Review time! 'Saga of The Swamp Thing' Books One and Two.

There is always at least 'one thing' you've always been meaning to see/read/get. For me, 'Swamp Thing' by Alan Moore (Bisette, Totleben too) was at the very top of my very long list of 'one things I really must get'... and so here, at last, is a review from me about something that really should be on all self-respecting comic afficionado's shelves -
So, what did I think? So much has already been written - much of it more sophisticated than I can manage here. Consequently it'll be unecumbered by the weight of any specific expertise - and you might agree with none of it. But I hope, as a result, you'll go and read it yourself (if you haven't already done so).

First impressions? What struck me straight away, is that the narrative is more dynamic than I had expected. Even during 'introspective' moments there is a real sense of movement, both in the drawing and in the 'scripting'. In part this is  driven by the non-standard framing. It's responsive to, and part of, the narrative itself. I think also the simplicity of colouring and the uncluttered content of the frames keeps the reader focussed. The writing does makes full use of speech and expositional/narrative text boxes, mostly though, these are short -and intense. I've read back issues of 'Uncanny X-Men', for example, where the dialogue seems to be swamping the story. There's a lot to 'read' but there is a real sense of balance.
Yes, there are many moments of 'introspection' which is the second most important feature of these collections. SwampThing (a a character) cuts an existential figure. He (?) struggles with the nature of his existence and, though the pages of these two books at least, begins to grasp that indeed, he is the sum of what he says and does. Not what he was. Not what he may yet become.
I think that last sentence encapsulates much of the 'story' in these first two books. Swamp Thing has to discover who or what he is, it's a very human set of desires. Yet he is quite clearly not human. He doesn't do human things of necessarily feel in human ways and this is one of the things he has to learn. Interestingly, Swamp thing is not the only one learning about themselves - Abby, Matt, Dr. Woodrue, Arcane...villains and heroes alike appear to be on journeys themselves and, as a reader, that sense of charcter exploration is a further factor in what makes these books so engaging.
There is a lot that's odd here too  - mystical, spiritual moments (Yes, I know - and in the 1980s too!), etherial, non-sequential moments. There are elements of gothic horror, science-fiction, philosophy, hallucinations, zombies, super heroes, resurrections and in one episode wierd aliens land are eaten by alligators. You could argue that it's sometimes challenging, not always strightforward, unclear and, well just plain too odd.
But enough said. Your turn. I'm off to buy Book Three.

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Posted in: graphic novels

Review: Jimmy Corrigan - The Smartest Kid on Earth, by Chris Ware.

Not strictly a comic strip, or maybe it is. Not strictly a graphic novel, or perhaps it is. Not clearly sure how I would characterise this 'book' at all.

 My brother suggested this to me and although I had read excerpts before I'd never been sufficiently interested enough to actually get it. So he bought it for me to save time... with the added note, 'Enjoy! It may take some time to get through!'

This is the story of three generations of Corrigans told in two main time narratives - that of Jimmy, an office 'dogsbody' ('our hero') and that of his grandfather (Jimmy), growing up in the late eighteen hundreds. But both are sad stories. Both Jimmys are bullied, brow-beaten and have truly tragic (or pathetic) lives. There is a real and constant sense of loneliness and isolation. Just when you think human warmth is going to shine through, it melts away in the snow that falls. And there is a constant longing, on the reader's part, for life to be fairer, more just and not quite so unremittingly bleak. Grandfather Jimmy has a painful relationship with his lone-parent father. Contemporary Jimmy attempts an unsuccessful reconcilliation with a father long absent from his own life -  the chain-like apron strings that exist between him and his mother pervade the novel. Is it a novel?

It would be too easy to say that it's quite depressing fare. That's not it at all. There is not much in the way of text but the constant thought-provoking nature of the story does mean it takes time to digest and 'mull over'. (My brother was spot on!) It is powerful and affective. That's it! The sadness Ware creates is so human, so recogniseable. Relationships are seen to be complex, unsatisfactory and often fragile. The tragedies are human ones, even everyday ones. But as we read, we feel and that is what makes this book (?) stand out from the rest. It's oddly all too real.




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A lot has been said about the muted colouring and simple drawings. Mignola only uses half a dozen colours in 'Hellboy' and Spiegleman's 'Maus' is in black and white. It's clever, it's carefully drawn and, in my opinion, if that's your crticism, you've missed the point. In art (?), form and content have a relationship. And that is clearly seen here. The story panels don't quite tell the story sequentially, the mind wanders, Jimmy's (both of them) mind wanders, there is a kind of 'stream of consciousness here'.  It works.

This is genuinely an extraordinary text. I finished reading it a couple of days ago but I still haven't settled on what I think about it fully yet, the ideas are still lingering. Top job Mr Ware. There's so much I have read that I have forgotten. It won't happen with this comic book.

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Posted in: graphic novels

Slaine: Books of Invasions Vols 1-3. A quick review of a blast from the past.

2000AD was a staple of my teenage years. I know I'm not alone when I say that. For me it went right alongside the wargaming, the novels and the hobbying. I also know I'm not alone when I say that. After a while my comic reading and collecting grew to a wider experience. DC's The Question, The Dark Knight Returns...and further ...  Stray Toasters (remember that anyone?), 'Nam ,Elektra,and so on - until we get to the trade paperbacks you can read about elsewhere on this blog.

But somewhere along the way 2000AD got left behind. I still have hundreds of the beggars in a box in a cupboard. And that's a real shame because one of my favourite characters is Slaine the King / warrior / berserker and his suffering (insufferable) companion Ukko the dwarf. I loved the work of McMahon, Fabry, Bisley et al. I relished the blood thirsty extravagance of it all. The humour, the darkness, the cultural richness.

That's why I'm at this point. I'm trying to catch up with Slaine and his progress over 'the missing years'. Here are a few thoughts then, about Slaine :Books of Invasions by Pat Mills and Clint Langley. 

The Formorian sea daemons have invaded the Land of the Young and Slaine (as so often, against the advice of his council) and Niamh, his wife, fight back against the evil of Moloch and later, Lord Odacon. Things don't go well, lives are destroyed and desperate measures taken. Even the Earth Goddess Danu's protection appears to require peculiar sacrifices to be made. Leaping through the mud and blood, as always, but without Ukko, Slaine slices left and dices right,  proclaiming 'Kiss my axe!' as he wades in a sea of slaughter.

Not much had changed then. 

This was, throughout, a hugely enjoyable read. I can't quite say if my feelings about these stories were coloured by a sense of nostalgia, all I can say is that it felt good to be back. in the land of Tir Nan Og. The stories - given their episodic format - were neatly told, narratively well paced and balanced between destruction and the journey Slaine has to take. This was how I remembered him.

 It's not an easy journey of course. Along the way he forms alliances with the Scota (an Atlantean tribe), he has to survive challenges form Danu and defeat daemons of might and power, axe and spear in hand. And there is sorrow.

In the last volume the story is completed with a full scale battle, a city under seige and, as an epilogue,  there is the addition of  a return to Ukko, where Slaine finds his son and embarks on a Sherlock Holmes-like investigation into strange goings on among the even stranger denizens of The Carnival.

The final (or most important) and most stunning feature of these volumes is the artwork. It is spectacular in so many ways. Langley uses a mixture of fully painted artwork and digitally manipulated images to create something truly  ... visceral. It has power, sensuality, horror and, in places, beauty. The fire burns. The blood splatters and gushes. The darkness engulfs. This is the point. It's a perfect match for this world of Pat Mills' imagination, which itself 'borrows' from ancient Celtic myths and legends - deliberately so.

Sit down. kick back. Grab a beer. Give yourself time to read these - your eyes will want linger over the details, the colours, the landscapes, the characters (don't read it in dim light, you'll miss bits!) - you won't be stop yourself from exploring the 'widescreen' style pages, inch by astonishing, luxurious, inch.

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Posted in: graphic novels

Aha Fables! Volumes 1 -17 by Bill Willingham, Mark Buckingham et al.

Volume 17 of Fables, called 'Inherit The Wind' collects together issues 108-113 of the Fables series. And what a series. Without doubt a classic and a 'must-read' as far as I'm concerned.
I think I'll start with the covers, which in themselves are wonders to behold. Each is visually stunning and breathtakingly drawn. There is detail and beauty in just about any cover you could pick at random. Not only that, but there are a number of superb artists who have contributed 'gems' to this fabulous series. Just to take one - Adam Hughes in Volume 17 does a fantastic mini-story called 'Porky-pining'- in an Art Deco style. It's fantastic. And funny.

Without spoiling too much -  the series tells the story of the lives and loves of characters and creatures from the realms of fairy stories, myths and legends and it imagines that they have been forced to live among 'mundies'. That's us normal folk, so you know, and we don't know their true nature. They live in Fabletown, of course, (undetectable to us) and have had to flee from an evil enemy (who is he?) seeking to subdue them to his authority- as well as doing the same to countless other worlds in his quest for Empire. There's Snow White, The Wolf, Little Boy Blue, The North Wind, Beauty and the Beast and many, many more. And theyr'e not quite how you remember them either - just check out Pinocchio!
There are battles, births, betrayals, burials and betrothals and no character is safe. Willingham admirably manages to weave a fluent narrative through the pages of so many issues. By the time we get to Volume 17 various sinister perils have been faced. There has been heartache and heartbreak, but also a healthy dose of humour and hope. (I'll stop with the alliteration now.)
The artwork is generally carried out by Buckingham, whose style is quite 'traditional', in a kind of comic book way. That's not to be patronising though. I often have liked work that breaks from this style - Mignola, Sienkiewicz, O'Neill, Miller etc. But this is vivid, energetic and full of character. Can't wait for the next volume...

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Posted in: graphic novels

B.P.R.D. Volumes 1 - 14.

Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense

Left to right: Johann Krauss, Liz Sherman, Abe Sapien, Roger, Kate Corrigan.

In this series Mike Mignola takes the members of the BPRD and gives them life beyond the associations with Hellboy. Much in the same way as the 'Hellboy' series, Mignola creates a central storyline (a 'war' with subterranean 'frogs' that threaten to overwhelm and destroy the planet) with a number of short stories and character exploring 'asides'.  Again, in the same way as the 'Hellboy' series, other contributors come to Mignola's aid - most notably Guy Davis and John Arcudi.

Mignola admits that he wasn't quite sure where the series was going to go at first. Arcudi, he says, helped give the story a more definite trajectory and focused the narrative threads on the war that was brewing beneath the surface of the earth and BPRD's role in challenging it.

I think what's particularly good about the series is that it also allows  the development of the characters in the BPRD team. Eerie Krauss  goes through grief, Abe Sapien a crisis of confidence, Roger (the homunculus) a search for identity, and other characters like Captain Daimio  and Liz Corrigan strange and often devastating experiences. There's also the strange Fu Manchu style character and his attempts to manipulate Liz Sherman's power. So it's not just about the 'war' with the strange frog creatures (seen in earlier volumes of 'Hellboy') that drives the plot. But I don't think you'd ever expect that from Mignola anyway.The plot itself is healthily complex, there are man bits and pieces of information you need to maintian in your head as you go along - thanks Mr Mignola - enaging though, and thoroughly enjoyable.

Arcudi and Davis do a fantastic job in my view. Although I can see that the artwork may not be to everyone's taste - it isn't like Mignola's work if that's what you like - it does remain true to the simplicity of colour and frame sequencing that characterises past Mignola work. As you can see above the characters are evocatively drawn and the frogs are consistently meancing throughout the series. Overall a well recommended read for those seeking to persue the battle with the occult into areas beyond 'Hellboy'. It's not just a 'spin-off'.

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Posted in: graphic novels

'The Walking Dead.' - Volumes 1-15.

I've blogged on a number of occasions about the graphic novels that I've been accruing and reading.  You can look back at my posts on 'Preacher', 'BPRD', 'Fables' and 'Hellboy'. Today it's the turn of the Kirkman/Adlard/Rathburn production of the extensive and long running zombie series 'The Walking Dead'. Now a major TV series too - series 2!
First off let me say zombies aren't my usual fare. Not that anything in particular is, but the horror genre doesn't usually do anything for me. The film 'I am Legend' was engaging, tense and dramatic in equal turns and the undead are are a staple of many a console based game I've played. However, I was introduced to this by a friend and once I'd read volume one, I was well and truly hooked.

The series covers a scenario in which the world is brought to its knees by 'walkers' who roam the country biting and thus infecting everyone they come into contact with. Rick Grimes, a local cop, wakes up from a coma ( 'Day of the Triffids' anyone?) to find the world already changed beyond all recognition. His wife (Lori) and his boy (Carl) are missing - and he therefore has only one thing in mind - to find them.

I've said the story is extensive, it's more of a chronicle really, a kind of road trip through the world (the US) laid waste by the zombies. It explores the new realities of life and the moral and philosophical readjustments that Rick et al have to go through. Rick's not always an easily likable character, nor are many that he encounters and journeys with on the way.

I think the artwork conveys this superbly - especially in Volume One - with Tony Moore on board, though he doesn't continue after this one. The art is black and white throughout and this lends quite an eerie tone to proceedings, as if it required any help on this front...The landscapes are barren, dilapidated, solemn spaces with drifting ghoulish figures. Towns and cities are wastelands inhabited by gangs, lonely lost souls and those desperate to cling stubbornly to life. All with personal demons and excruciating histories. Often scenes are brutal, graphic and starkly imagined. Be warned.
I bet that sounds depressing. Well, I guess to a certain extent that is what it is. I don't think the premise means that you can have much 'jollyness'. But that's not the point. There is, for the reader, the grim satisfaction in the human spirit's desire to protect loved ones and to win survival for them at whatever cost.The characters are well written and we recognise the changes they go through and we sympathise with some of the awful choices they make. As a reader you lurch from panel to panel as they lurch from disaster to hope, from despair to finding solace in each other's company. It's a bumpy ride.
There is a great deal of dialogue too. Sometimes it tends to go over some of the same 'I can't cope' / 'What have I become?' / 'I'd do anything to protect my family' - type ground. This maybe because I read the volumes in batches of three or four at a time and consequently I covered a lot of the story at once. These build the characters though -which is the point. There is progression, there are consequences, characters do carry grudges, form relationships and struggle together.
A recommended read. Four out of five at least for me.

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Posted in: graphic novels

Christmas treats and a preview...

So, Merry Christmas!
I have put a link to my YouTube channel in the weblink bar on the right. There you will find some unboxing posts for a couple of games I got for Christmas - Dreadfleet and Legend Of Drizzt (D&D boardgame). These are added to the Lord of the Rings LCG I put on there last week.
So, also up and coming for the end of this year and 2012 are -

• Warmachine's plastic Cygnar Battlegroup (plus painting posts).
• The Walking Dead up to volume 14.
• Hellboy volume 11 (and BPRD thrown in for good measure).
• A couple of MTG core sets for 2012.
• LA Noire, Portal 2, Skyrim for PS3.
• A Dance With Dragons by George RR Martin
• Robin Hobb's Farseer Trilogy.

If I ever have a chance to post about all of these - it'll be right here! Happy New Year too!

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Posted in: board games,books,CCG/TCG,graphic novels,Magic:The Gathering,PS3,stuff,Warmachine

'The Amazing Screw-on Head and Other Curious Objects' versus 'Century:1969'.

Good evening fight-fans! Tonight it's a straight-down-the-middle-one submission fist fight between these two heavy-weights of the comic book world. In the blue corner Moore and O'Neill's 'Century' series gets to 1969, having followed on from The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, via Century:1910 to London in the (very) swinging sixties. In the red corner, is Mike Mignola's collection of 'short stories' - more occult based mystery and mayhem from the pen of the creator of such acclaimed works as Hellboy and BPRD.

Thwack!



Kludd!!



Let's get ready to rumble!!!

Round 1 : The narratives.

OK so to begin with both are very occult laden. Both are a bit odd to say the least, although both have one foot in a kind of recognisable reality. Furthermore, I'd also say that to get the best out of both you do need a working knowledge of the authors' other works.

 Moore/O'Neill's story sees Mina, Allan and Lando investing an occultist of sorts, who appears to be trying to complete a ritual with a lead singer of a band in order that he can transfer into the lead singer's body. Meanwhile, Jackie C. a gangland 'troubleshooter' (Michael Cane anyone?) is on the search for the murder of a member of the same band, leading him in the same direction as our intrepid investigators. Throw in drugs/sex/supernatural beings and astral planes and you're half way there. There are strong links to a number of different cultural and textual references -but I don't feel it makes the plot too obscure. Though it does require patience.

Mignola too, does not shy away from a text replete with a variety of external references.You'll find Abraham Lincoln and a beanstalk stretching into the sky within these pages. The short story structure of the compilation helps keep the lateral thinking in check though. You can't befuddle the reader too much in only about 28 pages or less. Contained here are The Amazing Screwed-on Head (a kind of robot thwarting the Zombie Emperor), Abu Gung and the Beanstalk (a boy gets one over on the devil), The Magician and the Snake (A magician pays the ultimate price for his art), The Witch and Her Soul (the devil comes to claim his remuneration), The Prisoner of Mars (A professor's ghostly spirit saves the earth from invasion) and The Chapel Of Curious Objects (does what it says on the tin). Each one a kind of snapshot exploring small ideas - simply - with limited explanation. Take them for what they are.

Round 1 = Mignola on points.

I liked the madcap world of Moore's 1960s, but there is a subtlety to Mignola's story telling that's really engaging. (If rather tongue-in-cheek or even self-parodying in this volume). Sometimes Moore is a little like hard work and the short stories at the back of each volume are incredibly densely written and hard to 'penetrate' (he'd like that description though!).

Round 2 : The art I say, the art.

Both are fantastic. Both open up different perspectives on the comic genre. Both unique.

 O'Neill is allowed to let his imagination literally rum amok in the  psychedelic landscape of the 1960s and the drug imbibing that takes place. There is nakedness and sex fairly regularly and O'Neill has never shied away from that. His drawing is full on, to go hand-in-hand with the narrative.Colours are vivid, vibrant and enthusiastically realised. His art continues to remain refreshing after the banality of some of the Marvel/DC offerings you can often come across. I can still clearly remember Marshall Law and his earlier 2000AD masterpieces after all these years...

Mignola is similarly a comic art icon. His blocking of simple often dark colours, the unfussy lines of the drawings and the willingness to manipulate the sense of a frame and it's place on the page are all here - as we have come to expect.The vibrant colours are saved for the dramatic moments - blood reds, yellows and oranges add striking contrasts to the more supernatural or gruesome scenes. It's carefully constrained, sparingly detailed - yet wonderfully atmospheric and evocative.

Round 2  = Mignola (on this occasion)

I enjoyed both of these. If you like other work by this lot then you'll probably be getting these anyway. For me, the short stories of Mignola are slightly more successful. Sure, there's not quite the narrative drive of Moore's offering but the overall quality is still great - the hardback copy I have is a nice addition to the bookshelf too.

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Posted in: graphic novels

The Boys : Ennis /Robertson

FYI, just got through volumes 4 and 5 of this series and I have to say it's an improving experience. Like Preacher, it's blood, sex and guts - with bells on - however, there's enough politics and intrigue to make it not seem gratuitous  ... no hang on ... there are plenty of scenes that are completely gratuitous and that's another reason why it's fun to read!

I'd argue that the premise of super heroes gone bad has been touched on before - and the idea that they are closely linked with international politics and power. Nevertheless, the way they need to be 'managed' by Butcher, Wee Hughie and co. with a real degree of black humour, does create an engaging and entertaining concept. The 'supes' too are comedic/nasty enough for us to relish their (frequent) demises. Artwork is generally dynamic and there are only a few 'dry' scenes which flesh out the political narrative.

Why not 'ave a butchers for yourself.

Reviews of volumes 6 and 7 seem consistently positive. We'll see... I'll comment.

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Posted in: graphic novels

The end of Preacher - by Ennis/Dillon

I thought I'd make sure that I rounded off the Preacher series with a mini-review, and then list some of the things that should be coming up.

First off, let me say that Ennis and Dillon did a grand job on the series overall. I knew the work of these guys of old and it doesn't disappoint. The artwork is clear, confident and packs a punch. I adore the Fabry covers included in the trade paperbacks. There are also some great illustrations at the end too. The narrative is thoughtful, the interplay between he characters is interesting and, to an extent, very 'human', despite the storyline. The storyline itself progressed quite interestingly in the first half of the series. I enjoyed the oddities, the seediness and the gratuitous violence. The one criticism that I might have is that, by the last volume (The Alamo), I already sort of knew where the story was going to end up. It felt a little too familiar and I think this lessened the impact of the final dramatic narrative 'punches'. The Saint of Killers is an absolutely fantastic creation though!
Up and coming graphic novel reports from me will include the next few volumes (up to v.8) of the excellent black and white zombie series The Walking Dead. Then we have - The Boys (Ennis again) up to volume 5, Alan Moore's The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen : Century 1969, Willingham's fabulous Fables  - volumes 14 and 15, Mignola's The Amazing Screw on Head...
Then there's the Lord Of the Rings LCG to consider along with the rulebooks for Dark Age Games, Malifaux and Warmachine : Wrath.
I'll let you know about them all ... if ever I have time!!

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Posted in: Dark Age Games,graphic novels,LCG,Malifaux,Warmachine

This week : A Game of Thrones - the book and some other stuff.

So the other week , for Father's Day as it happens, I got a bit of stuff to play around with. A few more copies of the seriously dark and doomy graphic novel 'The Walking Dead', the last two volumes of the seriously cool Dillon/Ennis series 'Preacher' and a pack o' cards. (A WoW TCG starter deck, just because it wasn't very expensive at about £6. It was a random deck - a Mage set, not that this would normally thrill me, but it's good source of deck building cards for a relative noob like me.) More of all those later.


But I'm going to start with a brief review of the opening of 'A Game of Thrones', the ubiquitous (?) novel by George R. R. Martin. I had already seen the first few episodes of the HBO series. I was impressed. Especially when I compare it now with the Channel 4 version  of sex 'n' swordplay - 'Camelot', which appears to be a bit like the BBC's 'Merlin' for grown ups - if that's not too condescending. Camelot's production values are excellent and Fiennes is fine as a badman Merlin, but it did feel a little tired. We all know the story already , even if they tried a few different slants on the tradititonal views of the tale.
'A Game of Thrones', however, is more complex. In my view more satisfyingly so. I liked having to work out the relationships and their histories, the back stories and past events. Yes, my brain did have to work, but I enjoyed its gritty, cinematic, darkly atmospheric feel. The production values are far better than 'Camelot's' and I have to say - I love HBO. 'The Wire', 'Deadwood', sex, swearing and slaying, oh and more swearing. Ok, that's me ...easily pleased. But the acting is superior, the plot more sophisticated and the characters more fresh and intriguing. They're all badmans, even Ned!

So, to the book. Book One of 'A Song Of Ice And Fire' as it happens. I'm not going to write too much about the story. There's a lot about it all over t'internet already.  A number of families (or houses) vying for power, political leverage and/or royal favour. Illegitimate children, Direwolves, assassination, incest and greed. Great! I was pleasantly surprised, having expected something rather fomulaic, maybe trite or even cliched. I have to confess to being a bit of a Tolkien die-hard at heart, however, I felt that the short chapters, the controlled descriptive sections and the whole world feel engaged me straight away. I will admit that the young ages of the girls did make me cringe a little, given their in-story 'experiences', but having said that, their treatment is consistent with the kind of world Martin is trying to set up. It isn't Middle Earth, it's tough, it's uncomfortable, it's uncompromising. The Dark Ages even. The pace moves swiftly on, when Tolkien would pause for dramatic effect. The reader has to work things out, where Tolkien would either have a character explain, or write an entire historical appendix. Good characters aren't allowed only to make good decisions for justice and truth, they have to make awful ones for survival and political expediency. And  ...  wot no magic? Cool enough.


Now, I've learnt all of this in the first 100 pages, so roll on the next 700.


Phew!

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Posted in: books,graphic novels,wow tcg

New horizons and .... Tannhauser!!!!!!!!

And so, I know it's a long time since my last blog. And yes, I know that I've been a very naughty boy (and therefore not the messiah). And so, here goes... Here's what I've been up to.

Painting, er well, I did a bit on the Rune Priest. He's nearly finished. Snow to add and backpack, then done. The never ending project I calls it.

Graphic Novels - The Walking Dead is great! I've read volumes 1 - 4 and caught some of the TV programmes too. I like the thoughtful storytelling, the atmospheric art and the sense of tension that runs throughout. A good job done by all. It's a very 'now' concept...the end of the world as we know it. And it deals powerfully with all of the moral ambiguity that would entail. I've also read a couple more Preacher and enjoyed the stridently and unashamedly explicit and enthusiastically realised 'The Boys' - another fabulously over the top, yet intriguing offering from Mr G Ennis (and co.) All heartily recommended.

TV stuff - The Pacific, in the style of Band of Brothers is also something I have been 'dipping in' to. I must say that it hasn't caught my imagination in the same way. The characters are less defined and the camera spends a lot of time focusing on a specific character in each episode, meaning we never really get a coherent sense of a group dynamic. This was a real strength of BoB. Nevertheless, the conditions of Pacific warfare do come across strongly and the battlefield moments are as graphically conveyed as anything else out there.

Finally GAMES stuff  - Have now done a couple of YouTube posts introducing the game of Tannhauser which I got over Christmas. I'm still a real newbie but as the posts progress things'll improve. I also bought a few MTG cards and bits and bobs which I play now and again. Still rubbish at it, but it's a larf - and that's what I do it for. Don't you? I did buy the Cygnar Warmachine book, but I mostly bought that for reading at the moment.

Another time 'black hole' has been Fallout : New Vegas (surprisingly few glitches) and recently Mass Effect 2. I'm really impressed with both of them. Admittedly, New Vegas is Fallout 3, but it takes the game forward in a number of respects and still allows for engaging and engrossing RPG play. Which I heart. Mass Effect 2 is also well crafted with interesting nuances and bits to find and explore. My son plays this too (15yrs) but just likes to shoot things (He's a Black Ops Vet), in spite of this he's getting a lot out of the game too.

I think that about covers it  ... please view the You Tube posts below and - cheers!

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Posted in: board games,graphic novels,Tannhauser,Warmachine

More what I've done...

You'll be pleased to know that this week I have been mostly reading comics. Managed to get through BPRD volumes 9 to 13- which was was quite an effort, and then Hellboy volume 10. All of which were splendid. I like the way BPRD is staying away from too much Hellboy crossover. I am enjoying the march of the 'frogs', although if I am being completely honest, I found the the idea of Daimio's story a little odd. Nevertheless a great read and the art creates pace and atmosphere effectively.Have a look at the art in Volume 13 Ba and Moon's work is pretty cool I think. I could write something more intellectual - but all you need to know I guess is that they were well worth the money from Amazon.

Next up Hellboy volume10  - this drifted away from the Excalibur storyline (I'll try to avoid too many spoilers...) and into strange dreams! I thought the Fegrodo art was inspired. It seems distant from Mignola initially but you soon warm to the way a real sense of manic darkness is created.
I'm now embarking on readin' Mouseguard Autumn 1152 - I'll let you know...

Lastly , a bit of goblin progress ...

I've also done some work on my Space Wolves Rune Priest, but I think I ought to do some more work before I brag about any 'progress' there!

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Posted in: graphic novels,Warhammer Fantasy

New additions.

Well, this week has seen the arrival of a few items on my doorstep. Mainly because I've got a little free time and I aim to use it! So, Lone Wolf and Cub v. 22 - 24, BPRD 7-10, Warhammer Invasion LCG and The Warhammer 8th ed. rule book. There's more to come, but one thing at a time - sort of.

I read the Lone Wolfs (wolves?) and the series is moving dramatically to its conclusion. The story is as gripping as ever. The son and father in their meifumado (look it up!) and the final battles against their mortal enemy. Consistently, well paced and thoughtfully drawn. Yes, there is adult content, it's not for kids - but for a discerning reader it has incredible qualities and you soon forget that you have been looking at the glossary. It has meticulous attention to detail ; there is a real sense of place and the community. Also, despite the way in which Ogami Itto embraces death and destruction there is a real humble humanity about him that ensures our sympathies. I suppose that is the real point. It is not simply a tale of revenge.

As a quick added point I have just played through the first few starter sessions of Battle for Skull Pass. I have to say that it was all nice and easy. I really like the range of figures. Great for the price. I do realise I will have to adapt what I have learnt with the new edition but there you go... Any way, it all went OK. You do need trays for the figures though - compared to my starter efforts at 40K, movement is a right royal pain without them. Overall, I kept having to look at the stats but my 12 year old got them straight away. Shows something I guess!!
I did wonder about the Flee rule - I felt it might mean that low Leadership troops would be forever running away -but it didn't work out like that- perhaps only because of favourable dice rolls though. We shall see.
Nevertheless will move on to full starter scenario - then the 3 Advanced Scenarios on the Games Workshop website and let you know how they go. At the moment it seems quite accessible and I like the way you can get into the game before knowing the more complex rules.

I think you all ought to know I took back Final Fantasy XIII - I loved the graphics and the gameplay but it was more than my mind could take in terms of intellectual /time investment. I am ashamed to admit this. I really didn't understand the weapons upgrade system and I couldn't work out how to get really good. I hang my head. So I'm going back to Elder Scrolls : Oblivion for RPG and have bought Uncharted 2 to shoot stuff.

Time black hole approaches.

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Posted in: graphic novels,Lone Wolf and Cub,PS3,Warhammer Fantasy,Warhammer Invasion

And the next day.

Well,

I have just read the Hellboy 9 (The Wild Hunt) collection and I have to say that it is absolutely, absolutely, (and again ... absolutely) fantastic. Fegredo's illustrations are completely spot on and convey the mystery and mysticism superbly. The drawings make an effective use of light and shade for the eerie tones of the text and I think the drawings of Hellboy himself follow the Mignola ideals with excellence. Fabulous colours too. Well done guys! However, the best part really, is the use of ancient legend. King Arthur! Astonishing but not absurd. An imaginative and engaging concept - can't wait for number 10!

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Posted in: graphic novels

New Avenues...

As I don't have time for anything, I have decided to see what else there is out there to not have time for. As you can imagine this takes time, organisation and a little effort. Plus some 'spare' cash.

First off - I was trawling the net looking at different gaming figures when I came across the Wyrd Miniatures and Privateer Press websites. Suddenly my eyes widened. I saw some fantastic figures for the Warmachine game and Malifaux - one of the other key plus points seems to be the fact that you don't need as many models as 40K to get going. So I ordered a couple of back issues of the magazine 'No quarter' (Warmachine) plus the Warmachine rule book. Just to see. Curious to know what else is 'out there'. I also had look at the online community for warmachine and Youtube and it all seems quite positive.

And then...some Magic TG cards tuned up (9th ed. core/starter) and I began playing with my son (only 11) but we got going pretty speedily. We had already had some experience with World Of Warcraft cards, and though we'll never be experts, we made a pretty good fist of starting off. He tends to win ... I tend to take his advice. It was a good starter pack - a DVD ROM, a script to follow and some basic cards for two players. I couldn't have asked for more for the princely sum of less than a tenner off of Amazon. No Planeswalkers but I don't think that our experience can take that quite yet anyway. I've got a few boosters so let's see how that goes.

I ought to note at this point, that my son and I had our first game of Space Hulk this week and yet again I lost -although apparently as Space Marines, this is pretty likely to be your fate! I'll review the game a bit more when I have played both sides.

Also when surfing I saw a couple of graphic novels -Hellboy 9 and BPRD 6. Some light reading , which I am really looking forward to.

Finally, I was intrigued by two more games -Warhammer:Invasion a card /board game (Living Card Game!) and Incursion a kind of space Hulk with Zombies and super soldiers. But I need more pocket money before I get them!

Having sorted the loft and back garden this week -I think I am owed some 'me time'. So, more later. I know what'll happen though. I'll never have enough time ...

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Posted in: graphic novels,Magic:The Gathering,Space Hulk,Warmachine

Aha Fables!

I've just read Fables 8, 9 and 10 and I have to say they were well worth the wait. I ordered at Forbidden Planet online just before Christmas, and although they only came last week - they were good value and shipping was only £3 for 3.
The covers alone are fantastic, beautifully drawn and coloured. The stories didn't disappoint either although I do think I need an evil twist right now as the 'goodies' are in the ascendancy. There were some thoughtful touches in the story of Fly, as Prince Ambrose - even if it did smack a little of Aragorn and the dead army in LOTR. Nevertheless, there is a real sense of character in each of the episodes and I suppose the key measure of their quality is that I'm eagerly anticipating the next installments.
The only other graphic novels I have been reading recently have been the Preacher series - a whole different world in terms of gore, foul language, drunkenness and violence. Hooray for that!

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Posted in: graphic novels

Lone Wolf, the gift that keeps on giving.

Got the next four installments of the Lone Wolf collected volumes for Christmas. Volumes 18 - 21 in effect. This is another labour of love of sorts, but it's a fantastic series and I've been absorbed by every one of the 100 (or so) chapters so far. The icy steel of Itto and the innocent, yet grim determination of Daigoro are enthralling. The artwork vividly describes the speed and precision of the characters' movements and the dialogue preserves the rigidly caste driven social system and intricate layers of manners and ritual. Truly a classic, and I think the covers by Sienkiewicz and Miller are, to coin a phrase, 'chuffin excellent'.

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Posted in: graphic novels,Lone Wolf and Cub