JUSTIN’S PICK :: DISNEY MICKEY MOUSE HC VOL 05 OUTWITS THE PHANTOM BLOT: Here’s a comic nerd SAT analogy for you: Carl Barks : Donald Duck :: Floyd Gottfredson : Mickey Mouse. Fantagraphics continues their handsome reprints of Gottfredson’s definitive work on Disney’s beloved mascot with this fifth volume. Before he was a ubiquitous shill, Mickey was an adventurer through and through, as these strips testify. Volume five pits Mickey against (arguably) his greatest villain: the Phantom Blot. Actually the creation of Gottfredson himself, the Blot is a brilliant example of minimalist design, evoking menace and mystery, making him a compelling villain indeed. And just wait ‘til you see his unmasking…no spoilers! Great for fans young and young-at-heart, these books are also a keen reminder of the tactile pleasures print media offers.

ANDY’S PICK :: DISNEY SKETCHBOOK HC: What a dream-project come true! This beautiful hardcover is a 152 page “shared” sketchbook featuring many of Disney’s greatest artists providing Disney character studies–from 1928’s Steam Boat Willie all the way through to 2010’s Tangled!!! This is an absolute must for all animation fans and one of the true Holy Grails for all of us Disneyphiles in Heroesland(™). This is a genuine Disney Studio FastPass(™) and with this much content and variety it will be more fun than my old Viewmaster(™ yet again).