158th out of 706 books
—
7,153 voters
Wanted
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-villains that controlled the entire planet...more
Paperback, 192 pages
Published
November 27th 2007
by Top Cow Productions
(first published May 24th 2005)
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A friend of mine recently told me that the movie (with Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman) was better than this book. I had liked the movie, but I was skeptical, because how often does a movie version improve things? By my count, only twice so far (that would be The Prestige and The Children of Men). When I picked this up from the library, I briefly flipped through it and noticed that the Angelina Jolie character is actually black in the book. Oh Hollywood, I thought, you are so white and offensi...more
I'm relieved to hear the upcoming movie, Wanted, is only "loosely" based on this comic - that gives it at least a chance to not suck completely.
Wanted, the comic, does suck completely. That's not a particularly nuanced assertion, but it's true. Almost all of it is plagiarized from other sources, not even subtly. Its most notable unplagiarized theme is the completely unexplainable racism that runs through it. The point of the comic is that supervillains make up a secret society running the world....more
Wanted, the comic, does suck completely. That's not a particularly nuanced assertion, but it's true. Almost all of it is plagiarized from other sources, not even subtly. Its most notable unplagiarized theme is the completely unexplainable racism that runs through it. The point of the comic is that supervillains make up a secret society running the world....more
It's hard to imagine a more UnPC book then this.
It has a super villain made entirely of shit, the line "I Don't Fuck Goats I Make Love To Them." and ends with the novel literally sodomizing you, the person who shelled out money for it.
It's like Bret Easton Ellis and Chuck Palinuik collaborated on a "superhero" book and kept trying to one up eachother. It's pretty fucking awesome and I had a blast.
It has a super villain made entirely of shit, the line "I Don't Fuck Goats I Make Love To Them." and ends with the novel literally sodomizing you, the person who shelled out money for it.
It's like Bret Easton Ellis and Chuck Palinuik collaborated on a "superhero" book and kept trying to one up eachother. It's pretty fucking awesome and I had a blast.
I usually like Mark Millar (The Ultimates is absolutely epic) but Wanted is really bad.
A friend of mine often says if you want your protagonist to be a villain, he's got to somehow charm the audience. So even when he's on a murder spree, readers will be like, "Oh, but he's so dashing!"
Wesley Gibson has the personality of a sulky thirteen year old. The sort of kid that shoots up his high school. Wow, how interesting. He's so anti-establishment, he says "fuck" in every panel. Hey wait: does that...more
A friend of mine often says if you want your protagonist to be a villain, he's got to somehow charm the audience. So even when he's on a murder spree, readers will be like, "Oh, but he's so dashing!"
Wesley Gibson has the personality of a sulky thirteen year old. The sort of kid that shoots up his high school. Wow, how interesting. He's so anti-establishment, he says "fuck" in every panel. Hey wait: does that...more
Millar wrote his crude, violent anti-hero romp twenty years too late. While grittiness is still prized in 'grown up' comics, Millar has apparently mistaken 'mature content' for 'maturity'. Of course, he's not the first to fall into this trap. We've all seen television, movies, and books that place a premium on sex and blood, but presented with all the sophistication of a sniggering teen.
Millar does not have the wit to present these issues seriously, nor are his plotting or characterization stron...more
Millar does not have the wit to present these issues seriously, nor are his plotting or characterization stron...more
well i'm at work so i can't say much about wanted. i don't know if i have much to say to begin with. maybe having just finished the watchmen makes this graphic novel pale in comparison.
i like the whole super-villain angle. loved the evil characters this guy created. shit-head (made from the excrement of the 666 most evil people, fuckwit (super villain with down syndrome), the future(nazi) johnny two dicks(actually thinks and talks with both heads)
at times it was way over the top. violence, rape...more
i like the whole super-villain angle. loved the evil characters this guy created. shit-head (made from the excrement of the 666 most evil people, fuckwit (super villain with down syndrome), the future(nazi) johnny two dicks(actually thinks and talks with both heads)
at times it was way over the top. violence, rape...more
As an example of the internet's new favourite word, Bildungsroman, Millar's super-villain crime spree Wanted is pretty much tit-for-tat. We follow its mopey hero (loosest sense applies) as he, well, butches up—emigrating from the country of the pissed-upon and hopelessly downtrodden to the utopian society of the Real Men and the hopelessly hedonistic.
Wesley is a real downer of a character. Spineless, misanthropic, and racist. A veritable cocktail of a social disease. Throw in a soul-sucking job...more
Wesley is a real downer of a character. Spineless, misanthropic, and racist. A veritable cocktail of a social disease. Throw in a soul-sucking job...more
I re-read this after watching the trailer to the James McAvoy, Angelina Jolie, Morgan Freeman movie adaptation and... this story of a cubicle drone who becomes a super-powered killer still holds up pretty well.
When The Killer (a Tommy Lee Jones look-alike) is killed, his girlfriend (Halle Berry) inducts his son (Eminem) into a super-criminal fraternity that secretly rules the world.
This book is bursting with cool, filmable scenes, like Eminem shooting flies with a revolver. Or The Killer being s...more
When The Killer (a Tommy Lee Jones look-alike) is killed, his girlfriend (Halle Berry) inducts his son (Eminem) into a super-criminal fraternity that secretly rules the world.
This book is bursting with cool, filmable scenes, like Eminem shooting flies with a revolver. Or The Killer being s...more
This is a pretty good comic, even if it is kind of an apology for sociopathy. There is also rampant fanboyism going on here, of an unusually negative variety. Almost of the characters are parodies of famous super villains, most of which are unfunny, and crude in an 8th grade kind of way.
That is kind of the thing. This books sets itself up as a parody, and then paints itself as a deadly serious story. It's all Grim Eighties comic bookery that says it's making fun of Grim Eighties comic bookery. I...more
That is kind of the thing. This books sets itself up as a parody, and then paints itself as a deadly serious story. It's all Grim Eighties comic bookery that says it's making fun of Grim Eighties comic bookery. I...more
The most insultingly bad comic I have ever read. The last page was not funny, clever, ironic, poignant, relevant but perhaps contemporary in that it just showed how, in this day and age one can champion mediocrity, suck and get rich. This is the sort of book I would expect from the inbred offspring of Caligula.
This is the sort of feces that desperation excretes when it has devowered to much shame and and ignorance. Worse than the recent "JOKER."
This is the sort of feces that desperation excretes when it has devowered to much shame and and ignorance. Worse than the recent "JOKER."
Nov 15, 2008
Charlie George
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
fans of supervillains
Shelves:
graphic-novels
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
What if you discovered that your father was one of the greatest supervillans in the history of the universe? That is the set up for this very cool, very nasty little graphic novel compilation of the miniseries "Wanted" by Mark Miller. Filled with vilains like "shit face" - he's made of the shit of all the worlds most evil people - among others, Wanted is like going to the most colorful and vulger of parties full of brilliant color, action, mystery. The problem with this little book is that the e...more
I'm glad I didn't waste money buying this, though I contemplated it. I read this after watching the movie, and while I thought the movie was ho-hum and relied a lot on the stars' names (though the car scenes were kind of) I have to agree with some people that the movie was better than the graphic novel. Of course there's not so much of what is written here that would translate well to screen (in terms of getting approval), but still.
When the main character rapes because he can and not get caugh...more
When the main character rapes because he can and not get caugh...more
What if super villains secretly ruled the world,while convincing the general public that super heroes had never existed ? Mark Millar starts with this simple idea and delivers a rollercoaster ride. There's many references to other comic books ,including one devastating single panel Batman reference. Violent and funny,with sharp writing from Millar and appropriately visceral art from J G Jones. If you enjoyed this,you'd probably enjoy Millar's own take on the Avengers ,in The Ultimates Vol 1 and...more
Jan 22, 2009
Jennifer
rated it
1 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
absolutely no one in all the multiverse
Lame. The main character (with a stupidly striking resemblance to that most hardcore of rappers, Eminem! *dies*) goes from being the world's biggest loser to...the world's biggest loser! I was captivated, but what I was captivated by was my intense desire to kick Not!Eminem in the balls, shoot him in the face, and be done with the damn thing. I have no problem liking characters who are frankly irredeemable, murderous bastards, I'll excuse a lot for said characters, and I love an excessively viol...more
It was a fun and quick read; full of comedy, violence, and all the trappings for a great comics-to-film summer blockbuster. However, the film script is WAY different than what takes place in the comic series. It's rare that villains get the spotlight and it would have been interesting to see that in film.
Anyway, back to the book, I liked it despite that last couple of pages. The main characters are cruelly malicious, but in a way that is sooo over-the-top you kind of have fun while reading.
Anyway, back to the book, I liked it despite that last couple of pages. The main characters are cruelly malicious, but in a way that is sooo over-the-top you kind of have fun while reading.
Wanted is a six-issue comic miniseries by Mark Millar about an ordinary pushover guy who finds out that his father who abandoned him long ago was killed the day before and has left him a huge heritage with one condition. He has to join the fraternity of assassins his father was a member of.
Wanted has a nice basic premise and it takes good use of it. Instead of having not-so-perfect superheroes like in The Boys, there are no superheroes at all, which of course means fat days for the supervillains...more
Wanted has a nice basic premise and it takes good use of it. Instead of having not-so-perfect superheroes like in The Boys, there are no superheroes at all, which of course means fat days for the supervillains...more
Have you ever thought your life was to boring and that you felt you were destine for something but didn’t know quite what that was? In this science-fiction comic book “Wanted” by Top Cows production and Mark Millar, JG Jones and Paul Mounts based off the actual movie Wanted which has somewhat of a similar plot and story line to it. Due to that if you ever liked the movie you’ll really enjoy this. Its jam packed action and endless fun learning more of what the movie didn’t put in and didn’t get t...more
Wanted (che in questo caso non significa "Ricercato" ma in qualche modo "diventa ciò che devi diventare"), graphic novel di Marc Millar, è l'apologia del super-cattivo.
In un mondo in cui i supereroi sono stati eliminati i malvagi dominano e commettono liberamente le loro nefandezze; Wesley Gibson, il figlio di uno dei più cattivi, riceve alla morte del padre, oltre alla promessa di una bella montagna di soldi, un'eredità "genetica" che lo porterà ad unirsi alla fratellanza dei super-cattivi.
I...more
In un mondo in cui i supereroi sono stati eliminati i malvagi dominano e commettono liberamente le loro nefandezze; Wesley Gibson, il figlio di uno dei più cattivi, riceve alla morte del padre, oltre alla promessa di una bella montagna di soldi, un'eredità "genetica" che lo porterà ad unirsi alla fratellanza dei super-cattivi.
I...more
Jun 19, 2012
Vivian
rated it
1 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
People who don't like thinking and dig violent video games with no story line
Recommended to Vivian by:
no one
So here's my take and it seems to tap into the same vein as others here. Millar is a good writer, I like the Ultimates. I think he's great for the more tame Marvel. I understand he was charmed by Alan Moore but he just doesn't have the ability to team human psychology with characters like Moore can. Where as Rorschach is a fascist who can charm the pants off an anarchist, Millar's characters in Wanted run a muck like spoiled brats I hope are killed off, soon. Good writing can get me to fall for...more
As an alternate reality exercise I found it absolutely wonderful. Great art, fun story. Did it change my entire life? No, but saying that the movie is better? That's rough indeed.
On the charge of plagiarism I think you don't get any more love letter tribute than this. I know it sounds like a cheater's argument to say "oh it's not stealing, it's just an homage" but I also think plagiarism has to be sneaky. Clearly drawing a roadmap to all of the things you stole at some point changes from trying...more
On the charge of plagiarism I think you don't get any more love letter tribute than this. I know it sounds like a cheater's argument to say "oh it's not stealing, it's just an homage" but I also think plagiarism has to be sneaky. Clearly drawing a roadmap to all of the things you stole at some point changes from trying...more
This is the second book I've read by Mark Millar, and I'm beginning to think maybe I just don't like him. I always think the premise for his stories is cool, but he's not a good story-teller.
The artwork is good: the colors are rich and it's all very well rendered, but the writing leaves a lot to be wanted--no pun intended. First of all, there's the egregious use of swearing. I'm not one to say that swearing is bad, but it seems like there's not a single dialogue box that doesn't contain at least...more
The artwork is good: the colors are rich and it's all very well rendered, but the writing leaves a lot to be wanted--no pun intended. First of all, there's the egregious use of swearing. I'm not one to say that swearing is bad, but it seems like there's not a single dialogue box that doesn't contain at least...more
Meine erste Graphic Novel, die ich nun beendet habe, und ich muss sagen, diese Art Geschichten zu lesen macht Lust auf mehr!
"Wanted" ist im Vergleich relativ modern gezeichnet und koloriert. Der Plot ist abgefahren und actionlastig, bietet dem Leser aber die Möglichkeit, sich kritisch mit den zentralen Fragen des Buches auseinanderzusetzen. Diese Fragen sind zum einen die Reflexion der eigenen Identität und zum anderen, welchen Standpunkt man gegenüber sich selbst und seinem Leben einnimmt bzw....more
"Wanted" ist im Vergleich relativ modern gezeichnet und koloriert. Der Plot ist abgefahren und actionlastig, bietet dem Leser aber die Möglichkeit, sich kritisch mit den zentralen Fragen des Buches auseinanderzusetzen. Diese Fragen sind zum einen die Reflexion der eigenen Identität und zum anderen, welchen Standpunkt man gegenüber sich selbst und seinem Leben einnimmt bzw....more
The premise of Mark Millar's "Wanted" is that in 1986 all the super-villains in the world teamed up, defeated all the super-heroes and then split up the planet to be ruled for profit and mayhem. Most normal people never realize who runs the world because an enormous machine that looks like a building was constructed in New York City which somehow keeps everyone placid and unquestioning. The story follows a young, white protagonist stuck in a dead-end job (where he is belittled by his "african-am...more
What an utter piece of shit that book is.
I had to read it for a book club and believe me, if I didn't have to I wouldn't have read past the first couple of pages.
I do think Mark Millar thought he was being clever, but this is just a piece of crap. I hated the movie when I saw it, and I tried my best to be open-minded when I read it, but it's just... horrible and offensive and stupid.
Wesley's an ordinary guy stuck in a life he hates - he hates his job, his girlfriend is cheating on him and every...more
I had to read it for a book club and believe me, if I didn't have to I wouldn't have read past the first couple of pages.
I do think Mark Millar thought he was being clever, but this is just a piece of crap. I hated the movie when I saw it, and I tried my best to be open-minded when I read it, but it's just... horrible and offensive and stupid.
Wesley's an ordinary guy stuck in a life he hates - he hates his job, his girlfriend is cheating on him and every...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
I just re-read this recently so I'm adding it. I think I was in a MUCH angrier place when I read this before, because what seemed brilliant to me before is a little too dark for me now. I still like the general theme of "cubicle guy letting life run him over becomes psycopathic villain running over other guys in cubicles" but it's a pretty dark book. I don't think you're supposed to like anyone in it, they're all evil, murdering, goat-loving jerks. I'm guessing it's supposed to be some kind of d...more
WANTED
The graphic novel
1. What did you think the book was about?
I thought the book was about a down trodden hypochondriac WESLEY GIBBSON who’s girlfriend is constantly cheating on him with his best friend and his coworkers while he works a job he hates while constantly being yelled at by his boss.
2. Did you feel that the book fulfilled your expectations? Were you disappointed?
I was expecting the book to be exactly like the movie (considering I saw the movie first) with action all the same chara...more
what to say about this book.....oh where do i start? Well i guess with why i read it in the first pleace well because i saw the movie thought it was pretty good then heard that it was based on a graphic novel which made me want to read the original source. Also a friend said that it was good so i finally read it only to be greatly disappointed. there was great potental with this story but was greatly lacking in structure. the idea of a world where supervillans rule is ine that doesnt get a lot o...more
Calling Wanted the Watchmen for supervillains is a bit too much. I just can't think of another comparison. Millar created a world in which supervillains are real. Several years after removing the world of the superheroes, supervillains own the world - only no one knows about it. That includes Wesley Gibson, the poor sucker who is slowly rotting away at his day job. Whose girlfriend is fucking his best friend. Whose boss treats him like shit. Who cannot speak up for himself, let alone stand up ag...more
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Mark Millar is an award-winning Scottish comic book writer born in Coatbridge. Now a resident of Glasgow, Millar has been the highest selling British comic-book writer working in America this decade. His best known works include: The Authority, Ultimates 1 and 2, adaptations of Jack Kirby's and Stan Lee's Avengers, Wanted, Marvel Knights Spider-Man, Ultimate Fantastic Four, and Civil War. In Augus...more
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Sep 30, 2009 01:30pm
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