Both of these volumes are from IDW’s Library of American Comics imprint, hands-down the best reprints ever done of American comic strips.
- The Complete Little Orphan Annie Vol. 1: This book is a wonderful
way to discover the plucky little red-headed orphan who leads one of the most
adventure-filled lives in history. Reprinting strips from 1924 through 1927,
readers discover Annie in her orphanage, being abused and longing for a real
life and loving parents. She is introduced to, and ultimately adopted by
“Daddy” Warbucks and his snooty, uptight wife—who has no love for Annie.
Loveable mutt Sandy is also introduced and becomes Annie’s instant companion
and protector. Several tumultuous storylines are presented; Annie meets and
falls in love with a farming couple named the Silos, she joins the circus and
becomes an elephant tamer; and circumstances force her several times to wander
the country broke and alone, facing real danger. Through it all she adopts a
stoic, can-do demeanor that thrilled readers of all ages for decades.
This
volume also includes informative background material by comics historian Jeet
Heer, and over 1,000 daily comics with nine complete stories. This is truly one
of the great American strips.
Rating: ***** out of 5 stars
- Tarzan: The Complete
Russ Manning Newspaper Strips, Vol. 1 (1967-1969): I devoured the Edgar Rice
Burroughs Tarzan novels when I was a teenager, and the Ape Man is one of my all
time favorite adventure characters. It is always a treat finding high-quality
depictions of Tarzan in other media. Russ Manning is a writer/artist who
seriously “gets” Tarzan. He takes the Lord of the Jungle all over the world in
this volume, from Africa to Opar, to Pal-ul-don and other time-lost lands. He
also makes room for a few storylines with Korak, the son of Tarzan and Jane.
Sometimes those storylines converge into one grand adventure. And Manning can
draw it all perfectly, from beastly half-men to dinosaurs and fantasy monsters.
If you’re a Tarzan fan, I don’t see how you can not have these books in your
library.
This first of four volumes (three of which have been published) includes more than 650 daily and Sunday strips from
December 1967 through October 1969. Everything about it is top-notch, from the
storytelling and art to the beautiful reproduction. A flawless volume.
Rating:
***** out of 5 stars
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