Writing, editing, storytelling, and more from Jim Gibbons
Much like last year, as opposed to a “Best of” list, I’ve compiled a list of what books I read in 2011.
The books are listed chronologically based on when I finished them. Notable reads are marked in italics. The novels I read were work related, but otherwise, this doesn’t include stuff I read specifically for the purposes of my job.
Here’s the list of the 50+ books I enjoyed this past year.
Continue Reading “My Year in Graphic Novels: 2011”
With a very generous donation of $100 before the auction deadline of November 1, my good friend and longtime Movember supporter Josh Wigler claimed my mustache style rights for 2011.
After jokingly suggesting I shoot for a Jeff Daniels a la “Gettysburg” walrus-stache, Mr. Wigler decided I should attempt to emulate one of comic book history’s greatest mustaches… Continue Reading ““How about a Jim Gordon?””
This week, I headed into the shop looking for Image’s Skullkickers at the recommendation of Josh Wigler. When it was nowhere to be found, friend and co-worker Tim Wiesch handed me DC’s Xombi #1. This was a fortuitous occurrence. Continue Reading “Xombi #1 [At the Mercy of The Crowd]”
I envy the comics readers, critics and bloggers who confidently feel they have surveyed enough of the year’s comics work to make a list explaining which books were the best. I always feel like I’m playing catch up, reading comics from recent and long passed history more often than current and groundbreaking graphic novel work. Perhaps it’s because comics is one of those industries that—if you work in or around it—doesn’t often leave you with a ton of extra cash to spend on the works you’re always hearing and reading about—at least not enough moolah to spend on all of them. I think that’s why most of my graphic novel reading over the past few years has been comprised of things I’ve either been gifted, gotten free (comps, review copies, other people’s most welcome cast offs) or found available for deep discount.
Make no mistake, I read some great books during the past year that were also published in 2010, but did I read enough of what was published to accurately make a “Best of 2010” list? Sadly, I’m not sure I did. As Jessie Spano once said, “There’s never enough time!” Continue Reading “My Year in Graphic Novels”
Some comics are good, some are bad and some are just awesome and fun all the time. If you’re a fan of fun, Tiny Titans is always a good bet! I recently read issue #31 and this sequence cracked me up. Enjoy!
Continue Reading “Super Monkey”
Much like the most excellent issues of Star Wars Tales I recently came across, my office area move and the “free table” in the Dark Horse break room have been great resources for finding interesting older comics from my employer. So, as I read through these gems—issues of Dark Horse Presents, Star Wars comics and Dark Horse crossovers—I figured I’d scan in memorable comics moments as I come across them. A week ago, I was reading the first issue of Superman/Aliens II: God War written by Chuck Dixon, penciled by Jon Bogdanove with Kevin Nowlan on inks and Dave Stewart on colors, when I stumbled across this ridiculously badass moment sure to please fanboys who aren’t already familiar with it—and act as an enjoyable refresher to those who have. So, please enjoy Darkseid of Apokolips’ encounter with an Alien facehugger!
Continue Reading “Just say “Hm” to facehuggers!”
I saw “Iron Man 2” last night, and while it’s not a groundbreaking landmark in filmmaking history, I thought it was a darn good action flick. I laughed, I thrilled to the excitement, I got pumped up and I even got a little emotional, but most importantly, I left happy.
However, I think the most interesting—and encouraging—thing “Iron Man 2” did for me happened after I left the theater. The film had actively engaged my nerd brain to the point where I ended up turning over numerous thoughts about the character of Iron Man and, furthermore, the universe he resides in before branching out to comparisons between other fictional worlds. That’s the mark of a good comic flick, in my estimation. It gets you excited to think about superheroes again.
Continue Reading “Ruminations on storytelling, heroes and comic book worlds as encouraged by “Iron Man 2””
A while back, I asked for suggestions on how to keep up with comics in a price effective way. In the few comments and conversations I had about the subject, the answer came back resoundingly that reading comics once they are collected is cheaper (Math I could do on my own, but glad to get some feedback as well) and just as satisfying, especially as it allows you to avoid a majority of the crap that hits stands.
Continue Reading “What ongoing comic series should I begin collecting as graphic novels?”
I love snappy one-liners! Comics, movies, TV, well-written or cheesy, it doesn’t matter. I love’em!
Last week, I read Light Brigade
Light Brigade
Continue Reading “Great Comic Quotes: ‘Light Brigade’”
This week my mind seems to be jumping around as much or more so than last, so I’m being mentally forced to do another scatterbrained hodgepodge post. Hopefully, this assortment of random thoughts put to print entertains!
Let’s get to it…
Continue Reading “A lil’ more hodgepodge: Beastie Boys, Legion of Super-Heroes and manholes!”
