Kirby Your Enthusiasm, ep. 20: The "On The Road" edition

IN WHICH I'm joined by my wife Helen during a roadtrip across country New South Wales and we discuss Derf Backderf's stunning new graphic novel MY FRIEND DAHMER (which got a rare five-star rating from me last month).
It's 24 minutes of interesting discourse accompanied by the background noise of our 1999 Subaru Impreza pinging along the highway at 110kmh.

The link is here.

And buy MY FRIEND DAHMER - it really is one of the best graphic novels to have been published this century. Compelling, terrifying, shocking and...ultimately...very, very sad.

COMICS READING FOR MARCH: “Jeffrey Dahmer and Kevin Smith”

* NOW WITH STAR RATINGS (ala Wrestling Observer Newsletter PPV reports) *

HOW I RATE THE COMICS VIA THE ALAN MOORE SCALE

*****   Watchmen, Marvelman, V For Vendetta
****     From Hell, Supreme, Swamp Thing, Whatever Happened To The Man Of Tomorrow?
***        League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen (the first two series), Axel Pressbutton, Tom Strong
**           Promethea
*             LoEG: Century: 1969
DUD  (or lower)     anything he’s written for Avatar or any of the non-comics drivel he shits out on a regular basis

1. Fearless Dawn: The Secret Of The Swamp (Asylum Press, 2012) ***

Writer/artist: Steve Mannion
2. King! #1 (Blacklist Studios, 2007) ***½
Writer: Thomas Hall/Artist: Daniel Bradford
3. Thought Bubbles #1 (Image, 2011) ***½
Writers/artists: various
4. Mondo #1 (Image, 2012) ***¾
Writer/artist: Ted McKeever
5.-7. Batman: Cacophony (DC, 2009) ***¼
- originally published in Batman: Cacophony #1-3 (DC, 2009)
Writer: Kevin Smith/Artists: Walt Flanagan; Adam Kubert, Bill Sienkiewicz (covers)
8. Handball Heaven (Milkshadow Books. 2011) ****
Writer/artist Ben Hutchings
Hutcho wordlessly depicts the most awesome handball game ever! What starts out as a simple game between two teenagers quickly escalates to Matrix-like levels, where every part of their bodies is used to keep the ball in play. Eventuallty, these modern-day gods ascend to the sky to finish the match. Who will be victorious? Beautifully drawn stuff.
9. Walking To Japan (Milkshadow Books. 2011) ****
Writer/artist Ben Hutchings
Hutcho decides to walk from Australia to Japan, expanding to Godzilla size to do so. The tabloid-sized pages really get across the majesty of Hutcho’s adventure as ocean liners and whales get tossed about as he wades through the sea. His journey ends when he shrinks down to meet friends in a Tokyo bar – a surprisingly warm, intimate ending to such an epic tale.
10. Strip Show (Milkshadow Books. 2011) ***
Writer/artist Bruce Mutard
He’s a serious graphic novelist now (The Bunker, The Silence, etc), but there was a time when Aussie writer/artist Bruce was a dirty-minded cartoonist doing scatological toons featuring big-breasted women. I miss those days. This is a collection of Bruce’s earliest works from the 1990s and early 2000s and, as expected, is a mixed bag. He draws hawt women, though.
11. Zombolette (Milkshadow Books. 2011) ***
Writer/artist Scarlette Baccini
Baccini’s politically incorrect cartoon stars a zombie chick who’s more into being antisocial than eating brains, who lives with her oversized hamster housemate/friend Cameron. And a walrus. If you’re easily offended, don’t check it out. If you like cheap laffs and gross-out moments, then there’s plenty to recommend this collection of B&W strips.
12.-25. The Compleat Terminal City (Dark Horse, 2012) ***½
- originally published in Terminal City (Vertigo, 1996-97) & Terminal City: Aerial Graffiti (Vertigo, 1998)
Writer: Dean Motter/Artists: Michael Lark, Mark Chiarello (covers)
I really wanted to like this collection way more than I did. Motter’s half-arsed plotting let me down in the end. The artwork is stunning though.
26. Thorgal: The Invisible Fortress (9^th Cinebook, 2011) **½
Writer: Jean Van Hamme/Artist: Grzegorz Rosiński 
Beautiful-looking art, nothing storyline. Typical Euro-stuff in that 70s tradition, even though it was first published in 1993.
27. Space Warped #2 (Kaboom!, 2011) *
Writer: Hervé Bourhis/Artist: Rudy Spiesert
I picked up this damaged copy from Kings Comics for a buck, mistakenly thinking it was the first issue of Roger Langridge’s Snarked! (I was actually looking at the back cover ad by mistake). Instead, I got some Euro-humour mag based loosely on Star Wars. It was kinda puerile and sucked...maybe it lost something in the translation.
28. DC’s Greatest Imaginary Stories (DC, 2005) ***½
Writers/artists: various
Classic imaginary tales of the 1940s, 50s and 60s starring Superman, Batman, Lois Lane, The Flash and more. Deliriously stupid – and waaaaaay more enjoyable now than when I first read them as a kid.
29. Victorian Secret: Girls Of Steampunk Summer Catalog (Antarctic Press, 2011) **½
Someone at AP was masturbating furiously as they compiled this collection of pin-ups. The pick of the artists is Brian Denham.
30. Uzumaki Vol. 1 (Viz, 2001) ****¼
Writer/artist: Junji Ito
I hate manga but this creepy, spiral-obsessed horror comic is superb, and better than the unsettling movie that followed it.
31. My Friend Dahmer (Abrams Comicsart, 2012) *****
Writer/artist: Derf Backderf
One of the best graphic novels I’ve ever read. Period. Full review in ROGUE #2.
32. By The Slice (self-published, 2011?) ***
Writer:  Giulie Speziani /Artist: Cecilia Latella
A slice-of-life tale about a uni graduate getting a job at a pizza parlour and dealing with the bigoted, mean-spirited, petty-minded owner. Speziani appears to be writing from personal experience. The art by Latella is straightforward but perfect for the down-to-earth nature of the comic. I liked it a lot. For contact details, email giuliespeziani@gmail.com or go to gingerrabbitstudio.blogspot.com.

Kirby Your Enthusiasm, ep. 19: Got Milkshadow?

IN WHICH I review several books and comics sent to me by Aussie publishing house Milkshadow Books (www.milkshadowbooks.com or milkshadow.wordpress.com.

Running time: 18 min.
http://kirbyyourenthusiasm.libsyn.com/webpage/kirby-your-enthusiasm-ep-19-got-milkshadow-

Thanks to James Andre for sending me the books. :)

KYE ep. 18: Daytripping

WHERE I talk about my indy read-fest from last month. Maus, Daytripper, lots of Jason Lutes and Adrian Tomine...and more.

Oh...and I forgot to mention Mr Wonderful by Dan Clowes. That was also an excellent read. :)

Running time: approx. 25 minutes
http://kirbyyourenthusiasm.libsyn.com/webpage/kye-ep-18-daytripping

COMICS READING FOR FEBRUARY: “It’s an indy kinda summer”

* NOW WITH STAR RATINGS (ala Wrestling Observer Newsletter PPV reports) *

HOW I RATE THE COMICS VIA THE ALAN MOORE SCALE

*****   Watchmen, Marvelman, V For Vendetta

****     From Hell, Supreme, Swamp Thing, Whatever Happened To The Man Of Tomorrow?

***        League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen (the first two series), Axel Pressbutton, Tom Strong

**           Promethea

*             LoEG: Century: 1969

DUD  (or lower)     anything he’s written for Avatar or any of the non-comics drivel he shits out on a regular basis

1. Jar Of Fools  by Jason Lutes (Faber & Faber, 2008) ****¼  

2.-9. Berlin Book One: City Of Stones by Jason Lutes (Drawn & Quarterly, 2001) ****½

- originally published in Berlin #1-8

10.-17. Berlin Book Two: City Of Smoke by Jason Lutes (Drawn & Quarterly, 2009) ****½

- originally published in Berlin #9-16

18. Shortcomings by Adrian Tomine (Faber & Faber, 2007) ****

19. Scrapbook: Uncollected Work: 1990-2004 by Adrian Tomine (Drawn & Quarterly, 2005) ****

20. Mister Wonderful by Daniel Clowes (Pantheon Books, 2011) ****

21. Maus: A Survivor’s Tale by Art Spiegelman (Penguin Books, 1986) *****

22. Maus II: And Here My Troubles Began (Pantheon, 1991) *****

23. Breakdowns: Portrait Of The Artist As A Young %@?*! (Viking, 2008) ***

- originally published as Breakdowns (Belier Press, 1977)

24.-33 Daytripper by Fábio Moon & Gabriel Bá (Vertigo, 2011) ****¼

- originally published in Daytripper #1-10 (Vertigo, 2010)

34. De:TALES by Fábio Moon & Gabriel Bá (Dark Horse, 2010) ***

35. Salem Brownstone: All Along The Watchtowers by John Hattis Dunning & Nikhil Singh (Walker Books, 2009) **

KYE, ep. 17: Who watches the Watchmen? Not Alan Moore

IN THIS jam-packed episode, I discuss the newly announced "Before Watchmen" project, review Sharon Lintz's Pornhounds 2 and look back at my best and worst comics of 2011.

Sites to check from today's podcast:
http://www.pornhounds.net/
http://www.comicbookresources.com
www.mycomics.com

Running time: 28:30
http://kirbyyourenthusiasm.libsyn.com/webpage/kye-ep-17-who-watches-the-watchmen-not-alan-moore

COMICS READING FOR DECEMBER: “Scooby snacks”

HOW I RATE THE COMICS VIA THE ALAN MOORE SCALE
*****   Watchmen, Marvelman, V For Vendetta
****     From Hell, Supreme, Swamp Thing, Whatever Happened To The Man Of Tomorrow?
***        League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen (the first two series), Axel Pressbutton, Tom Strong
**           Promethea
*             LoEG: Century: 1969
DUD  (or lower)     anything he’s written for Avatar or any of the non-comics drivel he shits out on a regular basis

1. Heart #3 (Image, 2012) ***½

Writer: Blair Butler/Artist: Kevin Mellon
Funnily enough, the one thing this comic lacks IS heart. The MMA lifestyle – especially on the lower levels of the sport – is intelligently conveyed, but I just don’t give a toss about the main character. The art is fine, and I think Blair is growing as a writer. Only one issue to go, so we’ll see how it ends.
2. Animal Man #5 (DC, 2012) ****
Writer: Jeff Lemire/Artists: Travel Foreman & Dan Green
Easily the best title being put out by DC right now and one of the only New 52 titles I’ll stick with after this first arc ends.
3. The Defenders #2 (Marvel, 2011) ***½
Writer: Matt Fraction/Artists: Terry & Rachel Dodson
Another great issue that gives a nod to The Defenders’ past and throws them slam-bang into the heart of modern Marvel. The universe is about to be destroyed again? A little ho-hum but I’ll stick with it ’cos I enjoy everything else about this series.
4. DC Comics Presents: Elseworlds 100-Page Spectacular one-shot (DC, 2012) ****
- originally published as Elseworlds 80-Page Giant (DC, 1999)
Writers/artists: various
Made notorious at the time when DC withdrew and pulped this issue due to a contentious Superbaby-in-the-microwave-oven story by Kyle Baker, the comic has been given new life in 2012 and I was blown away by it. The talent on show here is staggering: Baker, Paul Pope, Kieron Dwyer and Ty Templeton, to name a few. But it’s the lesser-known (to me) creators that produce some stand-out work. One favourite is “The Reaching Hand”, a Lovecraftian tale involving detectives Harvey Dent and Bruce Wayne tackling undead monsters Ralph Dibny and Jimmy Olsen, who have the ability to stretch their bodies (writer: D. Curtis Johnson/artist: Aaron Lopresti). Another is “Dark Night Of The Golden Kingdom”, a Dark Knight Returns/Kingdom Come pisstake starring a balding fat Superman and his sidekick Batman (writer: T. Robert Peyer/artist: Ariel Olivetti). This one-shot is definitely worth a look-see.
5. Green Lantern: Secret Files & Origins 2005 (DC, 2005) **¾ (all for Darwyn Cooke)
Writers/artists: various
Yep, bought it solely for the Cooke art.
6.-7. Frankenstein And The Creatures Of The Unknown #2-3 (DC, 2011) **¼
Writer: Jeff Lemire/Artist: Ibraim Roberson, Alex Massacci (#2); Andy Smith & Keith Champagne (#3)
Completely undone by the New 52 reboot. OK, I guess. Just redundant.
8. Frankenstein: Agent Of S.H.A.D.E. #4 (DC, 2011) ***½
Writer: Jeff Lemire/Artist: Alberto Ponticelli
JG Jones’ covers in this series are fricking awesome!
9.-13.  Gladstone’s School For World Conquerors #2-6 (Image, 2011) ***½
Writer: Mark Andrew Smith/Artist: Armand Villavert
10.-15. Locke & Key: Welcome To Lovecraft (IDW, 2008) ***½
- originally published in Locke & Key: Welcome To Lovecraft #1-6 (IDW, 2008)
Writer: Joe Hill/Artist: Gabriel Rodriguez
Did you know Joe Hill is Stephen King’s son? I didn’t.
Engaging series – makes me want to buy more.
16. The Guild: Zaboo (Dark Horse, 2012) ***½
Writers: Felicia Day & Sandeep Parikh/Artist: Becky Cloonan; Evan Dorkin with Sarah Dyer (cover)
17.-21. Mystery Men #1-5 (Marvel, 2011) ***
Writer: David Liss/Artist: Patrick Zircher
An interesting Marvel-take on the pulp characters of the 1930s. Nice Baron Zemo cameo, too. However, Liss thinks he’s way clever than he is with his story. Still, I liked Zircher’s art.
22.-27. Deadpool MAX: Nutjob (Marvel, 2011) ***¾
- originally published in Deadpool MAX #1-6 (Marvel, 2011)
Writer: David Lapham/Artist: Kyle Baker
A comic featuring a mutant who I don’t particularly care about, a writer who hasn’t impressed me greatly in the past, along with an artist who can be a tad hit’n’miss...but this title came highly recommended to me, so I bought the trade. And guess what? It’s pretty fucking cool. And violent. And sexy. And offensive. I need to get volume two now.
28. Superior #7 (Icon, 2011) ****
Writer: Mark Millar/Artist: Leinil Yu
A kick-ass ending to a great series. Millar smashed it out of the ballpark with this comic. Can’t wait to read his next few MillarWorld offerings.
29. Hotwire: Requiem For The Dead (Radical, 2009) ***½
Writers: Warren Ellis & Steve Pugh/Artist: Steve Pugh
I bought this one on a whim’cos it was cheap, but I really dug it. Ellis – with a little help from Pugh – is on song in this techno-punk tale of a ghost-hunting sexy detective (sounds clichéd, I know, but it isn’t). I’m digging up the other back issues now.
30. Wisdom #1 (Marvel, 2007) ***½
Writer: Paul Cornell/Artist: Trevor Hairsine
31. Catwoman #4 (DC, 2011) ***½
Writer: Judd Winick/Artist Guillem March
32.-33. Legion Of Monsters #3-4 (Marvel, 2011) ***¼
Writer: Dennis Hopeless/Artist; Juan Doe
Nice art but the storyline fell apart near the end. Still, I hope this leads to more series featuring these characters by this creative team.
34. Pornhounds #2 (indy, 2011) ****¼
Writer: Sharon Lintz/Artists: various
Check out my most recent podcast for my thoughts on this title.
35. The Defenders: Strange Heroes (Marvel, 2011) ****
Normally, handbooks are hit’n’miss, but I really enjoyed catching up on my favourite non-team and all the peripheral characters and events that have touched them since the 1970s. Lovely artwork, too.

36.-53. Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Season Eight #23-40 (Dark Horse, 2009-2011) **
Writers/Artists: various
54. BTVS: Season Eight: Willow (Dark Horse, 2009) **
Writer: Joss Whedon/Artists: Karl Moline & Andy Owens
55. BTVS: Season Eight: Tales Of The Vampires (Dark Horse, 2009) **
Writer: Becky Cloonan/Artist: Vasilis Lolos
56. BTVS: Season Eight: Riley (Dark Horse, 2010) *
Writer: Jane Espenson/Artist: Karl Moline
57.-61. BTVS: Season Nine #1-5 (Dark Horse, 2011-12) ****
Writers/Artists: various
62.-66. Angel & Faith #1-5 (Dark Horse, 2011) ****¼
Writer: Christos Gage/Artists: Rebekah Isaacs (#1-4), Phil Noto (#5)
Buffy Season 8 ended with a whimper, too long and too blah. Angel is the big bad...no, he isn’t...yes, he is. Xander gets creepy close with Dawn. Ozz is a Buddhist werewolf. Spike captains a ship full of bugs. Buffy’s a superhero. Blah. By the time Angel murdered Giles, I’d ceased to care. As had many long-suffering readers, I suspect.
The oneshots were equally dull.
Thankfully, Joss Whedon has taken heed of all the fan criticisms and complaints and rebooted Buffy Season Nine to the point that it’s a real joy to read...so far. Good old Buffy and Spike fighting vampires (or “zompires” as they are now with no magic in the world) and a bunch of people wanting to kill her – good stuff. A surprise, but even more enjoyable, is the oddball coupling of flawed vampire Angel and rogue Slayer Faith in their new series. This complementary series has been a real hoot courtesy of Gage’s...ahem, engaging writing. The idea of Angel seeking redemption by bringing Giles back to life is both perverted and sweet all at once. As is the idea of him having absorbed some of Giles’ essence (and quirky mannerisms). #5 was the absolute highlight – a single issue starring Harmony, now a superficial vampire Hollywood starlet. Let’s hope this upward swing in season nine continues.