It’s a peanut-butter-and-chocolate moment as digital comic portal Saturday Morning Webtoons adds Scott Chantler’s Three Thieves.

From the press release:

The first Three Thieves volume, Tower of Treasure, the 2011 Shuster Award winner for Best Comic for Kids, will begin weekly serialization on Saturday, May 3rd.

“I got my start in webcomics back in 2000 when the idea was completely new,” says Chantler. “Since then I’ve wanted to return to the idea of having something online for free,” adds the celebrated cartoonist of Two Generals. ”It sure helped launch my career, and hopefully it will also bring a wider readership to Three Thieves.”

“Scott was one of the first people I approached about Saturday Morning Webtoons,” says writer J. Torres, founder of SMW, who collaborated with Chantler on the graphic novels Days Like This and Scandalous for Oni Press. “I’m glad he’s finally joining us, and that he’s got the blessing and support of his publisher.”

Yet another benefit to building up a body of work — you can use the earlier volumes to promote the newer ones. I’m glad more people are getting the chance to read this series for free, although I’m sure it’ll be a nail-biter waiting for more adventure-laden pages to come online.

I know there’s something crazy about reading superhero comics for the character bits, not the powers or the fights, but that’s where my interests lie these days. So I adored this issue, which features Matt Murdock going out on a date with Kirsten McDuffie.

It’s a testament to Mark Waid’s skill and imagination that he takes a basic premise, featuring a character who’s been around for decades, and makes it so fresh and modern and yes, sexy. (Which nicely justifies what would other be a salacious cover.) That’s helped along by the impressive art by Chris Samnee. Just check out this early full page, right, showing where the two go out and how Kirsten decides to share the experience with Matt. (The coloring by Javier Rodriguez supports it wonderfully. Click for larger.)

Waid’s dialogue is a pleasure to read, making these characters come alive. Some of the ways he shows them flirting with each other in flashback, driven by Kirsten’s determination to get Matt to admit he’s Daredevil, are hilarious. It’s a weird, refreshing take on the secret identity, since Matt is the title hero, yet we’re rooting for him not to tell her and supporting his lies to her. Normally, that bothers me a great deal, but here, it fits nicely into a grownup screwball-style battle of the sexes. Samnee’s art keeps these characters moving and reacting, too, even when showing simple conversation. I really appreciate his use of background and detail.

Plus, there’s a neat background story telling us new to the series just how Foggy and Matt became such good friends, set back in their law school days. Even though the situation at that time was deadly serious to their careers, the jokes Waid includes slay me. (Bobblehead judge!) They’re not generic, but specific to the situation, with an extra layer of goofiness for comic fans. He also writes Matt as a bit older and wiser, adding that additional layer while narrating his long-ago actions, a perspective I can relate to. I would never have thought that such a long-running character could seem so exciting and relevant to me, but Waid breathes new life into the property.

I know this kind of issue isn’t what I can expect every month, since this is, after all, a hero book, but it’s my favorite of the first year of what’s become my favorite superhero series.

The three short stories Andi Watson created for Dark Horse Presents at the end of last year are now available in their own special issue. That’s a great thing for readers like me who fondly recall the Skeleton Key series and/or want anything Andi does. Actually, it’s a great thing for anyone who likes fun, charming stories with creative concepts and entertaining adventures.

Skeleton Key was a fascinating series for watching how quickly and radically Watson developed his artistic style over its run. The illustrations went from scratchy and line-filled to simplified confidence over the six years it came out (and five collections released). That paralleled the development of the lead character, as Tamsin grew from bored teen to young woman making life choices out on her own. The original concept — Tamsin discovered a magic key that allowed her to journey to other dimensions — was terrific, well-chosen to allow the artist’s imagination free rein while suiting the need of a teenager to crave new experiences and try on different identities.

Although it began as a fantasy adventure, with the introduction of Tamsin’s new friend Kitsune, a fox spirit found during one of the journeys, the series also developed a slice-of-life/girls growing up together undercurrent. In a way, this special returns to the “let’s see where we go today” feel of the earliest stories while maintaining the depth of the two women’s friendship. It also marks the latest transformation of Watson’s style, with the reductionist cartooning and gorgeous coloring similar to his work in Glister. He uses an almost monochrome palette that sets an emotional mood while varying the tones for readability. (And it’s the first time we’ve seen these two in color, if you don’t count covers.)

In the first story, “Dead Can’t Dance”, Tamsin and Kitsune meet a demented band that are raising zombies for their new music video. They’re silly wannabe artists, these “New Necromantics”, playing with forces beyond their control, but thankfully, Tamsin’s able to rescue them from the cursed results of their thoughtlessness.

“Room Service” sends the pair to a fancy haunted hotel, where they’re mistaken for exorcists. I loved the incorporation of the standard lodging expectations, including the minibar, in this tale, and the unexpectedly happy ending, as everyone becomes useful.

“Lost Property” is a bit deeper, as the two girls, seeking to get home, find themselves at risk of becoming an exhibit in the Museum of the Lost. This story best shows how imaginative Watson’s ideas can be, as the various inhabitants raised a giggle or an eyebrow. I particularly liked the dodos walking through (also seen on the back cover), and the way the guards were empty museum cases, hopping around on their pedestals. The issue also contains a short sketchbook section with some annotated character designs and proposed cover layouts.

I’d forgotten how much I missed Kitsune’s never-ending hunger and Tamsin’s proper snarkiness. This was a wonderful reminder of the appeal of the characters and the strength of Andi Watson’s work. I hope this isn’t all we see of Skeleton Key in future. There’s so much more they could do and I want to read. If you’d like to see a sample, the publisher has posted a preview.

After giving up on the rest of the DC New 52, I thought I’d give the superhero comics another chance now that they’re reintroducing the multiverse to their continuity. With alternate worlds, maybe there’s a happier one, less focused on big fights and gross, blood-soaked images.

Earth 2 #1 quickly showed me that assumption was wrong. The company has been very close-mouthed about the book and its premise, so forgive me for discussing SPOILERS following.

Darkseid attempts to invade Earth, and the big three — Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman — are presumed dead after battling him. This will lead to the formation of a new hero group, some of whose members are shown briefly in this issue. Writer is James Robinson, who is far away from the guy whose work we all loved on Starman. Did he have brain surgery? Replaced by a doppelganger, like those old “Paul is dead” rumors? Simply burn out? Art is by Nicola Scott and Trevor Scott.

In order to get there, though, these heroes have to die. Superman, portrayed much the same as the character we used to know, gets this:

Batman, still the strategist, is presumed gone after a heartfelt farewell to his daughter Helena and another explosion. Helena is Robin, before becoming the Huntress and moving into the pages of Worlds’ Finest (see below). But Wonder Woman, the bloodthirsty warrior, is lovingly impaled in this half-page:

I suppose, if I was being charitable, that I could infer that we see the woman’s death in such detail to show how down-to-earth a hero she is, how her character is less cosmic and less mysterious than the other two. But I’m really tired of the bloodthirsty warrior as the driving motivation behind Wonder Woman. There’s so much more to her than that, but that’s all the writers these days seem to want to focus on.

Worlds’ Finest #1 is a much better read, featuring the Huntress and Power Girl (who was previously Supergirl) as buddies trying to survive a difficult situation together. They’ve been thrown into another world, and they’re trying to get back home. That makes for a nice, simple motivation most can relate to, if a bit of a departure from traditional heroism. It’s a real pleasure to see two women starring in a DC superhero series, without worrying about them flashing body parts at the (presumed male) reader to keep their interest.

I’ll be following this series, written by Paul Levitz. I like the double art structure, too, with “present day” illustrated by George Pérez and Scott Koblish and flashbacks drawn by Kevin Maguire. I’ve missed seeing his clean lines.

After ceasing as a publisher a year ago, Tokyopop started making noises last September about bringing back one of their most popular titles, Hetalia.

Now, in conjunction with online retailer RightStuf.com, comes the actual announcement.

Right Stuf announced that, through a special arrangement with Japanese publisher Gentosha Comics and TOKYOPOP, it will be offering manga fans the opportunity to purchase Hetalia Axis Powers, Volume 3, in English-translated book form for the first time ever, as well as reprints of the manga series’ first two volumes, exclusively through RightStuf.com. Volume 3 will be available in late June 2012, while Volumes 1 and 2 are each available immediately.

I guess those Amazon sellers asking $50 or $100 for the first two books in the series should enjoy those high prices while they last. The books are available for $10.99 each via Right Stuf’s print-on-demand program, although they list that as a discount off the $15.99 “suggested retail price”.

It’s a good thing that such a reputable retailer as Right Stuf is involved in this project, because Tokyopop is on my “I don’t believe a thing they say until I hold a book in my hand” list. Just look at how long ago they were teasing this effort, spending over six months with nothing to show for their promotion. To sweeten the deal further, only preorders will get the first edition of Volume 3, which comes with eight color pages. Later printings will have those pages in black and white.

KC’s newest Westfield column takes a look at the latest Previews catalog, for items available beginning in July.

His favorite pick is Walter Simonson’s Judas Coin, an amazing graphic novel that wanders through DC continuity, including appearances of the Viking Prince, Bat Lash, Manhunter 2070, and Batman (with Two-Face).

He also makes sure you know about the Captain Marvel relaunch from Kelly Sue DeConnick and Dexter Soy and an Alan Davis/ClanDestine crossover event, as well as some great reprint collections due out over the summer.

It was a very light month, between travel and catching up on TV shows and just not having a lot of time to watch movies. I suspect May will be better. I know I’m going to see The Avengers, and I probably will try for The Pirates as well.

Movies

The Kiss (1929) — The last silent film made by both MGM and Greta Garbo. There’s not much more to say about it, other than thankfully, it’s short. Standard plot about a woman fought over by men, until one shoots another. She’s unhappily married, in love with a lawyer, but it’s a friend’s son who finally acts on his crush. Rather confusing to today’s viewers, since characters’ motivations aren’t very plausible at times.

The Single Standard (1929) — This was the one Garbo made right before The Kiss. Another typical story, aimed at showing us how marriage is the right thing and fooling around is bad. Garbo’s Arden sails off with a boxer/painter (Nils Asther) she met the night before, living with him alone on his boat. When he ditches her — she’s too much of a distraction from his “work” — she returns home, marries the nice guy waiting for her (John Mack Brown) even though she still loves the tough guy artist, and has a child. When her ex-lover returns, the nice guy won’t let her run off with him and ruin her reputation. Instead, he offers to have a “hunting accident” the next day to make her “honorably free” to rejoin the bad boy. But seeing her kid makes her decide to do the right thing and maintain the bonds of matrimony. The only surprising elements of the movie to me were an early scene with the chauffeur, who is discouraged from being involved with Arden, and the suicide offer.

DVDs

The Incredible Hulk

The Incredible Hulk (2008) — Well, I saw it. I thought it was pretty boring and depressing, but I was treating it like homework before The Avengers anyway. I was disappointed they didn’t have more comic-related extras, but those are apparently on the 2003 Hulk movie DVD.

It’s Complicated (2009) — KC didn’t understand what I meant when I said this was a Nancy Myers movie. It’s lady porn, full of gorgeous kitchens and a story firmly centered on a woman’s wants and fears, where everything is about her, so unlike most of the rest of popular culture. (That’s best exemplified by the venom that Myers’ work receives from “serious” male critics.) This is a movie aimed firmly at an audience often under-served by Hollywood, one who cares about having loving children and the fantasy of an ex-husband who left for a younger woman seeing the error of his ways and wanting to come back. The scenes where Meryl Streep and her three friends sit around a meal and chat stunned me, because it has been a long time since I’ve seen that many women of a certain age (and who showed it, not Botoxed or plasticized) talking to each other on film.

Jonah Hex (2010) — The only part I liked was the Civil War-era scenery. Giving Jonah the ability to raise and talk to the dead was stupid, but if I started listing everything the movie got wrong, I’d be here forever. I felt sorry for Josh Brolin having to talk through that prosthetic the whole time, and I wish the thing hadn’t been shot so dark, so I could have seen Jeffrey Dean Morgan better. We got it just to keep the collection of DC comic movies complete. (I’ve given up on the Marvel one, since I don’t want to see the Punisher movies for any reason.)

Less Than Zero (1987) — What a time capsule. The movie is a walking anti-drug ad, but I still miss the fashions and design of that era. I’d watch the Imperial Bedrooms followup, if they ever make that movie.

The Pick-Up Artist (1987) — Another reminder of why it doesn’t make sense to be a completist. I like Robert Downey (no Jr. in these credits) a lot, but this is a bad movie. Not even good bad, just mediocre, lying there, begging you to ignore it. The most interesting thing about it was who showed up in little roles, from Harvey Keitel to Christine Baranski. Co-stars a tired-looking Molly Ringwald.

The Trip

I took a long weekend in New York City to visit this year’s MoCCA Fest held to benefit the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art. My mother and I were traveling together, since after the show, we planned to do some sightseeing and shopping in the city.

We stayed at the Ramada Eastside, which I heartily recommend. For about $200 a night (it is New York), we had a recently renovated room much larger than I expected with a bathroom with plenty of space as well. Plus, they provide free wifi and free breakfast (bagels, donuts, pancakes, hard-boiled eggs, cereal). This was all four blocks from the show location at the Lexington Armory. If you’re interested in visiting the MoCCA show and staying within walking distance, it’s a great choice. Now that I know of a reliable place to stay in the area, that makes it much easier to make this trip a yearly habit.

I was at the show at opening on Saturday, 11 AM, and was surprised to find myself done at 3:30. I had seen many wonderful artists, talked with old friends, met some new ones, and acquired a lot of terrific reading. I could have done another sweep of the floor, and I’m sure I would have found more great comics to try, but I was tired — we were up for our flight that morning at 3 AM — and I didn’t feel like I could carry much more.

My show strategy this year is to avoid overdoing, to enjoy what I what find and not stress about what I might have missed. (So I’m sorry I didn’t get to say hello to Stephen Robson of Ponent Mon or Ed Chavez of Vertical, but I’m sure there will be another opportunity in future.) This show can be done in an afternoon or take the full two days, especially if, unlike me, you remember to go to some of the panels and programming. By mid-day Saturday, the show floor was nicely crowded. I would get bumped every so often, which I don’t care for, but that many attendees hopefully meant good business for exhibitors.

The Comics, Artists, and Publishers

This show didn’t have one standout book for me. Instead, it was about continuing enjoyment of the medium and its artists. I should say to start that I didn’t spend a lot of time shopping with big publishers such as Top Shelf, Fantagraphics, or Drawn & Quarterly. They all had books I was interested in, but I can easily get them when I’m home, without worrying about how to carry them back there. I had limited packing space this trip, so I focused on small press and minicomics, many from artists who are long-term favorites of mine.

That was the best thing about this show — seeing creators whose work I’ve enjoyed for years continue bringing out new and exciting works. Take Kris Dresen, for example. I’ve been loving her work since the mid-90s, and now she was debuting the print edition of She Said. I also picked up Gone, which is almost an illustrated poem about trying to fly.

John Green at MoCCA

I enjoy Alisa Harris’ Cooking Up Comics web recipes, so I bought the three issues of her Urban Nomad minicomic about living in New York City. (Great reminder of how much fun it is to visit the city but how glad I am that I don’t live here. It takes a special kind of person to survive it.) And my mom was actually interested in taking the bookmark I brought back — Cooking Up Comics might be the first webcomic she reads!

Lucy Knisley had two minicomics I hadn’t bought yet, and I got to hear a little bit more about her upcoming book Relish, coming next year from First Second. Given the food focus, I expect to share that with Mom as well. The key to converting comic readers: subjects they’re interested in.

John Green didn’t have a table, but I bumped into him setting up for a sketch session. They are debuting Teen Boat with a release party on a real boat! Ok, it’s a stationery barge, but on Friday, May 11, the authors will be appearing at the Waterfront Museum in Brooklyn. What a neat idea!

There was also the fun of catching up with old buddies, such as former Richmonder Chris Irving, who was working with PowerHouse Books. They were at the show to promote their anthology of Golden Age Western Comics — which has a cover with holes in it, as though someone shot it! — and Chris’ interview book Leaping Tall Buildings, with impressive photographs by Seth Kushner. This beautiful volume is aiming to introduce some of the key figures who made American comics to non-fans.

Mark Smylie of Archaia

Archaia was at MoCCA for the first time in four years. Mark Smylie and I chatted briefly about their convention strategy, how they hope to make more appearances at smaller shows with targeted samples of their diverse line, which sounds like a great idea to me.

Also fun to catch up with was Ross Richie of Boom! Studios. Someday, we’re going to get a chance to get a drink together and really swap stories about all the comic history we remember; this time, we chatted about the Austin comic scene, remembering Sam Hurt and Hepcats. Plus, Ross, who was there then, told me the real story of why Marvel bought Malibu. I shouldn’t neglect to mention the pleasure of meeting Rich Tommaso, there promoting his just-out Pete and Miriam.

I picked up a copy of Luci’s Let Down by Marjee Chmiel & Sandra Lanz. I saw this at SPX last year, and I think I was going to borrow Ed’s copy from him, but you know how good intentions go. I’m looking forward to reading and reviewing this shortly.

Pete Stathis took a “daddy break” from comics, but he’s coming back with a new project, Kulok and Dunlop, a fantasy adventure comedy launching in June. There’s a preview at his website.

It’s always a pleasure to see Bill Roundy, who has a weekly comic called Bar Scrawl about “the drinking establishments of Brooklyn”. He’s smartly collected them into minicomics arranged by particular neighborhood, a smart idea for locals.

A lovely lady named Patricia Burgess had the most darling tiny fruit slice earrings. Amazingly, they matched a bracelet I bought online for summer, so I had to have the little oranges.

Billage, Amelia Onorato, Melanie Gillman, and Donna Almendrala

My last stop of the show was the kind of coincidence that ends the experience on a high note. While in one far corner of the room, an artist I knew introduced me to a Center for Cartoon Studies student. He wanted to show me his comics, but he had just left his table on the other side of the room for the first time in the show. I said I’d work my way back across the room and meet him there.

When I got there, he wasn’t back yet, so I looked around and discovered he was sharing a table with one of my favorite young webcomic creators, Melanie Gillman. I’ve talked before how much I enjoy her comic Smbitten, and now I own the print copies. Which are hand-stitched with pearl trim! If Billage, the student, hadn’t asked me to come by, I would have missed one of my favorite purchases. Serendipity!

I also got Bill’s comics, along with another tablemate’s, Amelia Onorato. I look forward to telling you more about all the many great minicomics I picked up in a future column.

The Food and Art

We’re done with comic stuff now — the rest of this is just me talking about dining out, because one of the goals of the trip was to eat some really good meals, and at that, we were successful.

Dinner Saturday night was at Artisanal Bistro, a French restaurant with an amazing cheese selection. They even have a cheese consultant, similar to a sommelier for a wine cellar. We chose a soft, Brie-like cheese (but with a stronger taste that was evocative of scallops) and discovered Shropshire Blue, a sort of blend of Stilton and Cheshire.

I love dining out with my mother, because we both love the same kinds of elaborate dishes and we like to share and taste. At Artisanal, she had a light and classic trout almandine with haricot vert, while I enjoyed a braised lamb shank with ratatouille and an amazing goat cheese polenta. It’s a good thing we ate early, because after all that and the early rising, we crashed early and slept well.

Sunday began with brunch with Brigid Alverson and her friend John, another Boston comic fan. The Tick Tock Diner, just across the street from Penn Station, was swamped, but the food was diner classic and made for a filling breakfast.

Instead of returning to the show, Mom and I were interested in another kind of shopping. We went to Macy’s, which was overcrowded with international tourists, and then Lord and Taylor. Mom was looking for a particular purse style which unfortunately isn’t in style this season, so no luck there.

We wrapped up the afternoon visiting the Museum of Modern Art. We only had a couple of hours, so it was a quick walk through the history of art, but we saw work by Picasso, Duchamp, Matisse, Warhol, and Monet’s Water Lilies. I recall two standouts of the experience:

* I saw Van Gogh’s Starry Night, which I will always remember.
* We had a lovely conversation about how to define art and the influence of the academy in declaring what is and isn’t. As modern art becomes more current, the piece becomes less about the craft and representation and more about the concept.

Dinner was at the MOMA restaurant, the Modern. After a delicious arugula/watercress salad and a liverwurst appetizer, I had an astounding duck breast with pistachio/truffle dipping sauce and surprisingly different peppercorn-crusted green apple slices. It was hard to tell they were apples, but they tasted terrific with the duck and the sauce. Mom enjoyed a pan-seared skate wing with creamy grits and brown butter vinaigrette. Everything was so intensely flavored, it was wonderful.

One more note for NYC visitors: It is not an early-rising city. We found ourselves relaxing in the morning, since there was nothing to do before 10 AM, and we were up and ready before 8. I suspect everyone else was sleeping in from a late night.