Book Description

The second volume of the widely acclaimed Flight anthology. Featuring new stories by up-and-coming creators, established comics professionals, and the original crew, Flight Volume Two continues the tradition of celebrating the graphic narrative medium.From the fantasy of a fading childhood romance in a small seaside town to the tale of a pair of monster hunters looking to make a quick buck to the allegory of a young robot finding meaning in his disposal, this volume once again features stories for readers of all ages and tastes. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

An Excellent Collection
Of the 33 stories in this book, I don't think there was one that I didn't like for one reason or another. I'm generally not a big fan of superhero comics or of those that try too hard to be dark and edgy, and this is a nice alternative. I got a strong impression that the creators of the comics in this book just had fun and really put themselves into their work. The art styles are quite varied and impressive. Some of the stories are funny, some emotional, and some just inspiring artistically. The stories range from one page to around 20.

Although the book is large (and a great bargain at the Amazon price), it's a quick read. But this isn't a bad thing--I felt that I more than got my money's worth. I'll be looking for other work by some of these artists and ordering the first volume. I hope the Flight series continues.

Another Ground Breaking Anthology
Kazu Kibuishi (editor, director, artist, and writer) has assembled some of the most talented artists and writers for this collection of stories and poems. Not sure why Amazon is crediting Becky Cloonan with this masterpiece since she only wrote one story for this volume (other than her being alphabetically first). The quality of the stories and the art is equally as great as Volume 1. Plus this volume has a lot more pages. Get this from Amazon while you can. I got a first printing!

All of the stories are tied together with one common thread: Flight or Flying. My personal favorite story from this collection is "The Robot and the sparrow" by Jake Parker. Well written, well drawn, and even has some comic book stories you can read to the kids at night. =]

It is hard to describe just how awesome this book is. You will leave this book with a good feeling and a smile on your face.

First class art work, a style for everyone.
I was intrigued by the cover in the book store so I decided to pick it up. Wow, was I ever impressed. I used to be into comic books and art in general while in high school, but never in my wildest dreams would I have envisioned what the medium would become. Yes, I am getting old and no, I haven't been keeping up with comics. So, there may be better out there but not with so many different styles: One in pastel, one comp. generated, another in oils, and even a more traditional pen and ink section (all executed exquisitely).

If you are interested in finding out what can be accomplished stylistically and artistically in the world of graphic novels look no further. I can't wait to find volume two.
... Read more

Reviews (2)

The Women
Embroideries is a short book by the same author who wrote the two part graphic novel memoir "Persepolis"about her childhood in Iran during and after the Islamic Revolution. I enjoyed those books because it showed real life in Iran and it wasn't just a scary state of being that is often presented to the American public. (she showed people doing their best to maintain their dignity despite extreme circumstances) I think her latest book is an extension of that. This time the author Marjane Satrapi shares the stories the women in her family tell about love, life, sex, marriage and their place in it all. Many of the stories are absolutely hilarious and others are just plain heart-breaking. The heart-breaking ones make me think of Flannery O'Connor short stories for their slightly macabre tone and people going on with living despite such experiences. It was captivating because if it wasn't for the setting I think some experiences could be universal or common for many women in the world. Again the author shows Western readers that life in Iran isn't all veils and misery as we are often told. Women often get a raw lot there but there is also gentle beauty, broad humour and a close sense of family; where these women share their stories of wild living, love and even the joys of being a mistress. The illustrations are very simple black and white drawings but they reveal much more in subtle moments.

This is great
No book made me laugh so much.
It just great; A must read!!! ... Read more

Amazon.com

With The Big Fat Kill Frank Miller is at it again with another comics packed with guns, lovers, losers, and surprises. In Sin City's Old Town, the prostitutes run the show. "The cops stay out.That leaves the girls free to keep the pimps and the mob out." Sounds like an OK place, right? It is until a pushy, loud-mouthed guy who has had one too many drinks comes into Old Town and gets himself killed by the ladies. When they find out who he is, they realize that "it'll be war. The streets will run red with blood. Women's blood." ... Read more

Reviews (15)

The Dwight story from the movie
Frank Miller has done such an excellent job with each of his books.I'm reading all of the Sin City books, and I just finished this one.

I'm totally amazed at how closely the movie follows the book, and yet there were subtle differences that make the movie better, and the book more interesting to read.For example, this book references a few things from earlier books, and those references didn't make it into the movie.

The artwork in this is incredible.The story is incredible.

This book, and the other two books have been entirely black and white, except for the pictures of the comic covers in the first few pages, which really doens't count.

I recommend this book to everyone, except those who are turned off by blatant violence, nudity, and language.

ANOTHER GREAT, BLOODY, BRUTAL, GORY TALE FROM SIN CITY
So far this is one of my favorite sin city books. The story starts off at Dwights girlfriend Shellie's house. Jackie Boy (who is Shellie's previous lover) is outside her door and wont leave her alone and insists he comes in. So he comes in drunk with some friends. Dwight is at her house and is waiting for Jack in the bathroom. Jack hits Shellie and Dwight roughs him up a little bit and scares them off. Jack and his friends drive off to old town with Dwight following them. The girls of old town then gruesomely kill jack and his friends. They then find out something about jack that makes them wish they never killed him. From then on it turns into a bloodbath of revenge and murder as Dwight and the girls do there best to keep all of sin city from crashing down on them. This is a very well written and illustrated story. But keep the young kids away.

Dwight has to help out the ladies of Old Town with a problem
"The Big Fat Kill," Book 3 of Frank Miller's "Sin City" graphic novels once again focuses on the character of Dwight, who got himself a new face and a new attitude in the previous story, "A Dame to Kill For."The latter was the more important part, because Dwight did not come across as being anyway as interesting as Marv, the hero of the first "Sin City" story who is back to lend Dwight a helping hand in the second.Dwight is not exactly alone this time either, but he is certainly more capable of holding his own than previously.

Dwight is spending some time with Shellie the waitress when Jackie Boy shows up with a mean drunk and four of his friends.The old Dwight would have had some problems with that situation, but our hero has definitely grown up.Getting Jackie Boy to leave Shellie alone should be the end of it, but Dwight is convinced that the night will not end until Jackie Boy hurts somebody and Dwight takes the responsibility for making sure that does not happen.But when Jackie Boy ends up to Old Town where the ladies ply their trade of prostitution and are the law, "beautiful and merciless," it looks like Dwight's help is not need at all.This, however, turns out to be the biggest mistake of the night and suddenly Dwight's services are most decidedly needed.

It will seem strange to pick out this particular "Sin City" story and say it is a bit over the top, since obviously all of them are.The ending is certainly brutally efficient but at the cost of any notion of elegance, which is usually preferred in a comic noir story such as this.Miller is certainly not experimenting as much in terms of his artwork as he was in the first novel in the series, but the rough way in which Dwight and Jackie Boy's faces are drawn is not to my liking.The full-page panels in this one have Miller's best artwork.This includes Dwight introducing Jackie Boy to the toilet, Dwight jumping into his car, and some of the ladies of Old Town.Still, all things considered, this ends up being a second tier Miller story and Dwight is still a second tier hero, still well worth the reading but not as good as it gets in "Sin City."

This trade paperback collects together the five issues of the original Dark Horse comic series, along with their covers (which actually introduce some color to Miller's artwork).In the back of the book you will find a Gallery of "Sin City" art contributed by the likes of Arthur Adams, Sergio Aragones, Joe Kumbert, Mike Mignola, John Romita, Walter Simonson, and some other artists who present their interpretations of Nancy Callahan, the ladies of Old Town, and other "Sin City" characters.

The Big Fat Cool
After getting this yesterday (...), I began to read with extremely high hopes. Those hopes were met. The action from the Sin City film was delivered.

(...)

Five out of five.

Nice art, good story, great dialogue, and a nice noir feeling to it. Recommended to fans of the flick, even though they're getting basically the same thing.

Frank Miller hits his stride with this one
"The Big Fat Kill" is a fantastic tale, told in a classic "noir" style with the modern touch of Frank Miller.

My favorite character is a supporting one, Miho, a Crouching-Tiger-style martial arts expert.The main story is about Dwight and... well, I won't ruin the book by giving away the whole story.Just buy it, you won't be sorry.

"Dame to Kill For," and "That Yellow Bastard" are also excellent."The Hard Goodbye" was a little gory for my taste, so if ultra-violence isn't your bag, you could skip that one (it's a "stand-alone" story anyway).

"The Big Fat Kill" is represented in the movie with the Clive Owen/Rosario Dawson parts, about the middle third of the film.

This is one great book! ... Read more

Book Description

Mayhem and violence rule in this collection of issues one through seven of Jhonen Vasquez's Johnny the Homicidal Maniac, as well as material seen before only in Carpe Noctem magazine.Dark and disturbingly funny, JTHM follows the adventures of Johnny (you can call him Nny), who lives with a pair of styrofoam doughboys that encourage his madness, a wall that constantly needs a fresh coat of blood, and--oh, yeah--his victims in various states of torture.Join Nny as he frightens the little boy next door (Todd, known to fans of Vasquez's work as Squee), thirsts for Cherry Brain Freezies, attempts suicide, draws Happy Noodle Boy, and tries to uncover the meaning of his homicidal existence. ... Read more

Reviews (150)

Look Deeper
Johnny The Homicidal Maniac Director's Cut contains all seven Jonnhy issues in one book. It also includes sketches from Jhonen, the creator, an interview with Jhonen, and a 'timeline' of Johnny (from 'Johnny The Little Homicidal Maniac (crap) to Johnny The Homicidal Maniac (much better) This book series is...interesting to say the least. Many people say, "Oh, that book's junk, all it's about is some guy who goes around killing people." They don't know what they're talking about. You can see the Johnny series 'evolve' from 'Tramatize the Neighbor' to 'Good Luck, Squee!' This is actually an in-depth book. Sure, as it starts it looks like a book that poser goths read to try and look spooky. But, as you read on, the characters develop depth and become three dimensional. Johnny starts as a killer, who uses his victim's blood to paint a wall. Something's in there, but he doesn't know quite what. He has three voices, Nailbunny, Mr. Eff, and D-Boy. Nailbunny is Johnny's positive side, while Mr. Eff and D-Boy are negative. ME and DB are trying to get Johnny to kill himself, that way he can't paint the wall anymore, and the thing behind the wall can be released. Johnny has some real in-depth talks with his voices. A spin-off of this series is 'I Feel Sick' which is about Devi, Johnny's ex. Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone with a mature enough mind to truly understand this book.

even if you don't like comics....
First of all, I hate comics. I've always found they don't seem like real stories, not to metion the usually immature story lines. So, when I heard about JTHM through the internet, I had to find out more. I ordered Squee's Wonderful Big Giant Book and Director's Cut and I was extremley pleased with both. But, since I hadn't read the actual comics (and believe me, I tried finding them), I didn't miss out. I emailed some webmasters and found that Director's Cut had all the Nny comics and Happy Noodle Boy. If you're worried about missing out on the mean-whiles, then don't worry; Squee's has them all. The ONLY thing you'll miss out on is the great cover art (the covers are in small black and white pictures at the back). Plus, by ordering these, you get commentary by Jhonen and the history of the comics.

Now, if you're worried about the graphicness of the books, do not fret. It's surprisingly funny. While Nny is obviously insane, you'll love him the moment he kills his first victim. Really. Plus, Jhonen has created a very smart character. This book really got me thinking. And the pictures are enough to make you laugh with Nny's expressions. If you still can't decide whether to order, just go ahead. I poured through these in 3 days and I still go back and find them great.

Funniest, Wittiest dark satire I have ever read!
Where can you find an intelligent and witty glimpse into the sickened, insane, cold-blooded mind of a habitual killer? Right here with Johnny, The Homicidal Manic.

This is clearly a graphical novel for adults only (read the title, parents!), JTHM is a bloody and savage treat to the warped followers of horror and horror satire. If you ever laughed when the Road Runner dropped the Coyote off a cliff and turned him into an accordion, then you should find a chuckle or two in Vasquez's humorous look at homicidal mania.

The cartoons are brutally savage and yet excruciatingly funny, but don't worry because they are all done in black and white so the gore is not as intense as it could have been. Interspersed with Vasquez's storyline are tiny text boxes that cement the fact that this is a satire with such thoughtful comments as how the scene was filmed (its a picture), and cautionary remarks like "Parents: Don't get upset - It's a fake brain." and "Stupid People: I would ask you to keep in mind that this should *not* be a source of moral guidance." and "Kids, don't be stupid and try this: this is a trained flying toddler."

Hilarious little blurbs like these are also accompanied by Noodle Boy breaks. Happy Noodle Boy is the comic strip that Johnny writes, the second (and worse) cartoon within a cartoon, along the lines of "Itchy & Scratchy" to The Simpsons and "Terrance & Phillip" to South Park.

You will indulge your darker half with the intelligent debates between Johnny and his victims, see a gruesome Public Service Announcement, discover that God is a fat baby in a lounge chair and that the devil is a cheerleader. The dialogue is clever, the drawings hilarious, the storyline amusing, and the satire thick and twisted. Everything a horror fan could want in a graphic book.

The cells are quite busy, but take your time reading this dripping black jewel; you don't want to miss the extras thrown into each frame. Also take note of those chapters with scrolled or fancy looking borders. Hidden within the borders are messages such as "I like Ramen" and "Are you awake?" and "I am no potato."

As a finisher to this tasty meal, a dessert of early sketches is presented, along with character boards for Johnny, Nailbunny, Mr. Eff, Psycho Doughboy, Devi D., Tess R., Anne Gwish, and Squee. (who later gets his very own book!)

Completely rounding out our meal, Vasquez also included commentaries on the issues that JTHM was originally released in, and a hysterical interview he wrote by himself...with himself.

The wit and barbs just fly across these pages, and though the humor is indeed dark and intended for horror fans, I think you will be surprised at finding it is humor with intelligence behind it. I deeply enjoyed JTHM, I hope you do too.

z?
Jhonen Vasquez is the guy.

He is completely responsible for the slow death of my sense of right and wrong. I cheer for Nny and Zim at all times. I have come to view them as the good guys. It's frightening, really.

Anyway, JtHM is awesome, spiffy fun for anyone morbid, emotionally disturbed or snarky enough to get the humour. It's not only for those dubbing themselves goths or punks or whatever the kids are saying today. It's good violent fun for anyone, eyeliner or no. *is going to get hate mail for that* *giggles*

So, buy the DC book(this way, you don't have to go into Hot Topic to get the comics, which can only be a good thing...^-^), buy the Squee! book, buy "Everything Can Be Beaten', buy the Zim DVD. Buy "Lenore" by Roman Dirge. Embrace your inner Johnny. Welcome to the club.

Not as great as _Squee!_, but still good
I read this book in one sitting. It's sick and morbid, but oh-so- funny. Granted, it's not as great as, oh, say, _The Color Purple_ or _The House of Mirth_, but who expects that sort of writing from a book like this? If you don't possess an extemely dark sense of humor, then perhaps you should think twice about purchasing a book entitled _Johnny the Homicidal Maniac_. ;-) ... Read more

Book Description

Two feudal kingdoms, Midland and Chuder, battle for supremacy in what will become the final clash in a century-long struggle. Spearheading the Midland forces is the Band of the Hawk, a legendary cadre of elite mercenaries led by the charismatic Griffith and with the fearless Guts as its berserker champion. The Hawks' ferocity, courage, and fearsome skills - not to mention Guts' enormous broadsword - are just what Midland needs to turn the bloody tide, but during the fray, Guts and Griffith's most trusted lieutenant, Casca, fall together from a cliff into a raging river. Miraculously, both barely survive, and Guts tends to Casca's wounds as she tells of having her life saved by Griffith, her induction into the Band of the Hawk, and her deep feelings toward Griffith. She even seems to finally be warming up to the grim Guts. But this greeting-card moment won't last long, for Chuder warriors are on the prowl, and the only greetings they carry are on the points of their spears! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great manga
Berserk (both anime and manga) put me off at first, I didn't think that I would like it; from what pictures I had seen it looked to be a very violent and bloody manga, not that I'm bothered by those things, but I really prefer a good story.

Truth be told Berserk IS quite violent and bloody, but that is where it catches you off guard; hidden beneath all of the blood an gore is a great story that really draws you in with characters that are deep and have convincing relationships.

If you're looking for a lighthearted adventure Berserk isn't for you, but if you want a great story and don't mind violence and endings that don't necessarily turn out happily ever after definately check it out, you can't help but become engrossed in the story and it's characters. ... Read more

Book Description

Marking a departure for Miller from an entire career of serialized stories, this 128-page epic spilled out of him all at once...and you can't help but read it the same way! Family Values is a milestone among Miller's work, allowing him enough room to tell this classic story of grit and revenge exactly the way he wanted to. With deadly Miho running on roller-blades, Dwight running on adrenaline, and the Sin City mob on clean-up detail, this yarn from the Town Without Pity is not to be missed. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

SHORT AND POINTLESS
This is basically a revenge story staring Dwight and the lovely Miho. Although Dwight and Miho are not the ones seeking revenge. I really have to say that this book didn't make all that much sense at first, and when I did figure out the point the whole plot was kind of pointless. yeah it doesn't make sense but once you read it you'll know what I mean. The art once again is beautiful and the story will keep you reading all the way to the confusing ending. I would much rather give this three and a half stars but the rating scale is only in whole numbers. Don't get me wrong though, I am a huge fan of these books but this one wasn't that great. Miho's ninja style moves are extremely awsome in this book, but that's just about the only highlight here.

Good old-fashioned vendetta
Sin City has quickly become one of my favorite graphic novel series.It makes no apologies about it's gory, vicious fights and simple, rough dialogue. Family Values is an excellent story which stays true to the style.One of my favorite characters, the lovely Miho, gets a lot of the limelight here.Her ninja techniques, swordplay, and hand-to-hand fighting skills are all over the top and very fun to watch.The men in the story are almost always macho types, ready to take it and dish it out--until they run into Miho.A dark humor pervades every single one of the Sin City books I've read so far, and it perfectly compliments the film noir style of writing and graphics.If you haven't read any of the other books in the series, I would recommend starting with the first volume, The Hard Goodbye, which is the best by far.

There's gonna be Hell to pay.
This is the third Sin City story to star "Dwight"; the first two were "A Dame To Kill For" and "The Big Fat Kill".You really should read those books before you read this one.This time around, Dwight and Miho are on a mission for the girls of Old Town, which I won't spoil by revealing anything about.Unlike the other Sin City books, which are serialized and have chapters, this is a continuous story that is about 120 pages long.It doesn't take long to read; I read the whole thing during my lunch break.I didn't feel it was quite as good as the other "Dwight" stories, but it is still a fun, quick read.The storyline didn't intrigue me as much this time around, but the artwork is as great as ever.I think most of Frank Miller's fans will enjoy this book.

Great Build up to a Surprise Ending
I disagree with the reviewer that states the ending fizzles.The Sin City story contained within "Family Values" has the biggest build up and surprise ending of all the Sin City stories in my opinion.Miller again successfully makes dislikeable characters and situations a very enjoyable read.

The art in "Family Values" is not Miller's strongest, but he more than makes up for it with excellent narration and storytelling.While it is at times over the top and almost forced, the deadliness of prostitute/assassin, Miho, is a joy to read and watch because she is truly excellent at her job.Dwight's loyalty the girls of Old Town is awe inspiring, considering the fact that he is an admitted murderer, and someone I would never trust.Dwight and Miho work flawlessly together as the two main characters of this book, and anyone who liked "The Big Fat Kill" will get a kick out of this as well.It's violent, entertaining, and keeps you on the edge of your seat until it's done.A great read.

Hard-boiled noir
This story grabbed by the throat and dragged me, page by page, to it's surprising end.

I wasn't struggling. This is a very well-done revenge story in the classic style, but built with modern pieces. The art captured the tone beautifully: harsh black and white, with the emphasis on the black. Every page is drawn in jagged, bleak contrast. Only Miho stands out, a ghostly white drawn with delicate line, and an interesting addition to the usual noir cast of characters.

This is a keeper. Every time I open it, its mood grabs me all over again.

Oh, and when I finished the story, I had an uncontrollable urge to watch Bogart or Cagney.

//wiredweird ... Read more

Book Description

"1602 is a triumph. The Marvel universe hasn't been this engrossing in ages."- Entertainment Weekly Neil Gaiman's vision of the Marvel Universe in the year 1602! The year is 1602, and strange things are stirring in England. In the service of Queen Elizabeth, court magician Dr. Stephen Strange senses that the bizarre weather plaguing the skies above is not of natural origin. Her majesty's premier spy, Sir Nicholas Fury, fends off an assassination attempt on the Queen by winged warriors rumored to be in service to a mad despot named Doom. News is spreading of "witchbreed" sightings - young men bearing fantastic superhuman powers and abilities. And in the center of the rising chaos is Virginia Dare, a young girl newly arrived from the New World, guarded by a towering Indian warrior. Can Fury and his allies find a connection to these unusual happenings before the whole world ends? In Marvel 1602, award-winning writer Neil Gaiman presents a unique vision of the Marvel Universe set four hundred years in the past. Classic Marvel icons such as the X-Men, Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four and Daredevil appear in this intriguing world of 17th- century science and sorcery, instantly familiar to readers, yet subtly different in this new time. Marvel 1602 combines classic Marvel action and adventure with the historically accurate setting of Queen Elizabeth's reign to create a unique series unlike any other published by Marvel Comics ... Read more

Reviews (77)

The Magus of Oz
Alan Moore is a great literary figure who happens to write comic books, graphic novels and lyrics for rock bands. He is a hidden jewel of a writer who has produced, over the last two decades, provocative and important work that draws together popular culture, art, magick and the occult, philosophy, fairy tales and mythology, psychology, surrealism, science fiction, pulp fiction and cosmic prophecy into one harmonious whole that is flavored by that Holy Grail of every writer: an original voice.

V FOR VENDETTA has a long and painful history (it's initial run in England was aborted before all ten issues could be produced) but I first heard of it in 1987 when it started to be printed by D.C. Comics. I hadn't gone near comic books in over fifteen years and I was afraid of starting all up again, but someone had lent me a copy of SWAMP THING with the demand that I read it. "But it's SWAMP THING!" I protested, feeling uneasy about spending my time reading about a radioactive sludge monster who fights villians. Yet, it was a SWAMP TIHNG written by Alan Moore, and it was full of sublime prose, elegant ideas, sensuality, psychedelic revelations and gnosticism. I was blown away, so when the first issue of VENDETTA came out, I snapped it up. For 10 glorious months I read each installment as it came out and by the time number 10 had come, I was reshaping all my thoughts about literature, about story telling, about politics, society, culture, magick.

Part Orwell's 1984, part Phantom of the Opera, part Batman in Dark Knight mode, V FOR VENDETTA tells the story of an England under the rule of a fascist government and the journey of a young girl from street prostitute to rebel leader. V. himself is a poetic twist on the Beast from Beauty & the Beast, or Eric from Phantom of the Opera, a masked anarchist who moves about the fascist reign of terror with the ease of a neutrino unaffected by gravity. Possible the result of a bizarre medical experiment in a concentration camp, V. is now determined to bring down the government and free the minds and bodies of the masses suffering under its own psychological oppression. Fusing ideas from Wilhelm Reich, Aleister Crowley, George Orwell and even the Batman comic book, Moore has created his own Dark Knight, a far more mysterious and morally problematic one. He carries upon his shoulders the weight of the world, attempting to bring light and hope to the darkness prisons where men and women are beaten and tortured for being homosexual, to the medical labs of the prison camps where Mengele-like doctors are operating without inhibition on dehumanized prisoners.

V FOR VENDETTA raises the bar on the literary value of comic books, taking the genre of Batman and Spider-man and elevating it above the level of fist-fights, action sequences and costumed villians into the realm of a modern-day political and magickal myth. And towards the end when Evey the heroine watches the crowds in the street riot and destroy each other, she says, "Is this your anarchy, V?" and V replies, "No, this is Chaos"...in that one little moment, V. has made a distinction that is too subtle for most writers, far less the writers of comic books.

Frightening and powerful
In the early 1980's, Alan Moore (Watchmen, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, From Hell, chances are if you're reading this you know the list) began this chilling work. In an alternate world, it's 1997, and America and the Soviets have nuked each other to extinction. England is left, now under a fascist regime, and everything seems to be under control, until a mysterious terrorist, wearing a Guy Fawkes mask and calling himself V, begins picking off government officials and destroying buildings and monuments. Moore's storytelling is nothing short of chilling; from the basic element of the loss of freedom to a totalitarian government to just who really fights for good (is it V or the government?), V For Vendetta is nearly unforgettable. That combined with David Lloyd's ultra eerie washed out color art make this one of the most chilling works in the world of comics you'll ever likely find. It's not as profound or as important as Moore's Watchmen or his Swamp Thing run, but this is still worth reading.

No superheroes in a comic? Gee, what a concept. . .
A vision of a totalitarian future of Britian cut off from contact with the rest of the world (which may no longer exist), this story is very indiciative of the time when Alan Moore started it, the early 1980s. It's a bleak view of the future from the British culture that gave us punk rock and Max Headroom. Compared to them, this is somewhat optimistic. However, it's also obvious that Moore didn't finish the story soon after he started it, instead returning to it years later (sometime during his work on DC's _The Watchmen_). There is a change in the outlook and a bit of a rushed feel towards the end.

There are two protagonists in this story: the vigilante, a terrorist who takes on the totalitarian government while dressed as Guy Fawkes, and the girl he saves from government thugs and then mentors. But Moore follows the lives of a number of characters, from party officials to cheap thugs, and views this world through their eyes. The characterizations of these people making their lives in an oppressive regime is realistic. The change of views is also a nice parallel to the story's all-seeing computer and camera system that the vigilante hacks into and slowly takes control of.

Moore doesn't make the vigilante, known as V, impossibly pure. In fact, V's manipulation of the somewhat innocent wife of a party official, Rose, is harsh. He justifies his cruel manipulations as necessary to create a natural outcome of anarchy. And he seems to place art above people at times -- a truly complex character.

This is not Moore's most mature work, but there is an energy and imagination here that is excellent, and the pacing works well. Others' comparissons to Orwell's work and even _Lord of the Flies_ are well earned. Although I disagree with some of the politics Moore champions, I think the internal logic of the story is sound, as are most of the characters' motives and actions. Moore presents what kind of people really make up a despotic state.

The art is also not up to modern standards, instead confined to the format of the British magazine it was originally serialed in. That's best viewed as an amusing artifact.

Without a doubt, this book shows its age -- as much as _1984_, _Animal Farm_, and other politically-oriented fables do. Times change, but futuristic stories are more about the times they're written in than the future. And this is a fable with a definite (political) moral -- despite the rest of the story's subtlety and shadings.

Strange that Alan Moore would write this...
Many of the themes here seem strange coming from Alan Moore, frankly. Other reviewers have called the work "Orwellian", but actually, it's closer to a British version of Ayn Rand, as the story is closer thematically to "Anthem" and even parts of "Atlas Shrugged" than "1984".

And that seems odd to me. Alan Moore definitely does not seem to be the Ayn Rand type, and I'm sure he's not a fan of her economic beliefs or even her rational philosphy, but he's borrowing directly from the absolutist nature of her heroes (V is as sure of himself as John Galt ever was) and he's painting a portrait of the nature of freedom that closely matches Rand's (tying freedom together with identity, ala "Anthem").

Anyway, "V for Vendetta" is dated in that the story takes place in a "future" time that we are already well past, but the story itself is timeless in ways that WATCHMEN can never be. Whereas WATCHMEN plays with comics conventions and now shows the age of those very industy trends, VENDETTA took a different approach, trying to be it's own entity. As such, it still stands alone as a unique and inventive story.

Recommended.

Still holds up, mostly..
Just re-read 'V for Vendetta' again, to see what I thought of it after all these years. Putting aside all of the book's political, scientific and socialogical naivites (some of which Moore himself points out in the introduction and afterward), this story is shockingly effective, if a bit heavy handed, and yes, depressing.

In re-reading it, V comes off as less than a character and more as the polemic abstract that Moore intended. Yes, V's drive toward anarchy is little hard to swallow, and being asked to sympathise with a terrorist in light of today's world is difficult ( which is the main obstacle I see in this story ever making it to the movie screen, that, and the overriding British-ness of the story, which I understand is integral and which I appreciate. Too much would be lost in transplanting this to an American setting).

Also, there are some unexplained plot holes: one being just how does V gain access to the fate computer? Without being detected?

That said, the first third of this book is still impossible to put down, really great stuff (aside from some character stumbles: V spouts quotes and exposites and it comes off as intially awkward), as the authorities unravel why V may doing what he's doing, but I really enjoyed the middle section this time, which chronicles Evey out on her own. The scene where she is captured and confined is still harrowing and mind-blowing.

All in all, I see this as a very personal and well-crafted story by Alan Moore, although people always want to compare it to Watchmen in terms of quality and realism. Bear in mind that it was serialized in its initial run and created over seven years. David Lloyd's artwork, while at times muddy (I still have trouble telling who's who in the last third), is also often brilliantly rendered, cinematic, and very effective. He has a way with a panel or facial expression that is attuned perfectly to the emotions conveyed by the story. Moore wrote at the time that he would not finish the story's run with any other artist, and one can see why.

Again, as Moore explains the book's evolution in the afterward, this is the work of younger, hungry and sometimes naive artists. As a comic work I find it moving, magnificent and compelling. ... Read more

Book Description

Squee's Wonderful Big Giant Book of Unspeakable Horrors collects together the four issues of the Squee comic book series from SLG Publishing. It also contains reprints from the popular Jhonny the Homicidal Maniac series that didn't appear in the JTHM: Director's Cut book. ... Read more

Reviews (71)

Poor Little Squee!!
I enjoyed Jhonen Vasquez' "I Feel Sick" mini-series, so when I saw the Squee trade-paperback, I picked it up, not knowing what to expect...

Well, I certainly wasn't expecting it to be one of the best Comics I've ever read, but that's just what it was.

The first half of the book is comprised of Squee stories- Squee is a little boy whose parents have no use for him; he is pursued by Aliens & Monsters, pushed around by bullies, and his only friend is the new kid at school....who just happens to be the Son of The Devil...

I had no problem immediately falling in love with little Squee- He's so CUTE! (And who wouldn't identify with the childhood fear of waking up facing the wall.....with your back exposed to potential monster-attack!)

The other half of the book is comprised of short strips from Vasquez' Johnny the Homicidal Maniac comic. The "Meanwhile" strips are worth the purchase price alone. My favorite concerns a man on a first date who finds his stomach-ache turning into unexpected....Diarrhea. The way he attempts to explain this had me laughing for about 10 solid minutes.

This book has made me a Jhonen Vasquez fan for life, and I hope that I can get some other people to give this incredibly gifted creator a try.

Genius, pure genius.
If you're deciding to get this book, don't wait. GET IT. THis book is will blow you away--amazing storyline, developed and dimensional characters, superb detailed art---you don't need to worry, it's all here and 100x more worthy than you'd ever expect. Squee is a cute little boy who has the unfortunate luck to always bump into homicidal slayings, aliens, blood, gore, animal mutilation, etc--all of which traumatize him to such a degree where his eyes are permanently frozen wide. Altho this sounds gory, you will just FALL IN LOVE with squee b/c of his innocence and pure adorableness. You will LAUGH, sympathizing with Squee b/c you too, were once a child, and you too, were scared of monsters and murderers hiding under your bed... sleeping against the wall to maintain a "forcefield"... only with Squee--it's REAL! now can you just imagine what crazy adventures come next? Also included in this book are a series of strips called "wobbly headed bob" which is just genius! Intellectually brilliant and insightful it will just amaze you to no end. The author, Jhonen Vasquez, is a brooding genius with skyrocketing IQ and untamed imagination that is boundless. Ever meet anyone like that? No? well then, read SQUEE, what are you waiting for?

Squee's wonderful big giant book of unspeakable horrors.
SICK!, Yet some of the most fun I've had with a comic in years. Any new mom or dad needs to read this, See all your fears put to an extreme! Squee lives in a world that could only be hell for a child. From parents who should not even own a pet, to the son of the devil and deviant aliens this book has it all. One of the best shorts is about dust mites, I won't ruin it, BUY THE BOOK! I have one complaint; The pages are small, so some of the print is like CIA microfilm, kind of hard to see, let alone read.

Twisted and brilliant
I love _Squee!_, but what I liked best about this collection were the added comics at the end. The nosferatu comic was hilarious, and I cried I laughed so hard at the one where the guy and his date are in the restaurant and he desperately needs to go to the bathroom but doesn't want to leave her. What GREAT tension in that one! And the one where Jhonen fights, what was it called? The Obsessor?- SO funny! Loved it. Money well blown.

Awww, look at the cute and tormented little Squee...!
Jhonen Vasquez did not disappoint me when I decided to pick up "Squee's Wonderful Big Giant Book of Unspeakable Horrors." Just when I thought he couldn't top "Johnny the Homicidal Maniac," I read this and found myself laughing aloud like crazy. Dark, twisted, disturbing, and overwhelmingly hilarious, this comic collection is unforgettable and highly entertaining--even if you don't want to admit it!!

If you've read "Johnny the Homicidal Maniac," then you will be familiar with the cute little boy named, Squee. Squee is a kid who seems to have the worst luck in the world. His parents hate him and wish that he would someday vanish without a trace. All of the school kids hate him and torment him. To make matters worse, he has the most dreadful nightmares about monsters and aliens. He even meets these creatures when he isn't asleep. From running away from his cannibalistic grandpa to persuading the aliens to take his parents away instead of him, from battling the dreaded "Dustmites" to the threat of becoming a mindless zombie school student, Squee is destined to grow up having some serious "issues." The book also includes the comic strips "Wobbly Headed Bob," "Fun with Filler (aww, look at the cuuute little bunny rabbit doing his filler dance!!),"Happy Noodle Boy," and the "Meanwhile" strips that were very much absent from "JTHM: The Director's Cut."

While I think "Johnny the Homicidal Maniac" is Jhonen's most creative and disturbing work, I found "Squee's Wonderful Big Giant Book of Unspeakable Horrors" to be much more entertaining and hilarious. There were many times where I was laughing very loudly as I was reading this. It's so funny that so many horrible things can happen to such a cute little character. It makes you feel guilty for laughing... but that quickly goes away and then you laugh some more--and in an even more demonic and unrelenting tone! The drawings are great and the characters are extremely humorous. Another cool thing is that Jhonen LOVES to throw in hidden messages and jokes within certain panels, so be on the lookout for them. Another reason to read this more than once.

Again, this is not intended for younger readers. While I found this much more easier to take than "JTHM," it's still very twisted, dark, disturbing and graphic. There are some very dark themes and imagery in this collection of comics, so it's not intended for those who easily get offended or disturbed. And, you must keep in mind that this book is here strictly for entertainment purposes only and is not to be taken seriously. Jhonen loves to poke fun at everything wrong in society--and even at his own work!

If you want to read something very twisted, deranged, and hilarious, "Squee's Wonderful Big Giant Book of Unspeakable Horrors" is just the thing for you. Again, it's nothing for the easily offended. Even though it's a pretty short read, I found this to be one heck of an entertaining read and it's something I'll be sure to read a number of times in the very near future. Another slam-dunk for Vasquez and his sick and warped sense of humor! -Michael Crane ... Read more

Book Description

What if everything in your life was out of your hands and those around you propelled your fate? Your girlfriend left you for your best friend; your boss gave your job to someone better. What if then, after all this, someone gave you back total control? What if he revealed you were the next in line to join a secret society of super-villians that controlled the entire planet? Mark Millar and J.G. Jones provide a look at one man who goes from being the world's biggest loser to the deadliest assassin alive. The most talked-about superhero series of the year is now collected in this stunning hardcover edition! Mark Millar examines what happens when absolute power does corrupt absolutely, and everyman Wesley Gibson inherits incredible powers. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Pure, undiluted Millar
Longtime comic fan here, going way out on a limb:this is the best thing to hit comics since "Watchmen".There, I said it."Wanted" is also one of the most extreme, graphic, bloody, disgusting, nihilistic things I've ever read.As much as I recommend it, I also cannot stress highly enough:if you have ever been offended by *anything* in your *entire* life, do not read this book, 'cause it ain't for you.If you're of a strong, open mind and looking for something to knock your socks off, "Wanted" fills the bill nicely.

Just plain awesome
From the twisted mind of Mark Millar (The Ultimates, Chosen, The Authority) comes Wanted: a six issue mini-series from Top Cow that is everything a comic should be.Wesley Gibson is down on his luck young man letting society run his life.He's stuck in a dead end job, lives with his cheating girlfriend, abused by his boss, and generally walked all over.Then one day his life changes forever.Wesley learns that he is the son of the Killer, the greatest super villain of all time, and that his father has died and he has inherited everything.Soon enough, Wesley is trained to be the sadistic killing machine that he was always meant to be, and no longer a slave to society.However, Wesley soon learns that there is trouble brewing in the super villain society, and as the secret of his father's death which involves various conspirators unravels, Wesley learns that maybe the last thing he ever wanted in his life was to be wanted.Drawing numerous comparisons to Fight Club, only more nihlistic (if such a thing is possible), Wanted manages to be one of the most insanely darkly humerous and blood curdingly violent comics since Vertigo's Preacher series, and the stunning art of J.G. Jones gives Wanted a cinematic look that is nothing short of incredible.This handsome hardcover TPB of the mini-series is a must have for comic fans who missed out on the single issues, and even though it may be hard to swallow at times (this is definitely not for the faint of heart), this is blockbuster comic storytelling at it's best. ... Read more

Reviews (248)

"...a multilayered epic sporting a fantastic script..."
I just recently got into graphic novels, but so far have read books from the SANDMAN series, The MAUS books, and of course, THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS. Needless to say, I've been sucked into the genre by these amazing stories, and I'm simply going down the list of highly acclaimed cult classics. Of course, when I got to WATCHMEN, I was skeptical. I'd heard of Batman and Sandman, but who the Watchmen? Sounded kind of obscure, and fraknly, a bit phony. Of course, after reading countless positive reviews claiming this book to be one of the absolute best in the history of comic literature, I had to pick it up. Right off the bat, I could tell there was something special about this one, which maybe wasn't so noticeable in the others I'd read.

The story starts out simple enough, with the murder of a "superhero," called The Comedian. He was evidently a member of a team, but only one of his former comrades, Rorschach seems to care about his death in the slightest. The others all remember him as a bad, immoral man, and therefore, a terrible hero. At first, you'll be wondering why the others don't grieve for him as Rorschach does, but as you see what foul deeds he committed, you'll start arguing the other way. Why is it that Rorschach is scouring the streets, searching for clues as to who may have killed The Comedian? Why is Rorschach the only one who cares about the ex-superhero's falling?

In this book, much like in THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, superheroes are not seen simply as idols and virtual gods through the eyes of the public. They're seen as a rebellious vigilante who disregard the police and take matters into their own hands. This is the story of an alternate 1985 where the world is rapidly turning into a hell which humans are creating for themselves, where superheroes struggling for internal-order are hated and ridiculed for their valiant actions. The superheroes themselves aren't all that important here--they simply represent the steriotypical masked figures in tights; a group of "normal" citizens fighting to change matters which may very well be out of their control. Alan Moore masterfully creates a multilayered epic sporting a fantastic script, filled with controversial dialogue and an interesting plot which changes the way people think about superheroes and comic books in general.

Rorschach's search for truth, along with the reader's search for explanation is explored through a series of flashbacks, side-stories and subplots. The 417 page graphic novel is split into 12 chapters, each with little tidbits in-between, providing some interesting background information on the characters. WATCHMEN is kind of a mini-series of comic-books, and was entirely original. The characters had never appeared in any other comic before, and never appeared in another again. When compared to THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, I say that WATCHMEN is slightly superior. While THE DARK KNIGHT was an exciting and moving tale of Batman's aging and eventual returning to the superhero life, where he was needed most, it was very short (about half the length of WATCHMEN) and left open ends, which were covered in some not-as-good sequels. WATCHMEN is simply a great solo-story which requires no background information or further reading, and boasts a strong, recurring theme: "Who watches the watchmen?" Compared to other graphic novels, ranging mainly from 100-200 pages, WATCHMEN is significantly longer, not only giving you more of a bang for your buck, but increasing the amount of pleasure you'll experience from reading this book.

My only real gripe about this book is to do with the art. Don't get me wrong--It's amazing stuff, filled with vivid colors that you wouldn't expect to see in such a dark story--but the action sequences leave something to be desired. Compared to THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, filled with tons of cool blurs, lines and other cinematic goodies you'd expect to make a comic book feel more animated, WATCHMEN is severely lacking in that department. If you try to see the book as a cartoon, like many of us do, it will look like a poorly animated one. Or, simply a series of stills, which is what a comic book is, but almost all comics successfully create the illusion of animation and movement within their pages. Nevertheless, the art is still amazing to look at, it will just require more imagination to see the characters moving.

If I were you, I wouldn't read any other reviews or check any futher into this great graphic novel. If you do, you might back out, thinking that it sounds too corny or not your type of book. Some people are turned off by the whole superhero idea, but Watchmen basically handles it in the most intimate and unconventional manner, bringing a whole new light to those imaginary masked-defenders of the Earth. If you enjoyed THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, this should be right up your alley, delivering more of what the former excelled in. If you aren't into comic books, then you should probably just head over to your nearest book store and read the first 10 pages or whatever. Chances are, you'll find that you love this and then you can buy it on the spot.

Quis custodiet ipsos custodes (Who watches the watchmen?)
Comic books superheroes are basically fascist vigilantes, with Superman and his dedication to truth, justice and the American way being the exception that proves the rule. Both "Watchmen" and "The Dark Knight Returns," the two greatest examples of graphic storytelling, deal explicitly with the underlying fear the ordinary citizenry have of the demi-gods they worship. The one inherent advantage that "Watchman" has over Frank Miller's classic tale is that it requires no knowledge of the existing mythos of its characters because Dr. Manhattan, Ozymandias, Rorschach, Nite Owl, Silk Spectre, the Comedian and the rest of the former members of the Crimebusters.

The brainchild of writer Alan Moore ("Swamp Thing," "V for Vendetta," "From Hell") and artist Dave Gibbons ("Rogue Trooper," "Doctor Who," "Green Lantern"), "Watchmen" was originally published by DC Comics in twelve issues in 1986-87. Moore and Gibbons won the Best Writer/Artist combination award at the 1987 Jack Kirby Comics Industry Awards ceremony. The central story in "Watchmen" is quite simple: apparently someone is killing off or discrediting the former Crimebusters. The remaining members end up coming together to discover the who and the why behind it all, and the payoff to the mystery is most satisfactory. But what makes "Watchmen" so special is the breadth and depth of both the characters and their respective subplots: Dr. Manhattan dealing with his responsibility to humanity given his god-like powers; Nite Owl having trouble leaving his secret identity behind; Rorschach being examined by a psychiatrist. Each chapter offers a specific focus on one of the characters, yet advances the overall narrative.

Beyond that the intricate narrative, Moore and Gibbons offer two additional levels to the story. First, each chapter is followed by a "non-comic" section that develops more of the backstories, such as numerous excerpts from Hollis Mason's autobiography "Under the Hood" or Professor Mitlon Glass' "Dr. Manhattan: Super-Powers and the Superpowers," an interview with Adrian Veidt, or reports from the police files of Walter Joseph Kovacs. Second, almost every issue has scenes from "Tales of the Black Freighter," a comic-book being read by a kid near a newsstand, which offers an allegorical perspective on the main plot line.

"Watchmen" certainly nudged the comics industry in the right direction towards greater sophistication and intelligence, although a full appreciation of its significance is always going to be lost on the bean counters. The Book Club Edition of "Watchmen" offers the teaser: "He's America's ultimate weapon . . . and he's about to desert to Mars." As a representation of the work as a whole that description is simply stupid, especially since it is followed by a glowing recommendation by Harlan Ellison that concludes "anyone who misses this milestone event in the genre of the fantastic is a myopic dope." If you ever spent time reading and enjoying any superhero comic book, you will appreciate what you find in "Watchmen."

awesome, baby
Yes, this is an graphic novel, but every page carries every ounce of narrative density and depth that you'd expect from a more text-heavy tome. Frankly, there's so much to say about this work that I hardly know where to begin, so I won't. Instead, I'll just heartily recommend it to everyone--not just my comic geek friends. In fact, I would especially recommend it to friends of mine who don't read comics or graphic novels because they think those things are (a). just for kids or (b). not as satisfying as a more traditionally formatted read.

It has its flaws, but WATCHMEN is still excellent
WATCHMEN is by no means perfect. I thought it was when I read it a year ago, but I have revisited it a week ago.

I'm not a huge fan of American comics (although I read Japanese comics regularly), but WATCHMEN is definitely the best that I've read. The art is very blunt, and says what it wants to clearly. This isn't the most beautiful piece of artwork in the world, but it's very good.

For the record, I agree with what some of the people are saying about clichés and having some things repeated over and over again. Some of that does get tedious and a bit boring after a while, but that can also be said about some of my other favorite comic books that I read.

The sex stuff was a bit out there. Laurie isn't the brightest bulb and seems to be sex with two legs. Personally, I don't see why she and her mother had to be like that, and that should have been easily emitted. Oh well. Alan Moore's choice, I suppose...

The violence was tasteful, though.

The political viewpoints are very interesting. I, myself, am very interested in politics, and want to major in political science when I get into college (as well as English). Personally, I think that this is very relevant to what's going on in the world right now, with America slowly crumbling, morals deteriorating (with the exception of gay marriages in Massachusetts), and trying to fix countries that want to be left alone. With the war on terror, a lot of the cold war themes are appropriate for this time. A fair amount of what Alan Moore says is true in his socio-political comments, both about what's going on in our country and our interaction with other countries. The symbolism is sometimes a little subtle, and you'd have to read it over and over again to get all of the tiny little points.

Rorschach is probably one of the most rounded characters I've ever read in a comic book. He's endlessly fascinating, and I really like him. He's my favorite comic book character, and is up there in my favorite fictional characters of all time.

I'm not trying to give anything away, but I think that this story is very sad in its aspect that it says clearly that most human beings, whether they are famous or the most despicable things on the planets, die quietly without a fight.

While, as mentioned before, some of the events in this novel are not very plausible (Dr. Manhattan, Rorschach's psychiatrist becoming depressed because of what Rorschach told him, etc.), this is a comic book. It's not supposed to be completely realistic. They make a simple statement through pictures put to words. That is the point of comics, in my opinion.

I liked the plot. It was all right, although I don't think it compares with Shakespeare or Twain. A more realistic comparison is with Robert Cormier, who writes for young adults with similar themes. Pick up something by him if you read this, you'd probably like that, too. (We All Fall Down is excellent.)

I really liked some of the information at the end of some of the chapters (chapter six, especially), but some of it was just okay.

I didn't really like the ending, but, in a way, it was fitting. It was good, but it was definitely not my favorite part of the book.

In short:

+: Rorschach, art, politics, symbolism, characters in general, tasteful violence, overall themes of the book

In between: plot, ending text, last chapter, plausibility

-: sex, clichés, (although I didn't mention it) language

I don't see why you shouldn't read it, but don't expect it to be perfect. I think how much you like it depends from person to person. If you tend to get easily bored, don't read it. If you haven't ever read comic books before, give it a try. If you are a regular to comics, try it, and ditch it if you think it's overrated by the third chapter. I'm not going to say you aren't going to be disappointed, but I wasn't.

I love this comic despite its faults, and I think it should be read over and over again. It is still a classic, and has not let go of any of its power.

What if costumed superheroes really existed?
That is the simple question that Watchmen poses and is one of the many clever conceits that Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons employ throughout the 12-issue mini-series that is collected in this fine trade paperback.

Moore and Gibbons present a world not unlike ours. An alternate reality where the United States won Vietnam (thanks to Dr. Manhattan--the book's only Superman) and as a result Nixon stayed President. Dirgibles instead of airplanes can be seen in the sky, there are electric powered cars and a popular fast food chain of Indian restaurants known as Gunga Diner are everywhere.

In this world, superheroes have been outlawed because the police felt that their jobs were threatened and so only Government sanctioned costumed heroes can legally operate. That doesn't stop Rorschach, a masked vigilante from plying his trade.

Why am I going into all this detail? Because Watchmen is all about the details. Moore and Gibbons vividly draw us into this world through the most minute details, often populating the backgrounds of panels so that they only become obvious upon multiple readings.

What is so astounding about Watchmen is that it works on so many levels. Superficially, it's a murder mystery. However, it also asks many big questions like, who makes the world? Who is responible? Is everything planned out or is it all up to chance?

Watchmen is also a marvel of technique. Moore and Gibbons employ all sorts of film techniques (zoom ins, close-ups, revolving "the camera" around somebody, lighting effects, etc) and also several techniques of rhythm. For example, look closely at the panel layout for Chapter 5: Feaful Symmetry. The panel layout on the first page is exactly the same as the last page and so on until the center pages which mirror each other perfectly. Or all of the smiley face images that pop up throughout the various chapters. This is only a taste of what is going on in this book. It really is an astounding work.

There is a reason why Watchmen is so highly regarded. It is an amazing accomplishment and one that takes the costumed superhero genre seriously. If you haven't ever read this book before then I strongly recommend checking it out. If you aren't a huge fan of comic books, this one will change your mind. It proves that comics aren't just for kids. Not any more. ... Read more

Book Description

The deadliest agent in the Marvel Universe has finally gotten out of the spy game, and she's not asking for much, just a life of her own. When a sudden assassination attempt provides a harsh reality check, the former Soviet agent tracks a string of international killings that will lead her back to a Russia she can barely recognize.Collects Black Widow #1-6. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Surprisingly solid Black Widow story
As a previous reviewer mentioned, the Black Widow has been one of the lesser known and mishandled characters in the Marvel Universe.In the hands of novelist Richard K. Morgan, he has taken to the character back to the roots of her origin, focusing more on action, espionage, and story rather than exploiting a sexy drawing for adolescent boys to slobber over.The story concerns Natasha being thrown back into the spy game (as if she ever really left) after an assassination attempt on her life.Soon, along with her male sidekick, she's kicking butt and taking names, all the while unraveling a conspiracy which evolves into the best Black Widow story Marvel has ever published.This TPB's only flaw is that it wears a bit thin towards the end, but the art by the great Bill Sienkiewicz is worth giving this a look at alone.All in all, if you've been looking for a mature and action packed mainstream comic, give this a look.

Not too shabby
I am relatively new to the graphic novel/comic scene so I have not read any of the old incarnations of this character. I enjoyed this book. It was easy to follow and her actions seemed to make sense. I was surprised that this was written by Richard Morgan. Morgan wrote one of the worst books ever written "Fallen Angels". Honestly If I had noticed that he was the author of this I never would have read it. Kudos to him for better writing this time around.

The art is very well done as well. Nice bright colours and good lines etc....

I look forward to more in this series (there will be more?)

Scott

Morgan's Widow has fangs!
Over the years Natasha Romanov, the Black Widow, has shown up time and again, often working with The Avengers and Daredevil.Despite the efforts of more recent Widow scribes such as Jim Starlin, Devin Grayson, Greg Rucka and Bendis, she's long been a laughingstock character -- little more than a sex object, "the bike of the Marvel Universe."But now novelist Richard Morgan (ALTERED CARBON; WOKEN FURIES; etc.) has teamed up with artist Bill Sienkiewicz (ELEKTRA: ASSASSIN) and utterly outdone all previous incarnations of this superspy.While keeping to established continuity, Morgan has updated the Widow, making her a much more human, respectable character, and the book much less misogynstic than it often has been.He's scripted a tight, mean, intelligent and topical comic book, aimed at adults rather than adolescent boys, that any fan of espionage fiction, superhero comics or plain ol' good storytelling should enjoy.Anyone picking up this book looking for exaggerated female bodies in kinky poses will be disappointed, but if you're looking for a very fine comic book, look no further.Do yourself a favor, even if you don't think you care for this particular character, and pick up this book.The Black Widow finally has her fangs. ... Read more

Book Description

Dr. Strange. Namor. The Hulk. The Silver Surfer. Set apart from others by nature and choice, this team of Marvel's mightiest loners embarked a string of strange adventures rarely equaled since - joined by some of the most off-kilter heroes of their time. Sorcery! Super-science! The war of the super-heroes! Learn how the "non-team" got its non-start in this multi-title compilation! Collects Dr. Strange #183, Sub-Mariner #22 and 34-35, Incredible Hulk #126, Marvel Feature #1-3, Defenders #1-14, and Avengers #115-118. ... Read more

Book Description

In celebration of Street Fighter's 15th Anniversary, Udon Entertainment is proud to announce the arrival of the long awaited English translation of Street Fighter: Eternal Challenge!Direct from Capcom Japan, Eternal Challenge is the official, definitive resource for art, information, and all things Street Fighter! With unprecedented detail and rare images, Eternal Challenge gives English-reading fans, for the first time, an in-depth retrospective on the legendary Street Fighter franchise from Street Fighter I to Street Fighter III: Third Strike. Eternal Challenge is filled to the brim with development and promo artwork (by legendary Capcom designers including Akiman, Shoei, CRMK, Edayan, and Shinkiro), character histories and bios, screen shots, game endings, merchandizing galleries and behind the scenes interviews with the creators of the games! Included in the English-language release will also be a brand-new, exclusive chapter detailing the Street Fighter franchise in North America! ... Read more

Book Description

Homicide detectives Christian Walker and Deena Pilgrim investigate murders specific to super-hero cases. And with all super-heroes declared illegal, a Powers crime wave has hit the city, and hit it hard! ... Read more

Book Description

Volumes I & II in paperback of this 1992 Pulitzer Prize-winning illustrated narrative of Holocaust survival. ... Read more

Reviews (107)

More subtle than can be understood in a single reading
These books are an easy and fast read, but by no means are they simple. In two slim comic books, Art Spiegelman chronicles his parents' movement from comfortable homes in Poland to the death camps of Auschwitz and Birkenau, and from there to a surreally banal afterlife in upstate New York. We watch the destruction of the Holocaust continue in Spiegelman's father's transformation from a bright, good-looking youth to a miserly neurotic, his mother's deterioration from a sensitive, sweet girl into a suicide, and in the author's own unhappy interactions with his parents.

I have read some of the most negative reviews of these books, and I respectfully disagree. Some negative reviews ("Spiegelman is a jerk") castigate Spiegelman for his shamefully self-interested milking of his father's life and the Holocaust. Other negative reviews find fault with the unoriginality of the story, or discover historical inaccuracies, self-contradictions, or simplifications in the tale. Finally, a set of reviews are upset with Spiegelman's coding of people of different nationalities as animals(especially the Poles, who were also victimized by the Nazis but are depicted as pigs in the comics.)

The first criticism is both deserved and unfair. Deserved, because Spiegelman profits by the pain and death of millions, including his own family. Unfair, because Spiegelman himself consciously provides the basis for our criticism that he mocked and neglected his elderly father at the same time that he fed his own success upon his father's tales. The two volumes echo with his regret and unexpiable guilt at his treatment of his parents, and at his own success and survival. To attack Spiegelman for these things is like scolding a man in the midst of his self-immolation.

The second type of criticism finds _Maus_ to be sophomoric, inaccurate, or repetitive of other Holocaust survivor's experiences. The defense here is that Maus is the story of a single family, seen through the eyes of a single man (Vladek Spiegelman), and filtered again through his son. It is almost certain that the elderly Vladek forgot, exaggerated, or hid details, just as it is certain that his son summarized and misunderstood. However, the quasi-fictionalized format of the comic book throws this subjectivity into relief. The destroyed diaries of Spiegelman's mother are a reminder of the millions of life stories left untold, including stories perhaps too horrible and shameful for the survivors to reveal. _Maus_ does not claim to be an objective, authoritative history of the Holocaust, and in fact tries to emphasize its own limitations.

While other works may better convey the Jewish experience in the Holocaust, the innovative format of _Maus_ justifies its existence, as it allows the story to reach a greater audience.

Finally, many have objected to the negative stereotyping of the many peoples appearing in the book, especially the Poles. Spiegelman draws the Jews as innocent mice, but the Germans as bloodthirsty cats, and the Poles as selfish pigs. More amusingly (because they appear infrequently in the story) the French are drawn as frogs, the Swedes as reindeer, and the British as cold fish. The Americans are dogs, mainly friendly bow-wow dogs but also sometimes cold-eyed predators capable of pouncing on a mouse or rat. I believe that the wrongness of stereotypes was a major reason why Spiegelman used them. The Nazis are recorded as having called the Jews "vermin" and the Poles "pigs". Whether they had the qualities of these animals or not, they were treated as such... and such they were forced to become despite themselves. The Jews had to hide, hoard, and deceive; the Poles were compelled to act out of self-interest just to survive.

In other words, I think that Spiegelman's stereotypes were a deliberate choice. The WHOLE POINT of _Maus_ is how the dehumanization of the Holocaust twisted people beyond their capacities... how the camps tried to make people as ugly and despicable as their worst racia