This month’s graphic novel group was one filled with interesting revelations about the book that was discussed. Black Hole by Charles Burns, tells the story of a group of teenagers during the 1970s affected by a disease that is transmitted by sexual intercourse. The disease causes an array of deformities; some are subtle changes like a small tail while others more obvious like a mouth growing on a person’s neck. The story focused on two characters in particular, Keith, a sweet but rather wet individual who is about to get the disease, and Chris, a girl who has the disease from the start of the book and watching her dealing with the disease. (more…)
Posts Tagged ‘Mad_GnG’
Graphic Novel Group Review on Black Hole
Thursday, October 13th, 2011Mad Graphic Novel Group
Wednesday, September 21st, 2011
Graphic Novel
Title: Mad Graphic Novel Group
Location: MadLab
Description: A discussion group for those looking to talk, argue, debate about graphic novels, comics, comix and web-comics.
Start Time: 19:00
Date: 2011-10-04
End Time: 21:00
For October’s #Mad_Gng, we will be reading a freakish teenage drama written and illustrated by Charles Burns. The book was actually released as a 12 part comic book series (which had a sporadic run over a 10 year period) and tells the story of a group of teenagers affected by a sexually transmitted diseases which causes, to put it lightly, changes.
These changes came in many shapes and forms, some grotesque and deformed others more subtle but ultimately for whoever had it; things would never be the same again. The story focuses on a set of core characters affected by the disease, some who have it, some who are about to contract it.
There is a short film adaptation of the comic at this link here: http://www.rupertsanders.com/blackhole.html?ref=0 We could bring it up and discuss it along with the book.
We have a webcomic to go (loosely) along with the graphic novel of freaks this month. It’s called Darwin Carmichael is going to hell and is overall a humorous comic about a guy who screwed up spectacularly (you’ll find out as you read it) and because of this is pretty likely to go to hell, to redeem himself, he has to boost his Karma level. This would be much easier if not for the stoned angels, a drunk Minotaur and many a mythical creature great and small keep coming into your apartment and raiding your fridge.
We may order pizza or fish and chips so it will be put to a vote, either way if you want in on this, please bring some money and as usual, being a donation for the Mad Lab.
Review on The first #Mad_Gng film night
Monday, September 19th, 2011The first #Mad_Gng film night took place in September in which we viewed The Crow, a film adapted from the graphic novel of the same name by James O’Barr. The group started with a half hour discussion at the start to see people’s opinion of the book. This was followed by a break for food and then onto the film viewing!!!
Beer, Pic n’ Mix and popcorn was provided as we all sat down to view the film. The interesting thing was the contrasting beliefs about which were the better of the two. Some thought it was an action flick that paled in comparison to the book but one person thought the book was a drawn out revenge fantasy and the film had a faster pace and was thus a more enjoyable version. (more…)
Mad Graphic Novel Group : Review of The Smartest Boy on Earth
Monday, July 11th, 2011And so we come to the end of another graphic novel group discussion and again, it was fantastic. It was lovely to see the return of the Mad Lab Grand Poobah herself, Hwa Young, who also hosted this group. In her own words “I started the group in order to discuss this book”.
The book of which she spoke was ‘Jimmy Corrigan – The Smartest Boy on Earth’, a beautifully designed but extremely dire told story written by Chris Ware. The book was for the most part appreciated although some thought the book was “Bobbins” as they found the main character himself, Jimmy Corrigan, an irritating personality who should just stand up for himself. This brought up discussion to do with if he could actually stand up for himself and the role of Jimmy’s mother in that problem. (more…)
Mad Graphic Novel Group – Local Review
Monday, June 13th, 2011This month’s book called Local brought together mixed opinions of praise, disdain and in most cases, somewhere in the middle. To say some expressions of GNG member’s opinions about this book were intense would be an understatement. This book contained 12 vignettes containing tales focusing on a girl called Megan McKeenan as well the people she meets during an emotional year of her life. This in itself brought debate; were Megan’s stories the highlight or the ones of the band, her brother and her cousin? This went undecided. This book was compared against other graphic novels the group has reviewed such as fun home for they both tell tales of daughters who want to understand a parent, as well Asterios Polyp for the humorous fact that both can be summed up by the phrase “(Hollywood trailer voice) ONE PERSON’S JOURNEY”. (more…)