blog post What’cha Readin’? - Ghost World Discussion + Next Month’s Book!

I'm still a comic book collector.

This week, I picked up The Losers Vols. 1 & 2. Nowadays, prices on DC's graphic novels have been reasonable. Several years back, I was supposed to pick up The Losers on trade but the prices were a bit high. Since the movie is coming out, the put Vols 1 & 2 for $24 (Canadian) and it's pretty good.

Another Vertigo series I got on trade was The Unwritten Vol. 1: Tommy Taylor and The Bogus Identity. It's a terrific series and I woefully regret getting it in comic form because Vol. 1 collects #1-5 and #4 ends on a cliffhanger. Vertigo (part of DC Comics) put their Vol. 1s books at a very good price, $9.99(US)/$12.99 (CDN). It's good for new readers and it's an introductory price.

I rarely get Marvel trades because they don't put any "extras" and the cover price, they no longer put the Canadian price.

That sounds like a phoney aliby.  What are you really doing?

like martin said, watched it last night. while watching it, i had that eerie feeling that i already saw it. a few scenes were very familiar. but i don't remember ever watching it. i was an outcast all through school and still have a really hard time getting past the outskirts of social circles. some comments:

-i could definitely relate to enid. i was definitely known for my sarcasm & cynicism at her age. i still sort of am, but mostly keep it to myself. the scene where they were at their high school prom or whatever was definitely my best friend and i.

-i don't really think the relationship dynamics are exclusive to high school age, we just feel it more then, and over time learn to turn a cold shoulder. i've felt that terrible heart sinking/sad feeling of realizing a cherished friendship somehow has changed forever quite recently.

Oh Ghost World. Hits a little too close to home a little too much. Although, I wonder what the graphic novel is in comparison to the movie. Or what I'd think now that I've 'aged'. Can't wait to hear John's take. And should really rent that movie.

But, you know, I don't thik I've ever read a graphic novel series for realsies. I had a brief flirtation with one from my Chicago friend called Milk and Cheese (hilarious). And one Word on the Street I picked up something called Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life (now a film, I didn't mention it because the movie's not out yet) but I think I only read the next one after that. Something about a graphic novel doesn't hold my interest like a literary one does.

ha definitely 3 people there.

Why do we call them that? Is that so as adults we don't feel like tools for saying we're interested in comics? Does that make them more adult, lest childish?

They will always be comic books to me.

But the point of this post is that the most exciting thing, for me anyway, to come from the Apple iPad announcement this week has been all the rumblings about the possibilities of reinvigorating certain areas of publishing long since squashed by the costs of print, and low R.O.I. — like fanzines and comic books.

In fact there's talk that the iPad will bring about "word podcasts" which will essentially enable anyone to make a fanzine and send it out to the world, like we were able to with podcasts.

Which while may seem like a step backwards, when you consider the return to vinyl, not so strange because people like tactile.

So in the end, with a device like the iPad, something like Eightball might be as well known as the movie Ghost World.

And for people who like to read, this is very exciting news! 

I fully endorse wild speculation.

I'm not very good at it. I feel guilty. I already feel bad for the Martin/grant/Martin's gf speculation.

But I DO hear that Vish is getting compensation for February's book/film.

I hear he has giant arm muscles (comically so) from those gold drum sticks.

I totally agree (you always know how to put things).

These characters always felt a little 'too' to me, too (how about Nick and Nora as another example - what teenagers are that cool). And I think you nailed it. It's probably more of a composite of what you think you would have been like if you weren't a teenager trying to balance being your own person and fitting in, not to mention all the other teenagerly hormones and growing pains and things that in your 20s you start to shed. Very interesting.

shit. link didn't work. let me try that again..

ummmm THIS picture..

*goes to make coffee*

Nice commentary guys (including the weird threesome stuff).

So our book for February is Whale Music by Paul Quarrington.

What are your thoughts about this?

Ah, sorry they didn't play the song you wanted to hear. I did my best!

Why do you suppose they're sick of touring?

Well they sort of roundabout said it when they described this as their "700th show this year", which I'm pretty sure is inaccurate.

Then I read between the lines when they a) didn't have a set list b) just asked the crowd to yell out songs to play.

At about 1130 they just said, "ok three more songs.  Then we're going to spend a bunch of time lifting heavy shit in the cold."

I dunno, you could tell they've been on the road for a while.  They're playing really loose and fun right now, I really liked it.  I'm fairly certain I converted a couple guys I brought with.

oh ya.  And I ran into Party Beard from the blog.  Who's actually a girl without a beard, and she wasn't really partying.

This is actually probably the most random thing from the night. I think Spencer from AiB has a crush on her. I'm fairly certain she was standing behind me when I got my record signed by Ian, and it says "Spencer has a crush on the girl behind you".

I didn't notice this tell I got home so I can't verify the details.

Read both Ghostworld, and watched it as a movie. Enjoyed both.

Now that I think of it... who the hell did I lend that to? I need to get my copy back one of these days.

Just finished reading... The Handmaiden's tale. Taking a break for a while I think from the Margaret Atwood. Whale Music may have to be the next read.

I'm reading Oryx and Crake right now!  yay Atwood!

That's the first one I read of hers. Waaaaay too close to home for possible futures for me. Read the entire thing listening to Radiohead (from OK Computer through Hail to the Thief) on a beautiful beach a few summers back. Now I think about the end of the world so much more than is usual when I listen to Radiohead... and sunny beaches.

I read Life of Pi after that, which definitely cheered me up.

1.  Ghost World.  Great Choice-thanks Tb3.  i just rewatched that flick not long ago.  excellant stuff.

2.  for my money, L.A. Confidential is still the best adaptation of what even the author considered an unmakeable film.  Guy Pearce's performance as Ed Exley is highly underrated & that's just all around a perfect cast.  there's really  not much wrong with either.

3.  Whale Music.  so happy.  it'll give me an excuse to reread & i'll be in Toronto tomorrow where i'll probably be able to get my hands on a copy

ta