So apparently what happened is Manhattan Projects was canceled after issue 20, then relaunched more than year later for a short run that told a differSo apparently what happened is Manhattan Projects was canceled after issue 20, then relaunched more than year later for a short run that told a different story that focused on different characters, different plot, different everything.
Then when they reprinted things, they just labeled those new issues "Volume 6" and lumped them in with the original series.
I learned this a *long* time after I'd bought all six volumes of the comic, thinking that they told, y'know, a full contiguous story.
But they didn't. So much of what was started in the early issues never comes to fruition. So many mysteries that were played out for a long while were never resolved.
Instead, the final volume of the series is a weird side story that contains *none* of the main characters the series started with.
Needless to day. The whole experience hasn't been a pleasant one. And it's too bad, as I've really enjoyed Hickman's work up until this point, and was *really* interested in the story this comic started off telling......more
It occurs to me after writing my review of volume 4 of this story, that there's a third direction that this story could go other than the two that I wIt occurs to me after writing my review of volume 4 of this story, that there's a third direction that this story could go other than the two that I was worried about...
If the unfolding mystery of the story is revealing a problem to large for the characters to reasonably deal with, you can also bring in new characters who are *more* capable, powerful, or knowledgeable in order to make the bigger problems solvable.
And that's what happens here. And it it works, because the new character coming in has obviously been planned from the beginning.
So. Bullet dodged there. Curious to see how things continue to progress. ...more
Story continues strong here. I'm still enjoying how the characters keep changing and their situation evolves as the plot progresses.
That said, the stoStory continues strong here. I'm still enjoying how the characters keep changing and their situation evolves as the plot progresses.
That said, the story seems to be escalating, rather than heading to a conclusion. By this I mean the problem the characters are facing is just getting bigger and bigger until the point where it seems logistically impossible for the characters to solve. And when that happens, it seems like a story is moving in the direction of pointless tragedy or deus ex machina: Both of which would be a shame, as I didn't sign up for either of those things when I started reading this... ...more
I like how the story is moving quickly. Characters are developing and changing as the story progresses, and relationships are evolving in sensible wayI like how the story is moving quickly. Characters are developing and changing as the story progresses, and relationships are evolving in sensible ways in response to the change of events. When these things are are static, the story suffers.
I also like how there's more hope in this story than in The Walking Dead. I don't need a ton of bleak in my life right now.... ...more
I really enjoyed Kirkman's Walking Dead back in the day, but quit around volume 10 because it got unremittingly bleak. I simply wasn't enjoying it anyI really enjoyed Kirkman's Walking Dead back in the day, but quit around volume 10 because it got unremittingly bleak. I simply wasn't enjoying it any more.
This series deals with supernatural horror but it's more of a mystery as opposed to nihilistic apocalyptic horror. Still dark at times, but much more my speed. ...more
I'm really uncertain what sort of ranking I should give these books in terms of 1-5 stars.
Because the truth is, this volume is very well written, wellI'm really uncertain what sort of ranking I should give these books in terms of 1-5 stars.
Because the truth is, this volume is very well written, well-plotted, there's good tension and character development. Good action. It's funny and odd and suprising in turns.
But I've read all six volumes of this comic, and I know at the end of the series, *none* of the plots that are being spooled out so carefully here come to satisfying fruition. There's no closure.
Now if this was just a story in progress, this wouldn't be much of an issue. My series *will* have an ending, for example. So will Jim Bucher's. Those aren't stories lacking closure. Those are stories where the closure is yet to come.
If there was more to come in this series, I'd trust them to bring this around to a good ending. Hickman is obviously a skilled writer. (Sandman, for example, took a lot of turns that must have seemed like pointless digressions partway through, but Gaiman *nailed* the ending of that series.)
But after doing some research, it seems like this comic initially stopped at the end of Volume 4. Later, they rebooted it for volumes 5&6 (which were *hugely* different) and then it stopped again in 2016.
This seems to be a particular issue with comics I read. How should I rank stories that are brilliant beginnings to stories that will never have an end? Stories that are kinda like Firefly?
It almost seems like I should start another category for them here on goodreads. Things like Fell, Ignition City, Dr. Sleepless. Or Zelazny's Merlin books that are missing the 5th and final volume?
I'd welcome your thoughts on this in the comments. What are some series that have left your heartbroken without an ending?
(Fair warning: Responding with snark or bitchiness about my third book in the comments will be happily met with me blocking you.)...more
On one hand, this is a nice follow-up to the opening volume.
It continues the plot and character developThree stars? Maybe?
I don't really know here.
On one hand, this is a nice follow-up to the opening volume.
It continues the plot and character development for all the varied story arcs, and adds new complications and elements to the world.
If I had to explain this series, I'd say something like, "Mad science alternate history where everyone's a sociopath."
If that sounds good to you, you'll probably enjoy the series.... right up until the end of the 4th volume. It's a fun ride up until then, but then things go off the rails, and the main story lines never reach closure.
As a kid, did you ever have one of those books where you could flip over sections of pages and mix-and-match different animal's body parts? So you couAs a kid, did you ever have one of those books where you could flip over sections of pages and mix-and-match different animal's body parts? So you could make an animal that's half dog, half crocodile?
This is one of those, except instead of real animals, it's mythical creatures from all over the world. And instead of just six or seven creatures, there have to be 50-60 in here. And the art is Beautiful.
There's descriptions of the fantastic creatures, too. And they're drawn from *way* more cultures than I'd expected. They have Norse and Greek, of course. But also Aztec, Chinese, Inuit, and others. I hadn't even heard of 6-7 of them, which means they were making some serious mythological pulls.
Great book for kids that dig on Mythology. My boys played with it for 30-40 minutes, and were only pulled away because we were going to watch some TV together.
Definitely worth the expense and the shelf space if you have kids. And if you don't, something like this would make an *amazing* Christmas gift.
When I think of Barry Ween, this is the story I remember. When I wish for more Barry Ween, this story is the reason why.
The three comics leading up toWhen I think of Barry Ween, this is the story I remember. When I wish for more Barry Ween, this story is the reason why.
The three comics leading up to this are wonderful, and well-worth reading in their own right.
That said, what really makes them worthwhile is the stage they set for this book. This heartbreaking story. It's twice as good as everything that comes before it.
I do dearly hope that Winick someday comes back to the series and does more work in it. I would really love to see more of the characters and get some closure on the world......more
Just finished some of the edits on this issue. Some stuff here I'm really proud of. We finally get the whole family together at this part of the storyJust finished some of the edits on this issue. Some stuff here I'm really proud of. We finally get the whole family together at this part of the story.
I also took a crack at suggesting panel layouts more seriously in this comic, and I'm rather pleased with how they turned out....more
I wrote the introduction to the 30th anniversary edition of The Sandman.
How absolutely *stupid* is that?
It's been half a year siSo here's the thing...
I wrote the introduction to the 30th anniversary edition of The Sandman.
How absolutely *stupid* is that?
It's been half a year since I got the invitation, and months since I actually finished writing the introduction, but I still can't believe it.
To celebrate, I thought I'd write a review here. But rather than just my usual messy gush about how I love some story, I got permission from the publisher to re-print part of my introduction I wrote.
Share and enjoy...
**(What follows is an excerpt from the intro)**
I’ll admit, I’m at a bit of a loss as to what to do here.
If you’ve already read Sandman, what can I tell you that you don’t already know deep in the secret corners of your heart? You know this story is lovely and brilliant and sweet and strange. You know it is beautiful and deep and wry and wondrous. You know.
If you’ve already read this book, you know nothing I can say is as good as what waits for you ahead.
So go. Stop reading this and go.
If you haven’t read this book, and are, perhaps, standing in a bookstore or a comic shop, wondering if it’s worth your time, what I can say to convince you? Should I wax rhapsodic? Get lyrical and grandiose? Reference some of the story’s funnier jokes so I seem more clever than I really am?
No. I love this book too much. I don’t want to spoil its secrets or steal its thunder.
So let me tell you the simple truth. No hyperbole.
Sandman changed my life.
It’s not often you get to say that and mean it. But it’s true.
If that’s not enough to convince you… I guess all that’s left is for me to tell you a story or two. Because that’s what I do.
Stories are important, after all….
* * *
I came to comics late in life. I can’t tell you why. I was a voracious reader as a kid, going through pretty much every picture book in the local library until I finally started chapter books around age 9. Then I read a novel or two a day until I finished high school.
Even as I slouched through college, comics simply weren’t on my radar. Didn’t occur to me to read them. Didn’t occur to me they might be worth reading. I had a couple thousand fantasy and sci-fi novels under my belt, and my classes were exposing me to Shakespeare and Chaucer, Sanskrit theater and the Harlem Renaissance poets. I read Roethke and Frost and Brooks and Baldwin.
But comics? That was like… Garfield, right? And superheroes? I didn’t spare any thought for them, and when I did, I assumed they were (and I’m ashamed to write this now) silly bullshit for kids.
I was well into my 20’s when, at a weekend-long party, I sat down in a quiet corner and idly picked up a copy of Dark Night Returns. I read the whole thing straight through, completely lost in it, deaf to the riot and welter around me.
Hours later, I hunted down the person who had brought the book. I shook it at them, angry and incredulous, demanding: “Is it all as good as this?”
“Oh no,” he said sadly. “But some of it is close.”
First he gave we Watchmen, and it floored me despite the fact that I didn’t I didn’t know superheroes mythology from a hole in the ground.
Next came Sandman. And it was unlike any story I’d ever read. In any genre. In any medium. I remember thinking, “Can you do this? Can you have Odin and angels and faeries and witches and… just everything? All at once? In the same story? Is this allowed?”
It lit me up inside. I wouldn’t shut up about it. I’d give it to people and say, “You have to read this! It’s like Shakespeare!”
I blush a little now, remembering that. It’s not the best comparison. It’s just that back then, Shakespeare was the best thing I’d ever read.
The truth is, Shakespeare wishes he wrote something this good.
* * *
But let’s back up a bit. I’d prefer to be fully honest here. I didn’t feel that way about Sandman immediately. Not right out of the gate.
I read this first graphic novel and liked it well enough. Preludes and Nocturnes is lovely. It introduces the world, the characters, there’s a nice little plot. Tension. Mystery. Hero’s Journey. Mythic underpinning. Decent to the underworld. Vengeance. Recovery of self. Got my RDA of all manner of awesome here. Cool.
Then I kept reading, and the storytelling got looser. But I was still happy. Shakespeare shows up. I dig that. And there’s faerie tales. And… What? Are we in Africa now? Wait, is someone telling a story about a story inside a story? Okay. That’s cool. I guess this series is more like a bunch of different stories? But they’re all interesting, so who really cares if they don’t really have much to do with each other…
Then I kept reading and there was a little plotline. And a new character or two. And… and… hold on. Wait. Does all this fit together? Has it all fit together from the beginning?
Has everything been leading to an ending?
Oh. Oh lord. I never knew a story could be like this.
**(End excerpt)**
There's more, of course. I do tend to go on a bit when it comes to books I love. But I'm guessing you get the gist of it.
If you read The Sandman back in the day, trust me, it's as good as you remember.
If you've never read The Sandman, this is the place to start. And trust me, it's absolutely worth your time....more
I've been trying to read more poetry lately. It's something I used to do a lot of, but over the years I've slowly left it behind.
If you haven't read HI've been trying to read more poetry lately. It's something I used to do a lot of, but over the years I've slowly left it behind.
If you haven't read Hafiz, he's one of the great Persian poets. He's funny and arrogant and ridiculous and wise. These newer translations are a real treat, and in my opinion, even people who aren't particularly into poetry have a decent chance of really enjoying them. ...more
This series is just as good as I remember it. In fact, it's even better in some ways, because now I know how hard it is toAaaand this one made me cry.
This series is just as good as I remember it. In fact, it's even better in some ways, because now I know how hard it is to write a comic that fits in this much action, dialogue, and good character development....more
As good as the first volume of the series is, this one is better. While each story is largely stand-alone, the world isn't static, and the characters As good as the first volume of the series is, this one is better. While each story is largely stand-alone, the world isn't static, and the characters become deeper and more complex in their interactions.
Also? The funny and emotional moments get much more impressive and impactful at the same time.
If you liked the first one, you'll like this one more. And if I remember correctly, the best is yet to come.... (I'm re-reading #3 tonight.)
After reading Winick's new series of comics for kids, I decided to go back and see if The Adventures of Barry Ween was as funny as I actually rememberAfter reading Winick's new series of comics for kids, I decided to go back and see if The Adventures of Barry Ween was as funny as I actually remember it being.
And you know what? It is. Funny, clever, irreverent, inventive. It's fucking delightful stuff, and I'm amazed and saddened that more people don't know about it.
If you've never tried it, you should. It starts great, and gets stronger as the series progresses.
More good feels in #4, and at this point I'm solidly glad that I trusted Winick when I picked this series up for my boys.
There's a lot about friendshMore good feels in #4, and at this point I'm solidly glad that I trusted Winick when I picked this series up for my boys.
There's a lot about friendship in here. What it means to be a friend. A lot of discussion about how it's okay to be afraid, and about how *everyone* is scared sometimes, no matter how powerful they are.
The story talks about how important it is to be brave, too. And, miraculously, it happens in a good way, not in that bullshitty machismo a-real-man-doesn't-fear-pain sort of way. Bravery is doing things that you need to, even if you don't want to, even if you're afraid.
And there's legitimately funny parts. And good action. And mysteries to solve. And a discussion of how important it is to help other people. And, most importantly, how there are so many different way to help. (Not just by flying around and shooting lasers out of your hands.)
Everything said, I'm loving this series, and I'm delighted that my boys like it, too. I've already reached out to the local comic store to order #5 in the series that comes out in a couple months.
This one finally kicked me hard in the feels. I knew Winick had it in him, and I'm glad he brought some of that into this comic, even though it's "JusThis one finally kicked me hard in the feels. I knew Winick had it in him, and I'm glad he brought some of that into this comic, even though it's "Just for kids."
As an added bonus, my little boys got to see their dad get all teary when reading to them at bedtime. Again. ...more
I asked my older boy (Codname Oot - age 9) what he'd say about this book if he was going to explain it to other people.
He thought about it for a minutI asked my older boy (Codname Oot - age 9) what he'd say about this book if he was going to explain it to other people.
He thought about it for a minute. "That's hard," he said.
"What would you tell one of your friends?" I asked. "If you wanted to explain it to them."
He said, "There's a boy who is an android, and he's from another dimension, and he can fly and shoot lasers from his hands and he fights monsters with his friends."
(This is to the best of my recollection, by the way. There's some slight paraphrasing, as it happened about five minutes ago, and I didn't write it down immediately.)
"And he has super strength!" interjected my younger son (Codename Cutie - Age 4) "And he can create an Electromagnetic Pulse!"
(No paraphrasing there. I remember that really clearly, as I was super impressed by him remembering the term "Electromagnetic Pulse.")
So there you have it folks. Straight from the horse's mouth. If that doesn't sell you on this series, I don't know what will......more
I love this series. And I trust Vaughan as a storyteller. And I know the world this story is happening in is a dark one, and grim.
That said, thiFuck.
I love this series. And I trust Vaughan as a storyteller. And I know the world this story is happening in is a dark one, and grim.
That said, this issue is pushing up against the boundaries of what I'll tolerate. There's a reason I don't read The Walking Dead anymore. And there's a line between dramatic storytelling and emotional abuse.
Despite the fact that I'm a big fan of Winick, I didn't know about this series at all until I stumbled onto it at NYCC.
I bought it and brought it homeDespite the fact that I'm a big fan of Winick, I didn't know about this series at all until I stumbled onto it at NYCC.
I bought it and brought it home to my boys. But I read it first, partly to make sure it was something I wanted to pass along to them, but also because I wanted to read it.
It's fun, and both my boys love it. Part of me was hoping there would be echoes of Barry Ween in it, given the similarities in character design. But that's where the similarity stops.
And that's good news and bad news. Bad for me, as I loved Barry Ween as much as I've ever loved any comic ever. But good for my boys, as it means this is a for-real kids comic and I could enthusiastically hand it over to them without worrying about burning our their innocent young minds.
In conclusion: Fun comic. Great for kids. As an adult it held my attention, too....
Again, full disclosure here, I'm biased in this review because... well... I wrote this comic.
That said, my memory being what it is, when I reading somAgain, full disclosure here, I'm biased in this review because... well... I wrote this comic.
That said, my memory being what it is, when I reading something I finished final edits on months ago... I'm not going to remember about 60% of it.
(Honestly, I think this is a big part of what makes me so good at revision. When I re-read something, it's much easier for me to get an honest look at it. Because my memory is largely shit.)
Anyway, I actually laughed a couple times reading this, which is a good sign.
Also, for those of you who are into the behind-the-scenes details that go into how a book like this comes to be. I have one of my favorite art notes ever in this issue: "I'd like Morty to be having the most Eldritch puke ever here."
If you like D&D, or Rick and Morty, or Eldritch puke, then this book might be for you... ...more
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