Comics and Addendum
52 Week 39
More cash-in on the Luthor plot, finally, and Super Science Squad fun with Mercury. I'm still a fan of the two page Ralph Dibny doing some mystical task bits. I'm realising that I like them because they are so utterly random. Here's the mystic portion of this week's 52, he meets some random character, and moves on to his next mystic task. It's actually pretty brilliant. Then there's some set up for World War Three with Black Adam, which may actually be a short crossover. I'm wondering if I care enough about simply knowing what's going on in the DCU to buy it.
I rate this comic: In the heat-up phase for the Luthor plot.
Seven Soldiers of Victory Vol 4
Finally I can finish off this series. I may read all the other volumes again before I get to this. I still haven't read the #1 comic floppy because I want to get the rest of the stories before I hit that point. It was particularly hard when everyone was listing it as a best of 2006 offering, but I've managed to stay in the dark about it so far - yay me, I'm like one of those anti-evolutionary people but for comic books.
Addendum
I think W.E.S.T. is actually Italian. At least the name of the writer sounds Italian - Rossi. And there's a lot of English in the book, just not the dialogue. There's suicide notes and tombstones written in English, so it may be available as an English translation. This kind of makes a bit more sense now as the French wasn't as strong as the other books I've read, but if it was translated from Italian to French, then I understand.
I'm happy that we now have companies like First Second out there that are giving us high quality translations of European comics. I read a volume of Corto Maltese once that was pretty much translated into English word-for-word, which doesn't work. I was actually translating back into French in my head to make sense of what was being dialogued.
Also, I wanted to make a point about Asterix being the Gaullish version of Superman. He's invincible and extremely strong but relies on his brains to get him out of situations while saving his brawn as the last, or necessary, choice.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Project BD - books 2 through 5
I’ve managed to get a lot of reading in over the last few days but at the same time I seem to have missed a lot of the little details that make reading comics so much fun. It comes partially from reading in my secondary language and partially from my wife watching So You Think You Can Dance reruns and flicking between that and Men In Black or What Not to Wear. It’s friggin’ distracting.
Anyway here’s what I can sort of paste together.
Le Loup, L’Agneau, et Les Chiens de Guerre.
Translated, this title says The Wolf, The Lamb and The Dogs of War. The Hollywood pitch is that this is Lord of the Rings meets The Suicide Squad. The protagonist is an older gentleman who is the count of a disgraced family who spends his night dressed in a leather mask and robs from the corrupt rich. The mask looks like an owl and he, shockingly, goes by the name The Owl. Anyway, he gets caught in about the first four pages and chucked in prison with a lecherous dwarf.
The count is brought in front of a tribunal with a bunch of other criminals including the dwarf he was locked up with. The others include a Halfling sorcerer, a rogue, a female martial artist, a monk type of guy and a huge disfigured giant type of dude who is all tied up like Hannibal Lecter. They are informed that they have been chosen for a suicide mission and poisoned. They have 60 days to complete the mission and return for the antidote. All they are told is that to get the rest of the instructions the group needs to meet up with the Brotherhood of the Lamb at some mystical plateau/island place, that may or may not be a prison (I’m not too clear on the translation).
The idea of the floating island full of scoundrels and holy-men is a solid one. When our group gets there they instantly kill a bunch of guards and the only bridge crossing the huge chasm to the mainland is cut down. Then they run afoul of pretty much everyone while trying to find a guide. In the middle of this the giant dude is put into a gladiator fight and kills the champ while the rest of the group comes up with a plan to rescue him because they think having a tank is a good idea. This book is pretty much just the setup issue for the larger adventure and while full of a lot of good, as well as standard ideas, it left me wondering what the hell happened next.
What struck me most is the different approach to fantasy art here. There is a much more light hearted approach to the material here. The dwarf is a lecherous unshaven man with a twirly moustache, the hobbit looks like Tommy Chong, and everyone is sort of the cartoon representation of the fantasy stereotype. It’s this great mixture of American comic book traditions and French approaches to cultural production. It’s both good and light-hearted, familiar and foreign. It’s a bit too Tolkein-esqu for me to like as much as the Chevalier Malheur but was good nonetheless for simply being an approachable and familiar fantasy take on the get criminals (who are more like Robin Hood and his Merry Men than actual brutal criminals) to do a dirty job for the good guys story.
Professeur Bell: Promenade des Anglaise
I got this because Joann Sfar’s name was on the cover. I’ve enjoyed his other works quite a lot so thought this would be interesting on some level. Okay, I didn’t enjoy Vampire Loves all that much but Rabbi’s Cat and the Dungeon series were both real treats to read and look at.
The only thing that had me a bit confused here was that I didn’t realise the professor was meant to be Scottish and based in Edinburgh. There are apparently other Professeur Bell collections out there.
Much like my last description this one seems a bit manic to try and describe coherently. Basically, Humpty Dumpty’s daughter is done school for the summer and is jealous of her friends who are all going on vacation. Her father works for Professor Bell, who she finds creepy. At Professor Bell’s place we see a crazed man attack the professor while there seems to be a jar containing his head on the professor’s shelf. The guy stabs the professor who turns out to be a ghost and the real professor is in bed injecting morphine to experience dreams where a council of queens keep judging him.
Turns out there is a plot to assassinate Queen Victoria so the professor and his crew spring into action and go to the Cote d’Azure to an underwater beach. It turns out that the professor’s arch nemesis is plotting against the queen (I can’t recall his name right now). But the bad guy has given the queen new glasses where he can use a second set to see what the queen sees. He is also the leader of a cult and has these fish-men as bodyguards.
As the professor discovers this plot he finds a sex-dungeon in the bad-guy’s house and rescues a naked woman who doesn’t want to be untied, so he knocks her out. He brings her home and when she wakes up he wants to know if she’s okay and what she knows of her kidnapper’s plans. She won’t speak to him until he’s naked and they spend the next few pages having sex and she won’t speak until he has sex with her, ties her up or at least pulls her hair.
The professor’s cronies in the meantime break up the underground cult meeting and discover the plot to replace the queen with a double and in the escape the professor’s student stumbles upon an orgy of nuns and monks, of which he takes part.
Anyway, the professor concocts a plot to get revenge by turning the second pair of glasses into a gateway to hell, or something like that. And it works all to horrible results for the little girl’s friend, who is the daughter of the professor’s nemesis.
Yeah. That’s about it. It was pretty awesome. Weird, but good.
Asterix le Gaulois
The first Asterix story that explains the whole concept of the last village of Gauls holding out against the Roman legions because of their magic invincibility potion. The names are all puns or just simply funny words that follow a pattern. From Asterix and Obelix to the blacksmith called Fullyautomatix, to the Roman outposts called Laudinum, or Petibonum, which translates to little gentleman.
This is expressive cartooning that we in North America have come to associate with children’s books, comics and cartoons. The short characters are midget sized, the moustaches are all huge, long beards are long enough for characters to trip over them, and the reader can understand what is happening by simply looking at the images. There is enough storytelling in the imagery themselves that anyone unable to get a translated version of the book would understand the plot.
That feels like a rarity these days, but I may just be looking in the wrong works. This is a lovely and simple piece of work that reminded me of why I got into comics in the first place.
WEST: La Chute de Babylone
Translated it’s titled The Fall of Babylon and it’s basically Hellboy done with cowboys in an art style that reminds me of Joe Kubert’s. So yeah, it’s about as cool as you’re thinking. Still, it’s not the best comic I’ve ever read because it does follow a set of genre rules but damn, it’s still pretty awesome.
The plot is that there’s a clandestine group put together to stop some mystical killer who is knocking off America’s elite, who all apparently belong to a hidden, literally, underground club called The Century Club. There is the mystical tattoo thing that keeps appearing as the members basically sell their soul to the club and will obey without questioning. The dead members have all left suicide notes that say things like I’ve purchased my place in Hell and I’ll keep your seat warm. Then these guys generally kill their family and themselves.
Enter the slightly mystical cowboy who we first see pulling a Deer Hunter version of Russian roulette for money. Then we follow the whole, putting the team together montage, and all the extraneous storylines coalesce while they fight an indestructible guy in an old fashioned coat and cape with a huge nasty sword. A few rounds of the six shooter don’t work so they level the building around him with a hunk of tnt and we’re given a “to be continued.” Luckily I have the second volume waiting at home.
The dialogue seems bit more “off” to me in this volume and the artwork feels way more American influenced but it’s still a heck of a piece of adventure storytelling.
Anyway here’s what I can sort of paste together.
Le Loup, L’Agneau, et Les Chiens de Guerre.
Translated, this title says The Wolf, The Lamb and The Dogs of War. The Hollywood pitch is that this is Lord of the Rings meets The Suicide Squad. The protagonist is an older gentleman who is the count of a disgraced family who spends his night dressed in a leather mask and robs from the corrupt rich. The mask looks like an owl and he, shockingly, goes by the name The Owl. Anyway, he gets caught in about the first four pages and chucked in prison with a lecherous dwarf.
The count is brought in front of a tribunal with a bunch of other criminals including the dwarf he was locked up with. The others include a Halfling sorcerer, a rogue, a female martial artist, a monk type of guy and a huge disfigured giant type of dude who is all tied up like Hannibal Lecter. They are informed that they have been chosen for a suicide mission and poisoned. They have 60 days to complete the mission and return for the antidote. All they are told is that to get the rest of the instructions the group needs to meet up with the Brotherhood of the Lamb at some mystical plateau/island place, that may or may not be a prison (I’m not too clear on the translation).
The idea of the floating island full of scoundrels and holy-men is a solid one. When our group gets there they instantly kill a bunch of guards and the only bridge crossing the huge chasm to the mainland is cut down. Then they run afoul of pretty much everyone while trying to find a guide. In the middle of this the giant dude is put into a gladiator fight and kills the champ while the rest of the group comes up with a plan to rescue him because they think having a tank is a good idea. This book is pretty much just the setup issue for the larger adventure and while full of a lot of good, as well as standard ideas, it left me wondering what the hell happened next.
What struck me most is the different approach to fantasy art here. There is a much more light hearted approach to the material here. The dwarf is a lecherous unshaven man with a twirly moustache, the hobbit looks like Tommy Chong, and everyone is sort of the cartoon representation of the fantasy stereotype. It’s this great mixture of American comic book traditions and French approaches to cultural production. It’s both good and light-hearted, familiar and foreign. It’s a bit too Tolkein-esqu for me to like as much as the Chevalier Malheur but was good nonetheless for simply being an approachable and familiar fantasy take on the get criminals (who are more like Robin Hood and his Merry Men than actual brutal criminals) to do a dirty job for the good guys story.
Professeur Bell: Promenade des Anglaise
I got this because Joann Sfar’s name was on the cover. I’ve enjoyed his other works quite a lot so thought this would be interesting on some level. Okay, I didn’t enjoy Vampire Loves all that much but Rabbi’s Cat and the Dungeon series were both real treats to read and look at.
The only thing that had me a bit confused here was that I didn’t realise the professor was meant to be Scottish and based in Edinburgh. There are apparently other Professeur Bell collections out there.
Much like my last description this one seems a bit manic to try and describe coherently. Basically, Humpty Dumpty’s daughter is done school for the summer and is jealous of her friends who are all going on vacation. Her father works for Professor Bell, who she finds creepy. At Professor Bell’s place we see a crazed man attack the professor while there seems to be a jar containing his head on the professor’s shelf. The guy stabs the professor who turns out to be a ghost and the real professor is in bed injecting morphine to experience dreams where a council of queens keep judging him.
Turns out there is a plot to assassinate Queen Victoria so the professor and his crew spring into action and go to the Cote d’Azure to an underwater beach. It turns out that the professor’s arch nemesis is plotting against the queen (I can’t recall his name right now). But the bad guy has given the queen new glasses where he can use a second set to see what the queen sees. He is also the leader of a cult and has these fish-men as bodyguards.
As the professor discovers this plot he finds a sex-dungeon in the bad-guy’s house and rescues a naked woman who doesn’t want to be untied, so he knocks her out. He brings her home and when she wakes up he wants to know if she’s okay and what she knows of her kidnapper’s plans. She won’t speak to him until he’s naked and they spend the next few pages having sex and she won’t speak until he has sex with her, ties her up or at least pulls her hair.
The professor’s cronies in the meantime break up the underground cult meeting and discover the plot to replace the queen with a double and in the escape the professor’s student stumbles upon an orgy of nuns and monks, of which he takes part.
Anyway, the professor concocts a plot to get revenge by turning the second pair of glasses into a gateway to hell, or something like that. And it works all to horrible results for the little girl’s friend, who is the daughter of the professor’s nemesis.
Yeah. That’s about it. It was pretty awesome. Weird, but good.
Asterix le Gaulois
The first Asterix story that explains the whole concept of the last village of Gauls holding out against the Roman legions because of their magic invincibility potion. The names are all puns or just simply funny words that follow a pattern. From Asterix and Obelix to the blacksmith called Fullyautomatix, to the Roman outposts called Laudinum, or Petibonum, which translates to little gentleman.
This is expressive cartooning that we in North America have come to associate with children’s books, comics and cartoons. The short characters are midget sized, the moustaches are all huge, long beards are long enough for characters to trip over them, and the reader can understand what is happening by simply looking at the images. There is enough storytelling in the imagery themselves that anyone unable to get a translated version of the book would understand the plot.
That feels like a rarity these days, but I may just be looking in the wrong works. This is a lovely and simple piece of work that reminded me of why I got into comics in the first place.
WEST: La Chute de Babylone
Translated it’s titled The Fall of Babylon and it’s basically Hellboy done with cowboys in an art style that reminds me of Joe Kubert’s. So yeah, it’s about as cool as you’re thinking. Still, it’s not the best comic I’ve ever read because it does follow a set of genre rules but damn, it’s still pretty awesome.
The plot is that there’s a clandestine group put together to stop some mystical killer who is knocking off America’s elite, who all apparently belong to a hidden, literally, underground club called The Century Club. There is the mystical tattoo thing that keeps appearing as the members basically sell their soul to the club and will obey without questioning. The dead members have all left suicide notes that say things like I’ve purchased my place in Hell and I’ll keep your seat warm. Then these guys generally kill their family and themselves.
Enter the slightly mystical cowboy who we first see pulling a Deer Hunter version of Russian roulette for money. Then we follow the whole, putting the team together montage, and all the extraneous storylines coalesce while they fight an indestructible guy in an old fashioned coat and cape with a huge nasty sword. A few rounds of the six shooter don’t work so they level the building around him with a hunk of tnt and we’re given a “to be continued.” Luckily I have the second volume waiting at home.
The dialogue seems bit more “off” to me in this volume and the artwork feels way more American influenced but it’s still a heck of a piece of adventure storytelling.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Parliament Resumes
To celebrate the winter session of Parliament, here's a brochure I made. I removed the party affiliation and turned it black and white so anyone can use it. Well, anyone but the Conservatives I suppose. So I guess I eliminated one party from the list of parties I work for. Not that it's very hard to figure out who I work for if you've read this blog through the last election period.
I have a new manager who doesn't really know how to manage people all that well so when my manager asked me to make templates for brochures and signs I knew it was a make-work project. I had fun with it and this is the result, which is still actually better than anything the party has managed to produce.
I have a new manager who doesn't really know how to manage people all that well so when my manager asked me to make templates for brochures and signs I knew it was a make-work project. I had fun with it and this is the result, which is still actually better than anything the party has managed to produce.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Wednesday's Loot - 24 January 2007
52 Week 38
I used to like the Question Montoya parts of the story but since he’s started slowly dying off (I thought he died on Christmas) I feel like I’m being taken out of their story. I want it to just hurry up and get to where it’s going. I like the Four Horsemen, then again I’ve always liked the idea of them especially in comic-book form. I’m hoping that the missing fourth horseman is actually a virus or something along those lines. For me, the best part of the issue was simply the name “Science-Squad.” I love that their the villains as well. And finally, isn’t The Daily Star the newspaper Clark and Lois worked at on Earth-2?
I rate this comic: Rather slow this week.
Mouse Guard #6
And thus ends my favourite recent discovery, albeit with the promise of more. Midnight has turned into a fantastic villain bent on destroying the group he believed in after the group didn’t live up to his expectations. There are feelings of Tolkein here, especially with the broken blades striking down evil and various characters being more or less reborn. And just when the action seems larger than life, a mouse is banished and we’re reminded of why they require guards in the first place.
I rate this comic: Sorry it’s over but can’t wait for more.
I used to like the Question Montoya parts of the story but since he’s started slowly dying off (I thought he died on Christmas) I feel like I’m being taken out of their story. I want it to just hurry up and get to where it’s going. I like the Four Horsemen, then again I’ve always liked the idea of them especially in comic-book form. I’m hoping that the missing fourth horseman is actually a virus or something along those lines. For me, the best part of the issue was simply the name “Science-Squad.” I love that their the villains as well. And finally, isn’t The Daily Star the newspaper Clark and Lois worked at on Earth-2?
I rate this comic: Rather slow this week.
Mouse Guard #6
And thus ends my favourite recent discovery, albeit with the promise of more. Midnight has turned into a fantastic villain bent on destroying the group he believed in after the group didn’t live up to his expectations. There are feelings of Tolkein here, especially with the broken blades striking down evil and various characters being more or less reborn. And just when the action seems larger than life, a mouse is banished and we’re reminded of why they require guards in the first place.
I rate this comic: Sorry it’s over but can’t wait for more.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
I guess you can call me "Sir Happy"
Chevalier Malheur – Pascal Bertho – writer, Stephane Duval – art, Isabelle Cochet – colours. Printed by Delcourt.
I picked up Chevalier Malheur because it has this great cover of an older bearded dude resting his hands on the hilt of huge and bloody sword while looking down in disappointment, and a back ground with this huge battle. All the while it’s drawn in that classic French cartooning style, which makes me happy. If this were North American it would be twice as gory and way more realistic. If I were to give you the Hollywood pitch I would say this is Bone but done with people and instead of a young guy finding his place in the world it’s about an older guy attempting to reclaim his former glory.
Loosely translated, Chevalier Malheur means either The Unfortunate Knight or The Knight of Misfortune. Either way, you get to the crux of the title. It’s about Sir Groene who is a old fat drunkard who spends his time with his unfortunate and long suffering squire Cazzazus singing his story in local taverns to pay for another drink. Along comes a stranger who asks for the last few verses, which Groene sings despite the other patrons grumblings about hearing the song all night long. We’re given a recap of the last battle of the Knights of the Three Peaks where Groene loses the love of his life, The Lady in White, (or White Lady). The stranger says that when he last heard the song there was another verse and sings it to Groene about how the Lady in White survived the battle.
One thing leads to another and Groene sets out on a quest to see if this last verse of his tale is true. Off he goes with Cazzazus in toe, complaining, to the lands that have long since banished the knights but come hell or high water Groene will find out if this story is true. The end up at a cottage near the edge of the great battlefield where an old woman says that a knight carried the Lady in White to her home long after the battle was over. The Lady was wounded but also pregnant. The Lady refused to die until she gave birth, and she did, giving birth to a son. The old woman raised the boy as her own until his third birthday when a man came to claim him.
So now that Groene learns he has a son, he’s off to find him in the capital city of the realm. This is a bit dangerous what with being banned and all. But they go anyway and in the process run into some celtic looking rebels who join him because he’s a legend to them and is a figurehead to their struggle against oppression. Groene also runs into his old friend Olaf and the giant Martus, who was also a knight with them. All the while there is a dying king and a grand vizier who is awaiting a great alignment of planets so he can fulfill a prophecy. The volume ends with the old ragtag group heading towards the tower to see if they can find out more about Groene’s son, who may or may not be the son of the grand vizier – I’m guessing that’s the plot twist here.
Now the interesting part, is that throughout this quest Groene keeps dreaming about his past, which allow the readers to understand why he is considered once great but it also makes it look like his dreams affect reality. Whenever he dreams something different his current situation changes to accommodate it.
I really enjoyed this, even though it ended rather suddenly. This volume is all about introducing the characters and their world, which is fine but leaves me wanting more. The language wasn’t too hard to get around even without my French-English dictionary which seems to have disappeared (or to have been stored a little too well). There was only one or two words that had me a bit stumped but I could more or less figure it out because of the context.
In the end, this was a great escape from the comics I tend to gravitate towards and it managed to sate my desire for a fantasy story that isn’t beholden to Dungeons and Dragons or Tolkein. It also wasn’t aimed at a younger audience like that whole Narnia and Eragon stuff that’s out there now. This is a very old feeling story in that it’s familiar what with the quest and the old guy out to redeem himself and reclaim his old glory. Yes, it’s a story that has been told a lot but will continue to be told a lot more so it is a treat to get a version of it that is told well. It is bright and clear and straightforward which is what too much fantasy comics tend to lack these days. I really enjoyed this little escape and I’ll recommend it to anyone who knows a bit of French. I’m just really happy that there is at least some books out there that treat fantasy in the manner I like without being melodramatic, too gothic-lame, or too “realistic.” I love my comic characters to be expressive and representative and that’s what we’re given here. Fun stuff all around.
I picked up Chevalier Malheur because it has this great cover of an older bearded dude resting his hands on the hilt of huge and bloody sword while looking down in disappointment, and a back ground with this huge battle. All the while it’s drawn in that classic French cartooning style, which makes me happy. If this were North American it would be twice as gory and way more realistic. If I were to give you the Hollywood pitch I would say this is Bone but done with people and instead of a young guy finding his place in the world it’s about an older guy attempting to reclaim his former glory.
Loosely translated, Chevalier Malheur means either The Unfortunate Knight or The Knight of Misfortune. Either way, you get to the crux of the title. It’s about Sir Groene who is a old fat drunkard who spends his time with his unfortunate and long suffering squire Cazzazus singing his story in local taverns to pay for another drink. Along comes a stranger who asks for the last few verses, which Groene sings despite the other patrons grumblings about hearing the song all night long. We’re given a recap of the last battle of the Knights of the Three Peaks where Groene loses the love of his life, The Lady in White, (or White Lady). The stranger says that when he last heard the song there was another verse and sings it to Groene about how the Lady in White survived the battle.
One thing leads to another and Groene sets out on a quest to see if this last verse of his tale is true. Off he goes with Cazzazus in toe, complaining, to the lands that have long since banished the knights but come hell or high water Groene will find out if this story is true. The end up at a cottage near the edge of the great battlefield where an old woman says that a knight carried the Lady in White to her home long after the battle was over. The Lady was wounded but also pregnant. The Lady refused to die until she gave birth, and she did, giving birth to a son. The old woman raised the boy as her own until his third birthday when a man came to claim him.
So now that Groene learns he has a son, he’s off to find him in the capital city of the realm. This is a bit dangerous what with being banned and all. But they go anyway and in the process run into some celtic looking rebels who join him because he’s a legend to them and is a figurehead to their struggle against oppression. Groene also runs into his old friend Olaf and the giant Martus, who was also a knight with them. All the while there is a dying king and a grand vizier who is awaiting a great alignment of planets so he can fulfill a prophecy. The volume ends with the old ragtag group heading towards the tower to see if they can find out more about Groene’s son, who may or may not be the son of the grand vizier – I’m guessing that’s the plot twist here.
Now the interesting part, is that throughout this quest Groene keeps dreaming about his past, which allow the readers to understand why he is considered once great but it also makes it look like his dreams affect reality. Whenever he dreams something different his current situation changes to accommodate it.
I really enjoyed this, even though it ended rather suddenly. This volume is all about introducing the characters and their world, which is fine but leaves me wanting more. The language wasn’t too hard to get around even without my French-English dictionary which seems to have disappeared (or to have been stored a little too well). There was only one or two words that had me a bit stumped but I could more or less figure it out because of the context.
In the end, this was a great escape from the comics I tend to gravitate towards and it managed to sate my desire for a fantasy story that isn’t beholden to Dungeons and Dragons or Tolkein. It also wasn’t aimed at a younger audience like that whole Narnia and Eragon stuff that’s out there now. This is a very old feeling story in that it’s familiar what with the quest and the old guy out to redeem himself and reclaim his old glory. Yes, it’s a story that has been told a lot but will continue to be told a lot more so it is a treat to get a version of it that is told well. It is bright and clear and straightforward which is what too much fantasy comics tend to lack these days. I really enjoyed this little escape and I’ll recommend it to anyone who knows a bit of French. I’m just really happy that there is at least some books out there that treat fantasy in the manner I like without being melodramatic, too gothic-lame, or too “realistic.” I love my comic characters to be expressive and representative and that’s what we’re given here. Fun stuff all around.
If only there were more translations of this type of stuff I'm sure there could be an audience. I'm just unsure if we're ready to only buy books in trade form yet. I am, I just don't about the rest of the industry.
Project BD
I meant to post this yesterday, but got caught up in other activities.
As I’ve stated before I took a lot of BD out of the library to learn French. I wasn’t really sure what to get so I got a few Tintin books, a couple of Asterix, Blueberry for my Moebius fix and then grabbed a few others at random that looked rather interesting.
Here’s the list:
Asterix le Gaulois
Asterix chez les Bretons
Tintin et les Picaros
L’Ile Noir
Le Lotus Bleu
Tintin au Tibet
Marshal Blueberry: Sur ordre de Washington
Marshal Blueberry: Frontiere sanglante
Blueberry, les monts de la superstition
Chevalier Malheur [1]: La Chanson
Le lou, l’agneau et les chiens de guerre [1]: Mercenaires
W.E.S.T. – Weird Enforcement Special Team – La chute de Babylone
W.E.S.T. – Century Club
Professeur Bell: Promenade des Anglaise
I will try to get reviews up of each of these books as I read them. I seem to have a decent mixture of classics as well as westerns and fantasy books.
As I’ve stated before I took a lot of BD out of the library to learn French. I wasn’t really sure what to get so I got a few Tintin books, a couple of Asterix, Blueberry for my Moebius fix and then grabbed a few others at random that looked rather interesting.
Here’s the list:
Asterix le Gaulois
Asterix chez les Bretons
Tintin et les Picaros
L’Ile Noir
Le Lotus Bleu
Tintin au Tibet
Marshal Blueberry: Sur ordre de Washington
Marshal Blueberry: Frontiere sanglante
Blueberry, les monts de la superstition
Chevalier Malheur [1]: La Chanson
Le lou, l’agneau et les chiens de guerre [1]: Mercenaires
W.E.S.T. – Weird Enforcement Special Team – La chute de Babylone
W.E.S.T. – Century Club
Professeur Bell: Promenade des Anglaise
I will try to get reviews up of each of these books as I read them. I seem to have a decent mixture of classics as well as westerns and fantasy books.
Monday, January 22, 2007
BD and Siberia
So it turns out the Public Service screwed up, no big surprise, and I don't have a French Test afterall. After an e-mail to the manager of the person who sent me the invite and confirmed a date with me on which the employee was copied, I still have a bunch of BD at home to read. Needless to say I was in no mood to read it.
I did, however read Nikolai Maslov's Siberia. An interestingly quick autobiographical work done in pencil. There are some extraordinary landscapes and cityscapes but all the people look grotesque. The dialogue and plot seems to jump a lot but it may simply be that the translation isn't the greatest.
I wasn't blown away by the book but it was a neat glimpse into the absurdities and escapism of Russian society from 1971 onwards. Escape into art, alcohol and insanity because everything seems to be based on crushing any spirit of humanity in the people - from the army, to the militia, to the regulations of the art schools, to the construction jobs that are transforming the landscape into metal casings.
This was a neat little distraction of a book that is worth a flip through if you're wondering how Russians may view their own absurdities and grotesqueries.
Friday, January 19, 2007
Odd Wish Fulfillment
I remember a while back I said I'd read a miniseries about Black Bolt. It looks like I got that wish with Silent War, and yet I'm really not tempted to buy it. Is that sour grapes? I don't want to sound like spoiled child or anything. I mean I'm still interested in Black Bolt, just not in anything in any way connected to Civil War.
But I won't be all complainy-pants about stuff I'm just not interested in and instead give out some good vibes. I really admire Brian Michael Bendis's ability to deliver comics on time. I really wish more writers took it upon themselves to adhere to a schedule and learn to make sacrifices for timeliness. No comic is ever perfect, don't sweat it. Sure I'm not really interested in New Avengers but at least it gets delivered.
And yes I know Powers is a whole separate kettle of fish, but the guy is a workhorse when it comes to pay for hire stuff, and I really admire that in a market clogged with books that are equal quality without any idea of when we may be graced with their presence.
But I won't be all complainy-pants about stuff I'm just not interested in and instead give out some good vibes. I really admire Brian Michael Bendis's ability to deliver comics on time. I really wish more writers took it upon themselves to adhere to a schedule and learn to make sacrifices for timeliness. No comic is ever perfect, don't sweat it. Sure I'm not really interested in New Avengers but at least it gets delivered.
And yes I know Powers is a whole separate kettle of fish, but the guy is a workhorse when it comes to pay for hire stuff, and I really admire that in a market clogged with books that are equal quality without any idea of when we may be graced with their presence.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
You need to put down what you're reading and go get this if you haven't read it yet.
Grease Monkey is about a young man finding his place in the world. It’s about coming of age and being faced with mounds of adversity and seeing through the cracks in the veneer of your life while still coming out shining. Plus, it’s a really good looking comic book.
This is classic storytelling here. Young man goes away from home, gets an older mentor, ah heck just read that Action Philosophers issue with Joseph Campbell and you’ll understand (you are reading Action Philosophers, right?). This form of storytelling works because we are introduced to the world and the characters populating it through the eyes of the innocent observer. As a reader, we too are innocent observers trying to make sense of the world presented to us so we grow alongside the new guy.
And what a world it is. There are any number of sci-fi parallels here from Star Trek’s Enterprise, to the Death Star, to Battlestar Galactica, to Earth 1999, to Robotech and pretty much any connection between them. There’s a big ass spaceship and a bunch of crews living on it with all the same joys and disappointments of any society. They are competitive and petty as much as they can by sympathetic and caring.
What really struck me about this collection was how characters would show up every now and again in one issue only to return much later in ever more important and involved roles. We never get to know the supporting cast as much as we get to know Robin and Mac, but as the supporting cast grows we’re reminded of the wider world outside Bay M as well as the constant tension of being on the frontline of a war you’re waiting to fight.
The artwork was extremely pleasing to me in that it manages to mix a classic North American style with an older Japanese Animation style. Kind of a silver-age manga hybrid if you will. Every now and again I could see different influences peaking through as the situation dictated. Quite simply it works and it works really well.
I did feel the last few chapters weren’t as meaty as the rest of the book leading up to then but the sense that there is a second volume in the works makes me feel forgiving. The story doesn’t end on a very clean closing act but it’s probably just that the story up until that point was just so good I didn’t want it to end. I guess my favourite part about the whole thing is that we’re given these great support characters who are given the lead and we see them living in all the joys and pains while every now and then we’re reminded why they are where they are which makes the tensions all that more understandable as well as the need to relieve that tension be it through gambling, drinking or practical jokes.
Grease Monkey Page
http://www.greasemonkeybook.com/
This is classic storytelling here. Young man goes away from home, gets an older mentor, ah heck just read that Action Philosophers issue with Joseph Campbell and you’ll understand (you are reading Action Philosophers, right?). This form of storytelling works because we are introduced to the world and the characters populating it through the eyes of the innocent observer. As a reader, we too are innocent observers trying to make sense of the world presented to us so we grow alongside the new guy.
And what a world it is. There are any number of sci-fi parallels here from Star Trek’s Enterprise, to the Death Star, to Battlestar Galactica, to Earth 1999, to Robotech and pretty much any connection between them. There’s a big ass spaceship and a bunch of crews living on it with all the same joys and disappointments of any society. They are competitive and petty as much as they can by sympathetic and caring.
What really struck me about this collection was how characters would show up every now and again in one issue only to return much later in ever more important and involved roles. We never get to know the supporting cast as much as we get to know Robin and Mac, but as the supporting cast grows we’re reminded of the wider world outside Bay M as well as the constant tension of being on the frontline of a war you’re waiting to fight.
The artwork was extremely pleasing to me in that it manages to mix a classic North American style with an older Japanese Animation style. Kind of a silver-age manga hybrid if you will. Every now and again I could see different influences peaking through as the situation dictated. Quite simply it works and it works really well.
I did feel the last few chapters weren’t as meaty as the rest of the book leading up to then but the sense that there is a second volume in the works makes me feel forgiving. The story doesn’t end on a very clean closing act but it’s probably just that the story up until that point was just so good I didn’t want it to end. I guess my favourite part about the whole thing is that we’re given these great support characters who are given the lead and we see them living in all the joys and pains while every now and then we’re reminded why they are where they are which makes the tensions all that more understandable as well as the need to relieve that tension be it through gambling, drinking or practical jokes.
Grease Monkey Page
http://www.greasemonkeybook.com/
Yesterday's Loot - 18 January 2006
52 Week 37
A few of the predicted deaths turn out to be just what people expected. I'm glad they didn't wait for week 52 to reveal Booster again. For the most part I was pretty ho-hum about this until Rip Hunter busted out the Phantom Zone thingamajig and Skeets is now chalk full of evil. And Animal Man just makes me happy because whenever I see him I think of the Morrison series.
I rate this comic: Okay.
The Spirit #2
With the first issue getting a lot of praise everyone seems to have been waiting for the sophmore jinx. And while the novelty factor is gone and the pace slowed down a bit this is still one fantastic comic. I'm very happy this comic is on the stands, reminding us that when handled properly relaunches can be extremely good comic books. More characters are introduced and we see a hero that is both self-confident and not perfect but willing to get the job done with a punch to a thug's face, if necessary. These two issues feel like a lost ideal taking form to me.
I rate this comic: Competing with All Star Superman for my favourite.
A few of the predicted deaths turn out to be just what people expected. I'm glad they didn't wait for week 52 to reveal Booster again. For the most part I was pretty ho-hum about this until Rip Hunter busted out the Phantom Zone thingamajig and Skeets is now chalk full of evil. And Animal Man just makes me happy because whenever I see him I think of the Morrison series.
I rate this comic: Okay.
The Spirit #2
With the first issue getting a lot of praise everyone seems to have been waiting for the sophmore jinx. And while the novelty factor is gone and the pace slowed down a bit this is still one fantastic comic. I'm very happy this comic is on the stands, reminding us that when handled properly relaunches can be extremely good comic books. More characters are introduced and we see a hero that is both self-confident and not perfect but willing to get the job done with a punch to a thug's face, if necessary. These two issues feel like a lost ideal taking form to me.
I rate this comic: Competing with All Star Superman for my favourite.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
French Class
So it turns out I have an interview with the Federal Government to assess my ability to speak French. It's been quite some time since I've spoken French to anyone. I'm okay but my vocabulary is pretty limited. I can think in French, I don't translate from English to French in my head as I speak and my accent isn't horrific. But I don't have a great vocabulary. To help me with this I have just requested a cornucopia of BD from the library. A few Tintin adventures, some Asterix et Obelix, Lucky Luke and Blueberry (because I really want to see some more Jean Giraud art that isn't crazy sci-fi). I'm not sure what else to get. I'm not too interested in the Smurf volumes or Spirou. So is there any crazy sci-fi or fantasy stuff that I simply don't know about? Let me know in the comments if there's anything you've read in translation or tried to translate yourself but couldn't manage it - I'll give you a review if I manage to read it.
It just snowed a lot here in Ottawa and the temprature dropped, so I have time to take on a translation type of project.
Also, I'm still reading Grease Monkey. It is one of the best collected yet connected works of comic bookery that I've ever had the pleasure to read. It makes me feel privileged to be able to open it up and read it. Fantastic piece of work that should be checked out if you have the chance and like sci-fi comics and retro-types of modern work.
It just snowed a lot here in Ottawa and the temprature dropped, so I have time to take on a translation type of project.
Also, I'm still reading Grease Monkey. It is one of the best collected yet connected works of comic bookery that I've ever had the pleasure to read. It makes me feel privileged to be able to open it up and read it. Fantastic piece of work that should be checked out if you have the chance and like sci-fi comics and retro-types of modern work.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
The State We're In
Okay, I was going to write about how I'm in the middle of Tim Eldred's Grease Monkey and it's a fantastic piece of work but I'll have to post on it some other day. Instead I made the mistake of reading a rather poor excuse for comics criticism on another blog and it has me generally pissed off. I'm not going to mention the blog or the poster because I really don't need an internet nemisis or anything right now. Needless to say you've probably read it as well and will probably figure out what I'm writing about shortly.
Basically it was a dismissal of Allison Bechdel's Fun Home for reasons that don't make sense or even exist as valid reasons other than misogyny, sexism or homophobia. I don't believe that was the author's intent or that the author is, in fact, a horrible person. See what I did there? I made some horrible claim about someone then said they probably weren't bad. It's a lame attempt to cover my ass by throwing out accusations then pretending I don't mean them. It is not a valid criticism or valid argument and it disappoints me to see that pass as criticism on a "mainstream" comic blog.
I'm all for opinions that are different from mine. I don't have a problem with people who don't like the things I like. What I do have a problem with is writing a dismissal in the form of a critique. Whether through laziness, indifference or intent. I guess I just expect more from comic bloggers.
I know I'm not the best comic critic in the world. I know I don't back up every argument I make and sometimes I make general statements but I try not to assume what the "con" side of an argument is thinking to support my own argument. It's simply unfair. Yes, I may question their wisdom or fling, hopefully, funny and sarcastic language in their direction but I don't assume.
What has me riled up the most is the general dismissal of the quality of the work based on everything outside the work. The sex and sexuality of the author, the publisher, the genre are all reasons why the book isn't "good" which simply baffles me. We claim to hate it when media other than those already connected to comics write about graphic novels and throw in those old reliables - comix, comics aren't for kids anymore, and hey look it's not all North American superheroes. Yet, when one of our own does a worse job we simply roll our eyes and wait for the flame war in the comments section. Me, I'm just utterly disappointed in both the author and the site. They are both capable of better, I've seen them do it and enjoyed reading thier contribution to the comic book community.
I encourage different opinions because they allow me to see things in a new light and have lead me to works I normally wouldn't gravitate towards. I encourage general dismissal, especially when done honestly, but more so when done humorously. But what I don't tolerate is backhanded criticism hiding behind compliment. "It's good but it only got accolades because she was a lesbian" isn't criticism, it's homophobia.
This whole situation feels a lot like any artistic (or other shared) community that just isn't ready for success. Some of the community look upon anyone with success as if they compromised their ideals and that they simply sold out. That the people who do things in a manner other than some Platonic Ideal are dismissed in an attempt to take power away from the successful creator. Only in this case it isn't simply the work or how it was published but the actual author herself not existing in the same physical and sexual form as the majority of creators. She isn't dismissed as an incapable storyteller but because she wasn't a white guy working for a comic publisher. Maybe the comic publishers all passed on her book and the book publisher took a chance only to be rewarded? I don't know the history here, do you?
We're talking about art. The best works of art are the ones that define and/or defy convention. Being a leader in a pack means you are different and those differences are what make you recognizable and, yes, better than the pack. Fun Home is a fantastic piece of art and to dismiss it simply because of the publisher, sex or sexuality of the creator isn't doing the creator harm - she's lived with that bullshit her entire life, I'm sure - it's doing the entire comics community harm. Claiming a work isn't good because the creator isn't a white guy who slogged through comic publishers without huge promotion budgets is precisely the type of argument that keeps comics from reaching a larger audience. Yes, comic publishers are putting out good comics, but there's a lot of crap too. The internet would actually crack in half if the crap stopped.
I'm not going to make an argument in the comments section for that post. I'm simply going to remove the link to that blog on my sidebar until the level of discourse raises to a level that I find acceptable and respects the diversity and unique nature of our medium instead of proving we are unnaccepting and ineloquent stereotypes. Way to break down barriers.
I do think that we as an unofficial online community are capable of better. For the most part we all get along even when we don't agree. Yes we hurry posts and make factual errors but for the most part we try to back up what we're saying and more often than not we have fun doing it. I for one am trying my best and the only way I can think of encouraging the rest of us to hold up a fine standard, isn't to start fights, but to make my position clear and to simply remove links to sites that just aren't trying anymore or are just flat out offensive to me. Yes, it's subjective and I don't want everyone to be like me, but at least it's honest and I think clear to everyone why I'm angry at the lack of quality criticism witnessed on that site.
Basically it was a dismissal of Allison Bechdel's Fun Home for reasons that don't make sense or even exist as valid reasons other than misogyny, sexism or homophobia. I don't believe that was the author's intent or that the author is, in fact, a horrible person. See what I did there? I made some horrible claim about someone then said they probably weren't bad. It's a lame attempt to cover my ass by throwing out accusations then pretending I don't mean them. It is not a valid criticism or valid argument and it disappoints me to see that pass as criticism on a "mainstream" comic blog.
I'm all for opinions that are different from mine. I don't have a problem with people who don't like the things I like. What I do have a problem with is writing a dismissal in the form of a critique. Whether through laziness, indifference or intent. I guess I just expect more from comic bloggers.
I know I'm not the best comic critic in the world. I know I don't back up every argument I make and sometimes I make general statements but I try not to assume what the "con" side of an argument is thinking to support my own argument. It's simply unfair. Yes, I may question their wisdom or fling, hopefully, funny and sarcastic language in their direction but I don't assume.
What has me riled up the most is the general dismissal of the quality of the work based on everything outside the work. The sex and sexuality of the author, the publisher, the genre are all reasons why the book isn't "good" which simply baffles me. We claim to hate it when media other than those already connected to comics write about graphic novels and throw in those old reliables - comix, comics aren't for kids anymore, and hey look it's not all North American superheroes. Yet, when one of our own does a worse job we simply roll our eyes and wait for the flame war in the comments section. Me, I'm just utterly disappointed in both the author and the site. They are both capable of better, I've seen them do it and enjoyed reading thier contribution to the comic book community.
I encourage different opinions because they allow me to see things in a new light and have lead me to works I normally wouldn't gravitate towards. I encourage general dismissal, especially when done honestly, but more so when done humorously. But what I don't tolerate is backhanded criticism hiding behind compliment. "It's good but it only got accolades because she was a lesbian" isn't criticism, it's homophobia.
This whole situation feels a lot like any artistic (or other shared) community that just isn't ready for success. Some of the community look upon anyone with success as if they compromised their ideals and that they simply sold out. That the people who do things in a manner other than some Platonic Ideal are dismissed in an attempt to take power away from the successful creator. Only in this case it isn't simply the work or how it was published but the actual author herself not existing in the same physical and sexual form as the majority of creators. She isn't dismissed as an incapable storyteller but because she wasn't a white guy working for a comic publisher. Maybe the comic publishers all passed on her book and the book publisher took a chance only to be rewarded? I don't know the history here, do you?
We're talking about art. The best works of art are the ones that define and/or defy convention. Being a leader in a pack means you are different and those differences are what make you recognizable and, yes, better than the pack. Fun Home is a fantastic piece of art and to dismiss it simply because of the publisher, sex or sexuality of the creator isn't doing the creator harm - she's lived with that bullshit her entire life, I'm sure - it's doing the entire comics community harm. Claiming a work isn't good because the creator isn't a white guy who slogged through comic publishers without huge promotion budgets is precisely the type of argument that keeps comics from reaching a larger audience. Yes, comic publishers are putting out good comics, but there's a lot of crap too. The internet would actually crack in half if the crap stopped.
I'm not going to make an argument in the comments section for that post. I'm simply going to remove the link to that blog on my sidebar until the level of discourse raises to a level that I find acceptable and respects the diversity and unique nature of our medium instead of proving we are unnaccepting and ineloquent stereotypes. Way to break down barriers.
I do think that we as an unofficial online community are capable of better. For the most part we all get along even when we don't agree. Yes we hurry posts and make factual errors but for the most part we try to back up what we're saying and more often than not we have fun doing it. I for one am trying my best and the only way I can think of encouraging the rest of us to hold up a fine standard, isn't to start fights, but to make my position clear and to simply remove links to sites that just aren't trying anymore or are just flat out offensive to me. Yes, it's subjective and I don't want everyone to be like me, but at least it's honest and I think clear to everyone why I'm angry at the lack of quality criticism witnessed on that site.
Monday, January 15, 2007
Thankfully, there is no chimp sidekick.*
I read two collections of comics this weekend that don't really have much in common except that they were both intended for a much younger audience. They were Courtney Crumrin in the Twilight Kingdom and Tarzan: The Joe Kubert Years Vol. 2.
I love the Courtney Crumrin books by Ted Naifeh and highly recommend them to anyone with a kid who doesn't have the patience to finish a Harry Potter book but could probably make it through a comic. The artwork is simply fantastic with strong characters that are equally charming and slightly off. The art captures the nature of magic - it looks beautiful and attrictive but equally dangerous and terrifying. For every beautiful exterior presented there is more danger lurking underneath. A wonderful guilty pleasure of mine.
Then there are these Tarzan Dark Horse collections. These collections (this is the second one I've read) along with the recent Sgt. Rock miniseries are making me into a big Joe Kubert fan. I simply love the dynamic and stylized approach to the art and layout. It's all about a super-man being the best at absolutely everything and having women fawn over him. Then he'll punch an animal.
I dont want to start listing the animals he punches, puts into a full-nelson or snaps the neck of because those PETA people might get on my case and they're just no fun. Tarzan choking a black lion into submission so it will do his bidding - that's fun! This collection is totally about watching human flesh grapple and if you were more serious than me about being an artist these collections are a great example of how to approach human anatomy in motion. And I think there is an average of 2 K.O.s per issue. That's pretty good for a comics code authority approved book, I think?
* Because at some point Tarzan would knock it the fuck out.
I love the Courtney Crumrin books by Ted Naifeh and highly recommend them to anyone with a kid who doesn't have the patience to finish a Harry Potter book but could probably make it through a comic. The artwork is simply fantastic with strong characters that are equally charming and slightly off. The art captures the nature of magic - it looks beautiful and attrictive but equally dangerous and terrifying. For every beautiful exterior presented there is more danger lurking underneath. A wonderful guilty pleasure of mine.
Then there are these Tarzan Dark Horse collections. These collections (this is the second one I've read) along with the recent Sgt. Rock miniseries are making me into a big Joe Kubert fan. I simply love the dynamic and stylized approach to the art and layout. It's all about a super-man being the best at absolutely everything and having women fawn over him. Then he'll punch an animal.
I dont want to start listing the animals he punches, puts into a full-nelson or snaps the neck of because those PETA people might get on my case and they're just no fun. Tarzan choking a black lion into submission so it will do his bidding - that's fun! This collection is totally about watching human flesh grapple and if you were more serious than me about being an artist these collections are a great example of how to approach human anatomy in motion. And I think there is an average of 2 K.O.s per issue. That's pretty good for a comics code authority approved book, I think?
* Because at some point Tarzan would knock it the fuck out.
Friday, January 12, 2007
Mascots
Today I really have nothing to say about comics. I tried to write a post about how some Bloggers out there seem to have their own comic book mascot and I don’t but in the end I couldn’t think of anything interesting to write. I figure if what I’m writing bores me, then I should avoid posting it.
In the end I’ve decided I never really had a most favourite character ever. Spider-man was close but I don’t buy his comics anymore. Batman is pretty close these days and was always a favourite but I think it’s because he can be portrayed so many ways without any of the portrayals being the fundamental one – I think the animated series was closest. In my youth I was a big fan of Cpt. Britain and Excalibur but I’m not buying that series today.
I guess I just wonder why I don’t have a favourite and wonder who it could be if I were to decide I needed one for whatever reason – say I’m taken hostage by commies or something and they’ll shoot me if I don’t tell them who my favourite comic book character is and why.
I don’t even have a list of potentials, and I guess, in the end it’s probably best as it’ll save me a bit of cash and keep me untainted by fan entitlement.
I noticed this when I was playing Marvel: Ultimate Alliance and realized I couldn't really pick a favourite team because I liked enough of the characters to consider them as viable alternatives. There were some characters that never had a chance too. I did have to return the game, so didn't finish it or anything. In the end I had Cpt. America, Spider-man, Iron Man, and The Thing as my team. For some reason I called them The Fireballs. Hey, I was on the clock as I had to return the game that day. And while Cap isn't exactly a favourite, it's just too damned fun to throw his mighty shield into a room full of Doombots.
In the end I’ve decided I never really had a most favourite character ever. Spider-man was close but I don’t buy his comics anymore. Batman is pretty close these days and was always a favourite but I think it’s because he can be portrayed so many ways without any of the portrayals being the fundamental one – I think the animated series was closest. In my youth I was a big fan of Cpt. Britain and Excalibur but I’m not buying that series today.
I guess I just wonder why I don’t have a favourite and wonder who it could be if I were to decide I needed one for whatever reason – say I’m taken hostage by commies or something and they’ll shoot me if I don’t tell them who my favourite comic book character is and why.
I don’t even have a list of potentials, and I guess, in the end it’s probably best as it’ll save me a bit of cash and keep me untainted by fan entitlement.
I noticed this when I was playing Marvel: Ultimate Alliance and realized I couldn't really pick a favourite team because I liked enough of the characters to consider them as viable alternatives. There were some characters that never had a chance too. I did have to return the game, so didn't finish it or anything. In the end I had Cpt. America, Spider-man, Iron Man, and The Thing as my team. For some reason I called them The Fireballs. Hey, I was on the clock as I had to return the game that day. And while Cap isn't exactly a favourite, it's just too damned fun to throw his mighty shield into a room full of Doombots.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
All Good
In the last few days I've read Couriers #2 - Dirtbike Manifesto, Hellblazer - Red Sepulchre, and The Treasury of Victorian Murder: The Case of Madeliene Smith. They are all good and I liked each in kind. I really have nothing else to add to that because I think my stomach is trying to reproduce that scene from Alien and my mind is preoccupied with changing careers.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Wednesday's Loot - 10 January 2007
52 Week 36
I know I don’t own his rights or anything but I’m sad to see Buddy go and Lobo to stick around. Feels unjust to me but if anyone can come back through convoluted plots, it’s Buddy. Plus Kandor and menacing Skeets was a nice ending note. But I don’t know why Renee and Question left the Himalayas in the first place - oh right, Batwoman.
I rate this comic: Still good in my book.
Agents of Atlas #6
The typewritten opening of this comic makes me happy. Then just when I’m getting used to a tough talking smart-mouthed Gorilla, a dragon mob-advisor is thrown into the mix. There is a bait-and-switch ending which sets up the inevitable ongoing series, which in all honesty I’m looking forward to it should it happen.
I rate this comic: A really great ending to a fantastic mini-series.
Godland # 15
Continuing in its ability to please me outright with each issue, Godland #15 has a great thought balloon and caption joke on page 3. Then there is what appears, to me anyway, to be a sequence referencing Arthur C. Clarke’s “Childhood’s End” with the cosmic mind and the all-seeing eye. Then a “death snake attack.” And the greatest think tank ever and we’re done.
I rate this comic: Still making me happy I buy it.
I know I don’t own his rights or anything but I’m sad to see Buddy go and Lobo to stick around. Feels unjust to me but if anyone can come back through convoluted plots, it’s Buddy. Plus Kandor and menacing Skeets was a nice ending note. But I don’t know why Renee and Question left the Himalayas in the first place - oh right, Batwoman.
I rate this comic: Still good in my book.
Agents of Atlas #6
The typewritten opening of this comic makes me happy. Then just when I’m getting used to a tough talking smart-mouthed Gorilla, a dragon mob-advisor is thrown into the mix. There is a bait-and-switch ending which sets up the inevitable ongoing series, which in all honesty I’m looking forward to it should it happen.
I rate this comic: A really great ending to a fantastic mini-series.
Godland # 15
Continuing in its ability to please me outright with each issue, Godland #15 has a great thought balloon and caption joke on page 3. Then there is what appears, to me anyway, to be a sequence referencing Arthur C. Clarke’s “Childhood’s End” with the cosmic mind and the all-seeing eye. Then a “death snake attack.” And the greatest think tank ever and we’re done.
I rate this comic: Still making me happy I buy it.
I rate this movie "One Car Battery to the Face"
So I saw Children of Men last night and it is on top of my favourite recent movies. The entire movie and setting have been completely realized in a way I haven't seen in a long time. It really feels like the world has come appart and frayed at the edges. The amount of trash and human wreckage strewn about is utterly convincing. On top of that it has some of the greatest action sequences I've ever witnessed on the big screen. And I highly suggest that if you plan to see this movie at all, you see it on the big screen. The sense of urgency and tension is awe inspiring and the characterization was reminiscent of comics in that most characters were easily recognizable by what they wore and how they looked.
Then someone gets knocked out with a car battery and things get even more awesome.
Also, my comments seemed to have inpired one of those pull quotes you see on the top of blogs. It feels like the time my friend quoted my thesis in his only this time its about a guy taking off his wooden leg and pummeling a shark with it.
Then someone gets knocked out with a car battery and things get even more awesome.
Also, my comments seemed to have inpired one of those pull quotes you see on the top of blogs. It feels like the time my friend quoted my thesis in his only this time its about a guy taking off his wooden leg and pummeling a shark with it.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Vanity Project - the end
Part the first
Under two days of writing and a full Marvel Family comic story of 22 pages guest starring Robin. I'm in a rush to leave so I'll add more links and stuff tomorrow when I have more time.
Now, to convince DC to give me money...
-----------------------------------------
PAGE THIRTEEN
P1
Robin standing over the ruins of his bike with his back against the wall, looking a bit worried at two approaching Grundies, covering their ears to the crack of thunder. There is a bolt of lightning overhead.
Grundy 1
Loud!
P2
The Marvels are looking at the Grundies who are no longer looking at Robin. Cpt. Marvel Jr. is cracking his knuckles.
Cpt. Marvel Jr.
Let’s bust some dead-heads.
P3
The Marvel Family punching various Grundies and other melee combat. Cpt. Marvel Jr. could be flying and punching one in the midsection. Cpt. Marvel lifting one over his head and Mary Marvel giving a Grundy and uppercut. Robin should be in there somewhere using one Grundy as a springboard with his hand on its head and kicking either one or two more
P4
Cpt. Marvel throwing a Grundy off into the distance.
Cpt. Marvel
Happy landings you undead thug.
P5
Mary Marvel is ripping down a lamp-post out of the ground.
Mary
I’ve always wanted to try this
P6
Mary hitting a two Grundies with the lamppost.
Mary
Batter-up!
P7
Robin flipping over a Grundy, grabbing it by the shoulders and chucking it towards the reader.
Robin
And the pitch.
P8
Cpt. Marvel Jr. punching the flipped Grundy into the distance
Cpt. Marvel Jr.
And it’s outta here!
Grundy
Grundy fly!
P9
Mary Marvel tossing the lamppost to Cpt. Marvel.
Mary
Cap, there’s a couple trying to get away.
PAGE FOURTEEN
P1
Cpt. Marvel wrapping up two Solomon Grundies with the lamppost.
Cpt. Marvel
I hate to be a predictable strongman superhero, but why mess with what works?
Solomon Grundy 1 & 2
Stuck
P2
Robin and the young Marvels are coming into the panel where Cap has the two Solomon Grundies tied up with the lamppost. They’re sitting on the ground and Cap has his hands on his hips and a smirk on his face.
Cpt. Marvel
Ah, just like the old days.
Robin
Boy, am I glad you brought along the rest of your family CJ.
Cpt. Marvel Jr.
I don’t leave home without them anymore. Especially when I’m going to be in Gotham.
P3
Robin looking down at the tied up Grundies. With Cpt. Marvel and Cpt. Mavel Jr. over his shoulder and looking at one another.
Robin
Okay, I’ve had to deal with Solomon Grundy before but I didn’t realize he had a super-family as well.
Cpt. Marvel
CJ?
Cpt. Marvel Jr.
Well, I can’t say my name without changing back now, can I?
P4
Mary Marvel talking to Robin over the still tied up Grundies.
Mary
This is no ordinary night in Gotham, Robin. It seems that there is a method to all this madness.
Robin
Does this have something to do with the legend of Grundy Night? That the first Solomon Grundy is said to have risen from the dead on Halloween which was on a Monday with a full moon.
Mary
In some ways, but mostly it just Felix Faust trying to live forever.
P5
Robin looking slightly agog at the rest of the Marvel Family.
Robin
That’s not exactly comforting to think Faust has an army of Solomon Grundy running around my city.
Cpt. Marvel
Which is why we’re here son. Care to join us?
P6
Robin looking over the wreckage of this motor bike.
Robin
Well my plans for getting a sugar rush have been cancelled, so why not?
PAGE FIFTEEN
P1
On top of a building overlooking a park and some of Gotham. Robin is looking around with his Robin-night-vision-binoculars. The Marvels are around him with Cpt. Marvel holding the two tied up Grundies.
Caption
Moments later.
Robin
There seems to be a few more heading through the park but I can’t really see beyond it.
None of the others seem to be carrying anything.
Cpt. Marvel Jr.
And with these two being a fountain of conversation I think we’ll have to go with my plan.
P2
Robin looking at his feet blushing.
Robin
Aw jeez.
P3
The Marvels are all flying in a V formation with Cap in the lead and Mary Marvel carrying Robin who looks embarrassed and uncomfortable.
P4
Cpt. Marvel floating and looking at the other two flyers (and Robin).
Cpt. Marvel
Okay team, I’ll keep going North. Mary and Robin the East. Junior the West. If we don’t see a pattern in 10 minutes we meet back here. Otherwise I’ll see you all at Faust’s hideout.
P5
Mary flying with Robin who is still blushing and trying to not look Mary in the eyes.
Mary
I’m sorry if you are uncomfortable Robin.
Robin
Oh, I’m okay. Is it hot up here?
Mary
Actually it’s generally quit a lot colder at this altitude. Are you wearing a thermal suit?
P6
Still Mary and Robin, who seems to have turned even redder and is looking down to avoid looking at Mary.
Robin
Ah, no, no thermal suit tonight.
Mary
Are you embarrassed to be carried by a girl
Robin
Ah, no… no, that’s not it
P7
Robin pointing down
Robin
There! Three more Grundies.
Mary
They seem to be moving rather quickly for zombies.
P8
From the ground past the Grundies up to the sky where Mary and Robin are little silhouettes. One Grundy has a dirt shovel.
Robin
I don’t think they’ll be setting any land speed records anytime soon.
Mary
At least we can follow them easily enough, should I set you down?
P9
Robin jumping to the ground out of Mary’s arms.
Robin
*Phew* Alright, let’s get walking.
Mary
Why does that one have a shovel?
Robin
Beats me.
PAGE SIXTEEN
P1
Mary and Robin walking at a safe distance behind the Grundies.
Mary
So you said you fought Solomon Grundy before?
Robin
Sure, me and Batman have had to deal with him a few times. No big deal really, we have lots of crazies in Gotham.
Mary
But Solomon Grundy isn’t crazy. He’s just undead and really strong.
Robin
Sometimes, sometimes not so much.
P2
Still walking
Mary
What do you mean.
Robin
I mean no two Solomon Grundies are alike. I mean look around tonight.
Mary
Yes, that is rather odd that there would be so many at once.
Robin
Solomon Grundy is never the same way twice because he’s never the same guy twice.
P3
Still walking
Robin
The only thing that seems to remain the same is that he’s always undead, he never feels pain, he’s usually crazy strong and he’s always a man.
Mary
I wonder why?
Robin
Well, Batman told me a story about him the first time we were fighting him.
P4
Flashback to olden times. Horses, buggies and Puritans seem to be around and there is a large pyre with some women tied to stakes.
Caption
You see Gotham seemed to think it had a witch problem so it burned a lot of unfortunate women.
Caption
They burned them just outside the city where Gotham Swamp is now.
P5
Burned piles on the ground
Caption
People claimed that their spirits poisoned the ground so much that when God tried to wash the taint out of the earth the once fertile farmlands turned to muck and was eventually taken over by swampland.
P6
Angry man who looks like Solomon Grundy only in crisp puritan clothing. He should be accusing someone or just freaking out and yelling at the reader.
Caption
The most prolific of all the witch hunters was a man called Algernon Grundy. It’s recorded that he burned over 100 witches during his career.
P7
Fires burning under a woman who is pointing at Algernon Grundy.
Caption
The legend goes that during one of his burnings a woman cursed Algernon and all his line to walk the earth forever as her servant.
Caption 2
But it didn’t stop Algernon. He continued his crusade and eventually died a very old man with a wife and son at his side.
P8
The son of Algernon is being pulled into quicksand or something similar.
Caption
On the night Algernon died, his son Solomon was returning home to his own wife and family in order to make arrangements for the funeral. With the light fading the grieving man decided to go through Gotham Swamp as it was a shorter route.
Caption 2
Solomon never made it home to his family. And rumors started that the witch’s curse had finally come back to claim the Grundy family.
P9
Solomon Grundy raising from the ground.
Caption
Many years later, it is said that Solomon Grundy rose from Gotham Swamp to kill his own son to complete the witch’s curse.
PAGE SEVENTEEN
P1
Back to Mary and Robin walking
Mary
Why does it always have to be a witch getting revenge?
Robin
Beats me, but that’s just the story I know. I don’t really put a lot of faith in it personally.
P2
Mary making a face at Robin as if he just did something quite gross.
Mary
Why not?
Robin
Mostly because Batman and me had a run in with Swamp Thing who told us the swamp was just full of bad mojo where a bunch of plague victims were buried along with the occasional crime victim or mob hit.
Mary
Ew.
Robin
Ah, he’s okay, just smells kind of funky and helped us kick Poison Ivy’s…
P3
Cpt. Marvel and Junior landing in front of Mary and Robin.
Captain Marvel
There you are. Why are you walking?
Mary
Why not?
P4
Marvels and Robin looking up at a rather creepy looking townhouse that all the Solomon Grundies are going into.
Captain Marvel
Well then. This seems to be the place.
Cpt. Marvel Jr.
Any ideas, Cap?
Robin
Avoid the predictable death trap?
P5
Cpt Marvel flying towards the reader.
Captain Marvel
Just follow my lead.
P6
Cpt. Marvel Jr., Mary and Robin looking at one another.
Robin
Is he always this reckless?
Cpt. Marvel Jr.
Well, we are indestructible.
P7
Cpt. Marvel Jr. now flying towards the reader just like Cap did with a smirk on his face knowing that Robin has a crush on Mary. Mary and Robin in the background.
Cpt. Marvel Jr.
Okay Mary, get Robin and lets get cracking.
P8
Mary reaching out to Robin and Robin rubbing the back of his head and looking at the ground.
Mary
Let’s go.
Robin
*Sigh* Um, I, uh, think you’ll be more effective with both hands free. And, uh, I, uh can probably help more if I’m doing my own thing. I am the boy-wonder afterall.
P9
Mary Marvel flying at the reader now.
Mary
Great. See you in there.
Robin
Yeah.
PAGE EIGHTEEN
P1
Felix Faust examining the hand mirror stolen earlier. The sound of thumping is coming through the walls.
Faust
I swear, good help is so hard to find these days. Is it so hard to raise an undead horde that won’t destroy the art on your walls?
P2
More crashing noises coming through the walls. Faust is looking annoyed and put out.
Faust
I better go see what priceless evil antiquity they’ve destroyed now and banish the offender into a fiery pit of hell.
P3
Faust walking down a corridor as the inside of the house looks much much bigger than it did on the outside.
Faust thinking
I should probably just extend the parameters of my spatial spell so they’d have more room to beat one another about the head without destroying my belongings.
P4
The body of Solomon Grundy comes crashing through a wall just in front of Faust.
Faust thinking
That can’t be good.
Grundy
Splinters.
P5
Absolute melee taking place in a massively oversized evil library. There is a hole in a portrait of Faust that the Grundy just went through with Faust peeking into the room to see the Marvels and Robin tearing into the many many Solomon Grundies in the room in many different tattered period clothing. Captain Marvel is socking one with an uppercut so hard that the Grundy has his head stuck through the ceiling. Robin has a vase stuck on the head of another one. Mary is punching one in a line of three or four who are all slouched at the waist and flying back. Cpt. Marvel Jr. is swinging one Grundy by the leg towards others.
PAGE NINETEEN
P1
Cpt. Marvel Jr. spots Faust and is pointing at him.
Cpt. Marvel Jr.
Cap. There he is.
P2
Faust shooting rays at Cpt. Marvel Jr. that are wrapping around him in bands, around his mouth as a gag, around his chest pinning his arms to his side and around his legs.
Faust
That’s enough out of you, you mouthy brat.
P3
Cpt Marvel flying towards Faust but running face first into a huge magic shield. Mary Marvel is in the back ground coming as well.
Cpt. Marvel
I got you now Fau..oof.
Faust
Sorry Big Cheese, I’m not as predictable as you.
P4
Mary flying through the space where Faust vanished from.
Faust
Toodles my dear.
Mary
Whoa!
P5
Mary trying to get the bands off Cpt. Marvel Jr. Cap on the floor holding his head and Robin moving towards the hole in the portrait.
Captain Marvel
Ring-a-ding-ding, that hurt.
Robin
I through you guys were the world’s mightiest mortals?
Mary Marvel
Magic is always a problem.
P6
Robin’s head peering through the hole and looking down the hallways Faust was walking in.
Robin
Tell me about it. It must cost a fortune to heat this place.
P7
Captain Marvel in the hallway with his crew.
Captain Marvel
I don’t know about the rest of you but I’ve had about enough of this. I’m going to find Faust if I have to bring this place down around his ears.
PAGE NINETEEN
P1
Cpt. Marvel punching through a door.
Captain Marvel
Empty.
P2
Mary Marvel smashing a door open.
Mary
This one too.
P3
Cpt. Marvel Jr. standing over the shards of a recently smashed door.
Cpt. Marvel Jr.
Ditto.
P4
Hallway shot of the Marvels kicking in or punching doors. The hallways seems to go on towards infinity.
Robin
I’m not sure if this is the most effective use of our time and abilities. I mean, do you really have to smash every door?
Mary Marvel
They’re locked.
Robin
Exactly. It’s probably a diversion so Faust can get away.
P5
Robin talking to Captain Marvel
Robin
So what’s the deal with Faust this time?
Captain Marvel
He is trying to split his soul into as many soul containers as he can gather in an attempt to live forever.
P6
Robin looking confused at Captain Marvel. Further up the hallway Mary is about to kick in a door.
Robin
That’s it? No world domination?
Captain Marvel
They are all priceless objects and this is a man we do not want living forever. He has killed countless innocent victims in his quest for more power and longevity.
Robin
Right-o then.
P7
The door Mary just kicked in is blowing up in purple light and knocking her against the opposite wall.
Mary
AAAAa!
Cpt. Marvel Jr.
We got him!
PAGE TWENTY
P1
Cpt Marvel flying into the room holding up his hand that is deflecting a bunch of lighting.
Captain Marvel
I’ve had just about enough of you Felix Faust.
P2
Cpt. Marvel picking up Faust by the scruff of his neck. Faust looks terrified.
Faust
Leave me alone I didn’t do anything to you.
Cpt. Marvel
Did you seriously just try to stop me with lightning? Can’t you see the crest of my suit?
P3
Faust bursting into light as Cpt. Marvel is thrown back.
Faust
Fool! Do you think Felix Faust so weak and unprepared?
P4
Cpt. Marvel Jr. in the air but asleep and being illuminated by a beam from Faust. Robin and Mary Marvel are coming in the doorway.
Faust
Go to sleep you pathetic miniature.
Faust
Ah, dear Mary and young Robin. Do come in.
P5
Cpt. Marvel Jr crashing into some crates or a bookshelf or something. Cpt. Marvel is getting up in the background. Robin is jumping to one side and Mary is screaming in pain.
Faust
Forget teen-angst, my dear, have some full fledged pain!
P6
Cpt. Marvel being frozen stiff in place.
Faust
Hold still Captain. I’m not finished with you just yet. I need you to help me decide which of your lovely companion’s souls I should sell first?
Cpt. Marvel
Faust, you fiend!
P7
Robin standing up from behind cover holding the shovel we saw earlier. Faust glaring at him.
Robin
Faust, I think you’re forgetting something.
Faust
Oh my, how noble. A sidekick threatening the man who just defeated the Marvel Family.
P8
Robin smashing a huge mirror next to him with the shovel. Faust running towards him.
Robin
I know what you’re trying to do…
Faust
Noooo!
P9
Robin smiling
Robin
…and I just wanted you to get a bit closer.
PAGE TWENTY ONE
Full page spread of Robin clocking Faust across the jaw with the shovel.
Robin
Good night chuckles.
PAGE TWENTY TWO
P1
Robin standing over an unconscious Faust with the Marvels around him.
Cpt. Marvel
That was impressive.
Robin
It wasn’t too hard. Still doesn’t explain all the Grundies though.
Mary
Obviously Faust isn’t as great as he thinks.
P2
Robin chatting with the Marvels as they drag Faust outside
Robin
So what are you going to do with him?
Cpt. Marvel Jr.
Cap will probably bring him to the wiz to see what we should do.
Captain Marvel
Yes, and once his powers drained we’ll hand him over to your local authorities.
P3
Mary and Robin with Cpt. Marvel Jr. giggling in the background.
Mary
So, how are you getting home?
Robin
Um
P4
Mary flying Robin home with Robin blushing again and Mary smiling.
Under two days of writing and a full Marvel Family comic story of 22 pages guest starring Robin. I'm in a rush to leave so I'll add more links and stuff tomorrow when I have more time.
Now, to convince DC to give me money...
-----------------------------------------
PAGE THIRTEEN
P1
Robin standing over the ruins of his bike with his back against the wall, looking a bit worried at two approaching Grundies, covering their ears to the crack of thunder. There is a bolt of lightning overhead.
Grundy 1
Loud!
P2
The Marvels are looking at the Grundies who are no longer looking at Robin. Cpt. Marvel Jr. is cracking his knuckles.
Cpt. Marvel Jr.
Let’s bust some dead-heads.
P3
The Marvel Family punching various Grundies and other melee combat. Cpt. Marvel Jr. could be flying and punching one in the midsection. Cpt. Marvel lifting one over his head and Mary Marvel giving a Grundy and uppercut. Robin should be in there somewhere using one Grundy as a springboard with his hand on its head and kicking either one or two more
P4
Cpt. Marvel throwing a Grundy off into the distance.
Cpt. Marvel
Happy landings you undead thug.
P5
Mary Marvel is ripping down a lamp-post out of the ground.
Mary
I’ve always wanted to try this
P6
Mary hitting a two Grundies with the lamppost.
Mary
Batter-up!
P7
Robin flipping over a Grundy, grabbing it by the shoulders and chucking it towards the reader.
Robin
And the pitch.
P8
Cpt. Marvel Jr. punching the flipped Grundy into the distance
Cpt. Marvel Jr.
And it’s outta here!
Grundy
Grundy fly!
P9
Mary Marvel tossing the lamppost to Cpt. Marvel.
Mary
Cap, there’s a couple trying to get away.
PAGE FOURTEEN
P1
Cpt. Marvel wrapping up two Solomon Grundies with the lamppost.
Cpt. Marvel
I hate to be a predictable strongman superhero, but why mess with what works?
Solomon Grundy 1 & 2
Stuck
P2
Robin and the young Marvels are coming into the panel where Cap has the two Solomon Grundies tied up with the lamppost. They’re sitting on the ground and Cap has his hands on his hips and a smirk on his face.
Cpt. Marvel
Ah, just like the old days.
Robin
Boy, am I glad you brought along the rest of your family CJ.
Cpt. Marvel Jr.
I don’t leave home without them anymore. Especially when I’m going to be in Gotham.
P3
Robin looking down at the tied up Grundies. With Cpt. Marvel and Cpt. Mavel Jr. over his shoulder and looking at one another.
Robin
Okay, I’ve had to deal with Solomon Grundy before but I didn’t realize he had a super-family as well.
Cpt. Marvel
CJ?
Cpt. Marvel Jr.
Well, I can’t say my name without changing back now, can I?
P4
Mary Marvel talking to Robin over the still tied up Grundies.
Mary
This is no ordinary night in Gotham, Robin. It seems that there is a method to all this madness.
Robin
Does this have something to do with the legend of Grundy Night? That the first Solomon Grundy is said to have risen from the dead on Halloween which was on a Monday with a full moon.
Mary
In some ways, but mostly it just Felix Faust trying to live forever.
P5
Robin looking slightly agog at the rest of the Marvel Family.
Robin
That’s not exactly comforting to think Faust has an army of Solomon Grundy running around my city.
Cpt. Marvel
Which is why we’re here son. Care to join us?
P6
Robin looking over the wreckage of this motor bike.
Robin
Well my plans for getting a sugar rush have been cancelled, so why not?
PAGE FIFTEEN
P1
On top of a building overlooking a park and some of Gotham. Robin is looking around with his Robin-night-vision-binoculars. The Marvels are around him with Cpt. Marvel holding the two tied up Grundies.
Caption
Moments later.
Robin
There seems to be a few more heading through the park but I can’t really see beyond it.
None of the others seem to be carrying anything.
Cpt. Marvel Jr.
And with these two being a fountain of conversation I think we’ll have to go with my plan.
P2
Robin looking at his feet blushing.
Robin
Aw jeez.
P3
The Marvels are all flying in a V formation with Cap in the lead and Mary Marvel carrying Robin who looks embarrassed and uncomfortable.
P4
Cpt. Marvel floating and looking at the other two flyers (and Robin).
Cpt. Marvel
Okay team, I’ll keep going North. Mary and Robin the East. Junior the West. If we don’t see a pattern in 10 minutes we meet back here. Otherwise I’ll see you all at Faust’s hideout.
P5
Mary flying with Robin who is still blushing and trying to not look Mary in the eyes.
Mary
I’m sorry if you are uncomfortable Robin.
Robin
Oh, I’m okay. Is it hot up here?
Mary
Actually it’s generally quit a lot colder at this altitude. Are you wearing a thermal suit?
P6
Still Mary and Robin, who seems to have turned even redder and is looking down to avoid looking at Mary.
Robin
Ah, no, no thermal suit tonight.
Mary
Are you embarrassed to be carried by a girl
Robin
Ah, no… no, that’s not it
P7
Robin pointing down
Robin
There! Three more Grundies.
Mary
They seem to be moving rather quickly for zombies.
P8
From the ground past the Grundies up to the sky where Mary and Robin are little silhouettes. One Grundy has a dirt shovel.
Robin
I don’t think they’ll be setting any land speed records anytime soon.
Mary
At least we can follow them easily enough, should I set you down?
P9
Robin jumping to the ground out of Mary’s arms.
Robin
*Phew* Alright, let’s get walking.
Mary
Why does that one have a shovel?
Robin
Beats me.
PAGE SIXTEEN
P1
Mary and Robin walking at a safe distance behind the Grundies.
Mary
So you said you fought Solomon Grundy before?
Robin
Sure, me and Batman have had to deal with him a few times. No big deal really, we have lots of crazies in Gotham.
Mary
But Solomon Grundy isn’t crazy. He’s just undead and really strong.
Robin
Sometimes, sometimes not so much.
P2
Still walking
Mary
What do you mean.
Robin
I mean no two Solomon Grundies are alike. I mean look around tonight.
Mary
Yes, that is rather odd that there would be so many at once.
Robin
Solomon Grundy is never the same way twice because he’s never the same guy twice.
P3
Still walking
Robin
The only thing that seems to remain the same is that he’s always undead, he never feels pain, he’s usually crazy strong and he’s always a man.
Mary
I wonder why?
Robin
Well, Batman told me a story about him the first time we were fighting him.
P4
Flashback to olden times. Horses, buggies and Puritans seem to be around and there is a large pyre with some women tied to stakes.
Caption
You see Gotham seemed to think it had a witch problem so it burned a lot of unfortunate women.
Caption
They burned them just outside the city where Gotham Swamp is now.
P5
Burned piles on the ground
Caption
People claimed that their spirits poisoned the ground so much that when God tried to wash the taint out of the earth the once fertile farmlands turned to muck and was eventually taken over by swampland.
P6
Angry man who looks like Solomon Grundy only in crisp puritan clothing. He should be accusing someone or just freaking out and yelling at the reader.
Caption
The most prolific of all the witch hunters was a man called Algernon Grundy. It’s recorded that he burned over 100 witches during his career.
P7
Fires burning under a woman who is pointing at Algernon Grundy.
Caption
The legend goes that during one of his burnings a woman cursed Algernon and all his line to walk the earth forever as her servant.
Caption 2
But it didn’t stop Algernon. He continued his crusade and eventually died a very old man with a wife and son at his side.
P8
The son of Algernon is being pulled into quicksand or something similar.
Caption
On the night Algernon died, his son Solomon was returning home to his own wife and family in order to make arrangements for the funeral. With the light fading the grieving man decided to go through Gotham Swamp as it was a shorter route.
Caption 2
Solomon never made it home to his family. And rumors started that the witch’s curse had finally come back to claim the Grundy family.
P9
Solomon Grundy raising from the ground.
Caption
Many years later, it is said that Solomon Grundy rose from Gotham Swamp to kill his own son to complete the witch’s curse.
PAGE SEVENTEEN
P1
Back to Mary and Robin walking
Mary
Why does it always have to be a witch getting revenge?
Robin
Beats me, but that’s just the story I know. I don’t really put a lot of faith in it personally.
P2
Mary making a face at Robin as if he just did something quite gross.
Mary
Why not?
Robin
Mostly because Batman and me had a run in with Swamp Thing who told us the swamp was just full of bad mojo where a bunch of plague victims were buried along with the occasional crime victim or mob hit.
Mary
Ew.
Robin
Ah, he’s okay, just smells kind of funky and helped us kick Poison Ivy’s…
P3
Cpt. Marvel and Junior landing in front of Mary and Robin.
Captain Marvel
There you are. Why are you walking?
Mary
Why not?
P4
Marvels and Robin looking up at a rather creepy looking townhouse that all the Solomon Grundies are going into.
Captain Marvel
Well then. This seems to be the place.
Cpt. Marvel Jr.
Any ideas, Cap?
Robin
Avoid the predictable death trap?
P5
Cpt Marvel flying towards the reader.
Captain Marvel
Just follow my lead.
P6
Cpt. Marvel Jr., Mary and Robin looking at one another.
Robin
Is he always this reckless?
Cpt. Marvel Jr.
Well, we are indestructible.
P7
Cpt. Marvel Jr. now flying towards the reader just like Cap did with a smirk on his face knowing that Robin has a crush on Mary. Mary and Robin in the background.
Cpt. Marvel Jr.
Okay Mary, get Robin and lets get cracking.
P8
Mary reaching out to Robin and Robin rubbing the back of his head and looking at the ground.
Mary
Let’s go.
Robin
*Sigh* Um, I, uh, think you’ll be more effective with both hands free. And, uh, I, uh can probably help more if I’m doing my own thing. I am the boy-wonder afterall.
P9
Mary Marvel flying at the reader now.
Mary
Great. See you in there.
Robin
Yeah.
PAGE EIGHTEEN
P1
Felix Faust examining the hand mirror stolen earlier. The sound of thumping is coming through the walls.
Faust
I swear, good help is so hard to find these days. Is it so hard to raise an undead horde that won’t destroy the art on your walls?
P2
More crashing noises coming through the walls. Faust is looking annoyed and put out.
Faust
I better go see what priceless evil antiquity they’ve destroyed now and banish the offender into a fiery pit of hell.
P3
Faust walking down a corridor as the inside of the house looks much much bigger than it did on the outside.
Faust thinking
I should probably just extend the parameters of my spatial spell so they’d have more room to beat one another about the head without destroying my belongings.
P4
The body of Solomon Grundy comes crashing through a wall just in front of Faust.
Faust thinking
That can’t be good.
Grundy
Splinters.
P5
Absolute melee taking place in a massively oversized evil library. There is a hole in a portrait of Faust that the Grundy just went through with Faust peeking into the room to see the Marvels and Robin tearing into the many many Solomon Grundies in the room in many different tattered period clothing. Captain Marvel is socking one with an uppercut so hard that the Grundy has his head stuck through the ceiling. Robin has a vase stuck on the head of another one. Mary is punching one in a line of three or four who are all slouched at the waist and flying back. Cpt. Marvel Jr. is swinging one Grundy by the leg towards others.
PAGE NINETEEN
P1
Cpt. Marvel Jr. spots Faust and is pointing at him.
Cpt. Marvel Jr.
Cap. There he is.
P2
Faust shooting rays at Cpt. Marvel Jr. that are wrapping around him in bands, around his mouth as a gag, around his chest pinning his arms to his side and around his legs.
Faust
That’s enough out of you, you mouthy brat.
P3
Cpt Marvel flying towards Faust but running face first into a huge magic shield. Mary Marvel is in the back ground coming as well.
Cpt. Marvel
I got you now Fau..oof.
Faust
Sorry Big Cheese, I’m not as predictable as you.
P4
Mary flying through the space where Faust vanished from.
Faust
Toodles my dear.
Mary
Whoa!
P5
Mary trying to get the bands off Cpt. Marvel Jr. Cap on the floor holding his head and Robin moving towards the hole in the portrait.
Captain Marvel
Ring-a-ding-ding, that hurt.
Robin
I through you guys were the world’s mightiest mortals?
Mary Marvel
Magic is always a problem.
P6
Robin’s head peering through the hole and looking down the hallways Faust was walking in.
Robin
Tell me about it. It must cost a fortune to heat this place.
P7
Captain Marvel in the hallway with his crew.
Captain Marvel
I don’t know about the rest of you but I’ve had about enough of this. I’m going to find Faust if I have to bring this place down around his ears.
PAGE NINETEEN
P1
Cpt. Marvel punching through a door.
Captain Marvel
Empty.
P2
Mary Marvel smashing a door open.
Mary
This one too.
P3
Cpt. Marvel Jr. standing over the shards of a recently smashed door.
Cpt. Marvel Jr.
Ditto.
P4
Hallway shot of the Marvels kicking in or punching doors. The hallways seems to go on towards infinity.
Robin
I’m not sure if this is the most effective use of our time and abilities. I mean, do you really have to smash every door?
Mary Marvel
They’re locked.
Robin
Exactly. It’s probably a diversion so Faust can get away.
P5
Robin talking to Captain Marvel
Robin
So what’s the deal with Faust this time?
Captain Marvel
He is trying to split his soul into as many soul containers as he can gather in an attempt to live forever.
P6
Robin looking confused at Captain Marvel. Further up the hallway Mary is about to kick in a door.
Robin
That’s it? No world domination?
Captain Marvel
They are all priceless objects and this is a man we do not want living forever. He has killed countless innocent victims in his quest for more power and longevity.
Robin
Right-o then.
P7
The door Mary just kicked in is blowing up in purple light and knocking her against the opposite wall.
Mary
AAAAa!
Cpt. Marvel Jr.
We got him!
PAGE TWENTY
P1
Cpt Marvel flying into the room holding up his hand that is deflecting a bunch of lighting.
Captain Marvel
I’ve had just about enough of you Felix Faust.
P2
Cpt. Marvel picking up Faust by the scruff of his neck. Faust looks terrified.
Faust
Leave me alone I didn’t do anything to you.
Cpt. Marvel
Did you seriously just try to stop me with lightning? Can’t you see the crest of my suit?
P3
Faust bursting into light as Cpt. Marvel is thrown back.
Faust
Fool! Do you think Felix Faust so weak and unprepared?
P4
Cpt. Marvel Jr. in the air but asleep and being illuminated by a beam from Faust. Robin and Mary Marvel are coming in the doorway.
Faust
Go to sleep you pathetic miniature.
Faust
Ah, dear Mary and young Robin. Do come in.
P5
Cpt. Marvel Jr crashing into some crates or a bookshelf or something. Cpt. Marvel is getting up in the background. Robin is jumping to one side and Mary is screaming in pain.
Faust
Forget teen-angst, my dear, have some full fledged pain!
P6
Cpt. Marvel being frozen stiff in place.
Faust
Hold still Captain. I’m not finished with you just yet. I need you to help me decide which of your lovely companion’s souls I should sell first?
Cpt. Marvel
Faust, you fiend!
P7
Robin standing up from behind cover holding the shovel we saw earlier. Faust glaring at him.
Robin
Faust, I think you’re forgetting something.
Faust
Oh my, how noble. A sidekick threatening the man who just defeated the Marvel Family.
P8
Robin smashing a huge mirror next to him with the shovel. Faust running towards him.
Robin
I know what you’re trying to do…
Faust
Noooo!
P9
Robin smiling
Robin
…and I just wanted you to get a bit closer.
PAGE TWENTY ONE
Full page spread of Robin clocking Faust across the jaw with the shovel.
Robin
Good night chuckles.
PAGE TWENTY TWO
P1
Robin standing over an unconscious Faust with the Marvels around him.
Cpt. Marvel
That was impressive.
Robin
It wasn’t too hard. Still doesn’t explain all the Grundies though.
Mary
Obviously Faust isn’t as great as he thinks.
P2
Robin chatting with the Marvels as they drag Faust outside
Robin
So what are you going to do with him?
Cpt. Marvel Jr.
Cap will probably bring him to the wiz to see what we should do.
Captain Marvel
Yes, and once his powers drained we’ll hand him over to your local authorities.
P3
Mary and Robin with Cpt. Marvel Jr. giggling in the background.
Mary
So, how are you getting home?
Robin
Um
P4
Mary flying Robin home with Robin blushing again and Mary smiling.
Hellboy Volume 4 - The Right Hand of Doom
I’ll be trying to complete part 2 of the Marvel Family Vanity Project today but in the meantime know this. The first story in this collection titled “Pancakes” is two pages of pure awesomeness. Those two pages of a young Hellboy eating pancakes and thwarting the denizens of Hell had more charm, intrigue and fun than that entire issue of Civil War I read.
The rest of the book ain’t no slouch either. It’s called The Right Hand of Doom for a good reason – punching.
If, like me, you didn’t read any Hellboy before the movie, do yourself a favour and get some into your system quick. It is comic book gold.
The rest of the book ain’t no slouch either. It’s called The Right Hand of Doom for a good reason – punching.
If, like me, you didn’t read any Hellboy before the movie, do yourself a favour and get some into your system quick. It is comic book gold.
Monday, January 08, 2007
Rearview Mirror – 2006 – The Dubious List
I’m not sure I can do much of a “best of” list for last year since it seems to be the year I parsed my comics into un-buy piles and a few completist projects I swore I wouldn’t do again. So I’ll try to make this list a bit different than the other ones you’ve no doubt read by now. And just in case you don't know where I'm coming from, I mostly just read a few superhero comics so there's no encylopedic knowledge base here.
My best of 2006 in no particular order:
Solo #11 - Sergio Argones
This comic returned me to my childhood and I quite simply had fun reading it. That's all it takes for me to like your comic too - I need to simply enjoy reading it. The last issue was also interesting but kind of freaked me out so it gets an honourable mention for pushing the limits of what mainstream superhero comic book buyers will read.
Batman Year 100
This is what comic book mini-series should be – good. What else can be said about Batman? Apparently Paul Pope figured out that the legend of Batman would make a good story and by simply showing us a world that is equally recognizable and foreign he proved that mainstream superhero comic book fans are capable of stretching their horizons and are, in fact, hungry for new stories.
All-Star Superman
Sure it came out randomly but whenever it came out it made me happy. It’s that holy grail of comics where whenever the comic isn’t perfect those imperfections don’t feel like glaring errors that make me want to give up comics forever in frustration. It is simple, fun and beautiful.
The Spirit
Like All-Star Superman last year, this gets a “best of” nod on the strength of one issue. That one issue was better than a lot of what else is out there. And it’s not even an original property, which I’ll admit had me worried. I approached this comic with trepidation but discovered not just a good take on The Spirit, but a really good comic, full stop.
Pride of Baghdad
This OGN has been trumpeted elsewhere and with good reason. It is a fantastic tale with interesting characters and visuals. Add to that there is some great commentary on the current catastrophuck in the Iraq. So with all the serious tone and wonderfully dark storytelling there is also Brian K. Vaughn’s answer to that age old question “Who would win in a fight between a grizzly bear and a lion?”
Fun Home
Again, another book I wasn’t expecting to live up to the hype and was completely captivated by the entire thing. This creation as a whole was a true eye-opener for me as I tend to like most indy-type comics only in theory.
Detective Comics
One year and a bit later we have Paul Dini taking over and repeating his success first shown on Batman: The Animated Series. With his current output Dini is proving that you can tell genre fiction fantastically well and that there is an audience for any book as long as the stories are simply told well. Again, there isn’t much more to say about Batman, but Dini shows that with the right writer there is always the potential for good stories.
52
Yes it does have problems but I still find it entertaining week in and week out which I respect.
The Ottawa Public Library
2006 is also the year that I discovered what a great resource the Ottawa Public Library is for comics. They have a fantastic Bandes Designes selection as well as manga, independent and main stream comic collections. It lets me save a lot of cash and lets me read a lot of stuff I’d never pick up for the ridiculous prices they sell for up here. It is totally free and I can order the books I want from home. Darn near perfect.
The Dubious List
As I started to reflect back onto 2006 I notice that it was the year I dropped a lot of undeserving books and skipped a lot of books I should have been reading. I mean, curiosity got the better of me and I bought Civil War #1 but it was like when Morgan Spurlock ate that double quarter-pounder with cheese super-sized meal. I didn’t mind it to start out with but I was just ill and disgusted with myself by the end of it. I never bought it again.
Books I should have bought but for some reason didn’t
Nextwave: Agents of HATE
This is top of the list. I read the first issue and the humour just felt laboured to me so I never went back to it this past year. And yet, everyone who is anyone in the comic blogtagon seems to love it with unabashed love. I have to say it looks like a lot of fun from the outside but for some reason I still don’t think I would enjoy it without an encyclopedic comic knowledge. I know I dismissed the series based on one issue as comic book navel-gazing and now I feel sort of ashamed to jump back into it – I may pick up another issue at some point.
Local
Again, another book I dismissed after one issue. This one I feel really guilty about since I want to encourage more comic book creators to approach comics with a unique sensibility and push the limits of the medium. I also want to support more comics outside the big two superhero publishers but I fail on both accounts here. I guess it’s like jazz and electronic music – I can appreciate why it is good and why people love it but I don’t crave it for myself.
The Thing
Another book that looked to be comic book gold with a Marvel character I like and an approach to him I can appreciate. The thing that killed me picking this book up was the pleading of the creator and his claims I was responsible for killing comics. All I can say is “mission accomplished.”
The All-New Atom
This is the biggest guilt trip I can possibly lay on myself. Gail Simone stopped by this very blog and I promised myself I’d give it a try. I didn’t because I suck and my brain for comics has shrunken to the limits of Ray Choi is himself capable of shrinking. Okay that sounds betters aloud than written online.
Wasteland
Another book I promised the creator I would buy after Antony commented here. I had trouble finding the first three issues so I’m now officially waiting for the trade. I was really hyped about this one too.
Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters
I actually enjoyed Battle for Bludhaven and this is meant to be better. The boobs killed this one for me. Yes, that is probably somehow sexist since I think Phantom Lady is an otherwise strong character.
Superman/Action Comics
Yes, I actually wanted to read Up, Up and Away but just didn’t for some reason. I think it was financial and I had mistakenly chosen to read Face the Face which I liked but I think in the end this was the better relaunch. I’ll find out someday.
Daredevil
Yes, I get it everyone. It’s good but I still have that Ben Affleck disaster imprinted on my psyche and like Pavlov’s dog I am trained to avoid Daredevil. I’ll probably read it once the library gets it though.
The Punisher’s War Journal
Another good book I’m told but I was never a fan of The Punisher. This is only on issue #2 so I could jump on.
X-Factor
I was an X-fan in my youth and while I’m interested here, it’ll take a lot to get over that hump.
Comics I dropped for no good reason
The Secret Six
I was enjoying this book but missed it one week and just didn’t feel compelled to buy it again. I honestly can’t explain it.
Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis
Another book I missed and just didn’t feel compelled to buy again even though I generally liked the whole thing. I probably would have enjoyed this as an Elseworlds graphic novel. That probably would have been a better way to test the waters so to say. The thing is, I always enjoyed this whenever I read it.
DMZ
A comic I actually liked a lot but just sort of didn’t need to read anymore. It happens. I just want to have the financial freedom to try something else. See other people. I know you’re a good comic DMZ but there are just so many other good comics out there I haven’t met yet.
The Incredible Hulk.
I was enjoying Planet Hulk and while I like the idea I just didn’t like it enough to buy this comic until he returns to earth to raise a little hell. Okay, maybe that was a good reason and this should be in another category.
Fear Agent
I just couldn’t find this after issue 5 or 6. I wouldn’t have dropped it otherwise. I’ve since seen the last few issues but don’t want to read them unless I can fill in the gaps. Really, I think it was the crappy schedule that made me drop this one, which brings me to the next category.
Comics that dropped me
The Ultimates 2
I’ll still get this if it comes out, I mean Cpt. America in a lightsabre fight is enough to keep me happy for a while. Stick with that instead of the whole Hawkeye ripping off his own fingernails.
Ultimate Wolverine vs. Hulk
This was going along swell then just decided not to call anymore. I wonder if it got arrested?
Comics that brought me aboard
Manhunter
Yes, it is as good as everyone says and with the new trade coming out I’ll be able to fill in a bit more of the backstory. I’m proof that you can join a title late and actually enjoy it.
Agents of Atlas
I was ready to just simply not buy Marvel Comics again then Jeff Parker came out with this doozy of a miniseries. It is fun, it is continuity laden, it is a miniseries – all reasons it should fail, but it hasn’t and I’m actually enjoying a Marvel comic.
Penny Arcade
This is like the perfect comic strip for me as I was a game geek before I was a comic geek. Heck I even learned how to 3-D animate (poorly) to try and get a video game type job. Plus, it's free and online. It's wonderfully mean, honest and loving in one fell swoop.
Clusterfuck of the Year
Basically, Marvel Comics. What the hell happened there? They have good creators, good artists, good writers and editors. They are a group of really talented people with great ideas and vision but for some reason the whole enterprise just doesn’t seem to be working all that well. I hate to pick on any one person but the EiC is probably the one to blame here. I know what it’s like to work with a boss who has a hard-on for the spotlight and runs off at the mouth to simply keep himself in the spotlight and damn the consequences, and I think that’s what is happening here. The whole, mature readers only for gay characters catastrophe to Civil War proving the age old adage that war is hell just has me at a loss for words for the company apparently leading the industry.
Biggest Disappointment
DC One Year Later. It started out strong but has since whimpered into the same old mold of yore. Yes some things were cleaned up and there were some changes that have allowed for some creators to actually tell classic feeling stories once again but for the most part it wasn’t the streamlining and updating I was hoping for. I wasn’t expecting anything from Civil War so it didn’t let me down.
Biggest Rut I Fell Into
Not broadening my comic buying horizons. I still don’t buy enough creator owned comics or buy anything all that diverse on a regular basis. I hope to improve on this and break some bad habits, like gravitating towards DC comics and continuing to buy mediocre comics instead of widening my horizons and trying books other people like. I’d also like to try and avoid talking about how much I hate my job and letting the day job interfere with the rest of my life to the point where I don’t want to blog anymore. I actually enjoy this, even if I sometimes don’t have a very informative or unique post to put up here.
Biggest Thing I’m Looking Forward to in 2007
Jeff Smith’s Cpt. Marvel miniseries. I hope it doesn’t get arrested like Hulk and Wolverine. Otherwise I’m looking to update my back catalogue by catching up on more Hellboy and Y: The Last Man. I want to finally read Alan Moore’s Swamp Thing and start reading Fables at some point. The year is long and if there is nothing new to read, I still have a lot of catching up to do.
Wow, that was a lot longer than anticipated. Hope your bladder isn't hurting.
My best of 2006 in no particular order:
Solo #11 - Sergio Argones
This comic returned me to my childhood and I quite simply had fun reading it. That's all it takes for me to like your comic too - I need to simply enjoy reading it. The last issue was also interesting but kind of freaked me out so it gets an honourable mention for pushing the limits of what mainstream superhero comic book buyers will read.
Batman Year 100
This is what comic book mini-series should be – good. What else can be said about Batman? Apparently Paul Pope figured out that the legend of Batman would make a good story and by simply showing us a world that is equally recognizable and foreign he proved that mainstream superhero comic book fans are capable of stretching their horizons and are, in fact, hungry for new stories.
All-Star Superman
Sure it came out randomly but whenever it came out it made me happy. It’s that holy grail of comics where whenever the comic isn’t perfect those imperfections don’t feel like glaring errors that make me want to give up comics forever in frustration. It is simple, fun and beautiful.
The Spirit
Like All-Star Superman last year, this gets a “best of” nod on the strength of one issue. That one issue was better than a lot of what else is out there. And it’s not even an original property, which I’ll admit had me worried. I approached this comic with trepidation but discovered not just a good take on The Spirit, but a really good comic, full stop.
Pride of Baghdad
This OGN has been trumpeted elsewhere and with good reason. It is a fantastic tale with interesting characters and visuals. Add to that there is some great commentary on the current catastrophuck in the Iraq. So with all the serious tone and wonderfully dark storytelling there is also Brian K. Vaughn’s answer to that age old question “Who would win in a fight between a grizzly bear and a lion?”
Fun Home
Again, another book I wasn’t expecting to live up to the hype and was completely captivated by the entire thing. This creation as a whole was a true eye-opener for me as I tend to like most indy-type comics only in theory.
Detective Comics
One year and a bit later we have Paul Dini taking over and repeating his success first shown on Batman: The Animated Series. With his current output Dini is proving that you can tell genre fiction fantastically well and that there is an audience for any book as long as the stories are simply told well. Again, there isn’t much more to say about Batman, but Dini shows that with the right writer there is always the potential for good stories.
52
Yes it does have problems but I still find it entertaining week in and week out which I respect.
The Ottawa Public Library
2006 is also the year that I discovered what a great resource the Ottawa Public Library is for comics. They have a fantastic Bandes Designes selection as well as manga, independent and main stream comic collections. It lets me save a lot of cash and lets me read a lot of stuff I’d never pick up for the ridiculous prices they sell for up here. It is totally free and I can order the books I want from home. Darn near perfect.
The Dubious List
As I started to reflect back onto 2006 I notice that it was the year I dropped a lot of undeserving books and skipped a lot of books I should have been reading. I mean, curiosity got the better of me and I bought Civil War #1 but it was like when Morgan Spurlock ate that double quarter-pounder with cheese super-sized meal. I didn’t mind it to start out with but I was just ill and disgusted with myself by the end of it. I never bought it again.
Books I should have bought but for some reason didn’t
Nextwave: Agents of HATE
This is top of the list. I read the first issue and the humour just felt laboured to me so I never went back to it this past year. And yet, everyone who is anyone in the comic blogtagon seems to love it with unabashed love. I have to say it looks like a lot of fun from the outside but for some reason I still don’t think I would enjoy it without an encyclopedic comic knowledge. I know I dismissed the series based on one issue as comic book navel-gazing and now I feel sort of ashamed to jump back into it – I may pick up another issue at some point.
Local
Again, another book I dismissed after one issue. This one I feel really guilty about since I want to encourage more comic book creators to approach comics with a unique sensibility and push the limits of the medium. I also want to support more comics outside the big two superhero publishers but I fail on both accounts here. I guess it’s like jazz and electronic music – I can appreciate why it is good and why people love it but I don’t crave it for myself.
The Thing
Another book that looked to be comic book gold with a Marvel character I like and an approach to him I can appreciate. The thing that killed me picking this book up was the pleading of the creator and his claims I was responsible for killing comics. All I can say is “mission accomplished.”
The All-New Atom
This is the biggest guilt trip I can possibly lay on myself. Gail Simone stopped by this very blog and I promised myself I’d give it a try. I didn’t because I suck and my brain for comics has shrunken to the limits of Ray Choi is himself capable of shrinking. Okay that sounds betters aloud than written online.
Wasteland
Another book I promised the creator I would buy after Antony commented here. I had trouble finding the first three issues so I’m now officially waiting for the trade. I was really hyped about this one too.
Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters
I actually enjoyed Battle for Bludhaven and this is meant to be better. The boobs killed this one for me. Yes, that is probably somehow sexist since I think Phantom Lady is an otherwise strong character.
Superman/Action Comics
Yes, I actually wanted to read Up, Up and Away but just didn’t for some reason. I think it was financial and I had mistakenly chosen to read Face the Face which I liked but I think in the end this was the better relaunch. I’ll find out someday.
Daredevil
Yes, I get it everyone. It’s good but I still have that Ben Affleck disaster imprinted on my psyche and like Pavlov’s dog I am trained to avoid Daredevil. I’ll probably read it once the library gets it though.
The Punisher’s War Journal
Another good book I’m told but I was never a fan of The Punisher. This is only on issue #2 so I could jump on.
X-Factor
I was an X-fan in my youth and while I’m interested here, it’ll take a lot to get over that hump.
Comics I dropped for no good reason
The Secret Six
I was enjoying this book but missed it one week and just didn’t feel compelled to buy it again. I honestly can’t explain it.
Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis
Another book I missed and just didn’t feel compelled to buy again even though I generally liked the whole thing. I probably would have enjoyed this as an Elseworlds graphic novel. That probably would have been a better way to test the waters so to say. The thing is, I always enjoyed this whenever I read it.
DMZ
A comic I actually liked a lot but just sort of didn’t need to read anymore. It happens. I just want to have the financial freedom to try something else. See other people. I know you’re a good comic DMZ but there are just so many other good comics out there I haven’t met yet.
The Incredible Hulk.
I was enjoying Planet Hulk and while I like the idea I just didn’t like it enough to buy this comic until he returns to earth to raise a little hell. Okay, maybe that was a good reason and this should be in another category.
Fear Agent
I just couldn’t find this after issue 5 or 6. I wouldn’t have dropped it otherwise. I’ve since seen the last few issues but don’t want to read them unless I can fill in the gaps. Really, I think it was the crappy schedule that made me drop this one, which brings me to the next category.
Comics that dropped me
The Ultimates 2
I’ll still get this if it comes out, I mean Cpt. America in a lightsabre fight is enough to keep me happy for a while. Stick with that instead of the whole Hawkeye ripping off his own fingernails.
Ultimate Wolverine vs. Hulk
This was going along swell then just decided not to call anymore. I wonder if it got arrested?
Comics that brought me aboard
Manhunter
Yes, it is as good as everyone says and with the new trade coming out I’ll be able to fill in a bit more of the backstory. I’m proof that you can join a title late and actually enjoy it.
Agents of Atlas
I was ready to just simply not buy Marvel Comics again then Jeff Parker came out with this doozy of a miniseries. It is fun, it is continuity laden, it is a miniseries – all reasons it should fail, but it hasn’t and I’m actually enjoying a Marvel comic.
Penny Arcade
This is like the perfect comic strip for me as I was a game geek before I was a comic geek. Heck I even learned how to 3-D animate (poorly) to try and get a video game type job. Plus, it's free and online. It's wonderfully mean, honest and loving in one fell swoop.
Clusterfuck of the Year
Basically, Marvel Comics. What the hell happened there? They have good creators, good artists, good writers and editors. They are a group of really talented people with great ideas and vision but for some reason the whole enterprise just doesn’t seem to be working all that well. I hate to pick on any one person but the EiC is probably the one to blame here. I know what it’s like to work with a boss who has a hard-on for the spotlight and runs off at the mouth to simply keep himself in the spotlight and damn the consequences, and I think that’s what is happening here. The whole, mature readers only for gay characters catastrophe to Civil War proving the age old adage that war is hell just has me at a loss for words for the company apparently leading the industry.
Biggest Disappointment
DC One Year Later. It started out strong but has since whimpered into the same old mold of yore. Yes some things were cleaned up and there were some changes that have allowed for some creators to actually tell classic feeling stories once again but for the most part it wasn’t the streamlining and updating I was hoping for. I wasn’t expecting anything from Civil War so it didn’t let me down.
Biggest Rut I Fell Into
Not broadening my comic buying horizons. I still don’t buy enough creator owned comics or buy anything all that diverse on a regular basis. I hope to improve on this and break some bad habits, like gravitating towards DC comics and continuing to buy mediocre comics instead of widening my horizons and trying books other people like. I’d also like to try and avoid talking about how much I hate my job and letting the day job interfere with the rest of my life to the point where I don’t want to blog anymore. I actually enjoy this, even if I sometimes don’t have a very informative or unique post to put up here.
Biggest Thing I’m Looking Forward to in 2007
Jeff Smith’s Cpt. Marvel miniseries. I hope it doesn’t get arrested like Hulk and Wolverine. Otherwise I’m looking to update my back catalogue by catching up on more Hellboy and Y: The Last Man. I want to finally read Alan Moore’s Swamp Thing and start reading Fables at some point. The year is long and if there is nothing new to read, I still have a lot of catching up to do.
Wow, that was a lot longer than anticipated. Hope your bladder isn't hurting.
Friday, January 05, 2007
Promethea – Form(ulaic) writing
For my holidays I managed to snag all four volumes of Alan Moore and J.H. Williams III’s Promethea from the library. I’m on a bit of an Alan Moore kick these days since finding out I can get most of his oeuvre from the library which means I won’t cast off into financial dire straits trying to read his work. Also I missed a lot of his work the first time around as I probably wasn’t reading or buying comics then.
So what did I think?
Well, when it comes to Alan Moore I tend to be more patient and forgiving than I am with most other current comic creators. I don’t particularly know why but I am, whether that’s fair to anyone or not. I guess it’s because I trust him as a writer and I know that even if I’m not totally sold on the concept there will be something I like in the story or collection of stories. But on the flip side I also read his stories waiting for the porn story to appear. It’s inevitable, there will be some sort of sexual storyline in his work, especially his created universes like Promethea and Top 10.
What struck me the most with this series wasn’t so much the writing as the art this time around. Promethea, the comic, seems to be more of an exploration of what is possible within the medium itself with the writing, dialogue, and plot being secondary. They could have been talking about anything for most of the book and it wouldn’t have made a lick of difference to me. Yes, the dialogue and plotlines where Promethea is exploring the coloured and tarot-magic worlds is reflective and supportive of the images but it seems to, ultimately, take a back seat to what we’re seeing. For a man who is known for his writing, Moore seems to have played a bit of the devil with this creation in making the book itself be about everything BUT the reading experience. I mean most of the dialogue is explaining a whole bunch of facts and trivia about the history of magic as well as a few tenuous pop culture references taken out of context and hammered with unintended meaning. But really, who cares? It’s about creating meaning by the interrelation between images, language, and knowledge.
It isn’t just about art though but the medium of comic books itself. The layouts of every page reflect the yin and yang dual nature of Promethea’s real world and immateria existence. We’re given challenging layouts, weaving text and dialogue as well as plotlines from strait up superheroics to whimsical cartoon strips to kid’s book illustrations to cuniform. I think somewhere in there is the idea that the beginnings of recording language were actual word images and that comics are essentially a hybrid of words and images combined into yet another form that is meant to relay meaning to the reader.
In the end Promethea had a lot of ups and downs for me as I loved parts but felt other parts simply dragged on too long and felt like a formal exercise. But what an exercise it turns out to be. As someone who had to read a bit too much literary theory and bad examples of people trying to deconstruct their medium this was a much welcome treat. This really is an prime example of a deconstructed textual representation. It examines itself while creating something new. Brilliant, but does fall into the ever present trap of deconstructionist dryness and distance from the reader and subject simultaneously. All the while looking beautiful and willing to push the limits of what a reader can experience.
So what did I think?
Well, when it comes to Alan Moore I tend to be more patient and forgiving than I am with most other current comic creators. I don’t particularly know why but I am, whether that’s fair to anyone or not. I guess it’s because I trust him as a writer and I know that even if I’m not totally sold on the concept there will be something I like in the story or collection of stories. But on the flip side I also read his stories waiting for the porn story to appear. It’s inevitable, there will be some sort of sexual storyline in his work, especially his created universes like Promethea and Top 10.
What struck me the most with this series wasn’t so much the writing as the art this time around. Promethea, the comic, seems to be more of an exploration of what is possible within the medium itself with the writing, dialogue, and plot being secondary. They could have been talking about anything for most of the book and it wouldn’t have made a lick of difference to me. Yes, the dialogue and plotlines where Promethea is exploring the coloured and tarot-magic worlds is reflective and supportive of the images but it seems to, ultimately, take a back seat to what we’re seeing. For a man who is known for his writing, Moore seems to have played a bit of the devil with this creation in making the book itself be about everything BUT the reading experience. I mean most of the dialogue is explaining a whole bunch of facts and trivia about the history of magic as well as a few tenuous pop culture references taken out of context and hammered with unintended meaning. But really, who cares? It’s about creating meaning by the interrelation between images, language, and knowledge.
It isn’t just about art though but the medium of comic books itself. The layouts of every page reflect the yin and yang dual nature of Promethea’s real world and immateria existence. We’re given challenging layouts, weaving text and dialogue as well as plotlines from strait up superheroics to whimsical cartoon strips to kid’s book illustrations to cuniform. I think somewhere in there is the idea that the beginnings of recording language were actual word images and that comics are essentially a hybrid of words and images combined into yet another form that is meant to relay meaning to the reader.
In the end Promethea had a lot of ups and downs for me as I loved parts but felt other parts simply dragged on too long and felt like a formal exercise. But what an exercise it turns out to be. As someone who had to read a bit too much literary theory and bad examples of people trying to deconstruct their medium this was a much welcome treat. This really is an prime example of a deconstructed textual representation. It examines itself while creating something new. Brilliant, but does fall into the ever present trap of deconstructionist dryness and distance from the reader and subject simultaneously. All the while looking beautiful and willing to push the limits of what a reader can experience.
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Thursday's Loot - 04 January 2006
52 Week 35
More 52 delivered on time and it continues directly where the last issue left off. Heroes falling to the left and right with a fantastic Luthor character moment involving the death of everyman. 52 has sort of turned the throw away joke into its reason for being and the whole “null gravity, null gravity, null IT’S NOT WORKING!” bit had me laughing. Then back to space where we’re given a Trojan horse plot and Buddy Baker being loveable again.
I rate this comic: Feeling short this week without the backup.
Manhunter #27
I guess a lot of people’s childhood got unraped by the last page of Manhunter. I don’t care how it turns out I’m intrigued. Okay, I still don’t know who all the characters are but the whole Shangri-La Knights of Dumas thing looks like it’ll be impressive as does the whole Justice Experience plot. The writing in this book is simply top notch from courtroom drama, to explaining LA paparazzi, to the main hero being out of costume for the entire affair. But when you get past the engaging dialogue, plot and characters you find the little attentions to detail are particularly charming. From the Checkmate symbol being found not only on their company laptops but their plasma TV-sets as well. I can just imagine this entire government black ops department developing home entertainment capabilities to sell on the public market a few years after it’s obsolete in the field as a means to fund their research. No? Just me? Well there’s a great World According to Garp joke that had to be made obvious for those who never read it and a little girl kicking Dr. Trapp in, well, the trap.
I rate this comic: Splendid.
All-Star Superman #6
Whenever this book comes out I’m simply amazed at how unbelievably good it is. It has an easy charm and swagger about it that makes reading it feel like I’m doing myself a favour. The ease at which the ideas flow even when coming at you at hypervelocity is simply staggeringly impressive. With each page I fall in love with Superman all over again and with each new idea presented I’m reminded why it is I like superhero comics so much. The Supermen, the time travel, the connection to issue #2, the joy and the sadness each feel and read genuine. The muted yet bright colours are simply warm and inviting giving young Clark the charm he is meant to have as the prototypical modern American. He’s goofy and he’s a huge guy but he’s still kind and charming in his innate honesty and pure desire to do good in the world. Each way you try to describe the characters of Clark Kent and Superman can just as easily be transferred onto this comic itself. It is just a joy to read.
I rate this comic: Still one of the best comics – when it comes out.
More 52 delivered on time and it continues directly where the last issue left off. Heroes falling to the left and right with a fantastic Luthor character moment involving the death of everyman. 52 has sort of turned the throw away joke into its reason for being and the whole “null gravity, null gravity, null IT’S NOT WORKING!” bit had me laughing. Then back to space where we’re given a Trojan horse plot and Buddy Baker being loveable again.
I rate this comic: Feeling short this week without the backup.
Manhunter #27
I guess a lot of people’s childhood got unraped by the last page of Manhunter. I don’t care how it turns out I’m intrigued. Okay, I still don’t know who all the characters are but the whole Shangri-La Knights of Dumas thing looks like it’ll be impressive as does the whole Justice Experience plot. The writing in this book is simply top notch from courtroom drama, to explaining LA paparazzi, to the main hero being out of costume for the entire affair. But when you get past the engaging dialogue, plot and characters you find the little attentions to detail are particularly charming. From the Checkmate symbol being found not only on their company laptops but their plasma TV-sets as well. I can just imagine this entire government black ops department developing home entertainment capabilities to sell on the public market a few years after it’s obsolete in the field as a means to fund their research. No? Just me? Well there’s a great World According to Garp joke that had to be made obvious for those who never read it and a little girl kicking Dr. Trapp in, well, the trap.
I rate this comic: Splendid.
All-Star Superman #6
Whenever this book comes out I’m simply amazed at how unbelievably good it is. It has an easy charm and swagger about it that makes reading it feel like I’m doing myself a favour. The ease at which the ideas flow even when coming at you at hypervelocity is simply staggeringly impressive. With each page I fall in love with Superman all over again and with each new idea presented I’m reminded why it is I like superhero comics so much. The Supermen, the time travel, the connection to issue #2, the joy and the sadness each feel and read genuine. The muted yet bright colours are simply warm and inviting giving young Clark the charm he is meant to have as the prototypical modern American. He’s goofy and he’s a huge guy but he’s still kind and charming in his innate honesty and pure desire to do good in the world. Each way you try to describe the characters of Clark Kent and Superman can just as easily be transferred onto this comic itself. It is just a joy to read.
I rate this comic: Still one of the best comics – when it comes out.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Everyone's Book of the Year it Seems - Fun Home
So the break from work was great and it was very nice to get out of Ottawa for a while and stay with the in-laws with my parent visiting us for Christmas and New Years Eve. The flight home on the first was okay, but the service at the Halifax Airport was by far the worst I have ever experienced in my life and I was in Ottawa two years ago during a major snowstorm that cancelled almost all the flights. I have written a letter of complaint to Air Canada about the people they had working at their counter and how utterly rude and disorganized they were to a massive group of stressed out people who were delayed because of the staff incompetence. This has nothing to do with comics but I’ll get to the point soon. You see, I finally got Fun Home from the library but forgot it at my home for the holidays. It was due back on January 2nd and I couldn’t renew it. How would I possibly have time to read it, thought I.
Turns out I had a lot of free time at work yesterday since only four of us bothered to show up. It was a nice way to spend the day; reading the critically acclaimed and mainstream media breaking Fun Home.
A lot has already been said about this text and mounds of praise have been heaped upon it so I’ll try to focus on something I haven’t personally come across in what I’ve managed to read about the book. Basically, I’m wondering if Fun Home will be the next holy grail of comics, along the lines of Maus? I think the Pulitzer was an obvious boost in Maus’s favour but I also think Fun Home has a couple of things working in its favour as well. Essentially, I think it breaks ground for most readers on two fronts.
I think Fun Home can be a modern example of queer text. Not just in the subject matter but in the actual form of it. It’s not just words on paper but words and pictures. To most people “comics” is a bad word, much like the reclaimed “queer.” I think the form and context go hand in hand. The subject matter is about coming to terms with being gay while being presented in an outside the mainstream format. However, even when you start to examine the book against other comics it still maintains its status as queer. For me this is because there is a lot of artwork that is the graphic reproduction of text or photographs.
The comic itself is artistic representation of other representations of life or layers upon layers of interpretation. The experiences presented are filtered through other filters of reality. We are given the artist/writer’s artistic representation of typewritten letters, handwritten journals and family photos. What stands out for me is the graphic interpretation of text. This is a twisting of one of the fundamental assumptions about comics. Comics are meant to be words and art. So is it still comics if what we’re given is words and words? That’s where I see the queer themes reinforcing one another. There is an assumption of principle and an assumed “deviation” from the norm. It truly is a fantastic tour de force of comics that, for me at least, helped push the limits of what I think comics are and can be.
This wasn’t fiction, it wasn’t words with pictures yet it was still narrative and still art. For me it helped me make some connections to determine just what it was I thought I knew about comics. It helped me define my own take on the medium all the while being a captivating story. I never thought I’d be a fan of dramatic naval gazing into the life of a comic book creator and yet I couldn’t put this book down – never mind the fact it was due back at the library, I was simply captivated by the life on an “other” presented to me.
There are so many reasons this book shouldn’t be successful and yet it is despite those reasons. It’s a comic but people in the mainstream reading culture don’t like comics plus it’s about coming to terms with being gay but there are enough people out there who think anything gay is dangerous to the fabric of society. I think Fun Home will be a groundbreaking book for a lot of people on two fronts. It will get them reading a comic and a queer text while letting them not be freaked out by either.
Turns out I had a lot of free time at work yesterday since only four of us bothered to show up. It was a nice way to spend the day; reading the critically acclaimed and mainstream media breaking Fun Home.
A lot has already been said about this text and mounds of praise have been heaped upon it so I’ll try to focus on something I haven’t personally come across in what I’ve managed to read about the book. Basically, I’m wondering if Fun Home will be the next holy grail of comics, along the lines of Maus? I think the Pulitzer was an obvious boost in Maus’s favour but I also think Fun Home has a couple of things working in its favour as well. Essentially, I think it breaks ground for most readers on two fronts.
I think Fun Home can be a modern example of queer text. Not just in the subject matter but in the actual form of it. It’s not just words on paper but words and pictures. To most people “comics” is a bad word, much like the reclaimed “queer.” I think the form and context go hand in hand. The subject matter is about coming to terms with being gay while being presented in an outside the mainstream format. However, even when you start to examine the book against other comics it still maintains its status as queer. For me this is because there is a lot of artwork that is the graphic reproduction of text or photographs.
The comic itself is artistic representation of other representations of life or layers upon layers of interpretation. The experiences presented are filtered through other filters of reality. We are given the artist/writer’s artistic representation of typewritten letters, handwritten journals and family photos. What stands out for me is the graphic interpretation of text. This is a twisting of one of the fundamental assumptions about comics. Comics are meant to be words and art. So is it still comics if what we’re given is words and words? That’s where I see the queer themes reinforcing one another. There is an assumption of principle and an assumed “deviation” from the norm. It truly is a fantastic tour de force of comics that, for me at least, helped push the limits of what I think comics are and can be.
This wasn’t fiction, it wasn’t words with pictures yet it was still narrative and still art. For me it helped me make some connections to determine just what it was I thought I knew about comics. It helped me define my own take on the medium all the while being a captivating story. I never thought I’d be a fan of dramatic naval gazing into the life of a comic book creator and yet I couldn’t put this book down – never mind the fact it was due back at the library, I was simply captivated by the life on an “other” presented to me.
There are so many reasons this book shouldn’t be successful and yet it is despite those reasons. It’s a comic but people in the mainstream reading culture don’t like comics plus it’s about coming to terms with being gay but there are enough people out there who think anything gay is dangerous to the fabric of society. I think Fun Home will be a groundbreaking book for a lot of people on two fronts. It will get them reading a comic and a queer text while letting them not be freaked out by either.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Oh yeah...
... I'm going to channel the id or super-ego of Chris Sims for a moment with the suggestion that the movie Nick of Time has one of the best "kicks to the head" ever put on film. Starring Johnny Depp as the business traveller whose daughter is kidnapped and he's forced into a devil's bargain with Christopher Walken. Kill the governor or we kill your daughter. Anyway, it's a bit forced but there are some really tense moments and it feels like a precursor to 24 in the whole sort of realtime filming.
Anyway, after Johnny Depp manages to save the governor Christopher Walken's partner is still going to kill JD's daughter. Thankfully, the shoeshine man Huey, played by Charles S. Dutton, saves the day by dragging Christopher Walken's partner out of the van. She shoots the Huey in the leg (established to be a wooden leg) but he tackles her down then grabs his own leg and punches her with it - essentially, kicking her in the head and punching her unconscious in one fell swoop. Badass.
Anyway, after Johnny Depp manages to save the governor Christopher Walken's partner is still going to kill JD's daughter. Thankfully, the shoeshine man Huey, played by Charles S. Dutton, saves the day by dragging Christopher Walken's partner out of the van. She shoots the Huey in the leg (established to be a wooden leg) but he tackles her down then grabs his own leg and punches her with it - essentially, kicking her in the head and punching her unconscious in one fell swoop. Badass.
Last Week's Loot - 2 January 2007
Hello fellow bloggers and netizens. I've only got a quick post for the moment on last week's books that I read on my flight home.
52 Week 34
Some touching moments and a focus on the diabolical scheme of Lex Luthor. I liked the play on the Everyman Heroes, the traditional heroes and Lex Luthor trying to be a hero but failing so trying to make a real hero appear to be a failure. It reflected the way the Suicide Squad was messing with the Black Marvel Family. That whole Suicide Squad - Black Marvel Family sequence reminded me of the Bill Hicks comedy bit where he compares American foreign policy to Jack Palance in Shane.
I rate this comic: A very enjoyable issue of 52 that was exceptionally pleasing to read.
Detective Comics #827
God bless Paul Dini.
I rate this comic: Awesome.
Justice #9
A focus on Cpt. Marvel and the whole Shazam group of characters. I did like how someone, Black Adam I believe, called him the Big Cheese at one point. Otherwise this is the over melodramatic mirror image of Detective Comics. Yet I still enjoy it. I like this take on the characters and the artwork - except the armour. There was a time when I used to love characters getting out their random armoured wardrobes to fight aliens or whatever but for some reason I didn't like it here (except Batman's). I guess it just reminded me too much of Kingdom Come which I didn't enjoy at all. I do actually like this take on the Superfriends and from what I'm reading on the blogs I'm glad I stuck with this instead of picking up the new JLA, sorry Justice League of America book.
I rate this comic: Decent if you can get over the jarred action sequences.
52 Week 34
Some touching moments and a focus on the diabolical scheme of Lex Luthor. I liked the play on the Everyman Heroes, the traditional heroes and Lex Luthor trying to be a hero but failing so trying to make a real hero appear to be a failure. It reflected the way the Suicide Squad was messing with the Black Marvel Family. That whole Suicide Squad - Black Marvel Family sequence reminded me of the Bill Hicks comedy bit where he compares American foreign policy to Jack Palance in Shane.
I rate this comic: A very enjoyable issue of 52 that was exceptionally pleasing to read.
Detective Comics #827
God bless Paul Dini.
I rate this comic: Awesome.
Justice #9
A focus on Cpt. Marvel and the whole Shazam group of characters. I did like how someone, Black Adam I believe, called him the Big Cheese at one point. Otherwise this is the over melodramatic mirror image of Detective Comics. Yet I still enjoy it. I like this take on the characters and the artwork - except the armour. There was a time when I used to love characters getting out their random armoured wardrobes to fight aliens or whatever but for some reason I didn't like it here (except Batman's). I guess it just reminded me too much of Kingdom Come which I didn't enjoy at all. I do actually like this take on the Superfriends and from what I'm reading on the blogs I'm glad I stuck with this instead of picking up the new JLA, sorry Justice League of America book.
I rate this comic: Decent if you can get over the jarred action sequences.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)