Aaron Williams

"No Child Left Behind" continues Aaron Williams' PS238 series about superhero kids at a boarding school with the collected issues 11-15. The book is also where the series picks up a little - there's less time spent on character introductions, and heavier use of interlocking plot threads; 12 & 13 fit together (along with later issues), as do 14 & 15 (which ends on a cliffhanger, leading into the next volume).

It's a welcome change; most notably, Williams ratchets up the tension when he needs show more to without trying to compress things into single issues. He also adds some nice touches where scenes from earlier issues foreshadow or (in the case of time travel) match scenes in the longer storylines, allowing the backstory to add weight and humor without being required reading. The little touches make the world itself more convincing, too.

The longer buildup also gives space for more of the humor in the tenser storylines - while the necessity of playing some things seriously does reduce the space for jokes, the multi-issue arcs feel more expansive. As a result, they lose less than the single-issue serious arcs. Aaron Williams has used part of the series to build up to the issues compiled in "No Child Left Behind"; he uses the payoff well, and without losing the comedy. show less

This series does what all the best funny series do; it starts introducing actual plots and continuity. It gives it depth and makes it more than just a gag strip, which makes it all the more engaging while still being quite amusing.

North 40 is a graphic novel compilation of a self contained series of the same name, published by Wildstorm Productions, an imprint of DC comics. I completely missed these on their original release in 2009-2010. The creative team was writer Aaron Williams, art Fiona Staples and letters Rob Leigh. List price is $17.99 for a 144 page book, but Amazon discounts to $12.99, eligible for free shipping if you order > $25 worth of stuff (may I suggest adding The Courtyard by Alan Moore and Only the show more End of the World Again by Neil Gaiman as a nice Lovecraftian combination package?). In all respects it is a handsome production.

Welcome to the incredibly tedious town of Lufton. Our story begins with Robert and Dyan, a couple of misfits, reading from a book from the restricted section of the library at Vidette U (of course, not too restricted or we could never kick start the plot, right?). Unfortunately for everyone concerned, even the simple act of reading the text allows a tentacled thing to manifest and spread its influence across the entire county. We then meet some other principle characters: Sherriff Morgan, Wyatt, Amanda, Luanne. Suddenly everyone is overwhelmed by some sort of noxious miasma and about this time absolute mayhem grips the community as everyone awakens from unsettling dreams at 6:33 AM the next morning. Some residents of Conover County have transformed into horrible hybrids of humanity and monstrous things, and busy themselves devouring or dismembering anyone they encounter. Of course any semblance of a plot is just that; what follows is a series of very loosely linked vignettes, where horror piles on top of horror. We more or less follow the adventures of our protagonists. Wyatt, an outsider with a loser for a father escapes several close calls, Amanda meets a witch who puts her on the path of destiny to save the world, Sherriff Morgan proves remarkably resolute and Luanne has some sort of second sight. A big dance is planned at the high school and whoever shows up probably won’t like what’s on the menu. Dyan periodically shows up trying to induce further carnage while Robert was just a harmless geek and his been exerting his influence to stop Cthulhu’s aura from spreading beyond the borders of the county. It turns out all of our new friends have an important part to play, trying to prevent Cthulhu from rising again. The witch and the sheriff know each other from way back, and each chooses a protégé to help out (Amanda and Wyatt). If it sounds a bit confused, it’s because it is.

I really liked this book but don’t expect a very tight plot like Fall of Cthulhu from Boom Studios. Mostly the story is an excuse for some pretty ghoulish goings on, each no more than a page or two. What makes it a really terrific read is the snappy dialogue, which was quite fun, and the outstanding art by Fiona Staples. Everything is amazingly attractive to look at. I can’t really choose a favorite panel but the image of Cthulhu and the baby with bulldog ant pincers were both quite effective. Eventually the world is somewhat saved but Dyan and Robert are still in the aether, working at cross purposes, and the door is open for potential sequels. North 40 is entertaining Cthulhu mythos eye candy, just about perfect if you don’t tax your brain too much by thinking about it very hard. show less

I love these graphic novels. The comics are just packed with wit, unique characters and interesting plots. The continuing story of Tyler as Moon Shadow, and how he's become a hero to the kids with superpowers, is wonderful. "Agent" Cecil is becoming one of my favorites too. Fabulous series!