PIMPING YOUR INDIES #1

[Mark Blicharz]

PIMPING YOUR INDIES

We all know what DC and Marvel comics are good, but what about the comics from IDW, Top Cow, Dark Horse, Img, etc? This column is going to feature some of the staff’s favorite independent titles that you should be reading. And if you aren’t, Andy is going to come to your house and crack you in the skull with her spiked mace. And if you're into that kind of thing, we'll send Craig dressed as Wonder Woman over.

Andrea Speed’s picks

Criminal

I could try and sell you on Criminal a lot of ways, by saying it’s the best crime comic on the shelves right now, or one of the best hard boiled noir series since Hard Case Crime became an imprint, but that would simply appeal to people who already have a love of the genre. I could say it’s not so much about “criminals” as it is about people who exist in a type of gray zone, neither all bad or all good, but people driven by life, choices, temperament, or circumstances to where they are now, but that hardly pulled in a huge audience for The Wire, did it? So here’s the bottom line: Brubaker is at his best writing about people who live below or beyond the law, trying to stay one step ahead of both the police and their own weaknesses, and Phillips’ art is made for this dark world. It’s a great ‘70’s anti-hero crime film in comic form. Some of the best writing to be found on the shelves today. And if that doesn’t sell you on it, there’s nothing else I can do.

The Goon

You wouldn’t think a comic could whiplash successfully between horror, absurdist humor, and pathos - sometimes all in the same issue - but The Goon is one of those rare comics that can do it, and do so successfully. The tonal shift should be jarring, but most of the time it isn’t at all. Powell has built a universe here where comedy and tragedy can go hand in hand, with grotesque horror side by side with poop jokes, and yet it still manages to work. Be it the pure tragic heartbreak of the Vulture’s story to sidekick Frankie’s latest dirty joke, it all flows together oddly well. And while it can be a real kick in the gut emotionally, it can also be the flat out silliest (and oftentimes creepiest) thing you’ve seen in a while. Powell’s art has improved visibly over the years too, until I’d rank him as easily one of the ten best artists working in comics today. Funny, horrific, and heartbreaking, The Goon has everything you could possibly want in a comic.

Rex Libris

The comic’s premise - a two fisted immortal librarian, who will travel to other planets or dimensions to retrieve overdue books - is inherently silly, and sets you up for a comedy. But there’s so much more to Rex Libris it almost makes you frustrated that the premise can be dismissed so easily. This is a hyper literate, smart dissection of comics themselves, as well as a defense of reading and the treasure troves that are books. Almost anything can happen in Rex, and it usually does. The art is highly stylized, somewhat cubic and always unique, giving it a look that’s like no one else’s on the shelves. While smart, it’s also funny and weird, dipping into everything from pop culture to comic politics, and a whole bunch of things in between. The ultimate tragedy of this all is this is a title not long for this world. While it’s around, pick it up and enjoy it, and see what you missed. The logo on all issues of Rex Libris is “Sapere Aude”, which means “Dare To Know”. A good motto anytime, but you should really get to know this comic before it’s relegated to the shelves of history.

Rex Mundi

Writer Nelson has described this comic as the search for the Holy Grail told as a murder mystery, and I can’t think of a better description, although this only covers the backbone of the plot. Over the years, this series has become an wonderfully intriguing alternate history of Europe, where America never became a world power (thanks to the Confederates winning the Civil War) and the Catholic Church never lost its power, becoming a chilling behemoth that inflicts its will on so many through its enforcers, the masked members of the Inquisition. Magic is real, but not only that, some mythical beasts are real (so far we’ve had a confirmation of vampires and gryphons), and our hero, a disgraced, alcoholic physician named Julien (who is also Jewish, not a good thing to be in this universe’s France) finds himself often outmatched and in the dark. But he’s discovered much in his search, which has increased the danger he’s faced. Was Judas really a good guy who saved Jesus? Did Jesus have descendants, including the Duke of Lorraine, France’s crazed and dangerous leader, who launched a pre-emptive war as part of his plan of regaining Jerusalem? Both a spirited historical digression and a complex conspiracy theory, it also boasts beautiful art thanks to Juan Ferreyra. Anyone who’s a fan of meaty adventure tales should really pick this one up.

Blake Petit’s picks:

PS238

Every kid wants to be a superhero. Fact is, though, the reality may not always match the dream. Aaron Williams's PS238 is the story of an elementary school for super-powered children. Williams works in all the classic superhero archetypes, but he twists them -- the girl who has flight and super-strength feels inferior to the thousands of other heroes with flight and super-strength. Zodon, who wants to grow up to be a super-villain, has a chip implanted to turn his string of profanities into nonsense. The son of the world's most powerful hero just wants to play the clarinet. And then there's Tyler, son of two superheroes, who has no powers at all. Although the book has a fantastic ensemble, Tyler frequently is our star, our viewpoint character, and in many ways is the most heroic of them all. Williams has an uncanny ability to blend true, believable personalities into uber-powered kids and absurd circumstances, from an unplanned field trip to Las Vegas to a full-scale alien invasion. This is, for my money, the funniest, most emotionally powerful, most true superhero comic book being published.

Maintenance

We've all seen the ridiculously complex bases the supervillains always seem to conjure up, right? Full of labs and minions and evil experiments gone terribly awry? Have you ever stopped to think whose job it is to take care of a place like that? Maintenance is the story of Doug and Manny, a couple of janitors and handymen employed by TerrorMax, the home base to the world's nastiest mad scientists. They're just average guys, just there for a paycheck, but they keep getting caught up in the most absurd situations -- hanging out with their buddy the talking Man-shark, fighting a monster made of... well... stuff they'd have to clean up anyway, and trying to save the receptionist from alien abduction. Just another day on the job, really. C'mon, try to find an all-around funnier comic book. I dare you.

Amelia Rules!

Parents out there: listen up. Fact of the matter is, there aren't enough comics out there these days suitable for kids, and a lot of the ones aimed specifically at children... well... aren't very good. Amelia Rules! is the solution. When Amelia McBride's parents got divorced, the fourth-grader had to move away from New York City to the small town where her Aunt Tanner lives. She and her mother had to build a new life here. Fortunately for Amelia, there were plenty of kids her own age to help out. The core of the book is based on these relationships: Amelia's kinda-crush on Reggie, rivalry with Rhonda and bemusement by the kid called Pajamaman. Jimmy Gownley says that this isn't a comic book about childhood, it's about "growing up." As such, the stories he tackles are often much deeper than the average kids' comic. The launching point is a divorce, for Heaven's sake. The book has tackled ideas such as poverty, childhood disease, the realism of Santa Claus, and having a military parent shipping out to a danger zone. What makes this book work, though, is that Gownley approaches all of these topics from the level of Amelia and her friends. The stories aren't scary or depressing, but usually uplifting, giving true life lessons without preaching, moralizing or boring the reader. It really is a comic book about what it means to grow up, and if you've got kids around Amelia's age, you owe it to them to pick these comics up and read them together.

Uncle Scrooge

The classic characters belonging to the Walt Disney company are some of the most beloved and recognizable in the world. Kids have grown up with them for 70 years now. Most of us reading this probably have fond memories of the excellent Ducktales cartoon from our childhood. The star of Ducktales, though, didn't get his start in the cartoons. He was born in the Disney comics. Scrooge McDuck, the richest duck in the world, was created in 1947 by visionary cartoonist Carl Barks, and in the 60 years since then, he's become one of Disney's biggest stars. In his monthly comic you can still see new and classic adventures of Scrooge, Donald Duck, Huey, Dewey, and Louie, crazy inventor Gyro Gearloose, and the occasional appearance by our old pal Launchpad McQuack. The book is produced by a wide array of creators, both from the US and Europe, and like any such book each issue has highs and lows. But whenever you get a Barks reprint, you've got a good issue. The likes of William Van Horn, Romano Scarpa, Daniel Branca and many others make this a consistantly entertaining read. For my money, though, the best issues are those that feature the works of Barks's spiritual successor, Don Rosa. The works of Barks and Rosa (and many of the others, but especially these two) are as good as any superhero or indie comic ever published: beautiful artwork, rich storylines, and true excitement. Under Barks's pen, Scrooge was doing the kind of stuff Indiana Jones does before George Lucas ever picked up a camera, and under Rosa, he's still doing it better than anyone else. You know you love the characters. You'll love these adventures as well.

Terry Verticchio’s picks:
Usagi Yojimbo

It feels like the saga of the Rabbit Ronin has been around forever. This title came out during the funny animal comic craze of the 1980s and it’s really the only one still standing and clocking in at well over 100 issues it also stands above many of the mainstream titles as well. Usagi Yojimbo is the simple tale of the wanderings of a Masterless Samurai in Medieval Japan who happens to be a Rabbit. Usagi himself is of little importance in the grand scheme of things, but great things are always happening to him. Sometimes the fate of the entire nation is in his hands and Usagi only has his sword, his wits and his honour to ensure that good will triumph in the end. Every one who encounters Usagi is touched in some way by his presence. Sometimes for the good, sometimes bad and sometimes fatally. Usagi Yojimbo’s creator Stan Sakai is a master storyteller. His characters are all wonderfully unique and compelling and they all have a story to tell even the villains. While his art is not extravagant, it is extremely rich in detail and the way Stan manipulates the panels for perspective, tone and pacing is beyond compare. If you are a fan of great stories then Usagi Yojimbo is for you.

Bomb Queen

Bomb Queen is the type of character that we all dream of becoming. Of course these dreams occur only after a late night of drunken debauchery that we can barely remember in the morning. BQ is chaos personified anarchy in tight, revealing spandex and we can’t get enough of her ‘shoot-you-in-the-face’ attitude. Jim Robinson has created one of the most despicable villains of the past decade. But he makes this an enjoyable title by adding a healthy dose of coal-black humour and events so over the top that you can’t help but enjoy the ride. At first I didn’t like the character, but after I embraced the fact that the people of New Port City were worse than BQ I found myself rooting for her. The art style is also at the heart of this story. Had the art been more realistic it would have made the graphic nature harder to endure. But what the book comes down to is that you just love to find out how BQ will foil the next attempt by some do-gooder Hero or a nefarious shadowy government agency to bring her down. Because there is nothing better in comics than a clever villain that actually puts her money where her mouth is and God only knows where Bomb Queen’s mouth has been.

ECHO

This title marks Terry Moore’s return to Independent Comics since Strangers In Paradise ended its landmark run. And while at first it may seem that he is creating a straightforward Super Hero comic that is merely the tip of the iceberg. ECHO tells the story of secret military experiment that goes terribly awry. A prototype flying battle suit explodes over the desert causing little droplets of the metal to rain down upon the earth. Julie, a young artist and terribly ordinary person, just happens to be in the area when this occurs and the drops of metal become fused to her body. As can be expected there are those in the government that want it back and will do anything to do so. While it is a Super-hero comic this title retains all of Terry Moore’s subtle style of storytelling, as well as his naturalistic dialogue and his penchant for creating strong female characters at the centre of the action. As well, and I write this without any sense of hyperbole, Terry Moore draws perhaps the finest women in all of comics. They all look natural and real, as well as being beautiful. ECHO is just getting started but the stage is set for another exciting series with strange events and compelling characters delivered by a true master.

Jason Kanno’s picks:
Invincible

Every issue of this book claims, "Probably the Best Superhero Comic Book in the Universe!" Well, it's partly right. Just remove the "probably", and you will have a more accurate description of Invincible. What started out as a decent comic about a young superhero learning to cope new powers has over 50 issues transformed into an epic coming-of-age tale with alien invasions, transdimensional psychopaths, and surprise revelations around every page. Robert Kirkman packs a great deal of action and intrigue into every issue, and props up the awesome cast of characters with fascinating and complex sub-plots. The complexity of the book makes it easy to forget a plot point, but Kirkman has a tendency to smack you across the face with it when you least expect. Invincible also benefits from one of the best and most consistent art teams in comics with artist Ryan Ottley and colorist Bill Crabtree. Since Ottley joined the team at issue #8, the duo have produced the art for every issue which is uncommon these days. Ottley's art is dynamic, natural and quite detailed, and Crabtree's colors are clean, crisp and vibrant. For an indie book, Invincible has a standard of quality unmatched by 90% of its superhero brethren over at the Big Two, and you'd be hard pressed to find someone who's read it and didn't instantly love it.

The Walking Dead

Who doesn't love a good zombie comic? Rotting flesh, terrified yet determined survivors, and the lingering sense of Armageddon make The Walking Dead a gleefully disturbing read. Marvel Zombies' Robert Kirkman cut his teeth for the undead on this gruesome book, and has made one thing painfully clear (mostly to the characters of the book): no one is safe. Kirkman's penchant for the shocking fits this book well because, though you know someone could bite, or get bitten by, the big one at any moment, Kirkman's development of the characters is what keeps you glued to the pages. These doomed souls may not have much to live for, but their lives are certainly compelling as they face a very scary and final dilemma: How do you cope with the end of civilization as you know it? For these folks, mostly with rage, insanity, and unbridled brutality. Charlie Adlard provides the art in an eerie and appropriate black and white setting. You have to give any guy who draws guts and gore like Adlard a nice pat on the back. Every gory death or graphic depiction of the dead or horrific portrayal of the undead walking around biting people only serve to expose the fragility of life and the inhumanity of man.

DMZ

I'm new to this particular title, but I have to say, so far, I'm impressed. War has come to America, and it has found a comfortable seat in the heart of New York City. Series writer Brian Wood sets us up with a radical new img of Manhattan which, though typically associated to many a costume adventurer prowling its skyline, is far less ideal or safe as those patrolled by comic book superheroes. Instead, Manhattan is the demilitarized zone between the two sides of a second American Civil War. The series does not delve deep into the roots of the conflict or even the conflict itself, but focuses instead on marooned journalist Matty Roth and his harrowing exploits on an island Woods described as "equal parts Escape from New York, Fallujah and New Orleans right after Katrina." This cocktail of devastation is skillfully rendered by Riccardo Burchielli who forgoes flash for simplicity and quality. However, the comic itself is anything but simple. American politics and social issues are key components and sources of conflict, and the stories often parallel real life events such as this year's election season. Wood does embraces the touchy political subjects, heightening the drama and forcing readers to do something a lot comics won't: think.

Gabriel Diaz’ picks:
Angel:After the Fall

Joss Whedon ended the final season of Angel with a cliffhanger. The hordes of hell were hot on the heels of the heroes when the credits began to roll and we never knew what happened, until now. Along with Brian Lynch, Joss Whedon has plotted out the events that took place right after that last episode. The tone that was set for the Angel show was dark and this book is no different, with all of L.A. being sent to a Hell dimension and all of the main characters of the show thrust into completely different positions. It's a wonderful romp as they've managed to capture the voices of the characters perfectly and the feel that there's impending doom at every corner jumps off the page. I can't recommend this title enough.

Buffy: Season 8

Buffy Summers unleashed the power of the Slayer to all the potential replacements in the world at the end of her series. With the Sunnydale Hellmouth closed, she was able to move more freely around the world. Now she had hundreds of Slayers at her disposal and nothing to stand in her way. Joss Whedon goes back to the well to continue telling the story of Buffy and the Scoobies. This series is slated to be forty issues and while Whedon is penning some of the stories he's put together a great list of creators to help the series along. Brian K. Vaughn just ended a storyline called No Future For You that focused on Faith and Giles, bringing closure, for the moment, to their two stories. The world is a much different place, the government is not pleased with an army of slayers, her enemies are getting more cunning and there's still sexual exploration that needs to be done. There's a little bit of everything in every issue, much like the original series. Any Buffy fan that isn't picking up this book is definitely missing out.

Locke & Key

Main stream writers have begun to crossover more and more into comics. Joe Hill is not one of those crossovers. Having cut his teeth a few years ago in a Spider-Man Unlimited and having read comics as a kid, he's just coming home. He's best known for Heart Shaped Box his debut novel from last year. However, he's using his horror chops in a wonderfully woven tale about Key House. Where walking through a door sometimes will take not only into another room but also into another dimension or sense of being. The series begins bloody and never ends. The house puts into motion a series of events that brings three siblings into its waiting arms and what they uncover issue by issue is enough to keep you coming back for more. If you like horror and you love a mystery involved as well, you can't go wrong with this gem of a book.

[Wolfwood]

I'm thinking about picking up Bomb Queen, Walking Dead, DMZ, and maybe Criminal up in trades. Locke and Key looks real interesting. I heard great things about Angel and Buffy, but I never watched either show, so I doubt I'll pick them up.

[Ben Lehnsherr]

Originally Posted by Wolfwood

I'm thinking about picking up Bomb Queen, Walking Dead, DMZ, and maybe Criminal up in trades.

Can't speak for DMZ, but you won't regret picking any of those other three in trades or singles. Three really great books.

[Andrea Speed]

I support everyone's choices, but let me get behind shoving Bomb Queen and Angel: After The Fall at you. Adult fun, but fun.

[Jimmie Robinson]

These are all brilliant books across the board.
I am humbled that Comixtreme thought to pimp Bomb Queen among the list.
Rest assured there is more on the way, too.
Because we can all use a side diversion every now and then.

Thanks again, Terry!

[Terry Verticchio]

You know all BQ needs is nice guy to help her settle down and...ah to hell with that...just keep BQ a rigteous ***** and I'll be happy Jim.

Oh yeah...

Everyone has to buy Usagi Yojimbo RIGHT NOW!!!!!!

[Blake Petit]

Originally Posted by Jimmie Robinson

These are all brilliant books across the board.
I am humbled that Comixtreme thought to pimp Bomb Queen among the list.
Rest assured there is more on the way, too.
Because we can all use a side diversion every now and then.

Thanks again, Terry!

Exactly why we love it, Jimmie.

[Ammar Al Subahi]

I wouldn't call neither Image nor Dark Horse "indie", they're pretty much the Minors to DC's and Marvel's Majors.

[Andrea Speed]

Ammar, please play along. Lower selling/lower hype titles, okay?

[Jimmie Robinson]

"So paint your wagon and come along.."

I would surmise the view is different per individual, especially folks who may not see the nuts and bolts side of it. But speaking as guy with the nuts... uhm, nuts & bolts (read: industry bum) I have to agree with mistress Aspeed.

As a side note, I've been told (by a fellow industry guy - who shall remain nameless) that Image Comics doesn't even qualify as a publisher since money is paid on the back end and not upfront. I provided anecdotal evidence to the contrary but his was a claim on company policy and not contracts. To each their own.

But it's apt in this situation, low sellers, low hype (in comparison).
Thus, pimpin' is fine.... at least in my view, Hah!

[Dante Cross]

Im already into Invincible and The Walking Dead. I've heard good things about The Goon, Bomb Queen and Dmz so i might pick them up.

[virtuadept]

I'll pimp some of my favorite indies:

ANGEL After the Fall (IDW) - This is a continuation of the story at the end of Season 5 of the Buffy spin-off TV show, Angel. It's well done, with pretty decent art and good writing. Anyone who liked the TV show should be reading this.

DARK HORSE
Buffy the Vampire Slayer - Just fabulous, it Joss doing what Joss does best. Everyone should be reading this, not just Buffy fans, but especially Buffy fans.

Star Wars Legacy - Set after the end of RotJ, several years later an alien invasion from another galaxy has upset the balance and given a new Sith lord the opportunity to take over the galaxy. The Empire, which had been a force of not-really-evil before the Sith took over are on the run and are one of the factions in vie of control agan. Then there is a new Alliance let by remenents of the Jedi Order. But more importantly, there is Cade Skywalker, a descendent of Luke Skywalker who has amazing power in the Force and may be the key to restoring order to the galaxy once again. This book has fantastic art and fantastic writing. A must read for anyone remotely interested in Star Wars.

Star Wars Dark Times - This is the tale of the time right after Revenge of the Sith (Ep. 3) during the formation and early years of The Empire. It's pretty cool, not quite as cool as Legacy but worth a look if you're craving more Star Wars action.

Star Wars Rebellion - This one is set in between A New Hope (Ep. 4) and Empire Strikes Back (Ep. 5) and is about the Rebel Alliance. This series does involve characters from the beloved original trilogy, so if that's what you love, then that is what you shall receive if you get this book.

Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic - Set hundreds of years before the movies, this series is during a time with the Sith and Jedi are vieing for control of the galaxy. If you played the video games set in this era then you know a lot more about it. Great art, great characters, well worth a read.

Red Sonja (Dynamite Entertainment) - this is worth getting for the covers alone.

Witchblade / The Darkness (TopCow/Image) - The TopCow universe is really starting to have a lot of depth to it and the two flagship titles in it are well worth picking up. Great art, great writing, these books are IMHO too high a quality to be called Indie. This are probably aimed at teens/adults and not appropriate for kiddies.

[Mini]

Originally Posted by virtuadept

I'll pimp some of my favorite indies:

Star Wars Dark Times - This is the tale of the time right after Revenge of the Sith (Ep. 3) during the formation and early years of The Empire. It's pretty cool, not quite as cool as Legacy but worth a look if you're craving more Star Wars action.

And sadly not out again till 2009 I'm having to pick up the Vector tie-ins to get my fix

[Dante Cross]

Originally Posted by virtuadept

I'll pimp some of my favorite indies:

[B]

Red Sonja (Dynamite Entertainment) - this is worth getting for the covers alone.

Witchblade / The Darkness (TopCow/Image) - The TopCow universe is really starting to have a lot of depth to it and the two flagship titles in it are well worth picking up. Great art, great writing, these books are IMHO too high a quality to be called Indie. This are probably aimed at teens/adults and not appropriate for kiddies.

Definetly agree with you for The Darkness i've been following that resently and its great. I havent Read Witchblade or Red Sonja for a while, but im definetly considering getting back into them. Depending on income.