The Official Recommendations Thread

[Darthphere]

I might do Meltzer's run on GA as well( a personal favorite of mine).

 

[Anubis]

I call dibs on Winnick's first arc Stright Shooter

 

[Darthphere]

I call dibs on Winnick's first arc Stright Shooter

Fine take him.

 

[Anubis]

Kung Fu Midgets!!

 

[Darthphere]

Kung Fu Midgets!!

I actually thought someone would call dibs on Longbow Hunters or Neal Adams GA/GL.

 

[Anubis]

Somebody will eventually. Maybe I'll do it. Longbow Hunters I mean.

 

[Darthphere]

The drawback being Longbow Hunters isnt really readily available or is it?

 

[Anubis]

I don't know. I got my copy a few years ago, so it might be out of print by now.

 

[Darthphere]

Go figure.

 

[Elijya]

Longbow Hunters is readily available

GL/GA isn't so much, but I did a not so bad write up of it earlier in the thread, I could update it

 

[Darthphere]

Longbow Hunters is readily available

GL/GA isn't so much, but I did a not so bad write up of it earlier in the thread, I could update it

Really? Everytime I go to Border's I always have to contemplate picking up GL/GA trade they have there.

 

[Anubis]

Well, that could just be that nobodies buying it.

 

[Darthphere]

Well, that could just be that nobodies buying it.

They have more than one copy, but yeah thats probably it, dumb kids, "Oh its Wolverine! Whats New Avengers?"

 

[The Hero]

ok, great

Hero, excellent Job on V (Glad to hear you liked it, too) One small correction, though: V was originally printed in the british magazine Warrior. YEars later DC reprinted it as it's own comic, and collected it, and it was some time after that that the collection had the Vertigo label put on it

I know about the Warrior thing,I just didn't want to clutter it up any more than I already had.

 

[Anubis]

They have more than one copy, but yeah thats probably it, dumb kids, "Oh its Wolverine! Whats New Avengers?"

I don't know, I got the first volume, but I just couldn't get into it. I can't recommend something that I didn't enjoy. So, whoever wants to do it, go for it.

 

[Elijya]

Really? Everytime I go to Border's I always have to contemplate picking up GL/GA trade they have there.

huh, wouldn't have thought it'd be at boarders. Isn't it still a little pricey, though? (I own the Hardcover they did first)

 

[Elijya]

Title: The Ultimates
Writer: Mark Millar
Artist: Bryan Hitch
Publisher: Marvel Comics

The Ultimates is the classic Marvel superteam the Avengers set in the "Ultimate" universe. The Ultimate universe was created to give writers a chance to completely redefine and re-envision classic Marvel characters for the modern age. New origins, new costumes, new allys, new enemies, the whole nine. The on-going series is a story of a government sponsored super hero team composed of Captain America, Iron Man, The Hulk, Nick Fury, The Wasp, Thor, & Giant-Man. There's a big emphasis on focusing on the characters rather than "who" they're fighting. We get to see a lot of character development, even as it builds up, and during the action sequences (extremely well drawn, might I add). Throughout the series, you might find the writing to be reminiscent of "The Authority", which was a DC Wildstorm series written by Mark Millar (Originally the writing was penned by Warren Ellis), if you've liked Millar's previous work, i'd suggest picking up The Ultimates. It's fresh, innovative, and Millar's not afraid to take the chances he takes in order for this ongoing to succeed.

This series is known to walk the line between right & wrong, morally. Most characters seen in the story are grounded in reality (or as much as they can be as Super Heros). Millar manages to tackle a lot of realistic issues, while still letting us know this is a comic book. The social political commentary throughout the series isn't overbearing, as it is in most comics that feature it. Some of the twists on characters will have your jaw hit the floor, and once you keep reading, and get sucked into the ongoing it'll stay there. I thought the pop culture references were very well done as well, although there were a bit too many for my liking, but they fit well with the story. Bryan Hitch, more than delivers artwork wise. Seamless panel to panel art & wonderful fight scenes.

Format: The Ultimates is an ongoing series currently in it's 2nd "Series" (Each arc is 13 issues, and is considered a Mini-Series by the author). Their are currently 3 softcover trades, the first one collecting issues 1-6, the 2nd collecting issues 7-13, and the 3rd titled "The Ultimates 2" collecting issues 1-6 of the 2nd series. If you'd like to continue reading on after that, they're up to issue 11 in comic book format. There's also a hard cover for The Ultimates 1st season, which collects issues 1-13. There's also an animated film based on the first series of The Ultimates, distributed by Lions Gate Films (although the Ultimatesates is geared more towards older audiences , and the cartoon adapts the story for a much younger one).

Amazon.com Listing: TPB: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/07...1869/ref=pd_bbs_4/002-4294393-0663266?ie=UTF8
Hard Cover: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/07...4393-0663266?_encoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=283155

write-up originally by Chris.

 

[Not Jake]

Title: Y: The Last Man
Writer/Artist: Brian K. Vaughan, Pia Guerra
Publisher: Vertigo
Summary: So, how 'bout those accurately titled books? Y: The Last Man is about Yorick, the last man. The last man on Earth. One day, all the males in the world died, save a pop-culture referencing smartass escape artist (Yorick) and his pet helper monkey, Ampersand. If that sentence doesn't make you want to read this book, you are a soulless shell of a human.

What makes this book so good is the highly entertaining, always-effective dialogue. That's the best part of the series. The drama is good, the cliffhangers are good, but the dialogue is always superb, especially in comedic situations. That's all you need to know about that, so now let me talk about the other best part of the series: Brian K. Vaughan has really thought out the ramifications of all the men of the world dying. That's all I'm going to say about that so nothing will be ruined for you. Just trust me. I mean, my DKR recommendation was spot-on. Right?

The book sounds like it should be darker than it is. It can be dark, mind you--but it's tone is lightened not only by BKV's broad comedy talents, but by the fairly brightly-colored and not overtly-detailed art by Pia Guerra. Her work really meshes well with BKV's writing. His writing, by the way, is pretty crass. F-bombs and such. It's Vertigo.
Format: Y: The Last Man is a currently ongoing book. There are 7 volumes of trade paperback available at the date of this post (it's july 2006 right now as I type this. Hey, future, up yours! Love, Jake, FROM THE PAST DUN DUN DUNNNNN.) The first trade paperback is shown above. The first page of the series is shown below. I like poles.
Amazon.com listing:http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/15...6306/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-5319070-9454443?ie=UTF8

 

[The Watchman]

oh that crazy one-tited Hero...

 

[The Watchman]

Title: Adam Strange Planet Heist

Writer/Artist: Andy Diggle, Pascual Ferry

Publisher: DC Comics

Summary: The story is about adventurer and Earth archeologist Adam Strange, he has been a man of two worlds ever since a Zeta-Beam accidentally transported him to another planet, one much more technologically advanced than our own, he fell in love, got married, had a child, and adopted Rann as his new home. However, the Zeta-Beam effect only lasts so long. The story picks up back on Earth with Adam awaiting the next Zeta-Beam transport, one that would never come. Follow the mystery of what happened to Rann and the accused Adam Strange’s desperate quest to find out what has become of his family, and witness an ordinary Earthman defy all odds and stand in the way of the Universe’s ultimate evil.

Strange has come a long way since being portrayed as a swashbuckling sci-fi hero. Writer Andy Diggle has taken a character that I had a passing familiarity with and updated him by advancing his technology and casting him in a new light while Pascual Ferry modernized his look into one of the best character designs in recent memory. Strange is established as a sympathetic and likable protagonist, and honestly this short series has made him into one of my favorite DC characters. I would describe the series as a wonderfully epic, touching, and suspenseful undertaking, it helps flesh out the space aspect of the DCU, and it is something comics haven’t been in a long time - fun. Pure, simple, unadulterated fun. I anticipated each issue with great fervor, yet I had no idea why. Also keep in mind you need no background to pick this up and enjoy it - it’s that good.

Andy Diggle writes crisp dialogue with intriguing plots. He’s updated a character almost forgotten, and done so logically. I’m telling you right now, the man will be a superstar writer in comics within a year, I have yet to read a poor story by him, he writes engrossing stories that have that special quality to them.

Pascual Ferry produced the work of his career here. He experiments with different styles and pushes the boundaries of art. It’s quite honestly beautiful to look at, clean lines muted tones with wonderful slick character designs perfectly realized for such a space adventure.

Bottom line - it’s a shame it didn’t turn into an ongoing, but it’s a great contained story. Buy it because it’s fan-****ing-tastic.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1401207278/thekingdom0f-20/104-6224281-2631137?creative=327641&camp=14573&adid=1J4ERBAJ3S923CQH9069&link_code=as1

 

[UK_Stu]

Not really a recommendation - but a word of thanks.

Based on recommendations and reviews on this thread - I picked up the first 3' Fables' TPBs - never read them before but loved them. Thanks for the heads up on these.

 

[Sentry2005]

And you went through all that trouble too.

I know I'm gonna give Astonishing X-Men a try instead... to review that is. stupid me being stupid

 

[Sentry2005]

Title: Astonishing X-Men
Writer/Artist: Joss Whedon/John Cassaday
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Summary:
Let’s be honest, we all remember the first time we read, watched, or heard of the X-Men. And it was great. A set of heroes who could’ve been anyone, they just happened to be mutants. They didn’t choose to be that way, and they were persecuted because of something beyond their control. This is something any teenager can empathise with.
But what if you did have a choice, what if that thing which was making you different could be taken away, and you could, for the first time in a long time, be normal. That’s the question that arises in the first arc of Astonishing X-Men, ‘Gifted’. When a cure is found, this new and fragile version of the X-Men must look at them selves hard and see if what they want to be and what they need to be are the same thing…

This is the X-Men back at their best for the first time in a long time. It’s a small core group, no distractions, just good solid relationship development with super heroics thrown into the mix. Lets face it, its what Whedon does best. And it’s the perfect starting point for anyone who wants to get back into X-Men after a long time away, or those who have never so much as glanced at a X-men comic. Not to mention the art, which is stunning. The story hits the right notes and doesn’t miss a beat.

Format: This is an ongoing, currently up to issue 15. The first 12 issues are collected in two soft cover trades, as well as an over sized hardcover. The hardcover is where the bargain is, as you get bonus features galore. It also, in my opinion, increases the value of the art, which looks simply beautiful. The single issues have been bi-monthly since issue 13, but will revert to monthly with the next issue.


Amazon.com listing:

US readers - http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=br_ss_hs/104-5137733-2292731?platform=gurupa&url=index%3Dblended&keywords=Astonishing+X-men

UK readers - http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/202-6583603-4957437?%5Fencoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=blended&field-keywords=Astonishing%20X-Men

 

[Elijya]

Not really a recommendation - but a word of thanks.

Based on recommendations and reviews on this thread - I picked up the first 3' Fables' TPBs - never read them before but loved them. Thanks for the heads up on these.

great to here, Stu it's one of the best titles coming out today, and it only gets better

 

[Not Jake]

effin' a, I was just going to do an astonishing one, I even saved some pics last night at like 3 in the morning so I could get right on it when I woke up. now i find that whedon has been stolen from me