Todd Klein's Blog, page 136

Incoming: ETERNITY GIRL

Image © DC Comics. Written by Magdalene Visaggio, art by Sonny Liew, colors by Chris Chuckry, letters by Todd Klein.

I had fun working on this quirky mini-series. I knew and loved Sonny Liew’s art from DOCTOR FATE, and was quite impressed with the writing by Magdalene Visaggio. It runs the gamut from despair to comedy while telling the story of a severely damaged woman who has been given the power to destroy everything, and is sorely tempted to use it. I was also able to do a lot of interesting things with the lettering, always a plus.

Should be out in shops soon.

Eldritch Laughter for Halloween

This and all images © Todd Klein.

In 1977 I was hired by a small press horror publisher to illustrate a collection of Lovecraftian humor stories gathered and edited by Darrell Schweitzer to be titled, “Eldritch Laughter From Beyond.” I completed all the art, including a wraparound cover and sent it to the publisher, but it vanished mysteriously when the publisher went out of business shortly after, and was probably destroyed. I was able to get photocopies of some of the art before it was mailed, and the best of them are here. If you’ve spent a lot of time on my website, you may have seen these already, but I thought I’d roll them out again for those who haven’t. I no longer know the authors or the story titles. I had fun doing these, but the experience of losing the art, the opportunity to be published, and any payment soured me on doing this sort of thing, and I didn’t do any more. The illustration above sums up how I often felt about doing the art, usually late at night after I’d finished my day job at DC and my freelance lettering for them.

This story was about a chef, clearly, that’s all I know.

If there was ever a “slime rock” genre, this would fit right in.

This one almost doesn’t need a story.

If any ordinary animals could be aligned with the Elder Gods, squirrels would be a good candidate in my book.

This one was just too much fun.

Finally, the only one whose story title I remember, “Xeroxing the Necronomicon.”

It would have been a fun book. Too bad it never happened. I wonder if Darrell Schweitzer still has his manuscript? There’s a scary thought!

And Then I Read: HOUSE OF WHISPERS #1

Image © DC Comics. Written by Nalo Hopkinson, art by Dominike “Domo” Stanton, colors by John Rauch, letters by Deron Bennett, cover by Sean Andrew Murray.

Mistress Erzulie is having a wild party in her houseboat in a part of The Dreaming we haven’t seen before, one that seems to draw from the world of voodoo, the realm of cajun swampland, and the dreams of people of color. While the partiers cavort, sing, eat and drink, a series of human dreamers come before Erzulie to ask for help and favors. Meanwhile, in waking world New Orleans, four girls are playing telephone with a very dangerous book, whose owner, the deity Shakpana, wants it back badly enough to try to break through into the waking world, something he’s been forbidden to do. When Erzulie gets wind of it, all kinds of trouble will be unleashed.

I did not find the introduction to this book in SANDMAN UNIVERSE 1 to my taste, but thought I’d give the series a try anyway. My reaction is much the same. I don’t find any characters here that draw me in and make me want to know more about them. I sense this book has an audience it does speak to, but I’m not it. That’s fine, there are plenty of others that do, and there’s room for new voices and new audiences. Perhaps you’re the audience for this one.

And Then I Read: CAPTAIN GINGER #1

Image © Stuart Moore & June Brigman. Written by Stuart Moore, art by June Brigman and Roy Richardson, colors by Veronica Gandini, letters by Jimmy Betancourt of Comicraft.

NOTE: I designed the logo for this and other Ahoy comics, so I wish them well.

The situation reveals itself on the cover: human-like cats (and cat-like cats) in space. As the issue begins, they are in a desperate battle with an alien enemy force, The Lumen, who have already wiped out all the humans in this galaxy, and are now intent on doing the same to the cats. Captain Ginger’s crew consists of scrappy battle veteran Sergeant Mittens, a hairless, queasy science-officer, pregnant engineer Ramscoop, stylish parts and food fabricator Ecru, and more. They’ve taken over the once human-manned ship, gradually figured out how to run it, and worked out a plan of action together to save themselves from certain destruction.

What’s wrong with this picture? For one thing, cats don’t work together. But then, as these are evolved human-like cats, you have to give writer Stuart Moore a chance to make his case, and it’s one of the main themes of the book. When the ship lands on a supply station and most of the crew wants to stay there, Captain Ginger has his paws full trying to herd his crew back into line. Additional clues can be found in the backup text piece, and there’s plenty more to come, I’m sure. It’s a good start with great art by June and Richard, and enough humor to make it a fun read.

The backup text piece in this comic by Grant Morrison about Ben Franklin did not work for me, but then you can’t have everything. Also here is a text piece by Moore and a brief interview with June Brigman.

Recommended.

And Then I Read: GREEN LANTERNS #55

Image © DC Comics. Written by Dan Jurgens, art by Mike Perkins, colors by Hi-Fi, letters by Dave Sharpe.

Part Six of “Evil’s Might” brings forth the true villain, Hank Henshaw, better known as Cyborg Superman. He’s the one who’s infiltrated the Green Lantern Corps through the central power battery on Mogo, giving him access to individual power rings as they were charged, a nice analogy to computer hacking. The Ravagers have taken him as their leader, and in return, he promises to allow them full revenge on the Corps and the Guardians for past wrongs they feel they’ve been dealt. On Mogo and elsewhere, the green team is slow to realize what’s happening, why their communications system isn’t working, why one of their own, Simon Baz, took the most powerful ring of all, the Phantom Ring, and generally why everything in their world is going wrong. By the end of this issue, they will finally get it. But what can they do about it? That’s the real question.

Great storyline, and I’ll bet writer Dan Jurgens is enjoying the return of his villainous creation! Recommended.

And Then I Read: THREAT OF DRAGONS by Lavinia R. Davis

Cover art by C. Whitney Bender (I think).

Lavinia Davis is well loved by me for more than a dozen books she wrote about kids and animals, mostly horses. Davis wrote other kinds of things, including at least four mystery novels, which I’ve never tried until now.

Taffy Talbot, a fashion designer, arrives in the small coast town of Porto D’Orio in California to attend the wedding of her friend Lavendar Spar. The prospect of seeing Lavendar’s brother Michael again is a potential bonus, though he hasn’t been in touch for many years. The dangerous, winding canyon road up to the Spar house brings Taffy to a remote world where she will stay with another family, the Wingates, further up the road, and she soon begins to encounter the strange, sometimes frightening inhabitants of this place: an old man who seems quite mad, an artist down on his luck and his ambitious wife, and more. Elderly Mrs. Wingate is difficult, her son Hugo soon has a crush on her, and Michael, while friendly, is very busy with wedding preparations. The visit becomes a nightmare when the body of the artist’s wife is found at the bottom of the cliff below the Spar house, and Taffy is drawn into the drama and danger.

I’ve never been a fan of murder mysteries in general other than those about Sherlock Holmes, and this one did not change that opinion. The characters are interesting, but the story is so plot-driven and convoluted that none of them have much time to act like real people. The mystery itself was so deep I never caught on to any of the clues and barely got it when it was explained at the end. This may have been just the ticket for mystery fans in 1948, but I can’t say it makes me want to read the others. Oh well, worth a try, anyway.

Incoming: LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT NORM BREYFOGLE Vol. 2

Image © DC Comics.

How sad that Norm did not live to see this collection released. The stories are written by Alan Grant, and come from DETECTIVE COMICS #608-621 and BATMAN #448-451 and #455-459. Norm’s art looks even better to me today than it did when I was lettering it. I think many of us did not appreciate him then as much as we should have. I applaud DC for issuing these, and I hope it brings some reprint income to his family.

And Then I Read: THE FLASH #52

Image © DC Comics. Written by Joshua Williamson, art by Christian Duce, colors by Luis Guerrero, letters by Steve Wands. Cover by Dan Mora.

This issue begins with Barry Allen calling a meeting of all or many Flash versions from across the Multiverse, in a place called the House of Heroes. I didn’t know about such a place, sounds like a cool idea. Barry is looking for answers about the new Forces he’s uncovered in addition to the Speed Force: the Still Force, the Sage Force and the Strength Force. Like the rainbow of Green Lanterns, this seems like too much Force, but it does provide a new area to explore in this title. Sadly, the other Flashes don’t seem to know anything about them. Meanwhile, the new Trickster is under questioning by Central City detectives. They want him to dish on Warden Wolfe, in charge of the Iron Heights prison. The session is interrupted by an attack and grab of Trickster by Para-Angels, new characters to me. Flash tries to stop them, but interference from Commander Cold, the police force version of Captain Cold from the future, gets in his way.

An interesting story so far. Recommended.

Incoming: JOHN CONSTANTINE HELLBLAZER 30TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Image © DC Comics. Cover art by Tim Bradstreet.

Did someone forget his 25th? Or did he just refuse to show up for it? This seems like an interesting collection. Of course his first speaking role from THE SAGA OF THE SWAMP THING #37 is here. The rest of the stories are from his own comic. Beyond that are four essays on the history of HELLBLAZER and a timeline of his life through many appearances and titles. Not bad for a supporting character. Oh, wait, who created him again? Ah, that might have a bit to do with it. Nice catch for the introduction, too, innit?

And Then I Read: STEVE DILLON MEMORIAL CHARITY SKETCHBOOK

Cover by Bill Sienkiewicz.

Another book given to me at Baltimore Comic-Con. Steve Dillon was a fine British artist probably best known for his complete run on DC’s PREACHER, but he also worked for Marvel and British comics like 2000 AD. He died too young in 2016. His long-time writer Garth Ennis begins it with a heartfelt tribute, and the rest of the book is character pin-ups by many of Steve’s peers and friends on both sides of the pond. I think I met Steve once at a party in San Diego briefly, I did admire his talent. Published by Hero Initiative, a charity which helps comics creators in need, a very worthy cause, and it and this book are worthy of your support.

Recommended.