On-the-outs, maverick outlier occultist 'Nameless' is rescued by a group of off-key techno-magical industrialist who are out to save the world from anOn-the-outs, maverick outlier occultist 'Nameless' is rescued by a group of off-key techno-magical industrialist who are out to save the world from an impending meteor crash and possibly profit from it! This Morrison jam, gloriously drawn by Chris Burnham has so much to say from the origins of Earth to the origin of a primary deity! It says a lot, but it can't say it effectively in six comic book issues! This felt like it need to be stretched to over three volumes and the fact that one needs to go on Wiki and deeply research the internet to 'get this' is key failing. Great concept, great art but a rushed tale that ended up being really confusing. Such a great story that really needs to be expanded and given more clarity to better hit home. 6 out of 12, Three Stars. [image] 2024 read...more
Oskar is 12 almost 13, with a loving mother, absent dad, and a love for the macabre; Eli is also 12, but Eli has been alive for over 200 years old! ThOskar is 12 almost 13, with a loving mother, absent dad, and a love for the macabre; Eli is also 12, but Eli has been alive for over 200 years old! This is the story of their friendship, this is also a horror story. With multiple well thought out multi-facetted characters in a town under siege by a 'monster' the 'Ritual Killer' who drains the blood of their victims! [image] Wiki does a great summary of the themes of this book - a book that "grapples with the darker side of humanity, including such issues as existential anxiety, social isolation, fatherlessness, divorce, alcoholism, school bullying, paedophilia, genital mutilation, self-mutilation, and murder"! This is a horror read for mature audiences that packs a huge bite, taking vampiric storytelling to a completely new and dare I say more human and thus much darker level! A very strong 9 out of 12 Four Star read. The most adult coming of age story you will ever read? [image] "Let the right one in Let the old dreams die Let the wrong ones go They cannot do What you want them to do" Morrissey - 'Let The Right One Slip In' [image] 2023 read...more
Gwendy survived the Button Box, and then the Magic Feather, and now in her 60s she is faced with her final task... getting rid of the Button Box, in sGwendy survived the Button Box, and then the Magic Feather, and now in her 60s she is faced with her final task... getting rid of the Button Box, in space! Nope, that wasn't a typo! What were they thinking? And to add insult to injury this is a The Dark Tower, Derry and Castle Rock crossover! [image] Stephen King lost me on this one, lots of leaps and bounds are needed for me to accept this series ends on a spacecraft! The Caste Rock small-town genius of the first book in the series is completely cast away at this stage as Senator(!) Gwendy last task is away from Earth! Ya got to be kidding me? To add insult to injury there are references to newly added parts of her past, as well as other annoying things that I can't share as they're spoilers. I don't even think a re-read will save this one for me! 4 out of 12, Two Star Read, just about! FAIL! I only managed to read th ebook so quickly because of the large print / short chapter format. [image] 2022 read...more
Years have passed and Gwendy's a successfully published writer, documentary maker, campaigner... and Congresswoman! But as she heads back to Castle RoYears have passed and Gwendy's a successfully published writer, documentary maker, campaigner... and Congresswoman! But as she heads back to Castle Rock for Christmas the world is on the brink, with a foul mouthed dumb President (I wonder who inspired King for that character :D), her photojournalist husband is working in a dangerous Timor, her mother is fighting a critical illness and someone might be killing girls in Castle Rock! So the best, but also worse thing that could happen to her is the return of a certain Button Box! [image] Chizmar picks up the reigns of this King-universe co-creation and doesn't do too bad a job with some neat world building, scene setting and the continuation of Gwendy's dilemma with holding so much magical and random power. I can see how some horror fans could be disgruntled with this read, but I think it fits well within the Gwendy sub-verse :). I found this is a nice addition to the post Needless Things' Castle Rock timeline. 6 out of 12. [image] 2022 read; 2020 read...more
Really, I should be happy that this series did so little for me, I'd avoided it for over a decade as I felt that it would have nothing to offer and haReally, I should be happy that this series did so little for me, I'd avoided it for over a decade as I felt that it would have nothing to offer and have been proven right on reading it. SO enough about me, why should, why do, other people love this series. I felt that it's mixture European deities and demons and multiple interpretations of Hell all coexisting would have a lot of appeal. The crux of the story if Hellboy's refusal to accept the legacy of his birth and most of time not even engage with it, but now consigned to Hell, what will he do? 2 out of 12 from me. [image] 2022 read...more
This third omnibus of without a doubt are momentous stories in the Hellboy cannon, continue to hugely underwhelm me, I guess when something, some seriThis third omnibus of without a doubt are momentous stories in the Hellboy cannon, continue to hugely underwhelm me, I guess when something, some series doesn't work for me, it really doesn't work for me! The best volume in this, and probably the best of the series was Hellboy, Vol. 9: The Wild Hunt which at least kept me interested! [image] I can imagine Hellboy fans being amazed/annoyed at my perception of the series, so here's just a few of my gripes - Hellboy has no real character; fights have no real story other than, you whack me, I whack you; almost every reveal is via narrated exposition! - and that's just a few of my gripes, don't get me on the art where other than Hellboy most of the time I have no idea who is who! 3 out of 12, One Star read. Damn! [image] 2022 read...more
This second omnibus of presumably the key stories of this cult classic reality of Hellboy captures his last days with B.R.P.D., what he did next and mThis second omnibus of presumably the key stories of this cult classic reality of Hellboy captures his last days with B.R.P.D., what he did next and more run-ins from his past, as well as more mostly backward looking reality building. Although I still have little positive to say about the art; as, other than Hellboy I struggle to recognise any character until they're named, the world building although pretty banal - from ancient times, first evil, first man, lots of tentacles and monsters blah blah blah, at least it all is growing into parts of a discernible whole. [image] I get why a lot of fanboys love this, who probably also like H.P. Lovecraft, Neil Gaiman, Alan Moore's horror work etc, all of which I am no fan of. For me there's a distinct lack of any real characterisation even for Hellboy himself and certainly no decent long-form story telling, although I do concede that the work is built up over lots of limited run serials and short stories which may make it hard to work on these areas and keep new readers invested. Only two more omnibus volumes to go, and now I am truly wondering if I'll bother reading the B.P.R.D. books? 5 out of 12. [image] 2022 read...more
This first omnibus of the cult classic reality of Hellboy captures his first stories in a print plus a short all with overarching theme of relating toThis first omnibus of the cult classic reality of Hellboy captures his first stories in a print plus a short all with overarching theme of relating to his origin, the NAZI conspiracy that is part of that origin and introducing the B.P.R.D and a number of their agents and team. I have pretty much read a significant amount of the 'best comic serials to read' and had continuously swerved this one as it didn't look my cup of tea... which it turned out it wasn't. Basic horror in the style I dislike the most - gothic cum - HO Lovecraft-ian. It looks like it would have been dated even when it first went to print in the 1990s, and personally feel all characterisations sadly paper-thin and lacking, the stories were quite banal; it's the overall mystery and conspiracies that are its saving grace in my opinion. 4 out of 12. [image] 2022 read...more
Let's face it, the 16 year old first-person narrator of this book Frank, is an unadulterated and more essentially unrecognised psychopath! His older hLet's face it, the 16 year old first-person narrator of this book Frank, is an unadulterated and more essentially unrecognised psychopath! His older half-brother has escaped from a mental institution (for the dangerous) and is on his way to the Scottish island home that Frank and his dad live on. This book lives in Frank's mind as he awaits the destination and fate of his half-brother, and the possibly life shattering events that ensue during that wait. Looking back at his extremely off-kilter childhood and his current life that includes his 'wasp factory' creation which he believes can tell his future depending which ritualised and unpleasant death any wasp he puts into undergoes. So I should mention huge triggers for child and animal cruelty! [image] I doubt if you will ever read a gothic horror like this one; with Frank's detached narration sharing experiences and feelings that would shock Satan; with so much pre-determined and calculated cruelty, with a complete loss of rational behaviours and yet a seemingly unerring assuredness from a very early age, this truly feels like the mind of a psychopath... one that could live among us! [image] Not like Frank we don't! Prior to this Iain Banks had had only science fiction work published and the beauty of this book from a literary perspective is that this is so obviously really a sci-fi read, with Frank being the alien and the island him and his father live on their alien planet where humanity is yet to reach! Add to all this a sublime twist at the end, that no matter how hard you try, you won't see coming. 8..5 out of 12 [image] 2022 read...more
2021 review: John Lindqvist relates what appears to be a an at time shocking personal and revealing look at his days as an aspiring comic whilst in hi2021 review: John Lindqvist relates what appears to be a an at time shocking personal and revealing look at his days as an aspiring comic whilst in his early 20s in urban (Stockholm) Sweden in the 1980s. John recounts living in a sparse and limited reality; a world limited by his environment, by his street magic performances and by his own fiction(?) writing. A sense of foreboding grows in his neighbourhood and evolves to become something tangible, and as the story, although still set in a sparse, lightly populated world, begins to take roads down really dark paths, you/I start checking the blurb, to check if this is a real biography? OK, so maybe it's horror fiction? But hang on a minute, the writer was also an aspiring magician called John Lindqvist in the 1980s! What's going on? [image] A story of isolation, loneliness and grief, a story of street magic, skinheads and neighbours; a story of shared national grief, looking for answers and escaping one's directionless and/or downward spiralling reality. From the writer, for whom, some critics have conferred the title 'Swedish Stephen King' comes a truly modern and intriguing horror story that is slightly ruined for me, when conventional horror rears its trite head. I feel that there is so much horror to be found in the human existence that there is no real need for paranormal or other imagined horrors, and hence hopefully believe, that one day Lindquist will focus on what he appears (to me) to be very good at, delving into the intricacies and minutiae of the darker sides of modern urban life. Translated by Marlaine Delargy. 7.5 out of 12. [image]...more
Jamie recalls that he was just a toddler the first time his unnatural ability reared its head; in this, his story, he recounts the main situations hisJamie recalls that he was just a toddler the first time his unnatural ability reared its head; in this, his story, he recounts the main situations his ability got him into in is youth. This is another very good piece of suspenseful crime fiction from Mr King who appears to be determined to leave his mark in this genre! [image] With a plethora of reviews of this book around at the moment, I think I'll just comment on what I specifically liked: In my half a lifetime of reading I don't think I've ever read a writer who captures the details of youth / coming of age so well, from It to the amazing The Body, up to the recent Gwendy's Button Box he just does it so, and yet again does so in this book. [image] As a Constant Reader, I must admit that there wasn't much new in this read; it read and felt more like a novella, but still immersed me in a King reality. (view spoiler)[The pretty deep connection to Stephen King's It, was a pleasant surprise; the same could be said for this book's ending, though not necessary a pleasant surprise. (hide spoiler)] Scraping into an 8 out of 12, Four Star read for me; I probably need to read this again to enjoy it more, but not right now, but maybe... later. [image] ..And yes, I spent a few minutes trying to engineer this review t o end with the word... later. :)...more
Luke thought that the most traumatic mind-breaking devastatingly shocking thing that ever happened to him in his life was being separated from his famLuke thought that the most traumatic mind-breaking devastatingly shocking thing that ever happened to him in his life was being separated from his family and being held in the Institute; a few days later he realised, that he had a lot worse to come. The Institute, captive children, poked and prodded, abused and tortured, and this is just the induction! As Luke's days progress he begins to realise that he might never get out of the Institute, ever! [image] A bit of a non-stop hi intensity ride is this one, from the off Luke is in jeopardy and remains so throughout the book, to a degree this becomes the driver and the rest is just window dressing. A story with a strong King feel, protagonists in a horrific situation with no end in sight; friendship being the one tool that gives them solace; hyper mad/bad antagonists;n and a shadowy overpower. I suppose everything a Constant Reader would want in a King horror? I got very much caught up in this read, but still managed to put it down for over two months before getting round to finishing it. Still, a good read 7.5 out of 12. [image]...more
Christos Gage takes characters from Crossed, Vol. 4: Badlands (the twins) and Crossed, Vol. 7: Badlands (Smokey) to chronicle the next chapters of theChristos Gage takes characters from Crossed, Vol. 4: Badlands (the twins) and Crossed, Vol. 7: Badlands (Smokey) to chronicle the next chapters of the stories of the 'intelligent' Crossed. As before Gage's refusal to dwell in schlock and horror, leaves a far more readable and enjoyable story. It's an interesting story, as in the use (again) of human stooges to provide Smokey with advise and reality checks. Cage's are probably some of the most accessible Crossed volumes - 7.5 out of 12. [image]...more
Yes that Max Bemis! Max drops to strongly Badlands style Crossed books, with the main protagonists being pretty reprehensible people in both stories. Yes that Max Bemis! Max drops to strongly Badlands style Crossed books, with the main protagonists being pretty reprehensible people in both stories. The first story has perfect older brother and pretty dark younger brother coming together after C-Day, with their pasts eventually catching them up. The second, shorter story has four geeks enslaving a female comic book creator on the spur of the moment on C-Day. Both stories travel very dark waters, so kudos to Bemis for raising the issues he raises, but it feels that both stories needed better and deeper characterisations of the 'victims'? 7 out of 12 [image]...more
A mixed group of survivors while away the days surviving the Crossed event living on the remains of a broken bridge, unto 2 apparently very smart younA mixed group of survivors while away the days surviving the Crossed event living on the remains of a broken bridge, unto 2 apparently very smart young woman appear carrying all the answers, them being make-up artists and Zombie genre nerds. Nothing can go wrong, right? Rather gratuitous pointless volume that with basic minimal plotting inter sped by graphic violent, sexual and/or horrific events. 6 out of 12....more
While most of the other Crossed creators are fixated on gross schlock horror, and/or just plain old near-juvenile exploitation of sex, violence and caWhile most of the other Crossed creators are fixated on gross schlock horror, and/or just plain old near-juvenile exploitation of sex, violence and cannibalism Kieron Gillen brings us two Black leads, one searching for something during the Crossed apocalypse, the other the main protagonist in a story that might possible be the origin of the Crossed set 75,000 years ago... or not? Interesting and compelling as we follow two unpredictable tales that might, just might, finally give us some answers! 8 out of 12 [image] ...more
David Hine drops another very fine Japan set Crossed story, in itself, a sort of sequel to his story in Crossed, Vol. 8: Badlands... five nerdy friendDavid Hine drops another very fine Japan set Crossed story, in itself, a sort of sequel to his story in Crossed, Vol. 8: Badlands... five nerdy friends swear allegiance with each other as 'The Five Bloody Fingers' and take the blood oath with them to face the Crossed, the Yakuza, and a lion... yes, I said a lion! Great fun. now so dark as the other volumes, and works really well! 8 out of 12. Crossed 'special' 2014 is also included, following a Crossed outbreak in a maximum security prison [image]...more
David Lapham maintains the core Badlands theme of looking at evil (surviving) people in the Crossed reality; he pulls no punches with antagonist paedoDavid Lapham maintains the core Badlands theme of looking at evil (surviving) people in the Crossed reality; he pulls no punches with antagonist paedophile pornographer Wentz and his ongoing war with one-time cop Land, after said Land's daughter fell into Wentz's hands. More of a hyper realised horrific storyline, which works for most of the volume. 7 out of 12. [image]...more
This Justin Jordan written and Georges Duarte joint was a bit weird as it follows a Latino woman, Esperanza and her White female mentor Jane, as they This Justin Jordan written and Georges Duarte joint was a bit weird as it follows a Latino woman, Esperanza and her White female mentor Jane, as they flee Esperanza's Crossed brother and the Crossed mob with him, because of the sexualised posing of the female characters... werid! Overall the story was average and the Crossed not as threatening as in other books. 6 out of 12, as the art was pretty poor overall. This volume included, and I also read, the 2014 'prison break' Special also written by Jordan. [image]...more
Harry the Englishman, Taffy the Welshman, Paddy the Irishman and Jock return in this prequel where we get to to see where they were when the Crossed fHarry the Englishman, Taffy the Welshman, Paddy the Irishman and Jock return in this prequel where we get to to see where they were when the Crossed first struck the UK! How about with Prime Minster Gordon Brown? Yet this is a pretty good look at the impact of Crossed at the high political and military level, that in typical Ennis style has some nice digs at UK governments and is pretty pro military. Nice read 7.5 out of 12. [image]...more
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