Erik Cheski
Duty is as heavy as a mountain.
The second issue of Brian Wood's new series gives us more of a glimpse into Seth Abbot's life and the fuel that drives him, as well as leading his merry band into the larger war. Hearth and home become the touchstones of his courage and dedication, but his duty to his fellows and their cause pulls him from the duties of home and wife.
The best intentions lead to the worst acts.
Welcome to Mark Waid and Barry Kitson's epic tale of Empire, a world being remade by the will of one man, a man whose power and planning allow him to be almost unstoppable. Golgoth, the Emperor made of the worst of ruthless humanity, finds countries falling before him like wheat, his plans sowing terror and obedience ahead of the forces that suffer no resistance, and his highly placed ministers running a soullessly effective Empire where no one is safe, and everyone's being manipulated.
Over the years, Stan Sakai has won or been nominated for most every award a comic creator can get, and he returns to one of his best-known characters in a very odd turn, adding something new to the characters we've grown to love over the course of this series. Our favorite Wascally Wabbit Wonin (I sometimes can't even stop myself.) and his companions are now fifteen years older than last we saw them and finally about to wipe Hekiji’s forces from the map when something arrives that no one is prepared for.
The tale with the power.
In the late 1980s, Jim Henson created a wonderful television series called The Storyteller. Starring John Hurt as the Narrator, he would spin a tale for his dog (and us, the lucky audience) from times before television, before radio, before a day could be filled with anything but work and drudgery, and when a well-told story could last a lifetime. This series was incredible, adding in the Henson Muppet Shop to help bring these oral histories to life, and captivate, terrify, and fill with wonder at the possibilities that lay in these tales.
Keep your head up.
Jorge Corona keeps the pedal to the floor in the penultimate issue of his wonderful Feathers series. Having returned Bianca to the City only to be booted out unceremoniously, Poe returns to the Maze to confront his father and figure out what the right thing to do is, leading him to a confrontation we’re not sure he can win.
One good turncoat deserves another.
Allow me to start pretty simply: This book is fun. I had a blast reading it and was hungry for more when I got to the last page. Joanne M. Harris, known for Chocolat (which I’ll admit freely that I’ve never read, when I buy things with that word on it, usually it’s delicious), takes us on a journey through Norse mythology from the point of view of the Trickster God, Loki. I was excited about the title from all of the recent Tom Hiddleston magnificence, but Harris’ playful romp through one of the darkest creation/end-of-the-world mythos out there is a sheer delight that is much more nuanced and intriguing than even Marvel’s take on the role.
Here I come to save the date!
Jimmy Francis, an actor and standup comedian, tells his tale of being the guy in the room who’s just this side of cool. Okay, perhaps a bit further to the side. Jamie rocks on his guitar, gets laughs in the comedy club, and generally has his life together until it comes to talking to girls, in which case his intelligence high tails it, leaving his poor dignity shivering alone in the cold. Embracing the kook inside, he becomes Hyperdork, making his awkwardness his super identity.
Something’s going a lot more than bump in the night.
I really enjoyed the first issue of Spring Heeled Jack that I checked out a ways back, but I was wholly shocked and surprised by what I felt to be a quantum leap forward in all areas in the second and third issues of Tony Deans’ horror romp. This has become a story that has surpassed what I thought it could be, and it’s worth your time to check out the strong arc that’s continuing through these issues.
I am Jack's returning terror.
Chuck Palahniuk's twisted mind has circled back to the man we knew as Tyler Durden, orchestrator of Project Mayhem and absolute mind *%@$ extraordinaire. Ten years have passed since Tyler blew Tyler away in the top floor of that office building, and we get to see what trouble he's gotten into since.
Halls? Check. Doors? Check. Loot it!
Tom Siddell is the man, this is a fact. Mike Holmes makes the pictures in his head find lovely, comfy seats in yours. Jim Zub is also the man, which is too, a fact. Rian Sygh is a mother-pleasing sorcerer of image and light.
