I bought four books this week.
Prez #3
Prez is the best comic book that DC is putting out right now, and, from what I understand, it’s not selling well. I guess people are confused, possibly because it stars a girl and uses bright, pretty colors, and no one punches anyone.
No punching. In a DC book.
But the book is incredible. It’s the second coming of Transmetropolitan, but without the winking ‘this is the future’ irony. The book is literally just as absurd as Transmet, but it’s so much more world-weary. Whereas Spider Jerusalem alternatingly reveled and was disgusted by in the filth and insanity of his future, Beth Ross just can’t even with this time she lives in. Sometimes, I just can’t even with the time I live in. BUY THIS BOOK.
Godzilla in Hell #2
I added this to my pull list because James Stokoe did the first one. And his previous Godzilla book was literally the best Godzilla media that the 21st century has produced. I did not realize that each issue is a different creator (or creative team) doing a no-holds-barred monster battle. This issue, featuring incredible oil paintings by SF/Fantasy/Horror artist Bob Eggleton, is the closest I’ve seen kaiju mingle with fine art, even if the narration is a bit overwrought. It’s giant monsters fighting, though, so overwrought works.
Zodiac Starforce #1
I bought this book half for myself and half for my 7 year old daughter. The art is gorgeous and vibrant with tons of incredible colors, and the story is far from your standard magical girl book. Taking a page from Steven Universe (et al), we come upon this super team who has all but disbanded and whose relations are pretty strained. It’s an interesting premise and the way the backstory develops as the story moves forward is going to make or break this book. I am excited about the group of “evil girls” who remind me a lot of the main gang from Curb Stomp.
Over The Garden Wall #1 (of 4)
If you haven’t watched Over The Garden Wall, Patrick McHale’s animated miniseries, it’s going to be tough to describe the singular tone of that world. It’s a place that macabre but never really dark; it’s absurd and funny but juuuuuuuuuuust keeps you on edge. This book captures that beautifully with a ridiculous tale of a pair of sisters with chores that they never fully articulate. Jim Campbell’s art captures the feeling of the characters without letting them seem static, a tough chore for a cartoon adaptation. (I picked up the Steve Wolfhard cover because I think he’s a rad dude.)
In Real Life
I remember when this was a short story by Cory Doctorow (one of those boingboing.net editors) that I listened to in the car driving home from school (I did that a lot). It was one of my favorites, and Jen Wang’s interpretation of it elevates this story to a classic. I have always loved books that deal with the mundane life and its intersection with another more charmed world, even if it’s just a MMORPG. The story doesn’t rely on easy answers and addresses some real world issues in a sane and honest way. In classic YA fashion, there are certainly lessons learned in this book, and I can’t wait until my second grader can read this and grasp its lessons.
Also the art is GORGEOUS OMG.
