LOCAL COMIX

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WEEKNIGHT CASSEROLE

(W/A) Kelly Froh

 A collection of comics and drawings that never found a home, or were printed in short-run anthologies and are now hard to find.

 

THE GREATEST

(W/A) Kelly Froh

A collection of portraits based on real life senior citizens met during the author's time working at nursing homes and retirement communities. Kelly writes, "This little book is in honor of some of the most memorable people I have met over the years, and what I see as their greatest characteristic or stand-out trait."



ZANADU RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 1/25/12

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BULLETPROOF COFFIN: DISINTERRED #1

(W) David Hine  (A) Shaky Kane

"KILLER INSIDE" - THE ORIGIN OF THE SHIELD OF JUSTICE
Back from the grave! The cult hit of 2011 returns with a tale of treachery, murder and unrequited lust. When headless corpses start to appear on the first night of the full moon, ace detective Johnny P. Sartre smells a rat...

Contains profanity, nudity, violence and the graphic depiction of alcohol abuse.

Run for the hills, Kane and Hine are back with more drug comics!! No, really, look at the warning! This is the kind of crap Wertham was talking about when he said comics were responsible for destroying the youth of America! The comic you never thought you'd see again is back to destroy your psyche and inhibitions!! RECOMMENDED BY CASEY! (who else?)

ZANADU RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 1/25/12

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NAUGHTY AND NICE GOOD GIRL ART OF BRUCE TIMM SC

(W/A) Bruce Timm

In a radical departure from his previous work on animated films and comics featuring superheroes, the award-winning artist Bruce Timm presents an extensive survey of the many forms that his muse has assumed in his mind's eye. Naughty and Nice: The Good Girl Art of Bruce Timm showcases over 350 full-color, line and pencil images of partially clothed and nude women of almost every conceivable description and temperament, some accompanied by Timm's comments.

This substantial collection provides shapely forms and earthly delights throughout its pages. Be it a sophisticated city gal or a savage jungle queen, a hard-boiled dame or an elegant lady from the land of fantasy, a quietly smoldering sorceress or a wild-hearted adventuress, Timm's ladies are sure to please the eye.

Over 125 new images have been prepared especially for this handsome book. Timm explores the female form with absolute creative freedom, and pure personal expression is the result. The artist has granted Flesk Publications unprecedented access to his archives to provide the best representation of his private works. These rarely seen images span the last 15 years and are showcased in a single collection for the first time.

After years and years of spearheading the majority of DC animated projects, Bruce Timm shows off his more risque side, with this gorgeous book of sultry women that will ignite even the coldest of hearts. Already in a low stock situation at Diamond, get em before they're gone, 'cause who knows when we'll see it again! RECOMMENDED BY PERRY!

ZANADU RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 1/25/12

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CATWOMAN TP VOL 01

(W) Ed Brubaker  (A) Darwyn Cooke, Mike Allred

Don't miss this new collection of CATWOMAN: SELINA'S BIG SCORE, plus stories from DETECTIVE COMICS #759-762 and CATWOMAN #1-9, featuring the work of Ed Brubaker, Darwyn Cooke and more!

Take note, people, this is how you make Catwoman comics... Pulling from the tone of Batman: Year One, comes a perfect mix of noir and super-hero as only Brubaker can deliver! Not to mention the fact you have TWO amazing artists capturing the gritty feel of Gotham's East End like never before! Plus, SLAM FREAKING BRADLEY!!! Can you ask for more? RECOMMENDED BY ERIN!

ZANADU REVIEWS

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DARK MATTER #1

(W) Joseph Mallozzi & Paul Mullie  (A) Garry Brown


In the infinite abyss that is deep space, 6 doomed souls awaken from cryosleep to find themselves on a ship with no memory of who they are or how they got on board. Throw in a murderous Albino android and you've got what sounds to be a pretty cool idea for a comic. Unfortunately, the execution was not as smooth as I would have liked.

Using a very standard and archetypal cast, the writers, Mallozzi and Mullie, attempt to evoke the creepiness of the first Alien film, but are bogged down by the inability to smoothly flow from one scene to the next. Because of this, they are unable to build the tension that is necessary to create successful space horror stories. You do get a basic sense of who each character may be, but at the same time, it is exactly what you would expect just from looking at them. I'm hoping that in future issues, the writers play with these stereotypes to produce the betrayals and intrigue that was promised in the solicitation.

Aside from the character designs, Garry Brown's art was sufficiently gritty and dark, creating a cold and hostile feeling that echoes what the characters are experiencing. It reminded me of early Sean Phillips and I expect that Brown will progress quite nicely over the next few issues.

All in all, I am curious to find out how bad things get, and hopefully the crew will slowly descend into madness as each new layer of the mystery is revealed.

2.5 OUT OF 5 Z'S

REVIEW BY CASEY!

ZANADU RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 1/18/12

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PROPHET #21

(W) Brandon Graham  (A) Simon Roy

The distant future Earth is inhabited by alien settlers that feed off of the ape-men mankind has devolved into. John Prophet awakes from cryosleep on a mission to restart the human empire.

Prepare to rocket into the unknown with one of the most anticipated books of 2012! Indy superstars, Brandon Graham and Simon Roy, bring their own brand of European and Manga influenced sci-fi to one of Liefeld's most celebrated and laughed at creations. Combined with a rotating array of stellar artists, this is one ride that you may need some supplies for, if you know what I mean...RECOMMENDED BY CASEY!!

ZANADU RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 1/18/12

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BATMAN #5

(W) Scott Snyder  (A) Greg Capullo

Deep beneath Gotham City lies the Court of Owls' deadliest trap - and Batman has fallen right into it! Can he escape, or will he perish in a maze of nightmare? Enter the labyrinth, Batman - if you dare!

Read and be thrilled as the Parliament of Owls slowly tightens its talons in a terrifying death-grip that threatens to forever undermine the legacy of Batman in Gotham! RECOMMENDED BY ERIN!

ZANADU RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 1/18/12

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DANGER GIRL: REVOLVER #1

(W) Andy Hartnell  (A) Chris Madden

For the first time ever, creators J. Scott Campbell and Andy Hartnell introduce a new Danger Girl to the team! Who is she? What are her skills? Where is she from? What are her measurements? You'll find those answers and more as she joins the world's sexiest spy agency in their most explosive adventure yet! And not only that, but we also up the action and thrills by welcoming soon-to-be-superstar, artist Chris Madden to his first-ever Danger Girl epic! Consider yourself debriefed!

Action! Intrigue! Voluptuous women in tight outfights! C'mon, you know that's why you really read this book! But hey, nothing wrong with well drawn women kicking the crap out of bad guys all across the globe! Courtesy of original Danger Girl team, Campbell and Hartnell, along with up and coming local artist, Chris Madden! RECOMMENDED BY PERRY!

ZANADU RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 1/18/12

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STEED AND MRS. PEEL #1

(W) Grant Morrison  (A) Ian Gibson

From the one and only Grant Morrison -- "The Golden Game Part One: Crown and Anchor!" Your favorite Avengers finally return! When Tara King is kidnapped by a mysterious organization, John Steed and Emma Peel must reunite to solve this mystery. Featuring gorgeous art from Ian Gibson, best-known for his work with Alan Moore on "The Ballad of Halo Jones." A science fiction/spy fiction mash-up from Grant Morrison and two of TV's most iconic heroes!

Take a trip back to the 60s with Morrison and Gibson's throwback to the fabulous Avengers team of British spy television fame. Unsparingly tweaked and delightfully mod, don't pass on this groovy reissue. RECOMMENDED BY PATRICK!!

NEWLY EXPANDED LOCAL/INDY COMIX SECTION!!

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We've received a bunch of new comix from small press creators who answered the call we put out a few weeks ago. Included are books from Ian Sundahl, Neil Devlin, E. Lin, Jason Thompson and Josh Juresko. They are all grouped together in our newly expanded local/indy comix section, ready to be devoured by discerning fans looking for the next big thing in comics! Visit our facebook page and Comix/Zines section for further information!

ZANADU COMICS LONG TABLE DISCUSSION!

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The first ever Zanadu Long Table event was certified success last night as more than two people actually showed up! Big thanks to everyone who attended and we hope that you all ahd enough fun to show up for the second edition during the second week of February. Will Harris, who runs the blog, Comics Blend, wrote up a far nicer review than I on his blog, so be sure to check it our when you get a chance.

For the second edition we will be doing a book club type of thing where everyone reads a new issue and then discusses it when we meet. This month's issue is PROPHET #21 by Brandon Graham and Simon Roy, which ships next week 1/18/12. If anyone else would like to join feel free and hopefully we'll see some new faces next time! We'd love to hear your suggestions about what topics to discuss as we are just the host and want to know what YOU actually want to talk about! So please don't be a stranger and we hope to see you again on WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8th! Bring friend!!

 



ZANADU RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 1/11/12

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WHISPERS #1

(W/A) Joshua Luna

A mentally troubled man is suddenly empowered with the ability to leave his physical body in "ghost" form and manipulate people in strange and disturbing ways. With this incredible power, will he control his demons...or discover even more?
JOSHUA LUNA of the Luna Brothers (ULTRA, GIRLS, THE SWORD) makes a solo debut with a dark, supernatural thriller that questions free will and explores the obsessions, addictions and urges we all have and may not have control of at all.

Another great looking #1 from the guys at Image, this supernatural thriller by 1/2 of the Luna Brothers is sure to burrow deep in your subconscious, lingering with you as each new layer is revealed, bringing with it more unsettling horrors. I've been a huge Luna Brothers fan ever since Girls and am quite intrigued to see if there is still the same magic in a solo book from Joshua as when they work together. RECOMMENDED BY CASEY!

ZANADU RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 1/11/12

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BLUE ESTATE TP VOL #2

(W) Viktor Kalvachev & Andrew Osborne  (A) Various

The stakes increase and the body count rises when a pair of underachieving sons on opposite sides of the law betray their powerful fathers, triggering paranoia, chaos, and a deadly case of Dexter obsession in the second volume of the BLUE ESTATE saga. Killers battle, schemes unravel, assassins get deployed and garden gnomes are destroyed as the supercool Hollywood crime series reloads in this bonus-packed new trade paperback collection!
Collects BLUE ESTATE #5-8

Continuing one of the best crime books on the market, volume two finds our unfortunate cast deep in the trenches of bad decisions and failed schemes with little hope of escape. Written by Viktor Kalvachev with a rotating cast of phenomenal artists, this is the perfect book for anyone liking Criminal, Chew, Fatale or just fans of Noir in general. RECOMMENDED BY ERIN!

ZANADU RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 1/11/12

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THE STRAIN #2

(W) David Lapham  (A) Mike Huddleston

As an eclipse covers New York City in midday darkness, Dr. Ephraim Goodweather and his team from the Centers for Disease Control struggle to find an explanation for what happened to Flight 753. But when the symptoms don't add up to chemical warfare, and bizarre circumstances unexplained by modern medicine arise, Ephraim begins to entertain the ramblings of a Holocaust survivor who knows too much about this unknown threat.

Master of Horror Comics David Lapham adapts Master of Horror Cinema Guillermo del Toro's novel The Strain with the expert aid of Master of Graphic Illustration Mike Huddleston. There's so much mastery on display, it's frightening. RECOMMENDED BY PATRICK!!!

ZANADU RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 1/11/12

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DARK MATTER #1

(W) Joseph Mallozzi & Paul Mullie  (A) Garry Brown

A derelict ship floats in space, its troubled crew awakened from stasis with no memories of who they are or how they got on board. Their search for answers triggers the vessel's deadly security system: a relentless android bent on their destruction. Facing threats at every turn, they have to work together to survive a voyage charged with vengeance, redemption, betrayals, and hidden secrets best left unknown.
Science-fiction veterans Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie, best known for their work on television's Stargate franchise and the new Transporter: The Series, create a new and exciting universe!

In the vein of Aliens and Event Horizon comes a new sci-fi series following the doomed adventures of an amnesic crew with no hope of escape. How did they get here? Why is the ship attacking them? These are the questions that will ultimately lead to their rescue or perhaps drive them further into madness...RECOMMENDED BY PERRY!