WLG #187: Pride of Worms!

By Michael A. Diaz

Has anyone read The Pride of Baghdad here?

I asked for it for Christmas but did not get it, which is fine, because I really did not think that I would get it. Still, it was one of those books that I PLANNED on getting at some point.

Then I started hearing about it places that I did not expect to hear about it. I was pleasantly surprised when I heard the book lauded on NPR; sure, I'm used to hearing about books and films that are less than mainstream on NPR (after all, that is where I first discovered a recent favorite musician of mine, Nina Nastasia) but I did not expect to hear about a comic book, sorry, a graphic novel. That said, I was not THAT surprised. The thing that really got me thinking was when a friend of mine at work asked me if I had ever heard of Pride of Baghdad as he was thinking of picking it up and checking it out. As far as I know this was a guy that had never read a comic book (graphic novel) in his life.

Being the elitist geek that I am I admit that I was a bit disappointed that I had not yet read this book but was also intimidated that a guy that normally did not read comics was going to be read it before I was.

The gauntlet was thrown down and my geek merit badge was challenged.

So I think I will be picking it up some time this week but was curious if the the hype was real or in fact just hype. I expect that it will be a good read regardless; it is written by Brian K. Vaughan and the worst thing that I can say about his work is that I was not blown away by The Hood (though I still quite liked it).

Opinions are appreciated; just stop by the message boards.

And now, before I forget, I need to insert one of these:

Standard Disclaimer: For those of you new to the WLG experience, here's how it works: Every week I check out the release schedule from the Diamond Comics Shipping List and decide which comics that I am going to spend my hard-earned money on. Yep, my money. That's good, because it helps to maintain my objectivity. If I spend money on a comic book and it turns out to be crap I'm going to be upset.Next Brian K. Vaughan-obsessed-geekgasm-love question: does anyone here watch Lost or is considering watching the show now that Vaughan has joined the writing team?

I started watching it during the second season and I enjoy it, but for the most part it is a show that my fiancée freaks out about. I mainly just watch it with her; however, now that Vaughan is coming aboard I am finding that I am actually excited about seeing the rest of the third season to continue. That says something, for me anyway, because I was telling my fiancée that Lost had jumped the shark, never mind the fact that all of MY favorite characters have now been killed off. Whereas before I was mildly interested I found myself not caring about the show at all anymore.

And then I found out Vaughan was joining the writing cast and BING! I'm excited all of sudden.

Anyone else feel the same way?

On to comics: it is a slow week this week, at least for me, but let's go ahead and jump right in to see What Looks Good...

AVATAR PRESS

GARTH ENNIS CHRONICLES OF WORMWOOD #1 (OF 6) (MR) $3.99 (Garth Ennis / Jacen Burrows)

On the one hand you've got the Anti-Christ, the son of Satan, the anthropomorphic representation of evil on Earth, or at least he's supposed to be, only he's decided that he doesn't really care if his father is Lucifer, he's going to choose his own path.

On the other hand you've got the return of Jesus Christ, God's own flesh and blood sent to Earth to die for our sins. Again. Only this time Jesus decides that dying for everyone's sins is a heck of a bum deal and upon considering how much he didn't like it the first time around he's going to say “thanks, but no thanks” this time around and find his own way as well.

These two just happen to be best friends.

Controversy? That's an understatement, but if Ennis has shown anything he's able to take conventions and norms and turn them on their sides. He's already taken on religion (via Preacher, of course) with success; not that he was pulling punches before, but this time he seems to be going right for the jugular.

Add to that Jacen Burrows excellent pencils I couldn't be more geeked for any other comic this week.

JOY!

DC

EX MACHINA #26 (MR) $2.99 (Brian K. Vaughan / Tony Harris)

I am pretty sure that I haven't done this before, and I don't see this becoming a regular occurrence, but this blurb from DC's own website sums it up pretty well:

"Power Down," Part 1 of 4. Former super-hero and current mayor Mitchell Hundred faces the greatest challenge of either of his careers in an all-new adventure set during the 2003 blackout of New York City!

This book is great, pure and simple. Have you not checked it out yet? Well, like the blurb says, this is the start of a new arc so if you've waited more than two years now to check this book out here is your chance.

Put simply Vaughan and Harris make something during usually stale and predictable, namely politics, intriguing and engaging reading.

LOVE this book.

Wow, only two books that got me going this week. Did I miss something?

Was there something that got you especially geeked this week? If so, stop by the What Looks Good message boards (see link below) and let me know what YOU are geeked about this week. Also, if you have time let me know what you think about Pride of Baghdad and/or Lost.

Until then,

Peace!

-Diaz