www.86thfloor.com     PREVIEWS VOL. XVIII #5 May 2008  

Independent Comic Publishers
(Companies beginning with N)

NBM

MORESUKINE: UPDATED WEEKLY FROM TOKYO GN
by Dirk Schwieger
An ex-pat in Japan experiences all things Japanese as ordered online! Dirk lived in Tokyo, had a comics blog where he had people dare him to try all sorts of different things — exotic, disgusting, revealing, whatever! — in this land of the Rising Sun, and then relate it with funky humor on the blog. The result is quite a fascinating inside look at the Japanese society, how they live, how they think, what they eat. Moresukine is the Japanese way of pronouncing "Moleskin," as these comics were created on one. This graphic novel comes designed exactly like a Moleskin — black cover, rounded edges, ribbon page mark. “What a fun idea,” said Neil Gaiman, and other artists also contribute with their take on this adventure including James Kochalka and Ryan North. (C: 0-1-2)
SC, 176pgs, B&W SRP: $15.95

STAR OF THE MONTH

LITTLE NOTHINGS VOLUME 1: THE CURSE OF THE UMBRELLA GN
by Lewis Trondheim
Another great albeit quite different blog! The great talent behind the new generation in Europe — the Dungeon series, A.L.I.E.E.E.N., and Mr. O — pours his heart out in funny snippets of everyday life. His paranoia, little annoyances, big annoyances, chase of rainbows, love of comics, travel impressions from around the world, dealing with kids, being a kid — it’s all about life as we know it. A collection from his comics blog that expands his palette with full color painting, one can only be awed at Trondheim’s uncanny sense of observation and relate to all his experiences closely. (NOV073735)
SC, 6x9, 128pgs, FC SRP: $14.95

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NERDCORE LP

MEATHAUS: S.O.S. TP
by Various
Meathaus certainly didn’t invent the whole idea of a comics anthology, but it’s the kind of book that’ll make you think otherwise. An über-team of creators gives it their all in S.O.S., spilling passion, sentiment, and rage onto the page. Their stories are beautiful and brutal, bizarre, and brazen, as told by guys like James Jean, Farel Dalrymple, Brandon Graham, Tomer and Asaf Hanuka, Thomas Herpich, Jim Rugg, Corey Lewis, Matt Furie, D-pi, Ross Campbell, Sheldon Vella, and Dave Kiersh. Editors Brandon Graham, Chris McD, and Matt Gagnon consulted their "favorites" list and brought in a whole new cross-section of the comics scene. The resulting mash-up of artists, action, styles and energy makes Meathaus: S.O.S. an absolute, must-have, entirely essential read for indie comics lovers — and beyond! (C: 0-1-2)
SC, 7x10, 272pgs, FC SRP: $30.00

NETCOMICS

LET DAI VOLUME 14 GN
by Sooyeon Won
Set in a soulless neo-Seoul ruled by young punks and pleasure seekers, an amoral teenager named Dai is the living embodiment of the city's beauty and cruelty. As the leader of the vicious Furies gang, Dai seduces everyone who lays eyes on him, only to blind them to his own barbaric nature. When an honest schoolboy named Jaehee rescues a beautiful girl from being mugged by the Furies, he can't possibly realize how this brief encounter will plunge him into a downward spiral of unbridled passion and unfathomable pain! (C: 0-1-2)
MATURE THEMES
SC, 184pgs, B&W (14 of 15) SRP: $9.99

OPERATION LIBERATE MEN VOLUME 4 GN
by Mira Lee
Sooha's presence has prematurely awakened Shiva of the Dark Moon, and the Male Liberation Army leadership is thrown into turmoil. Sooha struggles to contain the secret of her gender among Laharshita's leaders. Among the rebels, a wider revelation would mean her immediate death. Ganesha sneaks away from the Emperor's palace to bring vital information to the Male Liberation Army. And Danium, now aware that Sooha is a girl, struggles to figure how to treat her and, more importantly, how he feels about her constant fawning over Ganesha. However, deadlier concerns are at play — some among Laharshita's leadership believe the men should eliminate Sooha. The only thing stopping them is the fear that she may be the otherwordly consort that completes Shiva and grants them the power to destory the Maha Empire once and for all! (C: 0-1-2)
SC, 200pgs, B&W SRP: $9.99

TOTALLY CAPTIVATED VOLUME 3 GN
by Jinha Yoo
The mafia threatens Ewon into working for a loan shark, where he's forced to run dangerous errand for no pay. The culprit who doomed Ewon to this life is none other than Jiho, Ewon's jealous ex who still burns at Ewon's infidelity! Their gang leader Mookyul, with movie-star good looks and the bizarre, drunken habit of biting people on the neck, takes a keen interest in his attractive new errand boy. Will Ewon be able to survive the violent underworld — not to mention the constant sexual harrassment — he must endure as an underling of Mookyul? (C: 0-1-2)
MATURE THEMES
SC, 184pgs, B&W SRP: $9.99

NOVARIS ENTERTAINMENT

ROADKILL ZOO GN
by Nicole Jones, Buddy Setiawan & Derek Fridolfs
Lost in the back roads of Southern Louisiana, a group of college students accidentally run over a raccoon in the swamp. Little do they know that deep in the ruins of a nearby plantation, a voodoo witch doctor has resurrected an army of undead roadkill eager for revenge! A 2007 Russ Manning Award nominee! (C: 0-1-2)
MATURE THEMES
SC, 7x10, 144pgs, B&W SRP: $15.00