Tuesday, July 24, 2007

July's Picks

O.k., its been way to loooong for a Pete's Pick (as Mark tells me!) So here's a brand spankin' new one for all you good guys and gals! I present to you...

One graphic novel based on characters/situations from a movie and its sequel,... one novel with comic book pages, and lastly one illustrated graphic novel with the real history of the modern word! Wow, that's alot....lets get started!!!

First up is 28Days later: The Aftermath (can you guess what this is based on?!?) Written by boo man Steve Niles and Drawn by three different artistic talents... Dennis Calero, Diego Olmos, and Nat Jones! (good work by all the artists) I will keep this one short,... I'm sure most of you have seen movie adaptations before (more and more are being made it seems) An now with Fox Atomic, 20th century fox has a graphic novel division created with building on/from their very own movies! There first to print is 28 Days later: the aftermath! I was a fan of 28 days later,... and we at the Comic book Novice have seen and enjoyed 28 weeks later.... the problem as I see it with The Aftermath,.. while its interesting and insightful into the world of 28,... its overly thin. Only big fans of 28 and Steve Niles need apply.

Next up,...something more for the teen crowd, is STUFF! *for ages 12 and over.... but not too over.) Written by Jeremy Strong, art by Matthew Armstrong (Strong/Armstrong... what are the chances!?!) A clever idea and pretty good execution is this tale of angst as Stuff (as he is called) deals with trouble at home as well as at school, how to split up with his girl and attract someone new, all the while at the advise of a dedicated teacher Stuff creates a new world that reflects his own within a comic strip. Some of those pages are incorporated into the novel. A device that's used to look for Stuff's life answers while having alittle fun at it. The writer has written an entertaining story along with artist Matthew Armstrong who does a wonderfully playful job just perfect for this light and easy tale for teens! A good job,... would love to see more of this,.. maybe just a tad more detailed (story wise.)

And last up....but the best of this little group is an illustrated guild to the world called.......The cartoon history of the Modern World! By Larry Gonick (story and art!) First let me say, that I am in no way a fan of history....that is to say, after about ten minutes of anyone going over a past event, my mind starts wandering (don't take it personally!) It has changed since I went to school (it used to be about 2 minutes!) but not by much....until I read this book!!! I loved it,... a comic book version of the history of the modern world! Wonderful! With witty and funny takes on real events,..a great world wide tale of how and why the formation of religion and government took place. Very insightful,..clever, and awesomely executed! A must read for anyone! And highly recommended reading to kids especially!

Well,...that almost raps up this Pete's Pick except to say that all of the above where published by Harper Collins (and copies sent to us here at Comic book novice! ) So,... you see it is true.... if you have a comic book/novel/ or even a fanzine that you wish for us to review....please send it to us,..I will make sure to Pick it for ya!

Peace and be well.......Peter Palmiotti.

p.s.Jennifer says Cap is still dead,... sorry folks!

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