10/09/08
REVIEWS!!
I don’t where to begin. I’m going to try and eschew my more editorial tendencies and just do book reviews this time. I think that’s a start. You see, there are so many points I want to touch on…the Kirkman vs. Bendis debate, my recent foray into mainstream comics, the future of comic book adaptations, how many really good books there are left unread…the list goes on and on. Its difficult for me to delineate because I feel like all of these things are inextricably linked, but I think that reviewing everything I’ve been reading lately (because a lot of it has been really damn good) in short bursts will help. See? Only a little over a hundred words. Not too bad. REVIEWS!!!! IN RYAN’S BEST SHOTGUN STYLE!!!! (Which isn’t saying much).
Locke and Key - HC Graphic Novel
This was a great fantasy horror miniseries by Joe Hill, the lucky recipient of Stephen King’s very talented sperm. Hill’s ability to tell a dark and horrific story without sacrificing heartfelt characterization made this one of the standout horror books of the year. My only gripe is that I don’t know how long I have to wait for the next miniseries.
Northlanders # 9 & 10 Lindisfarne
This Viking comic from Brian Wood has been consistently good, but the last two issues have set the bar for the book. Set in Northern England in A.D. 793, Lindisfarne is about a young Saxon boy who betrays his village to Viking raiders. “I called upon the gods…not the white christ or the saints, but the ones who meant business. The old Germanic ones with terrible names and terrible deeds. The ones who make little kids shake in fear long after the bedtime stories end.” Gotta love stories about kids with more guts than half of Long Beach. Northlanders is an ongoing series, but the arcs are unrelated other than the fact that they have Vikings in them. So the first 8 issues were the story Sven the Returned and the last 2 issues were Lindisfarne. Since Lindisfarne is only 2 issues, has nothing to do with the continuity of the previous arc, and is completely awesome, I would suggest this as a great jumping on point for anybody who might be slightly interested.
Dead Ahead # 1
People who know me understand that I look for good writing in a comic than good art. Art was never a deal maker or breaker for me. It still isn’t a deal maker, but as I read more and more comics, the art is starting to play a heavier role. I used to be, that I would ask myself “If the story wasn’t accompanied by art, would it still be worth reading?” If the answer was no, than I wouldn’t bother reading it. However, the story in Dead Ahead is boring, there are hardly any distinguishable characters or unique situations to speak of. The story standing on its own doesn’t merit recognition amongst the hordes of bland zombie books. Not that its terrible, but its certainly only passing fare, even for a zombie fan (like me). About half way through this issue and odd thing happened. I said “meh” and began to resign myself to putting it on the “already read it” pile, but before I did that, I flipped through it one more time and saw the giant derelict ghost ship bathed in moonlight on the final page and it looked fantastic. I found myself going through the entire thing again, trying to take in as much of the art as possible. I still don’t think I can convince myself to buy a horribly written comic, even if the art is amazing, but I might buy a mediocre one. Typical zombie story + really interesting artwork = Dead Ahead.
Red Mass for Mars # 2
This book isn’t clicking with me as much as PAX Romana or Transhuman, but that’s not to say it isn’t good. I like the blend of sci fi and super hero tropes as well as the chance to read a superhero story without the baggage of continuity.
No Hero # 1
This book is edging itself closer to my “cut” list. Some of us have to budget, and since there’s about five other new books I’d rather read than what seems like the same territory covered in Black Summer…yeah its cut. Ellis can have my money again whenever he gets back to FELL. If all you’re willing to read is super hero stuff, you could certainly do a lot worse.
I Kill Giants # 1,2, & 3
This miniseries by Joe Kelly is shaping up to be one of my favorites for this year. This is exactly the kind of book I love having in my hands in a public place when somebody asks me what I’m reading. “Its this really great story about this young girl named Barbara who is really smart, funny, and imaginative, but something happened to her parents that she’s having a hard time confronting, so she makes up this fantasy world. it’s a good example of how you can tell a dark or sad story in a sweet and humorous way.”
Four Eyes # 1
Do you ever read a really good and unique first issue and imagine the introductions to the collected trades? That’s the feeling that I got after reading Four Eyes. This is another new book from Joe Kelly, who is heading the right way to the pantheon in my heart. That first feeling? That’s the optimistic feeling. The other feeling I got was the pessimistic one where I go “Oh no. Here’s another wonderfully crafted comic that deserves attention, but won’t get it and so it will fade away some time after the third issue leaving me with a big hole in my heart.” I’m not going to say “If you like this…” or “If you read that…” because this deserves more than just a niche audience. This is my “Just trust me and buy it!” book for the month that runs on any credibility I might have mustered. Four Eyes is about a young Italian immigrant boy who becomes involved in underground dragon fights…set in the Great Depression. If I had to do the shallow movie pitch thing I’d say its Reign of Fire by way of the Godfather. Here’s a line from the book, “When it is quiet and everyone has left, I try to talk to my mother. I ask her about dragons, when they became real. I ask why my father died stealing a baby from its mother…I ask if a dragon is going to burn and eat us. She says nothing, but her grip on the envelope tightens. She has changed. Everything has changed.” Its refreshing to have children for main characters. I feel like that’s something rare in comic books, and Kelly is really capitalizing on it. Ok, enough already. Buy the book. There’s no way everything you’ve got on your pull is that interesting.
Phil Hester Triple Header!
Phil Hester is probably best known for his artwork on Big Two books like Green Arrow or the Clerks animated show. BUT!!! The guy can write! In fact he’s writing 3 of my favorite books: Firebreather, Golly, and The Atheist. Funny, usually creators hope that their mainstream audience will discover their creator-owned work, but it takes three creator-owned books by Hester to get me to read his DC book, El Diablo (more on that soon in “Ryan’s foray into mainstream comics”).
Firebreather # 1 & 2
Firebreather is about the teenage son of a human and a giant fucking dragon. Bright and colorful with adolescent dialogue and scenarios that aren’t out of touch, Firebreather seems like Phil Hester and Any Kuhn’s own Invincible. Its also recently been optioned by Cartoon Network so be cool and know all about it before everyone else does.
Golly # 1 & 2
Golly gets my pick for funniest book this month. Featuring possessed beer cans, were boars, and somebody who intimidates an Applebee’s manager with the ability to perpetually vomit, Golly tells the story of a carnival repairman and general all around loser who gets chosen by heaven to fight supernatural forces. Heard it before right? That’s why I mentioned that other stuff first. Hester writes trailer trash carnies better than Rob Zombie could ever hope to, and that’s coming from somebody with moderate experience watching southern white trash on television sometimes.
The Atheist
THIS BOOK HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH RELIGION! Its about a government employed super forensic wiz with major obsessice compulsive tendencies and logical explanations for everything. Imagine Dana Scully, Monk, and Spock combined, but 10 times more badass and 20 times more ruthless. This book was originally over at Image, but has made a new home over at Desperado. There’s a trade collecting the first mini which I highly recommend, as well as a new mini which is currently on its second issue.
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