Tag Archives: Unwritten

I’m back!  After a week in the sun, sand and booze I’m ready to start the New Year.  And what better way to do that than with an obligatory best of the previous year post!?  Except, I don’t read nearly enough to make a truly representative best of the year, so it’s just going to be a my thoughts on the previous year.

First and foremost, I have to talk about Unwritten.  I think it started in 2010, but I started reading it in trades this year and it is fantastic.  Great writing and art, it’s an addictive read that is packed with literary references.  Anyone who likes Harry Potter and YA literature in general should check this out post haste.  And, if all that doesn’t convince you, THIS will: there’s a choose your own adventure issue.

Next, how can I talk about this year without mentioning the DC New 52.  Great from a sales perspective, but, at least in my opinion, not so great with the actual execution.  Admitedly, I haven’t read all that many of them so far.  But, what I have has left me a little cold.  In fact, of the ones that I’ve read I found the Internet enraging Catwoman the most intriguing.  Wonder Woman was also quite good, and I’m looking forward to reading more of it.  Superman by George Perez was completely awful, and Hawkman was just dull.  But, I will gladly try anything else that anyone would like to recommend.  I’d love to try collecting something in the New 52 on a monthly basis, but I just haven’t found anything that’s worth it yet.

As usual, Jonathan Hickman’s genius confuses and amazes me.  I’ve read every issue of SHIELD and they’re all very interesting, but I have no idea what’s going on.  Nikolai Tesla’s son is caught in a war between Isaac Newton and Leonardo Da Vinci.  Michaelangelo is involved, and so are Iron Man and Mr. Fantastic’s fathers.  There’s time travel, fighting robots in ancient Greece, and Galileo repelling Galactus.  I feel like I should go to the library and do serious research after every issue.  Either that, or yell at Hickman for making me feel like I’m a recent lobotomy patient.

My last two are comics that I’m depressingly late to the party on.  Firstly, Ultimate Comics Spider-Man.  By which I mean the 2009 relaunch, and not the relaunch from this year.  Bendis and David Lafuente really gave the character a cool fresh start and introduced some fantastic twists.  Like, the Human Torch and Iceman moving in with Peter Parker, Aunt May and Gwen Stacy.  The superhero stuff is great, but the teen angsty drama was a ton of fun.  And don’t take this as a slight on the current Miles Morales Ultimate Spidey, I just haven’t gotten that far yet.

And, lastly – Clan Destine.  This is a series that Alan Davis created, wrote and drew for Marvel in the mid 90s.  It tried to introduce a new family of super powered characters to the Marvel Universe, but ultimately wasn’t successful (as evidenced by the fact that you’ve never heard of them.) Davis is an amazing artist and a decent writer, and puts both his talents to use creating an interesting drama.  It’s simple and sweet, and has a way of drawing you in.  All of the characters are interesting and unique, and clash against each other in a really familial way.   They fight, but they also all clearly care about each other.  They aren’t really superheroes either, just a bunch of people who are trying to get by.  Good stuff.

All right, that’s all for now.  If you’ve got any recommendations, please feel free to send ‘em my way in the comments.

Graham Becksted is back in the country, and has the barest hint of a tan.  He is the author of Graham’s Grumbles the second blog by that name that is listed in Google results when you search for Graham’s Grumbles.  If you would like to be his 50th follower, he can be followed on Twitter @GrahamBecksted.