Mike Spring
What’s New in Home Video & Pop Culture: Graphic Novel Spotlight
I recently received a box in the mail that was overflowing with graphic novels from Mad Cave, Papercutz, and Maverick. It’s taken me a few weeks to get through them all, but I thought it would be fun to do a special edition of What’s New in Home Video & Pop Culture to celebrate all this creativity! So without further ado, I present to you the What’s New in Home Video & Pop Culture: Graphic Novel Spotlight!
In this column:
- Flash Gordon: The Girl From Infinity
- Dick Tracy: Volume 2
- Gatchaman: Only One Earth & Gatchaman: The Solo Adventures
- Three Thieves: Tower of Treasure Books 1 and 2
- The Ghost of Wreckers Cove
- Princess Gwenevere and the Jewel Riders
- Double Booking: When and Where Wolf?
- Nostalgia
- Spectrum
Flash Gordon: The Girl From Infinity
The Book:
Comic book superstar author Margeurite Bennett brings her talents to the YA graphic novel world with the new Flash Gordon: The Girl From Infinity, an imaginative and exciting new take on the sci-fi stalwart. In this book, Flash Gordon is a teenage girl, one who has no memory of who she is, while Dale Arden is a teenage boy who has been tasked with protecting what’s left of Earth on an Ark-like ship. Together, they encounter the evil Merciless emperor on a new planet, and some familiar – yet new and fresh – Flash Gordon faces show up as well.
This is a really interesting new interpretation of Flash Gordon. It’s not for die-hard Flash Gordon fans, however, at least not the more traditional ones. I’m pretty familiar with the world of Flash Gordon, and this really is a new paradigm. It’s squarely aimed at kids, and it features a diverse cast of characters of all genders and orientations. It’s also definitely aimed at readers other than people who are already Flash Gordon fans. But it’s fast-paced and the story never lets up, and I would guess many younger readers will have no idea what it’s based on.
The artwork by Bev Johnson is perfect. It fits both the sci-fi trappings of the story but also has the classic YA style that is cartoonish but not in a cartoony way, if that makes sense. It’s simple yet pleasing to look at, and her storytelling skills are excellent.
The Specs:
- Publisher: Papercutz
- Format: Softcover or Hardcover
- Page Count: 128 pages
- Cover Price: $12.99 (SC)
The Wrap Up:
Flash Gordon: The Girl From Infinity is clearly meant to be the first in a series of new books (there is a bit of a cliffhanger ending, be forewarned), and I think younger readers especially will dig it.
Dick Tracy: Volume 2
The Book:
When I was a kid, I became slightly obsessed with Chester Gould’s Dick Tracy comic strips. Most likely fueled by a fascination with the impending (at the time) Warren Beatty Dick Tracy movie, I dove into the world of the chisel-jawed detective and his colorful rogue’s gallery of villains. Gould’s strips were at once simple and refined, rudimentary yet inventive.
Over time, my affinity for Dick Tracy became more of a background appreciation than a full-on fandom, but I’ve always had a fondness for the character. So when Mad Cave Studios announced a while back that they had acquired the Dick Tracy license, I was pretty excited. After a solid first volume, Dick Tracy: Volume 2 ups the ante and is an even more exciting ride!
This time around, there’s a serial killer on the loose, which always makes for a juicy story and is something different than we’re used to seeing Dick Tracy take on. Writer Alex Segura crafts a fast-paced mystery tale, while artist Geraldo Borges captures the moodiness of the events without going too dark for a character who does, after all, wear a bright yellow trench coat. The book doesn’t revel in grisly violence, but it doesn’t shy away from a little blood either. This definitely isn’t for kids, but former Dick Tracy-obsessed kids like me should eat it right up!
The Specs:
- Publisher: Mad Cave Studios
- Format: Softcover
- Page Count: 128 pages
- Cover Price: $8.99
The Wrap Up:
Dick Tracy: Volume 2 builds nicely off of the set up in Volume 1. While I always recommend starting at the beginning, this one works well enough as a stand-alone volume that you could jump right in if you wanted to.
Gatchaman: Only One Earth & Gatchaman: The Solo Adventures
The Books:
I should disclose that I’m not the most well-versed person when it comes to the Gatchaman universe. I have vague recollections of watching a few episodes of the Americanized version, Battle of the Planets, when I was a kid, but that’s about it. So I’m not coming into these two books with an encyclopedic knowledge of the franchise, but that doesn’t seem to have had too much of an impact.
Gatchaman is a group of bird-themed superhero ninjas in a sci-fi setting. In Only One Earth, the team goes up against bad guy Berg Katse, who has found a way to jeopardize the psychic link between pilots and mechs. It’s written by Tommy Lee Edwards with artwork by Nuno Plati. The Solo Adventures, meanwhile, collects three stand-alone tales written by Edwards and Steve Orlando, with art by Plati, Mindy Lee, and Ricardo Robaldo.
I found both books to be entertaining. I think I preferred the solo adventures a little bit more, simply because I like the nature of the one-and-done stories, but both are solid. I will say that I think it helps to be a Gatchaman fan to begin with, as I spent some time trying to figure out who was who and what was what, but I think for franchise fans both of these books will be a great ride.
The Specs:
- Publisher: Mad Cave Studios
- Format: Softcover
- Page Count: 112 pages each
- Cover Price: $17.99 each
The Wrap Up:
Gatchaman continues to have a strong fan base and Mad Cave is fulfilling those readers’ desires for more material with these two books and others in the line. Check them out if you gotta have Gatchaman.
Three Thieves: Books 1 and 2
The Books:
I love, love, LOVE Three Thieves! Having devoured both of the first two volumes, I already can’t wait for more. Written and drawn by Scott Chantler, the first volume, Tower of Treasure, introduces us to circus acrobat Dessa, whose twin brother was kidnapped by a mysterious man when she was young. When they arrive in the royal city, Dessa teams up with fellow circus performers Topper and Fisk to rob the royal treasury, but Dessa hopes she’ll find more than riches; she hopes she’ll find her brother.
The second volume, The Sign of the Black Rock, continues the story of the three friends and their quest. I don’t want to say much about the story because I don’t want to spoil any of the events at the end of the first book, but suffice it to say they come up against a big bad guy and more secrets are revealed. It’s also just as good as the first volume.
Scott Chantler is a magician on the page. Not only are his stories fast-paced and fun, but they’re emotionally fulfilling and engaging. Add to that his delightful artwork, which brings to mind artists like Zander Cannon and Jeff Smith, and there’s nothing not to like about these books.
The Specs:
- Publisher: Papercutz
- Format: Softcover
- Page Count: 128 pages each
- Cover Price: $8.99
The Wrap Up:
Three Thieves may technically be considered younger readers graphic novels, but I highly recommend them for readers of any age who like a good dose of adventure and fun in their lives!
The Ghost of Wreckers Cove
The Book:
I really didn’t know what to expect from The Ghost of Wreckers Cove. The press info indicates its aimed at younger readers, but it also has a look and feel to it that says this isn’t entirely kids’ material either. I’m not sure what the marketing angle for the book is, and I can honestly say that I don’t care, either, because what I can say without a doubt is that I really enjoyed this book.
Written by Angelica Del Campo with artwork by the single-named Liniers, the story follows Cristina and Martha, two young sisters, whose father moves them to live next to a deserted lighthouse in Maine. Lonely after the loss of their mother and struggling with the isolation that comes from having no wi-fi, the two begin to explore and make friends with a local girl, who may or may not be a ghost. From there, things get even more intriguing, but I don’t want to spoil the unraveling of the mystery for you.
Right from the start, the story had me hooked. Del Campo’s writing style allows for the characters to breathe and develop, but also makes you like them (albeit in different ways) right from the start. And she does a good job of giving each of them a distinct personality. Martha is a young girl, full of hope and excitement. Cristina is a jaded teenager, surly and exasperated. Even their dad is trying hard to be positive about the new situation but also overwhelmed by being a widowed dad. Once you add in the ghostly mystery, you’re hooked. And Liniers’ artwork is outstanding, detailed and full of personality, with a touch of an old-fashioned style that evokes a real mood. Terrific stuff.
The Specs:
- Publisher: Papercutz
- Format: Hardcover or Softcover
- Page Count: 192 pages
- Cover Price: $22.99 (HC) / $14.99 (SC)
The Wrap Up:
The Ghost of Wreckers Cove is an outstanding book for readers of all ages, whether adult or younger. It’s an engaging and endearing story with a great mystery, realistic characters, a good sense of humor, sharp dialogue, and cracking artwork. Once I picked it up, I couldn’t put it down. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Princess Gwenevere and the Jewel Riders: Volume 2
The Book:
Okay, so I’m clearly not the target audience for this young readers graphic novel that looks like a cross between the aforementioned Gatchaman, She-Ra and My Little Pony. But does that mean I can’t enjoy a tale of magic and friendship? Of course not! Now, apparently, this series of graphic novels is an update of a ‘90s animated series. I’ll be honest, I have absolutely zero recollection of this being a cartoon show. While it’s geared for younger viewers, adults who remember the ‘90s show might enjoy reading it or reading it with their own kids!
In this volume, we return to the events in the lives of Gwenevere, princess of Avalon, and her friends Fallon and Tamara, who keep the magical land safe as Jewel Riders. Now, Merlin is gone and magical outbreaks are happening across the kingdom, and a defeated foe from the past might be behind the mischief.
Princess Gwenevere and the Jewel Riders is written by Jordie Bellaire, who has been an incredibly talented and award-winning colorist in the comic book world for many years. She’s also a writer, which is her duty on this book, so while she authors the book, the art is by Koi Carreon, and it fits the storyline perfectly. It has an anime-esque style that is not heavy handed and balances whimsy and action equally well. The bright colors also make the book visually appealing. Younger readers should find a lot to like here.
The Specs:
- Publisher: Maverick
- Format: Softcover
- Page Count: 128 pages
- Cover Price: $14.99
The Wrap Up:
Despite my lack of familiarity with Princess Gwenevere and the Jewel Riders – and the fact that I’m not a 12-year-old girl – I still found this book an enjoyable adventure story. It’s definitely worth checking out if you like any of the properties I mentioned above.
Double Booking: When and Where Wolf?
The Book:
Double Booking: When and Where Wolf? is a pretty unique graphic novel for middle-grade readers. Not only is it a supernatural mystery/comedy, but it’s also a flip book, with two takes on the same story (but also sort of a continuation from one half to the other). Even more unique…? The story, about a brother and sister investigating a possible werewolf incident on a cruise ship, features two halves that are each written by a real-life brother and sister!
Yes, siblings Chas Pangburn and Kim Shearer each took lead on co-writing one of the two halves of the story. Chas does lead duties on the half that focuses on younger brother Otto, while Kim takes main writing duties on the half told from the perspective of Nan, the older sister. Nic Touris provides the art for both halves, but amazingly, he even modifies his style to fit each half, with a more edgy, teenage-feeling style for the Nan chapter, and a cleaner, more kid-like style for the Otto chapter.
The book is a compelling story about two siblings on a cruise ship for a week where their father is the captain, and Otto begins to suspect his dad is a werewolf. As the story progresses, there are several pages devoted to educational topics (like how a cruise ship works) that are seamlessly blended into the narrative. There are even fun novelties like a search-and-find page that fit right into the story. After you read Otto’s story, the book flips, and you see the events from Nan’s perspective. To keep from being repetitive, though, Nan’s story also continues the events after the end of Otto’s half, so you get a much fuller and lengthier tale, not just the same story twice from different perspectives. The whole thing is a lot of fun.
The Specs:
- Publisher: Papercutz
- Format: Softcover or Hardcover
- Page Count: 144 pages
- Cover Price: $12.99 (SC) / $17.99 (HC)
The Wrap Up:
Apparently this is the second volume in the Double Booking series, but I picked it up and read it without even realizing that until I was done, so you can jump in straight away with Volume 2 or you can go back and pick up Volume 1 first. Either way, I think you’ll really enjoy the experience.
Nostalgia
The Book:
Scott Hoffman and Daniel Zezelj bring us this new graphic novel from Mad Cave Studios that takes rock and roll and celebrity and mixes it with metaphysical elements and science fiction to craft an intriguing tale.
I’m not sure that I fully understood the story here, so I’m going to let the official synopsis fill you in: “A reclusive rock star receives a mysterious package that forces him to face both his past and a resistance movement that represents all of the ideals he had once stood for.In a world where fame can consume the soul, a once-revered musician has chosen isolation over the limelight. But when an unexpected package arrives at his doorstep, he’s thrown into a whirlwind of memories, regret, and a rebellion that seeks to rekindle the ideals he abandoned. NOSTALGIA is a raw and thrilling exploration of celebrity, redemption, and the power of music.”
Here’s what I’ll say about Nostalgia: I think it’s a great book for a different audience than me. I loved Daniel Zezelj’s artwork, and the various nods to the visuals and iconography of the pop music industry are fantastic, especially for a pop culture devotee such as myself. The story is a bit too offbeat for my tastes, however. Scott Hoffman (AKA Babydaddy, the award-winning composer and musician behind the Scissor Sisters) is creating something artistic here, but I just couldn’t always connect with what was going on. People who like their media a little less narratively driven and a little more esoteric will really dig this book, though.
The Specs:
- Publisher: Mad Cave Studios
- Format: Softcover
- Page Count: 160 pages
- Cover Price: $14.99
The Wrap Up:
While Nostalgia wasn’t for me personally, I do think it’s a well-crafted book that looks absolutely gorgeous. Check it out if you like stories that are a little more off the beaten path.
Spectrum
The Book:
Now, not to repeat myself, but a bit like Nostalgia above, Spectrum is an absolutely gorgeous book that left me scratching my head. Written by Rick Quinn with absolutely mind-blowing artwork by Dave Chisholm, I honestly can’t tell you what this book is about. If Nostalgia above was a little too out there for me, Spectrum is on a whole other planet.
Here’s the official plot detail: “Melody Parker is losing her mind. She’s living on the streets of Seattle during the WTO protests of 1999. She is seeing things. Androids. Aliens. Pigs in high fashion. And a creature named Echo—one of the Sustained: elemental beings with the power to alter reality through music. She invites Melody to join her as she brings about the end of the world. As Melody tries to escape this strange woman, suppressed memories from across vast spans of time flood into her awareness, bringing her very identity into question.”
I’ll be honest, in very short order reading this book, I had no idea what was going on. This isn’t a book designed to be read and easily digested; it’s meant to reach deep into your soul and make you reconsider the universe. And I’m just not built for that. I could sit and stare at each page for minutes and soak up Chisholm’s gorgeous detailed artwork, but the narrative – such as it is — never penetrated my brain. Again, I think there is absolutely an audience for this book, I’m just clearly not it.
The Specs:
- Publisher: Mad Cave Studios
- Format: Softcover
- Page Count: 152 pages
- Cover Price: $19.99
The Wrap Up:
I don’t want anyone to think I’m saying bad things about Spectrum; honestly, I think it’s just too deep and ethereal of a book for the kind of reader I am. Give it a look see, and if the complex nature of the story appeals to you, check it out.
