shaxper
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Posts: 22,333
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Post by shaxper on Mar 6, 2016 10:04:55 GMT -5
I read Book 1 of Beanworld. I know this series has been praised on these boards, by Reptisaurus and Pol Rua in particular. And I know general buzz is that this is one of those great iconic comics everybody should read. And yes, Scott McCloud wrote in the introduction of this book that, "Of all the comics being published today, Beanworld is far and away my favorite." Despite all that, I had never read it. And, moreover, I suspect I am not the only one here. Unlike Sandman, which I assume everybody but berk has read, I strongly suspect there are lot of people on these here boards who have never read Beanworld. I think they should rectify that. I have only just begun. I will find be finding Book 2 presently. And I will continue to understand this world. Because while in some sense this first book told 4 complete stories, there are a lot of open questions hanging in the air, like where Professor Garbanzo's experiments with the twins will lead and whether Mr. Spook's fears about the pod-things that have invaded Beanworld prove correct. So onto Book 2... I'm intrigued! |
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Post by wildfire2099 on Mar 6, 2016 10:09:13 GMT -5
That Barbarian Lord book reminds me of Hammer of the Gods.. looks interesting.
I read Cairo a couple weeks ago (before Graphic Novel Week, but hey).. I was very impressed. Wilson puts alot of the heart we see every month in Ms. Marvel and translates it seemlessly into a more real life setting. Of course, there are Genie's and demons, so it's not EXACTLY real life, but the characters could be. My only complaint is it's a little too optimistic and upbeat, but that's something we could use when it comes to the Middle East.
Actually this week, I read Sherlock Holmes: Crime Alleys by Sylvain Cordurié(writer) and Nespolino Alessandro (art). I'm not familiar at all I just picked up it because it's Holmes.. not bad, but nothing that would make me run out to find more of their work.
This functions as a prequel of sorts, with a Holmes that's even more arrogant and condesending than usual, but one who isn't quite as good as he thinks he is yet. He rooms with a young violinist (no Watson) and has a budding relationship with Scotland Yard. On the villain ledger we get a mysterious figure that resembles Mr. Hyde backing Mr. Moriarty and his son, James. Not a terrible story, but not exactly what I look for in a Holmes yarn.
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Post by coke & comics on Mar 6, 2016 13:46:50 GMT -5
I read Book 1 of Beanworld. I know this series has been praised on these boards, by Reptisaurus and Pol Rua in particular. And I know general buzz is that this is one of those great iconic comics everybody should read. And yes, Scott McCloud wrote in the introduction of this book that, "Of all the comics being published today, Beanworld is far and away my favorite." Despite all that, I had never read it. And, moreover, I suspect I am not the only one here. Unlike Sandman, which I assume everybody but berk has read, I strongly suspect there are lot of people on these here boards who have never read Beanworld. I think they should rectify that. I have only just begun. I will find be finding Book 2 presently. And I will continue to understand this world. Because while in some sense this first book told 4 complete stories, there are a lot of open questions hanging in the air, like where Professor Garbanzo's experiments with the twins will lead and whether Mr. Spook's fears about the pod-things that have invaded Beanworld prove correct. So onto Book 2... I'm intrigued! I'll point you to the Christmas writings of Reptisaurus and Pol for more detail than I offered. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 6, 2016 14:43:09 GMT -5
That Barbarian Lord book reminds me of Hammer of the Gods.. looks interesting. I read Hammer of the Gods a while ago (another series I lent out and never got back unfortunately), and of the two, I like Barbarian Lord more. But yeah, they are along the same lines. -M |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 6, 2016 22:09:19 GMT -5
Up next...  Lone Sloane Delerius by Jacques Lob and Philippe Druillet 2015 Titan Books edition/translation of the 1973 original Drulliet's art speaks for itself...  just in case NSFW  This is the second volume in the Lone Sloane cycle where Sloane is enlisted to infiltrate an infamous pleasure planet but has to overcome deceit and betrayal to accomplish his own ends, not his recruiters. Stunning art, thoughtful thematic storytelling, even if the themes are not subtly handled. Worth checking out for Druillet's art alone, but a good read as well. -M |
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shaxper
CCF Site Custodian
Posts: 22,333
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Post by shaxper on Mar 6, 2016 22:11:58 GMT -5
Worth checking out for Druillet's art alone, but a good read as well. I've really been on the fence as to whether or not I need a second Lone Sloan volume in my life. This helps. thanks for the in-depth write up! |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Mar 6, 2016 22:31:34 GMT -5
All told, I had a pretty fun week this year. I mean, I sort of knew what I was expecting when I went in for it this year by tracking down the whole DC Science Fiction Graphic Novel Series, I already had three of the seven books to start with(and I loved them!) and the rest were adaptations of some of the best sci-fi short stories out there by some of the best creators of the 70's and 80's but even knowing that my expectations were blown out of the water. DC Science Fiction Graphic Novel #1 "Hell on Earth" by Robert Bloch Adapted by Robert Loren Fleming Penciled by Kieth Giffen 1985  This a fun mix of horror and sci-fi as two scientists call up a famed horror writer to witness their experiment in which they plan to use science to summon the devil and trap him in a glass container. As one can expect, it doesn't go to plan and the horror writer ends up saving the day because, well he knows horror and insulted the devil like a poorly written character. It's a little bare on plot, but the narration creates a nice mood and Giffen's panel lay outs are just about the best I've seen by him:
 DC Science Fiction Graphic Novel #2 "Nightwings" by Robert Silverberg Adapted by Cary Bates Penciled by Gene Colan Colored by Neal McPheeters 1985  The plot's not incredibly easy to summerize on this one but it deals with three characters gathered on the night of invasion in the far future and explores their personalities and motivations...and once again the art is the star:
 DC Science Fiction Graphic Novel #3 "Frost and Fire" by Ray Bradbury Adapted Klaus Janson 1985  This one is by far my favorite of the lot and what led me to discover the series. For one it's Bradbury and his story about a race of people whose metabolism has been sped up to the point where they are born, age and die in just eight days ship wrecked on a planet of burning heat that scorches all life off the surface and nights that freeze the land is just something phenomenal to think about. The details are sparse so your imagination runs rampant, who are these people? Why did they leave Earth? Why do they live only eight days? Your answer is as good as mine as far as those questions go but that's the fun of it, the lead character doesn't know and neither do you so you're left to figure it out on your own just like he is. It experimental and exciting and the scratchy art by Janson fits it perfectly: 
I'll try and breeze through the rest tomorrow, but before I sign off I'll say this: I'm at a loss as to why DC hasn't tried something like this recently. With the rise of book store sales and the diversification of tastes this kind of project feels like it could do well in today's market. I mean could you imagine today's top talent putting out their favorite classic sci-fi stories(or any genre for that matter?)? I'd kill for say Grant Morrison doing Bradbury and I bet I wouldn't be alone. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2016 1:14:28 GMT -5
And my final selection for the week...  Parker: The Outfit adapted by Darwyn Cooke IDW 2010 I love me some noire and Cooke i one of the best at doing it in comic. His art style fits the era of these books perfectly and his sense of design and choreography in his layouts is near perfection. The simple coloring (almost monchrome) makes it feel like you are watching a classic noir in b&w... Some sample pages...    Fans of noir, Cooke, Parker or just plain good comics should definitely check this out. -M |
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