Solid romp through several different ages, but I didn't get lost, thanks to Wilson's strong sense of place and characterization.
What most struck me aSolid romp through several different ages, but I didn't get lost, thanks to Wilson's strong sense of place and characterization.
What most struck me about the book is the sense of wonder and grandeur that is shared by Elena and Peter and, obviously, author Wilson himself. Not just in the big picture, but the small intricate details of what makes "life." I could probably wax poetic about how that's the clockwork behind life itself, the small gears that make up all of our individual identities, but I'm not much of a poet and I couldn't do justice to what Wilson himself did over the course of the novel. Basically, the book did what I wanted it to do: transported me to a different world that was sometimes wonderful, sometimes horrifying, populated by characters that were always fascinating. ...more
Very solid storytelling here. This was the best time period for the first run of the Ultimates line... when the characters, while cast in new and gritVery solid storytelling here. This was the best time period for the first run of the Ultimates line... when the characters, while cast in new and grittier roles, still held true to the base nature of being heroes. Not too long after this book, the stories began to spiral out of control, and the entire line became an exercise in seeing how far the characters could be taken before the peasants (the reading class) rightfully rose up to overthrow the pompous aristocracy of the Writing class.
Or, put in another way... during this time period, the Millar and the other writers were seducing the readers. Later, the writers of the Ultimates line were just flat out masturbating. ...more
Ahh. I just don't get the flurry of fandom over Achewood. When it's good, it's really good, but the percentage of time when it's good just doesn't getAhh. I just don't get the flurry of fandom over Achewood. When it's good, it's really good, but the percentage of time when it's good just doesn't get it done, in my book. Maybe I need to get on some really good recreational drugs and try again?...more
A nice overview of the best erotic cartoonists from a worldwide standpoint. It's always amazing to see how little great art makes it over here to the A nice overview of the best erotic cartoonists from a worldwide standpoint. It's always amazing to see how little great art makes it over here to the states, whether that is comic art, comic strips, or as in this case erotic art.
I particularly enjoyed seeing what element of femininity these artists employed. So many of them reduce the erotic to mere cheesecake shots, or even porno shots, and then there are artists like Crepax, Frollo, Saudelli, Rene Giffey and others who choose (rightly) to stress the sensuality of women, rather than the sexual attributes. Because of this, these artist can draw a woman fully clothed, simply going about their daily lives, and have more inherent eroticism than many of these other artists can achieve when their characters in the more traditionally "erotic" pastimes.
My only regrets with this book is that is isn't more complete, both in the number of artists (though there are already a couple hundred) and in the bibliographies of their work. But as far as a quick introduction to an extremely talented group of libertine artists, this does fill the bill. ...more
Once again I'm amazed at how the author can so thoroughly change the tone of his writing between his Parker novels (written as Richard Stark) and his Once again I'm amazed at how the author can so thoroughly change the tone of his writing between his Parker novels (written as Richard Stark) and his Dortmunder novels, written as Donald Westlake. It's something I struggle with in my own works, because I have a general mirth that comes through in all my writings. But while Dortmunder is a rascally and bumbling felon you wouldn't mind hanging out with, Parker is a complete an utter asshole. He's just a evil git.
Which makes the novels rather pleasant to read. I don't always have to identify with a main character, or even really consider him as a protagonist. I don't necessarily want Parker to succeed at the end of the book. These aren't really heist novels... they're crime novels, and Parker is a hardened criminal who I genuinely don't like, but whose adventures I enjoy. ...more
The creepiest stalker in the history of graphic novels rules this book that starts when the saddest of all the clients for Voyeurs Inc. hires them to The creepiest stalker in the history of graphic novels rules this book that starts when the saddest of all the clients for Voyeurs Inc. hires them to get the goods on his true love, who frankly ain't worth all that.
The character interplay is at its best in the whole series in this book, which is unfortunately the last. Whenever I'm walking through a city, and I have one of those moments when I realize "Damn... there are people in every one of these houses!" and then I wonder what's going on behind all those closed doors... it's this series that pops to mind. ...more
There are some seriously great artists amongst the stories in this book, and I have to say that it's not hard to picture all of them getting together,There are some seriously great artists amongst the stories in this book, and I have to say that it's not hard to picture all of them getting together, having a few fingers worth of whiskey, extolling each other's artistic talents, perhaps watching a burlesque show together, and then loading up some revolvers to go out hunting the chumps who wrote these stories.
Damn, these were some godawful stories. Many of them have no point. Many of them have Scooby Doo endings. Many of them have shock endings that I'm shocked I wasn't supposed to see coming. None one of these stories is worth the toilet paper it takes to wipe a gnat's ass. I hereby spit on these stories.
A little lesser in quality than the first book, owing to how Canales puts a bit too much story into this short graphic novel... the conspiracy is a biA little lesser in quality than the first book, owing to how Canales puts a bit too much story into this short graphic novel... the conspiracy is a bit too far reaching, the betrayals too frequent, and the coincidences coming at too fast a clip. For all that, it's a fun ride, story-wise, and once again the real hero of the graphic novel is Guarnido's art, which is effective at both the personal and grand levels.
Wish we could get that guy on American comics. And by "American comics" I mean "American comics written by Paul Tobin."...more
Okay, okay... I'm sold. For a couple of years I've been hearing about how good the Blacksad graphic novels are, but the world is made out of hype and Okay, okay... I'm sold. For a couple of years I've been hearing about how good the Blacksad graphic novels are, but the world is made out of hype and I'm tired of chewing it, so I wasn't biting this time.
Recently, though, I ran across the graphic novels at Periscope Studios, where I work, and since they're hard boiled detective fiction, and that's what I was in the mood for, I brought them home and read them.
And, yeah, they're fantastic.
Juan Diaz Canales hits all the right chords for detective fiction. The world weary hero, the dame who needs saving, the sub-characters with possible hearts of gold, and so on and so forth. The stories are solid, and would have sold me all by themselves.
But the art is the real selling point. Guarnido is a flat out genius. He's the most impressive artist I've seen for a long time in the industry, and the man can both cartoon and illustrate, which are really two different fields. He folds them both together here, and does so with a seamless artistry that gives me a big ol' Art Boner. When he cuts loose with a background scene, it is genius. I'm not at all one to throw that word around, but it fits Guarnido, so I'll use it again. Genius. ...more
I really enjoy this stuff. The Ultimates line is a perfect venue to take classic heroes and make them for mature audiences, realigning their origins, I really enjoy this stuff. The Ultimates line is a perfect venue to take classic heroes and make them for mature audiences, realigning their origins, motivations, relationships, etc. It's basically a great big grim "What If" series with its own continuity.
And when it's played right, it's a damn big bulge of fun. Too often, though, it's played for shock value. Let me be clear of one of my philosophies... shock value is THE WORST WRITING TOOL IN THE WORLD. Why? Because shock value demands to be topped. If it's shocking for Goody 2-Shoes to talk back to a lady, and then he does it, then the next time he has to punch the girl. And the time after that is worse, and then time after that is even more horrible, because the "shock" has to keep building, or else it's no longer shocking. This is why some beloved characters are now being actually raped and devoured, because damn, the writer and his audience needs to have their "shock" fix. It's all just an ego ride for a writer. "I'm the guy who did THIS," or "Can you believe that I did THAT?"
Big whoop. A good writer sits back and says, "Can you believe I just pulled off a cohesive story with believable concentration?" or, translated in other words, "Can you believe how my collected trade will continue to sell, long after your own shock value trade is out of print and in the quarter bins?" Take that, shock value.
Oops. Ranted. This volume pretty much stays away from the shock value school of writing. It's dark, there are twists, and some characters go beyond what I would have thought, but they do so for believable reasons within rational human guidelines. And I enjoyed it. ...more
Yamamoto tried to make a creepy tale of a twisted father with more than a little sexual attraction towards his daughter, and damn if he didn't pull itYamamoto tried to make a creepy tale of a twisted father with more than a little sexual attraction towards his daughter, and damn if he didn't pull it off. This thing is just creepy. I mean, yeah, the subject matter alone is creepy, but the father in question is downright eerie in his attempts to get what he wants. It's an unsettling little tale, and Yamamoto's characters are finally coming to full life. Too bad this is the second-to-last volume in the series. I would really have liked to see how this thing developed. ...more
I've been using this book as a reference guide for years. It's really not a book to sit down and read, but it is a joy to flip through, and each artisI've been using this book as a reference guide for years. It's really not a book to sit down and read, but it is a joy to flip through, and each artist has a through listing of where their art appeared. An invaluable guide for connoisseurs of women and art, both. ...more
A solid entry into the "Parker" novels. I like that it's more slice of life than a caper novel, wherein everything runs brilliantly and there's alwaysA solid entry into the "Parker" novels. I like that it's more slice of life than a caper novel, wherein everything runs brilliantly and there's always a contingency plan. The heist in this book is anything but smooth, because it's run by criminals, and not only are criminals people (who have an astounding ability to screw up the simplest of plans) but they're criminals, who have a bit of a problem with the whole concept of a team effort.
So it feels more real to me. Since my friends and I need six days advance notice and a wealth of contingency plans to go out for dinner, I'm always a little leery of gritty caper novels where everything connects neatly.
This caper ain't neat, and that makes it keen. ...more
Much better than the first (unnumbered) volume. Many characters from the first volume have been discarded or have undergone immense changes, and are mMuch better than the first (unnumbered) volume. Many characters from the first volume have been discarded or have undergone immense changes, and are moving away from being straight stereotypes.
The art manages to move the story forward, and for the most part stays away from being too comedic, a direction which the story is now demanding.
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