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Comic & Graphic Novel Pick of the Week
Posted on 9/11/08 at 12:19 am
Posted on 9/11/08 at 12:19 am
Every week I would like to make a couple of accessible recommendations that will hopefully entertain, inform, and expose this dynamic storytelling medium to a wider audience.
Before I make my first picks I feel the need to review a few basic elements and characteristics and not assume a base of knowledge in a form that has been largely relegated to niche outlets and random spin racks.
The term “comic book” is an antiquated term that hardly describes the scope of material that is published today. A more appropriate term for the technique is “sequential art,” a form in which a series of pictures is presented, usually with corresponding text, to tell a story. This form is older than written language itself and relays a range of topics and genres that may include popular fiction, romance, fantasy, history, autobiography, and humor. A majority of American comics are read from left to right, top to bottom, but there are exceptions. As comics are predominantly a visual form, artistic license and interpretation are major components. Currently the most popular genre in American comics is the superhero which has had a long, controversial, and sometimes sordid history. The first comic books were created by magazine and newspaper publishers who put out material in the form of series. Contemporary comics predominately still follow this schedule and are released on a monthly basis. For example, Action Comics, which introduced Superman, has been published consistently every month since April 1938. Unlike magazines, however, most comics have a continuity of characters and storylines. The closest contemporary comparison that can be made is the soap opera or episodic television, and as actors and writers can change, artists and writers can also change, sometimes drastically. Uniquely, many comics and characters are regularly ret-conned or reinvented. Origins, names, settings and history may be radically changed, revised or just simply tweaked.
An erudite and vastly better treatise on this topic is both visually and expertly relayed in Scott McCloud’s 1993 book, Understanding Comics.
Now to the recommendations of the week (finally):
Collection of the Week:
Gotham Central Book One: In the Line of Fire reprints the award winning series’ first storyline set in comic’s most famous city from the street level cop’s point of view. Think of it as Law and Order with a little Heroes thrown into the mix. Writers Ed Brubaker and Greg Rucka create an amazing ensemble work rich in real characters in crisis situations. Exceptional art by Michael Lark only adds to the realism, but at times fails at clearly distinguishing individuals. Overall, this book belongs on any crime or police procedural aficionado’s shelf.
Periodical of the Week:
Jonah Hex #35 features another single issue story of the adventures of the scarred bounty hunter with amazing art by the modern master J.H. Williams III. This series has enjoyed some of the most eclectic and skilled art of any series in memory, and personally, this issue only narrowly rates behind Darwyn Cooke’s issue two months previous. This series is consistently on the top of my read pile and is always well written and expertly drawn.
Next week: Hero's top five essential Graphic Novels.
Before I make my first picks I feel the need to review a few basic elements and characteristics and not assume a base of knowledge in a form that has been largely relegated to niche outlets and random spin racks.
The term “comic book” is an antiquated term that hardly describes the scope of material that is published today. A more appropriate term for the technique is “sequential art,” a form in which a series of pictures is presented, usually with corresponding text, to tell a story. This form is older than written language itself and relays a range of topics and genres that may include popular fiction, romance, fantasy, history, autobiography, and humor. A majority of American comics are read from left to right, top to bottom, but there are exceptions. As comics are predominantly a visual form, artistic license and interpretation are major components. Currently the most popular genre in American comics is the superhero which has had a long, controversial, and sometimes sordid history. The first comic books were created by magazine and newspaper publishers who put out material in the form of series. Contemporary comics predominately still follow this schedule and are released on a monthly basis. For example, Action Comics, which introduced Superman, has been published consistently every month since April 1938. Unlike magazines, however, most comics have a continuity of characters and storylines. The closest contemporary comparison that can be made is the soap opera or episodic television, and as actors and writers can change, artists and writers can also change, sometimes drastically. Uniquely, many comics and characters are regularly ret-conned or reinvented. Origins, names, settings and history may be radically changed, revised or just simply tweaked.
An erudite and vastly better treatise on this topic is both visually and expertly relayed in Scott McCloud’s 1993 book, Understanding Comics.
Now to the recommendations of the week (finally):
Collection of the Week:
Gotham Central Book One: In the Line of Fire reprints the award winning series’ first storyline set in comic’s most famous city from the street level cop’s point of view. Think of it as Law and Order with a little Heroes thrown into the mix. Writers Ed Brubaker and Greg Rucka create an amazing ensemble work rich in real characters in crisis situations. Exceptional art by Michael Lark only adds to the realism, but at times fails at clearly distinguishing individuals. Overall, this book belongs on any crime or police procedural aficionado’s shelf.
Periodical of the Week:
Jonah Hex #35 features another single issue story of the adventures of the scarred bounty hunter with amazing art by the modern master J.H. Williams III. This series has enjoyed some of the most eclectic and skilled art of any series in memory, and personally, this issue only narrowly rates behind Darwyn Cooke’s issue two months previous. This series is consistently on the top of my read pile and is always well written and expertly drawn.
Next week: Hero's top five essential Graphic Novels.
Posted on 9/11/08 at 12:30 am to Hero0831
Good topic, wish I could follow this kind of thread, but right in the middle of catching up on Marvel and starting Preacher.
Posted on 9/11/08 at 12:35 am to Freauxzen
quote:
starting Preacher
Great series! Something so offensive, funny and simultaneously endearing is unique. I was sad to see it end.
We shall see how this thread goes! Your thoughts are more than welcome and encouraged.
Posted on 9/11/08 at 11:26 am to Hero0831
I just started getting back into graphic novels ad mature comics. i hadn't read one in oer 15 years and i went into comic shop on Sherwood for a blast from the past. I was hooked when i walked in. Here is what i am reading:
The Walking Dead - I love zombies (obviously) and this series is so great. Kirkman keeps the zombies old school and focuses on people in a world gone mad.
Preacher - The best series I have ever read. Just wonderful.
The Boys - Garth Ennis wanted to "out-Preacher Preacher" and he did. The story of 5 people who keep the cocky super heroes in line. Super gory and extreme. and Simon Pegg is in it!
The Stand - First comic just came out, and I love Stephen King
Wolverine: Old Man Logan - I really don't like traditional superheroes anymore, but this one interested me. It shoes Wolverine 50 years from now in a word where the heroes are mostly dead and the villians run the USA. Wolvie took a beat down and lost the will to fight ever again, but that will change.
Crossed - Comic by Garth Ennis, issue 0 came out a few weeks ago. Looks to be a gory, apacolyptic story. so far, so good
hope this helps anyone looking for some cool things to read.
The Walking Dead - I love zombies (obviously) and this series is so great. Kirkman keeps the zombies old school and focuses on people in a world gone mad.
Preacher - The best series I have ever read. Just wonderful.
The Boys - Garth Ennis wanted to "out-Preacher Preacher" and he did. The story of 5 people who keep the cocky super heroes in line. Super gory and extreme. and Simon Pegg is in it!
The Stand - First comic just came out, and I love Stephen King
Wolverine: Old Man Logan - I really don't like traditional superheroes anymore, but this one interested me. It shoes Wolverine 50 years from now in a word where the heroes are mostly dead and the villians run the USA. Wolvie took a beat down and lost the will to fight ever again, but that will change.
Crossed - Comic by Garth Ennis, issue 0 came out a few weeks ago. Looks to be a gory, apacolyptic story. so far, so good
hope this helps anyone looking for some cool things to read.
Posted on 9/11/08 at 12:02 pm to Freauxzen
quote:
and starting Preacher
Preacher is probably the best that I have read. I started reading the Fables series. It is really good.
Posted on 9/11/08 at 9:07 pm to MSTiger33
I would highly recommend these
Fables
Y: the Last Man
New X-Men Omnibus
Kingdom Come
The Entire Bendis and Brubaker Daredevil run
Captain America Omnibus - (Just read this and it was even better the second time around)
Fables
Y: the Last Man
New X-Men Omnibus
Kingdom Come
The Entire Bendis and Brubaker Daredevil run
Captain America Omnibus - (Just read this and it was even better the second time around)
Posted on 9/11/08 at 9:37 pm to Freauxzen
Hot Damn a thread about Preacher!
I do not read comics and never had. But this comic geek at work one day got me to read the first Preacher and I got hooked. it's freakign awesome. I know there was talk about makign it a series on HBO but I do not see it now b/c of True Blood.
If you could cast Preacher, who would you choose?
I do not read comics and never had. But this comic geek at work one day got me to read the first Preacher and I got hooked. it's freakign awesome. I know there was talk about makign it a series on HBO but I do not see it now b/c of True Blood.
If you could cast Preacher, who would you choose?
Posted on 9/11/08 at 10:20 pm to Cdawg
I could see the guy that plays Jax on Sons of Anarachy.
Posted on 9/11/08 at 10:53 pm to Hero0831
Graphic novels are comic books. It's just a term that was invented so people wouldn't be embarrassed to buy a comic.
Hey, I still read the occassional comic book. but I don't need to kid myself that it's a graphic novel. Still, it's a good topic. I'm in.
but I'll wait to your graphic novel thread to nitpick your list. I've got my own percolating in my head.
Hey, I still read the occassional comic book. but I don't need to kid myself that it's a graphic novel. Still, it's a good topic. I'm in.
but I'll wait to your graphic novel thread to nitpick your list. I've got my own percolating in my head.
Posted on 9/12/08 at 2:00 am to Baloo
For the record I use the term "graphic novel" to describe a collective narrative and "comic" as an individual issue or periodical. The last thing I want to do is to make this thread so elitist or so insider fanboy that it turns off the casual reader.
Oh, yeah. Feel free to nitpick. The more discourse the better.
Oh, yeah. Feel free to nitpick. The more discourse the better.
Posted on 9/12/08 at 8:20 am to Hero0831
I used to buy Jonah Hex waaaaaaaay back when. I'm talking 30 plus years ago.
It never failed to freak my mother out.
It never failed to freak my mother out.
Posted on 9/12/08 at 1:06 pm to Hero0831
quote:
Preacher
quote:
Great series! Something so offensive, funny and simultaneously endearing is unique. I was sad to see it end.
We shall see how this thread goes! Your thoughts are more than welcome and encouraged.
Agreed. I Loved it.
Posted on 9/12/08 at 1:32 pm to tigermojo
You are practically guaranteed to love the new series.
Jonah Hex: Face Full of Violence
Alternatively, you can reread the stories of the past.
Showcase Presents: Jonah Hex Volume 1
Jonah Hex: Face Full of Violence
Alternatively, you can reread the stories of the past.
Showcase Presents: Jonah Hex Volume 1
Posted on 9/12/08 at 2:21 pm to Hero0831
I totally owned this one. May still have it somewhere.
Posted on 9/12/08 at 2:44 pm to tigermojo
Is Preacher a graphic novel?
I may have to get it, if so, since everyone is raving about it.
But if it's a comic book I don't want to have to bother collecting each individual issue
I may have to get it, if so, since everyone is raving about it.
But if it's a comic book I don't want to have to bother collecting each individual issue
Posted on 9/12/08 at 2:52 pm to Leauxgan
quote:
Is Preacher a graphic novel?
I may have to get it, if so, since everyone is raving about it.
But if it's a comic book I don't want to have to bother collecting each individual issue
it is in a series of 9 graphic novels. i am re-reading it for the third time already, and i got it like 2 months ago
Posted on 9/12/08 at 2:59 pm to Leauxgan
Posted on 9/12/08 at 8:00 pm to jimi311
quote:
Kingdom Come
Agree! Great story, incredible audio book and my hope for a future DC movie.
I'll check out some of the others mentioned.
Posted on 9/13/08 at 1:08 am to haricot rouge
All great picks.
Grant Morrison's run on X-Men would be pretty close to perfect if it wasn't hampered by noticeable art inconsistencies. Too bad Marvel decided to pretty much ignore and ret con everything Morrison created.
Grant Morrison's run on X-Men would be pretty close to perfect if it wasn't hampered by noticeable art inconsistencies. Too bad Marvel decided to pretty much ignore and ret con everything Morrison created.
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