THE BZZZ - 03.14.2012

A quick look at this week's  (03.14.2012) new graphic novels, new comic book series and crossovers that are not to be missed.

TP = TRADE PAPERBACK
HC = HARD COVER

NEW GRAPHIC NOVELS

THE COMPLETE CRUMB TP VOL. 1, EARLY YEARS OF BITTER STRUGGLE

 This long out-of-print first volume of the multiple Harvey and Eisner award-winning Complete Crumb Comics series has been one of our most demanded reprints. Now, this landmark volume of Robert Crumb’s formative years not only returns, but also boasts a major discovery not included in prior editions: a never-before-published, 60 page “home-made”Arcade comic from 1962.

Growing up, Robert and his brother Charles often created their own comic books. These “home-made” editions were usually produced in editions of one. As such, many have been lost to time or private collections. What hasn’t comprises much of the first two volumes of The Complete Crumb series. Their creation continued throughout the 1950s and into the early ’60s and eventually the content of Crumb’s work gradually matured from the light-hearted, funny animal antics of earlier years to stories that flashed signals of what we now recognize as “true Crumb.”
This previously undiscovered Arcade “issue,” from May, 1962, shows many flashes of where Crumb was heading (whereas Charles had all but abandoned drawing comics by the ’60s). The 17-page strip “Jim” is the most emotionally-charged work of Crumb’s young life to that point, a gentle and psychologically astute look at a boy who needs a mother, and also brimming with signs of his increasing frustration with Catholicism. It also features the first quintessential“Crumb girl,” Mabel.
This volume also includes several early Fritz the Cat stories (a.k.a. “Animal Town Comics”), and the classic “Treasure Island Days” (as seen in the Crumb film) and is rounded out with other strips, diary entries and sketches that will be a treasure trove for Crumb fans, all defining work from Crumb’s formative years as a cartoonist, spanning the years 1958-1962 (when Crumb was ages 15-19) and featuring material from other “home-made” comics of the era. This is Ground Zero for a man who may well be the greatest cartoonist who ever lived.

ELEKTRA BY GREG RUCKA,

ULTIMATE COLLECTION TP

Immerse yourself in the world of the Marvel Universe’s most dangerous assassin as acclaimed writer Greg Rucka takes Elektra Natchios — a woman trained in the ninja arts by both the Chaste and the Hand, the epitomes of purest good and foulest evil — on a soul-searching journey into her own mind. Taken hostage by a deadly adversary, Elektra is forced to confront her murderous past and realizes she must change or die. But first, she needs to discover the shocking truth about who has set out to destroy her career — and why! A shaken Elektra decides to amend her murderous ways — but will she be able to reach out for help, and find a life beyond killing and death? Collecting ELEKTRA (2001) #7-22 and material from MARVEL KNIGHTS DOUBLE-SHOT #3.

FLASHPOINT BATMAN



Don't miss this Batman volume collecting BATMAN: KNIGHT OF VENGEANCE #1-3, DEADMAN AND THE FLYING GRAYSONS #1- 3, DEATHSTROKE AND THE CURSE OF THE RAVAGER #1-3 and SECRET SEVEN #1-3. Not a dream, not an imaginary story, not an elseworld. This is Flash Fact: When Barry Allen wakes at his desk, he discovers the world has changed. Family is alive, loved ones are strangers, and close friends are different, gone or worse. It's a world on the brink of a cataclysmic war – but where are Earth's Greatest Heroes to stop it?

GEORGE PEREZ ART OF HC



Desperado and IDW are proud to present a retrospective volume devoted to the entire career of one of today's most popular artists, George Perez. This book offers readers and fans a chance to witness his immense and sensational career from his early days at Marvel to his glory days at DC where he co-created the New Teen Titans, which rivaled the X-Men in popularity at the time, and revitalized Wonder Woman as both writer and artist.

This volume covers his return to the Avengers, as well as his resurgence at CrossGen and his own independent projects. This tome also offers glimpses of previously never-before-seen material from his files and sketchbooks, private commissioned work, as well as beautifully reproduced images of his personal favorites with insights into his life and creative process.

This book is a necessity for any George Perez fan, as well as for anyone who truly appreciates comic books in general.

NEW COMIC BOOK SERIES

AVENGERS ASSEMBLE #1

     

The Avengers Versus The *Brand-New* Zodiac! • One Of The Greatest Avengers Villains Of All Time Gets Reinvented For The Modern Age Just In Time For The Blockbuster Movie Event Of The Summer! • A Perfect Jumping-On Point Featuring The Cast Of The Summer Blockbuster But In Marvel Universe Continuity!   

EXILE ON THE PLANET OF THE APES #1 OF 4

From the team that brought you BETRAYAL OF THE PLANET OF THE APES comes an all new Apes saga! Gabriel Hardman (HULK, AGENTS OF ATLAS) and Corinna Bechko (HEATHENTOWN, FEAR ITSELF: THE HOME FRONT) team up with red hot artist Marc Laming (AMERICAN CENTURY, THE RINSE) to take the fan-favorite franchise to all new heights in this can’t-miss mini-series. With ape society gripped in uncertainty, Doctor Zaius must find a way to unite the warring factions before they rip the city apart. It’s up to one lowly chimp to seek out the famed, disgraced General Aleron deep in the heart of the Forbidden Zone, with a secret that might help — or destroy!

SAGA #1

Y: THE LAST MAN writer BRIAN K. VAUGHAN returns to comics with red-hot artist FIONA STAPLES for an all-new ONGOING SERIES! Star Wars-style action collides with Game of Thrones-esque drama in this original sci-fi/fantasy epic for mature readers, as new parents Marko and Alana risk everything to raise their child amidst a never-ending galactic war. The adventure begins in a spectacular DOUBLE-SIZED FIRST ISSUE, with forty-four pages of story with no ads for the regular price of just $2.99!

SAUCER COUNTRY #1

Arcadia Alvarado, the leading Democratic candidate for President of the United States, says she was "abducted by aliens."As the Mexican-American Governor of New Mexico, she's dealing with immigration, budget cuts and an alcoholic ex. She's about to toss her hat into the ring as a candidate for President in the most volatile political climate ever.But then…a lonely road and a nightmarish encounter have left her with terrible, half-glimpsed memories. And now she has to become President. To expose the truth – and maybe, to save the world.Arcadia's quest is at the heart of this new monthly series from writer Paul Cornell (DEMON KNIGHTS, ACTION COMICS, Doctor Who) and artist Ryan Kelly (NEW YORK FIVE, NORTHLANDERS). With the help of her quirky staff, Arcadia will pursue the truth of her abduction into danger, mystery and awe. SAUCER COUNTRY is a dark thriller that blends UFO lore and alien abduction with political intrigue, all set in the hauntingly beautiful Southwest.

Cheers for reading!