FANTASTIC FOUR/IRON MAN: BIG IN JAPAN #4 cover by Seth Fisher.
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Comicscape - February 8, 2006

I also want to belatedly extend my condolences to the family of artist Seth Fisher, the news of whose death ran the day after last week's column. Fisher's FANTASTIC FOUR/IRON MAN: BIG IN JAPAN came out last week, and he did some work on BATMAN: LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT not long ago. Sadly, Fisher died after falling seven stories off from the roof of a club in Osaka, Japan. The funeral happened in Japan on Saturday, with a memorial service in San Diego for his mother still to be scheduled after she returns. Fisher's last work, a non-fiction children's book with publisher becker&mayer!, will still be released. I offer my heartfelt condolences to his wife, Hisako, and the rest of his family. Now, I give you the letters.

A. Jaye Williams writes, "I couldn't agree more with many key points in this weeks article. In particular is: 'People must overcome negative associations with the peculiarities of the comic industry and embrace sequential art as, not a hobby, but another storytelling medium on par with books, television, and movies.' I've long said that comic books are a medium, not a genre, meaning that comic books don't automatically and only mean 'superheroes'. I've had too many experiences during interviews where the questioner always associates comic books with simply men in tights and women with big--you know whats."

Big whats? Guns? Cars? Help me out, here.

"That's a genre of comic books, not the medium it self. So thanks for making the points you did...Personally, and with some bias I admit, I'd like to recommend the books my sister, Alison Williams, and I have self-published over the last several years through SillWill Press. Though we both love the superhero genre, we purposely stayed away from that with our titles. We saw a lack of epic fantasy out there in the market at the time and wanted to make a mark that way. So, in 1999, we came out with the four-issue miniseries THE SORCERER'S CHILDREN. A black and white fantasy epic. A couple years later, we came out with the sequel THE SORCERER'S CHILDREN: A CONSPIRACY OF SHADOWS. This time we went right to graphic novel -- the whole story at once. Alison did all the art, writing, lettering herself. I helped out in the editorial responsibilities. We also aimed at a large demographic -- both male and female, with an all-ages range. Both series' received some critical acclaim, as well -- even from some industry pros."

There's your plug. Enjoy it. Anyway, I think we need more all-ages, but not necessarily children's, comics. Much to my surprise, I've really enjoyed Brian K. Vaughan's RUNAWAYS, despite the notable lack of bloodshed, boobies, and Frank Castle. As kids grow older, they don't want material obviously for children, but I assume most parents don't want them to read THE PUNISHER just yet. Thus, I like all-ages material that speaks to a wide range. Then again, parents let their kids kill hookers in GRAND THEFT AUTO, so what do I know?

"We also came out with another title last year--this time a graphic novel in full color (which cost us a pretty penny, but we loved the results). A sci-fi action adventure for kids (though I still think many adults would like it too) called THE ADVENTURES OF ASTRODOG. It's a one-shot tale with a flare of the classic 40's sci-fi in it. So, with my added 'bias', I'd like you and your readers to check out our website and get a better look at what SillWill Press is trying do to for the comic book industry and the medium itself--which as any independent company would tell you, isn't easy with the competition of the much bigger names out there. Thanks.

Everybody hear that? I order you to check out SillWill's site and buy all of their books and force them into a fifth printing. I have spoken.

Scott writes, "Hey, I've never written before but I just want to say that I really enjoyed your article on comics for people who don't read comics. As someone who has only started reading comics fairly recently, I know exactly where you're coming from."

Welcome to Crazy Town. Glad you decided to join us. I hope you're not married.

"Many of the books on your list were books that had actually gotten me into comics, WATCHMEN in particular. WATCHMEN is able to make people realize that comics aren't just for kids. After reading that I wanted to read other great comics, and so I read the THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, which really got me into Batman. V FOR VENDETTA and MARVELS also helped me realize that I was a comic book nerd. I also read KINGDOM COME and the problem...is that it's a great book, but extremely hard to understand and enjoy if you don't know much about the DC Universe."

Honestly, I hadn't considered this when I wrote the entry. I was mostly considering the literary and artistic quality of the book. But, I agree, if you haven't read much other DCU stuff, you may not enjoy KINGDOM COME. You weren't the only one to point that out.

"I'd probably be able to enjoy it a lot more now. Another book that I read that wasn't on your list was ROAD TO PERDITION, which I really enjoyed and can easily see a non-comic book reader liking. Anyway, thanks for the article and I will be sure to check out the other books on that list."

ROAD TO PERDITION probably should've been on that list at the end, along with 100 BULLETS, SIN CITY, and a bunch of other things. Honestly, I finished that thing really late and I had to just kill the beast before I stayed up all night writing summaries. I don't mean to excuse any omissions (or shoddy writing), but I put it off later than I should have. Thanks for writing.

COMICSCAPE groupie and resident porn addict Al Brown writes, "I like chicks and I like comic books, which makes me perfectly qualified to suggest comic books that chicks will like. See how that works? Shut up. So here's my Top Five Chick Books, in no order:

1. FABLES. Chicks dig FABLES, and I have proof. But you can't see it. FABLES is about fairytale characters living secretly in New York City. There's some mystery and some adventurin' and some romance and it is swell and I like it. I personally feel that it gets off to a little bit of a slow start and you'd be best served starting with the second trade paperback, ANIMAL FARM, but that's me. This and #3 below are the two ongoing series in this list.
   
2. We3. It's about bunnies! Chicks dig bunnies. Okay, it's about three animals who are modified into cybernetic killing machines, but whatever: one of them is a bunny. (AND IT POOPS BOMBS.) Nearly unanimously voted the best miniseries of last year, We3 is a shortish, self-contained story with absolutely gorgeous art. And as a bonus: Bunnies.
   
3. BIRDS OF PREY. Though it does, admittedly, star a chick who spends most of her time in fishnets, it's also written by one of the best talents in comics (the almighty Gail Simone, on whom I have sort of a crush) and I'd consider it wicked chick-friendly. It's about some superheroes. Who are girls. As far as I can think off the top of my head it's the only mainstream superhero team book starring nothing but chicks, and they totally talk about their emotions and stuff all the time. I hear chicks dig emotions. And bunnies.
   
4. That old standby, SANDMAN. This is like the LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE of comic books: if a girl is just getting into reading, this is the book everyone crams down her throat. I can't deny, though, that it's a pretty sweet book. And without any input from me, my own girlfriend found her way to Neil Gaiman and instantly liked it too. I dunno what it is, but chicks dig this stuff. The series is over, but there are approximately eight million easily-obtainable trades.
   
5. Although this is gonna seem fairly obvious, it's also timely: This week saw the release of SEXY CHIX, a collection of short stories by every chick who's anyone in the comics industry and several who aren't. There's some great stuff in there. Here's some more information about it."
   
   
   

   Thanks, Al. It's good to know that, at least for the time it took you to write all that, the children were safe. Bless you, my son.

   
   

   Brian Short writes, "I think your idea is good, regarding giving newbies a place to begin. But I disagree thoroughly with your list of places to start. A lot of the comics that you mention are great comics, masterpieces even, but a lot of them are so steeped in the world of comics, especially mainstream superhero comics, that, to a beginner, it could really turn some people away, I think. First, you have KINGDOM COME and MARVELS which, while being great, beautiful books, are basically love letters to the history of superhero comics. WATCHMEN and PLANETARY are, at least in part, efforts to deconstruct the narrative tropes and myths (respectively) that underpin superhero comics.

   
   

   I agree that KINGDOM COME, MARVELS, and PLANETARY were probably misplaced on a list for new readers. However, anyone slightly familiar with superheroes could enjoy WATCHMEN, particularly as it occurs in a self-contained continuity. While someone better-versed in superheroes might appreciate it more, the book offers enough to the uninitiated reader to recommend.

   
   

   "PREACHER, THE INVISIBLES, and TRANSMETROPOLITAN are all masterpieces, but they are ambitious efforts to expand the boundaries of the mainstream comic continuum to encompass biblical horror, psychedelics, and snarky journalist science fiction (respectively). If WATCHMEN is deconstruction, then these three titles are RE-construction. The authors are using the tricks of superhero comics (ensemble casts, over-the-top villains, outlandishly mortal predicaments, fantastic powers, barely concealed social commentary, an unexplainable fetish for sunglasses and eye masks) to tell stories with...different content without significantly altering the formula of mainstream superhero storytelling."

   
   

   You can apply that description to other popular entertainment, including HARRY POTTER, BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, and innumerable other works of genre entertainment. Granted, some people hate all of that, but I doubt anyone could convince people like that to read comics, regardless of what one recommends. However, given that more people seem to like genre television and movies than comics, I can't help but think that someone that likes SERENITY or UNDERWORLD might like PREACHER or TRANSMETROPOLITAN. If LAST HOLIDAY and MONSTER-IN-LAW are someone's idea of quality entertainment, I don't know that I could convince them to ever read comics, short of at gunpoint.

   
   

   "There are a few on there that work without any previous contact to comic book tropes: V FOR VENDETTA, FROM HELL, THE CROW, Y: THE LAST MAN, [and] TORSO...[it] gives you your noir without any bullsh-t. Butand I hope I'm not coming across as too subtle but, don't you think you should put a few more titles on the list that aren't just revenge fantasies in pretty packaging?"

   
   

   Oh, come on -- who doesn't love revenge?

   
   

   "Especially if you are trying to get your girl to read some comics, giving them something accessible (not published by DC or Marvel, including Vertigo) is probably a better way to go. Likes to laugh? How about some R. Crumb. Politically active? Art Spiegelman or Joe Sacco. A little zany, a little out there? Seth, all the way. Down to earth? Try some Adrian Tomine. Or Jeffrey Brown. Or Craig Thompson. Or Charles Burns. Or Jason (Scandinavian comics artist). Or, better yet, get her (or him) an anthology (I hate to mention McSweeney's #13 again for fear of sounding like a salesman) so she/he can figure out what he/she likes and can do further exploring on her/his own."

   
   

   Actually, I can vouch for Brian's method. My wife sort-of reads comics now and goes into the shop with me to look around sometimes. She only did it because I harassed her into reading FROM HELL and THE CROW, as well as buying her GHOST WORLD and a few other odds and ends.

   
   

   "Because the truth, as far as I'm concerned (and I think that in everyone's hearts they really agree with me), that only the very best mainstream/hyper-stylized comic books (SIN CITY, Y THE LAST MAN, etc.) are as meaningful as the more honest, less violent comics (UNLIKELY, MOTHER COME HOME). Only the best escape feeling formulaic. Whereas on the fringes (or what were formerly the fringes), KING CAT, BLANKETS, CLUMSY, and MAUS are in a whole different world, man."

   
   

   I love BLANKETS and MAUS, obviously, but haven't read the other stuff you mentioned. I try to give underground comics their due in this column. I review self-published and alternative material all the time. Unfortunately, I don't read as much of it as I'd like to for a bunch of circumstantial reasons. But, I appreciate your suggestions.

   
   

   "You're really going to tell some guy to have his girlfriend read THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS or ELEKTRA: ASSASSIN? Don't get me wrong, these are both great reads, but...you're gonna start there? Anyway: I love your column, and I hope you're doing well."

   
   

   Well, my wife saw both BATMAN BEGINS and ELEKTRA (the movie) with me and I wouldn't call her a raging comic geek or anything. I suppose it depends on the women in question, but, unless she's sensitive to violence or only likes bunnies, I don't think it's that inappropriate. However, as you've pointed out, there are several "slice of life" comics that would probably be better. Not everything is for everyone. Thanks again for writing. That's it for this week, guys. Next week, we help save SPIDER-GIRL. I don't read SPIDER-GIRL, but we're going to help anyway.

   
   

   New This Week
   By Al Brown and Kurt Amacker

   DARK HORSE
   

   Blade Of The Immortal #110 (MR) $2.99
   

   Conan Ltd Variant CVR #24 (MR) (PP #699) $2.99
   Kurt: Yes, this is the naked cover. I already got it. Go ahead and laugh all you want. I got the naked cover.
   

   Little Lulu Vol 8 Late For School TP $9.95
   

   Star Wars Empire #39 $2.99
   

   Star Wars Republic #83 $2.99
   

   Star Wars The Comics Companion TP $19.95
   Kurt: For navigating one of the most complicated continuity in the comics world.
   

   Weta Narnia Girls On Aslan Statue $300.00
   Al: Man, this is the dirtiest-sounding thing I've heard since Diet Pepsi uncovered their new "Brown & Bubbly" ads last Sunday.
   Kurt: It's even worse when you remember that Aslan is a big talking lion. That's just...man, that's wrong.
   

   DC COMICS
   

   100 Bullets #69 (MR) $2.75
   

   Batman Legends Of The Dark Knight #200 (note Price) $4.99
   

   Batman Strikes #18 $2.25
   

   Captain Atom Armageddon #5 (of 9) $2.99
   

   Cipher Vol 2 $9.99
   

   DMZ #4 (MR) $2.99
   Al: Y'know, this just isn't doing it for me so far. It's an interesting idea - civil war turns Manhattan into a hellish no-man's-land - but writer Brian Wood is going heavy-handed with the 9/11 references, and the dialogue is too cliched tough-guy for me. I'm sticking around in case he settles into his groove, but I'm dubious.
   

   Fables #46 (MR) $2.75
   Al: And if you want to give Fables a shot, this is part one of a little two-parter that should be just about perfect for you to see if you like it as much as I do.
   

   From Eroica With Love Vol 6 $9.99
   

   Green Arrow #59 $2.50
   

   Hawkman #49 $2.50
   

   JLA #125 $2.50
   Al: The conclusion of what may have been the weakest arc in the entire Infinite Crisis shebang.
   Kurt: Shebang? She-bang? Man, that sounds kinky.
   

   Jonah Hex #4 $2.99
   

   JSA #82 $2.50
   Al: Paul Levitz takes over from Geoff Johns. Johns was really in a groove, too...I hope Stargirl & S.T.R.I.P.E. stick around. That was fun.
   

   Mad Kids #2 $4.99
   Kurt: I hope Al and his unfortunate bride produce several mad kids, so he can experience some of the pain he brings everyone else. Oh yes.
   

   Majestic #14 $2.99
   

   Musashi #9 Vol 6 $9.99
   

   Neil Gaimans Neverwhere #6 (of 9) $2.99
   Al: a) Not written by Neil Gaiman. b) Written by Mike Carey, the recently-announced future writer of X-Men. So if you were curious about him...here you go. c) Now shipping bi-monthly. So's you know.
   Kurt: Wow, the way you say it makes it sound like nails being hammered into a coffin or something. Jeez, it's just a comic book.
   

   Nightwing #117 $2.50
   Al: Featuring the ubiquitous Deathstroke shootin' some guys. Again.
   Kurt: Wow, how many Infinite Crisis tie-ins could we apply that description to?
   

   Robin #147 $2.50
   

   Scooby Doo #105 $2.25
   

   Showcase Presents House Of Mystery Vol 1 TP $16.99
   

   Silver Age Batman And Robin Statue $195.00
   

   Supergirl #4 $2.99
   

   Supergirl Variant Cover #4 $2.99
   Kurt If you buy this instead of the naked Conan cover, you are gay. I mean it.
   

   Superman #226 $2.50
   

   Teen Titans #32 $2.50
   Al: Wait...this says "Superboy-Prime meets Superboy." Uh, didn't that happen with kind of a bang in Infinite Crisis #4?
   Kurt: Somebody wanted a rematch
   

   Teen Titans Outsiders Death And Return Of Donna Troy TP $14.99
   

   Testarotho Vol 3 (MR) $9.99
   

   Wildcats Nemesis #6 (of 9) $2.99
   

   Wonder Woman Land Of The Dead TP $12.99
   Kurt: I'm guessing George Romero didn't have a hand in this Land of the Dead, but whatever.
   

   IMAGE
   

   Arthur Suydam Poster Book $38.99
   

   Arthur Suydam Poster Book Sgn Ltd ED $275.00
   

   Battle Hymn Farewell To First Golden Age TP $14.99
   

   Bomb Queen #1 (of 4) (MR) $3.50
   Al: Oh, snap! This story of a slutty super-villain who takes over an entire city and apparently does a great job ruling it looked like gallons of fun in the previews. I've been totally psyched about this for weeks. In fact, I'm gonna go ahead and call this the Most Kickassinest Book of the Week.
   Kurt: Slutty? How exactly does she take over the city?
   

   Bone Rest #8 (MR) $2.99
   

   Casefiles Sam & Twitch #22 (RES) (MR) $2.50
   

   Dawn Vol 2 The Return Of The Goddess TP (MR) $12.95
   

   Giant Killer TP $14.99
   

   Girls Conception Poster $7.99
   Kurt: Conception? Man, the double entendres around here.
   

   Greg Land Witchblade Vol 10 CVR Litho $19.99
   

   Guncandy #2 (of 2) (MR) $5.99
   Al: Man, how long has it been since the first one came out? Months. And I gotta be honest: you'd think a psychotic assassin in a schoolgirl uniform is a concept that can't miss, but the first issue of Guncandy was just aight for me.
   Kurt: Just aight, yo?
   

   Invincible #28 $2.99
   Al: I'm kinda unsure about the latest developments with Invincible's father. I suspect there's more to this than we know. I hope so.
   

   Runes Of Ragnan #3 (of 4) $3.50
   

   Witchblade Vol 10 Witch Hunt TP $14.99
   

   MARVEL
   

   Ares #2 (of 5) $2.99
   Al: This is off to a fun start. The premise - the God of War goes to Earth and becomes an overbearing father - sounded like a good idea that would be impossible to pull off. But so far, it's working.
   

   Black Widow 2 #5 (of 6) $2.99
   

   Cable Deadpool #25 $2.99
   

   Essential Peter Parker The Spectacular Spider-Man Vol 2 TP $16.99
   

   Franklin Richards Son Of A Genius Everybody Loves Franklin $2.99
   

   Ghost Rider #6 (of 6) $2.99
   Al: So, this sucked. Sheesh.
   Kurt: I don't think it sucked, but it definitely wasn't as good as it could've been. Oh well.
   

   House Of M Fantastic Four Iron Man TP $13.99
   

   House Of M Uncanny X-Men TP $13.99
   

   I Heart Marvel Web Of Romance $2.99
   Al: I'm just bored with the whole "random one-shots that don't matter" concept. Bored. They're stupid.
   

   Incredible Hulk #92 $2.99
   Al: And here, apparently, is the debut of Planet Hulk. I expected more build-up; I'm glad there wasn't. And here's the really exciting thing: Greg Pak is writing. That dude kicks ass. I am on this story like Justin Guarini on a mall opening in Wyoming.
   Kurt: I'll just pretend I got that last joke, so HA HA HA!
   

   Marvel Adventures Fantastic Four #9 $2.50
   

   Marvel Knights 4 #27 $2.99
   

   Marvel Legacy The 1960s Handbook $4.99
   

   Marvel Monsters HC $20.99
   Kurt: I order you to give your love to Steve Niles and Eric Powell. Buy this.
   

   Marvel Select Flip Magazine #9 $3.99
   

   Marvel Tales Flip Magazine #8 $3.99
   

   Marvel Zombies #3 (of 5) $2.99
   Al: Whee! Silver Surfer v. zombies!
   Kurt: Man, it would suck being a zombie trying to eat that guy. It'd be like munching on tinfoil or something.
   

   Marvel Zombies 2nd Ptg Var #1 (of 5) $2.99
   

   New Thunderbolts #18 $2.99
   

   Powers Vol 9 Psychotic TP (MR) $19.95
   

   Punisher Bloody Valentine $3.99
   Kurt: And I'm just thrilled with this glut of Punisher miniseries and one-shots.
   

   Punisher Max Vol 2 HC $29.99
   

   Sensational Spider-Man #23 $2.99
   

   Son Of M #3 (of 6) $2.99
   Al: The best of the Decimation series reaches the halfway mark as Quicksilver continues to melt down and take everyone he knows with him.
   

   Squadron Supreme #1 Poster $6.99
   

   Ultimate Extinction #2 (of 5) $2.99
   

   Ultimate X-Men #67 $2.50
   

   X-Men #182 $2.50
   Al: The debut of the new Horsemen of Apocalypse. Y'know, I've never cared for Apocalypse as a villain. Him and Mr. Sinister are both kind of annoying to me.
   Kurt: I always thought Mr. Sinister looked like a vampire. More than once, I've been in a comic shop and seen him out of the corner of my eye and I'm like, "Whoa, new Dracula book. Sweet." Then, I look and it's just that tool Mr. Sinister. What a douche bag.
   

   X-Men The 198 #2 (of 5) $2.99
   Al: And this book probably continues to flounder, hamstrung by its focus on the utterly implausible tent city the X-Men set up in their backyard.
   Kurt: Didn't you hear? FEMA quit paying for their hotel rooms.
   

   X-Men Unlimited #13 $2.99
   

   Young Avengers #10 (RES) $2.99
   Kurt: I really blew my wad with that FEMA joke, so just think of something funny here. See you next week.
   

   Questions? Comments? Let us know what you think at comicscape@cinescape.com.