They had a copy of Y the last man volume 8 in the library for months before I ever got around to looking at it. I had heard the name dropped on various podcasts and read it mentioned with other great “must read” Graphic novels on the web, but something about the name put me off, despite the fact that I had no idea what the book was about. Never do that, that is just plain stupid. When I finally did check out the book I was immediately intrigued if somewhat lost). I went back and bought the first volume and have averaged about 1 a week since. It much like Walking dead is a book that I HAVE to read in one sitting. It is just too good to put down.

Y the last man is the story of Yorick Brown, and his pet monkey Ampersand, the only 2 Male mammals to survive the “Gendercide” a Mysterious plague that wiped out everything else with a Y chromosome. Now one might imagine being the only man in a world full of women would be heaven… clearly you’ve never been married. (rimshot) As seen time and time again, from the soviet union to Iraq, when an “oppressed people” is freed, the results more often than not are chaos and bloodshed.

Much like Walking dead, Y the Last man is a great study of the human condition, delivered with a strong sense of drama and a terrifically black sense of humor. The protagonist Yorick is basically a naive slacker with a set of skills that are uniquely helpful in his situation. He is easy to like, and doesn’t get in the way of the huge cast of really interesting women, both friend and foe.

Brian K. Vaughan’s writing is both snappy and believable. It’s a less somber book than walking dead but there are many amazing “punch in the gut” emotional moments too. The political commentary is for the most part very even handed. In the 5 volumes I’ve read Yorick has made some real growth as a character. I can’t wait to see where he is at at the end of the last 5.

The artwork is quite nice. Consistently good at conveying both action and intrigue. My only complaint in that regard is that the quality of the paper in the trades isn’t that great, but then again the book is cheaper than most trades at an MSRP of $12.95. (You can find it cheaper online but I try to support my local shop.)

I give Y the Last man Volumes 1-5 my highest possible reccomendation. I consider it a must read for those who like Science fiction.

ESSENTIAL

I am wishing to cross pollinate between comic and anime fandoms. In order to help further this goal, I intend to make recommendations of Western comics at the end of anime and manga reviews, and Anime DVDs at the end of comic reviews. These recommendations will be based on similar themes or presentation to the work being reviewed. Today I would like to recommend The theatrical movie: A wind named amnesia, and the OVA series Gall force

MICRO REVIEWS:

A wind named amnesia shares the theme of a mysterious  apocalyptic event changing the world completely in an instant with Y the last man. It is a moody and beautiful film, but also one full of action. It is not going to completely rock your world the way Y the last man will, but it is very solid. Unfortunately with our own current economic apocalypse, this film is out of print. The DVD can be found for as little as $10 used on Amazon though.

Recommended

Gall force Is a series of Science fiction Original video animations made in the 80s and early 90s. Like Y the last man, the cast is made up almost entirely of women. This show has a great cast of characters, and a very enjoyable space opera story line. Gall force also has more than a dash of pseudo cold war intrigue which may also appeal to fans of Y the last man. Featuring Character designs by Kenichi Sonoda, Gallforce has long been a favorite of mine. These OVAs are unfortunately also out of print, however you can still get most them (they all stand on their own) from http://www.rightstuf.com

Highly Recommended

ALL STAR SUPERMAN vol 1 (Hardcover)

I first read this several months ago as I was just getting back into superhero comics. I checked it out at the library. At the time I wasn’t at all up to date on the DC universe and wasn’t aware that the ALL STAR line took place in it’s own continuity. I was surprised by the tone of the book, a mix of silver age silliness with more serious fare. I recently checked it out again wanting to see if my opinion of it would improve, having since read and enjoyed a lot more of Grant Morrison’s work.

The first issue involves superman coming to terms with getting a lethal dose of solar radiation which in addition to killing him gives him at least one new power. This harkins back to several “imaginary stories” from the 50s where superman was going to buy it in one silly melodramatic way or another, and went about doing all kinds of gee whiz super stuff with his time remaining. Subsequent issues continue with this plot while bringing in other absurdities such as Atlas and Samson just showing up to Vie for Lois Lane’s affections, yet another callback to the silver age “Imaginary tales”.

Now I like silver age Superman comics. I read reprints of them as a kid, and have recently been enjoying the Showcase presents reprints, but I like them in kind of a historical context. In my opinion this sort of story does not work in a modern comic… at least not when done with such an incredibly straight face as writer Grant Morrison has done here. Still silly, but more enjoyable is the story in issue 3 which has Superman getting affected by black kryptonite. Under it’s effects he starts acting like Bizzarro, going on a rampage, and trying to kill Jimmy Olsen. If this stuff was all the book had to offer my review would be quite negative, fortunately there are some very good things about the book as well. 

Issue 4 was very good, so good in fact that I think I will track down and buy the single issue. In it Lex Luthor Is sentenced to death, and grants Clark Kent an exclusive interview at the prison. It is such a good portrayal of Luthor, a genius for sure but also an arrogant blowhard, who can’t see the obvious when it stares him in the face. Likewise the way Clark Kent is portrayed in this series is probably the best to date. He really plays up the disheveled clumsy clark of the movies, managing to look rumpled and fat. One could almost believe glasses are a good disguise.

This brings me to the artwork. I am not really a fan. Frank Quitely’s character designs (aside from Clark and Luthor) don’t really appeal to me. To be blunt Lois Lane looks like a bitch, and Jimmy Olsen just looks plain weird. The inking/coloring by Jamie Grant is also quite unusual. It creates the appearance of artwork for a children’s storybook. again, technically well done, but not my cup of tea.

Overall I enjoyed half the issues in this collection enough that I may pick up some of the subsequent single issues at some point, but mostly out of curiosity. I can’t say for sure if I would have liked ALL STAR Superman better with a different artist or not.  Overall I have to say:

MILEAGE MAY VARY

SUPREME: Story of the year (Trade paperback)

It is clear from reading this book that Writer Alan Moore has as much love for Silver age DC comics as Grant Morrison does, but he approaches the idea from a different angle. I suppse the premise of Supreme could be summed up this way. What if Superman became aware that he was a fictional character, and that his universe was malliable to the whims of the writers who shaped it?

Supreme follows the titular character through a series of encounters after he makes this discovery during a periodic reinvention of his comic. As the book progresses pieces of his memory return as broken continuity is mended. These memories are retold in the style of old comics, most of them parodying real superman stories from the silver age. There are analogs to Batman, and the legion of superheroesas well as a Lex Luthor-esque arch nemesis. The book also deftly parodies the comic book industry itself with these apocalyptic revisions, as well as the fact that Supreme’s secret identity is as a comic book artist!

In the wrong hands this coiuld be fanboy wanking garbage, but this is Alan Moore we are talking about. He could write a comic about the mating habits of elephant seals and I am certain it would be riveting. Supreme does not dissapoint.

The book contains the work of various artists appropriating the styles of the eras being depicted. The main “current” story thread is drawn by Rob “I can’t draw feet” Liefeld. Don’t let that scare you off though, it contrasts nicely with the older art and fits the story well.

I really liked Supreme, then again I like silver age superman comics, and got many of the references. Even so I think Moore’s writing is strong enough that anyone could enjoy it.

RECOMMENDED

FINALLY! After finding the book sold out everywhere for weeks, I was able to lay my grubby hands on a copy of The Walking dead trade paperback volume 9. I tore right through it in record time when I got home. Ever since volume 4 I have read every volume of The Walking Dead in 1 sitting. it demands it. It’s that good.

 The Unbearable cruelty of a  world gone mad  continues to grind away at our main character Rick Grimes and his son. After losing everything in the cataclysmic ending to volume 8, they continue on as best they can. New characters are intruduced, who may actually have some idea what has made the world into the nightmare it has become. I really don’t dare say anymore than that. I love this series too much to risk spoiling anything.

After the shocking end of volume 8, I wasn’t sure how Kirkman could maintain the intensity, but he sure has. As always the art provided by Adlard and Rathburn put you right there into the terrifying world of the zombie apocalypse. and I really mean it, This book… a black and white comic book… might just make you jump every now and then!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

"I'm the goddamn Batman!"

My opinion of Frank Miller as a writer is that I enjoy his work, but I don’t fall down on my knees and worship him like some people do. That being said my favorite all time Batman book is Batman year one. Miller’s hard boiled detective writing style gave me a whole new appreciation for the characters, especially Jim Gordan. ALL STAR: Batman and Robin on the other hand is Miller’s opportunity to take the world of Batman and totally go nuts with it  in a safely contained way. (The ALL STAR Line of books from DC do not take place in the mainline DC Universe)

I was a little uneasy when I started reading this. Right away it was clear that this was the Frank Miller of Sin City, what with several pages of Vicky Vale standing around in her Underwear. I have no problem with explicit sexuality and cheesecake (hell I love it) But miller’s stuff always seems so mindlessly pre-adolescent in how it handles it. A lot of people have called him a Misogynist. I don’t  think so, I’d call him a Misanthrope. He seems to see all people as scum regardless of their gender. As I dug a bit deeper in though I found myself really liking the book. It retained the heavy layer of grit that pretty much everything Miller writes has, but also evokes the over the top nature of silver age comics. This Batman’s batmobile has to be the coolest one ever, as is his Batcave.

Did I forget to mention he’s batshit crazy? I mean seriously stark raving nuts. Yes he’s still a brilliant detective, yes he is still the most driven character in comics, but now he laughs like the joker, and is at least as bloodthirsty as Marvel’s Wolverine. Speaking of Wolvie, Batman is sporting some wicked stubble, which is amazing as he was totally clean shaven just 2 hours before at the Circus… ahem. By no means is this the stoic Kevin connroy voiced Batman that so many of us think of as the real deal. This is a Batman who loves his job, and even comments how cool it is to be “The Goddamn Batman”. While Dick Grayson is a remarkable kid in many ways, but also a smartass who tells Batman that “Batmobile is a totally queer name for a car.” It’s all this bizarre, out of left field stuff that I think makes this book a must read.

Oh yeah some guy named Jim Lee drew it. Maybe you’ve heard of him? I don’t think I need to tell you the art is gorgeous and conveys the story impeccably.

I hadn’t planned on picking this up, but decided to read it because I saw it at the library. Now I want to add it to my collection. I think anyone who loves comics and doesn’t mind irreverant material should check this out. ALL STAR: Batman and Robin is:

ESSENTIAL

Cassie Hack is the daughter of the notorious slasher known as the Lunch Lady. This fact kept young Cassie from having any kind of normal life so now she hunts down other undead slashers with the assistance of her Misshapen but good hearted assistant Vlad.

In a word Hack/Slash is fun. It’s a gory book, but it is the kind of tongue in cheek material you would expect from an 80s slasher flick like Nightmare on Elm street, Shocker, or The Toxic Avenger. Not grim and depressing like todays SAW inspired Torture porn.

Cassie and Vlad are lovable characters, lovingly depicted in the artwork. The Stories send up everything from the Horror genre itself to Girls gone wild. One story takes place in a comic convention, and features the graphic murder of Walking dead Creator Robert Kirkman!

To anyone who enjoys a good 80s slasher movie, or well written, fun comics that don’t take themselves too seriously, Hack/Slash is:

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

I’ve always been a sucker for subversive tales of idealistic youth standing up against a repressive society. This book evokes the same kind of atmosphere as JK Rowling’s Harry Potter series does in that respect. One could certainly hear the legion’s motto of “Eat it Granpa!” coming out of one of her characters mouths. The revamped legionaires are nicely fleshed out and made modern, while still retaining a charming degree of innocence. The art work looks great with plenty of eye candy to go around.

The interpersonal dynamics feel more like a classic Marvel book, like Clairmont era X-men than a DC book, though thankfully without a large amount of classic Marvel angst. I think anyone who likes Super hero teams and subversive themes should check this out.