Men in My Situation by Per Petterson
Not one of his best. A bit too maudlin, and written in a selfconsciously arty style, with long sentences going in all sorts of directions.
Crossroads by Jonathan Franzen
Another great novel from Franzen, even if there are some parts that drag. A lot of talk about Christianity that I feel no connection to. This is supposed to be book one in a triology. Bring it on.
The Arrest by Jonathan Lethem
It drags a bit, this book. I never quite got into the story, and it takes its time. But if you first start to read Lethem novels...
L'Oisiveraie by David Prudhomme
Some cartoonists, it's just obvious that they like to draw. Christophe Blain is one. David Prudhomme is another. And this being a black and white book, you can really enjoy his pen and ink drawings.
One Train Later by Andy Summers
A well written autobiography from Summers, reaching The Police period around page 200. There's more about the band than in Sting's book, going through every record and also the concerts. I guess I should read Stewart Copeland's book as well, to really get the full picture.
Jack Kirby's Fantastic Four: Artisan Edition
I'm not paying over 100 pounds (or 200-300 on ebay) for the Artist's Edition books, but 20 pounds + shipping for the Artisan Editions is okay, even if they are half the size. I've never been a Kirby guy, I didn't read his comics as a kid, but I can enjoy his artwork here and Joe Sinnott's inking.
Steranko: Nick Fury Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. Artisan Edition
A bit disappointing collection of Steranko's work, since the early parts are not his best. It's only the last 30 pages or so, that it really takes off, and then will truely shine in book 2. That was supposed to be published 7 years ago. But they're still waiting for Steranko to do the graphic design. Which is a shame. Come on, Jim! Those three Cap America issues he did were the bee's knees.
Currently reading:
A Drink with Shane McGowan by Victoria Mary Clarke and S.M.
A conversation between Shane and his girlfriend / partner,Victoria. Possibly a better way to get to know the gent than a traditional biography.
I haven't seen the Artisan Editions in person, but Marvel Essentials was a good, low-cost series that was getting better with each new printing—as they found better sources for reproduction—until it got cancelled. FF #2-5 were good quality, all Kirby, with Sinnott entering in #3. Captain America Essentials #2 has the Steranko issues, surrounded by Kirby on one side and Gene Colan on the other, with a memorable origin fill-in issue by Kirby in the middle. Sinnott's run on Kirby in Essential Captain America #1 is another real favorite.
ReplyDeleteI was big on Marvel Essentials for a while, as they seemed like such an historically unique offering and a great way to soak in the penciller-inker partnerships (without heavy-handed digital color). The stories can wear thin though.
Sgt. Fury and Doctor Strange both got the Essentials treatment, but Nick Fury Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. never did.
I have FF Essential#3, which is supposed to be peak Kirby/Lee, I believe, but I still find it a bit hard to read. I must say I actually prefer Steranko. I have the second half of his Fury storyline, collected in a Danish edition and the Cap America issues in a Collector's Edition. And his comics to me are slightly more sophisticated?, if that's the right word, and more fun.
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