Yesterday I returned to Barbarian. I was looking for a couple things (Sleeper: Season Two; Daredevil : Return of the King) that they didn't have in stock but that they said they would order for me. Both were written by Ed Brubaker. I'm much more interested in the second installment of Sleeper.
I want the Daredevil because it is the final installment of Brubaker's run on the book. The first couple arcs were good and had me wanting more. Not so much with the later ones, in particular Lady Bullseye. Wasn't godawful, just not as complete as the previous ones. Also it feels like Brubaker is bound to leave things hanging at the end of his run. I know a little bit about where the story winds up, from the podcasts I listen to, but not exactly how the story is going to get there.
I bought 20th Century Boys v7 and The Moth. The latter book is a collection that I've had my eye on since I first saw the individual issues when they first came out, probably 5 years ago, at what was then Closet of Comics. Yesterday, I was looking for something more or less self-contained. This seemed to fit the bill and was reasonably priced. I love the look of the artwork and the premise seems kind of wacky in a way that appeals to me. Hopefully it will up to my modest expectations.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
What I Read - Mar 21, 2010
Sleeper: Season One - Well that didn't end how I thought it would. Then again, Brubaker kept me guessing the whole way as to which direction the story was headed in. The final chapter was a bit anti-climactic but it also set things up for a sequel: Season Two.
20th Century Boys v5 - I've only read the first couple chapters but so far I like. It's been too long since I read v4, three months too long; I read it in December. The big reveal in what I've read so far is the re-appearance of a couple more characters from Kenji's past: Yanbo and Mabo.
20th Century Boys v5 - I've only read the first couple chapters but so far I like. It's been too long since I read v4, three months too long; I read it in December. The big reveal in what I've read so far is the re-appearance of a couple more characters from Kenji's past: Yanbo and Mabo.
Monday, March 15, 2010
What I Read - Mar 15, 2010
Oishinbo: Ramen & Gyoza - While reading the final chapter in this series I finally gave up and dropped it without even finishing the book. In theory (at least to me) this sounds like a great series but aside from the recipes I find very little to like in this volume. The stories are predictable, the characters are uninteresting, and the artwork is nothing special. They all seem to be there to serve the purpose of telling the reader about whatever dish it is that is featured. I had higher hopes for this series. I won't be searching for any more volumes in this series.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
What I Read - Mar 13, 2010
Sleeper: Season One - The book is fucking solid. That's what I mumbled to myself after reading #11. I've still got one to go. I hope Brubaker didn't fuck it up there. The follow through and intensity in this series is amazing. Lots of stories begin with an interesting premise but usually, at some point or another the ball gets dropped, something significant gets overlooked, and the reader is faced with a choice: accept,ignore, or call "bullshit". If anywhere this usually happens closer to the end than the beginning.
I love the charge I get putting a book down at a crucial point like the one at the end of #11. I have just made a choice, faced a question with just two possible answers: yes or no; should I continue to read? I answer negatively because I want to save something for this time next week. Granted, there's just the final chapter left to read it would be easy and satisfying to finish the book off now but I've got a feeling that it will be satisfying no matter when I finish it off. So, why not wait, delay gratification and fulfillment. It isn't a piece of fruit; it won't mold or decay before this time week. Moreover it gives me something to look forward to. Even if the end doesn't live up to my hopes for it, I'll still be riding an emotional high everytime I think about what I have waiting for me next Saturday morning.
I love the charge I get putting a book down at a crucial point like the one at the end of #11. I have just made a choice, faced a question with just two possible answers: yes or no; should I continue to read? I answer negatively because I want to save something for this time next week. Granted, there's just the final chapter left to read it would be easy and satisfying to finish the book off now but I've got a feeling that it will be satisfying no matter when I finish it off. So, why not wait, delay gratification and fulfillment. It isn't a piece of fruit; it won't mold or decay before this time week. Moreover it gives me something to look forward to. Even if the end doesn't live up to my hopes for it, I'll still be riding an emotional high everytime I think about what I have waiting for me next Saturday morning.
Friday, March 5, 2010
What I Read - Mar 6, 2010
Oishinbo: Ramen & Gyoza - I was hoping for more than what this book has to offer. The recipes sound tasty and have me wanting to try my hand at making ramen but the stories are fairly bland. The artwork gets the job done but it too is not impressive. I suppose that some people might like these kinds of stories but I'm not one of them.
Sleeper: Season One - This is a good collection. I'm starting to gain an appreciation for Sean Phillips artwork. I'm not there completely, but I'm gettin' there. The story is great; everytime I think it is going to zig it zags. Just two chapters to go. I think I know how it is going to end but I've been fooled before.
One thing that I do like about how the story is told is the use of flashbacks. I especially like how the origin stories have been mixed in.
One more thing, and this is of course without knowing whether this character survives or not, I'm entranced by the complexity of Miss Misery. What would love do to her? How does she deal with that? How would anyone deal with that sort of condition? Of course, then there's Holden, whose hands are just dripping with blood at this point. Sure, he's cut a couple people some slack but still. How could he return to a semi-normal life after all that he has done and said. It just doesn't seem possible. I'm very eager to see where it all winds up and where Season Two picks up.
Sleeper: Season One - This is a good collection. I'm starting to gain an appreciation for Sean Phillips artwork. I'm not there completely, but I'm gettin' there. The story is great; everytime I think it is going to zig it zags. Just two chapters to go. I think I know how it is going to end but I've been fooled before.
One thing that I do like about how the story is told is the use of flashbacks. I especially like how the origin stories have been mixed in.
One more thing, and this is of course without knowing whether this character survives or not, I'm entranced by the complexity of Miss Misery. What would love do to her? How does she deal with that? How would anyone deal with that sort of condition? Of course, then there's Holden, whose hands are just dripping with blood at this point. Sure, he's cut a couple people some slack but still. How could he return to a semi-normal life after all that he has done and said. It just doesn't seem possible. I'm very eager to see where it all winds up and where Season Two picks up.
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