Welcome to the latest iteration of the Panel Patter Newsletter. We’re in the midst of full-blown spring here at Newsletter HQ and at the point of basically mainlining antihistamine.
Recent Patterings
ADVANCE REVIEW: Barbaric #1 by Moreci and Gooden
Before it arrives in shops this June, James takes a gander at the latest from Michael Moreci and Vault cover artist extraordinaire, Nate Gooden. Michael himself told me that the best thing about the project for him was having a chance to work with Nate Gooden, and it seems like James agrees.
It’s an insightful, funny, entertaining story. But the reason you should pick this story up in comic form (apart from the simple fact that that’s the format it’s in) is the art. I was *completely* unfamiliar with Nathan Gooden’s work before this book but - pardon the vulgarity - HOLY SHIT he’s a great artist and this is exceptional work.
The Apotheosis of a Punk in Gary Panter's Jimbo: Adventures in Paradise from NYRC
Mike explores the NYRC collection of some of Gary Panter’s earliest works, discovering that the staggering concept of Panter’s work is that he can be more than one artist at any given point.
The element I appreciate most about Adventures in Paradise is Panter’s uncompromisingly raw style. It’s not specifically that the art isn’t refined. No, Panter can create heavily detailed panels. He deliberately works in textures, and the pages feel appropriately layered and rough.
Quick Hit: Destiny, NY #1 by Pat Shand and Manuel Preitano
Destiny, NY is a new series that caught the eye of Paneldom, and Rachel does a great job diving into the first issue to give you a sense of why we think this is a series to jump into at the very beginning.
One of the things that I really like about the world of Destiny, NY is that Destiny University and its prophesized students are known to the public. This isn’t another hidden away magic school à la Brakebills or Hogwarts. And though magic does seem to exist in this world, it doesn’t look like it is used for everyday things. Characters ride subways, live in tiny apartments, get sandwiches from bagel shops, and take vacations that they can’t really afford.
Quick Hit - Aggretsuko: Meet Her Friends
Rachel is a big fan of the Aggretsuko anime, and she focuses her efforts on the second story of the collection.
I appreciated how the internal thoughts of the characters are drawn in a simplified manner as if they've been too beaten down by their office jobs to daydream in more than one color. Retsuko's heavy metal interludes, by contrast, are drawn with passion, attitude, and 80s awesomeness.
Catch It at the Comic Shop April 7th, 2021
10 total picks of 8 unique titles from 5 different publishers with a lot of love for The Silver Coin and the triumphant return of Kirk - check it out!
Neil, our resident kaiju aficionado, reacts to the latest epic.
Godzilla Vs Kong has been released. If you want to get away from everything that is going on in the world I highly recommend it. Pure popcorn fodder of the highest order and proof that big "leave your brain at the door" blockbusters don't have to be 2.5 hours long!
And then there’s James, being savage:
The Other History of the DC Universe
James has been enjoying the Black Label series. Let’s see what he thinks of the latest issue released the other week,.
I just read issue 3 of The Other History of the DC Universe (all about Katana) and it's a hell of a read. She's a character I've enjoyed without really knowing a lot about her. It's really swinging for the fences as far as tacking big issues. Misogyny, racism, xenophobia, the creative team takes all of that on in a pretty remarkable way. Such that the DC universe feels more grounded than I've ever felt it to be. And wow do they take Slade Wilson to task in regard to his *relationship* (i.e., child rape and manipulation) of Tara Markov. It feels like not just a shot at the character but at the creators and the publisher who brought that story to life. And I for one am here for it.
What’s on Kickstarter?
ThoughtScape Comics #1 - A sci-fi anthology comic book series in the tradition of 2000 AD, Black Mirror and The Twilight Zone.
There are 21 days to do on a project that is about 2/3 of the way there. The brainchild of Matt Mair Lowery, this anthology will include some rising indie art talent and covers by the appropriately otherworldly Jenna Cha.
Kilgore Books & Comics - 2021 Releases - Publishing six graphic novels & three pamphlet comics: Van Sciver! Freiheit! Barnett! Nall! Pettinger! Krumpholz! Graham! Estrada!
Some favorites of Paneldom are on the docket for Kilgore’s 2021 releases, and there are a ton of different support options and rewards, including the sixth issues of Goiter! They’re about 3/4 of the way there with just under a month to go.
‘Round the Interwebs
Yes, 100%
WandaVision's Randall Park to Direct Shortcomings Graphic Novel Adaptation
I thought it was very cool that Randall Park did a talk with Adrian Tomine ahead of the publication of The Loneliness of the Long Distance Cartoonist, so this news is very exciting. Park - be it in his work on Veep, Fresh off the Boat, or Wandavision - is a master of comedic timing, and that will certainly lend itself to his adaptation of the classic Tomine work.
Best Shots review: Beta Ray Bill #1 showcases the toxic masculinity that's inherent in most superhero stories
Over at the ‘Rama, Scott muses on two things Paneldom loves - Daniel Warren Johnson and Beta Ray Bill.
Ignatz Submissions Are Live!
Let’s cross our fingers that we’re back in Bethesda this fall.
Extra Patterings
What have you been reading?
Neil
Kaiju No.8
Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye Vol.2
Scott
John Constantine: Hellblazer Volume 2 – The Best version of You, which may be one of the best versions of the character. I recently realized that Constantine may be one of my favorite characters but I just can’t read large swathes of his comics because they feel more like satire of what the character is rather than the character as I imagine him (so that’s more on me.). But Simon Spurrier, Aaron Campbell and Matias Bergara hit the sweet spot for me, giving us the bastard with the best of intentions.
James
I caught up on a bunch of comics, but the best thing I read this week was the HC collection of Criminal: Cruel Summer. Like most of the best stories in the world of Criminal, it's a gut-punch of a tale. Really compelling, humane, dark work.
Rob
Catching up on Tartarus. My God, Jack Cole can draw. Also reading the first Armor Wars and not finding it as good as I remembered.
Rachel
Magic #1, Empty Heart #1 and #2, Star Trek: The Next Generation #1, Immortal Iron Fist #1-3, Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen (2011)
Mike
More or less caught up on Zdarsky’s Daredevil; read the first volume of Cates Thor and Venom; re-read The Grand Odalisque because Sean reminded me how good it was.
What’s something that doesn’t exist in comics that you wish did?
Scott
I wish American sport comics existed. I would love a comic about American football or hockey.
James
Ok this is really specific but I would love to see Jonathan Hickman go to DC comics someday, and see what he would do with the Justice League, or Superman specifically.
Rob
I'd love to see a seinin manga where the characters aged in real time, like Savage Dragon.
Rachel
Murder mystery comics in the vein of Agatha Christie, P.D. James, Louise Penny, Ellis Peters, etc.
Mike
Of all the television series that received second lives in the form of comics, I can’t understand why Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles never did. I also can’t understand why it was canceled in the first place, why it was never revived on a streaming service, or why it wasn’t continued as a movie. Sure, I get the logistics of all of it; I’m talking more about the fundamental ethics of the whole thing. Man, I thought I was over that. Guess I’m not.
Invincible recently premiered on Amazon Prime. What is an *underrated* comic adaptation you enjoy?
Neil
Two that come to mind, one which at first was missed by theatre goers but went on to become a cult classic is Scott Pilgrim Vs The World. Edgar Wright did a perfect job of getting across Bryan Lee O'Malley's beautifully fun series.
Second is 30 Days of Night. The original comic was something I loved due to its fantastic concept of Vampires in an Alaskan town. The movie it spawned was absolutely terrifying and really gave the feeling of dread that the comic had.
Scott
Mystery Men is a forgotten movie in this age of superhero movies.
James
I don't know if this is underrated or not, but I feel like Edge of Tomorrow (based on a manga) still continues to not get its proper due as one of the great action/sci-fi movies of the last 20 years.
Rob
Corman's Fantastic Four
Rachel
The Rocketeer - My sister and I watched this quite a few times as kids. Not sure if it would still hold up today, but it was a fun movie.
Mike
I guess it flopped, but I loved the adaptation of Wilson that starred Woody Harrelson, Judy Greer, Laura Dern, and Isabella Amara was absolutely hysterical.
Well, that about does it for this week’s Panel Patter: The Newsletter. Be sure to check in on Panel Patter Dot Com this week for Sean’s piece on The Grande Odalisque and Mike’s look at The Magic Fish as well as our weekly Catch It picks.