Comic Book Resources

The best reason for Facebook's existence? Yes.

Now that's a lineup of talent

If you don't have a Facebook account (and I don't necessarily blame you if you don't) you've been missing the wonderful photos that Carol Hernandez -- wife of Gilbert Hernandez -- has been posting of the Los Bros. on the Love and Rockets Fan Page. It's full of great blow-your-mind yesteryear pics like the one above, (from left) Sergio Aragones, Aline Kominsky-Crumb, Gilbert Hernandez and Robert Crumb at the Anglouleme festival in France, circa 1990. Also included: pics of Michelle Shocked, Russ Myer and Dennis the Menace creator Hank Ketcham.

What Are You Reading?

Love and Rockets New Stories #2

Welcome, welcome, welcome to another round of What Are You Reading. I am very pleased this week to say that our guest is Jeet Heer, the peerless critic and historian who, when not writing introductions for Little Orphan Annie or Krazy Kat collections, can be found at the Sans Everything or the Comics Comics blogs.

Jeet and the rest of the crew have been reading a lot this week and are eager to share, so get clicking on that link pardners.

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Comics College: Los Bros Hernandez

Love and Rockets New Stories #1

Welcome to a new feature we're starting here at Robot 6 titled "Comics College." Once a month (or more if time permits) we'll be examining the body of work of a particular cartoonist or cartoonists of note in the hopes of giving newcomers and the generally uninitiated an entry point. Because let's face it, there are a number of notable creators who have had lengthy careers in comics and figuring out where to start when reading their ouevre can be tricky, especially if not all of their material is easily available in print.

"Comics College" was inspired largely by the AV Club's Gateway to Geekery and Primer features. More specifically, it was inspired by their attempt to provide a overview of Gilbert ("Beto"), Jaime and Mario Hernandez's Love and Rockets series. I found I disagreed with a number of the suggestions and points they made, enough so that I decided I needed to do my own version.

Which is why we're beginning our debut post with a look at the Hernandez brothers. A lot of readers out there are wary about trying to dip their toe in the Love and Rockets waters and it's not surprising. The series has been going on for decades now in a variety of series and formats. Their reputation for telling long involved stories, can seem overwhelming and scary for those unsure where to begin.

So, come, take my hand and let me be your guide ...

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Everyone's A Critic: A round-up of comic reviews and thinkpieces

Asterios Polyp

• Man, everyone and their Uncle Bob is reviewing David Mazzucchelli's Asterios Polyp these days aren't they? This week alone we've seen Brian Hibbs, Rob Clough, Douglas Wolk and the LA Times' David Ulin.

Not wanting to be left out of the fun, I'll probably have my own review of the book up this Friday.

• The Groovy Age of Horror's Curt Purcell has been spending a lot of time talking about Blackest Night, and, given that he's not a regular fan, he has some interesting things to say about the crossover event. Rather than link to all the separate posts, I'll just say start here and work your way back.

Oh, and while you're at it, read his new review of Gilbert Hernandez's Speak of the Devil.

• Johnny Bacardi likes Blackest Night quite a bit too.

• Speaking of the Hernandez brothers, are you confused about where to dive into their expansive magnum opus, Love and Rockets? The Onion's AV Club is here to help. Continue Reading »

Straight for the art | Dreamstar

Hernandez's 'Dreamstar'

Gilbert Hernandez has a new superhero comic up over at the recently moved-from-MySpace Dark Horse Presents. What more do you need to know?