Pacific Rim

Saw this film this week.

Nonsense of course. It's really just a modern take on an old Japanese monster movie but enjoyable. The story predictable but the action exciting and intense.

Sensational She-Hulk graphic novel

This arrived yesterday.

It's something I've coveted for a long time but never been at the top of my "wants" list as it's a one-off , stand-alone story. It was discussed in an interview with the author John Byrne I read years ago and since then I've wanted it but rarely seen it for sale. This FN copy was on ebay for £5 so that's a pretty good deal as far as I'm concerned.

She-Hulk has always been one of my favourite Marvel characters too and this story is set around the time she was part of the Fantastic Four (circa 1985) - just like she is at the mo in FF by Matt Fraction.

Saga, Fantastic Faux and Fatale - three new trades

All these arrived in one parcel today and are now added to the reading list. Looking forward to them all.

Reading progress looks slow at the moment as I'm just under halfway though a Star Wars novel and I'm also reading the rules for the Star Wars: Edge of the Empire beginner game.

More Masterworks

 Two Masterworks vols have arrived in the post recently.

Avengers Volume 5 completes my Avengers run! Yay! This was one of the criteria I gave myself before I start (re) reading my Marvel collection in order from the very start. In fact it was the main one. But with all the stuff I've got lined-up to read I and the chance to still acquire the odd Daredevil, Cap or X-Men Masterworks I think I am going to start at the beginning of 2015.

Now there's advance planning!

I also got this regular version of Iron Man vol 6. Forbidden Planet managed to send it in the end. This is the version that I really wanted not the limited edition I got in a panic 2 months ago.

Anyway, that limited edition will now go on ebay.

Defenders Masterworks Vol 1

This Masterworks volume finally arrive in the post today. It's taken two weeks and it seems that this is a replacement copy. Anyway, it's here and I'm pleased that I've got these early Defenders stories.

Ravine Vol. 1

Ravine is an ambitious original graphic novel published by Image. It's a fantasy based story and this is the first volume of I don't-know-how-many.

The story is full of fantasy cliches but the fully painted art (by Stepan Sejic) is gorgeous .

I think I'll need to re-read it before I read volume 1 due to the vast number of characters introduced. I think the writers have been inspired by Game of Thrones' large cast!

Summary of the year - the halfway point

One of the main points of this blog is to try to balance what I've read with what I'm buying.

So far this year

The numbers;

New back-issues purchased      30
New trade collections                 44
New copies of Masterworks  & Omnibus editions     6

Back-issues read                       19
Trades read                                 19
 Masterworks read                      0
 Books (novels)                            3

AND: Movies watched at the cinema  3

Hmmm...so far it's been bad, bad..BAD in terms of balance as I've bought far too much. BUT the three novels do account for some serious reading so I'm pleased to have got them in.

Resolution for the next 6 months

Cut down on the trades!

Make JULY Star Wars month and read the new Star Wars stuff I've bought.
 

Before Watchmen...(oh and Star Wars to)

 Two more trade collections have arrived so far this week.

Am I bad purchasing this Before Watchmen: Minutemen and Silk Spectre by Darwyn Cooke and Amanda Connor because Alan Moore doesn't want me to?

Well to be honest, Watchmen didn't need prequels as the story was nicely self contained but as DC decided they fancied a bit more cash, then getting Cooke and Conner involved meant they will get my £££s.

Moore can get off his high horse as the original characters were copies and he continues to write the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen which uses existing characters for his own ends. He's not God. He's from freaking Northampton for goodness sake. I've a few friends from there and they ain't even Saints (despite the Rugby team claiming that title).

So I've bought this deluxe edition and it looks lovely. It will probably be the only one unless I can get the Adam Hughes art one cheap.

Speaking of cheap - the last volume (No. 7) in Dark Horse's trades reprinting Marvel's old Star Wars comics was only £4.23 on ebay. SOLD!