Everyone knows that the Jim Henson was a genius. Whether you watch Fraggle Rock or The Dark Crystal or The Muppet Movie, you know immediately that this was a man whose imagination worked on a different level. He could conceive and give life to concepts that made you think, made you cry or just made you laugh. But with the publication of Tale of Sand from Archaia, we see that Henson’s brilliance was greater than I think any of us realized.

Tale of Sand was originally a screenplay for a Jim Henson movie that, unfortunately, never got made. It was written by Henson and longtime writing partner Jerry Juhl between 1967 and 1974 and has sat in the Henson archives, gathering dust, until now. Thankfully, Archaia has teamed up with The Jim Henson Company and Henson’s own daughter Lisa to bring the screenplay to life as a graphic novel. To accomplish this they have enlisted the insanely talented Ramon Perez to turn Henson’s words into a story you will never forget.

At its simplest, Tale of Sand is a story about a man who goes on a journey in the desert of the American Southwest for some unknown reason. Along the way we meet and experience things that don’t seem to make a whole lot of sense. Part parody, part comedy, it is a book that will make you think and make you look at graphic novels, and Jim Henson, differently.

There is very little dialogue, so the bulk of the story is told through the pictures and images on the page. Perez does this masterfully as you never get confused; never have to wonder what panel to look at next. The story flows from page to page and you’ll get get lost in this very eccentric, very beautiful tale. I should make special mention of the coloring as Perez and Ian Herring use what looks like a simple color palette to make the drawings leap off the page. The first seven or so pages will make your head spin with their beauty and will make understand you are in for a great ride.

In many ways, I can see why Henson and Juhl could never get the screenplay turned into a film. It would take a certain kind of person to appreciate what they had created here. In my opinion, Tale of Sand works much better as a graphic novel. With the unlimited budget of comics, the story can come to life with no limitations and be presented just as Henson would have wanted. Plus, I think comic book fans can value a story like this more than the average moviegoer.

Jim Henson’s Tale of Sand is a must own for any Henson fan. Hell, it’s a must own for any fan of graphic literature. It’s a book you will come back to again and again and will always find something new that you didn’t see before. Go get this book.

Archaia has been kind enough to provide us with a copy of Jim Henson’s Tale of Sand to give away to one lucky Geekadelphia reader. Just leave a comment about which Muppet is you favorite and we’ll pick a random winner at the end of next week.

Please make sure to leave an e-mail address with your comment and books can only be sent to addresses in the United States and Canada.

For most people, the South Pole is one of those places that we know about in the abstract. Most of us will never get the chance to go there and see it for ourselves, but we know it exists.

Now imagine it is 100 years ago and you are part of a team that is racing to be one of the first humans to see the South Pole. Not only that, you are competing with another team to see who will get there first. What would inspire such a journey and what toll would it take on those involved?

That is the subject of the book Race to The End: Amundsen, Scott, and the Attainment of the South Pole. Written by Ross MacPhee, it examines the reasoning behind the expedition, what was learned and what it cost those involved.

For the science geeks among us, MacPhee will be doing a book signing and author talk at the Academy of Natural Sciences Wednesday, February 1st at 6:30 pm. The event is free and open to the public, so you have no excuse not to attend and learn a little something about one of the most remote areas on the planet.

An Evening with Ross MacPhee @ the Academy of Natural Sciences
Wednesday, February 1st, 2012
www.ansp.org/adult-programs/lectures.php

Academy of Natural Sciences
1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 299-1009
www.ansp.org

Last year, he published his first novel, Gideon’s War, and espionage/thriller starring Gideon Davis, international peacemaker and all around man of action. The book garnered great reviews as fans found a new hero who could stand along side the likes of Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan and David Hagberg’s Kirk McGarvey.

Now Gordon has published his follow up, Hard Target. This time Gideon Davis has to enlist the aid of his brother to try to stop a group of home grown terrorists from taking out the entire top level of the American government. The two brothers are on their own with little support as they try to stop a madman from destroying America.

What I really enjoyed about the book is at how brisk a pace the plot moved. Gordon wastes no time and few words getting the plot moving and doesn’t let up as you get further into the book. So many thrillers waste so much time and energy setting things up or getting the players in position. With Hard Target, the story moves fast from page one and doesn’t let you go until you reach the last page.

Add to that some of the best characters I’ve ever read and it makes for a great book. Gideon Davis is a different type of hero. He seems like the kind of guy you could go and have a beer with, and then he would go and save the world. He is relatable, which is something missing from other books in this genre. That goes for the rest of the cast as well. Gideon’s brother Tillman, his fiancée Kate Murphy, even heavy Dale Wilmot, they all are characters I feel like I could know. In so many books like this the characters are either stereotypes or thin cardboard cutouts. It’s nice to read a book where that’s not the case.

Hard Target is a great, fun book that will please any fan of the genre. I know I’m really looking forward to the next Gideon Davis adventure and you will too.

As anyone who likes to read knows, Flash Fiction has taken the literary scene by storm over the last few years. Short, powerful stories that are usually only a couple pages or, in some cases, just a couple paragraphs, they distill fiction down to it’s simplest, most basic form and are full of power and emotion.

Stripped: A Collection of Anonymous Flash, edited by local Philadelphian Nicole Monaghan, takes that premise one step further and gives it a twist. The new anthology, which collects Flash Fiction from authors such as Meg Tuite, Michelle Reale and Robert Smartwood, removes the author’s bylines from the fiction so you will have no idea who wrote what stories in the anthology. It makes the book a unique reading experience and a fun guessing game to boot.

There is going to be a launch party for Stripped: A Collection of Anonymous Flash on Saturday, February 4th at Fergie’s Pub in Philadelphia. The fun starts at 2:00 PM and several of the contributors will be attending and doing some readings from the book. Maybe with enough drinks, you can find out which author wrote what story. Regardless, it should be a great time for all.

Fergie’s Pub
www.fergies.com

There’s a memorable scene in the “Tricks and Treats” episode of Freaks and Geeks in which an English teacher berates her young students for doing book reports on titles like the novelization of Star Wars and Al Jaffee’s Snappy Answers to Stupid Questions.

When I heard the name of the latter title announced, a knowing smile crept across my face — in fifth grade I too wrote a report about the book that was received pretty much the same way. I’m sure I’m not alone. You see, that paperback introduction to the wonderful world of sarcasm has been a schoolyard staple since it was first published in 1975 as a spin-off of Jaffee’s popular Mad feature.

While the aforementioned snarkfest remains my personal favorite of Jaffee’s works, there is no doubt that his greatest contribution to the magazine — and pop culture in general — is the Mad Fold-In. Since 1964 the interactive joke has been closing out each issue of Mad, and each and every one of these gags has been written and illustrated by Jaffee. As the decades have progressed the publication has withered into an edgeless shell of its former self, yet the Fold-Ins have remained sharp and hilarious.

At the age of 90, Jaffee’s wit and talent continues to inspire fans and contemporaries alike. So it is something of a profound honor to have him visiting the Gershman Y this week. Joined by biographer Mary-Lou Weisman (author of the insightful Al Jaffee’s Mad Life), the cartoonist/humorist will be on hand to discuss his work as well as his childhood in which his family fled from their home in Lithuania to the U.S. when Hitler ascended to power.

If you attend, expect to hold court with a true living legend. And if you decide to ask him a question, make it a good one or prepare to suffer the humiliating consequences…

Al Jaffee @ The Gershman Y
Tuesday, January 17th at 7pm. $8 to attend/$22 to attend & receive an autographed copy of Al Jaffee’s Mad Life.

The Gershman Y
401 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
215-446-3022
www.gershmany.org

Written by Philadelphia native Josh Hechinger and illustrated by mpMann, Archaia Entertainment’s graphic novel The Grave Doug Freshley uses its Old West setting to tell a fun story about life, death and the awesome lengths one man will go to keep a promise. In this tale, that man is Doug Freshley, a former teacher who devotes his time to looking after his friend Shane’s rambunctious son, Bat.

When the notorious Delancey gang arrives on Shane’s homestead, they ruthlessly butcher him and his wife. Having sworn to look after Bat no matter what, Doug’s task is complicated after he himself is murdered by one of the Delancey varmints. Unwilling to let his own death stand in the way of his obligations, Doug just keeps on going like an undead Energizer Bunny.

What follows is a smart and at times surprising touching story about friendship that follows Doug and Bat as they bond and dole out frontier justice to the Delanceys. (It’s not really spoiling anything to say that they do…and in grand style). But when Doug learns that the Grim Reaper is none-too-pleased with how he has cheated death the stage is set for a showdown between the two that is (naturally) held at high noon.

Over the course of the 168-page book, readers witness the Doug and Bat’s relationship evolve from teacher and pupil to makeshift father and son — with both of the characters learning from each other along the way. Hechinger peppers the story with darkly comedic moments that are complimented by mpMann’s whimsical illustration work. And although the main character here is technically a zombie himself, there’s no The Walking Dead-style gore or world-weariness to be found here. Instead, the book revels in the joy that comes from getting through another day in an era when death was as a constant part of everyday life.

After finishing reading The Grave Doug Freshley, I found myself wondering what would happen to the characters next. (Note to AMC: this comic has some serious television potential). The release mashes up elements of Deadwood and Mort the Dead Teenager to create a wholly original creation that easily ranks amongst the best works I’ve read in ages. Believe me pardners, you don’t want to miss this offbeat tale of friendship against impossible odds.

The Grave Doug Freshley hits stores via Archaia this week. Pre-order a copy on Amazon!

Contest Closed!

Ever since his first appearance in The Crystal Shard in 1988, Drizzt Do’Urden has been one of the most popular characters in the world of fantasy literature. With his twin scimitar blades, ebony black skin and white mane of hair, he captured the imagination of gamers everywhere and became more than just a character on a page. Along with the heroes of the Dragonlance trilogy, he put Dungeons & Dragons novels on the map and made most of them must reads for fans of the game as well as lovers of high adventure.

Now Drizzt makes his return in the second chapter of the Neverwinter trilogy, named, appropriately enough, Neverwinter. R.A. Salvatore picks up where book one, Gauntlgrym, left off and shows us a Drizzt entering a new phase of his life, which is part of what makes this such a great read.

Salvatore gives us a Drizzt at a crossroads in his life. The last of the Companions of the Hall has fallen and for the first time the Dark Elf is truly alone. It makes for a fascinating, intense read that takes a new and different look at one of the oldest characters in the world of Forgotten Realms fiction. It’s what made it stand apart from other books starring Drizzt that I have read; you really feel like you get inside his head and you are watching the birth of a new Drizzt that is beginning, as he calls it, “a new road”.

Add in a new companion in the vengeful elf Dahlia, the evil machinations of Sylora Salm and her undead army and thrilling action sequences as only Salvatore can write them and you have the makings of one great book.

Now, I should warn you that if you aren’t familiar with Drizzt, Neverwinter or the
Forgotten Realms in general, this trilogy will make a lousy place to start. It is supposed to be setting the ground work for the story in the new Dungeons & Dragons: Neverwinter PC game coming in 2012, but you still need to be able to tell a Dark Elf from a Dread Ring to follow the story. Luckily however, Salvatore has written all the Drizzt novels to date, so getting up to speed will be a blast.

In Neverwinter, Salvatore has again shown everyone what makes Drizzt Do’Urden such
a ridiculously cool character and why everyone wants to play a Drow whenever you start a new D&D campaign.

So want to read Neverwinter for free? Good, because Wizards of the Coast was kind enough to give us a hardcover copy to give away to one lucky Geekadelphia reader. Just leave a comment telling us your favorite D&D novel and we’ll pick a random winner at the end of next week. Please make sure to leave an e-mail address with your comment and books can only be sent to addresses in the United States and Canada.

What would the Founding Fathers think of Facebook? You gotta admit, that is one intriguing question, especially as Philadelphians. I mean, we kinda love those guys.

What would they have thought about using technology to bring down governments, serve as a platform to get folks elected, draft new laws, etc? Would they have loved Facebook and Twitter, or loathed it?

Well, next week the National Constitution Center is going to try to help answer that question, thanks to a visit from “bestselling author Lori Andrew, New York Times reporter Jennifer Preston and Forbes blogger Kashmir Hill to discuss the erosion of privacy online.”

Lori will be talking about her book I Know Who You Are and I Saw What You Did: Social Networks and the Death of Privacy, and will be joined by Preston and Hill, on Thursday, January 12th at 6:30pm. Admission is only $7 for members of the NCC, $10 for non-members.

Founding Fathers & Social Media Talk @ the NCC
Thursday, January 12th, 6:30pm

National Constitution Center
525 Arch Street (19106)
(215) 409-6600
www.constitutioncenter.org

The Western has made something of a comeback in recent years. You saw the Coen Brothers’ remake of True Grit, and you walked around for a week afterward slurring, “I aim to kill ya in less’n a minute.” (Well, I did, and I slept on the couch that week.) Recent entries in the genre have taken an edgier approach than did their classic counterparts: Jonah Hex mixed in the supernatural, and Cowboys and Aliens, well…it had cowboys. And aliens. And Doniel Craig with a laser gun! You get the idea.

While Westerns have had recent success as the box office, they remain a marginalized genre in print. Local author Don Corcoran aims to change that with his forthcoming novel A Road Paved in Iron: A Voodoo Western. The story revolves around an African-American Union soldier’s search for his missing mother in the Louisiana bayou, and the mysteries he uncovers as he seeks her out. Corcoran describes his first book as a “Western fantasy,” inspired by his interest in comparative religion and especially in Haitian Vodoun. Think traditional spaghetti Western meets Stephen King’s The Dark Tower Series, another of Don’s inspirations.

In Don’s own words:

Not only do I want to see my writing in someone else’s eager hands, I also want to bring back a genre that gets so little attention in the print media today – the Western. I want people to be inspired by my books to go back to the classics of Elmore Leonard, Zane Gray and Louis L’Amore. There is something enduring and endearing about the characters and landscapes of these writers that I have always wanted to capture. Add a heap of speculation and wonder to those classic authors and you’ve hit upon the types of stories I want to share.

Voodoo Western? Consider me interested. Don explains that he’s reaching out to fans of all stripes: Science-fiction geeks; steampunk aficionados; historians; gamers. Visit the site to see how you might give Don a hand. There’s a multitude of ways to help out, an equal number of rewards, and some special surprises in store if Don reaches his first milestone of $3000 by December 22nd.

So what do you get for donating? A virtual hierarchy of swag, ranging from a PDF copy of the book (for backers who contribute a mere $5) up to membership in a secret society and a handmade Voodoo doll of one of the book’s characters ($250+). Consider it an opportunity not only to support a local author but also to invest in your future as Philly’s version of Marie Laveau. Be sure to reach out to Don before the project deadline, January 15th, 2012.

To learn more about the project, start at the Kickstarter page for the project to read about Corcoran’s project and learn about the many ways you might support it. Be sure to check out the special ways you might celebrate a very Voodoo Christmas by helping Corcoran reach $3000 in funding by December 22nd.

You can also visit Don on his Blogspot and Facebook pages.

Over the course of the past couple of years, so-called “Vault” books have showcased the histories of everything from Star Wars to Marvel Comics. What makes these massive coffee table tomes unique is that they include removable material that is the closest thing the publishing world can get to DVD and Blu-ray special features. (Usually these items include reproductions of vintage collectibles, movie posters, crew paraphernalia and other drool-worthy goodies). This holiday season sees the release of two new of these types of releases, and if you are a fan of either the Alien franchise or your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man they are utterly invaluable.

First up, Ian Nathan’s Alien Vault accurately bills itself as “the definitive story of the making of the film,” and for anyone who has ever experienced the terror of Ridely Scott’s masterpiece (that’s right, I’m saying it’s better than Blade Runner), it is a perfect organism full of new insights. As someone who has poured over plenty of books about the flick over the years, I was thrilled to find that opening this vault introduced me to tons of unfamiliar stories about Alien’s production.

Spanning from the movie’s initial conceptualization to its release, it chronicles the inside story behind the sci-fi epic through interviews with the film’s key players. (The sequels and spin-off novels are giving a passing mention mainly to contextualize the saga as a whole…so hopefully we will get an Aliens Vault book someday). Arguably the most fascinating thing about the book is its Chip Kidd-esque design that highlighted by rare and previously unseen photographs — including unused poster prototypes and a terrific picture of the man inside the creature costume, Bolaji Badejo. As for the enclosed items, they feature everything from a replica H.R.

Giger painting of the Space Jockey to a sticker of the Nostromo crew patch design and a mini Japanese Alien movie poster that is just begging for you to frame it. To badly paraphrase the film’s tagline, in your home everyone can hear you scream with delight at how great the Alien Vault is. Okay, that was a really inexcusable joke to make. Seriously though, check it out.

When writing The Spider-Man Vault (published by Philly’s Running Press imprint) authors Peter A. David and Robert Greenberger had their work cut out for them. You see, much of Spidey’s history has already been covered in exhaustive detail in works like Stan Lee’s Amazing Marvel Universe, Lee Daniels’ Marvel: Five Fabulous Decades of the World’s Greatest Comics and the similar The Marvel Vault. Naturally there was bound to be some overlap between this and in those books, but thanks to David and Greenberger’s breezy writing at no point does the material here feel repetitive.

Because the wallcrawler’s complex history is condensed into 190 pages, this book is more of a fun pop culture overview than anything else. The only real sticking point I had with this is that it didn’t spend enough time on Spidey’s TV and film excursions — especially the trippy 1960s cartoon and the insane Japanese live-action TV show from the late 1970s. This small nitpick aside, The Spider-Man Vault more than lives up to its promise of being a “museum in a book” thanks to removable ephemera like reproduction art and trading cards.

On a personal note, I feel obligated to mention that this book actually elicited a squeal of delight from me by including a picture of the ultra-rare “Spider-Man: Old and New” poster that I haven’t seen since I took it off the wall of my childhood bedroom in 1988. That nostalgic trip back in time single-handedly won me over. The fact that the rest of the book is equally great was just a bonus really. Thwip!

Alien Vault by Ian Nathan
$35. Voyageur Press

The Spider-Man Vault by Peter A. David and Robert Greenberger
$49.99. Running Press