07/20/05
Powers: I'm two chapters into Who Killed Retro Girl? I love it. Its great. Love the dialogue. Love the characters. Love the artwork. A nutshell its about two (superpowerless) detectives investigating the death of a superhero, Retro Girl. Reminds me a lot of Love Fights, which was probably inspired (in part) by Powers.
07/27/05
Started reading She-Hulk Vol. 1: Single Green Female the other day. So far I like it. I'm only one chapter into it. Not much to judge from, but I do like the humor.
07/27/05
TALKING ROCKETO WITH FRANK ESPINOSA
The pics in the previews catalog looked good, the artwork that accompanies this interview looks even better. I've ordered the first couple issues.
Sunday, July 31, 2005
Thursday, June 30, 2005
Comic Book Notes (LJ) Jun 2005
06/01/05
I got the new previews guide today. Here's a rundown of what appeals to me from the front half of the catalog.
New Series and mini-series:
The Winter Men #1 (of 8) - Former soviet super-heroes working for the Russian Mafia? Sounds neat to me. I also like the look of the promotional artwork.
Top 10: Beyond the Farthest Precinct # 1 (of 5) - I haven't read the previous Top 10 mini-series. Jerry Ordway's name and the eclectic mix of characters in the preview art are what caught my eye.
Ferro City # 1 - Looks like a mix of science fiction and hard boiled detective fiction. That enough to catch my interest and the artwork really catches my eye. Not exactly smooth around the edges but it looks like a good match for the sort of story being told.
Revelations # 1 (of 6) - I like the cartoonish look of the artwork. Its about a detective at the Vatican investigating the death of a pope. I was going to pass on it, but then I noticed that my retailer has it on sale for 75% off the cover price. I think I'll give it a try.
Trades:
Identity Crisis - Actually this is the hard cover. I've been waiting a while for this. I've read reviews and spoilers. I know how things turn out in the end. Still, I'm curious. I'll probably end up waiting for the trade paperback collection.
Adam Strange: Planet Heist - This one interests me more than Identity Crisis. I've enjoyed Andy Diggle's writing on a completely different series, Losers. I loved the trade paperback collection of the Adam Strange mini-series from a decade ago, Adam Strange: Man of Two Worlds. I don't know if this one will measure up to its predecessor, but I've heard good things and am willing to give it a try.
Justice League Elite Vol. 1 - Think I will pass on this one, but only because I've got the individual issues. Worth buying? Yes, if you haven't read the story already, although Joe Kelly's method of exposition takes some getting used to. I just love the artwork by Doug Mahnke and Tom Nguyen. Basically its the second coming of the Suicide Squad (or if you watch Justice League Unlimited that would be the Task Force X) except that they don't work for the United States Government.
Maxx Book 5 - I have yet to read Book 4, but I'll be getting this collection one of these days. It's the final collection in the series. Sam Kieth's art work is truly inspired. I love how his characters change appearance with the mood of the story. It isn't always easy to follow the plot but I find something strangely compelling about this series.
The Expatriate Vol. 1 - Looks interesting, in a cold war espionage sort of way. I liked Hawaiian Dick, which was also written by B. Clay Moore so I'm tempted to buy this one.
Avengers: Vision and Scarlet Witch TP - Collects a (IMHO) classic series from the early 1980's. Its an odd sort of mini-series for Marvel to reprint. Not that I didn't like it, I loved it, but not exactly the sort of thing that I thought fans were clamoring for or is going to make the company a ton of cash.
06/14/05
Hard Time Vol. 1: 50 to Life - Excellent story about a teenager who gets sentenced to life in prison for taking part in Columbine-type prank. He doesn't actually kill or injure anyone, but his friend (who is killed in the first issue) does and he suffers the penalty. Starting wiht the second issue the story is about his life in jail, how he fits in, and the mysterious power that he has but is unaware of. In every chapter it manifests itself. It always seems to come out when he is in danger.
Unfortunately this volume collects just the first six issues of the series. It got cancelled after # 12. They have yet to release or announce plans to release a second collection. I have heard rumors that the series might be brought back later this year, but so far nothing concrete.
Exiles - I am so geeked about the fact that Paul Pelletier is going to be joining Tony Bedard on this series. I loved their work together on Negation. Can't wait to see them working together again, although I will probably wait for the trade.
---
I put in my order for comic books tonight. Here's what I decided to order:
Comic Books
Breach # 8
Top 10: Beyond the Farthest Precinct #1 (of 5)
Wintermen # 1 (of 8)
Deal with the Devil # 5 (of 5)
Revelations #1 (of 6)
Black Heart Irregulars # 1
Rocketo # 1
Trade Paperbacks
Adam Strange: Planet Heist
Maxx Book 4
---
Trade paperbacks and manga:
Currently Reading
Enemy Ace Vol. 1 (DC Archive Edition)
Losers Vol. 2: Double Down
Buddha Vol. 1: Kapilavastu
On my shelf waiting to be read
Battle Royale Vol. 1, 2, 3
Hanazakari no Kimitachi he Vol. 2
Marmalade Boy Vol. 6
Stray Bullets Vol. 1
Hawkman Vol. 3: Wings of Fury
Ministry of Space
Human Target
Ordered
Hysteria Vol. 2
She-Hulk Vol. 1: Single Green Female
Madrox: Multiple Choice
Y: The Last Man Vol. 3: One Small Step
Adam Strange: Planet Heist
Maxx Book 4
I got the new previews guide today. Here's a rundown of what appeals to me from the front half of the catalog.
New Series and mini-series:
The Winter Men #1 (of 8) - Former soviet super-heroes working for the Russian Mafia? Sounds neat to me. I also like the look of the promotional artwork.
Top 10: Beyond the Farthest Precinct # 1 (of 5) - I haven't read the previous Top 10 mini-series. Jerry Ordway's name and the eclectic mix of characters in the preview art are what caught my eye.
Ferro City # 1 - Looks like a mix of science fiction and hard boiled detective fiction. That enough to catch my interest and the artwork really catches my eye. Not exactly smooth around the edges but it looks like a good match for the sort of story being told.
Revelations # 1 (of 6) - I like the cartoonish look of the artwork. Its about a detective at the Vatican investigating the death of a pope. I was going to pass on it, but then I noticed that my retailer has it on sale for 75% off the cover price. I think I'll give it a try.
Trades:
Identity Crisis - Actually this is the hard cover. I've been waiting a while for this. I've read reviews and spoilers. I know how things turn out in the end. Still, I'm curious. I'll probably end up waiting for the trade paperback collection.
Adam Strange: Planet Heist - This one interests me more than Identity Crisis. I've enjoyed Andy Diggle's writing on a completely different series, Losers. I loved the trade paperback collection of the Adam Strange mini-series from a decade ago, Adam Strange: Man of Two Worlds. I don't know if this one will measure up to its predecessor, but I've heard good things and am willing to give it a try.
Justice League Elite Vol. 1 - Think I will pass on this one, but only because I've got the individual issues. Worth buying? Yes, if you haven't read the story already, although Joe Kelly's method of exposition takes some getting used to. I just love the artwork by Doug Mahnke and Tom Nguyen. Basically its the second coming of the Suicide Squad (or if you watch Justice League Unlimited that would be the Task Force X) except that they don't work for the United States Government.
Maxx Book 5 - I have yet to read Book 4, but I'll be getting this collection one of these days. It's the final collection in the series. Sam Kieth's art work is truly inspired. I love how his characters change appearance with the mood of the story. It isn't always easy to follow the plot but I find something strangely compelling about this series.
The Expatriate Vol. 1 - Looks interesting, in a cold war espionage sort of way. I liked Hawaiian Dick, which was also written by B. Clay Moore so I'm tempted to buy this one.
Avengers: Vision and Scarlet Witch TP - Collects a (IMHO) classic series from the early 1980's. Its an odd sort of mini-series for Marvel to reprint. Not that I didn't like it, I loved it, but not exactly the sort of thing that I thought fans were clamoring for or is going to make the company a ton of cash.
06/14/05
Hard Time Vol. 1: 50 to Life - Excellent story about a teenager who gets sentenced to life in prison for taking part in Columbine-type prank. He doesn't actually kill or injure anyone, but his friend (who is killed in the first issue) does and he suffers the penalty. Starting wiht the second issue the story is about his life in jail, how he fits in, and the mysterious power that he has but is unaware of. In every chapter it manifests itself. It always seems to come out when he is in danger.
Unfortunately this volume collects just the first six issues of the series. It got cancelled after # 12. They have yet to release or announce plans to release a second collection. I have heard rumors that the series might be brought back later this year, but so far nothing concrete.
Exiles - I am so geeked about the fact that Paul Pelletier is going to be joining Tony Bedard on this series. I loved their work together on Negation. Can't wait to see them working together again, although I will probably wait for the trade.
---
I put in my order for comic books tonight. Here's what I decided to order:
Comic Books
Breach # 8
Top 10: Beyond the Farthest Precinct #1 (of 5)
Wintermen # 1 (of 8)
Deal with the Devil # 5 (of 5)
Revelations #1 (of 6)
Black Heart Irregulars # 1
Rocketo # 1
Trade Paperbacks
Adam Strange: Planet Heist
Maxx Book 4
---
Trade paperbacks and manga:
Currently Reading
Enemy Ace Vol. 1 (DC Archive Edition)
Losers Vol. 2: Double Down
Buddha Vol. 1: Kapilavastu
On my shelf waiting to be read
Battle Royale Vol. 1, 2, 3
Hanazakari no Kimitachi he Vol. 2
Marmalade Boy Vol. 6
Stray Bullets Vol. 1
Hawkman Vol. 3: Wings of Fury
Ministry of Space
Human Target
Ordered
Hysteria Vol. 2
She-Hulk Vol. 1: Single Green Female
Madrox: Multiple Choice
Y: The Last Man Vol. 3: One Small Step
Adam Strange: Planet Heist
Maxx Book 4
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Comic Book Notes (LJ) May 2005
05/03/05
Today, I received the 3 volumes of Battle Royale that I bought from another LJ user. The package was severely beaten up but the contents were for the most part in decent shape.
05/08/05
While looking for a place to eat in Wheaton I noticed Barbarian Comics (formerly known as Barbarian Bookstore). I thought they had gone out of business. So I went in after lunch, browsed for twenty minutes and ended up picking up the TokyoPop Free Comic Book Day sampler and a back issue of Alter Ego. I found out that the store has been around for 38 years, since 1968. I first went there in 1979. It has changed quite a bit over the years. They are in their 3rd location, all in the same little shopping area. Now it is just a comic book store, although they do have a nice little selection of manga.
05/12/05
Blood of the Demon # 1 - I liked this issue more than I thought I would. I ordered it in part because Jason Blood and the Demon are unusual characters. Having lived for centuries Blood has an interesting collection of weapons and he uses a sampling of them in this issue. Very cool. Reminded me of Hawkman in that way. I also bought the book because is written and drawn by John Byrne. He's had his misfires in the comic book world and from what I've read also on comic book related message boards. I started collecting comic books when he (and Chris Claremont) were hitting it big during his original run on X-Men, which I loved. I have been a fan (of one stripe or another) ever since. That said, I liked the issue. Will I like the series? I dunno and I haven't ordered or bought any more issues.
Justice League Elite # 9 - Hard to believe this series is winding down. For the most part, I've really enjoyed it. I did think the previous issue was a little flat, but this one more than made up for it. I'll admit it's not the easiest book in the world to read. That's probably due in large part to the manner in which Joe Kelly has plotted the series. The focus is constantly shifting. Its rare to see one character featured for more than a page or two. I also like how the alliances (and romantic entanglements) seem to be constantly shifting as the members of the team try to figure out which of them killed the President of Chang-sa.
Exiles Book 8 - This trade paperback collects the first six issues written by Tony Bedard. It's a crazy sort of series in which castaways from the X-Men jump from one universe to another at the behest of some powerful alien. It reminds me of both Negation, the book that Bedard wrote for the now defunct CrossGen, and the sci-fi TV series Sliders. In the first three issues the mutant team dukes out with the Fantastic Four and the Sub-Mariner. I'm not wild about the artwork but I like the writing, especially the humor. If I enjoy the rest of the book as much as I enjoyed the first three issues I'll probably end up getting the next collection, which is already out.
I've spent a little bit of time at work in the file room, the last couple days. The smell of paper reminds me of a comic book store. Mmmmmmm....
05/26/05
If your looking for something humorous to read I recommend trying either GLA or Action Philosophers. Both have me cracking up. GLA, which stands for Great Lakes Avengers, is created by the same team that did the last few issues of She-Hulk. Great stuff. Action Philosophers (published by Evil Twin Comics) retells the life story of three philosophers, Plato (Wresling Superstar of Ancient Greece), Bodhidharma (Master of Kung-Fu), and Nietzsche (the Übermensch) in very funny ways. Its supposed to be all true, but I've got my doubts.
05/26/05
I just got an e-mail this morning that there is going to be another comic convention here in DC. Its this Sunday. Not much notice, but I don't have any big plans, so I'm going. Rich Buckler, the original penciler for All-Star Squadron is going to be there. Maybe I'll try and get a piece of original art work from him. I always liked the way he drew the Golden Age superheroes, especially Hawkman. I don't know how much he charges. Unfortuntely there won't be much there other than dealers and a few artists. There isn't a whole lot that I'm interested in getting, but last time I was there I got a bunch of back issues at really cheap prices. Its always fun to browse.
05/29/05
I went to the DC Comicon today. It was much busier than the last one, in January. I only spent $2 on comic books. There just wasn't much that looked appealing. I prefer not to spend just to spend. I did find a copy of a graphic novel that I've been looking for a while now. It was half off cover price, but it was also kind of beat up. I decided not to get it.
Today, I received the 3 volumes of Battle Royale that I bought from another LJ user. The package was severely beaten up but the contents were for the most part in decent shape.
05/08/05
While looking for a place to eat in Wheaton I noticed Barbarian Comics (formerly known as Barbarian Bookstore). I thought they had gone out of business. So I went in after lunch, browsed for twenty minutes and ended up picking up the TokyoPop Free Comic Book Day sampler and a back issue of Alter Ego. I found out that the store has been around for 38 years, since 1968. I first went there in 1979. It has changed quite a bit over the years. They are in their 3rd location, all in the same little shopping area. Now it is just a comic book store, although they do have a nice little selection of manga.
05/12/05
Blood of the Demon # 1 - I liked this issue more than I thought I would. I ordered it in part because Jason Blood and the Demon are unusual characters. Having lived for centuries Blood has an interesting collection of weapons and he uses a sampling of them in this issue. Very cool. Reminded me of Hawkman in that way. I also bought the book because is written and drawn by John Byrne. He's had his misfires in the comic book world and from what I've read also on comic book related message boards. I started collecting comic books when he (and Chris Claremont) were hitting it big during his original run on X-Men, which I loved. I have been a fan (of one stripe or another) ever since. That said, I liked the issue. Will I like the series? I dunno and I haven't ordered or bought any more issues.
Justice League Elite # 9 - Hard to believe this series is winding down. For the most part, I've really enjoyed it. I did think the previous issue was a little flat, but this one more than made up for it. I'll admit it's not the easiest book in the world to read. That's probably due in large part to the manner in which Joe Kelly has plotted the series. The focus is constantly shifting. Its rare to see one character featured for more than a page or two. I also like how the alliances (and romantic entanglements) seem to be constantly shifting as the members of the team try to figure out which of them killed the President of Chang-sa.
Exiles Book 8 - This trade paperback collects the first six issues written by Tony Bedard. It's a crazy sort of series in which castaways from the X-Men jump from one universe to another at the behest of some powerful alien. It reminds me of both Negation, the book that Bedard wrote for the now defunct CrossGen, and the sci-fi TV series Sliders. In the first three issues the mutant team dukes out with the Fantastic Four and the Sub-Mariner. I'm not wild about the artwork but I like the writing, especially the humor. If I enjoy the rest of the book as much as I enjoyed the first three issues I'll probably end up getting the next collection, which is already out.
I've spent a little bit of time at work in the file room, the last couple days. The smell of paper reminds me of a comic book store. Mmmmmmm....
05/26/05
If your looking for something humorous to read I recommend trying either GLA or Action Philosophers. Both have me cracking up. GLA, which stands for Great Lakes Avengers, is created by the same team that did the last few issues of She-Hulk. Great stuff. Action Philosophers (published by Evil Twin Comics) retells the life story of three philosophers, Plato (Wresling Superstar of Ancient Greece), Bodhidharma (Master of Kung-Fu), and Nietzsche (the Übermensch) in very funny ways. Its supposed to be all true, but I've got my doubts.
05/26/05
I just got an e-mail this morning that there is going to be another comic convention here in DC. Its this Sunday. Not much notice, but I don't have any big plans, so I'm going. Rich Buckler, the original penciler for All-Star Squadron is going to be there. Maybe I'll try and get a piece of original art work from him. I always liked the way he drew the Golden Age superheroes, especially Hawkman. I don't know how much he charges. Unfortuntely there won't be much there other than dealers and a few artists. There isn't a whole lot that I'm interested in getting, but last time I was there I got a bunch of back issues at really cheap prices. Its always fun to browse.
05/29/05
I went to the DC Comicon today. It was much busier than the last one, in January. I only spent $2 on comic books. There just wasn't much that looked appealing. I prefer not to spend just to spend. I did find a copy of a graphic novel that I've been looking for a while now. It was half off cover price, but it was also kind of beat up. I decided not to get it.
Saturday, April 30, 2005
Comic Book Notes (LJ) Apr 2005
04/14/05
Read, read, read. I finally got my shipment of comic books on Monday. Not too much volume wise.
Just seven comic books:
- Blood of the Demon # 1
- Breach # 3
- Ballad of Sleeping Beauty # 8
- Justice League Elite # 9
- Simpsons/Futurama Crossover Crisis # 2
- Breakdown # 5
- Fallen Angel # 19
and three collections:
- Ministry of Space TPB
- Enemy Ace HC
- Losers: Double Down TPB
plus the Previews catalog.
The Enemy Ace book wasn't cheap but it is gorgeous. I just love pictures of planes and aerial combat from WWI. I also adore Joe Kubert's art work. So far I have only read the Simpsons Futurama comic. Very funny.
I'm already making my list of comics to order this month. So far there isn't much on it.
- Breach # 6
- Doom Patrol # 13
- Justice League Elite # 12 (of 12)
- Solo # 5 (by Darwyn Cooke)
- GLA # 3 (of 4)
- Deal with the Devil # 3 (of 5)
- Action Philosophers All Sex Special # 1
- Human Target TP
- She-Hulk: Single Green Female TP
- Previews Catalog
OK, maybe that's more than not much, but I could easily order more. I could if I weren't so disciplined about not ordering more than I can read. It is also a function of avoiding comic books for the most part and waiting for the trade collection to be published. Sometimes the wait is long, and it isn't always worth it, but it does tend to keep my expenditures down.
Winding down. Gotta go do other things. Its been a couple months since I published the list but here it is:
Finished Reading
- Batman: The Long Halloween
- Kare Kano Book 4
- Human Target Book 2
- Love Fights Book 2
- Marmalade Boy Book 4
- Phoenix Book 2: A Tale of the Future
- Queen & Country Book 1
- Scion Book 4
- Y: The Last Man Book 2
Currently Reading
- Enemy Ace (DC Archive Edition)
- Marmalade Boy Book 5
- Maxx Book 3
Have Not Started Reading Yet
- Buddha Book 1
- Hana-Kimi Book 2
- Losers Book 2
- Marmalade Boy Book 6
- Ministry of Space
- Powers Book 1
Ordered But Have Not Received Yet
- Stray Bullets Book 1
- Hysteria Book 2
- Hawkman Book 3
- Exiles Book 8
04/16/05
Breach # 3 - I enjoyed this issue more than the last one. The last one was kind of hard to follow. It wasn't until I reread # 2, just before reading # 3, that it all made sense. Anyhow the pieces are starting to fall into place. I'm getting into this series. Major Zanetti has woken up after being in a coma for about 20 years. The world has changed quite a bit. He has changed quite a bit. He isn't exactly human anymore.
I love the whole military angle of this thing. Kinda reminds me of how the military is portrayed on Justice League Unlimited. They don't trust the superheroes to save them or to always be on their side, so they hedge their bets by trying to develop technology to rival what the Justice League and others possess.
I like how they brought in Kobra's organization. Although it resembled Hydra quite bit. I didn't remember that about Kobra. Based on the way the issue wound down another organization, the JLA, will be making an appearance next issue.
I also like the artwork. Some splash panels, but also some effectively used small ones. It may eventually get collected but for now I think I will continue to buy it in comic book form.
Jack of Hearts # 1 - This is an oldy but goody in my book. This is the first in a four-issue miniseries. The miniseries was orginally released over 20 years ago. I don't think it has ever been reprinted. You can probably pick it up pretty cheap. It was written by Bill Mantlo, who also created Cloak and Dagger. He wrote a number of stories I enjoyed.
Anyhow, this series focuses on a character who was (at the time) relatively new to the Marvel Universe. From what I can tell this is the only Jack of Hearts mini-series ever released. He never got his own ongoing series. Prior to this series he had a few guest appearances here and there. I think he was originally a villain. This series find him in the custody of SHIELD. Jack is the wielder of great power which he doesn't completely understand. SHIELD considers him a threat and so are keeping him in (what they think) is a secure facility. Over the course of the series Jack learns more about his powers, learns that his mother was an alien, and travels to the planet that half his ancestry comes from. Once there he learns that the planet is in danger of dying (I think the sun was getting ready to go nova or something I haven't finished rereading the series yet) and gets embroiled in local politics.
The artwork is pretty good for the time, although the colors and quality of the paper that the series was printed on leave a lot to be desired.
04/24/05
Read a little more of Maxx (Book 3) and Generation X.
04/28/05
I haven't gotten the previews catalog yet, but MailOrderComics is offering a couple deals this month that sound a little too good to pass up.
Sgt. Rock Archives Vol. 3 - I haven't read the first two volumes, but this is an episodic series. There are no long story arcs here and very little in the way of continuity. I enjoy war comics. It isn't cheap, but I was thinking of buying the first volume and they are offering this one for almost 1/2 price.
Captain America Vol. 1 - This is the first colection of the news series. I read and enjoyed the first issue. I like the story and the art. Not much to dissuade me here. Plus, they are offering it for 1/2 price this month.
Thursday, March 31, 2005
Comic Book Notes (LJ) Mar 2005
03/02/05
I got home last night to find that the offer letter had not arrived yet and neither had my comic books. UPS tried to deliver the comic books, but I wasn't there and apparently there wasn't anyone else around to sign for them. Usually they just leave 'em at my door. If no one is there to sign for 'em today or tomorrow I will have to drive to Laurel on Friday evening to pick them up. *sigh*
I checked on line this morning. Mail Order Comics updated my account to indicate which comics they sent me. It looks like they only sent comic books, no trades. I wonder why? I was expecting to get two or three trades in this month's shipment.
...
Kare Kano Book 4 - I finally started reading it. I think I bought it back in December. They've introduced a bratty new character, Tsubasa, from Arima's past. So I guess in a way she isn't new, but it is her first appearance in the series. She is very cute, used to getting her way, and in the past was good friends with Arima. He thought of her as a younger sister. When Arima introduces Yukino as his girlfriend Tsubasa goes kind of nutty. So far so good. At the same time Maho is still trying to freeze Yukino out by convincing all the other girls in their class to not talk to her.
I think Tsubasa is the first serious challenge (from another girl) to Yukino's relationship with Arima. Can't wait to see how this plays out.
03/10/05
Batman: The Long Halloween - A killer starts bumping off members of Gotham's organized crime families. Batman (with help from Comissioner Gordon and District Attorney Harvey Dent) investigates. Joker, Catwoman, Solomon Grundy, Poison Ivy, Riddler, Scarecrow, and the Mad Hatter put in appearances. Nearly everyone is a suspect, including Harvey Dent.
The art, by Tim Sale, is gorgeous. I wish I knew more about the technical aspects of art so I could describe it properly.
The story is okay, it has its moments. The ending leaves me mystified and chilled. I think the writer, Jeph Loeb, put too many elements into the story. Its not a bad effort, but I think it would have worked much better if the story had been more focused. I can see how it might satisfy people if they read it one chapter at a time. It reminds me of one of those Hollywood blockbusters that has a ton of stars in it but still manages to come up short. Its fun to read but leaves me feeling less that satisfied on some levels.
03/15/05
I've been looking at the DC Comics solicitations for June. Not much jumps out at me. I figure I will buy Justice League Elite # 12, the last in this limited series. I also plan to order Breach # 6, latest issue in this ongoing series. I like what I've read so far, just the first issue. I've got # 2, I just haven't gotten around to reading it yet.
Kissing John Byrne
What is up with JB? Two (Doom Patrol and Blood of the Demon) of the three titles he draws for DC have characters kissing on the cover. In both cases one of the characters looks passionate and the other suprised. Well, maybe not in the case of Doom Patrol # 13. After all, how can a robot look suprised? Still I may just buy the issue based on the cover. It will probably be awful, but that passionate kiss on the cover does things for me. :P
Just for reference sake here is the other kissing cover, Blood of the Demon # 4.
What else?
Well, Solo # 5 is done by Darwyn Cooke. The only other issue in this series that I bought was the Tim Sale ish. Well worth it and I expect this one will be too. It features stories starring two non-powered types from the DCU, Slam Bradley and King Faraday, both of whom played a role in what I think was the best miniseries of 2004, DC: The New Frontier, which of course was also written and drawn by Darwyn Cooke.
That's about it, from DC. Nothing else really catches my eye. Although the new JSA/Hawkman trade that collects the Black Reign story line is tempting, but I probably won't preorder it.
Aside from DC there is a neat article over at Newarama about Phil Hester's new mini-series published by Devil's Due, The Stronghold. It won't be out until August, but it looks really cool to me.
I got home last night to find that the offer letter had not arrived yet and neither had my comic books. UPS tried to deliver the comic books, but I wasn't there and apparently there wasn't anyone else around to sign for them. Usually they just leave 'em at my door. If no one is there to sign for 'em today or tomorrow I will have to drive to Laurel on Friday evening to pick them up. *sigh*
I checked on line this morning. Mail Order Comics updated my account to indicate which comics they sent me. It looks like they only sent comic books, no trades. I wonder why? I was expecting to get two or three trades in this month's shipment.
...
Kare Kano Book 4 - I finally started reading it. I think I bought it back in December. They've introduced a bratty new character, Tsubasa, from Arima's past. So I guess in a way she isn't new, but it is her first appearance in the series. She is very cute, used to getting her way, and in the past was good friends with Arima. He thought of her as a younger sister. When Arima introduces Yukino as his girlfriend Tsubasa goes kind of nutty. So far so good. At the same time Maho is still trying to freeze Yukino out by convincing all the other girls in their class to not talk to her.
I think Tsubasa is the first serious challenge (from another girl) to Yukino's relationship with Arima. Can't wait to see how this plays out.
03/10/05
Batman: The Long Halloween - A killer starts bumping off members of Gotham's organized crime families. Batman (with help from Comissioner Gordon and District Attorney Harvey Dent) investigates. Joker, Catwoman, Solomon Grundy, Poison Ivy, Riddler, Scarecrow, and the Mad Hatter put in appearances. Nearly everyone is a suspect, including Harvey Dent.
The art, by Tim Sale, is gorgeous. I wish I knew more about the technical aspects of art so I could describe it properly.
The story is okay, it has its moments. The ending leaves me mystified and chilled. I think the writer, Jeph Loeb, put too many elements into the story. Its not a bad effort, but I think it would have worked much better if the story had been more focused. I can see how it might satisfy people if they read it one chapter at a time. It reminds me of one of those Hollywood blockbusters that has a ton of stars in it but still manages to come up short. Its fun to read but leaves me feeling less that satisfied on some levels.
03/15/05
I've been looking at the DC Comics solicitations for June. Not much jumps out at me. I figure I will buy Justice League Elite # 12, the last in this limited series. I also plan to order Breach # 6, latest issue in this ongoing series. I like what I've read so far, just the first issue. I've got # 2, I just haven't gotten around to reading it yet.
Kissing John Byrne
What is up with JB? Two (Doom Patrol and Blood of the Demon) of the three titles he draws for DC have characters kissing on the cover. In both cases one of the characters looks passionate and the other suprised. Well, maybe not in the case of Doom Patrol # 13. After all, how can a robot look suprised? Still I may just buy the issue based on the cover. It will probably be awful, but that passionate kiss on the cover does things for me. :P
Just for reference sake here is the other kissing cover, Blood of the Demon # 4.
What else?
Well, Solo # 5 is done by Darwyn Cooke. The only other issue in this series that I bought was the Tim Sale ish. Well worth it and I expect this one will be too. It features stories starring two non-powered types from the DCU, Slam Bradley and King Faraday, both of whom played a role in what I think was the best miniseries of 2004, DC: The New Frontier, which of course was also written and drawn by Darwyn Cooke.
That's about it, from DC. Nothing else really catches my eye. Although the new JSA/Hawkman trade that collects the Black Reign story line is tempting, but I probably won't preorder it.
Aside from DC there is a neat article over at Newarama about Phil Hester's new mini-series published by Devil's Due, The Stronghold. It won't be out until August, but it looks really cool to me.
Monday, February 28, 2005
Comic Book Notes (LJ) Feb 2005
02/03/05
Previews Catalog Part 1
Marvel - not much here, just GLA # 1, and Strange # 5. Not wild about this miniseries, but I wanna see how it winds up. I can't see myself ordering anything else from Marvel this month. I wanted to order Exiles Book 8, but I need to take a break from ordering trade paperbacks. They are starting to pile up again. Wolverine: Enemy of the State HC has me intrigued. I know it got hyped, so it probably isn't as good as it looks, but I do like John Romita Jr.'s artwork. Other collections? How about Black Widow: Homecoming or She-Hulk: Superhuman Law? They both look like fun reads.
Dark Horse - Steve Rude's The Moth is finally out in trade paperback form. I perused the comics at the comic shop. It has a retro look to it that I like and the story looked kind of zany. Not this month, but it goes on my list.
DC - Batman: Faces TP written and drawn by Matt Wagner. I'm willing to give it a try, but not this month. No trade paperbacks, thank you! I will get Breach # 4. This series looks cool. I just got issue # 1, and haven't read it yet, but it just has one of those looks to that make me wanna get it. I hope it lives up to expectations; mine at least. Justice League Elite # 10? But of course. If I was going to get a trade paperback and I wanted it to be something different then I might get Strontium Dog: The Early Cases. Looks cool. Bounty hunters are cool.
Image - Invincible # 0 looks like a cost effective purchase at 50 cents. It is yet another series that I have heard good things about and want to try. The Iron Ghost # 1 looks very cool. Definitely looks reminiscent of The Shadow.
So far I am ordering:
- GLA # 1
- Strange # 5
- Breach # 4
- Justice League Elite # 10
- Invincible # 0
- Iron Ghost # 1
There still all the smaller publishers to go through, but not tonight. Hopefully tomorrow or over the weekend.
02/04/05
Here's the list of trade paperbacks that I want to buy. Overtime I will buy some of them. I doubt that I will ever get them all. Some I may lost interest in before I get them or may just get dropped off the list without being purchased.
02/05/05
Previews Catalog Part 2
ADV Films - Not just films, manga too. Only thing to mention here is Ray. Story about a girl who is raised to be harvested for her body parts, but who escapes and attempts to live a normal life. Sounds good to me, but not this month.
Alias Enterprises LLC - Deal with the Devil looks too good to pass up. I don't know the writer or artist, but its the first ish of a four issue mini and looks too good to pass up. And it is only 75 cents. Other than that Alias seems to have quite a few T&A looking titles, like 10th Muse and Judo Girl, that catch my eye but that I think I will pass on. OK maybe not all of them feature scantily female characters, but I still think I will still pass on the rest.
Devil's Due Publishing - Breakdown continues to be a fun ride, so I will continue to buy. Plot? Good guy turns into a vigilante after his family gets wiped out by the baddies.
Evil Twin Comics - Action Philosophers # 1? Yes. Why? Looks too silly for me to pass up. I need to at least give it a try.
ibooks - Blacksad # 2 looks good, but at $12.95 its a little more than I feel like spending this month, even though at 56 pages it isn't very long. The first book was just plain gorgeous. Blacksad # 3? Nah, I don't buy sketchbooks.
IDW - Easy Way #1 looks interesting, but I'm not wild about the $3.99 cover price. Maybe someday they'll collect it in a trade paperback.
Second to Some Studios - I can't remember how long it has been since the last issue came out, but Fade From Blue # 10 is finally being solicited. Final chapter.
Viz LLC - Midori's Days Book 1, also known as Midori no Hibi. I was reading it on a snoopycool.com, but its no longer available there. I might just buy it, but not this month.
That's about it so let's see. From the second half of the catalog I am ordering:
- Deal With the Devil # 1
- Breakdown # 6
- Action Philosophers # 1
- Fade From Blue # 10
No trades this month.
02/06/05
Batman: The Long Halloween - I've read the first six (of thirteen) chapters. I love the artwork and the story isn't bad, but haven't I read this story before? Maybe it wouldn't seem as dated as if I had read it when it first came out. What I mean is that it reminds me a lot of Batman: Hush, in that it is a pageant. Batman is trying to solve a mystery and as he works he crosses paths with a number of prominent characters (Joker, Harvey Dent, Solomon Grundy, Catwoman, Riddler) from his past/present. Instead of focusing on his relationship with any one or two of these characters the point of the story seems to be to showcase, Tim Sale's art if nothing else. I like the characterizations and as I said before I love the art. I just wish there was more to the story.
02/15/05
Haven't written much about what I've been reading lately. Not much change to the list of trade paperbacks I am reading other than the fact that I started reading Queen & Country Book 1, but here it is anyway:
Recently Finished Reading
- Human Target Book 2
- Marmalade Boy Book 4
Currently Reading
- Batman: The Long Halloween
- Phoenix Book 2: A Tale of the Future
- Queen & Country Book 1
Have Not Started Reading Yet
- Scion Book 4
- Kare Kano Book 4
- Marmalade Boy Book 5
- Marmalade Boy Book 6
- Maxx Book 3
- Y: The Last Man Book 2
- Love Fights Book 2
Ordered But Have Not Received Yet
- Ministry of Space
- Stray Bullets Book 1
- Enemy Ace (DC Archive Edition)
- Losers Book 2
- Hysteria Book 2
The online solicitations for DC Comics (to be realeased in May) are out. There are only a few things that jump out and make me want to buy them.
The Golden Age TPB - DC is finally releasing a new printing of this miniseries, that I have heard so much about. Gotta have it, but I might wait until it comes out and not preorder.
Hawkman Book 3 - Just a year after the last TPB collection came out here it is.
Losers Book 3 - I have yet to read book 2, but I will probably be buying this one somewhere down the line.
02/22/05
Later that afternoon we checked out two of the bigger comic book stores in NYC. The first, Midtown Comics, had a huge selection, but for the most part it was mainstream (DC, Marvel, Image, etc.) and not much in the way of back issues on the racks. The second comic book store, Jim Hanley's Universe, was much more to my liking. It had a bigger selection of independents than it did of mainstream. I found the two back issues of Heroes Anonymous that I was missing.
02/23/05
Y: The Last Man Book 2 - I'm only one chapter in, but so far so good. Who woulda thunk that this series could be this good. It is entertaining on more than one level, too. It is exciting and amusing. It makes me think about trying Ex Machina, another series written by Brian K. Vaughn.
Flipping back and forth between unflopped manga and American comic books sometimes gets me confused and I start reading from the wrong side of the page. Lately I've started reading Naruto and Gantz @ degreeanime.com. While I wait for the pages to load I sometimes read from comic books.
Batman: The Long Halloween - Still reading it. Love the artwork. It is very dark and expressive. I'm not gaga about the coloring job, but I think it goes well with the sort of story that is being told and the work done by the penciler/inker, Tim Sale. I also like the detail in the artwork. It isn't always realistic. For instance the Joker's toothy smile looks positively and unrealistically horrific. And just because the work is detailed doesn't mean that you can see all the fine lines on every characters face. Anyhoo, I've got about 3 more chapters to go in this monster epic.
Phoenix Book 2 - Still reading it too. I guess I am close to the halfway point. This is a very different story from the first book. I can't wait to see how things work out in the end. Osamu Tezuka's artwork is sheer genius. Visually he tells a story as well as any artist I can think of. The flow from one panel to the next is smooth and logical.
That's it for now. I still have quite a few comics and trade paparebacks waiting in the wings to be read.
02/25/05
Breach # 1 - I like it. It reads more like something that Marvel would publish, but I like it. What's it about? An experiment 20 years ago gone wrong. Man horribly transformed. Story begins in December 2005. That is not a typo. Then the story flashes back to show how (in 1985) he was transformed. Of course he left a wife and kid behind. Angst. The first issue more or less just tells his origin. What comes next? I can't wait to read the next issue and find out why he, his wife, best friend and a couple others were in a helicopter than crashed in Siberia.
Previews Catalog Part 1
Marvel - not much here, just GLA # 1, and Strange # 5. Not wild about this miniseries, but I wanna see how it winds up. I can't see myself ordering anything else from Marvel this month. I wanted to order Exiles Book 8, but I need to take a break from ordering trade paperbacks. They are starting to pile up again. Wolverine: Enemy of the State HC has me intrigued. I know it got hyped, so it probably isn't as good as it looks, but I do like John Romita Jr.'s artwork. Other collections? How about Black Widow: Homecoming or She-Hulk: Superhuman Law? They both look like fun reads.
Dark Horse - Steve Rude's The Moth is finally out in trade paperback form. I perused the comics at the comic shop. It has a retro look to it that I like and the story looked kind of zany. Not this month, but it goes on my list.
DC - Batman: Faces TP written and drawn by Matt Wagner. I'm willing to give it a try, but not this month. No trade paperbacks, thank you! I will get Breach # 4. This series looks cool. I just got issue # 1, and haven't read it yet, but it just has one of those looks to that make me wanna get it. I hope it lives up to expectations; mine at least. Justice League Elite # 10? But of course. If I was going to get a trade paperback and I wanted it to be something different then I might get Strontium Dog: The Early Cases. Looks cool. Bounty hunters are cool.
Image - Invincible # 0 looks like a cost effective purchase at 50 cents. It is yet another series that I have heard good things about and want to try. The Iron Ghost # 1 looks very cool. Definitely looks reminiscent of The Shadow.
So far I am ordering:
- GLA # 1
- Strange # 5
- Breach # 4
- Justice League Elite # 10
- Invincible # 0
- Iron Ghost # 1
There still all the smaller publishers to go through, but not tonight. Hopefully tomorrow or over the weekend.
02/04/05
Here's the list of trade paperbacks that I want to buy. Overtime I will buy some of them. I doubt that I will ever get them all. Some I may lost interest in before I get them or may just get dropped off the list without being purchased.
02/05/05
Previews Catalog Part 2
ADV Films - Not just films, manga too. Only thing to mention here is Ray. Story about a girl who is raised to be harvested for her body parts, but who escapes and attempts to live a normal life. Sounds good to me, but not this month.
Alias Enterprises LLC - Deal with the Devil looks too good to pass up. I don't know the writer or artist, but its the first ish of a four issue mini and looks too good to pass up. And it is only 75 cents. Other than that Alias seems to have quite a few T&A looking titles, like 10th Muse and Judo Girl, that catch my eye but that I think I will pass on. OK maybe not all of them feature scantily female characters, but I still think I will still pass on the rest.
Devil's Due Publishing - Breakdown continues to be a fun ride, so I will continue to buy. Plot? Good guy turns into a vigilante after his family gets wiped out by the baddies.
Evil Twin Comics - Action Philosophers # 1? Yes. Why? Looks too silly for me to pass up. I need to at least give it a try.
ibooks - Blacksad # 2 looks good, but at $12.95 its a little more than I feel like spending this month, even though at 56 pages it isn't very long. The first book was just plain gorgeous. Blacksad # 3? Nah, I don't buy sketchbooks.
IDW - Easy Way #1 looks interesting, but I'm not wild about the $3.99 cover price. Maybe someday they'll collect it in a trade paperback.
Second to Some Studios - I can't remember how long it has been since the last issue came out, but Fade From Blue # 10 is finally being solicited. Final chapter.
Viz LLC - Midori's Days Book 1, also known as Midori no Hibi. I was reading it on a snoopycool.com, but its no longer available there. I might just buy it, but not this month.
That's about it so let's see. From the second half of the catalog I am ordering:
- Deal With the Devil # 1
- Breakdown # 6
- Action Philosophers # 1
- Fade From Blue # 10
No trades this month.
02/06/05
Batman: The Long Halloween - I've read the first six (of thirteen) chapters. I love the artwork and the story isn't bad, but haven't I read this story before? Maybe it wouldn't seem as dated as if I had read it when it first came out. What I mean is that it reminds me a lot of Batman: Hush, in that it is a pageant. Batman is trying to solve a mystery and as he works he crosses paths with a number of prominent characters (Joker, Harvey Dent, Solomon Grundy, Catwoman, Riddler) from his past/present. Instead of focusing on his relationship with any one or two of these characters the point of the story seems to be to showcase, Tim Sale's art if nothing else. I like the characterizations and as I said before I love the art. I just wish there was more to the story.
02/15/05
Haven't written much about what I've been reading lately. Not much change to the list of trade paperbacks I am reading other than the fact that I started reading Queen & Country Book 1, but here it is anyway:
Recently Finished Reading
- Human Target Book 2
- Marmalade Boy Book 4
Currently Reading
- Batman: The Long Halloween
- Phoenix Book 2: A Tale of the Future
- Queen & Country Book 1
Have Not Started Reading Yet
- Scion Book 4
- Kare Kano Book 4
- Marmalade Boy Book 5
- Marmalade Boy Book 6
- Maxx Book 3
- Y: The Last Man Book 2
- Love Fights Book 2
Ordered But Have Not Received Yet
- Ministry of Space
- Stray Bullets Book 1
- Enemy Ace (DC Archive Edition)
- Losers Book 2
- Hysteria Book 2
The online solicitations for DC Comics (to be realeased in May) are out. There are only a few things that jump out and make me want to buy them.
The Golden Age TPB - DC is finally releasing a new printing of this miniseries, that I have heard so much about. Gotta have it, but I might wait until it comes out and not preorder.
Hawkman Book 3 - Just a year after the last TPB collection came out here it is.
Losers Book 3 - I have yet to read book 2, but I will probably be buying this one somewhere down the line.
02/22/05
Later that afternoon we checked out two of the bigger comic book stores in NYC. The first, Midtown Comics, had a huge selection, but for the most part it was mainstream (DC, Marvel, Image, etc.) and not much in the way of back issues on the racks. The second comic book store, Jim Hanley's Universe, was much more to my liking. It had a bigger selection of independents than it did of mainstream. I found the two back issues of Heroes Anonymous that I was missing.
02/23/05
Y: The Last Man Book 2 - I'm only one chapter in, but so far so good. Who woulda thunk that this series could be this good. It is entertaining on more than one level, too. It is exciting and amusing. It makes me think about trying Ex Machina, another series written by Brian K. Vaughn.
Flipping back and forth between unflopped manga and American comic books sometimes gets me confused and I start reading from the wrong side of the page. Lately I've started reading Naruto and Gantz @ degreeanime.com. While I wait for the pages to load I sometimes read from comic books.
Batman: The Long Halloween - Still reading it. Love the artwork. It is very dark and expressive. I'm not gaga about the coloring job, but I think it goes well with the sort of story that is being told and the work done by the penciler/inker, Tim Sale. I also like the detail in the artwork. It isn't always realistic. For instance the Joker's toothy smile looks positively and unrealistically horrific. And just because the work is detailed doesn't mean that you can see all the fine lines on every characters face. Anyhoo, I've got about 3 more chapters to go in this monster epic.
Phoenix Book 2 - Still reading it too. I guess I am close to the halfway point. This is a very different story from the first book. I can't wait to see how things work out in the end. Osamu Tezuka's artwork is sheer genius. Visually he tells a story as well as any artist I can think of. The flow from one panel to the next is smooth and logical.
That's it for now. I still have quite a few comics and trade paparebacks waiting in the wings to be read.
02/25/05
Breach # 1 - I like it. It reads more like something that Marvel would publish, but I like it. What's it about? An experiment 20 years ago gone wrong. Man horribly transformed. Story begins in December 2005. That is not a typo. Then the story flashes back to show how (in 1985) he was transformed. Of course he left a wife and kid behind. Angst. The first issue more or less just tells his origin. What comes next? I can't wait to read the next issue and find out why he, his wife, best friend and a couple others were in a helicopter than crashed in Siberia.
Monday, January 31, 2005
Comic Book Notes (LJ) Jan 2005
01/03/05
I haven't been reading a whole lot lately. I've been kinda busy with other stuff. I finished off Ranma 1/2 Book 4 and Hana-Kimi Book 1, over a week ago. I'm winding down on Rex Mundi Book 1 and Scion Book 3.
Marmalade Boy Book 4 - I just started it. I'm not even halfway through the first chapter, which is kinda long. It opens with Miki and her best friend, Meiko, spying on Miki's step-brother, Yuu. He has been spending a lot of time with another good-looking guy, Satoshi. Naturally, everyone at school starts suspecting that they are gay, including Miki who doesn't want to believe it because she has a crush on Yuu.
I love the dialogue and how the characters convince themselves (of Yuu and Satoshi's relationship) without concrete evidence to back up their suspicions. Meiko, getting over her own soap-operatic moment in the sun in Book 3, is tickled pink over the possibilities. Miki only makes things worse for herself by eavesdropping on Yuu and Satoshi, and then trying to figure out what they are talking about in a round about sort of way. Anyhow I find it all very amusing.
01/04/05
I just read (on Newsarama)about Will Eisner passing away last night. I've read a few of his graphic novels. I think I have two of them, Fagin the Jew and another older one. Never got around to reading The Spirit.
I've been thinking more about buying some of the DC Archive Editions of this series and other series. I don't want to get them every month, but maybe once every three months I'll pick one up. They usually sell for 35% off (the $50 cover price) at MailOrderComics.
I'd love to pick up some of the Archive Editions that were drawn by Joe Kubert like Enemy Ace, Sgt. Rock, and Adam Strange. I'm primarily interested in Silver Age Archive Editions, but I'd also like to get New Teen Titans by Wolfman, Perez, and Giordano. Watching Teen Titans on TV really makes me wanna go back and read and reread the stories from the late-70's and early 80's.
Well I don't feel quite as bad as I did after reading the obit. Still, it is sad to be without such a prolific and influential talent. At least we still have his stories.
01/06/05
Well, my monthly shipment should be arrive today. I found out yesterday that two trade paperbacks that were scheduled to be included will not be, so I'll only be getting two trade paperbacks instead of four. :(
On time - Batman: The Long Halloween, Queen & Country Vol. 1
Late - Ministry of Space, Love Fights Vol. 2
At this point I'm just glad to be getting a shipment. I haven't had the time to make it to the comic shop lately and I ran out of new comic books a couple weeks ago. I've been living off of trade paperbacks (Rex Mundi Book 1, Scion Vol 3), manga (Marmalade Boy Vol. 4), and back issues (X-Men: The Hidden Years, Marvel: The Lost Generation, Superman & Batman: Generations 3, Route 666, Dreadstar).
S&B:G3 sucks by comparison to the previous two mini-series. Most of the issues are forgettable. Some of the artwork looks incomplete and most of it is very roughly drawn.
M:TLG is much better by comparison to S&B:G3 but that's not saying much. I bought both these series a couple years back and am just getting arounf to reading them. At least I don't feel like I completely wasted my money on them.
01/07/05
* Comic books arrived on time. Batman: The Long Halloween is a long book, longer than I realized, about 350 pages long. I spent about an hour going through the Previews catalog. There wasn't too much that caught my eye that I hadn't already earmarked.
* I hear it on NPR: an interview with Sharad Devarajan, CEO of Gotham Entertainment Group, which has licensed the Marvel Comics characters to be distributed in South Asia. Their first publication is Spider-Man India, featuring Pavitr Prabhakar as Peter Parker.
Link: Fresh Air for Thursday January 6, 2005 (you have to scroll about 2/3 of the way down the page to find the link to the audio of the interview. It is about 20 minutes long.
Trade Paperbacks and Manga
Currently Reading
+ Rex Mundi Book 1: The Guardian of the Temple
+ Scion Book 3: Divided Loyalties
+ Marmalade Boy Book 4
Waiting to be Read
+ Batman: The Long Halloween
+ Queen & Country Book 1: Operation Broken Ground
+ Human Target Book 2: Living in Amerika
+ Kare Kano Book 4
+ Scion Book 4: Sanctuary
+ Marmalade Boy Book 5
+ Marmalade Boy Book 6
Ordered
+ Ministry of Space
+ Love Fights Book 2
+ Maxx Book 3
+ Stray Bullets Book 1
+ Y: The Last Man Book 2
01/08/05
So I went to liberty Comics and splurged today. Well, I spent more than I usually do. I bought X-Men Unlimited # 6 which features a story written and drawn by the crew that used to write and draw Negation: Paul Pelletier, Dave Meikis, and Tony Bedard. It was okay. It was no where near as good as Negation. What was missing of course was Laura Martin's colors. That and a decent story. Anyone could have written this one.
Comparisons to Negation: The way the four women in this story interacted did remind me kind of the way the main female characters in Negation interacted. Emma White would obviously be Evinlea. Kitty Pryde would be Corrin. I guess Storm would be Shassa, but the correlation isn't as strong. That leaves Sage to be Iress.
I also bought...
+ Teen Titans # 19 - final issue in the Titans of Tomorrow story
+ She Hulk # 9 - the art is by Paul Pelletier and I've heard good things about this series
+ Phoenix Book 2: Future - a year after I bought the first volume in this series I finally got the second one. Written and drawn by the godfather of manga, Osamu Tezuka. I really enjoyed the first book. Not short, but the first book was very good so I have high hopes for this one.
01/09/05
She-Hulk # 9 - Very amusing. Jen trying to learn to control her new strength. Hercules being sued (by a supervillain) for being too aggressively heroic. Very amusing, the whole thing was very tongue in cheek. I may just have to pick up the next issue. It didn't hurt that Paul Pelletier did the pencils.
01/11/05
Teen Titans # 19 - Good but not great. Not good enough to convince me to continue buying this series. I have yet to be truly impressed or satisfied with Geoff Johns writing. I tried JSA for a while and didn't care for it, now I tried Teen Titans and was equally un-wowed. I did enjoy the whole Titans of Tomorrow story. It wasn't bad, but I get the impression that it was the time travel elements and not the writing that worked for me.
Human Target Book 2 - Chapter one of this book (six of the series) is one of those stories that I thinks works a little better if you know the ending in advance. The story was plodding along and I wasn't that impressed with it until I saw the twist in the tale. Then it hit pretty hard. This chapter is a self-contained story. The Human Target is hired to impersonate a priest who is being theatened by a local heavy. Christopher Chance (The Human Target) isn't a religious man, but after spending some time in the role of the priest he finds himself starting to sense that maybe there are things he should believe in. Then he encouters the heavy, and finds out why he has been trying to 'off' the priest: he was molested by the priest when he was a boy. Maybe I should have seen in coming. The story is set in Boston. Anyhow that casts the story in a very different light. I won't give any more of the story away, but I did like how it ends. Still I think there should have been some foreshadowing as to the true motivations of the heavy and the true nature of the priest.
01/19/05
Midori no Hibi is no longer available at SnoopyCool. There ain't much available anymore at SnoopyCool, but from what I understand the anime of Midori no Hibi is going to be released in March, by ADV. I haven't heard anyword on when the manga will be available.I managed to download te first two-and-a-half books before the SnoopyCool went down in December.
No Fallen Angel in April, according to DC. The next and probably last issue, # 20, will come out in May.
Last issue of Adam Strange comes out in March. I wonder how long we'll have to wait for the trade of that?
I'm still not going to order the individual issues of Identity Crisis. Even though DC is rereleasing all of them in March. I'm waiting for the trade, even if I have to wait until 2006. There are plenty of other things to read in the meanwhile.
Human Target is ending with # 21. The second trade collects up through # 10. I guess that means that there will be two more trade collections, hopefully.
Iron Ghost from Image looks good. Written by Ron Marz, it looks like a riff on The Shadow. It is a mini and only runs six issues. I'll probably wait for the trade.
Trade-wise, this month I decided to pre-order the second trade of The Losers (DC/Vertigo), Hysteria Book 2 (Oni Press; written and drawn by Mike Hawthorne), and the DC Archive Edition of Enemy Ace.
OK, that's enough for now. Time to read some more comic books.
I haven't been reading a whole lot lately. I've been kinda busy with other stuff. I finished off Ranma 1/2 Book 4 and Hana-Kimi Book 1, over a week ago. I'm winding down on Rex Mundi Book 1 and Scion Book 3.
Marmalade Boy Book 4 - I just started it. I'm not even halfway through the first chapter, which is kinda long. It opens with Miki and her best friend, Meiko, spying on Miki's step-brother, Yuu. He has been spending a lot of time with another good-looking guy, Satoshi. Naturally, everyone at school starts suspecting that they are gay, including Miki who doesn't want to believe it because she has a crush on Yuu.
I love the dialogue and how the characters convince themselves (of Yuu and Satoshi's relationship) without concrete evidence to back up their suspicions. Meiko, getting over her own soap-operatic moment in the sun in Book 3, is tickled pink over the possibilities. Miki only makes things worse for herself by eavesdropping on Yuu and Satoshi, and then trying to figure out what they are talking about in a round about sort of way. Anyhow I find it all very amusing.
01/04/05
I just read (on Newsarama)about Will Eisner passing away last night. I've read a few of his graphic novels. I think I have two of them, Fagin the Jew and another older one. Never got around to reading The Spirit.
I've been thinking more about buying some of the DC Archive Editions of this series and other series. I don't want to get them every month, but maybe once every three months I'll pick one up. They usually sell for 35% off (the $50 cover price) at MailOrderComics.
I'd love to pick up some of the Archive Editions that were drawn by Joe Kubert like Enemy Ace, Sgt. Rock, and Adam Strange. I'm primarily interested in Silver Age Archive Editions, but I'd also like to get New Teen Titans by Wolfman, Perez, and Giordano. Watching Teen Titans on TV really makes me wanna go back and read and reread the stories from the late-70's and early 80's.
Well I don't feel quite as bad as I did after reading the obit. Still, it is sad to be without such a prolific and influential talent. At least we still have his stories.
01/06/05
Well, my monthly shipment should be arrive today. I found out yesterday that two trade paperbacks that were scheduled to be included will not be, so I'll only be getting two trade paperbacks instead of four. :(
On time - Batman: The Long Halloween, Queen & Country Vol. 1
Late - Ministry of Space, Love Fights Vol. 2
At this point I'm just glad to be getting a shipment. I haven't had the time to make it to the comic shop lately and I ran out of new comic books a couple weeks ago. I've been living off of trade paperbacks (Rex Mundi Book 1, Scion Vol 3), manga (Marmalade Boy Vol. 4), and back issues (X-Men: The Hidden Years, Marvel: The Lost Generation, Superman & Batman: Generations 3, Route 666, Dreadstar).
S&B:G3 sucks by comparison to the previous two mini-series. Most of the issues are forgettable. Some of the artwork looks incomplete and most of it is very roughly drawn.
M:TLG is much better by comparison to S&B:G3 but that's not saying much. I bought both these series a couple years back and am just getting arounf to reading them. At least I don't feel like I completely wasted my money on them.
01/07/05
* Comic books arrived on time. Batman: The Long Halloween is a long book, longer than I realized, about 350 pages long. I spent about an hour going through the Previews catalog. There wasn't too much that caught my eye that I hadn't already earmarked.
* I hear it on NPR: an interview with Sharad Devarajan, CEO of Gotham Entertainment Group, which has licensed the Marvel Comics characters to be distributed in South Asia. Their first publication is Spider-Man India, featuring Pavitr Prabhakar as Peter Parker.
Link: Fresh Air for Thursday January 6, 2005 (you have to scroll about 2/3 of the way down the page to find the link to the audio of the interview. It is about 20 minutes long.
Trade Paperbacks and Manga
Currently Reading
+ Rex Mundi Book 1: The Guardian of the Temple
+ Scion Book 3: Divided Loyalties
+ Marmalade Boy Book 4
Waiting to be Read
+ Batman: The Long Halloween
+ Queen & Country Book 1: Operation Broken Ground
+ Human Target Book 2: Living in Amerika
+ Kare Kano Book 4
+ Scion Book 4: Sanctuary
+ Marmalade Boy Book 5
+ Marmalade Boy Book 6
Ordered
+ Ministry of Space
+ Love Fights Book 2
+ Maxx Book 3
+ Stray Bullets Book 1
+ Y: The Last Man Book 2
01/08/05
So I went to liberty Comics and splurged today. Well, I spent more than I usually do. I bought X-Men Unlimited # 6 which features a story written and drawn by the crew that used to write and draw Negation: Paul Pelletier, Dave Meikis, and Tony Bedard. It was okay. It was no where near as good as Negation. What was missing of course was Laura Martin's colors. That and a decent story. Anyone could have written this one.
Comparisons to Negation: The way the four women in this story interacted did remind me kind of the way the main female characters in Negation interacted. Emma White would obviously be Evinlea. Kitty Pryde would be Corrin. I guess Storm would be Shassa, but the correlation isn't as strong. That leaves Sage to be Iress.
I also bought...
+ Teen Titans # 19 - final issue in the Titans of Tomorrow story
+ She Hulk # 9 - the art is by Paul Pelletier and I've heard good things about this series
+ Phoenix Book 2: Future - a year after I bought the first volume in this series I finally got the second one. Written and drawn by the godfather of manga, Osamu Tezuka. I really enjoyed the first book. Not short, but the first book was very good so I have high hopes for this one.
01/09/05
She-Hulk # 9 - Very amusing. Jen trying to learn to control her new strength. Hercules being sued (by a supervillain) for being too aggressively heroic. Very amusing, the whole thing was very tongue in cheek. I may just have to pick up the next issue. It didn't hurt that Paul Pelletier did the pencils.
01/11/05
Teen Titans # 19 - Good but not great. Not good enough to convince me to continue buying this series. I have yet to be truly impressed or satisfied with Geoff Johns writing. I tried JSA for a while and didn't care for it, now I tried Teen Titans and was equally un-wowed. I did enjoy the whole Titans of Tomorrow story. It wasn't bad, but I get the impression that it was the time travel elements and not the writing that worked for me.
Human Target Book 2 - Chapter one of this book (six of the series) is one of those stories that I thinks works a little better if you know the ending in advance. The story was plodding along and I wasn't that impressed with it until I saw the twist in the tale. Then it hit pretty hard. This chapter is a self-contained story. The Human Target is hired to impersonate a priest who is being theatened by a local heavy. Christopher Chance (The Human Target) isn't a religious man, but after spending some time in the role of the priest he finds himself starting to sense that maybe there are things he should believe in. Then he encouters the heavy, and finds out why he has been trying to 'off' the priest: he was molested by the priest when he was a boy. Maybe I should have seen in coming. The story is set in Boston. Anyhow that casts the story in a very different light. I won't give any more of the story away, but I did like how it ends. Still I think there should have been some foreshadowing as to the true motivations of the heavy and the true nature of the priest.
01/19/05
Midori no Hibi is no longer available at SnoopyCool. There ain't much available anymore at SnoopyCool, but from what I understand the anime of Midori no Hibi is going to be released in March, by ADV. I haven't heard anyword on when the manga will be available.I managed to download te first two-and-a-half books before the SnoopyCool went down in December.
No Fallen Angel in April, according to DC. The next and probably last issue, # 20, will come out in May.
Last issue of Adam Strange comes out in March. I wonder how long we'll have to wait for the trade of that?
I'm still not going to order the individual issues of Identity Crisis. Even though DC is rereleasing all of them in March. I'm waiting for the trade, even if I have to wait until 2006. There are plenty of other things to read in the meanwhile.
Human Target is ending with # 21. The second trade collects up through # 10. I guess that means that there will be two more trade collections, hopefully.
Iron Ghost from Image looks good. Written by Ron Marz, it looks like a riff on The Shadow. It is a mini and only runs six issues. I'll probably wait for the trade.
Trade-wise, this month I decided to pre-order the second trade of The Losers (DC/Vertigo), Hysteria Book 2 (Oni Press; written and drawn by Mike Hawthorne), and the DC Archive Edition of Enemy Ace.
OK, that's enough for now. Time to read some more comic books.
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