Sunday, June 30, 2013

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Secret History of the Foot Clan

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Secret History of the Foot Clan

author: Mateus Santolouco

name: Wayne

average rating: 4.38

book published: 2012

rating: 3

read at: 2013/06/30

date added: 2013/06/30

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

A scholar gives a talk on a legendary clan of ninjas. Little does he know that his knowledge will show him that the clan still exists.



In a series of flashbacks to history, the story of the Foot clan is fleshed out. Shown are the secrets of the immortality of it's leaders and how Shredder came to power over the years. In the present day, the professor is tempted with a job that will give him further knowledge into what he seeks, but it puts him in danger. It's up to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to save him.



It's a good story. A lot of it is told in flashback, so the usual characters aren't featured as much as some might like, but there is plenty of action, and plenty of the turtles and Casey Jones when it is all finished. The art is action packed with lots of action lines drawn in panels to show speed and direction, and things extending out beyond panels. Flashbacks are done with muted colors and rougher panel outlines that give them more of a hand drawn look. It's a nice touch. It's always good to catch up with Raph, Don, Leo and Mikey.





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Saturday, June 29, 2013

G.I. Joe: The Idw Collection Volume 2

G.I. Joe: The Idw Collection Volume 2

author: Chuck Dixon

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.50

book published: 2013

rating: 3

read at: 2013/06/29

date added: 2013/06/29

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

When I think of G.I. Joe, I guess I still think of the cartoon and the toys, so I was pleasantly surprised by the stories in this volume. There is the usual action, of course, but there is a depth to the characters that was quite satisfying.



In the first story, Mainframe is injured while on a mission. During his recovery, he starts finding shadowy leads to a hidden organization that needs further investigation. When he can't convince his superiors, he decides to take matters into his own hands.



The second story line, and the one that takes the bulk of the book, features Charmer as a deep undercover operative. He gets in so deep that he is forced to make tough choices to finish the mission. The story is complex and well written with good action. The final story features characters in the Charmer storyline, and to explain it would be spoilerish.



As stated, writing was quite good. Art style varied per storyline, but was executed competently. Flashbacks in Charmer's storyline were faded, so it was really easy to distinguish the present and past.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/606069735?utm_medium=api&utm_source=rss

Friday, June 28, 2013

How We Decide

How We Decide

author: Jonah Lehrer

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.81

book published: 2009

rating: 4

read at: 2013/06/28

date added: 2013/06/28

shelves: non-fiction

review:

A really interesting book about how we make decisions. It delves into the different areas of the brain to discuss their function during the decisions we make. One of the main questions raised asks if we make better decisions by being analytical or by using gut instinct. And the answer is a resounding yes.



Told with many examples, from pilots who saved airplanes, to all the decisions a quarterback has to make, to the best way to pick a strawberry jam, it's insightful, if perhaps not as conclusive as some might like. It turns out that our experience can inform decisions on a subconcious level, so while the situation or crisis we find ourselves in may not be familiar to us, our brain is already skewing our options and opinions. This had good and adverse consequences. Sometimes, our brain gets fooled, and we spend too much money or there are too many variables to choose from, so we pick irrationally.



This book confirms my theory that we won't have truly sentient computers in my lifetime. Sure, we can build a computer to beat humans at chess because the options are all analytical, but building one that could win at poker, where the options are analytical and bluffing, seems nigh impossible. An interesting afterword explains why statistics for airplane crashes are down. Our brains are really amazing and this book is very readable.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/115582013?utm_medium=api&utm_source=rss

Thursday, June 27, 2013

The Crow: Skinning the Wolves

The Crow: Skinning the Wolves

author: James O'Barr

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.55

book published: 2013

rating: 2

read at: 2013/06/27

date added: 2013/06/27

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

If you think Nazis were evil and deserve to be killed in beautifully horrific ways, then this newest installment in The Crow series may be right up your alley.



A train pulls into a concentration camp and all of the prisoners are marched into the gates except one. A lone man stays on the train, and when he is prodded out, explodes in a level of violence that continues through all three issues of the comic represented here.



The camp's commandant is a cruel man who tempts prisoners with life if they can beat him at a game of chess. While this plays out, we see flashbacks of a similar scene indicating the trigger for the violence against the nazis.



James O'Barr returns for this story, and the Jim Terry artwork reaches a ghoulish level that reminded me of horror comics from the 1950s (and I mean that in the best possible way). You don't expect huge plots in one of these stories and this one is no different, but I seem to remember the stories having more sadness and pathos. It seems that the final message is that vengeance can never be quenched, and I found that particularly unsatisfying this time around.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/583796062?utm_medium=api&utm_source=rss

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Last Launch: Discovery, Endeavor, Atlantis

Last Launch: Discovery, Endeavor, Atlantis

author: Dan Winters

name: Wayne

average rating: 4.00

book published: 2012

rating: 4

read at: 2013/06/26

date added: 2013/06/26

shelves:

review:

'Last Launch' is a photographic tribute to three space shuttles and their final launches from Florida by Dan Winters. Mr. Winters was given clearance to photograph them at launch. The photos throughout the book show some of the history of spaceflights as well as full color plates of the three featured shuttles, the Discovery, Endeavour and Atlantis, in flight and at rest.



There is an introduction by Dan Winters explaining how he became interested in space missions through his parents watching launches on television in the 1960s. Also, there is an overview of the shuttle program by Al Reinert, director of NASA's documentary For All Mankind. The overview discusses the funding battles, failures and ultimate triumphs of the shuttle program, and does it in a few short pages. There is also a brief introduction by Mark Kelly, who was commander on Endeavor's last flight (and is probably better known as Gabrielle Gifford's husband at this point).



The pictures of the launches explode with power and clouds of spent fuel. Shown also are the shuttles at rest, as well as some of the ephemera of space travel. Each shuttle is given a section in the book. Some of the launch photos look similar to each other, especially when there is just a cloud of fuel vapor, but the shots of the shuttle escaping lower atmosphere are breathtaking. Shots of heat shields and astronaut gear and a bag of space ready M&Ms add a human touch to the story



The book wraps up with a description of how shuttle launch photos are taken (close up and automated with everything locked or taped down to prevent vibration). It's an intriguing process, and I was glad it was included. The book finishes with plate descriptions of the photos by Dan Winters.



I can't help but feel wistful looking at these photos. They depict a program we may never see again, but that served an amazing purpose in the history of space. Without the shuttle, we likely would not have the Hubble telescope or much of the International Space Station. It's a moving tribute.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/646238074?utm_medium=api&utm_source=rss

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

The Lean Practitioner's Handbook

The Lean Practitioner's Handbook

author: Mark Eaton

name: Wayne

average rating: 0.0

book published: 2013

rating: 4

read at: 2013/06/25

date added: 2013/06/25

shelves: non-fiction-business

review:

'The Lean Practitioner's Handbook' is a nice introduction to Lean and it's confusing amount of niche terms. Mark Eaton has quite a bit of experience with Lean and this experience serves as good examples of topics throughout the book.



Through the course of the book, you will learn to plan for Lean. You will learn the history of Lean and what Lean is and is not. There are charts, and the book includes sample templates. There are even expected pitfalls, like management buy-in and worker attitudes and how to address them. There is even a glossary to help you remember the difference between 2P and 3P and Muda, Mura and Muri.



Concisely written and structured very well. There were chapters that I found helpful even outside of a Lean structure. Lean is not something I would want to launch into with just this book, but it serves as a really good introduction and would be a very handy reference guide during the process. Well written and recommended for anyone contemplating Lean or adopting it.







via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/584882267?utm_medium=api&utm_source=rss

Monday, June 24, 2013

We Can Fix It: A Time Travel Memoir

We Can Fix It: A Time Travel Memoir

author: Jessica Fink

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.78

book published: 2012

rating: 3

read at: 2013/06/24

date added: 2013/06/24

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

A woman gets a time machine and tries to correct the mistakes her younger selves have made in the graphic novel by Jess Fink. Mistakes include awkward sexual encounters and job gaffes. As she attempts to correct the past, she keeps going further and further back as her past selves seem intent on making the same mistakes. Will she ever learn, or is there a greater truth to be had? Perhaps the mistakes we've made make us who we are. Or perhaps obsessing over them hides something better that we should remember.



Of course, the preceding paragraph makes this sound like a serious and introspective work, and doesn't include the fart jokes, the juvenile humor or the scene of making out with your past self (a gross idea to me, but to each their own, I suppose). It's all done in a self-deprecating style that shows how insecure and awkward we have all been, and how we over-obsess about the exact wrong things.



The art style is more like an online comic, quick lines and fun with action and words reaching beyond the panel borders. The content is not for everyone as it falls on the crass and crude side, but that time travel jumpsuit is pretty awesome.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/634555171?utm_medium=api&utm_source=rss

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Blood and Magick (Deacon Chalk: Occult Bounty Hunter #3)

Blood and Magick (Deacon Chalk: Occult Bounty Hunter #3)

author: James R. Tuck

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.97

book published: 2013

rating: 4

read at: 2013/06/23

date added: 2013/06/23

shelves:

review:

Poor Deacon Chalk. He can't even enjoy a dinner out. When the restaurant he is in explodes, Deacon and his dinner guests are left to fend for themselves when they are attacked by three witches. He is then forced to ally with a shadowy government agent when it turns out the people closest to him might be the ones betraying him.



It's a crazy whirlwind of a book, with most of the action taking place over the course of a few hours. Deacon has a habit of not only fighting monsters, but also befriending and protecting them. He is forced to make some tough choices with the team (or not so tough depending on how you look at it), and he needs all the extra help he can find.



Let's be clear, this isn't your typical Urban Fantasy genre novel. Deacon Chalk is all action hero with the weapons to match. The books are frenetic in pace, full of gore and our hero does take his beatings along the way (can you say demon possessed were-gorilla?), but he gives back as good as he gets. If you are looking for deep, meaningful dialogue, this is not for you, but if you want a pulse-pounding read that's quite a bit of fun, check this out.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/509351767?utm_medium=api&utm_source=rss

Saturday, June 22, 2013

Domino Falls

Domino Falls

author: Steven Barnes

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.71

book published: 2013

rating: 4

read at: 2013/06/22

date added: 2013/06/22

shelves:

review:

The sequel to 'Devil's Wake' finds the band of survivors limping along, looking for sanctuary. They've survived pirate attacks in Yreka (in the previous book), and they are looking for a safe haven. They hear radio broadcasts from Jonas Wales, a charismatic leader, promising shelter in Domino Falls. Jonas is a b-movie star who made a series of action films and now is the town's benefactor, and seems to have known the chaos was going to happen.



When they arrive, all is not completely rosy. Capable people who can serve the community (with skills like foraging, farming or weapons) are let in, while others are left outside the gates to fend for themselves. Also, the group must pass inspection to be sure they aren't infected. In a world ravaged by disease which turns people into something like zombies, you can't be too sure. Then there are the missing girls in the camp, which no one wants to talk about.



The main characters are fully realized and function as a family with disagreements and squabbling, but always coming together to defend each other. Barnes and Due co-wrote the book, but it feels like it was seamlessly written by one person. This story has a good emotional punch, with young characters that I cared about and would like to read more about. The characters have to make some tough decisions and live with the consequences. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/556617386?utm_medium=api&utm_source=rss

Friday, June 14, 2013

Chasing the Dead

Chasing the Dead

author: Matthew Scott

name: Wayne

average rating: 0.0

book published: 2013

rating: 3

read at: 2013/06/14

date added: 2013/06/14

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

'Chasing The Dead' is a graphic novel adaptation of the novel with the same title by Joe Schreiber and adapted by Matthew Scott and Tim Westland. It's a horrific story told well in this style, but be warned that it is quite dark. The cover should tip you off to that.



Sue's daughter has been kidnapped and the kidnapper is leading her down a trail that will lead her down a path to a deadly secret in her past and that of the supernatural force that has her daughter. She'll collect clues, find unusual allies, and make gruesome discoveries. The killer leaves her disturbing surprises. Will she find a way to stop this from happening over and over again? What do the dismemembered statues of the same person in every town mean?



It all adds up to a thrilling ride with capable art by Dietrich Smith. The adaptation is by Matthew Scott and Tim Westland. Since I haven't read the original novel, I don't know how it compares, but the story races along at a breakneck pace and there is plenty of tension built in. Included are the original covers in their pen and ink and final color versions as well as a sketch gallery of the main characters Sue and Hamilton.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/583798221?utm_medium=api&utm_source=rss

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Doctor Who: Prisoners of Time Volume 1

Doctor Who: Prisoners of Time Volume 1

author: Scott Tipton

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.17

book published: 2013

rating: 3

read at: 2013/06/13

date added: 2013/06/13

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

Doctor Who is celebrating it's 50th anniversary this year, and this is one of many projects that are celebrating that. It's a television show that has cleverly survived by building in a feature for it's main character to turn into different actors over the years and yet remain the same character.



Like a few of the other nostalgic tributes, it's a trip back in time (pun somewhat intended) to visit previous doctors, companions, etc. This means it isn't a very good starting place as a new fan to the show because there are lots of nods to 50 years of history, actors and actresses, etc. It also suffers a bit because the story arc isn't complete (hence the "Volume 1" in the title). Additionally each issue features one Doctor (and companions), so the flow between issues feels a bit sudden.



But for those with some familiarity with the characters, it's great to see old friends (and enemies). The art by Simon Fraser and Lee Sullivan doesn't focus on exact photo realism, but more of a comic, cartoon style that still brings the characters to life. I'm curious to know how the series will continue and roll more of the story arc in.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/583798590?utm_medium=api&utm_source=rss

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Lone Wolf and Cub Omnibus Volume 1

Lone Wolf and Cub Omnibus Volume 1

author: Kazuo Koike

name: Wayne

average rating: 4.78

book published:

rating: 5

read at: 2013/06/12

date added: 2013/06/12

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

'Lone Wolf and Cub Omnibus Volume 1' collects 16 stories from this iconic series that started in the 1970's. The stories take place in medieval Japan and follow Ogami Itto, a ronin, as he travels the land with his infant son Daigoro. Ogami's reputation is fierce and he seeks justice and revenge.



Kazuo Koike's stories are brilliant and depict a man who has been framed and ultimately wants revenge. He roams from village to village and always finds himself in the middle of a situation that can use his unique talent for violence. He is quick in battle and even quicker with his wits. Ogami is always one step ahead of his enemies, and, while that would seem contrived in other works, it serves to show the mind of a tactical thinker here.



The sparse artwork by Goseki Kojima perfectly illustrate the stories by Kazuo Koike. Serenity is broken by brutal violence. The art moves from spare outlines in peace, to vicious slashing lines during fights. There are many panels with no dialogue, but the pictures speak volumes. The brutality of fighting with edged weapons is not softened on these pages, so this is not a work for the faint of heart. The brutality of the assassin contrasts with the protectiveness of the father.



If you are not yet familiar with this series, I can not recommend it enough (unless the extreme violence is not appealing). The stories read like the very best in Japanese cinema, and Ogami Itto is a truly unique character.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/609297315?utm_medium=api&utm_source=rss

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

The Silver Ninja

The Silver Ninja

author: Wilmar Luna

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.23

book published: 2012

rating: 2

read at: 2013/06/11

date added: 2013/06/11

shelves:

review:

A wife stumbles on her scientist husband's secret project and unwittingly becomes a superhero, of sorts. When the suit becomes part of her skin, she finds herself doing unimaginable things that are both good and bad. The suit gives her power, but corrupts her personality in unexpected ways. She becomes a paid assassin for hire, and then she must choose what she really wants to be and what is really worth fighting for.



I don't know if the author's intent was to write in an overblown comic book style, but the flowery language and overuse of simile made it tough for me to finish. Yet, finish it, I did. I'm just glad there wasn't a overabundance of alliteration (like Stan Lee used in classic Marvel comics).



By the end, I found the main character to be tough to like. She seemed to go from self-obsessed to an emotional wreck. Some of that was caused by the suit, but some of it wasn't. It feels like most of the conversations in the book should have been full of exclamation points, and it seems like characters that supposedly have good relationships are constantly on the verge of hair-trigger arguing and tantrums. For an independent book, it's got a really great cover. Your mileage may vary.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/638990638?utm_medium=api&utm_source=rss

Monday, June 10, 2013

Borderlands: Origins

Borderlands: Origins

author: Mikey Neumann

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.75

book published: 2013

rating: 4

read at: 2013/06/10

date added: 2013/06/10

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

A graphic novel that serves as a preface for the popular video game Borderlands. This sets the stage for how the main Vault Hunters Roland, Mordecai, Lilith, and Brick got to be on the crappy blue bus with Marcus. The fact that you have these heroic types riding around in such transport should give you a clue to the humor in the game and this graphic novel.



Borderlands is set on a harsh planet that feels a little post-apocalyptic, and it is populated by opportunistic people, so there is plenty of rough talk and backstabbing to go around, and these characters all experience some betrayal along the way. Enough origin for each character is given to leave room for more backstory, and uneasy alliances are beginning to be forged as they meet each other.



I've not had a chance to play the game yet, but if the characters are this interesting, I'll have to give it a try (my Steam library of unplayed games is about as big as my books to be read list). Art by Agustin Padilla serves the story well, and Mikey Neumann's writing is filled with unexpected humor (dark and otherwise) that accompanies the characters in their harsh existence.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/583796757?utm_medium=api&utm_source=rss

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Superheroes

Superheroes

author: Rich Horton

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.53

book published: 2013

rating: 3

read at: 2013/06/09

date added: 2013/06/09

shelves:

review:

Superheroes are on display in this new anthology of stories edited by Rich Horton, and there are a good mix of stories told from the viewpoint of heroes, villains and bystanders.



Standouts for me included Kelly Link's 'Secret Identity' about a young girl making a secret rendezvous in a hotel filled with superheroes and dentists, and 'The Illustrated Biography of Lord Grimm' by Daryl Gregory about the citizens of an Eastern European country run by a supervillain under attack by superheroes. But there is something here for everyone: old heroes and villains, young assistants discovering unusual powers and teaming up, a group of heroes based in South Korea and facing bureaucracy, among others.



I was especially pleased to find 'The Biggest' by James Patrick Kelly which is part of Adam Christopher's Worldbuilder project and takes place in the same universe as his novels 'Empire State' and 'The Age Atomic.'



While I like most of the stories, they seemed to focus more on the tedium of the job rather than how amazing it might be. I found this to get a bit old after a while, but maybe that's the state of superhero fiction in our enlightened age. Still, it's a great collection of stories and it was nice to discover some new authors.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/556623603?utm_medium=api&utm_source=rss

Saturday, June 8, 2013

Oz Reimagined: New Tales from the Emerald City and Beyond

Oz Reimagined: New Tales from the Emerald City and Beyond

author: John Joseph Adams

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.70

book published: 2013

rating: 4

read at: 2013/06/08

date added: 2013/06/08

shelves:

review:

Oz Reimagined is a fine collection of stories. While each has a vague familiarity, they play out more like alternate realities, reusing and reshaping familiar landscapes and characters in quite satisfying ways.



Some stories feel familiar, and some vary in unusual ways. The Oz story is played out during the Chinese Revolution or in a mental hospital. Dorothy revisits the land after many years to find things unchanged and waiting, or vastly changed based on the course her life took. To say more would be to spoil your journey.



The variety of stories is really amazing and makes it fun to discover what's around the next corner. I appreciated that some of the stories used lesser known, or wholly made up, inhabitants of Oz, but the well known ones are very visible, although often altered from your memory.



I loved this anthology of stories about Oz. It's a place in my imagination and memory, and this book serves both well.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/584882022?utm_medium=api&utm_source=rss

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Pathfinder Volume 1: Dark Waters Rising Hc

Pathfinder Volume 1: Dark Waters Rising Hc

author: Andrew Huerta

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.38

book published: 2013

rating: 4

read at: 2013/06/06

date added: 2013/06/06

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

Based on the Pathfinder RPG system, this graphic novel was a whole lot of fun. The characters are broadly drawn from each class and some interesting backstory is hinted at. There are 6 issues included in this graphic novel and each opens with some flavor that seems to come from the player manual for the game.



There is plenty of action and a good deal of humor as the characters banter with each other and find themselves in way over their head. It seems the town of Sandpoint is on the verge of a series of strange goblin attacks and they hire a band of adventurers to figure out what's happening. Among the party is Valeros is the brave adventurer who would rather fight than think and Ezren, the elder wizard who only wants to make it into the Pathfinder's Society and remembered as a great wizard. Most of the characters get plenty of page time, and there are battles in every issue.



The book includes all kinds of alternate covers, including some hilarious parody covers of other famous comics. There is a full Pathfinder rpg adventure included based on the comics in the issues. Writing by Jim Zub is lots of fun. Art by Andrew Huerta (and Jake Bilbao on issue 5) is consistent, and I appreciated that the characters looked fairly normal (instead of over-anatomized).





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/583798989?utm_medium=api&utm_source=rss