Graphic Novels

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Welcome to the Jungle

May 14, 2009 in Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Urban | 2 comments

I picked up Jim Butcher’s graphic novel, Welcome to the Jungle last weekend at my local Downtown Comics store.

welcome-to-the-jungle-3My excitement was so great I began reading it on the way home (Not to worry, the honey was driving, while shaking his head that anyone could be so excited about ‘a comic’). It can definitely be devoured in the course of 30 minutes or so, but I took my time, examine the panels, and probably took closer to 45 :-) .

In terms of a time line, the novel takes place before the events of Storm Front (Book one of the Dresden Files). Harry Dresden, Wizard, Sleuth, and All-Around-Awesome-Guy, is called in by Lt. Murphy of the Chicago PD to investigate the mauling of a night security guard at the Lincoln Park Zoo. Using his “third eye” or Wizard’s Sight, he sees that this is no ordinary animal attack and begins searching for the supernatural cause of death.

A number of characters are also present–Murphy, Carmichael, and even Mister. I especially enjoyed the dialogue between Murphy, Carmichael, and Harry. Remember, this is before Murphy warms up to Harry! Another panel I enjoyed was Harry, alone, brainstorming possible culprits and discarding each one when they didn’t fit the M.O. welcome-to-the-jungle-2

Overall, the artwork is excellent, as is the writing: perfectly Dresden-esque, especially for Jim’s first foray into ComicBookLand. While the story isn’t as deep and multifaceted as the books, Butcher still delivers Classic Harry with the humor and cynicism we know and love. For those who are curious about The Dresden Files, Welcome to the Jungle is an excellent introduction/jumping off point.

Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

March 9, 2009 in Graphic Novels, Media | Comment

Who watches the watchmen?

clock_I finally saw the movie on Sunday and I realized later that it has the mark of all excellent movies–thought provocation (Ok, I kind of made up that phrase). As I got ready for bed I couldn’t stop thinking about scenes from the movie and the same when I got to work in the morning. In an attempt to *stop* thinking about it, I thought it would help to discuss my thoughts on it. This is by no means a serious, lengthy, in depth review… just my thoughts.

To preface, I had read the novel, and I was aware of the hype surrounding the movie, including Alan Moore’s thoughts on the cinema version.

characters

Characters:
Casting was amazing. Jeffrey Dean Morgan was amazing as the Comedian and exactly what I had pictured. Same for Rorschach and, well, all of them. Except Ozymandias. I was hoping for more than a twiggy, feminine, lame-accent-that-went-on-and-off character. Oh well. However, Rorschach takes the cake with his total sociopathic-ness. My favorite scene was definitely Rorschach’s jail sequence, and I think many will agree.
rorschach_
I loved his voice at certain parts, like when he’s screaming at his fellow inmates, but most of the time he sounded like he was ripping off Christian Bale’s Batman voice. Dr. Manhattan was an amazing effect with Billy Crudup, and I loved Dr. Manhattan in the book, but in the movie he just… annoyed me. *Ducks in fear*
dr

Cinematography:
Amazing. Not as artistic or stylized as 300, but still great. They did a lot of the slo-mo-then-super-fast moves, which looked really cool but I found it hard to believe that skinny Ozzy or the Silk Spectre had that much power behind a punch. But, it’s a comic book so I’ll go with it. Better than big clouds saying BAM! POW! ALA KAZAM!
I kept waiting for someone to kick Silk’s ass just by managing to grab her hair, which was pretty much all over the place, all the time. Too bad.

Ending:
GAHHHH THEY CHANGED IT WHY WOULD THEY DO THAT?!?!
COME ONNNNN….

So yeah. They changed the ending. Snyder you suck. I’m not sure if he was trying to make it “current” and apply the energy crisis for that very reason, but it was lame. And yet they left in Bubastis, Ozzy’s pet mutant cat, which just left Watchmen newbies confused, I’m sure. Check out what Hitler thinks about the ending change below:

Overall Impression/Last Thoughts:
cdExcellent, stayed SOOO close to the script, only to change the ending (wtf?). And pick up the soundtrack! Definitely helps make the movie. My only wish is that they would have done more background for the characters, especially Rorschach. I suppose when you only have 3 hours, a lot gets cut.

Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

September 15, 2008 in Graphic Novels | 1 comment

Who watches the watchmen?

Let me preface this by saying I can’t believe I hadn’t read this already. I’m a little embarrased.

The Watchmen is a graphic novel that follows our “hero” Rorschach as he uncovers threads of a deadly plot to wipe out the remaining Watchmen as well as innocent people .

The novel follows two generations of masked superheroes (Watchmen) and Rorschach’s attempt to team up with his old partner, Nite Owl, to unravel said conspiracy and the threat of nuclear war. The story takes place during Nixon’s term– in the book’s reality, someone has most likely killed Woodward/Bernstein before Watergate is uncovered. Combined with the Vietnam War, Nixon is extremely popular and is able to run for at least 5 consecutive terms.

The Watchmen simply has too much to absorb at once, as I read it the second time around I began to notice so much more as far as the art and the panels themselves. Just about every character has a touch of crazy and Moore’s orchestration to a shocking climax is absoluely amazing. I’m looking forward to the movie adaptation, but I know Alan Moore has pulled out, claiming to be unhappy with the way it was going.

Anyway, happy reading! If you’re not sure that this may be your cup of tea, check out a sneak peak at DC Comics!

Fables

August 3, 2008 in Graphic Novels | Comment

Fables, myths, legends….there are archetypes that exist in every culture. I remember reading the Brothers Grimm as a child, entranced by Rose Red’s cherry lips and Snow White’s porcelain skin. They were perfect beings, envied by bitter stepmothers everywhere and destined for “happily ever after” with Prince Charming.

Yet still I remember chilling, more sinister versions of these fairy tales, where Snow White is a bed slave to 7 vicious criminals and Beauty’s father happily sells her to the Beast to save his own skin.

Fables, a series of graphic novels, pays homage to those charming stories of old and adds modern twists–Snow White’s cheating ex-husband is Prince Charming. Cinderella is really a spy for Fabletown, rooting out those sympathetic to the Adversary while maintaining the façade of being a ditzy shoe store owner (The Glass Slipper, big surprise). Goldilocks is a sociopath who happens to live with the 3 bears. The “big bad wolf” is fully reformed from his pork (and Red Riding Hood) eating days and acts as Sheriff of Fabletown. He is (usually) in human form but casts a beastly shadow. Other fun cameos include Ichabod “Icky” Crane, the 3 blind mice, and best of all, the Vorpal Sword, “bane of the Jabberwock”. It even goes “Snicker-Snack”!


The basic premise is this: Fables are real and are in exile from the Homeland, which has been invaded by an enemy only known as the Adversary. They currently live in Fabletown, in Manhattan, blending in with “Mundys”, or “Mundanes” (kind of like Muggles). Those fables unable to pass as human live on the Farm, in upstate New York. The series follows the personal stories of several notable Fables, and their fight to remain independent of the Adversary.

Notable lines include “richer than King Midas’ wet dream” and “hung” just right (Goldilocks’ completely valid reason for sleeping with little bear), among many others. This series is excellent because it hearkens back to those darker, more ominous tales…if you’re looking for a “happily ever after”, you won’t find it here.

PS- If you enjoyed my review and want to take it a step further, download the first issue from Vertigo here!