When a story starts with the main protagonist Herbert Badgery saying that he is 139 years old and something of a celebrity, you can just call me hookeWhen a story starts with the main protagonist Herbert Badgery saying that he is 139 years old and something of a celebrity, you can just call me hooked already! Now if I'd known that this commercial and critical successful book was considered metafiction or magical realism I would have steered a mile clear, instead I lost many hours reading this 800+ stop-start mix 'n' match darkly comedic, farcical and at time outrageously magical realist story of his life and some of the the lives of his relatives and other people that he came across. [image] The book structure and feel should have worked for me, but I just found it very difficult to care about any of the characters in any sort of way! I must say that it very much felt like a very clever and interesting collection of vignettes were contained in this book, but that I just didn't 'get it'. Despite my low personal rating of 4 out of 12, one worth a read... if you have the time :D [image] 2022 read...more
Another innovative piece of storytelling by Yann Martel as he interlinks three stories across decades centred around the high mountains of Portugal - Another innovative piece of storytelling by Yann Martel as he interlinks three stories across decades centred around the high mountains of Portugal - a man's journey there in one of the earliest cars at the turn of the 20th century; a woman travels back from there with a suitcase just before the Second World War breaks out; and in the modern times a man returns to his parents' home, with a chimp!!! 7 out of 12. [image] 2017 read...more
Gilbert takes Luba's sisters to the adult imprint of Fantagraphics, so as well as his trademark magical realism, we also get graphic sex, lots of it. Gilbert takes Luba's sisters to the adult imprint of Fantagraphics, so as well as his trademark magical realism, we also get graphic sex, lots of it. and still this is a good piece of work. 7 out of 12. And no, I couldn't think of a GIF or an image I could use :) 2016 read...more
A one-off graphic novel, with a 'Love & Rockets book' sub title. This is the story of a group of four drifters who don't really know who to trust withA one-off graphic novel, with a 'Love & Rockets book' sub title. This is the story of a group of four drifters who don't really know who to trust within their group and beyond. There are some great magical realist touches as ever by 'Beto (Gilbert Hernández)! 8 out of 12 Four Star read. [image]...more
Half the book is taken up the best story in this collection, 'Proof That The Devil Loves You', see 'Beto take Killer, sad girl and Pipo back to PalomaHalf the book is taken up the best story in this collection, 'Proof That The Devil Loves You', see 'Beto take Killer, sad girl and Pipo back to Palomar which is as weird (magical real?) as ever. As well as other Palomar shorts by 'Beto, Jaime focuses on Vivian (Frogmouth) and her sister Tonta. This universe just keeps on expanding! 8 out of 12 Four Stars. Here's the amazing Latino creative team. [image] 2017 and 2016 read...more
Featuring the final three parts of Jaime Hernández's 'The Love Bunglers' the on and off relationship of Maggie and Ray, and some more revealing and woFeaturing the final three parts of Jaime Hernández's 'The Love Bunglers' the on and off relationship of Maggie and Ray, and some more revealing and wonderfully plotted Maggie backstory, including the cause of the animosity between her and Blanca is finally shown! and 'Beto's King Vampire and a Killer, sad girl continuation story. Surely one of the greatest ongoing series ever written? 9 out of 12. [image]...more
Gilberto Hernández kicks off with a Fritz driven top class 14 pages of dialogue. Jaime brings the series back to the Locas cast. Ray's still pursuing Gilberto Hernández kicks off with a Fritz driven top class 14 pages of dialogue. Jaime brings the series back to the Locas cast. Ray's still pursuing Maggie and their story is in the first two parts of 'The Love Bunglers'. Killer's back angling for a film career which no one is taking seriously in 'Killer Sad Girl Star'. And wow wow wow, Jaime give us ne'er seen before more Maggie backstory which gets all the stars from me. The series is back to its best again. 9 out of 12. [image]...more
More superhero mash-up from Jaime Hernández, and Gilbert Hernández lays down his epic 'Hypnotwist', which to be honest, with its lack of words, I founMore superhero mash-up from Jaime Hernández, and Gilbert Hernández lays down his epic 'Hypnotwist', which to be honest, with its lack of words, I found thought provoking, but felt it left an unclear narrative. Introducing 'Killer', a sad girl, a possible descendent of Luba? 6 out of 12. [image]...more
More Los Bros Hernández work, with Jaime Hernández's superhero Penny Century universe and some magical real shorts by Gilbert Hernández and Mario HernMore Los Bros Hernández work, with Jaime Hernández's superhero Penny Century universe and some magical real shorts by Gilbert Hernández and Mario Hernández. These amazing Mexican-American brothers who given a voice to minorities and women for so many decades continue to expand their collaboratively created universes. 7 out of 12, makes this the weakest collection yet. [image]...more
By this, the fifth Gilberto Palomar collection Liba and family are all settled in California. Ofelia's decision to write a book about Luba stirs troubBy this, the fifth Gilberto Palomar collection Liba and family are all settled in California. Ofelia's decision to write a book about Luba stirs trouble. Luba's children the wonderfully conceived and characterised genius Socorro, out and proud Doralis and sketchy Maricela follow in her trouble making and/or stirring footsteps, but luckily without a hammer in sight. Luba's sisters Fritz and Doralis continue their bed-hopping shenanigans. I rarely summarise a Love & Rockets collection, as they are are so intricately plotted, and no description of the wonderful use of a diverse multi-generational characters, each with their own multi faceted personalities, looks and ways of seeing the world, and each with a complex and inter-connected backstory. It's the closest I'l ever see to comic book writing genius. 9 out of 12 overall....more
Ditching the socio-political allegories of previous collections Gilbert focuses on the ageing Luba's extended family in the United States, especially Ditching the socio-political allegories of previous collections Gilbert focuses on the ageing Luba's extended family in the United States, especially her two sisters and her wondrous niece Venus. This is a collection of yet more superb craftsmanship, super magical realism, 'feck, superb realism. 10 ou tof 12, Five Star read. [image]...more
Mostly all the non Palomar and non Hoppers stories from all three brothers including, Mario Hernández's 'Marzipan' tales, Jaimie Hernandez's Rocket RhMostly all the non Palomar and non Hoppers stories from all three brothers including, Mario Hernández's 'Marzipan' tales, Jaimie Hernandez's Rocket Rhodes shorts and more from all three. Gilbert Hernández's sci-fi epic 'BEM' is from the first issue of the Love & Rockets comic book, and am afraid is probably the story I likes least in all the books. The gems in this collection are a Gilbert's 'The KKK Comes To The Hoppers', 'Death, God & The Devil Are One' and his amazing Frida Kahlo biography. 6 out of 12 for the overall collection. [image]...more
Collecting 'Poison River' the Luba life story leading up to her time in Palomar, words escape for the creativity, it all just feels so real, like I liCollecting 'Poison River' the Luba life story leading up to her time in Palomar, words escape for the creativity, it all just feels so real, like I lived this life. This is then followed by short stories around 'Love & Rockets X', which captures the world that Maricela and Riri find when they moved to the United the States. 8 out of 12 [image]...more
Somehow this series got even better, especially with the master class storytelling of the 105 pager - Human Diastrophism, the only full graphic novel Somehow this series got even better, especially with the master class storytelling of the 105 pager - Human Diastrophism, the only full graphic novel length "Palomar" story ever created by Gilbert Hernández. The story is one of the best stories I have ever read, the presence of a serial killer amongst them impacts on Palomar in many ways. heart ending and deep and so real! The Magical Realist tales of Palomar and the utterly mesmerising Luba are some of the best comic book story and artwork ever produced in my opinion! Not satisfied with that exceptional work the following stories focused around Luba and her descendants and her past are at times just as miraculous! 10 out of 12 overall, although Human Diastrophism got an 11 out of 12 from me. [image]...more
I thought Jamie Hernández's work was great, but Gilbert Hernández's has left me totally an dutterly speechless, the amazing, sometime magical realist I thought Jamie Hernández's work was great, but Gilbert Hernández's has left me totally an dutterly speechless, the amazing, sometime magical realist world of Palomar a remote tiwn with no TV, few cars etc. And lots of pain, love, bitching, learning, laughing, growing, dying and more. Superb - an absolute must-read! This series is superb, but this volume is impeccable on so many levels, from long form plotting, the wonderful art and the exquisite management and control of such a large cast of multifaceted characters. Seriously! 10 out of 12, Five Star Read. [image]...more
Subtitled 'When You Walk On Death Row, You Look For The Light' this is a truly enchanting magical realist read. A despicable mute killer, a lady who cSubtitled 'When You Walk On Death Row, You Look For The Light' this is a truly enchanting magical realist read. A despicable mute killer, a lady who campaigns for convicts, a failed priest, a governor with a wife dying of cancer, the white haired boy doing a two year stretch, the corrupt guard and the death row inmate that wants to die - their lives overlap in a maximum security, but decrepit prison. Great work, great read! 8 out of 12 [image]...more
Another dead pan magical realist gem from this modern Ukrainian writer. He somehow manages to interweave a comparison of communist and modern Ukraine,Another dead pan magical realist gem from this modern Ukrainian writer. He somehow manages to interweave a comparison of communist and modern Ukraine, family breakdown and reunion, chasing after a married woman, and time travel, (yes, time travel!) into a coherent and absorbing story! 7 out of 12....more
The Morrison / Quitely dream team re-imagine a magical realist take on Flex Mentallo from the Doom Patrol series in his own book. Honestly... I am notThe Morrison / Quitely dream team re-imagine a magical realist take on Flex Mentallo from the Doom Patrol series in his own book. Honestly... I am not totally sure what it all means, but quite interesting none the less. 7 out of 12, Three Stars. [image] 2013 read...more
Collecting 16 somewhat magical realist / surreal very short stories. Bender is a great short story writer in that she gets you into the setting withinCollecting 16 somewhat magical realist / surreal very short stories. Bender is a great short story writer in that she gets you into the setting within the first page and keeps you interested 'til the last with her surreal characters and sometimes surreal worlds. 7 out of 12, Three Star read. [image] 2013 read...more
I read the comic books Doom Patrol volume 2 - #19-39 in which Morrison revolutionises the series with his allegorical, metaphorical and satire laden sI read the comic books Doom Patrol volume 2 - #19-39 in which Morrison revolutionises the series with his allegorical, metaphorical and satire laden surreal fest! 6 out of 12 [image] I then read the comic books Doom Patrol volume 2 - #40-63 & the Special … the final year/run on this book is one of the best pieces of work in an ongoing series (as good as New X-Men also by Grant Morrison a genuine masterpiece! 9 out of 12. [image] I can see why and how this series put Morrison on the map! It should be noted that Doom Patrol no longer being submitted for approval by the Comics Code Authority was key to this work being created. 8 out of 12 Four Stars overall. [image] 2013 read...more
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