MILO MANARA DOES THE X-MEN WOMEN

In November 2009, Italian publisher Panini Comics released a 64-page, black & white, hard bound X-MEN comic book, entitled Ragazze in Fuga (Women on the Run or Mujeres en Peligro, Spanish edition), written by Chris Claremont and illustrated by Milo Manara. All the VFX in Hollywood, Hugh Jackman humping a donkey and Halle Berry doing an African mating dance together could not deliver a sexier X-MEN tale than Manara, Italy's master of erotic comics. For obvious puritan reasons, the project had to be conceived in Italy and Marvel has given no hint as to whether it will ever be released in America. Until then, fans will have to search for copies online and hope that Chris Claremont, the writer responsible for some of the most iconic X-MEN books in the past 25 years, but not known for his erotic plots, has delivered a hot script to showcase the sensual, clean, yet hardcore style of Manara. To be continued.

SPIDER-WOMAN THRILLER

Writer Brian Michael Bendis, who is about to become Marvel's most influential scribe since Stan Lee (OK, OK, you don't agree, but he comes up with fun stuff), and artist Alex Maleev, the rising master of moody photorealistic comic art, are following their Eisner-Award winning Daredevil tour de force with a new Spider-Woman monthly book. One of my favorite techniques to elevate a generic costumed superhero comic to an addictive series is the old spy conspiracy thriller twist. Few can pull this off better than Bendis and Maleev. In issue one, Jessica Drew, Spider-Woman's alter-ego, is recruited by a secret agency (S.W.O.R.D.) to hunt down Skrull aliens and put a serious damper on their earth-invading aspirations. Her first mission takes her to the seedy Southeast Asian island of Madripoor, home to the worst of humanity, where she's immediately targeted for execution by the loving green space invaders. I found out Madripoor was fictional when I tried to buy a chalet in that den of depravity and the real estate agent laughed me out of the office. The damn place sounded so real. The series had a pleasantly intriguing beginning and, if the art below is any indication, it's bound to get sexier, unless Maleev is just messing with us. The origins of the current Spider-Woman were re-imagined in 2007 by Bendis, Brian Reed and the Luna brothers in the series appropriately entitled Origins. And any hard fiction fan (notice I didn't say just comic book fan) unfamiliar with the previous collaborations of Bendis and Maleev has to get a copy of their Daredevil Omnibus.

Modesty Blaise was anything but

The delightfully grrrroovy comic strip Modesty Blaise was created way back in 1963 by writer Peter O'Donnell and artists Jim Holdaway, and debuted in the London Evening Star. It ran until 2001 and spun off novels and three movies. Far from modest, the lead character is the quintessential bad girl, a reformed criminal mastermind who uses his skills and underworld contacts to pull off capers for the British secret services or to help complete strangers. Modesty's sexy adventures are loaded with elaborate conspiracies, exotic locations, abundant scenes of hand-to-hand combat and unusual weapons, not to mention fabulous outfits. In the US, the strip had erratic distribution due to its... guess... sexual content! Aside from the occasional nudity, Modesty would sometimes use a technique she called the "nailer", whereby she would appear topless in front of an enemy to cause a much needed distraction and allow for her partner or herself to dismantle the threat. As it is the case for most American fiction, one panel of partial nudity would drive censors up the wall and make them forget the hard-hitting writing and fantastic art of one of the best works of adventure fiction of the sixties and the inspiration of many female heroes to follow. In these times of political correctness and rampant puritanism, it is a sheer pleasure to dive into an old-school irreverent adventure trip. Thanks to Titan Books, the reprints are now available. Check out the collection here.

The Vinyl Underground: spooky society

The Vinyl Underground is a creepy, sexy, hip and, sadly, recently canceled comic book series written by Si Spencer, with pencils by Simon Gane and inks by brush master Cameron Stewart. Living in an abandoned London underground station, a four-member group investigates occult crimes, providing anonymous tips to the police. The group is led by minor celebrity DJ Morrison Shepherd, the son of an ex-footballer freshly released from prison. Shepherd is aided by Perv, an ex-con clairvoyant whose seizures give him early clues to crimes; Leah King, a morgue assistant who moonlights as an internet model/pornstar; and Shepherd's ex-girlfriend Kim "Abi" Abiola, an African tribal Princess in exile, whose witchdoctor father is accused of the murder that becomes the group's first mystery. The debut story arc, now available on trade paperback, pulls our odd heroes into the nasty world of urban mutti magic, a no-nonsense African practice that consists in making medicine out of fresh body parts. The younger the better. Crazy thing is, mutti is still practiced today. In Vinyl Underground, the X-Files meets TMZ. Recommended reading: The Vinyl Underground Vol. 1: Watching the Detectives.

Michael Turner's greatest feat

(A Michael Turner wallpaper and sketches gallery awaits here!)

In spite of what the contents of this blog may lead some to believe, the comic book universe remains largely dominated by male characters in colorful tights. Good monthly titles starring female heroes are as rare as an anorexic person in Louisiana. While it seems like every week a new femme fatale or bad girl title hits the shelves, it usually vanishes after a few issues. Only Wonder Woman (1942), Catwoman (1993), Red Sonja (1977), Witchblade (1995) and Fathom (1998) can claim the distinction of having starred in their own books for more than 10 years. The late Michael Turner, an extraordinary artist who lost his battle with cancer in June 2008, was directly responsible for the success and the longevity of the last two. He not only had a devilish gift for drawing torrid women, but Witchblade and Fathom were and still are truly original characters, inhabiting rich worlds filled with magic, sci-fi and a bizarre supporting cast. Most astonishingly, they appeal to female readers, a feat comparable to climbing the Everest backwards. In the 90s, where the only women found in a comic book store were printed characters, girls started walking in and purchasing Michael's books, scaring the living daylights out of clerks everywhere. His disciples are many, but none of them have yet given us a lasting heroine. Essential reading: Witchblade Compendium Vol. 1 and Fathom - The Definitive Edition Vol. 1.

Terry Dodson's French erotic adventure

(Visit the lovely Terry Dodson Songes wallpaper and art gallery here!)
(Then, find Terry Dodson super heroine wallpapers and pin-ups here!)

Comic book artist Terry Dodson has a way of drawing that makes even sidewalks look horny. Understandably, he has become one of the go-to guys for books featuring curvaceous heroines, such as Harley Quinn (where he got to draw some of the hottest gals in the Batman universe) and Wonder Woman. Looking at his work over the years, one can tell that Dodson was itching to pencil something a little more edgy and with as few male characters as possible. Unfortunately, the opportunities to create adult (see erotic) material when laboring for Marvel and DC come as often as the 31st of February. So, Dodson set his sights on France, where he was invited by the publishing house Les Humanoïdes Associés to illustrate Songes, a gorgeous graphic novel released in 2006, written by D.P. Filippi. "Songes translates roughly as 'Dreams' or 'Daydreams', a very apt title for a book about the imaginative fantasies of its heroine, Coraline, as she explores the mysteries of an elaborate mansion and its inhabitants in the French countryside. Applying for the position of governess, Coraline finds herself charged with the care of the temperamental young master Vernère, who owns the château. As she discovers more about the prodigiously talented and precocious inventor, she begins to find herself drawn into a world of mystery, romanticism and sensuality, which expresses itself through her vivid dreams." (See the full review by Dave Wallace here.) It's Jules Verne meets soft Milo Manara, with Dodson's best art to date.

It's good to get Scalped

The best way to describe the comic book Scalped is The Sopranos set in an Indian reservation, without the glamour. This book hits harder than Tyson in the 80s. After a few years of absence, a fellow named Dashiell Bad Horse returns to his native (and fictional) Prairie Rose Indian Reservation, in South Dakota. He finds a town still run by the ruthless local mob and the owners of a shiny new casino. Bad Horse is a man with a very huge chip on his shoulder, a mean streak and the skills to back it up. He makes any Tarantino gun slinger look like the Supernanny. Bad Horse raises so much hell that he's eventually hired by Red Crow, the big boss. Unbeknown to all, the readers soon learn that Bad Horse is an undercover FBI agent out to get Red Crow, setting the stage for some very ugly stuff to hit a big fan. And if that wasn't touchy enough, he gets involved in a nasty affair with Red Crow's married daughter, the very naughty Carol. Realistically written by Jason Aaron and grittily illustrated by R.M. Guéra, this is the book your momma warned you about when she told you to stay away from comics. One of the best current pieces of crime fiction, in any medium. Scalped Vol 1 - Indian Country will get you addicted.

The Mammoth Book of Best Crime Comics

Straight from Paul Gravett's insightful website: "Paul Gravett and Peter Stanbury have put together The Mammoth Book of Best Crime Comics, a 480-page collection of 24 mean, moody masterpieces, many painstakingly restored by Stanbury. They range from classic newspaper strips and notorious uncensored pre-Code comic books to the finest in American, British and European graphic novels. The line-up includes: Dashiell Hammett & Alex Raymond, Will Eisner, Johnny Craig, Mickey Spillane, Bernie Krigstein, Alan Moore, Joe Simon & Jack Kirby, Neil Gaiman, Alex Toth, Jacques Tardi, Jordi Bernet, Paul Grist, Jack Cole, Charles Burns, Max Allan Collins, and José Muñoz & Carlos Sampayo. Highlights include the first comic book appearance by Mike Hammer's prototype, written by Spillane and shot from the original comic book artwork, and the never-before-reprinted last ever comic book by EC genius Bernie Krigstein, a bizarre 87th Precinct tie-in to Ed McBain's famous characters." Check out the editor's web site for interviews and a wealth of information about the pieces in the collection and crime comics in general. It is an outstanding labor of love, available here.

Vincenzo Cucca's campy erotica

This is really a teaser posting, because the soft-erotic graphic novel La Route des Maisons Rouges (The Road of the Red Houses), illustrated by Italian artist Vincenzo Cucca, is not available in North America, in as far as I know. To tell the truth, the book is just a nice excuse to showcase the titillating pin-up drawing skills of Cucca, a man with a style that shall thrill followers of Marini, J. Scott Campbell, Adam Hughes and Terry Dodson. The script was written so neigh a single panel would be deprived of lusty and curvaceous dames: In a place reminiscent of early 19th century Paris, six houses of debauchery compete to attract clients to their respective sexual paradises. Each house is run by thematic groups of women: DarkLadies (S&M), Cybersex, Chinadolls, Icequeens, Sexysqaw (Native Americans) and Western Pleasures. When the mayor announces that the least profitable house will be shut down to make room for a casino, a creative race to increase business begins. Although the whole thing sounds quite raunchy, it's innocent fun, modest by some standards, and certainly not pornographic. Discover more at GG Studio.

Sophia: Da Vinci Code without the clothes

OK. Maybe Sophia, a graphic novel written by Massimo Visavi and illustrated by Adriano De Vincentiis, is not quite The Da Vinci Code. But somewhere in between the historical mysteries of Dan Brown and the erotic comics of Milo Manara lies this curious story. Originally in Italian, its 54-page first installment was published in English in the 2008 Summer issue of Heavy Metal magazine. Sophia Dellamore is a gorgeous supermodel and the heir to one of the world's largest fortunes. While one would think she'd have a ball traveling around the globe and enjoying her jet-set lifestyle, Sophia is deeply troubled by her past and embarks on a quest to recover her grandfather's will, locked inside a mysterious box, engraved with arcane symbols. But other sinister forces are interested in the object, magic comes into play and we're thrown into an esoteric thriller. The erotica comes courtesy of De Vincentiis' detailed art and his sensual portrayal of Sophia in all her states of dress and undress (even characters inside the book comment on the impracticality of some of her outfits). While a premise with so many campy elements could've easily turned into a ridiculous read, the competent scripting by Visavia and the gorgeous art keep fans eagerly awaiting volume 2. The authors have a hi-tech web site, with possibly the most awkward navigation I've ever encountered: sophiabd.com.

James Bond hardboiled vintage comics

The lead-up to the release of Quantum of Solace is a perfect excuse to revisit an important piece of James Bond fiction. In the decades between the first two Sean Connery films and Daniel Craig's Casino Royale, James Bond pictures, although hugely popular, were highly sanitized, campy and devoid of any compelling plots, sex and violence for mature audiences. Unbeknown to the general public, the only place where fans could turn for a dose of adult James Bond material, aside from the Ian Flemming novels, was the comic strips published by various British newspapers between 1958 and 1983. There, gifted writers like Jim Lawrence and great artists like Yaroslav Horak (my absolute favorite), delivered faithful adaptations of the books and created new original material, true to the source. The comics were certainly not for children and, even under the scrutiny of newspaper editors and censors, they still managed to deliver a wallop of edgy adult spy adventures, far more graphic in their violent and sexual content than any of the films. Thankfully, Titan Books has reprinted most of the Daily Express strips, dating back to the 50s. Fans of Cold War nostalgia can head to specialized comic book stores or visit the Titan web site for a complete list of the books, covers and synopsis. Get into the rugged art of Horak with James Bond: Shark Bait and other selected titles.

Gipsy: Marini's sexy trucking tales

(Get an eyeful at the Marini wallpaper and sketch gallery here! WARNING: Some nudity, some violence, etc, etc, but gorgeous comic art!)

Swiss artist Enrico Marini is the master draftsman behind the French language Rapaces (Raptors, in English), possibly the sexiest and best drawn vampire graphic novel in the world. As if that wasn't enough, he's also the pencil behind Gipsy, possibly the sexiest trucking graphic novel in the world. Gipsy, as his name implies, is a gipsy truck driver who pilots his massive rig on various assignments across a worldwide super-highway in the not-so-distant future. Along the way, he encounters dictators, rebels, terrorists and some of the most hardboiled and sultry dames in sequential art. Marini's art has it all: gorgeous ink lines, spectacular watercolors, breathtaking backgrounds, excellent paneling and cinematic composition. The original version is French, written by Thierry Smolderen, but the kind people of Heavy Metal have published an English compilation of the 3-volume Siberian saga for our reading pleasure. Note: Somehow, Amazon messed up the product description and reviews. Pay no attention.

Rosario Dawson hunts creepy creatures

Just when we though Rosario Dawson (Sin City, Grindhouse) couldn't get any cooler, she goes and gets involved in a comic book project: "After narrowly surviving an encounter with a supernatural serial killer, N.Y.P.D. officer Sophia Ortiz is drafted into Manhattan's clandestine police unit: the Occult Crimes Taskforce. Versed in the black arts and armed with mystical weaponry, the O.C.T. keeps the streets of New York safe from the unholy creatures of the night." (From 12 GAUGE COMICS). Rosario is a co-writer of the series, along with David Achison, and the lead character is modeled after her likeness, saving gifted artist Tony Shasteen the effort of having to imagine a very hot heroine. This choice infuses Sophia Ortiz with a distinct personality, a welcome idea considering how much female comic book characters tend to look alike (many comic book artists in the 70s used movie and TV stars as reference for that same reason). The O.C.T. web site is nicely put together, with abundant art samples and a store. Considering the quality of this project, I certainly wouldn't mind seeing other A-list leading ladies taking a shot at the medium. If Jenna Jameson can do it (Shadow Hunter), why not Jessica Biel, I say? Occult Crimes Taskforce Vol. 1 (TBC) is available here.

Dean Yeagle and Mandy

(Check out the Dean Yeagle sketches and Mandy wallpaper gallery here!)

Dean Yeagle is a wonderful cartoonist and animator, famous for his sexy Playboy gags and pin-up art. His most treasured creation is Mandy, an innocent and care-free young girl, seemingly oblivious to her sexual impact. Dean has published six books, filled with sketches and scenes capturing intimate and sensual everyday moments of Mandy's simple life: Scribblings 1, 2, and 3, One Mandy Morning, Mandy's Shorts, and The Mandy Portrait Gallery. He has even produced an instructional DVD on Designing Mandy for budding artists. Fans can drop Dean a line or order his books directly from him at dabeagle@aol.com. He will be glad to provide a list of available titles and prices.

Merciless Torpedo

Many comic book artists and writers strive to capture the vibe of noir crime novels and films of the 30s and 40s, or rather, to re-imagine the genre for contemporary audiences. Few succeed in the manner of Torpedo, "a Spanish comic series written by Enrique Sánchez Abulí and drawn by Jordi Bernet, which depicts the adventures of the antagonistic character Luca Torelli, a heartless hit man, and his sidekick Rascal, in the context of the violent organized crime culture of New York during the Great Depression era (Wikipedia)." The books manage to be brutal, merciless, erotic and romantic. The writing is incisive and the art as rugged as the tales. Every Torpedo adventure guarantees a thrilling time for mature audiences. Unfortunately, you will have to read either Spanish or French to get into the title. Torpedo has only been published in those languages, in countries where comics are truly respected as serious adult fiction. As a footnote, in France, beautiful hardbound comic book albums sell twice as many copies as the average novel, with first printings in the hundreds of thousands.

The Ride to take

"Featuring a diverse and dynamic body of creators, THE RIDE showcases the tales of a 1968 Camaro and the many lives it alters. The Volume 1 Trade Paperback contains five amazing stories featuring bullets, babes, murder & mayhem, all from the driver’s seat of a car that exudes muscle and power. Exclusive bonus material includes: a new color cover gallery, character designs, pin-ups, plus a foreword from industry legend Howard Chaykin!" I took this straight out of the 12 GAUGE COMICS web site. Since 2004, their hard-hitting series has showcased the work of some of the best artists in the business. It's the second time I plug their books this week because they deserve it, damn it. 12 GAUGE has even showed its support for new talent by publishing THE RIDE: SAVANNAH, a very sexy 40-page issue drawn entirely by students of the Savannah College of Art and Design. This issue, as well as all the others, can be ordered directly from their site.

Robert Valley: Comics on X

(Robert Valley wallpaper and sketches gallery!)

Robert Valley is comics on extasy. Hard-hitting urban sequential art. His books, Massive Swerve 1 & 2, are sexy, rugged, violent and utterly unique. His short animation film (also entitled Massive Swerve) is as close as you will get to experiencing an Ibiza rave, unless, of course, you've been to an Ibiza rave. Check out the selected art gallery here, stop by his web site and discover this insane artist. Then, go to Ibiza and see if you can come back drawing like Robert. (DISCLAIMER: Nothing in this posting shall be interpreted as implying that Mr. Valley produces art under the influence of substances other than those considered legal by both the Canadian and U.S. governments)

Blacksad: R-Rated Disney

Imagine a lavishly illustrated comic book starring human-looking animals (cats, dogs, crocodiles, weasels...) in film noir-inspired crime yarns set in the 50s and you get Blacksad. Created by Spanish authors Juan Díaz Canales (writer) and Juanjo Guarnido (artist), this award-winning book chronicles the dirty cases of John Blacksad, a tough black cat private investigator. The stories are like a very adult Raymond Chandler novel, cinematically drawn by a renegade Disney animator. It is, without any doubts, one of the best all-around graphic novels on the market today. The buzz is that a big budget film adaptation is planned for 2009, but don't hold your breath. Every comic book in the world is currently in development and the real edgy stuff usually stays on the printed pages anyhow. Blacksad's first three volumes appeared in French, with the Spanish version following shortly thereafter. Last time I looked, only the first two were available in English.

COMICS MUST SURVIVE!

Allow me a little editorial. The year is 2008 and comic book-based theatrical films, video games, direct-to-DVD animated pictures and toys are all the rage. Veteran comic book fans beam with pride, seeing their beloved characters achieve glory outside of their original medium, after decades of paper confinement. But what about comics themselves? How many of those who purchased tickets to see the latest Iron Man, Batman, X-Men or Spiderman flicks have actually READ Demon in a Bottle, The Dark Knight Returns, The Dark Phoenix Saga or any Spidey tales by Stan Lee and Romita? Road to Perdition, A History of Violence, Men in Black? How many will actually go out and pick up any of the new outstanding comics published this week? People read less than ever. Consequently, all readable fiction suffers. Comic readership continues to decline, even during these times of fame. The industry must face the fact that audiences are not lining up to see comic book-based films because they are comic book-based films. They are going because the movies are exciting and the characters are fun. Hollywood finally figured out there was a lot of great source material in comics, which is a wonderful thing, since it had completely given up trying to create its own original pictures. But where will this current feeding frenzy leave comics and its creators? During the 80s and 90s, Hong Kong produced over 160 pictures per year. Until Hollywood discovered it. The former colony's top talent was lured to the studios and, for a short period of time, martial arts films took over the box-office. Then, Sony unleashed Spiderman. Today, the kicks and yells are quiet. Hong Kong icons like John Woo, Ringo Lam and Corey Yuen have been sent home packing. But to what? Last year, Hong Kong cranked out less than 50 pictures. Its legendary action films are a thing of the past. Dead. There is no next Jackie Chan or Jet Li. I can't help but look at the so-called current comic book craze with uneasiness. Comics are the original American art form, a unique marriage of pictures and words. They continue to give us innovative, bold and exciting works of fiction, but they need to reach the next generation, not through films, video games or toys that do not feature the artistry of its creators, but as comic books. They are in bad need of their Harry Potter.

Miller, Sienkiewicz and Elektra

(Check out the Elektra: Assassin original covers gallery!)

Frank Miller created his fascinating character Elektra back in 1981 while working for Marvel Comics as an artist-for-hire. Elektra first appeared in Daredevil #168 and instantly became the property of Marvel. Thus, Mr. Miller has not had a say in the direction of the character since terminating his contract, which would explain the disastrous feature film, starring Jennifer Garner, and many other subsequent aberrations of the original creation. Fortunately, fans can always return to the great comic book stories crafted by Miller. His outstanding collaboration with artist Bill Sienkiewicz on the eight-issue miniseries Elektra: Assassin remains one of the best. Since Miller's adult plot would not meet the rating approval of the Comic Code back in 1986-87, the series had to be released through Marvel's Epic imprint and sold exclusively in specialty stores to keep it away from children. Sienkiewicz' watercolor art went beyond form to reveal the extreme psychology of the characters and capture the violence of the tale. It was one big step forward in the evolution of the medium towards more mature content in American mainstream comics. WARNING: First-time comic book readers might get hurt and confused.