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Show C4 Life Monday • August 25, 2008 Comic books 101 A new series of reviews begins Benjamin Barry Life writer With the unprecedented success of films such As The Dark Knight and Iron Man this summer, it isn't surprising to find a resurgence of popularity in the culture of comic books. Of particular importance to UVU students is the news that this fall the English department is offering Themes in Literature: The Graphic Novel — no doubt a pleasant surprise to many. Apparently, even institutions of higher education are coming around to the fact that the comic book medium can be as rich and deep as cinema and, at times, reach creative heights that force even its staunchest critics to call it literature. But how exactly does the inquisitive comic book newcomer go about picking out their first graphic novel? You want to learn more about this Joker character, but there are thousands of comics to pick from, and it can be a daunting task. Where do you start? Never fear, dear reader. Itemized below is a small list of must read essentials in the world of graphic novels. As a favor to you, nearly all these titles are available at the local Barnes and Noble or Borders, helping you avoid a need for that awkward first trip to the comic book store. Watchmen Criminal Ask any comic book fan to list their favorite graphic novels and chances are this book will end up somewhere near the top. Watchmen is not only startling and complex, it also plays with its readers' emotions in a way most filmmakers and novelists only dream of. It is probably fair to call it the Citizen Kane of graphic novels. If superheroes are not your thing, then check out Ed Brubaker's excellent crime saga Criminal. The story follows less than likable characters doing less than likeable things, yet you cannot seem to put it down. If you enjoyed The Departed or Sopranos then give this one a try. Batman: The Killing Joke Astonishing X-Men If you, like most of the world, loved The Dark Knight, then this is a great graphic novel to start with. Arguably ihe best Joker story ever told, it is dark, violent, scary and brilliant. The best part? It requires very little knowledge of the characters or their history. If you've seen the movie, you already know enough to enjoy this comic. Written by Joss Whedon, creator of Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Serenity, among other things, this is the XMen at their most accessible. Joss crafts a widescreen, action-packed tale that is filled with high stakes and brilliant one-liners. Not only is it tons of fun, but the artwork is some of the industry's best. The Ultimates Volumes 1 and 2 A couple of years ago. Marvel Comics finally reached the brilliant conclusion that not everyone has been reading comic books for fifty years. In order to cater to a new generation of comic book fans they launched the Ultimate Universe, an entirely new saga populated with updated versions of classic characters. The Ultimates was one of the flagship titles, and it featured some of Marvels biggest characters. Captain America, the Hulk, Iron Man and Thor all make a debut in this book that reads, more than anything, like a summer blockbuster with brains. Again, no prior knowledge of the characters or their world is required and, as such, this piece comes highly recommended for comic book newbies. I D E O G A M E R E V I E W S Food, Water, Shelter and Video Games Sometimes, necessities are hard to come by. ries, spin-offs of the Grand Theft Auto franchise. PS3 owners are also inIf you're a typical col- cluded in the thrift parade lege student, then things like due to the recent introduchomework, dating angst and tion of the Greatest Hits student loan payments will line-up. For $30 and under, always be in surplus. Unfor- gamers can pick up a bevy tunately for most of us, one of excellent titles, including of the things we wouldn't first-person shooter Resisactually mind having more tance, the online-only Warof — money — isn't usually hawk, and Oblivion, arguon that list. ably the most ridiculously So after the couch, has gargantuan adventure gSme been ransacked and the yet conceived. ability to buy enough toilet The Xbox 360 also has a paper for the month is predi- lot of value starting at $20 cated upon your capacity with open-world sandbox to submit to an all-Ramen- hits like Saints Row and noodle diet, how do you find Crackdown, the freakishlyenough green to game? atmospheric and under-apFortunately, like most preciated Condemned and things, game pricing is cycli- Condemned 2, and boxing cal, and it's possible to find slug-fest Fight Night Round some price-reduced gems 3. The 360 also sports a midthat may have been previ- dling-priced line of heavy ously overlooked due to the hitters that start at $39.99 aforementioned school work, and include critical darlings heartbreak and perhaps oth- such as Bioshock, Mass Efer variables I've maliciously fect and Gears Of War. neglected to mention. The Wii's software cataLeading the pack with log is seemingly immune to cheap, awesome games are the price cuts that its comthe Sony consoles. PS2 own- petitors have resorted to. It ers can find plenty to play does boast a solid middle for under $20, and some of line with titles like Metroid these games are rated among Prime 3, Resident Evil 4: the best ever made. Shadow Wii Edition and Ofyami. ridOf The Colossus, the Hit- ing the line between $29.99 man trilogy, Final Fantasy to $39.99, but anything beX and XIU and the Ratchet low $20 on the Wii is probAnd Clank series are usually ably something to shy away both easy to locate and well from. worth your time. Nintendo's other moneyThis high quality at a low maker, the DS, sports a vaprice trend continues on the riety of great games around PSP with quirky standouts the $20 mark,1 including Paiapon and Loco Roco, Brain Age I & 2, most of the immersing RPGs like Final games in the Ace Attorney Fantasy Tactics: The War series, Lunar Knights and Of The Lions, and the pint- Final Fantasy 3. sized, open-world, do-anyThere are also a ton of thing-ness of Liberty City inexpensive downloadable Stories and Vice Citv Sto- games that are, occasion- fl Jpnathon Poole Life writer ally, a much better value than some full-priced titles. Braid and Geometry Wars 2 on the 360, PLxeljunk Eden and fLOW on the PS3, and Lost Winds and Dr. Mario on the Wii are all worth the price of entry and all are under $15. So you see, gaming on a budget isn't tough. It's just a matter or prioritizing. Here are a couple of tips forgetting the most bang for your buck: Buy used. Most stores that sell used games have a working guarantee, so you'll never be stuck with a lemon. Trade in old games. While some games are keepers, there are others that you'll never play again. For those that you probably won't go back to. trade them in. At least you'll get something for them as opposed to your roommate stealing them at the end of the semester. Check around. Places like Target, Wal-Mart and Kmart occasionally run amazing deals that are overlooked by game shop purists. Sears and Smith's are also great places to hunt for bargains since most people are unaware that they sell games there. Wail. You don't have to have every game day one. Most games receive a price drop within the first 3-6 months, so sit back, relax and take care of your enormous backlog. Armed with these simple guidelines and a modicum of self-control, you'll be able to avoid eviction and starvation without wanting for electronic entertainment. • To learn more about our new comic book and graphic novel review series, stay tuned or write to uvu.review.life© gmail.com with any questions or comments. Great part-time job opportunity!-Local Scrapbook Co. has imm. openingin whse. laser production department. Flex, Danceworks - The Dancer's Excellent Nannies Wanted hours possible to fit college stuStore ' Sansha's Soft Ballet East Coast. Save S's while; dents schedule. Computer skills Shoes S18 • Freed Point Shoes S79 watching kids. Top salaries. Paidj helpful. Call (801) 785-7878J • SupaDance anFreed .Ballairfare. Use of car. Reasonable; room Shoes Much More 10% Stuhours. Paid vacations and holidays.; EQUINE dent Discount 3228 North UniCall Tri-State Nannies at (800>! 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