There is still hope for good comics reading
Despite my protests over the news about Darwyn Cooke leaving THE SPIRIT title at DC Comics, I have also discovered a new treasure during this past week. I may very well be the last person to figure this one out, but I think it's worth noting anyway, in case there is anyone else out there who hasn't given this comic a try.
This past weekend, I took a trip to San Diego, California with the family. The trip was designed to be a 50th Wedding Anniversary present for my wife's parents, and not a trip to the San Diego Comic-Con, which is probably what I would have been doing on any other year at this period of time. More about that in another post.
I usually try and find something interesting to read before any trip, so that I can use some of the free time that comes with vacationing to get some reading done. Along with copies of WRITER'S DIGEST, LOCUS, ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY and the current book that I am reading, Kate Wilhelm's history of the Clarion Writer's workshop, STORYTELLER, I decided that some comics were in order as well. I always like to grab something that I can immerse myself in and spend a little more time with, so I grabbed a book that I've been interested in for years, but have just never picked up for any reason, EX MACHINA. EM is the brainchild of the excellent Brian Vaugh, a comics writer so good that comics will undoubtedly lose him now to higher paying assignments, such as novel writing or screenplay writing, which he is currently doing as a writer for the television show, LOST. I picked up the first volume of the EX MACHINA series, and I must confess, it was much better than I had even hoped. Combining political intrigue and science fiction, with a relevant take on the superhero concept, EM is unlike any comic currently on the market. I work for a City government, and I must tell you that Vaughn's take on Mitchell Hundred, the mayor of New York (and ex-superhero) is surprisingly accurate in the issues presented to Hundred in his job as Mayor. The book is just layered with good characterization and plotting, and the subplots feel authentic and sharp as a tack.
Not to be slighted by this review, the artwork by Tony Harris is astounding as well. Harris uses photos to achieve real-life positioning in his figures, but in his work, the art doesn't feel stiff. It just adds to the accurate feeling that is presented in the title. I highly recommended that you give the trades a look when you next visit a bookstore.
This past weekend, I took a trip to San Diego, California with the family. The trip was designed to be a 50th Wedding Anniversary present for my wife's parents, and not a trip to the San Diego Comic-Con, which is probably what I would have been doing on any other year at this period of time. More about that in another post.
I usually try and find something interesting to read before any trip, so that I can use some of the free time that comes with vacationing to get some reading done. Along with copies of WRITER'S DIGEST, LOCUS, ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY and the current book that I am reading, Kate Wilhelm's history of the Clarion Writer's workshop, STORYTELLER, I decided that some comics were in order as well. I always like to grab something that I can immerse myself in and spend a little more time with, so I grabbed a book that I've been interested in for years, but have just never picked up for any reason, EX MACHINA. EM is the brainchild of the excellent Brian Vaugh, a comics writer so good that comics will undoubtedly lose him now to higher paying assignments, such as novel writing or screenplay writing, which he is currently doing as a writer for the television show, LOST. I picked up the first volume of the EX MACHINA series, and I must confess, it was much better than I had even hoped. Combining political intrigue and science fiction, with a relevant take on the superhero concept, EM is unlike any comic currently on the market. I work for a City government, and I must tell you that Vaughn's take on Mitchell Hundred, the mayor of New York (and ex-superhero) is surprisingly accurate in the issues presented to Hundred in his job as Mayor. The book is just layered with good characterization and plotting, and the subplots feel authentic and sharp as a tack.
Not to be slighted by this review, the artwork by Tony Harris is astounding as well. Harris uses photos to achieve real-life positioning in his figures, but in his work, the art doesn't feel stiff. It just adds to the accurate feeling that is presented in the title. I highly recommended that you give the trades a look when you next visit a bookstore.