June 7, 2011 Johanna Titan Comics One comment

Fighting American

As indicated by the cover caption “From the creators of Captain America”, the pitch of Fighting American is clear. It’s a patriotic hero with a familiar feel from the original creators — but if you’re just looking for a tie-in to one of the summer blockbusters, you’re underestimating the inspired insanity of Jack Kirby. First, the basics. This paperback includes all the Fighting American comics — the first seven issues, published by Prize from 1954-1955; the attempted first-issue relaunch from […]

May 29, 2011 Johanna DC / Vertigo Leave a comment

Delirium’s Party: A Little Endless Storybook

Back in 2001, Jill Thompson (Scary Godmother) re-envisioned Neil Gaiman’s Endless (from The Sandman graphic novel series) as adorable little kids in The Little Endless Storybook. Dream, Death, Desire, and the other embodiments of key human drives and motivations were surprisingly cute, drawn with big heads and streamlined symbolism. Now there’s a followup, just as charming. In Delirium’s Party, the crazy, colorful littlest sister decides to throw a party in order to make her sibling Despair smile. Now, those of […]

May 8, 2011 Johanna First Second 5 comments

Coming of Age With First Second: Anya’s Ghost, Level Up, and Zita the Spacegirl

Three of First Second‘s recent releases do an excellent job with stories about young people at significant turning points in their lives. You can have your choice of three different genres — science fiction adventure, fantasy, or horror — but whichever you prefer, these substantial books belong in every kids’ library. Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke (Flight Volumes 2 and 3), $10.99 US Book site Publisher site Simply described, it’s The Wizard of Oz in space, but although the […]

May 8, 2011 Johanna Other Publishers 3 comments

Just the Usual Superpowers: A Superhero Girl Collection

I’m breaking one of my rules here, because I am a total Faith Erin Hicks fangirl. I love her work. She even got me to like a zombie comic. So even though this collection of her webcomic The Adventures of Superhero Girl is only available from her at convention appearances, I’m still talking about it. (Normally, I only review comics that are easily available to readers.) Just the Usual Superpowers collects the first 55 Adventures of Superhero Girl strips. (The […]

May 1, 2011 Johanna Other Publishers Leave a comment

Geraniums and Bacon by Cathy Leamy

I’ve been remiss in not talking about Cathy Leamy’s comics before now. I mentioned her Greenblooded a couple of years ago, due to its unique subject matter (“an introduction to eco-friendly feminine hygiene”), but I haven’t covered her main series, the anthology Geraniums and Bacon. Each issue is 20 pages of introspection and observation, with expressive, cute, approachable drawings. Instead of being self-indulgent, her self-awareness is eye-opening. I learned things and took lessons in how to approach my own life […]

April 28, 2011 Johanna Fantagraphics 3 comments

Castle Waiting Volume 2

I had high expectations for Castle Waiting, given that the first volume was outstanding, and I wasn’t disappointed. I found Volume 2 so strong, in fact, that it was my best graphic novel of 2010. Here, we learn more about all the characters as they go about their daily life, making their castle homey. The Lady Jain is seeking more suitable quarters for herself and her son Pindar, so nice-but-slow Simon and Rackham tour her around the huge building, sharing […]

April 26, 2011 Johanna Abrams / Amulet Leave a comment

Empire State: A Love Story (Or Not)

I’ve always adored Jason Shiga‘s puzzle comics, most recently Meanwhile…, but I wasn’t as big a fan of his more straightforward story comics (Double Happiness and Bookhunter). Until now. Empire State manages to take a genre I found annoying and played out — the young man finding himself through failed romance — and make it freshly successful. Jimmy and Sara were best friends (and fellow misanthropes) in Oakland, but Sara’s moved to New York for a publishing internship. Jimmy decides […]

April 21, 2011 Johanna Other Publishers 4 comments

Owly & Wormy, Friends All Aflutter!

Owly fans, rejoice! Now you get a chance to read an adventure of the adorable bird and his worm friend in oversized full color! In conjunction with Top Shelf, Simon & Schuster, under their Atheneum Books for Young Readers imprint, has released this hardcover children’s book, Owly & Wormy, Friends All Aflutter!. It’s still by Andy Runton, it’s still the same little owl, it’s still almost completely wordless, and it’s still wonderful. It’s just bigger — which means easier to […]

« 1 … 112 113 114 115 116 … 166 »