300 (Dark Horse) [collects #1-5]
w. Frank Miller; a. Frank Miller, Lynn Varley
| Writing |  | New reader? | |
| Art |  | Non-comics reader? | |
This actually came out a decade ago, but since I pulled it out after watching the movie, I figured I might as well make use of it for the ‘Thon. To call 300 a masterpiece is no exagerration; though bombastic, it’s also mythic in scope and nature, a kabuki play of testosterone and honor, gorgeously illustrated and presented. If you saw the movie, you saw most of the book — but, honestly, the book is better.
And I have a first edition — neener-neener!
303 (Avatar) [collects #1-7]
w. Garth Ennis; a. Jacen Burrows
| Writing | | New reader? | |
| Art | | Non-comics reader? |  |
A tale of a Russian colonel, stretching from Afghanistan to America, pursued by demands of honor and the ghosts of the slain around him, this tale is bloodily violent but on occasion tenderly moving. Ennis is, as usual, a bit over the top, brutal but honest, unexpectedly sentimental amidst the carnage.
The title comes from the Lee-Enfield 303 that he picks up on his journeys. That the tale is named after a gun is utterly fitting, as is everyone’s final fate.This would make a fine movie, save that nobody would ever film it.
(This one’s going in my “I think my local crew will want to borrow it now” stack.)
Yes, would definitely like to check this one out — as well as Civil War and the Boys.
And go you! It’s already noon!