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| By Stefan Blitz |
There’s lots of good books being reviewed this time, for geeks of every persuasion; from sushi to politics, from Frazetta to Clowes; from the Three Stooges to Dick Van Dyke.
What are you reading?
Frazetta Funny Stuff
Edited by Craig Yoe
Published by IDW Publishing
It’s rare to think of an editor as an auteur, but Craig Yoe
and his Yoe Books imprint, continue to publish some of the best designed
books in the history of the comics medium. Every book released is
impeccably produced as it’s own unique piece of art, reflecting the
subject within.
I no longer have to “collect” comics
anymore, instead, I’m able to enjoy some of the best work by comic’s
greatest authors meticulously reprinted as they were originally with
generous historical essays and ephemera.
The latest volume, Frazetta Funny Stuff,
focuses on the funny animal and humor work of comic legend, Frank
Frazetta. Frazetta might be known best for his fantasy paintings and work for EC Comics and Conan The Barbarian paperback covers. Funny Stuff reprints 27 complete stories, and is not only a
testament to Frazetta’s versatility, but also the magnitude of his
talent.
This is a collection to be savored and embraced.
My
exposure to Frazetta’s humor work was previously limited to several
stories and reprints from the early nineties, but with this volume I’ve
had the opportunity to enjoy this highly recommended output by a master
cartoonist. This book is amazing and kudos to both Yoe Books and IDW
for producing an flawless tome. Highly recommended.
Joss Whedon: The Complete Companion: The TV Series, the Movies, the Comic Books and More: The Essential Guide to the Whedonverse Incredibly comprehensive, but lacking much of a narrative direction, Joss Whedon: The Complete Companion offers a fairly nice overview of the creative work of one of geekdom’s most popular iconoclasts.
Essays and interviews comprise a large percentage of the book’s almost 500 page length, but there isn’t an awful lot of interesting analysis or information for the already established Whedonite.
Nevertheless, it’s a breezy read and might be interesting with his less rabid fans who are just discovering him from The Avengers and decide to go back and check out his earlier work. Mildly recommended.
The Cabin in the Woods: The Official Visual Companion
by Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard
Published By Titan Books
Packed with tons of photographs and concept art, The Cabin in the Woods: The Official Visual Companion is an easy recommendation for fans of the film.
With a forward and afterword by Whedon and Goddard, as well as the complete shooting script, the book also features an interview with the writers, and quotes from the cast.
Although I found The Cabin in the Woods to be a bit flawed, this book does an amazing job chronicling some of the ideas and abandoned concepts of it’s creators.
The Art of Daniel Clowes: Modern Cartoonist
by Alvin Buenaventura
Published by Abrams ComicArts
I’ve been a fan of Daniel Clowes for some time, starting with his Jazz-noir strip, Lloyd Llewellyn and have watched his evolution as a cartoonist. General audiences might know his work from the film, Ghost World, which was based on a storyline in his seminal book, Eightball, but one look at this book will quickly pique their interest in exploring his work a bit more.
The Art of Daniel Clowes: Modern Cartoonist is full of essays and an examination of his work. Watching his style evolve over time has been interesting, as erroneously I’ve believed it to become colder, almost technical, when instead, his linework has simply become more confident. The book’s treasure trove are dozens of rare or unpublished illustrations, as well as photographs of his original work. Clowes is a master of the medium and this book is a tremendous testament to his talent. Highly recommended.
Claws & Saucers
by David E. Goldweber
Published by Lulu
It’s pretty hard not to be impressed with this book. David E. Goldweber set out to write a complete guide covering genre films covering an eighty year period (ending in 1982, a year which many might make the argument in being the best year for genre films) and reviewed them all.>
Yes. He watched and reviewed them all.
Clocking in at over 600 pages with over 1500 entries, Goldweber’s passion is evident through his reviews and commentaries. Although my opinions and taste might vary from the author, the good outweighs the bad as the book is an incredibly handy and entertaining resource that is not only informative, but also an absorbing and addictive read. Highly recommended and a valuable addition to the library of every cinegeek.
Otaku Spaces
by Patrick W. Galbraith and Androniki Christodoulou
Published by Chin Music Press Inc.
I find otaku culture fascinating, in no small part to it’s combination of collecting with hoarding.
This book is filled with some truly fantastic photographs alongside brief interviews and commentary. The oatku within are all fairly interesting and surprisingly interesting people; their obsessions are a part of who they are, but don’t define them.
A truly interesting book and
a definite must have for fans of Japanese pop culture.
Why Does Batman Carry Shark Repellent?: And Other Amazing Comic Book Trivia!
by Brian Cronin
Published by Plume
I’m a big fan of Cronin’s weekly Comic Book Urban Legends column and was pleasantly surprised that this book offered something a little different.
His previous book, Was Superman a Spy? was essentially an expansion of his column, but this volume is chock full of trivia, top lists and lots of unnecessary comic book information that my mind craves. I don’t think (and I could be very wrong) this is a good book (or likely interesting one) to non-fans; but if you’re a fanboy from past or present, it’s terrifically entertaining. Recommended.
Shiro: Wit, Wisdom and Recipes from a Sushi Pioneer
by Shiro Kashiba with photographs by Ann Norton
Published by Chin Music Press Inc.
If you enjoy eating raw fish wrapped in rice and seaweed and live in the Pacific Northwest, there’s a pretty good chance Shiro Kashiba has something to do with that. This is the autobiography of the Tokyo trained Kashiba who settled in Seattle in the sixties and began using local delicacies, and as a result initiated the sushi boom in the region.
The book is also filled with recipes, and dozens of truly beautiful and illuminating photographs. The book design itself is stunning and the story, inspirational.
The book is truly fascinating and highly recommended.
The Official Dick Van Dyke Show Book: The Definitive History of Television’s Most Enduring Comedy
by Vince Waldron, Dick Van Dyke and Dan Castellaneta
Published by Chicago Review Press
In just five years and an astounding 158 episodes, The Dick Van Dyke show cemented itself as one of the best and most entertaining sitcoms of all time.
This book tells the complete story of Carl Reiner’s vision and how it came to the screen. With an introduction from Van Dyke itself, the book also includes a fairly detailed and comprehensive episode guide, photos, and trivia.
Even now, over forty five years after the series ended, it’s still funny and this book does a pretty good job reminding you why it’s still so revered today. Highly recommended.
Presidential Campaign Posters: Two Hundred Years of Election Art
by The Library Of Congress
Published by Quirk Books
An
amazing selection of full page poster replicas in addition to
historical information and variant and alternate campaign poster choices
makes this fascinating collection worth examining and a one of a kind reference.
Presidential Campaign Posters: Two Hundred Years of Election Art is filled with unforgettable icons and candidates that are little more than a footnote in campaign records.
Truly a must have for any political junkie or history geek. Recommended.
The Three Stooges Scrapbook
by Jeff Lenburg, Joan Howard Maurer, Greg Lenburg
Published by Chicago Review Press
A reference for any Stooge-a-phile, The Three Stooges Scrapbook (co-written by Moe’s daughter, Joan) provides a historical account of the group, bios on Moe, Larry, Curly, Shemp, Curly Joe and Joe and a fairly comprehensive look at the Stooges appearances in other mediums.
In addition, the book provides plenty of photos, cartoons and various other tidbits on the group.
Finally, an essential guide to all of their shorts is included and includes director, plot, gags, etc.
A must have for any eye-poking, face slapping, nose grinding aficionado. Recommended.
