Broken Frontier

Every week, the ‘big two’ comic publishers pump out book after book about the same old super-heroes. Every week, we get more of the same old same old. Every week, the little faith I have in the super-hero genre disappears bit by bit. Once again, AdHouse Books saves the day!

No; Project: Superior does not disprove the belief that one person cannot enjoy every story in an anthology but this massive book comes damn close. Between the beautiful front and back covers by Paul Hornschemeier, an absolutely incredible amount of storytelling talent can be found. As incredible as the talent is the production quality. With a mixture of several color styles and Chris Pitzer’s design work; Project: Superior is truly a gorgeous thing to behold.

Project: Superior starts off with a story that turns from funny to cruel in Martin (Dang!) Cendreda’s signature style. He boasts a very alternative storytelling style which serves as the perfect opening for this anthology. One of the bigger names in the anthology, Brian (Demo) Wood, follows Cendreda with the dark and somber story of “The Watcher.” Jeremy Tankard is a new name to me but if he can continue to produce such quality stories, he’s one to look out for, as “The Costume” is a beautifully-drawn, touching piece. Scott Pilgrim’s Bryan Lee O’Malley turns in the next story featuring his fun writing and gorgeous, manga-inspired art.

At about this point in the book, the creativity of all these ideas will really hit you. Every idea is a breath of fresh air. From pure fun to pure poignancy, these creators are simply brilliant. The next story is no exception. Mike Dawson’s “Ace-Face” is told in three parts, dabbling in emotional power and excelling with regard to humor. Jeffrey Brown (Clumsy), a veteran of anthologies, surprisingly does not use his hero Bighead but instead gives readers the darkly humorous story of Cycloctopus. One of comics’ most unique voices, J. Chris Campbell, is up next with the hilarious and beautifully drawn “The Pollen Project.” AdHouse’s very first creator, Joel Priddy, follows him with a typically thought-provoking story that is one of the book’s stand-out efforts. Priddy’s stories are never easy and they always make you think.

At this point it would simply become too voluminous to mention every good story in this book, as virtually every tale falls into that category. The next true stand-out story belongs to John Cassaday. Yes, that John Cassaday. One of the biggest names in comics delivers a clever story with absolutely gorgeous art, which looks even better with the red-tone colors. Farel Dalrymple and Ronnie Del Carman each give readers touching stories. Following them, Jim Rugg and Brian Maruca of Street Angel fame do exactly what you expect from them as the typically weird “Afrodisiac” will leave you in hysterics. Assistant editor Dean Haspiel’s (Opposable Thumbs) three “A-OK Adventures” draw from his fertile imagination to provide tons of humor and tons of fun. It is a particular treat to see his unique, angular art under full color. Another big-name, Paul Pope, gives us the next stand-out story with the almost poetic “The Rest of Xondex Xomax” and a follow-up short joke.

Nick Abadzis follows Pope with one of the anthology’s strongest stories, the strangely poignant “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.” After some beautiful art by Tim Biskup and Nathan Jurevicius and a funny short by Heonna Song, Zack Soto gives readers an absolutely bizarre story in “The Smog Emperor Vs. The TV Guy.” With someone of Soto’s considerable talent, the term bizarre is always a compliment. The creator of Grickle, Graham Annable always leaves me wondering how he comes up with such unique ideas. Annable has once again left me perplexed in that way with the lovely “Captain Insomniac.” After a sweet story by Spanish cartoonist Fermin Solis and Tony Consiglio’s enjoyable “Titanius,” James Jean turns in the book’s best story with the appropriately titled “Superior.” The art by Jean is of course gorgeous, while his story is impressively disturbing.

It is hard to follow someone with the artistic talent of James Jean, but if anyone can do it, it’s Scott Morse. His unique painted work is beautiful in full color, while his story is appropriately uplifting after the previous story. From there, the great stories just keep on coming. Rob Ullman, Doug Fraser, Onsmith, Scott Campbell and Chris Pitzer all turn in solid efforts, while Tara McPherson displays her unique voice to the fullest. Speaking of unique, no one fits that description better than Jim Mahfood, who writes and draws a typically fun story. Indy heavyweights John Kerschbaum and Daniel Krall each deliver thoroughly enjoyable works, while Jamie Tanner makes amazing use out of one of the book’s longest stories, “Blink,” which is really indescribable. Out of the final three stories, I must admit that Victor Cayro’s story escaped me but the works of Megan Whitmarsh and Joshua W. Cotter (Skyscrapers of the Midwest) blew me away.

With incredibly creative ideas and possibly more talent than has ever been assembled in one book, I have no doubt that Project: Superior will stand out as one of the best reads of the year when all is said and done. Project: Superior is wonderfully refreshing and without a doubt the best anthology that I have ever read.

- Eliot Johnson