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jennnafziger's review against another edition
What a fantastic primer to the X-Men universe! I was loaned this book by a friend, who a big X-Men fan. It was helpful to connect some of the pieces I was missing from watching the cartoon series. I really enjoyed the condensed history of the characters origins. And I absolutely love the rich paper and vintage illustrations inside!
jayisthebird's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Piskor's cartooning continues to impress at the panel level; however, the rapid pace of the book is less effective in recontextualizing the Claremont era than the Silver Age.
While the first volume of this is effective at rethinking the silver age with the later Claremont characterizations to come, this volume feels less effective in that this part of Claremont's run was coherent.
It's been remarked elsewhere, but the task of updating Byrne and company is likely more difficult than early X-Men save the Kirby and Adams issues.
Overall, this reads to me as a fun reminder of the high points of the first cycle of the Claremont era, but it is doesn't do the effective work of the first volume or other works like Season One which help us "re-see" those eras or act as alternatives to reading the original.
While the first volume of this is effective at rethinking the silver age with the later Claremont characterizations to come, this volume feels less effective in that this part of Claremont's run was coherent.
It's been remarked elsewhere, but the task of updating Byrne and company is likely more difficult than early X-Men save the Kirby and Adams issues.
Overall, this reads to me as a fun reminder of the high points of the first cycle of the Claremont era, but it is doesn't do the effective work of the first volume or other works like Season One which help us "re-see" those eras or act as alternatives to reading the original.
stella_ster's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
chuckycheezus's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Et quand le jour arrivé (And when the day arrives)
Map touné le ciel (I'll become the sky)
Et map touné la mer (And I'll become the sea)
Et la mer va embrassé moi (And the sea will come to kiss me)
Et délivré moi lakay (For I am going home)
-Trent Reznor
Ed Piskor famously knew a thing or two about music, specifically hip hop. I can't say I know all too much on hip hop, so I've picked from an artist I know quite well, Nine Inch Nails. I don't think he would have minded.
This is not going to be much of an actual review of X-Men: Grand Design. I think the totality of all three volumes are a brilliant comic and one of the finest works Marvel has published in the 21st century, if not ever. It is professional fanfiction from a professional manchild, but that's hardly a detriment. Some of the finest comics ever created were born from this same sort of gleeful manic enthusiasm, the fierce drive of a true visionary in the medium, paying their respects to their childhood idols while forging a bold new path of their own. Ed Piskor lived for comics, and it's immediately apparent from the book's table of contents all the way to the gorgeously recolored X-Men #1 in the back.
Beyond this book and his other comics work, Ed Piskor was the co-host of the YouTube channel Cartoonist Kayfabe, alongside Jim Rugg. Like many, I discovered their channel early on in 2020 when lockdown started, and they had been a consistent part of my life ever since. I wouldn't watch every single episode, but I would tune in at least once or twice a week. Ed's genuine camaraderie with Jim, coupled with the sheer breadth of material they covered, their frequent guests and "shoot" interviews, and the sheer knowledge and passion they both shared for the comics medium genuinely changed my life. They were always there to carry me through many, many bad times over the past 4 years. They reignited my dying love for comics and made it stronger than ever. I found community because of Cartoonist Kayfabe, I found artistic purpose when I was ready to call college and my dreams and everything else quits. I quite possibly might not be alive today without a stupid YouTube channel and two guys who, on first glance, might sound like they hadn't touched grass since the 90s. But it wasn't stupid to me and to the other Kayfabers. Ed and Jim were as constant as the closest friends I've ever had, and over the past two days, I've read many stories similar to mine. The legacy Cartoonist Kayfabe has left upon the comics world is unquantifiable. I could've told Ed this at Baltimore Comic Con last year, or at least attempt to before my awkward ass would've fumbled the bag, but I didn't. I'll always have that "what-if" looming over me. I just wish Ed knew truly how many lives he had impacted before doing what he did.
What happened to Ed is a genuine tragedy that no one gains anything from. The world is lesser without him, and I thought revisiting Grand Design and writing some long ass pretentious ramble would help me try to find some sort of closure on the past week. It hasn't. Before and after reading, I've been in a daze of anguish, anger, and regret; I'm more of a wreck than from the death of grandparents or other "real" family. But while I was re-reading these comics, just for those few hours, I was whisked away into the wild fever dream of a Peter Pan from the 80s. The pain of it all just dissipated ever so briefly. The joy of Ed's cartooning will always be there in his work, whether it's to your particular taste or not.
I guess all that there's left to do is give the marching orders:
Read more comics.
Map touné le ciel (I'll become the sky)
Et map touné la mer (And I'll become the sea)
Et la mer va embrassé moi (And the sea will come to kiss me)
Et délivré moi lakay (For I am going home)
-Trent Reznor
Ed Piskor famously knew a thing or two about music, specifically hip hop. I can't say I know all too much on hip hop, so I've picked from an artist I know quite well, Nine Inch Nails. I don't think he would have minded.
This is not going to be much of an actual review of X-Men: Grand Design. I think the totality of all three volumes are a brilliant comic and one of the finest works Marvel has published in the 21st century, if not ever. It is professional fanfiction from a professional manchild, but that's hardly a detriment. Some of the finest comics ever created were born from this same sort of gleeful manic enthusiasm, the fierce drive of a true visionary in the medium, paying their respects to their childhood idols while forging a bold new path of their own. Ed Piskor lived for comics, and it's immediately apparent from the book's table of contents all the way to the gorgeously recolored X-Men #1 in the back.
Beyond this book and his other comics work, Ed Piskor was the co-host of the YouTube channel Cartoonist Kayfabe, alongside Jim Rugg. Like many, I discovered their channel early on in 2020 when lockdown started, and they had been a consistent part of my life ever since. I wouldn't watch every single episode, but I would tune in at least once or twice a week. Ed's genuine camaraderie with Jim, coupled with the sheer breadth of material they covered, their frequent guests and "shoot" interviews, and the sheer knowledge and passion they both shared for the comics medium genuinely changed my life. They were always there to carry me through many, many bad times over the past 4 years. They reignited my dying love for comics and made it stronger than ever. I found community because of Cartoonist Kayfabe, I found artistic purpose when I was ready to call college and my dreams and everything else quits. I quite possibly might not be alive today without a stupid YouTube channel and two guys who, on first glance, might sound like they hadn't touched grass since the 90s. But it wasn't stupid to me and to the other Kayfabers. Ed and Jim were as constant as the closest friends I've ever had, and over the past two days, I've read many stories similar to mine. The legacy Cartoonist Kayfabe has left upon the comics world is unquantifiable. I could've told Ed this at Baltimore Comic Con last year, or at least attempt to before my awkward ass would've fumbled the bag, but I didn't. I'll always have that "what-if" looming over me. I just wish Ed knew truly how many lives he had impacted before doing what he did.
What happened to Ed is a genuine tragedy that no one gains anything from. The world is lesser without him, and I thought revisiting Grand Design and writing some long ass pretentious ramble would help me try to find some sort of closure on the past week. It hasn't. Before and after reading, I've been in a daze of anguish, anger, and regret; I'm more of a wreck than from the death of grandparents or other "real" family. But while I was re-reading these comics, just for those few hours, I was whisked away into the wild fever dream of a Peter Pan from the 80s. The pain of it all just dissipated ever so briefly. The joy of Ed's cartooning will always be there in his work, whether it's to your particular taste or not.
I guess all that there's left to do is give the marching orders:
Read more comics.
daileyxplanet's review against another edition
5.0
I've been thinking of what I would suggest for a new X-Men fan if they asked for a good starting point, especially regarding origins, and I finally have a good answer!
Ed Piskor's art is amazing and simple at the same time. You feel like you're reading Silver-Age but with modern sensibilities, which is a great thing! I can't wait to read the next Grand Design. This is a Must Read.
Ed Piskor's art is amazing and simple at the same time. You feel like you're reading Silver-Age but with modern sensibilities, which is a great thing! I can't wait to read the next Grand Design. This is a Must Read.
foofers1622's review against another edition
5.0
Oh Ed Piskor, where have you been all my life? Another great graphic novel that covers the beginning of The X-Men. X-Men #1 was a nice little bonus as was an inside look at Ed's love for the Marvel Universe. Totally reminds me of my Brother.
foofers1622's review against another edition
5.0
You can tell Ed watched the amazing X-Men cartoon when he was a kid, as did I. Parts of the graphic novel I remembered from watching the show. It makes me want to get sucked into the cartoon all over again.