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This Week in Comics: 02/08/10

First of all, for some reason I’m obsessed with formats this week. I suppose this time I’m writing as a consumer instead of my usual “This is good please buy it why are you ruining comics by buying Marvel Zombies” shtick. I know it’s hard to read comics, Internet, because of all the options: single issues, hardcover collections, softcovers, and shelf-porn prestige editions? Which is right for you?

So welcome to This Week in Comics, where every day is a comic book, but every comic book is a different size.

MONDAY

First Issues. Also, what the hell–

Hit-Monkey #1

(Daniel Way/Dalibor Talajic)

Marvel Comics

Honestly, I have no idea what to say about this weird little one-shot. Marvel clearly commissioned Hit-Monkey comic for their Digital Comics service for a cheap laff, but I guess it was popular enough that it was deemed suitable to be placed on glossy paper and put on a shelf so human hands could touch it. Most impressive about this book is Dalibor Talajic’s art, which is serious business and makes the book look like an action crime comic. But remember, this shit costs four bucks. Someone better hire that Talajic guy for something worthwhile.

TUESDAY

New Manga Day, Or Old Manga in a New Package Day.

Inu Yasha Volume 2 (VIZBIG Edition)

(Rumiko Takahashi)

Viz Media

Remember, kids: manga volumes are about 10 bucks a pop, so Viz has the right idea putting several volumes into one book, especially when the comics in question are long-running series with dozens of volumes. I like Dragon Ball, but I don’t want to have to by every single tiny volume, which I can breeze through in about ten minutes anyway. I want 500-page chunks! Chunks! So, multi-volume editions: good. As for Inu Yasha itself, I have absolutely no opinion.

WEDNESDAY

Mainstream Superhero Stuff.

Batman & Robin #8

(Grant Morrison/Cameron Stewart)

DC Comics

Realize that last issue of Batman & Robin came out two weeks ago and already they’re giving us another delicious fix. Did we do something right? How do we keep this up? Can we create a clone of Cameron Stewart so he can draw this book forever? Why isn’t this text document answering any questions I type into it?

THURSDAY

Not Quite Friday, but Still Exciting.

All-Star Superman Volume 2

(Grant Morrison/Frank Quitely/Jamie Grant)

DC Comics

When I realized that the inevitable Absolute Edition of All-Star Superman would cost $100, I decided that prestige is hardly practical. You can’t lend anyone your Absolute Edition of anything — they’re gigantic and it actually matters if your friend bends a page or dents the cover. So let’s all save our money by buying the cheap editions of comics we love so everyone can enjoy. All-Star Superman’s a comic meant to be handed out, beat up, and appreciated — not hermetically sealed in a slipcase on somebody’s shelf.

NOTE: For this reason I also don’t believe in putting my comics in mylar bags. They’re like creepy little gimp suits.

FRIDAY

TGINextwave. A Lot.

Nextwave: Agents Of H.A.T.E. Ultimate Collection

(Warren Ellis/Stuart Immonen)

Marvel Comics

I can live with two volumes of All-Star Superman, but I’d like the zany antics of Nextwave contained within one book, please. It helps that it’s $35 and you can still pass it around to your friends. By collecting a rag-tag group of largely ignored characters and dropping them in the hazardous territory of a Warren Ellis comic book, Nextwave manages to be funnier than every Deadpool appearance ever. Combined. The only drawback is that when the original trades were published Volume 2 was titled “I Kick Your Face,” which would look lovely on anybody’s shelf. Especially mine.

SATURDAY

Essential Reading. No, Really Essential.

Hicksville (Definitive Edition)

(Dylan Horrocks)

Drawn & Quarterly

When I was in college, Dylan Horrocks came into my Comics & Animation class to talk about, well comics. It was an enlightening talk, mostly because he dispelled the belief that you have to be a superb draughtsman to draw comics. Really, you just have to keep drawing until you develop a consistent, interesting style. Previously unfamiliar with his work, I quickly ordered a copy of Hicksville. It’s a brilliant comic book about comic books, which you don’t see very often. It doesn’t seem like there’s any new content aside from the cover and a new introduction, so I’m relieved I don’t have to buy it again — but honestly I probably would if I had to. Hicksville is THAT good.

SUNDAY

Last Issues, But Not Least Issues.

Phonogram: The Singles Club #7 (of 7)

(Kieron Gillen/Jamie McKelvie)

Image Comics

Phonogram was one of my favorite discoveries of 2009. A comic book about music? And it’s not starring Kiss? This miniseries of standalone stories got me hooked with the one about The Long Blondes, so I picked up the first volume, the long(er)-form Rue Brittania, which happened to be all about Britpop. It’s like Gillon and McKelvie make comics just for me. Thanks guys.