Cute. Very quick read, which is good for my currently sick body and tired mind.
I think I'd have liked it if Ollie and Maisie had met online first and Cute. Very quick read, which is good for my currently sick body and tired mind.
I think I'd have liked it if Ollie and Maisie had met online first and this was their first in-person catch up. It would have felt a little more realistic.
I liked the new made-up name for real pop culture movies/shows. It was a fun wink....more
Yes, it's a bit like Anxiety is Really Strange in that it's not super indepth, but I found it more informative than a lot of surface-level things about trauma tend to be. It shows how trauma is a physical response, as well as mental and emotional.
I can see this as being a jumping-off point for a discussion....more
It's heavily stylised, but I really liked the art. Much of it was textless and just art to enjoy, which was nice. I haven't read comiGeralt in Japan.
It's heavily stylised, but I really liked the art. Much of it was textless and just art to enjoy, which was nice. I haven't read comics in a very long time and I've never been much for Japanese manga, but I still liked it.
At the end is a write up of all the monsters Geralt meets and why he took the actions he did. I liked that....more
A lovingly illustrated graphic novel about growing up not only asexual, but as having severe OCD.
I identify as on the ace spectrum, and I had hoped I A lovingly illustrated graphic novel about growing up not only asexual, but as having severe OCD.
I identify as on the ace spectrum, and I had hoped I might relate to this book a little more than I did. It's beautifully illustrated and Rebecca explains their pubescent years and early uni days well. Reading their bio on their website, they are also autistic- this felt fairly clear to me in some chapters, but was never explicitly stated.
But this book isn't about me, and more ace stories need to be told....more
I read this in just a couple of hours. It's been a while since I've compulsively stayed up late reading due to how good a book has been.
I'm a little sI read this in just a couple of hours. It's been a while since I've compulsively stayed up late reading due to how good a book has been.
I'm a little surprised by how much I enjoyed this. I figured I would like it- I love the musical soundtrack (I haven't seen the musical itself beyond a few clips), but the tiny details added in each panel were magnificent. There have been a few remarks on how the novel is full of literary wank, and yeah, it is... but that seems to be a testament to Bechdel's father, too. The first chapter is a dedication to how particular he was about their home, and this grows as Bechdel ages.
This is probably a book I'll come back to later and read the letters and longer passages again, to catch all the literary references. I'd also love to actually watch the musical and see if I can connect all the vignettes. ...more
Yes, yes, there's gratuitous sexy poses and panty shots and shower scenes, but I think we can slide past that.
I'm not sure if this is still the case,Yes, yes, there's gratuitous sexy poses and panty shots and shower scenes, but I think we can slide past that.
I'm not sure if this is still the case, but way back when, when I popped this book on my 'to-read' list, it was quite difficult to find collections that showcased Poison Ivy.
The first few comics have the cutesy comic style, while the rest have more variety. It's nice to see the different eras brought together like this, as well as Harley and Ivy going on various adventures. I'm not one to just sit down and read comics (it's such an expensive hobby and I would rather spend my money elsewhere), so I do prefer collections like this....more
This was a Ladies Comic Book Club book- and I enjoyed it miles more than last month's (Black Hole). It was a really good change, even if a little, um,This was a Ladies Comic Book Club book- and I enjoyed it miles more than last month's (Black Hole). It was a really good change, even if a little, um, horrific. But book clubs should be about trying a bunch of different things.
The Stephen King influence is obvious here, but I also got a real V.C. Andrews feeling throughout it, though that just might be because I'd finished reading Shooting Stars around the same time I finished this book. Quite a number of people criticised the art, but I actually liked it- I feel that it suited the story quite well.
The biggest scene a lot of people had issue with was the one where Sam is giving the truck driver a blowjob. No one could quite figure out why he would do that, only to kill him later. I was a little surprised by this. I got the feeling from Sam throughout the book that he does things because he wants to- he wasn't coerced into giving the blowjob (though he may have allowed the truck driver to think that). He may have needed to learn how to drive stick, he may not have had much of an idea of where he was, maybe it was just more convenient at that stage of the game to have someone else drive. Or maybe he only killed the bus driver because he tried to meddle- that seemed to be an ongoing theme. People meddling in his life and trying to play a father figure....more
This was absolutely amazing. I picked this up at a local convention, as it was by a Perth author, but didn't think much about it. I like to support loThis was absolutely amazing. I picked this up at a local convention, as it was by a Perth author, but didn't think much about it. I like to support local authors and artists, and this was fairly reasonably priced. I forgot about it until I was looking for something to read recently.
And holy crap I was blown away. The art is outstanding, and models were clearly used to ensure the facial expressions and positions were correct. There's something haunting about the characters eyes- I was actually fairly unnerved by them.
I was completely sucked into the story. I intended to only read a few pages before bed, but I devoured the whole paperback. I'm not sure where I'll be able to pick up the second copy- local authors are hard to find in stores- but I'm going to have to. ...more
I really wanted to enjoy this comic. I'd read a little bit some ten years ago, but it was so hazy and it haYay, another Ladies Comic Book Club review!
I really wanted to enjoy this comic. I'd read a little bit some ten years ago, but it was so hazy and it had only been half an issue that I didn't remember much. I was a little intimidated by the sheer size of it (the comic book club has only just started- it seemed a huge series to read for such a baby club), but I managed to get through the whole thing relatively easily.
Unfortunately, I really didn't like it. I can definitely appreciate it for what it is- a real statement novel, a milestone in the graphic novel industry. But it really failed to capture my interest for more than a few pages at the time.
While the art work certainly makes a statement, there's no real defining features on any of the 'normal' looking characters, particularly the two main male characters. I couldn't tell the difference between the two most of the time, until something was said or another character came into play.
One of the most frustrating things for me was that there was no world building. I can get why Burns chose to leave this out- the series focuses mostly on the small group of teens and their isolation. But there is so much potential here for growth and depth, and to leave this part out really bothered me. I wanted to know more than just their petty, hot dog eating, drug smoking ways.
The ending also left me a little bitter. It felt as though he'd had enough and packed on.
Definitely one of the weaker titles in the Fear Itself series. None of the stories in this collection really tie together. Although they're all meant Definitely one of the weaker titles in the Fear Itself series. None of the stories in this collection really tie together. Although they're all meant to be a study in different types of fear (I suppose), it doesn't come across clearly. The characters don't interact with one another outside of snippets, and unless you've read the full arc in order, it's not clear how they relate.
Disappointing, but I only spent $10 on the paperback so it's not a huge loss....more
This is a collection of short-story style comics from a variety of authors (including Shaun Tan, who did the cover and illustrated one of the comics).This is a collection of short-story style comics from a variety of authors (including Shaun Tan, who did the cover and illustrated one of the comics). There's a variety of art styles on display, from the lush, Shaun Tan-style, to the more gritty revamped action-hero comic style to a real kitschy 50s style. I picked this up at a local convention last weekend, and it's dawned on me that I'm slowly getting a Shaun Tan collection.
Each comic touches on different natures of the human psyche, and what makes them tick. Some have a more horror feel than others, and some are just meant to cause shivers to go down ones spine.
There were three comics that were the standout for me-
Withheld, by Bobby.N, about a man being released from prison after being falsely accused.
96,000m, by Tom Taylor and Tom Bonin, which is about an expedition to go, well, 96,000m underwater (that being a personal fear of mine).
And lastly, Jack Coles Sketchbook, by Gary Chaloner, which appears to be more of a long-running webseries, but I really liked the art.
There were other stories I did enjoy, such as the Moral Lesson collection by Shaun Tan and Torn by Andrew Constant and Nicola Scott. Either way, if you get an opportunity to pick this up, give it a read. It only took me about half an hour at most (some of the comics are wordy, most aren't), and some of the art is just beautiful....more
When I heard about this comic, I knew I had to read it. First of all, it's a comic with female leads. Secondly, it's set in a D&D type world. And thirWhen I heard about this comic, I knew I had to read it. First of all, it's a comic with female leads. Secondly, it's set in a D&D type world. And thirdly, it has a halfling-type character, and a character named Violet. Why is all of this so important? Well, I love table top roleplays, and and my first D&D character was a halfling named Violet. Now, she was a chaotic neutral druid with dreams of becoming a cleric, but enough boxes here were ticked so I had to seek it out. Now, my Violet was more like Rat Queens' Betty, but even so, I did get a tickle out of this.
I really did enjoy this volume. I loved the story, I loved the dialogue and I loved the character interaction. This is very much aimed at those who have played Dungeons and Dragons, so if you haven't, you might miss some of the jokes. Not to mention... Gary.
In saying that, something about this bothered me. It's not clear what it is, and I didn't feel offended at any point. I'm not hugely sold on the art just yet, but it wasn't that. I think I need to think about this all a little more before I decide what it was. I do want to pick up the second volume, and I likely will at the next LCBC meeting. I was very close to rating this 4/5, but until I figure out what I disliked, it's sitting at a 3....more
I've been reading so many comics lately. My concentration is a little shot right now, and while I'm enjoying American Psycho (well... enjoying it as mI've been reading so many comics lately. My concentration is a little shot right now, and while I'm enjoying American Psycho (well... enjoying it as much as I can), I just need something light and easy. And after reading Saga, Volume 1, I realised I wanted to re-read more Brian K. Vaughan, so I hit up one of my favourite series: Runaways.
Karolina Dean is one of my favourite characters in comics. She's like the Dawn of the Marvel world. Now that would be funny- a Baby-Sitters Club/Runaways/X-Men mash up. Kristy et al. trying to baby-sit Molly and just crying as she levels Dawn's barn.
Wait what
Like I said, concentration shot.
I do feel like Runaways is a bit 'light' in parts, and heavy-handed in others. But I have always liked the little twist at the end, the reveal if you will. Of course it makes sense, and it's a little more obvious when you re-read it, but it's still fun. I love the Cloak and Dagger parts, and Captain America just appearing. That's what I enjoy about Runaways- the appearances of other characters....more
Alrighty, another Ladies Comic Book Club comic! Again, I read this a while ago, but wanted to save reviewing it until after the meet up.
This is a greaAlrighty, another Ladies Comic Book Club comic! Again, I read this a while ago, but wanted to save reviewing it until after the meet up.
This is a great series, and I'm really starting to find myself enjoying Image comics. There is so much detail going on here, and the imagery is absolutely beautiful. It's clear they used reference images for the expressions/poses, as it's all so realistic and well thought out.
There's so much metaphor going on in the series, and every time I've read it, I've picked up something new. Motherhood- parenting in general-, war, slavery. There's a lot that reflects our current society. One topic that was brought up at the LCBC is how war has been solid to other nations, and how yeah, this does kind of happen now. Not just war, but passing the lowest dollar to another nation. In Australia, our minimum wage is livable, but a lot of that is because we pay other countries- Indonesia, Bangladesh, Vietnam- to do our cheap ass labour. We can buy $10 t-shirts because we pay people over there 10c to make them.
I can't recommend this series highly enough. Go read it!...more
This was recommended to me by the LCBC, so I quickly went out and bought a copy. This is on the wordy Cannibalism?
Graphic novel?
Superpowers?
I'm there!
This was recommended to me by the LCBC, so I quickly went out and bought a copy. This is on the wordy end of graphic novels, and not exactly something you should read quickly before going to sleep... which I did. Not because of bad dreams, but it's a little slower to read than the standard graphic novel.
I didn't find it nearly as gory as it was made out to be. I was picturing really up close and graphic images of cannibalism, but I found it relatively tame. I have a queasy stomach when it comes to gore, too. But then again, I love horror movies and Hannibal is a favourite TV show of mine, sooo...
I'm going to be grabbing the second volume when my bank account revives itself from this weekend's comic purchases. Yes, I'm five years behind, but hey, I'm catching up!...more
I've recently joined a ladies comic book club! This is a new club, and the very first meeting was held yesterday, and Ms Marvel No Normal was the firsI've recently joined a ladies comic book club! This is a new club, and the very first meeting was held yesterday, and Ms Marvel No Normal was the first comic book we discussed.
I love Ms Marvel- or, should I say, Captain Marvel. I was giddy to get my hands on this volume to begin with, so I was ecstatic to take part in this club and talk about Kamala and the new development for Ms Marvel and her saga.
There's a lot of ideas raised about the concept of finding ones identity in this comic. Kamala is not only a teenage girl, but she's also the child of immigrants, a Muslim in a non-Muslim society and, now, a superhero with shapeshifting powers. Something that was discussed in the book club was that reading the comics one after the other as is presented in this trade paperback is that these identity-searching themes are really hit over and over again. This is true, but I do feel that when they're released individually, they're easier to digest. If No Normal is ever revised (as has happened with House of M and Civil War), then certain parts may be removed to make it less apparent.
I really like how Muslim characters are becoming more common. I have a couple of close friends who are Muslim or were raised Muslim and have since left the faith. I think it's so incredibly important to have a more diverse range of characters in popular fiction, and between Dust/Sooraya (a favourite X-Men character of mine) and now Kamala/Ms Marvel, this is a really positive direction. Combining this with Ms Marvel, I'm really happy.
I can't wait for the second volume to come out. I hate collecting comics individually, so once the second trade paperback is out, I'm snapping that up so quickly....more
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