The Couch

We all hear about how great some books are, but for some reason — perhaps it’s time and money — we don’t get out to read them.  Then when you finally do, you feel like we’ve waited way too long.  Here are 5 books that I heard about and put on my “To Read” list for years before finally grabbing them and then kicking myself for waiting too long.

5.  Usagi Yojimbo

Usagi Yojimbo is a ronin who also happens to be a talking rabbit in a land where animals are people.  In his stories he wonders the countryside similar to Caine from the TV show Kung Fu.  Usagi Yojimbo has over 20 years of backlog involving classic stories and lore from Feudal Japan.  This is really a fun book to read.  Stan Sakai does a great job switching back and forth between serious moments and humorous ones, something not all writers can do with as much ease.  He also does a great job of making each volume accessible without having to read others, meaning you can really hop in at any moment for this book.

4.  Nexus

Nexus is not a superhero, although he’s advertised as one and dresses like one.  Horatio Hellpop has many different cosmic powers as Nexus.  In the beginning you know only a couple things; Nexus has dreams of people doing bad things, and then when he wakes up he gets migraines until he disposes of the evil-doers.  The part that makes it unique is that Nexus never asked for the power or task he’s been given.  Why should you read Nexus?  Steve Rude’s art is gorgeous for one thing and the story by Mike Baron in this book is one of the best Space Operas out there.  Not too mention for a short time it involves a character who is mentally ill named The Badger, oh and he’s a superhero from Wisconsin.

3.  Starman

Jack Knight is really a man out of time.  It’s interesting to see someone who is both a “modern” take on a hero while still somehow being a throwback to the Golden Age.  In the beginning he wants nothing to do with being Starman, of course events unfold that force Jack’s hand and he has to take up his father’s mantle.  This book actually had to grow on me and once I got past the beginning, I was hooked.  James Robinson does a great job of making you care about Opal City, something that doesn’t seem to happen in other books.  Most other books tend not to focus so much on creating a unique place.  Starman will also make you fall in love with The Shade, who is not really a bad guy after all.  

2.  The Losers

Is about a special forces group that gets screwed by the CIA and thrown on a secret Death List.  From there on out it’s a cat and mouse game of The Losers versus the mysterious Max.  It’s funny that so many comparisons are made between this and The A-Team because of the movies coming out.  For me, the reason I liked this book so much is that I felt like it was a combination of The A-Team and Ocean’s 11.  Andy Diggle and Jock make The Losers feel like a big budget action movie vibe.  Why should you stop waiting to read The Losers?  There’s a movie coming out soon, as in next month!

1.  Scott Pilgrim

A Romantic Comedy infused with video games and music.  Once you pick up Scott Pilgrim you can’t put it down, because it’s funny, witty, and unique.  A book that I held off on till volume 5 was out, which I’m glad I did with how long it takes for a volume to come out.  I feel bad for people who were reading this from the beginning as the wait has been excruciating for the last one.  Until you read Scott Pilgrim, you won’t understand how magical this book really is.  It’s always impressive to see a creator do an entire book by himself like Bryan Lee O’Malley does.  Not too mention with a movie and Book 6 being announced you might want to catch up!

What are 5 titles that you feel you waited too long to read?  Feel free to share, by adding them in the comments or by submitting yours to The Couch! - Jon