This is a re-read for me, inspired by the attempts to ban it in parts of the country, but this is my first time revisiting it since junior high. I'm wThis is a re-read for me, inspired by the attempts to ban it in parts of the country, but this is my first time revisiting it since junior high. I'm well-educated on the Holocaust, but even on a re-read, parts of it are shocking. As a book, it's very personal and a bit unfocused, partly because of Spiegelman's approach; it's as much or more about his relationship with his rambling father as it is about the Holocaust, and largely assumes that you already know at least the broad historical outlines. 100% worth a read -- I think highly enough of it to read it again -- but not exactly where you'd want to start as your first history. Except, I guess, that for many it may be more accessible, due to the brief length and the graphic novel format.
Obviously I don't remember my first read in all that much detail; I was surprised that Vladek's story doesn't get to Auschwitz until the end, so there isn't much about it. I think the sequel dealt with it. It would have to, given where the first book ends, I just don't remember. I'll probably re-read that soon as well....more
I read this a while ago. Realized I only had digital stuff on my Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ shelves.
Astro City is kind of a "what if superheroes, but day to day" comicI read this a while ago. Realized I only had digital stuff on my Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ shelves.
Astro City is kind of a "what if superheroes, but day to day" comic. I'm not much of a comics guy and even less of a superhero guy, but this one hits me just right. Not every issue is about the superheroes; some are about the people who live in the same world as they do.
There are almost as many superhero genre deconstructions as there are superhero series these days, but this is one of the gems....more
Not so big on this volume. It feels like leftover odds and ends. Some side stories, some single-issue stuff, and a brief continuation of a story from Not so big on this volume. It feels like leftover odds and ends. Some side stories, some single-issue stuff, and a brief continuation of a story from a previous volume. Feels like Willingham is flailing around for content....more
I don't want to say too much about the plot of this one, lest I spoil the experience. It's both culturally referential and brutal.
I enjoyed this a lotI don't want to say too much about the plot of this one, lest I spoil the experience. It's both culturally referential and brutal.
I enjoyed this a lot. This volume is set mainly on the Farm; three episodes into the Telltale adaptation it's only gotten a couple of mentions, so it was nice to get such a big piece on it this early. It's not what I expected at all....more
Only going to write an in-depth review of the first volume here. I've been playing Telltale Games' episodic series The Wolf Among Us, and liking it a Only going to write an in-depth review of the first volume here. I've been playing Telltale Games' episodic series The Wolf Among Us, and liking it a lot; in conjunction with a friend's recommendation, I decided to give the graphic novels on which it's based a try. This first volume collects issues 1-5.
First, the premise. Fables posits that all fairy tales are real, and that the characters have all been moved to our world following a catastrophe in their native lands. Those who can pass as human live in a carefully controlled section of New York City; those who can't are stuck on an upstate locale known as The Farm. In all cases they coexist in an uneasy peace lest they draw attention to themselves.
The trade paperbacks -- or in my case the ebook equivalents -- seem to be complete story arcs, thankfully; I would guess that this will change as story arcs become more complex and this becomes less feasible. Fittingly, volume 1 is a murder mystery, an investigation into the death of Rose Red, sister to Snow White.
This is a solid introduction into the world. As always, the economics of comics are awful, and it's a lot of money for the content; this is unavoidable because of the nature of the format, and you had better know what you're getting into, in that regard, if you decide to read them. I won't be penalizing for it as it's a consistent issue with graphic novels....more
Glad I gave this another try. One of the better written comics I've read, out of the set that don't have Alan Moore's name on them. Good character worGlad I gave this another try. One of the better written comics I've read, out of the set that don't have Alan Moore's name on them. Good character work, decent art....more
Cheerfully insane and continues the ongoing Callahan story.
I am pleased to report that the next two volumes are now available for Kindle, which probabCheerfully insane and continues the ongoing Callahan story.
I am pleased to report that the next two volumes are now available for Kindle, which probably means they are still adding them and just haven't quite finished yet....more
Enjoyed this. When I finished it I wondered how they could continue; it turns out this is the last "main" volume, although there have been some other Enjoyed this. When I finished it I wondered how they could continue; it turns out this is the last "main" volume, although there have been some other offshoot volumes. Nemo is still the best....more
Okay but ultimately unfulfilling. This was recommended to me because I said I wanted some Batman stuff that showcased some of the cool villains. That'Okay but ultimately unfulfilling. This was recommended to me because I said I wanted some Batman stuff that showcased some of the cool villains. That's exactly what this is, but I should have been clearer about what I want -- this is a showcase and nothing more. What I guess I really wanted was something that explored one of the villains in-depth. But that doesn't really happen here.
Decent story for what it is but it feels like Batman: Dilletante Edition....more
Fun, creative. Somewhat transitional -- there's a lot of backstory being filled in but a lot still unknown.Fun, creative. Somewhat transitional -- there's a lot of backstory being filled in but a lot still unknown....more
Fun, although I saw the reveal coming from pretty far away. If you liked volume 1 this should be up your alley.
Issue #10 seems to get all the love, buFun, although I saw the reveal coming from pretty far away. If you liked volume 1 this should be up your alley.
Issue #10 seems to get all the love, but as someone who mostly doesn't give a shit about old school superhero comics, it did basically nothing for me. It isn't bad or anything, but it gets a lot of praise that frankly I don't think it deserves. Top marks in this volume for issue #8 from me instead....more
As advertised, pretty much. Batman gets his start -- not an origin story, or about his training, but his start on the streets -- as told by Frank MillAs advertised, pretty much. Batman gets his start -- not an origin story, or about his training, but his start on the streets -- as told by Frank Miller.
Just fine for what it is. It's well done. The most interesting part of Batman stories other than Wayne's personal demons has always been the larger-than-life villains, though -- especially the Joker -- and we don't have that here, really. The name is dropped late, but this is mostly about Batman's introduction, and reception by the city and a mostly corrupt police department. In fact, this is as much or more about Jim Gordon as Batman.
Not that Year One isn't well-made or worth reading, but it may or may not be what you're interested in when you decide "Hey, I want to read a Batman story."...more
Short and sweet. Just a superhero book, basicsally, but a pretty good one. You'll enjoy it if you like the Joker and crazy people, otherwise give it aShort and sweet. Just a superhero book, basicsally, but a pretty good one. You'll enjoy it if you like the Joker and crazy people, otherwise give it a miss.
Kind of bizarrely priced at $10, short as it is. It's got Alan Moore's name on it, sure, and he does a good job, but it isn't his best work.
For my money, the highlight is the illustrations. Not of everything, really, though it's all perfectly fine -- just of the Joker. Some really good work there....more
Everything Vol. 4 wasn't. Sets up a plot worth reading, and tells the story in style. Makes the arc begun two volumeThis is the good shit, right here.
Everything Vol. 4 wasn't. Sets up a plot worth reading, and tells the story in style. Makes the arc begun two volumes ago worth caring about again....more
It was clear from the get-go that an arc on this topic -- at least one -- was going to happen. I'm happy to say it's suSpider Jerusalem does politics.
It was clear from the get-go that an arc on this topic -- at least one -- was going to happen. I'm happy to say it's substantially better than I expected. While it still has traces of the juvenile self-indulgence from the first trade, it's grown up a bit now that Ellis doesn't seem to feel as strongly that he has to prove his counterculture bona fides, and the story itself is farther out there than I expected, and I expected a lot.
As you can imagine, this is a pretty cynical book. It's also quite a bit more complex than anything we've seen earlier in the series.
Starting to get to the point where I feel like I could maybe recommend the series....more
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