So I finished Batman: The Long Halloween yesterday, which is another graphic novel Polt got me. Like The Dark Knight Returns, it was chock full Batman characters that I’ve been familiar with from other mediums. But unlike The Dark Knight Returns it had a solid story driving the book along. The book is essentially a mystery novel that kept me guessing the entire time up until the very end where they threw me for another loop.
I really liked seeing the comic inspiration for the gangster characters we saw in Batman Begins and The Dark Knight movies as well as some of the minor villains like Scarecrow and Mad Hatter. I read somewhere that this book was a big inspiration for the two movies, and it really shows. I was also really glad to see Catwoman in a bigger role than I’ve seen before. Her character is so much fun, I wish they could have gotten her right in the Catwoman movie.
The artwork is also really fantastic. It’s amazing how every graphic novel I’ve read (all four of them) Watchmen, The Dark Knight Returns, Kingdom Come, and now The Long Halloween have had totally different styles of artwork. This one seemed inspired by anime (remember when anime used to be called japanimation?) and I loved it. So yeah, I totally recommend this for anyone who enjoyed the movies and is looking for a good book to read.
Now I’m reading Star Wars: Outcast, which is the first non-graphic novel I’ve read in a few months. Let me know which graphic novels I should read next!
Hooray for Japanimation! I think G-Force was the first cartoon I ever watched that had kinda hottie characters. Well, except maybe for Johnny Quest, which was clearly much gayer. Race Bannon, rrrowr.
Once again – haven’t read it. I have started watching the Justice League cartoons (Prepare to be dazzled!). How old am I?
Old enough to remember japanimation. Mel, I remember G force. And Robotech, too.
Going to bed. Wonder how many comments there will be when I wake up? I’m going to guess 75.
Michelle M.: I have all the Justice League cartoons on DVD. And actually, they’re pretty damn good.
Glad you enjoyed the Long Halloween Craiggers! Your review made me want to go back and reread it…which i probably will do this weekend.
Other recommendations? Far be it from me to recommend anything from Marvel, BUT, the graphic novel “Marvels” is pretty damn good. And the art’s by Alex Ross, the guy who did “Kingdom Come”. you should like that one. Also “Justice” is a pretty good one too…again by Alex Ross, and based kinda on the old Super Friends cartoon…although that’s probably before your time. Oh, and I think “Justice” comes in the two books, so bear that in mind if you’re going to buy them.
Off to work now…ugh…
HUGS…
Totally second everything Polt said as usual :p
Also to continue the Batman kick, I’d go for the Killing Joke. It’s about the Joker escaping Arkham, as per usual, and also shows glimpses of one of his origin stories. I’ll also recommend Fables again though it’s an ongoing series rather than a one-shot graphic novel. It’s about a group of fictional chracters (Fables) taking refuge in a secret community in New York after many of their fictional worlds were taken over by someone only known as the “Adversary”. It’s great fun once you get into it, and it seems like they’re trying to make it into a live action show soon!
Alex: Ooooh, I forgot the mention the Killing Joke! yeah, Craiggers, make that one your next one! As for fables…I’ve tried, Alex, i have. I just can’t seem to get into it. But then I always have been more a superhero comic book reader, so maybe it’s just not something up my alley.
Oh, and I totally forgot Glee was on last night! Why didn’t someone email me and remind me????
HUGS…
Umm, no clue. But glad you enjoyed it. All books should be enjoyed, even those with lots of pictures.
I’m awaiting my first shipment (love you Kris) of yaoi manga. Ooooh manga … pictures of boys with purple hair and gigantic eyes.
Polt: You can watch the whole episode of Glee on the fox website, then it continues this fall. So its not too late.
Tam: Thank you for the Glee advice. And I’ve seen the yaoi stuff…I like the boys with purple hair, but I just can NOT get into manga. Oh, well, when there’s high speed internet porn videos, who need Japanese cartoony porn anyways, eh?
HUGS…
Polt: I’m sure I’ll be reading it for the plot. Sheesh. What kind of a girl do you think I am?
Mel: Gatchaman (G Force/Battle of the Planets here in the states) was awesome! I love it and Star Blazers. The are making a Gatchaman movie that is due to be out next year.
I have no other graphic novel recommendations at this point, but someday, I may have to give anime another spin…
Michelle M.: You are a petite young flower, with the emphasis on young.
There is so much more to manga than guys with purple hair and yaoi. Bishonen is a very popular genre and it is characterized by the big eyes and hair things and is drawn in that style. Yaoi is more man-on-man action. (What is this teach me something Tuesday?)
Mange, like American comics, has a wide variety of story lines and, just like comics, some of it is phenomenal, but there is also a ton of crap. I don’t want to sound like a broken record, but Death Note was a fantastic manga and anime. I also liked the Shadow Star manga and a long time sentimental favorite is Ah! My Goddess.
Someday, I may send you some Death Note Craig, but it is a commitment and I think you are too busy right now.
John: Yeah, lets just say I’m looking to expand my yaoi experience from the written format to pictures.
I’ve always kind of liked the manga look but to be honest beyond Sat. morning cartoons I’m pretty manga/anime-illiterate. So we’ll see how the yaoi goes and if I decide to branch out.
Tam: Sorry if that came across a little bitchy, perhaps my undies are a little tight today.
I’ve never actually seen and yaoi comics. I know there is tons of slash fan art out there that ranges from the demure to the obscene, but so far, I’ve only been exposed to the occasional “pretty boys hugging” types of art. I can’t attest to the quality of the actual yaoi stories, but I do know that bishonen is serious business and they put a great deal of effort into it and many of the stories (aimed at adult and teen women).
Not bitchy John. I’m just starting to explore so we’ll see how it goes. Since graphic novels aren’t my thing I’m not sure this will be either, but we’ll see.
Tam: Glad to know it wasn’t bitchy (though, I can’t attest that I’m not acting that way at work).
Craig: I’m having email issues (which isn’t helping my bitchiness at ALL) did you get my email yesterday?
john: Sorry about that! I just replied.
john: Sorry to hear about your day at work. Mine is a significant improvement over yesterday…but there’s still plenty of time for someone to come along and F everything up.
If you’re having a bad day, just think about the bunnies…nice, soft, fluffy, non-problem-causing bunnies….
HUGS…
Polt:Thanks! Luckily, most of the staff will be in a meeting most of the afternoon so it will be quite. As for the bunnies, even they are working my last nerve. I tried to wrangle them into their cage and one of them went behind one of our chairs so I had to move it to get him out from behind it. When I moved the chair back, I clocked my head on the corner of our mantel and now have a nice knot on my head…
Craig: No worries! I just feared that it was lost as I didn’t get things at work this morning that I had sent from home. Hateses my home email I does.
I haven’t read any comics since I had to give up such luxuries back in my poor college student days. I remember really enjoying The Dark Knight Returns back when it first came out, now I might just have to reconnect with my inner comic book geek (sorry Enrico, looks like The Gunslinger will have to wait a little longer.)
Michelle M: G-Force, Robotech, Silver Hawks, Thundercats, Voltron (both the cat version and the vehicle one), Transformers, GoBots, yeah, I remember them all.
John: Hope your day gets better!
Tam: I have heard about yaoi, but I have never seen any. You will have to let us know if they actually have a good story, or if it’s just a bunch of too-skinny teen-age boys rolling around in fields of clover and lamenting about the tribulations of highschool life.
Hey! I haven’t noticed anything from Mark lately, did his Doctor give him the go-ahead to drive? Is he on a road trip as we speak (type)? Enquiring minds want to know!
M.Nico: Good point! I thought of this yesterday, but didn’t get a chance to ask. Here’s hoping he is on a summer road trip.
Nico: I love your description. LOL
I think I’m getting this one. Not sure till I get my manga care package. I don’t think high school although my understanding with yaoi is there is usually one “high school clover roller” and one “alpha male”. In this case its a fantasy kingdom type setting. The roles within yaoi are pretty well defined, you’ll never find two alphas or two clover rollers (I love that term) falling in love. Here is the blurb for Black Knight by Kai Tsurugi that my friend loves.
Black Knight, the highest honour that can be bestowed upon a knight in the kingdom of Aran. Zeke O’Brien may have his eyes on the title of Black Knight, but he’s also after another prize, the young prince Chris.
Black Knight is a sweeping romantic fantasy epic about the relationship between the prince of a medieval kingdom and his loyal guardsman. Our story begins when Chris and Zeke meet in military school and embark on a life-long relationship fraught with danger, treachery, and above all, love.
If you’re interested in what Kris has to say about why she liked it you can read her mini-review here:
http://krisngoodbooks.blogspot.com/2009/05/tasting-yaoi-black-knight-1.html
Whaaaa? Only 22 comments? Must be because everyone’s still on topic ( I thought you’d all be talking about safe words and potato chips by now). Or maybe because everyone is still commenting on the Glee (and digging out their Best of Journey CDs) post. And where’s Dave S.? That’s 50 comments right there.
M. Nicky – I only know G Force and Robotech. The rest are after my time, petite, young flower though I may be (thanks john : ).
Michelle: Potato chips. I almost bought potato chips at lunch, but went for the baked pita chips instead. I should get some kind of freaking reward for that. Although I really love them.
Safe words: Two interesting safewords I came across lately (in a book, not in real life, sheesh) were tangerine and snowman.
You toss out a topic and I have a totally irrelevant response for it.
Cool Ranch Doritos = Da Bomb Diggity
I am totally addictied to Jalapeno flavored Kettle brand potato chips. Mmmmm… chips…
Tostitos Hint of Lime. I call them the “Devil’s chips”. They are so good you don’t even need salsa. And the ones on the bottom with all the lime dust are fantastic. I am only allowed to have them once every three months.
Sweet Chile Heat Doritos = superior. (Not sure you guys even have that in the US)
Not a fan of the chip. Potato or otherwise. I don’t mind a good tortilla chip, but not my go to snack. I do like Rolled Gold Honey Wheat pretzels.
I always thought the safety word was banana….
Glad you liked it. Next try Invincible, The Walking Dead, Preacher, Hitman, and the Grant Morrison JLA trades.
Fritos Scoops = obsessive compulsion. Not as good as all the other adjectives, but just as true.
And I have never had a need to use a safe word, but a friend of mine’s was “Topeka Kansas”. Or so he says.
HUGS…
Craig – did you watch the 90210 finale? Or anyone else (except I think we’re the only one’s watching it)? Thoughts?
Michelle M: I did! It was really good! Especially when someone threw a drink in Annie’s face! But poor shirtless Liam! Just when he was starting to turn around!
I meant ones, not one’s.
The best Liam is a shirtless Liam. And Annie’s primal scream – so over the top. That girl can sure overact. And who was in the Mercedes? Aargh cliffhangers.
did u ever read “City of Glass” by Paul Auster? Read/Looked at it in college. Pretty intense and surprisingly moving. Def recommenderz: http://www.amazon.com/City-Glass-Graphic-Paul-Auster/dp/0312423608