Monday Musings: Review Roundup
I've been reading a lot of graphic novels/comic books so far this year; in fact, 7 of the 9 books I've finished this year have been graphic novels. In an effort to put more reviews on the blog, I'm going to give my brief thoughts on each of those books in this post.
I'm a fan of the live action Hellboy films, especially the second one, and I've been meaning to read through at least some of the comics that inspired them for some time. The first volume is part of the basis for the first film, and the connections helped me feel more at home in this world of fantasy and horror. I wasn't expecting a certain character's involvement to be so brief, and I hope they'll be back for more later. I wasn't put off to the point of never picking up the series again, but I admit to thinking the story barely gets going in the four issues collected here; it's pretty much over before it begins. I recommend this if you enjoyed either of the Hellboy films (especially the first) or are a fan of modern age superheroes or horror.
Picking up in the aftermath of the previous volume, The Kindly Ones, The Wake is like an extended epilogue or denouement to Gaiman's epic series. It ties up many (but not nearly all) of the threads left hanging over the previous 60- or 70-something issues, including a touching issue devoted to the resolution of Hob Gadling's story (for now). I found myself wanting more answers, more revelations, and much more of Dream's figuring out how to do its job anew, but for the most part the satisfying climax of The Kindly Ones is carried into resolution here. Obviously, don't read this unless you've gone through the rest of the series, which is at times graphic and shocking (though entertaining and thoughtful nonetheless).
Set between the ninth and tenth Dresden novels, Down Town sets Harry with a sorcerer to catch in the streets of Chicago (not to mention under them). With pleasing visuals and a firm grasp of the characters, this is a fun side story that includes some of my favorite (and least-favorite-but-in-a-good-way) characters from the Dresden Files. Recommended if you have read through White Night and want something to tide you over till the next book arrives.
Set a few months after Fool Moon (the second Dresden novel), Ghoul Goblin sends Harry to the backwoods of Missouri to solve a case that's been mounting for decades. A family is being murdered supernaturally in birth order, but the local sheriff won't buy the idea that there's more to these deaths than freak accidents (or possibly a mundane serial killer). While the story adds some interesting elements to the Dresdenverse (the naga and the jinn), the art style is far different from that in Down Town, War Cry, and Wild Card, which I read first, and the difference in art style took me a while to adjust to. I still prefer the later art style. The story here is a bit weaker than in some of the Dresden graphic novels, but the bonus material in the back includes Butcher's original premise and summary, offering a slightly different resolution and some insight into how these stories evolve from conception to publication.
My favorite of the Dresden comics so far, War Cry takes place during the war between the White Council of the wizards and the Red Court of vampires. Harry, along with some younger Wardens (the White Council's police force), is sent to the countryside to extract a group of scholars who've been targeted by the vampires. It features a fan favorite character, Carlos Ramirez, and some connections to the Dresdenverse's larger mythology that are satisfying for dedicated readers who are waiting for Butcher's long game to come to fruition at the end of the series. It ALSO contains a MAJOR SPOILER for book eleven, Turn Coat, in its final panels. Recommended if you enjoy the Dresden series and want to see a story with Harry backed into a corner and fighting his way out with his usual insane luck. (This also has one of my favorite Harry and Thomas moments from the series.)
Hellboy Volume 1: Seed of Destruction
I'm a fan of the live action Hellboy films, especially the second one, and I've been meaning to read through at least some of the comics that inspired them for some time. The first volume is part of the basis for the first film, and the connections helped me feel more at home in this world of fantasy and horror. I wasn't expecting a certain character's involvement to be so brief, and I hope they'll be back for more later. I wasn't put off to the point of never picking up the series again, but I admit to thinking the story barely gets going in the four issues collected here; it's pretty much over before it begins. I recommend this if you enjoyed either of the Hellboy films (especially the first) or are a fan of modern age superheroes or horror.
The Sandman Vol 10: The Wake
Picking up in the aftermath of the previous volume, The Kindly Ones, The Wake is like an extended epilogue or denouement to Gaiman's epic series. It ties up many (but not nearly all) of the threads left hanging over the previous 60- or 70-something issues, including a touching issue devoted to the resolution of Hob Gadling's story (for now). I found myself wanting more answers, more revelations, and much more of Dream's figuring out how to do its job anew, but for the most part the satisfying climax of The Kindly Ones is carried into resolution here. Obviously, don't read this unless you've gone through the rest of the series, which is at times graphic and shocking (though entertaining and thoughtful nonetheless).
The Dresden Files: Down Town
Set between the ninth and tenth Dresden novels, Down Town sets Harry with a sorcerer to catch in the streets of Chicago (not to mention under them). With pleasing visuals and a firm grasp of the characters, this is a fun side story that includes some of my favorite (and least-favorite-but-in-a-good-way) characters from the Dresden Files. Recommended if you have read through White Night and want something to tide you over till the next book arrives.
The Dresden Files: Ghoul Goblin
Set a few months after Fool Moon (the second Dresden novel), Ghoul Goblin sends Harry to the backwoods of Missouri to solve a case that's been mounting for decades. A family is being murdered supernaturally in birth order, but the local sheriff won't buy the idea that there's more to these deaths than freak accidents (or possibly a mundane serial killer). While the story adds some interesting elements to the Dresdenverse (the naga and the jinn), the art style is far different from that in Down Town, War Cry, and Wild Card, which I read first, and the difference in art style took me a while to adjust to. I still prefer the later art style. The story here is a bit weaker than in some of the Dresden graphic novels, but the bonus material in the back includes Butcher's original premise and summary, offering a slightly different resolution and some insight into how these stories evolve from conception to publication.
The Dresden Files: War Cry
My favorite of the Dresden comics so far, War Cry takes place during the war between the White Council of the wizards and the Red Court of vampires. Harry, along with some younger Wardens (the White Council's police force), is sent to the countryside to extract a group of scholars who've been targeted by the vampires. It features a fan favorite character, Carlos Ramirez, and some connections to the Dresdenverse's larger mythology that are satisfying for dedicated readers who are waiting for Butcher's long game to come to fruition at the end of the series. It ALSO contains a MAJOR SPOILER for book eleven, Turn Coat, in its final panels. Recommended if you enjoy the Dresden series and want to see a story with Harry backed into a corner and fighting his way out with his usual insane luck. (This also has one of my favorite Harry and Thomas moments from the series.)
The Dresden Files: Wild Card
A wilder, but somewhat weaker, entry in the Dresden comics, Wild Card introduces an insane killer to the streets of Chicago, while offering some insight in the Murphy's past. The ending feels a bit weak considering the general strength of Dresden climaxes, but the overall effect of the story is still an enjoyable one. (And the ending does fit thematically.)
The Dresden Files: Welcome to the Jungle
The first Dresden comic to appear, Welcome to the Jungle was apparently inspired by a throwaway line from the ill-fated TV adaptation (wherein Murphy refers to "that mess at the zoo"). It's a peek into Harry's life before Storm Front, and features some typical early Harry moments with damsels in distress and Murphy not quite trusting him 100%. Definitely read if you enjoy Dresden.
That's all for today. What have you been reading lately? Let me know in the comments.
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