Fangirl (The Manga) Volume 1
This is a manga adaptation of the beloved YA novel by Rainbow Rowell which I have read several times. It’s the story of Cath and what happens when she goes to college.
This didn’t really felt like it added anything new or revealing above the original story. It’s very nicely done but not something that really needed to exist.
This is only part one though so I should check out part two at some point.
Fringe: Beyond The Fringe
A series of alternative universe comicbook stories set in the Fringe universe. Includes one written by former star Joshua Jackson.
Perfectly enjoyable if not exactly thrilling.
The Eternals
Gaiman gives a new spin on Jack Kirby’s creations in this entertaining superhero yarn. This is meant to be highly influential on the upcoming film so I gave it a spin from the library
This is an addendum to the books read in 2013 list as I don’t feel that books in these formats strictly belong on that list.
Graphic Novels
Planet Hulk Omnibus by Greg Pak, Carlo Pagulayan, Aaron Lopresti and Michael Avon Oeming
Phonogram Vol 2. by Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie (the floppies with extra material via Comixology)
Freak angels volume by 1 Warren Ellis & Paul Duffield
Freak angels volume by 2 Warren Ellis & Paul Duffield
Freak angels volume by 3 Warren Ellis & Paul Duffield
Freak angels volume by Warren Ellis & Paul Duffield
Freak angels volume by 5 Warren Ellis & Paul Duffield
(also vol 6, but online) www.freakangels.com
Audiobooks
Bellwether by Connie Willis, read by Kate Reading
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, read by Stephen Fry
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.
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
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.
The Sandman Companion
This companion to Neil Gaiman’s lengthy and wonderful Sandman comic epic derives most of it’s merit from a in depth interview with the man himself.
Watchmen
I normally don’t blog about comics since, strictly speaking, even in trade paperback form they’re not novels. Even the majestic Sandman series consists of short stories and novellas. Moore and Gibbon’s classic, however, is beyond all doubt a true graphic novel.
Watchmen is about a subtly different version of now, where “superheroes” or masked vigilantes really existed, and the consequences of their existence for every living person.
It’s a densely layered piece making the best of a medium that is both visual and written. The central narrative unwinds beautifully, the characters are exquisitely portrayed, and the questions asked resonate in your mind for years.
It’s a piece I have read many times, and yet I continue to find new details in it even today.
I recommend this book to anyone, with no hesitation.
Understanding Comics
This a serious discussion of the nature and potential of sequential art written in comic form.
It’s a very persuasive and powerful piece of work.
Probably for people who’d like to have some insight into the theory and practice of comics.