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dark_reader's reviews
684 reviews
Saga, Vol. 5 by Brian K. Vaughan
4.0
I started getting a little bored in this volume, during my current re-read to catch up on the series (which at this time is up to volume 9). This was the furthest that I had read previously, so beyond this it will be a new experience. My beef with this volume is that it seemed to create conflict merely for conflict's sake, to keep Hazel's family in distress. And somehow, the prospect of collecting dragon spunk was unexciting; is it possible for giant monster genitals to become boring? If so, this series is where it will happen. I also don't see the point of Gwendolyn and Sophie acting together.
It is possible that blitzing this series is not the best way to ingest it, but at some points it really requires a re-reading due to the frequency of life-changing events that beset all of the characters.
It is possible that blitzing this series is not the best way to ingest it, but at some points it really requires a re-reading due to the frequency of life-changing events that beset all of the characters.
Saga, Vol. 8 by Fiona Staples, Brian K. Vaughan
4.0
The Saga series has never been afraid to showcase challenging subjects, including sex, nudity, homosexuality, trans-sexuality.... okay, that's all kind of just one subject. How about dongs? Like, giant monster dongs? We've seen plenty of those, as well as pretty much every character's genitals. The series is never judgy, merely presenting these things as facts of life, and it treats them realistically. Here in volume 8, abortion gets the Saga treatment, with a captivating opening splash page. The story avoids getting into any serious moral quandaries, but does factually present a universe where some women need an abortion, there is an 'official' place to get it for some that is constrained by rules, and there is another more dangerous path to take for those who are unable to access the first channel for whatever reason. This go-around takes place in a space-Western settting. Petrichor and Prince Robot IV get the best character development, after Hazel of course, who is so adorable at her current age, which is maybe 6?
I adored the last page of chapter 46; Fiona Staples' long-shot space illustrations are some of the most beautiful in the series.
The series remains captivating after all of these years. I hope that Brian Vaughan is writing with an end in sight, although the 'Space Opera' framework makes me afraid that it will go on forever. I could tolerate a few more volumes but eventually the constant reveals, hazards, exotic settings, and giant dongs will get old and unexciting; it is a testament to the writing and art that this has not yet happened for me. A good 12-volume set would be right up my alley.
I adored the last page of chapter 46; Fiona Staples' long-shot space illustrations are some of the most beautiful in the series.
The series remains captivating after all of these years. I hope that Brian Vaughan is writing with an end in sight, although the 'Space Opera' framework makes me afraid that it will go on forever. I could tolerate a few more volumes but eventually the constant reveals, hazards, exotic settings, and giant dongs will get old and unexciting; it is a testament to the writing and art that this has not yet happened for me. A good 12-volume set would be right up my alley.
The Adventure Zone: Here There Be Gerblins by Griffin McElroy, Clint McElroy, Carey Pietsch, Travis McElroy, Justin McElroy
3.0
A faithful adapatation of the podcast of the McElroy family's D&D (mis)adventures. However, much of the charm of the family bond between the players is lost in the conversion to the PC point of view; they merely seem like A-holes here.
The Nameless City by Faith Erin Hicks
4.0
What often stands out for me in a graphic novel is the pacing. There is something about the frequency of visual beats that, for me, will make or break a graphic novel. If they come too fast you just gloss over the panels, and if too slow it hurts the narrative. Here, Faith Hicks got it just right. The visual storytelling is engaging, easy to follow thanks to her fine art, and appropriate for all ages. I found the story to be only a little light on depth, likely very suitable for young readers. There is some violence (including murder) but it is never graphic. The politics are accessible, as is the culture that unfolds organically through the experiences of the main character.
And the art! I can't begin to imagine how long it took for her to draw all of those roof tiles. Set in a fictional asian-themed jam-packed city, there is a lot of dense environment to compose. She may have regretted the choice well before starting the second book. The character drawings are a distinct style; kind of squat and light on detail, but not so much that you cannot instantly distinguish characters, even though a large number of them (Kaidu and his fellow student soldiers) sport identical garb.
This (and its first sequel; the third and expected last volume is not yet birthed at the time of this review) is an easy one-sitting read but is also suitable to put down at a natural story break and pick up again at any elapsed time.
And the art! I can't begin to imagine how long it took for her to draw all of those roof tiles. Set in a fictional asian-themed jam-packed city, there is a lot of dense environment to compose. She may have regretted the choice well before starting the second book. The character drawings are a distinct style; kind of squat and light on detail, but not so much that you cannot instantly distinguish characters, even though a large number of them (Kaidu and his fellow student soldiers) sport identical garb.
This (and its first sequel; the third and expected last volume is not yet birthed at the time of this review) is an easy one-sitting read but is also suitable to put down at a natural story break and pick up again at any elapsed time.
The Nameless City: The Divided Earth by Faith Erin Hicks
4.0
This is a fine finish to a short graphic novel series that is packed with quality. Every component of a memorable graphic novel are here; unique art design, excellent visual pacing, genuine character emotion, and much more.
I appreciate the brevity also; contemporaneously I was also reading book 15 or so of The Walking Dead, "a continuing series of horror" and was struck, not remotely for the first time in my life, by how much I appreciate a story that ends. For the same reason, I avoided online games during my video-gaming days and would hesitate to start an over-long manga series or unlimited TV show or series of novels. I prefer my storytelling experiences with some finality or closure. The Nameless City provides a thoroughly satisfying story in a compelling imaginary world. Yes, this world has potential for many further tales, but that can be left to your imagination. No doubt, the author/artist has other projects and passions that she would like to explore. She can certainly rest assured that she did a tremedous job in producing this fine series.
I appreciate the brevity also; contemporaneously I was also reading book 15 or so of The Walking Dead, "a continuing series of horror" and was struck, not remotely for the first time in my life, by how much I appreciate a story that ends. For the same reason, I avoided online games during my video-gaming days and would hesitate to start an over-long manga series or unlimited TV show or series of novels. I prefer my storytelling experiences with some finality or closure. The Nameless City provides a thoroughly satisfying story in a compelling imaginary world. Yes, this world has potential for many further tales, but that can be left to your imagination. No doubt, the author/artist has other projects and passions that she would like to explore. She can certainly rest assured that she did a tremedous job in producing this fine series.
Preacher, Book 5 by Garth Ennis
4.0
Great stories at this stage of the Preacher series (this book includes issues #41-54). Back in books 2-3 I felt it slowed down a bit, lost some of the shock value. Well, here we get some much-anticipated reveals, delightfully shocking images, such as the final Meatman reveal; despite some general tells leading up to it, the precise details were wonderful. We also get some of the series's best exploration of American ideals. I regret not being aware of this series in the 90's when it was being published.