Westward Bro! Terrible Parenting!
The Squarest of Bat-Jaws!
Everyone all recovered from Bastille Day? Between all that wine and Tadej Pogačar, it was a rough one, right? Let’s soothe our souls with some terribly, awful, bloody thoughts. Here’s the highlights of this week’s FOC.
The Blood Brothers Mother HC
Is that horse poop and leather I smell? Wait, let’s set the mood.
Okay, perfect. Now, how about some good old-fashioned revenge, brought to you by the new(ish) cool kids on the block: DSTLRY.
In The Blood Brothers Mother, the creative team behind 100 Bullets, Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso, leaves noir shadows behind for bright, unforgiving desert sun.*
In the Old West, three brothers set out to rescue their mother from outlaws, learning along the way about the terrible cost of revenge and how addictive it can be. A highlight here is the slightly disorienting pairing of Risso’s hazy watercolor style with sharp inking; it brings the uncertainty of this strange and unforgiving world into sharp relief.
*Trigger apology for those currently being baked by a heatwave.
“But I just made coffee!”
The Blood Brothers Mother HC *PRE-ORDER* (APR250887)
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The Blood Brothers Mother (Direct Market Exclusive) HC *PRE-ORDER*
Shop nowLone Wolf and Cub Deluxe Edition Volume 3
If you like Westerns, there’s a good chance you love Lone Wolf and Cub. Ogami Itto and his young son walk lonely, dangerous roads, beset by violence at every turn. But these are the byways of feudal Japan, and at the other end waits the Yagyu clan.
This is Volume 3 of the Deluxe Editions, so IYKY probably K. This is the gold standard for ronin stories. And the Deluxe Edition lives up to its name: There’s a lush, textured new cover with foil stamping. A ribbon bookmark. And, for the real manga heads, the oversized 7" by 10" format reads left to right, like in Japanese editions.
Check out Dirty Harry over here.
Lone Wolf And Cub Deluxe Edition Volume 3 HC *PRE-ORDER*
Shop nowBatman: Gotham Adventures Omnibus Vol. 1 HC
Those who like their Batman broooooooooooding are spoiled for choice. But for fans of the TV show’s special blend of the cinematic, the bold, and the heartfelt, the pickings can be a little slimmer.
Luckily, there’s Batman: Gotham Adventures. This omni gathers all 42 issues, along with tie-ins from other series. Look out for insanely kinetic art and classic detective work, big epic battles, and street-level mysteries. And you might even get a little dollop of angst, if that’s your taste. One contribution is by Mark Millar.
Batman: Gotham Adventures Omnibus Vol. 1 HC *PRE-ORDER*
Shop nowOnce & Future Omnibus TP
My personal pick, I love this book, has to be the Once & Future omnibus. Witty, dense, and strange, it has all the hallmarks of Kieron Gillen’s best work.
When a group of English nationalists brings King Arthur back from the dead, they get a lot more than they bargained for. Turns out purity tests can really boomerang on you. The heroes of our story are Bridgette McGuire, senior-citizen monster hunter, and her grandson, Duncan, an academic’s academic.
There’s plenty of headiness here to do with English history and the nature of stories, but above all, honestly, this whole series just rips. Highly recommended.
“Bloody Anglo-Saxons, coming over here...”
Once & Future Omnibus TP *PRE-ORDER*
Shop nowThat’s it for this week!
Wait, no, one more recommendation. This one’s off-menu. Has everyone grabbed their Thought Bubble ticket yet? Team Walt showed up three strong last year, and I think it’s safe to say we all had an outstanding time. If you can get to Harrogate, UK, in November, this is a serious don’t-miss. The guest list is already huge.
Okay, you cool loners. Be good to yourselves.
