From the Reading Desk
As mentioned last month, I have a goal to read through my book collection this year and put myself on a book buying freeze. However, that freeze does not include single issue comics, ha.
April was crazy busy, but I did carve out some time to read some comics.
Here's what I read:
TWIG by Skottie Young (Writing) and Kyle Strahm (Art), with amazing coloring work by Jean-Francois Beaulieu.
All I'm going to say about this is: Jim Henson would endorse this comic if he were still with us. Need I say more?
It's Labyrinth, Dark Crystal, Never Ending Story, and Fraggle Rock all rolled into one. Can't wait to read the next issue.
Step By Bloody Step by Si Spurrier (Writing), Matias Bergara (Art)
This is an entirely wordless comic told only through the artwork, and boy is it powerful. They are creating an experience here with this comic that you can not find in movies, video games, or novels. This makes me so excited for the comics medium. Definitely a benchmark.
Head Lopper 1 and 2 by Andrew McLean
I've seen Headlopper on shelves for years and for some stupid reason never gave it a shot. I found these two books at a convention a few years ago and still, they sat on my shelf, unread.
I finally decided that I'd sit down and read them and I feel like such a doofus for waiting so long.
You want to know what Head Lopper is? Head Lopper is what I would expect Mike Mignola to make if he did a straight fantasy comic. If you know how much I love and revere Mignola's work you'd understand what a compliment that is to McClean.
Head Lopper is funny and smart and atmospheric and well paced and has a solid aesthetic to it.
There's TWO more of these books waiting for me when the freeze is over and I can't wait.
Oh, and if it wasn't obvious from the title, there is indeed an awful lot of head lopping in these books.
-Jake