This week I thought it might be a good idea to share some of my favorite anthologies. I don't know about you but I love those fine collections of talented storytellers.
Why do I love anthologies so much? There are a few very good reasons...
1) More bang for your buck. Anthologies [typically] have a much larger page count than your average graphic novel.
2) Originality... anthologies have nothing to compete with save other anthologies. How do they handle the competition? Themed collections, and packaging/general dress.
3) Varied storytelling techniques/approach and style while dealing with the same subject matter.
4) Marketing... athologies can't be marketed and hyped like other books. If an anthology doesn't have the goods, it's more difficult to get consumers to spend their cold, hard cash. This is why the first 3 items on my list really matter most.
My love for anthologies varies... based on the publisher. The quality of the art/story is not what varies as much as the quality of the overall package. And this will be my jumping off point for this weeks entry.
Publisher: AdHouse Books
Title: Project Telstar
Theme: Futuristic/Sci-fi/Fantasy
Packaging: Embossed and die-cut over
Cool factor: Metallic blue ink for color
Publisher: AdHouse Books
Title: Project Superior
Theme: Superheroes
Packaging: Old, tattered, pulp-look cover
Cool factor: Truly new approaches to the superhero genre
Publisher: AdHouse Books
Title: Project Romantic
Theme: Love/Romance
Packaging: Strong, simple, romantic design cover
Cool factor: Completes the "Project" trilogy
Publisher: Dark Horse Books
Title: Happy Endings
Theme: Strong focus on story endings
Packaging: Frank Miller cover
Cool factor: Features a black & white Sam Kieth story
Publisher: Dark Horse Books
Title: Autobiographix
Theme: Authors tell true personal tales
Packaging: Inkwash artwork, grade a stock and cover design
Cool factor: Will Eisner's tale of the day he first felt like a true artist
Publisher: Image Comics
Title: Afterworks
Theme: Animator collective takes on comics
Packaging: Strong graphic design
Cool factor: The anthology animation/comics fans have been waiting for
Publisher: Image Comics
Title: Four Letter Worlds
Theme: Authors tell tales inspired by a four letter word
Packaging: Pastel-colored graphic design
Cool factor: Scott Morses' tale about his passion for and drive in art
Publisher: Bud Burgy/Cream City Comics
Title: Muscles & Fights
Theme: "I like it when there's muscles... and they fight".
Packaging: Neon-colored coffee table look
Cool factor: United Midwestern comics front
Publisher: Pulpo Press
Title: Pulpo
Theme: EnterVoid warriors attack paper with ink
Packaging: Slick and explosive artwork colored by Galvo
Cool factor: The raw energy of EnterVoid sans a computer screen
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Title: Best American Comics
Theme: Established underground creators select short stories created by other underground artists
Packaging: Hardcover
Cool factor: It's the inaugural comics volume of the "Best American" series
There are certainly lots more out there I've missed or haven't yet read. But theses babies really get it right.
What? That's not enough?
Check out a book published by Ait/Planet Lar called Monster Attack Network: http://ait-planetlar.com/monsterattack.shtml
Happy reading.
Peace
-AR
