Paperback in Action

So many diverse comic covers have been released over the years that it is impossible to decide upon a single best cover artist. Some, however, tend to stand out from the rest. For example, there's the unmistakable realism of Alex Ross, the dynamic and modern feel of Jim Lee, and the cartoony yet incredibly detailed work of Frank Quitely. Then there's Tom Taggart - compared to Ross, Lee and Quitely, he's published relatively few comic covers, but they are so unique in style that they will be remembered by all who see them. Taggart is known for creating covers out of real-life sculptures with an uncanny level of detail. This is an artistic technique rarely found in the world of comics, making Taggart's work instantly recognisable. Many have been exposed to his work through DC's Doom Patrol comics, for which he provided the closest thing to a live-action Robotman until the TV series launches next year. These unique covers serve as a perfect representation of the ...

When buying comics, it is important to understand the different formats they are sold in. They come in different shapes, sizes and prices, and are released at different times. These formats can be particularly puzzling when looking online - you might find yourself asking "Why is Batman Vol. 1 £10 when Batman # 2 is only £3?" Knowledge of the different types of comic outlined below is essential for any prospective comic fan. Single issue Think of single issues like episodes of a TV series. They tend to cost only a few pounds (unless they are a special edition) and are released anywhere from every week to every month. Single issues tend to be small magazines, ranging from 20 to 50 pages. For the major publishers like Marvel and DC, new single issues are released every Wednesday, and are available from comic shops or digitally. Manga, however, is usually released in anthologies rather than single issues - for example, One Piece is serialised in Weekly Shonen Jump a...

You may or may not have heard of the ongoing  JoJo's Bizarre Adventure saga, one of the crown jewels of comics. It's constantly referenced by other works that it has influenced, and its fans have been known to swarm the comment sections of prog-rock albums on YouTube. However, it has yet to gain the following that other manga hits like Dragon Ball and Naruto have picked up in the West, leaving many to wonder what it's all about. Creator Hirohiko Araki started JoJo with the  Phantom Blood  arc in 1987 (the year Watchmen concluded in the US). This was the tale of the rivalry between the compassionate Johnathan Joestar and the malicious Dio Brando, serving as commentary on two disparate lifestyles. To begin with, the series didn't really push the boundaries too far - it was really just a hyper-violent martial-arts story paving the way for something far greater. Araki really shattered traditional manga conventions when he wrote the Battle Tendency arc (the second part...

Not everybody reads comics. Nearly all people you'll meet enjoy TV, and most of them probably like gaming or a good novel. Comics, on the other hand, are a bit more niche. Sure, Marvel movies are all the range, but their popularity isn't shared by their source material. Those who do like comic books, however, tend to be pretty passionate about them. I know I am, hence why I've set up this blog. I started with The Beano when I was small, discovered the world of manga in my early teens, and first read the seminal Watchmen but a few years ago. Think of Paperback in Action as a chronicle of all the new books I find, and a place to share my thoughts on some old favourites. Of course, the contents of a comic book often do not remain solely within its pages for long. As previously mentioned, Marvel's heroes have sky-rocketed in popularity since they invaded the box office. So why should Paperback in Action  be just about paperbacks? Posts on films, TV shows and games wi...