The Wicked + The Divine, Vol. 3: Commercial Suicide

author: Kieron Gillen
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.69
book published: 2016
rating: 2
read at: 2016/11/29
date added: 2016/11/29
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'The Wicked + The Divine, Vol. 3: Commercial Suicide' by Kieron Gillen left me mostly unimpressed. With regular artist Jamie McKelvie on hiatus, the issue had a series of guest artists with varying quality.

The volume is set up as a bunch of singular issues tied together by a reporter doing a story on the gods. If you're unfamiliar with the series, the gods come back every so often, then die off after two years. In this version, they are celebrities and pop stars, which fits the kind of nihilistic lifestyle of dying after a few years.

I enjoyed the first volume I read, but this one feels like so much moping. It's hard to feel any pity for someone who has beauty and power, even if they have a supposedly limited life. It just wore on me. There area few characters I like, and there was some art I liked. It's funny that my favorite was issue 17 which was done by Jamie McKelvie, the regular artist. Maybe this really was commercial suicide. I enjoyed the earlier issues, but this one left me cold.

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


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Street Fighter X G.I. Joe

author: Aubrey Sitterson
name: Wayne
average rating: 2.44
book published:
rating: 2
read at: 2016/11/29
date added: 2016/11/29
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Street Fighter X G.I. Joe' by Aubrey Sitterson and Emilio Laiso is a graphic novel version of a video game fight, and it's fun in it's own way.

M. Bison and Destro seem to be running things on a secret island and the only way to defeat them will be for some of the G.I. Joe team and fighters from Street Fighter to compete in a series of fights. The fights start at eight fights and bracket down to one big fight, but who will emerge victorious.

There are good guys and bad guys fighting on each team, so you have to just set that aside and approach this like you would a player selection screen in a video game, but in this case, the combatants have been chosen for you. So you have ridiculous Rufus fighting The Baroness. If you ask me, there was way too much Rufus in this book fro my taste. Roadbloack fights Hakan, etc. You get the picture. Then the winners of those fights fight each other.

There is enough dialogue and plot to keep it interesting, and it should please people who like "what if" scenarios. The art is decent, but there wasn't enough here to keep me all that interested.

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


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Wonder Woman: The True Amazon

author: Jill Thompson
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.96
book published: 2015
rating: 4
read at: 2016/11/27
date added: 2016/11/27
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Wonder Woman: The True Amazon' by Jill Thompson is a graphic novel that feels like a storybook. The story and art make this a winning read.

This is the story of the arrival of Diana on the island of Themiscyra. Her mother Hippolyta wanted a child, so she created one out of sand. She sang to it every night, and the song was so beautiful that the gods took pity and brought the baby to life. She was loved by all and this made her spoiled and selfish. She used her talents to rid the island of monsters and rule everyone's hearts, but there was one person she couldn't win over. In order to win that person over, Diana competes and plays a selfish prank that has devastating effects. The outcome will change her life forever.

It's a different origin than I've heard, but it's one that I found more captivating and magical. The art and lettering lend themselves to the fairytale feel of the book. That we know Diana as Wonder Woman makes this selfish brat more tolerable because we know something must happen to change her. I enjoyed this one shot and I feel like we have been getting some wonderful Wonder Woman stories of late.

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


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Geronimo Stilton #18: "First to the Last Place on Earth"

author: Geronimo Stilton
name: Wayne
average rating: 5.00
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2016/11/27
date added: 2016/11/27
shelves: children-s, graphic-novels
review:
'Geronimo Stilton #18: "First to the Last Place on Earth"' by Geronimo Stilton with art by Ryan Jampole is my introduction to the world of Geronimo Stilton, but I had no problem getting involved in the characters or the story.

The story starts on Mouse Island, an island inhabited by mice. Geronimo is a reporter trying to report on the game, a subject he knows little about. He meets up with the rest of his team there: Trap, Trappy, Benjamin and Thea. They are about to be sent off on an adventure in 1910 to try and defeat the Pirate Cats. The Pirate Cats want to disrupt a race to the South Pole, and Geronimo is being sent to try to help Roald Amundsen to get to the South Pole. The Cats are trying to help Amundsen's rival, Robert Scott Falcon. They have to convince Amundsen to let them join the explanation, and they have to defeat the Pirate Cats along the way.

It's a perfect young reader series. If the others in the series are like this, it would also be a fun way to learn about history. There are funny things that happen as well as adventurous types of things. I enjoyed reading it. It reminded me of the adventure comics I used to read, like Uncle Scrooge.

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


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Light

author: Rob Cham
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.00
book published: 2015
rating: 4
read at: 2016/11/27
date added: 2016/11/27
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Light by Rob Cham is a wordless comic. The book features some surprises along the way, and I liked it.

A lone character sets out on an adventure. When he is dumped into a below ground cavern, he finds a gem. This is the first of several he is trying to collect. He meets some friends that will help him, but he also meet some foes that are not happy about him taking the gems. There are giant bats and frogs and creatures I can't describe. Telling much more might give some things away, so I'll stop telling you more.

I liked it because of the adventure theme. Most of it is explained well enough to follow. I found myself lost a couple times, but re-engaged pretty quickly. The story is pretty violent at times, but that wasn't unexpected. This doesn't look like a story for children, so there is no need for it to be written as one. I really liked the ending and that way the colors evolve.

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


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The Fireside Grown-Up Guide to Mindfulness

author: Jason Hazeley
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.50
book published: 2015
rating: 3
read at: 2016/11/25
date added: 2016/11/25
shelves:
review:
'The Fireside Grown-Up Guide to Mindfulness' by Jason Hazeley and Joel Morris combines classic book illustrations with funny captions. Like the other volumes, I had mixed reactions.

The captions are told in large fonts. They are a little funny. Where the humor comes in is with the classic illustration that has been found to match up with the text. Some of the pictures seem idyllic or fantastical, like a chair being pulled by swans or a beautiful woman painting in a window. Some are mundane, like a man working on a huge duct in a factory, or a drab building.

The illustrations are all from Ladybird Books. I didn't grow up with those. Perhaps if they'd used illustrations from Golden Books, I'd be more nostalgic about the series. The captions are marginally funny. Occasionally one really stands out. These would possibly be good gift books for someone who grew up with Ladybird Books.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Touchstone and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


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Manhattan Projects Deluxe Edition, Volume 2

author: Jonathan Hickman
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.17
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at: 2016/11/25
date added: 2016/11/25
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'The Manhattan Projects Deluxe Edition, Volume 2' by Jonathan Hickman and Nick Pitarra collects the graphic novel volumes 3 and 4 and is comprised of issues 11-20. That a series gets a deluxe edition should tell you that this is a well reviewed or popular series. As you read, you should keep that in mind.

The series is about a group of famous nuclear scientists who get together with other famous scientists and generals. There goal is to take over the world, naturally. So, you have famous names like Einstein, Fermi, Feynman, Oppenheimer, Von Braun, Gagarin, and even Laika the space dog. Some are merely irradiated skulls in spacesuits, some are degenerating before our eyes, some are twins, and some might even be aliens.

If it all sounds pretty strange, it certainly is. You need only see chapters on the civil wars between Oppenheimer and, well, Oppenheimer, with huge armies or red and blue squaring off.

It can be pretty maniacal and disjointed and nonsensical at times, but this is a world where Einstein and company are mad scientists. It reminds me a bit of the Walter character from the television show Fringe, but on a huge scale. Also, there is no way any of this could work in any other medium. It's an odd series, but I like it.

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


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Super Powers (2016-) #1

author: Art Baltazar
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.00
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2016/11/25
date added: 2016/11/25
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Super Powers #1' by Art Baltazar and Franco is just as fun as the other titles these two have done. Kid friendly and true to the characters.

Batman has gone missing, but Gotham still has lots of bad guys. Superman steps in to help out, but where is Batman? That mystery may tie in to Superman. Wonder Woman showing up doesn't seem to tie in to anything at the moment, but she's always handy to have around. The secret behind all this will continue next issue.

I love Art Baltazar's work on Itty Bitty Hellboy and his work with Franco on Tiny Titans. The art is bright and has thick lines. I like the versions of familiar heroes and villains we get here. Killer Croc is a bit strange looking, but I like sad Penguin wondering when Batman is coming back. The story is fun and I would completely read more in this series.

I received a review copy of this issue from DC Entertainment and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this issue.


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Frostbite #3

author: Joshua Williamson
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.00
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2016/11/25
date added: 2016/11/25
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Frostbite #3' by Joshua Williamson with art by Jason Shawn Alexander continues to icy trek up the coast of California. What this series has taught me so far is that I shouldn't get too attached to characters.

This time around we learn of people that are trying to find and stop Vic. They are headed up by a vicious guy named Boss Burns. This sends some crazy gangs after the lumbering snow truck. A show down is approaching fast, and Keaton finds herself right in the middle of it.

This continues to be a fun take on a dystopian future. There are similarities this time around with some wacky gangs, but I still enjoyed the story. Williamson keeps seeming to write his characters into a corner, so it's fun and nerve wracking to read this series. The art continues to impress, but it must be a pain to draw all that snow.

I received a review copy of this issue from DC Entertainment and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this issue.


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Zoe Dare Vs the Disasteroid

author: Brockton McKinney
name: Wayne
average rating: 1.33
book published:
rating: 2
read at: 2016/11/23
date added: 2016/11/23
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Zoe Dare vs The Disasteroid' by Brockton McKinney with art by Andrew Herman is a slick enough looking book with a likeable enough star. There were some goofy elements that I kind of had problems with though.

Zoe Dare is a stuntwoman like her father, Jack Dare. She works with her punk rocker, IT intelligent sister Danni. Her chief stunt rival is Race Thunderbuckler. When an asteroid threatens Earth, Zoe and Race are called forth to ride on the asteroid and do stuff to it to stop it from hitting the earth, like in those asteroid movies from the 90s. Zoe and Race are at each other's throats, so you know it's not going to go well. Then something else happens that makes things even more dangerous and ridiculous. And there are clever talking robots.

All of it had the over the top feeling of a Michael Bay movie. I don't really like Michael Bay movies. The art is okay, except everyone, especially the women, have unreal proportions. There is humor and it's on the moronic side. Occasionally the book has swear words that are marked out with 'censored' boxes, but it's not hard to figure out what they are supposed to be, but that's weird because occasionally the characters use soft swear words like "appleslaw." It's not a kid's comic, but the humor seems aimed there. I like the concept, and really wanted to like the characters, but there just wasn't enough here to hold my interest for a sequel.

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


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Godzilla: Oblivion

author: Joshua Hale Fialkov
name: Wayne
average rating: 2.57
book published:
rating: 2
read at: 2016/11/21
date added: 2016/11/21
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Godzilla: Oblivion' by Joshua Hale Fialkov with art by Brian Churilla is a Godzilla story of other dimensions. I've read better Godzilla stories and the art was pretty weak.

A group of brainiac scientists develop a portal. When they start it up and go through it, they discover a parallel world that has been decimated by giant monsters. Contacting a group of soldiers in the other world, they find out that Godzilla is what keeps the other monsters in check, even at the cost of a destroyed city. When one of that world's monsters makes it through the scientist's portals, things go from bad to worse.

I liked the idea of the story. It felt a bit predictable, and I even figured it was going to end the way it did. Having giant kaiju in your world is never a good thing. The art feels a bit slap-dash. It's got a hasty looking sketch style that just didn't work for me with the story and characters. I want epic art for my Godzilla stories, and this wasn't it.

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


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Turncoat

author: Ryan O'Sullivan
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.73
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2016/11/19
date added: 2016/11/19
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Turncoat' by Ryan O'Sullivan with art by Plaid Klaus is a silly satire of the superhero genre with an inept protagonist just trying to get by.

Duke is an assassin, or so he likes to think. He works at an agency with Bernard, who gives him jobs to do. His ex-wife Sharon and son Timmy are now with his ex-best friend Ron. Duke's assassin jobs are to take out low level superheroes, to keep the population of heroes down. He is teamed up with a series of ridiculous supervillains to get the job done. My favorite of these was Scare Bear, a giant bear that likes to jump out and scare people. Things take a turn for the bad when a contract is put out on the big league superhero team.

The heroes in the book are parodies of Marvel and DC characters. It's easy to figure out who they are. Batman is a black knight in this book, and Superman is an alien from Andromeda who likes having lots of girlfriends. Duke is a sad sack character who is pretty clueless, and yet I found him likeable enough. There was a gag running about how other people could talk to Duke's dog, but Duke couldn't. It's one of the many very funny things in the book.

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


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Amazing Forest

author: Erick Freitas
name: Wayne
average rating: 2.89
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2016/11/19
date added: 2016/11/19
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Amazing Forest' by Erick Freitas and Ulises Farinas (with a whole bunch of artists) is a dark collection of 24 short stories. The title doesn't give you any idea of the sort of thing you are about to read.

A group in a tank has to spend every day killing alien visions of the people they love. A space villain tries to find ways to get hired. A trio of con artists travel town to town tying a woman up to the train tracks, then rescuing her for money. A virus that makes people exude cats. A boy that makes a gruesome trade with a wish gnome. These are the sort of stories inside.

The stories all have dark hearts and dark twists of the knife to them. The art is all different in style as well as quality. Some is much better, some is much worse. Each story is around 5 pages long, but they have a sameness in the tone that the book sets. The stories are different and odd. The length works to their benefit. If they were longer, some of them wouldn't work. If you are looking for cheerful stories, you'd be best to look elsewhere.

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


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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Casey & April

author: Mariko Tamaki
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.10
book published: 2015
rating: 3
read at: 2016/11/19
date added: 2016/11/19
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Casey and April' is by Mariko Tamaki, who also wrote a coming of age graphic novel called 'This One Summer' about a couple young girls. That should be what you need to know to realize this will be a little different from your average TMNT story.

Casey and April are on a road trip to find a McGuffin. The purpose of their trip only serves to get them to where the story takes place. They like each other, but they are also kind of sniping at each other like siblings do. When they make a stop for gas, an accident with a stranger sets things in motion. It turns into a horror plot where Casey and April are sent in different directions and put in danger, and Casey is forced to revisit some things from his past.

This issue feels like a sidebar to explore two characters, and it does it in a different way than typical TMNT books. It's more of a relationship story, but it also feels a little bland to me. Casey feels more fleshed out here than April. April could have been substituted with any female lead. The art by Irene Koh has a bit of a manga style to it, but I've seen so many different art styles for the Turtles, that it didn't bother me. I think it fit the book. I especially liked the look of the creepy strangers.

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


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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Bebop & Rocksteady Destroy Everything

author: Ben Bates
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.11
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2016/11/18
date added: 2016/11/18
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Bebop & Rocksteady Destroy Everything' is a crazy timeline adventure where our witless villains do exactly as described in the title.

The Turtles go to a museum exhibit to see a mummy queen and see something unreal: the skeletons of Bebop and Rocksteady. When they touch a jewel being worn by the mummy, their time-travelling friend Renet shows up and they get whisked off on an adventure. It seems that Bebop has gotten his hands on a sceptre that creates time portals, and everywhere the villain boys visit, they create disaster. Continuity be darned as well as time travel rules. Bebop and Rocksteady even meet versions of themselves before they got turned into mutants.

It's all crazy and chaotic and even when it was over, I'm not sure how it all got resolved, but it was a fun ride. I like the idea of a whole dimension full of Bebop and Rocksteady just waiting for someone to make a wrong turn somewhere. I like the art style. It fit the over the top style of the comic. I'm glad I read this one.

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


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Trish Trash #1: Rollergirl of Mars

author: Jessica Abel
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.37
book published:
rating: 2
read at: 2016/11/18
date added: 2016/11/18
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Trish Trash #1: Rollergirl of Mars' by Jessica Abel has a lot of story elements thrown at the reader. There are also some confusing things that are not explained.

Patricia Nupindju lives on Mars with her aunt and uncle. She helps them on their settlement, but she loves roller derby. When she hears there are try-outs, she wants to join, but she is only 7 1/2 and the minimum age is nine. She skips school to try out and makes the team, sort of. Along the way, she has a fight with her best friend, has to break the news to her aunt and uncle, and finds an unusual inhabitant on the family farm.

I realize it's only issue one, and I really prefer if my stories don't spoon feed me everything, but there were things here that just didn't make sense. She's 7 1/2? Is that in martian years? Because she looks like a teenager (or older). She seems good at skating, but how did that happen? Where does she practice? It seems like she's just magically better than everyone around her. When she and her best friend fight, I just don't care, because he is barely in the story. Add to that the problem I had with the slangy language that narrated the book, and I just didn't care for it.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Super Genius, Papercutz, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.


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Trish Trash: Rollergirl sur Mars

author: Jessica Abdel
name: Wayne
average rating: 2.00
book published:
rating: 2
read at: 2016/11/18
date added: 2016/11/18
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Trish Trash #1: Rollergirl of Mars' by Jessica Abel has a lot of story elements thrown at the reader. There are also some confusing things that are not explained.

Patricia Nupindju lives on Mars with her aunt and uncle. She helps them on their settlement, but she loves roller derby. When she hears there are try-outs, she wants to join, but she is only 7 1/2 and the minimum age is nine. She skips school to try out and makes the team, sort of. Along the way, she has a fight with her best friend, has to break the news to her aunt and uncle, and finds an unusual inhabitant on the family farm.

I realize it's only issue one, and I really prefer if my stories don't spoon feed me everything, but there were things here that just didn't make sense. She's 7 1/2? Is that in martian years? Because she looks like a teenager (or older). She seems good at skating, but how did that happen? Where does she practice? It seems like she's just magically better than everyone around her. When she and her best friend fight, I just don't care, because he is barely in the story. Add to that the problem I had with the slangy language that narrated the book, and I just didn't care for it.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Super Genius, Papercutz, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.


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Where is Jake Ellis?

author: Nathan Edmondson
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.53
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at: 2016/11/18
date added: 2016/11/18
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Where is Jake Ellis' by Nathan Edmondson with art by Tonci Zonjic is a continuation of a story told in a previous graphic novel. As a reviewer, some times we don't get to read the previous issues. I was able to catch on with this, but I recommend starting at the beginning.

Jon Moore is an analyst with an alphabet organization. He finds himself in the field and on the run because of a program that has him linked mentally (?) with Jake Ellis. But now Jake has gone dark to Jon. Without Jake, Jon is pretty inept and soon finds himself caught in Bangkok and being interrogated by Mollie Berkshire of the State Department. When Jake finally comes back online for Jon, Jon escapes with Mollie and promises her a big story. Can they stay alive long enough to discover what is going on? And where exactly is Jake Ellis?

I liked it. Jake and Jon are victims of their circumstances. They aren't really friends, but they need each other to survive. The reason they are linked was fuzzy to me in it's explanation, but I assume it was dealt with in the prior issues. Tonci Zonjic's art is pretty good for this style of story. Overall, I liked it.

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


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Renee

author: Ludovic Debeurme
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.92
book published: 2011
rating: 5
read at: 2016/11/17
date added: 2016/11/17
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Renee' by Ludovic Debeurme is part two of a story started in a book called Lucille. There is a various cast of characters and it's the graphic novel equivalent (to me anyway) of an independent film. That means I liked it quite a lot.

The book is told in a series of vignettes that I thought at first were not connected, since I didn't read the first book. Lucille lives with her overbearing mother. Her lover Arthur is serving time in prison. Renee is a new character in this volume and her story follows her affair with a jazz musician named Jacques who is older than her. The mood is melancholy and the theme is despair and dissatisfaction. Arthur gets a new cell mate and he may be a pedophile. Renee didn't know Jacques was married when they met. Lucille misses or is haunted by her father. One of the inmate remembers the murder he committed at sea that landed him in prison.

The book has no borders. The characters faces distend and stretch grotesquely sometimes. A father hiding in a tree lowers his arm and they distend to become a swing. Strangers in a crowd have exaggerated features. The characters are not pretty, and some seem pretty ugly, like the prison inmates who have ugly faces as well as ugly souls.

It's a quiet contemplative read, but one I enjoyed like a good independent film. It made me think and reflect. I liked the experience.

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


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Dreaming of Mocha

author: An Swerts
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.81
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at: 2016/11/16
date added: 2016/11/16
shelves: children-s
review:
'Dreaming of Mocha' by An Swerts with illustrations by Eline Van Lindenhuizen is an adorable picture book about what it's like to really want a dog in your life.

Florence wants a dog, but her parents have the usual objections. Florence would be happy with any dog in the world. When she finds a lost dog in the park, she decides to sneak it home and hope no one notices. When mom and dad find out, they let Florence keep her, but only until the real owner can be found. What will happen when Mocha's owner shows up?

The illustrations in the book are adorable, from Florence's short dark pigtails to Mocha's scruffy mutt look. The color palette is not too primary, but very cheerful. Florence is a great character as are the other adults in the book. The book is just cute and any little kid who wants a dog will love the story. The warning might be to parents who don't want a dog crazy kid like Florence.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Clavis Books and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


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Beyond the Western Deep, Volume 2

author: Alex Kain
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.75
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2016/11/16
date added: 2016/11/16
shelves: graphic-novels
review:



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The Paranoid Style in American Politics: An Essay: from The Paranoid Style in American Politics (A Vintage Short)

author: Richard Hofstadter
name: Wayne
average rating: 0.0
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2016/11/15
date added: 2016/11/15
shelves: non-fiction
review:
'The Paranoid Style in American Politics: An Essay: from the Paranoid Style in American Politics' by Richard Hofstadter is a Vintage Books reprint. It shows that the more things change, the more they stay the same.

First published in 1964, the essay is certainly biased towards the left since it is showing the rise of extremism in the Conservative Party. The book talks about fringe groups and goes back quite a ways in history to show that they have been with us for a long time. They don't seem likely to go away anytime soon. From the responses to President Kennedy's assassination to those who think that fluoride in water is done to promote socialism. There are examples from speeches from 1951, 1895, 1855 and 1798.

I started this book while the US election was still in full swing. It was enlightening to read as I viewed what I considered to be fringe groups on both sides. We have endured in spite of these groups, so I suppose there is comfort to be taken here.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, Vintage, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


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Dynomike: Back To School

author: Frankie B. Rabbit
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.33
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2016/11/15
date added: 2016/11/15
shelves: children-s
review:
'Dynomike: Back to School' by Frankie B. Rabbit with illustrations by Lou Francis Isip is picture book about going to school anxieties.

Dynomike is a little alligator who is heading back to school. He can't decide what to wear, and he's afraid he will be teased. He goes through pants and hats and settles on a red cap and a yellow duckie vest. When the bus comes to pick him up, he is anxious, but Dyno-mom pats his head. He learns that school is cool.

It's a very short book. It's told in a rap style rhyme that I really liked and picked up on right away. Apparently the author is a former rapper turned author. The illustrations are a bit on the plain side. There isn't a lot on each page to engage young readers. Dynomike is pretty cute in his boots, vest and hat, but his school bus is just a square and lines. I'd like to see how this series matures, and the message is topnotch.

I received a review copy of this ebook from CreateSpace and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


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Dead Man's Party

author: Jeff Marsick
name: Wayne
average rating: 0.0
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2016/11/15
date added: 2016/11/15
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Dead Man's Party' by Jeff Marsick with art by Barnett Scott is a wild ride from start to finish. While I was less crazy about the art style, the plot kept me flipping pages.

Ghost is one of the best hit men in the world. When his doctor gives him a fatal diagnosis, he knows his time is up, but he wants to go out in style. He decides to have a friend throw him a dead man's party. Basically a set number of hit men over a set number of days tries to kill him. If one succeeds, they get bragging rights, but they also inherit his fortune.

Ghost finds a reason to live, but now he's got hit men on his trail. He also finds out he was set up and it might lead him to a job he did in his past. With nowhere to go and not knowing who to trust, can he survive to the end of his dead man's party?

I loved the clever story and it moved at a fast pace. The art was a different style for a graphic novel. The panels looked painted, but things looked a bit fuzzy. I prefer more defined lines in my graphic novels. It was easy enough to follow along though, and I didn't completely hate the art. I had a fun time reading this one.

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


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4001 A.D.

author: Matt Kindt
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.47
book published: 2016
rating: 3
read at: 2016/11/14
date added: 2016/11/14
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'4001 A.D.' by Matt Kindt with art by Clayton Crain is actually RAI #4 by Valiant. That was a little confusing since it wasn't disclosed before I started reading. It became apparent soon after I cracked the cover.

One hundred years from now Tokyo is a floating city in the sky. Everything seems idyllic, unless you are one of the drones forced to work and sacrifice. It's also not that great since a previously benevolent AI known as Father is in charge. Prior to this issue, there was an uprising by a creation known as Rai, and a woman named Lula, but that was then, and now Rai is presumed dead.

Lula has unleashed a virus on the city and Father is releasing city modules back to Earth. Most of the modules don't have a way to make it safely back, so they crash and kill anything living on them. Lula is on the run and chaos is happening all around her. Can anything or anyone save her?

The art is pretty cool, but sometimes it's a bit busy and it's hard to tell what is going on. The story seems to be the standard giant robot armor fighting dragons in space kind (at least at one point). If I were more familiar with these characters, it might have helped. There are intros to each of the 4 issues, and that fills in a lot of detail, so kudos goes to that. The story is okay, but kind of predictable.

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


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Cat vs Human Fairy Tails

author: Yasmine Surovec
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.04
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at: 2016/11/13
date added: 2016/11/13
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Cat vs Human Fairy Tales' by Yasmine Surovec the creator of Cat Versus Human. It didn't take me long to read through this, but the comics were definitely funny and cute.

Cats are inserted into familiar fairy tales. In Rapunzel, Rapunzel finds cats in her hair as she pulls it up every day. In Sleeping Beauty, the Prince can't wake Sleeping Beauty, but maybe an adorable kitty can. In Goldilocks, the three beds are passed by and the kitten chooses to sleep in a box. There are others like the Little Match Girl, The Princess and the Pea, Jack and the Beanstalk and more. The addition of a kitty changes the outcome of each story in cute and funny ways.

It didn't take me long to read through this 128 page book, but it made me smile. The drawings are bright and the gags, while mostly predictable, were still fun. The scenarios tend toward grown-up, but I don't see a reason why kids wouldn't enjoy these.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.


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Rendez-Vous in Phoenix

author: Tony Sandoval
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.89
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2016/11/13
date added: 2016/11/13
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Rendez-Vous in Phoenix' written and illustrated by Tony Sandoval is an autobiographical graphic novel about the author's attempts to get across the US border from Mexico.

Tony lived in Mexico in the 1990s and his girlfriend lived in the States. He tried to get a Visa, but with a low paying job, and not much chance to save money, it wasn't an easy goal. His dream was to make it to the US so he could become a famous comic book artist and work for the "big two." His solution was to sneak across the border, which is not an easy task. From run ins with the border patrol to shifty coyotes willing to take his money, but not deliver him to the US to groups of criminals preying on people in the desert. Left with only his Rotring drawing pen, there is a brilliant dream sequence of Tony trying to cross the border carrying a giant pen.

There is a really nice introduction by Frederick Luis Aldama who is a humanities professor. I've read some other comics by Mr. Sandoval with mixed feelings, but this story was really good. Maybe because it was personal. Regardless of how you might have feel about the immigration issue, you can't help but feel Tony's desire for a new life and agonize as it is pulled from his grasp.

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


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Elvis

author: Philippe Chanoinat
name: Wayne
average rating: 2.00
book published:
rating: 2
read at: 2016/11/13
date added: 2016/11/13
shelves: currently-reading, graphic-novels
review:
'Elvis' by Philippe Chanoinat with illustrations by Fabrice Le Henanff is a graphic novel biography of the King, but it's a kind of tedious look at a life.

The book has lots of pictures that look like colorized black and white photos, but are actually based on pretty good drawings. The text is a recitation of facts. We find out where Elvis was born and when he recorded his first single. From there, the book tells us year by year the albums and films that came out. Large events are covered like his time in the military, his marriage and the birth of his daughter.

The book is all narration with no traditional dialogue like graphic novels have. That along with the rote facts gives the book a sort of cold feel. There are a few observations of how Elvis felt (sad at his mother's death, frustrated at his movie career), but those stand out against the sheer number of records and films he made. Of note, I did like how they called out known and lesser known people in the music industry that were around at the time of Elvis' rise to fame. That made the book more interesting, but once that was done, it was just a steady march to the end.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Papercutz, NBM Publishing, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.


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Who Killed Kurt Cobain?: The Story of Boddah

author: Nicolas Otéro
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.33
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2016/11/13
date added: 2016/11/13
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Who Killed Kurt Cobain?: The Story of Boddah' with story adaptation and art by Nicolas Otero is a gut-punch of a graphic novel. It's a translation of a French novel called 'Le Roman de Boddah' by Heloise Guay de Bellissen published in 2014.

First off, the title is misleading. This is not an exposé or theory about who killed Kurt Cobain. The subtitle of the book, which is found before the graphic novel begins is a better one.

When Kurt Cobain died, he left a note addressed to Boddah, which theories point to as his invisible childhood friend. This graphic novel is narrated by Boddah. The book shows the rapid rise in fame and slow decline in drugs of Kurt Cobain. Boddah is the invisible third witness to events, and, at times, the only person Kurt can talk to. Even Boddah gets turned away by Kurt at times, so we get to view other people in his life. The story is mainly about Kurt and Courtney. Their electric love affair. Their addictions to drugs. Their baby and marriage, and Kurt's obsession with ending it all either intentionally or unintentionally.

It's a visceral journey and probably not a lot of new ground gets covered for true fans, but I was riveted. I was also stunned by Nicolas Otero's art throughout the book. The book is mostly black and white, but color is occasionally used for impact and emphasis. This book was beautiful in it's ugliness, like the Alex Cox film 'Sid and Nancy' which I was continually reminded of. The final panels of this comic were sad and moving. I'm glad I got to read it.

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


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Miraculous: Origins

author: Cheryl Black
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.22
book published: 2016
rating: 3
read at: 2016/11/12
date added: 2016/11/12
shelves: graphic-novels, children-s
review:
'Miraculous: Origins' by Cheryl Black and Nicole D'Andria is based on an animated series that I knew nothing about. The comic book looks like it is comprised of still shots from that show.

Marinette is a put upon girl attending school. She is pushed around by the popular girls who tell her to move her seat so they can sit next to the handsome boy coming to school. Adrien is that boy. He's actually not allowed to attend regular school since his family is so famous and wealthy. When a series of mysterious gems is released, Marinette and Adrien get two of them. The gems give them unusual powers and costumes and turn them in to superheroes. Which is good because a bad guy named Hawk Moth (?) has gems of his own and he's using a schoolmate of Marinette and Adrien, named Ivan, as his pawn. Marinette has her doubts about why she was picked, but Adrien needs her powers to defeat Ivan while he is in his Stoneheart state.

The plot is fine for young readers, who I presume are familiar with the show it's based on. There are good values on display throughout the book of being courageous and understanding why someone might be acting the way they do. They really don't want to hurt Ivan, but they do want to stop him from hurting others. The art is another story. The CGI art seems to lack sharp definition at times. Things appear a bit fuzzy and out of focus. In a few action panels, the art is blurry. For young readers, it will look exactly like what they are used to, but I prefer a different style in my graphic novels.

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


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The Snow Queen

author: Misha Hoekstra
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.81
book published: 1844
rating: 4
read at: 2016/11/10
date added: 2016/11/12
shelves: children-s, classics
review:
'The Snow Queen' by Hans Christian Anderson, translated by Misha Hoekstra, with art by Lucie Arnoux is similar to another translation I very recently reviewed, but while that one was more of an art piece, this is the one I'd want to read to a child.

The book is comprised of seven short chapters or stories. They are all linked, so I prefer chapters. The Devil has made a special mirror. It breaks and scatters aroudn the world. If the shards get in you, you don't see beautiful things, you see dark things. Little Kai and Gerda are very good friends and nothing can separate them until Kai gets a splinter of mirror in his eye. From then on, he isn't a very nice boy and sees ugliness in the world around him. He is taken away by the Snow Queen, and Gerda goes looking for him. She has adventures talking to crows and with a bandit girl. Will she ever find Kai and can they be reunited?

Each chapter has one pen and ink illustration. They are good illustrations. The story is a really readable translation. It reads like a good fairytale and this was missing in the other version I recently read. Translation can make all the difference. It may be that the other translation is more authentic, but, for me, this is more readable.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Pushkin Children's Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


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The 12 Joys of Christmas

author: Thomas K Seibold
name: Wayne
average rating: 5.00
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2016/11/11
date added: 2016/11/11
shelves: children-s
review:
'The 12 Joys of Christmas' by Thomas Seibold with illustrations by Sheri McCulley Seibold is the kind of nostalgic throwback picture book that brings back memories of many Christmases.

The book states that there is more to Christmas than the gifts and toys, and it celebrates that with all the things it shares. Done in the style of the 12 Days Of Christmas, but not nearly as wearing or annoying, it's a list of the things that evoke memories of the holiday, like a freshly cut tree and mittens and hot chocolate and Christmas carols. There is more to evoke memories and inspire families with ideas. You might need to have snow for some of these, but many can be enjoyed anywhere.

I loved the illustrations. They feel like classic Golden Book illustrations. There are kids in warm winter clothing and Christmas books. This is a fun Christmas book to read and share. I may have to buy a copy to have out on my coffee table.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Sheri McCulley Studio and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


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Disney Manga Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas

author: Jun Asuka
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.27
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2016/11/11
date added: 2016/11/11
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Disney Manga Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas' by Jun Asuka is a manga retelling of the movie. I've read a few of these before, but this time I was underwhelmed.

Halloween is over and Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King, is back in Halloweentown to celebrate a successful year and to start planning for next year. But Jack is feeling dissatisfaction with doing the same thing year after year and he wants something new. His meanderings lead him into the forest where he discovers something new, but should holidays really collide?

To be clear, my review copy was only the first 24 pages, but that was enough to get the gist of the story and style, so I have no complaints about that. In some ways this felt like the movie, but in others it felt strange and a little off. There are song lyrics, but some of the dialogue is different. That could be related to it being a translation. The other problem is there are already some better versions of this story, including one with illustrations by Tim Burton himself. It's tough to adapt a beloved classic. If you're a manga fan, you might like this version.

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


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C21st Gods #1

author: David Tallerman
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.38
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2016/11/11
date added: 2016/11/11
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'C21st Gods #1' by David Tallerman with art by Anthony Summey turns out to be a sort of re-imagining of 'The Call of Cthulhu' by H. P. Lovecraft. There are hints of it in this issue, and lots of gory art.

The book opens on a rainy night with a crepy looking house. A man holds a woman at knifepoint. Later, a detective and his partner drive up to the house on a lead that this may be where a missing rich woman is. Things get weird from here as the woman has been ritually killed and the man who did it is still in the house. The word "Cthulhu" is scrawled on a mirror near her body. What could be happening?

The book is set in the future, but the only way I knew was by the strangely futuristic vehicles, and the title. In a short number of pages, I felt pretty caught up in the story. The art by Anthony Summey is alternately breathtaking and horrific. I really like it, but this book is not for the faint of heart or queasy of stomach.

I was given a review copy of this issue by Rosarium Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this issue.


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Goodnight Batcave

author: Dave Croatto
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.68
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at: 2016/11/11
date added: 2016/11/11
shelves: children-s
review:
'Goodnight Batcave' by Dave Croatto with illustrations by Tom Richmond is an unauthorized 'Goodnight Moon' parody as done by MAD Magazine. As you might imagine, it is hilarious.

Poor Batman. He is tired. So tired, that he is falling asleep in his chair in the Batcave. He should go to bed, but unfortunately, some of his famous enemies have broken into the Batcave, so they will have to be dealt with first. What's a tired superhero to do?

The art style is very cartoonish with Batman sporting a huge upper torso in exaggerated superhero style. I love how they snuck Alfred E. Neuman into the rogues list on Batman's computer. I also love how Batman says goodnight to objects as they are used to subdue the bad guys (Goodnight phone, goodnight chair, etc.).

It may not help children settle down to bed, but it's a great parody, and made me feel tired just with all the exertion poor tired Batman has to go through. I had a fun time reading this and it would make a great gift book for the Batman fan in your life.

I received a review of this ebook from DC Entertainment and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


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Rasputin, Volume 2

author: Alex Grecian
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.58
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at: 2016/11/11
date added: 2016/11/11
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Rasputin Volume 2' by Alex Grecian with art by Riley Rossmo continues Rasputin's story in modern day America.

Apparently, Rasputin is alive and well and running around with a female candidate named Harrison who is running for president. When an attempt is made on her life, Rasputin uses his special "gift" to help her. A lone reporter sees this and now wants to get his story. The story of his life is then told in a series of flashbacks: the people he has saved, the ghosts of the ones he didn't that linger around him. Woven into the story is Abraham Zapruder (father of Kennedy assassination filmer George Zapruder). We also run into Nicholas and Alexandra.

I like the scope of the story. I like the touches of magic that weave through Rasputin's life, not always for the best. The art was ok, but not my favorite. It's an interesting story. I might have to go back and read the first issue now.

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


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Stinky Cecil in Terrarium Terror

author: Paige Braddock
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.86
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at: 2016/11/10
date added: 2016/11/10
shelves: children-s, graphic-novels
review:
The adventures of Stinky Cecil continue in 'Stinky Cecil in Terrarium Terror' by Paige Braddock. The cast of silly animals are back along with some new friends.

This time around, the pond is safe, but Cecil is not. He gets taken by a couple children on a field trip and winds up in a terrarium in their classroom. A rescue attempt by Cecil's friends Jeremy, Ray Ray and Jeff. Reggie would help, but he died again (he's always doing that). Meanwhile, Cecil is making friends in his new living space with a chameleon named Nesbit. Will he get rescued or will Nesbit drive him crazy?

It's the perfect graphic novel for young readers. It's got bright colors, funny characters and a pretty good story. There are some running jokes that are pretty good and some cute surprises along the way. Poor Reggie even manages to come back in at some point. I liked this one about as much as the first volume. It's a fun series, and I'll definitely be on the lookout for future volumes.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.


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The Golem and the Jinni (The Golem and the Jinni, #1)

author: Helene Wecker
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.08
book published: 2013
rating: 5
read at: 2016/11/09
date added: 2016/11/09
shelves: sword-and-laser
review:
'The Golem and the Jinni' by Helene Wecker was a book I read last month for my book club. It is a historical fiction character study with some urban fantasy thrown in. It was a slower read, but I loved the world and the characters.

Chava is a golem, made for a man travelling to America. When he dies on the voyage shortly after bringing her to life, she is left without a master. She has also been created with some special qualities. Ahmad is a jinni trapped in a copper flask who is freed by a tinsmith in New York. Both Chava and Ahmad are taken in by sympathetic guides who understand what they are. Eventually they end up meeting and decide to use their abilities to fight crime.

Except I made that last part up. They do meet up though. They understand each other and develop a friendship. There are other characters that weave into the story, some tragic, some sinister. I'll leave you to discover them for yourselves.

It's a New York of 1899 and it takes place in two immigrant communities. I loved the setting and the two main characters. I'm glad I got to read this book.


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Oblivion

author: Tim Seeley
name: Wayne
average rating: 2.67
book published: 2017
rating: 3
read at: 2016/11/09
date added: 2016/11/09
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Oblivion' by Tim Seeley with art by Romina Moranelli is billed as a sequel to Full Moon's 1994 SF/Western movie. The original film (and it's 1996 sequel) were direct to video movies and were written by Peter David.

The story takes place on a Western planet full of strange aliens and a human telepathic sheriff. A young green girl comes to town looking for the man who shot her father. She has a strange series of wounds on her back that seem to be threatening her life. The only ones who might be able to help are the indigenous people who live outside of town. A group of people is gathered, including a cybernetic woman and a spiritual guide who looks like a Native American. Opposing them are an odd looking group of people with red eyes and singular horns. What is the meaning of the wounds on this woman's back?

I'm a sucker for SF/Western, and I remember seeing both original films. They were definitely B-movie quality (like much of Full Moon's output) and the comic brings that quality to this graphic novel. You will either like that, or find it to be weird and cheesy. I thought it was a fun read, but felt like after 10 or 12 years there should have been a bit more backstory to get new readers up to speed.

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


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The Snow Queen: A Tale in Seven Stories

author: Hans Christian Andersen
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.67
book published: 1844
rating: 4
read at: 2016/11/09
date added: 2016/11/09
shelves: children-s, classics
review:
'The Snow Queen' by Hans Christian Anderson is a re-release with beautiful pictures by Sanna Annukka and translated by Jean Hersholt. The illustrations are beautiful, as is the story, although it is dark.

Supposedly the movie "Frozen" is based on this book, but you'd be hard pressed to see much comparison at all. What you have instead are a series of seven linked stories. There is an evil broken mirror that sends glass splinters into hearts. It's also the story of Kay and Gerda. Kay who is taken away the Snow Queen and Gerda who never gives up looking for him.

Throughout the books are beautiful drawings by Sanna Annukka, whose work is made up of geometric shapes and bright colors. The visuals make this a book you would want to leave out and show off. The story is a classic, just don't expect a Disney version of things.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Ten Speed Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


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Swords of Sorrow Complete Collection Volume 1

author: Gail Simone
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.11
book published: 2016
rating: 3
read at: 2016/11/09
date added: 2016/11/09
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
Like others, I was excited when I saw Gail Simone's name on 'Swords of Sorrow Complete Collection Volume 1' a sprawling epic that is written by tons of female authors and features over a dozen pulp and otherwise heroines. What got delivered was good, but not up to the standards I've seen in the Red Sonja books by Simone.

A mysterious stranger delivers various weapons to a bunhc of heroines for an upcoming war. Meanwhile, the bad guys are recruiting a lot less heroes. On the side of good are a ton of lady heroes, including some from fiction and some I've not actually heard of. There is Red Sonja of course, but I'd not heard of Lady Kato.

Through a series of portals, everyone meets in smaller groups of two or three. There are the usual hostilities and fights, but those quickly move aside for the bigger issue. Why do they have these cool weapons and what are they supposed to do with them?

At 504 pages, this is only volume 1, so I never got to a big face off. Unfortunately, too much of a good thing is just too much. There are simply too many characters, and way too much time is spent on characters introducing each other. The plot seems a bit on the endless side, and with so many different titles, authors and artists, it all comes across as a bit inconsistent and mediocre.

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


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Centurion and Emperador

author: Rob Schneider
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.67
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2016/11/05
date added: 2016/11/05
shelves: children-s
review:
'Centurion and Emperador' by Rob Schneider, Patricia Schneider and Francisco Herrera is a storybook based on two real life horses who were rescued. And yes, it's that Rob Schneider.

The Gamble Ranch has lots of farm animals, and no horses, until one day some storks get lost in a storm and deliver them to the ranch by mistake. From a young age, they are trained to run on the track, because that is what horses do. The problem is that these two horses don't run like other horses. There is something else they are good at,but will they find out what that is?

It's a cute enough horse story and the art is charming, except for the weird way the horses ears are drawn (they stick up like weird antennas). The lesson of the story is clear. There are even stories from the owners at the end and some real pictures of Centurion and Emperador, who are the stars of this book. It's nothing overly special, but if you have a kid who is nuts about horses, this might be a good one to read to them.

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


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Catwoman: Election Night (2016-) #1

author: Meredith Finch
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.36
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2016/11/05
date added: 2016/11/05
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Catwoman Election Night' by Meredith Finch is a pretty good story. It includes a backup story from the Prez miniseries by Mark Russell that was pretty awful though.

In the Catwoman story, Selina Kyle has a flashback to living in Miss Kitty's home with other girls waiting to be adopted. She is bullied by one of the girls. In the present, Gotham is having a mayoral election with the Penguin running for mayor against a woman named Constance Hill. Catwoman is investigating the whole thing. There seems to be an odd connection to Miss Kitty's house and a wall that the Penguin wants to put up. The truth will solve an old mystery, but who will become the mayor of Gotham?

The backup Prez story has to do with hat guns and birth control candy and too many white old men making the rules. It is so blatant in the message it is making that it feels like blunt force trauma to read it.

The Catwoman story was a bit subtle with a similar message and it was better done. The Prez story didn't have the same feel or art, or even a specific election theme, so it was hard to feel any tie in. Buy it for the Catwoman story, unless you're a bigger Prez fan than I am.

I received a review copy of this issue from DC Entertainment and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. thank you for allowing me to review this issue.


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Death of Hawkman (2016-) #2

author: Marc Andreyko
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.00
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2016/11/05
date added: 2016/11/05
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Death of Hawkman #2' by Marc Andreyko continues the miniseries. I was really enthusiastic over the first issue. I was less so over this one.

The story continues on Rann as Adam Strange and a very wounded Hawkman recover from a fight. The story flashes back to the seemingly unprovoked attacks on Rann by Thanagar. Adam Strange finally finds his wife, but something has happened and Katar seems to be at the center of it. While Katar gets a dressing down by his superiors, and Rann protests the violence from Thanagar, Adam Strange is finding himself having to pick different sides from his wife.

I do like a story with Adam Strange and Hawkman. I also know things are advancing plotwise. The art was just as good as the last issue. And yet, I didn't feel as enthused as I did with the first issue. I do want to finish reading the series.

I received a review copy of this issue from DC Entertainment and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this issue.


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Vigilante: Southland (2016-) #1

author: Gary Phillips
name: Wayne
average rating: 2.62
book published:
rating: 2
read at: 2016/11/03
date added: 2016/11/03
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Vigilante: Southland #1' by Gary Phillips caught my eye based on the description, but I should have probably kept on looking. This book is kind of a mess.

Donny is an ex-athlete who spends his days shooting hoops and getting high. His girlfriend Dorrie is more politically active and tries to get Donny involved. He doesn't get involved in time to help her, and now he's trying to find out what happened to her along with his estranged father. He finds out something about her that may help him in his fight for justice.

And it's a big mess. The plot kind of jumps around. The racial stereotypes abound. The whole thing feels like it could have been written in the 1990s. It feels that dated. The art isn't bad, and I was hoping it would deliver more based on the premise, but I was wrong, and I'm disappointed.

I received a review copy of this issue from DC Entertainment and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this issue.


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Ghoul Scouts: Night of the Unliving Undead

author: Steve Bryant
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.60
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2016/11/03
date added: 2016/11/03
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Ghoul Scouts: Night of the Unliving Undead' by Steve Bryant with art by Mark Stegbauer and Jason Millet is a group of scouts that track down the paranormal. This time around it's zombies, and the Ghoul Scouts didn't exactly go looking.

Outside the town of Full Moon Hollow, Paranormal Capital of the World, a couple groups of scouts are camping. When zombies suddenly show up, the boys fight them off and wonder where everyone else has gone. They run into a couple of girls in their own scout group and decide to team up to find out what is happening. One thing they notice is that all the zombies are heading East. They decide to head the other way and find out what is going on in town. Armed with a frying pan, a slingshot, a potato gun, a baseball bat and a stick, they are able to fight their way to town. What is causing this and where is everyone?

A zombie story for kids seems a bit weird, but it works. Each included issue has a glance at the creative process that goes into creating a comic. I found these to be pretty great. The creators hint at other things to come in this ongoing series. The characters are likeable enough, but I found the action to feel repetitive with each of the 5 kids getting to hit a zombie with their weapon of choice. It repeated enough over the 5 issues that it wore on me a bit. It's good for what it is, and young readers should like it well enough if they are in to monsters.

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


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Insider Baseball: from Political Fictions (A Vintage Short)

author: Joan Didion
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.50
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2016/11/02
date added: 2016/11/02
shelves: non-fiction
review:
'Insider Baseball: from Political Fictions' is a Vintage Short written by Joan Didion. It's from a book of political essays, and seems timely to be released in our current political season in the US.

Didion spent time covering the Dukakis campaign about 30 years ago when he was running against George H. W. Bush. I appreciated that while the book shows that the entire process would seem to be contrived, the writing lacks the kind of sneering cynicism that it might show if it were written by someone today. The title has a double meaning that refers to a staged game of toss on the tarmac of an airstrip as well as the sort of insider it takes to play this political game.

It would seem that things haven't seem to have changed much, except that the political rivalries seemed a bit gentler. It's also interesting that we continue to play this game knowing that it's all being artfully presented to us by the media.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, Vintage, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing em to review this ebook.


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Hollywood Cafe: Coffee with the Stars

author: Steven Rea
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.40
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at: 2016/11/02
date added: 2016/11/02
shelves: non-fiction
review:



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Frostbite #2

author: Joshua Williamson
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.57
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2016/11/01
date added: 2016/11/01
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Frostbite #2' by Joshua Williamson with art by Jason Shawn Alexander continues the icy action in a world that is dealing with an ice age.

Keaton promised to get Vic to Alcatraz, but we knew in issue one it wasn't going to be easy. In a world suffering an ice age, warmth is the new currency and it seems to be lacking in everyone. In this issue, they are looking for new transport in a Los Angeles that is 10 degrees Fahrenheit. With Keaton suffering from Frostbite, the clock is ticking. What do you think the chances are that finding a vehicle will go easy?

It's a cool premise (no pun intended) and the book makes me cold just reading it. I like the premise. It's hard to know if I like the characters yet after two issues, but the art and story have kept me interested in this strange, icy California. The cover is a bit odd, but the smiling yellow sun references an odd place to shop for supplies in the story.

I received a review copy of this issue from DC Entertainment and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this issue.


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