Welcome back to Graphic Breakdown!
It’s Friday! Let’s review some amazing books starting with one of my favorites of the last year.
The Divided States of Hysteria Volume One
Written and Illustrated By Howard Chaykin
Published by Image Comics
Howard Chaykin is one of the best creators this industry has ever had.
He’s been great for years. And this book is one of the best of his career.
He’s not afraid to keep trying or reaching with his work and the results are staggering.
In this book, there is a major terrorist attack and an even bigger looming threat. A man who failed at preventing the big attack is now charged with recruiting a team to combat the next one. Problem is, they are all misfits prone to extreme violence. Can this ragtag team save the world?
There was a lot of controversy surrounding this book when it came out.
Ignore it.
Follow the story instead.
Read it.
Chaykin’s writing is the sharpest it’s ever been. His art is great and expressive too. I’m glad he’s out there still pushing things.
And with the promise of the third book of Time2 coming this year (finally) we have a lot to look forward to from Chaykin.
RATING: A
Bingo Love OGN
Written by Tee Franklin
Illustrated by Jenn St-Onge
Published by Image Comics
This was absolutely wonderful! I didn’t know this book even existed and then I read it and was completely moved. Tee Franklin has written one of my favorite books I read this week and I’ll have to revisit it again. It’s lovely!
Hazel Johnson and Mari McCray meet at church bingo in 1963. These two fall in love immediately. They are forced apart by their families and by the society at the time.
Later on in their lives while in their mid-60s, they find each other again. They then realize that they still love one another. And then they take steps to be actually be together.
The writing is strong and heartbreaking. It wins you over within the first few pages and keeps you there. The art compliments the writing quite well.
I loved this.
Buy it immediately. This one is a keeper.
RATING: A
Bonehead #1
Written by Bryan Hill
Illustrated by Rhoald Marcellius
Published by Image Comics
Bryan Hill is a fairly decent writer. I’ve been reading more and more of his work and it’s not half bad. It’s a techno-thriller that actually works pretty well.
This book takes place in the near future.
There is a rise in activity from the Boneheads. The Boneheads use a wacky helmet to enhance their parkour like abilities. Then a gang war starts erupting.
It is now up to one mysterious Bonehead to quell this gang war.
The story by Hill is quite fun. He gets a lot of information into this one issue but it never drags or overwhelms you. The art is fairly cool too.
Overall, this a nice debut.
I’ll be reading to see where it goes.
RATING: B
Elsewhere, Vol. 1
Written by Jay Faerber
Illustrated by Sumeyye Kesgin
Published by Image Comics
Man, I wanted to like this book.
It had such an interesting concept. Sadly, Faerber never really has thrilled me as a writer.
I felt like this this book was trying to be clever the entire time, but fell dangerously short.
Faerber’s story boasts to show what really happened to Amelia Earheart!
She has been transported to a crazy new world with flying beasts and aliens. Amelia spends the book desperately trying to escape this world.
And sadly, so did I.
The art doesn’t help the cause. It was a little too cartoony for my tastes.
This could have been much more interesting. Sadly, it didn’t work for me as much as I had wanted it to.
At least they tried.
RATING: C-
Incognegro: A Graphic Mystery (New Edition)
Written by Mat Johnson
Illustrated by Warren Pleece
Published by Dark Horse Comics
This was one hell of a strong book.
Congrats to Dark Horse for re-publishing it and to Mat Johnson for writing it. I read this years ago from Vertigo and loved it. It’s a book that’s timeless.
In the early 20th century, there was a time when African-American men could “pass” as white folks due to the light color of their skin. Zane Pinchback, a reporter, goes to investigate the arrest of his own brother.
His brother was charged with the murder of a white woman. A mob is forming.
Can he go undercover long enough to solve this horrible crime and save his brother?
Johnson is one hell of a writer. And Pleece is an amazing artist. I’d even call him an elder statesman. I love this book. Buy it and cherish it.
RATING: A
Incognegro: Renaissance #1
Written by Mat Johnson
Illustrated by Warren Pleece
Published by Dark Horse Comics
To finish up the week, we have a new Incognegro series. This series brings Zane Pinchback into a new series. It starts off just as good as the first book. I am glad this is coming out.
A black writer is found at a scandalous interracial party dead. Zane is determined to solve the murder. All he has is a mysterious manuscript to go on. Well that and a beautiful woman as a murder witness. But can she even be trusted?
This issue gets off to a rousing start.
I said it in the previous review but Pleece is damn awesome.
Ten years has gone by since the previous installment but he hasn’t missed a beat. In fact, he may be better. I can’t wait to see where this series goes. I know I’m in good hands.
RATING: A
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