Here’s a random sampling of stuff — comics and otherwise — I’ve enjoyed lately and would recommend you check out:
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My friend Derek and I caught The Hurt Locker last night in a preview screening, and it’s so far easily the best film of the year that I’ve seen (missed Gomorrah in the theaters, unfortunately). Jeremy Renner will get all the attention, but all the actors are top-notch in this story of U.S. soldiers tasked with disarming bombs in Iraq.
It’s possibly the most intense movie I’ve seen, with nearly every scene slowly (or, suddenly) building to explosions of violence (most often in the form of explosions). And those scenes that don’t include warfare muster just as much intensity, as the soldiers psychologically inch toward their doom when not fighting.
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Wednesday Comics #1
I finally had the chance to sit down with Wednesday Comics, DC’s 16-page comics series printed on 24-by-20-inch newsprint. Simply put, it’s a joy to read. I’ve pored over each page several times, appreciating every inch of oversized storytelling.
There isn’t a dud in the crop of stories, and the variety of content reaches “something for everyone” levels. Congratulations to everyone who put it together for a job well done.
If you haven’t yet, read my interview with editor Mark Chiarello about the project in this week’s Publishers Weekly Comics Week.
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Bunk Moreland from The Wire visits The Unwritten
I’m continuing to really enjoy Mike Carey and Peter Gross’s new Vertigo series, The Unwritten. The general concept — an adventure story set within the world of fiction writing — has been done before, with Alan Moore fairly owning that real estate in comics.
The Unwritten feels very fresh, though, a new slant that shoots off the success of Harry Potter without being derivative or cheeky and combines that with an engaging mystery and compelling characters.
In tone — alternately thrilling, funny and dramatic — it reminds me a little of Y: The Last Man, and there’s some similarity between the lethargic, 20-something protagonists forced to grow into much better men.
Also, nice reference to The Wire in issue 2, which is very cool, but also subtle and believable in the context of the story. See image at right, and google “Bunk Moreland” if you have to.
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Dr. Dog, "Fate"
When the first trailer to the new Judd Apatow movie, Funny People, came out, a lot of people online wanted to know which song played during the first half of the trailer. (You can see the trailer right here.)
That would be “My Friend” by Dr. Dog, a Philadelphia-based group who don’t easily fit into any genre. I simply describe them as awesome. (Head over to their MySpace page and decide on your own glowing adjective.)
The missus and I saw the band in Athens, Ga., earlier this year, and it easily was one of the best shows I’ve seen. Like Band of Horses, Dr. Dog unironically revives the best of 1960s rock, though, again, I would hesitate to call them a “rock” band.
Their latest album, “Fate,” is not to be missed, but their discography is filled with great tunes.
