As Harold took a bite of Bavarian sugar cookie, he finally felt as if everything was going to be ok. Sometimes, when we lose ourselves in fear and despair, in routine and constancy, in hopelessness and tragedy, we can thank God for Bavarian sugar cookies. And, fortunately, when there aren’t any cookies, we can still find reassurance in a familiar hand on our skin, or a kind and loving gesture, or subtle encouragement, or a loving embrace, or an offer of comfort, not to mention hospital gurneys and nose plugs, an uneaten Danish, soft-spoken secrets, and Fender Stratocasters, and maybe the occasional piece of fiction. And we must remember that all these things, the nuances, the anomalies, the subtleties, which we assume only accessorize our days, are effective for a much larger and nobler cause. They are here to save our lives. I know the idea seems strange, but I also know that it just so happens to be true. And, so it was, a wristwatch saved comics.
Save yourself, try something new this week. If you need some guidance, why not start with these three comics:
Ron says try…
The Goon #39
By Eric Powell
In this day and age of the comics industry, it sure seems like everyone is going a little crazy and it becomes very easy to take potshots at The Big 2, but when it comes to scathing parody and criticism, no one seems to do it better than Eric Powell. This cover pretty much sums it up and makes me laugh heartily. The Goon continues to be one of those special, creator focused books and after the announcement at C2E2 that it’s going monthly, maybe now’s a good time to check it out.
Josh says try…
The Art of Amanda Conner HC
By Amanda Conner
Sometimes it might feel like we don’t get to see enough Amanda Conner art on a regular basis. IDW has seen fit to offer a solution to the yearning, and are releasing this 200 page collection of Conner’s best art. She’s a cartoonist on par with some of the best in the business, and as favorite as a fan favorite can get, and if you dig Amanda Conner’s art, as all right thinking comic readers should, this is the book for you.
Conor says try…
Popeye #1
By Roger Landridge & Bruce Ozella
Thor: The Mighty Avenger and Muppets writer Roger Landridge is back with America’s favorite spinach eating and pipe smoking hero of the down trodden. Also, you might think that Wimpy is running away in terror on the cover. In actuality, he just spotted an unattended hamburger.
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I really have no idea what the Goon is about, or what the stories are about. I used to think it was a pulpy crime book (I’ve never read it), and I don’t know if I can get into something like that. Is there a good story we could check out that doesn’t have anything to do with Marvel/DC bashing (not that Eric Powell shouldn’t have his free speech, but I just want good stories)?
I’d recommend starting with one of the first few volumes, they’re pretty light on the stuff you’re looking to avoid and are a decent indicator of the feel of the story. Although his work has gotten better over time, they are still really good reads. The Chinatown (I think it’s volume 6) story is good as well and is a self-contained story if I recall correctly (haven’t read it in a couple of years). Any of those first few volumes would work though.
The Goon strikes me as something that a reader will really like or not like at all, depending on their preferences (I happen to really like it), so my best recommendation would be to go to your local library and take the first or second volume out and see if it’s something you’re into.
Goon has sort of always been about whatever Eric Powell wanted them to be about. It started off sort of silly and satirical, but then he took the story to sort of a darker, more character driven story during his Goon Year “saga.” Since then, each issue has sort of been something different from silly to serious.
If you’re looking for something that has the flavor of the book, I’d recommend the Chinatown OGN that came out a couple of years ago. It tells a story from the Goon’s past and covers the different tones of the book. Also, any of the early trades (Vol. 1-5) have some of the more goofier material. The most recent stuff is being collected in a trade that comes out in the next month or two.
The Goon is just sort of a book you just check out, and the beauty of it is that you never know what you’re going to get.
The first 9 trades of The Goon are awesome. I’ve read them through at least 5 times. I think his general distaste for corporate comics didn’t start coming through until around the early #30’s.
Goon has been hit or miss for me, but the hits have been GREAT. The first one I read was #34, and it was hilarious. I could have done without #36. #38 was rather good too, in a complete punch in the gut sort of way. Powell just does whatever he wants to do really.
The Goon rules and doubt the whole issue is about whats on the cover, thats just clearly to be funny. The Goon is pretty much about whatever comes along but there are ongoing threats with the Zombie Priest and his horde of the undead, it is a pulp/horror/crime series and does have some continuity. You could jump on anywhere and enjoy it, its fun and a breath of fresh air amongst comics if you ask me. I read all types and love the Goon volumes I’ve read as well as the Goon/Criminal Macabre one-shot, those two went perfect together. I’d have to agree with whats been already said and really like the first a0 or 11 volumes myself and some of the issues since, then some are not as memorable but to me this another series that reads better in trade, but have loved any one shots. And the corporate distaste isn’t as present as people make it out to be. Its more in his personal opinion on how they operate business wise, not the classic characters we all love, he loves em too. I started with vol #0 and went from there, and buy the issues once in awhile.
*1st 10 or 11 volumes
that Amanda Conner HC is tempting, does it feature her work from DC or Marvel?
Has she ever done marvel work?
From Wikipedia:
Suburban Jersey Ninja She-Devils
Gargoyles
Avengers West Coast Annual #4
Black Panther Vol.2 #8
Daredevil Vol.2 #1/2
Excalibur Vol.1 #80
Marvel Adventures: Spider-Man #14
Marvel Romance Redux: Guys & Dolls #1
Nick Fury’s Howling Commandos #3
She-Hulk Vol.2 #3
I think she drew the comic insert shipped with Blade 3.
There’s a DC version of this out there somewhere, but danged if I can find it.
The Goon joke has run it’s course. He needs to find new material.
Funny thing is the joke isn’t what his stories are even about. He was moved on from the beginning. Its the suits that have they’re talent trying to sell us rehashed versions of things already done that need to find new material.
I’ve read every issue up until this recent one. I’m tired of it in general, but this cover shit is too much. He needs to get over it.
I saw that cover for Goon #39 a while ago, and I was immediately excited. Powell has such a distinct voice in his comics, and I’m looking forward to seeing what silliness ensues.
Also, I might check out Popeye because I basically love everything Landridge has done. If you’re not reading his Snarked! series you should be. It’s great fun.
It will be a light week at retail, and you picked two of the things I might take a look at.
Got that Amanda Conner book preordered! DC also has a Conner art book coming this fall. They will look awesome together on my bookshelf. My favorite artist behind Darwyn Cooke.
Me too! That early DC work is some of her best.
I might get Popeye if my shop has it. I need someone to help influence me that eating anything straight out of a can is healthy.
I might get Popeye just for the cover. I’ll be very disappointed if he doesn’t say “Well blow me down!”
Eric Powell needs to get rid of that chip on his shoulder.
200 pages of Amanda Conner art for $17.10? (<- Amazon) I don't know what's in it, but it's hard to argue with that when most art/sketch books cost more and have 48 pages. Now I just need to stalk my mailman.