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Post by dlw66 on Mar 9, 2007 9:24:42 GMT -5
I figure many of us often have a trade paperback we're working on or have recently finished reading. If you'd like, use this thread to post reviews/recommendations, and hopefully there'll be enough activity that it becomes a "review site" so we can make future purchases with some helpful knowledge behind us! To begin -- Justice Society of America, Vol. I: This first of a 2-volume set reprints the 70's run from All-Star Comics that introduced the "Super Squad" of Power Girl, Robin, and the Star-Spangled Kid, who soon teamed up with the older JSA (Wildcat, Green Lantern, Flash, Hourman, Dr. Mid-Nite, etc.). The stories (writtn by Paul Levitz) are so-so, as many DC's of the era were. Art for most of this volume is by Keith Giffen -- this is pretty straightforward "superhero" Giffen, not the riskier Giffen who would do the Legion about 7-8 years later. Classic JSA villains abound, and there's some decent action. The series both benefits and is held back (issue to issue) by the Golden Age Superman. Some of the dynamics between he and Power Girl get a little old... Perhaps the treat of the book is the "secret origin" story from DC Special Series #29. It's a fun origin story that includes, in addition to the classic JSAers listed above, Batman and Sandman. The art is by Joe Staton and the plot features both Hitler and FDR. Overall, a nostalgiac read if not high literature -- fun if you lived it the first time, probably pretty hokey for newcomers.  The Champions Classic, Vol. I: On the other hand, I'd strongly recommend this book. Very good 70's Marvel, typifying why they caused the "DC Implosion" by simply churning out better superhero stories. This team had an Avengers twist, featuring Hercules and Black Widow, and something for the X-fans with Angel and Iceman. In the last tale in this volume, Hawkeye, the Two-Gun Kid, and Black Goliath all guest (the issue also features Byrne art, a dramatic improvement from most of the art prior). Fun story "arcs" (before there really were such concepts) featuring the Olympian gods (notably Ares), and a baddie group that includes the Griffin, the Crimson Dynamo, and the Titanium Man. Art for this book is split between Don Heck, George Tuska, Bob Hall, and the aforementioned Byrne. Writing is by Tony Isabella and Bill Mantlo.  Next up on my "read list" -- Captain America "Secret Empire" and Superman/Batman "Absolute Power". How about you? |
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Post by dlw66 on Mar 12, 2007 6:41:49 GMT -5
I finished reading Captain America and the Falcon, Secret Empire last night. The book collects the original CA&F issues 169-176. The story is by Steve Englehart (scripts in #'s 170-71 are by Mike Friedrich, although Englehart gets plot credits) and the art is handled by Sal Buscema and Vince Colletta (Frank McLaughlin inks Sal in #169, and there's a noticeable difference -- Colletta is just sometimes so heavy!). For fans of the recently-concluded Civil War event, this book bears a look. The story is a conspiracy against Captain America to defame him and to put in place a secret organization bent on ruling America. You'll love the group with the acronym C.R.A.P., as well as the "Sanitation Department". Englehart makes no bones about his distrust of the American gov't in this story, which originally ran during the Watergate scandal era. There is an especially eyebrow-raising exchange between Iron Man and the Falcon, when after Cap has been framed for the murder of the Tumbler, Shellhead asks the Falcon to bring Cap in. To some extent this story must have been used as research for CW. The tpb concludes with an origin story of Cap, and his reflections on whether or not he can continue -- this leads right into the Nomad arc. Guest stars abound throughout the arc. Prominently featured are the Black Panther (who uses Wakandan technology to give the Falcon his wings), Banshee, Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Professor X, and a host of other X-characters (although the latter appear in very minor roles). The story also features the introduction and origin of Moonstone. Englehart does a nice job of tying the Secret Empire into the rest of the Marvel Universe; he also surveys what the X-Men had been up to since the cancellation of their own book. The "new" gray Beast appears in this arc. Overall a good read, again indicative of Marvel in the 1970's. I would comment on Englehart's (and Friedrich's) attempts to write "blacksploitation" dialogue -- it is forced and very corny. It feels as silly here as (many have commented throughout the years) DC's attempts to have middle-aged men write "hip" dialogue for the 1960's Teen Titans.  |
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Post by Tana Nile on Mar 12, 2007 13:10:32 GMT -5
Oh boy, do I remember the Secret Empire storyline. Those were some of the first Captain America issues I ever read. Of course, it took re-reading them a few years later for me to get the significance of the storyline. But what a great story. Last year I finally got issue 175. I'm only missing issue 172 now but hope to pick that up in San Diego this summer.
Englehart had the ability to understand that Steve was a man out of time, yet show that the qualities that made him a great man were timeless. Seeing Steve question and struggle in the issues that came after was fascinating. We also got to see a lot of character development for the Falcon - as well as him getting his wings. I agree with you dlw, the 'jive talk' is painful, but the overall writing was outstanding.
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Post by thew40 on Mar 12, 2007 13:46:11 GMT -5
I read "Secret Empire" about a year ago and found it to be a great story. I highly recommend it!
~W~
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Post by Black Knight on Mar 12, 2007 14:23:26 GMT -5
The also have the Captain America & Falcon: Nomad TPB out now, it is the issues right after Secret Empire.
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Post by dlw66 on Mar 13, 2007 10:00:23 GMT -5
Back Issue #20 (January issue) had a nice interview with both Englehart and Buscema on the Secret Empire/Nomad issues. Worth a look!!
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Post by Yellowjacket on Mar 14, 2007 5:14:51 GMT -5
Overall a good read, again indicative of Marvel in the 1970's. I would comment on Englehart's (and Friedrich's) attempts to write "blacksploitation" dialogue -- it is forced and very corny. It feels as silly here as (many have commented throughout the years) DC's attempts to have middle-aged men write "hip" dialogue for the 1960's Teen Titans. Sorry, what does "blacksploitation" mean? After reading Englehart´s Avengers run, I´m interested in his other Marvel work. |
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Post by Yellowjacket on Mar 14, 2007 5:16:12 GMT -5
Back Issue #20 (January issue) had a nice interview with both Englehart and Buscema on the Secret Empire/Nomad issues. Worth a look!! dlw, do you have a (general) link for "Back Issue"? I might be interested in reading it regularly. |
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Post by dlw66 on Mar 14, 2007 7:57:31 GMT -5
In regards to "blaxploitation" (I spelled it incorrectly the first time), the word refers to a genre of films made in the States in the early 1970's. The films starred all-black casts, and "exploited" black stereotypes of that era. Notable African-American actors in those films included Richard Roundtree and Pam Grier (the latter of whom has done voice acting on the Justice League cartoon). See www.blaxploitation.com/ for more information.  You can see summaries of each issue of Back Issue, as well as order them, at www.twomorrows.com. I am not aware if these magazines have been scanned and uploaded to the web... |
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Post by Yellowjacket on Mar 15, 2007 3:50:13 GMT -5
Thanks, dlw, now I understand what is meant.
I´ll check out the last Back Issue bundle (#16-20), seems like a good bargain with international surface shipping only $6.00.
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Post by dlw66 on Mar 16, 2007 22:35:13 GMT -5
Tonight while watching a little NCAA tournament action I polished off the Superman/Batman: Absolute Power tpb. My short review is WOW!!!! To be a bit more in-depth, I'll add this: it's by Jeph Loeb and Carlos Pacheco (of Avengers Forever fame). If you are a longtime DC fan like me, and if you love the Legion, Crisis On Infinite Earths, Kirby's Fourth World, and Kingdom Come, then this book is for you. Since I would fall in as a big fan of all of the above (with the exception of the Kirby characters), I found this book to be a page-turner. It was just so much fun! It's short, covering the material originally published in issues #14-18, so was a relatively quick read. The story involves virtually the entire DCU and is centered around time travel and alternate realities. It is literally a race against time, and the ending is very well done. Loeb crams so much into a somewhat small space, and manages to do it with dialogue, action, and character development. Perhaps a certain decompressor employed by Marvel should read this and learn what effective storytelling is all about!  Buy this!!  |
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Tone-Loc
Reservist Avenger
R.I.P. (... for now)
Posts: 200
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Post by Tone-Loc on Mar 16, 2007 22:42:43 GMT -5
Yeah, I found myself trying to finish off a tpb during the tourney tonight as well.
I plan on writing some small reviews of the tpb/gn's I have read recently....
Marvels
Marvel 1602
Universe X - Vol 2.
Universe X - Vol 1. (almost done)
Captain America: Red Menace (vol.'s 1 and 2)
I know I am reading the "X" series way out of order, but I could only find Vol 2. at first, and couldn't wait until I picked up Vol 1, which of course I then couldn't wait to get Earth X. I just hope I can get Earth X, before I find the Paradise X volumes. LOL
Then I plan on picking up the tpb's for the current Cap run, so I can have a gathering of all the issues up through 25.
Then I will be looking for some suggestions to go from there, though I am keeping my eyes peeled locally for Avengers Forever. Which is high on my list. I am just going tpb crazy in the last couple of weeks... I don't know why.
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Post by dlw66 on Mar 16, 2007 22:46:39 GMT -5
If you sniff around on ebay, you can occasionally find some nice lots. About a year ago I scored a lot for $20 that included the Byrne FF, vol. I, the George Perez Avengers Visionaries, and two others that I can't now recall!
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Post by iastagehand on Mar 17, 2007 0:21:35 GMT -5
if they ever come out with a tbp for "THE BOYS" I highly recommend to check it out. It was a crime that they cancelled it after only 6 issues and just when it was gettin good!
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Post by thew40 on Mar 17, 2007 8:22:47 GMT -5
Tonight while watching a little NCAA tournament action I polished off the Superman/Batman: Absolute Power tpb. My short review is WOW!!!! To be a bit more in-depth, I'll add this: it's by Jeph Loeb and Carlos Pacheco (of Avengers Forever fame). If you are a longtime DC fan like me, and if you love the Legion, Crisis On Infinite Earths, Kirby's Fourth World, and Kingdom Come, then this book is for you. Since I would fall in as a big fan of all of the above (with the exception of the Kirby characters), I found this book to be a page-turner. It was just so much fun! It's short, covering the material originally published in issues #14-18, so was a relatively quick read. The story involves virtually the entire DCU and is centered around time travel and alternate realities. It is literally a race against time, and the ending is very well done. Loeb crams so much into a somewhat small space, and manages to do it with dialogue, action, and character development. Perhaps a certain decompressor employed by Marvel should read this and learn what effective storytelling is all about! Buy this!! Actually, this was the story that turned me off of Batman/Superman. It was just too jumbled and flopped around too much. I ended up dropping it after this arc. Tone-Loc, the "Earth X" series is my favorite comic ever. "Universe X" and "Paradise X" are good as well, but I highly recommend picking up "Earth X." When I first read that, it just blew my mind. ~W~ |
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Post by dlw66 on Mar 17, 2007 11:02:31 GMT -5
Actually, this was the story that turned me off of Batman/Superman. It was just too jumbled and flopped around too much. I ended up dropping it after this arc. ~W~ I think that's funny you say that -- and not to make trouble, but it speaks to our off-and-on generational argument around these parts. Of course, saying that I make some assumptions... I thought Loeb paid great homage to the DCs of the 60's-70's, with a tip of the hat toward Crisis on Infinite Earths. The roles of Kamandi, Sgt. Rock, the Haunted Tank, the Adult Legion, et al. were just fantastic blasts from the past for me. Having grown up with all of that stuff it was VERY cool to see them used and used well in a neat time-travel story told with modern writing and modern art. I would say, unlike Bendis and Millar on Civil War, Loeb "gets" (at least using this 5-issue arc as an example) DCs history and characterization. |
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Post by The Night Phantom on Mar 17, 2007 11:34:19 GMT -5
Actually, this was the story that turned me off of Batman/Superman. It was just too jumbled and flopped around too much. I ended up dropping it after this arc. ~W~ I think that's funny you say that -- and not to make trouble, but it speaks to our off-and-on generational argument around these parts. Of course, saying that I make some assumptions... I thought Loeb paid great homage to the DCs of the 60's-70's, with a tip of the hat toward Crisis on Infinite Earths. The roles of Kamandi, Sgt. Rock, the Haunted Tank, the Adult Legion, et al. were just fantastic blasts from the past for me. Having grown up with all of that stuff it was VERY cool to see them used and used well in a neat time-travel story told with modern writing and modern art. I would say, unlike Bendis and Millar on Civil War, Loeb "gets" (at least using this 5-issue arc as an example) DCs history and characterization. I really liked Superman/Batman’s first arc but was disappointed thereafter. (I actually stuck with the rest of Loeb’s entire run, however, hoping for improvement.) In the first arc, I enjoyed the compare-and-contrast parallelism of the dual narration. Afterwards, the technique continued, but I found it less compelling (as though the best benefits of the technique had been exhausted, and now the series was going through the motions). I agree with W that “Absolute Power” seemed too jumbled—I would say the same for the remaining issues through #25. I’m not a pre- Crisis DCU maven, however. (On the other hand, I often enjoy homages to earlier DC comics in works like Kurt Busiek’s Astro City.) |
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Post by dlw66 on Mar 17, 2007 13:21:13 GMT -5
I'd add that I didn't care for the Supergirl arc, but that was more from the point of "a death reversed" angle than from the actual story itself. If I just look at it as a story, I suppose it wasn't bad. I think an interesting point that's being developed here is how we read comics stories, and the nature of the trade paperback itself as a form of literature. Phantom, you and W both tipped that you came to these stories in monthly form, while I on the other hand have come to all three of the published arcs in tpb form (I am aware that the fourth arc is in hardcover format; I am too cheap for that and put off a purchase until it's in softcover ). So perhaps my opinions of any story are skewed simply because of the "one-sitting reading" form that I use... I would add that I also only buy Teen Titans and Ultimate Spider-Man in tpb form, although I am admittedly several volumes behind on each title. |
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Post by sharkar on May 15, 2007 19:37:00 GMT -5
I know this is a thread about tpbs, but has anyone bought the Stan Lee Meets... hardcover? It's advertised as containing the 5 issues of "Stan Lee Meets..." (Spider-Man, The Thing, Doctors Doom and Strange, and the Silver Surfer). I had heard of this series and it sounded amusing, so I bought the hardcover recently at Barnes and Noble (it was sealed in a plastic wrapping). A couple of days later I unsealed the book and flipped through it. This is what greeted my eyes: several pages of the Strange story (but not the beginning)... then the Thing cover (a take-off of the fanmous FF#51 "This Man, This Monster" cover)...and then a page or two of the Thing tale. This "story" is repeated 5 times! Maybe this is a variant edition.  |
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Tone-Loc
Reservist Avenger
R.I.P. (... for now)
Posts: 200
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Post by Tone-Loc on May 16, 2007 23:13:51 GMT -5
Since I actually started purchasing and reading comics again over the past year... starting with the Avengers DVD-ROM, and then picking up various Marvel titles... I have found a wealth of entertainment and information in the tpb's. I don't know if the format even existed back in the 80's, but they are a great way to collect stories. On the shelf above my head rests the 17 or so individual trade volumes that I have purchased in recent months... Some I have discussed in other threads... MARVELS: This was a great experience. The art was superb, of course, and the story and its point of view really made the book for me. Being an eyewitness to the Marvel history thay you may have only heard of second, third, or fourth handed over the years was fantastic. MARVEL 1602: I have always been a sucker for these sort of alternate reality stories or time travelling stories, even outside of comics, and this has a great mix of both for me. Very original idea. I think I will pick up the sequels at some point, even though I have heard they aren't nearly as highly regarded. EARTH X, UNIVERSE X Vol.'s I & II: Kind of a Ghost of Christmas Future future, or even a somewhat juxtaposition of Marvel 1602 with its future vision of the Marvel Universe. It was kind of tough to follow for a while, but that was probably due to my stupid order of reading... starting with Universe X vol II, then vol I, and then Earth X. Once I figured out that I was collecting new printings, I patiently waited to see when Paradise X will be reprinted. Looks like it is coming this summer... I can't wait! THE ULTIMATES Vol. I & II, THE ULTIMATES 2 Vol. I: As I have stated in other threads, Ultimates 1 was really hit or miss for me. I can see why people really enjoy the updating of the mythos and all, but it was too tough for me to see these icons so far out of whack. However, thanks to encouragement and prodding of you fellow Assemblers, I did decide to give Ultimates 2 a shot, and I am certainly glad I did. I don't know if my expectation levels were better managed or even lower than for #1, but I thoroughly enjoyed #2. I see that they will have vol. II fully collected and out by summer's end... maybe... so I am holding off on buying the monthlies. My comic shop guy just shakes his head at me and laughs. What can I say, I like the trades, especially once I have already started on them. CAPTAIN AMERICA: Winter Soldier I & II, Red Menace I & II, Civil War: I have collected all the tpb's now for Brubaker's great run on Cap all the wa up through #25 when I first starting buying the monthlies. The Red Skull as maniacal as ever, Cap in character... all is right with the world. And as I mentioned in another thread... I wasn't overjoyed with Bucky coming back, but Brubaker has done it right. And I will repeat that the Winter Soldier: Winter Kills one-off that you can get as part of the Civil War tie-in tpb for Cap, is possibly one of the best written, and most reverent comics I have EVER read. CIVIL WAR: I bit the bullet, and bought it. I had to read it for myself. I certainly have reservations about the whole story, but taking it at face value... it's alright. I still have issues with characterizations here, as many of us have espoused innumerable times. Not much else to say. FANTASTIC FOUR: Civil War: Since I recently started picking up the FF, and kicking myself in the arse for not doing it as soon as I got back into comics, I decided to pick up this trade to get me the recent back issues to catch me up to my monthlies collection. I am loving every minute of them... these are what comics are all about. Who DOESN'T love Ben Grimm? He's like everyone's favorite uncle. SO awesome. FANTASTIC FOUR: Books of Doom: I was looking for an FF tpb, but then decided to see where a DVD-rom for them would carry up to issues wise (money spent on owning book in two forms is money not spent on other stories )... then I stumbled across this on the shelf, and its got Brubaker's name on it. 'Nuff said. Great back history for Doom... is it canon? Pretty good stuff... just good writing. and lastly and finally.... JLA-AVENGERS: I finally, finally, finally got this. I have wanted to get it for so long, but I don't particularly care for hard covers. BUt I couldn't wait any longer, and I found it for essentially half off on Amazon, and pleased to find it was still new and plastic wrapped. The stroy is awesome, and about everything you could want from such an epic undertaking. Reding the compendium that came with it, learning about the original story that they watned to do back in the 80's... just good stuff. I am so glad I got it, instead of waiting for it to come out in paperback form. FUTURE READS - Currently I have Avengers Forever being shipped to me, can't wait to finally read that... I am thinking about looking into some Thor tpb's in anticipation of his new book coming next month, which I plan on giving a try. |
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Post by Alchemist-X on May 17, 2007 0:00:16 GMT -5
I'd add that I didn't care for the Supergirl arc, but that was more from the point of "a death reversed" angle than from the actual story itself. If I just look at it as a story, I suppose it wasn't bad. I think an interesting point that's being developed here is how we read comics stories, and the nature of the trade paperback itself as a form of literature. Phantom, you and W both tipped that you came to these stories in monthly form, while I on the other hand have come to all three of the published arcs in tpb form (I am aware that the fourth arc is in hardcover format; I am too cheap for that and put off a purchase until it's in softcover ). So perhaps my opinions of any story are skewed simply because of the "one-sitting reading" form that I use... I would add that I also only buy Teen Titans and Ultimate Spider-Man in tpb form, although I am admittedly several volumes behind on each title. I think there is a difference in how you read your stories, especially nowadays. Most TBPs cover one story arc, or two short story arcs so you read an entire story all at once, flowing through it as if it were one long comic, and I think some writers writer their arcs to be read more in a format like this, and when you read it one comic at a time it can feel very unfluid and (for a lack of a better word) jerky. Other writers write in a more issue by issue basis so its interesting issue to issue, but when you put it all together and read it as one story, it doesn't mesh well as one continous story. I usually collect most marvel and DC stuff in single issues (unless its something really old that I can't find in comics, then I got with TPBs, X-Statix vol1 and vol2 I have In TBP, The Kree-Skrull war, Secret Wars, Secret War THe DC-Marvel Amalagam series, and the Marvel Mangaverse books, and Wolverine enemy of the state) For other imprints like Image, Icon, Vertigo and Marvel MAX i go with TBPs I've got vol1-9 of Powers, vol1-6 of Y: The Last man, the first two Spawn TPBs, the Bit Watchmen book(Haven't read yet) and the First three Supreme Powers, and the Hyperion and Nighthawk miniseries. All the Manga I have I collect in the collected book format, because you can't get the full single issue comics anywhere where I am. The reason I do this is in very large part because I was a total Marvel exclusive since I was a kid, and all I bought were the single issues, and I usually just keep consistent with that, but I do prefer the TPB format overall. |
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Post by Alchemist-X on May 17, 2007 0:02:35 GMT -5
Whoops I forgot to say, the best stuff I read and recomend is Y: The Last Man, and the Supreme Power series(Although this is a gritty ultra-realistic take on the Sqaudron Supreme, even moreso than Ultimates ever was)
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Post by Engage on May 29, 2007 17:36:17 GMT -5
Green Arrow: The Archer's Quest is very good. I read it whenever I need to remember why I like reading comics. Its fun and self-aware, but at the same time telling a serious story. At its heart its all about Ollie's flaws and his relationship with the changing world around him. Also it has the Shade, who just might be the greatest enigmatic character ever created.
I'd recommend Green Arrow: Quiver, but the last few chapters go way into left field. I'm still not sure why that story needed the torture of a small child. The non-horrifying parts are pretty good though, and Etrigan might have his best poem ever.
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Post by dlw66 on May 29, 2009 22:13:12 GMT -5
I told W in another thread that I had a recommendation for the Superman: Secret Identity story in this thread. I don't.
But it's still worth bumping back to the front page so that people can make some recommendations strictly of the trade paperback variety.
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