Matt Price’s 10 best graphic novels of the year
From outer-space adventure to destructive romantic relationships, comic books in graphic novel format continued to push the medium forward. The following are the best graphic novels for 2007:
1. Scott Pilgrim Gets it Together by Bryan Lee O’Malley (Oni Press)
Scott Pilgrim, the slacker twentysomething musician, must still battle his new girlfriend Ramona’s ex-lovers in this fourth volume of the “Scott Pilgrim” series. This pioneering “arcade logic” series is the perfect hybrid of action and romance in a post-videogame, post-manga world.
2. Exit Wounds by Rutu Modan (Drawn and Quarterly)
Israeli cab driver Koby Franco is drawn into a mystery when his father’s ex-girlfriend Nuni contacts him. She wants to search for Koby’s father, who she says may have been killed in a terrorist attack. Koby’s search for his father becomes a search for himself, as Motan examines modern
Israel in this evocative graphic novel.
3. First in Space by James Vining (Oni Press)
“First in Space” is based on the true story of Ham, a chimpanzee trained by NASA to make the first sub-orbital space flight. Well-researched and compelling, “First in Space” is suitable for all ages.
4. All-Star Superman vol. 1 by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely (DC Comics)
Morrison and Quitely capture the charm of comics’ Silver Age with their take on Superman, a Man of Steel who creates Superman robots, and whose best pal Jimmy Olsen finds himself gaining strange powers. Several story tropes from the 1960s come full circle, as Morrison boils them down to their essence and represents them with modern flair.
5. The Homeless Channel by Matt Silady (AiT-Planet Lar)
Network exec Darcy Shaw thinks “The Homeless Channel” will both draw attention to the homeless plight, and be a good way to make some money, taking reality television to the next level.
Aaron Sorkin-like dialogue and art reminiscent of an early Brian Michael Bendis make “The Homeless Channel” a noteworthy debut.
6. Shortcomings by Adrian Tomine (Drawn and Quarterly)
Ben Tanaka is an abrasive
San Francisco theater owner who obsesses over white girls; this doesn’t help his relationship with his Asian-American activist girlfriend Miko. An interesting look at race and sex through the lens of an intimate graphic novel.
7. League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Black Dossier by Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill (DC Comics/WildStorm/ABC)
Something of a sourcebook gone mad,
Moore explores the history of his “League of Extraordinary Gentlemen” concept, featuring heroes and villains from throughout literature.
8. Shazam: Monster Society of Evil by Jeff Smith (DC Comics)
Jeff Smith captures the charm and wit of the 1940s Captain Marvel stories, recaptured for modern audiences.
9. Astronaut Dad vol. 1 by David Hopkins and Brent Schoonover (Silent Devil)
David Hopkins looks at the children of astronaut reservists in the 1960s, making the space race more personal.
10. Nothing Better: No Place Like Home by Tyler Page (Dementian)Tyler Page (“Stylish Vittles”) takes his Web comic to graphic novel format in “Nothing Better,” which examines two mismatched roommates at a Lutheran college. “Nothing Better” is reminiscent of “Strangers in Paradise” and “Blankets,” with engaging characters and fresh art.
Gamers battle hunger
A recent press release indicates that STAT Gamers, a local group of gaming enthusiasts, will be hosting a charity event on January 5th, 2008 at Game HQ, 1620 J SW 89th St., to support the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. From the release:
A Thrall Harvest is a charity event in support of a local food bank/pantry. The event is a fantasy table-top miniatures tournament using the popular WARMACHINE and HORDES game systems.
As an entry fee, players bring donations of canned and staple goods to be donated to the local food bank/pantry. A unique tournament format is used to encourage donations during the event. Privateer Press, the creators of the WARMACHINE and HORDES game systems and miniature lines, provides unique award support for the event including special prizes for the tournament winner and the most generous donor. Additionally, a prize will be award to the location that hosts the most successfully event in terms of goods donated.
The Thrall Harvest is national in scope with charity tournaments happening all across the country annually from November to January.
More information about STAT Gamers is available at http://statgamers.7.forumer.com/.
2008 another blockbuster video game year?
The Street writes that 2007’s major video-game sales numbers may soon be eclipsed — 2008 doesn’t look like a slouch, either, with “Spore” and “Grand Theft Auto IV” both being moved back into the new year. Video game sales were at $13.2 billion as of November this year, up 52 percent despite a soft economy, the article writes. Sure, there’s no “Halo” on the horizon (though “Halo Wars” is expected), but “GTA” should move a whole lot of copies. The article discusses a few other games that could move big numbers, including “Saints Row 2″ and “Wii Fit.”
‘New Frontier’ trailer, comics, more!
“Justice League: The New Frontier” is coming to DVD and high-def from Warner Premiere in February. A recently released trailer has me very excited for the film! You can check out the sizzle reel with background info at the official site; or you can befriend the New Frontier on myspace and see some additional art from the film.
If that wasn’t enough, Darwyn Cooke, writer-artist of the original “New Frontier” comics is returning to the “New Frontier” universe for a new one-shot — Justice League: The New Frontier special. This 48-page $4.99 one-shot features Batman, Superman, Black Canary, Sgt. Rock, Wonder Woman and more. It’s scheduled to be on sale March 5.
Happy birthday, Steve Rude!
Steve Rude turns 51 on New Year’s Eve! We recently received some announcements from Steve about “Nexus” 100, and Rude Dude’s 2008 Free Comic Book Day plans:
All in Sundra Completed 
Phoenix, Arizona – December 30, 2007 - Rude Dude Productions announced today that Steve Rude’s first ever painted story, All in Sundra, is finally completed.
All in Sundra is only 11 pages in length, but took the artist nearly 8 months to complete and has caused the delay of the long awaited Nexus 100.
Rude Dude Productions expects to have copies ready for Steve’s appearance at the Phoenix Comic Con at the end of January where attendees will be receiving FREE copies of the 2007 Free Comic Book Day Nexus. Retail copies are expected to ship from Diamond at the end of January.
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FCBD Moth Announced Steve Rude announced that THE MOTH will be making a return appearance for Free Comic Book Day, May 3, 2008. Steve will be appearing at Comic Legends and Heroes in Goodyear, Arizona. The FCBD Moth will be solicited in February 2008 Previews and will be the launching point for a new 4 issue Moth mini series. Like the Nexus FCBD issue, it is designed to bring new Moth readers up to date and ready to jump into the new issues. The Moth TPB previously released by Dark Horse will be remastered and released by Rude Dude Productions for early July 2008. The new Moth series launch date will not be determined until the series is actually completed. |
Sooner to pen ‘Green Lantern Corps’ tale
Writer Sterling Gates, an OU graduate who has been writing Green Lantern tales for DC, was in town recently and mentioned that he is writing a two-part upcoming story in “Green Lantern Corps” about the Alpha Lanterns.
Recent information provided from DC Comics to retailers indicates that the story will feature art by Nelson and focus on the character Boddika.
Gates’ most recent project was the “Green Lantern/Sinestro Corps Secret Files,” released Friday, which has information on more than 200 Green Lanterns. This Who’s Who of Lantern lore is filled with tons of Easter eggs and hints about upcoming storylines.
Happy 85th birthday, Stan Lee!
In honor of Stan Lee’s 85th birthday, here are my 85 favorite comic books by “The Man.”
1. Avengers No. 4 — My favorite for sentimental reasons, as Captain America is revived by the Avengers. Historically, this issue is important as Lee directly tied the Marvel of the 1960s to the Timely heroes of the 1940s, making Marvel continuity all the more intriguing.
2. Fantastic Four No. 48 — Stan Lee kicks off the “Galactus trilogy” with the introduction of the mysterious Silver Surfer.
3. Fantastic Four No. 1 — Stan Lee introduces a new kind of superteam in the first issue of “Fantastic Four.”
4. Amazing Fantasy No. 15 — Stan introduces the everyman hero of Peter Parker, who becomes Spider-Man.
5. Fantastic Four No. 5 — The Fantastic Four’s nemesis, and one of the greatest villains in comics, Doctor Doom, is introduced.
6. Captain America No. 100 — Captain America leaps into his first solo series since the 1940s in No. 100, spinning out of “Tales of Suspense,” which featured both Iron Man and Captain America in half-issue stories.
7. Amazing Spider-Man No. 5 — Spidey faces off against Doctor Doom, and Flash Thompson is mistaken for Spidey.
8. Fantastic Four No. 50 — The conclusion of the Galactus trilogy.
9. Amazing Spider-Man No. 50 — Peter Parker quits being Spider-Man (he later reconsiders). First appearance of the Kingpin.
10. Amazing Spider-Man No. 33 — Trapped beneath rubble in an underwater tunnel, Spider-Man must summon all his strength to escape.
11. Fantastic Four No. 49 — The first full appearance of Galactus has the Fantastic Four scrambling like never before.
12. Fantastic Four Annual No. 1 — Namor invades the surface world in this classic battle.
13. Amazing Spider-Man No. 3 — The first appearance of Doctor Octopus.
14. X-Men No. 1 — Stan introduces the X-Men: Cyclops, Iceman, Beast, Marvel Girl and Angel — and the villainous Magneto.
15. Amazing Spider-Man No. 1 — Spider-Man graduates into his own
series, and faces off against the Fantastic Four
16. Silver Surfer No. 1 — The first series featuring the sentinel of
the spaceways.
17. X-Men No. 14 — The Sentinels, mutant-hunting robots, are introduced.
18. Fantastic Four No. 4 — Namor the Sub-Mariner is discovered
amnesiac and homeless by Johnny Storm. This revived the popular 1940s
character into a longtime Fantastic Four foil, sometimes as an ally
and sometimes as a nemesis.
19. Tales of Suspense No. 39 — Tony Stark, arms dealer, becomes Iron
Man to save his life.
20. Hulk No. 1 — The man-monster Hulk is introduced.
21. Fantastic Four Annual No. 3 — Reed Richards and Sue Storm become
one of the first married superhero couples (second only to Aquaman and
Mera).
22. Amazing Spider-Man No. 14 — First appearance of the Green Goblin.
23. Journey into Mystery No. 83 — Stan reworks Norse mythology to
create Marvel’s version of Thor, God of Thunder.
24. Fantastic Four #52 — First appearance of the Black Panther, Marvel’s first black superhero.
25. Fantastic Four 51 – “This Man, This Monster” features a criminal trying to take the place of The Thing in one of Stan’s most memorable stories.
26. Captain America No. 109 — The origin of Captain America.
27. Daredevil No.1 -- The blind lawyer Matt Murdock is secretly the adventurer Daredevil.
28. Silver Surfer No. 4 – Silver Surfer faces off against Thor.
29. Fantastic Four No. 44 – First appearance of the Inhumans.
30. Tales of Suspense No. 39 — The amazing archer Hawkeye is introduced.
31. Fantastic Four No. 12 — the first battle between the Thing and the Hulk.
32. Fantastic Four No. 67 — “Him,” the character who would become Adam Warlock, is hatched from his cocoon.
33. Avengers No. 1 — Iron Man, Thor, the Hulk, the Wasp and Ant-Man join forces to face off against Loki, Thor’s evil brother.
34. Tales of Suspense #58 – Captain America battles Iron Man before co-starring in the series.
35. X-Men No. 12 -- First appearance of the Juggernaut.
36. Amazing Spider-Man No. 6 –first appearance of the Lizard
37. Captain America No. 117 — First appearance of Captain America’s sidekick the Falcon
38. Daredevil No. 7 — With artwork by Wally Wood, Daredevil’s red costume is unveiled as he battles Namor the Sub-Mariner.
39. Silver Surfer Graphic Novel – Stan Lee and Jack Kirby team up on the Silver Surfer for the final time.
40. Strange Tales 114 — The Human Torch battles a character calling
himself Captain America in this tryout for the revival of the 1940s
icon.
41. Amazing Spider-Man 96 - Marvel defies comics code with anti-drug message
42. . Strange Tales No. 110 — Dr. Strange first casts his spell, with art by Steve Ditko.
43. Captain America No. 113 – The so-called ‘death’ of Captain America, with outstanding art by Steranko.
44. X-Men No. 3 -- The first appearance of the Blob.
45. Amazing Spider-Man 12- Peter Parker is unmasked by Doctor Octopus.
46. Strange Tales No. 151 – Jim Steranko’s art enhances Nick Fury, Agent of SHIELD.
47. Tales of Suspense No. 59 — Captain America’s solo tales begin.
48. Amazing Spider-Man 9 – First appearance of the villain Electro.
49. Iron Man No. 1 – Tony Stark gets his own series.
50. Captain America No. 110 – Another Steranko issue, as Captain America faces the Hulk.
51. Amazing Spider-Man 2 – First appearance of the Vulture.
52. Avengers No. 16 – Captain America leads a new Avengers lineup.
53. Amazing Spider-Man 13 – First appearance of the special effects master, Mysterio.
54. Fantastic Four 45 – The Inhumans storyline continues.
55. X-Men No. 4 — The introduction of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants.
56. Amazing Spider-Man 97 — The antidrug storyline continues.
57. Amazing Spider-Man 4 - First Sandman.
58. Avengers 9 — Wonder Man introduced.
59. Fantastic Four 46 – Black Bolt and the Inhumans appear.
60. Amazing Spider-Man 14 – first Kraven, the Hunter
61. Fantastic Four 57 — Silver Surfer and Doctor Doom face off, with the Fantastic Four in the middle.
62. Hulk 102 — Hulk again gets own series.
63. Fantastic Four 47 – Inhumans storyline conclusion.
64. Amazing Spider-Man 10 – Spider-Man vs the Enforcers
65. Strange Tales 107 - Human Torch vs Namor
66. Amazing Spider-Man 39 – Spider-Man vs Goblin; first John Romita art.
67. Silver Surfer Parable No. 1 – Lee teams with classic European artist Moebius for an innovative series.
68. Amazing Spider-Man 98 — Antidrug story concludes
69. Fantastic Four 100 — The Fantastic Four against all of their villains.
70. Amazing Spider-Man 8 — faces off against Human Torch, battles
living robot inside high school
71. Tales to Astonish No. 27 — First Ant-Man issue
72. Journey into Mystery 85 - First appearance of Loki
73. Thor 126 — First of his own title, vs Hercules.
74. Hulk 115 – Hulk vs the Leader
75. Journey into Mystery 112 –Thor vs Hulk
76. Daredevil 16 — Daredevil vs Spider-Man with art by John Romita.
77. Amazing Spider-Man 20 – 1st scorpion
78. X-Men #2 — first appearance of the Vanisher
79. Strange Tales 101 – Human Torch solo series begins.
80. Tales to Astonish 100 – Namor vs Hulk
81. Amazing Spider-Man 40 - Unmasked by the Green Goblin.
82. Strange Tales 159 - Fury vs Cap
83. Amazing Spider-Man 41 – first Rhino
84. Sub-Mariner 1 - Namor gets his own solo series.
85. Amazing Spider-Man 16 – Spider-Man faces off against Daredevil.
Skrulls!
Read into it what you will, but Marvel sent out a great teaser image by Leinil Francis Yu, who will be the artist on the upcoming ”Secret Invasion” series, showing more than a few members of the Marvel Universe (some living, some dead) as Skrulls.
Make your own inferences, but the paranoia is being ratcheted up, especially after rumor-monger (and possible fish monger) Rich Johnston posted a piece claiming one of Marvel’s top 20 books will be canceled…by Skrulls. Will someone live or die or be a Skrull or even a Skrull’s baby-momma?
I look forward to finding out.
Best toys of 2007
- From special correspondent Chris Borthick, here are the top 10 toys for 2007:
- Batman (DC Classics Wave 1): This latest sculpt of the Dark Knight is easily one of the best ever done. Featuring the classic Batman costume with yellow bat shield, shadowed face and incredible articulation this Batman comes complete with a batarang and grapple gun. If he’s any indication the new DC classics line is going to be amazing. (photo by Chris Price.)
- The Electronic Flight Control TARDIS. (Character Options) : The traveling time machine of the Doctor Who series, also known as the blue police box, features 8 different sounds from the television show depending on how you move the toy when it’s on. The detailing on the TARDIS is well done, right down to the telephone in the door. The sound effects make this a must have for Doctor Who fans.
- Captain Marvel (SHAZAM!, DC Direct): With one magic word Billy Batson transforms into the heroic Captain Marvel. The SHAZAM series gives us a modern take on the head of the Marvel family with good detailing from the raised tassels on a shimmering white cape to his almost boyish bemused facial expression.
- Bizarro (Superman, DC Direct): Bizarro has had many incarnations and interpretations as an action figure, but none of them have captured him as the Frankenstein like monster he’s come to be known as in recent years. From the chains on his wrists, the texturing on the skin and his face contorted into a snarl, everything about this figure says monster.
- Motorized Walking AT-AT (Lego): Based on the
Battle for Hoth scene out of The Empire Strikes Back, the AT-AT comes to motorized life as it lumbers forward. It comes with Lego versions of General Veers, the AT-AT pilot, a Snowtrooper and Luke Skywalker with grapple line and lightsaber. - Booster Gold (52, DC Direct): Booster Gold, the time traveler with economic motivations, finally got a DC Direct figure in 2007. Booster’s color scheme is bright and glossy, drawing attention to himself just like in the comics. The detail on the face and goggles is perfect. Booster comes with his pal Skeets. Best of all he can finally keep Blue Beetle company.
- Man-Bat (Mattel Convention Exclusive): The Comic Convention exclusive Man-Bat is the best convention figure of the year, The packaging is a crate made to look like a Waynetech shipment that comes with a letter from Lucius Fox of Wayne Enterprises regarding the internment of Kurt Langstrom at Arkham Asylum. The white leather winged figure hangs upside down in his packaging and according to Mattel may be the only version of Man Bat in the foreseeable future.
- The Doctor and RC K9 (Character Options): This two pack is based on the new series episode “School Days” and features a trench coat wearing spot on sculpt of David Tennant’s Doctor complete with a sonic screwdriver. The stand out is the remote control miniature robotic dog K9 complete with sound effects and voice.
- 13 inch Batman (DC Direct): The 13 inch line of DC Direct’s classic blue and grey version of Batman comes with batarangs, a grappling gun and bat handcuffs for arresting the 13 inch villains of the line. The cloth costume detail and cloth cape capture the spirit of the classic Batman in a way that no other clothed figure line has done before.
- Dr. Fate (New Frontier, DC Direct): The New Frontier version of DC’s master mage captures the classic look of both the New Frontier books and upcoming movie as well as the heroic All Star Comics appearances of the character back in the forties. The detailing, like his gloveless hands, and muted color shadings give the figure an iconic feel.
Dave Sim’s Glamourpuss
As seen at The Beat, Dave “Cerebus” Sim has announced his new comic-book project.
“Glamourpuss” looks to be a parody on the fashion industry. Reaction so far ranges from excitement to confusion. Sim’s more outspoken views definitely cost him fans in the later years of “Cerebus,” but completing 300 issues of a monthly comic stands as a unique achievement in comics.
