Book Description

In celebration of its 65th anniversary, the House of Ideas proudly presents a timeless testament to another true Marvel visionary! Best known as the first artist to bring Spider-Man to life in the pages of Amazing Fantasy, Steve Ditko illustrated Amazing Spider-Man for four years - helping create characters such as Doctor Octopus, the Lizard, the Vulture, and dozens more of Spider-Man's classic villains. In contrast to the grounded realism of Spider-Man, Ditko also drew the adventures of Doctor Strange, a master of the mystic arts who defended Earth's citizens from bizarre otherworldly threats. Now, this deluxe keepsake edition collects his greatest moments.Stories from Tales To Astonish #26, 42; Strange Tales #94, 97, 110, 115, 126-127; 146; Amazing Adult Fantasy #7, 10, 12-13; Amazing Spider-Man #1, 31-33, Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1; Hulk #6, 249; Tales Of Suspence #48, Daredevil #162; MSHS, Speedball #1. ... Read more

Book Description

The team behind the blockbuster animated hit Ice Age --Twentieth Century Fox, Blue Sky Studios, and Academy Award®-winning director Chris Wedge -- joined forces with acclaimed children's author William Joyce to create another visually magnificent, animated classic in Robots. Conceptualized by this stellar creative team and voiced by stars such as Ewan McGregor, Halle Berry, Mel Brooks, Stanley Tucci, Greg Kinnear, and Amanda Bynes, Robots is a magical contribution to the art of animation. Here to celebrate the film is The Art of Robots, offering a sneak peek at the early visual developmental stages of the film. Featuring the spectacular concept art created by the team at Blue Sky Studios and by producer and production designer William Joyce, this innovative and imaginative book is an exclusive backstage pass to the hidden animation artistry behind Robots. ... Read more

Book Description

According to the Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter--the world's only totally reliable guide to the future--the world will end on a Saturday.Next Saturday, in fact.Just after tea... ... Read more

Reviews (361)

An Outragiously Funny Book!!
I decided to read this book after finishing 2 of Terry Pratchett's others books, Interesting Times and Feet of Clay, which were both great reads. I needed more of his hilarious writing style, so after hearing great reviews, I went out and got this, in my words, masterpiece. Even though I had never heard of Neil Gaiman, the co-writer of the book, I thought I might as well give it a try. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment as I devoured this superb "laugh-out-loud" (tragicomic?) book. Pratchett's and Gaiman's twisted humor really appealed to me as being remarkably funny.

The story begins with the misplacement of the Antichrist by a satanic nun, Sister Mary Loquacious of the Chattering order.

Warlock, the false Antichrist, gets raised by demons from hell to become the one who brings about the Apocalypse, and the great war between Heaven and Hell.

Crowley, the representative of Hell and Aziraphale, the representative of Heaven after many years of knowing each other, since the beginning of time, form a strong, yet awkward at times kind of relationship. Together they work to make life as good as it could be for them on Earth, and they don't want things to change..

Newt and Anethema, the witchfinder and the witch, are out to interpret the prophecies of Anethema's Great-great-great-great Grandmother Agnes Nutter, from her book, The wise and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter. When they figure out her prophecy about the Apocalypse, they get entwined into the quest to protect the Earth and all its people from destruction.

And finally there is Adam Young. He is a boy who lives in Tadfield England and when he is old enough will probably, well according to the prophecies, bring about the end. Together with the Them, the gang of 4 friends (including himself) that ultimately must try to fight Adams deep instinct to achieve what he was made for, and save the world.

After Adam reeks a Nuclear Assult on the world using a super computer at an airbase, the several groups come together to save themselves as well as the rest of the world.

When the impossible seems to be accomplished the characters as well as the readers that maybe their really isn't such a thing as faith, or that maybe that everything that happened, as unlikely as it may be is all part of the Ineffable Plan.

If you have not read this book yet than you should definitely go out and read Good Omens.

My All-Time Favorite Book
I really wish there were something above five stars that I could give this novel. It is probably my all-time favorite book. It's a collaboration by two of my favorite authors, and combines the best traits of both -- Pratchett's wonderful sense of the absurd in our daily existance, and Gaiman's extremely dark, somewhat twisted sense of humor. The result is a book that made me laugh until my sides hurt, but also gave me a chance to think about the good and evil that are intrinsic parts of humanity.
Someone recommended this to me as "a funny book about the Apocalypse", and I was a little nervous -- I've never read the Bible, so would I not "get" the jokes? But an in-depth insight into religion is not needed; all you need is a sense of humor and a knowledge of the most basic points of Christian theology/culture (angels, devils, nuns, etc.).
The book centers around the actions of Aziraphale, an angel and part-time rare book dealer, and Crowley, a demon who's in love with his black vintage Bentley. Both have been on Earth since "the Beginning," which has produced something of a sense of camaraderie, although their respective supervisors fear that the two are "going native." The Apocolypse is scheduled to begin soon, but, alas, Crowley seems to have misplaced the Antichrist. Armed with little else than "Best of Queen" tapes and a rare book of obtuse prophecies, they race to track down the Antichrist before he gains the use of his powers. Joining in the fight are a witch and a wages clerk/Witchfinder Private. Sound odd? It does to them too. But one thing's for sure: once the Four Bikers (nee Horsepeople -- War's a woman) of the Apocolypse ride out, all is lost...

If you like British humor...
Think Monty Python meets Douglas Adams' Hitchiker's Guide. Throw in a bit of Dogma (the Kevin Smith film), and you have this book. If you like all three of these, you'll probably enjoy Good Omens. It helps to have a basic understanding of Biblical prophecy and a bit of appreciation for British humor. Without these, you might get a bit lost.

The only thing I didn't like about this book is that I had a hard time figuring out where it was going a lot of the time. It felt like there were a lot of unnecessary scenes. I kept waiting and waiting for the Apocalypse to come around, but it seemed to take forever.

Still, it was worth reading. I laughed outloud at several of the jokes, and the two main characters--the representitves from heaven and hell pictured on the cover were hysterical. It's worth the seven dollars just for them.

Get to it!
I was house-sitting for a buddy of mine in the Navy and came across this book - only I thought it went by a different title ("The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch"). Lo and behold, almost a decade later, that I read "American Gods", dug it, and looked into what else Neil Gaiman has written. I saw the blurb for "Good Omens", thought it would a quick fun read only to discover, gasp, I had found it.

I thought the book was hilarious and brilliant the 1st time around, and my perception of it has not changed. Terry Pratchett has a wonderfully twisted mind and incredible wit. The pop references are so well-handled (isn't so strue about all cassettes turning into Queen?), and the characters are so vibrant.

Do not pass up this book. Your very soul may depend on it - or you could get served a hamburger by the "King", go wild!

hilarious!
In this satirical novel, the end of the world draws near and one demon and one angel are out to change the prophesied outcome. They've become quite comfortable with how things are. They've even grown quite fond of each other. However, their quest is a "tall order" even for angelic beings.

In this hilarious novelization of the end times, the anti-christ is a twelve year old boy (who is more concerned with environmental issues instead of ending the world), the four horsemen of the Apocalypse actually ride motorcycles (not horses), and the most accurate book of prophecy available was written by an insane witch named Agnes Nutter.

Authors Gaiman (Sandman) and Pratchett (Discworld) have created one of the funniest novels I've ever read in Good Omens. Even with the "touchy" subject matter, you can't help but laugh out loud at the crazy experiences each character in the book must overcome. ... Read more

Book Description

Volume One of Flight features stories by professionals and non-professionals alike, all playing on the theme of flight in its many incarnations. From the maiden voyage of a home-built plane to the adventures of a young courier and his flying whale to a handful of stories about coming of age and letting things go, this first volume of Flight is full of memorable tales that will both amaze and inspire. ... Read more

Reviews (59)

Adventures with "the incurable weirdness poster child"
"Attack of the Deranged Mutant Killer Monster Snow Goons," by Bill Watterson, is a collection of comic strip adventures of Calvin, the feisty schoolboy, and his companion Hobbes, a stuffed tiger. The strips generally form short stories within the book. The book's title refers to one of these storylines, in which Calvin creates a mutant snow man which in turn creates an army of similar creatures. Other storylines involve Calvin getting chicken pox; his creation of his own TV show; and his club known as GROSS (a warped acronym for "Get Rid Of Slimy girlS").

The C&H stories are great because they are funny celebrations of the power of a child's imagination. Calvin assumes such alternate identities as sci-fi hero Spaceman Spiff, caped superhero Stupendous Man, and private eye Tracer Bullet. Often the humor comes from the clash of Calvin's fantasies with the reality around him. The stuffed Hobbes, through the power of Calvin's imagination, becomes both a comrade and a great foil for the boy; their wacky relationship is one of the most memorable in the comic strip genre.

Calvin is an academic underachiever, rebel, performance artist, disgruntled philosopher, and all-around bringer of chaos -- although his playmate/rival Susie refers to him as "the incurable weirdness poster child." Whether discovering a new dinosaur species (the "Calvinosaurus") or evading the dreaded monster under the bed, Calvin is hilarious. And you've got to love a comic that cites the U.S. Bill of Rights. "Attack" is a great book both for C&H fans and for newcomers to this excellent comic strip.

One of the funniest collections of comics ever!
This is one of the best Calvin and Hobbes books. Bill writes about a 6 year boy who, with his imagination, brings his stuffed tiger to life and in this book a snowman, too. The snowman makes other snowmen and calvin takes care of this in his own funny way, though his parents never believe him.

Bill Watterson is one of the best comic writers ever. His writing demonstrates what every kid must have thought about at Calvin's age. I think Bill should not have stopped writing Sunday comics. We shall all miss them.

gas pedal for a foot locker kicks off
i used to think that "the days are just packed" was the best C&H book but when i bought this one,i knew that it was the best."attack of the deranged muntant killer monster snow goons" has some of the most funny comics i have ever read. this book contains:the attack of the snow goons,the 'calvin show',calvin's late school project,and the "noodle incident".this is clearly the best. my favorite part in this book was the 'calvin show' where he cut some cardboard up and put his face in it and his dad said he'd prefer the tv with the volume control. yeah. that was hilarious.

my absolute favorite
Bar none, the deranged mutant killer snow goons are my favorite of all of Calvin's imaginary nemeses. The artwork and story lines are the best continuous comics that the very badly-missed Bill Watterson created. The snow goons arise and the battles begin. And, once again, who bears the brunt of this war? Calvin's parents who can't help but wonder how their son turned out the way he did. This is a wonderful collection that I turn to whenever I feel like a six year old besieged by the mutant killer snow goons in the world.

Not up to my standards from Watterson
I'm as big of a C&H fan as anyone else out there, but somehow this one doesn't seem to compare to the other books. Not as funny, not as meaningful. Buy it to complete your collection, and for a few laughs, but other than that, its only ok. ... Read more

Book Description

An epidemic of apocalyptic proportions has swept the globe, causing the dead to rise and feed on the living. In a matter of months, society has crumbled: There is no government, no grocery stores, no mail delivery, no cable TV. Rick Grimes finds himself one of the few survivors in this terrifying future. A couple months ago he was a small town cop who had never fired a shot and only ever saw one dead body. Separated from his family, he must now sort through all the death and confusion to try and find his wife and son. In a world ruled by the dead, we are forced to finally begin living. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

You'll love this book.
I borrowed this from a friend... now I HAVE to get my own copy. I can't wait for volume 2.

This book is that good people. Run... don't walk to get this little gem.

the epic zombie movie we always wanted to see
i am a huge zombie fan and i love romeros work among others, and there was always the problem of not having the best actors possible and the budgets being next to nothing, but i had in my mind a epic zombie tale..this is it!

we have great writing that makes us grow to love the characters and feel for them, there are plenty of moments with just people being people, it's not all gore and zombies, that is why so many non horror fans love this.

but worry not horror/zombie fans, there is plenty of attacks, cities full of zombies living dead horror, no budget worries here, the artist can simply fill the page with as many as he wants, and the art is fantastic, very realistic with a ever so slight cartoony edge that never takes away from the impact of the story, and these are some of the best zombies i have ever seen.

it's all balanced out so well, it keeps you coming back for more, i hope they release more since the series is at issue 8 now and this collects the first 6.

One of the best of the year.
This is an excellent graphic novel that collects issues 1-6 of the Walking Dead series. Robert Kirkman has written a great story here, and Tony Moore's excellent black and white artwork brings it all to life (or should I say, brings life to the dead?). The story unfolds like a well written movie. The characters are well defined and their struggles come across as very human. This is more of a survival story than it is a zombie story, but don't worry...there are plenty of nasty zombies to go around, too. In fact, this is one comic story that I would very much like to see put on the big screen...and I wouldn't change a thing. I enjoy horror comics, but this was different than most. This comic is very intelligent, realistic (for a zombie story) and has a good message about working together to overcome adversity (and what adversity it is here!). Highly recommended.

The Walking Dead rule the earth...
Rick, a small town Kentucky police officer, awakens from a gun shot induced coma to find the world a very different, and very horrifying, place. The dead now walk and attack the far out numbered living. While he slept, the world had ended...

While the opening was a tad too close to 28 Days later for my taste (wouldn't it have been more interesting to start at minute zero and progress through the erupting zombie plague?) the story quickly grew on me and, in the absence of a fourth Romero zombie movie, it satisfies. Required reading for any zombie fan.

Best Graphic Novel of 2004
Brilliant artist Tony Moore takes a superb script by Robert Kirkman to give us a fresh retelling of the "zombie world order" horror story. Inkwash over pen and ink works perfectly to convey a human tale of survival at the end of civilization. This book is a character study with examples of courage, cooperation and compassion balanced by equally well rendered paintings of human fear and envy. I usually walk by black and white comic books, but this one wouldn't have been as good in color. 2004 is not quite halfway over, but I doubt I'll read a work of fiction this year I'll enjoy more. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Gary Larson calls The Complete Far Side, the massive two-volume collection of his Far Side cartoons, an "18-pound hernia giver." Sure to give any coffee table a solid workout, the handsome and heavy 1,272-page "legacy book" is a must for fervent fans; over 4,300 single-panel comics with more than half in color and 1,100 that have not appeared in any book form before (the popular--and far less weighty--paperback collections).

Set in rough chronological order, the comics share pages with occasional letters from fans, detractors, editors, folks made famous by a particular cartoon, and those begging for explanations. Though few explanations are provided (Larson personally supplies merely one, plus a single apology), this collection helps answer the inevitable "how do you think up these things" conundrum. Before each year's cartoons, Larson provides insight with essays about his childhood, various travels, occupational hazards, and his official rules for dealing with bedtime monsters (which often turned out to be his older brother). Most wonderful is the first essay on how the comic started. (His longtime editor Jake Morrissey's long introduction is a must read on The Far Side's story).

Despite no central characters, it's easy to spot patterns in Larson's wild and wacky cartoons. Animals, insects, and inanimate objects often exhibit all-too-human impulses. Larson's subjects are often in scenes of peril--disasters, visits to hell, and perhaps a hundred cartoons set on a one-palm tree deserted island. It is what Larson's fertile imagination mined from those situations that created fans and enemies for 14 years. (Larson retired at his peak and then went into jazz music). The comics are not indexed (how could they be--first lines? listings of cartoons with cows?); finding a favorite requires a great memory for its publication date. Best simply to peruse the pages of this beautiful collection in which you will certainly find more than a few new chuckles before landing on your beloved Larson sketch. --Doug Thomas ... Read more

Reviews (112)

You'll laugh 'til the cows come home...
A truly amazing piece of modern literature... if a picture is worth a thousand words, then this collection is worth 4.3 million of 'em! If you've been a Larson fan, then you know what you're in for... whacky animals and insects that are usually smarter than their human counterparts, light handed commentary on the workings of life and nature, and an incredible wit that captures appeals to everyone and offends no one (except maybe cows or chickens). These cartoons will take you back to where you were the first time you read them.

If you've never read Larson, then you need to pick up this collection immediately (be careful and don't hurt your back... 18 pounds of books is a heavy load). Enjoy the fit and finish of the slipcase and covers of the books. Feel the weight of the high-quality artbook-grade coated paper, smell the fresh ink... and then dig in to the BEST cartoons ever created!

This collection is worth EVERY SINGLE PENNY you spend on it. I have every Larson book ever published, and they don't hold a candle to these books. The introductions to the individual chapters are worth the price alone. Because of this collection, the Far Side will be enjoyed by future generations to come.

20 Lbs. of forgotten humor!
I'm not kidding when I say make sure your coffee table is sturdy and your postal delivery person is hernia-free, this two volume collected work of Gary Larson's THE FAR SIDE is amazing..amazingly heavy. But, despair not valiant reader, the pain of this massive tome digging into your thighs as you meander through it's pages is at best causing severe nerve damage and at the very least taking you away from the horribly crushing depression that you suffer most of the time anyway. Why, do you say? Becuase Mr. Larson has devoted his entire life, all thirteen years of it, to drawing poorly constructed, one-frame cartoons, that are sure to make you either giggle or guffaw, with enough of the good ol' "oh my God, that's sick" thrown in for balance. Let's face it, you need this. Seriously. Yes, you. C'mon, your looks are fading, the years havn't been kind, and you are starting to smell funny. Wouldn't it be nice if you could somehow, magically, travel back in time, thirteen years ago, when your teenage dreams were brought to life in every new paperback edition of THE FAR SIDE? Remember how mad you were at your parents when they threw them all out, along with you, after you dropped out of the technical college for the third time? Well, you'll show them now. YOU'LL SHOW ALL OF THEM!!! HA HA HA HA HA!!!!

Bodacious
First of all, you'll need to take steriods just to lift this collection. But it's worth every pound. The quality is remarkable, with color cartoons and brilliant and witty comments every now and then. The detractors who've written into the papers over the years also make an appearance, looking more foolish than ever. If you're one for great humor (think Sedaris in his "Me Talk Pretty" or McCrae in his "Bark of the Dogwood"), humor that is sometimes dark and multi-layered, then you'll love Gary Larson. This, of course, if you've never been exposed to him, in which case you're probably fodder for one of his cartoons. A++++++ material and presentation on this one.

The Far Side
What can I say everyone else hasn't? Except if you like the Far Side this is the one to get.

laughter!!
When I started reading and liking the far side 1 year ago, I said that I would get this one when I earned enough money and I earned the money I needed and I bought this at costco and I was on the floor laughing for about an hour or so because it was so funny and now I am on book 2 of the set and I have to say that if you are a far side fan that Gary Larson did the right thing by creating this and if you are a fan this is the far side item for you!!! :) ... Read more

Reviews (30)

Hit and Miss
More `adult' re-imagination of the formation of Marvel's premier super team The Avengers, which begins with the final World War II mission of Captain America and touches on the ups and downs of the founding members, Giant Man, The Wasp, Iron Man, The Hulk, and Thor, throwing in Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury.

The art is quite good, and while the story moved well, I had some problems with a few of the characterizations (though these could be a matter of personal taste). The author plays around a bit with established canon for the sake of this new universe, and that is understandable, but changing the Hulk into a raging, oversexed skirt-chaser was a little bit...well, dumb to me. I also didn't care for Nick Fury's recasting. The art and the writing SO made him look and seem like Sam Jackson that it kind've didn't ring true for me that this was supposed to be Nick Fury. He was too suave and cool. The authors of The Ultimates seemed to have a good time casting their characters with real life actors (there is one sequence where the newly discovered by the media team sits around and speculates on who would portray each of them in a Hollywood adaptation.), but personally, I didn't care for all the pop references (reverences?). I'd like to think that a molecular biologist and the leader of Shield would be a little less like fanboys. Fury's supposed to be this grizzled cigar chomping ex-GI a la Sgt. Rock, but he comes off more as Tony Stark with an eyepatch here (for the record, Tony Stark doesn't look anything like Johnny Depp in his rendering, either - he looks more like Jonathan Frakes from Star Trek). Most of the other characterizations didn't bother me. Portraying the Wasp and Giant Man as having such extensive, violent domestic troubles went a long way to humanize them, and turning Jarvis, Tony Stark's faithful butler into an aging homosexual (wearing a colorful vest to gain Thor and Cap's attention...) was pretty daring. Didn't like Tony Stark's Iron Man armor though - he looked like a Micronaut. I would have liked to have seen more of Thor, but I'm not sure I cared for his reinvention as a hippie pacifist eco-warrior - the Norse god of Thunder??? At Ragnarok this guy drowned in the venom of a giant serpent he slew, and here we find him hanging out with that guy with the guitar on the stairs in Animal House...

But these are minor quibbles, again, possibly a matter of my own personal taste. There is a lot to like about The Ultimates - a lot to make it stand above the normal superhero fare. The rivalry between Dr. (Giant Man) Pym and Bruce (The Hulk) Banner is very well played out - the frustrations and the pettiness of these two in their race to perfect the next big superhuman for the team is like watching Dr. Jekyll try to outdo Dr. Frankenstein. Pym comes off as a selfish egomaniac who will posture and fabricate to protect his reputation, whereas the more honest Banner is something of a maladjusted loser. Both are well realized and interesting to watch. Its a great juxtaposition when you consider that Pym is something of a monster (which is apparent in the final pages - that scene with him wearing the ant helmet `You shouldn't have made me look small...' creepy!) trying to be a good man, and Banner is a good man who wants to be a monster. The motivation for Tony Stark's desire to join the team as Iron Man is revealed in a touching manner (possibly the best dramatic scene of the book, toward the end where Thor, Stark, and Cap are sharing dinner at Stark's penthouse apartment) and goes a long way in making me like the playboy, who I will confess never interested me much in the past. Captain America and his story arc comes off the best (which as an ardent fan of ol Winghead, is fine by me) - the reunion with an elderly Bucky (I know, I know, Bucky's dead!... But it didn't bother me) near the beginning of the book is heartfelt and nicely done. There's a good sense of humor to this story too - Giant Man's embarrassing habit of growing beyond the capacity of his clothes (and the dismay of his colleagues), Cap's mistaking Fury and Stark and the Marines for Nazi agents when he awakes, The Hulk's rage at Freddy Prinze Jr. (go get him, Mr. Fixit! Captain America, indeed. I, along with Millar, see no one but Brad Pitt behind the big round shield), and those few panels where George W. Bush meets Steve Rogers made me smile (the Prez's expression is hilarious - `Cool or Uncool?').

In closing, an interesting read, but I was put off by The Hulk and Sam -I mean Nick Fury. And all the pop culture references can be done away with. Underneath the foil and hologram is a good read, that interested me enough to want to see where these characters are going. Keep in mind that this is more of an adult read - at least age fourteen and up. Oh, and in spite of my dislike of casting, I can't resist - Valdmir Kulich (Buliwyf from The 13th Warrior) as Thor...

Best of the Ultimate Line
I had lost interest in comics during the 90s as quality fell and prices rose at both DC and Marvel.

When Marvel launched their ultimate line I found a reason to return to the comic shop.

For my money, Mark Millar is one of the best writers that Marvel is currently using. He takes the familiar ideas for characters that have existed for decades and makes them interesting and identifiable. Characters like Thor and Wasp who I've always laughed off in the Marvel Universe are reinvented here as beings I want to know more about.

The first six issues (collected here) introduce the core group of Captain America, Iron Man, Giant Man, Wasp, and eventually Thor with Bruce Banner Hulking out to provide an unstable element.

The art is fantastic throughout the entire book, from fantastic battle scenes in WW2 to the intimate moments when team members just sit around chatting, it's all flawless.

I loved this book, and make sure I lend it out to all of my friends to show them what super hero comics can be at their best.

Worth the wait
Note: this review refers to the recently released Ultimates TPB entitled Homeland Security. After managing to take down the Hulk, the government sponsored superhero team called the Ultimates have run into some problems. A shape changing alien race, which are responsible for some of humanity's worst moments (Captain America fought them in World War II) are once again rearing their ugly heads with a plan to wipe out the human race. Sad part is, the Ultimates are in shambles with Janet Pym AKA Wasp severely injured by her husband Hank AKA Giant Man, who himself goes on the run with Captain America in pursuit to teach him how to properly treat a lady. New members Hawkeye, Black Widow, Scarlet Witch, and Quicksilver are introduced as well as the team unites to defend the planet. The issues contained in Homeland Security is where the Ultimates really shines, improving on the first few issues by far. Mark Millar has cleverly crafted a modern day version of the Avengers while staying true to their original roots, while Bryan Hitch's artwork is better than ever. All this leads up to the upcoming (hopefully, many single issues of the series were loaded with shipping delays and would not reach shelves for months at a time) Ultimates Vol. 2 monthly series which Millar has hinted at will change everything you think about this modern day Avengers team. All in all, out of all of Marvel's Ultimate line (the new Ultimate Fantastic Four is impressive as well), the Ultimates is something really special.

Humanizing the Superhuman
Not particularly fond of Marvel's Ultimate line, I usually approach any of Marvel's 'Ultimate' series with hesitation. However, I was never that big into the Avengers, so I figured I would give The Ultimates a shot, and I was very pleased with the results.

Once again re-imagining and re-telling the story of one of their most famous super groups, Marvel captures a whole new dimension of story-telling with the Ultimates. Making them seem like real, ordinary people with real problems is probably one of the best parts of the entire story. Of course, there is plenty of action and fighting to go around too. Alot of the character's origins and general appearences have been changed too. For example, instead of Tony Stark having a terminal heart condition, he know his an inoperable brain tumor. Nick Fury is probably the most dramatic change, in that instead of being a grizzled, cigar chomping World War II veteran, he's a blatant Samuel L. Jackson look-alike with attitude and spunk. An interesting reworking of Fury, but I could've done without it, despite how it fits with the story. Hank Pym and his wife Jan Pym, Giant Man and Wasp respectively, have marital problems, with Hank being an abusive, chronic alcoholic. The entire comic seems to revolve around the telling of everyone's personal lives, which gives all the characters alot of depth. Finally, Thor is the son of Odin from Asgard who has spent more than his fair share of time in a mental institution, and is now a peace-loving pacifist...until it comes time to defend the world.

From Tony Stark's pompous, rich jerk attitude to Captain America's good old American spirit, The Ultimates is definitely worth the read. The interesting spin on the Hulk and other story elements make this one of the best Marvel re-tellings yet. The only thing that bothered me was that the comic got a bit too political at times. I appreciate seeing the inclusion of real-world problems into the comic, making it that much more realistic and adult, but sometimes it got just a wee bit critical and outspoken. But all in all, The Ultimates was a fantastic read that I just couldn't put down. When I got to the end I was thirsting for more, and The Ultimates: Volume 2 definitely delivers after this great introduction. Great job from Marvel.

Homeland Security
The Ultimates are America's team. They are funded by the government to fight nasty villains, terrorists, and any other badguy Mark Millar can come up with. The members of the Ultimates have a very real feel to them, and they are profoundly more realistic and human than, say, Ultimate Spider-Man.
Now that that's out of the way, on to the actual comic itself! The Ultimates, having recently taken down the Hulk(a.k.a. Bruce Banner), they now realize that the Wasp, wife of Giant Man, has been brutally injured by her husband. Also, Giant Man has run away, and he is nowhere to be found.
On top of all this, The Ultimates uncover that an alien race, dubbed the Chitauri by the Aficans, have reamerged, and that, by the end of the first issue, Captain America has gone to find Hank Pym(Giant Man).
With his team rapidly disentigrating, Nick Fury has to call for the aid of Black Widow, Hawkeye, and, most surprisingly of all, Magneto's children.
When Black Widow and Hawkeye take down an alien cell in two office buildings, the Ultimates realize that they have a problem on thier hands. They are the only ones who can stop them, and Cap is still nowhere to be found.
Finally, they find oiut that Cap has had a huge fight with Hank Pym, and that he broke his jaw, thus putting him out of action. It is only after Cap returns that they finally head for a secret base of operatons for the aliens. Once there, thaey too late realize that it's a trap, and by the time they do, it's (almost) too late. The island explodes, and the Ultimates are nowhere to be found.
Too find out what happens after this point, you'll have to buy it for yourself. Needless to say, though, the volume escalates until you you the last two ussues, which are basically just a collossal war btween the surviving Ultimates and the entire Chitauri fleeet, plus an old "friend" from Captain ASmerica's past.
The main good things about this are that
1.The art by Bryan Hitch is SUPERB.
2.The writing by Mark Millar is FANTASTIC.
3.The volume is STUFFED with both action and development.
4.Hey, it's the Ultimates. What's there not to like?
Unfortunately, nothing is perfect. The Ultimates' main flaw is that it takes forever and a day to ship. (The issues say that it ships monthly. Don't believe them-it's a lie) In other words, unless you are a VERY patient person, wait until the volume comes out to buy this, because takes forever.
Luckily, the Ultimates is well worth the wait. ... Read more

Book Description

For 50 years, Playboy magazine has showcased the world's best and brightest cartoonists. Their spectacular stable of artists includes luminaries such as Buck Brown, Jack Cole, Eldon Dedini, Jules Feiffer, Shel Silverstein, Doug Sneyd, Gahan Wilson, and hundreds of others. Hip subversives and sly revolutionaries all, Playboy's artists have continually proffered a sophisticated brand of humor sorely missing in other men’s magazines. Now, Playboy celebrates its golden anniversary with this glorious collection of the finest and funniest cartoons. Handpicked by Hugh M. Hefner himself, the pages are filled with the distillation of the entire cartoon archive, offering insightful commentary on topics from the sexual revolution to relationships, money, and politics. More than 450 cartoons feature sweet young things, terrible tarts, winsome wives, suitors, and studs -- a riotous chronicle of five decades of Playboy cartoons. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Fifty years of fun.
It's nice to see a book of coffee-table proportions just devoted to cartoons, well why not? Previous Playboy books have covered the history of the magazine, the delightful Playmates and now the cartoons. The 450 plus illustrations are the work of 107 cartoonists and if you are a regular reader of the magazine you'll see your favorites. Gahan Wilson has the most (thirty-two) followed by regulars like Eldon Dedini, John Demsey, Alden Erikson, Kiraz, Roy Raymonde, Doug Sneyd (he of the flamboyant signature, which I was never able to decipher until now) Erich Sokol and between these, dozens of great artists who have maybe one or two works each. The humor might not be the wonderful ironic style of the New Yorker but it is amazing how many fresh takes can be created with the bachelor lifestyle.

This is a handsomely produced book, printed on thick glossy paper which, nicely, allows you to really appreciate just how good some of these artists are. My favorite, Jack Davis, unfortunately only has four shown, Richard Taylor has a super picture on page ten, an art gallery where he has created several Picasso type paintings, Doug Sneyd, Phil Interlandi and Dedini are all brilliant draughtsmen and Shel Silverstein can create so much with so little line and color.

However I was a bit disappointed with this book, as another reviewer has commented, there is no indication of when the cartoons appeared and I wish the publishers had gone the extra mile and perhaps devoted some space throughout the pages for a photo and biography of the regulars, some of these guys have been with Playboy for years. Someone though, at least, did have the foresight to compile an Artists index and a useful Order of appearance list, both of which are in the back pages.

Clearly a wonderful book for the bedside table if your date didn't turn up, try laughing yourself to sleep.

Not enough Yeagle !!!!
I enjoyed seeing the work of some of my favorite cartoon
artist...together in one book. Some I had forgotten about.
It cetainly must have been difficult to narrow down the
selection with so many great cartoons over the years.
However, I was disappointed not to see more of one of my
very favorites.....Dean Yeagle. There is one cartoon of his
in the book...and it is also on the cover...the showgirls
and earrings cartoon.
Mr.Yeagle does excellent work....just check out his website..
www.bellefree.com.....His Mandy pinup girl is adorable!
I would love to see an all Dean Yeagle book published !!!!!!

nice book, but...
First of all this book is printed on excellent paper & is well done except for one thing. there is no way to tell what year the cartoons are from. They should have had chapters. 1950`s 1960`s ect so you know what era they are from ... Read more

Book Description

We've all seen her. She's hunched forward, her blue hair is tucked neatly under a plastic rain bonnet, she's clutching expired coupons, and she's discussing her latest health problems over lunch. She's a little old lady . . . and she's coming your way at 2 m.p.h. Little old ladies have elastic waistbands on all their slacks. They save rubber bands, remember 15-cent McDonald's hamburgers, and have never seen a public rest room that was clean enough. How Not to Become a Little Old Lady is for any woman who is proud to have escaped little old ladyhood, and it's the perfect, lighthearted gift to give women in danger of slipping into those awful little old lady tendencies. The charming illustrations from Adrienne Hartman perfectly capture the senior syndrome. Say good-bye to little old ladies who pass off their liver spots as beauty marks and say hello to this fresh and fun gift book.

... Read more

Reviews (3)

The greatest book ever written
I have never read a better, and funnier book. I read it over and over again. I gave it to all of my friends and they loved it as well. It gave me hours of entertainment. The Illustrations by Adrienne Hartman were exquisite. I laughed at every single one until my eyes teared. BUY THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cute book, delightfully illustrated!
This book hits home and I'm only 48! Funny book and I think it would make a great gift, especially for a friend's birthday. I could find a use for a dozen copies.

For everyone who dreads Little Old Ladyhood
I loved this book and the wonderful illustrations by Adrienne Hartman. I laughed a lot at the things Little Old Ladies do, and I'm going to buy more copies to give to my women friends who are definitely not Little Old Ladies and don't want to be. I know a lot of people who describe their vacations by what they ate though! This is a perfect hostess gift and it would also be an ideal gift for Mother's Day. ... Read more

Book Description

The Sith Empire has rallied its forces for an all-out battle for control of the galaxy. Its goal: Crush the Republic. And with so many Sith Masters among them, the goal is not unachievable. As Naga Sadow readies his fleet to attack, one lone person threatens to undermine the entire campaign -- Jori Daragon. She isn`t a Jedi. She`s an explorer, a mapper of hyperspace who stumbled on the plans of the Sith. And she just may be the savior of the Republic. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Great Read!
I do not agree with any of the negative past reviews given here. I thought Fall of the Sith Empire was a fitting conclusion to the setup in The Golden Age of the Sith. The information within and its events lead up to other comic and Star Wars storylines. It is told more like a story passed down for generations, a feeling I think the author wanted. In actuallity it is a story told from the events known to a young jedi who is now a master. He is later seen, much older, in the Dark lords of the Sith series (the story of Exar Kun).So there is not great detail in points that do not need more info. You are getting the basic story as to what happened and why, and that is great. No one else has tried to tackle this era in the Star Wars history. Also, i think the art work is justified in its rought style. The setting is in the SW past, and the story is not overly detailed; these characteristics lead to a rough look that was very satisfying. It would not be perfect like the Star Wars present and future time periods. People are entitled to their opinions, but I think some missed the point when actually figuring out why elements of the comic where done in certain ways.

Now we take we back to ancient egypt...
This is the conclusion of the Golden Age of the Sith. The Fall is also set 5,000 years before NEW HOPE. While the art work also improves, yes I said improves, the story seems to disintegrate into itself. Since I like some of KJA's work, I am assuming that he was not the lead writer, just placed first alphabetically. Nothing important happens here so don't feel you need to waste your money buying this book, unless you want to buy mine!

Isn't there supposed to be a point?
Once again, I state that I've never been an Anderson fan. 'Golden Age of the Sith' had some streong points, like a decent plot and beautiful art. Alas, the art quality drops a bit here and the story goes into a nosedive. There's almost no plot, save for a big battle. Granted, it can be pretty visually complex and interesting, drawing back to an old style of combat, but overall its quite lacking.

I've gotten out a fine-toothed comb, but cannot find any cohesive story, unfortunately. Read it only as a conclusion for 'Golden Age', but don't expect a lot.

WoW it is Exar Kun!
This is a cool book that is about the Sith and moast of all Sith Lord Exar Kun.

Action packed conclusion to The Golden Age of the Sith
If you liked The Golden Age of the Sith but wanted much more action, this is the perfect addition for you to read. It concludes the events in its predecessor with great storytelling and it's jam-packed with action. This is one of the best stories in the Star Wars universe, with several conflicts occurring at once. You'll also discover an age where everything was primitive by Star Wars standards and Coruscant looked like a large Egyptian city. This TPB continues Dark Horse's tradition of classic action-packed stories combined with descriptive and entertaining illustrations. A must-have, but make sure you read The Golden Age of the Sith first! ... Read more

Book Description

More than a book, this is a bona fide publishing event. The largest-ever collection of New Yorker cartoons features the best of every decade in book form, plus two easy-to-browse CDs--Windows and Macintosh compatible--with every cartoon ever published in the magazine--more than 68,000 of them!

Since its founding in the 1920s, The New Yorker has had a profound cultural impact on the country and the world, and has almost singlehandedly elevated the cartoon to an art form. For the first time ever, EVERY cartoon ever published in The New Yorker is collected in one place.

Accompanying the cartoons in the book, several thousand of them organized chronologically, are essays by eminent New Yorker writers reflecting on the life and times (and sense of humor) of each successive decade. Additionally, each decade includes profiles and mini-portfolios of the cartoonists who made their marks on the era, from Peter Arno and Charles Addams to Bruce Eric Kaplan and Roz Chast. "Theme" features cover such subjects as Drinking, The Depression, and Politics.

The two accompanying CDs feature every cartoon ever published in the magazine in a format that is accessible on any home computer and is browsable by date, cartoonist, subject, and more. This groundbreaking book, several years in the making, has been lovingly compiled by current New Yorker cartoon editor (and respected cartoonist and author) Robert Mankoff, and the foreword is by David Remnick, the magazine's esteemed editor. ... Read more

Book Description

This is where the legend began! A look into the early, pivotal period of the Marvel Universe, when five fledgling heroes - Iron Man, Thor, Giant-Man, the Wasp, and the Hulk - banded together to fight the foes no single hero could overcome! But how did the public react? How did the U.S. government react? Previously untold secrets surrounding the formation of the Avengers are revealed here. Five individuals must learn to work as a team and forge a legend!Collects Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes #1-8. ... Read more

Book Description

Organized historically and augmented by more than 400 cartoons designed to make teaching and learning more fun, this lighthearted work born of serious scholarship can be used as a core text or as a supplement in introductory courses. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

A worthy introduction to philosophy: fun, yet serious
Neutrality does not exist, everyone has his own ideas. The author of this book belongs to the faith of Postmodern Skepticism. Except for the emphasis on postmodern or feminist thinkers, Palmer remains balanced. The exposition of philosophical ideas is not oversimplified. This is not the case of the lovely book "Sophie's World", by the Lutheran Christian J. Gaarder, where the oversimplification sometimes turns into incorrectness. Gaarder's book is yet an excellent choice for those who would prefer to discover the history of philosophy by reading a charming novel written in the style of "Alice in the wonderland".

Palmer's treatment is good. I wish he had not remained silent about Jewish thinkers such as some writers of the Old Testament , Philo, Jesus Christ and his apostles, given the considerrable impact of Jewish thought on the West. The book is illustrated by many drawings that are really fun. This is the best introduction to the history of philosophy that I know among those books that are not too boring or too heavy).

As for a systematical introduction to the ideas of philosophy, I can only recommend "Introduction to philosophy", by Norman L Geisler. The author honestly and clearly presents himself as a Christian and also concludes each chapter with a Christian view, yet most systematically brings all points of views on all issues in all chapters, and gives all the arguments and counter-arguments, and also many references. Whereas Palmer's other book "Does the center hold?", is defineltely postmodern/skeptical, yet in a hidden way, which may be misleading for a beginner in the field.

For those who want to read deeper thoughts written by current Professors of philosophy, I can recommend the books of James P Moreland, William Craig and Norman Geisler. (especially Geisler's book on logic: "Come, let us reason"). (these guys are Christians, but brilliant).

I think Palmer's "Looking at philosophy" can bring a lot of enlightenment and fun to the readers and also incite them to embark for some adventure in the philosophical lands. Let us hope they will be willing to read more and explore all these mind-bogling landscapes..

Wow! Tough stuff made easy
This book is hilarious. But it't not silly or simplistic. Don Palmer has a great talent for drawing funny cartoons teaching philosophy and describing difficult concepts quite easily. This book covers most philosophers fom the entire history of philosophy, from Thales to Derrida. What makes the book great is that, unlike other comic philosophy books, it consists of a lot of written text (very simple to understand, but accurate and informative!), while the cartoons are just on the side to help exemplify and remember a point that is explained in the text. And the cartoons are funny! Palmer draws such statements as "God is not in time" or "Edmund Husserl performing an Epoche on a coffee cup." Another bonus is that the book has an easy-to-understand glossary and an index. It's a great introduction to the history of philosophy, and also a terrific guide for the advanced student of philosophy who needs to quickly look up a given concept (e.g., Locke's metaphysics) he doesn't fully remember.

Great book that gets you thinking and keeps you laughing
This book got me to look at philosophy more... It's a great book if you just need a reference, without a lot of analysis by critics, or the actual philosophers themselves, which can get mind-numbing at times. It's great to get, if just for the cartoons (you end up having to read the text to make sense out of most of the cartoons). But no, I don't know if I can explain the naked-male-prostitute-riding-on-a-bicyle cartoon, which is actually in here (and not a figment of my imagination). But don't let that keep you from buying...

Good primer
I use this textbook as an introductory guide to Philosophy at a small state college. The students like it, and can actually get through it, and yet it is smart, and doesn't dumb down big ideas.

This book is just wonderful, and the author even has a sense of humor. From this, we go on to Seinfeld and Philosophy, and finally Cohen's book A Philosophical Approach to Jokes, if that's the right name. Of these, Palmer's book is far and away the most helpful.

I wish there was just a little bit more about the importance of these ideas as they are reflected in the polis. For instance, he goes through the ideas of Hobbes but doesn't talk about where they lead, or the social implications of his ideas.

Best philosophy book ever!
...P>I read this book when I was in eighth grade. Granted some of it was a little abstract for me, but I loved the way it presented everything in a straightforward manner. I wish that I didn't lose my copy of it, because I want to reference it now that I am in college! ... Read more

Book Description

Alchemy: the mystical power to alter the natural world, somewhere between magic, art and science.When two brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, dabbled in these powers to grant their dearest wish, one of them has lost an arm and a leg...and the other became nothing but a soul locked into a body of living iron.Now they are agents of the government, slaves of the military-alchemical complex, using their unique powers to obey their orders...even to kill.But their powers aren't unique.The world crawls with evil alchemists.And in pursuit of the ultimate alchemical treasure, the Philosopher's Stone, their enemies are even more ruthless than they are... ... Read more

Reviews (5)

This is the best manga series in my opinion
Don't automatically assume that the manga is based on the anime because you've seen it on Adult Swim first. The anime "Fullmetal Alchemist" is based on the manga, which was later released in the United States. Now that that's out of the way...

This is truly a great manga. Each character is unique. They all have distinct personalities, different talents, beliefs, everything. This is a good thing, the storyline is more engaging that way. Speaking of the storyline, it's great. It is the same as the anime with a few differences, but remember that the ANIME is based on the MANGA. The artwork is really well done.

If you're thinking about getting this manga, take my advice. Stop thinking, and get the manga. Don't listen to people who haven't even gotten the facts straight. This manga series is the best, in my opinion, and it IS great. It will leave you wanting more.

People Listen to what you are saying!!
Lately I have been thinking about buying this first volume of Full Metal Alchemist, but the more I look at it the more dismayed I get. The reason for this is not because I think that the plot needs any work, nor do I think that the book is too pricey. The reason I am dismayed is that everywhere I look I see contradictions. I look at the product descriptions and they say the manga came first,(by first I mean if when they were first coming up with the idea in Japan, did they print the manga, or air the anime originally) but if I read on it always reads something like "...from the anime to the manga." As a customer I am confused, because I want to have the original format in my hands, but with quotes like the one above I can't make any sense of what I am going to buy. As a manga fan however I am outraged, and for one reason only: If the manga came first then SAY THAT!! As I have said before I want the original format in my hands, but the way I'm looking at it it seems as though the anime came first. In conclusion I will say to the people who have written reviews on this product that you have to look at what you are saying, and look at what the facts are, and again I don't think I can stress my point enough; If the manga came first then don't have anything saying otherwise, and vice versa.

Great book to add to your collection
Being a huge fan of the anime series, I had to get a hold of this book. The artwork is very good, being able to see the story flow from one panel to the next. The translation is good, but there were some discrepancies. For example, how the silver pocket that all the state alchemist possess in the anime are in fact gold and how Fuhrer King Bradley in the anime is referred to as the President in the manga. Not really a big deal and doesn't really change the overall quality of the story. The story tends to be slightly more comical than the actual anime and Edward seems more sadistic in this version. Overall, I would still highly recommend this to all FMA fans and anyone who's willing to get into anime for the first time.

The first transmutation
~F1Rst REV1EW~

"Fullmetal Alchemist" has already made a huge success on the [Adult_Swim] program.Because of that, fans of the series, or for those who couldn't stay up to watch the anime or pay $30 for the DVDs, can now enjoy the adventures of the odd Elric brothers from the format that started the franchise: manga.If you'd hope for more of the same drama/comedy hybrid with a unique premise that made "Fullmetal Alchemist" such a hit, you'd be both wrong and right.I say that, because some of the changes here can alter the satisfaction of an anime fan.

You would be right, because conceptually, FMA: The Manga remains the same (come on, it's a book...that was made into a show).Ed is still Ed, Al is still the bodiless metal knight wearing an apron, both are still young alchemists in an alchemy-fad world and on the search to find the philosopher's stone, which will enhance their transmutated abilities to recover their original bodies back after their failed and ill-consequential attempt of reviving a dead human: their mom.The manga also looks as amazing as the anime.This first volume covers up episodes 1, 2, 5 and 8 of the anime series (not in order), with the Elric Brothers stopping a false prophet, train hijackers, and saving a mine town.You'd probably know all this if you've seen the anime.Viz Media does an above-average on the translation, and as always, the company does not believe in japanese sound effects, so they translated those as well.

You would also be wrong, because despite being the same FMA by its essence, the situations and character developements have been altered in the manga, possibly drastic enough to make it look like a whole new FMA.First off, the manga took place in the present, and anything that happened during the past after the tried human transmutation from the anime happened in the current; the whole past scenario doesn't even happen until a MUCH later volume.Second, it's the characters in the manga: Ed is more aggravated over his image, Al is more gullible, and while she isn't in the first volume, metalphiliac Winry became the dominatrix of constant abuse that many shonen babes have before her.Oh, and the flame alchemist Roy Mustang worries less about what he can do for having female soldiers wear skirts and worries more of what he can do for himself.

Some of the characters have changed for the better, leaving the angst and brutality of the characters from the anime in exchange for giving them more, dare I say it, "realistic" feelings that make them act more human, even if act ridiculous.Most characters, however, changed themselves to make them spiteful to the reader, and not in a good way.The villians are the real culprit on this subject, like Cornello, who in the anime is very demeaning and prideful over his ambiguous schemes, but here, he's too loose and when he blows some steam, I couldn't take him seriously.Also (again, not in the first volume), Barry the Chopper is the equivalent of the Killer Klown from Outer Space in the manga, while in the anime, he's the equivalent of Hannibal Lechter, expect more heartless and evil (I say that as a bad thing).At worst, the villians are pathetic.

Also in comparision to the anime, characters like the other elric brothers, and the sexy thief Jeanne, don't exist here.And for the other homunculi (Sloth, Wrath, and Pride), they exist, but they'll look different then what you see in the anime, so for those lusting on anime Sloth should be prepared for the shock.

The story also goes through some changes from the anime, and personally, it's a mixed bag.The mood here seems less on drama and more on comedy.There are also moments where scenes in the manga are just not as acceptable as the anime: death scenes, tragic scenarios and such just doesn't hit me hard like it did in the anime.The manga doesn't take itself too seriously, so for certain moments, it's humorous, light-hearted, and easy to get into, but at the same time, it lacks the impact and confliction that made the anime so heartbreakingly enjoyable.

How would I know some of these facts and comparisons if I only read the first volume?I manage to check out some FMA scanlated chapters before buying this volume.

F1Rst REACTION: somewhat positive

In an estimate scale, I would give this first volume 3.5 stars.Heck, the first five volumes I'd give them 3.5 stars.As I said, this manga is not as serious as the anime, so this and later volumes might be too easy and rushed to be completely satisfied.Don't be discouraged of what I just said.This manga DOES get better after volume 7, because THAT is where the manga is truly a worthwhile read.Trust me, I have to go through the first two boring volumes of "Berserk" before I got to the meat of that title afterwards."Fullmetal Alchemist" will reach its prime, manga readers...just not right now.

Amazing
Being an avid watcher of the Anime, the manga is either just as good or better than the show. Amazing graphics and story. ... Read more

Reviews (45)

The Marvel Universe throguh the eyes of the everyman
First and formost, I am not a very big Marvel fan. I picked this up after reading "Kingdom Come" and thoroughly enjoying Alex Ross' art. The art here was just as good as it was in Kingdom Come but the story was totally different. As a matter of fact, this was different that any comics stories I've read. Nearly all stories put the superheroes in the driver's seat, with the stories being from their point of view and narration. This was the exact opposite. This story, much to its credit is told from the point of view of a photojounalist, Phil Sheldon. He chroicles the entire birth of the Marvel Universe, from the birth of the Human Torch in the 1940's to the death of Gwen Stacy in the more recent chain of events. He tells a story of awe, appreciation, respect and fear regarding the Marvels (as he likes to call these superheroes). He reflects the emotions of how humans would truly react whether this phenomenon had really occurred. The end product being a masterpiece and one of the best comic stories....no, one of the best stories ever written. As I mentioned in the beginning, the art is flawless and truly a feast for the eyes. The details that Ross places on every panel he paints is truly uncanny and cements his status as on the best artists in the medium. Much applause and crdit should go to the author, Kurt Busiek who does the seemingly impossible task of tying together all the events on the Marvel Universe in a very coherent manner (from the sighting of the X-MEN to the senate hearing for Tony Stark, the disbanding of The Avengers to the death of Captain Stacy). This shows that he had put in a lot of work on this painstaking research and story. All of these factors puts MARVELS on the list with other comic masterpieces such as The Watchmen, The Dark Knight Returns, etc. Anybody who believes comics are for kids and just a showcase for colorful and flamboyant superheroes should read this. This story manages to penetrate deeply emotional issues that are comparable and might even rival some of the writing done in the more mature and regular medium.

The Marvel universe as seen by the average Joe
MARVELS is a neat chronicle of watershed events in the Marvel universe that occur over a period of about fifty years. It's also seen from the perspective of the average, non-superpowered 'man on the street'. It all unfolds from the view of a newspaper photographer, as he witnesses the legendary battle between Namor the Sub-Mariner and the original Human Torch, the rise of the X-Men & their battle for equality, the death of Gwen Stacey, the aftermath of the X-Men's first battle with the Hellfire Club, and many more turning points in the Marvel world's history, all from an almost-safe distance.

Alex Ross's photorealistic painted artwork, rather than the pencil-ink-color process that is the norm, gives the book a 'real world' look. It's how the Marvel universe would look like were it shown 'live-action'. MARVELS marks Ross's big break into the comics scene, eventually making him one of the most in-demand talents in the medium today. This book was my first exposure to Ross' efforts, and I've been a big fan of his art ever since.

But there's also Kurt Busiek's story, which shows the man's reactions to the events as an outsider looking in. His story artistry gives you a glimpse, if you were able to, of how you'd experience the world of superheroes.

'Late!

Plotless with little characterization
This book was not worth reading. While it starts out with the 'birth' of the human torch, soon many random superheros and super villains are incorporated within the book. There's lots of action, but the reader doesn't really care who wins or who loses, since other than the torch and the protagonist (a photographer) there is absolutely no characterization! Obviously the author is trying to pack in as many superheros/supervillains into one book as he can. There's almost nothing to keep you turning the pages in this book and i am surprised i even finished it. I recommend sticking with a book that focuses on just one hero (or one group of heros, such as with the X-Men). Don't waste your time reading this book with no plot or characterization.

Idea to fellow female readers: Check out "Merridian" instead. It is way cool.

To female and male readers: pick up an ordinary comic book or a good graphic novel like Galaxy Express 999.

One of the best comics ever in a brilliant special edition
It's hard for me to justify the expense of a hardcover graphic novel, especially if it's a collection of individual issues I already have, but when I heard about the Marvels 10th Anniversary edition I knew I would have to get it. Not only is Marvels one of my favorite comics of all time, but the extras packed into this book really show how collected editions are starting to become the DVD equivalent for comic books.

In "Marvels," Kurt Busiek and Alex Ross took us through the life of photojournalist Phil Sheldon, an old-fashioned newspaperman with printer's ink in his veins and a camera to his eye. Phil, however, lives in a more fantastic universe than you or I, he lives in the Marvel Universe, home of Captain America, the Fantastic Four, Spider-Man and the X-Men. Through four issues, we watch how Phil and his world grew and changed, how people thought about the superheroes -- the Marvels, as Phil called them -- and how perceptions evolved along the way. It's a beautiful, poignant series about ordinary heroism, hero worship, and the heroic ideal. Ten years later, it's still one of the best comics I've ever read.

If you've already read the comics, though, there is still stuff here for you. This collection includes the four pitches Busiek and Ross went through to get the series made, the complete scripts for all four issues, character sketches, production and promotional artwork, a guide to "Easter Eggs" in the artwork, a section on Ross' technique of painting from photographed models and even the text of all the newspaper articles that only partially appeared throughout the series. It's packed, and that makes the reading all the more fun.

If you've never read "Marvels," you're missing out. If you read it and loved it, this book takes the story one step further. Kudos to Marvel for putting out such a great edition of such an important comic book.

Excellent!!! Excellent!!! Excellent!!!
First off, let me say that I absolutely love the art work in the comic series. AMAZING!!!

What a gift it is to have a written story that rivals the artwork.

I thoroughly enjoyed Marvels. I love the concept of seeing the birth of superheros, in the Marvel Universe, through the eyes of a photo journalist. From it's skaky beginnings with the battles between the original Human Torch and the very angry Sub Mariner up until the very sad tragic death of Gwen Stacy at the hands of the Green Goblin.

Everything else in between those two story plots are just comic genius. An accurate timeline of Marvel events happening at once to every and all characters. While the Hulk was on a rampage in Washington, The Fantastic Four were having a wedding, and the Wasp was having her own clothing line... etc.

Upon reading the series, I kept recalling all these stories I had read as a child. To see them all combined, backed by beautiful artwork was a sheer pleasure.

I highly recommend this graphic novel for old and new fans. Very smartly written. Very beautifully drawn. ... Read more