Most guys I know tell me that I know tell me that they don't care too much about cozy mystery novellas like these, but I will point them in this direcMost guys I know tell me that I know tell me that they don't care too much about cozy mystery novellas like these, but I will point them in this direction. Sure, Darcy does one of my least favorite character traits. She abdicates responsibility for her actions sometimes by claiming that she just has to. That is the stupidest reason in the world to do something. It means that you don't have agency o your own actions. Ugh!
Now, with that caveat out of the way, there are many more reasons to like this boxed set. The first being that it is a boxed set -- more bang (more stories) for your money. For the most part Darcy is likeable, interesting, with affectations that make her believable despite the paranormal elements.
Darcy is the owner of a bookstore, who also gets inclinations from beyond, little psychic nudges that compel her to specific investigatory actions. In the first novella, Darcy's cat plays a significant role in helping her become involved in the investigation, when she finds her best friend's corpse. From there, we learn that her sister, a police detective, has an attractive new partner. The sparks fly in disparate ways.
The characters are strong, likeable, and believable. There are strong psychic, paranormal vibes that permeate the books, but I didn't find them overly deus ex machina obnoxious. Some cozies, unfortunately make the paranormal a crutch for ghost stories. Emrick recognizes IMHO that first and foremost, these are mysteries, and she gives them that priority. I liked them a lot except for my tiny caveat. Entertaining....more
I reiterate something that I've been saying for the past couple of years. I love these 1000-page digests published by Archie Comics. Basically, the coI reiterate something that I've been saying for the past couple of years. I love these 1000-page digests published by Archie Comics. Basically, the company takes a catalogue of what amounts to 80 years of history, repackages, and reprints on high quality thicker, glossy stock paper some of its disparate stories to fill a massive trade paperback. Overall, the anthology is humorous with a very good mix of newer to older stories.
To give you an accurate idea of the creative talents which have collaborated with Archie over the many years, I offer a comprehensive, though not exhaustive list. Some of the writers and artists credited are Frank Doyle, Chic Stone, Harry Lucey, Alex Simmons, George Gladir, Stan Goldberg, Sam Schwartz, Dan Parent, Mike Esposito, Bill Yoshida, Jack Morelli, Rudy Lapick, Al Milgrom, Fernando Ruiz, Dan DeCarlo, Carlos Antunes, Kathleen Webb, and really way too many to mention. It is even more impressive that the characters all pretty much look exactly the same regardless of who pens them.
The reader is treated to the stories and silly pranks of the usual characters: Archie, Veronica, Betty, Jughead, Reggie, Sabrina, Moose, Josie and the rest of the gang, along with the adults, parents, and teachers that take part in the lives of these individuals. Some flow organically while others are part of on-going features such as Digest Fashions where readers are invited to send drawings of Betty and Veronica in original couture creations.
There are puzzles and mazes included as well as one-page, half-page quick jab jokes. The vault stories are actually stories from the 1940s, before Archie's inimitable look became iconic. Overall, this was a fun collection that was full of laughs and nostalgia. Well-worth the price of admission. It receives my highest recommendation....more
I really have enjoyed this Michael Lister Box Set. I read the first novel before, so I was familiar with the characters and his writing style. The triI really have enjoyed this Michael Lister Box Set. I read the first novel before, so I was familiar with the characters and his writing style. The trilogy was pretty strong. Lister has a great grasp of his characters, and although they behave in self-destructive ways sometimes, I enjoy the drama.
Lucas Burke and Alix Baker are adults who were foster siblings as children. They are not just brother and sister; they are best friends who have dedicated themselves to finding disappeared children. Their Private Investigator partnership is augmented by their other foster siblings who have their own careers but are disposed to help.
The first two novels involve the supposed abduction of a mother and infant daughter disappearing during vacation and the disappearance of a little girl during a hurricane while her parents were attending a hurricane party. Both of those stories are emotionally heavy due to the victims being children. Those novels are: The Night Of, and The Night in Question respectively.
The last novel involves the disappearance of a soon-to-be bride during her bachelorette party at a bar in All Night Long. I like the stories. Lister writes in a way that is emotionally impactful. The relationship between Burke and Blade is more ride or die than most blood siblings. I loved this collection which was available for free when the collection was recently published....more
On the Knife's Edge is a compilation of three novels, all of which are paranormal mysteries, involving various aspects of investigation and things thaOn the Knife's Edge is a compilation of three novels, all of which are paranormal mysteries, involving various aspects of investigation and things that go bump in the night. The stories are all just OK tales that want to be better, but the stories all individually and collectively, fail. In a paranormal mystery, one of the most important things the writer must overcome is disbelief, and having three successive are a bridge too far.
Under Dark Skies has two unique FBI agents team up to investigate a cult leader, his flock, and the farm that they call home. Although the story is strong, and the characters are interesting, their similarity to Scully and Mulder are too on the nose. It kept interfering with the joy.
By the same token, the second book called Bluff City Butcher, is not just a hunt for a serial killer. The story is so complex that the writer must split the novel into four parts. It involves a "fountain of youth" type of medical situation bordering on super soldier chemistry.
Who By Water involves a regular person (Jo) that can communicate with the dead. Because the recently deceased are familial contacts, Jo feels impelled to investigate the murders. As you may see, these novels are really more derivative. It is really Bluff City Butcher that stands alone as more of an original story. I wish the author would have figured out a less complex way to tell that story.
Therefore, I can only give a rating of good for this compilation....more
Caveats first. I liked the full set because it delves into dark themes, of revenge, fantasy, sword and sorcery, demonology, soul possession, witchcrafCaveats first. I liked the full set because it delves into dark themes, of revenge, fantasy, sword and sorcery, demonology, soul possession, witchcraft, vampirism, lycanthropy, other were beasts, and monsters. There's a single-mindedness that drives me nuts sometimes with a character so compelled to be blinded by the carnage left in her wake. When you feel that everywhere you turn, people are turning against you, everyone is turning against you, maybe they are not the problem.
Revenge of the Witch is a boxed set of five novels of a continuing saga: part dark fantasy, part gothic horror, sword and sorcery, urban fantasy, apocalyptic nightmare mashup. The collected novels are: Demon Hunter; Demon Slayer; Demon Destroyer; Demon Punisher; and Blood Moon.
The Black Witch, Annis, is out for revenge because her mother killed her human father and her mother, Amelia is an immortal Witch Queen, who left her own daughter to be captured by Archdemons, tortured and tormented in a Lake of Fire by Necromancers and dark priests. When she escapes, she possesses the body of a lovely human woman. Her actions cause her to become a wanted and sought after villain.
There are numerous fight scenes against disparate monsters. There is a heavy amount of gore, blood, and grotesqueries. The violence is graphic, and the sex is not. I think my only complaint lies in the fact that the boxed set gave me a sense that this was a complete story. Which in one sense it is, but in another sense, there is more. I thought the box set was the whole story. It is not. I took off one star because I thought I bought the whole story. I did not....more
As the lay pastor of a Latino, Presbyterian church called Cristo Rey (Christ the King) in the community of Guaniquilla, a suburb of Cabo Rojo, Puerto As the lay pastor of a Latino, Presbyterian church called Cristo Rey (Christ the King) in the community of Guaniquilla, a suburb of Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico for the past two years, I have found this text to be an invaluable resource in my sermon preparation. The Interlineal was left to me by my dad who was pastoring the congregation before I arrived.
Truth be told, he rarely used it, believing that understanding the translations were beyond the ken of his elderly congregation. My dad is still a very good preacher, but I have a little more experience in pedagogy. Dad marvels at my usage and how the Interlineal assists in clarity and amplification of key words.
Simply put the Interlineal shows each scripture verse in the original Greek and directly beneath each word is the Spanish translation. True that you need to know how to read the Greek, and what the definition of each word means, the conjugation, and tenses, but part of my time at seminary was dedicated to learning Greek.
Great text, useful tool, easy to use, and a worthwhile pursuit, if you have significant understanding of the Greek language....more
Tigra: The Complete Collection TPB (trade paperback) #1 is an anthology of Marvel comic book stories about the superhero Tigra. The TPB format is a hiTigra: The Complete Collection TPB (trade paperback) #1 is an anthology of Marvel comic book stories about the superhero Tigra. The TPB format is a high gloss, upgrade, reprint of Marvel comic books meant to collect similar themed stories in a convenient book form. One of my consistent complaints is that the term "Complete" is misleading. Tigra has appeared on a few superhero teams and those issues have not been included here.
I do love the format, and have felt enlightened by the stories included, but would always prefer more. I know that Tigra has enjoyed relationships with some of her Avengers teammates: Henry Pym, Wonder Man, and Star fox. She actually currently has a son with Henry Pym, but none of that drama is included in these stories.
The collection includes: The Claws of the Cat (1972) miniseries #1-4; Marvel Team-up (1972) #8, 67, and 125; Giant-Size Creatures (1974) #1; Marvel Chillers (1976) #3-7; Marvel Two-in-One (1974) #19; Marvel Premiere (1978) #42; Tigra miniseries #1-4; and material from Monsters Unleashed (1973) #10.
Tigra was originally designed to be a feminist icon by Linda Fite and Marie Severin in the 1970s, but as her story became more convoluted and complicated some of those story elements were lost. She was the passive spouse of a police officer killed in the line of duty, who had attended college, but married the cop before graduating. When she tried to find work after her husband's death, she found that most of the jobs for women were actually secretarial in nature and she wanted to continue as a lab assistant.
She managed to become the lab assistant of her former professor who was developing a formula that enhanced feline abilities. You can guess what happens next. Along with those abilities, she then begins to investigate the death of her husband. Thus begins the adventurous life of Greer Grant Nelson aka Tigra. Fun graphic novel, with beautiful artwork, lush color and just a high-class work....more
The Haunting of Daisy Dawkins is a double novel, anthology collecting two of Alexandria Clarke's books, and selling them at a markedly low price. (TheThe Haunting of Daisy Dawkins is a double novel, anthology collecting two of Alexandria Clarke's books, and selling them at a markedly low price. (They sometimes can be found for free or 99 cents.) Who doesn't love a great deal? Especially so, when stories are both strong and linked thematically by a ghost / haunted home trope where the inhabitant becomes aware of the spiritual presence of a previous tenant.
One novel takes place on Coyote Island, where a publishing house holds writer's retreats where they assist writers to find literary agents to help sell their work. There is a murder mystery that threatens to shorten the retreat, but there are always intrepid souls that are willing to risk harm for the sake of fame, or a few weeks of focused solitude. Too bad that there's a specter causing trouble or rescuing from trouble. Who knows?
The second novel is a lot more involved with subplots, intrigue, and insidious villainy. Bodhi and Bailey are a husband-and-wife team of house flippers with a blog. They lost their daughter early in their marriage and have channeled their restlessness into a mostly successful partnership that has become more perfunctory and less a marriage.
Their work on the Winchester House has underscored a marked imperative to determine the viability of a continued partnership or the dissolution of such. The house is a keeper of secrets, and there were questions about possible murder that have remained subverted in its detritus. Do Bodhi and Bailey have enough love left to not only investigate the house but reconstruct their marriage.
I enjoyed both novels very much. The characters were not always likeable, but they kept my attention. I felt various emotions. The plots reached me. There's a lot to like here....more
I usually begin my reviews with caveats as to why I'm rating and reviewing something a certain way. I think it is especially important when rating somI usually begin my reviews with caveats as to why I'm rating and reviewing something a certain way. I think it is especially important when rating something that might include some people's sacred cows such as the JSA (Justice Society of America) seems to be for some fans, that I write this with transparency and sensitivity.
I have never been a fan of the JSA, although I have read occasional JSA and All Stars comic books in the past. I only decided to read the TPB because I have enjoyed the Stargirl TV show and wanted some background on the characters: Starman / Stargirl, Hour-Man, Wildcat, Atom, Flash, Green Lantern, Hawkman, Dr. Fate, Spectre, and Sandman. This was very different from the TV show.
The trade paperback before me is a compilation of snippets from the 75-year history of the Justice Society of America. Small problem, the history being shared is that of an alternate world, Earth-2, with more alternate Earths included along the way. Then the Justice League crosses over a great deal, almost completely dominating the first half of the TPB, which seems to predicate its entire existence on the Justice League? It's not clear. The JSA are supposed to be Golden Age and the JLA are Silver Age.
The snippets being offered do not give complete stories so what you're getting is really just a hodge podge of incomplete story arcs. Since I never followed the comics, I was mostly lost. Lastly, when I read the title, my thought was that this was supposed to be a "Celebration," usually a joyous event where the best of the magazine's run is underscored. That did not happen.
I think a better way to have given readers a taste, would have been to reprint a complete story arc complete with an introduction to the villains and a wrap-up. What the reader received is some fascinating tidbits, but almost joyless, perfunctory noise. My two cents. Sorry....more
This has to be one of the most unique things I have ever read. Clearly, a student of the classic work by Chaucer, Jonathan Maas has channeled an EngliThis has to be one of the most unique things I have ever read. Clearly, a student of the classic work by Chaucer, Jonathan Maas has channeled an English literature students' complex understanding of the work, and created an homage that echoes, while simultaneously layering a whole mess of more, on what could be considered a postmodern sequel.
Full Disclosure: I'm a big Jonathan Maas fan. I like most of the things he writes. Up until recently, it was almost exclusively horror-related, but this experimental humor was something too alluring to pass up. Immediately, I was intrigued, but I'm one of those people that avoid roller coasters.
My now adult children always required that I would accompany them at least once on whatever experimental "thrill" the sadists at Six Flags had developed for the season. The approach to the contraption was always torture and made my insides rue the ride, but invariably stepping off the roller coaster there was usually a moment of "I'm kind of glad I did that." There was a similar fear here at the bawdiness, which admittedly could have been much worst.
I give Maas a lot of credit for his intellect that sometimes works at a level of sophistication above mortal ken. You may have the expectation of something crass, and yet some of the critique of postmodern politics, religion, and culture hit with such discerning accuracy that one is forced to say "Ouch!" in the midst of giggles, laughter, and outright guffaws.
The book begins with the dating life of an African American woman, who becomes the guest of the Archbeaver and is given the opportunity to entertain fellow dinner congregants the way Chaucer models in his work. There are a huge number of witticisms, puns, and outright wordplay. Some of it is infantile (especially the toilet humor), but there is also the elevated sophistication characteristic of Maas' work. Damn! The man can write!...more
Dragon Age: The First Five Graphic Novels is a short anthology collection of graphic novels based on the Dragon Age fantasy, video games. Dragon Age iDragon Age: The First Five Graphic Novels is a short anthology collection of graphic novels based on the Dragon Age fantasy, video games. Dragon Age itself is a multi-media franchise that was developed by BioWare on multiple gaming platforms. Although the property began as a gaming platform, it has adapted and grown into books, novels, comics, animated TV, and Web series. There are also action figures, statues, and other licensed collectibles.
Here, David Gaider, BioWare, and the Dark Horse creative teams have edited five of the first graphic novels and compiled this lovely anthology. The high gloss paper makes the artwork pop. Chad Hardin, Carmen Carnero, Terry Pallot, Fernando Heinz Furukawa did the interior artwork, with some incredible paintings on the cover and interior plates by Sachin Teng and Anthony Palumbo.
The actual writing is a little more difficult to judge. The Dragon Age videogames incorporate a more complicated narrative than other roleplaying games and although complex, the videogame is very user friendly and didactic in its instructions. Therefore, if one is familiar with the gameplay, it is easier to follow, whereas if one is not. . .
The five separate stories told therein are all fantasy tropes familiar to lovers of the genre. The first novel is called, "The Silent Grove," and it's about the current king on a quest to find his father that never returned from his own quest. The second and third novels are called "Those Who Speak" and "Until we Sleep" respectively, and they continue the quest from the first novel. "Magekiller," is a search and destroy mission and "Knight Errant," book five is about a cutpurse tasked with swiping a special artifact.
Although the missions may appear a tad mundane in the grand scope of things, the Dragon Age milieu complicates the narrative in a fascinating way....more
I love these 1000-page digests published by Archie Comics. Basically, the company takes a catalogue of what amounts to 80 years of history, repackagesI love these 1000-page digests published by Archie Comics. Basically, the company takes a catalogue of what amounts to 80 years of history, repackages, and reprints on high quality thicker, glossy stock paper disparate stories to fill a massive trade paperback. Overall, the anthology is humorous with a very good mix of newer to older stories.
To give you an accurate idea of the creative talents which have collaborated with Archie over the many years, I offer a comprehensive, though not exhaustive list. Some of the writers and artists credited are Frank Doyle, Chic Stone, Harry Lucey, Alex Simmons, George Gladir, Stan Goldberg, Sam Schwartz, Dan Parent, Mike Esposito, Bill Yoshida, Jack Morelli, Rudy Lapick, Al Milgrom, Fernando Ruiz, Dan DeCarlo, Carlos Antunes, Kathleen Webb, and really way too many to mention.
The reader is treated to the stories and vicissitudes of the usual characters: Archie, Veronica, Betty, Jughead, Reggie, Sabrina, Moose, Josie and the rest of the gang, along with the adults, parents, and teachers that take part in the lives of these individuals. Some flow organically while others are part of on-going features such as Digest Fashions where readers are invited to send drawings of Betty and Veronica in original couture creations.
There are puzzles and mazes included as well as one-page, half-page quick jab jokes, various pin-ups and even two fifty-page excerpts called "From the Vault." The vault stories are actually stories from the 1940s, before Archie's inimitable look became iconic. There are two big sections fully 50-page clusters highlighting the classic work.
Overall, this was a fun collection that was full of laughs and nostalgia. Well-worth the price of admission. It receives my highest recommendation....more
If you have followed my reviews this year, you will notice that I have read a lot of ERB. I finished all I could tolerate of John Carter (7 books); I If you have followed my reviews this year, you will notice that I have read a lot of ERB. I finished all I could tolerate of John Carter (7 books); I know there's more, but I was annoyed by the lack of John Carter in the latter books which are supposed to be the John Carter of Mars series. Good stories, but the redundant plots by surrogate characters are annoying.
Now, I'm reading Tarzan's 24 book series. I have them all and I have read 5 so far. I'm currently on the sixth, but I have also read some of the graphic novels anthologizing the Tarzan comics. The Complete Joe Kubert Years Omnibus is the latest completed.
Joe Kubert was a great artist known for his war comics: Sgt. Rock, the Haunted Tank, and G. I. Combat. In the 70s, he was in charge of writing and drawing Tarzan. His incredible artistic style is distinct with a lot of feathering and facial expressions that overtly conveyed emotion.
As a boyhood fan of Tarzan, and a clear reader of the books, it is obvious that some of the novels and stories found their way into his run in the Tarzan comics. It was a smart move to allow himself to be influenced by such a master as ERB. Kubert's comic book covers are dynamic. The one-page splash pages sing, and the two-page splashes are murals filled to overflowing with story. Even in the actual scripted work, Kubert imitates the purple prose, lyrical language that was one of ERB's strengths. This work is gorgeous, and worthy of a high recommendation....more
Jungle Tales of Tarzan is another great Tarzan book, number six in the series, differentiated from the previous five novels as an anthologized collectJungle Tales of Tarzan is another great Tarzan book, number six in the series, differentiated from the previous five novels as an anthologized collection of twelve loosely connected stories of Tarzan in his youth. As typical of ERB's work, the stories each originally appeared in a pulp magazine (in this case Blue Book magazine) before being published as a book in 1919.
I chose to go back and add a trigger warning because there are insensitive, racially charged vocabulary and characterizations inherent in works that were published a century ago. As a Latino, I'm especially attuned for even hints at cultural disrespect, but I personally give a pass to those works of a differing cultural milieu. BTW, not all of the black characters are treated as a monolithic, villainous trope.
One of the joys I received in re-reading Jungle Tales is the wonderful details added to these "studies" as they focus on differing aspects of Tarzan's life. The initial story is called "Tarzan's First Love," which serves to highlight his immense loneliness despite his membership to the tribe. His affection of Teeka is profound, and a magnificent way to introduce the book.
Along the way, there are stories involving Tarzan's enduring friendships with Tantor the elephant, and Taug his ape rival for Teeka, while also establishing his enmity with two witch doctors named Bukawai and Rabba Kega. Not all of Tarzan's challenges are physical confrontations with the fauna: one might mention his fights with Numa, Sheeta, and Hista.
There are mental, intellectual challenges that might have been better met had he grown with the cultural, familial background and support of a normal child: questioning his understanding of God, asking the existential questions, and experiencing illness for the first time with all of its inherent difficulties. Overall, another fantastic book by the inimitable ERB....more
First and foremost, I have been enjoying my choices for my 2024 goal of books in the TPB (trade paperback format). So many of these are anthology collFirst and foremost, I have been enjoying my choices for my 2024 goal of books in the TPB (trade paperback format). So many of these are anthology collections of classic work that would otherwise prove cost prohibitive. This collection of the 1947 Dell Comics, Tarzan magazines was gathered by Dark Horse Comics into a gorgeous paperback edition that I highly recommend to any and every Tarzan enthusiast.
Obviously, there is deliberate acknowledgment that Edgar Rice Burroughs was the creator of Tarzan and that all of these stories have roots in the established canon, but there is also an attempt to make the magazine universe its own thing. Gaylord Dubois gets writing credit on the cover for the edition, where other writers have contributed, their work is also credited. Jesse Marsh is the main artist, but other artists helped when dealing with deadlines. The illustrated work is antiquated but stellar IMHO.
Included in the volume are characters from the Tarzan ethos: Paul Darnot, Muviro, La, Boy, and Jane. Places like Opar, and Tohr are rendered beautifully, and a bunch of Tarzan ape-English vocabulary is interspersed throughout like pages from a dictionary. There is also a page with Tarzan's animal friends like Tantor the elephant, Pacco the zebra, Mangani the ape, Manu the monkey, and Bolgani the gorilla.
I loved it and have enjoyed the ERB fanboy lovefest. I hope to continue to gush....more
To be honest, Winnie-the-Pooh was never in my childhood memory as a character I was aware existed. Sure, there were toys and cartoons, but since I hadTo be honest, Winnie-the-Pooh was never in my childhood memory as a character I was aware existed. Sure, there were toys and cartoons, but since I had dozens of other childhood go-to characters, I never needed to read the books or know the supporting cast.
When my then wife got pregnant with our first child, she wanted to decorate the baby's room with the characters from the One Hundred Acre Wood. I figured I ought to learn the characters and read the stories since my kid's childhood would revolve around Pooh. She actually drew all the characters and glued the pictures on reinforced cardboard to attach to the wall.
It was through her, and her illustrations that I learned about Tigger, Piglet, Eeyore, Rabbit, Owl, Kanga and Roo. In fact, she even drew a Christopher Robin figure that she only put up when our first son was born. She felt that Christopher Robin should only go up if we had a boy.
Now, as the years in front of me are less than the years behind me, I realized that I had never read the original Winnie-the-Pooh book by A.A. Milne. I had grabbed it a long time ago and had it occupying space on my Kindle. The book is ten chapters. Ten short silly, funny stories that really show that Pooh is not very smart, but loveable.
I totally get why the stories appeal and why my ex-wife loved those characters. There was an attractive, innocent, whimsy which makes you want to giggle. Definitely, a classic in my book....more
Rom was the first comic book I collected from the first to the end, issue #1 to issue #75, along with 4 double sized Annuals. The writing was surprisiRom was the first comic book I collected from the first to the end, issue #1 to issue #75, along with 4 double sized Annuals. The writing was surprisingly good that I just kept picking up each issue. On those rare occasions I missed an issue for lack of funds, I would ride around searching distinct comic shops to find back issues and put them on hold.
Bill Mantlo never received a lot of credit for his work. Clearly, he had a talent for writing action, adventure, melodrama, and Rom was the perfect way to highlight that skill. He wrote every issue and was deemed worthy of other assignments that he completed with aplomb. His career was cut short by a hit and run driver that left him mentally impaired.
As for Rom, he became greatest of the Space Knights when his planet Galador was attacked by the Dire Wraiths, a race of shapeshifters that intended to conquer Galador. Rom was the first of a thousand to volunteer to don the armor of a Space Knight. When they turned away the Wraiths, the Space Knights decided to continue to seek out the Dire Wraiths until making the race extinct.
The comic books included in this collection run from Rom issue #1 to #29 along with Powerman and Iron Fist #73. Sal Buscema did a fantastic job with the art and Greg LaRocque with others filled in when necessary. These stories all revolve around the Wraiths attacking Earth. The X-Men, the Fantastic Four, the Incredible Hulk, Jack of Hearts, and Nova all guest star. Even Galactus and Terrax have a visit.
Clearly, I was a fan. Re-reading these stories fulfilled a certain sense of nostalgia. You forget how much these comics mean to you. There are memories tied to our collective libraries, and this one was especially important to me....more
Since the 70s up to and including as recently as the early 2000s, Aquaman has had the unfortunate reputation to be relegated to a second-tier level stSince the 70s up to and including as recently as the early 2000s, Aquaman has had the unfortunate reputation to be relegated to a second-tier level status despite being an original founding member of the Justice League. Some might even say relegating him to a second tier is overly generous. I like Aquaman, so D-list might be as low as I would go. The costume change was a mistake, except when he lost his hand and looked very much like an oceanic Norse god. Much of the attempts to restore him have failed.
The Aquaman: 80 Years of the King of the Seven Seas Vol. 1: The Deluxe Edition trade paperback endeavors to not only serve as a reminder of Aquaman as a legitimate metahuman superhero, but also highlight some of the ridiculous deviations that have hindered the characters success. Included in this anthology are cherry-picked transformational event stories that have resulted in a maturing vision of Aquaman.
There are way too many artists and writers to mention, that have contributed to the mythos: some not even included in this compilation (like John Byrne), but there are others that I will take note of such as: Mort Weisinger, Otto Binder, Neal Pozner, Peter David, Paul Levitz, Keith Giffen, G. Willow Wilson, Geoff Johns, and Dan Abnett. As for artists, I make special mention of: Paul Norris, Ramona Fradon, Jim Aparo, Mike Grell, Curt Swan, and Stjepan Sejic.
The TPB (trade paperback) itself is a gorgeous, high-gloss paper, work that was designed to capitalize on the movie release, but honestly as a fan, I was surprised that the stories were really designed to be more finger food than a massive meal-sized story. My preference would have been more one epic involving several of Aquaman's rogue's gallery, and an attack on Atlantis. Still, I clearly enjoyed it....more
Kamandi, the Last Boy on Earth Omnibus, Vol. 2 is a comic book collection compiled and published in the trade paperback format. The editors collected Kamandi, the Last Boy on Earth Omnibus, Vol. 2 is a comic book collection compiled and published in the trade paperback format. The editors collected issues #20 - 40, reprinted the issues on glossy paper, and slapped it between two hardcover plates with a nice cover and decent back page. The artwork is classic Jack Kirby so definitely stellar in my opinion.
If you have never read Kamandi, I would recommend the first volume as a primer to the second. The world of Earth AD (After Disaster) is shocking because there was a cataclysmic nuclear event (which has not yet been explored nor identified) causing biological upheaval, but the physical world has altered as well. Societal groups have broken down. Cities and governmental institutions look desolate, rife with garbage and disease.
The human population that sought shelter in bunkers were few, but they survived unchanged. While those that never found shelter experienced a radical transformation of declining intellect. Also, the animal population became smarter and walks on two legs rather than four. The flora has become less hospitable as well.
Kamandi was fortunate to be raised by his grandfather in a bunker. He was schooled via books and microfilm. When he could no longer live in the bunker, he was forced to make his way in a new, more dangerous world. Swiftly, he learned that humanity had taken a giant evolutionary leap backwards. Animals and monstrous creatures now dominated the landscape. Every day is a new adventure and every adventure may prove to be his last.
The last five issues of the Omnibus (36 -40), Kirby took less and less part of the work. Gerry Conway stepped in which is not bad, but he is no Jack Kirby. The stories might have become a little more fantastic, but I kind of liked what Kirby was doing....more
I begin with a word about the MEGAPACKS that compile disparate themes, authors, genres into large collections, sometimes over a thousand pages, into cI begin with a word about the MEGAPACKS that compile disparate themes, authors, genres into large collections, sometimes over a thousand pages, into convenient anthologies of classic stories, and novels. I acquired this collection for free, but it is available for 99 cents over certain platforms.
Over the course of his literary career, ERB only wrote four westerns. They are fantastically well-written and collected in this small volume.
The Bandit of Hell's Bend is the first of these novels. It follows the familiar trope of the wealthy rancher that gets killed with the killer intending to take the ranch from the dead rancher's daughter. There are several nuances that alter a little the trope to make a wonderful story.
The War Chief and Apache Devil are two novels that are part one and part two of an epic story. Shoz-Dijiji, the adopted white son of Geronimo, was taken from his parents in a raid, raised to be Apache, he excelled in the hunting, tracking, stealth, and warrior arts. In the first book, the reader learns about his growing up, and the second book, talks about him as an adult. I was very impressed with the story ERB communicates here, because his treatment of the American Indian population in these books is more enlightened, sophisticated, and progressive.
In The Deputy Sheriff of Comanche County, the novel is not just a western, but a murder mystery as well. The Deputy Sheriff is investigating a murder mystery but is absent from the majority of the investigation. The story unfolds in a typical manner, but ERB has found another way to layer nuance on what might otherwise seem like a common story.
I love ERB's prose. There is a lyrical cadence to his words that I find transformative. Especially in these westerns, the proximity to nature is clearly inspiring to Burroughs. The books are not perfect, but I loved them....more
Louie the Mustache
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Books:
anthology
(79)
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