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June 15, 2011
Atomic Books Comics Preview - June 15th, 2011
In the weekly Atomic Books Comics Preview, Benn Ray highlights notable new comics and graphic novels.
Benn Ray is the owner of Atomic Books, an independent bookstore in Baltimore. The Mobtown Shank is his blog, and his comic Said What? is syndicated weekly in the Baltimore Sun's B-Paper.
Atomic Books was recently named one of Bizarre Magazine's 51 geekiest places on the planet, as well as one of Flavorwire's 10 greatest comic and graphic novel stores in America.
Anya's Ghost
by Vera Brosgol
When Anya befriends a ghost, things don't go as she had hoped. Neil Gaiman calls this graphic novel a "masterpiece". So it also has that going for it.
Arkham Asylum Madness
by Sam Kieth
New in collected, trade paperback form! Sam Kieth, the creator of The Maxx, takes us on an unsettling tour of Gotham City's Arkham Asylum, the depository for Batman's villains.
Color Ink Book Volume 10
by Brothers Washburn
A limited edition coloring book featuring artwork by artists/designers/illustrators like Buff Monster, Super Ugly, Ferris Plock, Frijol Boy, Jared Deal, Jason Limon, Jopaucho, Miss Mindy, and Sumbody.
Go The F**k To Sleep
by Adam Mansbach / Ricardo Cortes
This isn't a graphic novel, it's a kid's book. But, as suggested by the title, it's not a kid's book either. Really, what it is at this point is a phenomenon.
Hulk: Gray
by Jeph Loeb / Tim Sale
Marvel Comics doesn't have a wealth of grown-up comic stories. Relax, Marvel fans. Yes, there are fun Marvel stories, but Marvel doesn't have very many truly great stories - the sort that transcend the superhero genre. Dark Knight, V for Vendetta, Watchmen, Sandman - those are all DC Comics. But after Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale finished up a series of excellent, mature Batman stories and one Superman story for the DC Universe, they tackled the Marvel Universe with 3 series, Spider-Man: Blue, Daredevil: Yellow and Hulk: Grey. You'd be hard pressed to find a better graphic novel in the Marvel Universe than this new edition.
Level Up
by Gene Luen Yang / Thien Pham
It's video games vs. medical school for Dennis in this magical realism story of growing up (with angelic intervention).
The Hole in the Middle
by Paul Budnitz / Aya Kakeda
It's another kid's book. And it's also another phenomenon. This time written by Kidrobot founder Budnitz and accompanied by artist Kakeda. This one almost made at least one Atomic Books staffer cry. But I'm not going to point fingers.
Questions, concerns, comments or gripes – e-mail benn@atomicbooks.com. If there’s a comic I should know about, send it my way at Atomic, c/o Atomic Books 3620 Falls Rd., Baltimore, MD 21211.
Atomic Books & Benn Ray links:
also at Largehearted Boy:
other Atomic Books Comics Preview lists (weekly new comics & graphic novel highlights)
52 Books, 52 Weeks
Antiheroines (interviews with up and coming female comics artists)
Book Notes (authors create music playlists for their book)
guest book reviews
Largehearted Word (weekly new book highlights)
musician/author interviews
Note Books (musicians discuss literature)
