Yet Another Comics Blog

Monkey Covers

2009-11-08T07:53:00.002-05:00

Sunday is Monkey Covers day here at YACB. Because there's nothing better than a comic with a monkey on the cover!

The cover to Kobra #3 (1978) features a giant cyborg gorilla with a jet pack. You may ask why after such a cover they even bothered to make comics any more, since there is nothing that can possibly match a giant cyborg gorilla with a jet pack for sheer awesomeness; I would not be able to give you a satisfactory answer.

(Standard disclaimer about giant cyborg gorillas not really being monkeys applies.)

Image courtesy of the GCD. Click on the image for a larger version.

Amazon Top 50

2009-11-06T11:26:00.002-05:00

Here are the Top 50 Graphic Novels on Amazon this morning. All the previous caveats apply.

1 (-). Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days
2 (-). The Book of Genesis Illustrated by R. Crumb
3 (-). Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw
4 (-). Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules
5 (-). Diary of a Wimpy Kid
6 (-). The Zombie Survival Guide: Recorded Attacks
7 (+1). Logicomix: An Epic Search for Truth
8 (+1). Watchmen
9 (+3). Bloom County Complete Library Volume 1
10 (+20). Stitches: A Memoir
11 (-). Dilbert: 2010 Day-to-Day Calendar
12 (-5). Tales from the Crypt #8: Diary of a Stinky Dead Kid *
13 (-3). Predators and Prey (Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight, Vol. 5)
14 (+12). V for Vendetta
15 (+10). Batman: The Killing Joke
16 (+6). Asterios Polyp
17 (+1). The Complete Peanuts 1971-1974 Box Set
18 (-3). The Complete Calvin and Hobbes
19 (R). The Best American Comics 2009
20 (-6). Masterpiece Comics
21 (N). The Secret Science Alliance and the Copycat Crook
22 (+6). R. Crumb's Heroes of Blues, Jazz, & Country
23 (-6). Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
24 (R). The Arrival
25 (R). Batman: Year One
26 (-10). Vampire Knight, Vol. 8
27 (R). The Complete Far Side 1980-1994
28 (-9). Batman: Arkham Asylum (15th Anniversary Edition)
29 (R). The Complete Persepolis
30 (N). Wolverine: Old Man Logan *
31 (R). The Stonekeeper's Curse (Amulet, Book 2)
32 (N). Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic Volume 7 - Dueling Ambitions
33 (-20). Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds HC
34 (+10). Maus II: A Survivor's Tale: And Here My Troubles Began
35 (R). Serenity, Vol. 2: Better Days *
36 (+1). Fables Vol. 12: The Dark Ages
37 (N). Criminal (Deluxe Edition) *
38 (R). The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
39 (-8). The TOON Treasury of Classic Children's Comics
40 (R). Scientific Progress Goes 'Boink': A Calvin and Hobbes Collection
41 (-20). Simon's Cat
42 (R). Dark Tower: Treachery
43 (-4). Mercy Thompson Homecoming
44 (N). Warriors: Ravenpaw's Path #1: Shattered Peace *
45 (R). Bone Volume 1: Out From Boneville
46 (-26). Maus I: A Survivor's Tale: My Father Bleeds History
47 (+2). Time of Your Life (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Season 8, Vol. 4)
48 (-12). Tumor Chapter 1 (kindle)
49 (R). Bone: The Complete Cartoon Epic in One Volume
50 (-23). Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art

Items with asterisks (*) are pre-order items.

N = New listing appearing on list for first time
R = Item returning to the list after having been off for 1 or more weeks

Commentary:

* It's relatively quiet at the top of the chart, with the exception of Stitches leaping back up into the top 10 after last week's momentary blip.

* The highest debut belongs to Eleanor Davis's The Secret Science Alliance and the Copycat Crook, a graphic novel I wager very few of us were even aware of. It's a good reminder of the secret comic book economy...

* Marvel have a relatively good week, with Wolverine: Old Man Logan debuting at #30, Criminal (Deluxe Edition) debuting at #37, and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and Dark Tower: Treachery returning to the list.

* The only manga title to chart is Vampire Knight, Vol. 8.

New Library Comics: July 2009

2009-11-03T14:58:00.002-05:00

Here are the comics we added to our library collection in July (yes, I'm way behind; I'll be catching up over the next several days...):

Adachi, Mitsuru. Tatchi = Touch vols. 2, 7 / Tōkyō : Shōgakukan, 1992-1994.

Adams, Scott, 1957- Stick to drawing comics, monkey brain! : cartoonist ignores helpful advice / New York : Portfolio, 2007.

Akimoto, Osamu, 1952- Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kōen mae Hashutsujo vols. 5, 74, 101 / Tōkyō : Shūeisha, 1977-1997.

Azuma, Kiyohiko. Yotsuba to! vols. 1-5 / Tōkyō : Media Wākusu : Hatsubaimoto Kadokawa Shoten, 2003-

Bagge, Peter. Everybody is stupid except for me : and other astute observations : a decade's worth of cartoon reporting for Reason Magazine / Seattle, Wash. : Fantagraphics Books, c2009.

Bilal, Enki. The Beast trilogy. Chapters 1 & 2. / Hollywood, CA : Humanoids : DC Comics, c2002.

Bliss, Harry, 1964- Luke on the loose : a toon book / New York : Toon Books, c2009

Brown, Jeffrey, 1975- Funny misshapen body : [a memoir] / New York : Touchstone Books, c2009

Chao, Fred. Johnny Hiro : (half Asian, all hero) / Richmond, Va. : AdHouse Books, c2009

Claremont, Chris, 1950- Wolverine / New York : Marvel, 2009.

Corben, Richard. H. P. Lovecraft's Haunt of horror / New York : Marvel, 2008

Cronin, Brian. Was Superman a spy? : and other comic book legends revealed / New York : Plume, 2009.

Fingerman, Bob, 1964- Connective tissue / Seattle, Wash. : Fantagraphics, 2009

Friesen, Ray. Lookit! : comedy & mayhem vol. 1 / Tehachapi, CA : Don't Eat Any Bugs Productions, c2005-

Hazuki, Kanae. Voices of love / [Torrance, Calif.] : Luv Luv Press, 2008.

Hernandez, Gilbert. Luba / Seattle, WA : Fantagraphics, 2009

Hōjō, Tsukasa, 1959- Kyattsu ai = Cat's eye vol. 10 / Hōjō Tsukasa. Tōkyō : Shūeisha,

Ikeno, Koi. Tokimeki tunaito vols. 1, 11 / Tōkyō : Shūeisha, 1998-

Jodorowsky, Alejandro. Megalex bk. 1. The anamoly / Hollywood, Calif. : Humaniods Pub. ; New York : DC Comics, c2005-

Jodorowsky, Alejandro. The Incal. [v.1] The epic conspiracy / Hollywood, Calif. : Humanoids Pub. ; New York : DC Comics, c2005.

Jodorowsky, Alejandro. The Incal. [v.2] The epic journey / Hollywood, Calif. : Humanoids Pub. ; New York : DC Comics, c2005.

Jodorowsky, Alejandro. The technopriests bk. 1. Initiation / Hollywood, CA : Humanoids Pub. ; New York : DC Comics, c2004-

Jodorowsky, Alejandro. The technopriests bk. 2. Rebellion / Hollywood, CA : Humanoids Pub. ; New York : DC Comics, c2004-

Kelly, Joe. Ballast / Los Angeles, Calif. : Active Images, 2005.

Kelly, Walt. Positively Pogo. / New York : Simon and Schuster, [1957]

Kieth, Sam. My inner bimbo / Portland, Or. : Oni Press, 2009.

Kim, Dong Hwa. The color of earth / New York : First Second, 2009.

Kim, Ho-sik. My sassy girl vol. 1. / Fremont, Calif. : ComicsOne, 2003.

Kyle Baker / Raleigh, N.C. : TwoMorrows, 2008

Lasko-Gross, Miss. A mess of everything / Seattle, Wash. : Fantagraphics, 2009.

Love, Jeremy. Bayou vol. 1 / New York : DC Comics, 2009-

Malki, David, cartoonist. Clever tricks to stave off death / Los Angeles, Calif. : Wondermark Enterprises ; Milwaukie, Or. : Dark Horse Books, 2009.

Matsumoto, Izumi, 1958- Kimagure orenji rōdo vol. 8 / Tōkyō : Shūeisha, 1991-1992.

Milligan, Peter. Johnny Nemo : existentialist hitman of the future vol. 1 / Somerville, MA : Cyberosia Pub., c2002-

Monath, Norman. Songs of the Pogo / New York : Simon and Schuster, c1968

More than mortal vol. 1 / [S.l.] : Liar Comics, 1998-

Morioka, Hiroyuki. Seikai trilogy v. 1. Crest of the stars / Los Angeles : Tokyopop, c2004

Morioka, Hiroyuki. Seikai trilogy v. 2. Banner of the stars. The shape of bonds / Los Angeles : Tokyopop, c2004.

Muth, Jon J. The stonecutter / New York : Feiwel and Friends, 2009

Niles, Steve. Freaks of the heartland / Milwaukie, Or. : Dark Horse ; London : Diamond [distributor], 2005

Nilsen, Anders, 1973- Monologues for calculating the density of black holes / Seattle, WA : Fantagraphics, 2008.

Nishi, Yoshiyuki. Muhyo & Roji's Bureau of Supernatural Investigation, BSI vol. 1 / San Francisco, CA : Viz Media, [2007]-

Northeast, Christian. Prayer requested / Montreal, Quebec : Drawn & Quarterly, 2009.

O'Reilly, Sean. Ezra : Egyptian exchange / [British Columbia] : Arcana Studio Inc., 2005.

Okano, Reiko, 1960- Yōmi henjō yawa vols. 1-2 / Tōkyō : Heibonsha, 1999-2001

Ottaviani, Jim. T-minus : the race to the moon / New York : Aladdin, 2009.

Ploy, Anne. Transgenesis 2029 : fides / Hollywood, CA : Humanoids/DC Comics, 2004-

Poe, Edgar Allan, 1809-1849. The raven and other poems / New York : Papercutz, 2009

Pope, Paul. 100% / New York : DC Comics/ Vertigo, c2009.

Power, Natsu Onoda. God of comics : Osamu Tezuka and the creation of post-World War II manga / Jackson [Miss.] : University Press of Mississippi, c2009

Raiti, Ashly. Mark of the succubus vol. 1 / Los Angeles, CA : Tokyopop, Inc., 2005-

Rall, Ted. Silk road to ruin : is Central Asia the new Middle East? / New York : NBM, c2006

Robinson, James. London's dark / London : Titan Books, 1989

Saito, Takao. Golgo 13 vol. 1 / San Francisco, CA : VIZ Media, c2006-

Schultz, Mark, 1955- The stuff of life : a graphic guide to genetics and DNA / New York : Hill and Wang, 2009

Shimizu, Toshimitsu. Maico 2010 vol. 1 / Femont, Calif. : Comics One, 1997-

Shipman, Gary. Pakkins' Land. Paul’s adventure / Plymouth, MI : Caliber Comics, c1997.

Shuster, Joe. Secret identity : the fetish art of Superman's co-creator Joe Shuster / New York : Abrams ComicArts, 2009.

Stearn, Ted. Fuzz & Pluck in Splitsville pt. 2 / Seattle, WA : Fantagraphics, [2001?-

Tannenbaum, Felix. Chronicles of some made / Denver, CO : Passenger Pigeon Publishing, 2008

TenNapel, Doug. Power up / Berkeley, Calif. : Image Comics, 2009

Tezuka, Osamu, 1926- Black Jack : Best ... stories vols. 1-2 / Tōkyō : Akita Shoten, Heisei 5-15 [1993-2003]

Tezuka, Osamu, 1928-1989. Hi no tori vols. 4-5 / Tōkyō : Kadokawa Shoten, Heisei 4 [1992]

Tezuka, Osamu, 1928-1989. Tetsuwan Atomu = Mighty Atom vols. 1-2 / Tōkyō : Kōdansha, 2002.

Warren, Adam. Dirty pair : dangerous acquaintances / Milwaukie, OR : Dark Horse, 1997

Winick, Judd. The big book of Barry Ween, boy genius / Portland, Or. : Oni, 2008

Wolverton, Basil, d. 1978. Basil Wolverton's Powerhouse Pepper / Seattle, WA : Fantagraphics Books, c1994

Yamanaka, Akira. Spider-Man J. Japanese daze / New York : Marvel, 2009

As always, this listing is available as an RSS Feed.

Cartoonist Detained at Border

2009-11-02T10:07:00.003-05:00

Over the past week cartoonist Jorge Cham has been sharing in his online comic PhD the true story of how we was recently detained at Heathrow airport when trying to enter the UK to give a series of lectures:

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

Definitely worth reading, especially if you're into Kafka-esque legal nightmares.

Monkey Covers

2009-11-01T07:11:00.002-05:00

Sunday is Monkey Covers day here at YACB. Because there's nothing better than a comic with a monkey on the cover!

It's time for the ape uprising on the cover of Tibor #77 (1967).

(Standard disclaimer about revolting gorillas not really being monkeys applies.)

Image courtesy of the Comic Book DB. Click on the image for a larger version.

Trick or Treat

2009-10-31T09:16:00.012-04:00

A Happy Halloween Ten of a Kind (with apologies to everyone's favorite Little Stuffed Bull)

Friday Night Fights: Captain America vs. Bank Robber

2009-10-30T16:33:00.002-04:00

from Avengers Classic #4 (2007). Art by Michael Avon Oeming. Story by Dwayne McDuffie.

Who has Feet of Fury? Cap!

(click pic for larger)

Amazon Top 50

2009-10-30T09:37:00.002-04:00

Here are the Top 50 Graphic Novels on Amazon this morning. All the previous caveats apply.

1 (-). Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days
2 (-). The Book of Genesis Illustrated by R. Crumb
3 (-). Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw
4 (+1). Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules
5 (-1). Diary of a Wimpy Kid
6 (-). The Zombie Survival Guide: Recorded Attacks
7 (N). Tales from the Crypt #8: Diary of a Stinky Dead Kid
8 (-1). Logicomix: An Epic Search for Truth
9 (-). Watchmen
10 (-2). Predators and Prey (Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight, Vol. 5)
11 (+6). Dilbert: 2010 Day-to-Day Calendar
12 (-1). Bloom County Complete Library Volume 1
13 (+18). Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds HC
14 (+1). Masterpiece Comics
15 (+6). The Complete Calvin and Hobbes
16 (N). Vampire Knight, Vol. 8 *
17 (+13). Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
18 (+17). The Complete Peanuts 1971-1974 Box Set
19 (-5). Batman: Arkham Asylum (15th Anniversary Edition)
20 (+13). Maus I: A Survivor's Tale: My Father Bleeds History
21 (+1). Simon's Cat
22 (+2). Asterios Polyp
23 (N). Black Bird, Vol. 2 *
24 (-11). 14 Years of Loyal Service in a Fabric-Covered Box: A Dilbert Book
25 (-2). Batman: The Killing Joke
26 (-10). V for Vendetta
27 (R). Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art
28 (-16). R. Crumb's Heroes of Blues, Jazz, & Country
29 (-2). Jack of Fables Vol. 6: The Big Book of War
30 (-20). Stitches: A Memoir
31 (-11). The TOON Treasury of Classic Children's Comics
32 (+17). The Umbrella Academy: Dallas
33 (+14). B.P.R.D. Volume 11: The Black Goddess
34 (-5). The Sandman Vol. 1: Preludes and Nocturnes
35 (-10). The Walking Dead, Vol. 10: What We Become
36 (-). Tumor Chapter 1 (kindle)
37 (R). Fables Vol. 12: The Dark Ages
38 (N). Negima!: Magister Negi Magi, Vol. 24
39 (-20). Mercy Thompson Homecoming
40 (N). Pride and Prejudice
41 (R). Hellboy Library Edition Volume 3: Conqueror Worm And Strange Places
42 (+4). Maximum Ride: The Manga, Vol. 2 *
43 (N). Scalped Vol. 5: High Lonesome
44 (R). Maus II: A Survivor's Tale: And Here My Troubles Began
45 (R). Batman: The Long Halloween
46 (-16). The Cartoon History of the Modern World, Part 2: From the Bastille to Baghdad
47 (R). The Sandman Vol. 3: Dream Country
48 (-22). Naruto, Volume 46
49 (R). Time of Your Life (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Season 8, Vol. 4)
50 (N). Fables Deluxe Edition Vol. 1

Items with asterisks (*) are pre-order items.

N = New listing appearing on list for first time
R = Item returning to the list after having been off for 1 or more weeks

Commentary:

* Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days slips a bit more down to #7 on the overall list, with R. Crumb's Genesis not much further away at #12; but with Genesis's first print now sold out, we might see it slip a good deal unless a second printing can be put out soon (buyers tend to shy away when Amazon says availability is '1 to 3 months').

* The highest debut, at #7, comes as a bit of a surprise; perhaps the Wimpy Kid parody cover is giving Tales from the Crypt #8 a push?

* Three manga debuts hit the chart this week. Other debuts are Marvel's Pride and Prejudice collection; the latest Scalped collection, and (squeaking in at #50) a Fables deluxe hardcover.

* I'm just as mystified by Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds shooting up the Amazon charts as you are.

Halloween Mega-mix

2009-10-28T15:48:00.002-04:00

Here's a mix of Halloween music I put together using 8tracks.com

Monkey Covers

2009-10-25T16:50:00.002-04:00

Sunday is Monkey Covers day here at YACB. Because there's nothing better than a comic with a monkey on the cover!

A horde of red-eyed monkeys threatens on Les McClaine's cover to The Middleman #4 (2005).

Image courtesy of the Comic Book DB. Click on the image for a larger version.

Amazon Top 50

2009-10-23T07:23:00.002-04:00

Here are the Top 50 Graphic Novels on Amazon this morning. All the previous caveats apply.

1 (-). Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days
2 (+3). The Book of Genesis Illustrated by R. Crumb
3 (-1). Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw
4 (-1). Diary of a Wimpy Kid
5 (-1). Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules
6 (+1). The Zombie Survival Guide: Recorded Attacks
7 (-1). Logicomix: An Epic Search for Truth
8 (-). Predators and Prey (Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight, Vol. 5)
9 (+1). Watchmen
10 (+2). Stitches: A Memoir
11 (-2). Bloom County Complete Library Volume 1
12 (N). R. Crumb's Heroes of Blues, Jazz, & Country
13 (+17). 14 Years of Loyal Service in a Fabric-Covered Box: A Dilbert Book
14 (+12). Batman: Arkham Asylum (15th Anniversary Edition)
15 (+29). Masterpiece Comics
16 (-). V for Vendetta
17 (+4). Dilbert: 2010 Day-to-Day Calendar
18 (+11). Absolute Death
19 (+1). Mercy Thompson Homecoming
20 (R). The TOON Treasury of Classic Children's Comics
21 (+17). The Complete Calvin and Hobbes
22 (N). Simon's Cat
23 (+9). Batman: The Killing Joke
24 (-6). Asterios Polyp
25 (-3). The Walking Dead, Vol. 10: What We Become
26 (-11). Naruto, Volume 46
27 (N). Jack of Fables Vol. 6: The Big Book of War
28 (-5). The Cartoon History of the Modern World, Part 2: From the Bastille to Baghdad
29 (R). The Sandman Vol. 1: Preludes and Nocturnes
30 (+3). Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
31 (N). Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds HC *
32 (+5). The Best American Comics 2009
33 (-6). Maus I: A Survivor's Tale: My Father Bleeds History
34 (-6). Batman: Year One
35 (-21). The Complete Peanuts 1971-1974 Box Set
36 (-17). Tumor Chapter 1 (kindle)
37 (R). Astonishing X-Men Omnibus
38 (R) Parker: The Hunter
39 (N). The Wolverton Bible
40 (+7). Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood
41 (-6). Marvel Encyclopedia
42 (-11). The Complete Persepolis
43 (+5). The Arrival
44 (-2). The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz HC
45 (N). Captain America: Road to Reborn *
46 (N). Maximum Ride: The Manga, Vol. 2 *
47 (N). B.P.R.D. Volume 11: The Black Goddess *
48 (N). Scientific Progress Goes 'Boink': A Calvin and Hobbes Collection
49 (-9). The Umbrella Academy: Dallas
50 (-14). Stephen King's Dark Tower: Treachery

Items with asterisks (*) are pre-order items.

N = New listing appearing on list for first time
R = Item returning to the list after having been off for 1 or more weeks

Commentary:

* Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days fell to #4 on the overall bestsellers list (due in some part to the Amazon-Walmart book price war which is pushing some hardcovers down to just $9) but that's still plenty enough to keep it at #1 on the Comics & Grpahic Novels chart. The Book of Genesis Illustrated by R. Crumb is at #16 on the overall chart, while the other Wimpy Kid volumes check in at #43, #51 & #64.

* Following on the heels of his Bible adaptation, R. Crumb's Heroes of Blues, Jazz, & Country is the highest debut at #12. The Wolverton Bible pops in at #39, no doubt also riding the underground-cartoonist's-bible-adaptation zeitgeist.

* Simon's Cat, apparently a cartoon book based on a series of YouTube videos, debuts at #22; the latest Jack of Fables debuts at #27 & Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds debuts at #31. Four more collections peek in with debuts near the bottom of the list.

Monkey Covers

2009-10-18T16:17:00.002-04:00

Sunday is Monkey Covers day here at YACB. Because there's nothing better than a comic with a monkey on the cover!

Stupor Duck defeats Gruesome Gorilla on Dave Alvarez & Mike DeCarlo's cover to Looney Tunes #170 (2009).

(Standard disclaimer about gorillas who can be beaten up by ducks not really being monkeys applies.)

Image courtesy of the Comic Book DB. Click on the image for a larger version.

Amazon Top 50

2009-10-16T12:34:00.002-04:00

Here are the Top 50 Graphic Novels on Amazon this afternoon. All the previous caveats apply.

1 (-). Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days
2 (+1). Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw
3 (+3). Diary of a Wimpy Kid
4 (+1). Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules
5 (+2). The Book of Genesis Illustrated by R. Crumb *
6 (-4). Logicomix: An Epic Search for Truth
7 (-4). The Zombie Survival Guide: Recorded Attacks
8 (+1). Predators and Prey (Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight, Vol. 5)
9 (-1). Bloom County Complete Library Volume 1 *
10 (-). Watchmen
11 (+23). Maus II: A Survivor's Tale: And Here My Troubles Began
12 (+18). Stitches: A Memoir
13 (+31). Hellboy Library Edition Volume 3: Conqueror Worm And Strange Places
14 (+13). The Complete Peanuts 1971-1974 Box Set
15 (+11). Naruto, Volume 46
16 (+32). V for Vendetta
17 (N). The Amazing Spider-Man Pop-Up: Marvel True Believers Retro Collection
18 (-1). Asterios Polyp
19 (-). Tumor Chapter 1 (kindle)
20 (-2). Mercy Thompson Homecoming
21 (+11). Dilbert: 2010 Day-to-Day Calendar
22 (-). The Walking Dead, Vol. 10: What We Become
23 (-). The Cartoon History of the Modern World, Part 2: From the Bastille to Baghdad
24 (+7). Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art
25 (-9). Fables Vol. 12: The Dark Ages
26 (-13). Batman: Arkham Asylum (15th Anniversary Edition)
27 (-2). Maus I: A Survivor's Tale: My Father Bleeds History
28 (-13). Batman: Year One
29 (R). Absolute Death
30 (-19). 14 Years of Loyal Service in a Fabric-Covered Box: A Dilbert Book *
31 (R). The Complete Persepolis
32 (-18). Batman: The Killing Joke
33 (-21). Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
34 (+1). Berserk Volume 31 *
35 (-7). Marvel Encyclopedia
36 (R). Stephen King's Dark Tower: Treachery
37 (R). The Best American Comics 2009
38 (+2). The Complete Calvin and Hobbes
39 (N). Tee Time in Berzerkistan: A Doonesbury Book *
40 (-3). The Umbrella Academy: Dallas
41 (N). The Complete Peanuts 1967-1970 Box Set
42 (+4). The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz HC
43 (N). Dog Style Volume 3
44 (-23). Masterpiece Comics
45 (R). Yotsuba&!, Vol. 6
46 (-8). Locke & Key: Head Games
47 (+3). Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood
48 (-7). The Arrival
49 (R). Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic
50 (-30). Bloom County: Complete Library Volume 2 *

Items with asterisks (*) are pre-order items.

N = New listing appearing on list for first time
R = Item returning to the list after having been off for 1 or more weeks

Commentary:

* Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days is not just top on the Comics & Graphic Novels charts, it's also the #1 book overall on Amazon. It outsells Sarah Palin & Dan Brown & Stephen King (at the 2, 3, & 4 slots respectively). The Last Straw weighs in at #24 on the overall chart, the first volume is at #44, and Roderick Rules is at #50.

* What to make of the block of #11-16, all of which made huge jumps up the chart this week?

* The highest debut belongs to The Amazing Spider-Man Pop-Up, published by Candlewick. In fact, the only two entries on the top 50 that feature Marvel's super-heroes are published by entities other than Marvel (The Marvel Encyclopedia comes from DK Publishers). I suspect that Marvel's new corporate overlords will have something to say about this state of affairs...

* Other debuts this wee are a Doonesbury collection, an older Complete Peanuts Box Set, and the 3rd volume of Dog Style, which appears to be a Yaoi title.

Peter Kuper at MLibrary, October 29

2009-10-13T11:11:00.002-04:00

An upcoming event here at the University of Michigan Library:

Peter Kuper: Revolutions and Art -- Comics and Political Art and their
Application through History

Ann Arbor, MI: October 29, 7-8:30pm
Hatcher Graduate Library Gallery
913 S. University Avenue
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1205

Monkey Covers

2009-10-11T06:48:00.002-04:00

Sunday is Monkey Covers day here at YACB. Because there's nothing better than a comic with a monkey on the cover!

Why is it that when the gorillas attack old west towns, it's always the nattily-dressed cowboys who pay? So testifies the cover to Ranchserien #9 (1968).

(Standard disclaimer about saloon-climbing gorillas not really being monkeys applies.)

Image courtesy of the Comic Book DB. Click on the image for a larger version.

Friday Night Fights: Melaka Fray vs. Vampires

2009-10-09T16:42:00.002-04:00

From Fray #7 (2003). Art by Karl Moline & Andy Owens. Color by Dave Stewart & Michelle Madsen. Story by Joss Whedon.

Who has Feet of Fury? Fray!

(click pix for larger)

Amazon Top 50

2009-10-09T12:14:00.003-04:00

Here are the Top 50 Graphic Novels on Amazon this afternoon. All the previous caveats apply.

1 (-). Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days *
2 (-). Logicomix: An Epic Search for Truth
3 (+4). The Zombie Survival Guide: Recorded Attacks
4 (-). Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw
5 (-). Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules
6 (-). Diary of a Wimpy Kid
7 (-4). The Book of Genesis Illustrated by R. Crumb *
8 (+13). Bloom County Complete Library Volume 1 *
9 (-1). Predators and Prey (Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight, Vol. 5) *
10 (-). Watchmen
11 (N). 14 Years of Loyal Service in a Fabric-Covered Box: A Dilbert Book *
12 (+4). Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
13 (-1). Batman: Arkham Asylum (15th Anniversary Edition)
14 (-1). Batman: The Killing Joke
15 (+18). Batman: Year One
16 (+3). Fables Vol. 12: The Dark Ages
17 (-2). Asterios Polyp
18 (-9). Mercy Thompson Homecoming
19 (R). Tumor Chapter 1 (kindle)
20 (N). Bloom County: Complete Library Volume 2 *
21 (+20). Masterpiece Comics
22 (-4). The Walking Dead, Vol. 10: What We Become
23 (+19). The Cartoon History of the Modern World, Part 2: From the Bastille to Baghdad
24 (R). Time of Your Life (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Season 8, Vol. 4)
25 (-4). Maus I: A Survivor's Tale: My Father Bleeds History
26 (-6). Naruto, Volume 46
27 (-16). The Complete Peanuts 1971-1974 Box Set
28 (+14). Marvel Encyclopedia *
29 (-2). Astonishing X-Men Omnibus *
30 (-16). Stitches: A Memoir
31 (-). Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art
32 (N). Dilbert: 2010 Day-to-Day Calendar
33 (+10). The Sandman Vol. 1: Preludes and Nocturnes
34 (+9). Maus II: A Survivor's Tale: And Here My Troubles Began
35 (N). Berserk Volume 31 *
36 (+4). Bone: One Volume Edition
37 (N). The Umbrella Academy: Dallas
38 (+2). Locke & Key: Head Games
39 (-11). Batman: The Long Halloween
40 (-15). The Complete Calvin and Hobbes
41 (R). The Arrival
42 (-7). Pokemon: Diamond and Pearl Adventure!, Volume 5
43 (R). Wolves at the Gate (Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight, Volume 3)
44 (N). Hellboy Library Edition Volume 3: Conqueror Worm And Strange Places
45 (R). Freedom's Just Another Word for People Finding Out You're Useless
46 (-20). The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz HC
47 (R). The Long Way Home (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Season 8, Vol. 1)
48 (-10). V for Vendetta
49 (-19). Batman: Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader? Deluxe Edition
50 (-33). Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood

Items with asterisks (*) are pre-order items.

N = New listing appearing on list for first time
R = Item returning to the list after having been off for 1 or more weeks

Commentary:

* A big week for strip collections: The first Bloom County compilation hops up into the top ten, while the pre-order for the second comes in at position 20; And two new Dilbert items debut at #11 & #32, and the previous collection also sneaks back onto the list.

* Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days is at #2 on the overall bestseller list, just behind Dan Brown and just ahead of Sarah Palin. (Where the Wild Things Are is at #10 on the overall list, but is not included on the Graphic Novel chart.)

* The Other debuts this week are the latest volume of Berserk, The Umbrella Academy: Dallas, and Hellboy Library Edition Volume 3.

Monkey Covers

2009-10-04T15:25:00.004-04:00

Sunday is Monkey Covers day here at YACB. Because there's nothing better than a comic with a monkey on the cover!

Grodd unleashes against The Flash on the cover of Flash #193 (2003) by Scott Kolins.

(Standard disclaimer about super-intelligent gorillas not really being monkeys applies.)

Image courtesy of the Comic Book DB. Click on the image for a larger version.

Friday Night Fights: Batman vs. Ra's al Ghul's Goons

2009-10-02T17:12:00.003-04:00

From DC Special Series vol. 2 no. 15 - Batman Spectacular (1978). Art by Michael Golden & Dick Giordano. Color by Cory Adams. Story by Denny O'Neil.

Who has Feet of Fury? Batman!

(click pic for larger)

Amazon Top 50

2009-10-02T12:17:00.003-04:00

Here are the Top 50 Graphic Novels on Amazon this afternoon. All the previous caveats apply.

1 (-). Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days *
2 (N). Logicomix: An Epic Search for Truth
3 (+2). The Book of Genesis Illustrated by R. Crumb *
4 (-2). Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw
5 (-2). Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules
6 (-2). Diary of a Wimpy Kid
7 (-). The Zombie Survival Guide: Recorded Attacks *
8 (+22). Predators and Prey (Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight, Vol. 5) *
9 (-1). Mercy Thompson Homecoming
10 (-4). Watchmen
11 (+11). The Complete Peanuts 1971-1974 Box Set
12 (-3). Batman: Arkham Asylum (15th Anniversary Edition)
13 (+4). Batman: The Killing Joke
14 (-). Stitches: A Memoir
15 (-). Asterios Polyp
16 (-). Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
17 (-6). Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood
18 (-5). The Walking Dead, Vol. 10: What We Become
19 (+1). Fables Vol. 12: The Dark Ages
20 (N). Naruto, Volume 46 *
21 (-11). Maus I: A Survivor's Tale: My Father Bleeds History
22 (+21). Bloom County Complete Library Volume 1 *
23 (-11). The Complete Persepolis
24 (N). Rosario+Vampire, Volume 9 *
25 (-1). The Complete Calvin and Hobbes
26 (R). The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz HC
27 (N). Astonishing X-Men Omnibus *
28 (-5). Batman: The Long Halloween
29 (N). Ultimatum Premiere HC *
30 (-9). Batman: Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader? Deluxe Edition
31 (-12). Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art
32 (-5). The Stonekeeper's Curse (Amulet, Book 2)
33 (-8). Batman: Year One
34 (-3). Angel, Volume 5: Aftermath
35 (N). Pokemon: Diamond and Pearl Adventure!, Volume 5 *
36 (N). The Manga Guide to Molecular Biology
37 (R). The Complete Peanuts, 1973-1974
38 (+6). V for Vendetta
39 (N). The Best American Comics 2009 *
40 (-3). Bone: One Volume Edition
41 (N). Masterpiece Comics
42 (-10). The Cartoon History of the Modern World, Part 2: From the Bastille to Baghdad *
43 (-25). Maus II: A Survivor's Tale: And Here My Troubles Began
44 (-4). Stephen King's Dark Tower: Treachery
40 (-1). Locke & Key: Head Games
42 (N). Marvel Encyclopedia *
43 (R). The Sandman Vol. 1: Preludes and Nocturnes
44 (R). Batman: R.I.P.
45 (-11). Batman: Hush
46 (R). Blankets
47 (-23). Parker: The Hunter
48 (-18). Final Crisis
49 (+1). Halo: Uprising
50 (-17). The Very Silly Mayor

Items with asterisks (*) are pre-order items.

N = New listing appearing on list for first time
R = Item returning to the list after having been off for 1 or more weeks

Commentary:

* A huge debut this week for Logicomix, which jumps right up onto the charts at the #2 position; this is the biggest debut since I started tracking these rankings.

* Not to be outdone, the #1 title, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days, hits #4 on the overall books bestsellers. (Logicomix weighs in at #48 on the overall list.)

* Four manga titles debut this week, including the newest Naruto volume at #20.

* Marvel place five titles this week in the bottom half of the list, including debuts for the Astonishing X-Men Omnibus and the Ultimatum collection; also, the new eidtion of the DK-published Marvel Encyclopedia enters the rankings as well. SO a relatively big week for Marvel.

Amazon Top 50

2009-09-25T12:15:00.004-04:00

Here are the Top 50 Graphic Novels on Amazon this afternoon. All the previous caveats apply.

1 (-). Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days *
2 (-). Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw
3 (+1). Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules
4 (-1). Diary of a Wimpy Kid
5 (+7). The Book of Genesis Illustrated by R. Crumb *
6 (-). Watchmen
7 (N). The Zombie Survival Guide: Recorded Attacks *
8 (-1). Mercy Thompson Homecoming
9 (+6). Batman: Arkham Asylum (15th Anniversary Edition)
10 (-1). Maus I: A Survivor's Tale: My Father Bleeds History
11 (+5). Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood
12 (+7). The Complete Persepolis
13 (+7). The Walking Dead, Vol. 10: What We Become
14 (-9). Stitches: A Memoir
15 (-2). Asterios Polyp
16 (-8). Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
17 (-3). Batman: The Killing Joke
18 (+3). Maus II: A Survivor's Tale: And Here My Troubles Began
19 (-9). Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art
20 (-11). Fables Vol. 12: The Dark Ages
21 (+2). Batman: Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader? Deluxe Edition
22 (-4). The Complete Peanuts 1971-1974 Box Set
23 (+3). Batman: The Long Halloween
24 (-2). Parker: The Hunter
25 (-8). Batman: Year One
26 (+17). The Complete Calvin and Hobbes
27 (+9). The Stonekeeper's Curse (Amulet, Book 2)
28 (+2). American Born Chinese
29 (R). Final Crisis
30 (-1). Predators and Prey (Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight, Vol. 5) *
31 (-7). Angel, Volume 5: Aftermath *
32 (N). The Cartoon History of the Modern World, Part 2: From the Bastille to Baghdad *
33 (+9). The Very Silly Mayor *
34 (R). Batman: Hush
35 (R). Achewood Volume 2: Worst Song, Played On Ugliest Guitar
36 (-11). Yotsuba&!, Vol. 6
37 (+12). Bone: One Volume Edition
38 (+9). The Surrogates
39 (N). Locke & Key: Head Games *
40 (+8). Stephen King's Dark Tower: Treachery
41 (-9). Time of Your Life (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Season 8, Vol. 4)
42 (R). The Sandman Vol. 5: A Game of You
43 (N). Bloom County Complete Library Volume 1 *
44 (-16). V for Vendetta
45 (-5). Fun Home
46 (R). Blankets
47 (R). The Sandman Vol. 4: Season of Mists
48 (R). Bone Volume 6: Old Man's Cave
49 (N). Marvel 1602 Premiere HC *
50 (R). Halo: Uprising

Items with asterisks (*) are pre-order items.

N = New listing appearing on list for first time
R = Item returning to the list after having been off for 1 or more weeks

Commentary:

* The Zombie Survival Guide: Recorded Attacks seemingly charts new way up at slot 7 this week; but I had previously left it off the charts on the mistaken belief that it was not a graphic novel. There's no way for me to go back and correct the old charts, but it's here now.

* The highest actual debut this week belongs to Larry Gonick's The Cartoon History of the Modern World, Part 2. I think I've had mine on pre-order for over a year now...

* Also debuting this week are pre-orders for Locke & Key: Head Games; Bloom County Complete Library Volume 1; and Marvel 1602 Premiere HC.

* Yotsuba&! falls a bit, but is the only manga on the list this week.

* R. Crumb's Genesis is the top non-Wimpy Kid item this week, no doubt helped by the preview that appeared on BoingBoing last Friday.

Amazon Top 50

2009-09-18T13:05:00.001-04:00

Here are the Top 50 Graphic Novels on Amazon this morning. All the previous caveats apply.

1 (-). Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days *
2 (-). Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw
3 (+2). Diary of a Wimpy Kid
4 (+4). Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules
5 (+1). Stitches: A Memoir
6 (+4). Watchmen
7 (-4). Mercy Thompson Homecoming
8 (+7). Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
9 (+4). Fables Vol. 12: The Dark Ages
10 (+1). Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art
11 (+4). Maus I: A Survivor's Tale: My Father Bleeds History
12 (+6). The Book of Genesis Illustrated by R. Crumb *
13 (+1). Asterios Polyp
14 (R). Batman: The Killing Joke
15 (-6). Batman: Arkham Asylum (15th Anniversary Edition)
16 (-12). Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood
17 (-). Batman: Year One
18 (+4). The Complete Peanuts 1971-1974 Box Set
19 (-3). The Complete Persepolis
20 (-8). The Walking Dead, Vol. 10: What We Become
21 (-1). Maus II: A Survivor's Tale: And Here My Troubles Began
22 (+3). Parker: The Hunter
23 (-). Batman: Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader? Deluxe Edition
24 (+22). Angel, Volume 5: Aftermath *
25 (+10). Yotsuba&!, Vol. 6
26 (-5). Batman: The Long Halloween
27 (N). Fullmetal Alchemist, Volume 20
28 (-). V for Vendetta
29 (+20). Predators and Prey (Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight, Vol. 5) *
30 (+2). American Born Chinese
31 (N). The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz HC
32 (+6). Time of Your Life (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Season 8, Vol. 4)
33 (-3). The Complete Peanuts, 1973-1974
34 (N). Classic G.I. Joe Volume 5 *
35 (-11). The Sandman Vol. 1: Preludes and Nocturnes
36 (-7). The Stonekeeper's Curse (Amulet, Book 2)
37 (R). The Manga Guide to Calculus
38 (R). The Sandman Vol. 3: Dream Country
39 (R). Angel: After the Fall, Vol. 4
40 (-14). Fun Home
41 (-22). The TOON Treasury of Classic Children's Comics
42 (N). The Very Silly Mayor *
43 (+4). The Complete Calvin and Hobbes
44 (-2). The Arrival
45 (-18). Tumor Chapter 1 (Kindle)
46 (N). The Best American Comics 2009 *
47 (N). The Surrogates
48 (R). Stephen King's Dark Tower: Treachery
49 (-4). Bone: One Volume Edition
50 (R). The Boys, Vol. 4

Items with asterisks (*) are pre-order items.

N = New listing appearing on list for first time
R = Item returning to the list after having been off for 1 or more weeks

Commentary:

* The University Effect is pretty much done, and the four Wimpy Kid volumes sit atop the list, where I suspect they will reside for quite some time.

* The highest debut belongs to the latest Fullmetal Alchemist volume at position #27. The highest manga on the list is Yotsuba&!, two places higher at #25; it continues to climb the chart as more people discover its awesomeness. Rounding out the manga is the return of The Manga Guide to Calculus.

* The second highest debut belongs to Marvel's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz adaptation, and one of their Dark Tower volumes also returns to the list. IDW score a debut on the list with a batch of former Marvel comics with the latest Classic GI Joe collection. Too bad none of those 5000 Marvel-owned characters that Disney are acquiring make the list anywhere...

* Down near the bottom of the list, the soon-to-be-a-major-motion-picture-starring-Bruce-Willis The Surrogates hops onto the mainstream radar. I suspect that most people seeing the movie will have no clue that it was originally a comic book.

Amazon Top 50

2009-09-11T07:21:00.002-04:00

Here are the Top 50 Graphic Novels on Amazon this morning. All the previous caveats apply.

1 (-). Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days *
2 (+6). Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw
3 (-1). Mercy Thompson Homecoming
4 (-2). Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood
5 (+5). Diary of a Wimpy Kid
6 (N). Stitches: A Memoir
7 (-3). Maus I: A Survivor's Tale: My Father Bleeds History
8 (+9). Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules
9 (+2). Batman: Arkham Asylum (15th Anniversary Edition)
10 (-5). Watchmen
11 (-5). Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art
12 (+6). The Walking Dead, Vol. 10: What We Become
13 (-1). Fables Vol. 12: The Dark Ages
14 (+5). Asterios Polyp
15 (-2). Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
16 (-7). The Complete Persepolis
17 (-1). Batman: Year One
18 (-11). The Book of Genesis Illustrated by R. Crumb *
19 (N). The TOON Treasury of Classic Children's Comics
20 (-6). Maus II: A Survivor's Tale: And Here My Troubles Began
21 (+1). Batman: The Long Halloween
22 (-4). The Complete Peanuts 1971-1974 Box Set
23 (+9). Batman: Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader? Deluxe Edition
24 (R). The Sandman Vol. 1: Preludes and Nocturnes
25 (+4). Parker: The Hunter
26 (-2). Fun Home
27 (-7). Tumor Chapter 1 (Kindle)
28 (-5). V for Vendetta
29 (+2). The Stonekeeper's Curse (Amulet, Book 2)
30 (-3). The Complete Peanuts, 1973-1974
31 (N). World of Warcraft Vol. 2 HC
32 (-11). American Born Chinese
33 (+11). Final Crisis
34 (-9). A.D.: New Orleans After the Deluge
35 (+1). Yotsuba&!, Vol. 6 *
36 (N). Logicomix: An Epic Search for Truth *
37 (-4). Batman: Dark Victory
38 (-4). Time of Your Life (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Season 8, Vol. 4)
39 (-). Serenity, Vol. 2: Better Days
40 (N). Warcraft: Legends Volume 5
41 (N). The United States Constitution: A Graphic Adaptation
42 (-5). The Arrival
43 (R). Mouse Guard Volume 2: Winter 1152
44 (R). Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451: The Authorized Adaptation
45 (R). Bone: One Volume Edition
46 (R). Angel, Volume 5: Aftermath *
47 (-7). The Complete Calvin and Hobbes
48 (-13). The Joker
49 (-21). Predators and Prey (Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight, Vol. 5) *
50 (R). The Sandman Vol. 2: The Doll's House

Items with asterisks (*) are pre-order items.

N = New listing appearing on list for first time
R = Item returning to the list after having been off for 1 or more weeks

Commentary:

* Now that classes are in swing, the University Effect seems to be wearing off. This causes other books (e.g. the Wimpy Kid volumes) to slide back up into the top ten. Watchmen slides down to the #10 slot, which I believe is the lowest it has been since I started keeping track of these charts.

* A very high debut for David Small's Stitches: A Memoir, which goes to show that the surest way to pop up into the top ten is a positive review in the New York Times.

* Other debuts include the Spiegelman- & Mouly-edited The TOON Treasury of Classic Children's Comics; a couple of volumes based on the Warcraft computer games; Logicomix: An Epic Search for Truth, a biography of Bertrand Russell; and The United States Constitution: A Graphic Adaptation, which has been out for a year now.

* The only manga on the list is the pre-order for the latest volume of Yotsuba&!. And Marvel is absent; how long will their new Mouse-eared overlords stand for Marvel's anemic trade program?

Which late comic will we kick around now?

2009-09-10T08:53:00.006-04:00

2009 is a banner year, with both Ultimate Hulk vs. Wolverine & Planetary publishing their long-delayed conclusions.

Which comic will now become the poster child for extremely late comics?

I'm voting for the final issue of Ambush Bug: Year None, which was originally due out in January...

Monkey Covers

2009-09-06T16:49:00.003-04:00

Sunday is Monkey Covers day here at YACB. Because there's nothing better than a comic with a monkey on the cover!

It's Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter vs. Marvel Apes on Ron Lim's monkey variant cover to Anita Blake: The Laughing Corpse - Book One #1 (2008).

(Standard disclaimer about super-hero apes from a parallel universe not really being monkeys applies.)

Image courtesy of the Comic Book DB. Click on the image for a larger version.