tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32073415586355074492024-03-16T18:53:05.137+00:00New readers...start here!Sarangahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03545162612237984546noreply@blogger.comBlogger358125truetag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3207341558635507449.post-9757075082967787712017-10-07T12:00:00.000+01:002017-10-07T12:00:17.311+01:00The Wicked and the Divine: Fandemonium<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://imagecomics.com/uploads/releases/TWTDTPB2-2x3-300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="520" height="320" src="https://imagecomics.com/uploads/releases/TWTDTPB2-2x3-300.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
<br />
Writer: Keiron Gillen<br />
Artist: Jamie McKelvie<br />
Colourist: Matthew Wilson<br />
Letterer: Clayton Cowles<br />
Flatter: Dee Cuniffe<br />
Publisher: Image Comics<br />
<br />
<b>What's it about?</b><br />
Every 90 years 12 Gods return as young people. They live for two years. Then they are dead, until the next cycle.<br />
<br />
In this cycle they are pop stars. Rock gods. Choose the descriptor that gets you the most excited. Everyone is a fan.<br />
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This volume follows Laura, lover of Lucifer, now dead, <i>before</i> the two years are up. Laura is dealing with her heartbreak, being a teenager - nearly an adult, her sudden fame as Luci's widow and she starts hanging out with the other Gods. It's part teenage discovery, part detective story, part rockstar biopic and all powerful.<br />
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<a href="https://i1.wp.com/www.adventuresinpoortaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/the-wicked-and-the-divine-6-laura-street.png?w=1200" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="619" data-original-width="799" height="247" src="https://i1.wp.com/www.adventuresinpoortaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/the-wicked-and-the-divine-6-laura-street.png?w=1200" width="320" /></a></div>
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This turns out to be volume 2 - I thought it was volume 1. I had no problem following the story even without having read volume 1.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>What's good about it?</b><br />
It's a passionate tale that runs the full spectrum of emotions - grief, ecstasy, joy, anger, numbness. Laura is an appealing protagonist. She's about 17 and I feel was on the cusp of doing something great before the Gods took hold of her. This sense of what she was before means the book feels more solid. Laura feels more real.<br />
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There's a good array of Gods from several different cultures - we meet Baphomet, Baal, Urdr, Amertarasu, Woden, Sakhmet, The Morrigan, Minerva, Dionysus and Inanna. Some are gender flipped, all are made real.<br />
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The back of this volume has the variant covers, examples of the creation process from script to completed page and a rather endearing photograph of some cosplayers dressed as some of the Gods..<br />
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<b>What's the art like?</b><br />
The interpretations of each God are admirable and imaginative. The Morrigan with her crows is beautiful (see above). The pages where Dionysus controls the club are inspired. The colours are vibrant and pop off the page.<br />
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<b>Other information:</b><br />
I can't find a current cost but I woul dexpect it be around £12.</div>
Sarangahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03545162612237984546noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3207341558635507449.post-40812606813605535712017-10-05T12:00:00.000+01:002017-10-05T12:00:13.247+01:00Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur: Cosmic Cooties<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Just a quick one today...<br />
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<br />
Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur is an absolute hoot. Moon Girl is 9 year old Lunella Lafayette and Devil Dinosaur is her pet Tyrannosaurus Rex. Lunella is a child prodigy, super clever and can build just about anything. She is exposed to the Terrigen Cloud which turns her into an Inhuman and gives her a superpower, but it's not what she expects and it's not an easy or convenient power. On top of this, a boy from the Kree homeworld has arrived on earth to capture her.<br />
<br />
This is an all ages title and it's such good fun. The art is superb. It's cartoony and vibrant and so easy to read. Cosmic Cooties is the second volume in the series but perfectly easy to jump into.<br />
<br />
Credits:<br />
Writers: Brandon Montclare and Amy Reeder<br />
Artists: Marco Failla and Natacha Bustos<br />
Colour artist: Tamra Bonvillain<br />
Letterer: VC's Travis Lanham<br />
Publisher: Marvel Comics<br />
<br />
The other volumes available are:<br />
Volume 1: <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Moon-Girl-Devil-Dinosaur-Vol-ebook/dp/B01GF1PUFC/ref=la_B00NVRZYO6_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1507062949&sr=1-1">BFF</a><br />
Volume 3: <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Moon-Girl-Devil-Dinosaur-Vol-ebook/dp/B0725H19NV/ref=la_B00NVRZYO6_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1507062949&sr=1-3">The Smartest There Is</a><br />
<br /></div>
Sarangahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03545162612237984546noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3207341558635507449.post-12165072258051795202017-09-28T12:00:00.000+01:002017-09-28T12:00:12.979+01:00Ganesha's Sweet Tooth<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
Writer: Sanjay Patel and Emily Haynes<br />
Art: Sanjay Patel<br />
Publisher: Chronicle Books<br />
<br />
<b>What's it about?</b><br />
<i>Ganesha is a Hindu god. He's very important and powerful. And a tad chubby.</i><br />
<i>But when he was a kid, he was just like any other kid...</i><br />
<i>except that he had an elephant's head and cruised around on a magical mouse collecting fruit, rice, sweet, and other gifts from the temples in his neighbourhood.</i><br />
<b><br /></b>
This is a retelling of the Hindu legend about how Ganesha came to write the Mahabharata.<br />
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<a href="https://momreadit.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/ganesha_smsweettooth1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="800" height="309" src="https://momreadit.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/ganesha_smsweettooth1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's sold as a picture book, not a comic, but as <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Understanding-Comics-Invisible-Scott-McCloud/dp/006097625X">Scott McCloud's Understanding Comics</a> says, if a story is told through sequential art it can be considered a comic.<br />
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<b>What's good about it?</b><br />
The story is told with humour and warmth. The text is just a few lines on each page surrounded by the most wonderful art which expand upon the words and flesh out the characters.<br />
<br />
Ganesha and Mouse are very likeable and Ganesha especially feels like a little child. His eagerness to eat sweets and his delight in drawing feel very familiar!<br />
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The author's note gives the real version of the story and some help with pronunciation.<br />
<br />
<b>What's the art like?</b><br />
The art is vibrant and colourful. The palette used is all pinks, yellows, greens and blues. Ganesha and Mouse are drawn as geometric shapes, circles and cylinders, and a lot of the panels have a beautiful symmetry. It feels ordered and carefully arranged to make the pictures and words form a whole.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_6pfE_2-rpc/UGLdwoF3CwI/AAAAAAAAAv0/TCvPdpRp4Xc/s871/ganeshas-sweet-tooth_Page_10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="839" data-original-width="871" height="308" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_6pfE_2-rpc/UGLdwoF3CwI/AAAAAAAAAv0/TCvPdpRp4Xc/s320/ganeshas-sweet-tooth_Page_10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
Some picture books feel like the art is an accompaniment, not intrinsic to the story but put in because children's books needs pictures. Not to say that they can't be beautiful, but that in the creative process the words come first and the art second. Ganesha's sweet tooth feels like the art and the words have been developed together, hence why I think this qualifies as a comic, even though there are very few panels in the book. Most pages are one picture with a few sentences, which I think works really well for toddlers as they don't have the attention span needed to read a more traditionally laid out comic.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c67sa0q-Svw/UGLduXAOCjI/AAAAAAAAAv0/Q61fApD2GUw/s871/ganeshas-sweet-tooth_Page_09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="839" data-original-width="871" height="308" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c67sa0q-Svw/UGLduXAOCjI/AAAAAAAAAv0/Q61fApD2GUw/s320/ganeshas-sweet-tooth_Page_09.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>More information</b><br />
ISBN: 0781452145563<br />
Price: £5.99<br />
Patel worked for Pixar's animation studios on various films including It's a Bug's Life, Ratatouille and the Incredibles.</div>
Sarangahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03545162612237984546noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3207341558635507449.post-21102155430232237562017-02-22T12:00:00.000+00:002017-02-22T12:00:10.206+00:00Love is Love<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
Writer: Various<br />
Art: Various<br />
Publisher: IDW Publishing<br />
Curated by Marc Andreyko<br />
<br />
<b>What's it about</b><br />
This is an anthology published to raise money for the survivors of the Orlando Pulse shooting. On June 12 2016 a gunman opened fire in the gay club Pulse and killed 49 people. Information about the attack on can be found on the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-36514786">BBC website here</a>.<br />
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This anthology celebrates love and is full of one page stories on this theme. There are stories about the survivors and the victims, about reactions to the attack, coming out stories and takes on it from fictional superheroes.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
<b>Whats good about it?</b><br />
A good deal of the stories are very moving. I found the ones telling the stories of those in the club and the reactions of the local community the most affecting, to the extent that I got equal parts angry and tearful. It was a really horrific attack and this comic addresses it and treats the victims with dignity.<br />
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Written by Eddie Gorodetsky, Art and lettering by Jesus Iglesias</div>
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The reader can feel the grief pouring out of each page, it's hard to read but it's also a testament to the courage of the LGBT community, to everyone who had to hide in the closet and to everyone who pushed open the doors. It's a tribute to family ties (those we make if not the ones we are born into) and to love.<br />
<br />
<b>What's bad about it?</b><br />
Many of the superhero ones fall flat. In particular the Batman ones feel forced. I found the Supergirl and Batwoman ones better as they are simple and didn't try to say too much, they are symbols rather than reality. But some of the others feel like the creative team just haven't quite got a handle on things and I question the choice of characters.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Art by Rafael Albuquerque</div>
<br />
I don't have a problem with the use of superheroes in this book, it is after all a comic and was conceived by a superhero writer, and published with the support of DC comics, which has undoubtedly given it a higher profile and more reach. I just think that superhero imagery works better than superhero hand wringing.<br />
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Written by James Robinson, Art and lettering by Sagar Fornies</div>
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<br /></div>
<b>Whats the art like?</b><br />
Given that this is an anthology the art is hugely varied. Every artist has their own pencil style and colour palette. It's a wonderful mix of techniques and perspective. I love exploring new styles this way and the range of art in here is a credit to the talented creators in the community.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Script by Joshua Yehl, Art by Austin James</div>
<br />
This is a truly exceptional comic.<br />
<br />
ISBN: 1631409395<br />
Price: £9.99</div>
Sarangahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03545162612237984546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3207341558635507449.post-7836755935741754292017-02-03T12:00:00.000+00:002017-02-18T22:07:52.536+00:00Girl in Dior<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
Writer and artist: Annie Goetzinger<br />
Publisher: NBM<br />
<br />
<b>What's it about?</b><br />
This book tells the story of the Dior fashion house through the eyes of a fictional journalist turned model. We meet Dior's four 'darlings' - the seamstress, secretary, muse, and fashion socialite (my terms). We are shown Dior's first show, the public's reaction, how Dior worked to develop his designs and how the rest of the house worked. We end with Dior's death in 1957. The back of the book is a lovely little mine of information. It lists his 22 collections, gives a brief description of his entourage (Humphrey Bogart! Lauren Bacall! Marlene Dietrich!), has a short glossary of job roles in the fashion industry, fabrics and accessories, and gives a bibliography.<br />
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<b>What's good about it?</b><br />
The art, oh the art.<br />
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<br />
Oh beautiful beautiful book, it was a pleasure to read you. Your layouts and your colours are mouth-wateringly beautiful. Your style is that of fashion sketches and I can feel the women gliding through the pages. It's glamorous and soft and haughty and high class. It feels magical - it takes you away from dreary everyday life to a world built around aesthetics. It made me feel free and light and without a care in the world.<br />
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Sometimes we just need to escape; we can do that through many mediums - through books, through telly, through board games, or through fashion. When you mess about with clothes and fashion and dressing yourself up, or down, each day, when you play with makeup, when you change your style and when you experiment with clothes and try new things you can be escaping the dullness of everyday life. The best fashion makes us feel creative, feel beautiful (whatever beautiful may mean to you) and it brightens up our day. This book also provides that escape.<br />
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<a href="http://girlsincapes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Screen-Shot-2016-04-02-at-19.51.50.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://girlsincapes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Screen-Shot-2016-04-02-at-19.51.50.png" height="283" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>Other information</b><br />
Price: About £20<br />
ISBN: 151639141<br />
<br />
This book is also available on the kindle, but I would really recommend reading it in paper form. Its weight and its cover, and the texture of the pages all add to the experience, helping you drink it in.</div>
Sarangahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03545162612237984546noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3207341558635507449.post-23076230622398563642017-01-18T20:53:00.001+00:002017-02-18T22:08:23.497+00:00Interview with Helen Bate, author of Peter in Peril<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="yiv4105120953" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; font-family: inherit;">My last review here was Peter in Peril, a story about a Jewish boy living in Budapest during World War Two. I was sent a copy of the book by the publishers and asked if I wanted to interview the author, well I enjoyed the book so of course I said yes.</span><br />
<span class="yiv4105120953" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span class="yiv4105120953" style="font-family: inherit;">You can read the review of the book</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><a href="http://paipicks.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/peter-in-peril-courage-and-hope-in.html" style="font-family: inherit;">here</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> but as a brief reminder, i</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">t's told from the point of view of Peter and is suitable for ages 8 up. Here go the questions:</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Q1. I understand that Pete<span style="font-family: inherit;">r in Peril is your first book and that you used to be an architect. How did you get into comics and did being an architect have any influence on how you approached constructing the comic pages?</span></i></span></span></div>
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<br />
I gave up my architectural career after 10 years to do a degree in illustration and I initially illustrated some children’s books for Frances Lincoln and Harper Collins. The Peter story was done as a student project initially but in a very different form. I was thrilled when I got the opportunity to work with Janetta Otter-Barry to produce it in a way that would suit 8-10 year old children and the graphic story form seemed to be the one that best suited the complexity of the subject and the age range. I used more text than other graphic stories, as I wanted to allow the book to be read to a child. I also felt it was important with the subject matter to adequately explain to children what was happening in more detail.<br />
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I think my architectural background has quite an influence on my drawing style - drawing with a black line is a very big part of architectural drawing and I always tend to gravitate to that way of drawing… even though I’d quite like to have a looser style … but drawing is pretty much like your handwriting - it’s very personal to the individual. </div>
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<i>Q2. Describing artistic styles in comics is one of my weak points, so for the benefit of readers can you describe your art style and how you came to illustrate the way you do?</i><br />
I don’t think my artistic style fits into any particular category. The drawings are very much graphic and line based because that’s the way I work - and I use layering and watercolour to add depth and mood… Because I also do picture books for younger children, my style is influenced by that too.</div>
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<i>Q3. I read that Peter is a member of your family. Creating this book must have been quite emotional. Can you tell us about the process of developing it and how you ensured the story stayed true to life?</i></div>
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Peter is my brother-in-law and his story has always been one that I have felt was an important one to pass on to future generations, especially within our own family. Because he and his parents and his cousin Eva all survived, it has a more positive outcome than the story of Anne Frank and others like it; Because of this it’s more suitable for younger and more sensitive children. And in this age of world problems, when intolerance and persecution are becoming more prevalent again, I feel it’s a really topical theme and much needed.<br />
<br />
My sister and my brother-in-law wrote down his story in as much detail as he could remember some years ago, so we have a family book that I was able to use to get the details. I then showed Peter at every stage of the development to ensure he was happy with the simplification and the depiction of his childhood experiences. He and his cousin Eva have been amazed by the reaction of people to their story.. they genuinely didn’t think anyone would be interested. <br />
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<i>Q4. Have you read many other comics dealing with World War Two? Can you recommend any</i><br />
There are a couple of comic style books or graphic stories that I have read about WW2 (both holocaust stories involving children) and that I’ve found really interesting because of the different ways they are portrayed - but they are aimed at older children or adults … </div>
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They are <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Childs-Holocaust-Loic-Dauvillier/dp/1596438738">‘Hidden’ by Loic Dauvillier, Mark Lozano and Greg Salsedo</a> published by <a href="http://www.firstsecondbooks.com/">First Second</a> in 2012 and <a href="https://www.drawnandquarterly.com/we-are-on-our-own">‘We are on our own’ by Miriam Katin published by Drawn and Quarterly</a>, Montreal 2006</div>
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<i>Q5. Was it Otter-Barry that asked you to do a children's book or did the idea come from you?</i><br />
It was my idea for the book and Janetta Otter-Barry really liked the idea. <br />
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<i>Q6. Presumably you think comics are good for children, do you feel they improve literacy or that they offer more (or different things?) than prose books do? How so? What do you think is important about them?</i><br />
I think the graphic novel style of picture book or comic style - whichever you want to call it, makes reading more accessible for those children who may be less happy reading straight forward prose with some illustrations. So if reluctant readers can be encouraged to read by providing them with comic style stories on more serious themes done well, then that’s a great contribution to literacy.<br />
<br />
Although I love reading fiction, I am also a very visual person, so I love mixing the two. I know my 11 year old grand daughter and my 8 year old grandson are big comic or graphic novel fans, and although they read prose fiction too, I see comics as offering them something very different that helps them to see storytelling and fiction in a different, and more visual way. Providing them with a good cross section of styles helps with their visual literacy and develops their aesthetic judgement. <br />
<br />
I think comic style stories can also be a great stepping stone to understanding film making and theatre, and I think that is a big plus.<br />
<br />
Doing Peter in a comic strip form helped to make a difficult subject more accessible - and although I did use a lot of prose in it, that was to ensure that the complexities of the subject were explained more fully. My next comic style story, although also a difficult subject, is set today so needs less explanation and will be more visual.<br />
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There we go. Many thanks to Helen for answering my questions and for being patient regarding my delays. You can read more about Peter in Peril on the <a href="http://www.otterbarrybooks.com/peter-in-peril">Otter-Barry website</a>. Please please check it out.</div>
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I originally put this interview on my other blog, Pai, at www.paiwings.blogspot.com. Just in case you come across it twice and think I've stolen it.</div>
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Sarangahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03545162612237984546noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3207341558635507449.post-50539537058889076752016-12-14T21:03:00.000+00:002017-02-18T22:08:05.107+00:00Peter in Peril: Courage and Hope in World War Two<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
Writer and artist: Helen Bate<br />
Publisher: Otter-Barry Books<br />
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<b>What's it about?</b><br />
Peter is a boy living in Budapest in the 1930s. His family is Jewish and they fall victim to the anti-Semitic laws of those decades. It's told from Peter's point of view and he documents their lives through the war and in the years following. Peter and his family are real and the events shown in the story are true.<br />
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<b>What's good about it?</b><br />
It's aimed at kids (aged 8-12 years) and it's an honest but not scary account of life in second world war era Budapest. It can be given to kids in order to start up a wider conversation about fascism and war, or it can be read purely for interest. There is enough in there to prompt further learning if necessary. As an adult, when you know the background it is really chilling, but for kids who don't know the wider context, it shouldn't be upsetting. I found it very emotional.<br />
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There is historical background at the end of the book along with a moving photograph of a sculpture to commemorate those Jews killed by the Nazis.<br />
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Overall, this is a strong book and a decent addition to World War Two literature.<br />
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<b>What's bad about it?</b><br />
I don't have anything to complain about.<br />
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<b>What's the art like?</b><br />
There is a nice variety in the types of panels and story telling mechanisms here. Some pages are a mix of art and text panels which keeps the reading experience varied. Others are all art panels with no out of text narration. These ones are a lovely example of a comic narrative.<br />
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Some art panels replicate the shape of the action they are depicting, e.g. a bomb crashing in through a window also breaks the side of the panel. This draws you into the story giving a more immediate connection.<br />
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In two pages the frame of the house we are peeking into forms the shape of the panel we containing the house. It makes the read fresh and keeps your attention.<br />
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People are drawn very simply but with power. We can see their emotions and their concerns clearly in each panel. All in all, it's a really enjoyable visual read.<br />
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<b>More information</b><br />
Pricing and ISBN information can be found on the Otter-Barry website, <a href="http://www.otterbarrybooks.com/peter-in-peril">here</a>.<b> </b><br />
Read an interview with the creator <a href="http://www.playingbythebook.net/2016/08/18/an-interview-with-debut-graphic-novelist-helen-bate-creator-of-peter-in-peril/">here</a>.<br />
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<b>Disclaimer</b> - this copy was sent to me free of charge by the publisher for reviewing. All views are my own and honest.<br />
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Sarangahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03545162612237984546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3207341558635507449.post-35444307128939354142016-10-16T12:00:00.000+01:002017-02-18T22:08:36.023+00:00Footpath Flowers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Text: Jon Arno Lawson</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Illustrations: Sydney Smith</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Publisher: Walker Books Ltd</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is a gorgeous little comic that you will find in the picture book
section of your library or bookshop. It’s
about 30 pages, all art no words, and about a little girl out for a walk with
her Dad. She picks wildflowers that are
growing in the pavement and gives them to people she thinks needs them. That’s the whole story, there’s no
twist. It’s simple and it’s lovely. The little girl clearly has a very generous
spirit and an innocence about her and she’s kind. I got this out of my library and I will be purchasing
a copy for my son for when he’s a little bit older.</span></div>
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Sarangahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03545162612237984546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3207341558635507449.post-17620472811707306772016-10-13T12:00:00.000+01:002017-02-18T22:08:49.635+00:00Stuck Rubber Baby<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Writer and Artist: Howard Cruse</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Publisher: Vertigo Comics</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Stuck Rubber Baby is a fiction that reads like an autobiography. Toland is a young closeted man growing up in
the 1960s American South. He makes
friends with a group of liberal folk and finds himself socialising in the black
and LGBT clubs of his town. He is drawn
into the local civil rights movement and is forced to confront the truth of his
sexuality, whilst racist and homophobic attacks are regular occurrences.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It’s quite an intense read, partly for the subject matter but also for
the story style. The art is detailed
with a lot happening on each page and the method of shading to provide depth to the page (I’m not sure if it’s inking here or just pencils) is the same for both for the people depicted and
the backgrounds (furniture, gardens, vehicles etc).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The art feels very direct, very full on. Cruse puts a lot of information into each
page and so it takes a long time to read the story through the art. Despite the sadness and anger forming the backdrop
of Toland’s youth (and Toland’s own mindset), it seems that most of the
pages in this book show smiling people. The characters enjoy life, they experience the highs and the lows but
they generally get on with the everyday stuff and they have plenty of things
they are happy about. So it’s not a
miserable book, although it is serious.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">His style of cartooning is heavy on the inks, focusing on people’s
faces and caricaturing each one. To my
layman’s eye he seems to have depicted the fashions of the times pretty well
too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I found this a very enlightening read, it feels important and the
snapshot it provides of the 1960s South should be more widely understood. However, it is not something I would turn to
for entertainment purposes. It’s necessary,
and serious, but not jolly (although there are jolly, humorous aspects to it).</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8RlrbaL_QiWznHYsuW56-GPUZ933mfaaXclhfspPAa-fMux_0hRWey4Y6kT9Cmd1_JETKGXSlOuOI_r4Ud7OjPoU46yqCg0jtSrSSn0VcT9MZVwDa90AKXpj0b7YnIikpKmfPJxrXHfs/s1600/stuck_rubber_baby.img_assist_custom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8RlrbaL_QiWznHYsuW56-GPUZ933mfaaXclhfspPAa-fMux_0hRWey4Y6kT9Cmd1_JETKGXSlOuOI_r4Ud7OjPoU46yqCg0jtSrSSn0VcT9MZVwDa90AKXpj0b7YnIikpKmfPJxrXHfs/s320/stuck_rubber_baby.img_assist_custom.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Warning: includes violent (but not gory) attacks on black and queer
people and a subplot about an unwed mother giving a child up for adoption.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">ISBN: 1401227139</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Price: £22.99 (hardback)</span></div>
</div>
Sarangahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03545162612237984546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3207341558635507449.post-26011076118285655612016-10-08T12:00:00.000+01:002017-02-18T22:09:02.442+00:00The Arrival<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Artist and writer: Shaun Tan<br />
Publisher: Lothian Books<br />
<br />
A comic without words, The Arrival's art is further towards the fine art end of the spectrum than the cartooning end and it makes a beguiling story.<br />
<br />
A man packs his suitcase, says goodbye to his family, and sails away to a new country. The alphabet is strange, the wildlife is creepy, and the everyday systems are near incomprehensible. Our man has to find lodgings, a job and friends.<br />
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The strength of this book lies in how Tan brings us into the immigrant's world, and we become as baffled as he is. As our man forges a new life we become more comfortable with the country and less scared of it. In the aftermath of the UK's Brexit decision I think more people should read this book.<br />
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<br />
The art deserves to be read slowly. Take your time over it. I tend to speed read things, but in doing that I miss the pacing of this story - I miss the breaths in between the moments, and I miss the sense of a life lived. Some pages cover just a few seconds or minutes of our man's life, others cover whole seasons. Each is important to feel part of the story and the book becomes richer if you read it properly.<br />
<br />
Each character's appearance is drawn as a portrait would be; by that I mean that Tan has taken care to show each character's personality and history in their face. It is lovely to see this level of care.<br />
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<br />
From the praise on the sleeve:<br />
"The Arrival is beautiful. I loved how it slowly dawned on me that this bizarre world was how any immigrant might see the new place they go... everything is different and scary and magical. The drawings are just so lovely, endlessly detailed and wonderfully strange. And the design of the book, with its wrinkled pages and stains and broken leather is marvellous, Bravo." Brian Selznick.<br />
<br />
"The reader's experience, as he or she tries to make sense of the unfamiliar scenes and strange images, parallels that of the emigrant, striving to understand without the aid of language. This extraordinarily accomplished piece of storytelling can be read and understood on many different levels." The Guardian.<br />
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<br />
<br />
ISBN: 978-0-7344-1586-8<br />
Price: £10.99</div>
Sarangahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03545162612237984546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3207341558635507449.post-32578311381482686942016-07-11T09:38:00.000+01:002017-02-18T22:09:19.778+00:00Not a misery memoir<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Today I shall be talking about two books that were the subject of a talk I went to about a month ago. These books are Nicola Streeten's Billy, Me and You; and Una's Becoming/UnBecoming. Both have left a profound impression on me and I want more people to know about them.<br />
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Streeten's Billy, Me and You is about her grief that came after her son died at the age of two. I was<br />
initially afraid that the book would be about her son's death but, other than a brief contextual description at the start, it is resolutely not about Billy. It is about her grief, and that's something I have previously found difficult to separate. The book covers the immediate emotions; her relationships and attitudes to other people; her career; her relationship to her next baby; changes to the placement of Billy's things in the house; support groups - most other stuff in her life really (because grief of that intensity affects everything you do).<br />
<br />
She wrote it about 13 years after Billy's death, which (I think) has given her the emotional space to write a more complete book. Grief in the first few years is very different to grief eight or ten years down the line, and probably makes for a better narrative as you are not in the immediate grip of sadness and terror.<br />
<br />
The drawings are scratchy and wobbly, definitely unpolished. I think Streeten referred to them as rough and ready (although maybe I'm misremembering). For me, they work expertly well at depicting her grief, because that feeling is rough and ready. The art is raw and it leaves you feeling all over the place. Some days you are fine, other days it's like everything is falling apart and the messiness of the art conveys that.<br />
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Streeten uses a lot of visual metaphor, which connects the reader to the story far more readily than prose. For readers, it is cathartic. It certainly helped me process my feelings.<br />
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Una's book is a very different thing. It is precise and measured. It is careful and thoughtful. It takes a more intellectual approach to the topic of trauma. Becoming/Unbecoming is also autobiographical. It is about growing up female in Yorkshire in the 1970s when the Yorkshire Ripper was active. Una was raped several times in this period (not by the Ripper); and had to endure the slut shaming and institutional misogyny that was pervasive in British culture at the time (and still is, although the internet has given women a platform and a way to be heard en masse, which is covered by the book).<br />
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Becoming/Unbecoming discusses her peers' attitudes to women and girls, the silence surrounding sexual assault, the mistakes made in the Ripper case, and the mess that is society's approach to sexual violence and women.<br />
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It is not a book about her attacks, and no sexual attacks are drawn. It is likely to be upsetting though, so please be careful when reading.<br />
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<br />
Una has a fine art background. Her drawings range from simple yet precise depictions of people, to the most elegant drawings of trees and emotions. Una's artwork made me want to start drawing. I'm amazed at how she conveys so much information about a person with just a few pencil lines and some colour. Like Streeten's book, Becoming/Unbecoming is rich with metaphor. It's there in the visual narrative waiting for you to think about and decipher it. Some pages use the standard comics presentation of panels, and other others use one or more (separate) pictures accompanied by prose. This method forces the reader to think more - you cannot just glide along, reading the surface of the story, you need to become engaged in it.<br />
<br />
There is an interview with Una <a href="https://www.thefword.org.uk/2015/10/becoming-unbecoming-review/">here</a>, on the the F Word website. Una's own website is <a href="https://unacomics.com/">here</a>.<br />
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<br />
The title of this post is 'Not a misery memoir' because these books are not. If you describe the subject matter - grief and sexual violence - you would expect to be reading about the gritty details, but neither book gives that. They provide a dignified voice to these subjects, and examine, from a certain distance, how these events impact on both the main subjects' lives, but also on those around them and on wider society.<br />
<br />
Billy, Me and You:<br />
ISBN: 978-0-956559-94-4<br />
Price: £12.99<br />
<br />
Becoming/UnBecoming:<br />
ISBN: 1908434694<br />
Price: £14.99<br />
Publisher: Myriad Editions</div>
Sarangahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03545162612237984546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3207341558635507449.post-52035447308775729762016-02-06T12:00:00.000+00:002017-02-18T22:09:30.872+00:00Mouseguard: Fall 1152<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
Writer and artist: David Peterson<br />
Publisher: Villard Books<br />
<br />
<b>What's it about?</b><br />
Mouseguard is a series about a mouse civilisation. They have towns, artists, blacksmiths, and guardsmice who patrol outlying areas, act as guides, and protect citizen mice from predators,thieves and insurrectionists.<br />
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Fall 1152 is the first book and tells of a small group of three guardsmice charged with investigating a missing merchant. They then discover a plot to take over the chief mouse city.<br />
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<b>What's good about it?</b><br />
The drawings are rich and striking. The mouse world is beautifully designed and lovingly rendered. The characters are engaging and feel real. It is a thorough worldscape. If you like medieval-themed stories, animal stories, or fantasy with little magic, you'll like this.<br />
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Mouseguard has won Eisner and Harvey awards, these are the Oscars of the comics world.<br />
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<b>What's bad about it?</b><br />
This volume is told in six chapters of between twelve and twenty four pages each. This makes the pacing seem slow and jerky, although this could well be because I am not used to reading stories produced in this manner.<br />
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Most of the story is suitable for ten year olds, I'd guess, but one page is rather violent and I'd hesitate to give it to a child to read. Perhaps I am being too precious though. It's a better story for adults so perhaps check it before you give to kids.<br />
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<b>What's the art like?</b><br />
Peterson's depictions of the mice and their enemies are lovely. Each mouse has personality and no panel has wasted space. The details for the mice's environment is beautiful: just look at these leaves and the layout for each panel.<br />
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I find the artwork very appealing and it is the art which might attract kids to it. I can see it inspiring young artists to develop their style and practice more.<br />
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<b>Other information</b><br />
Price: £13.38 paperback, £17.60 hardback.<br />
ISBN: 0345496868 Paperback<br />
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There are several Mouseguard books available, have a look on the <a href="http://www.mouseguard.net/">website</a> for more information. You can preview each of the books.</div>
Sarangahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03545162612237984546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3207341558635507449.post-33016248753904537792015-10-29T19:08:00.000+00:002015-10-29T19:08:26.788+00:00Temporary hiatus<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It pains me to say this, but this blog will be temporarily paused for a little while. This is because I have the most delightful three month old baby to look after! He's been a long time coming and it turns out that babies really do require 24 hour care (who's have thought it!).<br />
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This means I have barely any time to myself, let alone to write comic reviews. I will be returning to this blog in the future,but I may change the way I write the posts so that I can feel enthused about doing them.<br />
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Thank you all for reading over the last few years, and please do keep popping back in, because there will be more posts in the future! Just not for the next few months </div>
Sarangahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03545162612237984546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3207341558635507449.post-16629586536092372452015-05-10T12:00:00.000+01:002015-05-10T12:00:01.850+01:00Meanwhile: Pick Any Path. 3,865 Story Possibilities<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Just a short post for you today. I recently came across a Choose Your Own Adventure comic book, named Meanwhile: Pick Any Path:<br />
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Art and writing: Jason Shiga<br />
Publisher: Amulet Books<br />
ISBN: 0810984237<br />
Price: £9.99<br />
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The book uses a series of lines and tabs to guide you through the adventure, starting with a choice of vanilla or chocolate ice cream that will lead you through to a variety of different scenarios, some surreal, some not. Amazon lists it as part of the top 10 graphic novels for teens, but this I disagree with. It's more suitable for an 8 year old.<br />
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It's beautifully presented with lovely glossy paper, is available in hardback, and feels like a nice present. Shiga has a <a href="http://www.shigabooks.com/">website</a> where you can read his webcomics (mature readers only).<br />
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I have real difficulty with these sorts of books, I prefer a structured narrative and being led through the story, hence the lack of a real review. Instead I skimmed through it and can see that it is imaginative and ideal for kids who do like these things. It has received praise from people I respect, so I am happy to recommend it.</div>
Sarangahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03545162612237984546noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3207341558635507449.post-52392463132869213092015-05-07T12:00:00.000+01:002015-05-07T14:12:13.816+01:00A guide to Marvel's significant events<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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We've posted a guide to <a href="http://paipicks.blogspot.co.uk/2011/01/dcs-crisis-of-continuity.html">DC's continuity changing events</a> so I think a guide to Marvel's big events is well overdue.</div>
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Marvel's big events aren't about cleaning up storylines or changing continuity, but more about the spectacle, the event itself. They have a major impact in the Marvel Universe, but they don't necessarily change history (unless the event is specifically about time travel, or changes in reality).<br />
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We won't list every single event Marvel has done, but we'll go through the ones that have had the most impact on the current universe. We'll also include things that aren't necessarily events but are quite important in Marvel's history. We'll put a logo next to each book denoting the main character or team that the event or storyline deals with.<br />
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The titles of each event will link through to the book's Amazon listing (where possible). You could also buy them digitally from <a href="http://marvel.com/comics/unlimited">Marvel Unlimited</a>, where you can buy individual issues or a year's subscription and get access to their entire digital archive. Or you can buy the books from a comic shop - we have a list of <a href="http://paipicks.blogspot.co.uk/2009/12/comic-shops-uk-and-beyond.html">recommended shops here</a>.<br />
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If you are confused by any of the jargon in this post please have a look at <a href="http://paipicks.blogspot.co.uk/2011/04/glossary-of-comic-book-jargon.html">our glossary</a>.<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">1971: </span><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Avengers-Kree-Skrull-War-New/dp/0785184996/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1428254163&sr=8-2&keywords=marvel+kree+skrull+war" style="font-family: inherit;">Kree-Skrull War</a></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmczwNM8LDUi3SEBGnrFyCDpISjdKjXQLZJaMQP42ai0uZ2gWAIfujtNmlGgIId5YB1FO0YNmneVPgrut5g2zKxYO7HMWEJZeS20T85FhfrInigzD5oRMYS5edYAsQDUxh7JhpmxG84bw/s1600/Captain_Marvel_29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmczwNM8LDUi3SEBGnrFyCDpISjdKjXQLZJaMQP42ai0uZ2gWAIfujtNmlGgIId5YB1FO0YNmneVPgrut5g2zKxYO7HMWEJZeS20T85FhfrInigzD5oRMYS5edYAsQDUxh7JhpmxG84bw/s1600/Captain_Marvel_29.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9BYTQPqAO2dSi77ZrhWG41Ojajcq42r5LEX1O_vILpCj9r1ybRChFOfI9cAKTC5cv5CeaxbbTA7j00vl9fTqP_t3d0-CWeOV_CWV5tI0grAGKxiE9YPSZ96dr4Vj99mBNhAVtDhc2JLg/s1600/Secret_Invasion_Vol_1_5_Textless.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9BYTQPqAO2dSi77ZrhWG41Ojajcq42r5LEX1O_vILpCj9r1ybRChFOfI9cAKTC5cv5CeaxbbTA7j00vl9fTqP_t3d0-CWeOV_CWV5tI0grAGKxiE9YPSZ96dr4Vj99mBNhAVtDhc2JLg/s1600/Secret_Invasion_Vol_1_5_Textless.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Krees and the Skrulls are alien species who are at war with each other. The Kree hero Captain Marvel (true name Mar-Vell) arrives on Earth and is captured by the Avengers. A Kree outlaw named Ronan decides to devolve all humans so that Earth can be used as base by the Skrulls. The Avengers, Inhumans (genetically altered humans), </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">and Fantastic Four all get involved in the Kree-Skrull War. This story is often referenced in later comics: the two species' mutual enmity is a reliable pillar of the Marvel Universe. </span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: inherit;">1973: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Spider-Man-Death-Stacys-Marvel/dp/0785167277/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1429102447&sr=8-1&keywords=death+of+gwen+stacy">The Night Gwen Stacey Died</a></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphDR2unXuD6nYXyMGqC03Rg1GqW-mUME-P1j4qpNp_Z4eLj1x9iUtAtapWuDfHqxFWTXjKGxNsocaQUyL_WR-oHKW8gQajj1Rjcu1x2Ue6SCNCZNdxqccYFC75hsGXW6knwE4iJAH9jY/s1600/spidey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphDR2unXuD6nYXyMGqC03Rg1GqW-mUME-P1j4qpNp_Z4eLj1x9iUtAtapWuDfHqxFWTXjKGxNsocaQUyL_WR-oHKW8gQajj1Rjcu1x2Ue6SCNCZNdxqccYFC75hsGXW6knwE4iJAH9jY/s1600/spidey.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Gwen Stacey was Spider-Man's first love and this arc gave us the first long-lasting death of a major character. Stacey's death had major ramifications on all future Spidey stories, as Spider-Man just couldn't forgive himself for letting her die. The story took place over The Amazing Spider-Man 121-122 and for</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">med part of 2014's The Amazing Spider-Man 2 film. For all that film's faults, the Gwen subplot was handled pretty well.</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">1980: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Marvel-Masterworks-Uncanny-X-Men-TPB/dp/0785137041/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1429104873&sr=8-1&keywords=marvel+masterworks+x-men+vol+2">The Phoenix Saga</a></span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7TXwlEFUfi2QqBI3MDL9UEHQKwVEltnivMS8oopKqrqxYU8M2jthnU88C5XHeMQejySGrfgh45VhITTETuME40GldBLJUCA9xeiq9GCy1e2iCfIddjh_OAfIclDC018FR7Pn7jic7bc/s1600/X-MEN-Logo-psd59239.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7TXwlEFUfi2QqBI3MDL9UEHQKwVEltnivMS8oopKqrqxYU8M2jthnU88C5XHeMQejySGrfgh45VhITTETuME40GldBLJUCA9xeiq9GCy1e2iCfIddjh_OAfIclDC018FR7Pn7jic7bc/s1600/X-MEN-Logo-psd59239.png" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Phoenix Saga deals with X-Man Jean Grey's acquisition of the the Phoenix Force - a sentient and immortal force with the power to unmake the universe. This led to...</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>1980: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Uncanny-X-men-Phoenix-Marvel-Paperback/dp/0939766965/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1428254925&sr=1-2&keywords=dark+phoenix+saga">The Dark Phoenix Saga</a></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVmf9nZbj396BNfB1CRHqm0a20RiNPdghZwzBzIEAA0M5jxFi5PFztVKLZuGm1yyKucrPEXh6H7wDmNYzGus2z3AaLMocxS_VfCM-5t_NDrq8tJYG3FjYJPv9TR4uvjN9b-M5lQV8uok/s1600/X-MEN-Logo-psd59239.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVmf9nZbj396BNfB1CRHqm0a20RiNPdghZwzBzIEAA0M5jxFi5PFztVKLZuGm1yyKucrPEXh6H7wDmNYzGus2z3AaLMocxS_VfCM-5t_NDrq8tJYG3FjYJPv9TR4uvjN9b-M5lQV8uok/s1600/X-MEN-Logo-psd59239.png" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This has affected all future permutations of the X-Men, as we</span>ll as being interpreted for X-men animated series and films - The Dark Phoenix Saga. Jean Grey is a powerful telepath and, when she gains the Phoenix power, all hell breaks loose. We reviewed <a href="http://paipicks.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/uncanny-x-men-dark-phoenix-saga.html">this story here</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>1982: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Captain-Marvel-Death/dp/0785168044/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1428255195&sr=1-1&keywords=death+of+captain+marvel">The Death of Captain Marvel</a></b></span><br />
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The Captain Marvel of the Kree-Skrull war discovers that he is suffering from cancer after being exposed to a deadly gas during a battle in the Dark Dimension. [NB: this <a href="http://paipicks.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/captain-marvel-in-pursuit-of-flight.html">Captain Marvel</a> is not to be confused with the current Captain Marvel, Carol Danvers, or with DC Comics' <a href="http://paipicks.blogspot.co.uk/2011/01/supermanshazam-first-thunder.html">Captain Marvel</a>, now called Shazam]. This arc was one of the first to kill off a major hero (as opposed to a girlfriend, as Gwen Stacey was). It was a deeply affecting story at the time and remains so today, mostly due to the fact that he (mostly) remains dead.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>1984: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Marvel-Super-Heroes-Secret-Anniversary/dp/1846535891/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1428264656&sr=1-1&keywords=secret+wars">Secret Wars</a></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The very first event that started them all off. A space villain called the Beyonder transports a lot of heroes and villains to a place called Battleworld and, unsurprisingly, forces them to fight each other. The Avengers, Fantastic Four, X-Men, Spider-Man and Hulk all have important roles in this. The important things to come out of it are that Spider-Man finds his black suit (the one that would later bond with Eddie Brock to give us Venom), and the X-Men's Colossus and Kitty Pryde end their relationship.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyAZjm5-SvERlkAIXg3-KvgAual7K7wGiOcEv0XzHWL29LNBChaepVg-f-et25i0P80i4EmbmLod4XmCluJ6asbz8Y5XqHP_ZFYAjKyVpOYhbprUu1HjCQJnk94w5Q1fJSJT9tno4J7-g/s1600/marvel-heroes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyAZjm5-SvERlkAIXg3-KvgAual7K7wGiOcEv0XzHWL29LNBChaepVg-f-et25i0P80i4EmbmLod4XmCluJ6asbz8Y5XqHP_ZFYAjKyVpOYhbprUu1HjCQJnk94w5Q1fJSJT9tno4J7-g/s1600/marvel-heroes.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Secret Wars was followed in <b>1985 by <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Secret-Wars-II-Jim-Shooter/dp/0785158308/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1428264689&sr=1-1&keywords=secret+wars+2">Secret Wars II</a></b>. The Beyonder comes to Earth to achieve enlightenment but ends up working for the mob. Earth's superheroes are naturally quite suspicious of him and when the earth is threatened they do what they do best and save the day. This probably isn't the most important thing for you to read.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>1986: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Daredevil-Born-Again-Graphic-Novel/dp/0785134816">Daredevil: Born Again</a></b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJH6v3BSXnJHjH-cR_hKSLyovUTa3XePO_hjOhzEDvkOB8_rHp91HN9YbCLCO2LQoInchyphenhyphenaniAeP19QnX56ry1IyTslRtRVsAcwAMsow-UzVHAVQZg_FyBw1mC25gUqB7W9LfjcVv2L1A/s1600/daredevil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJH6v3BSXnJHjH-cR_hKSLyovUTa3XePO_hjOhzEDvkOB8_rHp91HN9YbCLCO2LQoInchyphenhyphenaniAeP19QnX56ry1IyTslRtRVsAcwAMsow-UzVHAVQZg_FyBw1mC25gUqB7W9LfjcVv2L1A/s1600/daredevil.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is one of the most important Daredevil stories. The Kingpin (a crime boss) sets about destroying Matt Murdock (Daredevil) physically, mentally and spiritually. Murdock rebuilds himself to become Daredevil once more. This is written by Frank Miller, back when he was good and before he descended into self parody (do not read Holy Terror and only try All Star Batman and Robin once you are more familiar with the DC Universe).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>1990: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/X-Men-X-Tinction-Agenda-Marvel-Comics/dp/0871359227/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1428264354&sr=1-1&keywords=x-tinction+agenda">X-tinction Agenda</a></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIp6aYf7dsFowi2djevXzJVfU7EedqTCz4gNuIJsoMxt3yqzDoa8xej3A3tbw-1w7qKR2Ktd3mTgab5zK3saCM1OPYhyphenhyphenYsXAUpxWxtf34Z_17Va69gBDwBA7v9MEmwNJWmjFN9QwKyEJI/s1600/X-MEN-Logo-psd59239.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIp6aYf7dsFowi2djevXzJVfU7EedqTCz4gNuIJsoMxt3yqzDoa8xej3A3tbw-1w7qKR2Ktd3mTgab5zK3saCM1OPYhyphenhyphenYsXAUpxWxtf34Z_17Va69gBDwBA7v9MEmwNJWmjFN9QwKyEJI/s1600/X-MEN-Logo-psd59239.png" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">There is an island called Genosha situated off the coast of Africa. Genosha is wealthy but practices apartheid, enslaving its mutant population. Five mutants, including Storm, are kidnapped by Genoshan soldiers and and turned into mindless slaves. Several other X-Men head to Genosha to rescue them and topple the government. This series had long-lasting effects on mutant-human relations within the Marvel Universe. After this story, the United Nations gave Magneto control of the island. In later years the mutant population and infrastructure was destroyed by Sentinals.</span></div>
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<b style="font-family: inherit;">1991: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Infinity-Gauntlet-Jim-Starlin/dp/0785156593/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1428264466&sr=1-1&keywords=infinity+gauntlet">The Infinity Gauntlet</a></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4DgOXf-55u2r-zJ1eEGg6OUabHNyO0fw0xi5lmAret7y88zNR-jba88jVaQq40kc4yau-ARGSGXwU0-jwBn0NlnjRsB9gM1nY40eU3H9CMie2JrAtt2wrUMK_RYZccXCG7IQfSoR4V58/s1600/thanos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4DgOXf-55u2r-zJ1eEGg6OUabHNyO0fw0xi5lmAret7y88zNR-jba88jVaQq40kc4yau-ARGSGXwU0-jwBn0NlnjRsB9gM1nY40eU3H9CMie2JrAtt2wrUMK_RYZccXCG7IQfSoR4V58/s1600/thanos.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Thanos is one of Marvel's cosmic villains. He was born on Titan and, after falling in love with Mistress Death, he seeks ultimate power. He collects these things called Infinity Gems and mounts them on his glove - the Infinity Gauntlet of the series' title. To impress Death he snaps his fingers and half of Earth's heroes die, then he pits the rest against each other. Thanos and the Infinity Gems had a big part to play in the Guardians of the Galaxy film released in 2014.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This was followed by <b>1992's <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Infinity-War-TPB-Graphic-Novel/dp/0785121056/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1428264523&sr=1-1&keywords=infinity+war">Infinity War</a></b> and <b>1993's Infinity Crusade </b>(<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Infinity-Crusade-TPB-Graphic-Novel/dp/0785131272/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1428264563&sr=1-2&keywords=infinity+crusade">vol 1</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Infinity-Crusade-TPB-Graphic-Novel/dp/0785131280/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1428264563&sr=1-1&keywords=infinity+crusade">vol 2</a>). These are about a guy named Adam Warlock who uses the Infinity Gems to create good and bad personas of himself. In War he creates evil dopplegangers of Earth's heroes; in Crusade his good side (now female) brainwashes religious and mystic heroes into her army, intended to remove all evil from the world.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>1994-1996: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Spider-Man-Original-Amazing-Paperback-Unnumbered/dp/0785155236/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1428266487&sr=1-2&keywords=spider-man+the+clone+saga">The Clone Saga</a></b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX621DBQYxk1QVhjicRqQzOBEHMaVPHrB734BV_3Mdl7B2qfBPafFCyE9ndjXECR3WEED73sQXyIRy4Ilugp31Pnz1rNihHWVY4wC2SA2Q_Pc5IBM4Gn60_EDJnqDmeWkfe11iGw39K3w/s1600/spidey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX621DBQYxk1QVhjicRqQzOBEHMaVPHrB734BV_3Mdl7B2qfBPafFCyE9ndjXECR3WEED73sQXyIRy4Ilugp31Pnz1rNihHWVY4wC2SA2Q_Pc5IBM4Gn60_EDJnqDmeWkfe11iGw39K3w/s1600/spidey.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is a Spider-Man story that went on and on and on. It has affected every Spidey story since and is referenced often. Spider-Man gets cloned, along with some of his villains. People aren't sure who the real Peter Parker/Spidey is or why the clones are turning up. Characters like Ben Reilly (a Parker clone) and Kaine (another Parker clone and a villain at this point in his history) were introduced here. Interestingly, the alternate universe, named MC2, followed this arc up with the Spider-Girl series, <a href="http://paipicks.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/spider-girl-mc2-universe.html">reviewed here</a>.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">1995: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=x-men+age+of+apocalypse">Age of Apocalypse</a></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIp6aYf7dsFowi2djevXzJVfU7EedqTCz4gNuIJsoMxt3yqzDoa8xej3A3tbw-1w7qKR2Ktd3mTgab5zK3saCM1OPYhyphenhyphenYsXAUpxWxtf34Z_17Va69gBDwBA7v9MEmwNJWmjFN9QwKyEJI/s1600/X-MEN-Logo-psd59239.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIp6aYf7dsFowi2djevXzJVfU7EedqTCz4gNuIJsoMxt3yqzDoa8xej3A3tbw-1w7qKR2Ktd3mTgab5zK3saCM1OPYhyphenhyphenYsXAUpxWxtf34Z_17Va69gBDwBA7v9MEmwNJWmjFN9QwKyEJI/s1600/X-MEN-Logo-psd59239.png" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is an X-Men book about Charles Xavier's son, Legion. Legion travels back in time to kill Magneto but Xavier saves Magneto's life (they were friends then). The timeline is changed and Legion vanishes. An immortal mutant called Apocalypse takes advantage and starts a war on humans. Only one person remembers how things should be: Bishop - another time travelling mutant. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">This story is going to form the 2016 X-Men movie, called X-Men: Apocalypse.</span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">1996: Onslaught Saga (</span><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/X-Men-Complete-Onslaught-Graphic-Novel/dp/0785128239/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1428267472&sr=1-1&keywords=onslaught+saga" style="font-weight: bold;">vol 1</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">, </span><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/X-Men-Complete-Onslaught-Volume-Graphic/dp/0785128247/ref=pd_sim_b_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=12Q3K7052AD6MJ58N7BH" style="font-weight: bold;">vol 2</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">, </span><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/X-Men-Complete-Onslaught-Volume-Graphic/dp/0785128255/ref=pd_sim_b_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=18Z3XN1BV32558E42YMA" style="font-weight: bold;">vol 3</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> and </span><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/X-Men-Complete-Onslaught-Volume-Graphic/dp/0785128263/ref=pd_sim_b_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=0026VYJMTQ1BE1YBS11F" style="font-weight: bold;">vol 4</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIp6aYf7dsFowi2djevXzJVfU7EedqTCz4gNuIJsoMxt3yqzDoa8xej3A3tbw-1w7qKR2Ktd3mTgab5zK3saCM1OPYhyphenhyphenYsXAUpxWxtf34Z_17Va69gBDwBA7v9MEmwNJWmjFN9QwKyEJI/s1600/X-MEN-Logo-psd59239.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIp6aYf7dsFowi2djevXzJVfU7EedqTCz4gNuIJsoMxt3yqzDoa8xej3A3tbw-1w7qKR2Ktd3mTgab5zK3saCM1OPYhyphenhyphenYsXAUpxWxtf34Z_17Va69gBDwBA7v9MEmwNJWmjFN9QwKyEJI/s1600/X-MEN-Logo-psd59239.png" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Charles Xavier has had enough of Magneto's terrorism and finally shuts down his mind. Unfortunately Magneto's anger, grief and vengeance entered Xavier's mind and merged with his negative thoughts, resulting in a new personality called Onslaught. Onslaught gradually emerges from Xavier and starts wreaking havoc on the world generally, and on the X-men specifically.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>2004: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Avengers-Disassembled-TPB-Graphic-Novel/dp/0785114823/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1428268371&sr=1-2&keywords=avengers+disassembled">Avengers Disassembled</a></b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6KcajHIp91NIfCg8lfq2Bk0Cc3AO-lhDqRglIrAEmeRCmTx9l_dxZeWjmOMedpuy2a6uYa2Fg98UKQaak2rlAu920SeHOQjbg79m5XmSiOEDixK7vRNQRe3bxvYcvYSI7lWUtFAKTHg/s1600/logo_the_avengers.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6KcajHIp91NIfCg8lfq2Bk0Cc3AO-lhDqRglIrAEmeRCmTx9l_dxZeWjmOMedpuy2a6uYa2Fg98UKQaak2rlAu920SeHOQjbg79m5XmSiOEDixK7vRNQRe3bxvYcvYSI7lWUtFAKTHg/s1600/logo_the_avengers.png" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A new writer, Brian Michael Bendis, takes over the series and radically changes the roster and the terms on which the Marvel heroes operate. Heroes like the Vision, She-Hulk and Iron Man start acting unpredictably and violently. It is revealed that someone else has been influencing them and the team disband, to reform as New Avengers, joined by </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Spider-Man and Wolverine.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">2005: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/House-Ultimate-Brian-Michael-Bendis/dp/1846535824/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1428267599&sr=1-1&keywords=house+of+m">House of M</a></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIp6aYf7dsFowi2djevXzJVfU7EedqTCz4gNuIJsoMxt3yqzDoa8xej3A3tbw-1w7qKR2Ktd3mTgab5zK3saCM1OPYhyphenhyphenYsXAUpxWxtf34Z_17Va69gBDwBA7v9MEmwNJWmjFN9QwKyEJI/s1600/X-MEN-Logo-psd59239.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIp6aYf7dsFowi2djevXzJVfU7EedqTCz4gNuIJsoMxt3yqzDoa8xej3A3tbw-1w7qKR2Ktd3mTgab5zK3saCM1OPYhyphenhyphenYsXAUpxWxtf34Z_17Va69gBDwBA7v9MEmwNJWmjFN9QwKyEJI/s1600/X-MEN-Logo-psd59239.png" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The series opens on the destroyed island of Genosha. The Scarlet Witch is unable to control her reality altering powers. The Avengers and the X-Men meet to discuss what to do. Suddenly, the world turns white and everything has changed. Mutants outnumber homo sapiens, Captain America was never frozen, Spider-Man is a celebrity and is married to Gwen Stacey. Wolverine is the only one who remembers the world as it was. When the world is restored to order there are huge changes to the mutant population. We reviewed <a href="http://paipicks.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/house-of-m.html">this book here</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>2006: Marvel Cosmic</b> covering<b> <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Annihilation-Omnibus-Dan-Abnett/dp/0785188894/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1429106660&sr=8-1&keywords=annihilation+omnibus">Annihilation (2006), (Annihilation Conquest (2007)</a></b>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/War-Kings-Dan-Abnett/dp/078519066X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1429106739&sr=1-1&keywords=war+of+kings"><b>War of Kings</b></a> (2009), </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Realm-Kings-New-Printing-Abnett/dp/0785190627/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1429106766&sr=1-1&keywords=realm+of+kings"><b>Realm of Kings</b></a> (2010) and<b> <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Thanos-Imperative-Dan-Abnett/dp/0785149023/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1429106788&sr=1-1&keywords=thanos+imperative">Thanos Imperative (2010)</a></b>.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYp3ffkWyXYop3etBSzZMF-YlBlYSV5vnHjk8KlPXKwXNiD7vp1cFZPG3WHRRMWQzdf2i8AsnKr0E9YK-gU6VBjBAT_81tEEQrGW5EHUCJJ_v4HN15-qmlKqWCwFM3lUgPaurH5ymt1Og/s1600/Marvel-Comics-Cosmic-Space-Characters-Guardians-of-the-Galaxy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYp3ffkWyXYop3etBSzZMF-YlBlYSV5vnHjk8KlPXKwXNiD7vp1cFZPG3WHRRMWQzdf2i8AsnKr0E9YK-gU6VBjBAT_81tEEQrGW5EHUCJJ_v4HN15-qmlKqWCwFM3lUgPaurH5ymt1Og/s1600/Marvel-Comics-Cosmic-Space-Characters-Guardians-of-the-Galaxy.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">These are a set of quite long-running cosmic storylines involving Marvel's key space characters: Thanos, the Kree race, Skrulls, the Silver Surfer, Ronan the Accuser (as seen in the Guardians of the Galaxy film) and the <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Guardians-Galaxy-Abnett-Lanning-Collection/dp/0785190643/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_y">Guardians</a> themselves.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Annihilation of the title refers to an Armada of warships wanting to take over the universe. The above named characters want to stop them. Conquest deals with the aftermath and more attempted genocides. War of Kings deals with the aftermath of 2008's Secret Invasion and a new cosmic war. Realm of Kings and Thanos Imperative are direct sequels.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">2006: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Civil-War-Mark-Millar/dp/1905239602/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1430683809&sr=8-1&keywords=civil+war">Civil War</a></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEaN1Zsv9O_MVJSHWtptf5iSGv2pePs-LJeweU-Y6d-Blg1qS6QnBVO9jtibvwpwHJlq7PkIxqpY2YhcYkf_NwKpQoN4Lzz2-kZmvHJK6Pc7dasGZppaQFacqV-6IBymLwJ1KdcJm53s/s1600/marvel-heroes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEaN1Zsv9O_MVJSHWtptf5iSGv2pePs-LJeweU-Y6d-Blg1qS6QnBVO9jtibvwpwHJlq7PkIxqpY2YhcYkf_NwKpQoN4Lzz2-kZmvHJK6Pc7dasGZppaQFacqV-6IBymLwJ1KdcJm53s/s1600/marvel-heroes.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The American government passes the Superhuman registration act, requiring all powered individuals to operate under a license or face gaol. Iron Man leads the side in support of the act and Captain America leads the resistance. It's not a Civil War in the sense that all citizens (powered or not) are fighting, but there's a lot of superhero fights. This story is forming the basis of the third Captain America film, due for release in 2016. We <a href="http://paipicks.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/marvel-civil-war.html">reviewed it here</a>.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">2006: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Planet-Hulk-Omnibus-Greg-Pak/dp/1905239661/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1430683836&sr=8-1&keywords=planet+hulk">Planet Hulk</a></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhObiyCbbGqh8mMbRqqrikvIcr4rXxI5rGWfZLt7fJXKGmEKtXA6ydytRgVL5vQK8Oh3PrWAwnO4nc0CTgL-MsVK-d8MNRHc_J5wdelaqDZgwNDN1K4MPEOWxW0sax4mDfea9Gjo0MJd5g/s1600/hulk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhObiyCbbGqh8mMbRqqrikvIcr4rXxI5rGWfZLt7fJXKGmEKtXA6ydytRgVL5vQK8Oh3PrWAwnO4nc0CTgL-MsVK-d8MNRHc_J5wdelaqDZgwNDN1K4MPEOWxW0sax4mDfea9Gjo0MJd5g/s1600/hulk.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Illuminati (a group composed of leaders of several heroic factions) decide that it's too dangerous to let the Hulk remain on Earth so they trick him into leaving and then exile him to a peaceful planet. Unfortunately, his shuttle goes astray and he lands on a world where he is captured and forced to fight in gladiatorial style battles. The Hulk escapes and sets about leading the rebels to freedom.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">2007: </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Annihilation Conquest</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">See 2006's Marvel Cosmic.</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: inherit;">2007: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/X-Men-Messiah-Complex-Marc-Silvestri/dp/0785123202/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1430683893&sr=8-1&keywords=messiah+complex">Messiah Complex</a></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7TXwlEFUfi2QqBI3MDL9UEHQKwVEltnivMS8oopKqrqxYU8M2jthnU88C5XHeMQejySGrfgh45VhITTETuME40GldBLJUCA9xeiq9GCy1e2iCfIddjh_OAfIclDC018FR7Pn7jic7bc/s1600/X-MEN-Logo-psd59239.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7TXwlEFUfi2QqBI3MDL9UEHQKwVEltnivMS8oopKqrqxYU8M2jthnU88C5XHeMQejySGrfgh45VhITTETuME40GldBLJUCA9xeiq9GCy1e2iCfIddjh_OAfIclDC018FR7Pn7jic7bc/s1600/X-MEN-Logo-psd59239.png" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is the first of 3 stories to deal with the fallout from House of M. Messiah Complex sees the birth of the first child with the mutant gene since House of M, causing a rush to find and save or destroy the baby.</span><br />
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<b>2007: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Captain-America-Death-Complete-Collection/dp/0785183795/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1430683932&sr=8-1&keywords=death+of+captain+america">The Death of Captain America</a></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH6cz2AUWJ6dOE6vLgpyn_ivR6TQpaDZKFmfjI3dT0IXFvzgkUS0GHpjCs2S3kdlz3xX6ShDbxPQzCnlHgIoeGpaqCY5W0-1MSvEOcnKxUPV2ySl_QEOLl31CorMkiaQWQmdvA5q1SYmE/s1600/capn+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH6cz2AUWJ6dOE6vLgpyn_ivR6TQpaDZKFmfjI3dT0IXFvzgkUS0GHpjCs2S3kdlz3xX6ShDbxPQzCnlHgIoeGpaqCY5W0-1MSvEOcnKxUPV2ySl_QEOLl31CorMkiaQWQmdvA5q1SYmE/s1600/capn+a.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">After 2006's Civil War, Captain America is taken into custody as per the Superhero Registration Act and is assassinated. Bucky Barnes takes up the Captain America title. Nazi villain the Red Skull starts an economic and physical attack on America and Sharon Carter is caught in the crossfire.</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">2007: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/WORLD-WAR-HULK-Greg-Pak/dp/1905239777/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1430683963&sr=8-1&keywords=world+war+hulk">World War Hulk</a></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhObiyCbbGqh8mMbRqqrikvIcr4rXxI5rGWfZLt7fJXKGmEKtXA6ydytRgVL5vQK8Oh3PrWAwnO4nc0CTgL-MsVK-d8MNRHc_J5wdelaqDZgwNDN1K4MPEOWxW0sax4mDfea9Gjo0MJd5g/s1600/hulk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhObiyCbbGqh8mMbRqqrikvIcr4rXxI5rGWfZLt7fJXKGmEKtXA6ydytRgVL5vQK8Oh3PrWAwnO4nc0CTgL-MsVK-d8MNRHc_J5wdelaqDZgwNDN1K4MPEOWxW0sax4mDfea9Gjo0MJd5g/s1600/hulk.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Hulk comes back to Earth, not best pleased with being exiled, and takes his revenge.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">2007: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Spider-Man-One-More-Graphic-Novel/dp/0785126341/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1430683992&sr=8-1&keywords=spider-man+one+more+day">Spider-Man: One More Day</a></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCWQMfWtVjKdXVhe-tITBKEAazPiVPKbeCgodbyoqoxX7GAppMmHpymwkTsB4xz8tnlYXLikCS630rVrn000VGrncB3BRbTFmzbBCPtjT5AWf8_znGFAIEQx812DiNVpskjzt8qTxgYcs/s1600/spidey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCWQMfWtVjKdXVhe-tITBKEAazPiVPKbeCgodbyoqoxX7GAppMmHpymwkTsB4xz8tnlYXLikCS630rVrn000VGrncB3BRbTFmzbBCPtjT5AWf8_znGFAIEQx812DiNVpskjzt8qTxgYcs/s1600/spidey.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In Civil War, Spidey (Peter Parker) sided with Iron Man and revealed his identity to the world. Now Spidey's Aunt May has been shot and, desperate to save her, he makes a deal with the devil Mephisto. Mephisto will save May's life but will change reality so Peter and Mary-Jane (MJ) were never married. In so doing, he also removes everyone's knowledge of Spidey's secret identity (although it turns out Mary-Jane retains her knowledge). Splitting up MJ and Peter was very controversial and is included here because it made such a big difference to the Spider-Man stories that came after.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">2008: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Secret-Invasion-Brian-Michael-Bendis/dp/1846534054/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1430684025&sr=8-1&keywords=secret+invasion">Secret Invasion</a></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHy6iamY7J2vXv-XRt64jsKy7FHHYQFe6ZZ_73uJhbmtBrESXPhaMCL4pQw_4I8kkg-gnmaulPozZlMRl__DkJpokzPIJ64YTR7NzNekwn6ArHdNa7jfqORf_is0F48OZV_Ul9jdVpJUA/s1600/Secret_Invasion_Vol_1_5_Textless.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHy6iamY7J2vXv-XRt64jsKy7FHHYQFe6ZZ_73uJhbmtBrESXPhaMCL4pQw_4I8kkg-gnmaulPozZlMRl__DkJpokzPIJ64YTR7NzNekwn6ArHdNa7jfqORf_is0F48OZV_Ul9jdVpJUA/s1600/Secret_Invasion_Vol_1_5_Textless.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">An alien race called the Skrulls are infiltrating earth. They are shapeshifters and over the years have replaced many of Earth's own heroes. This is the story of how they are discovered and how the fight back begins. We <a href="http://paipicks.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/secret-invasion-black-panther.html">reviewed one of the tie-ins here</a>.</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: inherit;">2009: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/X-Force-Cable-Messiah-Graphic-Novel/dp/0785131736/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1430684059&sr=8-1&keywords=messiah+war">Messiah War</a></b></div>
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Cyclops sends his secret X-Force team into the future in search of Cable and Bishop to save the first mutant born since House of M.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>2009: War of Kings</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">See 2006's Marvel Cosmic.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYp3ffkWyXYop3etBSzZMF-YlBlYSV5vnHjk8KlPXKwXNiD7vp1cFZPG3WHRRMWQzdf2i8AsnKr0E9YK-gU6VBjBAT_81tEEQrGW5EHUCJJ_v4HN15-qmlKqWCwFM3lUgPaurH5ymt1Og/s1600/Marvel-Comics-Cosmic-Space-Characters-Guardians-of-the-Galaxy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYp3ffkWyXYop3etBSzZMF-YlBlYSV5vnHjk8KlPXKwXNiD7vp1cFZPG3WHRRMWQzdf2i8AsnKr0E9YK-gU6VBjBAT_81tEEQrGW5EHUCJJ_v4HN15-qmlKqWCwFM3lUgPaurH5ymt1Og/s1600/Marvel-Comics-Cosmic-Space-Characters-Guardians-of-the-Galaxy.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b style="font-family: inherit;">2010: Realm of Kings</b></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">See 2006's Marvel Cosmic.</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: inherit;">2010: Thanos Imperative</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">See 2006's Marvel Cosmic.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>2010: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Siege-Brian-Michael-Bendis/dp/1846534526/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1430684093&sr=8-1&keywords=marvel+siege">Siege</a></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6KcajHIp91NIfCg8lfq2Bk0Cc3AO-lhDqRglIrAEmeRCmTx9l_dxZeWjmOMedpuy2a6uYa2Fg98UKQaak2rlAu920SeHOQjbg79m5XmSiOEDixK7vRNQRe3bxvYcvYSI7lWUtFAKTHg/s1600/logo_the_avengers.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6KcajHIp91NIfCg8lfq2Bk0Cc3AO-lhDqRglIrAEmeRCmTx9l_dxZeWjmOMedpuy2a6uYa2Fg98UKQaak2rlAu920SeHOQjbg79m5XmSiOEDixK7vRNQRe3bxvYcvYSI7lWUtFAKTHg/s1600/logo_the_avengers.png" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is a sequel to a storyline within the Avengers books, called Dark Reign, which occurred directly </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">after 2008's Secret Invasion. In it Norman Osborn (aka the Green Goblin, a Spider-Man villain) gains political control and power. In Siege he invades Asgard, the realm of the Norse Gods.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>2010: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/X-Men-Second-Coming-Zeb-Wells/dp/0785157050/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1430684115&sr=8-1&keywords=second+coming+xmen">Second Coming</a></b></span><br />
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This is the conclusion to the Messiah X-Men stories. Cable returns to the present day and the events of this story arc shake up the X titles.<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">2011: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fear-Itself-Ed-Brubaker/dp/1846534941/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1430684139&sr=8-1&keywords=fear+itself">Fear Itself</a></span></b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUi0EyHNN4sn9dSDa6xS6UbbrMaslte5_pP8juDO1T2ihe2-D4wNZr0jDUsT0GAfRXqm2RqA-WDwwwyl_ZnkowJDEBrWEcFQIjqueBioyoxljz6jE7z8XswQMxgqI9ZxF_JEnilv1CQuo/s1600/marvel-heroes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUi0EyHNN4sn9dSDa6xS6UbbrMaslte5_pP8juDO1T2ihe2-D4wNZr0jDUsT0GAfRXqm2RqA-WDwwwyl_ZnkowJDEBrWEcFQIjqueBioyoxljz6jE7z8XswQMxgqI9ZxF_JEnilv1CQuo/s1600/marvel-heroes.jpg" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Asgardian God of Fear, known as the Serpent, is sowing discord and doubt amongst Marvel's superheroes. This involves all major characters and a lot of the Norse Gods like Thor, Skadi and Odin.</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: inherit;">2011: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/X-Men-Schism-Jason-Aaron/dp/0785156887/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1430684166&sr=8-1&keywords=schism">Schism</a></b></div>
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Mutants attack the UN building resulting in Sentinels being deployed to protect humans from mutants. Unfortunately, the Sentinels attack humans <i>and </i>mutants. Cyclops and Wolverine disagree on how to handle this and the X-Men split into two factions.<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: red; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">2012: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Avengers-Versus-X-Men-Michael-Bendis/dp/1846535182/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1430684190&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=avengers+vx+x+men">Avengers vs X-Men</a></span></b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMSdV06O4lte0YYgLm-eufnKlGlF0FA01pyzvhET-p9gNG-0hEoxqM8xuLiM_levnXcHBuqlZvMUPGAMJp5PI9gNO2FT2_KdNkf42mqB50-fvuOJHNLtR2Gof3MEUl7vhQdo5mGC4BsCk/s1600/logo_the_avengers.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMSdV06O4lte0YYgLm-eufnKlGlF0FA01pyzvhET-p9gNG-0hEoxqM8xuLiM_levnXcHBuqlZvMUPGAMJp5PI9gNO2FT2_KdNkf42mqB50-fvuOJHNLtR2Gof3MEUl7vhQdo5mGC4BsCk/s1600/logo_the_avengers.png" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7TXwlEFUfi2QqBI3MDL9UEHQKwVEltnivMS8oopKqrqxYU8M2jthnU88C5XHeMQejySGrfgh45VhITTETuME40GldBLJUCA9xeiq9GCy1e2iCfIddjh_OAfIclDC018FR7Pn7jic7bc/s1600/X-MEN-Logo-psd59239.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7TXwlEFUfi2QqBI3MDL9UEHQKwVEltnivMS8oopKqrqxYU8M2jthnU88C5XHeMQejySGrfgh45VhITTETuME40GldBLJUCA9xeiq9GCy1e2iCfIddjh_OAfIclDC018FR7Pn7jic7bc/s1600/X-MEN-Logo-psd59239.png" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Phoenix Force (which possessed Jean Grey way back in 1980) returns to Earth. The Avengers want to destroy it as they think it will destroy Earth. The X-Men believe it will restore mutantkind to pre-House of M levels. Fights ensue.</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">2012: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Spider-Man-Dying-Wish-Amazing/dp/078516524X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1430684213&sr=8-1&keywords=spider-man+dying+wish">The Amazing Spider-Man: Dying Wish</a></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Doctor Octopus is terminally ill and sets out a plan to save him from death - he swaps his consciousness with Peter Parker (Spider-Man) so Peter dies in the Doc's body and the Doc inhabits Peter's body. This led to the cancellation of the Amazing Spider-Man series and the launch of the new Superior Spider-Man series.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>2013: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Age-Ultron-Brian-M-Bendis/dp/1846535409/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1430684242&sr=8-2&keywords=age+of+ultron">Age of Ultron</a></b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUi0EyHNN4sn9dSDa6xS6UbbrMaslte5_pP8juDO1T2ihe2-D4wNZr0jDUsT0GAfRXqm2RqA-WDwwwyl_ZnkowJDEBrWEcFQIjqueBioyoxljz6jE7z8XswQMxgqI9ZxF_JEnilv1CQuo/s1600/marvel-heroes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUi0EyHNN4sn9dSDa6xS6UbbrMaslte5_pP8juDO1T2ihe2-D4wNZr0jDUsT0GAfRXqm2RqA-WDwwwyl_ZnkowJDEBrWEcFQIjqueBioyoxljz6jE7z8XswQMxgqI9ZxF_JEnilv1CQuo/s1600/marvel-heroes.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Ultron is a robot created by Hank Pym (Ant-Man). Ultron destroys New York. All heroes unite against him and embark on some time travelling, leading to possible alternate realities. Has some similarities to the 2015 film. </span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: inherit;">2013: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/New-Avengers-Infinity-Marvel-Now/dp/0785166629/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1430684343&sr=1-1&keywords=infinity+avenger">Infinity</a> </b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6KcajHIp91NIfCg8lfq2Bk0Cc3AO-lhDqRglIrAEmeRCmTx9l_dxZeWjmOMedpuy2a6uYa2Fg98UKQaak2rlAu920SeHOQjbg79m5XmSiOEDixK7vRNQRe3bxvYcvYSI7lWUtFAKTHg/s1600/logo_the_avengers.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6KcajHIp91NIfCg8lfq2Bk0Cc3AO-lhDqRglIrAEmeRCmTx9l_dxZeWjmOMedpuy2a6uYa2Fg98UKQaak2rlAu920SeHOQjbg79m5XmSiOEDixK7vRNQRe3bxvYcvYSI7lWUtFAKTHg/s1600/logo_the_avengers.png" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thanos (a cosmic supervillain) attacks Earth whilst the Avengers are </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">dealing with another crisis in space - they are fighting a race known as the Builders who are confronting Earth in response to Age of Ultron. It was followed by the Inhumanity series.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>2014: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Original-Sin-Jason-Aaron/dp/1846536324/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1430684408&sr=1-1&keywords=original+sin">Original Sin</a></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Marvel Universe has a character called Uatu who is known as The Watcher. He's a cosmic being who turns up at key moments in the Marvel Universe to observe events. In Original Sin he is murdered and Nick Fury leads an investigation to find his killer. The series ends with Fury dying and being replaced by a younger version of himself. This wasn't very highly regarded but is important to know about if you plan on buying current Marvel titles. Another note - Nick Fury in the main universe (the 616) is white. The Ultimate universe has a black Fury, but that's an entirely different continuity. In the 616 universe, Nick Fury does have a son, Nick Fury Jr, who is black. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>2014: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Death-Wolverine-Charles-Soule/dp/1846536391/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1430684482&sr=1-1&keywords=death+of+wolverine">Death of Wolverine</a></b></span><br />
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Wolverine has lost his healing factor and only has a few months to live. This is highly unlikely to be a permanent death.<br />
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<b><br /></b>
<b>2014: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Avengers-X-Men-AXIS-Men/dp/1846536421/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1430684529&sr=1-1&keywords=axis">Axis</a></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMSdV06O4lte0YYgLm-eufnKlGlF0FA01pyzvhET-p9gNG-0hEoxqM8xuLiM_levnXcHBuqlZvMUPGAMJp5PI9gNO2FT2_KdNkf42mqB50-fvuOJHNLtR2Gof3MEUl7vhQdo5mGC4BsCk/s1600/logo_the_avengers.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMSdV06O4lte0YYgLm-eufnKlGlF0FA01pyzvhET-p9gNG-0hEoxqM8xuLiM_levnXcHBuqlZvMUPGAMJp5PI9gNO2FT2_KdNkf42mqB50-fvuOJHNLtR2Gof3MEUl7vhQdo5mGC4BsCk/s1600/logo_the_avengers.png" /></a> The Nazi villain, the Red Skull, has had Charles Xavier's (Professor X) brain implanted in his head. Together, the two of them become a new Onslaught who uses his telepathic abilities to spread hate across the world. The Avengers and the X-men battle him. The Marvel editorial team was quite clearly high when they came up with this one.<br />
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<b>2015: Secret Wars</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This event is due to start in May 2015 and will see the regular (616) universe and the Ultimate universe, plus many other different multiverses, comes together in a place called Battleworld (the same Battleworld from the original 1984 Secret Wars series). Characters who survive will form a new continuity starting in October 2015, making it entirely possible that all events described above are no longer relevant in the new universe.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Notes:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Marvel has a few different universes which stories take place in. The main ones are:</span><br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">616 - The universe in which all above stories take place.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ultimate universe - Launched in 2010, this universe was intended to tell different stories to the 616 reality, or retell 616 stories in a new, more modern manner. Some series were more successful than others.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Zombies - this started in 2005 and has a zombie virus infecting the citizens of this universe. Many, many series have been created since then, where everybody gets turned into a zombie and goes hunting brains.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">With very many thanks to </span><a href="https://twitter.com/feemcbee" style="font-family: inherit;">@feemcbee</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> for help compiling this and providing fact checking.</span></div>
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Sarangahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03545162612237984546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3207341558635507449.post-50323330170759870902015-05-04T12:00:00.000+01:002015-05-04T12:00:09.901+01:00Comics about Immigrants<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A comics site called Women Write About Comics (WWAC) has recently written about <a href="http://womenwriteaboutcomics.com/2015/05/01/five-comics-about-immigrants-nigel-farage-needs-to-read/">five comics on the theme of immigration</a>.<br />
<br />
It's quite a political post as it's written with the UK General Election (7th May) in mind, but don't be put off by that as the suggestions given are really rather good. One of them is Anya's Ghost that <a href="http://paipicks.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/anyas-ghost.html">we reviewed here</a>, another is the current Ms Marvel series, published by Marvel Comics, which is excellent. There are also webcomics listed.<br />
<br />
I highly recommend you check out the WWAC site as well as the above linked article.</div>
Sarangahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03545162612237984546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3207341558635507449.post-66760199293115990772015-03-21T12:00:00.000+00:002015-03-21T12:00:07.700+00:00Tiny Titans: Welcome to the Treehouse<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
Writer: Art Baltazar and Franco<br />
Art: Art Baltazar<br />
Publisher: DC Comics<br />
<br />
<b>What's it about?</b><br />
The Tiny Titans series is written for kids aged, at a guess, 5 to 10 years. The Titans of the title are the Teen Titans, but aged about 7 or 8, attending primary (elementary) school. They don't solve crime or fight monsters - they go to classes, get the bus to school, hang out together at lunch and tease each other. It might sound mundane, but if you are 7 that's what your life is. These stories have superheroes doing the same thing. The teachers are villains from the DCU but there's no nastiness here. It's light hearted and it's adorable.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRGusFbZFyjZqAvHYC22I29t4g1MK9kixF52VxZf_bjdifb-4qI5SiQjBF13h7uVD8ZrALyxKju8kNDcucgs3yMLEousoXL7NLamQZD1JdNS-IUZvctMELFO87bSDt74UbsbzQSxHYcdI/s1600/3444708-2923582-penguinsinbatcave.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRGusFbZFyjZqAvHYC22I29t4g1MK9kixF52VxZf_bjdifb-4qI5SiQjBF13h7uVD8ZrALyxKju8kNDcucgs3yMLEousoXL7NLamQZD1JdNS-IUZvctMELFO87bSDt74UbsbzQSxHYcdI/s1600/3444708-2923582-penguinsinbatcave.png" height="320" width="311" /></a></div>
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<a name='more'></a><br />
<b>What's good about it?</b><br />
It's a perfect book for young children, whether they know about superheroes or not. The characters keep their personality but anything too adult is either removed or toned down. The inclusion of the DCU villains as teachers is just perfect for this setting. The language is clean and the costumes are age appropriate. Everything is told from the kids' perspective.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_9BfvLHRP6P1rqycRj7pI_anpgRINGdpJhj2J9AEM2Z2sXxEPvLtDhzrXgTXgccrFQx8nW7DBsbKHNcIYTeLgRf48jiGBFH3LnibfBoUwQFT87lqx2XoawEyKeZJH01rcgV0iKhi3zds/s1600/tiny+titans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_9BfvLHRP6P1rqycRj7pI_anpgRINGdpJhj2J9AEM2Z2sXxEPvLtDhzrXgTXgccrFQx8nW7DBsbKHNcIYTeLgRf48jiGBFH3LnibfBoUwQFT87lqx2XoawEyKeZJH01rcgV0iKhi3zds/s1600/tiny+titans.jpg" height="320" width="210" /></a>If you want to know who the heroes (and their adult counterparts) are, from top down, left to right, we have:<br />
Miss Martian (Martian Manhunter), Raven (Trigon), Red Devil (Blue Devil)<br />
Wonder Girl (Wonder Woman), Cyborg (no adult counterpart)<br />
Speedy (Green Arrow), Beast Boy (the Doom Patrol), Starfire (no adult counterpart),<br />
Aqualad (Aquaman), Robin (Batman), Kid Flash (Flash).<br />
<br />
The book consists of 26 stories (originally published in 6 individual comics). Some stories are just one or two pages, others are split into several parts, placed between other stories. There are plenty of games for kids to play too - count the alpacas (that Beast Boy has turned into), themed mazes, matching the Tiny Titans to their accessories, stuff like that.<br />
<br />
If you know a bit about the adult Teen Titans personalities, you will see parts of them reflected within this book.<br />
<br />
<b>What's bad about it?</b><br />
Lots of adult comic fans regard this series very highly. However, if you are an adult and not a DC reader you may find this banal. It is marketed at all ages, but really is best for kids, or mature adults who get the references to mainstream continuity. When I first read it I wasn't very impressed, but when I got to know some more kids and could read it through their eyes, I appreciated it a lot more.<br />
<br />
<b>What's the art like?</b><br />
Much like Baltazar and Franco's other books, this art can be described as cute. Its focus on kids means the pages are filled with cherubic, round heads with just the eyes and mouths to give the expressions. But what expressions!<br />
<br />
In this page, Robin is changing his costume and has just been asked if he's going to a disco:<br />
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He might be pleased, Starfire and Cyborg are quite rightly baffled.<br />
The there's these panels featuring Blue Beetle and Supergirl's first meeting. Check out Supergirl's body language and Blue Beetle's facial expressions. You don't really need the words to understand how the characters are feeling:<br />
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Quite often the only body parts we see of adults are their legs and torso, this is a great visual way to reinforce the kids' eye level perspective of the book:<br />
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There's a 3 page story where Robin and Raven are attracting their namesakes. It's a great example of the way the story is told through art as much as words:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsN_58pGzvdbBPF-_vcGED2txNrzLkMBD0DBLSXDx8tShqxrBZXPAePrMzVj9Jvu3f1opeN3oS9JY7YQdainBIkknJn3L0zJQEPWHvCOzoPRtUw5b3XiK_u9mOTQDFNT6hyCefFrImWbI/s1600/125406+rbins+and+ravens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsN_58pGzvdbBPF-_vcGED2txNrzLkMBD0DBLSXDx8tShqxrBZXPAePrMzVj9Jvu3f1opeN3oS9JY7YQdainBIkknJn3L0zJQEPWHvCOzoPRtUw5b3XiK_u9mOTQDFNT6hyCefFrImWbI/s1600/125406+rbins+and+ravens.jpg" height="320" width="208" /></a></div>
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I think this would be good for kids who aren't comfortable with reading.<br />
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<b>More informatio<span style="font-family: inherit;">n</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Price: £9.99</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">ISBN: <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">1401220789</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Also available in the series are <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tiny-Titans-Vol-Adventures-Awesomeness/dp/1401223281/ref=pd_sim_b_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=1VVC5TN3QTTFS7WB7FKX">Adventures in Awesomeness</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tiny-Titans-TP-Vol-Sidekickin/dp/1401226531/ref=pd_sim_b_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=1VVC5TN3QTTFS7WB7FKX">Sidekickin It</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tiny-Titans-First-Rule-Club/dp/1401228925/ref=pd_sim_b_5?ie=UTF8&refRID=1VVC5TN3QTTFS7WB7FKX">The First Rule of Pet Club</a>.</span></div>
It's written by the same team who did <a href="http://paipicks.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/superman-family-adventures-volume-1.html">Superman Family Adventure</a>s and <a href="http://paipicks.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/patrick-wolf-boy-giant-size-collection.html">Patrick the Wolf Boy</a>.<br />
If you like these books I'd also recommend checking out the webcomic <a href="http://paipicks.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/little-league.html">JL8</a> and also <a href="http://paipicks.blogspot.co.uk/2009/11/supergirl-cosmic-adventures-in-8th.html">Supergirl Cosmic Adventures in the 8th Grade</a>.</div>
Sarangahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03545162612237984546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3207341558635507449.post-69910549748671797042015-02-14T12:00:00.000+00:002015-02-14T12:00:03.206+00:00Superman Family Adventures volume 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtdZTUXsiPntpRF5csPUOLCXORPz0xvLXRHeTejKjXgBsbfP9a7xHdSPi7uRRwEF-HTVOM6t8umRBluHznHxsAZrNbv3epceQipH0JXwZoA93ETU3ZjxGIDKigp5gWjV_lMzLKXbBeahU/s1600/coer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtdZTUXsiPntpRF5csPUOLCXORPz0xvLXRHeTejKjXgBsbfP9a7xHdSPi7uRRwEF-HTVOM6t8umRBluHznHxsAZrNbv3epceQipH0JXwZoA93ETU3ZjxGIDKigp5gWjV_lMzLKXbBeahU/s1600/coer.jpg" height="320" width="209" /></a></div>
Writer: Art Baltazar and Franco<br />
Artist: Art Baltazar<br />
Publisher: DC Comics<br />
<br />
<b>What's it about?</b><br />
This is a kids comic centred around the Superman family. We have ol' Supes himself, Supergirl, Superboy, Lois Lane, Krypto the superdog, Perry White, Jimmy Olsen, Streaky the supercat, Ma and Pa Kent, and all the villains. Each story is between 1 and 12 pages and a whole variety of events are covered: Lex Luthor tries to take over metropolis with a robot army; Bizarro (the anti Superman) visits for ice cream; the superpets get a new member; Chief Perry White wants his coffee; Lois nearly works out Clark's secret.<br />
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<b>What's good about it?</b><br />
The repetitive start is good for kids. The stories are humorous and the construction, plotting and jokes are told directly for kids. There are several references to the Christopher Reeve movies which will delight older fans, but there aren't any grown up jokes. The mix of one page and longer stories works really well to keep you involved in the book. The stories are not related to each other - they are individual standalone plots. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJw4bUzGNlNzIhFftoM3srcxAn8gAxCRmPCqYEIfHr3R1hLnTUqoP_06io8_TEGC3xkYT9URgYyYjNmPJEU5-CYEXtEOdS2qWfw1O9zKyo1MGcelRhAsOkB6IECMRz8UkqDEvppI3lkY/s1600/rev122204spl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJw4bUzGNlNzIhFftoM3srcxAn8gAxCRmPCqYEIfHr3R1hLnTUqoP_06io8_TEGC3xkYT9URgYyYjNmPJEU5-CYEXtEOdS2qWfw1O9zKyo1MGcelRhAsOkB6IECMRz8UkqDEvppI3lkY/s1600/rev122204spl.jpg" height="160" width="320" /></a></div>
The book is written and drawn with love for the characters. Baltazar and Franco just want to have fun and they write for kids, they don't write down to them. It's not patronising and it's not sentimental. It's funny and sometimes nonsensical. If you are familiar with, and like, <a href="http://paipicks.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/garfield-minus-garfield.html">Garfield</a> comics it's got a similar approach. Garfield is more cynical than these characters, but the way in which the creators just have fun with their characters and don't try to be adult, or cool or edgy, is the same.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1VkLhAvznVcFsFGjrA8-jAx6B9pOavGWnVZ-06VaQ5sRzDohTShMKBnx_aSDgS_kfNUV2DTvFMaNf4jnAkzixd0fDWxey9boVAgBlbXpleFn_rUl91hgNQe9Qzb7rwfJloTiBVQJwRQ/s1600/SMFADV1_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1VkLhAvznVcFsFGjrA8-jAx6B9pOavGWnVZ-06VaQ5sRzDohTShMKBnx_aSDgS_kfNUV2DTvFMaNf4jnAkzixd0fDWxey9boVAgBlbXpleFn_rUl91hgNQe9Qzb7rwfJloTiBVQJwRQ/s1600/SMFADV1_4.jpg" height="253" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
There's a maze game at the back for kids to complete.<br />
<br />
<b>What's bad about it?</b><br />
This volume is more about Superman than the rest of the super family, which is a shame because I'd like to see more of Superboy and Supergirl. However, I guess they make more appearances in later volumes. There certainly wasn't any room in this book to shoehorn them into more stories and it's better that way, rather than trying to fit everything in and having the story suffer.<br />
<br />
<b>What's the art like?</b><br />
It's cute as a button! Baltazar has a very cartoony style and there is a lot of visual humour in his drawings. The story is told through the art as much as through the dialogue (probably more so through the art, now I come to think of it). The lettering gives a lot of emphasis to the emotions of the story, by bolding certain words or by having jagged edges on some speech bubbles. This provides a visual clue that something exciting is going to happen and when you see it coming up you mentally prepare yourself for the extra drama. The colours are bright and the characters are very expressive. It makes it a very easy read that you don't have to try for - you can just relax into it and enjoy the fun.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZ1W874X6oMxi5uzp1G9oL39RVdIbxsWs6r0nImwQigzUCAcuvmZuQhHpC3DW9s7-rxkHnkRL8iY0kg8j53HMzeIFnYAv7kgP28F3rT5R1LvItmWni7QufUrMeHFecDlZZkOw8bpcI5M/s1600/supermanfamily3-2tjusg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZ1W874X6oMxi5uzp1G9oL39RVdIbxsWs6r0nImwQigzUCAcuvmZuQhHpC3DW9s7-rxkHnkRL8iY0kg8j53HMzeIFnYAv7kgP28F3rT5R1LvItmWni7QufUrMeHFecDlZZkOw8bpcI5M/s1600/supermanfamily3-2tjusg.jpg" height="320" width="208" /></a></div>
<b>More information</b><br />
I plan on giving this to my 2 and a half year old niece. She's clearly a few years off being able to read it herself but I think she'll like the pictures. I also think this would be good for kids aged between 5 and 8. They can read it or be read to.<br />
Price: £10.99<br />
ISBN: 140124050X<br />
There is a <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Superman-Family-Adventures-2-TP/dp/1401244157/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1417369758&sr=8-2&keywords=superman+family+adventures">second volume</a> of this. I will be getting it!</div>
Sarangahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03545162612237984546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3207341558635507449.post-23930739391747217632015-02-09T12:00:00.000+00:002015-03-01T22:46:55.015+00:00Zero Hour: Crisis in Time<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7s1xLoCp5rFQDBCp9yWMde9UQrCicaKLm-EHqywttankSXnmvgttDucZ05D486hs22CnX9WXoUUvIbxTSBADFBtLkqAl3uzDwZT6pnf5ASuVLuBoWlsoj8Ana6KXGjKjvfjHcnxEfLjE/s1600/zero+hour+covers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7s1xLoCp5rFQDBCp9yWMde9UQrCicaKLm-EHqywttankSXnmvgttDucZ05D486hs22CnX9WXoUUvIbxTSBADFBtLkqAl3uzDwZT6pnf5ASuVLuBoWlsoj8Ana6KXGjKjvfjHcnxEfLjE/s1600/zero+hour+covers.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Story and art: Dan Jurgens<br />
Finished art: Jerry Ordway<br />
Letterer: Gaspar<br />
Colorist: Gregory Wright<br />
Publisher: DC Comics<br />
<br />
<b>What's it about?</b><br />
Zero Hour is a 5 issue mini series published by DC comics in 1994, which was billed as a sequel to their 1986 Crisis on Infinite Earths maxi series. You can read more about <a href="http://paipicks.blogspot.co.uk/2011/01/dcs-crisis-of-continuity.html">the crisis stories here</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVcbyXVAnUzd0SLU7TlNS46WwTtXDAWthnLnFab2sm556dzkTUs6p3JMPNUX4KEAeJfoZ91vg_bbNIg2VaOMhmLJUsadhlnFMccVS6u-NiVz49z515apwiaXAk8yob1q-wPqY4KO3VYbg/s1600/zerohour4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a>In Zero Hour, time is ending. Entropy is creeping back from the end of history to the present day and if the heroes don't do something soon the universe as we know it will be destroyed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVcbyXVAnUzd0SLU7TlNS46WwTtXDAWthnLnFab2sm556dzkTUs6p3JMPNUX4KEAeJfoZ91vg_bbNIg2VaOMhmLJUsadhlnFMccVS6u-NiVz49z515apwiaXAk8yob1q-wPqY4KO3VYbg/s1600/zerohour4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVcbyXVAnUzd0SLU7TlNS46WwTtXDAWthnLnFab2sm556dzkTUs6p3JMPNUX4KEAeJfoZ91vg_bbNIg2VaOMhmLJUsadhlnFMccVS6u-NiVz49z515apwiaXAk8yob1q-wPqY4KO3VYbg/s1600/zerohour4.JPG" height="320" width="204" /></a>Alternate versions of our familiar heroes pop up - many Batmen, lots of Hawkmen (see the page on the right) and a walking Batgirl (this story takes place after Barbara Gordon is shot by the Joker and paralysed). Our heroes realise something is terribly wrong and gather together to form a plan.<br />
<br />
A being called Extant seems to be responsible. Working with other mysterious figures he does his best to stop the superheroes, who of course respond with force - yet in the end it's simple human bonds and shared history which could save the day.<br />
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<b>What's good about it?</b><br />
Superhero comics do epic, self important, time spanning, messy, end-of-the-world stories very well. No other media can be quite this big in scale and effect. This story allows us to see what heroes are most famous for - making dramatic statements and punching things. At least for most of the story. If you want to read something grand and ambitious, this mini series will fit the bill. It's a better bet than Crisis on Infinite Earths, which is a similar universe-stopping story, but at 12 issues long can be a bit tedious.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVtef5yjj3jqtpauiTNhyphenhyphen1YaKj2nkrR4xqKf0bmf19NQpZETSCnsUQnT2ZRl7-BP6cLVMzxp1-a-blUJor5teWzXorkZYNkMyv0m6JgU1xbSPxhhz-6jRnYzrMOxjQWvxfGBeMn_vgh0/s1600/Zero-Hour-Extant-Waverider-e1392523772903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVtef5yjj3jqtpauiTNhyphenhyphen1YaKj2nkrR4xqKf0bmf19NQpZETSCnsUQnT2ZRl7-BP6cLVMzxp1-a-blUJor5teWzXorkZYNkMyv0m6JgU1xbSPxhhz-6jRnYzrMOxjQWvxfGBeMn_vgh0/s1600/Zero-Hour-Extant-Waverider-e1392523772903.jpg" height="320" width="207" /></a><br />
This series will introduce you to lots of the main DC heroes although, given the style of the story, sometimes it feels like it's mostly heroes declaring the injustice of events and hitting things. Having said that, there are ample opportunities to discover more about our heroes. For example, the relationships between the Flashes, the JSA's role in the modern world, and Batgirl's understanding of her place in the world are very well done and give the series its emotional heart.<br />
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The final issue is great, really great. It provides a completely unexpected twist (even for those of us who knew the outline of the story). It provides yet more human moments which are rather touching and sad.<br />
<br />
<b>What's bad about it?</b><br />
It's rather sprawling and, as said above, features a lot of superheroes: this can make it confusing. New readers won't know the backstory of each character, which could make connecting with them a bit difficult. Only a couple of characters are given enough prominence so that you get to know them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv8qRaj5OS-4D6iBOay6wyDO2l1c5syx-SRmFedYzjkCbSCMUQ0KdW8Rb-zI6RfFStmMBLyaZg5XxNZeFgThOH_r68JDqW36gbmfk0PbyJQZRuq755vm2M0D21iYj6GOzEp5BU80kgCxA/s1600/h_zerohour+booster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv8qRaj5OS-4D6iBOay6wyDO2l1c5syx-SRmFedYzjkCbSCMUQ0KdW8Rb-zI6RfFStmMBLyaZg5XxNZeFgThOH_r68JDqW36gbmfk0PbyJQZRuq755vm2M0D21iYj6GOzEp5BU80kgCxA/s1600/h_zerohour+booster.jpg" /></a></div>
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Of the people we can see in full, the silver shiny guy in the middle with the red emblem on his chest is Captain Atom (powered by an alien metal and nuclear weapons). The guy in red with the yellow lightning bolt in the top right corner is DC's <a href="http://paipicks.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Char%3A%20Captain%20Marvel">Captain Marvel</a>). The redhead in the bottom left corner is Guy Gardner, now known as Warrior, used to be a <a href="http://paipicks.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Char%3A%20Green%20Lantern">Green Lantern</a>). Next to him is a black haired lady in a white and yellow suit - that's DC's good Doctor Light (can manipulate light in it's hard and soft forms). The guy next to her in orange and green is <a href="http://paipicks.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Char%3A%20Aquaman">Aquaman</a>. The redhead lady in purple is Maxima, a Superman villain/heroine, dependent on the writer. The blonde guy standing to the right of her in blue and yellow with goggles is <a href="http://paipicks.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Char%3A%20Booster%20Gold">Booster Gold</a>, hack superhero from the future. The guy in blue crouching down in the bottom right corner is Blue Beetle, good with technology, no powers insectile or otherwise.<br />
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Most of these guys only feature in a few other panels in the series and don't have any real role to play. There are lots of panels like this one and they serve to show the enormity of the Zero Hour event, but but they don't do much for the story.<br />
<br />
The pacing is a bit off. This series is numbered backwards, from 4 to 0. While issues 4, 3, 2 and 0 are good and engaging, part of issue 1 feels a bit like filler - just full of heroes looking for something to hit, with less of an emotional core than the other issues. A lot of the events feeding into the series took place in other issues not included in the main storyline (but may be included in the trade edition of this book). Because of this there are some strange subplots, such as Power Girl's pregnancy and subsequent labour, which have nothing to do with the Zero Hour events but reflect her story just prior to this series. It is doubtful new readers will understand Guy Gardner's (an ex Green Lantern) role in this.<br />
<br />
I've just realised that pretty much all the characters in this book are white and most of the key characters are male... that isn't good.<br />
<br />
<b>What's the art like?</b><br />
Jerry Ordway is billed as one of the artists but, sadly, he doesn't do all the art. Ordway finishes off Jurgens art, which isn't as expressive as it could be. There's a lot of detail to the scenes, and some truly amazing use of colours. This book was produced before computer based art came in so the colours are far more one dimensional than modern books. This gives them a flat, 2D quality and makes them quite garish.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAXsd-4qjE7yIVm0-V4czZ9jtauqG2R2G1J5tHtAhYXdZjA52EqivJzAQF0AOgL8-zFFKi-Cq72OQBTsuM692JHXzoJ0Wqyv4JDZNG7_fsZWzGY6Y0HZsHNh6vkzwtJBFYGoxGEMA-a98/s1600/zer103_07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAXsd-4qjE7yIVm0-V4czZ9jtauqG2R2G1J5tHtAhYXdZjA52EqivJzAQF0AOgL8-zFFKi-Cq72OQBTsuM692JHXzoJ0Wqyv4JDZNG7_fsZWzGY6Y0HZsHNh6vkzwtJBFYGoxGEMA-a98/s1600/zer103_07.jpg" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
This panel shows Blue Beetle, Booster Gold, Metamorpho the Element man and Maxima.</div>
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Par for the course with this type of story, there are lots of impressive double page spreads with hundreds of heroes included. I can't imagine the hand cramp the artists must have had after finishing these panels!<br />
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<b>More information</b><br />
This series is available <a href="https://www.comixology.co.uk/Zero-Hour-1994/comics-series/8072">digitally from comixology</a> and as a <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Zero-Hour-Crisis-Time-TP/dp/1563891840/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1422830327&sr=8-1&keywords=zero+hour+dc+comics">secondhand trade from places like Amazon</a>. Amazon UK is currently listing it at £35 - I think this is far too expensive and I would urge you to buy it on comixology instead.<br />
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To see how Zero Hour fits into the rest of DC's big multiverse spanning events, read our <a href="http://paipicks.blogspot.co.uk/2011/01/dcs-crisis-of-continuity.html">summary post here</a>. As mentioned above, I wouldn't recommend Crisis on Infinite Earths to anyone, but Infinite Crisis is a good read.<br />
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If you want to read more about specific characters in this series, might I suggest clicking on these links to see what else we've covered:<br />
<a href="http://paipicks.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Char%3A%20Batgirl">Batgirl</a><br />
<a href="http://paipicks.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Char%3A%20Flash">Flash</a><br />
<a href="http://paipicks.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Char%3A%20JSA">Justice Society of America (JSA)</a><br />
<a href="http://paipicks.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Char%3A%20Power%20Girl">Power Girl</a><br />
<a href="http://paipicks.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Char%3A%20Green%20Arrow">Green Arrow</a><br />
<a href="http://paipicks.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Char%3A%20Green%20Lantern">Green Lantern</a><br />
<a href="http://paipicks.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Char%3A%20Starman">Starman</a><br />
<a href="http://paipicks.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Char%3A%20Teen%20Titans">Teen Titans</a><br />
<a href="http://paipicks.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Char%3A%20LoSH">Legion of Superheroes</a><br />
<a href="http://paipicks.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Char%3A%20Superman">Superman</a><br />
<a href="http://paipicks.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Char%3A%20Batman">Batman</a><br />
<a href="http://paipicks.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Char%3A%20Wonder%20Woman">Wonder Woman</a></div>
Sarangahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03545162612237984546noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3207341558635507449.post-49644648298907596822014-12-21T20:43:00.003+00:002014-12-21T20:43:55.494+00:00Princeless volume 3: Interview with the artists<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Today's post is a little different from our regular reviews. 2 years ago i reviewed volume 1 of Princeless (here <a href="http://paipicks.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/princeless-save-yourself.html">http://paipicks.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/princeless-save-yourself.html</a>) and in January volume 3 will be released. To honour this, and to do more promotion for a series I absolutely adore, I got an interview with the two artists for volume 3. I took the opportunity to ask them about the technical side of making comic art, with the idea that it would help new readers understand the creation process more, and also because I love hearing about that stuff.<br />
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We also talk comic recommendations, how they got the job and visual puns.<br />
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To recap, Princeless is about Princess Adrienne who is locked in a tower by her well meaning but not very good parents and told to wait until a Prince comes to rescue her. Stuff this, she thinks. She rescues herself, befriends the dragon and decides to go rescue her sisters who are also stuck in towers. Adrienne also befriends a female blacksmith who is quite exuberant about anything, battles demons protecting her sisters and in volume 3, rescues Raven, the Pirate Princess, who is also stuck in a tower. Raven is also known as the Black Arrow. Obviously, I like her a lot (I like archers).<br />
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Read on!</div>
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<b>What parts of the art do each of you do?</b><br />
Ted: It's a completely collaborative work, honestly. We have pretty complementary strengths, so it works out pretty cleanly, at least most of the time. In theory, I do the layouts, Rosy pencils, I ink, Rosy colours and I letter, but it doesn't always quite work out that neatly. <br />
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Rosy: Ted pretty much summed it up really. It's a lot of juggling about, there's a lot of suggestions to each other about things that could be improved or need fixing. We keep each other on our toes. <br />
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Ted: We are doing all the art for volume 3; it's all been handed in and approved, so all that's left is to solicit and get it into stores!<br />
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Rosy: We really hope the fans enjoy it. There will be 4 issues and I think issue 1 comes out January 28. <br />
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<b>So, after a few years I've just got the joke in the action lab logo..... Can you describe to me, or link me to, your favourite visual pun? Or draw me one....</b><br />
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Ted: I can't find a link to it now, proving my Google-fu is weak, but I always loved that Alex Ross line-up of the Justice League, with the whole “picture with flash”/”picture without flash” that saw the latter both dimmer, and missing Barry Allen.</div>
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Rosy: I'm quite fond of this one.<br />
<a href="http://www.clickypix.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/amazing-bad-visual-puns-good-12.jpg">http://www.clickypix.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/amazing-bad-visual-puns-good-12.jpg</a><br />
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<b>How did you get the Princeless gig?</b><br />
Ted: We got the gig mostly by luck, honestly; I was following Jeremy's tumblr, when I saw him say that the third volume was going to be delayed as the scheduled artist was having difficulties. Since we both wanted to get into comics, I suggested we ought to get in touch and offer our services!<br />
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Rosy: We sent an email saying how much we'd love to be a part of Princeless and asked if we could get some sample scripts to show off what we could do. Jeremy liked our stuff and our approach and we got the job!<br />
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<b>How much guidance did you get from Jeremy for panel lay out, new character's design, mood of the comic etc?</b>Ted: The great thing, and the challenge, of Jeremy's scripts is that they're very open to interpretation. It means that as far as the layouts go, it’s an open playground, which is as terrifying as it is freeing! The mood of the work was fairly evident from the scripts; it comes organically through the characters and their exploits.<br />
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Rosy: As for the character design stuff, for the main characters we're given a name, a race and a brief physical description which is again very open to interpretation really. For the less significant characters we can go wherever we want, unless there’s anything specific that Jeremy had in mind and even then it’s usually only suggestion. Jeremy is very trusting of us for that kind of stuff.<br />
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<b>How long did it take you to do this issue of Princeless? How many redrafts did you go through?</b><br />
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Ted: The first issue took…a little longer than we would have liked. It was our first professional issue, our first time collaborating together, and our longest comic to date. There was a steep learning curve!<br />
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Rosy: A very steep learning curve, yes! I'd never done anything on this scale before and it took a little while to get into the swing of things. It’s quite a test of stamina!<br />
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<b>Can you explain the job of the inker to someone who doesn't know anything about comics?</b><br />
Ted: I've never inked anyone else outside of my collaboration with Rosy, so I can't speak for the job as far as others go. For us, it's about clarifying, really: as the penciller, Rosy creates all the expressions, body language, and all the other details that breathe life into the comic and the characters. It’s my job as the inker to create a purer, condensed version of her lines so that they're neat and consistent, without taking away the spark that she gives them.<br />
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Rosy: Ted also corrects any mistakes I make, most frequently he makes hands look like hands rather than some kind of weird root vegetable.<br />
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<b>I really appreciate the art of lettering but I don't know much about the technicalities of it. Can you explain how you decide on a font and placement of the letters, and how you make the lettering work? Do you draw the panel first then fit the lettering on or do you work out where the speech bubbles go and then draw the panel around it?</b>Ted: Lettering is a grossly underappreciated art in comics. I didn’t even realise how underappreciated it was until I started lettering this book and realised how many critical choices letterers make. For the fonts I use, they are mostly made by the excellent Comicraft font foundry - there simply aren’t any better out there.<br />
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The lucky thing about this book is that I do the layouts as well as the letters: it allows me to take into account how much speech is needed in the panels before I design each page, which means I can shape the panel sizing as well as the layout to make sure that our art balances with Jeremy’s dialogue, neither treading on the other’s toes. That said, I'm still pretty new to this, so it’s definitely a case of learning as I go!<br />
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<b>Is comic-ing your day job? If not, how do you fit the comicing in with the day job?</b><br />
Ted: It is! This volume has been our first outing into the world of full-time comics work. It's always scary leaving the regular world of work behind, but I'm pretty sure we'll have more fun this way.<br />
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Rosy: We're really lucky to be in a position where we were able to take this job on. I feel very privileged to have this opportunity.<br />
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<b>Any advice for Brits wanting to break into comics? Do you feel like you've broken into comics?</b><br />
Ted: I'll probably feel more like I've broken in once our first collected volume is out in print. Once we have our first book in our hands, it’ll all feel more real!<br />
As for advice: chance favours the prepared mind. If an opportunity does arise, you need to not only see it but be ready. That said, take those chances! Fail upward!<br />
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Rosy: The chance to work on Princeless came completely out of the blue so I'd advise anyone wanting to get into comics to always keep an eye out for opportunities and don't be afraid to make a grab for them when they turn up.<br />
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<b>What comics would you recommend to new readers and to long term readers?</b><br />
<i>Editor's note: Links are to the Comixology or Amazon storefronts but don't forget you can get the issues in your local comic shop too!</i>Ted: Lucky you asked! There are a lot of great books out there right now. Superhero-wise, I'd recommend Marvel’s <a href="https://www.comixology.co.uk/Captain-Marvel-2014/comics-series/15021">Captain Marvel</a> <i>(editor's note - I reviewed the first volume <a href="http://paipicks.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/captain-marvel-in-pursuit-of-flight.html">of Captain Marvel here</a>)</i>, <a href="https://www.comixology.co.uk/Ms-Marvel-2014/comics-series/13864">Ms Marvel</a> and <a href="https://www.comixology.co.uk/Thor-2014/comics-series/26736">Thor</a>; from DC, the revamped <a href="https://www.comixology.co.uk/Batgirl-2011-35/digital-comic/147405?ref=c2l0ZS9saXN0L2Rlc2t0b3AvZ3JpZExpc3QvSXNzdWVz">Batgirl</a> and <a href="https://www.comixology.co.uk/Gotham-Academy/comics-series/26656">Gotham Academy</a> are both flawless. All of the above are pretty all-ages friendly, fun, and wicked-smart; perhaps most importantly, they're all new enough to be new reader-friendly.</div>
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I’ve tried to pick ones that worked for new or longer readers - they all are new enough that there's not a lot of catching up on the specific stories currently being told, while (in the case of the superhero books, at least) still having plenty of characters and references that longer readers will appreciate.</div>
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Independent book-wise, I was bowled over by the first issue of <a href="https://www.comixology.co.uk/ODY-C-1/digital-comic/168577?ref=c2VhcmNoL2luZGV4L2Rlc2t0b3Avc2xpZGVyTGlzdC9pdGVtU2xpZGVy">ODY-C</a>, loved Gail Simone’s <a href="https://www.comixology.co.uk/Red-Sonja/comics-series/10842?ref=c2VhcmNoL2luZGV4L2Rlc2t0b3Avc2xpZGVyTGlzdC9zZXJpZXNTbGlkZXI">Red Sonja</a>, and am waiting very impatiently for Kelly Sue DeConnick’s new Image book (<a href="https://www.comixology.co.uk/Bitch-Planet-1/digital-comic/172352?ref=c2VhcmNoL2luZGV4L2Rlc2t0b3Avc2xpZGVyTGlzdC9pdGVtU2xpZGVy">Bitch Planet</a>).</div>
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ODY-C might be more suitable to long term readers simply because of the way the pages are constructed - they're as much design pieces as comics pages in a lot of ways, so I can certainly see that being intimidating for people who are new to the medium in general. Content-wise, however, it's a new book, so accessible to all. Bitch Planet and Red Sonja are both suitable for new readers, though may be less suitable for younger ones. I'm not reading much that's mired much in continuity generally; while I can easily get it, I generally find that stuff that's accessible to new readers is more entertaining.</div>
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While I'm not reading anything really non-accessible continuity-wise right now, older series are a gold mine for that kind of stuff. <a href="https://www.comixology.co.uk/Final-Crisis/comics-series/2233?ref=c2VhcmNoL2luZGV4L2Rlc2t0b3Avc2xpZGVyTGlzdC9zZXJpZXNTbGlkZXI">Final Crisis</a> is definitely fantastic<i> (editor's note - for non comicers I <a href="http://paipicks.blogspot.co.uk/2011/01/dcs-crisis-of-continuity.html">explain Final Crisis here</a>)</i>. That said, DC's <a href="https://www.comixology.co.uk/The-Multiversity-2014/comics-series/23045?ref=c2VhcmNoL2luZGV4L2Rlc2t0b3Avc2xpZGVyTGlzdC9zZXJpZXNTbGlkZXI">Multiversity</a> is definitely steeped in continuity - not just in terms of DC, but in terms of Morrison's work there: it stands as the final piece of a story he started back when he first took the reins on Batman, and including Final Crisis, his run on Action Comics, and more. <br />
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As to the other part of your question, looking for comics recommendations for books that are less accessible to new readers in terms of being new to the medium, well, that's harder. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Meanwhile-Pick-Path-Story-Possibilities/dp/0810984237">Jason Shiga's Meanwhile</a> is a great example - it's a fantastic comics version of a make-your-own adventure with an alarming number of stories to be told. David Mazzucchelli's <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Asterios-Polyp-David-Mazzucchelli/dp/0307377326">Asterios Polyp</a> is similarly challenging in its storytelling, but is possibly the most intelligent book I've ever read. Semiotically speaking, Asterios Polyp is active on every level, with each line and colour imbued with meaning that may not be obvious on immediate inspection. <br />
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Rosy: For someone who wants to work in comics I’m actually really, REALLY bad at reading them. To be honest I'm not even really that big a reader. Unlike Ted I don’t like to get individual issues because I'd end up losing one of them and then wouldn't be able to follow the story, so I prefer to get the trade paperbacks. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to pick up any in a while so I'm really behind<br />
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on the books I do enjoy. My favourites being Image’s <a href="https://www.comixology.co.uk/Chew/comics-series/2948?ref=c2VhcmNoL2luZGV4L2Rlc2t0b3Avc2xpZGVyTGlzdC9zZXJpZXNTbGlkZXI">Chew</a> and <a href="https://www.comixology.co.uk/Invincible-Vol-1-Family-Matters/digital-comic/880?ref=c2VyaWVzL3ZpZXcvZGVza3RvcC9ncmlkTGlzdC9Db2xsZWN0ZWRFZGl0aW9ucw">Invincible</a> and <a href="https://www.comixology.co.uk/Deadpool-Vol-1-Secret-Invasion/digital-comic/16809?ref=c2VyaWVzL3ZpZXcvZGVza3RvcC9ncmlkTGlzdC9Db2xsZWN0ZWRFZGl0aW9ucw">Daniel Way’s runon Deadpool</a>. Actually pretty much any run on Deadpool…I wouldn’t recommend you read those with your kids, though.</div>
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I guess I'd recommend anything <a href="https://www.comixology.co.uk/Stuart-Immonen/comics-creator/352?ref=c2VhcmNoL2luZGV4L2Rlc2t0b3Avc2xpZGVyTGlzdC9jcmVhdG9yU2xpZGVy">Stuart Immonen</a> has worked on, because even if you don't completely get everything that's going on you'll still have spectacular visuals to look at. <i>(Editor's note - I review <a href="http://paipicks.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Art%3A%20Stuart%20Immonen">two Stuart Immonen books here</a>).</i><br />
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Oh, and absolutely everyone should read Princeless, obviously.<br />
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<b>Question to Rosy: May I ask how you find drawing comics/storytelling when you don't read that much of them?</b>Rosy: The truth is that Ted is the one who sorts out where everything is going on the page, blocking out not just the panels but the general positions of the characters and how everything flows together. My job is to flesh out his ideas. It's sort like he's the director to my actors. <br />
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My background is that I learned to draw through watching cartoons. I initially wanted to be an animator; I found out I lacked the patience and stamina for animation during my first year at university. I did, however, really enjoy doing storyboarding and animatics and thought comics could be an avenue to go down. I ended up transferring to another course at another university specifically for graphic novels, which was where Ted and I met. <br />
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Now, to find out more about Princeless and these guys' work, follow these links:<br />
Rosy's tumblr: <a href="http://unassumingpumpkin.tumblr.com/">Unassumingpumpkin.tumblr.com</a><br />
Rosy's twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/RosyTintedSpecs">https://twitter.com/RosyTintedSpecs</a><br />
Ted's tumblr: <a href="http://tenbandits.tumblr.com/">Tenbandits.tumblr.com</a><br />
Ted's twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/ten_bandits">https://twitter.com/ten_bandits</a><br />
Action Lab website: <a href="http://www.actionlabcomics.com/">http://www.actionlabcomics.com/</a><br />
Release date for Princeless vol 3 issue 1: January 28th 2015<br />
View all Princeless available issues here (and go buy them!):<br />
<a href="http://www.actionlabcomics.com/?s=princeless&submit=Search&post_type=product">http://www.actionlabcomics.com/?s=princeless&submit=Search&post_type=product</a><br />
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Thanks to Rosy and Ted for their time!<br />
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This interview also appears on my Pai blog - <a href="http://www.paiwings.blogspot.com/">www.paiwings.blogspot.com</a> - which normally contains ramblings on comics, bits about music, some crafty stuff and other meanderings about my life.</div>
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<a href="http://static.comicvine.com/uploads/scale_small/0/4/71336-11952-104334-1-uzumaki.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://static.comicvine.com/uploads/scale_small/0/4/71336-11952-104334-1-uzumaki.jpg" height="320" width="224" /></a></div>
<br />
Writer and artist: Junji Ito<br />
Publisher: Viz Comics<br />
<br />
<b>What's it about?</b><br />
From the <a href="http://www.viz.com/manga/print/uzumaki-3-in-1-deluxe-edition-volume-1/10869">Viz website</a>:<br />
Kurozou-cho, a small fogbound town on the coast of Japan, is cursed. According to Shuichi Saito, the withdrawn boyfriend of teenager Kirie Goshima, their town is haunted not by a person or being but by a pattern: uzumaki, the spiral: the hypnotic secret shape of the world. It manifests itself in everything from seashells and whirlpools in water, to the spiral marks on people's bodies; the insane obsession of Shuichi's father, and the voice from the cochlea in our inner ear. As the madness spreads, the inhabitants of Kurozu-cho are pulled ever deeper into a whirlpool from which there is no return!<br />
<a name='more'></a><b>What's good about it?</b><br />
Junji Ito is a master horror writer. He takes fairly harmless things and turns them into sources of terror. Uzumaki is told from the point of view of Kirie. Unlike Ito's <a href="http://paipicks.blogspot.co.uk/2010/10/museum-of-terror-tomie-vol-1.html">Tomie</a> story, where Tomie herself is the horrifying thing, this story starts off personal - the horror lies in people's reactions to the spiral pattern. By the time we are shown the malevolence of the spiral we are thoroughly freaked out. Ito continues to show us the horror from Kirie's viewpoint. The way her life is infested with the spiral is terrifying. In my opinion, this makes it creepier as the best horror lies in the imagination and the effect it has on us. <br />
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<a href="http://media.tumblr.com/bc4568100c3915e8f7419fdf8c2f3d04/tumblr_inline_na4ak5FCRI1qiz4q8.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media.tumblr.com/bc4568100c3915e8f7419fdf8c2f3d04/tumblr_inline_na4ak5FCRI1qiz4q8.png" height="160" width="320" /></a></div>
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I quite like that the story is told by Kirie. It seems like a departure from Western horror, in which I have an idea that stories are mostly told from the point of view of men, and the women are just window dressing. Part of this difference is due to the traditional cultural narratives on which Western and Japanese creators draw.<br />
<br />
<b>What's bad about it?</b><br />
I found some of the character art too simplistic for my tastes, I'd have liked more detail to the women's faces. Fortunately, the rest of the art is quite detailed - see below.<br />
<br />
<b>What's the art like?</b><br />
Sometimes it's easier to just show you:<br />
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<a href="http://www.adventuresinpoortaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/uzumaki_spiral_snail.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.adventuresinpoortaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/uzumaki_spiral_snail.png" height="278" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://schulzlibrary.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/uzumaki3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://schulzlibrary.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/uzumaki3.jpg" height="121" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8NBGt-8Qjwa7bTLYH3YoDoTCoskLUgMpMPQ-n1z0RgCAEPLtGkmTpzocTWdTVtJM7kJxEWdP_XggCZ1GODRrHCvhxietNR1aAymMXRX9g2CCU9VNnrEbCBj_yApsxaOru1cUf6YuUb4/s1600/uzumaki19916vp1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8NBGt-8Qjwa7bTLYH3YoDoTCoskLUgMpMPQ-n1z0RgCAEPLtGkmTpzocTWdTVtJM7kJxEWdP_XggCZ1GODRrHCvhxietNR1aAymMXRX9g2CCU9VNnrEbCBj_yApsxaOru1cUf6YuUb4/s1600/uzumaki19916vp1.png" height="292" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>More information</b><br />
ISBN: 1421513897<br />
Price: £7.66<br />
Further reading: Volumes <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Uzumaki-Volume-2-Junji-Ito/dp/1421513900/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1415207085&sr=8-4&keywords=uzumaki">Two</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Uzumaki-Volume-3-Junji-Ito/dp/1421513919/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1415207085&sr=8-3&keywords=uzumaki">Three</a> are also available, or there's a <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Uzumaki-3---1-Deluxe-Edition/dp/1421561328/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1415207085&sr=8-1&keywords=uzumaki">deluxe hardback</a> collecting all 3 volumes.<br />
There are some scenes of self harm which some readers might find upsetting.</div>
Sarangahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03545162612237984546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3207341558635507449.post-75858447305901852562014-12-19T12:00:00.000+00:002014-12-19T12:00:00.083+00:00The Chicken Thief<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibWpEEeWTuYgEMp9thILI-5Lh0uiamjeJ5BA-oeyGqq2wqqnIE-WCTMlVp8SUW2s7Ciy1w3evhbmsZ8LYQP8nLUXtyAgLK-cMv27yhqvBDacO1fLVpuHNaAKOGNNzap3ezkqYEoEO_iLI/s1600/chicken+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibWpEEeWTuYgEMp9thILI-5Lh0uiamjeJ5BA-oeyGqq2wqqnIE-WCTMlVp8SUW2s7Ciy1w3evhbmsZ8LYQP8nLUXtyAgLK-cMv27yhqvBDacO1fLVpuHNaAKOGNNzap3ezkqYEoEO_iLI/s1600/chicken+2.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
The Chicken Thief<br />
Writing and art by Beatrice Rodriguez<br />
Publisher: Gecko Press<br />
<br />
<b>What's it about?</b><br />
This is sold as a wordless book where children can invent their narratives to go along with the illustrations. It's really a comic - sequential art where the entire double page is given over to the art, and there are no narrative boxes, speech bubbles, or sound effects.<br />
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It's only about 10 pages long and is pretty simple - fox grabs chicken and runs off, chicken's friends follow in hot pursuit through forest, sea and sand. There is a twist at the end!<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<b>What's good about it and what's the art like?</b><br />
It's an easily understood story - the illustrations are clear as anything and there's a lot of detail for kids to look at. I bought this for a 2 year old, and both she and her 5 year old sister like it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHEBnWss2BlotasbaZl8DDWdehZ1rAw6Y9-4J3NOYAJ8uZTdlTRM8FxV-aGpNg9CIjXrBXfxLeRcdPZzpaYjhNzLOYvp7lLv7m9eKA8hkpLEGGKWsdcDfIN6sXdN6TVhgpaf1alr6_p0s/s1600/chicken+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHEBnWss2BlotasbaZl8DDWdehZ1rAw6Y9-4J3NOYAJ8uZTdlTRM8FxV-aGpNg9CIjXrBXfxLeRcdPZzpaYjhNzLOYvp7lLv7m9eKA8hkpLEGGKWsdcDfIN6sXdN6TVhgpaf1alr6_p0s/s1600/chicken+1.jpg" /></a></div>
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There's a feeling of fun to the story, and a lot of richness to the artwork. Look at the expressions and body language of the bear and the chickens! It's short enough to be read as a bedtime story and it's a great way of getting young kids to understand the visual narrative. All the adults I showed this to enjoyed it. It's charming.</div>
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I'm listing it as a comedy and a drama because I think toddlers and their slightly older counterparts will find it pretty dramatic, even if adults know there is little danger!</div>
<br />
<b>What's bad about it?</b><br />
There's nothing bad here!<br />
<br />
<b>More information</b><br />
Price: £7.99 for the hardback - there is a paperback available as well.<br />
ISBN: 1877467316<br />
There's a <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Chicken-Thief-B%C3%A9atrice-Rodriguez/dp/1877467316/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1416691650&sr=8-1&keywords=the+chicken+thief">look inside function</a> on the amazon listing, but beware it may give away a lot of the book!<br />
The listing gives suggestions for other books by the same author and you'll be delighted to hear that there are sequels to this story. Have a browse through to see what you like.</div>
Sarangahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03545162612237984546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3207341558635507449.post-71529274646996510302014-11-30T17:46:00.000+00:002014-11-30T17:46:00.857+00:00A new reader does a video review of Powers and Yakitate<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A friend of mine, Jenny, has uploaded a video review of her first time reading a comic - Powers volume 1: Who Killed Retro Girl? Powers is a crime comic set in a world where everyone has superpowers.<br />
<br />
Watch her review here:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/DWU81VmoYUY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis<br />
Artist: Mike Avon Oeming<br />
Colour art: Pat Garrahy<br />
Separation Assists: Ojo Calhente Studios<br />
Letters: Pat Garrahy and Brian Michael Bendis<br />
Publisher: Image Comics<br />
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Powers has been on my list of things to review for a while, but I haven't got round to it. Thankfully, this is a review by an actual new reader so may well work better for all of you :D<br />
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There's added bonus discussion of Yakitate Japan which is a battle manga about bread. And there's a very cute springer (?) spaniel rumbling about too.<br />
<br />
Sunnysweetpea <a href="https://twitter.com/sunnysweetpea">tweets here</a> and has a <a href="http://sunnysweetpea.com/">lifestyle blog here</a>. Her <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/sunnysweetpea">youtube channel is here</a>.<br />
Thanks to Ang (<a href="https://twitter.com/appletreeang">@appletreeang</a>) for supplying me with the credits and suggesting the book to Jenny. Ang <a href="http://www.littleappletree.co.uk/">blogs here</a>.<br />
<br />
If you like the sound of superhero cops you might also want to try <a href="http://paipicks.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/2013-overview-top-10-volumes-1-and-2.html">Top 10</a>. It has a very different take on the idea.</div>
Sarangahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03545162612237984546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3207341558635507449.post-26603991161600543752014-10-27T12:00:00.000+00:002014-10-27T12:00:01.668+00:00A note on variant covers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The wonderful Women Write About Comics (WWAC) site recently <a href="http://womenwriteaboutcomics.com/2014/09/11/comic-variant-covers-a-brief-guide/">wrote a piece on variant covers</a> which I thought was so marvellous I had to share it with you.<br />
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Variant covers are limited edition covers sold as an alternative to the more widely available usual cover. They are usually done by a different artist and are meant to be more desirable than the regular cover. WWAC has this to say:<br />
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"<i style="font-family: 'Alike Angular', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 19.3127994537354px;">Variants are often produced in limited quantity by publishers, and many cannot be ordered by comic shops without meeting a minimum order. Ordering all (or any) variants is a difficult task even for large retailers. Many comic shops that order variants may also take advantage of their rarity by selling them for more than cover price, even going so far as to bypass the shelf altogether and put them in their online stores first. This is a controversial practice, but it is no different than a speculator buying them for cover price then selling them online for more based on demand. It’s every retailer’s right to decide how to sell “retailer incentive” covers (as variants are also called), and not ordering them at all is also an option.</i><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 19.3127994537354px;"><i>Every major publisher offers variant covers, some more frequently than others, and there are many different kinds of variants."</i></span></div>
The full post is much longer than that so I urge you to go across to the site and <a href="http://womenwriteaboutcomics.com/2014/09/11/comic-variant-covers-a-brief-guide/">read the full post</a>. The rest of the site is pretty good too - they cover comics, movies, games, fashion, books and loads of other nerdy things. Enjoy :)<br />
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Sarangahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03545162612237984546noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3207341558635507449.post-28120745195704746182014-10-08T12:00:00.000+01:002015-03-01T22:55:55.879+00:00Secret Invasion: Black Panther<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbeBbMsLUQE4MLAyRoX35PKyumY7W5BqZ6FfuuoLOJYg4KHUPkNlCXUfwLjWskKJyXKghGrvShCIjOaOWL0sSZgCB1C7Nc4kon5VgaCPFGiIwpTrVOTslfKAiYOmBm-gpqFjl0CnA4In0/s1600/index.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbeBbMsLUQE4MLAyRoX35PKyumY7W5BqZ6FfuuoLOJYg4KHUPkNlCXUfwLjWskKJyXKghGrvShCIjOaOWL0sSZgCB1C7Nc4kon5VgaCPFGiIwpTrVOTslfKAiYOmBm-gpqFjl0CnA4In0/s1600/index.jpg" height="320" width="209" /></a></div>
Writer: Jason Aaron<br />
Artist: Jefte Palo<br />
Colorist: Lee Loughridge<br />
Letterer: Virtual Calligraphy's Cory Petit<br />
Publisher: Marvel Comics<br />
<br />
<b>What's it about?</b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-MuwJlcEOPkXMHu7AbWQpOLYv3BBsQdu5CR6WAua4_nSxRx4CKyl0TZcB1uoDWiK8P3GWAemQ_XQJncsY9GttofralaibOqgkZzOLonJbEhZioC9wdBxxj32XajnQTjyqLd9qPNldta8/s1600/Secret+Invasion+01+(MrShepherd-Megan)%2Bpg001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>In 2008 Marvel Comics did a big 'event' called:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-MuwJlcEOPkXMHu7AbWQpOLYv3BBsQdu5CR6WAua4_nSxRx4CKyl0TZcB1uoDWiK8P3GWAemQ_XQJncsY9GttofralaibOqgkZzOLonJbEhZioC9wdBxxj32XajnQTjyqLd9qPNldta8/s1600/Secret+Invasion+01+(MrShepherd-Megan)+pg001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-MuwJlcEOPkXMHu7AbWQpOLYv3BBsQdu5CR6WAua4_nSxRx4CKyl0TZcB1uoDWiK8P3GWAemQ_XQJncsY9GttofralaibOqgkZzOLonJbEhZioC9wdBxxj32XajnQTjyqLd9qPNldta8/s1600/Secret+Invasion+01+(MrShepherd-Megan)%2Bpg001.jpg" height="171" width="320" /></a></div>
How pulpy.<br />
<br />
Secret Invasion's premise is that a group of shape shifting aliens - the skrulls - have been infiltrating Earth society and are now poised to launch a full scale (secret) invasion. The skrulls can replicate powers so have replaced key superheroes on earth:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1cOtTYJcc9PRqnufsoUBLL9VPdiOuTgq_Vil9hbM_0j_yr5ZAta9mTX_ps4UrGgigE0d08JewOqD80d6D0a1ULmKvu_-ptcx1cLjlJnfrW9QRKn0hCDKVTzQ1P6-sHVBHJmXqjwUOY9U/s1600/Secret_Invasion_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1cOtTYJcc9PRqnufsoUBLL9VPdiOuTgq_Vil9hbM_0j_yr5ZAta9mTX_ps4UrGgigE0d08JewOqD80d6D0a1ULmKvu_-ptcx1cLjlJnfrW9QRKn0hCDKVTzQ1P6-sHVBHJmXqjwUOY9U/s1600/Secret_Invasion_4.jpg" height="320" width="210" /></a></div>
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N.B: This is a teaser image and is not necessarily the actual heroes the skrulls replaced (no spoilers here, Jimmy).</div>
<br />
The skrulls are undetectable and so it's very hard to know whom to fight. Whilst the main mini series was a bit dull, a few of the tie-ins were great fun. The 3 Black Panther issues are some of the more enjoyable ones.<br />
<br />
The Black Panther, also known as T'Challa, is the King of Wakanda. Wakanda is a small African country that has never been defeated, not once in 1,500 years.<br />
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The Wakandans have always had far superior technology to the rest of the world. They retain their African identity, culture and dress. It is unusual to read about a culture with better tech than the Western capitalist world, who dress in both tribal and business clothing, and revere an animal god (in this case the Panther God who gives T'Challa his abilities). The Wakandans are pretty darn intelligent but not greedy. They are nationalistic but do not seek out conflict. They do aggressively defend their borders should anyone seek to invade.<br />
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Now, the skrulls have infiltrated the Avengers and the Fantastic 4 and replaced many earth heroes and villains. They decide to go for Wakanda. What do you reckon the chances of them claiming control are?<br />
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<b>What's good about it?</b><br />
Ahh, everything about this is good. Reading the story, seeing it unfold, is utterly delicious. We know that the Wakandans have never been conquered, we know how good T'Challa is, but the skrulls don't know it. They think that it will be easy to conquer this small nation of puny humans. They are wrong, so so wrong.<br />
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There is mayhem and big battle scenes, thunder and lightning (due to T'Challa's then wife, Storm of the X-Men). One massive skrull takes on T'Challa, one on one. It's dramatic and it's <i>glorious</i>. The pacing is superb. The Storm and T'Challa scenes feel real and romantic (insofar as you can be romantic while skewering your enemies), unlike other issues in this series where their relationship feels forced.<br />
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The story is narrated by one particular skrull, a general of sorts, who has served in the skrull army for many many years. He wants to get home to his wife but he has this one last battle to serve. Sadly for him, it doesn't end well - but his viewpoint serves to add pathos and humility to the story.<br />
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<b>What's bad about it?</b><br />
At just 3 issues long, it is a pretty short story. However, the pacing is superb and three issues is the right length for this short story arc. The back of my trade includes a historical overview of the character and interviews with previous writers. This isn't something I'm particularly interested in, but others may like it. The character and in-progress sketches at the back are great though.<br />
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<b>What's the art like?</b><br />
There's a danger when I write about books for this site that I describe the art as just 'beautiful'. That's not very helpful to readers as it's just my opinion - I tend to think something more objective is helpful. But for this book I do get stuck on adjectives like mesmerising, beautiful and glorious.<br />
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I can drag out descriptions like the pencils, colours and letters work in harmony together. Nothing is too heavy. The art complements and strengthens the script. The characters are treated with dignity and grace - even the skrulls. All of this is true. Yet still I just want to describe the art as inspiring awe. If you like the panels I've shown, you'll like the art.<br />
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<b>More information</b><br />
Price: £9.99<br />
ISBN: 0785133976<br />
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So what's next? Although this trade is good, this particular series of Black Panther is not great overall. The first trade, '<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Black-Panther-Who-Printing-2009black/dp/0785136592/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412453471&sr=8-1&keywords=who+is+the+black+panther">Who is the Black Panther</a>' is bloody glorious, politically and storywise. <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Black-Panther-Mutha-Graphic-Novel/dp/0785117504/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412453605&sr=8-1&keywords=black+panther+bad+mutha">Black Panther: Bad Mutha</a> creates a black superhero team who go to New Orleans and deal with the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. Black Panther: Four the Hard Way deals with the Civil War, and is pretty shoddy. Little Green Men is forgettable. The trades where Storm marries T'Challa and the two directly after (The Bride, Black Panther: Civil War and Back to Africa) are awful.<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Black-Panther-Deadliest-Species-Unnumbered/dp/0785133429/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412540227&sr=8-1&keywords=black+panther+deadliest+of+the+species"><br /></a>
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Black-Panther-Deadliest-Species-Unnumbered/dp/0785133429/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412540227&sr=8-1&keywords=black+panther+deadliest+of+the+species">Black Panther: The Deadliest of the Species</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Black-Panther-Power-Graphic-Novel/dp/0785138617/ref=pd_sim_b_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0M69R0SQT2RY2SBM6NW1">Black Panther: Power</a> see T'Challa's sister Shuri take on the Panther mantle. These trades are great. She's a very different leader to T'Challa and the stories play out very differently when she's in charge.</div>
Sarangahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03545162612237984546noreply@blogger.com0