Superman: Action Comics, Volume 2: Welcome to the Planet

author: Dan Jurgens
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.55
book published: 2017
rating: 4
read at: 2017/06/29
date added: 2017/06/29
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Superman: Action Comics, Volume 2: Welcome to the Planet' by Dan Jurgens will make you feel really confused if you haven't read Superman for a while, but come on in. The water is fine.

Superman is dead. Clark Kent is alive. Lex Luthor is Superman now. Also, there is a new Superman who is married to Lois Lane and has a son named Jon. That's just the beginning.

The new Superman wants to check out Clark Kent to make sure he isn't Superman in hiding. Lex Luthor really wants Superman's cape so he gets it the way only the super wealthy can. The new Lois Lane is on a mission from this world's counterpart to finish a book on the life and death of Superman. Did I mention that there is a SuperWoman too?

This collects Justice League 52 and Action Comics 963-966. It tells a pretty interesting story and sets things up for future stories fairly well. It will be interesting to see how Superman, Clark Kent, and Lex Luthor all play things out, and how Lana Lang fits into everything.

This volume has pretty decent art. There is also a cover gallery with some pretty striking covers. I like the one featuring alternating ribbons showing Superman and Clark Kent. There are also some pencil breakdowns for some covers and splash pages.

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.


via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/2s7JiBC

Infinite Seven: Volume 1

author: Dave Dwonch
name: Wayne
average rating: 2.69
book published:
rating: 2
read at: 2017/06/29
date added: 2017/06/29
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Infinite Seven: Volume 1' by Dave Dwonch, Arturo Mesa, and Geraldo Filho is kind of a mess both in writing and in art style. It's an interesting concept that gets sidelined by constantly leaning on pop culture and stereotypes.

There is a secret team of assassins called the Infinite Seven. They are infinite because when one team member gets killed, the person who killed them takes their place. That is what happens here. When eyepatch wearing Smash Brannigan is killed somehow by a young nerd, that inexperienced nerd gets to take his place. That involves danger room type training, harassment from fellow agents and being sent on dangerous missions. Rather than rely on new team members, this team seems to send them out to die.

The team has had many members over the years, and they have taken out many bad guys. The drawings of these will show lots of familiar looking faces like the Terminator and Sherlock to Chuckie and Jason. The team itself is a collection of stereotypes. An Asian guy in a yellow jumpsuit who is good at martial arts. A scantily clad female lucador. A gay British detective.

There are plot holes aplenty here, and things that just feel like they are thrown at the reader. I spent time being pulled out of the comic to look at the drawings of past members, but it didn't really matter for the story. The big reveal at the end felt pretty obvious to me from the start. The art style is cartoonish and caricatured and messy, but so is the story. I hoped I would like it more than I did. It was disappointing.

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/2s7mn9D

New Super-Man, Volume 1: Made in China (New Super-man Rebirth, #1)

author: Gene Luen Yang
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.58
book published: 2017
rating: 4
read at: 2017/06/29
date added: 2017/06/29
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'New Super-Man, Volume 1: Made in China' by Gene Luen Yang is a different take on superheroes, this time from China. I liked the perspective it took, but I didn't love it.

Kenan Kong is kind of a jerk. He bullies a rich kid for lunch money because the kid's parents own an airline that Kenan's mom was killed on. When Kenan makes a heroic act (against his own nature), he gets selected for a superhero program and his life changes. He joins two other young people who will make up a new Justice League for the nation of China. The two other heroes are takes on Wonder Woman and Batman. Kenan finds his powers come and go, and he needs to figure out how to make them work. Additionally, he finds himself at odds with his father. Can Kenan learn to be a hero, mend his relationship with his father, and figure out who is behind this new superhero initiative?

Kenan is a pretty unlikable character at the beginning of the story, and he stays that way for quite a while. He is arrogant and a bully. By the end of the story, things have happened to help move him towards being a hero, but it takes quite a few chapters before I liked this character much. I really liked the Wonder Woman and Batman characters and I hope they have more to do in the future. This is a very different take on DC superheroes and I liked the cultural shift in perspective that it takes.

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.


via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/2srfzD0

Anne of Green Bagels

author: Jon Buller
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.21
book published: 2016
rating: 5
read at: 2017/06/29
date added: 2017/06/29
shelves: children-s, graphic-novels
review:
'Anne of Green Bagels' by Jon Buller and Susan Schade is a great graphic novel for middle schoolers. The subject of abnormal families is the subject keeping the story both funny and a bit sad.

The book alternates between text chapters and wordless dream chapters. In the first, we see Anne chasing after flying bagels. It's a premonition of the name she is going to get at her first day of school because of the healthy bagels her parents send her to school with. Fortunately, she meets a kid named Otto and they strike up a friendship based on playing music and their love of a show called The Blimptons. Anne's dad is a crackpot inventor who is out on the road somewhere testing a new invention called the Pedestrian Mobile Home. Anne and Otto decide to enter the talent contest and along the way, they discover that there may be a connection between Anne's father and the creation of their favorite show. Could this be why Anne's father is away so much?

I liked this book a whole lot, and there is a lot to like about it. From the surreal dream sequences to the not so normal characters, this story offered a lot. These are characters who don't fit in, and they are all fine with that. I loved the illustration style. It's got almost a woodcut feel to parts of it.

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.


via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/2sVBMN0

Pop Gun War: Gift

author: Farel Dalrymple
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.61
book published: 2003
rating: 5
read at: 2017/02/08
date added: 2017/06/22
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Pop Gun War: Gift' by Farel Dalrymple was one of the more unusual graphic novels I've read lately. That means I liked it quite a lot.

In a very unusual city (called The City), there are a very different group of people. A young boy named Sinclair finds a pair of discarded wings and uses them to fly. His sister Emily is in a rock band. There's a down on his luck guy named Addison, and a floating goldfish with glasses named Percy. There are others and they come and go in the series of stories here.

It's hard to describe this comic. The stories take place in a city like we know, but there are fantastical elements also which remind me about things like Little Nemo and Oz. There is wonder and sadness, compassion and anger. There is a story about Emily's band being pursued by someone who wants to make them famous, and one about the children of the city being taken and mesmerized. The stories are strange and wonderful as is the art. There are characters in bow ties and top hats. The city is grimy and dirty and somehow magical.

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.


via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/2lsVVEA

Kid Beowulf and the Blood-Bound Oath

author: Alexis E. Fajardo
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.98
book published: 2008
rating: 4
read at: 2017/06/19
date added: 2017/06/19
shelves: children-s, graphic-novels
review:
'Kid Beowulf and the Blood-Bound Oath' with writing and art by Alexis E. Fajardo is the start of a fun new series for younger readers. The story veers from the Beowulf that I was familiar with, but I liked the story that got told here.

In the traditional tale, and a nice rhyming introduction to this book, Beowulf kills the monster Grendel, and becomes a hero in Daneland to Hrothgar. Beowulf is then pursued by the monster's mother.

This story uses the same characters and covers warring tribes and a few generations. The mistakes of the fathers are borne by the sons. Human Beowulf, and monster Grendel are born to the same mother, then separated. Years later they meet. Will Beowulf fulfill the prophecies of his birth?

There is a world map for the story, a character glossary, an essay about the origins of the epic poem, and more.

The art in this graphic novel was colorful and light. Never very serious or gory, even though the subject has it's violent elements. The author's passion for the subject comes through in the supplemental material. I look forward to the next installment. I'm sure any young fan of myths and legends will have fun reading this.

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.


via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/2sMRKdq

Hugo Broyler

author: Mike Kennedy
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.00
book published:
rating: 2
read at: 2017/06/19
date added: 2017/06/19
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Hugo Broyler' is a future noir type story about auto racing and organized crime. It's got potential, but feels pretty by the numbers at this point.

Prior to this story, Hugo Broyler has been in an accident. He's a race car driver in static-levitation racing. The doctors put him back together, including an unusual chip in his head. Now Hugo hears voices in his head, and the chip seems to want to take over at the wrong time.
This down on his luck driver gets approached by a man under police supervision to help him out. There may be other reasons that Hugo Broyler has been approached. One might be sitting in his head.

The story is only about half of the 144 pages. Then there is some world building articles, and a roll-playing game based on the racing in the story featuring the world and characters.

The book starts with a race with Hugo against his daughter. She never shows up again, but maybe that's for future issues. The rest of the story feels like a pretty standard noir story. Things aren't what they seem to be. The evil people really are evil. The writing is ok, and so is the art.

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.


via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/2tHn223

The Beast's Tale (Disney Beauty and the Beast, #2)

author: Mallory Reaves
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.95
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2017/06/18
date added: 2017/06/18
shelves: children-s, graphic-novels
review:
'Beauty and the Beast: Beast's Tale' by Mallory Reaves with art by Studio Dice is a manga version of the Disney movie. It is a 2-part series with this part being told from Beast's perspective.

Of the two volumes in the series, this is the more interesting one, since the movie mostly follows Belle's perspective. There is a bit of liberty with the story here and how the Beast got to be the way he is. The story overlaps with Belle's, but from the Beast's point of view, so you get his inner thoughts.

The artists worked with the Disney team to get the characters close, and yet still give them a manga sensibility. This volume includes some character concepts and other sketch details at the end.

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.


via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/2sIH2EM

Belle's Tale (Disney Beauty and the Beast, #1)

author: Mallory Reaves
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.80
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2017/06/18
date added: 2017/06/18
shelves: children-s, graphic-novels
review:
'Beauty and the Beast: Belle's Tale' by Mallory Reaves with art by Studio Dice is a manga version of the Disney movie. It is a 2-part series with the second part being told from Beast's perspective.

To those familiar with the Disney movie, this follows along fairly faithfully from the perspective of Belle. Her father gets captured by the Beast and Belle takes her place. Belle discovers the curse and slowly Belle and the Beast form a relationship.

The artists worked with the Disney team to get the characters close, and yet still give them a manga sensibility. This volume includes some character concepts and other sketch details at the end. There are a few added details, but this is pretty much a straightforward adaptation in Manga form.

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.


via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/2rGEwih

Suicide Squad (2016-) Vol. 2: Going Sane (Rebirth)

author: Rob Williams
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.67
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2017/06/18
date added: 2017/06/18
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Suicide Squad Vol. 2: Going Sane' tells a story of something that I never thought I'd see, but perhaps I should have expected it to show up at some point.

The Suicide Squad is back from Russia. They lost a team member but brought back the Black Vault. Inside the vault is a gigantic General Zod, who is likely insane from his time in the forbidden zone. When Waller attempts to convert Zod over as a new deadly Squad member, things get weird. Everyone starts going insane and trying to kill each other. The vault's contents have the exact opposite affect on her, and she becomes the only sane one who can save everyone else. She'll need help though because along with sanity, comes fear.

There are some back up Task Force X stories about Hack, the newest member of the team, Killer Croc, Enchantress, and Killer Frost. There is a Harley Quinn flashback story that came out for April Fool's Day, too.

It's an ok story, but it's got so much thrown at the walls that it's just chaos, and maybe that is the point. This is a weird team, and making Harley sane, even for just a little bit, was strange and interesting. The art varies a bit, but overall it's pretty good.

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.


via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/2sF2gCQ

Superman, Volume 2: Trial of the Super Sons

author: Peter J. Tomasi
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.95
book published: 2017
rating: 5
read at: 2017/06/18
date added: 2017/06/18
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Superman, Volume 2: Trial of the Super Sons' by Peter J. Tomasi is a series of stories about the domestic Superman, which is actually better than it sounds.

This new Superman is a husband and father. There are 4 different stories from Superman 7-13. Clark goes to the fair with his family and promises to stash the cape. This gets tricky when he discovers a plot to rob the ticket booths. Clark and Jon find themselves trapped on a strange island full of dinosaurs, and discover one the best cameo appearances of the year in comics, in my humble opinion. Jon is kidnapped by Damian Wayne and Bruce and Clark decide to try to get their boys to work together. Lois applies for a job at the local paper and gets involved in a marital feud between Mr. and Mrs. Frankenstein.

I like this Superman a lot. Superman as a dad is such a good place for this character to be in. He's not a perfect father and he struggles like the rest of us. Jon is a pretty typical kid, while decidedly not being very typical. I loved the story with Damian and Jon. These four stories felt fairly complete. The writing is tight. The art is very solid.

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.


via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/2tCFysk

USS Stevens: The Complete Collection

author: Sam Glanzman
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.08
book published: 2016
rating: 5
read at: 2017/06/18
date added: 2017/06/18
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'U.S.S. Stevens: The Collected Stories'by Sam Glanzman is a treasure trove of mostly four page stories that were in war comics in the early 1970s. They all feature

Sam Glanzman writes and draws about what he knows, and that is life aboard the U.S.S. Stevens, a Fletcher-class destroyer stationed in the Pacific during World War II. The stories are fictional, for the most part, but they have the detail and feel of real events. I suspect Sam changed the name of the ship and those serving in some instances in order to serve the stories. There are humorous stories, as well as terrifying ones. Mostly terrifying ones as bombs and planes and guns try to sink the U.S.S. Stevens as the ship protects its crew and convoys. Many of the stories are personal, and there are even included some comics called SG's War Diary, which are factual account from the author himself.

The stories are amazing, but so it the art. So much so, that Joe Kubert became friends with this artist, and while other artists had work sent back, Sam's was generally cleared for publication.

There is a foreword by DC Comics writer Ivan Brandon, and an introduction by comics historian Jon B. Cooke as well as his annotations at the end of the book to put the stories into historical perspective.

Lest you think this is a collection that would glorify war, the terror felt by those serving and crewmen deaths are not treated lightly. Also, each story ends with the phrase, Make War No More.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Dover Publications 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/2sEZrl4

Private Beach

author: David Jerome Hahn
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.24
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2017/06/18
date added: 2017/06/18
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Private Beach' by David Jerome Hahn sees a reprint and a final eighth chapter to answer all the questions. Or does it?

The original seven issues of this comic were published between 2001 and 2002. The story follows Trudy Honeyvan and her group of friends. While the story starts out feeling mundane, the story begins to take weird turns. Trudy keeps finding an odd message in a magic eightball. Trudy gets a job as a sort of concierge in a bizarre nightclub. The job seems harmless, but is it?

I really appreciate Dover republishing works like this. I also appreciate the final chapter being finished and included. There is a foreword by Jeff Parker and an introduction by the writer/artist. There are also some strange short chapters included at the end called Beach Shorts. After finishing it, I'm still not entirely sure what I read or what happened, but like a good David Lynch movie, I'm okay with the journey, and not so much the destination. This is definitely an odd comic, but I really liked it.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Dover Publications 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/2tCVsD4

Law of the Desert Born

author: Louis L'Amour
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.63
book published: 1983
rating: 4
read at: 2013/11/26
date added: 2017/06/18
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
Law of the Desert Born is a graphic novel adaptation of the story by Louis L'Amour. A murder in a western town brings out a posse, but there may be more to the story than there appears.

The story opens with Marone riding into town and shooting a man in what appears to be cold blood. The town sheriff gets a posse together, including a jailed man named Lopez, to track him down. Marone seems to always be one step ahead, but Lopez is a good tracker and has history with Marone, which is told in flashbacks. The story narrows the posse down until it's only a couple people fighting it out in a harsh desert environment.

The graphic novel adaptation is by Charles Santino from a script by Beau L'Amour and Katherine Nolan and is based on the famous short story by Louis L'Amour. The art by Thomas Yeates is black and white and reminds me of old western films from when I was a kid. Included with the graphic novel is a great essay about the story behind the story. It includes the history of the story and the iterations it's had. There is also biographical information about Louis L'Amour. I really enjoyed it.

I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Random House and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for letting me review this fine graphic novel.


via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/2sEQPLk

A Life in Parts

author: Bryan Cranston
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.25
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at: 2017/06/16
date added: 2017/06/16
shelves: non-fiction
review:
'A Life in Parts' by Bryan Cranston is a memoir about the star who is most famous for Breaking Bad. If you are buying this mainly to learn about Heisenberg, you may be disappointed, but it's a pretty good read.

As the title states, this book is about a life in parts. Each chapter suggests the role that Bryan will discuss, such as Son, Walter, Producer, etc. I learned that after Bryan's father left, his mother had to get creative about how to make ends meet, so she and her two boys would sell things at the big swap meets in Southern California. I also learned that Bryan originally thought he might want to be a police officer. There is also information on the roles he played, a frightening love affair he had with a pretty unstable woman, and how he eventually met his wife, and what the creative process was like on Breaking Bad.

It's a creative idea for a format for a book. Mostly it works. Sometimes, it feels like the narrative flow gets hampered by the idea of keeping the chapters about one aspect at a time.

Still, it's an interesting read, and I felt like I got to know a little bit about an actor that I've admired for a while. I felt like I got into his head about how he approaches the acting process and that was interesting. I also found out that even he thinks it's weird that someone put a Walter White tattoo on their butt.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Scribner 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/2sIYE36

Eat Up!: An Infographic Exploration of Food

author: Paula Ayer
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.75
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2017/06/16
date added: 2017/06/16
shelves: children-s, non-fiction
review:
'Eat Up' by Paula Ayer and Antonia Banyard with illustrations by Bell Wuthrich is an infographic filled book for kids all about food.

The book covers a lot of ground in less than 100 pages. There are chapters about early hunting and gathering, farming and where food comes from, and being savvy to the way food is marketed. How food production affects the environment is covered as well as some information about food around the world.

I appreciate a kids book that is fun, educational, and not overly preachy about things. This hits the right balance. There are serious subjects and fun ones to balance things out. As I mentioned before, they cover a lot in such a short page count.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Annick Press Ltd. 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/2rpLvrU

Fahrenheit 451

author: Ray Bradbury
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.01
book published: 1953
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2017/06/15
shelves: favorites
review:



via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/1rYjWh0

The Circle

author: Damon Clark
name: Wayne
average rating: 2.81
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2017/06/14
date added: 2017/06/14
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'The Circle' by Damon Clark with art by Alyzia Zherno is a creepy story about a bullied boy whose life goes from bad to worse.

Christian and his father move to Shell Bay after the death of his mother. Being a new kid at school is never easy, and he is immediately targeted by the school bullies. When he is rescued by the weird kids and invited to join their club, he doesn't realize the dangerous things they are messing with. Before long Christian and the other weird kids start exhibiting strange powers, but these power are gained at the cost of blood and now Christian wants out.

I read it fast enough and it just spins into weirder and weirder. Things are not explained well, and innocent people end up dead in a story that makes their lives pretty worthless. When a character has to die, I want it to mean something. Here it just felt fake and cheap. The art is actually pretty interesting with a style that twists and exaggerates features like a fun house mirror. This works really well as the creepy shadows start showing up everywhere. But when it was done, I wanted something more out of it.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Action Lab Entertainment, 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/2sCyLll

Lady Mechanika Steampunk Coloring Book

author: Joe Benítez
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.50
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2017/06/14
date added: 2017/06/14
shelves:
review:
'Lady Mechanika Steampunk Coloring Book' by Joe Benitez is a book of black and white drawings from the creator of the comic book series.

I always feel a bit strange reviewing a coloring book. There is no story or plot. It's a series of black and white drawings.

In this case the drawings are based on a comic book series that I've read a few volumes of, so I'm familiar. The drawings here seem to be alternate art or new ideas. The main character is Lady Mechanika, but there are some other characters from the series that show up. If you like the series and you like to color, or you just like good art, then it's of interest.

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


via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/2rjgXYL

A Wish Come True

author: Kolet Janssen
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.08
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2017/06/13
date added: 2017/06/13
shelves: children-s
review:
'A Wish Come True' by Kolet Janssen & Emy Geyskens with illustrations by Emilie Timmermans is a story about a bed bound young boy and a dream day he has when his wish comes true.

Mark is in the hospital and he has to stay there. He gets cards and letters from his friends, but they can't visit him because he is so sick. One day, he is visited by some wish fairies who help Mark to make a special wish. Mark gets to spend a day catching bad guys and being tough thanks to the local police and fire departments.

The book is about someone going through the Make-A-Wish program. There is some information about the program at the end of the book. I think this picture book would be good for a kid who gets to have a wish, and maybe for other young readers who might like to learn about such a program. The book is a bit wordy for young listeners, but the illustrations are fun.

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.


via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/2smDyXR

The Baker Street Four, Vol. 1

author: Olivier Legrand
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.62
book published: 2010
rating: 3
read at: 2017/06/13
date added: 2017/06/13
shelves: children-s, graphic-novels
review:
'The Baker Street Four, Vol. 1'by Olivier Legrand and J. B. Dijan with art by David Etien has two separate stories featuring a trio of young street kids (with a cat to make four) who sometimes help out Sherlock Holmes. Except here, it seems like the other way around.

In both stories, the kids help out young women. In the first story, the young woman is about to be sold into prositution, and the kids have to work with people they know on the streets to help her out. In the second story, the young woman is on the run from her home country of Russia. Assassins are out to kill her, and her companions are being framed with the murders of Jack the Ripper. This time out, Sherlock Holmes is out of the country on a case, so the kids will have to figure this one out on their own.

The stories don't particularly feel like Sherlock Holmes stories, and that could be because he only makes fleeting appearances. These aren't really mysteries either so much as adventure stories. They are fun and I liked Billy, Charlie and Tom. The art is pretty good with lots of details in some of the street and bar scenes. In spite of the subject matter, I think younger readers would like these adventures.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Insight Editions 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/2roXiuG

Salsa (A Vintage Short)

author: Mary Gordon
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.00
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2017/06/08
date added: 2017/06/08
shelves:
review:
'Salsa' by Mary Gordon is about a the dance, not the condiment. It's also about a wronged daughter and a second chance.

Silvia is eighteen and pretty world-wise. Her father is a salsa dancer and makes tapes, but when Silvia catches him with another woman, she kicks him out and changes the locks. She and her mother have to care for one another, but she meets a man named Will who is so unlike the other men in her life. When Silvia falls ill, she is usually left to tend to herself, but Will steps in. When Will finds out about Silvia's father's birthday, he urges her to attend the party and look for reconciliation.

It's a really short read, but there is a lot happening in this story, and I felt like some of the characters were fleshed out better than some much longer novels I've read. This is good writing, with tight, economical story building, but not lacking in depth.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Vintage, Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, 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/2r86VgU

Deathstroke, Volume 1: The Professional

author: Christopher J. Priest
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.45
book published: 2017
rating: 3
read at: 2017/06/08
date added: 2017/06/08
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Deathstroke, Volume 1: The Professional' by Christopher Priest collects Deathstroke 1-8 and the Rebirth issue, but if you arent familiar with the character, you will likely be confused.

The volume starts with Deathstroke finishing a job in Africa and then faking his death. He then rescues his friend Wintergree, and they have a reunion of sorts. Deathstroke then finds out there is a hit out on his daughter Rose, so he is out to find out who it is. This leads him to Gotham City and a confrontation with Batman.

Deathstroke had a family before, but all you get here are some flashbacks and a couple throwaway dialogue bits. Anything with Wintergreen is kind of also told in jokey flashbacks as the two of them reminisce. The Batman issues at the end were pretty good, especially with Robin pretty much owning Deathstroke. I like this character, but this book was mostly confusing in it's approach to a plot.

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


via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/2rbVqjI

There, There

author: Tim Beiser
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.69
book published: 2017
rating: 4
read at: 2017/06/08
date added: 2017/06/08
shelves: children-s
review:
'There, There' by Tim Beiser with illustrations by Bill Slavin is a picture book about a fretting bunny and his patient friend Bear.

Hare is at Bear's house to play, and they had planned to play outside, but it is raining. Hare is bored and complaining. Bear is sympathetic. Hare continues to complain, while Bear bakes and offers more sympathy. This continues until Bear's patience is stretched thin, then an object lesson is in order to show Hare that things could be worse. Will Hare learn to be grateful?

I liked the illustrations in this book. The coloring is earth toned, and there are interesting textures painted onto the pages. Hare is funny in an overdramatic way. Bear is patient, but his patience is not endless. I like the lesson of being happy with what you've got. Young children would enjoy this silly read aloud book.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Tundra Books, Penguin Random House Canada, 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/2t05UnJ

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet (Wayfarers, #1)

author: Becky Chambers
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.15
book published: 2014
rating: 5
read at: 2017/06/04
date added: 2017/06/04
shelves: sword-and-laser
review:



via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/2suatai

Monster Heroes

author: Blake Hoena
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.86
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2017/06/04
date added: 2017/06/04
shelves: children-s
review:
'Monster Heroes' by Blake Hoena with illustrations by Dave Bardin is a cute early chapter reader about a group of monsters who try to be heroes instead of monsters.

Mina is a vampire who drinks beet juice instead of blood. Brian is a zombie who uses his brain instead of eating them. Will is a ghost who is shy, but uses his invisibility to be brave. Linda is a witch who wants to use her magic for good. Together these three friends help each other and others.

In each of the four stories in this book, each character has a crisis. In each, they call on their friends for help, and the friends come up with a solution that works.

I like the aspect of friendship shown in this book. The illustrations are fun and the book isn't scary in the least. I also like the little nods to horror movies and books, like a new family moving into Hill House across from Shirley Jackson's tomb. I suspect most early readers won't catch that reference, but it made me smile.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Capstone Young Readers 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/2s8gFaF

Savage

author: B. Clay Moore
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.76
book published: 2017
rating: 5
read at: 2017/06/03
date added: 2017/06/03
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Savage' by B. Clay Moore with art by Clayton Henry tells a story that lives up to its title.

The story in Savage switches between the past and present. In the present, a 15 year old boy survives on an island filled with dinosaurs. In the past, we learn how his family came to be on the island and the fate of his parents. The boy is determined to get back to civilization, but he has a few things to take care of before he leaves the island.

This story is visceral and violent. Some of the story is told with minimal words. I love that the writer was willing to trust the artist with conveying the story through art this way. The art style even changes between past and present. I really, really liked it. I also liked the creator commentary with panel breakdowns at the end of each of the 4 issues represented here. They gave a nice insight to the creative process.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Valiant Entertainment, 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/2rRWgXC

Blue Beetle, Vol. 1: The More Things Change

author: Keith Giffen
name: Wayne
average rating: 2.38
book published: 2017
rating: 2
read at: 2017/06/03
date added: 2017/06/03
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Blue Beetle, Vol. 1: The More Things Change' by Keith Giffen and Scott Kollins is a rebirth title, but I feel about the way I felt about the character back in the 1980s: Meh.

Jamie Reyes has had the weird beetle scarab attach itself to him, so he is now the Blue Beetle. Ted Kord acts as his annoying overseer. Jamie has friends that know who he is, but being the Blue Beetle is tough when you have to get to class. Add in the fact that Doctor Fate isn't too pleased about the weird beetle scarab that has locked itself on to Jamie's spine and it's going to be a bumpy ride.

Except, it's just not all that interesting. There is teen bickering. There is a teen gang that, surprise, has superpowers, and, surprise, may not be that bad. The art is fine. Jamie as Blue Beetle has a weird alien look to his face. Frankly, I wanted more Doctor Fate. I'd rather have a Doctor Fate book than this.

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.


via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/2rETmVn

Betty Boop

author: Roger Langridge
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.17
book published: 2017
rating: 4
read at: 2017/06/03
date added: 2017/06/03
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Betty Boop' is a graphic novel by Roger Landridge with art by Gisèle Lagacé. It includes 4 individual issues, but they tell one larger story. I loved the art and feel of this story.

Betty Boop works at the Oop-A-Doop Club. She wants to work on stage, but she's stuck waiting on tables while Scat Skellington and his band of skeletons work the crowd. Her boss Mister Finkle is miserly, but she's got friends in the club like Koko the Clown and Bimbo. She lives with Grampy, who is also an inventor. A group of ghosts wants to chase Grampy and Betty out of their house, but Betty is not about to let them. She even gets a chance to have a musical number here and there.

The art is fabulous and looks like old animation. The color is even a more muted shade than normal which adds to the mood. I really liked the stories. Since we can't hear the singing, bad singing is done with bad rhyming, which I thought was pretty clever. This is an appropriate graphic novel for all ages.

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.


via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/2qMvxaI

I Will Love You Forever

author: Tatsuya Miyanishi
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.18
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2017/06/03
date added: 2017/06/03
shelves: children-s
review:
'I Will Love You Forever' by Tatsuya Miyanishi is a book I chose to review not knowing what to expect. With it's cover featuring a frightening looking dinosaur, I suspected it might be a parody. I was pleasantly surprised by a sweet story that had a confusing ending.

A female Maiasaura finds an unusual and abandoned egg. She takes it to look after. When it hatches, a baby Tyrannosaurus is born. The Maiasaura are herbivore, but the new baby is definitely a carnivore. The mother names him Heart. Can Heart learn to be different than his species? What happens when another Tyrannosaurus comes along?

The drawings are interesting and done mostly in green and yellow. The story seems to be telling a message about adoption, but the ending is kind of sad and confusing.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Museyon Inc. 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/2qNQQgr

Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean's Most Fearless Scientist

author: Jess Keating
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.60
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2017/06/03
date added: 2017/06/03
shelves: children-s, non-fiction
review:
'Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean's Most Fearless Scientist' by Jess Keating with illustrations by Marta Álvarez Miguéns is a non-fiction picture book about a pretty amazing woman.

When Eugenie Clark was 9, she developed a unique interest in sharks after a visit to an aquarium. She was told they were mindless killing machines, but Eugenie challenged that. She was also told that women weren't good scientists, and she challenged that as well.

It's told and illustrated brilliantly. It's accessible to read to little ones, but the content doesn't lessen the accomplishments that Eugenie accomplished. At the end of the book, there are facts about sharks, and there is a timeline of Eugenie's life. There is also a great author's note along with a list of further reading. This was a great book.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Sourcebooks Jabberwocky 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/2rRXFxB

Carson Crosses Canada

author: Linda Bailey
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.88
book published: 2017
rating: 4
read at: 2017/06/02
date added: 2017/06/02
shelves: children-s
review:
'Carson Crosses Canada' by Linda Bailey with illustrations by Kass Reich is a pretty cute story about a long road trip across a beautiful country.

Annie lives on the West Coast of Canada in British Columbia with her dog Carson. One day, she gets a letter from her sister Elsie, and Annie decides to take a road trip to visit her sister. Carson doesn't have a suitcase, but he's happy when Annie remembers to pack his toy, Squeaky Chicken.

Annie promises Carson that he will have a surprise, but as they travel through big trees and hoodoos and plains, Carson can't figure out what it could be.

Annie is an intrepid traveler and Carson is the perfect travel companion. The art is beautiful in this picture book. Canada is a big, beautiful country and that shows as Annie and Carson make their journey. This is a really cute story and would be a nice read along for preschoolers.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Tundra Books, Penguin Random House Canada, 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/2rPit8H

The Last Machine in the Solar System

author: Matthew Isaac Sobin
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.34
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2017/06/02
date added: 2017/06/02
shelves:
review:
'The Last Machine in the Solar System' by Matthew Isaac Sobin is about as somber as the title sounds.

A machine named Jonathan reflects on his creator Nikolai and the death of humanity. His journey in space is also one to find a place to live out the rest of his days. The human race was doomed because it stayed in our solar system, and was a victim of the Sun. For a machine, Jonathan seems to have a lot of human emotion and eloquence of speech. His musings are not without feeling.

The book included some sketched illustrations. I didn't care for those and they didn't add anything to the story for me. In fact, the kind of distracted me every time they showed up. I liked that this felt like something out of the golden age of science fiction. At 80 pages, this felt like the exact right length for the story that is told.

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


via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/2ruXp4J

Divinity III: Stalinverse

author: Matt Kindt
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.58
book published: 2017
rating: 4
read at: 2017/06/01
date added: 2017/06/01
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Divinity III: Stalinverse' by Matt Kindt with art by Trevor Hairsine is a cool take on an alternate history and what some are willing to do to set things right.

If you're new to this series, this isn't the best place to start. A powerful godlike being has messed up history. What has now happened is that during World War II, Russia took over Europe. It's now 2017 and the Americas have been Soviet colonies since 1995. A man named Colin King suspects that this is not the way things are supposed to be. He visits a man named Abram Adams who may be able to help set things right. The only problem is that Abram is in a psychiatric hospital.

The art is just great. I loved the way this book looked. The covers are some of the best I've seen. This is a 4 issue story arc, and it builds really nicely, but the ending felt like a bit of a let down. I am giving this 4 stars for a mostly good story and all good art.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Valiant Entertainment, 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/2qMv8o0