: Paul faplad Finch 30 March, 2009, 10:04:36 PM
If theres already one like it please direct me there and ignore this one. I had a quickk scan of the topics but if it's there I didn't see it.
For the record I always have 4 books on the go at once. A hardback that stays at home, a paperback that I cary with me everywhere I go, an American GN that sits by my bed and is read at the rate of one issue a night, and a 2000ad GN that sits by the lav.A couple of episodes is just right for an average visit you see.
Current batch are : Blackguards by Nathan Long. Not loving it, 'twists' can be seen coming a mile off but I'll persevere. It should last until Unseen Academicals hits the shelves.
The Devil You Know by Mike Carey. Very intrigued so far. Not far into it but looking good. Actually inspired to read this by a post by stacee on the forum. Cheers. After this it'll be the new(ish) one by Mark Billingham , In The Dark. Now theres a guy who can keep you guessing.
Sandman : Fables and Reflections. Pure Class but you don't need me to tell you that. Then Preacher: Alamo. Bit of trepidation there. Can the finale live up to the build up? Quietly confident Garth won't dissapoint.
And finally Robusters. I was assured that the dreaded Mr. Mills was actually good back then. I was lied to. Tripe, and not even enjoyable tripe. I'll finish cos I started but I don't hold out much hope. After that it's The VC'S by Finley-Day. I'm sure he won't let me down.
So thats what I'm readin. What about you?
: Roger Godpleton 30 March, 2009, 10:35:08 PM
Words: Margaret Atwood, Wilderness Tales. Enjoying it. Read Paul Auster's Man in the Dark yesterday. Some enthralling sections but ultimately less than the sum of its parts. Has that City of Glass thing where he sets up a horrifying metaphysical scheme then seemingly gets bored and talks about something else, in this case a clumsy and unconvincing account of Western hostages in Iraq.
Comics: MK Library has a faintly irritating display about how "It's not all capes and superpowers" which results in lots of grown-up comics. Someone working there really enjoys the work of Jason and noSaw I've read pretty much everything he's done. At the bottom of the current pile (I organise it so that the books I most want to read are at the bottom) is Shenzhen by Guy Delisle. I read Pyongnang the other week and was blown away and I suggest you try and get hold of it.
: SamuelAWilkinson 30 March, 2009, 11:19:56 PM
Finally, I've recently discovered Tiber Fischer, who was recommended to me in university but I never got round to reading until the other week. He's awesome, so I'll be hunting out a copy of the Thought Gang as soon as I can.
: House of Usher 30 March, 2009, 11:37:12 PM
I'm tutoring a girl who's studying Animal Farm, so I read that again yesterday, and I've recently read Of Mice and Men, and I'm currently reading it with my adult ed. GCSE class.
: Hoagy 30 March, 2009, 11:44:35 PM
Want to read, WE3 next.
: Trout 30 March, 2009, 11:48:47 PM
: eggonlegs 31 March, 2009, 12:24:09 AM
Sound Unbound - Dj Spooky
: House of Usher 31 March, 2009, 01:01:12 AM
: "King Trout"
Teletext.I always wondered where tomorrow's news came from.
: Colin YNWA 31 March, 2009, 07:44:07 AM
Comics wise I've almost finished the 2nd Showcase Presents Haunted Tanks volume and will I think move onto the second half of the Giffen / Levitz Legion run before returning to my 2000ad reread at the 800s.
Princess Bride, great film, great book by the way.
: Richmond Clements 31 March, 2009, 09:51:34 AM
Marvel Essentials Powerman and Iron Fist Vol 1.
Best New Manga Vol 3
: TheEdge 31 March, 2009, 11:26:36 AM
: satchmo 31 March, 2009, 11:31:05 AM
: satchmo 31 March, 2009, 11:33:59 AM
: "His Lordship rac"
Marvel Essentials Powerman and Iron Fist Vol 1.
Ah Marvel Essentials, my heart burns there too.
: Kerrin 31 March, 2009, 11:39:14 AM
I'm also going to try some of the stuff people are talking about here. Where's best to start with Paul Auster?
Don't normally <sniff> post daytimes <cough, cough> during the week <sniff, cough> but I've got the worst cold in the history of mankind. It might even be plague. Day off! Woo-hoo!
: satchmo 31 March, 2009, 12:00:52 PM
: Colin YNWA 31 March, 2009, 12:20:47 PM
My personal favourite of his that I've read is Mr Vertigo but I'd actually suggest that New York Trilogy might be more representative of his work? It's a damned fine read also.
: Old Tankie 31 March, 2009, 12:31:49 PM
: Roger Godpleton 31 March, 2009, 12:33:59 PM
: Jonathan O 31 March, 2009, 12:36:13 PM
This week I are mostly been reading Up The Walls of The World by James Tiptree Jr and Punisher: Widowmaker.
Along with all the books what I've got to edit.
: Roger Godpleton 31 March, 2009, 12:41:54 PM
: TordelBack 31 March, 2009, 12:52:11 PM
Currently amusing me is William Millar's The Amateur Astronomer's Guide to the Celestial Sphere, which is way more fun than it sounds, and has me merrily working out positions on charts and pretending to be a smart astro-type. My wife is thoroughly sick of hearing about it.
Just finished Charles Stross' Hidden Family, the second book in his odd economic fantasy series The Merchant Princes, and while it's all very clever I'm still not sure if I like it or not.
Nearly finished David B.'s Epileptic comic collection, which is painfully eye-opening, in light of my finding out that one of my colleagues suffers quite badly from epilepsy. It's also quite beautifully drawn.
Just starting Lappé and Goldman's Shooting War collection, another one I'm quite sure is terribly clever, but I'm not convinced is my cup of tea.
Also reading Gardner Dozois' indispensible Years Best SF anthology (No. 14), which is, as always, utterly superb.
Closer to home, I'm re-reading Slaine, which is often even better than I remember it.
If it counts, I'm presently addicted to several web-comics, including stablemates Order of the Stick and Erfworld, both of which are currently apocalyptic in tone, and the excellent SubNormality.
My current audio-book choices for commuting are Patrick O'Brian's superb Aubrey-Maturin novels as incomparably read by the late Patrick Tull.
: Mikey 31 March, 2009, 12:52:36 PM
I'm just about to start 'A chaos of language' by Moore & Campbell, and after that the comics list is 100 Bullets -Samurai and I finally got the last couple of Transmetropolitan books, so I'm thinking of starting at the beginning to get the full impact.
I have about 4 or so Interzones to catch up on and a similar number of Black Static. Next book up is Anathem by Neal Stevenson (which I got when it was published!). Also have a Brian Aldiss edited compilation and some other novels that I can't even remeber the names or authors of - they're too far under the pile.
Parallel to all that is The Geology of Iceland and Teach Yourself Icelandic, pronounciation of which is a bit like chewing toffees (Hae!Komdu saell og blessaður!Hvað heiter ðu?).
Dragging slightly off topic...but in the past I have worked with people who 'don't read' apart from magazines an that. I often wonder how the hell they wind down before going to sleep and what they have to entertain themselves beyond yer everyday TV and the daily grind. They really don't know what they're missing!
M.
: House of Usher 31 March, 2009, 01:08:34 PM
: "Mikey"
I often wonder how the hell they wind down before going to sleep and what they have to entertain themselves beyond yer everyday TV and the daily grind. They really don't know what they're missing!Not everyone finds reading useful as an aid to sleep. Too much mental stimulation after 11pm sometimes keeps me awake all night.
Your work colleagues probably entertain themselves with video games, drinking alcohol or having a wank before bed.
: Martin Jameson 31 March, 2009, 01:46:57 PM
: JayzusB.Christ 31 March, 2009, 02:06:15 PM
'At-swim-two-birds' by Flann O'brien, again.
Reading another of Flann O'Brien's, myself. The Dalkey Archives. What a great writer.
Mind you, I'm also halfway through re-reading Terry Jones' Medieval Lives, another cracking book (Did you know, for example, that medieval scholars never thought the earth was flat?)
Just finished reading LOEG: Black Dossier. Enjoyable, if not earth-shattering. Nice bit of 3d, you don't see much of that these days. Except in reality of course
: dweezil2 31 March, 2009, 02:07:21 PM
Just started 'When Giants Walked The Earth-A bIography Of Led Zeppelin', which, so far, is compulsive reading.
: Richmond Clements 31 March, 2009, 02:34:29 PM
Your work colleagues probably entertain themselves with video games, drinking alcohol or having a wank before bed.
Of course, reading and wanking are not mutually exclusive.
: Mardroid 31 March, 2009, 04:51:00 PM
A strange series the Invisibles. I'll read some stuff and thing "What a bunch of pretentious nonsense" (usually the trippy mind expanding 'Es and Mushrooms stuff) then I'll come across some time travel/transdimensional stuff which is genuinely rather interesting. I wish the little Scouse goit would stop swearing though.
In way of Novels, I'm Reading Gemmell's Legend. I've read other Gemmell books and rather enjoyed them. I'm finding the romantic stuff in this particular book a bit irritating though. I'm not against a bit of that, it's mainly the way it's dealt with I find irritating.
: Bouwel 31 March, 2009, 05:57:01 PM
-Bouwel-
: Peter Wolf 31 March, 2009, 07:13:01 PM
: Ancient Otter 31 March, 2009, 08:27:56 PM
: I, Cosh 31 March, 2009, 10:46:47 PM
: "House of Usher"
It's all those things that leave me lying awake and reaching for a book.: "Mikey"I often wonder how the hell they wind down before going to sleep and what they have to entertain themselves beyond yer everyday TV and the daily grind. They really don't know what they're missing!Not everyone finds reading useful as an aid to sleep. Too much mental stimulation after 11pm sometimes keeps me awake all night.
Your work colleagues probably entertain themselves with video games, drinking alcohol or having a wank before bed.
Usually have a novel and a spot of non-fiction on the go, but I've gone full on reality this week. Lying on the bedroom florr we have One Palestine, Complete: a fairly readable and even-handed history of the British Mandate. In my bag for reading on the bus is Madness Visible, a fairly impassioned and rather partial journalist's memoir of the Balkan wars of the 90s.
In the Prog stakes, I'm catching up on 1250 - 1272: Helter Skelter, The Romanov Empire and R*volution. Not bad stuff.
I'll add my name to any petition to get Greg Egan more publicity - heartless, brainy, hard sci-fi like nobody else ever made - and I Am Alive... is a real eye-opener, even if you already know PKD was a bit mental.
: House of Usher 31 March, 2009, 10:53:34 PM
: Paul faplad Finch 31 March, 2009, 11:16:05 PM
: Trout 31 March, 2009, 11:19:00 PM
: satchmo 31 March, 2009, 11:24:21 PM
: "King Trout"
Those Kim Newman books are bloody fantastic!
I can't put it down, it's quite brilliant. Criminal that it's out of print.
: Trout 31 March, 2009, 11:41:33 PM
The ending's mental, too.
- Trout
: ABC Fernando 31 March, 2009, 11:59:03 PM
Book: Salvador Dali collection (gala-dali foundation)
: Ignatzmonster 01 April, 2009, 01:21:18 AM
Comics wise read Pluto by Urasawa, Scalped by Aaron, and Zippy the Pinhead: Kingpin.
I have to have a book to sleep. Not that they make me sleep mind you, but I know when to sleep when I can no longer concentrate on the page in front of me.
Oh, and just got in Casefiles 12 and have been enjoying that of course. Love that early Weston art. Not to say I think he shouldn't have evolved but I wish SOMEONE was still drawing like that.
: Albion 01 April, 2009, 07:30:56 AM
Books - The Autumn books by David Moody. I'm on the third one now, Purification, really enjoying these.
: Colin YNWA 01 April, 2009, 08:16:24 AM
: "peterwolf"
Tornado comic plus various old 2000ads ,comics and various reference books but the time i spend reading is absolutely minimal as doing art takes up a lot of my spare time.
Are the Tornado's any good? I kinda want to get hold of Starlord as it looks to have some pretty good stuff in it but Tornado doesn't seem to hold as fond a memories for people?
: Devons Daddy 01 April, 2009, 08:56:18 AM
a favoured writer of mine.
shall begin it tonight.
also re-reeading the hitch hikers giude to the galaxy, for the sheer fun of it,
to remind myself what the littery world lost when he died before his time.
so many brillant quotes, and off the wall statements made.
his explanation of the uses of a towel being one of my favourites.
: House of Usher 01 April, 2009, 09:45:56 AM
: Judge Kirby 01 April, 2009, 11:30:27 AM
his explanation of the uses of a towel being one of my favourites.
i love towel day. its the best day
not reading anything at the mo. im gonna pick some stuff up later tho. maybe some manga.
: Daveycandlish 01 April, 2009, 05:25:31 PM
The new Tony Hancock biography, Night of the Morning Star (Modesty Blaise novel), and The Tent, The Bucket and Me (which has had me howling with laughter as Emma Kennedy reminisces about camping holidays in the 70's - anyone else ever pissed in a bucket in the dark? And then knocked it over?)
Comics I'm reading;
Tank Girl Volume 1, The Spirit by Darwin Cooke, and Stickleback
How I have time to do anything else is a mystery!
: Bouwel 01 April, 2009, 05:38:59 PM
Just realised, I'm a total phillistine compared to you lot. You're all, like, intellectuals and junk. Gonna have to think about digging out some of those Dickens booksI never got around to cracking the spines on I reckon
Faplad: If you're reading anything it puts you above the greater majority today. Just read what you enjoy.
Are the Tornado's any good? I kinda want to get hold of Starlord as it looks to have some pretty good stuff in it but Tornado doesn't seem to hold as fond a memories for people?
I have a complete run of both somewhere in the lock-up. Starlord was pretty good with high quality paper and lots of colour. It introduced Ro-Busters and, regreatably, TimeQuake. Not a bad read.
Tornado was pants. I've read all of them exactly once; when I first bought them. Sitting here I can't remember one thing about them. Never a good sign.
-Bouwel-
: Colin YNWA 01 April, 2009, 06:23:38 PM
: "Daveycandlish"
anyone else ever pissed in a bucket in the dark? And then knocked it over?)
Just those few words made me laugh and wince at the same time. I might well check out that book.
I can recommend Cooke's Spirit heightly enough - its brillant.
: Noisybast 01 April, 2009, 07:08:29 PM
Pretty good stuff, although whether you'll like it probably depends what you think of Si's comic work, as he uses a lot of the same verbal tics and mannerisms, only more so, this being prose.
: Peter Wolf 01 April, 2009, 07:19:01 PM
: "Colin_YNWA"
: "peterwolf"Tornado comic plus various old 2000ads ,comics and various reference books but the time i spend reading is absolutely minimal as doing art takes up a lot of my spare time.
Are the Tornado's any good? I kinda want to get hold of Starlord as it looks to have some pretty good stuff in it but Tornado doesn't seem to hold as fond a memories for people?
It was a comic that didnt quite know what it was and couldnt decide what it wanted to be.
it was trying to be a bit of everything or a mixture of war stories and sci fi and some boys own adventure stories and it never really took off.
I bought a run of them quite cheaply on Ebay because it has an Alan Hebden/Belardinelli strip in it that i was interested in reading.
: Bouwel 01 April, 2009, 07:26:24 PM
I bought a run of them quite cheaply on Ebay because it has an Alan Hebden/Belardinelli strip in it that i was interested in reading.
Ah, was that the rip-off of Dick's 'We can remember it for you wholesale'?
I seem to remember a martian frozen in ice?
-Bouwel-
: flip-r mk2 01 April, 2009, 11:33:39 PM
Collections : Just finished JD case files 10, rereading Strontium Dog collections.
Novels : Just finished The Mermaids Singing by Val Mcdirmaid and started A Snowballs Chance In Hell by Chris Brookmyre.
flip
: strontium_dog_90 02 April, 2009, 09:18:05 AM
I've got almost the entire collection of Ian Rankin Rebus novels waiting by the side of my bed to read . . .was in two minds about which one to read first, may have to give The Falls number one place since reading here that it mentions 2000ad . . .
Best fact of all, though, is that I got them all for 20p at a library book sale!
: stacey 02 April, 2009, 11:48:53 AM
Fapland - glad you picked up the Fix books I think they are fabulous.
This morning I read Doctor Who: The Whispering Gallery a one shot by Moore+Reppion and art by Ben Templesmith, twas really good though a bit light and quick. I likes the art.
: SmallBlueThing 02 April, 2009, 02:02:08 PM
Collections: Walking Dead (waiting for vol 10- August, apparently), just finished CaseFiles 10, Savage, Origins and Kano this week. Eagerly awaiting Astounding Wolf-Man vol 2, hardback Spider-Man (BND and beyond) and paperback Ult.Spidey, Charley's War.
Books: Currently reading Grennie's Dredd Vs Death nov, have a stack of stuff to catch up on including a couple of unread China Mievilles, a reread of The Trickster by Muriel Gray, the last half of the third David Wellington 'Monster' novel and Pig Island, by her who's name I've forgotten.
Steev
: Paul faplad Finch 03 April, 2009, 10:42:37 PM
He knows me so well. Not sure when I'll get through them all but he's talking about something called Gaunts Ghosts when I'm done. I hadn't realised Dan Abnett was so prolific in the world of prose fiction.
Finished Sandman 6 today. Tomorrow I begin the final Preacher.
: House of Usher 03 April, 2009, 11:12:20 PM
: "faplad"
A lad at work who's been borrowing my Gns for a while now turned up at work today with a bulging carrier bag containing the first 9 Horus Heresy books. "To return the favour" he says.Guh! "cheers, mate."
I once had a chat with some young people in Games Workshop who asked how many Warhammer 40k novels I'd read. I'd read Deathwing, which had been published at least 10 years earlier, and was therefore no longer worth reading because it's old. I'd also read a few Warhammer Fantasy Battle novels and at least one Dark Future, but I can't remember which now. I asked them who was their favourite science fiction author. "Dan Abnett. Who's yours?" I think I said John Wyndham. They'd never heard of him, nor The Day of The Triffids. *sigh*.
: Paul faplad Finch 04 April, 2009, 11:21:18 PM
: "House of Usher"
I asked them who was their favourite science fiction author. "Dan Abnett. Who's yours?" I think I said John Wyndham. They'd never heard of him, nor The Day of The Triffids. *sigh*.
Abnett is my main man when it comes to comics and my mate knows this cos I tell him pretty much every day but I've yet to sample the delights/dissapointments of his novels so I can't really comment. If you're talking favourites then I'm going for Stephen Donaldson. I could never get into his so called classic fantasies - I gave up on Thomas Covenant after the third attempt saw me slipping into a coma - but his Gap space opera's are bloody good stuff. Not as well known as the Covenant books but far more deserving of praise in my opinion. I couldn't put them down. 15 years since I last read them and I can still remember where I was when I read certain sections. Must dig them out sometime
: SamuelAWilkinson 05 April, 2009, 01:55:39 AM
: "House of Usher"
: "faplad"A lad at work who's been borrowing my Gns for a while now turned up at work today with a bulging carrier bag containing the first 9 Horus Heresy books. "To return the favour" he says.Guh! "cheers, mate."
Eeesh. Now, I quite like our Mr Abnett's 2000ad work, and I even enjoy his Gaunt's Ghosts novels from time to time, but that's because I like to read about things being blown up by goodies who win against the baddies. The prose itself is really quite bad, I'm afraid to say. Which is a shame indeed, because I remember some of the old GW tie-in novels being quite readable for that sort of thing.
Any sci-fi fan who's not heard of Wyndam ought to be punched a bit.
: JayzusB.Christ 05 April, 2009, 04:54:56 PM
: Peter Wolf 05 April, 2009, 06:55:08 PM
: lborl 05 April, 2009, 08:38:36 PM
Stephen Donaldson. I could never get into his so called classic fantasies - I gave up on Thomas Covenant after the third attempt saw me slipping into a coma
Faplad, did you get as far as the second book though - THE ILLEARTH WAR? The Covenant series escalates *significantly* from that point on.
My most recent novels were THE FOREVER WAR (Joe Haldeman) and I AM LEGEND, which were both excellent, but still overshadowed by THE STARS MY DESTINATION by Alfred Bester, which I read in between. THE STARS MY DESTINATION is the *best* thing I have read since GORMENGHAST. I am tempted to go all Steven Wells about it here, but probably should just leave it at that.
Comics-wise, SKYSCRAPERS OF THE MIDWEST by Joshua W Cotter. It was *beautiful*.
: I, Cosh 05 April, 2009, 09:12:17 PM
: "lborl"
Donaldson is one of those folk, much like Frank Herbert, whose writing I think is pretty dreadful but once you get far enough in to get caught up in the story and the world I can leave that behind. Even with that, the Covenant books do go on a bit. I've never read any of his later stuff.Stephen Donaldson. I could never get into his so called classic fantasies - I gave up on Thomas Covenant after the third attempt saw me slipping into a comaFaplad, did you get as far as the second book though - THE ILLEARTH WAR? The Covenant series escalates *significantly* from that point on.
My most recent novels were THE FOREVER WAR (Joe Haldeman) and I AM LEGEND, which were both excellent, but still overshadowed by THE STARS MY DESTINATION by Alfred Bester, which I read in between. THE STARS MY DESTINATION is the *best* thing I have read since GORMENGHAST. I am tempted to go all Steven Wells about it here, but probably should just leave it at that.
Comics-wise, SKYSCRAPERS OF THE MIDWEST by Joshua W Cotter. It was *beautiful*.
Stars My Destination is one of the best sci-fi books ever.
: Kerrin 05 April, 2009, 09:25:36 PM
Great book. Gully Foyle is a brilliant character. I've thought for a while that this would make a good film.
: Ignatzmonster 06 April, 2009, 03:41:37 AM
: "Kerrin"
Let's jaunt!
Great book. Gully Foyle is a brilliant character. I've thought for a while that this would make a good film.
Will Smith seems to have taken it on his shoulders to make mediocre action flicks of SF masterpieces so you may get your wish yet.
: mogzilla 06 April, 2009, 08:59:40 AM
just got "hater" by dave moody. not started yet but just started two weeks off so catching up with stuff
(also got about 7 hours of family guy and scarface on sky plus to catch up with ! )
: TordelBack 06 April, 2009, 09:35:01 AM
: Wake 06 April, 2009, 10:35:59 AM
I'm not normally a fan of books with lots of unusual names but this one starts with some family trees and has short chapters each focussing on a small number of characters so I'm getting on pretty well with it so far.
Basically it's about dragon riders and rival royal houses.
: JayzusB.Christ 06 April, 2009, 10:40:32 AM
Recently persuaded my fictionally-picky wife to read Stars my Destination, and she's hardly shut up about how brilliant it is since. Gives one a warm glow, Spreading The Word.
Yep, apart from a couple of Arthur C. Clarke / Philip K Dick novels I'm not normally a huge reader of sci-fi myself (2000ad aside), but a friend of mine gave me that one a few years ago and by Jesus it's good, very difficult to believe it's about 50 years old.
By the way, if anyone hasn't read Cormac McCarthy's The Road yet, do so as soon as possible.
: Kerrin 06 April, 2009, 07:20:06 PM
: Roger Godpleton 07 April, 2009, 10:01:07 PM
: I, Cosh 07 April, 2009, 10:09:06 PM
: "Godpleton"
Greg Bear is doing some Halo novels. Should this come as a surprise?It's a bit of a comedown, but maybe he's run out of Arthur C Clarke novels to update.
I met Greg Bear once. He was pleasant and tall.
: The Enigmatic Dr X 07 April, 2009, 11:31:19 PM
I'm just about half way through Neal Stephenson's The System of the World, which is tops.
: TordelBack 08 April, 2009, 09:03:38 AM
Greg Bear's The Forge of God is great.
It really is, and the sequel is even better.
I'm just about half way through Neal Stephenson's The System of the World, which is tops.
Also awesome beyond adjectives. Stephenson generally is the absolute business, not least because he affords me the greatest pleasure imaginable by writing really, really long books, so that when I'm about 100 pages in and loving it, I can heft the volume and know there's 100s and 100s of pages left... mmmm, niiiice.
: mogzilla 08 April, 2009, 03:26:06 PM
and silverfin. the young james bond graphic novel by charlie higson and illustrated by non other than kev the walker! avoided it at first as i thught it was a "teen bond" style 90210 thing ....but it aint its period ,and just darn fun ....
: satchmo 08 April, 2009, 03:27:23 PM
I've finished Anno Dracula, it was superb from start to finish, and it had a cheeky Dark Shadows reference in it which made me smile too.
Next up is To Your Scattered Bodies Go by Philip Jose Farmer, I've been meaning to read the Riverworld series for years. It's a shame it took him passing away to get my arse in gear though, but I'm excited about starting it.
: Dark Jimbo 08 April, 2009, 03:31:09 PM
: "The Enigmatic Dr X"
I'm just about half way through Neal Stephenson's The System of the World, which is tops.
Just coming to the end of Quicksilver, which has been a joy. Really looking forward to the rest of the series.
: TordelBack 08 April, 2009, 03:36:45 PM
Next up is To Your Scattered Bodies Go by Philip Jose Farmer, I've been meaning to read the Riverworld series for years. It's a shame it took him passing away to get my arse in gear though, but I'm excited about starting it.
I don't think it'll disappoint. My advice is to stick it out right to the end, it delivers.
Just coming to the end of Quicksilver, which has been a joy. Really looking forward to the rest of the series.
I don't think it'll disappoint. My advice is to stick it out right to the end, it delivers.
: ThryllSeekyr 08 April, 2009, 04:24:08 PM
I am reading "The Best of Tharg's Future Shocks", " as it was collected as a graphic novel just recently.
"Slaine Time-Killer" as it was reprinted in the Megazine a few years back. I remember buying this years ago in Sydney. It was the first time I could read the story entirely. I really like the artwork that chosen to be colorised and reproduced as title pages in each of the six issues.
"Slaine The Book of Invasions". As they were printed in the progs. Not readiing it in any order or even all the way through. So I might be reading "Tara' at one stage and "Moloch" next. The last I was reading was "Scota". I still don't have all of these, So, I have the graphic novels to fall back on incase really want to read it properly.
On subject of going through my colections. It's really abit of knightmare when you have so many of them. Espeically, when you think think some have gone missing from your collection. I remember the good old days when 2000AD was only the old newspapery Progs, and then there were the "Best Of "Reprints. Now there is "The Megazine", "The Extreme", "Judge Dredd Magazine". Of which there might be alteast three different types of and then all the graphic novel reprints. Whats worse is that they are all worth getting also. As I have been rereading the few that I mamaged to buy.
It was this morning that I was looking for one of "Slaine Time Killer" Megazine issues. Number 204
Of my collection of Slaine Qulaity comcis. I now have quite a pile of these, yet not of them Some of them are doubles or triples.
Alot of these were sold to me bundled in pairs. Would you beleive that the ones I were looking for this morning were bundled as Issues "Nine" and "Elven".
Think about it.
What do think the seller was trying to tell me?
Anyway, I managed to find these again.
I also have a copy of "Catch Twenty Two" beside me. Somebody said this was good reading.
: Roger Godpleton 08 April, 2009, 04:27:59 PM
: James Stacey 08 April, 2009, 04:39:39 PM
: Bouwel 08 April, 2009, 05:23:46 PM
Im reading my way through a set of early 90s Megs. Is it me or is there a lot of incomprehensable shite in there amongst the gems?
It's not you.
This era marked the moment where I silently closed my prog, looked outside and went to discover women; never to re-open a prog until the post 2000's.
-Bouwel-
: TordelBack 08 April, 2009, 06:46:02 PM
: Kerrin 08 April, 2009, 09:15:26 PM
: worldshown 09 April, 2009, 11:45:19 AM
However, this sounds like it might be worth a go. Pride and Prejudice...With Zombies!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7985728.stm (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7985728.stm)
: Bolt-01 09 April, 2009, 12:56:45 PM
This was a long time coming as I bought the issues via mail order from a CShop and they didn't post them till they had them all.
The art is as good as you would expect from Matt Wagner, but the overall story left me feeling let down. Of the two main storylines running through the issues, one of them ultimately served to just allow Wagner to show the over arcing meta plot for Grendel in a series of double page spreads. This told me nothing new and leaves me feeling that Grendel should be left alone now.
: Roger Godpleton 09 April, 2009, 03:40:26 PM
: Tjm86 09 April, 2009, 05:27:45 PM
Working through tooth into the mid hundreds ( early ABC, still brings back fond memories, Disaster 1990 - the most accurately named story in tooth ever? )
Just received the latest two volumes of Barefoot Gen - a history of Hiroshima. The only manga outside of Akira I have ever read and one that I would heartily recommend to anyone. Most harrowing comic I've ever had the pleasure of.
: Colin YNWA 09 April, 2009, 05:43:52 PM
: "Godpleton"
Finished reading V this week and am considering another attempt at Gravity's Rainbow. I'll read it all the way through this time, oh yes I will...
Arh Gravity's Rainbow. I'm normally a pretty stubborn reader but that book gets the better of me every time. That and Kerouac's Doctor Sax and David Mamet's Wilson: A consideration of the sources. One day I'll get um sussed!
: The Enigmatic Dr X 09 April, 2009, 08:28:14 PM
: Dark Jimbo 09 April, 2009, 10:22:39 PM
: "The Enigmatic Dr X"
Any Neal Stephenson fans got an idea of what Enoch Root is all about? Who/what is he?
Far as I know there's no more info beyond what's in the four books - but I find it very hard to believe that Stephenson isn't/wasn't planning to explain him a bit more at a later date.
: Tjm86 10 April, 2009, 05:32:44 PM
: "The Enigmatic Dr X"
Any Neal Stephenson fans got an idea of what Enoch Root is all about? Who/what is he?
knowing Stephensons penchant for Mathematical and IT jokes I wonder if it has something to do with the Eroot class used to handle persistant objects between uses of applications. Considering the manner in which the character seems to turn up and interact within the books this seems plausible. Of course there could be something in the Wikepedia comments!
BTW anyone else tried Grimwood's Arabesque?
: Trilobite2 10 April, 2009, 06:29:27 PM
: "Tjm86"
BTW anyone else tried Grimwood's Arabesque?
I read them a little while back. I thought they were good but a bit hard to follow in places. Much preferred 9 tail fox but that might be my brain lacking athleticism.
: Dounreay 11 April, 2009, 07:32:21 PM
After that, it's two collected works of Howard Waldrop- one of short stories, one of novellas. Some I've read before and love, like "The Ugly Chickens" and "A Dozen Tough Jobs", others are new to me. Mmmmm...luvverly.
Comics, just read the first few pages of Marvels "Secret War". Bought it because the art caught my eye but no idea if it will be a decent read of not.
Did notice that Nick Fury doesn't seem to have stogie permanently screwed into his face anymore, when did he give up smoking? Come to that does anybody smoke in US comics anymore?
: TordelBack 11 April, 2009, 08:36:37 PM
: Roger Godpleton 11 April, 2009, 10:03:21 PM
I also appreciate the fact that they organized a display of GNs at thhe front. It does have a faintly irritating "It's not all "capes and superpowers"" sign, but it is a commendable and proactive means of promotion.
That said, do you know what they had on this display today? Fucking Nemi, that's what.
Still working my way through Margaret Atwood's ouvere.
: Paul faplad Finch 12 April, 2009, 12:18:33 AM
: Dounreay 12 April, 2009, 10:19:56 AM
My relationship with Marvel is like my relationship with kebabs. I know I shouldn't but every now and again you just gotta have one.
: crazykdg 12 April, 2009, 11:07:19 AM
(i know it doesnt actually relate to the subject but im bored and have no books to read)
: Kerrin 12 April, 2009, 11:23:57 AM
: "crazykdg"
any of you guys got any 2000ad graphic novels that youd reccomend to readDoes the Pope shit in the woods?
Depending upon what you've read in the prog and meg already. I can heartily recommend all of them, but in particular.
D.R and Quinch.
Leviathan.
All of the Dredd complete case files, in fact that's a legal requirement, IT'S THE LAW!
Ditto Strontium Dog.
Nemesis.
Kingdom.
The V.Cs.
Halo Jones.
Slaine. All of 'em.
Just read them all basically, you won't be disappointed.
Enjoy.
: Colin YNWA 12 April, 2009, 01:14:29 PM
: "Dounreay"
Comics, just read the first few pages of Marvels "Secret War". Bought it because the art caught my eye but no idea if it will be a decent read of not.
Did notice that Nick Fury doesn't seem to have stogie permanently screwed into his face anymore, when did he give up smoking? Come to that does anybody smoke in US comics anymore?
I know Marvel has banned any of it's characters and edict from Joe Q. So no stogie for The Thing, Wolverine or Fury these days. Not sure about DC but it wouldn't surprise me.
: I, Cosh 12 April, 2009, 01:34:07 PM
: "Godpleton"
I also appreciate the fact that they organized a display of GNs at thhe front. It does have a faintly irritating "It's not all "capes and superpowers"" sign, but it is a commendable and proactive means of promotion.I quite like Nemi. I mean, I wouldn't read a collection but it's better than that other rubbish you get in the Metro.
That said, do you know what they had on this display today? Fucking Nemi, that's what.
: Roger Godpleton 12 April, 2009, 10:21:07 PM
it's better than that other rubbish you get in the Metro.
Is it still "This Life"? That's just about the only comic strip which allows me to say "I could do better than that" and not feel like a complete douchebag.
Today I reread For the Man who has Everything. Previously I'd felt that it was just a "normal" Alan Moore comic. Miles better than 95% of other superhero comics of course, but not in the same league as the Watchmen's and the V's. A Skizz rather than a Halo Jones.
However, I've had to reconsider this. Despite what Byrne and his ilk might protest, it's a true Superman story, and really a brilliant Batman story and a great Wonder Woman story as well. The authors refuse to hold back about any aspect of his power and his capacity for heroism, even going so far as to completely ignore "Clark Kent", in the process effortlessly reminding us just how easy it could be for lesser writers to hide behind secret identities. Superman could be just another conqueror of worlds, another lunatic, and for the briefest moment he is when he knocks Robin over with his voice. But ultimately he isn't, he's always going to stop, because he has to. What's really shocking is that I actually felt disappointed at the end that we didn't get to see or hear WW's desires as well.
: House of Usher 12 April, 2009, 11:24:37 PM
: Jim_Campbell 12 April, 2009, 11:37:30 PM
: "Godpleton"
Today I reread For the Man who has Everything
It's just superb, isn't it? As you say, the JBF fraternity who want to paint Moore as somehow opposed to the concept of heroism seem able to blithely ignore the utterly heart-rending moment when Kal-El tells his son "I ... I don't think you're real." Add to that note-perfect characterizations of Batman, Robin and Wonder Woman and you have a comic that deserves its place of honour in DC's publishing history.
As an aside, the JM DeMatteis' adaptation of this story for the Justice League cartoon series probably qualifies as the only successful Alan Moore adaptation to another medium, ever. Notwithstanding my own, as yet unpublished, Sinister Ducks magnum opus, of course.
Cheers!
Jim
: TordelBack 13 April, 2009, 10:04:00 AM
On the equally painful subject of JB, I recently read a pretty good comic written and drawn by him - Star Trek: Crew, which appears to be a sort of tribute to the late Majel Barrett, following her Number One character from The Cage. As noted it was pretty good stuff (if you like that sort of thing), and I couldn't shake the feeling that it was an older piece being reprinted, but the inidicia showed 2009 - I didn't think he did this kind of work any more. Anyone know any more?
: Jim_Campbell 13 April, 2009, 10:55:29 AM
: "TordelBack"
As noted it was pretty good stuff (if you like that sort of thing), and I couldn't shake the feeling that it was an older piece being reprinted, but the inidicia showed 2009 - I didn't think he did this kind of work any more. Anyone know any more?
He's actually said over on his forum that he's quite happy doing Trek (and now Angel) licensed stuff for IDW and feels no urgent desire to return to superheroes. I'm pretty sure that it is current.
Cheers
Jim
: TordelBack 13 April, 2009, 01:03:06 PM
So the old bugger still has talent. I'm strangely pleased to hear it, as a former fan of his FF work in particular.
: ThryllSeekyr 14 April, 2009, 07:45:15 PM
A large graphic novel, poster sized and my copy sadly is noticably second hand. The front and back covers have been worn from the rest of the book's binding.
Though, I was forewarned about this by the seller.
I did search for this when I read the Pat Mills forward in the new 'Slaine Warrior's Dawn" Graphic novel. If my memory serves correctly, this work was a source of inspiration for one of the Slaine artists. I would think that s it's Glenn Fabry's just from the look of it --It's the way the huge fortress cities are drawn-- , but I this is "Warrior's Dawn". So, I think he was addressing Mike MacMahon.
Anyway, this beautifaully illustrated book is even written in English. Something I didn't expect. I was expecting French or German syntax. So I can easily read the thing as well as enjoy the pictures.
My immediate impression is "300" ( You know the film.) and a Richard Corben influence in the artwork. Despite the lack of colour or painting. Perhaps either Cal or Dionet were the non de plumes. One which might have actualley been Richard Corben. Off the top of my head, I'm unsure of which is the artist. Usealley it's the second name, but only at a guess.
Who ever the artist really is, I like the way they do buildings, temples, underground lairs. Most of the art in particular. They just don't stop at doing shapes, shading, shadows.
It's the intricate etching. The detail becomes more apparent after staring at the detail that immediatly catch your eyes.
Why I mention this here and now. Well I honoured to be reading something that partialley inspired Slaine and I''ve bene reading this on and off all day.
: Kerrin 15 April, 2009, 09:08:41 PM
I've been almost exclusively reading megazines recently, bloody things are addictive. Some great articles on the small press in the ones I've read in the last few days.
: Tiplodocus 15 April, 2009, 10:11:48 PM
It's brilliant - especially not having to wait 3 months between issues.
Chock full of more ideas on every page then I've ever had in my entire life.
And fantastic art.
Must catch up with that Alan Moore Superman story - don't believe I've read it.
Next up - Cormac Mcarthy and THE ROAD.
: Roger Godpleton 15 April, 2009, 10:36:11 PM
: Mikey 16 April, 2009, 03:23:47 PM
'Snow Crash' turned up today
That's where I started with Stephenson - a friend gave it to me. He had picked it up just for the sake of it - I actually think he bought it to break a twenty for change or something. The cover was truly awful and had a crap picture of a dude on a Honda 50 (or equivalent!) which in no way reflects the one biker in the book. The blurb sounded shite too - but it's aces!
It was this one...
http://http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4OYGjUrdllo/SMSc6-u_GtI/AAAAAAAAHB0/I5X_cB4JmTg/s1600-h/bcl_stephenson_snowcrash.jpg
I can't recommend 'The Diamond Age' highly enough either - you're a lucky blighter for never having read them...those books are actually about the lenghth of one of his chapters nowadays (I have just started Anathem myself, so will be my reading for a while I should imagine).
M.
: Roger Godpleton 16 April, 2009, 04:02:21 PM
Must catch up with that Alan Moore Superman story - don't believe I've read it.
I'd recommend Across the Universe which has FTMWHE as well as a bunch of other Moore DC stuff.
Finished reading another Krazy & Ignatz collection, this one from Herriman's twilight years. It really is the strip that keeps on giving.
Started Bottomless Belly Button. I thought it was just going to be another scratchy-indie tale of dysfunctional people but it's surprisingly moving.
: House of Usher 16 April, 2009, 04:17:01 PM
: COMMANDO FORCES 16 April, 2009, 04:49:18 PM
: TordelBack 16 April, 2009, 05:30:00 PM
'Snow Crash' turned up today
That's where I started with Stephenson - a friend gave it to me. He had picked it up just for the sake of it - I actually think he bought it to break a twenty for change or something. The cover was truly awful and had a crap picture of a dude on a Honda 50 (or equivalent!) which in no way reflects the one biker in the book. The blurb sounded shite too - but it's aces!
I don't rate SnowCrash too highly when I read it ten years ago, and it actually put me off Stephenson for years, until I was lent Quicksilver by a friend. After the Baroque Cycle (just epic), Cryptonomicon (his best novel IMHO), The Diamond Age (amazing) and Anathem (hugely satisfying and vaguely educational) I'm a a rabid fan. But SnowCrash just didn't do it for me. Maybe I should give it another chance.
: I, Cosh 16 April, 2009, 05:54:05 PM
: "TordelBack"
I don't rate SnowCrash too highly when I read it ten years ago, and it actually put me off Stephenson for years, until I was lent Quicksilver by a friend. After the Baroque Cycle (just epic), Cryptonomicon (his best novel IMHO), The Diamond Age (amazing) and Anathem (hugely satisfying and vaguely educational) I'm a a rabid fan. But SnowCrash just didn't do it for me. Maybe I should give it another chance.For what it's worth I adored Snow Crash and while there are some exceptionally stodgy lumps of Sumerian exposition, there's a verve and energy about it that puts it firmly in the pile of books that I'll pull out and reread whenever I'm lying in bed and can't sleep. I agree that Cryptonomicon is his best. It takes the same energy and applies it to a better paced story which is far better entwined with the clever bits.
There our opinions diverge, unfortunately. I didn't think much of The Diamond Age, although that may be because of my fondness for Marshall Bonehead out of Bad Company, and (as I'm sure I've flabbergasted JIm with before) I thought Quicksilver was totally tedious and in dire need of a good editing. I keep meaning to give it another go because of the adulation it gets, but I've still never plucked up the courage.
: W. R. Logan 16 April, 2009, 06:18:28 PM
Pace stick & Cane Drill
: COMMANDO FORCES 16 April, 2009, 06:21:16 PM
: Kerrin 16 April, 2009, 07:56:49 PM
: W. R. Logan 16 April, 2009, 10:06:12 PM
: "COMMANDO FORCES"
That's an absolute must for all fans of 2000ad you've got there Logan 8-)
: W. R. Logan 16 April, 2009, 10:08:10 PM
: "Kerrin"
Uh-oh. I hope you've been working on your 'tache as well Logan. You going for Sgt/Major then fella?
Became Squadron Sergeant Major on the 1st April, get my WO2 on the 1st June.
Tried to grow a tashe once, it looked like an anorexic caterpillar had died on my upper lip.
: Kerrin 16 April, 2009, 10:19:55 PM
: Paul faplad Finch 17 April, 2009, 02:36:08 PM
: mogzilla 17 April, 2009, 09:46:26 PM
..................tastic story telling...
very "james herbertish" i think and a cant put it down book especially when [spoiler:gwyb5i6b]the protagonist(it reads in the first person) turns to the "dark side" or does he?[/spoiler:gwyb5i6b]
blody brilliant...apparently this guy does good zombie novels but havent found any yet...onward to amazon!
: Albion 18 April, 2009, 04:55:56 PM
: "mogzilla"
Now i've actually been reading "hater" by dave moody .......
...apparently this guy does good zombie novels but havent found any yet...onward to amazon!
I've been reading his Autumn series of zombie novels and the first three are excellent.
I'm not so keen on the fourth one, The Human Condition. It is a collection of short stories based around different characters and doesn't work as well and isn't as gripping as the first three.
I'll be reading Hater soon too.
: Ignatzmonster 18 April, 2009, 10:43:16 PM
: "Godpleton"
Finished reading another Krazy & Ignatz collection, this one from Herriman's twilight years. It really is the strip that keeps on giving.
Started Bottomless Belly Button. I thought it was just going to be another scratchy-indie tale of dysfunctional people but it's surprisingly moving.
At times I think Herriman said everything that needed to be said about love and desire. On your recommendation I think I'll give BBB a try.
: Paul faplad Finch 28 April, 2009, 02:23:59 PM
So almost a clean sweep of my current reads and a good batch they were. Only one to let the side down is the terrible Blackhearts which I'm still trawling manfully through although I'm starting to lose the will to live. Just so you know, it's a series set in the warhammer world written by Nathan Long and it is absolute tosh. Cliche ridden nonsense that doesn't even see fit to follow it's own internal logic from one chapter to the next. It reads like it was written by a 12 year old. Long is described as a former struggling screenwriter. If this is the calibre of his storytelling it's no wonder he struggled. Seriously, I've started so I'll finish but I'd advise anyone else to avoid like the plague.
Starting Fables tonight. Am I on to a winner anyone?
: stacey 28 April, 2009, 03:35:40 PM
: Roger Godpleton 28 April, 2009, 04:43:16 PM
The Great Margaret Atwood binge has lead to Lady Oracle, which is haunting.
: Dandontdare 28 April, 2009, 04:56:51 PM
: "Godpleton"
Re-reading Fun Home
what a coinky-dinky - I've just read this from the library a few weeks ago and loved it.
Also recently took out the graphic novel version of Neil Gaiman's Coraline - the style of the new movie looks horrible and inappropriate to me after enjoying P Craig Russell's seriously spooky depictions of the button-eyed family.
: ThryllSeekyr 28 April, 2009, 06:27:09 PM
Although, I have now also been reading bits of "Barlowes, Guide to Extra Terrestrials." There's some funny aliens in there. As well as John Carpenters "The Thing" which looks rather more muppet-like than it did in the film.
: uncle fester 28 April, 2009, 06:27:28 PM
: Keef Monkey 28 April, 2009, 07:13:14 PM
: uncle fester 29 April, 2009, 08:12:23 AM
: Richmond Clements 29 April, 2009, 08:56:39 AM
: "Keef Monkey"
I just read "Chaser" by Dean Koontz (although apparently he used a pseudonym originally). I get the impression Koontz isn't too highly regarded but I've read a heap of his stuff lately and I always find I can't put it down, the man knows how to spin a tale. This was great too, not a hint of the supernatural, just a great gritty crime thriller.
He's good until you realise he uses the same cast of characters for every book.
But the crowning moment, and the one that stopped me reading his books forever was on reading The Bad Place and finding it it has exactly the same twist he'd used in a previous book.
: uncle fester 29 April, 2009, 09:02:40 AM
: "His Lordship rac"
: "Keef Monkey"I just read "Chaser" by Dean Koontz (although apparently he used a pseudonym originally). I get the impression Koontz isn't too highly regarded but I've read a heap of his stuff lately and I always find I can't put it down, the man knows how to spin a tale. This was great too, not a hint of the supernatural, just a great gritty crime thriller.
He's good until you realise he uses the same cast of characters for every book.
But the crowning moment, and the one that stopped me reading his books forever was on reading The Bad Place and finding it it has exactly the same twist he'd used in a previous book.
You should try a Nick Pope novel...
: TordelBack 29 April, 2009, 11:57:23 AM
: Paul faplad Finch 29 April, 2009, 02:23:29 PM
Having said that Tom Clancy is the God of implausible pro America techno thrillers in my house. Jack Ryan. Patriot Games , Red October, Clear And Present Danger. Pure Gold.
: TordelBack 29 April, 2009, 02:40:26 PM
: stacey 30 April, 2009, 10:35:21 AM
: "uncle fester"
Um, I'm reading Button Man ...for the first time. Don't shout, I hadn't heard of it....
I have totally failed to find the first trade in Newcastle, the second vol - plenty. How annoying is that?
: Kev Levell 30 April, 2009, 12:38:09 PM
What an absolutely top book. I've read Watchmen countless times over the last twenty odd years and each time I read it, I notice something else... then just when I thought I'd seen it all, this book throws up yet more things I was totally unaware of.
: Roger Godpleton 01 May, 2009, 09:47:39 PM
Currently plowing through some Osamu Tezaku stuff, Dororo and Buddha. Captivating.
: Floyd-the-k 02 May, 2009, 02:56:46 AM
An old Dr Who novel which is pretty damn ordinary and reminds me (shudder) of whatsername - umm, 'Mel'.....only reading it because I have a mysterious Dr Who compulsion lately
Kant and Foucault for study - Kant is difficult but worth it, Foucault is annoying but worth it
the Psalms in the King James Bible - which are terrific - there's something for everyone (well, everyone except people who hate the idea of reading Psalms) there. I read one a day
: SmallBlueThing 02 May, 2009, 02:52:12 PM
Primeval: Fire and Water, by Simon Guerrier. Another cracking Primeval novel- a series that has filled the 'tv tie-in novels written for adults' slot pretty well for me, since the BBC stopped pumping out proper Dr Who books and went over to cack-handed pissery with their tie-ins.
Star Trek: Assignment Earth GN, by John Byrne (it's bloody awful, as you'd expect)
6 issues of Eagle (&Wildcat/&Mask) from the late 'eighties.
Steev
: vzzbux 02 May, 2009, 04:10:19 PM
Seems good for a laugh so far.
V
: Bouwel 02 May, 2009, 04:52:47 PM
-Bouwel-
: strontium_dog_90 02 May, 2009, 08:32:00 PM
: SmallBlueThing 02 May, 2009, 08:49:02 PM
: "Bouwel"
Follow it up with 'World War Z'. Excellent book.
-Bouwel-
Seconded. It really is spectacular. I'm a dyed-in-the-guts zombieholic, and this (along with Walking Dead and Romero's films) is as good as the subgenre gets. You won't regret it, I promise.
Steev
: Bouwel 02 May, 2009, 09:00:02 PM
If it is, we have a powerful treat awaiting us.
-Bouwel-
: Satanist 05 May, 2009, 03:53:48 PM
: "SpookyTheCat"
: "Bouwel"Follow it up with 'World War Z'. Excellent book.
-Bouwel-
Seconded. It really is spectacular. I'm a dyed-in-the-guts zombieholic, and this (along with Walking Dead and Romero's films) is as good as the subgenre gets. You won't regret it, I promise.
Steev
Thirded, World War Z is a great read.
I just finished Patient Zero by Jonathan Maberry which is utter tripe but I still kind of enjoyed it.
Its like Dan Brown wrote 24 with terrorists intent on unleashing a zombie plague.
I've just started reading Child of God by Cormac McCarthy.
: Dark Jimbo 05 May, 2009, 03:59:16 PM
Forgotten how much I loved this series - I think I might rate it better than the Hellboy books it span out of; it seems to have a much clearer idea of where it's going, and the gradual evolving of the characters is a constant joy. Nothing's allowed to stand still, the status quo only exists to be overturned and challenged, and I genuinely worry for the fates of my faves characters. It's one of the only ongoing American series that I'd rate as highly as Tooth.
: Bouwel 05 May, 2009, 05:46:55 PM
Gave up on Permutation City. I'm sure it's a great book, just not for me.
-Bouwel-
: Colin YNWA 06 May, 2009, 07:40:15 AM
While they certainly look great on the shelf I'm struggling to find a comfortable position to read this beast of a collection in. I weighs a ton and I worry the spine might get damaged under its own weight. Its to thick to easily open and read flat and apparently its irriating if I use my wife's legs as a book stand (when she's laying her legs across me on the sofa you understand I don't expect my wife to specific spend the evening holding books for me to read!).
Yeah so great read but damned annoying to read. I'll learn my lesson in the future.
: TordelBack 06 May, 2009, 08:16:05 AM
I use my wife's legs as a book stand
The very rock upon which a good marriage is based. In sickness and in health and as a lectern.
: House of Usher 06 May, 2009, 09:38:41 AM
I've also been reading this bijou thing of beauty here:
(http://http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51O9Yj79pCL._SS500_.jpg)
: Satanist 07 May, 2009, 12:55:53 PM
Need to check the bookcase when I get home to see whats next.
: Tweak72 07 May, 2009, 02:19:12 PM
These books were apparently a massive influence on the original Star Wars films design ands story elements as well as the latter part of the trilogy. Also them artist designed a lot of stuff for teh Fifth Element film.
If you like Mobious' stuff or like the Métal Hurlant or Heavy Metal magazine check these guys out as they are part of the same French 60's comics movment
http://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Val%C3%A9rian_and_Laureline
(http://http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/06/Valerian_and_Laureline.jpg)
(http://http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a6/Valerian_Astroship.jpg/350px-Valerian_Astroship.jpg)
: Kerrin 07 May, 2009, 10:35:29 PM
Got the 3rd '100 Bullets' TPB yesterday and I thought I'd just have a quick glance at it before I nodded off last night. Fat chance. Slept straight through my alarm this morning. Awesome comic series. Risso's art is so clean and economical and yet lush and atmospheric that it makes me go back and look at panels just to get another hit. The dialogue is some of the best I've read, graphic novel or otherwise. If you haven't read these do yourself a favour and get them.
Picked up another Heath Robinson collection on ebay as well, I've got far too many of these now. Oh well.
: clarence worley 14 May, 2009, 11:47:53 AM
Young Liar's by David Lapham, published by Vertigo.... I would try and explain/give a brief synopsis but it's so strange and offbeat I would not know where to begin. Shame it's getting cancelled this summer.
Book wise, ''The Corner'' by David Simon, creator of the Wire.
: Paul faplad Finch 14 May, 2009, 09:59:39 PM
On the subject of Sgt. Rock. This is the original 50's series in the Showcase book and despite the rather obvious flag waving and wholesome messages of courage and teamwork it has one thing very much in it's favour. Joe Kubert. As a relative newcomer to any comic not 2000ad - hence the list of classics I'm catching up on above - this is my first exposure to a guy I'm reliably informed is a legend. I can see why. I lay no claim to being an expert but the artwork on display here is blowing me away.
Oh, and I'm about to start reading Jasper Ffordes Nursery Crimes books. Loved his early Thursday Nexts but felt that the series went off the boil a little so we'll see how this goes.
: Colin YNWA 15 May, 2009, 10:43:34 AM
: "faplad"
On the subject of Sgt. Rock. This is the original 50's series in the Showcase book and despite the rather obvious flag waving and wholesome messages of courage and teamwork it has one thing very much in it's favour. Joe Kubert. As a relative newcomer to any comic not 2000ad - hence the list of classics I'm catching up on above - this is my first exposure to a guy I'm reliably informed is a legend. I can see why. I lay no claim to being an expert but the artwork on display here is blowing me away.
Those Showcase Presents are great books. Otherwise there no way I'd able to read such classic work by master of the form such as Joe Kubert. Yeah in the first Rock volume (the second one nears the top of my to read pile) has some hockey sentiment BUT they stories are so well crafted and told that they stand up pretty well I think. And the art oh the glorious art...
: Tweak72 15 May, 2009, 12:21:12 PM
: Tweak72 15 May, 2009, 12:22:46 PM
: "Tweak72"
... Story telling devices like starting the next cut scene with a "voice over from the previous finishing plot thread.
which was done to many times for my blood. the way [spoiler:29d0h21c]he uses the MIV "back up comic" as a semi separate story before melding the stories togeather[/spoiler:29d0h21c] was pretty cool though [spoiler:29d0h21c]although the phantom other comic beings like Concrete and Hellboy[/spoiler:29d0h21c] kind of detracted from the last part of the story.
: Kerrin 15 May, 2009, 04:36:47 PM
And "The Goon, Chinatown" turned up about 5 minutes later.
Our postman at work just puts anything from amazon straight on my bench now. That's good service.
An embarrassment of riches. But what to read first. "Zima Blue" by Alastair Reynolds turned up yesterday as well.
So I'm all right for reading material for a bit.
: SmallBlueThing 15 May, 2009, 09:35:07 PM
Also plodding through 'Spider-Man: With Great Power...', which I'm finding to be tedious in the extreme. Christ, it's only 5 issues and its taken me three weeks (and one library renewal) to get to chapter three! I'm a lifelong Spidey-fan, but this is utter dirge.
Steev
: Bouwel 16 May, 2009, 07:01:52 AM
Further reports as the situation warrants!
-Bouwel-
: SamuelAWilkinson 17 May, 2009, 07:06:54 PM
: Roger Godpleton 17 May, 2009, 07:16:27 PM
Comics wise I've recently been re-reading Warren Ellis's Stormwatch, one of my favourite superhero comics. Also re-read The Mother's Mouth by Dash Shaw. I hated it at first but a second read-through reveals its vital nuances. One use of repetition in particular is incredibly haunting. Also started The Portable Frank which is just beautiful.
: mogzilla 17 May, 2009, 08:36:56 PM
: "The Satanist"
Righty-ho. Just finished Child of God and it reads pretty much like Son of Fink. So much so that is how I imagined the character looking for the 2nd half of the book. It was alright if a tad disturbing.
Need to check the bookcase when I get home to see whats next.
ive just got that. cormac still doesnt know where his quotation marks are on his keyboard.
: mogzilla 17 May, 2009, 08:42:51 PM
: stacey 17 May, 2009, 08:45:37 PM
: "Bouwel"
I'm on the next Felix Castor book by Mike Carey. Again, not bad thus far.
Further reports as the situation warrants!
-Bouwel-
I love those books, with a passion. I think Fix is just a perfect character, he learns and is adaptable, he isn't superheroy in the way that he gets pretty bloody beaten every now and again, he's funny and sarcastic and honourable. I love Fix. I don't like Pen much, but i love the rest of the books supporting characters. Just, yes. I love these books I do.
: mygrimmbrother 17 May, 2009, 11:15:22 PM
Also reading 'The Graveyard Book' - not as good as Coraline, but entertaining nonetheless, and all the Hellblazer collections I can get me hands on (sorry, that one's a comic and not a book).
: Paul faplad Finch 24 May, 2009, 03:25:23 PM
Did it build from it's humble beginnings to a rousing climax that blew me away with it's intricate plot reversals and masterful tieing up of all the loose ends I had, in my naivete, laughed off as gaping plot holes and cock ups?
No.
It was shit.
Gonna read Peter Falks autobiography next.
: Roger Godpleton 24 May, 2009, 07:18:35 PM
Found one of Mike Carroll's books in MK Library, but deliberately didn't check it out as revenge for his WHOLESALE THEFT of the first short story competition. (That and my card was maxed out). How does that feel, Mike? How does that feel?
: I, Cosh 25 May, 2009, 09:37:21 PM
Comics wise, I've just finished Case Files 12. Some good stuff in there and very interesting to see how Wagner was building up the Dredd getting old angle in the lead up to Necropolis. Just the odd line dropped into a story now and then, all building up to convey the sense that Dredd's time could be up soon. Clever stuff. It also reminded me where Dog Deever got his username from.
: Paul faplad Finch 27 May, 2009, 03:53:37 AM
: Roger Godpleton 29 May, 2009, 10:28:50 PM
"Oh no, there's some sort of giant space/interdimensional thing and it's going to kill a load of people in extremely horrible ways."
"Not to worry, I've figured out to kill it by using science or otherwise by being rationalistic because science is just so awesome."
Gonna start a George Pelecanos binge.
: IAMTHESYSTEM 29 May, 2009, 10:47:10 PM
: The Legendary Shark 29 May, 2009, 10:51:07 PM
Wow. The writing's a bit florid, but in an entirely fitting manner and much of the black and white strip artwork is nothing short of stunning. I'm going to have to get the rest of these - it's just a pity that there aren't a few colour pages to show off some of the cover art but still, a cracking addition to my collection. Knocks Slaine into a cocked hat, imho.
I purchased them from here: http://http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260379391446 and the guy accepted a best offer of £29.95 with free postage, in case anyone's interested.
: Zarjazzer 29 May, 2009, 10:59:00 PM
Just started Astropolis -Saturns Return, good so far.
: Paul faplad Finch 02 June, 2009, 02:22:37 AM
Also rcently finished The Kindly Ones. The best Sandman yet and that's saying something. An absolute masterpiece with a really, really downbeat ending. Lets just say, Gaiman pulls no punches with this one. A bit sad though cos it means I only have 2 more of these to read. Do't know what'll replace it in my GN rotation. Torn between 100 bullets and Hellblazer. Probably go with bullets and leave Hellblazer till I run out of Swamp Thing trades but I;ll no doubt change my mind 20 times between now and my next book run.
: Kerrin 02 June, 2009, 07:08:49 AM
Also just read "The Goon, Chinatown", as it says inside the front cover "This ain't funny", good but short.
: Kev Levell 02 June, 2009, 10:15:52 AM
: Shakara 02 June, 2009, 10:52:51 AM
: Buddy 02 June, 2009, 11:41:37 AM
Cause I'm learning the guitar and I'm a dummy.
: Albion 02 June, 2009, 06:23:36 PM
: "Shakara"
Sitting near me ready to be consumed is a weighty hardback copy of Michael Palin's Diaries that I managed to pick up for £3. What a summer it shall be.
Palin's Diaries are very good. More enjoyable than I expected.
I'm currently reading the Dredd V Death novel and Vol. 2 of the Meg.
: I, Cosh 02 June, 2009, 06:51:35 PM
: "faplad"
Also rcently finished The Kindly Ones. The best Sandman yet and that's saying something. An absolute masterpiece with a really, really downbeat ending. Lets just say, Gaiman pulls no punches with this one. A bit sad though cos it means I only have 2 more of these to read.Not reread Sandman in a while, but Brief Lives and Season of Mists were my favourites. I remember catching up and starting to buy it in single issues from #50; the wait between some of the installments of The Kindly Ones was absurd. I know I could just look it up, but I thought there was only The Wake after that, and isn't this thread all about the conversation?
: Kerrin 02 June, 2009, 07:31:21 PM
Another hugely enjoyable collection of short stories from the "Revelation Space" author. He does BIG cosmological stuff very well, i.e not shit boring, and comes up with wonderfully bizarre worlds, alternate realities and deranged characters .
Great SF.
Just like the vast majority of his other work (with a couple of notable exception's, but hey, whatchygonnado?)
: Paul faplad Finch 02 June, 2009, 11:23:02 PM
: "The Cosh"
I know I could just look it up, but I thought there was only The Wake after that, and isn't this thread all about the conversation?
Well, the back of the books I have list eleven. After The Kindly Ones there's The Wake and Endless Nights. Turns out now that The Wake is the end of the ongoing series and Endless Nights is a collection of one offs, one per member of the Endless.
Makes its purchase only mildly less essential but is a slight dissapointment as I thought I had slightly more of the main plot to come than is the case.
In the Library today to use their computers cos their machines load comic pages a hell of a lot faster than my laptop - still reading a lot of old IPC stuff on the sevenpenny sites, my God they're a treasure trove - and while waiting for a screen to free up I picked up All Star Batman And Robin. Nice, attractive hardback with a gushing introduction from some DC top bod about the legendary creators within. Figured it was worth a look even though I normally avoid the Superhero genre like the plague.
Er. . . I have next to no knowledge of what Batman is supposed to be like but I'm fairly certain this isn't it. Didn't read all of it.
: Devons Daddy 03 June, 2009, 06:35:27 AM
they are for my son, whom considers them to be great,
hoping for reasonable if adolescent read in these volumes.
the intention is to get into his interests and have something of common ground we can discuss.
though his ability to get the subs envolope before i do is a heart warming moment i carry.
: Dandontdare 03 June, 2009, 09:23:43 PM
: "faplad"
I picked up All Star Batman And Robin. Nice, attractive hardback with a gushing introduction from some DC top bod about the legendary creators within. Figured it was worth a look even though I normally avoid the Superhero genre like the plague.Wrly_brd discovered a wonderfully hilarious review (http://http://www.2000adonline.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=24025) of this a while ago. God-damn Batman!
Er. . . I have next to no knowledge of what Batman is supposed to be like but I'm fairly certain this isn't it. Didn't read all of it.
: "faplad"
After The Kindly Ones there's The Wake and Endless Nights. Turns out now that The Wake is the end of the ongoing series and Endless Nights is a collection of one offs, one per member of the Endless.No 11, Endless Nights is definitely worth having if you've enjoyed 1-10, even though The Wake concludes the actual story-arc. The quality of the stories and art remains high, though they did start scraping the barrel with some of the later spin-offs. Annoyingly though (for us anally retentive comic geeks) it's a wider and taller volume (well my copy is) than the other ten, thus ruining the symmetry of a perfect set on my shelf. Yeah, petty, I know!
: Tiplodocus 11 June, 2009, 11:31:28 PM
Bloody hell it's good.
I'm looking forward to the film. Hopefully starring Will Smith. And they should give him a gun with more than a couple of bullets in it. I reckon he should have twin Uzi machine pistols and do that really cool thing where they strap another clip onto the bottom of the one in the gun. And there's be some well cool action scenes - with THE MAN surfing down the road on top of his shopping trolley in a balletic slow mo orgy of violence as he blasts his guns at hordes of cannibals on either side of him as a petrol station explodes in even slower motion behind him and he outruns the explosion on the trolley. And I reckon he should be able to start the negine of the boat he and the boy find and sail off to an island where the ash hasn't made it and it's still sunny and possibly they were filming the Hawaiian Tropic sun tan lotion advertisments there so there are loads of good looking women for him to repopulate the earth with.
: radiator 11 June, 2009, 11:42:33 PM
It's well good.
: Roger Godpleton 11 June, 2009, 11:45:28 PM
Jeff Smith's Shazam, enormous fun.
: W. R. Logan 12 June, 2009, 07:45:35 AM
: Richmond Clements 12 June, 2009, 09:21:01 AM
: "Tiplodocus"
Just finished THE ROAD by Cormac Mcarthy.
Bloody hell it's good.
I'm looking forward to the film.
It bloody is good.
The movie doesn't have Big Willie though, but Aarogorn. http://the-road--trailer.blogspot.com/ (http://the-road--trailer.blogspot.com/)
: Colin YNWA 12 June, 2009, 09:54:18 AM
: "Roger Godpleton"
Jeff Smith's Shazam, enormous fun.
Jeff Smith's Shazam is absolutely glorious. As it goes I'm also enjoying RASL by him as and when it comes out
: klute 16 June, 2009, 07:46:52 PM
Im all so reading a book called easy riders,raging bulls by peter biskind which is a tell all book about the film industry in the late 60's 70's and 80's and thus far seems good.
: Daveycandlish 16 June, 2009, 08:42:43 PM
Comics wise I have just bought the latest Dan Dare reprint The Phantom Fleet. So that should be good.
: Judge Man 18 June, 2009, 04:47:14 AM
: Kerrin 24 June, 2009, 08:21:03 PM
His "First Book of the Law" trilogy was class. The wonderful 'Inquisitor Glotka' is one of my favourite characters to appear in any medium for ages. A delightfully twisted specimen. I'd recommend them without hesitation.
: strontium_dog_90 30 June, 2009, 05:40:51 PM
I've always maintained that Lobo comics, when written by Grant, are some of the most entertaining comics around, and this book is no different for being in prose. It's actually achieved the impossible: made me interested in reading some more stories about the Manhunter character. If you get a chance to read the book, take it - it's fab.
: zombemybabynow 30 June, 2009, 06:27:24 PM
: TheEdge 02 July, 2009, 10:11:12 AM
LEE Keegan [spoiler:1fdyeu3m]gets blown to shit again. I'm also extremely upset at the demise of ROWLES, but at least he got to go with a bang[/spoiler:1fdyeu3m]
Have any of you read the afterblight chronicles,
If not, WHY THE HELL NOT. ITS PRACTICALLY ESSENTIAL READING MATERIAL IN THE MIDDLE OF A SWINE FLU EPIDEMIC
: DavidXBrunt 02 July, 2009, 10:40:25 AM
Jack of Fables - Huge fan of Fables but I dropped Jackoffables after 5 intending to just buy the trades. Ended up buying the first 5 books in one go and catching up. I think I may have enjoyed it more in single issues actually. I'm a bit disappointed by how far behind we are on collections, Image do the sensible thing with Walking Dead of churning them out so you can keep bang up to date. Jackoffables however is nearly 12 months behind.
War and Peace, a chapter or two each day on the bus to and from work. I'm working through a selection of Rusky buks at the moment and taking the chance to read this again.
: zombemybabynow 02 July, 2009, 10:47:16 AM
: Roger Godpleton 02 July, 2009, 11:28:03 AM
: The Monarch 02 July, 2009, 01:29:17 PM
I still love the main fables book though its took a really cool turn after the end of the war
: Dandontdare 02 July, 2009, 09:13:00 PM
: "zombemybabynow"
just bought the trades of The Boys volumes 1-4say what? I've had vol 4 on pre-order with Amazon for what seems like forever (added vol 5 recently too) Must pop over and check what the latest estimated delivery is.
: House of Usher 03 July, 2009, 01:07:54 AM
(http://http://images.darkhorse.com/covers/300/15/15805.jpg)
: Colin YNWA 03 July, 2009, 10:39:20 AM
Hope there's more new stuff coming after the X-Mas special
: zombemybabynow 03 July, 2009, 03:43:06 PM
Got all the issues so far of The Authority: world's end by Abnett and Coleby, Tres, tres bon
Check it out if you haven't - even if like me you've never read the authority or wildstorm comics before.
: vzzbux 08 July, 2009, 08:26:20 PM
V
: The Enigmatic Dr X 08 July, 2009, 09:23:15 PM
: Grae the puppetmaker 08 July, 2009, 10:22:50 PM
Now re-reading my Transmetropolitan trades.
: Roger Godpleton 08 July, 2009, 11:14:13 PM
: SamuelAWilkinson 08 July, 2009, 11:47:59 PM
: I, Cosh 09 July, 2009, 12:23:49 AM
Not Godpleton's new sig, but Johnny Rotten's autobiography. Equal measures self-aggrandising, blame-passing, revealing and obfuscating but always fascinating and completely hilarious. It's the kind of writing which perfectly captures the rhythm of speech: you can hear him sneering out every short, clipped sentence. The insertion of commentary from a number of other people who were there makes for an interesting sense of perspective too.
: Dark Jimbo 10 July, 2009, 09:12:29 PM
: Zarjazzer 11 July, 2009, 10:17:24 AM
Just read Christopher Moellers graphic novels "Iron Empires- Faith Conquers" and "Shiva's War",. now that is my idea of space opera plucky humans blasting oogley 'orrible aliens,a bit Warhammer 40k, but I like that sort of stuff anyway.
: OpusAndBill 11 July, 2009, 11:14:35 AM
: Mardroid 14 July, 2009, 12:13:15 PM
Recently I read a DC GN crossover with Superman and Captain Marvel (I think it was called 'First Thunder.' Awful as it sounds, it was actually fairly decent.
I also read an Anne Rice novel 'The Body Thief.' Not bad, but I'm slightly tired of the big twist at the end of her books. Don't get me wrong, I like a twist in a story, but in her case it tends to feel tacked on after the main story is finished, and rather out of nowhere just for shock value. And much as I don't mind different sexual orientations being depicted in novels (it's realistic after all) 'every character being bisexual is a little daft. (Ok, that's an exaggeration.)
I then read a Manga called 'Monster' by Kurosawa. I often avoid mangas as I find the dialogue rather excruciating, and the sheer amount of sound affects (each with speech baloons!) irritating. And this suffered from all that. To be fair there actually was a decent plot in this story though. Unfortunately it turned out to be the first volume in a series, so the stories not over yet. I'm not sure if I will bother to hunt the others or not. I'd like to know what happens, but the corny cliches and cheese is a bit overpowering.
I just started a novel, White Wolf by David Gemmell. Too early to tell how it is, but it's ok so far. Gemmells not a favourite author as such but he tells a decent yarn with interesting worlds and creatures. The 'killer with a conscience' theme is a bit repetitive though. But then it is an interesting theme.
: worldshown 14 July, 2009, 12:30:49 PM
I then read a Manga called 'Monster' by Kurosawa.
Is that the one with the Japanese surgeon in Germany and set in the late 80s? If so then I have seen some of the anime of it.
The anime is well plotted but it does tend to drag, though the antagonist (when he appears) is a pretty memorable villain.
: locustsofdeath! 14 July, 2009, 02:18:54 PM
As far as books, I've just finished a collection by Lord Dunsany, who is far and away, my favorite writer. Just this morning I cracked open Duncton Wood by William Horwood; I absolutely love animal stories, and this came highly recommended by the fellow working the thrift store counter. So far, so good.
And as for comics, I am rereading my Conan the Barbarian collection 1-375 back to back to take in the full glory (and bumps) of its amazing (by monthly standards) run. I am currently on 212. Amazing how Roy Thomas could do no wrong for 110 issues during his first stint, and then lost it completely for his second stint at the end of the run. Also, it becomes incredibly evident how amazing Barry Smith (not yet Windsor) was in comparison to those that followed, even John Buscema. Whither art thou, BWS?
: Roger Godpleton 14 July, 2009, 06:17:34 PM
: Kerrin 14 July, 2009, 07:35:40 PM
If you haven't read them Kim Stanley Robinson's "Mars Trilogy",red green and blue, are a fantastic tale of the colonisation of the red planet.
: locustsofdeath! 14 July, 2009, 07:46:19 PM
: Colin YNWA 14 July, 2009, 08:15:24 PM
Read Confederacy of Dunces for the first time which is great and also horribly depressing.
Good grief Roger Godpleton is that you. All this modifying of avatars is making it difficult to spot people. What fun!
: Roger Godpleton 14 July, 2009, 10:31:51 PM
: TordelBack 15 July, 2009, 01:20:52 PM
When I read this first, I saw it as an eye-opening exercise in semiotics and hermeneutics, with a clever and colourful narrative and setting to pull the reader along. Now it feels like a Sherlock Holmes Elseworlds.: William of Baskerville, a tall skinny hook-nosed drug-addicted master of deductive detection, called in to investigate a locked-room mystery uncovers a labyrinthine conspiracy. Maybe I've grown thicker with age, or maybe post-modernism is the preserve of the young and forgiving (see above). I'll persist.
: mygrimmbrother 15 July, 2009, 01:52:03 PM
: Bolt-01 15 July, 2009, 02:05:13 PM
: I, Cosh 16 July, 2009, 12:16:11 AM
Re-reading Name of the Rose, and frankly I'm not finding it the mind-bending experience I did all those years ago. Is it me, or is Umberto Eco just a little bit full of stomm?Can it be both and can he be full of stomm and still good? I haven't read if for a while, but I've always thought it manages to integrate the two sides in a way that nothing else of his that I've read (not that much, tbh) has. Foucault's Pendulum is tedious pish though: sort of like Illuminatus without the jokes.
When I read this first, I saw it as an eye-opening exercise in semiotics and hermeneutics, with a clever and colourful narrative and setting to pull the reader along. Now it feels like a Sherlock Holmes Elseworlds[/i.
: Mardroid 16 July, 2009, 12:25:51 AM
I then read a Manga called 'Monster' by Kurosawa.
Is that the one with the Japanese surgeon in Germany and set in the late 80s? If so then I have seen some of the anime of it.
That's the one.
: Grant Goggans 16 July, 2009, 02:12:06 AM
: TordelBack 16 July, 2009, 09:20:27 AM
Can it be both and can he be full of stomm and still good?
Mmmm. I'm a bit further in now, and I'm enjoying it a lot more. Oddly, it's the insanely enormous descriptive lists (every figure in an ornately carved doorway or manuscript margin described in detail, every herb and its effects both in moderation and in excess) that I'm finding most fun - very Neal Stephenson (as I'm sure Eco would hate to hear). I really enjoyed Foucault's Pendulum when I read it, but that was nearly 20 years ago and I may now be viewing its memory overly positively because of comparison with its runtish bastardised offspring The Da Vinci Cock.
: Tweak72 16 July, 2009, 09:41:49 AM
: Colin YNWA 16 July, 2009, 12:10:22 PM
I'm reading Larry Marder's Tales of the Beanworld from 1987+, reprinted in hardback as vol.1: 'Wahoolazuma'.
Well just finished reading the whole thing (all 21 issues and the recent X-Mas special) and have to say its brillant. If anybodies tempted and they should be, the second hardcover (after the one House Of read) is out now I think and this completes the original run AND THEN and this one has me very excited. There's a new original 216 page graphic novel out in November. WAYHEY!!!!!!
: Mikey 16 July, 2009, 12:32:26 PM
And just read vol.1 of Moore,Bissette & Totlenbom's Swamp Thing (starts at issue 12?) and it's absolute aces. I'm sure a lot of you have already read the bugger,but it takes me a while to get 'round to these things sometimes.The only very minor quibble I have is that I would really like to see the sublime artwork in monochrome - the colouring is excellent but almost too simplistic sometimes IMO.
M.
: Dandontdare 16 July, 2009, 12:59:27 PM
Re-reading Name of the Rose, and frankly I'm not finding it the mind-bending experience I did all those years ago. Is it me, or is Umberto Eco just a little bit full of stomm?Can it be both and can he be full of stomm and still good? I haven't read if for a while, but I've always thought it manages to integrate the two sides in a way that nothing else of his that I've read (not that much, tbh) has. Foucault's Pendulum is tedious pish though: sort of like Illuminatus without the jokes.
When I read this first, I saw it as an eye-opening exercise in semiotics and hermeneutics, with a clever and colourful narrative and setting to pull the reader along. Now it feels like a Sherlock Holmes Elseworlds[/i.
I loved the Name of the Rose (and after reading it I understood the film second time around!), but I totally agree with Cosh about Foucoult's Pendulum. I took this when I was travelling in South America last year as I thought it's size-to-density ratio made it good value, especially for the 11 hour flights. Read about 40 pages and then actually preferred the in-flight action/romcom starring Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey - yes, it was THAT shit. Maybe it's his fascination with cracking this devilish new Ultimate Code - a password protected Word Processor file - ooooh, spooky! Doesn't have the same thrill as a lost text by Aristotle, or even the crappy DaVinci code!
I ended up reading a Terry Pratchett and the last 2 Harry Potters, plus Hotel Honolulu by Paul Theroux, during the rest of the trip, all borrowed from the on-truck library or various hostels.
: TordelBack 16 July, 2009, 04:09:53 PM
Recently finished Anathem by Neal Stevenson - top banana as per usual.
Easily the best book I've read in the past 12 months.
: Roger Godpleton 16 July, 2009, 10:11:14 PM
: TheEdge 20 July, 2009, 08:53:50 AM
: Paul faplad Finch 20 July, 2009, 11:22:23 PM
Spooky thing is I was buying, amongst a big pile of other stuff that was in the sale, Dead Set. Totally oblivious. None the wiser till I got home.
Also reading the various Torchwood novels. CoE reminded me that I hadn't bought any in a while so off I trundled to Waterstones and bloody hell there are millions of the buggers. How often are they releasing them? Anyway, bought the lot and know what I'm reading for the foreseeable future.
: Colin YNWA 21 July, 2009, 08:34:27 AM
Screen Burn and Dawn Of The Dumb. Pure genius. Ashamed to say that I'd never heard of Charlie Brooker before seeing these dirt cheap next to the tills in HMV. Never laughed so much in a long time.
If you get the chance check out 'Screenwipe' on BBC4 or he has a new quiz tonight on Channel 4 I think. The fella's genius.
Speaking of which started re-reading Ann Nocenti's Daredevil run this weekend. I know when it comes to DD people always talk about Miller and Jansen's run or the Bendis one, both fine fine efforts BUT for me the Nocenti run will always be the best its simply brillant.
: Kerrin 21 July, 2009, 06:35:50 PM
: OpusAndBill 21 July, 2009, 07:31:44 PM
Speaking of which started re-reading Ann Nocenti's Daredevil run this weekend. I know when it comes to DD people always talk about Miller and Jansen's run or the Bendis one, both fine fine efforts BUT for me the Nocenti run will always be the best its simply brillant.
Totally agree. It went downhill rapidly after she left.
: radiator 21 July, 2009, 07:44:11 PM
Also working my way through Shakara: The Avenger to refresh my memory for the new series, and just today got Wilt, the final 100 Bullets volume - can't wait to get started on that one!
: Kerrin 21 July, 2009, 08:31:40 PM
and just today got Wilt, the final 100 Bullets volume - can't wait to get started on that one!
YEE-HA! I was thinking this wasn't out till the 28th of August, canceled the Amazon order and got one on eBay. Cheers for the heads up Radiator. Come on postie, hurry UP! Two to three working days, cuh, IwannitNOW!
: Roger Godpleton 21 July, 2009, 09:05:20 PM
: Comrade Aleksandr 22 July, 2009, 10:47:10 AM
My Dad bought it for me since I'm studying Mao's China at college.
Really didn't enjoy it a t first, but after making myself read a chapter a day of it for the past few weeks, have really gotten into it!
I'm at the mid 1970s at the moment. Chairman Mao, the 'Great Helmsman' has finally, finally,finally died!
Deng Xiaoping is slowly rising up through the Parties ranks again after being discredited and purged durring the cataclysmic Cultural Revolution.
I'm also not far off finishing Cities in Flight by James Blish.
As soon as I hve finished it, I'm going to start on Valis by Philip K. Dick.
When I finish the China book I intend to finish Thus Spoke Zarathustra by Friedrich Nietzsche.
And try and get hold of Endymion omnibus by Dan Simmons.
Anyone here read Hyperion/Fall of Hyperion by Dan Simmons?
: Richmond Clements 22 July, 2009, 12:06:39 PM
And try and get hold of Endymion omnibus by Dan Simmons.
Anyone here read Hyperion/Fall of Hyperion by Dan Simmons?
Indeed I have! They're all stone cold classics.
Rise of Endymion is a bit overlong, I think, but more then worth it in the end... for a reason I cannot discuss because of spoilers.
: TordelBack 22 July, 2009, 12:26:53 PM
: Kerrin 22 July, 2009, 05:42:51 PM
: Comrade Aleksandr 23 July, 2009, 01:11:47 PM
I enjoyed Hyperion a lot, but for some reason could never get into Fall of Hyperion, so went no further. Have to give it another try someday.You really must!
The revelations at the end are astounding!
The philosophical conclusions it reaches about how an all-loving God could call Abraham to sacrifice his son is breathtaking!
There making Hyperion/Fall of Hyperion into a film you know. How the Hell you can condense the two into a single movie is beyond me. Though I'm a-praying the Judi Dench will play CEO Gladstone. And as long as it somehow involves John Hurt I'll be happy ;)
Any over cast suggestions?
: Richmond Clements 23 July, 2009, 01:22:36 PM
Any over cast suggestions?
Hurt would make a good Duré... or possibly Sol Weintraub.
Martin Silenus- Oliver Platt
Kassad- him off Lost that plays Said.
edited: got a character name wrong... the shame!
: satchmo 23 July, 2009, 06:06:17 PM
: Ignatzmonster 24 July, 2009, 12:27:16 AM
Also picked up Asterios Polyp: David Mazzucelli's first comic in nearly a decade. It IS good but I am sorry to say does not live up to the hype. I am also sorry to report it is not better than Born Again so under Miller's shadow he must remain.
In better news Cooke's Parker adaptation is hot shit. All crime comic fans go snap it up.
: Comrade Aleksandr 24 July, 2009, 09:04:53 AM
Any over cast suggestions?
Hurt would make a good Duré... or possibly Sol Weintraub.
Martin Silenus- Oliver Platt
Kassad- him off Lost that plays Said.
edited: got a character name wrong... the shame!
I'm just hoping that it won't be another 'Dune'.
Woeful film, couldn't finnish watching it if you paid me.
Actually, you probably could... ;)
: Kerrin 31 July, 2009, 05:57:35 PM
Still can't quite believe they're making a film of Hyperion.
: I, Cosh 31 July, 2009, 06:06:09 PM
I enjoyed Hyperion a lot, but for some reason could never get into Fall of Hyperion, so went no further. Have to give it another try someday.Hyperion's fabulous and Fall of Hyperion closes out the story well enough. I've read the Endymion ones and, while there are good sections, they drag quite a lot.
Simmons does like to make his hefty tomes. I read The Terror (a sort of horror about what might have happened on Franklin's lost expedition to find the Northwest Passage) last year and it was also jolly good but could've easily lost 200 pages.
: SmallBlueThing 01 August, 2009, 10:13:01 AM
Steev
: House of Usher 02 August, 2009, 03:30:51 PM
Two Gentlemen of Verona was even worse. A very lightweight comedy with no very good characters. I recommend giving it a miss.
: Sefton Disney 04 August, 2009, 10:44:56 AM
At the moment, I'm about halfway through To Dream of the Dead, the latest Merrily Watkins mystery by Phil Rickman. I think a lot of 2000AD readers would really enjoy them. Merrily Watkins is an Anglican priest in a small village outside Hereford, and also the diocesan "deliverance minister" (that's "exorcist" to you and me). As a result, she gets consulted by the police in any crimes with an apparent ritual or religious slant. There's never an actual supernatural element to the solution, but there's lots of stuff about religion, mysticism, folklore and art. They're really fun, well-written mysteries which, in passing have a lot to say about contemporary Britain, religion and atheism, Christianity in a multifaith society, city and country and heritage and progress. They're really atmospheric popular fiction, and I'm really surprised they haven't been adapted for TV, as I think they have a really broad audience appeal.
By the way, I'm an atheist!
: Richmond Clements 04 August, 2009, 10:54:43 AM
At the moment, I'm about halfway through To Dream of the Dead, the latest Merrily Watkins mystery by Phil Rickman.
Good call!
I'm a fan of the Merrily Watkins books too. Great cast of characters, brilliant plots with stonking twists.
But as you point out, the best this about them is the atmosphere- they ooze it from every page.
: Sefton Disney 04 August, 2009, 12:15:20 PM
By the way, when I said I was an atheist, I wasn't being defensive; it's just that as soon as I say the books are about a priest, I worry people will think they're some sort of evangelical deal and be put off reading them. Which means I was being defensive, perhaps!
And, atheist or not, I must say that I fancy Merrily Watkins to bits...
: Richmond Clements 04 August, 2009, 12:20:20 PM
By the way, when I said I was an atheist, I wasn't being defensive; it's just that as soon as I say the books are about a priest, I worry people will think they're some sort of evangelical deal and be put off reading them. Which means I was being defensive, perhaps!
Yeah, I know what you mean- I get funny looks from people who know my views on religion when I describe these books to them!
I don't think UFOs are real either, but it doesn't stop me enjoying the X Files.. (well, shit stories towards the end did, but you get my point...).
And, atheist or not, I must say that I fancy Merrily Watkins to bits...
Yeah... I know what you mean.
: Sefton Disney 04 August, 2009, 12:29:50 PM
But it is a bit weird how, as soon as you say you like a novel about a priest, people assume you must be a Christian. I mean, I like The Silence of the Lambs, but I haven't eaten anyone yet!
: Richmond Clements 04 August, 2009, 12:31:05 PM
: Sefton Disney 04 August, 2009, 12:42:57 PM
: Mardroid 05 August, 2009, 02:03:16 AM
I liked it. Can certainly see why it has it's classic status. Not the first time I've seen stories from the point of view of the citizens but the way it was handled was interesting, taking a first person narration and for both Dredd and Bennett Beeny as it did. And daring actually to be quite touching in places too! (As well as disturbing. Bennett's fate was certainly a twist, and a slightly freaky one at that. Yet touching too... )
Dredd certainly seemed harder than he is in the current strips, albeit he had his reasons. I liked America Beeny's description of him in Cadet: "You're not bad. You're just what the system made you."
And finding an ethical reason for America Jara's acts of terrorism (evil though they were) added dimension. A lot of villains in Dredd stories tend to be rather one dimensional, which isn't a bad thing for comedy strips, etc, but this more complex take is welcome.
It had the sequels Fading of the Light and Cadet too. Good stories. Part of me feels that America fits better without the second sequel though (something Wagner even referred to in his introduction.) Leading to America Beeny though, I agree with his conclusion.
Oh, and it was amusing to see Beeny treat Dredd like a perp. Heh.
Lovely art too. Colin MacNeil was artist for all stories, yet it's interesting to see the difference in style when others had colour duties. Mind you the first story is described as 'painted.' I'm not sure if that means literal oils or watercolours were used or whether it's just a style using the usual inks.
The female faces look a bit masculine though. Which I guess makes sense considering Jara and Bennett(Senior)'s ending.
As for other GN's I picked up Iron Man: Enter the Mandarin and The Dead Boy Detectives. I've yet to read them.
As for other books, I'm currently reading Sergei Lukyanenko's The Night Watch. I rather liked the film (The Day Watch not so much. That seemed way pretentious with the driving up flats rubbish... good though it looked) I haven't got far yet, but so far so good. I actually picked up the other books in the series too (The Day Watch and The Twilight Watch. They had the sequel book too, but I thought that was enough for now.)
For some reason the library stored them in separate places. General fiction and Science Fiction. If I hadn't accessed the computer I wouldn't have known the first and last books were in the library. (I gravitate towards the sci-fi and GN sections as you can imagine.)
: Sefton Disney 05 August, 2009, 12:40:47 PM
: locustsofdeath! 05 August, 2009, 12:51:37 PM
: TordelBack 05 August, 2009, 03:01:55 PM
: Zarjazzer 05 August, 2009, 05:34:41 PM
: Roger Godpleton 05 August, 2009, 05:57:58 PM
Also reading the newest George Pelecanos. Haven't read a single thing by him that wasn't completely absorbing.
: TordelBack 05 August, 2009, 06:48:03 PM
"Achilles is relatively stupid - a sort of infinitely more handsome Arnold Schwarzenegger"
So this is the novelisation of that Troy movie? ;)
(You know, the one in which Menelaus dies and Helen escapes, and they do not, as you might have reasonably have expected, return to Sparta together).
: Sefton Disney 05 August, 2009, 11:05:52 PM
: Kerrin 05 August, 2009, 11:19:31 PM
How do you do that nifty thing so the link just appears as a blue word of your choice as opposed to the full URL?
: Dandontdare 06 August, 2009, 11:56:19 AM
How do you do that nifty thing so the link just appears as a blue word of your choice as opposed to the full URL?
Wake explained this to me some time ago - the text you type BETWEEN the brackets is what shows up but if you put an = sign and the copied link after the word URL and inside the first brackets, it works, eg:
url=paste copied link here]type text you want it to appear as here[/url]
(I've removed the very first bracket so that it doesn't actually reformat it as a link)
: Sefton Disney 06 August, 2009, 12:34:35 PM
: Mikey 06 August, 2009, 12:59:16 PM
M.
: Kerrin 06 August, 2009, 06:26:37 PM
Thanks, Zarjazzer - apologies for the misunderstanding. I'll keep an eye out for that one. I recently stumbled across a book in Taunton Library, The New Weird, edited by Ann and Jeff Vandermeer. It's not precisely Lovecraftian, but it might well appeal to you. It's published by Tachyon.
Also newish but of a distinctly Lovecraftian bent are Charles Stross' novels "The Jennifer Morgue" and "The Atrocity Archives". They're good fun, set in the present day and concern the adventures of a guy who works for what is effectively the Ministry of Cthulhu Affairs. There's also a short story set in the same reality in Stross' latest collection of short fiction "Wireless". Another brilliant Scottish SF writer.
: satchmo 06 August, 2009, 07:35:03 PM
: COMMANDO FORCES 06 August, 2009, 07:36:03 PM
Long live the Emperor
: satchmo 06 August, 2009, 07:37:53 PM
Hardboiled Cthulhu is the title Sefton, Amazon have got it here,http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hardboiled-Cthulhu-Two-Fisted-Tentacled-Terror/dp/0975922971/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1249510382&sr=8-1 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hardboiled-Cthulhu-Two-Fisted-Tentacled-Terror/dp/0975922971/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1249510382&sr=8-1), though so have others I expect. Quite tempted by this myself.
How do you do that nifty thing so the link just appears as a blue word of your choice as opposed to the full URL?
There is also a Sherlock Holmes Vs Cthulhu collection called Shadows Over Baker Street...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shadows-Over-Baker-Street-Terror/dp/0345452739
: Colin YNWA 07 August, 2009, 07:28:07 AM
Just got Darwyn Cooke's Parker today, I'm going to start it later. It's gorgeous.
Very tempted by this. I've loved everything I've read of Cooke's and while I know nowt of Parker as a character from what I've seen it looks great... maybe another one for the Amazon Wish list...
: Zarjazzer 07 August, 2009, 10:13:51 AM
Just a quick review on "Hardboiled"-fun so far only one story disappointed not because it was rubbish but just inappropriate -a sort of celtic/viking setting instead of the sleazy bars, dodgy speakeasies and darkened alleys I'd got used to.
Also to follow up Kerrins note on Charles Stross in the back of "The Jennifer Morque" is an excellent article about why he write th e story and how Lovecraft still keeps a (tentacled?) grip on us even now.
It has a fabulous line " The harvest of fear" which I think should be a title for another anthology. :)
: Sefton Disney 07 August, 2009, 12:45:02 PM
I really like the idea of bringing Lovecraft into the modern age, so I'll definitely be checking out the Charles Stross books. I'm also a massive Sherlock Holmes fan, so Shadows Over Baker Street will definitely be added to the shopping list.
I'm not sure when they're due out, but I read recently that a company called Perilous Press is planning to publish a new line of Lovecraft-inspirerd fiction. The series editor will be the noted Lovecraft scholar, S.T. Joshi, and one of the writers lined up is Brian StablefordN so it could be well worth keeping a three-lobed eye open for their stuff. Also, there's a brilliant Lovecraft-inspired tale, simply entitled N., in Stephen King's latest collection of short stories, Just After Sunset. It's not the first Lovecraft-related story King has written and, if you've never read them, I really recommend Jerusaalem's Lot [sic] and Crouch End, from Night Shift and Nightmares and Dreamscapes, respectively. I especially like Crouch End, having had a friend who lived there for a while.
: Paul faplad Finch 09 August, 2009, 07:13:23 PM
Just read Back To Brooklyn and The Pro but wrote about them in the Garth Ennis thread. The other one I picked up, and which I,m about halfway through is The Furies. This is Mike Carey doing The Sandman and since I'm loving the Lucifer collections I thought I'd give it a go. So far, the story seems like another example of Carey totally 'getting' Sandman. This reads, to my mind at least, as proper Sandman, totally in keeping with the style and tone of the series. Course, he could bollix it up before the end but I doubt it.
The art though. It's one step away from being a photo story it's so realistic. John Bolton, who could be a megastar for all I know but I've never heard of him, is blowing me away with this stuff. I'm usually a traditionalist whwn it comes to art but for some reason this bloke has totally won me over. I can't put my finger on why but he's completely changed my opinion of photo realistic art in comics, so well done that man.
: House of Usher 09 August, 2009, 08:59:37 PM
: I, Cosh 09 August, 2009, 09:16:30 PM
I'm reading Hellblazer 'Hooked' by Peter Milligan at the moment, having not read Hellblazer since about 2000, and I'm wondering how and where he got the scar, and how long ago. Anybody?You're not the first person from here to ask that: Chicks dig scars. (http://hellblazer.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=5944&hl=scar&st=120)
: TordelBack 09 August, 2009, 10:15:21 PM
I'm reading Hellblazer 'Hooked' by Peter Milligan at the moment, having not read Hellblazer since about 2000
Coincidentally, me too. Actually not bad, is it? Sorry to hear about Our Cheryl, though, she'd enough to put up with over the years without that...
Thanks for the clear-up on the scar, Cosh. Was wondering myself.
: Radbacker 10 August, 2009, 08:55:24 AM
got the last 2 books of 100 Bulletts but gonna re-read them all before I get onto these last two and some more Fables (absolutly top series, only just twigged the Fables are supposed to be the Jews) and Ex-Machina (i'll take Mayor Hundred if there is no Yorick around)GN's to keep me going.
New Malazan (Steven Erickson) book is out end of the month, Queen of Dreams I think its called cant wait for that. Epic fantasy at its most EPIC.
CU Radbacker
: Mikey 10 August, 2009, 01:17:22 PM
Well I Started American Gods yesterday, is it worth it or am i wasting my time
I loved American Gods and have actually read it twice - a rare thing for me nowadays. The start is atrocious IMO - well, the first few pages at any rate - and judging by the rest of the book I always think it's intentionally written like a bog standard thriller, before the weird happens.
There are some overlong sequences late tin the book, but overall I think it hits the mark superbly.
M.
: Colin YNWA 10 August, 2009, 04:00:34 PM
Well I Started American Gods yesterday, is it worth it or am i wasting my time (opinionsplease I have 3 friends that have read 2 like 1 said it was a pile of crap).
Its ok a bit of a page turner but nothing too new for Gaiman.
: TordelBack 10 August, 2009, 04:04:49 PM
: Kerrin 10 August, 2009, 04:36:17 PM
: SmallBlueThing 10 August, 2009, 05:13:39 PM
It is very, very bad.
End of review.
Steev
: I, Cosh 10 August, 2009, 08:39:03 PM
I'd agree with that. There are very few surprises in it, but it's alright if you're on holiday.Well I Started American Gods yesterday, is it worth it or am i wasting my time (opinionsplease I have 3 friends that have read 2 like 1 said it was a pile of crap).Its ok a bit of a page turner but nothing too new for Gaiman.
Tordelback, it's the same basic idea that underpins most of Gaiman's writing, just a different pantheon. At least with Anansi Boys they were less familiar to me. It also suffers from the tendency of every book I've read by a comics writer (caveat: not that many) to overdescribe everything. Presumably because they're terrified that the reader wont be able to understand what's happening without pictures.
Your own mileage may, of course, vary but I also find Gaiman's novels to be promne to sequences that might have worked in a comic but that seem stupid or cheesy in prose.
: Hoagy 10 August, 2009, 10:55:21 PM
: OpusAndBill 12 August, 2009, 02:32:42 PM
: strontium_dog_90 12 August, 2009, 04:28:14 PM
: DavidXBrunt 12 August, 2009, 04:36:59 PM
and
Prejudice
and
ZOMBIES
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pride_and_Prejudice_and_Zombies
: Paul faplad Finch 12 August, 2009, 05:14:13 PM
recently finished the new Mark Billingham book. It rocks.
How New is new? Is this In The Dark or has he brought something out more recently. I ask because I absolutely love his books (despite being beaten by the twist in, oh, all of them) but I've not been on a proper book run for a while.
: strontium_dog_90 12 August, 2009, 09:19:00 PM
: Paul faplad Finch 12 August, 2009, 11:33:14 PM
Hiya Faplad! The Mark Billingham book is pretty much brand new, only been out a few weeks, it's called "Blood Line," and it's a new Tom Thorne one, not a stand alone like "In The Dark." It's well worth a read!
Well, I know what I'm doing this weekend. Cheers for the heads up.
: Sefton Disney 13 August, 2009, 11:24:05 AM
: Ignatzmonster 13 August, 2009, 06:04:34 PM
Now reading The Goshawk by White.
: I, Cosh 14 August, 2009, 01:06:16 AM
I got the book in a charity shop and, despite a lack of annotations so far, it has a name - emilyhunter - at the front and on the last page, just below "Whitman, Walt, 67", there is a hastily taken note: "free puppies 748-0916." Connoisseurs will agree that the lack of an area code only enhances the effect.
: Richmond Clements 14 August, 2009, 10:52:11 AM
Well I Started American Gods yesterday, is it worth it or am i wasting my time
I loved American Gods and have actually read it twice - a rare thing for me nowadays. The start is atrocious IMO - well, the first few pages at any rate - and judging by the rest of the book I always think it's intentionally written like a bog standard thriller, before the weird happens.
There are some overlong sequences late tin the book, but overall I think it hits the mark superbly.
M.
It was all a bit meh to me.
For me it just oozed 'Look at me! I'm a writer!'
And the writing wasn't half as clever as he seemed to think it was.
: Sefton Disney 14 August, 2009, 11:09:58 AM
: TordelBack 14 August, 2009, 11:17:03 AM
Must confess that I actually 'read' Anansi Boys over a fortnight's commuting, through the miracle of audiobook. It was read (performed?) by Lenny Henry, and it was a bit of a treat. The different voices for Anansi and his 'sons' were spot-on for Lenny's range: primordial con-man, bored London office worker and Caribbean sleazebag. Highly recommended for that alone.
I also listened to Mrs. Henry's reading of Gaiman's Coraline, and I didn't enjoy it all.
: Sefton Disney 14 August, 2009, 01:18:31 PM
: Richmond Clements 14 August, 2009, 01:22:39 PM
just a novel that shares certain themes and ideas with it.
Gaiman trotting out the same thing again, eh? Who'd have thunk it..!
: House of Usher 14 August, 2009, 02:49:37 PM
Pride and Prejudice and ZOMBIES
That sounds like a hoot. And it sounds well written, too. The only thing about it I'm sure I would absolutely hate is the climactic scene with Lady Catherine de Burgh. I can't really believe that of her, and one thing I absolutely hate is ninjas. I don't think they automatically improve anything they're added to, nor do I think they automatically make comedy funnier.
I do hope they make it into a film, even with ninjas in it!
: Sefton Disney 14 August, 2009, 07:19:44 PM
With regards to something The Cosh said back along, about Gaiman over-describing everything in his prose - am I the only person who thinks he does that in his comics, too?
: Roger Godpleton 14 August, 2009, 07:29:45 PM
Started reading some Dennett stuff. S'alright.
Reading the JLA Deluxe volumes. Love the scripts but is the Porter art ever ugly or what?
: House of Usher 15 August, 2009, 11:38:46 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqUn5rwnROY&feature=PlayList&p=C1B51B4CAAAAFD44&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=19
: Colin YNWA 15 August, 2009, 02:11:51 PM
Reading the JLA Deluxe volumes. Love the scripts but is the Porter art ever ugly or what?
Yeah on another thread just waxed lyrical about how great the Morrison JLAs are but have to admit not a fan of Porter's art, functional at best, though to be fair the stuff I've seen of his lately has been alot better.
: Kerrin 15 August, 2009, 02:47:30 PM
Got the third one to start today as well, think I'll crack open a tinnie.
: Mike Gloady 17 August, 2009, 09:33:48 AM
I haven't got around to Anansi Boys. I should really get my skates on, because (despite the impression I may have given above) I loved American Gods and Anansi is one of the best characters in it. According to Neil Gaiman, though, Anansi Boys isn't exactly a sequel to American Gods, just a novel that shares certain themes and ideas with it.Anansi Boys is in the same universe as American Gods, but where American Gods was a big budget blockbuster, Anansi Boys is a far more low-key (ha ha, I made a funny) affair. That's by no means a criticism, I enjoyed it hugely.
Also worth finding is Gaiman's short fiction collection "Fragile Things" which features a rather good short story starring Shadow from American Gods (and many other things that are almost as much fun).
As for what I'm reading at the moment, I'm finishing up Matter by Iain Banks - one of his Culture novels and very diverting. My non-fiction at the moment is In The Heart of The Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick - the true story of the events that inspired Moby Dick. Good stuff.
: TordelBack 17 August, 2009, 09:48:17 AM
As for what I'm reading at the moment, I'm finishing up Matter by Iain Banks - one of his Culture novels and very diverting.
Really a great read, one of his best and pretty deep in places. Be interested to know what you thought of the ending when you get there.
: Mike Gloady 17 August, 2009, 09:57:23 AM
: Radbacker 17 August, 2009, 10:45:05 AM
Speaker of Barker whats he working on at the moment (I'm behind in The MEG so I haven't read the interview) I'd heard he's diving back into HArry D'amour/Art novels and gonna do a Stephen King and link his seperate books? any hints in the interview
CU Radbacker
: Bolt-01 17 August, 2009, 02:08:09 PM
Well worth picking up if you are a fan of independant comics.
Omnivistascope (http://www.omnivistascope.com/)
: House of Usher 17 August, 2009, 02:37:53 PM
:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)
: Eric Plumrose 17 August, 2009, 03:10:22 PM
And it's been a fucking ace read.
: locustsofdeath! 17 August, 2009, 03:13:22 PM
: dannbradfc 17 August, 2009, 06:05:06 PM
Indeed my voyage into other comics has proved to me the value of the prog 32 pages LITTLE OR NO ADVERTS, BIGGER PICTURES AND A POUND CHEAPER THAN SOME COMICS. The american market needs to wake up as pretty soon no-one will be buying the monthlies and only getting trade paperbacks as its cheaper and less hassle.
anyone any other suggestions of what to buy bulk wise from the bargain bins, i've been recomeneded Starman and the question
: House of Usher 17 August, 2009, 06:24:34 PM
On my first borrowing:
300
Civil War
Constantine/Hellblazer: The Devil You Know, Black Flowers and Reasons to be Cheerful
Superman, True Brit
Deborah borrowed Nemesis vol.1, Caballistics Inc. 'Creepshow', Lemore 'Wedgies.'
: dannbradfc 17 August, 2009, 06:29:51 PM
I finally joined the library today. I've had no time even to read library books since leaving Leicester in 1995, so there was little point my joining sooner, despite the library's very good opening hours and the library being on my route about 3 days of the week; but at the moment I'm buying so few comics I'm all out of bedtime reading.
On my first borrowing:
300
Civil War
Constantine/Hellblazer: The Devil You Know, Black Flowers and Reasons to be Cheerful
Superman, True Brit
Deborah borrowed Nemesis vol.1, Caballistics Inc. 'Creepshow', Lemore 'Wedgies.'
: dannbradfc 17 August, 2009, 06:31:23 PM
: Tjm86 17 August, 2009, 06:35:41 PM
anyone any other suggestions of what to buy bulk wise from the bargain bins, i've been recomeneded Starman and the question
Don't know if you'll find them in the Bargain bins but 100 bullets and Y the last Man would be ones I would recommend. The other stuff worth looking into is Edginton / Disraeli's War of The Worlds adaptations and Sequels [ Scarlet Traces / Great Game ]. Scarlet Traces was reprinted in the Meg a few years back and Dark Horse has done some very nice hardback editions of all three that are insanely reasonably priced [ £11 for Great Game ]. I must also confess an affection for The Alien Legion not to mention The Last American.
: Dandontdare 17 August, 2009, 07:20:50 PM
I finally joined the library today. I've had no time even to read library books since leaving Leicester in 1995, so there was little point my joining sooner, despite the library's very good opening hours and the library being on my route about 3 days of the week; but at the moment I'm buying so few comics I'm all out of bedtime reading.
On my first borrowing:
300
Civil War
Constantine/Hellblazer: The Devil You Know, Black Flowers and Reasons to be Cheerful
Superman, True Brit
Deborah borrowed Nemesis vol.1, Caballistics Inc. 'Creepshow', Lemore 'Wedgies.'
Manchester Libraries have a great graphic novel collection and add to it regularly. I can usually find at least half a dozen to get out every couple of weeks, mainly stuff I haven't read, occasionally an old favourite like Preacher or a Dredd GN.
They do seem oddly distributed though - half by the SF section and half in the kiddies/young adult section, often with very little discernment. I occasionally point out stuff by Garth Ennis or Grant Morrison to the staff, just so that they get the message and I don't have to browse in the kiddie area, with all the odd glances that causes!
Oh and True Brit is a bit shit I'm afraid. Co-written by John Cleese about 20 years after he had his last funny idea. I bought it (in hardback no less) on a surge of optimism following the excellent Superman:Red Son. Should've known better!
: Daveycandlish 17 August, 2009, 08:10:19 PM
I'm currently reading the Roderick series of books for children. I had a good chuckle reading "Roderick Shoots a Spaniard." It took me ages to track down a copy of "Roderick Stalks an Eskimo" from an antiquarian bookseller, and frankly it wasn't worth the expense, but it's nice to have the set:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqUn5rwnROY&feature=PlayList&p=C1B51B4CAAAAFD44&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=19
Roderick shoots a Spaniard?
Roderick Stalks an Eskimo?
I ain't not never heard of none of 'em!
: Roger Godpleton 17 August, 2009, 08:38:59 PM
I finally joined the library today. I've had no time even to read library books since leaving Leicester in 1995, so there was little point my joining sooner, despite the library's very good opening hours and the library being on my route about 3 days of the week; but at the moment I'm buying so few comics I'm all out of bedtime reading.
On my first borrowing:
300
Civil War
Constantine/Hellblazer: The Devil You Know, Black Flowers and Reasons to be Cheerful
Superman, True Brit
Deborah borrowed Nemesis vol.1, Caballistics Inc. 'Creepshow', Lemore 'Wedgies.'
You're welcome.
: House of Usher 17 August, 2009, 11:25:08 PM
You're welcome.
Cheers, I do remember you suggesting it. It's been on my 'to do' list for a long time. In fact, I joined the library in the town where I worked a year and a half ago, but it's taken me 8 years to join the one round the corner from where I live!
: SmallBlueThing 18 August, 2009, 04:32:58 PM
However, what caused the biggest chortle was some of the letters pages- you wouldn't get the like of these in comics these days. An impassioned plea to ban fox hunting, an astonishing two-paragrapher waxing lyrical about the benefits of pasteurised milk and the following joke: "What has twenty two yellow legs and two wings?" (answer: The Chinese football team!). All splendid stuff, Tharg should take note.
Steev
Off to write to 2000AD about the benefits of lard.
: Richmond Clements 18 August, 2009, 04:42:18 PM
As for what I'm reading at the moment, I'm finishing up Matter by Iain Banks - one of his Culture novels and very diverting.
Really a great read, one of his best and pretty deep in places. Be interested to know what you thought of the ending when you get there.
Heh! Me too!
The new book's out in a month or two, and I've discovered to my delight that I, as a mod over on the Banks forum, have a proof copy of it winging it's way towards me as we speak..!
: Emperor 18 August, 2009, 05:55:13 PM
As for what I'm reading at the moment, I'm finishing up Matter by Iain Banks - one of his Culture novels and very diverting.
Really a great read, one of his best and pretty deep in places. Be interested to know what you thought of the ending when you get there.
Heh! Me too!
The new book's out in a month or two, and I've discovered to my delight that I, as a mod over on the Banks forum, have a proof copy of it winging it's way towards me as we speak..!
Ooo nice. Let us know what you think - I'll probably put that one on my list for Santa.
I just found the time to get racking through some books I've had for a while Matter was up first and I thought it worked well. I was slightly annoyed by the ending (getting a Grant Morrison vibe from the whole thing - a wild wave of stunning ideas getting wrapped up awkwardly at the end) but then I realised there was more after the appendix and was satisfied with it. ;)
I'm currently half-way through The Prefect (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Prefect) by Alastair Reynolds and it is progressing nicely (as always!!). I'll then crack on with the Viriconium (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viriconium) omnibus edition.
: Kerrin 18 August, 2009, 07:34:45 PM
I wasn't too sure about "Matter", I enjoyed it but, I dunno, it just seemed a bit, off target somehow. Is the new one a Culture novel?
I'm going to definitely give those "Viriconium books" a look Emp'and I thought "The Prefect" was excellent.
: Odd_Bloke 18 August, 2009, 07:38:42 PM
: Dandontdare 18 August, 2009, 07:44:31 PM
Currently reading 'Marvel Platinum: The Definitive Incredible Hulk'.oooh, I bought that a few weeks ago. It's a pretty good selection, but I would have liked to see it extend to Planet Hulk / World War Hulk. I didn't remember those 'Maestro' stories at all, but I now know how to torture the Hulk - just break his neck and then force him to have quadraplegic sex with half a dozen Betty clones. Simple!
: Odd_Bloke 18 August, 2009, 07:58:45 PM
I've also borrowed World War Hulk from the library, so that'll be read in the near future.Currently reading 'Marvel Platinum: The Definitive Incredible Hulk'.oooh, I bought that a few weeks ago. It's a pretty good selection, but I would have liked to see it extend to Planet Hulk / World War Hulk. I didn't remember those 'Maestro' stories at all, but I now know how to torture the Hulk - just break his neck and then force him to have quadraplegic sex with half a dozen Betty clones. Simple!
: IAMTHESYSTEM 18 August, 2009, 08:37:02 PM
Available at amazon. I won't put a link 'cause I'm too stupido to do it.
: House of Usher 18 August, 2009, 10:32:14 PM
I found it really gripping. Firstly, I've waited more than 2 years to read it. Secondly, I hardly read any Marvel comics these days, so I barely have a clue who's who and what's going on in it, so it may have had a greater impact on me because there's less chance of familiarity breeds contempt.
I meant to read a chapter or two before bed, but I ended up reading 6 chapters in a row before my eyes protested too much for me to read on. It made me care what happened, so score one for Mark Millar there. I didn't care much for the artwork. There are some nice poster pieces and splash pages, but a lot of the storytelling frames are quite workmanlike.
Despite the actions of the characters being forced to fit what the plot demanded of them, for the most part their dialogue was characteristic even if their actions weren't. The same can't be said of Reed Richards and She-Hulk, who are really, really badly written. I've never read either of them written worse. The super-villains, where they appeared in walk-on roles, were mere cardboard cut-outs, and I don't recognize most of them.
The political agenda, the violence and the reliance on big science and almost insuperable technology all conspired to suggest this was the Ultimates universe spilling over into the Marvel mainstream. I like the brutality in The Ultimates, but I don't want to see it in The Avengers. I found it a really depressing read, although the effects are quite fleeting because I have had little investment in the Marvel Universe for the past 20 years or more. The deaths are horribly casual and needless, and I was sorry to see one of my old favourite characters killed off. Having said that, I was surprised to see he was still around, because I don't think he was when I stopped reading Marvel! As it goes, that character's death had a big shock impact, so it's probably justified where the others weren't.
I'm rambling now. I've not quite recovered from my jaw-dropping read yet. It was big, exciting, violent and frequently illogical. I liked where the Marvel Universe ended up when it was all over, but I hated how it got there. Most of all, I wanted to see Tony Stark's head just smashed right in.
: TordelBack 19 August, 2009, 08:03:48 AM
I've also borrowed World War Hulk from the library, so that'll be read in the near future.
Definitely the best crossover epic thing I've read in years. Great fun. Be sure to follow on into The Incredible Hercules - a good fun read.
Inspired to give DC a go by the excellent Wednesday Comics, I'm currently picking at the New Krypton stuff over in the Superman books- it's surprisingly entertaining, except for the Supergirl segments, which must be the most unfocussed flip-flopping mess I've ever seen in an ongoing comic.
: Richmond Clements 19 August, 2009, 09:27:18 AM
New M.Banks? WOO-HOO!
I wasn't too sure about "Matter", I enjoyed it but, I dunno, it just seemed a bit, off target somehow. Is the new one a Culture novel?
I'm going to definitely give those "Viriconium books" a look Emp'and I thought "The Prefect" was excellent.
The new one is a non-M, although it is apparently a kind of sci-fi tale... from what I hear it's in the Walking on Glass/ The Bridge mold... in fact it's being published as an Iain M Banks in the States.
: Odd_Bloke 19 August, 2009, 12:05:05 PM
: brendan1 19 August, 2009, 06:27:15 PM
Also recommend 'The Unblemished' by the same author
And as a final treat, if it hasn't been mentioned yet, you should treat yourself to 'Stone Junction' by Jim Dodge
Simply wonderful, thrilling and joyful storytelling, and a quite superb intro by Thomas Pynchon too
: Odd_Bloke 20 August, 2009, 11:09:00 AM
I've now moved on to All Star Superman, Volume 1 though I'll probably interleave episodes of that with stories from The Batman Chronicles, Volume 4.
: starscape 20 August, 2009, 05:56:20 PM
: Kerrin 20 August, 2009, 10:38:47 PM
Also got the latest Neal Asher, "Shadow of the Scorpion", always good for a bit of Culture-lite fun, lots of giant AIs, ships, cyborgs and alien stuff.
: Gavin_Leahy_Block 20 August, 2009, 11:00:25 PM
New M.Banks? WOO-HOO!
I wasn't too sure about "Matter", I enjoyed it but, I dunno, it just seemed a bit, off target somehow. Is the new one a Culture novel?
I'm going to definitely give those "Viriconium books" a look Emp'and I thought "The Prefect" was excellent.
The new one is a non-M, although it is apparently a kind of sci-fi tale... from what I hear it's in the Walking on Glass/ The Bridge mold... in fact it's being published as an Iain M Banks in the States.
Fantastic news, I a big Iain Banks fan but I haven’t ever been able to get into any of his Iain M Banks books. Maybe its about time i gave them another try?
: Kerrin 20 August, 2009, 11:29:04 PM
: Emperor 21 August, 2009, 04:12:51 AM
Absolutely Gav. If I was going to recommend one to start with it wouldn't necessarily be the first "Culture" book "Consider Phlebas", I'd go for "Use of Weapons" or maybe even "Excession". The non "Culture" books are all good as well, "Feersum Endjinn" is great fun, and "The Algebraist" is a fantastic story. I prefer his SF stuff but then I'm a science fiction fan. Geek, I believe the modern term is.
In the Culture novels I tend to hit people with "Player of Games" and "Use of Weapons" first. That tends to work for all but the sci-fiphobic and should ease people into the Culture so the other books will make more sense.
With the non-Culture books "Feersum Endjinn"'s language can put people off, so I used to go for "Against a Dark Background" but "The Algebraist" is a damn fine novel (and AaDB is now falling apart it has been read by so many people) but I'd need to find more people annoy before I can use that as my non-Culture introduction.
Iain M. Banks is a great "gateway" author. If folks enjoy that and want something a little harder then I point them to the slabs of Alastair Reynold (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alastair_Reynolds)'s (pretty much everything in chronological order) and if they are looking for something a bit more space operay then it is over to Peter F. Hamilton (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_F._Hamilton) (Night's Dawn and then The Commonwealth Saga). If they were looking for something smaller scale and more personal then they could try Ken MacLeod (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_MacLeod).
Of course, if they don't like M. Banks' books despite my best efforts then you have to get creative. Despite my enthusiasm China Miéville (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China_Mi%C3%A9ville)'s Bas-Lag books can be a tricky sell to your average 'civilian' with its mix of sci-fi, fantasy and horror but if you are reading this then I think you'll like them if you haven't tried them already (which reminds me that I should get The City & the City now I'm working through my backlog - it sounds great). If all else fails Tim Powers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Powers) usually works - my Dad enjoyed Declare and I can't think I've convinced him of anything else.
: TordelBack 21 August, 2009, 07:31:50 AM
In the Culture novels I tend to hit people with "Player of Games" and "Use of Weapons" first. That tends to work for all but the sci-fiphobic and should ease people into the Culture so the other books will make more sense.
Yeah, Player of Games is definitely the place to start with the Culture, very self-contained, followed by the rather chilling Use of Weapons. If you don't like those, give up. Consider Phlebas is a a much more rewarding read as a second or third Culture novel, followed by Look to Windward. Inversions and Matter are very good stories, but leave them until you've read most of the others as they come at the Culture from a very different angle. I never really liked Excession despite its epic scope, but plenty of wise folk love it. Avoid State of the Art completely. In fact pretend it doesn't exist.
As to the non-Culture SF stuff: The Algebraist I thought was a terrific read right up until a disappointing ending. Against A Dark Background is a very interesting premise. Song of Stone is pretty poor fare.
: I, Cosh 21 August, 2009, 09:24:25 AM
Probably an easy step for anyone who's read The Wasp Factory to make though.
: SmallBlueThing 21 August, 2009, 03:12:21 PM
Steev
: Mike Gloady 21 August, 2009, 03:28:03 PM
: Odd_Bloke 21 August, 2009, 03:29:38 PM
: Gavin_Leahy_Block 21 August, 2009, 09:39:49 PM
Liked "Matter" a great deal, I tend to prefer my Banks without the "M" but at least his sci-fi is more consistent than his non-genre fiction (everything without the "M" since the excellent "Whit" has been simply dreadful).
I quite enjoyed The Steep Approach to Garbadale, but I can see you point, the majority of his more recent work have not been as enjoyable as his earlier novels.
Thanks everyone for the advice and as always you have most helpful. Looks like it’s going to be Player of Games and Use of Weapons to get me started and maybe Excession after that then (big fan of The Wasp Factory).
: PsychoGoatee 21 August, 2009, 10:13:41 PM
I'm also plowing through the 1980's G.I. Joe comics lately, since the movie is out.
: Sefton Disney 23 August, 2009, 07:21:45 PM
At the moment, I'm reading the third Merrily Watkins novel by Phil Rickman, A Crown of Lights, then I think I'll probably start working my way through Connolly's Charlie Parker books from the beginning.
Player of Games and Use of Weapons get my vote for a newcomer's first Culture novels, too.
And, lastly, respect to Steev - your heroic perseverance with Patient Zero is an inspiration to us all. :-)
: Zarjazzer 23 August, 2009, 07:43:13 PM
Comic book wise apart from twoofy I was reading "Descendant" from Image but haven't yet managed to get a copy of the second one.Good cover and decent art and story.
: Mike Gloady 23 August, 2009, 07:51:36 PM
Last two comics I read were "Leviathan" by Edginton & D'Israeli (which I missed in the prog, it occuring during my long period of unfaithfulness. LOVED it. Also "Yesterday's Tomorrow's - The Collected Comics of Rian Hughes" recommended to me by this very forum. Dare and Really & Truly were the only things I was familiar with but the rest of it is just as beautiful. Good writing too (and I'm not a huge fan of Grant Morrison who scripted lots of this stuff so that's saying a lot).
: Odd_Bloke 24 August, 2009, 01:42:35 AM
: TordelBack 24 August, 2009, 08:19:20 AM
Currently reading "If Chins Could Kill" by Bruce Campbell
If you're enjoying this, check out "Make Love the Bruce Campbell Way". The wife swears by it. Ooo-err.
: Mike Gloady 24 August, 2009, 11:08:49 AM
If you're enjoying this, check out "Make Love the Bruce Campbell Way". The wife swears by it. Ooo-err.I'll just bet she does.... That's certainly on my list, but I was constrained by what was on the 3for2 at Waterstones...
: uncle fester 24 August, 2009, 12:55:18 PM
I'll see you back here in about six months :o
(Are there any other single GNs the size of phone books??)
: I, Cosh 27 August, 2009, 09:08:16 PM
Fred takes time out to have a few mildly amusing digs at amateur astronomers, academic rivalries and political meddling in science (why the Brits work far better than the Yanks) and everyone drinks plenty of tea. There's the odd shag and a funny Russian and it's all written in the pleasantly detached tone one would associate with a senior civil servant of the period interrupting your normal wireless programming to announce an impending nuclear strike. Good fun for fans of British sc-fi.
: Odd_Bloke 27 August, 2009, 09:27:26 PM
I leave you with one page from it:
(http://www.rocketllama.com/blog-it/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/Joker_patentoffice.jpg)
: PsychoGoatee 27 August, 2009, 09:29:17 PM
: TordelBack 27 August, 2009, 09:42:56 PM
: Emperor 27 August, 2009, 10:06:42 PM
I thought "The Prefect" was excellent.
Finished and yes indeed it was - he has yet to disappoint and I can't recommend the books highly enough. I've read most of them (House of Suns next and I'm back up to speed in time for Terminal World) and you can't really go wrong but if you are going to get into the Revelation Space stories (and you should) then it makes sense to read them in order as I suspect they make more sense that way):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alastair_Reynolds#Novels
: Kerrin 27 August, 2009, 10:31:39 PM
Can't wait for "Terminal World".
: Roger Godpleton 27 August, 2009, 10:37:13 PM
Also read Balzac's Droll Stories. I'm still a neophyte, having only read Lost Illusions so I found it almost twee at first, but all my doubts faded once I got to The Succubus.
I've read all the good GNs at MKL at least twice and most of the cape stuff there so it looks like I may be reduced to Star Wars comics *shudder*. That, or actually buying GNs.
PS. Boobs, Your Mom, Meat based sandwich etc.
: Odd_Bloke 27 August, 2009, 10:42:43 PM
I've read all the good GNs at MKL at least twice and most of the cape stuff there so it looks like I may be reduced to Star Wars comics *shudder*. That, or actually buying GNs.Have you looked into requesting them from the library? I know that the Peterborough libraries accept requests (though I don't know that they always fulfil them).
: Richmond Clements 27 August, 2009, 10:46:29 PM
: Mike Gloady 28 August, 2009, 08:37:33 AM
My mate does that, if she really likes something she buys a copy for her shelf - a very wise move. And as a result her local library is full of really good GNs, thus sorting out all her neighbours with good reading.I've read all the good GNs at MKL at least twice and most of the cape stuff there so it looks like I may be reduced to Star Wars comics *shudder*. That, or actually buying GNs.Have you looked into requesting them from the library? I know that the Peterborough libraries accept requests (though I don't know that they always fulfil them).
: TordelBack 28 August, 2009, 09:16:50 AM
...if you are going to get into the Revelation Space stories (and you should) then it makes sense to read them in order as I suspect they make more sense that way):
I'd recommend tackling at least some of the Reynolds short story collection Galactic North first, especially the superb story "The Great Wall of Mars" (also available in the old anthology Spectrum SF, and I think the Dozois Best New SF collection for 2000 too), which is the real starting point for the Revelation Space universe and certain key characters. It's also a cracker.
: strontium_dog_90 28 August, 2009, 09:39:26 AM
I'd recommend the book to anyone who's a fan of Rankin, ghostly goings on, or the slightly satirical subject matter. If you can get your hands on it before the UK release date, still listed by Amazon as early October, do so - it's a gem.
: Mike Gloady 28 August, 2009, 11:09:52 AM
: Richmond Clements 28 August, 2009, 04:02:12 PM
By god it's good comics.
: Jim_Campbell 28 August, 2009, 04:06:54 PM
By god it's good comics.
Oh, yes. Yes it is. First mainstream superhero comic in over a decade that's made me think of setting up a regular order. That's how good it is.
Cheers!
Jim
: Richmond Clements 28 August, 2009, 04:08:23 PM
: Odd_Bloke 28 August, 2009, 04:13:19 PM
By god it's good comics.
Oh, yes. Yes it is. First mainstream superhero comic in over a decade that's made me think of setting up a regular order. That's how good it is.
I've got the first couple of these, and enjoyed them, so I do plan on picking up the third.
Does anyone know when Morrison and Quitely's run ends (and where I can find that sort of information myself)?
: Richmond Clements 28 August, 2009, 04:14:45 PM
By god it's good comics.
Oh, yes. Yes it is. First mainstream superhero comic in over a decade that's made me think of setting up a regular order. That's how good it is.
I've got the first couple of these, and enjoyed them, so I do plan on picking up the third.
Does anyone know when Morrison and Quitely's run ends (and where I can find that sort of information myself)?
Quietly finishes with issue 3, I think, then there are 2 other artists for 3 issues stints (Frazer Irvine and someone else I can't remember) and then Frank's back for the final 3.
: TordelBack 28 August, 2009, 04:25:19 PM
By god it's good comics.
Oh, yes. Yes it is. First mainstream superhero comic in over a decade that's made me think of setting up a regular order. That's how good it is.
Cheers!
Jim
Couldn't agree more. Makes me hope that Bruce Wayne stays dead for a good long time. Fascinating to see that Batman can actually work as a 'role' rather than a specific person. The Prof Pyg(malion) stuff was inspiredly horrid, and the Dollgirl sidekick is creepy as bejayzus.
: Jim_Campbell 28 August, 2009, 04:28:23 PM
The Prof Pyg(mallion) stuff was inspiredly horrid.
Morrison has described the series as less grim than previous Batman stories, but more creepy ... "It's like David Lynch doing the Batman TV show." (http://uk.comics.ign.com/articles/961/961488p1.html)
Top stuff.
Cheers!
Jim
: Richmond Clements 28 August, 2009, 06:42:58 PM
: Colin YNWA 30 August, 2009, 05:26:18 PM
The line of Dick's in response to Gordan's chastisment is just another of those classic Morrison moments. Lovely stuff.
: Odd_Bloke 30 August, 2009, 06:29:36 PM
And, yes, I've spent a good few minutes looking at that page with the full-length Joker from the Jokerfish story over the past couple of days.
: SmallBlueThing 30 August, 2009, 07:59:09 PM
The Marvels Project, on first go, appears to be MARVELS done all over again, with slightly less-impressive art and stilted dialogue. We're back in '38/'39 at the start of the Marvel Universe, back with the creation of the first Human Torch, and the Second World War is once again threatening. Once again, it's told by an "outsider"- only this time, one with a twist. It's much as you'd expect, and- excepting one magnificent sequence of the Sub Mariner attacking some Nazis which includes one of the best panels I've ever seen in a Marvel comic- pretty bland.
The Ult. Avengers is more in the style of The Ults 1 & 2, thankfully. It's lack of a numeral at least means I don't have to spend the rest of my life feintly perturbed that I'm missing the '3' trade. Millar seems to have gone minimalist with the dialogue this time, which means it's a brief read. This, coupled with the paper Marvel seem to be printing everything on these days, makes the comic seem insubstantial. It's lovely and white and I'm sure those for whom the "art is the thing" are loving it- but for a luddite like me, who wants my cash to buy something that feels worthwhile, it's bordering on "flimsy". A fairly good read, all told. I'll pick up the collection when it appears in six months.
The new Ult. Spidey is an abomination. Apparently, something called "Ultimatum" happened, killing millions of New Yorkers and necessitating the reboot of a perfectly good title, with a ridiculously crap artist. There's the stink of manga about the whole thing, and when in costume, Peter Parker's head now apparently swells up to a perfectly round balloon shape that is at once distracting and revolting. Never before have I been so offended by an artistic choice- but this pissed me off no end- after years of glorious Bagley and even that guy who followed him, this is just a bad joke. Gwen Stacy's back too. I'm several trades behind in the original series, so I have no idea if that's a new development or something familiar. Last I knew she was murdered by a symbiote. The Kingpin reappears, only to be immediately killed by someone looking a bit like Mysterio, so I don't know what that means. And the comic is pitched much lower than the "classic" Ultimate Spider-Man. Hate it with a passion. But, being a Spidey completist, I'm doomed to see it through its hopefully short run.
Oh, also picked up the Amazing Spider-Man annual. The US one, not the Panini UK thing. Claims to be "The Wedding Issue", but marvellously isn't. Cracking little story, with an unprepared-for twist that threatens twisty-turny clone shenanigans are just around the corner. Only this time, I hope, done for entertainment not for sales.
Other than that, I'm reading a book about Lake Monsters. It is good.
Steev
: Paul faplad Finch 30 August, 2009, 08:11:47 PM
In it he bigs up the new Spidey artist. Apparently he pushed to get him. Bendis also says, of Ultimate Spiderman, "I'm gonna ride the book into the ground" Okay. I've quoted him out of context but from what you're saying that sounds awfully prophetic.
: SmallBlueThing 30 August, 2009, 08:27:04 PM
There's so much wrong with the comic that there aren't enough words in my computer. Why they've done this to a title that was seen by many as "Spidey's only hope" following the- er- "controversial" OMD/BND over in Amazing, is anyone's guess.
Thankfully, I have really enjoyed Amazing since One More Day, so it doesn't upset me as much as I imagine it does all those other people who rant on the Internet.
Steev
: Roger Godpleton 30 August, 2009, 08:44:27 PM
: I, Cosh 31 August, 2009, 12:51:56 AM
Currently plowing through Dead Souls, which is certainly an illuminating read.Read that last summer. I was surprised at how funny it was. Did you get the same vibe from it? I'm guessing that "plowing" means not.
: Paul faplad Finch 31 August, 2009, 03:58:56 PM
Also just about to start the new Mark Billingham book. It's over a week since I heard it was out, on this very thread I believe, but events conspired to keep me away from a bookshop until Saturday gone. I have decided that this is the one that I'm going to figure out before the end. I'm usually pretty good at this kind of thing but for some reason Billingham beats me every time. Basterd.
Locke and Keye has been a recent highlight for me. Got the first colection - Welcome to Lovecraft - from the library and devoured it in one sitting. Lovely cartoony art that shouldn't work with the horror but somehow does and the kind of expert pacing you'd expect from a seasoned pro, rather than the first timer we have here, have made it a fantastic read. It's by Joe Hill, fruit of Stephen Kings loins, and I reckon he's a definite chip off the old block. It's made me want to check out his novel and short story collection as well. If he can keep up this kind of quality I see no reason his career can't have the longvity of his dads. Hell, I'd say this is better than Kings early work. Different medium I know, but in terms of character and dialogue it beats Carrie or Firestarter hands down.
: Roger Godpleton 31 August, 2009, 04:45:15 PM
: Dandontdare 31 August, 2009, 06:35:38 PM
It has a few rough edges script-wise -I'm not sure I fully get the ending, and there were a couple of "HUH?" moments along the way - I'll have to have a re-read. Also, the hero is just a bit too much like John Constantine. The story has nods to Clive Barker, also Neil Gaiman's Neverworld. The art by Stephen Downey (coloured by Mel Cook and gloriously lettered by Nic Wilkinson)is really nice - here's a couple of tasters:
(http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd359/anaconda888/cancertown001.jpg) (http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd359/anaconda888/cancertown002.jpg)
It's published by Insomnia comics, who I've not come across before - you can view the whole first chapter on Cy Dethan's site: http://www.cancertown.co.uk/ (http://www.cancertown.co.uk/)
: Bouwel 31 August, 2009, 07:15:45 PM
-Bouwel-
: O Lucky Stevie! 01 September, 2009, 07:45:16 AM
...if you are going to get into the Revelation Space stories (and you should) then it makes sense to read them in order as I suspect they make more sense that way):
I'd recommend tackling at least some of the Reynolds short story collection Galactic North first
Seconded. Espesh as the prologue & conclusion of Absolution Gap* won't make much sense without familiarity with the titular story of said collection.
LoveloveloveLOVE House of suns -- think space opera rebooted to year zero via Jean Cocteau.
*Reynolds' only duff note in Stevie's eyes. Quite a trainwreck of a novel IMHO.
: TordelBack 01 September, 2009, 08:11:14 AM
Aside: started and finished a Justice Society of America hardcover by Geoff Johns, set after (I think) Infinite Crisis, picked up from the library on account of a nice cover.
It was one of the worst comic books I have ever read.
The nephew of the Wesley Dodds Sandman's love Diane can turn into sand. The son of Wildcat can turn into a wildcat. And the grandson of WWII cyborg Commander Steel can turn into steel. Why, for the love of crimminey, why?
: Dark Jimbo 01 September, 2009, 10:04:26 AM
Locke and Keye has been a recent highlight for me. Got the first collection - Welcome to Lovecraft - from the library and devoured it in one sitting. Lovely cartoony art that shouldn't work with the horror but somehow does and the kind of expert pacing you'd expect from a seasoned pro, rather than the first timer we have here, have made it a fantastic read.
I've found myself flicking through this a few times in Waterstones, wondering if it was worth a punt. Must confess the cartoony art did make me wonder if it would adversely affect the horror aspect - nice to know it doesn't, because it is rather fabulous.
: Dark Jimbo 01 September, 2009, 10:04:56 AM
: Odd_Bloke 01 September, 2009, 02:00:35 PM
: Mike Gloady 01 September, 2009, 02:29:44 PM
Enjoy them, Odd Bloke, and keep us up to date on what you're enjoying and otherwise as you go. We're nosey like that.
: Hazel 01 September, 2009, 07:27:59 PM
"Joe Fury and the Hard Death" by Paul Anthony Long
It's out today and available on Amazon and in indie bookshops and some Waterstones.
It's a fast moving funny hard boiled fantasy sci fi adventure. It was reviewed by Pat Mills from 2000AD who said lots of nice things about it including that "it was a pleasure to enter Joe Fury's weird world. Hell... Eternal Wars... Giant Robots... Dinosaurs... These are the elements of classic fantasy I am very familiar with in my own world of comics and are smoothly and excitingly executed here."
For more information and details of how to order online see http://www.softeditions.co.uk/site/i...d=97&Itemid=27
Many thanks for your time.
Hazel x
: Kerrin 01 September, 2009, 07:38:21 PM
Comics-wise just started into 100 Bullets. Somebody reassure me it gets better, because the first few issues, meh.
I found the first TPB (issues 1-5) to be the weakest of the 13, and then they get better and better. I'd say stick with it, and if you can't get on with them you may curse my name to your dog.
Seriously though, they improve immensely.
: Paul faplad Finch 02 September, 2009, 01:36:13 AM
Just bought The Writers Tale. Read the first chapter tonight. Amazing to see how much of season four of Who was there in Davies head before he'd even written the Titanic episode. Also, how different some things could have turned out. I was torn over whether to get this cos it's bloody expensive and moneys tight but I got a deal on a copy with a torn dust sleeve and I'm glad I did cos that first chapter has me convinced it's gonna be a fascinatiing read.
: Odd_Bloke 02 September, 2009, 02:09:09 AM
Enjoy them, Odd Bloke, and keep us up to date on what you're enjoying and otherwise as you go. We're nosey like that.
Very well then. I have read progs 660-663 thus far, and my musings thereon are contained below.
Overall, I'm impressed. I'm dropping into the middle of quite a few storylines, which is making some things confusing. I'll cover my brief thoughts on what I'm reading below
The Dead Man - I picked this up at episode 11 and have followed it to where it morphs into the Judge Dredd story. I like the art on this, and I didn't find the story at all hard to pick up. I really like how it moves from The Dead Man into Dredd, particularly how we see Dredd having to move on from the blinding of the boy with him.
Zenith: Phase 3: War in Heaven Part 2 - My least favourite thrill that I've seen thus far, by a ways. Most of the problem is picking it up part way through; I have no idea what is going on. But the art doesn't really help, it's too indistinct and minimalist for me to be able to easily distinguish between characters, and it distracts me from the writing too much for me to have an opinion on that.
Chopper: Song of the Surfer - Probably my favourite thrill of these 4 progs. I pick up the story just as the race starts, which means I'm not as invested in Chopper as I might otherwise be, nor do I know anything about his competitors. Nonetheless, it's a testament to the art and writing that I've still been drawn in by this, and am looking forward to its conclusion.
Bradley - This is a little too entrenched in the early 90s for me to really get to grips with (my second birthday was the day before the cover date of #662). It seems a little garish and overbearing. Reminds me of those two irritating puppets (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zig_and_Zag_(puppets)) off of The Big Breakfast.
Judge Dredd: I'm Manny, Me Fly - Alright. Feels a bit like Tharg thought "oh crap, we don't have any Dredd for this prog" and had a droid quickly rework a Future Shocks script.
Tharg's Future Shocks - Out of the couple I've read, nothing special.
Judge Dredd: A Letter To Dredd - This is my earliest exposure to a Dredd that isn't just one-dimensional, and it's interesting to see how he reacts to this letter. It works well as a prologue to the Tale of the Dead Man stuff.
Slaine - This is very pretty, but I have no idea what's going on. Doesn't help that the first prog it was in was missing a page of backstory and exposition but even with that I'm confused. But, as I say, very pretty.
Judge Dredd: Tale of the Dead Man - Seen the first two episodes of this thus far, and I like how it's developing. It'd be interesting to know how much I'm missing having not caught the start of The Dead Man.
Bix Barton - Only caught the pilot of this, and don't really know what to expect. Am looking forward to finding out.
Hmm, having finished all this, I wonder if this thread is really the best place for this. I'll put it in here for now, but is there a better place to put this sort of stuff in future (somewhere in the Spoilers section, maybe?)
: Paul faplad Finch 02 September, 2009, 02:30:46 AM
The above brings up another point. Has anyone else ever been in that situation where you meet someone, and then you bump into them a few times, and pretty soon you're seeing them every day and they're calling out to you in the street and you realise that you don't know their name but you feel like you've left it too long and they'll be offended if you let on so you daren't ask?
What does YNWA mean?
: O Lucky Stevie! 02 September, 2009, 06:47:06 AM
What does YNWA mean?
You'll Not Want Another? ;)
: TordelBack 02 September, 2009, 06:52:23 AM
(my second birthday was the day before the cover date of #662)
Drokk.
: Jim_Campbell 02 September, 2009, 07:43:26 AM
Drokk.
Funt!
: I, Cosh 02 September, 2009, 08:53:18 AM
Sneck!Drokk.Funt!
: Colin YNWA 02 September, 2009, 09:15:17 AM
What does YNWA mean?
I've been asked that a couple of times recently. Apparently PJ Holden thought it was a big up to NWA BUT its actually You'll Never Walk Alone. Which is either an obsure reference to Invasion and Robusters, me showing my love of musicals OR a reference to years of following Liverpool Football Club.
: Odd_Bloke 02 September, 2009, 11:24:22 AM
Sneck!Drokk.Funt!
:D
: Odd_Bloke 02 September, 2009, 01:49:18 PM
By god it's good comics.
Oh, yes. Yes it is. First mainstream superhero comic in over a decade that's made me think of setting up a regular order. That's how good it is.
Cheers!
Jim
Couldn't agree more. Makes me hope that Bruce Wayne stays dead for a good long time.
I think the best move would actually be for him to come back, but not retake the Batmantle (;D). That way we don't have his miraculous resurrection hanging over us while we're enjoying the state of play. However, if it does get to a point where Bruce Wayne is going to take over again, it can be more natural than him just appearing because sales are flagging.
: strontium_dog_90 04 September, 2009, 09:12:57 AM
: TordelBack 04 September, 2009, 06:49:50 PM
Also, seeing as the library was flat out of 100 Bullets Vol.2 I decided to give Preacher a third or fourth chance, having recently come round to liking Ennis current stiuff. Nope, I still don't get it. I re-read Dixie Fried over lunch. I thought it was badly paced and unfunny. Even though it only took me half an hour to finish, I was actualy bored by the end. Apart from their comedy accents all the characters sound the same, to-wit, they all sound like fecking arseholes. Pages upon pages of characters laughing at Arseface, oh ha-ha-ha. And that Bill Hicks hagiography was so clumsy as to be insulting. Somebody explain the appeal, I've really tried.
I did like the the Neil Gaiman character though.
: Bouwel 04 September, 2009, 07:06:31 PM
-Bouwel-
: Dandontdare 04 September, 2009, 10:33:57 PM
I decided to give Preacher a third or fourth chance, having recently come round to liking Ennis current stiuff. Nope, I still don't get it. I re-read Dixie Fried over lunch. I thought it was badly paced and unfunny. Even though it only took me half an hour to finish, I was actualy bored by the end. Apart from their comedy accents all the characters sound the same, to-wit, they all sound like fecking arseholes. Pages upon pages of characters laughing at Arseface, oh ha-ha-ha. And that Bill Hicks hagiography was so clumsy as to be insulting. Somebody explain the appeal, I've really tried.
I did like the the Neil Gaiman character though.
Interesting take. I'm a huge fan of Preacher. I do think it's a book that works best the first time around - if you find you like it, as I did when I first saw it in the meg reprints, then it works well on an episode-by-episode basis, as I was always keen to find out what happens next. I've also re-read most of it in GNs from the library (did The Meg reprint all of it? If not, I went on to read the rest), and enjoyed those, but it was a while ago. I must admit, the last time I picked one up though, I was much less impressed, but this is true of about 95% of all American comics I read. (there's a whole other discussion there)
True it's indulgent, as all Ennis' stuff is. He creates characters who proceed to indulge in various levels of danger and deviancy whilst spouting off endlessly about the author's particular obsessions and fascinations. The same could be said of most writers! The thing is, I get off on the stuff he talks about. I often quote the bit about Chaplin vs Laurel & Hardy, as it really struck a chord with me (and is absolutely true).
I can't be arsed googling to find out when Preacher was written, but I suspect that so much other stuff has been influenced by it that to someone approaching it now, it may look like a poor knockoff, whereas it was actually the ground-breaking original influence.
but if it don't float your boat, what the hey! Plenty more comics in the Sea. I don't rate 100 bullets as much as most people seem to. Loved the first couple of books, as I got off on the total mystery and the fact that within this mysterious context, they were incredibly moving individual stories; but once the backstory and explanations started appearing, it just killed it and I never enjoyed them much after that. And walking dead is another *yawn* zombie story. Chacun a son gout, mon ami!
PS - who was the 'Neil Gaiman character'? As I said, it's been a while!
: TordelBack 04 September, 2009, 10:52:35 PM
PS - who was the 'Neil Gaiman character'? As I said, it's been a while!
One of the pathetic wannabe vampires Cassidy encounters in New Orleans. He looks just like Gaiman and writes godawful pre-emo poetry, before having a successful career 'reinventing the genre'.
The Laurel and Hardy bit (although I probably wrongly remember it as being a comparison with the Three Stooges) is the main reason I keep coming back to Preacher - i thought it was utterly brilliant (being an L&H fan myself), and made me think there must be more to the series than I was seeing. Unfortunately subsequent worshipful sequences involving John Wayne and the aforementioned genius Bill Hicks just retread the same ground. For me Jesse and Cassidy just come across as Mary-Sues through which Ennis fills endless pages with his ontological project of classifying all living beings as either Mate or Wanker. I will persevere with a re-read because there are some good jokes in there, and some inventive violence, but I don't see where all the adulation comes from.
: Jim_Campbell 04 September, 2009, 10:54:58 PM
(being an L&H fan myself)
I knew there was a reason I liked you!
Cheers
Jim
: SmallBlueThing 04 September, 2009, 11:01:53 PM
(being an L&H fan myself)
I knew there was a reason I liked you!
Cheers
Jim
Have either of you been to the Laurel & Hardy museum up in... um, the Lake District somewhere? It's bloody fantastic! And the man who curates/ lives in it is astonishing. Anyone with even a passing interest in L & H should make an effort to go.
Steev
: Jim_Campbell 04 September, 2009, 11:02:54 PM
And the man who curates/ lives in it is astonishing.
Does he sit in a fireplace with bricks falling on his head?
Cheers
Jim
: Dandontdare 04 September, 2009, 11:09:08 PM
For me Jesse and Cassidy just come across as Mary-Sues through which Ennis fills endless pages with his ontological project of classifying all living beings as either Mate or Wanker.
;D ;D ;D You have just summed up the entire oeuvre of Garth Ennis in one sentence. Genius!
: Roger Godpleton 04 September, 2009, 11:10:47 PM
: SmallBlueThing 04 September, 2009, 11:19:04 PM
And the man who curates/ lives in it is astonishing.
Does he sit in a fireplace with bricks falling on his head?
Cheers
Jim
Basically- yes. The place is like a cave, chocka with period L&H memorabelia- with a DVD cinema shoved on the side. It's amazing- and the bloke is lovely, has been there since The Very Dawn Of Time, and the MOST Enthusiastic MAN in THE world!
Steev
: Jim_Campbell 04 September, 2009, 11:24:56 PM
Basically- yes. The place is like a cave, chocka with period L&H memorabelia- with a DVD cinema shoved on the side. It's amazing- and the bloke is lovely, has been there since The Very Dawn Of Time, and the MOST Enthusiastic MAN in THE world!
Sold!
Cheers
Jim
: Dandontdare 04 September, 2009, 11:28:09 PM
And the man who curates/ lives in it is astonishing.
Does he sit in a fireplace with bricks falling on his head?
Cheers
Jim
Basically- yes. The place is like a cave, chocka with period L&H memorabelia- with a DVD cinema shoved on the side. It's amazing- and the bloke is lovely, has been there since The Very Dawn Of Time, and the MOST Enthusiastic MAN in THE world!
Steev
This has inspired me, I've wanted to see that place for years, and I may just take a spin out there very soon - it's not that far from Manchester. Their website (http://www.laurel-and-hardy.co.uk/home.htm (http://www.laurel-and-hardy.co.uk/home.htm))s brilliant in it's amateurishness. I love the way it takes a while to load (but with THAT music to keep you entertained) and then opens with the sentence "This weekend, Saturday 18th April we will be making our move to bigger, brighter and better premises at the Roxy Cinema on Brogden Street, Ulverston. "
: SmallBlueThing 04 September, 2009, 11:34:12 PM
And the man who curates/ lives in it is astonishing.
Does he sit in a fireplace with bricks falling on his head?
Cheers
Jim
Basically- yes. The place is like a cave, chocka with period L&H memorabelia- with a DVD cinema shoved on the side. It's amazing- and the bloke is lovely, has been there since The Very Dawn Of Time, and the MOST Enthusiastic MAN in THE world!
Steev
This has inspired me, I've wanted to see that place for years, and I may just take a spin out there very soon - it's not that far from Manchester. Their website is brilliant in it's amateurishness. I love the way it takes a while to load (but with THAT music to keep you entertained) and then opens with the sentence "This weekend, Saturday 18th April we will be making our move to bigger, brighter and better premises at the Roxy Cinema on Brogden Street, Ulverston. "
Ulverston! That's it. And yes, I remember now that it was soon to be moving when I was there last July... so in all probability it's now in a soulless prefabricated building, with everything sorted into neat displays and the lovable man replaced by a teenager dressed as Laurel reading from a multi-lingual guidebook.
Hope not though. It was just like someone had taken every existing L&H thing and shovelled them into a roughly-hewn cave, then put a man in to look after it, with nothing but L&H movies for company, for fifty years.
One of the autistic guys I took up there is a massive fan and he was absolutely overwhelmed.
Steev
: Dandontdare 04 September, 2009, 11:41:47 PM
EDIT : Stan's just kicked a woman in the arse for laughing at him, and she's punched him in the face.
: I, Cosh 05 September, 2009, 12:27:05 AM
I will persevere with a re-read because there are some good jokes in there, and some inventive violence, but I don't see where all the adulation comes from.I feel pretty much the same way about Preacher. Having loved Ennis' run on Hellblazer I bought the first ten or so issues thinking it would give him the canvas to expand on some of the thigns he did there and I just never got into it. I frequently think about giving it a go again but would probably prefer picking up something I've never read before.
I think Ennis (as probably captured on the "Ennis, etc" thread) veers wildly between the brilliant and puerile childishness. While never quite approaching the Django Zoon level, there are times when his zest for OTT vileness is just unpleasant while other times it can be both hilarious and affecting. On the other hand, he has a gift for that sympathetic, manly, boozy conversation that really captures something about people. There's no real difference between Jesse & Cassidy's conversations and those between John Constantinen and the Lord of the Dance or, a personal favourite, Kit and her family in Heartland other than my own affection for the characters.
I stick with The Boys out of a combination of annoyance at having missed out on Hitman & Punisher and the fact that every now and then there is a flash of real character beneath the pastiche.
And now an update on The Snow Leopard. After another fifty pages there still weren't any fucking leopards so I gave up.
: Paul faplad Finch 05 September, 2009, 01:31:16 AM
They renamed the spot Theatre Corner and put up a statue of the man himself. Well, actually they built an office building and did the whole renaming and staue bit over the road where the public loo was. Oh, the sense of history. Now of course, the novelty has worn off and todays kids are no more in the know than I was.
: Odd_Bloke 05 September, 2009, 01:34:11 AM
They renamed the spot Theatre Corner and put up a statue of the man himself. Well, actually they built an office building and did the whole renaming and staue bit over the road where the public loo was. Oh, the sense of history. Now of course, the novelty has worn off and todays kids are no more in the know than I was.You should get the council to try and knock the public loo down, perhaps it'd have the same effect.
: Paul faplad Finch 05 September, 2009, 02:35:24 AM
: TordelBack 05 September, 2009, 01:08:06 PM
: mygrimmbrother 05 September, 2009, 07:41:29 PM
: IAMTHESYSTEM 05 September, 2009, 07:47:59 PM
: Odd_Bloke 06 September, 2009, 01:46:22 PM
: TordelBack 06 September, 2009, 02:11:22 PM
Patrick O'Brian's Master & Commander. This is at least my third time reading this, and I still love it (and the other 19 novels that follow it).
Love this series, with very few exceptions (the immensely improbable rescue by a raft of south-sea amazons, mainly), and actually have to force myself to stop reading lest I do all 20 in a row. Currently I'm paused before Nutmeg of Consolation. Master and Commander itself is a magnificent novel, but the sequence I love best is in Desolation Island where the Waakzaamheid is chasing the horrible old Leopard in the Roaring Forties - the climax of that chase is one of the most gripping, gut-wrenchingly terrifying things I've ever read. I also rather like the sequence in Other Side of the Medal where Aubrey ends up in the Stocks. Stirring stuff. Oh, and the fate of the Polychrest in Post Captain! Genius!
Aside: in recent years I've been learning to sail with an old friend, and as the Aubrey Maturin books are about all I knew of sailing before I started pretty much all of my jargon comes from there. Thus we are forever heeling to larboard, missing stays and sailing on a bowline, even those all those terms are archaic and irrelevant. Drives him mad.
: strontium_dog_90 06 September, 2009, 07:50:01 PM
: Richmond Clements 06 September, 2009, 07:50:12 PM
At the Mountains of Madness, again. S'been a while but it still makes me go all cold and goose-pimply.
Read it again last summer- a superb piece of work.
Dan Abnett's Horus Heresy. Forgot how good it was.
I've just this very afternoon bought one of the collected editions of Dan's Warhammer books to have a go at them, never having read any before.
Currently reading Steve Earle's short story collection Doghouse Roses.
: Colin YNWA 06 September, 2009, 09:16:34 PM
Currently reading Steve Earle's short story collection Doghouse Roses.
Hadn't released Steve Earle had written a book. I'm assuming that's the Copperhead Road alt country Steve Earle. If so is it any good?
: Richmond Clements 06 September, 2009, 09:30:21 PM
Currently reading Steve Earle's short story collection Doghouse Roses.
Hadn't released Steve Earle had written a book. I'm assuming that's the Copperhead Road alt country Steve Earle. If so is it any good?
Yup, that's the one.
Steve's one of my favourite artists ever. The book is, so far very good- Steve's voice comes through loud and clear. The title story in particular is a hard read such is it's amazing honesty- it describes the life of a country rock artists who happenes to be a heroin addict...
And I was surprised to see a story called Tanneytown, which tells the same story as the song.
Yes- recommended.
: Jim_Campbell 06 September, 2009, 09:52:45 PM
Just read #3 of Morrison and Quietly's Batman and Robin.
By god it's good comics.
Ace letterer and all-round top bloke, Todd Klein agrees with us. (http://kleinletters.com/Blog/)
Which should annoy the crap out of John Byrne, if nothing else!
Cheers
Jim
: WadesWiddleYellowBoxes 07 September, 2009, 09:51:00 AM
: Odd_Bloke 07 September, 2009, 12:23:22 PM
Key Thinkers in Christianity, edited by Adrian Hastings (started 2009-04-19)
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas (started 2009-07-18)
Koppett's Concise History of Major League Baseball by Leonard Koppett (started 2009-07-18)
Collected Short Stories by Patrick O'Brian (started 2009-07-22)
Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe (started 2009-07-27)
To incentivise myself, I'm not allowing myself to read any TPBs/GNs until these are all completed (which could take a while with The Count of Monte Cristo). However, I haven't excluded reading actual comics from this, which might be a mistake...
: Nap Normal 07 September, 2009, 10:38:56 PM
: Paul faplad Finch 08 September, 2009, 12:21:03 AM
So I picked up "If Chins Could Kill" instead.
Other than that I'm reading Mark Billinghams latest, a Torchwood book(Twilight Streets) Essenttial fantastic 4 vol.1 and some Delano era Hellblazer. So a decent selection.
: WadesWiddleYellowBoxes 08 September, 2009, 12:28:43 PM
So I picked up "If Chins Could Kill" instead.
Fantastic read. Campbell is a hoot. I'd love to read a follow up (Make Love...don't count) which delves into his back to backs in Bulgaria and experience on Bubba Ho-Tep.
: Satanist 08 September, 2009, 01:12:47 PM
: Mike Gloady 08 September, 2009, 06:16:50 PM
I challenge anyone not to enjoy "To Kill A Mockingbird" - it's really gently done and a good tale, well told.
: Tiplodocus 08 September, 2009, 06:18:46 PM
: Dandontdare 10 September, 2009, 11:05:36 PM
Top 10 book 1 - This was a very welcome re-read of an old favourite by Alan Moore, inspired by Top 10: The 49ers (the prequel) which I took out a few weeks ago.
The Astounding Wolfman by Robert (Walking Dead) Kirkman & Jason Howard - brilliantly bonkers werewolf/superhero mash up. Recommended.
Tales of the Batman: Tim Sale - a collection of the artist's early stuff (mainly 90s). Some are okay, but oh boy, there were some bad Batman stories being told last decade. The worst, sadly and surprisingly, by Alan Grant. I can't begin to list the things I hated about "Madmen across the Water".
Fantastic Four: True Story by Paul Cornell & Horacio Domingues - Oh dear oh dear. Now I've always loved the FF, from the days when I'd pester my big brother to "show me rock-man" in his comics, and it's hard to write a FF story that I won't enjoy on some level, but this laboured voyage into the "realm of literature" was bloody awful. Imagine distilling all of Neil Gaiman and Alan Moore's worst reference-dropping tendencies, (but removing the ability to actually write convincing scripts) and then filtering the results through the brain of a 15 year old art student, whose girlfriend has added some pictures ('cos she's, like, really talented, yah?) and you'll have some feeling for this.
: Dog Deever 10 September, 2009, 11:09:17 PM
It really is good stuff.
: Roger Godpleton 10 September, 2009, 11:10:09 PM
: Paul faplad Finch 10 September, 2009, 11:28:40 PM
Trouble with fats reads is you need to replace them fast and so yet another trip out beckoned. This one netted me "My Boring Ass Life" by Kevin Smith. I've yet to be disapointed by one of his movies so I'm hoping his "voice" will come through in the book.
Can I ask a question about To Kill A Mockingbird?
Read this at school and got really peeved at my teacher about it. During the trial the girls says something like "I've never kissed a boy, what Daddy does doesn't count." I read this, and I wasn't alone, as a reference to sexual abuse but my teacher flat out refused to accept it as a theory and openly mocked anyone who thougt it. He went on to tell us that if we mentioned this theory in any coursework on the book it would harm our grade.
Whose read this book? Did anyone else think this? I just remember being totally pissed off by the whole stuation. I tell you, I love dreading before Eng. Lit. GCSE but those two years pretty much sucked the joy out of it for me. I didn't read for pleasure for years afterwards which I would imagine is not the desired effect.
: TordelBack 11 September, 2009, 02:05:33 AM
: O Lucky Stevie! 11 September, 2009, 04:36:44 AM
Just finished Denise Mina's run on Hellblazer.
You're obviously constructed of sterner stuff than Stevie there TordelBack; I dropped Mina's from my standing order after her second issue (cue trademark grumbling from comics retailer who is unable to comprehend anyone following creators not characters).
I generally give new teams 3 issues grace, but not being a big fan of Leonardo Manco's art didn't help things either.
: Radbacker 11 September, 2009, 10:06:11 AM
GOt the last two 100 Bullets collections to read now but think I'm gonna have to go back throught the first 11 to remember whats goiung on. Also got V7 of Fables to do and V5 of Ex-Machina too.
Book wise I'm waiting for the new Stephen Erickson Malazan novel, Dust of Dreams (i think) lots more magic and destruction on the way.
CU Radbacker
: SmallBlueThing 12 September, 2009, 04:30:48 PM
Had been put off by so-so reviews and jumped to 'Tide of Souls' first- which I thoroughly enjoyed. However, a hundred and thirty pages into Barefoot, and I'd say it was not only just as good- but also has added laffs.
Definately worth a punt.
SBT
: mogzilla 13 September, 2009, 11:34:54 PM
: The Legendary Shark 14 September, 2009, 12:15:14 AM
What the f**k was that all about, then?
: Kerrin 14 September, 2009, 12:20:37 AM
: The Legendary Shark 14 September, 2009, 12:52:01 AM
It's one of those books I'm going to have to read again as I'm certain that it is very clever indeed. Unfortunately, I am not very clever indeed.
: Odd_Bloke 14 September, 2009, 01:10:29 AM
: Paul faplad Finch 14 September, 2009, 01:50:07 AM
Just started reading Neil Gaiman's Sandman. I really need to get this in GN form, as reading off of a screen really isn't the same.
Tell me about it. I'm currently reading Swamp Thing off a website. (You may remember me ranting about Swamp Thing collections being crap) The thing is, the site is not exactly official and isn't the most technicaly sound. It doesn't handle double page spreads very well, varying between simply scanning them as seperate pages, which makes no sense storywise or scanning the spread in its entirety with a huge crease down the middle. I suppose I should be grateful the site exists at all really or eldse I'd be knackered trying to read this series.
All I need to do now is find a site that will let me ead al the Hellblazer issues I can't get hold of in GN form.
: The Legendary Shark 14 September, 2009, 03:08:22 AM
'nuff said
: Bouwel 14 September, 2009, 07:49:39 AM
-Bouwel-
: Colin YNWA 14 September, 2009, 08:25:26 AM
Just finished Paul Auster's New York Trilogy.
What the f**k was that all about, then?
I'm a big Paul Auster fan and while I have no doubt at all I don't get all the meanings etc I always find him an enjoyable read. Typically his books deal with indentity and effects chance and random events have on life... well that's my take but I'm certainly no expert!
: Richmond Clements 14 September, 2009, 10:11:17 AM
Way of the Barefoot Zombie, by "Jasper" Bark of this parish.
Had been put off by so-so reviews and jumped to 'Tide of Souls' first- which I thoroughly enjoyed. However, a hundred and thirty pages into Barefoot, and I'd say it was not only just as good- but also has added laffs.
Definately worth a punt.
SBT
Yup- I've written a review for the 2000adreview site- hasn't went up yet- but I'd agree this is a damned good book.
: Kerrin 15 September, 2009, 06:20:26 PM
And I'm off to see "The Thing" (John Carpenter) on the big screen tonight, hur-hur-hur, I love that film, "... on the menu tonight...Dog Surprise!"
: Tiplodocus 15 September, 2009, 10:10:50 PM
Strangely, a lot of the way Sinister Dexter talks about the city reminds me of them.
: stacey 15 September, 2009, 10:51:30 PM
Just completed the latest Felix Castor book by Mike Carey of Hellblazer fame. Not a bad read and I wouldn't say no to another book in the series, please.
-Bouwel-
Is that Naming of The Beast? I'm halfway through it and flipping well loving it. This is one of my favourite ongoing series, Mike Carey owns the gritty urban fantasy as far as I am concerned, the man rocks the big one!
: Roger Godpleton 15 September, 2009, 10:56:34 PM
Also read JLA: Rock of Ages in the deluxe GM volumes today and its pretty much THE MOST AWESOME COMIC EVER.
: Richmond Clements 15 September, 2009, 11:02:04 PM
Transition", the latest Iain Banks novel turned up today
That's next on my list... can't bloody wait!
: I, Cosh 15 September, 2009, 11:31:05 PM
Also read JLA: Rock of Ages in the deluxe GM volumes today and its pretty much THE MOST AWESOME COMIC EVER.Is that the one where Batman has a seven year battle of wills with Darkseid's head torturer? If so, it is pretty awesome.
: O Lucky Stevie! 16 September, 2009, 01:24:45 AM
"Transition", the latest Iain Banks novel turned up today,
Nice one! Let me know how you go. Stevie was eyeing that particular minx in Dymocks but the latest Egan anthology Oceanic in trade as well as Ian McDonald’s River of gods & Strossy’s Saturns children both in paperback were enough for one visit
: Peter Wolf 16 September, 2009, 01:45:12 AM
There is a hardback collected edition of Shakara and Charlies War for starters .
I am also 2 thirds of the way through From Hell.
Not to mention Church Archeology [English Heritage] and Understanding Small Period Houses by Amanda Laws but no one will want to know about that here.
: Kerrin 16 September, 2009, 07:38:27 AM
"Transition", the latest Iain Banks novel turned up today,
Nice one! Let me know how you go. Stevie was eyeing that particular minx in Dymocks but the latest Egan anthology Oceanic in trade as well as Ian McDonald’s River of gods & Strossy’s Saturns children both in paperback were enough for one visit
'River of Gods' and 'Saturns children' are both excellent reads, I keep nearly buying Ian McDonald's 'Brasyl' as well, he's a great writer. I've just noticed, while looking at amazon to remind myself how to spell 'brasyl', that he's got a collection of short stories set in his future Indian scenario, 'Cyberabad Days', out as well, cool, another one for the list.
'Transition' has started very satisfactorily.
: Delingpole 16 September, 2009, 05:16:30 PM
Work book: Stephen E. Ambrose - D-Day
Recently read the excellent "Coward at the Bridge" - a WWII adventure set at Arnhem, by someone called James Delingpole.
No relation.
Honest.
: Buddy 16 September, 2009, 05:44:04 PM
I explored the somewhat limited selection of comic material in the library today so i will start working my way through them.
There is a hardback collected edition of Shakara and Charlies War for starters .
I am also 2 thirds of the way through From Hell.
Not to mention Church Archeology [English Heritage] and Understanding Small Period Houses by Amanda Laws but no one will want to know about that here.
My local library has just had a massive revamp (it's now about 4 times the original size) and I had a scoot through it recently for GN's but couldn't find any.
So here is my question... what section would I find the Graphic Novels under. If I asked the librarian 'where are the graphic novels' would I get funny looks or directions to collected volumes of my fave comics??
: TordelBack 16 September, 2009, 05:59:42 PM
To save embarrassment your library probably has an online catalogue that you can browse from the safety of your own home. Just try keyword or author searching for the big names.
: I, Cosh 16 September, 2009, 06:21:18 PM
Who actually uses the "Teen"section? It's the last place I'd have looked for anything hen I was one.
: Dandontdare 16 September, 2009, 07:48:46 PM
: dweezil2 17 September, 2009, 02:28:17 PM
: Richmond Clements 17 September, 2009, 02:31:18 PM
I'm not sure exactly what I expected of it, but I don't think that this was it!
It was a surprisingly funny book, which for some reason was something I wasn't expecting.
There are some interesting themes raised throughout. I say 'raised' rather then 'dealt with' as Moore just throws them out and then doesn't carry them to any sort of conclusion.
Still, it's a good book.
: Hoagy 17 September, 2009, 03:05:44 PM
: Tiplodocus 17 September, 2009, 06:50:16 PM
Work book: Stephen E. Ambrose - D-Day
I like the "I'm a destroyer man!" bit on Omaha.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book - was fresh off reading BAND OF BROTHERS. I know his style isn't everyone's cup of tea* but I like Cornelius Ryan so I'm probably wrong about that as well.
I think he balances the righteousness of cause, the honour of the men doing the fighting and the ass-hattery of the men giving the orders just nicely.
* A cup of tea is, of course, what the British Troops stop for every ten minutes while letting our American cousins get slaughtered. There's a bit of this you need to ignore as well. Or read his rather excellent PEGASUS BRIDGE - which is about the British Glider Commandos. He keeps his admiration for them up throughout (but then manages to throw in afew "Bloody Brits, didn't know what a good thing they had" in the last few pages.
: Bouwel 17 September, 2009, 07:11:37 PM
Work book: Stephen E. Ambrose - D-Day
Now, I used to like his books until I started to look at other works after seeing and reading 'Band Of Brothers'. From what I can gather he was very badly thought of both as a person, writer and historian. This isn't just limited to his cherry-picking of subject matter but also to out and out plagerism of other peoples works.
If you're looking for a good WW2 read I can reccommend 'The Great Escape' by Paul Brickhill or, for something more contemporary (Vietnam era), 'ChickenHawk' by Robert Mason.
-Bouwel-
: Peter Wolf 17 September, 2009, 10:49:21 PM
In my library the comic/GN section is in the young persons section which is possibly the best bit of the library as it is seperate from the main adult section.Also it has black leather sofas where you could sit and read all day if you liked.
The library here is a lovely bit of architecture as it is only a couple of yesars old or so but it has a pitifully small selection of books which seems to defeat the object of spending so much on a library building with hardly any books in it.
: ThryllSeekyr 18 September, 2009, 03:02:45 AM
In my library the comic/GN section is in the young persons section which is possibly the best bit of the library as it is seperate from the main adult section.Also it has black leather sofas where you could sit and read all day if you liked.
The library here is a lovely bit of architecture as it is only a couple of yesars old or so but it has a pitifully small selection of books which seems to defeat the object of spending so much on a library building with hardly any books in it.
For a moment there I thought you meant your own home libary.I think you mean the public libary. With black leather couchs, very comfy.
I've always wanted one of those antique personal libary, reading room and study combined with comfy arm chairs, leather couchs, reading lamps, and large coffee table in the middle. Mostly affliated with well to do people.
Though, I'm quite happy with what I have at the moment.. My bed of sorts, which can be acouch and with reach of my bookshelf filled with Case files, Judge Dredd, Nemsis the Warlock, Robusters, Ace Trucking, and Strontium Dog.
Right now I pulled out the first Judge Dredd Case File and have started re-reaading it.
I had read half way through this one I first brought it and reshelved it when I started reading something else.
Completeing "Judge.Dredd vs Judge Death" has rekindled my interest in anything to do with MC - One.
: O Lucky Stevie! 18 September, 2009, 03:42:53 AM
There are some interesting themes raised throughout. I say 'raised' as opposed to 'tumesced' as Moore just dangles them in front of his audience and then doesn't bring them to any sort of climax.
Here, I fixed that for you, Your Lordship
: Richmond Clements 18 September, 2009, 07:15:19 AM
There are some interesting themes raised throughout. I say 'raised' as opposed to 'tumesced' as Moore just dangles them in front of his audience and then doesn't bring them to any sort of climax.
Here, I fixed that for you, Your Lordship
Ha! Cheers Steven!
: Marbles 18 September, 2009, 08:04:00 AM
Now reading the non-fiction 'Bloody Victory' a new take on the battle of the Somme in 1916. Pat Mills would not approve.
On the GN front reading Adrain Tomine's 'Summer Blonde' which is also superb.
: Kerrin 19 September, 2009, 05:26:02 PM
And I'm about half way through "Transition" by Iain Banks. A return to form after the rather, in my opinion, lacklustre "Steep Approach...". I can see why it's being sold as an Iain M Banks in the States.
: O Lucky Stevie! 21 September, 2009, 04:07:21 AM
And I'm about half way through "Transition" by Iain Banks. A return to form after the rather, in my opinion, lacklustre "Steep Approach...". I can see why it's being sold as an Iain M Banks in the States.
A pox on you Banksy! Looks like another purchase for Stevie...
: TordelBack 21 September, 2009, 09:12:03 AM
To be honest I've never really forgiven Banks for endlessly writing about games I want to play, but can't because they don't bloody exist.
: ThryllSeekyr 21 September, 2009, 09:32:24 AM
I just finished "Slaine the Defiler, but I skipped a few chapters in the midddle.
Maybe thats just being sympathetic to the comic strip as I have collected it.
Even if "Defiler" finish's right where "Horned God" should start if Steven Saville was going to write another Slaine novel.
There's none of the dialge where Slaine is saying stuff like.....
IT WASN'T FOR
A WOMANS LIPS
I TOOk THIS TASK....
and...
BY
JOINING
FORCES
WITH THE
OTHER FREE
TRIBES
ENOUGH OF THESE ARGUMENTS..
OUR LAWS WISLEY PREVENT ME
TURNING INTO SOME POWER MAD DICTATOR WHO GOES ON...
AND ON... AND ON.
followed by...
ONCE THE
POWER OF THESE
FOUR MOST HOLY TREASURES ARE
COMBINED, NOTHING
CAN STOP US. WE WILL DESTROY THE DEMONS OF THE DEEP
AND TIR NAN OG
WILL FINALLY
BE FREE.
That might have lead on to a imagined "Horned God/Spoils of Annyn" inspired third Slaine Novel.
No, I'm not expecting this, but just alittle curious as to how it mighthave gone.
: Kerrin 23 September, 2009, 08:52:54 PM
Got, "The Boys" vol2 TPB and one of Neal Asher's latest "Orbus" today, looking forward to reading both. Asher does write a rollicking SF romp, there are always plenty of drones, cyborgs, big guns and nasty aliens to liven things up. Top entertainment, not what you'd call life changing but great fun.
: SmallBlueThing 23 September, 2009, 09:36:26 PM
Basically, twelve year old boy with issues, falls for his mysterious twelve year old neighbour- who just happens to be a 200 year old vampire-like creature who seems to command absolute sensual mastery over anyone she meets. Woven around this are various other characters and their stories, who become more interwoven as we go along.
Haven't seen the movie- and possibly won't, as I'm enjoying this too much to maybe accept that it wasn't written entirely for me. In all likelihood probably will though, as I've fallen for the whole thing.
If I had a criticism, it's that maybe there are too many characters, maybe with too-similar names and it's become a little trying to keep up with it all. But really, it's no criticism at all, as each one is a pleasure to read.
Two hundred pages left to go and I'm mourning its passing already.
SBT
: Richmond Clements 23 September, 2009, 10:56:16 PM
Finished "Transition", loved it. If you're a fan of Banks, it's a good one.
I've just started it- so this is good to know!
: House of Usher 24 September, 2009, 12:00:29 AM
: Odd_Bloke 24 September, 2009, 09:44:08 AM
: O Lucky Stevie! 24 September, 2009, 09:57:52 AM
Finished "Transition", loved it. If you're a fan of Banks, it's a good one.
Bah -- gonna have to wait another week or so until Bleep.com charges Stevie's Warp20 boxset* what he pre-ordered before he can think about the Banksy.
*2 new Seefeel cuts hot ding!!! ;D
: I, Cosh 24 September, 2009, 10:11:43 AM
*2 new Seefeel cuts hot ding!!! ;DReally? Stuff that's not on the rerelease of Quique?
: O Lucky Stevie! 25 September, 2009, 03:21:27 AM
Really? Stuff that's not on the rerelease of Quique?
You betcha Cosh.
Lookee here http://warp.net/records/warp20/warp20-box-set-first-tracklistings-confirmed (http://warp.net/records/warp20/warp20-box-set-first-tracklistings-confirmed)
Their cover of 'Acrobat' by Maximo Park is also available separately on http://warp.net/records/releases/various-artists/warp20-recreated (http://warp.net/records/releases/various-artists/warp20-recreated)
Whilst we're talking Warp, the following news vaulted Stevie into the exact same realm of delight as small children are by an especially wobbly jelly http://warp.net/records/broadcast/new-mini-album-broadcast-and-the-focus-group-investigate-witch-cults-of-the-radio-age-out-now-to-download (http://warp.net/records/broadcast/new-mini-album-broadcast-and-the-focus-group-investigate-witch-cults-of-the-radio-age-out-now-to-download)
Bookwise, Ï was just about to embark upon Paul MacAuley's The Quiet War until learning that there is a sequel; so shall hold off until I can read both together.
I've delved instead into the geological strata of my To Read pile & surfaced with The Difference Engine. Only 20 pages in but Sterling & Gibson have done a topnotch job of worldbuilding & introducing Our Protagonist so no complaints thus far.
: COMMANDO FORCES 25 September, 2009, 03:30:46 AM
Had a good old chat with Dan about it earlier in The Grinning Demon and am really interested to see how he goes about with this trilogy in his version of now.
(http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t136/commandoforces/2000ad%20Sites/Triumff.jpg)
: Paul faplad Finch 26 September, 2009, 01:25:22 AM
I've read only two of Mr Abnetts previous novels - the first Gaunt book and the first Horus Heresy book, which convinced me to read the rest of the series of which I recently finished the 3rd - and since they were both shared universe tie-ins to a game system I have less than no interest in and yet still managed to hook me completely I am mucho intrigued as to what he can do when let loose on his own creations.
: O Lucky Stevie! 29 September, 2009, 03:35:45 AM
: Odd_Bloke 29 September, 2009, 07:11:28 PM
: Jim_Campbell 29 September, 2009, 07:54:12 PM
Halfway through The Difference Engine which is thrumming along very nicely.
Ooh. I'm jealous -- nothing like reading a good book for the first time, and The Difference Engine is a very good book. If it weren't the perilously unstable stack of unread books that's accumulating on the bedside table, I'd be tempted to dig that one out and read it again.
Cheers!
Jim
: Mike Gloady 29 September, 2009, 10:25:05 PM
: Jim_Campbell 29 September, 2009, 10:38:23 PM
Stevie's long rated Sterling but may need to reassess my opinion on that cove Gibson
I'm a big Gibson fan, but I think that one's appreciation of his work changes when you realize that he's actually a travel writer.
I'd actually recommend Pattern Recognition, which isn't SF at all, but which turns that neon-washed, slightly hallucinatory vision of Gibson's onto a contemporary setting with startling clarity.
Cheers!
Jim
: TordelBack 30 September, 2009, 08:27:40 AM
I'd actually recommend Pattern Recognition, which isn't SF at all, but which turns that neon-washed, slightly hallucinatory vision of Gibson's onto a contemporary setting with startling clarity.
Agreed, very good stuff. The Neuromancer 'sequels' eroded my interest in Gibson, but later stuff like the Bridge books and Pattern Recognition are great. Haven't tried Spook Country yet, any takers?
: Jim_Campbell 30 September, 2009, 08:30:44 AM
Agreed, very good stuff. The Neuromancer 'sequels' eroded my interest in Gibson, but later stuff like the Bridge books and Pattern Recognition are great.
I liked Virtual Light, but thought Idoru was really quite weak, to the extent that it put me off reading All Tomorrow's Parties until quite recently, which was a shame, because it's a fantastic book.
Haven't tried Spook Country yet, any takers?
It's in the unstable pile. Now that the winter nights are drawing in, I may well have a bash.
Cheers!
Jim
: O Lucky Stevie! 30 September, 2009, 08:31:47 AM
but I think that one's appreciation of his work changes when you realize that he's actually a travel writer.
Rightyo, All tomorrow's parties & burning chrome didn't do it for me but I'll keep that in mind
: TordelBack 30 September, 2009, 09:15:11 AM
Rightyo, All tomorrow's parties & burning chrome didn't do it for me but I'll keep that in mind
Yeah, Burning Chrome did absolutely nothing for me either. Note to Mr. Gibson: you are not meant to be a short-story writer.
: I, Cosh 30 September, 2009, 12:30:51 PM
Really? I think Hinterlands and Red Star, Winter Orbit from that collection are two of the best things he's done. Reading his later stuff I think he sees himself more in a hard-boiled noir tradition with the sci-fi trappings not much more than window dressing. Except Neuromancer, obviously.Rightyo, All tomorrow's parties & burning chrome didn't do it for me but I'll keep that in mindYeah, Burning Chrome did absolutely nothing for me either. Note to Mr. Gibson: you are not meant to be a short-story writer.
: Ancient Otter 30 September, 2009, 08:09:44 PM
: Kerrin 30 September, 2009, 08:18:56 PM
: IAMTHESYSTEM 30 September, 2009, 08:43:44 PM
Their all a little bit similar since they follow the same plotline but from different characters points of view. A little bit samey perhaps but the action scenes are terrific and gory.
: Roger Godpleton 08 October, 2009, 11:14:25 PM
: Jim_Campbell 08 October, 2009, 11:20:19 PM
Good stuff. Mozza still firing on all cylinders. Very, very good stuff.
Cheers!
Jim
: strontium_dog_90 09 October, 2009, 05:23:34 PM
: COMMANDO FORCES 09 October, 2009, 08:57:25 PM
Burning through the Warhammer 'Horus Heresy' books at the moment. I'm onto 'Fulgrim' already.
Their all a little bit similar since they follow the same plotline but from different characters points of view. A little bit samey perhaps but the action scenes are terrific and gory.
I thoroughly loved the way that was done. Mr Dan Abnett & Graham McNeill are doing the same further on in the series. Dan's doing 'Prospero Burns' and Graham's doing 'A Thousand Suns' which, again show one event from different sides!
: Paul faplad Finch 11 October, 2009, 12:08:55 AM
I have a question for any Pratchett afficionados. How do you spell afficionado? Is this right cos I'm loking at it and it just looks wrong.
No, my question is this. Is this the first Discworld book to have no appearance by Death? It's certainly the first time I've gotten to the end of one and thought "hmmm, wheres he got to then?" See, while I've re-read the early ones umpteen times, and can therefore immediately recall the plots of all of them, the later ones which have only been read once are a lttle more vague. Hell, there are 78 of them. Can't keep them all at the top of my head.
: TordelBack 11 October, 2009, 12:19:30 AM
I'd be fairly sure DEATH is in all the 'main' Discworld novels, although I don't think HE was in the early Tiffany Aching books (originally positioned as kids books).
: Paul faplad Finch 11 October, 2009, 12:26:37 AM
: House of Usher 11 October, 2009, 12:48:37 AM
I just read Azarello's first Hellblazer storyline - the one with the good ol' boys and the dog pr0n enterprise. Hugely improbable, but an entertaining yarn nevertheless.
Whereas my girlfriend, the real brains of the outfit, is reading a 30-year-old paperback book of essays about Marshall McCluhan I rescued from Oxfam's recycling box when I worked there.
: Mike Gloady 11 October, 2009, 08:13:09 AM
: Colin YNWA 11 October, 2009, 08:46:33 AM
Batman and Robin #5 ...
Good stuff. Mozza still firing on all cylinders. Very, very good stuff.
Cheers!
Jim
Just read it and yep very good stuff indeed. Not a big fan of the art at the moment but Morrison is sure turning out some fine superhero comics.
: House of Usher 11 October, 2009, 12:26:18 PM
I think Azarrello's first storyline was actually the one before that - Hard Time. Art by Richard Corben and excellent all round to boot.
Oh right. I was a bit tired when I read the intro!
A 30-year-old paperback book of essays about Marshall McCluhan
Edit: Marshall McLuhan
: Mikey 12 October, 2009, 01:38:49 PM
It's a 'cosy catastrophe' yarn that deals with the breakdown of modern society from the titular disaster, via a journey to a safe haven.
I found the tension palpable, and it's direct look at the stark choices people must make in these situations leaves a lot for the reader to consider. Unsurprisingly for a novel first published in the 1950's, horrific events are not blatantly detailed but left to the reader's imagination - which I found refreshing.
And yes, our heroes do stop for tea regularly and the ladies do the washing up!
M.
: TordelBack 12 October, 2009, 02:23:33 PM
And yes, our heroes do stop for tea regularly and the ladies do the washing up!
Proper order, no need to abandon basic human decency just cause you're killing people to steal their food.
Great book, Death of Grass. I was suffering through a few minutes of The Day After Tomorrow the other day and was struck by the contrast between Chistopher/Youd's The World in Winter and the moronic scenes where US refugees are welcomed with open arms as they ford the Rio Grande (apparently having walked all the way from as far north as Washington...).
: Mikey 12 October, 2009, 04:01:12 PM
Next up is around a year and a half worth of Interzone and Black Static.
M.
: SmallBlueThing 12 October, 2009, 04:05:17 PM
: Colin YNWA 12 October, 2009, 04:16:19 PM
RED HULK! love it. planet hulk, world war hulk and now this. modern hulk rocks. sbt.
Small Blue Thing - you'd better run and hide as the rest of the internet is going to hunt you down with the burning touches and the pointy pitchforks, trap you in a corner with Jeph Loeb and do terrible, terrible things to you.
(I should point out I've read none of the Hulk of late (well for like 14 years! and so have no opinion of its quality or otherwise so any chasing I do with pitchforks will be purely the result of mob mentality)
: TordelBack 12 October, 2009, 06:14:12 PM
modern hulk rocks
Totally agree. It's been Proper Comics all the way since the start of Planet Hulk. Hell, even spin-off book Incredible Hercules has been a blast.
: Paul faplad Finch 12 October, 2009, 06:19:00 PM
Splash pages and others with 2 or 3 panels, most without dialogue, meant that the average issue took about 5 minutes to read. The art was nice and all that but somewtimes you want a meatier read.
Had this been told in half the page count I reckon I'd be calling it a classic but as it stands it's only a qualified success. In my opinion of course, and qualified by saying that it's the first Hulk comic I've ever read.
I'll definitely be checking out more Hulk though. I think that the Pannini collections are about to delve into World War Hulk so I'll pick them up.
: Mike Gloady 12 October, 2009, 07:57:42 PM
: House of Usher 12 October, 2009, 08:01:26 PM
:D
: Jim_Campbell 12 October, 2009, 08:02:53 PM
I'm not a fan of superheroes, but the closest I get is the occasional Batman collection. Jeph Loeb's Long Hallowe'e & Dark Victory are both astonishngly good.
Tim Sale's art on Long Halloween was pretty special, too ...
Cheers!
Jim
: Mike Gloady 12 October, 2009, 08:11:39 PM
: SmallBlueThing 12 October, 2009, 08:15:53 PM
Small Blue Thing - you'd better run and hide as the rest of the internet is going to hunt you down with the burning touches and the pointy pitchforks, trap you in a corner with Jeph Loeb and do terrible, terrible things to you.
I know- if you dip into the comics section over at NerdCentral (Gallifreybase, to those not in the know. Or with taste) it's as if Jeph Loeb has ruined 40-odd years of perfect comics. As I see it, Hulk has always mostly been unreadable- excepting the sublime Herb Trimpe issues reprinted back in the day in the first MWOM. It's only become interesting since Planet Hulk (and maybe, going back a bit, 'Banner' and 'The End'- and I'm not sure about one of those). But the Red Hulk stories are an absolute blast! I laughed out loud at several points during the first volume- notably when he punches The Watcher in the face. I cheered the Green Hulk, giggled at the dialogue (in a good way) and felt sorry for The A-Bomb. Job done, I thought.
The second volume was a bit problematic, as the art was a bit rubbish in parts- but the new Wendigos were excellent (didn't they just appear in the Wolverine & The X-Men cartoon? Nice bit of cross-media pollination, if so). And the WendiHulk was sheer gold! I've always loved the Marvel take on the Wendigo legend, and this is an interesting new direction.
I'll be picking up more, as soon as they hit my local library- I don't BUY this stuff, Usher- I only want to read it... though I confess to contemplating an eBay trawl for collected Planet Hulk, WWH and Rulk, as I think they're worth the shelf space.
Amusingly (or not, actually) I picked up the 2004 UK Hulk annual for my eldest the other day for a quid. Behind the kid-friendly "3D" cover I was somewhat shocked to discover a 20-odd page Hulk story, in which he basically continually tries to rape She-Hulk! He wants to "mate", you see, and doesn't get that she's his cousin. It's SUPPOSED to be touching tale of how lonely the Hulk is, but Paul Jenkins completely mishandles it, and it's just a series of fights and implied attempts at rape!
Anyway... Red Hulk- yeah! cool.
SBT
: Mike Gloady 12 October, 2009, 08:21:25 PM
That Hulk story sounds like a laugh actually, although obviously not for the kids.
: SmallBlueThing 12 October, 2009, 08:26:53 PM
But Mike- PICK UP RED HULK Volume One! It's mad, hilarious, packed with action and just fantastic fun!
Edit: Yes, same Paul Jenkins. He also wrote Spidey for a bit- and while not terrible, it told no new stories.
SBT
: I, Cosh 12 October, 2009, 11:28:26 PM
To my shame, that's the first book of his I've read so I'm keen to pick up the rest.The Sheep Look Up was one I enjoyed a lot with a similar eco-disaster premise.
: vzzbux 13 October, 2009, 08:49:12 PM
V
: Noisybast 15 October, 2009, 08:55:06 AM
: Daveycandlish 17 October, 2009, 04:29:15 PM
: Paul faplad Finch 17 October, 2009, 07:01:21 PM
Just finished Terry Pratchett's Monstrous Regiment. Might read Nation next.
You could certainly do a lot worse. I was a bit wary of this one since it was his first non Disc book in an awfully long time but to be honest, it's excellent. Quite dark in places but it has a lot to say about faith and predestination or lack thereof. Is predestination a word? If it is did I use it correctly? Anyway, a very good read, as is par for the course with Pratchett.
how can you not like a story that includes a femme fatalle and her henchman called Victoria Wine and Oddbins, a half-Turk half-Geordie called Whitley Bey and an evil organisation called A.C.R.O.N.I.M??!!
That sounds awesome. I'v been completely oblivious to Gatiss having a series on the go. How many are there? Shouldn't tempt myself though cos I still have about 8 Horus books, 3 or possibly 4 Felix Castors and a big pile of Tempe Brennans to catch up on. Thats after I finish Bloodline which I'm finally getting stuck into properly and the book I've just picked up about The Wire.
: Roger Godpleton 17 October, 2009, 08:40:25 PM
On hols I read Born Again & Electra: Assassin back to back. They are great comics.
: Colin YNWA 17 October, 2009, 08:50:30 PM
On hols I read Born Again & Electra: Assassin back to back. They are great comics.
They are indeed. I might not be a fan of his later work but in his day Miller was great.
: amberkraken 18 October, 2009, 10:05:58 AM
Chew - this is amazing and would've fit well in 2000AD. It's a detective that gets readings from eating stuff, so has to eat victims to find out what happened!
Ink - This is a final crisis spin-off, but I don't know what final crisis was (not really a DC fan) picked up the 1st issue because of the artwork. I've been completely blown over by it.
Leah Moore & John Reppion's Holmes - pick this up when it goes collected if you haven't read it! it was really fucking good.
Adaptions of 'Ender's Game/Shadow' and 'Do android's dream...' books I never got round to reading but am enjoying them very much, can't compare to originals though.
North 40 - Cthulu with rednecks! a good start so far.
Kevin Smith and Grant Morrison's Batman - both have started well, with Grant being a lot better.
Darkest Night - Hmm, I did say I didn't really like DC, but there's quite a bit I'm picking up. This is really good too, not bothering with the endless extras, just the main one.
Sweet Tooth - only a couple of issues in, not too much happend yet, bnut looking very promising.
: IAMTHESYSTEM 18 October, 2009, 11:51:10 AM
: Daveycandlish 18 October, 2009, 07:25:18 PM
how can you not like a story that includes a femme fatalle and her henchman called Victoria Wine and Oddbins, a half-Turk half-Geordie called Whitley Bey and an evil organisation called A.C.R.O.N.I.M??!!
That sounds awesome. I'v been completely oblivious to Gatiss having a series on the go. How many are there?
He's done three; The Vesuvius Club, an Oscar Wilde/Sherlock Holmes late Victorian-type affair, The Devils' Amber a Richard Hannay/Boys' Own 1920's jaunt, and then this one, The Black Butterfly, all starring Lucifer Box. And I recommend them all!
: starscape 18 October, 2009, 09:38:48 PM
Bookswise, read the latest Thomas Covenant 'Runes of the Earth'. I'd heard bad things about it but I really enjoyed it. As good as any of his other Covenant books (which are tremendous).
In fact, I was so impressed I've been hunting for some more of similar quality but ended up re-reading a bunch of Moorcock, with some Tarzan thrown in. Can't stand the likes of Robert(?) Jordan or David Eddings-type where it's straight fantasy without the emotion but if anyone's got any other suggestions (Gene Wolfe would be another favourite), let me know.
Chris
: Tjm86 19 October, 2009, 06:18:26 PM
: Kerrin 19 October, 2009, 06:45:21 PM
In fact, I was so impressed I've been hunting for some more of similar quality but ended up re-reading a bunch of Moorcock, with some Tarzan thrown in. Can't stand the likes of Robert(?) Jordan or David Eddings-type where it's straight fantasy without the emotion but if anyone's got any other suggestions (Gene Wolfe would be another favourite), let me know.
I'm a big Gene Wolfe fan as well Chris, I'm just contemplating a reread all the way through The Book of the New Sun, Long Sun and Short Sun.
Have you tried Joe Abercrombie's stuff? Very enjoyable, start with The Blade Itself. Scott Lynch's The Lies of Locke Lamora, and, The Red Seas, are a good romp too.
: I, Cosh 19 October, 2009, 06:45:38 PM
On hols I read Born Again & Electra: Assassin back to back. They are great comics.Coincidentally, I bought Batman:Year One last week. It was good (even better the second time when I discovered some extra pages which had been mysteriously stuck together before) but it was no Born Again.
I was pretty surprised to learn it was originally published in the normal Batman monthly. I'd always assumed it was a DKR style mini-series.
: Roger Godpleton 19 October, 2009, 11:20:41 PM
: Paul faplad Finch 19 October, 2009, 11:44:14 PM
You read Terry Pratchett which makes your opinion on anything at all completely invalid in any case.
No love for Pratchett Roger? Say it aint so.
: starscape 20 October, 2009, 09:43:35 AM
Have you tried Joe Abercrombie's stuff? Very enjoyable, start with The Blade Itself. Scott Lynch's The Lies of Locke Lamora, and, The Red Seas, are a good romp too.Judging by the reviews on Amazon, The Blade Itself might be worth seeking out.
Thanks,
Chris
: Mike Gloady 20 October, 2009, 10:36:27 AM
Pratchett? First four letters are bang on, never did anything for me. Sorry. I feel the same about Douglas Adams. I just wish I had trusted my instincts on both writers and left it at just the one book. That's brain-space I could be using for other things....
: Tjm86 20 October, 2009, 11:45:08 AM
;)
: Kerrin 20 October, 2009, 07:57:25 PM
GO GODPLETON! YOU ARE OUR GOD.
(http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq47/spugnut/FatBuddha.jpg)
: James Stacey 21 October, 2009, 02:16:50 PM
Having said that reading the new Pratchett book 'Unseen academicals' at the moment and whilst written to his usual standard (which I consider good) it aint grabbing me at the mo. Nation was wonderful though and I'd reccomend it to anyone.
: worldshown 21 October, 2009, 04:37:22 PM
Unseen Academicals can wait 'til paperback.
: Paul faplad Finch 21 October, 2009, 06:12:57 PM
Whats with the Pratchett hating ? He's one of the most original fantasy writers out there. Save the hate for plagerising hacks like JK Rowling.
With you all the way on the Pratchett defense but can't really go along with describing Rowling in those terms. To not like her work is one thing but plagiarising hack seems a tad extreme.
: starscape 21 October, 2009, 08:21:58 PM
: I, Cosh 21 October, 2009, 11:11:16 PM
Bookswise, read the latest Thomas Covenant 'Runes of the Earth'. I'd heard bad things about it but I really enjoyed it. As good as any of his other Covenant books (which are tremendous.)I sort of enjoyed the first Covenant books. Despite being far too long and unbelievably badly written, there is something engaging about having a total shitbag protagonist, although I think making him an unapologetic rapist was possibly a step too far.
In fact, I was so impressed I've been hunting for some more of similar quality but ended up re-reading a bunch of Moorcock, with some Tarzan thrown in. Can't stand the likes of Robert(?) Jordan or David Eddings-type where it's straight fantasy without the emotion but if anyone's got any other suggestions (Gene Wolfe would be another favourite), let me know.
I do like Eddings first fantasy books but haven't read anything since then. Some others you may like, although there's a good chance you've already read them. Raymond Feist's alright: the Servant of the Empire ones in particular have a refreshing lack of the sort of cloying, homespun morality which plagues the genre.
George RR Martin's Song of Fire and Ice series is great, but you may want to wait until sometime around 2017 to make sure he doesn't die before finishing it. Again the individual books are far too long and teeth-grindingly repetitive at times, but there are a whole host of wonderfully vivid and nasty characters engaged in a sprawling plot that twists and turns in the most unexpected ways.
: I, Cosh 21 October, 2009, 11:12:00 PM
Might as well add that I can't be bothered with Pratchett either. Don't thing he's shit as such, just over-rated and nowhere near as clever as he thinks he is. Something you can't really say about Pynchon.
: Paul faplad Finch 21 October, 2009, 11:21:08 PM
I actually cottoned on to this series cos I had a conversation with my local librarian, who recomended them as something to fill the time between Dark Tower books. Shortly before King found his groove and Martin slowed to a crawl. Oh well.
: Richmond Clements 22 October, 2009, 12:07:33 PM
Save the hate for plagerising hacks like JK Rowling.
Ummm, you don't like her, fair enough, but accusing a writer of plagiarism is a pretty fucking serious thing.
: radiator 22 October, 2009, 12:15:40 PM
Also just got the new Charlie Brooker book, The Hell Of It All which will serve me well on the tube. I stopped reading The Guardian regularly a few years ago so the columns collected in this book are nearly all new to me - bliss!
: Mike Gloady 22 October, 2009, 12:16:55 PM
I'm very confused that you say that because I've literally no idea where you'd get that from.
: Dark Jimbo 22 October, 2009, 01:33:07 PM
: James Stacey 22 October, 2009, 03:14:34 PM
Agreed, that's a hell of an accusation,not to mention unproven.Maybe pagerising is a tad over the top (although there have been cases brought against her, I don't think anything has been proven) Will "deeply, deeply unoriginal with every concept" do ?
I'm very confused that you say that because I've literally no idea where you'd get that from.
: Richmond Clements 22 October, 2009, 03:22:28 PM
Agreed, that's a hell of an accusation,not to mention unproven.Maybe pagerising is a tad over the top (although there have been cases brought against her, I don't think anything has been proven) Will "deeply, deeply unoriginal with every concept" do ?
I'm very confused that you say that because I've literally no idea where you'd get that from.
Yup! Though where you see deeply unoriginal, I see clever riffing on the tropes of classic English children's literature.
: TordelBack 22 October, 2009, 03:31:11 PM
Though where you see deeply unoriginal, I see clever riffing on the tropes of classic English children's literature
Ditto. Also, kids reading hundreds and hundreds of printed pages, in the same way I devoured Biggles or the Famous Five (neither of which have much literary heft). It's a Good Thing, whatever you feel about the merit of the works themselves.
: James Stacey 22 October, 2009, 03:48:50 PM
: TordelBack 22 October, 2009, 04:02:42 PM
: James Stacey 22 October, 2009, 04:24:35 PM
sorry. I'll shut up and go back to my hole now.
: Bolt-01 22 October, 2009, 08:36:54 PM
: I, Cosh 22 October, 2009, 09:30:43 PM
It dismays me when I read about how wonderful and original Rowling is and how her books get children reading when the children never get a chance to read the books that had been ripped off which were in general so much better. She's a clever lady, no doubt about it, don't think she has ever given any credit to the authors that got her where she is.Well I've always thought they were a sort of bastard hybrid of Mallory Towers and Earthsea, so I suppose it's 50-50 on whether the originals are better. I fail to see how kids can't read these other books though. The amazing about reading one book is it almost always (the exception being Empire of the Senseless which made me wish I had no eyes. Or fingers, in case there's a braille version) makes you want to read more books. Books by the same author, books in the same section at the library, books that sound similar, books that are completely different, books with lurid covers depicting semi-naked barbarian wenches with wanton eyes, books that inspired the one you liked, books other people mention and so forth.
Rowling always gets plaudits for getting kids reading, but I alwasy think we should take time to appreciate another Edinburgh author who successfully penetrated an even harder demographic. It may not still be the case, and it's almost certainly because I grew up near Edinburgh, but Irvine Welsh managed to shift a lot of copies of some quite structurally experimental books to a large number of young, under-educated men in their teens in twenties. Chapeau, sir.
: SmallBlueThing 23 October, 2009, 09:47:41 PM
I read the first three books in a week- becoming utterly obsessed and addicted to each page... but the fourth one isn't doing it for me at the moment, I'm sorry to say. I'm going to crack on then give them a rest to read 'Queen Victoria: Demon Hunter' ("She loves her country... and hates zombies!") before tackling Sookie books 5-9 in the lead-up to xmas.
Also ploughing through the first volume of 'Death Note'- the very first manga that hasn't made me want to declare war on the East and invade single-handed. Banzai-style.
SBT
: Paul faplad Finch 23 October, 2009, 10:09:05 PM
And True Blood is almost certain to last that long. I may have imagined it, cos I can't find it anywhere, but I'm sure I read somewhere that Season Three had recently launched Stateside and was smashing records. (If I have conjured this up out of thin air someone feel free to tell me)
: SmallBlueThing 23 October, 2009, 10:17:26 PM
The only thing I can't stand is this ridiculous affectation of printing them arse-about-face. Would it REALLY hurt to flip them for a Western audience- like, you know, every other book published in the English language? It's not like the art is particularly good, or that it would suffer if mirrored.
SBT
: Paul faplad Finch 23 October, 2009, 10:31:17 PM
The flagging I referred to was meant as mid series, rather than mid volume. Without giving too much away, the story kind of peaks and then a second arc kicks in which is a bit too similar to the first to begin with. As I say though, it soon rights itself.
: SmallBlueThing 23 October, 2009, 10:36:20 PM
I'm abot a third of the way through Charlaine Harris's fourth Stookie Sackhouse
Or even Sookie Stackhouse. Ha!
SBT
: Roger Godpleton 23 October, 2009, 10:40:01 PM
: House of Usher 23 October, 2009, 11:40:10 PM
: Dandontdare 23 October, 2009, 11:48:11 PM
I'm reading 'Fables' in trade paperbacks from the library.
That's how I read 'em - but in a weirdly disjointed order!
: Paul faplad Finch 24 October, 2009, 12:02:31 AM
This was a massive let down to me. One of the earlier books seemed to make this clear (march of the wooden soldiers with the, well, wooden soldiers, and them all calling pinnochio 'brother' and not being supposed to hurt him.) but then the series was written as though it was still a big secret so I figured I'd read to much into the earlier stuff. Then it turns out I was right all along.
The assumption all the characters made, that Geppetto was a slave to the Adversary, made them seem like idiots. It certainly wasn't my frst thought.
: Roger Godpleton 24 October, 2009, 12:13:10 AM
: Paul faplad Finch 24 October, 2009, 12:21:46 AM
Or did that spoiler tag hide a typically rapier like piece of wit from Mr Godpleton?
This is some kind of twisted psycological torture.
: Mike Gloady 24 October, 2009, 06:30:35 AM
: Paul faplad Finch 25 October, 2009, 02:12:59 PM
Now, I thoroughly enjoyed Moore/Veitch eras Swamp Thing and consider Sandman one of my all time favourite comics. Lucifer is fantastic (though I've not finished it yet) and I'm enjoying what little I've read so far of The Books Of Magic. What I'm saying is that I 'get' the whole Vertigo vibe in most cases.
Hellblazer though, for sme reason, just isn't doing it for me. Although I'll admit that Fear Machine is something of an improvement over the other two it still isn't 'up there'. What am I missing? Delano just seems to be trying too hard. Is he, and this initial run of Hellblazer, held in particularly high regard? Or are subsequent writers more credited with the titles longevity?
Not that it matters though because I'm about to give it up for the time being. Unfortunately, funds mean my GN purchasing is being slashed and since I know that this series is a bit of a headache to collect in the trades it's first on the block.
Oh, and I'm reading Hamlet. :-\
: Mike Gloady 25 October, 2009, 03:17:52 PM
Garth Ennis doesn't quite do it for me either. If Delano was too cerebral and plodding, Ennis seems to think Constantine's an action hero which is far from the truth. But again, moments of brilliance and more excellent ideas that were built upon by subsequent writers.
Paul Jenkins' era is not (and probably will never be) collected in trade paperbacks. He addressed various contradictions, had a few cracking ideas but funstered it all up at the end by "resetting" his entire run which was a shame.
Garth Ennis' return for the five part "Son of Man" exmempliies the best of is run and is up there with Dangerous Habits for me. Cracking stuff.
Warren Ellis' run was essentially a six-parter called "Haunted" which is very good and a few nice one offs collected in "Setting Sun" - all pretty good. Maybe a little to similar to Ennis' stuff but with a bit mre quality.
Brian Azarello's run starts with Constantine in an American prison for murder and the rest of the run continues in the US. I thought this was a bit lazy of the American writer at the tie and detracted from the feel. But now I resalise it's one of the best periods.
Mike Carey's stuff is amazing. I won't spoil any more than that. So is Andy Diggle's. Denise Mina's .... isn't. Not BAD, just not great. And a little too over the top in places (what I mean is obvious if you read it).
Hellblazer isn't ONE series. It's acollection of series. Each writer's take being almost a separate animal from the last. If you're finding Delano a trial, grab Haunted, Son of Man, Dangerous Habits, All His Engines or Diggle's whole run for a clue as to what the big deal is. This is what libraries are for my friend. Request a book forms are a lifesaver.
: Mike Gloady 25 October, 2009, 03:20:36 PM
: HdE 25 October, 2009, 03:20:55 PM
I have a few issues with it - I really hate the overly strong language, for one thing. But this story is absolute gold! Really clever, quite believable stuff.
I'm up to volume 6 so far. It's probably the best comic I've read since I zipped through Akira earlier this year.
: fresno bob 25 October, 2009, 05:01:51 PM
: TordelBack 25 October, 2009, 07:10:08 PM
I haven't read much of the Jenkins and Ellis stuff yet, and I notice that Mike omits Eddie Campbell's aborted run, but FWIW I agree with him entirely about Carey and Diggle - both are quite brilliant, Diggle's run in particular being a delight. The less said about Denise Mina's misguided stab the better.
: Mike Gloady 25 October, 2009, 07:18:25 PM
Another highlight of Hellblazer for me is Delano's one off story detailing what the deal is with Chas's debt to constantine. Issue 84 i think, called "in another part of hell" and, i think, collected in the otherwise mostly forgettable "Rare Cuts".
: Roger Godpleton 25 October, 2009, 07:22:07 PM
: House of Usher 25 October, 2009, 08:25:26 PM
How are you enjoying Fables, Usher?
Brilliant. It's my favourite escapism at the moment. My mind is currently boggling about Cinderella and Prince Charming still being married circa 1810 when their story was written about 1697, and there apparently being characters from the stories of Kenneth Grahame, Beatrix Potter and Lewis Carrol at the farm, when no fable has escaped from the Homelands for about 200 years.
But, as I say, brilliant, brilliant escapist fun. I'm on book 4 right now.
I started reading all the Hellblazer I could get from the library (gloomy stuff!) but I'm busy with Fables at the minute. Also looking forward to reading Y - The Last Man. It's great reading comics this way, whipping through them at speed and not having to squeeze £2.40's worth of entertainment out of every 22 pages!
: Mike Gloady 25 October, 2009, 08:30:57 PM
: Paul faplad Finch 25 October, 2009, 08:32:16 PM
I have to say though that reading the very early Hellblazer stuff was my first experience of reading a Vertigo book and immediately thinking of Garth Ennis' pisstake of Vertigo cliches in the Preacher introduction.
Not surprised to hear that Carey is so well thought of, because between Lucifer, The Furies and Felix Castor the guy has yet to fail to impress me.
: HdE 26 October, 2009, 02:45:12 PM
: Kerrin 26 October, 2009, 07:47:56 PM
: Hoagy 26 October, 2009, 07:55:10 PM
: Colin YNWA 26 October, 2009, 08:53:30 PM
: I, Cosh 26 October, 2009, 09:30:44 PM
Sirens of Titan is utterly fantastic. Chronosynchlastic Infundubli will stay with me foreverThanks Krom. That phrase has stayed with me for twenty years or more, but I'd long forgotten the book, beyond probably being something I read in a Gollancz classic SF edition.
: Hoagy 26 October, 2009, 09:50:34 PM
I was recommended Slaughterhouse 5 but when it wasn't available we went for Sirens. Since then, I got hold of Slaughterhouse ad found it nowhere near as delicious as Sirens.
: Paul faplad Finch 28 October, 2009, 03:02:35 AM
I've been meaning to read a bit of Vonnegut since listening to a reading of Slaughterhouse 5 on Radio 7, which managed to impress me no end, despite the reader being rather underwhelming. The story itself was almost hypmotic. In fact, I'd venture to say that it's the only reading, as opposed to dramatisation, that I've really appreciated on 7. For some reason they don't usually work for me.
As a complete newcomer to Vonnegut, is there one book that people would recommend as a decent starting point?
: TordelBack 28 October, 2009, 10:26:26 AM
As a complete newcomer to Vonnegut, is there one book that people would recommend as a decent starting point?
Not a single work, but the collection Welcome to the Monkey House completely blew my mind when I was a youngish teenager.
IIRC it has the awesome short 'Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow'.
: Mike Gloady 28 October, 2009, 10:31:12 AM
So thanks for the recommendation, Tordelback.
: COMMANDO FORCES 28 October, 2009, 10:36:42 AM
: Colin Zeal 28 October, 2009, 12:55:59 PM
: Mike Gloady 28 October, 2009, 01:05:59 PM
: SmallBlueThing 28 October, 2009, 02:44:00 PM
: wild-seven 28 October, 2009, 02:48:53 PM
The board's very own Wild Seven (aka Kate, my other half) has chucked a copy of the original Battle Royale novel at me. Great stuff. I struggled to read it last night with a horrible gut-ache threatening to distract me. I fought bravely on.
It's very good, I highly recommend it. I'm currently reading 'Epitaph for a Spy' by Eric Ambler and dipping into the short stories of M.R James (it's nearly Halloween, a good enough excuse for anyone!)
: Paul faplad Finch 28 October, 2009, 03:14:53 PM
book 5 of Charlaind Harris's Southern Vampire Mysteries: Dead As A Doornail. Top stuff! sbt
I shall be scouring market stalls and second hand shops for these in the near future.
Can't abide generic tie in covers and so need older editions. Still, it's more fun to hunt them down. Not to mention cheaper.
: Colin YNWA 28 October, 2009, 04:43:43 PM
As a complete newcomer to Vonnegut, is there one book that people would recommend as a decent starting point?
My personal favourite is "Deadeye Dick" but for more 'typical' Vonnegut you can't go wrong with the two 'famous ones' "Breakfast of Champions" and the aforementioned "Slaughterhouse 5"
: Roger Godpleton 28 October, 2009, 10:16:05 PM
: I, Cosh 28 October, 2009, 10:49:50 PM
Almost done with Quicksilver. Up next is Proust. That's right, Proust.That reminds me of something.
: Ignatzmonster 29 October, 2009, 04:50:33 PM
My brother for my birthday got me Terry and the Pirates vol 4 and I'm pretty floored by it. It's like a lost John Ford or Howard Hawks picture. The hardest things to get used to are the repeat panels and the fact Terry and Pat never choose the girls I personally fancy. It is pricey (probably boils down to roughly 22 pounds) but it took me about a week to get through. Anyone else read this?
He also bought me the new collection of Prince Valient. Th artwork in that needs to be seen to be believed.
: House of Usher 29 October, 2009, 04:59:44 PM
: Paul faplad Finch 29 October, 2009, 05:13:40 PM
: TordelBack 29 October, 2009, 05:15:36 PM
Almost done with Quicksilver. Up next is Proust. That's right, Proust.That reminds me of something.
Was it Madeline Stowe? Madeline Albright? Something to do with Madelines, anyhow...
: SmallBlueThing 29 October, 2009, 10:27:39 PM
: HdE 29 October, 2009, 11:48:30 PM
: Paul faplad Finch 02 November, 2009, 12:35:42 AM
The bulk of the book is the guide, written by a staff writer on the show and going into a lot of detail on character arcs and the themes of the show rather than trivia. This in itself would make the book a worthwile read. But then you get the extra stuff.
An introduction by David Simon that runs almost 40 pages and includes a transcript of a letter he sent to HBO early on where he essentially tells them they'd be idiots not to run with the show. You get chapters by George Pelecanos and Bill Zorzi. Interviews with Melvin Hayes (real life drug lord turned actor) and various other cast members, and one of the most exhaustive cast and crew appendixes I've ever seen.
It's a cracker of a book. If you like The Wire of course.
: Paul faplad Finch 02 November, 2009, 03:20:04 AM
appendixes
I think that should be appendices. Yes? No?
God, the things that matter when you can't sleep.
: Hoagy 02 November, 2009, 04:45:53 AM
Very phallic word. Timecheck 4:42am
: Paul faplad Finch 02 November, 2009, 05:02:49 AM
It'll probably be an afternoon nap for me. You know, like a toddler or a particularly old pensioner.
: TheEdge 02 November, 2009, 09:53:56 AM
and
The Blade Itself
: Kerrin 03 November, 2009, 09:44:10 PM
Bumper Amazon parcel today with Dredd case files 3, The Boys 4 and the first Transmetropolitan. Yee-haa! And The Sirens of Titan is fantastic, I'd forgotten how much I love Kurt Vonnegut's writing. It's one of those books I wish was longer, I'm getting worryingly close to the end.
: I, Cosh 03 November, 2009, 09:46:34 PM
Well, while I know that there is something of a baklash towards The Wire at the moment...Really?
: Colin YNWA 04 November, 2009, 08:19:49 AM
And The Sirens of Titan is fantastic, I'd forgotten how much I love Kurt Vonnegut's writing. It's one of those books I wish was longer, I'm getting worryingly close to the end.
Yeah his writing style is such a delightful breeze to read, especially when you consider the dark subjects he covers.
: Mike Gloady 04 November, 2009, 12:46:05 PM
: Hoagy 04 November, 2009, 02:19:50 PM
: HOO-HAA 04 November, 2009, 03:46:03 PM
: COMMANDO FORCES 04 November, 2009, 03:48:10 PM
: Paul faplad Finch 04 November, 2009, 06:09:26 PM
Well, while I know that there is something of a baklash towards The Wire at the moment...Really?
Well, maybe I'm imagining it a little but I've definitely seen anti Wire sentiment in a couple of places on the web. I seem to rmember it getting a bit of stick on here a little while back. A thread to do with shows that people didn't like despite everyone else raving about them. I remember The Wire bing quite a (un)popular choice. That and I've overheard a couple of conversations recently with people bemoaning it's popularity.
Maybe I'm making more of it than what there is. As I say, I'm still a massive fan.
: radiator 05 November, 2009, 07:14:19 PM
: HOO-HAA 05 November, 2009, 07:43:07 PM
Excellent choice there, great stories and superb artwork.
Just about halfway through Vermin Stars. I must say, it's great stuff. Engaging and fun, with some fantastic characters. Godlokin is particularly cool.
: Zarjazzer 07 November, 2009, 10:26:16 AM
: TordelBack 07 November, 2009, 10:41:11 AM
: Colin YNWA 07 November, 2009, 11:45:31 AM
: IAMTHESYSTEM 07 November, 2009, 01:02:56 PM
: Paul faplad Finch 09 November, 2009, 07:22:57 PM
: Mikey 10 November, 2009, 01:52:21 PM
I'm up to date with Interzone and have 3 or 4 Black Static to read, then it's a full read of Transmetropolitan (got the last couple of books last xmas!)
M.
: Kerrin 10 November, 2009, 01:54:44 PM
: James Stacey 10 November, 2009, 03:00:10 PM
Thinking of getting Triumff next. Anyone read it? Doesn't appear to have been out in hardback though :( I hate paperbacks.
: HOO-HAA 10 November, 2009, 06:38:10 PM
It's an odd read. Very compelling and delightfully character-driven, yet at times I must admit to feeling a bit lost in all the techno-jargon...
: Roger Godpleton 11 November, 2009, 12:48:58 AM
: HdE 11 November, 2009, 03:34:08 AM
Ooh, just finished the first TPB of Transmetropolitan, it's ruddy good.
Ah! I have that on my shelf, waiting to be read. I read the first story arc 'Back On The Street' a while back. It is indeed the dog's danglies.
: TordelBack 11 November, 2009, 09:49:59 AM
Just started my third reading of The Crying of Lot 49. I think it's probably my favourite book ever written.
That's the one with the historian of postal companies, Genghis Cohen and Dr. Hilarious? If so, it's the only Pynchon I've ever read. I don't think I enjoyed it as much as you...
: strontium_dog_90 11 November, 2009, 04:55:00 PM
: COMMANDO FORCES 11 November, 2009, 05:08:48 PM
: strontium_dog_90 11 November, 2009, 05:13:08 PM
: Alski 11 November, 2009, 05:59:38 PM
just as good as the first volume, with Gerard Way showing immense promise with a tale that feels like a bit of vintage Alan Moore (before he went mad). In line with this, Gabriel Ba's art is like a nice cross between Kevin O'Neil and D'israli.
Well worth picking up, but you should read vol 1 first.
: Kerrin 11 November, 2009, 11:47:36 PM
: Alski 12 November, 2009, 09:23:27 AM
: Richmond Clements 12 November, 2009, 10:34:20 AM
Just received the new Stephen King book in the book, all whopping 900 pages of it. Have had a quick read of the first few pages and am looking forward to getting stuck into it. There's really nothing like a brand new King book, I look forward to it every year, I'd be lost if he ever truly did retire :-)
Agh! I forgot about this- that's another one to add to the pile...
I'm almost finshed rerading El Sombra by our pal Al Ewing. It really is wonderful, and it's helped by hearing Al's voice in my head while reading it!
: HOO-HAA 12 November, 2009, 11:04:33 AM
Just received the new Stephen King book in the book, all whopping 900 pages of it.
Good Lord! That man needs an editor! :P
Some of King's work is amazing. Other books, however, I find terrible.
I hear this is meant to be a return to form, though.
: Kerrin 12 November, 2009, 10:00:25 PM
And, I got Transmetropolitan vol2 for £2.20 on eBay, free postage. ;D <Does smug smartypants dance>
: Dark Jimbo 12 November, 2009, 10:03:32 PM
Some of King's work is amazing. Other books, however, I find terrible.
I know what you mean. His ouevre is one of extremes - lyrical masterpieces or borderline unreadable hackwork.
: Richmond Clements 12 November, 2009, 10:12:40 PM
Is that the "Under the Dome" one? Now I'm sure I'm wrong, and I am a King fan ('IT' is my fave) but I couldn't help thinking "Jeez, I wonder if he saw the Simpson's movie and thought 'now there's an idea with legs'".
Indeed- if he saw the Simpsons Movie 25 years ago, when he says he first started this book!
: Dark Jimbo 12 November, 2009, 10:15:52 PM
I couldn't help thinking "Jeez, I wonder if he saw the Simpson's movie and thought 'now there's an idea with legs'".
Indeed- if he saw the Simpsons Movie 25 years ago, when he says he first started this book!
I think it's more likely he's read The Midwich Cuckoos.
: Kerrin 12 November, 2009, 10:17:55 PM
Is that the "Under the Dome" one? Now I'm sure I'm wrong, and I am a King fan ('IT' is my fave) but I couldn't help thinking "Jeez, I wonder if he saw the Simpson's movie and thought 'now there's an idea with legs'".
Indeed- if he saw the Simpsons Movie 25 years ago, when he says he first started this book!
DOH!
: Mike Gloady 13 November, 2009, 09:03:14 AM
As for your bargain, Kerrin - go you! Transmet is a classic.
: strontium_dog_90 13 November, 2009, 09:19:51 AM
: HOO-HAA 13 November, 2009, 01:41:12 PM
Some of King's work is amazing. Other books, however, I find terrible.
I know what you mean. His ouevre is one of extremes - lyrical masterpieces or borderline unreadable hackwork.
So true. Carrie vs Tommyknockers.
: uncle fester 13 November, 2009, 01:49:42 PM
: Jim_Campbell 13 November, 2009, 11:58:38 PM
(http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb36/jimcampbell2000/BR06.jpg)
But Morrison's really doing the business on Batman and Robin ...
Cheers!
Jim
: Paul faplad Finch 15 November, 2009, 02:35:04 AM
My particular favourite is Cosmo. In one issue he needs to get on board a ship. He hangs around said ship and cudgels the first crewman he sees. After hiding the body he disguises himself as a sailor by putting on a striped shirt (and changes his ethnicity by putting on a fake moustache), before continuing to hang around the ship. An officer comes from the ship looking for his crewman, sees Cosmo and the following exchange takes place :
Officer : Hey Spick, looking for a job?
Cosmo : Si Meester.
Hey presto, he's aboard.
The casual racism is nothing compared to the rampant sexism though. SPY is a good one for that, with a man/woman team in which the man constantly belittles his partner, despite them supposedly being lovers.
I'm loving them, if I'm honest, even if I am reading them on a probably not strictly legal scan site. Does anyone know of a way to get these stories properly, without breaking the bank? I'd imagine they are pretty much forgotten about now.
: Colin YNWA 15 November, 2009, 09:28:31 AM
: HOO-HAA 16 November, 2009, 12:58:58 PM
From a legal perspective, there may be a chance that some of the older stuff may be in 'public domain'? I'm not sure - just speculating...
: Kerrin 16 November, 2009, 01:06:50 PM
: HOO-HAA 16 November, 2009, 10:24:40 PM
Hey HOO-HAA, don't know if you'd realised but the link in your sig is broken mate.
Cheers, mate... got a bit trigger-happy with the ol' https. Good of you to let me know :)
: Christov 17 November, 2009, 11:56:09 PM
: Jim_Campbell 18 November, 2009, 12:12:17 AM
Postman willing, I should have The Question – Zen and Violence come tomorrow. I do love me some Denny O’Neil.
I really liked that O'Neil/Cowan series -- if you've not read it before, you should really enjoy it.
Rick Magyar was a perfectly good inker for Cowan, but I think it's worth mentioning that his ideal inker was actually Bill Sienkiewicz (http://denyscowan.com/Work_Images/images/DOCZERO4.jpg), which is the only way that I could think of improving that run ...
DC are soliciting Cowan and Sienkiewicz on The Question in Jan 2010 (http://www.dccomics.com/dcu/comics/?cm=13781), by the way ...
Cheers!
Jim
: Christov 18 November, 2009, 12:21:01 AM
: Bolt-01 19 November, 2009, 01:38:52 PM
: Roger Godpleton 19 November, 2009, 01:41:03 PM
: Mike Gloady 19 November, 2009, 01:41:46 PM
: strontium_dog_90 19 November, 2009, 06:03:13 PM
Just finished the new Stephen King book, too, and I'm happy to report that it's a great return to form. Well worth getting, for any lapsed fans.
: wild-seven 19 November, 2009, 06:40:29 PM
: Richmond Clements 19 November, 2009, 08:24:14 PM
I know some of us keep banging on about it ...
(http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb36/jimcampbell2000/BR06.jpg)
But Morrison's really doing the business on Batman and Robin ...
Cheers!
Jim
Just finished reading this issue. I'm running out of superlatives.
: Jim_Campbell 19 November, 2009, 08:49:56 PM
Just finished reading this issue. I'm running out of superlatives.
It's just a genuine pleasure, isn't it?
I haven't really read much of Morrison's mainstream US stuff -- I pretty much stopped buying US comics just as he started landing the really high profile gigs, so I think I'm going to have to rectify that. Any suggestions as to where I should start?
Cheers!
Jim
: Richmond Clements 19 November, 2009, 09:03:07 PM
I'm doing a bit of grazing- reading 28 Days Later, the new Batgirl book, Capt America Reborn (out of curiosity more than anything else) and the odd random thing that catches me eye.
Morrison's JLA stuff is worth reading- I've got some of the trades and they are great- he really understands how the superhero thing works, and has the relationship between the Big Three down perfectly.
: I, Cosh 19 November, 2009, 09:10:15 PM
: Roger Godpleton 19 November, 2009, 10:49:00 PM
Capt America Reborn (out of curiosity more than anything else)
All of the Brubaker Cap trades are brilliant comics.
: Tiplodocus 19 November, 2009, 11:32:20 PM
Oh and BATMAN and ROBIN. STill brilliant but I wish Quietely was on interior art.
: Paul faplad Finch 20 November, 2009, 12:58:37 AM
Yep, the same site has all the early Action stuff too. Was surprised to see Superman on the cover of issue 1 though. I'd assumed that he came along some time later, in the same way Batman/Detective happened.
I realise my (woefully inadequate to begin with) geek credibility has just been obliterated. Never mind.
Meanwhile, in the world of words without pictures, all the talk of King has reminded me that I have yet to read Duma Key or the collection of shorts he brought out a while back. This after years of being first in line for new King material. Not sure what changed. Can't realy claim disilussionment as I enjoyed Cell and Lisey.
: Jim_Campbell 20 November, 2009, 09:05:41 AM
Oh and BATMAN and ROBIN. STill brilliant but I wish Quietely was on interior art.
I can't disagree with that. On the other hand, it's nice to see a high-profile book that's maintaining something approximating a monthly schedule, which having Quitely as the sole (or even main) artist would preclude.
On balance, I like having the book come out on a reasonably reliable schedule ... if there were two and three month gaps between issues, I suspect I'd lose interest quite rapidly.
Cheers
Jim
: Colin YNWA 20 November, 2009, 09:19:41 AM
On balance, I like having the book come out on a reasonably reliable schedule ... if there were two and three month gaps between issues, I suspect I'd lose interest quite rapidly.
Since there's a skip month in December according to DCs advanced solicitations Febuary will actually have two issues so it catchs up! Hows that for keeping the pace going.
: Judge Cassidy 20 November, 2009, 09:31:21 AM
: HdE 21 November, 2009, 07:15:28 AM
Oh dear.
Easily the most disappointing comic I've read this year. A real missed opportunity. I feel so badly for everyone involved.
: Christov 21 November, 2009, 08:15:00 AM
Sadly, I blasted through the whole 170-something pages in around 45 minutes, but it left me wanting more. Charming, exciting, and it captures the attention in a way few comics truly do. Lovely stuff.
: Colin YNWA 21 November, 2009, 05:35:41 PM
I know some of us keep banging on about it ...
But Morrison's really doing the business on Batman and Robin ...
Cheers!
Jim
Just finished reading this issue. I'm running out of superlatives.
You know some things are just worth banging on about. Read this on the way to Leeds today and it is simply brillant.
: SmallBlueThing 21 November, 2009, 05:44:06 PM
A real shame.
SBT (crying because his zombies let him down)
: Jim_Campbell 21 November, 2009, 06:13:42 PM
You know some things are just worth banging on about. Read this on the way to Leeds today and it is simply brillant.
Bolt-01 tells me I missed you at Thought Bubble, Colin ... sorry about that!
CHeers
Jim
: Colin YNWA 21 November, 2009, 06:31:45 PM
: Zarjazzer 22 November, 2009, 11:09:43 AM
: Dandontdare 22 November, 2009, 01:52:37 PM
: Roger Godpleton 22 November, 2009, 07:39:05 PM
I'm on the last volume of In Search of Last Time. We get it, your fat girlfriend died, we don't need, like, 80 pages of moping. [/faux philistinism]
: Kerrin 22 November, 2009, 07:57:13 PM
[/faux philistinism]
I didn't know you pretended to collect stamps Roger. That's great.
I'm halfway through rereading the 'Hyperion' omnibus and I'm trying to decide between 'The Court of the Air' by Stephen Hunt next, or 'Black Swan Green' by David Mitchell.
: I, Cosh 22 November, 2009, 08:10:05 PM
I'm on the last volume of In Search of Last Time. We get it, your fat girlfriend died, we don't need, like, 80 pages of moping. [/faux philistinism]Germaine Greer had a diverting column in The Guadian the other week concerned, in amongst the posing, with the difficulty in translating style. Which are you reading?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2009/nov/08/germaine-greer-proust
I'm halfway through rereading the 'Hyperion' omnibus and I'm trying to decide between 'The Court of the Air' by Stephen Hunt next, or 'Black Swan Green' by David Mitchell.Black Swan Green isn't as good as Cloud Atlas, but it has a poorly researched reference to 2000AD in it.
: TordelBack 22 November, 2009, 08:58:20 PM
: Kerrin 22 November, 2009, 09:02:13 PM
: Judge Cassidy 22 November, 2009, 09:12:12 PM
I finished Damnation Alley today. What a great book.
You should watch the film, I love it. I mean, it's pretty much a B-movie, but it's good fun. Plus you get John 'Hannibal Smith' AND Stringfellow Hawke together in the same film, driving a huge armoured truck! And the classic line:
"This whole town is infested with killer cockroaches, repeat, KILLER COCKROACHES!!"
: stacey 22 November, 2009, 09:43:05 PM
: Mike Gloady 22 November, 2009, 10:07:49 PM
: Mardroid 22 November, 2009, 11:30:08 PM
I've read all the series before but I'm ploughing my way through in preparation for when I get the new book, The Gathering Storm. It's a shame Robert Jordan died before completing the last book, but he left lots of notes (and written sections.) so I'm hoping the new chap did him proud. I've heard mixed things, but largely positive.
Speaking of series of books, where the original author died, I grabbed And Another Thing from the library a couple of weeks back. I'm surprised it even turned up that early! I've yet to read it though. (I'm not keen on reading two books at once.)
: Kerrin 23 November, 2009, 07:38:24 AM
At the moment I'm reading the second book of The Wheel of Time: The Great Hunt.
I've read all the series before but I'm ploughing my way through in preparation for when I get the new book, The Gathering Storm.
You're a stronger man than me Mardroid, I managed to get to halfway through the sixth book before I lost the will to carry on.
: Roger Godpleton 23 November, 2009, 05:06:46 PM
: Mardroid 23 November, 2009, 10:51:17 PM
You're a stronger man than me Mardroid, I managed to get to halfway through the sixth book before I lost the will to carry on.
Heh. I know what you mean. I read some of the middle books feeling that the story hadn't moved on much despite how much had happened. That being said I still enjoyed them, and rather like the subplots and the world as a whole.
: Darren Stephens 24 November, 2009, 07:07:27 PM
: TordelBack 24 November, 2009, 07:29:37 PM
Just started to read "The Exterminators", drawn by the excellent Tony Moore. Anyone else read it? Seems cool so far.
Read the first TPB, really enjoyed it. Waiting on the library to get more in...
: mechanix81 24 November, 2009, 08:56:50 PM
: Mardroid 26 November, 2009, 01:01:42 AM
My theory is that she is an aspect of the Scarlet Witches personality, a sane part that's aware of what's going on. Wanda isn't strictly psychic though, but then again, according to Emma Frost she isn't in the conventional sense either. Or maybe she's a plant from Xavier?
I'm half way through. It'll be interesting to see how far out I am...
: O Lucky Stevie! 26 November, 2009, 05:02:09 AM
I finished Damnation Alley today. What a great book.
'tis indeed. On the way through did you experience the whole thing drawn in your mind's eye by Bolland & McMahon like Stevie did?
I've just begun Flood by Stephen Baxter (with Ark waiting in the wings). Must say that I'm enjoying it more than the Time's Tapestry books, but geez --& I mean this as a tribute to Baxter's writing-- the opening chapters weren't half gruelling!
: vzzbux 27 November, 2009, 09:33:43 PM
V
: Richmond Clements 27 November, 2009, 10:16:57 PM
: strontium_dog_90 28 November, 2009, 11:38:57 AM
Just treated myself to "Fahrenheit 451," too, as I'm on something of a classic sci-fi read at the moment - "The Shrinking Man" by Richard Matheson I got through last week, and I couldn't help thinking it would make a great movie if re-made today - imagine how scary all the giant people (and things!) could be made to look.
: Richmond Clements 28 November, 2009, 12:02:19 PM
: strontium_dog_90 28 November, 2009, 12:21:09 PM
As well as 2000ad, he mentions others comics, and seems like a massive fan of comics in general, even saying at one point that they can be life-changing. Always nice to see a truth like that stressed.
: Richmond Clements 28 November, 2009, 12:30:44 PM
As well as 2000ad, he mentions others comics, and seems like a massive fan of comics in general, even saying at one point that they can be life-changing. Always nice to see a truth like that stressed.
Cool- and I should mention that during the HiEx weekend, Frankie is playing the same venue!
: strontium_dog_90 28 November, 2009, 12:40:49 PM
As well as 2000ad, he mentions others comics, and seems like a massive fan of comics in general, even saying at one point that they can be life-changing. Always nice to see a truth like that stressed.
Cool- and I should mention that during the HiEx weekend, Frankie is playing the same venue!
Wow - surely there are a few stories to be had from THAT fact! I'll have to take a look at the audience on the DVD release, see if there's any obvious crossover between the two different events :-)
: Mike Gloady 28 November, 2009, 12:43:51 PM
: strontium_dog_90 28 November, 2009, 12:49:13 PM
: Kerrin 28 November, 2009, 04:27:21 PM
Got "The Umbrella Academy; Dallas", "Hellboy" 8, "IR$" vol1 and "We3" as well. I think I may have developed a bit of a habit.
: HdE 28 November, 2009, 06:47:03 PM
While trawling Amazon, I found a collection of Tokyopop manga digests based on the old Starcraft computer game (a game I devoured and went back to many a time in my mis-spent youth!) - looking it over, I saw that a number of western writers were attached to it. So I ordered the lot!
Volumes 2 and 3 arrived today, and I'm RARING to read them- chamoping at the bit, I tells ya! BUT WITH NO VOLUME 1 TO START WITH, I AM DENIIIIIIEEEED!!!
Shame. They look really excellent. I'll be reading 'em as soon as the rest of the volumes arrive.
: HOO-HAA 28 November, 2009, 09:54:46 PM
Dark, speculative fiction at its very best. Loving it!
: Colin YNWA 28 November, 2009, 10:04:39 PM
I've been reading "The Scorpion" by Desberg and Marini as recommended by Bolt. It's a good swashbuckling story but the artwork is just unreal. Every single panel is an absolute masterpiece. I'm onto the second trade and chuffed to bits to see there's a third on the way.
Have to say just checked thes eon Amazon as I'm a big fan of Zorro comics and always fancy a little bit of swashbuckling (or War, or Cowboy, or Jungle action) comics and his is entirely new to me but sounds superb. Another for the wish list!
: Mike Gloady 28 November, 2009, 11:05:08 PM
: starscape 29 November, 2009, 09:55:16 PM
: Tiplodocus 30 November, 2009, 07:44:16 PM
I sometimes think it might be a nice idea to try and get a gig organised at a Con' with lots of geek firendly comedians. But then I remember that most people go to Con's for comics, a beer and a chat and don't really fancy having to stay quiet while a comedian is on.
I think we should see if he fancies popping down the bar for a few afterwards though.
: IAMTHESYSTEM 30 November, 2009, 08:47:47 PM
: HdE 30 November, 2009, 10:19:39 PM
Dear lord. Funniest book I've read all year! Recommended to anybody who gets a laugh out of aliens butt-probing rednecks!
: HOO-HAA 30 November, 2009, 10:41:55 PM
I'll probably just do what I usually do and read both at feckin' once. ::)
: Goatilocks 04 December, 2009, 02:03:04 PM
Precious Metal: Decibel Presents the Stories Behind 25 Extreme Metal Masterpieces,
Belzec, Sobibor, Treblinka - The Operation Reinhard Death Camps,
New issue of Terrorizer,
Flesh (Rebellion graphic novel).
: Zarjazzer 05 December, 2009, 11:06:22 AM
: Hoagy 05 December, 2009, 12:08:17 PM
: amberkraken 05 December, 2009, 03:09:06 PM
Wow!
This is so fucking good. It'll be the step that takes away people picking up his books because they wonder what Stephen King's son writes like, to picking up his books because everyone says how great they are.
It's about a guy who wakes up after a heavy night drinking with horns (hence the title) and he finds himself a demon, more like that devil that sits on your shoulder in cartoons! and people keep asking him if they should do things (their dark feelings) and he can make them do things. All this set with a very moving story of his girlfriend who was raped and killed. and predictably, he uses his power to find out who did it. But the way the story goes isn't so predictable. I enjoyed every last page! When it comes out, go get it!
: wild-seven 05 December, 2009, 04:05:42 PM
: strontium_dog_90 05 December, 2009, 07:41:26 PM
: COMMANDO FORCES 05 December, 2009, 07:42:35 PM
: strontium_dog_90 05 December, 2009, 07:46:12 PM
: TordelBack 06 December, 2009, 05:53:54 PM
What really struck me about Verdus is that this is a story that simply could not have appeared anywhere else other than 2000AD. A one-year with a machine gun? A lovesick limbless robo-meter with boobs? A sewer droid called B.O.? The entire population of colonists killed in a fire - that Sam started? Fantastic!
Now on to Day of Da Droids, which I definitely have read, and love.
: Jim_Campbell 06 December, 2009, 06:36:40 PM
It's absolutely great!
It really is, isn't it? I still maintain that Verdus is solid fried gold for a CGI kids' series ... relentlessly inventive visually, plotted with a superb sense of escalating panic, and just enormous fun.
Cheers!
Jim
: Richmond Clements 06 December, 2009, 06:36:49 PM
I'm just about to re-read 'The Wasp Factory' by Iain Banks - 25 years on and still a belter
Yup. Pretty much a perfect book.
I revisited it again during the summer and was surprised that it was a lot funnier than I had remembered.
: Jim_Campbell 06 December, 2009, 06:45:09 PM
I revisited it again during the summer and was surprised that it was a lot funnier than I had remembered.
Oh, yeah ... in an "Oh, God, I really shouldn't be laughing at that" sort of way ...
Cheers!
Jim
: Richmond Clements 06 December, 2009, 06:53:01 PM
I revisited it again during the summer and was surprised that it was a lot funnier than I had remembered.
Oh, yeah ... in an "Oh, God, I really shouldn't be laughing at that" sort of way ...
Cheers!
Jim
Indeed, I should have made that clear, lest folks thought I was a bit weird...
: I, Cosh 06 December, 2009, 07:04:44 PM
Then I deliberately reread Legend of the Holy Drinker. They've got a bit of a cheek charging six quid for it, but it does prove that short is often best.
: Mike Gloady 06 December, 2009, 07:13:16 PM
Not that I'm complaining you understand, they're great. Just wondering how you get further than the first page or two without thinking "hey, I'm meant to be doing the washing up!"
: Richmond Clements 06 December, 2009, 07:21:53 PM
: Roger Godpleton 06 December, 2009, 07:24:33 PM
: I, Cosh 06 December, 2009, 07:35:44 PM
Libra by DeLillo which is pretty cool.Of the de Lillo that I've read, Libra was the best.
: TordelBack 06 December, 2009, 09:14:57 PM
I accidentally reread the first two volumes of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials this weekend. They really are extremely good books.
The important part of this statement is 'the first two volumes'. They're both great. Even the bulk of the third one is good, but the resolution/revelation leaves me utterly cold.
: satchmo 06 December, 2009, 09:52:03 PM
: TordelBack 06 December, 2009, 10:16:18 PM
And I really must finish reading the Riverworld series. Who built the bastard?! And why?!
Oh, you definitely should persevere. I held off on reading The Magic Labyrinth and Gods of Riverworld for years, but they turned out to be quite satisfying 'conclusions' to a superb series. I still think there's a great TV show lurking in Riverworld somewhere - I had high hopes for the abortive Kevin Smith (the other one) series.
: I, Cosh 06 December, 2009, 10:26:43 PM
As it happens, my ex-girlfriend's brother still has my copy of the third one and it wasn't in the library yesterday so I'll probably not get to that this time. As I remember it tries to cram far too much in.I accidentally reread the first two volumes of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials this weekend. They really are extremely good books.The important part of this statement is 'the first two volumes'. They're both great. Even the bulk of the third one is good, but the resolution/revelation leaves me utterly cold.
One thing I meant to comment on, given its topicality on another thread, is the neat way sex is dealt with in the books. Acknowledged but not explained or dwelt on.
: Kerrin 06 December, 2009, 10:35:53 PM
And I really must finish reading the Riverworld series. Who built the bastard?! And why?!
Oh, you definitely should persevere. I held off on reading The Magic Labyrinth and Gods of Riverworld for years, but they turned out to be quite satisfying 'conclusions' to a superb series. I still think there's a great TV show lurking in Riverworld somewhere - I had high hopes for the abortive Kevin Smith (the other one) series.
Christ, I thought it finished in a bit of a rush. So the dogfight and what have you weren't near the end at all. I'm wondering where I got up to.
: House of Usher 06 December, 2009, 11:04:21 PM
This weekend I read Blood Brothers by Willy Russell on the bus to and from London for teaching purposes. I surprised myself by finding it not only a good read but also very moving in places. For 2 years though I've been disapproving of its inclusion on English Literature GCSE reading lists. "That's not literature!" I would complain. By all means put it on the reading for English language and get them to do coursework on it, but setting it for an exam seemed wrong to me.
When I wrote the outline of my English Literature GCSE course I selected The Importance of Being Earnest (Oscar Wilde) from the Pre-1914 drama list and Pygmalion (George Bernard Shaw) from the Post-1914 after consulting some prospective students. When the course began I had a couple of late joiners who asked what the books were and I told them. One asked "aren't we doing a Shakespeare?" (no) and the other asked "why don't you do Blood Brothers?" (because I don't want to teach it and I can't see the benefit of it to a class of adult learners who are in class of their own free will and don't have to be engaged by literature that speaks to their own experience in a very literal way).
Initially I objected to the implication that I had made some sort of mistake in selecting Shaw rather than Willy Russell for inclusion in a course on literature, but it soon became apparent that the reason why she would rather study Blood Brothers was because she had already read it in school and it would therefore involve less work on her part!
Anyway, I still don't have a high opinion of Blood Brothers as literature, but it's a good read and a successful piece of drama. I can see its usefulness for engaging school kids who don't really want to be in school or learn anything but who can nevertheless be reached through art (Russell's original purpose in writing it), but it's a pity if by competing with other plays for space on the curriculum it narrows rather than broadens their learning experiences, hence my view that children's exposure to the play properly belongs on the language and drama syllabus.
So, erm... I've been reading Blood Brothers then. :-[
: TordelBack 07 December, 2009, 05:18:05 AM
This was in happier days, since we got away with producing soft positively lewd images of our gorgeous leading lady for the posters. I also drew some tragic illos for the programmes, almost my only 'published' 'art'!
: Hoagy 07 December, 2009, 07:06:48 AM
: vzzbux 07 December, 2009, 05:16:25 PM
V
: House of Usher 07 December, 2009, 05:47:26 PM
Pygmalion - is it worth a read?
Well, that rather depends. If you mean instead of watching the film of My Fair Lady I'd say 'no' - the film is quite sufficient. But if you mean for the purpose of getting better acquainted with the original text, I'd say 'yes.' Shaw's dialogue is very well observed, and the best of it makes it through to the musical version. A more faithful film version (with the afternoon tea scene not moved to Royal Ascot) pre-dates both the musical and the Second World War.
: House of Usher 07 December, 2009, 06:28:52 PM
I've a soft spot for Willy Russell, ever since I spent some happy weekends painting inner-city streetscapes and skylines on backdrops for a school production of Our Day Out.
I like Willy Russell a lot. I saw 'Our Day Out' performed the drama teacher's own form group at school, and it was marvellous. Superb performances from everyone involved, not just drama enthusiasts, and a really touching rendition of 'Why Can't it Always be like This.' The headmaster's hackles rose at the swearing, even from the girl marvelling at a crystal chandelier "Cor! Look sat that bleedin' great lampshade."
I still prefer his grow-up work though: Educating Rita and Shirley Valentine, even though the film of Educating Rita is marred by a really horrible and dated synthesizer backing track. I could even countenance teaching Educating Rita as genuine Post-1914 literature, except most of it would be lost on school kids, as it's definitely not about people who haven't left school yet. Adult learners would probably enjoy it, although some might find the themes unbearably close to home.
: Paul faplad Finch 13 December, 2009, 12:39:55 AM
Anyway, my Hardback is Skullduggery Pleasant, which has raised a fair few chuckles so far and lead to me embarresing myself on another thread. After that it's Duma Key, as I attempt to catch up with my King. Hints have been dropped that Under The Dome may be heading my way come Christmas so now seemed the time.
In paperback I'm reading Triumff, which is everything you'd expect from Mr Abnett. Whether thaats a good thing or a bad thing is up to you but I'm loving it.
Then there is my American GN, which at the moment is the Hawkman Showcase. This is the first Showcase book to grab me properly since Jonah Hex. Probably because it's the first I've read since Hex that wasn't written by Robert Kanigher. Although he did do the back up strips in the Hex book, which made it end on a duff note so Hawkman is probably gonna have to go down as my favourite so far. After I finish this I've got a bit more Delano Hellblazer to read although without the book in front of me I can't remember the collection title. It's the collection that comes after Fear Machine chronolgically.
: House of Usher 13 December, 2009, 01:06:16 AM
: HOO-HAA 15 December, 2009, 08:54:42 AM
Excellent. Better than his latest novel, Handling the Undead (also a good read, mind).
I do suspect, however, that much is lost in the translation - particulalrly with dialogue.
: Colin YNWA 17 December, 2009, 01:14:52 PM
Still if you can hunt down these little talked about Kirby issues I can't recommend them highly enough. Inspired.
: Bolt-01 17 December, 2009, 01:43:24 PM
Trash- utter trash- but really enjoyable page turning trash. Great fun, but not one for lunchtimes...
: James Stacey 17 December, 2009, 01:59:51 PM
In paperback I'm reading Triumff, which is everything you'd expect from Mr Abnett. Whether thaats a good thing or a bad thing is up to you but I'm loving it.
I'm reading Triumff at the moment too. Like an alternate history Flashman. Really enjoying it.
: Dandontdare 17 December, 2009, 02:22:10 PM
If anyone's considering the new Viz-style comic POOT, (issue 2 currently in the newsagents £2.50), then seriously don't. It's even worse than all the other pale imitators that came out. Very very poor indeed.
The only joke that made me even smile featured Judge Dredd oddly enough. The "gag" is that the character changes every panel - from Frankenbstein's monster to a dinosaur to a baby etc. 3 panels from the end he turns into JD while on a train - and then is the same in the next 2 panels, prompting the punchline "shit - forgot to change at Crewe"
If you think that's weak, the rest of it is much much worse.
: HOO-HAA 17 December, 2009, 04:52:22 PM
I'm reminded, though, of a wonderful Viz strip from back in the day called Frankenstein's Cock, where the good doctor created a huge, stitched up, electrified, veiny member to wow the ladies.
Halcyon days! :)
: Bolt-01 19 December, 2009, 08:58:07 AM
This is a cracking little volume- it wears its heart on its sleeve, along with many other internal organs, but the plot is solid (apart from one really annoying thing near the very end) and as you would expect, the tension in places is palpable.
I was expecting this to be a 'slog' of a book, but it was entertaining, gross, funny and even informative. I never knew this much about Voodoo, and I've seen 'Live and let die!' :)
Trash genre fiction it may be- but it was a damn fine read too.
: stacey 19 December, 2009, 09:04:03 AM
: Richmond Clements 19 December, 2009, 10:41:28 AM
I've just finished 'WAY OF THE BAREFOOT ZOMBIE' by Jaspre Bark.
This is a cracking little volume- it wears its heart on its sleeve, along with many other internal organs, but the plot is solid (apart from one really annoying thing near the very end) and as you would expect, the tension in places is palpable.
I was expecting this to be a 'slog' of a book, but it was entertaining, gross, funny and even informative. I never knew this much about Voodoo, and I've seen 'Live and let die!' :)
Trash genre fiction it may be- but it was a damn fine read too.
Or to put it another way: http://www.2000adreview.co.uk/site/index.php/Book-Reviews/Way-of-the-Barefoot-Zombie.html
: Bolt-01 19 December, 2009, 12:31:58 PM
: Paul faplad Finch 22 December, 2009, 04:09:32 AM
In its place I was going to dip back into the Horus Heresy for a book or two but instead I've gone with the Last Legion books by Chris Bunch, which on the surface appear to be a similar kind of thing. Bunch is a name that I've notice a lot over the years but never gotten around to trying so when I notice the Library had a full set of these Legion books I thought what the Hell.
I'm only a couple of chapters in so no real opinion yet although I've noticed he has an annoying habit of refering to characters by their Christian names one second and their Surnames the next, often within the same paragraph. Since the names are all of the exotic alien type and I'm not fully familiar with all the cast yet it can get a mite confusing. It can feel like there are twice as many characters in a scene.
Also, I've just hit Mark Millars run on Swamp Thing. It's a trifle strange. On the one hand he couldn't possibly be worse than Nancy Collins but on the other... the heroine goes from fragile, emotionally damaged damsel in distress to gun toting Sarah Connor wannabe in about 3 pages. There is a whole sequence set in Holland with an immortal woman who decides the best use of immortality is to be a Hooker who lets clients kill her, and his new big villain is a Big Game Hunter with an eyepatch whose built like a brick shithouse and spends a lot of time talking about being afraid of the dark. It's all a bit 'not quite right'.
Course, this could be the era everyone thinks of as the rennaisance of the title and I'm just not grasping the subtleties. Wouldn't be the first time.
: OpusAndBill 22 December, 2009, 06:22:40 PM
Just finished reading Jack Kirby's '2001 a Space odyssey'. Wow that was good fun, the first 7 issues in particular. Its a shame when the more traditional superhero narrative of the Machine Man (nee Mister Machine, nee X-51) issues takes over as those early issues are some great craziness. I'd have loved to know where he'd have taken it had it not changed track, I assume cos of poor sales as its clear from the letters pages etc that he was building something.
Still if you can hunt down these little talked about Kirby issues I can't recommend them highly enough. Inspired.
Agreed. Issue 5 (Norton Of New York?) is one of my all-time favourite comics. You can still pick up the whole series on ebay for about a tenner, or less - at least I've seen it go for that fairly regularly. I've never been able to get my hands on the treasury issues adapting the movie, though.
Currently reading the 60th anniversary issue of F&SF.
: COMMANDO FORCES 22 December, 2009, 06:28:12 PM
Since the names are all of the exotic alien type and I'm not fully familiar with all the cast yet it can get a mite confusing.
This is what always buggers up a book for me and that's why I can't get into fantasy stuff. Names as long as a paragraph, no thanks!
: O Lucky Stevie! 22 December, 2009, 10:27:07 PM
Oddly enough, a small part of Stevie is anticipating down on his luck protagonist Tommy Wilhelm discovering that he's in actual fact an android.
: House of Usher 22 December, 2009, 10:38:31 PM
...but at least I haven't got to read anything for school any more!
Over the Christmas break I will, however, be reading Zarjaz #08. Cheers, Bolt-01! :)
: Paul faplad Finch 22 December, 2009, 11:28:31 PM
Views in the relative thread when I'm done.
: I, Cosh 23 December, 2009, 12:14:35 AM
Just started Seize the day on my daily commute. Man, can this Saul Bellow write. He oughta be awarded a Nobel Prize for Literature or something.Henderson the Rain King completely blew me away and I went out and grabbed a fistful of his other books. None of which I've been able to finish as they're all about dreary middle-aged academics having affairs. I should really give them another chance.
Over the past week, inspired by Comics Should Be Good's top 100 storylines (Dredd didn't make it), I've been rereading Sandman. I'm just over two-thirds of the way through and ,sadly, I really haven't enjoyed it this time. All the criticisms of its empty archness and gothic, pseudo-intellectual posing which I used to scoff at seem to ring true this time and I keep being brought up short by the sort of florid, horribly overwritten descriptive prose which I've always associated with Gaiman's novels.
For such a well regarded series it's interesting how pedestrian the art is for the most part. There's the odd issue illuminated by a Bryan Talbot or P Craig Russell then your straight back to Kelly Jones or Sam Kieth next issue.
There are still great moments and excellent individual issues (usually the incidental short stories like Ramadan) but, overall, I feel like I've had a faithful old hound put to sleep.
: wild-seven 23 December, 2009, 07:44:41 PM
*Blimey, I spelt this right FIRST TIME!
: House of Usher 24 December, 2009, 03:58:10 AM
: TordelBack 24 December, 2009, 05:41:03 AM
: das 24 December, 2009, 05:56:59 AM
dada's women ruth hemud
a game of war guy denord
a power governments cannot suppress howard zinn
and finishing off my missing progs with a run from 1200-1400
thrill power overload indeed !!
: Dounreay 24 December, 2009, 03:19:50 PM
Holiday reading is Neal Stephenson's The Diamond Age, Neal Asher's Prador Moon and Richard Matheson's I Am Legend (cos you need to read something scary at Xmas) with the on-going Complete Tales of Para Handy for some laughs. Now how good is that?
But before all that, there is the annual re-read of A Christmas Carol, this very evening. 50-odd pages of sheer delight from Mr Dickens.
Make mine an egg-nog and Merry Crimbo to one an' all!
: O Lucky Stevie! 25 December, 2009, 11:20:41 PM
Richard Matheson's I Am Legend (cos you need to read something scary at Xmas)
Stevie's only recently read this myself -- it's a goodie.
: amberkraken 26 December, 2009, 09:41:59 AM
So far it's really good. It's short stories that are all set in the start of the colonisation of Mars. It can be very depressing at times but is also full of very black humour that makes you laugh instead of crying.
: House of Usher 26 December, 2009, 02:17:04 PM
: Colin YNWA 26 December, 2009, 06:05:29 PM
Got lots of reading for X-mas including a number of books about pirates that I'll be getting onto soon BUT next up is the new Charley's War (Volume 6) which I'm very much looking forward to.
: blixab 27 December, 2009, 05:02:10 PM
: amberkraken 27 December, 2009, 06:05:36 PM
Warning: He does masterbate a LOT in the book. -and I couldn't help but picture Bunny as Nick Cave! (shudder!)
: SmallBlueThing 27 December, 2009, 11:04:25 PM
Just finished Grandville by Mr Bryan Talbot, of this parish, which was an xmas present from my wife- and which was a hundred pages of sheer badgery joy.
SBT
: mogzilla 28 December, 2009, 10:37:18 AM
also got a young bond book wich i dont really like and a nice monsters book of doctor who...
: House of Usher 28 December, 2009, 10:54:39 AM
At the same time I noticed how many utter shite comedy fantasy novels there are at the moment playing with literary themes and characters.
: TordelBack 28 December, 2009, 11:04:02 AM
The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy & Other Stories
Let us know how that one goes, Usher, I've been thinking about picking it up. Feel free to keep any reactions to the 1,001 Pinup Girls to yourself though.
: House of Usher 28 December, 2009, 11:07:10 AM
: wild-seven 28 December, 2009, 03:09:04 PM
: Mike Gloady 28 December, 2009, 03:18:38 PM
I just get the impression that he's constantly makiing the same film/whatever (which I've not usually thought much of the previous times he made it). I will usually watch his flicks though, there's usually SOMETHING to latch onto though.
: Jared Katooie 28 December, 2009, 03:23:01 PM
: Zarjazzer 28 December, 2009, 04:36:34 PM
: I, Cosh 28 December, 2009, 05:55:23 PM
Recently had Frederick Forsyth's The Afghan thrust upon me by my cousin. The thriller is not a genre I've ever dabbled in and it was a strange read as at least half the book was flashback over the entire careers of the two main characters and the reader already knows the solution to the mystery which the security bods are trying to solve. One of the flashback strands does manage to give an excellent overview of Afghan history and politics since the Russian invasion, effectively illustrating the foolishness of viewing the Afghans as a united force under the Taliban, Islam their own notional government or anything else. That bit was good.
: TordelBack 28 December, 2009, 10:44:52 PM
I know there's at least one follow-up, but do we ever find out who or what built the Ringworld?
Yes we do, ( it was the Pak), revealed in the sequel The Ringworld Engineers. There are at least two other sequels that I know of, and a handful of prequels, and it's part of Niven's Known Space universe, which when last I looked comprised dozens of short stories and not a few novels, even some by other authors.
There's some smart ideas there, but TBH I find Niven on his own clever but a bit dull - possibly unique amongst authors I find his collaborative novels (Footfall, Mote in God's Eye, Legacy of Heorot) muh more fun. His politics are well dodgy (IMHO), but he did give us the short story/essay that preempted just about every dirty joke ever made about superheroes, 'Man of Steel, Woman of Kleenex'.
: I, Cosh 28 December, 2009, 10:49:06 PM
Yes we do.Ah. I read Protector years ago.
: O Lucky Stevie! 29 December, 2009, 02:07:30 AM
Read Ringworld on Boxing Day. Starts out great but sort of fizzles out at the end. I know there's at least one follow-up, but do we ever find out who or what built the Ringworld?
Loved Ringworld when I was all of 12, but it's not Orbitsville or Rendezvous with Rama, is it Cosh?
Skip straight to the 4th book Ringworld's Children -- more plot than the preceding books combined in half the page count of any of the individual volumes.
Do not even contemplate Ringworld Throne Cosh. The unintentional pun of the title says everything you need to know about this book
: das 29 December, 2009, 06:17:51 AM
: Jared Katooie 29 December, 2009, 01:54:12 PM
It's at it's best when it avoids the sillier elements of the Marvel universe, but it seems like a precarious balancing act. For example, I keep wndering if Nick Fury is going to turn out to be a robot, or how long it takes before Civil War crashes into the ongoing storyline and derails it.
Stupid Marvel.
: Albion 29 December, 2009, 04:25:29 PM
The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy & Other Stories was £3 in the HMV sale.
I hadn't even heard of this until I read it here, thanks.
Mrs Albion went shopping today so got it for me in HMV. I'm a fan of Tim Burton so hopefully it will be £3 well spent.
: das 29 December, 2009, 06:01:58 PM
: Mike Gloady 29 December, 2009, 07:43:54 PM
: das 29 December, 2009, 07:56:28 PM
Already on my list. Yet to read anything by Ellis I didn't like. Can't say that about many other writers....
i believe it's his only book, (not a comic)
: I, Cosh 29 December, 2009, 08:41:11 PM
I've not read Bob Shaw (or even seen any of his books, come to think of it) for years. Time to have a rummage around perhaps.Read Ringworld on Boxing Day. Starts out great but sort of fizzles out at the end. I know there's at least one follow-up, but do we ever find out who or what built the Ringworld?Loved Ringworld when I was all of 12, but it's not Orbitsville or Rendezvous with Rama, is it Cosh?
: Roger Godpleton 29 December, 2009, 11:18:35 PM
: das 29 December, 2009, 11:33:23 PM
I found Crooked Little Vein to be spectacularly tedious and predictable. All Ellis characters speak the same way and there aren't massive pictures to look at.
how about brion gysin then ???
: amberkraken 30 December, 2009, 08:39:03 AM
I may have liked it...
: Mike Gloady 30 December, 2009, 09:12:24 AM
I know.Already on my list. Yet to read anything by Ellis I didn't like. Can't say that about many other writers....
i believe it's his only book, (not a comic)
: Peter Wolf 30 December, 2009, 03:18:06 PM
It is a work of fiction but its also a political model or a kind of political manifesto rather like 1984 which was also written by another insider by the name of Eric Arthur Blair.If you understand the subject matter then its clear that these books are not just works of fiction but are predictions of sorts.
: TordelBack 30 December, 2009, 04:09:03 PM
IIt is a work of fiction but its also a political model or a kind of political manifesto rather like 1984 which was also written by another insider by the name of Eric Arthur Blair.If you understand the subject matter then its clear that these books are not just works of fiction but are predictions of sorts.
I'm not sure if you're joking there, Peter, but Brave New World is an attack on/warning about the type of society it describes - not a manifesto for its creation. Huxley is highlighting the role of conditioning rather than coercion in controlling a population - through bland mass production and ordered lives, and the dulling effect of ubiquitous sex and drugs. This is pretty clear from the very outset, where it's described as being set in "the year of Our Ford 630".
As to being a eugenicist, Huxley had a long and varied intellectual life, and ditched eugenics fairly early on it it.
: Dandontdare 30 December, 2009, 04:13:16 PM
: Peter Wolf 30 December, 2009, 04:14:03 PM
IIt is a work of fiction but its also a political model or a kind of political manifesto rather like 1984 which was also written by another insider by the name of Eric Arthur Blair.If you understand the subject matter then its clear that these books are not just works of fiction but are predictions of sorts.
I'm not sure if you're joking there, Peter, but Brave New World is an attack on/warning about the type of society it describes - not a manifesto for its creation. This is pretty clear from the very outset, where it's described as being set in "the year of Our Ford 630".
Thats very true in the same way that 1984 is a warning.Theres different ways of looking at these works.
However if you research the background of the Huxleys and the orgainisations that they were connected to then you will see that there is truth in what i am saying.My poinion here is based on the background of the Huxleys rather than just the book itself.
: COMMANDO FORCES 30 December, 2009, 05:56:14 PM
: wild-seven 30 December, 2009, 05:57:36 PM
I have just started reading 'If chins could kill: confessions of a B movie actor' by Bruce Campbell and already I am hooked. I hope to get quite a lot read tonight whilst at work.
Oooh I got that for Xmas, it's next on my 'to read' list
: TordelBack 30 December, 2009, 07:29:05 PM
I have just started reading 'If chins could kill: confessions of a B movie actor' by Bruce Campbell and already I am hooked. I hope to get quite a lot read tonight whilst at work.
Oooh I got that for Xmas, it's next on my 'to read' list
Brilliant book. As always I'll add my unreserved recommendation for the follow-up-of-sorts Make Love the Bruce Campbell Way.
: Mangamax 30 December, 2009, 07:37:38 PM
None of the films i saw in my childhood, nor the Ron Ely TV series, nor the crappy Filmation cartoon nor Greystoke, could've prepared me for the real deal - an exhilarating, tense, downright NASTY tale that fair speeds along.
Only the blimey-thats-racist-now moments betray its time period origins, the rest could quite easily be a contemperay thriller.
The last couple of chapters are quite weak though and am looking forward to the next book to see how things pan out.
: das 30 December, 2009, 08:35:15 PM
Just finished "Tarzan Of The Apes" and am just stunned by it.
None of the films i saw in my childhood, nor the Ron Ely TV series, nor the crappy Filmation cartoon nor Greystoke, could've prepared me for the real deal - an exhilarating, tense, downright NASTY tale that fair speeds along.
Only the blimey-thats-racist-now moments betray its time period origins, the rest could quite easily be a contemperay thriller.
The last couple of chapters are quite weak though and am looking forward to the next book to see how things pan out.
all the tarzan books were great as i remember. read them in order. and keep in mind that burroughs never left the usa during his life.
: IAMTHESYSTEM 30 December, 2009, 09:00:18 PM
: Mike Gloady 30 December, 2009, 09:13:50 PM
: locustsofdeath! 30 December, 2009, 09:21:45 PM
Just finished "Tarzan Of The Apes" and am just stunned by it.
None of the films i saw in my childhood, nor the Ron Ely TV series, nor the crappy Filmation cartoon nor Greystoke, could've prepared me for the real deal - an exhilarating, tense, downright NASTY tale that fair speeds along.
Only the blimey-thats-racist-now moments betray its time period origins, the rest could quite easily be a contemperay thriller.
The last couple of chapters are quite weak though and am looking forward to the next book to see how things pan out.
all the tarzan books were great as i remember. read them in order. and keep in mind that burroughs never left the usa during his life.
If you like the Tarzan books, you'll LOVE the John Carter stories - Amazon is selling the first three in one HB volume for something like only 7 pounds. You could do worse, much worse!
: Mangamax 30 December, 2009, 09:30:22 PM
: locustsofdeath! 30 December, 2009, 09:35:05 PM
: I, Cosh 31 December, 2009, 05:49:00 PM
comics wise …before returning to my 2000ad reread at the 800s.Have you really read 400 Progs this year Colin? Chapeau.
: Colin YNWA 31 December, 2009, 06:12:56 PM
comics wise …before returning to my 2000ad reread at the 800s.Have you really read 400 Progs this year Colin? Chapeau.
Is that a bad thing???? I read a heck of a lot of comics and have read a lot more besides 500+ Progs to be honest. I get public transport a lot and get a lot of reading done then.
Edit - Oh I should add that until Prog 1000 I was cherry picking stories rather reading the whole thing.
: I, Cosh 31 December, 2009, 06:25:25 PM
Not a bad thing at all, it's just that I started reading again about four years ago with Prog 1450 and it's taken me until now to read the 270 Progs before it.Is that a bad thing????comics wise …before returning to my 2000ad reread at the 800s.Have you really read 400 Progs this year Colin? Chapeau.
: strontium_dog_90 31 December, 2009, 07:49:08 PM
: Jim_Campbell 31 December, 2009, 08:22:46 PM
Finished reading "The Demolished Man" by Alfred Bester - a true sci-fi classic, and I'm wondering if the psychic police featured were an influence on PSI-Division?
I think it's safe to say they were an influence on Babylon 5's Psi-Corps ...
And, yes, it's a fantastic book.
Cheers!
Jim
: Buttonman 31 December, 2009, 10:37:42 PM
THAT MITCHELL & WEBB BOOK : nice thick tome but not a titter to be had and no Numberwang.
Harry Hill's TV Burp Book : Pretty poor with only a couple of sherry induced smiles at best.
CHARLIE BOOKER : THE HELL OF IT ALL : A great collection of his Guardian columns. Some of it a bit dated with The Apprentice two series ago discussed in detail but funny and happily offensive.
ADRIAN MOLE : The Prostate Years : Still to read
VIZ : THE COUNCIL GRITTER : I didn't renew my VIZ sub as it was getting as unfunny as they said but this is a great toilet book format with some real laughs.
JUDGE ANDERSON : THE PSI FILES : Nice heavyweight book but it does remind you that Anderson's stuff (Ranson excluded) is largely superfluous.
DREDD CASE FILES 14 : Are my hands getting fatter (yes) or are these getting smaller? Nah I'm happy with this full colour reprint of Necropolis which had been underrated by me first time around but has now been elevated to 'pretty good' status.
To summarise this Christmas' bounty : smiles
: das 31 December, 2009, 10:57:59 PM
If you like the Tarzan books, you'll LOVE the John Carter stories - Amazon is selling the first three in one HB volume for something like only 7 pounds. You could do worse, much worse!
BIGGLES of course !
and the evil part of that is that i'm american and read them all as a kid,
: IAMTHESYSTEM 01 January, 2010, 11:49:02 AM
Following my huge enjoyment of the truly EXCELLENT "Ubik" by Phillip K. Dick a few weeks ago I'm about to tuck into "The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch" by the same author.
Just put PKD's official website on my favourites again. The comic strip (sorry Graphic Novel) of 'Do Androids dream of electric sheep?' has sold out and has been sent back to the printers for another run.
: Mike Gloady 01 January, 2010, 12:06:01 PM
: IAMTHESYSTEM 01 January, 2010, 03:51:26 PM
How true.
: Roger Godpleton 02 January, 2010, 12:53:43 AM
By Zadie Smith
I fell in love with a girl once. Some time ago, now. She had bangs.
: I, Cosh 02 January, 2010, 01:06:27 AM
I fell in love with a girl once. Some time ago, now. She had bangs.Was she American?
: Roger Godpleton 02 January, 2010, 01:11:00 AM
: critter 02 January, 2010, 09:53:06 PM
: das 02 January, 2010, 10:45:35 PM
http://www.tapeop.com/ (http://www.tapeop.com/)
: TordelBack 03 January, 2010, 01:19:25 PM
: Emperor 03 January, 2010, 04:41:50 PM
Was thinking about them, as i only know the comic versions as the books never really got a proper release in the UK, but wondering if it'd be better to wait until the Pixar film is made and the inevitable "deluxe" additions come out?
I'm not sure what you count as a "proper" release but I bought them as a kid in the Del Rey reprint when I was working my way through the pulpy science fantasy and just plain old fantasy books (at the same time as boxing off the Victorian sci-fi). Looking on Amazon they are selling for bugger all but I imagine if you went to a good well stocked second hand book shop you could scoop up the lot for buttons.
Also while the copyright situation is... trickier than I would have thought (I was under the impression there was a hard 1923 wall beyond which everything was public domain but apparently not) but an awful lot of his work is freely available with more in Australia because they used (or used) a 50 year rolling wall, as opposed to a 70 year one elsewhere:
http://www.gutenberg.org/browse/authors/b#a48
http://gutenberg.net.au/plusfifty-a-m.html#burroughs
Makes it almost worth investing in one of those fancy electronic book thingamebobs.
Good to hear Dark Horse might be doing collections of the Marvel series - I enjoyed those too.
: Colin YNWA 03 January, 2010, 06:14:17 PM
: W. R. Logan 03 January, 2010, 06:59:37 PM
: das 03 January, 2010, 07:38:06 PM
Is that the Marvel Jon Carter. I'm loosing track. I wish they'd do some better value Tarzan reprints from Marvel and DC. I have the first of the Kubert collections as I found it at a bargain price but can't justify the expense of buying the rest.
dude read the BOOKS!!
: Professor Bear 04 January, 2010, 12:28:28 AM
Odd symmetry had me reading his youngster's Mirror's Edge comic (based on the game, which she also scripted). It's quite good.
: Emperor 04 January, 2010, 12:39:46 AM
Is that the Marvel Jon Carter. I'm loosing track. I wish they'd do some better value Tarzan reprints from Marvel and DC. I have the first of the Kubert collections as I found it at a bargain price but can't justify the expense of buying the rest.
dude read the BOOKS!!
No reason you can't read both ;)
Colin I'm talking about the Marvel series anyway:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Carter,_Warlord_of_Mars
: Colin YNWA 04 January, 2010, 08:29:41 AM
: locustsofdeath! 04 January, 2010, 08:39:46 AM
Must admit I've never read an Burroughs but this conversation has left me tempted. The question is will I remember after I wade through my X-mas pile?
As stated, I'm a huge John Carter fan. Read both the books and the comics if possible (there is a Barnes & Nobles HB edition collecting the first three novel which I just bought used for 1.99). The books are quite good - full of adventure, action, savagery - and the Marvel comics start off pretty nicely and boast some great Gil Kane art and remain pretty fun throughout the entire run. They're getting tougher to find not though; maybe because of the upcoming film, people are paying more attention to them. The older series (Gold Key) are even more difficult to get your hands on, but the word is that Dark Horse will be collecting these. Check them out Colin, books and comics - they're well worth it. Best Sword & Planet out there along with REH's Almaric.
: Colin YNWA 04 January, 2010, 08:44:30 AM
: satchmo 04 January, 2010, 08:50:10 AM
It's a great book, Robin Dies At Dawn was my favourite, just for the bit where Batman fights a Triffid. As a companion piece to Batman RIP I can't recommend it highly enough.
And I'm nearly finished The Bloody Red Baron by Kim Newman, already my thoughts are gravitating to Dracula Cha Cha Cha...
: Keef Monkey 04 January, 2010, 04:40:16 PM
: Emperor 04 January, 2010, 06:35:26 PM
Must admit I've never read an Burroughs but this conversation has left me tempted. The question is will I remember after I wade through my X-mas pile?
Too much meat and not enough veg = Xmas pile.
Anyway it is worth giving them a spin. I read them as a pre-teen and loved all the derring-do, but I am unsure how it'd measure up if I read them now. I reckon they'd still be OK - there is a lot of good stuff from the pre-Golden Era of sci-fi which got a slating at the time and has been partly forgotten (ERB is the main one form the early 20th Century who made it through). The great thing is the bulk of it is public domain and usually free to read online or collected in cheap volumes. You'll find Alan Moore has mined a lot of it for LoEG (like Gullivar Jones (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gullivar_Jones)) so it won't be as unfamiliar as it once was and I think Jess Nevins next book is on the pulp fiction of the time which should be good (if heavy going by his Fantastic Victoriana).
If the sword and planet (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sword_and_planet) genre tickles your fancy then check out some of the others - I moved on to the Dray Prescott series (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dray_Prescot_series) after reading the John Carter books (as a small mountain of books will attest to). Just steer clear of the Gor series unless... "that kind of thing" is your bag.
: locustsofdeath! 04 January, 2010, 06:44:10 PM
: Emperor 04 January, 2010, 07:54:11 PM
I remember liking the Gor...er...what are there, twenty-some books? ...series. But I read those when I was 12...
I read the first one or two but there was definitely something wrong and I didn't read any more. It was only much later that the Gorean (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorean) subculture became better known and it all clickkd into place:
http://www.salon.com/books/feature/2000/05/18/gor/
http://old.disinfo.com/archive/pages/dossier/id432/pg1/index.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4996410.stm
http://tammy212.livejournal.com/18112.html
: locustsofdeath! 04 January, 2010, 10:26:47 PM
I remember Gor being pretty well-researched as far as real historical elements being written in. As a kid, I liked the series. I was a Conan/REH nut and once i read all of those, the pastiches and then the John Carter series, I really wanted anything I could get. I was reading a book a day!
: Roger Godpleton 07 January, 2010, 11:20:48 PM
: JayzusB.Christ 08 January, 2010, 01:23:05 AM
Beckett's Trilogy which is the fucking bomb
That should be the blurb on the cover. Always meant to get round to reading Beckett but haven't managed it yet, unless you count watching Krapp's Last Tape on Youtube. Which you couldn't really count.
Two people have told me that Beckett looks like an older version of me. Although he's becoming a less older version all the time.
: Mikey 08 January, 2010, 01:17:21 PM
Been reading World War Z
I really enjoyed that, even though I didn't really expect to - although I read it on holiday, between naps on the sun lounger. I read 'The Stars My Destination' on the same holiday and it's fantastic...
Just finished 'Mockingbird' by Walter Tevis. I must admit I'd never heard of him before Mrs Mikey bought me it, but it was good read, if a bit obvious in places IMO. Some sections I really enjoyed, possibly because it reminded me of other things I enjoyed more.
Now onto Alan Moore Swamp Thing bk2 - and can't get enough of it. Definately recommended for those like me who had always wanted to get round to it.
M.
: Dandontdare 08 January, 2010, 01:41:51 PM
Now onto Alan Moore Swamp Thing bk2 - and can't get enough of it. Definately recommended for those like me who had always wanted to get round to it.
I read these (off a mate) about 18 years ago, and just before christmas I treated myself to all 5 books of the Moore Swampies - pure class!
: locustsofdeath! 08 January, 2010, 02:07:53 PM
: Dandontdare 08 January, 2010, 02:34:58 PM
: Mikey 08 January, 2010, 03:01:54 PM
Interestingly, mentioning the beast in the fens - that's Grendle that is, as Grendle is a pronunciation of 'grindle', an old English name for fen or murky type pond! Still used in some parts of England I believe?
M.
: W. R. Logan 08 January, 2010, 03:17:24 PM
It was waiting for me on my desk at work but its too big to sneak inside any of the paperwork I'm supposed to be reading 8-)
: Tiplodocus 09 January, 2010, 03:27:33 PM
Just a collection of stuff he's written for The Guardian but given that I don't get THE GUARDIAN, it's all pretty new to me. It's very funny stuff and he's even put the C word back in plenty of places where doubtless it was previously excised.
One slight complaint is, I can read a funny comment about CELEBRITY BIG BROTHER just now and understand it because, even though I don't watch it, I know who is on because of the blanket magazine and paper coverage. When the column is referring back to BB8 though, I haven't got a clue about half the people he is referring to. The insults are still pretty stealable though.
: wild-seven 09 January, 2010, 04:27:13 PM
CHARLIE BROOKER - THE HELL OF IT ALL
Have you read his two previous collections? They're both excellent and have caused serious pain with all the mirth they caused
Also this: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tales-Mirth-Woe-Alistair-Coleman/dp/1897312121/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1263054329&sr=1-1 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tales-Mirth-Woe-Alistair-Coleman/dp/1897312121/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1263054329&sr=1-1)
The man known as ScaryDuck offers some of the finest stories published on his mighty blog. May contain traces of Mirth, Woe and being sick-inna-hedge
: House of Usher 09 January, 2010, 04:41:23 PM
Now I'm reading Gavin Baddely's Goth Chic, which is really very well written and thorough and not self-indulgent, hyperbolic or stupid.
: Dog Deever 09 January, 2010, 04:46:45 PM
Not sure which to read first, so I keep flicking through both in a purposeless way!
I very nearly bought 'Red' (Warren Ellis / Cully Hamner) instead of Preacher, but at £10.99, when the actual comic only takes up half the book, it seemed like a bit of a rip.
Anyone red it?
: TordelBack 09 January, 2010, 04:50:49 PM
Last night I finished reading Harvey Pekar and Joyce Brabner's Our Cancer Year which has made me more scared of chemotherapy and shingles than of cancer.
It's good though, isn't it? I've been working my way through Pekar's stuff and yes, he really s a insufferable headcase (his poor wife), but when you read a chunk of his work the simple honesty of his observations and the raw humanity it exposes is hugely compelling.
: Mikey 11 January, 2010, 01:04:28 PM
M.
: Zarjazzer 11 January, 2010, 05:54:42 PM
: strontium_dog_90 12 January, 2010, 09:36:16 AM
: Mardroid 13 January, 2010, 02:41:24 AM
It's enjoyable so far. I've finished chapter 1 and the excerpt of Hollis Mason's 'Under the Hood' which was a lovely little read all of it's own. I'm particularly curious that old 'Superman' comic books were one of Holis's inspirations considering I heard one of the film creators (probably the director) that that pirate comics have replaced superhero comics in this reality. If he isn't wrong. I'm assuming the disfavour of super hero comics came later.
I've just started 'The Fires of Heaven' in my reread of 'The Wheel of Time' also.
: Roger Godpleton 13 January, 2010, 10:55:39 AM
: Van Dom 13 January, 2010, 11:02:24 AM
What an experience. Incredibly freaky, it gets right under your skin. At one point I swear it was going to give me an out-of-body experience. I can't describe what I mean, just what was happening and the way it was written was literally dragging me into the scene. Pretty intense.
Anyone read this?
: House of Usher 13 January, 2010, 12:29:52 PM
: TordelBack 13 January, 2010, 06:09:39 PM
Also, just read Robert Reed's short story 'Five Thrillers' - holy heck, that really is something! Literally the plots of five SF novels, spanning decades in the wildly OTT career of one character, and the fate of the whole human race. If you've ever struggled through the six books of Piers Anthony's endless Bio of a Space Tyrant series, this is basically a clever, well written version - in 38 pages. Outstanding.
: Dandontdare 13 January, 2010, 06:18:22 PM
Last night I read Harvey Pekar's The Quitter in bed over two sleepless hours.
I couldn't get on with this. Got it out of the library last year, but found it rather unengaging. Don't think I ever finished it.
: Mattofthespurs 13 January, 2010, 06:55:34 PM
Not exactly high art but it's been a couple of weeks since I read an actual novel having been reading some history tomes instead.
Should be some good, easy reads.
: House of Usher 13 January, 2010, 06:56:05 PM
There were some revelations though. I'd never have sussed Harvey Pekar for a brawler, an 'A' student or a star football player if I'd not read this book.
At one point the artist gets a walk-on character's gender wrong. The text refers to Danny's friend and his date, but we actually see Danny's friend's date and another female friend of hers. The friend whose date Harvey cops off with doesn't even appear in the scene; instead some goofy girl appears who isn't even mentioned.
: I, Cosh 14 January, 2010, 10:49:43 PM
Also just started David Peace's Tokyo: Year Zero. Not sure what to expect from it.
: starscape 15 January, 2010, 07:41:13 AM
: uncle fester 15 January, 2010, 08:34:30 AM
: Richmond Clements 15 January, 2010, 09:45:19 AM
Great, meaty stuff. I'll certainly be reading the rest of the series, but I think a shorter book first...
: Dark Jimbo 15 January, 2010, 11:47:48 AM
I'm about 50 pages from the end of A Game of Thrones.
Great, meaty stuff. I'll certainly be reading the rest of the series, but I think a shorter book first...
An utterly superb book, that one, and I'm not really one for modern fantasy on the whole. So many genuinely shocking moments in that series, and Martin's casual attitude to the wellbeing of his characters really makes you fear for your favourites. It's also nice to truly wallow in the dirt and blood of the battlefield - not much fantasy seems to capture the sheer downright nastiness of mediaeval warfare quite so well.
The second book, A Clash of Kings, is very much the equal of Thrones in terms of quality. The naval battle climax is an absolute joy. The third book (published in two volumes in thw UK) wraps up the first part of the saga and brings the civil war to a close. After that things start to ramble a bit, and whether the eternally delayed fifth book ever appears is anyone's guess. I'm hoping it's not going to go all Robert Jordan...
: Richmond Clements 15 January, 2010, 12:17:31 PM
Martin's casual attitude to the wellbeing of his characters really makes you fear for your favourites
Damn right! I'n not a fantasy fan either- but so many folks told me this was good I could no longer ignore it.
I couldn't believe it when Eddard was killed! I actually re-read the scene a few times to make sure I wasn't mistaken.
: locustsofdeath! 15 January, 2010, 12:33:08 PM
: Dark Jimbo 15 January, 2010, 01:07:03 PM
Guys, you've got me really intrigued. Besides Tolkien I'm not a fantasy fan, but I love Sword & Sorcery, so would "Game of Thrones" appeal to me? Your descriptions make it sounds much more raw than most modern-day fantasy.
Raw is most definately the word. It's almost more 'mediaeval fiction', if there is such a thing, as much as it is fantasy fiction - much more concerned with the politics, warfare and nitty-gritty of a fuedal world than any of the usual high-magic gubbins of fantasy.
What few magical elements there are are very low-key and underplayed. There are no elves, goblins, dwarfs, or anything of that sort, few monsters, almost no magic users. I think the original intention was to do a sort of 'War of the Roses' style saga, centered mainly around a few royal families and their Shakesperean squabbles.
I suppose I'd describe it as 'fantasy for people who don't really like fantasy.'
: strontium_dog_90 15 January, 2010, 01:17:24 PM
Just finished Dark Entries by Ian Rankin. I must confess I know next to nothing about Constantine but this was good fun with some very black humour thrown in.
I thought this was a really great read, too, I read that Ian Rankin was supposed to be taking over the writing of the main Hellblazer comic itself at some point, does anyone know if any of that has happened yet?
: Richmond Clements 15 January, 2010, 01:25:52 PM
I suppose I'd describe it as 'fantasy for people who don't really like fantasy.'
Spot on- that's me that is.
Like Jimbo says, it's not 'fantasy' as it's usually (by me at least) understood. Even the few occassions when something 'fantasy' happens, there's usually enough ambiguity about it to make you think it might have happened anyway.
It's really all about the characters though- there is a Big Story going on, but they way he has choosen to tell it brings it right in and focuses it on how it affects individuals- even if that individual happens to be the king.
: Dark Jimbo 15 January, 2010, 01:30:30 PM
: uncle fester 15 January, 2010, 01:42:25 PM
I read that Ian Rankin was supposed to be taking over the writing of the main Hellblazer comic itself at some point, does anyone know if any of that has happened yet?
I have no idea but on the strength of Dark Entries I'd happily read more.
: Richmond Clements 15 January, 2010, 01:48:48 PM
Rac, I have to ask - has Tyrion Lannister also become one of your favourite characters in, well, just about anything ever?
Yes! He is an absolutely wonderfully realised delicious character! Even now- 800 pages in I still don't know who's side he's on! Apart from his own, that is.
I've a soft spot for Arya too. I just hope she doesn't die horribly in the next 20 or 30 pages...
: Emperor 15 January, 2010, 03:33:47 PM
I read that Ian Rankin was supposed to be taking over the writing of the main Hellblazer comic itself at some point, does anyone know if any of that has happened yet?
I have no idea but on the strength of Dark Entries I'd happily read more.
My understanding was that he was discussing a story arc with Vertigo and it morphed into the graphic novel, which Vertigo used to launch their Vertigo Crime line.
Hellblazer seems fairly tied up for the next year or so, with Simon Oliver taking over from Peter Milligan (last I heard anyway), and based on Chas I am a tad worried (but it should be fine once he gets his feet under the table). Beyond that... who knows? Review of Dark Entries have been... mixed (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_Entries_(comics)#Reception) (why I've not bothered reading it yet) but I'm sure if he has another story up hi sleeve Vertigo would be interested, probably in a graphic novel to better target Rankin's core audience.
: uncle fester 15 January, 2010, 03:44:57 PM
: Mike Gloady 15 January, 2010, 05:23:57 PM
Milligan's leaving the title? His work was certainly fun and diverting in lots of ways (despite not being a favourite creator of mine in many ways) and it's a shame he's already leaving. Oliver's work on "The Knowledge" (the Chas Chandler mini-series) was an interesting concept but the execution felt like a first draft. Hopefully he'll be able to continue to build on the excellent work Diggle did resurrecting this title both commercially AND artistically.
Right, I've got an upset tum tum and I'm off to lie on my bed, listen to Susumu Yokota and reread Edginton & D'Israeli's "Leviathan"
: Colin YNWA 15 January, 2010, 06:24:56 PM
Got a few X-Men Pocket Books, which has the Claremont/Cockrum/Byrne classic run. I'm enjoying them far more now than I did at the time. Can't stand Wolverine (over-exposed and not really my kind of hero either) but, as just another member of the team, although a little grouchy, he's working pretty well.
I was the other way round (except for not really liking Wolverine which I'm completely with you on). I loved the Cockrum/Byrne Claremont run when I was younger but when I tried to read it again a couple of years ago I found it really hard work. Really hard work. I know it the day it was ground pretty exciting but I didn't think it aged well. To be honest the longer the Claremont run went on the worse it got. I even struggled to get through the John Romita Jr issues which used to be my favourites.
: strontium_dog_90 15 January, 2010, 06:35:28 PM
I read that Ian Rankin was supposed to be taking over the writing of the main Hellblazer comic itself at some point, does anyone know if any of that has happened yet?
I have no idea but on the strength of Dark Entries I'd happily read more.
My understanding was that he was discussing a story arc with Vertigo and it morphed into the graphic novel, which Vertigo used to launch their Vertigo Crime line.
Hellblazer seems fairly tied up for the next year or so, with Simon Oliver taking over from Peter Milligan (last I heard anyway), and based on Chas I am a tad worried (but it should be fine once he gets his feet under the table). Beyond that... who knows? Review of Dark Entries have been... mixed (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_Entries_(comics)#Reception) (why I've not bothered reading it yet) but I'm sure if he has another story up hi sleeve Vertigo would be interested, probably in a graphic novel to better target Rankin's core audience.
That's a shame, I've been looking forward to reading further works on the character by Rankin. That said, "Dark Entries" has made me want to pick up some of the regular Hellblazer monthly issues, so I guess it's done its job, really. I'm just waiting for the next storyline to start up, hoping to add it to my regular comic reading pile :-)
: Gibson Quarter 15 January, 2010, 08:25:57 PM
: The Enigmatic Dr X 15 January, 2010, 10:44:01 PM
: Roger Godpleton 15 January, 2010, 11:14:27 PM
: amberkraken 17 January, 2010, 07:55:21 PM
Though Adie took all the George RR Martin's when she left, so I'll have to buy and read them all again for when the next book comes out (though it's been delayed 3 years already!)
: Mardroid 18 January, 2010, 05:21:09 AM
I do like magic in my fantasy books, but then again it does exist here, just in a subtle and interesting way. The Stark kids and their dire-wolves for example. The girl and her dragons. The eunuch and that rather horrific experience with how he became... you know... and what's with Arya's mate with the changing face for example? Just voicing a thought, if you know, don't answer, I'll find out for myself later.
: Colin YNWA 18 January, 2010, 08:16:02 AM
That's the thing about libraries, they really are a wonderful resource, but rarely are entire series available. At least when you'd like them.)
Libraries being a wonderful resource normally have an ordering service whereby if you request something if its availabel they'll get it in. Talk to the best resource in your library the staff hopefully they'll help out?
: I, Cosh 18 January, 2010, 08:45:25 AM
I am, however, contemplating waiting until they're all written before buying any more to avoid having to reread the whole lot every five years. Although the need to provide source material for the tv series might speed him up a bit.
: Richmond Clements 18 January, 2010, 10:23:16 AM
I had expected the dragon eggs hatching to be the Big Event at the end of book 2... shows what I know.
Started reading Al Ewing's I, Zombie. Great so far!
: strontium_dog_90 18 January, 2010, 01:57:04 PM
Well, the end of Game of Thrones..!
I had expected the dragon eggs hatching to be the Big Event at the end of book 2... shows what I know.
Started reading Al Ewing's I, Zombie. Great so far!
I, Zombie is a quality read, Rac, it's absolutely mental! Drop a line on here when you've finished it, I can guarantee you'll not see any of the end stuff coming :-)
: Mardroid 18 January, 2010, 03:24:39 PM
Libraries being a wonderful resource normally have an ordering service whereby if you request something if its availabel they'll get it in. Talk to the best resource in your library the staff hopefully they'll help out?
Oh, I know I know, the thought has occurred to me. I'm just one of those quiet types who prefers to find what I can just by myself and only ask help from people if I absolutely have to. I dislike bothering people, even if it is their job being all resourceful like. ;)
: O Lucky Stevie! 18 January, 2010, 10:30:32 PM
Reading Atrocity Exhibition for the first time. I liked the song better.[dullard off]
So it's not filling you with a desire to fuck Ronald Reagan?
: Roger Godpleton 18 January, 2010, 10:36:02 PM
: O Lucky Stevie! 18 January, 2010, 11:27:25 PM
I'd rather fuck you, darling.
Well it's not as if Stevie hasn't heard that before. We've all our own cross to bear bebe ;)
: Roger Godpleton 18 January, 2010, 11:46:48 PM
: I, Cosh 22 January, 2010, 12:52:15 AM
: Ignatzmonster 25 January, 2010, 03:47:14 PM
Reading Atrocity Exhibition for the first time. I liked the song better.[dullard off]
I liked Atrocity Exhibition better the second time around after I'd read a good chunk of Ballard. The first time it felt sort of willfully obscure. The second time it felt like I was reviewing everything he'd written through some beautiful fugue. If that makes any sense. Probably not, eh?
I wish we could get it in the States without the annotations. It's hard to find a plain jane copy here.
: Ignatzmonster 25 January, 2010, 04:13:44 PM
The Marquis: Danse Macabre by Guy Davis. I had some trepidation at the beginning because the first issue is heavy on the exposition but once it gets going it's pretty amazing. A disturbing world and just amazing design all over the comic in every tiny detail. If there is a better artist of monsters I'm open for debate, but I think Davis takes the prize every time.
Eddy Current (Ted Mckeever Library): Very much a period piece in a good way. It belongs next to Dark Knight Returns, Electra Assassin, and Ed the Happy Clown as an interesting reflection of late Eighties America.
Torpedo by Abuli/Bernet: A mean, vicious little crime comic. Just great. Alex Toth actually draws the first two stories, but apparently US comics had not prepared him for Abuli's sense of humor and he left in a huff. He should have stayed to avoid being blown out of the water by Bernet. Some of the best work by one of the best artists alive.
: TordelBack 25 January, 2010, 06:55:27 PM
: wild-seven 25 January, 2010, 07:13:35 PM
Also my copy of 'Amerika' arrived this morning - yay, yay and thrice yay! This after pre-ordering it from Amazon and then being sent and e-mail telling me they couldn't get hold of any copys. Which TOTALLY explains how they're selling them now....
: Richmond Clements 25 January, 2010, 10:24:01 PM
Well, the end of Game of Thrones..!
I had expected the dragon eggs hatching to be the Big Event at the end of book 2... shows what I know.
Started reading Al Ewing's I, Zombie. Great so far!
I, Zombie is a quality read, Rac, it's absolutely mental! Drop a line on here when you've finished it, I can guarantee you'll not see any of the end stuff coming :-)
And you were correct.
I'd like to complain that the title ofthis book was a little bit misleading...
I enjoyed El Sombra- but this was a different kettle of fish. I honestly can't remember the last time I have read anything as original as this book.
: Dog Deever 25 January, 2010, 11:42:02 PM
"Oh, I think you'd like this... blah blah blah"
"Has it got pictures and speech bubbles?"
"Eh?"
"Fuck off then- I'll hate it for sure"
I enjoyed Peter Milligan's 'The Programme' so much that I got book 2. It's great.
Some top art in there too.
: vzzbux 26 January, 2010, 08:02:04 PM
Just started this one.
V
: Christov 28 January, 2010, 11:57:05 PM
I found myself in the comic shop with £13 to spare, so...
: Roger Godpleton 29 January, 2010, 12:11:26 AM
: Colin YNWA 29 January, 2010, 10:40:50 AM
One of DCs true undervalued classics much as I love Jonah Hex I do wish if DC was going to go for one Western character it'd be Bat Lash
: Mattofthespurs 29 January, 2010, 06:34:46 PM
: COMMANDO FORCES 29 January, 2010, 07:01:41 PM
Raven's Flight by Gav Thorpe and read by Toby Longworth is the latest installment in the series but it's an audio CD (75mins).
Here's the synopsis:-
After the horrors of the Dropsite Massacre, Corax and his mighty Raven Guard face a desperate struggle to survive in the caves and mountains of Isstvan V. Escape from the roaming Chaos Legions seems impossible.
Meanwhile Colonel Valerius of the Imperial army begins suffering horrific dreams, believing teh Raven Guard to be in trouble - are such nightmares enough to initiate a daring rescue?
The decimated Legion must hold out against the forces of the World Eaters long enough to reach an improbable salvation and escape this hostile world.
Death to the Chaos Legions and The Emperor Protects :D
P.S. I hate it when the word decimate/decimated is used incorrectly, don't you?
: IAMTHESYSTEM 29 January, 2010, 09:16:51 PM
: Roger Godpleton 29 January, 2010, 11:22:42 PM
: Christov 30 January, 2010, 02:00:34 AM
I paid £3 for my copy. HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHA.
You haemorrhoid.
: TordelBack 30 January, 2010, 07:40:36 AM
Very nearly entered the estemeed canon of books what I tugged off to.
It'll look pretty out of place next to all those Hardy Boys.
: Mike Gloady 30 January, 2010, 10:12:36 AM
Tucking into Nikolai Dante: Amerika later today. All a-tingle as it's stuff I've already read (a first in the Dante trades since book 5) and I already know it's amazing. Be nice to read it all together though.
: Mikey 30 January, 2010, 03:02:23 PM
...but it also contains this - the opening paragraph from Kim Robinson's story 'Sexual Dimorphism'
"The potential for hallucination in paleogenomics was high. There was not only the omnipresent role of instrumentation in the envisioning of the ultramicroscopic fossil material, but also the metamorphosis over time of the material itself, both the DNA and it's matrices, so that data were invariably incomplete, and often shattered. Thus the possibility of pyschological projection of patterns onto the rorschacherie of what in the end might be purely mineral processes had to be admitted."
Mine eyes! That, in my opinion, is a great big stinker and no mistake. Did he not read it out loud first?
M.
: TordelBack 30 January, 2010, 03:15:27 PM
That, in my opinion, is a great big stinker and no mistake. Did he not read it out loud first?Kim Stanley Robinson doesn't write, he regurgitates, and the more you read of him the more obvious this becomes. Sometimes the stuff he regurgitates is interesting. Sometimes it's just puke.
I'm trying to imagine discovering Asimov's Nightfall for the first time. What a treat! It's hard to overemphasise just how good Asimov really was.
: Mikey 30 January, 2010, 03:49:30 PM
And with Asimov, I've only ever read the Robot stories and wasn't too keen to be honest - that story has revised my opinion.
M
: M.I.K. 30 January, 2010, 11:02:59 PM
: Roger Godpleton 31 January, 2010, 07:52:03 PM
Started a re-read of V. Hilarious. Pynchon is a genius.
: Goatilocks 02 February, 2010, 09:48:18 PM
http://bronzeageofblogs.blogspot.com/2010/01/dax-damned.html
: House of Usher 02 February, 2010, 09:58:03 PM
Also I've been wading through the 3 months' worth of American comics that built up with my friendly neighbourhood comics stallholder in the time I was unable to get into town during my lunchbreak. Bunch of Savage Dragon, bunch of Invincible. Just getting started on the backlog of The Boys.
I envy Godpleton his reading matter, which sounds much more intellectually nourishing.
: TordelBack 03 February, 2010, 06:58:30 AM
I envy Godpleton his reading matter, which sounds much more intellectually nourishing.
V? I suppose it depends if it's the novelisation of the original mini-series, or just the follow-up.
: House of Usher 03 February, 2010, 09:20:03 AM
: TordelBack 06 February, 2010, 09:23:55 PM
: HOO-HAA 06 February, 2010, 11:55:11 PM
Very cool stuff.
I actually had the pleasure of getting a couple of books signed by Jack, on his recent tour. Very nice guy.
: I, Cosh 07 February, 2010, 01:30:01 PM
Well, yes, he does do that a lot, but there are occasional moments of lyricism buried amongst it. There's a bit in Antarctica where he's describing being out on the icecap which is quite lovely.That, in my opinion, is a great big stinker and no mistake. Did he not read it out loud first?Kim Stanley Robinson doesn't write, he regurgitates, and the more you read of him the more obvious this becomes. Sometimes the stuff he regurgitates is interesting. Sometimes it's just puke.
I've not read any of his recent climate change books. Does he still have that thing where everything will turn out fine if we just have a big scientific conference?
It seems I've been reading nothing but comics recently. Got the second Northlanders trade last week which was decent enough: not as good as the first but I'll probably still take a look at the next one. Then the library came through with the first volumes of Lucifer and Scalped. Lucifer is an agreeably nasty cove in places and you can't argue with Chris Weston's visions of Hell. Scalped I'm not sure about. It's a decent set-up but everyone in it's a prick. Why are so many Vertigo comics so brown?
: Mike Gloady 07 February, 2010, 01:44:07 PM
Why are so many Vertigo comics so brown?Because they pinched so many Twoth artists in the '90s?
: Roger Godpleton 07 February, 2010, 06:58:52 PM
BITCH.
: The Doctor Alt 8 07 February, 2010, 07:55:17 PM
And the Fortean times magazine...
: TordelBack 07 February, 2010, 08:06:24 PM
Scalped I'm not sure about. It's a decent set-up but everyone in it's a prick.
Stick with it The Cosh, you get to see literally everyone's perspective eventually, and find out that while they are indeed all pricks, they're complex interesting pricks - even apparently random muscle has stories that are worth reading.
As to KSR, yeah, he has his moments - but he just seems to bury them under mounds of poorly disguised notes from stuff what he has just read. The Climate Change/Science in the Capital books are okay with a pleasantly low-key style that at least acknowledges his note-taking approach. The second one in particular is interesting with escaped Zoo animals and the Washington homeless caught in a big freeze, the third one is a bit of a letdown. He seems to have read a lot of Thoreau before writing the first two, and too much Buddhist literature before the third, and generally spends a lot of time pushing the benefits of outdoor life and adventure sports, but his basic point is that the sheer scale of the US military budget allows for the possibility of tackling climate change through diverting it into a science budget, and mass-producing Stirling engines and the like. If you can stomach that, they're reasonable page turners.
: Desiree 08 February, 2010, 08:10:22 AM
: TordelBack 08 February, 2010, 10:38:06 AM
Talking of KSR (well, I was), BoingBoing has a piece about a recent talk he gave, in part about the idea of 'Future Shock':
http://www.boingboing.net/2010/02/08/kim-stanley-robinson-4.html
FWIW, I don't agree with some of his points - the 'historical speed' of today is not faster than it was in the 20th C in any real way. Would anyone that saw the changes in the world 1914 and 1924, or 1938 and 1948 really have experienced less change than those of us that lived from 2000 to 2010, be less able to cope with startling revelations of science?
: Bolt-01 08 February, 2010, 11:03:42 AM
Sheesh!
: Mike Gloady 08 February, 2010, 02:52:54 PM
: Mikey 08 February, 2010, 04:23:20 PM
FWIW, I don't agree with some of his points - the 'historical speed' of today is not faster than it was in the 20th C in any real way. Would anyone that saw the changes in the world 1914 and 1924, or 1938 and 1948 really have experienced less change than those of us that lived from 2000 to 2010, be less able to cope with startling revelations of science?
If you look at it from the perspective of the availability of information on any given event in the world and how quickly it can be accessed by quite a proportion of the world's population,and the ways howyou can access it, I think you could say we are going 'faster'. Fair enough - not much change from the late 20th C, but jeebus! it's a extremely different from when I was a nipper in the '70s & 80's.
Technological 'events' are surely more commonplace, aren't they?
M.
: Richmond Clements 08 February, 2010, 04:28:10 PM
And even with that- he's already wrong footed me with a couple of arc that I assumed would play out through the rest of the book being resolved within a few pages.
Great stuff so far.
: TordelBack 08 February, 2010, 04:44:52 PM
Fair enough - not much change from the late 20th C, but jeebus! it's a extremely different from when I was a nipper in the '70s & 80's.
Aye, but that's over 30+ years, and really a lot of consumer technology. On a bigger scale, how different was Europe in 1890 and 1925? (from Bismarck to Mein Kampf, or Van Gogh to Television, on the way taking in Duke Ellington, women's suffrage, flappers, and a World War), I'm not disputing huge technological change or geometric changes in computing cost/power ratios, but surely the changes in people's lives over that period were far greater than the arrival of the Internet and mobile phones 1975-2010? It's the argument that we folk of the 21st are more exposed to change, more able to deal with it, and less liable to 'future shock' than our 19th/20th C ancestors - I don't buy it.
: Mikey 08 February, 2010, 05:00:39 PM
It's the argument that we folk of the 21st are more exposed to change, more able to deal with it, and less liable to 'future shock' than our 19th/20th C ancestors - I don't buy it.
I'm with you there. As I understand it, the point about an increase in pace is that the new thing now comes along before you're used to the old one - future shock. As an aside, I think I'm now offically 'getting on'; I can't work out how to get my video to work :-\
History isn't my strong suit, but the changes you're talking about didn't take off so immediately did they? Or if they did, did they come into everyone's life with equal rapidity?
M.
: Kerrin 08 February, 2010, 07:40:47 PM
Having 'finally' finished slogging through EMPYRION (which I found to be in real need of a good editing!)
It did drag on a bit, didn't it. I just recently reread "Hyperion" but baulked at tackling "Empyrion" again.
I'm reading "A Clash of Kings" at the moment, thanks to the squaxx who recommended this series, great fun. And by the bed is also "Fafrd and the Gray Mouser" GN with Mike Mignola on pencils. I'm going to have to read the novels after I've finished it, there's some brilliantly dry byplay in the dialogue.
: House of Usher 08 February, 2010, 08:40:12 PM
As I understand it, the point about an increase in pace is that the new thing now comes along before you're used to the old one
Well, I don't get used to anything, nor do I really 'buy into' anything new. I don't have time to absorb new consumer crap as it comes along: I tend to leapfrog onto whatever is about to become obsolete once it gets down to the £20-100 price bracket. Having an unattractive consumer profile makes me pretty much immune to 'future shock.' So does being chimeric and adaptable from a skills point of view: I never have the right skills set to have a proper career or earn decent money, but I'm sufficiently skilled, qualified and adaptable never to have to worry about being out of work for long, so future shock doesn't come rushing round the corner leaving me suddenly obsolete.
On a bigger scale, how different was Europe in 1890 and 1925? (from Bismarck to Mein Kampf, or Van Gogh to Television, on the way taking in Duke Ellington, women's suffrage, flappers, and a World War
Surprised TordelBack's list ommitted the motorcar, but I suppose you can't have everything. :)
: TordelBack 08 February, 2010, 09:42:09 PM
Surprised TordelBack's list ommitted the motorcar, but I suppose you can't have everything. :)
I considered it, but cars in prototypical form were chugging around in the 1880's, and actually in production in 1890 - and I figured if I was going stretch a point to give TV a 1925 birthday (the year of Logie Baird's first successful transmission) it wasn't fair to also be pretending cars were a post-1890 innovation. Which compromise actually speaks to Mikey's point - how widespread and simultaneous were these kinds of changes? It's a good question, and maybe a real difference with today's situation.
: House of Usher 08 February, 2010, 10:12:01 PM
cars in prototypical form were chugging around in the 1880's, and actually in production in 1890
E.M. Forster was still bemoaning the dramatic change the motorcar had made to life as late as 1910, though. And he was born in 1879, so would barely have known 10 years before their existence.
: TordelBack 08 February, 2010, 10:23:24 PM
E.M. Forster was still bemoaning the dramatic change the motorcar had made to life as late as 1910, though.
No question, it was a huge change in the 1890-1925 period - and far more relevant than my conceit that TV had impinged on people's lives by 1925, when really it hadn't (just yet).
I suppose my real objection here is a deep-seated dislike of arguments that assert the superior abilities or capacities of contemporary peoples - it's one end of the road that starts with giants building megalithic tombs and aliens building the pyramids. Folk in the past were different from people in the present in the lives they led and the ways they viewed the world, but they were just as canny, and just as intellectually flexible (of course also just as cruel, stupid and gullible). I'm arguing that numerous rapid changes are nothing new, and well within the capacities of people of all eras to absorb and deal with.
I'm also wildly off-topic.
: JOE SOAP 08 February, 2010, 10:25:52 PM
: TordelBack 08 February, 2010, 10:29:20 PM
Didn't neanderthals have bigger brains and bodies?, they didn't last long.
I refuse to rise to your bait, Garageman!
(A minimum of 100,000 years is quite a long time)
: Cthulouis 08 February, 2010, 10:50:10 PM
At Christmas I got into an argument with a guy who claimed Leonardo Da Vinci was born "ahead of his time". The fact that I was pissed out of my head prevented me from 1) walking away, and 2) providing an articulate argument against his point.
I woke up the next morning knowing that I, 1) must have seemed a it of a tw*t, and 2) that I was bloody well right.
: JOE SOAP 08 February, 2010, 10:52:43 PM
I refuse to rise to your bait, Garageman!
(A minimum of 100,000 years is quite a long time)
Puny Sapien.
: House of Usher 08 February, 2010, 10:55:30 PM
I'm now imagining the sprout-faced boy actor, born into his proper epoch, going to school in a bacofoil space-suit and eating rehydrated food in pill form for dinner, prepared by a robot. In 'The Jetsons.'
: JOE SOAP 08 February, 2010, 10:56:39 PM
Why did I read that as 'Leonardo diCaprio'? ::)
cos you're light on your feet.
: Mikey 09 February, 2010, 10:26:04 AM
Didn't neanderthals have bigger brains and bodies?, they didn't last long.
But they had wee wangers. Died of shame when Cro-Mikey Man showed up.Ask Tordelback, he knows.
M.
: IAMTHESYSTEM 09 February, 2010, 08:55:41 PM
: Mardroid 11 February, 2010, 01:18:27 AM
At Christmas I got into an argument with a guy who claimed Leonardo Da Vinci was born "ahead of his time". The fact that I was pissed out of my head prevented me from 1) walking away, and 2) providing an articulate argument against his point.
Actually a lot of the designs in his sketches were pretty prophetic*. Not that he got practical versions to work, (his 'flying machine design didn't work for example, although it's very interesting) but I believe he even drew a tank of sorts!
Anyway, back to books. On my chug through the Wheel of Time series I'm now on Lord of Chaos. I think this is where the story tends to slow down a lot and puts some people off, but I still find it interesting.
I'm also reading a GN Gotham Central: Dead Robin. On first look it appears to be a Batman book. While he certainly appears in it, the story is mostly told from the point of view of the Gotham City Police Department. It's basically a cop story featuring superheroes, and (certain clichés aside, particularly in dialogue, etc) it works very well!
Oh, and in my lunch break today, I went to the 99p shop in Eltham. I found there volumes of Charles Dickens hardback books going for (guess it) 99p! I picked up the Pickwick papers. (This version is in 2 volumes, but for £2 that's pretty good!)
I tend to keep mostly to fantasy and horror when I read (I'm open to sci-fi, but I seem to prefer that on TV programmes/films and comics for some reason) but I do like some Dickens, particularly David Copperfield and Great Expectations.
*Prophetic is probably the wrong word. But just as many sci-fi authors have predicted things that have since come about, the same is true for his sketches. It's understandable he would be thought ahead of his time in that regard.
: Colin YNWA 11 February, 2010, 08:43:04 AM
I'm also reading a GN Gotham Central: Dead Robin. On first look it appears to be a Batman book. While he certainly appears in it, the story is mostly told from the point of view of the Gotham City Police Department. It's basically a cop story featuring superheroes, and (certain clichés aside, particularly in dialogue, etc) it works very well!
The Gotham Central collections are something I'm eying very keenly just just about holding off buying. The team of Brubaker, Rucka and Lark is a winner and the concept is one that really intrigues me. I've no doubt I'll buckle soon and buy them and would be interested to hear what other people think of them?
: Cthulouis 11 February, 2010, 06:51:22 PM
At Christmas I got into an argument with a guy who claimed Leonardo Da Vinci was born "ahead of his time". The fact that I was pissed out of my head prevented me from 1) walking away, and 2) providing an articulate argument against his point.
Actually a lot of the designs in his sketches were pretty prophetic*. Not that he got practical versions to work, (his 'flying machine design didn't work for example, although it's very interesting) but I believe he even drew a tank of sorts!
Perhaps, but he was still a product of the culture he grew up in. If he was born at any other time, at any other place, he probably would have been equally brilliant, but not necessarily in the same way. The guy was arguing that people in the past were thick, then along came Leo, and people were still thick, then in the 20th C, we all became brilliant. Gah.
As you say, back to books:
I am reading this:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Evolution-Extinction-Dinosaurs-David-Fastovsky/dp/0521811724/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1265913736&sr=8-1
I got it for Christmas, having put it on my wish list on the strength of the 2 star review. A book on evolution, apparently “Overly Devoted to Cladistic Studies”. Well, fancy that. I found myself reading this “bad” review and thinking “But, that’s surely what you would want from a book with that title”. It’s certainly what I wanted. Good stuff.
: Dandontdare 11 February, 2010, 07:25:52 PM
: House of Usher 11 February, 2010, 08:41:33 PM
At work I encountered this word in a response from a foreign correspondent who used the word as an approximation of an English term which turned out to be 'domain.'
Brilliant! :lol:
I've long known what a Voivod was, but I'd never given any thought to what one might call the territory that lies within his purview.
: das 22 February, 2010, 02:28:23 AM
and a nice 80f it was
and i got a tiny tiny bit caught up on my reading;
Burroughs' Port of Saints
a biography of raymond roussel
and a bunch of ashley wood graphic novels
best is getting back home, being an evil american, i have only in the last few months completed by 2000ad collection
and am in the middle of a run covering 2001- 2006 some 300 progs !!!
just wallowing in prog after prog
lovely overdose indeed !
(http://<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v108/weirdpixie/ubRadio%20SALON/ubsalon_109_13.jpg">)
: HOO-HAA 22 February, 2010, 09:51:31 PM
Got bored towards the middle, last time I tried reading it. But I'm kinda in the mood for a bit of King, at the minute...
: Taryn Tailz 22 February, 2010, 10:00:05 PM
: IAMTHESYSTEM 22 February, 2010, 10:07:19 PM
: HdE 23 February, 2010, 12:36:27 AM
Dang it - awesome stuff! I do get the sense that things may be building to something with a note of finality to it for the Warriors, which fills me with dread.
And a point of interest - I do believe I've fallen in love with the model who plays the p[art of Lara :-[
: Richmond Clements 23 February, 2010, 09:26:13 AM
Started 'Under the Dome' by Stephen King. I'm hooked already!
I'm halfway through it- but hadn't had time to pick it up over the past couple of weeks, I just dipped in again this morning and by god it's bloody good.
: strontium_dog_90 23 February, 2010, 11:02:55 AM
Just read "Haunted" by Chuck Palahniuk, which is a great read, a novel made up of horrible and satirical stories, and an Iron Man prose novel called "Virus," which was fun, if a bit padded.
: I, Cosh 23 February, 2010, 09:57:16 PM
: Cthulouis 24 February, 2010, 11:35:47 AM
Bloody hell, that was a bit good.
: Richmond Clements 24 February, 2010, 11:41:44 AM
Late to the party I know, but I just read Maus.
Bloody hell, that was a bit good.
Shamefully, I've not read it yet! Well, I've read the first couple of chapters so far- but I'm in the middle of a shit load of review stuff.
: volo 24 February, 2010, 08:40:14 PM
Late to the party I know, but I just read Maus.
Bloody hell, that was a bit good.
I agree, it really is a classic.
: I, Cosh 25 February, 2010, 09:52:23 PM
: Dandontdare 26 February, 2010, 11:00:36 AM
Late to the party I know, but I just read Maus.
Bloody hell, that was a bit good.
Went to a reading and signing of this in Waterstones years ago, but drank so much free wine waiting for my turn that my lame question came out as gibberish, and I repeated it three times because I didn't understand Spiegelman's answer. Very embarrassing.
Excellent book though. See if your library has a copy of his "in the shadow of two towers". It's a huge-format book about 9/11 and is excellent.
: HOO-HAA 26 February, 2010, 12:38:58 PM
I was suffused with joy as I read it.
A WONDERFUL endorsement! :D
: Mikey 26 February, 2010, 01:12:09 PM
See if your library has a copy of his "in the shadow of two towers". It's a huge-format book about 9/11 and is excellent.
Seconded - I actually own a copy! And Maus is a heart rending and brilliant with it.
M.
: Dandontdare 26 February, 2010, 06:11:00 PM
See if your library has a copy of his "in the shadow of two towers". It's a huge-format book about 9/11 and is excellent.
Seconded - I actually own a copy! And Maus is a heart rending and brilliant with it.
M.
It's not a book I'd buy becuse it's a) unfeasibly enormous to fit on a bookshelf and b) rather expensive.
: mygrimmbrother 02 March, 2010, 09:50:07 PM
Just commenced volume one of The Walking Dead, with volume two lined up straight after (fantasic birthday presents courtesy of my good lady).
: nev 02 March, 2010, 10:06:02 PM
Unfortunately Simon Pegg has already ruined the end for me, although I forgive him as Spaced was rather amusing.
: Mike Gloady 02 March, 2010, 10:11:23 PM
: Roger Godpleton 02 March, 2010, 10:25:48 PM
: Cthulouis 02 March, 2010, 10:27:46 PM
See if your library has a copy of his "in the shadow of two towers". It's a huge-format book about 9/11 and is excellent.
Seconded - I actually own a copy! And Maus is a heart rending and brilliant with it.
M.
It's not a book I'd buy becuse it's a) unfeasibly enormous to fit on a bookshelf and b) rather expensive.
Yeah, I've seen the big one and always assumed it must be a special edition. Is there a smaller version out there, or is this why DDD suggested a library rather than a shop?
: Dandontdare 02 March, 2010, 10:50:12 PM
And I got it wrong, it's actually called "in the shadow of NO towers" :-[
: HOO-HAA 02 March, 2010, 10:59:49 PM
: Zarjazzer 03 March, 2010, 10:36:41 AM
: wild-seven 03 March, 2010, 10:38:46 AM
: Kerrin 03 March, 2010, 11:04:52 AM
"Rise of the Iron moon" by Stephen Hunt. Quite Jules Verne but with a modern twist, steampunk influences especially. Fun though so far and I keep finding excuses to read more. :P
I take it you read the first two Zarjazzer, "The Court of the Air" and "The Kingdom Beyond the Waves". I thought they were all pretty good fun. There's a new one out as well "Secrets of the Fire Sea (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Secrets-Fire-Sea-Stephen-Hunt/dp/0007289634/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1267614025&sr=8-1)".
I'm about half way through the third of George R R Martin's "Fire and Ice" books. So many storylines, and all brilliant.
: Zarjazzer 04 March, 2010, 10:23:25 AM
: I, Cosh 08 March, 2010, 09:29:44 PM
Up the Walls of the World by Mr James Tiptree, Jr was corking good sci-fi. I'm sure I recall Wake recommending this before and you can put me down for a plus one. It's initially split into three main strands, but there's one set on a fantastically well thought out, fully realised and truly alien alien world which really stands out. Tiptree's own identity also adds a bit of a frisson to the pervasive theme of gender roles.
Just started Mr Alistair Reynolds' Revelation Space. It's a hardback, so awkward to read in bed.
: Kerrin 08 March, 2010, 09:42:54 PM
I got the hardback 'Kick-Ass' and volume 1 of 'Chimpanzee Complex' in the post today. I've actually got a backlog of trades now. Excellent.
: Emperor 09 March, 2010, 01:24:10 AM
If you're reading 'Revelation Space' for the first time you're in for a treat Cosh.
I feel joy and pity for him, pity only because he is now going to have to keep reading the rest of the books until, one day, he finds he has enough bricks of books to build a kennel.
: Strontium Jimmy 09 March, 2010, 11:14:09 AM
: TordelBack 09 March, 2010, 01:35:06 PM
Up the Walls of the World by Mr James Tiptree, Jr
Shouldn't that be Ms James Tiptree Jr? An excellent tale.
Reynolds does seem inhumanly prolific, but he seldom disappoints.
: Richmond Clements 09 March, 2010, 04:05:13 PM
Rise of Endymion by Dan Simmons, the last in his Hyperion series. So far an entertaining and creative series if a little uneven.
I loved this book. Yes, too long, I think, but a stunning conclusion to the series.
: I, Cosh 09 March, 2010, 08:21:18 PM
As my dear, departed Gran used to say: I'm not as green as I'm cabbage looking you know.Up the Walls of the World by Mr James Tiptree, JrShouldn't that be Ms James Tiptree Jr? An excellent tale.
Tiptree's own identity also adds a bit of a frisson to the pervasive theme of gender roles.
: vzzbux 09 March, 2010, 11:03:35 PM
Just seen the new RC figure in the evolutions pack. Unless he has a new uniform in this book, this isn't Fi Skirata. It still wont stop me buying it though. And he wasn't a sergeant.
(http://www.actionfigurehq.com/starwarsnew/loose/fiskirata.JPG)
This is Fi
(http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/swmerchandise/images/4/4b/FiRC.png)
V
: Christov 11 March, 2010, 04:19:23 PM
: TordelBack 11 March, 2010, 05:54:21 PM
It still wont stop me buying it though.
Not when this version (finally) has articulated knee joints!
: The Monarch 12 March, 2010, 02:54:00 PM
its good...its really good the only downside to it is I want weston to write more twelve!
: Goatilocks 13 March, 2010, 09:07:37 PM
: COMMANDO FORCES 13 March, 2010, 09:11:35 PM
: zombemybabynow 13 March, 2010, 09:40:40 PM
: Paul faplad Finch 14 March, 2010, 11:36:51 PM
Duma Key, which I've been intending to read for months but never got around to. Glad I finally did though cos it's got me absolutely hooked already and I've barely scratcjed the surface.
Droid files 1. You don't need me to tell you how good this one is.I'm spinning it out, determined to make it last. Last few of these phonebooks have been gone in a flash and I'm kicking myself for the long waits.
Lucifer : Evensong. Don't want this one to end either. One of my favourite comic series since I launched myself into US comics a couple of years ago. Will probably read it again now in it's entirety. Really hoping Carey can pull off something half as good with Unwritten.
Carey again with Dead Mens Boots. Felix Castor no.3 and the character has really won me over. I'm really hoping that this series runs and runs.
: Bolt-01 15 March, 2010, 09:37:08 AM
: Dandontdare 15 March, 2010, 12:29:35 PM
: Mikey 15 March, 2010, 03:27:04 PM
but it feels just a litle bit too ... educational, if you know what I mean.
I can see where you're coming from, but I just ran with the whole thing, pored over nearly every page and was at turns surprised, fascinated and thoroughly entertained. It was right up my street - but I'm sort of familiar with the area he's talking about and already had an intetrest in some of the stuff he covers, so maybe that made a difference. You're going to tell me you're from Sunderland now aren't you? ::)
I also seen it as a less overtly/possibly mystical Moore take on the resonance of place and history and their interactions.
I'm reading 'The Death of Bunny Monroe' at the minute, which is maybe off topic for these parts. It's vile, funny, horrific and tragic with occasional flashes of virtue. Yes, just like the Bad Seeds!
M.
: Alski 15 March, 2010, 07:29:40 PM
Also Mark Evaniers biog of Jack kirby. A very good, interesting read. It's in large format with loads of cool pix as well.
: Albion 15 March, 2010, 09:52:51 PM
I'm in the middle of Bryan Talbot's Alice in Sunderland. It's all very intersting and I love the different styles, but it feels just a litle bit too ... educational, if you know what I mean.
I know exactly what you mean. I got to a point with it where I though it was getting a bit bogged down by facts but I stuck with it and loved it. An amazing book.
: HOO-HAA 15 March, 2010, 09:54:22 PM
Duma Key, which I've been intending to read for months but never got around to. Glad I finally did though cos it's got me absolutely hooked already and I've barely scratcjed the surface.
Yep, I agree. I'm reading it at the minute, as well. It's King at his best - both the characters and story are really grabbing me.
: Albion 15 March, 2010, 09:58:00 PM
I'm reading 'The Death of Bunny Monroe' at the minute, which is maybe off topic for these parts. It's vile, funny, horrific and tragic with occasional flashes of virtue. Yes, just like the Bad Seeds!
I read Bunny soon after it came out. I enjoyed it a lot, not a perfect book but a good read. I thought And the ass saw the angel was better but it's a very different book to that. It was a bit weird reading about places I know of in the story as I am from Sussex and Nick Cave lives in Hove and set it around local areas. I'm a huge fan of Nick Cave.
: Mikey 16 March, 2010, 10:28:13 AM
I thought And the ass saw the angel was better but it's a very different book to that.
Agreed - I haven't finished Bunny Munroe yet, but in relation to the music, I would say it's more Grinderman than Bad Seeds - not a bad thing at all IMO of course, but a different set of parameters.
M.
: I, Cosh 16 March, 2010, 11:28:36 PM
Hmm. Can't say I was overly impressed. It was a reasonably entertaining pageturner but nothing spectacular and far too long. I'd get another one out of the library, but I wouldn't order it specially.If you're reading 'Revelation Space' for the first time you're in for a treat Cosh.I feel joy and pity for him, pity only because he is now going to have to keep reading the rest of the books until, one day, he finds he has enough bricks of books to build a kennel.
Just finished the first double-length collection of Ex Machina. An interesting premise and pretty good so far, but (didn't this come up before about Dredd trades) it really, really annoys me that the book doesn't have breaks between the individual episodes. It's not hard to tell where they are, but surely the least you could expect is a full covers gallery just so you can admire the pretty pictures the artist drew.
: Paul faplad Finch 19 March, 2010, 01:03:16 AM
Also been compelled to lay everything else aside to read the chronicles of narnia. Several nights a week I read to my nephew. The other nights his parents do it. He's just delving into narnia and it made me realise I've never actually read them all, in proper sequence. So now I'm trying to stay ahead of his story time so the random chapters I get stuck with don't ruin the books for me. Surprised me by actually being much more accessible than I thought they'd be for a modern kid. For some reason I had the idea that they were very stuffy and old fashioned but not so. He seems to enjoy them anyway.
: TordelBack 19 March, 2010, 08:28:00 AM
Surprised me by actually being much more accessible than I thought they'd be for a modern kid. For some reason I had the idea that they were very stuffy and old fashioned but not so. He seems to enjoy them anyway.
It's all good up until that horrible moment you realise you're trapped in a particularly inventive Sunday School.
Still love 'em though.
One of the great joys of reading to kids is finding out just how brilliantly many books are structured for reading aloud in shortish chunks. The Hobbit in particular is an effortless joy to read aloud, with relaxing rhythms, breathing pauses and frequent repetition of lists that allow your brain to switch off entirely.
I've also amazed to find out just how compelling kids find Enid Blyton. It shouldn't be a surprise, seeing as I must have devoured 50 or more as a kid myself, but to see how even her 'lesser' stuff about Tooth Fairies and Noddy grips kids who are normally focussed on firefights and football is fascinating.
: Mike Gloady 19 March, 2010, 09:13:55 AM
It's all good up until that horrible moment you realise you're trapped in a particularly inventive Sunday School.So that's halfway through the first book then?
: Mikey 19 March, 2010, 09:50:04 AM
Is that child abuse?
I picked up Ark by Stephen Baxter last night and realised it seem sto be a continuation or sequel to 'Flood'. Has anyone read Flood and should I read it before I get into Ark?
M.
: James Stacey 19 March, 2010, 09:52:56 AM
I'm reading TPO. Finally got a copy. Looks like Mongoose are selling loads of 2000ad graphs on ebay cheap for some reason. It's a cracking read and makes you appreciate the fact the comic got past prog 50 let alone 500 and 1500
: Tiplodocus 19 March, 2010, 01:32:11 PM
It's a Linoln Rhyme novel, apparently. I haven't read one before but the main hero is a criminologist quadraplegic with a tough feisty girlfriend cop who used to be a super model. No really. It wrings a bell actually, I think I saw the uniformely excellent Denzel Washington play a similar character in a film whose name escapes me.
I am kind of dreading reading it because of the fantastical characters but it's alredy made some valid points about the drip feed of personal information into the public domain (though these seem to be quoted from elsewhere at times).
I'll bet a lot of us have posted enough on this forum for a determined person to work out names, domestic status and partial adresses.
: TordelBack 19 March, 2010, 05:07:16 PM
I'll bet a lot of us have posted enough on this forum for a determined person to work out names, domestic status and partial adresses.
And in some cases, genital peculiarities.
: Kerrin 19 March, 2010, 05:22:33 PM
Just started "Terminal World" by Alastair Reynolds, and just finished "The Goon" vol 9 from Eric Powell, which was, as usual, awesome.
: Zarjazzer 19 March, 2010, 06:30:52 PM
: blakaam kaplow 19 March, 2010, 09:13:52 PM
: blakaam kaplow 19 March, 2010, 09:14:59 PM
: Mike Gloady 19 March, 2010, 10:08:33 PM
: Roger Godpleton 19 March, 2010, 10:52:33 PM
Brilliant, but every so often it does kind of get to the point where you want to go down to Dixons and buy a whole bunch of shit before heading to Burger King to stuff your face just because you think it would annoy Chris Ware.
: O Lucky Stevie! 20 March, 2010, 02:02:02 AM
I picked up Ark by Stephen Baxter last night and realised it seem sto be a continuation or sequel to 'Flood'. Has anyone read Flood and should I read it before I get into Ark?
Absolutely. I read 'em back to back in the new year & they're two of Baxter's finest.
Be warned: Flood is relentlessly bleak. Ark is just brutal.
: TordelBack 20 March, 2010, 07:38:25 AM
Absolutely. I read 'em back to back in the new year & they're two of Baxter's finest.
That's good to hear - I used to read everything he put out (his NASA books remain some of my favourite SF), but his previous three series (Time's Tapestry, Destiny's Children and Manifold) did increasingly little for me to the point that I stopped reading. Last one I really enjoyed was the utterly bleak Evolution, a corker. Shall pick up Flood for my proposed camping holiday some months hence.
: Mikey 20 March, 2010, 11:07:54 AM
I thought the first two Manifold books were great, but wasn't so fussed on the third right enough. And Evolution was a good 'un - have you read the Mammoth books? I loved them!
M.
: TordelBack 20 March, 2010, 03:48:00 PM
Although in P6 I read Dinosaur Planet II and never read the first.
Dear god! The only good thing you can say about the ludicrous Dinosaur Planet is that it isn't as bad as Dinosaur Planet II. It's hard to imagine how anyone could make books about a dinsoaur planet so utterly crap, not to mention wasting a perfectly arsom title. I've been partial to a bit of McCaffrey in my time, but those books... shudder.
: House of Usher 20 March, 2010, 07:48:39 PM
Critics have said the story is supposed to evoke the atmosphere of a '70s teen horror movie, but to me it just seemed melancholy and surreal, with far more pathos than horror.
: mygrimmbrother 23 March, 2010, 05:11:09 PM
: HOO-HAA 23 March, 2010, 06:43:10 PM
: das 23 March, 2010, 06:55:17 PM
Ben Templesmith art !!!
IDW the only OTHER comic company
: Mike Gloady 23 March, 2010, 09:06:45 PM
: Jim_Campbell 23 March, 2010, 09:16:04 PM
Cheers!
Jim
: M.I.K. 24 March, 2010, 03:06:44 PM
: Skullgrin140 25 March, 2010, 02:44:35 PM
: Tiplodocus 25 March, 2010, 11:12:08 PM
THE BROKEN WINDOW by JEFFREY DEAVER did, indeed, turn out to be shite.
: TordelBack 26 March, 2010, 09:58:23 AM
I thought (much as I loved TNG) that the comic managed to suck everything that was fun and enjoyable out of the movie. (But there was some great art).
Agreed.
Currently reading Robert Harris' magnificent Lustrum, the second of his novels about Cicero, and definitely the best historical fiction about Roman politics since I Clavdivs. He's come a long way from his disappointing Pompeii. In fact, if you enjoyed the gloriously silly Rome TV series ("Thirteenth! Thirteenth!"), you'll enjoy this as a prequel, although there are considerably less boobies.
Also near the end of the second of Sansom's Shardlake books, Dark Fire, a fabulous murder mystery set in Tudor London after the Dissolution.
On a bit of a historical fiction kick, it seems.
: Kerrin 26 March, 2010, 05:12:30 PM
: TordelBack 26 March, 2010, 05:38:28 PM
Those Shardlake books by Sansom are a fantastic read TB and what's more they just get better and better.
Really enjoyed the first one too. It started off irritating me greatly by seeming to be a cheap Tudor knock-off of Name of the Rose, and then came the moment when Shardlake spots a copy of Aristotle's lost treatise on comedy, only to be told that it's a 14th C fake from an Italian monastery... From then on it was obvious that this was going to be a lot of fun.
: House of Usher 26 March, 2010, 10:46:04 PM
Impressions of the first chapter: Kim Newman tells a good story, but in this particular book it's hard to see the things he's describing ("cakes of frozen snow gleamed vaguely"), it's taken for granted that the reader shares the author's frame of reference ("bundled in his trenchcoat and a useless tartan blanket"), and the reader is invited to imagine the appearance and attire of the character before the author drops in the helpful information that Lieutenant Winthrop isn't standing out in the snow, he's sitting in the passenger seat of a moving Daimler. Trying to imagine what he's describing is a bit like being a police artist and having to keep rubbing bits out in your imagination and draw them again; you can hardly say it's just like being there.
Anyway, it's mysterious and exciting, and by all accounts a scholarly achievement, and I'm looking forward to all the action and adventure and reference spotting to come.
: I, Cosh 28 March, 2010, 06:52:51 PM
Also reading Warrior which, being an anthology, ranges from the great to the mediocre, with almost nothing actively bad. It even has a range of articles on aspects of comics which verge on the interesting and a letter from one T Proudfoot decrying T'n'A covers.
: Jared Katooie 28 March, 2010, 07:53:48 PM
They didn't half curse a lot in the stone age though, bloody hell!
: uncle fester 29 March, 2010, 03:02:55 PM
So now have Durham Red - Vermin Stars, ABCs - Black Hole and Forty-Five to tuck into.
So far I've only read the page of Forty-Five illustrated by Mr Timson, but that was nasty enough to guarantee my attention for the others.
: Paul faplad Finch 30 March, 2010, 01:47:23 PM
Also, Horus:Descent of Angels, Psi-Files 1 and Savage Sword of Conan 2 (Dark Horse reprints of 70's Marvel stuff.) All three are literally just started in the last couple of days so I can't really say much about them other than a couple of observations about the Anderson book.
This is not a complaint, I understand the economics and practicalities behind the decision and I know that to have done otherwise would have made such a bumper volume impractical but some of the art in later stories - haven't read them yet but have had a quick flick - seems awfully murky. The Carlos Ezquerra stuff in particular hasn't transferred at all well. As i say,just an observation, and something I'm willing to live with for the great value of the package overall.
Secondly - "Dodder for it" is my new favourit line.
: Albion 30 March, 2010, 01:59:01 PM
: Goatilocks 30 March, 2010, 02:05:50 PM
Nemesis Book 2
Marvel Essential - Tales of the Zombie Vol. 1
DC Showcase - Strange Adventures Vol. 1
Waiting for JD # 9.
: TordelBack 30 March, 2010, 02:46:31 PM
I picked up Ark by Stephen Baxter last night and realised it seem sto be a continuation or sequel to 'Flood'. Has anyone read Flood and should I read it before I get into Ark?
Absolutely. I read 'em back to back in the new year & they're two of Baxter's finest.
Just started into Flood on Stevie's recommendation - it is indeed very good, even if all the characters will talk like they're characters in a Stephen Baxter novel. I was completely gripped from the scene where the waves start to surge across the carpark of the Millennium Dome as it's being evacuated... Very John Christopher, and very scary.
: Robin Low 30 March, 2010, 10:14:33 PM
Regards
Robin
: Colin YNWA 31 March, 2010, 07:25:50 AM
Marvel Essential - Tales of the Zombie Vol. 1
Uh never got around to this one. It looks bloody lovely let us know how you get on with it.
: I, Cosh 03 April, 2010, 11:27:14 PM
Reading Dozois' Best New SF 22 (that's No. 26 to US readers), and am happy to report that so far it is a vintage year. There's an Alastair Reynolds short in there with ideas that could happily power a half-dozen novels.Despite not being blown away by Revelation Space, I got Reynolds' short story collection Galactic North from the library and I'm glad I did. I'm enjoying his stuff a lot more in concentrated form than I did at novel length. It's also interesting to see him fleshing out some of the stuff that I had to just accept without explanation in the novel. Good show.
The library are also doing a good job serving up trades of Ex Machina. I'm up to volume 6 now and still finding it quite enjoyable even though it seems that getting a job in the mayor's office is a doddle.
: Kerrin 03 April, 2010, 11:37:38 PM
: TordelBack 04 April, 2010, 12:01:56 AM
On a similar note I just saw a newly published Baxter Xeelee omnibus that only has the novels, not the shorts. Not to say all the contents aren't brilliant (they are), but the shorts do a lot to give them context.
I love a big novel, even a big smelly series, but SF's optimum form is the short story.
: Zarjazzer 04 April, 2010, 11:00:21 AM
On to "Doomtroopers" mostly bought as I liked the cover. Still establishing the chracters though given the breathless speed of the book I just finished it seems a bit slow. Still early days yet.
After that I have one of Neil Ashers "Polity" books to read "Prador moon". I like my a blastng- the- xenos sci- fi I do. Not tried any of these Asher books before so looking forward to it.
Blimey this post is almost a novel in itself. :D
oops just realised it's called "Deathtroopers" not doom troopers that can be my novel... :P
: Mardroid 05 April, 2010, 01:39:03 PM
I'd just started buying the Prog while that was ending, so I figured it would be worthwhile to grab the rest in collection form.
I largely liked it. The historical stuff was interesting enough, and the present day stuff, while seemingly quite a basic story had a lot more complex things to say. Particularly interesting in light of the stories it spawned.
And the two headed mutant character(s) from the first story were great comedy.
I just recently (literally today) finished Captain Britain: A Hero Reborn volume 2.
I found the collection in the library recently and borrowed it mainly out of curiosity as I've read a lot of good things about Captain Britain. This stuff was terribly corny though, although not unamusing. I realise it wasn't really aimed at me though, this being back in the days these comics were aimed at kids. I think I might well have liked it back then too, and it was entertaining enough even now, albeit for the wrong reasons. (Sorry comes across very snobbish.)
I'm curious to see how the Alan Moore take compares with this. The basic premise of the character and his abilities, powers, etc, is interesting enough.
: Colin YNWA 05 April, 2010, 06:21:22 PM
I'm curious to see how the Alan Moore take compares with this. The basic premise of the character and his abilities, powers, etc, is interesting enough.
Its a mile above and beyond the early stuff its great as is the stuff by Delano and later Davis after it.
The Black Knight stuff is different again and while not as good still very entertaining.
: Mardroid 05 April, 2010, 08:58:58 PM
: mogzilla 11 April, 2010, 02:32:17 PM
: IAMTHESYSTEM 11 April, 2010, 03:51:19 PM
Globalization eh, ain't it wonderful?
: Roger Godpleton 11 April, 2010, 07:26:34 PM
: maryanddavid 11 April, 2010, 10:18:36 PM
David
: klute 12 April, 2010, 06:51:45 PM
: mogzilla 12 April, 2010, 08:36:01 PM
so... reading three goon gns, marvels by alex ross and spider-man brand new day...
: Paul faplad Finch 13 April, 2010, 12:45:43 PM
In no particular order;
Books/Names/Age of Magic/Magick. In which the lead character becomes progressively more obnoxious as successive writers fail miserably to tell a half decent story about him. The Molly character is qute endearing though, in the earlier series.
Unknown Soldier v1. In which the hero is a flag waving uber patriot and the villlains, including reglar appearances by several real world Nazis, including Hitler himself, are some of the most crudely drawn characatures I've ever read and the editors congratulate themselves for the 'gritty realism' that makes their comic stand out against other publishers.
Sandman Mystery Theatre. Early days as yet, with me just delving into the second storyline but if the first - The Tarantula - is anything to go by this should be a keeper.
Jonah Hex v1. Being the sad little completist that I am I felt compelled, before reading the well regarded new series, to go back and read the earlier incarnations. These are actually realy solid stories. I'm not overly versed in Western comics in general but this one is certainly much better than I thought it would be. Given the writer - Michael Fleiscer - I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop and the duffness to creep in but it hasn't hapened yet. Still got a lot to read and very much looking forward to it.
The Losers. What can I say? I've just read the first 20 issues over the last 3 days and I daresay I'll finish the series before weeks end. Excellent stuff, and criminal that it didn;t run for longer. Again, not well versed in the history. Did it end so soon intentionally or was sit cancelled? I know Vertigo series tend to be finite but 70ish issues seems to be the norm. 30odd seems awfully short.
: Tiplodocus 16 April, 2010, 09:08:43 PM
I've not read the first (Man and Boy) as apparently you don't have to. The missus got this free with SHE, another one of those magazines that proves, as HOU (I think) said that "Feminism has failed utterly").
Anyway, some bits of it are brilliant but I have two major problems with it.
a) the secondary characters are really badly written. Really. Like he pot rough placeholder sketches in "Character A is an arsehole" and then forgot to go and replace them with anything decent.
b) it's not funny. And this sort of book should be.
He's also projecting a lot. His kid loves Star Wars. But the original movies. I reckon most kids today would be bored rigid by the original movies (though appreciateing that they exist). Cue everyone onthe board giving me examples of their eight year old kids loving the original movies and hating the prequels.
: Daveycandlish 17 April, 2010, 07:21:15 AM
Just read the first two Y The last Man, and have really enjoyed them, Great writing, the art is good, but a little generic american comic art. Looking forward to reading the rest.
I loved this series. I always felt it would make a good tv series a la 70s show KUNG FU, as Yorick wanders the land
I've just bought the latest Jonah Hex collection to have a go at. Now where's me cuppa and kitkat?
: Colin YNWA 17 April, 2010, 07:42:43 AM
: HOO-HAA 17 April, 2010, 12:03:16 PM
Just read the first two Y The last Man, and have really enjoyed them, Great writing, the art is good, but a little generic american comic art. Looking forward to reading the rest.
I loved this series. I always felt it would make a good tv series a la 70s show KUNG FU, as Yorick wanders the land
I just couldn't get into Y... I tried, even buying and reading the first TPB, but it just didn't connect with me.
: House of Usher 17 April, 2010, 12:36:33 PM
It scores highly on the geek factor for assembling so many characters from literature and cinema into a single coherent narrative, but it's not the literary achievement Anno Dracula is trumpteted to be by the reviews printed on the dust jacket.
One chapter is just lifted straight out of Swamp Thing #83, 'Brothers in Arms,' substituting two other literary mad scientists for Anton Arcane and wasting them both.
: I, Cosh 17 April, 2010, 03:49:09 PM
Also, I now know where Banners' avatar comes from.
: Paul faplad Finch 17 April, 2010, 03:57:25 PM
Oh, and in Unknown Soldier Hitler has just been briefed on how many Jews will b gassed this month and is literally dancing around the room, singing "soon there will be none left, soon there wil be none left."
Why aren't todays comics as subtle as this?
: radiator 17 April, 2010, 04:07:48 PM
I just couldn't get into Y... I tried, even buying and reading the first TPB, but it just didn't connect with me.
Same here. I think the main problem with it for me was that I was entirely unconvinced by the concept. Its an interesting idea - a world without men - but I didn't buy how it was portrayed at all - things didn't seem nearly messed up enough. I also thought that some of the dialogue was cringe-inducing and the artwork functional but bland. Brian K Vaughn seems very popular these days, but I seem to have an inexplicable aversion to his work.
I had the same thing with The Losers, Astonishing X Men, Sandman, Fables and The Walking Dead - all hyped series - all left me scratching my head wondering what all the fuss was about. I bought book one of each, all of which eventually ended up on eBay.
So far I've yet to find a US series that can fill the gap left by Transmetropolitan, Preacher and 100 Bullets.....
I recently read book one of the deluxe hardback Saga of the Swamp Thing - it's probably Moore's longest stretch of mainstream work, and I've never read it before so it's a bit of a treat. I've always tended to avoid hardback graphic novels, but it's an absolutely gorgeous book. I've been so impressed with it that I've started replacing my tattered, decade old Preacher trades with the lovely new hardback editions.
: SuperSurfer 17 April, 2010, 04:50:48 PM
So far I've yet to find a US series that can fill the gap left by Transmetropolitan, Preacher and 100 Bullets.....I bought book one of 100 Bullets a couple of weeks ago and am looking forward to getting stuck into it. It was one of those all too familiar moments when in FB and thinking that I wanted to buy something but nothing took my fancy. (There has been a comics drought for me over last few years.) I was thinking of buying Walking Dead but opted for 100 Bullets. I like the newsprint paperstock. Ok, it will probably go yellow but I like graphic novels to be printed on the paper stock that the original comics were printed on otherwise the colouring can be really garish, as is the problem with many of the Marvel reprints (which I don't buy) and with some of the Swamp Thing reprints.
: Colin YNWA 17 April, 2010, 06:06:26 PM
I'm in the middle of rereading Shade The Changing Man and it's predominantly great stuff.
Funnily enough I'm starting on re-read of Shade next with the first 19 issues. Looking forward to it as I used to love it and haven't read it since it first came out and have never read the last 20.
: I, Cosh 22 April, 2010, 10:25:41 AM
The way I remember it, it starts to go downhill really quickly after #50 and I finished A Season in Hell (can't believe I forgot what happens at the end) last night, so I'm just about to find out. I'd be interested to see what you make of it. For me, the real standouts have been: Edge of Vision, the couple of episodes focusing on Kathy towards the end of the American Scream, Shade the Changing Woman and pretty much everything once they get to the Hotel.I'm in the middle of rereading Shade The Changing Man and it's predominantly great stuff.Funnily enough I'm starting on re-read of Shade next with the first 19 issues. Looking forward to it as I used to love it and haven't read it since it first came out and have never read the last 20.
: GlovePuppet 22 April, 2010, 10:52:02 AM
So I'm reading old 2000AD. :lol: :P
: Colin YNWA 22 April, 2010, 11:33:40 AM
As for story I was a little disappointed with the early issues. They are very good but they start to become a little repetative. Another aspect of American life exposed to madness, deal with it move on. It really comes to life when Lenny arrives, not because of Lenny herself persay, though she is an interesting character but its a useful benchmark. After this the book starts to broaden its scope, or well in fact narrow it and becomes a closer study of the characters and all the richer because of it. The issues from 8 onwards are superb mainly because of the wonderfully complex relationship between Kathy and Shade.
That said the American Scream storyline wraps up very nicely and my oh my in Troy Grenzer Pete Milligan creates one of the great comicbook villians for me.
Reading a few other bits and bobs before returning to the second chunk up to issue 50 which I'm really looking forward to.
: Richmond Clements 22 April, 2010, 11:45:35 AM
Currently reading a history book on the Samurai and Ian Rankin's Dark Entries. I'd guessed the twist to be that they're all dead, but he's just got rid of that halfway through, which was rather pleasing.
: Satanist 22 April, 2010, 01:35:13 PM
: strontium_dog_90 22 April, 2010, 05:51:04 PM
: SuperSurfer 22 April, 2010, 06:25:16 PM
I got a couple of "Legends of the Law" last week, the old DC version of Dredd. Not heard good things about them, but the storyline I got was written by Wagner and Grant, and I thought it was great fun - just like 2000ad Dredd but with a few changes that I thought actually worked well. Anyone else read any of them, and is the stuff written by other writers really as bad as everyone makes out?
The first few Wagner/Grant DC Dredd's issues were great in my opinion. Shame that they haven't been reprinted. As I have said before round here, it was a treat to read Wagner/Grant Dredd with entirely different pacing in longer episodes. As for the issues that followed – well, they just didn't work at all for me.
: strontium_dog_90 22 April, 2010, 07:33:04 PM
I got a couple of "Legends of the Law" last week, the old DC version of Dredd. Not heard good things about them, but the storyline I got was written by Wagner and Grant, and I thought it was great fun - just like 2000ad Dredd but with a few changes that I thought actually worked well. Anyone else read any of them, and is the stuff written by other writers really as bad as everyone makes out?
The first few Wagner/Grant DC Dredd's issues were great in my opinion. Shame that they haven't been reprinted. As I have said before round here, it was a treat to read Wagner/Grant Dredd with entirely different pacing in longer episodes. As for the issues that followed – well, they just didn't work at all for me.
Yeah, I suspected the non Wagner/Grant stuff wouldn't be very good - the same shop had a few issues by other writers, and I didn't get them - remembered reading that they weren't very good. The story arc I got, though - great stuff.
It would be great to see the good stuff reprinted - that and the Case Files would be a great one to pass on to the young ones out there, to get them into Dredd :)
: TordelBack 22 April, 2010, 07:39:36 PM
: Kerrin 22 April, 2010, 07:59:09 PM
I'm about three chapters into "The Dispossessed" by Ursula LeGuin and it's great stuff. Hadn't realised, till I just looked at the Wiki page, that it's part of the same universe as "The Left Hand of Darkness", which I thought was a belter. I thought that (the left hand) must have had some influence on Iain M Banks when he came up with the concept of The Culture.
: TordelBack 22 April, 2010, 08:21:41 PM
I'm about three chapters into "The Dispossessed" by Ursula LeGuin and it's great stuff.
My absolute favourite SF novel. It's part of what's retrospectively known as the Hainish sequence (as they tend to involves Mobiles of the Ekumen, based on the planet Hain), much of which is contained in short stories of unbelievable brilliance. It's let down only by the first two novels, which are only so-so, but best of all all the elements work on their own.
: Kerrin 22 April, 2010, 08:33:50 PM
: Dandontdare 22 April, 2010, 08:43:31 PM
Recently finished Cancertown, which was pretty good.
Yeah, I really enjoyed this one. The character-specific lettering was a little annoying after a while, but a dry script and some great looking nasties - I'm a sucker for big eye-ball creatures!
(http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd359/anaconda888/cancertown002.jpg)
: Radbacker 23 April, 2010, 04:05:25 AM
Cu Radbacker
: strontium_dog_90 23 April, 2010, 02:00:44 PM
: Colin YNWA 23 April, 2010, 06:22:20 PM
http://www.bleedingcool.com/2010/04/22/swipe-file-south-park-vs-the-killing-joke/ (http://www.bleedingcool.com/2010/04/22/swipe-file-south-park-vs-the-killing-joke/)
: nev 23 April, 2010, 06:36:01 PM
: Roger Godpleton 23 April, 2010, 11:17:58 PM
: Paul faplad Finch 24 April, 2010, 12:41:47 AM
After that it will be books 4 and 5 of the Felix Castor books and then more Horus, with the return of Dan Abnett to writing duties. All told I'm quietly confident I've got some really good stuff ahead of me.
No surprises though, since they're all parts of ongoing series but Castor 5 I'm all caught up with that series so I have to pick out what to put in the fantasy/horror slot of my ocd rigid rotation.
So it's between Memory Sorrow And Thorn by Tad Williams, a couple of Clive Barker books (Weaveworld and something else the name of which escapes me) or a little series about a guy called Brak the Barbarian, which I think is just the 3 books I have, and seems to be some sort of Conan style thing.
Any suggestions which I should go for first? They are all completely new to me, yes, even Clive Barker.
: Radbacker 24 April, 2010, 06:52:19 AM
I was trying to explain to my non comic reading friend why i was laughing so hard at that last episode of South Park twas a good thing and I picked up what was going on really fast which is unusual for me.
Mt current toilet book is The MArs Mystery - A tale of the end of two worlds. Its one of those non-fiction books where they grab a whole heap of scientific data and speculate about stuff, in this case trying to prove two geat civilizations existed at the same time on MArs and Earth between 10000 - 60000 years ago both wiped out by the same catastrophy.
CU Radbacker
: Zarjazzer 24 April, 2010, 10:41:52 AM
: strontium_dog_90 24 April, 2010, 08:18:17 PM
My take on Killing Joke is that we're not supposed to take the origin sub-plot as canon in the strictest sense. It "could" be the true story, but it's anyone's guess as to whether it is or not. The fact it's in B&W shows how ultimately futile and irrelevant such guesswork is when he's crippling Barbara in colour.
True. But there was a Shadow of the Bat two-parter that flashed back to the same backstory as The Killing Joke, so I'd always thought it was an accepted part of the continuity.
: Christov 24 April, 2010, 09:20:52 PM
Fackin' lahhhhvely.
: mogzilla 25 April, 2010, 01:05:30 AM
: Mardroid 25 April, 2010, 01:42:31 AM
Good read though.
Major spoilers! Don't highlight unless you've read the book. What a shocker though! I expected treachery at the Frey castle (things seemed to be going too well) but I didn't expect that to happen. I've read George R R Martin is renowned for killing of main characters but it's still quite a shock when it happened to characters that main. I say characters, Robb has taken rather a back seat after the first book, taking part in major events behind the scenes but with no POV, so I suppose its not that surprising he'd die in hindsight. The other character though...?
I'm just hoping that what happened to Arya was a bit of misdirection. (Don't tell me, I'm only about a quarter through so far.)
: Daveycandlish 25 April, 2010, 07:49:26 AM
Isn't it about time they made a decent film version of this?
: House of Usher 27 April, 2010, 11:21:39 PM
I've really had quite enough of audit and its rituals of verification in my past 3 jobs and my present one (which even involves devising them), so I thought I'd cheer myself up by reading an academic critique of the phenomena.
: HdE 28 April, 2010, 03:46:57 AM
Best comic book I've read all year. Bloody brilliant stuff! It's highly original, side-splittingly funny and ... god dammit! I think I'm gonna read it again soon!
Y'all OWE it to yourselves to check it out. Go on - Google it!
: COMMANDO FORCES 28 April, 2010, 04:04:45 AM
Apparently it was one of the top sellers of the last quarter and the first comic sells for about £100 at the moment.
: HdE 29 April, 2010, 06:25:16 AM
'Tis a quality read, big time. I got the trade for about eight quid. Pee'd myself laughing all the way through!
: HOO-HAA 02 May, 2010, 01:47:18 AM
An excellent combo, I hope! :D
: Roger Godpleton 03 May, 2010, 12:39:45 AM
: Emperor 03 May, 2010, 03:40:59 AM
Just started Middlemarch. Dorothea and Celia have 100 pages to lezz up or I'm outta there.
Unless you are the one who stole the "mucky marginalia" edition I made, you might want to save yourself some time.
: willthemightyW 03 May, 2010, 06:57:49 PM
: Daveycandlish 03 May, 2010, 07:12:00 PM
The graphic novel version.
Any book that starts;
"It's a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains"
can't be bad!
: strontium_dog_90 03 May, 2010, 07:17:42 PM
: IAMTHESYSTEM 03 May, 2010, 07:38:14 PM
: Emperor 03 May, 2010, 07:51:03 PM
: HOO-HAA 03 May, 2010, 07:54:13 PM
Good, honest, shoot-from-the-hip horror.
: vzzbux 03 May, 2010, 08:40:12 PM
I'm reading James Herbert's DOMAIN.
Good, honest, shoot-from-the-hip horror.
Hope you started with Rats and Lair first.
VNP
: willthemightyW 03 May, 2010, 09:18:43 PM
: Tiplodocus 03 May, 2010, 10:33:23 PM
He did start of the lovely sub genre of scary monsters and sex novels though.
: HOO-HAA 03 May, 2010, 10:58:36 PM
I'm reading James Herbert's DOMAIN.
Good, honest, shoot-from-the-hip horror.
Hope you started with Rats and Lair first.
I read RATS a couple of years back. LAIR I had ordered, but DOMAIN arrived first so got stuck into it.
: House of Usher 03 May, 2010, 11:18:56 PM
Unless you are the one who stole the "mucky marginalia" edition I made, you might want to save yourself some time.Joe Orton and Kenneth Halliwell got sent to prison for that! Good for you for keeping up an ignoble literary tradition.
Any book that starts "It's a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains" can't be bad!Oh, but I bet it can. At least it got turned into a graphic novel, which I suspect is its proper medium. Wouldn't mind seeing it on the telly either.
: Mikey 04 May, 2010, 11:04:50 AM
I'm catching up on Interzone (again!). Some cracking stuff - but I can't remember most of the authors or story titles off hand :-[ I have this trouble with a lot of short fiction anthologies & collections, so I usually only get a fix on the names & titles when I have a year end review.
I'll get back to you...
M.
: Richmond Clements 04 May, 2010, 11:10:16 AM
I'm reading James Herbert's DOMAIN.
Good, honest, shoot-from-the-hip horror.
Hope you started with Rats and Lair first.
I read RATS a couple of years back. LAIR I had ordered, but DOMAIN arrived first so got stuck into it.
I used to love Herbert when I was younger and read these many times.
He's run out of ideas though, and has been writing the same bloody story for the past half dozen books.
Oh- and avoid The City, the GN he did with Ian Millar. It's supposed to be a fourth Rats book, but is, in fact, rubbish.
: HOO-HAA 04 May, 2010, 01:19:30 PM
I used to love Herbert when I was younger and read these many times.
He's run out of ideas though, and has been writing the same bloody story for the past half dozen books.
Oh- and avoid The City, the GN he did with Ian Millar. It's supposed to be a fourth Rats book, but is, in fact, rubbish.
To be honest, The Rats was the first Herbert book I read - and I only read it fairly recently. I liked the concept, but didn't realise he'd written sequels until a few weeks back. His writing is very accessible and for that I enjoy it. He also takes time to flesh out the characters (often just before he kills them - which is a tad annoying).
Back at school, you were either a King reader, Herbert reader or Shaun Hutson reader. I chose King and have read a lot of his novels through the years. I like his character development (second to none) but would fire his editor - the man needs someone to power-down the word count.
I'm really enjoying Domain. Alas, I'll probably pick up The City, now you've brought it to my attention :) I did try to read that Crickley Manor book but failed at the first chapter. Just wasn't grabbing me at all...
: Richmond Clements 04 May, 2010, 01:24:00 PM
Back at school, you were either a King reader, Herbert reader or Shaun Hutson reader.
Too true!
I'm a King reader now... Hutson was fucking appalling.
Alas, I'll probably pick up The City, now you've brought it to my attention
Don't say I didn't warn you!
I did try to read that Crickley Manor book but failed at the first chapter. Just wasn't grabbing me at all...
His last few books have basically been the same haunted house story, and every bloody one ends with some sort of elemental catastrophe- be it a flood or fire.
I think the last book he did that I thought was worth anything was The Ghosts of Sleath, although Nobody True was a great high concept.
: pauljholden 04 May, 2010, 01:34:13 PM
-pj
: Kerrin 04 May, 2010, 07:44:51 PM
And Amazon tell me "The Scorpion, vol 3; The Holy Valley" is en route, even supoiber.
: Dandontdare 04 May, 2010, 10:10:28 PM
: Kerrin 04 May, 2010, 10:17:36 PM
When laid down, each one would instantly flop open to the graphic sex scene that he always included.
:lol: Yep, hold "The Rats" up by it's spine to easily find the pages where there's shagging and then some poor chap gets his feet chewed off.
: Roger Godpleton 04 May, 2010, 10:35:41 PM
He whisked off her shoes and panties in one movement, wild like an enraged shark, his dusky totem beating a seductive rhythm. Mary's body felt like it was burning, even though the room was properly air conditioned. They tried all the positions, On Top, Doggie and Normal. Exhausted, they collapsed onto the recently extended sofabed.
Then, a Hellbeast ate them.
: HOO-HAA 05 May, 2010, 06:37:49 AM
Back at school, you were either a King reader, Herbert reader or Shaun Hutson reader.... Hutson was fucking appalling.
That was the joke even back at school. We used to read Hutson aloud, giggling. His thing was to go for the graphic violence, sex, the works. All very appealing to some of us twelve year olds, at the time. Is he still writing?
I used to love Herbert. Formulaic maybe, but it was a good formula. My copies of The Rats, Lair and Domain were much in demand at school, everyone borrowed them.
I'm really impressed, thus far, by Domain. There's nothing fresh there at all, but it is very accessible and, therefore, enjoyable.
When laid down, each one would instantly flop open to the graphic sex scene that he always included.
haha! Loving Roger's 'excerpt' by the way! :lol:
: Hoagy 05 May, 2010, 07:40:38 AM
Half way through the latter two and a page into the first.
I kind of like Herbert's change of pace with Sepulchre.
Rats I never got my teeth into and Shaun Hutsons riding of that cfertain camel's back cerainly convinced me not to go there. I read the Dark and Fluke too. I always wanted to read the Spear.
: O Lucky Stevie! 06 May, 2010, 07:38:17 AM
Received "The Wind's Twelve Quarters", a collection of short stories by Ursula LeGuin, and "Coward; Criminal vol 1" by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips in the post today. Supoib.
Stevie's quite envious of you there Kerrin, reading both Le Guin & Coward for the first time.
I'm 130 pages into Reynold's Terminal City & am quite pleased to report that the tone is more akin to the more recent material of Zima Blue than the cosmic New Space Opera of his mostly excellent Revelation Space novels.* A cracking treat.
* Redemption Ark was quite a trainwreck though, wasn't it?
: Paul faplad Finch 10 May, 2010, 02:07:32 PM
Read a few of these when I was a kid but never a) got a lot of the jokes and b) realised how many of the buggers there actually are.
I never knew I wasn't getting the jokes of course, which is part of the beauty of the series I suppose.
Anyway, came across a big pile in the Library - possibly the same copies I was borrowing 25 years ago judging by the tattered state of some of them - and grabbed the first 4. Loving them. Will probably try to read the lot now.
I could probably look up some reviews but what the hell, I trust the opinions on here so I was wondering, given that the series seems to run for so long, is there a point where it's kind of agreed that it goes off the boil? Any unnessential ones I shouldn't worry to much about if the Library hasn't got them?
: Colin YNWA 10 May, 2010, 03:07:38 PM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Asterix_volumes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Asterix_volumes)
All the books have something to offer but for me they are really at a peak between 'Legionary' and 'Obelix and Co'. With 'Asterix and the Soothsayer' being my favourite. The books after Goscinny's death (Great Divide onwards) aren't a patch on the ones he wrote though I do have a soft spot for 'Black Gold'. The later one's are nice to look at still but the stories are pretty much all over the place.
: James Stacey 10 May, 2010, 03:40:45 PM
: HOO-HAA 10 May, 2010, 05:35:51 PM
: Colin YNWA 10 May, 2010, 05:38:08 PM
: Paul faplad Finch 10 May, 2010, 07:03:59 PM
I have to admit that I've been chuckling away at these a lot more than I expected to. I suppose if I'm honest, my reasons for picking them up were about 50/50 nostalgic/ironic. Really did have the idea that they were quite childish. Had no idea they were held in such high regard.
: Colin YNWA 10 May, 2010, 08:40:07 PM
: IAMTHESYSTEM 10 May, 2010, 08:52:57 PM
Grab your Bolter and get blastin'! [oh er missus!]
: House of Usher 11 May, 2010, 12:11:02 AM
It was an impressive little book. Six out of the nine stories have very polished scripts, and the contributors are a mix of professionals and semi-/non-professionals, including big names like Jamie Delano, Steve Pugh, John McCrea and Edgington and D'Israeli.
Dan Whitehead and Stuart Tipples' adaptation of The Raven is deftly paced, and the visuals keep the situation in view when the words alone might run away with the reader, causing one to lose sight of where they came in.
There are imaginative updates of The Pit and the Pendulum, The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar, and The Fall of the House of Usher. Heretical as it may be to say so, I'm grateful to Edgington and D'Israeli for doing The Murders in the Rue Morgue in a mere 10 pages!
The real highlight for me was The Oval Portrait, adapted by David Berner and Natalie Sandells. It reads like only the cream of the crop of strips published in a 1970s edition of House of Secrets, which, if you read a lot of them in series, is a very patchy read. David Berner's writing is fantastic, and Natalie's drawing style evokes a certain vintage, specifically DC's end of the eighties Wasteland horror anthology.
A bit expensive at £12.99, but cost me nothing to borrow from the library. A nice little travel-sized volume, it helped pass the time on a long coach trip.
: TordelBack 11 May, 2010, 01:23:13 AM
: CrazyFoxMachine 11 May, 2010, 01:26:55 AM
"The old buildings of Sheffield are something of a joke. In style after style there is the demure and the second rate" Ian Nairn
"Architecturally Sheffield is a miserable disappointment" Nikolaus Pevsner
"It has a population of half a million and it contains fewer decent buildings than the average East Anglian village of five hundred" George Orwell
Sigh.
: House of Usher 11 May, 2010, 11:00:50 PM
"It has a population of half a million and it contains fewer decent buildings than the average East Anglian village of five hundred" George Orwell
The WJEC exam board presented Orwell on Sheffield as a comprehension piece in its Higher Tier Paper 2 English exam in June 2006. I think it was an inspired choice!
: nev 18 May, 2010, 06:17:13 PM
: Peter Wolf 18 May, 2010, 06:22:50 PM
"It has a population of half a million and it contains fewer decent buildings than the average East Anglian village of five hundred" George Orwell
Sigh.
I shouldnt think that Sheffields architecture is that much worse than any other Northern town/ city that expanded rapidly during the Victorian era.
: Zarjazzer 18 May, 2010, 07:41:49 PM
Also just got "Kull the Conqueror" by Robert E Howard. Never read any Kull and as they're mostly re-hashed "Conan" stories I'm looking forward to seeing how they stand up.Some excellent illustration work in there too.
: Paul faplad Finch 22 May, 2010, 01:11:06 AM
I've enjoyed all the books in this series but this one was just in another league. By halfway through the book I was convinced half the cast were for the chop and was genuinely distraught at the prospect, while the final confrontation between Castor and his Demonic nemesis is just an incredible, all-in, last ditch desperate struggle for survival that is absolutely gripping from start to blood soaked finish.
Highly recomended. Carey is gonna have to really go some to match this with book 6.
: Colin YNWA 22 May, 2010, 09:07:26 AM
: HOO-HAA 22 May, 2010, 05:06:56 PM
: wild-seven 22 May, 2010, 11:13:23 PM
: Mike Gloady 22 May, 2010, 11:17:27 PM
Now if only I wasn't too tired to read it tonight.
: dweezil2 24 May, 2010, 11:13:44 AM
I didn't think anyone could top Garth Ennis on his run, but this comes pretty darn close.
The 'Bullseye' story running at the moment is all kinds of arsom, with a side order of more arsom!
: Ignatzmonster 27 May, 2010, 05:39:36 AM
Punishermax is absolutely on fire at the moment.
I didn't think anyone could top Garth Ennis on his run, but this comes pretty darn close.
The 'Bullseye' story running at the moment is all kinds of arsom, with a side order of more arsom!
Oh good I'm a fan of Aaron's Scalped but not his Weapon X work. i'm glad to hear he's a good fit for Punisher.
: strontium_dog_90 30 May, 2010, 06:07:28 PM
: Darren Stephens 30 May, 2010, 08:07:12 PM
: Richmond Clements 30 May, 2010, 09:22:13 PM
Anybody else picked up a copy of Stephen King's new novella "Blockade Billy" yet? It's a really great read, quite stripped down for his style, and has a creepy little short story thrown in as a bonus. It's highly recommended for fans :-)
Didn't know this existed- but I shall track it down.
: HOO-HAA 30 May, 2010, 09:41:18 PM
Anybody else picked up a copy of Stephen King's new novella "Blockade Billy" yet? It's a really great read, quite stripped down for his style, and has a creepy little short story thrown in as a bonus. It's highly recommended for fans :-)
My main criticism of King has always been his verbose style; I love his characterisation, his storytelling and his style of writing, I just think he often overdoes it in terms of word count. For me, his best writing has been his more economic writing; Cell, Carrie etc.
: Roger Godpleton 30 May, 2010, 10:42:23 PM
: Paul faplad Finch 31 May, 2010, 12:36:59 AM
Then it will be Legion by Mr Abnett. I'm finding the Horus Hersy books a curious read because individually they can seem qite slight reads but the series as a whole is a quite involved Universe building exercise that manages to surpass it's big men with guns game tie-in roots and become something rather special. At first I resented the fact that the books seemed to back track and go over a lot of the same ground several times but I've realised that there is always something new in each interpretation. The series isn't designed to be a linear narrative so much as a series of snapshots. It's really grown on me. Not bad for a series that was shoved on me by a pushy mate and I never would have touched were it not for Dan Abnetts name on Book 1.
I was gonna delve into Weaveworld by Clive Barker after that, my first taste of Barker, but I've had the Joe Pitt books by Charlie Huston brought to my attention so if the first one of them arrives at the library Mr Barker will be put on hold again. I do like an ongoing series over a standalone.
: puggdogg 31 May, 2010, 05:02:28 AM
i don't know what to read next. Maybe 'Nation' by Terry Pratchett.
: Robin Low 31 May, 2010, 08:48:44 AM
A Very Short Introduction to Logic (one of the huge and excellent V. Short Intro range)
Glorantha: The Second Age (a roleplaying book, all setting, no rules as such)
Regards
Robin
: Richmond Clements 31 May, 2010, 09:18:07 AM
I was gonna delve into Weaveworld by Clive Barker after that
This one jockeys for the postion of Best Book Ever with Iain M Banks's Use Of Weapons.
: strontium_dog_90 31 May, 2010, 02:49:31 PM
Anybody else picked up a copy of Stephen King's new novella "Blockade Billy" yet? It's a really great read, quite stripped down for his style, and has a creepy little short story thrown in as a bonus. It's highly recommended for fans :-)
My main criticism of King has always been his verbose style; I love his characterisation, his storytelling and his style of writing, I just think he often overdoes it in terms of word count. For me, his best writing has been his more economic writing; Cell, Carrie etc.
Yeah, this one is more in line with those, and close to the "Different Seasons" set of novellas - very conversational style of writing. It's made me quite excited for the next King release, which (I think) is going to be another set of novellas. After "Lisey's Story," which I've never been able to read, it's great to be getting excited about his work again :-)
: Stuzzle 31 May, 2010, 06:45:13 PM
: Bolt-01 02 June, 2010, 09:51:12 AM
About to read Lady S from Cinebooks.
: Richmond Clements 02 June, 2010, 10:00:13 AM
Very good so far. As expected it is funny and more than a little purile in places, but ti is also astonishingly moving and bravely honest.
: Spaceghost 02 June, 2010, 11:15:13 AM
Next I've got The New Space Opera anthology and Seeds of Earth by Michael Cobley.
: Marbles 02 June, 2010, 02:49:54 PM
70's student weirdo gets obsessive about fellow female student, she then goes missing presumed, but was he involved in her disappearance ? He just can't remember...
Really well written and thought provoking.
: Colin YNWA 02 June, 2010, 06:20:17 PM
What also struck me was my attitude to some of the characters had changed a lot since I first read the issues in my late teens early 20s. Lenny especially while more interesting to me was as cool as I remember her, in that she pissed me off at times... I'm getting old!
Still know where Banners' avatar comes from now!
: mogzilla 03 June, 2010, 11:15:21 PM
what happened to siku? liked his take on dredd almost cariacture ike inikada or wotshis name was from regime change liked that stuff too!
: James Stacey 04 June, 2010, 11:49:47 AM
what happened to siku?He did a 'Bod cover a couple of weeks ago
: Colin YNWA 04 June, 2010, 12:15:55 PM
what happened to siku?He did a 'Bod cover a couple of weeks ago
Which Pete Wells covered in his excellent Covers Blog here
http://2000adcovers.blogspot.com/2010/05/siku-red-dead-redemption.html (http://2000adcovers.blogspot.com/2010/05/siku-red-dead-redemption.html)
Which included at the bottom a linkie t Siku's website so you can see exactly what he's up to these days.
http://www.theartofsiku.com/ (http://www.theartofsiku.com/)
: mogzilla 04 June, 2010, 02:28:51 PM
just finished my hamlyn collection(thanks amazon) of blind justice book of the dead and democracy now
and dredd and lobo!!!
: Kerrin 07 June, 2010, 04:17:11 PM
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Super-Human-Michael-Carroll/dp/0399252975/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1275923658&sr=1-2-fkmr0 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Super-Human-Michael-Carroll/dp/0399252975/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1275923658&sr=1-2-fkmr0)
: puggdogg 08 June, 2010, 08:00:11 AM
: I, Cosh 08 June, 2010, 08:45:31 AM
: TordelBack 08 June, 2010, 09:18:24 AM
: Daveycandlish 12 June, 2010, 10:34:21 PM
It's been years since I saw Cam Kennedy's B&W artwork on this, and it's chuffing brilliant!
I'm actually surprised the book is as good as it is, as a lot of the early collections have left me cold previously.
Recommend this one though.
: Roger Godpleton 12 June, 2010, 10:36:00 PM
: HOO-HAA 12 June, 2010, 11:30:50 PM
After I'm done with that, I'll either return to The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo or start on a rather delightful mint condition, first edition Cujo I picked up today from the charity shop I work at :D
: Mike Carroll 13 June, 2010, 01:12:09 AM
Just finished "SUPERHUMAN" by Michael Carroll of this parish. Loved it! The story and characters were spot on and I laughed out loud several times, mainly at another of Lance's quips. Aimed at the teenage market but highly enjoyable for all. If you've got a teenager buy them a copy, if you haven't, buy one for yourself. Available from the link below...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Super-Human-Michael-Carroll/dp/0399252975/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1275923658&sr=1-2-fkmr0 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Super-Human-Michael-Carroll/dp/0399252975/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1275923658&sr=1-2-fkmr0)
Cheers, Kerrin! Always happy to see positive reviews!
-- Mike
: Roger Godpleton 13 June, 2010, 02:19:57 AM
: JOE SOAP 13 June, 2010, 02:42:46 AM
because that's how I roll.
you must be pretty chubby.
: Devons Daddy 13 June, 2010, 10:27:08 AM
: IAMTHESYSTEM 13 June, 2010, 12:09:00 PM
: willthemightyW 13 June, 2010, 01:03:44 PM
: puggdogg 15 June, 2010, 05:02:13 AM
: zombemybabynow 15 June, 2010, 12:21:51 PM
other than that images chew - give the first tpb a go, only costs 7 quid
: Richmond Clements 15 June, 2010, 12:25:31 PM
: I, Cosh 15 June, 2010, 12:39:50 PM
Excel sheets.I love Excel.
: Richmond Clements 15 June, 2010, 12:56:47 PM
Excel sheets.I love Excel.
I don't!
200+ pages of info to type in!
: nev 15 June, 2010, 03:37:53 PM
I love Excel. Just spent the last two days making a beautiful file.Excel sheets.I love Excel.
: I, Cosh 15 June, 2010, 03:56:07 PM
There must be an easier way!I don't!Excel sheets.I love Excel.
200+ pages of info to type in!
: Richmond Clements 15 June, 2010, 04:01:31 PM
There must be an easier way!I don't!Excel sheets.I love Excel.
200+ pages of info to type in!
Probably... all done now anyway. I'm now typing this and looking busy!
: TordelBack 15 June, 2010, 11:58:16 PM
: Roger Godpleton 21 June, 2010, 01:25:53 AM
: Darren Stephens 21 June, 2010, 05:06:15 PM
: M.I. 21 June, 2010, 06:06:32 PM
Terry Pratchett - The Wee Free Men
Haruki Murakami - Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World - yes, this is mainstream, but I want to know what awaits me in the end )
: HOO-HAA 21 June, 2010, 06:13:14 PM
: House of Usher 21 June, 2010, 06:52:55 PM
It's a very well written historical novel of the 20th Century, of unlikely small-world coincidences and degrees of separation. It's impressively well researched, convincingly authentic and difficult to put down. The tone, trajectory and descriptive detail remind me of reading Iain Banks.
The plot: the prologue is a mess of fragments of the various characters' lives, then a girl called Kathleen, who has a natural mathematical aptitude, wanders around London during the Blitz and dreams of using her talents to help the war effort. College drop-out Saul Cogan flirts with the 1960s counter-culture after winding up at a squat in the aftermath of an Anti-Vietnam rally. Anthony Burden, former student of Alan Turing, struggles with his sexuality in war-torn London and marries a Jewish girl before resorting to eletro-shock therapy to make him 'normal' - that's the first 200 pages.
From the reviews on Amazon I'm expecting a great big let-down of an ending, but I don't know how much Amazon customer reviews can be relied upon. I don't care if the ending is good or not, it's just nice to have something to read that is skilfully written.
: mogzilla 21 June, 2010, 07:42:01 PM
pay day and grandville later this week!
: willthemightyW 25 June, 2010, 07:53:47 PM
: Roger Godpleton 25 June, 2010, 10:02:41 PM
: puggdogg 26 June, 2010, 01:42:24 AM
Then I started the complete D.R. and Quinch.
: Kerrin 26 June, 2010, 08:13:16 AM
: Emperor 26 June, 2010, 04:53:31 PM
Just ordered "The Fuller Memorandum (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fuller-Memorandum-Laundry-3/dp/1841497703/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1277536091&sr=8-1)" by Charles Stross, the third of his "Laundry" books, having recently reread the second. More adventures of Bob the techy secret agent and his dealings with the denizens of the vasty deeps.
Oooooooo it is out? I thought it wasn't being released until next month (or did you pre-order it?). Exciting!!
: Kerrin 26 June, 2010, 06:22:11 PM
: Strontium Jimmy 27 June, 2010, 05:50:16 AM
: Zarjazzer 27 June, 2010, 11:15:31 AM
I'm reading Hammers Slammers a military sci- fi,(oh what a surprise! :)) book written by a Vietnam vet (and it shows) -brutalising and chilling.
: House of Usher 27 June, 2010, 11:22:36 AM
: HOO-HAA 29 June, 2010, 12:50:30 PM
: Richmond Clements 29 June, 2010, 12:55:44 PM
Still hammering my way through CUJO by Stephen King and thoroughly enjoying it. If this is the kind of writing that alcoholism breeds, I need to get myself a drink :)
Yeah- that's what I thought too!
I'm not sure if he says it in On Writing, but he also says he cannot remember writing Cujo... now that's just not fair.
Anyway- Reading Hardcore Troubadour, a biography of Steve Earle. It's hair raising stuff.
: Tiplodocus 29 June, 2010, 07:01:29 PM
: House of Usher 29 June, 2010, 07:15:09 PM
: PsychoGoatee 29 June, 2010, 07:44:39 PM
And of course, 2000AD and the Judge Dredd Megazine.
Plus manga: Blade of the Immortal, Gunsmith Cats, and Bastard!!
: Kerrin 29 June, 2010, 09:16:10 PM
flitting from one mane-check to another
Lice?
: I, Cosh 29 June, 2010, 11:55:24 PM
On a related note, I've just spent an hour reading every post Tordelback's ever made concerning "le Guin." There's a few.
: Kerrin 30 June, 2010, 07:42:35 AM
Almost finished The Wind's Twelve Quarters, Volume 2.
There's a volume 2? Class. Not long finished the first one, which it has to be said was about the finest collection of short stories I've ever read.
: I, Cosh 30 June, 2010, 11:39:17 AM
There was, but if you're copy was published in the last twenty years it probably includes both the original volumes.Almost finished The Wind's Twelve Quarters, Volume 2.There's a volume 2? Class. Not long finished the first one, which it has to be said was about the finest collection of short stories I've ever read.
: TordelBack 30 June, 2010, 11:53:34 AM
There was, but if you're copy was published in the last twenty years it probably includes both the original volumes.
S'right.
Juts finished Jack McDevitt's Seeker, one of his very best. I actually cheered out loud (in public) at the final revelation. Go humanity!
: HOO-HAA 30 June, 2010, 12:40:19 PM
Still hammering my way through CUJO by Stephen King and thoroughly enjoying it. If this is the kind of writing that alcoholism breeds, I need to get myself a drink :)
Yeah- that's what I thought too!
I'm not sure if he says it in On Writing, but he also says he cannot remember writing Cujo... now that's just not fair.
Yep, that's correct. He can't remember writing Cujo. Which annoyed him, as I recall. He likes that book (unlike Rose Madder or Insomnia which he describes as 'try hard')
The thing about Cujo is that it's riddled with adverbs, which he speaks ill off in On Writing. Good to see how he had to hone the craft like the rest of us, evolving his style with each book he wrote. Still, it's odd that it's his earlier work I always hark back to (Carrie is one of my all-time fav reads) as opposed to some of his recent, more literary output.
: Kerrin 30 June, 2010, 10:01:48 PM
There was, but if you're copy was published in the last twenty years it probably includes both the original volumes.
Having read "Vaster than Empires and More Slow" (brilliant story, I always new there was something strange going on with vegetables), I should have realised that. I shall go and stand in the corner.
: Something Fishy 01 July, 2010, 01:38:14 PM
Just ordered the "Stainless Steel Rat Collection". Been meaning to read them for years.
: Aaron A Aardvark 01 July, 2010, 02:35:18 PM
The Emile Heskey of tyrants, interesting stuff.
: Colin YNWA 01 July, 2010, 02:39:13 PM
: Aaron A Aardvark 01 July, 2010, 03:02:55 PM
What he was just a big sad bear?
Basically yes. Just hopelessly out of his depth and the harder he tried, the worse he got, until he nearly blew up the world. If it wasn't for all the death warrants I'd feel sorry for him.
(And I bet Cappello still picks him, dumb-ass.)
: Kerrin 01 July, 2010, 08:30:57 PM
Just ordered the "Stainless Steel Rat Collection". Been meaning to read them for years.
You're in for a treat Fishy. They're great fun. It's about time there was a film of The Stainless Steel Rat.
: Something Fishy 02 July, 2010, 03:31:45 PM
Just ordered the "Stainless Steel Rat Collection". Been meaning to read them for years.
You're in for a treat Fishy. They're great fun. It's about time there was a film of The Stainless Steel Rat.
Ace!
I've fancied reading them since they were in the prog years ago, just never got around to it.
: Kerrin 02 July, 2010, 05:53:46 PM
: Paul faplad Finch 03 July, 2010, 01:31:24 AM
I was surprised to reads that there is zero evidence that the plotters mined there way in to the cellars and that this is generally poo poo'd by historians as Government propoganda, because I remember it being taught as fact at my school. In fact, this book did bring back a lot of stuff from school and then poke holes in it.
I can understand simplifying the facts slightly to give kids an overview of a complicated subject but to teach a blatant lie seems slightly off to me.
Anyway, I enjoyed the book and it actually made me quite moved at the fates of some of the players as the inevitable body count started to rise. It made me realise how easily we forget, with the passage of time, that these names in a book were once real people. Not an original thought I'm sure but I can honestly (and slightly shamefully) say that I never really think about these things in any meaningful way.
In fact, I got to thinking when I finished this that I couldn't recall the last non fiction book I'd read that wasn't some kind of 'making of' a tv show or something like that. I am resolved to do better.
Not yet thugh cos I'm reading Droid Files 2. Which sadly is leaving me a little cold at the mo. I loved the first book but this one started with a footie story (I wouldn't get the gags if they were aimed at contemporary sports figures so I've no chance here) and then launched into a musical story which requires you to put the dialogue to music. Often to tunes I don't know. Very off putting and drags me out of the story. I'm hoping that the whole book isn't full of these gimmicky types of stories because I was really looking forward to more like book 1.
: TordelBack 03 July, 2010, 10:04:21 AM
Anyway, I enjoyed the book and it actually made me quite moved at the fates of some of the players as the inevitable body count started to rise. It made me realise how easily we forget, with the passage of time, that these names in a book were once real people.
That's exactly what I took away from it too, that and the reaffirmation that in behind every 'major event' of history there's at least two bunches of silly sods all pulling in different directions and tripping each other up. Apparently it's just how we do things on my planet. See also: Robert Harris' outstanding Cicero novels.
: House of Usher 03 July, 2010, 01:55:20 PM
Just ordered the "Stainless Steel Rat Collection". Been meaning to read them for years.
You're in for a treat Fishy. They're great fun. It's about time there was a film of The Stainless Steel Rat.
You'd have filmgoers - and before it even got that far, studio executives - saying "so, where's the rat in this picture? And it's like this robot, yeah? Made of stainless steel? And this Jim Degrees fellow is hunting it down?"
::) :lol:
: Something Fishy 04 July, 2010, 10:11:17 AM
The original novels by Harry Harrison (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Harrison) are well worth a read Fishy. Plenty more stories on top of the ones adapted for the prog.
That's the ones I've ordered. A collected edition of three of them. Looking forward to them.
: IAMTHESYSTEM 04 July, 2010, 11:23:34 AM
: House of Usher 04 July, 2010, 11:58:25 AM
Paul Scott's inventiveness never ceases to amaze me, and as usual there's a wealth of artistic talent bringing the stories to monochrome 2D life.
: trapperconnor 05 July, 2010, 11:41:31 PM
: mogzilla 06 July, 2010, 06:14:07 PM
: puggdogg 07 July, 2010, 02:40:28 AM
: Something Fishy 07 July, 2010, 08:48:07 AM
stainless steel rat for me too :D :D :D
The comics or books?
I only just found out they've released the GN. Funny timing that I just decided to get the books for the first time (having been reminded about about it in SFX). I may have to get the GN too (though I have a few Dredd ones to get too).
: nev 07 July, 2010, 11:01:23 AM
: Mikey 07 July, 2010, 11:23:36 AM
It's a series of linked short stories following the character Rose and her changing relationship with her parents, particularly her adoptive mother Flo, as Rose moves out into the wider world. Well, Canada at any rate. Semi autobiographical, it's not genre, as I'm sure you guessed.
Munroe writes with a directness and frankness that suits the humble home life of Rose, growing up on the poor side of Hanratty. I'd describe it as part social commentary, part local history exploration of who Rose is and the social changes she witnesses.
There's some great musings on being dirt poor and not knowing it until the wider world comes knocking, and how that feels - which strikes a chord with me. The dialogue between the women, their experiences and their attitudes to the world really remind me of my own mother and her family and how, ultimately, you can take Billy out of the Hill but not the Hill out of Billy. (explains my soft spot for country!)
Great stuff!
M.
: Daveycandlish 07 July, 2010, 07:36:51 PM
Just got Rainbow Orchid volume 2 by Garen Ewing in the post this morning
Loved this when it was in BAM! all those years ago and can't wait to start on this!
: Paul faplad Finch 07 July, 2010, 11:07:47 PM
I'll confess that I got it primarily to look at the pictures, because there is a wealth of stuff in there, from reproductions of posters, portraits of the various bits of totty and all sorts of behind the scenes shots of cast and crew. I got sucked in by the ext though, which I expected to be not much more than glorified captions but was anything but. There is a 2/3 page article on every genre film they produced, and overviews of their other titles, like the war movies and their forays into adapting sitcoms for the big screen.
It's a few years old now I think so anyone on here with any interest has probably seen it but if not it's well worth a look. It's certainly got me on the lookout for some of the titles it talks about. I hadn't realised how prolific they actually were.
: Roger Godpleton 08 July, 2010, 01:04:42 AM
: Richmond Clements 08 July, 2010, 09:28:45 AM
: vzzbux 08 July, 2010, 10:58:08 PM
I on the other hand am going to go through my Titan Nemesis Book 2 followed by Judge Death.
V
: flip-r mk2 08 July, 2010, 11:07:25 PM
filip
: Emp 09 July, 2010, 09:37:29 PM
: HOO-HAA 09 July, 2010, 09:42:09 PM
Today I returned to the library a lovely coffee table book by Alan Barnes and someone else whose name escapes me at the moment that's all about Hammer films through the years.
I think I saw that on sale at Forbidden Planet - it was too pricey to pick up, but looked delicious. There was another one beside it called something like 'The Women of Hammer' which also... er... looked rather tasty.
Flu by our very own HooHaa.
flip! Thanks so much for taking a chance on flu! I really hope you enjoy it, sir.
I'm currently working on the edits for my next release through Snowbooks, Drop Dead Gorgeous. Due out January 2011. Bang on time for Hi-Ex! :)
: Devons Daddy 10 July, 2010, 11:28:08 AM
his follow up to kitchen confidential, this is mid life crisis version, of acknowledgement to world of change in culinary terms.
great read. but am in the same place as the author, no longer a chef, and acknowledge that at this stage its a good thing.incredible details and descriptoins that truly encapsulate the meals he has eaten. how we see the industry as insiders now on the outside.
not sure how this will play to the rest of the world, but the hospitality mid lifers will enjloy this as much as his Kit/Con. the rest of the world, i think you will be intrigued and enjoy.
on amazon and Ibooks as a great download,not sure of the hard back or soft back at USD $13 its a steal.
: flip-r mk2 10 July, 2010, 01:26:19 PM
120 pages in and really enjoying the Flu(never thought I'd ever say that)glad you didn't go with running zombies(hope they don't start speeding up later).Hope to make to Hi-Ex and maybe 2D next year if everything goes to plan, then I can get you to sign my copies of Flu and Drop Dead Gorgeous when it released.
flip! Thanks so much for taking a chance on flu! I really hope you enjoy it, sir.
I'm currently working on the edits for my next release through Snowbooks, Drop Dead Gorgeous. Due out January 2011. Bang on time for Hi-Ex! :)
filip
: Zarjazzer 10 July, 2010, 01:51:58 PM
Back to star wars with the Shadows of Minbar-okay but a bit odd as Luke is still new to the force yet can juggle/control an already flying ship which just smacks too much of that Force Unleashed drivel that I shall say no more!
Also read some comics -AFter Dark written by Wesley Snipes of all people-quite good and more Star Wars TPB of Empire-good but with some wobbly art here and there.
: HOO-HAA 11 July, 2010, 11:28:56 AM
Going to move onto David Moody's Dog blood now.
: TordelBack 11 July, 2010, 07:07:25 PM
: willthemightyW 12 July, 2010, 10:12:59 PM
: puggdogg 13 July, 2010, 01:01:26 PM
: PsychoGoatee 13 July, 2010, 02:50:56 PM
: radiator 13 July, 2010, 03:12:55 PM
All You Need is Kill (prose novel) by Hiroshi Sakurazaka
I got this because I heard a movie adaptation is being fast-tracked into production so I wanted to be ahead of the curve! Also the premise grabbed me (Groundhog Day meets Starship Troopers, essentially). It was OK, a quick, action-packed read but at times it reads a little like fan-fiction thanks to some ripe dialogue and overuse of swearing - I think a lot of that may be down to the translation from the original Japanese. It also sort of feels like it is an adaptation of a manga or anime series - it has that vibe. Some neat sci-fi ideas, though and I look forward to seeing the movie. 6/10
Batman and Robin Volume 1: Batman Reborn by Grant Morrison, Frank Quitely and Philip Tan
Posted my thoughts on this elsewhere. First half = hugely enjoyable, second half lost me a little. 7/10
Pride of Baghdad by Brian K Vaughn and Niko Henrichon
I borrowed this from the local library and having read it, am glad I didn't pay any money for it. It was OK/poor, and did little to change my mind about Vaughn, who I've long thought to be a wildly overrated writer. It started well, but the heavy handed story and dialogue just started irritating me by the end - it just kept reminding me of the similarly themed, but infinitely superior We3. The art was accomplished, but too overtly digital-looking for my tastes, and a little too Lion King-esque also. 3/10
: SMOKESCREEN:ED:9 13 July, 2010, 05:46:04 PM
I'm tucking into Wolverine no.900 just got it the other day, and I'm actually pleasantly surprised at the quality. I normally don't go beyond the Inferno/1990's mark (roughly thereabouts) when it comes to X-men and marvel stuffs, but hey Can't fault it.
And alongside that I'm getting my teeth stuck into a collection of Kafka short stories. Can't get enough.
: TordelBack 13 July, 2010, 11:35:42 PM
Is it a meditation on the effects of Web 2.0 on society? I honestly don't know. Answers on a postcard, wiser heads.
: I, Cosh 14 July, 2010, 12:08:24 AM
Is it a meditation on the effects of Web 2.0 on society? I honestly don't know. Answers on a postcard, wiser heads.Sorry, I haven't read any Coupland since Girlfriend in a Coma.
Finished The Ringworld Engineers last weekend, which was silly, improbable fun. Started reading Inconstant Moon - a collection of Larry Niven's short stories - immediately after and so far it isn't. Most of the stories have a good central idea, but he doesn't seem able to deal with them either in enough depth or with sufficient storytelling verve to satisfy. Still, they are short so they're ideal for the bus.
Disheartened, I turned to In Search of Robert Millar, a biography of Britain's best ever cyclist. Despite the total lack of input from the subject, the details of his career are interesting. Assuming you're interested in that sort of thing. Unfortunately, the godawful, saucer-eyed naivety displayed by the author in fallling hook, line & sinker for the mythical Big Man/razor gangs/Britain's hardest pub view of Glasgow has me questioning everything else he writes.
: O Lucky Stevie! 14 July, 2010, 12:25:28 AM
Is it a meditation on the effects of Web 2.0 on society? I honestly don't know. Answers on a postcard, wiser heads.
There's a copy in the Mesozoic layer of Stevie's reading pile, so he let you know when he gets too it.
Finished The Ringworld Engineers last weekend,
Don't feel shy on skipping the appositely-entitled Ringworld Throne & heading straight to Ringworld's Children -- more plot than the previous three volumes combined in half the page count count of each. Easily the best thing that Niven's written in decades.
: Spaceghost 14 July, 2010, 08:43:27 AM
Over my holiday I read:
All You Need is Kill (prose novel) by Hiroshi Sakurazaka
I got this because I heard a movie adaptation is being fast-tracked into production so I wanted to be ahead of the curve! Also the premise grabbed me (Groundhog Day meets Starship Troopers, essentially). It was OK, a quick, action-packed read but at times it reads a little like fan-fiction thanks to some ripe dialogue and overuse of swearing - I think a lot of that may be down to the translation from the original Japanese. It also sort of feels like it is an adaptation of a manga or anime series - it has that vibe. Some neat sci-fi ideas, though and I look forward to seeing the movie. 6/10
I read this too and drew similar conclusions. Poor translation from Japanese not hitting the right tone with the dialogue. I think it could potentially make a good film though.
Reading Seeds of Earth by Michael Cobley now. Just the sort of widescreen space epic I'm into at the moment.
By the way, don't bother with The Noise Within by Ian Whates. It's poorly written, predictable, boring tripe.
: Proudhuff 14 July, 2010, 02:47:25 PM
Also reading Warrior which, being an anthology, ranges from the great to the mediocre, with almost nothing actively bad. It even has a range of articles on aspects of comics which verge on the interesting and a letter from one T Proudfoot decrying T'n'A covers.
Haha! Top that Buttonman!
: mogzilla 17 July, 2010, 10:24:30 AM
: 4junk2pop 18 July, 2010, 10:21:06 AM
Last night I finished reading the final TPB of the Goon. I read through all ten volumes. Now I'm having withdrawals. Damn Eric Powell has created a masterpiece series. I think tonight I'll start on Dredd Case Files Vol 04.
The Goon is great, I've only read a few of the early TPB's so far. Not got around to getting anymore yet.
I'm abroad and only thing I have with me is Tank Girl TPB volume 2. I'm not great at summing it up as a whole but it was just
Absurd, random, beautiful and outdated :P
I enjoyed volume 1 more. I have volume 3 at home, I'll give that a whirl when back in blighty.
: mogzilla 18 July, 2010, 10:29:19 AM
: SmallBlueThing 18 July, 2010, 09:24:21 PM
Comicwise, 'Scalped', 'Northlanders' and 'Resurrected' currently float my boat- along with the sublime 'Walking Dead' obviously. 'Crossed' by Mr Ennis knocked at the door of my middle-aged sense of reactionary wrongness, but I've decided to like it, so as to appear cool to kids.
SBT
: HOO-HAA 18 July, 2010, 10:02:47 PM
Bookwise, 'Day By Day Armageddon: Beyond Exile'- the sequel to DBDA, by JL Bourne. Post-apoc zombie brilliance by a serving US naval officer (it says here...) The Permuted Press delivers another absolute blinder, and is fast becoming my favourite publishing house.
Comicwise, 'Scalped', 'Northlanders' and 'Resurrected' currently float my boat- along with the sublime 'Walking Dead' obviously. 'Crossed' by Mr Ennis knocked at the door of my middle-aged sense of reactionary wrongness, but I've decided to like it, so as to appear cool to kids.
SBT
A good list right there. I haven't read DBDA but Mr Bourne sure can pull a crowd amongst the zombie fans. He's an old labelmate of mine from when my debut novel, Drop Dead Gorgeous was on Permuted (due for re-release in the UK through Snowbooks in 2011). DBDA2 is being paired with FLU by Amazon UK, I notice.
Crossed is an outrageously good series. Especially the Ennis run. To be honest, for character-driven z-horror, I think it rocks the socks of even Kirkman's The Walking Dead. Brilliant stuff without compromise!
: Mike Carroll 19 July, 2010, 03:09:11 AM
That said, it's all rather enjoyable so far.
-- Mike
: mogzilla 19 July, 2010, 05:03:18 PM
Currently reading Filth, by Irvine Welsh. It's like ploughing through Ulysses as reinterpreted by Quentin Tarantino, via Rab C. Nesbit. I'm about a quarter of the way in and slowly getting used to the dialect. But I will never - ever - get used to the lack of quotation marks. I mean, the book's hard enough to understand as it is, but when you can't tell whether the narrator is speaking aloud or just pondering, it's a whole different kettle of ballgames.
That said, it's all rather enjoyable so far.
-- Mike
had that trouble with cormac macarthy's stuff and his penchant for suddenly having characters launch into spanish (all the pretty horses) we only did o level french at school!!!!
: klute 19 July, 2010, 07:29:11 PM
Im currently reading L.E.G.I.O.N. i have the complete 80's and 90's run of this comic so im working my way through them again.
: TordelBack 19 July, 2010, 07:40:04 PM
: Roger Godpleton 19 July, 2010, 07:42:43 PM
Skeezix Vol 1.
: TordelBack 19 July, 2010, 07:55:52 PM
Started Weathercraft, which I expect will take well to multiple readings.
Is that the Jim Woodring GN? Is it as good as it looks, and is Frank actually in it?
: HOO-HAA 19 July, 2010, 07:57:33 PM
A history of the Workhouses of Ireland by John O'Connor. It's a topic I've had cause to dip into before, but sweet fecking jeebus, the shower of bastards.
I remember studying that in school and thinking the exact same.
: Roger Godpleton 19 July, 2010, 08:01:28 PM
: TordelBack 19 July, 2010, 08:13:17 PM
Frank and his creepy ass dog things are most definitely in it, but Manhog is the lead. It's arsom.
Class- off to pester the library to get a copy.
: vzzbux 20 July, 2010, 10:15:37 PM
O'Neill still does it big time for me.
V
: I, Cosh 20 July, 2010, 10:45:17 PM
Started reading Inconstant Moon - a collection of Larry Niven's short stories - immediately after and so far it isn't. Most of the stories have a good central idea, but he doesn't seem able to deal with them either in enough depth or with sufficient storytelling verve to satisfy.I think I've had it with this. Read one last night which surmised that living on Mars would make you "queer" and it would be okay for real men to kill you for making a pass at them. I know you shouldn't equate the writer with the character or the story, but there seemed to be no attempt to present this as unreasonable.
Started Le Guin's City of Illusions today instead. More trees.
: DAJB 21 July, 2010, 01:07:32 PM
I've just read Nevermore, an indie graphic novel anthology adaptation of 9 Edgar Allan Poe stories, published by SelfMadeHero in 2007.Hey, I've only belatedly stumbled upon this post by accident. As the writer of the adaptation of The Oval Portrait, your kind words are very much appreciated. Thank you!
It was an impressive little book. Six out of the nine stories have very polished scripts [...] The real highlight for me was The Oval Portrait, adapted by David Berner and Natalie Sandells. It reads like only the cream of the crop of strips published in a 1970s edition of House of Secrets, which, if you read a lot of them in series, is a very patchy read. David Berner's writing is fantastic, and Natalie's drawing style evokes a certain vintage, specifically DC's end of the eighties Wasteland horror anthology.
: Albion 21 July, 2010, 02:01:29 PM
I've never read it before and just got it from Ebay for £2.64.
: Colin Zeal 21 July, 2010, 02:33:05 PM
: SmallBlueThing 21 July, 2010, 02:37:39 PM
ian gibson was sort-of wrong in his blog. The early eighties comic in which genghis grimtoad first appeared was called 'look alive', and debuted in september 1982. However, it was by alan grant and angus mcbride back then. Dont know how long it lasted, possibly only five issues.
I knew i was right!
SBT
: Albion 21 July, 2010, 02:47:43 PM
Albion, since fb has died for me, ill put it here.
Facebook went weird for me then too. Gibson's art looks awesome in this.
: Richmond Clements 21 July, 2010, 03:40:28 PM
It's bloody brilliant so far.
: Colin YNWA 23 July, 2010, 08:31:10 AM
In some ways those middle issues had too much going on and I suspect I was missing a whole load on meaning and subtext and what not. Its just another of its was Shade and his madness what done it story and frankly it didn't grip me enough to work with it more. Added to that I'm far from Richard Case's biggest fan, just don't get on with his art on the whole meant I drifted in the middle there.
Still much to admire in these final issues and some great stuff in there and a fantastic ending that the series deserved. Good stuff.
Now I finally get to 'Flu', with apologises to Wayne who sent me it a while ago and even though it go elevated up the read pile has only just made it to the top... looking forward to this one...
: Paul faplad Finch 25 July, 2010, 12:24:05 AM
Once it's done I've got the last 2 Joe Pitt books waiting. These books are very quick reads but deceptively dense. Charlie Huston packs a hell of a lot of action into each installment and he's not afraid to shake up his world either. Books 2 and 3 both had endings that shattered the status quo so I'm guessing 4 will do the same, leading into the finale.
Also reading Hitman bk1. Excellent stuff so far and I've only read the origin stuff from Demon and Batman comics. I'm trusting in Garth to really pull out all the stops once the regular issues kick in.
: HOO-HAA 25 July, 2010, 12:00:56 PM
Now I finally get to 'Flu', with apologises to Wayne who sent me it a while ago and even though it go elevated up the read pile has only just made it to the top... looking forward to this one...
Really hope you enjoy it, buddy :)
: TordelBack 25 July, 2010, 12:16:06 PM
I love Vinge, but I wish he'd write more and faster - I hate it when I 'catch up' with an author and then have to wait years for the next fix (even his marvelous short fiction seems to just trickle out, and I don't think there's been a new collection for about a decade). Someone needs to weld his brain to Stephen Baxter's ever-typing hands.
: I, Cosh 25 July, 2010, 01:18:08 PM
As mental comfort food, and in preparation for the alleged release of a sequel next year, I'm re-reading Vernor Vinge's A Fire Upon the Deep. He's one of the great ideas men of SF, and this is a book just bursting with high-concept.I remember really enjoying The Peace War but I wasn't too impressed with the sequel so I haven't read anything else he's written.
In other news, I've just polished off a couple of short, early Le Guin novels - City of Illusion and Planet of Exile - in the wrong order. Couldn't find Rocannon's World while I was at my mum's during the week, but it's got to be there somewhere.
: TordelBack 25 July, 2010, 01:31:09 PM
I remember really enjoying The Peace War but I wasn't too impressed with the sequel so I haven't read anything else he's written.
Yeah, the 'Across Realtime/Bobble' series is mostly his early work, and rough around the edges (although i still enjoyed it) - I'd strongly advise giving his later stuff a try. Most of his short fiction is brilliant (Fast Times at Fairmont High, for example), and the two 'Deep' novels A Fire Upon the Deep and its sorta-prequel A Deepness in the Sky have magnificently weird aliens and cultures.
: Leigh S 25 July, 2010, 01:43:31 PM
Started Le Guin's City of Illusions today instead. More trees.
Loving the Le Guin. Just bought a copy of The Dispossessed from a charity shop, and have ordered a couple of the newer Earthsea books from Amazon. They could be made infinitely better by removing the sodding Neil Gaiman blurbs though..... They ought to release "the collected Gaiman recommendations" as a standalone volume (though it make take 2) for anyone interested and get em orf of my books!
: Roger Godpleton 25 July, 2010, 10:16:10 PM
: Jared Katooie 25 July, 2010, 11:27:22 PM
: SmallBlueThing 25 July, 2010, 11:30:17 PM
SBT
: HOO-HAA 26 July, 2010, 09:01:01 AM
The collected Solomon Kane, by Robert E Howard. And it's brilliant.
SBT
Is the film worth picking up?
: Radbacker 26 July, 2010, 09:12:18 AM
The collected Solomon Kane, by Robert E Howard. And it's brilliant.
SBT
Is the film worth picking up?
its not too bad, but couldn't coment on accuracy to the original stories. It is very dour and dark. Looks good too.
CU Radbacker
: SmallBlueThing 26 July, 2010, 09:22:27 AM
However, it looks great, plays well and id certainly be up for a sequel or two. Generally good feelings towards it, chez-bluething.
SBT
: Cthulouis 26 July, 2010, 09:35:01 AM
The actor (name escapes me) said in an interview that they had got the back-story out of the way for people who need such things, in the hope that in the sequels they can just dive right into the actual stories themselves. Here's hoping some sequels happen.
He even mentioned the possibility of going to Africa!
: SmallBlueThing 26 July, 2010, 09:48:48 AM
SBT
: House of Usher 26 July, 2010, 10:38:29 AM
Also reading Shakespeare's Julius Caesar for a tutoring client. If enough bits and bobs of freelance work stack up I may be off the dole again by the autumn. I'm hopeful anyway.
: mogzilla 26 July, 2010, 01:00:37 PM
and my sky magazine
: Darren Stephens 28 July, 2010, 05:58:10 PM
: Keef Monkey 02 August, 2010, 05:18:10 PM
: HOO-HAA 02 August, 2010, 06:54:38 PM
Started reading Tim Lebbon's The Thief of Broken Toys - a character-rich slice of bizarro that reminds me a lot of Asian cinema.
Also reading the wonderful Rupert Thomson's This Party's got to stop.
: Roger Godpleton 02 August, 2010, 07:57:00 PM
Just got the new Daniel Clowes and the remainder of Walt & Skeezix vol 1 left in the unknown pleasure dome. :|
: Withnail's liver 02 August, 2010, 10:17:07 PM
The story focuses on a group of bloggers who are following the next bright star in the Presidential campaign. It reads quite easily, with good detail on how things have changed, but I get the feeling that if I knew more about American politics I'd probably get more out of it...
Graphic novel-wise I've just finished volume 2 of "Chew" (Written by John Layman, Art by Rob Guillory published by Image comics) A great comic that if you're looking for something different certainly fits the bill (book itself was great and continues from the first volume very well).
: Jim_Campbell 02 August, 2010, 10:30:29 PM
reading Gavin Baddely's Goth Chic again.
I've never actually laid eyes on a copy of that, but I believe that at least some of the photos in there are taken from the Nightbreed "Carnival of Souls" event… unless I was asked to supply them so that Gavin could have a good old wank.
It's not much of a claim to fame, but it's the best I've got.
Cheers!
Jim