Manhunter = awesome
Stuff tends to stack up in the August household.
We have systems in place to optimize magazine readership and recycling,1 but printed objects of which I am the sole reader — comic books, scripts, serio-comic novels purchased on an Amazon spree — have a tradition of piling up on the corners of desks and counters.
I offer this preamble as partial explanation for my delay in articulating how much I love Marc Andreyko’s Manhunter.
I’m not the first writer of note to notice that it’s great. It features blurbs from Joss Whedon and others. But I came upon so late, and so randomly, that I feel some obligation to point out its merits so others can appreciate it.
As long-term blog readers will know, I have deep respect and shallow knowledge when it comes to the comic book world. I didn’t grow up reading them. My teenage years were spent around the D&D table, arguing over the relative merits of a vorpal blade vs. a sword of sharpness.2 That and snow-caving. (Colorado + Boy Scouts = unsafe survivalism.)
So a few months ago, when I was in Golden Apple picking up the latest Black Adam, I had no idea that Manhunter was a DC character, or that Marc Andreyko was doing a new series with a female protagonist: Kate Spencer, a D.A. with no special abilities, a failed marriage and a smoking habit. I would have passed it on the shelf, unopened, except that Marc Andreyko happened to be in Golden Apple at that moment, and recognized me from a screening of The Nines.
After a friendly chat, I asked him what he wrote. He put three trade paperbacks of Manhunter in my hands. Which then landed in one of my to-read piles.
I read all three over Christmas, back-to-back, forgoing sleep and egg nog.
Other than Batman, I never had much use for superheroes who couldn’t fly or punch through walls. If I wanted normal people, I’d read a novel. What Manhunter does so well is create a deeply flawed and funny hero who has to interact with the super-powered every day. As a prosecutor, Spencer has to deal with all the villainous debris left behind after the capes fly off. And one day, frustrated by guilty psychopaths going free, she decides to deliver justice herself.
The series is set in LA, rather than a mythical surrogate city, so having direct references to real places is refreshing. The book manages to weave in a who’s-who of minor DC villains, with some big names showing up in unexpected ways.
There’s no shortage of ambition in the comics world — that’s one of the things I admire most about it, as opposed to features. But the combination of ambition and execution in the Manhunter series is why I’d urge you to give it a shot.
- When finished with a magazine your significant other and/or roommate may also wish to read, write (your name) read in big letters across the cover with a Sharpie. Then the other person may safely recycle the magazine after reading. ↩
- You can see a summary of the vorpal/sharpness situation here. And no, I didn’t write it. ↩
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January 27th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
what ever happened to…hey dude, did you read the week yet? - yeah, you can chuck it! -? I mean, doesn’t it take longer to find a sharpie? or are there diff colored sharpies clasped to each of your magazines?
January 27th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
Neato. I’ll put it on the “to read” pile.
Funnily enough I was the same kid. I ran with comics geeks but was never of their number.
January 28th, 2008 at 3:38 am
With my brother’s birthday coming up in a couple weeks, that is an excellently timed recommendation.
January 28th, 2008 at 9:54 am
Hey John!
FYI - this Wednesday (January 30) the 4th trade paperback hits stands. Sadly, this is the last one as DC canceled the book.
Enjoy this last one though!
January 28th, 2008 at 11:01 am
John, I urge you to check out Terry Moore’s wonderful “Strangers in Paradise.” It’s the story of two female friends and their life together. I think you’d like it.
January 28th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
further recommendations:
“The Walking Dead” by Robert Kirkman and “The Boys” by Garth Ennis.
January 28th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Well, if we’re making recommendations, I’d suggest “Torso” by Andreyko & Bendis (probably not in that order).
January 28th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
THE NINES is shipping today from Netflix! And it wasn’t even listed as being released until tomorrow.
Can’t wait to see it, especially after speaking to John about it at the Paramount gate.
So John, haven’t heard back from you on our non-profit org and web community. Can ya please check out the link on my name above and shoot me an email when you get a chance? Thanks so much, and rock on.
-Dan. dan@thewritersbuilding.org
January 28th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
I second “further recommendations” by saying pick up just about anything by Robert Kirkman. He’s going to be the new Stan Lee (if he isn’t already). “Invincible” and “The Astounding Wolf-Man” are quite fun right now.
On the other side of the spectrum, “100 Bullets” by Brian Azzarello. Crime noir with a touch of international espionage.
And in May, look hard for “Wayward Son” by Blair Shedd. Heh. Shameless plug.
January 28th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Man, I haven’t been to Golden Apple in years. That’s odd, seeing as my brother and I would take almost weekly trips there in junior high.
We tried to go one time while we were in college, but they had moved. We were shocked. That’s the last time I’ve been.
Next time I’m on Melrose I’ll have to find the new location. There’s so much to do on Melrose it’s easy to get side tracked. We’re gonna have to dedicate an entire trip to Golden Apple next time.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Golden Apple moved to Melrose and La Brea (just east a little on La Brea, south side of the street). Fyi to Garrett, not to shill. I’d also recommend Meltdown on Sunset and Gardner.
January 28th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
Looks like I’m not the first one with a recommendation– based on yours, I may have to pick this up.
I’d suggest “Ex Machina,” about a superhero who gets elected mayor of New York. I’m not a huge comic guy myself, but a friend of mine got me hooked a while back– it’s well worth the time. It’s intriguing and serious and fun all at the same time.
January 28th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
just discovered this blog and as a fan of you work i visit regularly, this time just to say that i just finished watching The Nines and was eager to return here and say i loved every bit of it. excellent work. keep it up.
January 29th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Manhunter was okay. Honestly, Kate Spencer grew on me over time. The inclusion of gay characters was great. But DC is good for that. However, the series itself was all over the place as they tried to find their niche. You are right- comic books are way more about experimentation than films are right now. For that matter, one could say the same in comparing television to film. A lot more risk taking with TV. Still Manhunter, of the medium in question, was only okay. There are so many better comic books out there, especially last year with the Sinestro Corps War in Green Lantern. That was perhaps the best superhero series last year. Anihilation over at Marvel was also good. Not as good, but good. If you really want to go back to read some great comic books there are Lucifer, Starman (Jack Knight), and even Astonishing X-men. And, as for the non-flying kind– I would say right now I am really loving Crime Bible, the Five Lessons of Blood and non mainstream Pax Romana.
February 3rd, 2008 at 10:59 pm
HOLA MI NONBRE ES RAUL , ME GUSTO LA FORMA QUE DIRECTOR HISO ESA PELICULA the nin9s , como pudo entrar en la mente ,o leer la mente de persona,le doy gracias a el poque pasan cosas cimilares en vidad y senty lo mismo que los personajes,cienpre le preguntaba a mis amigos lo que me pesava y decian que era mi mente , al ver esta palicula ya se quien soy ,gracias raul.
February 5th, 2008 at 4:05 am
john- thanks for the kind words! wow, that was totally unexpected, and very much appreciated! but, the fourth collection just came out, so send me an e-mail and i’ll get you a copy!
thanks again. it made my day to have someone i respect enjoy my work!
regards, marc