comics

Title	Creator	Publisher	Series	Price
Drawing Words & Writing Pictures: Making Comics - Manga, Graphic Novels, and Beyond	Matt Madden, Jessica Abel			$26.95 ($29.95 list)
Read more and comment...	We all knew it was only a matter of time until this day arrived, and so it has: the first textbook devoted to the practice of creating comics is now on our shelves.  Billed as, "A definintive course from concept to comic in 15 lessons," the primary purpose of this work is to provide a state-of-the-art textbook for high school, trade school and college courses devoted to comics craft -- thus the 15 lessons, the average number of classes in a semester.  Authors Abel and Madden (who are wife and husband, and, more germane to their authorship of this work, veteran comics instructors, most notably at SVA [the School for Visual Arts] in NYC) have not, however, forgotten about the rest of us, for they have designed the book with both lone, individual-learners -- "ronin" -- and independent study students who might like to get together and create their own self-directed learning groups -- "nomads" -- in mind.  Of special note in this regard is the book's companion website, http://www.dw-wp.com , which is chock full of extra features and sample work that will help to keep on track those lacking the guiding hand of a professional instructor.  "Well, yes," you say, "that's all very interesting.  But is the book any good?"  While we haven't managed to spend enough time with it yet to provide our own judgement, here's the opinion of the two individuals most qualified to offer one:  "A gold mine of essential information for every aspiring comics artist.  Highly recommended."  - Scott McCloud, author of Understanding Comics  "Matt and Jessica's experience, both in the classroom and at the drawing board, has resulted in a book that should help any aspiring cartoonist.  A go-to how-to that will undoubtedly be of tremendous aid for any school or instructor attempting to map out a thoughtful and engaging cartooning curriculum." -- James Sturm, founder and director of The Center for Cartoon Studies  And there you have it.
Little Nemo in Slumberland - Many More Splendid Sundays	Winsor McCay	Sunday Press		$125.00 ($125.00 list)
Read more and comment...	It's here!  The follow-up volume to the most heralded collection of classic comics ever produced.  This volume is even more packed with art and features than the first volume, the printing is every bit as gorgeous, and the binding has been improved.  In the face of this Sunday Press edition, it's a challenge to find an adequate superlative!  We're working on it...
Nat Turner	Kyle Baker			$11.75 ($12.95 list)
Read more and comment...	Mister Baker, perhaps the funniest cartoonist alive, steps out of his clown shoes and puts on his severest suit and tie to deliver this sermon of repression and defiance, violence and vengeance, and struggle and sacrifice, in this synecdochical story of slavery in these United States.  Reading this book, in which the narrative is advanced almost entirely in images (pantomime style) interspersed with excerpts from The Confessions of Nat Turner, it is impossible not to marvel at the strength of Baker's storytelling.  And, there is a method to the madness of attempting to relate so complex a tale entirely in images.  It captures the forced silence of the lives of the slaves it chronicles, a silence that was doubled by the forced illiteracy imposed by the slave owners.  It was exactly this imposed silence that Nat Turner intuited was at the root of the condition that he felt called upon to rise up against and destroy.  Thus the interspersed text stands as the beacon that Turner meant it to be, and when the long silence of the narrative is punctuated by a lone cry, it takes on both an urgency and a poignancy as a result of its standing alone.  Here's a hefty preview that might take a moment or two to load, but rest assured your patience will be amply rewarded.  As will any purchaser of this elegantly produced (and quite reasonably priced) 208 page softcover edition.  The character of Nat Turner is one of the fiercest embodiments of anger on the American historical register, and Baker's depiction doesn't hold back, revealing a wellspring of anger in Baker's soul.  That he has both chosen and managed to channel this anger into a successful career based on making people laugh is a testament to his character and a powerful demonstration of the truth embedded in the old adage, "Laughter is the best medicine."
How to Draw Stupid	Kyle Baker			$15.25 ($16.95 list)
Read more and comment...	The first thing you should know about this book is that, while it is indeed a how-to-draw art book, it's NOT for people who want to learn how to be Artists, or how to "express themselves."  This IS a book for those who are looking to learn the ins and outs of cartooning, who are interested in becoming professionals, who want a career -- especially those who need some encouragement and could use some common sense advice.  The sound, solid and simple premise upon which this book is based is that if someone is or was successful then their work is worth studying, and their opinions are worth listening to.  Anytime Jack Kirby, Will Eisner and Frank Miller do or say something, it is, ipso facto, worth paying attention to -- your investment of time and energy will be rewarded with personal improvement and career advancement.  Kyle Baker is successful, therefore you should pay attention to what he has to offer if you too are interested in being successful.  How to Draw Stupid is a potential supplement to Abel & Madden's Drawing Words, Writing Pictures listed above.  Where DW, WP takes the programmatic approach of traditional pedagogy, HtDS take the personal approach of the master-apprentice relationship.  Also, and importantly, whereas DW, WP takes a broad overview of the entire field of combining words and pictures to tell stories, HtDS is specifically directed at the narrow focus region of humorous cartooning.  If you are interested in being a successful, professional cartoonist, and, especially if you like, enjoy and/or admire Kyle Baker's work, then getting a hold of a copy of this book should move right to the top of your to-do list.  The book is written in an intimate, personal tone (it is also funny).   Reading this book really feels like sitting across from Kyle as he works at his drawing table (or as you both share a booth at the local tavern, to which he has brought his portfolio and sketchbook). We felt like he was right there, talking us through his method, telling us his opinions (of which he has many and is not shy in sharing them), intermittently leafing through his portfolio and now and then whipping off a quick sketch to illustrate a point.  Sometimes, you might feel like he's holding onto his opinions a little too firmly -- as we did when he insisted only one of fifteen different drawings of eyes was "truly" stupid (we could be wrong, but we'd be hard pressed to imagine that the "correct" answer would be chosen by a majority) -- but that's part of the charm:  he's not holding back, he's not trying to conform to any preconceived notion of "correctness", he's just being himself, a straight-shootin' cartoonist sharing the secrets of success, and makin' a buck doing it -- which is exactly what he'd recommend you do, should the opportunity present itself.
Red Colored Elegy	Seiichi Hayashi			$22.22 ($24.95 list)
Read more and comment...	It's hard to believe that it's taken nearly forty years for this truly original, one of a kind work to finally be published in North America in English translation, but now that it has it's like a missing chapter in the history of manga has at last been found.  This work is not one than can simply be opened up a dived into, partly as a result of its late arrival, but mostly because it is such an original piece that most readers will immediately find themselves on unfamiliar ground that seems to shift beneath them as they progress through its pages.  Seiichi was clearly a cultural omnivore and he ranged far and wide indeed in gathering his inspiration for Red Colored Elegy, which he produced during 1970 and 1971, in the wake of the tumultuous cultural upheavals of the late 1960s, which, it is not widely appreciated here in the states, created as much turmoil in Japan as in America and Europe.  His visual sources range from Utamaro and Hokusai to di Chirico and Picasso to Takahama and Tatsumi, and include incorporations of Hollywood icons such as Mickey Mouse and James Dean.  We'll have to admit to finding his narrative influences to be somewhat obscure -- due to our lack of expertise in Japanese literary history.  Nevertheless, it is discernable that, as with his visual sources, there is an "East meets West" feel to the idiosyncracies of Hayashi's storytelling.  There is also a clear generational opposition to the straight forward, propulsive narratives of Tezuka, as well as an alliance with the narrative indeterminacies of the cinema of la nouvelle vague.  All this is by way of preparing you for the unique experience of reading Red Colored Elegy.  It is a work full of despair and desperation that is more than a work of fiction:  it embodies the struggle of its author to forge a way in the world; to survive the 'slings and arrows of outrageous fortune'; and, finally, to build and hold a lasting love.  How successful this work was in achieving these, we cannot say, but Red Colored Elegy most certainly left a lasting legacy that is at last being shared with American readers.  Here's an excellent preview that will give you a good idea of what we're talking about.
Good-Bye	Yoshihiro Tatsumi	Drawn and Quarterly		$17.77 ($19.95 list)
Read more and comment...	Good-Bye, the third volume in Drawn & Quarterly's series collecting the work of this manga master who pioneered the dark, mature (noir, if you will) genre of manga known as gekiga during the years that followed the cultural upheavals of 1968, has been released in tandem with Red Colored Elegy as the work it contains was produced during roughly the same historical moment.  This volume collects storieds originally published during 1971 and 1972 and contains some of Tatsumi's best work.  The introduction, by America's foremost expert on the history of manga, sets the work in context and gives the reader a good perspective from which to get the most out of the stories that follow.  Those who missed the first two volumes in this series, The Pushman and Abandon the Old in Tokyo (both of which are still in print and available here at Copacetic), are encouraged to take a look at this one, as it's the best yet.  Sceptical?  Check out this nice nine-page preview.
The Complete K Chronicles	Keith Knight			$22.22 ($24.95 list)
Read more and comment...	This mammoth 500+ page volume collects under one cover the four previously issued volumes -- Dances With Sheep, Fear of a Black Marker, What a Long Strange Strip It's Been and The Passion of the Keef -- that together contained the entirety of one of the most consistently entertaining regularly published comic strips in recent memory.  This is the rare volume that actually deserved to be called a treasury edition (so, of course, it was not) as so many of the strips contained herein are gems, and put together constitute a sizable treasure.   The K Chronicles amply demonstrates the special power of humor to get you through.  The old Freak Brothers adage, "Dope gets you through times of no money better than money gets you through times of no dope," might be more aptly (and accurately) reworded to read, "Good, smart & funny comics get you through times of no money better than money gets you through times of no good, smart & funny comics."  Thus, this book should be considered an excellent hedge against the coming inflationary pressures that may occasionally leave one bereft of disposable income.  Seeing this book on our shelves in and of itself constitutes one of "Life's Little Victories™" that Mr. Knight has made his own.  Highly recommended to all those who enjoy witty social and political observations in the grand tradition of the original glory days of Mad Magazine, those who, in other words, like a good laugh that leaves them a bit wiser.  Spend some time up close and personal with Keef, here.
ZOT! : The Complete Black and White Collection	Scott McCloud	Harper		$22.22 ($24.95 list)
Read more and comment...	Well, while we're on the subject of mammoth complete collections, what better time could there be to bring this nearly 600 page tome that collects the entirety of the 26-issue black & white run of Zot! that was published between 1987 and 1991.  This run comprises issues #11 through #36 of the original series; the first ten issues were in full color, and, as McCloud explains in his introduction, are not included in this collection for the simple reason that McCloud doesn't believe the stories they contain are strong enough.  Just in case you're late to the party:  McCloud is the author of the ground breaking and still definitive study of comics, Understanding Comics, as well as their follow-up volumes Reinventing Comics and Making Comics.  In addition to simply being a fine book of comics, this collection is especially valuable in allowing readers the opoportunity to witness McCloud's development as an artist and writer.  McCloud has proclaimed that his motivation in writing Making Comics -- his most recent work -- was to prepare himself for undertaking a full-fledged comics project of his own, making now a good time to revisit the work that embodies his youthful enthusiasm for the form, to prepare us to better appreciate the mature works to come.
Flight #5	Kazu Kibuishi		Flight	$22.22 ($24.95 list)
Read more and comment...	Yes, it's time for another 360 page anthology of full color fantasy inflected comics of an international flavor that leans towords the pacific rim.  Contributors this time around include Graham Annable, Matthew Bernier, Scott Campbell, Tony Cliff, Michel Gagné, Reagan Lodge, John Martz & Ryan North, Paul Rivoche, Joey Weiser and over a dozen others including editor Kibuishi, who also handles the cover chores.  There's something for everyone here:  from baseball games to ninja battles, from polar bears to dragons to robots (and robot dragons), from space travel to couch surfing and plenty more.  Here's a great preview.
Windy City Magazine #2	Austin English			$8.88 ($10.00 list)
Read more and comment...	This issue features more full color comics in Prismacolor colored pencil by its editor, Austin English, who has also, it seems, managed to convert publisher, Dylan Williams, to the way of the crayon, as his contribution (Williams is an established comics writer/artist as well as publisher) is his first full color work and it is rendered entirely in oil pastel.  Other notable contributions to this anthology publication are a historical overview of the works of legendary children's author/illustrator, Lois Lenski -- also by Austin English --  and, the highlight for us, a lengthy illustrated interview (conducted by fellow cartoonist and pal, Jeremy Onsmith) with the one and only John Hankiewicz, who proves himself to be as articulate about his work as he is in control of it.  The issue comes to a close with a full color back cover illustration by Copacetic customer, Juliacks.  Recommended for fans of MOME who are ready to adventure a bit farther afield, and anyone else interested in the intersection of comics, art and illustration.
Lucky # Volume 2, Number 2	Gabrielle Bell			($3.95 list) OUT OF STOCK!
Read more and comment...	The best journal-based comic book currently being produced continues with 32 pages of personal reflections, general misconceptions, urban angst, travel tales,  and vignettes hanging out in the internet age.  Centered on Bell's current life in NYC, the settings range from trips to the west coast and recollections of her childhood in Alaska to frustrations with her computer and troubles with rabbits.  While a sense of ennui is pervasive and seemingly unavoidable, Bell makes it clear that it is to be resisted, and that making comics is the battleground.
Rabid Rabbit #4	David Sandlin			$2.75 ($3.00 list)
Read more and comment...	This is a nice anthology series out of New York City that we somehow missed out on, until now.  We suspect the contributor list is populated in part by current and former students of SVA (as well as at least one instructor, David Sandlin).  This is a good thing.  The comics here, while generally focused on urban themes, are diverse in their styles and approaches.  Each of these issues is devoted to a specific theme, to wit:  #4 - Trash; #5 - Alphabet City; #5 - The Future; #7 - Pornography (18+ only, natch'); and #8 -- The Beatles!  Issues #4 - #7 are digest size and are 36, 32, 40 & 48 pages respectively; #8 is 8 1/2" square -- and squarebound --  (to resemble a record jacket -- The White Album, in this case) and runs a big 64 pages.  Learn more at:  http://www.rabidrabbit.org
Rabid Rabbit #5	David Sandlin			$2.75 ($3.00 list)
Read more and comment...	This is a nice anthology series out of New York City that we somehow missed out on, until now.  We suspect the contributor list is populated in part by current and former students of SVA (as well as at least one instructor, David Sandlin).  This is a good thing.  The comics here, while generally focused on urban themes, are diverse in their styles and approaches.  Each of these issues is devoted to a specific theme, to wit:  #4 - Trash; #5 - Alphabet City; #5 - The Future; #7 - Pornography (18+ only, natch'); and #8 -- The Beatles!  Issues #4 - #7 are digest size and are 36, 32, 40 & 48 pages respectively; #8 is 8 1/2" square -- and squarebound --  (to resemble a record jacket -- The White Album, in this case) and runs a big 64 pages.  Learn more at:  http://www.rabidrabbit.org
Rabid Rabbit #6	David Sandlin			$2.75 ($3.00 list)
Read more and comment...	This is a nice anthology series out of New York City that we somehow missed out on, until now.  We suspect the contributor list is populated in part by current and former students of SVA (as well as at least one instructor, David Sandlin).  This is a good thing.  The comics here, while generally focused on urban themes, are diverse in their styles and approaches.  Each of these issues is devoted to a specific theme, to wit:  #4 - Trash; #5 - Alphabet City; #5 - The Future; #7 - Pornography (18+ only, natch'); and #8 -- The Beatles!  Issues #4 - #7 are digest size and are 36, 32, 40 & 48 pages respectively; #8 is 8 1/2" square -- and squarebound --  (to resemble a record jacket -- The White Album, in this case) and runs a big 64 pages.  Learn more at:  http://www.rabidrabbit.org
Rabid Rabbit #7	David Sandlin			$2.75 ($3.00 list)
Read more and comment...	This is a nice anthology series out of New York City that we somehow missed out on, until now.  We suspect the contributor list is populated in part by current and former students of SVA (as well as at least one instructor, David Sandlin).  This is a good thing.  The comics here, while generally focused on urban themes, are diverse in their styles and approaches.  Each of these issues is devoted to a specific theme, to wit:  #4 - Trash; #5 - Alphabet City; #5 - The Future; #7 - Pornography (18+ only, natch'); and #8 -- The Beatles!  Issues #4 - #7 are digest size and are 36, 32, 40 & 48 pages respectively; #8 is 8 1/2" square -- and squarebound --  (to resemble a record jacket -- The White Album, in this case) and runs a big 64 pages.  Learn more at:  http://www.rabidrabbit.org
Rabid Rabbit #8	David Sandlin			$5.00 ($6.00 list)
Read more and comment...	This is a nice anthology series out of New York City that we somehow missed out on, until now.  We suspect the contributor list is populated in part by current and former students of SVA (as well as at least one instructor, David Sandlin).  This is a good thing.  The comics here, while generally focused on urban themes, are diverse in their styles and approaches.  Each of these issues is devoted to a specific theme, to wit:  #4 - Trash; #5 - Alphabet City; #5 - The Future; #7 - Pornography (18+ only, natch'); and #8 -- The Beatles!  Issues #4 - #7 are digest size and are 36, 32, 40 & 48 pages respectively; #8 is 8 1/2" square -- and squarebound --  (to resemble a record jacket -- The White Album, in this case) and runs a big 64 pages.  Learn more at:  http://www.rabidrabbit.org
Sardine in Outer Space #5	Emmanuel Guibert	(:01) First Second	Sardine in Outer Space	$13.50 ($14.95 list)
Read more and comment...

dvds

Title	Director	Publisher	Price
Wholphin #6		McSweeney's	$17.77 ($19.95 list)
Read more and comment...	Here's what's on deck this time around:  "Lizards, John Cleese, Lee Harvey Oswald, freat white sharks, Toddy Doyle, sasquatch hunters, Daniel Handler, cockroaches, intolerable guy next door, surreal dating with Michael Cera, Chinese third graders dabbling in American style democracy" and more!  Lucky, a six-minute Australian film that is the cinematic equivalent of Vaughn Bodé's one-page comics masterpiece, "A Nickel Ride," is, for our money, the most profound short-film ever made.  Please Vote for Me, a 32-minute excerpt from a documentary film of the same name that covers an elementary school election in China, should be seen by everyone in this election year, as it provides the most intimate portrait of an election we've ever seen, and, for those viewers who are paying attention, offers many insights into the democratic system, and, especially, the problems facing any transition from an autocratic system to a democratic one. 13 films, 141 minutes.  Preview it here.

View previous updates: View a previous update ... December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 June 2006 May 2006 April 2006 March 2006 February 2006 January 2006 December 2005 November 2005 October 2005 September 2005 August 2005 July 2005 June 2005 May 2005 April 2005 March 2005 February 2005 January 2005 December 2004 November 2004 October 2004 September 2004 August 2004 July 2004 June 2004 May 2004 April 2004 March 2004 February 2004 January 2004 December 2003 November 2003 October 2003 September 2003 August 2003 July 2003 June 2003 May 2003 April 2003 March 2003 February 2003 January 2003