Best of
Comics

2003

The Complete Far Side, 1980–1994


Gary Larson - 2003
    And, for better or worse, I 'jotted' them down. It was only later, when perhaps I received an angry letter from someone, that it struck me: Hey! Someone's been reading my diary!"Gary Larson, from the preface to The Complete Far SideRevered by its fans as the funniest, most original, most "What the ... ?"-inspiring cartoon ever, The Far Side® debuted in January 1980 and enjoyed an illustrious 14 years on the worlds comics pages until Gary Larson's retirement in 1994. The Complete Far Side celebrates Gary's twisted, irreverent genius in this ultimate Far Side book, a lavish production, which takes its place alongside collector's-edition art books.A masterpiece of comic brilliance, The Complete Far Side contains every Far Side cartoon ever syndicated over 4,000 if you must know presented in (more or less) chronological order by year of publication, with more than 1,100 thathave never before appeared in a book. Also included are additional Far Side cartoons Larson created afterhis retirement: 13 that appeared in the last Far Side book, Last Chapter and Worse, and six cartoons that periodically ran as a special feature in The New York Times Science Times section as The Far Side of Science.Creator Gary Larson offers a rare glimpse into the mind of The Far Side®in quirky and thoughtful introductions to each of the 14 chapters. Complaint letters, fan letters, and queries from puzzled readers appear alongside some of the more provocative or elusive panels. Actor, author,and comedian Steve Martin offers his pithy thoughts in a foreword, and GaryLarson's former editor describes what it was like to be "the guy who could explain every Far Side cartoon."The Complete Far Side © 2003 by FarWorks, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Far Side ® and the Larson ® signature are registered trademarks of FarWorks, Inc.

The Sandman: King of Dreams


Alisa Kwitney - 2003
    Author Alisa Kwitney explores its beginnings and chronicles the comic's emergence as a unique and undeniable force in the literary world. Richly illustrated, this history shows how Gaiman and The Sandman's gifted artists, such as Dave McKean and Yoshitaka Amano, create a haunting (and haunted) main character who wields immense power. With illustrations never before published, behind-the-scenes stories, handwritten notes, and interviews with Gaiman himself, this volume is a true testament to the dream king and his creator.

The Art of Hellboy


Mike Mignola - 2003
    Featuring art never seen before the publication of the hardcover, unused and unfinished covers, and drawing upon ten years of sketchbooks, The Art of Hellboy provides the ultimate inside look at Mignola's design, storytelling, and color work. Page after page of rarely seen art reveals the labor involved in creating one of comics' most acclaimed books.

The Frank Book


Jim Woodring - 2003
    All the Frank stories in one massive and deluxe tome. Between its handsome cloth covers are 344 pages of Frank comics, drawings and oddities. A fancy dust jacket, swoon-inducing end papers and ribbon bookmark make this book a decorative object as well as a repository of storytelling genius. Frank is a unique, visionary comic, exquisitely drawn and so fully realized that readers find themselves drawn deeply into Woodring's hallucinatory mindscape. The stories, almost entirely wordless, are told with brilliant, candy colors that people of all ages find alluring. This beautiful collection contains new material and lots of rare and previously-unpublished material (including the very first Frank story, not seen in over 10 years). Plus, this book includes an introduction from prominent Jim Woodring fan and acclaimed film director Francis Ford Coppola! This definitive collection is the very best way to give, receive, and experience one of the great cartoon achievements of the 20th century.

Batman: Hush, Vol. 2


Jeph Loeb - 2003
    Volume 2 is collecting Batman #613 - #619.

The Walking Dead #1


Robert Kirkman - 2003
    Comatose after being shot while on duty, Rick finds the world abandoned of all things living and is faced with walking undead, who attack him on sight. He returns home to find his family, son Carl and wife Lori, gone. He meets his new neighbor, who points him towards Atlanta. After retrieving supplies from the abandoned Police Station, Rick sets off to Atlanta to search for his family.

Mythology: The DC Comics Art of Alex Ross


Alex Ross - 2003
    His heroes–both super and mortal–have weight; they exist in space, and that space is affected by them in ways never before seen on the page.” And so here they are, the incomparable cast of the DC Comics universe: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, the Flash, Aquaman, the Green Lantern, and the rest of the Justice League as you’ve never seen them before. Mythology brings together the best loved comic characters in the world, brought to life by Alex Ross, one of the most astonishing young artists working in the medium today. The award-winning designer/writer Chip Kidd and photographer Geoff Spear have teamed up to create a book like no other, with an introduction by M. Night Shyamalan, the acclaimed director of The Village and The Sixth Sense. Ross has often been called the Norman Rockwell of comics, and this book reveals not only his lifelong love of these classic superheroes but also his vision: Mythology takes you into the studio for a behind-the-scenes look at his fascinating creative process. The combination of Ross’s dynamic art and Kidd’s kinetic design makes images from his most memorable stories–including Kingdom Come, Superman: Peace on Earth, Batman: War on Crime, and Uncle Sam–soar off the more than 300 pages. The new material centers on Ross’s startling new comic book series, Justice, including sketches, preliminary art, prototype figures, and more. Mythology is a book in which every page explodes with the power of the icons it celebrates.

Tinkle Double Digest 6


Anant Pai - 2003
    A thoughtful son-in-law counted the delicious sannas his mother-in-law made before gobbling them up. But what if he counted wrong? Read this hilarious story in He Counted before Eating.When a king starts losing his hair, he is desperate to seek a remedy. Will he succeed in his quest? Read The Remedy for Baldness to find out!A village is desperate for rain and they turn to a fraud astrologer to guidance. What yarn will the astrologer spin now? Find out in The Rain-Maker.

Palomar: The Heartbreak Soup Stories


Gilbert Hernández - 2003
    This massive volume collects every "Heartbreak Soup" story from 1993 to 2002 in one 500-page deluxe hardcover edition, presenting the epic for the first time as the single novel it was always intended to be. Palomar is the mythical Central American town where the "Heartbreak Soup" stories take place. The stories weave in and out of the town's entire population, crafting an intricate tapestry of Latin American experience. Hernandez's densely plotted and deeply imagined tales are often compared with magic realist authors like Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Isabel Allende (House of the Spirits). His depictions of women and Mexican-American experience have been universally lauded as the best examples the artform has to offer. Luba, the guiding spirit of Palomar since the outset, has been hailed by The Nation, Rolling Stone, and Time magazine as one of the great characters of contemporary American fiction. Hernandez's work, in addition to the obvious magic realist comparisons, shares an affinity with other Latin American and Spanish writer/artists, like Frida Kahlo, Federico Garcia Lorca and Pablo Picasso, all of whom applied a surrealist eye to what they saw and experienced. Palomar follows the lives of its residents from Luba's arrival in the town to her exit, twenty years later. Included are such classic tales as "Sopa de Gran Pena," "Ecce Homo," "An American in Palomar," "Human Diastrophism," and "Farewell, Mi Palomar." Palomar presents one of the richest accomplishments in the history of the artform in its ideal format for the first time, making it a must-have for longtime Love & Rockets fans and new readers alike.

Tinkle Double Digest 4


Anant Pai - 2003
    Will it prove to be a boon or a curse? Find out in The Magic Pot.What solution will Suppandi come up with to cool down a cup of hot tea? Find out in Instant Coolant.How great it would be to simply dance to get appointed in the king’s court! But there’s a clever plan behind this seemingly simple process. Read The Selection Dance to find out more!

Hellboy: Weird Tales, Vol. 1


Scott Allie - 2003
    Over the years, many of the best artists in the industry have asked if they could do a backup story, just to get a chance to play with the characters and worlds Mignola has created. As Dark Horse gears up for the release of the 2004 Hellboy motion picture, we present this lavish colection of these stories. One of the most popular features in recent Hellboy books has been the sketchbook section, so we've asked these stellar artists to let us present some of their behind the scenes work in this collection. Some of the best writers and artists in comics team up to present stories of giant bats, demon children, jet packs, haunted circuses, and rusted-out spaceships. Old-fashioned pulp fun featuring one of the greatest heroes of modern comics.

Superman: Red Son


Mark Millar - 2003
    and who, as the champion of the common worker, fights a never-ending battle for Stalin, Socialism, and the international expansion of the Warsaw Pact.In this Elseworlds tale, a familiar rocketship crash-lands on Earth carrying an infant who will one day become the most powerful being on the planet. But his ship doesn't land in America. He is not raised in Smallville, Kansas. Instead, he makes his new home on a collective in the Soviet Union!Collecting SUPERMAN: RED SON #1-3.

The Bumper Book of Bunny Suicides


Andy Riley - 2003
    This text presents the ultimate collection for fans of the fluffy little bunnies who just don't want to live any more.

The Metabarons: Ultimate Collection


Alejandro Jodorowsky - 2003
    A multi-generational tale of family, sacrifice, and survival told within an immense universe, both in scope and originality. A true classic in the pantheon of graphic storytelling and science fiction as a whole. Omnibus content includes The Metabarons #1-4 trades + 30 pages of bonus material (including two Metabaron short stories), presented in its original size and color and in a limited and numbered print run of 999 copies only.

Ordinary Victories


Manu Larcenet - 2003
    It’s the story of his art thrown against heavy anxiety attacks; of a really cute woman in his small town who seems to take to him against all odds; of the old neighbor, a peaceful likable fellah until you get to know his disturbing role in the war...

Batgirl/Robin: Year One


Chuck Dixon - 2003
    In his earliest adventures, Robin learns very quickly that what he thought would be fun is actually a matter of life and death.And in the action-packed origin of the original Batgirl, explore Barbara Gordon's transformation from average citizen into costumed super-heroine.This volume collects BATGIRL: YEAR ONE #1-9 and ROBIN: YEAR ONE #1-4.

Tank Girl: The Odyssey


Peter Milligan - 2003
    Booga, husband of Tank Girl, is being wooed by Hollywood producers, and without his wife there his resolve is crumbling. Tele, their TV-headed son, knows that he must contact his mother...setting off a chain of events that will see Tank Girl face death itsel

Krazy and Ignatz, 1929-1930: A Mice, a Brick, a Lovely Night


George Herriman - 2003
    Each volume is painstakingly edited by the San Francisco Cartoon Art Museum's Bill Blackbeard, the world's foremost authority on early 20th Century American comic strips, and designed by Jimmy Corrigan author Chris Ware. In addition to the 104 full-page black-and-white Sunday strips from 1929 and 1930 (Herriman did not use color until 1935), the book includes an introduction by Blackbeard and reproductions of rare Herriman ephemera from Ware's own extensive collection, as well as annotations and other notes by Ware and Blackbeard.Of special note to collectors, this is the period when Herriman was again liberated from the "grid" constraints of the mid-'20s and was able to compose his pages far more creatively, resulting in richer, more complex, more eye-pleasing compositions. Krazy Kat is a love story, focusing on the relationships of its three main characters. Krazy Kat adored Ignatz Mouse. Ignatz Mouse just tolerated Krazy Kat, except for recurrent onsets of targeting tumescence, which found expression in the fast delivery of bricks to Krazy's cranium. Offisa Pup loved Krazy and sought to protect "her" (Herriman always maintained that Krazy was gender-less) by throwing Ignatz in jail. Each of the characters was ignorant of the others' true motivations, and this simple structure allowed Herriman to build entire worlds of meaning into the actions, building thematic depth and sweeping his readers up by the looping verbal rhythms of Krazy & Co.'s unique dialogue.

Superman: Birthright


Mark Waid - 2003
    Witness the making of a legend, as Clark Kent learns the tough lessons needed to become the World's Greatest Hero! Also watch as Lex Luthor comes to Smallville, befriending Clark. But it's a relationship that may ultimately spell disaster for Metropolis and the Man of Steel.

I Want to Be the Kitty: MUTTS 8


Patrick McDonnell - 2003
    But it's the fact that the duo are everyday pets, with relationships to their owners that ring true, that makes MUTTS work." -Pet LifeI Want to Be the Kitty marks the eighth collection of this award-winning strip and is the follow-up to the successful What Now. As usual, the lovable duo of Earl the dog and his feline friend Mooch can be counted on for charming adventures and out-loud laughs.The sweet and unique friendship of this special dog and kitty comes through in every strip. When Mooch decides one January morning he's going to hibernate by staying in bed all winter, Earl tries desperately to get him out of bed until he finds out himself how "toashty" it is, in the words of Mooch. Next thing you know, Mooch has a bedmate who announces "I'll see ya in March." The two snore though hibernation together-that is, until they are called for dinner.With its expressive art and clever, sometimes philosophical, pet banter, MUTTS has built a large and loyal fan base among readers and fellow cartoonists worldwide. The strip has been the discussion topic of Tonight show guests (Brooke Shields), and it's earned the National Cartoonists Society's coveted Comic Strip of the Year Award. And now, as a testament to its ever-growing popularity, fans in New Jersey can show their loyalty to the strip-and animal protection-by getting a state license plate complete with Earl and Mooch and the slogan "Animal Friendly." In MUTTS, cartoonist Patrick McDonnell has created a classic strip that not only delivers consistent laughs but often a message as well.

A Baby Blues Treasury: Wall-To-Wall Baby Blues


Rick Kirkman - 2003
    From games of Destroy the Legos to how to blow a two-year-old's nose with just one box of tissues, Baby Blues never fails to revel in the funny facts and fantasies about raising kids.Wall-to-Wall Baby Blues: A Baby Blues Treasury. represents a treasury of the best moments from three previous Kirkman and Scott collections--Baby Blues: Unplugged, Dad to the Bone, and Never a Dry Moment.This combination of daily strips and full-color Sunday features delivers an array of hilarious family comedy. Wall-to-Wall Baby Blues: A Baby Blues Treasury. has young readers, parents, expectant parents, and grandparents nodding their heads in recognition of life in the MacPherson household. It's truly family fun for everyone in the family.

The Goon, Volume 1: Nothin' but Misery


Eric Powell - 2003
    An insane priest is building himself an army of the undead, and there's only one man who can put them is their place: the man they call Goon. Collects The Goon series and The Goon Color Special, originally published by Albatross Exploding Funny Books; presented here for the first time in full color.

The Metabarons #2: Aghnar & Oda


Alejandro Jodorowsky - 2003
    Follow Aghnar, the son of the first Metabaron, from his earliest battle against the psychic witches of the Shabda-Oud to his attempt to win the hand and heart of their target - Oda the Capricious.

Shalivahana


Jagjit Uppal - 2003
    Sheltered by a potter the boy grew up with the prophecy of a wandering sage ringing in his ears that he would one day become king. The Sanskrit classic, Kathasaritasagar and Vikrama Charita, from which most of this story is taken, traces the path that makes Shalivahana so powerful that an entire era, the Shalivahana Shaka, was named after him.

Runaways: Marvel Age, Vol. 1: The Pride


Brian K. Vaughan - 2003
    

The Kuru Princes


Anant Pai - 2003
    It consists of three volumes, spanning a total of 1200-odd pages.The Mahabharata is considered to be the longest epic poem in the world. The creation of this ageless epic is traditionally attributed to the seer Vyasa. His disciple Vaishampayana narrated it in public for the first time. King Janamejaya and numerous learned sages were present at the recital. They had gathered for a 12-year-long sacred ritual called Yajna.The first volume is titled The Kuru Princes of Hastinapura. Beginning with Shantanu, King Janamejaya’s ancestor and the ruler of Hastinapura, this volume narrates the various events that led to the establishment of the Kuru dynasty. It leads the story to the reign of Dhritarashtra over Hastinapura while his brother Pandu has retired to the forest with his two wives Kunti and Madri and five sons (The Pandavas).Upon the death of Pandu and Madri, Kunti and the Pandavas return to Hastinapura. The return of the Pandavas, and being armed with numerous skills, make the Kauravas (the 100 sons of Dhritarashtra) jealous of them. The eldest Kaurava brother, Duryodhana, plots to send the Pandavas into exile. Forewarned about his intentions, the Pandavas manage to foil his plan and escape from the trap set for them.Then they spend a year in disguise, and during this time, Arjuna wins the hand of Draupadi in marriage. Without knowing what Arjuna has won in the archery match, Kunti unwittingly asks the Pandavas to share the prize. Thus, Draupadi ends up being married to all of the Pandava brothers. After their wedding, the Pandavas are invited back to Hastinapura to resume peaceful relations.

Ultimate Spider-Man, Volume 3


Brian Michael Bendis - 2003
    5: Public Scrutiny and Ultimate Spider-Man Vol. 6: Venom, plus a 16-page story exclusive to Wizard magazine and other bonus material. Young Peter Parker faces his darkest hour yet in the story line you've been waiting for... the Venom Saga! Will Peter ever be able to think of himself as a hero again?

Pearls Before Swine: BLTs Taste So Darn Good


Stephan Pastis - 2003
    Together with Zebra, the activist, and Goat, the reluctant brain, Pearls Before Swine offers caustic commentary on humanity's quest for the unattainable. Smart, witty, and sometimes painfully honest, Pearls Before Swine mocks the flaws and shortcomings of human nature with cynical humor.Pearls Before Swine has been syndicated by United Feature Syndicate since January 2002 and now appears in more than 100 newspapers worldwide. In panel after panel, Pearls Before Swine causes readers to lose themselves in laughter.

The Art of Joseph Michael Linsner


Joseph Michael Linsner - 2003
    Scores of rare production sketches and color roughs will be highlighted, as well as a special how to sections in which Linsner gives a sneak peek at the production of one of his dazzling Dawn paintings from start to finish.

Mutts: The Comic Art Of Patrick McDonnell


Patrick McDonnell - 2003
    Peanuts creator Charles Schulz called Mutts one of the best comic strips of all time. Simpsons creator Matt Groening concurs: Mutts cheers me up every day. It's not only sweet, simple, and funny—a rare combination—it's also the best drawn comic strip around. This comprehensive volume, the first to focus on the entire range of Patrick McDonnell's art, includes not only a vast collection of his Mutts strips, but also sketches, paintings, and wood carvings by the man who has made Earl the dog and Mooch the cat such beloved contemporary icons.McDonnell's text—which serves as autobiography, comic history, character explication, and art history rolled into one—lets readers into his private universe to observe his process, influences, and passions. The result is an intimate and revealing look at the complexities of the cartooning craft and the forces that drive his own creative endeavors. Author Bio: Patrick McDonnell illustrated the Russell Baker Sunday Observer column for the New York Times Magazine and Bad Baby, a monthly comic strip for Parents magazine, before creating Mutts in 1994. McDonnell has also been a regular contributor to Sports Illustrated, Reader's Digest, Time, and many other national magazines, is the coauthor of the Abrams book Krazy Kat: The Comic Art of George Herriman, and is on the board of directors of the Humane Society of the United States. John Carlin has been a lawyer, college professor, art critic, music producer, and TV director. He is currently organizing a survey of 20th-century American comics, cartoons, and comic books for the Museum of Contemporary Art and the UCLA Hammer Museum in Los Angeles. Cofounder of the media design and production company Funny Garbage, he is also founder and creative director of the Red Hot Organization, a not-for-profit music and video production company.

The Complete Strangers in Paradise, Volume 3, Part 5


Terry Moore - 2003
    Francine and Katchoo are high-school best friends who are reunited when Francine comes back to town after years away from her hometown. David is their new friend entangled in their complicated lives. From creepy ex-boyfriends and insensitive bosses to the reality of AIDS and underworld prostitution, you never know what will come up next - but you can always count on laughing and crying at the same time. This foil-stamped casebound hardcover with color dust jacket includes a special color cover art section, sketches, and more.

100 Bullets, Vol. 6: Six Feet Under the Gun


Brian Azzarello - 2003
    And behind each individual's story, the war between Shepherd and Graves continues to escalate, and the uneasy alliance of the 13 Families continues to fracture. Featuring an introduction by fan-favorite writer Greg Rucka (WONDER WOMAN, DETECTIVE COMICS)Written by Brian Azzarello; Art by Eduardo Risso; Painted Cover by Dave Johnson Reprinting 100 BULLETS #37-42.

The Little Endless Storybook


Jill Thompson - 2003
    Her protector and favorite puppy Barnabas searched the waking world for his tiny princess to no avail. Now, Barnabas must travel to the strange and unlikely realms of each of the Endless to see if Delirium's siblings have seen their missing sister...For years fans have demanded to see more of Jill Thompson's Little Endless, the diminutive versions of the characters from Neil Gaiman's award-winning SANDMAN series, and now their dreams are answered.This special edition hardcover features Jill Thompson's original sketches and the secret history of the Little Endless.

DC Universe: The Stories of Alan Moore


Alan MooreBill Willingham - 2003
    Collected in this volume—which no comics fan should be without—are all of Moore's Superman and Batman stories, including Action Comics #583, Batman Annual #11, Batman The Killing Joke, DC Comics Presents #85, Detective Comics #549-550, Green Lantern #188, The Omega Men #26-27, Secret Origins #10, Superman #423, Tales of the Green Lantern Corps Annual #2 & 3, Supermaqn Annual #11 and Vigilante #17-18.

The Acme Novelty Datebook, Vol. 1, 1986-1995


Chris Ware - 2003
    His novel not only won the Manchester Guardian First Novel prize in 2001 but it has sold over 100,000 copies. This book is as much a companion volume to Jimmy Corrigan --one of the great crossover success stories-- as a tremendous art collection from of one of America's most interesting and popular graphic artist.Chris Ware has a passion for drawing that is surprisingly wide-ranging in style and subject. This book surprises the reader on every page with its sense of spontaneous vision. Architectural drawings from Chicago and interplanetary robot comics collide with cruelly doodled human figures and quietly troubling studies of the still life. A must for people with a passion for modern design and old-fashioned style.

Batgirl: Year One


Scott Beatty - 2003
    A look into the action-packed origin of the original Batgirl, Barbara Gordon! This volume collects the 9-issue miniseries that uncovered Gordon's transformation from average citizen into costumed super-heroine.

Stray Bullets, Vol. 7


David Lapham - 2003
    This seventh volume trade paperback reprints issues twenty-five through twenty-eight of the critically acclaimed and Eisner Award winning series - Stray Bullets Truly horrifying The kidnapping and nightmarish search for Virginia Applejack The Collected Stray Bullets Series is a perfect introduction for new readers, a great way for fans to complete the series.

Season's Eatings: A Very Merry Garfield Christmas (Garfield Classics)


Jim Davis - 2003
    . . er, um . . . Greetings! Garfield knows Christmas isn’t just about the presents–it’s also about the cookies, the cakes, the lasagnas, the holiday hams, and all the delicious, creamy eggnog you can drink! From the day after Thanksgiving–when the season of goodies officially begins–to the last of the figgy pudding, Christmas is the best time of year to be America’s favorite fat cat!The perfect stocking stuffer, this uproarious collection features Garfield Christmas strips from the last twenty-five years–and that means a lot of good times and warm memories. So join Garfield, Jon, Odie, and the rest of the gang for some holiday cheer. There’s sure to be tree trimming, hall decking, bell jingling, over eating, Odie-teasing, and lots of yuletide fun. If everyone was good this year, who knows, Santa may even pay a visit! From the Hardcover edition.

Fables: The Last Castle


Bill Willingham - 2003
    Beautifully illustrated prequel to the ongoing Fables series.

Pinocchio


Winshluss - 2003
    In this dark rendition, a greedy Geppetto builds Pinocchio as a metallic weapon of war, while Jiminy Cockroach is a homeless squatter living the good life in Pinocchio's skull. Critically acclaimed, Pinocchio won the Grand Prize at France's Angouleme comics festival in 2009. Exquisite drawings by celebrated cartoonist Winshluss bring to life a rich tale of greedy fools, lust, sadness, redemption, and hope. Teamed with brilliant colorist Cizo, Winshluss creates an epic adventure through a lush world. As we follow Pinocchio along the way, the stories and vinettes intertwine, offering subtle political critiques and send ups of popular culture. We meet seven sleazy dwarves, follow Jiminy's struggles as a novelist, watch a blind tramp find God, and see the innocent, yet powerful Pinocchio encircled by those who would use him for their own ends. Winshluss has perfected the wordless comic. Each page is perfectly composed - not a panel is wasted. The artwork is primarily done in pen and ink, and watercolor but switches to paint for larger splash panels. The art also references a terrific range of illustrative styles and history in the story from late 18th century pen and ink, to early French film pioneer Georges Melies, through early Disney, and underground comix. Born in 1970, Winshluss is the creator of numerous comics and graphic novels that have garnered awards and acclaim across Europe. Winshluss is the pen name of Vincent Parronnaud, perhaps best known as co-director of the animated film Persepolis (with Marjane Satrapi), which won the Jury Prize at Cannes and was nominated for numerous awards, including the Academy Award, Golden Globe and Cannes' Palm d'Or. Currently, he and Satrapi are teaming up again to adapt Satrapi's 2006 book "Chicken with Plums.""

Raja Bhoja


Kamala Chandrakant - 2003
    Ballala, a poet in his court, has immortalised his patron in his work Bhoja Prabandha which is a romantic tale, written in Sanskrit, partly in verse and partly in prose. Ballala was interested not so much in history as in heroics. In his attaempt to magnify Bhoja as a patron of the arts and letters, Ballala has ignored historical facts. The poets, Kalidasa and Bana, who he said adorned Bhoja's court, actually lived much before Bhoja's times.

Twisted Toyfare Theatre, Volume 1


Pat McCallum - 2003
    In addition to the strips, this book will present a feature on the origin of the series along with the very first Twisted Mego Theatre story ever and the Top 10 Greatest TMT Moments! Plus, learn about the coolest stories that we were forbidden from printing in ToyFare Magazine. See hilarious outtakes from the making of TMT. Filmmaker and toy fan Kevin Smith writes the introduction to this landmark collection.

Sempe: Mixed Messages


Jean-Jacques Sempé - 2003
    Each volume in the collection contains about 100 illustrations.

Ekanath


Subhas L. Desai - 2003
    Obediently, he left his family and went. The boy would grow up to become Ekanath. He was known for his stand against untouchability and his view that all people were equal. At a time when the priestly class held a monopoly over the Sanskrit scriptures, Ekanath wrote treatises explaining them in Marathi, so that ordinary people could read them and discuss them. Ekanath is also known for his devotional songs or abhangs, many of which are still sung today.

Shrimpy and Paul and Friends


Marc Bell - 2003
    Collected and reformatted material which originally appeared in a variety of publications including Guillotine, The Mojo Action Companion, Vice Magazine, Expo 2000, The Montreal Mirror and The Halifax Coast.

Even Grues Get Full


Illiad - 2003
    "Illiad" Frazer. Written with fresh, dry humor and an amusing vividness that brings the cast of characters to life, the comic strip is loved and read by millions around the world, from professional technologists to eight-year old wunderkinds, from 83-year old grandmothers who miss their Commodore 64s to patient spouses of born programmers.The comic strip is packed with references to geek interests, from obscure movies to old computer games, yet non-geeks are able to enjoy the story lines and character quirks, from Erwin's acerbic humor to Miranda's constant angst; from the Smiling Man's Machiavellian machinations to A.J.'s dysfunctional naïveté. At the center of this lies Dust Puppy, the strip's gentle-hearted mascot and the character who has endeared himself to readers everywhere.In this book, join the antics of the characters once again as Stef contends with an enormous Tequila worm, Mike is tormented by Mr. Cola, and the techs move shop into an abandoned missile silo! Also included in this collection are the 9/11 tribute cartoons that were widely praised for their clear and simple pathos.Called "Dilbert for Geeks" by Wired magazine and considered to be one of the few consistently intelligent and socially aware cartoons on the 'Net, User Friendly remains one of the most popular destinations for geeks and non-geeks alike. This book is a sure hit with anyone who works with computers or for anyone who lives with someone who works with computers!

The Aquaman Archives, Vol. 1


Jack MillerSheldon Moldoff - 2003
    He first appeared in a backup feature in more fun comics #73 (November 1941), moved on to adventure comics in 1946 for a long run, and then popped up for a brief run in detective comics (July 1961) and world's finest Comics (May 1962). He was a charter member of the Justice League of America (not to mention the Super Friends!) and has had two of his own titles and three limited series. He has even had two completely different origins. A pretty busy guy, and it certainly isn't over yet! The stories presented in this Archive Edition mark one of Aquaman's true high points, beginning with the story where he really entered the Silver Age of comics -- a story that just happens to contain a revised origin. Volume One of the aquaman archives showcases over twenty underwater adventures by some of DC's finest writers, and features art by one of the all-too-few female stars of comics, Ramona Fradon. So come on in, the water's fine!

Artesia Volume 2: Afield - The Second Book Of Dooms


Mark Smylie - 2003
    As Artesia and her captains seek to join the northern army led by the High King's marshal, the Grand Duke Owen Lis Red, they are confronted with the myriad dangers and distractions of life on campaign. They encounter the Thessid enemy for the first time, meet and hire mercenaries from distant lands, and learn of the Empire's terrifying allies, the Isliklids, who heretically claim descent from Islik the Divine King. And through it all, Artesia is plagued by dreams and haunted by ghosts, as she ponders the choices she has made, and those she hasn't…

The Great Big Book of Tomorrow: A Treasury of Cartoons


Tom Tomorrow - 2003
    With an ever increasing fan base, an expanding number of publications who regularly feature his work, one of the most popular and most visited web-logs (www.thismodernworld.com), the time is now for The Great Big Book of Tomorrow. This massive collection of Tomorrow's greatest hits, unseen gems and obscurities, new material and color section is the so far definitive collection of one of the most popular 'underground' cartoonists ever--a delight to long-time fans and new readers alike.

Ultimate Spider-Man Vol. 1 Collection (Ultimate Spider-Man (2000-2009))


Brian Michael Bendis - 2003
     After the murder of his uncle, Peter finds himself taking on extra-curricular activities...such as bringing down the Kingpin of Crime' as the wall-crawling Spider-Man.

Dork Volume 2: Circling the Drain


Evan Dorkin - 2003
    The second collection from Evan Dorkin's award-winning humor anthology Dork includes all the non-Eltingville material from issues #7-10, plus extras, with 16 pages in color! Highlighted by the acclaimed "Cluttered Like My Head" autobiographical tour de force.

Nemi - Vol. 1


Lise Myhre - 2003
    Meet Nemi Montoya, the vegetarian, cynical/romantic, hilariously honest twenty-something goth, in this brand new collection from artist Lise Myhre!Hang out in the pub with Nemi and her friends, including her flatmate, the blue-haired Cyan; hear her opinions on romance and dating; watch her watch TV in her untidy flat; learn how she feels about birch trees, spiders and blondes; and generally experience the highs and lows of being Nemi in the modern world!A superstar in her native Norway thanks to the immense success of Nemi — also reprinted in the 1.12 million-circulation UK Metro newspaper — you too can enter Lise Myhre’s witty, wonderful world!

I Would Have Bought You A Cat , But... A Get Fuzzy Gift Book


Darby Conley - 2003
    It now appears in 250 newspapers, including the Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Examiner, Chicago Tribune, Boston Globe, Detroit Free Press, Philadelphia Inquirer, and Seattle Times. Readers can't get enough of the goofy trio that populate this hilarious strip: Rob Wilco, the single, mild-mannered advertising executive, and his two rambunctious pets, Bucky, the sharp-fanged, self-absorbed cat, and Satchel, the easygoing mixed-breed dog who ends up on the receiving end of Bucky's mischief. The combination creates Get Fuzzy's astutely witty take on relationships between the species.Now, in a size and format that's perfect for die-hard fans and those looking for the perfect gift, I Would Have Bought You a Cat, But . . . will become the must-have little treasure for everyone who craves a bit more of the trademark Get Fuzzy foolishness, or just enjoys a good chuckle.

Runaways (2003-2004) #1


Brian K. Vaughan - 2003
    This year, the children decide to find out what is so special about this annual party, only to find the parents committing murder!

Rose is Rose: Right on the Lips


Pat Brady - 2003
    That's quite an accomplishment for a simple story line centered on a two-parent, single-child family. But Brady's readers soar, through both the laughs and a visual visceral connection to the feelings the characters themselves experience. Rose is Rose Right on the Lips: A Rose is Rose Collection continues the tales of the Gumbo family. Rose is the wife and mother, a child at heart who just happens to have a biker chick alter ego. Husband Jimbo, a "decent Neanderthal," looks like an average blue-collar dad, but he's actually an incurable romantic. And Pasquale, their son, is an imagination-fired kid who loves Peekaboo, the family cat, and is often saved from trouble by his guardian angel. Brady swirls this familial mix into seemingly endless recipes of fun, adventure, and fantasy, but he adds a special magic with his original sense of perspective and space that makes readers feel as though they, too, are part of the action. This collection of daily and Sunday strips is a great introduction to those new to Rose is Rose and a surefire winner with longtime Gumbo-family fans. The creator adds value for all readers by including two flip books in the pages' lower corners, delightfully animating the characters right in front of their eyes!

Lenore #10


Roman Dirge - 2003
    Or what happens when a vicious gang of mice get loose.

The Mad Playboy of Art


Will Elder - 2003
    Will Elder is widely regarded as one of the most influential cartoonists of the second half of the 20th century. And one of the funniest. He is best known for his artistic partnership with Harvey Kurtzman on all their most highly visible collaborations throughout their careers: Mad magazine, Humbug, Goodman Beaver, Trump, and Little Annie Fanny. At long last, Elder is getting the book he so richly deserves: The Mad Playboy of Art, a gigantic coffee table book collecting his best work from more than a half a century of drawing and painting. The book will reprint a representative sampling of the work well-known to aficionados, including stories from the original Mad comic, independent efforts from Humbug, Help!, and Trump magazines, and Little Annie Fanny pages reproduced from the original, painted artwork. Above and beyond the known is the relatively unknown, obscure, or unpublished work, such as pages and spreads from a variety of magazines in the '50s and '60s that Elder contributed to (such as Pageant and Saturday Evening Post), the infamous Norman Rockwell painting parody slated for the 3rd, unreleased issue of Trump (see the cover of this catalog), hysterical gag sketches, celebrity caricatures, oil paintings done for his family, and more. The book includes commentary by Hugh Hefner, Harvey Kurtzman, Jack Davis, Al Jaffee, Terry Gilliam, William Stout, and Jerry Garcia, who describe the impact that Elder's work had on satire and comic at in the second half of 20th century America. Elder himself comments on individual pieces, and Daniel Clowes, the author of Ghost World, supplies theintroduction.

My New Fighting Technique Is Unstoppable


David Rees - 2003
    The New Fighting Technique may have sprung from the crucible of cubicle culture----Rees created the strip while working a deathly boring temp job, harnessing the potential energy of his PowerPoint software, Internet connection, laser printer, and vast expanses of fallow hours into this Unstoppable ass-kicking phenomenon----but the result has less to do with clockwatching than with the explosive energy of freestyling gangsta rap, airborne Bruce Lee maneuvers, and a profane, deadpan sense of humor that just may establish David Rees as the Lenny Bruce of our times. As soon as Rees began faxing MNFTIU comics to friends, those friends were faxing it to friends who were faxing it to more friends. It was the birth of a genuine underground publishing sensation. Soon it was a regular serial, then there was merchandise, then a website that received 25 million hits last year.

Unmanned


Brian K. Vaughan - 2003
    But why are he and his faithful companion, the often testy male monkey Ampersand, still alive? He sets out to find the answer (and his girlfriend), while running from angry female Republicans (now running the government), Amazon wannabes that include his own sister (seemingly brainwashed), and other threats.

Pluto (Complete Series)


Naoki Urasawa - 2003
    Europol’s top detective Gesicht is assigned to investigate these mysterious robot serial murders—the only catch is that he himself is one of the seven targets.Atom, a boy robot whose sophisticated AI programming seamlessly blurs the distinction between man and machine, starts his own investigation into the serial murders of the great robots of the world. When he discovers that the killer’s motives may be connected with the geopolitical events of the recent past, he realizes that the case is far larger than anyone could have ever imagined.

Batman Adventures (2003-2004) #1


Dan Slott - 2003
    Batman must protect and recapture his biggest foes--even though he's just been outlawed by Gotham's surprising new mayor!

Snoopy the Tennis Ace


Charles M. Schulz - 2003
    Who knew that a beagle could play tennis like a pro? In this volume of classic Peanuts comics, Snoopy serves up some skillful humor.

Snoopy the Winter Wonder Dog


Charles M. Schulz - 2003
    Double axels, acrobatic jumps, and flying spins: Watch out winter—here comes Snoopy the Winter Wonder Dog!   This is a collection of original Peanuts comic strips featuring Snoopy, Charlie Brown, and the whole gang.

Rebel Visions: The Underground Comix Revolution 1963-1975


Patrick Rosenkranz - 2003
    This comprehensive book follows the movements of 50 artists from 1967 to 1972, the heyday of the underground comix movement. Through interviews with the participants and other materials, Rebel Visions is the most intimate look ever at the people and events that forged the phenomenon known as underground comix, from New York to San Francisco, from the corn belt to deep in the heart of Texas, beginning that day in 1968 when R. Crumb debuted Zap #1 from a baby carriage on Haight Ashbury Street. Rosenkranz has spent over 30 years researching this book and acquiring the cooperation of every significant underground cartoonist who worked throughout this period, including Crumb, Gilbert (Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers) Shelton, Bill (Zippy) Griffith, Art (Maus) Spiegelman, Jack Jackson, S. Clay Wilson, Robert Williams, and many more. The book is illustrated with many never-before-seen drawings by all of the underground cartoonists and exclusive photographs. HC, 240pg, PC

Woodstock A Bird's-Eye View


Charles M. Schulz - 2003
    . .For a small guy, Woodstock makes a big impression. True, he gets a tad jumpy around Thanksgiving and tends to have a bit of a temper, but Woodstock can type and take shorthand, and he’s a great friend and confidant to Snoopy–even though the little bird is often the butt of the beagle’s practical jokes. Whether flying erratically around the baseball field or embarking on adventures with his best pal, Woodstock is loved by one and all. So join this famous yellow bird and the rest of the Peanuts gang in a comic strip collection full of fun . . . and flight.

Hysteria in Remission: Comics and Drawings


Robt. Williams - 2003
    Included in this deluxe collection are all of Williams' contributions to such legendary underground anthologies as ZAP, Snatch, Arcade, Cocaine Comix, and more (much of which has been out-of-print for over 25 years). Also, the book will feature scores of never-before-published works, including the never-before-seen, full-color storyboards for a proposed animated ZAP movie, along with numerous cartoons from Williams' early years at L.A. City College. Plus, the seminal Coochy Cooty Men's Comics, dozens of examples of hot rod art done for Ed "Big Daddy" Roth's studio, and the rare, two-color strip "Yama Yama." The book features two introductions, one by Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers creator and fellow ZAP cohort, Gilbert Shelton, and the other by Williams himself, contextualizing his comix work within his better-known career as a painter. MATURE READERS SC, 8x11, 300pg, PC

My New Filing Technique Is Unstoppable


David Rees - 2003
    His cult hit comic, Get Your War On, turned him into an underground phenomenon. His trash-talking karate comic, My New Fighting Technique Is Unstoppable, made him a publishing sensation. Now, combining Rees's trademark gangsta vocabulary with the merciless absurdity (and eerie, quotidian accuracy) of Office Space and an uproariously profane sense of humor, Rees unleashes his volatile energy on a new comic that brings back the foul-mouthed cubicle slaves who starred in Get Your War On to (panel by panel) knock Dilbert on his ass and establish Rees as the Lenny Bruce of clockwatchers.

Herbie Archives Volume 1


Shane O'Shea - 2003
    Coming from the strange, wry imaginations of classic comics scribe Richard Hughes and artist Ogden Whitney, Herbie Popnecker looks like a plump lump, but with his collection of supernatural lollipops, there is pretty much nothing that he can't do. Herbie Archives Volume 1 collects the earliest appearances of Herbie, as he battles monsters, bends time and space, and gets the better of Fidel Castro Herbie is a delightfully weird, all-ages barrel of laughs

Herman Classics, Volume I


Jim Unger - 2003
    Most of these are single panels, but there are also many full spreads from weekend papers. Along with the comics, we have included short, funny biographical comments from Unger himself — about his life, about how he conceives his comics, about the process of illustrating. Printed on high-grade paper with careful attention to accurate representation, this book is indeed a classic for all Herman lovers. Jim Unger’s thoughts on Herman: "I think what happened with this Herman thing is it's so stupid that it makes you laugh. Herman is nobody, nothing. He's just a prop for my way of expressing life. I'm telling people, 'Hey, you idiot, this is what you look like.'" " It’s not sophisticated — I draw a TV set that comes crashing through a wall, and behind it there's a guy shouting, 'Missed!' That's not a gag. It's life. I reach the vast unwashed, eh? The lowest common demoninator. I understand my own kind."

Comic Book Lettering: The Comicraft Way


Richard Starkings - 2003
    This full color step-by-step guide is filled to the brim with the wisdom -- and wit! -- of Comicraft founders Richard Starkings and John 'JG' Roshell.Comic Book Lettering the Comicraft Way features a stunning cover of HIP FLASK by Brian Bolland and two HIP FLASK comic strips created by Kurt Busiek & Stuart Immonen and Jeph Loeb & Ian Churchill, alongside contributions from a galaxy of comic book stars including J. Scott Campbell, Dave Gibbons, Christian Gossett, Ladronn, Scott Lobdell, Joe Madureira, Carlos Pacheco, Joe Quesada, Tim Sale, Kurt Busiek, Joe Casey and Joe Kelly.Step by Step, Comic Book Lettering the Comicraft Way guides readers through the process of lettering a comic strip digitally. From font design to balloon placement, sound effects, signage, title page and publication design, the creators of The World's Greatest Comic Book Fonts cover every conceivable aspect of comic book lettering. Lavishly illustrated by examples drawn from Comicraft's ten years as America's premier comic book lettering studio, this manual is an essential tool for comic book creators everywhere.

Graduation . . . Just the beginning !: A For Better or Worse Little Book


Lynn Johnston - 2003
    Humorous and touching, Graduation: Just the Beginning! celebrates the many passages children make-from kindergarten all the way to college and on to the excitement that life in the real world promises.

Leaving Home: Survival of the Hippest


Lynn Johnston - 2003
    Eleven sections are crammed with advice on furnishing apartments, mastering the ancient art of bartering, living with "the boss without a heart, the prof without a clue," and more. It includes such gems as: The Yard Sale -- Your "Vintage Kitchenware Store"; Rules for Roommates: Rent Is Not A Voluntary Contribution; Your Mother Is No Longer the Alarm Clock; The Mail Is Always For You! Leaving Home not only relays how to avoid common pitfalls, but also how to get out after you've landed in them face first! Pearls of wisdom and insightful cartoons make this a must-read for anyone starting life on their own.

The Walking Dead #2


Robert Kirkman - 2003
    Rick heads to Atlanta where he hopes to find his wife and son.

Herobear and the Kid Volume 1: The Inheritance


Mike Kunkel - 2003
    1) Paperbackby Mike Kunkel (Author, Artist)

Top Dog: Marmaduke at 50


Brad Anderson - 2003
    . . . And with Marmaduke, anything can become an adventure.”–Brad Anderson America’s most playful pooch has been delighting fans since 1954. The lovably rambunctious Great Dane currently appears in more than 660 newspapers, in 20 different countries worldwide. Now, in honor of this top dog’s 50th anniversary, Brad Anderson has hand picked his favorite cartoon strips from the last five decades for this beautifully designed volume that will have everyone drooling.Marmaduke epitomizes the overgrown lap dog, with an irascible streak and a penchant for mischief that is tempered with a deep sense of love and responsibility for his family. In stature and in character, this horse-sized hound stands head and shoulders above the rest. Marmaduke strikes a chord because, quite simply, he is a real dog. Creator Brad Anderson modeled Marmaduke on his parents’ boxer, Bruno. Originally just a big dog, Marmaduke immediately appealed to newspaper readers in part because the emotions he expressed were so very human. The cartoon canine’s antics and mishaps are both hilarious and remarkably familiar to anyone with a dog.Marmaduke is also instilled with Anderson’s own deep commitment to community and family. Marmaduke and Anderson have long been supporters–and Marmaduke, their “spokesdog”–of the Delta Society’s Pet Partners Program, in which volunteers and their pets visit sick and elderly in hospitals and care centers. The comic strip is not only a welcome respite, it’s also a helping hand, connecting people in hospitals and care facilities with animals, both real and drawn.This wonderful collection proves that whether Marmaduke is rescuing a stray kitten, seeing the kids off to school, or visiting senior citizens in the park, he always does it in a way that makes millions of fans smile. Nothing’s bigger than Marmaduke’s heart, including those giant paws.

Tipu Sultan (Amar Chitra Katha)


Adurthi Subba Rao - 2003
    A childhood spent watching and helping in his father's campaigns had made him a shrewd general. From his father he also inherited courage and a sense of honor and, most importantly, the determination to oust the British from Indian soil. But this noble 18th-century warrior had no weapon against treachery.

Nemesis the Warlock: Death to All Aliens


Pat Mills - 2003
    Warriors, Marshal Law) and Kevin O'Neill (A.B.C. Warriors, Marshal Law, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen) comes the ultimate tale of futuristic rebellion! zealots rule with an iron fist, stamping out alien life and culture wherever they find it. However, one alien stands in his way: the mysterious Nemesis. Battle is soon joined as Nemesis attempts to lead the alien races to freedom -- and bloody vengeance! the legendary characters of British sci-fi and rates amongst 2000 AD's finest hours!

The Absolute Authority, Vol. 2


Mark Millar - 2003
    2 cleverly redefines the traditional roles and methods of super-heroes. After the death of team leader Jenny Sparks, the members of the Authority decide to use their abilities to truly improve the world. Looking to affect change instead of simply protecting the status quo and fighting maniacal villains, the super-powered group intervenes in global politics as they overthrow corrupt regimes and violently force occupying countries out of foreign lands. Employing extreme measures against a variety of opponents that include a sadistic U.S. government team of super-beings, the countries of Russia and China, and the Earth itself, the Authority are successful in their new mission until a devastating defeat results in their own deaths.

Vietnam Journal


Don Lomax - 2003
    The stories may be fiction, but their intensity and emotional resonance point to social and personal truths that go beyond mere facts. Writer and artist Don Lomax is a Vietnam war Veteran.

Runaways (2005-2008) #1


Brian K. VaughanJames Jean - 2003
    TRUE BELIEVERS PART 1 Now that the evil Pride is gone, nearly every bad guy in the Marvel Universe is trying to fill the power vacuum in Los Angeles, and the Runaways are the only heroes who can stop them!

Wolverine (2003-2009) #1


Greg Rucka - 2003
    Questions that Logan intends to answer, one way or the other.

Transformers: War Within, Volume 1


Simon Furman - 2003
    The War Within. Four million years before the Transformers came to Earth, civil war rocks their home world of Cybertron, and Optimus Prime faces his first -- and greatest -- challenge. But before he can deal with the Decepticons, the new Autobot leader must look within... and decide if Cybertron is worth saving at all! If you think you know the Transformers... think again! IDW is proud to present an all-new collection of this long-out-of-print tale from the Transformers' past.

Red, White, Black and Blue: A (Th)Ink Anthology


Keith Knight - 2003
    These thought-provoking humorous single panel cartoons tackle political and social issues, often lampooning newsworthy current events which concern communities of color. Edgy, topical, and funny, "Red, White, Black, and Blue contains some of the most colorful black and white comic strips ever.

Robotech - The Macross Saga, Vol. 4


Markalan Joplin - 2003
    4 is a sci-fi extravaganza of fast-paced action, high-tech battles, and burgeoning romance. Years ago when the SDF-1 crashed on Earth, the world knew that the alien spacecraft was the harbinger of an extraterrestrial invasion. Using the technology from the galactic warship, humans quickly began to develop biomechanical weapons to prepare for the upcoming onslaught. Now as the war reaches a fateful critical stage and another hero falls in battle, the alien Zentraedi enact an aggressive campaign to destroy the Earth's only hope of victory, the lost SDF-1 spaceship.

Portajohnny: The Best of Angry Youth Comix: The Early Years


Johnny Ryan - 2003
    His ongoing comics series, Angry Youth Comics, has earned raves from such cultural luminaries as Edward Gorey, Simpsons Producers George Meyer and Dana Gould, comix journalist Joe Sacco, and humor legends Bagge and Daniel Clowes. His work appears regularly in Nickelodeon magazine and he is creating a new, ongoing strip for the Portland Mercury. Portajohnny collects Ryan's "greatest hits" from his own self-published comic books from the 1990s (published before Fantagraphics began publishing Angry Youth Comix in 2000), as well as a host of anthologies like Zero Zero, Measles, Goody Good Comics, and elsewhere. Not for the kids (unlike his Nickelodeon work), Ryan's humor is lowbrow and dirty, often uncomfortable but usually hilarious. Featured are such mini-masterpieces as "The Nudist," in which a naked superhero battles the evil Captain Candy, a supervillain who wants to rot the teeth of our nation's children by having them eat the gumdrops that coat his entire body. The book also introduces Loady McGee, Ryan's most popular character, a misanthropic, acne-scarred hustler who will try anything and everything to avoid getting a real job, from rinsing out used toilet paper to re-sell as new to inventing appliances like the Pussy Hunter 6000. Also featuring: the scathing "Dildobert," a parody of Scott Adams's notorious office-worker; a parody of Dave Berg's insipid "Lighter Side Of" feature from MAD magazine; the adventures of God, the world's most righteous superhero, and much more. Ryan's utter unpretentious taboo-tackling is an infectious and hilarious bombardment of political incorrectness, taking full advantage of the medium's absurdist potential for maximum laughs. In an age when the medium is growing up and aspiring to more mature and lofty literary heights, Ryan builds on the visceral tradition that cartooning has had on our collective funny bone for over a century. 160 pages b/w illustrations.

Krazy and Ignatz vol. 1 1921


George Herriman - 2003
    First volume in a series reprinting daily Krazy Kat comic strips.

Animation 1: Learn to Animate Cartoons Step by Step (Cartooning, Book 1)


Preston J. Blair - 2003
    This Walter Foster book on Cartoon Animation teaches the very basic to the very specific. Youll find essential information.

The Silver Age of Comic Book Art


Arlen Schumer - 2003
    THE SILVER AGE OF COMIC BOOK ART highlights the careers of eight acknowledged hall of fame artists who drew definitive versions of the industry’s greatest characters, while often setting trends in the look of comic book art itself. Arlen Schumer’s book is the first to concentrate on the importance of these artists and their work, as well as the literary and sociological aspects of the Silver Age. Designed by the author using a distinctive graphic style, actual comic book art is enlarged to dynamic full- and double-page spreads, along with biographical text by the author, and thoughts, ideas, and quotes from the artists themselves. Finally, here is an art book that pays proper homage to this great era of comic books and the amazing artists responsible for it.

Wake: Artifice/Maximum (In) Security


Jean-David Morvan - 2003
    A French graphic novel saga features Navee--a beautiful human girl living alone on a lush, post-nuclear Earth--and her adventures in a universe of varied forms of intelligent life.

Wolverine: The End, #1


Paul Jenkins - 2003
    

Modern Masters Volume One: Alan Davis


Eric Nolen-Weathington - 2003
    Also included are interviews with long-time collaborators Paul Neary (who provides the Foreword) and Mark Farmer (who contributes the Afterword).

The Best of Pierre Tombal


Marc Hardy - 2003
    

Rahxephon Bible


Koji Mitarai - 2003
    The most intriguing anime series of the year has absorbed thousands of passionate viewers. Mysteries abound; the RahXephon Bible illustration book is the key to unlocking them.

Madman Super-groovy King-Size Special


Mike Allred - 2003
    Madman goes underground and into the muck to give them a swat upside the head and get on with his life It's a four-color full-tilt boogie comic book party

Fray


Joss Whedon - 2003
    Stuck in the middle is a young girl who thought she had no future, but learns she has a great destiny. In a world so poisoned that it doesn't notice the monsters on its streets, how can a street kid like Fray unite a fallen city against a demonic plot to consume mankind? Joss Whedon, the celebrated creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, brings his vision to the future in this unique tale. As inventive in the comics medium as in that of television or film, Whedon spins a complex tale of a skilled thief coming of age without the help of friends or family, guided only by a demonic Watcher.

The Legion Companion


Glen Cadigan - 2003
    Set in the 30th Century, the Legion was originally conceived as a spin-off of Superman, featuring his adventures with the team while he was still Superboy.

Lady Death Vol 1: A Medieval Tale


Brian Pulido - 2003
    This popular comic book series has been re-created as a Young Adult sword and sorcery fantasy, where Lady Death is caught in a war between humanity and the Eldritch races.

Dawn Dramatica


Joseph Michael Linsner - 2003
    Hot on the heels of the massive Art of Joseph Michael Linsner collection, this trade paperback is the latest in a series of graphic novels from the Linsner library, featuring the latest adventures of his Earth-Goddess character, Dawn.

Five Star Stories #9


Mamoru Nagano - 2003
    Volume nine centers around the planet's newest visitor, the upstanding knight Muse Van Reyback and the planet's most notorious resident, the renegade Dougulus Kaien.

100 Bullets, Vol. 7: Samurai


Brian Azzarello - 2003
    This seventh volume, featuring the story arcs "Chill in the Oven" and "In Stinked," features a new cover by Dave Johnson and an introduction by legendary Argentinean comics writer Carlos Trillo. This 168-page trade paperback returns first to the character of Loop Hughes, who is joined in prison by Lono, and then to Jack Daw, who finds himself in a roadside zoo face to face with several varieties of wild animals - both two - and four-legged!