Celebration Day, part one


Well, that day that I've worked so long over the past year finally arrived, and it's been a good one, all in all.

Today, three of the four interview books I created for the launch of Rosen Publishing's new line hit the shelves of comic shops across the U.S. And, unless I'm completely out of the loop, or there's some kind of delay in the shipping process, they should be available at shops in the U.K. later this same week.

To say that I'm both excited and pleased with this long awaited event would be a real understatement. And while some might interpret the experience as somewhat tainted by the fact that one of the books isn't coming out with the rest, I think of it as something which allows me to enjoy this process not once, but twice. A bit like having a limited premiere, followed by general release, in a sense. Double the pleasure, and, ideally, double the fun.

As far as details are concerned, the three books which hit today, along with their Diamond reorder numbers, are:

Neil Gaiman on His Work and Career HC $22.95 [Diamond reorder # JUL073789]

Mike Oeming on His Work and Career HC $22.95 [Diamond reorder # JUL073788]

George Pérez on His Work and Career HC $22.95 [Diamond reorder # JUL073787]

As noted above, the fourth book in the series, Alan Moore on His Work and Career, will be joining these volumes very soon. Seems that there was small production problem with the cover, if memory serves, which meant that it arrived at various distributors after the others. However, I've seen, held and even paged through copies of all four books, and am mightily pleased with the production and printing values of each and every volume.

And it's my sincere hope and belief that, if you pick up any of these books, you'll find more than a few things to enjoy about them. I'm already looking forward to hearing what folks within the comics community have to say about them, and am truly curious to hear what people outside of this small world [and especially librarians and teachers who might encounter them] think of the results.

And that's about all I've got to say today, other than to note that I expect to be posting regularly again from this point on for some time. In fact, I'm hoping to make up a bit for the "lost time" or missed weekly postings with multiple posts in some weeks. So, with that in mind, I'll leave you today with a first installment of what will be a multi-part version of...


What's Bill been reading for the past month+? [for the period of 7-16 to 9-10-07] part A


Jack Kirby's Silver Star
Jack Kirby with Mike Royer and D. Bruce Berry
Image Comics
www.Image.com

I was out of comics completely when the issues of this, one of the few creator owned series bearing Kirby's name, first appeared, chasing my own dreams amidst the ivory towers of academia. I managed to find a few of these issues over the years since that particular dream turned nightmarishly sour, but never did complete the set and so have a chance to experience the King's earthbound Cosmic tale in the manner he meant. So it was with some real excitement that I read this beautifully reproduced and remastered edition. Now, while this might not be for everyone, I enjoyed it thoroughly, warts and all. No, it isn't the best material Jack produced, but it really hasn't deserved some of the dismissive criticism that I've heard thrown at it over the years, either. In fact, in more ways than I'd care to note, it really does read like an early attempt to capture the widescreen action-adventure "Movie on Paper" feeling that so many modern creators have, over the past few years, mined in their own works. Sure, there's some stiff dialogue--well, OK, quite a bit--and a few fairly large plot holes which could easily have been patched or completely avoided; still, it's one of the more enjoyable, and possibly the single most crazed, of Kirby's later works. In the end, I can only say that I really did love spending some time in this world, and will surely return to it again in the future for the sheer joy and madness of it all. And, for someone who, like myself, really enjoys seeing how creators adapt and change their work over the course of its creation to fit within differing molds, comparing the original film treatment [which is how Kirby originally envisioned presenting this tale] with the final graphic novel is not just interesting--it borders on the revelatory. A must for anyone truly interested in Kirby and his work, and of some real interest and use to those looking to learn about adapting their work for various mediums.


Ultimate Galactus Trilogy
Warren Ellis and Mark Millar, with Trevor Hairsine, Steve Epting, Steve McNiven, Tom Rainey, John Romita Jr. and Brandon Peterson
Marvel Entertainment
www.Marvel.com

This big, thick compilation presents Warren Ellis' remarkable reworking of one of the classic tropes from the House of Ideas--the appearance of a literally world-shattering force which seems impossible to resist, much less stop--via a combination of his wild reworking of pulpish sci-fi and widescreen sensibilities. Throughout, he's ably supported by whatever artist is insane enough to accept the challenge of depicting the impossible, the improbable and the outright insane demands Ellis always places upon his collaborators. And the results are, for the most part, wonderful and wonder-filled, with more ideas shed per page than just about any other writer in the mainstream medium at present, save the likes of Grant Morrison and Mark Millar. Even better, Warren's not lost his wicked and supremely sick, telling sense of humor, nor, despite what surface appearances might seem, his belief in the future of mankind.

Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys really strong superhero tales, and those who want to see how one of the best writers today makes old concepts and characters do things they were never meant to do. In fact, it's worth it just for the reimagined Silver Surfer, and his attempt to bite the Ultimate Captain Marvel's head off.


And that's all for now. Expect more soon.