Space: 1999 – Aftershock and Awe
Written by Andrew E.C. Gaska
Art by Gray Morrow, Miki, & David Hueso
Cover by Gray Morrow
Archaia Entertainment
Release Date: December 17, 2012
Cover Price: $24.95

If you’re looking to take a leisurely breeze through Space: 1999 – Shock and Awe, you’d better think again. Clocking in at 168 pages, this is one of the most involved comics that I’ve ever read. And by involved I mean by both creators AND readers.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen quite as much love poured into a project as I have this one. It’s clear that Archaia and especially author Andrew E.C. Gaska wanted this graphic novel to be something beyond fantastic and their work clearly shows and that’s what they deliver. In spades. I honestly can’t believe what went into this book – and I’m only speculating.

The first part is a fantastic adaptation of the first episode of the series by Gaska taken from old Charlton Comics! From there, it just gets better. Gaska delves into the back story of the series and even shows us what happens to Earth after the nuclear disaster of September 13, 1999.

Cursed Pirate Girl, Vol. 1
Written by Jeremy Bastian
Art by Jeremy Bastian
Archaia Entertainment
Release Date: December 12, 2012
Cover Price: $24.95

I’d been told about Cursed Pirate Girl for a long time before I actually picked it up. The thing about the comic that was brought up again and again was the artwork of Jeremy Bastian. It was always explained to me as a style of comic art that was unlike anything on comic shelves.

Finally, after reading Cursed Pirate Girl, Vol. 1 I can confirm that Jeremy Bastian is one of the most gifted artists working in comics. However, art isn’t Cursed Pirate Girl‘s only sticking point. Within the pages of this book is one of the most well-written and thrilling adventure stories of 2012.

Where’s My Shoggoth?
Written by Ian Thomas
Art by Adam Bolton
Archaia Entertainment
Release Date: September 26, 2012
Cover Price: $11.95

Just in time for Halloween, comic publisher Archaia has got something perfect for all the little horror fiends in your life. Part board game, part illustrated book, Where’s My Shoggoth? is a charming all-ages homage to the elder gods and their world-crushing friends.

There is an interesting phenomenon that occurs when someone sets out to write a kids book that is also scary. Typically, the end result is either too grotesque for any kid other than a young Michael Myers to enjoy or so kid-friendly that ghosts and ghouls start resembling house pets. Where’s My Shoggoth? on the other hand finds that sweet spot of genuinely spooky but not scary enough to keep your kids awake all night. Filled with all the strange and mighty creatures of H.P. Lovecraft lore, Where’s My Shoggoth? reads like the Necronomicon rewritten with a Dr. Seuss flare for rhyme and whimsy.

The Wonderland Alphabet
Verse by Alethea Kontis
Illustrations by Janet K. Lee
Characters inspired by Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass by Lewis Carroll
Archaia Entertainment
Release Date: June 20, 2012
Cover Price: $11.95

Lewis Carroll has long captured my imagination with his imaginative tales of Alice and her journeys into the rabbit hole. Being a dad, I have looked forward to the day when I can share these books with my daughter. Thanks to Archaia Entertainment I don’t have to wait as long as I suspected.

The Wonderland Alphabet is a simple, but beautiful retelling of the story of Alice. New York Times bestselling author Alethea Kontis has compressed the stories of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass into a format that is fun for the entire family without losing the imagination or enjoyment of the original stories. Starting with the letter “A” and working through the alphabet, each page retells the story of Alice using beautiful poetic language that perfectly captures the magic of the works this book is based on. Naturally Alice graces the first page at the letter “A,” but other favorite characters aren’t far behind with the Cheshire Cat at “C” and my personal favorite, the Jabberwocky at “J.”

Black Charity
Written and Illustrated by Bal Speer
Archaia Entertainment
Release Date: March 27, 2012
Cover Price: $19.95

Did you ever see Four Rooms? A little crazy, several separate stories that eventually intertwined? Yeah, that’s what Black Charity does…only in a totally kickass way! I don’t have a clue who Bal Speer is, but I totally need to have a pint with this guy. No, really. I want to meet him and hang for a day, just to pick that dark and twisted mind a little bit.

We start off with our basic “everyman” named Charlie who is a bit too hung up on his ex-girlfriend, Louise. We meet his neighbors: Duncan the OCD dog poop aficionado, Polly the work-at-home dominatrix, even an older blind guy that always seems to be right around the corner. Add to this motley crew (damn, I wanted to type Motley Crue there) a subtle murder that is made to look like a suicide and you get a run-for-your-life action comic!