Having realised that since setting up this weblog I've managed to contribute one post - and that was a test post, thought i'd better pull my finger out and get something on here.
First off was the conversion of some stuff previously posted on myspace.
Next a little tinkering with the links on the side of the page and finally a little post bemoaning about how i've failed miserably to get around to posting anything on the weblog.
Monday, March 27, 2006
The Mrs T pilgrimage
In a world dominated by horrible things wouldn't it be nice to just hear one thing that makes you a happier person?
Personally, I'm waiting for Thatcher to pop it and that will make me king of the happy people.
No, seriously. I mean it.
I've had my fun, i've seen her wobble around getting more and more unhinged over the last few years and now i'm just a little bored of it.
So in the spirit of optimism, I'd like to start making plans for the first in what I hope will be a regular pilgrimage to the grave of Mrs T.
Any takers?
No really.
Just one thing to arrange.............
Personally, I'm waiting for Thatcher to pop it and that will make me king of the happy people.
No, seriously. I mean it.
I've had my fun, i've seen her wobble around getting more and more unhinged over the last few years and now i'm just a little bored of it.
So in the spirit of optimism, I'd like to start making plans for the first in what I hope will be a regular pilgrimage to the grave of Mrs T.
Any takers?
No really.
Just one thing to arrange.............
Latest Reads - All Star Superman # 1
All Star Superman ..1
Probably the greatest single issue comic I'll read this year. And it's only January.
I knew it was going to be good, it's Grant Morrison after all.
His track record with supertypes is pretty good.
If you only read one JLA book ever make it one of his run, likewise e for extinction was the best X-Men book you're ever likely to see.
So I was expecting great things from this and within 3 pages I knew he'd nailed the concept perfectly. The first 3 panels and the splash page tell you everything you ever need to know about Superman's origin and do it in a simple, detailed and clever way. It's the best Superman book I've read since Alan Moore did some stories - recently reprinted in the DC Stories of Alan Moore. It's smart, well dialogued, inventive and iconic all at once. This looks like it's going to be great. Funniest thing is seeing how much Quitely tows the company line with this book - look at Supe's face - completely unlike a normal Quitely face. Obviously he's been told to keep the franchise looking the same as always. This could be the one problem with the book; if DC get scared and stop Grant doing anything too off franchise message it could destroy what could be the next great superhero work. But if they actually hold their nerve and let him loose this could be wonderful
Probably the greatest single issue comic I'll read this year. And it's only January.
I knew it was going to be good, it's Grant Morrison after all.
His track record with supertypes is pretty good.
If you only read one JLA book ever make it one of his run, likewise e for extinction was the best X-Men book you're ever likely to see.
So I was expecting great things from this and within 3 pages I knew he'd nailed the concept perfectly. The first 3 panels and the splash page tell you everything you ever need to know about Superman's origin and do it in a simple, detailed and clever way. It's the best Superman book I've read since Alan Moore did some stories - recently reprinted in the DC Stories of Alan Moore. It's smart, well dialogued, inventive and iconic all at once. This looks like it's going to be great. Funniest thing is seeing how much Quitely tows the company line with this book - look at Supe's face - completely unlike a normal Quitely face. Obviously he's been told to keep the franchise looking the same as always. This could be the one problem with the book; if DC get scared and stop Grant doing anything too off franchise message it could destroy what could be the next great superhero work. But if they actually hold their nerve and let him loose this could be wonderful
Latest Reads - Vimanarama, Seven Soldiers
Latest things i've read -
Vimanarama by Grant Morrison & Phillip Bond
Seven Soldiers of Victory Volume 1 by Grant Morrison and various.
First, a word about impartial reviewing...... don't expect any when you hear me talk about Grant Morrison.
My favourite series ...... Invisibles
My favourite comic.....St Swithin's Day
I've loved Grant Morrison since reading Zenith, then Animal Man and Doom Patrol in my formative years.
So any Grant Morrison book is worth a look in my view. Not that he's perfect, just better than 90% of what's out there.
Vimanarama - really great book. Very reminiscent of Kill Your Boyfriend i anyone remembers that one? Phillip Bond is perfect for this sort of book, playful artwork for a fun, weird sort of book.
7 Soldiers is another thing. Morrison's take on multi-part big storyline superheroes, typically slightly offbeat. But as good as it is (and it has moments of sheer class - Zatanna particularly) it suffers greatly from it's presentation. Definitely one to read in one go - all 4 or 5 volumes of it in one long sitting.
But both books are really great and highly recommended
Vimanarama by Grant Morrison & Phillip Bond
Seven Soldiers of Victory Volume 1 by Grant Morrison and various.
First, a word about impartial reviewing...... don't expect any when you hear me talk about Grant Morrison.
My favourite series ...... Invisibles
My favourite comic.....St Swithin's Day
I've loved Grant Morrison since reading Zenith, then Animal Man and Doom Patrol in my formative years.
So any Grant Morrison book is worth a look in my view. Not that he's perfect, just better than 90% of what's out there.
Vimanarama - really great book. Very reminiscent of Kill Your Boyfriend i anyone remembers that one? Phillip Bond is perfect for this sort of book, playful artwork for a fun, weird sort of book.
7 Soldiers is another thing. Morrison's take on multi-part big storyline superheroes, typically slightly offbeat. But as good as it is (and it has moments of sheer class - Zatanna particularly) it suffers greatly from it's presentation. Definitely one to read in one go - all 4 or 5 volumes of it in one long sitting.
But both books are really great and highly recommended
Propaganda Piece - the Diamond Catalog game
PROPAGANDA PIECE
The idea of comics is so universal that you really wonder why it is treated with such disdain around the world. With a combination of great literature and the beauty of great art producing a unique medium how is it possible that everyone you know thinks you're some sort of imbecile for talking about how good the latest comic you read was?
So, why is it?
Here's a game you can play at home.
It' s called the Diamond catalog game.
Get a copy of Diamond Comic's Previews - the advance listings magazine for the comics industry and essentially our sales window onto the wider world. This is the only magazine widely available that tells you what to expect from the majority of publishers in comics over the coming months.
Now turn to 10 pages at random in the fist half of the magazine where the comics are.
If you're results are anything like mine you found the following:
10 double pages of dross, a few pictures of scantily clad badly proportioned women, hideous design work and pretty much nothing to convince the average person in the street that comics are anything but a juvenile male fantasy medium, something purile and worthy of their scorn and derision.
Possibly - if you were very lucky, you found a page with a tiny entry for something wonderful - maybe the latest Kyle Baker or Andi Watson, but you may have missed it.
Go on – try telling me I’m wrong.
NO CHEATING.
(And no, I don't hate comics - just how we often present ourselves to the world.)
The idea of comics is so universal that you really wonder why it is treated with such disdain around the world. With a combination of great literature and the beauty of great art producing a unique medium how is it possible that everyone you know thinks you're some sort of imbecile for talking about how good the latest comic you read was?
So, why is it?
Here's a game you can play at home.
It' s called the Diamond catalog game.
Get a copy of Diamond Comic's Previews - the advance listings magazine for the comics industry and essentially our sales window onto the wider world. This is the only magazine widely available that tells you what to expect from the majority of publishers in comics over the coming months.
Now turn to 10 pages at random in the fist half of the magazine where the comics are.
If you're results are anything like mine you found the following:
10 double pages of dross, a few pictures of scantily clad badly proportioned women, hideous design work and pretty much nothing to convince the average person in the street that comics are anything but a juvenile male fantasy medium, something purile and worthy of their scorn and derision.
Possibly - if you were very lucky, you found a page with a tiny entry for something wonderful - maybe the latest Kyle Baker or Andi Watson, but you may have missed it.
Go on – try telling me I’m wrong.
NO CHEATING.
(And no, I don't hate comics - just how we often present ourselves to the world.)
Propaganda Piece - The Authority
PROPAGANDA PIECE (written when we were going to do a regular N&C newsletter with staff columns)
There's a new role playing game out based on the DC comic The Authority.
You remember the Authority - it's the book DC heavily censored and essentially destroyed when they got wind of the Apollo & Midnighter gay relationship (a little too close to the old Batman / Superman idea).
So one can only really speculate on the gameplay involved here:
You are the Midnighter; roll double six to rescue the world by kicking the heads clean off the invading aliens, roll double three to stay in bed for another session of steamy man fun with Apollo?
I'd buy it. But I can see the homophobic morons at Warner Bros. having a breakdown now.
Still, you couldn't do better than to go and pick up the first 2 Authority book; Relentless and Under New Management to see first Warren Ellis and then Mark Millar redefine the concept of widescreen superheroes. After those first two volumes, just don't bother. Just pretend it finished after 2 volumes, it's better that way.
There's a new role playing game out based on the DC comic The Authority.
You remember the Authority - it's the book DC heavily censored and essentially destroyed when they got wind of the Apollo & Midnighter gay relationship (a little too close to the old Batman / Superman idea).
So one can only really speculate on the gameplay involved here:
You are the Midnighter; roll double six to rescue the world by kicking the heads clean off the invading aliens, roll double three to stay in bed for another session of steamy man fun with Apollo?
I'd buy it. But I can see the homophobic morons at Warner Bros. having a breakdown now.
Still, you couldn't do better than to go and pick up the first 2 Authority book; Relentless and Under New Management to see first Warren Ellis and then Mark Millar redefine the concept of widescreen superheroes. After those first two volumes, just don't bother. Just pretend it finished after 2 volumes, it's better that way.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)