Graphic Novel/Comic Book Thread

[Gene Parmesan]

Didn't see one in a search I did (though, it's possible I just did a search wrong. Who knows?)

Anyone reading anything good? Kevin Smith just began a new Batman series. Thus far, it's pretty much what you'd expect from a KSmith production: snappy dialogue, clever plot and uniquely Smithian.

This is kind of a lame starting point for a dialogue, but I'd be interested to see if there are any other comic nerds out there.

 

[kokane_muthashed]

I just finished Torso by Brian Michael Bendis. Don't know why it took me so long to finally pick it up and read, it was well worth the night I spent on it. It was in movie development hell (with Fincher attached to direct and Casey Affleck and Matt Damon to star). Paramount let the rights lapse, but I read a link Friday quoting Bendis that the movie wasn't completely dead yet.

For those that don't know, here's the synopsis from wiki:

Torso tells the story of the real life "Torso Murderer", a serial killer who was active during 1934 to 1938. He received his nickname because he left only the torsos of his victims. Without fingerprints or dental records, these victims were very difficult to identify in a time before DNA testing. The investigator on the case was Eliot Ness, Cleveland Safety Director and former head of the Untouchables.

 

[Gene Parmesan]

BMB was tremendous. "Goldfish" was a good series.

Reading "Pax Romana" by Jonathan Hickman now. Not sure how I feel about it as I'm about a third in... It's certainly out there.

Premise per Wiki:
Vatican-backed research has discovered the secret of time travel. With it the Church plans to fix the future by altering the past. They send a warehouse of modern weaponry and enhanced soldiers to Rome in 312AD. Plans change quickly as the cardinal in charge of the mission is shot.

It's certainly out there and, as a Jew, I'm a touch behind with some of the Catholicism terminology.

 

[Piotr Rasputin]

There are no comic book nerds here.

One that I've been pimping for years is the Rising Stars trade paperback collections by J. Michael Straczynski. They're like a cross between Watchmen and Highlander. Just great storytelling. And like Babylon 5, he wrote it with a clear beginning, middle and end.

Other than that, just re-read The Long Halloween Batman one. Also been looking at the Death of Gwen Stacy and Death of Jean DeWolff Spider-Man collections.

I hope Kevin Smith's new Batman is better than All-Star Batman and Robin.

 

[Starman]

 

[Guerrillascribe]

I just read Neil Gaiman's Marvel Universe treatment of "1602." Interesting concept and the story telling was, as is to be expected, top notch. The art was splendid.

I'm going to read Darwyn Cooke's adaptation of "The Hunter" this week. I'm really looking forward to that one.

 

[slappy4428]

I just read Neil Gaiman's Marvel Universe treatment of "1602." Interesting concept and the story telling was, as is to be expected, top notch. The art was splendid.

I'm going to read Darwyn Cooke's adaptation of "The Hunter" this week. I'm really looking forward to that one.

Comic books finally brought you out of the Forest?

 

[outofplace]

There are no comic book nerds here.

One that I've been pimping for years is the Rising Stars trade paperback collections by J. Michael Straczynski. They're like a cross between Watchmen and Highlander. Just great storytelling. And like Babylon 5, he wrote it with a clear beginning, middle and end.

Other than that, just re-read The Long Halloween Batman one. Also been looking at the Death of Gwen Stacy and Death of Jean DeWolff Spider-Man collections.

I hope Kevin Smith's new Batman is better than All-Star Batman and Robin.

I'm going to have to pick up Rising Stars one of these days. I've heard a lot of good things about it before, and the Piotr stamp of approval makes me think it is worth the read.

Which Batman is Smith writing? There are so many series and minis, I lose track.

I don't think we have had a general comics/graphic novels thread. There was a Darkest Night thread, but it sank back a few pages and the BSG/Running Geek Thread has also faded.

DC's Secret Six is still a good read. Dark, nasty and funny, which is pretty much my speed.

Blackest Night is disappointing me so far. Great start, but since then, just meh.

 

[Elliotte Friedman]

I am a comic-book nerd. My wife just laughs at some of the stuff I read.

One caveat: I don't pick up any storyline still running. I HATE waiting. I'll wait until the end and buy the graphic novel.

Batman geek -- but loved the "Red Son" Superman arc. Thought it was a great story.

 

[Cadet]

Speaking of movie development hell, I'm still waiting for "Y: The Last Man" to make it to the screen.

 

[kokane_muthashed]

Speaking of movie development hell, I'm still waiting for "Y: The Last Man" to make it to the screen.

Me too, as long as Shia LaBeouf isn't in it.

I'm about halfway through that series. Need to finish it up at some point.

Also looking at picking up The Walking Dead trades.

 

[outofplace]

LaBeouf supposedly turned it down, though he has said there is still a chance he would be in the movie if it ever happens.

The Walking Dead is supposed to be amazing, but I'm just zombied out (not good not good now that two Marvel books I read are heading into a crossover called "Necrosha")

 

[JayFarrar]

Y: The Last Man is fantastic.
I don't see how it could be one movie. With ten books, how do you condense all that down to one, 90-minute movie?
But, it would be a risk to make it a trilogy, since it isn't exactly a well-known title.

Not a graphic novel, but did anyone catch the Batman: Brave and the Bold musical with Neil Patrick Harris? Utterly fantastic.

 

[outofplace]

Y: The Last Man is fantastic.
I don't see how it could be one movie. With ten books, how do you condense all that down to one, 90-minute movie?
But, it would be a risk to make it a trilogy, since it isn't exactly a well-known title.

Not a graphic novel, but did anyone catch the Batman: Brave and the Bold musical with Neil Patrick Harris? Utterly fantastic.

I completely forgot about it Friday night. I don't normally watch that show, but that seemed like it was going to be great.

 

[Bad Guy Zero]

There are no comic book nerds here.

One that I've been pimping for years is the Rising Stars trade paperback collections by J. Michael Straczynski. They're like a cross between Watchmen and Highlander. Just great storytelling. And like Babylon 5, he wrote it with a clear beginning, middle and end.

Other than that, just re-read The Long Halloween Batman one. Also been looking at the Death of Gwen Stacy and Death of Jean DeWolff Spider-Man collections.

I hope Kevin Smith's new Batman is better than All-Star Batman and Robin.

I picked up a hardcover copy of Death of Gwen Stacy from one of the remainders tables at a local Barnes & Noble. It was either $5.99 or $6.99. Ditto for The Dark Tower Volume One which is worth it just for Jae Lee's illustrations.

 

[outofplace]

The only thing worse than how much money I already spend on this crap is how much I would spend if I had more.

 

[Batman]

Blackest Night is disappointing me so far. Great start, but since then, just meh.

I keep waiting for it to pick up the pace. Seems like it's been going on for six months already -- and it still has another six months to go.
As fun as it is to see Zombie Firestorm turn a girl to salt and rip her heart out, this thing is making the Turtle's origin story look fast-paced.

 

[outofplace]

Blackest Night is disappointing me so far. Great start, but since then, just meh.

I keep waiting for it to pick up the pace. Seems like it's been going on for six months already -- and it still has another six months to go.
As fun as it is to see Zombie Firestorm turn a girl to salt and rip her heart out, this thing is making the Turtle's origin story look fast-paced.

Exactly. This thing could have been cut in half and it would have been better. Not that Dark Reign is any better. I guess DC just raised my expectations too high with Infinite Crisis, which was fantastic. Not to be confused with Final Crisis, which was just Grant Morrison mentally masturbating and calling it genius again.

 

[Gene Parmesan]

Y: The Last Man is fantastic.
I don't see how it could be one movie. With ten books, how do you condense all that down to one, 90-minute movie?
But, it would be a risk to make it a trilogy, since it isn't exactly a well-known title.

Not a graphic novel, but did anyone catch the Batman: Brave and the Bold musical with Neil Patrick Harris? Utterly fantastic.

Y should be a series on HBO starring Adam Brody.

K. Smith is writing "Widening Gyre." Definitely recommend reading this one, but if you must wait.. Wait. I generally take that same philosophy, EF, but sometimes a brotha can't wait.

 

[outofplace]

I read a positive review of Widening Gyre so far. Much of it apparently focuses on Bruce Wayne in a romantic relationship with a woman who knows about his dual identity, so it's right up Smith's alley. I just hope he doesn't end it by having Batman kissing Alfred on the mouth and asking the lady love interest to join them in a three-way.

So, any Marvel fans excited about "Siege?" I'm hopefull, but pessimistic.