Satania

author: Fabien Vehlmann
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.50
book published: 2016
rating: 3
read at: 2020/01/31
date added: 2020/01/31
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Satania' with story by Fabien Vehlmann and art by Kerascoet is about a trippy trip to the center of the Earth. Or something like that.

A young woman, nicknamed Charlie, heads up an expedition to find her lost brother. He disappeared underground on a mission to prove the existence of Hell, kind of. Charlie's team finds more than they bargained for as they are forced to venture further and further down. They find deadly situations, strange situations, and odd creatures.

The story is certainly weird enough. Perhaps a bit too weird in places. There are a lot of panels and lots of art to go along with this story. I do like a good explorer story and this wasn't too bad.

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


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Desert Star - Volume 1 (L'Etoile du Désert)

author: Stephen Desberg
name: Wayne
average rating: 2.93
book published: 1997
rating: 3
read at: 2020/01/31
date added: 2020/01/31
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Desert Star Volume 1' with story by Stephen Desberg and art by Enrico Marini is a graphic story of life in the Old West.

The main character, Matthew Montgomery, has an important job in Washington and a predictable life until his wife and daughter are savagely murdered. Now with nothing, he heads out West to find the person responsible for the murder and the clue left behind. His hunt takes him through rough towns and the untamed wild.

I liked this story, but in some ways it felt a bit cliche, plus it's got a bit of a cliffhanger ending. It was also a bit more graphic than I would have expected. The art is very good. Maybe the story is better going forward.

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


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100% Unofficial Apex Legends Essential Guide

author: Daniel Lipscombe
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.00
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2020/01/31
date added: 2020/01/31
shelves: non-fiction
review:
'100% Unofficial Apex Legends Essential Guide' by Daniel Lipscombe is a helpful book full of tips and tricks for the video game Apex Legends.

I'm not as familiar with this game, so this wasn't a bad place to start. Players can play in groups of three, so beginning with the different characters available and their strengths, the author recommeds good choices for beginners and complementary groupings for the game. Different weapon types and other gear are talked about, along with the availability of rare drops and items that can be found there.

It's a short, quick read, and put together pretty well. I liked this intro and tips. If I were interested in playing this game, this book seems like a good place to start.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Quarto Publishing Group - becker&mayer!, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


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It Came from under the High Chair: A Mystery

author: Karl Beckstrand
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.20
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2019/07/17
date added: 2020/01/30
shelves: childrens
review:
'It Came From Under the High Chair' by Karl Beckstrand and Jeremy Higginbotham is a bilingual children's book about the gross things under the high chair.

Young Ivan is a sloppy eater. Things seems to fall from his tray and his mouth and his spoon. It's so disgusting even the dog won't eat it. When the mess is left uncleaned, it starts moving on its own, but only the kids seem to see it. How will they get rid of it?

It's a cute gross-out picture book for little kids. I like the monster story aspect as well. The pictures are really fun. I also like that the book is in English and Spanish.

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.


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Uh-Oh Plato! (Platon La gaffe)

author: Charles Pépin
name: Wayne
average rating: 1.38
book published:
rating: 1
read at: 2020/01/27
date added: 2020/01/27
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Uh-Oh Plato!' with words by Charles Pepin with art by Jul is a combination comic strip/essay book about how philosophy relates to the modern workplace.

A young intern named Kevin Plato joins a modern company. This one is staffed by famous philosophers, so we get Nietzsche as the human resources director and executives like Heraclitus and Descartes. The book alternates between cartoons and essays.

The concept sounded interesting but failed to deliver. The text essays shed little light and the cartoons were kind of insipid.

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


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Letterforms: Typeface Design from Past to Future

author: Timothy Samara
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.23
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2020/01/27
date added: 2020/01/27
shelves: non-fiction
review:
'Letterforms: Typeface Design from Past to Future' by Timothy Samara is a book about how typeface and fonts are designed.

The book starts with the history of printing fonts and what was considered the norm. As time went by, typeface became bolder in design to help with selling products. The design of typefaces is discussed next with the importance of spacing and letter widths. The book concludes with how letterforms can be extracted for modern logos.

Throughout the book there are many examples and studies. As a calligrapher and reader, I found the book fascinating. I know that spacing exists in type, but the lengths to which it is painstakingly designed. I enjoyed reading this book.

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


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Time Trial #1 (The Chronos Files)

author: Rysa Walker
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.54
book published: 2014
rating: 4
read at: 2016/07/31
date added: 2020/01/24
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Time Trial #1' by Rysa Walker is a comic book from her CHRONOS Files world. I'm not familiar with the series, but I like time travel, so I thought I'd give it a try.

Clio Dunne lives with her parents and is very familiar with time travel. When she decides to go make a life for herself as an illustrator, her parents have the normal concerns of parents. She is given a code phrase to use in case she is found and off she goes. She finds herself in Chicago and working for a newspaper as a court illustrator on the case against Al Capone. She meets a young man who is interested in her, and notices another strange man among the jury. She wonders who he could be and what it might mean that he is there.

I received the first issue, and even though I was unfamiliar with the world, I had no trouble figuring things out. The characters are engaging, the art is pretty good, and I'd like to end up reading more.

I received a review copy of this digital comic from Amazon Publishing, Jet City Comics, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this comic book.


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The amazing adventures of Jules - Volume 1 - The Future Imperfect (Épatante aventure de Jules (Une))

author: Émile Bravo
name: Wayne
average rating: 2.91
book published: 1999
rating: 3
read at: 2018/03/03
date added: 2020/01/24
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'The Amazing Adventures of Jules: 1. Future Imperfect' with script and art by Emile Bravo is a children's comic about a boy named Jules who gets an adventure that is more than he bargained for.

Jules lives with his mom and dad and his bratty little brother, who is intent on murdering his guinea pig. One night, a scientist arrives at the house and tells Jules that a computer has chosen him for a space journey to Alpha Centauri. The scientist tells Jules that the trip is only 8 weeks long. What Jules doesn't know is that 8 years will pass on Earth while he is gone.

Jules takes the trip with a strange crew of people. They find stranger alien life, and some of the humans react the way humans do. When Jules gets back to Earth, he finds that his younger bratty brother is now his older bratty brother.

This was kind of a silly story, and I think preteens would like the story. The art was good. Even though the story revolves around science, there isn't a lot of it explained here.

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


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Agrippina and the ancestor (Agrippine)

author: Claire Bretécher
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.50
book published: 1998
rating: 3
read at: 2020/01/20
date added: 2020/01/20
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Agrippina and the Ancestor' with story and art by Claire Bretecher is a series of comic vignettes.

Agrippina has a grandmother in a home. She also is part of a pretty dysfunctional family. They visit grandmother, but get interrupted when it's snacktime. Agrippina tries to con money out of her grandmother, but finds out that the aged can still be crafty. Grandmother also buys a computer, but the computer has an odd side effect.

It's all pretty silly and the art has a fun, frantic quality to it. I found the computer story a bit too silly for my tastes, but I liked the story in the first half of the book.

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


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Brina the Cat #1: The Gang of the Feline Sun

author: Giorgio Salati
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.00
book published: 2020
rating: 3
read at: 2020/01/20
date added: 2020/01/20
shelves: graphic-novels, childrens
review:
'Brina the Cat #1: The Gang of the Feline Sun' by Giorgio Salati with art by Christian Cornia is a graphic novel about a city cat who discovers life in the wild.

When Brina moved to the mountains with her owners, there were lots of new things to see and smell. Brina gets away and finds some of the neighborhood cats, but she is found and locked inside her house. Her curiosity leads her to escape again and hang out with the other cats, but what will she find in the outside world? Is it better to be an indoor cat or an outdoor one?

It's a cute story and I think younger readers will like the characters. The art is bright and fun. I liked the different personalities the artist conveys in the cats.

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


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Bob Marley in Comics!

author: Sophie Blitman
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.33
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2020/01/20
date added: 2020/01/20
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Bob Marley in Comics!' by Sophie Blitman and Gaet's with a whole bunch of artists is a graphic novel with text chapters to tell the story of Bob Marley.

I love the music of Bob Marley, but I didn't know a lot of the details of his life. He was born Nesta Robert Marley and had a tough childhood in Jamaica. With a black mother and a white father, he didn't really fit in. Living in poverty in Trenchtown, he found some lifelong friends and future band-mates. His rise to fame included living in multiple countries and having lots of children with different women. His famous albums and appearances make this book as well as a better understanding of his Rastafari lifestyle.

There are almost 20 different artists featured telling different aspects of the life of Bob Marley. I liked some of the art better than others, but the segments are short, so it's not a distraction. The corresponding text chapters fill in the gaps and bridge details together. I enjoyed this look at the life of this legend.

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


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The Yankee Comandante

author: Gani Jakupi
name: Wayne
average rating: 2.33
book published:
rating: 2
read at: 2020/01/18
date added: 2020/01/18
shelves: graphic-novels, non-fiction
review:
'The Yankee Comandante' with story and art by Gani Jakupi is a very well researched graphic novel about Cuba, but I had a hard time staying focused and interested.

Centering around the true story of American William Alexander Morgan, aka The Yankee Comandante, this book takes place during the Cuban Revolution. William embeds with the rebels in the Escambray Mountains, and not speaking a word of Spanish, he helped overthrow the Batista government, paving the way for Fidel Castro to take over.

I had a hard time staying interested in the story told here, and it should have been really interesting to me. The art works well, and I loved the afterword with real photos and all the notes about the research.

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


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Back to Basics (Real life, #1)

author: Manu Larcenet
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.00
book published: 2002
rating: 3
read at: 2020/01/17
date added: 2020/01/17
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Back to Basics 1: Real Life' by Manu Larcenet and Jean-Yves Ferri is a collection of comics about Manu Larcenet moving to the country.

When Manu and his partner Mariette move to the country, they find themselves surrounded by boxes from the move. They also meet the quaint, and strange, people they've moved near. Manu receives potent alcohol. He also almost kills himself in a tree cutting party. When he holds a party for his city friends, he finds they are happy enough to visit, then go back home.

It's classic "fish out of water" humor. The character of Manu makes things worse with his ignorant ways. The villagers seem a bit like caricatures, on purpose. The art is fun, and I got a few laughs out of the gags.

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


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Drew And Jot: Dueling Doodles

author: Art Baltazar
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.90
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2020/01/15
date added: 2020/01/15
shelves: childrens, graphic-novels
review:
'Drew and Jot: Dueling Doodles' with art and story by Art Baltazar is a fun graphic novel for younger readers.

Andrew loves to draw. His favorite is a superhero named Drew. When he goes to a new school, he meets another kid named Foz who also likes to draw. These two become drawing buddies as their stories weave between sketchbooks. When Drew's little sister gets in to the act, the stories become even crazier.

I really liked this story about how fun creativity can be. The story that Drew, Foz, and Patsy create is illustrated in a style that almost looks like crayons. The art is as fun and outrageous as the story. This would be a fun read for young artists.

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


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Quiet Girl in a Noisy World: An Introvert's Story

author: Debbie Tung
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.33
book published: 2017
rating: 4
read at: 2020/01/13
date added: 2020/01/13
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Quiet Girl in a Noisy World: An Introvert's Story' by Debbie Tung is a collection of comics about the author's experiences as an an introvert.

The main character doesn't mind loud parties sometimes, but likes to be able to recharge. She gets a new job in a lively office and prefers to work quietly at home. She finds the perfect partner who understands and will shield her from draining situations.

I liked and appreciated this collection of short comics. As someone who tends to be an introvert, I can relate to an energy meter that gets drained in certain situations and what I do to recharge (which is similar to the author).

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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Mulo (1. Brittany Drizzle)

author: Pog
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.00
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2020/01/12
date added: 2020/01/12
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Mulo 1-Brittany Drizzle' by Pog with art by Cedrick Le Bihan is an odd graphic novel with violence and talking animals.

Mulo visits an island with nothing but a note to guide him. What he finds is a videotape with clues to his past. The tape shows him what happened to his parents, and how he ended up an orphan. Others are willing to kill to keep this secret, but Mulo has friends he doesn't even know about.

The story just begins, and I had to piece the backstory together as I went, but that was ok. I'm not sure why talking animals were used, but why not? The art works, but the story is a bit choppy.

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


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Big Nate: Hug It Out

author: Lincoln Peirce
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.13
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2019/09/23
date added: 2020/01/11
shelves: childrens, graphic-novels
review:
'Big Nate: Hug It Out' by Lincoln Peirce is a collection of comics about the worlds silliest sixth-grader.

This time around, there are the usual hijinks, but also, Nate goes to spend time with his grandparents and talks them in to chaperoning field trip. Sherman the pet hamster in Mrs. Godfrey's class finds out he likes Cheez Doodles. Nate goes to the fair and rides a scary ride with a cute girl, then she disappears before he can get her name.

There is a lot to like about a new Big Nate collection, and the timing is as good as ever. The jokes are kind of familiar at this point, but that is comforting as a reader. I enjoy all of these collections I can get a chance to read.

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


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The Legend of Grimm's Woods (Hocus & Pocus #1)

author: Manuro
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.82
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2020/01/10
date added: 2020/01/10
shelves: childrens, graphic-novels
review:
'Hocus & Pocus: The Legend of Grimm's Woods' by Manuro with illustrations by Gorobei is a graphic novel version of a choose your own adventure type book.

You can choose to either follow Hocus or Pocus as they investigate a cottage. There is a stat sheet to track your adventure, as well as the pet you choose and any treasure you find. The story features elements of famous fairy tales like Hansel & Gretel and Red Riding Hood.

This was a bit difficult to read in review copy form, but I think a physical copy would be a ton of fun for young readers. I followed Hocus as he went around the cottage and got chased by scary trees. There are some good branches to the story and puzzles the reader has to solve to move on to the right page. The illustrations are a lot of fun and there seem to be tons of choices. I especially liked how some choices were drawn right in to the story.

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


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The Grand Abyss Hotel

author: Marcos Prior
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.03
book published:
rating: 2
read at: 2020/01/10
date added: 2020/01/10
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'The Grand Abyss Hotel' by Marcos Prior with art by David Rubin is a layered ambitious graphic novel that seeks to show how fake news can change a society.

Neoliberalism has taken control, and tv news screams with stories, but which ones are true? A masked vigilante decides to fight back by fighting politicians and social media. He's no hero, but the people rally behind him.

The style reminded me a bit of a cross between The Dark Knight Returns and V For Vendetta, but it kind of lost me in all the noise. The story is told in layers, and it's presented as a lot of media chatter. I get what was attempted. It just didn't work for me. I did like the art, and enjoyed looking at the full pages with all the chaotic layouts.


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Big Bang Big God: A Universe Designed for Life?

author: Rodney Holder
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.50
book published: 2013
rating: 4
read at: 2020/01/09
date added: 2020/01/09
shelves: non-fiction
review:
'Big Bang Big God: A Universe Designed for Life?' by Rodney Holder looks at the scientific origins of the universe and makes a compelling argument that there is a specific being behind it all.

Starting with the development and theories around the Big Bang and the scientists that developed it and furthered it, this book takes those ideas and theories and posits that there is an orderliness to what was presumed chaos. This is further discussed when the book delves into the theories of the multiverse. The author gives many angles on the multiverse and concludes that there can only be one universe and one intelligence behind it all.

I'm doing a terrible job of recapping this book, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's not light reading as it delves into cosmology and theology, but I feel like it makes a compelling argument and does so much better than I apparently can. The book finishes with an appendix with Bayes' Theorem which is about the probability of an event, based on prior knowledge of that event.

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


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Monet: Itinerant of Light

author: Salva Rubio
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.95
book published: 2017
rating: 4
read at: 2020/01/08
date added: 2020/01/08
shelves: graphic-novels, non-fiction
review:
'Monet: Itinerant of Light' with words and art by Salva Rubio is a graphic novel about the father of impressionism.

The life of Monet is told by him in this graphic novel adaptation of his life. From the fellow painters who would be his friends through life to the showing of their paintings at the Salon of the Rejected, this follows his pursuit of capturing real light by painting outside. His family life, and extreme poverty is covered as well as his eventual success.

Sharp-eyed readers will notice that illustrations work in some famous paintings by Monet and his contemporaries. For those that may miss some of them, like I did, the book points them out at the end.

I liked this version of a graphic novel biography and the art is really quite good.

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


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Hogfather (Discworld, #20)

author: Terry Pratchett
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.17
book published: 1996
rating: 4
read at: 2020/01/07
date added: 2020/01/07
shelves: sword-and-laser
review:
'Hogfather' by Terry Pratchett was the December book for my online book club. I love a chance to read Terry Pratchett and a book about Discworld's version of Santa Claus made for a good seasonal read.

The hit is out on Hogfather. A creepy assassin with a glass eye has a plan involving brutish thugs and piles of children's teeth. Death and his granddaughter, Susan, decide to separately act. Susan by directly confronting the assassins, Death by donning Hogfather's robes and taking over his duties, in hopes that belief won't falter and the sun will still rise.

Filled with lots of humor and call outs to things in our world, like Christmas stories and traditions, this was a fun read. I liked the odd computer that the wizards at the Unseen University were using that ran on ants. I also loved the odd gods that showed up as belief faltered, like the god of hangovers. This was a fun light read to close out the year.


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Submerged Vol. 1

author: Vita Ayala
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.69
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2020/01/07
date added: 2020/01/07
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Submerged Vol. 1' by Vita Ayala with art by Lisa Sterle is a graphic novel about a storm, a trip to the underworld, and family secrets.

Elysia Puente didn't have the best home life, but she always looked out for her estranged brother Angel. When he calls her on the night of the worst storm in history, Elysia goes into the subways looking for him. What she finds is a journey filled with ghosts from her past. She'll have to confront the things she has done in order to find her brother.

I liked the idea of this, but wasn't completely blown away by it. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but it left me wanting. I think the storm element to the story kept pulling me away from the more interesting story of Elysia. The art is interesting.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Vault 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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The Pink Panther Vol. 1

author: S.A. Check
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.17
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at: 2017/01/07
date added: 2020/01/07
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Pink Panther, Volume 1' is a series of short gags written and illustrated by lots of talented people. There are 14 stories, including one originally printed in Pink Panther #49 from January, 1978.

Pink Panther was one of my favorite cartoons when I was a kid, and it's great to say these feel just like those. They also include some Inspector Clouseau and Ant and Aardvark stories, but Pink Panther is the primary subject. Pink finds the hammer of Thor and decides to become a superhero with hilarious results. Pink Panther entertains at a child's birthday party and can't seem to make the young child happy. Pink Panther tries to con a restaurant out of a meal by putting a fly in the soup, but the fly ends up eating all the soup. And so on.

For the most part, Pink doesn't talk, but there are a few where Pink does, and those feel weird to me. But the humor rings true from what I remember. The humor is perfectly appropriate for younger readers. The art is great. It's good to have these characters back again.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from American Mythology, 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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Frank - The Story of a Forgotten Dictatorship

author: Ximo Abadía
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.00
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2020/01/06
date added: 2020/01/06
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Frank - The Story of a Forgotten Dictatorship' with words and art by Ximo Abadia is an interesting take on telling the story of famous dictator Franco.

Told in a simple and symbolic way, this is the story of a small man who liked a certain shape. When other shapes start appearing, he does what he can to get rid of them. He gets help from other dictators. He elects a king. The world turned a blind eye.

It's a pretty simplistic way to tell history, but it has a certain elegance and power. The use of colors and shapes makes you think of one type of story, but the subtext says it all.

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


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The Adventures of Fede and Tomato - Volume 1 - Tomato Must Be Saved!

author: Luciano Saracino
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.00
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2020/01/04
date added: 2020/01/04
shelves: graphic-novels, childrens
review:
'The Adventures of Fede and Tomato Vol. 1 - Tomato Must Be Saved!' by Luciano Saracino with art by Gerardo Baro is a graphic novel about a boy, a cat, and a travelling circus.

The circus comes to Fede's town and he wants to get a job. First, he must avoid Florencia (she is the love of Fede's life, but she doesn't know it yet). At the circus, Fede runs into the lion and the owner of the circus. He gets a job with the help of his cat Tomato, but now Tomato Must Be Saved!

This was a fun and funny story. I liked Fede and his willingness to do crazy things. The art was also a lot of fun and I liked the colors used.

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


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House of Monsters (Monster Allergy, Vol. 1)

author: Katja Centomo
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.00
book published: 2003
rating: 4
read at: 2020/01/04
date added: 2020/01/04
shelves: graphic-novels, childrens
review:
'Monster Allergy #1' by Katja Centomo and Francesco Artibani with art by Alessandro Barbucci is a graphic novel for younger readers featuring a strange young man who can see things that others can't.

Elena Potato has a hard enough time with her last name, but now she is the new kid in town. When she is warned off of meeting the weird kid next door, that's the first thing she does. She meets Zick, who is allergic to everything and sees monsters. Now the pets in town are missing, and the trail seems to lead to a high end restaurant. Can Elena and Zick solve the mystery?

I liked this quirky story with it's odd characters and fun art. The story would have completely appealed to a middle school version of myself.

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


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Manfried Saves the Day

author: Caitlin Major
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.76
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2020/01/03
date added: 2020/01/03
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Manfried Saves the Day' by Caitlin Major with art by Kelly Bastow is the continuing adventures of a world where cats talk and have men for pets.

Steve Catson is finding some small fame with his art. He is also helping out at the local man shelter. When the shelter is in danger of being closed, he and all his friends find themselves in all kinds of crises. They decide to train some men to participate in a local man show to raise money to save the shelter.

It's still a clever concept, and I like it, but this story was not as good as the first volume. The art is pretty hilarious with all the men putting on silly Halloween costumes and still running around with no pants on.

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


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Benny on the Beach

author: Diego Arandojo
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.43
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2020/01/03
date added: 2020/01/03
shelves: graphic-novels, childrens
review:
'Benny on the Beach' with story and illustrations by Ed and Diego Arandojo is a wordless story for young readers.

Benny goes to the beach with his parents. At first he is bored, but then he digs up a woolly mammoth. From there the story takes all kinds of imaginative twists and turns. What happens when Benny has to say goodbye to his new woolly friend?

The book is a basic graphic novel and would work well for little kids to read a story to themselves. The story is fun and the illustrations are simple enough for young eyes.

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


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I Broke My Butt!: The Cheeky Sequel to the International Bestseller I Need a New Butt!

author: Dawn McMillan
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.58
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2020/01/02
date added: 2020/01/02
shelves: childrens
review:
'I Broke My Butt!: A Cheeky Sequel to the International Bestseller I Need a New Butt!' by Dawn McMillan with illustrations by Ross Kinnaird is a sequel about a young boy who seems to have a lot of problems with his backside.

The young man who was looking for a new butt is back, but this time, he has managed to break his butt. His attempts to glue things back together leads to an extra part being stuck to his backside. This presents problems, but also leads to interesting solutions.

I liked the first book well enough, and wondered why there might be a sequel. It's clever enough and borderline naughty with all the butt humor to make kids giggle. I liked the first one a bit better, but your mileage may vary.

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


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DayBlack #2

author: Keef Cross
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.59
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2020/01/02
date added: 2020/01/02
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'DayBlack #2' with story and art by Keef Cross is a collection of issues 4-6 of the series. I've already reviewed 2 of the volumes, but it was fun to revisit them here.

Merce is a former slave who is now a vampire. He is a tattoo artist in the town of DayBlack where he deals with someone shooting folks in the butt who wear their pants too low. He also has to deal with a loved one who was thought to be dead.

This isn't really a story arc so much as three separate sort of stories. It's also a bit hard to follow along, but the art is really the whole reason to read these. Keef Cross has a completely unique kind of art for a comic book and I really like it. There is some pretty good humor in here too.

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


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James Bond: Black Box

author: Benjamin Percy
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.48
book published: 2017
rating: 4
read at: 2020/01/02
date added: 2020/01/02
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'James Bond: Black Box' by Benjamin Percy with art by Rapha Lobosco is a decent take on James Bond.

The story starts in the French Alps with James being targeted. When he sees the face of his intended killer, he must know more about her, but he is off on another adventure. Of course, you know she will show up again if you know much about James Bond.

The main story involves a villain who has secrets on the world leaders that he is going to use as blackmail. Bond wants to find it first, but there are other agents in on the hunt as well. There is also a scarred villain who makes masks of the people he has killed.

The story is breathtaking and cinematic in scope and pace. The art was nice and solid. I did have a problem with a couple odd story skips, but it only broke the rhythm slightly for me.

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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Bloodshot (2019) Book 1

author: Tim Seeley
name: Wayne
average rating: 2.90
book published: 2019
rating: 3
read at: 2020/01/02
date added: 2020/01/02
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Bloodshot (2019) Book 1' by Tim Seeley with art by Brett Booth and Tomas Giorello is a sort of reboot of the character with a new team of writers and artists. This book collects issues 1-3 along with a Free Comic Book Day one shot.

Bloodshot is a living weapon composed of nanites. He has been used and abused, and now he is hunted by those who would further use and abuse him. He is driven by higher ideals, and even when he is forced to fight, he tries to protect the innocent.

It's a lot of fighting and not a lot of story development. I liked the art better than others have, but it does tend to be overly busy. I like this character, and hopefully this story is just a prologue for what is a better story.

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.


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All Quiet on the Western Front

author: Wayne Vansant
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.73
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2020/01/02
date added: 2020/01/02
shelves: graphic-novels, classics
review:
'All Quiet on the Western Front' by Erich Maria Remarque with adaptation and art by Wayne Vansant is an adaptation of the famous novel that was sanctioned by the Remarque family.

This story is about World War I and told from a soldier on the German side. Paul Bäumer is filled with dreams of glory by his professor. He and his friends join up and head to the front lines. What Paul finds is hardly the glorious battle he thought, and as he slowly loses those around him, he sees the true horrors of war.

I found this to be a solid adaptation of the book. The art conveying people at times is a bit confusing, as characters can tend to look alike, but the color palette with it's grim colors is fitting for the story.

I was happy to review this title from Dead Reckoning, a new imprint from Naval Institute Press, and I look forward to other titles from this publisher. Thank you also to NetGalley for the chance to read this.


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