Monday, January 26, 2009

My first graphic novels!

I finished my first graphic novels this weekend - Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Long Way Home by Joss Whedon and No Future for You by Brian K. Vaughn and Joss Whedon. They're Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8, only in comic format.

I am a HUGE fan of Buffy and of Joss Whedon. I've seen the series numerous times - in fact we're re-watching it again and are on season 4. When the season 8 comics stared to come out I was excited, but somehow I put off getting them until some later unspecified date. As some of you know, I didn't really consider comics and graphic novels as something I'd like - and certainly not as something like a book!

Thanks to Nymeth I'm overcoming the stereotypical information that lives in my head. :-)

I LOVED these two books. I loved the storylines, I loved the artwork, I loved the experience of adding something visual to my reading. I won't go into the story because of spoilers, but if you like Buffy then it's definitely worth getting this. I have my Season 6 of Angel one lined up too and I can't wait!

Having said that, it did take me a while to get used to the comic format - I had trouble telling some of the characters apart and I didn't know what order to read the dialogue in. I got used to it though and I think I have it now. I hope, at least!

The only negative thing I have to say is that they went by too fast! I can't wait for the next installments!

Challenges: Graphic Novels, My Year of Reading Dangerously, 1st in a series, Countdown Challenge

7 comments:

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

I've only read one graphic novel so far (Persepolis), but I hope to read a few more this year. Glad you enjoyed your first as well!!

joanna said...

I got Persepolis as Christmas gift so I'll be reading that soon too!

Ana S. said...

I can't tell you how happy it makes me to have inspired you to give them a try :D And I'm so glad your first experience was a good one!

As for dialogue, characters, reading order - I really think it's a matter of practice. You'll see, it'll become instinctive in no time.

joanna said...

Nymeth - I hope so! My problem now is that I have to pace myself - I want to read more and more graphic novels but I'm trying to limit myself to one or two a month, since (like you) I have to buy all of them.

Paula Weston said...

I'm a huge fan of the Buffy Season 8 and Angel After The Fall comic series - although some of the story arcs in the later Buffy comics (which I'm buying each month as they come out) have me scratching my head a bit. I'm trusting in Joss to have it all make some sort of sense in the end!
(How cool was the Faith story arc?)

The Angel After The Fall series is quite different from Buffy (particularly the artwork), but well worth persevering with. And, best of all, there's a four-part Spike After The Fall break-out series as well - which is classic!

Love to hear more of your thought as you get further into the series.

I actually blogged on the Buffy and Angel comics last year if you're interested:
http://paula-greatstories.blogspot.com/2008/02/confession.html

joanna said...

Hi Paula - ooh I can't wait to read the Angel one now! And the Spike one - Spike is my absolute favorite, I LOVE him! ;-)

Paula Weston said...

Spike is my favourite too!

And yes, it's great to meet another Joss fan...

Can't wait to see what you think about future Buffy comic story arcs!