In just five years Nick Spenser and Joe Eisma have provided a unique, but meticulously planned mystery suspense thriller that is at the pinnacle of viIn just five years Nick Spenser and Joe Eisma have provided a unique, but meticulously planned mystery suspense thriller that is at the pinnacle of visual story telling, and now after reading the last volume in this series, can you hear that noise? That's my mind being blown. Nothing is held back, people are going for broke, and some of the biggest mysteries are revealed... aren't they? The while reason I have a ratings system that goes up to 12 is to accommodate books like this - this 11(!) out of 12, Five Star Read. Summer vacation. [image]...more
This is the first time I've got this far in this series, and even though it is utterly brilliant, there's so much to remember, I am going to so love rThis is the first time I've got this far in this series, and even though it is utterly brilliant, there's so much to remember, I am going to so love re-reading this soon. Everything's coming together, first student elections, next confronting demons, well not literally. As I said about the last volume, this is a wondrous - 10.5 out of 12, Five Star Read that I can't really even begin to explain how good this book is, as we march towards to heaven knows what. Just writing this review is giving me thrills! [image] ...more
There's no way back, it's too far gone, the Glories are going to take it to the faculty, AND I CAN'T TAKE MUCH MORE OF THIS!!! To be honest I can't reThere's no way back, it's too far gone, the Glories are going to take it to the faculty, AND I CAN'T TAKE MUCH MORE OF THIS!!! To be honest I can't really even begin to explain how good this book is, as we march towards possibly a confrontation with the headmaster and the real story of the students? If you've got this far in the series you already live it? 10 of the 12, Five Star read. [image] ...more
The truants are back, so yep, that means more mysteries, including where's Abraham? You know lot of series 'jump the shark'? This series is doing the The truants are back, so yep, that means more mysteries, including where's Abraham? You know lot of series 'jump the shark'? This series is doing the exact opposite this perfect mix of mystery, suspense, horror and speculative fiction is a masterclass in modern story telling. Wondrous - 10 out of 12, Five Star Read. [image]...more
Ditching the socio-political allegories of previous collections Gilbert focuses on the ageing Luba's extended family in the United States, especially Ditching the socio-political allegories of previous collections Gilbert focuses on the ageing Luba's extended family in the United States, especially her two sisters and her wondrous niece Venus. This is a collection of yet more superb craftsmanship, super magical realism, 'feck, superb realism. 10 ou tof 12, Five Star read. [image]...more
Somehow this series got even better, especially with the master class storytelling of the 105 pager - Human Diastrophism, the only full graphic novel Somehow this series got even better, especially with the master class storytelling of the 105 pager - Human Diastrophism, the only full graphic novel length "Palomar" story ever created by Gilbert Hernández. The story is one of the best stories I have ever read, the presence of a serial killer amongst them impacts on Palomar in many ways. heart ending and deep and so real! The Magical Realist tales of Palomar and the utterly mesmerising Luba are some of the best comic book story and artwork ever produced in my opinion! Not satisfied with that exceptional work the following stories focused around Luba and her descendants and her past are at times just as miraculous! 10 out of 12 overall, although Human Diastrophism got an 11 out of 12 from me. [image]...more
I thought Jamie Hernández's work was great, but Gilbert Hernández's has left me totally an dutterly speechless, the amazing, sometime magical realist I thought Jamie Hernández's work was great, but Gilbert Hernández's has left me totally an dutterly speechless, the amazing, sometime magical realist world of Palomar a remote tiwn with no TV, few cars etc. And lots of pain, love, bitching, learning, laughing, growing, dying and more. Superb - an absolute must-read! This series is superb, but this volume is impeccable on so many levels, from long form plotting, the wonderful art and the exquisite management and control of such a large cast of multifaceted characters. Seriously! 10 out of 12, Five Star Read. [image]...more
20i3 read: Gods and monsters walk the earth, as Miracleman's non-human creators seek to exterminate Project Zarathustra's survivors. More trials and t20i3 read: Gods and monsters walk the earth, as Miracleman's non-human creators seek to exterminate Project Zarathustra's survivors. More trials and tribulations for Bates. And with one one word the worse of the worse is set loose and the cost could well be like nothing you've seen in comics before. Alan Moore's masterpiece moves into the triggers for hyper violence, be warned! 10 out of 12, Five Star Read [image] Collects Miracleman 11-16 and All-New Miracleman Annual 1...more
Turn everything off (including your phone), put up your feet and enter the world of Miracleman a masterclass Alan Moore jam! This is an absolutely genTurn everything off (including your phone), put up your feet and enter the world of Miracleman a masterclass Alan Moore jam! This is an absolutely genius reinterpretation and reimagining of the 1950's comic book and superheroes, continuing in the near genius vein of the first volume and more truths about Project Zarathustra! Make way for the Übermensch! 9 out of 12, fabulous Four Star read. [image] Collects Miracleman #6 to 10. 2013 read...more
Turn everything off (including your phone), put up your feet and enter the world of Miracleman a masterclass Alan Moore jam! This is an absolutely genTurn everything off (including your phone), put up your feet and enter the world of Miracleman a masterclass Alan Moore jam! This is an absolutely genius reinterpretation and reimagining of the 1950's comic book and superheroes, starting off with a great origin story (one of the best ever) and Project Zarathustra! Words cannot even begin to explain how different this is to every other superhero book ever written, just go and get it and read it! 9 out of 12, very strong Four Stars and the same again for 2015 re-read. Collects Miracleman #1 to 5. [image] 2015 and 2013 read...more
Another work of genius from Frank Miller, the book most oft quoted as the best in the superhero comics genre, truly lives up to all its billing. An agAnother work of genius from Frank Miller, the book most oft quoted as the best in the superhero comics genre, truly lives up to all its billing. An ageing and retired Bruce Wayne picks up the Batman costume to fight crime again in a world of no-heroes and a Gotham City consumed by crime. Miller proves to me, yet again, why he could be deemed the greatest writer of all time in this genre; but that not being enough he also drew this (as well as Sin City, Daredevil etc.)! Astonishing book! 10 out of 12. Five Star Read. [image]...more
The Fall Of Gilead #1-6 sees the series strike out from the books big time as the graphic novel lays down the oft spoken of Fall of Gilead. And Robin The Fall Of Gilead #1-6 sees the series strike out from the books big time as the graphic novel lays down the oft spoken of Fall of Gilead. And Robin Furth, Jae Lee etc. excel themselves in this amazingly fantastic and heartbreaking volume, 10 out of 12, Five Star read. This series and a welcome broadening of the Dark Tower franchise. [image] 2012, 2015 and 2021 read...more
Although I own the graphic novel volumes, I'm being a bit lazy reviewing the entire series under the omnibus volume. This series was even better on thAlthough I own the graphic novel volumes, I'm being a bit lazy reviewing the entire series under the omnibus volume. This series was even better on the re-read - Marvel's first R-Rated adventure penned by the genius that is Brian Michael Bendis, introducing and starring Jennifer Jones, a retired superhero and one-time Avenger(!), turned private investigator with psychological scars from a traumatic past involving how she got her powers, two comas (as in comatose x 2), and a total ass-kicking! An amazing piece of adult fiction completely embedded into Marvel continuity. This work also has a genius interpretation of the nuances of modern city dating! There are just so many great things about this neo-feminist piece of art that the creators somehow managed to embed in the Marvel Universe. Collects the entire 28 issue series. 10 out of 12. Five Star read. [image] 2014 read; 2011 read [image]...more
What more can I add to the sea of raving reviews on this series? The art, diversity, continuity, storytelling style etc. all ratchet up, in this pan-cWhat more can I add to the sea of raving reviews on this series? The art, diversity, continuity, storytelling style etc. all ratchet up, in this pan-cosmic volume which also sees our tabloid reports get more storyboard time. I think another really special thing about Saga is that it allows for the passage of time 'off-screen' and changes people accordingly, which after years of reading Marvel and D.C.s near standstill slow time passing universes, is a sight for sore eyes. [image] In this volume the story is as Queen, as the art. Ticking all the boxes. Lovin' little Hazel :). 10 out of 12, a Five Star Read. And just like that, back to being a Five Star read for this volume, making it 5 out of 6 of the Saga volumes so far have earned Five Stars from me!. [image]...more
The out of the way, out of the war, green planet Gardenia is the next stop, as we move on to a few years later for Alana, Marko, Hazel, Klara and FrieThe out of the way, out of the war, green planet Gardenia is the next stop, as we move on to a few years later for Alana, Marko, Hazel, Klara and Friendo (who??). What starts off as a family living quietly on an outpost planet, descends into trouble, as they haven't been forgotten by those that are after them. Also, there's Ghuus :) [image] This series! - on so many levels - gay partners/ detectives - the android class system - Hazel's family - Friendo - and of course the unsurpassable art of Fiona Staples, as per. - it all works so well, on so many levels. One of the solid storytelling devices used continuously in Saga, is not foreshadowing, but blatant foretelling, and instead of being spoiler-y, it adds to the authenticity of Hazel's narration. Although the weakest volume so far, still a 10 out of 12, still a Five Star Read! How can this be! What's the secret of Saga's genius? [image]...more
The sweetness of this rather shocking, startling and coldly comical last volume of The Boys was that it was all in plain sight, we just didn't want toThe sweetness of this rather shocking, startling and coldly comical last volume of The Boys was that it was all in plain sight, we just didn't want to see it? Overall a great series balancing gory violence, explicit uncompromising story lines and lo and behold even the series' title gets closure in this volume. [image] Things maybe, move a bit too fast at times, but I feel that we're being made to experience this volume through Hughie's P.O.V. I presume there's probably many readers who'd preferred the penultimate volume to be the last, but for me this works better, it was always about The Boys, and not about the powered beings. Thank you. 10 out of 12. Five Star Read. [image] 2019 and 2017 read...more
What if all the superheroes got together and took on the United States Government? Well read this volume and find out! Maintaining the darkly comedic What if all the superheroes got together and took on the United States Government? Well read this volume and find out! Maintaining the darkly comedic underbelly of this series, we still get a tense ridden build up to the clash we know that has to happen for Butcher. The road to endings though, is paved with some superb gems and confrontations. A masterclass in savagery, plotting and characterisation - with the final issue see The Boys put it altogether. For Becky. 10 out of 12. A Five Star Read. [image]...more
Both Vought American and the Homelander himself have had enough of The Boys, so one of the top powered being teams in the worlds is sent after them. TBoth Vought American and the Homelander himself have had enough of The Boys, so one of the top powered being teams in the worlds is sent after them. The result is. CARNAGE! After reading this battle between a group of powered beings you'll never take Marvel or D.C. serious again. Ellis and Robertson almost lovingly create ultra violence on the page alongside a number of levels of dark comedy. [image] Then amazingly they keep up the momentum in the 2nd half of the volume with some unsettling almost horrific origin stories of the team members. LOVE IT! 10 out of effing 12. Boom! [image]...more
In the Marvel & DC universes there's often a big annual event in which all the superheroes, and even some of the villains unite in the face of some glIn the Marvel & DC universes there's often a big annual event in which all the superheroes, and even some of the villains unite in the face of some global or universal threat sometimes even in space or another dimension. Well Ennis says, suppose it's all pretence, and they don't go on an off-world mission, what they really do is get a week off in a hedonistic retreat packed full of booze, prostitutes, drugs and whatever else they need! Welcome to Herogasm. [image] The Boys infiltrate the event as part of a mission to just see how compromised the US Government is! A no-holds barred hedonistic event goes ahead, with all penises and titties waving! Can the Boys get some intel amongst all this? From concept through to production this is another Ennis' masterclass. The way the tensions are played between the primary heroes and their Vought American corporate handlers is written and drawn so well. The whole satirising the Marvel/DC annual events is also sublime. Best of all is another underlying story in this volume, about who the real heroes are and the nature of patriotism and flag waving. SUPERB. Five Star Read! [image] 2019 and 2017 read...more
Another volume of two halves. The first half sees Hughie tasked with his first ever solo mission - will he make the grade? He also sees more of Annie Another volume of two halves. The first half sees Hughie tasked with his first ever solo mission - will he make the grade? He also sees more of Annie who is looking at her life before and after joining The Seven, and asking herself who she is. [image] The second half is a comic writing masterpiece as Ennis juxtaposes The Boys/Vought Americans history over are reality to create a thoroughly convincing alternate timeline that unquestionably calls out the American Military-Industrial complex. Alongside t this we get the first meeting between The Seven and the rest of the Boys! You ain't seen nothing like - wonderful scripting and art creates such an intense, yet also darkly comedic scene. The greatest comics ever written always tell the backstory/story as organically as possible. Ennis throws that away, goes old school and does four issues of exposition, and it works! Five Star Read, FIVE STARS! [image] 2019 and 2017 read...more
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