Collected Comics Library Podcast #279
24,487Kb; 24m 31s

It’s all Comic Con all the time in on this week’s show. All the Collected Edition news from Marvel, DC, Top Cow, Dark Horse, Fantagraphics, IDW, Titan, TwoMorrows and more. I also go over all the 2010 Eisner Award winners and the New Releases of the Week.

Chris

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Collected Comics Library Podcast #278
21,708Kb; 23m 03s

As most of you know, I’m a co-host on the Comic Book Page Podcast with John Mayo. Each month John and I discuss the Top 300 Graphic Novels and Collected Edition Sales Estimates as reported by Diamond Comics Distributors. One thing that has caught my attention over the years has bee the increasing number of comic book adaptations of original prose novels there have been – and how well they sell. This is really nothing new however, Tarzan and Conan novels have been adapted and there was even the great Classic Illustrated Series. More recently Roy Thomas and Marvel brought back that title and even expanded their line of comics with the Best Selling Author series which includes Stephen King’s The Stand. Boom Studios! is also in the mix with Philip K. Dick’s Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep? the basis for Blade Runner. But there is one contemporary title title that we have yet to see: Harry Potter. As I explain in today’s podcast, now that Marvel is owned by Disney and the final Potter movie is set to be released (Part One this Christmas and Part Two next summer) it would be the perfect time to announce this monumental project at this years Comic Con. Do it now while Potter fever is still hot. At the biggest stage in the world declare to the biggest fanboy audience in the world it and introduce committed team of artists and writers, have J.K. Rowling oversee the entire creative process, make it at least a 100 issues series covering all seven books. It would be one of, if not, the biggest projects to come out of San Diego this year.

What are some of the best comic book adaptations?

Also on the show I catch up with the week’s news including the passing of Harvey Pekar with a book recommendation of Underground Classics The Transformation of Comics into Comix by James Danky and Denis Kitchen ($29.95, Abrams ComicArts), The Harvey Awards, what’s going on with Marvelman and the New Releases of the Week.

Chris

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Collected Comics Library Podcast #277
27,727Kb; 23m 04s

Wonder Woman #600 came out last week and the comic community, the internet and even ABC News is all a buzz about her new costume change. I think it’s a good move not only for the character, but to get people talking about comics in general. I’m sure the debate will go right into Comic Con. I do have a feeling that Diana Price will return to her original one piece outfit someday because we have seen it before back in 1968 when Diana and all of the Amazons lost their magic and became for the most part – mortal. Diana wore a Mod-type outfit and learned Kung-Fu in the process. It actually made her a stronger and more interesting character. But that only lasted 30 odd issues before she went back to the red, blue and gold bustier that we all know her for. I’m sure that’s what DC is doing again – rehashing what came before – new outfit, new attitude and old numbering system.

Today’s show is no different. I covered the Wonder Woman Archives way back for Podcast #4. You can listen to it if you want but I warn you that the audio is suspect. In this updated installment I talk about not only the Archives but also, the Showcase Presents volumes, the aforementioned Diana Prince trade paperbacks and two books that you may not be aware of The Encyclopedia of Comic Book Heroes Volume 2: Wonder Woman by Michael L. Fleisher (MacMillan, 1976) and Wonder Woman (Bonanza, 1972) which is a Greatest Golden Age Wonder Woman collected edition of sorts and it even has an introduction by Gloria Steinem. The contents of that book can be found at The Wonder Woman Pages.

Also on the show I go over Dave McKean’s new printing of Cages (Dark Horse, September 2010), Siegel and Shuster’s Funnyman: The First Jewish Superhero, from the Creators of Superman, The Linked Photographers’ Guide to Online Marketing and Social Media by Rosh Sillars and The Last Airbender movie which Patrick and I saw this past Sunday. and the New Releases of the Week.

Chris

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Collected Comics Library Podcast #276
16,788Kb; 17m 48s

Once in a great while something new, something innovative, and something captivating comes along. But of course we all know that there are no new ideas anymore and the things of old just get reimagined and repackaged for a new generation. I’m talking about Wednesday Comics; last summer’s weekly newspaper phenomenon that updated the full page and full color weekly Sunday comics of the 1930 and 40′s. DC Comics rounded up arguably the best talent the could find and put them on their premiere properties like Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and others, publishing 15 different one page stories that ran for 12 weeks straight.

I enjoyed the first four issues very much but I stopped buying them because I thought the format was a bit cumbersome and decided to wait for the collected edition to read the entire storylines in one sitting. I think my patience paid off because I believe this is one of the best books to come out this year. Not only is there a multitude of talent and just about every DC character is represented, but we get to see our heroes in a new light and we are not tied to any continuity or pervious incarnation. If all you know about Batman is from Adam West that’s OK, it works. And if you have no idea who Kamadi or Metamorpho is that’s OK, too. After you have read the first page you are instantly transported to their world and are rooting for the good guys to get justice.

There are a few pages of sketches and creator biographies to satisfy your need for DVD extras. But the real Easter Eggs are the full color single pages of The Creeper (written by Keith Giffen with art by Eric Canete) and Plastic Man (written by Evan Dorkin with art by Stephen DeStefano. I can only wonder if the full stories are sitting on Dan Didio’s desk just waiting to get approval for a Wednesday Comics Volume 2.

I go over this book in full and also talk about Steve Canyon, which will now get republished by Hermes Press (previously by Checker Book) and the New Releases of the Week.

Chris

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Collected Comics Library Podcast #275
43,163Kb; 45m 56s

I’m back once again with Chris Staros, Publisher of Top Shelf Productions. In the conversation we cover The Surrogates movie an its impact on an independent publisher, Alan Moore’s Dodgem Logic, Eddie Campbell’s The Playwright, Jess Fink’s We Can Fix It, Top Shelf’s foray into manga with AX, the Swedish Comics invasion and so much more!
Also for those of you who are into Digital Comics, Chris announces on the podcast that Top Shelf is working with iVerse and will debut two apps, Top Shelf Kids Club and Top Shelf All Up, at Comic Con 2010 in San Diego!!!
Please go out and support these great works of art, you won’t be disappointed and your life may just be better for it.
I want to thank Chris for taking time out of his busy schedule to come on the show.

Chris
PS There’s also my take on the DC Comics digital program.

Links Of Note:
Top Shelf Productions
Top Shelf 2.0
CCL #214, April 2009, Chris Staros

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Collected Comics Library Podcast #274
40,116Kb; 42m 41s

As someone who is a self-proclaimed connoisseur of reprint and collected editions it’s a treat to come across a book (or books) that are ideal for your distinguished taste. Both Art Out of Time and the companion follow-up Art in Time (Abrams ComicArts) by Dan Nadel are two such books. Anyone who reads this blog or listens to this podcast must own these great books – not only for historical reasons but for pure enjoyment of a time gone by. Nadel packs in so much and yet he leaves you wanting more. Which is his overall goal. For the real enjoyment is the hunt that you must undertake after your read these books – to seek out, back issue hunt and explore the hidden gems of a classic era in comics. Today on the show Nadel shares with the why’s and how’s of these books and his overall take on the reprint market itself.

Art in Time: Unknown Comic Book Adventures, 1940 – 1980 By Dan Nadel
Published by Abrams ComicArts
304 pages, 11 x 8, $40.00
My thanks to Abrams ComicArts for supplying me a copy of the book.

Chris

Links Of Note:
PictureBox
Comics Comics

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Collected Comics Library Podcast #273
28,196Kb; 29m 58s

My thanks to everyone who sent in an email or posted a comment for last week’s show. I really appreciate it. Things are getting back to normal and the boy in question is suspended from school pending further charges and an expected expulsion. I quickly talk about talk it on today’s episode.

Besides that there is a lot of other things I need to go over including the direction of this podcast for the summertime and the possibility of a video cast – I’m serious this time! Digital Comics are always on my mind, as evident of my DGTL Comics site, (and more often used Twitter feed) and today I touch on IDW and Marvel releasing the same comic book in print and digital form on the same day. I also have brilliant and untapped solution to drum up more business for the Local Comic Book Shop by using Foursquare more effectively. It’s up to them if they want to use it as a marketing strategy.

All this including email on the subjects of Dark Shadows and The Phantom and the New Releases of the Week.

Chris

Links Of Note:
When Words Collide by Timothy Callahan, CBR
Jaffe Juice TV #101 – The Mayor Of Frappuccinoville

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Collected Comics Library Podcast #272
25,504Kb; 27m 06s

On Tuesday a 3rd grader brought a fully loaded semi-automatic handgun to my son’s school. At recess he showed it off on the playground and other kids promptly told the teachers. The boy ran inside and hid the gun in a pencil box in his desk. He was caught very quickly, tragedy was averted and no one got hurt. Incidentally my 10-year-old son, Patrick, was near by on the basketball court when all this went down. Today on the show I talk about this very scary situation, what is being done and what I am doing as a parent. This topic doesn’t really have to do anything with comics, but it in the past 24 hours it has made me realize that perhaps there is too much violence in my household. This includes video games, movies and my comic book collection – specifically my near complete run of everything Punisher. I don’t have the answers nor do I want to come across like I’m preaching. It’s just that it hit very close to home yesterday and I need to get some things off my chest including what positive steps I can do on my part.

All this including the New Releases of the Week.

Chris

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Collected Comics Library Podcast #271
25,475Kb; 27m 04s

Week in and week out bloggers, podcasters and critics alike talk about the artists that makes comic books great. But every artist has to start somewhere. Today on the show I veer off the regular Collected Edition path to talk about a couple of great beginning (and I mean beginning) instructional books. The first is Cartoon Cute Animals by Christopher Hart (Watson-Guptil). Yost is an accomplished artist in his own right and his books have sold over 2.5 million copies in over 18 countries! Secondly, is How to Draw Fairies and Mermaids by Fiona Watt (Usborne Books). Now you may be asking, how is Chris putting these books to use? The answer is, I’m not, but my daughter is using her Giant 194 Piece Art Set.

Also on the show today, Wimpy Kid Book 5, Library Binding and the Waco Bookbindery, Underground and Independent Comics, Comix, and Graphic Novels and I need help with the Golden Age Aquaman.

All this including the New Releases of the Week.

Chris

Cartoon Cute Animals, How to Draw the Most Irresistible Creatures on the Planet by Christopher Hart
Watson-Guptill, 2010
160 pages, 9.9 x 8.4, $21.99 US
A copy of this book was supplied to me by Watson-Guptill

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Collected Comics Library Podcast #270
31,411Kb; 33m 24s

On the show this week, I talk about my adventures at the Motor City Comic Con including what I bought, what I should have bought and what I saw. Overall it was a good Con and even the kids enjoyed it.

Lots of other news this past week including, that hulking Woman of Marvel Omnibus, Big Ben Bolt and Batman/Starman/Hellboy. All this including the New Releases of the Week.

Chris

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Collected Comics Library Podcast #269
27,433Kb; 29m 09s

It’s that time of year again: the kickoff of the Summer Blockbusters!

Iron Man 2 came out last week and I pick up where I left off two years ago with a rundown of Iron Man Collected Editions that have been published since the first movie. A lot has come out: Classic material from Tales Of Suspense, New trades of the entire Armor Wars Saga, his Heroes Return in the late 1990’s and his current run (which is to be expected). I tell you what to buy and what to hold off on and even what you may want to purchase as a digital edition. Speaking of digital, check out my review of the Iron Man Central App over at my sister site DGTL Comics.

Also on the show this week there are printing concerns with the recent Absolute GL Rebirth, advanced notice on The Flash: The Dastardly Death Of The Rogues and War of Supermen hardcovers and the passing of Frank Frazetta. Finally a reminder that the Motor City Con is this weekend May 14-16 and the Summit City Con is May 22.

All this including the New Releases of the Week.

Chris

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Collected Comics Library Podcast #268
20,898Kb; 22m 11s

Welcome to the CCL Annual Free Comic Book Day episode. You went out to the LCS on Saturday and today I go over all the titles that were available and what collected editions are related to each title or Publisher. Year in and year out this particular episode remains one of my most downloaded shows ever! It’s a fun and informational and can be saved as a reference tool, if you’re so inclined.

Past FCBD shows:
2007
2008
2009
Also on the show this week news on a new IDW Rocketeer Collection, how the Captain America newspaper strip will get collected and what could be going on with Suicide Squad.

Lastly I’m giving away two copies of the RASL #6 C2E2 Exclusive comic for free, detail in the podcast.

New Releases of the Week.

Chris

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Collected Comics Library Podcast #267
34,696Kb; 36m 54s

Every week here on the podcast I get to talk about and review all sorts of collected editions. Inevitably, some are better then others. But today, I get to rundown the best of the best. The Eisner Award nominees came out just a few weeks ago and there are three categories that pertain heavily on reprint material: Best Graphic Album-Reprint, Best Archival Collection/Project-Strips and Best Archival Collection/Project-Comic Books. I give a rundown of all the books and grant my thoughts and opinions on a few, including what I think will win. This will also become a new feature on the Podcast as I will eventually cover all the categories. Winners will be announced at Comic Con in July. I welcome your e-mails for your favorite categories so you can play along at home.

One book that I hope will be up for an Eisner next year in the Romita Legacy by Tom Spurgeon (comicsreporter.com) from Dynamic Forces and Dynamite Entertainment. Why is that? Because I conducted two interviews with John Romita Jr. for the book and it’s my very first professional writing assignment. I am so thankful to Joe Rybandt (Dynamite) for having faith and trusting me with the job. I’ll write up a more in depth blog post about the book itself and my experience at a later date. I don’t ask much from you, but please support Tom, Dynamite and all of us who were involved by purchasing a copy. And please send us you feedback. Thank you.

Also on the show I talk about the upcoming 4 Volume Softcover Library Editions of BPRD and a couple of errors in the Dick Tracy and King Aroo hardcovers.

All this and the New Releases of the Week.

Chris

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Collected Comics Library Podcast #266
28,535Kb; 30m 20s

It’s all about C2E2 on today’s show – who I saw, what I did and most importantly what collected editions I bought. Speaking of people I left out a few names: Scottie Young (Marvel Comics), John Siuntres (Wordballoon), Eric Houston (Comics Podcast Companion) and Zack Kruse (DCBS). Zack is also putting together the Summit City Con in Ft. Wayne, Indiana on May 22. More information can be found at summitcitycomiccon.com . Sadly I won’t be able to attend do to a family commitment.

All this and the New Releases of the Week.

Chris

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Collected Comics Library Podcast #265
25,293Kb; 26m 52s

Before I ever read a comic book, I watched TV. Like most kids in Detroit, Channel 20 was a favorite showing reruns of Johnny Socko’s Flying Robot or Ultra Man. Channel 50, on the other hand, had reruns of the 1960′s Batman. I clearly remember watching every episode and priding myself on knowing each and every character. I even tried to piece my own continuity, which looking back on it now, was a complete waste of time. But even as a kid all that really mattered was Julie Newmar and Yvonne Craig. I loved the old TV shows: Batman, Hulk, Greatest American Hero, and heck I was even turned back on to Smallville when the JSA arrived.

TwoMorrow’s has now published a complete retrospective of all the superhero television shows called The Age of TV Heroes. It’s extensively researched and written by Jason Hofius and George Khoury. The book is full of interviews and rare photographs from years gone by. Every single live-action show ever having to do with a superhero is represented, which if you think about it is quiet a feat in of itself. I showcase that book today, but if you want to get the authors perspective you can listen to the TwoMorrow’s Tune-In Podcast with Jason and George from last summer when the book was in its final stages.

I also go over some of the 2010 Eisner Nominees and C2E2.

All this and the New Releases of the Week.

Chris

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Collected Comics Library Podcast #264
19,144Kb; 20m 19s

I collect a lot of books and sometimes it’s hard to read them all. Camelot 3000 by Mike Barr and Brian Bolland is one of those books. I bought the Deluxe Edition Hardcover back when it came out in 2008 and it’s been sitting on my shelf ever since. I finally got around to reading it last week and I was pleasantly surprised. King Arthur, Merlin and the Knights of the Round Table are awoken and reincarnated in the Year 3000 AD for this finite 12 issue series that was released over a 29 month period from 1982-1985. Yeah, I know. I cover all that, the extras in the book and more from this groundbreaking series including reading aloud the entire text piece from the Who’s Who entry from 1985.

I also talk a bit about WonderCon and Image Comics, iFanboy, C2E2 and my other project DTGL Comics.

All this and the New Releases of the Week.

Chris

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Collected Comics Library Podcast #263
30,165Kb; 32m 04s

We come to the conclusion of Jack Kirby month! This week I focus on one of Jack’s most celebrated creations: Kamandi, The Last Boy On Earth. DC has published two Archive volumes and here at the CCL, I hope they continue on and not only conclude Kirby’s run, but complete the entire series. I also touch upon two other DC Comics series that tie-in to Kamandi: OMAC and The Atomic Knights both of which have their own collected editions (no, I didn’t forget about the now defunct Atomic Knights Showcase Presents book). Lastly, I talk a bit about Jack’s return to Marvel Comics and his Kamandi inspired Devil Dinosaur, which has its own complete Omnibus.

I have more news on my new podcast and blog: DGTL Comics, a question regarding the lack of the Invincible Volume 5 HC (Image Comics) and the Amazon MarketPlace, C2E2, and my thoughts on two different editions of Superman Vs. Muhammad Ali (DC Comics).

All this and the New Releases of the Week.

Chris

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Collected Comics Library Podcast #262
29,868Kb; 31m 45s

We continue our celebration of Jack Kirby here in the month of March, this time with his collaboration with Joe Simon on The Sandman (DC Comics). By the time Jack and Joe took over the character, Wesley Dodds had already made his extensive costume change from the suit, fedora and gas mask to a more super-hero look with yellow and purple tights. Too make things even more a sign of the times he was given a sidekick: Sandy The Golden Boy. There’s no doubt that the magic of Kirby and Simon breathed more life into the characters and helped make them last longer then they would have. But this particular podcast also focuses on the current Editorial Staff at DC Comics and how I think they have ruined any chance for continuing the Golden Age Sandman Archive line. It’s a shame, really because so many great stories look like they will never be collected.

On another front I announce my plans to startup a new podcast! This time it will focus on reprint editions of an additional sort – digital comics. There is one caveat though; this podcast will be exclusive to my Collected Comics Library iTunes App.

I also talk about Dark Horse Archive line (Samson and Buck Rogers) and the MarvelMan collected edition from (where else?) Marvel.

All this and the New Releases of the Week.

Chris

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Collected Comics Library Podcast #261
27,508Kb; 29m 14s

I have to admit something that may get me banned and shunned from C2E2 later this year, but I’m not that big a fan of Jack Kirby. Don’t get me wrong, I respect and appreciate all the work that he has done in comics over the years and he is definitely in my Top 10 creators of all time (just not my Top 5). But I think that all changed this past week when I sat down and read The Demon Omnibus, which collects the entire 16 issue run of one of Kirby’s most memorable character – The Demon Etrigan. Born of fire and magic in the time of Camelot, he now walks the Earth as Jason Blood human and immortal. Turning into his monstrous alter ego whenever evil seeks to destroy what is good. I loved every page and can’t wait to read more. It’s just too bad that none of it is collected.

Also on the show I talk little bit more about the Amazon.com fiasco and the aforementioned C2E2.

All this and the New Releases of the Week.

Chris

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Collected Comics Library Podcast #260
23,774Kb; 25m 15s

There’s a buzz in the comic book community about the upcoming movie The Losers (April 23rd). This team of oddballs is a live action version of the Vertigo comic book series created by Andy Diggle. But did you know that it is loosely based on another group of military misfits called The Losers?

Although this particular group, consisting of Captain Storm, Gunner and Sarge and Johnny Cloud, did not form until G.I. Combat #128 (October/November 1969) they all have been characters in the DC Universe as early as 1959. Enter Jack Kirby at DC in the early 1970′s and besides creating and working on such great titles as The New Gods, The Demon, and OMAC, Kirby did a stint on The Losers in Our Fighting Forces #151-162 (1974-75). These stories have been collected in a very nice hardcover and I go over it and the complete history of The Losers on the show.

All this and the New Releases of the Week.

Chris

Links of Note:
CCL Podcast #55: DC Comics Fireside America At War TPB
Collected Editions Blog Fifth Anniversary
Forbidden Planet International Blog Fifth Anniversary

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Collected Comics Library Podcast #259
44,305Kb; 47m 09s

This is my Fifth Anniverasry of the Collected Comics Library Podcast! Thanks to everyone who as supported me over the years!

In the fourth installment of the Steve Ditko career retrospective, I chat with comic book historian, Craig Yoe about his new collected edition, Art of Ditko (Yoe Books and IDW). Craig has had the good fortune of working with Ditko and talks about his experiences and why he is such an icon of the comic book industry.

Craig also talks about another book of his, Secret Identity: The Fetish Art of Superman’s Co-creator Joe Shuster (Abrams). Going beyond the drawings included here, Secret Identity is an important look at not only one of the fore-fathers of the modern superhero but the beginnings of underground comix.

All this including the contest winners of the Steve Ditko Book Giveaway and the free CCL iTunes App and news on the upcoming 40: A Doonesbury Retrospective from (Andrews McMeel).

Chris

Links of Note:
Yoe! Studio
Super ITCH (International Team of Comics Historians)

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Collected Comics Library Podcast #258
26,884Kb; 28m 34s

In the third installment of the Steve Ditko career retrospective, Ditko goes back to Marvel Comics to work on Machine Man and The Micronauts. He also works with Pacific Comics, Eclipse Comics, Dark Horse and Fantagraphics. all for a very limited time.

In the late 1990′s and up until today, Ditko, along with Robin Snyder, has put out a lot of self-published work including his own collected editions of Mr. A, The Mocker, The Missing Man and Static as well as original works and essays. He has also published several classic works in very affordable paperbacks that can be found at his own website and at Discount Comic Book Service.

Lastly, I’m giving away three Steve Ditko books to one luckly listener! Listen to find out how you can win Strange Suspense The Steve Ditko Archives Vol 1 HC, Strange & Stranger The World of Steve Ditko HC both by Blake Bell and The Art of Ditko HC by Craig Yoe – a $110 value! Thanks to Fantagraphics and IDW for supplying the books.

All this including the Glyph Award Best Reprint Collection nominees, the Eisner Hall of Fame nominees, an e-mail regarding sold out and very high priced Legion of Superheroes Archives Volume 8 and the New Releases of the Week.

Chris

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Collected Comics Library Podcast #257
20,415Kb; 21m 40s

This week on the Steve Ditko career retrospective, I take a look at his return to Charlton (although some would argue he never left), his limited time at Warren and his entire time at DC Comics. This includes the great characters he created: Captain Atom, Blue Beetle, The Question, The Hawk and The Dove and The Creeper.  And the history lesson wouldn’t be complete without a mention of Mr. A or The Watchmen.

Much of Ditko’s work from this period has been collected in the Action Hero Archives Volumes 1-2, Creepy Archives Volumes 1-4 and Eerie Archives Volumes 1-2 from Dark Horse, and the upcoming Creeper HC from DC.

All this including IDW’s Fallen Angel Omnibus, Absolute All-Star Superman and the New Releases of the Week from DC and Marvel.

Chris

http://www.collectedcomicslibrary.com/

Links of Note:
Interview with Bob Rozakis on Cancelled Comics Cavalcade

Please visit my site sponsors: In-Stock Trades, Forbidden Planet International (UK), and Library Binding Company.

Collected Comics Library Podcast #256
24,083Kb; 25m 37s

Regular readers of this blog and listeners of the podcast are aware that every year I adopt a character (or creator). This entails me researching and reading a superhero from many different incarnations throughout the entire lifespan. For 2010 I chose Spider-Man with a special focus on the work of Steve Ditko. Sure I’ve read this work in bits and pieces before, but I have never looked at it with the maturity that I have now as an adult. Since starting, I have been drawn into Ditko’s world like no other creator has done to me before. I want to share my experience with you and with that in mind I’m focusing on the complete body of work from Steve Ditko for the entire month of February.

I begin the series of podcasts (one per week) with Ditko’s time at Marvel Comics from 1956 to his departure in July 1966. I go over all of his work in this time period and where you can find it in collected edition form and I also have an interesting email question regarding Marvel Masterworks Dr. Strange Volume 3 – you don’t want to miss it.

In upcoming shows I’ll discuss his first professional work and his long tenure with Charlton, his time at DC Comics, his return to Marvel and various independent works even up until today, where he is still working on Mr. A. I plan on this being a very informative and fun series and I hope to also include a few interviews with industry professionals along the way.

All this including Bat-Manga Volume 2, some news and notes from the Library Binding Company and the New Releases of the Week.

Chris

http://www.collectedcomicslibrary.com/

Links of Note:
Steve Ditko Week – Book Steve’s Library
Super I.T.C.H by Craig Yoe

Please visit my site sponsors: In-Stock Trades, Forbidden Planet International (UK), and Library Binding Company.

Collected Comics Library Podcast #255
24,521Kb; 26m 05s

I admit I’ve never been one for biographical comics. No, I’m not talking about Art books or Retrospectives, but actual comic books about famous people. You see more and more pop up every month. Abrams recently has published Johnny Cash: I See a Darkness by Reinhard Kleist, Bluewater Productions has a whole ongoing series devoted to Female Force or Political Power and Bloomsbury USA published Logicomix about Bertrand Russell.

Not exactly a household name by any stretch, Bertrand Russell was in fact, one of the greatest philosopher/mathematicians in the modern era. Logicomix by Apostolos Doxiadis, Christos Papadimitriou, Alecos Papadatos and Annie Di Donna, explores his life from his boyhood all the way through most of his life in 1939.

Now I know what you’re thinking, because I thought the exact same thing when I heard of the premise: Why is this guy important? And how this is an interesting and enjoyable topic. To pull of a biography of this sort, the authors and artists had to be very creative. Make no mistake, they have passion in their work and it shows. So much so that all four mentioned above are literally put into the story. The book is told in three separate and distinct viewpoints. The first being, as mentioned, the authors themselves as they plot out and create the very book in which you are reading. They discuss not only about the creative process, but about Russell, himself – what he stood for, his way of thinking and about logic and mathematics.

Bertrand Russell comes in as the second narrator and the second point of view. It’s the beginning of World War II and he is speaking in America in front of a crowd of anti-war protestors. They ask him what side he will take (it should be noted that Russell was a pacifist). He invites everyone in the lecture hall and begins to ask the protesters how they came to their anti-war stance. What was their “Tools Of Reason?”; what was their “Logic?” From the podium, Russell reflects on his life starting from when he was a boy and this is where the third story begins – an autobiography, of sorts.

The switching back and forth between three ongoing and overlapping stories did get confusing and, to be frank, there were too many interruptions. As a result, the pace of the book was slowed especially when the authors interjected themselves.

After reading, I now know who Bertrand Russell is and I get that he is important, but I’m still uncertain as to why. His work on logic, mathematics and other subjects are world renowned, but I’m still perplexed as to why his story needed to be told as a comic book/graphic novel. I guess the trouble lies with the makeup of the book itself. A 347 page Biographical Graphic Novel, as opposed to a 500 page prose novel, can only give a glimpse into a certain point in a person’s life in time. I have found that the problem is within the format. If the authors focus in on a small amount of time (like the Johnny Cash book), too little is given. If the authors cram in a large amount of time (like 67 years in this book), too much is left out.

Another thing that I had trouble with was that the authors, had to take liberties to move the story along. They did not mention Russell’s bother (though they strangely acknowledge this) and they took Russell’s life experiences from different points of time and events and meshed them together. We know that Hollywood does this all the time in order to make a more enjoyable 2 hours. Just look Mel Gibson’s Braveheart. But this is not the same sort of thing. The roots and foundations of this book and its’ subject matter is based on truth and fact. I may be bold in saying this, but I don’t think Bertrand Russell, himself, would find this to be – logical.

As for the book itself, it a very nice paperback. The page stock is heavy, the colors are bold and line work is not overly done. Lettering is used well within the word balloons and the captions standout as they are all yellow. The extras include Logicomix and Reality (which what I talked about above), a lengthy Notebook which boils down to a Glossary of important people and mathematical terms and finally a selected Bibliography.

Logicomix: An Epic Search for Truth by Apostolos Doxiadis and Christos Papadimitriou
Bloomsbury USA, 2009
352 pages, 9.2 x 6.7, $22.95 US
A copy of this book was supplied to me by Bloomsbury USA

All this including Fire & Water: Bill Everett, The Sub-Mariner, and the Birth of Marvel Comics for $1000 and the New Releases of the Week.

Chris

http://www.collectedcomicslibrary.com/

Please visit my site sponsors: In-Stock Trades, Forbidden Planet International (UK), and Library Binding Company.

Collected Comics Library Podcast #254
17,774Kb; 18m 53s

It’s not often that a new series gets my attention, in fact, as a “Trade Waiter” it’s 99% never. I like to joke that because I hold out for the collected edition, I’m always preverbal guy at the party talking about last years summer blockbuster movies in December (Star Trek comes to mind – I just saw it on DVD).

But that’s not the case with Irredeemable by Mark Waid and Boom! Studios. For a year I’ve been told by friends and read on numerous message boards what a great new superhero (or anti-superhero) series this is. A few months ago I found myself at my LCS thumbing though an issue. It looked good, but my CE mentality took over and I decided to wait as usual. This past Saturday I was on vacation and my Brother-In-Law and I took our sons to the comic shop. I picked up both trades of Irredeemable and I’m so glad I did. This indeed is a great series and a breath of fresh air to the over used plots of dismantlement and reassembling of the JLA or Avengers or X-Men or whomever. As I say in the podcast, you can jump right in as the story moves very fast and Waid gets you up to speed. But story is not all we talk about; in fact I hardly touch on it. Each trade only collects four issues so there’s not too much to give away. But I do talk about the two books themselves and my guess as to what will make up the Hardcover as well as the extras included.

All this including the New Releases of the Week.

Chris

http://www.collectedcomicslibrary.com/

Please visit my site sponsors: In-Stock Trades, Forbidden Planet International (UK), and Library Binding Company.

Collected Comics Library Podcast #253
51,445Kb; 54m 48s

I’m excited to move out of 2009 and in to 2010 and what a better way to kick it off then an interview with a true journeyman, Kim Thompson the Vice President and Publisher of Fantagraphics Books. Kim has been in the industry for over 30 years specializing in alternative and independent comics. Kim has also championed the cause of European translations, which we discuss in-depth today. We also talk about Fantagraphics commitment to classic comic strip reprints like Peanuts, Price Valiant, Dennis The Menace and Pogo. For even more on Kim Thompson, be sure to visit his Blog page.

Also on the show I congratutalte Greg S. from Ogden, Utah on winning the 6th Annual NCAA Football Bowl Contest. Greg has chosen Showcase Presents: Warlord Volume 1 as his prize.

All this including thoughts on Human Taget comic books and trade paperbacks and the New Releases of the Week.

Chris

http://www.collectedcomicslibrary.com/

Links of Note:
Human Target comic books

Please visit my site sponsors: In-Stock Trades, Forbidden Planet International (UK), and Library Binding Company.

Collected Comics Library Podcast #252
15,180Kb; 16m 05s

It’s time once again for my annual Adopt a Character show. You are welcome to play along, it very easy and fun to do. Simply pick a character that you have always wanted to know more about and go out and do it! You have a full year to get acquainted with the character (or team) by reading as much you can. You may recall in 2007 I chose Thor, in 2008 I went with Luke Cage (with a bit of Iron Fist thrown in) and last year I read the entire 27 volume series of Will Eisner’s The Spirit.

For 2010 I chose Spider-Man, a character that I haven’t really read much of since the 1980′s. I have a very specific reason for doing so and I explain why in the podcast. Sure, I’ve kept up with Spidey’s career, it’s hard not too, but this time I’m going way back to the beginning and starting from Amazing Fantasy #15. Thanks to the Marvel Masterworks program (11 volumes so far) I get to read them in full color with Steve Ditko. Speaking of Ditko, I’ve decided to study his work more in depth, as well.

Also on this short show, I go over the page count flub of the upcoming Invincible Iron Man HC Volume 1 and Diamond 2009 Gem Award Nominees including the nominess for 2009 Reprint TP or HC of the Year.

All this and the New Releases of the Week.

Chris

http://www.collectedcomicslibrary.com/
Please visit my site sponsors: In-Stock Trades, Forbidden Planet International (UK), and Library Binding Company.

Collected Comics Library Podcast #250
25,957Kb; 27m 25s

I’ve always had a funny bone. I can laugh at just about anything and I’ve been known to make people laugh, too. Now, I’m no comedian, but I have a pretty good instinct and what is funny and maybe more importantly – why it is funny. I guess that’s why I enjoy The Far Side by Gary Larson so much. It has the type of smart humor that we can all relate to.

Since the beginning of the printing press, man has tried to master this feat on paper with cartoons. The roots are mostly political and satirical in nature and when newspaper strips became popular in the early 20th century many succeeded. The trend continued on and skills were honed and then in 1980 The Far Side debuted and all bets were off.

For the uninitiated (or aliens from another planet) The Far Side is arguably the most popular and most funny single panel newspaper strip ever. The art is ever simplistic, with an absolute ridiculous look at the world we (and chickens, cows, amoebas and insects) live in. Occasionally off color and borderline of political correctness, it has never ceased to obtain a good hearted belly laugh from anyone in all of its 15 year run from 1980-1994.

Over the years Larson has done a wonderful job of colleting these panels into a series of 16 8”x5” and 6 much larger Far Side Gallery’s softcovers, including the Prehistory of the Far Side – 10th Anniversary that incorporated several pieces from his Nature’s Way comic strip from the 1970’s. I can distinctly remember getting one of the early Far Side paperback collected editions (I think it was Beyond The Far Side) and laughing so hard with my sister that we both started to hyperventilate! Our parents didn’t know what to do except wait for us to calm down and only then could we go on to the next page and lose our breath all over again.

In 2003, Andrews-McMeel published the uber deluxe The Complete Far Side. This massive 2 volume hardcover set (including slipcase) includes every panel except for a few cartoons written for Christmas cards. The collection is also missing parody art pieces from Wiener Dog Art, some material from The Prehistory of The Far Side, and a panel run for a caption writing contest in the Telegram-Tribune newspaper (from Wikipedia).

The total weight is just about 19 pounds, and reading each volume can be a chore. You also have to be careful not to crack the spine, which is notoriously easy to do with oversized books like these. You may want to invest in some sort of stand for easier reading and your daily dose of off the wall merriment. Comedian Steve Martin has the honor of doing the foreword. Clearly his love for Larson and the strips are heartfelt, but it falls short with a few too many inside jokes. It comes across more of a love letter to Larson himself rather then the audience it’s intended for. Jake Morrisey, Larson’s friend and editor has the introduction and provides a fascinating look into how the strip was conceived, constructed, edited and marketed. Complete Far Side book designer Michael Reagan, is next up and adds his insight on how and why this massive undertaking was done in the first place. Turns out that Larson, was very instrumental and meticulous in the creation and layout of the books, which is done in chronological order with each year being its own chapter. Lasron’s own personal writings can be found throughout as he does the Preface and Acknowledgements and provides intros for each year emphasizing a certain subject matter. This is the kind of back story that I love to see. Not only are the stories behind the panels informative and funny, but the process is so interesting. Make no mistake, cartooning and comedy is very hard and Larson makes it look easy and simplistic. But underneath it all is a very serious tone of getting everything exactly right. Also included are panels accompanied by written complaint letters to Larson, voicing their disdain for certain situations. Mostly the letters are more absurd then the comics, which makes for an even bigger laugh. Keep in mind that some of the comics for this set have been altered with either different captions, correcting errors and omissions, or with new colors.

Along with the other oversized hardcover collections Andrews-McMeel has published including Dilbert 2.0 and The Complete Calvin and Hobbes (review coming soon), The Complete Far Side is a welcome addition to any home.

The Complete Far Side by Gary Larson
Andrews-McMeel, 2003
1272 pages, 9.5” x 13.5”, $150.00

My thanks to Andrews-McMeel for supplying me a copy of the book.

Additionally covered today is news about the newly recolored, upcoming 10 Volume Sandman by Neil Gaiman Trade Paperback set (DC Comics/Vertigo) and the sold out Rocketeer Deluxe Edition HC from IDW.

All this and the New Releases of the Week.

Chris

Please visit my site sponsors: In-Stock Trades, Forbidden Planet International (UK), and Library Binding Company.

Collected Comics Library Podcast #249
22,074Kb; 23m 16s

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As another year winds down, holiday shopping reeves up. That means that publishing houses want to get their best stuff out just in time so it can be bought for that special someone. One of those books comes from Marvel, or more specifically their Icon creator owned line. I’m speaking of Criminal The Definitive Edition Volume 1 HC by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips (with colors by Val Staples). Brubaker has become a favorite of mine in recent years because of his work on Daredevil and Captain America. This is my first go around with Criminal and it was worth the wait. This oversized volume is beautiful and full of extras. I’ll go over it in detail on today’s show.

Additionally covered today are details about the Superman Earth One HC-GN. In short it’ll be $19.99, 128 pages and is expected on September 7, 2010. I also go over Marvel’s Greatest Comics reprint project which is launching in March and pose the question – Who is Marvel’s “Trinity” – Characters wise and Creator wise?

All this and the New Releases of the Week.

Chris

Please visit my site sponsors: In-Stock Trades, Forbidden Planet International (UK), and Library Binding Company.

Collected Comics Library Podcast #248
27,901Kb; 29m 29s

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Every year more and more Graphic Novels are being published. One glance at any of the “Best Of” or “Holiday Shopping” lists for Comic Books of 2009 will prove that point. One book, in particular, that has popped up time and time again is Asterios Polyp by David Mazzucchelli (Pantheon).

This book goes beyond being well told and well crafted – it’s inherently designed that way. Mazzucchelli, artist for such seminal runs on Daredevil (Marvel) and Batman: Year One (DC Comics) both with writer Frank Miller, has crafted a meticulous tale that is full or rigid line work as well as luscious curves all the while giving us a rich thought provoking story that will stay with you for some time to come.

The protagonist is Asteios Polyp (strange name, indeed), he is a middle aged professor and also an award winning architectural expert, although none of his designs have ever been built. One fateful day his New York apartment is struck by lightning and goes up in flames. Left with only three items and some cash, he relocates to the, aptly named, small, Midwestern town of Apogee. We are narrated by his twin brother, who died at birth, and are given the rise and fall and rise again of one of the most interesting and self absorbed characters from any work of fiction. Back and forth we go from Asteios’ young and troubled life, his love affairs and the meeting of his wife, Hana, and subsequent divorce to his present life in rural America and his new found appreciation for the world around him.

But this book is more then just story; it’s the actual way it is presented to us on paper – literally. Asteios’ life in the past is offered to us in tones of grays, blues and reds; while his new life is a brighter yellow. Also, each character we meet has their own type of word balloon and font. For example, Asteios’ speech is surrounded by 90 degree angled word balloons and is in all capital letters. That’s not to say that he is shouting all the time. It’s just how he is portrayed – always right, direct and to the point. On the other hand, Hana’s balloons are curved with softer lines and a more feminine font. This typography continues throughout the book as other characters are introduced. It is so poignant that the voices and inflections come of the page and into your head. But the real saga is Asterios and Hana, themselves. They are Ying and Yang. That’s even how they view each other. He, as a mechanical robot and she, as an ever flowing ghost. Yes, they love each other but almost more importantly they need each other.

As for the book, itself it comes with a dust jacket in the aforementioned colors of gray, blue and red that is more like a large cover band and the stamping on the front and back cover is of Asteios in both past and present attire. There is no afterword or sketch page of any kind, which is a bit disappointing considering the massive amount of detail that went into the book. It would have been nice if Mazzucchelli explained how this project came to be and his work process. Even an introduction by colleague, such as Frank Miller or Denny O’Neil would have been welcome. No matter, however, because this book is sure to be dissected by critics, book clubs, blogs and podcasts for years to come. It’s a wonderful look into relationships, tragedy, accomplishment and above all craftsmanship.

Asterios Polyp by David Mazzucchelli
Pantheon Graphic Novels, 2009 (a division of Random House)
344 pages, 10.4″ x 7.9″, $29.95

My thanks to Pantheon for supplying me a copy of the book.

Also on the show, I talk about the newly announced Batman and Superman – Earth One graphic novels and the NCAA Football Bowl Contest.

All this and the New Releases of the Week.

Chris

Please visit my site sponsors: In-Stock Trades, Forbidden Planet International (UK), and Library Binding Company.

Collected Comics Library Podcast #246
29,397Kb; 31m 05s

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I’m a sucker for nostalgia, and when old becomes new again – and it gets right – it’s great. You know what I mean: George Clooney as Frank Sinatra’s signature role in Ocean’s 11, throwback sports uniforms like you’ll see on Thanksgiving when the Detroit Lions play in their annual game and Jeff Parker’s Agents Of Atlas, Marvel’s 1950’s super group that never was.

You may know the story: Parker took the concept of a small group of characters that were really created in the 1950’s and from the imaginary teaming up of these characters from What If? #9 (1979), turned them into a current and in continuity band of misfits with a purpose and conviction. The first mini series sold incredible well and subsequently the Hardcover was received as one of the Best of 2007.

Now their back with their second collected edition: Agents Of Atlas: Dark Reign Premiere Hardcover, collecting Agents Of Atlas #1-5, Wolverine: Agent Of Atlas, Giant-Size Marvel Adventures Avengers and material from Secret Invasion: Who Do You Trust? & Dark Reign: New Nation, $24.99. Although it’s not as comprehensive as the first hardcover, it does come with a full regular and variant cover gallery and a section of pencil sketches. It’s good to see the Agents back and I am really enjoying their appearances all over the Marvel universe.

Also on the show, I talk about what I have in store for the foreseeable future including a rundown of books I’ll be reviewing and who I may be interviewing. If you’re a Steve Ditko fan, you don’t want to miss it.

All this and the New Releases of the Week.

Chris

Please visit my site sponsors: In-Stock Trades, Forbidden Planet International (UK), and Library Binding Company.

Collected Comics Library Podcast #245
23,042Kb; 24m 18s

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If you’ve come by the blog or downloaded the podcasts recently you’ll notice that things have been out of sync. That’s because both my kids have been sick (at different times) and my computer got a nasty trojan which caused me to be offline for a few days. I’m slowing getting things back to normal. The computer is running great thanks to a few upgrades and the kids are healthy enough to be back at school.

Because of all the excitement going on, I didn’t have time to review any books this week, but I was able to update the New Releases Schedule and Checklists with all the latest solicitations from DC, Marvel, and Dark Horse and a full update the Library section of the site. I talk about a few of those books today, as well as, the addition of Fantastic Four Annual #12 to the Marvel Masterworks Inhumans Volume 2 and another delay to the DC Comics Classics Library: Shazam! Monster Society of Evil (now slated for September 2010). Finally, I provide an eBay Market Watch that includes New X-Men Omnibus, Absolute Planetary Book One, Art of Iron Man the Movie Hardcover and the Deadpool Volume 1 Secret Invasion Hardcover – which is just off the charts!

All this and the New Releases of the Week.

Chris

Please visit my site sponsors: In-Stock Trades, Forbidden Planet International (UK), and Library Binding Company.
Links of Note:
John Siuntres Wordballoon: Taking Marvel’s Pulse With Tom Brevoort

Collected Comics Library Podcast #244
56,236Kb; 59m 42s

http://www.collectedcomicslibrary.com/

Today on the show I bring back an old friend of the CCL, Joe Rybandt, Associate Editor from Dynamite Entertainment. Joe comes in to talk about all of the exciting monthly and collected edition projects going on including, Sherlock Holmes, Buck Rogers, and Red Sonja, the upcoming Green Hornet and Robo Cop books, Alex Ross’ Project SuperPowers, Jim Starlin’s Dreadstar and their best selling title The Boys by Garth Ennis and much, much more.

Also on the show, Marvel has an Invincible Iron Man by Matt Fraction Omnibus slated for early 2010 and the upcoming Collected Comics Library’s iTunes application!

All this and the New Releases of the Week.

Chris

Please visit my site sponsors: In-Stock Trades, Forbidden Planet International (UK), and Library Binding Company.

PS Sorry for the lateness of this particular episode. My PC got a nasty virus and I decided to upgrade my computer. Everything is working fine now.

Collected Comics Library Podcast #243
22,806Kb; 24m 15s

http://www.collectedcomicslibrary.com/

Over a year ago I featured The Hellboy Library Volume 1 for Podcast #188, a book that quickly became a favorite of mine. I now do follow up showcasing Volume 2: The Chained Coffin and The Right Hand of Doom and Volume 3: Conqueror Worm and Strange Places. Not only do I go over all of the wonderful the extra content, but straighten out just what comic books are collected and where they originally appeared. My thanks to Hans, from Berlin, Germany for the idea.

Also on the show, I tell you about the current TwoMorrows publishing Modern Masters sale, how to get two free Witchblade trade paperbacks from Top Cow and In-Stock Trades, content changes for two Marvel Dark Reign trade paperbacks and more Steve Ditko from DC Comics!

All this and the New Releases of the Week.

Chris

Please visit my site sponsors: In-Stock Trades, Forbidden Planet International (UK), and Library Binding Company.

Collected Comics Library Podcast #242
27,178Kb; 28m 55s

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Since their inception in the pages of Fantastic Four, Black Bolt, Medusa, Crystal and the rest of The Inhumans have garnered a special place in the hearts of Marvel Fan-Boys. Today we celebrate the recent release of their first Marvel Masterwork (and their second coming out next year) and we take a look at all of their Collected Editions. We also look at what isn’t collected, particularly the 1988 Inhumans Graphic Novel by Ann Nocenti.

Also on the show, the CE world is being turned upside down by the news from Neal Adams that his 1978 Superman vs. Muhammad Ali will be getting the Deluxe Edition treatment with new coloring and the Green Lantern/Green Arrow: Hard Traveling Heroes storyline may be getting an Absolute edition. On the Marvel side – David Gabriel, Marvel’s Senior VP of Sales, has hinted to Heidi MacDonald that, Later on in the year, we’re going to do an omnibus with full runs from things like Night Nurse, Hellcat, and some other things you really wouldn’t collect anywhere else. Not sure what to make of that, we’ll have to wait and see. I wonder if Tigra or Shanna the She-Devil will be a part of the book.

Chris

All this and the New Releases of the Week.

Links of Note:
Kryptographik Podcast and Blog

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Collected Comics Library Podcast #241
26,276Kb; 27m 52s

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It’s that spooky time of year, especially if you live in Detroit! Come on in and grab a scary book!

Tonight, we go back to the scariest of all decades – the 1970’s. That’s when Frank Frazetta painted his famous masterpiece – The Death Dealer. Tonight I give you give you a history lesson, of sorts, on the publication history of this ominous character including the recent Deluxe Hardcover from Image Comics, four paperback novels, and even a mid-1990 comic book series from Glenn Danzig! Spooky indeed!

So turn down the lights and curl up with a good podcast!

Boo!

Count Chris

All this and the New Releases of the Week.

Links of Note:
CBR July 28, 2008: Frazetta Returns with Death Dealer II and More by by Michael Patrick Sullivan
Danzig Verotik Comics

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