Most people know this book from the excellent 1976 BBC/PBS/"Masterpiece Theater" mini-series starring Derek Jacobi in the title role as the crippled,...moreMost people know this book from the excellent 1976 BBC/PBS/"Masterpiece Theater" mini-series starring Derek Jacobi in the title role as the crippled, stuttering, disregarded Roman noble who would survive to become Emperor, not despite his disadvantages, but because of them.
The book itself -- which passed to its sequel at the time when Claudius finds himself chosen Emperor -- is something of an odd beast, more of a personal history / diary / historical narrative than what we would think of as a novel. That's due to Graves' conceit of this actually being a secret history written by Claudius in his declining years, to pass on to posterity what really happened.
Graves drew from the Roman historians, focusing on the more lurid, melodramatic, and blood-curdling of their tales of the reigns of well-meaning Augustus, brooding Tiberius, and lunatic Caligula. The plots and schemes of so many concerned, set against historical times, and the ongoing tragedies of the noble, the self-sacrificing, the true heroes of Rome being systematically poisoned or done away with for dynastic or power-mad reasons, make for more of a long-rambling series of anecdotes than what one would consider an actual narrative.
Despite that, it's a pleasant (if occasionally gruiesome) read. Graves tries to infuse the characters, even the protagonist, with a mixture of modern and classical attitudes. If he focuses on the more blood-soaked and libidinous aspects of the Julio-Claudian imperial reigns, he still gives a decent sense of what it was like (esp. for the nobility and royals) to live in that period, as memories of the Republic faded, and autocracy and military dictatorship ascended to the imperial throne.(less)
I re-read the series largely to get to the point of being able to get to here, and I was not disappointed. One problem with the Dresden book has been...moreI re-read the series largely to get to the point of being able to get to here, and I was not disappointed. One problem with the Dresden book has been its tendency to inexorably escalate the risk and power levels each time out. The pause in Ghost Story and the gap bridged by Side Jobs gave a chance to reset expectations (and Harry himself), but Cold Days ratchets both what Harry is capable of (as the Winter Knight) and what he's asked to do (and to whom, and who he needs to get past to get there) to 12. Some great characters, some fantastic set pieces, and more twists and turns and traps and betrayals than you can shake a blasting rod at.
Moreover, Things Change here. Characters, and their relationships, are irrevocably altered, as wheels within wheels and plots within plots come into the open. Some real kick-in-the-gut moments, as Harry grabs victory from defeat, and defeat manages to take its pound of flesh along the way.
Good, good stuff. And, of course, now I'm waiting for the next one ...(less)
I don't read (vs listen to) a lot of non-fiction, but Ehrman's Bible history books are always engaging, entertaining, and educational -- and this one...moreI don't read (vs listen to) a lot of non-fiction, but Ehrman's Bible history books are always engaging, entertaining, and educational -- and this one is no exception.
Ehrman is a religious studies professor, and usually makes waves in certain evangelical / fundamentalist Christian circles by applying a critical literary and historical view to the Bible and its creation. That he is an agnostic / atheist simply adds to the hue and cry that he is out to attack Christianity by disagreeing with the inerrancy, inspiration, and literal truth of the Bible. By noting how Scripture came about and evolved and changed over time, these folks consider Ehrman to be questioning their faith.
This time, Ehrman is (though pursuing the truth in the same fashion) on the other side of the "debate," examining the question as an historian and literary scholar whether Jesus of Nazareth existed. He tackles head-on those who question the historic presence of Jesus, to the dismay of some fervent atheists and to (one presumes) the glee of those evangelical Christians (though the picture Ehrman ends up drawing of what we can historically assert about Jesus' reality is quite different from what they preach at First Baptist on Sunday mornings).
In the course of the book, Ehrman gives a good primer as to how historians work from the written record -- what makes for a good source vs a dubious source, how later insertions can be detected (or concluded not to be such), and how something that seems so sketchy as the historical reality of an early 1st Century Jewish preacher in Palestine named Jesus (after all, one might argue, all we have is a bunch of religious texts written decades or more after his presumed death) actually can be very confidently assumed to be true, even if certain details of his career (including the supernatural elements) cannot be proven or presumed to have happen. While Ehrman's arguments aren't new, they have rarely been put forward so neatly and approachably for lay people.
Ehrman occasionally over-hammers his points home, whether from exasperation or a surfeit of thoroughness. In other cases, he does seem to dismiss arguments a little too categorically or quickly, which has led to some heated online debates. Occasionally his arguments as presented seem a bit circular, though a re-read dispels most of those. And he occasionally goes overboard in weighting credentials -- while it's useful to know who's actually spent years-to-decades researching this material and who hasn't, the repetition this case comes across as a bit defensive, though not (quite) academic snobbery.
But aside from those flaws (which knock things from 5 to 4 stars for me), the book is quite approachable and educational, and as someone who is both a Christian and an amateur historian, I found it fascinating how a series of fine threads, each individually fragile -- the collection of fragments, passing references, and hardly-primary-material books of the New Testament -- can, with enough entanglement, create a strong fabric for the basic historical existence of Jesus ... even if they don't tell us nearly as much as we'd like about him. (Ehrman does tell us some things we can fairly confidently know about Jesus -- but a lot of that is a covered in one of the myriad other books he's written, so all we get is a very high-level summary.)
I strongly recommend this book, not as a tool to build faith in Jesus as Savior (it is not), but as a tool to build faith in the historic process and learning how we can know what we know.(less)
Conspiracies mount as White Council wizardly politics turn more and more deadly, and Harry has to come to the rescue of the wizard he hates the most -...moreConspiracies mount as White Council wizardly politics turn more and more deadly, and Harry has to come to the rescue of the wizard he hates the most -- along with doing another dozen impossible things before breakfast, in order to forestall the end of the world, the murder of zillions, and, of course, his own execution. Harry's Mysterious Island, a powerful skinwalker, his half-brother's kidnapping, a plot within the Council, and not one but two Big Blow-Out Battles ... all make for a bit of confusing, frenetic action, but with enough solid metaplot advancement and foreshadowing of big things to come to leave me wanting more.
The Dresden Power Meter gets a substantial boost here, but Harry gets enough battering and bruising along the way to keep it from seeming too unbalanced.
One of the post-War (1956) classics of SF, The Stars My Destination (or Tiger! Tiger! in its UK release) is a dark, imaginative recrafting of Dumas' T...moreOne of the post-War (1956) classics of SF, The Stars My Destination (or Tiger! Tiger! in its UK release) is a dark, imaginative recrafting of Dumas' The Count of Monte Christo, but with a far less likable protagonist in Gully Foyle than in the older Edmond Dantes. Blending what are now seen as proto-cyberpunk and New Wave SF elements, with big societal what-if speculation (jauntes), brutal psychodrama, and enough hints of Golden Age SF to feel dissonantly dated, it's a worthwhile if sometimes exhausting and uncomfortable read.
The characters aren't stereotypes, but they aren't terribly deep, either, mostly existing as much for plot advancement or shock value as anything else. Even the protagonist is more seen than understood, insights into his thoughts being more narrative than engaging.
But even if it's not a book I expect to reread any time soon, there's some powerful, moving, imaginative stuff here. People looking for a seminal influence on contemporary SF should definitely check this out.(less)
This is a fine, deeply interesting book about Abraham Lincoln's thoughts, writings, speeches, and actions on the subject of slavery and, by extension,...moreThis is a fine, deeply interesting book about Abraham Lincoln's thoughts, writings, speeches, and actions on the subject of slavery and, by extension, the role of the black population in the United States.
While Lincoln is known to history as the Great Emancipator, and the leader of the Union in the Civil War to defeat free the slaves, the reality is much more complex. As with the American population as a whole, and even those people who belonged to the new Republican Party, Lincoln's attitudes on these subjects were complex, nuanced, and evolved significantly over time. Lincoln seems to have always detested slavery as an institution, but initially largely because of how it devalued free labor, and, secondarily, as a broadly degrading harm to the nation in violation of the basic, lofty principles in the Declaration of Independence.
But he had little engagement with or personal sympathy for, beyond the abstract, the slaves themselves. To the extent he thought of them, he thought it best that blacks be colonized elsewhere after slavery was ended, whether back to Africa or to somewhere in Central or South America. Certainly, though he supported their basic rights to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" (translated as being able to benefit from their own labor), he did not see them, in his early years, as being equals within the nation or worthy of social and full civil rights. He also, again from that business/labor/economy perspective, was strongly in favor of gradual (to avoid economic disruption), and compensated emancipation (slaves were the largest aggregate property value in the US, certainly in the South, and Lincoln was cognizant of constitutional restrictions on "takings" by the federal government).
These attitudes deepened and swelled over the years, up to and into his presidency (he was proposing compensated emancipation well into the last few years of the Civil War, particularly for the still-loyal border states). But the military needs and events of the War, pressure from the Radical Republicans, intransigence from the Democrats and the Confederacy, all served to push Lincoln into a more abolitionist stance as a moral as well as pragmatic priority. While the Emancipation Proclamation was driven in part by previous military actions to recognize the South's slaves value as war material, and the dedication of the war effort to the abolition of slavery was at least somewhat Lincoln riding and fomenting the groundswell opinion of the North, Lincoln was in fact becoming more opposed to slavery on a personal and moral basis. This came about as Lincoln actually met and engaged with blacks, from newly admitted Northern troops, to freed slaves, to Northern luminaries such as Frederick Douglass. While always cognizant of the issues of winning the war and reintegrating the South into the Union, the slavery issue and how to actually integrate the freed black population into the nation he recognized they belonged to became more of a driver for Lincoln during the course of the War. Yet even then, he tended to prefer a middle course, lambasting conservative or bigoted military commanders on the one hand, but reining in more radical/liberal ones who threatened to go too far in abolitionist activities on the front lines. Always cognizant of Northern public opinion and the need to tread easily with the border states, he did not take many bold strokes except when he felt forced to, but those he did helped cement his reputation for the century and more to follow.
The book delves into all these aspects in remarkable detail, panting a much richer and more complex picture of Lincoln than either the traditionalist or revisionist historical traditions have allowed for.
If I have one criticism of Foner's work, it's with the organization. While there is a vague forward sense of time, he digresses into thematic discussions that frequently bounce back and forth over several years. Even as the war advances we digress time and again to its early years and then its later ones in pursuit of particular threads. While this is intended highlight Lincoln's evolution and provide precedent and context, it makes the overall narrative a bit muddled in places.
The audiobook is narrated by Norman Dietz, who does a good job of expressively telling the tale and giving a voice to Lincoln (though no other characters) that is distinctive without feeling out of place. My only critique here is that there are frequent, clear breaks in the narration in which volume levels and the quality or intonation of Dietz' voice can vary significantly. It wasn't a fatal flaw, but it was a more-than-occasional distraction.
Overall, I would highly recommend this book. I've read a number of Lincoln biographies, and the focus in this one on the slavery issue is both useful (as a way to break stereotypes about Lincoln) and thorough.(less)
Even as a dedicated Ingress player, I could stomach about one chapter of shoddy Mercenary Adventurer's Club dialog that managed in that sort time to d...moreEven as a dedicated Ingress player, I could stomach about one chapter of shoddy Mercenary Adventurer's Club dialog that managed in that sort time to drag out every annoying topical cliche in the book. I'm usually leery of adapted game properties, but folks were raging lyrical over this book, so I had to give it a try. Instead, I just raged. Life's too short. Not my cuppa. (less)
Things escalate for Harry Dresden, as he becomes further enmeshed in both the Faerie world and that of the Fallen Denarians. Plus there's war, and dip...moreThings escalate for Harry Dresden, as he becomes further enmeshed in both the Faerie world and that of the Fallen Denarians. Plus there's war, and diplomacy, and Marcone, and the island Demonreach, and ... well, just a metric ton of plotlines returning and introduced.
Despite the rococo plotlines, Harry prevails both in the story and as a character to follow by his steadfast, if human, sense of honor and right. It's a trait that continues to be tempted, twisted, battered and tried, which is the main narrative thrust of the series.
A complex story, but some nicely-meshing payoff for themes and plots previously introduced and set up for the future.(less)
A Mark Millar-written book that isn't dripping with cynicism, iconoclasm, anti-heroics, violence for-the-sake-of, and a worldview that would drive a m...moreA Mark Millar-written book that isn't dripping with cynicism, iconoclasm, anti-heroics, violence for-the-sake-of, and a worldview that would drive a man to drink? Inconceivable!
And yet here it is, in what can only be called the heart-warming tale of a MS-suffering school kid gifted with the powers of a comic book / movie super-hero, and what happens next.
Even where feeling a bit rushed, it's a fine story, nearly a fairy tale, with some nicely unexpected twists and turns, and well-illustrated to boot.
I'd let my tween read this book, which is not something I'd say about most Mark Millar comics. Well done.(less)
A Dresden Files novelette, focusing on Harry's half-brother Thomas, who holds more secrets than we might think. He starts off the tale professing not...moreA Dresden Files novelette, focusing on Harry's half-brother Thomas, who holds more secrets than we might think. He starts off the tale professing not to be Harry Dresden, and he demonstrates both the truth and falseness of that assertion as things progress, with Thomas showing both a brutal lethality that Harry never displays (at least not without a lot of recriminations), but also a similar sense of filial duty and moral compass to his wizardly brother.
Just as Thomas in the normal Dresden books comes across as a rather irresponsible lightweight with occasional glimpses of the tormented inner man, so Harry here comes across as a rather clueless clod of trustworthy power and responsibility, unaware of so much going on around him. It's a clever juxtaposition, and an informing one. Good stuff.(less)
Someone is killing the lesser magic practitioners of Chicago. Is it one of the Wardens? Is it his brother Thomas? Is it Harry himself? Less cosmic tha...moreSomeone is killing the lesser magic practitioners of Chicago. Is it one of the Wardens? Is it his brother Thomas? Is it Harry himself? Less cosmic than some of the Dresden volumes, which is all to the good, this one gets into familiar but still-fresh ground with White Court vampire politics, old enemies, old allies, and a typical OK Corral ending. A solid story, well structured and presented, drawing on the familiar (don't start the series here, kids) and building on the overall Dresden saga.(less)
Ah. This is more like it. While there are cosmic powers afoot, Harry's trying to tiptoe around them as best he can. There's black magic going on in Ch...moreAh. This is more like it. While there are cosmic powers afoot, Harry's trying to tiptoe around them as best he can. There's black magic going on in Chicago and Harry's been tasked by the White Council (struggling mightily in their war against the vampires) to track it down and end it, fatally. That leads Harry into some much more intimate (in several ways) situations, less struggling against the clock against doom as much as struggling to do what's right regarding people not necessarily innocent but not unequivocally guilty, either.
In so doing, Harry both reveals and confronts some elements of his own past, takes a creepy journey into Faerie, and becomes closer to his friend Michael's family -- in particular, shrewishly over-protective Charity becomes a much more fleshed out character and even comrade.
The more personal touch here works. This is one of the better novels of the series.(less)
And once again, dangerously, the power levels get ramped up in the Dresden files, as Harry, blackmailed by the Black Court of Vampires, must fight aga...moreAnd once again, dangerously, the power levels get ramped up in the Dresden files, as Harry, blackmailed by the Black Court of Vampires, must fight against the rise of a group of necromancers -- and might be forced to fight fire with fire.
There's a lot of coolness in this volume of the Dresden Files. Harry's become a scary guy, even to his friends, which works on one level (he's a soldier in war time, being driven to extremes in attitude and temper to fight the good fight). It keeps you wondering how long before he does something he seriously regrets -- or that will force others to officially take notice of him and do something about it.
At the same time, the cosmic scale gets ramped up to higher-than-usual proportions with both tons of public damage and the most noteworthy and audacious Chicago-focused supernatural critter of all time -- which works in the context of the story, but less so upon consideration.
Harry goes to some dark places here. It's good, useful, even enjoyable stuff -- but the book just doesn't quite rise as high as some of the previous volumes.(less)
Even as the vampire wars heat up, Harry is working security for a porn producer under a death curse, at the best of his maybe-not-quite-a-monster vamp...moreEven as the vampire wars heat up, Harry is working security for a porn producer under a death curse, at the best of his maybe-not-quite-a-monster vampire acquaintance, Thomas. Throw in a new vampire threat, learning more about his allies (and his family), and discover how mired he's gotten in vampire politics, and it all makes for a very busy day or two for Harry.
I liked this installment, but it still has problems. Lots happens, but more of it feels like setup for future plots (Harry's hand, the Raiths and the Thomas situation, the Ebenezer revelations) than actual present story. Entertaining, but not quite as much so as previous volumes.(less)
The risks -- and power levels -- ramp up, as the war between the Wizards and the Vampires get hotter, and Harry finds himself coerced into a duel that...moreThe risks -- and power levels -- ramp up, as the war between the Wizards and the Vampires get hotter, and Harry finds himself coerced into a duel that could end the war ... whether he lives or dies.
Meanwhile, Harry has to deal with an ex-girlfriend, with Vatican plots and the missing Shroud of Turin, a great little creepy/powerful girl (and her bodyguard), and with a deeper, darker, older threat that will not only affect the outcome, but impact Harry for several books to come.
While power escalation rarely serves a series well, and is one of the fragile points of the Dresden Series, this volume still manages it in a reasonable fashion -- especially since it hammers home the lesson to Harry that he need not (indeed, cannot) go it alone. In that way, it's a turning point in the maturity of the character, not just the series.
I have mixed feelings on this edition of the Dresden Files. On the one hand, the constant woe-is-me, increasingly battered Harry Dresden shtick has go...moreI have mixed feelings on this edition of the Dresden Files. On the one hand, the constant woe-is-me, increasingly battered Harry Dresden shtick has gotten old, even after just three previous books. On the other hand, this book starts to address this (authorially-created) problem, as Harry's dwindling friends finally intervene in his downward spiral.
And, on the gripping hand, Butcher does some fantastic world-building here, pulling us in detail into his Faerie realm, the Nevernever, and its iconic politics of Summer and Winter Queens, with Harry (of course) right in the middle of treason and plot, murder and war. Some authors have written entire series about just this much -- here Butcher's adding it on top of everything he's already done with vampires, werewolves, and wizards (oh, my). It's gorgeously done, and fits in beautifully with the tapestry of the Dresdenverse. (less)
Williams' "School for Superpowered Kids" epic gets marginally derailed as he spends most of the time away from the school itself, focusing on his univ...moreWilliams' "School for Superpowered Kids" epic gets marginally derailed as he spends most of the time away from the school itself, focusing on his universe's Superman and Green Lantern versions, their kids, and what's going on on the worlds back where their powers come from. It's all good, and there's plenty of to-and-froing with other protagonists, but by setting things so far from home, some of the human immediacy of the story is lost.
Nevertheless, the sophisticated art and story make this similarly approachable for all ages and something that adults will appreciate even more than older kids.(less)
Another volume of triffic fun, as the various residents of the school for super-powered kids deal with clones, Order & Chaos, mythical Middle Ages...moreAnother volume of triffic fun, as the various residents of the school for super-powered kids deal with clones, Order & Chaos, mythical Middle Ages, and a soccer game against their mysterious counterparts at the Praetorian Academy. This edition shows an increasingly sophisticated story and artwork from Williams. Good stuff.(less)
This black and white collection of all of the in-title appearances of Adam Warlock, including the classic last few cross-over Annual appearences -- is...moreThis black and white collection of all of the in-title appearances of Adam Warlock, including the classic last few cross-over Annual appearences -- is trippy in the extreme.
Originally in the early 70s he was the hippy super-hero Jesus figure of Counter-Earth, fighting the corrupting evil of the Man-Beast at the best of the High Evolutionary. Yeah, it's as zany as it sounds. But it got even more wild, once Jim Starlin got hold of him and starting running him through his cosmic paces in deep space against his mad other self, the Magus, the Universal Church of Truth, and, ultimately, Thanos of Titan.
Along the way we also pick up a couple of other characters in the saga, including Pip the Troll and now-member of the Guardians of the Galaxy, Gamora the Assassin.
It's wild, crazy, psychodelic psycho-drama, , and some truly great comics to boot. For sheer audacity, richness of ideas, and faboo Starlin writing and art alongside the efforts of authorial luminaries like Roy Thomas, Gerry Conway, and Bill Mantlo, this one is a true classic.(less)
A lightweight romp noteworthy mostly for having an array of very different Marvel heroines (White Queen, Invisible Woman, She-Hulk, Valkyrie, Hellcat,...moreA lightweight romp noteworthy mostly for having an array of very different Marvel heroines (White Queen, Invisible Woman, She-Hulk, Valkyrie, Hellcat, Photon, Abigail Brand) into amusing verbal byplay, while dealing with the odd kindasorta resurrection of Frankie Raye, the deceased herald of Galactus known as Nova.
That plotline never gels substantially, but listening to the rest of the women banter is entertaining enough to carry me through to the end, despite loose artwork from Tonci Zonjic. Worth reading, but only just.(less)
While the idea of Henry Ford trying to build a rubber plantation in the uncharted Amazon jungle, complete with all the trimmings of a Midwest American...moreWhile the idea of Henry Ford trying to build a rubber plantation in the uncharted Amazon jungle, complete with all the trimmings of a Midwest American town, conjures up thoughts of "Heart of Darkness" or "The Ugly American", in some ways it more resembles "The Egg and I": well-meaning but hapless Yanks biting off something they're completely unprepared to chew. Hilarity ensues, along with death, rapine, failure, and a haunting legacy.
"Fordlandia" is more than just a simple business white paper -- though there are endless tidbits of economic analysis in it. In many ways, it is a history of Henry Ford and of his company, and how Ford's drive for self-sufficient vertical monopoly, his nostalgia for his childhood, coupled with a hatred of Wall Street (and its Jewish bankers), his can-do attitude, his disdain for "experts", and so much of that a reflection of Ford-inspired American technocracy for which no task too great, no wilderness unconquerable, no goal beyond the reach of money and Yankee ingenuity.
The narrative structure of the book is muddled at times, flashing back and digressing and giving us lengthy examinations of the Ford empire back in the US, Henry Ford's engagement with and disengagement from American society, the history of the Brazilian rubber industry before Ford -- and the Amazon after. But regardless of where or when the story takes place, Ford and his foibles, virtues, vices, idealism, paranoia, enthusiasm, and ennui, all take center stage.
And regardless, there's never a dull moment. Highly recommended to anyone interested in the early 20th century, industrialism, ecology, Brazil, or, of course, Henry Ford.
[Note: I "read" an unabridged audiobook, not listed as a separate edition here in Goodreads. Jonathan Davis did an excellent job in narration, with clear speech, good pacing, and a sardonic edge that works well with both the humor and tragedies of the subject matter.](less)
This volume continues the story of the Secret School for Super-Powered Kids, and highlights Williams' ability to mix both smart story-telling, fun cha...moreThis volume continues the story of the Secret School for Super-Powered Kids, and highlights Williams' ability to mix both smart story-telling, fun characters, humor, drama, and comic book tropes with style and grace.
Ironically, much of the action this volume takes place well away from the school, as some of the students head to Las Vegas to chase after their teacher who they think is quitting the school. Simultaneously, the one non-powered student at the school is off in another dimension, being given the decision as to whether humanity is ready for super-powers yet.
Really good stuff, and a fun (and moving) read.(less)
I confess to a love-hate relationship with this installment of the Dresden Files.
On the one hand, we get lots of vampiric goodness (well, mostly eviln...moreI confess to a love-hate relationship with this installment of the Dresden Files.
On the one hand, we get lots of vampiric goodness (well, mostly evilness), as Harry gets drawn into vengeance and political games amongst the various courts (White, Red, Black) of the vampires. Plus, we get more ghosts, including some that are doing very bad things to some good people. Plus we learn more about Harry's godmother and various other factions in the Nevernever. And we get holy knight Michael Carpenter and his family ...
Indeed, we suddenly have a much larger world of Dresden opened up to us, and it's both glorious and bothersome. Too much of it seems designed to give Harry more problems, often in terms of (a) unfeasible obligations and (b) accelerating powers. Indeed, this volume marks the beginning of a power level escalation that will eventually go to truly bothersome levels.
And yet, it's a great, fun, ripping tale. Yeah, sometimes hearing Harry complaining one more time about the crushing load of physical, magical, and emotional stress the author has put on him seems ... wearisome. But there's so much there, and if the overall structure of the world feels unwieldy, it is gloriously and audaciously so.(less)
I'm generally a big fan of Brian Bendis' writing, but this book is something special. It's a call to arms for the Little Guy against The Establishment...moreI'm generally a big fan of Brian Bendis' writing, but this book is something special. It's a call to arms for the Little Guy against The Establishment ... a screed against police and government corruption, as well as social complacency ... and it's both terribly prosaic and non-super-heroic even while being a the stuff of myth, all blended with a variety of flash-backs, -forwards, Fourth Wall-breaking, and generally innovative tale-telling styles.
Alex Maleev, Bendis' long-time collaborator, has rarely been as good as this. It's not quite photo-realistic, but it has a grounded intimacy that feels real.
Really fine stuff, and I really want more, please.(less)
This is not a simple tale. The plots, counter-plots, lies, capers, and wheels within wheels mean you have to keep our eyes open the whole book. Which...moreThis is not a simple tale. The plots, counter-plots, lies, capers, and wheels within wheels mean you have to keep our eyes open the whole book. Which makes reading it as a collection, like this, a lot easier than the individual issues that made it up.
I'd give this a 3.5 stars if I could, because there's a lot here to recommend to others, both in the initial setup and in the final twist endings. But in between things get muddy, not helped by Shawn Martinbrough's art, which makes it tough sometimes to keep track of who's who -- a critical problem in a theft caper like this. The Kirkman-plotted, Nick Spencer-written story is good, and definitely worthy of being adapted to the big screen, though it will be competing against a variety of similar thiefly tales for elbow room, from The Italian Job to Ocean's 11.
Those who like that sort of thing will certainly find this the sort of thing they like. Me -- well, I should probably just wait for the collections to come out to have any chance of following the story along.(less)
In the gray world between the Howling Commandos and being the head Agent of SHIELD, Nick Fury is a war hero and CIA spook, given the crap assignments...moreIn the gray world between the Howling Commandos and being the head Agent of SHIELD, Nick Fury is a war hero and CIA spook, given the crap assignments his impolitic nature result in -- here, as the Agency liaison to the Colonial French government fighting the insurgency of the Viet Mihn in Indochina (1954), then as trainer and assassin during the botched Bay of Pigs invasion (1961).
Framed as a tired, embittered man dictating his memoirs, Ennis manages to make the Fury of these tales world-weary but still capable of shock, war-weary but still yearning for action, and a much more human character than either of his classic Silver Age poses could ever be. Goran Parlov's art provides just the right blend of bloody realism and heroic detail.
So, yes, it's a Garth Ennis story, which means it will be drenched in blood and violence and sex. But it's also drenched in tragic humanity, as were the events it tells about. Well done.(less)
Even as DC rewrites the Superman mythos for their New 52 reboot, Straczynski continues his Earth One variation off the original. While still intriguin...moreEven as DC rewrites the Superman mythos for their New 52 reboot, Straczynski continues his Earth One variation off the original. While still intriguing, innovative, and excellent at working with Clark's alone-ness as he steps onto the world stage, this volume feels less of a sequel than a bridge to a third act.
The main villain -- the Parasite (a fairly grotesque version of same) -- isn't all that much of a threat. The introduction of supporting cast, both old and new, is done well, but not with anything particularly memorable (with the possible exception of the new Luthor).
Where the focus is on Clark, though, the book shines. While the New 52 has visited elements of Superman-as-alien and the early days in Metropolis, here we see Clark trying to figure out how to fit in, both as an alien and as someone who can inadvertently tear the world apart. It feels natural and it's more interesting than yet another slugfest.
Looking forward to this GN series being continued. (less)
Werewolves -- of a variety of styles -- join the Dresdenverse in this second volume. Once again, Harry is driven to the point of destruction and death...moreWerewolves -- of a variety of styles -- join the Dresdenverse in this second volume. Once again, Harry is driven to the point of destruction and death, to barely eke out string of victories (many of them Pyrrhic), as he fights for survival, to save others, to retain his integrit, and to restore his friendship with Murphy.
It's all good, but sometimes a bit over the top. Harry spends so much time being completely exhausted, on the edge of extinction, with every hand turned against him, that the story teeters on the edge of bathos, though it never quite falls in.(less)
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