Flash (2016-) Vol. 3: Rogues Reloaded (The Flash (2016-))

author: Joshua Williamson
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.88
book published: 2017
rating: 4
read at: 2017/09/30
date added: 2017/09/30
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Flash Vol. 3: Rogues Reloaded' by Joshua Williamson collects The Flash issues 14-20. The first part is a Rogues character arc, then there are some other stories.

The Rogues on their own were never much of a threat to Central City and The Flash. When they teamed up, they were more of a problem. Now they have disappeared and Flash wonders where they've gone. What he finds out becomes a threat to the city.

In the backup stories, Wally West is looking for his father and that leads him and Barry to Belle Reve prison. Iris is investigating the aftermath of the Speed Force storm. In both stories, Barry's secret identity is on tenuous ground with the two people he is closest to.

The three stories are all pretty good, but the Rogues one was the best. There are 5 different artists over the span of these issues, and the quality feels pretty consistent.

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/2xGnTpg

Batman: The Master Race (The Dark Knight Saga, #3)

author: Frank Miller
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.61
book published: 2017
rating: 4
read at: 2017/09/30
date added: 2017/09/30
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Batman: The Dark Knight: Master Race'written by Frank Miller and Brian Azzarello with art by Klaus Janson, Andy Kubert and others includes all nine main issues as well as the nine tie-in issue. At 376 pages, it's a lot of comic, but is it any good?

Following up after The two previous Dark Knight series, this time around Carrie (the Robin from the first series) is all grown up and patrolling Gotham dressed as Batman, because apparently Batman is dead, but this feels like a feint. When a group of Kryptonians threatens the planet, it's going to take more than Carrie and an aging Bruce Wayne to stop them.

This is not strictly a Batman story. It includes members of the Justice League and others, but at it's core, it follows the Batman characters.

I own and love the original Dark Knight. I was less crazy about the odd second part. This one loses some of the darkness and hyperviolence and even feels like it ends on a note of hope. It's a different feeling for this series, but I liked it quite a bit.

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/2xG6I7g

Geronimo Stilton #19: "Lost in Translation"

author: Geronimo Stilton
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.00
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2017/09/30
date added: 2017/09/30
shelves: graphic-novels, children-s
review:
'Geronimo Stilton #19: Lost in Translation' finds the mice travelling in time to stop the pirate cats. These are fun adventures with a bit of history thrown in.

The history this time was the discovery of the Rosetta Stone in Egypt during Napoleon's campaign in 1798. The pirate cats have their own agenda for what to do with it. It may alter the world that Geronimo and his friends know. Will they be able to foil the scheme in time (pun intended)?

I've read a few of these. They fall into the category of things I would have liked to read when I was about 8. The history is interesting, but not to the point where it feels like school. The art is passable for what is needed, but I sometimes have trouble telling the mice from the cats.

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/2xH22Op

Ink in Water: An Illustrated Memoir (Or, How I Kicked Anorexia’s Ass and Embraced Body Positivity)

author: Lacy J. Davis
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.42
book published: 2017
rating: 5
read at: 2017/09/30
date added: 2017/09/30
shelves: non-fiction, graphic-novels
review:
'Ink in Water: An Illustrated Memoir (Or, How I Kicked Anorexia's Ass and Embraced Body Positivity' by Lacy J. Davis with art by Jim Kettner is the true story of Lacy's eating disorder.
At the beginning of the story, Lacy lives in Portland. She has a relationship with a guy there. When it goes away, Lacy is left feeling like she was inadequate. This leads her to question her body size. She begins questioning all her food and exercising maniacally. Through the help of a friend, she ends up going to an Overeater's Anonymous group. What follows is her journey through the 12 steps and beyond.

It's funny and sad and told in the exact kind of honest way that could be really helpful to other people. Lacy doesn't brag about overcoming. She doesn't hide the shame and guilt. There is real tragedy in the story and real hope. Jim (Kett-Nerd) Kettner's art is a good mix for the story. I really, really liked this one.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from New Harbinger Publications, Inc. and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this wonderful graphic novel.


via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/2wq3QaH

Equinoxes

author: Cyril Pedrosa
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.31
book published: 2015
rating: 4
read at: 2017/02/23
date added: 2017/09/30
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Equinoxes' by Cyril Pedrosa is the graphic novel equivalent of an independent film. I liked it, but ultimately didn't love it.

The story is split up into the four seasons. The characters at first are independent and it's not known what connection they'll have throughout the story. There is even a wordless story that begins each season, and that even finds a way to tie in.

The characters range from a young girl with a camera who takes candid photos of people and writes stories about them, a divorced man, a retired politician. The events range from a field trip, to a hike up a mountain to a protest against the building of an airport.

I really liked the art style. The story is good too, but can feel a bit vague and disconnected. Things begin to make sense eventally, but at 336 pages, it takes a while.

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.


via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/2miZE8d

Under-The-Bed Fred

author: Linda Bailey
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.05
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2017/09/24
date added: 2017/09/24
shelves: children-s
review:
'Under-The-Bed Fred' by Linda Bailey with illustrations by Colin Jack is a chapter book for young readers about what to do about the monster under your bed.

Young Leo is convinced there is a monster under his bed. He knows because of the amount of noise it makes. When Leo finally finds the courage, he confronts the monster and finds that they both have fears. The monster gets named Fred, and while he is still occasionally still scary, he and Leo become friends.

The story is about being afraid of something whether it is real or not and facing it anyway. It's also about being willing to make friends with someone different. The illustrations are silly and not too scary.

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/2jWtEti

When Planet Earth Was New

author: James Gladstone
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.34
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2017/09/24
date added: 2017/09/24
shelves: children-s, non-fiction
review:
'When Planet Earth Was New' by James Gladstone with illustrations by Katherine Diemert is a picture book about the evolution of our planet over millions of years.

Told with short sentences, this is a picture book for young children. The sentences are few and fairly simple. The book shows the formation of the Earth from days before volcanic formation through water covering the planet. Early life forms grow, then larger and larger ones until people arrive.

There is a look again section that gives a bit deeper text along with a glossary and a list of sources.

I don't know if children who are 4 or 5 can comprehend numbers like million or billion. The text seems simplistic and I didn't think it was very engaging. What is engaging are the gorgeous illustrations. The eye is drawn to them and they fill almost two pages to go along with corresponding text. There are swirling colors and exploding volcanos.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Owlkids 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/2xyOFyU

Santa, Please Bring Me a Gnome

author: An Swerts
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.43
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2017/09/24
date added: 2017/09/24
shelves: children-s
review:
'Santa, Please Bring Me a Gnome' by An Swerts with illustrations by Eline Lindenhulzen is a fun picture book about a little girl with a specific request for Christmas.

Tess writes a letter to Santa and specifically asks him to bring her a gnome for Christmas. The adults around her seem unfazed by her request and even seem convinced that her request will be granted. Her grandfather makes some little furniture for the new gnome. Her grandmother makes a little blanket. When Christmas finally arrives, will Santa fulfill his promise?

The story brought me many smiles. From the very cute illustrations, to the emphatic belief of the main character, to the knowing adults who support this child. The book is as warm as a cup of cocoa on a Winter evening.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Clavis Publishing 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/2jXdCiC

Dragons: Father and Son

author: Alexandre Lacroix
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.00
book published: 2014
rating: 4
read at: 2017/09/24
date added: 2017/09/24
shelves: children-s
review:
'Dragons: Father and Son' by Alexandre Lacroix with illustrations by Ronan Badel is a story about becoming who you are instead of who others might want you to be.

Drake is a young dragon who lives with his slightly grouchy looking father. Now that Drake is older, his father wants him to go out and terrorize villages by burning them down. Drake has misgivings about doing this. Along the way, he meets characters who convince him that he shouldn't torch their buildings. Could Drake's father be wrong?

It's a very cute story with great illustrations to accompany. I loved the grumpiness of the dad. I loved Drake's pose as he tilts his head back before he is about to torch a building. The story has a gently message and doesn't serve to make any character look stupid, which I appreciated.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Quarto 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/2hoLiF3

Unplug: A Simple Guide to Meditation for Busy Skeptics and Modern Soul Seekers

author: Suze Yalof Schwartz
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.87
book published:
rating: 2
read at: 2017/09/23
date added: 2017/09/23
shelves: non-fiction
review:
'Unplug: A Simple Guide to Meditation for Busy Skeptics and Modern Soul Seekers' by Suze Yalof Scwhartz and Debra Goldstein didn't actually win over this skeptic.

Starting out with a series of name-dropping stories about how meditation can change your life, it takes a while for this book to seem to get to the point. Once it does, it includes simple enough instructions and guided meditation techniques for the different types of day the reader might have. There are also meditations for children.

I'm not sure what I expected, and I'm really probably the wrong audience for this book. The first half of the book was just too chatty and felt a bit too self-congratulatory. The technique portions seemed helpful enough and could be useful for those looking for a way to find a way to mindfulness.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Crown Publishing 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/2xC8LJ9

Bloodshot Reborn: Deluxe Edition, Book 1

author: Jeff Lemire
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.93
book published: 2016
rating: 5
read at: 2017/09/23
date added: 2017/09/23
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Bloodshot Reborn: Deluxe Edition, Book 1' brings back the Valiant character with a great plot by Jeff Lemire. Collected in this huge collection are Bloodshot Reborn issues 1-13.

Project Rising Spirit created Bloodshot and took away the identity of a man named Ray. Now Ray is without the nanites that made him Bloodshot. He is plagued by bad memories and seeks to suppress them with drinking and drugs. He also has a couple of invisible friends from the old days that bother him.

When a strange killing in Colorado looks like it was done by someone using the nanites, Ray realizes that only he can control them and sets out to recover them. When it becomes apparent that the nanites may be in more than one person, Ray sets out to stop them.

I liked the main story quite a bit. The second story arc was interesting, but I felt a bit cheated by its finale. The art varies over the course of the volume with some really outstanding art, and some I was less crazy about. Overall, this is a really excellent graphic novel.

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.


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

Little Pierrot Vol 1: Get the Moon

author: Alberto Varanda
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.63
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2017/09/17
date added: 2017/09/17
shelves: children-s, graphic-novels
review:
'Little Pierrot Vol. 1: Get the Moon' by Alberto Varanda is not a cohesive story, but a series of panels and short comic strips. That will help the reader as they embark on this journey.

Little Pierrot is the main character. He's a little boy who seems to not like school much. He has a snail friend that he calls Mr. Snail. He has conversations with Mr. Snail about luck and staying out of his garden. Pierrot tends to lean towards the fanciful rather than the practical. Mr. Snail is there to provide common sense of sorts.

The art is whimsical and fun. Pierrot's hair sticks up in unmanageable spikes. The coloring and characters present a feeling of whimsy, as if this were a cartoon from a bygone era. I enjoyed reading this.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Lion Forge, 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/2wzWNLG

Engineered!: Engineering Design at Work

author: Shannon Hunt
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.15
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2017/09/17
date added: 2017/09/17
shelves: children-s, non-fiction
review:
'Engineered!: Engineering Design at Work' by Shannon Hunt with illustrations by James Gulliver Hancock may be the best book I've read for young people interested in an engineering career.

In a couple introductory chapters, the reader learns about the minds of engineers, and seven basic steps of engineering design. These steps are pointed out as the book visits 9 unique engineering challenges from different fields of engineering like aerospace, civil, geomatics and others. The problems include landing a spacecraft safely on Mars, building a bridge that seems to float in the clouds, and repairing a sewer system. The challenges are explained and the main person behind the solution is given a brief biography to show their background.

I've read a few S.T.E.M. books and they all seem to fail to provide what this book does, which is the curiosity, creativity and drive to solve unique problems. Those innate abilities should be the spark of any young persons interest in these fields. The illustrations and pictures help to keep the text lively.

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


via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/2xJVP4K

Baseball Bats for Christmas

author: Michael Arvaarluk Kusugak
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.91
book published: 1993
rating: 4
read at: 2017/09/16
date added: 2017/09/16
shelves: children-s
review:
'Baseball Bats for Christmas' by Michael Arvaarluk Kusugak with illustrations by Vladyana Krykorka is a beautifully illustrated and told picture book about a remote group of people in Repulse Bay in the North West Territories, now known as Nunavut.

The book takes place in 1955 in a remote and barren place that doesn't even have trees, or what the kids call "standing-ups" because they've never seen a tree. The kids like to play baseball when they can find a stick, but with no trees around, it's tough to get a game going. When a local pilot delivers six trees right before Christmas, the kids don't see trees. They see their baseball dreams coming true.

The story is a bit on the wordy side for young readers, but it's a really nice story. The illustrations are soft and beautiful. I really liked this story of a group of kids in a remote place who like to play baseball.

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/2x8ZKoq

When the Moon Comes

author: Paul Harbridge
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.06
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2017/09/16
date added: 2017/09/16
shelves: children-s
review:
'When the Moon Comes' by Paul Harbridge with illustrations by Matt James is a story of winter and moonlit lakes.

A nearby beaver pond has flooded. Now that the cold of November has come, it has frozen over, but it's not quite time to go play hockey. The boys wait impatiently until it is time. Then they walk into the woods in the cold and build a fire to keep warm. They put on their skates and clear the snow so they can play in the moonlight.

I loved the prose of this story. It's written with an elegance and beauty that I didn't think I'd find in this sort of story. I was a little less enamored of the illustration style, but it serves the story well enough.

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/2x5fqM0

Muffy & Valor: A True Story

author: Karl Beckstrand
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.00
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2017/09/16
date added: 2017/09/16
shelves: children-s
review:
'Muffy & Valor: A True Story' by Karl Beckstrand tells a nonfiction story from the author's life. It's a story full of the care and compassion that animals can teach us.

When Carlos' dog Muffy is attacked by a larger dog, it needs to have surgery. Because of this, Muffy didn't like larger dogs. When another larger dog named Valor is found with a similar injury, can Muffy learn to be empathetic?

It's a cute story that is better because it is true. There is a counting game within the book to count all the different kinds of dogs that show up. I wasn't crazy about the font, until I heard that the font used is friendlier for dyslexic readers. The art is a bit heavy in tint, but the pictures are bright, and there are quite a few dogs.

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


via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/2y6Fxik

The Life and Times of Martin Luther

author: Meike Roth-Beck
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.85
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2017/09/16
date added: 2017/09/16
shelves: children-s, non-fiction
review:



via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/2x5Bbv4

Harley's Little Black Book

author: Amanda Conner
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.78
book published: 2017
rating: 2
read at: 2017/09/16
date added: 2017/09/16
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Harley's Little Black Book' by Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti was going to be a bit of a challenge for me since I'm not the biggest Harley Quinn fan around. Since it was a team up book, I thought I'd give it a shot.

This reprint #1-6 in the series and is a pretty big 256 pages. Harley meets and attempts to "help" Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Zatanna, the DC Bombshells, Superman and Lobo. There is a bit of time and space travel tomfoolery to get her mixed up with some of these characters. There are also multiple locations like London, Germany, space and Coney Island. She makes and meets friends along the way and generally makes a lot of inuendo jokes. This book is really not for kids.

It was all pretty silly, as I expected, and that's fine, but at so many pages, I just got fatigued. It was all so much. I liked the Superman story the best. Maybe because Neal Adams did the art. The rest of it might be better taken in smaller doses rather than reading it in one straight shot.

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/2frviP4

Doctor Who: The American Adventures

author: Justin Richards
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.29
book published: 2016
rating: 3
read at: 2017/09/16
date added: 2017/09/16
shelves:
review:
'Doctor Who: The American Adventures' by Justin Richards is a book of 6 short stories featuring the Twelfth Doctor in uniquely American adventures.

The Doctor finds himself at various places in American history: the California gold rush, with a group of settlers, at a military base that is planning D-Day and at a large familiar sounding theme park in Florida, and other places. In each, the Doctor's unique gifts are needed to protect the people of Earth from the unknown. In each, he exhibits his own wry humor, which is often unappreciated by those around him.

The true test of a tie in book is if the character feels true to the original creation. On that level, I think these stories succeed. The stories themselves are not great, but neither are they completely terrible. As a fan of the Doctor, I enjoyed reading this collection of stories.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Penguin UK, Diamond Book Distributors, 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/2xbxGCP

The Gunslinger (The Dark Tower, #1)

author: Stephen King
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.76
book published: 1982
rating: 4
read at: 2017/09/16
date added: 2017/09/16
shelves:
review:



via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/11Y7g4T

Dangerous Jane

author: Suzanne Slade
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.09
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2017/09/09
date added: 2017/09/09
shelves: children-s, non-fiction
review:
'Dangerous Jane' by Suzanne Slade with illustrations by Alice Ratterree is a picture book telling of the life of Jane Addams. I was somewhat familiar with this historical figure and I found the book to be a good introduction of her life for young readers.

In spite of losing her mother at a young age, and having a medical affliction, Jane Addams had a heart to help people. When she was able to, she founded Hull House in Chicago and helped the poor and immigrants. When World War I broke out, she was committed to peace, even talking to leaders of opposing countries. Her actions got her labelled as "dangerous," but she was also the first woman to earn the Nobel Prize.

It's an inspiring story of how one woman saw a world in need and tried to do something about it. A lot of people talk, but Jane Addams acted. That's a good lesson for young readers who want to change the world. The text and illustrations tell this story in a very accessible way, and the book ends with an article telling more about Jane Addams and giving a timeline and a few real life photos.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Peachtree Publishing, Myrick Marketing & Media LLC, 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/2eX3K78

Where Oliver Fits

author: Cale Atkinson
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.62
book published: 2017
rating: 5
read at: 2017/09/09
date added: 2017/09/09
shelves: children-s
review:
'Where Oliver Fits' by Cale Atkinson is a fable about belonging and finding out where we fit in. The message is a good one for the young, as well as some of us older readers.

Oliver is a colorful puzzle piece. He wants to know where he will fit. He imagines pirates and other things in his optimism as he starts his journey. He discover that, for him, it's not so easy. He's the wrong shape, or color, or size. In his frustration, he decides to change who he is so he can fit in. Will he find happiness?

The story is very accessible for younger readers and has a really great lesson. I loved Oliver's journey and the lesson to just be yourself. The illustrations are colorful and the lesson is a good one.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Tundra 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/2wPTUuv

Mr. Crum's Potato Predicament

author: Anne Renaud
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.15
book published: 2017
rating: 4
read at: 2017/09/09
date added: 2017/09/09
shelves: children-s
review:
'Mr. Crum's Potato Predicament' by Ann Renaud with illustrations by Felicita Sala takes a story that may be more legend than fact and makes it a fun story for young readers.

When Filbert P. Horsefeathers walks into George Crum's restaurant, he only wants potatoes. When the potatoes he gets aren't right, he keeps sending them back until chef Crum invents a new thin, crunchy, salty snack: the potato chip!

In a great postscript to the story, we find out that there was a George Crum who is credited with inventing the potato chip. Whether he did or not, he was apparently a great chef in the Saratoga area where they were known as Saratoga chips. There are some photos of the real George Crum and an early box of potato chips. There is also a list of sources for the story that is told. I found it a fun story and I loved the illustrations.

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


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

Where's Your Hat, Abe Lincoln?

author: Misti Kenison
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.23
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2017/09/09
date added: 2017/09/09
shelves: children-s
review:
'Where's Your Hat, Abe Lincoln' by Misti Kenison is another book in a historical board book series. Previously, I read one about Ben Franklin.

This time around, we visit Abe Lincoln. He has lost his hat. He goes to ask his friends, but they are all busy with various tasks. Frederick Douglass is writing a book, Clara Barton is tending to wounded soldiers, Sojourner Truth is giving a lecture, and so on. Abe needs to find his hat so he can give an important speech. Will he find it in time?

Like the first book, the other historical figures are shown out of date context, but there is a timeline at the end of the book. I guess it's for older readers, or the person reading this board book out loud. The characters aren't really helping Abe find his hat either. They are just there to put some historical people from the time period in the book. I think I liked the first book I read in the series a bit more, but they are really pretty similar to each other.

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/2eVlSy7

Allen: Son of Hellcock

author: Gabe Koplowitz
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.33
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2017/09/09
date added: 2017/09/09
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Allen: Son of Hellcock' by Gabe Koplowitz and Will Tracy with art by Miguel Porto and Kendra Wells was a title I was a bit skeptical about when I read the synopsis.

Hellcock and his band of heroes have had their day, but those days ended when Hellcock was eaten by a dragon (it happens early on, so consider this a non-spoiler). Years later, his son Allen is being badgered by the ghost of his dad, but Allen is not cut from the same cloth. Hellcock's old nemesis, Lord Krong, has the same problem with his son, Kaarl, except Kaarl seems bent on stirring up trouble. So Allen gets his dad's old gang together, and hits the adventuring trail. Can this fatherly disappointment save the day and make his ghost dad proud?

It could have gone either way, but, surprisingly, I thought it worked. The art is fairly clever too. The joke runs a bit thin, but the authors bring in some things that break the fourth wall and give the story some new angles. I found Allen a likeable character, even in his clumsy ineptness. Perhaps I could relate.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Z2 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/2gTJ9Ba

Disney Tim Burton's the Nightmare Before Christmas: Special Collector's Manga

author: Jun Asuka
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.42
book published: 2004
rating: 3
read at: 2016/11/11
date added: 2017/09/06
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.


via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/2g4mbFF

Batman Beyond (2016-) Vol. 1: Escaping the Grave

author: Dan Jurgens
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.00
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2017/09/04
date added: 2017/09/04
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Batman Beyond Vol. 1: Escaping the Grave' by Dan Jurgens with art by Bernard Chang, Ryan Sook and Peter Woods, is an appropriate subtitle for the story told between the covers.

The story takes place in a Gotham City of the future. Terry McGinnis was thought to be dead, but he is back as Gotham's Batman. He got his suit and training from Bruce Wayne, who is now dead. The Joker is also dead, but that doesn't stop a large cult of criminals from adopting his persona and running riot in a part of town called Jokerz Town. The Jokerz are up to something big and when Terry finds out, he goes undercover as one of the Jokerz to stop it. Is he up to the job?

I know Batman Beyond from the animated series, and not as a title, but I really enjoyed this graphic novel. I like the future punk elements, like the Bane/Joker mashup character. The characters and story are good, and things seem to be set up for good plot lines to come.

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/2xKsXWR

Superman - Action Comics (2016-) Vol. 3: Men of Steel

author: Dan Jurgens
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.92
book published: 2017
rating: 4
read at: 2017/09/04
date added: 2017/09/04
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Superman: Action Comics Vol. 3: Men of Steel' by Dan Jurgens takes the issue of Lex Luthor acting heroic head on.

When Superman died, Lex Luthor took on his role. With a powered suit, a boom tube that he acquired, and Superman's old cape, he was in business. The new Superman is suspicious. In his world, Lex is corrupt and evil. So when the God Killer shows up to kill Lex for something Lex will do in the future, Superman is understandably conflicted. He feels like his suspicions are justified, but can you condemn a man to death for something he hasn't done yet?

This volume collects Action Comics 967-972, and it's a fight that spans just about that entire run. There are some subplots sprinkled throughout involving a missing building and a powerless Clark Kent and his interactions with Superman's wife, Lois Lane. Jon shows up as the eager young son who wants to help out.

The art is pretty solid as are the covers. This graphic novel includes variant covers for the run.

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/2w0lwIO

Riley Can Be Anything

author: Davina Hamilton
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.67
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2017/09/04
date added: 2017/09/04
shelves: children-s
review:
'Riley Can Be Anything' by Davina Hamilton with illustrations by Elena Reinoso is a book about all the possibilities available to a young boy.

Riley is spending time with his older cousin Joe. Joe asks lots of questions. When Joe asks Riley what he wants to be when he grows up, Riley can't decide. Joe tells Riley about all the great career opportunities that others in their family have had, like chefs, musicians, teachers, and others. Riley really can be anything.

I really liked this book about the ability for young Riley to be anything he can. The text is niceand so are the illustrations. I have one big nitpick with the art, though. On one page, Uncle Boz is a jazz musician who plays the trumpet, but the illustration shows someone holding a saxophone. In a story that gets so much right, this illustration really bugged me.

I received a review copy of this ebook from The Ella Riley 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/2wyumkA