What comics are you all reading? What do you think?

[Corporal Blues]

Right now? I'm just about finished with a 9-page anthology piece which deconstructs one element of superhero comics that gets on my nerves. Beyond that I have three titles almost to the pitching stage, one a steam punk alt-history mini-series, one a sf story and the other an asian based fantasy story, I just need to find willing artists to draw them which for me is the biggest part of the battle.

I can imagine finding an artist could be difficult.

I've been developing a webcomic for what feels like an age, the first 'Log' script I posted on my sffworld blog here: http://www.sffworld.com/forums/blog.php?b=923

I read through your script. That looks pretty cool. I've never really had the chance to look at a comic script, other than stuff I've seen in "extras" at the end of trades.

I only have two small published anthology pieces to my name so far so I don't have enough material to warrant a table at a con ... yet

Nice, I didn't know you had stuff published. What collections do you have your stuff in?

I think even if my LCS asked me to pick some DC relaunch titles I'd say no.

It wasn't like a pressure thing, but I know there's a few titles I want to check out, though I'm cautiously skeptical about some of the titles I signed up for but want to read at least one issue of...MANY of the DC relaunch titles seem like a total waste to me. There's a lot of crap that probably wont make it past a handful of issues.

To me it seems like dead money right out the door, undoubtedly I will like a few of those titles but DC cannot sustain all those titles so they're effectively throwing **** at the wall to see what sticks.

Well said!

Plus with some of the creators involved plenty of those titles aren't going to ship on time meaning a schedule all over the shop. Fascinating to watch what happens but from the outside for now

Yeah, I expect a slow production rate on the Batwoman title.

[Loerwyn]

Hadn't realised I didn't say I finished Persepolis. It took a bit longer than I'd expected, because it is quite a meaty read. I'll quote my review from Goodreads.

My first encounter with Persepolis was a few years back, when the film was showing on TV. I barely remember it, but I do remember wanting to read the graphic novel. It's taken me all these years to finally get it, and I've only just finished it.

Persepolis is, without a doubt, a politically charged tale. It revolves around the author, Marjane, and her first twenty something years of life. From day one she's a rebel, whether it's against the strict laws of Iran or the fluidly variant society of Europe. Whilst many of the events in this book happened before my life began, I do lack the historic background to know what happened then, Marjane does a fairly good job of explaining them to you. She shows the contrast between European society and that of Iran, and even the contrast between traditionalist and 'progressive' Muslims in Iran itself.

It's surprising how much she does in the 16 or so years we follow her (From a young girl to the age of 22), sometimes stretching the believability factor a little much (I'm not sure if she tweaked aspects to make a better read), but never ceasing to be compelling.

This book is a must read for anyone, really. The art is beautifully drawn, and you'll gain an understanding of Islamic laws, the struggles of women in some of those countries, and the tolls the constant conflicts take upon the civilians involved, as well as the political and religious manoeuvres used to try to keep the population placated. Marjane's story shows that the little things do and can matter, and that you should always be mindful of what you say or do, but also that you should never cease to be yourself.

[Loerwyn]

I read two graphics today, X-Men: Messiah Complex and Uncanny X-Men: Manifest Destiny. No points for guessing which character I bought them for.

Messiah Complex
I had a part of this sat in my drawer for absolutely ages from when I bought a random Essential X-Men reprint, and I vividly remember X-23 beating the snuff out of Lady Deathstrike, but sadly I didn't have the other parts until I bought the trade today. I wouldn't say it was the most readable trade as a standalone as it is a fairly wide-spread arc. I got the general idea, though, and I thought it was a fairly good read. I didn't know a number of the characters, but that didn't hinder my enjoyment too much. Sadly, due to the number of issues and titles involved, the art was all over the place, and it wasn't that consistent. Costumes changed from issue to issue, and it was quite annoying, plus one of the artists resorted to drawing Pixie in that ultra-ugly way, whereas she's drawn as fairly normal in everything else. Oh, and I want to slap one of the writers. Do NOT write Rogue like her movie version, because she sounds utterly stupid. Ah'm real serious, folks.

Manifest Destiny
I just forgot the story, and I finished it about 10 minutes ago. Oops. It's a bit of a mixed read, but not in a bad way. The first half is a fairly 'normal' kind of story, with Pixie generally stealing the show, but I really can't remember what happened. According to Wikipedia, it's about the X-Men moving. Huh, that seems about right. Anyway, the art in the first half is alright but I really don't like that realistic kind of art used at the start. It's creepy. There's something about a dominatrix in very naughty clothes, too, and one hell of a focus on sex, which is actually really weird. And Emma Frost wears bugger all throughout the first half. She seems to pull a She-Hulk pose in one panel, and I wished it was She-Hulk. She's hotter.

The last half is mostly shorter pieces that revolve around different characters. I've no idea what Juggernaut's piece was about, there was one between Anole and another gay superhero, one with Dazzler and two emotional pieces for Colossus and Emma Frost. Oh, and there was the one I bought the trade for, which is with X-23 and Cess (Mercury <3), and it was a fairly sweet piece that deals with Cess' self-image and confidence. I'm a bit confused as to X-23, though, because she seemed completely different to her X-Force variant. She was friendly and sociable in this short piece, but in practically everything else, she's fairly cold and distant. It didn't make much sense to me.

However, I realised what I hate about X-Men comics. Emma Frost. She's just fan-w*cough*k material, and she runs around in sod all. She taught a class, according to this graphic, wearing a thong, a really weird vest, and thigh-high boots. She runs around in not much more. Artists love drawing her chest and her arse, too. It's utterly appalling, to be honest. I know superhero comics can be bad, but it was just embarrassing in these.

[Loerwyn]

I feel like a spammer now

Kater, how've you got on with Morning Glories? I preordered Volume 2 today, so just wondering if it gets better.

[Sonja Ravenscroft]

I'm re-reading Bone (The TPB)

I wonder if there's any truth to the story I heard about Jeff Smith was in pre-production for a Bone movie, and when told Britney Spears was going to have a song in it, answered something to the effect of "I'm here to make my movie, not advance anyone's singing career" and he eventually pulled the project rather than have any "singing" in his film.

Would have been interesting to see a Bone film-but If that story is true, I respect him for keeping to his values, the same way I'm glad Watterson stopped doing Calvin and Hobbes rather than be dragged into merchandising and related issues.

[Loerwyn]

The most experience I've had with Bone is I played the demo of The Great Cow Race, which is an adventure game based on the series.

Is it worth getting that super huge super big edition?

[Sonja Ravenscroft]

I didn't know there was a game lol


Bone is one of those things you either "get" or you don't-I would recommend if possible picking up one of the smaller "issue" TPB's from the library, give it a read (The Great Cow Race is, IMO, one of the best stories ever done in ANY comic title lol).

The whole story actually gets pretty serious and less "fun" about halfway through the story arc , and gets rather dark-but enjoyable.

I'd recommend it, but then I love the story lol.

[Loerwyn]

There were two or three, I think. They were done by Telltale Games, who've just done Back to the Future, they're doing Sam & Max and they're doing The Walking Dead and Jurassic Park. I think.

I'm sure I can find a Bone preview online. I'll look into it...

[kater]

I feel like a spammer now

Kater, how've you got on with Morning Glories? I preordered Volume 2 today, so just wondering if it gets better.

Same old, same old. Lots of questions still no answers, don't think there's been another issue since it was first brought up, I'll probably jump off this a bit sooner than I thought. It's alright but I'm liking Infinite Vacation more

[Loerwyn]

Will cancel the pre-order, then. Didn't enjoy it enough to stick with it if it doesn't improve.

[Corporal Blues]

I finished reading the Ex Machina series a couple days ago.

I gotta say, I was a bit underwhelmed by the ending. Compared to the rest of the series it felt a bit confusing and garbled. I'm left feeling a little unsatisfied.

[kater]

You're not alone there, after re-reading it a couple of times it works for me just about. But that, and to an extent the ending to Y, really don't deliver on the level you expect.

[Rob B]

I've been sticking to mostly DC, including Flashpoint, a few Bat Books and Green Lantern, as well as Fables. I'm also (nearly finished after having started yesterday) Supergods, Grant Morrison's love letter/overview to superhero comics. Good stuff.

[Loerwyn]

I cancelled the pre-order I mentioned, and went with Hellboy volumes #7 and #8, which should keep me going until B.P.R.D. Omnibus #2 and Nursery Rhyme Comics (Mignola, Brosgol and loads more). Depending on my finances, I might also order next week's Echo: The Complete Story by Terry Moore. 600+ pages for about &#163;18. Bargain.

[Sonja Ravenscroft]

I miss my days of ordering comics and Graphic novels. I only have a few now-I mentioned Bone.

Perhaps after Bone I'll start on my Gaiman's Sandman collection for the umpteenth time (one of the best story arcs, graphic novel or otherwise)I've read.