tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62574668995944903402024-03-13T12:40:43.167-07:00dead wood ...Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14303384155622151944noreply@blogger.comBlogger214125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257466899594490340.post-75597369376970510272016-02-09T22:59:00.001-08:002016-02-09T22:59:21.837-08:00Hungry Ghosts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yshuPIkuzy8/Vrrfssmn1DI/AAAAAAAADlk/aQpxUtEibcg/s1384/Photo%25252020160210075845090.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yshuPIkuzy8/Vrrfssmn1DI/AAAAAAAADlk/aQpxUtEibcg/s500/Photo%25252020160210075845090.jpg" id="blogsy-1455087547851.689" class="alignleft" width="300" height="461" alt=""></a></div><p> New Suicide Squad #17 $2.99</p><p>So liked the recent trailer and want more or perhaps you fondly recall the original Suicide Squad by John Ostrander and have not really looked at the recent run much at all or like me are a bit of both I can say this is all round a pretty solid place to look. Tim Seeley who's written some pretty good off beat superhero stories among other things does a brilliant job of capturing the old darkly sarcastic tone of the book and sets up a framing sequence that links this story to the recent arcs from the book and allows a bit of introduction to new readers alike. Juan Ferreya who's been on the book a wile has a great grasp of the characters does some pretty fun things with the page layouts and given he's handling the coloring too it's got a very painterly look to it without losing any sense of action. As with the trailer that makes me so hopefull for the movie Tim and Juan hit real solid character beats as even if their appearance is a cameo and given the size of the cast and the page limit I'm impressed with how much I liked the issue. </p><p>I really liked the set up of the story Tim choose; its cynical in the style of the old book and posits that the UK government has too cottoned to the idea of coercing its meta human criminals into a black ops sort of force given something awful may have happened to some of its heroes. A pencil pusher is sent to get some pointers from Waller and is given a tour and a taste of what the Task Force X program is like and makes a point about how she is able to run it that is sharply socially relevant. He gives us a character intro montage allowing Harley to be creepy, cute and threatening, El Diablo to be broody, Deadshot to be well Deadshot and gives us other fun characterful bits clue in new readers. The remainder of the plot is an uncharacteristic mission were as with all good plots things go awry and point us towards the next issue. </p><p>Juan Ferreya is a name I was unfamiliar with but I will for sure be watching for it's I quite like his art. He has a deft hand for capturing expression and communicating emotion in his characters faces: the glee and childlike delight of Ms. Quinn, the malice from Amanda Waller, the fury and hunger of the Cheetah, the indignation of Cap'tn Boomerang, brooding and resignation. Juan is obviously a practiced artist and quite talented as his use of shadow and highlight particularly in the mission to China and the festival of the Hungry Ghosts it quite stunning. Sometimes reading comics you should showdown and get stuck in looking just at the art because in books like this it's worth it. I forget to do that occasionally but reviewing this I went back and wow so glad I did as the more I look the more I find to appreciate in this books artwork. His work also has so,e hints of pop art playfulness about particularly with action as well I won't ruin it but there is a marvelous piece of fun sequential storytelling that fills a two page spread. Writing about it makes me appreciate the work all the more.</p><p>Ok enough gushing about it... I'm figuring you get the picture I dug the issue. It's fulfilled more then any expectations I had going in and more. Tim Seeley, who's Sundowners I particularly lived for its weird-fiction-ness, and Juan did a particularly good job of reminding me why I loved the Suicide Squad back in the Ostrander days and why the trailer makes me hopefull. It captured the punchyness of the trailer and the reminiscence I have of the old book but is full on its own thing and I can only hope that they have a bit of time on the book or that the time they have is all this good. Recommended buy (if it seems your kind of thing and though I should not I'm adding it to my pile this week)</p><p>( .... Or the full title <strong>Hungry Ghosts or how I learned to stop worrying and love the new Suicide Squad</strong>)</p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14303384155622151944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257466899594490340.post-1032640183211994452014-12-31T15:21:00.000-08:002014-12-31T15:22:13.435-08:00Dead-Woods Best Comics of 2014 <p> 2014 has been a great year for me for comics and most of the books below have at one time or another been my choice for best of the year so for one reason or another they are all in my opinion worth at least a look... </p><p>And I'll start with comics I bought based solely on blogposts I found and if I can credit the source....(but most are left totally in the rabbit hole of Internet limbo but I thank them none the less....)</p><p><strong>Best book I bought because of someone's blog post about them...</strong></p><p><strong>1. Hexed</strong></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-dE03jXOqr7s/VKSEnsOKUxI/AAAAAAAACdc/lcu4_f-t4lI/s984/Photo%25252020141231151946.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-dE03jXOqr7s/VKSEnsOKUxI/AAAAAAAACdc/lcu4_f-t4lI/s500/Photo%25252020141231151946.jpg" id="blogsy-1420068105031.002" class="alignleft" alt="" width="300" height="461"></a></div><blockquote><p> As both a Lovecraft and urban fantasy fan I have to say that Hexed seems to be the book I didn't know I would love and I so would like to thank the blog that got me to take a look at it.... if only I could recall which it was. This isn't the first time astory following the advetures of a character named Lucifer (Lucy Jennifer) is the one that without fail,is the among the best of my monthly books. Art that is very much of the style and dynamism of manga yet managing to remain hard to pin down who's art it lookes like but its oh so petty. The cast like many of my favorites is mainly feminine and unlike other urban fantasies they aren't so much the "chosen" one but are special because of who they are and what they bring to the table. The story is all caper tale with the stakes being so much more than money. If the description and the art hook you its great stuff and that's why I put it up first. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-s5GWYLa1zGE/VKSEqZoRWpI/AAAAAAAACdk/FL2gl5VIt6c/s923/Photo%25252020141231151947.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-s5GWYLa1zGE/VKSEqZoRWpI/AAAAAAAACdk/FL2gl5VIt6c/s500/Photo%25252020141231151947.jpg" id="blogsy-1420068105051.448" class="alignright" alt="" width="300" height="461"></a></div><p> </p><p> </p></blockquote><p> <strong>Sundowners</strong></p><p>Superheroes from Dark Horse are an on again off again thing for me, they really are either my bag like last years Caralyst Comics or the pulp story I will have to pick up called Captain Midnight or something like Ghost that I really want to dig but never manages to really hook me. Sundowners is a psychological horror story that features a superhero support group and for did make me wonder if the "heros" were just mentally cracked and there was little other really going on. Tim Seeley has endeared his characters to me no matter their sanity or lack there of and stories like this that make me doubt the reliability of the narrator appeal to both in fiction and in sequential art. The extraordinary extraterrestrial threat in Sundowners is one that only some people can see and to me is reminiscent to me of the old movie They Live! and Slither</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9SpSVMZZkHM/VKSEsVAbZtI/AAAAAAAACds/gm_hVh0LVHg/s734/Photo%25252020141231151947.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9SpSVMZZkHM/VKSEsVAbZtI/AAAAAAAACds/gm_hVh0LVHg/s500/Photo%25252020141231151947.jpg" id="blogsy-1420068104989.8748" class="alignleft" alt="" width="307" height="473"></a></div><p> <strong>Shutter</strong></p><p>This was a title that almost passed me by and been a part of the next category but due to the comments on Multiversity Comics and CBR (Comic Book Resources) I went and grabbed up the second printing of issue one and as happy to have given it a go. Its a story that has a great deal in common with the portal fantasy stories I recall from childhood like Alice in Wonderland, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe and the Wizard of Oz but by way of Indiana Jones. Joe Keating who totally charmed me with his take on the iconic female hero in Glory is at it again telling more great stories. Based ion how much I'm enjoying this many layered adult take on fantasy I'm likely to be picking up his book Techjacket next... Oh woe s my budget.... The big bonus now is that the first collected volume just came out and its oh so nice to look at it sould be on your post Christmas list. Joe spends time making all his characters wether walk ons or regulars fully conceived no matter the fates that befall them. Recommend unreservedly.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong>Best books of 2013 I'm so glad I revisited....</strong></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ALN_1woxuks/VKSEvZuu-uI/AAAAAAAACd0/xNk5GvaPRX0/s995/Photo%25252020141231151947.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ALN_1woxuks/VKSEvZuu-uI/AAAAAAAACd0/xNk5GvaPRX0/s500/Photo%25252020141231151947.jpg" id="blogsy-1420068105028.329" class="alignright" alt="" width="300" height="456"></a></div><p><strong><br></strong></p><p> <strong>East of West</strong></p><p>Honestly I do not know why I stopped this three issues into the series given now that I go back to reread them. Hickman and Dragotta's apocalyptic western future is just the kind of blend of weird and scienc fiction that is right up my alley.min the last year it's been revealed what the emnity between Death and the other three horsemen of the apocalypse; the tensions between the fractured american landscape have grown and through economic collapse, treachery and assassination the stage has been set for next years march towards war. What was wrong with me this is pretty much everything I look for in a comic when its not superheroes also its got two great secondary characters in Crow and Wolf who are undeniably cool. Death has suffered a good deal in the last year and there is like to be hell to pay. Issue 16 hits the stands on Dec 31 and here's hoping my FLCS got some of the alternate covers.... </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9tZ-zVNo1yg/VKSEx3r-AzI/AAAAAAAACd8/SAv7SdEQZDA/s733/Photo%25252020141231151947.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9tZ-zVNo1yg/VKSEx3r-AzI/AAAAAAAACd8/SAv7SdEQZDA/s500/Photo%25252020141231151947.jpg" id="blogsy-1420068105053.8003" class="alignleft" alt="" width="300" height="462"></a></div><p> <strong>Manifest Destiny</strong></p><p>Issue 12 in particular was pretty marvelous in how it presented the Indian nations. I loved the dichotomy presented by the art and the third person text boxes. This is american history as twisted by the existence of weird gates and lesser gods across the countryside, gates the natives avoid for good reason. Manifest Destiny presents characters as very believe able people with all their sloth, greed, arrogance and bloody minded vengence. This one issue I can say hooked me and makes this series a must have so I'm guessing that makes it a winner in more ways then one. This is the story of Lewis and Clark twisted by the influence of Lovecraft like horrors and the like. If anything this is a great companion title to East of West given that both have a skeptical view of western, read white, society and its supremacy. Anyone who is enjoying the show Sleepy Hollow would most like feel at home in with books. I for one have to catch up on Manifest Destiny and want to spread the word its pretty damn good.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong>Best just started book I expect to top lists next year or even this one....</strong></p><p><strong><br></strong></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4ICezovV5P4/VKSE08FjMPI/AAAAAAAACeE/pafu5xRQ5F8/s734/Photo%25252020141231151947.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4ICezovV5P4/VKSE08FjMPI/AAAAAAAACeE/pafu5xRQ5F8/s500/Photo%25252020141231151947.jpg" id="blogsy-1420068105080.9116" class="alignright" alt="" width="306" height="471"></a></div><p> <strong>Bitch Planet</strong></p><p>Yes totally this title, Kelly Sue Deconnick surely is among my favorite authors this last couple years with Captain Marvel and Pretty Deadly and now the very strongly opinionated title Bitch Planet. Kelly Sue's advisors in the story she's telling should get at least part of the credit because they are steering her to the more real choices in the storytelling and will create a more challenging book because of it. The cast of this book looks very little like any of the other female centric books out there and I for one look forward to more from this book and to the back up articles like the one that graced issue one. Great book. Be non compliant. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-LjGu09Hw9bQ/VKSE38jtjzI/AAAAAAAACeM/baxfdqIFpuY/s734/Photo%25252020141231151947.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-LjGu09Hw9bQ/VKSE38jtjzI/AAAAAAAACeM/baxfdqIFpuY/s500/Photo%25252020141231151947.jpg" id="blogsy-1420068105078.461" class="alignleft" alt="" width="300" height="462"></a></div><p> <strong>Ody-C</strong></p><p>Matt Fraction is someone I so miss from his marvel titles but I'm ever so happy for titles like this that push boundaries in storytelling. This book takes much from the classical tale of Odysseus including some of the storytelling structure bring them into a different medium and a new audience hopefully or in a new way. Like one of my other favorite books this year the title requires more attention and participation from the reader and that is a great thing because it moved the medium to somewhere new. I'm a fan of classical stories like the Illiad , the odyssey, Grendel and the epic of Gilgamesh and I dare anyone to pick up this and see that crazy gatefold panel and pick this genre mashup up for it. Also love the gender swapping of the characters and the mythology that grew out of that storytelling choice. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong>Best impulse buy</strong></p><p><strong><br></strong></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qB5ymeEsQ_4/VKSE6bfWfSI/AAAAAAAACeU/Emb0YXTUvs0/s900/Photo%25252020141231151947.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qB5ymeEsQ_4/VKSE6bfWfSI/AAAAAAAACeU/Emb0YXTUvs0/s500/Photo%25252020141231151947.jpg" id="blogsy-1420068105079.8372" class="alignright" alt="" width="300" height="461"></a></div><p> <strong>Rumble</strong></p><p>Weird gods an demons, giant swords and working class heroes in the modern post apocalyptic looking Detroit I have to say what is there not to love about this horror title with a sense of humor. John Arcudi who's been writing BPRD seemingly forever is stretching his legs here and the first issue was possibly my best choice for an impulse buy in the last year other then the odd issue of Nova or Deadpool. Dark alleys, desolate cityscapes, desperate looking people and a sword wielding dark scarecrow god wandering the panels all this and a fun bit of storytelling we seem to be getting here and I have to say what the hell is not to love about it. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Best Laugh of the year</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8Q_76HKCKbs/VKSE8w6lEII/AAAAAAAACec/-ma9Q_krLGI/s835/Photo%25252020141231151947.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8Q_76HKCKbs/VKSE8w6lEII/AAAAAAAACec/-ma9Q_krLGI/s500/Photo%25252020141231151947.jpg" id="blogsy-1420068105061.9434" class="alignleft" alt="" width="300" height="455"></a></div><p> <strong>Rocket Racoon 5</strong></p><p>This issue, this issue. In particular had me laughing, laughing out loud from about the third page right up till the final panel. I've liked the book well enough because its been giving me Rocket and a few well placed giggles over the year but this issue beat all the laughs I got from Captain Marvel, Ms Marvel, and Secret Avengers over the year. Sure the laughs wee from the gimmick that drove the issue but Scotty Young and crew embraced the one trick pony and rode it for all it was worth, and it still made me laugh the second time around. Totally the best bang for my comic Buck that week. This more then any other Guardians or Rocket Racoon issue captured the joy of the movie for me. Excelsior. </p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-gboF7wNv00U/VKSE_hMFz8I/AAAAAAAACek/wSv3hUeGoMk/s835/Photo%25252020141231151947.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br></a><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-gboF7wNv00U/VKSE_hMFz8I/AAAAAAAACek/wSv3hUeGoMk/s835/Photo%25252020141231151947.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-gboF7wNv00U/VKSE_hMFz8I/AAAAAAAACek/wSv3hUeGoMk/s500/Photo%25252020141231151947.jpg" id="blogsy-1420068105019.2512" class="alignright" width="300" height="455" alt=""></a></div><p> <strong>Book that has given me the most chills up my spine</strong></p><p><strong>Thor 1-2</strong></p><p>There have been several books that have been thrilling over the last year including several issues of <strong>Original Sin</strong> which I particularly liked but in terms of physical reaction to a story or in actuality a single panel its by far got to be Thor. The final frame in both issue one and two both drawn by Dauterman written by Aaron left me with a lighting like tingle up my spine and the last time I recall Thor causing that was way back in the Walt Simonson days. Don't get me wrong I loved the last volume its just this one has me hooked and I won't be skipping an issue of it. </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> And till tomorrow I'm going to leave my list at that... I need more time to think about what book, writer and artist I would pick or even if I can pick... So it may be more fun comments then on New Year's Day ... And I'll leave you with one of the best pieces of cover art....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> </div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MoxwUm2emT0/VKSFBzEHNPI/AAAAAAAACes/j3Z42UCU0O8/s835/Photo%25252020141231151947.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MoxwUm2emT0/VKSFBzEHNPI/AAAAAAAACes/j3Z42UCU0O8/s500/Photo%25252020141231151947.jpg" id="blogsy-1420068105002.9614" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="759" alt=""></a></div><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14303384155622151944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257466899594490340.post-67464677519961567492014-12-23T22:01:00.000-08:002014-12-27T17:04:55.976-08:00Dec 24th Dead Wood Pull Sheet....<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-fxgq95drZX0/VJpWfxN4ONI/AAAAAAAACbk/olaLcT6yM5s/s923/Photo%25252020141223220019.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-fxgq95drZX0/VJpWfxN4ONI/AAAAAAAACbk/olaLcT6yM5s/s500/Photo%25252020141223220019.jpg" id="blogsy-1419728684986.2295" class="alignleft" width="300" height="461" alt=""></a></div><p> Grindhouse Vol 2 #2</p><p>Alex De Campi's irreverent horror exploitation title to me is the modern inheritor of the tradition of Tales from the Crypt, Vault of Horror, House is Secrets/House of Mystery and like anthology titles. She's giving us two to three issue story arcs and apparently will be revisiting past stories like the original killer bee influenced invasion tale. The art talent Dark Horse is investing in this book is pretty exceptional too. I personally love the fact were getting a suspense book called Slay Ride just in time for the big holiday. To me the first issue of this reminded me of Stephen King in a very good was with that kind of creeping dread. You know if this souds like your kind of thing. $3.99</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-aBXeYsqGX8E/VJpWigRYraI/AAAAAAAACbs/-1wJH5oVoz0/s923/Photo%25252020141223220020.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-aBXeYsqGX8E/VJpWigRYraI/AAAAAAAACbs/-1wJH5oVoz0/s500/Photo%25252020141223220020.jpg" id="blogsy-1419728685067.9888" class="alignright" width="300" height="461" alt=""></a></div><p> Resurrectionists #3</p><p>Fred van Lente apparently has a great love of historical fiction and this story of serial reincarnation involing the classics heist plot elements started out strong. When one of the people in this world recall their past lives they get acces to more then just the memories but all their developed skills so though not superhuman these people have the accumulated experience of lifetimes. Loss is the core of the story for the main character come to the knowledge of the loss he suffered far in the Egyptian past and his repeated encounters with the woman he was married to and lost so long back. That said its more Italian Job then romantic drama or comedy and I have great hopes for complexity and feeling for the book. $3.50</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-OiLAiHAt4Bg/VJpWkd7mMhI/AAAAAAAACb0/qM_d8GUtsV8/s733/Photo%25252020141223220020.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-OiLAiHAt4Bg/VJpWkd7mMhI/AAAAAAAACb0/qM_d8GUtsV8/s500/Photo%25252020141223220020.jpg" id="blogsy-1419728684997.5354" class="alignleft" width="303" height="466" alt=""></a></div><p> They're Not Like Us #1</p><p>When it comes to new titles from the big two companies you can be pretty sure as to the kind of book your getting give or take a few here and there. From Image its sometimes predictable and other times not but its always interesting (I'm looking at you Rumble). This book looks to be something about how the new generation are not at all like the old one. I recall the writers name Eric Stephenson but I can't recall where and the art looks pretty good and given its fromSkybound which has yet to dissappoint me well I'll be trying this $2.99 title... Oh and if your not reading Manifest Destiny you are so kissing out on some good seditious storytelling.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-br_6N41xrbg/VJpWoBDViDI/AAAAAAAACb8/Vl9P3cQbWfw/s984/Photo%25252020141223220020.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-br_6N41xrbg/VJpWoBDViDI/AAAAAAAACb8/Vl9P3cQbWfw/s500/Photo%25252020141223220020.jpg" id="blogsy-1419728685013.87" class="alignright" width="300" height="461" alt=""></a></div><p> Captain Amwrica and the Mighty Avengers #3</p><p>I'm not really happy with Axis, I love the exploration of the morals that villains really do sometimes have and like to see their hidden depths but somehow seeing the bad in the heroes just isn't... Well just isn't. This book is the one of the two Avengers titles that I do make an effort to get all of since Al Ewing has such a great way with character and story no matter what is intruding editorially into his story. I'm looking forward to the fight here since its like to be hilarious at times. Oh and the Blue Marvel is one of the characters I'm so glad to have encountered... $3.99</p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14303384155622151944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257466899594490340.post-57063948491330894322014-11-19T07:59:00.000-08:002014-11-19T08:01:05.572-08:00Judas Contact...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jmvID3hL3As/VGy-RtkvYiI/AAAAAAAACWA/yfYHxFZDroE/s1024/Photo%25252020141119075853.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jmvID3hL3As/VGy-RtkvYiI/AAAAAAAACWA/yfYHxFZDroE/s500/Photo%25252020141119075853.jpg" id="blogsy-1416412746921.7852" class="alignleft" width="300" height="461" alt=""></a></div><p>I loved the old Marv Wolfman George Perez new Teen Titans from the eighties when I was a teenager their book in my memory is brighter then the Claremont/Cockrum/Smith Uncanny Xmen so this new interpretation I had to read. Jeff Lemire has a great repututaion and has written some books I have enjoyed including the new 52 title Frankenstien and the Agents of SHADE which was my favorite of any of the initial offerings given the Dodson's did the art my expectations were pretty high. Overall I dug this book which strikes me more as the beginning of something rather then a full ing in and of itself. Jeff sets up three story arcs and hints at several more within the pages of this but only pays off on one of the promises he makes. As an old time fan I have to give Jeff and Terry kudos for making me not notice the characters they chose not to include by getting me fully investing in the handful the do use; Victor Stone, Tarra Markov, Garlfield Logan, Joseph Wilson Raven and the mysterious alien Starfire. </p><p> </p><p>Though I can not say for sure how more recent fans of the Titans might feel about this book I can say that for an old fan the re visioning works pretty well. Jeff has clearly defined personalities for these characters and reveals them clearly over the corse of the story, the rebellious angry young girl, the underachieving son of the successful mom, the precocious smart caring son of a different family, the respectful girl raised by her grandparent, the disaffected loner and the terrifies outsider looking for help. Jeff know his DC and Teen Titans history; you can tell from the Easter eggs throughout the book for long time fans like me.and much like the amazing Guardians of the Galaxy film last summer they were winks to fans more then integral parts of the story. This book stands well on its own I believe having gone back to read it several times. Its a solid teenage hero tale that spins out of the feeling most teens have of disassociation with their parents and finding a place where they belong among people like them seen throught the lens of the superhero origin story. If anything the end comes all too soon leaving what seems to me the most interesting part for the future volumes. Fans of the marvel series Runaways would likely find the book happily familiar both with the characterful writing that keeps you engaged and with the clean and well thought out art choices.</p><p>Terry and Rachel Dodson pull from several styles in creating the overall look of this book. I think given one of the entryways into the Teen Titans comes from the animated series's that have been around its no wonder that the style they chose has hints of animation influence; Joseph Wilson's design looks almost pulled from Japanese animation particularly his profile at times and Tara Markov could easily at times have been drawn by Adam Warren who first adapted the Dirty Pair for US comic audiences. The color palet that they cose to work with also has more of the vibrancy that I associate with animation and doesn't go in for lots of the dark and more stark contrasts that I feel are being I used more in the "grittier" and grimmer comics DC seems to put out lately. This book looks more in line with the Batgirl with art by Babs Tarr and Cameron Stewart the it does with sat Batman or Superman right now. Anyone who likes comics that straddle that style line between American comics and Japanese manga and animation should likely enjoy the look of this.</p><p>Teen Titans: Earth One may not hit everyone the way it did me. Jeff Lemire really hit it right in my opinion in terms of taking a classic comic story I loved, The Judas Contract by Wolfman and Perez, character that I fondly remember and rich comic history and revisited with a lot of love and respect. He changed things yes, it's not the same story and people looking for that will be missing out on what he did write. I think this will play well for most old fans with open minds and hefully just create some new ones I'd expect people who loved the Runaways from marvel or who are now enjoying coming of age hero tales like Nova and Ms.Marvel are just the right new audience for this. </p><p> Is it a five for five shots that is for you to decide but it hit much more then not for me... Worth the money in my opinion. Out today Nov 19th at your local friendly comic stores....</p><p> Ps among the best bits in this for me were the seen a new cool take on Raven and getting Cyborg back where he belongs with his friends.</p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14303384155622151944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257466899594490340.post-22170931208639142362014-11-07T09:23:00.000-08:002014-11-07T09:33:23.209-08:00Rocket.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-LdyJ4w6kwMY/VF0AFmJcTNI/AAAAAAAACVg/2_uuGMmJHao/s835/Photo%25252020141107092328.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-LdyJ4w6kwMY/VF0AFmJcTNI/AAAAAAAACVg/2_uuGMmJHao/s500/Photo%25252020141107092328.jpg" id="blogsy-1415381019090.8286" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="759" alt=""></a></div><p> So I'm pretty surprised with how much people loved Rocket and Groot in the Guardians of the Galaxy movie that no one seems to be talking about the Scotty Young Rocket comic book and particularly this issue. Very few comics these days make me laugh out loud as much as this single issue did, sure it was a gimmicky issue, they can only really do this once and get away with it but this was worth four dollars for all the honest laughter it brought me. Sometimes comics should just be funny; I needed a break from all the not so great news of this week in particular and well this twenty some odd pages did the trick for me. Will this issue be a big piece of continuity, will it be relevant in ten or seventy five years well who knows but it was damned funny and gave me a great amount of joy for the visual jokes and storytelling and yeah it gave me the Rocket and Groot I really wanted. Great work. If you need some levity this is the Racoon and tree your looking for. Five stars if you need a rating....</p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14303384155622151944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257466899594490340.post-43394173885163415062014-10-28T05:00:00.000-07:002014-10-28T05:00:04.627-07:00Quinnzilla In the City....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-dDuu2L6eYYY/VD_ZBPb695I/AAAAAAAACRM/ekOzDibOU2w/s395/Photo%25252020141016074100.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-dDuu2L6eYYY/VD_ZBPb695I/AAAAAAAACRM/ekOzDibOU2w/s395/Photo%25252020141016074100.jpg" id="blogsy-1413522648016.028" class="aligncenter" width="299" height="454" alt=""></a></div><p> Putting aside all the controversy that proceeded this title Amanda Conner Jimmy Palomotti new artist Chad Hardin and Stephanie Roux are making a quality laugh worthy dark minded and light hearted book. This collections is two hundred twenty five pages of beautiful detailed and colorfully writes comedic superhero satire tha stands well alongside titles like the old Giffen and Bisley Lobo and More recent Deadpool titles. Palomotti and Conner succeed in taking the spirit of Harley Quinn created for the animated Batman series by Bruce Timm and fitting her into the new 52 in a way that works for me. Without the imposition of cartoon physics this leads to a title that tends towards lots of blood and black humor (again see comparisons above) the book tends towards lots of innuendo, implied um..situations, breaking down of the fourth wall as the authors become part of the story. Harley Quinn is possible not a comic for everyone with its sarcastic national lampoonish nature but in a place as grim as the new 52 a little levity is a great thing as is this book.</p><p>Harly Quinn as people who recall the old Batman tv animation was created to be the partner and foil for the Joker and made a slow successful transition to part of continuity through first the Batman Adventures title and her pairing with Poison Ivy in Gotham Sirens. In the New 52 she has been one of the members of the Suicide Squad separated for her Mr. J. And I can say I have sadly no experience with that title. ( I was a fan of the original Suicide Squad by the great John Ostrander and well nothing has ever measured up to the series to my memory but ta is not a review of S.S. So...). As I said above this title and its writers deftly captured the demented yet innocent nature of Ms Quinzel; I. The course of this collection she becomes the target of assassins looking to collect on a contract, she becomes the savior of animals destined for the needle, takes possession of a building ala Fraction's Hawkeye title becoming their landlord/neighbor/protector. Conner and Palomotti show her actuall responsible side in her search for gainful employment and her doctorish side in the patients the come into her care to balance all the casual mahem and violence the is the rest of her life. They also play with the relationship she has with Posion Ivy and develope an extended cast through the freakshow (a literal one that inhabit the building now hers) and the aforementioned patients. For a comedic title the writers do touch on some very real issues and do so with some care even if they take things to the edge of good taste. </p><p>In terms of art this is one of the nicer looking books out there between the clean and clear pencils and the amazing pallet of colors used by Alex Sinclair. The the first issue, which I cannot recall if it was a zero issue or not, we got treated to a page a piece of art from so many great artists I am sorry now that I passed it up when I could have gotten it and the clear and loving treatment given the rest of the issues by the team of Chad Hardin and Stephanie Roux make me glad I now have the chance to get them in this volume. Though not the most PC of titles art wise given the T and A quotient the exploitation of the human form is pretty even handed between cheesecake and beefcake here so if it would bug you either way this may not be a title for you. The violence in this book may be written as tongue in cheek but the art tends towards realism with the bodies much like most of the police procedurals on tv and there is even a ________in refrigerators moment. The really nice Easter egg included in this volume are reproductions of the roughs pencils and inks of some of the pages and seeing these makes the collection of more interest to me as I want to draw myself and that kind of thing is invaluable insight. Chad and Stephanie also put a great deal of details into their work, the backgrounds are particularly rich and the attention to detail and continuity was particularly good because when they broke out of it for comedic effect it was pretty obvious. Even is this title was not as well written as it is the character and skill of the art alone would make it worth a look. </p><p>Harly Quinnis a book that is a lot of fun and its far enough outside the regular continuity at lest in this initial volume that its solid enough a book to stand on its own. It takes a character that has not had her own title in the past and allows her to be the focus on her own. Jimmy and Amanda have given her her own place and background cast and managed to only reference the Bat and Mr. J sparingly which I think is a great plus. She now has responcibilites again having become a therapist and a landlord and though this is a title mainly played for laughs and over the top violence its adding to her overall story too. Its a book that actually makes me smile and laugh and that something good to find even it is doing it sometimes through bad jokes and innuendo. For an author known mainly for a couple of western comics and another known mainly as a kinda cheesecake artist they are turning out some great fun here and I'm sorry I was paying more attention to the controversy then to the product when it started. Recommended for more then just the obvious laughs and pretty art.</p><p>The thing that manages to overcome the graphic violence and sexually exploitive art (pretty though it is) is the truly charming writing that Palomotti and Conner do that convinced me that Ms Quinn has an childlike innocence at heart despite her violent tendencies. Like Deadpool and the original Lobo title this one relays on cartoon physics at time but given its a superhero comic were almost there to being with... hmmm mayhaps there could be Captain Carrot appearance after the Power Girl one that is just about to happen....</p><p>Recommended out Oct 28 2014</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14303384155622151944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257466899594490340.post-42811611780301194842014-10-11T16:04:00.001-07:002014-10-12T14:17:40.007-07:00Detective Comics
<p> </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-z6xD6Mlqv0Q/VDm3K6lEsDI/AAAAAAAACRA/50dsMXgzAm0/s291/Photo%25252020141011160304.jpg" target="_blank" style="text-decoration: none; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-z6xD6Mlqv0Q/VDm3K6lEsDI/AAAAAAAACRA/50dsMXgzAm0/s291/Photo%25252020141011160304.jpg" id="blogsy-1413148640371.7644" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="323" height="491"></font></a></div>
<p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Given I have not been the biggest fan of the New 52 version of the DC universe I have to say this Scott Snyder Greg Capullo story is pretty damned solid and actually accessible even is you have not read much of the last twenty some odd issues. Though already in print for months at this point but its currently timely since the Gotham television show has just started and it covers some of the same time period of Jim Gordon's early career and his meeting with the young Bruce Wayne. The art by the veteran superhero noir artist Greg Capullo, who's work with both Spawn and Sam and Twich from back in the nineties was good has developed into a very tight defined and detailed realistic style. This story plunges the people of Gotham into a escape from New York short of closed off primative island setting kept in the dark and secluded by the machinations of the Riddler who's got a point to prove. Scott gets to develope the characters of Jim Gordon and Lucius Fox more then they have been in the past and they kind of shine through more then the titular character who's best story moments for me happen I the flashbacks. All in all I actually feel I can reccommend this for superhero fans who have been wanting to read Batman but don't want to feel like they are stuck in the crossover nightmare of multiple titles to read.</span></p>
<p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Zero Year jumps back and forth between several time periods including the events that lead up to the shooting of the Wayne's, Bruce's development after that shocking event, Batmans early relationship with the Gotham PD and Gordon and finally the Riddler's abduction of the city of Gotham to force evolution. The volume opens with a scene where Batman deftly evades the then mostly corrupt Gotham PD and has a truly contentious encounter with Gordon. Over the corse of the stories we get to see the development of their grudging mutual respect and Snyder takes opportunity to flesh out the early career of for the future comissioner and how he got wise of the corruption around him. He also writes about the pre- and post- murder Bruce and touches on his young adulthood a bit in enlightening ways. In the zero-year story involving the Riddler we get to see Lucius Fox in light of his career as an inventor and read a pretty disturbing serial killer tale that is worthy of the bizarre antagonists that Batman is known to face. Though these are in essence ret-con events they do fit into the story and build on the legend. In the full course of the story we get to see Batman come into being the hero he will someday become, one who is driven to win eventhough failure and loss may be on the road to winning. All the players big and small from the Bat-mythos get their moment to shine in Zero-Year and the story elevates the Riddler to more then just a bit part villain in the same way that Avengers Arena elevated Arcade from a joke to a threat.</span></p>
<p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Greg Capullo has come a long way since he was the replacement for Todd Mcfarlane on Spawn and the main artist for the titles spun out of that one of the first Image comics. His line work has become much cleaner and tighter and he has become very adapt at displaying emotion without ending up in the realm of caricature where some artists out of the 90s can tend to go. Probably some of the most startlingly good work in this book are the distance shots and cityscapes he draws; he effectively creates the moods and atmosphere of post apocalyptic setting among the skyscrapers and buildings of Gotham City. He and the colonists have created a very pretty book about some very ugly things that really left me wanting more. His Bruce Wayne looks much less weathered then he does in the modern storyline and give we are seeing hi at the outset of his career and as with the story its a worthy addition to the story.</span></p>
<p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So if your like me and have fond memories of reading Batman in the past but have not really been captured by some of the stories in the New 52 this may be one to check out because its not weighed down be missing chapters published in other volumes and you don't really even need to read Zero Year part one to really get stuck in. I don't know if I'll be back for the next volume but after checking this out I can reccomend it for multiple reasons and I like it enough to say I will be checking into the book from time to time. Strong enough a tale to drive away the bad taste some of the new Bat-Family titles have left in my mouth recently.</span></p>
<p> Release Oct 15 2014 in Hardcover </p>
<div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14303384155622151944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257466899594490340.post-62304045491903397852014-10-07T13:15:00.001-07:002014-10-07T13:15:14.073-07:00Pull list Oct 8 2014<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YwKTTlQBjGE/VDRJh8yi74I/AAAAAAAACP8/8YYdMP218Mc/s835/Photo%25252020141007131349.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YwKTTlQBjGE/VDRJh8yi74I/AAAAAAAACP8/8YYdMP218Mc/s500/Photo%25252020141007131349.jpg" id="blogsy-1412712912458.0603" class="alignleft" alt="" width="300" height="455"></a></div><p> Captain Marvel 8</p><p>Kelly Sue Deconnick is writing some of the best and often funniest adventure stories out there for me at lest. The last issue of Captain Marvel brought her back to the ship she left earth in to join the Guardians of the Galaxy in where Rocket has been keeping all too close an eye of her cat/flerkin whichever it is. I think this story has the potential to be a really funntwist on the Ridley Scott aliens story. This is one of the comics that often makes me either think or honestly laugh out load depending on the story. Its also one of the best booking comics because Marvel tends to pair Kelly Sue with artists that are not typical or pushing any house style. Love this book.</p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_twjSiAfxvE/VDRJkTNqlBI/AAAAAAAACQE/olX2xU0Y3mY/s835/Photo%25252020141007131349.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_twjSiAfxvE/VDRJkTNqlBI/AAAAAAAACQE/olX2xU0Y3mY/s500/Photo%25252020141007131349.jpg" id="blogsy-1412712912418.5708" class="alignright" alt="" width="300" height="455"></a></div><p> Rocket Racoon 4</p><p>Scotty Young's time as artist writer on this book seems to be limited but as with All New Ghost Rider I will stick with this book because I like the characer a lot and the book is doing something different that is considered regular continuity and that is a good thing. Its certainly not an all ages title given the level of violence and the implications about Rocket and his proclivities re rescued princesses. I'm enjoying the difference in tone that kind of lampoons the rest of the superhero genre in a similar way to the Bisley version of Lobo used to... </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SrMIP2WVh28/VDRJm_YPzqI/AAAAAAAACQM/vMMPFiTNgfg/s835/Photo%25252020141007131349.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SrMIP2WVh28/VDRJm_YPzqI/AAAAAAAACQM/vMMPFiTNgfg/s500/Photo%25252020141007131349.jpg" id="blogsy-1412712912410.8928" class="alignleft" alt="" width="300" height="455"></a></div><p> Amazing Spider-Man 7</p><p>Though I'm picking up a couple of the Edge of Spiderverse books that is not the reason I'm getting this. Dan Slott is a pretty able writer and I did enjoy the Superior Spider-Man issues I got electronically where they were on sale I can't branch out into more books given price and space issues. So yes I'm getting this because Ms Marvel is in it and the few preview pages looked rather nice... I know its a bit of a marketing thing maybe but I'll fall for it because I love that title almost as much as I love Captain Marvel. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-z7SZP9cmYo8/VDRJpium9gI/AAAAAAAACQU/fq4Q_03dQks/s900/Photo%25252020141007131349.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-z7SZP9cmYo8/VDRJpium9gI/AAAAAAAACQU/fq4Q_03dQks/s500/Photo%25252020141007131349.jpg" id="blogsy-1412712912471.0374" class="alignright" alt="" width="300" height="461"></a></div><p> Copperhead 2</p><p>So yeah along with legacy heroines, talking gun toting raccoons, space westerns are a thing for me that I simply can't pass up. Was this as outright great out of the gate as Saga no but it was solid storytelling, it was characterful and the great art reminiscent to me of Alien Legion from back in the day does not hurt. Police procedural western in space that promises Deadwood leanings I'm pretty much solidly there with this one and will be giving it several issues to develope. </p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-56pq__kjs-A/VDRJslf51_I/AAAAAAAACQc/-OaigVZyaZc/s724/Photo%25252020141007131350.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-56pq__kjs-A/VDRJslf51_I/AAAAAAAACQc/-OaigVZyaZc/s500/Photo%25252020141007131350.jpg" id="blogsy-1412712912456.3926" class="alignleft" alt="" width="302" height="465"></a></div><p> Birthright 1</p><p>This sounds like a title that will appeal to the epic fantasy fan in me but definitely along very different lines from Rat Queens. This takes the portal fantasy plot taking a young adult from our world to a fantasy setting where they become the hero of legends. The tale here seems to be the aftermath in that the boy hero disappears to have his adventure the returns a year later much older and much changed by the events. The fantasy story aparently will be mainly revealed in memories and flashbacks so there will be two different hero tales layered together... sounds complicated and multifaceted. I think this will well be worth a look</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C3DhzS0vo_E/VDRJvS1xPPI/AAAAAAAACQk/k7mQhOrTipY/s1024/Photo%25252020141007131350.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C3DhzS0vo_E/VDRJvS1xPPI/AAAAAAAACQk/k7mQhOrTipY/s500/Photo%25252020141007131350.jpg" id="blogsy-1412712912391.2405" class="alignright" width="300" height="465" alt=""></a></div><p> Batgirl 35</p><p> I am picking this up for the same reason I am trying out Gotham Academy; its DC trying something new and outside the grim dark that I feel has become its stock in trade these days. The redesign of the costume appeals to me as does a break from the other bat titles which made the Gail Simone era not to my likeing with all the crossovers breaking the narrative. Here's hoping its up to the hype.... </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-sEUPYAVCn74/VDRJxHP1UVI/AAAAAAAACQs/6C7qoFmkIKQ/s607/Photo%25252020141007131350.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-sEUPYAVCn74/VDRJxHP1UVI/AAAAAAAACQs/6C7qoFmkIKQ/s500/Photo%25252020141007131350.jpg" id="blogsy-1412712912450.6006" class="alignleft" width="303" height="460" alt=""></a></div><p> Hexed 3</p><p>Fans of heist storylines with magic and lots of mystery should be checking this out. Hexed the last time around was the book the Emma Rios knocked out of the water and this time around lookes to be no different with a new great artistic talent in Dan Mora. This story started with the heist of a mystical painting and spiraled out of control into a trip into the lands beyond death and revelation of a dark power released into the world. The titles threw us right into the action and let us figure it out as we go...love it.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-cM6iRJzPlik/VDRJzoxv7cI/AAAAAAAACQ0/TQuxeow2I1A/s835/Photo%25252020141007131350.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-cM6iRJzPlik/VDRJzoxv7cI/AAAAAAAACQ0/TQuxeow2I1A/s500/Photo%25252020141007131350.jpg" id="blogsy-1412712912471.9382" class="alignright" width="300" height="455" alt=""></a></div><p> Axis 1</p><p>Now to contradict what I said earlier about crossovers in that I'll be buying into at lease the first issue of this one. I happen to love the Kubert brothers artwork and though I either love or feel let down by Rick Remender I'm willing to go for the first issue because if he hits on a good story he doesn't fail when it comes to the ending of it. So much is already known about this book and its repercussions well I will have to get back to people next week after I read it....</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14303384155622151944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257466899594490340.post-3586808523237621492014-10-05T21:45:00.001-07:002014-10-05T21:45:46.043-07:00Sunday Comics Oct 5 2014<p> In my opinion successful comics do one of several thigs for me as a reader... It either makes me smile or outright laugh outloud, touches me emotionally possibly to tears to, gives me chills up and down my spine in one way or another or gives me a story or idea that is too compelling for me to not continue thinking about after I've put it down... This week had it all to be honest.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wQ3csokPGVE/VDIeKLD8r-I/AAAAAAAACO8/BREp4VzQo_A/s835/Photo%25252020141005214416.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wQ3csokPGVE/VDIeKLD8r-I/AAAAAAAACO8/BREp4VzQo_A/s500/Photo%25252020141005214416.jpg" id="blogsy-1412570720021.9934" class="alignright" alt="" width="300" height="455"></a></div><p> Black Widow 11</p><p> This is a fun title that has a unique muted color pallet and follows Natasha Romanov trying to redeem herself to, well. mostly herself. Last issue presented a past encounter she has with another avenger, Hawkeye, and put in jeopardy her lawyerly assaciate. The draw that made me pick up this issue was the appearance of Laura/X-23 as her back-up as she goes to rescue her abducted ally. This is one of the titles which presents characters that seem mismatched but actually play well together and you may just hope to see together in the near future. Black Widow is a nice character to see getting to be a bad ass without male backup and this title really dives into the truth that women are overall more dangerous then men, anyone who has been the lone male in a class of women would know. Its a good book I must go back and seek out the rest of the issues. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-sgz1O4qY-bM/VDIeMraEk1I/AAAAAAAACPE/OQtszLYRmGs/s835/Photo%25252020141005214416.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br></a><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-sgz1O4qY-bM/VDIeMraEk1I/AAAAAAAACPE/OQtszLYRmGs/s835/Photo%25252020141005214416.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br></a><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-sgz1O4qY-bM/VDIeMraEk1I/AAAAAAAACPE/OQtszLYRmGs/s835/Photo%25252020141005214416.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-sgz1O4qY-bM/VDIeMraEk1I/AAAAAAAACPE/OQtszLYRmGs/s500/Photo%25252020141005214416.jpg" id="blogsy-1412570720027.627" class="alignleft" alt="" width="300" height="455"></a></div><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> Bucky Barnes: The Winter Soldier 1</p><p> This addition to the morally grey area of the Marvel Cosmos was high in my pile to read this week because I didn't know what I expected and its one of the books I have really been able to dig into and enjoy several times. The art is the same style as Elektra but more muted like watercolor at times and to really appreciate the depth of the detail you have to spend time with the book and that is something that I appreciate given the cost of comics. A book about a cosmic hitman I would not expect to have such a sense of humor that really comes through in Ales Kot's work here and distinguishes itself from the other assassin turned hero books out there. I had a good ammount of affection for Barnes' going into this book and came out of it pretty happy with it. Its different then the earlier Winter Soldier title that I also really liked but I'm glad this is something new. The art here might not be for everyone since it requires you as a reader to kind of participate more then other books on the shelf. Pretty great book overall.</p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DxVjch7n6TI/VDIePLUgZ9I/AAAAAAAACPM/ngSNARWIezE/s835/Photo%25252020141005214416.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DxVjch7n6TI/VDIePLUgZ9I/AAAAAAAACPM/ngSNARWIezE/s500/Photo%25252020141005214416.jpg" id="blogsy-1412570720039.373" class="alignright" alt="" width="300" height="455"></a></div><p> Thor 1</p><p>This is probably the best new book of the week and the only thing I can say about it is that this book is a constant chill fest up and down my spine. Though I liked the last volume of Thor but this title gives me the feeling that the old Journey into Mystery did. Anyone who read the final issue of Thor will know what is coming as this issue opens as one of the story hints isicked up right away that then turns the cool up to 11. This story addresses the new status quo with Thor being mearly Odinson and the talk to the hand Hammer thanks to Nick Fury. No one need have read Original Sin to know how we got to now. The art in this story keeps up the tradition of the rest of Jason Arron's run having some of the best work out there these days. This is well worth the price of admission and given a certain person is in little of the issue it definitely leaves you tingling for more... Magic....</p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-yexgW8uFwR0/VDIeRoVMHhI/AAAAAAAACPU/eogm9OFamy8/s734/Photo%25252020141005214416.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-yexgW8uFwR0/VDIeRoVMHhI/AAAAAAAACPU/eogm9OFamy8/s500/Photo%25252020141005214416.jpg" id="blogsy-1412570719983.6812" class="alignleft" alt="" width="297" height="458"></a></div><p>Rat Queens 8</p><p>One of my favorite comics hit the stands again today. I pretty much don't mind this issue being an "origin" story look back though it breaks the narrative from last issue. Though I can say I like all the heroines in this book equally Vi is pretty much my favorite to read about this month and low and behold the now beardless dwarf gets all the spotlight here as does much of her attitude and inspiration. The cover art makes me want to try out Peter Panzerfaust given the exchange of artists between the titles and well just writing about how much I enjoyed the revelations that made me grin here I want to read it again and revel in the great art and story. I think in this arc we will be getting clever inclusions of the Queens pasts and damn I forgot how much I like this woman warrior centric book. (see my comments above again for Black Widow.) if you are not reading Rat Queens and have any interest in fabulous fantasy you are missing out on great stuff.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-sjZ3vyX9ZA8/VDIeTvW_pnI/AAAAAAAACPc/gNiskEAE-FE/s734/Photo%25252020141005214417.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-sjZ3vyX9ZA8/VDIeTvW_pnI/AAAAAAAACPc/gNiskEAE-FE/s500/Photo%25252020141005214417.jpg" id="blogsy-1412570720025.3435" class="alignright" alt="" width="297" height="458"></a></div><p> </p><p>And just because that Peter Panzerfause book with the guest cover by the regular Rat Queens artist....</p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qGxq1NCOw8E/VDIeVsSLP9I/AAAAAAAACPk/KDQr4FLqbpU/s835/Photo%25252020141005214417.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qGxq1NCOw8E/VDIeVsSLP9I/AAAAAAAACPk/KDQr4FLqbpU/s500/Photo%25252020141005214417.jpg" id="blogsy-1412570720044.214" class="alignleft" width="300" height="455" alt=""></a></div><p> Guardians 3000 1</p><p>Like Bucky Barnes this was a title I read a couple times this week to really sus out my feelings about it overall. It could not be further from the soft art and subtl story of Ales Kot though; Dan Abnett and Sandoval are pretty much on the over the top bombast with the opening of the book. Guardians 3000 presents a pretty dismal depressing future and an equally grim proposition for the heroes with the potential grindark Groundhog Day set up. That said I overall like this return to the characters I wanted more of as kid but never really got. I was initially disappointed to be honest but wanting to give it a fair shot I read it again and I can see that Dan is setting up a lot of things here that long time marvel fans will get and probably enjoy the implications he makes. I want so much more the these sadly overlooked characters. This is a title I want to love and have to be honest and say I just like it and mainly for the cool kinetic art right now but I do like it enough to hold on for more and hope other people are there with me....</p><p> </p><p>There are a couple more books from the week I hope to get and maybe I'll be doing a follow up on Tuesday....</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mo6K7NzRa7o/VDIeXlimekI/AAAAAAAACPs/7ZCjT4faSyQ/s835/Photo%25252020141005214417.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mo6K7NzRa7o/VDIeXlimekI/AAAAAAAACPs/7ZCjT4faSyQ/s500/Photo%25252020141005214417.jpg" id="blogsy-1412570720021.8374" class="aligncenter" width="300" height="455" alt=""></a></div><p> And there's a hint about one of them....</p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14303384155622151944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257466899594490340.post-62231934731278457322014-09-28T14:18:00.001-07:002014-09-28T14:18:55.101-07:00Sunday Comics Sept 28 2014<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2CWxiqnKDr0/VCh7DwzU5kI/AAAAAAAACNg/2HeD2A1f3C0/s835/Photo%25252020140928141801.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2CWxiqnKDr0/VCh7DwzU5kI/AAAAAAAACNg/2HeD2A1f3C0/s500/Photo%25252020140928141801.jpg" id="blogsy-1411939124086.427" class="alignleft" alt="" width="300" height="455"></a></div><p>New Avengers 24</p><p> Namor made a choice to be the thing that was necessary and enlisted the help of probably the best possible accomplices he could have in the now eight months old New Avengers 23. The mistake the heroic Illuminati made way back in issue 1 comes to roost in their belief they were morally up to the task of saving the world and universe; most sadly surrender to the what is coming, one runs and one Namor chooses to be the thing that is necessary. Here he realizes he can't live silently with the deal he made because of the allies he chose. This is not a happy story, its not the one I expected but it was the one I was glad to get; Thanos is not a hero, never was and neither were Terrax, the mad Inhuman,Thanos' generals nor is Black Swan. The story that Hickman is finally telling is due payoff for his long set up nd the moodily colored art by Schiti. There is a sence of both menace and dark humor in this title that ove one the grim dark nature and make it more then just another anti hero tale told yet again. My only wish would be to see more of Black Swan in the story. Its seldom writers tap into how truly malicious Thanos can be but Hickman and Schiti get idisturbingly right to the point.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FDDAtjcaLgo/VCh7HDtbM9I/AAAAAAAACNo/O9zOVw3yn70/s835/Photo%25252020140928141801.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FDDAtjcaLgo/VCh7HDtbM9I/AAAAAAAACNo/O9zOVw3yn70/s500/Photo%25252020140928141801.jpg" id="blogsy-1411939124166.2737" class="alignright" alt="" width="300" height="455"></a></div><p> All New Invaders 10</p><p> Few people are talking about the Invaders and this unassuming book is doing compelling things with lesser utilized characters in the Marvel Universe and expanding the legacy of the original superheroes of WW2. James Robinson and Steve Pugh are slowly expanding the cast they are working with this time; re introducing Jim Hammonds sidekick Toro and addin a new Iron Cross as well as tying this book into the wider Inhumas story, they also recognize the developing story between Captain America and the New Avengers and reintroduces the British legacy heroes not to mention Killraven. I'm afraid this might be another title that I connect with like Fearless Averngers and Journey into Mystery that will have an abriviated run so I hope other people try out this unusual title. It's not another Avengers though it stars one of them, its a bit more like mission impossible with superheroes and manages to carriy the weight of Marvel History on its shoulders much the same as a successful Justice Society title would for the other company. Next issue promises a Namor Human Torch battle to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Marvel so perhaps that may get some notice for this somewhat ignored book...</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-LqDyn-975B8/VCh7JEmUSfI/AAAAAAAACNw/sxWt1beLlr8/s835/Photo%25252020140928141801.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-LqDyn-975B8/VCh7JEmUSfI/AAAAAAAACNw/sxWt1beLlr8/s500/Photo%25252020140928141801.jpg" id="blogsy-1411939124085.7583" class="alignleft" width="300" height="455" alt=""></a></div><p> Mighty Avengers 14</p><p>This issue temporarily marks the end for this book by Al Ewing that began with the ad hoc formation of the most ethically diverse team in recent memory during the Infinity storyline. I loved seeing Luke Cage back in a regular book as well as Monica Rambeau (the second Captain Marvel now Specturm) who was one of my favorite Avengers and was a joy in a couple issues of Deconnick's Captain Marvel. Though this book will be back with the Sam Wilson's Cap after a month hiatus this is a great testament to the emotional fortitude of the cast Al is writing about in this book. Overshadowed by its big screen cousin title and its eight months later hype in my opinion this is the Avengers book to be reading. Al never failed to bring an honest smile to my face and several months back in issue ten wrote one of the best Original Sin ite in issues where the Blue Marvel becomes a god father. This book like the Invaders has a sense of history and legacy where it comes to character and like most books dealing with "lesser" characters can make actual change that will probably become lasting.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-p7Re79r6Qsc/VCh7L0nVrBI/AAAAAAAACN4/dV8GwALpFMU/s835/Photo%25252020140928141801.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-p7Re79r6Qsc/VCh7L0nVrBI/AAAAAAAACN4/dV8GwALpFMU/s500/Photo%25252020140928141801.jpg" id="blogsy-1411939124079.5322" class="alignright" width="300" height="455" alt=""></a></div><p> All New Ghost Rider 7</p><p> Filipe Smith is taking his hero Robbie to some very dark places in the second story arc; being a young person straddled with responciblity getting power seems to have changed his life for the better. I know that with the change I art last issue some people might be giving up given Damien Scott is so looser and different from the amazing Mr Moore but they are missing out on good storytelling here. The art is honestly not for everyone and some elements in this issue feel a bit rushed but I will say this for the story its strong enough to eked me coming back. The art has a definite street graffiti influence and given time it will develope into something people may really dig. This issue builds on the story from the first story arc and touches on the new Hyde army that Zabo seems to be working towards and on the fallout of the missing drugs from the earlier story. Oh and in the final pages next issues guest star maked his fiery appearance. Good stuff and actually pushes some interesting story buttons not explored often in superhero comics. </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14303384155622151944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257466899594490340.post-10012830693518539862014-09-23T23:11:00.001-07:002014-09-23T23:11:51.571-07:00Pull List Wednesday Sept 24, 2014<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o8mWq4HYyKo/VCJgeWYzyxI/AAAAAAAACM8/MwRXmOgcQiM/s1024/Photo%25252020140923231047.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o8mWq4HYyKo/VCJgeWYzyxI/AAAAAAAACM8/MwRXmOgcQiM/s500/Photo%25252020140923231047.jpg" id="blogsy-1411539110089.7349" class="alignleft" alt="" width="300" height="469"></a></div><p> All New Ghost Rider 7</p><p>Yes I was sad when Traad Moore left this title because of the dynamic artwork he was doing but the first issue of the new artist Damin Scott last month proved a very cool surprise. It took a bit of time to warm up to the graffiti influences style but I quite like it looking at it again. This story arc promises to bring in the original Ghost Rider Jonny Blaze and hopefully will shed some more light on what the new Ghost Rider might be and what sinister side this new spirit of Vengence might just have. Filipe Smith created something successfully different with Robbie Reyes, a boy straddled with responcibility who has now come into power... I really hope that he gets a chance to tell the whole story he has planned here. I don't want to see another comic I'm digging get shelved before its time...</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-yHmnEp5o7nA/VCJgjFn_N4I/AAAAAAAACNE/7-jA5vl2V2o/s1024/Photo%25252020140923231048.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-yHmnEp5o7nA/VCJgjFn_N4I/AAAAAAAACNE/7-jA5vl2V2o/s500/Photo%25252020140923231048.jpg" id="blogsy-1411539110089.5518" class="alignright" alt="" width="300" height="456"></a></div><p> All New Invaders 10</p><p>This is one of the two titles out this that makes the Namor fan in me happy, he's one of the characters that really falls outside the polarized world of heros and villains in his own realm. James Robinson and Steve Pugh are doing some very fun things in this book and really the only thing missing here is a female presence among these World War Two soldiery heroes. This title is kinda a buddy bromance spy adventure story starring Jim Hammond the original Human Torch now agent of SHIELD and Namor who's living a very interesting life at the moment. This issue is the second that sees them, Bucky the Winter Soldier and still young Steve Rogers Cap fighting an army of Deathlocks who aparently are owned by an alien posing as a human. All of this seems to be leading to a war with Mars or something. </p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-tTQGnEg2b5U/VCJglnFH7iI/AAAAAAAACNM/8yGEDOiTKOk/s835/Photo%25252020140923231048.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-tTQGnEg2b5U/VCJglnFH7iI/AAAAAAAACNM/8yGEDOiTKOk/s500/Photo%25252020140923231048.jpg" id="blogsy-1411539110123.1501" class="alignleft" alt="" width="300" height="455"></a></div><p> New Avengers 24</p><p>This is the one I'm probably looking forward to the most. The last issue was retry telling about all the characters that were part of the illuminati and who they are when the chips are really down and who will do what is necessary. I really love the choices Hickman made and agree with his assessment of the big players Richards, Stark, McCoy, Strange, and the Panther. This issue must introduce the new Avengers and is they are the ones on the cover well I can say I dig it. I won't say much more about it till I've read it come Thursday... Before reading issue 23 I'd have said you had me at Thanos but now well you had me at Namor....</p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pNpJ3Bv-ZK0/VCJgpFgg_YI/AAAAAAAACNU/JYVCBhHtEEA/s1024/Photo%25252020140923231048.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pNpJ3Bv-ZK0/VCJgpFgg_YI/AAAAAAAACNU/JYVCBhHtEEA/s500/Photo%25252020140923231048.jpg" id="blogsy-1411539110151.5908" class="alignright" width="300" height="455" alt=""></a></div><p> Mighty Avengers 14</p><p>Al Ewing is making what is most often the funest of the many avengers offerings and well quite obviously the one with the most diverse cast of characters. I have always been a fan of the adventures of Luke Cage Power Man and being a horror comics kinda geek I was a fan of Blade from the old days too. This may be a book who's days are numbered in this current incarnation to be immediately replaced with Captain America and the Mighty Avengers with the same writer and mostly the same team. Maybe its not the time to jump on and read the adventures of The Blue Marvel, Spectrum, She-Hulk, the new Poweman, White Tiger, and Luke Cage but well maybe perhaps too it is the right time to do so and grab some of the back issues too. Oh and anyone that missed the Original Sin issues really they were a blast....</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14303384155622151944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257466899594490340.post-16100992915825353602014-09-21T20:45:00.001-07:002014-09-21T20:45:33.282-07:00Sunday Comics Sept. 21, 2014
<p> This week was a pretty massive one in terms of things I wish is could regularly follow... Multiversity one with Chris Sprouse, All New Xmen, Avengers (8 months later) to name just a few so I'll stick with just the two I got to pick up...</p>
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<p> Thor God of Thunder 25</p>
<p>One of the two books I've read so far from this potentially very expensive week of comics. Thor 25 is the end of this volume with Odinson becoming again unworthy to wield mjolnir after what occured in Original Sin. There are two main stories in this issue framed as stories being read by the granddaughters of Thor ala Journey into Mystery. The opening tale is the origin of Maliketh which is suitably grim and dark and overall satisfying for someone who has long liked the dark elf and the second is a young Thor tale with art by Simon Bisley of Slaine and Lobo fame. That and the final couple pages that are a teaser for the new Thor series point to stories yet to come... It's been a good time to be a Thunder god fan and there seems to be no one better to write it the Aaron. Even at the five dollar price point this issue felt satisfying in art and story both. Looking forward to the mysterious woman who somehow gets the hammer from the moons surface....</p>
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<p> The Wicked + The Divine 4</p>
<p>I will be honest here thought I liked the story up till this issue I was mainly getting the book for its truly georgeous artwork by McKelvie and Wilson. This issue is probably the best looking so far but this is where the slow build story wise from issue one really dug its claws into me and I know I'm hooked. So we get more of a look at some of the characters that we have been hearing about since issue one, I'm looking at you Woden and get a bit deeper into the set up for what I think will be the fireworks to come soon. Its more then just a pretty face and now I must go read deeper into issues one through three again.... Thank you Kieron and company of a very cool book....</p>
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<div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14303384155622151944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257466899594490340.post-42836161185794723052014-09-14T08:10:00.001-07:002014-09-14T08:10:44.485-07:00Wanted Dispatch Sept 13 2014<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KRZj0lsKIUk/VBWv4jE656I/AAAAAAAACMI/EjEfbITJZ0k/s341/Photo%25252020140914081022.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KRZj0lsKIUk/VBWv4jE656I/AAAAAAAACMI/EjEfbITJZ0k/s341/Photo%25252020140914081022.jpg" id="blogsy-1410707438816.216" class="alignleft" alt="" width="286" height="443"></a></div><p> <em>Broken Monsters</em> by Lauren Beukes</p><p>I've been a fan since reading Zoo City and absolutely loved <em>The Shining Girls</em> so getting a chance to read an ARC of this was a pleasure. Like Shining Girls Broken Monsters is a serial killer crime novel that shows the story through many perspectives including the killer and shows how broken all the characters are in their very human ways. Lauren is one of the writers who goes outside the white western eurpean storytelling box and apparently spent a good deal of time researching Detroit, her setting, and the realities of being mixed race in a prejudiced society that thinks itself not racist anymore. Expect a full review to be coming soon. Here is a synopsis from Hachette books... It is out in the US on the 16th of September...</p><p style="text-align: start;"><span style="text-align: center; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Detective Gabriella Versado has seen a lot of bodies. But this one is unique even by Detroit's standards: half boy, half deer, somehow fused together. As stranger and more disturbing bodies are discovered, how can the city hold on to a reality that is already tearing at its seams? If you're Detective Versado's geeky teenage daughter, Layla, you commence a dangerous flirtation with a potential predator online. If you're desperate freelance journalist Jonno, you do whatever it takes to get the exclusive on a horrific story. If you're Thomas Keen, known on the street as TK, you'll do what you can to keep your homeless family safe--and find the monster who is possessed by the dream of violently remaking the world. If Lauren Beukes's internationally bestselling The Shining Girls was a time-jumping thrill ride through the past, her Broken Monsters is a genre-redefining thriller about broken cities, broken dreams, and broken people trying to put themselves back together again.</span><br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qZt1DRLm37Q/VBWv6CA63AI/AAAAAAAACMQ/A0ejQfNoGIo/s480/Photo%25252020140914081022.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qZt1DRLm37Q/VBWv6CA63AI/AAAAAAAACMQ/A0ejQfNoGIo/s480/Photo%25252020140914081022.jpg" id="blogsy-1410707438900.3755" class="alignright" width="299" height="448" alt=""></a></div><p> <em>They do the same things Different There</em> by Robert Sherman</p><p>Of the three books I am posting about this week this is the first of the two from my favorite dark fiction publisher from Canada - ChiZine. I'm a sucker for short fiction collections and particularly for weird fiction collections so this is pretty much my kind of thing...</p><p>Here is the synopsis and a <a href="http://chizinepub.com/books/they-do-the-same-things-different-there" target="_self" title="">link</a> to ChiZine.....</p><p> Robert Shearman visits worlds that are unsettling and strange. Sometimes they are just like ours—except landlocked countries may disappear overnight, marriages to camels are the norm, and the dead turn into musical instruments. Sometimes they are quite alien—where children carve their own tongues from trees, and magic shows are performed to amuse the troops in the war between demons and angels. There is horror, and dreams fulfilled and squandered, of true love. They do the same things different there.</p><blockquote><p>Robert Shearman has written four previous collections of short stories, and they have collectively won the World Fantasy Award, the Shirley Jackson Award, and three British Fantasy Awards. He is probably best known as a writer on the BBC TV series Doctor Who, and his work on the show gave him a Hugo Award nomination. His last book, Remember Why You Fear Me, is also published by ChiZine Publications.</p></blockquote><p> </p><p> <em>Gifts for the one who come After </em> by Helen Marshall</p><p>And so here is the other book coming this week from ChiZine and its another short fiction anthology of things dark and weird. And I'll leave you with the <a href="http://chizinepub.com/books/gifts-for-the-one-who-comes-after" target="_self" title="">link</a> and synopsis for this....</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gMPQKqfvjwI/VBWv7cds9WI/AAAAAAAACMY/BkZxfrD9Iqs/s480/Photo%25252020140914081022.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gMPQKqfvjwI/VBWv7cds9WI/AAAAAAAACMY/BkZxfrD9Iqs/s480/Photo%25252020140914081022.jpg" id="blogsy-1410707438855.8904" class="alignleft" width="300" height="450" alt=""></a></div><blockquote><p>Helen Marshall’s debut collection Hair Side, Flesh Side earned her praise as "the new face of horror" (January Magazine). Her work has been nominated for the Aurora Award from the Canadian Society of Science Fiction and Fantasy, the Bram Stoker Award from the Horror Writers Association, and the Sydney J. Bounds Award from the British Fantasy Society, which she won in 2013.</p><p>Ghost thumbs. Microscopic dogs. One very sad can of tomato soup . . .Helen Marshall’s second collection offers a series of twisted surrealities that explore the legacies we pass on to our children. A son seeks to reconnect with his father through a telescope that sees into the past. A young girl discovers what lies on the other side of her mother’s bellybutton. Death’s wife prepares for a very special funeral. In Gifts for the One Who Comes After, Marshall delivers eighteen tales of love and loss that cement her as a powerful voice in dark fantasy and the New Weird. Dazzling, disturbing, and deeply moving.</p></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14303384155622151944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257466899594490340.post-90231372175949210932014-09-08T08:47:00.001-07:002014-09-08T08:47:25.733-07:00To rate or not to rate ...<p> So that is my question.... With my reviews of fiction and comics does anyone have a wish that I would take up a rating scale like a five star or a one to ten scale.... I look at these if places have them but sometimes its all I look at rather then what the reviewer in question liked... So what you think...</p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14303384155622151944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257466899594490340.post-10838386832554643372014-09-06T10:01:00.001-07:002014-09-06T10:01:31.142-07:00Wanted Dispatch Sept 6 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-EXxAi2AIbug/VAs906KRojI/AAAAAAAACJ4/HXRqvrw7Tqc/s800/Photo%25252020140906100100.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-EXxAi2AIbug/VAs906KRojI/AAAAAAAACJ4/HXRqvrw7Tqc/s500/Photo%25252020140906100100.jpg" id="blogsy-1410022887497.5935" class="alignleft" alt="" width="300" height="462"></a></div><p> <em>City of Stairs</em> by Robert Jackson Bennett</p><p>In terms of modern supernatural horror Robert Jackson Bennett is most likely the name that fewer people know but hopefully this book may change that. Bennett has won and been nominated for the genre literary awards like the Shirley Jackson, the PK Dick and the Edgar. His work generally crosses genre borders and is hard to really categorize; City Of Stairs is a mix of second world fantasy, modernist suspense, urban fantasy with an odd gear and steamless atmosphere of steampunk. Though surrounded by an action oriented and very entertaining aid de camp its heroine Shara Thivani is a distinctly different kind of protagonist. I plan a full review for Monday to celebrate this book and hopefully create some sales for Robert...</p><p><a href="http://www.tor.com/stories/2014/08/city-of-stairs-excerpt-robert-jackson-bennett" target="_self" title="">Here</a> is a link to an excerpt from tor.com and a synopsis </p><p> </p><blockquote><p>The city of Bulikov once wielded the powers of the gods to conquer the world, enslaving and brutalizing millions—until its divine protectors were killed. Now Bulikov has become just another colonial outpost of the world’s new geopolitical power, but the surreal landscape of the city itself—first shaped, now shattered, by the thousands of miracles its guardians once worked upon it—stands as a constant, haunting reminder of its former supremacy.</p><p>Into this broken city steps Shara Thivani. Officially, the unassuming young woman is just another junior diplomat sent by Bulikov’s oppressors. Unofficially, she is one of her country’s most accomplished spies, dispatched to catch a murderer. But as Shara pursues the killer, she starts to suspect that the beings who ruled this terrible place may not be as dead as they seem—and that Bulikov’s cruel reign may not yet be over.</p><p>An atmospheric and intrigue-filled novel of dead gods, buried histories, and a mysterious, protean city—Robert Jackson Bennett’s City of Stairs is available September 9th in the US (Crown Publishing) and October 2nd in the UK (Jo Fletcher Books).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-P8_KcAQLVGI/VAs93CmggpI/AAAAAAAACKA/dy_M3pDpbkI/s685/Photo%25252020140906100100.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-P8_KcAQLVGI/VAs93CmggpI/AAAAAAAACKA/dy_M3pDpbkI/s500/Photo%25252020140906100100.jpg" id="blogsy-1410022887526.7551" class="alignright" width="300" height="417" alt=""></a></div></blockquote><p> Monstrous<em> Affections </em>edited by Kelly Link and Gavin Grant</p><p>So here I am at it again but I have to point out great looking themed short fiction collections (there are a couple of great looking ones coming out this month). I'm familiar with Ms Link from her own great short fiction collections so I have hopes that this will be influenced by her flavor or darkly humorous storytelling. Tor.com posted up this great piece of cover artwork along with a description and table of contents which I'm copying below...</p><blockquote><p>Predatory kraken that sing with—and for—their kin; band members and betrayed friends who happen to be demonic; harpies as likely to attract as repel. Welcome to a world where humans live side by side with monsters, from vampires both nostalgic and bumbling to an eight-legged alien who makes tea. Here you’ll find mercurial forms that burrow into warm fat, spectral boy toys, a Maori force of nature, a landform that claims lives, and an architect of hell on earth. Through these and a few monsters that defy categorization, some of today’s top young-adult authors explore ambition and sacrifice, loneliness and rage, love requited and avenged, and the boundless potential for connection, even across extreme borders.</p><p>Table of Contents:</p><p>Paolo Bacigalupi—Moriabe’s Children</p><p>Cassandra Clare—Old Souls</p><p>Holly Black—Ten Rules for Being an Intergalactic Smuggler (The Successful Kind)</p><p>M. T. Anderson—Quick Hill</p><p>Nathan Ballingrud—The Diabolist</p><p>Patrick Ness—This Whole Demoning Thing</p><p>Sarah Rees Brennan—Wings in the Morning</p><p>Nalo Hopkinson—Left Foot, Right</p><p>G. Carl Purcell—The Mercurials</p><p>Dylan Horrocks—Kitty Capulet and the Invention of Underwater Photography</p><p>Nik Houser—Son of Abyss</p><p>Kathleen Jennings—A Small Wild Magic</p><p>Kelly Link—The New Boyfriend</p><p>Joshua Lewis—The Woods Hide in Plain Sight</p><p>Alice Sola Kim—Mothers, Lock Up Your Daughters Because They Are Terrifying</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fC6-_QBQaio/VAs95DVZqEI/AAAAAAAACKI/Suk0203uWXc/s648/Photo%25252020140906100100.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fC6-_QBQaio/VAs95DVZqEI/AAAAAAAACKI/Suk0203uWXc/s500/Photo%25252020140906100100.jpg" id="blogsy-1410022887506.685" class="alignleft" width="429" height="648" alt=""></a></div></blockquote><p> <em>Hieroglyph</em> edited by Ed Finn and Kathryn Cramer...</p><p>This is an anthology inspired by some thoughts put forward by Neal Stephenson; I believe he had become disenchanted with the grim futures being written about by his fellow authors and posited writing more positive futures to dream bigger (higher faster better more to reference Captain Marvel.) This collection of stories taps some of the best writers in Science Fiction to imagine a better future....</p><p>Here is the solicitation from Harper..</p><blockquote><p>Inspired by New York Times bestselling author Neal Stephenson, an anthology of stories, set in the near future, from some of today’s leading writers, thinkers, and visionaries that reignites the iconic and optimistic visions of the golden age of science fiction.</p><p>In his 2011 article “Innovation Starvation,” Neal Stephenson argued that we—the society whose earlier scientists and engineers witnessed the airplane, the automobile, nuclear energy, the computer, and space exploration—must reignite our ambitions to think boldly and do Big Stuff. He also advanced the Hieroglyph Theory which illuminates the power of science fiction to inspire the inventive imagination: “Good SF supplies a plausible, fully thought-out picture of an alternate reality in which some sort of compelling innovation has taken place.”</p><p>In 2012, Arizona State University established the Center for Science and the Imagination to bring together writers, artists, and creative thinkers with scientists, engineers, and technologists to cultivate and expand on “moon shot ideas” that inspire the imagination and catalyze real-world innovations.</p><p>Now comes this remarkable anthology uniting twenty of today’s leading thinkers, writers, and visionaries—among them Cory Doctorow, Gregory Benford, Elizabeth Bear, Bruce Sterling, and Neal Stephenson—to contribute works of “techno-optimism” that challenge us to dream and do Big Stuff. Engaging, mind-bending, provocative, and imaginative, Hieroglyph offers a forward-thinking approach to the intersection of art and technology that has the power to change our world. </p></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14303384155622151944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257466899594490340.post-44716371087698562732014-08-31T19:42:00.000-07:002014-08-31T19:45:34.084-07:00Sunday comics....<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-sgf3w1Thst8/VAPc3KX2ANI/AAAAAAAACHo/nuukE07TCb8/s835/Photo%25252020140831194121.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-sgf3w1Thst8/VAPc3KX2ANI/AAAAAAAACHo/nuukE07TCb8/s500/Photo%25252020140831194121.jpg" id="blogsy-1409539328070.8472" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="759"></a></div><p> With issue six Filipe Smith shows how he is doing something different with the story of the All New Ghost Rider and its hero Robbie Reyes. Firstly I will miss the crazy kinetic art of Traad Moore on this title but I have to say that by the second read through I really warmed up to Damien Scott's graffiti influenced lines mixed with manga style and I can say now I dig it and I can look forward to Traad other places. I have my worries about the titles longevity and I think with how much I really loved the new issue I have to give it a bit of review age and signal boost. </p><p>From the first issue All new Ghost Rider read like a mix of east and west comic images tropes and sensibilities; since I've been a long time Japanese anime, superhero and manga fan it did touch that Devilman, Fist of the Northstar, Baribari Densetsu and Riding Bean fan in me as well as my enjoyment of the Spirit of Vengence. Looking into Filipe's background he's got a very interesting history in comics including the fact he's one of the few western creators who has written and drawn Japanese manga in Japan and been a success. He has also worked on several american comics and strangely this is the first project where he actually has to produce scripts for his stories. Coming from a manga background he is used to both writing and drawing his stories but I would not have guessed that from reading the series. I would love to interview him about his history in manga and his influences.</p><p>The <em>All New Ghost Rider</em> is set in a poorer neighborhood in Los Angeles about teenager Robby Reyes, high school student car mechanic and guardian for his differently abeled brother. The series wastes no time throwing us into his life and his extra curricular activities that include borrowing cars he's working on for the garage and using them to street race for more money to support him and his brother. He's not the obvious nerd in school, he's not the popular kid he is just one with more adult respincibilites then most. By the end of the first issue he finds himself on the wrong end of the henchmen of Hyde/Dr. Zabo's guns and in the gunsights of a local gang banger.... oh and also most probably dead in an alley. He soon becomes the racing suited cool helmeted skull visaged character with the flame effects and the flameing wheeled supernatural muscle car. </p><p>The series proceeds apace as you'd want with a muscle car centric theme. It has as much in common with my memories of Speed Racer ad it does with the Fast and Furious film franchise. The first story keeps it focus on the players in LA, there are no guest appearances; no ubiquitous Wolverine, Spider-Man or Avengers guest shot. Robbie has to deal with the violence invading his neighborhood and life in addition to the mysterious ghost that he's now bound to who has yet to reveal anything about itself. As the second act opens with new art that is more graffiti influenced that take some getting used to but Damien Scott the artist seems a good choice given the not totally super hero nature of the story. </p><p>I'm really writing this to hopefully creat interest in the story because I'm worried it is not hitting its possible audience. Robbie seems a great new addition to the diversity in the marvel universe given he is Hispanic and he's certainly a different sort of character then the usual and the story is going somewhere else then the usual coming of age teenager tale. He is someone saddled with much more responcibility then usual and I think it will be an interesting journey to see him grow into being a local hero. The opening of issue six points to the neighborhood thinking they have a hero of their own and one I'd love to see him get the chance to become. There is a collection of 1-5 coming out so its likely to be easy to check out soon and the current story promises an appearance by the second Ghost Rider Johnny Blaze....</p><p> So yeah a plea to keepa superhero horror comic out there for those of us who dig them.... The collection comes out Oct 14th.....</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GVcxK0l1Gl8/VAPc6eAC15I/AAAAAAAACHw/-0BGXp9nQFQ/s835/Photo%25252020140831194121.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GVcxK0l1Gl8/VAPc6eAC15I/AAAAAAAACHw/-0BGXp9nQFQ/s500/Photo%25252020140831194121.jpg" id="blogsy-1409539327982.3032" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="759"></a></div><p> Here is the cover of issue ... 7</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-95CghSqaRCY/VAPc-stHbTI/AAAAAAAACH4/4u51y3jCO8s/s1024/Photo%25252020140831194121.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-95CghSqaRCY/VAPc-stHbTI/AAAAAAAACH4/4u51y3jCO8s/s500/Photo%25252020140831194121.jpg" id="blogsy-1409539327991.522" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="783" alt=""></a></div><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14303384155622151944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257466899594490340.post-31138302747843124672014-08-30T20:28:00.001-07:002014-08-30T20:28:48.029-07:00Wanted Dispatch August 30 2014<p> Looking at September in Speculative Fiction there is a lot good to look forward to no matter your tastes... I'll finish with the book that needs no signal boost so here are the ones that may not be on your list just yet.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-NUKX3HTEdr8/VAKWSaXeDQI/AAAAAAAACGw/sHhD4oVR9S8/s367/Photo%25252020140830202807.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-NUKX3HTEdr8/VAKWSaXeDQI/AAAAAAAACGw/sHhD4oVR9S8/s367/Photo%25252020140830202807.jpg" id="blogsy-1409455728836.5598" class="alignleft" alt="" width="301" height="451"></a></div><p> <em>Grudgebearer</em> by J.F. Lewis</p><p>This is one that I know next to nothing about other then the fact that the great editors at PYR thought it worthy of print which is just about good enough endorsement for me based on how much I've loved the books chosen by Lou Anders and his staff over the years. Being a little image oriented the feeling of the cover reminds me of Stormlord by Tom Lloyd which I particularly loved; the description of this reminds me of it too to a small extent. So here is the synopsis for you and you can decide... </p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Kholster is the first born of the practically immortal Aern, a race created by the Eldrennai as warrior-slaves to defend them from the magic-resistant reptilian Zaur. Unable to break an oath without breaking their connection with each other, the Aern served the Eldrennai faithfully for thousands of years until the Sundering. Now, the Aern, Vael, and Eldrennai meet every hundred years for a Grand Conjunction to renew their tenuous peace. <br><br>While the tortures of slavery remain fresh in Kholster's mind, most of the rest of the world has moved on. Almost six hundred years after the Sundering, an Eldrennai prince carelessly breaks the truce by setting up a surprise museum exhibit containing sentient suits of Aernese armor left behind, never to be touched, lest Kholster kill every last Eldrennai. Through their still-existing connection with their ancient armor, the Aern know instantly, and Kholster must find a way to keep his oaths, even those made in haste and anger. While Kholster travels to the Grand Conjunction with his Freeborn daughter and chosen successor Rae'en, his troops travel by sea, heading for war. <br></span></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-dKBso2K_roM/VAKWUanSQ8I/AAAAAAAACG4/Ki4myVvDTWQ/s500/Photo%25252020140830202807.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-dKBso2K_roM/VAKWUanSQ8I/AAAAAAAACG4/Ki4myVvDTWQ/s500/Photo%25252020140830202807.jpg" id="blogsy-1409455728806.8335" class="alignright" alt="" width="297" height="446"></a></div><p> <em>Stories of the Raksura</em> by Martha Wells</p><p>Martha Wells has apparently written many more stories set in the same world that began with the book <em>The Cloud Roads </em>and expands the world with several novellas and short tales set both before and during the series. I would hope that these tales stand well on their own and can bring more readers to what was a great second world fantasy that duly deserves more readers. <a href="http://www.marthawells.com/compendium/storiesvol1.htm" target="_self" title="">Here</a> is a link to Martha's website and the synopsis for a couple of the stories..</p><blockquote><p>"The Falling World" </p><p>Jade, sister queen of the Indigo Cloud Court, has traveled with Chime and Balm to another Raksuran court. When she fails to return, her consort Moon, along with Stone and a party of warriors and hunters, must track them down. Finding them turns out to be the easy part; freeing them from an ancient trap hidden in the depths of the Reaches is much more difficult. </p><p>"The Tale of Indigo and Cloud" </p><p>This novella explores the history of the Indigo Cloud Court, long before Moon was born. In the distant past, Indigo stole Cloud from Emerald Twilight. But in doing so, the reigning Queen Cerise and Indigo are now poised for a conflict that could spark war throughout all the courts of the Reaches. </p><p>Also includes the short stories "The Forest Boy" and "Adaptation," both set before The Cloud Roads. </p></blockquote><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-L1URgIaa_VY/VAKWV4P918I/AAAAAAAACHA/2FSyINdiL68/s270/Photo%25252020140830202807.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-L1URgIaa_VY/VAKWV4P918I/AAAAAAAACHA/2FSyINdiL68/s270/Photo%25252020140830202807.jpg" id="blogsy-1409455728774.504" class="alignleft" alt="" width="301" height="454"></a></div><p> <em>Acceptance</em> by Jeff Vandermeer</p><p>I've been looking forward to this since closing the cover on my copy of <em>Authority</em>. I honestly don't know if Jeff has any intention of answering any of the questions I have about Area X or if the closing volume of this series will raise another series of thought provoking questions but I am fully on board for the rest of the journey. Jeff manages to writer weird fiction that hints at things wondrous chilling and sometimes hilarious but always worth the price of admission and the time invested in the trip. .... So here is the synopsis... I fully expect the owl on the cover to have something to do with the story like the rabbits on <em>Authority</em>...</p><p> It is winter in Area X. A new team embarks across the border on a mission to find a member of a previous expedition who may have been left behind. As they press deeper into the unknown—navigating new terrain and new challenges—the threat to the outside world becomes more daunting. In Acceptance, the last installment of Jeff VanderMeer’s Southern Reach Trilogy, the mysteries of Area X may have been solved, but their consequences and implications are no less profound—or terrifying.<br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-S7uHmPtx_Io/VAKWYtIgYuI/AAAAAAAACHI/BIzrsdD9N5g/s898/Photo%25252020140830202807.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-S7uHmPtx_Io/VAKWYtIgYuI/AAAAAAAACHI/BIzrsdD9N5g/s500/Photo%25252020140830202807.jpg" id="blogsy-1409455728766.3472" class="alignright" alt="" width="300" height="448"></a></div><p> <em>Maplecroft</em> by Cherie Priest</p><p>Cherie Priest has been well known for the last several for her Steampunk series that began with Boneshaker but now she is returni to her southern gothic horror inspired roots with a story that grown out of the Lizzie Borden history. This may I fear go unnoticed because its not something with gears and guns on the cover..... Here is the synopsis ...</p><p id="description" class="readable stacked" style="margin-bottom: 10px; padding-bottom: 10px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); right: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14px; font-family: Georgia, serif; color: rgb(24, 24, 24);"> </p><blockquote><p>Lizzie Borden took an axe and gave her mother forty whacks; and when she saw what she had done, she gave her father forty-one....</p><p> </p><p>The people of Fall River, Massachusetts, fear me. Perhaps rightfully so. I remain a suspect in the brutal deaths of my father and his second wife despite the verdict of innocence at my trial. With our inheritance, my sister, Emma, and I have taken up residence in Maplecroft, a mansion near the sea and far from gossip and scrutiny.</p><p> </p><p>But it is not far enough from the affliction that possessed my parents. Their characters, their very souls, were consumed from within by something that left malevolent entities in their place. It originates from the ocean’s depths, plaguing the populace with tides of nightmares and madness.</p><p> </p><p>This evil cannot hide from me. No matter what guise it assumes, I will be waiting for it. With an axe.</p><p> </p></blockquote><p> </p><p>Though Seanan Mcgiure probably needs little signal boost I have to add her newest Toby novel Winter Long to this week.... For all the urban fantasy fans out there who need a new series to love...</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5kiNLdxzkv4/VAKWZ-L3ZII/AAAAAAAACHQ/6sPAWn6lMjk/s409/Photo%25252020140830202807.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5kiNLdxzkv4/VAKWZ-L3ZII/AAAAAAAACHQ/6sPAWn6lMjk/s409/Photo%25252020140830202807.jpg" id="blogsy-1409455728822.7676" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="300" height="471"></a></div><p> And lastly I don't think David Mitchell needs my help to sell books but his new novel The Bone Clocks comes out this week...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-21hUgVT-wMI/VAKWbOzW32I/AAAAAAAACHY/oxTubHbM5YM/s281/Photo%25252020140830202807.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-21hUgVT-wMI/VAKWbOzW32I/AAAAAAAACHY/oxTubHbM5YM/s281/Photo%25252020140830202807.jpg" id="blogsy-1409455728813.8574" class="aligncenter" width="301" height="451" alt=""></a></div><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14303384155622151944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257466899594490340.post-24353426724954917102014-08-26T12:09:00.001-07:002014-08-26T12:09:21.264-07:00Wanted Dispatch Aug 26th 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KWiEp62VVyI/U_zbSb7N5uI/AAAAAAAACGU/jwzCwGPoYH4/s758/Photo%25252020140826120850.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KWiEp62VVyI/U_zbSb7N5uI/AAAAAAAACGU/jwzCwGPoYH4/s500/Photo%25252020140826120850.jpg" id="blogsy-1409080158621.7705" class="alignleft" alt="" width="300" height="454"></a></div><p> <em>The Mirror Empire</em> by Kameron Hurley</p><p>Kameron is one of the authors that I discovered because of Night Shade Books a few years back, I managed to get a copy of her first novel Gods War signed by her through their blog and I've loved her work ever since. Her previous series had a marvelously strong and uncompromising female hero and equally unflinching writing. Personally I have high hopes for this series comming from Angry Robot Press. Tor.com was nice enough to post up an excerpt <a href="http://www.tor.com/stories/2014/05/the-mirror-empire-excerpt-kameron-hurley" target="_self" title="">here</a> and for your reading pleasure a bit of synopsis.....</p><p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><em>Check out </em><a href="http://angryrobotbooks.com/books/the-mirror-empire-by-kameron-hurley/" target="_blank" style="text-decoration: none;">The Mirror Empire</a><em>, the first installment in a new series from Kameron Hurley, available worldwide this September from Angry Robot!</em></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 14px;"><em style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">On the eve of a recurring catastrophic event known to extinguish nations and reshape continents, a troubled orphan evades death and slavery to uncover her own bloody past… while a world goes to war with itself.</em></p><p style="margin-bottom: 14px;"><em style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In the frozen kingdom of Saiduan, invaders from another realm are decimating whole cities, leaving behind nothing but ash and ruin. As the dark star of the cataclysm rises, an illegitimate ruler is tasked with holding together a country fractured by civil war, a precocious young fighter is asked to betray his family and a half-Dhai general must choose between the eradication of her father’s people or loyalty to her alien Empress.</em></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SAj7RoCQKzk/U_zbUAe7S7I/AAAAAAAACGc/fFXsR46Nzyw/s384/Photo%25252020140826120850.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SAj7RoCQKzk/U_zbUAe7S7I/AAAAAAAACGc/fFXsR46Nzyw/s384/Photo%25252020140826120850.jpg" id="blogsy-1409080158672.7754" class="alignright" alt="" width="301" height="462"></a></div><p> </p><a name="more" style="color: rgb(79, 153, 184); font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"></a><span style="color: rgb(54, 54, 54); font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"></span><p> </p><p> <em>Solaris Rising 3</em> edited by Ian Whates</p><p>Regular visitors here will know I'm a fool for anthologies and particularly ones that feature so many British authors that I seldom see here in the US. With so many avenues to get speculative fiction in the short form we are pretty much spoiled for choice so having good editors around like Ian at Solaris is a great thing. Here is the TOC for the collection... </p><ol> <li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“A Smart-Mannered Uprising of the Dead” by Ian McDonald</span></li> <li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“The Incredible Exploding Man” by Dave Hutchinson</span></li> <li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“Sweet Spots” by Paul di Filippo</span></li> <li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“Best SF of the Year Three” by Ken MacLeod</span></li> <li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“The One that Got Away” by Tricia Sullivan</span></li> <li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“Rock Day” by Stephen Baxter</span></li> <li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“Eluna” by Stephen Palmer</span></li> <li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“Shall I Tell You the Problem with Time Travel?” by Adam Roberts</span></li> <li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“The Lives and Deaths of Che Guevara” by Lavie Tidhar</span></li> <li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“Steel Lake” by Jack Skillingstead</span></li> <li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“Mooncakes” by Mike Resnick and Laurie Tom</span></li> <li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“At Play in The Fields” by Steve Rasnic Tem</span></li> <li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“How We Came Back From Mars” by Ian Watson</span></li> <li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“You Never Know” by Pat Cadigan</span></li> <li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“Yestermorrow” by Richard Salter</span></li> <li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“Dreaming Towers, Silent Mansions” by Jaine Fenn</span></li> <li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“Eternity’s Children” by Eric Brown and Keith Brooke</span></li> <li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“For the Ages” by Alastair Reynolds</span></li> <li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“Return of the Mutant Worms” by Peter F. Hamilton</span></li></ol><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rEuziBvay-A/U_zbWo1vN0I/AAAAAAAACGk/3knIjv5DxKY/s554/Photo%25252020140826120850.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rEuziBvay-A/U_zbWo1vN0I/AAAAAAAACGk/3knIjv5DxKY/s500/Photo%25252020140826120850.jpg" id="blogsy-1409080158651.051" class="alignleft" width="360" height="554" alt=""></a></div><p> <em>The Broken Eye</em> by Brent Weeks</p><p>So for some people Brent Weeks will not be an unfamiliar name in the epic fantasy field but I think he may be one of the lesser known of the newish group of exiting fantasy authors. This is the third in his second fantasy series, both of which have their one distinct atmosphere and a grittier realistic storyline that will appeal to new fans to the genre who love the work of George RR Martin and Patrick Rothfuss. Jumping on in this volume is possibly not the best idea but seeing as I've done so a few times to find great stand alone books by accident possibly could happen here. <a href="http://www.brentweeks.com/books/the-broken-eye/" target="_self" title="">Here</a> is a link to Brent's web presence and a synopsis from his page....</p><p> </p><p style="margin-top: 15px; margin-bottom: 15px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Broken Eye continues the spectacular Lightbringer series from the New York Times bestselling author of The Black Prism and The Blinding Knife.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 15px; margin-bottom: 15px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">As the old gods awaken and satrapies splinter, the Chromeria races to find the only man who can still end a civil war before it engulfs the known world. But Gavin Guile has been captured by an old enemy and enslaved on a pirate galley. Worse still, Gavin has lost more than his powers as Prism–he can’t use magic at all.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 15px; margin-bottom: 15px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Without the protection of his father, Kip Guile will face a master of shadows as his grandfather moves to choose a new Prism and put himself in power. With Teia and Karris, Kip will have to use all his wits to survive a secret war between noble houses, religious factions, rebels, and an ascendant order of hidden assassins called The Broken Eye.</span></p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14303384155622151944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257466899594490340.post-1066698767302966062014-08-23T10:00:00.001-07:002014-08-23T10:00:32.150-07:00Sorry...late...<p> Hi... Seems a relative is coming into town today and I forgot about it... My post for today will be unforgivably late.... And its such a good week coming up... Dast.... Well .... </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--P9i8yKKgVg/U_jIqqgwt-I/AAAAAAAACGI/5P7pCyzyqr4/s835/Photo%25252020140823100019.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--P9i8yKKgVg/U_jIqqgwt-I/AAAAAAAACGI/5P7pCyzyqr4/s500/Photo%25252020140823100019.jpg" id="blogsy-1408813232208.023" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="759" alt=""></a></div><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14303384155622151944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257466899594490340.post-90297484019577368762014-08-16T16:45:00.001-07:002014-08-16T16:45:17.978-07:00Wanted Dispatch Aug 15th....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Tic6FoaB4Wc/U-_tAFya7HI/AAAAAAAACF0/jQ9m4U3FXo4/s480/Photo%25252020140816164501.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Tic6FoaB4Wc/U-_tAFya7HI/AAAAAAAACF0/jQ9m4U3FXo4/s480/Photo%25252020140816164501.jpg" id="blogsy-1408232717893.78" class="alignleft" alt="" width="303" height="454"></a></div><p> <em>We Will All Go Down Together</em> by Gemma Files</p><p>One of my favorite Canadian authors Gemma Files author of the greathorror western Hexslinger series a few years back has a modern horror offering for readers. This time around here dark imaginings take us to modern day Ontario involving secret sects of witches changelings and such that are the nightmares of many urban fantasy tales. I expect lots of dark and grim events interspersed with equally dark humor and insight. Here is the synopsis. As always I'm exited when ChiZine has a new offering... <a href="http://chizinepub.com/books/down-together" target="_self" title="">Here</a> is a link to their website...</p><p> </p><p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In the woods outside Overdeere, Ontario, there are trees that speak, a village that doesn’t appear on any map and a hill that opens wide, entrapping unwary travellers. Music drifts up from deep underground, while dreams—and nightmares—take on solid shape, flitting through the darkness. It’s a place most people usually know better than to go, at least locally—until tonight, at least, when five bloodlines mired in ancient strife will finally converge once more.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Devize, Glouwer, Rusk, Druir, Roke—these are the clans who make up the notorious Five-Family Coven. Four hundred years ago, this alliance of witches, changelings, and sorcerers sought to ruin and recreate the Earth in their own image, thwarted at the last only by treachery that sent half of them to be burned alive. Driven apart by rage and hatred, their descendants have continued to feud, intermarry, and breed with each other throughout the centuries, their mutual dislike becoming ever more destructively intimate.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But now, from downtown Toronto to the wilds beyond, where reality’s walls grow thin, dark forces are drawing the Coven’s last heirs to a final confrontation. Psychics, ex-possessees, defrocked changeling priests, shamans for hire, body-stealing witches, and monster-slaying nuns—the bastard children of a thousand evil angels—all are haunted by a ghost beyond any one person’s power to exorcize unless they agree to stand together once more, at least long enough to wreak vengeance upon themselves.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-uJEiLmYZ2Ng/U-_tCqAYcMI/AAAAAAAACF8/zkXql0yfAwM/s912/Photo%25252020140816164501.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-uJEiLmYZ2Ng/U-_tCqAYcMI/AAAAAAAACF8/zkXql0yfAwM/s500/Photo%25252020140816164501.jpg" id="blogsy-1408232717914.475" class="alignright" width="300" height="456" alt=""></a></div><p> <em>The Godless</em> by Ben Peek</p><p>Between <em>City of Stairs</em> , the new book by Robert Jackson Bennett, which involves a world where the gods have been killed and this novel where the gods are dead or dying I think fantasy novels are treading some interesting metaphysical ground. It doesn't hurt that Jeff Vandermeer has blurbed this even if its an odd one in attracting my attention and the fact that tor.com posted sample chapters to view <a href="http://www.tor.com/features/series/ben-peeks-the-godless-on-torcom" target="_self" title="">here</a> doesn't hurt either. Here is a bit of synopsis...</p><p style="margin-bottom: 14px;"><em style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Gods are dying. Fifteen thousand years after the end of their war, their bodies can still be found across the world. They kneel in forests, lie beneath mountains, and rest at the bottom of the world’s ocean. For thousands of years, men and women have awoken with strange powers that are derived from their bodies.</em></p><p style="margin-bottom: 14px;"><em style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The city Mireea is built against a huge stone wall that stretches across a vast mountain range, following the massive fallen body of the god, Ger. Ayae, a young cartographer’s apprentice, is attacked and discovers she cannot be harmed by fire. Her new power makes her a target for an army that is marching on Mireea. With the help of Zaifyr, a strange man adorned with charms, she is taught the awful history of ‘cursed’ men and women, coming to grips with her new powers and the enemies they make. Meanwhile, the saboteur Bueralan infiltrates the army that is approaching her home to learn its terrible secret...</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14303384155622151944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257466899594490340.post-35454371400172169802014-08-13T13:58:00.001-07:002014-08-13T13:58:22.632-07:00Somewhere through the wardrobe....
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-GDDMBvzipsw/U-vRaThvCnI/AAAAAAAACFo/SptGLYrlEjc/s973/Photo%25252020140813135813.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-GDDMBvzipsw/U-vRaThvCnI/AAAAAAAACFo/SptGLYrlEjc/s500/Photo%25252020140813135813.jpg" id="blogsy-1407963503295.784" class="alignleft" width="300" height="456" alt=""></a></div>
<p><em style="line-height: 1.3em;">The Magician's Land</em> brings Lev Grossman's adult love letter to portal fantasies and magical academies to a fantastic and thoughtful close. Wether your fond childhoods fantasy memories are from over the rainbow, down the rabbit hole, through the looking glass or departing from a number 9 and 1/2 the worlds he dreamed up will be sure to be familiar and manages binds all those stories together. Lev explores the rocky territory of adulthood with all the disappointments, loss and regrets through the continues journeys of Quentin Coldwater, the character from Breakbills and out of Fillory as they make their way either I the real world or the fantastic without magic ever becoming a get out of jail mfree card. I can say this novel endeared me to his creations and succeeds brilliant by itself because its the only one I have as of yet read and given my enjoyment of it I'll be soon fixing that oversight. I've often heard the series called Harry Potter for adults but this one novel showed me its much more, its a fond look back to those stories of childhood than manages not to get stuck in nostalgia or grim remakings of the same. </p>
<p>The novel follows two separate stories the first following Quentin who has been exiled from the magical land back into the real world and the other about the adventures of his friends who now rule the land of Fillory that was in the last volume aparently his. Quentin's tale is as much about the caper he becomes part of as the novel opens as it is about him trying to come to terms with the multiple losses he suffers. Though still a magician if a mediocre he he was ousted from his childhood dream home, separated from his friends as well as the real world losses that we learn of as the story progresses to being us up to date. For all the sadness that these events cause this part of the book contains a lot of the magic in the story, the alchemy of taking the lot you have and finding the formula that makes it a life worth living.</p>
<p> The Fillory adventures include fighting off an invasion, learning of a comming apocalypse and taking up of heroic quests and though these are stapes of the portal fantasy the thrust of these stories become a travelogue with much ado about talking. Lev makes great use of language and pacing to offset the stories from one another and the dichotomies between the magical realm and the real one feel afterwards not the ones I'd have expected. Elliot, Julia, Poppy and Josh are living there now and lev does a great job of normalizing the fantastic the way they read are as if its normal not as wide eyed tourists. I would not say he makes it more adultish or even sees things through a cynical adult eye but it has a quality of difference that goes beyond mearly grittifying things and adding swearing and sex to old familiar kids stories.</p>
<p>The Magician's Land introduced me to characters I very much would love to have more time with, took me to places that were filled with wonder and not all of because they were magical in nature. He reminded me of stories that I thought I knew, heard and half remember from my own childhood and that is why for me it worked so well on its own; Lev's obvious fondness for the mythical figures of his childhood shine through as do his creations inspired by the likes of Lewis Caroll, Frank L Baum, J M Barry to name just a few. The Magician's Land which is part caper part quest and part aplocalypse plot wise is more about the human spirit finding its way through loss and regret that comes with adulthood yet ultimately never loses a sense of wonder. Much like Neil Gaiman's Ocean at the End of the Lane this novel shows and author who can write a kids story for adults that can remind you what it was like to be a kid but see it with new eyes and appreciate the wonder for its own sake. This is one of the books I will be recommending without much reserve, it has a lot of heart, delivers on its promises and like portal fantasies makes you want just one more trip after the last page is turned. This is the kind of been that even not a follower of the series is worth having and possibly even have it in hard cover.</p>
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<p> Now where are those Fillory books ... I must have copies somewhere in all by boxes of books....</p>
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<div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14303384155622151944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257466899594490340.post-89330928489232854092014-08-05T14:38:00.001-07:002014-08-05T14:38:08.764-07:00Wanted Dispatch... August 5 2014<p> (hopefully a return to my regular feature to spotlight books coming out ... hopefully to return to its regular Saturday spot....writer crosses fingers...)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qJaczgFPks0/U-FOlki0d9I/AAAAAAAACEs/zRX-_UTNvFs/s747/Photo%25252020140805143719.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qJaczgFPks0/U-FOlki0d9I/AAAAAAAACEs/zRX-_UTNvFs/s500/Photo%25252020140805143719.jpg" id="blogsy-1407274687573.6274" class="alignright" alt="" width="300" height="448"></a></div><p> <em>Assail</em> by Ian C Esslemont</p><p>For people unfamiliar with the Malazan series of epic fantasy novels this may not be the right place to start but Ian's storytelling is often strong enough so unfamiliarity may not be too big an issue. Assail promises to explore some of the less seen but oft talked about places in the world and may reveal some of the more intriguing pieces of history and legends in their magnificent world. With the main series written by Steven Erikson being over this is a series that may be off people's radar and that is a shame given the wealth of myths that they created for their worlds. If you want to sample Assail <a href="http://www.tor.com/stories/2014/07/assail-excerpt-ian-c-esslemont-malazan" target="_self" title="">here</a> is a link to the tor.com site. Here is the synopsis...</p><p style="margin-bottom: 14px;"><em style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Tens of thousands of years of ice is melting, and the land of Assail, long a byword for menace and inaccessibility, is at last yielding its secrets. Tales of gold discovered in the region’s north circulate in every waterfront dive and sailor’s tavern, and now countless adventurers and fortune-seekers have set sail in search of riches.</em></p><p style="margin-bottom: 14px;"><em style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Into this turmoil ventures the mercenary company, the Crimson Guard. Not drawn by contract, but by the promise of answers: answers to mysteries that Shimmer, second in command, wonders should even be sought.</em></p><p style="margin-bottom: 14px;"><em style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Arriving also, part of an uneasy alliance of Malazan fortune-hunters and Letherii soldiery, comes the bard Fisher kel Tath. And with him is a Tiste Andii who was found washed ashore and cannot remember his past life, yet who commands far more power than he really should. Also venturing north is said to be a mighty champion, a man who once fought for the Malazans, the bearer of a sword that slays gods: Whiteblade.</em></p><p style="margin-bottom: 14px;"><em style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And lastly, far to the south, a woman guards the shore awaiting both her allies and her enemies. Silverfox, newly incarnated Summoner of the undying army of the T’lan Imass, will do anything to stop the renewal of an ages-old crusade that could lay waste to the entire continent and beyond.</em></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ot9Gof9v0L4/U-FOoG-RTDI/AAAAAAAACE0/RbtUDC9ExI0/s750/Photo%25252020140805143719.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ot9Gof9v0L4/U-FOoG-RTDI/AAAAAAAACE0/RbtUDC9ExI0/s500/Photo%25252020140805143719.jpg" id="blogsy-1407274687618.0476" class="alignleft" alt="" width="301" height="470"></a></div><p> <em>The Widow's House</em> by Daniel Abraham</p><p>Another fine epic fantasy that may have not gotten attention is the Coin and the Dagger series which began a couple years back with The Dragons Path. Daniel has a real love for the genre and has taken many of his favorite aspects from the genre and blended them with his far reaching imagination to produce this gem of a series. Like GRRM his characters are fully formed having dreams and goals far beyond achieving some quest or fulfilling some vague prophecy and best of all they do not play close to type. Villains in his stories don't commit evil for the sake of being the bad guy as readers you can see and understand their actions heinous though they may be. I've fallen behind on this series as time has gone by but knowing this unique world is out there to revisit is a good thing. The endorsement at the top from Martin goes beyond just a quote since he chose Daniel to write the comic adaptation for Game of Thrones. <a href="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?app_id=0&channel=http%3A%2F%2Fstatic.ak.facebook.com%2Fconnect%2Fxd_arbiter%2FoDB-fAAStWy.js%3Fversion%3D41%23cb%3Df22ef1f608%26domain%3Dwww.orbitbooks.net%26origin%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.orbitbooks.net%252Ff154c3a12c%26relation%3Dparent.parent&href=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.orbitbooks.net%2Fexcerpt%2Fthe-widows-house%2F&layout=button_count&locale=en_US&ref=addtoany&sdk=joey&width=98" target="_self" title="">Here</a> is a link to a sample chapter of this complex character driven fantasy...</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-pSHs5OoLz4s/U-FOrJYrbSI/AAAAAAAACE8/wlKt8IAD8_Y/s1024/Photo%25252020140805143720.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-pSHs5OoLz4s/U-FOrJYrbSI/AAAAAAAACE8/wlKt8IAD8_Y/s500/Photo%25252020140805143720.jpg" id="blogsy-1407274687564.3237" class="alignright" alt="" width="300" height="450"></a></div><p> <em>Broken Souls</em> by Stephen Blackmoore</p><p>When it comes to urban fantasy my tastes tend to run to crime noir edge of the pool and Stephen Blackmoore is possibly one of the more entertaining finds in that area outside of Chuck Wendig. Stephen has a particularly dark sense of humor and I've been looking forward to a follow up to last years novel <em>Dead Things </em>which introduced necromancer Eric Carter. Looking at the description of this along with the list of writers who blurbed this they would have had me with necromancer and Aztec death goddess alone. You can go <a href="http://stephenblackmoore.com/broken-souls/" target="_self" title="">here</a> to read about it and click through to an excerpt...</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8Jd_Q5pskSI/U-FOsJ06hYI/AAAAAAAACFE/ZXE9rBU2DW0/s300/Photo%25252020140805143720.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8Jd_Q5pskSI/U-FOsJ06hYI/AAAAAAAACFE/ZXE9rBU2DW0/s300/Photo%25252020140805143720.jpg" id="blogsy-1407274687571.369" class="alignleft" alt="" width="301" height="457"></a></div><p> <em>Throne & Bones Frostborn </em>by Lou Anders</p><p>Lou Anders first novel is something I've been waiting years for since having heard he was working on one. As an editor Lou can pretty much do no wrong in choosing novels or short fiction that is going to be just my kind of thing and this Norse/Viking myth inspired book I expect to be pretty much the same. I don't know I may be setting my sights pretty high but I expect great things from this YA adventure novel and hope to be recommending it wholeheartedly at the store that I work at. <a href="http://www.louanders.com/Thrones_and_Bones.html" target="_self" title="">Here</a> is a link to Lou's website with a synopsis.. And a <a href="http://www.thronesandbones.com/" target="_self" title="">further link </a>to Random House's site where there is apparently an excerpt....</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-GQ9kRjEVHLA/U-FOt59w27I/AAAAAAAACFM/_iCgtuTjf54/s973/Photo%25252020140805143720.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-GQ9kRjEVHLA/U-FOt59w27I/AAAAAAAACFM/_iCgtuTjf54/s500/Photo%25252020140805143720.jpg" id="blogsy-1407274687556.0383" class="alignright" alt="" width="300" height="456"></a></div><p> <em>The Magician's Land </em>by Lev Grossman</p><p>Ok, not that Mr. Grossman needs much signal boost for his series about Quentin Coldwater and the magical land of Fillory but I feel I have to add this along with e fantasy section here. I for one missed volumes one and two and chanced into reviewing volume three and given I am familiar with Portal fantasies I found this third in a series quite readable on its own. I will hit up a full review later this week but suffice to say it was a great mix of moral quandaries, capers, quests and apocalyptic battles as one might expect from a final volume in a series. <a href="http://levgrossman.com/magicians-trilogy/the-magicians-land/" target="_self" title="">Here</a> is a link to synopsis and such.... I would ask you to pursue getting yours at a local Indy shop rather then one of the bigger venues...</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZM85EWh4LiY/U-FOvbTtRMI/AAAAAAAACFU/nwYob9YEjLY/s600/Photo%25252020140805143720.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZM85EWh4LiY/U-FOvbTtRMI/AAAAAAAACFU/nwYob9YEjLY/s500/Photo%25252020140805143720.jpg" id="blogsy-1407274687630.4448" class="alignleft" width="301" height="454" alt=""></a></div><p> <em>Arrows of Time</em> by Greg Egan</p><p>Like he Magicians Land Arrows of Time is the final book in a series; this though is a hard science fiction tale set in a universe where traveling at near the speed of light makes time go faster for the travelers rather then the people who remain behind. Its a bizarre reverse of our physics and is a compelling setting with its own set of problems and dynamics. Its a series that almost got lost when Nightshade Books near imploded and I'm glad to say it didn't get sucked into that abyss. If you want to read an excerpt go to tor.com <a href="http://www.tor.com/stories/2014/07/the-arrows-of-time-excerpt-greg-egan" target="_self" title="">here</a>... And what follows is a bit of synopsis...</p><p> <em style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In an alien universe where space and time play by different rules, interstellar voyages last longer for the travellers than for those they left behind. After six generations in flight, the inhabitants of the mountain-sized spacecraft the Peerless have used their borrowed time to develop advanced technology that could save their home world from annihilation.</em></p><p style="margin-bottom: 14px;"><em style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But not every traveller feels allegiance to a world they have never seen, and as tensions mount over the risks of turning the ship around and starting the long voyage home, a new complication arises: the prospect of constructing a messaging system that will give the Peerless news of its own future.</em></p><p style="margin-bottom: 14px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><em>Greg Egan’s </em><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-arrows-of-time-greg-egan/1114335653?ean=9781597804882" target="_blank" style="text-decoration: none;">The Arrows of Time</a><em> is the final volume of the Orthogonal trilogy.....</em></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 14px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><em>So I have a few more but those will have to wait till tomorrow....</em></span></p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14303384155622151944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257466899594490340.post-55952104957976219562014-07-19T08:00:00.000-07:002014-07-19T08:00:01.609-07:00Forever Buddy Drama...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-JYX70G4ibow/U8ncC9o5PwI/AAAAAAAACEY/M7G-NjHLKJM/s1024/Photo%25252020140718194623.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-JYX70G4ibow/U8ncC9o5PwI/AAAAAAAACEY/M7G-NjHLKJM/s500/Photo%25252020140718194623.jpg" id="blogsy-1405737998434.4653" class="alignleft" width="300" height="460" alt=""></a></div></div><p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></p><p> <em>Forever Evil collected edition</em> by Geoff Johns and Daniel Fitch</p><p>Last year in the fall DC comics stirred up their New 52 universe by introducing the new version of the a Crime Syndicate from the pre crisis era DC. This evil version of the Justice League arrives and claims to have killed the Justice Leage and now rule the world. This seven issue series spotlighted the villains of the DC universe particularly Lex Luthor as the heroes of the story; much of the narration of this tale is from his voice. For me the book certainly has its moments and though I didn't love it I did like it enough to reccommend it to DC comic fans who have been a little let down by the recent reboot of the universe. </p><p>For the uninitiated the Crime Syndicate is the evil mirror versions of the Justice League; Ultraman/Superman, Superwoman/Wonder Woman, Owlman/Batman, Power Ring/Green Lantern, Jonny Quick/ Flash and adds Deathstorm/Firestorm, Atomica/Atom, Grid/Cyborg to the mix respectively with compareible powers if darker and more bent personalities. Though its cool to see these characters again since their last appearances the cast of other ne'er do wells that are the stars of this boob is pretty big for this book give the old earth 3 villains little time in the spotlight. Surprisingly Grid, one of the new creations who is the creepy counterpart/part of Cyborg, felt like he most personality overall having more interactions with the other syndicate members than the rest. The characters that really shone in this story were Lex Luthor, his creation B-zero (yup its who you think), Captain Cold and Black Manta with a backup band of Black Atom, Sinestro, who have their cool moments too. There are Hero's in evidence but they amount to hostages and mere bit players in my opinion like many villains are in their books. </p><p>So why would you want to read a book that stars the heel? Well, Lex is a heel don't get me wrong he may do an overall good in this book but his some of his action show he's still the loveible self centered sociopath he's always been. Johns makes him if not heroic pragmatic because he has no intention of bending knee to the Syndicate and as it turns out he is not the only one. To let you all know I have been enjoying the villain centric books recently like Magneto, Sinestro, and the Superior Foes of Spider-Man so its likely no surprise I like this one too. Lex who tells most of the story in his own voice tells a lot about himself, he knows how people think about him and over the course of the seven issues I got a feeling he learned that though he thinks he knows himself the person that comes out of the experience of fighting alongside his creation and other he has changed if just a bit. That is the strength of the story, the growth that happens to the players. I was saddened by so,e of the outcomes and am really tempted to follow the further adventurs of Lex and Captain cold as part of the new justice league. There are a few kitchy surprises in Forever Evil and some of the bit players, those being the overexposed Batman and his partner here, Catwoman have some nice characterful interchanges. </p><p>The art by David Fitch is as exaggerated as you might expect for someone who started his career working for image but his style has grown over the years and developed into something very fun to look at. His faces are expressive and saying he made a character who basically all mechanical like Grids emotive might say its all on that front. The art tends towards dark and moody with many scenes taking place in caves, sewers tunnels and cities in a state of disrepair and balances that with bombastic displays of power, flames and lightning all those pretty energy blast colors so its funny that the things that win the day are subtleties. Its a very lice book to look at and his redesigns of the characters are great since they include a sketchbook section. <br></p><p>All in all Johns and Fitch give good treatment to this tale about how the bad guys can be the heroes too because well they have to live in this world too and well some things are unacceptable even if your the bad guy. The last few pages sets up future stories, some of the syndicate are still out there and there is something darker on the horizon. Maybe it didn't hit on all cylinders for me but if you like to see a cool buddy story between a man and his monster doing right this should be on your list. Forever Evil collected edition is out September 9th from DC comics in hardcover.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14303384155622151944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257466899594490340.post-88682240306661438362014-06-08T16:30:00.000-07:002014-06-08T16:30:00.127-07:00Dynamic Duo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6EpKXqAH1Ss/U5TLeoHtJPI/AAAAAAAACDE/0qp9o4O44BQ/s1024/Photo%25252020140608134535.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6EpKXqAH1Ss/U5TLeoHtJPI/AAAAAAAACDE/0qp9o4O44BQ/s500/Photo%25252020140608134535.jpg" id="blogsy-1402264921861.3162" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="759" alt=""></a></div><p> All round one of the best DC comics I have read in years; it was conceived long before the New 52 and it was as enjoyable for if not more so then the the new 52s Green Lantern that ended Geoff Johns run and th aren Red Lanterns book. Bloodspell takes two of DC's long extant fishnet wearing heroines and gives them both the opportunity to have real character agency and does it with truly georgeous art and style. This book brought me joy as a comics reader for more then just its exiting and fun story that avoided the grim and dark that has gripped the new DC; Dini and Quinoes have a real grasp for DC's long and rich history and delivers hints of it throughout the story, art and even page layouts.</p><p> The story is one that mixes just a few story elements and comes out with something glorious like the best Italian and Indian recipes that not have five ingredients or less. The story that brings them together starts with a foiled caper in Las Vegas where Black Canary goes undercover and gets trapped in a magical curse. The story may lean towards slapstick at times but the stakes are at the highest, lives are at stake. Among some pretty hideous offscreen deaths Satanna gets pulled into the story when Dinah goes to her for help realizing what she faces is beyond her ken. Along the way we get a road tale that includes flashbacks that refer to different eras, styles and costumes across DC history as it was. Bloodspell for me is a bit of a love letter to the past and makes me want more of this duo, this fishnet duo. </p><p> Paul Dini and Joe Quinones apparently originally pitched this sometime in 2005 and its a great thing to have this stand alone team up tale spotlighting these versions of the characters. The story takes Black Canary and Zatanna their pre heroine days meeting in the Himalayan alps to their then current adventuring lives Zatanna on her own and Dinah as partner to Green Arrow in his goatee style era. The story has the fun tongue in cheek yet serious action that Paul Dini does so well and the art by Joe Quinones somehow straddles that gap between realism and warner brothers cartoonish ness that few artists pull off so well. This is one of those books that pops off the pages in ways 3d comics desperately aspire to. And though I got the opportunity to read this as an advance reader I'm more then tempted to get a real copy because I seldom see a project like this that seemed produced with so much love and care; the book includes the pitch, the script, unfinished pages and design work. Its too good to pass up for fans of female character written so well and for art so detail rich and lovingly rendered.</p><p> This edition collects not just the story and its glorious art and story, they give us the initial pitch, the script which is hardly ever included and design work from Joe so this book is like a blue ray disk version of the book. If you love comics with heart that will give you much more then the usual this is one to have especially if your familiar with DC history all the better. Five stars out of five. Bravo....</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14303384155622151944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257466899594490340.post-8314029326013822992014-05-21T19:03:00.000-07:002014-05-21T19:04:03.246-07:00Mindless ones and Z-listers<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6VqZlQQPyAQ/U31a9vZUsrI/AAAAAAAACC0/VQkjX-QH9l0/s1024/Photo%25252020140521190326.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6VqZlQQPyAQ/U31a9vZUsrI/AAAAAAAACC0/VQkjX-QH9l0/s500/Photo%25252020140521190326.jpg" id="blogsy-1400724236187.1028" class="alignleft" width="500" height="759" alt=""></a></div><p> So I know there will be lots of reviews and thoughts on this out there and since I love comics and particularly enjoyed this and the zero issue of Original Sin I thought why not add some reviewey comments to the mix. Jason Aaron pulled some particularly nice bits of storytelling together I. This issue given how crowded it was and managed to move both his story and they mysteries along quite well. He manages to hit most of his cast and throws in the a whole heap of monsters and some little used characters along the way. He writes some great dialogue along the way that winds up being both characterful and funny as well as drives the story along. Some of the "mystery figures" from issue one are revealed and many many more questions are raised. Mike's are is solid pretty much throughout and clear despite the mood lighting in some scenes and the opening scenes following Black Panther, the White Queen and Antman into the monster graveyard (the preview has been up a while that shows this but apologies none the less for spoilers. </p><p>It left me quite happily entertained and looking forward to leaning more about what is going on. Just enough was revealed to give me some hints as to the timing of the so called original sin and I'm really interested to see how it all its together. Also seeing some truly obscure seventies characters come out of the woodwork was pretty fun; it made me look again at some of the murkier scenes from issue one. Truely this one is aces if you have a grasp of some marvel history and this makes me want to get some of the pre superhero boom marvels....</p><p>So yeah I'd say this is one crossoverey story can reccommend. Though issue one felt a bit crowded and not quite there between the touching zero issue starring the new Nova Sam Alexander and this one I'd so get into Nick's flying car for this ride....</p><p>Five stars out of five.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Ok that's a bit of room just in case </p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14303384155622151944noreply@blogger.com0