Jordan
It only took me all of 2023 to finish (I really need to read more frequently), but I loved this.
It starts at a classic toon-y tale, as the cast of goofs gets introduced. But around midway through it really picks up and becomes a fantastical adventure with the highest of stakes. I wish I had the full color version, but classic black and white is great too. My only “complaint” is that the last quarter of the book begins to utilize a lot of “hand-waving” and time jumping that feels a bit jarring, but I don't think it's at the expense of the story. Wish there was more to read!
Here's to me being a more productive reader in 2024
Really, really enjoyed this one. A great adaptation of the original podcast. I think it definitely requires a listen of the podcast to fully understand what's happening in the book, as it may be difficult to otherwise follow certain moments.
Great art, hilarious writing, and overall just a really fun and creative story.
I give it 4 stars for the concept and story, 3 stars for the artwork. Designs of the city and maps were very good, but characters and their facial expressions were just bland and even jarring sometimes. Someone would express surprise or horror, yet they'd be drawn as almost smiling. Just sort of bizarre.
The concept is certainly interesting though, and one I've thought about a lot - albeit on a much grander scale.
This one was really fun! I didn't love the first half, as the book felt like it was “trying too hard” in a number of ways. That said, this was originally a webcomic and you can really tell that it came into its own after awhile - the second half of this book (aka, Eric Bittle's “Sophomore Year”) was great! Character relationships are more fleshed out, the characters themselves become more interesting, and we get more insight into Bitty's college experience.
I really enjoyed the connections to not only college, but the emphasis on “brotherhood” throughout, as it reminded me a lot of my own fraternity experience in college. Check, Please! has a much more “bro” take on fraternities, but it's still very endearing. Love the art, too, and the bonus content at the end of the book.
Can't wait to read Book #2!
The first half was probably only about a 3 out of 5, but it really picked up in the second half. This is more like a 4.5 star rating, but that's not available.
I especially loved the introduction to Magic Brian, Gillian and the Bureau. Can't wait to keep listening to the podcast and reading the other volumes!
What a book. It communicates emotion, lonlieness, belonging... Perhaps better than any other book I've ever read. I also loved the art and the author's thick irony throughout. Probably not for EVERY reader, due to some of the subject matter, but I give it an emphatic recommendation to any mature graphic novel fan.
Wow! Granted, it's been awhile since I read the first few volumes... But this might be the best yet. Goes heavy on the supernatural and horror elements, with some great setpieces to boot. All held up by great, revelatory plot beats.
Even though it's less than 200 pages, this is the first volume of any series that I've powered through so quickly. Can't wait to start in on Vol. 7!
The action scenes are a bit underwhelming in this volume. That said, it delves into a few characters much more than previous volumes, which wins some points back. I also liked the Asher Cobb sub-story, and the issue that looks at his history.
Ends on a fun cliffhanger, and I'm interested to see what comes next for Becky, Gord, Drake and the gang.
Wow! Over 3,000 pages later and the saga has finally come to an end. Compendium 3 seemed like the fastest-paced and most packed of the 3 books, and I loved damn near every second of it. I wasn't a huge fan of the handful of issues that featured an art style change, but I'm glad it returned to Ryan Ottley's art for the final issues.
My new all-time favorite comic!
I haven't been this absorbed in a book in a long time. Every time I sat down to read, I would just blow through at least 5 issues.
The most interesting thing about Compendium One is seeing the series really come into its own. It starts quite slow, and neither the art nor the writing held my attention. By Issue 10, the story really picks up and starts to show its originality. The art improves shortly thereafter and by the end of the book, I was in awe every single time I turned the page. Really great color and linework, and characters are so expressive in later issues.
This is the best superhero story I've read in a long time, and it could very well shape up to be the best I've ever read by the time I finish the series. Can't wait to move on to Compendium Two!
Great art and a story that draws you in, but the ending felt very sudden. It doesn't provide much closure, which is part of the appeal, I think, but it felt rushed.
