Hey folks,
This is an old school review post but don't hold that against it. Enjoy!
Reviews
Scalped vol. 5
This series continues to be the gold standard for comics. Writer Jason Aaron has no qualms about showing the dirty ugly side of these characters. The world of Scalped is a horrible uncompromising place. Chalk it up to Aaron's skillful writing and characterizations that the reader is still enthralled by something so bleak. It's great stuff. If I had any complaints about this volume it is that it felt like a lot of setup for the next arc. I want the series to return to putting Dashiell Badhorse back at the center of the story. But I still enjoyed it and can't wait for the next volume.
Other Reviews
The Outhousers | Broken Frontier
Past Reviews: Scalped Vol. 1, Scalped Vol. 2, Scalped Vol. 3, Scalped Vol. 4
Brokeback Mountain: Story to Screenplay
This is a great tool for anyone who is interested in the transformation of prose to screenplay. It includes the original short story by Annie Proulx, screenplay by Diana Ossana and Larry McMurtry, as well as essays about the process. Now since the film adaptation was so successful I do feel an air of self-congratulatoriness is on display here. For once I'd like to read one of these books where the adaptation was really bad. But that will never happen. Anyway the original short story by Proulx is worth reading in an of itself. It is amazing that in 30 pages of spare, rough prose Proulx manages to break your heart. I live in the western states and I've known men like Ennis. She captures his stoicism and grit. As she states in her essay, included here, that Brokeback Mountain is a story of "emotional deprivation." And it hurts more to live without feeling completely; that's why Ennis's life is tragic. McMurtry/Ossana capture and expand upon Proulx's foundation. The screenplay adaptation by these writers is expert and worth reading for any aspiring screenwriter.
Bio Info: Brokeback Mountain
Starman Omnibus Vol. 3
This incredible series continues to be awesome. Here we start off with an amazing 4 issue mini-series about my favorite character The Shade. This mini is worth the omnibus alone, I loved it. Robinson deepens Shade's history which features a 200 year old feud. I cannot heap enough praise on this mini. But then Robinson continues to do a great job with these characters. They are all well-rounded and real even though they are also superheroes. Talking of superheroes I especially enjoyed how Robinson gave several nods to the silver age heroes. Jack Knight gets to work with Batman, have dinner with the Justice Society, and learn about his dad's tragic love affair with Black Canary. It's great that Robinson has such a love for the golden age and the DC Universe, however Starman stays grounded in Opal City. We don't see him in Gotham or Metropolis. The continuity is easy to keep track of and the story stays character-centric. I would have liked a bit more Jack Knight, rather than so much about the side characters. But when the characters are so rich it's hard to complain.
Past Reviews: Starman Omnibus Vol. 1, Starman Omnibus Vol. 2
Have a great week! Book Slave.
Showing posts with label Scalped. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Scalped. Show all posts
2009-11-30
2009-05-12
Indians and Isolation
Hello all,
This is shaping up to be a great week here in the City of Salt. Lately I've been pretty successful at this living thing, so I expect disaster is on the way. Cynical me? No way. Well Onward eh?
Reviews
Speak
"I'm An Outcast." These words are intoned by the main character Melinda Sordino her first day of highschool. She clearly can't wait for it all to be over as her ex-best friend Rachel mouths "I hate you." In Laurie Halse Anderson's modern YA classic after suffering through a trauma in the summer between 8th grade and 9th Melinda has become a selective mute. Her decision to call the cops during a senior party has won her enmity and isolation. Anderson captures the mind of her main character with brutal honesty. The story is told completely thru Melinda's observations/emotions of those around her and herself. What happened to Melinda is really only part of the story, the real story is the journey that Melinda takes. I was caught up in her POV and was desperate for her to find her voice. I was also impressed by Anderson's use of nontraditional techniques both visual and storywise. In recent YA novels I've disliked when the story changes to script form but here it works. So much of this story is about how Melinda learns to communicate. This book is clearly a must-read.
Other Reviews
teenreads | Books on the Brain | The Blue Stocking Society
Scalped Vol. 4
I was so excited when this came in that I had to drop everything and read it. Scalped is the best written independent book today, No argument. Jason Aaron has created incredible characters in a horrible world. This book is not cheery. It is as violent and sad as life can be on an Indian Reservation. In this issue Aaron primarily focuses on crime boss Red Crow and his battle with the psychopathic Mr. Brass. While Crow is an amoral man there are lines that even he won't cross. Apparently there is always worse in Aaron's grim noir. While I was dissapointed somewhat by the sidelining of Dashiell Bad Horse I know that he will most likely return soon. I've come to trust in Aaron's writing and am dying for the next trade. R.M. Guera's art work continues to be amazing and directly reflects the tone of this book. Why aren't you reading this book?
Other Volume Reviews
Scalped Vol. 1, Scalped Vol. 2, Scalped Vol. 3
The Reading List
Books
My Five Cambridge Friends
Man Who Invented Christmas
Comics
Green Lantern #40
Magazine
Vanity Fair
Comic Pull List: Action Comics #877, Captain Britain And Mi 13 #13, Fables #84, Secret Six #9, Terry Moores Echo #12, Trinity #50, Umbrella Academy Dallas #6, Wolverine #73
Check Out Count: Slowly Getting Better.
Have a great week! Book Slave.
This is shaping up to be a great week here in the City of Salt. Lately I've been pretty successful at this living thing, so I expect disaster is on the way. Cynical me? No way. Well Onward eh?
Reviews
Speak
"I'm An Outcast." These words are intoned by the main character Melinda Sordino her first day of highschool. She clearly can't wait for it all to be over as her ex-best friend Rachel mouths "I hate you." In Laurie Halse Anderson's modern YA classic after suffering through a trauma in the summer between 8th grade and 9th Melinda has become a selective mute. Her decision to call the cops during a senior party has won her enmity and isolation. Anderson captures the mind of her main character with brutal honesty. The story is told completely thru Melinda's observations/emotions of those around her and herself. What happened to Melinda is really only part of the story, the real story is the journey that Melinda takes. I was caught up in her POV and was desperate for her to find her voice. I was also impressed by Anderson's use of nontraditional techniques both visual and storywise. In recent YA novels I've disliked when the story changes to script form but here it works. So much of this story is about how Melinda learns to communicate. This book is clearly a must-read.
Other Reviews
teenreads | Books on the Brain | The Blue Stocking Society
Scalped Vol. 4
I was so excited when this came in that I had to drop everything and read it. Scalped is the best written independent book today, No argument. Jason Aaron has created incredible characters in a horrible world. This book is not cheery. It is as violent and sad as life can be on an Indian Reservation. In this issue Aaron primarily focuses on crime boss Red Crow and his battle with the psychopathic Mr. Brass. While Crow is an amoral man there are lines that even he won't cross. Apparently there is always worse in Aaron's grim noir. While I was dissapointed somewhat by the sidelining of Dashiell Bad Horse I know that he will most likely return soon. I've come to trust in Aaron's writing and am dying for the next trade. R.M. Guera's art work continues to be amazing and directly reflects the tone of this book. Why aren't you reading this book?
Other Volume Reviews
Scalped Vol. 1, Scalped Vol. 2, Scalped Vol. 3
The Reading List
Books
My Five Cambridge Friends
Man Who Invented Christmas
Comics
Green Lantern #40
Magazine
Vanity Fair
Comic Pull List: Action Comics #877, Captain Britain And Mi 13 #13, Fables #84, Secret Six #9, Terry Moores Echo #12, Trinity #50, Umbrella Academy Dallas #6, Wolverine #73
Check Out Count: Slowly Getting Better.
Have a great week! Book Slave.
2008-11-12
Baby Baby Baby We're out of time...
Hello Y'all,
How are you doing? Awesome I hope. Apologies for the lateness, but this gal had a big day yesterday. After such a success I felt compelled to go out and howl at the moon. Good things seem to be following this gentle writer around these days. Let's see how long it lasts eh?
Reviews
Super Spy
I had read Matt Kindt's Two Sisters a few years ago. I somewhat enjoyed it due to the art style and subject, but found the story confused. With this in mind I picked up the sorta-sequel Super Spy. This graphic novel follows a group of spies during World War 2 which includes the main character Elle, who was featured in Two Sisters. It is difficult to describe the non-linear narrative style employed here but I loved it. The reader is as confused as the main characters are; Kindt is using the narrative style to reflect the crazy world of these spies. It is also the little details and spycraft that Kindt slips in that was wonderful. Highly reccommend checking this out.
Other Reviews
shuffleboil | ComicMix | Daily Cross Hatch
Scalped Vol. 3
This is volume 3 of this amazing series written by Jason Aaron. Quite frankly I think that this is one of the best comic series being written today. Dashell Badhorse is confronted by his troubled relationship with his mother when he finds out she's dead. Using flashback and parallels Aaron fleshes out these complex characters in a realistic way. These characters are so damaged. Again if you love human stories, why are you not reading this?
Past Reviews
Scalped Vol.1 | Scalped Vol. 2
All Star Superman Vol. 1
My tear through the canon of Grant Morrison continues with this volume. I was surprised by how faithful and earnest Morrison's take on the iconography of Superman. He portrays Clark Kent/Superman as someone with a solid morality. Then Morrison challenges the fact that Superman cannot save everyone. Having that weight on his shoulders is the backbone of Superman's inner conflict. It is amazing that Morrison sees this so clearly and does not engage in his general anarchy. I was shocked by Morrison's traditional and conventional take.
Other Reviews
Specusphere | blogcritics| BookLove
The Reading List
Books
Dispatches from the Edge
Dark Tower: Long Road Home
Magazine
Four Four Two
Comics
Trinity
Comic Pull List: Batman Cacophony #1, Captain Britain And Mi 13 #7, Detective Comics #850, Fables #78, Green Arrow Black Canary #14, Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane Season 2 #4, Stand Captain Trips #3, Trinity #24, Wolverine #69
Check Out Count: Hold Heavy.
Have a great week! Book Slave.
How are you doing? Awesome I hope. Apologies for the lateness, but this gal had a big day yesterday. After such a success I felt compelled to go out and howl at the moon. Good things seem to be following this gentle writer around these days. Let's see how long it lasts eh?
Reviews
Super Spy
I had read Matt Kindt's Two Sisters a few years ago. I somewhat enjoyed it due to the art style and subject, but found the story confused. With this in mind I picked up the sorta-sequel Super Spy. This graphic novel follows a group of spies during World War 2 which includes the main character Elle, who was featured in Two Sisters. It is difficult to describe the non-linear narrative style employed here but I loved it. The reader is as confused as the main characters are; Kindt is using the narrative style to reflect the crazy world of these spies. It is also the little details and spycraft that Kindt slips in that was wonderful. Highly reccommend checking this out.
Other Reviews
shuffleboil | ComicMix | Daily Cross Hatch
Scalped Vol. 3
This is volume 3 of this amazing series written by Jason Aaron. Quite frankly I think that this is one of the best comic series being written today. Dashell Badhorse is confronted by his troubled relationship with his mother when he finds out she's dead. Using flashback and parallels Aaron fleshes out these complex characters in a realistic way. These characters are so damaged. Again if you love human stories, why are you not reading this?
Past Reviews
Scalped Vol.1 | Scalped Vol. 2
All Star Superman Vol. 1
My tear through the canon of Grant Morrison continues with this volume. I was surprised by how faithful and earnest Morrison's take on the iconography of Superman. He portrays Clark Kent/Superman as someone with a solid morality. Then Morrison challenges the fact that Superman cannot save everyone. Having that weight on his shoulders is the backbone of Superman's inner conflict. It is amazing that Morrison sees this so clearly and does not engage in his general anarchy. I was shocked by Morrison's traditional and conventional take.
Other Reviews
Specusphere | blogcritics| BookLove
The Reading List
Books
Dispatches from the Edge
Dark Tower: Long Road Home
Magazine
Four Four Two
Comics
Trinity
Comic Pull List: Batman Cacophony #1, Captain Britain And Mi 13 #7, Detective Comics #850, Fables #78, Green Arrow Black Canary #14, Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane Season 2 #4, Stand Captain Trips #3, Trinity #24, Wolverine #69
Check Out Count: Hold Heavy.
Have a great week! Book Slave.
2008-09-02
Review-a-palooza!
Hello world-out-there,
It's gotten a bit colder, summer is biting the dust. Labor Day has come and gone, no more wearing white according to Emily Post. What I do know though is that there will always be books! Onwards!
Reviews
Blowing My Cover
I've been interested in this book for a long time. This memoir takes us through the CIA training/career of C.O. Lindsay Moran. I was fascinated by all the crazy training and psychological games Moran goes through The Farm, the CIA training facility. It's pretty shocking how revealing Moran is. It doesn't seem to have been vetted or censored at all. I was less interested in the latter half of the book which deals with Moran's dissatisfaction with her first assignment turning low level gangsters in Macedonia and Bulgaria. The deglamorization of the spy profession goes on for a bit too long. In the end I found this to be just another mediocre memoir about someone's crazy life experience.
Ultimate Fantastic Four Vol. 1
Seeking something fun I decided to venture into the FF universe. Marvel likes to use the Ultimate Universe to reboot their main characters without the drag of continuity. I enjoyed this almost as much as Ultimate Spider-Man because I could jump right in fresh. It was fun to see a young Reed Richards show his genius. The art was also great, Kubert's Mole monster was great. Highly Enjoyable.
Five Fists of Science
This book was a huge disappointment. I picked it up because I had heard good things about it and it's creator Matt Fraction. Unfortunately this turned out to be a rip off of the League of Extraordinary Gentleman. Now Fraction is a fine writer and their are some funny lines but he's no Alan Moore. And the art is terrible. While I know this is from Image and independent, that's still no excuse. Some panels were so badly sketched that I couldn't tell what was going on. A mighty disappointment.
Scalped Vol. 2
This book continues to be incredible. Jason Aaron finds the good and bad in every character involved in this dark tragic world. In this volume Aaron works more fleshing out the world of "the Rez" and its side characters. I was particularly taken with the issue that focused on Catcher, a man who sees more than anyone knows. Why aren't you reading this series?
Astonishing X-Men Vol. 2
Another enjoyable time although a tad bit too metaphysical for my liking. Whedon is able to catch the angsty voice of these mutants. He is able to make this a book about characters rather than action. I really love how he stays true to each character and stays consistent in their interactions. Cyclops is the heroic leader, Emma Frost the femme fatale. In this volume we do get to see the relationship between Peter and Kitty which comes to a head in an issue of talking head panels. Their dialogue makes clear how these two desperately want to communicate but can't. The art is also consistently amazing which isn't surprising. Cassaday is my favorite X-Men artist. Unfortunately Whedon gets a bit strange here in the end, but he does set up an interesting twist.
Announcements & Shout Outs
I've mentioned that I spend time peddling/pushing books to the masses, well now they've set up a blog page and asked me to contribute. Finally they've posted some of my entries and you can find those here. There I'll be posting some longer reviews and some other free-association musings. So check it out and enjoy some of the other writers there too.
What's In My Bag
Books
In the Woods
Birdwatching
Comic
Kill All Parents
Magazine
Four Four Two
Comic Pull List: TBA
Check Out Count: Improving.
Enjoy your week folks! See you on the interwebs. Bookslave.
It's gotten a bit colder, summer is biting the dust. Labor Day has come and gone, no more wearing white according to Emily Post. What I do know though is that there will always be books! Onwards!
Reviews
Blowing My Cover
I've been interested in this book for a long time. This memoir takes us through the CIA training/career of C.O. Lindsay Moran. I was fascinated by all the crazy training and psychological games Moran goes through The Farm, the CIA training facility. It's pretty shocking how revealing Moran is. It doesn't seem to have been vetted or censored at all. I was less interested in the latter half of the book which deals with Moran's dissatisfaction with her first assignment turning low level gangsters in Macedonia and Bulgaria. The deglamorization of the spy profession goes on for a bit too long. In the end I found this to be just another mediocre memoir about someone's crazy life experience.
Ultimate Fantastic Four Vol. 1
Seeking something fun I decided to venture into the FF universe. Marvel likes to use the Ultimate Universe to reboot their main characters without the drag of continuity. I enjoyed this almost as much as Ultimate Spider-Man because I could jump right in fresh. It was fun to see a young Reed Richards show his genius. The art was also great, Kubert's Mole monster was great. Highly Enjoyable.
Five Fists of Science
This book was a huge disappointment. I picked it up because I had heard good things about it and it's creator Matt Fraction. Unfortunately this turned out to be a rip off of the League of Extraordinary Gentleman. Now Fraction is a fine writer and their are some funny lines but he's no Alan Moore. And the art is terrible. While I know this is from Image and independent, that's still no excuse. Some panels were so badly sketched that I couldn't tell what was going on. A mighty disappointment.
Scalped Vol. 2
This book continues to be incredible. Jason Aaron finds the good and bad in every character involved in this dark tragic world. In this volume Aaron works more fleshing out the world of "the Rez" and its side characters. I was particularly taken with the issue that focused on Catcher, a man who sees more than anyone knows. Why aren't you reading this series?
Astonishing X-Men Vol. 2
Another enjoyable time although a tad bit too metaphysical for my liking. Whedon is able to catch the angsty voice of these mutants. He is able to make this a book about characters rather than action. I really love how he stays true to each character and stays consistent in their interactions. Cyclops is the heroic leader, Emma Frost the femme fatale. In this volume we do get to see the relationship between Peter and Kitty which comes to a head in an issue of talking head panels. Their dialogue makes clear how these two desperately want to communicate but can't. The art is also consistently amazing which isn't surprising. Cassaday is my favorite X-Men artist. Unfortunately Whedon gets a bit strange here in the end, but he does set up an interesting twist.
Announcements & Shout Outs
I've mentioned that I spend time peddling/pushing books to the masses, well now they've set up a blog page and asked me to contribute. Finally they've posted some of my entries and you can find those here. There I'll be posting some longer reviews and some other free-association musings. So check it out and enjoy some of the other writers there too.
What's In My Bag
Books
In the Woods
Birdwatching
Comic
Kill All Parents
Magazine
Four Four Two
Comic Pull List: TBA
Check Out Count: Improving.
Enjoy your week folks! See you on the interwebs. Bookslave.
2008-05-06
Sublime baby Sublime
Hello,
Folks I dare say that summer is officially on! Perhaps I will take my book to the park...Sounds pretty awesome eh?
Reviews
Scalped Vol. 1
This was the most acclaimed and talked about new comic series last year so I had to pick it up. And it did not disappoint. Set on an Indian reservation we follow a Native American lawman who is not only battling corruption but also his own demons. In this first story arc he sets up the connections between the two main characters slowly. They are irrevocably tied together by a past that involves violence and death. I was pretty enthralled and highly recommend this to those who are looking for a character study. I will warn you that this story is definitely rated R. Not for the weak. Check it out, this is the future of comics.
X-Men: Days of Future Past
I decided to review this classic story arc from Chris Claremont because I had heard it name checked in regards to Heroes. In the future the X-Men have been hunted down by Super Sentinels and are about to face nuclear war. Only four X-Men remain: Logan, Ororo, Kate and her husband Peter, and are joined by a wheel-chair bound Magneto, Franklin Richards and his girlfriend, Rachel, a telepath. There last hope is to change the future by changing the past, when the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants murder presidential candidate Robert Kelly and others. To do this, Rachel sends the mind of Kate Pryde back to the present to inhabit her body at age 13. This was revolutionary at the time and brings an end to the Byrne/Claremont run. However, reading this story I was more impressed with the action art and high-concept ideas rather than the actual writing. These issues are horribly dated in their use of dialogue, clunky exposition, and characterizations. Claremont over-writes to the point of exhaustion. There's so many thought balloons. It's tough-going. So while I enjoyed the headiness of time travel and crazy action, it'll be awhile before I pick up another older classic issue.
Fables #72
This was Part 2 of a two issue series involving Cinderella. I highly enjoyed this action-oriented arc. Who knew that Cinderella is a super-spy? She kicks serious ass. There was also a backup preview for the new "House of mystery" title coming out this week. The art was great, the story not so much. I probably won't be picking it up. Still I'd reccommend picking this up for the "Cinderella" story.
What's In My Bag
Books
Armageddon In Retrospect
Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned
Magazines
Comics Now!
Comics
Criminal 2 #2
Check out count: Crazy
"Summertime and the livings Easy" as Sublime says. Enjoy! Book Slave.
Folks I dare say that summer is officially on! Perhaps I will take my book to the park...Sounds pretty awesome eh?
Reviews
Scalped Vol. 1
This was the most acclaimed and talked about new comic series last year so I had to pick it up. And it did not disappoint. Set on an Indian reservation we follow a Native American lawman who is not only battling corruption but also his own demons. In this first story arc he sets up the connections between the two main characters slowly. They are irrevocably tied together by a past that involves violence and death. I was pretty enthralled and highly recommend this to those who are looking for a character study. I will warn you that this story is definitely rated R. Not for the weak. Check it out, this is the future of comics.
X-Men: Days of Future Past
I decided to review this classic story arc from Chris Claremont because I had heard it name checked in regards to Heroes. In the future the X-Men have been hunted down by Super Sentinels and are about to face nuclear war. Only four X-Men remain: Logan, Ororo, Kate and her husband Peter, and are joined by a wheel-chair bound Magneto, Franklin Richards and his girlfriend, Rachel, a telepath. There last hope is to change the future by changing the past, when the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants murder presidential candidate Robert Kelly and others. To do this, Rachel sends the mind of Kate Pryde back to the present to inhabit her body at age 13. This was revolutionary at the time and brings an end to the Byrne/Claremont run. However, reading this story I was more impressed with the action art and high-concept ideas rather than the actual writing. These issues are horribly dated in their use of dialogue, clunky exposition, and characterizations. Claremont over-writes to the point of exhaustion. There's so many thought balloons. It's tough-going. So while I enjoyed the headiness of time travel and crazy action, it'll be awhile before I pick up another older classic issue.
Fables #72
This was Part 2 of a two issue series involving Cinderella. I highly enjoyed this action-oriented arc. Who knew that Cinderella is a super-spy? She kicks serious ass. There was also a backup preview for the new "House of mystery" title coming out this week. The art was great, the story not so much. I probably won't be picking it up. Still I'd reccommend picking this up for the "Cinderella" story.
What's In My Bag
Books
Armageddon In Retrospect
Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned
Magazines
Comics Now!
Comics
Criminal 2 #2
Check out count: Crazy
"Summertime and the livings Easy" as Sublime says. Enjoy! Book Slave.
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