July 2012 Alternate Comics Preview Review Part 2
Abstract Studios closes out Terry Moore’s How to Draw series, with the fifth issue, tackling comics in general. Everything from paper to photoshop is looked at by Terry Moore who brings tips for both the beginners and the pros.
Ardden Entertainment publishes my Back of the Book – Pick of the Month in September. And they get that honor by providing me with my favorite story, Canadian superheroes! As a Canadian I have to admit that I feel slighted by the lack of Canadian heroes on the stand. Sure we get Northstar, who just had that big splashy wedding in New York, but where are the other Canadians? Nordik, The Canadian, Fleur-de-Lys, Arcadia and more arrive in Heroes of the North: Missions One Shot!
Regardless of my thoughts on Alan Moore as a person, as a creator I am still awed by his creativity and Avatar Press is bringing to paper one of his long lost screenplays in the form of a comic book. Fashion Beast #1 brings us a dystopian future where fashion is the control! The dialogue in this comic is the dialogue from the script, and the art is being provided by Facundo Percio (Anna Mercury) This title is a must purchase on sight!
Last month we had the #0 issue which featured the return of the original Hellfire Club, this month in Steed and Mrs. Peel #1 the title characters realize that every aspect of British society has been infiltrated by Hellfire, and the only people that they can trust is each other. Mark Waid, Caleb Monroe, and artist Steve Bryant truly begin the first story of this new take on two of the most iconic characters in spy fiction.
Boom Studios is giving science fiction fans reason to cheer. Planet of the Apes: Cataclysm #1 tells the story of the Apes, 8 years prior to the arrival of astronaut George Taylor, and how one mad monk wishes to unleash destruction, and how Doctor Zaius attempts to stop the madness that has surrounded him on all sides.
I may find Apple owners sometimes display cult like personalities but there is no denying Steve Jobs genius. This man knew what everyone wanted before they even knew themselves. This is a 104 page graphic biography, for all ages, that attempts to show us some of the life of a genius who helped make Apple the juggernaut today, and the creator of the I Pod, I Touch, I Phone, I Pad, and countless other products that we are exposed to every day. Steve Jobs: Genius by Design Campfire GN is an example of comics thinking outside the box, with it’s subject matter, and art style. If the interiors resemble the cover I will be happy. The art is clean, simple, and the artist delivers a simple drawing of Steve Jobs while really capturing his deep in thought look that he always seemed to have.
I cannot rave about the return of Valiant enough! Harbinger 1 and 2 really pulled me in. The story is paced beautifully, with enough action so it never gets dull, but never enough to answer any of the mysteries piling up. You get a distinct feeling that the creative team has a destination in mind, and that the journey is well planned.
Bloodshot #1 also felt the same way, with a multi layered story of deception, always leaving you to wonder who to trust and what’s real. The art on both books is outstanding. I cannot wait to see what else Valiant has up their sleeve!
And that is it for the September Previews. My October articles will be released earlier in the month. Life got a little distracting this month. Good Reading to everyone!
My Pull List Continued
Aardvark Vanaheim
Cerebus TP Volume 1
Cerebus TP Volume 2: High Society
Abstract Studios
Terry Moore’s How to Draw #5: Comics
Ardden Entertainment
Heroes of the North: Dark Origins
Heroes of the North: Missions One-Shot
Avatar
Fashion Beast
Hero Worship
Boom! Studios
The Hypernaturals
Steed and Mrs. Peel
Campfire
Steve Jobs: Genius by Design Campfire GN
Del Rey
The Hobbit (Revised Edition) TP
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: The Graphic Novel
Valiant
Archer & Armstrong
Bloodshot
Harbinger