Graphic Novels and Audiobooks of 2012
This is an addendum to the books read in 2012 list as I don’t feel that books in these formats strictly belong on that list.
Graphic Novels
Phonogram 1 & 2 by Kieron Gillen and and Jamie McKelvie – Gillen & McKelvie play with the ghosts of Britpop and the magic of pop music to marvellous effect
Scott Pilgrim 1 & 2 by Bryan Lee O’Malley – The first book is OK, the second is good with promise to get even better
Hellblazer vol 1 by Jamie Delano, Rick Veitch, John Ridgway and Alfredo Alcala – Apart from the weird Swamp Thing section this whole collection is really good.
Gotham Central vol 1 by Greg Rucka, Ed Brubaker and Michael Lark – Batman from the perspective of the ordinary cop. Highly praised for a reason
Transmetropolitan vol 1 by Warren Ellis and Darick Robertson – The insane, profane and wonderful introduction to Spider Jerusalem.
Thor: Siege by Jeff Parker, Kieron Gillen, Christos Gage and Miguel Sepulvida – Blah collection of Thor as Asgard comes under attack due to the machinations of Loki. Again.
Gotham Central vol 3 by Greg Rucka, Ed Brubaker, Stefano Gaudiano, Michael Lark, Jason Alexander, Kano
Audiobooks
Agent to the Stars by John Scalzi and read by Wil Wheaton – Wheaton does a great job with Scalzi’s ‘practice’ novel. It’s a lot of fun to listen to. Reviews of this book from 2011 and 2010.
The Android’s Dream by John Scalzi and read by Wil Wheaton – This is a funny book and the audiobook is it’s equal in every respect. Reviews of this one from 2009 and 2008.
Redshirts by John Scalzi and read by Wil Wheaton – The first time I’ve listened to book before reading it (It was substantially cheaper to buy the audiobook than import the hardback). This affectionate parody of Star Trek is also a deeply meta piece about being a writer. Very funny with unexpectedly moving ‘codas’.
Consider Phlebas by Iain M Banks and read by Peter Kenny – Wow this is a mental book. There is so much happening that you could fill a trilogy of space adventure movies from the content. Superbly read by Kenny.
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman and read by Neil Gaiman – An exceptional book. The author reads it himself and does a fine job.
Jingo by Terry Pratchett and read by Nigel Planer – The weakest of the Guards books is done no favours by Nigel Planer (Glad this is the one I borrowed from the library rather than buying). Reviewed in 2005.
The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides and read by David Pittu – I listened to a substantial part of this but I hated the characters so much I stopped listening.