To give those who may not have read any Achewood previously a brief introduction – our main players in the book are Ray and Roast Beef, both cats, one a millionaire playboy and one a manic depressive whose real name is Cassandra, they’ve been best friends since ‘old times’ . In The Great Outdoor Fight, Ray and Roast Beef become archetypal action movie buddies – the brains and the brawn, ready to take on all-comers. Not just any competition, The Great Outdoor Fight aims to find the greatest man. Three days, three acres, three thousand men.

Our story begins when Ray’s mother lets slip that Ray’s father was a winner of the Fight, Ray determines to enter as BOC, Blood of Champion. Roast Beef, probably the greatest unknown Fight scholar the world has ever known, scams his way in to help Ray live to his father’s name. And when your father’s name is The Man With Blood on His Hands, you’ve damn sure got something to live up to.

Every fan of Achewood has their favourite arc, and I have to say that the Great Outdoor Fight was never one of mine (although I liked it well enough to buy the 1950s poster). I never felt it flowed as well as other storylines, or that the characters were at their best dropped into a souped-up action movie premise. I’ve always preferred Ray and Roast Beef waxing philosophical by the pool over some crunchy stellas. Tight. That said,The Great Outdoor Fight is probably the best Achewood arc that Onstad could have chosen to publish. Instead of providing a ‘previously on Achewood’, or character synopses, we’re instead introduced to the history of the Fight itself, as well as given bios of previous winners of the fight. This is a stroke of genius on Onstad’s part, as rather than trying to introduce complex characters that have taken years to develop , he doesn’t bother at all. The Fight itself is the star character here. While the story starts at the beginning, our characters are very much in medias res. The problems I had with the flow of the story in the daily web format are gone and the panels here flow seamlessly, though I think there may have been some tweaking of the format from screen to page.

This book is an absolute must buy for readers of Achewood. Whether the simplistic drawings and cliquish dialogue will endear newcomers to pick up the book, I don’t know. Having a hard copy will certainly make it easier to pimp out to all those people you just know are going to love it but won’t bother clicking through on the web. So, go buy the book, then throw it at at people until they love it. Then maybe Cornelius will get his own book.

And it will be hell of crunchy.

Check back later in the week.

Cheers, FPC

Dark Horse
The Perry Bible Fellowship Almanack
272-page follow-up to the immensely popular and soon-to-be-out-of-print collection; $24.95
Robots And Donuts HC; $99.95
Ghost Talker’s Daydream Volume 2; $10.95

Image Comics
The Ted Mckeever Library Book One: Transit HC; $24.99
The Walking Dead: The Covers HC
full-color hardback collection of the first 50 covers of the series, as well as covers for the various collected editions of the series, with added sketch material and commentary; $24.99
PvP: Awesomeology Deluxe HC
Written and art by Scott Kurtz, cover by Brandon Peterson; Celebrating 10 years PvP. Every existing PvP collection forged in the flame pits of Asgard by Odin’s Dwarven Blacksmiths into one mighty tome. Includes PvP: The Dork Ages, PvP At Large, PvP Rides Again, and PvP Goes Bananas. Also includes the lost, self-published PvP collection… PvP Striptease. A must-own for the PvP completist! Limited Signed and Numbered Edition includes an exclusive original sketch and is limited to 200 copies; 600 pages, black and white, $99.99, (Limited signed and numbered edition, $125).

Top Cow
Witchblade Compendium Volume 2 HC
Collects Witchblade #51-100; 1,280 pages, $99.99
The Art Of Wanted HC
This eye-catching collection contains art from the comic, stills and production designs from the movie, images from the video game, and more; $29.99
Impaler Volume 1 TPB
This reimagining of the vampire myth is collected for the first time and includes the final three parts of the initial storyline not available anywhere else; $14.99

Shadowline
Dear Dracula HC; $7.99
Vignettes: The Director’s Cut TPB
Collected for the first time in chronological order are the critically acclaimed, award winning stories from Valentino #1-3 and Drawing From Life #1-2, plus a few new surprises; $14.99.

Avatar Press
Doktor Sleepless Volume 1: Engines Of Desire
The revolutionary first eight issues of Warren Ellis’ satirical-political science fiction novel are collected in this deluxe trade paperback. Also available as a Hardcover edition with an all-new cover by master painter Felipe Massafera that is limited to just 2,000 copies; 216 pages, $26.99 (Hardcover, $34.99)

Dabel Brothers Productions
Jim Butcher’s The Dresden Files Volume 1: Welcome To The Jungle Previews Exclusive TPB      This Previews Exclusive trade paperback is limited to a print run of 2,500; $19.95

Dynamite Entertainment
New Battlestar Galactica Origins: Baltar TPB
In “Baltar,” the origins of Gaius Baltar and his life and loves that lead up to the second Cylon War are explored. Also includes a complete cover gallery; $14.99

Fantagraphics
Beasts! Book Two, Edited By Jacob Covey HC; $34.99
Modern Swarte, Joost Swarte HC; $29.99
Petey & Pussy, John Kerschbaum HC; $19.99

IDW
The Transformers Animated, Vol. 5; $7.99
Speed Racer: The Next Generation, Vol. 1; $7.99
Racer X, Vol. 2; $19.99
The Dreamland Chronicles, Book One; $19.99
Igor Movie Prequel TPB; $17.99
Igor Movie Adaptation TPB; $17.99
Violent Messiahs: The Book Of Job, Vol. 1; $24.99
Night Mary TPB – New Printing; $19.99
Presidential Material: Barack Obama; $3.99
Presidential Material: John McCain: $3.99
Presidential Material Flipbook
This special flipbook edition features the illustrated biographies of both Barack Obama and John McCain; $7.99

Top Shelf
Comic Book Artist (Vol 2) #7: Peter Bagge
Swallow Me Whole; $14.95
Veeps; $19.95
Sulk (Vol 1); $7.00

Viper Comics
Oddly Normal Volume 3: Fignation Times GN; $11.95

Virgin Comics
Timeslip GN; $5.99
Deepak Chopra’s Beyond Vol. 1 TPB
Collects issues #1-4; $14.99
Telling Stories With Color; $14.99
Beasts and Superbeasts GN; $5.99
Project: Kalki Vol. 1 TPB

Aurora Publishing
Hitohira GN Vol 1 (of 4), $10.95
Oh My God GN Vol 2 (of 2), $12.95
Kiss All The Boys GN Vol 3 (of 3)(adult), $12.95
Mister Mistress GN Vol 2 (of 2)(adult), $12.95

Avatar Press
Black Summer HC, $32.99

Collects issues #1-4; $14.99

Dr Master Publications
Four Constables Secret Of The Delirium Dagger GN Vol 2, $13.95
Mamoru The Shadow Protector GN Vol 2 (of 3), $9.95
Nephylym GN Vol 1, $9.95

First Second
Theres A Wolf At The Door HC, $19.95

Go Comics

After School Nightmare GN Vol 9 (of 10), $10.99
Angels Coffin GN, $10.99
Bound Beauty GN Vol 1, $10.99

Greystone Inn Entertainment

Evil Inc Annual Report GN Vol 3, $15.00

Oni Press
Labor Days GN Vol 1, $11.95
Queen & Country TP Vol 3 (Definitive Edition), $19.95

Seven Seas Entertainment
He Is My Master GN Vol 4, $9.99

Spark Unlimited
Legendary GN, $14.99

Top Shelf Productions
Owly TP Vol 5 Tiny Tales, $10.00
Sulk GN Vol 1 Bighead & Friends, $7.00

Transfuzion Entertainment
Oz TP Vol 2 Gathering Of Heroes, $19.99

Udon Entertainment
Street Fighter Tribute TP, $39.99

Wizards of the Coast
Dragonlance Dwarf Home Book 2 Heir Kayolin MMPB, $6.99
Eberron Lanternlight Book 2 When Night Falls MMPB, $6.99
Forgotten Realms Transitions Book 2 Pirate King HC, $27.95

Zenescope Entertainment
Grimm Fairy Tales Piper TP, $15.99
Grimm Fairy Tales TP Vol 4, $15.99

Cheers, Greg

Dark Horse
Predator Volume 4: South China Sea Novel; $6.99
Predator Omnibus Volume 4
This volume collects Predator : Primal #1-2, Predator: Nemesis #1-2, Predator: Homeworld #1-4, Predator: Xenogenesis #1-4, Predator: Hell Come a Walkin’ #1-2, Predator: Captive one-shot, and “Predator: Demon’s Gold” (from DHP #137); $24.95
Harvey Classics Library Vol 4: Baby Huey; $19.95
The Perry Bible Fellowship Almanack
This 272-page follow-up to the immensely popular and soon-to-be-out-of-print collection; $24.95
The Night Of Your Life HC; $15.95
Aliens: No Exit by B.K. Evenson; $6.99
Gantz Volume 2; $12.95

Image Comics
The Ted Mckeever Library Book One: Transit HC; $24.99
The Walking Dead: The Covers HC
In celebration of the Five Year Anniversary of The Walking Dead, Image Comics presents a full-color hardback collection of the first 50 covers of the series, as well as covers for the various collected editions of the series, with added sketch material and commentary; $24.99
PvP: Awesomeology Deluxe HC
Written and art by Scott Kurtz, cover by Brandon Peterson; Celebrating 10 years PvP. Every existing PvP collection forged in the flame pits of Asgard by Odin’s Dwarven Blacksmiths into one mighty tome. Includes PvP: The Dork Ages, PvP At Large, PvP Rides Again, and PvP Goes Bananas. Also includes the lost, self-published PvP collection… PvP Striptease. A must-own for the PvP completist! Limited Signed and Numbered Edition includes an exclusive original sketch and is limited to 200 copies; 600 pages, black and white, $99.99, (Limited signed and numbered edition, $125).

Top Cow
Witchblade Compendium Volume 2 HC
Collects Witchblade #51-100; 1,280 pages, $99.99
The Art Of Wanted HC
This eye-catching collection contains art from the comic, stills and production designs from the movie, images from the video game, and more; $29.99
Impaler Volume 1 TPB
This reimagining of the vampire myth is collected for the first time and includes the final three parts of the initial storyline not available anywhere else; $14.99

Shadowline (Image)
Dear Dracula HC; $7.99
Vignettes: The Director’s Cut TPB
Collected for the first time in chronological order are the critically acclaimed, award winning stories from Valentino #1-3 and Drawing From Life #1-2, plus a few new surprises; $14.99.

Avatar Press
Doktor Sleepless Volume 1: Engines Of Desire
The revolutionary first eight issues of Warren Ellis’ satirical-political science fiction novel are collected in this deluxe trade paperback. Also available as a Hardcover edition with an all-new cover by master painter Felipe Massafera that is limited to just 2,000 copies; 216 pages, $26.99 (Hardcover, $34.99)

Dabel Brothers Productions
Jim Butcher’s The Dresden Files Volume 1: Welcome To The Jungle Previews Exclusive TPB      This Previews Exclusive trade paperback is limited to a print run of 2,500; $19.95

Dynamite Entertainment
The Boys Vol. 3: Good For The Soul TPB
Colects Good For The Soul (issues 15-18) and I Tell You No Lie, G.I. (issues 19-22);$19.99
New Battlestar Galactica Origins: Baltar TPB
In “Baltar,” the origins of Gaius Baltar and his life and loves that lead up to the second Cylon War are explored. Also includes a complete cover gallery; $14.99

Fantagraphics
Beasts! Book Two, Edited By Jacob Covey HC; $34.99
Modern Swarte, Joost Swarte HC; $29.99
Petey & Pussy, John Kerschbaum HC; $19.99

IDW
The Transformers Animated, Vol. 5; $7.99
The Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye, Vol. 1
The official guidebook to the Transformers universe is finally back in print; $24.99
Speed Racer: The Next Generation, Vol. 1; $7.99
Racer X, Vol. 2; $19.99
The Dreamland Chronicles, Book One; $19.99
Igor Movie Prequel TPB; $17.99
Igor Movie Adaptation TPB; $17.99
Violent Messiahs: The Book Of Job, Vol. 1; $24.99
Silent Hill Omnibus
This collection includes Silent Hill: Dying Inside, Silent Hill: Three Bloody Tales, and Silent Hill: Dead/Alive; 432 pages, $24.95
Star Trek: New Frontier TPB; $19.99
The Transformers: Armada, Vol. 1
This long-requested tale is finally back in print; $19.99
The Transformers: Best Of The UK: Space Pirates
Space Pirates continues the IDW series of reprints of the very best Transformers epics from the United Kingdom; $19.99
The Art Of IDW’s Transformers; $24.99
Black Heart Billy TPB; $19.99
Night Mary TPB – New Printing; $19.99
Presidential Material: Barack Obama; $3.99
Presidential Material: John McCain: $3.99
Presidential Material Flipbook
This special flipbook edition features the illustrated biographies of both Barack Obama and John McCain; $7.99

Top Shelf
Essex County (Vol 3): The Country Nurse; $9.95
Comic Book Artist (Vol 2) #7: Peter Bagge
Swallow Me Whole; $14.95
Veeps; $19.95
Sulk (Vol 1); $7.00

Viper Comics
Oddly Normal Volume 3: Fignation Times GN; $11.95

Virgin Comics
Timeslip GN; $5.99
Deepak Chopra’s Beyond Vol. 1 TPB
Collects issues #1-4; $14.99
Telling Stories With Color; $14.99
Beasts and Superbeasts GN; $5.99
Project: Kalki Vol. 1 TPB
Collects issues #1-4; $14.99

DMF Comics

Silent Leaves GN Vol 2 Exceptions To Life, $19.99

Drawn and Quarterly

Against Pain HC, $24.95
Aya Of Yop City HC, $19.95

Exhibit A Press
Soddyssey & Other Tales Of Supernatural Law TP, $17.95

Seven Seas Entertainment
Venus Versus Virus GN Vol 5 (of 5), $9.99

Sofawolf Press
Digger GN Vol 1, $18.95

TH3RD World Studios
Creature Feature #1, $4.50
Space Doubles Collection TP Vol 1, $19.95

Top Shelf Productions
Essex County TP Vol 3 Country Nurse, $9.95

Vertical
Tezukas Black Jack TP Vol 1, $16.95

Yen Press
Angel Diary GN Vol 6 (resolicited), $10.99
Hissing GN Vol 4 (resolicited), $10.99

Ape Entertainment
Kill The Revisionist GN, $13.95
Return To Point Pleasant GN, $9.95

Anarchy Studios/Harris Comics
Vampirella Crimson Chronicles Maximum TP, $17.95

This is the first blog of the new Free Press Comics where in the coming days, weeks, and months we’re gonna give you tons of news, reviews, and discussion on some of the smaller press and unknown graphic novels out there.  If you would like us to review and discuss your graphic novel send us a copy along with details on how others can purchase it and we’ll gladly read it and tell the masses.

Send it to:  Greg Laban or Karen Stewart, Knockglass, Ladysbridge. County Cork, Ireland.

You can interact with us via our Myspace page, Facebook page, Twitter entries, email freepresscomics@gmail.com, and hopefully in the next couple of weeks our podcast.

That’s all we got right now talk to you but come back in the next couple of days as we’re gonna give you our first review and news on graphic novels coming out soon.

Cheers, Greg @free press comics