Monday, June 30, 2014

Zeroville

Zeroville

Vikar arrives in Hollywood in the late 1960s and is a devoted film buff. He is such a fan that he has tattooed his bald head with Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift. It's a strange sight and most people, even those working in film, mistake it for something else. Before long, Vikar, a strange childlike savant, finds himself working as a film editor. His odd approach to editing fits into the world of 1970s cinema, but people don't know if they love it or hate it. Through the course of the book he finds himself captured by Spanish rebels, living in a beachhouse in California, attending the Cannes film festival and being mistaken for one of the Manson family. It's an odd book, and the main character is even odder. There is punk rock and a missing movie that is hidden frame by frame in other films. There are the people who work in film, but don't know classic film. There is the transience of life and stardom.

Real and imaginary characters populate the book. The real films and characters are often not named, but hinted at. A hilarious early scene takes place during the filming of 'Love Story.' In a later scene, Vikar wins an award but is furious that they want to use his real name instead of the one he goes by. It's a pretty interesting sendup, but the ending is a bit strange and abrupt. I liked where it was going, but it felt a bit rushed. It was still very entertaining.

I was given a review copy of this ebook by Open Road Integrated Media and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.

Umbral (Umbral, #1)

Umbral (Umbral, #1)

'Umbral' is a fantasy graphic novel that I found unexpectedly good. While the art is a bit looser than I like, there are still enough interesting characters and plot twists to keep it going.

Rascal is a young thief out to steal a precious gem. She is also friends with the prince. While she and the prince are having an adventure, an unspeakable evil visits the kingdom, putting Rascal on the run and finding allies in unexpected places. The Umbral are a strange, evil race that can possess anyone, so who do you trust? Every time she thinks she can take a breath, the Umbral are right at her heels, seeking the gem she stole. It turns out Rascal can't trust many people, but she finds a homeless guy who turns out to be more powerful than she thinks.

There are some pretty typical fantasy tropes in here, but it's a light enough read, and there are some interesting characters. I'm curious to know how the story will continue to unfold. Like I mentioned, the art is a bit loose. I found a couple characters a bit hard to distinguish. All in all, not a bad fantasy graphic novel.

I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

Sunday, June 29, 2014

Black Science, Vol. 1: How to Fall Forever

Black Science, Vol. 1: How to Fall Forever

'Black Science, Vol. 1: How to Fall Forever' is a great read. Showing how pride and greed can lead to all kinds of problems. I really loved the book and can't imagine where it will go next, but the possibilities are worth thinking about.

Grant McKay has created a device called a Pillar. With the device, he can travel between dimensions. The only problem is, it gets triggered before it is ready, sending Grant, his kids, a group of scientists and a greedy company man careening off to who knows where. The book starts off in the middle of a chase and then catches the reader up. There are numerous flashbacks throughout the book to fill in gaps. Compounding things, the Pillar has decided not to work correctly, or perhaps was sabotaged, so when it activates, the team is not sure where they will end up. Things go from bad to worse like a slow motion car wreck. Alternate versions of people try to intervene to stop things and save the kids. You know it will end badly, but you can't stop reading.

The writing by Rick Remender is solid. The arrogance and danger had me wanting to yell at the character's stupidity in their choices. Art by Matteo Scalera is simply stunning. Gorgeous panels filled with strange alternate times. It all feels like the plot of a 1960s science fiction show like Lost in Space with a decidedly modern take. This is really good and I can't wait to see where it goes next.

I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this great SF graphic novel.

Mass Effect: Foundation Volume 2

Mass Effect: Foundation Volume 2

'Mass Effect: Foundation Volume 2' is more graphic novel based on the best selling Bioware video game of the same name. Again, it's written by Mac Walters, who was lead writer on Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3. I found this second volume to be more even and a bit easier to follow and I liked it more than the first.

This volume starts about where the prologue to Mass Effect 2 is. Matthew Shepard is presumed dead in the aftermath of the attack on the Normandy. Characters from the game are sent out to confirm it, and retrieve the body for better or worse. The character of Jacob is fleshed out more and he is shown to be compassionate to those considered to be collateral damage. Miranda just wants to get the job done at any price. There are a few different stories in the volume, but they just feel more fleshed out and complete this time.

The art gets spotty in places. There are some great full panels, but then the art degrades into almost pen sketches. It's a little inconsistent, so I found it disappointing. I wanted gorgeous art like we get in the game and it delivers for the most part. The writing, as I mentioned, is much tighter this time. Perhaps because the first volume was centered around the first game and Mac Walters wasn't the lead writer. Regardless, for fans of the game, it's nice to get more character story and this doesn't disappoint.

I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

Saturday, June 28, 2014

Grand Cru Heist

Grand Cru Heist

'Grand Cru Heist'is the second in the Winemaker Detective series and the first book I've read in the series. Originally written and published in France, it has been translated so that an English reading audience can enjoy it, and it's a pretty good book.

When wine critic Benjamin Cooker is carjacked and assaulted. He's lost his car, but more importantly his wine notebook has also been taken. He leaves Paris for Tours for a rest and to recover. While there he meets an interesting British man travelling with a striking Eastern European woman. When she ends up dead, he tries to help out, but the local police would rather not have his assistance. Who is the mysterious man he left and can he be responsible for this murder? Can it be linked to the mysterious theft of Angelus wine?

At first, I found Cooker to be fussy and a little annoying, but he grew on me. When he got back to Paris and had his assistant Virgile along with him, it got better. The mystery was interesting, but the wine culture is what made this book. It definitely falls into the "cozy" mystery genre, but it's a good addition. I'll be looking forward to reading more in this series.

I was given a review copy of this ebook by Le French Book and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this book.

Dark Shadows: Year One

Dark Shadows: Year One

'Dark Shadows: Year One' refers to the first year that Barnabas Collins was a vampire. It's not a bad story and the art is ok.

Pre-vampire Barnabas is engaged to be married. At the urging of his uncle he has a dalliance with a maid named Angelique. This sets in motion a curse on his family. First it will affect his uncle, then him and on it goes. It's a good, melodramatic story of a cursed family and the bad luck that befalls them. There are setups that have domino effects. It ultimately ends about where the tv series begins.

I remember the series and watched it occasionally. I didn't bother to see the dreadful looking movie. This seems more in line with the series and I found it to be a good, gothic story of tragedy.

I received a copy of this graphic novel from Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Super-Ego: Family Matters

Super-Ego: Family Matters

'Super-Ego: Family Matters' features an interesting premise, a psychiatrist for superheroes. Unfortunately, the book dwells in parody rather than going in what I'd hoped would be a more thoughtful direction.

Superheroes are a bit screwed up. It takes someone with some issues to put on a suit and take justice in their own hands. When those heroes need help, they turn to Dr. Ego. He treats his patients by wearing a reflective hood over his face to reflect their faces back at him. His patients run the gamut of the familiar, but the story mainly concerns the all-too powerful son of a couple of major superheroes. This poor kid has daddy issues (and mommy issues), but he has the ability to destroy the galaxy. Then there is something strange going on with Dr. Ego's grandfather. There is some kind of secret he is keeping. Can Dr. Ego keep the kid from imploding and figure out what is going on with grandpa?

It parodies lots of existing comic book characters without naming them. This is fine, but eventually it pulls from the main story. Is the book supposed to be comedy or tragedy? Does it matter if the reader is trying to figure out who these other characters are supposed to be if they are insignificant to the ongoing story? It sounded like an interesting premise and maybe future issues will prove that out.

I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

Italian Tattoo Flash: The Best of Times Collection

Italian Tattoo Flash: The Best of Times Collection

author: Max Brain

name: Wayne

average rating: 4.00

book published: 2014

rating: 4

read at: 2014/06/26

date added: 2014/06/26

shelves: non-fiction

review:

I don't have any tattoos, but I appreciate good tattoo art. The problem is so much of the stuff I see lacks the kind of serious art to make it interesting. 'Italian Tattoo Flash: The Best of Times Collection' shows the artsier side of tattoo design.



Flash are the designs that tattoo artists draw on paper. The three artists here all work at Best of Times Tattoo in Milan, Italy. The artists are Max Brain, Stizzo (the owner of the parlor) and Silvio Pellico. The art is grouped by artist and also features pictures of the artists at work.



The designs are stunning. With minimal colors there are animals, women, religious objects and historical objects. The art all has a retro sort of style to it and is very detailed. My favorite artist of the three is Pellico, but all the artists feature designs that I really liked. Maybe not enough for me to get a tattoo, but definitely artistic choices.



I was given a review copy of this ebook by Schiffer Publishing Ltd. and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this interesting, artistic book.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/1wDlXnW

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Naja

Naja

author: Jean-David Morvan

name: Wayne

average rating: 4.10

book published: 2014

rating: 4

read at: 2014/06/25

date added: 2014/06/25

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

'Naja' is a strange graphic novel. It's gotten good reviews and partially in, I was really questioning why. By the end it all made sense, but not before taking some interesting twists and turns.



Naja is an assassin who works for Zero. She's never seen Zero. She also doesn't feel pain, which is a plus in a violent profession. Naja is the third best assassin working for Zero and she's content being known as Three. One and Two are a bit more uneasy. Two would gladly knock off One if it weren't so difficult, but all three of them find themselves creating an uneasy truce just to stay alive from a bigger threat.



We learn all this through a narrator with a strange manner of speaking. At first, I thought this affectation strange, but it made sense as the story went on. The narrator knows a lot about Naja, including her disdain for most of the countries and peoples she has visited. There is an undercurrent of pretty dark humor here and it's pretty solidly written by Jean-David Morvan. Art by Bengal is really good for the story. I ended up liking it, so if you try it, stick it out until the end before deciding.



I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/1leVNQ8

The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry

The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry

If you love reading books about books or people who love books, stop reading right now and go get a copy of 'The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry.' I haven't fallen this hard for a book in a few years and it definitely makes my favorites of all time list. Still reading this and not looking for a copy of the book?

A.J. Fikry is the irascible owner of Island Books, a store which does better business in the summer during tourist season. He is a recently widowed man, and his life is being spent more with alcohol and being prickly to everyone around him. When something priceless he owns goes missing, he is undone. When something even more priceless shows up, it threatens to overturn his ordered life. He soon finds himself having a life he probably didn't imagine and learning that no man is an island.

Every chapter is named after a book or short story and includes A.J.'s review of it. There are book references throughout the book as well as the value that a good bookstore brings to the people in a community. Even better are the characters in this book. They are perfectly imperfect, just like real people.

There are so many great quotes in this book, but I'll just leave you with my favorite: "We read to know we're not alone. We read because we are alone. We read and we are not alone. We are not alone."

I was given a review copy of this ebook by Algonquin Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this great book.

Monday, June 23, 2014

Hellboy in Hell, Vol. 1: The Descent

Hellboy in Hell, Vol. 1: The Descent

author: Mike Mignola

name: Wayne

average rating: 4.26

book published: 2014

rating: 4

read at: 2014/06/23

date added: 2014/06/23

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

In 'Hellboy in Hell, Vol 1: The Descent' we follow Hellboy's journey after he sacrificed himself and died. It's all Mike Mignola and it's all just great.



After the events in recent Hellboy books, Hellboy kills a dragon, then has his heart plucked out by Nimue (of Arthurian legend). He finds himself in hell searching for answers. Along the way, more secrets are revealed, characters he's met before show up and in his own wry way, Hellboy manages to almost find more trouble than he can handle. He helps to regain a lost soul for a soldier. He finds his throne and is visited by three ghosts (just like Ebenezer Scrooge, sort of).



There are many literary and mythological versions of hell presented here. The art is great with huge chaotic cemeteries, abandoned old towns, tortured statues and giant bugs. I really enjoyed this one.



I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/1uZZS0f

The Backwash of War: Inspired the BBC Drama The Crimson Field. The Classic Account of a First World War Field-Hospital

The Backwash of War: Inspired the BBC Drama The Crimson Field. The Classic Account of a First World War Field-Hospital

author: Ellen N. La Motte

name: Wayne

average rating: 5.00

book published: 2014

rating: 5

read at: 2014/06/23

date added: 2014/06/23

shelves: non-fiction

review:

War is hell, and certainly nobody knows this more than the doctors and nurses serving in the field hospitals near the battlefields. Especially those serving the wounded during World War I in Belgium and France. 'The Backwash of War' is a firsthand series of vignettes by Ellen N. La Motte who was an American nurse serving as an army nurse in Europe during the Great War. The release of this version of the book coincides with the 100th anniversary of World War I.



The first thing that struck me was how cynical the book is. I'm more familiar with that tone in books from later wars. Certainly the futility must have been felt, but it comes through clearly here. From a patient with a botched suicide that must be tended to just so he can die to the little Belgian boy who is wounded and his mother is too busy to come visit him because of her business making money off of soldiers. A patient getting a medal means a pension, but also means the patient will die. Patching and healing and returning soldiers to the front only to have them come back to repeat the cycle. Also, the soldiers got older as the war went on as the younger soldiers were all used up.



It's a quick, brutal read and I found it completely engaging. The title is completely perfect. There is apparently a BBC drama called the Crimson Field that is based on this book and I'll have to go looking for that next. If this sounds at all appealing, I can't recommend it enough.



I was given a review copy of this ebook by Pavilion Books, Conway and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to read this great book.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/V7Kwfy

Sunday, June 22, 2014

Vampirella Southern Gothic

Vampirella Southern Gothic

author: Nate Cosby

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.29

book published: 2014

rating: 4

read at: 2014/06/22

date added: 2014/06/22

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

In 'Vampirella: Southern Gothic' we get a pretty good story that feels a bit more like urban fantasy than Southern Gothic, but it's not a bad story, nonetheless.



The story starts with Vampirella receiving a wound in her side from a blade that causes her more pain than usual. While she's recovering, she gets a call for help from her friend Jacob in Mississippi. Rather than take time to heal, she's off to help. It turns out there is a woman who has dies 30 plus times and Jacob has gotten himself mixed up with her. His soul is at stake and before Vampi can start investigating, there are already people wanting to kill her. Along the way, she meets up with a strange little girl named Belly and her even stranger dog. She realizes that sometimes you have to help people even if you've decided they are idiots.



I like the Vampi in these stories, and I like that the skimpy costume takes a back seat. She can be just as interesting more modestly dressed like she is here. She's an interesting character and I like this story. She's a character you wouldn't want to mess with and she's completely capable of taking care of herself and that all comes through pretty clearly.



I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/1uUVEa0

Manifest Destiny, Vol. 1

Manifest Destiny, Vol. 1

'Manifest Destiny, Vol. 1' plays out like the very best kind of alternate history. Even though it's a classics meets monsters mashup, and those have seemingly been done to death, it's fresh and original here.

In 1804 when Lewis and Clark set out to explore the Louisiana Purchase, it was a daunting and dangerous task. There was a lot of unknown territory and there was wild speculation of what they might run into. There were talks that they might find herds of wooly mammoths and who knew what else. In this comic book series, that is sort of exactly what they find. The main story deals with a plant based virus that is turning everything into a zombie carrier. There are also some strange menacing creatures to deal with. Along with that, there is possible mutiny among the convicts that have been sent along on the trip. There are endless samples to collect and document (and humor about what to name something no one has ever seen before). Sacajawea even shows up a couple times to save the day.

Chris Dingess has written a brilliant series here. Acknowledging events from the actual journey and giving a taste of how hard the trip is with, then adding in strange encounters. Art by Matthew Roberts is really good. I can't wait to see where this series goes next.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this great graphic novel.

Saturday, June 21, 2014

Mandala

Mandala

author: Stuart Moore

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.50

book published: 2014

rating: 3

read at: 2014/06/21

date added: 2014/06/21

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

'Mandala' is a trippy, cosmic time traveling story. It deals with the choices we can make and the second chances we get.



Michael Patrick Murphy has the power to transform, but whether that is into a creature that can be good or evil is up to him and he needs to fight for the good. He's also gotten lost in the time stream and is dealing with alternate timelines where he can try to see what his choices will yield. On top of that, he also has to gather 13 warriors similar to him to assist in the fight ahead. Can he become Morningstar and collect the team he needs in time?



The story is out there, but makes sense. The art by Bruce Zick is pretty good. It reminds me a little of Mike Mignola, but it's his own style. Personally, I prefer the demon persona of Mike Murphy because he looks cooler, but there are lots of demons and snakes a cool things in the book.



I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/TjrFNb

The X-Files: Conspiracy

The X-Files: Conspiracy

author: Paul Crilley

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.06

book published: 2014

rating: 3

read at: 2014/06/21

date added: 2014/06/21

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

'X-Files: Conspiracy' is an IDW crossover book and it's a strange one pitting the characters in X-Files with those from Ghostbusters, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Transformers and The Crow. It works mainly because the characters used in all the books are The Lone Gunmen.



When The Lone Gunmen start getting pictures from the future about a deadly virus about to wipe out humanity, they start investigating. They have crossover adventures with the Ghostbusters, where they inadvertently set a ghost loose, with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, where they need to collect some turtle blood. The Transformers help with to find a suspect and a couple cops protect them, and then are avenged by The Crow.



It's all over the map, and the art styles vary, but the loopiness of The Lone Gunmen hold it all together through this strange mismatched worlds. I ended up enjoying it and while the framing story worked, it wasn't as strong as it could have been. Still, it's nice to see The Lone Gunmen at it again.



I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/UXH8Us

Thursday, June 19, 2014

An Etiquette Guide to the End Times

An Etiquette Guide to the End Times

author: Maia Sepp

name: Wayne

average rating: 4.40

book published: 2014

rating: 4

read at: 2014/06/19

date added: 2014/06/19

shelves:

review:

In 'An Etiquette Guide to the End Times' we learn that just because the world is slowly unwinding and there is disruption and chaos, this is no time to lose our civility and manners.



It's 2028 and global warming has made Toronto a very warm place. There are food and water shortages and surviving is kind of a full time gig. Olive has an etiquette blog on the internet, except now there is not internet. On top of that, "friendly" government officials come knocking and bribing her with pastries. They want her to work for them and help spread the word that everything is great, when the evidence seems to be otherwise. If that's not enough, Olive's grandfather Fred has gone missing and she's going to have to go through some food bribery of her own to get him back.



I really loved this book. This is an apocalypse with no zombies, but lots of character. Olive's dilemmas and adventures are wry and intelligent. The clever title alone got me to read this and I'm so very glad I did.



I was given a review copy of this ebook by Maia Sepp and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me the chance to review such a delightful book.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/1ievSNW

Burn the Orphanage Volume 1: Born to Lose Tp

Burn the Orphanage Volume 1: Born to Lose Tp

author: Sina Grace

name: Wayne

average rating: 2.88

book published: 2014

rating: 2

read at: 2014/06/19

date added: 2014/06/19

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

'Burn The Orphanage Volume 1: Born to Lose' does start with a burning orphanage and a bunch of angry streetfighting types, but it never gave me a reason to care about the orphanage or even these silly cartoonish streetfighting types.



The story started so abruptly, I felt like I had missed something. Usually orphanages are not remembered fondly, much less sought revenge for, but this is what Rock and his friends Bear and Lex do. Subtlety and nuance are not elements of this story. This is a street brawl with crudeness and violence. It's brashness offended me, not for brashness sake, but just the immaturity level of the story. Then the story moves into godlike creatures fighting aliens in an arena. It's a throwback to the Streetfighter type video games, but it just came across as silly overall.



The art is inconsistent. Sometimes the drawings are good, sometimes, not so much. One sequence toward the end where Rock is hallucinating himself into a side scroller was brilliant. Showing Rock biting off testicles, decidedly less than brilliant. I like "in your face" books, but this one just didn't deliver for me.



I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/1pOBFfn

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys

The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys

author: Gerard Way

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.62

book published: 2014

rating: 4

read at: 2014/06/18

date added: 2014/06/18

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

I'm a bit of a sucker for stories like 'The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys.' Maybe it was my misspent youth in the 1980s and the music and culture I absorbed. This story is a follow up directly from a concept album (really just a few key songs) by Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance and co-written by Shaun Simon. I'm not particularly a fan of the band, but this comic is pretty cool.



Taking place years after the Fabulous Killjoys are all gone, it starts with a DJ in the desert and a girl foraging for food with her cat. There is a big market for anything related to the Killjoys, and it turns out this girl used to be with the band when she was younger.



She finds herself with a group of wannabes that want to take down the evil corporation. There's a city full of androids and bad guys knows as draculoids and scarecrows. There's grand destiny and glorious death. It's all so very over the top, and I just really liked it all.



The story I've talked about, but there are a couple essays by the co-authors about how it all came to be, and they are pretty interesting. The art by Becky Cloonan is perfect for the story, garish and outlandish. I enjoyed it all. Now I want to learn more about that mythical band the Fabulous Killjoys, and ride out to the desert to hear some pirate radio.



I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me review this great graphic novel.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/UO6S5z

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Pretty Deadly, Vol. 1

Pretty Deadly, Vol. 1

author: Kelly Sue DeConnick

name: Wayne

average rating: 4.08

book published: 2014

rating: 4

read at: 2014/06/17

date added: 2014/06/17

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

'Pretty Deadly, Vol. 1' collects the first five issues of the comic. It's one of those books that left me wondering what I'd just read. While the art was intense and amazing, the narrative fell a little flat in places, leaving me loving the art and wanting more story cohesion.



It' set in the old West and it's weird and filled with magic and animal imagery. The framing narration is by a butterfly and a rabbit skeleton. There is a little girl dressed like a crow and a man with a fox for a pet. The little girl is being protected by a blinded old man and hunted by a woman with the face of death. It's all ethereal and moody and haunting.



The art by Emma Rios (who also does the covers) is fantastic. It's sometimes hard to tell what's happening because of the crazy perspectives, but it's just great. The colors by Jordie Bellaire are a standout worth mentioning. I would never have thought of the Old West along with aqua and lavender, but the pastel colors really work here. I think the story is supposed to be ethereal, it just seemed to be ungrounded in some places. Overall, I really enjoyed this and look forward to where it goes from here.



I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/1ygeEUW

Courtney Crumrin:The Witch Next Door (Courtney Crumrin #5)

Courtney Crumrin:The Witch Next Door (Courtney Crumrin #5)

author: Ted Naifeh

name: Wayne

average rating: 4.37

book published: 2014

rating: 4

read at: 2014/06/17

date added: 2014/06/17

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

'Courtney Crumrin: The Witch Next Door' continues a pretty solid series. Ted Naifeh's art and writing are in good form and we have Courtney back on her home turf after a trip to Eastern Europe.



The volume starts with a single story about a young uncle Aloysius and is told in flashback through diary entries. It's interesting, accessible, and gave me new insight into his character.



The rest of the book is devoted to Courtney getting a new neighbor, Holly. Holly is curious about Courtney and soon they become friends, but Holly's interest in Courtney's magic is dangerous and could lead to problems. We see a story told from a couple different viewpoints, which I found interesting. Holly finds out about people that Courtney has apparently cursed, and that popularity spells only lead you on to darker things. Before long, the girls find themselves in the kind of danger that they can't seem to find their way out of.



I love Courtney. She's got an attitude about her that I might find annoying in a child of mine, but I like it. She's become more capable, but is still just as likely to find herself in over her head. It looks like this volume is leading up to a finale of the series. I'll be sad to see Courtney Crumrin and Uncle Aloysius go away. Not a bad story.



I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/1vNdG09

Monday, June 16, 2014

Jericho Season 4 (Jericho Graphic Novels #2)

Jericho Season 4 (Jericho Graphic Novels #2)

author: Kalinda Vazquez

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.70

book published: 2013

rating: 2

read at: 2014/06/16

date added: 2014/06/16

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

'Jericho Season 4 (Jericho Graphic Novels #2)' is a continuation of the cancelled television show. In this day and age, TV shows don't have to die. They can live on in graphic novel form. This one is overseen by the original writing staff, so there is consistency in the story, but there are a variety of artists used, so the artwork turns into something more inconsistent.



Jake and Hawkins are happy to be back in Jericho, but all is not peaceful. There is a new man in town who may know more than he is letting people know. There are big military buildups and trust issues, and lots of conversations in kitchens, but the whole thing feels like a setup for further graphic novels. Things move forward, but it's not a complete story arc, nor even what I would call a TV "season." The length and content don't justify calling it that. To the writers credit, there are a lot of characters to track and write and carry forward so perhaps I'm being too nit-picky.



The art does change styles and sometimes it seems like badly rotoscoped versions of the characters with weird body proportions. It would be nice to have a more consistent approach to the art instead of changing artists every issue.



I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.







via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/1n7pdku

Murder Mysteries

Murder Mysteries

author: Neil Gaiman

name: Wayne

average rating: 4.14

book published: 2002

rating: 4

read at: 2014/06/16

date added: 2014/06/16

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

'Murder Mysteries' takes a short story and radio play by Neil Gaiman and turns it into a fabulous graphic novel by P. Craig Russell. It's hard to imagine it in another form because the adaptation is so perfect.



A man from London finds himself stranded in Los Angeles. After a visit with a friend (and friends of friends), he finds himself wandering the streets. He meets a stranger who wants a cigarette and in payment, the stranger tells him a strange story about the death of an angel and his job in seeking retribution for it. The story shifts from Silver City, where the story takes place, to a lonely park bench overlooking Los Angeles. There is a keen ending to the story that I found interesting.



The book ends with a look into P. Craig Russell's creative process. How he thumbnails, builds panels out, chooses dialogue and breaks. His art is top notch and very deliberate and it shows here. I enjoyed this one.



I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/1qYFXOI

Sunday, June 15, 2014

Samurai Jack Volume 1

Samurai Jack Volume 1

author: Jim Zub

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.38

book published: 2014

rating: 4

read at: 2014/06/15

date added: 2014/06/15

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

'Samurai Jack Volume 1' finds him stuck in a weird future and trying to correct things. It's a clever book and the art fits the style of the show.



The samurai known as Jack is going in search of a way to defeat the wizard, Aku. He finds out he needs to find the Threads of Time, which are parts of the Ropes of Eons, which Aku is using to control things. The threads are scattered in various places which leaves Jack with a series of quests to fulfill. From caves full of frightening monsters to cities to frozen wastelands, Jack collects the threads, but will it be enough to stop Aku? Can he get back where he belongs?



The writing is fun. The story is right in line with the series and it's a good return for fans of the show.



I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/UE0zlc

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Memory Collectors (The Memory Collectors #1-3)

Memory Collectors (The Memory Collectors #1-3)

author: Menton3

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.50

book published: 2014

rating: 3

read at: 2014/06/14

date added: 2014/06/14

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

'Memory Collectors' is a graphic novel with an intriguing concept and gorgeous art that works better as a concept than a fully explained idea. It's strange and weird and I wanted to like it more than I ultimately did.



Edith and Magdalena are fetish models that are saved by a woman named Beatrice and then find themselves fighting a type of evil that lives off memories. The monsters are sort of vampiric in nature. The women train and are very good at what they do. There are also some intermittent stories by other artists which can be a little jarring since the styles are different and the stories seem initially disconnected, but they are good stories and the art is good. The monsters are quite creepy and Edith and company are quite adept at dispatching them, even in crazy high heels.



The art for the main story is really good. The story is sparse, but manageable, but then there are the prose pages. I think graphic novels can work with more exposition, but in this case, the wordier parts try to give more detail, but just aren't as interesting, proving this is all style over substance, which is unfortunate. It works great as a sparse graphic novel, and I would have been happy with less details, but it ultimately ends up sinking itself with exposition.



I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/SK6Utf

Friday, June 13, 2014

Tales from Oz

Tales from Oz

author: Dan Wickline

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.26

book published: 2014

rating: 2

read at: 2014/06/13

date added: 2014/06/13

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

'Tales From Oz' sucked me in with the cover and I requested a review copy before I noticed that it was a Grimm Fairy Tales title. While there were things about it I liked, there were things I did not, so I apologize in advance to those who are fans of this series.



This seems to be a prequel to a new Grimm Fairy Tales series set in Oz, so it sets out origin stories for the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion and the Scarecrow. Needless to say these are quite different from the Frank Baum series. They don't even seem to be using any of the same basic mythology as the Oz series. Consider that Nitpick number 1. This is in line with how some of their other series are and are a reason I gave up reading their series. I don't mind dark versions of fairy tales, but maybe a nod to the origins might be appreciated. Again, this series is apparently not for me.



Then there is the art. I think the art is fairly good except for the human characters where the anatomy is so grossly out of proportion. It just doesn't do it for me. Scantily clad evil witches in Oz just seemed weird to me. I know that this is what this series trades on and I know it has it's fans. I promise that I will refrain from reviewing further titles in this line in the future.



In spite of my rant about them not using the source material, the origin stories are actually not bad. I liked the one for the Cowardly Lion the best. The book includes a story about Toto, who, in this version, seems to be a really large wolf. The book ends with a cover gallery and a preview of the series that starts in Kansas with Dorothy.



I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/1p3LfHq

Lone Ranger Volume 7

Lone Ranger Volume 7

author: Ande Parks

name: Wayne

average rating: 4.00

book published: 2014

rating: 4

read at: 2014/06/13

date added: 2014/06/13

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

'The Lone Ranger Volume 7' collects volumes 13 through 18 of the series by Dynamite Comics. The series features great covers by Francesco Francavilla and is written by Ande Parks.



The graphic novel starts out with a scene at an antiques auction where a woman has a silver bullet. This flashes back to a story of the Lone Ranger freeing some Chinese immigrant women who had been enslaved. From there, we move to a posse chasing a fugitive across a desert, into a continuation of a previous story from Tonto's life. Then the rest of the volume is a larger story arc following the Lone Ranger and Tonto back East looking for the a man who betrayed them in a previous story. There is lots of comedy about these two trying to fit into Chicago, but there is also some backstory about John Reid's days in college there.



The book is solid. The writing is good and the art by Esteve Polls is good. This is a good character, and I don't think there is another straight up Western comic out there (without being weird west or steampunk or something), so this is a nice niche addition to the field of comics. I enjoyed it.



I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/1p3EG7P

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Hobbit Lessons: A Map for Life's Unexpected Journeys

Hobbit Lessons: A Map for Life's Unexpected Journeys

author: Devin Brown

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.67

book published: 2013

rating: 3

read at: 2014/06/12

date added: 2014/06/12

shelves: non-fiction

review:

'Hobbit Lessons: A Map for Life's Unexpected Journeys' takes a look at the lessons we can all find in the works fo J.R.R. Tolkien. There is a lot of crossover to the Lord Of The Rings series, so the title is a little misleading, and probably titled to take advantage of the newer movies, but it does use Bilbo's journey as the basis.



The lessons include being open to new adventures, watching out for your friends, not holding too tightly to what we think is valuable, realizing that all that glitters is not gold, and finally that we are just a small part of a larger whole. The book is supposedly a Christian book, and there are some feints in that direction, but it doesn't seem overly religious, so it shouldn't offend anyone.



There are some drawings in the book, and each chapter has questions for reflection. I've read The Hobbit many times, and if you asked me what the lessons were, I might come up with the same exact list. Whether you need a third party to make that clear to you is something you will have to decide. It's a quick enough read, and does expand nicely on the topics. I enjoyed reading it.



I was given a review copy of this ebook by Abingdon Press and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this book.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/1oZRvjq

Jack Strong

Jack Strong

author: Walter Mosley

name: Wayne

average rating: 4.20

book published: 2014

rating: 4

read at: 2014/06/12

date added: 2014/06/12

shelves:

review:

'Jack Strong' is a new shorter sf work from Walter Mosley and it's a good one. I'd love to read more stories about this character, because there were a lot of things left unexplained by the end. That's not a bad thing. That's an enticement to want to learn more.



Jack Strong wakes up in a fancy Las Vegas hotel room from a dream with lots of voices in it. He still hears them when he wakes up, and his body is scarred and patchworked. His hand has a ladies finger on it among others. To top it all of, there are folks in a black van that keep following him around.



The story revolves around all these dead people suddenly sort of residing in Jack's body with him. He can cycle through them at will to find the one with the skills he needs at the time. He's figuring out that he might need to help some of them. For instance, there is this guy who died in the desert on the outskirts of Las Vegas after he was double-crossed by his girlfriend.



It's a short breathtaking page turner and while the story is complete, it definitely left me wanting to know more about Jack and some of the people living inside him. Suspenseful and imaginative.



I was given a review copy of this ebook by Open Road Integrated Media and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to read this action packed ebook.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/1lmLiPe

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Hatsune Miku Graphics: Character Collection Cv01 - Hatsune Miku Edition

Hatsune Miku Graphics: Character Collection Cv01 - Hatsune Miku Edition

author: Comptiq

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.00

book published: 2013

rating: 3

read at: 2014/06/11

date added: 2014/06/11

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

'Hatsune Miku Graphics: Character Collection Cv01 - Hatsune Miku Edition' is a graphic novel about something I knew very little about. Hatsune Miku is a Japanese pop star that is actually a humanoid persona voiced by a singing synthesizer (thanks Wikipedia!). When I looked up a video, it was kind of a surreal experience.



This volume is a collection of all kinds of things. There are pages of art by fans and other artists. The renderings are a variety of styles and outfits. There are also lyric pages, comics, character bios of a sort and what seem to be game hints. The comics need to be read left to right or they won't make sense. There are some funny shorter strips and a few longer stories. The game seems to be a sort of Guitar Hero variant.



As stated, I'm not a fan. I wasn't even aware who this character was and stumbled across as a review copy. It might be nice to have a little more character background in the beginning of the book, but googling Hatsune Miku brings up a whole bunch of information and some strange music videos.



I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/1l37nUb

Three

Three

author: Kieron Gillen

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.65

book published: 2014

rating: 5

read at: 2014/06/11

date added: 2014/06/11

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

The graphic novel 'Three' by Kieron Gillen serves as a sort of rebuttal to '300' and our current obsession with the Spartans. It's a very well researched graphic novel, and while the story is fictional, it serves to show an empire in decline.



When a village of Helots is belittled and humiliated by visiting Spartan overlords, a few fight back. Three Helots find themselves on the run with 300 Spartans in pursuit. They are trying to get to Messene and freedom. The three are an overly talkative man, a woman and a man who appears to be a cripple. They all have strengths that will help the others. They will show incredible courage.



The extras inlude a cover gallery, an in-depth discussion by page of the historical details, and a great interview with Professor Stephen Hodkinson, a scholar who has studied Sparta since the early 1970s.



Combine Kieron Gillen's well researched and well told story with Ryan Kelly's great art, and you have a very fine graphic novel indeed. I really enjoyed this one.



I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this great graphic novel.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/1s77EJt

Monday, June 9, 2014

Going Home (Going Home, #1)

Going Home (Going Home, #1)

author: A. American

name: Wayne

average rating: 4.04

book published: 2012

rating: 4

read at: 2014/06/09

date added: 2014/06/09

shelves:

review:

'Going Home' gives a kind of "what if" scenario about what happens if the power grid should ever fail. It's a gripping read, and much better than some others I've read. Mainly because the main character is actually a decent human being forced to do tough things.



When Morgan's vehicle breaks down 250 miles from home, he initially finds it to be an inconvenience. When he notices that all the cars around him aren't working and neither are any of his electronics, he suspects a larger problem. Morgan is more prepared for this than most folks, so he grabs his bug out bag from the trunk and sets out for home on foot. Along the way he meets people who will help him, and people who want to harm him. As the days drag on, people get more desparate. Morgan finds a couple trustworthy travelling companions, one a trucker and one a college kid heading in his direction.



Partly it's a collection of what I like to think of as "gear porn." Lots of gear is discussed and used (cooking gear, firearms, various survival items like food and water bottles, etc.). Strategies and tactics are woven throughout. Morgan is not a crazy, gun-toting lunatic. He's a father trying to get back to his family. I liked him. The cause of the power outage might seem a bit implausible, but no more than any other thriller out there. The book is a real page turner. It bogged a bit for me about two-thirds through, but finishes strong and lays the groundwork for future volumes.



I was given a review copy of this ebook by Penguin Group Plume and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this exciting ebook.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/1uOorit

Garth Ennis Complete Battlefields Volume 3 Hc

Garth Ennis Complete Battlefields Volume 3 Hc

author: Garth Ennis

name: Wayne

average rating: 4.50

book published: 2014

rating: 4

read at: 2014/06/09

date added: 2014/06/09

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

'Garth Ennis Complete Battlefields Volume 3' is a showcase of the great writing that Garth Ennis is known for. There are 2 complete, and completely different, stories featured in this volume. Both are based on true events and very memorable.



'The Fall and Rise of Anna Kharkova' follows a female Russian pilot starting at the end of World War II. The female pilots were known as Night Witches. She goes on an unauthorized raid over Germany and ends up crashing. She spends the rest of the war injured and being tended to by a British soldier. Upon her release, she is branded a traitor by her country because they demanded that soldiers fight to the death, not capture. The story follows her journey as an outcast, when all she really wants to do is fly again.



In 'The Green Fields Beyond' it's the Korean War and we follow the Hussars into tank battle during the Chinese Spring offensive of 1951. During the adventure, we visit the Glosters during their defense of Hill 235. It's one of those do or die defenses where courage is born out of hopelessness.



The volume ends with a nice essay detailing the true events that inspired these two stories. The stories are not that far fetched. The writing is top notch and the art is very good. I really enjoyed this one.



I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/1l2lyTp

Sunday, June 8, 2014

Star Trek: Khan

Star Trek: Khan

author: Mike Johnson

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.48

book published: 2014

rating: 3

read at: 2014/06/08

date added: 2014/06/08

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

'Star Trek: Khan' tells the origin of one of Star Trek's most dangerous enemies. This is the new Khan as played by actor Benedict Cumberbatch, but there are references made to the classic character in the original series and the movie Star Trek 2, and they address why he looks different, which, while unnecessary, I found clever.



The book takes place after the events of Star Trek: Into Darkness and Khan is standing trial. He is making a defense and as part of that he tells his story. As a child in India, he was put in a eugenics program. The program was to create a new breed of super soldiers and it was far too effective as Khan and his fellow classmates eventually overthrow the world's governments. Khan shows himself to be a natural leader even among these elites.



We then cut to Khan waking up with a new face and working for Admiral Marcus. This is a little jarring, but a little back story brings us up to date.



I think the first half was more interesting. I found the tie in stuff with the movie less necessary, but the art by Claudia Balboni is pretty good.



I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/1uIgj2Z

Transformers: Dark Cybertron Volume 1

Transformers: Dark Cybertron Volume 1

author: James Roberts

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.71

book published: 2014

rating: 2

read at: 2014/06/08

date added: 2014/06/08

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

'Transformers: Dark Cybertron Volume 1' collects the first part of a larger story arc, but doesn't complete it within this volume. For that, you will need to find further volumes.



What you will find is a huge story with uneven art transitions. I assume this happens since the story takes place over different issues of the comic. Shockwave tries to remake Cybertron. There are uneasy alliances amongst the Autobots and Decepticons. There are prophecies involved, and a gigantic Transformer is awakened which has a role to play. It's all big and grand and a bit confusing to those not as familiar with where the Transformers are currently. I suggest this may not be the best place to start.



It's a good story, but it takes a while to kind of kick in. I did like it when it was almost over. I've read a few Transformers graphic novels over the past few months, but I was a bit lost at the beginning of this story. I also note that my review copy was a number of pages shorter than the advertised page count, so that might be the problem.



I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/1kUiUnn

Saturday, June 7, 2014

The Gamification Revolution: How Leaders Leverage Game Mechanics to Crush the Competition

The Gamification Revolution: How Leaders Leverage Game Mechanics to Crush the Competition

author: Gabe Zichermann

name: Wayne

average rating: 4.03

book published: 2013

rating: 3

read at: 2014/06/07

date added: 2014/06/07

shelves: non-fiction-business

review:

'The Gamification Revolution' is a guide for gamifying the business world. It's a kind of buzzword in modern business and this book goes about attempting fairly well how gamification is being used by businesses. To get employee engagement, this is certainly something that can be beneficial, especially among younger employees who are also gamers.



The book includes access to a webpage that attempts to gamify the reading experience. Answering questions about the chapter would unlock extra features and interviews. Unfortunately, for me, this came across as gimicky and didn't engage me after a couple chapters. The extra content was good, but having to jump through hoops to get it felt like someone was trying too hard. In later chapters, the game content had the reader do stuff like "read the next section standing on one leg." I get where they were going with this, it just seemed to take away from the subject.



On the plus side, they used plenty of real world examples of companies that are successfully using gamification to train employees, or use customers or complete strangers to get involved in a company or product. The concepts are good, but may lack step by step ways to do this. There are companies that can help your company do this, and I don't think copying a set strategy or another company is necessarily the best idea.



I was given a review copy of this ebook by McGraw-Hill Professional and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this book.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/1oxPYmg

Millhouse

Millhouse

author: Natale Ghent

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.73

book published: 2014

rating: 4

read at: 2014/06/07

date added: 2014/06/07

shelves: children-s

review:

'Millhouse' is the kind of adorable kids book I loved when I was little. It reminds me of Charlotte's Web, the books of Dick King-Smith, and any number of talking animal books I read.



Millhouse, or Milly, is a hairless guinea pig living in a pet shop, that's seen better days, along with other animals. He's a bit of a wimp, but he also loves the theater. He was once owned by an actor, and Milly spends his nights reminiscing about those days and performing bits of theater, to the jeers of his nearby cagemates. A group of mice help him get out to the theater one night on an adventure that is almost fatal. When an accident happens in the pet store, can Milly summon up the courage to save the day? And will he ever be adopted by someone who appreciate who he is?



At first I didn't like wimpy Millhouse, but he grew on me. There are some memorable characters, like the swarms of baby mice and the aging rat. By the end, Millhouse had won me over, and that's the lesson of the book. We all are different, and each of us has the capability of being a hero.



It's a cute book, and one that would be great for about age 8, or to be read aloud to younger readers. There are illustrations throughout. I found it a delightful read.



I was given a review copy of this ebook by Random House of Canada Limited and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this charming book.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/Trq7kq

Friday, June 6, 2014

Ro-Busters: The Disaster Squad of Distinction

Ro-Busters: The Disaster Squad of Distinction

author: Pat Mills

name: Wayne

average rating: 4.00

book published: 2014

rating: 4

read at: 2014/06/06

date added: 2014/06/06

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

'Ro-Busters: The Disaster Squad of Distinction' is a collection of stories from 2000AD Magazine. These all are from the late 1970s. They are serial stories, but complete story arcs are included here. The Ro-Busters are a team of robots that help with international rescue. Their boss is the conniving mostly robot, Howard Quartz. He's also known as Ten Percent for the amount of human he has left.



The two main robots for most of these stories are Ro-Jaws, a kind of crass plumber robot, and Hammer-Stein, a soldier robot with memories of the last war. His memories make up one of the better story arcs in the collection. There is also a story with the Terra-Meks, a group of giant robots sent in to destroy a town and Big Charlie, the friendly harbor robot who stands in their way.



The art is all great, with black and white illustrations. Writing is mainly by Pat Mills, who writes an introduction. Alan Moore also has writing duties on this series. It's not a series I was familiar with, but I found it to be goofy fun.



I was given a review copy by Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this fun graphic novel.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/TpuAEg

The Long Way

The Long Way

author: Michael Corbin Ray

name: Wayne

average rating: 4.03

book published: 2013

rating: 4

read at: 2014/06/06

date added: 2014/06/06

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

'Ro-Busters: The Disaster Squad of Distinction' is a collection of stories from 2000AD Magazine. These all are from the late 1970s. They are serial stories, but complete story arcs are included here. The Ro-Busters are a team of robots that help with international rescue. Their boss is the conniving mostly robot, Howard Quartz. He's also known as Ten Percent for the amount of human he has left.



The two main robots for most of these stories are Ro-Jaws, a kind of crass plumber robot, and Hammer-Stein, a soldier robot with memories of the last war. His memories make up one of the better story arcs in the collection. There is also a story with the Terra-Meks, a group of giant robots sent in to destroy a town and Big Charlie, the friendly harbor robot who stands in their way.



The art is all great, with black and white illustrations. Writing is mainly by Pat Mills, who writes an introduction. Alan Moore also has writing duties on this series. It's not a series I was familiar with, but I found it to be goofy fun.



I was given a review copy by Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this fun graphic novel.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/1q43z40

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

The Trolley Problem, or Would You Throw the Fat Guy Off the Bridge?: A Philosophical Conundrum

The Trolley Problem, or Would You Throw the Fat Guy Off the Bridge?: A Philosophical Conundrum

author: Thomas Cathcart

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.76

book published: 2013

rating: 4

read at: 2014/06/04

date added: 2014/06/04

shelves: non-fiction

review:

'The Trolley Problem' takes a philosophical problem and expands it out into a clever way to explain some philosophical ideas. The trolley problem is a question that has been asked for a while. A trolley is out of control. On the track ahead are five people, who for whatever reason, are unable to get out of the way. You are standing by a switch that can divert the trolley to a side track, but there is a lone person on this track who will be killed instead. Do you throw the switch to save the five people or do you let matters take their course?



The book is presented as a court case that is played in the modern media. It takes place in one of the few cities left that has trolleys, San Francisco. There are police reports, attorney statements, public debates on the radio and in classrooms. Throughout are interwoven the underpinning arguments and schools of philosophy. There are also a few wrinkles added to show variants on the Trolley Problem. Does doing nothing make you a murderer, or throwing the switch and dooming the lone man? Is it right to kill one to save some?



It's an interesting moral/ethical conundrum and Thomas Cathcart presents it in a highly readable manner. It's easy to see why this problem has prompted debate. I found it intelligent and fascinating.



I was given a review copy of this ebook by Workman Publishing Company and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this great book.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/1mcLhtw

Street Fighter Origins: Akuma

Street Fighter Origins: Akuma

author: Joe Ng

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.11

book published: 2013

rating: 2

read at: 2014/06/04

date added: 2014/06/04

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

'Street Fighter Origins: Akuma' is exactly as the title describes. This graphic novel gives Akuma a back story. In the video game, he is one of the largest and fiercest fighters.



He wasn't always. As a child, he grew up on a farm with his parents and his older brother, Goken. One night, some men come to the farm and reveal a secret about his father. The family flees, but Akuma starts to seek revenge. His path is the dark one, while his brother seeks the light. Akuma's transition to the dark is steady and without much soul searching. I wanted more thought, but maybe that's what you get in a story about a video game character.



Art by Joe Ng is pretty good, but the story just kind of lays there a little limp. Akuma's brother is actually a more interesting character. Maybe that's the intent, but it doesn't do much for Akuma's story.



I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/1hcIQuR

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Troy: Last War of the Heroic Age

Troy: Last War of the Heroic Age

author: Si Sheppard

name: Wayne

average rating: 4.11

book published: 2014

rating: 4

read at: 2014/06/03

date added: 2014/06/03

shelves: non-fiction

review:

'Troy: Last War of the Heroic Age' is one of the most concise retellings I've seen of the Trojan War. In 80 pages (inluding illustrations!) the major themes, characters and battles of the war are discussed (as well as much of the minor material as well).



It all starts with Paris running off with Helen, the wife of the king of Sparta. The city of Troy found itself besieged by the Aechaens and a huge number of forces from other states in Greece. We meet Achilles, Ajax, Hector, Odysseus, and Aeneas. Some will survive, some will be cut down. We see the capricious gods intervening to serve their own inscrutable aims. We learn the origins of the myth of Achilles heel and how it didn't become part of the myth until much later. Then there is the Trojan horse, a plan so crazy that it almost failed a couple times before succeeding.



Professor Si Sheppard has done a great job distilling this story. The illustrations are well chosen. I especially loved the bits of Greek pottery that were chosen which illustrate the heroic moments of the story. I really enjoyed this book.



I was given a review copy of this ebook by Osprey Publishing and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review the fascinating ebook.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/S6yrop

Quite Contrary

Quite Contrary

author: Richard Roberts

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.46

book published: 2013

rating: 3

read at: 2014/06/03

date added: 2014/06/03

shelves:

review:

In 'Quite Contrary' young streetwise Mary Stuart finds herself in a familiar story, but decides not to play along. In a story that is not about the destination, but the journey, we learn that we don't have to play out the story we've been given.



Mary goes to a party that she probably shouldn't have gone too. After all, she's only 12. She gets dared to go into the scary crawlspace under the house and finds herself in the woods. With a talking rat named Rat. He wants to be Rat-in-boots, but he lacks the boots. She also finds herself wearing a red cape and realizes she's supposed to be Red Riding Hood. She's also supposed to die at the hands of a terrible wolf. She decides differently, so she runs. She finds herself in a series of stories with the wolf pursuing her. Fairies, Norse tales, a boat that is purgatory, a castle with dangerous traps and a modern day horror town are a few of the locations. She meets friends and enemies along the way.



I found Mary a little too worldwise. She's only 12, and backstory is given for her toughness, but it was easy to forget she was 12 a lot of the time. However, I did like her unwillingness to just follow along the path she was on. Her snarky attitude makes her a pretty cool character and I'd like to read more stories starring her.



I was given a review copy of this ebook by Curiosity Quills Press and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/S6yqB5

Monday, June 2, 2014

Emily and the Strangers Volume 1

Emily and the Strangers Volume 1

author: Rob Reger

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.00

book published:

rating: 3

read at: 2014/06/02

date added: 2014/06/02

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

Emily the Strange gets her own comic mini-series, and it's not bad. 'Emily and the Strangers Volume 1' gives us some more background about Emily. She's a mad inventor, she hates pink, she has a menagerie of cats, and she's antisocial enough not to want to play well with others. Unfortunately, she's going to have to learn to.



When one of Emily's favorite musicians, Professa Kraken, dies. She finds out about a contest where she can when his guitar, a strange steampunk invention with multiple necks and things growing out of it. She submits a tape and wins the contest, or so she thinks. The small print says she also has to win a battle of the bands. She finds herself in a band full of people who have their own ideas of what music should be. Is it classical, punk, jazz or rock? Will this band of misfits gel as a band in time to win the contest?



It's not a bad story, but perhaps a bit too predictable. The lessons about getting along with others and playing to their strengths is good. It wasn't what I would have expected from this character, but it didn't seem out of type for her. Emily Ivie does a great job with art and there is lots of supplemental material in back, including Ivie's wallpaper designs for the book.



I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/1rFcPQC

The Art of Plants vs. Zombies: A Visual Retro Retrospec Book

The Art of Plants vs. Zombies: A Visual Retro Retrospec Book

author: Philip Simon

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.71

book published: 2014

rating: 3

read at: 2014/06/02

date added: 2014/06/02

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

'The Art of Plants vs. Zombies: A Visual Retrospec Book' is an art book with a tongue and cheek element, which it should have. After all, this is art from a game about plants fighting back against a zombie invasion of a back yard (among other locations).



The zombies narrate the book, and they are vocal about how much they hate the plants. Most of the art is of the zombies, but the plant art is represented. Also, all of the games that have been published are represented, including the ones from the upcoming Plants vs. Zombies sequel, with time travelling zombies. There are a number of rare sketches, as well as a picture of the banner that the popular PopCap zombies left on top of the Space Needle in Seattle.



It's a really fun and addictive game, and that's in large part due to the really fun and silly art. It's fun to revisit all the familiar zombies (disco zombie, anyone?), and see a sneak peek of what's ahead.



I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/1n6H1iw

Sunday, June 1, 2014

Hellboy: The First 20 Years

Hellboy: The First 20 Years

author: Mike Mignola

name: Wayne

average rating: 4.20

book published: 2014

rating: 4

read at: 2014/06/01

date added: 2014/06/01

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

'Hellboy: The First 20 Years' is an anniversary special celebrating the series that started in March 1994. With a great introduction by artist Peter de Seve, and a self-deprecating one from Mike Mignola. Although there was an Art of Hellboy book about 10 years back, this book aims to just show the characters evolution over the years.



With the original drawings of Hellboy where he appears almost furry, to sketches, full paintings, and comic con artwork, we can see the creative process at work. Mike Mignola's style is all his own and it's a great one. With his sloped shoulders and one hand larger than the other, Hellboy is not anatomically perfect. The art is shot through with angles and imperfect looking characters. This isn't to say the art is imperfect. It gives the work an iconic and identifiable style.



Peter de Seve talks about Mike Mignola's influences. There are shades of Bernie Wrightson and Frank Frazetta. Jack Kirby is listed as a possible. His work with shapes is certainly evident in the style. It's great art in the series and good to see here on it's own.



I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/1hqxK5O

Helheim: The Witch War, Volume One

Helheim: The Witch War, Volume One

author: Cullen Bunn

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.77

book published: 2014

rating: 4

read at: 2014/06/01

date added: 2014/06/01

shelves: graphic-novels

review:







via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/RVL064