Comic Book Notes (LJ) Nov 2005

11/06/05

At the comic book store I picked up the first volumes of Genshiken and Hikaru no Go. Unless I buy a bootleg copy on eBay its gonna be a while before I get to see anymore on the Hikaru no Go anime, so I'm gonna try the manga instead. It looks very well drawn and reproduced. Genshiken is a series about an otaku club. I've heard good things about it. I passed on buying volume 6 of Kare Kano because I'm stil reading number 5.

11/16/05

Hikaru no Go - I read the second chapter this morning before heading to work. So far the story is very close to the anime, with a few minor divergences. The biggest difference that I can see (so far) is that through the first 13 episodes of the anime there is little or no mention of Hikaru's family, whereas in the manga both his mother and grandfather have made appearances. *shrug*

11/17/05

I think I am just going to order one trade this month, She-Hulk Vol. 2. Next month I am planning to order Powers Vol. 2. On another comics related note I listened to episode 72 of Comic Geek Speak. I've given up on trying to listen to every ep of this show. This one caught my eye because it had a discussion of Marvel vs. DC.

11/22/05

Right now, I'm listening to an old ep (#7) of CGS in which the geeks discuss Sin City.

11/23/05

I need to read some more comic books. I picked up Maxx Vol. 4 this morning. I only had time to read a few pages of the second chapter. I have a hard time following the story. It flows a little too freely. The artwork is the real draw. It more than compensates for the wild twists and turns that the plot takes.

I listened to another episode (# 16) of CGS tonight.

11/28/05

Ya know what sucks? Doing most of your comic book reading through trades. It makes it impossible to keep up with the current stories. At best I am six months behind the pace; at worst a year or more in arrears. *sigh*

I want to read the exciting stuff going on in the DCU, but I'd rather wait for the trade. I haven't even read Identity Crisis yet. I know how it turned out, but I still want to read it. Some people loved it. Others hated it. I still want to read it. I am also intrigued by some of the other special series like The OMAC Project and Villains United. And then of course someday, hopefully before the next US presidential election, I think I would like to read Infinite Crisis.

There's plenty of other stuff to get caught up on. Stuff like Y: The Last Man and Conan. In the manga department there's Kare Kano and Hikaru no Go.

I could go on, but I am tired and should probably take a nappy. No wonder I can't keep up with all these series. :)

Comic Book Notes (LJ) Oct 2005

10/02/05

I'm really enjoying Madrox: Multiple Choice. I think it would make for a pretty cool movie. I think it would take a talented actor and a good director to pull it off, but I think it could be done. It doesn't hurt that the story is written by Peter A. David. That's what drew me to this mini-series, initially. I've also heard lots of good things about it. PAD has a good handle on the material, keeping it both suspenseful and humorous. I just love the premise. He's taken a guy who can multiply himself (which seems like a pretty simple idea) and added wrinkles to it that most comic book writers would never come up with. I love it how some of the duplicates actually turn on him. It all very noir, and somewhat existential.

10/04/05

Y: The Last Man - One Small Step (Vol. 3) - Just one more chapter to go. I really dig this series. This could be a one note comic book but the creators are doing an excellent job IMO of exploring the different angles of what would happen if something (a plague?) wiped out all the men on earth, except one. The whole breakdown in mass communications and transportation systems alone provides plenty of fodder for stories. Its good to see the creators taking advantage of that.

In the last couple chapters in this volume the story turns away from Yorick (the last man) and focuses on a troupe of actors who are traveling the country (US of course). I found the comparisons made to what the theater was like before women were allowed to participate interesting (given of course that there are no men to participate). It was also interesting because for the most part the comic book so far has been about the struggle to survive and for Agent 355 and Dr. Mann to get Yorick to a lab in California. Despite the breakdown in society here are some women actually interested in producing art.

10/10/05

I picked up my comics today. Just three comic books (Rocketo # 2, Breach # 9, and Action Philosophers! Self-Help for stupid ugly losers # 1), two trades (Losers Vol. 3 and Walking Dead Vol. 1), and a magazine (Proculture Addicts # 85) and the latest Previews catalog (of course). I've started reading Exiles Vol. 9. There are definitely some similarities between this book and Negation (which I will NEVER stop talking about) and while I miss how deadly serious (in a life or death sort of way) Negation could be, one thing it did not have that Exiles does is humor. I love how Tony Bedard twists and plays with the Marvel Universe. It must be a fun book to write.

10/24/05

I'm tempted to start reading black and white graphic novels on the bus and metro. I've been reading Understanding Comics on the commute to and from work. I haven't really paid too much attention to what people think of it. I don't think I'm ready to read anything too recognizable on the metro, so color is out for now, at least on the public transportation.

Comic Book Notes (LJ) Sep 2005

09/01/05

Tonight I...

...read another chapter of Hawkman Vol. 3. I don't think I will be buying anymore Hawkman trades, to include the JSA/Hawkman crossover trade: Black Reign. It just ain't the same. It has lost its shine. Besides there's plenty of other stuff I'd like to try.

09/13/05

Breach - I got my Previews catalog finally. I flipped through the comics sections, taking notes of things I might want to pre-order or wait for the trade on. I was going through the DC section when I noticed that # 11 will be the last issue of Breach. It was so low on most people's radar screen that this is how I found out about it. I tried a google search and it barely registered.

Oh well, that makes two DC series that have been canceled out from under me in the past year. Fallen Angel was the other.

09/15/05

I'm listening to the 50th episode of Comic Geek Speak. I figure they must be up to # 52 or 53 by now. I haven't checked lately. Other than the Book of the Month # 3 episode (Walking Dead Vol. 1) I have listened to all the other episodes I've downloaded. # 50 is three hours long. I won't finish listening to it tonight, but it sure is geeky of me to go on rambling like this about how many eps I've listened to.

Did I mention that the comic books don't seem to be quite the guilty pleasure these days as they were a few weeks ago. Its not that I'm not enjoying them, but they just aren't quite the guilty pleasure for me that they once were. I think it must be all the anime I've been watching. It is my current guilty pleasure. I guess that means that anime are the new comic books? Dunno.

09/17/05

Black Heart Irregulars # 1 - Just read it this afternoon. I'm pondering pre-ordering # 3. I've already pre-ordered # 2. I enjoyed # 1 enough to want to read more. Its a black-and-white comic book from a small publisher, Blue King Studios. It is set in the Middle East. The first issue takes place in Bagdad. Hints have been dropped that future storylines will take place elsewhere in that part of the world. The main character is the leader of a rogue private military company, Black Heart. I'm suure of their or the writer's motivations. Hard to tell if the writer is sympathetic toward them; whether he sees them as military vets who have gone around the bend or what? It seems that they have decided to fight the "war on terrorism" themselves, without authorization from the US Government, or any other government for that matter. I think they are all Americans. The CIA is checking up on them in the first issue. In some ways in reminds me of The Losers. I think that is part of what attracted me to the book. Anyhoo, I enjoyed it. I'm intrigued. I want to read more.

Madrox: Multiple Choice - Read the first chapter last night. Fun read. I usually enjoy Peter David's writing. That's what drew me to this series. Under normal circumstances I won't touch an X-men book with a ten foot pole. I like the set up. Jamie Madrox, a former superhero, is trying to live a semi-normal existence working as PI in Mutant Town in NYC. Then one night one of his duplicates (that's his superpower, he can create duplicates of himself) comes stumbling back to his apartment almost dead. He dies in Jamie's arms, but not before Jamie can absorb his memories. Unfortunately he doesn't get enough information to figure out who killed his double. That where chapter one (of five) ends.

I'm not wild about the art work in the first chapter. It doesn't have enough flair. Hopefully it will get better. I do like the story so far. As with BHI I wanna read more, which is probably a good thing since I bought the trade paperback collection.

The next movie on my list is American Splendor. Harvey Pekar (the subject of the movie) will be in town next weekend, at the Small Press Expo (SPX). What a coincidence! I didn't arrange it this way. I knew SPX is coming up but I didn't know he is going to be there. I only found out because of an ad in the Express that caught my eye while I was working on the latest Sudoku puzzle. Anyhow, he is going to be the guest of honor at some ceremony (the Ignatz Awards?) they will be having. I don't think I will be going.

09/20/05

Buddha: Kapilavastu (Vol. 1) - Written and drawn by Tezuka Osamu. Based on the story of the Buddha. Tezuka has added to the story as it is told, or at least that is my understanding. This volume barely touches on the story of Buddha himself, other than to tell the tale of his birth. For the most part the story focuses on two young boys, Tatta (a pariah) and Chapra (a slave). The supporting cast includes Chapra's mother, a general who (ignorant of Chapra's caste) adopts him, and a monk who is convinced that Tatta is some sort of saint. At 400 pages it might seem long, but it reads very quickly.

Anyway I loved it. Tezuka's drawings are beautiful. The story has light, amusing moments as well as heavier ones. Everytime I thought I knew where the story was going it seemed to take off in a direction that I didn't forsee it going.

Hawkman: Wings of Fury (Vol. 3) - Ugh! Glad I'm done with it. It wasn't awful, but I can think of plenty of other books I would rather have spent my time re-reading. Maybe I've just gotten tired of reading Hawkman. There are plenty of other superheroes trades out there that I haven't read. I 'll give one of them a try next.

One big drawback to this collection is the seemingly consistent use of fill-in artists. I really liked the regular artists work, from the first two volumes. Flipping through the book it looks like at least half the artwork was done by fill-ins.

Comic Book Notes (LJ) Aug 2005

08/02/05

I got my latest shipment of comic books. I think I have more or less converted to ranks of the trade paperback collectors. I only got four comic books this month, and two trades. My most recent orders run about the same ratio.

I spent some time looking through the latest Previews catalog. So many things to buy, so little time to read.

+ I think I will finally order a few backlisted items that I've been meaning to get: Conan Vol 1: The Frost Giant's Daughter and Other Stories from Dark Horse (by Kurt Busiek, Cary Nord and Dave Stewart) and JSA: The Golden Age.

+ I'm kind of torn over whether to continue ordering Rocketo as a comic book or try waiting for the trade. The only other two comic books I have on my list to order at the moment are Solo # 7 and Breach # 10.

+ New trades and hardcovers that interest me, but that I think I will pass on for now include Batman: Under the Hood, Catwoman: When in Rome, and Young Avengers Vol 1: Sidekicks.

+ The Brave and the Bold Art of Jim Aparo from TwoMorrows looks too good to resist.

Yes there is more that caught my eye, but I've gotta be selective; kind of like I do with the anime. I've managed to resist ordering anymore, so far. I've got a plan that involves buying more, but not for at least a couple more weeks. Hopefully I can manage until then. :P

08/03/05

Powers Vol. 1: Who Killed Retro Girl? - Still reading and still loving it. Brian Bendis sure can write dialogue. Love this story so far. I like the angle (cops investigating the death of a superhero), the characters and the relationships (especially the one between the two detectives Christian and Deena, his new partner; just love watching them clash), the artwork by Michael Avon Oeming (very expressive), and the humor (I almost died laughing at the end of chapter 3 when the little girl asked him if he had figured out what a clitoris was, in front of Deena). Lots to recommend here. Its light reading, but its much better than most of the stuff put out by DC and Marvel.

08/06/05

She-Hulk: Single Green Female (Vol. 1) - Still reading and still loving it. I'm three chapters in. Love the humor. I'm 99% sure I'll buy the second collection, just not sure if I will continue to read it beyond that.

Took a quick peek at Newsarama this afternoon:

= Andy Diggle's new mini-series Silent Dragon looks interesting. I like his work on Losers and I ordered Adam Strange: Planet Heist.

= Ed Brubaker will be taking over Daredevil. That might be enough to give it a try, although given how much I like Brian Bendis work on Powers maybe I should give his DD a try too. I wonder if this means that Brubaker will be stop writing Captain America soon?

08/14/05

Stray Bullets: The Innocence of Nihilism Vol. 1 - Just started reading today. I loved the first chapter. It was so intense. Loved the artwork, loved the story. Its a little rough around the edges. It reminded me of the sort of story found in old EC horror comics. No zombies or supernatural critters, just one young man whose seen a little too much blood and flips out and starts killing people at the slightest provocation. Its the way in which he flips that sold the story for me. He has moments when he bursts out screaming but for the most part it is a quiet transformation, which made it that much creepier and more worth reading to me.

Powers: Who Killed Rerto Girl Vol. 1 - Loved it cover to cover. The first chapter was as good as the last. I wasn't sure they would be able to wrap it all up in the final chapter and satisfy me, but somehow they managed. I haven't read through the bonus material yet, but the story itself (writing and artwork) really impressed me. I'm definitely gonna have to pick up the next volume.

08/20/05

Hawkman Vol. 3: Wings of Fury - Two chapters in. I wasn't so sure after reading the first chapter, but I'm feeling better about it after second one. Hawkwoman's appearance seemed too good to be true. Maybe it is. So far I like it, but there has been a lot of action so far without as much character development. Part of the strength of the series so far (i.e prior to Vol. 3) has been Carter and Kendra's relationship working and otherwise. It had been rocky. She hasn't exactly been able to come to terms with the fact that they were lovers in a former life and has no interest in him. He can't seem to get over the fact that she doesn't want to be closer than his partner fighting crime. Anyway, there doesn't seem to be much of that so far. Hawkwoman (Shayera from Thanagar) has stolen the spotlight. The other two Hawks are in the picture, but it is taking me a little time to adjust to the change. I don't think she is a permanent addition to the book.

Stray Bullets Vol. 1: Innocence of Nihilism - Chapter two is even darker than chapter one. At first I thought the second chapter was a different story, but now I think writer/artist David Lapham started at the end (in chapter one) and then goes back (in chapter two) to tell the story from the beginning. Anyway, this is one disturbing book. I love it even though it scares the crap out of me. The art and the writing are gripping. I can feel my eyes bulging out as I read it. So glad I finally ordered it.

Comic Geek Speak - Right now, I'm listening to episode 43. Just a bunch of guys sitting around talking comic books, but its kind of fun. Check it out.

08/29/05

I did go to the comicbook store formerly known as Closet of Comics for the first time in at least two-and-a-half months. I picked up Queen & Country Vol. 2: Operation Morningstar, Kare Kano Vol. 5, and Banana Sunday # 1. I probably spent about an hour prowsing before I finally settled on what to buy. So many things to read, so little time to read them in. Currently I am reading two mangas (Buddha Vol. 1, Battle Royale Vol. 2) and two trades (Stray Bullets Vol. 1, Hawkman Vol. 3).

I also listened to a couple more episodes of Comic Geek Speak. Much fun. I enjoy listening to the guys hash over the logic and value of various comic book series, stories, artists, creators, etc.

...

I keep trying to get caught up with Comic Geek Speak podcasts. I'm falling behind. I'm starting to think that I will be perenially behind. *le sigh*

I should just give up on getting caught up and enjoy the show. The nice thing is that I can do other things while listening.

Comic Book Notes (LJ) Jul 2005

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.

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

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.