Primates by Jim Ottaviani and Maris Wicks – First Second – $19.99

What kind of person does it take to do this kind of work? How hard is it? When did our understanding of what it means to be a primate begin? And why is it important?

Through an entertaining and interesting set of interconnected biographies, Ottavani and Wicks show that it takes a unique and dedicated kind of person who is willing to do unimaginably difficult work in order to improve our limited understanding of what it means to be a primate. But it is through this research that we have begun to expand not just our understanding of what it means to be a primate, but also what it means to be a human.

Ottaviani wisely writes this book for a younger audience (elementary and middle school students will find this book right at their level) because it is wide-eyed enthusiasm and a willingness to jump in with both feet which helps each of the three women in the book (Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Birute Galdikas) overcome major obstacles. If there is one thing middle and elementary school students possess, it is that same wide-eyed enthusiasm and a willingness to jump in with both feet!

The book tracks each woman from an early age through their time in the jungles of Africa. Each one sends their early days as curious children and that curiosity leads them to exploring careers in science. Each of them comes into contact with the anthropologist Luis Leakey who points his young protégés towards new discoveries. While Leakey is the thread which ties the three women together, each woman is given the spotlight and Leakey is wisely left to being a supporting character.

Since the book is geared towards younger readers, it shies away from the tragic details of the death of Dian Fossey. Kids who become interested in her research will have plenty of opportunities to discover that on their own. For now they can revel in the joys of discovery and the astonishing work which she and the other two women have accomplished.

Primates is illustrated by Maris Wicks whose style should appeal to fans of Raina Telgemeier. Each character retains a sense of youthfulness about them which allows young readers to continue to associate with them long after the characters have grown up and become adults. Her attention to detail in the depiction of the primates shows that they and the humans exist in the same world but are always slightly separated. No matter how close we get, there are still so many things we don’t understand.

Primates is a perfect book for curious young girls and boys. Additionally it is the kind of book which would enjoy heavy rotation at a school library. Most importantly, it may spark the imaginations of young people and encourage them to make discoveries of their own!
Primates is Available June 11th. Pre-order your copy of Primates: The Fearless Science of Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Biruté Galdikas today!

Koma by Pierre Wazem and Frederik Peeters – Humanoids Publishing – $29.95

Koma imagines an orderly world where everyone has a job. That job is their entire life. For Addidas (not the shoe) and her father, that job and life is being chimney sweeps. They spend their days cleaning chimneys and flues. Addidas crawls into the smaller side-flues that the father cannot reach. It is during one of these cleanings that Addidas slips down a chute and emerges in a shadowy underworld. It is there that she discovers the truth about not only her existence, but the secrets to life itself.

This shadowy underworld is the domain of dark creatures which work tirelessly day and night on massive machines. Each machine corresponds to a single person. The creatures keep the machines, and the people, in balance. But when the balance is disrupted, the machine stops working and the person dies. At once frightening and nurturing, these creatures are the keepers of human life.

The story moves briskly, with pages turning rapidly. Writer Pierre Wazem includes plenty of dialogue to make sure that the reader has some idea what is happening, but a great deal of the storytelling is handled by artist Frederik Peeters. Peeters juxtaposes the innocence of youth (as personified by Addidas) with the hulking, ugly monsters below. Addidas is shown with wide-open eyes and the ability to smile in almost any situation. Her head is too big for her body and her legs are just a bit too short. The result is an innocent child whose big ideas and boundless curiosity get her into plenty of trouble.

In contrast, the creatures who man the machines are burly and fierce looking. Their eyes bulge from beneath sloping brows, and their long arms drag on the ground as they move. They are built for work, and their work is not pretty. But, like Addidas, they care deeply about what they do.

The art is fun, and skews a bit young (in the same way that the art in Bone skews a bit young). This may give a casual viewer the misconception that the book is designed for youngsters. However, with some curse words, the script is not going to be acceptable for younger readers. Not to mention the fact that this “childish” looking story deals with existential questions – questions about the nature of life and creation, and a twist ending which leaves grown ups reeling and children puzzling. Make no mistake, KOMA is decidedly a book for adults.

As much as KOMA is a book about Addidas and her adventures underground, there is also a biting commentary about man’s desire to achieve immortality. In the book there are a group of bureaucrats who have discovered the monsters and their connection to life. They plan to replace the monsters with robots so that the machines will be even more efficient and they will live indefinitely. Pierre Wazem is clearly concerned that our quest to understand the mechanics of life may actually lead to our undoing. Instead of trying to find meaning in the mechanics and science, maybe the true meaning and importance of life comes from holding on to the innocence and enthusiasm of youth.

Koma is available now from Humanoids publishing. Check out a four page preview here. You can Order your copy of KOMA today.

The script is a collaboration of three writers, David Pinckney, Erik Koconis, and Thomas Gorence. With only a couple dozen pages to introduce the cast, the setting, and start the basic foundation for an overarching plot, there isn’t much space left for the actual story so this single issue is a poor judge of the writers’ talents. The writers are not really at fault for this, because it’s just how first issue comics work. First issues are meant to only introduce you to the concept and characters. However, from the small bit that is here, I can foresee the seed of something grandiose and vibrant. I hope the writers can deliver on the twisted plot lines they are hinting at in these pages.

Unlike the story, the first issue is always good for the artist. And all I can really say is just “wow”. Most indie comics like this have production members pulling double duty, but Nicolas Colacitti does the pencils, ink, lettering, and colors for this comic. As an artist myself, I have a great deal of appreciation for when these four jobs can be handled by one person. These four jobs are separate jobs for good reason. More to the point though, even with handling such a workload, Colacitti’s art isn’t hampered at all. One might expect some lackluster results, but every page demonstrates excellent layout, coloring, shading, and line work. I’m bound to check up on this series regularly if for no other reason but the artwork; the rest of the story will just being the cherry on a beautiful sundae.

The bottom line, with both the art and story, Time Samplers has potential. The idea is graciously original in a medium that is packed full of cliché. The foundations are set for something new and exciting, and I’m anxious to see if this production team can deliver.
Indie comics came about as a medium for experimentation that couldn’t be achieved in the mainstream. Good or bad, Time Samplers exhibits the excitement of uncharted territory that I’ve come to expect from indie comics. If you want to see a truly original indie comic, head over to Paranoid American’s site to check this one out, because whether future issues are good or bad, it’s always nice to see someone taking a chance on originality.

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Rex Hansen once sampled time. He found it to be slightly sweet with earthy undertones and a healthy dose of tanins on the finish. You can find his reviews here each week.

You wouldn’t expect Nate and Charlie to be friends. Charlie’s the laid-back captain of the basketball team, and Nate is the neurotic, scheming president of the robotics club. But they are friends, however unlikely — until Nate declares war on the cheerleaders, and the cheerleaders retaliate by making Charlie their figure-head in the ugliest class election campaign the school as ever seen. At stake? Student group funding that will either cover a robotics competition or new cheerleading uniforms — but not both.
Bad sportsmanship? Sure. Chainsaws? Why not! Nothing can possibly go wrong.

High school is a fertile ground for stories. The aforementioned Hughes made a career out of crafting stories set in high schools with characters who were relatable and situations which were just a touch exotic. From having crazy foreign exchange students living in your house and nerds borrowing your underwear, to five teens stuck in Saturday detention with a power-ad Principal watching over them, each movie rang true and could be enjoyed time and time again. Nothing Can Possibly Go Wrong uses the same technique. The characters in the book are relatable archetypes (nerds, jocks, cheerleaders) but the situation is just a bit exotic. Instead of rolling our collective eyes at it all, the accessibility of the character and the joy of seeing them fret and fight through the situation means that readers can enjoy the book over and over again.

With great characters it does not really matter what the situation is, put great characters in a room together and the scenes practically write themselves. From the mysterious twins to the militaristic cheer squad Nothing Can Possibly Go Wrong is full of great characters. And those great characters have some truly great scenes!

Prudence Shen and Faith Erin Hicks put together a great story which flows effortlessly from scene to scene. The pacing is spot on and the dialogue rings true each time. It reminded me strongly of Scott Pilgrim in its ability to strike a balance between character development, humor, and action. Just when it seemed like things would go over the edge, Shen and Hicks reel it back in and keep everything together.

As always, Hicks’ art shines. She was the perfect choice for this book as her characters deliver on every page. From reaction shots, to action poses, emotions to exasperation, Hicks gives each character and each scene just the right amount of personality. Since so much of the book is about relationships, it is important that both the speaker and the listener (or the prankster and the victim, as the case may be) shine on each page. Hicks delivers time and time again.

For anyone who misses the teen comedies of John Hughes, Nothing Can Possibly Go Wrong scratches that itch. There are memorable characters, quotable lines, and entertaining twists. The only thing missing from Nothing Can Possibly Go Wrong is a killer soundtrack and an appearance by Molly Ringwold. But, given the talents of Shen and Hicks, those things can be overlooked.

Nothing Can Possibly Go Wrong is out today from First Second. Pick up your copy today, or download a digital copy.

Image via jtorres

We sit down with Faith Erin Hicks to chat about her work on Friends With Boys, the Adventures of Superhero Girl, Nothing Can Possibly Go Wrong, and much of her upcoming work.  We also discover whats her “issue”.  Give it a listen or press play below.

You can also download the interview here.

The Shadow’s Treasure by Alexandro Jodorowsky and François Boucq – Humanoids Publishing – $69.95

A parable is a short story which reveals a Truth. In a few short words, it describes a setting or situation, describes an action, and shows the results. It usually involves a character making a questionable decision and then suffering the consequences. The meaning of a parable is often not explicitly stated. It is up to the reader to determine the Truth of the parable.

In short, Alexandro Jodorowsky and Francois Boucq’s book, The Shadow’s Treasures, is a book of parables. While some are humorous and make the reader laugh at the foolishness of the participants, others are haunting and make the reader reflect inwardly on the decisions he or she has made in their life.

The title comes from the preface of the book:


It is accompanied by the following image:

The Shadow’s Treasures is as much a conundrum as it is a parable.  Like the “chicken and egg” question, it is unknown (at least as far as I could determine based on some research) which came first, the stories or the art.  Together they form a perfect unit of thought-provoking entertainment.  Each supports and enhances the other, and each directs the reader/viewer back and forth.  Understanding of the image is enhanced by reading the text which is then enhanced by further study of the picture which invites another reading of the text.  A person could, conceivably, spend hours on a single entry, digging deeper and deeper towards the Truth.

As difficult as it is to determine which came first, it is even more difficult to determine which is better!  The stories are brief, yet are full of wit, wisdom, horror, humor, disgust, or dimension depending on a turn of phrase.  It is clear Jodorowsky took great delight in creating each of these short stories.

However, the stories would be nothing without the masterful art of Francois Boucq.  His fine lines and attention to detail create a rich world.  Each page is a detailed glimpse into a fully-realized world where myth and legend exist alongside men with feet of clay.   But most of the illustrations would not make nearly as much sense without the words of Jodorowsky accompanying them, so we are back to the beginning.

In total, forty-two parables are presented in The Shadow’s Treasure.  The book’s format is similar to that of Jodorowsky’s collaboration with Moebius, The Eyes of the Cat.  It is a deluxe limited edition (of 750) hardcover measuring 12 x 16 inches , with text appearing on one page and a full-page illustration on the other.

More than just a book of parables, The Shadow’s Treasures is a book of intriguing stories and captivating art.  It is perfect for long-time fans of Jodorowsky and Boucq as well as people just dipping their toes into the European Comic waters.  It would be handsome addition to anyone’s coffee table or library.  Who knows, it may just spark some thoughtful conversations.

Order your own copy of The Shadow’s Treasure today.

The story of Cyborg 009 revolves around a group of people from different countries who
have been kidnapped by The Black Ghost, a sinister organization of arms dealers. Through
The Black Ghost’s scientists’ experiments, these nine people have all been transformed into
super-powered cyborgs, designed to become weapon-warriors whose services will be sold
to the highest bidder. But when Cyborgs 001–009 escape, they unite with a single goal: to
destroy The Black Ghost. It won’t be easy, because their former masters have vast resources
and numerous assassins who are out to recapture the fugitive cyborgs.

What is being released today is a specially prices ($1.00) teaser designed to get people excited about this summer’s release of the full graphic novel.  Since this was not the full book, I cannot comment on the entire storyline.  However there were some things in these 24 pages which raised some concerns.

First is the story itself.  While the basic set-up read like a combination of The Matrix and Harbinger, it started to unravel in the panel progression.  People started speaking and reacting to things which either occurred off panel, or were not explained making for a confusing read.  There were many  times where I went back several pages to make sure I had not missed something (I hadn’t).  It was almost as if there were a few pages which had been cut in order to make the initial set-up fit into the allotted number of preview pages.

The dialogue feels a bit clunky.  I am willing to spot some bombastic dialogue as a nod to its manga origins.  However the majority of the dialogue was stiff and did not read as natural.  Maybe a younger audience will be able to overlook that dialogue (the book is rated E for everyone), but it was almost painful at times for this adult reader.

The art also leaves a bit to be desired.  It starts off with a wonderfully rendered dream sequence, but then quickly devolves into a bland and forgetful series of images which cannot decide if they want to be Western or Manga.  Instead they settle into an uncomfortable style which resembles some of the anime of the early to mid-1980′s.

Archaia has such a strong track record, and the creator is known for strong concepts, I wanted to like Cyborg 009.  Unfortunately this preview chapter does not give me high hopes for the rest of the book.

Oxymoron – ComixTribe – $24.99

Oxymoron is an attempt to do something relatively unique but falls painfully far from
its goal. This is a collaborative work published by ComixTribe and is meant to be a glorious
homage to what many readers love about comic books: the villain. Unfortunately, this book
suffers in many ways and is little more than a series of stories that lack cohesion and are rife with
painful cliché.

As a rule, I tend to not like this type of collective storytelling – where a different writer works on each issue separately. When you don’t have a well-established character, like the big names that have been around for hundreds and hundreds of issues, you run into problems with how well each writer can tell the story they want to tell. With a known character you can skip some exposition and focus on the story. However, with an unknown character you have to do both. This limits the quality of time given to each aspect of the story.

Truth be told though, it’s not just the collaborative nature of this book that leads me to dislike it to such a degree. I really just don’t like the villain they’ve decided to parade around. He is completely unoriginal. For all intents and purposes he may as well be a Joker rip off – a one sided one at that. We have a psychopath with a big red maniacal grin and a white face. He kills people in violent gruesome ways. This is based loosely on the premise that he doesn’t like character contradictions. I say loosely because the level of interpretation and importance of the contradictions vary greatly depending on the writer.

Worse than this simple villain are the other pseudo-parodies in the book. Oxymoron’s nemesis is Red, an obvious gender bend of Batman. Red even has a Robin-like sidekick called the Crimson Kid. Both of whom are cardboard interpretations of the original character. Some of this is written like a poor attempt at satire. However, it doesn’t even make fun of anything in the comic genre. The humor is mostly bland. It feels like an elbow-nudge trying to say “hey look this is a comic book, it’s funny right?” Mostly, I think this book was just trying way too hard to make the reader want to root for the bad guy while completely failing to understand why people sometimes root for the bad guy.

I’ll say this: the book isn’t all bad. The first and last stories were pretty good. The first one isn’t much, but it really did a great job of introducing this psycho. Unfortunately, none of the other stories kept the same tone or feel. What was built by the first story fell apart right away.

The last story was my favorite though. It struck a nerve in me. I found myself wanting to read it despite the numerous flaws of the other stories. The sad part is that I think it worked solely because Oxymoron wasn’t the main focus. The last story focused on a street cop and had proper narration and characterization. Oxymoron shows up twice: in a flashback and the final scene. If the other stories had connected these two better, rather than being as unfocused as they were, the resulting cohesive story would have saved this book from its failure.

I love the concept of focusing on the villain. The “why” and “how” of a good villain can be a deeply compelling story that pulls you in for a gruesome ride. A good writer can even make the reader root for the bad guy. Unfortunately, this book doesn’t do it right. We are given a promise that isn’t filled. I can’t say I would suggest this chaotic disjointed caricature for a future read. This is a shame because there is definitely some talent in these pages. Regrettably, though, we can’t just give a prize for participation.

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Rex Hansen once received a participation ribbon. He uses it to polish his Thumb Wrestling gold medal from the 2002 Pan-Am games. Rex Joins us each Tuesday.

For those of you who are unable to make it to Stumptown this weekend, fear not!  There will be live-streaming of interviews all weekend long from the con floor!!!!  Just click on the banner, or check out the schedule below:

Saturday
10:30 to 11:30 - Stumptown Trade Review with Sina Grace <——————— That’s us!!!
12:00 to 1:00 - Geek In The City with Ted Naifeh
1:30 to 2:30 - Ham Fisted Radio with Tradd Moore
3:00 to 4:00 - Chronicles of the Nerds with Justin Jordan
4:30 to 5:30 - Radio Stumptown

Sunday
12:30 to 1:30 - KaijuCast with Bill Willingham
2:00 to 3:00 - Dangerous Kids with Greg Rucka
3:30 to 4:30 - GoingLast

Between these fantastic shows, enjoy a variety of music from Radio Stumptown. As the festival goes live, you can keep up with all the shows at www.radiostumptown.net

Reid Psaltis is a creator whose work has always left me a bit on edge.  His illustrations of living creatures are so well rendered that they seem life-like.  Yet his inks and lighting choices lend a slightly sinister tone to many of his projects.  So, even though they may be light in subject, there is an uneasy feeling which accompanies them.  His foldy comic, Fish Market, is a perfect example of this.

This is perfect for his latest book, Kingdom/Order.  In the first chapter of this silent story, a man is completely isolated from the rest of the world.  Despite being constantly surrounded by people he has no human interactions.  Psaltis is hesitant to show whether this is by choice, or if there is something else at work.  As the chapter progresses, the man attempts to reach out to animals that are commonly ignored or shunned by humans. First it is pigeons, then it is rats.  Both attempts end with eerie panels which are left to the reader to determine if they are real or not.

Psaltis’ moody inks are on full display in Kingdom/Order.  He has also added grey washes which enhances the moodiness of the book , giving each page added depth.   Considering the multiple layers of imagery he is using  in this chapter, having equally layered art sells the mood of the book.

The only complaint I had with Kingdom/Order is that it is incomplete.  I have no idea where the book is going.  I have no idea if the book is going to be a horror story, a fantasy piece, or a moody reflective piece about the place of an individual in society.  It could even be some combination of all three.  There is unlimited possibility in what has been presented so far.

So, while it may not be complete, there is more than enough in this partial preview of Kingdom/Order to have me chomping at the bit for more.  You might be asking yourself where you could get a copy of this preview.  Unfortunately it is not for sale in any store.  It is not even for sale on Reid’s website!  However, for those of you fortunate enough to be coming to this weekend’s Stumptown Comics Fest, Reid will be in attendance with preview copies of Kingdom/Order.  He can be found right here (with a bunch of other awesome folks!):

Be sure to stop by and pick up your very own copy (as well as some of his foldy comics!).