If you like spy craft, revenge, espionage, and graphic novels and you are not reading this series 5 stars again – so great! Just like Volume 1!
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If you like spy craft, revenge, espionage, and graphic novels and you are not reading this series right now, I am not really sure what you are doing with your life. So far this series has been absolutely amazing. Well written, beautiful art, and a fabulously perfect heroine. Velvet Templeton is the character authors hope to create when they set out to create a strong female lead.
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Oh, did I mention the artwork? Yes, yes I did . . . but I will again! I always put in a few images with my reviews of graphic novels, but it was tough to pick only a few this time because every frame is stunning. Sometimes brutal, sometimes sleek and dark, sometimes sexy – always perfect!
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I read this in one sitting. I could not stop! And, I did not want to binge into volume 3. I need to savor this. And, I don’t want to rush to the end as it appears volume 3 is the last!
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Moral of this story so far: Don’t f&$! with your secretary – you never know what secrets she might be hiding . . . and she might be really good at revenge!...more
I am torn between 2 and 3 stars on this volume. Before the last part of the story it was definitely a 2 star, but the final story redeemed it a bit.
[iI am torn between 2 and 3 stars on this volume. Before the last part of the story it was definitely a 2 star, but the final story redeemed it a bit.
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In the past I have been impressed by this story despite being somewhat over the top. While it has been graphic and innuendo-filled, it has been interwoven into the plot and the humor of the story enough to not seem gratuitous. However, this time I could not get into the first 3/4 of the book because the content seemed excessive and unnecessary. I am not going to enjoy that much filler!
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So, as previously mentioned, I was headed into the final story ready to go two stars and be done with this series for good. But, the final story was action packed, suspenseful, touching, deep, meaningful, etc. - basically my faith in the story was restored. While I might not be as gung go as I was in the past to keep going, I definitely want to see what happens to Emp and her goofy friends and enemies.
This is a much different volume than the first. Hard to tell if the first volume was just the intro and this is now the main meat of the story? Or, isThis is a much different volume than the first. Hard to tell if the first volume was just the intro and this is now the main meat of the story? Or, is each volume going to touch upon a different side story within the world where The Beauty is a thing? Maybe a few stories are being introduced and they will all come together in the end?
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I enjoyed this volume, but there was not much of the actual Beauty disease involved. It was more of a protégé assassin story; outcast is adopted by a murder-for-hire organization - eventually becoming the most lethal of weapons. I thought the story was pretty cool, and would have been entertaining even outside of the universe in this series.
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I continue to be fascinated with this series and the artwork. It is very unique. I am not quite sure who I would recommend it to – it is mystery/horror/action/espionage with a bit of external vs internal beauty/should you be who you are or who you could be thrown in. So, I think a lot of people will enjoy it, but some people might find it too out there.
This has been one of my favorite Walking Dead volumes in a while. A few recent volumes felt like not too much happened. This one was packed with multiThis has been one of my favorite Walking Dead volumes in a while. A few recent volumes felt like not too much happened. This one was packed with multiple story lines, new characters, big changes for old characters, and cliffhangers galore.
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I am excited to see where the story is going to go next. I had been thinking that it was moving toward conclusion, but now there are so many possibilities, I cannot imagine it ending any time soon.
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What was interesting about this volume is how it feels like a very strong allegory for our current society. Of course the whole story has been a reflection of society and the extremes it will go to when put under pressure, but this issue took it to the next level with stories of leadership, grieving, trust, forgiveness, race, relationships, sexual orientation, and mental instability. It was delivered and integrated well - it did not feel too preachy or overdone.
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If you are still in the early volumes or have had thoughts if checking it out, know that it is still going strong 29 volumes in....more
I am still having a hard time getting into this new Bond graphic novel series. I am glad the next few collections have different authors2.5 to 3 stars
I am still having a hard time getting into this new Bond graphic novel series. I am glad the next few collections have different authors and artists, because Ellis and Masters really are not doing it for me.
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The story itself was pretty good. I liked the action, the intrigue, and the resolution was fairly decent. However, as with the first collection, the snappy humor and suave nature of 007 felt silly and forced. Speaking of 007, he really seemed like more of a supporting character than the main focus. One of the biggest and most suspenseful scenes in the book he isn't even in. He didn't feel tough. He didn't feel sexy. He just really didn't really feel like Bond.
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Regarding the artwork. I am not a huge fan of the depiction of faces in this. Many times the expressions don't fit the scene and are distractingly goofy. Also, throughout the book there would be panels without dialogue where the art was supposed to tell the story, but I was not sure what was going on. I am not saying that I could do better, but I like the art in graphic novels to be pleasing not confusing.
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I wish I could say that if you are a Bond fan you should check this out. But, I can only say maybe you should check this out.
"You gotta stand up for your friends. Sometimes that means dying. Sometimes that means killing a whole lot of people"
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In volume 3 of the Sin Cit"You gotta stand up for your friends. Sometimes that means dying. Sometimes that means killing a whole lot of people"
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In volume 3 of the Sin City series, the story remains dark, gory, and creative. For those who have seen the original movie you will recognize this as the middle part of it.
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This is a highly entertaining mix of action, humor, and bad-ass-ery (a word that I am growing very fond of using). If you like your thrills noir, your heroines very naughty, and your heroes fighting to within an inch of their life, then this is for you!
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You can pretty much pick this one up without having read the previous ones if you want. But, so far they are all pretty good, so you should probably read them all....more
The second volume of Sin City continues the the same vein as the first. Dark violence and blood shed. Sexual deviance and twisted characters. DeceptioThe second volume of Sin City continues the the same vein as the first. Dark violence and blood shed. Sexual deviance and twisted characters. Deception and corruption. I could go on and on . . .
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My thoughts on this volume are a bit different simply because the first volume and first movie have many similarities - and I have seen the first movie several times. While the second volume is supposed to be the same story as was depicted in the second movie, I have not seen it yet. Therefore, I had no preconceived notions of what to expect.
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I can tell why this series is already considered a classic. The stories and the art are unique. The characters are very enthralling. Also, since there is a lot of bad stuff going on here, you almost feel like you are getting away with something when you are reading it.
This is not for the feint of heart, but if you like murder, sex, corruption, really bad bad guys, and suspense, be sure to check this series out.
The episodic adventures of our low self-esteemed and often captured superhero superheroine Empowered continue! Frequently raunchy and borderline scandThe episodic adventures of our low self-esteemed and often captured superhero superheroine Empowered continue! Frequently raunchy and borderline scandalous, but very creative and generously hilarious, this series has grown on me quite a bit since the first volume.
A few key points from this volume: - Really starting to get some continuous storyline now. The first few volumes were more random anecdotes than straightforward story. - Empowered is starting to realize her weaknesses might be strengths (which appears to be unlocking something quite mysterious) - Just when you think it is just raunchy humor and scantily-clad damsels in distress, the author drops some serious knowledge, makes a well thought out point, or tugs a heart string or two. - The demon trapped in the belt is still hilarious!
This series is getting better as it goes along and I am already looking forward to the next one.
Glad I finally read this! I have been thinking about doing so for a long time, and when I finally did, I blew through it in one day.
It is as humorousGlad I finally read this! I have been thinking about doing so for a long time, and when I finally did, I blew through it in one day.
It is as humorous and creative as it is gory and creepy. If you don't mind your classic monsters mixed with a bit of wittiness and sass, this is a good title to check out.
I have heard about the show based on this, I am going to have to check that out, too!
Also, as a graphic novel reader knows, each issue should come with decent cliffhangers and unanswered questions. This first issue doesn't disappoint! One thing I must say along these lines is that sometimes I cannot get into the world and the story of the series until the second collected issue after I start to get comfortable with everything. I did not have that problem here, I was into it right away!
Ah, Saga, you continue to be intriguing and wildly weird. Lessons about family. Lessons about race. Lessons about loss and letting go. All of this pacAh, Saga, you continue to be intriguing and wildly weird. Lessons about family. Lessons about race. Lessons about loss and letting go. All of this packaged in a bizzaro universe of strange creatures, cool spaceships, fascinating characters! (Yup, I just used ALL the adjectives!)
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I have given this disclaimer before, but this series is a bit extreme with sex and violence. It's not up to me to decide what is too much for you, and maybe you won't find it all that extreme. But, I felt like I should mention it again before someone reads it based on one of my reviews and is all like, "Dang, Matthew, you are a freak!"
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Glad I found this series through Goodreads recommendations - I have continued to enjoy it with every volume!...more
I will start by saying that this is definitely a mature comic. A bit of bad language, some gratuitous sexiness, etc. If you decide to read this based I will start by saying that this is definitely a mature comic. A bit of bad language, some gratuitous sexiness, etc. If you decide to read this based on my review, don't say I didn't warn you!
I thought it sounded interesting: a stereotypical sexy superheroine with self esteem and image issues that is the brunt of jokes and treated poorly by her teammates. It started out slowly, but the little vignettes (most stories in the collection are under 10 pages) grew on me. Also, in a lot of places, the humorous dialogue was fantastic (I especially enjoy the trapped demonlord)
As I mentioned at the beginning of the review - there is indeed a lot of gratuitous sexiness but in general, it is making fun of gratuitous sexiness. So, it uses sex to make fun of the way sex is portrayed in comic books by being truly sexy but goofy at the same time. Make sense?
So if you like funny comics and don't mind adult themes, you will probably enjoy this (NOTE: it is in black and white)...more
This is a very powerful and informative story. Also, with the history of personal freedoms, civil rights, and right to privacy/requiring consent, thisThis is a very powerful and informative story. Also, with the history of personal freedoms, civil rights, and right to privacy/requiring consent, this is a very important books. I am not sure the details about the science involved in the story will appeal to all. Just the same as how those who are here for the science may be disinterested in the background stories of the people involved. But, if you think you will like one of the other, I don’t think the one you don’t care for will be distracting.
With that in mind, I will continue with the statement that it really is two books: the science and the people. First, the background of cell and tissue research in the last 100 years is intriguing and to hear about all of the advances and why Henretta Lacks was key to them is fascinating. Second, the background of not only the Lacks family, but also others who have had their tissues/cells used for research without permission, gives a lot of food for thought. Almost every medical advancement, and many scientific advancements, in the past 60 years are because of Henrietta Lacks. But, questions about the consent she gave, what she understood about her cells being used, and how much the family has benefited are all questioned and discussed. It really hits hard to think that you may have no control over parts of you once they are no longer part of your body. Also, the fiscal and research ramifications of giving people more rights over their body tissue/cells really creates a huge Catch-22. As I had surgery earlier this year that involved some tissue being removed for analysis, it started to make me wonder what I signed on all those forms and if my cells might still be out there being used for research.
The only part of the book that kind of dragged for me was the time that the author spent with the family late in the book. After listening to an interview with the author it was surprising to hear that this part of the book may have been her original focus (how the family has dealt with the revelations surrounding the use of their mother’s cells), but to me it kind of dragged and got repetitive. I don’t think it is bad and others may find it interesting, it just was what brought down my interest in the story a little bit.
If you like science-based stories, medical-based stories, civil/personal rights history, and/or just love a decent non-fiction, I think this book is very worth checking out. ...more
I am a little torn on this one - there was some good stuff and some not so good stuff. I was not blown away by the book, but I am not sad I read it.
MyI am a little torn on this one - there was some good stuff and some not so good stuff. I was not blown away by the book, but I am not sad I read it.
My favorite part was the characters. Something about them was interesting in a can't-take-my-eyes-away-from-this-train-wreck sort of way. As the book progressed I kept waiting for them to make more and more unfortunate decisions and it was entertaining.
My biggest criticism was the forced feeling to the exposition. It felt like the author was given the assignment to write the back story of one of the Manson girls and she only did an okay job. Kind of like she was saying "okay, now I will describe what she likes to eat. Next I will describe what she likes to read. Etc."
Also, the sexuality throughout kinda felt over the top and unnecessary. I know this was the era of free love, but I didn't really need to know that every character was randomly masturbating every few minutes. I have no issues when it makes sense, but this felt like "let me shock you!"
Not sure who I would recommend this to so I am not sure I would recommend it, but it was okay....more
A dysfunctional family adventure continues. Strange - but very readable and entertaining. Better than volume one, but probably mainly because I have aA dysfunctional family adventure continues. Strange - but very readable and entertaining. Better than volume one, but probably mainly because I have a better idea about what is going on....more
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