GHOST WORLD

Ghost World was originally serialized in issues of Daniel Clowes' Eightball comic book series (#11–18, 1993–1997). It was later published in graphic novel form in 1997 by Fantagraphics Books.

Ghost World chronicles the day-to-day lives of gal pals Enid Coleslaw and Rebecca Doppelmeyer, two cynical, funny, witty teenagers who fancy themselves pseudo-intellectuals. They spend their days doing nothing of value, criticizing people, friends and strangers. as the looming shadow of adulthood approaches closer and closer, the two friends might not come out unscathed. 

A poignant, funny and biting chronicle of teen years with characters that are at times infuriating but nevertheless easy to like. Clowes' writing gives a lot of depth with just a few dialogues and the art conveys the ennuie that the characters are feeling.  You truly find yourself wanting to scream at the two young women and tell them "enjoy yourself, you'll never have it as good!"

A worthy addition to any serious comics reader's library.

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:

UNKNOWN SOLDIER

                                                              UNKNOWN SOLDIER 

Written by Garth Ennis and drawn by Kilian Plunkett, published by Vertigo/DC Comics

Over the years, writer Garth Ennis has shown a love for both the western and war genres. One of his first forays into war stories, was this revival of the old DC Comics character, The Unknown Soldier. Having read a few stories from its original iteration, this particular story certainly doesn't look at its subject matter in the same manner and infuses decades worth of political cynicism into it. 

A tale that doubles as a mystery and war story, Ennis' take on the character is at times horrifying and rings unfortunately true in many of the scenarios it presents. Surprisingly, he is still able to introduce jokes and farcical situations that only make the story that much more powerful.

Artist Kilian Plunkett's scratchy art style imbues the various tableaux with the necessary gravitas, verve and visual flair to make this story one that will stay with you long after you've finished it.

Get the trade paperback 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:

MOON KNIGHT: FROM THE DEAD

                                          MOON KNIGHT: FROM THE DEAD

 

Written by Warren Ellis, drawn by Declan Shalvey and colored by Jordie Bellaire. Published by Marvel Comics.

Moon knight has always been viewed as the poor man's Batman. A character that has had a hard time holding on to any regular publishing schedule since the 1980s. Many talented creators have taken a stab at him, but the idea of a vigilante afflicted by multiple personalities disorder, a great concept mind you, is tough to realize successfully. While writer Brian Michael Bendis explored that aspect in a run a few years back, it is strangely this iteration written by Warren Ellis that really sings. 

Marc Spector rides along (and alone) in a strech limo helping out the police on the more...peculiar cases that they encounter. The multiple personalities aspect is lightly threaded but it just serves as background to this interesting, strangely straightforward take on the character.

Artist Declan Shalvey Take on the character is equally as interesting as Moon Knight never truly wears his traditional superhero costume but rather, impeccably tailored suits that are totally white (brilliantly visualized by a total absence of color on him, except when he takes off his mask. just part of the brilliant color work of Jordie Bellaire).

Unfortunately, the fun only lasted 6 issues but what a ride this was. get the collected edition through 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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