The novels that defined a genre
Actually i was refering to graphic novels; this technical jargon, which is not favoured by the comics obsessed who prefer their seperate issues, however seems to have more of a connection with me i guess. Its like reading a novel but at half the time and twice the fulfilment(well some great novels still have the edge).
The story unfolds like a movie shooting storyboard but with the most detailed descriptions.
The language and conversations can rival some of the best films that i've seen. (and also becoz u can reread them if you're abit lost)
And its a medium thats full of inventive possiblities, not unlike films. First person views, Sniper shots, ambitious stories that rely entirely on speech bubbles and not use any sub-texts nor show wat the character is thinking. And the angles of the frames, you could zoom in and out at will, create an alternate universe just like that.
And with the endless stream of writers, drawers, inkers, texters and labels. Who are you gonna trust? Of course there are people like Stan Lee who almost single handedly saved the Marvel corp by agreeing to a timely rehash of our favourite neighbourhood spidey. But its usually the writers who breathe life into the stories, and there are certainly a few amazing ones to chose from. Neil Gaiman, Alan Moore and Frank Miller basically form the core of my reading material. In Fact, i think i'm extremely biased towards them.
and here are some relovutionary works that u might wanna check out.
1. The Dark Knight Strikes Back - Frank Miller.
1st published in the late eighties, round 1988. Bats is Bruce wayne, complete with moustache and greying sideburns, Commissioner Gordon counts his days to his retirement and Gotham remains as polluted and crime-infested as before. One by one, the captives in Arkham Asylum are freed on the pretense that they have been cured psychologically. In a predictable move which sees Bruce Wayne reinstate himself as batman and returns to clean up the streets, the story then focues on the political chaos that the dark knight brings with him. This eventually intertwines with the fate of his eternal enemies, The Joker and Superman. The finale is a grand romp worthy of the best fight ever, and 1 of the finest twists i've ever come across.
2. V for Vendetta - Alan Moore.
Alan Moore is a writer of extraordinary skill, that i'm absolutely sure of when i read the Watchman, but after going thru this title, i was awe-struck.
The New England is a facist country, ruled by propaganda and mass brain washing. When a mysterious character,V threatens the entire infrastructure of the 'government' in a valiant effort to quench his thirst for personal revenge, the country is thrown into limbo. Political ambitions, double-crossing acts and an obsessed affection for a machine are merely tools to be used in his trade for a new world...... There's just too much to cover here. Do read the book yeah? or wait for the movie which will star Natalie Portman. (Woon Alert). Terribly sorry if i shortchanged u but the more i think bout the story, the more i realised i could never summarise it properly so...just read the bloody book la.
3. Batman: Year One - Frank Miller.
This one is much easier. In a nutshell, the starting point of Batman and Gordon, who's just a new lieutenant in a new town. Gotham. Its as much about Gordon as it is about Batman, and conicidentally the new movie takes alot of references here, which is no surprise given the amount of depth put into it. Highly recommanded.
4. Sandman Series - Neil Gaiman.
Morpheous, the prince of dreams, captured and imprisoned for 70 years. When he finally escapes and wrecks torment on his captors, he realises that he is much weakened and requires his 3 tools to fully regain his abilities. This follows with a meeting with John Constantine, the famous chain-smoking demon hunter, a trek to hell and face to face with Lucifer Morningstar himself and the confrontation of the one who has mis-used his lifeforce ruby to his own selfish and wicked needs. Strangly, the sandman feels empty and inadequate, that is until his Sister who happens to be Death takes him on a tour of her working hours and shows him that there is in fact much to be done and alot more to accomplish.
And this is only book 1 of a 9 book series.
So wat else can i say? Once again.... go read them la.
The story unfolds like a movie shooting storyboard but with the most detailed descriptions.
The language and conversations can rival some of the best films that i've seen. (and also becoz u can reread them if you're abit lost)
And its a medium thats full of inventive possiblities, not unlike films. First person views, Sniper shots, ambitious stories that rely entirely on speech bubbles and not use any sub-texts nor show wat the character is thinking. And the angles of the frames, you could zoom in and out at will, create an alternate universe just like that.
And with the endless stream of writers, drawers, inkers, texters and labels. Who are you gonna trust? Of course there are people like Stan Lee who almost single handedly saved the Marvel corp by agreeing to a timely rehash of our favourite neighbourhood spidey. But its usually the writers who breathe life into the stories, and there are certainly a few amazing ones to chose from. Neil Gaiman, Alan Moore and Frank Miller basically form the core of my reading material. In Fact, i think i'm extremely biased towards them.
and here are some relovutionary works that u might wanna check out.
1. The Dark Knight Strikes Back - Frank Miller.
1st published in the late eighties, round 1988. Bats is Bruce wayne, complete with moustache and greying sideburns, Commissioner Gordon counts his days to his retirement and Gotham remains as polluted and crime-infested as before. One by one, the captives in Arkham Asylum are freed on the pretense that they have been cured psychologically. In a predictable move which sees Bruce Wayne reinstate himself as batman and returns to clean up the streets, the story then focues on the political chaos that the dark knight brings with him. This eventually intertwines with the fate of his eternal enemies, The Joker and Superman. The finale is a grand romp worthy of the best fight ever, and 1 of the finest twists i've ever come across.
2. V for Vendetta - Alan Moore.
Alan Moore is a writer of extraordinary skill, that i'm absolutely sure of when i read the Watchman, but after going thru this title, i was awe-struck.
The New England is a facist country, ruled by propaganda and mass brain washing. When a mysterious character,V threatens the entire infrastructure of the 'government' in a valiant effort to quench his thirst for personal revenge, the country is thrown into limbo. Political ambitions, double-crossing acts and an obsessed affection for a machine are merely tools to be used in his trade for a new world...... There's just too much to cover here. Do read the book yeah? or wait for the movie which will star Natalie Portman. (Woon Alert). Terribly sorry if i shortchanged u but the more i think bout the story, the more i realised i could never summarise it properly so...just read the bloody book la.
3. Batman: Year One - Frank Miller.
This one is much easier. In a nutshell, the starting point of Batman and Gordon, who's just a new lieutenant in a new town. Gotham. Its as much about Gordon as it is about Batman, and conicidentally the new movie takes alot of references here, which is no surprise given the amount of depth put into it. Highly recommanded.
4. Sandman Series - Neil Gaiman.
Morpheous, the prince of dreams, captured and imprisoned for 70 years. When he finally escapes and wrecks torment on his captors, he realises that he is much weakened and requires his 3 tools to fully regain his abilities. This follows with a meeting with John Constantine, the famous chain-smoking demon hunter, a trek to hell and face to face with Lucifer Morningstar himself and the confrontation of the one who has mis-used his lifeforce ruby to his own selfish and wicked needs. Strangly, the sandman feels empty and inadequate, that is until his Sister who happens to be Death takes him on a tour of her working hours and shows him that there is in fact much to be done and alot more to accomplish.
And this is only book 1 of a 9 book series.
So wat else can i say? Once again.... go read them la.
posted by jin at 10:27 AM
5 Comments:
yo guang, guojun here la...if you want good graphic novels, go read Origin...MARVELS...and also, the first 3 books of X-Treme X-Men! Their art is super power...wif a decent story also =P
Ay, Just finished V for Vendetta.
Please correct me if i'm wrong... the part where she was dreaming of her and her... father, in the bed room, then her mother came in, that part.... wat significance?
And it kindof disturbs me when there's inter-relationships between a family man. So tell me man... she's in love with V in what manner???
Other than that, good stuff man. Only complain is the faces should be more definied cos derek looks like dominic and in fact, everyone else.
guojun - eh thanks man i'll check it out if i've got the time la... heh i'm really seduced by good writers so the writing must convince me first yeah?
Woon - eh, i think its sorta solidifies her relationship with her dad la, in the book that are many references to her dad which she probably have a wonderful childhood with before something happened to him, like wat it did to her lover.
Anyway, she's in love with V becoz he taught her to embrace the truth la and sorta like teach her the ways of the force like that. And in the first place she probably liked him becoz he reminded her of her dad la.
hmmm the artwork takes some time to get to la, but i think its really good leh. and if u look closely actually all of them different la.
only derek and dominic look abit alike la.
Okay guojun here again...if you want a huge tragic story, go and get Origin...if you want the history of the Marvel Universe wif GREAT ART go and get Marvels...haha as for X-Treme X-Men...errr...hot babes, action, action!! hahaha. Sigh. haven't been collecting for damn long liao la. I'm like missing out on how much. Hiakz.
http://www.ntu.edu.sg/studorgn/csclub/adhoc.htm
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