Recommended Reads Vol.1

By James Jobe

I suppose reviews are to let everyone know what you thought, right? So, every time I review something here at PT, I'm sure you all know whether or not I'm recommending it to you, but I still feel it is necessary to take an extra step, and belabor you unabashedly with some stuff I just flat out think you need to read. The batch of goodies in this column is exactly that. There are no bad reviews here folks, so if you are hoping to see me bash away at someone, turn back now. If however you need something with which to fill your collection out just a pinch more, read on, and purchase away.

ALTERNATIVE COMICS
RED EYE, BLACK EYE
by K. Thor Jensen

Before I speak on this graphic novel, I'll tell you right away that I'm not really a fan of any comics that relate events of a creator's life like some reality TV show. I get more than enough of that kind of entertainment from TV, and really don't look to comics to fill the gap. This GN was however sent to me for review, so I figured I'd have a go at it. I admittedly didn't pick it right up for at least a couple of weeks because I knew what was going to be inside waiting for me, and just couldn't get excited about it. Now having read it, please know that I feel like a complete dumbass.

I couldn't have been more wrong about the quality of this GN. It was quite entertaining, even though it was exactly what I thought it would be. The story follows creator K. Thor Jensen on a trip around the United States on a Greyhound bus. He apparently had previously set up an itinerary of cities to visit where he would at least have a free place to stay with folks he had met on the internet. Not having met any of these folks face to face makes for some interesting situations that everyday life just wouldn't present. I couldn't even begin to count the number of times I laughed out loud while making my way through the pages. One favorite part was: 'Smeeny Knucklehead!' Get yourself a copy, read it, and you'll know what the hell I'm talking about. - 9 of 10

Find out more and get a free 16 page preview:
http://www.indyworld.com/kthor/index.html

APE ENTERTAINMENT
WHITE PICKET FENCES #1
Story: Matt Anderson and Eric Hutchins
Art: Micah Farritor

I was offered a chance to review the first issue of this miniseries through a connection made at ComicSpace.com. I'm very happy to have had the chance! This was the first issue of any series from Ape Entertainment that I've ever read, and I surely wasn't disappointed. They have definitely succeeded in making me wonder just what else Ape has to offer. I'll certainly be keeping a closer eye on them in the future.

This story isn't really what I would call a new idea as it seems to be based (intentionaly or otherwise) on H.G. Wells' War of the Worlds. I will however say that the way it is handled is something I've not seen before. The main character, a young Charlie Hobson, while playing where he shouldn't have been, has discovered some Martian technology that has been hidden away on Earth sometime in the past. The military gets involved. I'll leave the rest of the plot for you to reveal for yourselves, but suffice to say that it is very clever, and is setting up what promises to be a great story. The art also deserves accolades for its somewhat quirky, yet appealing style. I eagerly await the release of the next issue. - 9 of 10

http://www.ape-entertainment.com/
http://www.comicspace.com/white_picket_fences/

ARCHAIA STUDIO PRESS
MOUSE GUARD: FALL 1152 (HC)
by David Petersen

I sincerely think that I may not be able to heap enough praise on this book. Quite simply, this is an absolutely amazing work of art, not just another comic book. I believe that there is a good chance I may spend the remainder of the calendar year 2007 comparing everything to the quality of work that David Petersen has presented here. The artwork is breathtaking, and story is original, not yet another regurgitation of the same old stuff that we are handed on a weekly basis.

Here is the teaser from the ASP website:

In Mouse Guard, mice struggle to live safely and prosper among all of the world's harsh conditions and predators. Thus the Mouse Guard was formed. They are not simply soldiers that fight off intruders; rather, they are guides for commonmice looking to journey without confrontation from one hidden mouse village to another. The Guard patrol borders, find safeways and paths through dangerous territories and treacherous terrain, watch weather patterns, and keep the mouse territories free of predatory infestation. They do so with fearless dedication so that they might not just exist, but truly live. In this first issue of Mouse Guard, Saxon, Kenzie, & Lieam are dispatched to find a missing merchant mouse that never arrived at his destination. In doing so they stumble onto much more than they had bargained for.

As short as the print runs apparently were for the single issues of Mouse Guard, I know that many of you have not had the chance to read any of them. This hardcover reprinting is your chance to see just what all of the critics and reviewers out there have been raving about. I simply cannot recommned it highly enough, and advise all of you to procure a copy to read before the new series, Mouse Guard: Winter 1152, starts this July. - 10 of 10

Not convinced yet? Please visit the ASP website, and have a gander at the preview pages they have made available:
http://www.aspcomics.com/mouse_guard_preview.html

GUILD WORKS PRODUCTIONS
PSYCHOSIS! #1
by Various Creators

This anthology was sent to me by a fellow PopThoughter (see if you can figure out who). He asked if I'd have a look at it, and possibly even review it. I'm going to do him one better by recommending it to the rest of you. I was quite impressed with the quality of what the collective creators of GWP had to offer. In the last several months I've had a chance to see a virtual ton of self-published and small press offerings from many creators and publishers through websites like ComicSpace.com. This title easily sticks out from the pack. Not only is it well put together, but it lives up to its own promises. With a title like Psychosis!, one would expect some pretty freaky stories. I'm happy to say they didn't fail to please.

Here is the teaser from the GWP website:

Psychosis! is a 56-page, Black and White, horror anthology where the main theme is a relevant look at the fears of the 21st Century. Its contributors come from varied backgrounds and is a true mix of established talent with enthusiastic younger talent cutting their teeth on strong themes. Each issue will feature five 8-page stories, prose stories, and illustrations focusing on the fears and horrors of the modern age.

Somewhere between Madness and Mayhem lies...Psychosis!

All too many stories (especially in the horror genre) are easily figured out long before the end of the issue. This was not one of them. I was surprised over and over at the way the plots/stories were handled and I've said before that anytime a comic succeeds in surprising me, it must be a winner in my book. - 9 of 10

Please visit the GWP website, and see more about this issue and their other offerings:
http://www.guildworksproductions.com/

TOP SHELF PRODUCTIONS
BOX OFFICE POISON -
by Alex Robinson

Until I read this book, I always thought that the one graphic novel that every comic collector should own was probably some superhero story. I now know I'm wrong. It is Box Office Poison. This is easily one of the best stories I've read so far this year. This isn't however a new release like most of what I'm reviewing in this column. It was published back in 2005, and I came by my copy via the recent blowout sale that Top Shelf had at their website. I owe Alex Ness a big favor for recommending it to me as he was right on target as usual. Do yourself a favor, and add this to your collection. I promise you won't be sorry. - 10 of 10

Please visit the Top Shelf website to find out more and see a free preview:
http://www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog.php?type=3&title=2

FINAL THOUGHTS

I'm going to use this space this time to show all of you yet another baby picture. This one isn't mine, though. On May 31, my little brother was witness to the true miracle of modern medicine. His new baby girl, Sophia Kathryn Jobe, was delivered to him a full nine weeks early. She wasn't supposed to be here until August, but apparently decided it was time to go ahead and enter the world. At that time, she weighed in at 3 pounds, 6 ounces, and was about 15 inches long. She's tiny, but she is doing very well, and is expected to keep right on doing exactly that. Chances are she shall be in the hospital still for at least a few more weeks, and she will then be able to come home to get on with the rest of her life.

Here is a picture I snapped in the NICU the day after she was born.

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