Boy Are My Arms Tired

Its almost been a week of the 40 Day Webcomic Project and my floor is littered with comics. Its taught me a few things, one being that I still need to learn how to draaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaw comics. Still, there are some people who can. And they get paid for it.

This week I talk about graphic novels. I'm in no way an avid print comic reader. The last comic book I bought, issues not collections, was a bunch of old B.P.R.D. comics. That was over a year ago. I'm more into collections overall but I might suggest the following novels, but you probably know them. That's why I normally read web comics for you.

Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons

Honestly, if you haven't read it, you probably would not be reading this. With the movie, the growing fanbase (Ugh) and the fact that it is sadly the next whore for Hot Topic, its become required nerd reading. Still, if you are a weeaboo, anti-comic aficionado or you've been under a rock for the past five years, you should read the comic. A genius vision about the superhero genre and a classic piece of writing enjoyable through multiple reads and great for all ages (over 12 or so). I can't say too much. 

On a side note: I hate the new fanbase. Seriously. If you draw gay Naruto and Sasuke relations (which are apparently canon) thats fine. They are dry archetypes who will probably turn gay. Rorshach and Dr. Manhattan though? Neither of them are gay. If you are going to draw gay fanart, do Hooded Justice and Ozymandias (both gay in canon in extended universe). Except they were never around to meet. Still, don't fuck up a work of art like this. 

V for Vendetta by Alan Moore

Better than the movie which barely did the comic justice. You probably know the story already. Or the outline. Trust me though, they cut out way too much from the comic. Its worth a look.

Batman: The Long Halloween/Dark Victory by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale

Very possibly my favorite graphic novel ever. Even better than Watchmen combined. Essentially it takes place in that transition period between the mobsters and the supervillains. Part mystery, part asskicking with some of the best Harvey Dent action. Spoiler: He turns into Two-Face. Its classic and if you liked the Dark Knight at all, you'll enjoy this.

Batman: Hush by Jeph Loeb

Hush makes it on my list of great comics thanks to the beautiful art, great use of the villains and another great mystery that reminds you why Batman originally appeared in Detective Comics. Plus, Batman fights Superman so check it out.

Y: The Last Man by Brian K. Vaughan

The idea is simple. Something kills all the men on Earth except for one man, Yorick and his pet monkey. From that points its up to him to navigate a world thrown into chaos. It grips you and doesn't let go. I need to pick up the next section though.

Short reviews I know but I have a dozen other things to do.

On My Other Blog

My other 40 Day Side Project . 

On Other Blogs

I'm not usually a fan of blogs which makes me blogging be all the more of an irony. I understand that some people will actively search the Internet for a blog to read that shares their opinion, has an inside connection or what have you. I am not one of those people. I might look for a review of a movie but it is usually quicker to look elsewhere or to use Rotten Tomatoes. I might want an opinion of a tv show and what happened but checking a Wiki for that article is usually more effective. Essentially my problem is efficiency in reading what other people write when I can just find the abridged professional version elsewhere. Or at least, that is why I used to think.

During the time that I have spent writing the blog, I've been introduced to a plethora of people who share the same passion about blogging whether it is their own views on web comics, tv shows or what have you. While I don't read them as often as I read web comics, their passion has touches my feeble little nerd heart. These bloggers are the future writers for newspapers (or whatever steps in).

On another note, those Yahoo bloggers who I figure get paid for what they write, have varying levels of skill and I mostly ignore them. Except for Eat This/Don't Eat This Guy. That stuff is like food erotica for me. I read the number of calories and my mouth starts to drool. And then I read the description. If it weren't for the healthy alternatives I'd have probably fouled several pairs of jeans. I mean, you go from meat loves deep dish to arugla and ham on thin crust pizza. Anti boner. Its like a bunch of naked senior citizens in the rain. Funny but oh so very very very wrong. 

Check back tomorrow for a little something special.

Partial Review

Templar, Arizona by Spike

Every once in a while you run into a wall that you can't go through. That's why they build a wall. At that point you can make the choice to give up and go back the way that you came or give it a shot as you try to climb up it. Templar, Arizona for me is a wall. The story line is complex, the characters are nice and it doesn't coddle you at all. It tosses you into the world that has been developed head first. The art is great, the dialogue is fast past and it all sort of runs like a dream but thats the problem. I personally found the comic a bit too thick to get into, mind you I read through the first year and a few months after worth of comics but I had very little of an idea of what was going on. Maybe I was tired, maybe I just wasn't focusing. Either way though, I wasn't able to get all of the way through the comic. I enjoyed what there was but it was that fascination with a dream that you get where you don't necessarily understand it but just continue to let it tell its tale. I do plan on trying to get into it some more but I am holding myself to a schedule and so here's the review. A-.

Midterms

It's midterms week for me so no post. I've got to focus on "class assignments" and "work I don't have completed." It's a bit ridiculous but I should be back next weekend with a review of at least Templar, Arizona. Current thoughts : (starts off thicker than British pudding.)