I'm really enjoying this weird era of Hellboy being lost at sea and just chilling with a bunch of probably ghosts and sea monsters. I miss Mike MignolI'm really enjoying this weird era of Hellboy being lost at sea and just chilling with a bunch of probably ghosts and sea monsters. I miss Mike Mignola's art but I really like the old timey style Gary Gianni brings to this world....more
In previous volumes Hellboy has had other B.P.R.D agents to bounce off, but here he's on his own and consequently it all feels like a weird dream. MigIn previous volumes Hellboy has had other B.P.R.D agents to bounce off, but here he's on his own and consequently it all feels like a weird dream. Mignola draws everything here shrouded in mist or shadow so you're never quite sure what you're looking at.
In the afterword Mignola mentions he wrote this during the production of the first Hellboy film and seeing the character deviate from his own visions wanted to put down on paper some elements of the character that the film depicted differently.
That's my review, but I have also been thinking about Hellboy a lot lately due to the new film coming out. I know Guillermo Del Toro's second Hellboy film was basically nothing like the comicbook character, but those movies are responsible for me becoming a fan of the comics so it still really sucks we never got a conclusion to that story.
I hope this third attempt at the character works since Mignola has never seemed happy with any of the films....more
I like the double act of Hellboy and Roger the Homunculus. They have a nice dynamic, like a couple of grizzled old detectives.
This story picks up someI like the double act of Hellboy and Roger the Homunculus. They have a nice dynamic, like a couple of grizzled old detectives.
This story picks up some threads that were dropped in earlier volumes and in many ways it feels like the conclusion of a larger story arc, as well as the beginning of a new one.
As always Mike Mignola's art is amazing, and I'm sad knowing that he eventually moves away from that aspect of Hellboy. Looking forward to what comes next though....more
I really enjoy the little one-off stories set in the Hellboy universe that helps flesh out the character and the world.
Apparently Mignola only wrote "I really enjoy the little one-off stories set in the Hellboy universe that helps flesh out the character and the world.
Apparently Mignola only wrote "Pancakes" as a joking way of saying he was never going to write about young Hellboy but due to the popularity he ended up revisiting the younger version of the character a few times, so it gets extra points for that alone....more
I'm glad there's another volume, despite Peter Hogan's comments in this book he did say in the last one that he wasn't sure if they were going to do aI'm glad there's another volume, despite Peter Hogan's comments in this book he did say in the last one that he wasn't sure if they were going to do another.
The series has a real Twin Peaks vibe and I enjoy spending time with these characters. The books just feel so short, although at least for once there's a clear indication of what's coming next....more
I've really enjoyed this quiet little series. It's a very slow burn, in that each book focuses on a new area for Harry (the disguised alien doctor) toI've really enjoyed this quiet little series. It's a very slow burn, in that each book focuses on a new area for Harry (the disguised alien doctor) to explore, whether it's a crime, a lead on finally getting off the planet or figuring out how honest he can be with the human friends he's discovered.
There's not a lot of action, or set pieces or hugely tense moments, it's all just driven by the characters and how they all connect in these sleepy little town.
Even the release schedule for these books seem appropriate. Months go by in between books, like nobody is in any rush to finish this series. But, if this is indeed the last book, it's a fitting finale for such an interesting series....more
I said it in my review of "William Gibson's Alien 3", I really like the concept of revisiting old scripts and re-imagining them as comics.
This is veryI said it in my review of "William Gibson's Alien 3", I really like the concept of revisiting old scripts and re-imagining them as comics.
This is very similar to "The Star Wars", the comic adaptation of an early script for Star Wars. The art in this book is very unlike the eventual film "Alien", as it was written long before Ridley Scott, Moebius or H. R. Giger got involved. It helps that all of the characters have different names too, so there's less direct comparisons with the final film.
If you've seen "Alien" then this will all be quite familiar, the plot is mostly the same with some changes. The character names are different, although their charaterisation remains mostly intact. There is no Ash, the android. And the name of the starship is "Snark", presumably a reference to the poem written by Lewis Carroll; as opposed to the named used in the film: "Nostromo", presumably a reference to the novel by Joseph Conrad.
The design of everything from the planet, the uniforms, starship and the alien itself are all quite different from the final film, so there's a novelty in reading this alternate universe version of "Star Beast".
This isn't one of those cases where I dream of what might have been. The film is a masterpiece in science fiction horror and all elements come together beautifully. It is nice to see this as a first draft, as how with a few tweaks a good script can become an amazing film....more
I read the first part of this some time ago but decided to wait until it was all collected before reading the rest. For some reason I didn't really liI read the first part of this some time ago but decided to wait until it was all collected before reading the rest. For some reason I didn't really like the art as much, because it was less like screenshots from the show and more stylised.
Well, I was wrong because the art looks fantastic. It's still definitely Avatar, all the characters look right, they've just been adjusted to fit into the static medium of comics, and it works great, particularly the colouring and shading.
The story mainly focuses on the rift between benders and non-benders that has begun to appear in a post-war world. It's an interesting change from the nation vs nation mentality of the original series and begins to bridge the gap between 'The Last Airbender' and 'Legend of Korra'.
It also continues to build upon characters that were created in earlier volumes of this comic, so overall it has a really nice sense of continuity.
All of the characters (for the most part) get their moments to shine. I adored Sokka in the TV series so it's nice to see him take such a big part of this story. He's the perfect mix of goofy and genuinely one of the most intelligent (if not always wise) characters in 'The Last Airbender'. He sees things the other characters don't. Partly it's because he's a non-bender and has to work a lot harder to accomplish his goals, and partly because he's the best.
Aang vents his frustration that technology is slowly becoming more prevalent in their world, and Sokka gently reminds him that as a non-bender, technology helps even the playing field for everyone. It's not always going to be a good thing to have machines replace people, but it's something we all have to come to terms with.
Katara feels somewhat underused in this story, but she plays an important part in counseling Aang when he considers taking away the bending powers of an opponent. She describes it as an absolute last resort because it's essentially like removing part of someone, taking away a limb or a sense. If he's going to do that he needs to be sure the punishment really does fit the crime.
This is such a great continuation of the show, and it's so easy to understand why it's had a resurgence recently with the addition to Netflix. It may get dismissed as a kids show but it's so much more than that.
This giant hardcover volume collects the first two Hellboy trade paperbacks. I love Mike Mignola's drawing style for Hellboy, it's a really unique takThis giant hardcover volume collects the first two Hellboy trade paperbacks. I love Mike Mignola's drawing style for Hellboy, it's a really unique take and suits the world perfectly.
In fact one of the reasons I stopped reading Hellboy is because he moved away from the art and it just wasn't the same without it.
I think part of the reason I like it so much is because it's very much unlike most other artists of the time, this book doesn't look like something that was written in the early nineties. Comics back then tended to have a certain style and this definitely comes across in a more timeless fashion.
I like both stories, but they feel very much like they're building towards something, just little hints at future storylines while getting the reader used to these characters.
This is a really nice edition with some additional sketches at the end as well as an afteword from Mignola at the back. It's not so much that all of the artwork is blown up a lot, it's just given a lot more space on the page which really suits the ominous, mythical artwork. ...more
The thing that I love about gaming over the past ten years is how immersive the storytelling is. As a reader I'm obviously all about the story and chaThe thing that I love about gaming over the past ten years is how immersive the storytelling is. As a reader I'm obviously all about the story and character, and I love that games like God Of War have found a really touching story in a series that has traditionally been about killing giant monsters.
I don't think you need to be overly familiar with the God of War series to enjoy this book. Aside from being a God in exile, Kratos is very relatable, he's just trying to control his rage while trying to learn how to be a father, two things that occasionally crossover.
The artwork suits the Norse flavour of the world, Kratos looks fairly spot on, while Atreus is a bit hit or miss.
The story itself is short, but it's a good introduction for anyone not familiar with the characters. My only real concern is that because this takes place before the most recent game, I'm concerned that there's nowhere else to go. Most of Kratos and Atreus's character development happens in the game, so while I enjoyed seeing the characters again, unless the next volume takes place even earlier, during or after the game, I'm worried it will lose steam.
That being said, I'm looking forward to the next volume to see where the story is heading....more
I was concerned that this book was going to completely retcon or ignore the previous five volumes. Thankfully I was completely mistaken. It builds upoI was concerned that this book was going to completely retcon or ignore the previous five volumes. Thankfully I was completely mistaken. It builds upon those stories and characters as well as expanding upon the gap between "The Last Airbender" and "The Legend of Korra".
In fact I'd suggest that anyone who is interested in continuing the Avatar journey to read the previous five arcs before jumping into this one because of how interconnected it is to those stories.
My main issue is that it's such a short book that it feels incomplete. Previously I read the library editions that were combinations of three shorter books which gave the arc a more complete feel. I think I will hold off reading volume two of "Imbalance" until the third volume has been released. At this point it's too early for me to form a view of this story.
I miss the artwork from the previous volumes. Each page looked like it was a screenshot straight from the show, it was beautiful. This time around the art has more of the artist's own style while still being recognisably Avatar... but I prefer the previous style if I'm being entirely honest. But don't get me wrong, it is a really nice take on the art.
This series feels very unlike all other comics. It's like those small town murder mystery shows where despite having a population of 74 someone gets kThis series feels very unlike all other comics. It's like those small town murder mystery shows where despite having a population of 74 someone gets killed every week and it's up to the plucky unorthodox local detective to sort it out.
So, it's kind of like that except featuring an alien in hiding. And it's awesome.
This volume was a little different in that Harry is off to New York, the first time away from a small town to investigate yet another mystery, but one that might hold the key to him getting home, if that's actually what he really wants.
What I find most interesting about this series is how relatable Harry is, despite being an alien from another world. He's so... human. And I guess that's kind of the point. We're all feel like weird aliens at times, but it's when we make that connection with someone else that makes us feel a little less alone and forces us to question if our current goal is what we really want....more
The making of the film Alien 3 is arguably more interesting than the film itself. It went through so many variations, so many writers and directors weThe making of the film Alien 3 is arguably more interesting than the film itself. It went through so many variations, so many writers and directors were attached, multiple ideas were attempted and rejected that it's astounding (or completely unsurprising) that the final product was as lackluster as it was.
I really love the idea of going back to original scripts and publishing them, either as books or beautifully illustrated comics as has been done many times before. So, when I heard William Gibson's original script for Alien 3 was being adapted for comics, I knew I'd have to get it.
He takes the story in a very different direction from the final film, arguably a more interesting one. The biggest drawback is the lack of Ellen Ripley's character, a requirement as Sigourney Weaver wasn't planning on returning at that stage. It does allow Corporal Hicks played by Michael Biehn in Aliens to take a more central role, but his actual character isn't all that fleshed out... he mostly reacts to what's going on around him.
The story is much more about biological warfare and combines the horror of the first with the action of the second. Whether it would have worked as a film is anyone's guess but I think it would have been more interesting than the one we got. It also left the door open for what could have been the most interesting sequel of the franchise.
The artwork is pretty solid, although of the characters based on actors only Bishop really looks like Lance Henriksen. The variations of the xenomorphs were interesting and I really liked the design of some of the space stations.
As a stand-alone sequel to the Alien franchise this book is mildly entertaining, but the appeal of seeing what could have been is the real draw-card....more
This series just hasn't really clicked with me. I really tried to like it, but at most I was vaguely interested.
I like the concept, but I don't care aThis series just hasn't really clicked with me. I really tried to like it, but at most I was vaguely interested.
I like the concept, but I don't care about any of the characters. I feel like they all deserve the world they live in... and the constant search for The Massive feels like a will-they-or-won't-they love affair between two characters in a tediously long running sitcom.
I feel bad because I'm sure this was planned from the beginning and it will reward those who make it to the end, but I just can't do it. ...more
The first part of the story focuses mostly on a single character and those around him, his choices and consequences. The second is a series of vignettThe first part of the story focuses mostly on a single character and those around him, his choices and consequences. The second is a series of vignettes following several others during the time period.
I enjoyed the stories, although at times I found the artwork a little difficult to follow.
If, like me, you wish there were more stories set during the Revolutionary War, this is the comic for you. ...more
I really love Gabriel Bá's art. It's so irrevocably linked to The Umbrella Academy I can't imagine anyone else drawing this.
This story has been a longI really love Gabriel Bá's art. It's so irrevocably linked to The Umbrella Academy I can't imagine anyone else drawing this.
This story has been a long time coming, and it's nice to see these characters again. At times this feels like a story that has quite an epic scope, but still manages to keep it grounded by focusing on the core family and their really weird dynamic. This story feels more like a traditional superhero comic, and it's kind of weird for this universe. I like that Gerard Way keeps things fresh by changing it up with each volume, he keeps it very self contained but with enough hints for future storylines. Although this volume hints at future books in a much more overt fashion.
This is also the first time I've gone back and visited these character since watching the TV Show, so there's a little bit of a mental gear shift since I really like that show but the characters are very different in a lot of ways.
It wasn't my favourite volume, but a pretty enjoyable entry into the Umbrella Academy series....more
I really like the Umbrella Academy and if you like the first one, this is for you.
Although all of the kids get some screentime, this is very much FiveI really like the Umbrella Academy and if you like the first one, this is for you.
Although all of the kids get some screentime, this is very much Five's story. You get to see what happened to him while he was away all that time, what turned him into the person he is.
There's a real comedic darkness to this universe, and it's thanks in no small part to Gabriel Bá's unique take on these characters. A cosmic horror comedy, that's what this is on occasion.
The overall storyline involving a plot to assassinate JFK is a well worn trope, and it's not my favourite part of the story. I've seen this what-if many times now and while I like the simple explanation of why JFK needed to die, I would have been happy to see a different scenario.
In the afterword Gerard Way mentions he's not sure what comes next for the Umbrella Academy. Well, I sure wish he'd figure it out....more
It's with some sadness that I finish this final Avatar book. I've become very attached to these characters over the past few months, so it's with mixeIt's with some sadness that I finish this final Avatar book. I've become very attached to these characters over the past few months, so it's with mixed feelings I bid them farewell.
I still have *The Legend of Korra* to go, but it's this Team Avatar I love, so it will be hard to let them go.
This final book gave everyone a chance to shine, all the major characters are part of this story. I'm glad it focused mostly on Katara and Sokka who have felt a bit like secondary characters for many of these books. I love that it ends where it all started for them, back in their (not so little) village.
The overarching themes about expansion and colonialism have featured heavily in these stories, and I'm sure it's a nice bridge between the two animated series. It's nice to see the heroes on different sides of these issues as it goes to show there's no single easy answer.
The artwork throughout was great, it was like the show but with added touches that weren't possible in an animated fashion. Great series, I'm glad I got the library editions....more
The artwork continues to be fantastic to the point where it might as well be screenshots from an episode. The characters don't look exactly the same aThe artwork continues to be fantastic to the point where it might as well be screenshots from an episode. The characters don't look exactly the same a lot of the time but it works. Aang for example seems older, not a lot but enough that he's not that little kid anymore.
This is another story featuring the differences between Aang and Zuko and their respective leadership styles. Zuko continues to struggle with being Fire Lord, which I appreciate. It shouldn't be easy and I'm glad he acknowledges it.
I missed Katara and Sokka, but I know they'll be back. Writing stories about particular characters allows them to be even more fleshed out rather than constantly including ALL of the major recurring players.
For those who wanted to know the answer to Zuko's final question in the series "Where is my mother?", this is for you. I don't think you'll be disappoFor those who wanted to know the answer to Zuko's final question in the series "Where is my mother?", this is for you. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
The volume is primarily about Zuko and Azula and their relationship with their mother. I loved seeing the flashbacks to them as children... Azula was always manipulative and jealous of her brother's relationship with her mother. And Zuko... ah, poor little Zuko. Even in the show they seemed to make him an adorable kid just to enhance the sadness when he gets beaten. He's basically the punching bag of the Avatar universe. No matter how many times he's smacked down he just keeps getting back up again.
Zuko's arc is my favourite of all the characters in the TV Show. He starts out as the main (and incredibly unlikable) antagonist, but as the viewer learns more and more about him, he becomes such a sympathetic character that by the end of the show you want him to win.
This story continues Zuko's arc in unexpected directions and this time Azula comes along for the ride. She's just as interesting a character as Zuko, particularly in her mentally unstable state. The continued contrast between those two siblings and Katara and Sokka shows how important family is to the Avatar universe. Something that's been apparent since Katara invited Aang to be part of theirs.
My only complaint, not enough Toph. But I understand why she needed to take a backseat to allow Azula to (temporarily?) join the Gaang. ...more
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