Top of the Pile - 9/4/2013

Amelia Cole #10: Hidden War Part 4

Written by D.J. Kirkbride and Adam Knave

Art by Nick Brokenshire

Colored by Ruiz Moreno

Lettered by Rachel Deering

Published by Monkeybrain Comics
 

This selection is a little different because it’s an electronic comic book. I’ve been picking up books on sale and recently “subscribed” to a couple of e-comics that are digital first books, and Amelia Cole is one that I’ve been picking up.

When this comic started, it told the tale of Amelia who lived with her aunt Dani and she was able to travel in two different worlds, one with magic and one without. During a crisis, she gets transported to a third world where magic is only for a few and they are the rules while non-magic people are of a lower class.

The Hidden War is the second story arc and Amelia has appointed “The Protector” by the leaders. She has a problem with the class system and rails against the superior attitudes magic users have for normal people, but feels it’s best to be close to power and try and make changes within the system. And in this issue, we see how desperate normal humans are as Amelia saves the city from a terrorist plot.

This made it to the top of my pile this week over other books like Chew and the 3D DC Villains books mainly because of the artwork. The story by D.J. Kirkbride and Adam Knave is really good. The action and humor is tight while they put enough in each issue to propel the story along nicely. But I really like the art by Nick Brokenshire and Ruiz Moreno. Richly detailed and clearly laid out, the story flows well. With fun easter eggs too, though it’s only 12 pages long, these comics take a little longer to check out the contents of each panel.

I would certainly recommend this book for a public library. Rated 12+, it’s one of those every more common book where it’s kind of like a superhero title, but with a strong girl doing her best. And it looks like IDW has released a print copy so I’ll have to ask our YA librarian to pick it up.

Top of the Pile - 7/4/12

This week is an odd one for comic shopping. With Wednesday on the 4th of July holiday, I went to pick up my stack at the local shop. But the new guy behind the counter was too busy talking politics to even acknowledge me standing around, so I went without picking up my books and had lunch. I'll get my pile next Wednesday on the 8th.

So if I didn't buy any comics from the shop, what’s at the top of my pile? An electronic comic book from Monkeybrain Comics using the Comixology app on my iPad. What’s interesting is that Monkeybrain was created by Chris Robinson and Allison Baker and it is starting to publish creator owned works. There has been tons of press about Chris Robinson and his break from DC Comics over creative issues, which made me want to support this endeavor. I ended up purchasing four out of the five titles initially released and because of the cover art, the book Bandette #1 was at the top of the stack.

Written by Paul Tobin with art by  Colleen Coover, Bandette is the story of a young burglar and her shenanigans around town. The book begins with Bandette breaking into an estate to steal some Rembrandt drawings. When she unexpectedly runs into the owner, she makes her hasty escape with the help a network of friends.

I liked the story. It’s style reminds me of the graphic novel Cat Burglar Black which I wrote about a while ago. There is tons of places Tobin can go with this. He has created a small little universe for Bandette and her friends to do their capers. And the art by Colleen Coover, though cartoony, is colorful and dynamic. Really cool stuff.

Though only 99 cents, this first issue is only 15 pages long. So for a very quick read, it tells some very quick exposition of the characters. However, I wish it was longer. Perhaps if it comes out weekly, I’ll forgive their brevity. And the underlying philosophy of creator rights of Monkeybrain makes this work even cooler. I’ll definitely purchase the next issue to see where the story goes.