I could spit on a stranger.

You know how schools in the States set up Summer Reading Lists or whatever? Well, I figured that I should set up my own summer reading list just for kicks. But I’m not gonna slave myself by reading a big-ass novel, no sir! I’ll stick to my graphic novels as of now (but I will read a couple of books later on). Artwork + People talking through balloons = Anti-boredom.

I still haven’t figured out when I would read these, but I have copies of them already. So yeah!

1. Manix Abrera’s Kikomachine #4: O kaligayahang walang hanggan, yeh!

I just a fresh copy of this little baby yesterday while walking around ATC with the bro’s. I think it’s a required reading for all UP Students because the humor primarily revolves around the UP System. The first one was actually really really good, the second one was a bit political, the third one was good and I still haven’t opened #4. But I bet that it’ll be awesome. Kikomachine never fails to make me laugh.

2. Adrian Tomine’s Optic Nerve (#1-11)

Finally got my hands on the three collected works of Adrian Tomine (orignally published as Optic Nerve): Sleepwalk and other stories, Summer Blonde, and Shortcomings. Optic Nerve is basically a collection of stories of different people from different walks of life. But basically, they’re just emo and really talkative. Mumblecore, perhaps?

3. Daniel Clowes’ Ghost World

Yep, it’s the Graphic Novel that started the critically-acclaimed movie which starred a really angry Thora Birch and a less-glamorous version of Scarlett Johansson. It’s basically about Enid and Becca, two teenagers who roam around their town and bitch about people, music, television and well the good ‘ole American Culture. Teen issues at it’s finest.

4. Garth Ennis/Darick Robertson’s The Boys (ongoing)

The Boys is one hell of a comic; there’s blood, guts, and protruding nipples on every issue. The series is set in a contemporary world very much similar to real one, with one notable exception: a number of people have some form of superpower. The series follows a superpowered CIA squad, known informally as “The Boys”, whose job it is to keep watch on superheroes and, if necessary, intimidate or kill them (wikied). The fun thing about this comic? Besides the blood, guts, and boobs; the supes in the series are sometimes strikingly similar to other comic book heroes out there. E.g. Tek-Knight, a supe who can’t stop fucking (fruits, children, animals) is a cross between Iron Man and Batman.

5. Bryan Lee O’ Malley’s Scott Pilgrim (#1-3)

Scott Pilgrim is hilarious. This Manga-inspired graphic novel (which comes out once a year) is about Scott Pilgrim who is on a quest to battle with his new girlfriend’s Seven Evil Ex-Boyfriends. The characters are awesome, the references are epic, the humor is so out there, and Michael Cera will star in the film adaptation which would be directed by Edgar Wright. I mean, come on! Scott Pilgrim is a great great read. I wouldn’t mind reading this all over again this summer (I still have to get #4! Sputnik’s sold out!)

————–

So yeah. I still have a few books to read after I get through this list. Some non-graphic novels to have a little variety.