Merry Madwoman of Marvel

Hello true believers,
The unending scorching days of summer continue. There's no end in sight! I find myself hanging out in libraries, coffee shops, and books stores not just to be surrounded by books, but to soak up the A.C. Alas it's been hard to finish a great many books. I've noticed that my reading has definitely slowed. Is there a difference between summer and winter here? Is that it? Perhaps so. Well hopefully anyone reading out there can empathize here. Or maybe I need to be slapped around. We'll see.
Either way Onward!

Reviews
Essential Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 1
This volume collects the first 20 issues of The Amazing Spider-Man. One of the first major hit series for Marvel these comics established what is known as "the marvel style." I enjoyed a lot of things about these issues: the villains, art, and action. However I still found the style very difficult to deal with. Every damn panel has a word balloon, and there are never less than 5 panels per page. That silver age style of writing is really hard to slog through and I will admit to skimming. What I found the most enjoyable was how the voice of author Stan Lee so often came through on the page. Here's an example:

"Know Something Little Friend? If you're just starting to read this story, we envy you! Because you're gonna have a ball!"

Yes it's heavy on the exclamation points but it really made me excited to find out what would happen. There's a lot of self deprecating humor. I love it when they call themselves the "Merry Madmen of Marvel." I also have to say that I really enjoy how the stories are a mix of the fantastic and the mundane. We see Peter Parker fighting Doc Octopus and worrying about where the money for Aunt May's medicine is gonna come from. Spider-Man is a super hero and an everyday teen.
Here's a clip of Stan Lee explaining this mixture:


So for classic comic reading I found it pretty fun. Although I will say that the dated style is difficult. Perhaps those looking for a re-telling of this should look to the Ultimate Spider-Man series which I enjoyed.

What's In My Bag
Books
Downsize This!
Uncanny X-Men: God Loves Man Kills

Comic
Secret Invasion #4

Magazine
Film Comment

Comic Pull List: Daredevil #109, Jokers Asylum Scarecrow #1, New Avengers #43, Superman #678, Trinity #8, Uncanny X-Men #500
Check Out Count: Diversifying.

Well have an excellent week! 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.

A Marvelous Weekend

Hello blog-o-sphere,
I actually had a pretty awesome fun-filled weekend. As a film nerd this weekend was like heaven. Academy Awards! Anyway I did manage to fit in some reading like I promised you all.

Reviews
Marvels
Like Kingdom Come, this original graphic novel is a deconstruction of comics, comics readers, and how we react to superheroes. Ross and Busiek show major events of the Marvel Universe through the eyes of photographer Phil Sheldon. Sheldon, and through him us, has a front-hand seat from the emergence of the Human Torch (who later became Johnny Storm of the Fantastic Four) to the death of Gwen Stacy. Sheldon laments that even though "the Marvels" are continuously heroic they are always hated by the humans they save. This is an amazing metaphor for how our society builds up heroes only to tear them down. Ross's art is iconic and amazing. It blows you away in panel after panel. I also love the Spider-Man cover. Do not miss this book.

Runaways #29
Finally a new Runaways comic! It has been so long since the last new book that I had completely forgot what was going on. I also think that Whedon has too. I will say that I was completely lost. However I did love the scenes involving the torture of Sister Grimm. I am convinced that she is the strongest member of the group and is meant to be their leader. Her grim determination as she told the Witchbreaker to bring it on was awesome. Otherwise I am so ready for this arc to be over. Whedon get them back to present!

Thor #1
I have never been a Thor fan, however I had heard that this new series was great. So I decided to check it out and it was pretty awesome. I have had major problems with JMS lately but he was spot on perfect here. Surprisingly half of the issue is a heavy discussion between Thor and Donald Blake that was very well written and interesting. Favorite line:"It is not for the gods to decide whether or not Man exists--It is for Man to decide whether or not the gods exist." I'll be checking out this series.

Reading List
Plays
Coast of Utopia Vol. 2

Comic
Countdown to Final Crisis #11

Magazine
Entertainment Weekly

Book
Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao

Checkout Count: 48

Have a great week! Book Slave.