Category Archives: Comics

Art/Photography, Book Reviews, Comics

Silver ~Stephan Franck

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“The simple truth is, there’s only two kinds of objects in this world…
the ones that shine and the ones that don’t.

My name is James Finnigan and I mostly concern myself with objects from the first category.”

Set fifty years after Bram Stoker’s seminal novel, Dracula, Stephan Franck’s graphic story, Silver, focuses on the efforts of a famously illusive con man who assembles an eclectic team to infiltrate the castle made famous in Jonathan Harker’s journals to pilfer a horde of silver from the vampires who hold it dear.

Simple, right?

Continue reading Silver ~Stephan Franck →

Art/Photography, Book Reviews, Comics, Fantasy, Science Fiction

Spectrum 22

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One of my favorite things to do as the year comes to a close is to get together with my friend, Jeff Smith, to pour over the latest volume of Spectrum: The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art, page by glorious page. A few weeks ago I came home to find a package at my door, Spectrum 22, the sophomore edition with John Fleskes at the helm. Looking at the gorgeous cover by Bastien Lecouffe Deharme, it was difficult to set it aside and not sneak a peek. Yet I persevered, resisting the book’s siren call, so that we could experience it together today.

It was well worth the wait. I’ve seen improvements in Spectrum each year. John Fleskes put his own personal touches on the book last year, and he improved upon those in his second year, giving fans of fantastic art a book with tremendous variety while remaining consistent in presenting the very best that the world of Fantastic Art has to offer.

If you don’t own a copy, make sure you get this one on your Christmas list.

Continue reading Spectrum 22 →

Book Reviews, Comics, Fantasy, Science Fiction

Saga Volumes 1-3 ~Brian K. Vaughan, Fiona Staples

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It would not have surprised me if the Comic Book Police had shown up at my house anytime over the last few years to officially revoke my fan-boy status. Though I faithfully buy each monthly issue of Fables and snag copies of new Hellboy comics when they are released, the actual act of reading comic books is something I have not accomplished for some time.

I have been vaguely aware of the Saga series since its release, but was reminded of its existence once again when the Hugo finalists were released last week and Saga: Volume 2 was nominated for Best Graphic Story, the award the first volume won last year, and artist Fiona Staples made the ballot for Best Professional Artist. With that in the back of my mind I found myself staring at Volume 1 in my local comic shop last Wednesday night. Staring…then buying…then going home…

…and reading Volume 1 cover to cover.

This was followed by regret for not buying volumes 2 and 3 while at the shop (which by that time was closed), and a Thursday return trip to do just that. I tried to savor the next two volumes, stretching them out through Friday before finishing.

I am now caught up with the series, which returns with issue 19 at the end of May. Despite some artistic choices on the part of the creators that seem unnecessary to me, I freely admit to being hooked on this series.

Now comes the agony of the wait for more chapters.

Continue reading Saga Volumes 1-3 ~Brian K. Vaughan, Fiona Staples →

Book Reviews, Comics, Science Fiction

You Can’t Stop the Signal

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Browncoats the world over mourned twice, first when their beloved show Firefly was canceled by the Fox network after a short season of playing fast and loose with the episode order and air times, and then after writer/director Joss Whedon released Serenity, a wrap-up of sorts to the series, leaving viewers with mixed feelings about lost characters while dreaming of a future in which the series would return.

It had long been rumored that the continuation of the story of Captain Malcolm Reynolds and his band of misfits would not be on the small or big screen but within the pages of comic books. That rumor became a reality at Dark Horse Comics and the ongoing series continued with this week’s release of issue one of Serenity: Leaves on the Wind.

I brought issue #1 home from my local comic shop tonight and could not resist the urge to see what some of my favorite fictional characters have been up to.

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Book Reviews, Comics, Mystery, Young Adult

Anya’s Ghost ~Vera Brosgol

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Anya’s Ghost ~Vera Brosgol

–published 2011
–First Second Books
–221 pages
–9/10

Navigating the tumultuous waters of adolescence is difficult enough in a typical American high school. For Russian-born Anya Borzakovskaya those difficulties are compounded by a last name and a culture that she works hard to distance herself from. What successes she has gained in the battle to “fit in” are put in daily peril by body image issues, poor school performance, and the presence of another Russian student, Dima, a prototypical nerd with a thick Russian accent who regularly tries to befriend her. One day when familial and school obligations threaten to overwhelm her, Anya decides to take a walk in the park, wherein she discovers, quite by accident, an old well. Things go from bad to worse when she discovers the bones of the last person to stumble across the well and with them, a ghost.

In her debut book, Anya’s Ghost, author/artist Vera Brosgol combines clean lines and subtle retro-styling with tight prose to tell a compelling and sometimes mysterious tale about a young girl’s journey towards becoming herself.

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