Kingsman: The Secret Service

Title: Kingsman: The Secret Service

Author: Mark Millar, Dave Gibbons

Publisher: Image 2017

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 176

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

THE SECRET SERVICE: KINGSMAN is the critically acclaimed comic book series by Kick-Ass writer MARK MILLAR and Watchmen's DAVE GIBBONS. Now a Hollywood blockbuster starring Colin Firth and Taron Egerton, and directed by MATTHEW VAUGHN, KINGSMAN reinvents the spy genre for the 21st century. The story follows a British secret agent who takes his wayward nephew under his wing and trains him to become a gentleman spy. Together, they uncover a plot that links kidnapped celebrities with a plot to eradicate 90 percent of the human race! 

I picked this up at the library because I really enjoyed the movies. After reading through the comic, I can see the bits that the movie pulled and the bits that it changed. I did really enjoy the volume and the characters introduced. The villain storyline was a bit weak, but that's okay. The villain storyline isn't really the focus. Overall a very entertaining story.

Next up no the TBR pile:

Wanted by Mark Millar, JG Jones, and Paul Mounts

Title: Wanted

Author: Mark Millar, JG Jones, Paul Mounts

Publisher: Image Comics 2008

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 208

Rating:  4/5 stars  Movie: 4/5

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel; Mount TBR; 52 Books in 52 Weeks -- Week 1; Book Bingo -- 2 from TBR; T4MC -- M Author (15 points)

First review of 2013!!!!

What if everything in your life was out of your hands and those around you propelled your fate? Your girlfriend left you for your best friend; your boss gave your job to someone better. What if then, after all this, someone gave you back total control? What if he revealed you were the next in line to join a secret society of super-villains that controlled the entire planet? Mark Millar and J.G. Jones provide a look at one man who goes from being the world's biggest loser to the deadliest assassin alive.

My initial reaction was "that reminded me of Kick-Ass."  And then I actually looked at the authors and realized that Millar wrote both.  Silly me.  This volume still reminds me of Kick-Ass with the hyper-action violence and larger than life characters.  But at the core, we get a story of lifelike characters.  Even with the costumes or superpowers, at their core these characters are just like us.  I really enjoyed the story of Wesley's transformation.  As an extra note, this volume also reminds me of The Boys, but without the really interesting political angle.

Movie:

I saw the movie two years, obviously before reading the comic.  At the time I thought it was a somewhat interesting story, but I wasn't over the moon for it.

After reading the comic, I have a new found appreciation for the film.  It's definitely different, but keeps the main story of Wesley Gibson intact.  We see his transformation from pathetic loser to top assassin.  The movie ditched the superhero and supervillian angle, but the story and tone stays.  And the movie is shot beautifully.  All of the special effects and stunts pull the watcher into a fantastical world.  Plus James McAvoy is just outstanding...

52 Books Week 1: Journey to Your Imagination

This week's theme was books set in Canada.  Unfortunately I have a limited selection this week as I am not at home.  Instead of the theme, I am just going with the first read of the year.  

Kick-Ass by Mark Millar and John Romita Jr.

Title: Kick-Ass

Author: Mark Millar and John Romita Jr.

Publisher: Marvel 2011

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 192

Rating:   5/5 stars   Movie: /5

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel; Support Your Local Library; Books2Movie

How I Got It: Library Loan

Dave Lizewski is just an ordinary American teenager. Then an idea hits him: why not become a real life super hero.

J had me see the movie when it came out, but I had never gotten around to reading the graphic novel.  Amazingly, my local library had it just sitting there on the shelf begging for me to take it home.  And home it came.  I read it in one little sitting last night.  It's über violent.  It's über gorey.  But at the heart, it's a great little story about a nobody that starts a crime fighting revolution and sorta finds his way.  Plus, I was excited to actually get the references to other comic book characters and series.  I think I'm turning into a comic book reader.  Anyway, I really enjoyed Kick-Ass.  It's not light and fluffy.  It's gritty and nasty, but in an awesome comic book way.  And I read that Volume 2 is due to be released this June 2012.  I must keep that on my radar.

Movie:  

I'll admit that when J proposed watching this, I was hesitant.  I bloody, gorey action film about a comic book geek that want's to be a super hero.  I was worried that it was going to be cheesy.  But then I found out that Nicholas Cage was in the movie.  I'll see anything he's in, even the absolutely horrible stuff.  He's my movie kryptonite.  So we watched, and I'm glad we did.  I love seeing the interplay between Dave's regular life and his after hours fantasies.  It was an interesting take on the genre.  And Christopher Mintz-Plasse as Red Mist was perfect casting.  Hands down the best performance of the movie was Chloe Grace Moretz.  Her Hit Girl had all the vulnerability of a child but the strength of a superhero.  I loved seeing the interactions between her and her dad.  Best scene of the movie: where Big Daddy shoots Hit Girl to teach her to anticipate it in the future.  Disturbing but amazing.