I don't read many comics or graphic novels in any given year. From time to time, one looks interesting enough to Emotional and Accessible - 5 Stars
I don't read many comics or graphic novels in any given year. From time to time, one looks interesting enough to pick up and read through. Being that this is set where I live and grew up, the story was especially significant.
There are several stories in the work told from the perspective of three main characters. Essex County is the major connection between the stories. The setting is developed to the point that it becomes a character and he uses several plot devices that make it feel that the setting is living and breathing.
The device I most enjoyed with the use of the crow throughout the story. Those who live in Essex County are familiar with the bird. For years they plagued county and murders of crow could be found dotting the landscape, filling trees, weighing down electric line and eating any garbage in sight. Thought the day, the sound of gunshots were played on loudspeakers to scare the birds away. The crow became a symbol of our region. While I think the story allows a reader to understand this symbol, and others in the story, are representative of the setting, it was regional knowledge of these symbols that made the story even more special.
Don't misunderstand, the reader need not possess insider knowledge to understand the story. On its own, the story is complex and exudes emotion in the way that only a graphic novel can. It does a wonderful job of exploring themes such as shared history, the need to belong and loneliness. This is mature story with many layers and plenty of imagery. I strongly urge you to read this....more
antThus begins a second story arc in the Copperhead universe. Another enjoyable space/fantasy/western style comic. I have come to like Clara, the stroantThus begins a second story arc in the Copperhead universe. Another enjoyable space/fantasy/western style comic. I have come to like Clara, the strong kick butt female sheriff. I have always had a soft spot for a female character that can kick the boy's butts. A new baddy is introduced and the deputy is offered an enticing deal. I definitely plan on following the series. Time to go out and get volume #7 which came out a few days ago....more
A very good start to what promise to be a good series. This series is an intriguing mix of fantasy and western themes. The story was above average andA very good start to what promise to be a good series. This series is an intriguing mix of fantasy and western themes. The story was above average and the artwork was excellent. There are shades of deadwood and firefly. There is plenty of shooting and bad guys dying. I am eager to continue with the series....more
Twisted and superb. A very unique talent lands Tony Chu a job with a special division of the FDA. whenever tony eats anything (except beets) he has psTwisted and superb. A very unique talent lands Tony Chu a job with a special division of the FDA. whenever tony eats anything (except beets) he has psychic visions of the preparation and handling of the food. This means if he eats a portion of a murder victim or a dead dog at a murder scene, he will learn some of that persons secrets.if the concept is not enough to interest you in reading this, nothing else I say will convince you. Highly suggest you give this one a try....more
There is no denying that these books are cerebral. There are many layers that the reader can pull back and many connections to be made. One one hand wThere is no denying that these books are cerebral. There are many layers that the reader can pull back and many connections to be made. One one hand we have Tommy's life mirroring, in many ways, the books for which he was the inspiration. On another level, Tommy is within the orbit of anther well known tale that gives context. Beyond this, Tommy is part of a story that is currently being written. While I find this to the most appealing aspect of this series, the execution leaves something to be desired. There are so many layers they are often insufficiently dealt with. Many layers mean a complex puzzle and a maze for your mind.
On its most basic level, I find the main plotline to be only mildly entertaining, As such, I cannot rate it any higher than 3.5 stars....more
This is the conclusion to the Epic Locke and Key Series. Dodge's ultimate plan is revealed and hold on to your hats, there will be dead bodies. Many oThis is the conclusion to the Epic Locke and Key Series. Dodge's ultimate plan is revealed and hold on to your hats, there will be dead bodies. Many of them. This Volume is two issues and it is essential the conclusion and the epilogue. I didn't care much for the second issue and it brought the overall rating down but I really enjoyed the conclusion to the story.
Maybe you are reading this and telling yourself that you don't read comics so this wouldn't appeal to you. I had been saying this for a couple of years and avoided reading these. If it makes you feel any better, these are clearly written for mature audiences with mature content and mature themes. The amazing artwork brings the brilliant story to life and adds elements that a book alone could not provide. It will not take too much time to give these a read. I highly recommend you give them a go!...more
This installment provides much of the context we have been wondering about in the past four volumes. As a result, the story often moves at a slower paThis installment provides much of the context we have been wondering about in the past four volumes. As a result, the story often moves at a slower pace...more
There is a touch of daring in this book. Without spoilers, the plot takes an unforeseen (to me at least) turn. If you have read this far in the seriesThere is a touch of daring in this book. Without spoilers, the plot takes an unforeseen (to me at least) turn. If you have read this far in the series, you won't be stopping here and you don't need me to convince you to move on. These are the perfect comics for people who don't read comics (me again).
As a side note, I really liked the tribute to Bill Watterson's Calvin and Hobbes. Throughout sections of one of the instalments, the author drew in the style of this classic comic. While this comic overall was dark, the "Calvin and Hobbes" sections were filled with the wit that made the latter so loveable. ...more
Things take a darker and more sinister turn in the third volume. Of the first three volumes, this one features some of the best art work. There are amThings take a darker and more sinister turn in the third volume. Of the first three volumes, this one features some of the best art work. There are amazingly vivid and imaginative dark creations. This story focus less on a specific key than the first two and we learn there is more to dodge than meets the eye. There is much more character building in this instalment and the author explores the brokenness of several characters. A very enjoyable read....more
If the first volume didn't hook you, this one just might. I found it to be superior and much more engaging. A key has been found that can, quite literIf the first volume didn't hook you, this one just might. I found it to be superior and much more engaging. A key has been found that can, quite literally, allow you to open you head and add and remove whatever you like. Of course, this leaves the evil masquerading as a friend to manipulate the characters. While it is still aimed at a more mature audience, there is less gore and less adult language than the first episode.
Personally, I find the powers of the various keys to be interesting and the characters to be entertaining. I will be starting the third instalment immediately. ...more
This one is difficult to rate. There are multiple layers to the story and and the bottom (as far as we know to this point) there is intellectual conspThis one is difficult to rate. There are multiple layers to the story and and the bottom (as far as we know to this point) there is intellectual conspiracy that is quite novel. It is this intellectual component that will lead me to read the second volume. The majority of the issues in this volume deal with a son of a famous author who wrote Harry Potteresque novels. The author has disappeared and his son, Tom Taylor, is the face of the series as he is the inspiration for the books main character. When question arise as to his lineage, he becomes embroiled in world where the lines between fantasy and reality blur and shadowy figures are killing those around Tom almost indiscriminately. I will give the second volume a shot to see if this is something I will follow to the end....more
So for I love this series. My thoughts are posted under Saga, Volume 1. Too engrossing to miss. That said, this volume is not quite as good as the resSo for I love this series. My thoughts are posted under Saga, Volume 1. Too engrossing to miss. That said, this volume is not quite as good as the rest. There were longer stretches of little action. Regardless, I still enjoyed these episodes....more
This has been a tough year for me to read. Suffice to say, I been almost unable to read, focus on concentrate on any novel. I havAn Engaging 4.5 Stars
This has been a tough year for me to read. Suffice to say, I been almost unable to read, focus on concentrate on any novel. I have been surviving on a diet rich in audiobooks. Each night I stare longingly at my Kindle but have been unable to use it. Enter the graphic novel. I thought I may be in for a few minutes of vaguely entertaining reading and some cool pictures. I got way more than I bargained for.
While each of the individual volumes are slim, they are a wealth of characters and story. It may be that with the art, the author can truly live the mantra, "Show don't tell". This is my first graphic novel and really the first form of comic that I have read since childhood. I am not ashamed to say that I devoured the series to date and this review will stand for everything up to the (now) current episode #27.
The authors have created a bizzare and engaging world that while exotic and unreal, parallel our own in many ways. I could wax philosophic over the messages in the book, I could gush over the story of forbidden love or I could relate the fight to raise a child in a dark world. I'm not going to do any of that. You can read it and take from it whatever you want.
Word of warning. This is definitely not for children. It is quite mature at times and clearly aimed at an older audience. Regardless, the story left me rooting for the characters and hoping for their best. At a time that I cannot keep up my old reading pace, these have provided me with the extra stimulation to engage with literature in a new and exciting way. I have already have a new crop of graphic novels on my Ipad and, honestly, I am going to stop writing this so I can go read a new one....more
While I was not immediately hooked, I was drawn into this intriguing story by the third book. The story is reminiscent ofClever and intriguing premise
While I was not immediately hooked, I was drawn into this intriguing story by the third book. The story is reminiscent of childhood fantasies of big houses with hidden passages and secrets. Albeit a, house with some big freaky secrets. Be warned that the story is occasionally quite gruesome and violent. It is certainly not meant for children.
As I am new to the comic/graphic novel, I have little to which I can compare this. While this series is not intellectual, it is certainly unique, mysterious and it spooky. The focus is on the plot and you are left wondering what the next secret Will be. I'm looking forward to continuing this one....more
Tim The Enchanter
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