Hello! My name is Lenny Schwartz and I am a playwright from RI and New York.
And I’m a life long comic book fan.
I am so happy to write about comic books.
So without further adieu, here goes!
Fight Club 2 # 1-10
Written by Chuck Palahniuk and Illustrated by Cameron Stewart
Published by Dark Horse Comics
The sequel to the book and the film Fight Club has come to comic books!
But is it any good? I have to say I had concerns when first announced. Then I found out Cameron Stewart was announced for the artist. At that point, I was in. Stewart is a creative force and I love him. So how did this book fare?
Well, it’s fantastic. If you loved the first story in the film or book? Read this. Palahniuk writes a hell of a tale. I will say it’s as Meta as the first and probably even more so. Don’t expect a usual sequel. It’s insanity. Insanity in a comic book. I couldn’t take my eyes off of it.
The book starts ten years after the original Fight Club. Tyler Durden has been at rest…or has he? That’s all I want to say. Read it. See what you gather from it. Then read it again. Palahniuk writes a compelling comic book and Stewart is a genius on the art. I can’t imagine another artist on this. It’s great.
The only thing I would say is read all ten issues at once or wait for the trade. It’s best read sitting down all at once like I did. This is a genius book. Pick it up.
Rating: A
Narcopolis: Continuum # 1-4
Written by Scott Duvall and Illustrated by Nicolas Chapuis and Ralf Singh
Published by Heavy Metal
I have not seen the film this comic book is based on. So I went in brand new to the Narcopolis world. I wasn’t sure what to think but hey you have to try new things. I’m glad I did, however. This was pretty damn good.
In the near distant future, genius inventor Ben creates the ultimate drug. A drug that takes you through time. Ben uses it to uncover the truth behind his father’s disappearance 20 years ago.
I really enjoyed the way Duvall introduced us to the characters in a natural way. It was smart and well done. The art wasn’t as strong as the writing for me, but it was still fairly decent. It was mostly the coloring, not the drawing itself, that I didn’t like.
But the story is strong enough to make you care and be consistently surprised. I liked this book very much. Now I want to see the movie!
I love a good independent comic book series when done right. And this was done right. Pick up a copy and enjoy! You’ll be glad you did. Heavy Metal always puts out interesting material. Now they have a new addition to their roster.
RATING: B+
The Multiversity Deluxe Edition
Written by Grant Morrison and Illustrated by Jim Lee, Cameron Stewart, Ivan Reis, Frank Quietly, Chris Sprouse and many more
Published by DC Comics
This was my favorite comic book series in quite a long time. Grant Morrison basically takes what we know about comic books and inverts it. The results are spectacular. Some of Morrison’s output of late has been scattered quality wise. This is the stuff dreams are made of.
This book is nuts. Basically it’s a companion piece or a sequel of sorts to Final Crisis. This explores a crises affecting the Multiverse…it involves the reader. And it’s another mind trip from Morrison. It shows what happens on earth’s we forgot about. I couldn’t it down. From Jim Lee’s version of the Nazi Superman, to Captain Carrot returning, I was enthralled.
There is a classic in the bunch however. All of it was very good, but Pax Americana is brilliant. It’s a take on Watchmen, but using the original characters from the Charlton heroes. It’s stunning. The whole comic goes backwards in time. You can’t put it down. I’ve read it ten times this particular story. I can’t wait to read it again.
DC gets a lot of credit for letting Morrison do what he does. Sometimes, it can be a bit much…however this time?
One of the best books of the last five years. Bravo.
Rating: A
Paper Girls #1-5
Written By Brian K. Vaughan and Illustrated by Cliff Chiang
Published by Image Comics
This is another great book. Vaughan seems to pay tribute to the Amblin Entertainment days in this book. If you see this book on the stands and are aren’t sure to pick it up, well do it. This is a comic book to treasure.
Vaughan’s story takes place in 1988, in the early hours after Halloween. It follows four 12 year old newspaper delivery girls. They fight the neighborhood boys, and then encounter aliens. And I love every second of it. It’s charming. And fun. The characters are well drawn. And the stories are unique.
I have never been a fan of Chiang’s art to be honest. It always seemed like it wasn’t suited for my tastes. Here however? I love it.
Like LOVE it. It suits the story extremely well. If you haven’t picked up this series yet? Do it. It’s a classic in the making.
RATING: A
Lou
Written and Illustrated by Melissa Mendez
Published by Alternative Comics
Lou is an 11 year old tomboy growing up in a small working class town in New England in the 1990s.Then one summer, it appears her brother Eddie’s boss at the pizzeria is mixed up in some bad business. One day the boss completely vanishes. And so we are off!
Mendes is a talent. Like a really great talent. It’s funny I always look for something I would never read normally. I read this and I’m glad I did. Her work reminds me of Jeffrey Brown when he’s good. I loved this. It may seem from the outset this is not a complex book and it’s a quick read. It’s deceptive in that way.
Mendes pours heart and love into each page. Pathos and pain. I was sure I wasn’t to like it. I was wrong. Here is yet another book this week I love completely. I am floored by the talent and heart Mendes brings to this. Read this book. You will be rewarded.
Rating: A-
BURIED TREASURE PICK
THE TICK: THE COMPLETE EDLUND
Written and Illustrated by Ben Edlund
Published by New England Comics
I picked this book up when it was first coming out in the 80s. Edlund’s tale of The Tick, a dunce of a superhero is just plain awesome. There’s been cartoons, a TV series, an upcoming revival on Amazon…yet it all starts here. These twelve issues contained are the bible for The Tick.
Edlund writes and draws each page, heck each panel, with sheer love for his characters. Whether it’s the Tick being silly, or Arthur, or Paul the Samurai, it’s delightful. A lot of it plays off of modern superheroes. It’s a send up and it’s pretty awesome. There’s a lot to love in this book.
If you’ve read The Tick, read it again. If you haven’t? What are you waiting for? This is comics and humor at it’s best. That always deserves a look.
RATING: A
And that’s it for this week! I’m exhausted but happy!
Now go read comics! Til next week, I remain…
Lenny Schwartz
