Read two comics and re-read a horror classic. All good in their various ways, two not living up to the potential of greatness and one with said potential…
Paper Girls, Volume 1
A lot of folks warned that this one would be confusing but being a huge “Saga” fan, I was willing to give Brian K. Vaughn the benefit of the doubt. And it paid off. It’s a good table setter for what promises to be a good story. I liked the characters and, I’ve read few, if any comics where the dialogue is as good. Vaughn is a master of his craft.
Daredevil: Born Again
Almost as good as advertised. I loved what they did with Kingpin. But it shares too many similarities with The Dark Knight Returns in ways good (the exploration of what it means to be a superhero when the world doesn’t need you) and not so good (female characters, the weird incorporation of geopolitics). Miller is railing against the institution and that made sense in the era of Reagan but it’s tough to separate that with how he became an institution and lost his way. Still, as far as comics go, this is a good arc.
‘Salem’s Lot
I was hoping that the patience that comes with time would make this a more exciting read but no. King just takes way too long to set up the story. It’s great once it gets rolling, particularly the scenes with Father Callahan. But still…this really should be a classic. I know many consider it a classic but its first 50-60% is too bloated and unfocused for me to put it there. A lot of vivid scenes and excellent writing sprinkled throughout which helps it stay at stars.