For the Love of Bendis.

Hey,
Enjoy the continuation of my love affair with the work of Bendis.

For the Love of Bendis: Alias
Jessica Jones is my version of a great comics character. She is tough, cynical, and humanly flawed. On the other hand she occasionally uses her super powers and knows a few costumed folks. She is the star of Brian Michael Bendis's series Alias which ran for 28 issues. Far too short a run in my opinion. Last June I fell in love with this series after reading the first 9 issues, and now I've finished the Omnibus which contains the rest of the series.

I am kicking myself that it took me this long. This series is post-modern, humanistic, and incredible. Bendis allows Jones to occasionally go off the deep end like anyone would in her circumstance. She drinks too much, sleeps around, and gets into fights. But at the core of her character Bendis can illustrate that she is a good person seeking redemption. The girl just has some issues is all.

This series showcases everything that I love about Bendis's work. He is a master of dialogue. Jones is a detective and has to listen to her client's stories, pick out the clues, and separate the truth from the lies. Bendis, aided by dynamic layout from artist Gaydos, illustrates this in scenes which cinematically juxtapose the speaker and Jessica. We see Jessica listening in panels placed above as the client/suspect/witness is speaking. It's a great effect that showcases Bendis's talent for character's voices. Like his other series Powers, Bendis loves to write vernacular dialogue. He's not afraid to have superhero characters speak like everyone else.

In comics there tends to be a need to portray characters as larger-than-life and squeeky clean. Marvel is known for portraying more humanistic characters, but even they have characters like Captain America and Matt Murdock. Cap, Matt Murdock, and even Cyclops are often really dull because they are so straight and narrow. Now don't get me wrong, there's a time and place for that, but I'm much more interested in Bendis's characterizations. Now while Cap and Murdock do make cameos in Alias they are much more real when in scenes with Jones. Bendis also excels in scenes between Jones and her off-again-on-again lover Luke Cage. You can feel the sparks fly between them on the comic page. Poor Scott Lang-the guy didn't have a chance really.

If you get the chance you need to read this book in hardcover omnibus because it showcases the beauty of Michael Gaydos's art. It is amazing and dynamic. I really love his use of panel design which is wildly cinematic. Oftentimes he'll cut conversations just like a film with a combination of close-ups and reaction shots. He's also willing to change it up, especially in the multi-media collage of Rebecca's journal. Now granted sometimes I did get lost and read the panels wrong. In this book that's just a give-in because Gaydos is intent on showcasing an independent spirit. Also I want to shout out Mark Bagley's art in the flashbacks. It was perfect to show Jones's origin in a traditional style considering she's being ret-conned into Marvel continuity.

(BTW I'm not really a continuity nerd, so I loved the idea that she went to school with Peter Parker. It's hilarious that Bendis links her to the very beginning of the Marvel Universe. Her crush on Peter Parker is cute.)

By finally giving the readers Jones's back story with The Purple Man, Bendis shows Johns-like mastery of revitalizing C-grade characters. In Bendis's hands a ridiculous character becomes a nightmare man. Considering how messed up Jessica is, it had to be something psychological. In the past the Purple Man has often been portrayed as foolish. Here he's a dangerous awful man. I understand that Purple Man is also used in Bendis's Daredevil run. If his characterization in this series is any indication, then I've got to read that. Like Now.

It's a crime that Alias ends so soon. Although I love how it ends, I would trade anything to bring it back.

With Great Power...

Hello All,
As a comic geek I've been thrown for a loop this week. In comic movie news it turns out that Sam Raimi & Tobey Maguire are leaving the Spider-Man movie franchise.
Now I've been a major fan of all three films, even the third one, although I admit it had problems. In my opinion Spider-Man 2 is the best superhero film ever made. It's great performances and script paved the way for movies such as The Dark Knight and Iron Man. I think a lot of credit goes to Raimi for capturing the fun, pathos, and humanity that can be found in this web-slinging hero. It's disconcerting to hear that he has left over "creative differences." What is with Sony Pictures? Don't they realize that Raimi is an able captain for this ship? Apparently not because here comes a reboot with Peter Parker going back to high-school.

In the last two years I've dipped my toes into the Spider-Man Universe. I enjoy the fact that while he's got super powers, he's also a real life guy who is just cannot catch a break. For spider-man if the going gets tough, well then it just gets worse. The best writers, such as Joe Kelly, Brian Michael Bendis, or even Dan Slott, understand that rather than cry over his bad fortune, Peter Parker will throw out a self-deprecating quip. This puts him at odds with the current skinny man-boy greyish brooders that are currently in mode at the cineplex. Peter Parker may be a nerd, but he's not conflicted about it. He's conflicted about where the next dollar is gonna come from, and how he's gonna take care of Aunt May.


So if Sony wants to re-boot Peter Parker back to high school than what source material should they draw from? Many have speculated that Sony will go to Ultimate Spider-man by Brian Michael Bendis. This would be an excellent choice. I've read the first few volumes of this series and enjoyed them immensely. Bendis has a great ability to capture the wise-acre sarcasm and his series features Parker in high school. However I don't think Bendis is interested in writing a Spider-man movie. He's too busy writing every book in the Marvel Universe. Well not really, but pretty close.





Well if I had the chance to bend Sony's ear I think that I have the perfect option: Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane. I devoured this series about 2 years ago and I love it. SMLJ actually focuses on Parker and MJ in high school, with their romantic travails. In fact Parker as Spider-Man is pretty much in the extreme background. The action focuses mainly on MJ's developing friendship with Peter, her dating Harry Osborne, and how her crush on Spider-Man is tested. It's a fun, adorable, teen series that anyone can read. It's easily adaptable and is already made for the teen market. If that's what Sony wants to focus on, then this is a great choice.

Are you listening Sony? Really all I ask: Don't Screw It Up. Choose great material: Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane is a winner.

All Bendis, All the time.

Hello,
How are you all? I'm doing well. I am a year older having celebrated my b-day this week. It was a fun time. It's not bad being my age, if I can happy with who I am. My younger bro said something similiar to that & I could've kissed him. Also thanks mom for accepting & enjoying who I am. Even if sometimes it drives you crazy. We saw Up in 3D and man was it great.

I began this blog as a means to motivate myself to deal with my massive tbr pile. Now I'm working through it, but really it's like Sisyphus pushing the rock up the mountain. Thankfully I've been able recently to kick up the pace this month. I hope you guys enjoy graphic novels because there's going to be a few coming your way.

Reviews
Total Sell Out
Who is Brian Michael Bendis? Presently I consider him the crowned prince of Marvel. In the last few years he has earned the keys to the superhero kingdom with his work on series such as Ultimate Spiderman, New Avengers, and Daredevil. In Total Sell Out he shares with us a collection of his early work as a writer/cartoonist. I have to agree with him that some of this work is too cartoonish. He's also not all that great as an artist and I can see why he gave up drawing. On the other hand Bendis excels at being a smartass. He's damn funny. I enjoyed his characterizations of nerd culture, particularly a funny story about James Doohan, the original Scotty from Star Trek. Here we also see his trademark dialogue style. Bendis loves "talking head" moments with naturalistic/colloquial speech. He's great at it. As an early look at his style it was highly enjoyable.

Biographical Author Info: Brian Michael Bendis

Alias Vol. 1
Jessica Jones is a burn out, alcoholic, cynical superhero. She has hung up the spandex and become a detective. She'll help find out if your husband/wife/girlfriend is cheating, or if your sister's gone missing. Jones gave up on the believing in the good of humanity a long time ago. Alias is a strong mix of crime noir that exists in the same world as Captain America. Jessica Jones is a wonderfully flawed original creation from the mind of Brian Michael Bendis. Bendis expertly retcons Jessica Jones into the Marvel comic world by bringing in smaller B characters. Jessica's superhero powers are limited. She has super strength and can maybe "hover" but that's it. Jessica is more like us and would rather be normal. But try as she might she can't be. This first 9 issues was a great introduction to a new character that seems like she's been there all along. Bendis's classic dialogue-style is prevalent here. This is a comic that's much more about what a character says/doesn't say than kick ass fights. Much like an indie comic where Matt Murdock will show up as your attorney, I loved the mixing of sensibilities. I'll definitely be checking out the rest of this series.

Other Reviews
Avid Book Reader | Blogging Bendis

The Reading List
Books
Birds of Prey Vol. 2
Pride and Prejudice and the Zombies

Magazines
Paste

Comics
Captain America #600

Comic Pull List: Daredevil #119, Detective Comics #854, Dynamo 5 #22, Gotham City Sirens #1, Green Lantern #42, New Avengers #54, Northlanders #18, Runaways 3 #11, Superman #689, Wonder Woman #33

Check Out Count: Multi-media-esque

Have a great week! Book Slave.

Lit Times Are Good For This Gal

Hello,
How are y'all? I've had a great week! It was full of many highs of the literary kind. On Sunday I attended a matinee of a production of Frankenstein done in the radio show style. The production was really awesome with 4 actors reading all the parts. From what I know it was faithful to the plot line of the original book. I've never read Frankenstein, perhaps I'll give it a shot.

On Saturday was the Utah Humanities Book Festival and I was able to see some author panels. It was fun seeing Ann Cannon, who is a local author. I highly enjoyed a panel with Sara Zarr and Paul Fleischman where they questioned each other. If you want to read Zarr's fine blog, click here. Zarr is the author of Story of a Girl, which was nominated last year for the Newberry. She is also very nice. I was shocked that she remembered my name. Anyway it was fun, although still very low-key. I hope next year there's more that I'm interested.

Tonight I went to another meeting of the Hard Boiled Book Club. I've mentioned it before, to read that click here. Again it was another fun evening of discussion moderated by the mysterious Zach Sampinos. Our discussion centered around the book In the Miso Soup, which is reviewed below. This is a book I would never pick up on my own. Sampinos has thus far done an excellent job finding books that are off the beaten path. It was good times.

Well enough about how awesome my life has been lately. Onward! To the Reviews!

Reviews
Apocalypse Handbook
I picked this up because it looked amusing and is written by a writer from The Daily Show. I found this book very funny in a black humor sort of way. It's very easy to go broad when talking about a subject as crazy as the end of days. While not really highly substantive and serious, I wanted a silly book. This fit the bill.

Ultimate Spiderman Vol. 2
Bendis continues his reboot of Spiderman starting from the beginning. In this story arc young Peter Parker fights the Kingpin and starts work for the Daily Bugle. I love the humor and characterization that Bendis brings to this story. In this volume he makes mistakes and then beats himself up for it. This reminds us again that Parker is just a teenager and he's still learning. Also Bagley continues to bring amazing art to the panels. I love his splash pages.

In the Miso Soup
As mentioned above this is a book I would never pick up on my own. The story revolves around the relationship between Kenji, a japanese guide, and Frank, a strange American. Kenji is hired by Frank to help him traverse the Japanese sex industry. Slowly tension builds as Kenji starts to believe that Frank is a serial killer. There's a lot of interesting ideas and themes, which are not really followed through on. Murakami seems intent on commenting on the objectifying of women in the sex industry, yet does not really stick to any clear statement. On top of all this is an unreliable narrator which makes you waiting for some kind of twist. That twist never comes. This is a book that I think climaxes about half-way through but then slows up to an ambiguous ending. So a great first half is squandered by a ponderous second half.

What's In My Bag
Books
TBA

Magazines
Out

Comic
Spiderman Loves Mary Jane #3

Check Out Count: Fluctuating

Comic Pull List: Northlanders #11, Superman #681, Trinity #22

Have a Great Week! Book Slave.

Hot, Sweaty, and Tired

Hello folks,
Welcome to living on the sun. Seriously it's hot folks. You could fry an egg on my forehead. To me at the moment the best time of day is the golden hour. I've loved taking a walk around my somewhat eclectic neighborhood to cool down before sunset. Love it! Well admittedly this week's reading has been pretty thin. I've had other writing to work on this weekend (Yes, I do writing other than this, my constant readers), so I've decided to include a little autobiography as well.
So Onward to Breach!

Reviews
Ultimate Spider-Man Vol. 1
I've decided to dive into more Bendis work after enjoying his work on Secret Invasion/New Avengers. Here we essentially have the Spiderman Origin story, which is very well known by now. I enjoyed the fact that they did write/draw Peter as a 15 year old kid. Watching him go through classic teen angst this book reminded me of a John Hughes movie. I think this is written for teenage boys and fanboys/girls. As someone who hasn't followed the comics for 20 years this was a good introduction.

Middleman Vol. 1
This book is humorous comic fun. The story follows Wendy, an struggling artist, who stumbles into joining a "Men In Black"-style organization and teaming up with a guy who is the classic version of a "dirk square jaw". He just calls himself "The Middleman" and wears a leather jacket while carrying an insanely large gun. All this plot is not the best thing about this book. Javier Grillo-Marxuach's is clearly hilarious because I loved all the jokes and satire throughout this trade. Little touches like Wendy's interactions with her stoner neighbor were just so random and cracked me up. Enjoyed it immensely. Plus there's gangster killer apes!

Life Changing Reads
Kick back as we walk down memory lane.
1. To Kill A Mockingbird
I had seen an old paperback copy of this on the top of our book case for a long time. It was the summer before 7th grade and I had a lot of time on my hands. Even at that age I had heard of the book and the movie, but hadn't picked up either. The cover was simple and the pages were yellowed. I decided that now was the time to pick it up. I read it in about 5 days and loved it immediately. Of course I was struck by the friendship between Jem, Scout and Dell and there adventures. Ultimately though it was the character of Atticus Finch that had the most effect on me. He was the father that everyone wished they had. I still get choked up as I think about the balcony scene.

2. Catcher and the Rye
Picked this up relatively later then a lot of people. I was 18 and I had gotten a gift card for christmas for a multi-media store that no longer exists. It's name escapes me at the moment. Anyway I had picked up some CDs and Videos, but I had about 10 bucks left on the gift card. With the prospect of losing out on $10, which was too little for any good CD or Video, I turned to the puny token book section. What to get? My eyes settled on a $6 buck paperback copy. It had the classic white cover with the rainbow stripe. I finished reading it in 2 days. As I read the final scene between Holden and his little sister on the merry-go-round I found myself tearing up. To me this book is not all about teen rebellion. There is a deeper subtext that strikes me every time I pick it up. Holden Caulfield is looking for unconditional love. Aren't we all?

3. Less Than Zero
First of all let me explain. Before I even had any sense what Brett Easton Ellis was all about he already had a bad reputation in our household. My mom, a librarian, was forced to read American Psycho because of a patron complaint. She hated it in every core of her body. In high school one of my friends Linda read and loved Less Than Zero I avoided it like the plague. Fast forward a few years: I was in a wonderful exchange book store in Sugarhouse and there it was-a paperback copy of Zero. Not any copy though. This one had Robert Downey Jr, Andrew McCarthey, and Jami Gertz staring back at me. It was the movie cover. I had to have it. However I held onto it for awhile without reading it. When I finally picked it up I couldn't believe what I read. I was captured by this story in that "read it till 3 am even though I need to sleep" way.

What's In My Bag
Books
Assassination Vacation
Essential Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 1

Comics
Dynamo 5 #13

Magazine
Entertainment Weekly

Check Out Count: Diversifying.

Well kids it's a holiday weekend. 2 days off! It's gonna be awesome and far too quick. Have some fun! Celebrate our country. Throw some prayers to those fighting/dying overseas. Their sacrifice is beyond politics. I think I'll find some way this holiday to take a look over that old "Declaration" of ours. Have a great weekend! Book Slave.

Skrulls and More!

Hello,
It's been a good week. I hope y'all are doing well also. Onward!

Reviews
DMZ Vol. 1
Picked this up on strong reccommend from a fellow co-worker as well as Comic Geek Speak. It definitely lived up to my expectations as a very thought provoking read. The story involves a future where the US has going through a civil war. The two sides have agreed to create a DMZ out of NYC which has become a scary hell as a result. An intern Matt finds himself abandoned in NYC with only his camera equiptment, press pass, and survival skills. Writer Brian Wood and artist Riccardo Burchielli use strong post-9/11 overtones as well as striking imagery to shock the reader. This is not for the weak. I found myself highly invested in poor Matt's hellish situation as he descends into a modern Dante's Inferno. I also like how it showed a very positive view of the role of the press in our society. Matt decides to tell the real stories of what is going on in the DMZ outside of war-created propaganda. I definitely reccomend it to those looking for a mind-turning read.

Secret Invasion #1
Prince of Marvel Comics writer Brian Michael Bendis has been given the reigns to this major 2008 event and he delivers! I was swept up in this issue that kicks off an 8 issue arc that involves the Skrull infiltration of Earth. FYI Skrulls are a race of shapeshifters who can also absorb the powers of the person that they imitate. There is no known way to tell who is real and who is not. In the history of the Marvel Universe Skrulls have attempted to take over Earth several times but have been stymied. It looks like this time they might have a shot. The action is definitely kicked off in this issue. My favorite panel has to be the blowing up of the Baxter Building and the arrival of the spaceship full of superhero doppelgangers. Can't wait for the next issue.

What's in My Bag
Books
Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned
Dealing with Difficult People
(look for a review on Thursday, I know, can't wait!)

Comic
The Goon #23

Magazine
Comics Now!

Check Out Count: Crazy

Have a great weekend! Book Slave.