My comic picks for 12/23/20

My comic picks for 12/16/20

My comic picks for 12/2/20

My comic picks for 11/25/20

Frozen Earth by Jasper T. Scott - My review

 This is the first book in the Rogue Star series, from the author.

It is learned that a huge mysterious object is gradually making its way to Earth, its arrival could cause catastrophic changes to our environment. Various groups in governments around the world, and private concerns begin to make plans. When it is later learned that there are mysterious crafts following the star and signals from them are received, panic begins to ensue. For Logan Willis and his family, they may have a chance others might not have as Logan's wife, discovers her estranged brother may have connections that could save them.

While the plot isn't new, Scott does present it somewhat differently, as his story focuses on an average man, whose only desire is to protect his family. Many of the other characters introduced are in the same situation and it is there problems on which the book focuses. Sadly, the author introduces something early on that for the most part has no or little bearing on the main story, so I'm unsure of why he felt it necessary to create it. Once the major plot takes hold this situation is very quickly resolved and is barely mentioned after the initial chapters.

I would have given the novel a higher score, as I had wanted to but besides that initial issue, there also a couple of characters that make wrong choices, which only seem to be there to move the plot along and introduce difficulties that could have been avoided had folks acted a bit more thoughtfully.

The book ends on a note that sets up at least the next book, if not the possible route the rest of the series will follow. Some readers might not find the problems that I did and the concept of the "aliens", once we learn it is quite fascinating. I can certainly see other readers enjoying this book and the rest of the series, but I just can't get past those small flaws that took this reader out of the story.

My comic picks for 11/12/20

SLASHSTREET BOYS - "DIE BY MY KNIFE" (BACKSTREET BOYS PARODY)

DC's "Future State" Event - Do I even care?

It has been a longtime since I've put anything here and I felt that I should start doing more than just posting my YouTube videos. I appreciate anyone who has actually stuck around all this time and at least for a while I want to once again make blogging part of my quarantine life.

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Been hearing and reading about DC Comics upcoming "Future State" event and I'm still on the fence. It seems to be an attempt to do some of the things Dan Didio had in mind with his '5-G' remake of the entire DC line, but in a limited timeframe.

According to how I understand it, for 2-3 months we'll be seeing the regular DCU books halted and replaced by titles that deal with future versions of all the characters (Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, etc.) The new titles will also bring back previous characters, or characters similar to them with possible new names.

It sounds way too confusing, as a clean break seems a better move if that's the central idea. Anybody remember Convergence a similar 'event' that DC did? Me neither! Podcasts and articles kept referring to it so I had to look it up. This was only five years ago and I have no memory of it, yet vividly remember the initial Crisis and even Invasion which were decades ago. Yet, Convergence had 50+ issues over the two month span.

The two Marvel events, Empyre and X of Swords, have given me the out to drop at least half a dozen issues of their titles, at least for a while. These were books I found that I was just picking up and sometimes sitting for several issues before I read them. There are way too many excellent alternative/independent titles out there I find more interesting. My super-hero disinterest seems to be growing as it does periodically (no pun).

I'll probably pick up the central title, just out of curiosity, but I'm not going the New 52 route and shelling out money for the whole line. Are these 'events' by the Big Two really bringing in new readers? I can't believe they do, and I wonder if there is any boost in shop sales for more than the initial issues (or those folks out there are who feel the need to purchase variant covers).

Went on longer than I expected. Sorry!

My comic picks for 10/8/2020

My comic picks for 9/24/20

My comic picks for 9/6/20

My comic picks for 8/27/20

My comic picks for 8/21/20

My comic picks for 8/6/20

My comic picks for 8/1/20

My comic picks for 7/15/20

My Heroes Have Always Been Junkies by Ed Brubaker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a standalone book, not part of the Criminal series. Brubaker and Phillips bring the strong art and brilliant writing that fans have become used to. The limited watercolor pallet that Jacob Phillips brings is perfect for the book, dropping most color when the story moves back into the past.

Ellie, whose parents were both criminals, and raised by an 'uncle' after her mother passed away. It was he that placed her in a rehab center. There she meets Skip, also placed by family. Everyone there is dealing with various issues, some very real and others in denial, but the two younger patients soon find them sharing. We learn, through flashbacks, about Ellie's upbringing, before and after her mother's death. How she became a fan of creators, who often got their own inspiration from drugs. Hence the title and Ellie's admission. In Brubaker's work, his characters always carry secrets, those often hidden even from the reader.

Whether it's his work on original material, or working for major comics companies, Brubaker is among my favorite writers, and Sean Phillips is the perfect partner on most of his graphic novels.


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First issue reviews 7/5/20

My comic picks for 7/2/20

My comic picks for 6/25/20

Book of Death: The Fall of the Valiant Universe by Jeff Lemire
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I admit to being an on and off Valiant fan, since the early days. I'll pick up a particular title for a while and maybe follow it through an arc or until the creative team changes. On the other hand, I do love the various characters and feel they have a lot of potential not often utilized, just to get out a monthly book.

This TPB collects the four issues focusing on different characters, that tie into the Valiant Universe 'event' Book of Death. That deals with the last Geomancer who travels back in time with a book revealing the ultimate fate of these characters and mankind.

We see the 'last days' of Bloodshot, Ninjak, X-O Manowar and the group Harbinger Renegades. We also witness the fate of Toyo Harada, first and most powerful of the psiots (the name Valiant uses for their super-powered characters). Four writers team with four artists to put this all together, each nicely crafting a story that honors of the past of the characters and completing some long-time story lines.

While I enjoyed all the stories, I found Jeff Lemire & Doug Braithwaite' Bloodshot tale the best of the bunch, but I'm a sucker for Lemire's writing anyway. I think fans of any of the characters will be happy with what was done.


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My comic picks for 6/18/20

My comic picks for 6/11/20

Young Justice, Vol. 1: Gemworld by Brian Michael Bendis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I've been a fan of the Young Justice characters since the "World Without Grownups" miniseries. It's nice seeing four of the original team (Superboy aka Conner Kent, Robin aka Tim Drake, Impulse aka Bart Allen and the Wonder Girl aka Cassandra Sandsmark) reunited.

While in Metropolis, each for their own reasons, Tim and Cassie become involved in what appears to be an alien invasion. During this event they come upon two new characters, Jinny Hex (Great Granddaughter of Jonah) and the young Teen Lantern. Just in time, naturally, Bart appears and he couldn't be more excited to see his old teammates. When they attempt to follow the departing 'aliens' they find themselves transported to Gem World, where they are soon joined by Princess Amethyst who is in the midst of political intrigue threatening her world. Initially separated from his companions Bart finds that another former YJ member, Conner, had been trapped on this same world for a time.

After seemingly saved her land, Amethyst decides to join her new friends and return to her home world of Earth for a while. Little does the team know that things might not be what they appear to be.

Great reintroduction of the team, with writer Bendis nicely capturing the feel of the older characters and fleshing out the new members. This TPB collects the first six issues of the series, ending on cliff hanger. Eight artists, the principal being Patrick Gleason and John Timms, all do solid work bring artistic changes to flashbacks that fill-in how many of the characters ended up where the story began.


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My comic picks for 6/4/20

My comic picks for 5/28/20

Network Effect by Martha Wells
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another solid story

I have loved Murderbot since the first novella and they just keep getting better. Part of it is watching the character develop throughout the series as it expands its knowledge of humans. The introduction of ART in an earlier book only increased my fondness for the character.

When Murderbot becomes involved in a hostage situation, involving his humans it quickly becomes obvious that there is a much more difficult issue taking place. Soon Murderbot and ART find themselves in a situation that could lead to the end of both of them.

Another great story that expands on the universe that Wells has created and promising further stories.


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My comic picks for 5/24/20

My comic picks for 5/14/20

The Case of the Sulky Girl by Erle Stanley Gardner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Although this is the second Perry Mason novel, it is the first one in which we actually see Mason in a court room. In the first he's almost more hard-boiled PI, than lawyer. This shows us the character in a situation much more familiar. Defending his client and revealing in a stunning surprise the actual culprit/murderer during the trial.

Frances Celene, is a wealthy heiress who initially comes to consult Perry about the terms of her father’s will. Her inheritance is being overseen by her Uncle, who she feels is too strict in his supervision. One of those being that if she marries prior to her twenty-fifth birthday, she will only be given a small annual income and the majority of the estate given to a number of charities already stipulated.

On an evening when she reveals to her uncle that she has already married, Frances and her new husband argue with the man. Within hours he is found bludgeoned to death after making a call to police, apparently about a stolen automobile. It's up to Perry, along with PI Paul Drake, to discover the actual facts of the murder and clear both young people of the crime.

One thing I found confusing is that in this novel we have an Asst. DA Claude Drumm, whereas in the first novel there is a police detective with that last name who even takes a few bucks on the side from Mason to help him with some questions. In the TV series, Detective Steve Drumm is a member of the police, and the Claude Drumm character replaced by Hamilton Burger, who is known by most fans. He was introduced in later novels.

As usual the actual murderer seems to come out of left field, as it often did in the TV series, where a secondary character always breaks down in court to confess. As much fun as the first novel was, it was great actually seeing Perry in action in court.


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The Case of the Velvet Claws by Erle Stanley Gardner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

While I grew up watching the Perry Mason TV series, featuring Raymond Burr in the title role, I'd never seen the earlier Mason films of the 1930's or read any of the novels by Gardner. The Burr version was the one I recognized and thought to be how the character was to be portrayed.

The Mason introduced in Gardner's original novel, never even appears in court. He is much more hard-boiled than I expected, having more of the attributes of detectives like Marlowe and Spade. He's not afraid to get physical at times, not even hesitating in grabbing the arm or shoving aside a woman if she angers him. His relationship with his secretary, Della Street, has a more sexual undertone than it ever did in the TV series. The earlier film series went with a more "Thin Man" vibe between the characters and had them married.

Perry is approached by a married woman who is afraid that her relationship with a political figure may become public, through possible pressure from a tabloid paper. The publication is not above 'selling advertising space' to individuals as cover for halting the release of stories that could injure the reputations of celebrities or the well-to-do. Mason takes the case, despite warnings from Della, and things become more complicated when the husband of the woman is killed and it appears the wife is the murderer. When she then fingers Perry as the possible shooter Mason, with the aid of P.I. Paul Drake must clear himself and his client if possible.

Well written, if dated, story that nicely introduced the characters. From trailers, it looks as if the Robert Downey, Jr. produced Mason limited series on HBO, will be sticking closer to the original books than the portrayal most of us know.


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Spider-Man: Miles Morales Vol. 1 by Brian Michael Bendis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Miles is a wonderful character, originally introduced in Marvel's Ultimate Universe following the death of that world's Peter Parker. Now he is a regular part of the current Marvel universe, often interacting with this world's Peter Parker, along with alternate versions from other worlds/dimensions.

Miles is a teenager, with the usual problems dealing with family, friends and getting good grades. Add to that powers equal to those of the original Spider-Man and a few more. Like Peter Parker, in his early adventures, Miles is having a difficult time balancing his life of normalcy and heroism. This volume introduces the occurring characters of Miles family, faculty and fellow students.

Nice done, as Bendis continues to be one of the better writers in comics.


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Harley Quinn and the Gotham Girls by Paul D. Storrie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Full disclosure, I've known Paul Storrie for over twenty years and consider him a friend. I'm also glad to say that he's a heck of a writer and successfully captures the spirit of the five main characters in this series. Originally published as a five-issue miniseries back in 2002, DC has wisely collected it as a TPB taking advantage of Harley's current popularity.

Catwoman is hired to steal a plant growth formula that Ivy created prior to her turning to crime. When Ivy learns of this she and BFF Harley decide to steal it back, before it can do the harm that Ivy knows will happen if the formula is used. With this threesome wrecking havoc, it's not long before Batgirl and GCPD's Detective Renee Montoya find themselves trying to get the formula as well.

There are currently so many interpretations of Harley Q, in comics, animation and live-action that it can be confusing. Storrie, along with artists Jennifer Graves (pencils) & J. Bone (inks) bring us one closer to her initial persona from the Batman Animated series. She closely resembles (in attitude and costume) the original Paul Dini/Bruce Timm creation.

All the characters are nicely written, with cameo appearances of several other DC characters along the way. I would say the book would be fine for YA readers and adults. It really is a lot of fun.



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The Zombie Chronicles: Vol. 1 - Escape by James Melzer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Melzer introduces us to a world where the 'living dead' were somewhat brought under control, but the government maintains tight controls. The world has returned to a new normal.

The nameless narrator is taking part in an experiment where some of his blood is drawn and used for a purpose of which is initially unaware. As he begins to discover some secrets he also discovers that organizations, with different agendas are taking an interest in him. When he learns more he decides that it is time to take sides, no matter the consequences.

There are a lot of characters introduced in the book, and not all of them are what or who they appear. Nameless is never really sure who he can trust, but when he falls in love there is nothing he won't do to protect her and finally get to the bottom of the mysteries.

A lot of action and the major characters are mostly well defined, minor characters seem put in place merely to increase the body count beyond the undead. My one issue with the book, is that the love story seems very, YA. Really not serving a purpose except to put somebody in danger and in need of rescue.


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My comic picks for 3/18/20

The Life and Death of Toyo Harada by Joshua Dysart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Toyo Harada, founder of the Harbinger Foundation, is one of the most powerful psiots (the name given people with mental abilities in the Valiant Universe) in the world. His were abilities triggered by the explosion of a nuclear bomb in his native Japan at the end of WWII. He discovers he can easily control the minds of others and over the years develops other powers which he uses to change the world and prevent the type of violence that destroyed his family.

There have been hints over the years of Harada's past, but Dysart here fills in the incidents that brought Harada to where he is at this point. We also see the fates of other characters that have been introduced and left with a possible future. As with all comic book worlds, nothing is ever really permanent.

Dysart and several artists, primarily Cafu, present a nice story, which long time Valiant fans will enjoy, but new readers might also find interesting as it introduces the plot threads of future events.


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My comic book picks for 3/11/20

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My comic picks for 2/19/20

My comic book picks for 2/12/20

My comic picks for 2/5/2020

My comic book picks for 1/22/20

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My comic picks for 1/15/20

My comic picks for 1/8/20

My comic picks for 1/1/2020