Mack Bolan is back, and this time, instead of taking out the Mafia, he has carte Blanche from the presMy last read of 2022 and man was it a good one.
Mack Bolan is back, and this time, instead of taking out the Mafia, he has carte Blanche from the president to take out terrorists all over the world. It’s a ridiculous concept, no doubt, yet it is so much fun and probably the most exciting Exeuctioner novel since the very first in this series.
Everything about The New War is quintessential 80s dad lit: high tech weapons, explosions, blood and guts, and terrorists galore, complete with hot women and helicopters. Is it cliche? Of course, but it’s entertaining as hell and a huge step up from the previous 38 books of Bolan’s never ending war against the mob.
I think a big reason this works is a change in both publisher (Golden Eagle instead of Pinnacle) and a new author. Pendleton’s name is attached to this book but it was written by Saul Wernick, a late 70’s horror author, who, quite surprisingly, does an amazing job kicking off this new era of Mack Bolan. ...more
It’s clear Judd Winnick gets Batman and the things that drive him, as well as the multiple storylines that intertwine and come together.
Batman facingIt’s clear Judd Winnick gets Batman and the things that drive him, as well as the multiple storylines that intertwine and come together.
Batman facing off against an old ally who is now an enemy makes for one of the best Batman storylines I’ve ever read. The 14 issues that complete this story are amazingly well written, perfectly paced, and wonderfully illustrated.
This one stacks up amongst the very best, giving Knightfall, Cataclysm, and The Long Halloween some very serious competition as truly essential Batman reading. ...more
There is literary nothing else to say except that The Listener is, aside from a very bland and boring cover, an absolutely perfect novel without a sin There is literary nothing else to say except that The Listener is, aside from a very bland and boring cover, an absolutely perfect novel without a single freaking thing wrong with it.
Of course when you’re dealing with a book written by Robert McCammon, the true master of the craft of fiction and quite possibly the best author of the last 30 years, it really shouldn’t come as a surprise. The Listener may be the most “King-esque” style novel from McCammon I’ve ever read (well, if you include “Swan Song” there’s that too) but unlike King, McCammon makes not a single mistake of falling into the pitfalls of stereotype and tropes of a novel set in the racist Louisiana of the mid 1930’s. Of course it’s all here on full display, and McCammon could have easily gone the easy, lazy route with cliched characters and settings, however, true to form, he takes these things and makes something totally original, heartfelt, emotional and oh so damn good.
I could write about this novel for ages but there is no point and no question in my mind…McCammon is a god given talent and I’m not ashamed to admit I’m a Stan for McCammon....more
Prey may very well be one of the biggest surprise Batman story arcs because even though it doesn’t introduce any new characters or being about any newPrey may very well be one of the biggest surprise Batman story arcs because even though it doesn’t introduce any new characters or being about any new revelations about Bruce Wayne/Batman, it’s just a damn good story.
Well told, well paced, and one of the most action packed of any Batman comic I’ve read. Plus its time frame, fitting in right after the events of Year One makes for one of Batman’s best periods.
And that’s not even mentioning Gulacy’s gorgeous artwork that looks amazing in both decades this arc covers. Neither Batman nor Catwoman has looked this good since Brian Bolland’s stellar work on the Dark Knight....more
It’s rare for “horror” comics to be ”good” but somehow Night of the Ghoul pulled it off.
With a far mature audience in mind, this was incredibly enterIt’s rare for “horror” comics to be ”good” but somehow Night of the Ghoul pulled it off.
With a far mature audience in mind, this was incredibly entertaining and well worth the time. The story is fast paced, tense, and original. It’s also got some truly great moments that rival some of the best horror films and even though the “twist” ending wasn’t all that much of a shock, it still managed to be fun and bleak at the same time.
Finally, a vampire story that wasn’t stale, boring, or full of moody suburban teenagers who just wanSpooktober 2022 Book 2
Making vampires sexy again!
Finally, a vampire story that wasn’t stale, boring, or full of moody suburban teenagers who just want love.
Live Girls is sleazy, scummy, and dirty. Dark, depressing and Full of blood, sex, and an incredibly bleak tone that encapsulated the seedy undertone of 1980s New York, THIS is how all vampire novels should read.
It’s clear why this one was a Bram Stoker finalist back in 87 and why it’s still usually regarded as one of the best in the business....more
I’m not usually one to get chills and goosebumps from a simple book, but I’m glad to say that Stolen Tongueschanged all that.
Blackwell’s novel based I’m not usually one to get chills and goosebumps from a simple book, but I’m glad to say that Stolen Tongueschanged all that.
Blackwell’s novel based on an expanded Reddit short story managed to freak me out at nearly every turn. From the nightmare inducing prologue to the following 300+ pages of terror, everything about this story is tense and white knuckled. It’s creepy, disturbing, and incredibly eerie.
One of those incredibly rare books that actually lives up to its hype. ...more
Not that we needed any proof after 2 previous amazing novels, but just in case there were still any lingering doubts, Greaney comes roaring back on thNot that we needed any proof after 2 previous amazing novels, but just in case there were still any lingering doubts, Greaney comes roaring back on the scene with “ Ballistic.
I’ll be the first to admit that it’s not quite as fun as The Gray Man nor as non-stop and adrenaline fueled as On Target however I will say that this third book in the “Gray Man” series is still a no holds barred, action packed follow up to those 2 books. And easily lives up to its title.
The pacing is just as relentless and the story gives more characterization and realism to Court Gentry. He’s smarter and actually has more empathy this time around, giving you even more reason to root for his CIA trained, hitman influenced actions. It’s been a long time since an author has been this consistent across books and you’d be hard pressed to find someone as reliable as Greaney. ...more
If you think Inglorious Basterds meets An American Werewolf in Paris meets Indiana Jones meets James Bond sounds nuts, your right. If you think this If you think Inglorious Basterds meets An American Werewolf in Paris meets Indiana Jones meets James Bond sounds nuts, your right. If you think this couldn’t work…you’re absolutely wrong.
The Wolf’s Hour is pure unadulterated amazingness. Of course the mash up of genres (WW2, werewolves, spy craft, romance) seems like a total mess, but of course, McCammon and his unequal talent make this one of the most unique and fun novels ever written. Everything works and works flawlessly, easily becoming one of McCammon’s best novels (which is saying a lot since EVERYTHING he writes is basically the best)....more
The plot for On Target was weaker than the first novel. And Gentry is an absolute ass who makes some bizarrely ignorant and asinine decisions that seeThe plot for On Target was weaker than the first novel. And Gentry is an absolute ass who makes some bizarrely ignorant and asinine decisions that seem totally out of place with the character we met in The Gray Man (though I’m 100% sure this was Greaney’s intention…making Gentry a very flawed anti-hero who isn’t a stereotyped character).
But I put all that aside in favor of a story that is quite possibly one of the most action packed, intense, non stop stories I’ve read in a long time. In this 517 page novel, there are maybe 40 pages of down time. That’s it. Otherwise there are things getting blown up, things getting shot, people getting shot, car chases, wild animals, and all manner of elements that make up a quintessential example of this genre.
Give this to a competent screeen writer and an amazing director like Sam Hargrave and THIS is the movie Netflix should have made. ...more
I know that Dune purists have major beef with anything Brian Herbert writes, and yes, his books with Anderson are NOT his daddy’s books.
But you know I know that Dune purists have major beef with anything Brian Herbert writes, and yes, his books with Anderson are NOT his daddy’s books.
But you know what? That’s not a bad thing. In fact, I really scratch my head that these books are actually so derided by that segment of the fandom. Personally, I love the “Legends of Dune” stuff, and, controversially, I think they’re better.
I honestly don’t give a rat’s ass that these don’t follow Frank’s blueprint because they’re amazingly entertaining and tell a hell of a good story. I never felt connected with Paul Atreides or any of those characters from the original set of books. Here, though, the main protagonists feel far more realistic. And who can hate the fight against sentient AI? Basically this entire trilogy is like The Matrix meets The Terminator in the world of Star Wars with a Game of Thrones feel and I’m here for every 700+ page book....more
Take a better version of Lee Child’s writing style, the relentless action of old school Matt Reily, a plot from Ludlum; and throw in a character that Take a better version of Lee Child’s writing style, the relentless action of old school Matt Reily, a plot from Ludlum; and throw in a character that is equal parts John Wick and Mack Bolan and you have a pretty good idea of what The Gray Man is like.
In other words, non stop and a total blast to read.
This book starts with a bang and never once lets up, leading to some remarkably well written and intense moments with enough suspense and double crosses to make even jaded readers excited.
I’ll admit I only picked this one up in preparation for the Netflix movie but instead became an instant fan of Greaney. Everything about this novel is freaking awesome and if his subsequent books are even slightly this amazing, I think I’ve found a new author to add to my list. ...more
With absolutely gorgeous art from Esad Ribic and a story that feels authentic and original, both this andExcuse me while I pick my jaw off the floor!
With absolutely gorgeous art from Esad Ribic and a story that feels authentic and original, both this and The God Butcher are perfect examples of a comic arc done right...
And fans must agree with me as this has gone down as a classic in the genre...as well as a NYT bestseller....more
Dark and beautiful and Absolute perfection. Honestly, this was one of the best graphic novels I've read in basically forever...if not ever.
Everything aDark and beautiful and Absolute perfection. Honestly, this was one of the best graphic novels I've read in basically forever...if not ever.
Everything about this arc of Thor works wonderfully. Aaron's contemporary take on the god of Thunder, along with Ribic's gorgeous artwork make this such a damn good read.
If the new film can take even a fraction of this storyline, there is potential for one of the best Marvel films of all time....more
All fandoms have toxic fanboys so no matter what, anything that’s written in a style different than the original is gonna get anger and hatred from neAll fandoms have toxic fanboys so no matter what, anything that’s written in a style different than the original is gonna get anger and hatred from neckbeard fedora wearers.
And the same goes for the post Frank Herbert Dune stuff. Unfortunately, in these fans’ minds legacy always trumps anything else and they spew their unrighteous anger at books and other IPs that don’t deserve it (well, except for the lame Disney Star Wars sequels. Those definetly deserve hate).
Anyways, I personally loved House Atreides; son Herbert and Anderson do an awesome job making the prequel fill in the gaps of Dune and explain the genesis of Frank’s original story (even if it might be totally different than original intent).
It may be controversial in saying this but I actually prefer the writing style of Herbert and Anderson over the original Herbert. Everyone complains that these are bloated stories of too much dialogue and too little action but the original Dune suffered the exact same issues so I fail to see any comparison.
For the last 4 or so books, this series has been the same kind of thing over and over again.
And while Nightmare in New York doesn’t deviate from the pFor the last 4 or so books, this series has been the same kind of thing over and over again.
And while Nightmare in New York doesn’t deviate from the previous storylines already set up, it gets there in a way we haven’t seen since Battle Mask.
Basically New York is this series’ Commando as Mack Bolan goes on an unstoppable ass kicking rampage. Just like Arnold fighting a cabal of baddies to get his daughter back, Bolan is storming through the mafia with vengeance and the fury of his mistakes. In fact this felt more in line with The Punisher than anything else as it’s a total thrill ride of vigilante justice and some of the most brutal kills yet.
The Executioner series has always been more about action first and story later but this time Pendleton cranked it up to 11, crafting what is probably the most action packed and non stop book in the series (up to this point at least). I had my doubts on where Mack Bolan was going, however I can say I’m pretty stoked with what happened here and what’s gonna happen next. ...more
And once again I’m kicking myself for forgetting that Jeff Strand exists.
Seriously, Strand is a rare breed of author. One that excels at lightheartedAnd once again I’m kicking myself for forgetting that Jeff Strand exists.
Seriously, Strand is a rare breed of author. One that excels at lighthearted moments only to pivot on a dime and take his story into some clearly disturbing depths.
And that’s the case for Pressure…a novel that never once lets up or takes a moment to let you breath.
Simply put Pressure is a relentlessly tense novel that reads like a fully loaded freight train without brakes and all you can do is hold on for dear life, hoping the unavoidable derailment isn’t too messy…though I’ll let you know, it’s a bloody disaster.
All joking aside, this novel was fantastic and a perfect example of Jeff Strand’s incredible talent. I mean, you don’t get to be a 4 time Bram Stoker finalist being a hack. (Unless you’re Bentley Little). ...more
Loading...
