The Comic Book (Ahem ... Graphic Novel) Thread

[ReX]

I'm currently reading Über ...

Alas, my library coop doesn't have this collection. I believe they will acquire it if enough patrons request it. [As I am a volunteer computer tutor at the library, and know the staff, they may purchase the work. Alternatively, they could do an inter-library loan (ILL).]

On a related note, the library coop does have The Wicked + The Divine by the same author. It looks very interesting (although a bit theological & philosophical).

Another series I recently read through is Mice Templar.

Yes, that does look excellent. My library coop only has Volume I: The Prophesy. I am always reluctant to start reading something to which I know I might not be able to read the continuation. Maybe it's be available through ILL.

Michael Oeming is an excellent artist, and he worked with Brian Michael Bendis on a superlative series know as Powers. This is another take on the super-hero genre, but with MUCH darker undertones. Christian Walker is the classic, square-jawed (ex) super-hero with a complex past, and his (initially) naive partner Deena Pilgrim is a rookie who hardens very quickly. The plots and situations are imaginative, with plenty of intrigue and murder thrown in. ["How can one murder a super-hero?" you ask. Well, Bendis can answer your question.]

On a related note, I read the available volumes of Mouse Guard, and I'm waiting for new stuff (but, sadly, it does not seem forthcoming). The art is lush, the story-telling is top-notch, and the character development is marvelous.

Pretty much anything Brian K Vaughn releases.

I couldn't agree more. I loved Y: The Last Man so much that I went out and bought the collected volumes. I loved Ex Machina, but with most works that have such a grand theme, the ending disappointed. I have read the first 3 volumes of Saga, and it appears as if my library coop just acquired Vol. 5, which was published in collected form a couple of months ago. I'm off to request Vols. 4 & 5

[ReX]

Previous:
Transmetropolitan by Warren Ellis & Darrick Robertson. Published by DC Comics, 1997-2002.
If you like political thrillers set in a none-too-distant future, and the protagonist is an in-your-face, middle-finger-always-up kind of guy, then this series of books is for you. Ellis is an excellent writer, who has contributed to the excellent Hellblazer series, and has also dabbled in non-fiction (Crécy. Robertson is a co-creator of Transmetropolitan, and his art is flawless.

Previous:
Rex Mundi by Arvid Nelson & Juan Ferreyra. Published by Image Comics (2003-2006) & Dark Horse Comics (2006-2009).
This series, set in an alternative Earth that is much like our own, is about the search for the mythic Holy Grail. The big difference between our Earth and that of the books, is that magic exists, and it has been used to shape history and society. The books are magnificently illustrated, and the story-telling is superb. Unfortunately, I was not enamored of the ending (which is sometimes weak when the canvas on which a story is being told is so grand).

[GooberMan]

Mental note: Finish reading DMZ, and finally start on Preacher before the show launches.

[ReX]

Preacher

Previous:
Preacher by Garth Ennis, Steve Dillon, Glenn Fabry. Published by Vertigo, Hard-Cover 2009-2014.
This is another story about an absentee God, and the supernatural forces that vie for domination in the absence of the Deity Prime. Jesse Custer, the protagonist, is possessed by one such supernatural force, and kicks ass in Texas and all points in-between New York & San Francisco. The character that steals the show, in my opinion, is Jesse's "sidekick" Cassidy. This is a complex, flawed, and ultimately redeemed character. As with other theological (fiction) books that I have read, the resolution & conclusion leaves something to be desired. Still, a recommended read.

[ReX]

Current:
Mike's Place by Jack Baxter, Joshua Faudem, and Koren Shadmi. Published by First Second (June 9, 2015)
This is a poignant, and surprisingly uplifting, story of the suicide bombing at a bar in Tel Aviv in 2003. The story, told in black & white illustrations, deals with the events leading up to, and the aftermath of, the devastation caused by the first-ever suicide bombing inside Israel carried out by foreign nationals (the perpetrators were British). Baxter is an American filmmaker & freelance journalist, and Joshua Faudem is an American-Israeli documentary filmmaker. They are the central characters in the book, and were also directly impacted by the bombing. Despite the two of them not being story-tellers in the strict sense, they have developed the book in a wonderfully dramatic manner, with fleshed out characters. Koren Shadmi's art is expressive and occasionally stark, juxtaposing the party spirit of the Mike's Place "family" and the somber mood of the bombers & organizers.

[GooberMan]

I might check that out.

Interesting thing, walking around Tel Aviv. You walk past burnt-out husks occasionally (the Dolphinarium being the most blatantly obvious still standing). But the people are chill as fuck, and it's really rather clean - I could walk around barefoot, which I can't do in Helsinki thanks to people breaking glass everywhere. Of course, trashing the place when you're surrounded by people who have been in the army and current soldiers on- and off- duty with their rifles isn't the wisest idea.

[ReX]

Previous:
100 Bullets by Brian Azzarello & Eduardo Risso. Published by Vertigo [Deluxe Editions from 2011 to 2013]
What drew me in to this series was the art, but what kept me hooked was the story-telling. The series begins with an unusual premise but grows into a tale of a centuries-old conspiracy where a societal "balance" is maintained by shadowy, self-appointed guardians. The main characters form The Minutemen, the enforcers for The Trust (the shadowy king-makers). There's plenty of drama, intrigue, action (bordering on occasional brutality), and pathos. Risso's art is spectacular, with clean lines and rich colors. I liked everything about the series up until the conclusion. I believe the problem with epic works is that the climaxes are usually let-downs. Still, this is highly-recommended.

[ReX]

Recent:
Caliban by Garth Ennis & Facundo Pericio. Published by Avatar Press, February 26, 2015
This story takes place aboard a mining vessel that encounters an alien vessel in warp space, and inexplicably "intersects" with it. Gradually, the crew uncovers the secrets of the abandoned alien vessel. Too late, they discover the reason the alien ship is abandoned. Rivaling the psychological and visceral terror of Alien, this is a compelling read, and Garth Ennis does not disappoint. Facundo Pericio's art complements Ennis' writing, and covers the gamut of view from close-ups that show the fear on people's faces to the panoramic shots of the two merged vessels in space. This is a compact work, self-contained in one volume. An enjoyable way to spend an hour or so.

Recent:
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, Adapted & Illustrated by P. Craig Russell, Illustrated by various. Published by Harper Collins; Reprint edition September 8, 2015
Based on the Newberry Medal-winning book by Neil Gaiman, this illustrated adaptation is both faithful to the original and has an expanded interpretation of it. The story-telling is top-notch, of course, but the art truly excels. It appears to be in an art nouveau style, and is richly evocative of a bygone era (apt, as the graveyard is stuck in time). There are several illustrators, but their styles are (for the most part) seamless. If there is one thing I might complain about is the explicit manner in which Silas is depicted; the original book only hinted as to what Silas was. Nonetheless, this is a comic book well-worth your time to read.

Previous:
Crécy by Warren Ellis & Raulo Caceres. Published by Avatar Press; First Edition August 9, 2007.
This is the story of the rout of the French army by the vastly outnumbered English army during the military engagement known as the Battle of Crécy in 1346. It is told from the point of view of William of Stonham, a foul-mouthed xenophobe who is a long-bowman of peasant English stock. In characteristic Warren Ellis style, the story is told with an acerbic wit. Raulo Carceres' black & white illustrations are dynamic and reveal the horror of medieval warfare with a brutal clarity; the concept of chivalry did not extend to the battlefield. For those interested in history, this is a concise account of the encounter, with a fairly decent background on the reasons leading up to the event.

[Naniyue]

Radical Dreamer.

Couldn't find a good all-encompassing link, so . . .

Originally released in a neat unfolding color poster format. Don't forget to get issue 0!
Later redone in traditional format in black and white. Pretty cheap to acquire.

[BFG]

I am currently collecting all the comics by Action Labs Danger Zone

[ReX]

[Apologies for the bump; however, I figured it was better to continue in an existing thread.]

Recent:
Delilah Dirk and the Turkish Lieutenant, by Tony Cliff. Published by First Second; Second Printing edition (August 27, 2013)
This lushly illustrated, whimsical, and witty comic book is set in 19th Century Istanbul and environs. It is a swash-buckling tale of derring-do and adventure (very much in the spirit of Tintin), dialog with a rapier wit, and excellent principal characters. And the main character (if the book's title didn't give it away) is a woman. Despite its 178 pages, you'll likely read it at one sitting. I did.
[EDIT: Here is an example of the art.]

[Next on my list: Delilah Dirk and the King's Shilling.]

Recent:
The Fadeout, Vol 1.
The Fadeout, Vol 2.
The Fadeout, Vol 3., by Ed Brubaker. Published by Image Comics (February 25, 2015 to February 23, 2016)
This is quintessential noir story-telling. Set in Hollywood in the 1950s, it tells the tale of a young script writer emotionally damaged in World War II, who finds himself in the middle of a murder-masquerading-as-a-suicide situation. Full of the glamour of 1950s Hollywood, it also has the seamy undertones of the Communist witch-hunts of the period, as well as the debauchery that often accompanies wealth and power. Plenty of action, well-crafted characters, and great art.

Recent:
Fall of the House of Usher, by Edgar Allen Poe, Adapted by Matt Manning, Illustrated by Jim Jimenz. Published by Stone Arch Books (November 1, 2014)
This is a graphic adaptation of Poe's classic, complete with crumbling mansion as backdrop, creeping madness, and all-around spookiness. It's a short read, but it vividly sheds light into one of America's foremost writers of the macabre.

[Next up: The Murders in the Rue Morgue.]

[Hipnotic Rogue]

Just got my 2000 AD Christmas issue. Since this issue is for the month rather than just a week it's got 100 pages in it. Feels like Chrimbo has come early.

I haven't had a proper chance to spend any time with it but after a quick glance it's looking good. The Judge Dredd story in particular looks darkly cool.

That Fall of the House of Usher seems cool. I think I'll check it out.

[ReX]

Recent:
Delilah Dirk and the King's Shilling, by Tony Cliff. Published by First Second (March 8, 2016)
Another fine comic book by Tony Cliff, continuing the adventures of Delilah Dirk and Erdemoğlu Selim (the eponymous Turkish Lieutenant). This time, the action is set in Portugal before moving to Merrie Old England. The action is characteristically frenetic, and this time there is a worthy adversary (in the person of Jason Merrick) - smart, ruthless, treacherous, influential; in other words, not someone to be trifled with. Yet, with her characteristic élan, Delilah Dirk proves to be an excellent foil to the dastardly Maj. Merrick. The writing is superlative, and the art is very good. You'll note that I didn't rave about the art as much as I did with that of Delilah Dirk and the Turkish Lieutenant. This is because the art of King's Shilling seems like it was a draft, with not-quite-clean lines, and less vibrant colors. Still, the level of detail is excellent. Highly recommended.