Never read a graphic novel before? Haven’t read a comic book in years?

(Still catching up. Time keeps on slipping-slipping-slipping into the future. For your patience… a sorta-kinda Halloween-themed edition!)

Here’s some brand new stuff that came out the week of September 23 that I think is worth a look-see for someone with little to no history with comics. That means you should be able to pick any of these up cold without having read anything else. So take a look and see if something doesn’t grab your fancy. If so, follow the publisher links or Amazon.com links to buy yourself a copy. Or, head to your local friendly comic book shop.

Don’t have a lot of time, so not much commentary from me. Just imagine me being excited about all of these because they all look awesome.

Disclaimer: For the most part, I have not read these yet, so I can’t vouch for their quality. But, from what I’ve heard and seen, odds are good they just might appeal to you.

Ghost Comics: A Benefit Anthology for RS Eden – $10.00
Edited by Ed Choy Moorman
176 pages; published by Bare Bones Press

Ghosts of dinosaurs, transforming robots, and forgotten pasts abound in this star-studded book of staggeringly good comics.
All proceeds benefit Minneapolis substance abuse treatment facility RS Eden.

Including: Monica Anderson, Tuesday Bassen, Jeffrey Brown, Kevin Cannon, Allison Cole, Warren Craghead III, Will Dinski, Will Hayes, Hob, John Hankiewicz, David Heatley, Toby Jones, Reynold Kissling, Aidan Koch, Lucy Knisley, Mike Lowery, Sean Lynch. Jessica McLeod, Ed Choy Moorman, Sarah Morean, Corinne Mucha, Abby Mullen, Madeline Queripel, Evan Palmer, John Porcellino, Zak Sally, Jillian Schroeder, Mark Scott, Eileen Shaughnessy, Jenny Tondera, Sarah Louise Wahrhaftig, Maris Wicks, and Jessica Williams.

“An excellent sampler of what’s being done in today’s indie comics scene.” – Midnight Fiction

A different take on ghost stories. Here’s a preview of each story from this 2008 Xeric Award winner.

Bart Simpson’s Treehouse of Horror #15 – $4.99
Edited by Sammy Harkham
48 pages; published by Bongo Comics; available at PictureBox

Guest edited by Sammy Harkham, the award-winning creator of the popular Kramers Ergot anthology, this year’s issue is jam-packed with some of the most idiosyncratic takes on “The Simpsons” universe ever.

Among Halloween-inspired short strips by such visionary cartoonists as C.F. (Powr Mastrs), Will Sweeney (Tales from Greenfuzz), Jordan Crane (Uptight), Tim Hensley (MOME), and John Kerschbaum (Petey & Pussy), are four featured tales of inspired Simpsons lunacy: heralded artists Kevin Huizenga (Ganges, Or Else) and Matthew Thurber (1-800 Mice, Kramers Ergot) collaborate on a weird and wild story equal parts Lovecraftian eco-horror and Philip K. Dick identity comedy. Jeffrey Brown (Incredible Change- Bots, Clumsy) does a creepy and suitably pathetic story featuring Milhouse in a “Bad Ronald”-inspired tale of murder and crawl space living. Harkham and Ted May (INJURY) pull out all the stops for a tragic monster tale of unrequited love, bad karaoke, and body snatching at Moe’s Bar. Ben Jones (Paper Rad) does the comic of his life with an epic tale of how bootleg candy being sold at the Kwik-E-Mart rapidly spirals out of control into an Invasion of The Body Snatchers-like nightmare of a Springfield filled with cheap bootleg versions of familiar characters. And nobody does squishy, sweaty, and gross like up and coming cartoonist Jon Vermilyea (MOME), who outdoes himself with “C.H.U.M.M.,” a C.H.U.D.-inspired parody featuring everybody’s favorite senior citizen, Hans Moleman!

Every year “The Simpsons” TV show does a special Halloween-themed episode. They also put out a comic book that’s probably even more bizarre and hilarious. Here’s a review of it with some previews.

Underground #1 – $3.50
By Jeff Parker & Steve Lieber
32 pages; published by Image Comics

Park Ranger and avid caver Wesley Fischer is on a one-woman mission to stop Stillwater Cave from being turned into a tourist trap, but public opinion is not on her side. When locals begin blasting in the cave, Wes and a fellow ranger investigate – and a confrontation spirals into a deadly chase deep under the Kentucky mountains!

Yes, there are even comics about people who explore caves. Claustrophobics be warned. Here’s a 7-page preview. One of the characters are named Corey, so I don’t really think it’s possible for this to not be awesome.

(And if you haven’t read Whiteout, I highly recommend it. I haven’t seen the movie yet, but I haven’t really heard good things about it. Like with Watchmen and League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, ignore the movie and enjoy the comic.)

Things Undone – $12.95
By Shane White
80 pages; published by NBM Publishing’s ComicsLit; available at Amazon.com

The author of the acclaimed “North Country” is back with a dark comedy. Despite Rick Watt’s best efforts to keep it together, he feels his life is falling apart, turning him into a zombie. After a cross-country move with girlfriend in tow, his fresh start turns into a festering mess. As a video game artist, Rick is subjected to the incompetence of three bosses and a kinky art director. His overactive imagination helps him cope until… his seven-year relationship tailspins and his ex takes flight with the guy across the parking lot. Other jobs and a new GF don’t look any better. Caught between his fantasy world and reality, Rick decides to pull the trigger.
With a foreword by Robert Kirkman, creator of the Walking Dead.

Here’s a 10-page preview. That flooded comics scene might be the most horrific thing I’ve ever seen in my life.

Outlaw: The Legend of Robin Hood – $11.99
By Tony Lee & Sam Hart
160 pages; published by Candlewick Press; available at Amazon.com

How did Robin of Loxley become Robin Hood? Why did he choose to fight injustice instead of robbing for his own gain? Expressive and gritty, this graphic novel whisks readers back to Crusades-era England, where the Sheriff of Nottingham rules with an iron fist, and in the haunted heart of Sherwood Forest, a defiant rogue — with the help of his men and the lovely Maid Marian — disguises himself to become an outlaw. Lively language and illustrations follow the legendary hero as he champions the poor and provokes a high-stakes vendetta in a gripping adventure sure to draw a new generation of readers.

Here’s a 30-second preview for you:

And here’s the graphic novel’s blog, for interviews, reviews and some other preview images.

My Alaskan Summer
by Corinne Mucha
Maidenhousefly Comics

Bless the Xeric Grant. Without it, what would have happened to Corinne Mucha’s adorable travelogue? At 96 pages, it’s too long to be a self-published mini and it lacks a main thesis that would draw in a publisher. Still, the sweet, meandering drawings and stories are too good to lay forgotten in some sketchbook. With Mucha’s unique multimedia mode of design, cultivated illustration style and quirky storytelling voice, the Xeric seems to have been the perfect backer to print this lovely book.

My Alaskan Summer is the sort of book I always expect to see rolling from the Xeric-funded presses but rarely do. The Xeric Foundation is a great resource for cartoonists whose work deserves attention in the world of indie comics, those who don’t need the design assistance of a publishing house, and for projects that are too ambitious to meet hand-made mini standards. However, Xerics are often awarded to small potatoes productions and saddle-stitched operations as well as truly outstanding books, so in this case it’s important to make the distinction that here is a book truly in-line with the fund’s core vision and this is one artist in particular you should notice. The result of these combined efforts is something markedly indie and personal and funny and thick and hopefully en route to your local comic book store: Mucha’s My Alaskan Summer.

On the heels of Into the Wild and Grizzly Man (two Alaskan adventure stories gone awry) and the shocking introduction of Sarah Palin to mainstream American politicking, most people are just starting to realize there actually is a state nestled on the shoulder of Canada – and they’re starting to form an opinion of it. Mucha’s story about a summer spent working with her boyfriend at a family-owned Bed & Breakfast dispels and explores some of the myths surrounding “The Last Frontier” but mostly relates quaintly one version of a girl’s first foray into adulthood after graduating from college. Without directly attacking big topics like oil and ecotourism, Mucha gently skirts these issues while she talks realistically and figuratively about the highs and lows of living in Alaska.

Mucha personifies objects throughout the book, acting out delightful imaginary conversations that address restaurant food, vacuuming and excess daylight. A highlight comes when her boyfriend-at-the-time Sam grumbles about what’s wrong with Alaska and points out the flaws of their local newspaper. He complains about the inferior Anchorage Daily News, preferring his beloved New York Times, and in response to his sigh, “Oh Times. I miss you,” the next panel shows the Times at a desk with a window overlooking the New York cityscape, dreamily touching a picture of Sam and saying “I miss you, too.”

The style of Mucha’s illustration is focused but chaotic, implementing all sorts of textural elements and Gumby-like motions with quick swipes of ink applied all over by a single pen. It has the overall effect of a greeting card image in some respects.

The images are rendered in black and white, the book is perfect bound with a color cover. It’s available from the artist’s website for $10, or at last weekend’s SPX at the debut price of $8 (provided you have access to a time machine).

- Sarah Morean