As with any anthology, you get a mixed bag with contributors of various skills. This collection, however is too little of the good and too much of the bad.
All of the stories in this collection are stand alone 8 page tales. It comes as no surprise that the best stories are by Mike Grell, author of Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters and 80 issues (plus 2 Annuals) of the monthly comic between February 1988 through November 1993.
The worst of the stories simply rehash events disclosed in the TV. Much like the inaccurately named BEFORE WATCHMEN, these tales simply show stories we already know from the point of view of different characters or dramatizing stories that were told concisely by characters and didn't need to be shown in an 8-page comic.
The problem with the good stories is that at 8-pages, they are to shallow to really enjoy. What you get is the hint of a good story, then it is done. I think that the reader would have been better served if these stories were expanded and then released 8 pages at a time. With any luck, once the series is over, DC will continue the series in comic book form, much like they have done with Smallville.
Instead of spending money on this collection, I would recommend purchasing the Green Arrow comics by Mike Grell, including the rerelease of Longbow Hunters, as these greatly influenced the look and feel of the current TV show. I would also recommend reading Green Arrow: Year One by Andy Diggle and Jock, which has a new cover to tie it in with the show.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Review of Shazam Graphic Novel by DC Comics
First some disclosure. I am not a fan of the New 52 at DC. I think for the most part they are stripping away the heroic aspects of some of the greatest super-heroes the world has known. I approached this collection with some trepidation, Shazam (Captain Marvel) was one of my first super-heroes. I watched the Shazam! tv show every Saturday from September 7, 1974 through October 6, 1976. I loved Billy Batson traveling with his teacher Mentor. (Side note, why was Mentor never brought to the comics? It seems like this character from Greek mythology would fit in as a teacher to the fledgling Shazam). I read the comics published by DC in the 1970's and I was drawn to the character because it was about a young boy who transformed into a god-like man but remained Billy Batson.
Billy was a homeless boy who was chosen by the wizard Shazam to possess the power of gods (Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles, Mercury). But through it all, Billy was a good person. His homelessness, the loss of his parents, the power given to him, none of that changed the fact that Billy was pure of heart. A rare trait yes, but not fictional.
Then comes the New 52. Here Billy is an awful brat who scams his way into a foster home (Geoff Johns apparently has now idea how the foster system works, by the way). He is a rotten kid who we are told has the potential for good. I actually almost gave up on the book at this point.
I'm glad I didn't. Despite the rocky start the book really picks up once the villain Black Adam is introduced. Geoff Johns may not know about the foster care system, but he does know about comics. When faced with the adversity of Black Adam, the good kid Billy that I used to admire appeared on the pages. Additionally, Johns brings in characters like Dr. Shivana, Tawky Tawny, the Seven Deadly Sins, Ibac, and...well I won't give away the ending. Also introduced are Mary Marvel, Captain Marvel Jr. and the Lieutenant Marvels*, although none of them are actually called this.
As i said, I started out hating what Johns did with this character, and honestly, the book does not start out well. But I promise you, stick with it and it pays off in the end. I hope that DC shows some wisdom and continues the stories introduced here. If this is your first experience with Shazam, I urge you to seek out some of the older Shazam stories (particularly The Power of Shazam series by Jerry Ordway. Unfortunately, this series has never been collected in a trade paper format, which is criminal.
*When he was originally created in 1939, it was suggested by the creators that Captain Marvel have six Lieutenant Marvels, each possessing an aspect of SHAZAM. This idea did not see print but in 1941 three Lieutenant Marvels were introduced, each possessing the same powers as Captain Marvel. In this story Billy shares his powers with his foster siblings. Each seems to also possess unique powers but it is not clear if these powers are related to the characteristics of the anagram Shazam.
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Dynamite Comics Masks Volume 1
Let me start with a quick disclaimer. The target audience for this book is me. For years I have been a fan of Golden Age radio shows like The Shadow and The Green Hornet, pulp novels like The Shadow and The Spider, and Zorro, as well as movie serials featuring masked heroes, many whom are found in this graphic novel.
Dynamite has done a wonderful job of tying these various characters into a single story line without overburdening the reader with origins, hero vs. hero fights or contrived ways to tie all the heroes together. Instead, we are treated to different heroes teaming up in smaller groups to fight a common enemy.
The action begins in 1030's New York where the Green Hornet has perused a Chicago mobster to New York. Soon the Green Hornet and Kato are teaming up with The Shadow and The Spider to combat the plans of the newly elected mayor. It seems he has begun recruiting low to mid level gangsters onto the police department and begins making tyrannical laws that leave the citizens of the Big Apple defenseless against the machinations of the mystery man behind the mayor.
Elsewhere, Rafael Vega a descendant of Don Diego de la Vega aka Zorro is arrested while trying to find work as an illustrator, he is defended by Tony Quinn. In the only origin stories in the book we see how Quinn is blinded by battery acid while helping Vega escape an execution only to discover he can still see in the dark, Donning a costume he becomes the Black Bat. Vega similarly takes advantage of a masquerade shop to resurrect his his ancestors persona of Zorro.
Finally, we have another pairing of Jethro Dumont, publicly known as the criminologist and Tibetan Buddhist The Green Lama with Marla Drake, one of the earliest female super-heroes know as Miss Fury. Later the team is completed with the super strong and invulnerable Black Terror.
While many of these characters may be unfamiliar to today's audience they became the inspiration for almost every super-hero making his or her way to the big screen these days. The artwork in this book is amazing, the writing is first rate and the story has more than a few overtones of modern America with news stories of private military companies operating in the U.S. outside the law (e.g. Blackwater in New Orleans after hurricane Katrina or the overreaching surveillance being conducted by private firms).
If you are not familiar with these characters, or you want to read more of their solo adventures, Dynamite has (or had) solo adventures of all the characters excluding the Green Lama. Readers may also want to read the Project Superpowers by Dynamite to get a better grounding in the many public domain super-heroes the company has resurrected under the creative guidance of artist Alex Ross.
While this may not be familiar territory for every reader, the limited and self-contained nature of the story keeps it accessible for those who are new to these heroes and makes a great love note to fans of the Golden Age like myself.
I give Masks, Volume 1, 4 out of 5 stars.
Dynamite has done a wonderful job of tying these various characters into a single story line without overburdening the reader with origins, hero vs. hero fights or contrived ways to tie all the heroes together. Instead, we are treated to different heroes teaming up in smaller groups to fight a common enemy.
The action begins in 1030's New York where the Green Hornet has perused a Chicago mobster to New York. Soon the Green Hornet and Kato are teaming up with The Shadow and The Spider to combat the plans of the newly elected mayor. It seems he has begun recruiting low to mid level gangsters onto the police department and begins making tyrannical laws that leave the citizens of the Big Apple defenseless against the machinations of the mystery man behind the mayor.
Elsewhere, Rafael Vega a descendant of Don Diego de la Vega aka Zorro is arrested while trying to find work as an illustrator, he is defended by Tony Quinn. In the only origin stories in the book we see how Quinn is blinded by battery acid while helping Vega escape an execution only to discover he can still see in the dark, Donning a costume he becomes the Black Bat. Vega similarly takes advantage of a masquerade shop to resurrect his his ancestors persona of Zorro.
Finally, we have another pairing of Jethro Dumont, publicly known as the criminologist and Tibetan Buddhist The Green Lama with Marla Drake, one of the earliest female super-heroes know as Miss Fury. Later the team is completed with the super strong and invulnerable Black Terror.
While many of these characters may be unfamiliar to today's audience they became the inspiration for almost every super-hero making his or her way to the big screen these days. The artwork in this book is amazing, the writing is first rate and the story has more than a few overtones of modern America with news stories of private military companies operating in the U.S. outside the law (e.g. Blackwater in New Orleans after hurricane Katrina or the overreaching surveillance being conducted by private firms).
If you are not familiar with these characters, or you want to read more of their solo adventures, Dynamite has (or had) solo adventures of all the characters excluding the Green Lama. Readers may also want to read the Project Superpowers by Dynamite to get a better grounding in the many public domain super-heroes the company has resurrected under the creative guidance of artist Alex Ross.
While this may not be familiar territory for every reader, the limited and self-contained nature of the story keeps it accessible for those who are new to these heroes and makes a great love note to fans of the Golden Age like myself.
I give Masks, Volume 1, 4 out of 5 stars.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Unholy Ghosts by Stacia Kane
I use the Goodreads app on my phone to track what I've read and what I want to read. If you've not checked out Goodreads, do. There's book lists, groups, reviews, and more. You can also follow what friends and others are reading. I mention this because I follow what Felicia Day reads. I start following her because I'm a geek and Felicia seems to have the same kind of sense of humour I do. That is if one can make these decisions based on roles an actor chooses... Yeah, I know. Weak logic. Bottom line is, I'm a geek with a girl crush on Felicia and thought I'd try to read some of the titles she's been reading. Which leads me to Unholy Ghosts by Stacia Kane.
The story isn't all that uncommon in the urban fantasy realm, bordering on paranormal romance... Woman discovers there's more to the world than she thought. One of the persons involved in this revelation for the heroine is a man who she must resist (for the first half of the book anyway). You know how it ends.
That aside, I had a great time reading this book. Stacia Kane created a world of demons that do not behave quite the way you expect them too. It's those changes, or twisting of the known, that seems to be a reoccurring point for me. That new viewpoint in an otherwise redundant story.
Not necessarily a glowing "review" of the book. Which makes me a bit sad as I really did enjoy the book. So, if any one does read this blog and is unsure about Unholy Ghosts, my advice is to pick it up, read a few chapters and make your own decision.
The story isn't all that uncommon in the urban fantasy realm, bordering on paranormal romance... Woman discovers there's more to the world than she thought. One of the persons involved in this revelation for the heroine is a man who she must resist (for the first half of the book anyway). You know how it ends.
That aside, I had a great time reading this book. Stacia Kane created a world of demons that do not behave quite the way you expect them too. It's those changes, or twisting of the known, that seems to be a reoccurring point for me. That new viewpoint in an otherwise redundant story.
Not necessarily a glowing "review" of the book. Which makes me a bit sad as I really did enjoy the book. So, if any one does read this blog and is unsure about Unholy Ghosts, my advice is to pick it up, read a few chapters and make your own decision.
Black Night by Christina Henry
Black Night is the second book of the Madeline Black series.
Madeline Black is a grim reaper, a job she inherited from her mother. In the first book Madeline learns some new things about her parentage that is critical in the second book. She's sent by her father, one of the Fallen, to the fairy court to negotiate a treaty between the two courts. But before Madeline is even able to leave, her half brother re-appears and causes trouble. Madeline also has trouble with another element that ends up being a larger problem for Madeline, her father's court, and the fairy court. In the end Madeline is a stronger, more independent woman that before. More confident and self reliant.
While Madeline's character isn't unique to urban fantasy, the world that Christina Henry has created does provide a unique perspective to Madeline's situations. I enjoy reading stories that take common concepts and presents them in a new manner. This series does not let me down in that regard. I also enjoy the characters though I admit that they aren't as solid as they might be. I also feel that we spend too much time in Madeline's head. Black Night, I believe, is more guilty of this than the first book.
Overall, I enjoy the series so far. Will I recommend it to others? Meh. It probably wouldn't be among my first picks for other readers there are stronger stories out there. But this is not among the worse either. The unique world Henry has created will keep be reading for another book or two. In which time, my hope is that characters will become more solid and I'll see less of Madeline's internal dialogue.
Madeline Black is a grim reaper, a job she inherited from her mother. In the first book Madeline learns some new things about her parentage that is critical in the second book. She's sent by her father, one of the Fallen, to the fairy court to negotiate a treaty between the two courts. But before Madeline is even able to leave, her half brother re-appears and causes trouble. Madeline also has trouble with another element that ends up being a larger problem for Madeline, her father's court, and the fairy court. In the end Madeline is a stronger, more independent woman that before. More confident and self reliant.
While Madeline's character isn't unique to urban fantasy, the world that Christina Henry has created does provide a unique perspective to Madeline's situations. I enjoy reading stories that take common concepts and presents them in a new manner. This series does not let me down in that regard. I also enjoy the characters though I admit that they aren't as solid as they might be. I also feel that we spend too much time in Madeline's head. Black Night, I believe, is more guilty of this than the first book.
Overall, I enjoy the series so far. Will I recommend it to others? Meh. It probably wouldn't be among my first picks for other readers there are stronger stories out there. But this is not among the worse either. The unique world Henry has created will keep be reading for another book or two. In which time, my hope is that characters will become more solid and I'll see less of Madeline's internal dialogue.
Hammered, Iron Druid #3
This one I had a difficult time reading. Not because of the writing style, language, or other stylistic elements of the writing. I wasn't comfortable with the plot. Atticus helps a group seeking revenge/justice on Thor. Atticus sneaks them up Yggdrasil to Asgard. A battle ensues. Odin loses a raven, several Valkyries bite it, and ultimately Thor is killed. This is after Atticus kills the Norns and Ratatoskr in the previous book, Hexed.
I will admit that a different reader will likely have a different reaction to the story. I'm pagan and have a strong affinity for the Norse deities. I'm particularly fond of the Norns. And the idea of starting a fight with the Norse deities is off putting.
My aversion aside, the book continues with the witty phrasing and interesting characters that Hearne presents in the previous two books. Fans of the first books will likely find Hammered a good read.
I will admit that a different reader will likely have a different reaction to the story. I'm pagan and have a strong affinity for the Norse deities. I'm particularly fond of the Norns. And the idea of starting a fight with the Norse deities is off putting.
My aversion aside, the book continues with the witty phrasing and interesting characters that Hearne presents in the previous two books. Fans of the first books will likely find Hammered a good read.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Iron Druid Series
Author: Kevin Hearne
Book One: Hounded
My husband brought home Hounded for me. He works at a bookstore and a coworker suggested I read it. I as skeptical. After reading dozens of paranormal fiction, many plots start reading like others and the book description reminded me of Harry Dresden. I thought to myself, if someone's going to be copying another author, intentionally or not, then Jim Butcher's not a bad choice. I cracked the book and read.
LOVE the book. I like the main character, Atticus, very much. The author introduces strong characters who do not overshadow the plot. Hearne introduces the reader to dieties in a less than reverent manner, which I adore. Atticus shows respect and a healthy amount of fear while managing to stand up to them when appropriate. And Oberon, Atticus's dog... Fantastic sense of humour. Atticus's lawyers, a werewolf and a vampire. I cannot explain what that is priceless, it just is. One human character of note is an elderly Irish Catholic widow in Atticus's neighborhood. She's a whiskey drinking gem of a character.
So, what does Hounded remind me of? Harry Dresden, naturally. But also a bit of American Gods, if only because of the mix of pantheons and humanistic presentation of gods. The tone of the writing reminds me more of Kim Harrison or Patricia Briggs, serious and even with moments of pure delight. If you like any of these authors or have a passing interest in paganism, read it.
Book One: Hounded
My husband brought home Hounded for me. He works at a bookstore and a coworker suggested I read it. I as skeptical. After reading dozens of paranormal fiction, many plots start reading like others and the book description reminded me of Harry Dresden. I thought to myself, if someone's going to be copying another author, intentionally or not, then Jim Butcher's not a bad choice. I cracked the book and read.
LOVE the book. I like the main character, Atticus, very much. The author introduces strong characters who do not overshadow the plot. Hearne introduces the reader to dieties in a less than reverent manner, which I adore. Atticus shows respect and a healthy amount of fear while managing to stand up to them when appropriate. And Oberon, Atticus's dog... Fantastic sense of humour. Atticus's lawyers, a werewolf and a vampire. I cannot explain what that is priceless, it just is. One human character of note is an elderly Irish Catholic widow in Atticus's neighborhood. She's a whiskey drinking gem of a character.
So, what does Hounded remind me of? Harry Dresden, naturally. But also a bit of American Gods, if only because of the mix of pantheons and humanistic presentation of gods. The tone of the writing reminds me more of Kim Harrison or Patricia Briggs, serious and even with moments of pure delight. If you like any of these authors or have a passing interest in paganism, read it.
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