Tuesday, November 24, 2009  
The Sequential Holiday Wish List

:: Posted by Bryan @ 11/24/2009 06:45:00 AM

As November winds down, and the rush of December looms, it's time to do a little looking back at the year in comics, and a little looking ahead, at the comics you'd like to give and receive this holiday season.

To do this we're inviting our readers to send us their own thoughts on the subject in the form of a "Holiday Wish List" --we did this last year and it was a lot of fun. All are invited. Responses will be published in full, time permitting. Let us know what comics you're sending to the Prime Minister, to your little nieces and nephews, and anyone else. Will it be Robert Crumb's Illustrated Genesis for Aunt Petunia? Should you give your girlfriend Chester Brown's Playboy or Julie Doucet's Dirty Plotte? For Rod and Todd, Jetcat Clubhouse or Tiny Titans? Think about it, pour yourself a gingervating Canada Dry, and take our little survey:

Sequential's Second Annual Comics Holiday Wishlist

Please respond with your own lists via email. Please feel free to add any categories you see fit. And please feel free to forward to anyone whose opinion you value. Happy Holidays!


(Please be as brief or as detailed as you please, and answer any or all questions.)

1. Your name (optional: your weblink/current project).

2. What was the overall best book published in 2009? (comix/graphic novel/manga/strip/history/webcomic/floppy/etc)
2. a) Best Canadian book?
2. b) Worst comic?

3. What 2009 comic would you recommend for a young boy or girl.

4. What 2009 comic would you recommend for a teen?

5. What 2009 comic would you recommend for an adult woman or man?

6. What 2009 comic would you most like to receive as a gift?

7. Was 2009 a good year for comics? Was it a good year for you? What about the recession and comics? The war in Afghanistan? Taking a page from Yann Martel, what comic should Stephen Harper read?

8. Best guilty pleasure of 2009?

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   Wednesday, December 31, 2008  
Sequential Holiday Wish List: Brian Garside

:: Posted by Bryan @ 12/31/2008 12:01:00 AM
comic book tattoo tori amos naked

Sequential has determined to single-handedly turn around the economy by increasing comic book sales in Canada. Luckily, Sequential readers keep sending in wonderful suggestions as part of our Holiday Wish List feature.

While this is the last Wish List of 2008, readers are encouraged to continue sending Sequential responses to our survey, as well as general thoughts on the past year in Canadian comics (we are especially interested in hearing from people on the creative side of the North American and European comics industry about the economy and the availability of work). If you keep sendin' 'em, I'll keep runnin' 'em.

Thanks to all who have responded so far, and Happy New Year from Sequential!

This installment of the Holiday Wish List fittingly focuses on the retail aspect of comics in Canada:


1. Name
Brian Garside, co-owner of All New Comics Inc. I also have a blog, Radical Hive.

2. What was the overall best book published in 2008? (comix/graphic novel/manga/strip/history/webcomic/floppy/etc)

My favourite comic of 2008 was hands down Comic Book Tattoo, which was not only a spectacular package, but a great read. I'm a huge fan of Tori Amos, so this was a pretty cool item to me.

I'd also like to recommend the Zuda webcomic Bayou, which is quite simply one of the most haunting comic stories I've ever read.


2. a) Best Canadian book?

I'm going to go with Cecil Castellucci's Janes in Love ... she was born in Montreal does that count enough? If not, I'll vote for what Dale Eaglesham has done this year in Justice Society of America. I've bought more pages from Dale in the last 3 years than I have from any other artist.

3. What 2008 comic would you recommend for a young boy (5-10)?


Billy Batson and the Magic of Shazam, a great read for all ages, but Mike Kunkel's art really speaks to kids.

4. What 2008 comic would you recommend for a young girl (5-10)?

Jill Thompson's Magic Trixie is full of innocense and fun. It's a great book.

5. What 2008 comic would you recommend for a teen boy?

Secret Invasion was pretty fun, and I think that it worked on a couple of levels.

6. What 2008 comic would you recommend for a teen girl?

The entire Minx line, but in particular Janes in Love.

7. What 2008 comic would you recommend for an adult woman 18-100?

True Story Swear To God is one of those great reads that's got touchstone moments. Both my wife and I read it, and we've really enjoyed it.

8. What 2008 comic would you recommend for an adult man 18-100?

Geoff Johns' run on Action Comics was spectacular in 2008. The Legion of Super-Heroes story was great, Bizarro was great, and the recent New Krypton storyline is fantastic as well.

9. What comic would you most like to receive as a gift?

Well as co-owner of a comic shop I kinda get every comic that I could possibly want ... but I missed the Absolute League of Extraordinary Gentlemen volumes when they came out.

10. Was 2008 a good year for comics? Was it a good year for you? What effect will this recession thing have?


2008 was an okay year for comics, not spectacular, not horrible, but just "okay".

There wasn't a great moment that made me really excited about the next issue. There wasn't an event that I just couldn't miss.

2008 was a great year for me. All New Comics continued to grow (growing about 100% year over year), but it came at a price. We are gaining customers because stores in smaller towns are shutting down. We also had to raise prices due to the massive drop in the dollar, and we're struggling not to raise shipping prices (although that may not be a big deal if gas prices continue to stay where they are).

We've already seen effects of the recession with several customers cutting back significantly, and a couple having to cancel due to layoffs. I think this will continue to be the case, and it will be up to the publishers to create compelling entertainment which readers simply can't live without.

11. Best guilty pleasure of 2008?

X-Force ... I can't believe that I like this book as much as I do, but there it is, month in and month out. The art is really dark and disturbing, and X-Force is bringing back a whole ton of old (mostly dead) villains without much fanfare.

You didn't ask it, but...

What 2008 comic would you recommend for a pre-schooler (2-5)

My daughter reads Tiny Titans every month, and I've recently been picking up the Looney Tunes comics for her which she absolutely loves.

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   Friday, December 26, 2008  
Sequential Holiday Wish List: Danny Truong

:: Posted by Bryan @ 12/26/2008 02:37:00 AM

As previously mentioned, the key to ending this recession quickly is the purchase of mass quantities of comic books. To this end, we present a special Boxing Day edition of the Holiday Wish List, courtesy of another loyal Sequential reader.

Readers are encouraged to send Sequential their own responses to our survey. If you keep sendin' 'em, I'll keep runnin' 'em.


1. Name: Danny Truong (blogger) at http://thatstheheavy.blogspot.com (That's the Heavy) and all around nice guy....except when I am not!

2. What was the best book published in 2008? (comix/manga/strips/history/webcomic/etc)
Action Comics - Geoff Johns and Gary Frank at their best!
Joker HC - A more realistic, gritty perspective of the Gotham underground from the mind of crime specialist, Brian Azzarello, and the artistic rendering of Lee Bermejo.
Justice Society of America - Admittedly, there has been way too much Gog and Damage love for the last couple of months, but the Kingdom Come storyline has been moving at a gradual but pleasant pace for the patient readers.

2. a) Best Canadian book?
Essex County v3: The Country Nurse by Jeff Lemire - The final book in the Essex County Trilogy is also the best of the three.

3. What 2008 comic would you recommend for a young boy (5-10)?
Tiny Titans - Just simple fun mini-stories with little easter eggs for the long term Teen Titans fans.
Billy Batson & The Magic of SHAZAM! - If you liked and thought Jeff Smith's version was cute, pick up the Mike Kunkel version because it seems to be a lot of fun. Too bad it is bi-monthly,

4. What 2008 comic would you recommend for a young girl (5-10)?
Supergirl: Cosmic Adventures in the 8th Grade - I would have trouble making a recommendation, but this title recently came out. Okay first issue

5. What 2008 comic would you recommend for a teen boy?
Avengers: The Initiative - Still one of Marvel's most unsung books. It was created out of Civil War, took part in World War Hulk and was a major infiltration point for the Skrulls during Secret Invasion. And some of its main characters are teenagers.
Teen Titans: Year One - Karl Kerschl on art, colours are amazing, unfortunately storyline wasn't the greatest. Still, teenage angst on a maily male dominated team.


6. What 2008 comic would you recommend for a teen girl?
New York Four by Brian Wood & Ryan Kelly - Young girl learning to live life in the big city.
The War of Ellsmere by Faith Erin Hicks - Harry Potter for females, minus the magic.
Chiggers by Hope Larson - About having all your friends grow apart and learning to meet new friends.
Skim by Mariko & Jillian Tamaki - Lesbian goth learning to deal with an unrequited love....for her teacher.


7. What 2008 comic would you recommend for an adult woman 18-100?
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8 - Joss Whedon and the Scooby gang fought Japanese Vampires and future Buffy (aka Fray) during this past year. Also, another showdown between Buffy and Faith.
Birds of Prey - Hasn't been the same since Gail Simone left the title, but when she was on, this was the premiere female DC title.
Supergirl - Sterling Gates (with collaboration from Geoff Johns) has managed to stear this sinking ship around and simplify the confusing backstory by explaining the past 30 oh so issues was because of Kryptonite poisoning.....works for me!

8. What 2008 comic would you recommend for an adult man 18-100?
Action Comics - It is really amazing what Geoff Johns has done with Superman - make him cool! Johns has de-cluttered a lot of the crazy Superman storylines and characters. What he has done is streamline and set up a more concise Superman universe for years to come.
Justice Society of America
X-Force - Okay, this has been non-stop action in the X-Universe with a lot of surprising twists, violence, blood, death, and even resurrections! For those intrigued with the world of black ops, imagine if you combine the might of the X-Men's Wolverine, his cuter female clone, X-23, the angel of death, Archangel, join them up with a bunch of b-lister X-Men, and really let the kids' glove off of them!


9. What comic would you most like to receive as a gift?
Any art books/sketchbooks by renowned cartoonists and artists! The Burma Chronicles by Guy Delisle, Superman & The Legion of Super-Heroes HC by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank

10. Was 2008 a good year for comics? Was it a good year for you? What effect will this recession thing have?
Honestly...no. Just some random thoughts and people can agree or disagree....apologies if it seems incoherent.

I did not even have that one titles that I would regularly pick up on a month by month basis in 2008.

The superhero genre that is renown-ly carried by the big two, Marvel & DC comics, had horrendous storylines for 2008. This included the ending of Spider-Man's "One More Day", Final Crisis, Trinity, Ultimates 3, Ultimate Origins, Batman R.I.P., and probably the worst storyline of the year, Countdown to Final Crisis. On top of that, a lot of titles lost steam this year including Buffy TVS, Runaways, Amazing Spider-Man, Justice League of America, Teen Titans, Birds of Prey, New Avengers, Mighty Avengers. Some titles just did not get off the ground including Young X-Men, X-Men: Legacy, Titans, Logan, Marvel Apes and Cable.

There were a few good storylines like X-Men: Messiah Complex and Secret Invasions, but for the most part, it was not an enjoyable year.

Variant covers continue to grow exponentially this year from more Zombie variants, Skrull variants, Monkey Variants, Villains Variants, and the ratio ordering variants. The over saturation of these covers may gain some immediate returns from the 'collectors' market, but will overall hurt the industry in the longer run until it stops.

Dear god! DC Comics decided to go with Grant Morrison rather than Geoff Johns to write two of their major storylines for 2008! :-o

As for the recession, we have already seen what the recession has done on the comic book industry in 2008 including the closing of companies like Virgin Comics or downsizing like Devil's Due Press and even Wizard Entertainment. On top of that, with the decision of Marvel to raise comic book prices on some titles to $3.99US, you are going to see even less purchases, titles completely dropped, less support of your comic book shops and more Amazon purchases.

I always said that reprinted covers and tons of variant covers were the first sign of the comic book apocalypse. Publishers got greedy, choosing to push quantity rather than quality products again. You are going to see an increase in smaller publishers feeling the crunch....are there still small publishers?!?

Also, a Scott Pilgrim book was not published in 2008. :-(


Anyways, to the crew of SEQUENTIAL and its readers, I hope everyone's Christmas/Holiday season has been enjoyable thus far and here's hoping to a prosperous New Year!

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   Sunday, December 21, 2008  
Sequential Holiday Wish List: Kevin Boyd

:: Posted by Bryan @ 12/21/2008 06:00:00 AM


Our next Holiday Wish List comes from con-organizer, blogger, and industry analyst Kevin Boyd. Readers are encouraged to send Sequential their own responses to our survey. If you keep sendin' 'em, I'll keep runnin' 'em.


1. Name: Kevin Andrew Boyd. Current projects --- the Feb. 1 and April 18-19, 2009 Toronto ComiCONs assembling the eligible creators lists and nominating committees for the 2009 Joe Shuster Awards , and enjoying a winter break from conventions for CGC's prestigious Signature Series program

2. What was the overall best book published in 2008? (comix/graphic novel/manga/strip/history/webcomic/floppy/etc)

I would have to say the most enjoyable book about comics that I read this year was Bill Schelly's Man of Rock: A Biography of Joe Kubert.

But actual comics... Im not sure yet. I'll be giving that some thought and making my own top 10 list over the holidays like I did last year and publishing it on my livejournal.

2. a) Best Canadian book?

So far the best graphic novel I've read this year by a Canadian is a toss-up between Jeff Lemire's Essex County Trilogy Vol. 3: The Country Nurse and Mariko and Jillian Tamaki's Skim. I haven’t read Faith Erin Hicks' The War at Ellesmere yet.

The best semi-monthly comic book by a Canadian creator has got to be Dave Sim's Glamourpuss. Forget the fashion magazine send-ups (like shooting fish in a barrel), the insights into the politics and stylistic choices of pioneer strip cartoonists is fascinating.

3. What 2008 comic would you recommend for a young boy (5-10)?

My nephew Michael gets a kick out of every new issue of Franklin Richards: Son of A Genius by Marc Sumerak and Chris Eliopoulos, published by Marvel Comics.

4. What 2008 comic would you recommend for a young girl (5-10)?

My niece Lauren seems to be enjoying Jill Thompson's Magic Trixie books, published by HarperCollins.

5. What 2008 comic would you recommend for a teen boy?

Amazing Spider-Man: Brand New Day Volume 1 by various, published by Marvel Comics. A little less continuity-heavy than previous years, this is the demographic that Spider-Man is perfect for. Plus, you get some great comic art by industry pros like Steve McNiven, Phil Jimenez and in later volumes John Romita, Jr., Chris Bachalo, Marcos Martin, Mike McKone, Barry Kitson and others.

6. What 2008 comic would you recommend for a teen girl?

Coraline, by Neil Gaiman and P. Craig Russell, published by HarperCollins.

7 & 8. What 2008 comic would you recommend for an adult woman/man 18-100?

Regardless of male or female I always recommend the following:

Any trade paperback collection of the following: B.P.R.D. by Arcudi and Davis, Fables by Willingham, Buckingham and Leialoha w/ James Jean, Ex Machina by Vaughan and Harris, Walking Dead by Kirkman and Adlard, or Invincible by Kirkman and Ottley.

For those who like superheroes I also suggest Marvel's Captain America and DC's Green Lantern and Justice Society of America.

9. What comic would you most like to receive as a gift?

It would have to be something that I didn't already order for myself. It would have to be a surprise – something someone loves but hasn't made it onto my radar yet.

10. Was 2008 a good year for comics?

With a few exceptions, I tend to think that 2008 was kind of a mediocre year for published comics in general – like we're all holding our breath waiting for something new and great to show up while at the same time mining the past for anything and everything that was any good. What was that about it being the End of History? And I think it applies to all comics --- mainstream and non-mainstream. On the big screen it was probably the best year ever for comic movies as Dark Knight, Iron Man and even the Incredible Hulk were all popular and enjoyed by the general public and critics alike. The Marvel movie DVDs and the DC direct-to-animation projects like Darwyn Cooke’s Justice League – The New Frontier do a great job of reminding people that these were comic books first and foremost.

Was it a good year for you?

For my projects --- it was a good year all around as everything seemed to go well… the HobbyStar comic conventions are doing great business in all shapes and sizes… things worked out well with the Joe Shuster Awards back in June and fundraising this fall from the Visions art auctions was better than expected, we are in a better place financially than we have ever been… and CGC's Signature Series program continues to be successful at the big conventions. Personally - aside from an early hiccup with a flood in the storage area of my old apartment (prompting a fast move to a new place) - it's been a good year for me.

What effect will this recession thing have?

The recession's effect on publishing will be more casualties as marginally profitable companies start to drop as the orders continue to decline. The bigger companies will shift towards more digital delivery systems to generate material for trade paperbacks, just as webcomics are generating material for graphic novels. Regrettably, fewer creators will look at comics as a viable commercial art form and put their energy towards something else that will pay their bills and we will suffer from their absence. On the collecting side – more quality books will show up in the dollar bins and more people will wait to get their comic pamphlets in the secondary market (conventions, eBay, used bookstores) as they shy away from the inevitable rising new issue prices (compounded by a falling Canadian dollar), all of which hurts your local comic book shop's bottom line… and shops are already feeling the pinch now during this holiday season. There will be some store closures in harder hit areas such as central and eastern Canada, shrinking Canada’s comic book store infrastructure further.

11. (suggested by Diana Tamblyn) Best guilty pleasure of 2008?

I do feel guilty that I don't miss going to comic shop on Wednesday, even though it means I don't get a chance to peruse the covers of new issues as they arrive. Having my new comics delivered to my house on Wednesday nights is definitely a guilty pleasure, it's kind of like ordering pizza.

Specific comic book guilty pleasure is still Invincible, by Kirkman and Ottley. It keeps my love of superhero comics alive and well, even with the occasional outbreak of violence and mayhem.

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   Thursday, December 18, 2008  
Sequential Holiday Wish List: Brad Mackay

:: Posted by Bryan @ 12/18/2008 02:01:00 AM

Our next Holiday Wish List comes from writer Brad Mackay. Readers are encouraged to send Sequential their own responses to our survey. If you keep sendin' 'em, I'll keep runnin' 'em.

1. Name: Brad Mackay (www.bradmackay.com and www.wrightawards.ca)

2. What was the best book published in 2008? (comix/manga/strips/history/webcomic/etc).

I refuse to choose just one, but PictureBox's Gary Panter impressed itself on my mind, as did David Heatley's My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down - in spite of that ComicsComics dust up (and not because of it). As well, I was really blown away by the formative fun of Dash Shaw's "Look Forward, First Son of Terra," a stand-alone story (and i think his debut) in Mome #10. It's like that Benjamin Button film, except i am sure more interesting.

2a) Best Canadian book?

Ugh. I hate choosing favourites, but Michel Rabigliati's Paul Goes Fishing was a stand out. I loved the Albert Chartier Onesime cameo, largely because I knew no one outside Canada would get it.

3. What 2008 comic would you recommend for a young boy (5-10)?
The Amazing Transformations of Jimmy Olsen (even though it was published in 2007), and Moomin Book Three

4. What 2008 comic would you recommend for a young girl (5-10)?
The Amazing Transformations of Jimmy Olsen (ditto), Moomin Book Three

5. What 2008 comic would you recommend for a teen boy?
The Amazing Transformations of Jimmy Olsen

6. What 2008 comic would you recommend for a teen girl?
Aya of Yop City, Ojingogo

7. What 2008 comic would you recommend for an adult woman 18-100?
Huh? Wha?

8. What 2008 comic would you recommend for an adult man 18-100?
Pfff! No centenarian should waste what precious little time they have left on earth reading a comic.

9. What comic would you most like to receive as a gift?
This is a trick question, right? Kramer's Ergot #7

10. Was 2008 a good year for comics? Was it a good year for you? What effect will this recession thing have?

It was a great year for comics; maybe the best in decades. What with the tidal wave of classic strip reprints (including the amazing Bat-Manga) and original GNs. Personally, my year has been great. Thanks for asking. Got to meet Lynn Johnston at the Wright Awards, which i think was the best year yet, notwithstanding the MCs mumbling delivery.
The chief effect of the economic turn down will be lower book sales and fewer new books - or fewer experimental books.

Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!

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   Tuesday, December 16, 2008  
Sequential Holiday Wish List: Ronn Sutton

:: Posted by Bryan @ 12/16/2008 01:46:00 AM

Our next Holiday Wish List comes from cartoonist Ronn Sutton. Readers are encouraged to send Sequential their own responses to our survey. If you keep sendin' 'em, I'll keep runnin' 'em.

1. Name: I'm Ronn Sutton, comicbook penciler. My website is www.ronnsutton.com where you'll find about 100 pieces of my artwork including comic pages, illustrations, animation work and some of my courtroom sketches.

2. What was the best book published in 2008? (comix/manga/strips/history/webcomic/etc)

There were a number of notable publications in 2008. For my time & money, the most interesting were:

Steve Rude - Artist In Motion, the big hardcover artbook from Flesk Publishing. More than just a collection of Steve Rude's paintings, its an instructual guide by Rude on his technique and working methods. A bargain at any price.

Spanish artist Jordi Bernet, best known for his TORPEDO 1936 graphic novels, drew three or four issues of DC's JONAH HEX this year. Well worth checking out.

Running Press released THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF BEST HORROR COMICS TP reprinting horror comics from the 1940s to the present day. At 544 pages all in one volume its a very big thick spooky read.

And Richard Corben returned to Marvel for a three issue HAUNT OF HORROR featuring adaptations of all H. P. Lovecraft stories. Now collected into one single hardcover volume, I believe, to match his previous series of all Edgar Allen Poe strips.

2. a) Best Canadian book?

Ballad of a Thin Man: In Search of Ryan Larkin by Chris Robinson for AWN Press is a slim book, but its an interesting tale. Ryan Larkin was once "the golden boy" animator of the National Film Board. In 1969 his brilliant short film "Walking" was nominated for an Academy Award and he became one of Canada's most influencial animators. Yet, years later he would end up living on the streets of Montreal as an alcoholic panhandler. The book chronicles the attempt of the Ottawa International Animation Festival to both honor him and get him drawing again. However, it was not to be. Book comes with dvd of Larkin's two best short films "Walking" and "Street Musique" as well as Chris Landreth's animated interview/documentary "Ryan" that did win an Academy Award in 2005.

3. What comic would you most like to receive as a gift?

Either ACTION COMICS #1 or DETECTIVE #27 would do nicely.

4. Was 2008 a good year for comics? Was it a good year for you? What effect will this recession thing have?

Over a 9 year period I penciled nearly 50 stories for Claypool's ELVIRA, MISTRESS OF THE DARK. Since that title ended nearly two years ago I've been bouncing around from one comic assignment to another. The one I'm most proud of was "The Good Guys!" that appeared in FEAR AGENT #22 (Dark Horse - July 2008) that I did with writer/inker Hilary Barta. He and I will be working on a couple other projects that will be published shortly.

The recession has already affected publishers, creators and readers. It will continue to do so for some time to come. When readers have less spending money, they cut back on their purchases which hits publishers who are employing the writers, artists, etc. It hits everyone along the line. During a time of economic restrain, publishers are less willing to take chances on new or experimental titles, so there's likely to be fewer options for readers. The good news is that it won't last forever and eventually new titles and new companies will replace the ones we are currently losing.

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   Monday, December 15, 2008  
Sequential Holiday Wish List: Diana Tamblyn

:: Posted by Bryan @ 12/15/2008 01:13:00 AM
skim floppy cover tamaki
Our next Holiday Wish List comes from cartoonist Diana Tamblyn. Readers are encouraged to send Sequential their own responses to our survey.

1. Name: Diana Tamblyn

I'm currently working on a full-length graphic novel entitled: "From Earth to Babylon: The Story of Gerald Bull and the Supergun". It's a historical biography based on the life of Canadian Gerald Bull - considered to be one of the most brilliant scientists of the twentieth century.

I'm going to be working on this for a few long years, but am looking to release a mini-comic of the first chapter for TCAF 2009.

2. What was the overall best book published in 2008? (comix/graphic novel/manga/strip/history/webcomic/floppy/etc)

It's hard to pick just one, so I am going to pick a few that cover off different categories.

Favourite overall graphic novel
Notes for a War Story - Gipi

Yes, I don't think this came out this year, but I read it this year, so I'm counting it. I find the whole First Second line-up is extremely strong with very few misses in their whole catalogue. Of their entire catalogue, this is my favourite though.

I bought it at Mocca at the behest of publisher Mark Siegel and it completely blew me away on all levels. I wasn't familiar with Italian artist Gipi, but his storytelling and artwork is fantastic and refreshing. Anything I try to say to describe it would be a disservice to the book as it is so subtle and smart by an artist who is clearly a master in the genre. This is one of those books that I will be pulling off my bookshelf and looking at several times a year. I loved it!

Favourite Art Book
Fables: Covers by James Jean

I recently picked this up at my local comic store, and I have to say it's stunning. It collects all of Jean's covers on the book in an oversized hardcover with beautiful production to it.

The best part is it shows thumbnails of his process from pencils to full-rendered finished piece. It also gives information on the media he used -ballpoint pen on oil? Crazy!

I also found it interesting to see that Jean started mostly using traditional media - pencils, acrylics, and as time went on he started using digital media more and more while the overall look stays the same. The only bad thing about this book is how untalented I feel flipping through it. I heard that when Eric Clapton saw Jimi Hendrix live in concert, he went home and cried because he knew he could never be that good. This book kind of makes me feel like that...


Favourite Super-Hero graphic novel/Guilty Pleasure

Superman & the Legion of Super-Heroes GN - Geoff Johns and Gary Frank

OK, I can hear some of you groaning out there, but I really loved this kick-start of the Superman books by Johns and Frank. This multi-issue storyline had a fun, intergalactic super-hero story, the Legion and fantastic art. Plus, you didn't have to read a big crossover in order to get the whole story.

What more could you ask for in a super-hero book? I'll tell you what - the Legion of Substitute Heroes! I LOVE the subs. Call me a nerd it's true. My favourite subs are Polar Boy and Night Girl and they both play key appearances in the story. Yay! Add to all of this, Gary Frank's great artwork and the fact that his version of Superman looks just like Chris Reeve and you have one great super-hero story on your hands.

2. Best Canadian book?

Skim - by Mariko and Jillian Tamaki

I picked this up years ago in comic book format when it was put out as a one-shot by Kiss Machine Presents. It had a really striking cover that really got your attention. Apparently it got publisher Emily Pohl-Weary into some hot water too, as some book stores refused to carry it since it had a swear word on the cover (Kiss Machine and Kiss Machine Presents are distributed in bookstores across Canada). I still have great fondness for this cover. I like it better than the graphic novel version in fact.

I wasn't familiar with the work of either Mariko, or Jillian, but the comic really blew me away! When the full-length graphic novel of it came out I read it with eager anticipation. Sure enough, it didn't disappoint. The storytelling was crisper than the comic version and Jillian re-drew pretty much the whole thing. At MOCCA, I was trying to get everyone who came by my booth to take a look at Skim (as Jillian and Mariko also had a booth at the show).

Both completely deserve all the accolades they got for this book. This very nearly got my vote as overall best book of the year.

7. What 2008 comic would you recommend for an adult woman 18-100?

Skim - for all the reasons mentioned above
V for Vendetta - a classic that a lot of non-comic readers respond to, especially since the movie came out.
Why I Hate Saturn - Kyle Baker
This is one of my all time favourite graphic novels, and is one of my go-to books to recommend to friends who don't read comics.
I've lent it out a bunch of times, and people do't like to give it back, so I've bought it at least 3 times now. It's laugh out loud funny, and so relatable in the relationship between the characters.

8. What 2008 comic would you recommend for an adult man 18-100?

Criminal - Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips
A really great noir comic. It's just so good. Storytelling and artwork are terrific and I like that it exists in its own world. You don't need to buy any other related books to know what's going on.

I buy it in comic book format as every issue has interesting back-up articles on film noir and pulp fiction by famous writers and directors. It's usually accompanied by a nice Phillips double-page spread. These bonus features aren't reprinted in the trades.

9. What comic would you most like to receive as a gift?

I've been wanting this for a while - I'd like to get Blake Bell's Stranger and Stranger book about Steve Ditko.

10. Was 2008 a good year for comics? Was it a good year for you? What effect will this recession thing have?

I think in terms of the quality of work - yes. I know I bought a lot of comics that I read and enjoyed. For me it was also a good year. I quit my full-time job, and moved to London, Ont from Toronto. The move has been great for the whole family and I have been able to spend more time on my artwork and comics!

I know publishing wise, a few companies went out of business and layoffs are happening at big and large firms - which is disturbing, especially at the big book publishers. I remain hopeful though. There are a lot of great artists in the comic book field, and I believe long-time the form will come through this recession (maybe a little leaner and meaner though).

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   Thursday, December 04, 2008  
Sequential Holiday Wish List: Kurt Beaulieu

:: Posted by Bryan @ 12/04/2008 01:04:00 AM

Our first Holiday Wish List come's from Montreal cartoonist Kurt Beaulieu. Readers are encouraged to send Sequential their own responses to our survey.

Kurt Beaulieu

http://www.comicspace.com/kurtbeaulieu/

What was the best book published in 2008?

Not a book, but what i think is one of the best thing i've seen this year:Hitmen For Destiny:
http://www.webcomicsnation.com/thorsby/destiny/toc.php


What 2008 comic would you recommend for adult readers (men and women)?

To both, the Albert Chartier recent compilation.

What comic would you most like to receive as a gift?

Some expensive book that i couldn't afford, so i would take the latest Kramer's Ergot


Was 2008 a good year for comics?

As far as the Quebec scene goes, yes it was.

Was it a good year for you?

A bit of a status quo situation going, but the pile keeps growing.


What effect will this recession thing have?

The collected work of obscure eastern european cartoonists won't be published...

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   Friday, November 28, 2008  
Sequential's Holiday Wish List

:: Posted by Bryan @ 11/28/2008 12:41:00 AM

Based on the success of our 2008 Summer Reading List, I plan on running a series of "Wish Lists" from Sequential readers and comics people during the final weeks of the year. Yes, it's time to put on your "looking back" cap and ponder the past year's worth of comix. Please respond with your own lists via email. Please feel free to add any categories you see fit. And please feel free to forward to anyone who's opinion you value. Happy Holidays!

The 2008 Sequential Comics Holiday Wish List

(Please be as brief or as detailed as you please, and answer any or all questions.)

1. Your name and weblink/current project.

2. What was the overall best book published in 2008? (comix/graphic novel/manga/strip/history/webcomic/floppy/etc)
2. a) Best Canadian book?

3. What 2008 comic would you recommend for a young boy (5-10)?

4. What 2008 comic would you recommend for a young girl (5-10)?

5. What 2008 comic would you recommend for a teen boy?

6. What 2008 comic would you recommend for a teen girl?

7. What 2008 comic would you recommend for an adult woman 18-100?

8. What 2008 comic would you recommend for an adult man 18-100?

9. What comic would you most like to receive as a gift?

10. Was 2008 a good year for comics? Was it a good year for you? What effect will this recession thing have?

11. (suggested by Diana Tamblyn) Best guilty pleasure of 2008?

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