As some of you may know, I'm a reader of the comic books. While I've traditionally stuck with my superhero books (gotta love that Iron Man), I began branching out after my friend G let me borrow Watchmen. Granted I wasn't really impressed with that title (nor its cinematic counterpart), but soon afterwards I asked him for some recommendations on what other interesting reads he had in his nerd shelf. Amongst the classic Batman tales of The Long Halloween & Dark Knight Returns, he mixed in some of Vertigo's Preacher as well as the complete run of Y: The Last Man. Of all those, by the way, I would recommend Y, a story about a man and his monkey being the last males on earth (the rest had suddenly died) and the world they now live in. Or perhaps Ex Machina which has been described as West Wing meets superhero comics -- if you're into the politics.
So why am I telling you all of this? Because it is my turn to pay it forward. I was recently at a local comic book store and not content with walking out with just the newest issue of Iron Man, I asked the lady working there (yep, female) if she had any trade recommendations. She walked me around the store for nearly fifteen minutes handing me books and explaining maybe a little too much about each one; some of these I rejected, some I kept in my hands. One book in particular looked and sounded so ridiculous (and was her second highest recommendation), that I just had to get it. I think this panel explains it all:
Oh, definitely click above for the whole thingIn a story described as Homeward Bound meets Terminator, this gory-action-packed-heart-warming-pet-filled-feature is absolutely fantastic. With minimal word usage (the animals kind of talk), the beautiful art by Frank Quitely drives Grant Morrison's story about former pets that have been experimented on for militaristic purposes but have suddenly outlived their usefulness. After being freed from their holding cells due to a guilty-conscienced scientist, the animals attempt to make their way home with the government hot on their paws. But just what exactly is home?
Not all comic books are about superhero in tights fighting their archenemies on the sun, and this is a good example of that. While the animals are cute, this book is extremely gory so it's not recommended for the feint of stomach. A short three chapter book, you'll finish reading it quickly but will soon find that it lingers in your mind for a while. So if you ever accidentally find yourself in a comic book store, ask for a copy of We3 from Vertigo -- you can spend $10 in a lot of worse ways.
As a honorable mention, I was also recommended The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman featuring art from Tony Moore. If you're into zombies, this is for you. It starts out almost exactly like 28 Days Later in that a guy wakes up from a coma in a hospital, only to find out he's surrounded by zombies. The lady at the comic store told me that this came out almost at the same time as the movie, and when he saw the beginning of 28 author Kirkman started cussing at the theater screen. Whether true or not, if you've ever wanted an extended tale of survival give this a shot. The first trade that I bought for $10 has issues 1-6, but there is a Compendium available at Amazon.com that has the first 48 issues for $38... so if you think you might like it, the collection might not be the worst idea. But how do you know if this book is up your alley? Luckily, we live in the wondrous age of the internet. Behold, issue #1 for free online from the publisher!
Or, if anyone wants they can borrow from my small collection of trades or make a trek to the library. I highly encourage anyone who wants to read (but doesn't want to read) give graphic novels a shot. This is definitely a case of something being out there for everyone.
So why am I telling you all of this? Because it is my turn to pay it forward. I was recently at a local comic book store and not content with walking out with just the newest issue of Iron Man, I asked the lady working there (yep, female) if she had any trade recommendations. She walked me around the store for nearly fifteen minutes handing me books and explaining maybe a little too much about each one; some of these I rejected, some I kept in my hands. One book in particular looked and sounded so ridiculous (and was her second highest recommendation), that I just had to get it. I think this panel explains it all:
Oh, definitely click above for the whole thingNot all comic books are about superhero in tights fighting their archenemies on the sun, and this is a good example of that. While the animals are cute, this book is extremely gory so it's not recommended for the feint of stomach. A short three chapter book, you'll finish reading it quickly but will soon find that it lingers in your mind for a while. So if you ever accidentally find yourself in a comic book store, ask for a copy of We3 from Vertigo -- you can spend $10 in a lot of worse ways.
As a honorable mention, I was also recommended The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman featuring art from Tony Moore. If you're into zombies, this is for you. It starts out almost exactly like 28 Days Later in that a guy wakes up from a coma in a hospital, only to find out he's surrounded by zombies. The lady at the comic store told me that this came out almost at the same time as the movie, and when he saw the beginning of 28 author Kirkman started cussing at the theater screen. Whether true or not, if you've ever wanted an extended tale of survival give this a shot. The first trade that I bought for $10 has issues 1-6, but there is a Compendium available at Amazon.com that has the first 48 issues for $38... so if you think you might like it, the collection might not be the worst idea. But how do you know if this book is up your alley? Luckily, we live in the wondrous age of the internet. Behold, issue #1 for free online from the publisher!Or, if anyone wants they can borrow from my small collection of trades or make a trek to the library. I highly encourage anyone who wants to read (but doesn't want to read) give graphic novels a shot. This is definitely a case of something being out there for everyone.
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