City Travel Guides > Books > Comics and Graphic Novels

Average Rating:

.Astonishing X-Men Vol. 4: Unstoppable
City Travel Guides > Books > Comics and Graphic Novels
by: Joss Whedon

July 16, 2008
The fourth and final(?) installment in Joss Whedon's run at scripting the X-Men was a real tour-de-force. While the earlier books were all entertaining, this one really has the payoff. There's some deliciously tart, hilarious dialogue and several quintessentially Whedon-esque moments that will make fans of "Buffy" and "Dr. Horrible" snort aloud with laughter. Plus, several of the main characters get laid, approaching sex in a frank and unapologetic, non-fanboyish way that is quite refreshing to see in a mainstream superhero comic. The story is a doozy, too, mainly a well-plotted space opera with plenty of action and grit (and great art!) and an ending that was as suspenseful and propulsive as it was surprising and sad. (SPOILER TALK: Is Kitty ... Read More:
>>See More Reviews & Details on Astonishing X-Men Vol. 4: Unstoppable

Used Price: $9.99

Average Rating:

.Bone Volume 1: Out From Boneville
City Travel Guides > Books > Comics and Graphic Novels
by: Jeff Smith

February 01, 2005
"Out from Boneville" is the first volume of Jeff Smith's self-published comic book, "Bone." It tells the story of the Bone family, who are small white creatures that are never really explained, but interact with humans and animals. In volume 1, the protagonist of the story, Fone Bone, and his two cousins, Smiley and Phoney, find themselves run out of the town of Boneville, where they become lost in a strange valley. They soon discover the valley is filled with strange creatures (even stranger than themselves), many of which are hunting them for an unknown reason.

When I saw this in the library, it always looked like a kids' book, so I never gave it much thought until I saw it listed on one of those "Greatest Graphic Novels" lists. Smith ... Read More:
>>See More Reviews & Details on Bone Volume 1: Out From Boneville

Used Price: $3.20

Average Rating:

.Y: The Last Man Vol. 3: One Small Step
City Travel Guides > Books > Comics and Graphic Novels
by: Brian K. Vaughan, Brian V. Vaughan, Pia Guerra, Jose Marzan

April 01, 2004
I kept wondering why Yoricks mother would betray him, she must have know that if the Israelis got him she would never see him again. And why would the Israelis try to kill the astronauts, it almost felt Anti-Semitic it was so irrational. Very weak plot in this story arch.

The second part of the of the book is much better though. It pokes fun at prevous issues and the characters are great. I almost wish we could forget about Yorick and focus on the troup of actors from now on.
>>See More Reviews & Details on Y: The Last Man Vol. 3: One Small Step

Used Price: $6.91

Average Rating:

.Mechanika: Creating the Art of Science Fiction with Doug Chiang
City Travel Guides > Books > Comics and Graphic Novels
by: Doug Chiang

June 27, 2008
Gotta love Doug Chiang as an artist... hes just got a great style and now we can look at how he does things. another great concept art book!
>>See More Reviews & Details on Mechanika: Creating the Art of Science Fiction with Doug Chiang

Used Price: $12.99

Average Rating:

.American Born Chinese
City Travel Guides > Books > Comics and Graphic Novels
by: Gene Luen Yang

September 05, 2006
American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang is the first graphic novel I've read. I read it for the Book Awards Challenge II. It won the Michael L. Printz Award in 2007 and was a finalist for the National Book Award for Young People's Literature. It is the first graphic novel recognized by the National Book Foundation. American Born Chinese starts out by telling three stories. The wonderful illustrations were colored by Lark Pien.

* The first is the story of The Monkey King. He wanted to rule, but he didn't want to be a monkey.

* The second story is about Jin Wang, a young boy who was born in America to parents who immigrated from China. Jin Wang never feels like he fits in with the American students he goes to school with.
... Read More:
>>See More Reviews & Details on American Born Chinese

Used Price: $7.00

Average Rating:

.Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again
City Travel Guides > Books > Comics and Graphic Novels
by: Frank Miller, Lynn Varley

January 01, 2004
I like Frank Millers "Dark Knight Returns", and "The Dark Knight Strikes Again" is different but equally brilliant. The story brings in the whole DC universe, like Lex Luthor, Superman, Green Lantern and so on. But also less widely known like the Atom, Flash, Brainac, Captain Marvel, the Question, Wonder Woman and a new Supergirl. And the Bottle City of Kandor. I think all of this is very well done, especially as I read these comics as a child.

The graphics are splendid and done in Millers personal style, and worth checking out even if you're not totally into the superhero genre.

The story: Lex Luthor and Brainac have taken control of Earth and subdued the superheroes. And Batman rises against them.

Recommended to everyone interested in comics!
>>See More Reviews & Details on Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again

Used Price: $8.99

Average Rating:

.Making Comics: Storytelling Secrets of Comics, Manga and Graphic Novels
City Travel Guides > Books > Comics and Graphic Novels
by: Scott Mccloud

September 05, 2006
This is a great tutorial and reference for anyone considering writing a comic book for the first time (or perhaps someone more experienced who'd like to get a fresh perspective and/or deeper understanding of fundamental structure). Scott has taken all those elements that go into making a good comic book (that you've probably noticed subconsciously but couldn't put into words) and laid them bare with expert analysis.

The analyses and guidelines are presented in a light-hearted, comic book format that is both entertaining and enlightening. You won't find yourself getting sleepy or distracted while reading this book - and you will understand every concept with perfect clarity, even if you are a complete novice.

Get this book! I found it at my local library and ... Read More:
>>See More Reviews & Details on Making Comics: Storytelling Secrets of Comics, Manga and Graphic Novels

Used Price: $11.85

Average Rating:

.Garfield Spills the Beans: His 46th Book (Garfield)
City Travel Guides > Books > Comics and Graphic Novels
by: Jim Davis

September 30, 2008
This is a great tutorial and reference for anyone considering writing a comic book for the first time (or perhaps someone more experienced who'd like to get a fresh perspective and/or deeper understanding of fundamental structure). Scott has taken all those elements that go into making a good comic book (that you've probably noticed subconsciously but couldn't put into words) and laid them bare with expert analysis.

The analyses and guidelines are presented in a light-hearted, comic book format that is both entertaining and enlightening. You won't find yourself getting sleepy or distracted while reading this book - and you will understand every concept with perfect clarity, even if you are a complete novice.

Get this book! I found it at my local library and ... Read More:
>>See More Reviews & Details on Garfield Spills the Beans: His 46th Book (Garfield)

Used Price: $8.56

Average Rating:

.Bone Volume 7: Ghost Circles
City Travel Guides > Books > Comics and Graphic Novels
by: Jeff Smith

February 01, 2008
In this volume, the story gets more and more serious and scary. I really liked it. The characters are so likeable and the plot so fun and engaging you can't help but enjoy the Bone books, and this one rates very highly.
>>See More Reviews & Details on Bone Volume 7: Ghost Circles

Used Price: $5.46

Average Rating:

.Preacher Vol. 1: Gone to Texas
City Travel Guides > Books > Comics and Graphic Novels
by: Garth Ennis

March 01, 1996
Sometimes you reread titles and are disappointed. Other times, they've not faded at all. As much as I enjoy all..er... most of Ennis and Dillon's collaborations, they've never topped Preacher.

Any single volume of Preacher makes for a self-contained read, but this, the first in the series, is still the best. Jesse and his band of merry pals are all introduced and the overall plot ('find God') is thrown up on the table within the first few pages. The rest is joyous wackytime, cluttered with some of the most memorable characters in all comics history - from the truly scary (The Saint of Killers) to the real monsters (Sheriff Root).

Offensive, disturbing and a thoroughly satisfying story.
>>See More Reviews & Details on Preacher Vol. 1: Gone to Texas

Used Price: $5.95