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Church and State is volume three of the Cerebus the Aardvark series and picks up right where High Society leaves off. To compound matters further, this reprint volume is part one of a two-part story that is self-contained within the larger framework.

A face from Cerebus's past returns with an offer he can't refuse. But the gray one has learned a few lessons from the powers that be and turns the tables on the would-be puppet masters. This volume also marks the addition of Gerhard as a background artist, and the artwork begins to create a visual impact equal to the creative impact of the comic book's ideas and stories. The storytelling also becomes subtler, the beginning of a stylistic trademark in Cerebus that leads the reader to believe more action is taking place peripherally than in the actual pages. High points include a two-part dream sequence, which is visually unparalleled in the history of comic art; a pee-break which is unrivaled in length in the history of comic art; the return of Jaka; and "the baby incident." Don't forget to pick up Church and State, Volume Two , as volume one ends with the cruelest of cliffhangers. This is the Ivan the Terrible of graphic novels, both in terms of its subject matter and the creative peak it represents for the author. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Cerebus grows up.
The overall tone in script and art, on the surface, appears drier and less fun. The length of the written passages and the frequent use of cityscapes and room interiors for backgrounds makes the whole book seem as fun as a three hour course in industrial toothbrush manufacturing.
In truth this is one of the finest examples of what a graphic novel can be. Dave Sim's writing had matured beyond anything that was published at the time, and I will argue, anything since. It has, at times, so many turns and surprises that you rush to reach the end of each chapter and then he will turn completely around and deliver some of the funniest one-liners and slapstick. (one of the few times I have laughed out loud at a comic happens in this series). A classic cast of original characters as well as icons stolen from the golden ages of comedy. Gerhard's art is amazing and the book requires and second reading just to appreciate his work in full. This is a fun read for any fan of good writing or artwork and essential for every fan of a good comic.

The High Point
In my opinion the two volumes that comprise Church and State are the best of Cerebus. No longer Prime Minister and no longer caring about anything Cerebus is nominated to pontiff and decides everyone should give them gold. His object lessons with the young and old will give you a heartattack they are so funny. The underlying statements on religion, politics, and humanity is thought provoking and intense.

Where Cerebus Breaks Through
Church and State is where Dave Sim really breaks new grounds in art, plot, characterization, and scope. There is a definite shift from simple sight gags and cute one-liners - although both are present - to more elaborate storytelling functions. Church and State is an absolute must read for anyone who enjoyed High Society, as well as anyone who enjoys political or religious satire.

Aardvark? hmm . . .
Church and State is a fascinating introduction to the modern comic book, especially for those who are still expecting tights and superbreath. It is a compellingly complex political intrigue, as Dave Sim constructs his elaborate world in detail in this 3rd installment of his decades long work. Rather than being an illustrated history, the story moves from moments of remember to breathe humour to tenderness to satire to byzantine machinations and back to laughs. I'm especially fond of the end sequence when Cerebus has a cold: one of the chapters is entitled "na shid hids na fan." And every once in a while, you have to stop and slap yourself and say, "hmm . . . it's an aardvark." ... Read more

Book Description

The most intimate look yet into the life and mind of the bestselling author and creator of The Sandman.

Neil Gaiman is one of the most successful and versatile writers working today. He has become renowned not only for the consistently high quality of his writing but for his mastery of many media. He is an award-winning comic book writer (Sandman), novelist (American Gods), children's book author (The Wolves in the Walls), and television screenwriter (Neverwhere). Yet with all the fans hungry to know more about his work, there has not yet been a single major nonfiction book covering Gaiman's entire creative output. Until now.

Hanging Out With the Dream King: Conversations With Neil Gaiman and His Collaborators presents a thorough look at Gaiman's work not only through his eyes, but through the eyes of his many collaborators. Artists, writers, editors, musicians—over two-dozen creators share their thoughts on working with Gaiman and present a unique mosaic portrait of the writer whose name has become synonymous with modern fantasy.

Although the book's scope is not limited to Gaiman's best-selling comic book creation The Sandman, Hanging Out With the Dream King features comprehensive interviews with all of the major Sandman artists, including Charles Vess, P. Craig Russell, Bryan Talbot, and Jill Thompson, as well as well as rare and exclusive interviews with Sandman co-creators Sam Kieth and Mike Dringenberg.

And, much as Gaiman has done throughout his career, Hanging Out With the Dream King breaks down the walls of media and genre, presenting those who may have discovered the writer's work through one storytelling medium with doors through which they may find his other prodigious creations. Thus, admirers of Gaiman's children's books with Dave McKean will discover his adult work with Gene Wolfe and Terry Pratchett; fans of his novels will discover his comics; and everyone will have the chance to meet Gaiman's folk-rock bands—the Flash Girls and Folk Underground. Musicians Alice Cooper and Tori Amos are also interviewed.

Illustrated with many unpublished photos and comic pages, this is the book Gaiman's fans have been waiting for. B/w illustrated (with 16 pp. in color). ... Read more

Book Description

In this prequel story to George R. R. Martin's Award winning, New York Times Best Selling novel series A Song of Ice and Fire, Night falls over the life of one noble knight and brings the dawn of his squire's knighthood. Dubbing himself "Ser Duncan the Tall," the Hedge Knight sets forth to the tourney at Ashford Meadow in search of fame, glory, and the honor of upholding his oath as a knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Unfortunately for him, the world isn't ready for a knight who keeps his oaths, and his chivalrous methods could be the very cause of his demise. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Wonderful art work enhances the story.
This is the first graphic novel that I've read and I was thoroughly impressed.Martin's short story of Dunk the hedge knight and his first tournament experience is well told and fun to read.The art in this book is really great and gives the story a more intimate feel by allowing the reader a visualization of the events as they unfold.The story is definitely enhanced by the detailed art work and makes for a very enjoyable read.I look forward to reading some of the other stories from Legends in this graphic format.

A very enjoyable one/two day read and worth the price.
Highly recommended.

Sampler
This is basically more, or should I say a lot less, "A Song of Ice and Fire".

The rare perfect adaptation
There are few adaptations that are absolutely true to their source material. This is definitely the exception as opposed to the rule.
The stunning artwork is a perfect compliment to George R.R. Martin's already exquisite short story. It seems as though nothing is left out and the graphic novel medium seems a perfect fit for the story.
This title is equally accessible to first time reader's of Dunk's exploits as it is to those who have already read and loved the story.
The second edition, however, offers little in terms of new content. Some additional pieces of artwork at the end of the book and new cover art are all that is really offered. If, however, you are new to The Hedge Knight in the graphic novel format, this is defintely the edition to go with.

It's a Graphic Novel & It's Awesome
When I first saw this listed I thought Martin had done the same thing Jordan had done with "New Spring", in other words I thought he had taken the awesome short story from "Legends" and expanded it into a longer novel forcing me to spend extra money even though I had already shelled out for "Legends".

Thanks to reading a couple of the reviews I learned I was horribly mistaken and had kept myself from enjoying an awesome story in comic form.

It is the exact same story from the short story "The Hedge Knight" but as every reader knows the change of mediums from prose to comic gives the reader a new experience. I would never say that one or the other is better, that is up to the reader, but I would definitely say it is a real treat to be able to switch between the two. The artwork is beatiful and true to story, and I didn't feel that anything was left out that had been in the short story.

My only disappointment is knowing they can't do the entire series in this form also.

If you already have the first edition of this, the only difference other than the cover is some new artwork in the back of all the individual characters. If you are a first time buyer and have the choice between the first and second edition buy the second but if you already own the first you don't need the second unless you're a collector. ... Read more

Book Description

In 1968, backed by popular demand, Marvel launched Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man - an all-new action series starring your friendly neighborhood wall-crawler! In these inaugural issues, never before reprinted in one volume, Spidey faces some of his most fearsome foes - including Tarantula, Kraven, Lightmaster, Vulture, Hitman, Morbius, Brother Power, Hate Monger, Beetle and the Enforcers! Guest-starring the Fantastic Four, Inhumans and Champions! ... Read more

Book Description

A group of Mexican-American women come of age in Southern California's burgeoning punk rock scene in the early 1980s and mature into the present.

One of the most humane, graceful and imaginatively inexhaustible artists in American popular culture, Jaime Hernandez has created in Locas one of the great American novels of the last 25 years, graphic or otherwise. Spanning a quarter-century, Locas tells the story of Maggie Chascarrillo, a bisexual, Mexican-American woman attempting to define herself in a community rife with class, race and gender issues.

Maggie's story begins in the early-1980s Southern California rock scene, when it was shifting from the excesses of glitter rock to the gritty basics of punk and new wave. "Hardcore" punk rock came to the fore, and the teenaged Maggie finds herself drawn to the anarchy, energy and diversity of the scene, which in the hands becomes a very real, habitable place populated with authentic human beings rather than stereotypes. She quickly befriends Hopey Glass, a feisty anti-authoritarian punkette who quickly becomes Maggie's on-again, off-again lover and a constant presence in her life throughout the book.

Maggie comes of age in this tumultuous environment, with class and racial tension fueling the rising violence between punks and the already antagonistic LAPD. Hernandez's naturalistic storytelling and mastery of body language and facial expressions, and his pitch-perfect depiction of barrio life all makes for an exhilarating read. His characters are infused with strength, intelligence, independence, imperfection, bitchiness, frailty, obsessiveness, and so much more.

Maggie evolves from an angry young punk into a mature woman. She encounters cruelties large and small and resigns herself to dashed hopes, shattered illusions, and even death with ironic acceptance. Locas presents an incomparable body of work in comics form, created over 20 years (which not coincidentally mirrors Maggie's arc), and told with an uncompromising beauty and grace. As the New York Times Book Review has described it, "These stories have all the visual smarts of film and the narrative smarts of literature....Hernandez specializes in psychological detail; we see both text and subtext immediately ....What better than to open a book that shows there is more going on than we dream of in our workaday philosophies?" ... Read more

Book Description

This deluxe hardcover collects Ultimate X-Men Volume 7: Blockbuster and Ultimate X-Men Volume 8: New Mutants, plus a hefty helping of DVD-style extras. In Blockbuster, Wolverine returns to New York after a short time away from the X-Men - with a strange strike force armed with sophisticated military technology on his tail. To survive, he's forced to rely on the Big Apple's own Spider-Man and Daredevil - not to mention a little help from his fellow X-Men! In New Mutants, the President of the United States decides in the face of growing racism and paranoia between man and mutant that Professor X - with his mysterious psychic powers and shrouded background - might be the bigger problem. The President's solution: get the U.S. Government involved in the mutant-training business. With the help of Emma Frost, the President handpicks a class of "New Mutants" to serve his political agenda - including Dazzler, Karma, Havok, and Polaris. But who is this mysterious Emma Frost and what is her connection to Xavier? ... Read more

Book Description

As the adolescent sidekicks of the world’s most powerful heroes, Robin, Superboy, Wonder Girl, and Impulse have fought alongside their mentors in many battles. But when Cyborg, a former teen hero, realizes that this new generation of super-heroes needs to be guided and trained, he recruits the young adventurers into the new Teen Titans. Now as Earth’s future champions begin working together as a unified team, they quickly learn the true consequences of the path they have chosen. Featuring Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and the Flash, this action-packed volume includes the Teen Titans inaugural adventures as they face off against the deadly mercenary Deathstroke, contend with the fanatical villainy of Brother Blood and take on the heroes of the Justice League. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

WAY Better than that Teen Titans Go Crap!
I was originally turned off the Teen Titans comics because of the atrocious TV series, but the front cover of this collection intrigued me because of the inclusion of Robin and the former Young Justice group. When I bought it, it totally exceeded my expectations. The story starts after the death of Troia, and it chronicles the first adventures of the newly formed Teen Titans, with Cyborg, Beast Boy, Starfire, Raven, Robin, Wonder Girl, Kid Flash (Formerly Impulse) and Superboy as they take on Deathstroke and the JLA. Now I am a Teen Titan Fan, and I can't wait for the next Teen Titan graphic novel. (It's kinda hard to get subscriptions to comics in the Philippines.)

Titanic Tempest
I first got hooked on Teen Titans when my best friend's father gave me some issues of The Titans. I really got interested when I heard that they were re-launching Teen Titans. One day, I was in a comic-book store and I found Teen Titans: A Kid's Game sitting on a shelf. I waged an internal debate as to whether or not I should buy it, and the side that wanted the collection won. So I bought it, and I haven't regretted it at all. I loved everything about this collection: the union of the new Teen Titans, the character development, and the unexpected twists. If you ever see this collection, buy it! Don't take my word for it; buy it and read it for yourself.

A Superhero Team Book Done Right
Geoff Johns has always been a master of telling these sort of classic superhero stories, while making them exceptable for today's readers, whose tastes have changed, and this tale of young superheroes joining together and trying to find their way in the world with the guidance of those who were once in their position is some of the best work he's done.

The stories in this collection are fun and exciting, but still have emotion and character development. There are twists and cliffhangers, and some classic moments, some comedic, and some eery. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Book Description

They were visionaries. Explorers. Imaginauts. They were Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. And like their creations - the Fantastic Four - they continually strove to overcome the impossible and achieve the extraordinary. Now, the first three years of their landmark run on Fantastic Four - issues #1-30 and Annual #1 - are collected in one oversized volume. ... Read more

Book Description

Fifty years in the making.This is the definitive story of EC Comics, the most notorious and well regarded mass-market publisher in comics history.The EC line - having published such seminal titles as MAD, Tales from the Crypt, Two-Fisted Tales, and so many others - was a high point in terms of craft and presentation.From the humanistic, well paced writing of editor Harvey Kurtzman to the artwork of lauded masters like Wally Wood and Bernie Krigstein, what truly sets EC apart from other pinnacles in comics history is its wider influence on American pop culture.Tales of Terror! is the most comprehensive overview to date of the EC Comics line: a visual checklist, creator index, guidebook and more!Tales from the Crypt, Weird Science, Frontline Combat and all of the other EC titles are included in this comprehensive volume that uncovers the amazing history behind the comics, from the very beginning to the bitter end, when the U.S. Senate drove EC out of business for allegedly corrupting America's youth. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

In a Class by Itself
If you have any interest in EC comics, horror comics, or the history of the comic book genre at all, this is THE book to have. I cannot praise it highly enough. The scholarship is incredibly thorough and the details the authors have dug up is amazing. Also, the book is beautifully well done, with top-notch production values. This book is the ultimate, believe me.

the ultimate history of EC
This is, simply put, the greatest work of comic book scholarship ever in print. The authors delve so deeply into EC facts, history and lore that you can depend upon the thoroughness of this work. Much more than a history, this tome is also a beautiful art book. Don't delay......buy it now!

Superb bibliography, but not the ultimate EC art book
While the bibliographical data is literally a life-long labor of love, I was disappointed by limited amount of images reproduced from the original artwork; the illustrations seem to be limited to photographs of the author's personal collection. The complete series of Graham Ingels' Old Witch paintings and sketches screams out for inclusion. I would have liked to see panel pages reproduced from the originals; full-color reproduction of line art reveals editorial changes, paste ups, blue pencil, and other subtleties undetectable in conventional reprints. A greater outreach to the art collector community could have yielded a definitive reference book/coffee table art book, but TALES OF TERROR fall short of this potential.

Only Need One Word
WOW! Okeh, I'll use some more words. If you wanted to know about the history of EC Publications this is the book to own. Very well researched and a labor of love that comes shining through!

No Tales!
Customer, listen! This is a book full of wonderful pieces of art, covers in abundance etc. But there are definitely _no_ Tales of Terror, as I foolishly presumed.... ... Read more

Book Description

Volume two, The Day After, focuses on the days following the bombing of Hiroshima, as the living victims struggle to survive in the aftermath. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (5)

Asterix in Caesar's Palace
First published in French in 1972 as Les Lauriers de César, Asterix and the Laurel Wreath was first published in English in 1975.
Vitalstatistix, in a drunken outburst, boasts to Impedimenta's pompous brother, Homeopathix, which he will have a dish prepared, made from Caesar's laurel wreath.
Due to the honour and glory of the village, this now needs to be done, so Asterix and Obelix go to Rome, with the purpose of obtaining this item.
Here they get up to all sorts of escapades to get hold of the laurel wreath, including selling themselves as slaves, spending a night in Julius Caesar's palace prison, and another visit to the arena of the Circus Maximus (see Asterix the Gladiator).

In Rome they accidentally invent a recipe that provides an antidote to the ill effects of alcohol, thus setting in motion the eventual fall of the Roman Empire, (as the concoction will lead the Romans to feel free to indulge, forgetting that alcohol, unless taken in moderation is the father of all vices.)

There are many jokes in the Asterix albums that will escape younger readers. That's what makes the Asterix books so interesting. There are always rather subtle jokes that you discover on another reading!
This is one of the wittiest and most charming Asterix books.

Adventures Could Have Been Better Selected
Every Asterix adventure is a fun read, so I loved all 5 adventures in this collection, viz., 'Asterix and The Laurel Wreath', 'Asterix in Switzerland', 'Mansion of the Gods', 'Obelix and Co', 'Asterix The Gladiator'.
However I thought the stories could have been arranged more thematically. None of the adventures in this book share any common theme. Eg, 'Asterix and the Laurel Wreath' and 'Asterix and the Chieftan's Shield' belonged together in one collection, or, 'Obelx and Co', 'Asterix and the Roman Agent', and 'Asterix and Caesar's Gift' belonged together, as they all deal with the Romans' attempts to sow discord in the Gaulish village we all know very well.
But, on the whole, no regrets with the stories themselves. All rate 5 stars!

Forget Other Comix..... Get Asterix!
All the comics in the Asterix series have a kind of charm and atittude that other comics lack. They are perfect for long airplane flights, as a bedtime story.... I am fifteen and I still buy them at every chance i get.This particular issue sees Asterix and his trusty pal Obelix (who's hecalling fat?) on a search for Caesar's laurel wreath after their Chieftanmakes a drunken bet with his brother-in-law that he will cook up amagnificent meal seasoned with the wreath!Their adventures are filledwith names like Geriatrix (a senior citizen) and littered with hiddenjokes, but the humor is still light and happy enough for people of allages. CANNOT even compare the Asterix series to any other comix!

Take a look at Lutetia (Paris) and Rome in 50BCE
This adventure begins in Lutetia, (the greatest city in the world), where Asterix learns he must travel to Rome (the greatest city in the world) and return with Caesar's Laurel Wreath. This intricately drawn book featuresstunning drawings of Lutetia and Rome in 50BCE, as well as many newhilarious characters (Vitalstatistix's inlaws! Characiture Romans! Circusbeasts! Many more!). Goscinny and Uderzo are at their best in this work,treating readers with characters and plot-lines which are nearly puredistillations of the comic muse. The architecture of Rome is featuredprominently in the background, and you will see many views of the PalatineHill, the Colosseum, the slave market, patrician residences and Caesar'spalace. Now 32, I've been enjoying this book since I was 7 years old, andthe combination of pure comedy and intricate artwork guarantees that youwill too!

A good Collection of Asterix Adventures
This Bind-up contains the following stories: 1)Asterix the Gladiator 2)Asterix in Switzerland 3)The Mansion of the Gods 4)Asterix and the LaurelWreath 5)Obelix and Co. This collection of stories complements the otherbindup books namely: Absolutely Asterix and Asterix Forever. A fun read.Will keep you entertained. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (3)

Asterix and the Silver Star
First published in French in 1970 as Astérix chez les Helvêtes,
Asterix in Switzerland was first published in English in 1973.

A visitor from Rome interrupts Varius Flavus, the Roman Governor of Condatum (Rennes), from one of his depraved and revolting orgies.
Quaestor Vexatius Sinusitus has been sent by Julius Caesar, as a Treasurer for the Provinces, to audit the Governor's accounts.
As Flavus has been rather freely crooking the accounts, he poisons the Quaestor to get him out the way.

An ill Sinusitus secretly sends for the Getafix who is a famous healer, and Getafix of course takes with Asterix and Obelix, and our two heroes are sent to Helvetia (Switzerland) to fetch the one thing that can save his charge, the Silver Star (Edelweiss).
Varius Flavus is desperate to ensure that the Quaestor is not saved and sends word to his friend, the equally corrupt Governor of Genava (Geneva) that Asterix and Obelix are to be stopped at all costs.

Once more the author Goscinny writes a witty and satirical adventure, poking gentle fun at the customs of Switzerland, their punctuality and clocks, fondues and Swiss Cheese, yodeling and banks. We get to observe an ancient `International Conference of Tribal Chiefs', almost as useless and hypocritical as the United
Nations of today and even get to meet the famous Michelin man when our friends stop off at a repair station to mend a broken wheel.
Once more a fantastic classic, from the famous Goscinny and Uderzo.

One of my favorites
There is one thing that I like in this episode more than in any other - drawing!Landscapes of Switzerland in this book truly show Uderzo's talent.

A review from Mr. Entertainment Lover
A wonderfully done book in which Asterix, Obelix, and Getafix, must save a roman inspector that has been poisened by an evil roman governor. To save the inspectors life they must travel to the mountains in Switzerland to geta flower that can heal him. ... Read more

Book Description

Rin has spent countless days chasing the murderer of her parents, and now she has Anotsu Kagehisa where she wants him, but the deathly ill Anotsu is too sick for the honor-bound Rin to strike down. But such is not the case for the students of the Shingyötö-ryü, who are out to avenge the death of their sword master, and they have Rin captured and Anotsu cornered. The spirit of revenge is thick in the air - and about to get thicker as Manji, Rin's immortal bodyguard, finally reunites with his charge as this pot of retribution prepares to boil over. And so Manji's faced with a strange irony - to save Rin, he must cut down the men who are out to kill Anotsu, Manji's sworn enemy! ... Read more

Book Description

Straight and macho Taki partners with feminine and gay Goh to form an expert team of bandits hired by the police to steal from the mafia. Lately, Goh has been more interested in acquiring Taki's feelings than the usual caches of arms and drugs. Will Taki and Goh form a new kind of partnership? Volume one of Yellow begins with a brewing personal interest between Taki and Goh, though Taki is still unwilling to answer to Goh's desires. A gangster's jealousy leads to Taki's kidnapping, and it's up to Goh's cunning and charms to save him. Working solo, it's also up to Goh to find the drugs he was hired to steal while sidestepping a police conspiracy powder keg. ... Read more

Book Description

Kevin Matchstick was a lonely, disaffected everyman until events beyond his control conspired to prod him into becoming the hero he never wanted to be. Accompanied by a mysterious wizard and a crew of loyal friends, the reluctant hero must discover the courage to accept his true power and defeat the dark powers that threaten reality itself. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Simpler is better
It's been a long time since I read "Mage" and I bought this out of nostalgia. And yes, it gave me college flashbacks. Re-reading it, though, reminded me of its stunning strengths. That wouldn't be dialog - Wagner's dialog is occasionally stilted and awkward. But the simplicity of the art design reflects the simplicity of the story - both have hidden depths, and both are much richer than they might seem at first glance.

Every retelling of this story says something about the world that produces it. Wagner's world hasn't really aged. I look around and I see us as still alienated, still pathless, still worried about whether or not we should have as much conviction in pursuit of the right as our opposition has in the pursuit of what's evil.

It ain't perfect, but the characters have a modern individuality and archetypal resonance all at the same time, and that's tough to do. The characters and the world, they're really the jewels of "Mage", and well worth the investment in this beautiful conveniently collected volume. I'm glad I invested in it. I'm very much enjoying it all over again.

My favorite comic book series ever, but...
First serialized in the mid-80s, Matt Wagner's Mage: The Hero Discovered remains my favorite comic book series of all time.However, I feel this edition does not do it justice.One of the most distinctive aspects of the original Mage series was the hand-painted color by Wagner.Here, the original painted colors have been replaced by digital colors by Jeromy Cox.Cox is a talented colorist, but without Wagner's colors the art in this series loses a lot of its personality.If you want to see what Wagner's coloring can look like, turn to the Mage II "Interlude" at the back of the book.This may be unavoidable since the original negatives could be lost, but in my opinion, it's worth seeking out older editions with the original colors like the Starblaze/Donning editions.

Far Shallower than I Expected
The fight scenes were well choreographed, but there was very little depth to any other aspect of the book.The artwork by the last few issues presented was pretty good, but it was very weak to start with, and the characters are not developed at all.

In truth, I was highly disapointed with this book.I bought it because on the back Kevin Smith calls it one of the three best comic stories ever, and considering he owns a comic shop, has written comics himself, and overall seems pretty intelligent, I figured this book must be pretty darn good.Now I find myself really questioning Smith's judgement.Given time, I could probably come up with fifty collections better than this, and taken to a comic shop I could probably find ten or twenty monthly comics on the shelf better than any issue in this book.Today's books are far more sophisticated -- Mage, to me, read like it was written for a seven year old.

I'm sounding pretty harsh, and I don't mean to say Mage was bad, but I gotta say it's highly over rated, and wasn't very good. People talk about what a personal story it is, but by the end I couldn't tell you what the main character's job was, who any of his friends were, what his hobbies or any of his interests were, what he liked to do to pass the time, if he had a girlfriend or had ever had a girlfriend, where he was from, any single thing that had happened to him before the start of the first issue in fact, how he was raised, what he beleived, what he didn't believe, or why he believed or didn't believe those things.Kevin (the main character) is supposed to be a reluctant hero, but why?What makes him so reluctant?It's never articulated -- nor does his reluctance ever have any meaninfull affect on the story.And none of the other characters are fleshed out any better.None of the characters are fleshed out at all.They are all just stick figures.Thumb nail sketches.Card board cutouts I personally couldn't empathize with any more than I can empathize with the key board I'm typing on right now.And the villains?My word I did not find them intersting or menacing at all.Their motivations were exceedingly weak, thier actions and interactions very simple, and (much like the hero's) their skills surprisingly undefined.Again, much like the story felt like it was written for seven year olds, the characters felt like they were written for seven year olds.

If I'd read Mage when if first came out, I might have considered it alright, but not really good even for the time.Compared to stuff that comes out now, it's highly dated, and vastly overshadowed in every respect; writing, characterization, art, and coloring.To Mr. Smith I say the following are better: Watchmen, V for Vendetta, Saga of the Swampthing, Batman Year One, Batman the Dark Knight Returns, Daredevil Born Again, Jeff Smith's Bone, Superman Secret Identity, Ronin, Midnight Nation, Joss Whedon's Fray, the first couple Ultimate Spiderman collections, the Mark Verhieden Aliens collections (vol 1 and 2,) the Ultimates vol 1 and 2, The Punisher: Welcome Back Frank, Jon Sable by Mike Grell, JLA Virtue and Vice, Justice League a New Begining, Danger Girl the Ulitmate collection . . . I better stop.I said above I could probably pick 50 collections better, but now I imagine it's closer to a 100. I have many collections I only thought were decent that I would have to rank higher than Mage.And there's still more good ones I hadn't mentioned before, like both volumes of Ultimate Fantastic Four, Green Arrow the Longbow Hunters, Geof John's Teen Titans, Crisis on Infinate Earths, Smith's own Green Arrow Quiver, Supreme Power, most Brian Bendis work . . . Whoops I started again.Anyway, I have no idea what Smith was thinking when he called this one of the three best collections ever.

In short, I have a lot of friends who don't like comics, every once in a while I'll give them a good story to try to convince them to give comics a chance.I would never give them Mage.It lacks depth, tension, thrills, characters that feel real, a world that feels real, a tight plot, or powers that are ever really defined (which also plays into that tension thing -- it's hard to worry a character is overmatched when you have no idea what he's capable of doing.)

Stunning
Mr. Wagner's epic tale of the Hero. An Archetype hero soul is reborn into an average man who cannot find anything to believe in.To tell to much is to spoil it.Suffice it to say I have read mine until they are dog eared. ... Read more

Book Description

When a bomb explodes in a Hell's Kitchen pub, Frank Castle embarks on a deadly mission that pits him against two rival gangs.One thing is certain: The Punisher won't be pulling his punches!One of comics' most provocative writers takes one of comics' most provocative characters in a new direction - any direction he wants! Collecting PUNISHER #7-12. ... Read more

Book Description

When a real body turns up in a charity haunted house, the members of Las Vegas's CSI team - already busy on a series of armed robberies - find themselves pulling double duty. It's all tricks and no treats for Grissom and crew! ... Read more

Book Description

It's not manga, it's Azumanga (and it's smart, fun and totally addictive)! Created by the iconoclastic Kiyohiko Azuma (hence the name), Azumanga Daioh is strongly character driven, telling the story of a group of high-school girls and their hilarious daily tribulations. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Wai! So cute!
This is adorable and totally hilarious! I love this book, and have already preordered the second volume. Chiyo-chan is so cute, Tomo is so funny, Sakaki is so not the block of ice everyone thinks she is, and the teachers are so weird! Yumi is the most normal of the bunch, but she's sarcastically funny. And Osaka is lacking a clue most of the time.

The strips are very cute, and quite a few are outrageously funny. The thunderstorm series, Miss Yukari's driving, working at Magnetron Burger, and the sports festival are guaranteed to make me laugh no matter how many times I read them. Even thinking about those strips is making me giggle now!

Buy this! You won't regret it!

Like a drug
I picked up the first volume out of curiosity, because I'd heard about it somewhere. I thought I might read it when I went away to Baltimore for a couple of weeks. Of course, walking out of the store, I started reading the first few pages...By the end of the week, I had bought and read _all four volumes_, and then went through a period of severe withdrawal.

Azumanga is almost supernaturally cute, funny and human; the characters are sharply drawn but avoid obvious stereotypes; the art is crisp and perfectly evocative. Surely Osaka is among the finest characters ever inked or written.

The one things which seems strange, though, and sort of funny, is the suspicious lack of any romantic involvement on the part of any character through four years of high school.

Very funny. Not just for girls.
This is a pretty funny book, full of great characters. First is the super smart ten year old, Chiyo-Chan. Then there is Osaka a slightly weird girl from Osaka. Then there is Tomo-Chan, the very loud girl who wants to beat Chiyo at, well, anything, and Sakaki, the cool, well developed, girl who happens to like animals. There's also Yomi, the smart girl with glasses, and Kaorin, who has dreams about Chiyo's ponytails and seems to have a crush on Sakaki. Then there are the teachers, none of which are normal. With over 160 pages you get A LOT of stuff. There are two four-panel scenes on EACH page and, whether they are part of a story or a stand alone scene, they are funny without getting heavy or too emotional. They're cute. The cats seem to have issues, but most of the book is VERY cute.
The book's cover says it's for 13 and up, which is true. At one point the girls are talking about their bodies, so it is really for young adults. The cover also says it is an "Action/Comedy" manga but as there is very little in the way of car chases and gun battles I would ignore the "Action" and just take it as a "Comedy".

Funny and cute!
Very funny and cute! I loved Osaka's dreams about the false ponytails!

Good Stuff
I've heard Azumanga Daioh described as a Japanese Calvin & Hobbes, a very analogy. Some of the most hysterical fun can be found in the most ordinary events. Buy it. Now.

I can't quite give this book five stars due to the Americanization. (The Brooklyn accent for Osaka is appropriate, but most of the other changes were not.) Fortunately, It doesn't affect too many strips. Further, there's less of it in book two, and by volumes three and four, any alterations are carefully explained in the copious translator notes. So at least ADV figured out what the fans want eventually. ... Read more