Canister X – A.P. Fuchs: Zombie, Paranormal Romance and Superhero Novelist, Blogger, Artist, Publisher

For those who follow me on Twitter and Facebook, you know I’m a huge American Splendor fan. Harvey’s autobiographical comic book series is sheer genius and displays not only his writing talents, but also fantastic art from R. Crumb, Gary Dumm, and even *gasp* Alan Moore (back when he did cartooning). Of course, a ton of other awesome artists have illustrated Harvey’s stories over the years. The more American Splendor I read, the sadder I get that Harvey is no longer with us. Would loved to have met him at one point.

The movie, American Splendor, is awesome. The following graphic novel gives you a look behind-the-scenes at how the movie came to be, Harvey’s adventures and misadventures while promoting it, and an inside look at a man who found out that fame isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be.

Pick up this book. It’ll be good for you.

Johnny Saturn is a longtime-running webcomic by Scott and Benita Story. It’s an epic superhero tale with stellar art and a strong story, and while the book is called Johnny Saturn, it features a wide cast of other metahumans, their journeys and struggles.

Johnny Saturn: Synns Of The Father collects the first 5 issues of the series, when the evil Dr. Horatio Synn strikes and the aged Johnny Saturn has to step in and set him straight.

Please support a solid indie comic and grab a copy of this graphic novel. If you go to the website–and hopefully click on some banner ads while you’re there to support the comic–you’ll see this is a quality story that is a must-have on your shelf.

Click Here to Order from Amazon.com

If you haven’t seen American Splendor, stop what you’re doing and watch this trailer:

Then go and rent/buy the movie. It’s a must-see for not only comic book fans and those who love the late Harvey Pekar’s work, but also those who need a boost to get through life itself. I’ve seen this flick several times now, and I love it more with each viewing. Harvey and I have a lot in common: both lonely, both depressed, both write comics, both love to read, both self-publishers, and more. If you’re like me or Harvey, then, please, see this movie, then go read the book American Splendor and More American Splendor: The Life and Times of Harvey Pekar, which was made from a collection of American Splendor (Harvey’s autobiographical comic book series) stories to serve as a companion piece to the movie.

You’ll love it. You just will.

Click Here to Order from Amazon.com

A few weeks ago, John Porcellino’s first King-Cat graphic novel, King-Cat Classix, was listed on this blog as a must-read book. I just finished reading his second, Map of my Heart, and I was blown away. Though the first one was very good, this one is even better. Very sharp, very bittersweet. Really felt a kinship with John as he wrote about life, love, loss, comics and more. Quite a bit of what he’s been through I’ve been through myself.

Like I mentioned elsewhere recently, until you’ve read King-Cat, you’ve never really read comics. Check this stuff ASAP. You’ll be glad you did.

Click Here to Order from Amazon.com

This book from longtime zinester, John Porcellino, is amazing. It’s the first graphic novel in a series of King-Cat graphic novels from Drawn and Quarterly that collects the best comics from the early years of Porcellino’s 20-plus-year comic book zine, King-Cat.

I strongly recommend it for anyone searching to read comics with meaning, depth and something that celebrates the ups and downs of life.

Click Here to Order from Amazon.com

Bag of Bones by Stephen King is one of my favorite books. I read it very early on in my writing career and it’s stuck with me ever since. I heard they were making a movie of it but, like a lot of things in Hollywood, it hasn’t come to fruition.

This book has a special place on my shelf, and it should have one on yours, too.

Click Here to Order from Amazon.com

Making Comics by Scott McCloud is comics univeristy between two covers.

It isn’t a how-to-draw book, but a how-to-make-comics-right book.

And it’s amazing.

Click Here to Order from Amazon.com

If there’s one person I’ve stumbled upon on the Net that has a crazy passion for comics like I do, it’s Alec Longstreth.

I’ve only corresponded with him once but he seems like a real cool guy.

I read his graphic novel Phase 7 #001 – #004, which collects, you guessed it, the first four issues of his self-published minicomic, Phase 7.

Man . . . I loved it. It’s autobio work, funny, a celebration of geek culture and more.

You’d do well to check this guy out. (And I’m doing so again, because I got his second book, Transitions, on order as I type this.)

Click Image to Order from Amazon.com

This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti was one of the first novels I ever read. I was maybe 10 or 11 at the time. This book was–and still is–a big deal in Christian circles because it was the first book (so far as I’m aware) to really show “what goes on behind the veil” and give insight into the spiritual war going on around us every day.

Whether you’re a Christian or not, this book is definitely worth checking out, especially for fans of dark thrillers.

It’s always held a top spot with me.

Click the Image to Order from Amazon.com

I bought this series originally because it was written by Alan Moore. I knew going into it that it was kind of like Superman but still it’s own thing.

Wow. This series remains in my top ten graphic novels of all time. Though called Supreme (created by Rob Liefeld), it is Superman. Even while reading it, you envision Superman doing all the things Supreme does. It even has it’s own Lex Luthor-like villain (Darius Dax), and Batman and Robin parellels.

So amazingly good.

If you’ve been longing for a good Superman story that conveys the awe and wonder associated with the Man of Steel, though this isn’t Superman, these books are the best places to get your fix.

Click the Image to Order from Amazon.com

Unfortunately, Amazon doesn’t have the other one, Supreme: The Story of the Year, listed, but it’s definitely worth hunting around for.