At the same time, while preparing for the Sandman 10th anniversary, he met Yoshitaka Amano, his artist for the 11th Sandman book. Amano is the famed designer of the Final Fantasy game series. The product of Gaiman's immersion in Japanese art, culture, and history, Sandman: Dream Hunters is a classic Japanese tale (adapted from "The Fox, the Monk, and the Mikado of All Night's Dreaming") that he has subtly morphed into his Sandman universe.Like most fables, the story begins with a wager between two jealous animals, a fox and a badger: which of them can drive a young monk from his solitary temple? The winner will make the temple into a new fox or badger home. But as the fox adopts the form of a woman to woo the monk from his hermitage, she falls in love with him. Meanwhile, in far away Kyoto, the wealthy Master of Yin-Yang, the onmyoji, is plagued by his fears and seeks tranquility in his command of sorcery. He learns of the monk and his inner peace; he dispatches demons to plague the monk in his dreams and eventually kill him to bring his peace to the onmyoji. The fox overhears the demons on their way to the monk and begins her struggle to save the man whom at first she so envied.Dream Hunters is a beautiful package. From the ink-brush painted endpapers to the luminous page layouts--including Amano's gate-fold painting of Morpheus in a sea of reds, oranges, and violets--this book has been crafted for a sensuous reading experience. Gaiman has developed as a prose stylist in the last several years with novels and stories such as Neverwhere and Stardust, and his narrative rings with a sense of timelessness and magic that gently sustains this adult fairy tale. The only disappointment here is that the book is so brief. One could imagine this creative team being even better suited to a longer story of more epic proportions. On the final page of Dream Hunters, in fact, Amano suggest that he will collaborate further with Mr. Gaiman in the future. Readers of Dream Hunters will hope that Amano's dream comes true. --Patrick O'Kelley

    Drawn with relaxed and beautiful brushwork, these strips perfectly capture the rhythm of daily life. From the hilarious to the sad, from the poetic to the drunken, these strips offer a direct and intimate portrait of the life of one of America's most important alternative cartoonists. This ambitious and deluxe, perfect-bound volume collect the first five years of Kochalka's diary. Contains a full-color section.

    Lynda Barry, creator of the 'My Life' and 'Ernie Pook's Comeek' comic strips, is syndicated in over 40 alternative weekly newspapers across the country. The Freddie Stories—featuring sisters Marlys and Maybonne, and their spunky little brother Freddie--continues Lynda Barry's brilliant, raw, and completely original exploration of youth, coming of age, friendship, attitude, and being in the world.

    We're in the most extreme and utter region of the human mind. A dim, subconscious underworld. A radiant abyss where men meet themselves. Hell, Netley. We're in Hell." Having proved himself peerless in the arena of reinterpreting superheroes, Alan Moore turned his ever-incisive eye to the squalid, enigmatic world of Jack the Ripper and the Whitechapel murders of 1888. Weighing in at 576 pages, From Hell is certainly the most epic of Moore's works and remarkably and is possibly his finest effort yet in a career punctuated by such glorious highlights as Watchmen and V for Vendetta. Going beyond the myriad existing theories, which range from the sublime to the ridiculous, Moore presents an ingenious take on the slaughter. His Ripper's brutal activities are the epicentre of a conspiracy involving the very heart of the British Establishment, including the Freemasons and The Royal Family. A popular claim, which is transformed through Moore's exquisite and thoroughly gripping vision, of the Ripper crimes being the womb from which the 20th century, so enmeshed in the celebrity culture of violence, received its shocking, visceral birth. Bolstered by meticulous research that encompasses a wide spectrum of Ripper studies and myths and coupled with his ability to evoke sympathies in such monstrous characters, Moore has created perhaps the finest examination of the Ripper legacy, observing far beyond society's obsessive need to expose Evil's visage. Ultimately, as Moore observes, Jack's identity and his actions are inconsequential to the manner in which society embraced the Fear: "It's about us. It's about our minds and how they dance. Jack mirrors our hysterias. Faceless, he is the receptacle for each new social panic." Eddie Campbell's stunning black and white artwork, replete with a scratchy, dirty sheen, is perfectly matched to the often-unshakeable intensity of Moore's writing. Between them, each murder is rendered in horrifying detail, providing the book's most unnerving scenes, made more so in uncomfortable, yet lyrical moments as when the villain embraces an eviscerated corpse, craving understanding; pleading that they "are wed in legend, inextricable within eternity". Though technically a comic, the term hardly begins to describe From Hell's inimitable grandeur and finesse, as it takes the medium to fresh heights of ingenuity and craftsmanship. Moore and Campbell's autopsy on the emaciated corpse of the Ripper myth has divulged a deeply disturbing yet undeniably captivating masterpiece. —Danny Graydon

    As an undercover agent in a complex super-villain organization, Holden Carver has become caught in a web of moral uncertainty. After being forced to kill someone to preserve his cover, the self-loathing operative looks to be pulled out of his assignment, but the only man who knows he is really a secret agent is in a coma. Now with the world believing him a traitor to his country and his cover about to be blown, Carver must find a way to survive his mission and regain his identity. SUGGESTED FOR MATURE READERS.

    Bringing these powered beings together solved some problems but created others - turning Neopolis into a pressure cooker that normal policing methods could never contain.Join rookie cop Robyn Singer, alter ego "Toybox," as she hits the streets for the first time along with a colorful crew of fellow officers, each having the required training to deal with science-villains and super-crimes. You'll never look at powers, or police work, the same way again!Written by Alan Moore (WATCHMEN, V FOR VENDETTA) and drawn by the team of Gene Ha and Zander Cannon, TOP 10 combines superheroics and cop drama like no series before or after it. Collects issues #1-12.

    While researching Promethea, a mythical warrior woman, Sophie receives a cryptic warning to cease her investigations. Ignoring the cautionary notice, she continues her studies and is almost killed by a shadowy creature when she learns the secret of Promethea. Surviving the encounter, Sophie soon finds herself transformed into Promethea, the living embodiment of the imagination. Her trials have only begun as she must master the secrets of her predecessors before she is destroyed by Promethea's ancient enemy.Alan Moore's entrancing masterpiece is presented for the first time in this Absolute format, collecting the first twelve issues of the mystical series and featuring the spectacular art of J.H. Williams III. This is the first of three ABSOLUTE PROMETHEA slipcased collections. "One of the most daring mixtures of writing and art that you will every experience."--From the afterward by Brad Meltzer

    After Batman meets a young boy whose parents were murdered, he reflects on his own life and examines the nature of crime in Gotham City.

    from Johnny the Homicidal Maniac (JTHM), and her dealings with the same supernatural and/or psychological forces that drove Johnny to lunacy.

    But when their unusual partnership leaves Harley a little worse for wear, she enlists Poison Ivy's help. Now the Joker and Batman are going to learn that this souped-up Harley's not going to be pushed around anymore.

    (And fans of Rucka--assuming they get around to reading this at all--will still likely hold the opinion that Atticus Kodiak could take Batman in a standup fight any day.) DC shook up Gotham--literally--in its 1999 Batman plot arc: a 7.6 earthquake rocked Gotham City, wreaking enough destruction to bring the broken, crime-ridden, runt kid-brother of Metropolis and New York to its knees. In the story line's most indulgent liberty, those fat cats in Washington decide to write off Gotham, à la Escape from New York, blowing up the connecting bridges, mining the surrounding waterways, and signing into law the Federal Declaration of No Man's Land, which makes it a crime to even set foot in the city. The usual suspects from Arkham Asylum, Two-Face and the Penguin, the Riddler and Dr. Freeze, Poison Ivy and Mr. Zsasz, file out to begin running the show, strong-arming and manipulating the block-by-block turf battles that envelop the now-ultraviolent city. A conflicted Batman shows up fashionably late, only to find that these lunatics are the least of his worries: Lex Luthor, Superman's archfoe, has nefarious designs on Gotham too. Could this possibly get any better? Sure, No Man's Land is derivative fiction, but the appeal of Rucka--and, of course, Batman--can make this one worth the read. --Paul HughesCollecting BATMAN: NO MAN'S LAND #1, BATMAN #563-564, BATMAN: SHADOW OF THE BAT #83-84, DETECTIVE COMICS #730-731 and BATMAN: LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT #116.

    And for the son of Mantricker, nothing could be closer to the truth. Wild, reckless, Bearclaw lives in legend, his fiery temper and prankster's spirit providing the stuff of tale after tale.But few have known the truth behind Bearclaw's deep hatred of humans. And no one before now can even have guessed at the mortal connection between Wolfrider chief and the slithering terror that nearly destroys the elfin tribe - a nemesis of Bearclaw's own making!

    Hothead Paisan, the over-caffeinated, media-crazed psychotic lesbian "with scary hair and a fetish for guns, grenades, mallets, and sharp objects, " returns for more search-and-destroy missions and preventative homicides A cult favorite, The Complete Collection combines Hothead Paisan and Revenge of Hothead Paisan with new strips in a single volume for the first time.

    The resulting chaos plants the seeds of Armageddon. Meanwhile, Lucifer Morningstar has come out of retirement and heaven wants him back to do one last, dirty job...one that is connected with the aforementioned force.

    Anyone ever crushed by a loved onewill instantly be able to relate to this inner saga. Brought to you by the1999 triple Eisner nominated artist of Lenore, Roman Dirge. This bookpromises to be slightly disturbing yet funny in it's own special little oddway.

    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.

    In this first story of the Early Years, you will see the Keeper barely an adult and leaving his family to go find fortune in a time of chaos and darkness.

    This long awaited volume include all the published work by the legendary Dori Seda, plus "Ecstacy" a story completed shortly before her tragically early death (at the age of 36), and a story originally commissioned for another anthology-Includes biographical memoirs, photos, and tributes as well as a 20 page color section of Dori's paintings and comics.

    While her warrior sire Cutter battles in a distant land, Ember leads her splinter tribe of Wolfriders - the Howling Rock pack - deeper into unknown territory. Each day brings new challenges to her skills, as a fighter, as a planner, and as the leader she knows she must be - for she has her father's legend to live up to.How then to deal with the mysterious elfin stranger who can make himself invisible to even the keen senses of the Wolfriders. Can he aid Ember in her struggle against the evil of Winnowill? Or will he lead doom right into the elves' midst?

    For the final battle between Winnowill's darkness and Timmain's light may have only one victor, yet the Wolfriders dare not allow the Black Snake to die. For even in death, Winnowill's malevolent sprit would taint the World of Two Moons forever!

    

    

    Illustrated with colour artwork by Arthur Robins.

    .html

    

    

    These formative stories star a Man of Steel who boldly tackles the social injustices of his day.This deluxe edition collects the first three years of the classic Superman comic strips as written and illustrated by the Man of Steel's creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.Critical elements in the Superman mythos were introduced in the strips in this volume, which originally appeared from 1939 to 1942. Inside this book are nearly 1,000 daily newspaper strips, including the classic stories of Superman's origin along with "Clark Kent—Spy," "Superman Goes to War," "The Unknown' Strikes," and "The Hooded Saboteur."Born 1914 in Cleveland, Ohio, Jerome Siegel was, as a teenager, a fan of the emerging literary genre that came to be known as science fiction. Together with schoolmate Joe Shuster, Siegel published several science-fiction fan magazines and, in 1933, they came up with their own science-fiction hero — Superman. Siegel scripted and Shuster drew several weeks' worth of newspaper strips featuring their new creation but garnered no interest from publishers or newspaper syndicates. It wasn't until the two established themselves as reliable adventure-strip creators at DC Comics that the editors at DC offered to take a chance on the Superman material — provided it was re-pasted into comic-book format for DC's new magazine, ACTION COMICS.Siegel wrote the adventures of Superman (as well as other DC heroes, most notably the Spectre, his co-creation with Bernard Baily) through 1948 and then again from 1959-1966, in the interim scripting several newspaper strips including Funnyman and Ken Winston. Jerry Siegel died in January, 1996.Joseph Shuster was born in 1914 in Toronto, Canada. When he was nine, his family moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where Shuster met young Jerry Siegel. The two became fast friends and collaborators; together, they published the earliest science-fiction fan magazines, where Shuster honed his fledgling art skills. In 1936, he and Siegel began providing DC Comics with such new features as Dr. Occult, Slam Bradley, and Radio Squad before selling Superman to DC in 1938.Influenced by such comic-strip greats as Wash Tubbs' Roy Crane, Joe Shuster drew Superman through 1947, after which he left comic books to create the comic strip Funnyman, again with Siegel. Failing eyesight cut short his career, but not before his place in the history of American culture was assured. Shuster died of heart failure on July 30, 1992.

    Fully authorized by Ross, this 152-page hardcover book is lavishly illustrated with hundreds of Ross' paintings and artwork from his personal collection. Meet Ross in a new exclusive in-depth interview for this book. Learn about his influences, his early days as an unknown artist and how he first started to get work in the comic book industry. Then follow his career to its brilliant heights. Get a complete illustrated checklist of every piece of Alex Ross art ever published from 1990 to 2003, including hard-to-find items like promotional posters, holiday cards, collector plates and convention program covers. Behold more of his unpublished works and see him at work on new material. Spend a day with Ross, visit his studio and watch him relate what goes on. Discover the secrets behind the techniques he uses to create his work. Top it all off with an amazing painted crossover cover featuring the Superman versus Spider-Man and you have the ultimate official Alex Ross event that only Wizard could publish! (Paul Dini, from the introduction, 4/2003

    Allying himself with reborn heroes of myth, Hercules (Kirby Hero) and Hermes (Joe Phat), Kevin must uncover the heroic nature in himself ...and, perhaps, all of us. The final volume finds Kevin and his courageous comrades trapped in the sinister and colorless underworld of Dzoxck, unawares that the Pale Incanter has, in fact, engineered their predicament. From his lair of concealment, their embittered nemesis guides the trio's path towards a fateful encounter with his dark and mysterious golem. Watch the conclusion of this exciting adventure unfold as secrets are revealed, friendships put to the test and, once again, the path of The Pendragon's destiny called into question. Come discover the color of magic.

    

    Trouble arises when their purpose and challenges seem to be drying up and the number of supernatural nasties rapidly diminishing. Have the forces of darkness been defeated, or is there a more sinister manipulation at work?

    

    The emperor failed to recognize him; his time had not yet arrived. But Shen Guang Knelt for nine years as Bear's Ear Mountain and became Hui Ke after the snow was stained by his severed arm. The Master transmitted the mind seal of the Great Dharma to him as the Second Patriarch, continuing the wise traditions. Poisoned six times, the Master was never harmed in the least. Carrying a single shoe, he returned to the West, never to be forgotten.

    The demons she manages to conjure up may be good dirty fun but are also rather dangerous...Taylor's best-seller!

    Kirschen, an audience favorite.

    Masterfully drawn by artist Toshiki Kudo this volume continues to follow the adventures of Luke, Leia, and Han as they battle the Empire on the ice planet of Hoth. You won`t want to miss out on this exquisite telling of the classic tale of betrayal and high-adventure.

    

    The title story is an intense autobiographical account of her nervous breakdown which is alternately riotous and terrifying. Van Horn uses her fatuously painstaking scratch-board technique for every page, giving the book a shockingly intense visual look.

    

    Like a dream it is familiar on surface, but somehow you know, something is not right. The comforting cartoon images seem inviting at first. That is until they get to the punch line. You find out soon that Arsenic Lullaby 's cast of characters have nothing better to do than make each other miserable. Voodoo Joe, Liquid Sam, Edgar, and others live in what can best be described as the bad neighborhood of Saturday morning cartoons, and they like it there.Includes Arsenic Lullaby No's 1 through 6 published from December 1998 through November 1999

    The format of old-fashioned annuals like Diana and Girl have been plundered and the pages re-filled with a glorious medley of comic strip artwork, photostories and articles by hot writers -- some renowned and some unknown beyond the zine arena.

    In Confessions to My Mother, Cathy helps daughters speak to their mothers in an even more poignant way--with page after page of everything from embarrassing truths..."The last time you came to visit I spent a whole day hiding things before you got here."to belated admissions...I'm sorry for the 10 to 15 years I spent grunting at you."to personal revelations...The inside of my bathroom cabinet looks exactly as bad as the inside of your bathroom cabinet."and heartfelt sentiments.."When I make your chicken soup, it doesn't taste like your chicken soup.""The thing I am the most sure of in my life is that you love me.""Because of you, I can't throw out a cardboard box."According to creator Cathy Guisewite, Confessions to My Mother is "all the deep, insightful, meaningful things I want to say to Mom, but never actually say because I'm too busy acting like a five-year-old when I'm with her."

    Follow the adventures of Pete's hilarious cast of misfits, Young Tim, Mister, Aunt Mary, and Hideous Mutants (don't ask!), as they continue their guerrilla war against everything sacred and beautiful. - Best of all, there aren't any actual celebrities. Well, except for Sting, but he gets killed off rather quickly.

    On one side, total darkness and absolute coldness; on the other, a searing desert and eternal day. The survivors live on a thin slice of earth where day and night meet. A territory known as TWILIGHT. Marvin, now old and blind, sensing his end, goes on a long trek to the legendary cemetery of dragons.

    Reprints issues 1-5 of Impact, originally published by EC Comics in 1954 & 1955.

    This volume reprints issues 9-10 of Matt Wagner's "Mage" comic book series.

    

    

    

    This is 3 typical over-the-top comic book geeks "geeking out" at their first comic book convention. Autograph mishaps, spending sprees, costume contests, trivia triumphs and ticked-off Klingons!

    The arrival of Ruby, with her plans for total domination of the squatting group, leads them into a fantastic (and quite upsetting) adventure featuring beautiful Goddesses, unhappy, plants, sad rocks, and a full scale assault on Nirvana.While Lux figures that his sensational good looks will probably carry him through any crisis, Alby Starvation, dedicated only to protecting his precious comic collection, is very unhappy. The prospect of having an adventure, and maybe even finding a girlfriend, is almost too much to bear. Ruby, a talented woman with an aversion to shoes, is of the opinion that neither ancient Gods nor terrible flatmates should interfere with the important things in life, like taking revenge on her ex-boyfriend.Will Nirvana ever be free? Will the rocks, plants and fairies ever smile again? Will Lux the Poet manage to charm his way to another benefit cheque? Find out in Lux and Alby Sign on and Save the Universe.

    

    Includes a never-seen-before story: Lumbo & Lumbo.

    Also included are graphics portraying 'hypnagogic visions', the imagery of the half-asleep state that earned him the surname 'Dream Watcher' from Chief Piercing Eyes of the Pan-American Indian Association.

    In 96 engaging color and black & white pages, Appleby trains his sharpened pencil at the terrain of the human heart in all its most gorgeous and gruesome manifestations. This is a book for lovers of all shapes, sizes, colors, and persuasions.