The Podge Cast

Laika written and drawn by Nick Abadzis, colors by Hilary Sycamore

Laika follows former political prisoner who was one of prominent engineers in the Russian space program, Yelena a veterinary technician and Laika the dog aboard the second Soviet orbital launch. Having to meet Premiere Khruschev’s deadline of only a month to launch Sputnik II means that some things have to be cut. Like any means for the satellite to return safely to Earth. Abadzis mixes the available facts together to create a sad but touching story.

Poor, brave little dog…

The Savage Dragon by Erik Larsen, letters by Chris Eliopoulos, Colors by Gregory Wright & Steve Oliff

A collection of the original mini-series that introduced Larsen’s signature series. Waaaay back in ’92 when Image started I was a High School junior and a Marvel fan-boy. Especially of the X-books. So when several of the creative teams behind those left Marvel I followed along to see what else they’d do. And I checked out a couple other people. McFarlane on Spawn and Larsen on Savage Dragon. I had a few random issues of various Spider-Man books by both and thought they were nice enough. Seventeen years later and I’m still a fan of Larsen and his fin-headed hero.

I’ve followed through the silly cartoon, the numerous spin-offs, tragedies and triumphs in Larsen’s life, delays and more feuds than you could shake an internet browser at. And the book has remained one of my favorites. From when he starts out as a Chicago cop to the creation of Freak Force to encounters with Gods, with other dimensions, being fired, with being the leader of a government super-team, the destruction of the “original” Image Earth, overthrowing the tyrant leader of “new” Earth, getting married and to becoming a cop again, I’ve kept up…

It’s been seventeen years since that first mini-series and I’ve long since lost interest in the other Image founders and their creations. But I’ll probably be a Fin-Addict for another seventeen.

The Savage Sword of Conan: Vol. 1 written by Roy Thomas, art by various

By Crom! Fifteen tales of the Cimmerian adventurer! Fifteen tales of blood and glory and women and danger! Valeria of the flashing blade! Red Sonja of the fearsome temper! The art of Barry Windsor-Smith, John Buscema, Jim Starlin, Walter Simonson and more! Fifteen thrilling tales of Conan, filled with strange beasts, dark magics and conquest!

Who would dare pass up this opportunity? Only a fool!

CROOOOOOOOM!

Jack Staff: Yesterday’s Heroes written and drawn by Paul Grist

The world of Jack Staff is one of super-heroes, vampires, reports, and maverick cops. Named Maveryk. This collection of the first four indy press issues takes Britain’s greatest hero, Jack Staff, from a fight in the 1940s alongside the Freedom Fighters to a series of vampire attacks in the modern day.

This collection presents the first issues of one of the best—and sometimes oddest—super-hero books on the stands. While this edition is now out of print, it is collected as part of Image’s Jack Staff: Everything Used to be Black and White. Still theres something enjoyable about lucking into earlier editions. But whatever collected version or single issues, Jack Staff is one of best and most enjoyable comics out there.

Astro Boy by Osamu Tezuka

Astro Boy originally named Tetsuwan Atom or “Mighty Atom” is one of the cornerstones of Japanese manga and anime. Created and written by comics legend Osamu Tezuka, the series ran for EIGHTEEN years. Tezuka’s stories, based around the adventures of the good-hearted robot boy became one of the cultural touchstones of Japan. Here you have the first two volumes collected and translated into English. You get stories of alien invaders, robot/human politics, stage magic and cyborg dogs. Trips to the moon, powerful battles and a robot hero with machine guns in his butt…

These early stories are fun to read and enhanced by the cartoonish but clean drawing style. The characters have exageratted physical characteristics, emotionally overreact and use classic sight-gags. While Tezuka himself was not always happy with his early work it still has a simple elegance to it and the stories are, above all, fun.