Mr. Vince
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Post by Mr. Vince on Mar 28, 2005 18:43:42 GMT -7
I thought I'd start another thread on books you like and would reccommend to people. Let's try some stuff that's out of the spotlight or stuff that hasn't quite latched on to the mainstream crowds. Everyone knows we should all be reading Watchmen and Sandman, but what about those other hidden gems nestled in the dark places of your friendly neighbourhood comic book store.
Here's what I would recommend and why:
Blacksad - a european comic following the exploits of private detective, John Blacksad. It's gritty, its adult, and true to the hardboiled detective of film noir's past. It's illustrated by Spanish artist Juanjo Guardino who was formerly a disney animator from France. Oh, and all the characters are anthropomorphic (human bodies, animal heads.)
Ex Machina - the story of superhero turned Mayor of New York. The level of politics isn't particularly complex and writer Brian K. Vaughan makes it all easy to comprehend. The mayor lives in a world which he was the only superhero, so its very realistic and very fantastic at the same time. Definately one of my faves. The first trade is out and its only $10 US, so get grabbin'
Invincible - A sleeper hit from Image. It's a take on the whole superhero who's still in high school. It obviously borrows alot from the established superhero archetypes, but its still very fresh and very entertaining. I also hear it's being opted for a movie, so maybe its not that unknown.
Tom Strong - Another little ditty by Alan Moore, though he stopped directing penning it after issue 22. Tom Strong is a take on golden age type characters, but with smarter writing and very ingenious plots. If you like this, you should also check out Terra Obscura. It's an alternate reality of Tom Strong, but still so well written like it wasn't just a cheap spin-off.
The Goon - Eric Powell's series blew me away when I first read it. You can tell he has a lot of fun when making it but its still serious unto itself. Gangsters, Zombies, Werewolves and a Hellboy Cameo. What more could you ask for?
Planetary - This is what happens when a really good writer and really good artist team up to do a series about the stuff they've always wanted to do, but never got the permission of the copyright holders to do so. It's an ongoing series about an organization that solves the great unknown mysteries of the 20th Century. Think X-files but with super-powers. Warren Ellis writes his take on so many sci-fi properties and John Cassaday makes you think you're watching the serial. You'll find themes that include Godzilla, Thor, Fantastic Four, The Lone Ranger, Tarzan, and more. Seriously a good read.
Well, I think I've recommended enough. Now its your turn.
-Vince-
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Post by damian on Mar 29, 2005 0:26:12 GMT -7
These are my recommendations, though i'm not really sure if they're obscure or not.....
1. Anything by Jordan Crane...especially "Coldee" and "Last Lonely Saturday"
2. Farel Dalrymple "Pop Gun war"
3. Adrian Tomine "Optic Nerve"
4. Kurt Wolfgang "Where Hats Go"
5. Craig Thompson "Goodbye Chunky Rice"
6. Tsai Chih Chung "Zen Speaks"
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Post by Temperance on Mar 29, 2005 0:50:23 GMT -7
"Maus" - in short, EVERYONE must read this book.
"Blood - A tale" - the trade finally came out for this one, it's crazy, it's interesting, it flows so perfectly. And Kent William's art is brilliant!
"Walking Dead" - it's not a book about zombies, it's a book about people.
"Optic Nerve" - Ohhh yeah what a good series. When I first started reading it, I would get frustrated with Adrian Tomine's open endings; I needed the closure. Now I'm so glad he writes the way he does... if only he would produce them faster!
"Strangers in Paradise" - My fave book forever, it makes you laugh and cry and everything in the middle. Terry Moore has finally released these babies in small pocket sized super anthologies. Go buy them right now!
"Planetes" - A Manga from Tokyopop, but a great one at that. The art is clean and the story is engrossing. There is an anime for this series, but it hasn't been released in North America yet.
"Wet Moon" - A Graphic novel from Oni. A slow progressing story, but the art is amazing.
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Mr. Vince
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Post by Mr. Vince on Mar 29, 2005 1:50:35 GMT -7
Very Nice stuff. I haven't even heard of most of the stuff you listed. Either its obscure or just obscure to me. I've read some of the stuff you've listed Devon, and I might start reading the others. I'd also like to add two books from the new comic book studio 'Burlyman Entertainment'- Doc Frankenstein - electrifying read. Scripted by the Wachowski bros. and illustrated by Steve Skroce. Shaolin Cowboy - all the gory detail and bizarre story you'd expect from Geof Darrow. -Vince- |
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Post by Andrew on Mar 29, 2005 9:37:57 GMT -7
JACK STAFF, by Paul Grist. I read this title and it makes me feel like a kid again. Inventive storytelling, stripped down but incredibly effective art, it's just a joy to read. If I ever ascend to a position of authority at Marvel, the first thing that I'd do is roll the money train up to Paul Grist's house to get him to do Spider-Man.
KANE, also by Paul Grist, and STRAY BULLETS, by Dave Lapham. Noirish crime comics the way they should be done--unlike the characters of Sin City, the people in these stories tend to be fully realized, HUMAN beings. Again, both these books make me happy to have read them, even though the events that take place in the stories can be wince-inducing and depressing, and both feature strong artistic visions, comparable to, but different from, that of Miller/Mignola.
Grant Morrison's run on DOOM PATROL. Miller's Dark Knight Returns and Moore/Gibbons' Watchmen killed superheroes for me. I couldn't see a way to take them seriously/enjoy them ever again. Morrison found a seriously enjoyable approach that made me think this superhero thing might have life in it yet--if it was approached with sufficiently unique viewpoint.
Paul Jenkins and Sean Phillips' run on HELLBLAZER. While the Hellblazer title is hardly obscure, Jenkins and Phillips's work on the title is often overlooked in favour of the more popular, "edgy" creators who did the book on either side of them--Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon preceding them, and Warren Ellis following. At this point it seems unlikely that this run of HB will be collected, which is a shame, because in terms of writing and especially art, it featured some of the best John Constantine stories ever created. I highly recommend #120, which is my favourite Constantine story ever.
SHANGRI-LA, by Marc Bryant and Shepherd Hendrix. In the interest of full disclosure, I've got to say that Marc's a good friend of mine--we're co-writing EARLY McKAY VS. THE MORPHEUS MACHINE for Platinum Studios, among other things. That said, S-L is still a fun rock-n-roll comic that I was semi-determined to publish myself if Image hadn't picked it up. A snotty rock star whose time is coming to an end decides to fake his own death to kick up sales of his records. His record company decides that it would be even better if the death wasn't fake, and sends an assassin to kill him. What they don't know is that the assassin is the rockstar's number one fan, and the two of them end up on the run from the record company's hired killers. This all takes place under the watchful eye of dead rockstars of the past (most notably Elvis, Lennon, and Cobain), watching from a bar in the mythical Shangri-La.
The creative team didn't like mentioning artist Shepherd Hendrix's famous uncle, which I suppose I can understand, but on this particular story, in strictly marketing terms, I think it was a mistake that may have cost them major sales to music fans.
SLEEPER, by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. Again, I don't know if this qualifies as obscure, coming as it does from DC/Wildstorm. A superpowered spy goes deep undercover in a criminal organization, only to have the only person who knows he isn't a bad guy fall into a coma. Murky morality, largely single issue stories that tie together into a greater whole. Good stuff.
ALEC: HOW TO BE AN ARTIST by Eddie Campbell. This should probably be read by anyone who wants to be involved with comics. Inspiring but realistic. I should go re-read it, now that I think about it.
CEREBUS, by Dave Sim and Gerhard. I have a hard time recommending Cerebus to anyone at this point, because the primary creator is a misogynist loon. However, when the loony misogyny wasn't the raison d'etre for the book, there were some very entertaining, and occasionally touching, stories. Personal faves include HIGH SOCIETY and GUYS, though JAKA'S STORY gets a lot of attention for its more obvious "literary" qualities.
Also, the CEREBUS GUIDE TO SELF-PUBLISHING is a must-read for anyone thinking of going that route. Sim may be out of his mind, but the guy managed to self-publish a 300 issue miniseries so successfully that he could buy a house. A lot of the info is out of date at this point, but still worth it.
EDITED TO ADD: I hear this PARTING WAYS graphic novel coming out from Speakeasy in July is supposed to be pretty good, too.
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Post by attoboy on Mar 29, 2005 11:20:40 GMT -7
Great thread!
"Why I Hate Saturn" by Kyle Baker is my all-time fave.
I also like:
Love and Rockets (early stuff) - Jaime Hernandez
Anything by Jon Muth or Kent Williams
Stray Toasters - Bill Sienkiewicz
Aquablue - Cailleteau and Vatine
Not sure how many of those qualify as obscure.
Cheers!
-Derek
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fiona
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Post by fiona on Apr 18, 2005 16:10:16 GMT -7
Grant Morrison's Vimanarama. Everyone loves Grant Morrison, but no one seems to be reading this book.
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FC
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Post by FC on Apr 18, 2005 16:32:49 GMT -7
Grant Morrison's Vimanarama. Everyone loves Grant Morrison, but no one seems to be reading this book. I agree, I love what I've seen of this one so far. Unique subject matter, love the artwork too. |
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Mr. Vince
MIC AGENT
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Post by Mr. Vince on Apr 19, 2005 0:42:30 GMT -7
I've glanced at Vimanarama but never quite had the gumption to pick it up. I mean, following an act like WE3 is no easy task. But hey, its Morrison, I shoulda known better.
Thanks guys, lets keep it up.
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remandcentre
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Post by remandcentre on May 1, 2005 2:35:49 GMT -7
Yeah Vinamarama is great, fast fun. Really wierd but great.
Rex Mundi
Imaginaries has started out with some promise. What a concept, a place where all retired imaginary friends collect to live out the rest of thier days? And the underlying drama of family breakdown. This is going to be good.
Concrete: HUman Dilemma has got to be one of the smartest comics going right now. What a book and concept! It is so good, I almost want to hurl. Wait here it comes.
Of course theres the not so uncommon Y the Last Man and Fables, etc.
And I am angry that the Silver Surfer revamp didnt find readership. I was into that existential spaceman stuff. Really cosmic! d**n you all!
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Post by Mr. Nick on May 4, 2005 19:11:43 GMT -7
Silver Surfer is the bane of my existence and I rejoice in his demise!!!
Actually, I never got a chance to read it. But if you think it was good, it probably was. A guy with a GL tattoo can't be wrong!
SOULWIND by Scott Morse.
And for the love of God, everyone must read NIL: A Land Beyond Belief! It is totally unique and crazy and just plain cool inspired madness. It's one of those really dense pieces that I know I could never write and it just blew me away.
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remandcentre
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Post by remandcentre on May 5, 2005 21:42:44 GMT -7
I just have troubles with Morse...I cant get into his stuff and I have tried.
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Post by dutton on May 17, 2005 13:27:13 GMT -7
Planetary (read it in trades so you have a hope of understanding the threads) and my own.
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Post by Rik on May 20, 2005 22:55:44 GMT -7
A friend of mine recently lent me the collected works of LONE WOLF AND CUB Volumes 1-3 in it's original japanese format as a small trade paperback in black and white. Writer: Kazuo Koike / Artist: Goseki Kojima
You have got to see this stuff to believe it! Talk about cinematic storytelling! It is truly one of the greatest comics I have EVER read in terms of pure visuals. I can see why Frank Miller was so influenced by it. It's like watching a well directed movie. AMAZING!
-Rik
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Post by K. Tindall on Jun 14, 2005 15:22:49 GMT -7
I'm just going to put WE3 in here.
Effortlessly, the finest book of last year. The second issue may be one of the finest comic books I've ever read in my entire life.
Astonishing. I can't praise it enough.
K.
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frick
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Post by frick on Jul 2, 2005 13:54:05 GMT -7
Well some of the books I would have to recommend :
Red Sonja- new series for an old character. Anyone who likes the new Conan series will love the new Red series.
The Lexian Chronicles from Ap comics - very cool looking series the only problem is Ap comics history of shipping late
Super Real by Jason Martin - interesting book about young people with super powers on a reailty TV show.
Dead@17by Viper Comics - great series and I look forward to whatever else Josh Howard does.
Hopeless Savages by Oni Press- great series and hopefully a new mini series will be coming out soon.
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remandcentre
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Post by remandcentre on Jul 3, 2005 9:55:58 GMT -7
A WE3 Trade is coming. This is good news as sold out stuff didn't go into a second printing.
More to add:
Billy the Kid's Old Timely Oddities.
Anything Concrete!
Chester Brown's Stuff, specifically THE PLAYBOY and RIEL
Jeff Brown CLUMSY and UNLIKELY
There are these two collections floating around out there. Astonishing Science was about Male Scientists and Dignified Scientists was about female scientists. Very compelling, I think released by GT Labs.
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Post by Mr. Nick on Jul 3, 2005 13:24:29 GMT -7
It's great to hear that so many people have discovered WE3. I was worried that this uber cool series would be overlooked, but I was WAY wrong on that. And I definitely agree that issue 2 is one of the best comics I've ever read.
TEENAGERS FROM MARS by Rick Spears and Rob G
I'd been meaning to pick up this book for a long time, and finally got the chance a couple of weeks ago. Started reading, couldn't put it down. The story rocks and is easily relatable to anyone who creates comics. The art is rather inconsistent, which is pretty consistent for Rob G, but he has a few great splashes.
Tons of fun!
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fiona
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Post by fiona on Jul 3, 2005 17:17:41 GMT -7
NYC Mech is an awesome series from Image that recently began a 2nd volume. The first miniseries was 6 issues, I think, and the 2nd (Beta Love) is at #2 so it's not too late to jump on. It's a series of intimate, sometimes poignant stories about everyday New Yorkers... except everything and everyone is robotic. The art is awesome.
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