Thursday, March 10, 2011

Graphic novel reviews O

Oddly Normal - Otis Frampton
Vol.1 - The titular girl, daughter of a witch and a normal man, is mocked at school, but when she is transported to Fignation (great name), where all manner of imaginary beings live, she finds school is just as awful, and a lot more dangerous.  Very well done, with cute drawings, a great ear for narration, and real suspense.  Aggravatingly, this volume ends in the middle of the action, just when things were getting started.  [3.5]
 
Oh My Gods! - Cooke & Fitzpatrick
 
The Okay Witch - Emma Steinkellner
 
One Year at Ellsmere - Faith Erin Hicks

Original Sin - Jason Aaron
With a couple of issues by Mark Waid and Ed Brubaker.  Someone has shot the Watcher and taken his eyes, and a disparate group of heroes and anti-heroes are recruited to find out who, how, and why.  A very powerful villain named Dr. Midas, his daughter Oubliette, and the Orb are mixed in somehow, but only the Orb seems to know what's really going on.  Containing a few twists and surprises, this is pretty good murder mystery with powers.  Aaron's dialogue isn't his strong suit, and sometimes things get a bit muddled, but he's definitely got a way with the gritty noir feel.  Some major changes happen to the MU as a result of this volume, but as always, comic book changes have to be taken with a grain of salt.  [3.5]

The Owl - J.T. Krul [Dynamite]