This year sees quite possibly the most big screen adaptations of comic book characters and/or stories in history, with five separate films based on works from three different publishers. We've come a long way since Arnold Schwarzenegger punned his way through Batman & Robin, that's for sure. But the night is darkest right before the dawn, and all that.
With so much coming at your face all at once, I have compiled a handy guide to get you through the year, and to get me through the next five minutes. Enjoy!
Monday, 28 March 2011
Thursday, 24 March 2011
The Weekly Trade #18
You tell yourself you're not gonna buy anything this week, and then...
Time Bomb (softcover)
Written by Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray; art by Paul Gulacy; published by Radical Publishing.
I wasn't actually expecting this to come out until later in the year, but I was pleasantly surprised. A time-travel adventure from two great writers.
Luthor (hardcover)
Written by Brian Azzarello; art by Lee Bremejo; published by DC Comics.
I originally bought this mini-series when it was collected in softcover under the title Lex Luthor: Man of Steel, but it was so damn good that I thought it deserved the hardcover treatment.
Just about two more weeks til Kapow!
Time Bomb (softcover)
Written by Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray; art by Paul Gulacy; published by Radical Publishing.
I wasn't actually expecting this to come out until later in the year, but I was pleasantly surprised. A time-travel adventure from two great writers.
Luthor (hardcover)
Written by Brian Azzarello; art by Lee Bremejo; published by DC Comics.
I originally bought this mini-series when it was collected in softcover under the title Lex Luthor: Man of Steel, but it was so damn good that I thought it deserved the hardcover treatment.
Just about two more weeks til Kapow!
Wednesday, 23 March 2011
Joker (Classic Review)
Originally released in 2008.
Writer: Brian Azzarello
A couple of years back, Azzarello and Bermejo brought us the Lex Luthor: Man of Steel mini-series, telling the infamous villain's side of the story and turning him into a deep and relatable character. In 2008, the year of The Dark Knight, they tried something similar with this OGN, simply titled Joker, safely set in its own little continuity bubble.
It is difficult to judge a story that focuses on the character of the Joker. In another OGN, Arkham Asylum, Grant Morrison wrote future Batman writers something of a "get out of jail free" card when it comes to the Clown Prince of Crime. According to Morrison, the Joker was constantly reinventing himself -- goofy trickster one minute, nihilistic murderer the next, and so on -- which sort of leaves room for multiple interpretations of him.
Perhaps to evade some of the responsibility of writing such a sociopath, Azzarello chose to tell the story from the point of view of an original character. Jonny Frost appears at first to be the usual ever-loyal henchman, eager to attach himself to the Joker for personal gain, but underneath he is in fact the usual philosopher-criminal who thinks he's got it all worked out. As with anyone who spends enough time with the Joker, he soon finds out how wrong he is.
Writer: Brian AzzarelloArtist: Lee Bermejo
Publisher: DC Comics
Collects: Original graphic novelA couple of years back, Azzarello and Bermejo brought us the Lex Luthor: Man of Steel mini-series, telling the infamous villain's side of the story and turning him into a deep and relatable character. In 2008, the year of The Dark Knight, they tried something similar with this OGN, simply titled Joker, safely set in its own little continuity bubble.
It is difficult to judge a story that focuses on the character of the Joker. In another OGN, Arkham Asylum, Grant Morrison wrote future Batman writers something of a "get out of jail free" card when it comes to the Clown Prince of Crime. According to Morrison, the Joker was constantly reinventing himself -- goofy trickster one minute, nihilistic murderer the next, and so on -- which sort of leaves room for multiple interpretations of him.
Perhaps to evade some of the responsibility of writing such a sociopath, Azzarello chose to tell the story from the point of view of an original character. Jonny Frost appears at first to be the usual ever-loyal henchman, eager to attach himself to the Joker for personal gain, but underneath he is in fact the usual philosopher-criminal who thinks he's got it all worked out. As with anyone who spends enough time with the Joker, he soon finds out how wrong he is.
Monday, 21 March 2011
Thunderbolts: Cage (Review)
Writer: Jeff ParkerArtist: Kev Walker
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Collects: Thunderbolts #144-147; material from "Enter the Heroic Age"The great thing about only being a casual reader of Marvel is that I have no idea who half the characters are in most stories. I go in blind, ready to discover their personalities and nuances, and be wowed by some new hero or villain. A good writer can appeal to readers such as me; showing us why these characters are so long-lasting without simply referring to their pre-established reputations.
And Jeff Parker is a good writer.
Compared somewhat unfairly to DC's Secret Six, which I love, I was attracted to the idea of a team of Marvel villains working under the supervision of Luke Cage. I was further lured in by the aforementioned exciting opportunity to get to know new characters (aside from Cage and Crossbones, whom I were already familiar with). Plus, everybody loves a good villain story. You know you do.
Thursday, 17 March 2011
The Weekly Trade #17
Trying to save up for Kapow! in London next month. Trying.
Nevetheless...
Justice League of America: Dark Things (hardcover)
Written by James Robinson; art by Mark Bagley; published by DC Comics.
I'm trying to get into Robinson's JLA, but if this volume doesn't cut it, I'm dropping it like its temperature exceeds safe parameters.
Thunderbolts: Cage (softcover)
Written by Jeff Parker; art by Kev Walker; published by Marvel Comics.
Like a clever field mouse, I waited til this came out in paperback. But I'm sure it'll be grand.
Just a "one-two" punch from the Big Two this week. Carry on trying.
Nevetheless...
Justice League of America: Dark Things (hardcover)
Written by James Robinson; art by Mark Bagley; published by DC Comics.
I'm trying to get into Robinson's JLA, but if this volume doesn't cut it, I'm dropping it like its temperature exceeds safe parameters.
Thunderbolts: Cage (softcover)
Written by Jeff Parker; art by Kev Walker; published by Marvel Comics.
Like a clever field mouse, I waited til this came out in paperback. But I'm sure it'll be grand.
Just a "one-two" punch from the Big Two this week. Carry on trying.
Wednesday, 16 March 2011
Thor: The Mighty Avenger, Volume Two (Review)
Writer: Roger LangridgePublisher: Marvel Comics
Collects: Journey into Mystery #85-86; Thor: TMA #5-8
Although the tragically premature death of this series means a few sub-plots were left unresolved -- the identity of the person or persons who captured Thor, why Thor was sent to Earth, what (if anything) Loki was up to -- the only thing that was really important, the relationship between Thor and Jane, sees a happy end.
Thursday, 10 March 2011
The Weekly Trade #16
Beep... Beep... BEEEEEEEEEP!
Here's what I bought this week with my birthday money.
The Starman Omnibus, Volume Two (hardcover)
Written by James Robinson; art by Tony Harris, et al; published by DC Comics.
Slowly working my way through this incredible series from the '90s. I'll have it finished by the time Robinson gets around to that Shade mini-series. Heh.
All-Star Superman, Volume Two (softcover)
Written by Grant Morrison; art by Frank Quitely; published by DC Comics.
I read the first volume of this critically-acclaimed series some time ago and only just got around to buying the second. To be honest, I don't find it as incredible as others seem to, but it's still a damn good read.
Thor: The Mighty Avenger, Volume Two (softcover)
Written by Roger Langridge; art by Chris Samnee; published by Marvel Comics.
Lotta volume twos this week. This is the last collecion of a wonderful little series, and I look forward to enjoying it.
Pale Horse (softcover)
Written by Andrew Cosby and Michael Alan Nelson; art by Christian Dibari; published by BOOM! Studios.
I do love me a good Western, and this tale of an ex-slave on the run from the law for a crime he didn't comit sounds good.
I'm 24, by the way. That... That was the joke in the opening line... 24? Get it? Nevermind.
Here's what I bought this week with my birthday money.
The Starman Omnibus, Volume Two (hardcover)
Written by James Robinson; art by Tony Harris, et al; published by DC Comics.
Slowly working my way through this incredible series from the '90s. I'll have it finished by the time Robinson gets around to that Shade mini-series. Heh.
All-Star Superman, Volume Two (softcover)
Written by Grant Morrison; art by Frank Quitely; published by DC Comics.
I read the first volume of this critically-acclaimed series some time ago and only just got around to buying the second. To be honest, I don't find it as incredible as others seem to, but it's still a damn good read.
Thor: The Mighty Avenger, Volume Two (softcover)
Written by Roger Langridge; art by Chris Samnee; published by Marvel Comics.
Lotta volume twos this week. This is the last collecion of a wonderful little series, and I look forward to enjoying it.
Pale Horse (softcover)
Written by Andrew Cosby and Michael Alan Nelson; art by Christian Dibari; published by BOOM! Studios.
I do love me a good Western, and this tale of an ex-slave on the run from the law for a crime he didn't comit sounds good.
I'm 24, by the way. That... That was the joke in the opening line... 24? Get it? Nevermind.
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