I Read Comic Books discussion
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What are you reading right now?
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What are you reading right now? (April 2022)
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I think my favorite prank was the Buffalo Bills' rebrand as buffalo wings.I've done a lot of reading over the last week or so:
Star Wars: Darth Vader - Dark Lord of the Sith Vol. 1 by Soule & Camuncoli - friend recommended this for the upcoming Obi Wan series. It was good, but nothing new.
Middlewest, Book One by Young & Corona, an interesting gritty fantasy with great art, but the metaphor was too obvious for me. I'll keep going though
I also read the entire Descender series by Lemire & Nguyen, rereading volumes 1-2, and 3 and on were new. It's a very solid sci-fi story by Lemire, but Nguyen's watercolor art steals the show. I've been meaning to check this off my list for years and it felt great to finally accomplish it. Excited to get into the sequel series, Ascender.
Usagi Yojimbo Saga, Vol. 3 ★★★★Another fantastic collection of Usagi Yojimbo comics.
Avengers: Clear & Present Dangers ★★★★The Avengers fight the Grim Reaper. There's a ton of focus on a love triangle of Wonder Man, Scarlet Witch and the Vision.
Avengers: Ultron Unlimited ★★★★Ultron returns, wiping out a small country in Eastern Europe. Now it's up the Avengers to finally put a stop to him.
Avengers/Thunderbolts, Vol. 1: The Nefaria Protocols ★★★★The Avengers and the Thunderbolts team up to take Count Nefaria down.
The Secret of the Wings (Wynd #2) ★★★★I really like how this is for all-ages. There's elements older kids could take out of this, about how you can grow up to be whoever you want, you just have to choose to make it happen. The characters are all diverse. The story is packed with action. The world building all fits very well together.
The New Avengers, Volume 11: Search for the Sorcerer Supreme ★★★★Dr. Strange is no longer the Sorcerer Supreme due to some deals he made in order to help the Avengers. Now he's searching for the new Sorcerer Supreme, but so is The Hood.
Klarion, Volume 1: The New Witch in Town ★In Ann Nocenti and Trevor McCarthy we get a perfect storm of nonsensical dialogue and indecipherable page layouts. I just finished this and couldn't tell you what it was about.
Gen 13: Starting Over The Deluxe Edition ★★★Gen 13 are the children of Team 7, a covert ops team that gained superpowers. They passed on their powers to their children. Now a government agency wants to activate those powers and use them as agents. It's a neat premise, but poor execution.
Gun Theory ★★★The story of a cold blooded hitman who you never see coming. Well, at least until the day he meets a girl. That was his first not not his last mistake.
Fantastic Four Epic Collection Vol. 20: Into the Time Stream ★★★★Walt Simonson's time on Fantastic Four was, well, fantastic. I love the big ideas he brought in and his artwork on those big ideas is very inventive and bombastic.
At the End of Your Tether ★★Starts off interesting about two military brats who fall in love but are separated by family moves. The disjointed storytelling though where we only get partial scenes scattered back and forth in time made it really difficult to track. It's really an exorcise into how not to do nonlinear storytelling.
New Avengers by Brian Michael Bendis: The Complete Collection, Vol. 4 ★★★★This is what New Avengers has been building towards since its inception. Secret Invasion is the culmination of it all. I like how Bendis uses this series as a between the numbers series during Secret Invasion where he just keeps dropping bombs about things that were unseen but happened in the past.
Infinite Frontier ★★★A hodge-podge of stories used to lead into Dark Crisis.
X-Men: Days of Future Present ★★★★Future Franklin Richards from Days of Future Past returns to current time. He basically has the powers of a god and starts changing things to be like they were in his time line.
Moon Knight, Volume 1: The Bottom ★★★★Marc Specter has hit rock bottom. His legs are shattered after ripping Bushman's face off. He's alienated all of his friends and Marlene. Khonshu has abandoned him. That's when an old nemesis goes after his friends...
Moon Knight, Volume 2: Midnight Sun ★★★This series is really dark and graphic. It's like the Se7en of comics.
Moon Knight, Volume 3: God & Country ★★★Benson couldn't really decide what he wanted this story to be. It tries to be too many things and only partially succeeds.
Comic Book History of Comics ★★★★★If you've even wondered about the history of comic books, this is a great place to start.
Batman Vol. 5: Fear State ★★★I think this will probably read better in Batman: Fear State Saga where you get the complete story instead of just the Batman issues.
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- Mike: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Annual 2022, Immortal X-Men (2022-) #1
- Paul: World's Finest Comics (1941-) #89, Step by Bloody Step #1
- Nick: Maggie the Mechanic, A Righteous Thirst For Vengeance #6
Check out the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts to hear our thoughts on what we read! Or listen now at https://www.ircbpodcast.com/episodes/...
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Re: Lenny: I have tried reading the Descender series a few times, but I keep losing steam around volume 3. I'm glad to hear the entire series is good! I'll have to try again!
Re: Chad: I loved volume 1 of Wynd! I need to track down volume 2. I also need to just buy a copy of the Comic Book History of Comics, because it's too long for me to read as a limited time Hoopla borrow!
KaitLphere wrote: "a copy of the Comic Book History of Comics, because it's too long for me to read as a limited time Hoopla borrow!"I found a physical copy at my library but I had to renew it a few times to finish it. It's dense.
Today's trip to the LCS.X-Men Red #1
Black Widow #15
Fire Power #19
Marauders #1
One-Star Squadron #1
Suicide Squad #14
X-Force #27
X-Force Annual #1
Chad wrote: "KaitLphere wrote: "a copy of the Comic Book History of Comics, because it's too long for me to read as a limited time Hoopla borrow!"I found a physical copy at my library but I had to renew it a ..."
Well, you are still not finished! I actually found volume 2 more interesting: Comic Book History of Comics: Comics for All
And the version on animation is likewise very interesting: The Comic Book History of Animation: True Toon Tales of the Most Iconic Characters, Artists and Styles!
KaitLphere wrote: "I have tried reading the Descender series a few times, but I keep losing steam around volume 3. I'm glad to hear the entire series is good! I'll have to try again!"That's where I dropped off last time too! Yeah that volume is all backstory and the weakest of the series. If it stands in your way from finishing, I'd just skip it. Yeah it all came together pretty well, but I can't say I would have stuck around if Nguyen wasn't on it
Last week's adventures in comics sent me down a Moon Knight rabbit hole.
The Secrets of Chocolate: A Gourmand’s Trip Through a Top Chef’s Atelier ★★A cartoonist spends a year with a French chocolate enrober.
Frank Miller's Sin City Volume 2: A Dame to Kill for ★★★★★Some more fantastic noir comics from Frank Miller.
Good Game, Well Played ★★Empire Records set at a video game store in the 90's.
Three Swords: A Marvel Legends of Asgard Novel ★★★It's about time the Warriors Three got one of these Legends of Asgard novels.
Usagi Yojimbo, Vol. 15: Grasscutter II: Journey to Atsuta Shrine ★★★★★A longer story about Usagi and his cohorts trying to protect a legendary sword as they attempt to transport it to a temple.
Usagi Yojimbo, Vol. 16: The Shrouded Moon ★★★★Some great smaller stories including Kitsune's origins.
Avengers Assemble - Volume 3 ★★★★George Perez leaves to draw Avengers Vs. the Justice League after his 3rd year on the Avengers.
King in Black ★★★After all of the fantastic build up throughout Cates's Venom run while peppering Knull into Thor, Silver Surfer, and Guardians of the Galaxy, I was anxiously awaiting this. I have to say I felt somewhat let down.
Venom by Donny Cates, Vol. 6: King in Black ★★★★This is a between the moments of King in Black volume, fleshing out that story a bit more. It's all fine.
Avengers by Jason Aaron, Vol. 8: Enter the Phoenix ★★An unimaginative Contest of Champions for the Phoenix set.
Amala’s Blade: Spirits of Naamaron ★★★Amala is the world's greatest assassin, haunted by all those she's killed. She lives on a world separated by those who want to modify themselves and those who want to remain "pure".
Marauders by Gerry Duggan, Vol. 3 ★★★This is a scatter shot of content that requires readers to know what's going on with all of the other X-books to know what's happening.
Hellblazer, Vol. 15: Highwater ★★★Brian Azzarello has one move, the shock treatment. Azzarello doesn't get Constantine's character at all. He just makes him this awful person who consistently puts himself in every depraved situation he can.
Avengers/Defenders War ★★★One of Marvel's first true crossovers. Steve Englehart was the writer of both The Avengers and The Defenders so he talked Roy Thomas into a true back and forth crossover between the two books for the summer of 1973.
Star Wars: The High Republic - The Edge of Balance, Vol. 1 ★★This touches on the events that are happening in the High Republic novels, but it's inconsequential to the larger story. It's about a Jedi Temple newly open on a recently colonized world.
Moon Knight, Volume 4: The Death of Marc Spector ★★★★After Moon Knight pushed Black Specter off a roof both SHIELD and the Thunderbolts are after him. It's a fantastic game of cat and mouse. The Thunderbolts of this era are so much fun.
Moon Knight, Volume 5: Down South ★★★Marc Spector has faked his death and is hiding out in Mexico as Jake Lockley.
Vengeance of the Moon Knight, Volume 1: Shock and Awe ★★★★Moon Knight is back in New York after faking his death in the previous series.
Vengeance of the Moon Knight, Volume 2: Killed, Not Dead ★★A bunch of team-ups before the book gets cancelled.
Shadowland: Moon Knight ★★The Shadowland story gets shoehorned into a story about the return of Spector's brother.
Moon Knight, Vol. 1: From the Dead ★★★★★Warren Ellis, Declan Shalvey, and Jordie Bellaire concoct a perfect group of done-in-one stories. If you read one volume of Moon Knight stories, make it this one.
Moon Knight, Vol. 2: Dead Will Rise ★★★Brian Wood brings his typical geopolitical stories of government abuse and atrocities to Moon Knight.
Moon Knight, Vol. 3: In the Night ★★★Cullen Bunn takes over for the last arc. We are back to done-in-one stories, but with the undercurrent that Khonshu may be way more bloodthirsty that Moon Knight realized.
Moon Knight, Vol. 1: Lunatic ★★★★Jeff Lemire and Greg Smallwood take over. Marc Spector wakes up in an insane asylum with no memories of how he got there. The doctors there tell him he's been there since he was 12 and Moon Knight is just a hallucination.
Moon Knight, Vol. 2: Reincarnations ★★★We flip through Marc's different personalities as they begin to collapse upon one another. There's some interesting storytelling here with a different artist drawing each personality.
Moon Knight, Vol. 3: Birth and Death ★★★★Lemire wraps up his run by finally dealing with Khonshu and setting up the character with a great new starting point.
Moon Knight: Legacy, Vol. 1: Crazy Runs in the Family ★★You know how to ruin Moon Knight? Give him a paper thin family that only exists to be hostages.
Moon Knight: Legacy, Vol. 2: Phases ★So. Many. Words. If Max Bemis wrote songs for his band, Say Anything, like he writes comics, every song would be an hour long.
Moon Knight, Vol. 1: The Midnight Mission ★★★★A nice start to this new Moon Knight book written by Jed Mackay. It's more of a return to the Warren Ellis version.
I am planning to read deadpool by duggan next!
Mod
Also got the latest volume of Kaiju No 8 and I can’t wait to reread those chapters!!
2 star as i usually like 0 issues. This one feels neverending
3 stars a better then last showing, and not as dreary as average avenger offerings
another 3 stars and all flowing wel as far.
This is e- read only but alas a impressive, entertaining read i could give a many of them 4 star except 1 issue that i havve so far read
Today's trip to the LCS.Image 30th Anniversary Anthology #1
Batman / Catwoman #11
Seven Secrets #16
Superman: Son of Kal-El #10
X-Men #10
Mod
- Paul: JLA/Avengers, Batman (2016-) #121
- Kara: The Secret Service, Heaven’s Official Blessing Manhua Vol. 1
- Kait: Heartstopper: Volume One through Volume Three
Check out the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts to hear our thoughts on what we read! Or listen now at https://www.ircbpodcast.com/episodes/...
Kim wrote: "I am currently reading 
(Identity Crisis)"That's a REALLY good one. It affected the DC universe for a few years.
Last week's adventures in comics.
1984: The Graphic Novel ★★I finally gave up on this after several months. The combination of its bleakness, repetitiveness and hopelessness turned this into a slog.
The EC Archives: Weird Science Volume 1 ★★★★Some atomic-powered comics of weird science.
Gun Honey ★★★★Gun Honey can be hired to get a gun into any place asked, including prison. She doesn't kill people herself, but she'll put a gun in place, no questions asked.
Star Wars: The High Republic - The Edge of Balance, Vol. 1 ★★Star Wars attempts a manga.
Tangent Comics, Vol. 1 ★★★DC attempts a new universe with the same superhero names but completely new characters, similar to what they did during the Silver Age.
Tangent Comics, Vol. 2 ★★★
The Avengers: Celestial Madonna ★★★Kang keeps returning to plague the Avengers when he learns Mantis is to be the Celestial Madonna.
Wonder Woman Book 1: The Last True Hero ★★★★Wonder Woman gets jettisoned into space where she is cast into slavery, eventually becoming a space pirate. She returns to Earth broke and has to work in fast food. This run is odd.
Dominion ★★A neat concept marred by poor art and coloring. It's about Chicago being exposed to an alien virus that gives people superpowers while also turning them into crazy murder machines.
Here's what I've been up to - Chad, you've inspired me to reread some more Moon Knight. I haven't gotten though the Huston/Benson series yet.
The Many Deaths of Laila Starr - Gorgeous book and loved the message. Great choice for the reading challenge!
Moonshot: The Indigenous Comics Collection, Volume 1 - my choice for April's book of the month. A great collection, appreciated the insight and the break from western ideals of storytelling. As in any anthology, the quality sometimes varies.
Moon Knight, Vol. 1: The Midnight Mission - great first volume of the new MK series. It's not a great bridge to the Disney+ series (that isn't an insult), instead very much a continuation of Ellis/Shalvey's run. I really enjoyed this, but I'd still give someone the Lemire/Smallwood run if they're interested in MK comics first.
The Good Asian, Vol. 1 - I really wanted to like this but the story didn't hold up great, and the protagonist was a little too self-loathing to connect with.
Star Wars: Jango Fett - Open Seasons - also for the reading challenge. Disappointed that Jango's character still didn't go any deeper than "stoic soldier," and the art doesn't age well either.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1: Then It's Us - catching up on GotG has been a worthwhile investment. Ewing and Cabal really knock this one out of the park. I don't fully understand Marvel's cosmic universe (and I know the guardians got a makeover post MCU), but I'm really enjoying it.
Lenny wrote: "Moon Knight, Vol. 1: The Midnight Mission - great first volume of the new MK series. It's not a great bridge to the Disney+ series (that isn't an insult), instead very much a continuation of Ellis/Shalvey's run."I've went through all of the post-2000 MK comics and none of them bridge to the Disney+ series well. I think the comics were just an inspiration and Disney+ is doing its own thing centered more around Egyptian mythology. In the 80s MK run, Arthur Harrow was a mad scientist carrying on Nazi experiments before Moon Knight killed him.
This week's trip to the LCS.Blue and Gold #8
Nightwing #91
Refrigerator Full of Heads #6
Wolverine #20
Hulk #6
World's Finest #2
We Live: Age of the Palladions #2
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- Mike: X-Force Annual (2022) #1 (X-Force, Goodbye, Eri, Made in Korea
- Brian: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Vol. 3: From Beneath You and Vol. 4
- Nick: The Rocketeer: The Great Race #1, Radio Spaceman #2, Blade of the Immortal, Volume 4: On Silent Wings and Vol. 5
Check out the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts to hear our thoughts on what we read! Or listen now at https://www.ircbpodcast.com/episodes/...
Last week's adventures in comics.
Black Cat: Discord ★★★★★Marvel's Black Cat gets a fantastic new prose novel that'll dovetails in perfectly with her current comic written by Jed MacKay.
Hakim's Odyssey: Book 1: From Syria to Turkey ★★★The story of a Syrian refuge as he wanders around the Middle East trying to find his place in the world, a place where he can support himself after being forced to leave Syria.
Hellblazer, Vol. 16: The Wild Card ★★★★★Mike Carey takes over Hellblazer and the book instantly feels back on track after a year and a half of Brian Azzarello just trying to shock you by making Constantine as depraved as possible.
New Teen Titans Vol. 13 ★★★★Danny Chase's first appearance is the most notable thing in this collection. He's a 14 year old kid with telekinetic powers who joins the Titans.
Wonder Woman Book 2: Ares Rising ★★★★The last of the missing Messner-Loebs Wonder Woman issues of the 90's. Loebs turns Wonder Woman into a street level fighter taking on the Boston mob, although a Boston mob that's full of generic super-villains and the White Magician
X Isle Vol 1 ★★Completely cliched Mysterious Island type story with murky art and coloring that often made it difficult to tell what was happening, particularly when the monsters would show up.
The Darkhold ★★★This is really a tale of 2 separate stories. The bookends are a story unto themselves, while the middle volumes are dark standalone What If? stories.
Contest of Champions ★★★Marvel's first big crossover, even before Secret Wars.
Astonishing X-Men: Kitty Pryde - Shadow & Flame ★★★A solid successor to Kitty Pryde & Wolverine.
Cable by Gerry Duggan, Vol. 2 ★★★After getting sidetracked by X of Swords, Cable is back to hunting kidnapped mutant babies. Stryfe is, of course, involved.
Avengers/X-Men: Maximum Security ★★This should have been good. Earth gets turned into a prison planet and all of Marvel's alien races dump their prisoners here. Alas, it is not.
Tangent Comics, Vol. 3 ★★★DC's 2nd Tangent Comics 5th week event from 1998. It was a whole new universe with new characters using the same superhero names.
Avengers Assemble, Vol. 4 ★★★The 6 single issues are really good. Unfortunately, this massive collection only has 6 issues and then other miniseries, annuals, etc.
Mod
- Kait L: Beyond the Clouds, Tome 2, Heartstopper: Volume Four
- Tia: The Content of Our Caricature: African American Comic Art and Political Belonging
- Kate S: Kristy and the Snobs: A Graphic Novel
Check out the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts to hear our thoughts on what we read! Or listen now at https://www.ircbpodcast.com/episodes/...
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Re: Chad: Hakim's Odyssey is on my to-read list also. I'm glad you (mostly) liked it!
KaitLphere wrote: "Re: Chad: Hakim's Odyssey is on my to-read list also. I'm glad you (mostly) liked it!"I did like it. It was just too long at 270 pages. And it's only the first volume.
My crossword puzzle last week had a clue that said the answer was one of the Eternals from Marvel. I have no idea who the Eternals are. So, I finally decided to read Eternals by Neil Gaiman.The book is OK. It is about some "Eternals" who are even MORE SUPER than superheroes. Yawn. And the book seriously gets the geography of San Francisco wrong.
Worst of all, it didn't help with the crossword puzzle because the answer was (view spoiler) who is not in that book.
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I Read Comic Books
Books mentioned in this topic
Eternals (other topics)The Content of Our Caricature: African American Comic Art and Political Belonging (other topics)
Kristy and the Snobs: a Graphic Novel (the Baby-Sitters Club 10) (other topics)
Beyond the Clouds, Tome 2 (other topics)
Heartstopper: Volume Four (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Neil Gaiman (other topics)Alan Moore (other topics)
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