On The Shelf: Free Comic Book Day, part 2

 Let's take a look at another batch of Free Comic Book Day entries.

Fantagraphics is reintroducing older readers, and also introducing new readers, to underground legend Gilbert Shelton's most famous creations, The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers, and, in the backup, Fat Freddy's Cat. Fantagraphics is gleefully boasting about the Freak Brothers predating the emergence of the likes of Cheech & Chong in relation to drug-centric humor. Definitely for mature readers. With the legalization of marijuana in many states, mostly for medicinal purposes, the humor here is not as relevant as they think.

Rating: None. Just not my jam.

Papercutz is marking the 65th anniversary of the Smurfs with a new graphic novel compilation. There's at least one or two stories in this volume that eventually were adapted for television in the 80's. The book is a little smaller than the average comic in terms of height (you'll see what I mean). Parents, your kids will love it.

Rating: A.

Golden Age hero Crimebuster, not to be confused with the DC hero from the 80's, is being rebooted by Comic House for the modern era. Not only that, but Chuck Chandler, Crimebuster's alter ego, is now much, much younger. If it was possible to make Lev Gleason & Charles Biro's go-to villain, Iron Jaw, scarier than ever, Comic House pulled it off beautifully.

Rating: A-.

The legendary Frank Frazetta has found a home at Opus Comics. Frazettaverse previews three different books in the line. This is one book that should've been kept far away from the little ones because of language and nudity, the latter in the first story in the volume. Mature readers only.

Rating: B.

Marvel has partnered with Mars Wrigley for a 1-shot featuring those M & M's mascots, except it seems this story was written before they added Purple. Mistaken Identity borrows a plot idea from a classic Sherlock Holmes novel (and if you don't know which one, I'm embarrassed for you), but with six "detectives" on the case. Silly fun.

Rating: A+.

Marvel is also teaming with Disney Junior for a 1-shot comics & activity book based on Spidey & His Amazing Friends. Here, a female version of Dr. Octopus factors into two short stories. The format is similar, slightly to Spidey Super Stories, a spin-off from the original Electric Company that ran in comics form longer than it did on TV (the book was cancelled in 1981-2). And they say Marvel doesn't want to do comedy?

Rating: For the target audience: A+. For the rest of us, A.

Tom Scioli's latest biography chronicles the life of Marvel legend Stan Lee. If you thought you knew everything, Scioli takes you all the way back to Stan's earliest days during the Golden Age. The complete tome isn't due until September.

Rating: A.

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Fans of Netflix's Disenchantment, while they're waiting for part 5, which would start season 3, can check out more than 500 pages of unpublished story & art in a graphic novel collection coming from Titan in September. Series creator Matt Groening (The Simpsons, Futurama, Life is Hell) closed down Bongo Comics a while ago after the end of Simpsons Comics and its associated series, so it'll be great to see his creations back in print.

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On a lark, I picked up a Batman Beyond trade paperback, dating back to the New 52 era or earlier. Unfortunately, "Batgirl Beyond", the story that is supposed to be the central entry in this volume, shows up in the center of the tome instead, sandwiched around unrelated reprints scattershot throughout. Maybe, if fans want it, a compendium might put everything in order and perspective, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

Rating: C-.

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Unfortunately, for readers in the 518, we have to close on a sad note.

As Albany's Earthworld Comics marks 40 years of business this year, owner JC Glindmyer, who acquired the store in 1988, passed away due to heart issues on Monday. Do yourselves a favor, pilgrims, and drop a sympathy card at Earthworld on Central Avenue. They'll thank you for it.