A Christmas wish list for new comic book readers

Spotlight
A Christmas wish list for new comic book readers
By Patrick Bérubé
December 1, 2008 - 22:30

Less than a month before Christmas and you still don't know what to offer to your close ones? Offer them comic books! You think that they would appreciate the 354th issue of your favorite super-heroes? Here at the Comic Book Bin we know they won't and we pooled our ressources in order to offer you a buying list for new readers. You will find suggestions below for both the adult and the younger reader as some of our regular reviewers were asked to propose a title for each category.

ZAK

Y:The last man deluxe edition volume 1

For the adult: Y: The Last Man Deluxe Edition #1. Collecting the first ten issues of Brian K. Vaughan and Canadian Pia Guerra's amazing post-apocalyptic epic. Well thought out and covering subjects including feminism, survivor's guilt, and current world politics, Vaughan's masterpiece ending this year and now is a best a time as any to get into it. The series combines both the serious subject material with Vaughan's clever wit. This will be one of six in the collection, which are great for the person you buy birthday and Christmas gifts for.

Less Adult: Spider-Man Loves Mary-Jane. A couple of great options for gift-givers. There are two hardcovers covering all of Sean McKeever's run on this series (including the series before Spider-Man Loves Mary-Jane simply called "Mary-Jane") or all of them have been collected in cost-effective digests, which are smaller and printed on lower- quality paper. The series blends teen drama with super hero antics specifically created for the teenage, manga reading demographic. McKeever works to tell the story of Mary-Jane with Spider-Man and Peter Parker as supporting cast.While this formula has been done before, not in this scope or quality. The focus on the melodrama of a teenage Mary-Jane and her friends is just plain addicting.

LEROY

Bone one volume edition

For the adult: I would suggest Batman: The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller, Klaus Janson, and Lynn Varley. Why? It has Batman and The Joker and it's close in tone to Christopher's Nolan "The Dark Knight."

For the new young reader: I would suggest Bone: The One Volume Edition. Why? It's sort of like our (comic book fans) Lord of the Rings. Just from my experience, I can say that children are not intimidated by a big book of fantasy literature. Also, Bone is the kind of comic book that will put the medium in a good light, which is important when introducing someone to comic books.

HERVÉ

Astro boy volume 1

For the adults: Every classic Marvel or DC Comics characters has a seminal run that is remembered by all and that changed the character from an interchangeable proxy to something unique. It takes a brilliant and dedicated creator to do such a thing.

Simonson's work on Thor did just that for the character. Before that, Thor was this strong blonde guy with a hammer. After that, he became a thoughtful and unique character that stood out.

That Simonson both wrote and drew the series was more than pure blessing. Simonson's artwork is chaotic. It's got touches of Gil Kane all over with some Italian aftertaste. But I like it, like a rare chocolate that colourized the world of Thor and made it seem like something edgy yet grand at the same time.

Why get this book for Christmas? Because, it will entertain whoever reads it for hours and make them long for more.

Younger readers: Tezuka is my role model. That's it, I've admitted it. Tezuka is both an animator and a cartoonist. That's rare in both industry. Tezuka created all the archetypes that we see in manga today and more. He created whole worlds where passions and drama was captured as well by the internal turmoil of the characters, as by their exuberant and very physical reactions. The same kinetic energy was captured in most of his cartoon adaptations.

Tezuka said the one quote, which has defined all of my professional life for years. He said, comic book is my wife, animation is my mistress. In my case, I've got it inverted. Comic book is my mistress and animation is my wife.

People confuse the two genres so much, but Tezuka sits at both's core and produced this body of work that never ends. Anything by Tezuka should be treasured and read with passion.

PATRICK B.

Paul goes fishing

Adults: My copy of Paul goes fishing (published in english by Drawn and Quarterly) is really worn out for two reasons. First it's really good and secondly, everytime I want to introduce someone to graphic novels that's the title i'm using. I have to add that everyone I have lend this book to so far is coming back for more.

Younger readers: I discovered Amelia rules! on Free comic book day a couple of years ago. I'm not a frequent reader but I can easily see the appeal this comic book can have on younger readers. It's one of the few comic book that approach kids' problem in a fun and entertaining way.

PATRICK O.

Tintin: Red Rackham's treasure

Adults: Might be tempted to Suggest either Planetary Vol 1 & 2 by Warren Ellis and John Cassaday, because it is a fantastic genre hopping, fabulously illustrated and entertaining read. Or, Domu by Katsuhiro Otomo, a wonderful fantasy from the man that gave us Akira, with a horror mystery set in a towering council estate. Clever, chilling and wonderful.

Younger readers: Any volume of Tintin by Hergé. The ever popular cub reporter inhabits a wonderfully realised world featuring a sprightly cast of engaging supporting characters. He, and they, have enjoyable adventures that combine science fiction, mystery, political intrigue and plenty of humour. Something for everyone!

BETH

The spirit popup graphic novel

Adults: This is the season for escapism, I believe, so my nomination is the complete collection (vols. 1-11) of the TPB volumes of Fables. The continuity is self-contained, the art is excellent, and the stories of strangers in exile will have huge appeal for adult readers, welcoming them into comics with somewhat familiar characters, and stories that will reward multiple readings.

Younger readers: Will Eisner's The Spirit: A Pop-up Graphic Novel, adapted by Bruce Foster and published by Insight Editions. It's not often that a book is also a toy, but this one is both, and it's terrific fun. Foster delivers all the Spirit's thrills and chills and humor with high drama, pop-ups, inserts, and mysterious tabs marked "Pull."