What comic books/graphic novels are you reading at the moment?

[thatollie]

Bought an anthology comic called Gasp, it seems there is only one issue so far.
http://www.comicvine.com/gasp/49-43054/

 

[Connavar]

Im reading Watchmen for the first time and im impressed by Gibbson more than anything so far.

Also i want to rant against DC for canceling my fav monthlies. Frankenstein Agent of Shade which was fun like Hellboy was cancelled and Hellblazer was cancelled. I have only Animal Man,Swamp thing left now.

 

[Pedro Del Mar]

Just finished reading the hardcover deluxe version of Scott Snyder's Severed. Really enjoyed this, and read it cover to cover in one sitting. It's a horror comic and tells the story of a boy in the US who leaves home in 1916 and encounters The Salesman on his travels. The artwork is excellent and it's a gripping story with a couple of unexpected twists and turns. I'd definitely recommend it.
One I wouldn't recommend is what I'm struggling through right now, which is Venom by Rick Remender. The storyline jumps about all over the place, action takes place in locations that are simply unexplained and characters are introduced and dispatched that seem to have no consequence whatsover to the story. I'm two thirds of the way through and will finish it but wouldn't recommend it at all.
Next up is Maus.

 

[Perpetual Man]

Im reading Watchmen for the first time and im impressed by Gibbson more than anything so far.

Also i want to rant against DC for canceling my fav monthlies. Frankenstein Agent of Shade which was fun like Hellboy was cancelled and Hellblazer was cancelled. I have only Animal Man,Swamp thing left now.

Although I have not read it in a while, I have fond memories of Hellblazer and was quite surprised to hear it was being cancelled, especially as it was still selling well, and was the longest running Vertigo title.

It's not the end though - the character is being reintegrated with the DC Universe in the title Constantine, and there was a hint that the Vertigo version might be back at some point. It sounds as though the new title is going to see a revamped younger version.

Crooksy - Maus is stunning, hope you enjoy it.

 

[Pedro Del Mar]

Thanks Perp, it's the complete version and was a birthday present six months ago which I'm only just getting round to. I believe it's a real emotional roller coaster of a read.

 

[Connavar]

Although I have not read it in a while, I have fond memories of Hellblazer and was quite surprised to hear it was being cancelled, especially as it was still selling well, and was the longest running Vertigo title.

It's not the end though - the character is being reintegrated with the DC Universe in the title Constantine, and there was a hint that the Vertigo version might be back at some point. It sounds as though the new title is going to see a revamped younger version.

Crooksy - Maus is stunning, hope you enjoy it.

The character is being reintegrated with DC is the insult to HB fans. HB was mature horror series written by the best genre comics writers. He is being marketed to superhero fans now. It wont be like in the 80s when he was in the horror part of DCU. Younger version isnt the problem, its that you tame him to fit in teen rating.

Its not the end DC will cancel Constantine in the near future and restart the Vertigo series or something. 52 other minor books have been total flop because the fanboys will still read only the big heroes. Animal Man is only surprise hit.

Its not the end because they will see Constantine will become like Jonah Hex series, dismissing the old fans for superhero fans that wont care about him.

Have you seen the reaction? All the brit creators and many american creators are pissed that the series they loved are gone for PG version as Warren Ellis called it.

 

[Perpetual Man]

I can imagine. It just does not seem right.

I don't see why they can't have a DC Universe version running around if they want him, and a separate Vertigo version.

 

[Connavar]

Why they cant have both versions be around is a question every Hellblazer/Constantine fan is wondering. The cynical answer most likely from DC POV is that the classic,famous one will outshine the new one if he is around every month too. He has history,respect the new one wont have.

Lets talk about more positive things like what new comics are you reading right now Perp? I just added Swamp Thing and new minies like Happy, Storm Dogs to my Pull List.

 

[Perpetual Man]

I've cut my regular list right back (but it's started to expand again).

But I'm reading Fables and Fairest from Vertigo; The Boys, Buffy and Faith and Angel, Bloody Mary, a few novel adaptations and Before Watchmen - but not read them yet, they're just sitting there waiting.

I'm also reading Earth 2 from DC and a few bits from Marvel.

 

[Connavar]

I cut down my monthly reads in the summer but thanks to Image/Dark Horse/Dynamite(Garth Ennis) im back to good level i can afford of 11 comics right now. Waiting for new Battlefields from Ennis, new crime of his, the new Hulk by Waid.

Indy: The Walking Dead,Invincible,Fatale,Near Death, Storm Dogs,Happy,BPRD
DC: American Vampire,Animal Man,Swamp Thing
Marvel: Daredevil, Winter Soldier

Im trade reading American Vampire,BPRD and catching up right now.

I have never been this less dependent on DC and Marvel because they cant keep my fav creators or they just cancel my fav comics. Which is good the other publishers are not so dominated by superhero genre and frankly im outgrowing their Big Two as a reader, i want more varied genres. Vertigo is dead almost.

Frankly without Daredevil,Animal Man i dont need their superhero. Swamp Thing only for Rotworld crossover so far.

 

[Perpetual Man]

I think the same is true for me.

The strange thing is I'm not really missing the superheroics month in month out, and find myself enjoying the other material so much more.

 

[Connavar]

I think the same is true for me.

The strange thing is I'm not really missing the superheroics month in month out, and find myself enjoying the other material so much more.

Im a creator groupie really. Reason i read Marvel superhero was to follow Brubaker into Cap,Winter Soldier,DD. Now i follow Waid thanks to DD.

Brubaker is now= Criminals,Fatale. Sean Phillips too. Garth Ennis owns Dynamite to me. Mignola,Francavilla,Brian C Wood in Dark Horse. Kirkman in Image.

I still enjoy a good superhero but without the best creators its frankly too hard to understand MU dominated by Avengers,X-Men.

The good thing is the other publishers is so strong now we have more choice than big two. I buy a new GN every month it seems. Very good time to american,european comics reader

 

[Perpetual Man]

I think, in many ways answering what has been requested for years, is that the big two are tightening continuity, only it is being done in a way that we never really expected.

Virtually all the titles reference things that have happened elsewhere, and especially in the case of Marvel, each year we have a huge crossover event. The days of reading one title and being content with the story is gone. If you want to know what's going on you have to read all that section of the universe, if not more.

With what Marvel has in mind with it's restructuring (Marvel Now as they are calling it), is only going to make it worse. From the looks of things they are integrating everything into a more cohesive universe, with the X-Men fully functioning as members of the Avengers etc.

Meaning that everything will be a fully functioning universe, but by golly you will have to buy an awful lot of titles to follow the crossovers!

I think you have it right, Con, the independent titles are not only where a lot of the 'better' writers are, but they are also not constrained by having a singular universe to work with, or ongoing series.

They can tell the stories they want to and finish them as and when.

 

[Pedro Del Mar]

Half way through Maus. Have to be honest and say I was a little unsure of this due to it being in black and white and the characters being drawn as animals. Now I've read the first half I have to say black and white is perfect and the choice of mice to portray the Jews was simply genius. Never has a graphic novel made me feel such empathy. I've studied European History and I'm quite well read when it comes to WWII but reading Maus really brings home what the Jews went through and it's difficult to put into words it was so terrible.

I can't recommend this highly enough and I'm only halfway.

 

[Perpetual Man]

Glad you're enjoying it Crooksy!

 

[Brazil Banks]

Today I'm picking up Saga #7 (Brian Vaughan/Fiona Staples), Happy #2 (Grant Morrison/Darick Robertson), Revival #2 (Tim Seeley/Mike Norton) and I'll be ordering Great Pacific #1 (Joe Harris/Martin Morazzo). Saga is my absolute favourite at the moment and I'm liking the look of Happy one issue in (no surprise on the movie adaptation).
Not sure about Revival yet - enough there to keep me interested.

And hello.

 

[Pedro Del Mar]

Finished Maus, what an amazing graphic novel. Very touching and emotional. It's unbelievable how you come to view the characters as real people rather than just mice drawn in a book. Incredibly well written.

Now reading The Dark Knight Returns, this is the first Batman I've read since I was about 7 years old (over 30 years ago) so wasn't sure what to expect. It's much better, darker, intense than I was expecting, so looking forward to reading more of it.

 

[Connavar]

Finished Maus, what an amazing graphic novel. Very touching and emotional. It's unbelievable how you come to view the characters as real people rather than just mice drawn in a book. Incredibly well written.

Now reading The Dark Knight Returns, this is the first Batman I've read since I was about 7 years old (over 30 years ago) so wasn't sure what to expect. It's much better, darker, intense than I was expecting, so looking forward to reading more of it.

It was my first Batman story ever when i started reading superhero comics back in 2005. It is quality dystopian, bleak future take on Batman. As SF fan i loved it. You could have choosen much worse than one of the most acclaimed superhero stories ever.

 

[Pedro Del Mar]

Three quarters of the way through, only The Dark Knight Falls to go. Have to say that I thought Hunt The Dark Knight was amazing, couldn't put it down. Was certainly the best part so far. Thinking about doing a straight re-read when I've finished this (should finish it tonight)

 

[Brazil Banks]

Revival is grabbing me, issue by issue. I'm grabbed!
Saga is still a very, very beautiful thing (without doubt the best letters page I've ever read).
All Star Superman has stolen my heart (Frank Quitely is a legend who walks).
Multiple Warheads is very odd and I'm still not sure.
Mind MGMT has me intrigued, beautfil art and a crazy story. Looks promising.
Still haven't got issue 1 of Great Pacific yet (grrr).
And hello?