Posted by Larry on August 30, 2007 at 22:35:54:
In Reply to: Re: Bridgett Logan (Patriot Acts)!!!!! Spoilers posted by John Panno on August 30, 2007 at 17:36:43:
At times the art was disappointing, but there were some strong points in there, too. But I agree -- when it came to "Wonder Woman," the story was usually far superior to the artwork. "Gotham Central" was a superb series too, but I never felt comfortable calling it a Rucka book -- it was such a combination between himself and Bru that the writing is completely unique from anything else he's done. I don't care who was writing which arc, I think they each affected the other on the title, and the results were one of the finest comics on the stands, and one of the best Batman titles ever published. "Half a Life" remains one of my favorite arcs.
Checkmate's a fun book, but not my favorite by any stretch. The idea of doing an espionage tale set in the DC Universe is intriguing, but I often feel as well that what we're seeing is a title where Rucka's restrained from going all the way with it -- though when he does, the results are always memorable.
I seriously cannot recommend The First Counsel enough. Dead Even is also a great one, as is The Millionaires. But for me, "Counsel" still remains my favorite.
Oh, and just so we can claim we're still on topic -- what is "The Walking Dead" I saw mentioned? The next Kodiak novel?
--Larry
: The 'problem' with Rucka's Wonder Woman is they did not gift him with a good artist. At the height of the Omac war, the art reverted down to sketchy & rushed at best - which didn't do justice to the intensity of his pros prose!
: Now --- for a perfect amalgamation of story & art, we'd have Rucka's Gotham Central. Outstanding. As most were arcs - I would hold off and read them as a story set. Anticipating that Crime Bible will be the same. Checkmate, although Q&C espionage flavoured doesn't feel like Rucka unleashed - rather I'd guess there's too much Editorial control and forced storylines. Again, an opinion - not a criticism of Mr Rucka.
: Regarding Meltzer, I have several of the books, but haven't read any. Will definitely move them up the list - due to these recommendations.
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: : Oh nice. Well as Wonder Woman was my favorite super hero growing up, maybe if I ever pick up a comic from Greg that would be the one. I definitely will tell you what I think on the Meltzer novel. Thanks again for the input.
: : : Let me know what you think of "The First Counsel." I think you'll enjoy it quite a bit.
: : : Greg's novels are superb, but he's very gifted at the comics work as well. He brings that same excellent sense of pacing and characterization, and the only time I've ever found myself disappointed has been the result of editorial interference. But then it's always harder on a writer playing in someone else's sandbox -- though it's rewarding as well. His work on "Detective Comics" and "Wonder Woman" were some of the best comics I've had the pleasure to read.
: : : --Larry
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: : : : I have yet to try a Brad Meltzer. Thanks so much for the information. As it happens I'll probably hit the books store again this weekend and will seek that one out at your suggestion.
: : : : That's amazing how many works Greg has done from comics to novels etc. I have only read his novels with Atticus and loved Fistful of Rain. The similarities were striking between Mim and Bridie is right. I've also purchased A Gentleman's Game which I still have to sit down and read. I think you and Danny have a lot more history with Greg's work so thanks again for offering your take on it all. It's been very enlightening to just read your comments.
: : : : : Have you read any Brad Meltzer? I actually first was introduced to Meltzer before I even knew he was a comics fan/was planning to write any DC comics. But Rucka's first work for me was the final storylines running through the Batman books during "No Man's Land," and then "Detective Comics." I followed a lot of his comics writing without any idea he was a novelist until...I want to say, 2005.
: : : : : My best friend, it later turned out, was a big fan of Rucka's novels, and told me I had to read the first Atticus book. I did, and I liked it a lot -- enough that when I saw what "Shooting" was about, I wanted to jump into that book instead of the other two Kodiak novels. "Shooting" is the one that truly blew me away, and I feel confident in saying this is where Rucka truly upped his game, and went from being a great writer to one of the best mystery/thriller novelists of our generation.
: : : : : And every novel he's put out since has been on this level -- I love the two Q&C novels, Critical Space, and of course Patriot Acts continues this trend. I also picked up "A Fistful of Rain," and once again was floored by the writing. In a lot of ways, Mim reminded me of Bridie.
: : : : : If my friend likes "Shooting," I believe that I'll give her "Rain" next. But anyway -- if you've never read Brad Meltzer before, I have to strongly recommend "The First Counsel." Truly great work.
: : : : : --Larry
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: : : : : : Hi Larry,
: : : : : : Thanks for posting you definitely brought a great perspective and I very much agree. I've always thought of the story as both Atticus and Bridgett's as well and that's probably why I had a hard time though still loved it.
: : : : : : I too as a woman again started with Shooting to go back to the others. I then passed Shooting on to my sister so that she could get a taste of Greg's work. She and I both loved it so much. Your friend will have to run out and by more of Greg's works after she reads it.
: : : : : : My favorite male authors are usually people such as Nelson Demille but no one writes like Greg Rucka in my eyes. He takes top billing for me.
: : : : : : : Yeah; as I said in my thread, I don't mind when certain characters are excluded or killed off when the new faces are just as interesting. It definitely softens the blow -- and while shows like "24" have had ups and downs in this department, Greg's novels have never failed to live up to expectations. That he's taken Atticus in a very different direction right now may be part of a plan to later reconcile his past and his future in a way we don't expect, or it could well be that Atticus will stay on this larger-scale direction and Bridie may get a solo novel grounded in the gritty, street-level world of "Shooting."
: : : : : : : Either way, I've always felt that these novels belong to both Atticus and Bridie, that it's their love story being told, and I believe that eventually they'll find their way back to each other...and that like every other novel Greg writes, the reconciliation will be difficult and painful, but ultimately rewarding.
: : : : : : : Speaking of "Shooting at Midnight," I'm actually passing it on to a female friend of mine who's never read an Atticus book, but thinks this one sounds great. What's amazing to me is that every novel feels/reads like a "first" novel in the series -- she'll be able to read this novel with no prior knowledge of the series and never once be lost; and to me that's truly a testament to Rucka's skills as a writer. Here's hoping she'll want to read more of the Atticus series.
: : : : : : : --Larry
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: : : : : : : : Folks,
: : : : : : : : there's a huge benefit to a Novelist also writing comics, and that's the importance of a mutli-dimensional supporting cast. As is evident with Atticus' stable. It also allows for plots / sub plots - of which (a good) comic writer has the best expertise in. Besides the ones we know and love (Erika, Bridie, Natalie (rip), Dale, etc - we haven't met his parents or siblings yet. "That" would be interesting, as he seeks redemption but keeps falling into the abyss of the other direction.
: : : : : : : : Regarding 'solo' projects - again it's mining a rich comic writers vein. Although I've read 100s of books, Shooting stands unique as it's two books in one - and loved it.
: : : : : : : : John
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: : : : : : : : : Exactly Danny well said. I just had this really different picture in my head and it messed me up a bit there. lol
: : : : : : : : : I'm crossing fingers we'll see them in Walking Dead too.
: : : : : : : : : : I agree with you! Getting used to Atticus' new status quo was hard at first. As it turned out Patriot Acts was nothing like I expected it to be, but now looking back I think it was my expectations that were screwed up. What did I think was going to happen after Critical Space?
: : : : : : : : : : I really felt the absence of the rest of the supporting cast a lot. But there wasn't really any other way it could have happened. Hopefully we'll see them in Walking Dead