Graphic Novels Read in September

T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents Classics Volume I (1965-66/2013) Various

Previously discussed.

4/5

Tommysaurus Rex (J-Fic 2004) Doug TenNapel 

Tommysaurus Rex, an older work by TenNapel that’s recently been reprinted, is a warm-hearted coming-of-age “Old Yeller with Dinosaurs” story that worked for me about half the time. TenNapel’s focus wanders a bit, but it’s worth a look.  

3/5

The Flying Beaver Brothers and the Evil Penguin Plan (J-Fic 2012) Maxwell 
Eaton III 

Previously discussed. 

3.5/5

Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales: One Dead Spy (J-Fic 2012) Nathan Hale

4/5

Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales: Donner Dinner Party (J-Fic 2013) Nathan Hale

5/5

All three (but mainly Donner Dinner Party) discussed at Comics Alternative.

Manhattan Projects, Volume 2 (2013) Jonathan Hickman, Nick Pitarra

I really enjoyed this, probably not quite as much as I did the first volume, but that could be due to the fact that I’m just not sure if I can wrap my head around the story... Yet I can’t deny it’s weird, wild and fascinating.

4/5

Astro City Vol. 1: Life in the Big City (1995) Kurt Busiek, Alex Ross

I really enjoy Busiek’s writing and the Alex Ross art is a wonder to behold. Busiek and Ross have literally created a world with a fresh look at superheroes and their lives. I’m certainly onboard for more, including the new Astro City series. 

4/5

Fatale, Book Three: West of Hell (2013) Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips

Look for an review over at Comics Alternative soon.

4/5

Gotham Central, Book One: In the Line of Duty (2004) Ed Brubaker, Greg Rucka, Michael Lark

Gotham Central, put simply, is the Gotham Police working on crimes when Batman isn't around. Of course, it's more complicated than that, but that's a good starting point if you're considering whether you should pick this up (and you should). 

Rucka and Brubaker are both excellent writers and Lark's artwork is the perfect match for their stories. It becomes clear from the first story how difficult and frustrating it is for the police not only to solve crimes in Gotham, but also to work in the shadow of Batman (who does appear briefly). 

SPOILER

I refrain from giving this volume 5 stars only because Batman acts as a deus ex machina a couple of times. Of course, maybe that's the point, adding another level of frustration to the G.C.P.D.

4.5/5