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jonbar94's reviews
220 reviews
Saga: Compendium One by Fiona Staples, Brian K. Vaughan
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Not to be a douche but this is THE comic. I want to swim in this weird, fucked up world of imagination forever. For such a work of ridiculous fantasy the anti-war message rings sweet and strong.
Can’t wait for the next compendium in 2035 or whatever. God.
Can’t wait for the next compendium in 2035 or whatever. God.
The Mud Ballad by Jo Quenell
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The most fucked up comedy of errors. My stomach churned so many times. The crescendo was amazing.
Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Harrowing but not so much a horror novel as it is an honest one. The removal of nature from our world is what secretly ties this all together. The natural world, human nature; all of it is gone, and you see the parts that have already left in our own reality. Also people eat people I guess.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism
The Woman in the Dunes by Kōbō Abe
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Imagine being stuck at the bottom of a sand pit for the rest of your life and being forced to shovel sand with a complete stranger. It seems pointless, but the story is told in such a way that you feel dreamy while reading it. And then you’re like “Oh this is a metaphor for society isn’t it?” I’d be wary of the sexual violence in this one though, cuz good lord there is quite a bit of it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, and Sexual assault
Coraline (Graphic Novel) by Neil Gaiman
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.25
I enjoyed this guy’s adaptation of The Graveyard Book but this one didn’t really do it for me!
The Amulet by Michael McDowell
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This book got me into necklaces.
Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke by Eric LaRocca
challenging
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Drudge,
I have a task for you.
I want you to go town to your local bookstore and purchase a copy of “Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke.” I have wired the essential funds to your bank account. Then you are going to sit in your chair at home and open the book. Do not get out of the chair until you have finished the entire little nasty thing in it’s entirety. You will probably become more uncomfortable the further you read, but I know you will stick it out for me. There will be consequences if you do not do this.
I love you more than anything.
Signed,
Sponsor
I have a task for you.
I want you to go town to your local bookstore and purchase a copy of “Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke.” I have wired the essential funds to your bank account. Then you are going to sit in your chair at home and open the book. Do not get out of the chair until you have finished the entire little nasty thing in it’s entirety. You will probably become more uncomfortable the further you read, but I know you will stick it out for me. There will be consequences if you do not do this.
I love you more than anything.
Signed,
Sponsor
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Gore, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Medical trauma, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Vomit
It’s a good, hard read.
The Stones of Muncaster Cathedral by Robert Westall
dark
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
An excellent creepy yarn that unnerves you as you go. I love how it’s told from a worker’s perspective as well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
She Who Rules the Dead by Maria Abrams
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
5.0
Disturbing, unsettling...and hilarious. I love the voice Maria Abrams gives to her narrator “Claire.” She’s got this Atwood-sarcasm that makes light of all the horrific things happening around her. This was an absolute joy to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism, Child death, Death, and Death of parent
Beautiful/Grotesque by Sam Richard
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
5.0
I loved this collection. The writing is so genuinely good. The Zdzislaw Beksinski artwork serves as a great starting point and it’s fascinating to see how each author ran with the prompt. Now I wanna read more from each writer. Huzzah to Weird Punk for conducting this neat little “experiment.” I hope there are more to come.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Blood, Cannibalism, Confinement, Death, Gore, and Grief