Titan Books

If you are a fan on the Batman movies, the comics, or the batman mythos at all then this book is a must read. I have always been a fan of the batman series since I can remember. This book offers a great history of the caped crusader. Not only does it introduce the hero of the story but a few of the major supporting characters and how they came to be. It really shows how far gotham has fallen into corruption and crime. It is a very good read.

Frank Miller hits the nail on the head with Year One. This is the way Batman is supposed to be...this is the true Dark Knight...Kudos to Miller for his intriguing tale.

If you ever hear about Batman: Year One, it's most likely the praise of the story's origins and reinvention. I read it pretty fast, in a day or so, and it was pretty entertaining, but not as good as I'd hoped. I think Frank Miller is a pretty good storyteller, but maybe it's just not my thing. Regardless, it was a good read and it gave me a little bit of insight towards Batman's origins.

I'd give it a 3.5 if I could, but I'm leaning more towards 3 on this one. Pick it up if you're a Batman fan though, definitely.

Batman: Year One was the first Batman graphic novel I read. It remains my favorite and has sparked me to read other Batman graphic novels.

For anyone new to graphic novels or comics, Batman: Year One is a great place to start. It is fairly brief and quick to read. Frank Miller's writing is engrossing and powerful, yet remains simple and accessible. David Mazzucchelli's artwork isn't overly detailed but possesses substance and the dull colors give the drawings an old-fashioned look. The use of colors, light, and shadows is outstanding and really captures the mood of each frame.

For anyone interested in Batman, Batman: Year One is a must have. Not only is it an origin story of Batman, but it's also Jim Gordon's (later Lt. Gordon) first year in Gotham City. The story focuses equally on Batman and Gordon, soon to become Gotham City's top crime fighters. As the story develops, their long-standing relationship begins to take shape, a relationship that becomes crucial to Batman and Gotham.

Batman and comic fans alike will not be disappointed with Batman: Year One. Even if you're new to the graphic novel medium, Year One is a great first. It is a great example of how good this often overlooked art form can be.

If you ever want to know how Bruce Wayne became Batman, you come to the right book. This book chronicles Batman's origin as well as the origin of his relationship with Gordon. They are basically the main characters in this book and although there are no real villains in this book, it is a great character piece on the lives of these characters, their trials and tribulations, and their struggles and how they are able to overcome or succumb to them. Although not as epic as The Dark Knight Returns, it is a close second. But artwork is just horrendous.

As stated in the title, this comic will offend many people that read it, but if you look past all the blasphemys you will find one of the greatest comic book stories ever written. A must have for any comic book collector.

Preacher was my first foray into graphic novels. It was like waking up in technicolor after living in black and white all my life. When I'd finished reading the series, a process that took less than a week and involved many sleepless nights, I couldn't wait to get my hands on a new series to sink my teeth into. Imagine my surprize and disappointment when I learned that Preacher is in a class of it's own.
It's completely unique, intelligent, hilarious, disturbing, gory, violent, epic, and did I mention violent? How about gory, did I mention that? Because it bears repeating. Carnage is practically a starring character in this series. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll want to tear your eyes out... but you'll be nothing if not entertained.

"The Preacher " is a fantastic piece of work from the master of shock himself (Garth Ennis). Like all his books I have read so far this one has captivating and thought provoking story lines and witty well written dialogue. There is plenty to offend a lot of people but nothing too over the top in the bad language and gore departments. The artwork is well done and fits the story well. For once this is a book that lives up to all the hype. I can't wait to read the next installment. I reckon if you enjoyed the TV series Carnivale you will enjoy this book. The Preacher Volume 1 is a highly recommended read for adults only so don't buy it for little Timmy or he may have nightmares :-)

Sometimes you reread titles and are disappointed. Other times, they've not faded at all. As much as I enjoy all..er... most of Ennis and Dillon's collaborations, they've never topped Preacher.

Any single volume of Preacher makes for a self-contained read, but this, the first in the series, is still the best. Jesse and his band of merry pals are all introduced and the overall plot ('find God') is thrown up on the table within the first few pages. The rest is joyous wackytime, cluttered with some of the most memorable characters in all comics history - from the truly scary (The Saint of Killers) to the real monsters (Sheriff Root).

Offensive, disturbing and a thoroughly satisfying story.

Blood and Rain
Blood for the Masses

Originally Published in SavageNight Ezine

The Preacher: Gone To Texas
Book 1
By
Garth Ennis & Steve Dillon

Reviewed by
B.L.Morgan

3 Stars

I read graphic novels because it's a quick painless way to absorb some books that I otherwise would not get around to reading. The day I bought Preacher Book 1 I'd just finished reading two large novels and with my work schedule my head needed a rest. When I told the guy at the store I wanted something wild that wouldn't tax my brain he told me that Preacher was the best thing going.

He gave me a non-stop sales pitch for at least the next half hour that was so intense that I ended up saying to him, "Alright, alright just shut up and I'll buy the thing!"

I had to get out of there as quick as I could.

Preacher: Gone To Texas was not as good as the book sales guy said it was. It was good, just not the masterpiece he made it out to be.

The Preacher in the title gains god-like powers by merging with Genesis. After that he teams up with an ex-lover who's a healthy trash-talking woman, and an Irish Vampire. Together they wander across the country and get into trouble. That's about it.

The problem with calling this a graphic novel is that it doesn't have a structure like a novel. There is no ending at all. Preacher: Book 1 is the first of eight issues of The Preacher comic book so there's no end in sight.

That's alright if you're reading a comic book and don't really expect an ending. I however, was disappointed. That said, the dialogue in this book was frequently clever and funny. The artwork was very good. Not the very best I have seen, but very good.

The first Preacher book was good enough so that when I spotted another, #5 in the library, I checked it out. I do expect it to entertain me some.

I would recommend The Preacher: Gone To Texas, Book 1 if you find it at a used book store for under five bucks. I paid $14.95. That salesman caught me in the right mood with some money to burn.

It won't happen again.

The Crow is a masterpiece of love and the insanity it can cause when love is torn from us. Many say that this graphic novel is only in the range of interest of young goths, but then a person who has said this probably doesn't understand what love could do to a person. Usually when we find a piece of art to be good or even spectacular it's because we can relate to it. Basically what I'm saying is that if you want to read this book you must know what is to be madly in love with someone and then think what your reaction would be if they we're to be taken away from you. Your reaction might not be sane or logical, but it is The Crow. Common story line you might say, but the way it is told is beautiful and dark and would make any person who enjoys the romance of torn hearts fall in love with this book for the way Barr tells it in his demented fashion of words. I guess you have a little bit of a gothic feel to yourself, but hey, who doesn't like The Cure? ^_^

If you're a fan of The Crow but aren't aware of how this gothic masterpiece was created, then you owe it yourself to either rent or buy the collector's edition of the movie. On the special features disc there is a Profile of James O'Barr which is an interview. During this interview Mr O'Barr discusses the personal tragedy that he was dealt and how The Crow came to be. I love this novel, but it is not for mass consumption due to the graphic violence and drug references depicted in it. If you enjoyed the movie then I highly recommend the novel. The novel's contents are in black and white by the way, but in my opinion this does not detract from it's richness.

Like the movie of the same name, I was obsessed with this title for several years. While I was fortunate in that I had never experienced a tragedy like Eric Draven's, I came across The Crow just as I began struggling with my own battle with depression. The message of love transcending death was one that haunted and fascinated me, and I suppose that in some strange way all the pain that lingered in that work was something that I felt akin to for much of my adult life. While this may seem a bit extreme to some, there are many who can confirm how powerful the idea behind The Crow is to them in their own lives. Despite all that Eric endures, there is some hope at the end of it all. Love does transcend death. Some things never change. The Crow was a sort of spiritual / emotional experience for many and became the defining story for those who either lived or battled with the darker half of life. The art is exceptional, and each panel reveals so much detail and depth that sometimes it's hard to remember that you're reading a graphic novel. And though the book has little written compared to a standard novel, what is written is done so beautifully and it only compliments the images. A thought also to those who criticize this work, I must mention that there are many musical, literary, and artistic references through-out, and serves to remind readers that this work is more than just a haunting picture. The Crow is a love letter. Listen. Listen close.

The Crow is one of those graphic novels that is so renowned (The Dark Knight Returns, The Watchmen, etc.) that one often wonders if it's actually as good as its hype. In the case of The Crow, I think it certainly is.

It seems more people know the story of Erik Draven and even the life of James O'Barr than have actually read the original comic. Most of this comes from the wide popularity of the movie starring the late Brandon Lee, but it also has to do with two decades of word of mouth.

Despite working in a comic book store from 1993-1995, I actually first experienced The Crow through the movie and then sought out the comic. The movie was emotional, powerful, and consuming--pulling me entirely into its world from start to finish. At that point, I knew I had to go to the original source.

There are things in the movie that I loved that I did not find in the comic, but the same can easily be said vice-versa. The movie changed Sherry's name to Sarah, which for me weakened the idea of the Sherry-Shelly parallel, but I suppose it would help distinguish the two characters for some casual movie watchers. I did like that Erik and Shelly knew Sarah/Sherry previously in the movie, and that the young girl mourned them on top of her miserable home life. I missed this aspect in the comic.

***Mild Spoilers Ahead***
I did miss the crow (the bird) not talking/guiding Erik in his flashbacks in the film. I think O'Barr did a wonderful job with this in the comic. I miss the crow saying, "Don't look back" whenever I watch the movie. The pleading of the crow for him not to watch is a powerful element in the story. Erik had to know what happened to her in detail. He had to relive it to be able to get justice for her.

I also love that Erik was willing to lay down his life for her when the gang approached their broken-down car. He didn't seem to want to hurt anyone, but he wasn't going to let anyone hurt Shelly while he was still alive. Add to it all that he wasn't quite dead while she was being violated, and it makes the scene all the more tragic.

The graphicness of the rape scene (not nudity but the situation) is far stronger in the comic. The fact that Shelly is a continued victim of rape even after she is dead and half her face is blown off is necessary to fully feel the horror of the crime. For me, this leads to more sympathy for Erik and less (if there was any at all--there was none from me) for the rapists/murderers.

A cool, subtle part of the comic that is not explored in the movie is Erik's roughness in their relationship. He was a guy who sometimes had trouble with intimacy, but he loved Shelly so passionately that he fought it for her. I liked that his character is a little more complex in the comic; it makes him more interesting than being the flawless boyfriend as portrayed in the movie.

Erik is also compared to Christ at several moments in the comic that are not subtle at all. I didn't get this strong analogy in the movie, and I think it is an important element to the story. Erik is a martyr figure. He laid his life down trying to protect a woman whom he loved more than himself. The analogy to Christ strengthens this idea.

The interaction with Fun Boy is much deeper and a bigger part in the story than that it was in the movie. I did enjoy getting to know his sick character a little more. His conversations with Erik add another layer. Fun Boy is a junkie who is not in the least remorseful, but one who understands how Erik must feel and doesn't blame him for wanting revenge. It's interesting in that Fun Boy is a deplorable character, one that is nearly impossible to garner any sympathy from the reader. But, he knows that he is a monster and makes no effort to claim he is any better. Although his character is nothing like Hannibal Lecter, his awareness and acceptance of his innate evil is reminiscent of Thomas Harris's famous serial killer.

The Crow is a poetic, emotional journey that is beautifully depicted. The artwork is truly breathtaking and something beyond what is typically portrayed in comics. I'm a huge comics fan, so I'm not knocking the genre at all. I just found a bitter-sweet, melancholy feel to the art in The Crow that I haven't felt elsewhere.

If you're a fan of the movie, you have to check this one out. I'd recommend it to any comic fan who wouldn't mind the dark, graphic nature of the story. Its status as a modern classic is well-justified. Its appeal is in the emotion that is packed into every panel, every word, every drop of ink.

Both the graphic novel and the movie have been an influence on my creative life. If you appreciate lost love in a dark atmosphere (Poe's "The Raven"), The Crow is a sure hit for you.

Lewis Aleman, Author of Cold Streak

James O'Barr, The Crow (Pocket, 1995)

I always seem to be trying to turn sacred cows into shish kabob, and my latest target is The Crow, the James O'Barr graphic novel that, in 1994, became Alex Proyas' amazing debut feature film. I spent a few moments, after I finished this book, reflecting on the art of film adaptation. Sometimes you start with a brilliant book and end up with a mediocre (or outright horrible) movie. Sometimes you start with a mediocre (or outright horrible) book and end up with genius.

The Crow is not an outright horrible book, but the steps that horror novelists David J. Schow (The Kill Riff) and John Shirley (Wetbones) took in adapting the book to a script, and that Proyas took in bringing that script to life, were pretty severe. Pretty amazing, too. Small details were changed (the order in which Eric takes his revenge is slightly altered, for example, to make it more meaningful); large details were changed (the timeframe makes a whole lot more sense in the film). Some of them were missteps; changing Sherry's name to Sarah muddies the Sherry/Shelly link, but Sarah is a fully-formed character, whereas Sherry feels like a character who should be there a lot more, but ends up being window dressing.

The movie, on occasion, errs on the side of giving us too much, but the book's problem is the opposite: it never gives us enough. None of the characters except Eric is fully formed; his nemeses, with the exception of Funboy, are cardboard cutouts. Albrecht pops up for a few frames now and then, but never becomes a real part of the story. Etc.

The movie is on its way to attaining classic status, and that is well-deserved; the book went out of print for eight years after the film's release, and now I've got a pretty good idea of why. **

This is one of the only books i have ever enjoyed. I usualy hate novels, but this book was so awesome I read it in one day. From the start to the end this is truly the best book ever. It will keep you at the edge of your reading seat until it is over and then when it is over you will read it again and again, possibly until you die. I highly recommend this book for all who can handle the awesomeness.

I come from the point of view of viewing the film first, then reading the series. From this point of view I have seen the bits and pieces that were left out of the film, and it saddens me. There's so much great material that Rodriguez his team left out of the film. Theres so much more to Marv, but I guess everything can't be adapted. I would have wished to see Frank Miller's Sin City in theaters word for word, but they couldn't make that happen for me and I understand. That's what brings us to the novels anyway. To see what we've been missing.

The dialogue and illustrations are just as captivating as the film. Some of the drawings were a little tough to comprehend but after some squinting it became easy. Other than that little note, however, the novel is a true work of art. Marv is such an original character, that no comic fan could pass on. If you've seen the film and want more of the big-headed psycho, then pick up this book and take off. It's got a lot of neat stuff that the film didn't offer.

It is phisically impossible once you get started reading this Graphic Novel to put it down... You will continue to want to read further and further, Time will fall away and the world will Blur around you. One of the best reads that I have ever had the chance to get lost in. Burned through the pages in one evening (and it was due to this graphic novel that I was almost late for the last trolley back to Base!). Dynamic Characters, Illustrated in a style that is one of a kind and all good, with a storyline that is both simple and complex. As the plot developes it hits you upside the head like a freight train, and before you know it you have burned an evening, and you are left picking up the pieces of your mind as pieces of it may still be glued to the pages. A Must Read if your "into" the Graphic Novel Genre.

I am a huge fan of the Sin City film and since this complete book came with my Collector's Edition DVD set, I finally got around to reading it. It really shows you how much effort was put into making the movie as close as possible to this amazing story. Frank Miller really creates a world that you can fully immerse yourself in. You will feel the grime of Sin City just by looking at the pictures and reading the harsh dialogue. Marv is my favorite character in the movie and we learn a little more about what he is going through and thinking in the graphic novel version. This guy kills almost everyone he comes into contact with (most deserve it), but you will end up caring about him in the end. This is a fantastic read that won't take you more than an hour or so to get through. I'll have to check out the rest of the Sin City series in the near future.

Frank Miller is, quite frankly, the greatest comic book writer/arist ever. Hands down. He redefined Batman. He rescued Daredevil. And he is constantly making comic book history. See Sin City. First, the story is great, Marv is trying to... redeem himself in a sort of way by avenging the one person who ever showed him kindness (though I'd have to say, his parole officer also is 'on his side'). It's some sort of cross between the real world and the comic book universe. Some elements of both. And the artwork, I tell ya, Miller outdid himself. It's all pen and ink, and what Miller does with just a white page and black ink is magical. This is definitely a comic book must. Loved it.

All book orders with Amazon are always received in great shape and in a timely manner. I prefer to order through Amazon then the local bookstores.

and can't wait for the next one.
This is the first series he has ever really gotten into and enjoyed.
He flew through them and now is bummed because he has to wait for the next. He is 10 and in 5th grade.

This book is one in a series. I personally did not read the book, however, my son was not able to put the book down once he started reading.

I've read 1, 2 and now 3 and all are excellant. I can't wait to read the next book.

With 2 boys (ages 9 and 11), 3 big dogs, 2 geckos and a husband, there is usually a LOT of activity in my house. However, since my son discovered this series, things have gotten MUCH quieter! (If only I could teach my dogs to read!)

This series has captured my son's interest and imagination unlike any other fiction series with the exception of the Magic Treehouse books. He is an 11-year old and despite being considered AG in reading skills, he would rather eat liver than read novels. My son's fifth grade teacher got him interested in the first book. After that, he had to have the whole set. He read all four books in about 1.5 weeks time -- usually reading over 100 pages a day -- even on school nights.

He thought this book was the best though the ending definitely leaves you hanging -- and waiting for Book 5.

The things that he likes best about the series:

1. Percy is a regular kid just like him who has his struggles in school.
2. He loves the Greek Mythology tie-ins
3. He loves the writing style and humor of the author
4. The stories don't take place in ancient times -- rather uses ancient stories in modern times.

Now my problem is what to get him reading next. He isn't interested in Harry Potter or most of the other popular fantasy collections. If any one has a suggestion on other series with the above characteristics, please let me know -- I would be eternally grateful!

This is the most engrossing comic novel I have read since 'Bone'. The pace is perfect and the subject matter is so well developed that you will find yourself slipping into Vaughn's post-apocalyptic alternate reality. Guerra's artwork is a perfect match to Vaughn's writing and it really brings the whole work to life in a way only comics can. Y: The Last Man is an excellent launch pad for anyone just getting into the world of comics and graphic novels as well as a strong addition to any library.

Visualize the Helen Ruddy song -- I Am Woman -- for a second. Feel the estrogen? Oh yeah..... Nothing like female empowerment to get you going for a story about women taking over the world. You see, Y: The Last Man REALLY is about the LAST man. In a stunning turn of events, the entire male population has violently died and the world has been taken over by lesbian bikers who decide they only need to deal with one of their "more appealing chest parts" and cut off the other one. Okay, silliness aside, this actually is a good series, and probably what I admire most about it... it has an ending! Volume 1: Unmanned is nowhere near that ending -- you'll need to read 10 volumes first -- but the best stories always have a beginning and end, and as long as you enjoy the tone of the first book, you'll probably be a devoted reader until the final days.

If you enjoy the format of TV shows like 24 that flash how much time is remaining in a story, you'll get a kick out of the intro in this book. Vaughan writes in a cinematic style as he counts down to the opening moment when testosterone ceases to exist. While we have a clue as to what caused it, we're still left in the dark because numerous events occur at the exact moment of male genocide. Who survives this calamity? Why none other than Yorick, a struggling magician who might be more effeminate than most of the women left on the world. Oddly enough, his male pet monkey, a creature he was raising as part of a college science experiment to earn extra cash, also survives making them the only two walking and breathing male mammals... or at least the only two the story has revealed thus far.

So presented with the potential disaster of an entire species dying because it can no longer reproduce, I'm sure you have figured out that Yorick's first plan is to live out every male teenager's fantasy and start breeding like rabbits, right? Nope, given the luxury of living his own harem-lifestyle, Yorick instead decides to track down his girlfriend in Australia who he was in the act of proposing to (over the phone) at the same moment when males around the world suddenly started bleeding profusely and dropping dead. But first, he has to visit with a world famous biologist who was in the process of human asexual reproduction, and see if she has any clues as to why he is the only male left on the planet.

If you enjoy post-apocalyptic tales, this one is no different than any fun-loving zombie epic. The world is busy disposing of millions of corpses, most people drive on easier-to-navigate motorcycles, and Washington D.C. is trying to decide who is really in charge now. Incidentally, Yorick's mother is one of the most powerful politicians in the nation's capitol, and she helps her son set his direction as she and others hunt down the Secretary of Agriculture who is next in line for the Presidency since everyone above her station was a male.

The storyline in Y: The Last Man is an intriguing "What if?" scenario and accompanied by decent artwork that knows how to illustrate a world in which exaggerated superheroes are not the norm, it's a fun read that will leave you eager to follow through in the second book. It seems when writer Brian K. Vaughan is at his best, he can do no wrong, and this series is certainly another example of his creative prowess. At a list price of $12.99 (but lower-priced on Amazon), it's a great deal, and if the theme of this story sounds interesting, I recommend you check out Amazon used seller shops to see if you can find all books bundled into one great deal. In a few months, DC will also start releasing deluxe hardcover editions so if you're a fan of those formats, you might want to wait before starting your journey down one of the more original and captivating tales published in Vertigo's short history.

I was hooked after reading this first volume! I loved the cliffhanger at the end. Vaughan has several of those throughout the series. I couldn't resist running out an buying Vol. 2 that same day. Finally, after repeated trips to the store I ordered 6-10 from Amazon. Thankfully, they have fast shipping so I didn't have to wait long!

I particularly liked how the events leading up to the plague were portrayed, right down to the page where there are four panels that depict things that are happening simultaneously in different parts of the world seconds before the plague hit. Excellent timing - so well done.

Apocalyptic stories and gender politics, two of my favor things to read or watch. "Y: The Last Man -- Unmanned" was intense and gripping. I devoured it and wanted more. I'd heard about this graphic serial for years and am so glad I finally got a copy. I'm not sure I buy the decay of the world quite so much, women are very capable and are in most of the jobs required just not in the majority of many of them, but given this is an apocalyptic fantasy/science fiction story, I can go with the flow to see how things play out.

I read this one Trade Paperback without much prior knowledge of who BKV or Pia Guerra was. But I did hear some good reviews on this Trade series so I tried it out. The first read wasn't that compelling. The second of the series made it a bit better. By the time I read the first five of the Series, I was somewhat hooked.

The main character, Yorick, is a bit spoiled and somewhat of a whiner. He runs off and does what he wants regardless of those who warns him or the consequence of his actions. The first three volumes of the series has him running off to see the phallic memorial and he gets into a fight. Yorick is not a person you'll identity with or sympathize with. He's reckless and selfish.

But after a while, it's the mystery and the compelling supporting characters that sucks you in. 355 and the Dr are strong female characters and deserve much more than babysitting Yorick. Needless to say, their adventures drives the series toward the end.

Y: The Last Man is an innovating story. I enjoy the art and the story and the writing and the characterization. Yorick grows on you. The story makes greater sense as more is revealed. But don't give up on just reading Volume one. It does get better and it does make a good saga. Recommended, but go easy on Yorick.

I have a feeling that most of you contemplating buying this book are replacing an ancient or lost copy of it and know exactly what you're getting, in which case you won't be disappointed. Over the years the title has become somewhat misleading and should now read, "How to Draw Comic the way Marvel did it from the late 70s to the late 80s using the tools available at that time" or perhaps more marketably: "How to Draw Marvel-style Retro Comics."

Stylistically, I wish this book would recirculate around the Marvel offices to remind creators what their comics are supposed to be like. It is far from cutting edge or eye opening, however. At the time of its publication I think it was extremely innovative and captured an innovative style. But styles have life cycles...

Having said all that, I love this book, although I suspect that a big part of that is because of my nostalgic feelings for it.

This is sort of a classical text, focused on covering the various aspects of drawing comics.

Though drawing comics involves a lot about learning to draw, I would think that an ability to draw whether inherent or acquired would be a necessary starting point to effectively use this book. On the contrary one might as well get started here and then hone the necessary drawing skills.

As in any specific form of art, such as Illustration, Fine art, Animation art, Commercial art etc, Comics art has its own set of skills that need to be honed.

This is a book written by Stan lee and John Buscema, one a great story teller and the other a fine artist. It does cover several aspects of the trade.

As the title suggests the genre is more towards the 'Action' side, as opposed to a style such as Disney, Asterix or that of Herge's Tintin.

A significant amount of the book focuses on the figure and its action, which is so vital to this type of comics, and these are real gems. The quick setup of a pose, the dynamism needed for convincing action, the looseness of the approach, and then the focus on the form, the details of the figure the head and so on are very effectively presented.

the other important ingredients of composition, perspective, foreshortening are covered in detail.

There are of course couple chapters that deal with comic book covers, and the all important comics inking.

Though obviously this was written in a pre-digital period, all the information can be readily applied to today's all-digital comics creation.

Coming from successful practicing veterans, the entire book is packed with practical information.

I bought this for my 11 year old son for his birthday. He's been trying to draw superheroes lately. When I began flipping through it, I recognized many of the images. I then remembered I had this book when I was a boy. I checked the original publish date and found it to be 1978. Yep, this was it. It's a very good book for those who need some structure with regards to their pencil drawing. The concepts of human form, perspective, dimension etc. are easy to understand with many, many examples. Step by step instructions make it easy. Even those with limited artistic abilities will be able to draw well using this book. I recommend it highly!

Some of you folks writing reviews are, like me, graphic designers. And, yes, I too have owned this wonderful book. I even laughed at the publication date at the top of the page because mine is from 1978!

Lee and Buscema are two of the foundation blocks of Marvel Comics and I wouldn't expect anything less from this wonderful work. If you are a beginning or almost intermediate comic book artist, I can't think of a better place to start than this book. I still refer to it, sometimes, for reference tips.

I won't bore you with a diatribe of what can be learned here... just buy the book. I think you'll be surprised that, in 30 years, you'll still own your dog-eared, yellowed, frayed-out copy. I've still got mine.

Oh, and when you're done with it, do yourself a favor and take a look at some Burne Hogarth books.

Enjoy!

How to draw comics the Marvel Way is a good book but it's very old information. I think that Marvel comics and the comic book industry has changed since this book was published in 1978 and 1984. Don't get me wrong! I like this How to draw comics the Marvel Way! book written by Stan Lee with artwork by John Buseama, but the books information is too old. I think comic book artists today use better materials besides paint brushes and india ink. You buy Markers with india ink in them at an artsupply store. there are other things in this book that do not appy to comic books in 2008 as well. If your a begining artist, I will recommend this book but It's not for advance artist. B+

This Graphic Novel is decent, but doesn't compare to The Sandman Series. It is still worth a read.

For me, as for many fans of the "Sandman" series, the best character is Death. Gaiman conceives her not as a frightening figure in a cowl and carrying a scythe, but as an exceedingly perky young woman who wears black jeans and leotards and sports rather Goth-y makeup. She likes people -- she meets everyone eventually -- and for one day per century she takes human form, just to keep in touch. This time, under the name of Didi, she hooks up with a depressed sixteen-year-old named Sexton, who is contemplating suicide. Sexton witnesses her interaction with Mad Hettie, who is 250 years old and wants her heart back, and with the Eremite, who tries to gain power over her, and with Hazel, the pregnant lesbian who appears in volume 5 of "Sandman." Sexton observes that Didi somehow never has to pay for anything, not even cab fares. Death is particularly winning in this outing, taking job in everything and pronouncing it "Neat!" At the end of the volume is a reprinting of the groundbreaking six-page comic, "Death Talks about Life," a straight-up warning about AIDS and STDs generally, with a brief lesson (using a banana) on condoms. I don't know if it won awards, but it should have.

Death is really a sweetheart. Gaiman did great portraying her in the way he did. Now, I wasn't a huge fan of this book, though I like the characters. It's not a bad story, but just didn't leap out at me the way that Gaiman's work usually does.

I decided to check out this book because I love Sandman and was intrigued to see what Gaiman would do with more of a focus on Death, and I must say I really enjoyed it. The events that happen to Death as she takes on a mortal life for a day are really interesting, at times humorous, at other times scary, and always original and fun. Sandman lovers have got to check this book out.

For all that I adore Neil Gaiman, I've never gotten into 'Sandman'. It's mostly that graphic novels have never done anything for me. I don't mind them, per se, but they've never been interesting or captivating for me. I can't get into the differences between different pencillers and letterers and artists. Aside from the big obvious things, I just don't see a difference. I started to read this only because I've enjoyed all of his novels and short stories.

It's fair to say that I enjoyed the story. It's a day-in-the-life story of Death's centennial 24-hour mortal holiday. Along the way, she meets three people who are looking for Death, but only two of them know that they are dealing with Death.

I never really got into it the story here. It was pretty light and fluffy. It's not a story that will stick with me. It won't stop me from giving 'Sandman' another go in the future, but it definitely hasn't convinced me to move it up in my to-read queue either. As far as Neil's work goes, I would recommend Stardust long before I recommended reading this.

Dark Victory expands upon The Long Halloween, and has a story interesting enough to please fans of Loeb's original Batman-mob story. Robin isn't played heavily, which is a good thing for me, but any Batman fans should pick this up.

I enjoy this book more than The Long Halloween which where this book picks off. It is really not a continuation per-se but another murder mystery very similar to Holiday killer in The Long Halloween but just picks up the story where it left off. What made this book more interesting was the origin of Robin which is a lot more interesting than Harvey Dent's backstory and arguably more interesting than Bruce Wayne's history! In this book, Robin actually makes himself useful as he would have to in order to convince Batman to take him in as a partner. There are some new, refreshing villains in this book such as Penguin and Mr Freeze! A better read than the previous book in my opinion.

Batman: Dark Victory, written by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale, was originally published as a miniseries in 1999 and 2000. It is a sequel to Batman: The Long Halloween. It takes place early in Batman's career, and focuses on a serial cop killer, the Hangman, who murders on holidays. Meanwhile Harvey Dent has escaped from Arkham and is waging war on Gotham's organized crime families. This story also retells the origin of Robin.

Loeb, as usual, tells an engaging story. He does a good job balancing a fairly large cast of characters, although he waters down Batman's rogues gallery by cramming virtually all of them into this story, then making them incredibly easy to defeat.

Sale's art is stylized and exaggerated. There's often vast differences in the sizes of characters, and his sewers are like cathedrals. But overall, the art works.

There are a few grievous plot holes here. The Hangman is killing cops on holidays, and the cops know this, yet most every protagonist in the book has trouble keeping abreast of upcoming holidays. Batman knows that Harvey Dent and his minions are using the sewers to hide out and move around, yet he can never find them. Nor is he aware that the sewers conveniently lead right into the Batcave. The mind fairly boggles.

Overall, though, Batman: Dark Victory is interesting enough to overcome its flaws, and, while not as good as The Long Halloween, is entertaining enough. Read The Long Halloween first, as Dark Victory relies heavily on it.

This sequel to "The Long Halloween" delves into the war between Gotham's organized crime families and the chaotic team of "freaks" that have escaped from Gotham. Batman is aided (and sometimes hindered) by Commissioner Gordon and the GCPD, new D.A. Janice Porter, Catwoman, and Robin. There's a new serial killer on the loose, the Hang Man, who kills a cop on each holiday, placing a game of hang-man on the victim.

If you like your Gotham villains, then you're in for a treat. You get to see a bit of each villain, though Two-Face plays a larger part. This is also an excellent introduction to Robin... he's only a tad cheesy (doesn't he have to be?). Loeb/Sale contrast the Graysons' deaths with those of the Waynes', as well as how both orphans dealt with the tragedy. Robin's a much more hopeful character.

The artwork is incredible. I loved it! My only complaint is that the story can get somewhat repetitive... if you've read "The Long Halloween," you feel like you're following the same path, using the same pacing. Also, there's a narrative at the start of each chapter reiterating the loss of Harvey Dent... seriously, I get it after the first chapters. I don't know if the chapters were released individually, but in a bound format, it can get a bit annoying.

All in all, this is a great Batman story, and a nice followup to "The Long Halloween." You just might want to give yourself a little time inbetween readings.

Whenever Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale collaborate on a Batman title, magic just seems to happen. Dark Victory, a direct sequel to the brilliant The Long Halloween, is no different. Picking up right where The Long Halloween left off, Batman has a new string of strangely connected murders to deal with amongst the usual chaos that happens to ensue Gotham City. To make matters worse, a breakout at Arkham Asylum springs everyone from The Joker, to the Scarecrow, to Harvey Dent AKA Two-Face, who himself may or may not be connected to the murders. Also going on in Dark Victory is the picking up the pieces by the Falcone crime family, and in the later stages of the book, Loeb and Sale also re-invigorate the origin of Batman's boy-wonder sidekick Robin. While Dark Victory isn't as overly satisfying as The Long Halloween was, it is still a spectacular gem that features some dynamite twists and more great use of Batman's rogues gallery by Jeph Loeb, and more gorgeous artwork from Tim Sale. Needless to say, if you loved The Long Halloween, there's no way you won't enjoy what you find in Dark Victory. Consider this another essential read in the Batman library.

Batman started out as a dark brooding vigilante who had no problem pounding the pavement to get what he wants. Loeb and Lee seem to capture that flavor in a somewhat convoluted and complex storyline involving yet a new villain who somehow manages to coordinate the lunatics of Gotham (Crock, Poison Ivy, Riddler, Joker, etc., etc.) In addition we have Catwoman and the strange relationship with Batman taking a new twist.
The story is quite complex. Batman and Catwoman team up to figure out the connection between a parade of villains and situations that seem a bit unrelated but enough subtle clues to tie in the connections. Lee's art works extremely well presenting us with broad splash panels and detailed characterizations. I was impressed but there is an argument to be said for lack of innovation. This was a monthly when first published and innovation can break deadlines -- I got that.
My only pet peeve is the complexity of the story. Way too many villains and too many plot twists that make the story impossible in many ways to accept but I was so caught up in the brooding Batman coming to terms with his life that I was able to ignore the ridiculous plot threads that were explained in the end, still feel very contrived. It's still a terrific read that I found fun. More streamlined plots would have made the story richer especially with more time spent with Bruce's boyhood friend.

Good story, pacing, and artwork. I especially like the glossy page presentation, it fits the work nicely. I think the art and layout give the series a sort of blockbuster or epic feel that I enjoyed while reading. Great use of background characters, I think this series managed to do what the Clooney / Kilmer Batman movies could not--present a large and varied cast or rogues without giving them a cheap or campy feel. Don't forget Volume 2 as well.

The story is a very good tale and the art is done by Jim Lee a very talented artist. It features several of Batman's villians including my personal favorite Killer Croc. My major problem is the only way to get the whole story in one volume is the absolute edition which is ten more dollars then the two volumes put together. Other DC stories with Absolute Editions, such as Kingdom Come, you can get the whole story without buying the absolute edition.But on story and art alone I recommend but the presentation is sloppy.

As a old fan of the Batman series of comics, I was a little suspicious of "Hush" when I first saw it in a books store.

Let me say that my fears were unfounded.

I found myself, almost an hour later, still in the book store, closing the cover and searching for volume 2. The romance and action are all perfectly balanced, not to mention the masterful art of Jim Lee only adds to this masterpiece.

Even if you don't know everything about the history of Batman and Robin, all pertinent information is explained and elaborated on.

Even if you don't like Batman, this is the comic series for you.

HUSH is a profoundly compelling & intricate crime story. Jeph Loeb has created an exceptional suspense thriller, which becomes deeper & more mysterious as it unfolds. A true page-turner which I could not put down once I started reading it.
Loeb's exceptional writing has been combined with the extraordinary talents of Jim Lee, one of the most influential pencillers ever, and inker Scott Williams, whose ability to embellish produces images that are nothing short of stunning. Colorist Alex Sinclair's contribution makes every page a great work of art in itself.
Combined, these three have created images that are so detailed and captivating that after one finishes reading the books, you have to go back & dwell on every panel in order to fully absorb the remarkable amount of detail in the artwork.
BATMAN HUSH is a fantastic work on every level.