Anyone reading "Books of Magic: Life During Wartime"? (Spoilers)

[Redneck Socialist]

I picked up the latest issue (#12) yesterday and I have to say I'm pretty disappointed with the whole "it's just a dream" feel to the ending. In fact I feel pretty damn cheated. I was really enjoying the whole alternative universe take on Tim, and Constantine as a genuine evil bastard was an entertaining change. Alas it turned into just another Constantine saves the world (with Tim's help) tale. Ho-hum. I guess I can spend my $2.75 a month on some other title.

Any suggestions?

Oh yeah, and while I'm ranting, the new artist on Y: The Last Man sucks ass too. While I'm not a huge fan of Pia Guerra, her work was far superior to Goran Sudzuka's. Bleech. I suspect I'll dump Y after the current storyline wraps up. There is another $2.95 I can spend on something else.

If anyone cares to make a couple of suggestions I would appreciate it. With my newfound wealth I'd like to check out a couple of new titles.

[Spider Jerusalem]

1. If the art on "Y" is your biggest problem with the title...

then you might want to stick with the book; Pia Guerra is going to be back after the current arc.

My recommendations: "Desolation Jones", Warren Ellis' new bimonthly Wildstorm title (only one issue out now, but it kicked ass). JH Williams III's art is excellent, the storyline is intriguing...LA as an open prison for ex-intelligence types, Hitler porn, bloody hilarious lines like "everything goes better with bukkake"...if you're not reading it, I'd recommend at least picking up the first issue.

"The Losers" - Special Forces team gone rogue out to bring down the high-up CIA spook who hung them out to dry. Some serious political overtones here (US intelligence deliberately provoking and even staging terror attacks to justify foreign policy, etc). Andy Diggle's writing on this title is solid, and the artwork does a great job of carrying the story.

"303" - 6-issue mini written by Garth Ennis and published by Avatar. Bit pricey at $3.99 an issue, but worth it...the story is the best thing Ennis has done since "Preacher", in my opinion. More serious current-events-oriented stuff here; the action in the first 3 issues takes place in Afghanistan, circa 2002, and the hook is too good to give away here. Jacen Burrows' art is brilliant (he's relatively unknown, thanks to his contract status with Avatar, but the fact that he's usually their first choice for projects with "name" writers should say something).

[Redneck Socialist]

2. Thanks for the tips

Except for the art I generally like "Y." The writing hasn't been super consistent, but I'm interested enough in the story line to stick with it.

I'm already reading "The Losers" and like it quite a bit.

I don't much care for Garth Ennis. I read the first few issues of "Preacher" and I read his run on "Hellblazer" and he doesn't do it for me.

I've never read anything by Warren Ellis so maybe I'll give "Desolation Jones" a shot.

Thanks again for the tips.

[dwckabal]

3. Well, if you've never read Warren Ellis

you're in for quite a ride, my friend!

Pick up the trades of Transmetropolitan, for a "trial by fire," if you will. Then Planetary and Global Frequency. Guaranteed you'll be hooked.

I have found Fables to be fairly intriguing, as well as Grant Morrison's Seven Soldiers books.

Garth Ennis' run on Punisher is nothing short of brilliant. Breathed new life into a worn character.