Short Graphic Novel Reviews

It has dawned on me that I haven't written about comics in quite a while.There are two main reasons for this.#1 is that I find the online comics community totally obnoxious and am not always willing to be associated with them, even if only vaguely.#2 is that in my week-to-week buying habits, nothing has really been wowwing me.Things have been merely adequate.I haven't had the urge to give anything multiple rereads.

My graphic novel purchases, on the other hand, have given me plenty to smile about.I'm all caught up on the books I want to be caught up on, so all that's left for me has been to thumb through as many recommendations as possible and buy some of the stuff that I've only ever walked past.This post is for the best ones that I have so far.Some may not be new to you, but they're new to me.

1)Crecy by Warren Ellis/Raulo Caceres:This is the story of the 1346 battle between England and France and is told from the point of view of a soldier in the British army.This is more of a breakdown of how wars were fought at that time in history rather than a manufactured drama.William, our narrarator, explains in humorous, agonizing detail every step of the English army's journey as well as giving us a more personal point of view regarding a time in history where the common man's voice was rarely, if ever, heard.The art, done without color, is busy and highly detailed.It fits the story to a T and reminds me of the art in the Big Book Of... series of books.Among the great details you will learn by reading are mechanics of crossbows and longbows and an alternate use for latrine leavings.A great, quick read and one I recommend highly.At only $6.99 it's a steal.

2)Rising Stars Vol 1&2 by J.Michael Straczynski:This is the story of a group of 113 children from Pederson, Illinois who develop powers because they were in utero during a meteor strike during the late 60's.The story starts with the kids, called "specials", as children and flashes back and forth between different stages of their lives.When the weaker ones are murdered, it is discovered that their power is dispersed to the reamining specials, making them all the more powerful.The first volume is the highlight here.It establishes the major players and, by the end of the book, ups the ante for the second volume significantly.I liked vol. 1 so much that I bought vol2 the next day.Unfortunately, things sort of fall apart here.You get some big, spectacular fights.But you also get some self-pitying "WHY ME?" moments which feel somewhat forced and cliched.The character who gets that monologue comes out on the other side a bit lamer, whinier and not as kickass as he was in Vol1.It also gets a little preachy at the end, but at that point I was wrapped up in the characters enough that I was able to look past it.But the lack of an immediate threat at the end might turn some off.Vol1 I recommend for fans of Heroes who wish the show had more action.I would only recommend vol2 for those who really need to see where the story goes.

I have 2 others I want to review, but I will do those later.I need to go to work and blogger doesn't seem to want to save my draft.