1000 books in 2020 1 1

[Ken Aldred]

287 to 324

The Steve Ditko Archives

As you’ll see, I was a bit disappointed with these.  Thankfully, I got them cheap in a ComiXology digital sale.

Equivalent to 38 issues.

 

Vol 2 - Unexplored Worlds 210 pages

Vol 3 - Mysterious Traveler 225 pages

Vol 4 - Impossible Tales 225 pages

Vol 5 - Dripping With Fear 200 pages

Vol 6 - Outer Limits 200 pages

(Science fiction, horror, mystery, western, none of the DC-owned super-heroes.)

 

Certainly, there’s some very good artwork in here, but I’d dispute the claim that it’s the best of Ditko’s entire career. His work at Marvel (their science-fiction, monster and mystery stories from the same period) is far superior, as are Spider-Man and Dr Strange later on.  And, to place this Charlton material above the black-and-white masterpieces that he created for Warren magazines, along with their great Archie Goodwin stories, is absolutely laughable.

There’s also a degree of misdirection in the presentation, for example, Volume 6, Outer Limits.  The title, along with a futuristic space cover, implies at first glance that the collection is going to be science-fiction orientated.  A pity then, that 50 pages, about a quarter of the contents, are dedicated to a boring, western, Champion the Wonder Horse clone called Black Jack.

Ditko’s artwork aside, there’s nothing positive to be said about this run. The stories are non-stop, tenth-rate, mind-numbing drivel, and there wasn’t one that ended up with a remotely interesting or surprising conclusion. Stan Lee’s stories are on another, higher level entirely to this huge pile of dross.

I’ll apply the EC ‘1 issue = 28 pages rule’ here, and, well-deserved after trudging through over a thousand pages of literary garbage.

[Talapas1]

827-886. Scalped

Disclaimer    This review is pretty long and personal compared to my other ones.  If that isn’t your thing, feel free to scroll on by.

 

It’s not often that I read something that gets to me like “Scalped” did.  While I hadn’t been actively avoiding the title, I hadn’t had a huge motivation to pick it up.   Recently, a full run of the trade paperbacks had found their way into my collection.  I started reading last Friday and two days later, I’ve finished the series and now am sitting here trying to put into words how I feel about the experience.     

I’m always wary about fictional accounts dealing with indigenous peoples that are written by an outsider.   Because of this I approached the reading with a certain amount of skepticism.  There is so much that can go wrong when outsiders write about Natives.   I worry about what stereotypes will be present and reinforced and what will be left out.  Did the writer do their research?  Is the work exploitive or is it authentic?  After my reading of this work, I guess that I’d say, “It’s complicated.”  

The story of Prairie Rose Indian Reservation isn’t a true one in that these events and people are all creations of Jason Aaron.   But there is a truth in some of the detail.   He obviously did some amount of research as I see a number of details jump out from the background.  Other things seemed off though.  A few elements were over-emphasized:  some of the slang, the way certain subjects were talked about by the cast, and the despair.   These little things would be enough to take me out of the story for a second.   I’d constantly remind myself that Prairie Rose isn’t based on my home or my people.  It’s based on tribal people who have a completely different history and culture.   There are some things that are similar across the Native American experience and it’s these similarities draw me in. The use of these allow me to feel that some of the people present in the story are people I know, their stories are those that I’m familiar with.  

There was a point where I found myself becoming uncomfortable at the use of imagery of traditional beliefs and practice in the story.  Many of my people don’t share such things with outsiders but I’d have to remember that I don’t know about the practices of others.   I don’t know if the images shown in the story regarding spirituality and cultural practice were accurate.   I had to remind myself that it was a work of fiction.   Just like a story with another setting, it isn’t a true representation of that place, but instead is its fictionalized self.  These places and people only need to seem authentic as much as it is necessary to allow the reader to become immersed in the story.     Much like Goodfellas, Taxi Driver, and Twilight, the Prairie Rose reservation becomes a living character in the tale, but one that isn’t 100% accurate to the reality of reservation life.

I try not to nitpick when I consume a piece of fiction for entertainment.   This particular work managed to emotionally tug at me in ways I wasn’t prepared to deal with. The familiarity that I felt for the characters of and setting drew me in.  But other elements didn’t ring true and would give me pause.  But after thinking on it, I remember that “Scalped”  is a crime story, not an Indian story.  The Native People give shape to this story, but aren’t meant to be true to life.  

I don’t know Jason Aaron.  I’ve met him a few comic conventions, but I haven’t interacted with him outside of those brief moments.   I don’t know his background.  I have no knowledge of how he researches his subjects.   Reading this particular work, it’s clear that he made effort to ensure that Prairie Rose Reservation was realistic.   Some could say that using the stereotypes of the poor reservation is exploitive when an outsider uses it for their art.  That’s not how I felt reading it.   The story wasn’t meant to present a factual account of life on the Rez.  It wanted to present a story of horrible, broken people; some looking for redemption, some for an easy thrill.  I feel in that, “Scalped” accomplished it’s mission.

This essay may make it seem like I didn’t like “Scalped.”   The reality is that my feelings are beyond like or dislike.   I enjoyed reading it.   I was legitimately moved by some character arcs.  The themes of hope and despair spoke to me.  Unfortunately, those emotions were at war with parts of me feeling that it was inappropriate for a writer to use pieces of a world when they aren’t a part of it.   I love Jason Aaron’s writing but I’m still processing how I feel about this particular work.   And in the end, that is an amazing feat.  Where most books I read for enjoyment are quickly forgotten, this story and its characters will live on in my thoughts for a while yet to come.  

 

 

[Ken Aldred]

I thought Scalped was an excellent crime story, but I don't have the personal connection and insight that you have with the other, social components of the storyline.  Thanks for sharing. 

Edited October 1, 2020 by Ken Aldred

[Raze]

378-384

DCeased 1-6 and A Good Day to Die 1

This was Awesome! I highly recommend this if you havent read it! The story and art were both awesome!

Ill be reading unkillables this week!

[Raze]

385

Batman 73

[Raze]

386-388

DCeased Unkillables 1-3

I really like this elseworlds take on the DC universe. There’s a no holds barred feel to it kind of like marvel zombies.

[Ken Aldred]

On 10/4/2020 at 5:45 AM, Raze said:

378-384

DCeased 1-6 and A Good Day to Die 1

This was Awesome! I highly recommend this if you havent read it! The story and art were both awesome!

Ill be reading unkillables this week!

A series that's on my reading list.

[Ken Aldred]

325 to 361

Wolverine solo series, 1988 onwards...

Introductory story from Marvel Comics Presents 1 to 10

(70 pages  - equivalent to 3 regular Marvel comics)

 

Wolverine 1 to 25

Wolverine The Scorpio Connection GN

Wolverine The Jungle Adventure one-shot

Wolverine The Origin 6 issue mini-series

(36 issues total)

 

The solo series is a very consistently good read throughout thanks to Chris Claremont, Peter David and  Archie Goodwin’s stories, and nice artwork and clear visual storytelling from John Buscema and John Byrne.  It’s the period during which we’re expected to believe that one of the most famous mutants ever, with one of the most distinctive haircuts in comic book history, can disguise himself simply by wearing an eye patch, something humorously called out by Peter David.

 

The Wolverine Origin mini-series was quite disappointing, and one of the most significant comic characters of all time deserved better.  Many of the situations, and the journey he goes on as a consequence, simply don’t hold up even to very superficial scrutiny.  Andy Kubert’s art is quite patchy; very nice in places, but the panel progression at times becomes confusing.  The end of the story, both for its writing and artwork, is clearly quite rushed.

[Talapas1]

887-922

Secret Six 1-36

I just finished Secret Six 1-36 and overall I found it a fun book.   Having D-listers take center stage is one of my favorite types of story to read.   Of the main characters, I was only familiar with Bane and Deadshot, and even that knowledge was limited.  I knew Bane was a muscular mastermind, and Deadshot was a complete mercenary who was usually stuck with the Suicide Squad.   The others were complete mysteries to me.   

 

One thing that was somewhat shocking initially was the causal murder and death in the book.  It was an almost Garth Ennis level of murder and mutilation which surprised me in what I thought was a mainstream book.   Most of the time it didn’t really bother me, but I found a couple scenes disturbing as causal deaths of innocents that can really be upsetting to me.  It wasn’t like it didn’t fit with the story though.  The main characters are murderers, mercenaries, and maniacs.   They have complicated moralities and often do horrible things without conscience.   The only time they seem to really restrain themselves is when they’ve made a promise to a fellow teammate, and even then that is not a guarantee.   

 

As I said previously, I enjoyed the series, though the depiction of Bane threw me off for much of the series.   I’m still processing what it was about him that didn’t work for me, but he just didn’t match what I had in my head of how Bane would act.  This was only really an issue for me early in the series.  By the end though, I had grown used to him.   The series did really elevate Deadshot for me.  I enjoyed almost every scene with him.  He felt like the most realistic of the characters in many ways as he was a villain, but usually wasn’t unnecessarily cruel. His friendship with Catman was fun to read and by the end of the series I had gained a new appreciation for the character.

 

The only other quibble I had was that some of the story arcs had a weird sense of timing.  I found myself hoping for more story in many instances.  The one-shot stories were big examples of this.  I felt like the Island story could have been stretched out an issue or two, but it was all wrapped up by the end of the issue.  I felt like the last story was going to have a longer build but it abruptly ended Wild Bunch style, and while it worked, I felt like I was missing a piece.   Maybe that was a testament to Gail Simone’s writing.   She left me wanting more. 

 

Overall the series was worth the read.  The writing and art worked well together and I found myself really enjoying characters who were pretty bottom of the barrel.  I see that there was another series that came out after one of the big DC reboots.  I may have to hunt that one down as well and see what Catman and co. have been up to. 

 

[cgcsketcherz]

Definitely been awhile, but here goes.

#'s 320-326

Scooby Doo Team-Up Volume 6 TPB:

Collects issues #'s 31-36

Really wish they still had this series going. Scooby and the gang team up with Atom, Atom Ant, The Legion of Super Heroes, Batgirl/Huntress, Yogi Bear, and Angel O' Day/Sam Simeon.

Scooby Doo #105 (2010 Series):

I wish they still had two new stories each month and not one reprint from a older series (especially since they only publish a new copy every two months now.)

674.......

 

 

 

[Ken Aldred]

362 to 380

Secret Wars Part 4 -  Avengers World 1 to 14, 17 to 21 (19 issues)

A series co-written by Jonathan Hickman and Nick Spencer, basically emphasising the bigger, more powerful, more varied evolution of the team throughout the build-up to Secret Wars, with three world-level events, different in nature, occurring simultaneously; one science-based, another a magical threat, and finally a gigantic Marvel Monster.

The best story is the struggle between Roberto da Costa, Sunspot, together with his bro, Sam Guthrie, Cannonball, against Andrew Forson, Scientist (and megalomaniac) Supreme of AIM.

The magical threat story is okay, the giant monster’s a bit silly, although in the latter Shang-Chi kicks arse, something you can always depend upon.

Two issues, 15 and 16 were missed out as they digress away into another event series, Axis.

Worth a read.

 

[Talapas1]

923-925

Fantastic Four 533-535

I saw a review of this story on Twitter and realized they were sitting in my collection.  It was a great lead up to Planet Hulk and some great writing of Ben Grimm as he fights the Hulk with a lot of understanding of what it means to be a monster.   Some really great writing  on these. I recommend any fans of the Hulk or Thing to check them out.  

Edited October 11, 2020 by Talapas1

[Ken Aldred]

4 hours ago, Talapas1 said:

923-925

Fantastic Four 533-535

I saw a review of this story on Twitter and realized they were sitting in my collection.  It was a great lead up to Planet Hulk and some great writing of Ben Grimm as he fights the Hulk with a lot of understanding of what it means to be a monster.   Some really great writing  on these. I recommend any fans of the Hulk or Thing to check them out.  

Strangely enough, I'm just in the process of reading Planet Hulk and World War Hulk again.

(Another pure coincidence, as with X-Statix before.)

They are good books.  Interesting version of The Hulk, with a strong resemblance to Tor Johnson in some panels.

 

Edited October 11, 2020 by Ken Aldred

[srezvan]

I was able to get some reading done this week. First was the Fafhrd and Gray Mouser TPB, which is a compilation of the 5 issue mini series from the 70s, "Sword of Sorcery." Fun, short fantasy series with self-contained stories, recommended if you like Conan. I never read the novels, but they're on my list.

Next up was Vision the Complete Collection. This was highly recommended in this thread. I must say, it was one of the best stories I've read recently. Very well written. A superhero series with only a few pages of fight scenes but an incredibly engaging and unique story.

 

[Ken Aldred]

The Vision series is rightfully very popular here on the boards.

Great story.

[Talapas1]

On 10/11/2020 at 10:17 PM, srezvan said:

 

I think I have the Leiber comics someWhere in the collection. May have to dust them off.   
That vision series sounds interesting.  I’ll be adding that to my never ending to-read list.  

[Talapas1]

926-928

Strange Academy 1-3

I’d heard someone good things about this series and just recently was able to find and purchase them.   I gotta say that the hype was deserved.  This one is now added to my pull list.  I’m a sucker for new heroes (and otherwise) leaning about their abilities and how to survive in the world.  This one is pretty fun and a needed break from some of the more standard superhero fare.  It’s totally worth checking out.      
 

[Talapas1]

On 10/11/2020 at 10:17 PM, srezvan said:

 

I think I have the Leiber comics somewhere in the collection. May have to dust them off.   
That vision series sounds interesting.  I’ll be adding that to my never ending to-read list.  

[Talapas1]

929-1018

Wooo!   I hit my goal, and crossed the line with a bang!   
 

The Boys 1-72, Herogasm 1-6, Highland Laddie 1-6, and Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker 1-6.

It’s been a few years since I’ve read these so after finishing season 2 of the show I figured I may as well finish up my first 1000 with The Boys.   I forgot how insane a lot of it was.  I remembered most of the major beats but there was a lot either I didn’t remember of that I missed the last time I read it.   I’m glad I was inspired to take a refresher read as I’ve also been reading Dear Becky and needed the reminders of where our story has been so far.   
All in all I was glad to use the depravity that is Garth Ennis’s writing reach issue 1000.  Next stop 2000.  

[srezvan]

I just finished "Saga of the Swamp Thing" book 1, which includes the first 8 issues of Alan Moore's run. This was recommended on this board. I had never read ANY Swamp Thing comics before this. I knew nothing of the character. I knew there was a not so great movie and a not so great cartoon some time ago, but the recent series was well received. I'll put my review the spoiler tag as to not ruin the plot for anyone.

Spoiler

Starting with "Loose Ends," it wasn't terribly hard to figure out what was going on. Plot threads needed to be closed so Moore could get started, which is understandable. "The Anatomy Lesson" was next, and, no exaggeration, I think this was one of my favorite issues of any comic ever. Great storytelling, plot, and background of who the Swamp Thing really is...or isn't. After that, it went down hill very fast for me. All the supernatural plot lines with the supporting cast, Blood/Demon, Monkey King, talking fly...just too much for me. It's not my style. I think I'm going to stop here with the series and keep the fond new memories I have of "The Anatomy Lesson" and avoid the ongoing supernatural plot lines.