Here is another roundup post of graphic novels and comics I have read recently. These are mostly quick reads that did not merit a full post, but I still wanted to remember.
Gary Larson,
The Far Side Gallery 2. Kansas City, MO: Andrews, McMeel, and Parker, 1986. ISBN: 0-8362-2085-4.
Genre: Graphic Novels and Comics
Subgenre: Humor
Format: trade paperback.
Source: my
local public library.
This is one of his big collections, and it has a bit of everything. Among my favorite comics on this one was the one for creationism explained, which I think makes a nice jab at creationists. Larson's humor is very good; I always love that surreal element in his work. This particular volume features a foreword by Stephen King. So, as King says, don't explain Larson. Just enjoy his work. 4 out of 5 stars.
* * *
Jim Davis,
Garfield Bring Home the Bacon. New York: Ballantine Books, 2012. ISBN: 9780345525864.
Genre: Graphic Novels and Comics
Subgenre: Humor
Format: trade paperback.
Source: my
local public library.
The humor continues in this 53rd collection, which starts at the Christmas season. If you read it during Christmas, I think it will set the mood for the season nicely, but you can read it anytime. Jon is dating Liz the veterinarian. Garfield still won't hunt mice. Highlights include Jon taking Liz to a fancy restaurant and Garfield discovering a sombrero. In the end, it's good, clean fun. 4 out of 5 stars.
* * *
Jim Davis,
Garfield Gets in a Pickle. New York: Ballantine Books, 2012. ISBN: 9780345525901.
Genre: Graphic Novels and Comics
Subgenre: Humor
Format: trade paperback.
Source: my
local public library.
This is the 54th book in the series. I had not read the comic in a while, and I can say that I really liked this volume. In this stage of the series, Jon is now dating a new lady, who happens to be a veterinarian. The humor is good and overall lighthearted. I really liked this one, and I will go back and find other volumes. 4 out of 5 stars.
* * *
Jim Davis,
Garfield Sings for his Supper. New York: Ballantine Books, 2013. ISBN: 978-0-345-52593-2.
Genre: Graphic Novels and Comics
Subgenre: Humor
Format: trade paperback.
Source: my
local public library.
This is volume 55 in the series by Jim Davis, and the series continues to be fun and amusing. This time, Jon tries to finish a sudoku puzzle, shares kitty pictures with Liz, his vet girlfriend, and he gets caught in a street sweeper (yea, you have to read this one to believe it). Garfield takes it all in stride and good humor. Overall, if you are a fan of the series, you will probably enjoy this one. It is a nice, light read that provides some good laughter. 4 out of 5 stars.
* * *
Jim Davis,
Garfield. Caution: Wide Load. New York: Ballantine Books, 2013. ISBN: 9780345525963.
Genre: Graphic Novels and Comics
Subgenre: Humor
Format: trade paperback.
Source: my
local public library.
The
humor goes on in the 56th volume as Jon and Liz continue dating. Liz
continues her futile attempts to get Garfield to be more active and
healthy. A highlight is Jon attempting to beat the dragon in the video
game. Yes, even Garfield can beat the game. More good and clean fun. 4
out of 5 stars.
* * *
Jonathan Appel, et.al.,
So. . . I Survived the Zombie Apocalypse and All I Got Was This Podcast. Milwaukie, OR: Dark Horse Comics, 2013. ISBN: 978-1-61655-217-6.
Genre: Graphic Novels and Comics
Subgenre: Humor, horror (light)
Format: trade paperback.
Source: my
local public library
This is intended to be a humorous take on the zombie apocalypse genre. Mara Mitchell, a survivor, has a podcast she transmits from her locked down home, and she is lonely. She ventures out of the house, and she discovers zombies only eat males. She tries to befriend zombies. However, they are not only interested in eating her; they are actually your typical school age jerks. The book has nice art though the style varies from somewhat realistic to cheesecake to cartoonish; it was inconsistent. The plot is pretty thin. It was an OK read, but it was nothing terribly terrible. This feels more like a webcomic than a full comic. It does try to be different from the usual zombie fare via humor, but it read more like high school girl drama. 2 out of 5 stars.
* * *
Christopher Yost,
X-Men: Emperor Vulcan. New York: Marvel Comics, 2008. ISBN: 9780785125518.
Genre: Graphic Novels and Comics
Subgenre:Superheroes, science fiction
Format: trade paperback.
Source: my
local public library
This volume comes right after
Rise and Fall of the Shi'ar Empire (link to
my review). Vulcan and Havok, the leader of the Starjammers and the rebellion, are forced to work together versus a larger threat. The volume has a good amount of action, intrigue, and betrayals. Good art as well. It was a good follow-up to the previous volume. 4 out of 5 stars.
* * *
Rick Spears, et.al.,
Jennifer's Body. Los Angeles, CA: Boom! Studios, 2009. ISBN: 9781608865017.
Genre: Graphic Novels and Comics
Subgenre: Horror
Format: trade paperback.
Source: my
local public library
This is a collection of short comics with four stories of boys that Jennifer kills. The boys range from a washed out jock to an exchange student from India. Each story has a different author and artist, so this makes for a nice sampling. The comics are short and easy reads. Fans of the movie may appreciate it, but you can read this even without having seen the movie. 3 out of 5 stars.
* * *
Jim Davis,
Garfield: Fat Cat 3-Pack. New York: Ballantine Books, 2003. ISBN: 0-345-46455-9.
Genre: Graphic Novels and Comics
Subgenre: Humor
Format: trade paperback.
Source: my
local public library
This edition collects the first three volumes of the series. The strips are in color, which is a big plus. After reading some of the more recent titles in the series, it was neat to see how it all began. Garfield has evolved quite a bit. We learn how Odie arrived; he belonged to Lyman, Jon's roommate at the time. There is a lot of very good humor here, and this was a volume I really enjoyed. 4 out of 5 stars.
* * *
Eileen Wallace and Julie Hale,
Masters: Book Arts: Major Works by Leading Artists. New York: Lark Books, 2011. ISBN: 978-1-60059-497-7.
Genre: Nonfiction
Subgenre: Art and photography
Format: trade paperback.
Source: my
local public library
This was a very nice book to look at. It is a survey of book arts from 40 artists. It features a broad variety of styles and artifacts. The book provides a great look at books as an artistic medium. The artists' statements do vary in terms of how interesting or not they can be, but the photography on this book is excellent. In the end, I liked it. 3 out 5 stars.
* * *
Matt Wagner,
Batman and the Monster Men. New York: DC Comics, 2006. ISBN: 1-4012-1091-0.
Genre: Graphic Novels and Comics
Subgenre:superheroes
Format: trade paperback.
Source: my
local public library
Matt Wagner is also the author of the Grendel series; this is a series I have tried to get into, but it has not really worked out for me so far. This Batman story was good. It is a story of Batman's early days. We are in Batman's second year in Gotham, and he has had some success in dealing with organized crime. However, when strange, apparently mutant, monsters appear in the city causing major massacres, Batman finds a new kind of danger. I do like these early days stories where he is still figuring out things; he seems a bit more human then. The art is pretty good, and it suits the tale. It was a nice and easy read with an open ending to leave you wondering a bit. I liked it, so 3 out of 5 stars.
