DC/Vertigo
Original story by Neil Gaiman; Adaptation, art and cover by P. Craig Russell
Nov 10, 2009
Comic Books
Web Exclusive
The Sandman: The Dream Hunters is an original graphic novel that adapts Neil Gaiman’s text piece of the same name. P. Craig Russell referenced that original story, and the original art by Yoshitaka Amano, to create a more traditional comic narrative. It’s an unqualified success.
More
Nov 09, 2009
Comic Books
Web Exclusive
In the world of Fables, Cinderella is secretly a high-action, kick-ass spy in the service of Fabletown’s community of storybook outcasts. This book, written by Chris Roberson and illustrated by Shawn McManus, vaults Cindy into an adventure that’s part James Bond, part The Devil Wears Prada, and all Fables.
More
Oct 28, 2009
Comic Books
DC Comics
House of Mystery is an ongoing series by DC/Vertigo that’s half an anthology as it is. As Kyle Lemmon recapped in his review of the second trade collection, HoM is about “a group of five strangers trapped within a supernatural tavern where strange patrons pass the time regaling each other in outlandish yarns.”
More
DC
Written by James Robinson, Warren Ellis, and Alan Grant; Art by John Watkiss, John McCrea, and Quique Alcatena
Oct 27, 2009
Comic Books
Web Exclusive
The quick and dirty critique for DC’s very seasonal paperback, Batman: Monsters, is that it’s an underwhelming string of fright fiction. The trade collects Legends of the Dark Knight #71-73, 83, 84, 89, and 90 and finds Batman investigating murders that seem to have been perpetrated by a werewolf, fighting bio-engineered soldiers (with a gun!?) and being caught up in a tragic retelling of archfiend Clayface’s origin.
More
Oct 14, 2009
Comic Books
Web Exclusive
While some of the appeal of comic books lies in following the soap opera-like developments in the lives of favorite characters over years, or even decades, it’s surely a welcome relief to read stories that aren’t tied into a long, complex continuity.
More
Oct 12, 2009
Comic Books
Web Exclusive
The trade paperback of Paul Pope’s Heavy Liquid collects the five-issue series originally published back when most of us were fretting about the inevitable Y2K meltdown. Since then, the writer/artist has earned wide acclaim for other comics work, such as 100%, and, most recently, his Adam Strange strips in DC’s groundbreaking Wednesday Comics series.
More
DC/Vertigo
G. Willow Wilson
Oct 09, 2009
Comic Books
Web Exclusive
Air, written by journalist G. Willow Wilson and illustrated by M.K. Parker, is very quotable. There are many, many cool lines. Example: “Maps speak to maps… signposts to signposts.”
More
Oct 07, 2009
Comic Books
Web Exclusive
I don’t want to dance around my main irritation with this book: It’s being presented as a collaboration between noted writer Robert Kirkman (Walking Dead, Invincible, Astounding Wolf-Man) and artist Todd McFarlane.
More
DC
Written by Jeph Loeb; Art by Ed McGuinness, Dexter Vines and Tim Sale
Oct 01, 2009
Comic Books
Web Exclusive
Scribe Jeph Loeb (Batman: The Long Halloween, Superman: For All Seasons) and artist Ed McGuinness’ (Deadpool, Vampirella) debut six-issue storyline for Superman/Batman stands above the rest of the monthly series, even four years later. This “New Edition” doesn’t change much besides the cover, a sketch book addendum and a tacked-on prologue.
More
Marvel
Written by Brian Michael Bendis; Art by Alex Maleev; Cover by Alex Maleev and Alex Ross
Sep 28, 2009
Comic Books
Web Exclusive
The debut issue of Spider-Woman is an OK, albeit belated first step. Marvel delayed Jessica Drew’s rebooted run to give time for the motion comic adaption to be finished. Originally this comic was meant to be a direct follow-up to the maxiseries Secret Invasion. Instead, we get hazy references to the Skrull Queen inhabiting Drew’s body/mind, thus severing her ties with New Avengers. Her “woe is me” drama doesn’t come off quite as compelling as five-time Eiser recipient Brian Michael Bendis (House of M, New Avengers) probably intended.
More