Graphic Novel Review: iZombie Vol. 1- Dead to the World

Writer: Chris Roberson

Art: Mike Allred

Dust Jacket Summary

Told from a female zombie’s perspective, this smart, witty detective series mixes urban fantasy and romantic dramedy.

Gwendolyn “Gwen” Dylan is a 20-something gravedigger in an eco-friendly cemetery. Once a month she must eat a human brain to keep from losing her memories, but in the process she becomes consumed with the thoughts and personality of the dead person – until she eats her next brain. She sets out to fulfill the dead person’s last request, solve a crime or right a wrong.

Our zombie girl detective is joined by a radical supporting cast: her best friend Eleanor, who happens to be a swinging ’60s ghost, a posse of paintball blasting vampires, a smitten were-dog and a hot but demented mummy.

Collects issues #1-5

What I liked

iZombie is like the love child of the TV series Dead Like Me and the comic Chew. While not totally original, the author makes the story his own and moves into unexpected directions.

I really enjoyed the characters. The main character Gwen and her ghost friend, Eleanor, have a great dynamic. The author has purposely spent time and precious space developing his characters. It is well worth it as the reader develops a bond with them and starts to care about what happens to them.

What I didn’t like

The first several issues introduce a small story but mainly it is a set up for the rest of the run.

Last word

While not original, iZombie makes fascinating use of the characters and their unique powers that provides a strong foundation for some very compelling reading.

                                                          My Rating 

Graphic Novel Review: Dr. Horrible

Writer: Zack Whedon

Art: Jim Rugg, Joelle Jones

Dust Jacket Summary

Based on the Emmy Award-winning web series Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, this collection of stories written by Zack Whedon (Deadwood, Fringe) chronicles some of the earliest adventures in the lives of archenemies Captain Hammer and Dr. Horrible. This anthology solves many unanswered questions left over from the show. For instance: What event inspired Dr. Horrible to become the world's greatest criminal mastermind? Why is Penny, the beautiful girl from the Laundromat, still single? How can you, the reader, be like blustering do-gooder Captain Hammer? And why is Horrible's sidekick, Moist, so... um... well, you'll find out! Collects the first issue of Dr. Horrible with all three digital comics from MySpace Dark Horse Presents.

What I liked

You will need to watch or re-watch Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog (2008) in order to fully enjoy these stories. Since I am big fan Joss Whedon’s quirky, inventive musical then this graphic novel was a no brainer.

It was awesome to learn the back story of certain characters such as Penny, Dr. Horrible and Moist. My favorite by far was Penny’s back story. She is so sweet and sympathetic that her fate is even more tragic.

There is some real laugh out loud moments like The Evil League of Evil story. The interplay between Johnny / Donnie Snow and James Flames is pure gold.

What I didn’t like

The stories are way too short and would have loved for them to a bit longer.

The Captain Hammer story is the weakest of the bunch.

Last word

An awesome companion that is required reading for any fan of Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog.

                                                           My Rating

Graphic Novel Review: Amulet (Books 1 and 2)

Author: Kazu Kibuishi

Some days it’s worth checking the mailbox. We received Amulet – The Stonekeeper’s Curse from Graphix, which is an imprint of Scholastic. While sitting at the dinner table I started leafing through the book and was blown away by art. Even though this was technically written for a younger audience I claimed it as my own. After some quick research I learned that this is actually the second book in a series with the first being The Stonekeeper. So, on our Friday Nite Bookstore trip to Border’s I picked up the first book and was ready to go.

The Stonekeeper

The story starts off with a tragedy. The family is involved in a single car accident which results in the father dying. The story picks up 2 years later with Mom, Emily and Navin leaving their old house and moving back to Mom’s childhood home in Norlen. The house is in pretty bad shape and will need a lot of work. While exploring the new house, Emily and her younger brother, Navin, discover their grandpa’s workshop. Legend has it that Silas Charnon locked himself inside the house after his wife died and then suddenly disappeared never to heard from again.

One day, Emily is leafing through Grandpa Silas’s books when she discovers hand imprint beneath it. She places her inside the imprint which triggers a lock and reveals an amulet. Emily puts the amulet on and strange things begin to happen. The amulet begins to speak to her and warn her of certain dangers. Soon after, Mom is kidnapped by giant squid monster and the kids are forced to give chase down a dark tunnel. This begins the adventures in the strange world of Alledia.

The Stonekeeper’s Curse

Spoiler warning. The second book picks up right after the first one. The kids have rescued their Mom but she was poisoned. She is dying and they will need to look for cure in the city of Kanalis. In order to travel the great distance Grandpa Silas’s house essentially turns into a big giant walking robot. When the group arrives at Kanalis they meet a new friend and discover the resistance who are fighting the evil elves.

This book also focuses on the elves. The history of how they began evil is explained and their characters are more flushed out than in the first book. Prince Trellis is the most interesting of bunch as he seems conflicted by the immoral orders given to him by his father, the King. By the end of the story he makes his decision and it is somewhat surprising.

Review

The first thing I immediately became aware of was the storytelling. It is incredible. Mr. Kibuishi successfully blends colorful art of a comic book with Manga way of telling a story. It is the little moments that make these graphic novels stand out from the pack. What I mean by this is that the typical comic book averages 6 to 8 panels per page and can seem pretty static. Amulet also has the same average, sometimes more, sometimes less, but every action taken by a character in a scene is meticulously drawn and laid out. This felt like watching a movie more than reading a comic book. In addition, some pages dedicated to one scene and the art is just out of this world.

Obviously I am not the target audience for these books but it would be a shame for older readers to dismiss these books. The story is your typically Cinderella down the rabbit hole fantasy but set in more of Manga type of world. There is plenty of action and high drama mixed in with nice quiet moments between the characters. These graphic novels should really appeal to any age group.

Last Word

These graphic novels were a very pleasant surprise. The story telling and art are the strength behind any good graphic novel and Amulet excels in these areas. I highly recommend this series to any age group and cannot wait for future books in the series to be published.

                                                           My Rating

Graphic Novel Review: The Walking Dead – Vol. 2: Miles Behind Us

Writer: Robert Kirkman

Art: Charlie Adlard, Tony Moore, Cliff Rathburn

It has been awhile since I read the first volume, Days Gone Bye.  I was planning to knock this series out by the end of the year and before the AMC TV series starts up.  It is amazing how time flies.  As related in my last review, the creator, Robert Kirkman, explains in his introduction that his series is not set out to scare people but explore how people would survive in a post apocalyptic America.  He wants to take different path by following one character, Rick Grimes, and his struggle against the walking dead and a changed world.

Summary

An epidemic of apocalyptic proportions has swept the globe, causing the dead to rise and feed on the living. In a matter of months, society has crumbled: There is no government, no grocery stores, no mail delivery, no cable TV. In a world ruled by the dead, we are forced to finally begin living. This volume follows our band of survivors on their tragic journey in search of shelter. Characters live and die as they brave a treacherous landscape littered with packs of the walking dead.

Days Gone Bye ended with a cliff hanger with Rick Grimes killing his best friend Shane.  The only problem is that Shane slept with Rick’s wife while he was helping her and her son escape from the city.  Now we learn that Lori is pregnant and she is not sure who the father is.  Talk about awkward.

Review 

The theme of Miles Behind Us is home, in that finding a safe home for the little band of travelers to live.  After traveling in a cramped RV for some they happen upon a gated community known as Wiltshire Estates.  This seems a safe enough place to stay.  This is where the cool story telling comes into full effect.  While our weary travelers locate a house to stay the night, the reader is shown a sign outside the community that was covered with snow but is now melting.  It says ALL DEAD DO NOT ENTER.  Uh oh…this is not good.        

The last portion of the book is what makes the series so special.  The group ends up at farm that is left mostly untouched by the zombie outbreak.  The little dramas and heart to heart discussions that place by the survivors are for the most realistic.  Each of them are struggling against their own personal demons and how the world has changes.  At least they can feel safe here, that is until they discover what framer Herschel is keeping inside his barn.   

Again, the art is down in black and white but I have always liked this style.  It allows more emotion and expression to come across the panels and it works very well with this story. 

Last Word         
 
I really enjoyed the second volume of The Walking Dead much more than the first.  Days Gone Bye seemed rushed to get to a certain point.  Miles Behind Us moves a slower allowing more character development.  I can see why AMC has picked this up as a series as the story telling is very thought provoking and addicting.   

                                                                     My Rating

Graphic Novel Review: Serenity - Leaves on the Wind

Writer: Zack Whedon

Art: Georges Jeanty

Zack Whedon is an American screenwriter and the brother of Firefly creator Joss Whedon.

Awards

2014 – Goodreads Choice Award for Best Graphic Novels & Comics

Dust Jacket Summary

Serenity - Leaves on the Wind is a 2014 six-issue comic book miniseries published by Dark Horse Comics, based on the 2002 science fiction television series Firefly, and the 2005 feature film into which it was adapted, Serenity.

In the film Serenity, outlaw Malcolm Reynolds and his crew revealed to the entire 'verse the crimes against humanity undertaken by the sinister government--the Alliance. Here, in the official follow-up to the film, the crew has been in hiding since becoming everyone's most wanted, and now they are forced to come out. River uncovers more secrets, leading these former Browncoats on a dangerous mission against the Alliance that, with hope, will bring them together again . . .

What I liked

The crew of Serenity is BACK!  I am giddy with excitement to catch up with some old friends.  The graphic novel picks up eight months after the end of the movie.  I like that the crew has to deal with the ramifications of their actions from Serenity instead of it just being swept under the rug. 

Brother Zack does an admirable job of capturing the tone of Serenity and making it feel like this was an extension of the movie.  He was able to balance the nice character moments along with the action scenes.            

What I didn’t like

The graphic novel follows the grimmer tone of Serenity versus the lighted hearted tenor of Firefly.  It would have been nice to include a few inside jokes for the hardcore fans of TV series.

As with the movie, some characters, such as Kaylee and Inara, are left in the background and are never given their fair share of character development. 

Wash is still dead.  

Last word

If are a fan of Firefly and Serenity then is a must read and is the best fans will get for the foreseeable future.

                                                         My Rating

Graphic Novel Review: The Surrogates Vol. 1

Writer: Robert Venditti

Art: Brett Weldele

Summary
 

I first became aware of this graphic novel while watching the movie trailer. The trailer had some cool Sci-Fi elements so I decided to check out the actual source material. The graphic novel collects all five of the original issues that were published from 2005 to 2006. Also included are the five comic book covers, original concept ideas behind the characters, how the art was transformed from the script to the page, deleted scenes and a pin-up gallery by other artists. The most fascinating item of the additional material is how the panels were colored in. The art is different from most that I have seen, it has a watercolor aspect to it. It was interesting to learn that most of the art was done on Photoshop through the use burn, dodge and overlay modes.

The overall story debates about what it means to be human. It is the year 2054 and people have resorted to living life through their surrogates. You can be anything you want to be, male, female, young, old, different ethnicity, etc. Crime rates plummet as people cannot die if their surrogate is mugged or injured. Being a police officer has become a very boring job.

That is until a mask vigilante appears out of nowhere and starts electrocuting people’s surrogates. The surrogates are damaged beyond repair so you better have paid your insurance premiums. The only clue to the vigilante’s motive is his one word threat, “Live”.

Two detectives, Pete and Harv, are put on the case to figure out who are behind these crimes before it becomes a huge political situation. The politicians and big business cannot have it become known that a vigilante is taking down surrogates. While following up on lead Harv is thrown out a window and his surrogate is severally damaged. For the rest of the investigation Harv decides to do it live. He begins to realize that he is missing out on life and also attempts to reconnect personally with his wife.

The faction that is the likely culprit behind the vigilante is the Dread Reservation. They are lead by a man called The Prophet and they believe that using a surrogate is an abomination. The Prophet’s viewpoints provide a nice counter-point argument against the use of surrogates and more broadly against technology. Essentially, even though technology is supposed to make our lives easier it destroys our relationships with other people.

Review

The discovery of who is behind vigilant caught me by surprise. It was not who I expected but after it was all said and done, it makes perfect sense. There are newspaper articles, advertisements, position arguments, etc. at the end of chapter which provides the most clues as to why these crimes are happening. In addition, they also provide a nice background to the story.

I highly enjoyed this graphic novel and it is on par with some of the better Sci-Fi novels that I have read. It does what Sci-Fi does best; it makes you think while also being decidedly entertaining.

                                                                     My Rating

 

Graphic Novel Review: Star Wars - Tag & Bink Were Here

Writer: Kevin Rubio

Art: Lucas Marangon,

Dust Jacket Summary

Officers Tag Greenly and Bink Otauna were minding their own business aboard a familiar, princess-harboring freighter when they suddenly found themselves under siege. Now under attack by the Empire, they will choose life over a noble death and “borrow” the armor off a pair of deceased stormtroopers. Their new disguises might get them off the freighter alive, but they’ll also lead Tag and Bink on an adventure neither could have predicted!

Chock-full of appearances by everyone’s favorite Star Wars characters, Tag & Bink cleverly weaves the pair’s misadventures into the movies themselves. No setting is safe as they traverse the galaxy from the Death Star to the Sarlacc pit to Cloud City to Endor! Thrill as they continue to run afoul of the deadliest (and most ill-tempered) bounty hunter in the galaxy, Boba Fett! Revel in their origin story, which features the cast of the Star Wars prequels!

What I liked

First off, the art (pencils and colors) are completely awesome.  The characters are so well drawn and extremely detailed that it is easy to tell what is happening in each panel.  This adds significantly to the humor of the actual story, as much, if not more, than the actual writing.

The humor is subtle when it needs to be and at times goes over the top.  For me, there were several laugh out loud moments, like when Tag and Bink keep calling Boba Fett “Boo-Boo” or when they were dressed as imperial guards and just walk to behind the elevator (see Return of the Jedi and you what I am talking about).  

They do a brilliant job of inserting Tag and Bink into several key moments of each Star Wars movie without changing the actual story.  Warning though, it will put questions in your head when watching the movies, like where the hell did the Imperial Guards go when Darth Vader and Luke arrived to meet the Emperor?  

One of favorite surprises was the easter eggs inserted in several of panels, like Cylons marching with the Stormtroopers.  On one specific panel, I spent a good amount of time trying to identify each and every robot.  It was like a Where’s Waldo for geeks.              

What I didn’t like 

 As with any comedy, especially for me, some of the humor misses the mark.   

Last word

A highly successful tongue and cheek take on the Star Wars movies that is a blast to look at and to read.  If you love the original Star Wars movies the way I do, then this is a must buy.      

                                                         My Rating

Graphic Novel Review: Terminator - Salvation Movie Prequel

I am pretty excited about the Terminator Salvation movie coming to theaters and while I was looking through the graphic novels at my local book store I saw this one. It was advertised as the official movie prequel. After reading it I believe this is a serious misrepresentation and the publisher should be visited by some T-600s.

Essentially there are two different stories inside this novel. The first is stand alone story set inside the terminator universe entitled “Sand in the Gears”. The second story is a 22 page movie teaser that I assume is the retelling of the first part of the movie.

“Sand in the Gears” follows two resistance cells, one in Detroit, MI and the other in Arut, Niger. All of the resistance cells across the globe are planning a major operation against Skynet called Sand in the Gears. It is attempt to knock out some of the major resource centers that Skynet uses to build their war machines. Both stories follow the same tract in which certain cell operatives don’t get along in the beginning but eventually find a new found respect towards each other as they realize they are fighting on the same side. Yawn. Then the terminators attack their respective bases and the resistance cell leaders must make a desperate attempt to destroy their respective targets. Personal sacrifices are made and people die. Double yawn.

The movie prequel portion is somewhat more interesting but truncated. By time the story gets going, it ends. John Conner leads a mission against a terminator base in which they discover an underground prison full of humans. The base is blown up and the only surviving member is John Connor. The leadership of the resistance is now suspicious of Connor. Then Kyle Reese is briefly introduced and the story ends.

To be considered a prequel the story should involve people and story lines that lead directly into the movie. It should also provide some insight and be more of an addition to the movie. The graphic novel does neither.

What I liked: The art is really well done and is the one saving grace of this graphic novel.

What I didn’t like: This graphic novel really doesn’t have much to do with the movie, which is fine in itself, but don’t advertise this as an Official Movie Prequel.

Last word: Not worth your worth money unless you are a big Terminator fan who has to collect everything. The graphic novel really adds nothing new that has not been covered before.

Graphic Novel Review: Walking Dead - Days Gone Bye

Zombies in a post apocalyptic setting…ah…can’t get much better than this. The creator, Robert Kirkman, explains in his introduction that it is not his intention to scare readers as he wants to take a deeper approach and explore how people would survive in a post apocalyptic America. He will accomplish this by following one character, Rick Grimes, through his basic struggle for survival and the battles with the walking dead. Essentially, he has created the never ending zombie movie, which is all good in my book.

Rick Grimes is police officer in a small town; he is married and has son. The story begins with Rick and his partner in a shoot out with a criminal. Rick is shot and ends up in a coma. About 30 days later he wakes up in a hospital to a very changed America. He doesn’t realize it yet but the zombies now rule the country and Rick is just another meal. After escaping the coma ward, he meets up some other survivors and discovers that his wife and child likely escaped to Atlanta. The government herded the people into major population centers. As plans go, this is bad idea, especially when you are trying to stop a zombie outbreak.

Rick makes it to Atlanta cowboy style and nearly gets killed by a swarm of zombies. His is rescued by a teenage boy and taken to a small settlement of survivors just outside the city. And surprise, surprise, he finds that his wife and child are still alive. He also learns that his partner also survived and had been taking care of his wife. From this point forward the story really comes into it’s own as the small band of people are forced to deal with their predicament. There is also some drama as Rick’s partner has other intentions with regards to his wife. So, in addition to fighting the zombies, Rick is forced to deal with real life problems.

The art is in black and white but I have always liked this style. It allows more emotion and expression to come across the panels and it works very well with this story.

What I liked: Uh…zombies and more zombies. I also like Mr. Rickman’s goal of a continued exploration of a zombified post apocalyptic America. This has a potential to become a very addictive story.

I also enjoyed the set up with a small band of people that do not necessarily agree on social issues are forced to become unified if they want to survive. Basically it comes down to “Live together or die alone”.

What I didn’t like: The beginning of the story is very hurried as way too much action occurs and it had me worried the entire novel was going to move at this pace. Luckily when Rick gets to Atlanta the story slows down to more of a manageable pace and it is allowed to breathe.

Last word: Overall I really enjoyed the first volume of The Walking Dead and have already picked up the second volume. It is a good foundation in what looks to be a promising series.

Graphic Novel Review: Star Trek - Countdown TPB (Star Trek (IDW))

This graphic novel is being advertised as the prequel to the upcoming Star Trek movie with specific insights into the origin of Nero. I suspect that the movie will also cover some of the ground for the plot to make sense, but if it doesn’t then this graphic novel will be a must read for all Star Trek fans.

The novel is set in The Next Generation universe in which Data is now the captain of the Enterprise, Spock is an ambassador on Romulus and Picard is an ambassador on Vulcan. The story generally follows Nero, a Romulan decalithium miner who witnesses a Star go supernova. The problem is that the Star continues to increase in power and threatens to destroy Romulus. Ambassador Spock presents a daring plan to the Romulan Senate to save their planet, but Romulans being Romulans do not trust the Vulcan and turn him down flat. Nero overhears Spock’s plan and decides that he can trust the Vulcan. So the two join forces in desperate attempt to save Romulus but that doesn’t work out as planned. Spock and Nero attempt to enlist the help of the Vulcans and gain access to a weapon that will destroy the supernova. But the Vulcans don’t trust Romulans anymore than the Romulans trust the Vulcans, as such, the Romulans as left to their fate. The hapless Federation is caught in the middle trying to help but it just never works out for them. This all leads Nero into a blood feud against anything that is not a Romulan. The ending of the graphic novel is VERY familiar and really not much of a surprise.

I am somewhat suspect of the plot of the upcoming movie as it involves time travel once again, which is a favorite plot device of the Star Trek movies. While it worked well in First Contact and The Voyage Home, I had déjà vu feeling of Star Trek Generations that kept running through my mind while I was reading this novel. You know, a major original Star Trek character travels into a different time period to due battle with an invincible bad guy and it will most likely cost the icon his life (this is all speculation as I have not scene the movie yet).

What I liked: I enjoyed the back the story of Nero but I also suspect that the movie will have to cover the same ground. The art is well done and really the highlight of the novel as the writing is alittle flat.

What I didn’t like: The plotting is very uneven and forced in the graphic novel. They cover a lot of ground over 4 short chapters and I believe that story would have worked better if spread out more and allowed to breathe. Basically you get the Reader’s Digest version as the major highlights of story are represented and the nuisances that would have a compelling story are by-passed.

This is also essentially a Next Generation story. I was hoping the movie was a strictly a reboot of the TOS universe and the graphic novel would stay within that world. As with the Star Trek Generations movie they are attempting to co-mingle the two universes and this has me concerned. I just wish that they would get away from The Next Generation universe and characters as they are getting a little long in the tooth. Let me put it this way, if they waste Spock in the upcoming movie the way they wasted Captain Kirk, I will be pissed.

Last word: This graphic novel was somewhat of a let down. If they do not cover the same material in the movie then it is essential that you pick this graphic novel up to fully understand Nero’s background, just don’t expect it to be earth shattering.