MichikoS
06-20-2007, 08:51 PM
Picked up two brand new comics that may be of interest to regulars of this board:
1. Tales from the Crypt (2007) Papercutz, $3.95. This is an "all-ages" remix of the old EC horror classic, with two contemporary 20-page horror tales in the EC tradition, that is, told with a light touch, a twist ending, and a cackle of bad puns from the Ghoulunatics. Papercutz is a Young Adult graphic novel publisher responsible for the most recent manga-esque incarnations of Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys. The first issue is not bad. The first story is called "Body of Work," drawn in an indie-alt fashion by Mister Exes. The second story is "For Serious Collectors Only" and feels like a Twilight Zone story more than an EC horror tale. Nice stuff, just the same. The price tag is a bit steep for what you get, but the Kyle Baker cover was enough to convince me. I'd like to hear others' reactions to this book.
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i221/elbert_coalwell/crypt1comicov1.jpg
2. Simpsons Comics #131. Bongo Comics, $2.99.
This series has become a "must-read" for me in the past year. It's sharper, more satirical, and more inventive than it's ever been (and that's saying a lot), but this issue is a doozy. The setup is simple: Bongo's intern, Jake, ("Coming, Mr. Groening!") takes us on a global tour of other country's comics (via the Simpsons characters, natch) which includes a brilliantly-realized manga-style Simpsons story by Chuck Dixon (who is also responsible for the zany "Los Simpsons: La Familia Idiota" concluding episode), drawn by Nina Matsumoto.
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i221/elbert_coalwell/simpsons131.jpg
The piece de resistance for all Herge and Tintin readers is a screamingly funny parody of Belgian comics written and drawn by Ty Templeton called "Les Schtroumphsons." Anyone with an affection for Tintin will be tickled pink by this hilarious lampoon of all things Gallic. Recommended for erstwhile comics historians, as well as for fans of Asterix and Tintin. Special guest appearance (you knew it was coming, didn't you? Of course you did.) by those lovable little Franco-Belgian critters. Except they're green in this story!
Michi
1. Tales from the Crypt (2007) Papercutz, $3.95. This is an "all-ages" remix of the old EC horror classic, with two contemporary 20-page horror tales in the EC tradition, that is, told with a light touch, a twist ending, and a cackle of bad puns from the Ghoulunatics. Papercutz is a Young Adult graphic novel publisher responsible for the most recent manga-esque incarnations of Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys. The first issue is not bad. The first story is called "Body of Work," drawn in an indie-alt fashion by Mister Exes. The second story is "For Serious Collectors Only" and feels like a Twilight Zone story more than an EC horror tale. Nice stuff, just the same. The price tag is a bit steep for what you get, but the Kyle Baker cover was enough to convince me. I'd like to hear others' reactions to this book.
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i221/elbert_coalwell/crypt1comicov1.jpg
2. Simpsons Comics #131. Bongo Comics, $2.99.
This series has become a "must-read" for me in the past year. It's sharper, more satirical, and more inventive than it's ever been (and that's saying a lot), but this issue is a doozy. The setup is simple: Bongo's intern, Jake, ("Coming, Mr. Groening!") takes us on a global tour of other country's comics (via the Simpsons characters, natch) which includes a brilliantly-realized manga-style Simpsons story by Chuck Dixon (who is also responsible for the zany "Los Simpsons: La Familia Idiota" concluding episode), drawn by Nina Matsumoto.
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i221/elbert_coalwell/simpsons131.jpg
The piece de resistance for all Herge and Tintin readers is a screamingly funny parody of Belgian comics written and drawn by Ty Templeton called "Les Schtroumphsons." Anyone with an affection for Tintin will be tickled pink by this hilarious lampoon of all things Gallic. Recommended for erstwhile comics historians, as well as for fans of Asterix and Tintin. Special guest appearance (you knew it was coming, didn't you? Of course you did.) by those lovable little Franco-Belgian critters. Except they're green in this story!
Michi