Comic Adventures Issue #55

I read a lot of comics and rarely review them here on the blog. That's because I really don't have a lot to say for an entire post.  So I thought I would review several comics on one post.  I will still review graphic novels on their own now and then, but this is where I will talk about super-hero type comics (DC/Marvel) or sequels to some that I have already reviewed.

This issue I discuss Green Arrow Vol. 1 Rebirth, Wonder Woman Vol. 1 Rebirth,  Vader Down, and Harley Quinn Vol. 5. 

Well... I couldn't get into Green Lantern in New 52 and this Rebirth Green Lantern wasn't great either. The artwork was messy to me, I couldn't tell but maybe the artist switched during the series? Green Arrow (Oliver Queen) loses everything  His company is in trouble and run by people who want to use it and it's money (Batman movies anyone?). Black Window shows up and there are these cheesy references to her being a rockstar (from the New 52) why was that even mentioned?? And why is Green Arrow in Seattle and not Star City?  There are masked villains which at first I though was The Court of Owls but then realized it wasn't them (but technically let's be honest they are totally Court of Owls in Seattle). Maybe the book is off to a slow start so I will try vol.2 when it's published.  I think I made it to vol. 3 in the Green Arrow series in New 52 but just couldn't get past that. I do like seeing Green Arrow with his beard and hair the way it always looks in the comics and wish the CW show would make Oliver Queen have this same classic look. 
2 out of 5

This was only a middle of the road Wonder Woman comic for me. I didn't like the whole story plot of Wonder Woman trying to figure out what her origin story is. Is she an Olympian?  Was she born from clay?  The only child in Themyscira or one of many children?  I don't really care which origin but just pick one.  She can't remember.  I'm guessing this is because Rebirth wants to move on with Diana's story line. I was quite excited when Diana goes to Cheetah for help (though why Cheetah knows where Diana's homeland is doesn't really make sense). I always thought Cheetah was a cool pretty villain in Wonder Woman's world since I was a little girl.  The readers even got a back story on Cheetah though I was disappointed in the outcome of Cheetah's story at the end.  The comic also kind of awkwardly slipped Steve Trevor into the story so I'm not sure if he's going to be in the rest of Wonder Woman's Rebirth stories.  They talk about her relationship with Superman (New 52) but I was pretty sure they broke up in those comics.  Plus Steve starts talking about what I think is his wife and child and then Wonder Woman says she's going to kiss him and he let's her?  NOOOO... Not OK.    
3 out of 5
PS.  I recently read in Entertainment Weekly that this issue is supposed to present Wonder Woman as bisexual?  I totally missed that when reading.  I guess it implies she and Cheetah had a relationship?  

So I didn't even know this comic existed until I was about to start Vader Vol. 3 and noticed some reviews talking about this comic. It seems odd to me that this comic had to happen.  It's because Vader and the characters in Star Wars comics have to cross at one point or another I suppose. It's just too bad it had to happen so early on in the comics.  Already a crossover?  Ughhh.  The comic itself was good.  So from the Vader comic story line Vader is still following leads from Dr. Arpha on where Luke Skywalker is. Luke is with Leia, Chewy, the droids and Han. After reading this comic, it's almost like Marvel should just merge Vader and the Star Wars comics together.  What I have liked about Vader in modern writing/movies is that we are just now getting to see and read just how vicious and powerful he is. I didn't find that with the older films/books. In this comic he takes on so many rebel forces all alone.  We get to see the rebels floating dead in space.  Epic. Dr Arpha is still just a so so character.  I'm hoping there's more to her in Vader vol. 3
3 out of 5

I still love the Harley New 52 series. I enjoy them because they aren't really meant to be taken serious and are funny at times.  Unlike most of the DC comics which have pretty serious stories, Harley's books consist of several stories mixed into one comic that help us get to know her character.  In this volume Harley does run into the Joker again which is the first time she does in the New 52. I didn't love that part.  It shows Harley finally standing up to him but I could've done without that. This comic is for an adult audience.  It has a lot of sexuality in it and other references are certainly for an older group of readers.  I love that Power Girl makes an appearance... if you didn't read the Quinn comic where she becomes a sidekick for Power Girl go and pick it up.   The art in this book is really good too (the artist who did the cover isn't the artist for the inside of the book). Before the New 52 run of Harley Quinn ends I'm hoping to see her actually be evil and not just some goofy fun girl. I want to know why Harley is known as a villain.  Batwoman seems more evil then Quinn in the New 52. 

4 out of 5


This counts for 30 comics towards my 2017 Graphic Novel Reading Challenge

Audubon On the Wings of the World by Grolleau

Title: Audubon On the Wings of the World
Author: Fabien Grolleau, Jérémie Royer (Illustrations)
Pages: 174
Published: April 4th 2017 by Nobrow PressSource: Library
Links: goodreads

At the start of the nineteenth century, John James Audubon embarked upon an epic ornithological quest across America with nothing but his artist’ s materials, an assistant, a gun and an all-consuming passion for birds... This beautiful volume tells the story of an incredible artist and adventurer: one who encapsulates the spirit of early America, when the wilderness felt limitless and was still greatly unexplored. Based on Audubon's own retellings, this embellished version of his travels captures the wild and adventurous spirit of a truly exceptional naturalist and painter. Fabien Grolleau has written and created several comics for Vide Cocagne (which he co-founded) as well as the graphic novel, Jaques a Dit. Jérémie Royer is an illustrator and designer. After studying art for two years in Nice, he specialized in comic book art and illustration in Brussels.

I love birds.  I really enjoying bird watching and discovered who John James Audubon is because of my love of birds. I have read a few books about Audubon and love reading about his obsession with birds.  It was a true obsession.  I discovered through Audubon.org (the website for birding not for the man) that there was a graphic novel out there all about James Audubon's life.  Honestly this comic book fell short of being great. The story could be confusing at times.  For example there was a time when Audubon was sick with a fever and he had these strangely illustrated hallucinations.  Then there was a strange section about slavery where Audubon runs into a man who took his family and ran. Then that part of the story was over.  I noticed a small footnote in the back explaining that this was a nod to the fact that Audubon had slaves at some point?  Confusing. Darwin is thrown in as well as Native Americans.  Just seemed random.

The art is great.  I enjoyed the pages that had birds.  I liked that the book emphasized that Audubon killed thousands of birds. This is how he drew them so well. I really loved that the end of the book includes about 5 of Audubon's art so that those who are unfamiliar with what they look like can see. This book would probably be great for a middle school kid who would have fun reading a graphic novel and learn about Audubon.  Perfect for a school library.  I did enjoy the book though the information on Audubon was lacking. 

This counts for 26 comics towards my 2017 Graphic Novel Reading Challenge

Comic Adventures Issue #54

I read a lot of comics and rarely review them here on the blog. That's because I really don't have a lot to say for an entire post.  So I thought I would review several comics on one post.  I will still review graphic novels on their own now and then, but this is where I will talk about super-hero type comics (DC/Marvel) or sequels to some that I have already reviewed.

This issue I talk about Green Lantern Vol 1 Rebirth,  Wraith by Joe Hill, Ms. Marvel, and The Vision Vol. 2.

This comic is amazing to me.  Green Lanterns is usually a good comic to me so I was excited to see where DC Rebirth was going to take it. I really enjoyed what Humphries wrote.  Two characters, Jessica and Simon are the main characters in this comic and their two different personalities had to learn to work together.  Maybe I really loved this comic because of Green Lantern Jessica.  She has an anxiety disorder and we get to read about her learning to over come it.  Simon and Jessica remind me of a normal person getting handed great power.  The other DC characters (Batman/Wonder Woman/Superman and so on) already have powers so we are just used to them knowing how to use them.  These Green Lanterns are new and making mistakes which makes them more relatable. I also REALLY enjoyed that the Red Lanterns were included in this book.  I like the Red Lanterns and read their whole series in the New 52.  We get to see more about Bleez and her back story.  I don't think the Red Lanterns are getting their own title in Rebirth so it's great to see them in this comic. 
5 out of 5

I was so excited to read this graphic novel.  It is based off one of the characters in Joe Hill's NOS4A2 novel. This is a dark comic.  Don't expect it to be uplifting or for kids.  I do think you need to read the novel before reading this comic.  I don't really think it's stand alone.  When I read people's reviews on this comic who haven't read the novel they are confused why the characters in the book are even doing what they are doing. This series isn't half as good as Hill's Locke and Key. The artwork is really good though and creepy.  There is a lot of dialog in this comic so get ready for a long read.  There is a section in the back that I skipped.  Yeah .. I admit it.  It was like a retelling of the comic but in more depth with no illustrations. I wasn't into rereading what I just read so that was odd. If you read it... let me know what it was even about.  I would love more graphic novel series from Hill. If you've read NOS4A2 this book will help launch your imagination and make that book even more creepy. 
4 out of 5

I have really enjoyed the Ms. Marvel comics from Marvel.  I'm not really a Marvel reader but this comic has been fun and easy to keep up with.. until this issue.  I had no idea if this was vol. 6 or what because if you look at goodreads it says issue 4 and it would seem it's vol. 9 in the Civil War series going on.  Dang cross-overs!  So apparently Ms. Marvel has been working with the Avengers? I guess and Captain Marvel wants her to use some sort of technology that lets superheroes arrest people before they commit a crime.  If they just think about it they get arrested.  Eventually Ms. Marvel isn't into this.  There is a fun side story with the new Spiderman and I haven't read any of his new stuff so that was fun.  I heard Marvel is relaunching again and it will be called Legacy so I don't know if Ms. Marvel will be around anymore ( she is from the Marvel NOW). I have a difficult time keeping up with the series in Marvel so let's hope Ms. Marvel continues. 
3 out of 5

I always knew who the character Vision was by name and look but not much about his backstory.  So when Marvel put out a Vision comic I was excited.  The first comic wasn't what I expected but I still liked it.  It basically takes places after Avenger's 2nd movie where Vision goes and tries to have a normal life with a cyborg family.  Volume 4 goes more into why vision ended up with this family and how they were build. We get to see Vision's history with Scarlet Witch which was pretty sad to see why they broke up.  There is a scene in this comic where the family goes out to dinner and orders food but tells the waiter not to bring it but they still want to pay for it.  Trying so hard to be normal. What really surprised me was that this is the last comic in the series  It was only 2 volumes.  That was really odd to me.  So where does Vision's story continue? Over in the Avenger comics?  And what is the title of those comics?  Again, Marvel confuses me. 

3 out of 5


This counts for 25 comics towards my 2017 Graphic Novel Reading Challenge

NOS4A2 by Joe Hill

Title: NOS4A2
Author: Joe Hill
Pages: 704
Published: April 30th 2013 by William Morrow
Source: own
Links: goodreads,

NOS4A2 is a spine-tingling novel of supernatural suspense from master of horror Joe Hill, the New York Times bestselling author of Heart-Shaped Box and Horns. Victoria McQueen has a secret gift for finding things: a misplaced bracelet, a missing photograph, answers to unanswerable questions. On her Raleigh Tuff Burner bike, she makes her way to a rickety covered bridge that, within moments, takes her wherever she needs to go, whether it’s across Massachusetts or across the country. Charles Talent Manx has a way with children. He likes to take them for rides in his 1938 Rolls-Royce Wraith with the NOS4A2 vanity plate. With his old car, he can slip right out of the everyday world, and onto the hidden roads that transport them to an astonishing – and terrifying – playground of amusements he calls “Christmasland.” Then, one day, Vic goes looking for trouble—and finds Manx. That was a lifetime ago. Now Vic, the only kid to ever escape Manx’s unmitigated evil, is all grown up and desperate to forget. But Charlie Manx never stopped thinking about Victoria McQueen. He’s on the road again and he’s picked up a new passenger: Vic’s own son.

I love Joe Hill so much! I had this book sitting on my shelf forever and I didn't decide to finally read it until the Stephen King Fans group on goodreads (which I moderate) decided to read it for the April book of the month.  I'm so glad I made the time to read it.  It was so good.  When I had finished reading the book I just wanted it to keep going and keep revisiting the characters.  Joe Hill reminds me a lot of his father, Stephen King, in the way they both do a good job on character development.  I just love how they can take an everyday person and make you either love them or hate them.  I noticed some reviews think that 200 pages could've been removed and I'm over here wishing there were more pages!

When you first start reading the book, the chapters will abruptly end out of no where. I really didn't catch on to what was going on with this till halfway through the book.  That is because I'm not a chapter title reader. So I never noticed that when the chapter ended in an incomplete sentence that the since completed itself in the title of the next chapter.  So... I may have missed a few things there.

I love when something fun like Christmas time can be turned in something scary and spooky.  I really wish I would've read this book in the winter.  It would've been perfect. One thing I will highly recommend is that if you do decide to read this book you should for sure pick up the graphic novel Wraith to read right after it.  Joe Hill writes a graphic novel that goes into the back story of the main villain Manx in NOS4A2. There are even neat illustrations of the evil amusement park Christmas Land and it really brings it to life.  It's too bad that picture isn't included in this novel for those who don't enjoy reading graphic novels.

The hard thing about this book is that I love Joe Hill even more and now I need to squeeze his books in to my huge TBR (to be read pile).  I still haven't read all Stephen King's books.  So much reading!

Comic Adventures Issue #53

I read a lot of comics and rarely review them here on the blog. That's because I really don't have a lot to say for an entire post.  So I thought I would review several comics on one post.  I will still review graphic novels on their own now and then, but this is where I will talk about super-hero type comics (DC/Marvel) or sequels to some that I have already reviewed.

This issue I talk about The Dark Knight Returns, Superman/Wonder Woman Vol. 5, Olympians: Artemis, and Harley Quinn Vol. 4.

I wanted to love The Dark Knight Returns.  I've heard so much about how iconic this comic is and that it is THE must read Batman comic.  I just couldn't get into it.  I struggled through the whole book.  I never felt like there was ever really apart of the story that sucked me in.  The artwork is a mess.  The panels on the pages it just messy.  So many images stuffed onto one page. There are a few really good illustrations of Batman (including the iconic image of him with lightning in the background) but those are few.  I do understand the importance of this comic though.  I didn't read comics when this came out (1986). Before this comic came out Batman was all colorful and a goofy character.  Not a man to be scared of or an antihero.  Then Frank Miller wrote this comic.  It was the first time that Batman became the Batman we know today. The comic also has a lot to tell.  It's about war, government, loyalty, so much to think about when reading this comic. I think you could read it several times and learn something new each time. You should read this if you are a Batman fan.  It was powerful but just not for me.  
                                                       2 out of 5

What a Godawful comic. This comic lost all the fun the first volumes of Superman/Wonder Woman.  In fact, this comic isn't a comic that should've been published.  It's a collection of issues from other comics.  So at the beginning of each comic there is a blue page describing everything the reader missed by not reading the other comics.  I'm not even sure if the people reading those comics (Action Comics, Batman/Superman) have to go and pick up this comic to finish those comics.  It was so confusing.  It's no wonder I have really no idea how Superman dies in the New 52. Apparently he's been through so much in JLA and The end of this comic is left up in there air and I have no idea what comic series it ends in.  Then there are two random stories at the end that have nothing to do with anything so there is another blue page telling the reader that. This is why people don't like crossovers.  Books like this where DC just throws a bunch of stuff in and sells it to make money.  I didn't really read the Superman stories in New 52 but I thought Superman/Wonder Woman was supposed to be a story on it's own. 
                                                        1 out of 5

I have enjoyed the Olympians series since issue one (Artemis is issue 9). I read that there are supposed to be 12 issues in all but couldn't find any information on what is going to be the next Olympian O'Connor will write about. The art style in the book impresses me like always.  The perfect drawing style for an ancient Greek comic book.  If you decide to read these comics be sure to check the back of the book as you read along.  There is a section that explains a little more history with each page.  There was one part of the book that .. well took me by surprise.  There's this part where three Gods pee on a bear.  It's apart of a myth so bare with me. The author writes that they "micturated" on the bear.  In the picture I thought for a moment that they masturbated on the bear and was so shocked.  I google micturated and it means to urinate. I would've figured it out when I turned the page but STILL! WHAT!  That picture! This book tells some good myths about Artemis and I enjoyed it so much.
5 out of 5

I just can't get enough of Harley Quinn!  Prior to reading about her in the New 52 I had only seen her on ... well Batman cartoons I guess.  I like how the comics really brings her personality out.  She's become one of my favorite characters. This comic was continuing Harley's groupie story. There was this group of like 10-12 girls who are hardcore fans of Harley and wanted to join her.  So they go off on an adventure and then disband. It was fun to see them all because they each dressed like Harley's different phases through the comic books. There is a really fun story about Catwoman, Harley, and Poison Ivy.  To see these girls have a fun story together (even though they are supposed to be these bad girls).  This story was really funny and had me smiling. Even Deadshot makes a cameo in this comic!  I have volume 5&6 on hold at the library and can't wait to read it. 
5 out of 5





This counts for 21 comics towards my 2017 Graphic Novel Reading Challenge