2009 Graphic Novels By GEORGE GENE GUSTINES

2009 Graphic Novels By GEORGE GENE GUSTINES

Graphic books have been plentiful in 2009, with diverse approaches: memoir (“Stitches”), reportage (“A.D.: New Orleans After the Deluge”), fiction (“Asterios Polyp”), adaptation (Richard Stark’s “The Hunter”) and superhero (“Batman: Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?”). There are many more. Whether you’re already a fan or want to dip your toe into the medium, consider the following books.
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'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'
Dorothy’s journey to Oz may seem a well-trod path, but “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," a retelling of the L. Frank Baum novel, feels delightfully new. It is filled with characters (the queen of fieldmice) and concepts (Emerald City visitors must don special spectacles or risk blindness) from the original text, which the writer, Eric Shanower, has used to maximum effect. The illustrations, by Skottie Young, are often stunning, especially his depictions of what Dorothy and friends see when gazing upon Oz. (Marvel Entertainment, $29.99)
['The Wonderful Wizard of Oz']
'Fables'
“And they lived happily ever after” turns out to be a lie in “Fables” , the deluxe first volume of the series about fairy-tale characters like Snow White and the Big Bad Wolf who are exiled from their homelands and are living in New York. The writer, Bill Willingham, surprises at every turn and the art, particularly by Mark Buckingham, is top-notch. This edition reprints the first 10 issues and contains a murder mystery and an “Animal Farm” rebellion by some of the non-human enchanted characters. (Vertigo, $29.99)
['Fables']
'Peter & Max: a Fables Novel'
Also recommended is “Peter & Max: a Fables Novel," which tells the captivating tale (in prose) of Peter Piper and his older brother Max. It includes a star turn by Little Bo Peep. (Vertigo, $22.99)
['Peter & Max: a Fables Novel']
'Bloom County: The Complete Library, Volume One: 1980-1982'
Some newspaper strips march quietly along for decades. That wasn’t the case with “Bloom County,” by Berkeley Breathed, which ran only from 1980 to 1989. “Bloom County: The Complete Library, Volume One: 1980-1982” begins with samples of “The Academia Waltz,” Mr. Breathed’s college newspaper strip, that featured prototypes of the characters who would populate “Bloom County.” Interestingly, Opus the Penguin, who became synonymous with the strip, is not featured regularly until January 1982. In case some of the silly or political humor is lost in time, captions define references to Hare Krishnas, “Leave It to Beaver,” Walter Mondale and more. (IDW, $39.99)
['Bloom County: The Complete Library, Volume One: 1980-1982']
'3 Story: The Secret History of the Giant Man'
“3 Story: The Secret History of the Giant Man” reveals the truth about Craig Pressgang, who at 9 years old, starts growing and doesn’t stop. What could be a fantastical tale (attack of the 40-foot man!) is kept well grounded by the cartoonist Matt Kindt. Craig’s story is told in three chapters, narrated first by his mother, then by his wife and finally by his daughter. Mr. Kindt’s dialogue and illustrations evoke a powerful feeling of melancholy, so even the happy moments (Craig’s spouse, an architect, designs a house he can inhabit) are tinged with sadness. (Dark Horse Books, $19.95)
['3 Story: The Secret History of the Giant Man']
'Act-I-Vate Primer'
The “Act-I-Vate Primer” is not for everyone, but it opens a window to the world of free, online comics. Named after the Web collective that created the collection’s 16 stories (some of which contain strong language and sexual situations), the anthology is a mixed bag. Dean Haspiel’s “Bring Me the Heart of Billy Dogma,” a love story between the title character and Jane Legit, is one of the best. It continues the bombastic tone, sexual escapades and striking color palette of the continuing Web series. Other highlights include “The Boy Who Came to Stay,” “Veils” and “Memoirs of the ‘Kid Immortal.’” (IDW, $24.99)
['Act-I-Vate Primer']
'The Absolute Death'
“The Absolute Death” does not sound as if it would be particularly uplifting, but it is. In “Sandman,” his award-winning fantasy series, Neil Gaiman told stories about the Endless — the embodiments of Destiny, Desire, Despair and more. One of his most popular creations was Death, a perky Goth-attired woman who often made the journey at life’s end a little less frightening. This handsome collection contains all her important stories — on heavier, larger paper that allows the artwork to shine. Besides her first appearance, when her brother, Dream, accompanies her on a day’s work, one of the most compelling stories is “Façade,” about a forgotten B-list heroine who is immortal and no longer wishes to be. (Vertigo, $99.99)
['The Absolute Death']
'The Complete Essex County'
Jeff Lemire has created a rich tapestry in “The Complete Essex County,” a trilogy that examines a fictional version of the cartoonist’s hometown farming community in Ontario. Whether it’s the story of Lester, who is suffering the loss of his mother, the hockey brothers and bitter rivals Vince and Lou, or Mrs. Quenneville, a nurse going about her rounds, Mr. Lemire infuses his characters with vivid details that make them burst to life. The book, in black and white, is beautifully illustrated. Mr. Lemire has a quiet, loose style, yet some of the scenes, as when Lester hangs up his childish pursuits, carry an emotional wallop. (Top Shelf, $29.95)
['The Complete Essex County']
'Criminal'
“Criminal” collects several noir stories including “Coward,” “Lawless” and “Bad Night.” Each of the tales is by the superbly matched creative team of Ed Brubaker, who supplies dialogue for hapless-folk-in-distress, and Sean Phillips, who deftly illuminates the grim-and-gritty environs. The tales, which have sex scenes and blue language, are self-contained, but read more than one and a shared universe emerges. (“Frank Kafka P.I.,” the newspaper strip within the comic, is worthy of a spinoff.) This deluxe edition is the equivalent of a director’s cut DVD, with sketches, an analysis of the creative process and essays about crime novels and noir films. (Marvel Entertainment, $49.99)
['Criminal']
'Scott Pilgrim'
The back-cover blurb on Volume 5 of “Scott Pilgrim” hints at the opposing elements at work in this highly entertaining slacker drama. Robots! Evil ex-boyfriends! A band in turmoil! A 24th birthday! Any one of these problems could throw Scott, who lives in Toronto, for a loop. Combined, how will he cope? The author, Bryan Lee O’Malley, is more alchemist than cartoonist. He combines video games, indie rock and manga in a brilliant stew. You root for the flawed but somehow charming Scott Pilgrim even when he does wrong. Catch it before the film version, starring — naturally — Michael Cera, rolls next year. (Oni Press, $11.95)
['Scott Pilgrim' ]
'The Walking Dead'
Zombie movies typically end with a handful of survivors counting down to doomsday. That is where “The Walking Dead,” written by Robert Kirkman and illustrated by Charlie Adlard and Cliff Rathburn, begins. The story follows Rick Grimes, a police officer trying to protect his clan (relatives as well as allies made on the road) from flesh-eating hordes. In Volume 10, the group heads to Washington, led by a glimmer of hope that a cure for the plague can be found. The series is filled with shocking deaths and the feeling that anything can happen. Even better is Mr. Kirkman’s thorough plotting. A prison made logical sense as a safe haven. The sense of security it instilled in the characters was palatable, until the stronghold was overrun — by a rival group of humans. (Image, $14.99)
['The Walking Dead']

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