Comics & Graphic Novels

-J. Michael Bestul is a writer for the Addison Recorder. Stephanie Ruehl is an artist who works in a comic book shop. They’re married and have a lot of discussions about comic books and graphic novels. Combine all that into a biweekly feature and you get “J. & Steph Talk About Comics.”

What impossible combination would you like to see on your favorite series?

There were two events that inspired us to daydream and discuss this. The first was the latest One Shot podcast episode, wherein Rat Queens author Kurtis J. Wiebe played a session of 13th Age. As J&STAC readers know, Rat Queens is probably our favorite ongoing title, and they may have guessed that 13th Age is one of -J.’s favorite RPG systems. Hearing the two combined on a Chicago-based podcast of unrivaled quality only made it sweeter.

But wait — Tuesday would not be outdone by its predecessor in the week. That’s because Marvel announced yesterday that Ta-Nehisi Coates would be writing a new Black Panter series.

We repeat: TA-NEHISI COATES WILL BE WRITING A BLACK PANTHER SERIES. That’s one of those perfect mash-ups that you dream up excitedly after a few drinks, but figure it’s too awesome an idea to actually happen.

In that vein, we’ve each come up with a “too-crazy-to-actually-happen” list of writers and artists we’d love to see on some of our favorite titles. [Read more…]

-J. Michael Bestul is a writer for the Addison Recorder. Stephanie Ruehl is an artist who works in a comic book shop. They’re married and have a lot of discussions about comic books and graphic novels. Combine all that into a biweekly feature and you get “J. & Steph Talk About Comics.”

As the summer winds down, we find a plethora of new mini-series, new additions to cult mini-series, mini-series based on cartoons, or video games, and squirrels. Lots of squirrels. But we start with a new story in a new medium from one of our favorite animated mini-series:

Over the Garden Wall #1 (of 4)

words by Pat McHale, art by Jim Campbell, published by KaBOOM!

Synopsis: We return for another misadventure with Wirt, Greg, Beatrice, and Greg’s frog as they try to make their way back home.

-J.: Woo-hoo! A new Over the Garden Wall story, now in comic book form! BUT WAIT. When does this story take place? The animated series this is based upon is such a beloved and perfectly-contained story, how can there be more?! BUT WAIT AGAIN. Wirt and Greg spent so much time in the cartoon wandering through the unknown, looking for a way home, that there’s plenty of room for a few “untold tales.” Hooray!

Steph: …

-J.: I call that, “How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love this Comic.”

Steph: Over the Garden Wall is one of my favorite things.  The cleverness and fun of the writing, I cannot recommend this animated mini-series more. If you haven’t seen it, go watch it now. Seriously.  [Read more…]

-J. Michael Bestul is a writer for the Addison Recorder. Stephanie Ruehl is an artist who works in a comic book shop. They’re married and have a lot of discussions about comic books and graphic novels. Combine all that into a biweekly feature and you get “J. & Steph Talk About Comics.”

-J.: Last time around, we talked about comics we thought would make great tabletop role-playing games. By sheer coincidental timing, a new comic anthology about role-playing games had just arrived on our doorstep. As I flipped through it, I was reminded how much we love short story anthologies — and how I wish there were more of them in the comics medium. So, we decided to spotlight some of our favorite anthologies and short comics collections, starting with the book that inspired that decision:

Death Saves: Fallen Heroes of the Kitchen Table

Edited by Josh Trujillo, published by Lost His Keys Man Comics

-J.: Death Saves is an indie comic ode to tabletop role-playing games, viewed through the lens of characters’ deaths. It’s interesting, Steph, that we reacted in different ways to the same anthology, based on our backgrounds and experiences. Personally, I was engrossed in this anthology, even with some of the stories that didn’t connect with me. And I guffawed and chuckled at many of the lines. [Read more…]

-J. Michael Bestul is a writer for the Addison Recorder. Stephanie Ruehl is an artist who works in a comic book shop. They’re married and have a lot of discussions about comic books and graphic novels. Combine all that into a biweekly feature and you get “J. & Steph Talk About Comics.”

It’s been a while since we did a recap of recent #1 releases, in part because of the re-booting brought on by Secret Wars and Convergence. The summer has brought us a plethora of new and re-launched stories, and we start with a classic comic that looks very, very new.

Archie #1

words by Mark Waid, art by Fiona Staples, published by Archie Comics

Synopsis: The reboot of Archie finds the titular character giving the reader a tour of his high school, introducing his friends, and now ex girlfriend Betty.

Steph: I loved this. The Waid/Staples combo is just so fun to read. [Read more…]

-J. Michael Bestul is a writer for the Addison Recorder. Stephanie Ruehl is an artist who works in a comic book shop. They’re married and have a lot of discussions about comic books and graphic novels. Combine all that into a biweekly feature and you get “J. & Steph Talk About Comics.”

As any industry or medium grows, it develops jargon — language that fans, practitioners, and others “in the know” understand, but can be an obstacle for new fans and practitioners. As someone who works in a comic shop, and who is an advocate for bringing in new fans, Steph wants to ensure that such technical terminology isn’t a barrier.

Here, then, are a few pieces of jargon that can help potential new fans and readers. [Read more…]