SPOTLIGHT ON NEW RELEASES :: JULY 18
This is a book most of the staff has been clamoring for since it was announced. Blacksad is essentially an anthropomorphic detecitve story that’s so well done you almost forget that the characters are animals. This import from France is full of Juanjo Guarnido’s lush watercolors which perfectly complement Juan Díaz Canales’ gritty story. Factor in the fact that this volume takes place in 1950’s New Orleans, and you’ve got an even bigger reason to check out why so many people enjoy this beautiful book.
It’s always a good week when a strong female super hero gets a new title. This one from Kelly Sue DeConnick and Dexter Soy deals with the former Ms. Marvel’s new role as Captain Marvel. She’s always been one of Marvel’s strongest and most interesting characters, and it should be fun to see DeConnick’s take on the next chapter of the always evolving Carol Danvers.
3) Jack Davis: Drawing American Pop Culture HC
You might not know the name Jack Davis, but you undoubtedly know his art. As one of comics most versatile cartoonists, Davis has worked on everything from horror stories for EC Comics, to humor in Mad Magazine. He’s also illustrated many memorable movie posters like The Bad News Bears, and provided politically-themed covers for Time Magazine. And if you happen to have missed any of those, I’m sure you remember his advertising work like the Spalding campaign featuring Dr. J. and Rick Barry. This is definitely the pick for art book of the week, and something all you art fans should add to your library.
4) Concrete: Three Uneasy Pieces one shot
This new one shot collects the three newest Concrete stories as they appeared in the recently relaunched Dark Horse Presents. Paul Chadwick’s Concrete remains relevant because at its heart it examines humanity, and how the title character tries to hold on to his, even though his body is no longer a human’s. This is a fine place to start if you’re looking to read a smart story that maintains many of the trappings of a super hero comic.
Bonus Picks of the Week: Avengers vs. X-men #8, Saga #5, Adventure Time #6, Infernal Man-Thing #2, Wonder Woman #11, Justice League #11, Kiss #2, Mars Attacks #2, Before Watchmen: Silk Spectre #2, Baltimore: Dr. Leskovar’s Remedy #2, and two new books featuring work from Charlotte’s own Jason Latour: art in Wolverine #309 and story in Untold Tales of PunisherMax #2.
I am going to go out on a limb here and suggest that (with no factual back-up) out of all the comic artists that ever laid pen to paper, the art of Jack Davis is the single most recognizable to comic fans and civilians alike.
In the 70s and 80s, it seemed as though he drew every movie poster and cartoon ad around and he was a mainstay cover portraitist for TV Guide.
The scuttle around comic-con is that this book is a must have.