Image; $34.99

Before things were formally constituted as the Ghost Machine imprint, writer Geoff Johns and artist Gary Frank created Junkyard Joe under the Mad Ghost label at Image Comics. As a collected edition, it was previously produced as a trade paperback that contained the entire mini-series.

This new deluxe hardcover, which nicely matches the deluxe hardcover edition of Geiger (also hatched by Johns and Frank), is a wonderful presentation of that material in a slightly oversized, nicely produced hardcover. In addition to all of the story material, it includes some insightful “making of” features.

The story of Junkyard Joe begins during the Vietnam War. For most he’s simply the entertaining comic strip creation of recently retired cartoonist Muddy Davis. The deeper story, though, begins when years later Joe shows up at Muddy’s door.

Compelling and packed with unexpected twists, Junkyard Joe is beautifully illustrated. The coloring by Brad Anderson is up to par with Frank’s art, and it is showcased in this powerful presentation.

– J.C. Vaughn