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Daniel Boyd (1066 KP) created a post
Feb 8, 2021
Above the Timberline
7.0
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From renowned artist Gregory Manchess comes a lavishly painted novel about the son of a famed polar...
Fantasy graphic novels
Descender, Vol. 2: Machine Moon
9.0
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Young Robot boy TIM-21 and his companions struggle to stay alive in a universe where all androids...
robots space future
David McK (3425 KP) rated Star Wars: Darth Vader, Volume 2: Into the Fire in Books
Oct 3, 2021
Darth Vader.
Both legs chopped off.
Only one arm.
Left on the lave beds of Mustafar.
No, we're not talking about the end of 'Revenge of the Sith' here, but about part of what happens to Vader in this, the second compilation of Greg Pak's run on the Darth Vader series of graphic novels (here, comprising issues 6 through 11), at the behest of The Emperor, who has found out about Vader's previous 'failings' from Volume 1 (Star Wars: Darth Vader by Greg Pak, Vol. 1: Dark Heart of the Sith in which he allowed his personal feelings to get the better of him.
This run also introduces Ochi of Bestoon - who The Emperor has sent to kill Vader - and actaulyl makes a better attempt at tying together the Original Trilogy and the Sequel Trilogy (with Vader discovering about, and travelling to Exegol and encountering the Sith Eternal) than any of those latter movies did!
Both legs chopped off.
Only one arm.
Left on the lave beds of Mustafar.
No, we're not talking about the end of 'Revenge of the Sith' here, but about part of what happens to Vader in this, the second compilation of Greg Pak's run on the Darth Vader series of graphic novels (here, comprising issues 6 through 11), at the behest of The Emperor, who has found out about Vader's previous 'failings' from Volume 1 (Star Wars: Darth Vader by Greg Pak, Vol. 1: Dark Heart of the Sith in which he allowed his personal feelings to get the better of him.
This run also introduces Ochi of Bestoon - who The Emperor has sent to kill Vader - and actaulyl makes a better attempt at tying together the Original Trilogy and the Sequel Trilogy (with Vader discovering about, and travelling to Exegol and encountering the Sith Eternal) than any of those latter movies did!
Taryn K (441 KP) rated Casual Farming 5: A Slow Living LitRPG (Sowing Season) in Books
Jan 4, 2023
Another slice of life farming/dungeon book
I've read all 5 of the Casual Farming novels that are currently out, though this is the first one I've actually written a review on. We've followed Jason from his arrival in Summer Shandy to his marriage and first child. Old friends have new roles, new faces have joined the town so he's not the newest guy, and he has thoroughly settled in. I really enjoyed this.
I am still, after 5 books, unsure of what to make of the time system in this universe. I'm happy we don't have Jason's wife puking all day every day for 7 months, but getting through the pregnancy in one season is a little strange. It works though, kind of like the seasons changing at midnight exactly on the last day of the season.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to book 6, whenever they get it published. :)
I am still, after 5 books, unsure of what to make of the time system in this universe. I'm happy we don't have Jason's wife puking all day every day for 7 months, but getting through the pregnancy in one season is a little strange. It works though, kind of like the seasons changing at midnight exactly on the last day of the season.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to book 6, whenever they get it published. :)
David McK (3425 KP) rated Batman: Hush in Books
Jan 28, 2019
So, not long ago I picked up a copy of the Batman 75th anniversary box set, which is made up of 3 separate stories: The Dark Knight Returns, The Court of Owls and Hush. I also put caked up both Year One and The Killing Joke separately.
Of them all, I knew that at least 3 were (supposedly) very good: The Dark Knight Returns, The Killing Joke and Year One. What I ddid nt know, however, was just how good Hush was.
Set during a period when Batman is at the top of his game (unlike the older Batman of The Dark Knight Returns, or the younger of Year One), this graphic novel includes just about any and all of Batmans friends and foes - top of my head, I can think of only one major villain who doesn't play a role (but is mentioned in passing).
Like The Dark Knight Returns, it also includes The Man of Steel in the story, with Batman and Superman again facing off against one another in a portion of it (but for very different reasons than in The Dark Knight Returns).
OK, it may be pretty obvious - I felt - fairly early on just who is pulling the strings,but this still makes for a very enjoyable and dynamic read, with some of the best artwork I have yet seen in any of the graphic novels I have read.
Of them all, I knew that at least 3 were (supposedly) very good: The Dark Knight Returns, The Killing Joke and Year One. What I ddid nt know, however, was just how good Hush was.
Set during a period when Batman is at the top of his game (unlike the older Batman of The Dark Knight Returns, or the younger of Year One), this graphic novel includes just about any and all of Batmans friends and foes - top of my head, I can think of only one major villain who doesn't play a role (but is mentioned in passing).
Like The Dark Knight Returns, it also includes The Man of Steel in the story, with Batman and Superman again facing off against one another in a portion of it (but for very different reasons than in The Dark Knight Returns).
OK, it may be pretty obvious - I felt - fairly early on just who is pulling the strings,but this still makes for a very enjoyable and dynamic read, with some of the best artwork I have yet seen in any of the graphic novels I have read.
Kirk Bage (1775 KP) rated Rusty Brown in Books
Aug 6, 2020
Just look at what a beautiful object this book is! It gets better on the inside, too. The detail and creativity is immense; the dust cover unfolds into a gorgeous mosaic, with puzzles, and even the copyright notes have a little Easter egg snuck in there. Every satisfyingly thick page of it is dense with ideas and art of admirable quality. It’s heavy and well made. Simply, one of the nicest books aesthetically I’ve ever owned.
I don’t have a big history of reading graphic novels. In fact I can count them on one hand: this one, Watchmen, V for Vendetta and Persepolis. But what I see I like. There is something extra on the storytelling that is the best of both a book and a film – like a film unravelling at the pace of a book, with your imagination made into still images. I love the possibilities of them! There really isn’t anything you couldn’t do with it given enough imagination. I must try a few more as I go through life.
Rusty Brown, by Chris Ware is rich, melancholy, sometimes downright sad, but always truthful. Nothing is exaggerated, only presented, as we see snapshots of all the children and teachers that live in a small American town. They are dealing with regret, nostalgia, self-esteem, bullying and secret Joys, but in a mundane way as the routine of life plays out around them. Yet it manages never to seem bleak or hopeless, as enough moments of beauty keep everyone afloat.
There is a hint of subversive politics going on under the surface, but no more than issue flitting through Chris Ware’s mind; there’s no agenda or propaganda going on. He’s basically showing us a place he knows and saying, huh, what do you think of this. It made me laugh out loud many times, and cry at least twice. Remarkable work.
Both this artist and graphic novels in general are now very much something on my radar to learn more about and enjoy. If you haven’t ever really tried, I recommend Rusty Brown Chris Ware whole-heartedly as a starting place.
I don’t have a big history of reading graphic novels. In fact I can count them on one hand: this one, Watchmen, V for Vendetta and Persepolis. But what I see I like. There is something extra on the storytelling that is the best of both a book and a film – like a film unravelling at the pace of a book, with your imagination made into still images. I love the possibilities of them! There really isn’t anything you couldn’t do with it given enough imagination. I must try a few more as I go through life.
Rusty Brown, by Chris Ware is rich, melancholy, sometimes downright sad, but always truthful. Nothing is exaggerated, only presented, as we see snapshots of all the children and teachers that live in a small American town. They are dealing with regret, nostalgia, self-esteem, bullying and secret Joys, but in a mundane way as the routine of life plays out around them. Yet it manages never to seem bleak or hopeless, as enough moments of beauty keep everyone afloat.
There is a hint of subversive politics going on under the surface, but no more than issue flitting through Chris Ware’s mind; there’s no agenda or propaganda going on. He’s basically showing us a place he knows and saying, huh, what do you think of this. It made me laugh out loud many times, and cry at least twice. Remarkable work.
Both this artist and graphic novels in general are now very much something on my radar to learn more about and enjoy. If you haven’t ever really tried, I recommend Rusty Brown Chris Ware whole-heartedly as a starting place.
graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated Angel: After the Fall, Volume 2: First Night in Books
Feb 15, 2019
So far my opinion of the Angel continuation is much higher than the Buffy graphic novels. The plot is a lot more engaging and makes some sort of sense, (most of) the artwork really grabs me, and I just enjoy them a whole heck of a lot more. I enjoyed reading what happened to everyone immediately 'after the fall' into Hell and liked the different feel to each story. This had the Trifecta of Angel-y goodness: it had drama, it had action, it had humor! *singing: <i>"It had style, it had grace, it had Gwen give good face."</i> LOL Clearly I am insane.* And I giggled even more at Brian Lynch's 'ramblings' at the end, which includes a drinking game for anyone interested. I especially loved the continuation of titles, and I'll share the first one so I don't muddle up an explanation: <i>Angel: After the Fall: First Night: Curse of the Black Pearl</i>. How can I not laugh at that? Remember, if you have your own logo, you've really gotten somewhere. :D
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Monopoly: The Walking Dead in Tabletop Games
Apr 4, 2018
I'll be honest, I'm a sucker for a themed version of Monopoly so a Walking Dead version really appealed. Although it's a good version, personally its not my favourite.
For starters, this is based on the original comics/graphic novels so there is quite a bit in this that won't be familiar to fans of the show (like me). It's not as easy to get into a themed game like this when you don't know everything about the subject. I also think that the themed items (money, properties and chance/community chest cards) are a little weak compared to other themed versions out there. Although this could just be because I'm not as big a fan of The Walking Dead as I thought! What I did love was the tokens, it's a little dark and disturbing to get to play as Lucille or a bucket of body parts.
The rest of the gameplay is standard Monopoly fare as expected, but maybe this is one made for die hard Walking Dead fans.
For starters, this is based on the original comics/graphic novels so there is quite a bit in this that won't be familiar to fans of the show (like me). It's not as easy to get into a themed game like this when you don't know everything about the subject. I also think that the themed items (money, properties and chance/community chest cards) are a little weak compared to other themed versions out there. Although this could just be because I'm not as big a fan of The Walking Dead as I thought! What I did love was the tokens, it's a little dark and disturbing to get to play as Lucille or a bucket of body parts.
The rest of the gameplay is standard Monopoly fare as expected, but maybe this is one made for die hard Walking Dead fans.
Foundations in Comic Book Art: SCAD Creative Essentials (Fundamental Tools and Techniques for Sequential Artists)
Book
This is an in-depth primer on the tools and techniques used by top sequential artists. It uses...