Cutting-Edge comics Collaborators When the parent publisher of the New York Review of Books began issuing graphic novels this March, a new classy collaborator joined the comikkensia. The New York Review Comics imprint will focus on “new editions of out-of-print masterpieces” plus new translations of non-English titles, serious to absurdist to experimental. In Blutch’s Peplum, for example, surreal adventures await an exiled Roman warrior and his impersonator (LJ Xpress Reviews 2/25/16).

Meanwhile, in academic publishing, it was news in 2011 when Oxford University Press (OUP) put out the first edition of Trevor R. Getz and Liz Clarke’s Abina and the Important Men, a well-referenced and beautifully drawn account of an 1800s slave trial. OUP has since released two other ­Clarke collaborations: with Ronald ­Schechter, Mendoza the Jew: Boxing, Manliness, and Nationalism (LJ 3/15/14); and with Rafe Blaufarb, Inhuman Traffick: The International Struggle Against the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Additionally, OUP is distributing the British-published Classical Comics line in the States. Numerous other university presses now publish graphic novels, from the English-language adaptation of Shotaro Ishinomori’s Japan, Inc. (Univ. of California) to Lila Quintero Weaver’s Darkroom (Univ. of Alabama; LJ 7/12) to Pennsylvania State University Press’s “Graphic Medicine” series initiated last year. Nick Sousanis’s Unflattening (Harvard Univ.; LJ Xpress Reviews 8/7/15), a first “academic study in comic book form” just took the Lynd Ward Prize from the Pennsylvania Center for the Book.

Since 2006, the Louvre in Paris has contracted with diverse cartoonists for graphic works tied to the museum’s art collection, available in English from NBM (see David Prudhomme’s Cruising Through the Louvre; LJ 3/15/16). No other museum seems to have followed suit, but the Vancouver Opera did put out a manga-style opera series, many collected into an 2010 Arcana anthology.

And now for something completely different. The self-described “punk-rock metal” 3 Floyds Brewing Company recently licensed to Image Comics a piece of its own image—the outlandish characters created as backstory for its craft beers—and hello, a “Game of Thrones meets Mad Max” story. The miniseries debuted in May, starring the embodiment of the microbrewery’s flagship beer: Alpha King. Other 3 Floyds characters sport names such as Gumballhead and War Mullet, so there’s surely plenty of tongue-in-cheek drama coming in this “futuristic medieval apocalypse.” Let’s drink to that!—MC

Buccellato, Brian (text) & Bruno Redondo & others (illus.). Injustice: Gods Among Us; Year Four. Vol. 1. DC. May 2016. 160p. ISBN 9781401261306. $22.99; ebk. ISBN 9781401269357. sUPERHERO

In this prequel to the video game of the same name, after the Joker destroys Metropolis and tricks Superman into killing a pregnant Lois Lane, Superman murders the Joker and decides to bring peace to the world through force and fear, creating and leading a superpowered global police organization. Many heroes support him, but Batman rebels, pulling together an underground resistance. Here, with his forces nearly depleted, Batman joins with Ares, god of war, whose scheming has sent both the Gods of Olympus and Wonder Woman’s Amazon people into battle against Superman—leaving Wonder Woman, who supports Superman, in a life-or-death dilemma. Despite the grim setup, this is no sharp postmodern deconstruction, rather a straightforward and crowd-pleasing tweaking of the DC universe, not without a sense of humor and fun (most often personified by the unpredictable Harley Quinn). The series’ quality has dipped of late, yet overall it makes fine use of a wide variety of DC players and maintains drama and tension. VERDICT Very entertaining for DC fans, even those unaware of the video game.—SR

Igort. The Ukrainian and Russian Notebooks: Life and Death Under Soviet Rule. S. & S. Apr. 2016. 384p. tr. from Italian by Jamie Richards. ISBN 9781451678871. $28. POL SCI

Death and painful ways to die take center stage in these disjointed, horrifying vignettes spanning the 1930s through the current decade. The first section focuses on the Holodomor, Russian dictator Joseph Stalin’s sanctioned manmade famine in Ukraine, while the second half covers the last 20 years of Chechnya atrocities, and the postscript returns to Ukraine and considers Vladimir Putin’s annexation of Crimea. Italian cartoonist Igort (5 Is the Perfect Number) spent five years in Ukraine and Russia gathering stories of oppression. He also consulted newspaper articles and other primary sources, although some are incompletely referenced. Several older Ukrainians stand out in the book’s first part, while murdered journalist Anna Politkovskaya is featured later. The grinding misery and torture endured by people, from soldiers to peasants, is drawn with fine-line pen, lightly realistic with a grotesque expressionism, and colored with parched tans through ochres suffused with grays and sparked by red. Not a documentary, nor didactic referenced history, this work bears unforgettable witness to the courage and resilience of the human spirit and also to the depths of cruelty that people inflict on one another. VERDICT For teens through adults following human rights issues and international affairs.—MC

Knisley, Lucy. Something New: Tales from a Makeshift Bride. First Second. May 2016. 291p. ISBN 9781626722491. pap. $19.99; ebk. ISBN 9781626727502. MEMOIR

The quirky and the mundane sparkle in this new installment of graphic memoirs from Knisley (Age of License; Displacement). When her on-again, off-again boyfriend John turns into a keeper and then proposes, the besotted couple design their own version of “weddingzilla” that turns into a complicated and thoughtful yet rewarding adventure. Food, decor, venue, outfits, and ceremony all come to incorporate DIY touches, and little how-to vignettes encourage readers to consider similar approaches. Rain and mishaps intrude, of course, and Lucy feels a rush of love when her take-charge mom removes a dead squirrel by hand from the reception area. She also ruminates over issues of gender and feminism vs. American wedding culture, and work vs. love dilemmas. The whimsical full-color drawings interweave narration with images of wedding clichés and traditions worldwide, analysis of the couple’s feelings about everything, how-to instructions, and occasional photos. VERDICT This mature-minded, multilayered title succeeds as both entertainment and advice, especially for those who want to reduce wedding costs while personalizing the ceremony and having fun, too. For another book from the groom’s perspective, see Adrian Tomine’s Scenes from an Impending Marriage. [See also Tom Batten’s Graphic Novel Preview, “Picture the Possibilities,” LJ 6/15/16.—Ed.]—MC

Kverneland, Steffen. Munch. SelfMadeHero. (Art Masters). May 2016. 280p. tr. from Norwegian by Francesca M. Nichols. notes. ISBN 9781910593127. pap. $24.95. BIOG

Norwegian artist Edvard Munch (1863–1944), a tireless self-promoter infamous for the much parodied The Scream, created impressionistic images of suffering, dialyzed through emotion and memories of personal traumas. Relatives died young, colleagues went mad, romances turned sour, illnesses sapped his stamina. Yet caught up in the passionate indulgences of the fin-de-siècle art world, he found solace, distraction, and inspiration from both friends and enemies, alcohol-soaked nightlife, and willing women. Kverneland (Olaf G.) captures his subject through a kaleidoscope of art styles: realism, cubism, impressionism, pictures derivative of Munch’s paintings, straight caricature, photos—all intercut with mocking depictions of Kverneland himself with fellow cartoonist Lars Fisk as they carouse and debate Munch’s legacy. Oddly, few details concern the artist’s last 25 years, perhaps seen as less interesting than his more colorful decades. Kverneland’s skill at infusing Munch’s own techniques and imagery into the biography is extraordinary, and the stories behind the controversial paintings are fascinating and wryly funny. VERDICT A real treat for older teens and adults interested in modern art and the cultural transition to modernism.—MC

Leth, Kate & others. Fresh Romance. Vol. 1. Oni. Aug. 2016. 224p. ed. by Janelle Asselin. ISBN 9781620103463. pap. $24.99. F

With the romance genre a healthy segment of both print and ebook publishing, it makes sense to bring comics back to their roots—in the 1950s, romance comic books sold millions. The digitally based Rosy Press has been serializing “sweet to smutty” love stories from comics creators since May of last year, and now through Oni delivers the first volume of collected stories. This isn’t classic Archie, folks: the opening tale features a closeted lesbian high school romance plus a counterplot involving a classmate witch who’s snuggling up with the guy everyone thinks the lesbian couple are fighting over. Other narratives introduce a Regency bride grieving the swain she couldn’t marry, a humanoid extraterrestrial tasked with matchmaking the Earth-living lovelorn, and a twist on the beauty-and-the-beast concept. The writing is uniformly first-rate in plotting and pacing, while the art keeps momentum in quality and appeal via styles ranging from baroque to curvy-yet-spare plus vibrant-through-chaste coloring. ­VERDICT This enjoyable collection for ages 18 and up will draw fans of romance manga and romance novels who are willing to try another format.—MC

O’Neil, Dennis & Fritz Leiber (text) & Howard Chaykin & others (illus.). Fritz Leiber’s Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser: The Cloud of Hate and Other Stories. Dark Horse. Jun. 2016. 136p. ISBN 9781616559854. pap. $17.99; ebk. ISBN 9781630086381. FANTASY

In 1973, in the wake of Marvel Comics’ success with its Conan the Barbarian comic book (based on the character created by Robert E. Howard), DC published these stories featuring the red-haired barbarian Fafhrd and the stealthy Gray Mouser, stars of a long-running series of sword-and-sorcery tales by Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy Award winner Leiber. Most of the work here is adapted loosely from Leiber’s originals, emphasizing fast-moving action. O’Neil jettisons virtually all of Leiber’s often-marvelous prose, but the banter he invents for the two leads does preserve a semblance of the original humor. Chaykin turns in some impressive artwork, as does Walter ­Simonson (later famed for a 1980s run on Thor), who illustrates two stories here, including an original solo tale of young Fafhrd. Chaykin later scripted a more faithful series of Fafhrd and Mouser adaptations (including a redo of this volume’s first tale) with art by Mike Mignola and Al Williamson, also available from Dark Horse. VERDICT For fans of Conan and the featured artists.—SR

Pini, Wendy & Richard Pini. Elfquest: The Final Quest. Vol. 2. Dark Horse. May 2016. 136p. ISBN 9781616554101. pap. $17.99; ebk. ISBN 9781627793513. FANTASY

Begun in 1978, the wonderful, immersive, mythic fantasy Elfquest was one of the first American comics influenced by Japanese manga, and one of the first collected in graphic novel form. After many detours and hiatuses, the story from husband-and-wife team Wendy and Richard Pini returns to its major plotline here, as the many tribes of elves must decide whether to stay on the World of Two Moons or leave in the Palace, the now-restored starship that their ancestors crash-landed millennia earlier. Surprises still abound, and Wendy’s artwork retains its beauty and polish. Truly epic, not only in its vast timespan, ever-branching plot, and huge cast, but also in its emotional depth, the series encompasses alliances, goals, and feelings that are complicated and changeable; life can be brutal and heartbreaking, and the way forward is never clear. Still, instead of doom and gloom, there is a spirit of kindness, optimism, and joy. To help new readers catch up, the authors have posted most of the series for free on elfquest.com, and Dark Horse is republishing the brilliant early stories in the Complete Elfquest omnibuses. VERDICT A satisfying revival of a grand saga.—SR

Robinson, James (text) & Greg Hinkle (illus.). Airboy. Image. Apr. 2016. 120p. ISBN 9781632155436. $24.99. F

The heroic Airboy, who fights Nazis in a plane with flapping wings, was originally created for 1940s fanboys. This Airboy is not. The plot begins as Robinson (Starman), at a somewhat autobiographical nadir in his life, bemoans his new assignment to relaunch an original Airboy comic book. When inspiration proves elusive, he recruits reluctant artist Hinkle (The Rattler) for help and the two head into a Hunter S. ­Thompsonesque bender of booze, drugs, and sex. Unexpectedly, the stimulant combo sends them right through the boundary between reality and fiction, and both creators and Airboy gain useful enlightenment about living. Somehow transcending cliché owing to clever writing, extreme humor, bizarre vignettes, and adult situations, the story realizes additional oomph through Hinkle’s angular, unpretty art. His effective coloring paints “reality” in monochromes, while Airboy’s world appears fully vivid. The wild satire spares no one, from women to men to transgender individuals, especially the debaucherous creators who let it all hang out—literally. VERDICT This pungent treat for gonzo-minded adults who enjoy outrageous comic depravity slyly delivers messages about what matters and why it’s important to persevere despite setbacks.—MC

Rokudenashiko. What Is Obscenity? The Story of a Good for Nothing Artist and Her Pussy. Koyama. May 2016. 168p. ISBN 9781927668313. pap. $20. MEMOIR

Is the female pudendum more obscene than the phallus? Under the pseudonym Rokudenashiko (good-for-nothing girl), Megumi Igarashi creates cute vulva-imagery art, from cellphone cases to a full-size kayak. But the Japanese police noticed, and when the artist sent a 3-D file of the kayak design to crowdfunding supporters, she was arrested for distributing obscenity. Curiously, Japan has a robust porn industry, and the city of Kawasaki holds an annual festival venerating the penis, but depicting the female genitalia is usually illegal and the slang term manko (pussy) a very bad word. In cartoony fine-line drawings, Igarashi tells of her arrests, plus how she became a pussy artist and activist drawing accolades from fans and the press. Igarashi deserves admiration for urging acknowledgement of a body part often shrouded in mystery or not recognized at all through omission or censorship. VERDICT With text about legalities plus color photos of manko sculptures, Rokudenashiko’s outside-the-box story will fascinate adults interested in censorship, feminism, and their own bodies. [See Tom Batten’s Graphic Novel Preview, “Picture the Possibilities,” LJ 6/15/16.—Ed.]—MC

Wolf, Tikva. Ask Me About Polyamory. Thorntree. Sept. 2016. 146p. index. ISBN 9780996460118. pap. $24.95; ebk. ISBN 9780996460125. sexuality/health

Speaking through the fictionalized Kimchi and her friends, Wolf shows how polyamorous relationships can be much like traditional pairings—just more so. Dating from the 1990s, the term polyamory refers to having multiple ongoing romantic relationships, with everyone informed and consenting. Originally a web comic collected through Kickstarter support, Kimchi’s friendly musings are grouped by topic into a lightly humorous guide for experiencing polyamory and explaining it to others. Sections address discovering the lifestyle, household arrangements, what works and doesn’t, troubleshooting, dating, and identities (including trans, queer, fluid, and asexual). Each vignette features a wide range of characters inspired by real people, discussing a question or conundrum and reaching insightful resolution. Wolf’s simple, outline-based color art infuses the dialogs with visual interest through skill with minimalist facial expressions and sometimes pictorial metaphors—one lovesick individual gets a hyperromantic Disney princess look. An engaging Baedecker guide for readers intrigued by columnist Dan Savage’s term monogamish, this will also appeal to those already exploring beyond coupled twosomes. Many of the suggestions also apply to monogamy. VERDICT Not explicit in either images or text, this work will serve well both youth and adults.—MC

Martha Cornog is a longtime LJ reviewer and, with Timothy Perper, edited Graphic Novels Beyond the Basics: Insights and Issues for Libraries (Libraries Unlimited, 2009). Steve Raiteri is Audiovisual Librarian, Greene County Public Library, Xenia, OH, where he started the graphic novel collection in 1996