Hello All,
I hope that you are all having a great fall. The temps here have dropped. It's jacket & scarf weather, which I absolutely loved. Well let's get to it eh?
Onward!
Reviews
Preacher Vol. 1
I have been waiting to re-read this series until this hard cover appeared. Preacher follows the journey of Jesse Custer, a former minister who has been given the "voice of god." Along with ex-girl friend Tulip and a vampire named Cassidy he is sent to search for God on earth. Yep this is that kind of book. Not for the weak or religious writer Ennis & artist Steve Dillon are able to discuss serious matters with outrageous humor. At times the art can be beautiful and grotesque, much like religion itself. Ennis is a bold writer. He takes no prisoners. This reader is definitely along for the ride.
Other Reviews
When Falls the Coliseum
Comic Info: Preacher
The Hunter
Darwyn Cooke brings his wonderful retro-style to this Donald Westlake classic. Parker is relentless in exacting revenge after he's screwed over by his partners on a job. Cooke stays true to the story. It is refreshing that he doesn't hold back. His Parker hits women and kills anyone in his way with no smug quippy hipness about him. Also Cooke is such a strong artist that often he can carry the story just from the panels. This book is amazing. Read it. Read it now.
Other Reviews
comics comics | Musings of a Bookish Kitty | Washington Post
The Reading List
Books
Arkham Asylum
Battlefields: Battle of the Night Witches
Magazine
Four Four Two
Comic
GI Joe Special: Cobra #1
Check Out Count: Creeping up.
Comic Pull List: Amazing Spider-Man #608, Batman And Robin #5, Buffy The Vampire Slayer #29, Criminal Sinners #1, Daredevil #501, Deadpool #16, Justice League Cry For Justice #4, Superman World Of New Krypton #8, Sweet Tooth #2
Have a great week! Book Slave.
Showing posts with label Darwyn Cooke. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Darwyn Cooke. Show all posts
2009-10-06
2008-06-24
Bad Words and Villians
Hello all those out there!
Yes the summer continues on. Yesterday was my birthday...and I am old. However my family knows me well and nearly half of my gifts were books. There was one particular title that I think deserved special attention. That title is The Librarian's Passionate Knight and here is the cover:
Awesome eh? Oh it gets better. When one opens this classic they will discover that someone has scratched out all the "hells" "Gods" etc. Here's an example:
Now mind you all the sex and romance are firmly intact. Thank god someone has saved me from those "bad" words. Somewhere I hope George Carlin is laughing.
Anyway Onward!
Reviews
Wanted
I had heard about this series before but the upcoming movie release moved me to pick it up. This 6 issue miniseries was created by Mark Millar and drawn by JG Jones. The main character is a young man named Wesley Gibson. Gibson is an office drone who finds himself stymied by his mundane life. His mundanity is shattered when he discovers that he is part of a secret world of supervillains who are really running things behind the scenes. He is trained to become an amoral villain known as The Killer by The Fox and The Professor. The undercurrent of social commentary reminded me a lot of Fight Club, however I think that Millar is more intent on spinning around the classic Heroes Journey. In Wanted we are watching the development of a villain and Millar does not hold back. It is difficult to root for a protagonist who revels in murder and extreme violence. Gibson is set up as the lesser of two evils as he goes up against the inhuman Rictor. Although really I found myself questioning whether I cared about Gibson as a character and frankly I didn't. So what's left then? Well I will say that the art is amazing. The cover in which Gibson emerges in his Supervillain costume is just cool as hell. I also enjoyed the clever satire that Millar has thrown, whereas many characters are represent comic icons. I do recommend this to those who are interested in a crazy, dark, messed up comics. Anyone else needs to watch out. This book is not for the weak.
Catwoman: Selina's Big Score
I absolutely adore Darwyn Cooke. As much as I may like realistic, dark, grim comics, a book like this is just a wonderful read. In this story Selina Kyle, also known as the burglar Catwoman, puts together a major heist. In order to pull it off she pulls together a team that includes former lover/mentor Stark whom she has a complicated past. This book is written with a 1950s-60s crime noir. It's funny and cool, reflecting Cooke's sensibilities. Even though the main protagonist is a thief I still found myself rooting for her which is to Cooke's credit. This is a fun read.
What's In My Bag
Books
Assassination Vacation
Then We Came to the End
Magazine
Entertainment Weekly
Comics
Amazing Spider-Man #560
Checkout Count: Under Control. I hope.
Have a great week! Book Slave.
Yes the summer continues on. Yesterday was my birthday...and I am old. However my family knows me well and nearly half of my gifts were books. There was one particular title that I think deserved special attention. That title is The Librarian's Passionate Knight and here is the cover:
Awesome eh? Oh it gets better. When one opens this classic they will discover that someone has scratched out all the "hells" "Gods" etc. Here's an example:
Now mind you all the sex and romance are firmly intact. Thank god someone has saved me from those "bad" words. Somewhere I hope George Carlin is laughing.
Anyway Onward!
Reviews
Wanted
I had heard about this series before but the upcoming movie release moved me to pick it up. This 6 issue miniseries was created by Mark Millar and drawn by JG Jones. The main character is a young man named Wesley Gibson. Gibson is an office drone who finds himself stymied by his mundane life. His mundanity is shattered when he discovers that he is part of a secret world of supervillains who are really running things behind the scenes. He is trained to become an amoral villain known as The Killer by The Fox and The Professor. The undercurrent of social commentary reminded me a lot of Fight Club, however I think that Millar is more intent on spinning around the classic Heroes Journey. In Wanted we are watching the development of a villain and Millar does not hold back. It is difficult to root for a protagonist who revels in murder and extreme violence. Gibson is set up as the lesser of two evils as he goes up against the inhuman Rictor. Although really I found myself questioning whether I cared about Gibson as a character and frankly I didn't. So what's left then? Well I will say that the art is amazing. The cover in which Gibson emerges in his Supervillain costume is just cool as hell. I also enjoyed the clever satire that Millar has thrown, whereas many characters are represent comic icons. I do recommend this to those who are interested in a crazy, dark, messed up comics. Anyone else needs to watch out. This book is not for the weak.
Catwoman: Selina's Big Score
I absolutely adore Darwyn Cooke. As much as I may like realistic, dark, grim comics, a book like this is just a wonderful read. In this story Selina Kyle, also known as the burglar Catwoman, puts together a major heist. In order to pull it off she pulls together a team that includes former lover/mentor Stark whom she has a complicated past. This book is written with a 1950s-60s crime noir. It's funny and cool, reflecting Cooke's sensibilities. Even though the main protagonist is a thief I still found myself rooting for her which is to Cooke's credit. This is a fun read.
What's In My Bag
Books
Assassination Vacation
Then We Came to the End
Magazine
Entertainment Weekly
Comics
Amazing Spider-Man #560
Checkout Count: Under Control. I hope.
Have a great week! Book Slave.
2008-03-25
Victorian Weirdness
Hello Out There In Cyberland,
A beautiful weather week attached to an overall poor Easter weekend. Thank god for books and cyberspace! Speaking of, This week a review here for an actual fiction book. Wonder of Wonders! Great Hera's Ghost! Insert exclamatory cliche! Anyway Enjoy!
Reviews
The Somnabulist
In this supernatural mystery that takes place in the Victorian era, a magician/detective uncovers a conspiracy that may be true or a complete fantasy. The story begins to read like a Pynchon novel as strange character combines with crazy conspiracy. This reader became tired of the lack of plausible connections between characters and events. An unreliable narrator didn't add to things. While I enjoyed the Lemony Snicket snarkiness of the narrative voice I also wonder if it's a case of too many tricks, and too much cleverness. However I did enjoy characters such as Thomas Cribb and the crazy "Prefects" as they emerged near the end. I only recommend it to anyone who likes Victorian era weirdness.
Wolverine #62 and #63
These are the first two books in the Get Mystique story arc. Now I have never been a Wolverine reader, however I've heard awesome things about new writer Jason Aaron. He is best known for the independent series Scalped, which I plan to get to soon. This comic is awesome. I highly enjoy the cat and mouse play between Wolverine and Mystique as they chase/evade each other throughout the Middle East. Mystique has a lot of great tricks up her sleeve, my fave being her disguise as a nun. However many times Wolverine gets shot though he just keeps coming. In very Lost-like fashion we also get some insight into the first meeting between Mystic and Wolvy in 1921. Yes they go back that far. I highly recommend this as a jumping on point since you really don't need to know continuity to keep up.
Justice League: The New Frontier Special #1
This fun comic is a great showcase for the writing of Darwyn Cook and art of J. Bone. Written and Drawn in classic 50s style we get three stories for $4.99. I have to say I enjoyed the opening page to best. In an Introduction by Rip Hunter, Cook tells the audience (through Rip Hunter, Time Master) to just read the story and enjoy it. "Who cares What world we're on?" he says in response to Continuity hounds and I love it! I also enjoyed the Wonder Woman/Black Canary story where they try to liberate a Playboy strip club. It is self-referential and hilarious. J. Bone's art is also amazing fun.
What's In My Bag
Books
Jumper
Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
Comics
Buffy Season 8 #12
Magazine
Entertainment Weekly
Check Out Count: Far too high!
Have a great week! I'll be at the World Horror Convention on Thursday. Maybe I'll see you there. Book Slave
A beautiful weather week attached to an overall poor Easter weekend. Thank god for books and cyberspace! Speaking of, This week a review here for an actual fiction book. Wonder of Wonders! Great Hera's Ghost! Insert exclamatory cliche! Anyway Enjoy!
Reviews
The Somnabulist
In this supernatural mystery that takes place in the Victorian era, a magician/detective uncovers a conspiracy that may be true or a complete fantasy. The story begins to read like a Pynchon novel as strange character combines with crazy conspiracy. This reader became tired of the lack of plausible connections between characters and events. An unreliable narrator didn't add to things. While I enjoyed the Lemony Snicket snarkiness of the narrative voice I also wonder if it's a case of too many tricks, and too much cleverness. However I did enjoy characters such as Thomas Cribb and the crazy "Prefects" as they emerged near the end. I only recommend it to anyone who likes Victorian era weirdness.
Wolverine #62 and #63
These are the first two books in the Get Mystique story arc. Now I have never been a Wolverine reader, however I've heard awesome things about new writer Jason Aaron. He is best known for the independent series Scalped, which I plan to get to soon. This comic is awesome. I highly enjoy the cat and mouse play between Wolverine and Mystique as they chase/evade each other throughout the Middle East. Mystique has a lot of great tricks up her sleeve, my fave being her disguise as a nun. However many times Wolverine gets shot though he just keeps coming. In very Lost-like fashion we also get some insight into the first meeting between Mystic and Wolvy in 1921. Yes they go back that far. I highly recommend this as a jumping on point since you really don't need to know continuity to keep up.
Justice League: The New Frontier Special #1
This fun comic is a great showcase for the writing of Darwyn Cook and art of J. Bone. Written and Drawn in classic 50s style we get three stories for $4.99. I have to say I enjoyed the opening page to best. In an Introduction by Rip Hunter, Cook tells the audience (through Rip Hunter, Time Master) to just read the story and enjoy it. "Who cares What world we're on?" he says in response to Continuity hounds and I love it! I also enjoyed the Wonder Woman/Black Canary story where they try to liberate a Playboy strip club. It is self-referential and hilarious. J. Bone's art is also amazing fun.
What's In My Bag
Books
Jumper
Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
Comics
Buffy Season 8 #12
Magazine
Entertainment Weekly
Check Out Count: Far too high!
Have a great week! I'll be at the World Horror Convention on Thursday. Maybe I'll see you there. Book Slave
2008-03-18
Hello cyberworld,
How are you? After 4 days off in a row you'd think I'd have more read, but unfortunately other projects beckoned. However I do have some reviews for you. So Enjoy!
Reviews
Scott Pilgrim #3
This is such a fun book! It's unique and funny. This book involves Scott and his former flame Envy Adams. Adams is a great satire on bitchy pop stars, who are lost in their celebrity image. The story of Envy and Scott is a clear step toward more mature writing from O'Malley. Of course Scott has to fight another Ex-Boyfriend in order to win Ramona, but we also get to see the awesome fighting skills of Knives Chau. Highly Enjoyable.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight, Volume 2: No Future For You
This story arc is a collection of issues #6-11. Technically not yet out in a trade paperback, but it is only a matter of time so I grouped it together. I think that the greatest strength of this arc is the amazing writing of Brian K. Vaughn. Rather than Buffy, the main character in this story is Faith. Under cover to assassinate a rogue debutante slayer, Faith continues to be morally conflicted. She is the one sent in to do the dirty work and it is psychologically wearing her down. Vaughn mixes her grey morality with a need for redemption. I'm a sucker for redemption stories.
The Spirit #12
I know this is old but I am just catching up. I loved this issue. Darwyn Cook has revived an amazing series. Cook has brought in a romanticism to this final issue of his run. This tale tells the story of Denny Colt and Sand Serif, the childhood love that got away. The story spins a heady mix of lovers who are thrown together but ultimately cannot emotionally be together. Denny will always try to save her no matter how much she pushes him away. I loved it. And the art is amazing from J. Bone.
The Spirit #13
Now on the other hand I was very dissapointed in this holiday special. Half the time I had no idea what was going on. Although I will say that the woman with the tiger was pretty cool. Unfortunately we only got an 11 page story. The rest of the comic was a reprint of an old Denny O'Neill comic. Not to say that I don't like Denny O'Neill, but without a context or any investment I was lost. I'd have rather had a full issue.
What's In My Bag
Book
Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
The Somnabulist
Magazine
Comics Now!
Comic
Captain America #35
Checkout Count: 48
Have a great week! Book Slave
How are you? After 4 days off in a row you'd think I'd have more read, but unfortunately other projects beckoned. However I do have some reviews for you. So Enjoy!
Reviews
Scott Pilgrim #3
This is such a fun book! It's unique and funny. This book involves Scott and his former flame Envy Adams. Adams is a great satire on bitchy pop stars, who are lost in their celebrity image. The story of Envy and Scott is a clear step toward more mature writing from O'Malley. Of course Scott has to fight another Ex-Boyfriend in order to win Ramona, but we also get to see the awesome fighting skills of Knives Chau. Highly Enjoyable.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight, Volume 2: No Future For You
This story arc is a collection of issues #6-11. Technically not yet out in a trade paperback, but it is only a matter of time so I grouped it together. I think that the greatest strength of this arc is the amazing writing of Brian K. Vaughn. Rather than Buffy, the main character in this story is Faith. Under cover to assassinate a rogue debutante slayer, Faith continues to be morally conflicted. She is the one sent in to do the dirty work and it is psychologically wearing her down. Vaughn mixes her grey morality with a need for redemption. I'm a sucker for redemption stories.
The Spirit #12
I know this is old but I am just catching up. I loved this issue. Darwyn Cook has revived an amazing series. Cook has brought in a romanticism to this final issue of his run. This tale tells the story of Denny Colt and Sand Serif, the childhood love that got away. The story spins a heady mix of lovers who are thrown together but ultimately cannot emotionally be together. Denny will always try to save her no matter how much she pushes him away. I loved it. And the art is amazing from J. Bone.
The Spirit #13
Now on the other hand I was very dissapointed in this holiday special. Half the time I had no idea what was going on. Although I will say that the woman with the tiger was pretty cool. Unfortunately we only got an 11 page story. The rest of the comic was a reprint of an old Denny O'Neill comic. Not to say that I don't like Denny O'Neill, but without a context or any investment I was lost. I'd have rather had a full issue.
What's In My Bag
Book
Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
The Somnabulist
Magazine
Comics Now!
Comic
Captain America #35
Checkout Count: 48
Have a great week! Book Slave
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