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”
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”
I recently reread “Incredible Hulk” #181 by Len Wein and Herb Trimpe, an issue notable as the first appearance of Wolverine (Canada’s first superhero!). Like many older comics, “Incredible Hulk” #181 features some kooky moments intermixed with the panels of this historically significant issue. I’m not sure whether my memory has faded or I just noticed a few more interesting tidbits than I did the first time I read this, but here are some of the things that stood out most this time around.
Continue Reading “Wolverine: What it is that he does best.”
Jason Aaron, the talented comics writer responsible for titles like “Scalped” and “Ghost Rider,” posted this video on his blog today. In a strange way, I think the fact that Aaron both knew where to locate this video and shared it somehow begins to explain the insane awesomeness of his comics. Watch this, go read his first “Ghost Rider” arc and I think you’ll see what I mean.
Continue Reading “Jason Aaron: Explained!”
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””
I’ve recently been binging on remastered Beatles albums and it got me to thinking about four of my favorite deceased Marvel characters: The Skrull Beatles!
Continue Reading “Skrull Beatlemania”