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:

XIII Vol.1: THE DAY OF THE BLACK SUN

                                           XIII Vol.1: THE DAY OF THE BLACK SUN 

Written by J. Van Hamme and drawn by William Vance. Published in English by CineBook.

Comics (and bandes dessinées) have always mined other mediums for ideas (and vise-versa). Sometimes that fact is quite obvious as in J. Van Hamme and William Vance's XIII. One could believe that the protagonist, named Alan in this first story, lives on a parallel plane of existence with Robert Ludlum's Jason Bourne character.

Obviously, the man in question here is either military or spook. But since he lost his memory, not even he can be sure. All we know is that a whole bunch of people are after him and that he might have committed a murder worthy of national ramifications.

Old pro J. Van Hamme delivers a script that is just top notch. The plot is solid, the pace tense and the dialogues effective.

Another veteran, William Vance, handles the art chores and just like vintage cars, his style never goes out of fashion. One could almost compare him to a Belgian version of the late-great John Buscema. An accomplished draftsman and graphic storyteller, his art is direct, without bells and whistles and is concerned in telling the story in a clear manner.

Originally published in French in 1984, the book is available in English from CineBook and is the first of many albums in the series. Get it here:

CRYPTOCRACY #1

                                                               CRYPTOCRACY #1 

Written by Van Jensen and drawn by Pete Woods. Published by Dark Horse Comics

Since before recorded history, nine families have controlled and orchestrated society, people and regimes from the shadows. Deeper than the illuminati, they have professed the world's best interest from their viewpoints. But a flaw in one of the family's plans might have triggered a coup from one or several powerful entities who were unknown to even them.

Fascinating premise to this series from Van Jensen, who in one issue packs a lot of information, world building and character development without losing its' readers in unnecessary exposition.

Great art from Pete Woods that skates the line between realistic and cartoony making the various goings-on a lot easier to accept. Woods even makes the quieter scenes dynamic never losing the reader's attention along the way. The coloring (also by Woods?) is flashy but works to enhance the line art.

Another great series from Dark Horse Comics who is proving to be one the most ballsy "mainstream" comics publishers these days.

Available through your local Comic book shop or digitally from Dark Horse Digital: https://digital.darkhorse.com/profile/6831.cryptocracy-1/

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:

WEIRD DETECTIVE #1

WEIRD DETECTIVE #1

Written by Fred Van Lente , drawn by Guiu Vilanova, Published by Dark Horse Comics.

Detective Sebastian Greene is a weird guy. He seems to talk like movie and TV detectives. He's stiff and hard to get a read on but he's a hell of a detective in New York City's Minor crimes unit. Problem is that he wasn't always this good. That fact is not lost on his superiors who want to know why he got this good.

Give credit to writer Fred Van Lente who reveals the truth almost right off the bat but it in no way makes it less interesting. Shades of the 1980s movie The Hidden and to some degree, another great series from the very same publisher, Resident Alien. It is reminiscent of various genre tropes but it is executed extremely well and with a wicked sense of humor.

Very good art from Guiu Vilanova, that tells the story quite well and conveys the small moments as well as the more outrageous ones. 

First in a five issue miniseries that is well worth picking up. Available through your local Comic book shop or digitaly on Comixology: https://www.comixology.com/Weird-Detective-1/digital-comic/378637

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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