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David Lapham’s Young Liars #1 (Vertigo / Lapham )

Indie comics auteur and SILVERFISH creator David Lapham hasn’t embarked on a monthly series since STRAY BULLETS, his magnum opus that garnered industry awards and international acclaim. Now Lapham’s back with YOUNG LIARS, his first full-color monthly series, about a group of misfits and their desperate attempt to salvage their crushed dreams. “I haven’t had this much fun since my Uncle Chuck took me on a crime spree in the fourth grade.” — David Lapham

At the core of YOUNG LIARS is the disturbing relationship between Danny Noonan, a habitual liar and crap guitar player from Texas, and Sadie Dawkins, the object of his desire. Sadie was a poor little rich girl until a bullet lodged in her brain turned her into an adrenaline junkie who only listens to Danny. But who shot Sadie only part of the mystery that drives YOUNG LIARS, from the twisted club scene of lower Manhattan to absurdist hijinx on the high seas. And from the hot shores of Ibiza to the haunted castles of Spain, Danny, Sadie and their entourage of losers will run from poorly disguised assassins, demented billionaires, and psychotic midgets — not to mention each other — in an absurd quest to get rich and famous. Or kill each other trying. YOUNG LIARS will provide relentless action, suspense, sex and murder in the way that only David Lapham can deliver.

Whew…that’s a long description! It’s also a dead on description. This is most likely the fourth title I’ve ever read from the DC’s Vertigo imprint. I usually save my sex, drugs, and rock & roll for other media, but when my lovely bride, who’s not into comics, asks me “Are you reading Young Liars?” I thought I should give it a peek. I found it sitting in the “not so new” release section of my favorite comic shop, Kowabunga Comics, and flip open to one of the most compelling opening panels I’ve seen lately. Not only do we get sex, drugs, and rock & roll but a nice side helping of violence. Well I can’t put it down now! This issue works as a giant introduction as we not only get to meet our main characters, but are made privy to their various faults as vices as well. And that is want this book seems to building up to. There is some mystery that will be taken up by our narrator and his fabulous collection of freaks, dregs, and losers. All with their own personality quirks and endearments…kind of like Trainspotting.

Grade: B

WARNING!!! The sex, drugs, language, and violence is explicit! Just what you would expect from a Vertigo title. That also means it should be kept away from young readers.

The Dresden Files ( Dabel Brothers / Butcher / Syaf / Pimentel)

Harry Dresden is the best at what he does. Well, technically, he’s the only at what he does. So when the Chicago P.D. has a case that transcends mortal creativity or capability, they come to him for answers. For the “everyday” world is actually full of strange and magical things — and most of them don’t play well with humans. That’s where Harry comes in. Takes a wizard to catch a — well, whatever.  There’s just one problem. Business, to put it mildly, stinks. So when the police bring him in to consult on a grisly double murder committed with black magic, Harry’s seeing dollar signs. But where there’s black magic, there’s a black mage behind it. And now that mage knows Harry’s name. And that’s when things start to get… interesting. Magic. It can get a guy killed.

My knowledge of The Dresden Files extends only as far as the SciFi show that lasted only one season, but I enjoyed the hell of the show. On my large stack of novels I’d like to read, The Dresden files are towards the top. Knowing that there are a slew of novels out there also means that the world Harry Dresden lives in is very flushed out and all the background characters have full rich back stories.   I was afraid that all this pre-existing material may make the material inaccessible to those who haven’t read the novels, I happy to be wrong.  Novelist turned comic scribe Jim Butcher, also the writer of the Dresden novels, does dump the readers into established relationships, but uses Dresden’s inner monologue to let readers in on what’s happening. While this may be tedious to long time Dresden fans, we new readers greatly appreciate it. The story is compelling as it drops bits and pieces of back story along the way while still moving the present case forward. Plus, the cliffhanger is one the makes the reader want to scramble for the next issue.The pencils by Ardian Syaf and inks by Joe Pimentel set the mood for the book nicely.  If they keep up this pace, then the wizard duels will be something to see.

Grade: B+

TITANS #1 (DC / Winick / Churchill / Rapmund)

“A new team of Titans is born in the extra-sized first issue of a new ongoing monthly by Judd Winick (GREEN LANTERN, GREEN ARROW, OUTSIDERS), Ian Churchill and Norm Rapmund (SUPERGIRL, TEEN TITANS EAST SPECIAL)! Someone or something is continuing its attack on anyone who’s ever been a Titan, including Nightwing, Starfire, Donna Troy, Beast Boy and Raven.

You won’t want to miss this new startling chapter in Titans history that may forge a new team from the ashes of old, dead friends. “

Bold new direction for one of DC’s greatest teams, or re-tread of overdone stories? This is the great debate that is happening in the overstuffed shelves of ThePullBox sanctum. I read this issue and was blown away. I was trapped by the Titans East one shot (read my review here) and, although not happy with the wait time, am very excited about this new Titans book. and the direction Winick is taking the first arc. The art was absolutely captivating. The scene of Nightwing diving from an exploding building as shards of glass protrude from his back was stressful and seemed realistic. And it just wouldn’t be Titans book if Starfire wasn’t naked (thanks for that too). I loved every page and word I read…Bring on the multi-eyed bad guy!

My friend and fellow reviewer, Eric, fells a bit differently about the matter. While he also appreciates a sun-bathing Starfire, he feels that the overall story is nothing more than a rehash of the Marv Wolfman & George Perez run on the Titans back in the 80’s. He’s got a bit of the, “been there, done that” attitude towards the book. I’m not saying he’s wrong, but I think this may be the same discussions that are going to happen in comic shops around the country.

I’m sure this discussion will persist as more issues come out. I’ll keep you readers posted.

Grade: A+

Kincaid #1 & #2 (Broken Soul Press - LaClaustra /Lawson / Sancho)

This is the story of Elvis Kincaid, a heroin addicted punk rock musician who finds himself thrown into a world of political intrigue, global conspiracy and super powered humans. After discovering his own regenerative abilities and power to control sound, Elvis finds himself being hunted down by the mysterious League of Nine Angels. As the situation becomes increasingly heavy, Elvis has to cope with his new found powers, his mental addiction, and the stress of protecting his fetish model girlfriend. An original and riveting story line, intriguing characters and incredible art make Kincaid a title you don’t want to miss. Published quarterly.

Kincaid is one part Heroes, one-part X-files and one-part SLC Punk. Our main character is Elvis, perhaps a protagonist most readers may not initially be cheering for. He’s a punk-rock musician who has had a rough and tumble childhood. It would seem on top of a bad situation, Elvis is prone to making bad “life choices”, he opens up issue one stealing drugs for personal use (actually to try to win favors from his ex-girlfriend) from a local gang… his day kind of goes downhill from there.   Besides getting the crud kicked out of him and almost killed… he finds that he has gained superpowers that start causing havok in his life.  While he is trying to piece together what has happened, he finds himself the prey of a clan destine cult known as the League of Nine Angels.

The story really did surprise me with how good it was.  After the initial shock of some of the content, it really sucked me in.  Great character development and having a secondary story (the antagonistic League) that parallels Elvis were the high points of this true independent book.

Even though overall the art is still a work in progress, there were several scenes that impressed me with the amount of detail and specifics given, giving background to the characters through a secondary method.   Issue #2 also gave a mini-story providing the back ground on one of the baddies.  With Kincaid, Broken Soul Press shows off that they have pretty good potential.  Pullbox Warning:  Just like the cover says for mature audiences only primarily due to drug use, nudity, and language.

Series grade: B

Crazy Papers (Chatterbox Comicx  - Dougan / Coresetto)

“Melanie’s pushing 30, treading water in her career and love life. Her impulsive friend Amanda blows into town looking for love in all the wrong places-and finds it in the arms of a charming chap with a mysterious briefcase. Their romance sucks Melanie and her friend Violet into a whirlwind weekend of wannabe gangstas, bar brawls, Bon Jovi, Jealous husbands and jail time. The strain will test the girls’ friendship-but will it give Melanie the kick she needs to get our of her rut? And just what’s in the briefcase, anyway?”

This is the first published release from the team of Dougan and Danielle besides their web comics Girls With Slingshots. And in my opinion, they hit it out of the park. This is one of those rare Indy books where the story just wasn’t long enough. The book ended with me wanting to see more of these characters that I had come to love in the short 50 page comic.

This book captures the essence (I think) of what is means to be pushing 30 and single in a big city. What surprised me was how well Jim Dougan was able to capture and write woman. This is a refreshing departure from the water balloon boobs, gratuitous cleavage, and booty shots that seem to dominate the comic industry.

Crazy Papers is like the perfect meal. It’s got a great appetizer, just enough salad, delicious main course, and yummy desert. Throw in some Bon Jovi as dinner music (read it an you’ll see) and it’s the perfect mix.

Get it on Amazon!

Grade: A+