THE BRADLEYS

Written and drawn by Peter Bagge. Published by Fantagraphics.

One of comics' truly love-to-hate (pardon the soon to be evident pun) characters, Buddy Bradley has fascinated, infuriated and surprised fans from his creation in 1980 up until his last appearance in 2011. 

Most of his life was chronicled in the comic book series Hate, but he was truly introduces to the masses Peter Bagge's Neat Stuff magazine. In Meet the Bradleys, we are introduced to Buddy's dysfunctional family: Pops, Mom, Babs and Butch Bradley. This book collects all of Bagge's early Buddy tales from Neat Stuff. In it we witness him spending time with his friends Tom and Kevin, driving around, stoned, interacting with the rest of his family but the truly priceless moments are Buddy's constant fights with his sister.  There's a rawness to the early work that is extremely appealing for its immediacy.

Peter Bagge was a singular cartoonist voice in the 1980s, able to express the frustration and rage of a generation stuck in an modern society full of ennuis. His output has lessened over the years but each time a new work of his emerges, it is worthy of note

DRUID

DRUID 

Written by Warren Ellis and drawn by Leonardo Manco. Published by Marvel Comics.

Druid, published in 1995, was a truly nasty piece of work from Warren Ellis' early career as he took a second-rate Doctor Strange-like character called Doctor Druid, and gave him a Vertigo-ish treatment.

There's truly nothing redeeming about this character's interpretation here and one can only feel sorry for the supporting cast, who have basically ventured into a Lion's den. It's a morbidly fascinating comic book work.

Artist Leonardo Manco's somber, scratchy art is well-suited for this dark tale, making this a truly hellish, uncomfortable reading experience.

Originally pitched as an ongoing series, the book had to end abruptly with it's fourth issue. No trade collection has been published so hunting for back issues through online comics retailers and conventions are your best bet of getting your hands on this oddity.

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:

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:

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:

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

TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE #1

TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE #1 (IDW) 

Written by Joe Hill and Michael Benedetto, drawn by Gabriel Rodriguez, colours by Ryan Hill 

This miniseries reunites the creative team of the acclaimed Locke and Key series in what is essentially an adaptation of scripts that writer Joe Hill had done as a proposals for a revival of the anthology TV show Tales from the Darkside. 

In sleepwalker a young man who likes to party too much and works as a lifeguard just might be responsible for the death of a woman. Guilt and sorrow are water in the mill of cosmic balance as the fate of 4 people interlock. 

A well written tale that shows its TV origins in structure and inspiration. The art is quite attractive and shows good visual storytelling skills. It is also reminiscent of the work of classic comic book artist P. Craig Russell, with it's clean lines and detailed execution. 

First in a four issue miniseries that is well worth picking up. Available through your local Comic book shop or digitaly on Comixology: https://www.comixology.com/Tales-From-The-Darkside-1/digital-comic/389672