Happy Seventh of July, y’all! It’s just as good a day to love America. And hot dogs. And comics!

We are wrapping up June’s Recommendable, and I got to say. Not a bad start, y’all! The picks were diverse, thoughtful, and PLENTIFUL. I had a grand time reading. Noteworthy suggestions included Jason Aaron’s Scalped, David B.’s Epileptic, Jack Kirby’s Fourth World, and Taiy? Matsumoto’s Tekkonkinkreet—I will be posting my thoughts throughout the week so check it. Then there’s my favorite-favorite for the month and its closest competitor. Countdown!

Honorable Mention:

Turaho’s pick, Denny O’Neil and Neal Adams’ run on Green Lantern/Green Arrow, was the best thought out reply to the monthly prompt—it really is essential knowledge for comic scholarship. O’Neil and Adams take two deflating DC heroes, and performs a scrutiny of America’s social injustices by way of roadtrip. A distinct veer away from the superheroics of the post-code era, this series is often commended for breaking traditions, but I think it must be equally commended for keeping them. Saturated in the comic gestures and lingo, Green Lantern/Green Arrow relishes its status as a superhero book and it is as a superhero book that it attempts to deliver its messages.

The book may not quite get social reform—they are trying to punch “racism” and “poverty” in the face—but it does get comics, and its understanding of the genre makes for some genuinely great scenes. My favorite exchange involved hillbillies accusing the costumed Hal and Ollie of wearing fancy city duds. With all its historic and canonic import, Green Lantern/Green Arrow can feel a bit like summer homework, but I really did enjoy those hillbillies. Aspiring comic writers, take heed, stay true to your roots and hillbillies. Hillbillies will always be funny.

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Winning Pick:

My favorite, and the winner of dollars towards comic goodies, is Shadowswimmer’s pick: Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon’s Preacher. It does not quite have the industry eminence of the runner-up, but it more than makes up for matters of age and history by being so freaking cool. And since everyone already apparently knows how cool it is (freaking cool), I won’t waste too much time on general drooling but share my favorite page so far.

The Adephi angels just sent the Saint of Killers after Genesis, and now they nervously await the consequences. Dillon sets the tone beautifully with an open panel on the left, graphically stressing the pathetic emptiness of Heaven with an emptied conference room. Fiore frets about the growing risk of accountability from the public, while Deblanc reminds him of more terrible ramifications from the higher ups. The dialogue is sharp; the narrative breakdown smooth and organic. Through the page, Foire grows increasingly overwhelmed, and in the last panel makes use of the second bottle dutifully depicted in Panel 1. Gosh. It is not so often that the plight of middle management gains such pathos.

I may be poking a bit of fun, but I sincerely respect Ennis and Dillon’s ability to bring the mundane and petty elements of modern life into a realm of fantasy, and infuse them with deliberation and poignancy. The everyday gains mythical dimension, and conversely, what was once mythical becomes everyday. Wrapped up in sarcasm, bureaucracy, and inebriation, the angels sense of impotency become incredibly human. The storytelling is tight, the characters charismatic, and the plot, incredibly riveting. It comes as no surprise to me that the series is getting reprinting, and as soon as I have a good day at the tracks, I will be getting myself a nice little present.

15% OFF Preacher at Midtown Comics!

And so ends the first round of Recommendable, dear readers. I will be posting more reviews from June’s reading list, and posting up July’s prompt shortly for more discussion, so keep reading and picking. I’m counting on your support!