#dear creature

Dear Creature by Jonathan Case (2016 from Dark Horse, 2011 edition from Tor) 

https://soundcloud.com/twoplai/dear-creature-by-jonathan-case-dark-horse-tor

'Dear Creature' by Jonathan Case, originally published in 2011 but re-published in 2016 by Dark Horse, is Saturday's Smaller Press book (ok ok, Dark Horse is not small, but for more small press picks, see yesterday's episode!) Paul talks about Case's craft in pulling together a strange and beautiful story about a sea monster and his Shakespeare-fueled love. After meeting Jonathan Case at a signing, Paul is inspired to offer a rare Halloween recommendation, and finds the book lovely and alarmingly weird. Let's dig deep.

Amazon Associates link to Dear Creature: amzn.to/2eVQsWn and Jonathan Case's other books: amzn.to/2f1H4hr

What is it?

Dear Creature by Jonathan Case

What is it about?

After discovering the writings of Shakespeare, a sea creature seeks a place in the seemingly beautiful world above. 

Why you should read it?

With its combination of 1950s-drive-in-theater horror and tragic love story, this exquisitely written and illustrated graphic novel is bizarre, but its remarkable charm will have readers enchanted with the monster’s tale of longing and remorse. 

Is this series complete?

Yes, this is a standalone, but it is the newly released hardcover edition.

Need more convincing?

I stumbled upon this graphic novel when it was originally released several years ago.  I cannot express how much I enjoyed reading it.  Now that it has been republished in a new hardcover format, I implore readers to check it out! Here’s the trailer from the original release - prepare to be intrigued…

PREVIEW | Dear Creature (Dark Horse Books)

Hardcover/black & white/$22.99 (US)

Due in stores 28 September 2016

Story & art: Jonathan Case

DEAR CREATURE HC

(W/A/CA) Jonathan Case

Deep beneath the waves Grue discovers love after finding Shakespeare's plays in cola bottles. When his first attempt at companionship in the world above ends . . . poorly, Grue searches for the person who cast the plays into the sea. What he finds is love in the arms of Giulietta?but with his wicked past catching up to him, Grue must decide if becoming a new man means ignoring the monster he was. o Brand-new hardcover edition of Jonathan Case's debut graphic novel!

DEPT H #4

(W/A/CA) Matt Kindt

With time running out, Mia launches a final, desperate attempt to rescue her brother. But the mission is endangered as soon as it begins when the crew encounters the dangers of the ocean floor: earthquakes, lava, and the creatures that lurk in the deep.

DRAGON AGE INQUISITION TP POSTER COLLECTION

(A)   Various

Collecting twenty premium-quality posters from BioWare's fan-favorite, award-winning fantasy video game epic! Dark Horse is proud to present this assembly of removable prints, featuring gorgeous art hand selected by the game's creators. Whether you're a hardcore fan or new to the world of Dragon Age, this beautiful poster book is not to be missed!

EC ARCHIVES WEIRD FANTASY HC VOL 02

(W) Bill Gaines & Various (A) Al Feldstein & Various

The fantasies just get weirder at Dark Horse! This wonderful and bizarre volume collects issues #7-#12 of the groundbreaking comics anthology-remastered in glorious digital color! Featuring twenty-four breathtaking tales from iconic writers and artists including Al Feldstein, Jack Kamen, George Roussos, Wally Wood, Joe Orlando, and Max Elkan.