More new additions

[wardevil0]

I really am cutting back...

 

So despite all my intentions of cutting back, I had a chance for two books I couldn't pass up. One I've hunted for a long time, and one I didn't know I wanted until I saw it. I got both from mycomicshop.com auctions.

 

The first is A1 #5, 9.6 SS signed by William Stout. I've already written about how much I enjoyed A1 #1, and the feeling has expanded across the title. This one includes work by the following, lifted from the A1 wikipedia page:

Cover Story, Neil Gaiman and Kelley Jones

Bricktop: "Sunglasses", Chris Smith and Glenn Fabry

In the Penal Colony, Peter Milligan and Brett Ewins (adapted from Franz Kafka)

The Contact, Brett Ewins and Shaky Kane

Tor: "Food Chain", Joe Kubert

Jeff Hawke: "The Devil at Rennes-le-Chateau", Sydney Jordan, Trevor Goring and Thayed Rich

Knuckles the Malevolent Nun, Cornelius Stone and Roger Langridge

Bic: "Party Piece", Ed Hillyer

Reasons, Jeff Jones

The Boy Who Defied Gravity, Nick Abadzis

Take One Capsule Every Million Years, Bruce Jones, Jim Sullivan, and William Stout

Elvistein: "Yin and Yankee", Bambos Georgiu

The Proxy, Ramsey Campbell and David Lloyd

Trypto the Acid-Dog: "Pet Sounds", Miguel Ferrer, Bill Mumy, Steve Leialoha

Kathleen's House, Steve Dillon

 

I still need to find a reader copy, because that is an amazing roster of creators. I like A1 for Sig Series because of all the good opportunities there. This one of course came to me already signed, so I got to learn about William Stout. The name was not familiar to me, but a quick Google told me I had several pieces of his art already in my home. Most notably, the cover art to Ralph Bakshi's "Wizards." Check him out... http://www.williamstout.com/

 

The other is Cherry Deluxe, 9.6, and this one has been on my list since it came out 15 years ago. I just hadn't found a copy in any of my usual venues. I hadn't searched exhaustively online though. Being an "adult" comic it wasn't as commonly available as most. The reason I wanted it was the Neil Gaiman story, but looking into it has brought to light several aspects of the Cherry series that are pretty interesting to an amateur panelologist. There may be more to post on that front in a few weeks/months.

 

I've been collecting Neil Gaiman stories even more fervently than Alan Moore stories, although I'd be hard-pressed to say which author I preferred. I guess it would come down to what I call their benchmark works, Sandman and Saga of the Swamp Thing. In total, I slightly prefer the storyline of Sandman.

 

I'm happy to add two books to my Neil Gaiman collection, and may get around to identifying a Neil Gaiman set (minus Sandman) similar to the Alan Moore DC Universe set I requested a few weeks ago...

 

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[Brandon Shepherd]

The best books have a way of showing up on various auction sites when one is trying to cut back. I really need to see what Mr. Neil Gaiman is all about, I've heard the name several times over the years, but I still have yet to read anything from him, this will have to change soon.

[wardevil0]

Hmm, from your preferences, I would recommend starting with this:

Green Lantern/Superman: Legend of the Green Flame

 

 

This one was originally intended to be the capstone of the run of Action Comics Weekly, and featured all the major characters of the title. I think it's the only Gaiman Superman story...

 

There is a collection of his various DC Universe works, Midnight Days

 

And of course the seminal Sandman and Miracleman runs. As far as Sandman goes, since you're an experienced comic reader, I would recommend starting with Preludes and Nocturnes. To those who don't regularly read comics, I recommend Season of Mists as a jump-on. His Black Orchid and Books of Magic are also excellent, and readily available in trade paperback.

[mzhammer]

A1 cover is Saw-Wheat!!!!

[wardevil0]

It initially made me think of Mike Ploog, but only because I'm a little more familiar with his work. The lumpy monster-voluptuous babe combo is a classic dichotomy.

[Brandon Shepherd]

Thanks for the suggestions!

[SW3D]

Thanks for sharing the William Stout link.

Damn that man is prolific... his BIO/Credits is incredible!

 

I actually have the Alien Worlds 3 he illustrated the cover for and I remember the Wizards movie poster from when I was 8.

 

Stout's got a style that seems to convey a number of artistic influences... producing exceptional versatility and wide body of work. He's definitely a product of the 50's and 60's best fantasists. I would love to see the original print he did for Bantams' Ray Bradbury Chronicles featuring artwork for "A Sound of Thunder".

 

His film credits are astounding... had no idea!

 

And all the commission work for museums is also jaw-dropping.

 

This guy's done it all!

 

I see you are into Gaiman... his literary novels and short stories are even better than his comic works. Have you read any?

 

SW3D

[surfer99]

Those are both very unusual books, thanks for sharing.

 

 

[wardevil0]

Thanks for sharing the William Stout link.

Damn that man is prolific... his BIO/Credits is incredible!

 

I see you are into Gaiman... his literary novels and short stories are even better than his comic works. Have you read any?

 

SW3D

 

I've read all the Gaiman I can get my hands on, including Melinda.

GoodReads review of Melinda

Some photos in this thread (this is not my book, either bought or sold)

Melinda sold on the boards

 

I've read his children's books, short stories, and novels. I especially enjoyed The Day I Swapped my Dad for Two Goldfish, Coraline, and American Gods. His early collaboration with Terry Pratchett, Good Omens, is fantastic. I also really like the series of slender hardcovers Dark Horse has been putting out of illustrated versions of his short stories, like Harlequin Valentine and Facts in the Case of the Disappearance of Miss Finch. There was at least one other, Murder Mysteries? The vast majority of his short stories are excellent.

 

I've enjoyed all the movies/adaptations he's worked on: Mirrormask, Coraline, Stardust, and his -script tweaking on Princess Mononoke. Even Beowulf was okay.

 

I've seen him do readings twice; once in Lexington, KY when American Gods came out and last year at George Mason University in northern Virginia. He read a little of Ocean at the End of the Lane and Click Clack the Rattlebag. Behold: Neil Gaiman at GMU

 

I wasn't thrilled with Neverwhere or Chu's Day, though.