Introduction:
I was born in the mid 80’s. When I was growing up, I thought comic books were the coolest thing on the planet. However, aside from a few floppies I bought at the local drug store, I do not remember owning many comics myself.
Most of what I knew, I knew from animated shows such as X-Men (1992) or Spiderman, Batman: The Animated Series, Superman Adventures, Justice League, etc.
Then, when I was around 16, a friend lent me 2 graphic novels that would reshape me for the rest of my life. They were Preacher by Garth Ennis and Y The Last Man by Matthew K. Vaughan. Those two comics blew my mind. I had never read such a thing, or seen such art. They just transformed me, and in many ways, I can look back at those comics and see little things that would shape me for the rest of my life.
I hoped to one day own a huge collection of comics.
It wasn’t until recently that I had the opportunity to build a collection. By now, I am embarrassed to admit how many graphic novels I own. I have also run out of space for them. What is even more embarrassing is the fact that I have yet to read many of them.
Thus, I came up with the idea to write this. I want to work my way around my collection, and I want to write brief reviews or thoughts that I have about the story I read. This will enable me to keep track of what I have and haven’t read. Also, I want to share where I got it and for how much (if I remember).
The idea is that other people can read and share stories or ideas. For example, maybe you want to show how you got this book, for how much, etc. Or maybe, you want to comment on the story itself.
Maybe you agree or disagree with my opinions. That is fine. Maybe you can give me recommendations for other books. That is great. Maybe we can have a little discussion about the books themselves.
My point is, I have no real goal by doing this other than to keep track of what I’m reading. However, I invite all of you fellow strangers to share anything if you feel like it.
I have two disclaimers before I begin.
First, this is not meant to be comprehensible reviews. This is just me sharing my thoughts and my opinions on graphic novels. I am not a professional reviewer, and I barely keep up with the names or artists and creators.
Second, I will buy just about any graphic novel if it’s 5 dollar or less. I love me some cheapness.
With that said, here is my list of books that I have read recently.
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• Wolverine: Goodbye, Chinatown by Jason Aaron
Why, how and how much?
I am not a die hard Wolverine fan, but the kid in me still loves him. I found this hardcover deluxe trade paperback for 5 dollars on Ebay, free shipping.
Thoughts?
This is the worst comic I have read in recent memory. First, I want to state that I love Jason Aaron. One of the reasons I got into reading weekly comics a few years back was because of Jason Aaron and his Thor run. I believe the “God Butcher” storyline is one of the greatest comic book storylines ever written, and definitely the best Thor story ever (in my opinion). I enjoyed that whole storyline all the way until it finished with War of The Realms (and later, King Thor I believe).
I was wondering why this book was so cheap. Now I know why. It is generic Wolverine fights mob guys in China story. I don’t know how the man who wrote Gorr the Godbutcher also wrote this dialogue, but here we go.
I think the whole joke is that these characters having “witty” banter during a fight is supposed to be funny, but I just found it to be off putting. I am fine with holding disbelief in comics, and I am even fine with some mindless violent fun (see thoughts on Jiro), but this book was a chore that left me wondering why I wasted my time when I have so many other books I could have read instead.
Recommendation:
I love Jason Aaron. I hated this comic. Hard pass.
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• Ex-Machina by Brian K. Vaughan
Why, How and How Much?
Y: The Last Man was one of the first graphic novels I read. I absolutely loved it. I hold Brian K. Vaughan in very high regard. To me, he is to comics what Maynard from Tool and A Perfect Circle is to music. They are downright bulletproof. When I saw that this was considered his original magnum opus, I was thrilled. I happily bought the two compendiums on Ebay. Book 1 was around 37 dollars. Book 2 was around 42.
Thoughts?
This is the one that pains me the most to write about. This is written by the master, Brian K. Vaughan. Surely, the man who wrote Y: The Last Man and the man currently writing Saga would deliver here with his earlier work.
I read the first few issues with joy. Everything is competent. The dialogue is great, which is to be expected. The art, while I wouldn’t call it amazing, is very good and it fits the story well. I would say I enjoyed the first book in the compendium very much. It includes the first 25 issues. However, when I finished the first book, I was dreading the thought that I had to start another book that had 25 more issues.
Here is my problem with Ex-Machina. This is a story about a former vigilante superhero called Mitchell Hundred. He can communicate with electric devices, and they follow his every command. However, he leaves his superhero ways behind to pursue a political career, eventually becoming the mayor of New York City after the attacks of 9/11.
At many points throughout the story, it is teased that the origin of Hundred’s abilities will be explained, or that there is a bigger story brewing in the background. And then…. Nothing happens. I feel the book is constantly trying to set up a story and then it pulls the rug from under you. A super villain will be introduced and then waved away in the next issue like they never mattered. Even the way the story ends hints at some sort of cataclysmic event in the future… which is never explored.
I think perhaps that is the point. Vaughan forces you to read the comic for what it is and refuses to give into the tropes of other superhero comics. If that was his intention, then good for him. However, halfway in, I found the book to be pointless. It was obvious that Vaughan had no desire to explore the superhero aspects, instead focusing on politics and a commentary on 9/11. To be fair, I think this story is a product of that era. This was published in 2004 when 9/11 attacks in New York were still a main part of the public discourse. However, this story simply did not work for me when I read it in 2021.
Recommendation:
Read Saga or Y: The Last Man, skip this one.
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• Transmetropolitan by Warren Ellis
Why, How and How Much?
When I started to build my collection, there were certain titles I felt were necessary to have a real collection. I remember a few years ago, someone posted his collection on reddit, and someone simply replied, “The only thing you need to finish your collection is Transmetropolitan.” I knew it would only be a matter of time before I had to bite the bullet and get it.
I was going to buy this as a set, but the price was always over 100 dollars. I bought a lot which included Vol 1, so this started the snowball effect of me buying each book individually on Ebay. The most expensive individual book was Vol 6: Gouge Away. I paid 13 bucks on the one. I think I bought all of them individually for a total of around 85 dollars. Not a bad deal, honestly.
Thoughts?
Where to begin on this one. I like the character of Spider Jerusalem. I love the tone Warren Ellis has on this book. It’s in your face satire that somehow is probably even more relevant today than before. Everyone in the world of Transmetropolitan are damaged, disgusting people. Society is hopeless. Ignorance has taken over the world and no one cares. In a way, I felt like I was reading an extreme version of the movie Idiocracy.
Warren Ellis was definitely ahead of his time with this one. I think this is why people talk about this book so fondly. As to my opinion on it, well, I couldn’t finish it. I read all the way to Vol. 6 before I said, “I respect you Warren Ellis, but I have had enough.”
Transmetropolitan as a story is disjointed. It will set up a story arc, then waste time on filler issues that have little significance to the plot. It is this back and forth that did me in. I think the appeal of this story is to spend time with the Spider Jerusalem character as he tries to destroy the world he lives in through journalism.
It is a good premise, and I can see how when this came out, it blew people’s minds. The art is also classic 90’s Vertigo gold. However, I started to read this on 2021, and I just felt I saw enough Spider Jerusalem to get my fix. I was invested with The Smiler story arc, but then it started to tread water again. At some point, I lost interest, and I unceremoniously dropped it. Honestly, I am thinking about selling it. But what if the redditor was right and no collection is complete without Transmetropolitan?
Recommendation:
Not for me but might be worth checking out, especially if you like classic 90’s Vertigo Comics.
....continued in Part 2