Tough Sh*t: Life Advice from a Fat, Lazy Slob Who Did Good

Nothing new here that you haven't heard already on SModcasts if you're a Smith fan.  If you're not a Smith fan, this book won't likely make you one.  It is pretty straightforward journalling from the man's experiences and basically tells stories from Zack and Miri onward.  Most of these stories have been told on the net, so reading it is just another medium to take it in.  True, honest and a some points, a lot more feel good thankfulness than wise ass funny.

3 and 1/2 stars out of 5

Wonderstruck

Compelling parallel storylines spaced 50 years apart, one in type face, the other depicted through illustration, Wonderstruck weaves a wonderful story about overcoming the difficulties in our life and the meaning of friendship and family for two young children growing up similar but in very different time eras.  Not as classic as The Invention of Hugo Cabret but another marvelous piece of work in two mediums.

4 stars out of 5

Damned

Another dark and deliciously entertaining read from Palahniuk with his trademark lead character narration and detailed pop culture referencing.  It grabs you from page one and keeps you entertained and engaged with its meditations on heaven and hell and morality.  Belongs with some of his better work, though not quite in the upper echelon.

4 stars out of 5

The Walking Dead Volume 2: Miles Behind Us

Read Volume 1, then READ THIS!!!

4 and 1/2 stars out of 5

The Walking Dead Volume 1: Days Gone Bye

READ IT!!!

4 and 1/2 stars out of 5

Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything

Very interesting look at some bizarre questions, like why do drug dealers live at home?  Though it can sometimes get statistical in an uninteresting fashion, it does put some numerical data to great effect, dispelling myths we've come to accept.  Compelling enough to warrant a sequel, as well as an easy and entertaining to listen to podcast.

4 stars out of 5

Shutter Island

Grips you quickly and keeps you along for the mysterious ride. Even though one of the major plot twists can be seen from a mile away (like, a Sixth Sense amount away) it still interests you in the psychological aspects of it all. The illustrations are stark and well suited to the subject matter, as they sit saturated and somewhat dreamlike. Makes you want to read more, watch more, which is a testament to how well it works.


4 stars out of 5

Coraline

This being the third medium for me to soak up this material, i have to say i wasn't overly impressed, but still lovingly enjoyed this retelling of Gaiman's book. It reminded me of the source material and regrounded it for me, even though i absolutely LOVE the film version and appreciate all the changes that were made for the movie. A decent reminder of the original material, with some good illustrations to bring the memory of both the book and the film back to life.


4 stars out of 5

Punk Rock Dad

Truly thought that this would be better and not so vanilla.  There are some great passages of what it must be like to be a "Punk Rock Dad" and when Lindberg isn't worried about contradicting himself, he goes to some great lengths that produce equal parts big laugh and great insight.  It's a shame that it seems disjointed and unconnected throughout, with waaay too much typical parenting jokes and stories.  Goes to show you that lack of sleep, establishing your authoritarian discipline and bedtime routines are absolutely a universal parenting experience.

3 stars out of 5

Harvey

There's something about the melancholy illustrations and the youthful innocence, anger and fear that permeates this odd ball of a book, which gives it a certain charm.  From racing toothpicks in the flow of freshly thawed gutter runoff to negotiating with grown up problems as a confused pre-teen, Harvey tackles all the joys and heartache of childhood through clever text and illustrations.  Very quick read...C and i read it in about 15 minutes.

5 stars out of 5

A Week at the Airport

i thought this would be a much more interesting read. Guy spends a week in the new airport in London and is asked to chronicle the going-ons around the place. Turns out the author was more interested in the structure and design, and not enough to make it interesting or get into any neat detail or tidbits of info. i also thought he'd mention some of the people and the stories that they bring in and out of the airport. Turns out he talks to some people, but gets into very little detail.

This is a complete waste of time. i think it was meant to be a creative way of advertising for the airport, but i'd rather read a pamphlet.


2 1/2 stars out of 5

Scalped: The Gnawing (Volume 6)

How do you improve on perfection?  Make more of it.  The sixth volume of this series seems to have an ever greater detail and clarity in the artwork, with a refocusing of the story on the key players as serious decisions cause ramifications that will be interesting to read in future collections.  If only they could get here sooner!!!

5 stars out of 5

Scalped: High Lonesome (Volume 5)

Have i mentioned how good this graphic novel is?  Read this one in less than an hour.  Artwork seems to be evolving into something greater with each comic, as the story continues to weave itself into a greater coil of murder, menace and intrigue.

5 stars out of 5

Batman: The Long Halloween

A heavy source of inspiration for Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight , this collection of a 13 part mini-series has distinct style and storytelling. Like a classic 30s mob story, Gotham City's crime families are caught up with a "Holiday" killer, while the three good guys, Batman, Jim Gordon and Harvey Dent, attempt to keep pace.

As a self-contained story, this one is epic and delivers wonderfully.  Tim Sale's use of panels and darkness gives a cinematic feel to the Loeb story structure.  Though i'm hesitant to make the comparison, The Long Halloween reminds me at times of Watchmen, in how the concept and layout appear to be meticulously planned and designed.  There is no filler here, nor no stone left unturned.

Though not breathtaking or stunning from a visual standpoint, it is as solidly created a Batman adventure one could ask for.  It definitely deserves to be ranked amongst the most definitive renderings of Dark Knight lore by providing a stellar account of the Bat's early years in Gotham.

5 stars out of 5

Scalped: The Gravel in Your Guts (Volume 4)

A little more sparseness on the dialogue doesn't stop this series from continuing to be an engrossing read, as the pictures do the talking.  There is an air of ominousness from the opening panels that follows the characters throughout this arc.  Focusing on some of the characters introduced earlier in the series shakes things up a bit, but i do admit to missing Dashiel's character, who seemingly disappears for awhile (though considering the direction his character takes, it is appropriate from a pacing and chronology perspective).  Continuously gritty with a great intro that rightly connects the comic to its noir roots.

4 1/2 stars out of 5

Scalped: Dead Mothers (Volume 3)

This series just keeps getting better and better.  As the story progresses, the characters become richer and more complex, and the stakes higher and more personal.  The writing is sharp and the artwork a completely immersive experience in atmosphere.  All the praise i heaped on run of the mill Batman and Daredevil collections earlier on this blog seem foolish in light of reading this original, one of a kind series.  It's one thing to take a beloved superhero and make them look good within their element.  It's an entirely other level of art form to take a situation like real Lakota historic elements and wrap it up in an original, breathtaking piece of real crime drama and tragedy.  Scalped is essential reading.

5 stars out of 5

Batman: Hush Volumes One and Two

Some more great artwork from Jim Lee and a surprisingly suspenseful story by Jeph Loeb that only suffers from the need to wrap things up too tidily.  It's always great to have a new character introduced into a long running series, especially when they can stand alongside traditional rogues gallery villains.  Loeb writes in a ton of cameos for Lee to draw, and while some add great depth and personality to Bruce Wayne and his storied relationships, others are just throwaway visits that do little to boost the story line.  All in all, a very welcome take on Bruce Wayne and Batman that exists within "continuity" which offers some intriguing complications to the story line.  A good read for anyone interested in "jumping in" to comics.

4 1/2 stars out of 5

All-Star Batman & Robin, The Boy Wonder Vol. 1

Perhaps the best looking comic book i've read in the past decade.  i seriously could not put this down, reading it in its entirety in one sitting, while often pausing to just stare at Jim Lee's amazing artwork.  i never cared for his mutant series work, but to see what he does with Batman and Robin, not to mention Black Canary, Batgirl, Joker, Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern and Plastic Man, is purely stunning.  Frank Miller's take on a sophmore Batman is as dark as you'd expect, with a nice subtle humour that doesn't take the bat mythos too seriously, while reinventing it in Miller's sparse and violent writing style.  There's a reason why this series is called "All-Star"; there's a reason why people are deemed Legends.  All-Star Batman and Robin, The Boy Wonder Vol. 1 proves it.

5 stars out of 5

Daredevil Visionaries

WOW.  No wonder Kevin Smith has been allowed to write comics for almost a decade now.  If this was his first forray into the medium, he nailed it.  Not without a lot of help from the amazing artwork by Joe Quesada and Jimmy Palmiotti, which has such rich tones and beautiful framing, it makes it hard to move on to the next page.  However, Smith's story arc makes sure you can't resist turning the page to see how the story of a baby antichrist coincides with a new beginning for Daredevil. Amongst the return of many fabled characters, Matt Murdoch remains central and Smith's initial attempt at the character is grounded in Frank Miller inspired story elements.  Smith knows his red devil history, and the religious underpinnings of classic Daredevil stories, and cements himself a comic writing future with this awesome tale.  The only fault would be a conclusion that wraps everything up all too tidy for the fall out that started it all.

4 1/2 stars out of 5

Club Dead

The Sookie Stackhouse series kicks into high gear with the third novel.  Inserting a third potential mate for Sookie in the form of Werewolf Alcide and some shady character deficiencies to Vampire Bill really put the relationship and romance in question, adding a nice backdrop to the non-stop action and danger Sookie finds herself in Jackson.

These books have already been in the variety of "can't put down" but Club Dead truly keeps the reader glued to the page.  The best i've read yet.  Can't wait to dive in deeper as this series really gains some steam.

4 1/2 stars out of 5