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francomega's review
3.0
Trippy, alterna-reality (think a lighter Transmetropolitan)running over with easter eggs, sight gags and puns. The main storyline revolves around Joe's return to King City after his training as a Cat Master. Explain that last bit? Well, a Cat Master has a cat that he/she injects with secret serum to enable it to do all sorts of awesomeness, from flying to fighting to picking locks and doing advanced math. Or becoming a periscope (and yes, you do look in the end you're thinking). There's a lot going on here and it's a fun read.
Two on the other side: b&w comics tend to get confusing when there's too much happening in a panal (at least for me). And, this is a big book--both tall and heavy and--and it was difficult to hold comfortably. I'm just saying.
Two on the other side: b&w comics tend to get confusing when there's too much happening in a panal (at least for me). And, this is a big book--both tall and heavy and--and it was difficult to hold comfortably. I'm just saying.
sandralam's review
1.0
DNF - Had to DNF this because I read up to chapter five and realized I wasn't a fan of the art style and couldn't get into the story.
hypops's review
4.0
A great indie sci-fi comic. A great indie espionage comic. A great indie action comic.
In many ways I’m glad that I read this after I’d read Brandon Graham’s later work (his take on Rob Liefeld’s Prophet, his editing work for Island, and his most recent creation Multiple Warheads) because King City stands head and shoulders above his subsequent work.
This blends East Asian comics style with street art in the way that late ‘90s and early ‘00s American pop culture loved, but at the same time, the world and history that it establishes give his style a justification beyond just artistic indulgence. He’s never above taking a detour for a goofy pun, and the world he creates seems as alive and detailed as any long-running fictional setting.
His characters are instantly recognizable. His drawing style riffs on any number of international styles. And, man, this is just fun as hell. It’s a shame, though, that Brandon Graham has yet to hit again the same high notes he hit with this book. It’s really good and a really tough bar to match.
In many ways I’m glad that I read this after I’d read Brandon Graham’s later work (his take on Rob Liefeld’s Prophet, his editing work for Island, and his most recent creation Multiple Warheads) because King City stands head and shoulders above his subsequent work.
This blends East Asian comics style with street art in the way that late ‘90s and early ‘00s American pop culture loved, but at the same time, the world and history that it establishes give his style a justification beyond just artistic indulgence. He’s never above taking a detour for a goofy pun, and the world he creates seems as alive and detailed as any long-running fictional setting.
His characters are instantly recognizable. His drawing style riffs on any number of international styles. And, man, this is just fun as hell. It’s a shame, though, that Brandon Graham has yet to hit again the same high notes he hit with this book. It’s really good and a really tough bar to match.
realbooks4ever's review
1.0
How much did I dislike this book? A LOT. Should have read the notes in the back where the author states he started out writing PORN COMICS. Also, he’s not as clever as he thinks he is.
fleece's review
2.0
meh story, eh on the figures, gr8 silly details and backgrounds. pretty sexist and kind of boring :\\
i was looking forward hugely to finally reading this because i like brandon graham and think for the most part his writing on comics is thoughtful and inclusive, and i like a lot of the work he puts up on his blog...but this was a big disappointment for me.
i was looking forward hugely to finally reading this because i like brandon graham and think for the most part his writing on comics is thoughtful and inclusive, and i like a lot of the work he puts up on his blog...but this was a big disappointment for me.
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