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UNDEFINED

Bill - need to set a publisher here.


Title Creator Publisher Series Price
Silly Daddy Joe Chiappetta UNDEFINED $15.25
($16.95 list)

Read more and comment... 		A comics memoir, Silly Daddy finally collects in one volume the scattered and strewn efforts that Chiappetta has been self-publishing for over a decade under the same title.  Chiappetta's work is fairly unique in its combination of fantasy and realism (the only work that compares in this respect is that of Julie Doucet, but her work is otherwise very different).  It is also unique in its focus on fatherhood as a constant concern as well as a central theme.  Occupying artistic territory somewhere between Harvey Pekar's American Splendor and James Kochalka's Sketchbook Diaries, Joe Chiapetta's Silly Daddy will finally have a chance to reach the wider audience it deserves with this 256 page volume.  Check it out.
High Horse Omonibus UNDEFINED $11.95
($11.95 list)
Hi-horse
Read more and comment... 		This 112 page anthology of work from the world of small presses and self-publishing contains a nice concentration of the fine yet scarce work that you ususally have to work hard to hunt down.  Includes stories by such indy notables such as Gabrielle Bell, Martin Cendreda, Cole Johnson, Thein Pham, Jesse Reklaw, Joan Reilly, Zack Soto as well as three by Hi-Horse veteran Howard John Arey; and, finally, Copacetic fave Dan Zettwoch takes a bow in a fun four-page outing.
Our Cancer Year Harvey Pekar , Joyce Brabner, Frank Stack UNDEFINED

Read more and comment... 		The title says it all. 
The Great Big Book of Tomorrow: A Treasury of Cartoons by Tom Tomorrow Tom Tomorrow UNDEFINED $15.25
($17.95 list)

Read more and comment... 		This compendium covers the entire span of Tom Tomorow's agit-prop career.  It’s all here: spanning twenty years, starting out with brief examples of Dan Perkins’ prototypical work in his self-published zine, Writings on the Wall -- before he assumed the persona of Tom Tomorrow -- moving on to the humble beginnings of This Modern World, and then providing a very healthy selection of This Modern World’s triumphant march to its omnipotent present.  236  8” x 11” pages (including 32 in full color!) document the history of Sparky and company as the poke holes in the inflated poitical figures of our times.
The Diary of a Teenage Girl Phoebe Gloeckner UNDEFINED $19.75
($22.95 list)

Read more and comment... 		A hybrid diary in comics and text that describes growing up in San Francisco in the 1970s.  Not for the easily disturbed.
Sheena: Queen of the Jungle UNDEFINED $17.00
($18.99 list)
Sheena
Read more and comment... 		A dozen never-before-reprinted, classic Sheena tales are herein collected.  All the stories were originally published in Jumbo Comics, almost all during the 1940s.  As an added bonus, you get to read one of the stories as it was truncated and rescripted -- or "censored" as the editor and/or publisher of this collectionhave it -- for republication in Sheena #12 in 1951.  This collection is assembled with care.  The entire volume is reproduced in full color from high quality scans of the stories as they originally appeared (as well as the original covers and many original advertisements from the same issues that the stories appeared in, which together help to provide the proper ambience for that "you are there" feeling), to insure that your reading experience will be the closest possible approximation to that of actually reading the original comics (which would cost a small fortune to purchase).  If classic jungle comics are your thing, then this is a no-brainer.  And remember, Sheena Is a Punk Rocker.
The Ten Cent Plague David Hajdu UNDEFINED $22.22
($26.00 list)
10centplaguesm
Read more and comment... 		We've been looking forward to this one.  It's an in-depth cultural history of comics by the author of Positively 4th Street (about Dylan & Co. in the Village) and Lushlife, a biography of Pittsburgh's own Billy Strayhorn.  We'll let you know what we think once we have a chance to get through it.  For now, here's the official hype:  "In the years between World War II and the emergence of television as a mass medium, American popular culture as we know it was first created—in the pulpy, boldly illustrated pages of comic books. No sooner had this new culture emerged than it was beaten down by church groups, community bluestockings, and a McCarthyish Congress—only to resurface with a crooked smile on its face in Mad magazine.  The story of the rise and fall of those comic books has never been fully told—until The Ten-Cent Plague. David Hajdu’s remarkable new book vividly opens up the lost world of comic books, its creativity, irreverence, and suspicion of authority."  HERE's a nice chunky preview excerpt .
Little Nothings: The Curse of the Umbrella #1 Lewis Trondheim UNDEFINED $13.50
($14.95 list)
Littlenothings
Read more and comment... 		Fully cognizant adult funny animals walk and talk through the streets and across the skies of Europe, searching for meaning and beauty in this 120 page graphic novel that is confidently rendered in pen and ink and sensitively colored in watercolor by one of the most popular of contemporary European comics artists.
Speed Racer: Mach GO GO GO Tatsuo Yoshida UNDEFINED $33.33
($39.95 list)
Speedracer12_170
Read more and comment... 		by Tatsuo Yoshida & Co. Just in time for the Wachowski Bros. full-length (2 1/2 hours!) CGI-intensive feature film, DMP has put together a complete edition of the original Speed Racer manga from back in the day.  It's a slip-cased edition composed of two hardcover volumes that will be sure to rev up the emotional engines of Speed Racer fans (you know who you are).  Read this, for a fairly thorough accounting of its merits, a nice photo of the actual item and a general meditation on all things Speed Racer.
American Splendor #3 UNDEFINED $2.69
($2.99 list)

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Omega The Unknown #1 UNDEFINED $2.69
($2.99 list)
Omega1
Read more and comment... 		Yes, that's right: Jonathan Lethem, of Fortress of Solitude and Motherless Brooklyn fame, has teamed up with Farel Dalrymple to revive Lethem's fave, Omega the Unknown, originally created and produced in the 1970s by Steve Gerber, Mary Skrenes and Jim Mooney for Marvel Comics, who are also publishing this edition.  On the one hand this series is bound to be somewhat hermetic as Lethem will doubtless use Omega as a cipher on which to project recollections of his own adolescent experiences.  On the other hand, it is sure to make for a multilevelled, intellectually engaging read with Lethem in the driver's seat.  We have also been led to understand that art comics maestro Gary Panter will be involved in some capacity at some point in the series, which is certainly something to look forward to; think about it -- Gary Panter art in a Marvel Superhero comic book.  We'll let you know if/when this magic moment transpires.  And we'll all figure out together exactly what it means...
Daybreak #Episode Two UNDEFINED $8.75
($10.00 list)
Daybreak2
Read more and comment... 		The second installment of Daybreak -- what we have found to be Mr. Ralph's most engaging work yet -- is now ready for boarding.  And, yes, we still have copies of the first episode in stock for the same low price.
Service Industry UNDEFINED $7.95
($9.95 list)
Servicecover
Read more and comment... 		We wrote about this one before, a year or two back when it was self-published by Bak in a low press run color xerox edition.  We are happy to be able to announce that this work has now found a new lease on life in a permanent color edition from Bodega Press.  While obviously an autobiographical work, Service Industry offers up much more than is typical of the genre.  It is, as well (and perhaps even primarily) an explicitly existential meditation on finding meaning in a life dominated by economic exigencies.  Somewhat surprisingly, given the darkly serious tone that pervades many of the pages, Bak has no qualms about employing an element of whimsical fantasy in representing his dream life.  He manages to seamlessly integrate all these disparate approaches and bind them together into a unique hybrid that has much to recommend it.  In fact, our only complaint about Bak's work is that there isn't more of it.
Powr Mastrs #Volume 1 UNDEFINED $15.00
($18.00 list)
Powrmastrs
Read more and comment... 		It's appropriate to follow New Engineering with Powr Mastrs (and not only because both are published by PictureBox) as C.F. is, like Yokoyama, very much engaged in challenging the standard representations of time and space in contemporary comics.  There is, notably, quite a bit more story -- as well as humanity -- in C.F.'s work, however.  What people are doing, where they are going, how they are making their way and when they are going to get together all figure prominently in Powr Mastrs, if in an oblique way.  There is a real organic quality to the work here, a quality which is enhanced by the work being rendered wholly in pencil with no attempts made to add any effects of any sort.  C.F. has produced quite a few small print run, self-published comics (as well as appearing in numerous anthologies, including this year's America's Best -- see below) and has long had a cult following among what has come to be know as the "Fort Thunder crowd."  Now, with the release of Powr Mastrs, everyone has a chance to see what all the fuss is about.  We think quite a few comics readers are in for a pleasant surprise.  120 pages; embossed flexi-cover.
Blurred Vision #3 UNDEFINED $12.75
($14.95 list)
Blurredvision3
Read more and comment... 		We've been remiss.  We let readers of this page in on the advent of Blurred Vision's first issue, but neglected to let you know that it's still going strong. Consistently interesting, these issue continue to feature the craft mastery of Toc Fetch that we highlighted in our review of the first issue.   Other notable pieces include the ongoing saga of "A Dog and His Elephant," by Ethan Persoff," which runs through both issues; from #2, "Captain Adam" by Kevin Mutch, a madcap 30-page saga that is the comics equivalent of a mash-up:  composed entirely of panels taken out of context ("sampled") from a stack of old comics (and a couple adult mags) and sewn together to create a crazy quilt sequence which was then overdrawn and rewritten into a single whole; and, from #3, "Know Thyself," a grim pantomime fable.  Blurred Vision shows artists taking chances, and that's always good.  Learn -- and see -- plenty more at their website (where every image is a link).
Blurred Vision #2 UNDEFINED $12.75
($14.95 list)

Read more and comment... 		We've been remiss.  We let readers of this page in on the advent of Blurred Vision's first issue, but neglected to let you know that it's still going strong. Consistently interesting, these issues continue to feature the craft mastery of Toc Fetch that we highlighted in our review of the first issue.   Other notable pieces include the ongoing saga of "A Dog and His Elephant," by Ethan Persoff," which runs through both issues; from #2, "Captain Adam" by Kevin Mutch, a madcap 30-page saga that is the comics equivalent of a mash-up:  composed entirely of panels taken out of context ("sampled") from a stack of old comics (and a couple adult mags) and sewn together to create a crazy quilt sequence which was then overdrawn and rewritten into a single whole; and, from #3, "Know Thyself," a grim pantomime fable.  Blurred Vision shows artists taking chances, and that's always good.  Learn -- and see -- plenty more at their website (where every image is a link).
Up & Down in New York UNDEFINED $17.77
($19.95 list)
Updonnyc
Read more and comment... 		preface by Jonathan Adler Originally published in 1926, Up & Down in New York is a beautifully put together book that contains 25 amazing drawings of life in the New York City of the 1920s by artist extraordinaire, Tony Sarg.  And when we say life, we mean life:  these pages are overflowing with the vitality of NYC during the era when it really came into its own as a world capital.  Each of the pictures is drawn from an elevated perspective taking in the hustle and bustle of humanity at enough of a remove to contemplate and appreciate the magic of human endeavor.  Each of these drawings is reproduced with great care on heavy, flat, 9" x 12" cream colored  stock, that will stand up to all the pawing these pages are sure to get as these are images that beckon.  The publishers did a nice job on this book.  Make the time to check it out.  Here's further comments along with a peek, but the images as they appear here don't do justice to how they appear in the book.
Illo #1 UNDEFINED $9.00
($10.00 list)
Illo
Read more and comment...
Stuck in the Middle: Seventeen Comics from an Unpleasant Age Daniel Clowes, Dash Shaw, Lauren Weinstein, Gabrielle Bell and more ... UNDEFINED $17.00
($18.95 list)
Stuckmidsm
Read more and comment... 		Edited by Ariel Schrag. The "joys" of middle school are displayed here in all their angst-filled glory.  Ms. Schrag has managed to recruit an impressive array of comics talent to turn in 200 pages of teen turmoil, and, on top of that, to convince the venerable Viking publishing house to release it.  Included in this zit-poppin' anthology are works by Gabrielle Bell, Ariel Bordeaux, Robyn Chapman, Daniel Clowes, Vanessa Davis, Nick Eliopulos, Eric Enright, Jim Hoover, Cole Johnson, Joe Matt, Jace Smith, Aaron Renier, Ariel Schrag (2), Tania Schrag, Dash Shaw & Lauren Weinstein.  While the Dan Clowes and Joe Matt are reprints of previously published material, all the rest was, to the best of our knowledge, produced specifically for this anthology and is appearing here for the first time.  The stories cover typical teen concerns, but especially focus on the alienated outsider (which pretty much defines just about anyone at some point in their teenage years).  This is a book about teens that is both suitable for and will appeal to those currently in middle school, as well as those who have passed through and lived to tell the tale.  Here's a book you won't have to go out of your way to get a teen to read.  Special Bonus:  the Junior High photos of the contributors included in the biographical information at the back of the book may very well be worth the entire price of the book.  You may find yourself tempted to cut out your favorite and put it on your refreigerator (or in your wallet).
My Life in a Jugular Vein: Three More Years of Snakepit Comics Ben Snakepit UNDEFINED $13.44
($15.00 list)
Snakepit2
Read more and comment... 		288 more pages of Snakepit.  Chronicling the years 2004, 2005 & 2006, Jugular gives us plenty of touring, rocking, partying and eating (seems that Ben is a bit of a gourmet).  Comes with 18 track CD "Soundtrack" featuring the bands that rock Ben's world, including Blotto, Drunken Boat, The Methadones, and Toys That Kill.  This is the punk rock value of the year!