Crazy Is the New Normal

author: Tom Tomorrow
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.25
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2016/10/31
date added: 2016/10/31
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Crazy Is The New Normal' by Tom Tomorrow is a collection of recent strips from 2014 into part of 2016. They inclde lots about the recent US Presidential campaigns.

I'm familiar with Tom Tomorrow and I read his comic if I run across it. I don't fully agree with his politics, but I find his humor worthwhile. It is definitely more left-leaning, so if you can't find lots of comics about Donald Trump and pro-gun politics funny, then you probably want to keep moving. There are rednecks and right wing newscasters and climate change deniers.

Current event comics are funnier in the context of when they take place. The fact that the election hasn't happened as I write this still makes this collection current, but if everyone feels the way I do, we are probably all tired of the subject. I've also read Tom Tomorrow in the context of an independent paper. One strip is funny. Many in a row starts to feel a bit overwhelming. I liked this collection, but there are other cartoon collections that I would prefer over this one.

I received a review copy of thsi graphic novel from IDW Publishing, 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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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Vol. 12: Vengeance, Part 1 (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, #12)

author: Tom Waltz
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.38
book published: 2015
rating: 4
read at: 2015/11/09
date added: 2016/10/27
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Vol. 12: Vengeance, Part 1' follows in the wake of events of previous issues. I plan on not spoiling things, but that might make some things sound vague.

The Turtles are back from their trip to Burnow Island and the aftermath of their attack on the Technodrome. Big things have happened. The Turtles may never be the same. There is a power void among the bad guys that the Purple Dragons are seeking to fill. Casey is out for a final (?) showdown with Hun. Even the Mutanimals make an appearance. There are a lot of pieces in play. So many that I was sure it wouldn't wrap up in this volume. That's why it's a part 1.

I haven't been keeping up with the Turtles, but I remember the news about the events that led up to this one. I like what I read here. It's got a good feel and the Turtles and their friends are as gritty or grittier than I remember. The family has grown, but so have the enemies. You're better off reading prior issues before this, but this was a pretty satisfying read in my opinion.

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


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Wonder Woman (2016-) #9

author: Greg Rucka
name: Wayne
average rating: 0.0
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2016/10/26
date added: 2016/10/26
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Wonder Woman #9' by Greg Rucka with art by Liam Sharp. It's kind of a set-up/wrap-up issue, but I liked it.

Wonder Woman, Cheetah and Steve Rogers are back with Urzkartaga in tow. Now that this mission is over, it's time to heal up a bit and relax. Wonder Woman and Cheetah find themselves in a mall (with some hilariously named stores). Then Wonder Woman and Steve are off to meet at the beach, but what Wonder Woman really wants is to get back to Themyscira. That has eluded her up to this point.

Like I said, it's kind of an in-between issue. Not a lot of action happens, but the gears of plot are in motion. The art is solid. The cover seems a bit darkly colored and heavily lined, so it didn't impress me much at first. I like it better now, but every time I look at Steve's tattoo, I think of the rebel forces logo from Star Wars.

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 issue.


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Art Nouveau Architecture

author: R. Beauclair
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.25
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2016/10/25
date added: 2016/10/25
shelves: non-fiction
review:
'Art Nouveau Architecture' edited by R. Beauclair and M.I. Gradl was originally published in Paris in 1902. It's a wonderful look at how this beautiful style was imagined for buildings.

The book is comprised of 58 full color plates. The contributors are from France, Germany, Austria, England and The Netherlands. The book has full building facades and detail like plaster facades and bulls-eye windows. There are columns and keystones. There are interiors as well. Entry halls and restaurant buffets. Store fronts and wrought iron gates share space with handrails.

It's all gorgeous. This is imaginative and beautiful design. I have seen some of it executed, and it's just as breathtaking in real life, even 80 plus years later. It's an unusual book, but I thoroughly enjoyed poring over it.

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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Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency: A Spoon Too Short

author: Arvind Ethan David
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.44
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at: 2016/10/25
date added: 2016/10/25
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency: A Spoon Too Short' by Arvind Ethan David with art by Ilias Kyriazis continues the adventures of the world's strangest detective.

This time around (amid flashbacks of Dirk as a child), Dirk meets a family who have strangely lost their voice. In order to solve the case, and because everything is apparently connected, Dirk follows a random stranger. This random stranger turns out to be a client looking to hire Dirk to investigate a tribe of people living in Africa who apparently have no voice. This leads Dirk to Africa and the world of rhino poaching. How does all of this and an orchestra have anything to do with the poor voiceless family?

I won't divulge that, but if you sense that wacky humor abounds, then you would be correct. Even a bit of humor on the ribald side this time around. The story is fun as is the art. I love the "young Dirk" art as well. It looks like grainy old comics. Another fun romp by Dirk Gently.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from IDW Publishing, 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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Trinity (2016-) #2

author: Francis Manapul
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.82
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2016/10/24
date added: 2016/10/24
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Trinity #2' with art and script by Francis Manapul is just a great issue. Issue #1 was a dinner party. Issue #2 is a journey to the past.

At the end of the odd dinner party in last month's issue (Wonder woman brought a boar over her shoulder and Batman had to borrow one of Superman's shirts), something strange happened. This time around Superman has an opportunity to speak to his father, but Batman is convinced that this is a bad idea. When younger Clark runs away scared, Jonathan Kent turns to Superman for advice about his young son, little knowing that this is the man that the boy will become. Superman in turn gets some advice from Jonathan and is able to reassure him that he was a great father, but we all know that. The issue ends on one of those abrupt cliffhangers that seem to mark the Rebirth series.

The story and art are just perfect. I love the cover as well. I'm two issues in and not much has happened, but I really, really like this series. It's been mainly Superman's show up to this point, so we'll see what happens, but I'm enjoying this one more than I thought I would.

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 issue.


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Orbital Decay (Near Space, #1)

author: Allen Steele
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.71
book published: 1989
rating: 3
read at: 2016/10/24
date added: 2016/10/24
shelves:
review:
'Orbital Decay' by Allen Steele is a SF romp on a space station. It was written in the late 1980s and can feel a bit dated.

Beanjacks are the nickname given to the team of people working in space building satellites. Most of them have a pretty blue collar feel to how they interact. One of the main characters is a botanist brought on board. He meets the rest of the crew. People with nicknames like Popeye and Virgin Bruce. They seem to work hard, but tend to party even harder with illegal contraband brought up from Earth. When they discover a government intelligence program that would invade privacy, they have to decide to let it go or rise up and stop it.

It felt long by the time I finished it. I liked some of the characters, and didn't care for others. Some characters have a bigger than life personalities and some feel like bit players, but I guess this is a lot like real life. Life on board the station felt like it might really. This is no Star Trek future where everyone is happy to work and have everyone's best interest at heart. These are like real people you'd run into at work. For that the author gets my kudos. I'd like to read more by this author.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Open Road Integrated Media and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


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