Well this book was clearly not intended for kids. What with all the mutant hunting, discrimination, blasphemy, genocide, child murders, and fear revolWell this book was clearly not intended for kids. What with all the mutant hunting, discrimination, blasphemy, genocide, child murders, and fear revolving all around the texts of this book - it was very crystal that it's not going to be a fun comic read.
X2 - being considered as one of the best comic book movies of all time, was partially based on this book. William Stryker? Yea. He's here and leads some human supremacists in executing mutants, because apparently their fearless leader says they're Satan's tools for armageddon. Even so, fear has clouded mankind and somehow believes the bullshit Stryker spouts.
It's quite a dark read really. But very well written. At times though, some religious lines here and there got a bit too tedious but I still would consider this as one of the topnotch X-Men stories out there....more
Comparing it to the previous volumes, the first one was wildly amusing then the second one had fallen off short. Kick-Ass 3 though, well I can't thinkComparing it to the previous volumes, the first one was wildly amusing then the second one had fallen off short. Kick-Ass 3 though, well I can't think of a better way to end this title as how it did. The fast pacing of the story may have been a little tedious since I like it better when the details are quite clear as to how this one panel came to be, but nevertheless, Millar and Romita Jr. did this final volume of Kick-Ass very well.
For most part of this volume, Hit-Girl's absence to the outside world was an absolute necessity. To make way for Dave's story really. And they did that exactly how I would have preferred it to be. We see Dave being alone and not depending on his supporting character to pull through the whole storyline, this was a nice touch. Our title character being all independent instead of cashing in on Hit-Girl drawing his audiences. For this little nice touch, his story was as compelling as Hit-Girl's is. So bravo to the creators for that.
Heading on to the art style, well it was as consistent as ever since the people behind the art team was the same people from the first book. So I really don't have much to say about it, I probably covered all that from the previous reviews I did about this title.
Overall, it's a great way to end Kick-Ass. So much better than how they tried to wrap things up on that second movie. It sucked by the way. ...more
See there was something magnificent within the simplicity of this book. Everything about Halina Filipina is simple. The plot is simple. The charactersSee there was something magnificent within the simplicity of this book. Everything about Halina Filipina is simple. The plot is simple. The characters are simple. The illustrations are simple. But as I've said, no matter how plain it is. It's not pretentious. And that's where it draws the beauty in it.
Arnold Arre wrote a story about two people who comes from two different worlds and chance allows them to interact and affect each other's lives. It's quite an intimate story of love and friendship with a few hints of patriotism. Actually no, it displays such a wide array of Filipino sentiments and it doesn't even try that hard at doing so. It's very Filipino and at the same time very world-class. The way how this book is being depicted makes it a little foreign with a few familiar values of how Filipinos are. It's endearing and somehow truthful.
I have to say, this is one of the finest Arnold Arre book that I have read, and I'm speaking as a fan of the guy. I've read Martial Law Babies, Trip To Tagaytay, and is on to reading The Mythology Class and After Eden. So far, Halina Filipina tops the bill. It's a touching tale that won't bore you to death but instead would poke and prod your ardent hearts. Pick it up. ...more
**spoiler alert** I think I may have had a different understanding about this title and what it meant to say. In a way, this graphic novel or fable me**spoiler alert** I think I may have had a different understanding about this title and what it meant to say. In a way, this graphic novel or fable meant to tell us a true story. It meant to tell us about freedom and the cost of it. People seem to think that somehow the end justified everything, that since our main characters come out to a world so messed up, death was quite the answer to the freedom they long for. Now like I stated earlier, I see this in a very different light from what the society seems to think of it. As far as I'm concerned, that first shot at the end was uncalled for.
I'd like to think that Brian K. Vaughan meant to give his readers the lesson I seem to have found within the pages of this. Not everything we hear in the media is true. Most of those ate actually fabricated, really. Obviously they're controlled by people in power. As a muslim, I can't help but feel bad about how it went down there in Iraq. For no apparent reason, as clear as the imagery in this title is, you can't go on starting wars and stuff over oil because you feel threatened that this other nation might make you lose control of the economy. I'd like to think that this was the message Vaughan was trying to tell his readers.
Literally, this title is a heartwarming tale of freedom, lost and survival. The progression of story went on so brilliantly that you wouldn't notice you're actually at the end of it. The imagery and metaphoricals Vaughan used in this title somehow made me feel so connected to it, as I speak accordingly to my beliefs. A well written comic. Probably one of the finest ones we have these days.
As for the artwork, it's simply dashing. The art style is consistent and just beautiful. The colors and vibrance appeals to its nature. For the lack of phrasing it in a much more appealing manner, Niko Henrichson accompanied Vaughan's story with an equally well invested art style.
Overall, this book is something I'd end up reading to my kids really and I don't care even if they don't come to age yet. They ought to learn stuff like this while they're young....more
Well in terms of local graphic novels, Trip to Tagaytay is probably one of the finest I have ever read. After reading the whole of it in our school liWell in terms of local graphic novels, Trip to Tagaytay is probably one of the finest I have ever read. After reading the whole of it in our school library, I immediately regretted the decision of passing up on it when I went to Komikon, it literally was in my hand then and had to put it down to get the titles I was mostly anticipated with.
Thing is I did not have the faintest idea on what this title was about. If I did, I would have had it in my priorities of local comic books. Set in a distant dystopian future of the Philippines, Tripto Tagaytay provided a rather meaningful and endearing story of missing someone. In a very much Akira and Blade Runner fashion, it did well as a proper science fiction entry in our local literature. It may be short but it was quite brilliant than most. It had heart and it didn't shy away from depicting true emotions. Arnold Arre made sure that no matter how short this storyline is, it was done brilliantly, written brilliantly, and drawn brilliantly.
After reading it once, the only thing I felt afterwards was that I need to have this book on my personal shelf collection of graphic novels. Yes! Need! This book is a must, and I'm telling you - if you happen to stumble upon it randomly, don't think twice of getting it. Just actually do get it. You'll thank me once you've read it, really....more
Not a lot of books are like this one really. Paolo Giordano certainly left a mark. He knew what to say and knew when to end Beautiful. Beautiful book.
Not a lot of books are like this one really. Paolo Giordano certainly left a mark. He knew what to say and knew when to end it and knew what the best words to use were. In a very brilliant manner, he displayed how beautiful and amazing writing can be and shared it to this world, and most probably the next generation of it.
His writing style was minimal but somehow always hit the mark of what he wants to tell you. His characters were well developed and interesting, even the characters themselves were very minimal in dialogue - I'm looking at you Mattia. His story though, it's a quite a bit of a mess, a beautiful one for that matter. A tragically beautiful ending there where it left me asking questions than answers, somehow though, after a few hours of mulling it over, I decided I didnt need to know them. It was a fitting ending really. A brilliantly written one that ties up everything tragically.
This book is unusual to find really. Like I previously stated, it's a rare written piece of literature with such great chosen words along to tell a very real, very bleak, very compelling story of two people. It's a series of painstaking process really. Right now, I can tell you that you will ask questions without finding any resolutions to them. A series of complexities that will only be a mystery. And it's beautiful in a way where you scratch your head wondering how is this great? Beautiful in a way that it irritates you to wonder about things that you can't find an answer to. Tragically beautiful that it leaves a mark on you. See the thing is, Giordano makes sure you'll remember this book and he certainly did that. With no resolutions whatsoever, he managed to tell you a story you'd invest time reading with a befitting ending that leaves you hanging in there in a writing style so rare to find, the imagery of a scene brilliantly written in words so carefully crafted and chosen.
Simply put, it's an extraordinary book. Pick it up....more
Okay then, for starters, I had a little attention to this book. I mean, it seems like it was going to be a very dragging read and there were the wholeOkay then, for starters, I had a little attention to this book. I mean, it seems like it was going to be a very dragging read and there were the whole intellectual stuff going on. So ultimately, I had to shelf it for sometime, since it looks like it's going to be worksome for my brain to process.
Thing is though, never have I been so wrong. Granted, it was a very informative read and somehow was of a challenge for my brain to be working properly, it was still a graphic novel. It was still entertaining. It was still filled with fun and action and a few little acts of violence here and there even with a little hint of seriousness on its pages.
The Nightly News deals with how media is nowadays. How it tries to be in control of the people and how the appearance that the people is in control when they're actually not. It was a nice touch from Jonathan Hickman and was a little too sensitive of an issue to be tackling about but somehow he managed to put up a very well interesting story around the matter. It's a very brilliant and informative read that somehow opens your eyes to the option of believing that maybe it is actually how the world is nowadays, I mean if we do think about it a lot, we can't practically trust the news now. Most of what we get are information we like to hear, not the truth and frankly it is the truth we need and not the sugarcoated version of it.
Anyway, with that being said, the book itself was great. I'm convinced enough that it could be one of the greatest titles I have ever read. It tackles sensitive issues and human nature. The storytelling was a bit dragging I must say, but never the less astonishing. The artwork was extraordinary, it's fairly new to my eyes in terms of comics and still somehow I managed to appreciate the artistry of it. The illustrations and the colors were none the less brilliant and eye catching. Totally not an eyesore. However sensitive the matter of the plot is, the artwork balances it out into being a little more bright and shiny.
Overall, I'm going to have to give this 5 stars and thank God for Image Comics for these new great titles I get to read now. I cannot wait for the next volume where apparently the lawyers are going to get their asses kicked. ...more
This has got to be one of the finest graphic novels I have ever encountered. I have never seen the film yet and people say it's great aswell. But let'This has got to be one of the finest graphic novels I have ever encountered. I have never seen the film yet and people say it's great aswell. But let's go back to the book first.
Blue is the Warmest Color is one of the most eloquent and poignant graphic novels that I have read. The story itself and the plot that it mainly plays around with is so powerful and tender at the same time. And somehow the author can manage to make you feel connected as the I go further. The characters were well composed and the illustrations were just enough to steer our imaginations. As far as coming-of-age tales told in comic book mediums, I have to say this was done fantastically well. The subtle utilization of the colour blue on the plot has got to be one of the best features this book can offer. It touches prejudice, love, grief and a whole other bunch of emotions as the story gradually progress. Simply put, it really is a warm moving love story that you would expect found less in comic book mediums. There really is not much to say, I guess it's just better if you experience the whole journey with our two characters, Clementine and Emma as they take you for a ride in search for eternal love. Yes?
Living in a city where Marvels - as what the main character calls them, roam around like everything is normal is something I wouldn't dream of living Living in a city where Marvels - as what the main character calls them, roam around like everything is normal is something I wouldn't dream of living in. The way I see it, it's something rather difficult what with how this book serves to send that message.
Marvels puts you in the shoes of a character who's normal and well powerless in a world filled with supers. It gives you the feel of being in that world and shows you how living in that world could be. From where the Marvel universe started up until Gwen Stacy's death, each story is being told in the eyes of Phil Sheldon which was later incorporated the Civil War arc storyline, though Civil War: Frontline is mostly told in Ben Urich's eyes this time. In a way, this was where it all began.
Storywise, the book may be revolutionary in the whole Marvel universe. With it being told in a photojournalist's point of view - everything we read is being told in Phil Sheldon's voice. Essentially, it was something new in a platform that a reader would be used to in reading a Marvel story - atleast in the year where this was first published which would be 1994. The story itself though, needs a little growing into. It starts at a slow pace and then eventually it gets you hooked into this world of theatric spectacles. Which is what I actually look for in a story. It lays out a plan and then gives you a worthy climax where it leads you into an ending that wraps everything up. Basically the book progresses accordingly and leaves you with something to contemplate on. The storytelling Kurt Busiek displayed was none the less brilliant and captivating enough not to make you drop the book you're reading.
Now artistically, likewise to the plot and how it was handled, the art style of Marvels is superb. The strokes for every panel and every drawing was marvellously rewarding. Flicking through them is a hard task for every page is wonderful. Alex Ross gave us an artwork worthy enough to be called as a treasure. The imagery of the world he imagines the Marvel universe would be is artistically relayed on his drawings and rightly delivered for us to stare on.
The beauty of this book is this though. Storywise, it makes us think twice of living in such a world this book lays on the table but with its fantastic artwork it makes you think otherwise and would actually consider living a life in the said world. Notice how ironic everything seems to be?
I don't know whether or not that was the entirety of what this book serves as a message. But personally, this is what I came upon to. I'd say this is one of the finest graphic novels I have laid my eyes on, especially when we're talking about artworks here. Recommending it to everyone would be something ideal. The beauty of each drawing and brilliant storytelling is something worthy enough of your valuable time....more
Brilliant! Simply brilliant! Chicken Tenders was well worth the wait. The storytelling was compelling enoughWell this was all over the place! Hahaha.
Brilliant! Simply brilliant! Chicken Tenders was well worth the wait. The storytelling was compelling enough that I could not even lay it down for a single second. Clearly, with where the whole storyline of Chew is going, this title should be considered as one of the best comic series out there in this era.
The character development for every single character, may that be side-characters just seems to always be a bit of surprise and the depth they all have, God! Thank you John Layman for providing me with these charming and charismatic characters to spend my time with. The epic weirdness and odd storylines were as coercive as it always was since the first volume. I mean really, talk about consistency here love - never ceases to amaze me. The humour was always present and will always be present. And the unfailing persistence of Rob Guillory's fascinating art style was just intense.
After shelving the title for such a long time, I was a bit hesitant on going right back at it again when I finally got it. But man, if I continued waiting, would I have not lost a greatly enjoyable read. Chicken Tenders is a volume that you would never get sick of reading and would read over and over again. The unpredictability of it all is just so glorious. The comical banters and wicked cameos was dazzling. And that Avengers type of climax you get without Tony at the end, that bit against The Collector and all was simply astonishing. And then there's Olive, ain't this pretty little young thing just a peach? Kickass, more like. And Colby man, what the fuck!?
Seriously mate, if you're a fan and have been reading the previous volumes and had to wait a few little months, or years for this to come out. Stop waiting love, don't even try to shelf it. What you should do is read this and then go back again to reading the whole series. It's enjoyable and gratifyingly uncanny, use your time wisely and put it to a much better use like reading Chew all over again and repeat the previous step. ...more
How is it possible that this book can be sad and be hilarious all at the same time?
The Return, a direct sequel to the previous volume of Persepolis isHow is it possible that this book can be sad and be hilarious all at the same time?
The Return, a direct sequel to the previous volume of Persepolis is an exquisite graphic novel that talks about a non fictional story in the life of the author, Marjane Satrapi. The first volume showed us the hurdles and hardships to live in Iran during the 60's where the said country is in the middle of a war. The imagery that previous volume laid out was so real that somehow you can't help but feel every pain and deprivation in Satrapi's words. All the same, you'd end up feeling the euphoric joy when it ends with her escaping the said tribulations, leaving her family for Austria.
This volume though, The Story of a Return, well as how the title says it. This one demonstrates how wretched it is living in a foreign country alone, you know - where every single person is a stranger to you. That even with a war and austerity your homeland could ever provide, it will and always will be your home. Simply it tells us that there is no place like your home. And returning to that may have grant you with unfair trials and dire straits but being under the warmth of your family and friends, you'd always persevere.
In a way, Satrapi's storytelling was brilliantly pulled off. With enough wit and wisdom and a little more humour on to it, I was rendered with one of the most gratifying read ever for a graphic novel. To me it felt like a palpable imagination that is all at the same genuine and authentic. It dances around with drama and comedy and inconspicuous wit. It's probably the most certain gospel I have ever read in the means of a comic. ...more
Just wow. I can't even fathom how intense this volume turned out to be. Brilliant storytelling. Great development. Clearly, the doubts I had from The Just wow. I can't even fathom how intense this volume turned out to be. Brilliant storytelling. Great development. Clearly, the doubts I had from The Great Fables Crossover is swept under the rug as if that didn't actually happen.
The exploitation of Rose Red's character got from the shitty 13th volume somehow got a turntable effect on this one. It's as if this volume was a redo and showed how developed and flourished her character is. She became what I always imagined her to be in this volume, a true leader. The great battle between Frau Totenkinder and The Dark One was epic. It was well done and built up into something monumental. The politics were always as ingenious as it was and well placed. The art style was consistent and homogenous as it always was. This is by far the best volume since I came back to reading this title. That last issue, Fables #100 was so epic and bombastic that even the fun bits of it where celebrities ask questions turned out to be a betterment of the whole volume. This was well thought of, well written, well planned and everything turned out the way I seem to have been imagining it. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't as predictable as I make it sound, for clearly it was exciting and thrilling to read about and see how it all turns out for myself. I assume the next volume will be as astonishing as this one. ...more
Imagine a book with no words at all. No dialogues whatsoever. Where it's all a bunch of brilliant artwork that defines a story. Where dialogues shall Imagine a book with no words at all. No dialogues whatsoever. Where it's all a bunch of brilliant artwork that defines a story. Where dialogues shall be left for your imagination. You know, kind of like the actual opposite of a proper book where dialogues are the groundwork for your imaginations. The Arrival by Shaun Tan, that's what it is.
The Arrival comes in to take you into an experience where it brings something new and exceptional to the means of graphic novels. Shaun Tan literally placed me in awe when I realized this book was a novel told in graphics, not cartoons, but hauntingly stellar and exhilarating graphical art! A wordless story that is very much a like to a silent film. It renders a tale about an immigrant who left his family to try and experience a new world of magical surrealism and well all through that time being away from his wife and daughter, you'd clearly see the pain and suffering he feels in missing the both of them. It's endearing and quite a bit charming. It's an absolute wonder! Its flawless and fantastic narrative flow gives enough imagery to portray a story that it really means to tell. This book is one of them revolutionary graphic novels that I have ever stumbled upon to. Clearly this is one of the best there is out there. Pick it up love, I'm certain you won't regret it....more
So Oppenheimer's reign ends on this one and it ended at such a high note and magnificently at that as well. The whole squabble between the two OppenheSo Oppenheimer's reign ends on this one and it ended at such a high note and magnificently at that as well. The whole squabble between the two Oppenheimer's was such a thrill to read all at the same time with quite a lonely ending for it. It's a bit sad that when finally Robert gets a hold of himself again, things go from shit storm into a bullet in a head. The epic war in no-place was very well executed and thought of. It was a nice experience getting through that. The alien outrage in the reality was also a bit of an adventure. And the whole point of finding who to trust amidst all the inconvenience these characters go through was quite rush.
Brilliant. Brilliant storytelling on Hickman's part and I cannot wait to get on with the next and final volume as it seems. Oh and lastly, that Einstein comeback - I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING! ...more
Gradually the series hits it off on where the previous volume left it and slowly it builds a foothold on the story it wants to tell. Science, Bad showGradually the series hits it off on where the previous volume left it and slowly it builds a foothold on the story it wants to tell. Science, Bad shows us a few little introduction to the characters and the main plot, but in They Rule we see a little more conflict and a little more arguments that may or may not be of help it showing us what the story means to tell. The storytelling is second to none for being brilliant and at the same time honest to all the science stuff. The fiction of it all is quite unclear really, since most of the time it borrows real life events and real life people as how the previous volume used to incorporate and utilize everything into it's story. The art style remains consistent and honest to it's previously laid ground work. The science bits were all well arranged and with a little more flair between conspiracies and secret leaders, it brought this title into a whole new level. Clearly this is getting better the longer you're reading it....more
Okay. So here's the thing, I have been looking forward to reading this book undisturbingly, which is why it took me so long to get to it. But man, wasOkay. So here's the thing, I have been looking forward to reading this book undisturbingly, which is why it took me so long to get to it. But man, was it not worth it?
Seconds is yet another charming tale penned by Bryan O' Malley, it mostly talks about Katie and second chances and cooking. Ha! But seriously, the basic plot of it all is about second chances though I think the title gave that much away already. It follows the life of Katie, a well experienced chef who started her own restaurant with a couple of her friends way back when, but still - she wants to start a second restaurant named after her. Things happen and one became another and shit happens and everything became a mess what with the magic and astrology and witchcraft and mushrooms all over the place. You know, you'll get what I mean once you pick this book up.
Essentially, Seconds is one of the best graphic novels I have ever read due to its poignant storytelling and portic writing style and alternating shifts from humor to dark to emotional genres. It's as if O' Malley is toying us with what to feel. The art style was well consistent for a Bryan O' Malley book. There was that cameo too, one's that only O'Malley fans would see I think. The plot exectuion was gradually displayed within competence and this book somehow managed to deliver a very tender message, atleast to me it did. Looking forward to your next installment O' Malley. ...more
It is safe to assume that this arc made me feel like I was reliving my childhood. It reminded me a lot about those Japanese anime show thatWell shite.
It is safe to assume that this arc made me feel like I was reliving my childhood. It reminded me a lot about those Japanese anime show that I grew up with. Nevertheless, it comes up with it's own identity by not going with the same trope as those former anime shows usually head to. The whole mythology about the Iron Fist is getting more and more compelling the longer you read about it. There's just so much history in it. The tournament of the Seven Heavenly Cities - where all the seven champions of each Heavenly City was epic. It was nice being introduced to each champion and they were all compelling in their own way - to each his own as they say. That last bit though, that was well executed. ...more
Well that has got to be the best story arc of the series. That was just brilliant. Excruciatingly brilliant at that.
Best line out of the title would Well that has got to be the best story arc of the series. That was just brilliant. Excruciatingly brilliant at that.
Best line out of the title would automatically be the summarization of where Jesse Custer and his jolly band of misfits got to. “Isn’t it funny when you think your story’s going one way, and it turns out it was going another way all along?� - and what's amazing about it is well Cassidy delivered that.
Everything made perfect sense in Alamo. It was a great wrap-up to the whole series. Thing is, sometimes wrapping things up for a story ends up being such a pain in the ass and the whole title just goes to waste, but Preacher made sure that Alamo won't fall into that category. Ennis did his best and it resulted into something what a reader like me would precisely be looking for in a satisfying ending. It ends in a very highly regarded note, is what it is. The genius storytelling did not come up short, really. It was well brewed and was just enough. Every piece is exactly right where they're supposed to be. Every bit shines with just the right amount of intensity. Clearly, this volume would straight up go to the best story arcs I have ever read.
Like Fight Club, this one channeled enough machismo into a storyline full of religious matters and friendship and broken promises and love. Now if you ask me, it's very well out of it's circle, but man didn't Garth Ennis made it fit flawlessly. I wouldn't want to spoil the ride you, so I'm really trying hard not to say anything about how this volume goes down. But like how I said it earlier, it sums up into a line somewhere in this volume. - "Isn’t it funny when you think your story’s going one way, and it turns out it was going another way all along?" And I shall leave you at that.
Pick it up mate. I bet you, you wont ever regret it.
PS Cassidy is still my favourite character out of this title. Hahaha. The flaws the he have, man they're almost not fictional. HAHA. ...more
In it's own weird way of storytelling, I fell like Garth Ennis and company prepares me for something that would eventualWell that was just brilliant.
In it's own weird way of storytelling, I fell like Garth Ennis and company prepares me for something that would eventually happen one day. The whole armageddon thing is starting to grow on me. Hahah. I might actually believe that there are some people behind in making the world work the way it does. I mean, yea sure, it's not highly unlikely right? We do have a bunch of documentaries that seems to prove a secret organization like The Grail exists. Clearly, I sound mental. But what the hell, right?
Going back to reviewing this volume, obviously Garth Ennis remained consistent - that or I just gave away five stars to a worthless piece of shit. HAHAH. Seriously though, the plot stays true to the story it wants to tell. Maybe telling people to think outside the box in terms of religious views and stuff like that, I don't know. But this title came off a little bit of an eye-opening for me. It's brilliant, probably one of the best comic book titles ever written. The depth and growth and flaws of every character gets more and more compelling. The artwork is quite extraordinary aswell. It sends the message quite clear in avery detailed representation. I get more and more excited in seeing how this ends though.
Here's to hoping that it ends on a high note. Yea?...more
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