Things We Lost in the Fire

author: Mariana Enríquez
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.91
book published: 2014
rating: 4
read at: 2017/12/04
date added: 2017/12/04
shelves:
review:
'Things We Lost in the Fire' by Mariana Enriquez with translation by Megan McDowell is a collection of 12 stories that all start fairly normally, then twist to the dark side of things.

Since the author is from Argentina, the book is a look at the kinds of things the author must see around her. The stories deal with inequality, brutal violence, disappearing citizens, and bands of men out to do evil. There are blackouts and black magic. There are frightened and confused people, and people who act to never be victims again.

I enjoyed the stories. Think of them more as dark literary fiction, and not straight horror. The horror just seems to be a part of these stories, and that makes it more unsettling. I found the collection one of the more unusual things I've read recently.

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


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Deathstroke #1

author: Christopher J. Priest
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.71
book published: 2016
rating: 2
read at: 2016/08/27
date added: 2017/12/04
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Deathstroke #1' by Christopher Priest with art by Carlo Pagulyan is not be confused with 'Deathstroke: Rebirth #1' by the same team, but having two number 1 issues debut so close together with pretty much the same title is a bit on the confusing side.

This issue does closely follow after teh other one, but it feels like we missed something in the meantime. Slade was finishing a mission and starting another one. Now it's and one of his friends has shown up. Also, the word Kenilworth shows up along with some more flashbacks. The back story begins to make a bit more sense, but the forward momentum seems disjointed.

I like the art. I want to like the story. I think I need a bigger picture. More importantly, I'd like a less fragmented story. In a story arc, this all might begin to make sense. Here it's just confusing so far.

I received a review copy of this issue from DC Entertainment and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this comic book.


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Titans (2016-) #3

author: Dan Abnett
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.12
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at: 2016/10/11
date added: 2017/12/02
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
I read 'Titans #3' by Dan Abnett with art by Brett Booth, and I confess that I was a little lost, not having read the last issue. I liked what I read though, but my review might be confused.

The story seems to center around Kid Flash/Flash/Wally West and his multiverse versions. The villain Kedavra has been playing off of that, and it seems to be collapsing on him. The Titans have just finished a fight with their younger selves. It appears that Wally West is back, even though Kedavra has done his best to wipe him from people's memories.

I like the alternate versions of these characters, and I should probably read the back issues leading up to this (like maybe the whole 52 run). The art is good and I like the fractured panel structures on some pages. They lend themselves well to the story.

I received a review copy of this issue from DC Entertainment and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing em to review this issue.


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Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #2

author: Robert Venditti
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.43
book published: 2016
rating: 5
read at: 2016/08/14
date added: 2017/11/30
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #2' by Robert Venditti with art by Rafa Sandoval feels like a huge story, and I really liked it.

Something has happened to the Green Lantern Corps and their numbers are rapidly dwindling. Sinestro is trying to gain control. Guy Gardner gets sent out on a mission to face potential pain and suffering, but he's crazy enough to do it (I've always kind of liked Guy Gardner). Hal Jordan is still alive and word of this gets to Sinestro and his daughter Soranik.

I love the feel of this book. An overrun Green Lantern Corps putting up what looks like a final stand against incredible odds. A big story that almost feels like the page can't hold it. I loved the story and the art. Hal Jordan especially looks completely up to the task of fighting this alone if he has to.

I received a review copy of this issue from DC Entertainment and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this comic book.


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Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps (2016-) Vol. 2: Bottled Light (Hal Jordan & The Green Lantern Corps (2016-))

author: Robert Venditti
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.14
book published: 2017
rating: 4
read at: 2017/08/08
date added: 2017/11/29
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
Things start out pretty bleak at the beginning of 'Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corp Vol. 2: Bottled Light' by Robert Venditti. Sure, Sinestro is gone and the Corps has found each other, but the cost has been pretty great.

In the opening, a lone ring flies through space pronouncing that Hal Jordan is dead. Meanwhile the Corps is trying to get operations together and doesn't know that Hal is gone. They end up answering a distress call on Tomar Tu's world and end up trapped by....well, you'll just have to read it to find out. There are twists and turns aplenty in this volume. If you think Hal Jordan is gone for good, you don't read a lot of comics.

There are a couple main stories, and a nice backup story that takes place years later. I like John Stewart as the leader. I like the uneasy truce they have to strike to solve the problem. There are some good cameos that I won't discuss.

The art and story are pretty good. I look forward to seeing where this title heads next.

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


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The Flash (2016-) #4

author: Joshua Williamson
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.17
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2016/08/11
date added: 2017/11/28
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'The Flash 4' by Joshua Williamson with art by Neil Googe is part of the recent DC Universe Rebirth. Some characters get fresh starts or don't even seem to be the same. Some seem to be just carrying on as usual. That seems to be the case here.

Barry Allen is the Flash, but he's also a forensic scientist. This issue finds him training other people who have the same ability he has at S.T.A.R. Labs. There are a lot of people that seem to be tapped in to the speed force, but there may be something at work to weed that number down. He's also helping to investigate a case involving Godspeed who has somehow tapped into the speed force.

There are some good surprises in the book, but it almost felt a little overly busy. Like there are a lot of plot threads happening and they don't all get wrapped up or even moved along in some cases. But the story is interesting and the art is pretty cool.

I received a review copy of this comic book from DC Entertainment and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this comic book.


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Manga Classics: Jane Eyre

author: Stacy King
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.31
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at: 2017/11/27
date added: 2017/11/27
shelves: classics, graphic-novels
review:
'Manga Classics: Jane Eyre' by Stacy King and Crystal S. Chan with art by SunNeko Lee is a really good adaptation of one of my favorite classic novels.

Young Jane is raised by distant family who mistreat her and ship her off to school to be forgotten. Jane leads a rough existence, and loses her best friend to a sickness brought on by lack of food and heat in the school. When she comes of age, she takes a job as a governess and meets a mysterious stranger. Her life will never be the same.

And that's about the lamest synopsis I've ever done. The Manga Classics series is wonderful and I'm pleased to report that they didn't ruin this classic for me. I loved how subtly the artist worked cats into the story since she loves them so much. Also, the height of Jane and Rochester was based on the height difference between Crystal Chan and her husband. These little details along with some essays about the original story are included.

I received a review copy of this manga from Manga Classics, Udon Entertainment & Morpheus Studios, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this manga.


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