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

[Corporal Blues]

Excellent, C. Blues! It's also the cheapest

Cool, I'll be interested to see what you think!

 

[Loerwyn]

Cool, I'll be interested to see what you think!

I should be able to order it by the end of the week.

I'm getting fed up with comics at the moment. All the recent ones are either ridiculously dark or you have to buy another 18 graphic novels to fully understand what's going on, often from a different series! It doesn't help that Marvel do these huge events (Secret Invasion, Civil War, Avengers Initiative, Messiah Complex, World War Hulk etc) and you just end up overwhelmed.

I've ordered Hellboy #1 to see what the series is like, but I have a feeling that I'd have to get BPRD to fully understand Hellboy and vice versa. Blergh

 

[Roland 85]

The easy way to navigate through Marvel events is to read the entire House of M (core story first, then whatever), and then skip all other events ^_^ Also, Messiah Complex was pretty easy to follow in that ONE collection they put it in...

 

[Loerwyn]

The easy way to navigate through Marvel events is to read the entire House of M (core story first, then whatever), and then skip all other events ^_^

That wasn't really my point. A lot of cross referencing happens in Marvel (and I've not even looked at DC that much), and it's really, really confusing - Especially when your drug of choice happens to be Deadpool-related comics. Take Deadpool vol #3: X Marks The Spot as an example. You have Mercury (<3) on the X-Men team and a bunch of others I'd never heard about. So, if I wanted to find out who they really were, I'd have to start reading X-Men, and the navigation of which is the equivalent of putting a technologically inept person in a plane and asking them to take off, fly and then land it.

Then you have Deadpool vol #2 which ties in with the end of the Secret Invasion (Dark Reign, I believe the event is) and deals with Osborn sending Bullseye after Deadpool, but to fully understand that graphic you need to get the Deadpool/Thunderbolts one which is unnumbered and slots between #1 and #2.

X-Force is just as bad. You have heavy ties to X-Men, and then you've got three iterations of X-Force, a Messiah tie-in with Cable & Deadpool, Uncanny X-Force (coming soon, I think. Psylocke, Wolverine, Deadpool and some others).

Also, Messiah Complex was pretty easy to follow in that ONE collection they put it in...

'twas an example, nothing more. No need to be snarky about it.

 

[Roland 85]

I was mildly plaiful, not snarky You're right, of course. Marvel is all about making you read as many series at the same time as possible. They're greedy bastards that way.

 

[Loerwyn]

I was mildly plaiful, not snarky You're right, of course. Marvel is all about making you read as many series at the same time as possible. They're greedy bastards that way.

In that case, my apologies, Roland. Sometimes it's hard to tell.

I don't disagree, either. The amount of limited, on-going and one shots they put out is ridiculous. Getting a good foothold, even if you buy second hand trades, is expensive and takes up a lot of room. Here's to hoping Her-Oes will be good

 

[kater]

Don't be holding that breath

 

[Loerwyn]

Don't be holding that breath

I just remembered my Forge and Edge collections are incomplete. Shame, really, as it's damned hard to get hold of CrossGen trades now.

 

[Corporal Blues]

Read the first four issues of the Spy/thriller Ghost Projekt last night. Pretty awesome and entertaining stuff. I'm looking forward to the final installment which is due in late October.

 

[Loerwyn]

I read The Amazing Screw-On Head & Other Curious Objects last night. Wow, that was a pretty good graphic. Screw-On Head was pretty good, but I will admit I preferred the pilot they did, although it was fun reading Emperor Zombie in David Hyde Pierce's voice.

The other stories paled in comparison, but they were still readable. The Magician and the Snake was kinda cute (I think it was written partially by Mark Mignola's daughter, or at least inspired by her) and it was hinted at in the following shorts, usually via a statue or a sign. In another short, Satan featured and looked suspiciously like Hellboy.

If you want something slightly artsy or slightly odd, I think this is a great buy.

 

[Loerwyn]

Hellboy #1 was finally finished yesterday. Hmm, there's both a lot and not much I can say about it. As far as graphic novels go, not a lot happened in it. There was a lot of talking, a lot of posing, and that was about it. The art is a little unusual, and the writing can be a little "out there" at times.

But it's good. I think I actually prefer this version (the "true" version) of Hellboy to del Toro's interpretation. He seems much calmer, more laid back, less arrogant and perhaps even more... human? You didn't see a lot of Liz or Abe in it, though. Will happily buy the next one in the series

 

[Corporal Blues]

Haven't been up to much comic reading lately, but I did get my hands on a copy of Mesmo Delivery by Raphael Grampa...talk about a guy who deserves to be better known. His artwork is, to quote Oprah: Amaaaaaazing!

An Elvis impersonator and a hulking ex-boxer sign up to deliver an unknown cargo for Mesmo Delivery. In need of a break, and some refreshment after some time on the dusty road, the two men make a pit-stop at a run down desert oasis bar in the middle of nowhere. While the Elvis impersonator naps, the ex-boxer enters the bar, and unwillingly becomes part of a violent bet. What follows is a visually stunning, expertly choreographed, blood-fest that is simultaneously horrifying and mesmerizing.

Grampa is, flat out, an amazing artist. He has a strong attention to detail, the environments just sort of spring to life with detail and realism. His line work is pretty damn sweet too. But, you should just see it for yourself.

 

[algernoninc]

I've only just started to be seriously tempted by comics since I got my iPad this month, so I started with:
- Watchmen
- The Hedge Knight and the Sworn Sword
- Blacksad [excellent, I thought]

next on my list:
- some Star Wars: i want something well drawn, I'm not sure where to start
- Stardust [Gaiman]
- Transmetropolitan
- some more french comics [Rahan, XIII or Largo Winch]

I'm quite in love with my electronic toy, until now I had to rely on 2 foreign libraries [english and french] in another town for my comic books.

 

[kater]

next on my list:
- some Star Wars: i want something well drawn, I'm not sure where to start

Legacy, Knights of the Old Republic and Dark Times all had very good art fwiw, although they are both fairly extended series.

 

[Corporal Blues]

Some comics I've been reading:

American Vampire #6: The sixth issue of American Vampire is the first issue without the writing skills of Stephen King. King was only around for the opening run of five issues, and now it is up to Scott Snyder to merge the two story lines of Skinnner Sweet and Pearl Jones. This issue introduces a new character, Las Vegas chief of Police, Cash McCoogan. The whole issue essentially sets up this new character, and you get the sense that He'll be directly opposed to whatever kind of things the vampires have planned for Vegas.

Though the comic features some absolutely beautiful art drawn by Raphael Albuquerque, and some solid writing as well, I officially dropped this series following this issue. I think I am just sick of vampires, even ones that are bad-ass, and not sparkly. I never felt that feeling of being sucked in by this comic. A fair shot was given, but alas, no more for me.



Nemesis #3: Nemesis is another title I am sort of on the fence as to whether or not I'm in love with it. The difference though is this one is a 4 issue miniseries. Like most Mark Millar projects I've experienced, the focus seems to be more on style and glitz than form and substance. But damn does this book look good! McNiven is a great artist, and his work is greatly complimented by the great color work done by Dave McCaig. (It seems like whenever I notice how nice the colors are in a comic, they are done my McCaig.) Nemesis is truly a sight to behold. The prison fight in particular is ****ing amazing.

Each one of these issues has left me excited for the next, and I'm particularly piqued for the final issue. I cant really predict where all the pieces will lie when it is all said and done, but chances are it will be a bloody, brutal gut wrenching finale.



The Unwritten #17: I'm not a regular reader of The Unwritten but there is no way in hell I can pass up the chance to read a Choose Your Own Adventure style comic! Without a doubt, this is the coolest single issue of a comic I've read so far this year. When I was a kid, I loved the Choose Your Own Adventure books. The concept is simple, yet pretty brilliant, and it is pulled of perfectly here.

On my initial read, I tried to make decisions that would lead the story in the most interesting direction, though not necessarily the decisions I would personally make given similar circumstances. By this decision making method, I felt like I read the story line that was meant to be delivered by the writers, Mike Carey and Peter Gross. I did finish up on the final page of comic after it was all said and done, which is a win in my book.

The great thing about this comic is that it could be read and re-read over and over, with different possible outcomes. Not a bad deal for $3.99. Worth checking out even if you don't read the comic regularly.



Skull Kickers #1: First off, great title for a comic! Not only that, but there is literally a Skull Kicking on the second page! The basis for this one is two mercenaries, their names haven't been mentioned yet, don't get paid for a job they did, and while attempting to make some money on a smash-and-grab job get tied up in something bigger than they expected.

The mercenary duo comprise of a hack first, ask questions later dwarf, and a tank-like human with a gun. Though it takes place in a medieval setting, no one seems to notice the oddness of that particular item. Skull Kickers is a fantasy-action comic through and through with a nice touch of spicy sassyness added to the mix. They managed to sneak in a penciler switcheroo mid-comic, but it is tough to notice as the art styles are quite similar. Solid debut overall, and one I'll likely continue to follow for a bit.



****Dwagginz- Skull Kickers seems like it would be up your alley.

 

[algernoninc]

thanks, Kater: I've started Knights of the Old Republic. I like the drawing and the coloring. The story captures some of the movies atmosphere: the humor, the action, the ships and the planetary vistas [some cool babes], too.
In the beginning I felt a little lost, as there are some references to a previous period: a first sith war, probably described in another Star Wars story arc. I'm ok now with it.

 

[kater]

No worries, I think Legacy is probably the easiest series to pick up because it's clearly signposted where and when in the SW universe the series is set, plus the Skywalker influence. KOTOR is harder to pick up but also enjoyable. Wikipedia should set you up with info about the Sith War's, it's fairly basic stuff but it is a big backstory.

 

[Loerwyn]

Wookiepedia should set you up with info about the Sith War's, it's fairly basic stuff but it is a big backstory.

Fixed it!

 

[Roland 85]

The Walking Dead, Volume 7: The Calm Before

After a necessary break from the series, I decided to jump back into the world of The Walking Dead. It seems to have done me some good, because even though not much happens in Volume 7, it wasn't irritating either. The Calm Before is sort of an interlude, as the title suggests, dealing with the weeks of relative peace the people in the prison are enjoying, after Rick's return from Woodsburry.

Outside of the token death of an established character (and one that was long time in the coming, to be honest), the only important thing to happen in this volume is the birth (finally!) of Lori and Rick's (or Lori and Shane's, but who cares anymore?) baby. Plus, of course, the cliffhanger at the end - one which we were also expecting for a while now.

And yet, The Calm Before feels just right for its title, giving the characters some (not too much) rest from all the drama they've been forced to endure, and in a way that doesn't feel like the story is dragging the way previous volumes did. Sure, Kirkman is obviously never gonna grow out of his pretentious declarative exhibitionist conversations about who feels how, why they feel that way, and how messed up life is, but I've kinda grown to accept that The Walking Dead just isn't the masterpiece I was led to expect. Now all that's left is to see where (if anywhere) the ride will be taking us.

7/10

 

[kater]

I envy you reading the next volume (8) for the first time, it's bug nuts insane.