The Cardboard Kingdom #2: Roar of the Beast

author: Chad Sell
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.15
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2021/06/10
date added: 2021/06/10
shelves: childrens, graphic-novels
review:
'The Cardboard Kingdom #2: Roar of the Beast' by Chad Sell and company is a graphic novel for young readers about a group of friends with big imaginations.

It's almost Halloween, and the kids are excited, but there is a monster on the loose in the neighborhood, er, kingdom. Vijay sees it and falls down the stairs, so it's up to his friends to track down the monster while Vijay heals. Some want vengeance, and some see the monster as a cool feature for a haunted house.

I did not read the first volume, but the first thing I noticed is that are a lot of characters in this series. The art has a blocky style that is kind of fun.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Random House Children's and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/3wqHGE4

Classics Reimagined, The Time Machine

author: H.G. Wells
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.83
book published: 1895
rating: 4
read at: 2019/08/10
date added: 2021/06/08
shelves: classics
review:
'Classics Reimagined, The Time Machine' with original text by H.G. Wells and illustrations by Ale + Ale (Alessandro Lecis and Alessandra Panzeri) is part of a series of classics reissues with exciting graphic artists doing the art.

A character only known as the Traveler invents a machine to travel in time. The machine mainly goes into the future from where he lives, and what he finds is a future where mankind is greatly changed. The bulk of the story is his dealings with the light-dwelling Eloi and the dark-dwelling Morlocks. Is this the future we are headed towards?

Along with the classic text, there are quite a few illustrations. Ale + Ale has a collage plus digital style that has vivid color, yet feels pretty classic and fits well with the story. This is a nice version of 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.


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/2ZRcGNx

The Golden Age - Volume 1, Part 1

author: Cyril Pedrosa
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.79
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2018/10/14
date added: 2021/06/08
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'The Golden Age' by Cyril Pedrosa and Roxanne Moreil with art by Cyril Pedrosa is a beautiful graphic novel with an interesting story at it's heart.

The death of a king seems to bring a princess the kingdom, but when her younger brother makes an armed play for the throne, she finds herself on the run. Joining her are a loyal knight and his young companion. They are pursued, and the princess is wounded. They find themselves in a hidden enclave full of warrior women who are trying to live at peace.

The art in this graphic novel is lush and beautiful. The story is interesting and I want to read more of it. Hopefully I'll get a chance to.

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.


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/2Eijspb

Skin & Earth, Vol. 1

author: Lights
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.06
book published: 2018
rating: 3
read at: 2021/06/07
date added: 2021/06/07
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Skin & Earth' with story and art by Lights is a graphic novel with a tie in to a concept album by the same creator.

A young woman named Enaia Jin, or En for short, lives in a divided city where no one really has hope. The only difference is that the rich might live slightly longer. She has a brief affair with a guy who makes her take a tattoo. She later finds out the tattoo has marked her as a sort of sacrifice, but En isn't one to just let fate happen.

I liked this clever project. The chapters begin with a QR code and a song on the companion album to listen to. The story is a bit overdramatic for my tastes, but fits better with the album I think. The art is not the best I've ever seen but not a bad effort for someone who admits to learning the whole process.

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


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/3w5ZBji

Hollywood Trash

author: Stephen Sonneveld
name: Wayne
average rating: 2.27
book published:
rating: 1
read at: 2021/06/06
date added: 2021/06/06
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Hollywood Trash' by Stephen Sonneveld with art by Pablo Verdugo is a graphic novel about two garbage collectors fighting for their lives.

Hollywood can be a dangerous town, especially if you cross the wrong people. When an entertainment mogul sees the garbage collectors take a bracelet out of his garbage, he sends a variety of odd talent after them to kill them and retrieve the bracelet, including a stuntman, a stage magician, and a talk show host.

The parody is overkill on this one. It's overly loud and obnoxious. I think it's supposed to be funny, but it just comes across as cynical. The art is fine, the story could have been a lot better.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Mad Cave Studios, Diamond Book Distributors, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/34RzWij

Little Carp (Marzi, #1)

author: Marzena Sowa
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.68
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2017/12/20
date added: 2021/06/03
shelves: childrens, graphic-novels
review:
'Little Carp (Marzi #1)' by Marzena Sowa with art by Sylvain Savola came to me through a new publisher on NetGalley called Europe Comics. I was immediately intrigued by the idea of reading comics from another continent, and Marzi has been a fun find.

This graphic novel is a series of short stories about Marzi growing up in Poland in the early 1980s. The character is drawn with large blue eyes. She tells stories about food rationing, and getting a live carp to eat for Christmas. There are stories about the group of kids in her apartment that cause mischief by running among the floors and pushing the elevator buttons. There are visits to relatives in the country.

It's certainly a different childhood than I had, but the mischievousness and wonder of a child are very familiar. The friendships and make believe are too. I really enjoyed this book and it's art.

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.


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/3fNE1ui

Wynd Book One: Flight of the Prince

author: James Tynion IV
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.23
book published: 2020
rating: 4
read at: 2021/06/01
date added: 2021/06/01
shelves: graphic-novels, young-adult
review:
'Wynd Book One: Flight of the Prince' by James Tynion IV with art by Michael Dialynas is a fantasy graphic novel set in an unusual fantasy world.

Wynd works in a pub helping out, but Wynd has a secret. He has pointy ears and that could get him killed. Especially now that the menacing Bandaged Man is in town looking for him. Fortunately, he's got new and old friends that want to help him escape.

I really liked this world and these characters. I liked the twists and turns the story took and I'd be more than happy reading more in this series. The art is also a win, with great character design.

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.


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/3pdx3BK