Comics

'Tis the season for gift giving, and comic books make unique, attractive presents. They're colorful, lightweight (for mailing to faraway friends) and can fit anyone's budget. I heartily endorse giving comics as gifts as the best way to introduce someone to the pleasures of graphic entertainment. Here are some noteworthy suggestions for comics with new age/metaphysical appeal. These titles have already been published or are expected during the holiday season.

(Format key: os-ongoing series; ms-mini-series; sp-special; gn-graphic novel; hd-hardcover; tp-trade paperback.)

DC Comics and its Vertigo imprint publish an impressive selection of titles with metaphysical appeal.

Seekers in the Mystery #11 (os) begins a new four-part storyline, "God's Shadow." Lucas Hart has just returned from a journey to the center of Creation. Now he heads in the opposite direction, encountering a phony channeler, the goddess of sensuality, tiny demons and the devil herself. Along the way, he learns that experiencing enlightenment isn't always euphoric. Vertigo's most blatant new age title continues to provocatively use the comics medium to probe the Great Mystery of Life. Highly recommended.

A suburban '50s housewife has her life turned inside out when she's visited by The Time Breakers (ms). They're time travelers whose mission is to deliberately create time paradoxes, which prevents the universe from running down. This mind-stretching mini-series is scripted by new age writer Rachel Pollack, who's also written a number of popular books about tarot.

Night Force (os) is a new title which crosses the X-Files with Mission Impossible. It features an ever-changing team of human agents (pawns manipulated by the enigmatic Baron Winters) who confront weird and macabre forces and characters.

In a far future, creatures of myth and legend live a precarious existence, forced underground by a repressive government and hunted by predators. Fortunately, they have the Black Lamb as their protector. This six-issue mini-series is another title in the Helix line of science fiction comics.

Reality gets raked over the coals in The Big Book of Hoaxes (tp). This collection of comics factoids features some of the world's most intriguing fakers, phonies and scam artists. Learn about the woman who supposedly gave birth to live rabbits in front of doctors, and other mischievous tricksters. This one's lotsa fun and even educational.

Essential Vertigo: Swamp Thing (os) has begun reprinting Alan Moore's mythical, metaphysical drama about the origin and odyssey of Earth's chosen protector of the environment.

The Wake (hd, tp) collects the final chapters of the acclaimed Sandman mega-series. All 75 issues have now been collected into book format and will hopefully remain in print forever. Vertigo is also chronologically reprinting the individual issues.

Finally from DC, it ain't necessarily new age but it was an event of (comic book) historical significance: Lois Lane and Clark Kent finally got married. Superman: the Wedding Album (sp) commemorates the occasion, detailing the events leading up to the momentous moment, from the proposal to ceremony preparations to their first kiss as super-husband and wife. This special jam comic is written and illustrated by a host of Superman creators past and present.

From Caliber Press: the Martian invasion begins again in War of the Worlds (os). But this time, humankind must fight not only for their lives but for their very humanity. And in The Lost (os), a mischievous boy named Peter leaves Never-Never Land and flies to Earth where he cruises the streets of New York City with his band of Lost Boys. In this gothic retelling of the fairy tale classic, Peter Pan has vampire thirsts, Hook is out for deadly revenge, and Tinkerbell's a riot girl. (Riot fairy?)

On the lighter side: In Pakkin's Land (os), a young boy is mysteriously transported to a fantastic otherworld where he befriends talking animals and sets out to find his way home. This one is published under Caliber's new Tapestry imprint of comics for all ages, enjoyable for both young readers and adults. Other Tapestry titles include Explorers, Patty Cake, Boondoogle, Shades of Gray, Dreamwalker, Troll Lords, The Hoon and Terror Tots.

From Dark Horse: Barry Windsor-Smith, one of comics' premiere fantasy artists, likes to fill his panels with intricate, lavish detail. His new title, Storytellers (os) is being published in a magazine size format, which gives him a canvas large enough to properly showcase his outstanding art. Each issue contains a chapter of three continuing series. "The Freebooter" is a sward-and-sorcery epic in which a young man enlists the aid of a retired warrior in an attempt to prevent global catastrophe. "The Paradesman" is an unwilling time traveler ping-ponging through the ages, encountering everything from dinosaurs to space aliens. And in "Young Gods," an arranged marriage attempts to unite two powerful families and worlds. But the bride and groom get cold feet, a reluctance which generates intergalactic repercussions. Fans of epic fantasy who appreciate fine storytelling and great art will love Storytellers.

The irascible Harlan Ellison is recognized as one of fantasy fiction's premier craftsmen. His comic book anthology, Dream Corridor (os) adapted to words-and-pictures some of his best stories. Now a trade paperback collects the best of those fantasy fables.

In 1995, war broke out in Sarajevo, Bosnia. Ervin Rustemagic and his family found themselves trapped in a city under siege. Ervin is an international businessman and art agent whose clients include comics veteran Joe Kubert. When gunfire and bomb blasts began to rock the city, Ervin sent messages to Kubert via his fax machine, messages which communicated an unfolding story of horror, outrage and inhumanity -- along with dignity and hope. Now it's a story which Kubert has transcribed into words-and-pictures. Fax from Sarajevo (hd, tp) is a stunning, powerful graphic novel, a real war story told by the innocent victims and survivors. Highly recommended.

Eye of the Beholder (NIBM, tp) collects a unique comic strip that's also a visual mindgame. Four silent panels present a sequence of events with the final fifth panel revealing the unexpected viewpoint. The fun is in trying to identify whose eyes are "beholding" before turning the page and viewing the last frame. In most cases, the revelation of the final panel provides a minor mindboggle which is pleasantly jarring. (Example: four panels of staircases leading into various buildings are being viewed by a man in a wheelchair.) Eye of the Beholder was designed for the New York Times as its first-ever comic strip and subsequently was syndicated in alternative papers across the country. Creator Peter Kuper is both a noted comics artist and commercial illustrator.

The comics industry is presently in the throes of major transition and a blossoming renaissance. Some of the best and most unique comics are coming from small press publishers.

After years in development punctuated by occasional press releases and teasing previews, Mad Monkey Press is up and running and publishing a smorgasbord of all-age quality comics with a fantasy flavor.

In Magician's Village (os), a young New York lad discovers a hidden village under Central Park populated by fanciful creatures, including a six-foot-tall mouse dressed as a mime.

Witches' Brew (os) tells the tale of five individuals who travel through a doorway in time from 14th century to 20th century France. Their odyssey exposes the truth behind a ravenous plague, a false friar, demon sightings, the Inquisition and a fabled herbal concoction known as Witches' Brew.

Other Mad Monkey titles worth chasing down include Dark Town, The Black Raven and Singapore Sam.

In It's a Good Life If You Don't Weaken (tp), Seth, a real-life Canadian comics artist, becomes obsessed with and searches for a long-forgotten New Yorker cartoonist from the '40s. His quest stimulates a search for meaning in his life. This collection will be printed throughout in two colors, giving it a unique look.

The Big, Big Bigfoot Book (Mojo Press, tp) is a comics anthology that presents eight different interpretations of this legendary creature. Another in Mojo's series of outstanding comics for grown-ups.

Everything comes up rosaries in Kicking the Habit: Cartoons about the Catholic Church (Laugh Lines Press, tp). It's a wry look a nuns, priests, the Pope, God, and their devout followers.

In 1111 [Eleven Eleven] (Crusade Pub., os), the Apocalypse has come and gone. The righteous have ascended to Heaven, the sinners suffer in Hell. Left behind on a war-ravaged Earth is a ragged remnant of humanity struggling to survive. Their only hope is a young woman named Hope, born to be the new Messiah, but kidnapped and raised by evil forces. Skilled in the Black Arts, she reluctantly accepts the mantle of humanity's savior.

Through the Habitrails (Bad Habits, tp) is set in a Kafkaesque workplace where the precious life fluids of drone workers are drained like tree sap and inexplicably fed to gerbils scampering through tubes which network the dreary office complex. This unnerving series of short comics stories offers a disconcerting metaphor for contemporary corporate life. The dark side of Dilbert.

In The Wizard's Tale, a sinister sorcerer sets off to recover the Book of Worse, a long-hidden occult tome that can be used to totally enslave the denizens of the Land of Ever-Night. This wicked fairy tale is fully painted by Dave Wenzel, fantasy illustrator and popular book cover artist.

If you find those dark-flavored comics too distasteful for holiday reading, then cleanse your palate with any of these upbeat, more lighthearted books.

The long-anticipated Zot! Book I (Kitchen Sink, hd, tp) begins collecting a seminal series from the '80s that is credited for helping return Fun to the comics. Zot is a young, perpetually upbeat superhero from another dimension who befriends Jenny, a young Earth girl who's sometimes too serious. Think of this series as a cross between comics' Buck Rogers and TV's My So-Called Life. Zot was the brainchild of Scott McCloud, who later created Understanding Comics, the groundbreaking book-length essay-in-comics-format about the comics art form. This is the first of four volumes collecting the entire Zot! series. Fun for everyone, but of special interest to femmefans.

In Hearts of Africa: Trials (Slave Labor, tp), young Cathy Smith, a Peace Corps volunteer, completes her training and arrives at the African village where she'll serve her tour of duty. There she quickly discovers how everyday life can become a struggle to survive. This is the second collection of Tales from the Heart, an acclaimed, true-to-life, heart-warming series. Also recommended for women and peacemakers.

Bone: Eyes of the Storm (Cartoon Books, os, had, tp) is the third collection from this award-winning series which deftly blends adventure, mystery and suspense with humor, whimsy and heart.

Leave It to Chance (Homage, os) stars Chance Falconer, a plucky young lady who wants to prove she's worthy of someday taking her father's place in the family business. Trouble is that business involves protecting Devil's Echo, an occult-infested city where all things supernatural can and do manifest. If a mystery needs solving or a poltergeist needs to be exorcised, then leave it to Chance.

Castle Waiting: The Curse of Brambley Hedge (Olio Press, sp) is set in a secluded castle populated by characters from Mother Goose, Brothers Grimm and other folktales. This fun fantasy is intended for all ages and sets the stage for an upcoming ongoing series.

Fans of ABC's new series, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, may not know that she originated in an Archie comic (os). That comic (along with all Archie titles) features short stories of modern teenage angst and initiation which can be secretly enjoyed by adults.

It's a Magical World (Andrews-McNeel, tp) is the final collection of frisky Calvin and Hobbes comic strips. And Last Chapter and Worse (Andrews-McMeel, tp) may be the last collection of warped Far Side cartoons, but it includes 13 new strips which will delight Far Side devotees.

Finally, Spectrum 3 (Underwood Books, tp) is the third annual collection spotlighting the best in contemporary fantastic illustration. A blue-ribbon panel chose the generous selection of fantasy, sf, horror and surreal art which was originally created for book covers, comics, magazines, posters, greeting cards, advertising and figurines. This full-color, slick-paper volume is a must for art aficionados.

Have a happy, fulfilling and safe holiday season.

Attention all comics publishers large and small: I know you're reading this column on the Internet. If you've got comics you'd like considered for review, send them to: Maurice Harter/CNA, PO Box 8360, Portland, Maine 04104-8360. I'm especially interested in quality alternative/small press/self-published comics of interest to grown-ups and the general public. Thank you kindly.