Signed, Sealed and Delivered

Another too-long absence, I know. Again, there are very good reasons for that state of affairs, as I've mentioned before. However, I can now freely talk about why I've been missing from this venue so much for the past four-plus months.

On Monday, the 21st of May, 2007, I signed a contract with Rosen Publishing. This deal covers a series of interview books collecting my past conversations with four comic creators--Alan Moore, Neil Gaiman, George Pérez and Mike Oeming--and represent the first volumes in Rosen newly christened Talking with Graphic Novelists series. All of these books are already prepped and fully approved by both myself and the subjects. Even better, some of them are already on their way to the printer. Which means that they should be readily available for their scheduled August, 2007 release dates.

[And for those wondering, yes, the Alan Moore volume is a spruced-up version of the long-sold out Alan Moore Spells It Out volume originally published under the Airwave imprint. All the other interviews, which were previously published in a variety of magazines or on long-defunct websites, are appearing in book format for the first time.]

To say that it's been a very long, and often hard road from conception to birth of these babies would be a bit of understatement. Still, I am convinced that they've been worth all of the sweat and toil, and have already been hearing from both the publisher and others that others seem to agree with that assessment.

And, perhaps best of all, while these books will be offered to comic shops via Diamond Comics' Previews, the primary customers for these books are the library and institutional [i.e. schools] markets. So these books will be available to one of those groups that I really am passionate about reaching: the present and future "civilian" readers scattered across North America.

But that's not to say that the general book reader will be shut out from buying these books if they so wish. In fact, Rosen has already begun the process of offering these puppies via Amazon.com and other online channels. For proof, simply click on any one of the following links:

Neil Gaiman http://www.amazon.com/Gaiman-Career-Talking-Graphic-Novelists/dp/1404210784/ref=sr_1_1/102-7769374-2978540?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1177608868&sr=1-1

Alan Moore http://www.amazon.com/Moore-Career-Talking-Graphic-Novelists/dp/1404210776/ref=sr_1_1/102-7769374-2978540?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1177608916&sr=1-1

George Pérez http://www.amazon.com/George-Perez-His-Work-Career/dp/1404211381/ref=sr_1_68/103-2673820-2003021?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1177218994&sr=1-68

Mike Oeming http://www.amazon.com/Michael-Oeming-Talking-Graphic-Novelists/dp/140421075X/ref=sr_1_1/102-7769374-2978540?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1177609046&sr=1-1

So that's what I've been doing for so long and was unable to talk about. Not exactly dealing with "State Secrets" and covert actions, but still pretty exciting in itself.

Nor should that give you the idea that I'll now be living a life of leisure. Quite the contrary, as there's even more books and other projects in the works, all of which will keep me busy through the rest of '07, and none of which I can really talk about yet.

But I will, sooner than later, tell you all about these other things as I'm able to. Until then, I'll be attending BookExpo America in New York City over the first weekend of June, and doing my best to get back to blogging more regularly hereabouts, and getting my interview column for WorldFamousComics.com, Baker's Dozen, back on a regular schedule.

Which signals that it's time for...


What's Bill been reading lately?

[Covering the period between May 1st through the 27th, 2007]


Miki Falls: Spring
Mark Crilley
Harper Teen
www.HaperTeen.com

This first volume of a new trilogy by the creator of Akiko is a sheer joy to read. Essentially a shojo [or girl's manga] about the titular character's growing fascination--some might say obsession--with a handsome but stand-offish teen boy who appears in Miki's senior year, it combines the best of that genre's characteristics with Crilley's strengths at visual and verbal storytelling to create an engaging, easily read tale with some hidden depths and truly surprising secrets. A really impressive and gorgeous book, with my highest recommendations for those who dig manga, and particularly for those who are interested in marrying the best of Eastern and Western sensibilities in their own comics.


The Wonder Clock
Howard Pyle with verses by Katherine Pyle
Starscape
www.Starscapebooks.com

When I was growing up, Howard Pyle's illustrations entranced me in any number of childhood favorite illustrated books. Easily understandable, especially when one realizes how visceral and real the worlds become with the aid of his lovely line- and lush brushwork. But Pyle was equally adept at creating arresting and entrancing verbiage, with his seemingly-simple tales achieving the same kind of "realness" as his graphite and ink endeavors. The Wonder Clock, then, is a real treat, combing as it does his visual and verbal capabilities in a series of twenty-four tales [one for each of the day's hours] that mix classic fairy tale tropes with his own ideas, resulting in stories which are simultaneously familiar and freshly-minted, and newly reborn. If you're looking for an example of how to rediscover and represent the wonders which have seem to have grown stale in the constant retelling, you need look no further than this volume.

The Green Lantern Archives volume 3
John Broome, Gil Kane, Murphy Anderson and Joe Geilla
DC Comics
www.DCcomics.com

Reprinting issues # 14 through 21 of the venerable Silver Age cosmic cop series, this archive is another prime example of what makes DC's Emerald Warrior so very special to so many readers. Yeah, some of the "science" veers towards the fantastic, if not directly into the realm of fantasy, but it's easy to forgive and forget all that and simply bask in the glorious visual and verbal storytelling this book re-presents.


Agents of Atlas
Jeff Parker and Leonard Kirk
Marvel
www.Marvel.com

This big and satisfying hardcover reprints not only the entire Agents of Atlas miniseries, but also the original appearances of the titular characters first appearances in various Atlas [Marvel's original company name] from the halcyon days of the mid-50s Atomic Age of comics. Jeff Parker and Leonard Kirk have done their very best to present a story that is entertaining, exciting and a true mystery, all the while having a blast themselves. I honestly had a blast while reading this collection, and look forward to rereading it sometime in the future for the sheer joy of it. Recommended for just about anyone who enjoys a good, rip-roaring yarn--and particularly to those who have wondered where all the good, old fashioned superheroes comics have gone. Those good folks need look no further than this book for a good example of just that.


Marvel Masterworks: The Human Torch volume 1
Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Larry Lieber and Dick Ayers
Marvel
www.Marvel.com

This volume reprints the wonderfully goofy Human Torch solo stories from issues # 101 to 117, along with Annual # 2 the Silver Age era Strange Tales magazine that Johnny Storm shared with Dr. Strange for a time. Perhaps not the best examples of the inherent greatness that the Lee-Kirby team was capable of, but these are some extremely fun, and even funny, comics.


Marvel Masterworks: The Invincible Iron Man volume 4
Stan Lee and Gene Colan
Marvel
www.Marvel.com

This hefty volume re-presents ol' Shellhead's adventures from Tales of Suspense # 84 through 99, the transitional Iron Man and Sub-mariner # 1 one-shot special, and Iron Man # 1 in all their glory. Stan and Gene had really hit their stride in the tales reprinted in the preceding volume, and they only continue to build on that momentum in this collection. Some real classic stories are contained herein, tales that others have drawn upon to create their own tales featuring old Shellhead. A wild ride that's as invigorating and interesting as when these tales were first released forty-odd years ago.


All-Star Superman volume 1
Grant Morrison and Frank Quietly, with Jaime Grant
DC Comics
www.DCcomics.com

Collecting the first six issues of a brilliant re-imagining of the Man of Steel, one which builds upon the foundations of a legend even as it adds its own flourishes, as editor Bob Schreck notes in his intro, this book contains pure and magical comics storytelling. Quite simply, a must read book for everyone interested in the medium, and particularly for those who have any interest in the superhero genre or the Man of Tomorrow.


The EC Archives: Weird Science volume 2
Al Feldstein, Wally Wood, Harvey Kurtzman, Joe Orlando
Gemstone Publishing
http://www.eccrypt.com/

Collecting issues 7 through 12 of this beloved SF series, this is where it all really comes together. As Feldstein's editorial and writing workload increased with the addition of more titles to the EC publishing slate, the call went out for new artists to join the fold, and for those who were already engaged to step up and increase their own output and involvement. This resulted in the flowering of Wally Wood, and the introduction of Joe Orlando as a solo artist, among many other crucial developments. And everyone, particularly the reader, won. Brilliant, chilling and thoughtful fun comics which are essential to the understanding of how the medium, and the culture surrounding it, became what it is today. If you buy only one book from this list, it probably should be this one.

And that's it for now, I think. But, as time and energy present themselves, I'll be adding short reviews of the books I read over the "silent" months of March and April, 2007, listed below.


What's Bill been reading?

[during the months of March and April, 2007]


The Action Heroes Captain Atom Archives volume 1
Joe Gill and Steve Ditko, with Rocke Mastroserio and Dave Kaler
DC Comics
www.DCcomics.com

Reprinting the first two runs of Charlton Comics' Captain Atom from Space Adventures # 33 through40 and 42, along with Captain Atom # 78 to 82, these tales are alternately powered by the miracles of radioactivity and driven by the horrific spectre of nuclear annihilation presented by cold war politics and atomic era one-up-manship. While this might not necessarily be a "must buy" book, it certainly is a fine example of later mid-career Ditko.


The Man Who was Thursday
G. K. Chesterton
Dover


Whispers of the Dead
Peter Tremayne
St. Martins Minotaur
www.MinotaurBooks.com


The Invention of Hugo Cabret
Brian Selznick
Scholastic Press
www.Scholastic.com


Nightmare at 20,000 Feet
Richard Matneson
Tor
www.Tor.com


Stories of Your Life and Others
Ted Chiang
Orb
www.Tor.com


Vacuum Diagrams
Stephen Baxter
HarperPrism
www.HarperPrism.com


Two-Fisted Tales volume 1
Harvey Kurtzman and others
Gemstone Publishing
http://www.eccrypt.com/


Tales from the Crypt volume 2
Al Feldstein and others
Gemstone Publishing
http://www.eccrypt.com/


Glacial Period
Nicolas De Crecy
NBM Comics Lit
http://www.nbmpub.com/


Alias the Cat!
Kim Deitch
Pantheon Books
www.PantheonBooks.com


Doug TenNapel's Gear
Doug TenNapel
Image
www.ImageComics.com


Little Lulu: April Fools volume 11
Little Lulu: Leave It to Lulu volume 12
Little Lulu: Too Much Fun volume 13
Little Lulu: Queen Lulu volume 14
John Stanley and Irving Tripp
Dark Horse
www.DarkHorse.com


Wally Wood's M.A.R.S. Patrol/Total War
Wally Wood
Dark Horse
www.DarkHorse.com


The Exterminators
Simon Oliver and Tony Moore
Vertigo
www.VertigoComics.com


Abraxas and the Earthman
Rich Veitch
King Hell Press


The Acme Novelty Library volume 16
The Acme Novelty Library volume 17
Chris Ware
Farrar, Strauss and Giroux/Drawn and Quarterly distributors.


Marvel Zombies
Robert Kirkman, Sean Phillips and Arthur Suydam
Marvel
www.Marvel.com


Marvel Masterworks: Doctor Strange volume 3
Roy Thomas and Gene Colan
Marvel
www.Marvel.com


Marvel Masterworks: Daredevil volume 4
Stan Lee and Gene Colan
Marvel
www.Marvel.com


Marvel Masterworks: Tales to Astonish featuring Ant-Man and Giant-Man volume 1
Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Don Heck and Larry Lieber
Marvel
www.Marvel.com


The Metal Men Archives volume 1
Robert Kanigher with Ross Andru and Mike Esposito
DC Comics
www.DCcomics.com


The Plastic Man Archives volume 8
Jack Cole
DC Comics
www.DCcomics.com


The Seven Soldiers of Victory Archives volume 1
Mort Weisinger, Bill Finger and Jerry Siegel, with George Papp, Hal Sherman, Mort Meskin, Creig Flessel, Jack Lehti, Fred Ray and Ed Dobrotka
DC Comics
www.DCcomics.com

Selling an Englishman by the Pound

Yeah, yet another break which lasted too long. Again, not due to me being lazy or a wish to abandon this forum for my thoughts. Rather, the time has been really flying by as I completed work on a total of four [4!] books which--if all goes according to my and other good people's plans--will be released later this year.

However, there is another reason why I haven't updated this blog for such a long time. Simply put, the deal itself [read "contract"], while all but a certaintainty, is not set in stone. Meaning that nothing's signed yet, and there's what would appear to one final round of negotiations to endure before everything's finalized before I can finally, with good and clear conscience, announce it here and elsewhere. And with that in mind I've been waiting for this happy event to occur before I wrote what I planned to be my next entry. A bit foolish in hindsight, of course. Especially since I have been not only doing a lot of thinking about Ur-plots and other lit-crit business, but also have been reading up a storm. Bottom line: I'm waaaaaay behind on not only blogging, but also on reviewing what I've read.

So, I've decided to just jump back into these waters and write about what I've read in the past month and a half, so that I won't be facing a small mountain of books to talk about here. Because, as past experience in this area has shown, it simply becomes nigh impossible to do it all, and even more difficult to do those books I do manage to discuss real justice. All of which means that I'll be trying to do several posts a week for the foreseeable future, playing catch up and trying to perhaps even get a bit ahead of myself, so that I can spend some time talking about why "old ideas" aren't necessarily a bad thing if used imaginatively in a new context, among many other topics.

But first, a bit of self promotion and marketing business.

I've recently finalized my plans to attend the Book Expo America 2007, which will be taking over the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City the first weekend of next month, from Friday the 1st through Sunday, the 3rd of June. This will be only the second convention I've attended this year, which is a phenomenally small number for yours truly, and I am more than a little excited about attending it for a number of reasons.

Chief among those reasons is the fact that this show, unlike most comic-centric conventions, is mainly geared towards the professionals who work in the various fields and genres in the larger publishing world, and I'll be there trying to get some new projects placed with the proper publishers. And, no, I can't really talk about those new projects for a variety of reasons, but rest assured that I will happily and prominently announce them asap here. Add in the fact that I'll be hanging out with good people like Joel "Tripwire" Meadows, John "Last Kiss" Lustig, and the "God of Art" himself, David Michael Beck, among many others, and you've got a pretty good picture of why I'm looking forward to this event.

So if you're planning on being at the Book Expo, or in the NYC area during that period, don't hesitate to let me know that fact. It'd be great to see a bunch of people I've missed over the past two or three years, ever since I decided to refocus my energies and attention, and stopped attending twelve to fifteen shows a year. [And, no, that's not a typo; I really did attend a minimum of 12, and often 15 or more cons a year--every year--for the better part of a decade.]

Also, and perhaps just as important, a small cache of the long sold out Airwave edition of Alan Moore Spells It Out has recently resurfaced, leading to my decision to offer fifty of them as part of a special package with my latest book, Alan Moore's Exit Interview. I've signed fifty [50] copies of each volume, and they're being sold on a first come, first served basis via http://www.pmkane.com/moore/moore.htm. That set will set you back $25.00 American, plus shipping and handling. Unsigned copies of Exit Interview are also available, separately and at the cover price of $10.00 plus s/h, via that same link.

And that's enough shilling for one day. Now it's time for a quick look at...


What's Bill been reading over the past month-plus...

[Between 3-19-07 to 4-30-07]

Farewell Summer
Ray Bradbury.

Dandelion Wine, Bradbury's fictionalized autobiography of his boyhood, has always had a special place in my heart. Aside from being a compendium of wonderful tales, vignettes and remembrances which culminate in a truly magical manner, it's always been, for me, the quintessential Bradbury novel. Now, after fifty years of plying his craft in a variety of genres, mediums and media, the Master of Midwestern Magical Realism returns to Green Town to chart the final course of Douglas Spaulding's coming of age. The resulting book is, by turns, funny, frightening, touching, and always pure and true. And just like summers of yore, too quickly lived and gone. At least in this case, as with its predecessor and the rest of Ray's backlist, we can always relive it by taking down off the shelf and rereading it.

Not only does Farewell Summer serve as a worthy successor to an acknowledged masterpiece, it could easily serve as a fitting capstone to this beloved National Book Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning author's distinguished and justly-acclaimed career. This is required reading, particularly for those who fail to see the wonder which imbues the world around us...as well as any/everyone who harbors their own dream of becoming a good writer of any form of literature, including comics.

Farewell Summer
Ray Bradbury
William Morrow
www.harpercollins.com


And that's it for today. Expect to see more very, very soon.

Now go play in the sun. That's what I plan to do right now, myself.