Hey folks,
How are you? It's been a very family oriented week as we kick off the holidays. Gentle readers I'm throwing out a small plea: Don't trample people in the name of cheap buys. Instead head down to your local bookstore and buy some books this year. Reading is good. Books can last a lifetime. Can you say the same thing about a $100 HDTV? Not necessarily. I'm just saying. Anyway Onward!
Reviews
Northlanders Vol. 1
This book is awesome. I never thought that writer Brian Wood, known for DMZ and Local, would do a series about Vikings. So I hesitated taking this series on but now I wish I'd been reading it since the beginning. This series begins with Sven returning to his kingdom which he's been exiled from to take on his evil Uncle. This isn't a new premise, but Wood throws us a curve. Sven actually accepts the idea that he has to earn the right to rule. Sven is obviously meant to be on a "heroes journey" but with a medieval brutality. This series is incredibly violent and the art reflects that. Artist Davide Gianfelice lends an original look and page layout to this series. The coloring and violence is very in-your-face. That exactly reflects the subject matter and tone that Wood writes in. These vikings are brutal and visceral. I can't wait for the next volume.
Other Reviews
i love rob liefeld|Comics Should Be Good|Pop Syndicate
Essex County 2 & 3
After reading Vol. 1 I had to check out the rest of the trilogy. Writer/Artist Jeff Lemire finished up the last of the series this fall so I read vol. 2 & 3 back to back. These books feature interlocking characters in the fictional world of Essex County, Canada. Each book features stories full of loss and regret. I have this to say: If these books don't effect you then you don't have a soul. Lemire creates an amazing group of realistic human characters who will break your heart. In my opinion the best book of the trilogy is Volume 2 subtitled Ghost Stories. It begins with 2 brothers, Lou and Vincent who end up playing hockey in Toronto. Lou, the older brother, loves Toronto and playing hockey, whereas his brother Vincent is intent on going back to the family farm. Is Lou selfish for wanting his independence? Perhaps, but it's realistic and creates a wedge between the brothers that lasts 30 years. This story is juxtaposed with Lou's present story where he is isolated and lost. He has gone deaf but his mind is still just as sharp. Lemire blurs the past and the present storyline in such a way that the reader can become as unsure as Lou is. These books should not be missed. They are masterpieces of the original graphic novel genre.
Past Review
Essex County 1
The Reading List
Magazines
Newsweek
Comics
Trinity #26
Books
In Our Time
Loser's Guide to Life and Love
Check Out Count: Heavy Loaded.
Comic Pull List:Batman #682, Criminal 2 #7, New Avengers #47, Secret Invasion #8, Trinity #27
Have a great week! Book Slave.
Showing posts with label Essex County. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Essex County. Show all posts
2008-12-02
2008-06-03
Time of Decadence, the Famine is Over!
Hello,
The world is bright and I am again financially solvent. Thank you US Treasury (byway of China) for stimulating my bank account. Perhaps now I will be financially responsible and hold off on buying every book I see. Then again maybe not.
Onward to the breach!
Reviews
Essex County 1: Tales from the Farm
This award winning graphic novel flew in way under the radar. This is an original graphic novel about an orphan who comes to live with his uncle on the farm. He likes comic books and befriends a local could've been hockey star. While some scenes were very emotionally affecting I felt a bit let down by the story. Perhaps I was expecting more of a climax, but got something closer to reality. I will say the art in hand drawn black and white was beautiful and full of indelible images.
Green Arrow: Year One
I've been "waiting for the trade" on this mini-series since it ran last year. The "Year One" series has always delivered in bringing insight into the well known origin stories of their main characters. This book is no exception. I enjoyed seeing the evolution of drunken playboy jerk to modern day Robin Hood. The other draw here was the incredible work of British artist Jock whom I had enjoyed in The Losers. His pencils/coloring give us a mix of washed out greens and sharp details. It's hard to describe but it goes beyond the usual art. Also the splash pages are amazing.
What's In My Bag
Books
Assassination Vacation
Quiet, Please
Comics
Goon #22
Magazine
Four Four Two
Check Out Count: Embarassing!
Have an excellent week! I will see you in the space between spaces. Book Slave.
The world is bright and I am again financially solvent. Thank you US Treasury (byway of China) for stimulating my bank account. Perhaps now I will be financially responsible and hold off on buying every book I see. Then again maybe not.
Onward to the breach!
Reviews
Essex County 1: Tales from the Farm
This award winning graphic novel flew in way under the radar. This is an original graphic novel about an orphan who comes to live with his uncle on the farm. He likes comic books and befriends a local could've been hockey star. While some scenes were very emotionally affecting I felt a bit let down by the story. Perhaps I was expecting more of a climax, but got something closer to reality. I will say the art in hand drawn black and white was beautiful and full of indelible images.
Green Arrow: Year One
I've been "waiting for the trade" on this mini-series since it ran last year. The "Year One" series has always delivered in bringing insight into the well known origin stories of their main characters. This book is no exception. I enjoyed seeing the evolution of drunken playboy jerk to modern day Robin Hood. The other draw here was the incredible work of British artist Jock whom I had enjoyed in The Losers. His pencils/coloring give us a mix of washed out greens and sharp details. It's hard to describe but it goes beyond the usual art. Also the splash pages are amazing.
What's In My Bag
Books
Assassination Vacation
Quiet, Please
Comics
Goon #22
Magazine
Four Four Two
Check Out Count: Embarassing!
Have an excellent week! I will see you in the space between spaces. Book Slave.
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