A few trade paperbacks to have gone through the mill recently:
Grades are A-C (faboo to pedestrian) in writing and art, then Y/N as to whether I’m waiting to pick up the trade paperback.
Gunsmith Cats: Mister V (Dark Horse) [B/B/-]
I find that I enjoy most manga as TPB collections, rather than individual issues. Part of that is story density — manga throws in a lot of big action panels, and individual issues can come off feeling a bit story-light as a result. I’ve been following Kenichi Sonoda’s work on Gunsmith Cats for a while, since seeing the anime. This issue continues the long (perhaps overly-long) conflict between Rally Vincent and assassin/crimelord/drug-runner Goldie, the latter being self-destructively obsessed with dominating (in every way) bounty hunter Rally. Lots of gun action, a bit of soap opera, and some semi-gratuitous nudity — sounds like basic manga material. Good stuff.
Road to Perdition (Paradox Press) [A/A/-]
The original graphic novel — from DC’s brief-lived experiment in graphic literature — that became the Tom Hanks film. What’s amazing is that both book and film are equally powerful. There are differences, but they play to each medium’s strengths. Richard Rayner’s art here is exquisite, making the gunplay and drama both all the more real and somehow that much more distant in its beauty. Max Collins’ story, of a boy going through a truly horrible experience, even as it brings him closer to his father, is excellent. DC is keeping this in print at the moment, and it’s worth picking up, even if you don’t read comic books.
Birds of Prey: Batgirl/Catwoman (DC) [B/C/N]
A two-part series showing two encounters between Batgirl and Catwoman, one at the beginning of Bats’ career, one as Oracle. The story of how Catwoman had an influence on Babs’ perception of herself is interesting, but rather pedestrian in the telling. It does demonstrate, though, how Oracle is a much more interesting character than Batgirl.
Daredevil: Out (Marvel) [A/B/-]
This TBP collects Daredevil #32-40, where Brian Bendis begins the recent story of the “outing” of Matt Murdock as Daredevil — the impact on his friends, and most importantly on him. Bendis has a fabulous gift for dialog, and there are remarkably few fight scenes here — or even action scenes. (Where such scenes occur, Alex Meleev’s art lacks something, for all that it’s effective during talking head scenes.). Anyone with any interest in DD should pick this up.
Scion: Sanctuary (Crossgen) [B/B/-]
I’m finding most Crossgen tales are much better digested as TPBs, too, and Crossgen’s done an excellent job of keeping these up. This TPB collects #22-37 of the series. This techno-fantasy of war and prejudice remains entertaining and well-crafted, if not earth-shattering. Ron Marz’s writing is solid, and the art holds up well, too, even under different hands.
Mike Mignola’s B.P.R.D.: Hollow Earth & Other Stories (Dark Horse) [A-B/A-B/-]
This TPB collects various Hellboy stories where Hellboy doesn’t appear. It’s sort of like Buffy without Buffy — the stories may be good, but you can still feel the gap. The title story features art by Ryan Sook, who is uncannily close to Mignola’s own style. In a sense, Hellboy’s perceived absence is intentional here, as it deals with the apparent slow disintegration of the BPRD in the all-too-human orphan demon’s absence. An all-Mignola tale of Lobster Johnson follows, not all that satisfying, and a non-Mignola Abe Sapien story is also not terribly interesting.
Elektra: Introspect (Marvel) [A/B/-]
This collects #10-15 of the ongoing series, and Greg Rucka out-and-out rocks, as he discovers and exploits Elektra’s one true weakness — her addiction to killing, and the basic meaningless of her life. When someone else attacks her in those vulnerable spots, Elektra basically falls apart, like a machine robbed of oil. Brilliantly done, and Carol Pagulayan’s art is lovely without being overly romantic. A brief backup tale from Elektra’s past should have been placed at the front of the book; it robs the end of the story arc of much of its impact to have it tacked onto the end.
Queen & Country: Operation: Crystal Ball (Oni) [A/B/-]
A damn fine, grim-n-grittily realistic spy tale by Greg Rucka, focusing on what might be a poison gas plot, or might just be a trap for British Intelligence. Landro Fernandez art is ugly to behold, but excellent in basic composition. Triffic stuff.