Off the Shelf
In ‘Flight Volume Five,’ Kibuishi’s masters produce treasures
By LEE CLARK ZUMPE
Article published on Monday, Aug. 4, 2008  |
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| “Flight Volume Five,” edited by Kazu Kibuishi, is available from Villard, an imprint of Ballantine Books which is a division of Random House. |
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Edited by Kazu Kibuishi, “Flight Volume Five,” continues the tradition of this popular graphic novel series by collecting some of the finest artists and animators working in the industry today.
While the focus is clearly on the visual component, this isn’t just another art book. The stories range from the whimsical to the edgy.
Story-crafters borrow from a variety of literary traditions, including classic children’s fairy tales, high fantasy and speculative fiction.
The inaugural edition of the “Flight” comics anthology was published in July 2004. Envisioned by Kibuishi as a showcase for young and innovative artists and writers, the previous edition, “Flight Volume Four,” has been nominated for a 2008 Harvey Award for Best Anthology.
“Flight Volume Five” features the work of JP Ahonen, Graham Annable, Chris Applehans, Bannister, Matthew Bernier, Scott Campbell, Svetlana Chmakova, Tony Cliff, Phil Craven, Michael Gagne, Kazu Kibuishi, Kness, Sonny Liew, Reagan Lodge, Made, John Martz, Sarah Mensiga, Ryan North, Richard Pose, Paul Rivoche, Dave Roman, Kean Soo and Joey Weiser.
Cliff’s “Delilah Dirk and the Aqueduct” is one of many gems found in this anthology. A tale of adventure and drama, it is reminiscent of sword-and-sorcery comic magazines of the 1970s. The characters are cut from the same cloth as those found in Byron Preiss’ old “Weird Heroes” anthologies and would be equally at home in that Philip Jose Farmer’s Wold Newton family. Hopefully, Cliff will revisit Delilah Dirk and her traveling companion, Selim abd al-Rahim, because the two of them are screaming for further adventures.
Liew’s “Malinky Robot” is more somber in tone, blending anime style with cyberpunk themes to define what makes a robot a robot. Its existential twist makes it all the more rewarding.
“Voyage,” by Kness and Made, is a tale told entirely through images. The story follows a polar bear on a journey of discovery. The speculative aspect emerges as the bear surveys the ruins of civilization.
“Flight Volume Five” is currently available from Villard, an imprint of Ballantine Books which is a division of Random House.
The following books are due to hit shelves the week of August 11:
- “Smoke Screen,” by Sandra Brown. From Simon and Schuster, “Smoke Screen” is a tale of corruption and betrayal, revenge and reversal. In Brown’s new novel, friends become foes and criminals become heroes in the ultimate abuse of power.
- “Confessions of a Contractor,” by Richard Murphy. From the Penguin Group, Murphy’s debut follows an contractor who renovates houses for wealthy women Los Angeles. Henry Sullivan has spent 15 years avoiding intimate entanglements with his clients – but during one complicated summer, he breaks his own rules as he falls for two very different women who used to be friends.
- “Monsterology: The Complete Book of Monstrous Creatures,” by Ernest Drake. From Candlewick Press, this second major volume from Drake explores fantastical beasts, from the Yeti to unicorns.
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Article published on Monday, Aug. 4, 2008
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