picked up randomly from the library 3.5 stars This was a decent (and different) hero's story arc through a world where inhabitants know only of the "Wpicked up randomly from the library 3.5 stars This was a decent (and different) hero's story arc through a world where inhabitants know only of the "World Tree" and have various origin mythologies across the branches they inhabit. There are humans and 'antelopes' (primate-neanderthal mash-ups) and various beliefs about the existence of a trunk, breathable air at ground level and/or other WorldTrees. Our main character is (violently) forced into hunting for the source of the affliction of the WorldTree which has already turned various parts of the world into deadwood. The world building is fairly good if sometimes credulity-straining (digital-appearance word repeatedly manifesting across parts of the organic tree for example) and poorly handwaved and the characters have potential but are rarely truly fleshed out except for the must-have-a-romantic-subplot central male and female. Maybe something was missed in translation?...more
there are at least 3 "Secret Six: Vol 1" by Gail Simone. This is apparently actually Vol 3 after her Secret Six characters moved over to the New52. Anthere are at least 3 "Secret Six: Vol 1" by Gail Simone. This is apparently actually Vol 3 after her Secret Six characters moved over to the New52. And, as a Vol1, it falters. You need to be familiar with characters already though they don't know each other in the opening scenes.... which makes them buddying-up so quickly oddly suspect. And while the villain behind the curtain seems scary in the beginning, the reveal makes them silly and very un-scary. Basically this makes one wonder what is the purpose of the Secret Six existing in the same world as Suicide Squad?
that being said, trying to find this in Goodreads led me to believe the other Vol. 1's might be worth checking out and might also be what Gail was referring to for the upcoming Omnibus release which is what led me to check this out in the first place...more
This is a really funny concept that honestly shouldn't go past one volume(and yet). In the (likely not too far off) future, social media is the only wThis is a really funny concept that honestly shouldn't go past one volume(and yet). In the (likely not too far off) future, social media is the only way to earn enough attention, and thus funding to make advances in science. So a group of scientist colleagues decide to fund their space expedition via porn that has to be continuously upping the ante to keep viewers engaged - which means kink, interspecies copulation and saving their butts and several alien civilizations via orgasms. I'm embarrassed I've read this. ...more
I feel that these would work in a periodical as each snippet of life/topic is only around 4 pages of graphics. But as a book, none of the stories feelI feel that these would work in a periodical as each snippet of life/topic is only around 4 pages of graphics. But as a book, none of the stories feel fully fleshed out and they are missing the humor (even if dark) that the author is purported to have (by Brian Michael Bendis in the foreward and by one of the scenes with the same comic where he urges her to show her humor)
I honestly may have rated this higher if I had not been expecting humor or if I was prepared for more concise autobiography in the vein of Alison Bechdel. ...more
A fun, diverse alternate (supernatural) history in Depression-era South written and drawn by diverse creators. Sneaks in real American history that weA fun, diverse alternate (supernatural) history in Depression-era South written and drawn by diverse creators. Sneaks in real American history that we rarely learn of in school (Native residency schools with assimilation/cultural genocide as the goal, Chinese immigrants in the South) and provides a picture of a rarely represented group: black Indigenous residents.
Two black, Choctaw girls are starting to grow in their magic which means they will soon be sent away to the residency schools unless their families can come up with the funds to bribe their way out. Enter their mentors who race in illegal broom races for winner-takes-all prizes and who want to train the girls to join them in the largest (and most dangerous) race of all before the races are shut down. ...more
I came to this edition unaware of the series that preceded it and it was an interesting AU version of Harley, Joker and Batman that I’d like to see coI came to this edition unaware of the series that preceded it and it was an interesting AU version of Harley, Joker and Batman that I’d like to see continued. Styled as a noir though the actual mystery really didn’t drive the plot or make any new waves. Harley has depth and only glimmers of recklessness and really next-to-no madness except what was needed to stay close to the Joker (per flashbacks, he’s (view spoiler)[ dead by the start of events (hide spoiler)]. It makes her more interesting and a lot less annoying (but perhaps less fun dialogue-wise)!...more
This is a great concept with beautiful (if especially gory) art and so-so plot execution. I like the time-travel rules here though the existence of thThis is a great concept with beautiful (if especially gory) art and so-so plot execution. I like the time-travel rules here though the existence of the passage to travel through is hand-waved, there is a throughline about fate interwoven between the future dystopian scenes and the scenes in the 1400's. I think perhaps that's my biggest problem with it - if we're going to assume some amount of fatalism, taking out Columbus seems like a noble undertaking but ultimately, not sufficient or lynchpin enough to halt the inevitability of European conquest. It does however provide readers who aren't well versed in history with the most notable explorer in American culture so I get the decision.
I'll definitely read the next volume but doubtful that I'll spend money on it as I did for this heralded debut. ...more
Interesting start to a mystery with beautiful graphics - feels a lot like the beginning of Paper Girls except there is existing trauma prior to the stInteresting start to a mystery with beautiful graphics - feels a lot like the beginning of Paper Girls except there is existing trauma prior to the start of the pages and the first few panels indicate this is a Cloverfield-type arc (it ain’t gonna end well). Also the MCs are older teenagers...more
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