This book takes bedtime stories to a new level, with magical tales told by a stellar lineup of writers and artists. Even without the Henson name, it’s a keeper.
The publisher Archaia is carving out a nice little niche for itself with a certain type of graphic novel: Handsomely produced anthologies and all-ages stories with a classic look, high production values, and a stellar lineup of talent. Jim Henson’s The Storyteller
Roger Langridge’s comics series Snarked is a lighthearted take on an already lighthearted original, Lewis Carroll’s poem “The Walrus and The Carpenter.” In these comics, Langridge (the writer of BOOM!’s Muppet Show comics and the upcoming Popeye series from IDW) transforms them into a pair of con men, one wily, one… not so much. Snarked #5 came out on Wednesday so it’s available in fine comics shops everywhere and will probably be available digitally via comiXology and the Comics 4 Kids and BOOM! apps before long.
The week of Valentine’s Day means love is in the air. Love of comics, that is! Action Lab finishes its well received series Princeless. Watch out for the collection to add to your library shelves! Capstone Press pours out a litter of DC Super-Pets books for the superhero/animal lover in us all, and First Second has the fourth volume of their fantastic series, Olympians, this month featuring Hades, lord of the dead.
The List:
ACTION LAB ENTERTAINMENT
Princeless #4, $3.99
APE ENTERTAINMENT
Richie Rich Gems #44, $3.99
ARCHIE COMICS
Betty And Veronica #258, $2.99
Jugheads Double… Read More
The comic strip “Garfield” first appeared in newspapers back in 1978, but the fat, sarcastic orange-and-black-striped cat has remained popular up through today. Kids and adults alike cannot seem to get enough of him. He has appeared in books, on TV and even had a couple of movies! His latest TV incarnation has become the basis for a new series of graphic novels from Papercutz.
This week, BOOM! Studios debuted a new comic, Adventure Time, based on the Cartoon Network television series of the same name—but with all new stories. Written by Ryan North (Dinosaur Comics—N.B.: This is not a kids’ comic!) and illustrated by Shelli Paroline and Braden Lamb (Ice Age: Iced In), with a short extra story by Aaron Renier (The Unsinkable Walker Bean), this promises to be one of the standout all-ages comics of the year. Here’s a five-page preview to whet your appetite, and if you’re curious about how the book came together, take a look at Ryan North’s post that shows the journey from script to finished page. (Click on images to enlarge.)
There’s a good variety of comics and manga on the list this week. With Valentine’s Day next week, Ape Entertainment is ready with a new one shot for Richie Rich classic comics, the Valentine’s Special 2012. Archie Comics has given Kevin Keller his own ongoing series, and what’s the one thing he’s bad at? Dating! Kodansha has the next volume of the very cute Shugo Chara Chan series.
The List:
APE ENTERTAINMENT
Richie Rich Valentines Special 2012 (One Shot), $3.99
ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS
Archie Double Digest #226, $3.99
Betty And Veronica Double Digest #198, $3.99
Kevin Keller… Read More
Make yourself comfortable, because we have a special treat for you today: A 32-page preview of Polly and the Pirates: Mystery of the Dragonfish, written by Ted Naifeh and illustrated by Robbi Rodriguez. This is the second collection of the Polly and the Pirates comics, and it comes almost five years after the first, but it’s well worth waiting for. Naifeh’s witty writing and Rodriguez’s fluid artwork make a nice package that’ s fun for adults and young readers alike; if you want to know more about them, check out this interview at Newsarama. The first volume got lots of good reviews, and we’re expecting the same for this one. So jump in and enjoy the fun.
It’s hard to believe January is already over! It’s going to be another year just flying by, I can already tell. It’s a short list again this week. Ape Entertainment is back with some classic Richie Rich to complement the new series. Archie has the second issue of the Sonic Super Special Magazine for old and new fans, and Papercutz premieres another series with the first volume of Dance Class.
The List:
APE ENTERTAINMENT
Richie Rich Gems Winter Special (One Shot), $3.99
ARCHIE COMICS
Sonic Super Special Magazine #2, $9.99
Sonic The Hedgehog #233, $2.99
World Of… Read More
New from BOOM! Studios’ KaBoom line this week is Ice Age: Iced In, a 24-page comic based on the 2002 movie Ice Age. The movie may be old, but the comic is fresh and lively, with a script by Caleb Monroe and art by Braden Lamb and Shelli Paroline, who will be illustrating KaBoom’s Adventure Time comics later this year.
Ice Age: Iced In has a simple plot that finds Sid, Manny, and Diego trapped in a cave due to an avalanche and forced to rely on their wits to survive. Here’s a five-page preview; as you read it, watch the squirrel at the top of the page—he becomes a big part of the story later on. (Click images to enlarge.)
The first month of 2012 wraps up with a fairly short list. Ape Entertainment finishes its first Strawberry Shortcake mini series. Arcana Studios releases a graphic novel that really puts meaning in the word graphic with My Best Friend’s a Booger. And Dark Horse continues its re-release of the CLAMP classic title Cardcaptor Sakura with the third omnibus.
The List:
APE ENTERTAINMENT
Kung Fu Panda #4 (Of 6), $3.95
Little Green Men Small Package Big Fun TP, $6.95
Strawberry Shortcake Berry Fun #4 (Of 4), $3.99
ARCANA STUDIOS
My Best Friend’s A Booger GN, $6.95
A collaborative blog covering good comics for kids by Brigid Alverson, Robin Brenner, Katherine Dacey, Lori Henderson, Esther Keller, Scott Robins, Eva Volin, and Snow Wildsmith. Follow us on Twitter @GoodComics4Kids.
