WANTED

WANTED

Written by Mark MIllar and drawn by J.G. Jones. Published by Image Comics.

Cubicle-dwelling Wesley Gibson is a coward and he has a dull life. His girlfriend respects him so much she cheats on him with his best friend every chance she gets. He knows it, but he is in such a state of utter pussyness that he does not dare say, or do anything. He's treated like shit by his boss who ridicules him every chance she gets. He learns his father, recently killed, was one of the baddest super-villains of all time. In this world, the super-villains rule the earth from the shadows. They eradicated the goods guys (after a three months brawl in 1986!) and divided the world among themselves. The peace signed between them is rendered fragile by the death of The Killer (Wes' dad). Wesley learns the ropes of super-villainy in order to take the torch which he inherited. 

Wanted's humor is in the same vein as Millar's Authority run; black like the night. It is cynical, violent, with brains splattering everywhere. It is very indicative of a period in the writer's life when every character was tainted by darkness. Make no mistake about it, Wes is not a good guy and he does reprehensible thing throughout the story so your tolerance for following his journey might vary. However, there is a charm to the story, it evolves, moves and the characters, as bad as they all are, you just want to see how they all turn out, which makes all the difference. 

The drawings are dynamic, the graphic storytelling tight and well handled. The renderings attractive. When this was originally published, artist J. G. Jones was being praised as the next big thing (health issues have kept him out of the spotlight since then). Easy to understand by looking at the work in Wanted. 

Get the book here:

SEX CRIMINALS VOL.1: ONE WEIRD TRICK

SEX CRIMINALS VOL.1: ONE WEIRD TRICK

Written by Matt Fraction, drawn by Chip Zdarsky, published by Image Comics.

What if your orgasms stopped time? I mean, not for you, but the world around you? Everything freezes. except you. And for several minutes to boot? And oh, why not take advantage of that and rob banks?!? That's the high concept in Matt Faction's Sex Criminals. Under that, there's the exploration of sexual awakening, relationships, gender imbalance and that's truly the most interesting aspect of the story. The fantasy side is just an interesting distraction. The characters seem a little too self aware, that they are in a comic book and Fraction tends to get a bit too precious with it sometimes, but it is an enjoyable read.

Chip Zdarsky's art is clean and crisp, realistic and cartoony at the same time. The visual storytelling is wonderful and imaginative. You could literally just follow the story from the art alone and that is a talent that many artists seem to lack in comics nowadays.

Certainly one of the most original series of the last few years. Get the book here:

BRIAN K. VAUGHAN - THE PRIVATE EYE

BRIAN K. VAUGHAN - THE PRIVATE EYE

Written by Brian K. Vaughan, drawn by Marcos Martin and colored by Muntsa Vicente

Brian K. Vaughan has proven to be one of the most respected comic book writers of the last decades, while not the most prolific (working in the more lucrative TV series arena has taken time away from his comics work), every time he does a project it becomes an event. 

A tale set in the future, where the internet cloud bubble burst and everyone's secrets spilled out for everyone to see. In this future privacy is the way of life. Almost everyone wears a disguise (sometimes, several). Activities are conducted in total anonymity and the population's home life is sacred.

When a private detective is approached by a woman to investigate her sister's murder, he discover a plot that will threaten society as it is now.

While not one of Vaughan's best works, The Private Eye is a clever, and original premise, that delivers plenty of thrills, patented BKV twists and an exciting ending.

Kudos to artist Marcos Martin for really going to bat with his imaginative costume designs that truly bring the reader into this world. Imaginative layouts, simple but appealing renderings make this story a truly fun read.

Serialized in digital form at http://panelsyndicate.com (Where you can acquire the entirety of the story for whatever you'd like to pay!), it was also collected in hardcover form from Image Comics, which you can purchase through this link:

THE PRO

                                                                       THE PRO 

Written by Garth Ennis and drawn by Amanda Connor and Jimmy Palmiotti. Published by Image Comics. 

Garth Ennis' disdain for the superhero genre is not a secret and the few ventures that he has made into it, certainly shows his feelings on his sleeve.

In The Pro, a decidedly less visceral approaches is taken and Ennis drives his point about the genre with humor and, dare I say it? A certain melancholy. 

The Pro tells the story of a prostitute who gains superpowers and joins a super team. It contrasts two very different worlds, one very much set in the comic book world of a Justice League of America circa-1965 and the gritty reality of a woman who has chosen prostitution to make her way through what was without a doubt a very difficult life. The book would be depressing if it wasn't for the protagonist's "that's just life" attitude and Ennis' clever handling of the situations and humor.

Published in mid-2002, this was a relatively early work of penciler Amanda Connor. While not as polished as some of her later works, it does present clear visual storytelling, well rendered figures that convey body language and emotions.

The humor is crude, but in many places, laugh out loud funny.

Get the book in print, here:

SOUTHERN BASTARDS

                                                     SOUTHERN BASTARDS 

Written by Jason Aaron, drawn and colored by Jason Latour, lettered by Jared K. Fletcher, published by Image Comics.

Earl Tubb is a beast of old man with unresolved issues. Euless Boss is a high school football coach with no patience for anyone who doesn't want to play his own way. And that's just a sampling of the bastards on display here.

Certainly a contender for best new comic book series of the last few years, this southern tale of corruption, murder and football will shake you to the bone. In the first volume, Here was a man, I have never wanted to kill a fictional character so much in my life. In the second one, that character's history comes into light and while my dislike of him is undiminished, I understand why he is that way. That is one of writer Jason Aaron's talents: to take us deep into his characters, make us see what makes them tick. 

The story is overflowing with testosterone and the art from Jason Latour sweats from the settings it portrays. As much as the script shines, the gorgeous drawings are next level good. Almost a masterclass on minimalist line use. Alex Toth would be proud.

The issues can't come out fast enough, but you can catch up with the first 3 trade paperbacks here:

CHEW

CHEW

 Written and lettered by John Layman, drawn and colored by Rob Guillory, published by Image Comics.

Officer Tony Chua is a Cibopathic. When he takes a bite out of something organic (be it plant or human) he can see its life. Obviously, such a special skill has made him a very practical officer in the F.D.A. Who, in this near future, is the most powerful law agency in the states.
 
In essence a comical series that has serious, sometimes tragic elements thrown in. A diverse and crazy cast of characters that you learn to appreciate, love and in cases, hate over the years. Writer John Layman keeps us interested, and most importantly, entertainment throughout.

Artist Rob Guillory's art is in the cartoonish vein, with an angular style that might take a few pages to get accustomed to but definitely grows on you. While the scripts are hilarious in places, don't discount Guillory's many, many visual gags and Easter eggs.

The series is now winding down in its monthly form and when finished will be a much beloved one to re-read over and over.

Catch up on the serious laughter with theses trade paperbacks:

DEADLY CLASS

DEADLY CLASS

Written by Rick Remender, drawn by Wes Craig and Colored by Lee Loughridge. Published by Image Comics.

the idea of a school for gifted youngsters is not a new concept. The idea originated with Stan Lee and Jack Kirby's classic X-Men. Deadly Class, however offers an interesting spin on the concept by making the school a place where teenagers go to learn to be assassins. Even with that twist the most interesting thing about writer Rick Remender's series is the exploration of teenage angst. At that age, emotions are at fleur de peau (raw) and everything that we feel and experience is over-dramatic and life-important. Except that in this series, everything really is. Your past chases you and death is always around the corner. Remender has distilled the teenage experience into a thrilling, tense, violent and totally engrossing comic book series.

Artist Wes Craig's contributor is an important one as his stripped down style and imaginative layouts conveys the stories perfectly and lends a sense of hypertension to the various goings-on.

Wonderful, moody colors by Lee Loughridge and subtle, but effective, lettering by Rus Wooton.

Deadly Class is among the very best series published today. Catch up with the trade paperbacks:

SAGA

SAGA 
 Written by Brian K Vaughan, drawn and colored by Fiona Staple, lettered by Fonographiks

The short pitch would be Romeo and Juliet meet Star Wars, but that would be unfair to the level of wonder, complexity and simple awesomeness that Saga is. Two people fall in love amid a war between their two races and now they are on the run with their young child, trying to escape from pursuers on both sides. 

Like the very best writers, Brian K. Vaughan presents complicated characters that aren't truly good or evil, but flawed creatures that will sometimes do both deeds.  it makes the stories that much more appealing. Compelling with dialogues that sound like gold.

The art (line art and colors) by Fiona Staple is nothing to sneeze at either. The thing's like eating cake. A really delicious cake. She conveys emotion with simple brush strokes. The action, when there is any, has weight, it has consequence, and it packs an emotional punch. 

Go, no RUN, and catch up!:

VELVET

VELVET

Written by Ed Brubaker, drawn by Steve Epting, coloured by Elizabeth Breitweiser, lettered by Chris Eliopoulos, Published by Image Comics.

A spy/mystery/adventure that turn the conventions of the genre on its head and puts the seemingly harmless secretary in the super-spy role. Think old style James Bond's Miss Moneypenny, but lethal. The story and mystery are quite engaging but one can't say enough about the gorgeous line art and colours. I feel like dressing up in a suit just to read this thing.

Ed Brubaker is the writer who revitalized Captain America for Marvel Comics, created the Winter Soldier and produces some of the best noir and spy comics around. the story is smart, the dialogue sharp and the pace brisk.

Steve Epting was born to draw these kind of period/Cold War pieces. Not only is the figure work beautiful but the settings, clothes and vehicles are dead on for the time period. Colorist Elizabeth Breitweiser Cannot be ignored as she adds to the mood with her effective color palette.

Discover the first two volumes of this wonderful series here:

LAZARUS

LAZARUS

Written by Greg Rucka, drawn and lettered by Michael Lark, coloured by Santiago Arcas, published by Image Comics.

A fascinating sci-fi/mystery/adventure story about a near-future controlled by corporations and their mafia-like system used to control the masses. Forever Carlyle is the genetically enhanced enforcer of her family's holdings. 

Questions of human decency, greed, power and territories are explored in a story that keeps the reader riveted to the page. Writer Greg Rucka is extremely good at world building and it pays off as it all becomes quite engrossing.

The art (line drawings and colors) convey a range of moods and emotions that carry the story forward while displaying the cold and ugly reality in which the well-rounded characters live in. Michael Lark is a skillful graphic storyteller.

Catch up on the story with the first four trade paperbacks (Amazon Canada links):

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