Man of Ten Minutes from Now

Anymore I've been reading a lot less comics and more ABOUT comics.

Wish there were some modern comics that were as hard to put down as Gerard Jones' history of the medium, Men of Tomorrow.  A book safely called a "real-page-turner", Men of Tomorrow uses the publishing careers of Donefeld and Leibowitz as a spine to hang countless fascinating stories of creators and creations during the first three decades of comics.  Jones' retelling of the creation of the first issue of (the golden age) Daredevil should be required reading for anyone who wants to make comics.  Can't recommend it enough.

I've been obsessed with Jim Aparo lately.  It's a shame most folks only know him for his later work on the Batman/Outsiders and other Bat books.  While, in my opinion, he never put out a bad page in his career, his earlier work is so much stronger.  Mostly because of his inks.  Just check out the gorgeous Showcase Presents Phantom Stranger.  Man, he's TOO damn good.  So casual and unforced.  His Spectre stuff is amazing as well.  While the Adams clone comparison often gets mentioned, Jim really had a sense of openness quite unlike the often claustraphobic Adams.  Jim's characters aren't right in your face doing the hard sell.  They're beautifully framed and walk on a solid, believable ground as they act out the story.  I'd give anything for an ounce of his talent.