Fante Bukowski Review

Fante Bukowski. Noah Van Sciver. 2015. Fantagraphics. 80 pages.

Rating: 3/5

There is something about books about writers, whether self-referential or not, that doesn't appeal to me. This one isn't terrible though, maybe because it seems to poke fun at that type of story.

Fante Bukowski is a "writer" that is on the verge of losing basically everything. Having never been published, he mooches off his parents to be able to continue this lifestyle, while making meager attempts to create something worth publishing. There are some entertaining interactions with fellow writers and agents.

I think the thing that made this one fall short for me is that it is just too pessimistic. Anything that seems to be going well for Fante ends up slipping away. I didn't enjoy the art much either. Despite these personal shortcomings, it is told well. That alone saves it from being a throw away book.

The Punisher Volume One Review

The Punisher, Volume One: Black and White. Nathan Edmondson and Mitchell Thomas Gerads. 2014. Marvel. 136 pages.

Rating: 3/5

As far as Punisher books go, this one wasn't bad. It delves a bit more into the man behind the skull than some of the other Punisher stories I've read. In this one he is going after some drug dealers in L.A. At the same time, there is a group of mercenaries targeting the Punisher. These different plot points cross path at ties, but didn't really come together in a satisfying way.

I like Frank Castle's relationship with the female police officer the most. It gives a perspective of grudging respect for what he does as the Punisher in a system that feels ineffective by letting criminals go. And in a way his brand of justice might appeal to some people. The one thing this book really nailed is that Frank is a smart guy. It's easy to view the Punisher as someone who just goes in guns blazing trying to kill as many bad guys as possible. Here he is tactical and shows foresight. His military experience is shown and used effectively for the story.

The art's not bad. It isn't as bombastic as some of the other Marvel titles. Given the nature of Punisher's battle against crime, it makes sense that the art is a bit more subdued.

Pathfinder Volume 1 Review

Pathfinder, Volume One: Dark Water Rising. Jim Zub and Andrew Huerta. 2013. Dynamite. 160 pages.

Rating: 3/5

Taken from the Pathfinder (think D&D) game setting, this is an okay read. The story isn't bad and I enjoyed the art for the most part. The characters are a bit of a let down though. There are so many pulled in that none of them really get an opportunity to be developed.

Each one represents a different stereotype and doesn't get much beyond that. Perhaps future stories will address this. The main focus seemed to be on fighting goblins that attacked a village. I like what was done art wise with the goblins and what was affecting them. They aren't all that complex but there seemed to be a bit of thought into their creation.

What might be the best thing about this book is the extra material that is included at the end of each issue that ties into the game setting. It provides additional information (and game stats) for the characters and locations. Someone that would make use out of that material would want to pick this up for sure.

Eternal Warrior Volume 2 Review

Eternal Warrior, Volume 2: Eternal Emperor. Greg Pak, Robert Gil, and Guy Major. 2014. Valiant Entertainment. 112 pages.

Rating: 4/5

For me, volume two of this series is much more enjoyable than volume one. It takes a different approach by jumping 2,000 years into the future. The Earth is broken and Gilad Anni-Padda is caretaker of one of the few groups of humans still struggling to survive.

What I liked best about this book is the relationship between Gilad and his granddaughter. As he teaches her about the world outside their confined home, the reader gets to learn about what happened that brought the world to this point. Part of that discovery includes forgotten bits of technology (and why some of it has been forgotten). While this is quite a departure from the previous volume, it connected things back to the family issues brought up in the first arc.

I enjoyed the art a lot. There is a lot of mixing technology with nature. Some of the set pieces are just stunning. Given some of the events that are hinted at, the Earth is in much better shape than expected. I like this take on the Eternal Warrior and want to see more from him in this time. There are plenty of opportunities to fill in the gaps too.

Mighty Jack Review

Mighty Jack. Ben Hatke. 2016. First Second. 208 pages.

Rating: 4/5

Mighty Jack is a great variation on Jack and the Beanstalk. It's told in modern times, and the titular character is dreading the summer in which he will have to look after his kid sister that doesn't speak. At all. They have a single mom that works two jobs to make ends meet.

Things go really wrong when Jack's sister convince him to trade their car for some seeds. They seem harmless enough at first as the two kids plant and grow their own garden. Of course, these are magic seeds and the plants they become are living creatures.

The story is quite fun. My only real complaint about it is that this book is part of a series and the end point felt too open. It wraps up the first part of the story well enough, but overall things aren't resolved. So I feel like I have to read the next book to get a complete story. Not the worst thing in the world to have happen.

The character relationships are nice, but probably a bit simplistic. This is intended for middle grade readers, so that isn't a problem. These relationships involve Jack (not surprisingly) and his sister, mother, and the strange girl that lives down the street.

I loved the art. It can be cartoonish, again that is alright given the audience, but it's very creative and colorful too. Any time the garden creatures come on stage is a chance for the artist to do something new and unusual. The art also seemed to capture a bit of growth on Jack's part over the course of the story.

All in all, this is a good read. I'd definitely recommend it, especially for anyone that is familiar with the quality of work that First Second puts out.

Rust: The Boy Soldier Review

Rust: The Boy Soldier. Royden Lepp. 2016. Archaia. 128 pages.

Rating: 3/5

Disclaimer: I received a free ecopy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

So, this is a prequel to the Rust series. It tells the story of Jet Jones during the war prior to the opening of the series. The portion collected here is part of the other four volumes, but presented chronologically. Jet discovers that he has a weapon built into his body and struggles with what that means for him as a person.

I like the way this book is put together. It is mostly told without words, which makes it a quick read. But the harshness of the war and Jet's reaction to it are presented very well through the images alone. The art is excellent at capturing those elements. The illustrations are in sepia tone to play on the idea that this takes place a long time before the main chunk of the series.

As much as I liked these portions, I felt a little lost reading this volume. It raised a lot of questions for me about who Jet is, what caused the war, and some of the technology involved. I think this would be better having more familiarity with the overall story and world. It definitely piqued my interest about Jet and his tale. I'd recommend reading the first volume and circling back to this one.

Britannia, Volume 2 Review

Britannia, Volume 2: We Who Are About to Die. Peter Milligan and Juan Jose Ryp. 2017. Valiant Entertainment. 112 pages.

Rating: 3/5

Disclaimer: I received a free ecopy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

There are two major plotlines in this book. The first involves a slave woman who is sent to the gladiator pit after killing her owner. The second follows Antonius Axia, the protagonist from volume one, as he investigates the strange deaths of the children of the Roman elite.

The like Achilla, the slave turned gladiator, a lot. She is a strong character and acts as an inspiration for the other women in the book. Antonius Axia is an interesting take on the detective archetype and is labeled as a "detectioner". He is more passionate in this book as events strike a lot closer to home than the previous volume, both literally and figuratively. Taken as a whole, I like the story. There is a bit of a mystery that seems to work out pretty well. The person behind all of this is pretty interesting too.

The supporting characters that reappear from the previous volume weren't as interesting this time around. The Vestal Virgins show up, but play a much smaller role. Their main tasks are to introduce the problem for Antonius and act as a scapegoat for Nero, who was wholly uninteresting in this volume.

I feel a bit mixed on the art. Some of the character faces seemed oddly proportioned to me, but otherwise seemed fine. There wasn't much that stood out to me in terms of the art. The coloring is well done though. This series is a bit different from the other books that Valiant puts out and can serve as a good place for new readers to come onboard.

Heathen Volume 1 Review

Heathen, Volume 1. Natasha Alterici and Rachel Deering. 2017. Vault Comics. 112 pages.

Rating: 5/5

Disclaimer: I received a free ecopy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this story. I've read a bit of Nordic mythology recently, and the pieces the creators pick out to include in the plot work perfectly.

Aydis is a young woman struggling with her sexuality. Because of this she has become outcast from her village and sets out on a quest to free Brunhilde, the former leader of the Valkyries, from a fiery prison that Odin sent her to hundreds of years ago.

Despite the fantastical elements of the story, Aydis feels familiar and is quite relatable. She's smart and brave, but we get to see her vulnerable as well. The Nordic characters provide great support to Aydis. Brunhilde gives her purpose, and the others either seek to stop her or help her in that quest.

The art is wonderful. It has a unique appearance that seems to fit the story really well. I am unsure why Aydis wears such a revealing outfit when she lives in such a cold environment. One of the other characters has some mild nudity. However, these elements weren't enough to disrupt my enjoyment of the book. I look forward to reading more of Aydis' story.

Lady Mechanika Volume 4 Review

Lady Mechanika: La Dama de la Muerte. Joe Benetiz, M.M. Chen, Peter Steigerwald, Beth Sotelo, and Mike Garcia. 2017. Benitez Productions. 88 pages.

Rating: 3/5

Disclaimer: I received a free ecopy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

After the last couple volume in this series, this book felt like sort of a let down. I really enjoy the idea behind it, and felt that the creators did a nice job explaining the premise of the Day of the Dead. The art that accompanies it is gorgeous. That is definitely one the strongest element of the series.

Mechanika has traveled to Mexico, but there wasn't anything to bridge this back to the previous book. That should make it friendlier to a new reader. I found it frustrating that it leaves a big gap between the two stories. She recently lost a good friend, which helps tie her story into the plot, but I can't honestly remember who the missing person is if he was even present in the previous stories. Those are probably my biggest gripes about this book and they made it feel less complete.

The whole integration of the Day of the Dead celebrations was well done. Of course, there has to be some sort of conflict and that part of the story is good. It shows what Mechanika is capable of if she really lets loose. Even though this book doesn't bring the reader any closer to finding out more about Mechanika's history, it is a fun diversion.

How to Brew 4th Edition Review

How to Brew: Everything You Need to Know to Brew Great Beer Every Time. John J. Palmer. 2017. Brewer Publications. 600 pages.

Rating: 5/5

Disclaimer: I received a free ecopy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

As a homebrewer, this has got to be the bible on how to do things. There is a lot of technical detail, which could be overwhelming for someone new to the hobby, but the first chapter is really all you need to get started and it isn't too complicated.

I've read the previous edition in detail, so I mainly skimmed it this time around. What I like best about it is that it is broken up into two main sections (one for extract brewing and one for all grain) and that within each are numerous chapters that the curious mind can delve into to try to improve their beers. There is a progression that can be followed without being restrictive.

As I said, it is quite technical at times. It's possible to go as deep as you want into that aspect. Don't care about certain aspects (or maybe don't understand it)? You can skip it altogether and still make good beer by following the points outlined in the first chapter. This book can hook you in to learn about all the different things that affect the brewing process. It can also serve as a resource for brewers of all levels. The fourth edition has added a lot of information about various hops and malts that are available now. This is a book I've used multiple times and will certainly use again in the future.

POK POK The Drinking Food of Thailand Review

POK POK The Drinking Food of Thailand. Andy Ricker with JJ Goode. 2017. Ten Speed Press. 272 pages.

Rating: 2/5

Disclaimer: I received a free ecopy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The book isn't bad by any means, but it did not grab my attention the way I thought it would. The writer received quite a bit of praise for his previous book, so I had high hopes for this one. I'm not sure if it was the way he writes or something else that left me a bit disinterested.

Don't get me wrong, the recipes he writes about sound good and look great from the pictures included. There are even some fun anecdotes to go along with the various recipes and sections that he covers. I wasn't really inspired to try to recreate any of the dishes though. Maybe experiencing them elsewhere like he has would prompt more enthusiasm to cook them. He certainly knows his stuff about the recipes presented in the book and the regions of Thailand that they come from.

It felt like he was trying to capture some of the edginess that you might find in an Anthony Bourdain book. He even mentions an encounter with Bourdain that reinforced that feeling. The problem is it feels more forced coming from Ricker and it got in the way of me really enjoying the book. Coupled with the style of recipes, think more appetizer or small plates, the book missed the mark for me. For the right audience it could be superb, but I would recommend seeking out other Thai cookbooks first.

Divinity III: Heroes of the Glorious Stalinverse Review

Divinity III: Heroes of the Glorious Stalinverse. Jeff Lemire, Matt Kindt, Scott Bryan Wilson, Eliot Rahal, Clayton Crain, CAFU, Robert Gill, and Francis Portela. 2017. Valiant Entertainment. 112 pages.

Rating: 4/5

This volume collects four one shot stories connected to the events of Divinity III. Each one features a different Valiant hero within an alternate history (ish) where the Soviet Union became the leading superpower during the 20th century. There are also four separate, smaller stories that provide the origins of some new characters introduced in Divinity III.

Someone unfamiliar with the Valiant characters coming into this book would probably be unimpressed or maybe even put off by it. There seems to be an expectation that the reader will know about who these characters are and why they are important. That being said, this is a great collection of stories for someone that is interested in seeing some favorite characters in a different light.

Bloodshot's story is fantastic. It does a nice job of balancing the importance of the Soviet Union's power with Bloodshot's personal interests and history. This same sort of thing happens in the Archer & Armstrong story, but it focuses more on their relationship. It serves to highlight some of what makes them different and how that makes them work together so well.

The plot in the X-O Manowar story is okay, but the layout and the art more than make up for it. It retells Aric's return to Earth from X-O #1 in light of the Soviet domination. Not the most original story, but it is wonderfully put together. The laggard in this group for me was Shadowman. The role he plays in the overall concept is necessary, but the character seemed kind of flat, or at least less developed than the others.

I really enjoyed the volume as a whole. The art is good all around and the book serves as a nice deviation from the standard stories.

Archer & Armstrong Volume 3 Review

Archer & Armstrong, Volume 3: Far Faraway. Fred Van Lente, Clayton Henry, Pere Perez, and David Baron. 2013. Valiant Entertainment. 128 pages.

Rating: 4/5

The Archer & Armstrong series has always been a bit silly, but this one takes the cake. Aliens and dinosaurs? A religious cult? Those are just the tip of the iceberg.

There is so much that I like about this volume. It starts to examine Archer's past in more depth while setting up things to come in some very explicit ways. The story ties in some elements from the previous volumes too. The appearances by some historical figures are great, but the significance could be lost on people that aren't familiar with them. Plus, the book made me laugh out loud a few times.

I really enjoyed the art this time around too. It meshes well with the silliness of the series. The creators are able to push things a bit more with the way the art works because it can deviate a bit more than it could in a more serious book.

Trappist Beer Travels Review

Trappist Beer Travels: Inside the Breweries of the Monasteries. Caroline Wallace, Sarah Wood, and Jessica Deahl. 2017. Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. 208 pages.

Rating: 4/5

Disclaimer: I received a free ecopy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

What exactly is a Trappist beer? Beer nerds likely have a pretty good idea already, but for those that don't, this book answers the question nicely. The writers do a good job of explaining what a Trappist monastery is and why the monks might be interested in brewing beer.

There can be some excitement about these beers because they are highly regarded and available in limited quantities. An aspect of this book that I think is really important, which the writers bring up numerous times, is that the monks aren't brewing to make a profit. There goal is to sustain themselves and support their communities and various organizations. The monks also have a specific lifestyle to maintain that devoting full time to brewing would interrupt. These women are very respectful of the monasteries and their inhabitants throughout this book, which is fantastic to see.

I loved the photos. These show off just how varied the monasteries are. Coupled with some excellent historical information, it gives a good sense of how these different locales are similar and different. There is even a short description of the different beers and how widely available they might be. My only real complaint comes in the writing style. With three creators involved, it made it kind of awkward when they tried to express a collective idea. That may just be my personal take on it though.

Beer lovers should find plenty to enjoy in this book, whether they've had numerous Trappist beers or just find inspiration to pick up their first.

Midnight Nation Review

Midnight Nation. J. Michael Straczynski and Gary Frank. 2004. Image Comics. 304 pages.

Rating: 5/5

I loved this book. The tone reminded me a lot of Sandman, Lucifer, and some of the other Vertigo titles that I've read. It involves a lot more reflection on society than it does action, which is perfectly fine. Some might think it drags at times as a result though.

One of the main ideas in this book revolves around what happens to people that live on the outskirts of society. Sure it includes the homeless or the diseased, but really anyone could end up in this situation depending on the circumstances. I like what Straczynski does by taking these people and shifting them into what amounts to a shadow version of reality. This world is both imaginative and scary because of the feelings that create it.

My favorite character in this book is Lazarus by far. He provides a bit to the story without taking over. The protagonists are well developed and I found them interesting throughout. The art is another strong point to the book. This is another element that made me think of some of the comics I've read from Vertigo. It can be visually stunning and definitely incorporates the art into the overall narrative. There are a number of scenes that capitalize on the feeling of loneliness and loss that pervade the book. This isn't light reading by any means, but it is satisfying in the end.

Men Without Women Review

Men Without Women. Haruki Murakami. 2017. Knopf. 240 pages.

Rating: 4/5

As I read these stories, they felt familiar to me. I've read a lot of Murakami books, so I have a grasp of how he writes, but it seemed like more than that. They were comfortable, sort of like visiting with old friends. I definitely enjoyed these stories.

There is a bit of range in the styling of these. They do carry a common theme of men on their own, even when other characters, particularly women, have strong parts. Even though there are some related elements, such as infidelity, each one is distinct. The central male characters, their situations, and even the tone of the stories feel different.

One thing that I love about Murakami's works is that they prominently feature the characters. Sometimes I will read things and the writer seems to be focused on an idea or plot point more than the character. Murakami is almost opposite of that. I love how we can delve into the characters' mindset and understand the pain, joy, confusion, etc. that is the crux of these moments. This might just be the best collection of Murakami stories.

Rasputin, Volume 1 Review

Rasputin, Volume 1. Alex Grecian, Riley Rossmo, Ivan Plascensia, and Thomas Mauer. 2015. Image Comics. 184 pages.

Rating: 3/5

The stand out element of this book is the art, hands down. It is absolutely gorgeous at times and it's worth checking out for the art alone.

This is the about the life of Rasputin. Or more specifically his death. It jumps around a bit, but the story leads off with the final moments of his life and then goes back to examine how things built to that point. I didn't know much about Rasputin going into this book, so I was excited to get some insight into the man even with the fictional/fantastical elements mixed in.

So I loved the art and liked the premise, but the execution held this one back for me. There was too much movement between different time periods to get a good feel for the characters. Since this ends with the title character's death, I would have liked some more build up to why it mattered for the other characters. My favorite character aside from Rasputin seemed to have dropped out of his life without an explanation. There is so much more that could have been developed, such as the references to Russian folklore, that I would have enjoyed.

This is a decent book. I liked it and would consider reading the next volume, especially to see more of Rossmo's art.

Superior Iron Man, Volume 1 Review

Superior Iron Man, Volume 1: Infamous. Tom Taylor, Yildiray Cinar, and Laura Braga. 2015. Marvel. 136 pages.

Rating: 3/5

This book takes pretty much all of Tony Stark's negative qualities and turns them to max. He is brash, delves back into alcoholism, and acts a bit like a tyrant over the people of San Francisco. He's not all bad, but it makes it much harder to like the character because he isn't tempered as much by his good qualities.

Going into this book I felt a little lost. I didn't read any of the event that caused this change in Tony. Plus, it's hard to get a read on his motives. The art was decent. Nothing about it wowed me though.

I did enjoy seeing Iron Man skirt the line of evil. He does some questionable things for sure, but nothing that the character wouldn't ponder at least for a little while. And the execution of his ideas are kind of cool.

As a book about Iron Man, I was a little disappointed that they had to rope Daredevil into the story. His part certainly works within the context of the plot, and he acts as a conscience for Tony, but his appearance also felt unnecessary. The inclusion of Teen Abomination was a bit weak too. This had some potential toward the end of the book. Yet, he just seemed thrown in for some comic relief that didn't work for me.

I like these different takes on familiar characters, although this one doesn't push the line as far as some other books I've read. It's a decent read, but I don't expect to read any more in this series.