Fatale from Brubaker and the return of Good Ole’ Charlie Brown highlight The Comic Stop for Thursday, January 5th 2012

The first edition of The Comic Stop for 2012 features two comics that couldn’t be further apart. One is a crime noir/horror story that opens up the door to a new series, while the other is the return of some of the most beloved characters in the world, comics or otherwise. Step on into The Comic Stop and read all about them.

Fatale #1
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Artist: Sean Phillips
Image Comics

Does anybody do hardboiled better than Ed Brubaker these days? The man who brought Bucky back, pushed Daredevil to the limit and who helped redefine the criminal genre with…Criminal…is one of the strongest writers in comicdom today. Reading his superhero stuff is always a treat, but entering Brubaker’s creator-owned world is just as exciting, which is why his new Image Comics book Fatale is a must-have. You’ve got an obvious mystery transpiring, a hard-nosed gumshoe tone throughout the issue, corrupt cops, damsales not quite in distress, serious violence and blatant hints at occult occurances. Throw in some Sean Phillips art and perfect mood colouring courtesy of Dave Stewart and Fatale makes for a solid first issue that should leave mystery fans and Brubaker devotees satisfied and curious to read more.

Peanuts #1
Written by: Charles Schulz, Shane Houghton, Vicki Scott
Illustrated by: Chatrles Schulz, Paige Braddock, Vicki Scott, Matt WhitlockKABOOM!

This could have turned out horribly. A Peanuts comic book created by anybody other than the late, great and dearly missed Charles Schulz. You’d be totally justified in shaking your head. However, with the family of Schulz overseeing things, an assortment of writers and artists who clearly understand what makes Peanuts so special and a publisher that simply gets kids comics in KABOOM!, what could have been a disaster winds up both a loving tribute and a way to bring Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus and company to young readers.

The first issue of Peanuts contains two brand new stories alongside some classic Sunday strips by Schulz, giving a taste of what was and what will be going forward. The longer stories are carefree and fun and, likely by design, don’t touch on the sometimes subtle bleak tone Charlie Brown or Linus could express. truth be told, it’s not needed here. This is a comic book designed for kids to discover the wonders of Peanuts, and it does its job admirably. Give it to the kids in your life, read it with them and then go do the Snoopy dance.