V for Vendetta Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 Right I rarely venture into the virtual Pub but tonight I seem to be particularly bored. So, prompted by a mention of the book I stole my username from a few weeks ago (boofon I think) what comicbook chat can you all enlighten me with? Personally first time I read any sort of Graphic Novel/Comic was about 2 years ago and since then I've gone on to read and really enjoy quite a few. I'll come to these in a minute but first I need to get something off my chest: I've never been a comics person before. Always thought they were weird, Dungeons and Dragons types who don't wash.However its not an excuse for being a smelly, weird cunt just because you read a comic. Its no different to reading anything else or to watching a film or whatever. I also couldn't understand those folk who buy comics and keep them in plastic covers and never let anyone touch or breath on them or whatever. I just didn't get it and I still don't. I think thats because the "collectors" thing I don't get. I think people who collect things, anything at all are just fucking sad OCD bastards. So leaving all that aside anyone thinking on looking at this stuff for the first time I'd recommend the following (I've read all of these as graphic novels rather than comics): V for VendettaWatchmenBatman: Year OneBatman: The Killing JokeArkham AsylamThe Dark Night ReturnsThe League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Vol 1 and 2 Thinking Sin City series might be next but its pricey and I'm a tight bastard. Fire Torpedoes! Link to comment
Ke1t Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 Right I rarely venture into the virtual Pub but tonight I seem to be particularly bored. So, prompted by a mention of the book I stole my username from a few weeks ago (boofon I think) what comicbook chat can you all enlighten me with? Personally first time I read any sort of Graphic Novel/Comic was about 2 years ago and since then I've gone on to read and really enjoy quite a few. I'll come to these in a minute but first I need to get something off my chest: I've never been a comics person before. Always thought they were weird, Dungeons and Dragons types who don't wash.However its not an excuse for being a smelly, weird cunt just because you read a comic. Its no different to reading anything else or to watching a film or whatever. I also couldn't understand those folk who buy comics and keep them in plastic covers and never let anyone touch or breath on them or whatever. I just didn't get it and I still don't. I think thats because the "collectors" thing I don't get. I think people who collect things, anything at all are just fucking sad OCD bastards. So leaving all that aside anyone thinking on looking at this stuff for the first time I'd recommend the following (I've read all of these as graphic novels rather than comics): V for VendettaWatchmenBatman: Year OneBatman: The Killing JokeArkham AsylamThe Dark Night ReturnsThe League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Vol 1 and 2 Thinking Sin City series might be next but its pricey and I'm a tight bastard. Fire Torpedoes! Not a big fan of the American Graphic Novels... generally Superpowers just annoy me, and the only American 'Superhero' I an think of who doesn't have a Superpower is Batman. Much prefer the British stuff, where the central figure is usually a normal person in an exceptional situation, rather than some twat who flies around in tight spandex. My own favourites would be Slaine The Horned God, which draws on Celtic mythology for its premise. And of course, V for Vendetta. Link to comment
V for Vendetta Posted March 21, 2012 Author Share Posted March 21, 2012 Not a big fan of the American Graphic Novels... generally Superpowers just annoy me, and the only American 'Superhero' I an think of who doesn't have a Superpower is Batman. Much prefer the British stuff, where the central figure is usually a normal person in an exceptional situation, rather than some twat who flies around in tight spandex. My own favourites would be Slaine The Horned God, which draws on Celtic mythology for its premise. And of course, V for Vendetta. Watchmen is another with no magicall special powers. Totally with you on that though - nothing more difficult to relate to and totally unimaginative than a "superhero" in tights who can fly, see through walls or turn into a goat or something. Obviously the league ones do but I was pleasantly surprised to find the FAR better than the stupid film adaptation. Never heard of Slaine. Will check that out. Link to comment
Ke1t Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 Watchmen is another with no magicall special powers. V and Watchmen are, of course, both British creations... The British stuff seems at least within the realms of outlandish possibility. Rogue Trooper being another perfect example... a genetically modified human fighting a war in a poisoned atmosphere, where regular humans have to wear NBC suits. Not outside the realms of possibility. I would also add Rogue Trooper to my favourites. And, if you can even find it any more.. The Light And Darkness War. 1 Link to comment
granite sheep Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 For you guys who think of supes as quite silly, you should defo think about getting The Boys, it's still ongoing at the moment (only 8 issues to go till the end), by Garth Ennis of Preacher fame. It's about a CIA backed team of 4 very hard men, one mad Japanese woman, and a bulldog, paid to watch the worst force in the world- superheroes. Raw, quite violent, but a fantastic deconstruction of superhero comics, plenty of shagging and laugh out loud funny in places. Should be able to get all the trades in the shops by now. Link to comment
RabidGiraffe Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 The Boys by Garth Ennis is a good twist on the superpowers thing 1 Link to comment
dj_bollocks Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 Where to start... About 15 years ago it was all about the artistes - The Macfarlane's the Liefelds etc etc... Used to work in a comic shop in my teens and student days and the amount of Sh*te that would filter through - the multiple covers etc etc... Whilst I was living in Malaysia I spent a ton on Graphic Novels, on books that I'd missed or mostly because I wanted to read them from beginning to end... For me now it's about story tellers - the artwork is somewhat of a bonus to a great story... Here's what I'd recommend in no particular order: Powers, Ultimate Spider-man - and anything by Brian Michael BendisY: The Last Man, Ex Machina, Runaways and anything by Brian K VaughanThe Walking Dead, Invincible and anything by Robert Kirkman100 Bullets, Joker and anything by Brian AzzarelloHellblazer, Preacher, The Boys, Wormwood and anything by Garth EnnisKick Ass, Nemesis, Ultimates, Ultimate Fantastic Four and anything by Mark MillarRising Stars, Amazing Spider-man, Superman Earth One, Thor etc etc and anything by J. Michael StraczynskiThe Filth, The Invisibles, Batman & Robin, New X Men, Batman Arkham Asylum, All Star Superman, etc etc etc etc.... and MOST things by Grant Morrison Neil Gaiman and Alan Moore can be quite hard work for some although they truly have some ground breaking and innovative work between them and there are other great writers as well Pete Milligan, Joss Whedon's run on Astonishing X Men, John Byrne, Jeph Loeb etc etc etc... SOME of Frank Miller's stuff - can be very inconsistent - his Daredevil stuff is some of my favourite, Sin City is a bit hit and miss for me same with Hard Boiled... And his Batman stuff goes from brilliant (Year One, Dark Knight Returns) to terrible (Dark Knight Strikes Again) Some great stuff out there... Link to comment
RabidGiraffe Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 Absolutely anything by Alan Moore is worth a read. Link to comment
Ke1t Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 What am I even thinking... they turned the novel, Ender's Game, into a graphic novel. I haven't seen the Graphic Novel, but I've read the actual book and it's without a doubt one of the best books in any genre I've read. I'd recommend the audio book for Ender's game, though. Considered one of the best, if not THE best, sci-fi book written. Filming of the movie began in February this year. Link to comment
granite sheep Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 Actually, anything Garth Ennis's written is generally guaranteed to be great. Link to comment
Ke1t Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 Oh, jesus, it's all coming back Zenith is also worth getting hold of. Start with Zenith: Phase One. Fucking great. Nothing can harm Zenith - or so he thinks. He is about to get a huge wake-up call, courtesy of a World War II legacy that will not stay buried and a multi-dimensional race of soul-eating gods who want to re-shape the Earth and its inhabitants in their own image Link to comment
V for Vendetta Posted March 21, 2012 Author Share Posted March 21, 2012 Where to start... About 15 years ago it was all about the artistes - The Macfarlane's the Liefelds etc etc... Used to work in a comic shop in my teens and student days and the amount of Sh*te that would filter through - the multiple covers etc etc... Whilst I was living in Malaysia I spent a ton on Graphic Novels, on books that I'd missed or mostly because I wanted to read them from beginning to end... For me now it's about story tellers - the artwork is somewhat of a bonus to a great story... Here's what I'd recommend in no particular order: Powers, Ultimate Spider-man - and anything by Brian Michael BendisY: The Last Man, Ex Machina, Runaways and anything by Brian K VaughanThe Walking Dead, Invincible and anything by Robert Kirkman100 Bullets, Joker and anything by Brian AzzarelloHellblazer, Preacher, The Boys, Wormwood and anything by Garth EnnisKick Ass, Nemesis, Ultimates, Ultimate Fantastic Four and anything by Mark MillarRising Stars, Amazing Spider-man, Superman Earth One, Thor etc etc and anything by J. Michael StraczynskiThe Filth, The Invisibles, Batman & Robin, New X Men, Batman Arkham Asylum, All Star Superman, etc etc etc etc.... and MOST things by Grant Morrison Neil Gaiman and Alan Moore can be quite hard work for some although they truly have some ground breaking and innovative work between them and there are other great writers as well Pete Milligan, Joss Whedon's run on Astonishing X Men, John Byrne, Jeph Loeb etc etc etc... SOME of Frank Miller's stuff - can be very inconsistent - his Daredevil stuff is some of my favourite, Sin City is a bit hit and miss for me same with Hard Boiled... And his Batman stuff goes from brilliant (Year One, Dark Knight Returns) to terrible (Dark Knight Strikes Again) Some great stuff out there... What am I even thinking... they turned the novel, Ender's Game, into a graphic novel. I haven't seen the Graphic Novel, but I've read the actual book and it's without a doubt one of the best books in any genre I've read. I'd recommend the audio book for Ender's game, though. Considered one of the best, if not THE best, sci-fi book written. Filming of the movie began in February this year. Right then. Thats me away to do some shopping on Amazon. Link to comment
ScottishJohn Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 Only ones I've ever bought are "Reign of Frogs" the 4 Lost Boys ones. I am interested in getting some more though. Might get the Army of Darkness one. Link to comment
dj_bollocks Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 Or have a gander at warez-bb.org and see what you can find ! Funny Kelt I was thinking about Zenith the other day... Had a look at the graphic novels on ebay coz I couldn't find anything for gratis and they're fucking expensive... Would love to have a read of that again... and Bad Company... In fact there's a lot of great 200Ad stuff that has or hasn't been reprinted... http://www.2000adonline.com/books/ Link to comment
granite sheep Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 I've bought some of the Army Of Darkness books- the movie adaptation's spot on: however everything else is an embarrassment. Anyone here buy any of the Avengers comics? New and Secret Avengers are decent enough, but the main one is gash, then again the Ultimates, especially the ones written by Mark Millar are immense. Link to comment
Ke1t Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 Or have a gander at warez-bb.org and see what you can find ! Funny Kelt I was thinking about Zenith the other day... Had a look at the graphic novels on ebay coz I couldn't find anything for gratis and they're fucking expensive... Would love to have a read of that again... and Bad Company... In fact there's a lot of great 200Ad stuff that has or hasn't been reprinted... http://www.2000adonline.com/books/ Holy shit.. how did I forget Bad Company? I actually have all the Bad Company graphic novels. Danny Franks IS.. aaaah, I won't spoil it Link to comment
Podge Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 This one was mental too (only read first one): Link to comment
dj_bollocks Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 Holy shit.. how did I forget Bad Company? I actually have all the Bad Company graphic novels. Danny Franks IS.. aaaah, I won't spoil it That would be too Krool... Link to comment
sheepishone Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 The preacher series of books are brilliant, you should also try the Transmetropolitan series as well Link to comment
V for Vendetta Posted March 22, 2012 Author Share Posted March 22, 2012 100 Bullets and Y: The last man ordered. Oh and Enders Game novel. Link to comment
Coopy100 Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 Superman red son is a good read with a good premise. Wanted is another good one. Does have superpowers in it but does it vastly different Basically though if you are going to read 1 graphic novel it has to be Watchmen. One of the best books I have ever read. EDIT: What a bunch of geeky fuckers we are. Link to comment
tightbreeks Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 berzerk is ace. the anime is no bad to. Link to comment
dj_bollocks Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 If you enjoy 100 Bullets (which of course you will...) Check out Azarello's take on the Batman origin Knights of Vengeance... came out last year one of my favourite Batman stories ever ( that and his Joker graphic novel). Azarello and Risso have also just started a mini series called Spaceman which I've just started - pretty good so far... Y is awesome too - might have to have a revisit - haven't read it in a while. Link to comment
V for Vendetta Posted March 30, 2012 Author Share Posted March 30, 2012 Y Vol 1 was really good - ordering the next couple soon.Enders Game - like it, about half way through so far 100 Bullets looks really nice but I'm saving it for the moment. Will get tore into that at the weekend. Link to comment
amancalledbuck Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 From Hell is amazing. Link to comment
Bluto10 Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 my recommendation is to stay well away from comics. Link to comment
Bluto10 Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 The Beezer and Topper were a hoot. viz is better Link to comment
adl333 Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 I was really into 2000AD as a boy, got most of the first 200 progs, havent read anything for years. By coincidence, today I noticed this event happening in Polmont on April 21st: http://www.falkirkcommunitytrust.org/whats-on/events/event.aspx?eid=1131&did=7061&utm_source=fctweb&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=graphicnovelnight "The artist and novelists confirmed for the evening are: David Bishop: Editor 2000AD, writer for 2000AD, writer on 2000AD novels, writer Thrill Power Overload: a history of 2000ADMetaphrog: John Chalmers and Sandra Marrs from Glasgow writer and artist behind cult comics Strange Weather Lately and Louis.Rough Cut Comics: Ed Murphy from Glasgow based publishers of Freedom Collective, Society, The Surgeon, Rose Black.Emancipation Studios: James Lundy from Armadale based publishers." Link to comment
Ke1t Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 Or have a gander at warez-bb.org and see what you can find ! Funny Kelt I was thinking about Zenith the other day... Had a look at the graphic novels on ebay coz I couldn't find anything for gratis and they're fucking expensive... Would love to have a read of that again... and Bad Company... In fact there's a lot of great 200Ad stuff that has or hasn't been reprinted... http://www.2000adonline.com/books/ Funnily enough I just found a wee Strontium Dog thing I did with 2000AD artist, PJ Holden back in the day. A short one-page filler. This is my total contribution to the British Science Fiction Graphic Novel/Comicbook genre... Link to comment
granite sheep Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 Funnily enough I just found a wee Strontium Dog thing I did with 2000AD artist, PJ Holden back in the day. A short one-page filler. This is my total contribution to the British Science Fiction Graphic Novel/Comicbook genre... Was that the viking guy, Wulf Sternhammer or something that's in the ship wi Johnny Alpha? Apart fae that, nae bad piece, mannie. Link to comment
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