comics

Title	Creator	Publisher	Series	Price
The Spirit #12	Darwyn Cooke	DC		$2.69 ($2.99 list)
Read more and comment...	While Darwyn Cooke originally planned for a two-year stint on The Spirit, circumstances conspired to cut his run short at the halfway mark.  The evidence of this final issue -- an exigetical adaptation of Eisner's original Sand Saref story (the same story Frank Miller's upcoming movie is also using as it's core text) -- bears out that this is all it took for Cooke to bore right to the core of not just the character of The Spirit but of the spirit of the noir sensibility itself.  Through his masterful employment of Eisner's late style (which Eisner himself used to portray the past; i.e. his own childhood during the depression out of which so many heroes emerged to collectively shake the country out of its torpor) in conjunction with his own, Cooke has managed to delineate how the fatalistic noir sensibility is connected to a personal feeling of discontinuity, particularly the sense of disconnection with childhood self:  the "paradise lost" that Denny Colt's pre-sexual relationship with Sand represented.  It is the trauma of sexualization (that is metaphorically represented in The Spirit #12 -- as it is in so many other myths -- by the death of the father) that separates childhood from adulthood and it is the "something" that is lost at that moment that the hero (here, The Spirit) is forever trying to recapture; but these attempts are always failures and it is the final resignation to the permanence of this "failure" to regain the "paradise" of unsexualized childhood that colors the noir sensibility.  This quest to capture the sense of childhood innocence is amplified by the choice of medium: the fact of the story being told in comic book form implicitly links it to the very childhood innocence that the comic book symbolizes and so transforms this issue into a near perfect symbol of Paradise Lost.  The Spirit #12 is not just a tough act to follow, it's impossible.
Fantastic Comics #24				$5.35 ($5.95 list)
Read more and comment...	by Allred, Casey, Larson, Rugg, Scioli, Sienkiewicz, Yeates, et al While it is true that some are acts are indeed impossible to follow, history has shown that the second act will nevertheless often show up and give it a try, like the Monkees taking the stage after Hendrix finished his set -- it was totally pointless, but there they were.  Other times there's a bit of a lag, as in this instance:  here we have the latest  issue of Fantastic Comics... 67 years after the last one!  The creators of this encore/homage clearly had a lot of fun reviving these classic characters -- among whom are numbered Capt. Kidd, Yank Wilson, Sub Saunders, Space Smith, Samson and Stardust.  There's definitely a bit of a boy's club feel to everything here, but implicit in this clubby atmosphere is the sense of a slumbering tradition being revived.  Each of  these revivals carry their own unique stamp of respect for the precursors at the same time that they knowingly wink at and/or reconfigure those aspects which are clearly dated.  And while we are doubtless somewhat biased, we can't help but single out the contributions of Copacetic customers Jim Rugg and Tom Scioli as counting among the highlights.  Anyone with a soft spot for classic old school comic books will have as much fun reading this as the writers and artists did creating it.
Reflecting Culture: The Evolution of American Super Heroes	Gail Stavitsky			$8.88 ($15.00 list)
Read more and comment...	w/ contributions by Michael Uslan, Patterson Sims & Twig Johnson Published by The Montclair Art Museum in Montclair, New Jersey, on the occcasion of the exhibition of the same name that closed in January, this catalogue of the exhibition is the most intelligent yet assembled on the history, function and significance of the comic book super hero yet produced.  This 68 page, 8 1/2" x 11 1/4 " volume is filled with crisp, full color, high definition reproductions of a wide range of original art and original editions of comic books from the golden age to the present.  Divided into six sections -- "Super Heroes Go To War," "Cold War, Conformity, and Censorship," "Questioning Authority," "American Indian Super Heroes, Diversity and Moral Complexity," and "Super Heroes at Ground Zero" -- each of which is introduced by a concise essay  placing the works in the approproriate context.  The organization of the exhibit and the insights demonstrated by the essays demonstrate an impressive grasp of the material and left us feeling both grateful that cultural institutions are finally beginning to give more than lip service to the important role that comic books and super heroes have played -- and continue to play --  in the culture and history of America, and impressed yet again by the fact that quality, groundbreaking work can be found in the most unexpected places -- like Montclair, NJ.  Take a look at the NY Times review (complete with slideshow), for a little more "color."  These catalogues are made available here at a substantial discount off their original price as the result of a special, one-time purchase from the museum.  We think it's a price worth taking advantage of.
The Comics Journal #288		Fantagraphics	The Comics Journal	$10.00 ($11.95 list)
Read more and comment...	Behold! The wonder of the New Format!  Yes, it's true:  that cornerstone of the world of comics has undergone yet another make over.  This time around it has -- more or less -- been subjected to MOME-ization, in that has been shrunk to  7 1/2" x 9 1/2" (which is half way between the old Journal size and that of MOME) while seeing everything else about it upgraded to the MOME format:   stiff, glossy covers contain heavy, bright-white paperstock (except for the 44-page full color comics classics section, which is, at least this time out, appropriately printed on heavyweight cream stock), for a heftier and more solid feel, which shows TCJ following the medium in its migration from the ephemeral, rack-displayed and box-stored, magazine format, to the permanent, shelf-friendly, book format.  #288, the inaugural issue of this format, features "The Best Comics of 2007," along with interviews galore -- Paul Karasik, Bryan Talbot, Peter Kuper, Cathy Malkasian, Nick Bertozzi, and Joe Sacco interviewing Rutu Modan -- and, wonder of wonders, the comics classics section features 44 pages of that fashion illustrator turned Golden Age comics great, Tarpé Mills, the bulk of which is devoted to her greatest creation, Miss Fury!
Angst: The Best of Norwegian Comics				$12.00 ($12.00 list)
Read more and comment...	The answer to your question is, "Yes, the comics have been translated into English." Now that we have that over with, we'll let you know that this is a 96 page magazine size collection printed in black & white and full color.  Yes, in addition to the cover there are two short Jason pieces of indeterminate age, but it's his peers that you'll be getting to know here, and there's a whole crew for you to be introduced to here, with quite a variety of styles and talents in the dozen pieces by as many (+1) creators that are on display.  Broaden your horizons with this comics tour of the land of fjords, Norway!
Maakies with the Wrinkled Knees	Tony Millionaire	Fantagraphics		$17.77 ($19.95 list)
Read more and comment...	Yes, it's time for another hardcover, super-horizontal, hardback collection of the incredible pen & ink stylings of the comics champion of alcoholic antics, nautical naughtiness and pellucid peccadillos.  It's never too late to throw caution to the wind and jump right in.
The Bakers:  Babies and Kittens	Kyle Baker			$17.00 ($18.99 list)
Read more and comment...	What's cuter than babies?  Babies and kittens!  The funniest man in comics returns with anther hardcover collection of thinly veiled stories of his family's antics that will deeply resonate to any comics reader suffering through paternity.  Any and all Chuck Jones fans will find this book a dream come true with its hi-jinx cartoon style which is deeply indebted to Jones.  This is a very funny book.  You will laugh.
Black Hole (softcover)	Charles Burns	Pantheon		$16.25 ($17.95 list)
Read more and comment...	Those few unfortunate souls among you who strayed and so failed to get a hold of this singular, epic and amazing comics masterwork now have now been given a second -- and less expensive -- chance.  Make sure you take it.  To learn more, click on the cover image at left to read our in depth review.
Crickets #2	Sammy Harkham	Drawn and Quarterly		$4.44 ($4.95 list) OUT OF STOCK!
Read more and comment...	The wait is over.  It's been well over a year since this series premiered, and we were wondering if it was going to continue, or not.  Well, no more!  This issue -- which, according to the front cover, features "generals, pregnant teenagers, cartoonists, golems, prophets and boners" --  primarily consists of the second chapter of "Black Death", but there are a half dozen or so additional shorts that are a lot of fun and help make up for the long wait.  It's like they say:  "You can't rush quality."  This work is in the "comics purist" school:  every line, from cover to cover, including the credits and even the letters page, is hand drawn.
Heironymous B.				$12.75 ($15.95 list)
Read more and comment...	by Ulf K. Ulf K. is a German artist whom we suspect makes his living as a commercial illustrator, but who has nevertheless been quietly and steadily working away on his comics for two decades now.  He has produced a small but very solid body of work that puts him at the front of the ligne claire ranks.  This slim attractively produced hardcover volume collects (we believe) all extant appearances of the eponymous character, a minor clerk working in public administration.  Ulf K.'s work has a small but loyal fan base that is spread out over Europe and the Americas, a fact that is attested to by the fact that this volume has no less than five publishers:  Edition 52 in Germany, Bries in Holland, Dibbuks in Spain, Komika in Sweden and Top Shelf in the USA.  The stories herein contained, for those unfamiliar with his work, are in a vein that is (vaguely) like a crossbreed of two other mono-named comics creators:  Jason -- in their clear and concise pantomime storytelling -- and Seth -- in their focus on the melancholy of the workaday world (someone should do -- or, more likely, already has done -- a study on what, if any, similarites there are between all the mono-named comics creators); Mr. K.'s work is all his own, however, in its delightful flights of fancy.
Lois #1		Self-published		$4.50 ($5.00 list)
Read more and comment...	stories by Lois Gilbert w/Harvey Pekar art by Gary Dumm and Greg Budgett 40 pages of comics written by Pekar protegé and pal, Lois Gilbert, and illustrated by those American Splendor stalwarts, Dumm and Budgett.  If you enjoy the comics of Harvey Pekar, the chances are very good that you'll enjoy this comic as well.  We did!   Make sure to give it the once over.
Insomia #3	Matt Broersma			$6.75 ($7.95 list)
Read more and comment...	(the 25th in the Ignatz series) Another long wait is ended with this release, the best issue yet in Broersma's Insomnia series.
Blue Pills: A Positive Love Story	Frederik Peeters			$17.00 ($18.95 list)
Read more and comment...	This hardcover release was a hit in Europe where it was originally released.  It is the personal memoir of the artist relating the story of his relationship with an HIV positive girlfriend and her HIV positive son from a previous relationship.  _____ is a seasoned storyteller and the story flows along with its  ink brushed lines of his artwork.  The story deals openly with his navigation of the fears and anxieties that accompany the progess of the romance.  To learn more, read Derik Badman's in-depth review on Madinkbeard.
Paul Goes Fishing	Michel Rabagliati	Drawn and Quarterly		$17.77 ($19.95 list)
Read more and comment...	By Michel Rabagliati Following up on Paul Has a Summer Job and Paul Moves Out, Paul Goes Fishing follows its eponymous (and semi-autobiographical) hero along on the next chapter of his life, including, as you would expect, fishing, as well as family, flashbacks, forays and... fatherhood!  185 pages of solid comics storytelling from this Montreal native who has followed his career as an illustrator with an ever more successful second act as a cartoonist.  If you have yet to read one of Rabagliati's comics, there's no better place to start than here.
Wallace Wood's Wayout	Wally Wood	Pure Imagination		$18.88 ($25.00 list) OUT OF STOCK!
Read more and comment...	Wally Wood's Wayout is a bit of a departure from the tried and true Pure Imagination format in that it collects not Wood's comics works (some of which have already been collected in Pure Imagination's The Wally Wood Reader), but instead focuses on his science fiction illustration work, all done for Galaxy and If.  The bulk of the work on hand here is from the late 1950s, but it extends all the way to 1968.  The work is especially notable for its use of ink wash.  All of Wood's signature bits are on display here, including his unique sense of humor.  This one will primarily be of interest to illustration fans and hardcore Wood collectors, who will be quite happy to add this one to their library -- especially when they discover the super special price we are offering it at!
The Al Williamson Reader	Al Williamson	Pure Imagination		$25.00 ($25.00 list) OUT OF STOCK!
Read more and comment...	Believe it or not, this month brings us three new books from Pure Imagination, the undisputed champion of classic comics reprints. The Al Williamson Reader is a true treasure trove:  23 -- count 'em -- stories that originally ran between 1948 and 1965, spanning the key years of Williamson's long (and still running) career.  These stories run the gamut of the classic comics genres, including westerns, horror, science fiction, jungle, suspense and war.  And, as for the inkers, well, nothing but the best for Williamson:  this collection features the fine pen and brush work of none other than Frank Frazetta, Angelo Torres, John Severin, Wally Wood and, of course, Williamson himself.  What a find!

books

Title	Author	Publisher	Price
The Book of Other People			$12.75 ($15.00 list)
Read more and comment...	edited by Zadie Smith We've been looking forward to this 300+ page softcover anthology for a long time, and now that we've had a chance to pore through it we feel safe in freely recommending it -- it's a real treat.  All the pieces are focused on the process of character creation and formation. The work of 22 of the best contemporary writers of fiction is on hand here --  Edwidge Danticat, Dave Eggers, Jonathan Safran Foer, Andrew Sean Greer, Aleksandar Hemon, A. M. Homes, Nick Hornby, Heidi Julavits, Miranda July, A. L. Kennedy, Hari Kunzu, Jonathan Lethem (whose contribution is sure to be a standout among Copacetic habitués)Toby Litt, David Mitchell, Andrew O'Hagan, ZZ Packer, George Saunders, Posy Simmonds, Adam Thirlwell, Colm Tóibín, Vendela Vida and editor Zadie Smith herself -- along with two of today's top cartoonists, Chris Ware and Dan Clowes, who both turn in amazing, full color stories that are almost worth the price of the anthology all by themselves.  And not only that:  this book is a "charity anthology", meaning that none of the contributors were paid and that all profits go to a charitable organization -- in this case, 826NYC, "a non-profit organization dedicated to helping children 6 - 18 with their creative and expository writing skills."  And then there's the amazing Charles Burns cover.  How can you say no?  To learn more, read these reviews in the LA Times, NY Times and the UK Independent.

dvds

Title	Director	Publisher	Price
Lust Caution	Ang Lee		$24.77 ($29.98 list)
Read more and comment...	directed by Ang Lee w/ Tony Leung, Tang Wei and Joan Chen Fresh from his Oscar win for Brokeback Mountain, Ang Lee delivers this devastating critique of the folly of entertainers' attempts to involve themselves in politics that is as intense as it is insightful.  NC-17; widescreen; 157 minutes.
The Darjeeling Limited			$23.77 ($29.98 list)
Read more and comment...	directed by Wes Anderson w/ Adrian Brody, Jason Schwartzman & Owen Wilson While some may complain that this entire film serves as an elaborate set up for the final scene, we have to say that even if this is the case (and we'd have to argue that it's not, as the film certainly has its moments) it's well worth the "sacrifice" of sitting through the picture as its conclusion is a true tour de force and the emotional payoff is huge.
The Personal Best of Monty Python			$18.88 ($44.95 list) OUT OF STOCK!
Read more and comment...	This six-disc box set features the greatest hits of the immortal classic, Monty Python's Flying Circus.  The contents of each of the discs was chosen and is introduced by one of the six Pythons and features their personal favorites, which, taken together are sure to encompass a solid majority of anyone's faves, including yours.  Want to see for yourself?  Here's the complete listing.  OK, now that that's over and done with, feast your eyes on our amazing special price below.  This is is a perfect opportunity to reacquaint yourself witih this classic, or, better yet, introduce it to someone new.

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