Comic Books

from Horror from the Tomb #1 (September 1954)

Tweet Fresh off the heels of a number of illustrious debuts at TCAF as well as nominations for both Eisner and Doug Wright awards, Michael DeForge undeniably inhabits all meaning of unstoppable. And thus, true to form, another release is lined up for this summer, titled THE BOY IN QUESTION, to be released by an additionally noteworthy force, Space Face Books, who previously has put out DeForge’s MOLECULES along with an assemblage of lustworthy mini-comics. DeForge’s newest work is an exposition of  the recurring quasi-documentary style that the Toronto cartoonist is well known for, this time tackling a narrative about an army man and woman who encounter a slumbering mysterious figure in the desert and what follows in the days and years after capturing this alien presence. Beginning in DeForge’s unequivocal rendering, THE BOY IN QUESTION starts off with a duo of uniformed soldiers coming across a peculiar specimen laying in a strange sea of desert sand. Whether this being is alive or dead, human or creature is an enigma, and as the couple’s attempt for backup go unanswered, this sets off the consequent string of events as the story twists and distorts into tales that depict everything from human genesis, the survival diet, extramarital affairs, futuristic scientific probing to incestual colonization. Like many of DeForge’s other works, the story is rich with his familiar dream logic, as time runs awry, often skipping months or even years ahead. Although more recent works have been done in color, THE BOY IN QUESTION is printed in black and white, yet if anything, the dark tonal blacks and greys are utilized in establishing the disturbing and psychedelic universe of the story. However for those yearning for some color, the cover is printed in an eye-catching spectrum of bright luminosity and serve as a nice glimpse at the seraphic figure of the comic. A little larger than the previous pocket size 3×5 format, THE BOY IN QUESTION measures out at 7×10 inches and runs 20 pages in length. Going for the nice price of $7, Space Face Books will be releasing this comic early this summer, but have just started taking pre-orders now. Space Face Books continue to release some of the best mini-comics from a diverse number of young independent cartoonists, and even offer a yearly subscription (although for now is sold out!) that would ensure the delivery 0f comics from the likes of Michael DeForge, Joe Kessler, Patrick Kyle, Simon Hanselmann, and more. Head to the Space Face Books store to get your copy now! #call_to_action h4{padding:0px 5px;} #social-essentials {margin: 0 0 10px 0;}

A little of this, a little of that. Some pulp fiction, a couple of costumed-hero movies you’ve probably never heard of, and even some comics. * Mockbuster Batman: So this is an odd little thing that I came across while I was doing some research. If you have been reading this weekly thing of mine [...]

"Skinwalker" by John Ostrander, Manuel Garcia, and more.This issue of Aquaman opens not with Aquaman nor in Atlantis. No, we find ourselves in Arizona as a man with a rifle finds the corpse of a steer, looking like its been ripped apart. It doesn't take him long to find the culprit: We flash up to the heavens, where The Operative's flying fortress is skipping across the sky. A conversation with his grandson is interrupted by Aquaman, P.O.W., and Y'Wara, who transport aboard without warning.Aquaman explains to The Others what he's been doing the last few weeks/issues, and asks his former team to go a mission for him:It's at this point that Aquaman departs the book, and we follow The Others in their attempt to retrieve the power glove, which is now in the possession of the skinwalker. After a brief fight, The Others and the young woman named Sky (who is a Shaman) defeat the skinwalker, getting back the glove. The Others plan to depart, with Y'Wara promising they will be back. The issue ends with Sky and the ghost of her mother watching the plane take off as the sun sets.This issue was clearly designed with two purposes in mind: one, to give the current creative team a month off, and two, to work as a "backdoor pilot" (to borrow a TV term) for The Others, should DC decide to give them their own series (something that's been hinted at, on and off, ever since they first appeared). I can only assume the introduction of Sky is meant, eventually, to bolster the team's ranks a little in case they do need to carry their own book.Aquaman's cameo in his own title reminded me of Margot Kidder as Lois Lane showing up for about five minutes in Superman III, before she departs the movie. It felt weird to have this side trip in the middle of the storyline (and one that, IMO, is already dragging a bit), but that's what fill-in stories are for.Writer John Ostrander has pulled this duty for Aquaman before, and his custom-built one-offs are uniformly very good (see here and here). I wasn't as thrilled with this one, mostly because I just didn't want to take this detour at all--but of course that's not Ostrander's fault. If DC does choose to give The Others their own book, I think he'd be a great candidate to write it.Speaking of cameo appearances, Aquaman pops up even less in Justice League #20 (also a fill-in issue, at least on the art side). After Despero opens a can of major, er, league whupass on the JL's new members Firestorm, Element Girl, and The Atom, the rest of the team assembles to clean up a large chunk of the Watchtower that has crashed to Earth. It's here where the Sea King shows up: Wow, Aquaman is regularly featured in two books, yet this month he's barely appearing in three pages total! Better luck next month, Arthur!

Some DC Nation clips I missed earlier.  Here’s the good-quality preview of the episode with Captain Cod (no, there isn’t an L in his name).  The full episode is a lesser-quality video, but you can watch it here. Also, here’s the second Black Lightning episode.  From the months-ago preview I’d thought he was fighting Tar Pit, but the accompanying text on this video says it’s Volcano Man.  He looks more like Tar Pit, but that does look kind of like lava.  It’s just a cameo anyway.

Tweet I’ve mentioned Jen Lee’s THUNDERPAW: IN THE ASHES OF FIRE MOUNTAIN before as a “Future comic” — the panels are animated gifs, a technique that is still being explored for its storytelling possibilities. Since I first wrote about it, a lot more has been posted and if anything it’s gotten more and more impressive. Bruno and Ollie are two anthropomorphic dogs who must find their way home after being left in the car by their owners. Yep. the oldest story in the book. But it’s brought to life in an astonishing way, part Watership Down, part Akira. The basic palette of traffic cone orange and black explodes like a giant neon caution sign as Bruno and Ollie fight hostile gangs, survive fire, and look for hope beneath a doom-filled smoke-filled sky. Bruno and Ollie just want to dig thigns up in their own backyard but the entire world they know seems to have been destroyed and their plight is brought home using a variety of techniques. The simple animation gives the story a hypnotic, twitchy quality, but Lee also knows when to use static images and has begun to use some “endless canvas” techniques as well. Her actual animations are subtle and filled with character as well, from the growing confidence in Ollie’s stride, to Bruno’s more hesitant look. Thunderpaw is beautifully drawn and animated and it’s compeltely native to the web. It’s a good note to end our 24 Hours of Webcomics on. Hope you enjoyed it and if you did we might just do it again! #call_to_action h4{padding:0px 5px;} #social-essentials {margin: 0 0 10px 0;}

Panel from Orbital v.1: Scars graphic novel (2006), script by Sylvain Runberg, art by Serge Pellé, 2009 translation for Cinebook by Jerome Saincantin, English lettering by Imadjinn A special Bully salute to pal "Dangerous" Dave Lartigue for supplying me with this scan, way back in November 2012. (At last I did not forget to post something on the day it was meant for!)

Mein sent me this AMAZING piece of art, and I’m absolutely in awe of it.  It really is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen.  Do you ever get so delighted about something that you just kind of gibber brokenly and can’t express yourself?  That’s me today. Thank you so much, Mein!!

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