Phaedrus45
Avenger
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- May 20, 2005
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Marvel Authors and Specials Pt. 1
Dark Tower: The Battle Of Jericho Hill #3-5, Dark Tower: The Gunslinger - The Journey Begins #1-5, and Dark Tower: The Gunslinger - The Little Sisters Of Eluria #1
I remember when the Dark Tower series first came out, and I went into a shop in Seattle where quite a few customers who never frequent a comic shop were asking for it. Sadly, the writers took a different approach to this epic retelling of King's classic story; as, Susan and Roland's tale from Wizards And Glass was too quickly told. It lacked the original emotional depth, and I'm sure turned off quite a few fans. Too bad, because since then, these minis haven't been retelling the old story, so much as expanding on them. The year began with the fall of Jericho Hill, a battle that King never told before; and, from there, the stories that followed were also barely even touched upon. (The first couple issues of Journey Begins does have a story from the first book; but, for the most part, these have really sprung off from King's book.)
It's neat to get new stuff; but, I do think the writers need to start getting the ball rolling a bit more. By the end of 2011, I really believe they should be getting onto The Drawing Of The Three; or else, it will take Marvel just as long as it took King to write all seven books.
Of note, Dark Tower: The Gunslinger - Sheemie's Tale had been solicited quite a while ago; but, will finally be released at the beginning of 2011.
The Stand: Soul Survivors #4-5, The Stand: Hardcases #1-5
This book is slow in getting out; but, very satisfying in it's comic translation. Unlike that first Dark Tower retelling of Wizards And Glass, this series is taking it's time. (It's slated to be 30 issues, with 6 chapters of 5-issues each.) Hard to believe I only read seven issues this year; but, by the end of 2011, it should just about be finishing up. The Stand is probably my most favorite Stephen King book (the unabridged version, naturally), and this comic brings my love for it all back. The illustrations render my vision of the characters pretty spot-on, and this book paces itself well.
Stephen King's "N" #1-4
Guggenheim and Maleev did an excellent job with this Stephen King short story, as a odd stonehenge-type structure causes visitors to go quite mad and suicidal. It's haunting, and Maleev's art is perfect for showing readers the visual of that King's original story.
Ender's Game: Command School #5, Ender's Shadow: Command School #5, Ender's Game: Mazer In Prison Special, Ender's Game: The League War One-Shot, Ender In Exile #1-5
Excellent series of comic adaptations of this old series of books (that have recently been redone as Young Adult novels, too); but, that have loss a little of it's appeal Ender's new direction. Ender's Game and Ender's Shadow ended the Formic War rather quickly (and unexpectedly) in their final issues at the beginning of the year; and, the two One-Shots filled in the gaps before Ender In Exile saw our main character, already a teenager, being exiled on an assignment that was meant to keep him from being used as a pawn in possible political battles in the future.
This is still a great series, especially since I had never heard of this old book series that came out (I believe in the 70's). I'd highly recommend those first series of minis (Ender's Game and Ender's Shadow), especially if readers ever found them for a reasonable price in some bargain bin. Very enjoyable.
Marvelous Land Of Oz #3-8 and Ozma Of Oz #1-2
Last year's Wonderful Wizard Of Oz really hooked me in, especially since I wasn't familiar with the original story by Baum. (All I knew was the classic movie.) This book only showed me how much I had been missing by never having read the book; and, these additional two minis continue that tradition. I always figured these books wouldn't interest me as an adult, but Baum brings a lot of humor and wit to his characters and they way they speak and interact with others; and, even though Dorothy isn't around in Marvelous Land Of Oz, I didn't find myself missing her. The new characters worked well with the classic ones, like Tin Man and Scarecrow; and, the ending was a complete surprise.
The ending of the final issue of Marvelous Land is important to the next mini, Ozma Of Oz, where we see Dorothy return to this enchanted land. (Along with a talking hen!) Best of all, Marvel has made sure they don't mess with a winning formula, and Skootie Young is still drawing these. (Really, I couldn't image anyone else doing it now.) Fantastic book, not only for kids, but adults too!
Anita Blake: The Laughing Corpse - Exectutioner #4-5 and Anita Blake: Circus Of The Damned - The Charmer #1-5
It's taking longer and longer to get another chapter in the Anita Blake series; and, just as annoying that Marvel tries to trick some readers into possibly buying new minis, not being aware that they are likely just Part 2 or Part 3 in an ongoing story. They really should just number them #_ of 12; but, maybe this also makes them feel that the delays with future issues won't be viewed as badly when they can take a long hiatus between minis. (Of course, the various issues in a particular mini are still seeing delays.)
The beginning of the year saw the conclusion to Laughing Corpse, and then later on, we got the beginning of the next book, Circus Of The Damned. What's good about these translations is also what could be viewed as annoying. The writers really make sure they give the reader as complete a translation of the original novel as possible; thus, each issue does not advance the story very much. (After just reading the beginning of Circus of the Damned with issues #1-5, I think I've only see about 2 days in Anita's dealings with this new adventure.)
(Gotta go. Daughter has her swimming lessons really soon. Not a lot to go with this section. I have Halo, Tron, Philip K. Dick, and Sense and Sensibility only to go.)
Dark Tower: The Battle Of Jericho Hill #3-5, Dark Tower: The Gunslinger - The Journey Begins #1-5, and Dark Tower: The Gunslinger - The Little Sisters Of Eluria #1
I remember when the Dark Tower series first came out, and I went into a shop in Seattle where quite a few customers who never frequent a comic shop were asking for it. Sadly, the writers took a different approach to this epic retelling of King's classic story; as, Susan and Roland's tale from Wizards And Glass was too quickly told. It lacked the original emotional depth, and I'm sure turned off quite a few fans. Too bad, because since then, these minis haven't been retelling the old story, so much as expanding on them. The year began with the fall of Jericho Hill, a battle that King never told before; and, from there, the stories that followed were also barely even touched upon. (The first couple issues of Journey Begins does have a story from the first book; but, for the most part, these have really sprung off from King's book.)
It's neat to get new stuff; but, I do think the writers need to start getting the ball rolling a bit more. By the end of 2011, I really believe they should be getting onto The Drawing Of The Three; or else, it will take Marvel just as long as it took King to write all seven books.
Of note, Dark Tower: The Gunslinger - Sheemie's Tale had been solicited quite a while ago; but, will finally be released at the beginning of 2011.
The Stand: Soul Survivors #4-5, The Stand: Hardcases #1-5
This book is slow in getting out; but, very satisfying in it's comic translation. Unlike that first Dark Tower retelling of Wizards And Glass, this series is taking it's time. (It's slated to be 30 issues, with 6 chapters of 5-issues each.) Hard to believe I only read seven issues this year; but, by the end of 2011, it should just about be finishing up. The Stand is probably my most favorite Stephen King book (the unabridged version, naturally), and this comic brings my love for it all back. The illustrations render my vision of the characters pretty spot-on, and this book paces itself well.
Stephen King's "N" #1-4
Guggenheim and Maleev did an excellent job with this Stephen King short story, as a odd stonehenge-type structure causes visitors to go quite mad and suicidal. It's haunting, and Maleev's art is perfect for showing readers the visual of that King's original story.
Ender's Game: Command School #5, Ender's Shadow: Command School #5, Ender's Game: Mazer In Prison Special, Ender's Game: The League War One-Shot, Ender In Exile #1-5
Excellent series of comic adaptations of this old series of books (that have recently been redone as Young Adult novels, too); but, that have loss a little of it's appeal Ender's new direction. Ender's Game and Ender's Shadow ended the Formic War rather quickly (and unexpectedly) in their final issues at the beginning of the year; and, the two One-Shots filled in the gaps before Ender In Exile saw our main character, already a teenager, being exiled on an assignment that was meant to keep him from being used as a pawn in possible political battles in the future.
This is still a great series, especially since I had never heard of this old book series that came out (I believe in the 70's). I'd highly recommend those first series of minis (Ender's Game and Ender's Shadow), especially if readers ever found them for a reasonable price in some bargain bin. Very enjoyable.
Marvelous Land Of Oz #3-8 and Ozma Of Oz #1-2
Last year's Wonderful Wizard Of Oz really hooked me in, especially since I wasn't familiar with the original story by Baum. (All I knew was the classic movie.) This book only showed me how much I had been missing by never having read the book; and, these additional two minis continue that tradition. I always figured these books wouldn't interest me as an adult, but Baum brings a lot of humor and wit to his characters and they way they speak and interact with others; and, even though Dorothy isn't around in Marvelous Land Of Oz, I didn't find myself missing her. The new characters worked well with the classic ones, like Tin Man and Scarecrow; and, the ending was a complete surprise.
The ending of the final issue of Marvelous Land is important to the next mini, Ozma Of Oz, where we see Dorothy return to this enchanted land. (Along with a talking hen!) Best of all, Marvel has made sure they don't mess with a winning formula, and Skootie Young is still drawing these. (Really, I couldn't image anyone else doing it now.) Fantastic book, not only for kids, but adults too!
Anita Blake: The Laughing Corpse - Exectutioner #4-5 and Anita Blake: Circus Of The Damned - The Charmer #1-5
It's taking longer and longer to get another chapter in the Anita Blake series; and, just as annoying that Marvel tries to trick some readers into possibly buying new minis, not being aware that they are likely just Part 2 or Part 3 in an ongoing story. They really should just number them #_ of 12; but, maybe this also makes them feel that the delays with future issues won't be viewed as badly when they can take a long hiatus between minis. (Of course, the various issues in a particular mini are still seeing delays.)
The beginning of the year saw the conclusion to Laughing Corpse, and then later on, we got the beginning of the next book, Circus Of The Damned. What's good about these translations is also what could be viewed as annoying. The writers really make sure they give the reader as complete a translation of the original novel as possible; thus, each issue does not advance the story very much. (After just reading the beginning of Circus of the Damned with issues #1-5, I think I've only see about 2 days in Anita's dealings with this new adventure.)
(Gotta go. Daughter has her swimming lessons really soon. Not a lot to go with this section. I have Halo, Tron, Philip K. Dick, and Sense and Sensibility only to go.)
