This Week's Staff Picks
Here are some new titles that the staff at Atomic Books are way into this week.
33 1/3 Volume 88: They Might Be Giants' Flood by S. Alexander Reed / Charles Philip Sandifer / Philip Sandifer
picked by Benn
It's been too long since we've had a new installment in the excellent 33 1/3 series, but Vol. 88 makes the wait worth it. While the selection of this book bolsters my argument with friends that Flood is the more important record, not Lincoln, it also serves as a fascinating look at how the success of this record marks the rise of geek culture. The nerds shall inherit the Earth.
As You Were #2 by Mitch Clem (editor)
picked by Haleigh
Oh hey, look! A comic book about going to punk shows! Weird how I would like this, right? The first one was awesome. The second one did not disappoint me. I dig the mosh pit theme for it too. I can't really narrow down my favorite artist in this one, because I'm into almost all of them.
Diableries: Stereoscopic Adventures in Hell by Brian May / Denis Pellerin / Paula Fleming
picked by Benn
The chance is very good that by the time you read this, this book will already be sold out. When we originally got in copies, it sold out in a day. We were able to get some more in, but it looks like this book is already going in between printings. Why? Well, first, look at the author list. Yes, it is THAT Brian May (legendary guitarist of Queen - he happens to be an expert in Diableries). Second, this gorgeous, hardcover, slipcased collection of 3D dioramas all set in Hell also comes with a 3D viewer so you can see this 19th century artwork as was intended.
Late Century Dream: Movements In The US Indie Music Underground by Tom Howells / Noel Gardner / Pavel Godfrey / Brian Howe
by Haleigh
The stories in this book are go city by city. I've only been able to get to Austin and Huston, Texas. It immediately kicks in with interviews and show stories about the big boys. There is stuff about Superchunk and JFA at the end too. Also, tons of pictures of show flyers and insane sets. It's killer! BAMM!!
Sandman Overture #1 by Neil Gaiman / J.H. Williams III
picked by John
With Sandman Overture #1, writer Neil Gaiman and artist J.H. Williams III accomplish in a single issue what decades of recommendations from goth-y friends couldn't; they convinced me to go back to the beginning and dive into Gaiman's much-loved Sandman mythology. The new series is a six-part prequel to the original comic, and for once the interior art is as good as the covers. Interesting layouts, lush with detail, and an assured sense of pacing make this a must read for comic fans.
Soul Train: The Music, Dance, And Style Of A Generation by Questlove
picked by Benn
Not to sell Questlove's prose short here, he does a great job of outlining the legacy of the TV show Soul Train and putting it into a fitting cultural context, but the pictures here are pure gold. The styles, the stars - it comes as close as anyone can reasonably expect to capturing the magic of being a child, turning on Don Cornelius' show and being mesmerized by the crazy music, the crazier fashion and the even crazier dance moves. Sooooooouuuulllllll Traaaaaaaaiiiiiiiinn....
Uzumaki (Deluxe Edition) by Junji Ito
picked by Julia
Japanese horror manga master Junji Ito is back with a new, deluxe one-volume edition of Uzumaki, or "the Spiral." Residents of a small Japanese town begin to grow an obsession with spiral imagery. Is it a curse? Surely it must be as spiral-related deaths begin tearing through the town. Junji Ito's trippy horrific manga is always a fun read, and Uzumaki is both terrifying and beautiful.
picked by Benn
It's been too long since we've had a new installment in the excellent 33 1/3 series, but Vol. 88 makes the wait worth it. While the selection of this book bolsters my argument with friends that Flood is the more important record, not Lincoln, it also serves as a fascinating look at how the success of this record marks the rise of geek culture. The nerds shall inherit the Earth.
picked by Haleigh
Oh hey, look! A comic book about going to punk shows! Weird how I would like this, right? The first one was awesome. The second one did not disappoint me. I dig the mosh pit theme for it too. I can't really narrow down my favorite artist in this one, because I'm into almost all of them.
picked by Benn
The chance is very good that by the time you read this, this book will already be sold out. When we originally got in copies, it sold out in a day. We were able to get some more in, but it looks like this book is already going in between printings. Why? Well, first, look at the author list. Yes, it is THAT Brian May (legendary guitarist of Queen - he happens to be an expert in Diableries). Second, this gorgeous, hardcover, slipcased collection of 3D dioramas all set in Hell also comes with a 3D viewer so you can see this 19th century artwork as was intended.
by Haleigh
The stories in this book are go city by city. I've only been able to get to Austin and Huston, Texas. It immediately kicks in with interviews and show stories about the big boys. There is stuff about Superchunk and JFA at the end too. Also, tons of pictures of show flyers and insane sets. It's killer! BAMM!!
Sandman Overture #1 by Neil Gaiman / J.H. Williams IIIpicked by John
With Sandman Overture #1, writer Neil Gaiman and artist J.H. Williams III accomplish in a single issue what decades of recommendations from goth-y friends couldn't; they convinced me to go back to the beginning and dive into Gaiman's much-loved Sandman mythology. The new series is a six-part prequel to the original comic, and for once the interior art is as good as the covers. Interesting layouts, lush with detail, and an assured sense of pacing make this a must read for comic fans.
picked by Benn
Not to sell Questlove's prose short here, he does a great job of outlining the legacy of the TV show Soul Train and putting it into a fitting cultural context, but the pictures here are pure gold. The styles, the stars - it comes as close as anyone can reasonably expect to capturing the magic of being a child, turning on Don Cornelius' show and being mesmerized by the crazy music, the crazier fashion and the even crazier dance moves. Sooooooouuuulllllll Traaaaaaaaiiiiiiiinn....
picked by Julia
Japanese horror manga master Junji Ito is back with a new, deluxe one-volume edition of Uzumaki, or "the Spiral." Residents of a small Japanese town begin to grow an obsession with spiral imagery. Is it a curse? Surely it must be as spiral-related deaths begin tearing through the town. Junji Ito's trippy horrific manga is always a fun read, and Uzumaki is both terrifying and beautiful.
Comments