999 Reading Challenge Review and Discussion Tread

[Brian N.]

I’m off to a good start on my 999 reading challenge and figured it would be a good time to post up some thoughts on the books I’ve made it through so far.  I’ve read 8 books, but started out with some that would be quick reads to give me that early momentum.

Memories of Outer Space

This book was something I knew absolutely nothing about going in.  I did a little research on European comics and the title sounded cool, so I figured I would give it a try.  The trade was put out by DC/Humanoids and contains Memories of Outer Space and Memories of Other Times, by Enki Bilal.  Without knowing it, I had picked an anthology book.  It was a little odd between the first and second story, trying to tie them together, not knowing they were separate works.  Once that confusion was quickly cleared up, I enjoyed it, for the most part.  There are some longer pieces and a few that are just one or two pages.  The best way I can describe the work is, Twilight Zone with an Outer Space/Sci Fi setting.  The artwork is very European in style, similar to The Incal.  I’m not big on anthologies, but I enjoyed almost all of the stories contained here.  I’d say it’s definitely worth checking out.

Ender’s Game: Battle School   

I was a little leery of picking this one up.  Like a lot of people, Ender’s Game was one of my favorite books growing up.  I would read it several times a year.  Unfortunately, with the internet I learned more about the author, Orson Scott Card, and found out that he’s a major homophobe.  While it does not color the original work for me, it does affect how I feel about any future projects of his.  All of that aside, Ender’s Game: Battle School itself is a mess as a comic.  The first issue was great, really a faithful translation of the original source, but from there it slowly drifts.  It hits most of the high points in the book, but without any of the context that would make you care about the characters.  There is a game that the students play at the school, and they try and translate it into the comic, but it doesn’t work.  They don’t really mention that Ender has gone further than anyone else in the game.  They also leave out big character development just to fit this thing into five issues.  This comic does not do a good job of showing the teachers breaking Ender down only to bring him back up.  Major accomplishments and turning points are completely left out.  I found myself at the end trying to put aside what I knew from the book and judging this on its own, and it fares even worse.  Without the novel’s context this comic makes little to no sense, everything from the slang to the characters.  At first I thought the art was really good, but I found it extremely difficult to tell the kids apart (if I could at all).  In addition to that kids that are six looked pretty well the same as kids that were 12 and 13.  I know Marvel has done several series after that adapting the book, but I will not be reading them.

Mega Man:  Time Keeps Slipping

This is the second storyline in the Mega Man series by Archie, and it’s all ages fun.  Dr. Wiley is busted out of prison and it’s up to Mega Man and friends to bring him back.  Dr. Wiley had two prototype Robot Masters hidden that are his henchmen for this arch who free him and do most of his dirty work.  The fun part of this book is personality that is given to each of the Robot Masters.  Cuts Man is different than Guts Man and so on.  They aren’t just stereotypes of their powers.  The storyline isn’t all that complex, but it’s fun.

Sonic the Hedgehog: Genesis

The thing I loved the most about this was the covers.  They are designed like the old game boxes for each of the Sega Systems.  I had read very little Sonic before reading this storyline, and they were from the first year of the comic.  It seems that in the storyline before this Dr. Eggman had done something that reset the whole world.  Many of the characters were meeting for the first time, but had vague feelings that they knew each other previously.  Each issue was a throwback to a level of a Sonic game and it was fun to see the team go through the levels, freeing their fellow forest animals from inside robot shells.  Part of the trouble I had with this one was it seemed like it was supposed to be a good jumping on point, but without the context of the previous stories I was lost on why certain things seemed important between the characters.  Plus, the end of the story seemed like another reset, wiping out the events of this storyline, and some of the tragedies from the storyline before.  I did enjoy the book though, and it was a good all ages read.

Bleach: Volume 1

Ichigo Kurosaki can see, hear, and talk to ghosts.  His other siblings have varying abilities similar to his, but not the full set.  With this power he occasionally helps out the departed, but nothing extreme, passing on messages, protecting shrines, that sort of thing.  Ichigo’s mother has passed on and his father is a doctor, who attacks his son constantly, and without warning, so he’s in top fighting shape.  While in his bedroom one day he is visited by what he things is another spirit, but is actually a shinigami, a death spirit, named Rukia who sends the departed to the afterlife.  While talking to her his family is brutally attacked by a Hallow, evil spirits who eat souls.  Part of a shinigami’s job is to vanquish these spirits and protect the dead.  It turns out the Hallow that attacked was actually drawn by the power soul Ichigo posses, which is more power than Rukia has ever seen from another living person.  Rukia is injured during the battle and Ichigo has to take the shinigami’s power in order to kill the Hallow and protect his family.  By doing so Rukia is left powerless for a time and has to stay in the mortal plane while she recharges.  She enlists an unwilling Inchigo to help carry out her duties.  This was a quick and fun read and once this challenge is over I may pick up more.

Scott Pilgrim: Volume 1

I really like the Scott Pilgrim movie.  The first volume of the book, not so much.  Scott seems like a dick and parts of it seem really dated.  

Evolutionary War Omnibus

Wow, this was a mess.  I had read the Atlantis Attacks Omnibus a few months ago and that was a more liner, coherent story.  This story originally appeared in the Marvel annuals of 1988.  It seems that the High Evolutionary wanted to bring humanity further along the evolutionary ladder by setting off a gene bomb that would spread around the world.  You really don’t find that out though until about 9 chapters into the 11 chapter story.  Many of the annuals don’t even show the Evolutionary, or if they do it’s only for a panel or two.  With the street level charters the annuals focused on some weird drug war.  It seems that the Evolutionary sent his men to stop the drug trade, because that was prohibiting his work.  They only got to one drug lords estate, and for some reason that messed up the drug trade up and down the eastern seaboard.  In another annual he wanted to eliminate crazy people, and seemed to be doing it one at a time, through his men.  The heroes in this book all seemed to be thwarting little parts of his plan unwittingly, not even knowing he was involved for most of it.  Those parts though did not really seem to be a concern or set back for the overall scheme of the gene bomb.  This book did have a few highlights, such as Art Adams artwork in the X-Men annual, the first appearance of Speedball, and the last 60 pages which were the backups of the annuals telling the origin of the High Evolutionary.  

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

This is a prose novel set in the late 1800’s and early 1900s.  The best way I can describe this is comparing the setting to the circus from Something Wicked This Way Comes, but where that is more horror, this is more fantastic.  The premise of the book is two magicians holding a contest between two of their protégés.  This is the last in a series of several contests between the two, but we do not know the stakes, rules, or even how the contestants compete.  Even the contestants do not know these things, or even who they are competing against.  I don’t want to give too much away, but this is one of the best novels I’ve read in awhile.  The story is truly imaginative and captivating.  One problem with the book is how it dances around the timeline where the events are taking place.  It’s hard to keep track of when something has happened.  I would love to see some of the things in this story in a more visual context, such as a comic or movie.  That might take away some of it though, as I’m not sure any visual medium could truly capture what imagination makes of this story.

[Jon O]

I love the Mega Man book!  Scott Pilgrim I thought was terrific also.  I've never seen the movie but the books definitely get better and better.

I've got three down:

From my pick books that fit others category: House of the Rising Sun

Princess Knight by Osamu Tezuka pt 1

I love everything I've ever read of Tezuka's and this is no different.  A gender confused fencer battling magic and usurpers to the throne.  This story moves at a break neck pace and I've always been surprised with the events that happen next.  We've had magical transformations, pirate attacks, vengenful gods, dragons, witches, and the story is only half over.  I'm going to find a category to put part 2 into because I'm loving this books.  Tezuka's art is perfect, like always.

From my I can't stop myself from buying more books category:

Space Ducks No.1 The Duck War by Daniel Johnston

I love Daniel Johnston's music so I jumped on top of his kickstarter for his first comic book.  This thing is bat shit insane.  Mostly full page splashes of ducks fighting devils with laser guns.  It's absurd and charming.  Like if a ten year old took his marker and tried to make an epic graphic novel out of a Fletcher Hanks short.  I really enjoyed it.

Prose Pros:

The Phoenix on the Sword by Robert E. Howard

My first prose Conan tale and also my first story I've read from his time as a king.  The novels are just as great as every other thing I've seen with Conan.  It turns out I love this swords and sorcery stuff, though I'd avoided it most of my life.  Funny.

[S. Earl]

Crimeny gentleman! It's day one! Be sure to chew before you swallow!

[Jon O]

I've got some thick books in the list that are going to take a lot longer.  I have very little confidence that I'll make it through everything even with a good start.

[evaD]

I managed to finish two yesterday. The first was The Further Adventures of Indian Jones Omnibus published by Dark Horse.

Although I didn't read it when it was coming out, it really was like a trip down memory lane. There were lots of dialog boxes and thought balloons. The coloring was wonderfully lacking in any of the modern techniques so often overused in current Marvel books. The best part was the number of talented creators who worked on the book; Goodwin, Michelinie, Chaykin, Byrne, et. al. The stories were all shorter arcs and done-in-ones featuring the characters introduced in Raiders of the Lost Arc. I really enjoyed it, but I don't know how it would fare with someone who didn't grow up reading comics during the 70's and 80's.

I also finished Concrete volume 6.

This series is a masterpiece and volume 6 was no different. Chadwick provides Concrete's full origin, filling in some gaps and tweaking things from the very brief version originally told. Although the art was skillfully done, there were some stylistic changes that separate this volume from the art in the previous 5 volumes. In volume 6 Chadwick uses grey tones to fully shade everything. I love seeing growth and change in an artist and don't mind seeing them try new things but I found myself missing the more straight forward black and white style of the previous 5 volumes. Ultimately, the book was a great read. If you haven't read Concrete yet, you should. Paul Chadwick is a true master of the medium telling a unique story about being human. It has to be read to be believed.

[Jon O]

Those Concrete books are awe inspiring.

[Ryan 'gobo' C.]

I love Concrete but I had to take a break before #6, read the first 5 too close together and I kinda OD'd on it.

The art gets pretty damned amazing in the later volumes

[petedrags]

I think I'll reserve a spot now and just continue adding reviews to the post as I finish things.  Started with the stuff my wife will be reading so that if she has questions I remember-

Beasts of Burden

Never read this before and absolutely loved it.  I am a fan of supernatural mystery (Dresden Files, Hellboy, etc.) and this is all of that plus dogs in beautiful watercolor.  I am so in.  Evan Dorkin's writing was amusing with funny little quips from the pups throughout, but it was really Jill Thompson's artwork that makes it work so well - from cute dogs to rotting zombie dogs, she can do it all.  I don't know if there are plans for other miniseries but I'll definitely be watching for them.

Local

This is a re-read for me.  I first read this as it was coming out based on the 2nd issue being based in Minneapolis in the same neighborhood I was living at the time.  Since then I've re-read it several times.  I really enjoy Brian Wood's writing and this is one of my favorites. 12 issues of slice of life stories, each in a different city, following the main character as she moves from place to place.  If you like Brian Wood at all and haven't read this, I strongly advise giving it a try.  Plus, the complete HC collection is a beautifully crafted book.

Fables (catchup)

(In Process) I have even more to catchup on with Vertigo titles than I thought (#101-115).  I started with Fable #101-103 last night.  This is the beginning of the super-team storyline and so far I'm not loving it.

[Ryan 'gobo' C.]

The Incal

Completely crazy in a completely awesome way. Feels a bit like some of Kirby’s stuff with the rapid-fire idea-a-minute story. Moebius’ art is amazing and I’m really kicking myself for not seeking him out sooner. Now I really have to see some of Jodorowsky’s films. He seems like he’s a mad genius in all the best ways. I can totally see myself rereading this and finding new and interesting stuff each time. Brilliant.

[S. Earl]

Now I really have to see some of Jodorowsky’s films. He seems like he’s a mad genius in all the best ways.

Oh man... have your peyote at hand for that journey.

[erikh42]

I’m off to a good start on my 999 reading challenge and figured it would be a good time to post up some thoughts on the books I’ve made it through so far.  I’ve read 8 books, but started out with some that would be quick reads to give me that early momentum.

Man, I was happy that I made it through Avengers: Children's Crusade.  You guys have too much free time. 

[evaD]

I love Concrete but I had to take a break before #6, read the first 5 too close together and I kinda OD'd on it.

The art gets pretty damned amazing in the later volumes

Give 6 a try sometime. It was really well done.

[whirlwindx]

Gantz Vol.19

This was one the better volumes of this series. The events that take place in this volume set up some nice foreboding if things are going to play out a certain way. With a waiting for the other shoe to drop tension and wondering just how twisted this book is going to get since it's a relavity lighter in tone volume. I took a break from reading this series after being burnt out by all the fighting. I always liked the volumes that focused on other things as well as the fighting and wouldn't you know it this was one of those volumes. There's a whole lot of character stuff and further exploration of the mysteries of Gantz. Looks like some major changes and story pay offs that make this a satisfying read.

Started reading today and having completed one I'm now on to Gantz Vol.20.

[Ryan 'gobo' C.]

Give 6 a try sometime. It was really well done.

I definitely will, it's sitting in the Dark Horse app right now, just taking a rest from it for a while.

[Jon O]

The Incal

I just finished a reread of the Incal and got way more out of it the second time through.  It's as amazing as everyone always said it was.

[Sean M.]

The Incal

Completely crazy in a completely awesome way. Feels a bit like some of Kirby’s stuff with the rapid-fire idea-a-minute story. Moebius’ art is amazing and I’m really kicking myself for not seeking him out sooner. Now I really have to see some of Jodorowsky’s films. He seems like he’s a mad genius in all the best ways. I can totally see myself rereading this and finding new and interesting stuff each time. Brilliant.

Everything I've read by Jodorowsky has been amazing. His films are equally (if not more) out there. I spent £50 on a box set of his films (back when I really couldn't afford it) and have never regretted the decision. One of my categories is Jodorowskyverse and I'm looking forward to it (pay day was on Friday and the first thing I spent my hard earned money on was Before the Incal classic collection- in the same absolute format as The Incal, which I was lucky enough to get a copy of).

Anyway, tonight I read;

Shooting War- interesting day-after-tomorrow web comic reprinted in hardcover by Orion books. It has a similar premise to DMZ- left winger stranded in right-wing war. If I'm being honest, it replays the 'first thing lost I war is innocence' cliche but it does it an interesting enough way. If you see it for cheap (my copy was £1- it'sin my 'I got it for cheap' category) it's worth picking up.
Star Trek: The Next Generation- The Space Between- For most of this book, I really enjoyed it. The art doesn't aim for tedious photo reference realism but opts for near-likeness that remains consistent and retains the vibrancy of each panel (kind of like the Charlie Adlard X-Files book) and each story was like a condensed episode.

except for the final issue, which tried and failed to tie everything together into an overarching narrative.

So mostly great but fell at the final hurdle.

I started on Captain America and the Falcon: Nomad but man it's wordy as hell (the art by Sal Buscema is beautiful thought- reminds me of 'how to draw comics the marvel way') and have thus yet to finish it.

74/81

[Brian N.]

The Incal

Completely crazy in a completely awesome way. Feels a bit like some of Kirby’s stuff with the rapid-fire idea-a-minute story. Moebius’ art is amazing and I’m really kicking myself for not seeking him out sooner. Now I really have to see some of Jodorowsky’s films. He seems like he’s a mad genius in all the best ways. I can totally see myself rereading this and finding new and interesting stuff each time. Brilliant.

Read the Incal earlier this year and really enjoyed it.  I've got Metabaron and Technopriest on my list for the challenge.

[evaD]

I just finished a reread of the Incal and got way more out of it the second time through.  It's as amazing as everyone always said it was.

I've never read it, but just read the first volume of Metabarons and really enjoyed it. I've started reading Luther Arkwright, which seems similar in spirit. However 50 pages in and it isn't drawing me in as much as the Metabarons did. The art is beautiful, but the story is slow.

[Jon O]

The Metabarons is on my 999 list.  It's a thick bit of book too.

[Lukeh]

You guys have sold me on The Incal. It looks great.