After giving up halfway through Stephenie Meyer’s ode to self-loathing, I wanted to read something really fun. When I wrote my review of the Watchmen graphic novel, I asked for suggestions for more graphic novels to read, and Polt not only suggested some, he sent me some! One of them was Batman: The Dark Knight Returns which was what I decided to read first. Now when the first comic book you ever read is the most celebrated graphic novel of all time, you worry that no other comic book will ever be able to be any good. Luckily that wasn’t the case.
While no Watchmen, The Dark Knight Returns was an awesome, exciting, and at times brutal read involving my favorite comic book hero ever. It’s about the Batman coming out of retirement to fight crime in Gotham once again. First let me address my complaints. And they’re not so much complaints about the book, rather than complaints about my knowledge of comic books. How did Commissioner Gordon know Batman was Bruce Wayne? Was Oliver the Green Arrow, and why did he hate Superman? When did Lana Lang and Selina Kyle get fat? There were a bunch of things that made me go “hrmm?” but I couldn’t tell if it was information given in other graphic novels, or backstory that the writer Frank Miller created himself, and wanted to nonchalantly incorporate into his work. I’m sure on multiple readings this wouldn’t bother me, but it was just a bit troublesome the first time around.
But other than that minor issue, the book was amazing. The artwork was incredible. Every once in a while there would be these absolutely gorgeous full page pictures that just blew me away. The artwork was a bit jarring at first since it was a lot different from the Watchmen, which had very literal artwork, but this style totally grew on me by the end of the first chapter.
The story itself was more of an ode to Batman, rather than a truly coherent, focused story, but I liked that about it. It was similar to the movie Superman Returns, which isn’t that great of a movie on its own merit, but it works really well as a tribute to the Man of Steel. And since this was my first Batman graphic novel, I liked being fully immersed into the world and seeing so many characters that I knew from other cartoons and movies. It just would have been nice to have a bit more time with the characters like Selina Kyle and Harvey Dent, but I can always read other books for that. All in all, it was a thoroughly enjoyable read and I recommend it for anyone who jumped on the Watchmen bandwagon and doesn’t know where to go next.
This morning I started Kingdom Come which a few of you had recommended and is another one that Polt sent me. I just got through the written introduction so I can’t say much yet, but judging by its cover (which I hear is an excellent way to judge things) it should be really great.
We’re just supposed to read between the lines about how Gordon finally figured out that Bruce was Batman and why Oliver, aka the Green Arrow, hates Superman (mainly because Oliver is anti-establishment and Superman joined the government, essentially). This is supposed to be Batman as an old man, so people like Selina and Lana got fat when they got old.
Kingdom Come was the first comic book I ever read, and even though I only knew who a handful of people were on each page, it made me want to learn more about all of them. If you get really lost or want to know who someone is, check out this guy’s site – he’s made detailed annotations of every single panel. http://www.geocities.com/athens/olympus/7160/annos.html
I’m ashamed to admit that I never read The Dark Knight Returns. It was huge back in its day when it was originally released, but I never ended up jumping on the bandwagon — after all, I had TMNT and A Distant Soil to keep up with! And ElfQuest, although I finally decided that it was kinda dumb and quit that series.
Well, I can’t comment on graphic novels or Batman but yeah, judging a book by its cover it definitely the way to go.
My friend just did a poll on her book review site and 70% of people said that the cover influences their decision to buy and 30% said they didn’t buy a book because the cover was god awful, no matter how good the writing was. And damn there are some ugly covers out there.
Tam: I’m totally the same way. I’ve bought many books just because the design of the cover was intriguing. I never ever read the book jacket or back cover of a book I’m buying, so the cover’s the only thing I can go by unless it’s a book recommended by someone. I mean, doesn’t the cover for Puntabulous: The Novel just make you want to grab it up?!
(okay, probably not so much…)
Dave: Are you serious? You never even read the blurb on the back? Holy shit. You are trusting of book designers. Actually hon I told someone that I should hook you up with the publisher who did some of these covers because your’s was amazing.
http://reviewsbyjessewave.blogspot.com/2009/04/ugly-book-covers.html
THESE? Awfullness at its worst and they are romance covers. The winner was Vampire Baby but Apple Crisp was a close second. I wish I could show you Blueberry Muffins, it was 20X worse than Apple Crisp (yeah it was a food series). But its blocked at work, probably because its too damn ugly.
Glad to hear you enjoyed Dark Knight and that you’re plunging into Kingdom Come.
Hope there are more graphic novels to come afterward!
Holy crap, some of those are awful! Apple Crisp is definitely the worst of that bunch. Ugh! I spent all of 15 minutes throwing together that Puntabulous cover — clearly those horrible ones took the “designers” *hours* to look bad…
Tam: “Bite Me”, now that is a book title (insert eye roll here). Lordy, that was some bad book cover magic right there.
Craig: YAY! Polt sent you excellent choices! Dark Knight Returns and Kingdom Come are both amazing. Batman: The Killing Joke, which is really a one shot rather than a graphic novel is worth a read.
I’m also a fan of X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills and Y The Last Man, which I said I would get to you…. I need to work on that.
Avitable answered all your character questions already, Craiggers, so i can’t help there. And I’m just glad you enjoyed it. It was released issue by issue at the same time Watchmen was…what a time for comic book geeks then, i can tell you!
Kingdom Come’s cover is sone by Alex Ross, who did the series itself, so if you enjoyed the cover, you really oughtta love the actual book itself.
There’s a TONS of characters in Kingdom Come, and it made me squee with excitement to see them all there, and try to figure out who was who, and who was related to who, and so on and so forth. Not having a deep background in DC, that might be a bit overwhelming for you at first. But the story itself is so damn good, you should be able to enjoy it anyway. I hope so.
Elfquest was a bit…simple? Innocent? Well, I kept up with the series until they stopped publishing it.
A book cover might get me to pick the book up to check out the back of it, or look into it more, but I never buy a book just by the way the cover looks. (unless it’s a porno mag, cause then, only the picture really matter.
)
HUGS…
Do you really go “hrmm”? I only go “hmmm”.
I know, that was lame, but it’s all I got. I’m spent.
goodnight.
?
Let me know when you start reading the classics.
Enrico: Are you saying that you have never read a comic?
Slow day in Puntabuland, eh?
Avitable: Thanks for the info and link. I’m really looking forward to Kingdom Come.
Enrico: Classics = Boring. Does The Once and Future King count as a classic? That was good.
Haven’t read The Dark Knight Returns. They better not fatten up Wonder Woman.
I’m always judging the books by their covers. I do read the blurbs, though.
Tam – that site is brilliant! Apple Crisp, Bend Over, Big Boy, mark of the Moon – with the butts!
john – I’m surprised you didn’t comment on Splitting Hares. That is some bedonkadonk that girl is hauling.
Michelle: LOL Splitting Hares was in the running for winner. I gave them props for not putting a size 00 on the cover but everyone thought she looked retarded. There is some scary shit out there that passes for professional work.
Regarding classics. I like really old classics, like the Iliad and the Odyssey. But most of the stuff I had to read in university was BORING. Is Agatha Christie a classic? I love her.
Speaking of Stephenie Meyer’s Ode to Self Loathing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daTTOyu-E1w
I much prefer Bella as a piece of meat.
Classics: I just got Little Dorrit. It’s currently on Masterpiece theater, but I missed the first episodes.
Agatha Christie is great. I also like Jane Austen, but really want to read this:
http://www.amazon.com/Pride-Prejudice-Zombies-Classic-Ultraviolent/dp/1594743347
Michelle: Polt and I saw that book in Toronto and stopped to talk about it. It did look interesting. I’ve never read Jane Austen or any of those books that they make into movies in England with fancy costumes. I’m too shallow perhaps.
A buddy of mine bought and said he was anxious to start reading it but hadn’t yet. It did pique my interest, but I didn’t get it yet. Got too many other things to read. If anyone reads it, give us a review please.
HUGS…
John – I read The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born comics based off of Stephen King’s Dark Tower series (my favorite series! That I think Craig would enjoy!)
Michelle M. – I love Jane Austen! I’m especially fond of Emma and Northanger Abbey.
Craig – Uhhh… kinda. It’s not really canonized. You should just go read Moby Dick. Or Toni Morrison!!
Michelle M.: I was going to comment on Splitting Hares, but I thought that would be too typical, there is more to me than rabbits (thought that is a pretty big chunk). Oh and Tam: she totally looks “retahded”.
To Kill A Mockingbird is a classic to me and one of the best stories ever written, fantastic book. Anyone mentions A Catcher In The Rye and there are going to be words; worst book ever.
I also agree that Agatha Christie kicks total a55!
Craigs’ Tweet: I agree. How much do you love Navid, though? And why are Annie and Naomi so spastic? Less is more, honeys. Please give those girls some acting classes.
I think the only classics I ever read were the Great Gatsby and Animal Farm.
HUGS…
John: I love To Kill A Mockingbird. And YES! Catcher in the Rye is soooo overrated. Finally, someone agrees with me!
Polt: Two good ones! Orwell is not my favorite (1984 was also decent), but I loved The Great Gatsby.
Enrico: I’ll back you up on Catcher In The Rye *any* day! I spent the whole time thinking: “Get a job and call the girl you whiny bitch!”.
1984 was good, I also love the Time Machine, Watership Down and The Stranger.
hii gd film