Independent Opinions, News, and Reviews of Graphic Novels, Manga, and Comic Books
Here’s what I thought were the best graphic novels of 2013, in order, based on what affected, entertained, and enlightened me. For more information on any of the following titles, the links take you to my reviews. (Yes, I’m a month late — but I’d rather post after the year is done than two months early and risk leaving out good books that happened to be published in November or December.) RelishFood carries memory, and in this memoir, Lucy Knisley […]
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When I wrote about volume 1, I wasn’t as impressed by the battle scenes as I was by those of Viking home life. That’s changed in this volume, because the strategy and maneuvering among various factions are more compelling. Makoto Yukimura’s Vinland Saga is a fascinating read on multiple levels. It’s the beginning of the 11th century, and the Vikings are invading England. The first chapter begins quietly, as an outspoken mother embarrasses her daughter by ranting about politics — […]
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IDW lost the license to produce Doctor Who comic books at the end of 2013. With so much attention being spent on the revitalized franchise, though, observers suspected the format wouldn’t be gone for long. Today comes news that the BBC has selected a new print partner, and it’s one headquartered in the UK. Titan Comics announced that all-new Doctor Who comic books will be coming in 2014, with new adventures featuring the Tenth Doctor, Eleventh Doctor, and after the […]
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Nick Bantock is still best known as the artist behind the epistolary stories of Griffin & Sabine. Those books (six in all, first released over 20 years ago) were a kind of pop-up for adults, with postcards and letters included in gorgeously decorated envelopes, accompanied by made-up stamps from non-existent places. (And now the first three have been optioned for a film.) Bantock’s newest book is something entirely different. The Trickster’s Hat: A Mischievous Apprenticeship in Creativity is an artist’s […]
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Although I’m far away these days from the business of running a comic store, I still make a habit of reading Diamond’s cancellation list monthly. Part of that is simple morbid curiosity — it can indicate problems if a company starts cancelling a lot of books or particular titles. This month (January 2014), I noted that Ape Entertainment had a wide range of books listed, the oldest of which dated back two years. All were listed as cancelled for lateness […]
Read moreI found this Twitter thread informative for pointing out that Pixar’s Monsters University wasn’t nominated for the Animated Feature Film Academy Award this year. The nominees were Disney’s Frozen, Studio Ghibli’s The Wind Rises, DreamWorks Animation’s The Croods (a caveman picture that got mixed reviews), Universal/Illumination’s Despicable Me 2 (liked mostly for the little yellow Minions), and the imported underdog Ernest & Célestine. @siracusa Animated feature category aside, this appears to be the second Pixar movie to not be nominated […]
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Out Tuesday, January 21, is a “secret” release of a new animated DC movie. According to World’s Finest, JLA Adventures: Trapped in Time is a Target-exclusive DVD-only cartoon feature, running not even an hour (roughly 52 minutes). As they explain, Dubbed a “stealth release,” wherein a home entertainment product is given no promotion and limited availability due to its perceived audience reach, JLA Adventures: Trapped in Time is an all-new original movie featuring the Justice League facing off against the […]
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WB has announced that their Superman/Batman movie, the sequel to Man of Steel, will open in theaters May 6, 2016, instead of the previous July 2015 date planned. Henry Cavill continues as Superman, while Ben Affleck takes on the role of Batman and Gal Gadot joins as the much-anticipated Wonder Woman. The studio’s explanation is that they are “allowing the filmmakers time to realize fully their vision, given the complex visual nature of the story”. Moving the Superman/Batman film puts […]
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