Whoa... this is FUN!! I am no Marvel expert and have absolutely no idea how this fits into Marvel continuity or anything like that, but I am definitelWhoa... this is FUN!! I am no Marvel expert and have absolutely no idea how this fits into Marvel continuity or anything like that, but I am definitely enjoying myself. As far as updated origin stories go, I don't think it gets much better than this. I mean, Miles Morales must be one of the greatest teen characters in superhero history: his attitudes, the way he talks, his facial expressions - it's all spot-on. Bendis took a close look at Lee's original run, shuffled things around a bit, turned a few screws... and voila, we have a Spider-Man story that feels contemporary, relevant, fresh, lively, sweet, and works for all ages - no easy feat! I already ordered volumes 2 and 3 in my library.
Merged review:
Whoa... this is FUN!! I am no Marvel expert and have absolutely no idea how this fits into Marvel continuity or anything like that, but I am definitely enjoying myself. As far as updated origin stories go, I don't think it gets much better than this. I mean, Miles Morales must be one of the greatest teen characters in superhero history: his attitudes, the way he talks, his facial expressions - it's all spot-on. Bendis took a close look at Lee's original run, shuffled things around a bit, turned a few screws... and voila, we have a Spider-Man story that feels contemporary, relevant, fresh, lively, sweet, and works for all ages - no easy feat! I already ordered volumes 2 and 3 in my library....more
Mildly entertaining homage to / parody of the hypermasculine-redeemer archetype, America's favorite hero concept from the pulps to superhero comics toMildly entertaining homage to / parody of the hypermasculine-redeemer archetype, America's favorite hero concept from the pulps to superhero comics to western movies (our hero's name is Shane) to the worst 80s action flicks to your typical video fighting game... Not bad but I feel this book could use more bite, especially considering our planet currently does not fare all that well with hypermasculine-redeemer types.
If you are looking for a more politically relevant (and still more ridiculous) pastiche of 80s action schlock, I recommend you check out the terrifyingly heroic world of Benjamin Marra: /review/show......more
This second volume delivers some of the most memorable short stories of the series (feat. nanotech consciousness downloads; human culture reservationsThis second volume delivers some of the most memorable short stories of the series (feat. nanotech consciousness downloads; human culture reservations; people awaking from cryogenic freezing to a hostile future: “Fuck off back to your freezers!�), as Ellis and Robertson are firing on all cylinders. It may not be perfect, but it’s the kind of wild ride that doesn’t have to be. The one thing that actually bothers me is the story’s underlying macho ethos: “How do you know I can’t kill you by staring hard?� Then again, this macho ethos probably allowed the series to succeed in an industry obsessed with superheroes. ...more
Investigative journalism at its best! Jane Mayer's meticulously researched book takes a close look at a crucially important topic that is largely beinInvestigative journalism at its best! Jane Mayer's meticulously researched book takes a close look at a crucially important topic that is largely being ignored by the mainstream media: the fact that a few rather secretive (American, not Russian) billionaires are in the process of hijacking American democracy for their own selfish ends. Essential reading for anybody who has been wondering what the FUCK is going on....more
Not as deep as I've come to expect from Brubaker, but too sharp and compelling as a genre exercise for anything less than 3.5 stars.Not as deep as I've come to expect from Brubaker, but too sharp and compelling as a genre exercise for anything less than 3.5 stars....more
Lemire and Smallwood make the most of what Marvel's "Moon Man" has to offer, exploring complex topics such as identity and mental illness while still Lemire and Smallwood make the most of what Marvel's "Moon Man" has to offer, exploring complex topics such as identity and mental illness while still playing by the rules of the genre. The story ultimately isn't all that deep, but it manages to make a few valid points ("Is this real? All I know for sure is that the rain feels real as it hits our face. Real enough, anyway. And that's good enough for us.") and is generally well-conceived and -executed. Not essential Lemire, perhaps, but pretty darn good superhero fare!...more
Brubaker and Phillips continue their merciless in-depth examination of the good ol' vigilante concept, and the result is an increasingly twisted littlBrubaker and Phillips continue their merciless in-depth examination of the good ol' vigilante concept, and the result is an increasingly twisted little page-turner of a comic book that walks the line between idealism and madness to more and more absorbing effect. Can't wait until my library gets the next volume!...more
"What happens when you're young, angry, and get superpowers you never asked for?" Another attempt to breathe new life into the superhero genre. Vaguel"What happens when you're young, angry, and get superpowers you never asked for?" Another attempt to breathe new life into the superhero genre. Vaguely intriguing, but it all feels a bit half-baked and clunky to me....more
I've read this trippy, absurdist, Kafkaesque, meta-fictional nightmare of a graphic novel many times (the German edition), and I still love it. It's oI've read this trippy, absurdist, Kafkaesque, meta-fictional nightmare of a graphic novel many times (the German edition), and I still love it. It's one of those comics that first got me hooked on the medium back in the 90s. Highly recommended to anybody interested in comic-book art!...more
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