Pads & Panels

So we’ve been talking here at Pads & Panels, and we’ve come to a decision. You guys really need to start reading a bit more. We’re reasonable people, though. We’re not going to send you off to buy summer reading from the Victorian Era that doesn’t even include zombies. No, we accept comics as reading, and we’re prepared to give you some fun books.

From the people over at Pantheon, we’ve got a really nice hardcover copy of Dash Shaw’s latest, BodyWorld, to give away. If you’re not familiar with Dash Shaw, trust us when we say he puts a Chris Ware level of genius and insanity into the production of his books. And for the crafters out there, Penguin brought to our attention and then provided for giveaway two copies of a book by Diana Schoenbrun called Beasties. It’s a cool crafting book that shows readers how to make 22 monsters out of crafting supplies. So we’re going to do our usual contest, which involves commenting on stories throughout the week. At the end of the week, we’re going to randomly pick one first-place winner to receive a copy of each book, and a runner-up will receive only a copy of Beasties. Read more for the official rules. (more…)

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Title: Rough Justice: The DC Comics Sketches of Alex Ross

Publisher: Pantheon

Commentary by: Alex Ross

Edited by: Chip Kidd

Review by: Eric Stuckart

Anyone who knows DC Comics knows Alex Ross, plain and simple. The powerhouse comic book artist has been putting his beautifully unique spin on comic books for nearly two decades, and his body of work is of near-legendary status. His exquisitely painted covers add a touch of class to nearly every comic to which he contributes, making his work some of the most recognizable.

Rough Justice: The DC Comics Sketches of Alex Ross is more than a collection of notes and sketches, which eventually become his photorealistic illustrations, covers and posters. It is a time capsule for where he was when he was brainstorming, creating or fancying new ideas on a whim. Most of the art is grouped nicely in one of two ways, by Superhero or story arc. (more…)

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Title: My Brian is Hanging Upside Down

Writer: David Heatley

Artist: David Heatley

Publisher: Pantheon

Rating:

Review by: Thomas Braaksma

When dealing with one’s personal history of sex, race, family and mortifying dreams, people usually prefer to keep these thoughts to themselves. David Heatley decides to take another route and publishes his personal experiences in all of those subjects in the graphic memoir, My Brain is Hanging Upside Down. Breaking his life up into five simple categories (sex, race, mom, dad, kin) David tells his story through comic strips that leave little to the imagination. (more…)

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Title: Bat-Manga! The Secret History of Batman in Japan

Editor: Chip Kidd

Publisher: Pantheon

Rating:

Review by: Bill Jones

Long before Batman took a serious turn with writers like Alan Moore and Frank Miller, and films followed suit under Christopher Nolan, there was Adam West and his late 1960s television show replete with “POW” and “BAM” graphics to accompany the campy action.

What many may not realize is that the campy show also aired in Japan, and the character was serialized as manga in Japan, written and drawn by Jiro Kuwata and published in Shonen King from 1966 to 1967. The art had a distinctly Japanese flair and the stories were geared toward children, with some Atomic Era themes and villains. (more…)

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Title: Alias the Cat

Writer: Kim Deitch

Artist: Kim Deitch

Publisher: Pantheon

Rating:

Review by: Bill Jones

Alias the Cat can best be described as a mindfuck. And it is a good one – the kind that takes the reader for one of most surreal and wild rides he’s ever been on, and would leave him clammy and grabbing for a cigarette to relax when it’s over…if that sort of thing were socially acceptable this side of the millennium. (more…)

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