Tag Archives: graphic novel

“The Stand” as a graphic novel

The Stand

Creepy, isn't it?

Until Free Comic Book Day I had no idea that Stephen King’s “The Stand” had been put into illustrated form. Yet as I wandered around the comic-filled boxes on the sidewalk tables I saw one particular comic on a table marked “Free” that I couldn’t resist picking up.

It was an issue from the “Soul Survivors” chapter of “The Stand” graphic novel.

Just in my hands – “The Molting” Chapter 6 by Terrance Zdunich

The Molting

My copy of The Molting, chp 6!

Yesterday my rather unhappy mood was suddenly brightened when I made it home after work by the sight of a package in my mailbox. I didn’t have to open it to know what it was. I’d been waiting for this to arrive for almost two weeks.

It was volume 6 of the graphic novel “The Molting” by Terrance Zdunich. It’s hard to believe that it was a year and a half ago that I read the first issue and was hooked. Since then I’ve eagerly awaited each issue and nabbed two copies each time, one for myself and one for my friend, Amanda. As each new issue makes it into my eager paws I have to revise which one might be my favorite. Chapter 6, “Allied Forces” might have just kicked its way to the top.

If you haven’t read this issue you might want to stop here until you do as there be spoilers ahead!

Halo Cryptum: Chapter one In its Entirety

“There are those that said this day would never come, what are they to say now”. If your as big of a Halo fan as I, or if you follow any of Greg Bear‘s writings then you know that Halo Cryptum (the story of the Forerunners) has been released and is on sale. If you aren’t or never heard of Greg Bear feast your optics on the first full chapter of this new Novel based in the Halo Universe right now.

Arkham Asylum: A maze of archetypes

 Arkham Asylum

I’m not quite sure why I had the sudden urge to whip Batman – Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth off the bookshelf this morning and cart it to work but when such urges strike, I obey. And it’s not like it’s torture to re-read this absolutely amazing graphic novel. On the contrary, I adore this particular one. In fact, this graphic novel is what got me hooked on the Batman comics. It’s not just the art by Dave McKean that’s brilliant but the storyline by Grant Morrison and the Jungian archetypes help pull it all together.

If you’re not familiar with this particular one, here’s a quick synopsis (Spoilers, ahoy!):

The inmates of Arkham have taken over the prison and are holding hostages. The Joker delivers their one demand. Send Batman in. When Batman arrives he is essentially told he has a certain amount of time to make his way through the asylum before the inmates start hunting him. Of course, the inmates don’t stick to that promise and the chase is on.

Batman encounters many of the villains of the Rogue’s Gallery and has to get past them. In this story, each of these villains represents a part of Batman’s psyche, parts that he has to come to terms with. Over the top of this story we learn about Amadeus Arkham (the founder of the asylum) and learn some how of the madness feeds back from the present to the past only to repeat.

After some more climactic scenes (which I’ll leave out so you have some suspense) Batman walks out of the asylum with the Joker bidding him farewell at the door. Perhaps one of my favorite lines might be the Joker’s final words to Batman:

“Just don’t forget – if it ever gets too tough, there’s always a place for you in here…”

And the best part is, even though Batman has made it back out, even he has wondered through the entire novel if he belongs in there as well.

Even if you’ve never read a single Batman comic, go pick up this one and give it a try. Then let me know what you think.