What would happen if Superman landed in Mother Russia as a baby, instead of Smallvile, USA? Who would he fight for? How would America fight back? An excellent story for Superman fans and for people who can't stand Superman. --Darren

David Mazzuchelli, artist for Batman Year One and Asterios Polyp, adapted a book many would consider unadaptable and, in many ways, surpassed the original. Simple, direct art melded with virtuoso storytelling pushes the comic medium to its limits. Moody, intense noir that examines the soul itself.

"A work ambitious in both scope and complexity that still stands unique upon the comics landscape...stunning"- ALAN MOORE

Behold the David Bowie / Jerry Cornelius godhead, a being who exists in only one parallel reality but is able to navigate within all of them. His mission: to stop the parallel world advance of the Disruptors who are bent on nothing less than total enslavement or, if need be, total destruction of all counter earths. LUTHER ARKWRIGHT can be read on so many levels. As an intricately plotted tale of interstellar espionage. As a dissertation on fascism, democracy and mythology masquerading as an action movie. As a densely written and drawn masterpiece that stands along WATCHMEN in quality and scope. You’ll find your own answers and interpretations.

--Darren

PSYCHO MANGA OF THE 1960’S!!! Finally, the king of Japanese horror and comedy manga has arrived. Kazuo Umezu’s work Spans over 50 years permeating Japanese popular culture. Without him, movies like Ringu , Battle Royale or manga artist Junji Ito would not exist. When asked why he did both comedy and horror, Umezu replied: “ In comedy you are chasing somebody…In horror, somebody is chasing you. They are two sides of the same coin.” His style lulls you in classic Shonen (Japanese term for boy manga) art of the 1960’s but then throws a psychedelic curve ball. His characters aren’t necessarily the good guys often just bystanders witnessing horrible situations or becoming the cause of such woe. CAT EYED BOY is a great starting point. For people who love Tales from the Crypt, or even Charles Burn’s black hole , this book will disturb and entertain you. -Dan

Especially beautiful when he shuts the sound off and lets the motion go for pages. Sometimes he shuts the lights out also (then it's breathless...dark...) I don't want to say too much... shhh.... --Arlo

An epic tour de force concerning itself with GERMANY'S decline in fascism from 1919 to the ascendancy of the NAZI party in the 1930's. But let's be clear. This is not a rehash of things you've already seen in a million movies. In BERLIN, infinite ideologies, political movements and citizens fight for the soul of Germany as they perceive it. Berlin accomplishes what every great historical fiction should. It makes you believe you are there and that the future isn't written yet. Not yet.

--Darren

BERLIN BOOK 2: CITY OF SMOKE

Hitmen have always been a fixture in crime fiction, but what separates THE KILLER from other crime stories is the execution (pun intended). The words and art flow seamlessly, vividly creating the world of a hitman unraveling, on the run, near the end of his days. This FRENCH import pulls no punches, unconcerned with creating a likeable protagonist, just an honest one. -- Darren

Grant Morrison, well known in comics circles as an A-list writer for DC comics, came to American comics as part of the British Invasion of the mid 80's that included Alan Moore and Neil Gaiman; and like those authors Morrison qualifies as one of the best examples of the literary and artistic possibilities that the genre had rarely exhibited up to the point of their arrival. 'Doom Patrol' and 'Animal Man', two minor and forgotten properties of the 60's DC era, are given new life by Morrison's masterful use of the same revisionist techniques Alan Moore made so famous with 'The Watchmen'; what were badly written, cheesy characters now become invested with humanity, political sophistication, and story structures utilizing the best of the kind of meta-fiction found in writers like Vonnegut or Pynchon. Morrison's masterpiece, however, is the multi-volume series 'The Invisibles'; an epic tale of revolution, mysticism, and paranoia that is so referentially dense it also works as a grand, psychedelic infused intro to the study of art history and 20th century politics. required reading.

Shortcomings is a graphic novel which anyone who's been a cynical 20-something can appreciate. There aren't likable characters, bot Tomine develops them wonderfully into young people with which we can relate... insecure people torn between places, fighting a monotonous existence. Doesn't make you feel like a ray of sunshine, but then, what good writing does? --Hannis

For the couple years I've been reading everything by Bendis that I can get my hands on. His character and dialogue driven stories have changed the face of action oriented mainstream comics. Two of Marvel Comics lead titles ('Ultimate Spiderman' and 'New Avengers') are his babies, and the traditional ratio of action to exposition is entirely reversed in these stories; the best and most dramatic scenes being, for instance, six pages of dialogue between two characters sitting on a bed. Bendis' ability to create a sense of comic timing in a still panel is astounding and obviously influenced by the work of Joss Whedon. My favorite title by Bendis, however, is 'Powers'. A ten volume (so far) independent series that is essentially 'NYPD Blue' crossed with the world of superheroes, 'Powers' follows a couple of sharp-witted homicide detectives in their never ending investigations of the deaths of the hapless heroes who are murdered in spectacular ways. The plotting in these is not always successful, but it's a small price to pay for the excellent character studies and hilarious dialogue. 'Powers' is highly recommended for anyone who likes their superheroes to be well deconstructed. -Charles

A spellbinding group of short stories that interweave in and out of different points in World War II and the cold war to form one large narrative with a shocking ending. Noir, espionage, romance and a master storyteller create an unforgettable read. --Darren

DARREN: Rutu Moan has crafted and excellent graphic novel about enduring bonds between Father and son. 

ARLO: It's also a story of coming through the STATIC and the COLOR: of coming into one's own through the mystery and pain and discovery. 

DARREN: True.  True.  And the art is gorgeous. 

ARLO: This art is gorgeous.  Reminds me of Herge and Tin Tin. 

DAN: DUDE, SHE'S NAKED!!!  WOW!!!. 

ARLO: Yeah, that part was cool, but...

DARREN: Not appropriate for a review.  Good read, though. 

ARLO: Very good read. 

DAN: YES.  VERILY. 

DARREN: By the hammer of THOR!!!

 

--ARLO & DAN &  DARREN

 

This book floored me. Probably Tezuka’s darkest work. This was Tezuka’s commentary on America’s constant military presence in Japan and the fears of terrorism that was rampant during the 1970’s and predicted what was to come in the 1990’s with the AUM Sarin scare. Part American Psycho, part Black Friday, I was surprised that the creator of ASTRO BOY and KIMBA the WHITE LION could create such a complex and intense series about the different faces of evil and its effect on society. His other great works include ODE TO KIRIHITO and APOLLO’S SONG as well as the 12 volume PHOENIX series, his last masterpiece. If you like Will Eisner, Yoshihiro Tatsumi, Art Spiegelman or even Charles Burns, you will love Osamu Tezuka. -Dan

La Perdita is a noir graphic novel. I didn't expect the story to go where it did. I was caught off guard. I was in over my head. And I liked it. --Arlo