CWR WEEKEND BLOG EXTRA

Welcome back to another Weekend Blog Extra! This weekend, a selection of books from the folks at Image Comics!

Claudio Sanchez writes, and Gus Vasquez draws, THE AMORY WARS #1. Coheed and Cambria front-man Sanchez makes the jump to comics (much like My Chemical Romance’s Gerard Way is doing over at Dark Horse) with this interesting bit of sci-fi. The story is ostensibly about a young couple named Coheed and Cambria who are just trying to do their best in raising their family; but fate has a bit more in store for them, as Coheed begins having dreams that suggest something greater about all their lives, and Earth’s true place in the scheme of the universe. The backstory is a bit of a slog to get through, but when the book focuses on the “down to Earth” issues facing the pair, it becomes something much more entertaining. I’ll be curious to see if Sanchez can find the right balance between the characters and the cosmic elements as the story plays out.

STRANGE EMBRACE #1 is written and drawn by David Hine. Originally published years ago by the now defunct Tundra, the book focuses on a young boy named Sukumar who makes a little money by delivering groceries for his family’s business. But one afternoon, his delivery route takes him into the path of a pale, mysterious man who causes Sukumar to forget or ignore that old parental advice about not talking to strangers. The pale fellow, well met, has a gift for reading minds and collecting the stories of others. He also has the ability to help project others into the stories he tells, a talent he inherited. The book, which is sublimely creepy and atmospheric, is also quite smart and surprisingly accomplished. Hine has achieved a nice level of recognition and popularity in comics, and looking at his first work here, it’s easy to see why.

Tom Beland’s TRUE STORY SWEAR TO GOD #6 brings the tale of true love to a very important moment in his life: the publication of his original first issue, detailing how he met Lily at Disneyworld. The book has been terrific from the start, but I read this one feeling a bit smug and smarter than my fellow fan; at one point in the book, he discusses getting his initial order numbers from Diamond: 474. I was one of those. I’d had the good fortune to share space with Beland at Comic Book Galaxy, and to read his material on the web as well. I felt in my gut that he had a hit on his hands before he ever saw it- romance is a genre that’s languishing in American comics, and the veracity and sincerity Tom had to offer was going to score with readers. Rarely have I ever been so happy to be right. The terrific stuff keeps coming with this book, and issue six is another glorious winner. I continue to love each and every issue.

That’s it for this weekend! Check back here this week for site updates, and back here next weekend for a new Blog Extra!

/Mason