Hoo-boy!
Image Comic, one of the “independent” publishing companies, keeps on knocking new comic book series’ out of the park! Their titles have been making the headlines across the top of Wednesday Run columns throughout 2012 – and today, September 26, is no different.
But there are two picks to choose from this week. One that will be sure to put a smile on your face (it’s in the title of the new series, after all) and one that you might have to mortgage your house in order to purchase (but worth every penny of interest you’ll have to pay)!
Choice is a good thing, right? Check them out after the jump!
Happy! #1
Written by: Grant Morrison
Illustrated by: Darick Robertson
Published by: Image Comics
Fan-favourite writer Grant Morrison has made his home at DC Comics for a long, long time. He’s been one of the mainstay directors of the DC Universe cast of superhero characters for the better part of a decade. He helped usher the weekly 52 series forward. He arguably wrote one of the greatest Superman tales of all time in All Star Superman. He had internet chat boards befuddled with his crazy-mysterious-action-packed-and-always-fun Batman: R.I.P. You can blame him (or, like me, revere him) for Final Crisis. And now he’s writing Action Comics, Batman, Inc. and the upcoming mini-series, Multiversity.
But he won’t be writing those titles for long.
Grant Morrison is making the jump from DC comic book characters and moving back to creator-owned stories with an independent publisher – huge news for the industry. And it’s Image Comics doing the wooing, once again putting out interesting work from fascinating creators.
Happy! tells the story of corrupt ex-cop turned hit-man, Nick Sax, who has both his old compatriots and his current employers after him. There’s a child killer in a Santa Clause suit on the loose, and a flying blue horse dispensing help and advice to Nick. Yeah. You read that right. Oh, and Christmas is coming.
Along with artist Darick Robertson, this is a four-issue mini series that Morrison really couldn’t have titled any better. And just to widen that smile on your face a little bit more, the comic book only costs $2.99. A stark contrast to the next pick you need to have.
Joe Kubert’s Tarzan of the Apes: Artist’s Edition
Written and illustrated by: Joe Kubert
Adapted from classic stories by: Edgar Rice Burroughs
Published by: IDW Publishing
Joe Kubert is a legendary comic book artist and writer. His recent passing reminded everyone who enjoys sequential art and storytelling of that fact. It’s perfect then, that IDW Publishing releases their oversized hardcover Joe Kubert’s Tarzan of the Apes: Artist’s Edition.
This book was always scheduled to be released in September, but it seems an even more important release because of Kubert’s death. It’s like the comic book industry is yet again honouring the man with a grand gesture. Why grand? Let me tell you about the Artist’s Edition: this book is printed in the same size as Kubert’s original artwork! You get to see his fine pencil lines and sweeping brush work in actual size and detail. You’ll see corrections, paste-overs, and editorial notes. It’s like peering over Joe’s shoulder as he’s at his art table, working away on this, the 100th anniversary of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ fantastic literary creation! It truly is an amazing experience to witness work presented like this.
But it’ll cost you.
The regular edition of the Joe Kubert’s Tarzan of the Apes: Artist’s Edition is $100. Well worth the price, believe me. But if you’re a bit of a collector, and have a few more bucks in your purse or wallet, there’s also a signed, numbered and remarqued version available online in October. It’s limited to only 181 copies and includes a unique head sketch of Tarzan by Joe Kubert. This particular version will cost you $300 with $50 of each copy sold going to a scholarship fund in Joe’s name, established as his Joe Kubert School of Cartoon Art. The number of current professional comic book artists that have come out of that school is staggering. Here’s a way to help usher forward the next generation in the medium we love so much.
So, whether you’ve got $300, $100, or $3 in your pocket, there’s definitely something to pick up at your local comic book shop.
We should all be happy today!
Every Wednesday, JP makes the after-work run to his local downtown comic book shop. Comics arrive on Wednesdays you see and JP, fearful that the latest issue will sell out, rushes out to purchase his copy. This regular, weekly column will highlight a particularly interesting release, written in short order, of course, because JP has to get his – before someone else does!
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