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Non-mainstream Sequential Art (aka, the Hipster Comcs and Manga thread)
- Thread starter Ignatz Mouse
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Today I will be covering an astonishing moment in the history of the big two, when DC decided they'd spin off some imprints. Everyone knows Vertigo, but many people are unfamiliar with Piranha Press and Paradox Press, which were both incredibly brave experiments.
Piranha Press:
Beautiful Stories for Ugly Children - Louapre and Sweetman
This series is just sheer madness. A mix of printed text and illustrations, the issues are short stories that swing easily between the repulsive to the sublime. Not in any particular genre, unless weird is a genre. Beautiful, creepy, and literate.
Epicurus the Sage - William Messner-Loebs
Genuinely one of my favorite comics, which is saying a lot for me. The art is beautiful, and the story is unlike anything else you're going to find in a comic, as it's the story of Epicurus, teacher of Alexander, and how poorly he fits into Sophoclean Greece. All of the big names show up, including the gods. I only wish there were more of these.
Gregory - Marc Hempel
First, you might note that Marc Hempel did some of the art for Sandman's "The Kindly Ones". Gregory, on the other hand, is entirely Hempel's baby. And it's a deranged, insane, possibly disabled baby. Gregory is a lumpy headed child in an insane asylum. He has a rat friend named Herman, who may or may not be real. Things happen to him. The cartoonish art style and the frankly dark substance play off each other so well in these books. And, unlike some of this stuff, the Gregory Omnibus shouldn't be too hard to find.
Piranha was also responsible for putting out Kyle Baker's WHY I HATE SATURN, which someone else has already covered. They're right that you should own a copy, because it's brilliant. But you should also own a copy of THE COWBOY WALLY SHOW, also by Kyle Baker, because it is the only comic I've ever read that got me thrown out of a library.
Piranha Press:
Beautiful Stories for Ugly Children - Louapre and Sweetman
This series is just sheer madness. A mix of printed text and illustrations, the issues are short stories that swing easily between the repulsive to the sublime. Not in any particular genre, unless weird is a genre. Beautiful, creepy, and literate.
Epicurus the Sage - William Messner-Loebs
Genuinely one of my favorite comics, which is saying a lot for me. The art is beautiful, and the story is unlike anything else you're going to find in a comic, as it's the story of Epicurus, teacher of Alexander, and how poorly he fits into Sophoclean Greece. All of the big names show up, including the gods. I only wish there were more of these.
Gregory - Marc Hempel
First, you might note that Marc Hempel did some of the art for Sandman's "The Kindly Ones". Gregory, on the other hand, is entirely Hempel's baby. And it's a deranged, insane, possibly disabled baby. Gregory is a lumpy headed child in an insane asylum. He has a rat friend named Herman, who may or may not be real. Things happen to him. The cartoonish art style and the frankly dark substance play off each other so well in these books. And, unlike some of this stuff, the Gregory Omnibus shouldn't be too hard to find.
Piranha was also responsible for putting out Kyle Baker's WHY I HATE SATURN, which someone else has already covered. They're right that you should own a copy, because it's brilliant. But you should also own a copy of THE COWBOY WALLY SHOW, also by Kyle Baker, because it is the only comic I've ever read that got me thrown out of a library.
How does it compare to Lost at Sea? I loved Scott Pilgrim, but Lost at Sea was too similar to all the other self-absorbed, semi-autobiographical indie comics for my liking. I'm a little reluctant to pick up Seconds in case it's somewhat similar.
Also, anyone Chris Ware fans here? I only got into him this year, but I've loved Jimmy Corrigan, Building Stories, and the McSweeney's he edited. Building Stories is such an amazing concept - the writing and art are tremendous, but the physical design of it really elevates it to another level. The was each piece adds to those that precede it, despite there being no predetermined order, is amazing.
Ignatz Mouse
Banned
I'm a huge Chris Ware fan. I've met him twice, and once was to visit his home/studio (amazing) to buy original art. I proudly hang it in my living room. It's the page where Jimmy Corrigan finds the bacon his dad has left for him.
it's not much like lost at sea, though there may be some semi-autobiographical elements in the story from the writer's own divorce he went through while writing, it isn't that overt or apparent.
it's a worthy read.
I hate you now.
Ignatz Mouse
Banned
Now I am even more proud.
Okay, that's awesome. Such a great scene to have the art for too.
Cheers, might see if I can find it in Forbidden Planet later...
indigo-cyclops
Member
I'm jealous, that sounds like a great scene to have hanging. I'm a huge Ware fan as well, one of the best living cartoonists I'd wager.
What have you read and enjoyed recently? I'm sure collectively we could recommend a few titles.
Ignatz Mouse
Banned
Ware, being famously self-deprecating, told me he didn't think it was very good when I selected it.
ENVY
Screaming Meat
Unconfirmed Member
We used to have a comic book club of sorts, but it fell off because...reasons. Anyway, one of our chooses of book also happened to be one of my favorite comics ever: I Kill Giants.
A wonderful story about an odd little girl coming to grips with life. I read it every time I'm feeling down and need something to put me in a better mood.
I got this recently along with Joe the Barbarian. I'm not ashamed to admit they both made me cry.
Technosteve
Banned
I do not know if 100 bullets counts in this list but, it is by far my favorite comic book. 100 bullets starts off with a simple premise.
One day a tragic event happens in your life, a man will shows up with a brief case. In that brief case there is a gun, 100 untraceable bullets and indisputable evidence of the person that wronged you. What you do with it is up to you.
Cave Johnson does all the covers which are iconic. Risso depicts this world with an uncanny eye for the shape and color, he fills the panels with his shadow drenched noir style, I am a big fan of his style. Azzarello is the brain that created this twisted world, he is also currently writing Wonder Woman.
One day a tragic event happens in your life, a man will shows up with a brief case. In that brief case there is a gun, 100 untraceable bullets and indisputable evidence of the person that wronged you. What you do with it is up to you.
Cave Johnson does all the covers which are iconic. Risso depicts this world with an uncanny eye for the shape and color, he fills the panels with his shadow drenched noir style, I am a big fan of his style. Azzarello is the brain that created this twisted world, he is also currently writing Wonder Woman.
Ignatz Mouse
Banned
Sorry for the flash.
I'll take this opportunity to recover my previous recommendations from the sadly short-lived 'An Introduction to European Comics' thread:
Since these posts were made, another excellent work by Paco Roca was published with the title Los surcos del azar (also called La Nueve on its French edition); a story about those that while exiled never ceased to fight for ideals and a faint remembrance of a country now different than the one that saw them be born.
The thing is that some of these works by Paco Roca aren't exactly obscure, we are talking about award-winning masterpieces for the most part (as it happens with Blacksad, although Canales y Guarnido had to flee to France to also be appropiately recognized), but their scarceness or unavailability on certain territories is certainly something that must be solved.
As Canales y Guarnido and those mentioned exiled soldiers, many more Spanish authors earn all their well-deserved appreciation at another country... like for example master Enrique Fernández (with some books published exclusively in French) or the very same Ken Niimura (of I Kill Giants fame) that thanks to his half-Japanese heritage and what he was taught of its culture can explore in better conditions other markets than those secluded and small on his natal place in Spain... you see, both of them won their important merits first abroad on the International MANGA Award!
On the occasion of the 29th Barcelona International Comic Fair (29º Salón Internacional del Cómic de Barcelona) that ends today, April 17, I would like to recommend you the illustrated novels of Paco Roca (http://www.pacoroca.com/):
First, the most recently awarded Mr. Roca's work, El invierno del dibujante:
· Premio al mejor guión de autor español en el 29º Salón Internacional del Cómic de Barcelona
Award to the best script of Spanish author in the 29th Barcelona International Comic Fair
· Premio a la mejor obra de autor español en el 29º Salón Internacional del Cómic de Barcelona
Award to the best work of Spanish author in the 29th Barcelona International Comic Fair
http://www.astiberri.com/ficha_prod.php?cod=elinviernodeldibujante
Here you can see the first pages of chapter one from this work:
http://www.astiberri.com/descargas/elinviernodeldibujante.pdf
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And now, the other Barcelona International Comic Fair prizewinning work from this author, Arrugas:
· Premio al mejor guión de autor español del 2007 en el 26º Salón Internacional del Cómic de Barcelona
Award to the best script of Spanish author from 2007 in the 26th Barcelona International Comic Fair
· Premio a la mejor obra de autor español del 2007 en el 26º Salón Internacional del Cómic de Barcelona
Award to the best work of Spanish author from 2007 in the 26th Barcelona International Comic Fair
http://www.astiberri.com/ficha_prod.php?cod=arrugas
There is a upcoming animated film in the works based in this illustrated novel, Arrugas (http://www.arrugaslapelicula.com/en/), that is going to be directed by Ignacio Ferreras. Here you can see its first teaser:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIOev7g1wI0
Having already recommended two other works from him (http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=27196209&postcount=183), I can't pass on the opportunity to say how delightful and charming is Paco Roca's new work, Memorias de un hombre en pijama:
http://www.astiberri.com/ficha_prod.php?cod=hombreenpijama
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Certainly! The problem is that, with the immense size of his work, his humor and occurrences has been so re-used and exploited that they have been somewhat diluted, but a good selection of his more appreciated Mortadelo y Filemón albums, for example, is still something magnificent. For me, this is specially true for those first ones published in Súper Pulgarcito on the early 70s, that included hilariously fresh moments and more cohesive stories.
Speaking of Mr. Ibáñez and his famous pair Mortadelo & Filemón, that new edition containing a selection of the series' works and called Mortadelo y Filemón, Edición Coleccionista, made by Signo Editores (http://www.signoeditorescomics.es/mortadeloyfilemon.html), is apparently really, really good (and I hope it is!). It is a shame that, for the moment, it doesn't has a given 'P.V.P.' ('Precio de Venta al Público', price point for the consumers in general). You can contact them if you are a particular interested in buying, but this seems more like a promotional product to be used for telemarketing purposes.
Since these posts were made, another excellent work by Paco Roca was published with the title Los surcos del azar (also called La Nueve on its French edition); a story about those that while exiled never ceased to fight for ideals and a faint remembrance of a country now different than the one that saw them be born.
The thing is that some of these works by Paco Roca aren't exactly obscure, we are talking about award-winning masterpieces for the most part (as it happens with Blacksad, although Canales y Guarnido had to flee to France to also be appropiately recognized), but their scarceness or unavailability on certain territories is certainly something that must be solved.
As Canales y Guarnido and those mentioned exiled soldiers, many more Spanish authors earn all their well-deserved appreciation at another country... like for example master Enrique Fernández (with some books published exclusively in French) or the very same Ken Niimura (of I Kill Giants fame) that thanks to his half-Japanese heritage and what he was taught of its culture can explore in better conditions other markets than those secluded and small on his natal place in Spain... you see, both of them won their important merits first abroad on the International MANGA Award!
Sorry for the flash.
I never knew I could want something as much as I want this
My roomate gave me this to borrow recently, it's great!
Azzarello's work is always great imo, his Wonder Woman books are fantastic.
Ignatz Mouse
Banned
Chris Ware art can be bought by auction. It's a bit more expensive that when I got this in the late 90s.
Hehe
It's a coming of age story with an eye towards growing up LGBT. It deals in a variety of topics such as crossdressing, homosexuality, hetereonormativity, transexuality and the pressures LGBTQ children face from mainstream society. The narrative is very grounded; there is no magic or fantasy to interfere with the reader's immersion. Nor are these topics played for cheap laughs, Takako Shimura treats them with a tact and subtlety.
If you're interested in LGBT literature, or are LGBT yourself, I highly recommend giving this series a shot, which is available translated into English from online retailers such as Amazon or Barnes and Noble.
The only artist I'd rather own than Ware is Winsor McKay. Ware isn't as expensive as McKay, but buying in now would still be a hard sell to my wife. Baby, you don't mind if I drop nine grand on a page of comic book art, do you?
Ignatz Mouse
Banned
I would go for a Winsor McCay, but what I would really love is a Herriman would be the best thing. That username is no accident.
Kiriko Nananan
I have a weak spot for minimalist styles; Nananan's deceptively simple linework with traditionally deceptively shallow slice of life stories are terrific. Painfully realistic in terms of a collection of people being shitty to each other, then making up, then relapsing, and so on. I would recommend her short stories the most.
Edit: this was already recomended, my bad! But Saga of the Metabarons by Alejandro Jodorowsky + Juan Giménez!
Jodo is god, Jodo is life. Awfully convoluted, awfully compressed, and barely comprehensible but I wouldn't take it any other way with Jodo. A follow up and origin story to the intergalactic bounty hunter family first introduced by the Moebius + Jodo collab, Incal. Pulpy silliness that still makes me laugh, even if it's somewhat unintentional. Positively gorgeous artwork as well!
I saw a Herriman piece while hunting for a McKay the other day. It was nearly twenty thousand euros. Beautiful piece, though.
http://www.comicoriginalart.com/galerielaqua/seiten_englisch/eframeset.htm
http://www.comicoriginalart.com/gal...sa/comic strip/HerrimanKrazyKatSunday1922.jpg
Ignatz Mouse
Banned
Foilt!!
Musha_Soturi
Member
Why did this thread die? Such a great thread.
My recommendation is Twisted Dark.
It's a collection of short stories that are like psychological thrillers with twist endings. They start interconnecting through certain characters as you read through the volumes - they're up to 5 so far.
They even have this cool trailer
http://youtu.be/XAIdsRziI70
My recommendation is Twisted Dark.
It's a collection of short stories that are like psychological thrillers with twist endings. They start interconnecting through certain characters as you read through the volumes - they're up to 5 so far.
They even have this cool trailer
http://youtu.be/XAIdsRziI70
Ignatz Mouse
Banned
I did go off and read some stuff!
The danger with a thread like this is that it's not based on news or running series, so it can die off. Thanks for bumping!
This thread got me to go back and read copy of Asterios Polyp, which I had bought and not gotten to. Pretty great stuff, I like pretty much everything Mazzuchelli has done.
The danger with a thread like this is that it's not based on news or running series, so it can die off. Thanks for bumping!
This thread got me to go back and read copy of Asterios Polyp, which I had bought and not gotten to. Pretty great stuff, I like pretty much everything Mazzuchelli has done.
Perfect thread to ask !
Comixology is giving some comics ... and I never heard of like 90% of them.
Any good stuff ?
Comixology is giving some comics ... and I never heard of like 90% of them.
Any good stuff ?
Doc Holliday
SPOILER: Columbus finds America
Also GUS by Cristophe Blain
Basically the Japanese and Europeans own comics imo.
Given that they're free, I'd just grab them all and look through them. Stumptown is good, but that's #1 of Vol 3, so not the greatest place to start. I read Translucid last week and enjoyed it. The Valiant stuff is okay.
Ignatz Mouse
Banned
A thread bump, since a) the topic has come up recently and b) I need something new to read.
Bokura no Hentai (unfinished)
Read this a while back. It's pretty much Wandering Son if Shimura knew how to plot.
I've been reading, ah, other stuff, but they are probably not up to this thread's implied standards. Here's one that would fit well, though:
Koe no Katachi (finished)
Available at CrunchyManga: http://www.crunchyroll.com/comics/manga
Read this a while back. It's pretty much Wandering Son if Shimura knew how to plot.
I've been reading, ah, other stuff, but they are probably not up to this thread's implied standards. Here's one that would fit well, though:
Koe no Katachi (finished)
It's a manga about a deaf girl and a guy from her childhood who used to bully her, but turned over a new leaf in high school and seeks redemption. As someone who is deaf, I thought this manga painted a very accurate picture of deafness, from both the perspectives of people interacting with the deaf, and from the perspective of the deaf interacting with the hearing.
Available at CrunchyManga: http://www.crunchyroll.com/comics/manga
Lynd7
Member
It's a coming of age story with an eye towards growing up LGBT. It deals in a variety of topics such as crossdressing, homosexuality, hetereonormativity, transexuality and the pressures LGBTQ children face from mainstream society. The narrative is very grounded; there is no magic or fantasy to interfere with the reader's immersion. Nor are these topics played for cheap laughs, Takako Shimura treats them with a tact and subtlety.
If you're interested in LGBT literature, or are LGBT yourself, I highly recommend giving this series a shot, which is available translated into English from online retailers such as Amazon or Barnes and Noble.
I recently read the first two volumes of this after watching the anime. It's quite good, although sometimes in Vol 1 the scene changes confused me briefly.
I want to buy the rest, but I'll read them too fast and have to wait for more to be released :S. I'll have to pace myself..
Giving this a bump with The Voynich Hotel:
The Voynich Hotel is a surrealist, dark comedy that takes place on a fictional island in the southwest Pacific. It features a colorful and varied cast of characters, among which you'll find an ex-yakuza on the lam, two mysterious maids, a trio of drug dealers, a serial killer, a robot, a children's gang, a pair of ghosts, and a legend about three witches, who once ruled the land before they fell prey to the Spanish Inquisition. All of the characters' individual stories are layered and interwoven into a broader theme of familial and romantic love. The style of humor is similar to that of Scott Pilgrim, but you'll find no hipsters or indie musicians here. The name of the game is intrigue, mystery and horror.
Christ that took a long time to write.
I read Ashizuri Suizokukan by panpanya a few months back and it's one the most interesting travelogue comics/mangos I've read in that the actual travelogue stuff takes a backseat to these really bizarre stories. What makes it notable is the visual creativity on display with each and every tale taking on its own "art style" to better suit the theme and setting.
The travelogue stuff kicks in with little tidbits put in between each one talking about fish and this really bizarre aquarium the author went too. It's only around 300 pages so it doesn't take very long to read!
douman seiman da gawd
Vampire On Titus
Member
Great pick, I'd also recommend what's essentially its sequel "Are You My Mother?"
Seconds was really good, it didn't engross me like Scott Pilgrim though. Me and my friend were talking about this a week ago. It just didn't have the same memorable character moments as Scott Pilgrim and I didn't find the main character's introspection as engaging as Lost At Sea.
I'm gonna read it again to see if maybe some elements I potentially overlooked sink in and get their hooks in me. Right now it's like a solid ass 7. O'Mall's art is still adorable af.
lol I actually liked lost at sea better. I guess I prefer a road tripping teenage girl trying to find her stolen soul in stray cats to super natural manifestations of psychological turmoil over a restaurant opening.
blatantly gross over simplification
Honestly they are somewhat similar. They're both in depth character studies of their lead. The primary difference being that Seconds doesn't have the frequent soliloquizing of teenage emotions. Which is where you might have picked up the "self absorbed" vibe. The introspection in Seconds is less likely to be perceived as naval gazing.
Yes, he's amazing.
I have to recommend Black Hole, which I was happy to see present in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. It's about alienation, isolation, and teenagers.
.
Black Hole is fucking RED HOT. What Charles Burns does with black fills, that dude inks like a mad man. This is one that I always find myself coming back to.
TIME FOR MY RECOMMENDATIONS!!!
The Wrenchies is one of the most bizzare and likable comics I've ever read. It's the story about a space faring/ time traveling kid spy who accidentally brings about the apocalypse. Also the misgivings and disillusionment brought about by entering adulthood.
Aside from a bit of clumsy exposition in chapter 4 I loved this book straight through. Everyone should give this one a shot.
This post is already long AF so I'm gonna just get this last req in. Deadly Class is essentially a revenge story. Marcus blames Ronald Regan for the death of his family and ruining his life. He eventually attracts the attention and is brought into a secret High School for assassins. Marcus later does a lot of acid, and things go "tits up." Deadly Class does so many things well. The main character is the perfect 14 year old pseudo intellectual piece of shit. With some substance behind his grand assertions but little experience and perspective. The primary setting of "King's Dominion High School for the Deadly Arts" is killer and draws interesting parallels between High School and prison culture. Also, as an aspiring comic author, I found some of the paneling in this book to be inspiring. Deadly Class actually had me taking notes on different techniques I wanted to implement between chapters.
TL;DR version: Deadly Class is the perfect mix of engrossing drama and visceral action. It's my favorite ongoing series atm and you should read it.
Oh right, Seconds. Well I wrote this up in the BookGAF thread so I'll just repost it here:
I feel Seconds showed that Bryan is developing as a writer, but also highlighted his biggest weakness: his ideas are shallow. Seconds felt like an urban fairy tale in the vein of Gaiman's earlier output, and he got a lot of the structure right, but the climax was really weak and just lacked the kind of "wheeeeeew, wowie" feeling Gaiman's stories have.
I feel Seconds showed that Bryan is developing as a writer, but also highlighted his biggest weakness: his ideas are shallow. Seconds felt like an urban fairy tale in the vein of Gaiman's earlier output, and he got a lot of the structure right, but the climax was really weak and just lacked the kind of "wheeeeeew, wowie" feeling Gaiman's stories have.
ZackieChan
Member
I used to read Cerebus, Hepcats and a bunch of other indie stuff back in the day. Whatever Dave Sim was recommending. Haven't read a comic book since the mid-90s, though.
The Awesomest
Member
We used to have a comic book club of sorts, but it fell off because...reasons. Anyway, one of our chooses of book also happened to be one of my favorite comics ever: I Kill Giants.
A wonderful story about an odd little girl coming to grips with life. I read it every time I'm feeling down and need something to put me in a better mood.
This looks great for me. It seems very Don Quixote-esque.
My offering: The Mighty Golem Swings
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1896597718/?tag=neogaf0e-20
A great story of the early days os Baseball, early 1900s US culture and antisemitism. But really, it's just a great story.
How the hell is that a strike? Unless that was the point.
Vampire On Titus
Member
Scott Pilgrim Vol. 5 is still Bryan's best writing imo. I'm not sure if I'd necessarily call his ideas shallow, unless were thinking of that differently. I actually think of everything Seconds did right executing on the ideas and themes is up there. It's just that I didn't care as much because the characters it's all predicated on were surprisingly thin imo.
Memorable characters with good interaction is usually what O'Mal does best too so I was kinda even questioning myself; that maybe I was missing something.
When I think of Scott Pilgrim I think of: "Scott, If your life had a face I'd punch it," when Scott turns 23 and Kim says "How does it feel to be positively ancient?" with a sly expression, Scott & Ramona's first date in the snow storm, Scott and Kim trying to kiss "and it was horrible" "for everyone" "including you."
Even with Lost At Sea the kids searching for Raleigh's soul in stray cats and the ending soliloquy stay with me. Seconds just didn't really have any of those stand-out moments that you're rushing to discuss with your friends.
I'll also reiterate that I do want to read it again. Im thinking maybe some of it will sink in moreso after a second read. I wanna give Bryon the benefit of the doubt.
Ignatz Mouse
Banned
I think it's an angle thing and just a strike, but I don't recall now.
John Kowalski
Banned
Oh ya it's pretty great. Remarkable control of visual identity and simplicity even in the weirdest places.
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