Book 8 of 2024: Batman: The Killing Joke

 Batman: The Killing Joke

Author: Alan Moore (words), Brian Bolland (pencils)

Genre: Graphic Novel, Noir, Detective

Pages: Not that many, can't be bothered to check

Finished: Yes
Final Rating: 7.5/10

I've never been a huge Batman fan outside of the animated series in the 90s, so in order to change that, I figured I would give one of his seminal stories a whirl and see what happened.

This is really more of a Joker story than a Batman story, and I guess it's one of the better ones. Brian Bolland's art is fantastic, and not just on a technical level (although it shines there, too). His visual storytelling is on a completely different level and is something that I think can only accomplished in a comic book.

The story is decent, I just wish there was a little more of it. It centers around the Joker, who escapes from Arkham and holes up in an abandoned amusement park. After attacking Barbara Gordon and uh, doing unsavory things to her (this really didn't sit well with me) he kidnaps Commissioner Gordon with the ultimate goal of driving him insane. Of course, Batman must come to the rescue.

In between plot points, we get flashbacks to the Joker's previous life where he was a struggling stand-up comedian with a beautiful girl and a baby on the way. In an effort to try and earn a bit more money, he ends up taking a job with the local organized crime outfit which goes horribly wrong. I believe you know the rest.

One bad day turned a good man into the Joker, and one bad day turned a kid into the Batman.

And then the story kind of just... ends. It's weird.

Book 7 of 2024 - Cosmic Detective

Cosmic Detective

Author: Jeff Lemire, Matt Kindt, David Rubin (Art)

Genre: Graphic Novel, Sci-Fi, Noir

Pages: 208

Finished: Yes
Final Rating: 8.4/10

Cosmic Detective is a gritty, hardboiled graphic novel about a detective trying to solve the murder of what could be called a god. In true noir fashion, the more he discovers the shittier his life gets. 

The art really drives home what a cross between cosmic horror and sci-fi detective work might look like. Strange allies, mysterious technology, and a backstory that's really only hinted at serve to draw in the reader even more.

I read this in a single sitting, and I would recommend it to fans of the genre. Give it a shot.

Book 5 of 2024: Kingdom Come

Kingdom Come

Author: Mark Waid (writer) Alex Ross (art)

Genre: Graphic Novel, Superhero

Pages: 232

Finished: Yes
Final Rating: 8.2/10

Kingdom Come is an Elseworlds story, which I guess means it's not part of the DC canon, or the main continuity or whatever.

Set in the near future where the Justice League has all retired, a new breed of superhero has emerged. These new superheroes are the progeny of the old guard, but lack any of the restraint or respect of their forebears. They spontaneously do battle in the streets just for funsies, but have little regard for the lives of the common folk that is forced to exist among them.

Kingdome Come is a kind of dark story, where Superman and Wonder Woman come into conflict with Bruce Wayne and Lex Luthor while trying to restore the respectability of superheroes. These two factions flirt dangerously with fascism and terrorism in an attempt to restore order to the world. Superman, Batman, et al. all sport the classic signs of aging, driving home that this is a new world and their old-fashioned approach might not be appropriate anymore.

The story is told through the eyes of everyman minister Norman McKay, as The Spectre recruits him to help judge the coming Armageddon. Norman is the audience insert, and The Spectre helpfully provides all the necessary exposition and backstory you would need, which came in handy since I'm not a big DC comics guy.

Alex Ross' painted gouache (had to look that one up) art is probably my favorite part of the book. Every face, from the background characters to the main actors is so wonderfully illustrated; characters' emotions leap from the page. This is going to sound weird, but comics tend to be a bit wordy - this is unnecessary with Ross' art.

I'm not into the superhero genre so much anymore, but I think Kingdom Come would be considered required reading for those who are. Of course, if you are one of those fans, chances are you've read this already, so... uh, carry on?

Book 2 of 2024: Transmetropolitan: Book One

Transmetropolitan: Book One

Author: Warren Ellis (Writer), Darick Robertson (Artist)

Genre: Science Fiction, Cyberpunk

Pages: No clue

Finished: Yes
Final Rating: 9/10

I know I'm about 25 years late to the party, but I finally got around to reading the first volume (issues 1-12) of Warren Ellis's classic transhumanist graphic novel, and you know what? It's pretty great and has aged surprisingly well.

Transmetropolitan follows Spider Jerusalem, a retired gonzo journalist in the mold of Hunter S. Thompson. Jerusalem is living in a mountain compound in self-imposed exile, having grown contemptuous of city life and all it represents. Mr. Jerusalem is something of an acquired taste, given his propensity for guns, drugs, and an almost zealous hatred of authority.

Jerusalem is called back from retirement by threat of lawsuit; see, he still owes his publisher two books and they are looking to collect. Having burned through the advance, he needs to move back to the city he hates to fulfill his obligation. He obviously needs money, so he takes a job as a journalist working for an old acquaintance. Book One follows the stories Jerusalem writes for the city paper, introducing the reader to the the City and it's diverse inhabitants while getting Jerusalem mixed up in political corruptness at the highest level.

For all his faults, Jerusalem is very, very good at what he does. He is always in the middle of the action, be it speeches by corrupt politicians or police brutality in the slums. He is the most contentious person alive, acrimonious impossible to get along with, hates dogs with a passion (wtf), but is never, ever boring and has a true gift for journalism and getting to the truth, no matter the danger to his well-being.

Also he makes the president shit himself with a bowel disruptor gun. No notes.