Here is the List of Cool Shit You Requested.
When my friend Joe last came to visit he asked me to post a list to my blog of cool stuff that I think most people I know would like but which they might not be reading, watching, etc... I already mentioned Rogue's Gallery a few entries back and I've sung the praises of Brick, but here's some more stuff to look for.
So here goes. In no particular order:
1) American Way (comic)
This limited series from Image Comics is utterly wonderful and actually manages to find a new take on the "heroes with feet of clay" idea. Set in the 60s, it profiles a government superteam's collapse but really, it's a lot more than that. Check it out if you like superheroes pretty much at all.
2) The Areas of My Expertise (book)
John Hodgeman might just be the master of dry wit and subtle parody. Anyone who thinks his Mac "I'm a PC" or Daily Show appearances are even a bit amusing owes it to themselves to buy this book.
3) Pride of Baghdad (graphic novel)
Want to see what's worse than being a human being in the middle of a warzone? Love yourself some animal allegories? Check out this graphic novel by Runways writer Brian K. Vaughan.
4) Snake Agent: A Detective Chen Novel (book)
So this book is...hrm...Chinese Mysticpunk? Author Liz Williams has managed to actually do something incredibly new with her tale of demons, celestial hiearchies, cyberpunk futures, and gritty occult crimes. It could be a mess, but instead it's a refreshing and skillfully written novel.
5) Okami (Video Game- PS2)
So you think the older game consoles have pretty much done all they can, huh? Well, maybe you're right...now that Okami has been released. It's a fighting and calligraphy platformer. No, you read that right. You play a goddess in wolf form who has to save the world from a great darkness. Beautiful and blissfully mythic, I can't recommend it enough.
6) Legion of Super Heroes (Cartoon)
Okay, so it's not perfect and won't satisfy all the hardcore fans because...well, because nothing ever does. However, it's incredibly entertaining, has some smart character designs, and is a pleasant mix between JLU and Teen Titans. They do change a few characters, but this long time Legion fan thinks that they got the important stuff right.
7) The Descent (Movie)
Forget Hostel, Cabin Fever, Saw I-III, and all that gore before plot crappy "XXXtreme" horror that has become so popular because of hacks like Eli Roth (whose flaws as a filmmaker based on his first two works will actually take me all day to discuss, maybe some other time). Descent is what happens when you let a good director go over the edge with blood and violence. I know there's been some complaints about the US ending being changed, but a) the director did it himself 2) I actually think the US ending works better in some ways. In any event, check this horror film out if you want something creative and scary as hell.
8) Essential Tales of the Zombie (Comic Trade Paperback)
Holy crap! I almost missed this one, folks. This is Marvel 1970s horror comics at if not their finest, at least it's close. The collection is black and white like all Essentials, but really I think it works almost better given the subect matter.
9) Aragami: Raging God of Battle (Movie)
Sure this film is several years old but I don't think most people have seen it. And really they need to. This is a textbook example of what a skilled filmmaker can do in a week with five actors (and really only 3 show up for any length of time) and one set. It also shows how crazy high concept action can be done on a budget and just for the challenge and joy of making films. If you're an aspiring writer, director, etc... watch this film the next time you think what you're trying to do is "too hard" or "can't be done." Also, anyone who likes samurais fighting evil vampire like gods really can't go wrong here.
10) Life on Mars (TV Show)
Ever wondered what it takes to make a TV cop show fresh and new again? How about taking a 2006 cop and sending him to a 1970s London which might also be inside his own comatose brain? Add one of the coolest supporting characters ever in crime fiction (I'm looking at you DCI Hunt) and you get a damned fine BBC offering that is well worth whatever you have to do to check it out.
11) Sharpe's ______ (Book Series)
Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe's series is a fairly rare beast. It's a deservedly popular military adventure series that can actually appeal across generations. Sharpe, the title character of the series, is utterly badass and yet also flawed and human. In many ways, Sharpe is the Sergeant Rock of 19th Century historical fiction, and those who haven't at least given Sharpes Rifles (the first novel) a shot really should. The BCC adaptations with Sean Bean are also incredibly entertaining.
12) Privelege of the Sword (Book)
Ellen Kushner can write a damn fine swashbuckling tale. Technically a fantasy novel due to it's completely fictional setting, this book really owes more to The Three Musketeers than Lord of the Rings. No magic, no elves, no dark evil conquerors, etc... Just a young girl and her crazy uncle thrown into a world of intrigue, romance, and swordplay. This is exactly the kind of stuff sci-fi fantasy writers need to be working on instead of writing up their D&D campaigns.
There we are, a short and incomplete list, but it's a place to start.
So here goes. In no particular order:
1) American Way (comic)
This limited series from Image Comics is utterly wonderful and actually manages to find a new take on the "heroes with feet of clay" idea. Set in the 60s, it profiles a government superteam's collapse but really, it's a lot more than that. Check it out if you like superheroes pretty much at all.
2) The Areas of My Expertise (book)
John Hodgeman might just be the master of dry wit and subtle parody. Anyone who thinks his Mac "I'm a PC" or Daily Show appearances are even a bit amusing owes it to themselves to buy this book.
3) Pride of Baghdad (graphic novel)
Want to see what's worse than being a human being in the middle of a warzone? Love yourself some animal allegories? Check out this graphic novel by Runways writer Brian K. Vaughan.
4) Snake Agent: A Detective Chen Novel (book)
So this book is...hrm...Chinese Mysticpunk? Author Liz Williams has managed to actually do something incredibly new with her tale of demons, celestial hiearchies, cyberpunk futures, and gritty occult crimes. It could be a mess, but instead it's a refreshing and skillfully written novel.
5) Okami (Video Game- PS2)
So you think the older game consoles have pretty much done all they can, huh? Well, maybe you're right...now that Okami has been released. It's a fighting and calligraphy platformer. No, you read that right. You play a goddess in wolf form who has to save the world from a great darkness. Beautiful and blissfully mythic, I can't recommend it enough.
6) Legion of Super Heroes (Cartoon)
Okay, so it's not perfect and won't satisfy all the hardcore fans because...well, because nothing ever does. However, it's incredibly entertaining, has some smart character designs, and is a pleasant mix between JLU and Teen Titans. They do change a few characters, but this long time Legion fan thinks that they got the important stuff right.
7) The Descent (Movie)
Forget Hostel, Cabin Fever, Saw I-III, and all that gore before plot crappy "XXXtreme" horror that has become so popular because of hacks like Eli Roth (whose flaws as a filmmaker based on his first two works will actually take me all day to discuss, maybe some other time). Descent is what happens when you let a good director go over the edge with blood and violence. I know there's been some complaints about the US ending being changed, but a) the director did it himself 2) I actually think the US ending works better in some ways. In any event, check this horror film out if you want something creative and scary as hell.
8) Essential Tales of the Zombie (Comic Trade Paperback)
Holy crap! I almost missed this one, folks. This is Marvel 1970s horror comics at if not their finest, at least it's close. The collection is black and white like all Essentials, but really I think it works almost better given the subect matter.
9) Aragami: Raging God of Battle (Movie)
Sure this film is several years old but I don't think most people have seen it. And really they need to. This is a textbook example of what a skilled filmmaker can do in a week with five actors (and really only 3 show up for any length of time) and one set. It also shows how crazy high concept action can be done on a budget and just for the challenge and joy of making films. If you're an aspiring writer, director, etc... watch this film the next time you think what you're trying to do is "too hard" or "can't be done." Also, anyone who likes samurais fighting evil vampire like gods really can't go wrong here.
10) Life on Mars (TV Show)
Ever wondered what it takes to make a TV cop show fresh and new again? How about taking a 2006 cop and sending him to a 1970s London which might also be inside his own comatose brain? Add one of the coolest supporting characters ever in crime fiction (I'm looking at you DCI Hunt) and you get a damned fine BBC offering that is well worth whatever you have to do to check it out.
11) Sharpe's ______ (Book Series)
Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe's series is a fairly rare beast. It's a deservedly popular military adventure series that can actually appeal across generations. Sharpe, the title character of the series, is utterly badass and yet also flawed and human. In many ways, Sharpe is the Sergeant Rock of 19th Century historical fiction, and those who haven't at least given Sharpes Rifles (the first novel) a shot really should. The BCC adaptations with Sean Bean are also incredibly entertaining.
12) Privelege of the Sword (Book)
Ellen Kushner can write a damn fine swashbuckling tale. Technically a fantasy novel due to it's completely fictional setting, this book really owes more to The Three Musketeers than Lord of the Rings. No magic, no elves, no dark evil conquerors, etc... Just a young girl and her crazy uncle thrown into a world of intrigue, romance, and swordplay. This is exactly the kind of stuff sci-fi fantasy writers need to be working on instead of writing up their D&D campaigns.
There we are, a short and incomplete list, but it's a place to start.
posted by Jack at 4:09 AM
3 Comments:
You'll be pleased to hear that Life on Mars is well into production on its 2nd season.
For some reason there's a Young Paragons website being made. Since you don't really seem to play anymore, I was wondering if you'd mind if I listed Rae and Pops as supporting chracters for Kiefer?
Sure thing, I might re-up at some point but money and time are kinda a factor at the moment.
I picked up Prinde of Baghdad and Snake Agent, and I agree that they're really great.
I already finished reading World War Z, so I'll give the other books a try.
Also finished Okami, too. It really is one of the best games this year. I like it even more than Zelda: Wind Waker. Too bad that the studio that made Okami, Clover, got shut down.
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