With the holiday behind us, we're back to a regular New Comics Day, one led by Batman and Robin #1, which reteams Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely for the adventures of the new Dynamic Duo, Dick Grayson and Damian Wayne.
But you probably don't need to be sold on that. So, what else is there? How about Seth's George Sprott hardcover, or Becky Cloonan and Vasilis Lolos' entry into the Buffy-verse with Tales of the Vampires?
No? Then may we interest you in John Layman and Rob Guillory's offbeat Chew, or the conclusion of Morrison and Cameron Stewart's second Seaguy miniseries?
That's just for starters. To find out what other books hit the shelves this week, and which ones Chris Mautner, JK Parkin and I think are worth checking out, just keep reading.
And, as always, be sure to let us know your picks in the comments below.
Chris Mautner's pick of the week: George Sprott, 1894-1975 hardcover
Seth's serialized story of the life and times of a psuedo-explorer turned has-been Canadian TV host won lots of accolades when it was serialized in The New York Times a year or two ago. No doubt more accolades will follow now that the story has been expanded and collected in an oversize hardcover volume, courtesy of Drawn & Quarterly. No doubt familiar readers will expect dollops of the nostalgia and longing for a bygone era that's punctuated Seth's work. That's certainly here, but also explored here are regret, fear, the sorrow of old age and death, and the horrible mistakes we make trying to find our place in the world. I'm making the book sound like a slog through despondency, but really it's about as lyrical and graceful and humane a comic as you'll probably come across this year.
Kevin Melrose's pick of the week: Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Tales of the Vampires
I'm not a big Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan, yet I can't resist this one-shot based solely on my fondness for the work of the creators involved: writer Becky Cloonan, artist Vasilis Lolos and colorist Dave Stewart. As the title suggests, this story moves away from the Season 8 storyline -- a good thing, as I haven't been keeping up on it -- to look in on a small town in Massachusetts, where a young man leads a double life. By day he's a hard-working, reliable student; by night, he's a blood donor, of sorts, for a gang of vampires. I don't need any more convincing than that.
JK Parkin's pick of the week: Batman and Robin #1
Grant Morrison returns to the Bat-universe this week with Batman and Robin, this time with his All-Star Superman partner, Frank Quitely along for the ride. Their critically acclaimed work on that title blew me away, and based on the interview Jeffrey Renaud did with Morrison on CBR, Batman and Robin sounds like it’ll be a wild ride.
Werewolves on the Moon: Versus Vampires #1
Kevin: I ... don't know what to make of this. Three werewolf friends leave Earth in hopes of becoming the kings of the moon. Unfortunately for them, a hive of vampires have already staked claim. So ... hm.
Secret Six #10
JK: One of DC’s best ongoing series. This issue kicks off a new storyline that sees the Six blackmailed by someone claiming to be Mockingbird, a name that has ties to the original Secret Six concept.
House of Mystery #14
JK: Fans of Gilbert Hernandez may want to check out this issue, as it features a short story illustrated by him.
Scalped #29
Kevin: I feel bad that I've fallen so far behind on this terrific crime series. This issue concludes the "High Lonesome" storyline.
Seaguy: The Slaves of Mickey Eye #3 (of 3)
Chris: Don't allow your eagerness for all things Batman and Robin to make you forget the third and final issue of Grant and Stewart's lovely little commentary on police states, mass consumerism, the modern superhero comic and probably lots of other themes that I haven't picked up on yet.
Chew #1
JK: I’ve been looking forward to this one since I first heard about it at WonderCon. John Layman and Rob Guillory have created a book about a guy who gets psychic impressions from the things he eats, which leads to him eating corpses in order to figure out who or what killed them. Gruesome? Maybe. But it sounds like a lot of fun.
Captain America: Fighting Chance, Vol. 1 trade paperback
Kevin: This collects issues from issues 425-430 from the latter part of Mark Gruenwald's tenure on the series, when Captain America discovers that his super-soldier physique is shutting down on him.
Captain Britain and MI13 Annual #1
JK: This issue features the return of Meggan, Captain Britain’s lost love, just in time to start counting down until the series ends.
Daredevil Omnibus by Brubaker and Lark, Vol. 1 hardcover
Kevin: Ed Brubaker, Michael Lark & Co. get the omnibus treatment with an oversized hardcover collecting issue 82-105 of their run.
Punisher MAX: Naked Kill #1
Kevin: I wrote a little last week about this one-shot that sends Frank Castle after a "murderous snuff-film ring." I don't know, it doesn't look particularly good. CBR's Chad Nevett didn't care much for it, beyond the art.
The Sentry: The Age of The Sentry
JK: Collecting the miniseries by Jeff Parker, Paul Tobin and a host of artists. Honestly, I’ve never been that into The Sentry, but this one came highly recommended by bloggers David Brothers and Carla Hoffman when we had dinner at WonderCon. So if I don’t enjoy it, it’s on them!
Captain Blood: Odyssey #1
JK: If the word “Pirates!” isn’t enough to get you interested in SLG’s latest series, then check out Michael May’s review of the title.
32 Stories: The Complete Optic Nerve Special Definitive Edition Box Set
Chris: Hey kids, it's Adrian Tomine! Back when he was young and full of promise, and before he decided to tell boring stories of unlikable twentysomethings sitting around and talking. Actually, I seem to be one of the precious few who thinks he's gotten better as he's gotten older (I thought Shortcomings, for example, was his best work yet). I appear to be in the minority, though, so everyone else can enjoy this loving recreation of all seven of his original mini-comics, plus new forward and notes, all sealed in a plain brown box. Hold it to your breast and dream of what might have been ...
The Boys #31
The Boys Definitive Edition Hardcover (with signature and sketch)
Chris: A whole new storyline begins, and the superheroes decide enough is enough and decide to go after The Boys. Meanwhile, for those of you who feel as though you're still not spending enough on comics, there's always this $500 "definitive edition" hardcover that comes with a Darrick Robertson sketch signed by both him and writer Garth Ennis. The kids can always go to a state college, right?
Dead Irons #4 (of 4)
Kevin: This supernatural Western would seem right up my alley, bolstered by my appreciation for artist Jason Shawn Alexander. However, I couldn't make heads or tails of the first issue. (I'll be the first to admit that the problem may have been with me.) Now that the miniseries is wrapped up, I'll undoubtedly give it another chance in trade paperback form.
Love Is A Peculiar Type Of Thing
Chris: Xeric winner Box Brown has been making the rounds lately with this collection of short stories about a twentysomething named Ben and his relationship with his girlfriend Ellen, which I'm sure bears absolutely no resemblance to any real-life romantic relationships the author may be engaged in. The book has gotten enough of a buzz that I'll probably flip through it in the store.
Mijeong
Chris: A collection of interconnected short stories by manhwa creator Byun Byung-Jun, whose Run, Bong-Gu Run was previously published by NBM. I just got a review copy but haven't had a chance to read it yet. It seems to focus on tales of disaffected urban youth, so if that's your thing, you'll want to check this out.
Moomin: The Complete Tove jansson Comic Strip Hardcover, Vol. 4
Chris: Jansson's Finnish/English comic strip continues to charm. This time the Moomins build a time machine, travel to the Wild West and the 18th century, try to improve themselves, narrowly avoid a runaway comet and discover unwanted celebrity. Delightful.
Tiny Tyrant, Vol. 1: The Ethelbertosaurus
Chris: First Second repackages Lewis Trondheim and Fabrice Parme's rotten-kid-ruler comic from one small, chunky book into two, skinnier, larger ones, with the obvious hopes of ensnaring a passel of young readers. It's a really funny series. If you haven't checked it out yet and are looking for a good book for your kids, I heartily recommend it.
Uptight #3
Chris: The latest issue in Jordan Crane's very good series about ghosts and melancholy comes to town. I feel we should be doing all we can to ensure Crane keeps making comics, don't you?
The full list of items arriving in stores this week can be found here.