World War Z

Title

World War Z: an oral history of the zombie war

Library Link
World War Z : an oral history of the zombie war Brooks, Max.New York : Crown, 2006.Year: 2006Format: BOOK

10 Second Review
Not a graphic novel but good zombie fun. Reads like a documentary of an actual event.
This book follows the zombie war from the first outbreak to a full-scale war.
Complete with personal interviews and interesting insights.
After reading, you may have to remind yourself it didn't actually happen.

Notes
Not for the squeamish with some dark/disturbing elements.

Learning Curve
Low: Might be too much for younger readers

World War Hulk: X-Men

Title

World War Hulk: X-men

Library Link
World war Hulk X-Men Hulk : WWH - X-MenSlott, Dan.New York : Marvel ; London : Diamond [distributor],c2008.Year: c2008Format: BOOK

10 Second Review
A loose collection of World War Hulk stories to include X-men, Ghost Rider, Ant Man and others.
This collection does not tell a cohesive story but collects several small, incomplete stories.

Notes
Good for those interested in World War Hulk details.

Learning Curve
Low if read after World War Hulk

Reading Order
Read World War Hulk first.

World War Hulk: Incredible Hercules

Title

World War Hulk: Incredible Hercules

Library Link
The incredible Hercules  Pak, Greg.New York : Marvel ; London : Diamond [distributor], c2008.Year: c2008Format: BOOK

10 Second Review
Hulk was captured, shot into space, landed on hostile planet, enslaved, rebelled, then took over hostile planet. Now he's back to Earth looking for revenge against those that shot him into space.
 (same timeline/story as WWH but with different characters/perspective)
Story focuses on those that support Hulk to include Hercules and Amadeus Cho.

Notes
Amadeus Cho is the seventh smartest person in the Marvel universe.

Learning Curve
Low if read after World War Hulk

Reading Order
Read World War Hulk first.

Supernatural - Rising Son

Title
Supernatural - Rising Son

Library Link
Supernatural: rising son / writers, Peter Johnson, Rebecca Dessertine ; artist, Diego Olmos ; colorist, Jonny Rench ; letterer, Wes Abbott Johnston, Peter.

10 Second Review
From the library summary:
"Dean and Sam Winchester were raised as Hunters by their widowed father, seeking vengeance on the supernatural elements that took their mother from them."
Dean and Sam follow Dad as he hunts various supernatural monsters and villians.
Dad tries to call it quits but the demons start hunting him.
 
A good choice for horror/supernatural readers and fans of the TV show.
Lots of gore and demon-killin'!
 
Notes
Never trust good-looking women in a horror story
 
Learning Curve
Low: Good for new readers.  OK for those who are unfamiliar with the TV show.

Spider-man Noir - Eyes Without a Face

Title
Spider-man Noir - Eyes Without a Face

Library Link
Spider-man noir : eyes without a face / writers, David Hine with Fabrice Sapolsky ; art, Carmine Di Giandomenico Hine, David.


10 Second Review
Set in the mid-forties, the Spider-man must deal with gangsters, hooligans and a masked crime boss named 'Crime Master.'  A mad doctor tries to impress the Nazi's with his experiments.

The 'noir' books take main-stay Marvel characters, subtract their powers and plug them into a Prohibition Era crime story.  The story is generic but it is fun trying to spot Marvel alter egos. 

Notes
Apparently, it is always night-time in the Marvel 'Noir' world.

Learning Curve
Low: Good for new readers but only fans will catch the superheroes references.

Nation

Title
Nation

Library Link

Nation / Terry Pratchett.Pratchett, Terry.New York : HarperCollins, c2008.1st ed.

Ten Second Review

Set in the days of pirates and tall ships, a young girl finds herself on a tiny island after a massive tidal wave devastates the Pacific.  There, she finds a native survivor who has lost his entire tribe.  Together, they struggle to survive, communicate and rebuild their lives.

This is a terrific book that explores many difficult topics.  

The author has a fun, easy-to-read style so the book never feels preachy.  

This book should have wide appeal for both boys and girls.

Notes

Terry Pratchett is best known for his Discworld series.

Learning Curve

Low: Good for new readers

X-men Origins

Title
X-men Origins

Library Link
X-Men origins / [writers, Sean McGeever ... [et al.] ; artists, Mike Mayhew ... [et al.]]. New York : Marvel, 2010.

10 Second Review
As the title suggests, this book collects stories of the X-men before they were X-men.
Included are Sabretooth, Wolverine, Beast, Jean Grey and others. 

Fans will be familiar with most of the stories but there are few minor surprises.
While the art is good, the stories might be best suited for new readers.

Notes
Professor X is kinda...creepy.

Learning Curve
Low: Good for new readers

The Heroic Age

Title
The Heroic Age

Library Link
The heroic age / writers Brian Michael Bendis ... [et al.] ; artists, John Romita ... [et al.]


10 Second Review
Evil/crazy Norman Osborn (The Goblin) has been defeated and replaced by Steve Rogers (original Capt. America).  The Superhuman Registration Act has been repealed and it is no longer illegal to be a super hero.
Basically, the Marvel universe is back to normal.  New teams are being formed with some small suprises.
 
While this book is larger then most graphic novels, there is not much in the way of story.
It appears to be single issues of several separate titles combined to form one book.
The good news is that this book can serve as a 'sampler' for readers that may be undecided over which title to follow.  Lots and lots of Marvel heroes are covered.

Notes
"Hulk is the smartest one there is."

Learning Curve
Low: This would be a good starting point for new readers