Kick-Ass

Better than I expected, but my expectations were low.

JRJR's artwook solid as always.

Bottom line, meh.

No Hero

Worst Warren Ellis comic I have ever read. What a contrast from Anna Mercury. Ryp's art, same as ever.

Bottom line, they should have just called it "No Good".

Jazzy

I haven't posted any comics stuff in a while, but I been reading. In fact I have embarked on a fairly large comic book project I had been contemplating for a while.

I'm reading Amazing Spider-Man #39 - 125. Spider-scholars everywhere will immediately recognize that as more or less the initial "Jazzy" John Romita run (there are some issues mixed through-out contributed by other awesome dudes like Gil Kane, a post for another day...). Penciled by JR they were of course written by Stan the Man.

These are great comics. Arguably the high-point of the web-heads long and storied career. Not to take anything away from the incredible kick-off penciled by Steve Ditko, but I feel like Marvel, Stan and Spidey just kept getting better and better throughout this period.

I actually started reading Spidey right around #130 (so just after the JR run). The year was 1974 and I was just learning to read. The stories in the JR run were constantly flashed back to and referenced but were not necessarily all in reprints. So while the first dozen or so ASMs I have read and re-read over and over again as part of reprint collections, these stories not so much.

I just finished #50 "Spider-Man No More", one of the highlights I had read before and it was as good as I remembered.

That particular issue of course reminds me just how influential JR's run was on the Sam Raimi films, much to Mr. Raimi's credit. He really gets Spider-Man and these issues in particular.

After I finish up these books I will take a break from Spider-Man for awhile, but eventually I might plot out one of these read-a-thons for John Romita Jr.'s run on Spider-Man. He also put his own cool graphic spin on web-head literature.

...back to reading, True Believers!

Thunderbolts

Justice like lightning...

First I missed this series completely. Then when I heard about it, I got it all wrong.

I don't read as many super-hero books as I used to but make no mistake, I love super-hero stories.

This one has a cool twist, and solid art. Mark Bagley's stuff has really grown on me.

I've only read the first 12, can't wait to read the rest.

Bottom line, fun!

The Death of the New Gods

*SPOILERS*

I have avoided these books, The Death of the New Gods for months.

I am a fan of the New Gods.

I like Jim Starlin's work and I think he wants to do right by these characters.

I just finished reading the books moments ago. It's safe to say I have mixed emotions about them.

Scott Free's final moments were heartbreaking, but I'm not buying. Scott Free's overriding theme is not rationalism versus dark passion, it's individual freedom versus group oppression.

I don't like Darkseid surviving... at all. The confrontation with Orion at the end was the right thing and to have it not be the resolution is weak.

Bottom line, growing dissatisfaction.

KC Rants and Raves and Blogs...

My friend Kacey started a blog. So I hooked him up with a link. I am sure it will be an interesting read.

Platinum Grit

I discovered a cool web comic a while back, Platinum Grit.

The great thing about discovering something this way, is that you come at it with few preconceptions and little frame of reference. Making it a lot easier to just enjoy it for it's own merits.

The great thing about this book, is that it has charismatic characters (I would like to hang out with Nils, Jeremy and Kate), it feels like a personal story the author has to tell and it's a good story. It's got tons of great absurdest and surreal moments, is fun, and then has these inexplicably dark uncomfortable moments as well.

After I discovered it I read one or two then picked around at a few others, last week or so I went back and read the first 10, there are only 20.

Looking at it now, the book definitely has parallels with Tank Girl and similarities to Los Bros. but that's ok it's fine to have influences. I am just glad I got a chance to read it with a clear mind first.

Bottom line, wish there were more. I'll read the last 10 soon and since there have only been 20 in the last 15 years...