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Last graphic novel, comic book, manga you read

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  • ClarkDevlinClarkDevlin Martinis, Girls and Guns
    edited April 2016 Posts: 15,423
    chrisisall wrote: »
    I just ordered this:
    mom_cover_1.jpg
    I've never read it before, but it's written by Doug Moench, and that's good enough for me.
    Don't get your hopes up too high on this one, mate. Its biggest flaw is that it's tad too short.
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    BeatlesSansEarmuffs wrote: »
    They've been pretty vague about the impact on their current continuity. Why is it happening? Because starting all over at square one is a proven short term sales boost...and short term profits are all the Powers That Be care about. It's not like they're making enough money off the movies generated by their marquee characters...

    Thanks for the fill in, @BeatlesSansEarmuffs. This is exactly why I don't bother with reading comics these days as they release; if I do read anything, it's always with trades or collections for anniversaries and that sort of thing. DC especially branch a story so thin across so many different books that at times it seems like you need to get a dozen different issues from separate runs just to fully experience a story or see it to its completion. Add to that the 50+ variant covers they do for particular issues and the headache only continues. Such rampant avarice is shocking. I wish they'd hide it better.
  • BeatlesSansEarmuffsBeatlesSansEarmuffs
    edited April 2016 Posts: 3,566
    Rampant avarice is the name of the game these days, @0Brady! And it's not just in the comics field. I'm surprised you hadn't noticed...

    I'm sorry, I'm being a bit snarky here and I don't mean to put it on you. Please be assured that any snark here is directed at the Powers That Be at DC. But let's try to put things into perspective...

    As far as comics are concerned, not only is the tail (revenue brought in from sources outside of publishing comics) not only wagging the dog--the tail is the only reason the dog is still alive! Licensing the characters created by the comics has been far more lucrative than actually publishing the blasted things for decades now. No secret there! In recent years, DC Comics publishing was forcibly relocated from its historic base in New York City out to Southern California, in order for it to be brought more forcibly under the thumb of its corporate parent, Warner Bros. While Marvel's corporate owner (Disney) seems content to pretty much content to let the folks in comics publishing have their own way as long as the creative content keeps generating relatively popular movies (and toys and underoos etc.) the folks at WB have sufficient reason to be less satisfied with their own peons in the four-color field. Now, the reasons for the comparative success of the Avengers franchise when examined next to the lack of same from the Justice League -- and believe-you-me, the absence of a billion dollar Justice League movie is very definitely the elephant that is not in the room in this particular discussion -- should be properly laid at the feet of WB's movie makers rather than those of DC's comics creators. Nonetheless, that's why DC's output seems driven by the bean counters these days while Marvel's seems (barely) to be more creatively controlled.

    My own suggestion for how that should effect your own comics purchasing habits? Follow the creators. A book by Mark Waid is going to be a good read regardless of whether he's doing Daredevil or the Flash or Archie. If you like Brian Michael Bendis' work, then follow him -- he'll deliver the goods regardless of whether he's writing the X-Men or Spider-Man or a property that he owns like Powers. If you want something that pays respect to the rich history of the comics field, while still delivering a satisfying read in its own right, I recommend Kurt Busiek & Brent Anderson's Astro City. (It's got a painted cover by Alex Ross on every issue, and those aren't variants -- you can absolutely judge this book by these covers!)
  • BeatlesSansEarmuffsBeatlesSansEarmuffs
    Posts: 3,566
    ClarkDevlin wrote: »
    chrisisall wrote: »
    I just ordered this:
    mom_cover_1.jpg
    I've never read it before, but it's written by Doug Moench, and that's good enough for me.
    Don't get your hopes up too high on this one, mate. Its biggest flaw is that it's tad too short.

    Isn't that a Russ Heath cover? (Sure looks like Russ' work from here -- but I don't see a signature so maybe I'm wrong.) It's worth owning for that alone...
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    chrisisall wrote: »
    I just ordered this:
    mom_cover_1.jpg
    I've never read it before, but it's written by Doug Moench, and that's good enough for me.

    Doug Moench is a genius. His work on The Planet of the Apes and Moon Knight is unsurpassed.
  • ClarkDevlinClarkDevlin Martinis, Girls and Guns
    Posts: 15,423
    BeatlesSansEarmuffs wrote: »
    ClarkDevlin wrote: »
    chrisisall wrote: »
    I just ordered this:
    mom_cover_1.jpg
    I've never read it before, but it's written by Doug Moench, and that's good enough for me.
    Don't get your hopes up too high on this one, mate. Its biggest flaw is that it's tad too short.

    Isn't that a Russ Heath cover? (Sure looks like Russ' work from here -- but I don't see a signature so maybe I'm wrong.) It's worth owning for that alone...
    Yes, it's Russ Heath. It's a fine looking comic book and all, but the story just doesn't make sense due to its short and prequel-like impression. It seemed like it was supposed to be a prequel to a bigger story (which is what I was told), but the publishers backed away from distributing further entries. The Quasimodo Gambit that came after this has been in the pipeline for six years, which means we have to say Minute of Midnight was their last effort on a Bond comic that left us with a cliffhanger that didn't make much sense.
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    BeatlesSansEarmuffs wrote: »
    Rampant avarice is the name of the game these days, @0Brady! And it's not just in the comics field. I'm surprised you hadn't noticed...

    I'm sorry, I'm being a bit snarky here and I don't mean to put it on you. Please be assured that any snark here is directed at the Powers That Be at DC. But let's try to put things into perspective...

    As far as comics are concerned, not only is the tail (revenue brought in from sources outside of publishing comics) not only wagging the dog--the tail is the only reason the dog is still alive! Licensing the characters created by the comics has been far more lucrative than actually publishing the blasted things for decades now. No secret there! In recent years, DC Comics publishing was forcibly relocated from its historic base in New York City out to Southern California, in order for it to be brought more forcibly under the thumb of its corporate parent, Warner Bros. While Marvel's corporate owner (Disney) seems content to pretty much content to let the folks in comics publishing have their own way as long as the creative content keeps generating relatively popular movies (and toys and underoos etc.) the folks at WB have sufficient reason to be less satisfied with their own peons in the four-color field. Now, the reasons for the comparative success of the Avengers franchise when examined next to the lack of same from the Justice League -- and believe-you-me, the absence of a billion dollar Justice League movie is very definitely the elephant that is not in the room in this particular discussion -- should be properly laid at the feet of WB's movie makers rather than those of DC's comics creators. Nonetheless, that's why DC's output seems driven by the bean counters these days while Marvel's seems (barely) to be more creatively controlled.

    My own suggestion for how that should effect your own comics purchasing habits? Follow the creators. A book by Mark Waid is going to be a good read regardless of whether he's doing Daredevil or the Flash or Archie. If you like Brian Michael Bendis' work, then follow him -- he'll deliver the goods regardless of whether he's writing the X-Men or Spider-Man or a property that he owns like Powers. If you want something that pays respect to the rich history of the comics field, while still delivering a satisfying read in its own right, I recommend Kurt Busiek & Brent Anderson's Astro City. (It's got a painted cover by Alex Ross on every issue, and those aren't variants -- you can absolutely judge this book by these covers!)

    Fantastic post, @BeatlesSansEarmuffs! I love hearing DC higher ups talk about the happy move to California, because I know it was anything but, judging by your words.

    For my comic reading, I am very much creator driven. I've got my select writers and artists I follow, no matter what company they're under or characters they're exploring, just as you said. I especially like one-shots and other comics free of main continuity, because writers get more control and it's just a pain with how the main comics always rely on stupid ploys to get readers, like having the characters forget who they are, or kill them outright before bringing them back when sales bottom out. All the emotional moments that should feel shocking and satisfying for a reader aren't motivated by a creator's desire to sell stories; it's just the quickest way to get that ching ching. The medium could be so much greater than it is right now.
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,789
    Thunderfinger wrote: »
    Doug Moench is a genius. His work on The Planet of the Apes and Moon Knight is unsurpassed.
    What about Master Of Kung Fu? It was so very Bond-like!
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    Never read that.
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,789
    Thunderfinger wrote: »
    Never read that.
    No?? The first 50 issues are amazing. It's a straight up mix of Bondian espionage, Fu Manchu & Kung Fu the TV series (only no white guy playing a Chinese dude). It's my favourite comic series ever! 3540863957_081ea1d601.jpg
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    I love the art style of that, @chrisisall! Very cool.
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,789
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote: »
    I love the art style of that, @chrisisall! Very cool.
    It's my fave... even his earlier stuff on the series:
    0db3016caf9e51ab942e871292f32bd9.jpg
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    edited April 2016 Posts: 28,694
    @chrisisall, just from that page alone, I'm interested. I love the poetic nature of the language in the comic, something you really don't see to that level in the medium, almost on the level of a piece of prized literature. "The birds have retreated from sound into fear," "an explosion of dark birds thrashing upon glaring light;" all of it conveys such beautiful and haunting imagery. The fact that the comic treats women as equally badass as men is just a cherry on the cake.
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,789
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote: »
    @chrisisall, just from that page alone, I'm interested. I love the poetic nature of the language in the comic, something you really don't see to that level in the medium, almost on the level of a piece of prized literature. "The birds have retreated from sound into fear," "an explosion of dark birds thrashing upon glaring light;" all of it conveys such beautiful and haunting imagery. The fact that the comic treats women as equally badass as men is just a cherry on the cake.
    That series fed into my love of Bond, Bruce Lee & Shaolin philosophy.
    If I were rich, I'd PAY REAL MONEY to see it realized in live action!
  • ClarkDevlinClarkDevlin Martinis, Girls and Guns
    Posts: 15,423
    Wasn't the character of Clive Reston in Master of Kung Fu? The one character Marvel tried to make Bond's son but couldn't over copyrights issues? Reston even has Connery's likeness! Oh and then there's Rick Blaine in it too!
  • BondJasonBond006BondJasonBond006 on fb and ajb
    Posts: 9,020
    I haven't read a graphic novel / comic book in a while.
    Life got in the way is my apology :)) I think it's time to browse through my 1500+ comic books and re-read some of the stuff.

    I'm starting with these two: Both belong to my favourites and I'm so happy I got these special editions last year.

    full.jpg
    full.jpg
    full.jpg
    full.jpg
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    Batman Year One is a work of art. I own that very same edition.
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    edited April 2016 Posts: 28,694
    Great picks, @BondJasonBond006, especially Year One. Always one I turn back to for inspiration, whether it's as an artist, a writer or a Batman fan. I've also never read a better Gordon story, and Miller masterfully gives the man his flaws without demeaning his triumphs. A must have book for any Bat-head.

    Have you seen the wonderful DC animated film based on it? It's one of my favorites, and it captures the style of David's work and the entirety of Gotham quite beautifully.
    ClarkDevlin wrote: »
    Wasn't the character of Clive Reston in Master of Kung Fu? The one character Marvel tried to make Bond's son but couldn't over copyrights issues? Reston even has Connery's likeness! Oh and then there's Rick Blaine in it too!

    Wow, WHAT?! @ClarkDevlin, I need visual proof that this thing exists so I can marry it.
  • ClarkDevlinClarkDevlin Martinis, Girls and Guns
    Posts: 15,423
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote: »
    ClarkDevlin wrote: »
    Wasn't the character of Clive Reston in Master of Kung Fu? The one character Marvel tried to make Bond's son but couldn't over copyrights issues? Reston even has Connery's likeness! Oh and then there's Rick Blaine in it too!

    Wow, WHAT?! @ClarkDevlin, I need visual proof that this thing exists so I can marry it.
    @0BradyM0Bondfanatic7: There you go, mate. :D

    http://marvel.wikia.com/wiki/Clive_Reston_(Earth-616)

    http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix/richard.htm
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    edited April 2016 Posts: 28,694
    That's pretty much the coolest thing I've ever seen.

    It seems like the comic is full of characters whose appearance or manner was inspired by famous actors. The man in the far right of this image is very reminiscent to my eyes of Marlon Brando in his Streetcar Named Desire days:
    tumblr_m4fdhaXpUy1qlwb72o1_500.jpg

    The character even has hiked up shoulder sleeves like Brando does in the film:
    marlon-brando.jpg
  • ClarkDevlinClarkDevlin Martinis, Girls and Guns
    Posts: 15,423
    @0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 - The same artist, my all time favourite actually, Paul Gulacy of the Master of Kung Fu fame (who also did the Bond comic Serpent's Tooth with Moench), has done that one Black Widow comic book in the early 80s where exact likenesses of Bogart and Michael Caine were used. Caine's likeness was taken strictly from his Harry Palmer movies. The title to look for is Bizarre Adventures #25, which is an anthology. The first one is Black Widow.

    http://www.gulacy.com/marvel/blackwidow/ba25-blackwidow-story20.jpg

    I know you're a hardcore Batman fan as well, so I also do suggest picking up Batman #393, too, which is done by the same duo (Moench and Gulacy) in a spy thriller spirit.
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    A new beautiful world has just opened up to me. I love when artists use real world figures to draw inspiration from as they're designing the look of certain characters. One of the greatest examples in my mind is the aforementioned Batman: Year One, on which David Mazzucchelli used Gregory Peck as his main reference for Bruce Wayne. Stellar choice, that:

    tumblr_ljgdix8nbn1qcckd5o1_1280.jpg

    gregorypeck.jpg
  • BondJasonBond006BondJasonBond006 on fb and ajb
    Posts: 9,020
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote: »
    A new beautiful world has just opened up to me. I love when artists use real world figures to draw inspiration from as they're designing the look of certain characters. One of the greatest examples in my mind is the aforementioned Batman: Year One, on which David Mazzucchelli used Gregory Peck as his main reference for Bruce Wayne. Stellar choice, that:

    tumblr_ljgdix8nbn1qcckd5o1_1280.jpg

    gregorypeck.jpg

    Year One is definitely in my Top 5 comic books AND animation feature.
    The Catwoman short on the Blu-ray is kind of a PTS to the main feature :) I like that very much.
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,789
    ClarkDevlin wrote: »
    @0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 - The same artist, my all time favourite actually, Paul Gulacy of the Master of Kung Fu fame (who also did the Bond comic Serpent's Tooth with Moench), has done that one Black Widow comic book in the early 80s
    Wow, he's my fave as well. I own pretty much everything he's ever done (that I could find)... even obscure stuff like Sabre.
  • ClarkDevlinClarkDevlin Martinis, Girls and Guns
    Posts: 15,423
    chrisisall wrote: »
    ClarkDevlin wrote: »
    @0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 - The same artist, my all time favourite actually, Paul Gulacy of the Master of Kung Fu fame (who also did the Bond comic Serpent's Tooth with Moench), has done that one Black Widow comic book in the early 80s
    Wow, he's my fave as well. I own pretty much everything he's ever done (that I could find)... even obscure stuff like Sabre.
    Sabre is spectacular!! :-O
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,789
    ClarkDevlin wrote: »
    chrisisall wrote: »
    ClarkDevlin wrote: »
    @0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 - The same artist, my all time favourite actually, Paul Gulacy of the Master of Kung Fu fame (who also did the Bond comic Serpent's Tooth with Moench), has done that one Black Widow comic book in the early 80s
    Wow, he's my fave as well. I own pretty much everything he's ever done (that I could find)... even obscure stuff like Sabre.
    Sabre is spectacular!! :-O
    Last Christmas I got all his work on Star Wars in a hardbound book.
    :D
  • BondJasonBond006BondJasonBond006 on fb and ajb
    Posts: 9,020
    I find it fascinating and totally cool that so many of you James Bond fans are also Batman / DC comics fans!
    For a long time I thought I am a lonely exception to be a die-hard fan of Bond and Batman/JL (and Star Trek)!
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,789
    BondJasonBond006 wrote: »
    I find it fascinating and totally cool that so many of you James Bond fans are also Batman / DC comics fans!
    For a long time I thought I am a lonely exception to be a die-hard fan of Bond and Batman/JL (and Star Trek)!
    Bond is a natural inclusion for those who like superheroes, science fiction and action.
  • ClarkDevlinClarkDevlin Martinis, Girls and Guns
    edited April 2016 Posts: 15,423
    chrisisall wrote: »
    ClarkDevlin wrote: »
    chrisisall wrote: »
    ClarkDevlin wrote: »
    @0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 - The same artist, my all time favourite actually, Paul Gulacy of the Master of Kung Fu fame (who also did the Bond comic Serpent's Tooth with Moench), has done that one Black Widow comic book in the early 80s
    Wow, he's my fave as well. I own pretty much everything he's ever done (that I could find)... even obscure stuff like Sabre.
    Sabre is spectacular!! :-O
    Last Christmas I got all his work on Star Wars in a hardbound book.
    :D
    The Crimson Empire arcs? Congratulations! :D

    I'm assuming you also have Spies, Vixens, and Masters of Kung Fu: The Art of Paul Gulacy? My uncle had it stuffed away and gave it to me a few years ago when he no longer had a place for it to put (Married Life, I guess?).

    Oh, and Chris, if you haven't read it yet, I heavily recommend Time Bomb which is Gulacy's most recent work. A three issue miniseries, but man... if you live sci-fi and spy fiction (oddly enough Gulacy also did a comic called Sci-Spy with Moench), then it's right up your alley!
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,789
    ClarkDevlin wrote: »
    I heavily recommend Time Bomb
    I got the trade of that one.
    ;)
    But I don't have The Art Of Paul Gulacy... I couldn't justify the price as I own most of his stuff anyway. :-?
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