Fredstrong's comments
(member since Nov 13, 2007)
Fredstrong's comments from the On Reading Graphic Novels group.
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Try Grant Morrison's run of Swamp Thing. It never became a trade paperback, there are 5 issues, and he totally took it in a different direction. It's not Alan Moore, but it's an intense read.
definitely going to check ir out. Thx!
Preacher rocks!
Jessica wrote: "The Sandman series of course... although it's a much different feel than Transmet, it's still my favorite.
Also, try the Maxx, for psychological themes, he's not just your OG masked superhero.
"
I remember the Maxx from MTV, back in the day. I have to check out the G N
I saw it in IMAX, and all I can say is wow. The measurement of book to movie, can never be equal, or even fair. There is so much more experience in a book than you can fit in even a four hour movie. The question is, did they chose wisely in what they preserved, and did they capture the feel and look of the graphic novel? A resounding yes! It was much better than I thought it would be, and at least in IMAX, the look and sound of the film was incredible!
Warren Ellis is brilliant. I loved Transmet. I read at least one book per week. I watch about 7 hours of TV a week as well. I have read many books that were not as entrertaining, or well crafted, as the Arrested Development series was. If you have not watched it, Jesse, you should. The whole argument about "productivity" and entertainment, seems a rediculous one to me. I read because I love to read, not to be productive. I share a deep suspicion of the television media, and the motives of media coporations, but I am not an idiot. I get my information from multiple sources, and mainly watch television for entertainment. Book publishers are trying to sell their own widgits, and are just as profit motivated as any other corporation.
Go rent the first season of Arrested Developmant. Accept that just as 99% of the shows, movies, comix and books which are put out happen to be mind numbing crap, those which raise the medium and create a quality experience, deserve both their props and their pay check, whatever the medium.
Before HBO and Showtime began thier R rated series, I would have to agree. However, Sopranos, Six Feet Under, Rome, Weeds, Entourage, Dexter, Californiacation, etc. These are such quality entertainment, with no commercials or bullshit attempts at being PC and family friendly. Although I must say that the network series, now canceled, Arrested Development, was amazing as well.
Walking Dead is great. So is 100 Bullets. Try, The Boys, awesome series. Ttransmetropolitan was amazing! It's by Warren Ellis, who did Fell that Sadie mentioned earlier. I think Transmet was far superior. The Preacher is also a great read.
The Preacher, writer Garth Ennis and artist Steve Dillon. AWESOME!!! Read about it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preacher_(comics)
Yeah, the esoteric themes are a big hook for me when it comes to Morrison, and Moore. It's pretty impressive to be able to make them prominant without loosing the readers that may not be informed about, or interested in, those facets of the work. Much props to both authors.
I'm surprised no one has mentioned the strong current of Qabalah and Thelemic magick in Morrison's work. The Invisibles, The Filth, and Arkham Assylum are are all prime examples.
Only DR. Manhattan has super powers.
Can't recommend this highly enough. The main character, Spider Jerusalem, is a Gonzoesque journalist. It takes place in the future, in a city not unlike NYC, and it is a violent, intelligent, a fun journey into the possible future of our presenet course. Warren Ellis' writing is sharp and novel, and Darick Robertson's art and layout is spectacular. Highly recommended reading.
No problem ;)
Tom Strong is in Promethea also.
I will put it on my list. May I recommend Promethea, by Alan Moore. A brilliant exposition of the principles of ceremonial magic, which fully utilizes the medium to articulate concepts it would be very difficult to with conventional prose.
I just picked this up yesterday, and finished it last night. It was awesome! below is my goodreads review:
So what happens to the bad guys after Batman sweeps them off the streets of Gotham? I mean, they’re not your ordinary criminals, these guys have serious issues, and rather than prison they go to Arkham Asylum. But what of the Batman himself? His sanity has also always been in question, and here Batman’s own madness is somewhat unmasked.
Arkham Asylum begins with Commissioner Gordon informing Batman about a riot at Arkham. The inmates are running the asylum, the Joker is at the helm, they have hostages, and there is only one of the Joker’s demands unmet: Batman has to enter the asylum, for in Joker’s estimation, he belongs there as much as any of its inmates. Surprisingly, Batman not only goes, but actually suspects there’s truth in the Joker’s analysis. Batman undergoing Rorschach and word association is a treat. The sprinkling of qabalistic, and Thelemic imagery is an unexpected twist. Two Face has even been weaned off his coin and its dualistic limitations replaced by the 78 card Thoth Tarot deck to now assist in his decision making.
Grant Morrison’s story arc is profound and dynamic. Dave McKean’s artwork is both stunning and disturbing. McKean’s illustrations are dark and claustrophobic, and his depiction of the Joker is scary and twisted. The philosophical assertions about pathology, its connection to the self, and possible “cures,” provide an interesting undercurrent for the story. This is not a traditional treatment of Batman, and I could not recommend it more. This has been one of my favorites in my limited exposure to graphic novels.
From what I understand, it's kind of the negetiove reflection of the Invisibles. I have not read the Invisibles, but most say it should be read first. The Filth is very dark, and very dense. I will post the review I wrote of it, (sorry if it's a bit long):
Wow, where to begin? Immediately after finishing The Filth I sought out an interview with Grant Morrison, to get the creator's take on his graphic novel. Morrison states that "the story-telling is straight forward” and that he was "trying to keep it all very clear". LOL, I can assure you, The Filth is neither straight forward, nor very clear. His words, (warnings), in the humorous introduction to The Filth, give a much better clue to the experience one is left with: readers "...are required to participate in the generation of significant content by interpreting text and images which have been deliberately loaded with overlapping meanings and scales". That sums it up nicely. If you are looking for a graphic novel that spells things out, and ties things up nicely, look elsewhere.
The protagonist is Greg Feely, a middle aged widower, with a strong attachment to his cat and a penchant for pornography. One night he finds a strange woman in his shower who explains to him, during a surprise bout of filetio, that he is not really Greg Feely, but Ned Slade, an officer in an extra-spatial police organization called the Hand. The Hand cleans up radical elements in society, be they people or a swarm of super sized sperm, which may throw off society's state of equilibrium, or Status-Q. The graphic novel's 13 volumes focus on Greg Feely/Ned Slade's navigation of these two realms/selves, and his struggle with which of these is his true self.
The Filth injects a pretty heady existentialist dilemma to the presentation of its superheroes and villains. The parallel universes, including a comic book universe called the "paperverse", provide a strange brand of postmodernism and meta-fiction. The symbolism, and clues to possible interpretations, are so dense it's virtually impossible to keep track of, and assimilate them. Some of the symbolism is Qabalistic, and the constant exploration of the dark and seedy aspects of humanity is Qliphothic in nature, (not that anyone needs to know anything about these to appreciate the work).
There are definitely flaws to the Filth. It's difficult to care very much about the characters, and none of them are very likable. The story is somewhat fragmented, and a bit self-indulgent. This being said, The Filth is a one of a kind puzzle to work out for oneself, an unflinching foray into the shadow of humanity, and ultimately, a work that forces us to question the values of self and society. I plan to read it again in the future with a more academic approach, taking notes and all. How many works do we read that can even warrant that?
On Reading Graphic Novels
