Recently I have been getting back into comics in a big way again. It’s not like I never read comics, it’s just that I never really had the opportunity to read them as much as I would like.
The other thing, is the availability of the medium, i.e. comic shops. One of the things that has helped is digital comics and the rise of affordable apps that let you read them. Whilst not perfect, there are some decent apps that you can use, and one of these is absolutely free as it is provided by our local library.
These obviously have their limitations in that you are not getting the most up to date titles, or from the big two. But hey, is that the worst thing? Not a jot, and the by product is that I have found some great titles in the more independent sectors of the comics industry.
Right, let’s get into it.
THE DOOM THAT CAME TO GOTHAM
WRITERS: MIKE MIGNOLA & RICHARD PACE | ILLUSTRATOR: TROY NIXON | INKS: DENNIS JANKE | COLOURIST: DAVE STEWART | LETTERER: BILL OAKLEY
OVERALL COVER ARTIST: MIKE MIGNOLA
Playing on Lovecraft’s The Doom That Came To Sarnath, this Batman book pits The Dark Knight against Lovecraftian Horrors.
Set in the Elseworlds Universe, this is an alternative reality interpretation of Batman and has a distinct steampunk edge.
No stranger to cosmic horror, Mike Mignola (Hellboy, BPRD, Gotham by Gaslight) returns to the Elseworlds Universe teaming up with Richard Pace (Pitt, New Warriors, Barbaric).
Following the death of his parents, Bruce Wayne, along with Alfred are travelling the high seas for twenty years. After investigating the mysterious disappearance of the arctic expedition by Oswald Cobblepot, Wayne and his compatriots come across an unknown horror buried in the ice.
Investigating the evidence, Wayne lands in Gotham, setting in motion an ancient prophecy that will set in motion the release of an ancient cosmic evil.
This is an interesting take on the Batman myths. The art by Troy Nixon subtley conveys the mounting dread of the release of the situation, and the colourist Dave Stewart captures the tone of the horrors.
The story itself is good, but at times is a little formulaic. However, it’s a decent short read.
UNDERSTANDING COMICS
WRITER & ARTIST: SCOTT McCLOUD | LETTERING: BOB LAPPAN
A comic about comics. Written over thirty years ago, this book gives a critical analysis of the comics medium. The book covers such topics as the language of comics, the transitional and interstitial aspects of ‘the gutter’ and other topics. This is basically a lecture presented by our regular, neighbourhood host that presents some in depth and lofty concepts in bite size pieces, and will change how you view comics, even if you are a seasoned pro.
BENEATH THE TREES WHERE NOBODY SEES
WRITER & ART: PATRICK HORVATH | LETTERER: HASSAN OTSMANE - ELHAOU
Live, laugh, shed blood. Dexter meets Richard Scarry's Busy, Busy Town in this twisted debut graphic novel!
This is small-town serial killer, upstanding citizen, and adorable brown bear Samantha Strong's cardinal rule. After all, there's a sea of perfectly ripe potential victims in the big city just beyond the forest, and when you've worked as hard as Sam to build a cozy life and a thriving business in a community surrounded by friendly fellow animal folk, warm decor, and the aroma of cedar trees and freshly baked apple pie...the last thing you want is to disturb the peace.
So you can imagine her indignation when one of Woodbrook's own meets a grisly, mysterious demise--and you wouldn't blame her for doing anything it takes to hunt down her rival before the town self-destructs and Sheriff Patterson starts (literally) barking up the wrong tree.
Cute critters aren't immune to crime in this original graphic novel debut by writer-artist Patrick Horvath.
This comic has been on many a best of 2024 list and it is not hard to see why! The story revolves around Serial Killer Sam, who works in her family hardware store during the day in sleepy little village Woodbrook. However, Sam has a secret, she also moonlights as a serial killer when she nips off to do errands in town. Oh! And one other thing, she happens to be a cutesy bear. In fact, all the characters in this book are cute little anthropomorphic animals.
This book is just a little bit sick as f**k. The juxtaposition of quaint little animals, all drawn and painted in pretty pastel colours and the absolute nasty subject matter clash magnificently. Whilst on the surface an adorable tale of everyday life, when the gore hits it smacks you in the face brilliantly with the art.
KILL OR BE KILLED
WRITER: ED BRUBAKER | ARTIST: SEAN PHILLIPS | COLOURIST: ELIZABETH BREITWEISER
Dylan lives with Mason, who happens to be dating his best friend Kira. Things get a bit messy when Kira starts a relationship with Dylan. In the midst of this, Dylan has had a life long struggle with his mental health. Several times throughout his life, he has attempted to complete suicide. One day, he jumps from his apartment block. However, fate intervenes, well not fate exactly, but a demon! In response for saving his life the demon demands a sacrifice. One death a month, and Dylan must kill someone every month.
As a result, Dylan decides that the best way to fulfil the demon’s demands is to kill those that deserve it and we subsequently follow Dylan as he becomes an infamous vigilante (with varying degrees of success)
This is my first experience of the dream team of Brubaker, Phillips & Breitweiser, and WOW! Did this take my breath away. This comic is absolutely gripping! I couldn’t put it down devouring all four volumes in a matter of days.
The story is magnificent, as well as Phillip’s art. In addition to that, Elizabeth Breitweiser’s colouring is absolutely phenomenal and she transposes both the art and the story with he dark muted colouring that perfectly matches the mood of the story.
In addition to that, Brubaker plays a game of cat and mouse with the reader, keeping you guessing all the way through the story.
And that ending!
THE CALL OF CTHULU
WRITER & ARTIST: GOU TANABE | TRANSLATOR: ZACK DAVISSON
H. P. Lovecraft’s most famous creation is brought to life, Manga style by Gou Tanabe (Mr Nobody, Kasane, The Colour Out of Space). Tanabe has already adapted a number of Lovecraft stories and this is his latest one. Originally published by Comic Beam, this has been translated and published by Dark Horse Comics.
Many people are probably familiar with Lovecraft’s story. However, if you haven’t read Lovecraft’s seminal work, this is really good way to experience it. The artwork is glorious. It’s drawn in black and white, which is a perfect vehicle for the story. The lines are crisp and angular, and Tanabe is exceptional at texture. There is grainy textures all throughout the book. In addition to that, Tanabe brings to life the characters of the book giving them depth and believability.
I HATE FAIRYLAND (COMPENDIUM VOL.1)
WRITER & ARTIST: SCOTTIE YOUNG
Dubbed ‘The Whole Fluffing Tale’, this compendium collects the first twenty issues of I HATE FAIRYLAND.
Telling the story of Gert (Gertrude) a cutsie green haired six year old who gets dragged into fairyland and given the task of finding the key to return to her world.
Except things don’t go according to plan. Instead of the task taking a day, Gert ends up staying in fairyland for thirty years. But instead of growing up, Gert finds that whilst she ages mentally, her physical appearance remains that of a six year old girl.
Along with her guide, a testicular shaped fly called Larry, Gert becomes the scourge of fairyland. In her bid to find her way home, Gert chops, eviscerates, burns, destroys, explodes and all manner of gruesome methods, through fairyland.
Taking the Deapool kind of maniacal irreverence, I Hate Fairyland is a fun romp filed with blood and guts.
At times it can be a little annoying, particularly the proliferation of made up swear words, such as Muffin Fluffer. However, I did enjoy this. The artwork is garish and in your face, and there is a definite Jamie Hewlett influence in Scottie Young’s renditions, but this is not a bad thing coz I loved Tank Girl.
All in all an enjoyably, chaotic and bloody romp that made me laugh.
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