Friday 26 October 2012

Book of the Month Club - October 2012 - THE PRO

Since March of 2009, myself and a group of like minded comic enthusiasts have been meeting each month to discuss a book that has been picked by a member of the club to be read that month. We have read and discussed a variety of titles including; Watchmen, Preacher, Daredevil - Guardian Devil, Superman - Red Son, Judge Death - Boyhood of a Superfiend, Bakuman, A Right to be Hostile, GI Joe vol 1 and Neverwhere.
I would like to invite you all to join us, either physically each month if you live in the Kettering area and can attend the meetings, or virtually via this blog by reading the chosen book and voicing your opinions in our comments section. Each month I will post our thoughts on the pick as well as posting the name of the next months book.

This months pick...





THE PRO - (w) Garth Ennis (a) Amanda Conner & Jimmy Palmiotti

Superhero satire done in the worst possible taste, The Pro is a look behind the glamorous curtain of superheroics into the life of a less than glamorous prostitute who is imbued with super powers as part of a bet/joke between a pair of aliens. Approached by an obvious spoof of the Justice League and asked to join the club, The Pro soon finds out that this super-lark isn't her cuppa tea and that it is more lucrative to give super speedy blow jobs instead.
Not for minors or those with a weak disposition, the Pro isn't your grandparents super hero book.

Our thoughts on the book...

Mario - I found this book to be hilarious from start to finish. Ennis does what he does best with this book and that is to entertain without pulling any punches. He is a master at satirising the super hero genre from what seems to be a stance of both respect and an admission of the flaws that it holds. Amanda Conner's art is, as always, gorgeous, as she even makes the grimiest of scenes look polished and even pretty.
This is a quick read and not one to be taken overly seriously, but if you are looking for something fun or a break from your average super hero comic book, then the Pro could very well be the book for you. 7/10

Frankie - This is a quirky one off by Ennis which I love because of Ennis. I love the really strong female lead, yes she is a prostitute, but at her core she is a really good person doing best under the circumstances. I also love the dichotomy of revealing those that are usually revered as hypocrites. Obnoxious, offensive and an absolutely brilliant little gem. Was initially recommended to me by a friend and I love it. 8/10

Stephen - I like superheroes and I don't usually like the profanity that Ennis puts into his books, but I quite enjoyed this, I liked the artwork and in this situation the profanity was called for and suited the book. I found it very funny. 7/10

Louise - I really liked it. I knew what to expect from what Frankie had told me and that it was written by Garth Ennis and I love the fact that it focusses on someone who is not your typical hero. No black or white, but of everything rolled into one. It mirrors real life in showing so called goodie-goodies as morons. There isn't much too it, but I really liked it, it's a good half hour chuckle. Amanda Conner's art is great, nice and bold and suits the character. 7/10

James - I was very pleased that it was only a short book. I tend to judge books by how many times I would be willing to read it and I think that I will only ever read this once. I wasn't fond of the obscenity. It was a push too far. I like my satire to be something more along the lines of strange tales. Just one of those books that I understand where they were going with it, but I was just "oh well, glad that's over." 3/10
 

Alex - My main problem with this book was the length. It felt like the concept would work as a one joke gag, but it was too long and it was too short for a proper story that you could sink your teeth into. I liked the art. The satire of the JLA could have been more inventive. I don't have anything against it, but it definitely could have been more. 6/10

Elaine - I can see faults in it, for example it is too short for my liking. Like the story at the end as well, maybe it would have worked better as five separate short stories instead. I liked the art for the detail, the backgrounds have some of the funiest parts of the book. The detail is genius. The level of profanity was excessive, but it didnt really bother me. I had to read twice just for the detail alone. 7/10

Martin - I am a big fan of Ennis' work and I had high hopes for this book. It was alright, but not spectacular. A short read that was fun. The art was not stand out, but I can see the obvious homage to Marvel and DC characters with the details, which were amazing. I especially like the line of hookers with with assorted random objects in hand ready to ruin anus of the john who was unwilling to pay for services rendered. It's a fun read, but I wouldn't recommend it to my Mum. 7/10

Amy - I don't like 'The Pro', I'm going to be straight up and honest about it, the book is not for me. I didn't find the humour in the book to be funny at all, if anything I found it to be almost infantile and annoying. Whilst the art was okay I've seen much better work from Amanda Connor.
The plot is very simple, there's not really anything to the book beyond the joke of the actual concept of a prostitute getting super powers, and the short length of the book means that it doesn't outstay its welcome.
I can see why some people would find 'The Pro' to be amusing and enjoy the book, but in all honesty it just doesn't do it for me and I won't be reading it again. 3/10


So there you go. This is what our club members thought of The Pro. Please leave your comments in the box below to give us your two cents or if you live in the Kettering area, why not pop along to our next meeting on the 26th of November (message me for more details). Next months pick is Scalped vol 1 - Indian Country, by Jason Aaron and R.M. Guerra, so why not dig out a copy and give us your thoughts!

M X



Saturday 20 October 2012

Hero Talk Episode 22

Hey Dudes and Dudettes! Available now to download onto your new fangled listening devices is Episode 19 of everybody's favourite comic book and geek related podcast - HERO TALK!

This week, along with my co-hosts and cohorts; James Lundy and Mat Guy, we discuss among other things the AvX finale, Andy Diggle and his new project for DYNAMITE, The Walking Dead Season 3, Supernatural Season 8 and Game of Thrones so far, amongst other scintillating topics.

In Comics of Future Past, I talk about Joss Whedon's run on Astonishing X-Men, Green Lanterns Third Army story line and the upcoming Thunderbolts series from Marvel NOW!

All this plus much more on the best comic book podcast in the WORLD!!! :)

M X

- Subscribe via iTunes entering the following: http://www.heroesandidols.com/htalkpodcast.xml
- Download the mp3 via: www.heroesandidols.com/podcasts/htalkep22.mp3

 

Thursday 18 October 2012

Book of the Month Club - September 2012 - THE GOON vol 1 - NOTHIN' BUT MISERY!

Since March of 2009, myself and a group of like minded comic enthusiasts have been meeting each month to discuss a book that has been picked by a member of the club to be read that month. We have read and discussed a variety of titles including; Watchmen, Preacher, Daredevil - Guardian Devil, Superman - Red Son, Judge Death - Boyhood of a Superfiend, Bakuman, A Right to be Hostile, GI Joe vol 1 and Neverwhere.
I would like to invite you all to join us, either physically each month if you live in the Kettering area and can attend the meetings, or virtually via this blog by reading the chosen book and voicing your opinions in our comments section. Each month I will post our thoughts on the pick as well as posting the name of the next months book.

This months pick...





THE GOON vol 1 - NOTHIN' BUT MISERY - by Eric Powell

In a world where Zombies, Monsters and Ghosts are common place, The Goon and his pal Frankie are a pair of mob enforcers who don't take any crap from the dead as well as the living. They're regular, blue collar guys, who like a drink and don't care much for Zombies. And when the Zombie Priest discovers that Labrazio, the Goon's boss, is in fact dead and the Goon himself has taken over his turf, how will he make his big play?
This mixture of horror and comedy is beautifully played out in a pulpy old school style that will have you laughing out loud and grimacing within the space of a few panels.

Our thoughts on the book...

Mario - I can't remember the last time I had so much fun with a new discovery like this. I have known of the existence of The Goon for years, but even after enjoying such Dark Horse Horror Classics as Hellboy and Beasts of Burden, it took a book club recommendation for me to finally pick up this book and boy do I feel foolish for not grabbing it sooner. It has its horror elements, but the tales are so outlandish that I found myself laughing heartily along with the book, rather than being overly horrified. There are a few gross out panels, but Eric Powell's art work is so delightful that I found myself enjoying every moment, every scene. The made up adverts and product placements are also incredibly funny and don't take anything away from the book or distract from the main story. All in all this is one of the best graphic novels I have ever read for sheer enjoyment factor between the covers. It is pure and simply fun and I felt that I got my moneys worth completely! 10/10

James - Good old fashioned fun, pulpy and awesome. I personally prefer longer stories, but it was nice. I enjoyed the Vulture storyline, that was pretty badass and I enjoyed the fact it paid no care for the lengths of stories. Funky art. 8/10

Alex - A good fun comic which doesn't take itself too seriously and is just generally quite funny. Nice distinctive art with a retro feel, only real negative is its very much an instant gratification kind of comic, I only read it the other day and already I only remember a couple of the specific gags rather that much about the thing as a whole. Still great fun while it lasts. I have no decent employment based excuses. 8/10 

Frankie - Great little vignettes contained within what maybe a cohesive story or not it doesn't matter. Its a sort of 1930s pulp novel with fish gangsters and zombies all carried by the eponymous Goon of the title. Violent, funny and damn good. 9/10 

Martin - The Goon: Nothin' But Misery is one of my favourite comics and holds a special place in my nerdy heart. A series that has complete disregard for epic sagas, plot twists and climatic battles between good and evil; it's your generic gangster pulp story turned on it's head.
To the point, Eric Powell has created a world with such care you can truly see this is a labour of love. The art is spectacular, paying homage to mid-20th Century pulp fiction comics and many "creature features" that appeared during that time as well. The short stories are fun and engaging, keeping pace throughout so you never get bored or tired of what's going on. The humour is out of this world, being very surreal, random and witty throughout.
Overall this book is genius and deserves to be on the shelf of any self-respected fan of comics or indeed absolutely anybody. 9/10

Amy - Volume one of the Goon feels like a mishmash of ideas, half explained plots and off the wall characters that are never given any real explanation. This makes the Goon a wonderfully off the wall read. Early on in the book, one of the characters is seen watching Monty Python and that is a great comparison to make to the Goon, the off the wall humour, the crazy plots and the random adverts and one page strips should make the book feel like a cluster of too many ideas, but instead works in its favour. An interesting book that is quick and easy to read and has a wicked sense of humour. Well worth a read. 7/10

So there you go. This is what our club members thought of The Goon volume 1. Please leave your comments in the box below to give us your two cents or if you live in the Kettering area, why not pop along to our next meeting on the 22nd of October (message me for more details). Next months pick is The Pro, by Garth Ennis and Amanda Conner, so why not dig out a copy and give us your thoughts!

M X

Friday 12 October 2012

Hero Talk Episode 20 & 21

Hey Dudes and Dudettes! Available now to download onto your new fangled listening devices is Episode's 20 & 21 of everybody's favourite comic book and geek related podcast - HERO TALK!

In these two episodes, James, Mat, Dean, Aaron and I talk about about Alan Moore's appearance at the NICE convention, Andy Diggle's new assignment on IDW's Doctor Who comics, more DREDD 3D chat and Gaming now that the winter months are drawing in.

In Comics of Future Past, Mat and Dean break down their opinions on Nemesis, Scott Pilgrim, Lot 13 and more.

All this plus much more on the best comic book podcast in the WORLD!!! :)

M X

- Subscribe via iTunes entering the following: http://www.heroesandidols.com/htalkpodcast.xml
- Download the mp3 for episode 20 via: www.heroesandidols.com/podcasts/htalkep20.mp3 
- Download the mp3 for episode 21 via: www.heroesandidols.com/podcasts/htalkep21.mp3

Tuesday 2 October 2012

Hero Talk Episode 19

Hey Dudes and Dudettes! Available now to download onto your new fangled listening devices is Episode 19 of everybody's favourite comic book and geek related podcast - HERO TALK!

This week, along with my co-hosts and cohorts; James Lundy, Dean Saul and the returning Mat Guy, we discuss among other things the Avengers Assemble Blu Ray release and the controversy of the UK cut. And thanks to Dean for supplying me with a copy, we also talk about Frank Miller's HOLY TERROR and the works of Mr Miller on whole over the years, including the recently released Dark Knight Returns Part 1 DVD.

In Comics of Future Past, James talks about The Tenth, Hoax Hunters and the upcoming Evil Ernie series from Dynamite!

All this plus much more on the best comic book podcast in the WORLD!!! :)

M X

- Subscribe via iTunes entering the following: http://www.heroesandidols.com/htalkpodcast.xml
- Download the mp3 via: www.heroesandidols.com/podcasts/htalkep19.mp3