The first issue is a tough act to follow, but BLOOD ORANGE #2 makes up for having fewer star alt-comics names by featuring more experimentation, more drama, and even wilder imaginations. The latest art comics/alternative comics anthology from Fantagraphics is a good way to see work by cartoonists not often seen in comic pages.
I liked Cole Johnson’s opening shot, “Eighteen” precisely because it was so Adrian Tomine-like. Chris Wright’s nameless short is a poignant drama of hapless romance. Jeffrey Brown’s (Top Shelf published his graphic novel, Bighead) “It’s Your Luck Day” protagonist is an amalgam of Woody Allen and Paul Giamatti, and Rebecca Dart draws the personification of reader frustration in a two-page eye exam. I like what I’m seeing and am looking forward to more. B+
Ball Peen Hammer
A dark, depressing, grim and grimy, post-apocalyptic, and intelligent graphic novel by novelist, playwright, screen writer, film maker and Pulitzer Prize Finalist, Adam Rapp.
Beasts of Burden #1
It stars puppies, supernatural investigative puppies. It's as bad as it sounds.
Transformers – All Hail Megatron # 15
This issue, Prowl shares his inner turmoil and plans to have the Autobots defeat their opponents the Decepticons by planting the seed of order in the midst of the Autobots
Athena #1
The Ancient Greek Goddess of Wisdom, War, The Arts, Industry, Justice, and Skill is reborn in the modern world.
