Graphic Novel Review: Saga (Vol. 2)

Author| Brian K Vaughan  Artist| Fiona Staples  Rating| 4.5 Stars

Edition| Paperback
Related Reviews| Vol. 1
Buy Links| Amazon*/Barnes and Noble/Book Depository

This books picks up right where the last one left off.

Graphic Novel Review: Saga (Vol. 1)

Author| Brian K Vaughan  Artist| Fiona Staples  Rating| 4.5 Stars

Edition| Paperback

Buy Links| Amazon/Barnes and Noble/Book Depository

This series is super popular on Booktube and I can see why.

ARC Graphic Novel Review: Supreme- Blue Rose

Author| Warren Ellis  Artist| Tula Lotay  Rating| 3.5 Stars

Edition| eGalley courtesy of Image Comics via Netgalley  Release Date| July 14th, 2015

Buy Links| Amazon/Barnes and Noble/Book Depository*

I received a copy of Supreme: Blue Rose from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

ARC Graphic Novel Review: Tooth and Claw (The Autumnlands, #1)

Author| Kurt Busiek  Artist| Benjamin Dewey  Rating| 4.5 Stars

Edition| eGalley courtesy of Image Comics via Netgalley  Release Date| July 14th, 2015

Buy Links| Amazon/Barnes and Noble/Book Depository

I received a copy of Tooth and Claw from Image Comics via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

ARC Graphic Novel Review: ODY-C (ODY-C, #1)

Author| Matt Fraction  Artist| Christian Ward  Rating| 4 Stars

Edition| eGalley courtesy of Image Comics via Netgalley  Release Date| June 16th, 2015

Buy Links| Amazon*/Barnes and Noble/Book Depository/Books-a-Million

I received a copy of ODY-C from Image Comics via Netgalley for free in exchange for an honest review.

Graphic Novel Review: Hinges (Clockwork City, Vol. 1)

Author & Artist| Meredith McClaren
Edition| eGalley courtesy of Netgalley
Publisher| Image Comics
Genre| Steampunk
Rating| 4.5 Stars
Release Date| March 10th

I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.  Thanks to Netgalley and Image Comics for allowing me the opportunity to read this.

In a word: adorable.

I loved this book.  It was quaint, and fun, and beautiful.  The art was simple, but powerful and alluring.  The dialogue was far and few, but it was potent.  The story was unique and captivating.  What more could you want from a book?

A little more.  It was too short.  That such a bad complaint, I feel, but it's an honest one.  I loved where the story was going, but it felt cut off, like there was still more to come.  And I know there is, but I feel like more should have been included in one volume.  I'm not sure how far along the series is now, although it is a webcomic, if you're interested in looking into it.

I'm looking forward to the next volume, whenever that may come out.

Until then, May the Fourth be with you!

Graphic Novel Review: A New Sheriff in Town (Copperhead, Vol. 1)

Author| Jay Faerber
Artists| Scott Godlewski and Ron Riley
Edition| eGalley courtesy of Netgalley
Publisher| Image Comics
Genre| Science Fiction
Rating| 4 Stars
Release Date| March 11th

Thanks to Image Comics and Netgalley for allowing me to read an early copy of Copperhead.  I received this eGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Have you ever seen the movie Treasure Planet?  It's a pretty solid film, and if you haven't, I must recommend it.  The art and and setting of Copperhead reminded me of Treasure Planet.  Multiple races living together in a steampunky foreign planet not far from the Old West.  In this book, a single mother takes the job as sheriff (hence the title).  She's met with dislike, for multiple reasons.  Mostly because she's an outsider, and also because she's not easily bought.  When some of her citizens die under her watch, it launches a mystery.

I feel like there isn't much to say about this book.  It was good, if unoriginal.  Fun, if nothing special.  I really did enjoy it, but I don't know if I'd ever buy it.  So why the four stars and not less?  Because it's a quality work.  The story and characters have a lot of room to grow and mature, which under the good hands of these creators, I'm sure it will.

Copperhead has the feel of a good, almost classic, Science Fiction story.  It has a niche, for certain.  While I may never buy the books, I'll keep a look out and read them from my library.

5 Star Graphic Novel Review: Birthright- Homecoming (Vol. #1)

Author| Joshua Williamson

Artist| Andrei Bressan
Edition| eARC courtesy of Netgalley
Publisher| Image Comics
Genre| Fantasy/Urban Fantasy
Rating| 5 Stars
Release Date| March 4th

I received this as an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.  Thank you.

If I'm not mistaken, this is the first five star review I've given to a graphic novel all year.  I could go on and on about this one because I absolutely loved it.  I'd describe it as Narnia meets Mistborn, for concept and character development.

Basically, when Mikey is a little boy he goes missing.  The police suspect the father of killing him and it drives the family apart.  About a year later the police think they've found a lead- a man carrying an ungodly amount of weapons and traipsing through the forest.  When the family convenes, they discover this man is their son, Mikey.  It turns out their son was sent to another world, one where he's the destined hero, and it was there that he grew up.  Now, he's returned to close the portals into the other world and see his family again.

Birthright has two stories going at once.  One where Mikey recounts his time in the other world (which could be a series on its own) and another that covers what is happening in real time.  Both are full of interesting and complex characters, surprising twists, and neither depends upon the other to be a good story.  I loved everything about the concept, too.  It twists old tropes on their head, asking what happens when a chosen hero comes from our world and doesn't return right away.

I absolutely cannot wait for more in this series.  It ends on one heck of a cliffhanger, for sure.  But beyond that, it was enticing.  It had me going back to it constantly, waiting to see what happened next.  It's also a story that I think would translate well onto the small screen, and if it never makes it there I'll be pretty upset.

I plan to buy myself a finished copy of this one, in addition to checking out some other work by the creators.  I definitely think you should pick this one up, because it grabs you and doesn't let go.

Graphic Novel Review: Outcast- Darkness Surrounds Him (Vol. #1)

Author| Robert Kirkman
Artist| Paul Azaceta
Edition| eARC courtesy of Netgalley
Publisher| Image Comics
Genre| Paranormal/Horror
Rating| 4 Stars
Release Date| January 15th, 2015

I received a copy of Outcast from Image Comics via Netgally in exchange for an honest review.  Thank you!

I know Robert Kirkman is a pretty big name right now (he's the guy behind Walking Dead) but this is the first creation of his I've delved into.  And I like it.  I know that this was being considered as a TV show last year or so, and while I don't know whatever happened with that plan, I think it would work perfectly.  While reading it all I could think was "this would fit perfect on the small screen", so fingers crossed it happens.

Outcast is about Kyle Barnes, who has been surrounded by demonic possessions his whole life.  And, according to the pastor, he seems to have a knack for exorcisms.  So now the two of them are on a quest to discover what he is- the only clue is the title "Outcast".

Pretty decent idea, although it reminds me a little of Hellblazer, to be honest.  I liked the characters, they easily jumped off the page and were well-rounded.  Each of them seems to have a back-story, Kyle's being especially tragic.  The story was quick paced and had me eager to return each time.  It is a comic series, so it leaves you wanting more at the end and wraps up absolutely nothing, so if you're not in for the long haul maybe don't pick this up.

I have very little to say about this book, though.  It was good, but not great.  Interesting, but not unique.  I can't gush about it, but I would never hate on it.  So... I'm at a fork in the road.  I gave it four stars instead of three because of the art.  This I can gush about.  It was gorgeous- simple and detailed at the same time.  Gritty but not over the top for a horror series.  I love it.  I would buy it for the art alone; return to the series for the art alone.  So if you want to be in awe of Azaceta, please pick this one up.

Graphic Novel Review: Trees (Vol. #1)

Author| Warren Ellis
Illustrator| Jason Howard
Edition| eARC courtesy of Netgalley
Publisher| Image Comics
Genre| Sci-Fi (mature audiences)
Rating| 3 Stars
Release Date| February 11th, 2015

I received a copy of Trees from Image Comics via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.  Thank you.

My first thought upon completion: the people on tumblr would LOVE this book.  I'm actually serious.  So, yeah, if you see me promoting this on tumblr... maybe pick it up?   If you don't spend a lot of time of tumblr, or just stay in one zone (where it's still light out and safe), you may be unaware that it's full of people with strong opinions, specifically on diversity and representation in the media.  I don't say this as a bad thing- I spend nearly all my time on tumblr and rarely regret it.

But I digress.  Trees is an interesting read.  It was not what I expected at all, and I think that's what really bothered me about this one.  I thought it would have more sci-fi elements, but it's really just using alien invasion in the form of "trees" as a backdrop.  It's real focus is on the people in this world and through them delivers a commentary on sexuality, politics, the government, science, race, etc.  It covers a little bit of everything.  And that aspect of it was pretty cool and long lasting- it's something I will think about for a long time.

But, but, but... it had absolutely no plot.  I mean, the story it told seemed like it was just a conglomeration of secondary stories.  The only story with momentum- the scientist one- was haphazard and messy.  I'm still not sure what happened.

Another big problem was in the beginning.  We meet several characters in several places, only to watch about half of those stories get shoved to the side.  The interesting introduction doesn't even look like it will pay off until a sequel, possibly a third.  And he exposition took forever!  It would have been introduced much easier and faster, I'm sure.

I don't think I'll be picking up the sequel unless it's from the library.  However, saying that, I'll be recommending this book to loads of people.  What it is really getting at is important and thought-provoking.  I just wish it were advertised that way.