The Best Graphic Novels Ever #15 -- Sin City: That Yellow Bastard

Today we finally break into the top 15. Hang on, folks, we'll hit the top 10 shortly!

15. Sin City: That Yellow Bastard
by Frank Miller
Published by Dark Horse Comics

This book would hit my top list if just because of Miller's use of yellow as an accent color rather than red. And where he chooses to uses it simply adds to the gritty storytelling in a way that a full color book could never had done. (I'm looking at you, Scarlet Spider, but thanks for trying.)

Miller's pulp and noir sensibilities are strong in this book, as they are in most of his Sin City work, but something about the total package just clicks in That Yellow Bastard in a way that the others don't quite achieve. Don't ask me what exactly. It's one of the things that's impossible to quantify for a review, but it's as real as the wind or a whisper.

Regardless, this is a epic of violent poetry, of beautiful danger, and of bloody artisan-ship, and it's in Miller's unflinching POV that That Yellow Bastard (like the rest of his Sin City work) has it's power. There's something raw about it, something that refuses to let a reader stop reading even while feeling the gnawing dread in his or her gut.

Simply put, it's a powerful book that just plain works.

The Writer Will Take Your Questions Now (#176) -- Best New Comics

What are some of the best new current comic books that 

are flying under the radar that readers shouldn't miss?

It's easy to skip over books like these in your rush to pick up Justice League and Avengers vs. X-Men, but you owe it to yourself to grab them and give them a read. 

Resident Alien (Dark Horse) -- A stranded alien ends up playing "Quincy" when he's drafted into serving a small rural town as the town doctor.

Dancer (Image) -- A burned spy and his ballet diva girlfriend are on the run from a highly unlikely assassin. To say more would ruin the big reveal in issue #1.

Saucer Country (Vertigo) -- The governor of New Mexico is running for president to save us from the aliens who abducted her for experimentation, but that's not the easiest platform on which to get elected, especially with a marriage that falling apart, and a political consultant who wants to hang her husband out to dry as the bad guy to garner sympathy votes. 

Thief of Thieves (Image) -- An ace burglar wants out of the business so he can  become the man he never was able to before. But surely he didn't think it's going to be easy, does he? Nah.

 Rachel Rising (Abstract Studios) -- She's not a zombie per se, but she's definitely not alive, nor is she happy with the turn her life/death has taken. Oh, and it seems someone's out to get her.

Trio (IDW) -- John Byrne does traditional superheroes again, this time based on the old game of rock, paper, scissors. More fun than just about any tights and costumes book on the stands at the moment.

Night of 1,000 Wolves (IDW) -- What's worse than one pissed-off werewolf? How 'bout a forest full of them? And they all want to eat your family. Want to see D&D style stories that can rip your face off and laugh about it? This is it.

The New Deadwardians (Vertigo) -- Upstairs, Downstairs with low-class zombies, uppercrust vampires, and norms in the middle ground as the servant class. Great fun and a great detective story to boot.

Saga (Image) -- It's got the same "on the run" vibe as his Y the Last Man book, but with a more space fantasy setting and some of the cutest and yet most disturbing images I've ever seen, particularly in this more recent issue.

If you're not reading these indies, you're missing out on some really amazing stuff. Trust me. It's worth skipping an extra Cap, Wolverine, Spider-Man, or Batman title to try something new and different.

[Link] DARK HORSE PRESENTS 'THE BLACK BEETLE!'

DARK HORSE PRESENTS 'THE BLACK BEETLE!'

Official Press Release

Adding an exciting new layer to Dark Horse Presents, Dark Horse Comics is proud to announce a new three-part story by New York Times best-selling artist for Batman, and current Captain America artist, Francesco Francavilla: The Black Beetle!

The Black Beetle is centered on a pulp-noir character and takes place in a fictional universe that’s based in Colt City. Francavilla published several stories online and even put out an ashcan. When the ashcan sold out, Francesco quickly realized that many fans were interested in exploring this world with him. It was only a matter of time before Dark Horse approached him about bringing some Black Beetle tales to Dark Horse Presents!

“I’m working on a 24-page story, titled ‘Night Shift’ that will be spread over three issues of Dark Horse Presents. I am hugely influenced by pulp stories of the ‘30s and ‘40s, and wanted to develop a series that used that influence as a jumping-off point to explore some modern storytelling with fun twists. I think this will be a great introduction to readers who are new to this character and universe, but will also be an exciting new adventure for those who’ve been reading the online stories over the years,” Francesco states.

“As a huge fan of pulp and noir, working on my own characters and stories really gives me free reign to explore this world and create lots of fun scenarios and thrilling situations. The stories are definitely full of mystery and intrigue, plus I get to give The Black Beetle lots of cool and funky gadgets. ‘Night Shift’ promises to be full of action, excitement, danger, and double-crosses, so I am overjoyed to see this new tale in print, and hope this is the first of many more to come in Dark Horse Presents.”

For more on Francesco Francavilla’s art, check out his official website, www.francescofrancavilla.com, and his pulp blog, http://pulpsunday.blogspot.com.