Just jumped online to say I have a review in the new issue of the Doctor Who Fanzine The Terrible Zodin. Check it out. You can download it for free.
Showing posts with label Reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reviews. Show all posts
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Terrible Zodin Issue 14 Review
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Where I remind you of a great book that came out yesterday, review Before Watchmen Silk Spectre #1 and talk about God(aka Alan Moore)
For some reason just over the past few months I've gotten more than a few emails about me mainly buying trade paperbacks when it comes to comic books. "You aren't supporting the talents." "You are hurting the industry." "This is one of the reasons comic book stores are closing."
Ok, Comic Book Police, just chill your bag and boarded short pants. Just as I have the choice of not sucking on Alan Moore's tit, I can buy trades without your self-righteous {while probably downloading illegal copies}throws coming my way.
What I do a lot is try a few issues of a series to see if I might want to buy the trades when and if they come out. There are tons of trades out there already I know I'll like based on characters, artists, and writers alone, but I try to check out new stuff also to support what is going on currently.
I can't afford nor do I have the living space to buy monthlies and trades. I have in total now, after doing a clearing out a few years ago to a charity, four long boxes and all of those contain a complete run of the old original Valiant universe. The only other floppies I have are Doctor Who books and a few signed copies.
On the subject of Doctor Who I'm probably going to be going trade only with those soon. I buy any Doctor Who books so I might just wait for the trades. Mainly that's a decision based on money and apartment space.
I wish there was someway you could turn in issues to your local comic shop and maybe get a trade discount? Then I might buy the floppies more often but that probably isn't feasible for stores to do?
Plus those single issues I buy to try books out go to friends, libraries, and strangers; which promotes said series and talents. There shouldn't be this geeky dividing line between those who buy their comics every month in single issues and those who buy trades. Oh, and by the way I know people who spend a ton of money weekly at their lcs and they would never even think of buying floppies. Do you want to drive these people away from the industry?
Now if you want something to rant about, lets talk hardcovers.....
Reviews:
A really cool book came out yesterday. I was planning to write this blog entry then but was busy trying to doctor up the laptop a bit. Seems to be running a lot better *fingers crossed* The book I speak of is This Is Not A Test by Courtney Summers, you can find my review here as I read a ARC of it a few months ago but I'm still going to pick up a copy for my Summers collection. Go buy it here and here or here or here or here and here or your local books store independent or chain. All those links I found on the writers site but thought I'd mention here again. Go buy it. Someone actually says the Zed word in this book unlike another book I enjoy but its creator, not so much. Robert Kirkman is such a pretentious boob. Courtney Summers on the other hand is made of dolls heads, piano solos, nice juicy sick writing, and many more stuffs of awesome.
Check out the book trailer:
Another book I gave five stars to is just out in paperback. You can find my review for Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma here. I highly recommend this book.
BEFORE WATCHMEN: SILK SPECTRE #1
3 out of 5 stars
*I promise I'll try and keep this from becoming a rant on the two faced bullshit of some peoples attacks and boycott of this project while still buying other books from DC and Marvel. With that one sentence rant about not ranting out of the way. I picked up this book before Minutemen #1 because of Amanda Conner's artwork. I really love her work. The art is really good here also so no disappointment there. With this first issue I found myself thinking ok, that's it? Maybe that feeling was from the build up but I felt let down. The story is ok but again maybe unfair build up within me. I'm going to check out the second issue and the first issue of the other Before Watchmen series but trades are in mainly in the future for me for Before Watchmen.
STORMWATCH VOLUME ONE: THE DARK SIDE
4 out of 5 stars
STAR WARS THE CLONE WARS: STRANGE ALLIES
3 out of 5 stars
Cool links to check out:
I really wish more people would step up for this project. If I had the cash I would throw some in, makes me feel bad. It would be really disappointing with so many people crying that they only see the same old thing over and over that a great project being told in an original way like The Garlicks doesn't get made. Go throw in some cash, spread the word, or both.
Some interesting publishing related links you might wish to check out:
Panelists Say Libraries are Perfect Ebook Partner for Publishers | IDPF Digital Book Conference and Why the ebook you want isn't for sale in your country - Boing Boing.For the writer's out there: Pixar's 22 Rules of Storytelling - Tubefilter We could all learn a thing or a thousand from Pixar.
Rants and screams:
I really love that the history of our whole fucking nation is filled with speech after speech about how we hate countries that hold down freedom of speech, mislead its citizens, and fix elections through strong handed methods of politics but that is just what we are doing right now in America. The idea of the American Dream might be a generationally shared delusion but that doesn't mean we should be shitting on the idea every chance we get.
Elections like funerals end up being about anything but the persons most effected by their outcomes- i.e. the poor and the dead, and more about the people standing strong no matter what- your rich, your politicians, and your Uncle Ernie who is being stuffed with hay and dog shit. Uncle Ernie is just dead, I bet you're regretting not letting him barrow your copy of Tecmo Bowl when he was sick at age 5 now. Yep, I knew it, that's the only reason you're crying, you know that scarred his heart and the reason for the heart attack years later on the shitter.
The subject of this link doesn't bother me because this is parody but the comment near the end, "As soon as DC does a Harry Potter comic while JK Rowling stands on the sidelines complaining, we’ll talk." DC can't do that because there are contracts probably in place that say they can't. As far as my knowledge goes Mr. Moore signed a sucky contract the same as a lot of creators have had to do over the years to make money. If he had any legal ground to stand on he would probably be suing but instead his is letting his acolytes turn him into a martyr. He got screwed, bad contract, should have read it more carefully, or not signed it at all. DC might be big douche bags and so is Marvel when it comes to their histories dealing with creators but Come On Man? Lets stop this bullshit that Before Watchmen is like the worst thing to ever happen to a creator. Go tell that to Bruce Lee's family about Kung Fu or Steve Diko about all of his hard work or the thousands of creators who have done work for companies and never got a dime one and still owed money years later. Alan Moore created Harold Potter long before he turned him into the Antichrist
Mar called me the other day and I didn't know she had me on speaker phone so I was my normal self and I guess there was people near by. Ooops. I told her she shouldn't have given me a live mic. I sometimes channel CM Punk and Arn Anderson when pissed off and go into pipe bomb mode. In case anyone was wondering the thing I was cursing the Gods about was the DVR remote going dead right before Euro games started.
Wal-Mart reminds me of the coal mine owners. Has anyone written a Sixteen Tons type of song about them yet? Wal-Mart-Linked PR Officer Poses as Journalist to Workers
Monday, June 18, 2012
Where I talk about FIFA 02 Season 1 Games 1-5, some star only reviews, and there's other stuffs:
{I know it's a really old version of the game Mr. I have a PS3}
ECC: Liverpool Vs. Maribor
*I'm playing with my favorite team Liverpool and this is the first time I've played any sports game, never the mind a Soccer, outside of Madden in a really really long time. I played several games because I'm all hyped right now with Euro 2012 taking place and me being able to watch all of them so far. I'll be playing on Professional Level to start out so lets see how I did with my first game, a ECC Tournament game. I gave up a penalty right off the back. I think my players think they are playing American football. At the half it was 0-1. They had so many shots on goal, like 13 to 3. Garrad will also miss my next game because he decided to drop kick the goal keeper for Maribor. And he seems like such a nice guy on TV?
GOAL! Patrik Berger.
By transfer I bought in Landon Donovan from the SJ Earthquakes and Steve Mcmanaman from Real Madrid. Spending some Liverpool cash up in here. And in the end the final score was Liverpool-1 Vs. Maribor-3
EPL: Liverpool Vs. West Ham
*My first Premier League game and I'm without two starting players on suspension. I was thinking I had to get a better goal keeper. I did in the transfer window as I picked up Olivee Kohn from Manchester United. Turns out that wasn't my issue, my problem was I was, sort of, you know.... using the wrong buttons to pass and shoot. And in the end the final scare was Liverpool-0 Vs. West Ham-8
ECC: Maribor Vs. Liverpool
*The second game of the ECC and I needed a win or I was gone from the tournment without barely being in it. I'm out of the tournment having barely been in it.
GOAL! Fowler.
And in the end the final score was Maribor-1 Vs. Liverpool-1
EPL: Bolton Vs. Liverpool
*My second Premier League game was me running rough shot over Bolton and thinking, falsely, that I had this game down. I was wrong. See next game for proof.
GOAL! Owen GOAL! Owen GOAL! Berger GOAL! Owen GOAL!Gerrad GOAL!Gerrad
And in the end the final score was Bolton-0 Vs. Liverpool-6
EPL: Liverpool Vs. Aston Villa
*I have a problem. I can't do crosses worth shit. Is it this version of the game or me. I don't know but crosses never work for me. They look like out of control floating balloons when I try crosses.
GOAL! Mcmanaman GOAL! Owen GOAL!Owen
And in the end the final score was Liverpool-3 Vs. Aston Villa-5
Reviews:
GAME OF THRONES THE GRAPHIC NOVEL: VOLUME ONE
3 out of 5 stars
EXCALIBUR: THE SWORD IS DRAWN
5 out of 5 stars
RED LANTERNS- VOLUME ONE: BLOOD AND RAGE
4 out of 5 stars
*book reading update. I found out why I was having problems sitting down and reading The Tomb even though I was loving the time I was spending with it. The copy I got from the library was all musty driving my asthma nuts. I didn't really notice until reading some of it one night in the bedroom. I'm going to try and see if I can find a better copy at a used book store, not many around here, or maybe buy it new and donate after reading it.
Cool links to check out:
And in other video game sports news John Green's team is growing into its FIFA season: Worst Case Scenario: The Miracle of Swindon Town #130 and Beautiful and Less Beautiful: The Miracle of Swindon Town #131
And still I wish I had went to one of this schools. My schools were fucked up in different ways. 10 Bizarre Schools From Around The Country
I will put each new episode of FFFIC up in my cool links sections because the show is "So cool." Comic Book Reviews - FFFIC Episode #49 Plus it part of my lcs doing dongs.
This is for Mar but since she doesn't read my blog I guess I will also post it on my Facebook which she at least skims. Green Day: ¡Uno! [Official Trailer With Album Cover]
"Rule if your not an expert in something don't pretend to be an expert. This will serve you in both your academic career and your kissing career." John Green. Columbus, de Gama, and Zheng He! 15th Century Mariners. Crash Course: Wo...
This game seems pretty interesting. Castle Panic: Yuri Lowenthal, Tara Platt and Andre the Black Nerd join W...
I checked out the first episode of this series and will view more in the future. The Lizzie Bennet Diaries is a modernized adaptation of the classic Jane Austen novel, Pride and Prejudice. The series is created by Hank Green and Bernie Su.
Some Hank Green SciShow fun: Gregor Mendel: Great Minds
This is my cousin's YouTube channel, check it out because he's my cousin and the guy has always been very talented when it comes to music all his life. Even back when we couldn't go to the pool one summer because he had a bad eye infection but then we played balloon fights in his families back yard and it may have done as much damage as if we had drowned him. Have so many memories of us together, a lot connected to a mutual love of old school NWA pro-wrestling.
Rants and screams:
It's like that profound quote, "I might not agree with your wack-a-doddle thoughts but I will die defending your right to have them." Maybe I didn't get the quote word for word but you get the point. And if you don't click on the link and read what Neil Gaiman has to say, he's smart. Also has pretty lips. Just saying, man has nice lips. Why Defend Freedom Of Icky Speech
Well Mr. Rumsfeld we have a Christian problem within our borders. What? Did that sound stupid and was it ignorant for me to say something like that? You are so right, it is, totally stupid, without a trace of intelligence, and spineless. Rumsfeld: Russia Has ‘Muslim Problems’
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Where I review Wonder Woman Blood, Star Trek/Doctor Who, and books I'm reading
3 out of 5 stars for Star Trek The Next Generation/Doctor Who: Assimilation2 #1
Written by Scott & David Tipton with Tony Lee
Art by J.K. Woodward
Lettering by Shawn Lee and Robbie Robbins
Edited by Denton J. Tipton
Here's a preview of the book if you want to check it out.
I didn't even order this book, didn't buy the Previews it was in, but my comic shop knows me, as a good store should know it's regular customers, and they had it in my folder waiting when I came in on Friday.
As with most first issues this was mainly setup. I can always deal with that in a first issue as the same with the first few chapters of a prose story. With that said the second issue is where you grab or lose a reader. So looking forward to what they have ahead for us.
There are six different covers to this first issue so you are sure to find one you like. I liked all of them but as I'm ranted about before, I hate photo covers of any kind, just not my thing.
The story art by Woodward was pretty cool. I liked the look of it for the most part. The only problem you find at times with painted books were the artist has to capture an actors likeness is they sometimes get a look from photo references and a head can look almost cut and pasted onto a body. That may have happen once or twice here but for the most part I really enjoyed the art. It keep the story going and had some really nice touches in places.
So overall I'm a huge Doctor Who fan so I'm going to be picking up the next issue of this story no matter what but even if I wasn't a huge fan of either series they got my interest with good storytelling art, nice setup, and some quick fun off the bat hits. Now the question will be, will this be just be another thrown together crossover or will it be the story so many fans have been waiting so long to see. With the choice of Borg and Cybermen, a truthfully predictable pairing of foes to face, it will take some good twists and mixture of fan wank moments to make this stand out and be what it should be, a classic.
3 out of 5 stars for Wonder Woman Vol.1: Blood
Writer, Brian Azzarello
Artist, Cliff Chiang
Artist on parts 5 & 6, Tony Akins
I liked Tony Akins art and would have enjoyed if he had done the artwork throughout the book and the same can be said for Cliff Chiang who is a artist I always love but the change just pulled me out of the story for a bit that keep the stories wheels in a spin for a little space of time and that's never a good thing.
But I will buy Volume Two when it comes out. They sold me to at least check out a few volumes of the series. This is a Wonder Woman I can get behind and recommend to friends.
My local comic shop likes to call this, "The best Vertigo book that isn't a Vertigo book." or something along those lines. I agree but I will also say it's just a great Wonder Woman book period.
I know some people are really upset about the changes that have happen to Wonder Woman's origin and I didn't really like it either but those changes did happen and since they are there lets be happy Brian Azzarello had the skills to use those changes so well to tell his story.
It's hard for fans to deal with big changes but when it comes down to it in comic book reboots you have to look with new eyes. These aren't the characters a lot of us grew up with. It's hard to do sometimes when dealing with a book you may care so much about but otherwise you live only in the past and with the character changes that have always happen in comics at Marvel and DC that's almost impossible and still find enjoyment.
And as I mentioned this might not be the characters but those weren't the characters my brothers or my father grew up with either. Some changes might hurt and piss us off more as fans but the changes are a constant flow from DC and always have been.
Also I want to say I want my Wonder Woman this way. I want her carrying a sword. I want blood in her stories. I want centaurs losing their heads. Don't give me a Wonder Woman who lets Batman and Superman preach to her when she had the courage and guts to break a mans neck to save lives. She's a warrior, not a superhero.
And on the issue of hardcovers because when am I not ranting about hardcovers. I still hate the fact that DC has released so many of the New 52 collections in hardcovers but I guess I "threw my fan boy morals away" and when I picked this up. Someone said those words to me through a DM message on Twitter. But don't worry Fan Boy Gods, it's probably going to be the last time I do so. No more backsliding for me. I'm a huge long time comic book fan so I do stuff like that, impulse buys, but I still think DC is operating counter to their goal of attracting new readers by these hardcovers.
Books I'm reading:
The Tomb by F. Paul Wilson
*I'm still reading this but if you want to know about the series check out this write up on Geektress. One of my favorite pop culture websites. I'm a slow reader so its not any sort of judgment if it takes me a long time to finish a book. I really like this series and if you like urban heroes like The Punisher and Daredevil I'd say check this out.
Drift by Rachel Maddow
*I'm a slow reader normally, even more so with non-fiction but this is one of the best non-fiction books I've read in a really long time. As I've said so many times Rachel Maddow is one of the few News people in the mainstream media I can listen to.
How To Archer by Sterling Archer
*Funny as shit. If you like the show, check out this book. The writer did a good job of capturing Sterling Archer's voice with this book. Some funny as crap fucked up stuff in here but you can't do Archer without that. Now what I want is a book by Pam.
And a little note to end. The show that got me to pick up a hardcover comic collection by how much love they kept throwing at that book: Comic Book Reviews - FFFIC Episode #47 This show is hosted at and by people from my lcs Famous Faces And Funnies. Check out the show. The only comic book video review show I watch.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Where I actually post a few reviews and the WPS
*I wont be writing up reviews of everything I read but I will post the reviews here when I have something to say about something I've read.
Currently Reading:
As I'm always reading several things at once so when I do a reviews posts I'll also discuss books I'm reading.
My reading patterns are always all over the place because there isn't really one type of book I like to read. For some reason that seems to drive other people crazy, you'd be surprised how many people who tell they find it strange finding out the varied lists of books I read.
I get into moods of reading nothing but graphic novels because I can read a lot during a very short period of time. When reading prose I like to sit down a little, settle in to read a number of chapters at once so if I'm busy writing or for whatever reason I usually go into graphic novel reading mode.
Plus I'm so fucking slow when reading prose. Really slow.
Right now I'm in one of those moods but I'm also reading two prose books, one non-fiction{which is way not my norm} and the other is the first book of a series. {Just what I needed, another series to swim into.}
Drift by Rachel Maddow
*Rachel Maddow is one of the few political commentators on TV that I can listen to. I think it has a lot do with her out front intelligence and sly humor. But I think the main reason behind my love for Rachel Maddow is how she has this true love of American politics. It helps her dance through things that are probably making most of us want to Road Warrior people in traffic or take a Punisher approach to political masturbations in Washington. If you are interested in modern American politics and U.S. military history in general you really should read this book.
The Tomb by F. Paul Wilson
*I had never even heard of this series or this book or the writer until a friend pointed me in its direction. I just started reading it so I don't have much to say about it so far but give me time, anyone who reads this blog on a regular basis knows I tend to talk for ages about just about anything. Ages, ages, and ages. I can go on and on and on.
I'm going to try to write at least a paragraph or two about books I read from now on.
Wonder Woman: Odyssey Volume 2
What I found more than anything else from reading it was a feeling of bla. Bla. Bla. It's just ok. I love Wonder Woman and it had some nice action but...bla. Even all the things people got so upset about I was saying bla to.
When they released the costume design I didn't like it much, way too late 80's early 90's comics for me, but costume changes never bug me that much. Hell with a character that's been around as long as Wonder Woman has she's had more costume changes than a model. The story just fell flat and seemed more than anything else a long way to go to get to a costume change and origin fuckery.
I like J. Michael Straczynski. I love Babylon 5 and think his run on Spider-Man is one of the best ever for that character. Well, those last couple volumes sucked but I try to forget them but Wonder Woman Odyssey was so much talk with nothing happening and I don't really mean dialogue. The nothing of the changes and the nothing of the controversies. In story. In changes. In what a creative talented writer had to offer to a legendary character I came away just bla.
Superman: Grounded Volume 1
This had too much filler and reminded me a lot of a old Doctor Who episode that had a great idea but they had to fill 5 episodes with a 2 or 3 episode story.
And another thing that bothered me. J. Micael Straczynski didn't write this alone. If you're are going to put a writer's name above the title they should have written the whole book. I understand marketing but that pisses me off as a writer but comics have always played fuckballs when it comes to credits.
*I already had someone on Goodreads ask me why I gave these Wonder Woman and Superman stories 3 stories when it seems like I didn't like them much. Well, I love the characters, the attempted ideas, and some moments of the stories and that's worth 3 stars to me. And if you're interested there is a link to my Goodreads page here on the right and down a bit, though the reviews are longer here.
Ultimate Comics Captain America
Now this concept is hitting head the Ultimate Universe. This story hits as doing just what it was trying to do. It advances the character building of Captain America and puts big highlights on one of the better characters of the Ultimate Universe.
Ron Garney has always been one of the best Cap artists in my opinion. I really should talk more artists when I do comic reviews because they can be make or brake for me when picking up a book.
Captain America is my favorite Marvel character and has been for years. Back when I bought monthly issues I probably had more Marvel Cap issues than any other non-team book. I had everything from 100 to issues around 2004. All of those were donated to charity a while back though as I trimmed a ton of my individual comics. Small apartment living does that to comic collections.
Star Wars Jedi Council: Acts Of War
I also read Y The Last Man: Vo.7 4 out of 5 stars {one of the best comic book series ever} and also Saga #3. Both of these I picked up at the 3rd Saturday of my local comic book shops Free Comic Book May celebration. Famous Faces And Funnies is a great store and if you are local to here in Melbourne Florida, check it out.
Here's some cool links:
John Green talks about lockeroom issues with his team: Trouble in Paradise: The Miracle of Swindon Town #113
My favorite comics reviews show: FFFIC Episode #45
I think anyone can enjoy a show that talks about being frozen Solos style, fake asses for spanking fun, and teaching geography through a zombie outbreak. 4 Points - Joel David Moore joins Alex Albrecht and Alison Haislip: Ep 3
One of my favorite podcasts Geektress 145. And I tried to feed them my hatred of hardcovers. And no I'm not going to rant more on that here. That can wait until next week when DC releases another book I want first in HC. I still cry BULLSHIT but I might be the only person :(
Can Mythbusters Destroy Pins? - All Star Bowling. We really need to go bowling soon.
There are just so many really good webseries and Crash Course is one of my favorite educational series because you get the knowledge and you get the funny. Wait For It...The Mongols!: Crash Course World History #17
This is cool.
Rants and screams:
Sad news. I really enjoyed watching the WPS. I wish their had been some way they could have partnered with MLS the way the NBA does with the WNBA. I've watched more WPS than MLS and that's says a lot about what I think about the MLS and I might be wrong but I think the WPS closing down not only signals bad things for the WNBA but also the MLS. WPS closes it's doors
Two Florida cities are on this? Probably because the place is so ass cracking hot and most of the people are asswhipes and that make it that you just would rather stay inside and read or if you go somewhere take a book so you don't have to ineract with other humans. America's Most Well Read Cities
But what about the children's and their fragile little minds? Free Speech Advocates Score Victory in Utah
Our government as a whole are condoning this type of hate speech from churches by allowing churches bigot celebrations to be tax free operations. This needs to end. These churches do nothing for the community and the country as a whole. And I know a lot of churches are not saying things like this but are they coming out against this type of hate? Are they showing love to their fellow man and woman? Then you are justifying this speech by your silence.
Need to start ending blog entries with things I know some people reading this will get their old panties up in a twist about and since I'm having lunch with a friend later here's something for you Tankgirl if you're reading this. And if you are wondering I found that video here on Jimmy Palmiotti's blogger.
Need to start ending blog entries with things I know some people reading this will get their old panties up in a twist about and since I'm having lunch with a friend later here's something for you Tankgirl if you're reading this. And if you are wondering I found that video here on Jimmy Palmiotti's blogger.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Where I talk about Reviews, Self-Publishing, Apple, Amazon, Game Of Thrones, the Department Of Justice, and John Green’s skills at FIFA
The first thing I’d
like to talk about today is reviews. Not that I get a ton of them but I’m
getting more and more.
Also I consider
micro reviews, reviews, nothing wrong with them except when you dive into being
critical about the work. You just don’t have enough time for anything besides a
star rating on Twitter or in that limit of words. Going for more in that sort
of environment leads to- “This sucks.” “Best thing ever” and “I will never get
those min/hrs of my life back after reading this.”
Currently in my thoughts when it comes to
reviews, besides the fact that I might stop reading them good or bad, is that I
find it interesting that some people get angry that I don’t respond to their
bad review of something I wrote.
These people take
time to write me an email to say why haven’t I gotten into a pissing contest
with them? Sorry you didn’t like the story but writers don’t owe readers an
internet duel.
Also I’ve never
gotten how reading a story or seeing a movie you didn’t like is somehow a
personal issue. Move on.
“If you make
art, people will talk about it. Some of the things they say will be nice, some
won’t. You’ll already have made that art, and when they’re talking about the
last thing you did, you should already be making the next thing.
If bad
reviews (of whatever kind) upset you, just don’t read them. It’s not like
you’ve signed an agreement with the person buying the book to exchange your
book for their opinion.
Do whatever
you have to do to keep making art. I know people who love bad reviews, because
it means they’ve made something happen and made people talk; I know people who
have never read any of their reviews. It’s their call. You get on with making
art.” ― Neil Gaiman
And another quote I
found today that I like.
"...I know that I suck. I know I suck
balls and I know I suck other things. Thank you for being specific about all
the things I suck." -- John Green talking about people commenting on him
playing FIFA but I think it fits reviews also.
I say as Neil
Gaiman has said, “do your art.” I believe the very act of doing so will piss
off a lot of people and there is no better reason.
I’m going to say
something here that might piss off some people I know who are published with
big publishers or work for them, but I think even though you win in sheer
volume of good and bad views heading your way, it’s nothing like what self-publishers
tend to receive.
I just think the
spit and boil towards self-publishers is almost more personal from reviewers
but also that might be part of the internet age of trolls and hiding behind a
handle? Maybe self-publishers look like easier targets also.
Maybe, I don’t
know, just a thought.
I could just be
sitting here in my side of the yard thinking the dog shit over here stinks
worse than the dog shit over there?
Now to the hot bed
topic just about everyone is talking about in publishing- The Department Of
Justice suit against a number of publishers. I’ll just throw out some things I
said on Twitter about this.
I love that
publishers are standing with Apple against the evil Amazon. Now this is a Game of
Thrones.
Apples predatory
software and operations make Amazon look holy. These enemies we choose to sleep
with?
The
DOJ/publisher/Amazon mess is that, a mess, but there is no golden army to stand
with.
And in other news I’ve
decided to stop releasing my monthly free stories and just focus on Tin
Universe and Chaos Read. One story a month is enough for me right now to center
in on writing, revising, editing, and releasing each month.
Here’s some cool things by others:
Want to read a free Graphic Novel. Here's a good one:
Texas Steampunk I Cathedral Child http://
"I think Own Goal is our
second leading scorer this year." Pre-Yeti Love Life: The Miracle of
Swindon Town #99: http://youtu.be/Tbdsp2hYaEg
I liked this discussion of YA Fiction and Love
during The Miracle of Swindon Town #100: http://youtu.be/4FfYYZCa61w
And Once again I’ll say it. I
would love to do something like what John Green does with this if I had the
hardware but focused on me playing Madden.
And that leads me to say that I
still haven’t started playing Madden 11 that I recently picked up. Too much
writing and other life events going on.
And as always here are some of the
places you can find me online:
CHAOS READ: Bimonthly Short Story Series.
You Pick The Price!
TIN UNIVERSE: Bimonthly Short Story Series.
$0.99USD
Facebook
Twitter
Smashwords Store
http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hangbrian
Friday, August 5, 2011
REVIEW: SILVER SURFER - IN THY NAME
Marvel Comics
Written by SIMON SPURRIER
Art by TAN ENG HUAT
Color Art by JOSE VILLARRUBIA
Letters by VIRTUAL CALLIGRAPHY’S CORY PETIT
Covers by MICHAEL TURNER & PETER STEIGERWALD, GABRIELE DELL’OTTO, PAUL POPE & JOSE VILLARRUBIA, and TAN ENG HUAT & JOSE VILLARRUBIA
Editor AUBREY SITTERSON
So many people know of the Silver Surfer but I feel not enough people know how great of a character he is really is. In my eyes he is one of the top Marvel characters of all time. I haven’t been the biggest fan of outer space superhero comics but I do love reading Silver Surfer self contained stories every chance I get. I think that format of comic story telling works for the Surfer. With the setting of a monthly ongoing series I think the shine of how unique of a character he really is falls off the board because most writers have a good Surfer story in them but most do not get the character enough to keep telling his stories on a regular basis.
Pun tried above.
Pun failure above.
And if you might ask me what outer space superhero comics I have enjoyed, off the top of my head I’ll mention The Annihilation stories at Marvel and Green Lantern stories at DC. There are many more but maybe that will have to wait until maybe a day when I have time to explore it more in depth in a blog entry.
I found Silver Surfer: In Thy Name at one of my local libraries on a random trip and took it home with a stack of books not thinking much about until I picked it up one day to read between editing one of my own stories and watching the MLS All-Star game.
When I started it the first thing I noticed was how much I loved the art of Tan Eng Huat and the color work by Jose Villarrubia. I think more than any other kind of story in comics a colorist makes or breaks an outer space tale.
This one once again finds the Surfer being very emo in space; which is his characters nature. He has always been a mixture of emo and hippy and when people attack that part of the character the criticism really doesn’t hit because that’s who he is. It’s like calling Tony Stark a dick. Really? Ok, yea, that’s him.
The Silver Surfer is very much a character about the very nature of life and living. Though I’ve sort of made fun of him for being by nature emo and hippified, The Silver Surfer is very complex in how in the hands of a talented team he can be used to explore such things as whether a utopia is possible and do so without jumping outside his character and standing out for being too preachy.
Like Superman the Silver Surfer is a very hard character for a lot of writers to get a hold of beyond the basics of how people see him. If you write his life an superhero then you are already going down the wrong track.
In the world of Marvel’s outer space stories he should be the key, just as Green Lantern is with DC Comics.
That’s doesn’t mean that they should always be the focal point of outer space adventures but they should be used to expand and tour that side of these universes.
The Silver Surfer can go head to head with the most powerful beings and situations the Marvel Universe can offer up against him but he is also such a human character that he never gets lost in seeing the very nature of not only life but living. And in being this way he should be one of the best characters Marvel has but it seems like so many has a hard time writing his outside of just making him a measurement of how powerful other characters are.
Silver Surfer: In Thy Name is great story whether you have read any Surfer stories in the past or if this is your introduction to the character. This book has great art without so much energy and life to it. The story goes into the deep lines of life that all stories involving the Silver Surfer should do.
And a final note. The cover to issue number 3 of the limited series is one of my all time favorite images of The Silver Surfer. Just love that and wish they had used that for the cover of the trade.
Ok, now I’m going to try that things called sleep.
SILVER SURFER: IN THY NAME
3 out of 5 Stars
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
REVIEW: MY ROTTEN LIFE NATHAN ABERCROMBIE, ACCIDENTAL ZOMBIE
MY ROTTEN LIFE:
NATHAN ABERCROMBIE, ACCIDENTAL ZOMBIE
By David Lubar
Yet another book I picked up at ALA11 in New Orleans. They were giving away copies of this already released book. That trip is going to be memorable for years to come for so many reasons but most of all the fact that meet so many cool people and brought home some great books.
My Rotten Life: Nathan Abercrombie, Accidental Zombie is a book I didn’t get from standing in a line but a book I found when I was sitting down for a rest working on a book of my own and noticed someone had left two copies of it sitting on the floor near the trash can across from where I was seated.
One of the things that really bugged Mar and I both while attending the conference was how some people were just grabbing anything free and then later discarding them. We saw books tossed on the floor, in the trash, and many places you should never leave a book. We only tried to get books that we had interest in for the writer, artist, or content. People were being so wasteful and that pissed me off. Not everyone was doing this but enough were for it to bother me a lot.
And since these books I found were homeless and mistreated I just had to give them a home. Plus Mar loves zombie stuff so I thought she might like a copy. I’ve read so man Middle Grade books of that that I really enjoyed I’m always looking for more good Middle Grade books.
And if you wondering about some Middle Grade books I would recommend here’s a quick list off the top of my head: Dani Noir by Nova Ren Suma, Horton Halfpott by Tom Angleberger, and Peter Nimble And His Fantastic Eyes by Jonathan Auxier to name a few.
My Rotten Life turned out to be another great book surprise and when I showed the book to Mar back at the hotel after the day at the convention Mar said she knew the writer and enjoyed his writing so I decided to give it a try even if I’m not the biggest zombie fan.
I’m really glad someone was stupid and tossed these. Their lose turns out to be my gain. After finishing Peter Nimble And His Fantastic Eyes this became my before bedtime read and I loved it. I finished it quicker than I normally do before bedtime reads but that’s because I was sick for a few days and read it early in the morning also after making Mar coffee.
My Rotten Life is a Middle Grade book by David Lubar about ten year old Nathan Abercrombie. This book is full of great humor, a very well written supporting cast, and a story that moves fast but without any sacrifices in its storytelling for its speed.
Though this book has tons of humor it only has some really heart twisting moments when it comes to how Nathan and his friends are treated by the popular kids. And I felt these moments with more strength than a lot of the more graphic nature of some YA books that tackled the issues of bullying and school life.
I loved all the characters in this story. Supporting cast, parents, teachers, and settings all took you deeper into this world. Such good craft in the storytelling. One of the better supporting cast of characters in a book I’ve read in a long time of any level, style, or genre.
A little note: Everyone talks about the absent parents that are in YA books and that is true in a lot of YA books but it seems like to me Middle Grade books have more of a parental presence in their stories and that’s because of the age of the characters but in books of the quality like that of My Rotten Life you are glad to see more of the parents because they added a lot to the world of this story. From the parents of lead character Nathan to the parents of his friend Abigail the life of the young characters is expanded by including well written parents.
Nathan’s friend Mookie is the comedy character you will find in a lot of stories but he’s a great character overall and him being the so called comedy character works even more here because he doesn’t stand out as that “type” of character because of the humor of the other characters.
All of the characters in My Rotten Life exist very natural and I loved that take in this type of story instead of only creating stereotypes which is the route a lot of writers would have gone.
This story is funny, heart wrenching, gross, and wants me wanting more. I’m glad to have read by the sample at the back of this book that there are plans for more adventures of Nathan Abercrombie, Accidental Zombie.
Just checked Amazon and it seems like there are already a couple more in the series out and for sale but also checking my local library shows they don’t have any for check. Sorry to find that out. If I can find some used copies cheap I’ll buy and probably donate. I’ll be keeping the first book though because if I get the chance I would love to get it signed in the future.
MY ROTTEN LIFE:
NATHAN ABERCROMBIE, ACCIDENTAL ZOMBIE
4 out of 5 stars
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
REVIEW: DOCTOR WHO - A FAIRYTALE LIFE #3 & #4
DOCTOR WHO:
A FAIRYTALE LIFE
#3 & #4
IDW Publishing
Written by MATTHEW STURGES
Art by BRIAN SHEARER
Colors by RACHELLE ROSENBERG
Lettering by SHAWN LEE
Edited by DENTON J. TIPTON
Covers by MARK BUCKINGHAM and PHIL ELLIOTT
To end off this limited series and also to help to try and catch up with the single issue comic reviews I need to do I’m combining my reviews for issues #3 and #4.
I might combine more single issues in the future also when I review them as I tend to only go to the comic shop maybe once a month. But with the new DC relaunch books coming out I'll try to read, review, and post those reviews as I get the books.
In my review for the second issue of this Doctor Who limited series I talked about how I had hoped this story as it entered its pay off issues of 3 & 4 would have a lot more to offer up because as it was its course was very standard sci-fi. It did improve but for the most part only by a duck on the head measure. Read #3 and you will get that joke and it was one of the few really creative things I found in this story.
The biggest star of these last two issues and this limited series in total is Amy Pond. The writer did a pretty good job with writing her and capturing the onscreen character.
The characterization of the Doctor though is very hit and miss throughout the series but that’s true also in the history of people writing the Doctor for comics.
I really enjoyed a lot of the Doctor Who one-shots IDW put out in the past and feel this story would have been better suited to a one-shot. I think it would have turned out more compact and more streamlined.
But the next test will be when I buy the trade and read this story as a whole because sometimes my view of a story changes when I’m able to sit down and read the story as one thought.
DOCTOR WHO: A FAIRYTALE LIFE #3 & #4
2 out of 5 Stars
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