Morning Folks,
It’s been a week of ups and downs in the comics world unfortunately. More reports have been forthcoming about Neil Gaiman that are sad, shocking and troubling. Sympathy and support should, in my mind, go first to the people hurt but after that to those fans who may be feeling let down. Here is the recent episode of the podcast discussing this and has the accounts of some of the women involved. It isn’t easy listening so be warned. (It’s also not behind a paywall – be careful what you read on Twitter. There’s a lot of mis/disinformation doing the rounds), I’d encourage everyone to make their own minds up. And remember. This isn’t a court, this is just the internet.
Over at the ACP this week we had our chum Eamonn Clarke from the Mega City Book Club on to discuss the many aspects of collecting comics. Remember that old descriptor ‘Comics Collector’. Seems that since the dawn of digital and the influx of the so-called ‘Graphic Novel’ that it has fallen out of use. And, with death fast approaching we also discuss where they will go and who they will benefit after we are gone. It isn’t too sad, don’t worry, plenty of laughs along the way too.
In other news about baths. Here’s a comic for sale on Amazon that came out today. IDW really couldn’t run one could they.
If all goes well there should be another NIA podcast coming your way on Friday with myself and Tom Stewart discussing some new releases. There may be some ranting.
Back to job for Wednesday mornings.
Small Press Comic of the Week.
You can have a listen to the recent episode of the ACP for a full review of this comic right here. It was so good, I felt that it deserved the top spot here as well. I’ve followed Jemma’s comics for a few years now and feel that this is the one where you can see the honing process at work. I found it fascinating and shocking and haven’t stopped thinking about it for a few days. It is published by Avery Hill who are rightly proud of the collaboration.
In this new release the author uses the headlines of Edwardian news stories collated by the writer and gay rights activist George Ives as her muse. These are crafted into what I can only describe as a psychic attack on the reader. They are designed to provoke and outrage. It is very dark and deals with abuse, sexual violence (both adults and children), Parental care (or the lack of), the twisted nature of torture, Birth, death and all between. But, with a strange dark humour on show too. A listener wrote in yesterday to say how refreshing Jemma’s work is and how she is ‘…right now the only person doing anything genuinely exciting in the middle-class morass of mediocrity that is the over-hyped new orthodoxy of the Graphic Novel…’ and I agree. Get yourself a copy – not for the squeamish.
Tops.
I got sent a preview copy of the above. Can’t really say too much about it other than the first ten pages will blow your mind. There’s a depth to loads of the narrative in this issue that lays out the Valiant Universe and gets you thinking. (We get some annoying Twitter baby-talk from Faith later on in the issue but I’m blanking that out!) The Eternal Warrior and X-O are back at peak ability, ferocity and drawn beautifully. This will be a great jumping on point for those new to this comics universe.
Bottoms.
This is a great cover right?
Great art, story, details. Alex Ross killing it. The cover made it into our covers of the week over at the ACP.
Then you get to the interiors.
Awful story, awful dialogue. Just plain nonsense. But what is going on with those faces?
Marvel and DC really need a shake up. Some enthusiastic writing and some adequate editors would be a good start. They are just throwing crap at us and charging us way too much for the bad experience.
Oh well.
Thanks for reading. And remember, if you are active on Twitter you could well be part of the problem.
See you next week.
Never Iron Anything - The Comics Review Website 