What's the last TPB/collection you read?
#1
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What's the last TPB/collection you read?
We have all kinds of threads like this over the rest of the forum; so I figured that we should have them in Comic Book Talk too. They might be fun, and spur some additional conversations.
The first book in my DC Continuity History reading project is complete. I'm reading all 7 of the Crisis on Multiple Earths books, and perhaps a couple of other old Silver Age books, before opening up my Absolute Crisis on Infinite Earths.
The first book in my DC Continuity History reading project is complete. I'm reading all 7 of the Crisis on Multiple Earths books, and perhaps a couple of other old Silver Age books, before opening up my Absolute Crisis on Infinite Earths.
#3
Suspended
Re: What's the last TPB/Graphic Novel you read?
Tonight, I read
Thor: Gods, Gladiators & the Guardians of the Galaxy (only recommended if you're a fan of mid-list 70s Marvel)
The Killer volume 4 by Matz and Luc Jacamon (a great French series about a hitman, but I recommend starting with volume 1)
The Hive by Charles Burns (I'm not sure I can form an opinion on this until I see the concluding volume of the trilogy)
I'm also partway through the 2nd volume of Fantagraphics Popeye reprints (awesome!) and the 2nd volume of Prophet (Brandon Graham is a mad genius)
Thor: Gods, Gladiators & the Guardians of the Galaxy (only recommended if you're a fan of mid-list 70s Marvel)
The Killer volume 4 by Matz and Luc Jacamon (a great French series about a hitman, but I recommend starting with volume 1)
The Hive by Charles Burns (I'm not sure I can form an opinion on this until I see the concluding volume of the trilogy)
I'm also partway through the 2nd volume of Fantagraphics Popeye reprints (awesome!) and the 2nd volume of Prophet (Brandon Graham is a mad genius)
#4
DVD Talk Godfather
Re: What's the last TPB/Graphic Novel you read?
Last thing I read was Extremis as well, on my Kindle Fire. Read it after watching Iron Man 3 back in May, and was let down.
#5
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Re: What's the last TPB/Graphic Novel you read?
^^ Holy crap that's a lot of reading in one day Jason!
^ Fumanstan, let down by the film, or book? What's the deal with the book? Warren Ellis is writing it now? Any of his run decent?
^ Fumanstan, let down by the film, or book? What's the deal with the book? Warren Ellis is writing it now? Any of his run decent?
#6
Suspended
Re: What's the last TPB/Graphic Novel you read?
It's not as much as it seems. The Thor book was five issues plus two annuals, but they are from back in the day of 17 page issues, so probably 170 pages of comics altogether. The Killer is probably 120 pages, but it's a quick read. And the Hive is only 56 pages.
Also, I was motivated -- my New Year's resolution was to reduce my pile of unread TPBs and HCs by at least 5 books per month. And I wound up having 6 books show up in the last 72 hours. Four preorders (the Thor book, the Killer book, the newest Avengers collection, and the newest Fairest collection), one relatively recent book I forgot to preorder (the newest Prophet collection), and one Kickstarter reward (Xenozoic).
Fortunately, having finished the Prophet book earlier this evening, I am back to where I need to be.
For the record, here's what I read this month:
Here's what I bought this month
Yes, I know: I have a serious problem.
Also, I was motivated -- my New Year's resolution was to reduce my pile of unread TPBs and HCs by at least 5 books per month. And I wound up having 6 books show up in the last 72 hours. Four preorders (the Thor book, the Killer book, the newest Avengers collection, and the newest Fairest collection), one relatively recent book I forgot to preorder (the newest Prophet collection), and one Kickstarter reward (Xenozoic).
Fortunately, having finished the Prophet book earlier this evening, I am back to where I need to be.
For the record, here's what I read this month:
Spoiler:
Here's what I bought this month
Spoiler:
Yes, I know: I have a serious problem.
#7
DVD Talk Godfather
Re: What's the last TPB/Graphic Novel you read?
I just read it since I heard the movie borrowed from it, and was actually one of the only Iron Man specific comics i've read. I had wanted to go back and read Demon in a Bottle and Armor Wars, but never did.
#8
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Re: What's the last TPB/Graphic Novel you read?
Finished:
Reading:
I actually liked Extremis quite a bit. I had read it several years ago, but I've been getting back into comics lately, mostly through trades and wanted to revisit it. It's interesting to see how much the movies borrowed from it, particularly the first and third flicks. The origin story was updated in an interesting way, and felt contemporary and modern, without trying overly hard to be "hip" and "edgy," like some of the Ultimate books.
Reading:
I actually liked Extremis quite a bit. I had read it several years ago, but I've been getting back into comics lately, mostly through trades and wanted to revisit it. It's interesting to see how much the movies borrowed from it, particularly the first and third flicks. The origin story was updated in an interesting way, and felt contemporary and modern, without trying overly hard to be "hip" and "edgy," like some of the Ultimate books.
#9
DVD Talk Legend
Re: What's the last TPB/Graphic Novel you read?
The last one I finished was Batman: Knightfall Volume 1. It's not bad but not the strongest Batman story. I'm close to the end of Batman: Knightfall Volume Two Knightquest. Not really a fan of it truthfully. I don't really like Jean Paul Valley as Batman at all. The whole "system" shit is kind of dumb and Jean Paul just is generally unlikable.
#12
DVD Talk Hero
Re: What's the last TPB/Graphic Novel you read?
This reminds me that despite the omnibus releases slowing, I still have a gigantic backlog to go through:
Byrne FF 1
Simonson Thor
Milligan/Allred X-Force
Liefeld X-Force (hey, I was a fan!)
Claremont/Lee X-men volume 2
Secret Warriors
argh. Plus I'm way behind on Hellboy Library Editions. Too much good stuff.
Back on topic, if you take out manga (of which I just read the last volume of Bakuman and Hunter x Hunter), the last thing I read was probably the last Invincible HC, which made me go back and read the other Invincible HCs first to remind myself what was going on. That's the consequence of reading stuff year to year...
Byrne FF 1
Simonson Thor
Milligan/Allred X-Force
Liefeld X-Force (hey, I was a fan!)
Claremont/Lee X-men volume 2
Secret Warriors
argh. Plus I'm way behind on Hellboy Library Editions. Too much good stuff.
Back on topic, if you take out manga (of which I just read the last volume of Bakuman and Hunter x Hunter), the last thing I read was probably the last Invincible HC, which made me go back and read the other Invincible HCs first to remind myself what was going on. That's the consequence of reading stuff year to year...
#13
DVD Talk Hero
Re: What's the last TPB/Graphic Novel you read?
I've got the nastiest backlog possible. Probably 15 to 18 omnibuses and something like 30 hardcovers. All three of Perez' Titans omnibuses is where I will first stage an attack.
#14
Suspended
Re: What's the last TPB/Graphic Novel you read?
My backlog laughs at your backlog, PhantomStranger. Here's what's on my to-be-read pile:
The latest GN I read was I Kill Giants, and it is so, so, so very good. It moved me to tears. It's amazing. It's about Barbara Thorson, a troubled 10-year-old girl who gets in trouble at school over her antisocial behavior and her obsession with giants, who she insists are coming, and who she insists only she can defeat (with the help of her mystic hammer, Coveleski). Over the course of the story (originally published as a 7 issue series in 2008), we learn whether Barbara truly is a fantasy heroine, or if there is something else going on. It's just an amazing book with gorgeously expressive black and white art and a compelling story.
By the way, I just sort of meander through my unread list at random, but if anybody has a recommendation, let me know and I'll bump it to the top of the pile.
Spoiler:
The latest GN I read was I Kill Giants, and it is so, so, so very good. It moved me to tears. It's amazing. It's about Barbara Thorson, a troubled 10-year-old girl who gets in trouble at school over her antisocial behavior and her obsession with giants, who she insists are coming, and who she insists only she can defeat (with the help of her mystic hammer, Coveleski). Over the course of the story (originally published as a 7 issue series in 2008), we learn whether Barbara truly is a fantasy heroine, or if there is something else going on. It's just an amazing book with gorgeously expressive black and white art and a compelling story.
By the way, I just sort of meander through my unread list at random, but if anybody has a recommendation, let me know and I'll bump it to the top of the pile.
#15
DVD Talk Hero
Re: What's the last TPB/Graphic Novel you read?
I Kill Giants is great. Bought the Hardcover and it went to the top of my pile.
Haven't looked at your entire list, but I think it's easiest to knock off stuff like We3 first, since it's pretty short and self contained. Or continue on the Starman omnis (I'm assuming these are the omnis of the Robinson run) because the stuff is so cohesive that you'll want to read it pretty much together, and you've already read a couple.
Also, I didn't list my entire backlog, and it's nowhere near yours but it is pretty sizable. And my digital backlog, from all the 99c sales, is pretty gigantic too. It's no wonder that I barely miss monthly collecting (though the itch is still there...)
Haven't looked at your entire list, but I think it's easiest to knock off stuff like We3 first, since it's pretty short and self contained. Or continue on the Starman omnis (I'm assuming these are the omnis of the Robinson run) because the stuff is so cohesive that you'll want to read it pretty much together, and you've already read a couple.
Also, I didn't list my entire backlog, and it's nowhere near yours but it is pretty sizable. And my digital backlog, from all the 99c sales, is pretty gigantic too. It's no wonder that I barely miss monthly collecting (though the itch is still there...)
#16
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Re: What's the last TPB/Graphic Novel you read?
Not a bad idea on Starman. I'll probably go back and skim the first two since it's been a while since I read them, then read the rest.
I'm a little scared to read We3. Like I said, I Kill Giants made me cry -- I can't imagine what We3 will do to me.
I'm a little scared to read We3. Like I said, I Kill Giants made me cry -- I can't imagine what We3 will do to me.
#17
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Re: What's the last TPB/Graphic Novel you read?
Those Essentials/Showcase volumes are the killers because they're so damn long such great value, and often not conducive to gorge-reading. Bronze Age Marvel is fine for me, but DC just doesn't work. I was a big Haunted Tank fan back in the day, but after reading several stories in the Showcase volume I wanted to hurl myself on a landmine.
I have a couple of those THUNDER Agents volumes and like them, but again I can't read them all in one sitting.
I had bought like six Showcase volumes at a year-end sale at cheapgraphicnovels or one of those places, and before my Hawaiian vacation I looked through them and decided to take Hawkman (Blackhawk, Enemy Ace, Unknown Solder, Teen Titans, Adam Strange are the others). One of the good things about Hawaii is the flight is about the perfect length for me to finish one of those volumes. Unfortunately I got distracted watching Buffy DVDs on the way over. I was feeling bummed about my heavy luggage on the way back so I avoided the DVD player (I was out of Buffy anyway, and Game of Thrones isn't great airplane-watching) and just read. I didn't get to Hawkman, but I did read some other big volumes. More on that later.
I have a couple of those THUNDER Agents volumes and like them, but again I can't read them all in one sitting.
I had bought like six Showcase volumes at a year-end sale at cheapgraphicnovels or one of those places, and before my Hawaiian vacation I looked through them and decided to take Hawkman (Blackhawk, Enemy Ace, Unknown Solder, Teen Titans, Adam Strange are the others). One of the good things about Hawaii is the flight is about the perfect length for me to finish one of those volumes. Unfortunately I got distracted watching Buffy DVDs on the way over. I was feeling bummed about my heavy luggage on the way back so I avoided the DVD player (I was out of Buffy anyway, and Game of Thrones isn't great airplane-watching) and just read. I didn't get to Hawkman, but I did read some other big volumes. More on that later.
#18
DVD Talk Hero
Re: What's the last TPB/Graphic Novel you read?
I don't think I've ever brought a large volume on a plane, if only because it's just one more thing to lug around on the plane and then on vacation/the trip. That's where having Digital volumes (pre downloaded) is awesome.
#19
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Re: What's the last TPB/Graphic Novel you read?
They're a load, no question. That's another good thing about the B&W newsprint volumes--they're much lighter than the color prints. E.g., the Marvel Masterworks TPBs are not worth their weight on a plane.
I originally got my wife a Kindle so she wouldn't have to take a stack of books on vacation, but that isn't a solution for me yet.
I originally got my wife a Kindle so she wouldn't have to take a stack of books on vacation, but that isn't a solution for me yet.
#20
DVD Talk Hero
Re: What's the last TPB/Graphic Novel you read?
Oh, we are counting Showcases/Essentials? I've got nearly all of them, almost entirely unread. I really don't like reading uncolored artwork though, so they mostly remain as a last resort in case the developed world implodes and we all have to live off the grid.
#22
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Re: What's the last TPB/Graphic Novel you read?
My problem (well, one of too many to count) is that I can never make my mind as to what format to buy/keep/read my comics in.
In a perfect world I'd own the single issues of every comic ever printed. I want the full color, the old ads, the letters pages. But I'll never be able to afford or have the space for even the titles I really really want.
So the trades like the essentials are nice to be able to cheaply acquire large runs. But as I read some of them and decide I love the title I wish I had waited for or bought better editions (full color, etc) or single issues instead.
And while I'm loving my fairly recent foray into digital comics, and sometimes wish I could go "all digital", I'd miss my boxes of single issues.
In a perfect world I'd own the single issues of every comic ever printed. I want the full color, the old ads, the letters pages. But I'll never be able to afford or have the space for even the titles I really really want.
So the trades like the essentials are nice to be able to cheaply acquire large runs. But as I read some of them and decide I love the title I wish I had waited for or bought better editions (full color, etc) or single issues instead.
And while I'm loving my fairly recent foray into digital comics, and sometimes wish I could go "all digital", I'd miss my boxes of single issues.
#23
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Re: What's the last TPB/Graphic Novel you read?
I recognize the limitations of the Essentials/Showcase format, but do enjoy them as cheap, convenient reading. A lot of my favorites have taken a long time to be reprinted in color or may never be. One of my favorite titles as a '70s kid, The Defenders, is finally starting to trickle out in ungodly expensive Masterworks editions, which are great and I'm buying them, but who knows when or if they'll come to TPB. There are a few titles that I've been able to rebuy in color, but I'm reluctant to then dump the B&W when it's pretty convenient to just have there on the shelf. It's not like it's completely useless like a VHS copy of a movie you own on DVD.
The color TPB reprints are my ideal format right now. E.g., I have the Byrne FF Omnibus but I'm still holding onto the TPBs for ease of reading. As much as I like the omniboo, I just don't read them that often because they're such a pain.
The color TPB reprints are my ideal format right now. E.g., I have the Byrne FF Omnibus but I'm still holding onto the TPBs for ease of reading. As much as I like the omniboo, I just don't read them that often because they're such a pain.
#24
DVD Talk Hero
Re: What's the last TPB/Graphic Novel you read?
Man, where do you guys shelve all this stuff? I went from getting tired of boxes and boxes of comics, to getting tired of filling bookshelves with hardcovers and tpbs. There's just no room anymore, which is largely why I go digital for a lot of recent stuff, especially if it's on sale.
#25
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Re: What's the last TPB/Graphic Novel you read?
Yep, space issues suck. I currently have four fully loaded bookcases dedicated to graphic novels, with enough excess to fill another two perhaps.
We're currently thinking about buying a single family home that would double our space. I'd end up with a room about 12 by 12 dedicated completely to comics and trades.
We're currently thinking about buying a single family home that would double our space. I'd end up with a room about 12 by 12 dedicated completely to comics and trades.