Rob's Picks:
Portland might be the home of hipsters now, but in the past it was home of homicide and hijacking. Many people landed in the high seas after being Shanghaied in the bowels of Stumptown bars and other establishments. Chris and company turn this into a great first issue, as the victim of one of these attacks takes revenge in the start of a new series that quickly takes some unexpected turns within the opening pages and never lets go. Hixson's linework is intentionally raw to match the material and his colors work well in setting the mood. Even the lettering on this one stands out. Really no surprise because this is a Sebela comic, but wow am I looking forward to more.
Jack hasn't made the best decisions, has he? Now he's apparently trapped in the body of his great-grandfather, who is using the loa to stop Nazis at work in Harlem. What's the point of this? It's a mystery for now, but Diggle does such a wonderful job with the horror angle here--I love the ways in which he paces this story--that I'm good with being a little confused. I can't quite tell how the art breaks down here, which is a good thing, but it remains moody, creepy, and well-structured. I'm still keeping this firmly in the recommended pile.
I run a bit hot and cold with Tank Girl, but when it's on point, the series is excellent. I really dug the Free Comic Book Day issue, and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens with this anthology-style series, which promises the origin of how Tank Girl got her tank(!!) among other stories. If you ever enjoyed the comic or the movie, this might be a good one to snag. (Also, Tank Girl is now thirty years old, which in turn makes me feel very old!)
James' Picks:
The Amazing Spider-Man #801 by Dan Slott and Marcos Martin, published by Marvel Comics.
Dan Slott's final issue on The Amazing Spider-Man is a noteworthy occasion. And he ends it with one of the very best, most talented artists out there, Marcos Martin. Seriously, whenever Martin draws something that is a special event, something you really need to pay attention to. So, I'll be very interested to pick this one up.
I've read this one and I can tell you I enjoyed it and you will too. Pirates, adventure, twists and turns. Sebela is a terrific writer, he's got an excellent ear for dialogue and he really knows how to keep a story moving. I didn't know Hixson's art but it's really good - a rough line that works well with this tale of piracy and violence and adventure. He's definitely someone to watch. So, this is very much worth a read.
This is a fantastic book. I'm really enjoying this creepy horror-adventure story. Lemire knows how to create weird environments and alienated people dealing with dark stuff. There's a terrific Exorcist-vibe to this story. And colored by the legendary Dave Stewart, Andrea Sorrentino's art has never looked better.
We're fortunate to be reading comics in a time when David Rubin is regularly drawing them. Rubin is a spectacular talent, who brings boundless imagination and first-rate storytelling to every page. Ether is a really fun and also very emotional, poignant story. If you're looking for a story with both fun, fantastical elements, and an exploration of how obsession can impact a person and their family, this is a terrific book.
