STAFF PICKS :: FABLES #121 :: SEPTEMBER 19, 2012
FABLES #121: The final chapter of “Cubs in Toyland”. This is the climax of one of the best FABLES story arcs in recent years. Fabulously produced by the regular team of Bill Willingham, Mark Buckingham, and Steve Leioloha. Cubs in Toyland has been so emotionally difficult to read, I almost dread what is in store in this final issue. It is a truly harrowing tale for any parent or for any child who has had responsibility dumped on them far too soon. I know I will never be able to watch Rudolph or Toy Story in the same light ever again. Brilliant and painful– a must read.
JUSTIN’S PICK :: GODZILLA: HALF CENTURY WAR #2: James Stokoe is quite the one-man show, as evinced in his singular solo series Orc Stain. Here he turns his considerable talents to the King of All Monsters, crafting visual granduer and expanding the mythos with new characters and perspectives. Issue one flew out the door, so don’t miss #2.
RICO’S PICK :: STUMPTOWN: THE CASE OF THE BABY IN THE VELVET CASE #1: If I don’t talk about the stuff I work on who will?! The first Stumptown series by Greg Rucka and Matthew Southworth was a really fun Rockford Files style detective story. I’m very happy to see Dex back for what is sure to be another wild ride. Full disclosure, I color this series so I may be biased. Full full disclosure, I agreed to color it because I loved the story Rucka and Southworth were telling.
HEATHER’S PICK :: WOLVERINE AND THE X-MEN #16: The somewhat adorable tween Hellfire Club makes a reappearance this month with a business plan that’s booming thanks to the governments of the world and the Phoenix Five. Fear of mutants got you down? No worries as the Hellfire Club has you covered with various Sentinels for all your mutant fighting needs. Wonder how Wolverine will deal with these undisciplined brats and their nasty robots? Sounds like someone needs detention!
DOUG’S PICK :: SPONGEBOB COMICS #12: It’s not for me, though, my 7 year old, Anna asks me regularly if there is a new Spongebob Squarepants this week. When I can tell her yes and I see the way her eyes light up and the excitement in her voice rises, I know I’m raising her right and this is the pick of the week in my household. Spongebob the comic, just like SpongeBob the TV show, isn’t just for kids; I especially enjoy James Kolchaka’s contributions. It’s a whimsical read for you, and a gateway comic for kids.
In previous Feast Your Eyes posts we’ve looked at IDW’s jaw-dropping Artists Editions. This time we’ll turn to another side of the medium. Let’s look at the great comic strips of old. Fantagraphics under the editorship of comic historian Richard Marshall offers up a beautiful over-sized showcase of Johnny Gruelle’s near forgotten fantasy masterpiece Mr. Twee-Deedle. Gruelle became world-famous at the turn of the century for inventing the iconic characters Raggady Ann and Andy. In 1911, when it came time for the New York Herald to find a suitable front page replacement for Little Nemo, they smartly turned to Mr. Gruelle who developed a on-going strip about a a pixie named Mr. Twee-Deedle. It ran for almost seven years. The strips collected here (with a fascinating intro by Mr. Marshall) are a delightful selection of strips- a beautiful blend of story and art. And this over-sized book is an ideal showcase for this masterpiece. Just look at this breath-taking example:
