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3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
To be honest I enjoyed every bit of this Mark Millar graphic novel. What I enjoyed more, however, is the more refined version seen on film.
All the Mark Millar books I've read so far have always been about pushing the boundaries. Be it his superheroes works or stories within his Millarworld. With titles like KickAss, KickAss 2, and Wanted he had established himself as one of the sickest minds in comics. There are other works too, of course, but I am yet to read those. All in good time though.
With 'Secret Service', Millar breaks that mold though. While there is a fair bit of violence incorporated (old habits die hard), it is a fairly normal comic book which deals with a classic underdog story: a talented nobody is pushed into hostile situation and comes out on top to become one of the best in the business. I would be almost convinced that Millar wrote this one for the movie - a practice I abhor, since it insults the reader (I know a writer who does this with all his books) - if it weren't for the fact that it is very well written. It has its presumptuous jumps of course, something you don't expect from Millar, yet he keeps us engaged through some creative storytelling.
This time, he takes on the topic of global warming and how it is killing the Earth. He present a theory which is a slight modification of Ra's Al Ghul's 'holy' crusade. The theory being that Earth, being a sentient being in itself, has always fought for survival with extinction being its favorite weapon of choice. And so, given the human encroachment in the past few decades, the apocalypse isn't that far away. So, according to the antagonist, Dr. James Arnold, the only way to save humanity is to reduce the population. So, enter a plan for mass genocide which must be stopped by a secret branch of MI6, whose agents only wear suits, have fancy cars, get the most elusive of women, have some fancy gadgets, and have the 'License to Kill'; literally. Sounds familiar? Though, to be fair to Millar, he doesn't shy away from admitting that this is a tribute to one of the greatest spies in literature.
And, true to form, the story moves at the same breakneck pace as some of the best Bond movies. There is plenty of continent hopping, plenty of gadgets, proper spy training involved, and a very conflicted villain. And plenty of cliches.
James Arnold comes across as a well-meaning guy who considers himself a good guy who is only doing whatever is necessary for humanity's - and his own - survival; a cliche what seems to work most of the times. Another cliche is one of the protagonists, secret agent Jack London recruiting his nephew Gary to the secret service - despite having no relevant experience - just because Gary reminds Jack of himself before he became an agent. This one is a bit hard to swallow. Then there's the usual infiltration by bad guys forcing the good guy to depend on his fellow rookie agents who haven't yet been recruited. There are a few more minor cliches, but those can be overlooked.
Overall, this isn't one of Millar's best attempts. But it is still worth a read. And yes, having seen the trailer for the movie, I must say that it might be worth a watch. Of course, the presence of Colin Firth, Michael Caine, and Samuel L Jackson in the same movie should be enough to convince anyone to watch it.
With 'Secret Service', Millar breaks that mold though. While there is a fair bit of violence incorporated (old habits die hard), it is a fairly normal comic book which deals with a classic underdog story: a talented nobody is pushed into hostile situation and comes out on top to become one of the best in the business. I would be almost convinced that Millar wrote this one for the movie - a practice I abhor, since it insults the reader (I know a writer who does this with all his books) - if it weren't for the fact that it is very well written. It has its presumptuous jumps of course, something you don't expect from Millar, yet he keeps us engaged through some creative storytelling.
This time, he takes on the topic of global warming and how it is killing the Earth. He present a theory which is a slight modification of Ra's Al Ghul's 'holy' crusade. The theory being that Earth, being a sentient being in itself, has always fought for survival with extinction being its favorite weapon of choice. And so, given the human encroachment in the past few decades, the apocalypse isn't that far away. So, according to the antagonist, Dr. James Arnold, the only way to save humanity is to reduce the population. So, enter a plan for mass genocide which must be stopped by a secret branch of MI6, whose agents only wear suits, have fancy cars, get the most elusive of women, have some fancy gadgets, and have the 'License to Kill'; literally. Sounds familiar? Though, to be fair to Millar, he doesn't shy away from admitting that this is a tribute to one of the greatest spies in literature.
And, true to form, the story moves at the same breakneck pace as some of the best Bond movies. There is plenty of continent hopping, plenty of gadgets, proper spy training involved, and a very conflicted villain. And plenty of cliches.
James Arnold comes across as a well-meaning guy who considers himself a good guy who is only doing whatever is necessary for humanity's - and his own - survival; a cliche what seems to work most of the times. Another cliche is one of the protagonists, secret agent Jack London recruiting his nephew Gary to the secret service - despite having no relevant experience - just because Gary reminds Jack of himself before he became an agent. This one is a bit hard to swallow. Then there's the usual infiltration by bad guys forcing the good guy to depend on his fellow rookie agents who haven't yet been recruited. There are a few more minor cliches, but those can be overlooked.
Overall, this isn't one of Millar's best attempts. But it is still worth a read. And yes, having seen the trailer for the movie, I must say that it might be worth a watch. Of course, the presence of Colin Firth, Michael Caine, and Samuel L Jackson in the same movie should be enough to convince anyone to watch it.
While the pacing was a bit hit or miss, the visuals by Dave Gibbons were fantastic. There are parts of the movie version I’ll always enjoy more (Mark Strong and Michael Caine’s parts being two distinct characters instead of one in the comic, more time spent in training, and with *gasp* girls also in the training), but all in all a good read.
https://faintingviolet.wordpress.com/2016/11/21/kingsman-the-secret-service-cbr8-75/
https://faintingviolet.wordpress.com/2016/11/21/kingsman-the-secret-service-cbr8-75/
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Was That Really Necessary? -- Reading the Oldest Books on My TBR
I think I added this around the time of the second movie. To put in perspective, I LOVE the movies, I’ve rewatched them many times and I was really excited to read the basis, especially since it’s written by Mark Millar. However, this is one of the scenarios where the movie is better.
I think I added this around the time of the second movie. To put in perspective, I LOVE the movies, I’ve rewatched them many times and I was really excited to read the basis, especially since it’s written by Mark Millar. However, this is one of the scenarios where the movie is better.
Don’t get me wrong, I can see the connection, I can see the underlying My Fair Lady treatment to a wannabe gangster punk, but this felt rough and rushed. The characters were 2-D and mostly interchangeable, in terms of design, the villain was far less interesting or charismatic (plus mocked the disabled vets around him), and any reference to sex felt shoehorned in and unnecessary. The ending was so rushed and didn’t really feel satisfying when the villain had been defeated. This also just lacked the comedy that makes the movies so great.
This doesn’t shy away from the violence, which makes sense for Mark Millar, and does fit well with the storyline, and I liked how Eggsy’s mom played into the story more. The fact that the villain is kidnapping actors from his favorite sci-fi shows and movies was hilarious and makes the fact that Mark Hamill plays Dr. Arnold in the movie all the better.
I’m glad this comic exists because it was a starting off point for a very fun universe for the movies, but it’s not particularly special.
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
While I know that certain changes have to be made when adapting things for the screen, I was very surprised to find that the graphic novel of the Secret Service was so wildly different from the Kingsman movie. While some dialogue was the same, and certain plot points stayed, almost everything else to do with the film adaptation was invented or changed - I would say for the better. While I can see where the movie got some of its lines and charisma, I think I prefer the movie to the graphic novel.
Seriously fun stuff. Now I can't wait to see if the movie matches. (the previews make it look like a middle school joke of a movie, the comic is not that)
adventurous
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
The comic predecessor to the movie Kingsman, it's actually a much better-plotted story with a less cinematic (and less stupid) conclusion. I was pleasantly surprised by the lack of violence from a Millar book. While I'm going to be wary of any movie sequels, this is a story I'd like to see more of.
This was really dumb. Essentially, it's a nerds fantasy. Poor street kid has a uncle who is a secret agent, the uncle gets him into British MI6, kid is a natural, blah blah blah. Other plot points were laughable. Very misogynistic, the only solace is that I borrowed this and didn't spend money on it.