Genre: Science fiction, 2000 A.D. comics
Note: While this book can be read even if you have not read other Strontium Dog stories, there is continuity in the main plot lines of Strontium Dog stories. So reading this book would spoil previous books in the series for you. I recommend you read them in order.
This book collects stories from 2000 AD progs 600-606, 615-621, 636-641, 645-647 and 682-687 (1988-90). It has one long story following the Strontium Dog Johnny Alpha and about 4 shorter stories at the end.
The art in the book is simply fantastic. 90 % of the pages are in black and white with some pages colored. The details and clarity in the art is stunning.
The writing in the book is good. It has a sarcastic, cynical tone throughout the book which fits in with a world devastated by radioactivity and one that has a persecuted class of mutants born due to the radioactivity.
The story in this book is serviceable, the tale told is entertaining enough. It is not however good or great. The art plus the story make this into a above average package.
Rating: 3 / 5; Above average, recommended if you like Strontium Dog stories.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Graphic novel review: Elephantmen: War toys - Volume 1: No surrender by Richard Starkings and Moritat
Genre: War / Science fiction.
This trade paper collects Elephantmen: War Toys #1-3. This is also a prequel to Image's Elephantmen series.
The Elephantmen are animal-human hybrid soldiers created to fight in a futuristic war between China and Africa. The fight takes place in a Europe that has been decimated by a virus. The hybrids are made not only from fusion with elephants but also Rhinos, Hipppos, Crocodiles etc.
The art in this book is black and White and is pretty good. The scale of things seems inconsistent from time to time with the Elephantmen sometime seeming to be 25 feet tall and some time 10 feet tall. But all in all it is nice.
The writing is largely average. There is not much of a story told in this collection and what story is present, is predictable and largely uninteresting. This book feels like the team is milking its fan base.
Rating: 2.5 / 5, Average, Only recommended for the rabid fans.
This trade paper collects Elephantmen: War Toys #1-3. This is also a prequel to Image's Elephantmen series.
The Elephantmen are animal-human hybrid soldiers created to fight in a futuristic war between China and Africa. The fight takes place in a Europe that has been decimated by a virus. The hybrids are made not only from fusion with elephants but also Rhinos, Hipppos, Crocodiles etc.
The art in this book is black and White and is pretty good. The scale of things seems inconsistent from time to time with the Elephantmen sometime seeming to be 25 feet tall and some time 10 feet tall. But all in all it is nice.
The writing is largely average. There is not much of a story told in this collection and what story is present, is predictable and largely uninteresting. This book feels like the team is milking its fan base.
Rating: 2.5 / 5, Average, Only recommended for the rabid fans.
Graphic novel review: Cairo by G. Willow Wilson and M. K. Perker
Genre: Fantasy
Cairo starts very brightly. The black and white art is good. The characters we are introduced to, seem interesting and the writing leads us to believe that there is a good story to be told. The book remains strong till the mid point as the various plots and sub plots are laid out.
Midway through it starts to fizzle out. This starts with the characters, one finds it hard to have a connection with them. Their motivation's and the decisions that they take are too simplistic. Their break through 'a-ha' movements are childish. The author starts to touch on the current middle east conflicts between the Israelis and Arabs but does no justice to the complexities of the conflict.
The resolution to the various sub-plot and quandaries that the characters find themselves in is arbitrary. Magic is used as a convenient hammer to bang the plot lines closed. What starts out as a promising book ends up as a average book.
Rating: 2.5 / 5; Average, don't bother there are better books around.
Cairo starts very brightly. The black and white art is good. The characters we are introduced to, seem interesting and the writing leads us to believe that there is a good story to be told. The book remains strong till the mid point as the various plots and sub plots are laid out.
Midway through it starts to fizzle out. This starts with the characters, one finds it hard to have a connection with them. Their motivation's and the decisions that they take are too simplistic. Their break through 'a-ha' movements are childish. The author starts to touch on the current middle east conflicts between the Israelis and Arabs but does no justice to the complexities of the conflict.
The resolution to the various sub-plot and quandaries that the characters find themselves in is arbitrary. Magic is used as a convenient hammer to bang the plot lines closed. What starts out as a promising book ends up as a average book.
Rating: 2.5 / 5; Average, don't bother there are better books around.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Graphic novel review: Inferno by Mike Carey and Michael Gaydos
Genre: Fantasy
Note that this book is supposed to be written by Mike Carey. However in the book, the story credits list Gary Reed and James Pruett.
The first 4 pages of Inferno attempt to be mysterious and ends up being tedious. The first 4 pages are luckily not indicative of the rest of the book which feature good writing and a interesting story. Featuring a version of hell that is very different from the traditional sulphur and pitchfork version, the book follows the adventures of Travis who suddenly finds himself in this hell.
Travis doesn't know why he is in hell and the mystery about hell and Travis is built up nicely as the book progresses.
The introduction warns that the original run of the book was cancelled before its time and assures us that the ending is still good. That is absolute bollocks. When I reached the end I did a double take and thought that the book had some missing pages. There is no ending, most of the narrative threads are left hanging in the air. The book feels like a prelude to a greater story about this hell that was going to unfold.
This is a fatal flaw and turns what was going to be a good story into a average one. The black and white art by Michael Gaydos is good throughout the book.
Rating: 2.5 / 5, Average, only get if you don't mind that this book does not have a proper ending.
Note that this book is supposed to be written by Mike Carey. However in the book, the story credits list Gary Reed and James Pruett.
The first 4 pages of Inferno attempt to be mysterious and ends up being tedious. The first 4 pages are luckily not indicative of the rest of the book which feature good writing and a interesting story. Featuring a version of hell that is very different from the traditional sulphur and pitchfork version, the book follows the adventures of Travis who suddenly finds himself in this hell.
Travis doesn't know why he is in hell and the mystery about hell and Travis is built up nicely as the book progresses.
The introduction warns that the original run of the book was cancelled before its time and assures us that the ending is still good. That is absolute bollocks. When I reached the end I did a double take and thought that the book had some missing pages. There is no ending, most of the narrative threads are left hanging in the air. The book feels like a prelude to a greater story about this hell that was going to unfold.
This is a fatal flaw and turns what was going to be a good story into a average one. The black and white art by Michael Gaydos is good throughout the book.
Rating: 2.5 / 5, Average, only get if you don't mind that this book does not have a proper ending.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Graphic novel review: Just a Pilgrim by Garth Ennis and Carlos Ezquerra
Genre: Post apocalyptic science fiction.
This trade paper back collects the original miniseries that introduced the character and the sequel to that. The book is set in a world where the sun has expanded and killed a large part of the population and turned the world into a dry, arid place.
Into this world steps the Pilgrim. The Pilgrim is a religious fanatic who goes around doing what he believes is god's work. Ennis attempts to use the Pilgrim and other characters who exist in this world to debate about the existence of god. However these debates are not particularly clever or anything new and don't add any value to this book.
The 2 stories are pretty simple and straightforward. There is some humour throughout the book but nothing that would cause you to chuckle. The art of the book is very well done. Carlos Ezquerra's work complements Ennis's writing very well and helps set the dark and cynical tone of the book.
All in all the book has nothing new to offer and is pretty average.
Rating: 2.5 / 5, Average, only for the fans of Ennis's work.
This trade paper back collects the original miniseries that introduced the character and the sequel to that. The book is set in a world where the sun has expanded and killed a large part of the population and turned the world into a dry, arid place.
Into this world steps the Pilgrim. The Pilgrim is a religious fanatic who goes around doing what he believes is god's work. Ennis attempts to use the Pilgrim and other characters who exist in this world to debate about the existence of god. However these debates are not particularly clever or anything new and don't add any value to this book.
The 2 stories are pretty simple and straightforward. There is some humour throughout the book but nothing that would cause you to chuckle. The art of the book is very well done. Carlos Ezquerra's work complements Ennis's writing very well and helps set the dark and cynical tone of the book.
All in all the book has nothing new to offer and is pretty average.
Rating: 2.5 / 5, Average, only for the fans of Ennis's work.
Graphic novel review: Steve Niles Omnibus
Genre: Horror
This Omnibus contains the following stories:
1. Aleister Arcane
2. Wake the dead
3. Secret skull
4. The lurkers
All stories are written by Steve Niles and each of the story has a different set of artist for them. The art style for all 4 stories varies quite a bit. The first one has a painted look. The second one is a more traditional comic book style. The third one is a gritty comic book style art. The final story's art style is hard to describe, best I can do is a stylised comic book style.
All the art is good however and is a strong positive for this book. Being a classic style horror book there is a lot of gore present.
The stories themselves are well written and contain good dialogue. However none of the stories are ground breaking or present anything new. The plot lines are predictable and there are very little surprises. Horror fans will get good entertainment from this book, for everyone else, this book is above average.
Rating: 3 / 5, Above average, horror fans will enjoy it.
This Omnibus contains the following stories:
1. Aleister Arcane
2. Wake the dead
3. Secret skull
4. The lurkers
All stories are written by Steve Niles and each of the story has a different set of artist for them. The art style for all 4 stories varies quite a bit. The first one has a painted look. The second one is a more traditional comic book style. The third one is a gritty comic book style art. The final story's art style is hard to describe, best I can do is a stylised comic book style.
All the art is good however and is a strong positive for this book. Being a classic style horror book there is a lot of gore present.
The stories themselves are well written and contain good dialogue. However none of the stories are ground breaking or present anything new. The plot lines are predictable and there are very little surprises. Horror fans will get good entertainment from this book, for everyone else, this book is above average.
Rating: 3 / 5, Above average, horror fans will enjoy it.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Graphic novel review: The walking man by Jiro Taniguchi
Genre: Relaxing explorations of nothing in particular. / Slice of life.
This book has very little plot, so if you need that in your book then this is not for you. That being said, if you are open for something unconventional then this book is a real treasure. The book is composed of a guy walking around urban Japan just observing things. There is very little dialog throughout the book and focus is really on the visuals.
The art in this book is excellent. The art is black and white and is basically pens with some shading. Each panel is constructed meticulously and is extremely detailed. The lines are crisp and everything is beautifully proportioned.
For a book that contains no plot the book flows really well. Not one page was boring. You can return to this book again and again and feel relaxed and happy.
Rating: 5 / 5, Highly recommended.
This book has very little plot, so if you need that in your book then this is not for you. That being said, if you are open for something unconventional then this book is a real treasure. The book is composed of a guy walking around urban Japan just observing things. There is very little dialog throughout the book and focus is really on the visuals.
The art in this book is excellent. The art is black and white and is basically pens with some shading. Each panel is constructed meticulously and is extremely detailed. The lines are crisp and everything is beautifully proportioned.
For a book that contains no plot the book flows really well. Not one page was boring. You can return to this book again and again and feel relaxed and happy.
Rating: 5 / 5, Highly recommended.
Graphic novel review: Britten and Brulightly by Hannah Berry
Genre: Crime / Murder mystery
This is a moody graphic novel, with some dark humor and some noir trappings. The book focusses on Fernandez Britten the sombre detective and his well, lets say unusual partner. Britten has had a very successful career carrying out investigations for jealous and/or jilted lovers. In fact he has been so successful that he had earned the nickname heart-breaker.
Now he is fed up with taking these kind of cases and will only accept a case if it involves murder. And so this mystery starts with Britten being asked to investigate a suicide that might actually be a murder.
The art has a stylised hand painted water color look to it. That and the dark palette help establish the sombre mood in the book. The art style fits in very well with the writing and plot.
The writing is intelligent and written in noir style. The plot itself is very good and entertaining. The surprises and plot twist are well planned and executed.
All in all a great book, definitely recommended.
Ratings: 5 / 5, Great, Highly recommended.
This is a moody graphic novel, with some dark humor and some noir trappings. The book focusses on Fernandez Britten the sombre detective and his well, lets say unusual partner. Britten has had a very successful career carrying out investigations for jealous and/or jilted lovers. In fact he has been so successful that he had earned the nickname heart-breaker.
Now he is fed up with taking these kind of cases and will only accept a case if it involves murder. And so this mystery starts with Britten being asked to investigate a suicide that might actually be a murder.
The art has a stylised hand painted water color look to it. That and the dark palette help establish the sombre mood in the book. The art style fits in very well with the writing and plot.
The writing is intelligent and written in noir style. The plot itself is very good and entertaining. The surprises and plot twist are well planned and executed.
All in all a great book, definitely recommended.
Ratings: 5 / 5, Great, Highly recommended.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Graphic novel review: Northlanders book 2 - The cross and the hammer by Brian Wood and Ryan Kelly
Genre: Historical fiction
This book is a standalone story in the Northlanders series. This book is set in Ireland in 1014 A.D. and set during the Viking occupation of that land.
The book focuses on 2 people, Magnus a Irishman who is going around killing Viking officials and settlers and Ragnar a Viking nobleman who is sent by his King to track down and bring Magnus to justice.
And thats it, the plot is simply Magnus going around killing folks and Ragnar and his men running after him. There is no story to speak off. There is a plot twist at the end that is simply lazy and uninspired. The dialogue ranges from serviceable to bad.
The art is average, with everybody grimacing.
Rating: 2 / 5, Below average, skip it unless you are a huge Northlanders fan.
This book is a standalone story in the Northlanders series. This book is set in Ireland in 1014 A.D. and set during the Viking occupation of that land.
The book focuses on 2 people, Magnus a Irishman who is going around killing Viking officials and settlers and Ragnar a Viking nobleman who is sent by his King to track down and bring Magnus to justice.
And thats it, the plot is simply Magnus going around killing folks and Ragnar and his men running after him. There is no story to speak off. There is a plot twist at the end that is simply lazy and uninspired. The dialogue ranges from serviceable to bad.
The art is average, with everybody grimacing.
Rating: 2 / 5, Below average, skip it unless you are a huge Northlanders fan.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Graphic novel review: The V.C.s - Back in action by Dan Abnett, Henry Flint and Anthony Williams
Genre: Sci fi action.
The V.C.s is a revival of a old series from the British publisher 2000 A.D. In the introduction the author Dan Abnett states that this is not a re imagining but rather a continuation of the lives of characters from the old series. I have not read any of the old V.C.s stories and I do not believe that there is a need to read them to enjoy this book.
The previous V.C.s dealt with a war between the humans and a alien species called Geeks. This graphic novel focuses on a veteran from that war - Smith. There has been peace between humans and Geeks for some 50 years now and Smith we are introduced to is a old washed up relic facing a bunch of issues due to his war experiences.
All this changes when the Geeks launch a surprise attack on the humans and the veterans are suddenly thrust into war again. Now Smith needs to get his squad of Rookies combat ready to take on the Geeks.
The books plot proceeds at what appears to be a predictable direction. However the author slowly inserts a few intrigues that look to make the story interesting. For eg. there is a collective of extremely powerful aliens called the Polity who seem to be observing the humans and Geeks. What is their agenda ? There are a couple of other intrigues which I would not like to spoil.
The writing and dialogues are above average in the book. The story does start slow but shows promise of being good. I feel the art ranges from functional to being above average. All in all this is a decent beginning for this series.
Rating: 3 / 5, Above average, the series has potential.
The V.C.s is a revival of a old series from the British publisher 2000 A.D. In the introduction the author Dan Abnett states that this is not a re imagining but rather a continuation of the lives of characters from the old series. I have not read any of the old V.C.s stories and I do not believe that there is a need to read them to enjoy this book.
The previous V.C.s dealt with a war between the humans and a alien species called Geeks. This graphic novel focuses on a veteran from that war - Smith. There has been peace between humans and Geeks for some 50 years now and Smith we are introduced to is a old washed up relic facing a bunch of issues due to his war experiences.
All this changes when the Geeks launch a surprise attack on the humans and the veterans are suddenly thrust into war again. Now Smith needs to get his squad of Rookies combat ready to take on the Geeks.
The books plot proceeds at what appears to be a predictable direction. However the author slowly inserts a few intrigues that look to make the story interesting. For eg. there is a collective of extremely powerful aliens called the Polity who seem to be observing the humans and Geeks. What is their agenda ? There are a couple of other intrigues which I would not like to spoil.
The writing and dialogues are above average in the book. The story does start slow but shows promise of being good. I feel the art ranges from functional to being above average. All in all this is a decent beginning for this series.
Rating: 3 / 5, Above average, the series has potential.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Graphic novel review: Strontium dog - The Kreeler conspiracy by John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra
Genre: Sci fi / Adventure, British comic from publisher 2000 A.D.
This book collects 3 Strontium dog adventures from the 2000 A.D. comic series. The progs are 1174-1180, 1195-1199 (1999-2000). The subtitle of this collection, The Kreeler conspiracy is the first of three stories in the collection. The middle story is in black and white while the rest are colored.
The first story - The Kreeler conspiracy has a functional story, nothing innovative or new here. The art is above average.
The second story - Roadhouse has a pretty loopy story which I find is kind off a trade mark of 2000 A.D. stories. The story is again pretty average. I liked the black and white art in the story which I thought was excellent.
The third story - The tax dodge is again typically loopy and I think it is the best of this collection. It is not great but is above average. The art in this story is good.
All in all the collection is pretty average. If you are a Strontium dog fan, get it. For the rest of the folks I don't think its a good enough introduction to the Character.
Rating: 2.5 / 5, Average - Only fans of Strontium dog should consider getting it. Everyone else skip it.
This book collects 3 Strontium dog adventures from the 2000 A.D. comic series. The progs are 1174-1180, 1195-1199 (1999-2000). The subtitle of this collection, The Kreeler conspiracy is the first of three stories in the collection. The middle story is in black and white while the rest are colored.
The first story - The Kreeler conspiracy has a functional story, nothing innovative or new here. The art is above average.
The second story - Roadhouse has a pretty loopy story which I find is kind off a trade mark of 2000 A.D. stories. The story is again pretty average. I liked the black and white art in the story which I thought was excellent.
The third story - The tax dodge is again typically loopy and I think it is the best of this collection. It is not great but is above average. The art in this story is good.
All in all the collection is pretty average. If you are a Strontium dog fan, get it. For the rest of the folks I don't think its a good enough introduction to the Character.
Rating: 2.5 / 5, Average - Only fans of Strontium dog should consider getting it. Everyone else skip it.
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