Comics: what are you currently reading?

[chas]

Looking forward to a very controversial 2016 run of Mr. Miracle, one of my favorite Kirby characters, by Tom King and Mitch Gerads. This should be interesting. The last time I read a Mr. Miracle it was "The Death of Barda." Which I disliked so much I read it and threw it out! Let's hope this one stays around.

Having read four big hard cover "Library Editions" of the animated Avatar; the Official Editions with input by the original creators, I just read the first such big book of Korra, and enjoyed it. Both start just thirty seconds from the end of the final animation episodes and move right along from there!

 

[IAmBatman]

I've been reading through Batman and the Outsiders for research. Fun, though the 80s were definitely a quirky time.

I'm on a DC Universe subscription now, so I'm open to suggested reading from that library if anyone has it!

 

[Spidey'tilIDie]

Crisis on Infinite Earths, it's the original crossover, and they have it set up to read all the tie-in issues.

 

[IAmBatman]

Crisis on Infinite Earths, it's the original crossover, and they have it set up to read all the tie-in issues.

Love it, have it in softcover.

 

[Spidey'tilIDie]

As do I, with most of the issues, then as a whole in a trade. But it's never been printed with all the crossover tie-ins, which is why I'm thinking of re-reading.

 

[IAmBatman]

Hmm, OK, you've got my attention now.

 

[Yodaking]

Just read through Cosmic Ghost Rider Destroys Marvel History #1 earlier tonight, it was fantastic. Got a busy weekend already planned but I'm sure I'll burn through #2, 3, & 4 soon enough.


Been reading through that IDW Transformers Humble Bundle I picked up some over the last month or so, some of it has been pretty good, other parts kind of blah. Lots more issues to go through.

 

[Tornado]

I need to check out that Ghost Rider. Would love to see more GR characters in C3G.
Been trying to get through Rogue Trooper. There are a lot more issues than I remember.
Fun read. Rogue is a really interesting character and develops depth way faster than Dredd.

 

[chas]

Just enjoyed the Sixth Library Edition of Avatar the Last Airbender. These are long comic trilogies, about 200 pages each in their large hardback editions, that are available at Barnes & Noble among other sources. They continue the story of the original animations, starting only seconds from the last episode's finale.

All are excellent. The last has a new writer and artist who kept the standards up from both the animation and the first five comic volumes, and in fact have now begun to link up the older stories to the coming next generation and to the grandchild generation which is the era of Korra. I was not as impressed by the one library volume of the latter, which is Turf Wars, by yet another creative team, continuing her story from its own animation.

They are, in order:

The Promise
The Rift
The Search
Smoke and Shadow
North and South
Imbalance

I'd be surprised if any coming redo, live or animation, turns out to be as good as these are. I highly recommend them. The original creators of Konietzko and DiMartino have guided them, and there is a great consistency of the beloved characters, as the society portrayed continues to evolve after The Hundred Years War.

 

[Figure]

I'm not sure if it counts more of a graphic novel but I am reading JOKER by Brian Azzarello again and it is such a cool and unique novel. It's through the eyes of a Joker henchman seeing all of the insane things that the Joker does without any remorse or even thought.

 

[Yodaking]

That sounds pretty interesting.

 

[chas]

Speaking of YA novels, has anyone read the two about Avatar Kiyoshi? (Avatar: The last Airbender world). I was interested, but didn't spend the money, since they ain't cheap.

 

[Splash]

DCeased: Unkillables was a great read.

 

[chas]

Got around to the two Avatar Kyoshi novels, which were fun. She is one possible main character for the third animated show that the new Avatar Studios who are the original creators will be making.

 

[Hex_Enduction_Hour]

I've been on a manga kick lately. I began reading online Kazuo Umezz's The Drifting Classroom and enjoyed the first book of the perfect edition enough to purchase the three-book set. Considered a manga horror classic and though it's not without its narrative clunkiness and stumbles, I can see this validation. Enjoyed it very much. At some point, I'll watch the 1987 movie adaptation on Dailymotion*

Picked up Umezz's My Name is Shingo. A gorgeous edition with a story still setting up characters and situations. Hoping book 2 picks up a bit. The 80s-era computer graphics and lettering make it a unique manga.

Umezz's Orochi volume 1 also arrived, but I've yet to read this ex-library copy.

Last year I read Osamu Tezuka's complete Dororo and fell hard for its story and art - a first in my many attempts with Tezuka's titles.

EDIT: Attempted a viewing last night and couldn't last. Its spastic editing and messy narrative is unbearable!

 

[Hex_Enduction_Hour]

Orochi Perfect Edition 1 continues my dive into Kazuo Umezz horror manga. Sisters and Bones comprises the two tales in this first of four books. Sparse dialogue and panels keeps the pace brisk and flowing. Readers are dropped directly into the premise of an odd little blonde girl with as-yet unspecified abilities, dabbling in and manipulating strangers' affairs. Both stories resolve with a twist revealing why Orochi is there to leverage some ounce of justice. Horror and oneiric moments are not unlike Dario Argento films Suspiria and Phenomena. I've read Umezz is an influence on Junji Ito and the flair is there, for sure. Books 2, 3, and 4 will be purchased and read at some point.

 

[Sherman Davies]

I haven't read a lot of horror manga, but one of them is Junji Ito's Uzumaki, which I liked; I might give Sisters and Bones a shot if it's got those same vibes.

I recently reread an old favorite of mine, James Robinson and Paul Smith's The Golden Age:

It was originally published as a 4-issue Elseworlds miniseries back in the '90s. It basically started Robinson's long association with DC's WWII-era characters, since he followed the series up with his runs on Starman and Justice Society of America. I've always considered it to be like a more accessible version of Watchmen. Definitely worth checking out for those who haven't.

 

[Taeblewalker]

I haven't read anything lately, but my favorite comic was Spiderman vs. Wolverine. Spidey lost all of his karma points near the end (if you played the Marvel FASERIP rpg you'd get the reference).

 

[Tornado]

That one is awesome. One of my favorites as well.
Facerip, nice
Know that system mostly through Dragon Magazine articles.

 

[Taeblewalker]

That one is awesome. One of my favorites as well.

Facerip, nice

Know that system mostly through Dragon Magazine articles.

By the mighty girth of Volstagg!

 

[Hex_Enduction_Hour]

I haven't read a lot of horror manga, but one of them is Junji Ito's Uzumaki, which I liked; I might give Sisters and Bones a shot if it's got those same vibes.

Currently reading Umezz's Cat-Eyed Boy. It's just as curious and entertaining in moments as Umezz's other work in that old school style of manga.

The insightful YT channel, Famicon Collects, has me scouring for other fascinating manga. The Early Works of Hanawa Kazuichi looks incredible, but pricey to acquire a Japanese edition. Just this morning I found it available on the Internet Archive ....and in English! Downloaded the PDF and though Famicon Collects provides a thorough, breakdown of each story, I plan to read it myself, soon.

I recently reread an old favorite of mine, James Robinson and Paul Smith's The Golden Age:

It was originally published as a 4-issue Elseworlds miniseries back in the '90s. It basically started Robinson's long association with DC's WWII-era characters, since he followed the series up with his runs on Starman and Justice Society of America. I've always considered it to be like a more accessible version of Watchmen. Definitely worth checking out for those who haven't.

I remember that series, though Never read it. Paul Smith art is always excellent.

 

[Sherman Davies]

I recently reread an old favorite of mine, James Robinson and Paul Smith's The Golden Age:

It was originally published as a 4-issue Elseworlds miniseries back in the '90s. It basically started Robinson's long association with DC's WWII-era characters, since he followed the series up with his runs on Starman and Justice Society of America. I've always considered it to be like a more accessible version of Watchmen. Definitely worth checking out for those who haven't.

I remember that series, though Never read it. Paul Smith art is always excellent.

Yeah, Paul Smith is definitely one of those "artists' artist" types who sometimes seems overlooked by fans but is highly regarded by other artists. He and Robinson continued their collaboration a few years after doing Golden Age with another series I remember fondly, Leave it to Chance:

It was a series about a young paranormal investigator named Chance Falconer. Sort of a "Nancy Drew, but with magic" vibe to it. I always thought it should've run longer than the 2 or 3 years that it did, especially considering it debuted around the same time as the Harry Potter books which were spurring an increased interest in young adult fantasy at the time.

 

[Hex_Enduction_Hour]

I finished off all four volume of Orochi Perfect Edition and continue to be impressed with Umezz's gothic tone and chilling moments of horror and terror. Of the stories in the series, here's how I rank them with number one as my favorite:

1. Combat (volume 3)
2. Bones (volume 1)
3. Sisters (volume 1)
4. Key (volume 2)
5. Home (volume 2)
6. Blood (volume 4)
7. Eyes (volume 4)
8. Prodigy (volume 2)
9. Stage (volume 3)

I've been listening and watching the podcast/YT channel, Flight Ringers. The two hosts offer a casual, hilarious, and always thoughtful discussion of a single issue from the various runs of The Legion of Superheroes. I've always been a big Keith Giffen fan in all periods of his art styles. Currently enjoying their page-by-page of the 1989 series. Each episode is like reading the comic itself with insightful commentary. Recommended if one is a rabid or casual (that's me) fan of the sci-fi-and-magic superheroes from the 30th and 31st centuries.

Yeah, Paul Smith is definitely one of those "artists' artist" types who sometimes seems overlooked by fans but is highly regarded by other artists. He and Robinson continued their collaboration a few years after doing Golden Age with another series I remember fondly, Leave it to Chance:

I remember that series, though I never read it. I'll need to give a try someday.

 

[chas]

Wow! Wow! What is this? I'll have to check it out!

I've got my own old Scape customs for many of the Legionnaires back on Page 5 of the Supers customs threads on my own such thread:

https://www.heroscapers.com/community/forumdisplay.php?f=33&prefixid=Array&order=desc&page=5

Back then I specialized on making my own cards for super teams. These LSH cards were done before C3G got around to doing any.

These are in print only versions except for some full graphics cards Sherman Davies made for me. About a dozen of these appear on my thread on one post as "expired" versions which are still legible.

 

[MrNobody]

I've been listening and watching the podcast/YT channel, Flight Ringers.

Ha, think I just found me the new background music for my daily commute. Thanks for sharing! Love me some LoSH.