BB Alternative Review Group #125 - Wilson HC (spoilers)

[Andreas]

* fine print at the bottom of post


This week we are reading: Wilson HC by Daniel Clowes (Drawn & Quarterly, 04/28 )


Our reviewers this week are:

Johnny C. TheLastHorseman - 9.5
Fake Pat - 10
Blake Sims - 10
Doug - 9






Next week we are reading:

- *new* Long Tail Kitty HC by Lark Pien (Blue Apple Books, 04/28 )

- *new* Art in Time: Unknown Comic Adventures 1940-1980 HC ed. by Dan Nadel (Abrams ComicArts, 04/07)


This week's companion threads:

- BB Alternative Review Group #126: City of Spies (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=6828703) by Susan Kim, Laurence Klavan & Pascal Dizin (:01 First Second, 04/28 )

- BB Review Group week 284: Siege: Secret Warriors #1 (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?t=191618) by Jonathan Hickman, Alessandro Vitti, Jose Villarrubia & Dave Lanphear (Marvel, 04/28 )


Upcoming: Superf*ckers by Jeffrey Brown (Top Shelf Productions, 05/05), It Was the War of the Trenches HC by Jacques Tardi (Fantagraphics Books, 03/31), A Distant Neighborhood Vol. 1 & Vol. 2 by Jiro Taniguchi (Fanfare/Ponent Mon, 10/07 & 11/25), Tumor HC by Joshua Hale Fialkov & Noel Tuazon (Archaia Entertaiment), Neil Young's Greendale HC by Joshua Dysart, Cliff Chiang & Dave Stewart (Vertigo, 06/09), A Second Chance at Sarah by Neil Druckmann & Joysuke Wong (Ape Entertainment), The Original Johnson Vol. 1 by Trevor Von Eeden (IDW/Comicmix, 12/23), Town of Evening Calm, Country of Cherry Blossoms HC by Kono Fumiyo (Last Gasp, 01/06), Abstract Comics: The Anthology HC ed. by Andrei Molotiu (Fantagraphics Books, 08/05),...


Our previous reviews:

Week 01 - 11/29/2006 - ACME Novelty Library #17 HC (Chris Ware) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?t=94568) av grade - 9.4
Week 02 - 12/06/2006 - Curses HC (Kevin Huizenga) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?t=95331) av grade - 10
Week 03 - 12/21/2006 - The Bakers Meet Jingle Belle (Paul Dini & Kyle Baker) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?t=97010) av grade - 7
Week 04 - 04/04/2007 - Madman Atomic Comics #1 (Michael Allred & Laura Allred) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?t=109338) av grade - 8.2
Week 05 - 05/02/2007 - Optic Nerve #11 (Adrian Tomine) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?t=112267) av grade - 7.9
Week 06 - 06/04/2007 - Satan's Sodomy Baby (Eric Powell) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?t=115508) av grade - 6.3
Week 07 - 06/20/2007 - The Black Diamond Detective Agency (Eddie Campbell) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?t=117158) av grade 7.6
Week 08 - 06/28/2007 - The Three Paradoxes HC (Paul Hornschemeier) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?t=117944) av grade - 8.7
Week 09 - 09/23/2007 - Punks The Comic - Summer Special #1 (Joshua Fialkov & Kody Chamberlain) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?t=127793) av grade - 7.6
Week 10 - 10/08/2007 - Silverfish HC (David Lapham) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?t=129317) av grade - 8.1
Week 11 - 10/16/2007 - Exit Wounds HC (Rutu Modan) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?t=130107) av grade - 9.75
Week 12 - 11/05/2007 - Papercuts & Other Stories (Michael Cho) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?t=132146) av grade - 9
Week 13 - 12/05/2007 - The Killer Vol. 1 (Matz & Luc Jacamon) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?t=134812) av grade – 10
Week 14 - 12/14/2007 - Criminal Vol. 2: Lawless (Ed Brubaker & Sean Phillips) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=3998133) av grade – 9.1
Week 15 - 12/27/2007 - The Best American Comics 2007 HC (eds. Chris Ware & Anne Elizabeth Moore) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?t=136805) av grade - 8
Week 16 - 01/08/2008 - MW HC (Tezuka Osamu) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?t=137819) av grade - 7
Week 16 - 01/08/2008 - Apollo's Song (Tezuka Osamu) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?t=137819) av grade - 5
Week 17 - 01/24/2008 - Storeyville HC (Frank Santoro) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?t=139529) av grade - (x)
Week 17 - 01/24/2008 - Maggots (Brian Chippendale) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?t=139529) av grade - 9
Week 18 - 01/30/2008 - Y: The Last Man #60 (Brian K. Vaughan, Pia Guerra & José Marzan Jr.) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?t=140080) av grade - 10
Week 19 - 02/06/2008 - Pax Romana #1 (Jonathan Hickman) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?t=140897) av grade - 9.2
Week 20 - 02/13/2008 - Trains Are...Mint #4 (Oliver East) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?t=141693) av grade - 9
Week 21 - 02/20/2008 - Umbrella Academy: Apocalypse Suite (Gerard Way & Gabriel Bá) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=4296762) av grade - 8.8
Week 22 - 02/27/2008 - RASL #1 (Jeff Smith) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=4328376) av grade - 7.8
Week 23 - 03/05/2008 - Echo #1 (Terry Moore) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=4365343) av grade - 6.1
Week 24 - 03/13/2008 - New Engineering (Yokoyama Yuichi) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=4407703) av grade - (x)
Week 24 - 03/13/2008 - Powr Mastrs Vol. 1 (C.F.) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=4407703) av grade - 8.5
Week 25 - 03/21/2008 - The Last Musketeer (Jason) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=4445037) av grade - 8.1
Week 26 - 03/28/2008 - The Boy Who Made Silence #1 (Joshua Hagler) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=4482277) av grade - 9
Week 27 - 04/04/2008 - American Splendor Season Two #1 (Harvey Pekar et al) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=4516133) av grade - 8.4
Week 28 - 04/16/2008 - Little Things: A Memoir in Slices (Jeffrey Brown) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=4570526) av grade - 9
Week 29 - 04/30/2008 - Glamourpuss #1 (Dave Sim) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=4634848) av grade - 7.6
Week 30 - 05/07/2008 - Salt Water Taffy Vol. 1: The Legend of Old Salty (Matthew Loux) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=4660738) av grade - 9.6
Week 31 - 05/14/2008 - The Education of Hopey Glass HC (Jaime Hernandez) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?t=151259) av grade - 10
Week 32 - 05/21/2008 - Thoreau at Walden (John Porcellino) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=4718331) av grade - 8.75
Week 33 - 05/29/2008 - Judenhass (Dave Sim) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?t=152686) av grade - 10
Week 34 - 06/05/2008 - Three Shadows (Cyril Pedrosa) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?t=153386) av grade - 8
Week 35 - 06/11/2008 - The Amazing Joy Buzzards Vol. 1 (Mark Andrew Smith & Dan Hipp) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=4797993) av grade - (x)
Week 36 - 06/19/2008 - Little Vampire (Joann Sfar) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=4833738) av grade - 10
Week 37 - 06/26/2008 - True Story, Swear To God Archives Vol. 1 (Tom Beland) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=4864527) av grade - 9.4
Week 38 - 07/04/2008 - Skim HC (Mariko Tamaki & Jillian Tamaki) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=4893753) av grade - 9
Week 39 - 07/10/2008 - What It Is HC (Lynda Barry) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?t=156650) av grade - 9.5
Week 40 - 07/17/2008 - Bottomless Belly Button (Dash Shaw) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=4956604) av grade - 9.6
Week 41 - 07/25/2008 - Skyscrapers of the Midwest HC (Joshua W. Cotter) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=4995644) av grade - 9.3
Week 42 - 08/01/2008 - Monster Zoo (Doug TenNapel) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=5023647) av grade - 9.5
Week 43 - 08/08/2008 - Jessica Farm Vol. 1 (Josh Simmons) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=5048497) av grade - 7
Week 44 - 08/15/2008 - Chiggers (Hope Larson) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=5072942) av grade - (x)
Week 45 - 08/21/2008 - The Number 73304-23-4153-6-96-8 HC (Thomas Ott) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=5096450) av grade - 7
Week 46 - 08/28/2008 - Doktor Sleepless Book 1: Engines of Desire (Warren Ellis & Ivan Rodriguez) ( http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=5118129) av grade - 8.5
Week 47 - 09/05/2008 - A.D.: New Orleans After the Deluge (Josh Neufeld) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?t=161051) av grade - (x)
Week 48 - 09/11/2008 - Bluesman - A Twelve-Bar Graphic Novel (Rob Vollmar & Pablo G. Callejo) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=5175498) av grade - 8.5
Week 49 - 09/17/2008 - Local HC (Brian Wood & Ryan Kelly) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=5200349) av grade - 9.3
Week 50 - 09/25/2008 - Expressive Anatomy for Comics and Narrative: Principles and Practices from the Legendary Cartoonist (Will Eisner) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=5232197) av grade - (x)
Week 50 - 09/25/2008 - Drawing Words and Writing Pictures: Making Comics from Manga to Graphic Novels (Jessica Abel & Matt Madden) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=5232197) av grade - (x)
Week 51 - 10/02/2008 - The Amazing Remarkable Monsieur Leotard (Eddie Campbell & Dan Best) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=5232197) av grade - (x)
Week 52 - 10/10/2008 - The Alcoholic HC (Jonathan Ames & Dean Haspiel) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=5292746) av grade - 9
Week 53 - 10/17/2008 - Ordinary Victories: What Is Precious (Manu Larcenet) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?t=163980) av grade - (x)
Week 54 - 10/24/2008 - Coraline HC (Neil Gaiman & P. Craig Russell) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=5343589) av grade - 9
Week 55 - 10/30/2008 - Disappearance Diary (Azuma Hideo) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=5368882) av grade - (x)
Week 56 - 11/06/2008 - Berlin Book Two: City of Smoke (Jason Lutes) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=5396053) av grade - 10
Week 57 - 11/13/2008 - Travel (Yokoyama Yuichi) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=5422818) av grade - (x)
Week 58 - 11/21/2008 - Red Colored Elegy HC (Hayashi Seiichi) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=5451167) av grade - 9
Week 59 - 11/28/2008 - Slow Storm (Danica Novgorodoff) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?t=166369) av grade - 8
Week 60 - 12/05/2008 - Jamilti and Other Stories HC (Rutu Modan) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=5497397) av grade - (x)
Week 60 - 12/05/2008 - How To Love HC (Actus) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=5497397) av grade - (x)
Week 61 - 12/11/2008 - Sammy the Mouse #2 (Zak Sally) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=5517707) av grade - (x)
Week 62 - 12/19/2008 - Courtney Crumrin and the Prince of Nowhere (Ted Naifeh) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=5548421) av grade - 8.25
Week 63 - 12/25/2008 - Kramers Ergot 7 HC (eds. Sammy Harkham & Alvin Buenaventura) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?t=168141) av grade - 7.5
Week 64 - 01/02/2009 - The Best American Comics 2008 HC (eds. Lynda Barry, Jessica Abel & Matt Madden) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=5587393) av grade - 6
Week 64 - 01/02/2009 - An Anthology of Graphic Fiction, Cartoons & True Stories Vol. 2 HC (ed. Ivan Brunetti) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=5587393) av grade - 9.7
Week 65 - 01/08/2009 - The Mice Templar Vol. 1: The Prophecy HC (Bryan J.L. Glass & Michael Avon Oeming) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=5607564) av grade - 10
Week 66 - 01/15/2009 - Alan's War (Emmanuel Guibert & Alan Cope) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=5633568) av grade - 10
Week 67 - 01/29/2009 - The Mammoth Book of Best Crime Comics (ed. Paul Gravett) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=5686329) av grade - (x)
Week 68 - 02/06/2009 - Scott Pilgrim Vol. 5: Scott Pilgrim vs. The Universe (Bryan Lee O'Malley) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=5712620) av grade - 9.2
Week 69 - 02/13/2009 - Swallow Me Whole HC (Nate Powell) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=5733744) av grade - 6.5
Week 70 - 02/18/2009 - 20th Century Boys Vol. 1 (Urasawa Naoki) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=5750232) av grade - ***
Week 70 - 02/18/2009 - Pluto: Urasawa x Tezuka Vol. 1 (Urasawa Naoki) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=5750232) av grade - ***
Week 71 - 03/04/2009 - Strongman (Charles Soule & Allen Gladfelter) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=5795231) av grade - ***
Week 72 - 03/12/2009 - The Lagoon HC (Lilli Carré) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=5820221) av grade - (x)
Week 73 - 04/01/2009 - Kabuki: The Alchemy HC (David Mack) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=5879447) av grade - 9.5
Week 74 - 04/10/2009 - A Drifting Life (Tatsumi Yoshihiro) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=5904935) av grade - (x)
Week 75 - 04/17/2009 - Funny Misshapen Body: A Memoir (Jeffrey Brown) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=5922547) av grade - 8
Week 76 - 04/29/2009 - The Venice Chronicles HC (Enrico Casarosa) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=5960039) av grade - (x)
Week 76 - 04/29/2009 - Mesmo Delivery Vol. 1 (Rafael Grampa) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=5960039) av grade - 8
Week 77 - 05/06/2009 - Monologues for Calculating the Density of Black Holes (Anders Nilsen) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=5980996) av grade - 8.5
Week 78 - 05/13/2009 - The Eternal Smile: Three Stories (Gene Luen Yang & Derek Kirk Kim) ( http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=5998324) av grade - 7
Week 79 - 05/28/2009 - Rapture #1 (Michael Avon Oeming & Taki Soma) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?t=177000) av grade - 6
Week 80 - 06/05/2009 - BodyWorld (Dash Shaw) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=6062236) av grade - (x)
Week 81 - 06/10/2009 - George Sprott (1894-1975): A Picture Novella HC (Seth) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=6076066) av grade - (x)
Week 82 - 06/17/2009 - The Adventures of White Cat Vol. 1 (Ben Rosen) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=6094653) av grade - 9
Week 83 - 06/24/2009 - Outlaw Territory Vol. 1 (ed. Michael Woods) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=6113477) av grade - (x)
Week 84 - 07/01/2009 - Solanin (Asano Inio) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=6131949) av grade - 9.5
Week 85 - 07/08/2009 - Asterios Polyp HC (David Mazzucchelli) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=6149237) av grade - 9.6
Week 86 - 07/15/2009 - The Nobody HC (Jeff Lemire) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=6167366) av grade - 8.9
Week 86 - 07/15/2009 - The Essex County Trilogy (Jeff Lemire) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=6167366) av grade - 9.75
Week 87 - 07/22/2009 - You Have Killed Me HC (Jamie S. Rich & Joëlle Jones) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?t=179911) av grade - 10
Week 88 - 07/29/2009 - Richard Stark's Parker: The Hunter HC (Darwyn Cooke) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=6203823) av grade - 9.5
Week 89 - 08/06/2009 - Low Moon HC (Jason) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=6221949) av grade - 8.75
Week 90 - 08/13/2009 - Uptight #3 (Jordan Crane) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=6237460) av grade - ***
Week 91 - 08/20/2009 - The Big Kahn (Neil Kleid & Nicolas Cinquegrani) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=6254342) av grade - (x)
Week 92 - 08/27/2009 - King City #1 (Brandon Graham) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=6271556) av grade - (x)
Week 93 - 09/03/2009 - Cat Burglar Black (Richard Sala) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?t=182151) av grade - (x)
Week 93 - 09/03/2009 - Delphine #1-4 (Richard Sala) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?t=182151) av grade - (x)
Week 94 - 09/11/2009 - Yotsuba&! Vol. 6 (Azuma Kiyohiko) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=6304032) av grade - (x)
Week 95 - 09/17/2009 - West Coast Blues (Jacques Tardi & Jean-Patrick) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=6319276) av grade - (x)
Week 96 - 09/24/2009 - Bart Simpson's Treehouse of Horror #15 (ed. Sammy Harkham) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=6334019) av grade - 10
Week 96 - 09/24/2009 - Strange Tales #1 (ed. John Barber & Jody LeHeup) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=6334019) av grade - 9.1
Week 97 - 10/02/2009 - Masterpiece Comics HC (Robert Sikoryak) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=6352157) av grade - (x)
Week 98 - 10/08/2009 - 3 Story: The Secret History of the Giant Man HC (Matt Kindt) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=6364553) av grade - (x)
Week 99 - 10/15/2009 - Prison Pit Book One (Johnny Ryan) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=6378870) av grade - 9.5
Week 100 - 10/22/2009 - Hector Plasm: Totentanz (Benito Cereno & Nate Bellegarde) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=6394477) av grade - 7
Week 101 - 10/30/2009 - The Deformitory (Sophia Wiedeman) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=6410505) av grade - (x)
Week 102 - 11/09/2009 - The Book of Genesis Illustrated HC (Robert Crumb) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=6428188) av grade - (x)
Week 103 - 11/19/2009 - Stitches: A Memoir HC (David Small) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?t=185515) av grade - (x)
Week 104 - 11/26/2009 - Map of My Heart (John Porcellino) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=6463438) av grade - (x)
Week 105 - 12/04/2009 - Britten & Brulightly (Hannah Berry) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?t=186082) av grade - (x)
Week 106 - 12/11/2009 - GoGo Monster HC (Matsumoto Taiyo) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=6488514) av grade - (x)
Week 107 - 12/17/2009 - Johnny Cash: I See a Darkness (Reinhard Kleist) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=6500363) av grade - (x)
Week 107 - 12/17/2009 - Bob Dylan Revisited HC (various) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=6500363) av grade - 9
Week 108 - 12/23/2009 - The Best American Comics 2009 HC (eds. Charles Burns, Jessica Abel & Matt Madden) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=6510948) av grade - (x)
Week 108 - 12/23/2009 - The Toon Treasury of Classic Children's Comics HC (eds. Art Spiegelman & Francoise Mouly) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=6510948) av grade - 10
Week 109 - 01/06/2010 - Orc Stain #1 (James Stokoe) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=6536796) av grade - (x)
Week 110 - 01/15/2010 - Scarlett Takes Manhattan (Molly Crabapple & John Leavitt) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=6561192) av grade - (x)
Week 111 - 01/28/2010 - The Squirrel Machine HC (Hans Rickheit) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=6594296) av grade - (x)
Week 112 - 02/04/2010 - Smile HC (Raina Telgemeier) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=6612718) av grade - (x)
Week 113 - 02/12/2010 - The Color of Earth, Water, and Heaven Trilogy (Dong-hwa Kim) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=6634104) av grade - (x)
Week 114 - 02/18/2010 - The Gigantic Robot HC (Tom Gauld) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=6650130) av grade - (x)
Week 115 - 02/25/2010 - Captain Swing and the Electrical Pirates of Cindery Island #1 (Warren Ellis & Raulo Caceres) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=6668803) av grade - (x)
Week 116 - 02/25/2010 - Dodgem Logic #1 (ed. Alan Moore) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=6668804) av grade - (x)
Week 117 - 03/04/2010 - Grandville HC (Bryan Talbot) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=6686735) av grade - (x)
Week 118 - 03/12/2010 - King of the Flies Vol. 1: Hallorave HC (Mezzo & Pirus) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=6710293) av grade - (x)
Week 119 - 03/19/2010 - Birdhouse (Vernon White) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=6725313) av grade - (x)
Week 120 - 03/24/2010 - Days Missing HC (Edgington, Hester, Hine, Matz, Burnham, Irving, Moder & Petrus) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=6738616) av grade - 7
Week 121 - 04/01/2010 - High Soft Lisp (Gilbert Hernandez) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=6761462) av grade - (x)
Week 121 - 04/01/2010 - The Troublemakers HC (Gilbert Hernandez) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=6761462) av grade - (x)
Week 122 - 04/08/2010 - Area 10 HC (Christos N. Gage & Chris Samnee) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=6776592) av grade - (x)
Week 123 - 04/16/2010 - Market Day HC (James Sturm) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=6796981) av grade - (x)
Week 124 - 04/24/2010 - Kingyo Used Books Vol. 1 (Yoshizaki Seimu) (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=6814390) av grade - (x)


What we do: This is a fanbased review group, open to everybody. It was launched as a companion thread to the BB Review Group. The idea is to review creator-owned books that provide an alternative to the superhero books of the Big Two. This can be anything, from single issues, self-published mini comics, and online comics to graphic novels and anthologies. Because graphic novels are more expensive and may also require more time to read than a 24 page comic (and sometimes for you to be in the right mood), there will be sufficient time to get the books and to read them before the review thread is up. The "upcoming" section lists a few graphic novels, collections, or anthologies we are going to review in the coming weeks and months, with room for many more. Feel free to suggest books, and also to keep adding your reviews and comments to older threads as you read the books.

As people post the reviews, I will add your name and score to a list in the main post and at the end of the week average the scores for an overall grade on the book. We grade on a scale of 0-10, the meanings of which roughly translate to:

10 - Everything I want in a comic, an instant classic
9 - Excellent, a nearly perfect read
8 - Highly recommended but it has minor flaws
7 - Very good, it does have some problems
6 - Above average but has deep flaws
5 - An average comic
4 - Below average, the flaws outweigh the good
3 - A disappointing comic
2 - Forgettable, a waste of time
1 - Stay away!! One of the worst comics I've read

Anyone who participates is asked to please keep this scale in mind when giving a grade so that everyone is operating on the same system.


Locked review threads: If you would like to review a book from one of the previous weeks, but the thread has been locked by the moderators in the meantime, pm me and I'll get a new review thread up.


THERE IS NO OBLIGATION TO PARTICIPATE EVERY TIME A NEW THREAD IS UP. Please join in as little or as much as you like week to week. If you are uncomfortable giving a grade then just join in the discussions and ask questions.

[John M. Coker (Johnny C.)]

Finally was able to get to this last night. Tore right into it, couldn't put it down. I knew I was in for a treat when I laughed for a good 5 minutes after finishing the very first page. A brilliant and utterly fascinating piece of comics work. What really amazed me was how Clowes was able to strum at the chord of pretty much every emotion on the spectrum with this character. He hits everything. He's funny, he's depressing, he's sweet, he's deplorable, he's touching, he's intolerable. This character gives you a little taste of everything about humanity that you hate, love, fear, feel for, despise, everything that you find endearing, and everything that you fine insufferable. This book is such a great character piece, and one that makes you laugh at the absurdity and marvel at the subtlety. Honestly, pretty much a perfect piece of comic booking.

9.5/10

[Fake Pat]

I love stories about assholes, and Wilson is a MAJOR asshole.

10/10

Don't listen to the backlash coming from some critics. I think it really stems from this being quite possibly the most "mainstream" thing Clowes has ever done. This ain't "There Will Be Blood", it's more "Up in the Air", and there ain't nothing wrong with that.

[John M. Coker (Johnny C.)]

I love stories about assholes, and Wilson is a MAJOR asshole.

10/10

Don't listen to the backlash coming from some critics. I think it really stems from this being quite possibly the most "mainstream" thing Clowes has ever done. This ain't "There Will Be Blood", it's more "Up in the Air", and there ain't nothing wrong with that.

Eff the critics, seriously. If anyone told me that they read this and didn't enjoy it, I'd tell them that their Emotion Generator is broken, especially their Haha Matrix.

[Fake Pat]

Eff the critics, seriously. If anyone told me that they read this and didn't enjoy it, I'd tell them that their Emotion Generator is broken, especially their Haha Matrix.

I'll try and post some links later, because I can't deny for a second that many of the guys (who really are [imo] generally pretty great critics with pretty great personal taste) make valid comments.

I just ultimately feel it's a case of unmet expectations. I love Wilson, but it doesn't hold up to stuff like Ice Haven. Not that much does.

[John M. Coker (Johnny C.)]

I'll try and post some links later, because I can't deny for a second that many of the guys (who really are [imo] generally pretty great critics with pretty great personal taste) make valid comments.

I just ultimately feel it's a case of unmet expectations. I love Wilson, but it doesn't hold up to stuff like Ice Haven. Not that much does.

Eh, I don't really agree with that. I would say that it holds up with Ice Haven, or any of his work, in the sense of being what it is. This book accomplishes what it's meant to accomplish as well as Ice Haven accomplishes what it's meant to accomplish, it's that they are meant to accomplish different things. For what Wilson is, it excels at being what it is as well as any of his other works excel at being what they are. If that makes sense. It's like saying that Up In The Air wasn't as good a film as Precious because it didn't invoke the same emotions. Well, it's not meant to, it's goal as a piece of work is entirely different. And I would say that Wilson reached it's goal as much, and as well, as Ice Haven did, or as Ghost World did. I would say that Clowes did what he set out to do with Wilson as well as he did with any of his works.

Also, I hate to throw out the apples to oranges cliche, but Wilson really is a different animal compared to any of Clowes' past work, as I would say that what he does are dramas with comedic elements, whereas Wilson, first and foremost, really is a comedy with dramatic elements.

Clowes' work usually makes me feel a lot of things, but rarely (if ever) have I stopped and literally laughed out loud, which I think I did like 20 times during this. There are some truly brilliant comedy bits in this book.

[Fake Pat]

Eh, I don't really agree with that. I would say that it holds up with Ice Haven, or any of his work, in the sense of being what it is. This book accomplishes what it's meant to accomplish as well as Ice Haven accomplishes what it's meant to accomplish, it's that they are meant to accomplish different things. For what Wilson is, it excels at being what it is as well as any of his other works excel at being what they are. If that makes sense. It's like saying that Up In The Air wasn't as good a film as Precious because it didn't invoke the same emotions. Well, it's not meant to, it's goal as a piece of work is entirely different. And I would say that Wilson reached it's goal as much, and as well, as Ice Haven did, or as Ghost World did. I would say that Clowes did what he set out to do with Wilson as well as he did with any of his works.

Also, I hate to throw out the apples to oranges cliche, but Wilson really is a different animal compared to any of Clowes' past work, as I would say that what he does are dramas with comedic elements, whereas Wilson, first and foremost, really is a comedy with dramatic elements.

And see, I think that's debatable. I have a very dark sense of humor. Verrrrry dark.

But at a certain point Wilson stopped being funny to me. Not in the sense that jokes weren't working, I just didn't think there was anything funny about them anymore. I don't consider this a spoiler because it's meaningless out of context, but "Hey, it talks!" is a great "punchline" in the purest sense, but by then I was starting to read the book in a way where it read as being contemptible and rather pitiful on Wilson's part.

And kinda off subject but (and this one i will hide)...

"Don't ever use this voice again" brought me as close to tears as any piece of comic-bookery has in years.


I think it's totally valid to view it as a comedy, but there's enough very real sadness under the surface to view it as something completely different as well. I have a hard time picturing someone finding it nearly as funny the second time around, not because the jokes aren't solid enough to merit laughs, but because once you know where it's all leading to it's just not that funny anymore.

[John M. Coker (Johnny C.)]

And see, I think that's debatable. I have a very dark sense of humor. Verrrrry dark.

But at a certain point Wilson stopped being funny to me. Not in the sense that jokes weren't working, I just didn't think there was anything funny about them anymore. I don't consider this a spoiler because it's meaningless out of context, but "Hey, it talks!" is a great "punchline" in the purest sense, but by then I was starting to read the book in a way where it read as being contempible and rather pitiful on Wilson's part.

And kinda off subject but (and this one i will hide)...

"Don't ever use this voice again" brought me as close to tears as any piece of comic-bookery has in years.


I think it's totally valid to view it as a comedy, but there's enough very real sadness under the surface to view it as something completely different as well. I have a hard time picturing someone finding it nearly as funny the second time around, not because the jokes aren't solid enough to merit laughs, but because once you know where it's all leading to it's just not that funny anymore.

Well yeah, and don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that just because it's approached as a comedic work, that there's not some really strong emotional punch there. You're right, there is some very real, and powerful sadness here. And truth be told, it's all of that emotional kicks to the teeth contrasting with the LOLs that makes those comedic bits work so well. But the work does present itself as a comedy first, with all of that gut-wrenching stuff right under the surface. Where I would say that with his prior work, all of that is what he leads with, it's in the forefront of the work, and the comedic bits are what's right there under the surface.

[Blake Sims]

Uggg I'm so broke! I want to read this NOW!

[John M. Coker (Johnny C.)]

I'm in a Clowes mood now, I think I'll reread Ghost World when I get home tonight.

[Blake Sims]

I'm in a Clowes mood now, I think I'll reread Ghost World when I get home tonight.

I read my Eightball issues on a pretty regular basis. They're some of my most prized possesions.

[Blake Sims]

This is a great comic. I love the stylistic shifts with each page, and Clowes' art never looked better. I hope there isn't a 4-6 year wait for his next book.


10

[Doug]

This is the first work of Clowes that I have read. He's an amazing cartoonist, and I'll definately get more of his work.

I've heard Wilson compared to Asterios Polyp, and I can see why. Both are about the life of a man past his prime. Each chapter is told using a different style of art. With Wilson however I kind of felt empty after reading it. Wilson was a pretty empty character who was trying to fill his life with meaning, but failing at every turn. He was also incredibly shallow, and self centered.

Asterios was shallow too, but after the fire he went on a journey of self discovery and filled the holes in his life. Wilson tried to fill the holes, but nothing seemed to work (maybe the end when he finally realized what his parents were doing when they watched the lake), but it was too little too late for me. I never latched on to Wilson, and enjoyed seeing horrible stuff happen to him.

9/10