Hello All,
It's been a crazy week for me. Myself and two other fine gentlemen did a presentation about Graphic Novels and it went smashingly. Of course me being me, I had to put a massive amount of work into it. Sometimes I really wish I was one of those people who settle for the mediocre at work. Put no, I have to be the best. So I didn't really get any reading done this week. However I do have something to rant about so feel free to sit back and enjoy.
Anyone who follows the book blogs knows that it's Banned Books Week. As a public librarian I know that this is a big deal. Year after year it becomes one of those things that folks shake their fists at and shout "How dare you?" whenever the idea of banned literature is mentioned. Librarians, booksellers, and readers in general pat themselves on the back. Displays are set up so readers can shake their heads and say "I didn't think this was still done."
Here's where I'm going to say something that may stir the small readership of this blog. For all the individuals who I hear all the time who rail against the idea of banned books, I think that are an equal amount of folks who are perfectly fine with the idea. This must be true because the ALA faces book challenges all the time. Of course these challenges are always made in order to either 1) protect the children, or 2) protect the morals of the community. Now public libraries are run by government funding, hence citizens feel that they have a free say in what a library carries. This is worthy of debate. How much obligation does the common citizen have on the morality of it's community? I say none. The only obligation that I have is to my own moral code. It's the actions that I decide to take, not what I think in my mind.
Then there's the Law. Here in the U.S. we as a citizenry have decided that there are certain actions that an individual cannot do in order for us all to live together. I'm down with that, as long as none of that involves telling me how to think. I'm okay with crossing the street when the light is green, as long as a world of extreme anarchy can exist in my head.
Now I can tell you from experience that librarians take their jobs seriously. Collection development is not a joke. If a book contains material that is illegal ie. child pornography then it doesn't make it to the shelf. Why? Because as a society we have decided that child pornography is illegal. You also won't find pornographic magazines in the library I work for because they just end up getting stolen. And because in my state it is the law that pornography has to be kept out of view of kids. Again it's the law. At my library we take this very seriously.
I still cannot figure out why there are groups of people who believe they have a greater right to decide what I can read. Have they forgotten that the word "public" involves all of us? I may think that Twilight is tripe, however I would not tell someone that they have no right to read it. The great thing about a public library is that it is open to everyone. Yep that means "everyone." Until we as a community decide differently then every book has value. From Mein Kampf to the Bible to Huckleberry Finn. I would never tell anyone that they have no right to read a certain book. Why do others feel they have the right to tell me? Because in the end they feel they are morally superior. I wish they would stop. And then there would be no Banned Books Week and we'd all be better off.
Reading List
Books
Preacher
Arkham Asylum
Magazines
Newsweek
Comics
Gotham Sirens #4
Check Out Count: Lower than it's been in forever.
Comic Pull List:Amazing Spider-Man #607, Gotham City Sirens #4, Green Lantern #46, Runaways 3 #14, Superman #692, Wonder Woman #36
Have a great week! Book Slave.
2009-09-30
2009-09-24
Trials and Tribulations of Being Me
Hello All,
It's going to be a very busy week for this girl. Why do I do this to myself? Oh yeah I like to work, impress, and do the best job I can. Sometimes I just wish I could be one those people who don't care or can get by on their looks. No such luck.
Any of you guys watch the Emmy's last weekend? I was very happy to see Little Dorrit get all the love it deserved. I don't know if you recall but I loved the mini-series when it aired last spring. Here's my wrap up review. It's unfortunate that it seems that the mini-series is a dying story form, however I will say that I believe that the cream does rise to the top. PBS & HBO put out very solid product when it comes to long form storytelling. I'd rather have that then nothing at all. Either way there are certain stories that cannot be told effectively in a 2 hour feature film. Little Dorrit definitely fits into that category. In fact I think the same goes for the majority of Dickens work, as well as Dostoyevsky, Tolstoy, and McMurtry. So I hope PBS/BBC/HBO continue doing long form work. Little Dorrit deserved every award it received.
Anyway onward!
Reviews
Y the Last Man Vol. 3
I've been slowly rereading this series. I know that I can take my time because there's an end to it. No need to rush. With Vol. 3 the series starts to develop sub plots that go beyond the usual "keep Yorick safe" paradigm. Here Team Yorick collides with the Israelis when a Russian space ship is due to land with 2 male cosmonauts inside. Everyone wants to ensure that these men make it out alive, especially Yorick. His characterization is the key to this series. Clearly Yorick is still maturing as a man, however little-by-little Vaughn creates chances for him to man-up. In this chapter there is a small moment when he meets a woman dressed as a man while on the road. She assumes that he is doing the same. The implication is that she works as a prostitute, which shows how gender issues continue to flip. Anyway Yorick doesn't freak out, he's actually full of acceptance. Yorick may not be a hero like a cosmonaut but he is a good person at his core. It is his humanity in a messed up world that makes him interesting. Well and 355 is pretty kick ass. Good story arc.
The Reading List
Books
How to Read Comic Books
Batman: Arkham Asylum
Mags
Four Four Two
Comics
Spider Woman #1
Check Out Count: Fluctuating
Comic Pull List: Amazing Spider-Man #606, Blackest Night Superman #2, Detective Comics #857, Fantastic Four #571, New Avengers #57, Spider-Woman #1, Superman Secret Origin #1, Terry Moores Echo #15, Wednesday Comics #12, Wolverine Giant-Size Old Man Logan #1
Have a great week! Book Slave.
It's going to be a very busy week for this girl. Why do I do this to myself? Oh yeah I like to work, impress, and do the best job I can. Sometimes I just wish I could be one those people who don't care or can get by on their looks. No such luck.
Any of you guys watch the Emmy's last weekend? I was very happy to see Little Dorrit get all the love it deserved. I don't know if you recall but I loved the mini-series when it aired last spring. Here's my wrap up review. It's unfortunate that it seems that the mini-series is a dying story form, however I will say that I believe that the cream does rise to the top. PBS & HBO put out very solid product when it comes to long form storytelling. I'd rather have that then nothing at all. Either way there are certain stories that cannot be told effectively in a 2 hour feature film. Little Dorrit definitely fits into that category. In fact I think the same goes for the majority of Dickens work, as well as Dostoyevsky, Tolstoy, and McMurtry. So I hope PBS/BBC/HBO continue doing long form work. Little Dorrit deserved every award it received.
Anyway onward!
Reviews
Y the Last Man Vol. 3
I've been slowly rereading this series. I know that I can take my time because there's an end to it. No need to rush. With Vol. 3 the series starts to develop sub plots that go beyond the usual "keep Yorick safe" paradigm. Here Team Yorick collides with the Israelis when a Russian space ship is due to land with 2 male cosmonauts inside. Everyone wants to ensure that these men make it out alive, especially Yorick. His characterization is the key to this series. Clearly Yorick is still maturing as a man, however little-by-little Vaughn creates chances for him to man-up. In this chapter there is a small moment when he meets a woman dressed as a man while on the road. She assumes that he is doing the same. The implication is that she works as a prostitute, which shows how gender issues continue to flip. Anyway Yorick doesn't freak out, he's actually full of acceptance. Yorick may not be a hero like a cosmonaut but he is a good person at his core. It is his humanity in a messed up world that makes him interesting. Well and 355 is pretty kick ass. Good story arc.
The Reading List
Books
How to Read Comic Books
Batman: Arkham Asylum
Mags
Four Four Two
Comics
Spider Woman #1
Check Out Count: Fluctuating
Comic Pull List: Amazing Spider-Man #606, Blackest Night Superman #2, Detective Comics #857, Fantastic Four #571, New Avengers #57, Spider-Woman #1, Superman Secret Origin #1, Terry Moores Echo #15, Wednesday Comics #12, Wolverine Giant-Size Old Man Logan #1
Have a great week! Book Slave.
2009-09-16
Back on a Familiar Path
Hello All,
It's been a busy week folks. We also took a detour so after some winding roads, and short cuts through lawns, we're headed back down Review Lane. I got a lot to cover so this week we're bringing back an oldie but goodie...Reviews in 10 Words or Less!
Reviews
Superman For Tomorrow Vol. 1 & 2
Read for Book Club. Weird series. Gets lost. Great Art.
Mouseguard Vol. 2: Winter 1152
Still Great. Amazing Art. Jackrabbits, Owls, Bats, Soldier Mice. Don't Miss.
Dark Entries
Dry Wit. Constantine. Rankin. Obvious Satire becomes smart supernatural thriller.
Astro City Vol. 2: Confession
Loved it. Better than the first. Familiar archetypes made fresh.
Other Volumes: Astro City Vol. 1
Video Podcast Overview: Ifanboy
Queen & Country Vol. 1 Definitive Edition
Rucka is God. Great espionage bureacratic Drama. Clancy-like. Read Now.
The Reading List
Books
Filthy Rich
Y the Last Man vol. 4
Magazine
Four Four Two
Comic
Amazing Spider-Man #605
Check Out Count: Stabilizing
Comic Pull List: Action Comics #881, Amazing Spider-Man #605, Batgirl #2, Batman And Robin #4, Batman Streets Of Gotham #4, Blackest Night #3, Dark Wolverine #78, Fables #88, Green Arrow Black Canary #24, Outsiders #22, Wednesday Comics #11
Have a great week! Book Slave.
It's been a busy week folks. We also took a detour so after some winding roads, and short cuts through lawns, we're headed back down Review Lane. I got a lot to cover so this week we're bringing back an oldie but goodie...Reviews in 10 Words or Less!
Reviews
Superman For Tomorrow Vol. 1 & 2
Read for Book Club. Weird series. Gets lost. Great Art.
Mouseguard Vol. 2: Winter 1152
Still Great. Amazing Art. Jackrabbits, Owls, Bats, Soldier Mice. Don't Miss.
Dark Entries
Dry Wit. Constantine. Rankin. Obvious Satire becomes smart supernatural thriller.
Astro City Vol. 2: Confession
Loved it. Better than the first. Familiar archetypes made fresh.
Other Volumes: Astro City Vol. 1
Video Podcast Overview: Ifanboy
Queen & Country Vol. 1 Definitive Edition
Rucka is God. Great espionage bureacratic Drama. Clancy-like. Read Now.
The Reading List
Books
Filthy Rich
Y the Last Man vol. 4
Magazine
Four Four Two
Comic
Amazing Spider-Man #605
Check Out Count: Stabilizing
Comic Pull List: Action Comics #881, Amazing Spider-Man #605, Batgirl #2, Batman And Robin #4, Batman Streets Of Gotham #4, Blackest Night #3, Dark Wolverine #78, Fables #88, Green Arrow Black Canary #24, Outsiders #22, Wednesday Comics #11
Have a great week! Book Slave.
2009-09-08
It's Elizabeth Bennett's world, we just live here.
Hello All,
Yes I am back! I took a week off, blame it on the fall weather. Either way the fates have brought us here tonight. I think we're going to turn to the left. (Don't worry we'll return to Review Lane soon.) Let's see where it takes us eh?
One place to consider: 19th century Austen England. I finally caught the BBC series Lost in Austen where a modern day woman switches places with Elizabeth Bennett. Lately I've been drawn to the heavily metatextual. (Loved Inglourious Basterds for the same reason.) And Lost in Austen draws upon it's fair share of the post-modern. Lead character Amanda Price finds herself stuck between maintaining the story she loves, Pride & Prejudice, and facing the fact that her very presence creates an alternate reality. In this alternate reality the fictional characters are able to realize their own strengths.
Here's some examples:
-Mr. Bennett leaves the library!
-Bingley finds an individual strength & really fights for Jane.
-Jane stands up for herself & tells the truth to Mr. Collins. And it's not nice.
-Mrs. Bennett shows that she can be a ball buster!
I could go on but I think you see the point. I think that there is definitely some Lacan at work here. How much of Pride & Prejudice, or any other work, is a representation of what the reader brings to it? I subscribe to the idea that once an author sends there writings out into the world then their interpretation becomes moot. It's up to the reader to interpret what's on the page in their own way. So if Amanda Price knows this fictional world as one way, Elizabeth Bennett-centric, then of course it's going to be different if you remove Elizabeth Bennett! Price finds herself trying desperately to maintain the storyline of P&P, but she can't. Maintaining her own expectations of the fictional world she now inhabits only causes frustration. Price has to let those expectations go & accept the new world being created in front of her.
To me the most interesting idea presented by Lost in Austen is that all the characters are better off without Elizabeth Bennett. However the trade off is that they gain Amanda Price. It could be argued that Amanda Price derives her strength from the fictional Elizabeth Bennett. Does your head hurt yet? My apologies. Apparently Elizabeth Bennett, whether fictional or actual, as presented here is the representation of feminine potential. Elizabeth Bennett influences those around her to look for their own personal happiness. While Elizabeth finds it in the modern world, Amanda Price finds it in Austen's fictional world.
So in the end do I recommend Lost in Austen? Yeah. Anything that can lead me to vomit up this much thought can't be too bad. If you're an Austenite, well I'm surprised you haven't see it already.
The Reading List
Books
25 Scripts
Astro City Vol. 2
Mags
Four Four Two
Comics
Flash Rebirth #4
Check Out Count: Shockingly Getting Lower.
Comic Pull List: Adventure Comics #2, Amazing Spider-Man #604, Blackest Night Batman #2, Bprd 1947 #3, Red Robin #4, Secret Six #13, Superman World Of New Krypton #7, Wednesday Comics #10
Have a great week! Book Slave.
Yes I am back! I took a week off, blame it on the fall weather. Either way the fates have brought us here tonight. I think we're going to turn to the left. (Don't worry we'll return to Review Lane soon.) Let's see where it takes us eh?
One place to consider: 19th century Austen England. I finally caught the BBC series Lost in Austen where a modern day woman switches places with Elizabeth Bennett. Lately I've been drawn to the heavily metatextual. (Loved Inglourious Basterds for the same reason.) And Lost in Austen draws upon it's fair share of the post-modern. Lead character Amanda Price finds herself stuck between maintaining the story she loves, Pride & Prejudice, and facing the fact that her very presence creates an alternate reality. In this alternate reality the fictional characters are able to realize their own strengths.
Here's some examples:
-Mr. Bennett leaves the library!
-Bingley finds an individual strength & really fights for Jane.
-Jane stands up for herself & tells the truth to Mr. Collins. And it's not nice.
-Mrs. Bennett shows that she can be a ball buster!
I could go on but I think you see the point. I think that there is definitely some Lacan at work here. How much of Pride & Prejudice, or any other work, is a representation of what the reader brings to it? I subscribe to the idea that once an author sends there writings out into the world then their interpretation becomes moot. It's up to the reader to interpret what's on the page in their own way. So if Amanda Price knows this fictional world as one way, Elizabeth Bennett-centric, then of course it's going to be different if you remove Elizabeth Bennett! Price finds herself trying desperately to maintain the storyline of P&P, but she can't. Maintaining her own expectations of the fictional world she now inhabits only causes frustration. Price has to let those expectations go & accept the new world being created in front of her.
To me the most interesting idea presented by Lost in Austen is that all the characters are better off without Elizabeth Bennett. However the trade off is that they gain Amanda Price. It could be argued that Amanda Price derives her strength from the fictional Elizabeth Bennett. Does your head hurt yet? My apologies. Apparently Elizabeth Bennett, whether fictional or actual, as presented here is the representation of feminine potential. Elizabeth Bennett influences those around her to look for their own personal happiness. While Elizabeth finds it in the modern world, Amanda Price finds it in Austen's fictional world.
So in the end do I recommend Lost in Austen? Yeah. Anything that can lead me to vomit up this much thought can't be too bad. If you're an Austenite, well I'm surprised you haven't see it already.
The Reading List
Books
25 Scripts
Astro City Vol. 2
Mags
Four Four Two
Comics
Flash Rebirth #4
Check Out Count: Shockingly Getting Lower.
Comic Pull List: Adventure Comics #2, Amazing Spider-Man #604, Blackest Night Batman #2, Bprd 1947 #3, Red Robin #4, Secret Six #13, Superman World Of New Krypton #7, Wednesday Comics #10
Have a great week! Book Slave.
2009-08-27
Ranting and Raving
Hey,
Get ready for a rant folks. What has brought on this rant you ask? Well last week at her blog writer Shannon Hale posted a commentary on How to be a reader: book evaluation vs. self-evaluation. Some background: Shannon Hale is well known writer of books for YA and adults. She resides in the area that I live in, and I have seen her speak. Hale is a wonderful person; she's very funny and insightful. Her presentation about the lack of respect in the YA/Fantasy genre among other writer's struck a chord that I still remember to this day.
In her posts she asks book reviewers to ask themselves the following questions. I'll provide my own answer under each question.
1. Do you find that the anticipation of reviewing the book has changed your reading experience?
It certainly makes me think about a book more analytically. I make notes in my head as I read along the lines of "Oh that's cool" or "Nice parallel." Sometimes I do worry about what the hell am I going to write.
2. Are you rating the book even as you read? Or do you wait until the end to sum it all up?
Every book I read starts at a 10 (figuratively) & it's up to the book to maintain that.
3. Does knowing you'll be reviewing it (or rating it) publicly affect which books you pick up in the first place?
No, I'll read all kinds of books. C'mon I read comic books for god's sake.
4. Does the process of writing the review itself change how you felt about the book?
Not really.
5. What is your motivation to assign a rating to a book and declare it to the world?
Read below after the questions.
6. If you review a book but don't rate, why not? What do you feel is your role as reviewer?
While I understand that some people need some quantifiable rating I don't. Ratings like stars are an easy way for a reviewer to sum up their review for their readers. For me personally the only real judgement for a book is: Would I reccommend it to someone else? or Would I read another book by that author?
I have been a happy book blogger for about 1 year and 8 months now. In that time I have had the opportunity to look at myself as a reader/reviewer. Now I pride myself on being able to filter out books I know I won't like and don't want to waste my time with. If a book isn't interesting around the 100 page mark then I move on, because life is short. I started this blog because I wanted a place where I could keep track of what I've read, what I thought, and how many books I've read. It's a self-motivating force for me to get rid of the mountain of a TBR pile that somehow fits into my apartment. I don't really see myself as an authority by any means. Anyone who may stumble upon this blog can evaluate me as a reviewer by whatever criteria they want. Don't get me wrong I love it when any reader drops by (and wave an internet-size hello) but to be honest I write this blog mainly for Me, Myself and I.
So there's some self-evaluation for you all. Have a great day! Book Slave.
Get ready for a rant folks. What has brought on this rant you ask? Well last week at her blog writer Shannon Hale posted a commentary on How to be a reader: book evaluation vs. self-evaluation. Some background: Shannon Hale is well known writer of books for YA and adults. She resides in the area that I live in, and I have seen her speak. Hale is a wonderful person; she's very funny and insightful. Her presentation about the lack of respect in the YA/Fantasy genre among other writer's struck a chord that I still remember to this day.
In her posts she asks book reviewers to ask themselves the following questions. I'll provide my own answer under each question.
1. Do you find that the anticipation of reviewing the book has changed your reading experience?
It certainly makes me think about a book more analytically. I make notes in my head as I read along the lines of "Oh that's cool" or "Nice parallel." Sometimes I do worry about what the hell am I going to write.
2. Are you rating the book even as you read? Or do you wait until the end to sum it all up?
Every book I read starts at a 10 (figuratively) & it's up to the book to maintain that.
3. Does knowing you'll be reviewing it (or rating it) publicly affect which books you pick up in the first place?
No, I'll read all kinds of books. C'mon I read comic books for god's sake.
4. Does the process of writing the review itself change how you felt about the book?
Not really.
5. What is your motivation to assign a rating to a book and declare it to the world?
Read below after the questions.
6. If you review a book but don't rate, why not? What do you feel is your role as reviewer?
While I understand that some people need some quantifiable rating I don't. Ratings like stars are an easy way for a reviewer to sum up their review for their readers. For me personally the only real judgement for a book is: Would I reccommend it to someone else? or Would I read another book by that author?
I have been a happy book blogger for about 1 year and 8 months now. In that time I have had the opportunity to look at myself as a reader/reviewer. Now I pride myself on being able to filter out books I know I won't like and don't want to waste my time with. If a book isn't interesting around the 100 page mark then I move on, because life is short. I started this blog because I wanted a place where I could keep track of what I've read, what I thought, and how many books I've read. It's a self-motivating force for me to get rid of the mountain of a TBR pile that somehow fits into my apartment. I don't really see myself as an authority by any means. Anyone who may stumble upon this blog can evaluate me as a reviewer by whatever criteria they want. Don't get me wrong I love it when any reader drops by (and wave an internet-size hello) but to be honest I write this blog mainly for Me, Myself and I.
So there's some self-evaluation for you all. Have a great day! Book Slave.
2009-08-25
Just waiting for the Fall
Hello to you all,
I sit this week looking at the end of summer a bit stunned. Where did the summer go? Time is such a fluid thing. And now we are staring right into my favorite season the fall. Where I reside we have a very pretty fall season, which is damn surprising since it's a desert. But I ramble on. Just can't wait for the fall leaves. Sigh.
This was a book club Tuesday. Although I enjoyed the book gun with occasional music (review below) immensely and it's quite provocative, as a subject the book proved dissapointing. The discussion was either scattered or devolved into "this book is really good" platitudes. It's too bad because I think this book is very interesting and thought provoking. Oh well. Moderator/Head of Club/Secret superhero Zach Sampinos let me know that The Sun Also Rises will be next months book. This filled me with joy, I enjoy Hemingway. And hopefully it will draw some more people. That would be cool.
Well Onward!
Reviews
Hellboy Library Edition Vol. 1
I finally picked this up and enjoyed it a lot. Hellboy, like BPRD, is a unique mix of horror, mythology, and humor. It hits the sweet spot in combining these different aspects. But really the book is powered by the amazing art from Mignola. This library edition is a great showcase for Mignola's universe. In this world the colors are dark and moody, the only vibrant color being red. The demons are scary and formidable, and Mignola makes the action scenes crazy. I am often surprised by how epic Mignola's art is on the page. Also Byrne & Mignola never talk down to their audience. There is a fair amount of history, written text, and occult talk. The characters are very smart and engaging as well. Hellboy, as a character, is written here much more intelligent than his portrayal in the films. While he is a demon, Mignola allows for his humanity to come through. He's a unique fun character. I can't wait to read more.
Bio Info: Hellboy
BPRD vol. 7
More BPRD goodness: This time we learn more about Abe Sapien and his crazy past. I would have liked some more with the rest of the BPRD gang, but this was Abe's showcase. Some very creepy stuff.
Past Reviews: Homing Instinct of Books, City on Fire, A Serious Obsession
gun, with occasional music
I enjoyed this crazy mix of Chandler and Phillip K. Dick, as seen through the eyes of Jonathan Lethem. In this detective yarn we are dropped into an Orwellian future where everyone is controlled by either individualized drugs or The Office. Private Inquisitior Conrad Metcalf finds himself stuck in the middle of a murder when one of his former employers ends up dead. Lethem blends a good brew of noir and futurist prose like right out of Spillane. I found myself enveloped in the hard language Lethem employs. This book is also ripe with social commentary that is becoming more and more a reality. The world imagined in gun is one where existence is made trivial and superficial. Metcalf's tragedy is not unlike Orwell's Winston Smith; he can't stop asking questions. Very interesting stuff.
Other Reviews
sff | 12frogs | The Guardian
The Reading List
Books
Queen and Country Vol. 1
Superman For Tomorrow Vol. 1
Mags
Four Four Two
Comics
Green Arrow & Black Canary
Comics Pull List: Batman And Robin #3, Dark Wolverine #77, Deadpool #14, Detective Comics #856, Flash Rebirth #4, Gotham City Sirens #3, Green Lantern #45, New Avengers #56, Runaways 3 #13, Superman #691, Wednesday Comics #8, Wonder Woman #35
Check Out Count: Musical.
Have a great week!
I sit this week looking at the end of summer a bit stunned. Where did the summer go? Time is such a fluid thing. And now we are staring right into my favorite season the fall. Where I reside we have a very pretty fall season, which is damn surprising since it's a desert. But I ramble on. Just can't wait for the fall leaves. Sigh.
This was a book club Tuesday. Although I enjoyed the book gun with occasional music (review below) immensely and it's quite provocative, as a subject the book proved dissapointing. The discussion was either scattered or devolved into "this book is really good" platitudes. It's too bad because I think this book is very interesting and thought provoking. Oh well. Moderator/Head of Club/Secret superhero Zach Sampinos let me know that The Sun Also Rises will be next months book. This filled me with joy, I enjoy Hemingway. And hopefully it will draw some more people. That would be cool.
Well Onward!
Reviews
Hellboy Library Edition Vol. 1
I finally picked this up and enjoyed it a lot. Hellboy, like BPRD, is a unique mix of horror, mythology, and humor. It hits the sweet spot in combining these different aspects. But really the book is powered by the amazing art from Mignola. This library edition is a great showcase for Mignola's universe. In this world the colors are dark and moody, the only vibrant color being red. The demons are scary and formidable, and Mignola makes the action scenes crazy. I am often surprised by how epic Mignola's art is on the page. Also Byrne & Mignola never talk down to their audience. There is a fair amount of history, written text, and occult talk. The characters are very smart and engaging as well. Hellboy, as a character, is written here much more intelligent than his portrayal in the films. While he is a demon, Mignola allows for his humanity to come through. He's a unique fun character. I can't wait to read more.
Bio Info: Hellboy
BPRD vol. 7
More BPRD goodness: This time we learn more about Abe Sapien and his crazy past. I would have liked some more with the rest of the BPRD gang, but this was Abe's showcase. Some very creepy stuff.
Past Reviews: Homing Instinct of Books, City on Fire, A Serious Obsession
gun, with occasional music
I enjoyed this crazy mix of Chandler and Phillip K. Dick, as seen through the eyes of Jonathan Lethem. In this detective yarn we are dropped into an Orwellian future where everyone is controlled by either individualized drugs or The Office. Private Inquisitior Conrad Metcalf finds himself stuck in the middle of a murder when one of his former employers ends up dead. Lethem blends a good brew of noir and futurist prose like right out of Spillane. I found myself enveloped in the hard language Lethem employs. This book is also ripe with social commentary that is becoming more and more a reality. The world imagined in gun is one where existence is made trivial and superficial. Metcalf's tragedy is not unlike Orwell's Winston Smith; he can't stop asking questions. Very interesting stuff.
Other Reviews
sff | 12frogs | The Guardian
The Reading List
Books
Queen and Country Vol. 1
Superman For Tomorrow Vol. 1
Mags
Four Four Two
Comics
Green Arrow & Black Canary
Comics Pull List: Batman And Robin #3, Dark Wolverine #77, Deadpool #14, Detective Comics #856, Flash Rebirth #4, Gotham City Sirens #3, Green Lantern #45, New Avengers #56, Runaways 3 #13, Superman #691, Wednesday Comics #8, Wonder Woman #35
Check Out Count: Musical.
Have a great week!
2009-08-18
Defying Expectations
Hello happy few,
How are you all? Good I hope. I've had a great week with summer winding down. Can you believe it? Time flies man. Last week I met a legend. Comics writer Chris Claremont came & did a presentation in my library. For those who don't know, Claremont was the writer on X-Men for 20 years. He wrote the famous Japan run with Frank Miller, Days of Future Past, etc. etc. He's a pioneer of comics. Now I'm usually one of those people who are nervous about meeting people I admire. What if they are jerks? What if I say something stupid? Who am I to them? But lately I've been trying to get over these neurosies and just go for it. So I went to talk to Mr. Claremont & he turned out to be a nice guy. We talked for about 10-15 minutes. He went on a rant about Marvel editorial. It was great. So the takeaway lesson kids: Don't be afraid to talk to people you admire. They might actually be cool.
Anyway Onward we go!
Reviews
Back to Brooklyn
From the team of Ennis & Palmiotti, Back to Brooklyn is a violent crazy crime story. It starts off with gangster Bob willing to rat out his brother, and the entire Saetta crime family, in exchange for getting his family out of Brooklyn. The feds let him go for 3 days allowing Bob to kill his way to safety. This is not for the weak as their is no holding back. It's grandiose violence reminds me of a Scorsese movie. These writers & artist Mihailo Vukelic take us on a roller coaster ride. Some of the twists and turns are a bit contrived but I was so pulled in that I didn't care. Vukelic's art is a mix of graphic and drawn art that I thought was great. Highly enjoyable.
Other Reviews
fictions | ifanboy
Weapon X (Wolverine)
This is the original series where Wolverine's experience with the shady government Weapon X experiment is explored. As I read this I was shocked to discover that the story is more about the scientists than Wolverine! Wolverine is basically a background character until the final chapter. I actually liked that aspect. The art is amazing especially for 90s comics. The panels are arranged with amazing puzzle visual style. The mini-series is really a metaphysical exploration of who/what Wolverine is as a mutant and a human being. Each scientist has their own reservations about the dehumanization of Wolverine, however it doesn't stop them. I wasn't expecting that at all. I ended up really enjoying it.
(BTW if they had used this book for the movie Wolverine this summer, it would have been great. I still don't understand why when they are writing these comic book movies they just don't use the original stories. There's only 30 years of comics to pull from.)
Bio Info: Weapon X
The Reading List
Books
Hellboy Vol. 1
Gun, With Occasional Music
Comics
Green Arrow & Black Canary
Magazines
Four Four Two
Check Out Count: Somewhat Coveted
Comics Pull List: Amazing Spider-Man #603, Batgirl #1, Batman Streets Of Gotham #3, Daredevil #500, Outsiders #21, Stand American Nightmares #5, Wednesday Comics #7
Have a great week! Book Slave.
How are you all? Good I hope. I've had a great week with summer winding down. Can you believe it? Time flies man. Last week I met a legend. Comics writer Chris Claremont came & did a presentation in my library. For those who don't know, Claremont was the writer on X-Men for 20 years. He wrote the famous Japan run with Frank Miller, Days of Future Past, etc. etc. He's a pioneer of comics. Now I'm usually one of those people who are nervous about meeting people I admire. What if they are jerks? What if I say something stupid? Who am I to them? But lately I've been trying to get over these neurosies and just go for it. So I went to talk to Mr. Claremont & he turned out to be a nice guy. We talked for about 10-15 minutes. He went on a rant about Marvel editorial. It was great. So the takeaway lesson kids: Don't be afraid to talk to people you admire. They might actually be cool.
Anyway Onward we go!
Reviews
Back to Brooklyn
From the team of Ennis & Palmiotti, Back to Brooklyn is a violent crazy crime story. It starts off with gangster Bob willing to rat out his brother, and the entire Saetta crime family, in exchange for getting his family out of Brooklyn. The feds let him go for 3 days allowing Bob to kill his way to safety. This is not for the weak as their is no holding back. It's grandiose violence reminds me of a Scorsese movie. These writers & artist Mihailo Vukelic take us on a roller coaster ride. Some of the twists and turns are a bit contrived but I was so pulled in that I didn't care. Vukelic's art is a mix of graphic and drawn art that I thought was great. Highly enjoyable.
Other Reviews
fictions | ifanboy
Weapon X (Wolverine)
This is the original series where Wolverine's experience with the shady government Weapon X experiment is explored. As I read this I was shocked to discover that the story is more about the scientists than Wolverine! Wolverine is basically a background character until the final chapter. I actually liked that aspect. The art is amazing especially for 90s comics. The panels are arranged with amazing puzzle visual style. The mini-series is really a metaphysical exploration of who/what Wolverine is as a mutant and a human being. Each scientist has their own reservations about the dehumanization of Wolverine, however it doesn't stop them. I wasn't expecting that at all. I ended up really enjoying it.
(BTW if they had used this book for the movie Wolverine this summer, it would have been great. I still don't understand why when they are writing these comic book movies they just don't use the original stories. There's only 30 years of comics to pull from.)
Bio Info: Weapon X
The Reading List
Books
Hellboy Vol. 1
Gun, With Occasional Music
Comics
Green Arrow & Black Canary
Magazines
Four Four Two
Check Out Count: Somewhat Coveted
Comics Pull List: Amazing Spider-Man #603, Batgirl #1, Batman Streets Of Gotham #3, Daredevil #500, Outsiders #21, Stand American Nightmares #5, Wednesday Comics #7
Have a great week! Book Slave.
2009-08-11
Homing Instinct of Books
Hello to you all,
Last week has finally seen some relief from the summer heat for us here in the city of Salt. Been able to get a fair amount done without driving myself crazy. What is beguiling is how no matter how much reading I do I'm still buried in books. Will I ever catch up? Highly unlikely. It's difficult. However I do a fair amount of paperback trading online. I also have been hardcore about refusing to buy "new" books, especially in hardback. Waiting for the trade paperback these days usually means about a 6 month wait. That I can do. No more new hardcovers, they are just too expensive. Any way blab, blab, blab. Let's get on with it eh?
Onward!
Reviews
Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
This book is a delightful read. It is tailor-made for book lovers like myself. In 1946 London writer Juliet receives a letter from Dawsey Addams about Charles Lamb. Through multiple letters Juliet, and the reader, is introduced to the world of post-occupation Guernsey and it's colorful heroic characters. Writers Barrow & Shaffer deftly handle multiple character voices and move the story along at a fast clip. The use of epistolary is genius since it controls how information is doled out between characters and the reader. When the story gets a little too light in the middle the writers bring in a surprisingly amount of heft when discussing the horrors of war. Islanders begin to recount for Juliet stories of the German Occupation which are grim and realistic. The book is much more substantial than I expected. I was delighted by the wit and humor these characters exhibit. This is a must-read for bibliophiles like myself. Highly enjoyable.
Other Reviews
California Literary Review | blogcritics | London Telegraph
BPRD vol. 5
What else do I need to say? Start here, then rinse and repeat.
The Reading List
Books
Time Traveller's Wife
Back to Brooklyn
Magazine
Four Four Two
Comic
Amazing Spider-man #600
Comic Pull List: Action Comics #880, Amazing Spider-Man #602, Batman #689, Blackest Night #2, Bprd 1947 #2, Deadpool #13, Fables #87, Green Arrow Black Canary #23, Red Robin #3, Wednesday Comics #6
Check Out Count: Why do I do this to myself? *sigh*
Have a great week! Book Slave.
Last week has finally seen some relief from the summer heat for us here in the city of Salt. Been able to get a fair amount done without driving myself crazy. What is beguiling is how no matter how much reading I do I'm still buried in books. Will I ever catch up? Highly unlikely. It's difficult. However I do a fair amount of paperback trading online. I also have been hardcore about refusing to buy "new" books, especially in hardback. Waiting for the trade paperback these days usually means about a 6 month wait. That I can do. No more new hardcovers, they are just too expensive. Any way blab, blab, blab. Let's get on with it eh?
Onward!
Reviews
Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
This book is a delightful read. It is tailor-made for book lovers like myself. In 1946 London writer Juliet receives a letter from Dawsey Addams about Charles Lamb. Through multiple letters Juliet, and the reader, is introduced to the world of post-occupation Guernsey and it's colorful heroic characters. Writers Barrow & Shaffer deftly handle multiple character voices and move the story along at a fast clip. The use of epistolary is genius since it controls how information is doled out between characters and the reader. When the story gets a little too light in the middle the writers bring in a surprisingly amount of heft when discussing the horrors of war. Islanders begin to recount for Juliet stories of the German Occupation which are grim and realistic. The book is much more substantial than I expected. I was delighted by the wit and humor these characters exhibit. This is a must-read for bibliophiles like myself. Highly enjoyable.
Other Reviews
California Literary Review | blogcritics | London Telegraph
BPRD vol. 5
What else do I need to say? Start here, then rinse and repeat.
The Reading List
Books
Time Traveller's Wife
Back to Brooklyn
Magazine
Four Four Two
Comic
Amazing Spider-man #600
Comic Pull List: Action Comics #880, Amazing Spider-Man #602, Batman #689, Blackest Night #2, Bprd 1947 #2, Deadpool #13, Fables #87, Green Arrow Black Canary #23, Red Robin #3, Wednesday Comics #6
Check Out Count: Why do I do this to myself? *sigh*
Have a great week! Book Slave.
2009-08-04
It's not a comeback, it's a return.
Hello to All,
Fear not. I may have disappeared for awhile, but I have not forgotten you all. Trust me the end of July was full of insanity, especially of the reading kind. But I am back now. I'm intent on attacking August full force. Hopefully the cyberworld will follow me unto the breach.
As usual my book club meeting was highly enjoyable. We discussed the book Citizen Vince by Jess Walter (review is forthcoming). We even got the chance to talk to the author via speaker phone. He was very nice and answered our questions thoroughly. I give thanks again to Zach Sampinos, leader and moderator, for pulling our little book club together each month. It's always a good time.
I also had the pleasure of co-hosting a discussion of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Anne Barrows (review is forthcoming) for the Mainly Reading Book Club. Becci Webb, fellow librarian, has built a great group that meets every month. I am reminded that one of my first reviews posted on this blog was for The Jane Austen Book Club, a book I read for the same reasons as Guernsey. It's odd that the books themselves and the circumstances under which I read them are so similiar. Eh or maybe it's just coincidence. Well I digress. Onward!
Reviews
Harley and Ivy
I've already spread my love for comics writer Paul Dini all over this blog. He is a great Batman writer, but he's most well known for the series he created called Batman: The Animated Series. I picked up this collection because it showcases the relationship between the femme fatales Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy. This is a fun collection, although it's really strictly for the kids. Harley Quinn is a fun character, although she is haplessly dumb. In this team up with Poison Ivy they play like vaudeville. Admittedly I was hoping for something a little more sophisticated and smart, but this did make me laugh.
Here's a clip from Batman: the Animated Series that features these characters. Enjoy.
Into the Wild
In 1992 Chris McCandless was found dead in the wilds of Alaska. He had starved to death after living in an abandoned bus for 4 months. In this book author Jon Krakauer examines the 2 year odyssey that led McCandless across the US and ended in his death. I had been meaning to read this book for some time. Krakauer does a great job of not only telling us McCandless's story but also interweaving in similiar stories of crazy adventurers. Krakauer even includes his own story of nearly dying in Alaska. This is an interesting account of this young man's tragedy. What drove him? is the question at the center of the book. Really only Chris McCandless knows for sure, but from the accounts left behind it seems that McCandless felt the need to test himself. Man vs. Nature is one of the eternal conflicts. McCandless lost due to his own inexperience. Unfortunately it his family and friends who live with the loss. Well worth checking out.
Bio Info: Christopher McCandless, Into the Wild
The Reading List
Books
BPRD: The Black Flame
Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Mags
Four Four Two
Comics
Deadpool #12
Check Out Count: Could be better.
Comic Pull List: Amazing Spider-Man #601, Buffy The Vampire Slayer #27, Doom Patrol #1, Dynamo 5 #23, Justice League Cry For Justice #2, Secret Six #12, Superman World Of New Krypton #6, Terry Moores Echo #14, Wednesday Comics #5
Have a great week! Book Slave.
Fear not. I may have disappeared for awhile, but I have not forgotten you all. Trust me the end of July was full of insanity, especially of the reading kind. But I am back now. I'm intent on attacking August full force. Hopefully the cyberworld will follow me unto the breach.
As usual my book club meeting was highly enjoyable. We discussed the book Citizen Vince by Jess Walter (review is forthcoming). We even got the chance to talk to the author via speaker phone. He was very nice and answered our questions thoroughly. I give thanks again to Zach Sampinos, leader and moderator, for pulling our little book club together each month. It's always a good time.
I also had the pleasure of co-hosting a discussion of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Anne Barrows (review is forthcoming) for the Mainly Reading Book Club. Becci Webb, fellow librarian, has built a great group that meets every month. I am reminded that one of my first reviews posted on this blog was for The Jane Austen Book Club, a book I read for the same reasons as Guernsey. It's odd that the books themselves and the circumstances under which I read them are so similiar. Eh or maybe it's just coincidence. Well I digress. Onward!
Reviews
Harley and Ivy
I've already spread my love for comics writer Paul Dini all over this blog. He is a great Batman writer, but he's most well known for the series he created called Batman: The Animated Series. I picked up this collection because it showcases the relationship between the femme fatales Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy. This is a fun collection, although it's really strictly for the kids. Harley Quinn is a fun character, although she is haplessly dumb. In this team up with Poison Ivy they play like vaudeville. Admittedly I was hoping for something a little more sophisticated and smart, but this did make me laugh.
Here's a clip from Batman: the Animated Series that features these characters. Enjoy.
Into the Wild
In 1992 Chris McCandless was found dead in the wilds of Alaska. He had starved to death after living in an abandoned bus for 4 months. In this book author Jon Krakauer examines the 2 year odyssey that led McCandless across the US and ended in his death. I had been meaning to read this book for some time. Krakauer does a great job of not only telling us McCandless's story but also interweaving in similiar stories of crazy adventurers. Krakauer even includes his own story of nearly dying in Alaska. This is an interesting account of this young man's tragedy. What drove him? is the question at the center of the book. Really only Chris McCandless knows for sure, but from the accounts left behind it seems that McCandless felt the need to test himself. Man vs. Nature is one of the eternal conflicts. McCandless lost due to his own inexperience. Unfortunately it his family and friends who live with the loss. Well worth checking out.
Bio Info: Christopher McCandless, Into the Wild
The Reading List
Books
BPRD: The Black Flame
Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Mags
Four Four Two
Comics
Deadpool #12
Check Out Count: Could be better.
Comic Pull List: Amazing Spider-Man #601, Buffy The Vampire Slayer #27, Doom Patrol #1, Dynamo 5 #23, Justice League Cry For Justice #2, Secret Six #12, Superman World Of New Krypton #6, Terry Moores Echo #14, Wednesday Comics #5
Have a great week! Book Slave.
2009-07-21
City on Fire!
Hello friends,
I bring this post tonight to you from the sweatlodge that is my domicile. Look I know it's summer and I live in a desert, but man some of us don't have air conditioning. Please weather gods lighten up a bit. Also at the moment I'm doing some California Dreamin' as Comic-Con begins. Someday I'll convince the library I work for to front the money so I can go. Of course it'll be for "research". Yeah researching kick ass comics baby! Well every girl has her little dream.
Well Onward we go!
Reviews
BPRD: Plague of Frogs, BPRD: The Dead
If you want to know how I feel about this series, well check out last week's review here. In it's further volumes the story begins to open up as we meet new characters. We also learn more about Abe Sapien and Roger in a very unique style. This series doesn't settle for simple exposition, they do a great job of using sequential art to get us info. The personal dynamics between different characters are wonderful. It actually reminds me of the wonderful humor for League of Extraordinary Gentleman. I love it how these characters react to each other and to the crazy events around them. Great series.
The Reading List
Books
Citizen Vince
BPRD: The Black Flame
Magazines
Four Four Two
Comics
Blackest Night #1
Check Out Count: Improving.
Comic Pull List: Amazing Spider-Man #600, Dark Wolverine #76, Gotham City Sirens #2, Green Lantern #44, Outsiders #20, Runaways 3 #12, Wednesday Comics #3
Have a great week! Book Slave.
I bring this post tonight to you from the sweatlodge that is my domicile. Look I know it's summer and I live in a desert, but man some of us don't have air conditioning. Please weather gods lighten up a bit. Also at the moment I'm doing some California Dreamin' as Comic-Con begins. Someday I'll convince the library I work for to front the money so I can go. Of course it'll be for "research". Yeah researching kick ass comics baby! Well every girl has her little dream.
Well Onward we go!
Reviews
BPRD: Plague of Frogs, BPRD: The Dead
If you want to know how I feel about this series, well check out last week's review here. In it's further volumes the story begins to open up as we meet new characters. We also learn more about Abe Sapien and Roger in a very unique style. This series doesn't settle for simple exposition, they do a great job of using sequential art to get us info. The personal dynamics between different characters are wonderful. It actually reminds me of the wonderful humor for League of Extraordinary Gentleman. I love it how these characters react to each other and to the crazy events around them. Great series.
The Reading List
Books
Citizen Vince
BPRD: The Black Flame
Magazines
Four Four Two
Comics
Blackest Night #1
Check Out Count: Improving.
Comic Pull List: Amazing Spider-Man #600, Dark Wolverine #76, Gotham City Sirens #2, Green Lantern #44, Outsiders #20, Runaways 3 #12, Wednesday Comics #3
Have a great week! Book Slave.
2009-07-14
A Serious Obsession
Hello Literary cyber-world,
How are you all? Good I hope. I've been having a great summer lately. Have you ever all of a sudden become obsessed by a certain series? This weekend I did. All of a sudden I had to read every volume I could get. I usually have more self control, but every once and awhile...Well I'm sure you can see below what I'm talking about. Luckily I have a public library at my disposal. Otherwise I'd be poor.
I also feel compelled to put out a real full hearted cheer to the literary internet community. I love to read books, talk books, and push books onto others. I always worried that reading blogs would be just too voyeuristic and banal for me to deal with. It turns out to be completely opposite. There are book blogs out there that are interesting and generate stimulating talk. Want examples? Check out these posts and realize that these blogs are so much better than mine.
*Question of the Week: Which Books Would You De-Canonize?
*Olive Kitteridge
*Dickens for dyslexics
* Don Draper = America
Also to be completely random: I just re-watched my favorite original Star Trek episode "City on the Edge of Forever." I don't know why but I had forgotten that this ep was written by Harlan Ellison. It is so effing good! Also watching it in comparison to other Star Trek eps it was so well-plotted with a distinct character arc for Kirk. Makes me think that maybe I should give Ellison a try.
Well enough prattling on. Onward!
Reviews
Escapist Vol. 1
I picked this up due to it's high acclaim. I've always wanted to get into the literary work of Michael Chabon. Of course The Adventures of Kavalier and Clay sits on my shelf. So I picked up the Escapist and while I somewhat enjoyed it I think that it only works as a supplement to Kavalier and Clay. Having not read that book I was lost on the majority of the material. I did enjoy the experimentation with multiple comic styles such as Golden Age, manga, and Modern Age. My fave stories involved the character of The Escapist himself. The last story involving the Escapist and his possible female soulmate blew me away. I think I'll revisit this again after reading Kavalier & Clay. Unfortunately this book doesn't stand on it's own.
BPRD: Soul of Venice, BPRD: Hollow Men, BPRD: 1946
As stated above I became obsessed this weekend with the series BPRD. I just needed to consume every volume. BPRD stands for the Bureau of Paranormal Research Department and is a spinoff from Mignola's Hellboy. Funded by the government, this group of homegrown agents are sent to investigate when crazy shit goes down. Each volume contains a self contained 5 issue story arc so you don't have to worry about reading it in order or facing continuity issues. This is the ideal format for this series. Writer/Artist Mike Mignola has created a dark/gothic/steampunkish world that is so immersive. Reading it I can feel the same thrill that I had watching X-Files or Lost. Anything is possible. Vampire soldiers created by Nazis, Demon living underneath Venice that can take your soul, A Bad Ass named Lobster Johnson. Yes, yes, yes. I also enjoyed the character dynamics between the different characters. There's a level of comfort between these characters because they have worked together so long. Thrown into the mix is "the new guy" who of course gets teased by the veterans. It's fun see the origins of this team in the prequel book 1946 which takes us back to the beginning. It would be so easy to just make the Nazis the villian, but in the world of Mike Mignola we get cyborg gorillas & mechanical spiders with human heads. It's wonderful fun original work. I can't stop reading it.
The Reading List
Books
BPRD: Plague of Frogs
BPRD: The Dead
(see a pattern? I need serious help. I can't stop!)
Magazines
Vanity Fair
Comics
Action Comics Annual
Comic Pull List:Action Comics #879, Blackest Night #1, Captain America #601, Deadpool #12, Fables #86, Incognito #5, Rasl #5, Wednesday Comics #2
Check Out Count: Geez.
Have a great week! Book Slave.
How are you all? Good I hope. I've been having a great summer lately. Have you ever all of a sudden become obsessed by a certain series? This weekend I did. All of a sudden I had to read every volume I could get. I usually have more self control, but every once and awhile...Well I'm sure you can see below what I'm talking about. Luckily I have a public library at my disposal. Otherwise I'd be poor.
I also feel compelled to put out a real full hearted cheer to the literary internet community. I love to read books, talk books, and push books onto others. I always worried that reading blogs would be just too voyeuristic and banal for me to deal with. It turns out to be completely opposite. There are book blogs out there that are interesting and generate stimulating talk. Want examples? Check out these posts and realize that these blogs are so much better than mine.
*Question of the Week: Which Books Would You De-Canonize?
*Olive Kitteridge
*Dickens for dyslexics
* Don Draper = America
Also to be completely random: I just re-watched my favorite original Star Trek episode "City on the Edge of Forever." I don't know why but I had forgotten that this ep was written by Harlan Ellison. It is so effing good! Also watching it in comparison to other Star Trek eps it was so well-plotted with a distinct character arc for Kirk. Makes me think that maybe I should give Ellison a try.
Well enough prattling on. Onward!
Reviews
Escapist Vol. 1
I picked this up due to it's high acclaim. I've always wanted to get into the literary work of Michael Chabon. Of course The Adventures of Kavalier and Clay sits on my shelf. So I picked up the Escapist and while I somewhat enjoyed it I think that it only works as a supplement to Kavalier and Clay. Having not read that book I was lost on the majority of the material. I did enjoy the experimentation with multiple comic styles such as Golden Age, manga, and Modern Age. My fave stories involved the character of The Escapist himself. The last story involving the Escapist and his possible female soulmate blew me away. I think I'll revisit this again after reading Kavalier & Clay. Unfortunately this book doesn't stand on it's own.
BPRD: Soul of Venice, BPRD: Hollow Men, BPRD: 1946
As stated above I became obsessed this weekend with the series BPRD. I just needed to consume every volume. BPRD stands for the Bureau of Paranormal Research Department and is a spinoff from Mignola's Hellboy. Funded by the government, this group of homegrown agents are sent to investigate when crazy shit goes down. Each volume contains a self contained 5 issue story arc so you don't have to worry about reading it in order or facing continuity issues. This is the ideal format for this series. Writer/Artist Mike Mignola has created a dark/gothic/steampunkish world that is so immersive. Reading it I can feel the same thrill that I had watching X-Files or Lost. Anything is possible. Vampire soldiers created by Nazis, Demon living underneath Venice that can take your soul, A Bad Ass named Lobster Johnson. Yes, yes, yes. I also enjoyed the character dynamics between the different characters. There's a level of comfort between these characters because they have worked together so long. Thrown into the mix is "the new guy" who of course gets teased by the veterans. It's fun see the origins of this team in the prequel book 1946 which takes us back to the beginning. It would be so easy to just make the Nazis the villian, but in the world of Mike Mignola we get cyborg gorillas & mechanical spiders with human heads. It's wonderful fun original work. I can't stop reading it.
The Reading List
Books
BPRD: Plague of Frogs
BPRD: The Dead
(see a pattern? I need serious help. I can't stop!)
Magazines
Vanity Fair
Comics
Action Comics Annual
Comic Pull List:Action Comics #879, Blackest Night #1, Captain America #601, Deadpool #12, Fables #86, Incognito #5, Rasl #5, Wednesday Comics #2
Check Out Count: Geez.
Have a great week! Book Slave.
2009-07-09
Take it Easy
Hello,
I hope you all had an excellent holiday weekend here in the states. I did. Good times, bbq, and family, were all available to be had. In the whereabouts that I reside it has become a sweat lodge and I've received my first major sunburn. Must remember to find the shady tree to read under.
So after last week's review-extravaganza today we are taking it easy. Recently I was captured by Newsweek's What To Read Now issue. I like to think of myself as a well-read individual but I was woefully humbled. I'll definitely be taking a look at some of these titles in the upcoming months. There's also some other cool essays and articles. I particularly enjoy the essays by Jon Meacham and David Gates where they extol the virtues of re-reading.
I wish I could re-read more often. It's great to be able to look at text from a new point of view based on life experience. I had this happen when I re-read My Antonia a while ago. As a highschooler I was caught up in the will-they or won't they romance between the lead characters. However 10 years later when I opened it again I was struck by how this story is more about the strong immigrant women who built their lives from nothing. I wonder what I will see in the text a few years from now, most likely something new. Gotta love a rich text. So it's definitely worth checking out the July 13 issue of Newsweek. Good job again editor Jon Meacham.
Well onward!
Review
Batman Private Casebook
This was a collection of issues from the latest run of Paul Dini's work on Batman Detective. This was a re-read for me because I had read the issues as they came out. I came back to it because lately I've been obsessed with Batman's female characters such as Cat Woman, Zatanna, and the Birds of Prey. These issues are so good, Dini is the best at writing stories that contrasts the differences between Bruce Wayne as a human vs. Bruce Wayne as Batman. In his interactions with Cat Woman and Zatanna as a reader Dini explores the loneliness of being Batman. Other than Alfred and Tim, Bruce is unable to lead a normal life due to his commitment to protect Gotham. Even when he's out "being Bruce Wayne" at a society party he is kidnapped. It is like the evil of Gotham is drawn to him no matter what. Dini gets that. Also want to throw some props out to artist Dustin Nguyen who is an incredible artist. I love his work on the Batman series.
The Reading List
Pride and Prejudice and the Zombies
Escapist
Magazine
Four Four Two
Comics
Wednesday Comics #1
Comic Pull List: Batman #688, Bprd 1947 #1, Green Arrow Black Canary #22, Green Lantern #43, Red Robin #2, Stand American Nightmares #4, Superman World Of New Krypton #5, Wednesday Comics #1
Check out count: Eh?
Have a great week! Bookslave.
I hope you all had an excellent holiday weekend here in the states. I did. Good times, bbq, and family, were all available to be had. In the whereabouts that I reside it has become a sweat lodge and I've received my first major sunburn. Must remember to find the shady tree to read under.
So after last week's review-extravaganza today we are taking it easy. Recently I was captured by Newsweek's What To Read Now issue. I like to think of myself as a well-read individual but I was woefully humbled. I'll definitely be taking a look at some of these titles in the upcoming months. There's also some other cool essays and articles. I particularly enjoy the essays by Jon Meacham and David Gates where they extol the virtues of re-reading.
I wish I could re-read more often. It's great to be able to look at text from a new point of view based on life experience. I had this happen when I re-read My Antonia a while ago. As a highschooler I was caught up in the will-they or won't they romance between the lead characters. However 10 years later when I opened it again I was struck by how this story is more about the strong immigrant women who built their lives from nothing. I wonder what I will see in the text a few years from now, most likely something new. Gotta love a rich text. So it's definitely worth checking out the July 13 issue of Newsweek. Good job again editor Jon Meacham.
Well onward!
Review
Batman Private Casebook
This was a collection of issues from the latest run of Paul Dini's work on Batman Detective. This was a re-read for me because I had read the issues as they came out. I came back to it because lately I've been obsessed with Batman's female characters such as Cat Woman, Zatanna, and the Birds of Prey. These issues are so good, Dini is the best at writing stories that contrasts the differences between Bruce Wayne as a human vs. Bruce Wayne as Batman. In his interactions with Cat Woman and Zatanna as a reader Dini explores the loneliness of being Batman. Other than Alfred and Tim, Bruce is unable to lead a normal life due to his commitment to protect Gotham. Even when he's out "being Bruce Wayne" at a society party he is kidnapped. It is like the evil of Gotham is drawn to him no matter what. Dini gets that. Also want to throw some props out to artist Dustin Nguyen who is an incredible artist. I love his work on the Batman series.
The Reading List
Pride and Prejudice and the Zombies
Escapist
Magazine
Four Four Two
Comics
Wednesday Comics #1
Comic Pull List: Batman #688, Bprd 1947 #1, Green Arrow Black Canary #22, Green Lantern #43, Red Robin #2, Stand American Nightmares #4, Superman World Of New Krypton #5, Wednesday Comics #1
Check out count: Eh?
Have a great week! Bookslave.
2009-06-30
This Book Slave is on fire!
Hello Readers,
I don't know what's in the air but this month I have been putting the books away. Unfortunately although I've been reading like crazy it barely makes a dent in the TBR pile. But then again I never want to see the day when I have nothing to read. How sad will that be. May it never come to pass!
Be prepared for a long entry tonight gentle readers.
Tonight I had book club and it was a good time. This month's book was the direct opposite of last month's Northline. Being a part of this club continues to stretch my reading experience. I don't know where Zach, moderator extraordinaire, finds these crazy titles. Now I don't like all the books, still hate Dangerous Laughter, but they are at least off the beaten path. Now I'm not judgey but I really don't understand why reader's are afraid of books that are experimental. Why only read one type of book? Why put limits on yourself? I'm glad I take the time once a month to try something that I would never pick up on my own. If you are looking for something different I'd recommend coming down to The Hard Boiled Book Club, details found here. I'll be there.
Alright folks onward!
Reviews
Birds of Prey: Old Friends, New Enemies
I have become fascinated by the character of Barbara Gordon. For those who don't know Barbara Gordon used to be Batgirl. During the day she was a mild-mannered librarian, at night she fought alongside Batman & Robin. Then in Alan Moore's The Killing Joke she is shot by the Joker. She doesn't die but the bullet severs her spine and she's paralyzed. After dealing with severe depression, she trains herself to become a computer hacker and adopts the moniker Oracle. As Oracle she recruits fellow female superhero Black Canary and forms a new team titled "Birds of Prey." Now Oracle continues to be the only handicapped superhero in the DC universe. In this volume we have a mixed bag of issues. I really loved the issues which focused on the relationship between Black Canary & Oracle. Canary is the muscle, while Oracle is working cyber angle. Dixon writes some great banter between the two of them. Black Canary kicks ass as well. There are some great splash pages that are very cool. Unfortunately some of the issues suffer from crossover-itus. I can appreciate that Dixon was also writing GI Joe but frankly I don't care about The Ravens. And where did the dinosaurs come from? Just bizarre and out of place. I want more of the "Birds of Prey" in my book. So a mixed reaction but fun enough that I'll keep reading.
Comic Info: Barbara Gordon, Birds of Prey
Huntress: Year One
It's fun to read books from the "Year One" line if you want to approach a character fresh. I was not familiar with Huntress beyond her involvement with Birds of Prey. So I decided to give this a try even though I don't know anything about the writer or artist. Like Long Halloween, this is a mafia story that takes place in the Batman Universe. In this series Helena Bertinelli returns to Gotham to avenge the death of her family, get back her money, and take down the mafia. She's intent on kicking ass & taking names. I'll admit that the first few issues were pretty snoozy. A lot of exposition and talk. I never bought the star-crossed lovers story between her and Tony Angelo. However in the last 3 issues once the action moves to Gotham this series becomes great. Writer Ivory Madison brings in great characterizations of Barbara Gordon (whom she would later join with to create the Birds of Prey) and Catwoman. Catwoman is so much fun, very much like in Selina's Big Score. In the end this turns out to be surprising violent but very empowering. Ended up enjoying it so I'll be checking out any new work from writer Ivory Madison.
Other Reviews
Extremely Graphic | The Weekly Crisis | Graphic Novel Reporter
Clumsy
This book was simple, raw, and heartbreaking. Writer Jeffrey Brown depicts his romance with a woman named Theresa with honest emotion. The childlike art style reflects the relationship depicted as it blooms and then falls apart. Brown leaves his heart on the page and is literally naked to the reader. I was surprised by the amount of sex in this book, definitely not for kids, but then again to a man in his early 20s of course that's what he would remember. This book is a must-read. Highly enjoyable.
Other Reviews
Metapsychology | Cinegeek
Thoreau at Walden
This is a great Cliff Notes version of H.D. Thoreau's Walden. Having read Walden I desperately wish that I had this book at my disposal. Writer/Artist John Porcellino uses a simple art style which matches Thoreau's message of simplicity, simplicity, simplicity. Highly enjoyable. Great for high school students.
Other Reviews
School Library Journal | madinkbeard | Watermark Books & Cafe
You Must Be This Happy to Enter
After reading this book I feel as if I can hear the voice of Elizabeth Crane. Now I've never heard her voice in an interview, but her writing in this collection is all about tone. Her extensive use of one voice narration will make or break the reader. I really enjoyed how crazy her satire is in stories such as "Betty the Zombie" and "Emmanuel." Crane pushes the reader into the most absurd hilarious commentary. For me most of the time it worked. I don't think that Crane could maintain this kind of writing for any longer than 10 pages. These stories are exactly the right length. I was also surprised by the immense optimism that is present throughout these stories. It was completely unexpected and welcomed. What is wrong with being happy? Crane is not afraid to defend that position while pointing out that the world isn't perfect. Definitely worth reading for someone looking for a challenge.
Other Reviews
Bookslut | January magazine | Quarterly Conversation
The Reading List
Books
Amazing Adventures of the Escapist Vol. 1
Batman Private Casebook
Magazines
Vanity Fair
Comics
Streets of Gotham #1
Comic Pull List:Batman And Robin #2, Buffy The Vampire Slayer #26, Justice League Cry For Justice #1, Secret Six #11, Terry Moores Echo #13
Check Out Count: Stuck in a rut.
Have a great week! Book Slave.
I don't know what's in the air but this month I have been putting the books away. Unfortunately although I've been reading like crazy it barely makes a dent in the TBR pile. But then again I never want to see the day when I have nothing to read. How sad will that be. May it never come to pass!
Be prepared for a long entry tonight gentle readers.
Tonight I had book club and it was a good time. This month's book was the direct opposite of last month's Northline. Being a part of this club continues to stretch my reading experience. I don't know where Zach, moderator extraordinaire, finds these crazy titles. Now I don't like all the books, still hate Dangerous Laughter, but they are at least off the beaten path. Now I'm not judgey but I really don't understand why reader's are afraid of books that are experimental. Why only read one type of book? Why put limits on yourself? I'm glad I take the time once a month to try something that I would never pick up on my own. If you are looking for something different I'd recommend coming down to The Hard Boiled Book Club, details found here. I'll be there.
Alright folks onward!
Reviews
Birds of Prey: Old Friends, New Enemies
I have become fascinated by the character of Barbara Gordon. For those who don't know Barbara Gordon used to be Batgirl. During the day she was a mild-mannered librarian, at night she fought alongside Batman & Robin. Then in Alan Moore's The Killing Joke she is shot by the Joker. She doesn't die but the bullet severs her spine and she's paralyzed. After dealing with severe depression, she trains herself to become a computer hacker and adopts the moniker Oracle. As Oracle she recruits fellow female superhero Black Canary and forms a new team titled "Birds of Prey." Now Oracle continues to be the only handicapped superhero in the DC universe. In this volume we have a mixed bag of issues. I really loved the issues which focused on the relationship between Black Canary & Oracle. Canary is the muscle, while Oracle is working cyber angle. Dixon writes some great banter between the two of them. Black Canary kicks ass as well. There are some great splash pages that are very cool. Unfortunately some of the issues suffer from crossover-itus. I can appreciate that Dixon was also writing GI Joe but frankly I don't care about The Ravens. And where did the dinosaurs come from? Just bizarre and out of place. I want more of the "Birds of Prey" in my book. So a mixed reaction but fun enough that I'll keep reading.
Comic Info: Barbara Gordon, Birds of Prey
Huntress: Year One
It's fun to read books from the "Year One" line if you want to approach a character fresh. I was not familiar with Huntress beyond her involvement with Birds of Prey. So I decided to give this a try even though I don't know anything about the writer or artist. Like Long Halloween, this is a mafia story that takes place in the Batman Universe. In this series Helena Bertinelli returns to Gotham to avenge the death of her family, get back her money, and take down the mafia. She's intent on kicking ass & taking names. I'll admit that the first few issues were pretty snoozy. A lot of exposition and talk. I never bought the star-crossed lovers story between her and Tony Angelo. However in the last 3 issues once the action moves to Gotham this series becomes great. Writer Ivory Madison brings in great characterizations of Barbara Gordon (whom she would later join with to create the Birds of Prey) and Catwoman. Catwoman is so much fun, very much like in Selina's Big Score. In the end this turns out to be surprising violent but very empowering. Ended up enjoying it so I'll be checking out any new work from writer Ivory Madison.
Other Reviews
Extremely Graphic | The Weekly Crisis | Graphic Novel Reporter
Clumsy
This book was simple, raw, and heartbreaking. Writer Jeffrey Brown depicts his romance with a woman named Theresa with honest emotion. The childlike art style reflects the relationship depicted as it blooms and then falls apart. Brown leaves his heart on the page and is literally naked to the reader. I was surprised by the amount of sex in this book, definitely not for kids, but then again to a man in his early 20s of course that's what he would remember. This book is a must-read. Highly enjoyable.
Other Reviews
Metapsychology | Cinegeek
Thoreau at Walden
This is a great Cliff Notes version of H.D. Thoreau's Walden. Having read Walden I desperately wish that I had this book at my disposal. Writer/Artist John Porcellino uses a simple art style which matches Thoreau's message of simplicity, simplicity, simplicity. Highly enjoyable. Great for high school students.
Other Reviews
School Library Journal | madinkbeard | Watermark Books & Cafe
You Must Be This Happy to Enter
After reading this book I feel as if I can hear the voice of Elizabeth Crane. Now I've never heard her voice in an interview, but her writing in this collection is all about tone. Her extensive use of one voice narration will make or break the reader. I really enjoyed how crazy her satire is in stories such as "Betty the Zombie" and "Emmanuel." Crane pushes the reader into the most absurd hilarious commentary. For me most of the time it worked. I don't think that Crane could maintain this kind of writing for any longer than 10 pages. These stories are exactly the right length. I was also surprised by the immense optimism that is present throughout these stories. It was completely unexpected and welcomed. What is wrong with being happy? Crane is not afraid to defend that position while pointing out that the world isn't perfect. Definitely worth reading for someone looking for a challenge.
Other Reviews
Bookslut | January magazine | Quarterly Conversation
The Reading List
Books
Amazing Adventures of the Escapist Vol. 1
Batman Private Casebook
Magazines
Vanity Fair
Comics
Streets of Gotham #1
Comic Pull List:Batman And Robin #2, Buffy The Vampire Slayer #26, Justice League Cry For Justice #1, Secret Six #11, Terry Moores Echo #13
Check Out Count: Stuck in a rut.
Have a great week! Book Slave.
2009-06-24
All Bendis, All the time.
Hello,
How are you all? I'm doing well. I am a year older having celebrated my b-day this week. It was a fun time. It's not bad being my age, if I can happy with who I am. My younger bro said something similiar to that & I could've kissed him. Also thanks mom for accepting & enjoying who I am. Even if sometimes it drives you crazy. We saw Up in 3D and man was it great.
I began this blog as a means to motivate myself to deal with my massive tbr pile. Now I'm working through it, but really it's like Sisyphus pushing the rock up the mountain. Thankfully I've been able recently to kick up the pace this month. I hope you guys enjoy graphic novels because there's going to be a few coming your way.
Reviews
Total Sell Out
Who is Brian Michael Bendis? Presently I consider him the crowned prince of Marvel. In the last few years he has earned the keys to the superhero kingdom with his work on series such as Ultimate Spiderman, New Avengers, and Daredevil. In Total Sell Out he shares with us a collection of his early work as a writer/cartoonist. I have to agree with him that some of this work is too cartoonish. He's also not all that great as an artist and I can see why he gave up drawing. On the other hand Bendis excels at being a smartass. He's damn funny. I enjoyed his characterizations of nerd culture, particularly a funny story about James Doohan, the original Scotty from Star Trek. Here we also see his trademark dialogue style. Bendis loves "talking head" moments with naturalistic/colloquial speech. He's great at it. As an early look at his style it was highly enjoyable.
Biographical Author Info: Brian Michael Bendis
Alias Vol. 1
Jessica Jones is a burn out, alcoholic, cynical superhero. She has hung up the spandex and become a detective. She'll help find out if your husband/wife/girlfriend is cheating, or if your sister's gone missing. Jones gave up on the believing in the good of humanity a long time ago. Alias is a strong mix of crime noir that exists in the same world as Captain America. Jessica Jones is a wonderfully flawed original creation from the mind of Brian Michael Bendis. Bendis expertly retcons Jessica Jones into the Marvel comic world by bringing in smaller B characters. Jessica's superhero powers are limited. She has super strength and can maybe "hover" but that's it. Jessica is more like us and would rather be normal. But try as she might she can't be. This first 9 issues was a great introduction to a new character that seems like she's been there all along. Bendis's classic dialogue-style is prevalent here. This is a comic that's much more about what a character says/doesn't say than kick ass fights. Much like an indie comic where Matt Murdock will show up as your attorney, I loved the mixing of sensibilities. I'll definitely be checking out the rest of this series.
Other Reviews
Avid Book Reader | Blogging Bendis
The Reading List
Books
Birds of Prey Vol. 2
Pride and Prejudice and the Zombies
Magazines
Paste
Comics
Captain America #600
Comic Pull List: Daredevil #119, Detective Comics #854, Dynamo 5 #22, Gotham City Sirens #1, Green Lantern #42, New Avengers #54, Northlanders #18, Runaways 3 #11, Superman #689, Wonder Woman #33
Check Out Count: Multi-media-esque
Have a great week! Book Slave.
How are you all? I'm doing well. I am a year older having celebrated my b-day this week. It was a fun time. It's not bad being my age, if I can happy with who I am. My younger bro said something similiar to that & I could've kissed him. Also thanks mom for accepting & enjoying who I am. Even if sometimes it drives you crazy. We saw Up in 3D and man was it great.
I began this blog as a means to motivate myself to deal with my massive tbr pile. Now I'm working through it, but really it's like Sisyphus pushing the rock up the mountain. Thankfully I've been able recently to kick up the pace this month. I hope you guys enjoy graphic novels because there's going to be a few coming your way.
Reviews
Total Sell Out
Who is Brian Michael Bendis? Presently I consider him the crowned prince of Marvel. In the last few years he has earned the keys to the superhero kingdom with his work on series such as Ultimate Spiderman, New Avengers, and Daredevil. In Total Sell Out he shares with us a collection of his early work as a writer/cartoonist. I have to agree with him that some of this work is too cartoonish. He's also not all that great as an artist and I can see why he gave up drawing. On the other hand Bendis excels at being a smartass. He's damn funny. I enjoyed his characterizations of nerd culture, particularly a funny story about James Doohan, the original Scotty from Star Trek. Here we also see his trademark dialogue style. Bendis loves "talking head" moments with naturalistic/colloquial speech. He's great at it. As an early look at his style it was highly enjoyable.
Biographical Author Info: Brian Michael Bendis
Alias Vol. 1
Jessica Jones is a burn out, alcoholic, cynical superhero. She has hung up the spandex and become a detective. She'll help find out if your husband/wife/girlfriend is cheating, or if your sister's gone missing. Jones gave up on the believing in the good of humanity a long time ago. Alias is a strong mix of crime noir that exists in the same world as Captain America. Jessica Jones is a wonderfully flawed original creation from the mind of Brian Michael Bendis. Bendis expertly retcons Jessica Jones into the Marvel comic world by bringing in smaller B characters. Jessica's superhero powers are limited. She has super strength and can maybe "hover" but that's it. Jessica is more like us and would rather be normal. But try as she might she can't be. This first 9 issues was a great introduction to a new character that seems like she's been there all along. Bendis's classic dialogue-style is prevalent here. This is a comic that's much more about what a character says/doesn't say than kick ass fights. Much like an indie comic where Matt Murdock will show up as your attorney, I loved the mixing of sensibilities. I'll definitely be checking out the rest of this series.
Other Reviews
Avid Book Reader | Blogging Bendis
The Reading List
Books
Birds of Prey Vol. 2
Pride and Prejudice and the Zombies
Magazines
Paste
Comics
Captain America #600
Comic Pull List: Daredevil #119, Detective Comics #854, Dynamo 5 #22, Gotham City Sirens #1, Green Lantern #42, New Avengers #54, Northlanders #18, Runaways 3 #11, Superman #689, Wonder Woman #33
Check Out Count: Multi-media-esque
Have a great week! Book Slave.
2009-06-17
Killers! Star Trek! Batman! Invincible!
Hello,
Howse it going? I've been working hard, picking us extra cash & learning new things. Also have been having a killer reading week. Oh my gosh, so much fun. This week I'm bringing back a fun feature: Book Reviews in 12 words or less! Here we go!
Reviews
Star Trek: Countdown
Nero Backstory. Nice Next Generation Cameos. Poor Art.
Other Reviews
Bureau 42 | Pop Matters | Star Fleet
Torso
Serial Killer! Amazing black & White art. Crazy Bendis dialogue.
Other Reviews
Pop Matters
Biographical Info: Torso Killer, Eliot Ness
Batman: Long Halloween
Mafia murder mystery with Batman. Great story. Cool Art.
Other Reviews
IGN | Groucho Reviews | Coke and Comics
Invincible Ultimate Collection Vol. 3
More Superhero goodness. Some space adventure. Invincible grows up. Snappy Action Art.
Previous Volume Reviews: Invincible Vol. 1, Invincible Vol. 2
The Reading List
Books
Pride and Prejudice and the Zombies
Total Sell Out
Comic
Northlanders #17
Magazine
Four Four Two
Comic Pull List:Batman Streets Of Gotham #1, Captain America #600, Captain Britain And Mi 13 #14, Green Arrow Black Canary #21, Incognito #4, Outsiders #19
Check Out Count: Two steps forward, 3 steps back.
Have a great week! Book Slave.
Howse it going? I've been working hard, picking us extra cash & learning new things. Also have been having a killer reading week. Oh my gosh, so much fun. This week I'm bringing back a fun feature: Book Reviews in 12 words or less! Here we go!
Reviews
Star Trek: Countdown
Nero Backstory. Nice Next Generation Cameos. Poor Art.
Other Reviews
Bureau 42 | Pop Matters | Star Fleet
Torso
Serial Killer! Amazing black & White art. Crazy Bendis dialogue.
Other Reviews
Pop Matters
Biographical Info: Torso Killer, Eliot Ness
Batman: Long Halloween
Mafia murder mystery with Batman. Great story. Cool Art.
Other Reviews
IGN | Groucho Reviews | Coke and Comics
Invincible Ultimate Collection Vol. 3
More Superhero goodness. Some space adventure. Invincible grows up. Snappy Action Art.
Previous Volume Reviews: Invincible Vol. 1, Invincible Vol. 2
The Reading List
Books
Pride and Prejudice and the Zombies
Total Sell Out
Comic
Northlanders #17
Magazine
Four Four Two
Comic Pull List:Batman Streets Of Gotham #1, Captain America #600, Captain Britain And Mi 13 #14, Green Arrow Black Canary #21, Incognito #4, Outsiders #19
Check Out Count: Two steps forward, 3 steps back.
Have a great week! Book Slave.
2009-06-09
Serial Killer Theater
Hello to all the world,
Well I hope you are all having an excellent week. I myself have suffered some financial blows, as of late but really aren’t we all? At least I’ll always have books. The written word will keep me in these troubled times. That is some solace I suppose. Did any of you watch the Tony Awards this weekend? I thought it was an amazing show. As someone who lives far away from Broadway I always watch the Tony’s to see what plays/musicals will be making the regional rounds. I’ll often pick up a CD, or published play if I see a great clip on the Tony show. This year I am definitely going to pick up Yasmina Reza’s God of Carnage and The Norman Conquests. As a past theater geek I also loved the performance from Hair which was amusingly exuberant. I was also captivated by the new musical Next to Normal which I will pick up as soon as I can.
Well enough about me (hah!) let’s move onwards!
Review
The Roberts
I’ve been eagerly awaiting the release of the original series The Roberts from the moment I heard about it. Originally released as a two issue series I decided to wait for the trade. Okay confession time: I have a strange fascination with serial killers. Where I reside the story of Ted Bundy is a common cautionary tale for young women such as myself. I find it interesting to read interviews, biographies, and analysis that tries to determine what makes these killers tick. Sure we’ve managed to pull together psychological profiles but there still manages to be permutations that befuddle us.
In The Roberts writer Wayne Chinsang has spun an interesting scenario: The narrator is a senior citizen who is actually The Boston Strangler (you see they got the wrong guy). He has been retired and living in a nursing home for 4 years. While still dreaming of his former victims he remains a bit of a loner among the other seniors. However he becomes drawn to a new resident the very friendly Robert. It is revealed that Robert is actually the infamous Zodiac killer.
Once everything is set up The Roberts becomes a fascinating character piece. These men ruminate on the nature of their existence and their separateness. The art style is not overtly flashy, but it suits the “talking heads” nature of the story. Writer Chinsang does a great job of making these men creepy but also believable. These guys are way past their prime and clearly miss the thrill of killing. Now the only power they have is their anonymity, which is now threatened. Again this story was fascinating and I highly recommend it.
Other Reviews
And now the screaming starts | Battlemouth
The Reading List
Books
Batman: The Long Halloween
Invincible vol. 3
Mags
Four Four Two
Comics
Incognito #2
Comic Pull List: Action Comics #878, Batman #687, Deadpool #11, Fables #85, Flash Rebirth #3, Wolverine #74.
Checkout Count: Not Bad.
Have a great week! Book Slave.
Well I hope you are all having an excellent week. I myself have suffered some financial blows, as of late but really aren’t we all? At least I’ll always have books. The written word will keep me in these troubled times. That is some solace I suppose. Did any of you watch the Tony Awards this weekend? I thought it was an amazing show. As someone who lives far away from Broadway I always watch the Tony’s to see what plays/musicals will be making the regional rounds. I’ll often pick up a CD, or published play if I see a great clip on the Tony show. This year I am definitely going to pick up Yasmina Reza’s God of Carnage and The Norman Conquests. As a past theater geek I also loved the performance from Hair which was amusingly exuberant. I was also captivated by the new musical Next to Normal which I will pick up as soon as I can.
Well enough about me (hah!) let’s move onwards!
Review
The Roberts
I’ve been eagerly awaiting the release of the original series The Roberts from the moment I heard about it. Originally released as a two issue series I decided to wait for the trade. Okay confession time: I have a strange fascination with serial killers. Where I reside the story of Ted Bundy is a common cautionary tale for young women such as myself. I find it interesting to read interviews, biographies, and analysis that tries to determine what makes these killers tick. Sure we’ve managed to pull together psychological profiles but there still manages to be permutations that befuddle us.
In The Roberts writer Wayne Chinsang has spun an interesting scenario: The narrator is a senior citizen who is actually The Boston Strangler (you see they got the wrong guy). He has been retired and living in a nursing home for 4 years. While still dreaming of his former victims he remains a bit of a loner among the other seniors. However he becomes drawn to a new resident the very friendly Robert. It is revealed that Robert is actually the infamous Zodiac killer.
Once everything is set up The Roberts becomes a fascinating character piece. These men ruminate on the nature of their existence and their separateness. The art style is not overtly flashy, but it suits the “talking heads” nature of the story. Writer Chinsang does a great job of making these men creepy but also believable. These guys are way past their prime and clearly miss the thrill of killing. Now the only power they have is their anonymity, which is now threatened. Again this story was fascinating and I highly recommend it.
Other Reviews
And now the screaming starts | Battlemouth
The Reading List
Books
Batman: The Long Halloween
Invincible vol. 3
Mags
Four Four Two
Comics
Incognito #2
Comic Pull List: Action Comics #878, Batman #687, Deadpool #11, Fables #85, Flash Rebirth #3, Wolverine #74.
Checkout Count: Not Bad.
Have a great week! Book Slave.
2009-06-03
Gunslingers, soul reapers, & a Starman
Hello All,
The sun is shining and life is busy. Oh my god the weather is a beauty here in the city of salt. I think some reading in the park, under a tree is definitely a possibility. Started a new mentorship this week and I'm pretty psyched. When I'm not reading voraciously, serving the public, or just living life, I like to help writers. I like to edit-it's a sickness really. I'm excited about this workshop. But really let's talk about books eh? I've been reading, so onward!
Reviews
Bleach Vol. 1
In an attempt to diversify I've been reading the manga. After looking at a few different books I think that I'm finally getting it. Bleach has a lot of action, some fun romantic comedy banter, and a good anti-hero at the center. I liked the reluctance of the hero. He's a punk teenager who is very self involved. His solipsistic attitude was nicely realistic. Obviously his character arc will be the embracing of his hero role. I love the fact that his mentor is a female warrior who is integrating herself undercover at his school. I've been dissapointed in the depiction of female characters in manga. In all the series I have read the females are ditsy cheesecake. Good to see a change. This is the first manga I've read that showed some great panel design. Sequential art when done right can convey visual information quickly. The pages are usually 2 panels, meaning that the focus is on action rather than dialogue. I was able to read this book, which was around 200 pages, in an hour or so. And I wasn't even reading all that quickly. I think this is the appeal of manga. Unfortunately I still found some of the storytelling to be clumsy. It seems as if the author was not sure where the story was going. New powers develop more through convenience rather than organically. Overall though I enjoyed it. Strongest manga I've read yet.
Other Reviews
Manga Punk | manga life | Read About Comics
Starman Omnibus Vol. 2
James Robinson's Starman has become one of my favorite series. In fact the Vol. 1 Omnibus was the best graphic novel I read last year, so reading vol. 2 was a no-brainer. In this volume of issues Robinson settles into the series. He's already set up our characters so Robinson delves into their past. Several issues focus on flashbacks about The Shade, Solomon Grundy, and Ted Knight. I really enjoyed the story arc featuring the "Nick & Nora"-esque team of old detectives exploring the excitement of being a superhero. Robinson fleshes out side characters like the O'Dares. This family of cops deserves a series all their own. They are so great, especially in the Christmas special and the "trip to hell" arc. Don't get me wrong I miss Jack Knight. He doesn't feature as much in these issues, but then again this is an 80-issue long story. Robinson does plant some seeds for Jack Knight stories to come. I can't wait.
Past Volume Reviews: Starman Omnibus Vol. 1
Dark Tower: Treachery
This series continues to get better and better. This is my favorite volume yet. Peter David continues to knock this book out of the park. The smartest thing that David does in this volume is to shift the focus to the female characters. This has been a "boy" book following Roland and his friends. However, here we have the introduction of a female gunslinger who is really cool. Also I enjoyed the exploration of Roland's mother, who in the first volume was woefully underdeveloped. David adds more depth to her guilt and shame. It's very apt considering the focus of this volume is betrayal. Roland is sidelined with his own obsession that has lead to betray his father. It is up to his friends to pull this hero back from the brink. Jae Lee's art continues to amaze. The grim darkness of this world is directly reflected in the art. I was particularly impressed by the last two chapters. The juxtaposition of formal dress and western motif was beautiful. Can't wait for the next one.
Past Volume Reviews: Dark Tower: Gunslinger Born, Dark Tower: Long Road Home
The Reading List
Books
Goodbye to All That
Black Mass
Magazine
Wizard
Comic
Trinity #52
Comic Pull List: Secret Six #10, Superman World Of New Krypton #4
Check Out Count: Way too High.
Have a great week! Book Slave
The sun is shining and life is busy. Oh my god the weather is a beauty here in the city of salt. I think some reading in the park, under a tree is definitely a possibility. Started a new mentorship this week and I'm pretty psyched. When I'm not reading voraciously, serving the public, or just living life, I like to help writers. I like to edit-it's a sickness really. I'm excited about this workshop. But really let's talk about books eh? I've been reading, so onward!
Reviews
Bleach Vol. 1
In an attempt to diversify I've been reading the manga. After looking at a few different books I think that I'm finally getting it. Bleach has a lot of action, some fun romantic comedy banter, and a good anti-hero at the center. I liked the reluctance of the hero. He's a punk teenager who is very self involved. His solipsistic attitude was nicely realistic. Obviously his character arc will be the embracing of his hero role. I love the fact that his mentor is a female warrior who is integrating herself undercover at his school. I've been dissapointed in the depiction of female characters in manga. In all the series I have read the females are ditsy cheesecake. Good to see a change. This is the first manga I've read that showed some great panel design. Sequential art when done right can convey visual information quickly. The pages are usually 2 panels, meaning that the focus is on action rather than dialogue. I was able to read this book, which was around 200 pages, in an hour or so. And I wasn't even reading all that quickly. I think this is the appeal of manga. Unfortunately I still found some of the storytelling to be clumsy. It seems as if the author was not sure where the story was going. New powers develop more through convenience rather than organically. Overall though I enjoyed it. Strongest manga I've read yet.
Other Reviews
Manga Punk | manga life | Read About Comics
Starman Omnibus Vol. 2
James Robinson's Starman has become one of my favorite series. In fact the Vol. 1 Omnibus was the best graphic novel I read last year, so reading vol. 2 was a no-brainer. In this volume of issues Robinson settles into the series. He's already set up our characters so Robinson delves into their past. Several issues focus on flashbacks about The Shade, Solomon Grundy, and Ted Knight. I really enjoyed the story arc featuring the "Nick & Nora"-esque team of old detectives exploring the excitement of being a superhero. Robinson fleshes out side characters like the O'Dares. This family of cops deserves a series all their own. They are so great, especially in the Christmas special and the "trip to hell" arc. Don't get me wrong I miss Jack Knight. He doesn't feature as much in these issues, but then again this is an 80-issue long story. Robinson does plant some seeds for Jack Knight stories to come. I can't wait.
Past Volume Reviews: Starman Omnibus Vol. 1
Dark Tower: Treachery
This series continues to get better and better. This is my favorite volume yet. Peter David continues to knock this book out of the park. The smartest thing that David does in this volume is to shift the focus to the female characters. This has been a "boy" book following Roland and his friends. However, here we have the introduction of a female gunslinger who is really cool. Also I enjoyed the exploration of Roland's mother, who in the first volume was woefully underdeveloped. David adds more depth to her guilt and shame. It's very apt considering the focus of this volume is betrayal. Roland is sidelined with his own obsession that has lead to betray his father. It is up to his friends to pull this hero back from the brink. Jae Lee's art continues to amaze. The grim darkness of this world is directly reflected in the art. I was particularly impressed by the last two chapters. The juxtaposition of formal dress and western motif was beautiful. Can't wait for the next one.
Past Volume Reviews: Dark Tower: Gunslinger Born, Dark Tower: Long Road Home
The Reading List
Books
Goodbye to All That
Black Mass
Magazine
Wizard
Comic
Trinity #52
Comic Pull List: Secret Six #10, Superman World Of New Krypton #4
Check Out Count: Way too High.
Have a great week! Book Slave
2009-05-27
Heartbreakingly Beautiful
Hello,
The weather is beautiful and I find myself with a lot of leisure time. I haven't been this free for a long time. Spent years as a work-a-holic & now I have an open schedule. Too bad my wifi has become inconstant. Well as Mick says "You can't always get what you want." True dat.
I had an awesome time last night at book club. Zach, former co-worker & book club moderator, had also arranged for us to talk with the author via phone. It was very cool. He answered our questions in a wonderfully honest way. Vlautin indicated that he sees his characters as real people. This must be hard because his novels are horribly grim. The brothers in Motel Life, and Alison Johnson in Northline are lost troubled souls. In contrast Vlautin seems like an easy going fellow. It was great talking to him and I thank Zach for pulling that together. Vlautin is a talented writer. His wounded characters will break your heart. He is an author to keep an eye on.
Review
Northline
The main character at the center of Northline is a lost soul. She has such a lack of self that the reader doesn't even know her name. She has been abused, scared, and deserted. She has decided it's time to leave her awful life in Las Vegas. It is at this moment of strength that writer Willy Vlautin reveals to the reader her name. It is up to Alison Johnson to find herself and deal with her pain. However this is not some cheesy uplifting woman overcomes all story, Vlautin gives us a more complex story. For every two steps forward that Alison makes she moves 3 steps back. It's rough to improve your own self image when you don't feel you deserve to be happy. She is wonderfully wounded and complex, this makes her small victories immense. If it's not clear I'll say it out right: I fell in love with Alison Johnson. This is all thanks to Vlautin's ability to create characters that are real. Although he still incorporates fantasy, here it's Paul Newman, Vlautin's writing is full of carefully chosen small moments. Moments like a gift of a snow globe, or a night of bingo, are magical when contrasted with the dark underside of living in Reno. I definitely reccommend this one.
(BTW if possible get the copy with a free soundtrack CD. Writer Willy Vlautin is also a musician in the band Richmond Fontaine. He ended up writing a few instrumentals that serve as a soundtrack to Northline. It was included with my Harper Perrenial paperback. Check it out.)
Other Reviews
The Independent | Book Soup | The Guardian
The Reading List
Books
Starman Omnibus Vol. 2
Goodbye To All That
Magazine
Four Four Two
Comic
Flash: Rebirth #2
Comic Pull List: TBD
Check Out Count: Getting better. Really.
Have a great week! Book Slave.
The weather is beautiful and I find myself with a lot of leisure time. I haven't been this free for a long time. Spent years as a work-a-holic & now I have an open schedule. Too bad my wifi has become inconstant. Well as Mick says "You can't always get what you want." True dat.
I had an awesome time last night at book club. Zach, former co-worker & book club moderator, had also arranged for us to talk with the author via phone. It was very cool. He answered our questions in a wonderfully honest way. Vlautin indicated that he sees his characters as real people. This must be hard because his novels are horribly grim. The brothers in Motel Life, and Alison Johnson in Northline are lost troubled souls. In contrast Vlautin seems like an easy going fellow. It was great talking to him and I thank Zach for pulling that together. Vlautin is a talented writer. His wounded characters will break your heart. He is an author to keep an eye on.
Review
Northline
The main character at the center of Northline is a lost soul. She has such a lack of self that the reader doesn't even know her name. She has been abused, scared, and deserted. She has decided it's time to leave her awful life in Las Vegas. It is at this moment of strength that writer Willy Vlautin reveals to the reader her name. It is up to Alison Johnson to find herself and deal with her pain. However this is not some cheesy uplifting woman overcomes all story, Vlautin gives us a more complex story. For every two steps forward that Alison makes she moves 3 steps back. It's rough to improve your own self image when you don't feel you deserve to be happy. She is wonderfully wounded and complex, this makes her small victories immense. If it's not clear I'll say it out right: I fell in love with Alison Johnson. This is all thanks to Vlautin's ability to create characters that are real. Although he still incorporates fantasy, here it's Paul Newman, Vlautin's writing is full of carefully chosen small moments. Moments like a gift of a snow globe, or a night of bingo, are magical when contrasted with the dark underside of living in Reno. I definitely reccommend this one.
(BTW if possible get the copy with a free soundtrack CD. Writer Willy Vlautin is also a musician in the band Richmond Fontaine. He ended up writing a few instrumentals that serve as a soundtrack to Northline. It was included with my Harper Perrenial paperback. Check it out.)
Other Reviews
The Independent | Book Soup | The Guardian
The Reading List
Books
Starman Omnibus Vol. 2
Goodbye To All That
Magazine
Four Four Two
Comic
Flash: Rebirth #2
Comic Pull List: TBD
Check Out Count: Getting better. Really.
Have a great week! Book Slave.
2009-05-22
Some Catching up to do.
Hey world,
Howse it hanging? Summertime has come and I have left you all hanging. Humble apologies, I just took a few days off. Wanted to catch up on some stuff. I ended up attacking my mighty comic stack and managed to read about 15 comics. That’s gotta count for something eh? I’ve got some catching up to do bookwise. I’m off pace to reach my goals, but I will have some more time on my hands. We’ll just have to wait and see.
Reviews
The Man Who Invented Christmas
Lately I’ve been very interested in Charles Dickens. I guess it’s the latest fad in literary circles. Actually I’ve been meaning to read this book for some time. Writer Les Standisford discusses the dire circumstances that Dickens produced A Christmas Carol. He makes a well rounded argument that this 1842 classic reshaped how the Victorians viewed the holidays. This combined with the poverty of the Industrial Age Dickens intended to make a statement regarding one man's change of heart. Ebenezar Scrooge is not influenced by the holy trinity but by the secular supernatural ghosts, hence the story is accessible to everyone. Standisford finds a nice balance between biography and sociological discussion. Dickens was financially destitute himself but he clearly felt that it was an obligation of the fortunate to help those less fortunate. A Christmas Carol bears this philosophy out. An interesting read.
Biographical Info: Charles Dickens
The Reading List
Books
Northline
Starman Omnibus Vol. 2
Comic
Deadpool #10
Magazine
Vanity Fair
Check Out Count: Dramatically Improving
Comic Pull List: Captain America #50, Green Arrow Black Canary #20, Outsiders #18, Trinity #51.
Have a great week! Book Slave.
Howse it hanging? Summertime has come and I have left you all hanging. Humble apologies, I just took a few days off. Wanted to catch up on some stuff. I ended up attacking my mighty comic stack and managed to read about 15 comics. That’s gotta count for something eh? I’ve got some catching up to do bookwise. I’m off pace to reach my goals, but I will have some more time on my hands. We’ll just have to wait and see.
Reviews
The Man Who Invented Christmas
Lately I’ve been very interested in Charles Dickens. I guess it’s the latest fad in literary circles. Actually I’ve been meaning to read this book for some time. Writer Les Standisford discusses the dire circumstances that Dickens produced A Christmas Carol. He makes a well rounded argument that this 1842 classic reshaped how the Victorians viewed the holidays. This combined with the poverty of the Industrial Age Dickens intended to make a statement regarding one man's change of heart. Ebenezar Scrooge is not influenced by the holy trinity but by the secular supernatural ghosts, hence the story is accessible to everyone. Standisford finds a nice balance between biography and sociological discussion. Dickens was financially destitute himself but he clearly felt that it was an obligation of the fortunate to help those less fortunate. A Christmas Carol bears this philosophy out. An interesting read.
Biographical Info: Charles Dickens
The Reading List
Books
Northline
Starman Omnibus Vol. 2
Comic
Deadpool #10
Magazine
Vanity Fair
Check Out Count: Dramatically Improving
Comic Pull List: Captain America #50, Green Arrow Black Canary #20, Outsiders #18, Trinity #51.
Have a great week! Book Slave.
2009-05-16
The Printed Word
Hello cyberland,
I listen to a lot of podcasts and pay attention to new technologies. Have always been an early adopter of technology from the internet to Ipods to DVDs. I usually wait for the second generation models because then the price comes down and the bugs get worked out. Technology is a great tool when used effectively.
(Of course I still believe that if we give robots artificial intelligence they'll rise up against us, but that's another paranoid delusion for another time.)
Where am I going with this? Well today I was listening to one of my fave podcasters go on a diatribe about how everything is going to go digital. That in 10 years print will be dead. His argument involved the Kindle. Apple's new E-Reader allows for people to download books like an Ipod. Now I've heard all the arguments for it. Saves space, books are cheaper, and information more accessible. All of this is true.
However in my opinion no Kindle can replace the tactile joy of having the printed word in my hands. I've lived with books my whole life and I never want to be without them. It's something about the physical weight. The ability to turn the page which gives the reader the feeling of moving forward. Scrolling is not the same, neither is pressing a button.
I hope that my shelves are always full of books. And you know what if I don't think I'll read the book again, I donate/trade/pass it on to a friend. If I decide to keep one, I know that I'll have to get rid of one. This means I have to weigh each choice, giving the book even more value. This value is personal. I'm not a book collector.
The books I keep are stories that I know I'll read again. Not because they make me look smart or have some monetary value. I don't mind that space, because really what am I gonna put there instead? Sure when I have to move it will suck. But that's not in my plans anytime soon.
Lastly it is difficult to read words off a screen for an extended period of time. Don't get me wrong, I read my blogs, news, etc. off of computer screens. But can I read it for 8-10 hour stretches like a book. No I don't think so. Too much eye strain, and god forbid that the battery runs out. The torture of not being able to finish a compelling story, because there's no power jack. Or having to pay another 300 bucks if my Kindle breaks. No thank you.
So in the end while everyone may be toting around their e-reader devices, I'll be clutching my bound up printed pages.
Have a great week! Book Slave.
I listen to a lot of podcasts and pay attention to new technologies. Have always been an early adopter of technology from the internet to Ipods to DVDs. I usually wait for the second generation models because then the price comes down and the bugs get worked out. Technology is a great tool when used effectively.
(Of course I still believe that if we give robots artificial intelligence they'll rise up against us, but that's another paranoid delusion for another time.)
Where am I going with this? Well today I was listening to one of my fave podcasters go on a diatribe about how everything is going to go digital. That in 10 years print will be dead. His argument involved the Kindle. Apple's new E-Reader allows for people to download books like an Ipod. Now I've heard all the arguments for it. Saves space, books are cheaper, and information more accessible. All of this is true.
However in my opinion no Kindle can replace the tactile joy of having the printed word in my hands. I've lived with books my whole life and I never want to be without them. It's something about the physical weight. The ability to turn the page which gives the reader the feeling of moving forward. Scrolling is not the same, neither is pressing a button.
I hope that my shelves are always full of books. And you know what if I don't think I'll read the book again, I donate/trade/pass it on to a friend. If I decide to keep one, I know that I'll have to get rid of one. This means I have to weigh each choice, giving the book even more value. This value is personal. I'm not a book collector.
The books I keep are stories that I know I'll read again. Not because they make me look smart or have some monetary value. I don't mind that space, because really what am I gonna put there instead? Sure when I have to move it will suck. But that's not in my plans anytime soon.
Lastly it is difficult to read words off a screen for an extended period of time. Don't get me wrong, I read my blogs, news, etc. off of computer screens. But can I read it for 8-10 hour stretches like a book. No I don't think so. Too much eye strain, and god forbid that the battery runs out. The torture of not being able to finish a compelling story, because there's no power jack. Or having to pay another 300 bucks if my Kindle breaks. No thank you.
So in the end while everyone may be toting around their e-reader devices, I'll be clutching my bound up printed pages.
Have a great week! Book Slave.
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