Lock Jaw's Comic Book Log

[Lock Jaw]

In this thread, I will "review" and discuss comic books that I am reading.

First up:


http://comicsmedia.ign.com/comics/image/object/083/083150/morning-g-1_cover-art.jpg

Morning Glories written by Nick Spencer, art by Joe Eisma

I just started to read this series tonight, and am currently six issues in.

The series is about the Morning Glories prep academy school, and the six teens who have just been granted admission.

On arrival they quickly learn that the school is not what it seems. It is fairly sinister and mysterious. It reminds me of Lost meets The Prisoner meets Runaways.

Some of the characters are cool, while others seem a tad cliche thus far, but the mysteries are what is keeping me really enthralled in this series. I am curious to find out more about what the hell is going on. I have a feeling I am going to be up late reading this. Only reason I am taking the time out to make this thread is waiting for more to download.

I hear that the writer is writing it in "seasons", as well, which is neat because it does feel more like a TV show than a comic book. There are 30-something issues currently out right now, and I think "season 2" began only recently.

[Lock Jaw]

Just finished the second story arc. A lot more character development via Lost-esque flashbacks.

UGGGHHH though, the mysteries are frustrating me. Want to know everything right now.

[Lock Jaw]

Just caught up with all 30 issues. It kind of loses some steam in my opinion, but it is still pretty great. It just needs to, I don't know, take a step back from getting too tangled up in all the mysteries and mythology... get back to the core characters for awhile.

I will definitely continue to read this book each month, and heartily recommend it to all.

[Miotch]

Thanks for the rec. I'll probably czech it out. Need to read Sandman first though, and Preacher being f*cking boring is preventing me from doing that.

[Lock Jaw]

Just read:

http://www.chromewaves.net/images/interface/booksOfMagic.jpg

The Books of Magic v1 by Neil Gaiman

Timothy Hunter is a young twelve-year old boy living in the mythical land of London, England. As far as he knows, he is just a normal boy... messy black hair... glasses... but on one day, he is approached by four strangers and finds out that he has the potential to be the most powerful magician of the age. And so he is whisked off to learn all about magic! Oh, and he also gets a pet owl.

No, this is not a Harry Potter rip off... it was written in 1990, many years before Harry Potter would sweep the world by storm.

Anyways, the four strangers who approach him just happen to be The Phantom Stranger, Doctor Occult, John Constantine, and some guy named Mister E who I never heard of before.

The miniseries actually isn't about Tim learning actual magic yet, but really just learning ABOUT magic and being given the choice whether he wishes to step onto the path of magic or remain living a normal life.

Each issue had one of the "trenchcoat brigade", as Constantine calls themselves, guding Tim Hunter through different stuff.

The first issue sees Phantom Stranger taking Tim in a journey through the past, learning about magic and the universe.

The second issue has him going around with John Constantine and meeting various magic-based characters such as Dr. Fate, Deadman, The Spectre, The Demon, Zatanna, and more.

The third sees him guided by Dr. Occult into the land of the Faerie, where they explore the various different worlds of magic.

The fourth sees him go with Mister E on a journey into the future and what it holds for magic and for mankind.

All in all, I'd say it was a very weird series. Typical Neil Gaiman "lots of dialog/words" style, with some really weird art on occasion. A lot of it felt like it was some sort of "psychedelic trip".

But... I gotta say on the whole I enjoyed it. Tim Hunter would later get his own series which lasted for 70-something issues... and this miniseries has caught my interest enough for me to check out the series.

I give it.... a 7.5/10. I guess. I dunno. Maybe more.

[Sixx]

Thanks for the rec. I'll probably czech it out. Need to read Sandman first though, and Preacher being f*cking boring is preventing me from doing that.

The fuck?

I loved Preacher.

You are a disgrace, Miotch. Either that or I was drunk the whole time reading Preacher.

[Miotch]

Dunno. Just hasn't 'grabbed' me.

[Lock Jaw]

I will maybe have to check it out to settle this dispute.

Checking out Books of Magic first though.

[The Destroyer]

Haven't checked out any of Gaiman's comics work. Probably should.

[Sixx]

I just downloaded The Boys. I'm a huge fan of Garth Ennis so hopefully this is good.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Boys_%28comics%29

[The Destroyer]

Yeah I quite like The Boys. Only up to about issue 40 so far though.

Loved the Tek-Knight story line and Love Sausage is the great Russian superhero in all of comics.

[Lock Jaw]

I read some of The Boys, didn't care for it too much. Not too into "gratuity" for the sake of "gratuity". It wasn't terrible, but just not my cup of tea.

[Sixx]

Gotta say I'm kinda surprised with the not so serious Garth Ennis stories.

You just gotta check out Punisher vol. 4 issues 16-17.

Punisher and Wolverine fighting midgets is just fuckin' amazing.

Sorry for spamming your thread with the Ennis love.

[Lock Jaw]

Sorry for spamming your thread with the Ennis love.

Nah, I like other people posting, makes it seem like this thread isn't all for me talking to myself.

[Lock Jaw]

Just found out that Morning Glories is going to have TWO ISSUES in both September and October. Good news for me.

[Fignuts]

I read some of The Boys, didn't care for it too much. Not too into "gratuity" for the sake of "gratuity". It wasn't terrible, but just not my cup of tea.

For real. I enjoyed it for what it was, but a lot of people are calling Ennis a genius for drawing superman demanding a blowjob, as one guy put it.

The ending is also kinda stupid as well.

I feel like the concept was really cool, but because of all the gratuity it wasn't what it could have been. If it would have been taken a bit more seriously it would have been really great.

[Lock Jaw]

Just finished the first story arc of the ongoing Books of Magic series (not written by Gaiman).

Still has potential, but they need to move on and send Tim Hunter to Hogwarts or something already.

Also

So much for Tim Hunter being a regular kid, because it was revealed that he is the son of Titania, the Queen of the Faerie, and Tamlin, some other dude from Faerie who can change into a falcon.

[The Destroyer]

The ongoing series has apparently been consigned to the dustbin of continuity post-New 52 anyway.

[Lock Jaw]

Nearly everything has. Which is why I am spending my time reading old comics instead of current ones.

[The Destroyer]

I'm spending my time in a vain attempt to catch up with stuff that will never succeed. :(

[Lock Jaw]

Yeah, I was catching up on Marvel stuff, but then I said screw it and decided to read other things.

[Lock Jaw]

Not gonna lie, pretty obsessed with Morning Glories right now. Was just browsing the Morning Glories Wiki for about an hour.

[Sixx]

So I totally loved The Boys. Went looking for other Ennis' comics and finally found one that sucks balls. Crossed. Reading the plot summary it had so much potential. But it's basically just Fellowship of the Ring. All these cunts do is walk. Meh.

[The Destroyer]

If you're after good Ennis, you can't go wrong with his Marvel MAX run on The Punisher.

[Sixx]

If you're after good Ennis, you can't go wrong with his Marvel MAX run on The Punisher.

That's how I stumbled upon Ennis in the first place, mate.

[The Destroyer]

What a gentleman of fine taste you are.

[Lock Jaw]

Bought the second volume of the New 52 Swamp Thing for cheap. It contains the Swamp Thing Annual which takes place during the Rotworld story (it is framed by it). But the volume doesn't get to the Rotworld story yet, so it is like a giant out of place spoiler for the next volume of Swamp Thing. Hate it when things aren't collected in the right order.

[Lock Jaw]

Speaking of Swamp Thing, the quality of that book, which was one of the only New 52 ones worth a read, has gone sharply downhill after Snyder and Paquette left it.

[The Destroyer]

Who's on it now?

[Lock Jaw]

Charles Soule writes and "Kano" does the art.

[The Destroyer]

Never heard of them.