Without The Cape Comics

I read a new graphic novel every week and tell you whether you should a) buy it immediately b) pass it by at the bookstore c) find every copy and put them in their own special room where they will not ruin the world anymore.

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The Humans by Keenan Marshall Keller and Tom Neely

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How to Talk to Girls at Parties by Neil Gaiman, Gabriel Ba and Fabio Moon

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Supergirl (Being Super) by Mariko Tamaki and Joelle Jones

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Sex Criminals by Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky

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Ms. Marvel, Volumes 1 and 2 by G. Willow Wilson 

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Mockingbird (I Can Explain) By Chelsea Cain

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Essex County series by Jeff Lemire

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Bitch Planet by Kelly Sue Deconnick and  Valentine De Landro

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In my last post, I talked about a story that we can all relate to. Boy do you get that with Blankets. This story is autobiographical following Craig as we tackles first love, a loss of religion and regrets with his family. The way they talk about religion in this book is incredible; it is not combative with religion itself, it is arguing with the way it is taught and the fear it can strike into a person. He talks about that blazing feeling you get for the first person you love and how religion can strike fear into a heart full of love and hormones. It is relatable on every page. Then there’s the art. Craig Thompson uses some absolutely stunning visual metaphors. He transfers emotion into a visual medium, allowing us to see how it feels to be in love, to have a burning passion for someone, to feel like everything is right or everything is wrong. I found myself saying, ‘yeah, that is how it feels.” This book has its downsides. Its very long and tends to be a little repetitive, in my opinion. But I also believe it is worth it. Also, trigger warning this book does deal with sexual assault, not explicitly but there are themes. 

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One of my things that I absolutely need to enjoy a superhero comic is minimal confusion. I feel like that’s obvious but the reason I say that is because most superhero comics are so dense on the stuff you should already know that it is nearly impossible to get what’s happening and why. These comics were an odd mix of doing well about that and missing the mark. I read a few different Shazam series. I read a few of the original ones, but just a few, I read Geoff John’s Shazam (the most recent Shazam I think) and I read Judd Winick’s The Trials of Shazam.

Shazam is every kid’s dream; a massive amount of power stuck in a child’s body, allowing them to become an adult all by saying one simple word: Shazam. Though sometimes called Captain Marvel, Billy Batson earned these powers by the good in his heart. One book is his origin story. The Trials of Shazam is his friend Freddy working to become Shazam himself as Billy Batson has practically become a God.

Geoff John’s Shazam is one of the easiest comic books to understand. It’s fun, it has orphans (a must of any good comic book, it seems) and the story is one we can all relate to. Feeling like you don’t belong, having trust issues even when someone is trying to help you, feeling like you have no one. We can all relate to that stuff. The Trials of Shazam was not as easy a read but the art was phenomenal and original. It was reminiscent to me of cave drawings telling an ancient story which totally makes sense.

Shazam is an underappreciated superhero! Check out at least Geoff John’s and get to know Billy Batson and his adopted brothers and sisters a little bit.

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I have a special place in my heart for short series (which this is because I’ve provided more pictures than there are issues) because of how unique they are allowed to be. This series has a completely stand up plot with a completely unforeseeable (yet random) twist ending. The colors are full, creating original shadows and human faces. It is a quick and fun read, dealing with one of the most important questions in life: what is good and what is evil? 

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Exiles is one of my favorite comic book series of all time. Written by Judd Winick, it is the 100 issue series following a group of displaced x-men jumping from reality to reality fixing blimps in time. Though Nocturne, Blink, and Mimic are fairly consistent members, the members of the exiles are constantly changing as are their circumstances and the art style in which they are drawn. This series can be a tad repetitive, they deal with many of the same issues simply in different environments. It is, however, diverse in several facets with racial differences between characters and LGBT story lines. I enjoyed it immensely though I only recommend giving it a try, it can be a very large undertaking if taken too seriously or with too much dedication. Even this round, I only read the first five volumes. 

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Let me first off say, if you saw the movie and didn’t like it, they are two very different entities to the point of having completely different plots. I would plead with you that Julie Maroh’s water color (I think) style is stunning especially used to convey the heavy themes in this book. All the lines and coloring feel light and carry you, like a slow stream, through this beautiful tale of heartbreak and loss. Be warned, it feels a little repetitive at times and we are dealing with the childish thoughts of a teenager which has annoying potential. But it’s a great read, that captures a lot of the struggles of young love and being LGBT!

[lifeinporcelain]

[schizofriendia-blog]

oh how the times have changed 

This is definitely worth reblogging.

always reblog these ads

[are-soul]

~

[colorlessdreamz-deactivated2023]

💕

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Saga is considered one of the best comics on the market currently. This could be because of the incredible, original art or because of a story I love to follow. It could be any of the number of incredible things within this book. However, for me, it is the character design. My personal favorite is Lying cat but there is not a single character that doesn’t blow me away completely. I recommend it first and foremost for the characters but read it just to stay on top of current comic culture.

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Orchid was written by Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello and is completely politically charged. In a post apocalyptic world, Orchid, a prostitute from the bridges, finds herself on a tragic quest for justice under the cover of the saint’s mask. The art is good and the story, though confusing at times and occasionally redundant, was strong and powerful. But I found myself most moved by Tom Morello’s passion for what he wrote about and the meaning behind his words. This book has incredibly graphic material and troubling themes but it is an agitprop comic that will make you think about the world.