Another dark a gritty addition to the Batman myth; however, this is the story of Batman's end. Spoilers ahead: The story is set after Batman has r...moreAnother dark a gritty addition to the Batman myth; however, this is the story of Batman's end. Spoilers ahead: The story is set after Batman has retired, but a gang war and the release of some old nemesis push Batman back into service. This time around the public is not thrilled with his tactics. A new Robin is recruited, Batman and Superman duke it out, and the Joker finally meets his demise at the hands of Batman. Another critically acclaimed graphic novel by Frank Miller. (less)
I've been out of reading practice for awhile, so I decided to break my hiatus with this graphic novel. It's a dark, gritty retelling of Batman's origi...moreI've been out of reading practice for awhile, so I decided to break my hiatus with this graphic novel. It's a dark, gritty retelling of Batman's origin. What is there to say about Batman's beginnings? This is a great introduction to the "new" Batman. The artwork reflects the noir feel that the comic series use to have, and is the basis current direction the mythology has taken. (less)
A good read with the high lights of a good mystery story. The only short fallings with this book are that the characters are a bit stiff, but that's t...moreA good read with the high lights of a good mystery story. The only short fallings with this book are that the characters are a bit stiff, but that's to be expected with the time period it's set in and location. The thing that did surprise me was that Miss Marple, the detective that all these books are built around, is not the main character. (less)
A straight forward manga. I read these to clean my palate and get ideas for writing. It's a good story of a band of pirates searching for a magical tr...moreA straight forward manga. I read these to clean my palate and get ideas for writing. It's a good story of a band of pirates searching for a magical treasure, so a pirate story and who doesn't love a good pirate story. The art work is great, but it seems take a bit of downward turn towards the end. It seems as if the artist got swept up in the ending action of the story. (less)
I picked this book up as a reference source for my writing. I have a horrible time coming up with plot, so I figured this would help. That part is bor...moreI picked this book up as a reference source for my writing. I have a horrible time coming up with plot, so I figured this would help. That part is bordering on success. It's a good general tool, and the author reminds the reader several times that there is no true way to writing plot. However, there are still some major weaknesses with the book. This is a general overview of 20 master plots, and when I say general I mean some parts are so diluted and water down they make no sense. The further I went in the book became more vague making it seem that the author spent all of his energy in the first half of the book and just slapped on the second half. If you read this book just double check yourself or spark and idea, I would count it as a success, but if you're going to read this book as a major text book to teach you plot, then I would say move on. (less)
Like I said, I didn't read this from cover to cover. I mainly read this because I have a few ideas for some graphic novels, and I was curious how I wo...moreLike I said, I didn't read this from cover to cover. I mainly read this because I have a few ideas for some graphic novels, and I was curious how I would go about writing. them. I would classify this as a kind of a text book. You read what you need to know and discard the rest. Since I don't have a drawing bone in my body, I didn't read the other half of the book that dealt with art work. I also didn't read the publishing section of the book because I have a tendiousy to freak out after I read anything about publishing. I develop self doubts and other emotions that don't help my writing. What I did get out of the book was good. It has some decent information, but nothing that I didn't already know.(less)
In a nutshell, this is steampunk meets Sherlock Holmes. The story doesn't really bring anything thing original with it. The main character, Newbury, i...moreIn a nutshell, this is steampunk meets Sherlock Holmes. The story doesn't really bring anything thing original with it. The main character, Newbury, is clearly a Holmes knockoff, and it seems to add the steampunk tropes, airships, clockwork, steampower, to spice up the story. At first, and I'm still slightly confused with it, I thought the book was going to be a supernatural mystery. The prologue opens with a zombie attack, and the narrative references that Newbury is a paranormal expert. However, as the mystery unfolds, the supernatural takes a back seat, and technology comes to the forefront. Even though I was able to figure out the mystery before the characters, it's a great read full of action and adventure and Victorian British behavior. I would recommend this book for anyone that wants to escape for a little while and have a fun ride at it.(less)
For those that think mangas are simply glorified comics, they have not actually pick one up and read it. I picked up Future Diary on a whim, and I'm g...moreFor those that think mangas are simply glorified comics, they have not actually pick one up and read it. I picked up Future Diary on a whim, and I'm glad I did. It fits into the story line of a survival game where the plays have to kill each other. This time though the players have diaries that tell them the future. So far, it is a interesting concept, since each characters diary has a different perspective of the future and different information, and the characters themselves, fitting into the feel of the story, may not be exactly socially and mentally sane. The story has me hooked though, and I will continue.(less)
Rex Stout was recommended to me during a writing class, and I just randomly picked this book up from the store. I've never really ventured into the my...moreRex Stout was recommended to me during a writing class, and I just randomly picked this book up from the store. I've never really ventured into the mystery genre, thinking that most of plots were formulaic and overdone. I have to say Rex Stout does fit into that category. Stout's great detective, Nero Wolfe, solves the case by simply asking a few questions and listening to the stories of the suspects involved. It is usually a detail that the Wolfe figures out on his own but doesn't share with the reader that wins the day. Even with these short comings, the stories are entertaining and doesn't take long to read. (less)
A fun little read for me. I grew up watching the movies and the animated series. My only beef with this was the art work. Since I am not a comic art c...moreA fun little read for me. I grew up watching the movies and the animated series. My only beef with this was the art work. Since I am not a comic art critic, all I can say is that it just didn't fit my taste. Story wise, the book was concise with characters true to there original counterparts.(less)
This was a story that I was familiar with for a few years, but I just now sat down to actually read it. For those that don't know, Battle Royale is th...moreThis was a story that I was familiar with for a few years, but I just now sat down to actually read it. For those that don't know, Battle Royale is the story about a group of Japanese students that are kidnaped to an island and forced to kill each other until only one survies. I know this concept has been used a few times in recent years for movies, but I think this book had it first.
Once you get past the violence and gore, the book takes an interesting look at human behavior, particularly trust. In this death game, the students are forced to question who can the trust and not trust. Many times a misconception of a character leads to death.
The only problem I ran into with this book is the cultural differences. If I knew more about Japanese culture, I think this book would have more say on teenage issues as well as other social/political issues. (less)
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