Hey fellow comic readers!

This is a monthly reading club for comics and graphic novels. All are welcome, from total newcomers who are interested in delving into the world of comics, to seasoned veterans who know their Secret Wars from their Civil War. This is a safe place where you can share your opinions and partake in discussions, all in a respectful and mature environment.

Each month, there will be two books assigned for us to read before the meeting. However, don't worry if you don't get the chance to finish reading them! You can come in and give us your thoughts based on however far you got! Just be aware that everyone is free to talk about spoilers for the particular volume we read.

We place emphasis on books that are accessible, and will typically assign either graphic novels or collected volumes that contain around six issues (although this is not a hard and fast rule). If there is demand for it, we may explore other formats, such as web comics, etc.

You'll also get the chance to suggest and vote for next month's books! We have a 'pass the torch' system in place. More details will be given during the meeting.

A lot of our books will be available digitally, as well as from libraries. We aim to accommodate you in whatever way you prefer to read your comics.

The books for this meeting are:

East of West (Volume 1: The Promise)

Written by Jonathan Hickman, illustrated by Nick Dragotta

2013, 141 pages, rated 15+

This is the world. It is not the one we wanted, but it is the one we deserved. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse roam the Earth, signaling the End Times for humanity, and our best hope for life, lies in DEATH.

Comixology Link: https://www.comixology.com/East-of-West-Vol-1-The-Promise/digital-comic/47073?ref=c2VhcmNoL2luZGV4L2Rlc2t0b3Avc2xpZGVyTGlzdC90b3BSZXN1bHRzU2xpZGVy

Hoopla Link: https://www.hoopladigital.com/title/11903865

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.ca/East-West-Promise-Jonathan-Hickman/dp/1607067706/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=east+of+west&qid=1616050988&sr=8-2

VPL: https://vpl.bibliocommons.com/item/show/3788811038

Dark Avengers: Ares

Written by Kieron Gillen & Michael Avon Oeming, illustrated by Travel Foreman & Manuel Garcia

2009, 174 pages, rated 12+

Ares - the God of War! His relentless brutality and his bloodthirsty drive to attain victory at any cost earned him only scorn from his fellow gods in the Greek pantheon, and exile from Olympus. After thousands of years living as a man and fighting in man's bloody, petty conflicts, Ares joined the ranks of Earth's mightiest heroes - the Avengers. Now Norman Osborn - the new head of the corrupted Dark Avengers and director of the paramilitary intelligence agency H.A.M.M.E.R. - wants the finest fighting force the God of War can provide. He charges Ares with hand-picking an elite squad of soldiers and beating them into the hardest, sharpest warriors ever to wield an M-60 in each hand. And that's exactly what Ares will need, when the goddess Hera provides him with a fighting chance to regain his standing in the pantheon's eyes. And Ares is taking his men with him into the battle of their lives.

Comixology Link: https://www.comixology.com/Dark-Avengers-Ares/digital-comic/730539?ref=c2VyaWVzL3ZpZXcvZGVza3RvcC9ncmlkTGlzdC9Db2xsZWN0ZWRFZGl0aW9ucw

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Dark-Avengers-Ares-Kieron-Gillen/dp/0785144064