Comics for the week of March 31, 2010

Nova #35
RASL #7
Jack of Fables #44
Fables #93
Echo #20
Justice League of America #43
Incorruptible #4
Teen Titans #81
Thor #608
God of War #1

Comics for the week of March 24, 2010

Haunt #6
Power Girl #10
Mighty Avengers #35
Uncanny X-Men #522
Deadpool #21
FVZA #3
Victorian Undead #5
Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time #1
Nemesis #1
The Marvels Project #7

Review - Biomega Vol. 1

Review - Biomega Vol. 1
By Tsutomu Nihei
VIZ Signature

The year is 3005 and there is a virus called N5S which is turning everyone on the planet into zombies. There are some people called Accommodators who seem to be immune to the virus, but their pheromones attract the mindless hoards who are the rest of the population. One accommodator is seemingly a young teenage girl named Eon Green. She is being sought after by the government Public Health Service and also by agent of TOA Heavy Industry Zoichi Kande. Zoichi is synthetic human and is helped by an artificial intelligence named Fuyu; riding his super cool motorcycle, killing massive amounts of zombies in his mission to retrieve Eon from the Public Health Services. Oh. And did I mention Eon's guardian, a talking bear named Kozlov L. Grebnev?

There is much to like with Biomega. As I was reading this volume, I realized that I had seen his work in a Marvel series titles Wolverine: Snikt. The action is fast. Most of the story is told without much dialog. The speed of the pacing is easily visible with the exceptional artwork. Like most all manga, this is black and white. But unlike most manga, there is very little grey scale. Using very thick black lines helps make the world seem more harsh.

Though this is rated by VIZ for Mature readers, from the first volume, I would consider adding it to an older teen graphic novel area. Zoichi does cut through infected zombies like he's harvesting wheat, but I did not see it as bad as some other violent content in other comics. However, there is other manga avilable that would be far safer for libraries to purchase for their collections.

Comics for the week of March 17, 2010

Kookaburra K #3
Wolverine: Origins #45
Batman #697
Sweet Tooth #7
American Vampire #1
Batman and Robin #10
Daffodil #3
Spider-Woman #7
Jack of Fables #43
Joe the Barbarian #3
Battlefields: The Firefly and His Majesty #4
Irredeemable #12

Review - RIN ~Daughters of Mnemosyne~

RIN ~Daughters of Mnemosyne~
FUNimation

Naked anime women? Check. Gory violence? Check. Degrading sexual situations? Check. This show is one I would not recommend for any public library because of the extreme subject matter. But I actually found it had an intriguing story and excellent animation that kept my interest.

With six 45 minute episodes, this OVA tells the story of Rin, seemingly a well dressed business lady who is a private investigator. Working with Mimi, a young woman who is good with computers and offers up vodka instead of water when Rin asks for a drink at the beginning of each episode, Rin is hired to solve seemingly simple investigations that always balloon into more sinister crimes. The first episode is set in the year 1990 and has Rin investigating a missing cat, but runs into a man who has amnesia. Loosing interest in the cat, she starts looking into the mysterious mans past discovering what his secret. This starts Rin down a path to her ultimate fate.

But as it turns out, Rin and Mimi are immortal. They can be shot, cut, blown up, and their bodies will eventually reconstitute back to perfect health. And since Rin is being stalked by an assassin throughout the series, it makes for some very gruesome "death" scenes. Each episode is set about 20 to 25 years later than the prior episode. So by the end of the series, the story is in the year 2055. Rin and Mimi are working with the grandchild of the man she met in the first episode. And we learn why she is tied throughout time his family. In this world, there is a tree which releases orbs called time fruit. The time fruit passes through solid objects and then disappear back into the earth and only immortals can see the tree and it's fruit. The main point of the entire story is to find out why the tree exists and what effect the fruit has on humanity.

As I mentioned in the beginning, this show is not for sensitive people. Bloody, degrading, sexual violence is inflicted on Rin. Though the animation is excellent, the plot compelling and even top notch voice acting, the presentation makes this series one a library should probably steer away from. Even searching WorldCat shows that currently not a single library has this series in their collection. So if you want to watch this series, you'll have to buy it, watch it online, or ask to borrow my DVDs.

Review - Blood Song: A Silent Ballad

Blood Song: A Silent Ballad
by Eric Drooker
Dark Horse Comics

It's very rare that I feel music in a graphic novel. But with Blood Song, artist Eric Drooker creates a simple lyrical tale of a young woman and her journey away from peace and innocence. The story starts out in a primitive fishing village where a family enjoys dinner. But as an invading army with helicopters destroys the village, a young woman escapes with her dog. As she flees, she is transported to many different settings and eventually ends of up a city where she meets a man who is a street musician.

As I mentioned, this story is one of the most musical that I have read. Wordless, like a symphonic tone poem, there is an ebb and flow of emotion. With many large single panel pages, even diptychs, to very small panels with several on a page to tell the story, the size of the panels is a way Drooker is able to control the tempo of this work. The color palette is another tool used to influence the timbre. He uses mostly cooler colors of blues and purples. But there are snippets of warm colors that make infrequent dramatic appearances. A butterfly, a sunset, a hut on fire, a single flower, colored red/orange stand out like beacon on the page drawing attention to an emotional point in the piece. The reader can not help but feel the melody as the young woman dances though her journey, through the good times and the bad.

It's obvious that Drooker was thinking musically when he created this work. Though it only takes a couple minutes to go through, I found myself going through the book a couple times. Its musical quality amazing me each time. Artistic and poignant, this book can be added to many public library collections into they teen collection. But don't think too many younger people will "get" this book. Maybe I'm being too critical of young people, but I don't think they will be able to hear this music Drooker has composed for us.

Comics for the week of March 3, 2010

New Ultimates #1
The Mighty Avengers #34
Detective Comics #862
Sweet Tooth #7
Cinderella: From Fabletown With Love #5
Girl Comics #1
Chew #9
Batman and Robin #9

Review - The Storm in the Barn

The Storm in the Barn

by Matt Phelan
Candlewick Press
 

The Storm in the Barn is a graphic novel set in the Dust Bowl and is about a 11 year old boy named Jack. Picked on by other boys and ignored by his father, Jack is beginning to question his place in the world. If times were normal and farming was going on, Jack would be out in the fields. If he were older, he could help out working with his Dad more. Instead, he spends time with his sisters Dorothy and Mabel. Dorothy is sick with "dust pneumonia" and likes to read the new Wizard of Oz books. Jack also finds companionship from the local drug store owner who takes pity on him and tells stories of Jack the King of the West Wind and Jack and the King of Blizzards.

But Jack is drawn to strange things in the Talbots' abandoned barn. Flashes of light seem to come from there and when he investigates, the doors are locked. Jack must go through a great trial that tests his spirit and resolve. And if he can persevere, he will grow and his family will appreciate him much more.

Matt Phelan has illustrated many children's books. I'm kind of reminded Robert McCloskey and his Homer Price books. With sparse text, this story relies on its great illustrations to move. Done mostly in what looks like colored pencil, Phelan is able dramatically show the barrenness of the Dust Bowl. One of my colleagues commented on how well the billowing dust clouds looked. And as we learn about Jack and his world, the expressions Phelan is able to draw on each persons face make the story very emotional. We see the sympathy in the drug store, the innocence in his sisters faces, the weariness in Jacks moms eyes, and the anger within Jacks dad.

This book was brought to my attention by Nancy, one of our children's librarians. She always points out the youth graphic novels that come in that I'm not aware of. She was worried about putting in our children's graphic novel collection because it would get lost. Kids go to that area area looking for Spider-Man and Batman. With not too much argument on my part, she decided that it should go into the fiction area with a "historical fiction" genre label. She did mention that a child could get in trouble by using it for a school book report. I responded by saying if anyone complained, I would talk to them.

Suitable for every library, this book is a great way to introduce children to the Dust Bowl. Sometime scary, sometimes violent, I wouldn't let a real young child read it. But anyone who's over 10 should be able to understand and appreciate this wonderful story.

Comics for the week of February 26, 2010

Irredeemable #11
Uncanny X-Men #518
Deadpool #20
The Marvels Project #6
Gothan City Sirens #9
Victorian Undead #4
Batman #693
Wonder Woman #41
Dark Wolverine #83
Madame Xanadu #20
Daytripper #3

Old Time Newspaper Strips

Companies like Fatagraphics and IDW are reprinting old newspaper comics, and its a good thing. The library has always had books of newspaper strips. Peanuts, Garfield and Calvin and Hobbes books are constantly checked out. With Farside, Foxtrot, and even with our local celebrity Kevin Fagan in mind, we have a couple of the Drabble books floating around on our shelves.

However, a couple years ago I picked up for the library the first couple volumes of the George Harriman stip Krazy Kat and Ignatz. With volume 1, Krazy & Ignatz 1925-1926: "There Is a Heppy Lend Fur Fur A-Waay" and volume 2, Krazy & Ignatz 1927-1928: "Love Letters in Ancient Brick", I discovered how cool these old strips were. Surreal and sweet, Harriman created some of the most unique comic strips of all time.

Later on, when I saw a reprint of the old Popeye comic strips come across my selection list, I picked it up. Currently the library has volume 2, Popeye: "Well Blow Me Down!" We all know Popeye from the cartoons, but the comic strip stories are epic storylines that go on for months at a time. But E. C. Segar told tales much longer than a 12 minute cartoon. Much like a comic book series, the stories are well defined. And printed in an oversize format, the last quarter of the book is full of Sunday strips, full page color comic goodness.

Most recently, I purchased for the library the first volume of the Prince Valiant comic strips. With every strip on full color pages, the fantastic artwork of Harold R. Foster is the biggest joy of reading the book. Like Popeye, the serialized story goes on for pages. As the Prince explores his world and fights everything from bandits to monsters, we are carried along a wonderful adventure.

I am far to young to have read these strips when they first came out. But I can see how they might have ignited peoples imaginations back in the day. I guess these could be considered a more literate Saturday Morning Cartoon that was part of my generation. Hopefully, some library patrons will find these books and remember them first hand. Or better yet, discover them like I did and enjoy reading the strips my parents and grandparents enjoyed.

Comics for the week of February 17, 2010

Uncanny X-Men 521
Guardians of the Galaxy 23
Deadpool 19
Batman 696
Joe the Barbarian 2
Power Girl 9
Spider-Woman 6
Battlefields: Happy Valley 3
G.I. Joe II 2
Haunt 5
Incorruptible 3
Batman and Robin 8

Comics for the week of February 10, 2010

Nova #34
Thor #606
Daffodil #2
Kick-Ass #8
Teen Titans #79
Jack of Fables #42
Daytripper #2
Fantastic Four #575
Mass Effect #2
Daredevil #504
Echo #19
Incorruptible #2
Justice League of America #41
Blackest Night: Wonder Woman #2

Comics for the week of February 3, 2010

Aladdin: Legacy of the Lost #1
Cinderella: From Fabletown with Love #4
Sweet Tooth #6
Blackest Night: Wonder Woman #3
Ultimate X #1
Winchester #1
Sky Doll: Doll's Factory #2

Quick thoughts on some new #1 issues

Orc Stain #1
by James Stokoe
Image

This book looks different than pretty much anything else out right now. Highly detailed cartoony pictures of orcs and their fantasy world make this one comic book where each panel needs to be looked at closely. The story starts out with an orc hoard laying siege to obtain the Ganga-Gronch. But there is a prophecy that a one eyes orc can only retrieve it.

I was entertained by this book. The story so far is just setting up the plot line, so I'm not sure where its going. But the characters and devices are very clever. With Flintstones technology, animals are used for safes to store valuables. Birds are alarms. And pretty much everything can be eaten. It's worth a look, but only for people who are not grossed out easily.

Demonic #1
by Robert Kirkman and Joe Benitez
Top Cow

Speaking of gross out, if you are sensitive to decapitations, this is a book you should skip. Robert Kirkman is the current man of the hour in comic book land since his Walking Dead series has firmly planted him in the upper echelon of comic creators. Demonic is part of the Pilot Season where are bunch of first issues are created and I guess we vote on the ones stories we like.

This book is about Scott. A man who seems to be possessed by a demon which requires sacrifices. Constantly needling Scott for souls, he goes out and kills criminals to satiate the demon. An interesting psychological story with some deeply moral questions. (Is one persons life more valuable than another?) I'd be interested in reading more of this story.

Joe the Barbarian #1
by Grant Morrison and Sean Murphy
Vertigo

I really like Grant Morrison's work. Doom Patrol, The Invisibles, JLA, New X-Men. He has redefined many superhero groups and has pushed comic stories deeper, stranger places for decades. But the first issue of Joe the Barbarian is the setup for an 8 issue limited series.

Joe is a teenage boy who is a geeky loner who likes to draw. Picked on by other kids, Joe seems only comfortable in his own room where he can isolate himself with his pet rat and his action figures. Not nearly as gross as the other two books, and psychologically interesting as Demonic, I'm really curious to see where the story is going to take Joe and if it's an interesting trip, I'll be sure to pick up the collected book for the library.

Comics for the week of January 27, 2010

Gotham City Sirens #8
Victorian Undead #3
Irredeemable #10
Chew #8
Batman and Robin #7
Wonder Woman #40
Wolverine: Origins #44
Madame Xanadu #19
Detective Comics #861
Demonic #1
G.I. Joe: Cobra II #1

Review - Rin-ne

Rin-ne
by Rumiko Takahashi
Viz Media

I have to admit, though I watched some Inuyasha anime, I haven't read much manga from Rumiko Takahashi. But since a new series from her is coming out I decided to pick up the first volume for the library.

Rin-ne is a story of a high school girl. Sakura Mamiya. who after being spirited away as a child can now see ghosts. And one day a mysterious redheaded boy, Rinne Rokudo, shows up who seems to have ghost like abilities. As the story progresses, Sakura finds out that Rinne is a "part time shinigami". We don't find out till the end of the book what that really means.

The chapters are made up of a spirit or ghost bothering someone at the school. Rinne will help, but only if an offering of food and money is made to the Legendary Weather Hutch. Once collected, Rinne uses his tools to send the spirit on his way to the afterlife.

Full of Japanese mystical folklore, we learn about shinigamis, the Wheel of Reincarnation, spirits and ghosts as part of the story telling. Also, the characters remind me greatly of the characters in Inuyasha. Sakura is curious and strong willed like Kagome. Rinne has a stubborn streak like Inuyasha. But hopefully Takahashi will bring out other personality traits and not rely on the same type of characters she has used before.

The artwork is very good. The characters designs are cute and easily recognizable and the visual narrative is easy to follow. However, there isn't much in the way of background art, the setting is pretty clear. And this sparseness makes the characters more pronounced.

This books is rated for older teens, but so far in the story there is nothing that would be considered to risque. Adding it to a teen graphic novel or manga collection should be acceptable. But with many long running manga series there might be some future storylines that might be culturally problematic for teen audiences.

Comics for the week of January 2, 2010

Joe the Barbarian #1
The Marvels Project #5
Nation X #2
Power Girl #8
Nova #33
Spider-Woman #5
Fables #92
Echo #18
Anna Mercury 2 #3
Mighty Avengers #33
RASL #6
Dark Wolverine #82
Uncanny X-Men #520
Batman #695
Battlefields: Happy Valley #2

Review - Britten and Brülightly

Britten and Brülightly
by Hannah Berry
Metropolitan Books

Like the graphic novel Stitches, I didn't order this book for the library. It was on some best of 2009 reading list that my colleague saw and acquired for the library. And its a good thing she did.

Britten and Brülightly is a noir style detective story. Fernández Britten has a reputation as a private investigator who uncovers cheating spouses. But after burning out from years of causing emotional pain to his clients, he resigns himself only to work on murder cases. And as a young woman enters his office asking for help finding who killed her fiance, Britten is interested enough to take the case. The crime was written off by the police as a suicide. But as Britten digs deeper, he uncovers skeletons that people will do anything to keep hidden.

As with good noir stories, the suspects all have hidden secrets. And sometimes the action gets a little convoluted as the narration gets a little long winded. But its pretty standard for the genre. All the good points are touched upon. The contacts and snitches. The double crosses and false leads. All make for an entertaining mystery.

But the best part of this book is the art. This is the first graphic novel Hannah Berry has done, and the art style is perfect for this type of story. Dark, muted colors of greens/greys/blues show the gloomy nature of the story. Often washed showing the rain. And much like movies from the heyday of Warner Bros., the camera angles (especially in the action sections) are very dynamic and display movement.

This book is great for the library. Yes, the subject matter of murder and family strife is a little mature so I opted to put this book in the adult non-fiction collection. But it could easily be added to an older teen graphic novel collection.

Vampires Everywhere (it seems)

Everything seems to be vampires these days, not that there is anything wrong with that. And here are some quick thoughts on three vampire type books I've read recently.

Pinnochio: Vampire Slayer
SLG Publishing

This book by Dusty Higgins and Van Jensen tells the story of Pinnochio after the original book by Carlo Collodi left off. Pinnochio is out for revenge on all undead creatures after a group of vampires kills Geppetto. Teaming up with Master Cherry and a grandmotherly Blue Fairy (characters from the original book), the three protect a their unconcerned town from slaughter.

This is a fun little book. There are puns that kept me smiling and the buildup in the suspense kept me interested. The black and white artwork is comical but dark. Often with dark, thick lines, the sequential art sets the tone for a humorous horror story.

Though not very deep, this book is a fun read and would be appropriate for teen sections in the library.

Daffodil #1
Marvel

Part of the Soliel line of European comics from marvel, the first issue of Daffodil relates the story of 3 female vampires who are Parliament Agents. Its kind of like if Charlie's Angels were vampires. There is Globuline the ditsy one, Achilles the aggressive one, and Daffodil the leader. The three are sent off to destroy a rogue vampire name Nosferatu. Much like Ponnochio, this series has its silly moments. The three of them inadvertently kidnap two brothers (one is still nursing), and though the boys think its a great adventure, Achilles considers them lunch.

The artwork is very cartoony. In a manga like style the eyes of the girls are very large and the expressions they make are exaggerated. However, they are very cute vampires. But like other comics in the Soliel line, the boxes on the page tend to be small. And for old eyes like mine sometimes the action in the smaller panels gets lost.

This first book of a three issue limited series and though comical does have some very violent images and nudity. However, I would still consider it for a public library collection, but I would be very hesitant to place it in the teen area.

FVZA #1 and #2
Radical Comics

The final book in my little vampire trilogy here is FVZA which is an acronym for the Federal Vampire and Zombie Agency. Its origin is from a web site (http://www.fvza.org/) which has created an alternate history where vampires and zombies do exist. The main characters are a brother and sister who are trained by their grandfather, a retired director of the FVZA, on combat techniques on how to eliminate vampires and zombies. And recently, vampires are using a virus to turn normal people into zombies as a terror weapon.

I think this book is pretty cool and definitely worth picking up. The pencil art by Roy Allan Martinez and the finished painting by Kinsuh Loh and Jerry Choo, this is a fantastic book to look at. And there are interesting side characters that make the story move along. And the background "history" of vampires and zombies in American history with an actual Federal Agency designed to eliminate this threat, it's an intriguing concept for a comic book to use.

Of all three books here, I would be most hesitant to add this one to a public library collection. Not that it is any more gory and violent the Daffodil, but the artwork is more realistic. There is also a sex scene in each issue which might raise some concerns among parents. But if I were to add this collection, it would definitely go into the adult non-fiction area.

Comics for the week of January 6, 2010

Sweet Tooth #5
FVZA #2
Haunt #4
Daffodil #1
Cinderella #2 and #3