Reading Reflections for 2011

Well, another year has come and gone, and I thought it might be interesting to reflect a bit on my reading from 2011.  You can find my complete 2011 reading list here.

The first thing I noticed was the sheer volume of comics I read in 2011.  Whether in collections, singles, or in digital form, I read very widely in 2011.  This came at a bit of expense to my "book book" reading, which was down a bit this year (from 55 to 51 books).  However, I've worked very hard this year to make Panel Patter a priority after my work and school obligations, and that means spending more time reading and writing about comics.  I'm very proud of the blogging work I did this year, and I'm hoping to carry that into 2012 as I work ever harder to be a comic evangelist.

The other major thing that stands out is the way that acquiring an iPad has changed my reading habits.  While I was already reading fairly heavily in digital form prior to getting the iPad, it's such a perfect comics reader that I found myself more and more attracted to reading comics online, often opting to snuggle up with my iPad rather than a paper comic.  It will be interesting to see if that trend continues in 2012, or if I'll start to move back towards paper comics again.

I will say this:  Given how expensive it is to self-publish a color comic, I do not understand why anyone would do that versus getting on Graphicly or Comixology.  Okay, they take a percentage, I get that.  But just how many copies of your $6.00, 32-page comic are you selling, how much did they cost you to make, and how many more could you sell for 99 cents or $1.99 online, where you can tap into the explosion of tablets and be a part of sales and things?

2011 was definitely the year of digital comics, and not just for me.  Many publishers came on board or ramped up their digital comics presence.  Some have been smart and aggressive about pricing, such as Top Shelf and Dark Horse, others have quietly followed a path that makes sense to me (Image and DC being the primary leaders by unofficially starting comics at full price and then reducing to $1.99 over time), and one company has notably been idiotic about their digital pricing strategy:  Marvel, I'm looking right at you.  I am very influenced by price when it comes to digital comics, and my reading is shifting away from my long-time love of the House of Ideas simply because I refuse to pay the price they're asking.

Speaking of pricing, Marvel is not the only comics source that is pricing its way out of my interest.  While I love mini-comics dearly and will promote them every chance I get, I am really having an issue with the pricing of mini-comics.  I know you worked hard, but $7.00, $8.00, and $10.00 for something that isn't even 30 pages long in some cases is just too much.  I will always go to SPX while I live anywhere near it.  I will always go to shows and events and try to get mini-comics from people.  But at the rate things are being priced, I have a feeling I'll be reading less and less mini-comics as time goes on.  What's wrong with $5.00 or less?

One of the things I discovered is that I am really gravitating to certain publishers.  Many of my favorite books that I read in 2011 were from Fantagraphics, for instance.  Manga probably will always be dominated by Viz, especially with Tokyopop gone.  I read heavily from Boom!, mostly because of their solid quality, and I'm finding that Image comics has a lot to offer me that meets my taste.  I read IDW comics for the first time this year (I think) and found Archaia was putting out a lot of books that interested me, though their pricing strategy makes it a bit hard to get too many at once.  Heck, I even started getting new DC comics, which I had not done since 2008.  This coming year I want to look more closely at which publishers I am reading most often.  It will be interesting to see who is making an impression with me, as some of them this year were not who I initially thought would be on my best-of lists.

I made a point of trying to read more new comics in 2011, and that worked out extremely well for me.  While I still read a healthy amount of older comics, I was happy to be reading books as they came out (or pretty close) via the library, making purchases, and in some cases, thanks to the publisher or creator.  I'm hoping to continue that trend into 2012, as I think it makes for a better blog.  It also means I can jump right into arguments on the internet!  Who doesn't enjoy that?

If you look at my month to month reading, there are some interesting quirks.  I apparently went on quite the manga binge from January to April, reading 58 of 96 manga titles in the first third of the year.  I also increased my mini-comics reading before going to shows, whether it was Heroes in June or SPX in September.  I also seem to get into certain reading grooves, as there are months when I forgot to read from a particular category.  The significant dip in manga for the final eight months of the year makes me wonder if I'm starting to fall out of the genre a bit.

Breaking things down, I read 272 trades and graphic novels this year, which is a lot, let me tell you.  30% of them were indie, which matches last year pretty closely.  Manga was 35% and Superheroes were the other 35%, which is so balanced I can hardly believe it.  I had no idea I was reading that evenly!  I wonder if that will happen again in 2012?

The split in singles is not even close, however.  I read 196 mini comics/zines/indie single issues, compared to only 86 superhero singles.  Take out Mark Waid-written comics and that ratio gets even larger.  This category is most heavily influenced by my purchases instead of the library, and it shows.  While I still like to read capes comics, I am not as likely to buy them, preferring to read mostly from the library.

For the first time in awhile, I don't think I'm setting any reading goals for 2012.  I found that I didn't really use them in 2011, and I was very happy with what I read.  I have a feeling that my reading in single-issue form will continue to increase and that I might read a bit more older comics this year, because I want to catch up on some series that I've been collecting slowly and just about have the entire run for, such as Lone Wolf and Cub and Usagi Yojimbo or have been dying to re-read, like Bone.  I'm going to continue to explore the mid-range publishers like Image and IDW that I might have ignored before my digital revolution.

All in all though, my goal is to read good comics and tell you all about them here on Panel Patter, with some help from Erica and Sarah when they can.  After all, what's more fun than reading a good comic?

Have a great New Year's Holiday, everyone!  See you in 2012!

Panel Patter's Best of 2011: Mini-Comics

Hello and welcome to the final of my 2011 Best of lists for the year, where I look at the seven best mini-comics that I read in 2011.  Why seven?  Why not?

This list should be read with the caveat that I am friends with three of the creators, so there may be a bit of bias involved in the creation of this list.  I tried to be as objective as I could.

7. The Gay Kid Series

Katie Omberg continued her series of introspective comics dealing with learning to accept that she was gay in 2011, producing two issues of the ongoing mini-comic.  While Omberg's illustrations are not as good as some of the other mini-comics I read in 2011, she does a great job handling the subject with care and honesty.  I look forward to reading more in the series in 2012.

6. Wall Street Cat:  Money Takes Naps

You guys should count yourselves lucky this isn't a list of seven cat-themed mini-comics, because I could definitely see myself doing that!  I love stories about cats from cat owners, because they're always so devoted to their animals.  In this case, Sara Lindo pretends her orange tabby has a job as a therapy animal on Wall Street, offering quiet advice to those in need.  It's a sweet comic, drawn very well by Lindo, a long-time Panel Patter favorite.  I hope she does another sometime, after finishing work on a new Lobotomy-themed book.

5. Tragic Relief 12 Drag Bandits

The second in new line of mini-comics published by Box Brown, Drag Bandits features the delightful story of a cross-dressing couple who thrill in the danger of being thieves who reverse gender expectations.  It's a great comic that treats the protagonists with respect and thumbs its nose as society.

4. This Isn't Working: Comics About Ex-Boyfriends

I love anthologies, but good mini-comic anthologies are hard to find.  They tend to go for as many contributors as possible, and don't give creators room to breathe.  That's what's nice about this mini--it has several contributors, but each gets enough pages to tell the story they want to tell, not the one that will fit.  I also like that each creator has her own style, so that there is a wide visual variety despite the tight theme.  This was a great pickup in 2011.

3. Stickybeak

I love getting odd comics like this one at conventions, where you can find things you'd never see elsewhere.  Stickybeak was like reading a storyboard for an old pre-movie cartoon, with two birds who have hoarding issues dueling for the affection of a less-than-impressed female.  Sadly, I don't think very many people can enjoy this, as it was a college art project for the creator.  But man, does he have a future if he keeps working in comics!

2. Dharbin! 1-2 Collected Edition

Dustin Harbin has some of the finest linework in the business, which makes sense considering he's also a letterer of some note.  This book gives you two mini-comics in one and pages upon pages of Harbin's various musings, whether they are on trips to comics conventions, Presidents, philosophy, or other bits of history, here and there.  Similar in theme (though not in approach or content) to Kate Beaton, Harbin is one of my favorites.  He's also a great conversationalist, if you ever have the pleasure.  I really liked this set of stories and I'm always eager to see more from him.

1. Indestructible Universe Quarterly 

My choice for the number one spot is another anthology mini-comic, though this one is written entirely by one person, Morgan Pielli.  I had the pleasure of starting to read this series after having it recommended to me by Sara Lindo, and I am very glad she did.  Indestructible Universe features a set of stories each issue, some of which link to each other, and some of which are stand alone.  There are a few links between issues, but it is easy to start at any point in the line.  Drawn in a nice variety of styles and voices, Pielli has quite a bit of talent that I hope continues for many years to come.  Indestructible Universe Quarterly is my Best Mini-Comic in 2011.

I know there are tons of mini-comics out there, and this is my limited sample.  Are there any that you think I missed and should seek out?  Any that I've overrated?  Let me know in the comments!

Panel Patter's Best of 2011: Superhero Comics

Wednesday was always the day I got my new superhero comics, so I figured it was the best day to feature this particular best of column.  I don't read superhero comics like I used to.  What I do read, I often read very much behind, either in library trades or on digital comic sales.  As a result, I don't have a lot of 2011superhero comics to talk about.  While I am reading more thanks to the New 52 initiative of DC comics, they're all only a few issues in, and I can't place them on a best of list just yet, though I expect Batman, Demon Knights, and maybe OMAC of all things will be contenders for 2012.

In this case, we'll go with a Top Five for my Best of Superheroes in 2011...

5. Captain America Man Out of Time

Mark Waid is still one of the best around at writing superhero comics, regardless of the character or publisher.  This mini-series, targeted at people who might have just seen the Cap movie, is Waid at his continuity-knowing best.  He manages to modernize Cap's appearance in the world while respecting all that has come before it.  Had he chosen a different President, this would have been perfect.  As it is, it was the best Cap story I've read in a long time and definitely a favorite for 2011.

4. Black Panther The Man Without Fear

While I don't like some of the things Marvel has done with T'Challa over the years, I really liked this book, which I think made the best of an awkward situation, using the rich history of Marvel's characters to contrast their current arrangements, rather than refuse to admit that past existed.  The story is solid, the artwork is good, and I just wish people would start buying more of these kinds of comics so I could keep reading them.  Don't dismiss this book because of the events surrounding it.  It's worth reading.

4. Batman Joker's Asylum 2

The Joker takes on the role of Cain, the Cryptkeeper, or any other number of comic narrators you wish to name in this second anthology series of one-shots.  Just as good as its predecessor, these stories aren't weighted down by continuity or Grant Morrison's ego.  They're just good stories involving familiar characters, which seems like it can be too much to ask from DC or Marvel at times.  I had a great time reading this, and I would love it if we get a third collection.

2. Ex Machina

Ex Machina's final trade came out this year, and I took that opportunity to read through the entire series.  It comes to an awesome conclusion here, as Mayor Hundred goes quite far--but is he doing it for the right reasons?  A lot of the ideas we see in the second half of the series come to roost here, and Vaughan is deliberately ambiguous about some of it.  A great, self-contained series that was a bit difficult to classify, but I'll put it here for all the superhero comic book references.  If you never read this, go for it!

1. Irredeemable/Incorruptible

I might be cheating a bit here by putting these two together, but Mark Waid's Irredeemable universe holds together so well that I think they should be considered together, not as individual comics.  As I've mentioned in each review of the series, Mark Waid is at the top of his game in this series that asks what happens when Superman goes bad and we see that none of the world's protectors are above reproach.  The ideas and concepts Waid creates are detailed, layered, and complex, and when you add them to what it's like for an ex-villain who wants to go straight, the combination is pure dynamite.  Irredeemable and Incorruptible are tw0 of the best comics being made, month in and month out (though I think they read best in trade form) and easily were my best superhero comics of 2011.

I referenced why I did not include any of the DC New 52, but what did I miss in 2011 that you would have included?  What am I totally wrong about?  Let me know in the comments!

A Look at Fantagraphics' 40% Sale

It's that time of year, where publishers try to clear out stock a bit and see what holiday money they can grab from their fans.  Fantagraphics takes this very seriously, offering what I think is essentially an annual 40% off sale on a variety of their books. Most of them are older, but some are of a more recent vintage.

As a public service, since there are over 150 items on sale, I thought I'd offer some suggestions if you have money burning a hole in your pocket and are looking for some great independent comics.  I've listed these in alphabetical order, just to make it easier.  Happy Shopping!

• For those who don't need their comics to follow conventional borders and agreed upon rules, Fantagraphics is a constant source of material.  Abstract Comics is a collection of such work from a wide variety of creators.
• You might not expect to find Barry Windsor-Smith in a Fantagraphics catalog, but here is with, with an independent work that was once an X-Men plot (three guesses with which character and the first two don't count, Adastra in Africa.  Windsor-Smith's artwork is amazing, and this is a great price for a lesser-known work by him.  There are also a pair of art books, for those who really, really like the talented creator.
• Jason is one of my favorite creators, and if you haven't read any of his books yet (WHY THE HECK NOT?), this sale gives you a few changes.  Almost Silent is a collection of several Jason books under one set of covers.  There's also Hey Wait..., Sshhhh! and I Killed Adolph Hitler.
• I used to love Zippy the Pinhead when the strip was mostly about Zippy commenting on pop culture, politics, and anything else that struck Bill Griffith's fancy.  It was the comedy of the absurd mixed with pieces of Americana.  Then Dingburg happened, and the thing went off the rails.  You can get several Zippy collections on sale here.  I recommend the early ones, which are Dingburg-free.
• Artichoke Tales is the strange story of a race of people who look like walking vegetables and have serious family issues.  I liked this one when I read it awhile back, and it's definitely worth checking out.
• Jack Cole is best known for Plastic Man, but after walking away from the character and before his suicide, he also did a comic strip and work for Playboy, both of which are collected by Fantagraphics.  It's not of huge interest to me, but I know there are folks who specialize in such books and now is a great time to grab them.
• If you want some classic Tony Millionaire, Drinky Crow's Maakies Treasury  will stick out on your comics shelf, but comes recommended from Erica.
• Want more Roger Langridge?  Fred the Clown is 40% off and likely to be a treat, based on all of Langridge's other works that I've read.
• A long time ago, I read the first edition of Ho Che Anderson's King.  If you've never had the pleasure, 40% of is a perfect time.
• Missing some Love and Rockets?  Volumes 19, 21, and 23 are available for those who need them.
• If you like Jessica Abel and want to see her early work, Soundtrack has some of it for you.  I wasn't overly fond of the collection, but I think it's worth reading if you follow Abel's work.
• Richard Sala's The Hidden was my #2 Indie comic of the year, so I would be remiss if I didn't mention two of his other books are in this sale, The Chuckling Whatsit and Mad Night.
• If you didn't already buy Fantagraphics' great Usagi Yojimbo delux hardcover, you can get the first few trades as part of the sale.  Great stuff that's highly recommended by me.

Those are some of the highlights of the sale.  There's definitely something for everyone and at those prices, it's a great time to sample good comics!  Let me know what you decide to get!

Panel Patter's Best of 2011: Indie Comics

Another day, another Best of list!  This time around it's the rather nebulous "Indie Comics" category, which I admit is rather ill-defined.  Basically, I throw anything in this category that I don't consider to be a superhero or was not written to try and be a superhero comic.  That means it has everyone from Adrian Tomine and his New Yorker stylings to Chris Roberson's latest edition of Elric.  Who makes it into this category is rather arbitrary at times, but I hate playing with semantics overly much.  I create a few categories to help myself see what types of things I read, and I don't worry much beyond that.  Neither should you!

That all being said, this was a hard list to make.  I had a lot of great comics to choose from in 2011, and a few favorites (Jeffrey Brown) just missed getting on the list while a few new favorites appear for what I bet won't be the last time.  I leaned heavily on the side of things that really blew me away when making this list, which I think will show in the commentary.

With all that said, let's look at this Best of 2011 for Indie Comics!

10.  Boom! Studios' Various Planet of the Apes Books

If you had asked me about where I'd rank Planet of the Apes comics at the beginning of the year, I might have actually laughed at you.  I'm not a big fan of licensed comics in general (though my reading this year has changed that), and I have no love for the Planet of the Apes as a movie franchise.  (Mom's the Apes fan.)  However, having read a few different versions of the series as re-imagined by Boom! Studios, I was blown away by the quality of the storytelling and my interest in what is happening in these various stories.  I think the primary reason is that all of the writers involved are working on telling good comics that feature movie characters, rather than trying to shoehorn movie characters into a comic.  If you've stayed away from these, I strongly recommend you give them another chance.

9. Elric The Balance Lost

This was another comic, also from Boom! Studios, that really caught me by surprise.  I really enjoy many of the people who have worked on Elric comics over time, such as Roy Thomas and P. Craig Russell, but I've never wanted to keep reading about the character--until now.  Written in a style that takes a bit of the focus off Elric himself but places the character within a huge, worlds-ending concept, Roberson gives Elric a focus that I feel was lacking previously.  There's a battle between the forces of chaos and order, and the balance between the two is completely skewed.  I love the world-building and set-up going on here, and Roberson's artist does an amazing job of keeping up with the plot, done in a way that resembles but does not copy Russell.  Great stuff that I look forward to continuing to read in 2012.

8. Baltimore Vol 1 The Plague Ships

The world of Hellboy expands again, with the addition of Lord Baltimore, a character who shows up around World War I and must face the horrible nature of war--and those who would profit by it via their unholy nature.  It's another fight of good against supernatural evil, with Lord Baltimore serving this time as the person who must try and stop the madness before it infects the world further.  Mignola once again creates a solid world for his characters to work in, and manages to keep the premise fresh despite some familiar themes.  I've liked just about every Mignola comic I've ever read, and this is no exception.

7. FUBAR Empire of the Rising Dead

Continuing my theme of comics that surprised me is this anthology of zombie stories themed around the Pacific Theater of World War 2.  These are better than the average zombie story because they use the theme so well, weaving the narrative of war and sacrifice into the idea of, well, undead legions.  Not every story is perfect, but overalll, it's a very solid collection and one of the best anthologies I've read in quite some time.  Like the Apes books, mot of these tales put the story first and the concept second.

6. Snarked!

Roger Langridge is no stranger to my end of year favorites lists, and it's no wonder given his immense comedic talent.  While I will miss his Muppet Show terribly, I'm so glad to have Snarked! enter my comic-reading life.  Snarked is Langridge's take on some Lewis Carol creations, where a band of good-hearted outcasts must save a kingdom.  Filled with great verbal and visual gags, Snarked! is a pleasure to read each month, and comes highly recommended, either as a monthly or in the inevitable collection.

5. Zahra's Paradise

Though I do read mostly comics for entertainment and though most comics are written for entertainment, the medium has such a wide variety of offerings that not all comics feature dramatic stories or comedic stylings.  In the case of Zahra's Paradise, Amir and Khalil work to tell a story of the recent uprisings in relation to the Iranian election, where corruption is rife and disappearances are common.  This story will anger anyone who reads it and provides so much information in just a short package.  It's a great work, and shows just what comics can do as an art form.  I was extremely impressed, and you will be, too.

4. Blink So Far

Sometimes the best comics you read are those you find almost by accident.  I was loitering around in artist alley and found this, entirely based upon Johanna Draper Carlson having a blurb on the back.  (And this time, it was even a positive one.)  Blink is the story of three friends who spend time together, living out life and discussing how the world works, from differing perspectives.  Drawn in a soft style with gentle humor and a large touch of real-life experiences, Blink is a mature comic for those of us slowly growing up in a 21st Century world.  There will be more Blink in 2012, and I simply can't wait.

3. Isle of 100,000 Graves

Jason seems to have roughly a new book every year, and that's just fine with me, as they're always a pleasure to read.  This is yet another great book from him, in partnership with a collaborator.  Isle of 100,000 graves has Jason's trademark deadpan humor, resolute protagonist, and ending that leaves the reader thinking.  It's the first of my trio of Fantagraphics that continues with...

2. The Hidden

...this book, which of all the titles I read in 2011, might have held the biggest surprise for me as a reader.  At first, The Hidden feels like a typical apocalyptic story, albeit one painted amazingly well by Sala.  But as things progress, the tale morphs and twists into one of the best horror comics I've read, with a twist towards the end that I never saw coming.  That's what makes a comic stand out, and puts it near the top of my best of list.  In fact, I might have made this number one, except for...

1. Mark Twain's Autobiography 1910-2010

...what was far and way my favorite book of 2011, Michael Kupperman's Mark Twain Autobiography.  I had a feeling I was going to like this book from the moment I first heard about it but I had no idea just how much I was going to like it.  Kupperman, who might be the best satirist working in comics today, captures the cadence of Twain's authorial voice and blends it with the culture of the 20th Century in a way that many have tried but none have ever come this close to perfecting.  I laughed out loud so many times over this mixture of text and illustration.  It's a pitch-perfect book with almost no mis-steps, and I hereby call it my Best Indie Comic of 2011.

(Now if you'll excuse me, I have to collect my bribe money from Kupperman.  Knowing him, he's trying to skip town in a passel of hobos at the railroad tracks.  Stop the guy with the purple Cat in the Hat hat if you see him.  I keep telling him it looks out of place but Kupperman insists it was a gift from his great-aunt and he can't bear to part with it.)

That's my best of the best for 2011 in indie comics.  Did I miss anything?  Did I over-rate something?  Let me know in the comments!

Digging into Digital: Comixology's Holiday Small Publisher Sale

Got some holiday money burning a hole in your pocket?  Here's a great way to spend it!

Comixology, home of frequent 99 cent comic sales from a variety of publishers, most frequently Marvel and DC, is at it again with a holiday sale from small publishers Boom! Studios, Dynamite Entertainment, IDW, and Oni Press, along with Image Comics.

The sale runs until December 30th at 11PM Eastern time and features a wide variety of comics from these five publishers, including a good chuck of stories from most of the publishers, allowing a reader to sample an entire story arc rather than simply an issue or two for a low entry price.

There's also a sale on more Batman Comics, but I did not find the offerings all that appealing--they are either comics most fans already own (Year One, The Long Halloween, etc.) or are early stories that only have historical value (Jason Todd's introduction, for example).  Marvel is offering runs of some of its Avengers and X-Men comics for 99 cents as well, but as with the DC offerings, I've either already read them, or don't particularly feel like paying to read them because the premise isn't interesting enough to me.

If superheroes are your primary thing, however, it's nice to see that Comixology is doing all it can to help you find affordable comics.  In the meantime, here are my recommendations from the Holiday sale, sorted by publisher.  I hope you find some great comics now before the end of the year!

Boom! Studios

• Regular Panel Patter readers know that I am a big fan of Boom! Studios and their wide variety of comic offerings.  Their sale shows off their versatility, as you can find the first few issues of several titles for 99 cents.  Erica and I strongly recommend Irredeemable and Incorruptible, the twin books in a universe created by Mark Waid to show off the worst that superheroes can be.  Filled with great ideas and twists and turns, both series are well worth getting invested in and all issues are available digitally.  
• If your taste runs to noir, The Rinse is a great limited series that I finished recently.  A man who launders money for only the right kind of thieves tries to stay one step ahead of the IRS and Vegas thugs.  It's a very solid read and only four issues, two of which are on sale here.
• Anyone who loves all ages comics and good humor should be reading Snarked already, but if you aren't, here's your chance to get the first two issues for 99 cents each.  I can almost guarantee you'll be hooked!

Dynamite Entertainment

I'm not sure why a company that has Kurt Buseik and Alex Ross on the payroll opts to go with three licensed properties instead, but that's how it goes.  I can't recommend anything from them that's on sale, but if you're so inclined, they have Kevin Smith's Bionic Man (I wonder if it has as many gay sex jokes as Smith's Batman did?) and Warlord of Mars, which actually manages to beat out Vampirella out for most exploitative covers.  How do you do that?

IDW

IDW does the "only issue one is 99 cents" thing for this sale, which allows for a larger range of titles, but makes it hard for a reader to commit.  Why buy issue one at 99 cents, when further issues are up as high as $3.99?  I just don't see the logic in this decision.  Like Dynamite, IDW leans heavily on their licensed comics, with three Transformers comics, two Dr. Who comics, two Star Trek properties, and some Ghostbusters, G.I. Joe, Ann Rice, and True Blood thrown in for good measure.  I am not a huge fan of licensed comics, but I liked the IDW Star Trek books I've read so far.  My advice is that if you are a fan of any of these in their movie/TV incarnations, give them a shot and see if you want to pay more than 99 cents going forward.

Image 

• If you only get one of the Image 99 cent titles, grab Elephantman, which author Richard Starkings correctly describes as trying to capture the magic and wonder inherent in the Marvel and DC comics of the 1960s and 1970s, where wild ideas are thrown out there with abandon and the story just flows from there.  Great stuff that I am so happy to finally getting to read.
• Bulletproof Coffin takes the idea of Elephantman's homage one step further and posits a lost set of comics that seem to have a deeper story to tell.  I love this idea no matter how many times I've seen it done.  This one is great, and I would never have tried it without the sale.  Recommended.
• Robert Kirkman is so prolific, you'd think he was working for the old page rates of the 1960s.  Though we know him most often for bloody outings like Invincible or Walking Dead, Super Dinosaur shows his subtler side, proving you don't need blood to tell a good comic.  The premise here are super scientists and talking dinosaurs and if that's not enough to get you interested, well, I just don't know what you'd actually like!

Oni Press

• If you missed out on The Sixth Gun, here's your chance to read the popular western from Oni.  I really appreciate that all of the issues were set at 99 cents, not just the first issue.
• Simiarly, Oni also makes available Stumptown as part of the sale, which is cool because I missed it entirely despite liking Greg Rucka's work, especially when it's not involving superheroes.
• Oni also has Spontaneous, which follows the story of those who are consumed by flame, and Wasteland, a book set in an apocalyptic time.  Neither of those really wowed me, but I know they have fans, so this might be a good time to see if you liked them better than I did.

So that's what looks good or interesting to me.  Happy shopping!

Panel Patter's Best of 2011: Manga Edition

Hello and welcome to the first of the four Best of 2011 Lists here at Panel Patter.  Since it's Monday, we'll start with the manga.  I have to admit, it was a bit harder to put this list together than some of the others.  My manga reading decreased in 2011, including a period of time where I did not read any manga titles at all.  I'm finding that over time, my taste in manga is getting quite specialized and I'm less inclined to take a chance on a series.  Still, there were some very good mangas put out in 2011, and here are the ten I thought were the best.

10:  I'll Give It My All...Tomorrow

A Story of a middle-aged salary man who decides to give up all his safety and security to follow his late-blooming dream to become a manga-ka.  There's only one problem--he's not the most motivated person in the world.  The protagonist struggles to try and find his way, despite the beratings of his father and the expectations of the world around him.  It's a very moving, if sad, story, told with a good balance between comedy and seriousness.

9.  Twin Spica

A young girl dreams of joining the new Japanese space program, even if the wreckage of the old program haunts her life.  Fighting against the odds, she tries to do what few can hope to manage.  Neither her size or the risks will deter her.  A story of hope and never giving up, this is a classic story that I will miss when I'm finished with it.

8. Gen Manga Anthology

There are tons of Japanese comics out there, and the English-speaking world only gets to see a small proportion of it, made even smaller by Tokyopop's departure.  Gen Manga is an attempt to create a monthly, digital anthology of Japanese creators who are working in the equivalent of Japan's smaller publishers.  The comics themselves are solid, if not spectacular, and I'm glad to get to read more stories from sources other than the main publishers of manga here in the United States.  They're definitely worth looking into, especially since the price point is aggressive for digital manga.

7. Natsume's Book of Friends

Natsume has a problem that leads to great storytelling--he can see spirits no one else can, thanks to a link to a relative who created a book of names that control different ghosts and other haunts.  He only wants to set them free, but some of them want him dead for their pain at the hands of his relative.  Watch as with the help of an evil demon trapped in a good-luck cat, Natsume tries to return every single name in this relaxed, Victorian-style vignettes.

6. 20th Century Boys

This sprawling story might be the most Western-feeling of all the manga I've read, as the plot and pacing remind me very much of Steven King and other similarly prolific writers.  It's going to take me a long time to get to the end, but it's been a fun ride trying to figure out how the small band of friends can stop their rogue member from destroying the world.  A great series, but I am a bit worried about the length.

5. Wandering Son

This is one of the most serious manga series I've ever read, and I finished it unable to come to grips with the best way to review it.  Dealing with two children who come to realize they are trapped in the wrong gender, it's a story of secrets, revelations, understandings, and occasional cruelty.  The book handles the topic with care and respect, however, which is part of why it is so good. Fantagraphics is extremely selective in its choice of manga to publish, and this one was a perfect fit for them.

4.  Jormungand

As much I love serious and thoughtful manga, I also grew up on 80s Action movies and the A-Team, and Jormungand taps into that essence while also adding 21st Century cynicism into the mix.  The adventures of Koko and her band of weapons dealers across the war-torn world is both big and bold and surprisingly deep at times.  I liked this series on first sight and nothing has changed my opinion as we move into the seventh volume.  A great action manga with teeth.

3. Stargazing Dog

I've said it before and I'll say it again:  Don't let the cute dog narrator fool you.  This is a serious and tragic story that uses the dog as an innocent narrator to the tragedy of his owner's life.  It follows the classic drama structure and should bring a sniffle or two to your eye by the time the story reaches its inevitable conclusion. Drawn expertly by Murakmi and presented in left to right format by NBM, this is a manga that deserves a wide audience.

2. Karakuri Odette

I probably have an irrational love of this series, but I just think it's such a great example of what a coming of age story can be with a female protagonist who is not sexualized and deals with problems beyond just whether or not boys like her.  Odette must find her place in a world where a strong female character is often told to mind her place.  The series is complete in six volumes and every one of them was high-quality.  I'd love this one to get rescued, but even if it does not, I'm happy to have read it.  You will be, too, if you get the chance.

1. A Bride's Story

My favorite of the manga I read far and away this year was Kaoru Mori's A Bride's Story.  Mori was behind the excellent Emma, a period piece set in late Victorian England.  Here, she takes the same skill and care to detail the life of semi-nomads on the Silk Road during the 19th Century.  It's absolutely gorgeous, with every panel featuring painstaking details that immerse the reader in the world.  The themes are similar to Emma, as are the strong female leads.  Just a perfect, perfect book.

That's my list of the 10 Best Manga for 2011.  What did I overlook?  What do I have no business including?  Feel free to tell me in the comments!

Happy Holidays from Panel Patter!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM

THE PANEL PATTER TEAM!

SEE YOU ALL ON DECEMBER 26TH

FOR THE START OF THE

BEST OF 2011 LISTS!

Quick Hits: Bendis' Avengers Volume 1

Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Illustrated by John Romita, Jr., Klaus Janson, and Tom Palmer
Marvel

The Avengers are back, even though they never really left.  Steve Rogers picks a team to be the face people look for in the Avengers family, and goes for a mixture of the classic (Thor, Iron Man, Hawkeye) and the new (Spider-Man, Wolverine, Spider-Woman, Bucky Cap).  They don't have long to wait before an epic, time-spanning battle pits them against everyone from Kang to Apocalypse to Ulton to...their future?

I wasn't going to review this one, as I was reading it just out of curiosity.  I'm generally inclined to like Bendis, despite his ability to tell a 5 issue story in 15 issues instead, but Secret Invasion was so bad, I gave up, and I lost touch with what he was doing.

This fresh start in the Heroic Age is much better.  He still takes the story out longer than it needs to, but instead of filler page after filler page of talking, the characters are all on the move.  There are battles all over the place, drawn extremely well by Romita and his constant companion, Janson.  After years of butchering the work of others, it seems like Janson finally has learned how to do a better job of bringing life to the pencils he's working on. It only took what, thirty years?  The dialog is sharp, with characters sounding like they are actually friends having deadly adventures together, rather than posing, posturing expositors of English.  Bendis does a particularly good job with Spider-Man, of course, who has a longstanding history with so many of these characters.  But I also like how his Tony is both a jerk and a good person at the same time (something we haven't seen in a long time), making mistakes while trying to do the right thing.  Thor is noble, if single-minded.  Wolverine's a bit harder to nail down, and is the only character who doesn't really feel like he fits in with this group.  Overall, I liked how this team is set up, for however long it lasts.

As far as the story goes, well, I'm not big on time travel as much as I am alternative realities, because of the problems inherent in them.  I like how Bendis taps into everything from Future Imperfect to Age of Apocalypse to the Marvel2 Universe, but I think everyone kinda forgets Marvel Universe 101 here, where each trip into the future creates a new reality.  Maybe that's no longer true, but if it is, then the importance of this story is definitely dampened a bit.

Bendis' Avengers isn't deep.  It's not the old, take-themselves-too-seriously Avengers, either, but I consider that to be a good thing.  This is adventure comics by a man having fun using characters he likes.  Fortunately for me, I like them, too, so I'm having fun reading this comic.  It's not rocket science, even if there's pseudo-science involved in the story, but it's enjoyable comics.  Sometimes, that's all I ask for.  I'd definitely read a second volume, if I find it cheaply enough.  If you aren't on Bendis burnout and like team books, it's probably worth seeing if this might be something you'd like.  It was for me.

The Serial Squad!

Written by Paul E. Schultz
Illustrated by Paul E. Schultz
Self-Published (Bad Place Productions)

Six stars of the Silver Screen have worked hard to keep the spirits up of those facing the terrible consequences of war.  When the President asks them to front an actual operation to increase morale, they do their civic duty.  But what happens when the operation proves to be all too real?  Soon these actors are fighting for their lives against a Nazi threat that could destroy the world.  Like it or not, they're part of the Serial Squad!

I like to linger at conventions in the artist sections to see what I might find there.  This was a great little pick-up that, while probably too expensive for most at the $5.95 price tag, would make a great digital comic, if the creators involved were so inclined.  At 99 cents or even $1.99, I could see there being a market for a story set in the 1940s where heroes similar to the Shadow, the Phantom, and other pulp figures were put together to take down Nazi super-science.

Schultz does a really good job introducing the characters and giving them personalities, even within one issue.  They have a familiar feel to them but do not feel like carbon copies of the heroes we already know, which is a nice touch.  I love the idea that the Squad are not the only fictional elements blending into the real world, as hinted at by the cover.  There is a progression from simple acting job to the realization that this is for keeps, and the characters act nobly, as befitting being members of the greatest generation.  Some might find their self-sacrifice too unrealistic, but once in awhile, it's nice to read about characters who just want to do the right thing.  These people become who they've been asked to portray in a nice piece of writing.

For a self-published comic, the production values aren't bad, although Schultz probably should look into getting an inker.  The lines in Serial Squad are very thin, and sometimes almost disappear from the finished product.  There could be more fluid movements in the characters as well, but the story is interesting enough to cover up that flaw.  Schultz is clearly trying to put his best work forward here, and it shows.

I liked Serial Squad a lot, and I would get more issues if I found them, though I think that will depend primarily on if I'm at another convention where the creators are present.  I definitely suggest they consider going digital.  This is a good story that needs a wider audience and a lower price point--something digital can definitely do.  If you like stories of heroism set in the past, give this a try if you can find it.  I think you'll like the results.

Series Review: I'll Give It My All...Tomorrow Volumes 1 to 3

 Written by Shunju Aono
Illustrated by Shunju Aono
Viz

What do you do when you're forty years old and realize you've been wasting your life?  It's a question many people face, but few act on the impulse.  Shizuo Oguro does, however.  Quitting his solid job to become a manga-ka at an age when other artists consider retirement.  But Oguro never was very good at self-motivation, and will his slacking nature take control and destroy his dreams of seeing print?  Watch as Oguro tries to overcome his own many shortcomings, the brow-beatings of his father, and the doubts of those around him.  He'll be sure to give it his all...tomorrow.


This is one of those books that probably is best served by reading the first few volumes together, as I did.  If you only read the first volume, Oguro comes off as a loser who doesn't really want to work, so he ends up trying to be a manga artist with no discernible talent other than to be the Ed Wood of manga--using all sorts of genres to comedically bad effect.  He's terrible at his fast food job and earns the scorn of those around him.  We only get a glimmer of what's to come when Oguro wrestles with God in his mind and shows a flicker of the depth of character that's coming in the later chapters.

As our story moves forward, we learn a bit more about why Oguro is the way he is.  Seemingly dumb things like having his entire soccer team look like (and be named after) him are not signs of being a loser, but an attempt to show that he's worth something.  When that, too, is taken away, it's a powerful moment.  We get more scenes in Oguro's head, too, as we see that he's always been a bit directionless, doing whatever was easiest for him and refusing to take chances.  That's why this move is so important to him.  Giving up on manga would be yet another defeat.  Returning to the salary man job would be just as deadly as a knife.

Aono clearly dislikes the way society tries to make people conform.  We see those who are able to make it in the business world are cruel and heartless, making fun of others and looking down on the less fortunate.  Oguro's father, who made an impulsive decision of his own, now berates his child for doing the same.  Oguro is not the only character unhappy with his lot in life, as we find out, especially in the third volume.  In fact, ironically, it's Oguro himself who might have just inspired his way right out of the very chance he's dreamed of, depending on how things go in volume four.

It's always a bit weird for me when an artist writes about how others should follow their dreams and be an artist, too.  Sure, you can say that, because you're in the industry and have steady work.  But for every successful manga-ka, there's probably a hundred who can't make ends meet except by working at their day jobs.  I found it a bit arrogant when James Kochalka put forth this argument, and I find it the same here.  In order for your art to be supported, other people have to do the office jobs to get the money to buy them.

It's tricky territory, to be sure, and I'm not sure how I feel about the message being played here.  It's clear that Oguro really isn't all that good, no matter how hard he tries.  He has a good heart, but it's like watching a minor league ballplayer try to make it in the majors.  They really aren't going to be successful.  At what point should they hang up the spikes?  At what point should Oguro give up?  That seems to be the logical conclusion that follows, but I worry Aono might try to give this story a happy ending to back up his thesis.

Talent is in the eye of the beholder, and even Aono personifies that.  His work is two-dimensional at times, with a rough hew we only see in manga that's offered in a non-traditional format, such as Viz Signature.  He reminds me a bit of Jeffrey Brown, given the introspection of the main character and the less than perfect art.  It's funny because you can't help but wonder how many of the comments thrown Oguro's way were first delivered to Aono.  The big difference, however, is that while Brown, Aono, and others keep working through the odds, it seems like Oguro's dedication won't hold, no matter how hard he tries.  The series title become a mantra, but it's not sticking very well.  Time will tell if that continues to be the case.

I'll Give It My All...Tomorrow takes a character with not a lot of redeeming value and tries to make him sympathetic.  We are meant less to feel sorry for him than to root for him to overcome his problems and finally reach his dreams.  I don't think he should, but I'd be okay if he does.  It's a story of exploration of the culture of success and how we define it.  Aono wants us to see it's more than money that makes life worth living.  In theory I agree, but in practice, the world is a far colder place.  I'll be very curious to see how this story plays out over the rest of the volumes.  Viz Signature has once again found a gem of a series that might not otherwise have reached Western eyes.  I'm glad we got the chance to see if Oguro finally gets his.

Magic Bullet #3

Written and Illustrated by Various Creators, including Carolyn Belefski, Andrew Cohen, Danielle Corsetto, Matt Dembicki, Troy Jeffrey-Allen, Jeff McClelland, and Rafer Roberts
Self-Published (DC Conspiracy)

The group that brought you the first two issues of the newspaper Magic Bullet are back again with this third issue, the final one edited by Plastic Farm's Rafer Roberts.  Watch as they terrify ordinary free newspaper readers and delight comic fans with one-page antics about everything from tooth-seeking rats to dinosaurs to life on Mars to a few last Sarah Palin jokes!  It's all here--and if you find it locally, it's all free--in the form of a Magic Bullet.

I'm criminally late in reviewing this, as it came out during SPX this year, but better late than never.  As with the prior issues, this is an eclectic grouping of short stories who work hard to tell a complete story in a small space that's roughly as big as a typical New York Times book review--except that it's a heck of a lot more interesting to read.

The stories which I enjoy the most tend to be those who take advantage over the oversize page space to try something new with the narrative.  Matt Dembicki blends his panels together in the story of a Native American who views with horror the changes to America over time, The Island.  There's a traditional flow to the panels, but it's blurred by how Dembicki structures it.  Combined with his intricate working style, this is a great start to the tabloid.  Mega Turg goes even further with the concept, drawing a huge robot across the entire page and allowing the story to flow through the robot itself and adding little touches based on where the story is taking place across the "page."  Eric Gordon's work here is excellent, and I think it might be my favorite in Magic Bullet 3 because of the way he plays with the format.

While the majority of the stories in this anthology use a more traditional paneling that could be reproduced in other forms, it doesn't make them boring.  Far from it!  Dominic Vivona shows off some serious drawing chops in a battle of wills between a man and his raptor.  Rafer Roberts continues his demented riff on Mickey Mouse, Nightmare the Rat, with a set of narrations that are probably the best of the bunch so far.  I laughed out loud at the ending line, and I think you will, too.

If cankerous T-Rexes are more your speed, you'll love Art Hondros' Montana Rex Survives, where the last dinosaur matches wits with a reporter who thinks he's smarter than the King of the Lizards Birds.  As with Roberts, Hondros does a great job of using the format for a big punchline at the end.

There are two stories that relate back to the industry, as Carolyn Belefski and partner Joe Carabeo use their Black Magic Tales to comment on artistic contracts, while Jonathan Case talks about being a cartoonist.  This is a bit of a change for Magic Bullet, as most stories up to this time have all been purely fictional.  I'll be curious to see if we get more personal stories in the future.  I also noticed the political jokes were down a bit this time, with only Palin's outragous parody and Dale Rawlings' Obamaman fitting neatly into that genre.  The Palin joke is a bit played, honestly, as the writer admits by the end, but Rawlings nails the entire problem of the Obama Administration in only 10 panels.  He should keep it to pitch as the introduction to a history book, as I think it's a fitting commentary.

If Gordon's robot has a challenger for Rob's Favorite, it's Jeff McClelland and Jeff McComsey's The League of Obscure Historical Figures (two of whom I knew, just sayin').  Riffing on the many historical protagonists as heroes comics we see, the League fights another obscure figure, but tragedy strikes as one member is (gasp!) recognized!  Of course, I also really liked Speed Dating of the Damned by Michel Brace, who points out the many romantic flaws of Frankenstein and his pals.  Your favorite might be different.

Magic Bullet 3 closes with the poignant We Have All the Time in the World by Michael May and Jason Copland.  A pair of robots show that love is not confined only to humans.  It's such a great ending piece and Roberts places it in just the right location for it to have the most impact.

I admit that I am a bit biased, as I am friends with several of the people who work on Magic Bullet, but I still think it's one of the best anthologies of people working in the mini-comics field in the Washington, DC area (and a few outsiders).  Every issue, I find a new creator to enjoy, and I look forward to that trend continuing with the next issue.  If you can find a copy of Magic Bullet around (try a local comic shop on the East Coast), definitely grab one.  It's worth every penny you'll pay for it--and more!

Isle of 100,000 Graves

Written by Fabien Vehlmann
Illustrated by Jason
Fantagraphics

A young girl's father went off to sea ages ago to find the legendary (and deadly) Isle of 100,000 Graves.  She wants to find him, despite the protestations of her abusive mother and skeptical adults.  With an unreliable crew and a bit of extortion, she finds the island--but is she prepared for the horrors waiting for her there?  The island comes by its name honestly, and soon our heroine must fight for her very life and the truth she so desperately needs.  Can she escape the Isle of 100,000 Graves?

I'm a huge fan of Jason's work, having read his comics for almost as long as I've been reviewing comics.  It's a little strange to see him working with a collaborator here, but the combination works seamlessly.  This book has the same feel of other recent Jason books, with an examination of the motivation of a central character who tries to challenge the prevailing worldview.  In this case, it's Gwenny, a girl who is expected to accept that her father is lost forever, but refuses to do so.  She manages to stay one step ahead of everyone else in the book, using her wits and never taking anything for granted.  If I were the type of person to write thousands of words about a particular comic artist (I'm not), it might be fun to look at the heroes of, say, Jason's last five books and see what links them together.

I'll leave that to those with the time and inclination, however and return to this book.  Vehlmann's script plays perfectly to Jason's strengths, mixing understatement with visual deadpan humor and dark comedy and adding a touch of action for just the right combination.  The reader is amused, horrified, and captivated all at the same time as Gwenny tries to avoid death at the hands of those who run the island.  The dialog that goes along with the terrible scenes of execution and the perfectly bureaucratic nature of the island's dedication to the arts of torture and murder are pitch-perfect.  Jason and Vehlmann walk a delicate tightrope here and manage to get the balance just right.  Make too many jokes and you devalue the terrible crimes committed and take away the danger needed for the reader to appreciate the lengths to which Gwenny will go to find the truth.  Keep things too dark, however, and you end up with a book that would be okay, but missing the magic that we expect from Jason.  We need a book that won't flinch from rending people limb from limb or burying them alive, but also can make botching an execution funny.

This book does that in spades. Take the one-panel gag about mass execution via cannon. That's amazingly funny, not just because of the idea, but in how the characters respond to it.  When the ship's captain faces death in the torture room, it's both funny and tragic, because the explanation of how he's damned if he does, damned if he doesn't is presented in deadpan fashion, ala British comedy.

The book is full of moments like those, almost from start to finish.  One moment you can be laughing at something really horrible, the next you might want to sigh, especially when Gwenny is dealing with her family.  The ending of the book is particularly moving, with Vehlmann and Jason leaving us on an ending that can be read several different ways.  That's another Jason trademark, and it's nice to see it again here.

Isle of 100,000 Graves is yet another great book in the prolific career of one of my favorite cartoonists working today.  If you are a fan of his work, you need to add this to your collection.  If you've only heard of him by reputation, then don't hesitate.  Pick up Isle of 100,000 Graves today, and be ready to hope Jason writes 100,000 books, all of which are sure to be great comics!

Single Minded: Top Cow's Pilot Season 2011 Entries

It's time to once again become single minded, as I take a look at some more comics in single-issue form. Today, it's the eight "Pilot Season" one-shot trial books from Top Cow, who runs a yearly contest based on fan voting to determine which series get a green light for a full run of issues.  The idea seemed interesting to me, so I took advantage of a sale on Graphicly to check them out.

I admit that my history with Top Cow books is a bit mixed.  Actually, that's probably being kind.  I can't say that I've been fond of any Top Cow book I've read, other than Rising Stars.  Part of this is because I often can't get past the cover of the books, which in my comic shop experience were always laughable attempts to see how close the artist could get women naked without ending up behind a brown wrapper.  As a publisher, I tend to write them off.

Top Cow has worked hard to put that image to bed, though I admit it still lingers in my head.  I'm trying to give them another chance, and this was a good way to see what Top Cow's editors think make up a potentially good comic.  Since I was sick and am going to be too late to influence any of the voting, I thought it might be interesting to pretend to be an editor of comics myself, to see what I liked and did not like about these pitch issues.  Has Top Cow progressed enough for me to start caring again?  Let's see, based on these eight trial issues!

These issues are ordered by how I read them.  I would have used more pictures, but at the time of this writing, the Top Cow website is down for exceeding bandwidth.  I guess this Pilot Season promotion is proving pretty popular!

Anonymous  Written by Alan McElroy and Illustrated by Michael Montenat
Plot:  A black ops veteran is turned off by the corruption he sees in the system.  Faking his own death, he's out for revenge against anyone doing wrong.  He lives with the power of being Anonymous.
Initial Reaction:  Maybe it's just me, but I have a hard time getting into these clones of the Punisher.  I feel like it has to be done just right to work, and a big part of it is finding a way to make the character interesting or different enough to be worth caring about.  Failing that, the foe that the character faces needs to be big enough to make me stand up and take notice.  Anonymous did neither.
Editorial Notes:  A pitch story really shouldn't end in the middle of a story.  We should know everything we need to know about this character or this world before finishing.  The problem here is that the story is so lacking, there's nothing new we need to know.  A guy wants to do the right thing, so he takes the law into his own hands.  That's the same story for everyone from Batman to Spider-Man.  He fights a stereotypical abusive and corrupt cop who's doing double duty as an evil step-father.  The foes are right out of central casting in any story just like this one.  Montenat does an okay job presenting the script, but the work feels flat to me, with no life.  Which, given the script, doesn't tell me much about the artist other than he's working faithfully from the writer's notes.  PASS.


City of Refuge  Written by Morgan Davis Foehl and Illustrated by Dennis Calero
Plot:  In a post-apocalyptic future, a city survives thanks to the implementation of chips that take away the desire for violence.  Only a few select people are allowed to mute the chip's power.  But when that power gets out into the general populace, what happens next?  Can a fragile future artificially created survive?
Initial Reaction:  Now this is more like it.  Creepy, if well-used backdrop.  A main character who desperately wants thinks to work but knows the whole house of cards is going to collapse around him.  A mystery that might destroy everything.  These are all really good hooks.
Editorial Notes:  While this story ends by opening up a huge can of worms, it felt complete.  We learned about the situation, the main character, and the huge issue he's going to face.  Clues are planted, ready to be built upon as the story progresses.  There's a real feeling that whatever this character does *matters* within the world he lives in.  These are the types of things I want to see out of a story, especially since it's going to be hard to make the premise unique.  Foehl's dialog is crisp and realistic, and the people involved don't all sound alike to me.  Calero's artwork is a bit muddied, but it works well for the noir feel that City of Refuge is going for here.  I'd definitely read more of this comic, and it gives me hope that Top Cow is progressing into new areas.

Fleshdigger  Written by Shannon Eric Denton and Brad Keene and Illustrated by Alex Sanchez
Plot:  A man is killed by a cult of Silver Surfer cosplayers in Colonial Rhode Island.  Later, a good Samaritan dies at the hands of a gang.  When a female associate of the gang says occult prayers, he's turned into a gruesome monster that avenges terrible wrongs and apparently eats rats.  He is the Fleshdigger!
Initial Reaction:   I wanted to like this one, but it's terrible.  The writing is stilted, the scenarios are cobbled from any number of plots, and the hero of the piece is unnecessarily disgusting.  I have a strong stomach and a love of horror, and I never want to look at the guy again.  That's a problem.
Editorial Notes:  What absolutely mystifies me is that this book looks like it's getting a huge push from Top Cow, which makes no sense to me because it's arguably the worst of the eight.  It has a great cover logo, but nothing else, and yet gets a variant pin-up from Kelley Jones and Tim Seely.  I don't get it.  The book started off bad, with naked silver women, then just got progressively worse, as seemingly disjointed ideas merge together to try and form a story.  Whoever thought a worm monster could carry a book either knows an audience of which I'm unaware or really needs to get back to the drawing board.  From a beginning that doesn't directly tie to the rest of the plot in any way I can tell to an ending that apparently links all the evils to a group of men who hold power (because we've never seen that before), this is a mess.  PASS.

Misdirection  Written by Filip Sablik and Illustrated by Chris Dibari
Plot:  A racecar driver opts to go out on the town and ends up wrecking his career, his care, and his life.  A chance is presented to make things right, but the opportunity is even worse than being a disgraced drunken driver.  It's going to take all of the driver's skills to survive in this fast-paced adventure.
Initital Reaction:  A murdering drunk driver is your protagonist we're meant to side with?  Seriously?
Editorial Notes:  I don't think I can get past the idea that the center of our story is a drunk driver who killed his passengers.  That's a shame, because had Sablik found another way to shame his protagonist (cheating to win gambling bets, shooting someone at a nightclub, or something similarly wrong but far less heinous), I would have liked this one.  The driver is clearly meant to be a generally good guy who is about to get mixed up into things far worse than he ever imagined, and if he gives up, innocent people die.  Chris Dibari's art works well with Sablik's script, and I know they are looking to tell a story of redemption.  But you can't redeem a drunk driver, sorry.  This one needs re-tooled a bit.  The idea is there, but it's not quite ready yet.

Seraph  Written by Phil Hester and Lance Briggs and Illustrated by Jose Luis and Sandro Ribeiro
Plot:  A man who wants to end his life finds a new fate awaiting him, as he must use his new powers to save those who are trapped in the clutches of Satan and his minions.  But is he on the right side of this Holy War, given his intentions?  Find out in the pages of Seraph!
Initital Reaction:  A good idea that seems a bit over-written.  I like the idea that the hero might be on the wrong side due to meddling by an angel.
Editorial Notes:  This comic feels like it's trying too hard to be an epic story, ramping up the drama and dialog before the story is ready to support it.  In that way, it feels like an X-Men book, where characters act like every single thing is the biggest event ever to happen to them and talks in apocalyptic tones.  Not sure if that's the fault of Hester or Briggs, but it really dragged down my enjoyment of the story.  I was intrigued by the idea of a Holy War by proxy and fighting over who plays for what team.  Like Misdirection, this one needs more seasoning before it's ready to be a series.  If it did come out, I might see how the story plays out, at the right price.

The Beauty  Written by Jeremy Haun and Jason A Hurley and Illustrated by Jeremy Haun
Plot:  A strange STD causes people to be more attractive, but with little in the way of side effects.  It's spread all over as a result, but some are wary of the consequences.  When it looks like the disease might have a sinister side, the police are turned away.  What do you do when you're a common cop told to back off, when the results of the investigation might affect your own life?  That's the horror behind...The Beauty.
Initial Reaction:  An interesting idea, with a good build-up and a complete story despite the twist on the final page.  The premise is believable, too.  Wouldn't many people seek beauty, even as a disease?
Editorial Notes: This was my other favorite from these eight titles, and for similar reasons to City of Refuge.  We get a complete picture of the world, a character for whom the results of the story are going to be personal, and the possibility of world-changing results, depending on how the story plays out.  The characters were a bit more play by number here, but the premise is solid and while Haun does draw people attractively, they aren't unrealistic.  So maybe there's a new leaf at Top Cow after all, at least in some places.  I'd definitely green-light this one.


The Test  Written by Joshua Hale Fialkov and Illustrated by Rahsan Ekedal
Plot:  A man wakes up in a strange situation, along with a few others.  Guided by a strange female figure, they're told they are the new hope for humanity, selected for multiple genetic reasons.  Just what are they being asked to do, and by whom?  And what happens when not everything in this human petri dish works as planned?  Find out in The Test.
Initial Reaction:  Why are all the women in their skimpiest underwear while the men are modestly dressed?
Editorial Notes:  I think I would have liked this story with less butt-shots on the women.  I'm not a prude, but the examples here are just blatant, such as when a medium shot of David going into the house features a woman's thong as the largest item in the set piece or when another female character runs at us, butt-first.  It feels like the team is using sexy times to gain readers rather than work on a decent story.  That's a shame, because I think there's actually a story here.  It's just buried too far in the bad art choices.  I liked the idea of a test using humans and putting them through hell.  I just would have liked it better without the need to add as many crotch-shots as you can, without even a pretense of needing to do so in-story.

Theory of Everything  Written by Dan Casey and Illustrated by Thomas Nachlik
Plot:  Has a way to other realities been found?  It sure looks that way, when gold is stolen from a secure vault of a Swiss bank and the government wants the help of the one man who might know the secret.  But can even a theoretical genius save himself from...himself?
Initial Reaction:  Not a bad idea.  We've seen the idea of multiple realities before, of course, but I like the idea of a successful version of yourself trying to kill off the rest.
Editorial Notes:  While I did not enjoy this one as much as The Beauty or City of Refuge, it definitely has potential.  There's dimensional trouble, a loser of a protagonist who must find redemption--and do it with the shadow of a more successful (if evil) version of himself looming over every part of the narrative.  Charles is a man headed for devastating realizations about himself, and the reader is going to get to watch and see if he survives.  With artwork that does not get in the way of the story, this could be a keeper.  I'd be okay with seeing this story go the distance, too.

So there are my thoughts on the Top Shelf Pilot Season 2011.  I think the company is trying harder to be more than just a set of cheesecake, though it's still failing now and again.  I think two of these would make great series, two would be worth reading, two need to re-tool a bit, and two were absolutely terrible.  That's not a bad mix, actually.  I do wonder how well these sold at $3.99 for a paper edition, as I can't imagine paying that for any non self-published comic, let alone ones with possibly no future.  At 99 cents, I was happy to experiment.  Even at $1.99, I do not know that I'd have tried any of them.  I'd also like to know what happens to the losers--can they try again somewhere else, or is it "go big or go home?"  Anyone know?  I'm extremely curious.

Did anyone else read these comics?  What did you think?  I'd like to know that, too!

Umbra

Written by Vikki Chu
Illustrated by Vikki Chu
Self-Published

A young woman explores space and ends up in extraordinary worlds and places in this very well-detailed mini-comic from artist Vikki Chu.

This is exactly the type of book that I might get a convention.  While the cover is not very eye-catching (especially compared to the interiors), I was drawn to Ms. Chu's table by her other drawings.  That caused me to page through this book and ultimately buy it.

I'm glad I did so, because the linework is simply astounding.  I can only imagine the amount of time it takes Chu to create each page.  There are simply so many lines on each page, which I wish were more easily portrayed by the cover.  They are also quite varied, with only the recurring theme of the astronaut's lifeline or the space explorer herself to link them together.  One page might be the ravages of space, shown with hundreds of little marks in patterns while the next features a planetoid filled with plant life and a few animals.  In another sequence, the astronaut might bound away from demonic creatures or work her way through an underground tunnel.  Each page or set of pages is just a bit different, showing off Chu's art skills and the varied world that is being explored.

My own issue with Chu's art is that her human figure is the worst part of the whole thing.  The astronaut is a bit flat at times, lacking the feeling of being fully realized.  I think some of that has to do with Chu's excellence at drawing shapes and lines.  When the time comes for a less unified object such as a person, it's harder to shift gears.  Because it's the only non-unified object, it shows up a bit more than in a story set with other humans around them.

Still, I was amazed by Chu's overall skills and the flatness issue is a minor one.  If you like abstract comics that focus more on art than a complex plot and are a fan of artwork that stresses the importance of lines, Umbra is a comic you'll want to grab.  Just don't judge it by its cover.

You can purchase a copy of Umbra from Chu's Etsy Store.

Pale Horse

Story by Andrew Cosby
Written by Michael Alan Nelson
Illustrated by Christian Dibari
Boom! Studios

Cole was part of the Union Army in the early days of the Civil War.  But something caused him to go out west, into the Indian Territories.  When racism combines with violence against women, Cole takes revenge on those who killed his wife.  As a fugitive he's even more deadly, however, with knowledge that could turn the tide of the war.  As Cole fights his own personal war, will certain figures from history change his life forever?  How long can you live on revenge?  Find out in the story of Pale Horse.

This is another of those short series Boom! puts out on a regular basis that do not get a lot of discussion but are quietly quite good.  Usually written by someone with ties to the publisher (I've read Nelson's work before in other Boom! books), they tell all sorts of short fiction, in a variety of genres.  In an era where character branding is so important to the industry, I find it refreshing that a mid-level publisher like Boom! is willing to take chances with stories like these that are not likely to become household names but can find an audience that appreciates them.

In the case of Pale Horse, this book might as well been written for adult Rob, based on child Rob's long-standing interests that have stuck with him.  Cole weaves his way in and out of the Civil War and the American West, two things that I have a continued fascination with.  But instead of telling a tale of gallantry, as might have been given to child Rob, we have a more nuanced story that features the grim reality that an African American man might face in the 1860s.  Cole is rejected because of his race no matter where he goes.  His wife is treated like garbage and ultimately abused and killed because she's a Native American.  He tries to do the right thing, and if he were white, there would be no issue with any of his actions.  But since he's black, he's supposed to take it.

Cole does not, and that drives the narrative.  Operating not unlike Lone Wolf and Cub, Cole takes his child with him against the protests of a bigoted minister and raises him to understand the ways of the world.  Things go fine for awhile, but Nelson ensures that the peace does not last, which gives him the opportunity to work two very important historical figures into the narrative.  (I won't use the name of either, because I think finding out is a nice surprise for the reader that I don't want to spoil.)  From this point, the book shifts focus a bit, as Cole's recent past comes back and he has one last chance to impact on the events of the Civil War.

This is where I think the book has a particularly key moment.  I'm not sure if it's Cosby's plot or Nelson's writing, but the book has an excellent mirror effect, because at the beginning and end of the book, Cole is unable to prevent the death of someone he considers to be worthy of life and must do the best he can to avenge the wrong.  It's a nice touch, and I thought it was great storytelling.

Christian Dibari's artwork isn't bad, but I can't say that I loved it.  It's rough, which fits with the gritty feel of the narrative, but the characters are often sketchier than they need to be and seem posed at odd angles just because, rather than for dramatic effect.  Or rather, because they're all posed at odd angles, the dramatic effect is lost to the reader.  I also feel like he missed out on nailing the setting.  We get a few props to indicate the time and place, but so many of the backgrounds are sparse.  This is the American West!  Show us more about what it looks like!  Again, the art doesn't hurt the story, but neither does it link up with the writing in the way that other books I've read recently do.

By the end of the book, Cole moves on, trying to live his life as best he can in a world that's far from perfect.  That's so true for all of us, though hopefully no one will have as much tragedy as Cole gets in this book.  Nelson had crafted a quality modern western, and fans of the genre (especially Jonah Hex) should look this up.  I think they'll be happy with the results.