The Comic Book Discussion Thread

[EyesWideOpen]

Dumbest fucking ending ever.

You've been hating on the book since the first issue so my question to you is why the fuck to you keep reading it. Do you not have better things to do with your time?

[Acapelli]

i'm a fan of kick-ass but i'm pretty sure if it weren't for jrjr, i wouldn't like it anywhere near as much if at all

all the stuff about dave's home and school life was dumb

[number8]

You've been hating on the book since the first issue so my question to you is why the fuck to you keep reading it. Do you not have better things to do with your time?

I wanted to see if it was still stupid.

[Melville]

I haven't been reading many comics for the last few years, and it seems like there must be a ton of stuff, both old and new, that I'd like but have never read. So, does anybody know of a decent best-comics-ever, or best-of-the-decade lists? Something up to date and fairly inclusive? The only such lists I know of are the comics journal's ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Comics_Journal#Top_100_Com ics_list) and a couple of Tom (http://www.comicsreporter.com/index.php/briefings/commentary/132/) Spurgeon's (http://www.comicsreporter.com/index.php/cr_sunday_feature_lets_you_and _i_make_a_list_nominees_for_be st_of_decade_20/). The TCJ list is out of date, as well as skewing too much toward classic comic strips and Hernandez brothers, and the Spurgeon best-of-decade list is way too vast (I don't know if he's since presented a more reasonable one).

[megladon8]

Well Melville, what kinds of stories are you looking for?

I don't imagine you're too interested in much that's superhero related? At least not much mainstream superhero stuff?

It's from the late 90s, but have you read any of Kurt Busiek's "Astro City" stuff? I strongly suggest (to you specifically) the story "The Tarnished Angel" (http://www.amazon.com/Astro-City-Vol-Tarnished-Angel/dp/156389663X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1265576509&sr=8-2). It's a noirish story about an ex-villain trying to re-shape his life. He looks like Robert Mitchum covered in silver.

http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/9378/51e4z6rwdblsl500aa240.jpg


I also strongly recommend "Three Shadows" (http://www.amazon.com/Three-Shadows-Cyril-Pedrosa/dp/159643239X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1265576493&sr=8-1). Its black and white artwork is beautiful stylized, and the artist/writer's previous work with Disney is quite evident in how expertly he expresses emotion and motion in the still images.

It's one of the most emotional reads I had last decade.

[Melville]

Well Melville, what kinds of stories are you looking for?

I don't imagine you're too interested in much that's superhero related? At least not much mainstream superhero stuff?
I don't know if I can pinpoint what kind of stories I'm looking for. My favorite kinds of comics are either formally experimental, character-driven, heavy on ideas, or some combination of those attributes. I also prefer singular, preferably expressive art styles. (You can see my list of favorites at the bottom of the page linked in my signature.) I generally dislike or feel indifferent to most superhero comics, but I do like some of them, and I love most of the standard 80s superhero classics—Watchmen, Dark Knight, Year One, Born Again.

I've read one issue of Astro City, and it felt very bland to me, but I probably need to give it more of a chance. The art in Three Shadows looks great. Thanks for the recs.

[Acapelli]

you might like asterios polyp by mazuchelli

if you like noir comics, i suggest ed brubaker and sean phillips criminal

[Melville]

you might like asterios polyp by mazuchelli

if you like noir comics, i suggest ed brubaker and sean phillips criminal
I was looking forward to Asterios Polyp, since I love Mazzucchelli 's artwork, but I was disappointed by it. It seemed very slight and contrived.

I like some crime comics (early Sin City and parts of Stray Bullets). I'll check out Criminal.

Thanks.

[BuffaloWilder]

Kick Ass is indeed shit, as is the ending. I'm hoping they change it around in the film, if only just a little.

[BuffaloWilder]

Also Melville, it's of a completely different vane, but you might enjoy Peter Bagge's Hate. That's always good.

[Melville]

Also Melville, it's of a completely different vane, but you might enjoy Peter Bagge's Hate. That's always good.
Oh, yeah, good call. I don't know why I've never read it.

[dreamdead]

I'd recommend Moore's From Hell, Craig Thomspon's Blankets, Joe Sacco's Palestine, and Moore's Promethea (standard at first, but by volume three it should have you locked in) run. I'm presuming you've long since read Spiegelman's Maus, but if not, that's a necessity. Also, Busiek's Marvels.

This site (http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2009/11/whats-wrong-with-the-a-v-clubs-best-comics-of-the-00s-list/)offers a corrective to AvClub's list, linked to in the article.

I'm working through Eisner's A Contract with God and Ware's Jimmy Corrigan next.

[Melville]

I'd recommend Moore's From Hell, Craig Thomspon's Blankets, Joe Sacco's Palestine, and Moore's Promethea (standard at first, but by volume three it should have you locked in) run. I'm presuming you've long since read Spiegelman's Maus, but if not, that's a necessity. Also, Busiek's Marvels.

This site (http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2009/11/whats-wrong-with-the-a-v-clubs-best-comics-of-the-00s-list/)offers a corrective to AvClub's list, linked to in the article.

I'm working through Eisner's A Contract with God and Ware's Jimmy Corrigan next.
Thanks for the link—lots of good suggestions and reminders in there. Jimmy Corrigan is far and away my favorite comic, From Hell and (to a lesser extent) Maus are also favorites, and Marvels is great. I didn't care for Palestine, though I read it when it first came out, so I don't remember why I disliked it. I've heard mixed reviews of Blankets and Promethea, but given the reactions around here, I should give them a look. I've been meaning to get A Contract with God for years.

[number8]

:eek:

Brubaker. Secret Avengers.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Volume 3 of Walking Dead ("Safety Behind Bars") is now done. Read most of it in one sitting last night. The situations revolving around the survivors are finally starting to pick up. In this volume, they found refuge in a prison, until, inevitably, they didn't. The most intriguing stuff came from the presence of former prisoners, who provoke an interesting case for tabula rasa.

This series still hasn't struck me as exemplary, but, I admit, it's sinking its claws into my head. Number8 clued me to its Odyssean structure as something virtuous, and I'm starting to see that. So long as Kirkman continues to come up with fresh ideas, I'm willing to go with the repetitive "go-somewhere-people-die-move-on" approach.

[Acapelli]

:eek:

Brubaker. Secret Avengers.
don't forget deodato. he kicked ass on thunderbolts and dark avengers

[number8]

Volume 3 of Walking Dead ("Safety Behind Bars") is now done. Read most of it in one sitting last night. The situations revolving around the survivors are finally starting to pick up. In this volume, they found refuge in a prison, until, inevitably, they didn't. The most intriguing stuff came from the presence of former prisoners, who provoke an interesting case for tabula rasa.

This series still hasn't struck me as exemplary, but, I admit, it's sinking its claws into my head. Number8 clued me to its Odyssean structure as something virtuous, and I'm starting to see that. So long as Kirkman continues to come up with fresh ideas, I'm willing to go with the repetitive "go-somewhere-people-die-move-on" approach.

Grows on you, doesn't it? I think it's interesting to format a zombie story like that, because no doubt that every zombie movie always ends with the exact same question: what now? I mean, they reach their objective, but then what? World's still fucked, zombies are still around, what do you do with them? The only one that answers that that comes to mind is Shaun of the Dead, but even that has the question of whether or not he would keep Ed in the shed forever.

I think what's cool about The Walking Dead is that it follows those typical "endings" to their logical conclusions, and we know that the conclusion is always fucked. Reunite with a big group, well, there are problems that come with desperate people. Find a gated community, hell, zombies are already in there. Find a secure prison, shit, that doesn't work out, either, etc etc.

I think when it comes time to end it, Kirkman will face his real challenge. The only satisfying way to do it is to probably nuke the planet.

[Melville]

Just ordered the following:

Pyongyang: A Journey in North Korea by Guy Delisle
You are There by Jacques Tardi
UZUMAKI, Vol. 1 by Junji Ito
Criminal: The Deluxe Edition HC by Brubaker and Phillips
A Child In Palestine by Ali Al
Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel
A Drifting Life by Yoshihiro Tatsumi
In The Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak
Promethea Book Three by Moore and J. H. Williams
Pim and Francie by Al Columbia
Contract With God Trilogy by Eisner
Why I Hate Saturn by Kyle Baker
Explainers: 10 Years of Jules Feiffer's Revolutionary Weekly Strip by Jules Feiffer
The Complete Peanuts Volume 12: 1973-1974 by Schulz
Buddy Does Seattle by Peter Bagge
Tales Designed to Thrizzle: Volume 1 by Michael Kupperman
Lullabies From Hell by Hideshi Hino
MW by Osamu Tezuka

Decided I might as well bankrupt myself while I have the chance. I considered adding Astro City and Pluto or Monster to the list, but held off.

EDIT: hm, I thought I had ordered Blankets as well, but evidently not.

[Acapelli]

did you make a mistake by ordering the third volume of promethea first?

i'll be picking up league of extraordinary gentlemen: 1910 today. gone through the first three trades this past month. wish i had more

[Melville]

did you make a mistake by ordering the third volume of promethea first?
I've always heard that it takes a while to get interesting, so I figured I'd just start in the middle. If I like it, I'll get the first two volumes.

[Dead & Messed Up]

I think when it comes time to end it, Kirkman will face his real challenge. The only satisfying way to do it is to probably nuke the planet.

It's the only way to be sure...

[number8]

Mark Millar, ladies and gentlemen.

http://www.comicbookresources.com/assets/images/articles/1265994889.jpg

[Dead & Messed Up]

Finished all of Walking Dead that's been published. Shit got bleak. I cannot imagine how this could work on AMC. Crimes against humanity include:

Dead kids on chains.
Woman repeatedly raped.
Man's johnson nailed to floor.
Mother and baby daughter shotgunned.
Kid shoots another kid.

At this point, that kind of morbid curiosity is mostly what sustains, although I'm growing fond of the father/son dynamic.

[number8]

It's Darabont. Considering The Mist's ending, I don't think he has any problems depicting those.

[Dead & Messed Up]

It's Darabont. Considering The Mist's ending, I don't think he has any problems depicting those.

Oh, I'm sure he would delight in those. I'm just unfamiliar with how far channels like AMC can go with their content.

[megladon8]

I really want Mark Miller to lose mobility in his hands so he can stop inflicting this crap on the world.

[ledfloyd]

that looks like self-parody.

[EyesWideOpen]

I really want Mark Miller to lose mobility in his hands so he can stop inflicting this crap on the world.

Or you could just not read it.

[Acapelli]

man i love millar

[Spaceman Spiff]

You are There by Jacques Tardi

Let me know how this is. I've wanted to read it for a while now.

As for the rest of the list, I've only read Fun Home, which was okay, and Contract with God, which is really great.

[Grouchy]

I think Mark Millar is a shit writer, but you just gotta love the bluntness of that tagline.

[number8]

It's the equivalent of Michael Bay's "BIG FUCKING ROBOTS ARE COMING!" t-shirt when he was promoting the first Transformers.

Which is very apt, since Mark Millar is obviously the Michael Bay of comics: same level of wit and bombast, with a seriously impressive ability to know what the common public wants.

[number8]

Wow.

Jim Lee and Dan DiDio are now co-publishers of DC, and Geoff Johns is the CCO.

[megladon8]

I really like Geoff Johns.

He sure has done some awesome stuff with Green Lantern.

[bac0n]

Wow.

Jim Lee and Dan DiDio are now co-publishers of DC, and Geoff Johns is the CCO.

CCO? Chief Comics Officer?

[number8]

CCO? Chief Comics Officer?

Creative. It's a common title in publishing/advertising.

[bac0n]

Creative. It's a common title in publishing/advertising.

Makes sense. He has his hands on just about everything that goes on at DC Comics these days.

[number8]

Makes sense. He has his hands on just about everything that goes on at DC Comics these days.

That's probably why.

I'm sure they offered the position to Morrison first, but when time came for the press announcement, Morrison didn't show up and they found him in the parking garage shaving a block of ice into the shape of an ancient Sumerian dildo while pouring whiskey into the WWI gas mask he's wearing, and then they said, "All right, let's go with Geoff."

[dreamdead]

Finished the initial A Contract with God book by Eisner. For being the first technical graphic novel of its kind, the narrative still has verve and energy behind its layout, and the stories comment nicely on the fate of the Jewish immigrant experience. However, at times the narrative feels too storybook-y, a complaint that can't get more specific for me than that it feels too determined at times, especially in the last story with the individuals trying to find spouses at the retreat. The titular story, though, exceeds that initial layer and gets toward real generational growth.

Knocked out the first volume of Top Ten, too. After surviving the initial confusion of the multitude of characters that Moore threw at me, the story began to grow and develop, but it doesn't feel like a narrative that will truly be memorable (though the Gods stuff at the end of issue 7 got closer to Moore's personal sense of magic and history). Instead it felt rote, and ultimately something that was amusing but not fascinating enough to truly enthrall.

Finishing Jimmy Corrigan is next.

[BuffaloWilder]

So, there was a draft of V For Vendetta written way back in 1990, by the woman who wrote Road House, and - my god, is it strange. V has some sort of laser thing, and when he kills people they turn into giant glowing V's and blow up - and, everybody blows up. There's some kind of half-sketched subplot about genetic engineering, which gives way to a lot of mind-bending images, like the Fingermen being goat-people, and the Prothero character being transformed into a giant weeble-wobble - who explodes.

V turns out to be Evey's father, and there's an intriguing subplot concerning the human side of the revolution - but, my god. What - happened, here?

[number8]

Alan Moore has a history of his comics being turned into weird shit like that. The woman must've been taking cues from Sam Hamm's Watchmen script.

[BuffaloWilder]

Also - V never "does what he does" to Evey in the novel. Instead, she's captured by Finch and Creedy, who interrogate and torture her with old-fashioned French guillotines, and so on. She's then rescued by V, kind of out of nowhere. So, the whole "Valerie" segment is gone.

Finch is kind of a maniac, who worked at Larkhill and was V's personally assigned officer - they used to play chess together. That kind of thing.

Having said all this, the draft does keep a lot of the scenes that were pretty emotionally important, and yet cut out of the novel - the Kitty Cat Keller sequence, and the Leader's strange relationship with the fate computer being the most obvious, although the latter is played far more over-the-top than originally conceived, with the computer being described as having a high and feminine voice, whose love isn't presented as some figment of Susan's mind. And, she's also the deity of some kind of state religion. Christianity is almost wholly replaced with Fateism.

[dreamdead]

Finished up Jimmy Corrigan. I love the stylized take on the panel formation, and how extensively Ware commits to building out Jimmy's father's neuroses. Even though I didn't find the first quarter of the book all that engaging, the end, especially when dealing with the World's Fair, became quite powerful. And Jimmy's inability to handle women becomes recursively interesting after he meets Amy, when he's trying to reconcile how she fits into his fetishized approach of women. Cute ending, too.

It didn't emotionally connect with me at the level of From Hell or Blankets, other recent texts that testify to the graphic novel's power, but it was certainly formally amazing. Next is Persepolis.

[Melville]

Most sublime, powerful ending in the history of the medium, too.
Fixed.

[megladon8]

I've said it before and I'll say it again - I just cannot connect with Chris Ware's work.

I agree with dreamdead's opinion - "Blankets" > "Jimmy Corrigan".

[Spaceman Spiff]

I've said it before and I'll say it again - I just cannot connect with Chris Ware's work.

I agree with dreamdead's opinion - "Blankets" > "Jimmy Corrigan".

I just can't connect with people who can't. Jimmy Corrigan is so obviously brilliant in every way to me.

[megladon8]

I just can't connect with people who can't. Jimmy Corrigan is so obviously brilliant in every way to me.


Meh, just differing opinions. Maybe I'll read it again sometime and find it utterly brilliant - I've had re-reads turn my opinion around on many occasions.

I found it quite convoluted and really didn't connect at all with the story or characters.

That being said I love Ware's art style. Just not his narratives.

[EvilShoe]

Most people I know (including myself) had a hard time getting through the first pages of Corrigan. Grew into love eventually though, great comic.

[Melville]

Let me know how this is. I've wanted to read it for a while now.
It's good. Tardi's art is spectacular: loose, expressive linework; brilliant capture of faces and expressions; rock-solid storytelling with some interesting layout elements; mad technical skill. The dialogue is sharp and witty. My only issues are with the narrative. It begins with a really clever, absurd, satirical scenario reminiscent of Gogol or Kafka, but rather than explore that scenario, it kind of drifts into much less interesting stuff. One of the two main characters also seemed a bit pointless and cipher-like.

[Ivan Drago]

Speaking of Ware, has anyone else read Acme Novelty Library #19? I read it for the comic book class I took last semester and still think about it to this day.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Speaking of Ware, has anyone else read Acme Novelty Library #19? I read it for the comic book class I took last semester and still think about it to this day.

It's amaaaaaaaaaazing.

[Melville]

Speaking of Ware, has anyone else read Acme Novelty Library #19? I read it for the comic book class I took last semester and still think about it to this day.
Yeah, I love it. The previous couple issues had seemed a bit maudlin, and also a bit like they were trying too hard to be middle-of-the-road, portraits-of-the-suffering-everymen-of-middle-America literature, but 19 was so, so awesome. A terrific sci-fi story inside a terrific one-man's-life story inside the ongoing Rusty Brown story. So much terrificness.

[Spaceman Spiff]

It's good. Tardi's art is spectacular: loose, expressive linework; brilliant capture of faces and expressions; rock-solid storytelling with some interesting layout elements; mad technical skill. The dialogue is sharp and witty. My only issues are with the narrative. It begins with a really clever, absurd, satirical scenario reminiscent of Gogol or Kafka, but rather than explore that scenario, it kind of drifts into much less interesting stuff. One of the two main characters also seemed a bit pointless and cipher-like.

Sounds great. This and West Coast Blues are waiting for me at the library. Really excited.

Also, what Gogol should I read? Also also have you read any Isaac Babel? I wanna read his jewish gangsta stuff.

[Melville]

Sounds great. This and West Coast Blues are waiting for me at the library. Really excited.

Also, what Gogol should I read? Also also have you read any Isaac Babel? I wanna read his jewish gangsta stuff.
Let me know about West Coast Blues. It looks great. War of the Trenches is also coming out soon; I'll probably get that one immediately. I stupidly bought an untranslated version of it a few years ago.

Gogol's best stuff is his short stories, particularly The Nose and The Overcoat. Part one of Dead Souls is really good, but don't bother with the very-unfinished part two. I remember his play The Government Inspector being really good satire, but without the glorious absurdity of something like The Nose.

I don't think I've ever heard of Isaac Babel.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Let me know about West Coast Blues. It looks great. War of the Trenches is also coming out soon; I'll probably get that one immediately. I stupidly bought an untranslated version of it a few years ago.

Gogol's best stuff is his short stories, particularly The Nose and The Overcoat. Part one of Dead Souls is really good, but don't bother with the very-unfinished part two. I remember his play The Government Inspector being really good satire, but without the glorious absurdity of something like The Nose.

I don't think I've ever heard of Isaac Babel.

Is War of the Trenches in french? I will buy it off you.

Noted on the Gogol.

Babel just seems like the bee's knees, and there's something about Russians and Jews that just make them write really awesome books.

[Melville]

Is War of the Trenches in french? I will buy it off you.
Check your PMs.

[EyesWideOpen]

So they just announced the fourth Avengers title to come out this summer. They are restarting New Avengers with Bendis/Immonen.

So now we have Avengers Academy, New Avengers, Avengers, and Secret Avengers. So much for people assuming they'd go down to 1 or 2 titles.

[dreamdead]

Finished Persepolis. Narratively, it's never less than interesting, but I was surprised by how little apparent textual experimentation is in the book, Beyond several splash pages that invoke a more impressionistic lens, the text adheres to simplistic (though effective) panel constructions and layouts. As a testimony to Marjane Satrapi's childhood it is eminently readable; I just expected more of Spiegelman or even Sacco's experimentation with impressionism in more of the layouts.

[number8]

They should also release Avengers Nano and Avengers Touch.

[EyesWideOpen]

Amazon is having a huge $15 Marvel sale so if your interested you better check it quick. A lot of omnibuses and other stuff for $15.

http://www.amazon.com/s/qid=1267937286/ref=sr_nr_i_0?ie=UTF8&rs=&keywords=marvel%20omnibus&rh=i:aps,k:marvel%20omnibus,i: stripbooks

[EyesWideOpen]

I just ordered:

The Ultimates Omnibus
Daredevil by Ed Brubaker Vol. 1 Omnibus
Daredevil by Brian Michael Bendis Vol. 2 Omnibus
Death of Captain America Omnibus
Wolverine Vol. 1 Omnibus
Criminal Omnibus
New Avengers Oversized HC Vol. 4

[megladon8]

Nice buys, EWO.

I'd like to get the "Daredevil" omnibus vol. 2. I have 1.

[number8]

Holy shit, what? They're $8?? Is this right? That's a $90 discount!

[Acapelli]

i have a feeling some of these orders aren't gonna ship, probably the stuff that isn't on hand (not labeled "in stock"), like the ultimates omnibus

[EyesWideOpen]

i have a feeling some of these orders aren't gonna ship, probably the stuff that isn't on hand (not labeled "in stock"), like the ultimates omnibus

When the pricing started (when I ordered) they were all labeled "in stock".

I went ahead and threw in the two Secret Wars omnibuses and the X-Men Omnibus for good measure.

[number8]

Holy Jesus, it's not just Marvel. The complete Bone, Madman, Invincible Library Vol 1, EC Comics, Marshal Law... all $15.

IS AMAZON TRYING TO BANKRUPT ITSELF OR WHAT?

[number8]

Fuck, so much for my new year's resolution.

But on the bright side, I can always sell these used and still make 3x profit.

[megladon8]

i have a feeling some of these orders aren't gonna ship, probably the stuff that isn't on hand (not labeled "in stock"), like the ultimates omnibus


That's illegal.

If they sell it to you at that price, they have to get it to you, at that price.

[number8]

That's illegal.

If they sell it to you at that price, they have to get it to you, at that price.

I don't remember if it was Amazon, but I've had that happen before. They just send an email saying it was a mistake, the orders are canceled and you get your money back.

(I think it was Best Buy...)

[megladon8]

I don't remember if it was Amazon, but I've had that happen before. They just send an email saying it was a mistake, the orders are canceled and you get your money back.


Which is disappointing, but a lot different than simply taking your money and never shipping the books.

[ContinentalOp]

I'm looking to get into another series of graphic novels. Has anyone here read "Chew"?

[number8]

Typical. Tons of retailers are buying out these Omnibuses.

[number8]

Amazon has officially said it was a glitch and they're fixing the prices. They're honoring some of the orders, but if yours hasn't been processed yet, then it's most likely that they're canceling it.

[Acapelli]

my astonishing x-men omnibuses say they're ready to ship soon, but the ultimates one will probably be cancelled

[dreamdead]

Finished Vol. 2 of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Although I knew about the Invisible Man betrayal, all of the secondary intrigues with Mr. Hyde and Ms. Murray were well done and got at a greater emotional resonance, which the first volume never quite done into. I love how much attention Wells got here, as the tripling of his works here lead me to wonder if Moore actually and truly respects Wells's writings, or if they just work well with the format...

Is Planetary worth the full investment of the next volumes? I finished the first volume, and though the core archeology is frequently meta-good, I want Ellis to concern himself with the central characters as they're far too much ciphers right now. I will say that the Hong Kong ghost cop from #3 of Vol. 1 would be quite worth a comparison with Rorschach's origin story.

[Grouchy]

wonder if Moore actually and truly respects Wells's writings, or if they just work well with the format...
Have you ever read any Wells? He's an incredible writer with mad suspense and narrative skills.

[number8]

Have you ever read any Wells? He's an incredible writer with mad suspense and narrative skills.

I don't think dreamdead would have praised the copious inclusion of Wells material if he wasn't a fan of Wells.

[dreamdead]

Have you ever read any Wells? He's an incredible writer with mad suspense and narrative skills.

I read War of the Worlds and Invisible Man back in high school. Skim-read Tono Bungay last year for an English lit class. I'd love to go back and read his stuff, as I always remembered loving it.

[Grouchy]

I read War of the Worlds and Invisible Man back in high school. Skim-read Tono Bungay last year for an English lit class. I'd love to go back and read his stuff, as I always remembered loving it.
I just took your comment as you being curious about whether Wells was actually a good writer or just an unavoidable staple of science-fiction.

I've read those two, plus The Time Machine and I got The Island of Dr. Moreau which I haven't started yet.

[trotchky]

That Daredevil Omnibus looks pretty sweet. I recently finished reading all of Ed Brubaker's Criminal comics, which are all great, so now I really want to read his Daredevil comics. I read the ones Brian Michael Bendis wrote so many years ago, I don't think I even got them at the time.

[number8]

Sigh, Amazon cancelled my orders.

[ledfloyd]

the bendis > brubaker run on daredevil is impressive stuff. i haven't read any of diggle's run yet.

[EyesWideOpen]

the bendis > brubaker run on daredevil is impressive stuff. i haven't read any of diggle's run yet.

It's been great also.

[megladon8]

Sigh, Amazon cancelled my orders.


Does online retail have different laws or something? Or perhaps American retail?

Because I know that, here, if you bring an item up to the cash that's supposed to be $100 and there's a $10 price tag on it (and it's not a case of you switching price tags, of course) they have to give it to you at that price.

[EyesWideOpen]

They cancelled all my orders today also. Oh well.

[Ezee E]

Does online retail have different laws or something? Or perhaps American retail?

Because I know that, here, if you bring an item up to the cash that's supposed to be $100 and there's a $10 price tag on it (and it's not a case of you switching price tags, of course) they have to give it to you at that price.
There's probably some fine print to be read.

But in my store, we have the right to say that something has been misticketed, and can put the right price if such is the case. Now if it's being advertised, we'll usually honor the first one, but immediately change it.

Amazon also doesn't charge your card until it's shipped, so technically no sale is being made at the moment.

[megladon8]

But in my store, we have the right to say that something has been misticketed, and can put the right price if such is the case. Now if it's being advertised, we'll usually honor the first one, but immediately change it.


...I thought you were a paramedic or something? :confused:

[Ezee E]

...I thought you were a paramedic or something? :confused:
Multiple jobs.

[EyesWideOpen]

Amazon sent me a $25 credit today so I'm not too upset.

[Acapelli]

Amazon sent me a $25 credit today so I'm not too upset.
me too

barnes and noble has been hit by the price mistake. just ordered the walking dead compendium for $15 with shipping

[EyesWideOpen]

me too

barnes and noble has been hit by the price mistake. just ordered the walking dead compendium for $15 with shipping

yep found out about that earlier today. I ordered the Captain Britain Omnibus, DD by Bendis Vol. 2 and Criminal for $34 total. We'll see what happens!

And with my $25 amazon credit I went ahead and ordered Starman Omnibus Vol. 4 and paid $6 so not bad.

[Acapelli]

my walking dead is already scheduled to ship. pretty happy

got a couple of james ellroy novels with my credit. still got a few bucks left over

[megladon8]

I got the Bendis DD omnibus (vol 2) and the "Walking Dead" compendium.

Not overly interested in "Captain Britain".

[EyesWideOpen]

Not overly interested in "Captain Britain".

There's a Major Mapleleaf Omnibus if that's more to your liking.

[megladon8]

There's a Major Mapleleaf Omnibus if that's more to your liking.


Ha. I get it. Because I'm Canadian.

Clever.

[number8]

Not only have I not seen any credit, the fuckers shipped my other item I ordered with the DD books for to meet the free shipping minimum and charged me $7 in shipping. WTF?

[EyesWideOpen]

Ha. I get it. Because I'm Canadian.

Clever.

;)

I just found out about that character yesterday. I was seeing members of Alpha Flight and saw his name and went "really?"

[megladon8]

;)

I just found out about that character yesterday. I was seeing members of Alpha Flight and saw his name and went "really?"


I think the purpose of Major Mapleleaf was (or at least has been at points) a mockery of the overwhelming patriotism in American superhero comics, cumulating in (of course) Captain America.

There are actually some awesome "Alpha Flight" books, too.

[Grouchy]

Not only have I not seen any credit, the fuckers shipped my other item I ordered with the DD books for to meet the free shipping minimum and charged me $7 in shipping. WTF?
I don't think they like you.

[Spaceman Spiff]

It's good. Tardi's art is spectacular: loose, expressive linework; brilliant capture of faces and expressions; rock-solid storytelling with some interesting layout elements; mad technical skill. The dialogue is sharp and witty. My only issues are with the narrative. It begins with a really clever, absurd, satirical scenario reminiscent of Gogol or Kafka, but rather than explore that scenario, it kind of drifts into much less interesting stuff. One of the two main characters also seemed a bit pointless and cipher-like.

This was AMAZING. Loved it, loved it, loved it. Loves the sudden narrative shift from absurdity to social critique. Loved everything about it.

Better than West Coast Blues which was neat, but veered off in Tarantino-cool a little too much. The namechecking to old film noirs was a little silly. Great art again though. Tardi's gore is bizarre in relation to others, but that's what makes some scenes so shocking I think.

[number8]

So, Spider-Man.

Marvel continues their quest to egg me into punching Peter Parker in the fucking mouth.

[megladon8]

Barnes & Noble cancelled both of my orders, after sending me e-mails that both of them were "prepped for shipping".

Well fuck you, too.

[Ivan Drago]

So, Spider-Man.

Marvel continues their quest to egg me into punching Peter Parker in the fucking mouth.

What's going on?

[Acapelli]

So, Spider-Man.

Marvel continues their quest to egg me into punching Peter Parker in the fucking mouth.
huh?

[number8]

What's going on?

JJJ was accused of creating the new Vulture and was under investigations for being a criminal accomplice. So Peter Parker, feeling sorry for him, decides to doctor a picture of Jonah kicking the Vulture to exonerate him. Instead of being grateful, Jonah calls Peter out on how deplorably unethical that is and not only fires him, but does it publicly, encouraging that no other newspaper should hire his photoshopping ass.

And you know what? I'm with Jonah. What the fuck, Peter?

[Grouchy]

I'm with Jonah too.

[Ivan Drago]

Ah, I did read that he got fired in the arc on Yahoo earlier this week, just didn't know what it was for.

And that's fucking stupid for Peter to even do that, good intentions or not.

[Acapelli]

yeah it's dumb, and that's why he got fired, and pretty much publically blacklisted from ever getting a job in photojournalism again

a lot of the stupid shit he does is born out of good intentions, it's just who he is

[number8]

I'm placing blame on Waid, too, for writing his decision so cavalierly. I mean, Peter's been a photojournalist for how many years? And he just makes a decision to photoshop EVIDENCE? Not even simple art for an article here, but EVIDENCE in a criminal case? And Waid didn't even have him wrestling with the decision. He was just like, "Oh, I have the picture! Wait, no, I don't. Hmm, guess I can just photoshop it. YAY I DID GOOD."

[Acapelli]

wasn't really evidence for a criminal case. jonah wasn't even being brought up on charges, it was more the court of public opinion

while i do agree with you saying he probably should have wrestled with it for a while longer, it would have made for boring comics, and ultimately i believe he would have done it anyway

[EyesWideOpen]

Pic's of my latest bindings:

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3xa_2NaY56A/S5033qF2iWI/AAAAAAAAAMA/l1d7cQkGXE4/IMG_6361.JPG
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3xa_2NaY56A/S5034GgKrdI/AAAAAAAAAMI/axfsOtj-Slo/IMG_6360.JPG
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3xa_2NaY56A/S5033N_N-RI/AAAAAAAAAL8/X0zVczP_0J0/IMG_6363.JPG

[Grouchy]

If we wanna get technical about it, though, Peter has been ripping off the Bugle for decades.

I'm curious, I never read Civil War. What was Jameson's first reaction to finding out Spiderman's secret identity.

[number8]

I'm curious, I never read Civil War. What was Jameson's first reaction to finding out Spiderman's secret identity.

He fainted. Then after waking up, he felt humiliated and was fucking pissed at Peter. What else did you think?

[number8]

And if you wanna talk unethical, Peter was Jameson's official mayoral photographer, and at the same time a house photographer for Frontline. In the real world, there's no way this would be acceptable as it's a huge conflict of interest.

[Acapelli]

if i recall, he was just doing freelance work occasionally for frontline at this point. he hasn't been officially employed at frontline since he got the job with jonah

i remember his meeting with robbie when he told him he would take the job at the mayor's office because it would pay more

[number8]

That's worse. As far as I know, you can't work as a personal photographer for a politician in office and moonlight for newspapers on the side. I mean, you'd be able to take photos that photojournalists can't and then sell it to the media. Am I wrong?

[Acapelli]

That's worse. As far as I know, you can't work as a personal photographer for a politician in office and moonlight for newspapers on the side. I mean, you'd be able to take photos that photojournalists can't and then sell it to the media. Am I wrong?
doesn't seem any different from him being spider-man and him being able to get pictures of spider-man that no one else is able to get

[Grouchy]

He fainted. Then after waking up, he felt humiliated and was fucking pissed at Peter. What else did you think?
I thought he could have sued him.

[[ETM]]

Patton Oswalt writing a Serenity one-off sequel comic (http://splashpage.mtv.com/2010/03/08/exclusive-patton-oswalt-adds-a-new-chapter-to-firefly-universe-with-serenity-float-out/)

[number8]

doesn't seem any different from him being spider-man and him being able to get pictures of spider-man that no one else is able to get

Well, yes, that's why he kept that one a secret.

[bac0n]

;248264']Patton Oswalt writing a Serenity one-off sequel comic (http://splashpage.mtv.com/2010/03/08/exclusive-patton-oswalt-adds-a-new-chapter-to-firefly-universe-with-serenity-float-out/)

BTW - don't click unless you want a major plot point in the movie serenity spoiled.

[megladon8]

I've become friends with a local comic artist who just published his first graphic novel. His name is Von Allan. I went to the launch of the book this past weekend and got myself two signed copies (one personalized!).

Here's a page on the book, including a video trailer for it. (http://www.vonallan.com/shop.html)

[[ETM]]

BTW - don't click unless you want a major plot point in the movie serenity spoiled.

Yeah, I forgot that it's set after the film... a cool interview, same warning:
http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/03/23/patton-oswalt-firefly-comic/

[bac0n]

Is anybody else following the Blackest Night stuff on DC? I just read GL #52 and man, it has me stoked for the conclusion next week.

[Acapelli]

i've found blackest night pretty disappointing so far. way too many tie-ins (which i don't have any problem with in theory, but when important plot points happen in a series of tie-ins and johns has to spend half an issue explaining what's happened in the tie-ins its pretty bad)

siege on the other hand has been melting my face off with its awesomeness. first bendis event comic i've loved

[bac0n]

i've found blackest night pretty disappointing so far. way too many tie-ins (which i don't have any problem with in theory, but when important plot points happen in a series of tie-ins and johns has to spend half an issue explaining what's happened in the tie-ins its pretty bad)

siege on the other hand has been melting my face off with its awesomeness. first bendis event comic i've loved

Hrm. I've barely touched the tie-ins and I've been able to keep up just fine with the Blackest Night just fine. It's just GL, GL Corps and Blackest Night for me and I've been able to keep up easily enough.

[number8]

The tie-ins are the best part of the crossover. Like The Question's and Suicide Squad's.

[Acapelli]

The tie-ins are the best part of the crossover. Like The Question's and Suicide Squad's.
way to name just the best. oh and the flash mini because the rogues rule. and the starman one. everything else has been pretty boring

blackest night in general has just not been fun. and i absolutely love the sinestro corps war

[number8]

God, I was just reading the last two arcs of Bendis' Daredevil again. "Decalogue" and "Murdock Papers." Has Bendis ever written anything this fucking good... ever?! Or since?!

It's just perfection. Bendis can write Kingpin like a fucking beast.

[Grouchy]

God, I was just reading the last two arcs of Bendis' Daredevil again. "Decalogue" and "Murdock Papers." Has Bendis ever written anything this fucking good... ever?! Or since?!

It's just perfection. Bendis can write Kingpin like a fucking beast.
No shit. That scene between Kingpin and Ben Urich in "Murdock Papers" is so good, I remember reading it out loud by myself just to savor the words and timing.

Uh, hope that doesn't make me sound like too much of a freak.

[EyesWideOpen]

Just finished up Starman Omnibus Vol. 4 yesterday and man this book is incredible. I've been enjoying this series more then any other book in recent memory. Great characters, beautiful Tony Harris (also get some Mike Mignola since the Hellboy/Batman/Starman two parter is collected) artwork, and fantastic use of flashback/side stories to enhance the Starman universe.

Then today I finished the Saga of the Swamp Thing (Alan Moore) Vol. 2 HC. Another mindblowing volume, I wish I had a chance to read these books back when they were coming out it would have been great to see the reaction.

[number8]

No shit. That scene between Kingpin and Ben Urich in "Murdock Papers" is so good, I remember reading it out loud by myself just to savor the words and timing.

Yeah. "YOU HORROR! I'LL KILL YOU FOR THIS!" followed by Kingpin's satisfied smirk. Amazing writing.

[Grouchy]

This guy (http://www.youtube.com/user/kayjayzdad)'s videos are cool - silly idea, but it works well. I hope they don't shut him down because of copyright or anything like that.

[megladon8]

This guy (http://www.youtube.com/user/kayjayzdad)'s videos are cool - silly idea, but it works well. I hope they don't shut him down because of copyright or anything like that.


One of my best friends is a professional animator, and the project he's currently working on now is for Marvel, where they do this same idea - zooming in on real comic panels - but then the characters come to life and the rest of the page is fully animated.

[Grouchy]

One of my best friends is a professional animator, and the project he's currently working on now is for Marvel, where they do this same idea - zooming in on real comic panels - but then the characters come to life and the rest of the page is fully animated.
Kind of like the Watchmen Motion Comic. Is he adapting an existing Marvel comic?

[megladon8]

Kind of like the Watchmen Motion Comic. Is he adapting an existing Marvel comic?


I'm honestly not sure. He just mentioned something about a Wolverine scene he was doing, and Hulk was in it as well.

[number8]

So I'm working at a fashion company that shares a building with DC Comics HQ. Hoping to bump into someone cool on the elevator soon.

[Acapelli]

so i think this article has convinced me to read pluto

http://www.comicsalliance.com/2010/04/07/morrison-x-urasawa-mining-the-past-without-strip-mining-it/

[EyesWideOpen]

so i think this article has convinced me to read pluto

http://www.comicsalliance.com/2010/04/07/morrison-x-urasawa-mining-the-past-without-strip-mining-it/

That's a great article. I just finished the last volume last night and can't wait to re-go through the series again.

[megladon8]

Sooo...Spider-Man...is now one of...the...X-Men?

:confused:

[number8]

As ComicVine said, "Should the X-Men only allow mutants on their teams? Isn't that...discrimination?"

[megladon8]

Just seems weird that Marvel would take arguably their most popular hero, and put him on a team.

Not bad at all, just weird. I'm anxious to read the in-story reasoning behind his joining the X-Men.

But hey, I guess I'm forgetting that he was part of the Avengers. And I loved The New Avengers.

[EyesWideOpen]

Just seems weird that Marvel would take arguably their most popular hero, and put him on a team.

Not bad at all, just weird. I'm anxious to read the in-story reasoning behind his joining the X-Men.

But hey, I guess I'm forgetting that he was part of the Avengers. And I loved The New Avengers.

It would be weird if they got rid of his 5-6 solo books and put him on a team book but it's no different then having Wolverine or Batman in every book. Having that big name brings in sales and the X-Men books which have been off in their own pocket of the Marvel Universe this might be the sort of thing they do to get them more connected with the MU.

[bac0n]

So, as far as DC arch-enemies go, Superman gets Lex Luther, megalomaniacal egomanical mastermind hellbent on taking over the world.

Batman gets Joker, murderous, deranged sociopath out to destroy him utterly... cuz it's funny.

GL Hal Jordan gets Thaal Sinestro, fascist rogue Green Lantern whose idea of bringing peace and order to the universe is establishing a new order based on the rule of fear.

And The Flash gets... Captain Cold, a guy in a blue winter coat with a freeze ray.

At least, that's how I looked at it, but I must admit, I'm rather, um, warming up to the guy and his Rogues. Here's hoping the new Flash comic continues this trend.

[dreamdead]

This weekend I hope to knock out Spiegelman's In the Shadow of No Towers, Kouno's Town of Evening Calm, Country of Cherry Blossoms, and the Ellis and Williams's Desolation Jones trade.

Mister X: Condemned, while the character itself is super influential to spatial design of neo-noir and expressionistic cityscapes in comics, is kinda average. I'm slowly working my way through the Archives...

[Spaceman Spiff]

Seriously you guys should just all read You Are There by Jean Claude Forest and Jacques Tardi.

[Grouchy]

I always thought of Gorilla Grodd as the Flash's archenemy.

[Acapelli]

So, as far as DC arch-enemies go, Superman gets Lex Luther, megalomaniacal egomanical mastermind hellbent on taking over the world.

Batman gets Joker, murderous, deranged sociopath out to destroy him utterly... cuz it's funny.

GL Hal Jordan gets Thaal Sinestro, fascist rogue Green Lantern whose idea of bringing peace and order to the universe is establishing a new order based on the rule of fear.

And The Flash gets... Captain Cold, a guy in a blue winter coat with a freeze ray.

At least, that's how I looked at it, but I must admit, I'm rather, um, warming up to the guy and his Rogues. Here's hoping the new Flash comic continues this trend.
the new flash comic was 1000000x better than rebirth, which makes me happy because i thought johns was gonna blow it. plus the rogues fucking rule. they were the best part of rogues revenge and blackest knight: flash

[megladon8]

Reverse Flash was quite the baddie.

[number8]

I've always liked the new Zoom's fucked up motivation of becoming a villain.

[dreamdead]

There's lots of formally interesting things about Grant Morrison's The Filth, such as the meta-awareness of the page panel and the humor of the thought balloon existing as a real construct, but Tony the cat ultimately feels more real than anything else in the collection. That seems like a problem, even if some of the flash forwards in space travel also yield interesting complications regarding accelerating terminal diseases. Thematically it's never less than stimulating, but it doesn't hold together all that well for me. Still, I'll likely check out The Invisibles and Animal Man at some point.

Ellis and Williams III"s collection of Desolation Jones holds together more, since it has a more coherent framing starting point (Chandler's The Big Sleep). Naturally for Ellis, though, he makes the pornography ring that Chandler alluded to contemporary, but its excesses here feel in tune with the scenario and don't feel too put-upon. The bits with him holding the woman who can't be touched have a sweet tenderness, even if there's irony in why Jones stays with her. The twist in the last several pages is typical Ellis nihilism, which is depressing, but expected. I think he could have handled it better, but perhaps the last issues (uncollected) posit some purpose to the final death in the collection. Meanwhile, Williams' art is typically gorgeous to look at as well. Anyone have a rec on whether or not his Batwoman run (interior art) is worth a purchase?

Spiegelman's In the Shadow of No Towers is ten oversized double-spread pages of glory, with the final ten or so pages being mere archival comics of revolution, anarchy, and justice concerning NY architecture. I understand the connection, but would have preferred more of Spiegelman's narrative continuing into the present, though I find the animosity of his politics post-9/11 quite interesting. Wonderful for the early pages (might try to get them copied somehow), even if it devolves into a formalist study afterwards.

[EyesWideOpen]

Anyone have a rec on whether or not his Batwoman run (interior art) is worth a purchase?



I think it's the best work he's ever done.

[Sven]

I just read We3 and it may be my favorite now.

[bac0n]

Finally read all three Blackest Night Flash comics. The Rogues stuff is probably my favorite sub-plot of the entire Blackest Night arc.

[number8]

I just read We3 and it may be my favorite now.

is gud?

[Sycophant]

HOLY FUCK. Does Wats read this thread regularly?!

NEW DARKWING DUCK COMIC MINISERIES THIS JUNE. (http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=25219)

I didn't think I'd live to see the Second Coming.

There's also a new DuckTales miniseries around the same time.

I mean, holy fucking shit.

[Watashi]

So awesome.

Maybe a full-length movie is close to follow.

[EyesWideOpen]

You guys remember that Barnes and Noble $10 omnibus glitch from two months ago?

They never cancelled my order they just kept delaying it so this weekend I sent them an email asking why they kept delaying my order even though the items have been "in stock" on multiple occasions in the two months since I placed the order.

Well I finally got my email that they shipped. Criminal Omnibus, Daredevil by Bendis Vol. 2 Omnibus, and Captain Britain Omnibus. That's $250 worth of books for $35 shipped.

That's my deal of the year!

[Raiders]

Anyone here read Mark Hamill's The Black Pearl? I heard he has secured financing to adapt and direct a film version and I wasn't even aware of its existence.

[Sycophant]

So awesome.

Maybe a full-length movie is close to follow.

That seems highly unlikely to me. It seems like the new comic series is in good hands who really got the original show, though. That's very encouraging.

[dreamdead]

It is surprising to believe that Josh Neufeld's A.D.: After the Deluge graphic novel is as praised as it is. He attempts to depict all the anger and misery that escalated in New Orleans when Katrina hit, but the book is way too reliant on stock characters and lacks the panoramic view that Joe Sacco brings to his comics journalism. Although it's a compliment to Neufeld that he trusts the art enough to forgo a complicated written narrative, it feels too cursory and too simplistic; it feels, in brief, like a graphic novel for those who don't read them, rather than challenging the conventions or experimenting with form in any way. When 200 pages can be read in half an hour, there's not much meat there. And worse, Neufeld falls prey to overly dramatic scenes that escalate the pathos to unheard of degrees, and his insertion of himself into the narrative at the 3/4 point is poorly developed. Nothing substantial here.

And Melville, any thoughts on A Contract with God? I saw the rating over in the Top 10 thread... I suspect most of my complaints above could be echoed, save for the fact that that book originated the style of the medium...

[Melville]

And Melville, any thoughts on A Contract with God? I saw the rating over in the Top 10 thread... I suspect most of my complaints above could be echoed, save for the fact that that book originated the style of the medium...
Yeah, I'd echo your above complaints: very simplistic psychology; melodrama without corresponding emotional depth. Although I respect the obvious storytelling skill in Eisner's artwork, I don't care for the hamminess of it, especially in his figures. I'm not sure in what sense you mean that the book originated the style of the medium.

On an unrelated subject, all the horror fans around here should read Al Columbia's comics. Stunning artwork, brilliantly creepy mix of the macabre and Fleischer-style cartoons.

http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/wp-content/2006/10/200610060246.jpg
http://www.tcj.com/www/htdocs/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/zerozero20amnesia.jpg
Probably NSFW:
http://www.alarmpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/alcolumbialarge.jpg

[Grouchy]

I'm not sure in what sense you mean that the book originated the style of the medium.
It invented the graphic novel.

[Melville]

It invented the graphic novel.
It popularized the term and the format, but there were earlier lengthy, self-contained comics stories. And are graphic novels really their own medium? I don't really see a meaningful distinction between graphic novels and storylines in ongoing comics. That's just semantics, though, so it doesn't really matter. But even if it deserves the title of first graphic novel, saying that it originated the style of the medium seems misleading, since other comics in non-graphic-novel format were equally influential on the style of later graphic novels.

[Grouchy]

It popularized the term and the format, but there were earlier lengthy, self-contained comics stories. And are graphic novels really their own medium? I don't really see a meaningful distinction between graphic novels and storylines in ongoing comics. That's just semantics, though, so it doesn't really matter. But even if it deserves the title of first graphic novel, saying that it originated the style of the medium seems misleading, since other comics in non-graphic-novel format were equally influential on the style of later graphic novels.
But it coined the term, and therefore made a high culture distinction between itself and earlier serialized comics which were later compiled. Lame? Maybe, but the important part is that it was the first comic to be reviewed and regarded as a book/novel. In the Wikipedia entry, it even says how Eisner coined the term - he was afraid the possible publisher would hung up on him if he told him it was comics.

Lots of things are like that, though - one work is regarded as the originator, like Superman with the superhero genre, but you can trace the roots of the idea way back, into Gilgamesh times maybe.

[number8]

I'm not sure what I hate more about Joe Quesada: his editorial decisions or his art.

[Acapelli]

I'm not sure what I hate more about Joe Quesada: his editorial decisions or his art.
you are a silly one. quesada's a great artist. only good thing about omd

what'd he do this time. i happen to like marvel's direction right now

[number8]

He didn't really do anything. I was just reading some old comics he drew the other day. They were terrible.

[Grouchy]

I like Quesada's artwork just fine. He did good in Sword of Azrael and Daredevil: Father.

Are there any really good Ghost Rider runs/storylines out there? Just something that came to mind.

[number8]

I think Jason Aaron's run is the first Ghost Rider comics I legitimately liked.

[EyesWideOpen]

I think Jason Aaron's run is the first Ghost Rider comics I legitimately liked.

Yep me too. I picked up that first Garth Ennis mini and it was awful.

Grouchy, their releasing a Ghost Rider by Jason Aaron Omnibus which collects his whole run if you don't mind waiting a couple months.

[Melville]

the important part is that it was the first comic to be reviewed and regarded as a book/novel.
But again, that's just originating or popularizing the format, rather than originating the medium's style, which was already present. I'm not denying the book's historical importance, but just uncertain about what dreamdead meant with his specific statement.

[Winston*]

On the 3rd book of The Walking Dead. Don't think I'm going to continue with this. The artwork in the first book was pretty good, but I think the artwork of the guy who replaced him is kind of poor. Think I'll just wait for the TV series.

[number8]

Yep me too. I picked up that first Garth Ennis mini and it was awful.

It's like an old discarded idea from Hellblazer he dusted up, considered too shitty for Wormwood, and decided to give to Marvel for some extra $$$.

[Sven]

I have not read any of Quesada's comics, but I have seen his artwork and it is mostly very bland. Right now I'm really digging on Quitely.

[number8]

Frank Quitely is the shit.

[megladon8]

Frank Quitely is the shit.


Yeah, especially teamed with Grant Morrison.

[Grouchy]

Well yeah, Quitely is God.

[Ezee E]

Free Comic Book Day. Wonder where a shop is...

[Spaceman Spiff]

If any of you goons are in (or around) Toronto, next week is the Comic Arts Festival, where James Sturm and Daniel Clowes will be for the release of their new books. You should check it out if you can!

I'll try to see if Clowes will sign my Like a Velvet Glove Cast in Iron.

[EyesWideOpen]

Free Comic Book Day. Wonder where a shop is...

I feel sorry for places where their is no comic book stores. I live in arizona and have over 15 within an hour's drive.

[number8]

I was sick saturday. :sad:

[Acapelli]

made 3 stops saturday, midtown comics in manhattan, jim hanley's universe also in manhattan, and rocketship in brooklyn

got nearly everything i wanted except for the doc solar/magnus book and the sixth gun from oni

[EyesWideOpen]

DCBS is sending me 5 FCBD books. I picked:

Iron Man/Thor
War of the Superman
Mouse Guard/Fraggle Rock
DC Kids Mega Sampler
Sixth Gun

[Acapelli]

i really wanted to check out the sixth gun. none of the shops i went to had any copies left. same thing with doc solar/magnus

kinda wished i had picked up a copy of yow, if only for the seth cover

[dreamdead]

Due to a birthday gift card, I picked up Vol 1 of Preacher (which will be reread this summer) and Jimmy Corrigan. I would like to do the whole Preacher series this year.

[Sycophant]

If I want to read some old Carl Barks Disney comics, what's the best way to do that? A specific collection of anthologies? A website?

[EyesWideOpen]

For anyone who has a base knowledge of the Bat universe pick up Brave and the Bold #33 by JMS. It's a gut punch and one of the best single issues of a comic book I've ever read.

[Grouchy]

Due to a birthday gift card, I picked up Vol 1 of Preacher (which will be reread this summer) and Jimmy Corrigan. I would like to do the whole Preacher series this year.
Just a week or two ago I was bored and I started reading Preacher Vol. 1 and ended up reading the entire story non-stop. I have to say, it's my favorite comic series of all time. Most comics published are lucky to have one or two memorable characters and some cardboard supporting ones. Ennis introduces a brilliant creation every five issues. And the way the story finds its way and its meaning is amazing, almost life-like.

[number8]

I call Preacher one of the best depictions of male friendships ever. I had a best friend like Cassidy, and the falling out was just as ugly.

[Grouchy]

Yes, that's the subtext and the heart of the book.

A character like Cassidy, who could even be called a villain yet at no point you can truly dislike him, is a big writing feat.

[Acapelli]

man the last page of this week's batman and robin was totally :eek:

[Sven]

I love Grant Morrison.

[number8]

http://www.smbc-comics.com/index.php?db=comics&id=1873#comic

[ledfloyd]

has anyone else read wilson yet? it's not ice haven but it's completely solid. funny and moving at the same time. glad to see him publishing again after some time.

[bac0n]

So, my curiosity having been piqued from playing X-Men Legends 2: The Rise of Apocalypse a few years ago, I decided to pick up the Age of Apocalypse Vol 1 TPB on Wednesday.

I made it about 2 chapters in before having to put it down. Although the writing is strong enough, the art direction and character design is just awful, to the point that it ruins the rest of the experience.

The worst offenders I've run across so far:

1. Cyclops: looks like Scott Summers wants to be Lorenzo Lamas from Renegade. He's all buffed out, and he only shoots his eye-beam out of his right eye, for his left eye is beneath a bang of his luxurious brown hair.

2. Magneto: he gets the full-on Liefeld treatment a few chapters in. Hulking physique, tiny head, ridiculously wide shoulders. Throw in a few pouches on his uniform and the transformation will be complete.

3. Wolverine: apparently he gets captured by Mr Sinister or something at some as-of-yet unexplained time and gets redesigned into this gorilla with a fu-manchu mustache, pony tail and male pattern baldness. His adamantium claws have been ditched in favor of two comically over-sized blades attached to his forearms that look like they were horked from Worf's trophy case. The character is, naturally, impossible to take seriously.

I could continue but I don't want to belabor the point. Suffice it to say, I won't be picking up volumes 2-4.

[number8]

Holy shit, man. I could've told you to stay away from all Marvel comics circa mid-90s. ESPECIALLY X-Men.

[Ezee E]

Holy shit, man. I could've told you to stay away from all Marvel comics circa mid-90s. ESPECIALLY X-Men.
I think it's more early to mid 90's that has the awful writing.

I became an X-Men fan when the animated series was out, and when Wolverine had his adamantium pulled out. That was the first comic I purchased in fact. I followed it until the Generation X days, and finally quit during one of the Crossovers in which Magneto mixed with Apocalypse or something. Onslaught was the name.

[Acapelli]

bac0n, looking up book one just to see what creators are on it, apparently it's just a bunch of auxiliary, throwaway material that's not essential to aoa at all. most people say you should be starting with book 2

i guess marvel figured they could trick unsuspecting readers by making them buy all the unimportant stories first

[Spaceman Spiff]

has anyone else read wilson yet? it's not ice haven but it's completely solid. funny and moving at the same time. glad to see him publishing again after some time.

I'm picking it up tomorrow, and hoping to get it signed by Clowes himself.

[Grouchy]

I think it's more early to mid 90's that has the awful writing.

I became an X-Men fan when the animated series was out, and when Wolverine had his adamantium pulled out. That was the first comic I purchased in fact. I followed it until the Generation X days, and finally quit during one of the Crossovers in which Magneto mixed with Apocalypse or something. Onslaught was the name.
Wow, freaky. I did almost the exact same comics tour when I was a kid, except I already read Batman and Superman. But I watched the TV series, read those Wolverine comics and got into Marvel as a result.

[bac0n]

Holy shit, man. I could've told you to stay away from all Marvel comics circa mid-90s. ESPECIALLY X-Men.

no kiddin'. but dammit, my curiosity got the best of me.

[Sycophant]

http://www.whatnotstudios.com/shit/darwking2coverb.jpg

[Kurosawa Fan]

Bought this from Amazon yesterday (my wife was ordering, and we needed a few more bucks for free shipping). Anyone read it?

http://johnstonarchitects.files.wordp ress.com/2010/01/asterios-polyp-bookcover1.jpg

I know it's not a comic book, but I figure with the posters who frequent this thread, it's still an appropriate place to post it.

[Melville]

Bought this from Amazon yesterday (my wife was ordering, and we needed a few more bucks for free shipping). Anyone read it?
I love Mazzucchelli, but I was disappointed in it. The story is very slight, with essentially stock characters, and it uses really transparent, uninteresting literary allusions and formal techniques. It felt very contrived to me. But a lot of people thought it was great.


I know it's not a comic book
?

[Kurosawa Fan]

I love Mazzucchelli, but I was disappointed in it. The story is very slight, with essentially stock characters, and it uses really transparent, uninteresting literary allusions and formal techniques. It felt very contrived to me. But a lot of people thought it was great.


?

Well, that's a shame.

As for not a "comic book", I mean not in the sense that most people have been discussing in this thread. It's a "graphic novel." Or it's just a comic book, and I don't know what I'm talking about. Which is a definite possibility.

[Sven]

As for not a "comic book", I mean not in the sense that most people have been discussing in this thread. It's a "graphic novel." Or it's just a comic book, and I don't know what I'm talking about. Which is a definite possibility.

I'm with Alan Moore re: "graphic novel". Lame euphemism employed by comic book companies to advertise to readers of "legitimate" material. Asterios Polyp is a comic book. And a very pretty one. The art is great. I'm with Melville about the story, which I wasn't as opposed to as he was, but with which I was not entirely impressed.

[number8]

Ah, Sven, but the actual quote has so much more flavor to it:


That pompous phrase (graphic novel) was thought up by some idiot in the marketing department of DC. I prefer to call them Big Expensive Comics.

[Melville]

I'm with Melville about the story, which I wasn't as opposed to as he was, but with which I was not entirely impressed.
I didn't think the story was awful, but I was expecting something great.

[Sven]

Ah, Sven, but the actual quote has so much more flavor to it:

I have always been a poor paraphraser.


I didn't think the story was awful, but I was expecting something great.

I suppose my complete lack of knowing what to expect worked for me, then. I am not familiar with the author, so...

[megladon8]

While I very much agree with Moore, it is amazing how many people I've gotten to read comics I loved by telling them "it's a graphic novel".

[number8]

My favorite quote is actually by Tom Hanks, in one of the interviews when Road to Perdition came out.

"This movie is based on a graphic novel... whatever the hell that is..."

[megladon8]

I've not read "Road to Perdition". How does it compare/contrast to the movie?

[number8]

Well... I liked the movie more.

[megladon8]

Well... I liked the movie more.


Do you think you might check out Kick Ass (the movie)?

While I'm not 100% confident you'll love it or anything, I think it's very much worth giving a shot, because it is so very much better than the book (which I also thought was a steaming pile).

[number8]

It's Lionsgate, right? They'll probably send me the Bluray in a couple of months. I'll see it then.

[megladon8]

It's Lionsgate, right? They'll probably send me the Bluray in a couple of months. I'll see it then.


I think so. I honestly don't remember.

I hope you enjoy it. It's not the be-all, end-all of comic book films as some reviewers have made it out to be, but I thought it was better (and smarter) than I had ever expected.

Beautifully photographed, too.

[dreamdead]

I love Mazzucchelli, but I was disappointed in it.

This reminds me that I should get to his City of Glass adaptation. I've read the first few pages, which are often anthologized in visual culture textbooks, but I've never sat down to read it all the way through. I wonder if he's amply helped in that text by only needing to adapt and not construct (however untenable such terms are here) the narrative...?

[Melville]

I'm not sure I've ever met someone who actually reads comics and makes a fundamental distinction between graphic novels and other comics formats, though people who don't read them seem to generally make the distinction. I thought McCloud's Understanding Comics kind of set the standard for the discourse 20 years ago, calling everything comics. Though I know some creators, like Eddie Campbell with his Graphic Novel Manifesto, think the term "graphic novel" is useful not just in defining a format, but as an impetus to create more consciously high-quality literary work in comics.


This reminds me that I should get to his City of Glass adaptation. I've read the first few pages, which are often anthologized in visual culture textbooks, but I've never sat down to read it all the way through. I wonder if he's amply helped in that text by only needing to adapt and not construct (however untenable such terms are here) the narrative...?
Yeah, I think he's just not a great writer. In the case of City of Glass, he was collaborating with a writer, in addition to working from an already-constructed source. (I don't recall how they split the adaptation duties, though I remember it being discussed in the book's introduction.) He's one of my favorite artists, though. I love his minimalist, expressionistic style. His even more minimalist, iconographic style in Asterios Polyp is good too. His collaborations with Frank Miller, and City of Glass even more so, are awesome.

[Spaceman Spiff]

I can take or leave Mazzucchelli, and I too was not impressed with Asterios Polyp, although we are a rare bunch regarding that book, so you might be impressed. Dunno.

[Grouchy]

Road to Perdition (the comic) is strange in that it seems to have no discernible external conflict for the protagonist. They kill his family, he kills a helluva lot of people easily. The movie added some salt to it and a very good Jude Law character.

[bac0n]

Wow, Flash #2 has one of the most enjoyable superhero-saves-the-day sequences I've come across in ages.

[Sven]

Anyone read The Invisibles lately? Do you know what I mean when I express slight dissatisfaction with the level of detail in many of the series's background art? The pages sometimes just feel so bare. The characters and action are always wonderful, but their surroundings are frequently a blank slate with minimal decor. I think it may be on purpose, but it feels more rushed than intentional. Which is a shame, because otherwise, it's seriously contending for the greatest series I've ever read.

[number8]

Considering it changed artists every other issue, you'll forget about that problem soon. Magnificent series, though, isn't it? Have you gotten to the henchman issue yet?

[Sven]

Considering it changed artists every other issue, you'll forget about that problem soon. Magnificent series, though, isn't it? Have you gotten to the henchman issue yet?

Yeah. It's been a maelstrom of reading. Between that and Animal Man. I'm now on Vol. 2 of Animal Man and Vol. 5 of The Invisibles. So weird. So incomprehensibly creative.

[number8]

I love both, but I still think DOOM PATROL is his best.

[Sven]

I love both, but I still think DOOM PATROL is his best.

I look forward to continuing with that'n after I'm done with these'ns. I've also been reading his JLA while on break at work. Quite excellent, for generic superhero action goings-on.

[dreamdead]

Yeah. It's been a maelstrom of reading. Between that and Animal Man. I'm now on Vol. 2 of Animal Man and Vol. 5 of The Invisibles. So weird. So incomprehensibly creative.

Thanks for posting this. We've been wanting to read these series, and now feel confident that the quality will be immense.

JH Williams III's Batwoman run on Detective Comics is a visual marvel. Pushing the boundaries of impressionistic visual design in the superhero form, and though a few panels are almost too hard to connect the events, his interlocking constructions are just fascinating, suggestive, and often theoretically stimulating. This is something I want to revisit and write about...

[Spaceman Spiff]

Hey Melville,

It was the war of the trenches.

:eek:

[Melville]

Hey Melville,

It was the war of the trenches.

:eek:
Glad you liked it. I'll get the English one eventually. And thanks again for the coffee.

[Grouchy]

Bought and read The Boys Vol. 1.

I love you, Garth Ennis.

[megladon8]

Garth Ennis is someone who should go back to the brilliance of "Preacher", and stop writing Millar-esque "lots of gore and people saying bad words!" stuff.

[Grouchy]

Garth Ennis is someone who should go back to the brilliance of "Preacher", and stop writing Millar-esque "lots of gore and people saying bad words!" stuff.
Have you read The Boys? Sure, it's about making fun of superheroes which might be Millar-esque, but you can't tell me it's not brilliant. And he knows how to use curse words a lot better than Mark Millar. With an Ennis comic, you can always tell who's saying what just from the way they speak.

One other thing that Ennis does quite well is the balance between dark comedy and heartfelt emotions. His comics are filled with violence, curse words and gross-out sex behavior but they never feel like an exercise in cynicism because the characters are always so great and the emotions they go through are genuine. I can't think of any other writer, comics or not, who does this kind of thing as well as him.

[megladon8]

I liked "The Boys", but it doesn't deserve to share the same toilet as "Preacher".

"Fury" ranks with Millar's "Kick Ass" in my list of worst comics ever read.

[number8]

My only complaint about The Boys is that it took until issue 30+ to reach the same level of emotional attachment and human stories that Preacher, Hitman and Punisher all achieved before they even reach #15. Ennis was using The Boys more to have fun than to tell stories he's really good at telling.

[megladon8]

What did you think of "Fury", 8?

I'm almost compelled to re-read it and see if it's as horrid as I remember.

[number8]

I don't think I have an opinion of it. Obviously a very different Nick Fury than the one I know, but it is MAX, and I get what he was going for. Don't really care to revisit it, but I don't remember it being complete shit. I like the relationship between Fury and the disillusioned HYDRA agent. I bet it was one of those Marvel "Hey, write this for us please? We'll pay you!" thing, like his Ghost Rider mini.

[megladon8]

I don't think I have an opinion of it. Obviously a very different Nick Fury than the one I know, but it is MAX, and I get what he was going for. Don't really care to revisit it, but I don't remember it being complete shit. I bet it was one of those Marvel "Hey, write this for us please? We'll pay you!" thing, like his Ghost Rider mini.


I actually never really minded his run on "Ghost Rider".

It doesn't touch Jason Aaron's run, but I found it entertaining enough, and the artwork was beautiful.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Glad you liked it. I'll get the English one eventually. And thanks again for the coffee.

No problem. It's really, really great. About as compelling as the utterly harrowing can get, really.

I was less impressed with Clowes' new comic Wilson however. I didn't like the frankly odd format at first which potrayed Wilson's life as a series of 1-page minutiae which reveal the extent of Wilson's misanthropy, but it does provide for some very funny moments. However, it all felt a little derivative of the 'angry and bitter curmudgeon' concept that has been done much more artfully by quite a few others. Clowes enthusiasts will certainly find something to like here, even if it's nothing particularily new.

[ledfloyd]

No problem. It's really, really great. About as compelling as the utterly harrowing can get, really.

I was less impressed with Clowes' new comic Wilson however. I didn't like the frankly odd format at first which potrayed Wilson's life as a series of 1-page minutiae which reveal the extent of Wilson's misanthropy, but it does provide for some very funny moments. However, it all felt a little derivative of the 'angry and bitter curmudgeon' concept that has been done much more artfully by quite a few others. Clowes enthusiasts will certainly find something to like here, even if it's nothing particularily new.
i found the format a bit unnatural at first but liked how by the end the one page vignettes all added up to a unique nuanced portrait of wilson's life. the way it ended was quite poetic as well.

the short stories adding up to a greater whole didn't work quite as well ice haven did, but i still loved it. however, i am a clowes enthusiast.

[Sven]

Picked up the rest of Animal Man, as well as picking up the last of The Invisibles, as well as picking up vols 2-5 of Doom Patrol, as well as ordering Seaguy and vol 1 of Seven Soldiers, as well as the first "ultimate collection" of New X-Men.

I'm on a spree! This is an expensive hobby. Nobody tell my wife.

[number8]

I've created a monster...

[Sven]

I've created a monster...

I do attribute this phase to you.

[Sven]

Well yeah, Quitely is God.


Frank Quitely is the shit.

I'm beginning to believe both sentiments. Is it safe to say that he is well liked among the comic crowd? I would hate to think that it would be otherwise. I have a friend who can't get past the digital coloring in All Star Superman, calling the whole visual presentation "terrible."

[number8]

Frank Quitely is actually extremely divisive. His fans usually think he's one of the top echelons of artists working today, but there's a large segment of comic fans that still favor beautiful draftsmanship and can't get past this idea that he draws "ugly wrinkly people." Those peeps suck, man.

[ledfloyd]

i love quitely in general, but there are many panels where i feel he does make people too lumpy.

like robin here:
http://www.akirathedon.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/batman-and-robin1.jpg

[EyesWideOpen]

I like alot of Quitely's work like We3, most of Batman and Robin, All Star Superman but I really didn't like his New X-Men stuff. I'd consider him a good artist but he is nowhere near what I would consider one of the current great comic book artists.

[Sven]

I like alot of Quitely's work like We3, most of Batman and Robin, All Star Superman but I really didn't like his New X-Men stuff. I'd consider him a good artist but he is nowhere near what I would consider one of the current great comic book artists.

Alright, then. While on the topic, what are everybody's favorite current comic book artists? Who would you consider to be great?

[megladon8]

Alright, then. While on the topic, what are everybody's favorite current comic book artists? Who would you consider to be great?


Frank Quitely

[EyesWideOpen]

Alright, then. While on the topic, what are everybody's favorite current comic book artists? Who would you consider to be great?

Darwyn Cooke
John Romita Jr
Paul Pope
Skottie Young
Tim Sale
Leinil Francis Yu
Marcos Martin
Alex Maleev
Sean Phillips
Amanda Conner
Mike Allred
Gabriel Ba & Fabio Moon
Rafael Grampa (the little I've seen of him)

These are people I would consider top tier off the top of my head. I'll remember more later, but yeah their are a ton of comic book artists who I think are fantastic.