Pick 3 Graphic Novels/Trade Paperbacks For This WeekThis is the part where I pick 3 graphic novels/trade paperbacks and give them a grade. You'll probably mostly see B's and C's because I don't normally read books I don't like and I don't really think there are that many out there that you gotta own/read. I'm going to ignore the obvious ones,
Watchmen and
Dark Knight Returns
, although I will probably eventually get around to the
sequel
to Dark Knight and maybe the
Absolute Edition
. Also, since I'm randomly selecting these books for review, I'm probably picking books I have at hand, so mostly new books and there are probably more of the ones I like lying around.
This is going to read like a real love fest, as they're all on my B List. Remember in our grading scale, B's mean you should try them out. A's are "You Gotta Own It!".
In no particular order:
1.
League of Extraordinary Gentlemen - B+ - Alan Moore & Kevin O'Neill have taken several of the classic pulpy and literary characters from the Victorian era and put them together to combat evil. It's the ultimate super hero book of the 19th century. Mina Murray (Harker) from Dracula, Captain Nemo from 20,000 Leagues and Mysterious Island, The Invisible Man, Henry Jekyll & Edward Hyde, and a new character named Campion Bond as a nod to James Bond and Albert Campion, who acts as the team's laison to their mysterious boss M. If you like big adventure books, this is one of the best and by arguably the best writer in the biz. I'm not including the Black Dossier in this list, because it's a different creature with its own story behind it.
The most important thing to keep in mind is, this isn't that wretched movie that claimed to be based on the series. It's not. Not even close.
Also, in (out of print) Absolute Editions, that include Alan Moore scripts:
2.
Ex Machina - B - It's a book about a super hero book, that isn't a super hero book. Michell Hudred was the Great Machine, the only super hero in the world and saviour of the second tower on 9/11. Today he's mayor of New York City.
Written by Brian K. Vaughn and with art by Tony Harris.
They're also releasing them as Deluxe Hard Covers. Each one contains two trades and the first one is available now:
3.
Y The Last Man - B+ - One day you're a total f*** up and the next you're the hottest guy on the planet...of course you're the only guy on the planet. This series is about a virus that wiped out the male of every mammalian species on the planet, except Yorick Brown and his pet monkey, Ampersand, and Yorick's journey to discover what caused the virus and saved him and Ampersand. Plus, any book with a monkey, especially one named Ampersand can't be all bad. Written by Brian K. Vaughn and art by Pia Guerra.
They're also releasing them as Deluxe Hard Covers. Each one contains two trades and the first one is available now and the second will be available in May:
Both Ex Machina and Y are about geeks that have been thrown into extraordinary circumstances and how they handle those circumstances. BKV, has written several of the best comics in the last decade and many of the best episodes of Lost the last two years.
While I was initially uncertain about the statues, upon receiving them - I am duly impressed with how they look. They were already some of Randy's best work, but the faux bronze covering really adds an extra depth (or look) to the statues. Fortunately, I was able to grab two of them; however, if I knew how well they were going to turn out, I would have included thee Spider-Man Faux Bronze as part of the collection.
Finally, the great part about these statue renditions is that Bowen is maintaining a limited edition quantity. I have seen him drastically reducing the edition sizes over the last few years, and as an avid collector, I appreciate it.
.
and
). He was also responsible for the recent Spirit (
and 
) relaunch by 
