Interesting art and story concepts capture the spotlight in today’s recommendations of new comics!
COWBOY NINJA VIKING DELUXE HC
Creators AJ Lieberman and Riley Rossmo mess around with a fun premise of assassins who can call upon the skills and eccentricities of their triple personalities. It’s the comic that finally put the art of Riley Rossmo in front of my face. I’ve been following his projects ever since.
www.imagecomics.com/comics/series/cowboy-ninja-viking
rileyrossmo.com
DEPT OF MONSTEROLOGY 1 of 4
From Renegade Arts Entertainment. I knew nothing of this comic prior to this week’s release schedule but have since learned that it’s getting nice coverage on various sites. You can find interviews and previews on their site to learn more.
www.renegadeartsentertainment.com/dept-of-monsterology
FABLES ENCYCLOPEDIA DELUXE EDITION HC
No way I can pass up a Who’s Whoesque collection like this. I’m not even reading the series, but I must have this to add to my trivia resources collection.
www.vertigocomics.com/graphic-novels/fables-encyclopedia-deluxe-edition
JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY VOL.2 tpb: SEEDS OF DESTRUCTION
Putting this trade on here first and foremost for the art of fill-in artist Pepe Larraz and series artist Valerio Schiti. This tpb collects the second (and final) story featuring Sif and the return of Beta Ray Bill and it is beautiful. I wasn’t impressed with how the first story arc ended, and even this story ends a bit too nice and neat, but there’s no denying the quality of the art in this trade. I would be happy to see Schiti’s artwork on a higher-profile series or on a project that really allowed him to stretch beyond the monthly deadline format of mainstream books. Quality stuff here.
valerioschiti.tumblr.com
marvel.com/comics/collection/47220/journey_into_mystery_featuring_sif_vol_2_seeds_of_destruction_tpb_marvel_now_trade_paperback
MISERY CITY GN
Another project I’m unfamiliar with. The premise doesn’t completely grab me, but the artwork by Vassilis Gogtzilas is worth a look. It was from a Markosia comic that I discovered Fiona Staples and Josh Hagler – I’m curious to see if Gogtzilas will continue to be on my radar after this project.
www.markosia.com/titles/misery-city
PRETTY DEADLY 1
This is the gem I’ve been waiting on featuring the artwork of Emma Rios (is it any wonder why I would be interested?). I have most of Emma’s projects in my collection. Her style reminds me of a smoother, more fluid version of another Spanish artist, Esteban Maroto. I look forward to seeing the reactions to this comic. And someday I have to edit and publish the written interview I conducted with Emma way back in 2010 when she wasn’t yet comfortable enough with doing podcasts. Of all of today’s suggestions, this is the one I most want people to check out.
www.imagecomics.com/comics/series/pretty-deadly
steinerfrommars.tumblr.com