For the past year or so, I've become totally consumed by comics and graphic novels. I was never into comic books when I was younger, even though all of my friends were, and I can't explain why. I guess I was just wrapped up in "real" books, and movies were kind of my forte growing up. While all of the other kids on the block were reading Spiderman and X-Men, I was watching The Godfather and The Evil Dead. I mean, I've always loved the characters, I would wake up early Saturday morning to watch the X-Men cartoon, or rush home from school to watch Batman: The Animated Series, but I could never get into the books. This past year, though, it's totally taken over my life as far as reading goes (well, that and non-fiction history).
So, since I'm sure many of you guys are also into comics, I pose a few questions:
Favorite books?
Favorite characters?
Favorite authors?
My favorite graphic novel is probably either Watchmen (duh), or Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns. Watchmen is the standard as far as graphic novels are concerned, I suppose, and it deserves every bit of praise it gets. The Dark Knight Returns is just awesome on every level. This is the book that brought Batman back to his original roots, and it's a thrilling read. When Batman has Superman on his knees, throat in hand, at the end of the book...man. So intense. Preacher is a favorite of mine (the limited story arc about the Saint of Killers is absolutely awesome). I'm also a big fan of David Boring, which was written by Daniel Clowes of Ghost World fame. Neil Gaiman's Sandman books are terrific, as well. I'm hoping to get into The Walking Dead (zombies!) and Transmetropolitan soon.
Recently, I've been reading The Ultimates, which is Marvel's Ultimate Universe version of The Avengers. It's a pretty dark and cynical book, plenty of violence and intensity (way above average for a mainstream comic). Marvel's New Avengers is probably the best mainstream book out right now. It's cool to see Spidey and Wolverine on the same team. Traditionally I'm not much of a DC fan, except for Batman.
As far as individual characters go, my favorite "superhero" is Batman. I'm also a big Punisher fan, Garth Ennis's work on The Punisher is absolutely brilliant. I guess technically neither of those are "super" at all, but I suppose I find it interesting that they're more or less ordinary men doing extraordinary things, surrounded by (and often surpassing) extraordinary people. The Ultimate Universe version of Thor is really cool, specifically because he's always spouting out political propaganda and rhetoric, and at one point only agrees to join The Ultimates because George W. Bush gives into his demands towards doubling the international aid budget. Oh, and how could I forget The Joker and Carnage.
As far as authors go, I'm a big fan of Garth Ennis (The Punisher, Preacher), Alan Moore (Watchmen, V for Vendetta, The League...), Mark Millar (Judge Dredd, The Authority, Ultimate X-Men, The Ultimates), and Brian Michael Bendis (Jinx, Torso, Sam and Twitch, Ultimates, Ultimate X-Men, Elektra, Daredevil, House of M, Secret War, Ultimate Fantastic Four, New Avengers). One can't forget Frank Miller, either. He really is a mixed bag, though.
So, since I'm sure many of you guys are also into comics, I pose a few questions:
Favorite books?
Favorite characters?
Favorite authors?
My favorite graphic novel is probably either Watchmen (duh), or Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns. Watchmen is the standard as far as graphic novels are concerned, I suppose, and it deserves every bit of praise it gets. The Dark Knight Returns is just awesome on every level. This is the book that brought Batman back to his original roots, and it's a thrilling read. When Batman has Superman on his knees, throat in hand, at the end of the book...man. So intense. Preacher is a favorite of mine (the limited story arc about the Saint of Killers is absolutely awesome). I'm also a big fan of David Boring, which was written by Daniel Clowes of Ghost World fame. Neil Gaiman's Sandman books are terrific, as well. I'm hoping to get into The Walking Dead (zombies!) and Transmetropolitan soon.
Recently, I've been reading The Ultimates, which is Marvel's Ultimate Universe version of The Avengers. It's a pretty dark and cynical book, plenty of violence and intensity (way above average for a mainstream comic). Marvel's New Avengers is probably the best mainstream book out right now. It's cool to see Spidey and Wolverine on the same team. Traditionally I'm not much of a DC fan, except for Batman.
As far as individual characters go, my favorite "superhero" is Batman. I'm also a big Punisher fan, Garth Ennis's work on The Punisher is absolutely brilliant. I guess technically neither of those are "super" at all, but I suppose I find it interesting that they're more or less ordinary men doing extraordinary things, surrounded by (and often surpassing) extraordinary people. The Ultimate Universe version of Thor is really cool, specifically because he's always spouting out political propaganda and rhetoric, and at one point only agrees to join The Ultimates because George W. Bush gives into his demands towards doubling the international aid budget. Oh, and how could I forget The Joker and Carnage.
As far as authors go, I'm a big fan of Garth Ennis (The Punisher, Preacher), Alan Moore (Watchmen, V for Vendetta, The League...), Mark Millar (Judge Dredd, The Authority, Ultimate X-Men, The Ultimates), and Brian Michael Bendis (Jinx, Torso, Sam and Twitch, Ultimates, Ultimate X-Men, Elektra, Daredevil, House of M, Secret War, Ultimate Fantastic Four, New Avengers). One can't forget Frank Miller, either. He really is a mixed bag, though.