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happymeishappylife · 11 months ago

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Comics/Graphic Novels I Read in 2023 (Part 2)

11. March Book 3 by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell

We finally got the coverage of Bloody Sunday and the heartbreaking horrible acts committed before, around, and after this day. But this story also led up to the passing of the Civil Rights Act and the fight it was to get that approved. While all our problems may not be solved, its hard not be proud of the progress that has been made. We must not let it go backwards and we all must fight. It was great to read this too before I went to Atlanta and to the Civil Rights Museum where its emphasized that we must all fight if we want real change. And that means willing to get hurt.

12. They Called Us Enemy by George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott, and Harmony Becker

A powerful first hand account of one of the most atrocious acts in United States History. When we, like Germany, decided a whole group of people were the enemy even though they were fully immigrated and living American lives when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. Seeing Takei describe the things he saw through his childhood and youthful eyes while also seeing the things his parents do as an adult made it hard because so much of it felt like what happened in Germany and Polland, but without the gas chambers. That doesn’t make it okay, that we didn’t kill these people. In fact its horrific the way we treated them and its important story to tell. I also appreciate that Takei has been so vocal about it and has tried to tell it through so many mediums. I went and saw Allegiance a couple weeks after it first opened and was sad it wasn’t a smash hit because it was a great musical and powerful story. But the main takeaway is we can’t forget our history and we can’t erase it. We need to own it and make it better for those who have suffered and make sure it never happens again.

13. Iyanu: Child of Wonder Volume 1 by Roye Okupe with Godwin Akpan

I loved this introduction book into a world so steeped in African folklore and with a mystery and fantasy element to add suspense and intrigue. In this novel we meet Inayu. A forest girl who we learn survived after her parents died and became a student of a woman who is part of the Olori, the first people to have magic and mystical powers. In this world, the magic has all but disappeared and the animals have been poisoned to be more dangerous and alert. But Iyanu, who sneaks into the village from time to time, has the power of the wonder which means she is a child of prophecy. One that must be hunted by the now leader of the village for it means she is a threat. Can’t wait to see where we go in this journey with Iyanu into the histories of Yorubuland.

14. Red Hood and the Outlaws Volume 1: Redemption by Scott Lobdell and Kenneth Rocafort

The more I keep interacting with Batman media, the more intriguing I find Jason Todd’s story which is why I picked this up. I want to learn more about this former Robin and how he was brought back from the dead, how he deals with crime, but also how is a former hero underneath. And while I’m not up to his full history of lore, I do like that the story focuses on him avenging the order who saved his soul after he came out of the Lazarus pit. And while this isn’t Bizarro and Artemis (like the Webtoon I’m reading) I do like this dynamic of Roy Harper and Starfire, mainly because I have always like Roy and its nice to know more of his story. The blatant oversexualized styling of Starfire is unnecessary though and something that will be hard to read through. I didn’t realize the cover art was a way to hide that but thankfully the rest of the story is interesting enough to continue.

15. Saga Volume 4 by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples

Got to admit, this one became a little bit more tough to get through, but it felt realistic. It’s been a couple years since we have seen everyone and we learn Alana has become a TV actor who gets way too hooked on recreational drugs to do her job probably, Marko is trying to be a good Dad, but has to constantly hide his face so they aren’t recognized, and Prince Robot the IV has been hiding out on a space brothel where he learns of the murder of his wife and the kidnapping of his newborn son. Of course things unravel and people split up, but I wasn’t expecting Marko and Prince Robot the IV to team up. I doubt this will go well in the long run.

16. Saga Volume 5 by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples

As we learn from Hazel in this novel, it may be that her parents never get back together or least not for a long time. Which is sad when they both seem to want it. Though now that Alana is sober, Marko has given in to his rage so I’m not sure that’s healthy either. We also catch back up with Gwendolyn and the Slave girl as they team up with The Will’s sister to get an antidote to save him. However, she dies after Slave girl tries to plan hero and when they explain that to The Will after reviving him ,he wants nothing to do with the two, only focused on rage which I’m sure will help him hunt down Hazel.

17. Avatar: The Last Airbender – Smoke and Shadow by Brian Konietzko, Michael Diante DiMartino, Gene Luen Yang, and Gurihirl

I haven’t read the comic collection before this which explains the reunion of Zuko’s mom, so while I was sad I got spoiled, I can’t wait to read it to find out why her face was changed by a spirit. Still we get to see Fire Lord Zuko in action when an ancient Fire Lord story comes to life as children get captured by Kemurikage, a group of young women who also are helping the Fire Lord Ozai society to uprise against Zuko. Mai and Zuko are on the outs, but team up to solve the mystery with Aang’s help, who is also needed for his humor and level headedness. What I wasn’t expecting was to find that Azula is behind the Kemuirkage, so she definitely hasn’t changed her ways.

18. Doctor Who: Ground Zero by Scott Gray, Martin Geraghty, Alan Barnes, Gareth Roberts, and Adrian Salmon

A mutli-doctor collection that eventually ties Sarah Jane, Tegan, Peri, and Ace together when an alien species is hell bent on hunting down the Doctor. Of course with the Seventh Doctor things are bound to get dark, but I was not prepared for how dark even though I’ve gotten used to comic Doctor-Who stories being darker than the show and audios. Still while it was fast pace and action packed, I also wasn’t prepared for this to be the canonical end to Ace (haha, just kidding, canon isn't real in DW). She’s the best and fought until the end, but I’m sad to learn that her story ends so tragically, making her the second companion to die while travelling with the Doctor.

19. Doctor Who: The Tenth Doctor Adventures Year Three #1: Breakfast at Tyranny’s by Nick Abadzis, Giorgia Sposito, Valeria Favoccia, Arianna Florean, and Hi-FI

It’s been a while since I caught up with the Doctor and Gabby Gonzalez, but I was surprised to see that Gabby’s friend Cindy has also joined her as well as a powerful ancient being named Nubis (Based on the Eygptian Gods and apparently the son of Sutekh). They arrive in ancient China and learn of a plot that is formed by the cloning of Cindy, and while they sort it out, Cindy learns her heritage starts with her clones which makes her whole life a bit of a paradox. We also see that Gabby’s powers have grown and that’s starting to cause strain between her and the Doctor.

20. Doctor Who: The Tenth Doctor Adventures Year Three #2: Vortex Butterflies by Nick Abadzis, Giorgia Sposito, Iolanda Zanfardino, Arianna Florean, and Nicola Righi

I’m glad to have read the next collection after the previous one because my suspicions about Gabby and the Doctor were right as they get pushed in this volume. The Doctor leaves Gabby and Cindy in London while he goes on the hunt of a mysterious anomaly that is causing time ripples. Thankfully he also clues in Sarah Jane Smith to look out for the two, but it gets harder as Gabby’s powers keep freaking out. Turns out the Doctor’s hunt leads him to a possible future Gabby whose powers are consuming the universe, but thanks to his friendship with Gabby he stops it and goes back to reassure Gabby that their friendship won’t ever devolve like that possible future.

#2023 rewind #comics i read

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