An incredibly imaginative premise well-executed. I felt connected to the characters (even the ones I couldn't relate to) and it left me wanting more fAn incredibly imaginative premise well-executed. I felt connected to the characters (even the ones I couldn't relate to) and it left me wanting more from the world Kyriazis created (where things like this can happen)....more
Wow, does this book pack a lot into it! I will confess it's been a few months since I read it, but I really appreciated how it (from an outsider's perWow, does this book pack a lot into it! I will confess it's been a few months since I read it, but I really appreciated how it (from an outsider's perspective) addressed important issues for trans folk in the context of a wild and crazy story without actually overshadowing the story. And that's really the impressive part. Read it!!...more
I have only dabbled in TMNT lore, so it is remarkable that this pulled me in to the degree that it did. I thought Eastman did a great job of keeping tI have only dabbled in TMNT lore, so it is remarkable that this pulled me in to the degree that it did. I thought Eastman did a great job of keeping the identity of the remaining turtle secret for the first issue, and the one that was left made perfect sense. He also did a great job of providing enough exposition that a reader without extensive backstory could make sense of the plot, but not so much that it bogged or slowed down the narrative at all. And the art and colors are fantastic. A TMNT story for the ages....more
I will confess that my high rating might be due to the very low expectations I had for this. I thought it might be amusing and kitchy and it was anythI will confess that my high rating might be due to the very low expectations I had for this. I thought it might be amusing and kitchy and it was anything but. I should have known better given that O'Neil and Adams collaborated on it. For a story about a Black man written and drawn by White men, I think it has aged pretty well (being a White man myself, I understand I am not the prime authority on this) and honored the real-life Muhammad Ali as well as the history of the character of Superman. I would think it would be a trick to write any actual person into a vast fictional narrative like this, but the internal logic holds up pretty well and manages to avoid all but the slightest amount of cheesiness. The art, of course, is fantastic. Adams is a master of the human form and expression and his attention to detail is impeccable. Highly recommended!...more
I loved this, though it was tough to keep jumping back and forth on the page to read the translated word. I finally gave up partway through or I wouldI loved this, though it was tough to keep jumping back and forth on the page to read the translated word. I finally gave up partway through or I would have never finished it. But everything else about it was amazing!...more
Keep in mind this is a relative 3 star review in the context of the entire series, of which I have skipped around a bit in my reading. Toppi's art andKeep in mind this is a relative 3 star review in the context of the entire series, of which I have skipped around a bit in my reading. Toppi's art and layouts are ALWAYS 5 stars, regardless of the subject matter. Sci-fi seems to be a lesser strength of his, and the stories lean towards satire more often than not. It reminds me of the sci-fi short story anthologies from the 60s and 70s I used to read as a youth: machines falling in love with people and that sort of thing. You'll never waste your time on Toppi, though, so consider this a recommendation regardless....more
Decent start to the Ultimate X-Men line. Kind of a lot to keep track of right out of the gate. Some of the other Ultimate titles are a little easier tDecent start to the Ultimate X-Men line. Kind of a lot to keep track of right out of the gate. Some of the other Ultimate titles are a little easier to get into. ...more
My head is spinning after reading this! But regardless of whether or not you can follow the time travel logic (if indeed there even is any) there is eMy head is spinning after reading this! But regardless of whether or not you can follow the time travel logic (if indeed there even is any) there is enough silliness here to entertain even casual readers....more
Super cool concept--I was actually drawn in by the Ultimate Spider-Man (Miles) issues, which I read as part of a Miles Morales binge. I really enjoyedSuper cool concept--I was actually drawn in by the Ultimate Spider-Man (Miles) issues, which I read as part of a Miles Morales binge. I really enjoyed the Ultimates portion of the crossover, but had some issues with the X-Men part. Story-wise it's fine, but some of the dialogue seems stilted and tropey...and it's really a stretch to think of a 17 year old as capable of doing what she does as Kitty is in these issues. Well, not so much what she does, but how she talks about it. She is not written like a teenager at all. All of which is strange, because I hold Brian Wood's writing in high regard. I'm currently working through the rest of his run on Ultimate Comics X-Men and it's similarly puzzling with regard to the sub-par (sorry, but it's honestly how I feel) writing. I still gave the volume 4 stars overall because the concept and the other two crossover titles were excellent....more
This is my second Monkey with a Tool Belt, and I think I gotta read them all now. Chris Monroe mixes comics, poetry, prose, and humor together to makeThis is my second Monkey with a Tool Belt, and I think I gotta read them all now. Chris Monroe mixes comics, poetry, prose, and humor together to make a concoction that one would never think could be palatable but ends up being unexpectedly delicious. Monkey goes into outer space in this one. I mean, what else do you need to know about the book? Except that, if such a thing as a galactic hammer exists, I WANT ONE....more
I love how the story combines a genuine sci-fi mentality with real-life human relationships and interactions. The last few pages are a fascinating surI love how the story combines a genuine sci-fi mentality with real-life human relationships and interactions. The last few pages are a fascinating surprise, and open the door to a world of imaginings relative to the world that Fios has created to but really only alludes to throughout the narrative....more
I love the artwork the best. Intense inks, three-dimensional landscapes. Wolverton's imagination was unparalleled. Pre-space age sci-fi is a hoot to rI love the artwork the best. Intense inks, three-dimensional landscapes. Wolverton's imagination was unparalleled. Pre-space age sci-fi is a hoot to read--no limits! Martians everywhere! Anything is possible! ...more
It took me a bit to get started on this sci-fi story about a couple of families on a backwater space station (and a three-headed cat), but I really liIt took me a bit to get started on this sci-fi story about a couple of families on a backwater space station (and a three-headed cat), but I really liked it by the time I was finished. I'm glad I pushed through to the end. I think it's that there are a lot of characters to keep track of and the world-specific lingo is heavy up front, so that you're trying to keep track of all these things along with the plot. But the characters are likeable and diverse and female-forward and the world-building is solid. I really appreciate that it's geared towards kids but is not condescending in the least. Smart characters, smart dialogue, smart storytelling. So why only three stars? I almost gave up on it entirely, it was so tough to get into. I'm wondering if, now that I know the characters and environment better, I will enjoy the next book in the series more. I'm planning on reading it, so that's a good sign (there are three in the series so far)....more
Incredible! I couldn't put it down! Not only is it a solid time travel story, it is also wise in the ways of life- the present is always more importanIncredible! I couldn't put it down! Not only is it a solid time travel story, it is also wise in the ways of life- the present is always more important than the past and we always have the freedom to make different decisions about who we are and who we want to be and how to reconcile the two....more
[This is for the first two books in the series] I read these right after the other, so it would be hard to talk about one without talking about the oth[This is for the first two books in the series] I read these right after the other, so it would be hard to talk about one without talking about the other. So far, this is a masterpiece. I love the different art styles used for the different characters, I love the very realistic relationship drama, I love that we are getting an incomplete picture with each individual narrator that becomes more complete when they perspectives are combined (hmm, something worth noting for real life, perhaps). I love that there's a sci-fi/fantasy element that is oh-so-gradually woven in to the story and I'm VERY curious to see how it all plays out in the final book (which is out now but NOT available in my library system! Boo hoo!)- Marinaomi's gambling a bit given her setup so far. How is she possibly going to bring this to a resolution?...more
Usually I give high ratings to books that are exceptional in one way or another, while still being solid in most other ways. Topside isn't necessarilyUsually I give high ratings to books that are exceptional in one way or another, while still being solid in most other ways. Topside isn't necessarily exceptional in itself, but it is an exceptional example of genre fiction done well. It's your typical bildungsroman, about an everyman(woman) who finds herself in unusual circumstances and meets various misfits who help her on her quest whilst being pursued by a representative of an evil empire. Nothing new, right? However, each character gets just enough characterization to create a connection with the audience, each section of the journey is given just the right amount of time in the story, the good/bad dichotomies are distinct but not immutable, and the balance between story and worldbuilding is just right-it leaves you with questions and wonder but doesn't overwhelm. I will confess, the ending was a bit deus ex machina- but, honestly, just a bit. The art teeters on being too cartoony for the subject matter, but the inks and colors are rich and distinct. And there are some really, really creative details, like a giant worm that disguises itself as an inhabited city to lure sentient prey and a mass transit vehicle that both walks on legs and rides on rails. Jo herself is likable and relatable and very human. It's too bad it's not a part of a series because it would get more attention, but to make it more might have upset the nearly perfect balance the story has is all other areas....more
This is the first volume that didn't quite feel like it captured the essence of the show- particularly in the characters' dialogue- as well as the firThis is the first volume that didn't quite feel like it captured the essence of the show- particularly in the characters' dialogue- as well as the first 3 volumes. Catbug in particular was way too articulate. I haven't seen the fourth season, so maybe he evolves somehow, but I hope not! It was curious that issue 14 was exactly the same as one of the episodes in season 3. I haven't seen that before and wonder which came first... I have access to more of the issues but am disinclined for now to keep going....more
This is a nice collection of shorter stories. Comeau's writing in the comics series continues to tie in well with the show. I am so in love with CatbuThis is a nice collection of shorter stories. Comeau's writing in the comics series continues to tie in well with the show. I am so in love with Catbug I can't even put it into words. The story where Catbug draws the Bravest Warriors is pure gold. ...more
It's a good sign that one can write stories spanning several issues from characters that started out starring in 5 minute episodes. The plot and dialoIt's a good sign that one can write stories spanning several issues from characters that started out starring in 5 minute episodes. The plot and dialogue feel very much like the show....more
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