Bolivar

author: Sean Rubin
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.26
book published: 2017
rating: 4
read at: 2020/05/23
date added: 2020/05/23
shelves: childrens
review:
'Bolivar' with story and art by Sean Rubin is the story of a dinosaur that lives in New York.

Bolivar is a dinosaur that lives in New York. He enjoys corned beef sandwiches and visiting book stores and art museums. He can safely live in the city because everyone is too busy to notice him. But the little girl next door, Sybil, has noticed, and now she is out to prove that her next door neighbor is a dinosaur. Eventually, in a funny turn of fate, Bolivar is found out, but how will people react?

This was a really fun story. The illustrations are fabulous. I really liked this story and characters. Bolivar is a character I'd love to have as a neighbor. We'd get along great.

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


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Banned Book Club

author: Kim Hyun Sook
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.09
book published: 2020
rating: 5
read at: 2020/05/23
date added: 2020/05/23
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Banned Book Club' by Kim Hyun Sook and Ryan Estrada with art by Hyung-Ju Ko is a biographical graphic novel about a college student in Korea in the early 1980s.

When Kim Hyun Sook started college in 1983, she joined a book club. What she didn't know is that it was a subversive group and that joining it would put her in danger. She had friends stopped by the police and even arrested. Her parents owned a restaurant and had no idea what their daughter was doing. The student protests eventually led to leader changes and voting in South Korea.

I really liked this story of being young and naive, but wanting to make a difference. The danger and fear is real, but the story still has some light moments along the way. The art is really great. I really liked this story based on true events.

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


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Food Wars!, Vol. 1

author: Yuto Tsukuda
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.03
book published: 2013
rating: 5
read at: 2020/05/22
date added: 2020/05/22
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Food Wars!, Vol. 1' by Yuto Tsukuda with art by Shun Saeki is a manga about a young man who wants to become a great chef.

Soma Yukuhira works for his father in their small restaurant. He wants to beat his father's culinary skills, but he's got a tough road to go. First off, someone wants to close the restaurant to develop real estate. Then, Soma joins a top notch culinary skill. His background and training are mocked as pedestrian. Can Soma impress the teachers and stay in school?

I am a fan of cooking/food manga and this was my introduction to this series. I found it a lot of fun. Especially Soma's mix of amazing and disgusting creations, and the reactions they bring to those eating them. The art is a lot of fun too.

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


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The Gold Eater (Undertaker #1)

author: Xavier Dorison
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.81
book published: 2015
rating: 4
read at: 2020/05/22
date added: 2020/05/22
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Undertaker #1: The Gold Eater' by Xavier Dorison with art by Ralph Meyer is a graphic novel set in the old west and features an undertaker who may be more than he seems.

Jonas Crow, undertaker and mystery man, rolls his hearse into town and gets hired to bury a man. The unusual request is to haul the body to an old mine and bury it there. Before the man dies, he swallows his remaining gold. The problem is that the townspeople have found out and Jonas may have a fight on his hands.

I liked this atmospheric tale. I'd like to read more adventures with this character. The art is pretty cool too.

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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Livewire Volume 3: Champion

author: Vita Ayala
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.25
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2020/05/22
date added: 2020/05/22
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Livewire Volume 3: Champion' by Vita Ayala with art by Tana Ford is a graphic novel about a superhero who is offered a chance to change popular opinion about her.

Livewire, in an act of defending the psiots, used her power to cut power, causing death and destruction. That caused people to understandably hate her. When a rising politician approaches her to make her part of his campaign, Livewire is skeptical. He promises to reverse laws against psiots. Can he be trusted?

I liked the story well enough. I like this character and she has an interesting story arc. I really didn't like the art all that much. It has lots of heavy lines and as the series progressed, the quality regressed like the artist was rushed.

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


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A Walk Through Hell: The Complete Series

author: Garth Ennis
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.43
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2020/05/22
date added: 2020/05/22
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'A Walk Through Hell: The Complete Series' by Garth Ennis with art by Goran Sudzuka is a massive grim graphic novel.

FBI agents Shaw and McGregor are investigating the disappearance of two colleagues into a warehouse. Everyone that has gone in after them has either never come out, or come out scared, or killed themselves. What Shaw and McGregor confront inside confounds their senses. It also forces them to relive the ghosts of past cases and life events. What is unleashed inside is soon to be unleashed on the world.

I reviewed the first half of this series and didn't care much for it, but I was hopeful that the rest would make sense, and I'm happy to report that it does. It's a really grim story that seems to continuously spiral downward, but I found the whole arc to be more satisfying. Goran Sudzuka's art was a standout in my first review, and continues to be for this series. It's a really nice art style.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from AfterShock 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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Theatre of the Wind (Nanami #1)

author: Éric Corbeyran
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.33
book published: 2006
rating: 3
read at: 2020/05/20
date added: 2020/05/20
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Nanami Vol. 1: Theatre of the Wind' by Eric Corbeyran and Amelie Sarn with illustrations by Nauriel is a story about a magic book, a theater, and things that are not as they seem.

Nanami isn't the most focused student. Her best friend wants to help her, but when she finds a strange book. She returns it and finds a theater with kids from school she is trying to avoid, and a blind theater director. She gets cast in the play and that's when things take a weird turn.

I like where this story is going, but it's a bit on the short side and ends with a pretty abrupt ending. The art is pretty great, and I think those who like young adult genre fantasy literature will find things to like 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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Savage Beard of She Dwarf

author: Deron Bennett
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.44
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2020/05/19
date added: 2020/05/19
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Savage Beard of She Dwarf' with story and art by Kyle Latino is a fun fantasy graphic novel about the last Dwarf.

She Dwarf, with the bushy beard, thinks she is the last dwarf and she is on a quest to the dwarven city of Dammerung. Along the way, she will meet fierce monsters, and join up with even fiercer companions.

I had a lot of fun reading this crazy story. The characters are over the top. So is the art, with insane monsters and really great colors. It's not a massively deep story, but I really liked it.

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


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Perfect Victims (Incognito, #1)

author: Grégory Mardon
name: Wayne
average rating: 2.71
book published: 2005
rating: 2
read at: 2020/05/18
date added: 2020/05/18
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Incognito 1: Perfect Victims' with story and art by Gregory Mardon is a graphic novel about a guy who thinks he's invisible.

A man has come to believe that he has become invisible based on the reactions of others, and feels victimized. One night he gets drunk, and while walking home, he gets injured. During recovery, he meets a woman he is attracted to, and finds out she is a physical therapist. During the course of their relationship, he finds out that she is a victim, too.

It's an odd story. I was interested enough to keep reading, but I didn't really like where the story went. I did kind of like the garish art style.

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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Max and Moritz

author: Wilhelm Busch
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.57
book published: 1865
rating: 3
read at: 2020/05/18
date added: 2020/05/18
shelves: childrens, classics
review:
'Max and Moritz' by Wilhelm Busch with translation by Mark Ledsom is a classic German tale of naughty children.

Max and Moritz are brats. They run around their village stealing a widow's chickens, filling their their teacher's pipe with gunpowder and other hijinks. They run around freely creating mayhem, but there is a price to be paid for being bad, and Max and Moritz are about to face it.

This book includes the complete original text along with the very fine translation. History of the work is given as well as notes about the history of the work and this translation.

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


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My Path to Happy: Struggles with my mental health and all the wonderful things that happened after

author: Charlotte Reed
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.00
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2020/05/16
date added: 2020/05/16
shelves: graphic-novels, non-fiction
review:
'My Path to Happy: Struggles with my mental health and all the wonderful things that happened after' with words and illustrations by Charlotte Reed is a personal story about a real struggle.

Starting in 2008, Charlotte Reed battle with crippling depression. She saw doctors but didn't want to rely on chemicals, so she toughed it out. Things were hard, but her siblings were there to help. This is her story of those days and what happened later.

I liked this handwritten true story. The illustrations add a personal touch. I've never dealt with anything like this, but it must take immense courage to go through what this author has.

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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Pollock Confidential: A Graphic Novel

author: Onofrio Catacchio
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.65
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2020/05/16
date added: 2020/05/16
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Pollock Confidential: A Graphic Novel' with story and art by Onofrio Catacchio is an unbalanced look at the life of the famous painter.

'Operation Long Leash' was dreamed up by the CIA as a method to battle communism by promoting American abstract art. This graphic novel starts with an agent, who is fictional, working with a museum to borrow one of Pollock's works for a state-sponsored exhibit. Along the way, some biographical info is given about the painter, including his death.

I liked the framing story, but at some point that device ends, and then the book becomes more straight up bio. I wish the author had structured the story a bit better. There is an interesting afterword about the artist and notes about the writing of the story. The art is pretty good, and I like some of the interesting angles of Pollock at work.

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


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Rock Heaven (Saturday and Sunday, #1)

author: Fabien Vehlmann
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.60
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2020/05/16
date added: 2020/05/16
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Saturday and Sunday: Rock Heaven Part 1' by Fabian Vehlmann with art by Gwen de Bonneval is a series of short comics about 2 lizards having an existential crisis.

Saturday and Sunday live on a beach on an atoll. One morning, questions cross their minds like "how did we get here?" and "what is this atoll we live on?" This sends them on a journey to meet other strange creatures that seem to have the answers. Many don't. The questions lead to more questions.

This is funny cartoons, with some interesting cleverness woven in. It's not deep philosophically, but I like what the author did here. the illustrations are clever and colorful.

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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Natsumi's Song of Summer

author: Robert Paul Weston
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.07
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2020/05/13
date added: 2020/05/13
shelves: childrens
review:
'Natsumi's Song of Summer' by Robert Paul Weston with illustrations by Misa Saburi is a story about a little girl who likes bug and the concern for a visitor who might not.

Natsumi, whose name means 'the sea in summer' was born in summer. She loves everything outdoors, including the cicadas. When her friend Jill comes to visit, Natsumi wants to make sure Jill has a nice time. She realizes that Jill may not like the things she likes, especially the bugs.

I really liked this gentle story of summer and kindness. I loved that the whole book was written in a series of tanka poems. Tanka are like haiku with 2 extra 7-syllable lines. The illustrations are really colorful and cute. I think this would be a fun book for little ones to read.

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


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If I Couldn't Be Anne

author: Kallie George
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.07
book published: 2020
rating: 5
read at: 2020/05/13
date added: 2020/05/13
shelves: childrens
review:
'If I Couldn't Be Anne' by Kallie George with illustrations by Genevieve Godbout is a picture book in a series of books about Anne Shirley, the protagonist of 'Anne of Green Gables.'

Anyone familiar with Anne Shirley knows she has a pretty large imagination. Here she imagines all the things she could be if she couldn't be Anne. She imagines herself as a gull, or a tightrope walker or a fancy lady, among other things.

I've enjoyed this series. Kallie George has a really good sense of the original story. The real star of this series are the gorgeous illustrations by Genevieve Godbout. I'm a fan of her style and it is on full display here.

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


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Dead Weight: Murder at Camp Bloom

author: Terry Blas
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.67
book published: 2018
rating: 3
read at: 2020/05/13
date added: 2020/05/13
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Dead Weight: Murder at Camp Bloom' by Terry Blas and Molly Muldoon with art by Matthew Seely is a graphic novel mystery set at a summer camp.

Camp Bloom welcomes a diverse range of campers every year. What brings them together is losing weight. The camp has some counselors who have been very successful at losing weight. It also has some secrets, like the cook who sells candy to the campers, and it hides a murderer. A group of kids find a dead counselor, and now they want to find who did it before the killer strikes again.

It's a decent mystery and kept me guessing. The cast of characters is diverse. The art works for the story. I liked the story and characters.

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


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The Sons of Apollo (Gloria Victis, #1)

author: Juanra Fernández
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.60
book published: 2014
rating: 3
read at: 2020/05/11
date added: 2020/05/11
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Gloria Victis #1: The Sons of Apollo' by Juanra Fernandez with art by Mateo Guerrero is a graphic novel set in Ancient Rome.

The story begins with a thrilling chariot race that ends in the death of a racer. The story then follows the racer's son, who is now a slave, but has a way with horses. When he saves a life, he is offered his freedom, but freedom comes at a cost for this young man.

This was a good foundational story, but at 58 pages, the story is just getting started when the volume ends. The art is pretty good. I liked the afterword showing the historical notes behind the story.

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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Birding Is My Favorite Video Game: Cartoons about the Natural World From "Bird and Moon"

author: Rosemary Mosco
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.34
book published: 2018
rating: 4
read at: 2020/05/11
date added: 2020/05/11
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Birding Is My Favorite Video Game: Cartoons about the Natural World From "Bird and Moon"' by Rosemary Mosco is a collections of comics about the world around us.

The book is filled with humor like wine pairings for wildlife, camouflage techniques to avoid conversations, and threat displays of non-threatening animals. There are comics about plants, bugs, birds and other animals. In the back of the book the author indexes the over 300 different animals drawn for the book.

It's a really fun way to learn about animals and plants. The drawings are amusing, and do have a sort of 8-bit style to some of them. I had a fun time reading and learning.

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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Dead of Winter: Good Good Dog

author: Kyle Starks
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.18
book published: 2018
rating: 3
read at: 2020/05/11
date added: 2020/05/11
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Dead of Winter: Good Good Dog' by Kyle Starks with art by Gabo is a graphic novel based on a tabletop game.

The zombie apocalypse can be rough but when you have an amazing dog like Sparky, things can be a little easier. Sparky, who is a former TV stunt dog, hates zombies with a vehemence. When the people around Sparky are dumb enough to find themselves in a jail and an abandoned mall, Sparky may come to the rescue, wielding a katana in his mouth, so he can kill even more zombies.

I'm not familiar with the board game, but the premise is basic zombie survival with the same kind of stereotyped characters. The reason to read this is to see how ridiculous this dog is at killing. I would have liked better art.

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


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The Damned, Vol. 2: Ill-Gotten

author: Cullen Bunn
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.06
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2020/05/10
date added: 2020/05/10
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'The Damned, Vol. 2: Ill Gotten' by Cullen Bunn with illustrations by Brian Hurtt continues the story set in the world of demons and gangsters in the prohitition era.

The story starts with Eddie dying from a cut throat, then backtracks to the events that let to that event. Eddie is part of the cursed group of gangsters that can see the demons as they are. It seems everyone is hunting for an odd key, and folks will do anything to betray and backstab once they find out who has it.

This is a cool concept and world. I like the concept and characters, even if the story feels strangely familiar. Brian Hurtt's art and character design are really good, and one reason I am glad I came back to this dangerous world.

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


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You Are Your Strong

author: Danielle Dufayet
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.34
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2020/05/10
date added: 2020/05/10
shelves: childrens
review:
'You Are Your Strong' by Danielle Dufayet with illustrations by Jennifer Zivoin is a picture book to help young readers process their emotions.

Things that happen to us can provoke feelings in young children (and everyone else too). A child can learn how to model the proper way to react. A child can eventually learn to rely on themselves for the right ways to react. The book ends with a section of notes for parents and caregivers by Julia Martin Burch, PhD.

I liked this book. I think it could be empowering for young children. Especially in situations they are in with scary situations. The illustrations are really nice.

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


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Billie Jean King

author: Mª Isabel Sánchez Vegara
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.31
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2020/05/10
date added: 2020/05/10
shelves:
review:
'Billie Jean King' by Isabel Sanchez Vegara with illustrations by Miranda Sofroniou is a biography for young readers in the Little People, Big Dreams series.

As a child, Billie Jean King loved sports. Especially baseball. When she found tennis, she loved it best of all and became determined to be the best at it. She was also determined to work for equality in her sport.

The series is consistently good. I liked the art this time around. It's bright and colorful. The book concludes, like all in the series, with a timeline about the subject.

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


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My Boyfriend Is a Bear

author: Pamela Ribon
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.87
book published: 2018
rating: 4
read at: 2020/05/09
date added: 2020/05/09
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'My Boyfriend Is a Bear' by Pamela Ribon with art by Cat Farris is the story of girl meets bear.

Nora has had bad luck with men, so when she meets up with an actual bear, she decides to give that a try. Love is not always easy, but Nora and bear try to get past things like broken furniture and a mate who eats more than his fair share. When Bear has to hibernate, can Nora survive?

I'll admit that this one is a bizarre concept, and I wasn't sure how it would play out, but I was completely charmed by it. The art is lively and fun. Nora is an interesting and sympathetic protagonist. This was a delightful read.

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


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Metaphrog's Bluebeard

author: Metaphrog
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.60
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2020/05/09
date added: 2020/05/09
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Metaphrog's Bluebeard' by artistic duo Metaphrog is a variant of the classic fairytale.

Eve lives in a village with her family and her sweetheart Tom. Looming over the village is the creepy castle owned by the mysterious Bluebeard. It is rumored that he has married many women, but no one knows what happened to them. When tragedy hits Eve's village, she is forced in to marriage with Bluebeard and starts to unravel his secrets.

I love the Metaphrog works I've read, and their nice illustrations style. The story works well here and I don't mind the revisions. The art has details that surprised me throughout.

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


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Eat, and Love Yourself

author: Sweeney Boo
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.94
book published: 2020
rating: 3
read at: 2020/05/09
date added: 2020/05/09
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Eat, and Love Yourself' by Sweeney Boo is a story about eating disorders, body acceptance, and a young woman on that journey.

Mindy goes out for food one night and finds an odd candy bar called 'Eat, and Love Yourself.' As she nibbles on it, she takes a journey back in time. She sees how her image of herself was formed. The secret binging and purging. How her parents said things that made her feel worse about herself. She sees how her view of herself has kept her from finding happiness.

I've read a few graphic novels like this. I like to hope they can help someone. I can't believe someone in this situation would need a candy bar to revisit their painful past. The art is rather nice, even Mindy's massively over-sized eyeglasses.

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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Bizarre Romance

author: Audrey Niffenegger
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.42
book published: 2018
rating: 3
read at: 2020/05/09
date added: 2020/05/09
shelves:
review:
'Bizarre Romance' with stories by Audrey Niffenegger and art by Eddie Campbell is a collection of short stories about love of all kinds.

There is a mix of stories in this collection. Some are in graphic novel format, some are words with spare illustrations. The stories include things like a man who lives with a fairy, and learns how mundane that can be. A woman exhumes her dead cat when her parents are about to sell their house.

The whole collection feels pretty average. None of the stories or illustrations really stood out to me. I liked the idea of the stories more than the execution, to be honest.

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


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Line: An Art Study

author: Edmund J. Sullivan
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.17
book published: 1922
rating: 3
read at: 2020/05/07
date added: 2020/05/07
shelves: non-fiction
review:
'Line' by Edmund J. Sullivan is a book written in 1922.

Like most art instruction books written today, this book starts with a chapter on materials, then works into things like abstract lines and arguments about cross-hatching. Dimensional drawing and the idea of drawing solid objects. The last few chapters get more philosophical in nature about the nature of art and even life and death.

It is a book from a previous time, and as such has terms we no longer consider acceptable. In spite of that, I found it an interesting read on the nature of drawing versus being all about technique alone.

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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Modern Calligraphy: A Step-by-Step Guide to Mastering Hand-Lettering

author: Lucy Edmonds
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.75
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2020/05/06
date added: 2020/05/06
shelves: non-fiction
review:
'Modern Callgraphy' by Lucy Edomonds is a guide to the tools and techniques to create beautiful lettering.

Starting with the tools you'll need and the strokes to create, this book guides the reader through alphabets and projects along with lots of examples and practice sheets. Included are tips on using brushes and brush pens and what different surfaces work best with each. There are ways to kind of fake letters depending on needs, and tips for doing jobs like addressing envelopes.

I loved the style and approach of this book. The author is encouraging and helpful. Included in the back are an FAQ and resources for supplies and further inspiration.

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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The Mandelberg Circuit

author: Denis Robert
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.00
book published: 2015
rating: 3
read at: 2020/05/04
date added: 2020/05/04
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'The Mandelberg Circuit' by Denis Robert with illustrations by Franck Biancarelli is a graphic novel with a science fiction story from the not too distant future.

A famous basketball star and a dying billionaire would seem to have little in common. A scientist with a weird invention will bring them together. The basketball player has his own baggage with a group of gangsters he's disappointed, and a dying father. The offer he gets is intriguing, but will he take it?

It's not a bad story. It takes a little long to tell, but I didn't mind that at all. The art works well.

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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This Is How You Lose the Time War

author: Amal El-Mohtar
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.01
book published: 2019
rating: 4
read at: 2020/05/04
date added: 2020/05/04
shelves: sword-and-laser
review:
'This Is How You Lose the Time War' by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone is a novella about time travel, a war, and a forbidden relationship.

Two agents, known only as Blue and Red, are opposing agents in a war. They spend their time travelling through time and trying to rewrite history to the detriment of the other side. A strange correspondence starts between the two agents, taunting at first, then flattering, then more. The danger of talking to the other side is ever present, so the notes are left in unusual methods.

The story is a character study about the evolving relationship between two people. As such, I loved the sly bantering between these two characters. There are inside references and lots of wry wit for those who look carefully.

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


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Bowie: Album by Album

author: Paolo Hewitt
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.33
book published: 2012
rating: 4
read at: 2017/10/01
date added: 2020/05/04
shelves: non-fiction
review:
'David Bowie: Album by Album' by Paolo Hewitt looks at the life of David Bowie through every album that he put out during his life.

The book starts with a great introduction written by English writer Robert Elms that focuses on the phenomenon that was David Bowie. Each chapter, starting with the album 'David Bowie,' has a quote from David Bowie about the album. There are photos from that era that are either from concerts or photo shoots. There is a timeline for the time period showing when singles, albums, movies or art shows occurred. Then there is a commentary on the album with some light personal information about relationships with friends, family, record companies, and bandmates among others. The album is briefly discussed song by song. The book ends with Bowie's last album Black Star.

Bowie was an artist who was constantly remaking his art and reshaping what perceptions about him were. He was not afraid to ditch the past and move toward the future, which many acts that are of the same era are reluctant to risk.

Those are things that are known without reading this book, but the discussion of albums and all those photos make this a memorable read about a truly interesting individual.

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


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Dahler & Nicholls Strike Again!

author: Dixie J. Whitted
name: Wayne
average rating: 2.14
book published:
rating: 2
read at: 2020/05/03
date added: 2020/05/03
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Dahler & Nicholls Strike Again!' by Dixie J. Whitted is a collection of one panel comics about a couple police detectives.

The gags are all single panel and follow a couple detectives and the not so bright criminals they pursue. One detective is clumsy, but a real ladies man. The other wears a hat, and that's all I really got from him.

I wanted to like this. It's the kind of thing I should like. Only, I didn't find it very funny. I also felt like if there were jokes or a narrative, I was missing out somehow. The art is passable for this sort of thing, but I also wanted that to be a bit better as well. I find it hard to recommend this to anyone.

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


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I'm Not Your Sweet Babboo! (PEANUTS AMP! Series Book 10)

author: Charles M. Schulz
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.26
book published: 1983
rating: 5
read at: 2020/05/03
date added: 2020/05/03
shelves: childrens, graphic-novels
review:
'I'm Not Your Sweet Babboo!' by Charles M. Schulz is the 10th volume in the Peanuts AMP series.

This time around Patty can't concentrate at school and wants to go to a private school. Snoopy directs her to a dog obedience school, then gets in trouble. There are antics with the cat next door. Snoopy decides to get married, and Charlie Brown finds a team of little baseball players to coach that have never heard of him.

Sometimes these collections can feel a bit dated with the humor, but this one felt pretty fun and fresh. You can't go wrong with Peanuts.

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


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The Loud House #9: When the Girls are Away...

author: The Loud House Creative Team
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.33
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2020/05/02
date added: 2020/05/02
shelves: graphic-novels, childrens
review:
'The Loud House #9: When the Girls are Away..." by The Loud House Creative Team is a graphic novel about a large family and a storyline that works better than some I've seen in the series.

Mom takes all of Lincoln's sister off to learn to haggle at the flea market so Lincoln and Dad are left in the house. Both think this is the perfect time to play games with their friends: Lincoln has a video game, and Dad has a role playing adventure with a strange pork theme. Of course, things don't go perfectly.

Meanwhile, mom and the girls are having their own adventures with parking, finding treasures rare and spooky, and the search for fleas.

It's a bunch of silly fun, and a plot that works as a whole. Everyone gets a chance to shine, although Lincoln and Dad do get more page time. The art is fun.

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


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