Friday, September 24, 2010

What Comic Books to Read (DC)

Here is the DC edition of my post regarding what comic books to read.  To start off, some of the specific reasons to read DC:

First, DC is full of established characters.  No, I'm not going to say that the characters in the other comic book company (Marvel) are not established but DC's characters are more established.  Little has changed for Superman, Batman, or Wonder Woman.  If there has been any, it does not show.  Fans from the past can easily relate to what's in our present now.  What I'm driving at is there's not much catching up to do especially in the aspect of jumping in to the universe of the top characters in DC.  For me, this is one reason why there are (still) a lot of DC Comics fans.

















Second, DC uses fictional cities.  While there's a wonder towards using real cities, there is also a creative strategy towards using fictional cities.  For one, the reader doesn't have to get worried that such a city like Gotham really exists.  The DC cities can be as violent or as peaceful as they want to be.  It's up to the story writer.

Third, DC has this manner of explaining everything just because it needs to be explained.  Hal Jordan's hair becoming gray?  There's an explanation to that.  How did the Justice League of America beat the crap out of a newly formed team of super-villains?  There's a complete description of how it happened.  This is not X-Files where you are left hanging.  Somehow, the editors of DC must insist that explanations must be given regarding "trivial" matters.  If this is your thing, DC will provide it for you.

Probably the last reason to put here is the Elseworlds universe of DC.  I don't know if they're still using the Elseworlds wording but I do know that the universes being used in Elseworlds are in the 52 remaining parallel universes.  DC explained (again with the explanation) it in the 52 series.














What to read in DC?  I'm reading only a few right now.  I want to get on started with Brightest Day, Vol. 1 but I still have to read up on Blackest Night.  With that said, I start off with:

1. Green Lantern

If Marvel has Deadpool as a superhero with a cult following, DC has Green Lantern.  Hal Jordan has just recently returned as Green Lantern.  There are now 4 Earth humans wearing the Green Lantern ring.  The best way to start reading on GL is to go with Green Lantern: Rebirth.  After that, you can work your way to Green Lantern: The Sinestro Corps War, Vol. 1 and Green Lantern: The Sinestro Corps War, Vol. 2.  Slowly but surely, there's Green Lantern: Rage of the Red Lanterns, Green Lantern Corps: Sins of the Star Sapphire, Green Lantern: Agent Orange, until you get into Blackest Night.  You might have noticed that there's a certain pattern as to color and yes, there are other colored rings in the DC universe.  It's fun to read and as I said previously, DC loves to explain things and it's all explained well.  Credit goes to Geoff Johns for getting deep into GL lore.

2. Batman and Robin

No, it's not the movie with the same title.  That Joel Schumacher disaster is way lamer than the comic book.  In Batman and Robin, Vol. 1: Batman Reborn, the new Batman (Dick Grayson) teams up with Bruce Wayne's son, who dons the mantle of Robin (the 4th Robin, if you didn't know).  They are not very good friends actually.  Robin wants to kill Batman and Batman would be happy to just be rid of Robin.  Their adventure is different from the usual Batman stories as Grayson tries to deal with the realization that he is now Batman.

I would want to read the other Batman titles but considering how I got lost over the numbering, I decided to just pick up on a new title.  See the death of Batman in Final Crisis.  Go over what's happening after his death with Batman R.I.P. and Batman: Battle for the Cowl.  And if you're not over exhausted over his death, read the Return of Bruce Wayne.  And yes, everything would be explained.

For the record, Batman is my second favorite character.  And why not?  Here is a character who shouldn't be considered a superhero because he's only human.  He does have a great mind and it's because of his great mind that his limited series comic books are always a good read.  More on that later.

3. Flash

I think I'm stuck to only 3 DC titles.  Flash is the last.  Just like Green Lantern, Flash has undergone sort of a rebirth as the original, Barry Allen, has returned to don the mantle.  Speedsters are always fun to read and it's unfortunate that Marvel has never had a cool speedster aside from Quicksilver (Pietro Maximoff).  Flash is currently just starting out so you can just easily pick it up.

Just like what I did with Marvel, I'll put in some titles that are good reads (just in case you don't want to get into the whole universe thing).

1. Batman books (limited series)

There are quite a lot.  Where to start?  Batman: The Long Halloween is a great work by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale.  Then, there's Batman: The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller.  Batman: Hush showcases art by Jim Lee.  The list goes on and on.

2. Identity Crisis

I was blown away by the story of Identity Crisis (DC Comics).  It's got one of the best stories that I've read from DC.  And ever since I encountered the name Brad Meltzer, I've been keeping up with the novels that he's written.

I think these would be the books that I'd recommend out of recent memory.  I'd like to include Watchmen and Kingdom Come but I think I'd include it in another post.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

What comic books to read (Marvel)

As an avid comic book reader, here is my take on the industry and my personal opinion on certain titles.  This post is a focus on a newbie's quest to start reading.  Here, I start off with Marvel Comics.

There are several reasons to read titles in Marvel Comics.  One is continuity.  Though all comic book characters eventually die in a major storyline move, they still end up alive in more ways than one.  Heck, this is comics so it really doesn't matter if they die now (in the long run, they'll be alive sooner or later).  But lately, some characters in the Marvel universe have ended up staying dead.  Several examples would be Jean Grey of the X-Men (she's been through it a lot of times actually), Kitty Pryde (Shadowcat), and the minor characters who perished during the Civil War storyline.  In comparison to DC Comics, Marvel does not go into reset mode as commonly as DC.  The Marvel Comics reader would expect that what happens in a major storyline now is expected to have consequences in the future.  Several examples: House of M which led to mutants number being decimated to 198 (and counting down).  Another example would be Civil War, which led to Iron Man taking over SHIELD.  While being the SHIELD leader, the Hulk declared war on all heroes in World War Hulk.  The next big event came with Secret Invasion when the Skrulls secretly invaded Earth by portraying several heroes (also gave Marvel a good reason to reincarnate several dead heroes from the past).  Secret Invasion made Norman Osborn the hero and he replaced Tony Stark/Iron Man as the head police and renamed SHIELD to HAMMER which led to Dark Reign (most of his (mis)adventures can be read in Dark Avengers, Vol. 1: Assemble).  In Dark Avengers: Siege, we see the fall of Norman Osborn and the good guys are once more at the helm.  All the storylines mentioned show the continuity of the stories in Marvel.  From Civil War down to Siege, they are all somehow connected.

Another reason to read Marvel is the well organized structure of its universe.  To wit, one can choose among the categories:

1. Mutants (any title dealing with the mutants)
2. Avengers
3. Space guys (Guardians of the Galaxy, etc.)
4. The other teams (Fantastic Four)
5. The other solo guys
6. Ultimates line 
7. Max storyline

Team-up titles are almost non-existent now.  Although there are team titles, there is nothing like DC's Superman/Batman nor Trinity (Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman).  Frankly, there should be a limit towards over-exposure in the comic book universe.

Third reason to read Marvel would be how they incorporate current issues and trends to their stories.  Unlike in DC in which each hero's city is a fictional location, the Marvel characters use actual cities as their base of operations.  Case in point, Spider-man, the X-Men, and X-Factor.  Want to get a feel of New York City?  Just read Spider-man as he swings around the skyscrapers.  Need to get a little bit of sunny California?  Check out the X-Men.  As for X-Factor, they recently relocated to Detroit but are currently having a "vacation" in Las Vegas as of this writing.

Both companies are using the same trend of treating each comic book title as its own. (they  seldom overlap the stories unless there's a big event).  The good thing about Marvel is that they have streamlined their solo hero titles.  Spider-man has gone back to the Amazing Spider-man title and Marvel has placed its focus on it.  Wolverine is appearing on X-Men books as well as Avengers while he has 2 on-going titles as of the moment (Sidenote: Wolverine even made a comment that being present in both the X-Men and the Avengers is one of his powers).  Deadpool is currently overexposed but since he does not appear in any team book, he can have any (mis)adventure wherever he wants to.

One thing of note with the Marvel universe is that its characters should not be confused with the characters in the movies.  The movies should be treated separately as since the hardcore comic book fan will always disagree over what's happening in the movies.  Chalk one up to Hollywood for always insisting on having a different script or storyline.

For those who want to dive into the Marvel universe, these are probably the titles that I would recommend:

1. Amazing Spider-man

Where to start? Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Vol. 1 (v. 1) is probably a good place to start and gradually work towards the current issues.  Spider-man has never been more fun.  Peter Parker is back to being a single guy.  He's jobless.  He's making ends meet trying to live in New York.  He's back to what he was when he was in high school and down on his luck. Aunt May is back though but she just got married to J. Jonah Jameson's father (yup, JJJ and Parker are now stepbrothers).  And probably one of the best kickers, JJ is the mayor of New York City and has devoted quite a lot to ridding the city of Spider-man.

After Civil War, Parker and Mary Jane Watson had to run for their lives since Spider-man's secret identity was revealed.  Brand New Day erased all that and more.

By far, I can say that this is one comic book title that I'd say is fun to read.

2. Deadpool

This is a fun title to read.  I call it a semi-team book because he speaks to at least two other voices in his head.  This aspect of Deadpool makes it all the more funny.

Start off with Deadpool, Vol. 1: Secret Invasion (v. 1) then work towards the current issues.  Guaranteed all fun and considerably light reading.

But I do suggest to not overdo on reading Deadpool.  I've gone through Deadpool: Suicide Kings and Deadpool: Merc with a Mouth.  They're all fun to read.  I'm still reading Deadpool Team-up.  When Deadpool Corps came out, I just had to say enough is enough.

3. Agents of Atlas

If there's a team that is not the usual superhero-oriented team like the Avengers, X-Men, or Fantastic Four, it's the Agent of Atlas.  The team is composed of hard hitters like a gorilla man and Namora, and their aces in the sleeve are a sensually tempting diva named Venus and an old school robot named M-11.  Oh, and they have a telepathic alien in Marvel Boy, who is from Uranus (yes, he gets to be a butt of the "your anus" jokes too).  What makes Agents of Atlas fun is that they don't answer to any higher power, even to a powerful dragon.  They're a semi-black ops team who can kick any other team's butts with their lineup.

Start with any of the Agents of Atlas storyline.  The current on-going series is entitled simply as Atlas.

4. X-Factor

This is probably the most improbable X book to read.  X-Factor is always underestimated as just a ragtag team of mutants (and non-mutants) but it is so well written by master scribe Peter David.  X-Factor brings together Multiple Man (now usually referred to as just Madrox), Siryn, Monet St. Clair (of Generation X fame), Strong Guy Guido, the de-powered Rictor, the always evolving Darwin, the know-it-all Layla Miller, and recent inclusions to the team: the always lucky Longshot and the suddenly queer Shatterstar.  X-Factor's current numbering is weird but just start somewhere.  Peter David is so worth it.

5. Wolverine

The last ongoing book that I would recommend is my all-time favorite character from Marvel.  This countdown wouldn't be complete without his inclusion.  I've been reading his ongoing title since Wolverine #90 when he got the adamantium removed from his bones.  I waited patiently as Larry Hama weaved the story around up to the #100 when some bad guys attempted to get the adamantium back into his body.  Wolverine became more feral after that issue.  I haven't known how he got his adamantium back but I caught up with him once more somewhere along the way.  So, where to start with him?  Of course, knowledge on Wolverine wouldn't be sufficient without reading Wolverine: Origin.  Get a copy of the limited series.  Then jump into Wolverine: Weapon X, Vol. 1: The Adamantium Men or Wolverine: Weapon X, Vol. 2: Insane in the Brain.  The stories are all good from master storyteller Jason Aaron.  Also, the ongoing series with the title Wolverine is getting a sort of a reboot as he journeys into hell in spirit (his body is still on Earth).  It should be fun to see how they'll get him to battle demons in hell.

If you're looking to just read around the Marvel universe without getting into the ongoing titles, I suggest several good books that are sure to pique an interest in the geek in you.

First off, Dark Avengers, Vol. 1: Assemble.  Brian Michael Bendis does a great job a la Thunderbolts with this bad guy version of the Avengers.  The story: Norman Osborn has just taken over SHIELD and renamed it as HAMMER.  He dons Tony Stark's Suits and becomes this Avengers' version of Iron Man.  To round up the team, he calls on Bullseye to be Hawkeye, Venom to be Spider-man, Daken (Wolverine's son) to be Wolverine, etc.  They are a dysfunctional group that tries to be functional.  There is a very good reason why this has been one of Marvel's best books during its time but you just have to read it to believe it.

Still staying with the Avengers theme, make sure to grab The Ultimates Vol. 1: Super-Human and The Ultimates Vol. 2: Homeland Security plus The Ultimates 2, Vol. 1: Gods and Monsters and The Ultimates 2, Vol. 2: Grand Theft America (v. 2).  These are all great reads from Mark Millar.  Nick Fury is African-American and looks like Samuel L. Jackson.  There's a bit in one of the issues where the heroes discuss who would play who in a movie.  It's a very outrageous moment.  Actually, I'd recommend any of the first Ultimate line books for light reading.  They are all great.  The writers are all given full leeway as to how to treat the characters in a different light.  Art is spiffy too.  Special props to Mark Bagley for Ultimate Spider-man.

Astonishing X-Men Vol. 1: Gifted is a great take by Joss Whedon on the X-Men.  I might say that this was the first Marvel book that I had read for a very long time.  I quickly got hooked to Whedon's dialogue.  This will most probably be the only Mutant book that I'd recommend for light reading.

Also check out the following great books by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale (their partnership, by the way, is just awsome): Daredevil: Yellow (Daredevil (Unnumbered)), Spider-Man: Blue, and Hulk: Gray (Incredible Hulk). There's supposed to be a Captain America: White but I think it's not yet done.  If you've noticed, the Marvel books by Loeb and Sale has a color in its title.

I think, that should be enough for the Marvel side of things.  Next post would be about DC Comics.

Friday, September 3, 2010

Wasted

No, I'm not wasted. More to the point, this is sort of a review (and an appreciation) for the graphic novel by Gerry Alanguilan entitled Wasted.

At first glance, Wasted seems to be just a simple graphic novel. It's set in black and white. And the story/main topic is very common for everyone's imagination: one's angst towards the world. It starts out like most angry stories do, an unsuccessful love story that evolves into something more. As you read the graphic novel, you get to explore Eric, the main character, and his anger towards his father after an unsuccessful endeavor in law school, his hatred towards society's norms when his father is murdered by thugs, and other things that just oh so suddenly becomes unwanted.

Yet simple as it is, the graphic novel is a beautiful rendition of what the Philippines is today: it is full of annoying religious people seeking to sway as to their sect (or group), citizens who do not heed the health of other people, robbers, policemen who recklessly shoots innocent bystanders, elected officials who are criminals, and best of all, husbands-to-be who are perverts.

The first few pages made me cringe over the main character. How could he not handle the problems? But later on, I begin to feel an attachment towards the character. I would dare say that every guy who has been heartbroken might somehow ended up just like the main character. I would admittedly say so that I would have. Eric chose his own path. He might have been high on drugs or it might have been just the result of environmental pressure. I would not dare judge him for what he did because it could have been me. In full appreciation of the character, he's much stronger than most of us.

Bravo to Gerry Alanguilan for a beautiful portrayal of life no matter how simple it may look. It gave me a fresh perspective towards life.