) Infinite Vacation #2

Writer Nick Spencer and artist Christian Ward have created a world of infinite possibilities. Literally. Vacationing in alternate realities is big business. This issue fleshes out the concept of The Infinite Vacation and delves into the moral and social ramifications of becoming a different you. More and more this series is beginning to remind me of The Surrogates mixed with Sliders. I definitely am hooked and I can’t wait to find out why Mark is so important.

2) SpongeBob Comics #2

I am surprised by how much I enjoy this series. It captures the essence of the show while still allowing the individual artists to freely create a work that is all their own. This is best exemplified by the James Kochalka stripes in the back of the book. I think my favorite story in this issue was Spilt Decisions. It has some really interesting layouts and storytelling. There is some top-notch art and writing in this issue. I hope that Gregg Schigiel, Jacob Chabot and Robert Leighton continue to do work for SpongeBob Comics!

3) Shield Infinity One-Shot

I am glad I bought this issue. I was on the fence about it because it doesn’t directly pertain to the series but I flipped through it and took a chance on it based on the art. Jonathan Hickman wrote all four stories but each one has a different artist. The only one that I am familiar with is the colorist of Chapter One (Colossus), Rachelle Rosenberg. While Chapter Four (The Apple) was my favorite story I loved the art in Chapter Two (The Hidden Message). If you really enjoyed Shield I recommend that you give this book a shot. Plus it has the Colossus of Rhodes fighting a Kree Sentry. Awesome!

Press Release: Archaia Entertainment Names Mike Kennedy As Publisher

Leading Graphic Novel Publisher Appoints Respected Comic Book Writer And Videogame Veteran To Top Post

Chicago (April 14, 2011) – Leading graphic novel publisher Archaia Entertainment, LLC has named distinguished videogame veteran and comic book writer Mike Kennedy as Publisher, as recently announced by PJ Bickett, CEO. Kennedy’s appointment comes at a time of dramatic growth for Archaia, as the company has successfully grown into an award winning house of original content, which includes such breakout hits as Mouse Guard, Return of the Dapper Men, and Tumor. Kennedy’s experience will play a key role in Archaia’s expanded focus on device- and app-based publishing, as well as digital and interactive development.

Kennedy joins Archaia with a distinguished 20-year career in the comic book and videogame industries, including high-profile writing assignments with such leading comic book publishers as Dark Horse and DC.  His writing credits encompass numerous notable and high-profile titles such as Star Wars (Dark Horse); Superman (DC); Aliens Vs. Predator (20^th Century Fox/Dark Horse) and Aeon Flux (Dark Horse/MTV). Kennedy has also earned industry-wide recognition for his innovative work developing original videogame IP’s for such major players as Electronic Arts, Namco, Activision and 3DO.

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Shawn Says: Spotlight on New Releases April 6, 2011

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

1) Nonplayer #1

This is the book that everyone has been talking about. This is Nate Simpson’s first comic and he is wowing audiences with his art and storytelling. His art is comparable to Geof Darrow and Seth Fisher, yet it is definitely all his own. It has already sold out so if you missed it the first time around be sure to catch the second print.

2) Fear Itself #1

I couldn’t just outright dismiss this series without at least giving it a shot first. I know that many are feeling event fatigue, especially with the sheer number of books that are typically involved in these company-wide crossovers. Writer Matt Fraction has been doing a great job on Thor and so I was interested in seeing how he would handle all the other Avengers. Plus with Stuart Immonen doing the art I knew it would be worth giving the one issue a chance. I must admit, after having read it, I actually enjoyed it. I am planning on picking up the rest of the series. I want to know what will happen next.

3) First Wave Special #1

I was sad to hear that DC is cancelling all the First Wave titles. I have been enjoying Doc Savage, Spirit and the First Wave mini-series. I am glad that they are tying up loose ends and finishing storylines though. I wonder if this was a storyline that they were going to explore in a co-feature but decided to release it as a one-shot instead. Whatever the case, It was a really solid story. The Avenger wants to put an end to gang warfare but Batman and Doc Savage don’t agree with his methods. Phil Winslade’s sketchy, rough art fit the story nicely.