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

[JunkMonkey]

A

League of Extraordinary Gentlemen was imaginative and amusing. Brilliant mashing up of seemingly all literature of the period (and other periods) -- a scene on Mars combines War of the Worlds, John Carter and Out of the Silent Planet

...and, let's not forget, Lieutenant Gullivar Jones:

http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/604

 

[Perpetual Man]

It seems to be a while since I last posted, on what I am reading anyway.

Putting aside the major upheaval at Marvel and possibly DC which I'm covering in another thread: http://www.sffchronicles.com/threads/551176/

Southern Bast***ds by Jason's Aaron and Latour. This is a nasty piece of work in the best possible way. Showing life in a small town in the deep South, it is harsh and unrelenting. It also wrong-foots the reader quite nicely, setting you up in the first four issue story arc so as you think you know where it is going only to pull the rug from under your feet. It is most definitely a mature readers title, with violence aplenty and some rather choice language, but it is well written, drawn and engaging.

Birthright - by Joshua Williamson & Andrei Bressan - This is epic fantasy done in comic book format. It might not be as original as all that, but it is done right, with excellent art and engaging story. When a young boy stumbles into another world he discovers that he is the chosen one, come to save the land... yup we've heard it all before, but there is a twist. As is often the case time moves faster on the fantasy side then on ours, so when the lad returns a full grown hero intent on hunting down the wizards who have infiltrated our world, determined to destroy it as they have tried to do their own.

So far so good, but by showing what has happened to the boy's family in the year that has passed on our side we get to see another side to the hero travels from another world. Just what happens to those left behind? So we are toild of the heroes return to our world, at the same time we see in flashback how he grew up into the chosen one. There are some interesting characters, great races and one huge twist...

 

[Perpetual Man]

Finally I meant to add one more series to the above post and ended up spilling orange juice all over my keyboard. It's fate is still undetermined.

Iron Fist: The Living Weapon
By Kaare Kyle Andrews

Iron Fist is one of those characters that does not seem to fit any more. He is often seen and remembered as part of the classic 70's title Power Man and Iron Fist, but as Luke Cage seems to have been able to step away from that image, Iron Fist seems to have been stuck in the past. Despite attempted changes in both costume and character he has always been the Kung Fu hero in green and yellow.

The recent Iron Fist series suddenly changed that slightly by going back to the roots and giving us a Iron Fist that was pretty much the original character, but told in a modern style. But now we have been given a new series that takes it a step further. This is possibly due to writer and artist, Kaare Andrews who has just pulled out all the stops and delivered a story that might be more than just one of the bets Iron Fist stories ever, but comparable to the classic Daredevil storyline Born Again by Frank Miller and David Mazzuchelli.

Thematically there are similarities, but while Born Again felt grounded, this has a feel of the epic about it, stripping Iron Fist down to the basics and rebuilding the character from the ground up. Iron Fist has the standard template for many superhero characters, an orphan millionaire who becomes a superhero.

The story starts with him locked away from the world, his business empire (and building) broken as he contemplates the darkness of his life. But when he is summoned back to the mystical city of K'un Lun, where he grew up, learned his martial arts skills and ultimately gained the mystical iron fist, a series of events is set in motion that will tear him down, break the world he has known and change him profoundly.

By midway point Rand has been reduced to a literally broken figure, stripped of dignity and the iron fist with only two misfits keeping him alive. There are some sublime touches, from Rand's adjustment and retraining, to the introduction of his literal, steampunk, iron fist armour steals the show.

The story is told with a series of flashbacks that reiterate and strengthen the origin of the character, while setting up what promised to be a action packed finale. It even delivers one of those moments where you have to look back through the series after a particular revelation just to see if it stands up. It does.

Ultimately though the strength of the comic comes down to the writing and the artwork, and Andrews has excelled himself delivering something that is fun to read and looks good. It also needs to be said that although a book should not be judged by the cover, Andrews has managed to produce a run of magnificent covers that stand out month after month.

With the title being one of many being brought to an end in Marvel's forthcoming Secret Wars re-organisation event it is good to know there will be no ongoing adventures but a story that is complete in its own right.

 

[Perpetual Man]

I've just read Superman Earth One by J Michael Staczynski and Shane Davis and excellent read. Review here

 

[J Riff]

Foolishly, I sold my Steven comix, and now I can't find them again. Help! No, on second thought - eat paste.

 

[JaimeRetief]

Decided against reading any Ranma1/2 for now. Trying some Nadesico instead.

Ah, I see a fellow weeb, excellent.

I am reading Blame! , although reading is a somewhat strong term for something with so many text free drawings of scenery, Gate and Maoyuu Maou Yuusha.

I am open to recommendations for any cyberpunk or science fiction mangas or light novels that do not involve piloted robots.

 

[JunkMonkey]

Iron Fist: The Living Weapon
By Kaare Kyle Andrews

View attachment 23126

I read that as 'Iron Fish: The Living Weapon' and have visions of a kung-fu goldfish stuck in my head.

 

[Jumbletron]

"Indy Hearts"

A graphic novel memoir of one man's search for peace in 3rd-world Africa.

Here's the trailer:

-Jubal

 

[Christopher Lee]

I'm about to begin the second book in Joe Hill's graphic novel series 'Locke and Key'. Love it so far.

 

[Pedro Del Mar]

Locke and Key has some excellent moments although I wasn't too keen on the ending

Just finished Wytches #5

 

[ratsy]

I haven't finished the first Walking Dead Omnibus yet but I have started the first Saga Graphic novel. My brother knows the artist Fiona Staples, so I wanted to check it out. She is doing the new Archie revamp I guess and her art work is amazing. Saga is very unique and even though it is very strange so far, it is quite good.

 

[Pedro Del Mar]

Rats, Saga's fabulous, I really enjoyed vol 1 and 2 but haven't got round to 3 just yet.

I've just started American Vampire Volume 7

 

[Pedro Del Mar]

Just finished Wytches #6 by Scott Snyder. It was that good I've just sat down and read 1-6 again. It's definitely the best horror comic I've ever read

 

[Perpetual Man]

I've still got 6 to read, now you've said that I'll have to jump it to the top of the pile.

 

[ratsy]

Here is my haul I got this week. I'm reading the TMNT volume 3 first.

 

[thatollie]

Neon Genesis Evangelion: Angelic Days

 

[Pedro Del Mar]

I've still got 6 to read, now you've said that I'll have to jump it to the top of the pile.

Perp, it asked questions and mentioned events from the previous editions which prompted me to read through them. After the re-read several things clicked into place that I hadn't picked up on my original read, so would recommend you do the same if you have the time.

It ends on a fabulous cliff hanger!

 

[HoopyFrood]

I'm down to such a small amount now. I dropped Batwoman, my all time beloved character, cos just urgh, the comic had just turned awful.

I started getting Secret Six by Gail Simone but that's been so delayed and messed up in its scehdule so I'm not even three books in with this yet.

Picked up The Question two parter from Convergence, cos Greg Rucka and an appearance by Batwoman, back in her proper, full glory.

Elektra came to an end but in a way I'm glad cos it's made it a wonderfully tight, well written, beautifullly illustrated collection. So only about twelve books, but at least it ends on a high while it's still perfect.

And just started A-Force from Marvel -- no real knowledge of this Secret Wars stuff, but I can get on board with a comic full of awesome women.

 

[Pedro Del Mar]

Wow! Just caught up on Saga by reading both volumes 3 & 4 today. It's very engrossing. Can't wait for volume 5 later this year. Surprises me how adult some of the themes are. Definitely recommend it, I'd say it's more interesting and absorbing than Y The Last Man

 

[Last Action Hero]

I am currently reading 'The Gamer'. It's a manga/webcomic.
It is a good read if you like short manga. Recommended.