Tag Archives: Comics

Fence: Mini review, YA comic

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36064768Fence (Fence #1)

by C.S. Pacat (Author) &
Johanna the Mad (Artist)

“Fence” follows the rise of 16-year-old Nicholas Cox in the world of competitive fencing at an elite boys school.
Nicholas is an outsider to the competitive fencing world.
Filled with raw talent but lacking proper training, he signs up for a competition that puts him head-to-head with fencing prodigy Seiji Katayama…and on the road to the elite all-boys school Kings Row. A chance at a real team and a place to belong awaits him—if he can make the cut!
“It’s all about the world of fencing,” said Pacat. “The elegance, the danger, the high stakes of what’s essentially a combat sport.”
Published November 15th 2017 by Boom! Box
I was keen to read Fence from the moment I first heard about it – A YA comic by aussie author C.S. Pacat set in the competitive world of Fencing with M/M romance – YES! a thousand times yes!
I was jumping for joy when The YA Chronicles announced it would be included in their November “Make it Gay” Box. Winning! 
 The first issue did not disappoint. I absolutely loved it and can see myself reading it over again until the december issue comes out.
Nicholas is a lovable underdog who is instantly likable. You can’t help but want him to succeed.
The first issue perfectly set up the tension between Nicholas and Seiji. I even enjoyed the fencing, a sport I previously hadn’t given much thought to.
The artwork is beautiful! Clear, detailed and flows wonderfully.
I am so excited for the next instalment! Hurray for this new comic book series.
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Until next time, enjoy your shelves :-).

Review: Love, The Lion by Brremaud and Bertolucci

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LOVE volume 3: THE LION by Frederic Brremaud and Federico Bertolucci

Pub Date: 12th July 2016 by Magnetic Press and Diamond Book Distributors

Thank you, Brremaud, Bertolucci and NetGalley for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis mk3

The third volume in the lavishly illustrated series of wildlife graphic novels, each following a single central animal through an adventurous day in their natural environment. Each tale depicts genuine natural behavior through the dramatic lens of Disney-esque storytelling, like a nature documentary in illustration. Both heartwarming and heartbreaking, this volume focuses on a solitary Lion as it wanders the plains of Africa, handling the daily hunt, and vicious rivalry, without a Pride of its own.image

The circle of Life takes center stage in a world where predator and prey trade places on a regular basis, and Family is something worth fighting — and dying — for. This exciting tale, written by Frederic Brremaud, is told without narration or dialogue, conveyed entirely through the beautiful illustrations of Federico Bertolucci. A beautiful, powerful tale of survival in the animal kingdom that explores the all-too-identifiable, universal concepts of Life, Courage, Aging, and ultimately Love.

My Thoughts mk3

It felt like a I was reading a beautifully illustrated David Attenborough documentary! And i mean that as a positive thing! Not one word of text is used to tell the story. But the detailed and dramatic illustrations over the eighty pages tells us the story perfectly. image (1)

We open to a pride of Lions, moving on to follow a particular Cub, let’s call him Brian. We see Brian grow up fighting to survive. We survey the land and all the other creatures with Brian as he wanders alone. We get to see a wide array of animals go through their day to day lives. The story comes full circle when Brian returns to the pride he came from and challenges the leader.

I have to say that I enjoyed the Love: The Fox more, but that’s because it had a happy ending. Reality very really has a happy ending, which is why this graphic novel feels more like a documentary rather than Disney’s the Lion king. It was truthful and tragically beautiful. Ah and so continues the circle of life. Four “I really enjoyed it “Stars

Author’s Links mk3

Amazon | Website | Facebook | Goodreads

Live Life Sunny Side Up by Jeremyville

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Published Date: 14th July 2015 by Andrews McMeel Publishing

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis mk3

Be Patient, Don’t Let the Haters In, Live in the Light, and Build Your Own Rainbow—these and many more inspiring reminders from Jeremy Ville fill the pages of Live Life Sunny Side Up.

To break out of a creative funk, artist and designer Jeremyville began pairing positive affirmations with simple, yet thought-provoking drawings and posting them online under his “Community Service Announcements” project. The response was overwhelming, and the result is a library of 800 images in just a few years. Live Life Sunny Side Up collects 100 of the most inspiring CSAs guaranteed to bring you out of a funk even on your worst days. This collection of simple and cheerful messages is perfect to give to a friend or keep on your nightstand for those days when you need a quick pick-me-up or a reminder to “Live Free Range Instead.”image (4)+Goodreads buttonMy Thoughts mk3When I hear the term “Self-Help” I think of a repetitive preachy text book full of pages and pages of junk that while wonderful on paper is useless in the real world – not that I’ve read that many, so shame on me, I guess! If more of them are like this book I would happily give them a go.

SO this book is categorised as a “self-Help” book, but don’t let that put you off. This book collects Jeremyville’s all-time favourites of his “Community Service Announcements”. The illustrations are bright, colourful and cuter then a baby elephant. The messages are simple but powerful and relevant. It is watermelon flavoured bubble-gum sweet and it will make you smile. It might even make you think to call your mother once in a while.

I would love to have TRUST IN YOUR IDEAS AND JUMP and OWN YOUR STRANGENESS as big posters on my wall at home, however I don’t think my husband would be into it.

image (3)While I wasn’t blown away, I did enjoy reading It.

3s

Author’s Links mk3

Jeremyville is a New York based artist, product designer and author. His art is about simple, thought provoking messages told in an instantly recognisable style.

Jeremyville grew up by the ocean at Bondi Beach in Sydney Australia, and started his art career drawing at the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper, while completing his Architecture Degree from Sydney University, and editing the student newspaper Honi Soit. It was amidst this education in print at the age of 19, that he first discovered the power of simple writing, and the impact that an iconic image can have in helping to change the world.

Jeremyville draws daily in his sketchbook and shares his Community Service Announcements through his social media, with messages of environmental action, social change, inner growth and positive daily actions.

Website – http://www.jeremyville.com/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/JeremyvilleDaily

Twitter – https://twitter.com/Jeremyville

Instagram – https://instagram.com/Jeremyville/

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/user/MrJeremyville/videos

Goodreads – http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9873838.Jeremy_Ville

BATGIRL: ‘The New 52’ DC Comic Book Series

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Batgirl_Vol_4_10_Solicit

Synopsis mk3

The daughter of Police Commissioner Jim Gordon, Barbara Gordon was raised in Gotham City, knowing firsthand the dangers inherent in living there. A classic overachiever and determined student, she struck out on her own as Batgirl in an attempt to help both Batman and her father in their mission to protect the citizens of Gotham. Quickly reined in by Batman and trained to be a more effective hero. Batgirl became a valued member of his team along with the first Robin, Dick Grayson. Tragically, Barbara’s life was forever altered when the joker shot her while she was in her civilian identity, while he was attacking her father. She was paralyzed from the waist down, and it seemed as if her time as Batgirl has been ended permanently. But Barbara did not give up. Working herself to the absolute limits of her physical and mental abilities, in time she regained the ability to walk. Taking things a step further, she made the daring choice to retrain herself and return to patrolling Gotham City as Batgirl.

My Thoughts mk3

I’d forgotten Batgirl was Commissioner Gordon’s Daughter, so that was a nice surprise.

I like Batgirl; she has a cool motorbike that can ride up walls then para-shoot back down, oh and she’s a strong, independent female kicking bad guys asses.

I started this whole thing backwards; the first Batgirl comic I read was #39, then going on to read #39’s story continuation in Secret Origins #10. I decided at this point that I really should stop and start at the beginning.

I’m still getting used to how short comic books feel – they end and I just want to keep reading.

So let’s start at the beginning:

batgirl 0

Batgirl #0: in this Issue we get to see the First time Barbara puts on the cape and becomes Batgirl. We get a glimpse at her first year as a crime fighting vigilante. I really enjoyed this prequel issue setting up what I am sure to be an action packed and entertaining series. I’m looking forward to following Barbara Gordon through this series. I can definitely see myself becoming addicted to Batgirl’s world, which my husband is not too happy about lol.

Goodreads

Outcast by Robert Kirkman

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Outcast by Robert Kirkman

Published 10th February 2015 by Image Comics & Diamond Book Distributors

I received a copy to read and review through Net Galley, so thank you to the Author and Publisher for allowing me this opportunity.

Synopsis mk3Outcast Bio

My Thoughts mk3

Thanks to The Walking Dead Robert Kirkman would have to be one of the biggest names in the comic book industry at the moment. Outcast has only just put out it’s first six issues and it’s already been picked up for a TV show.

I don’t normally read things labeled as “Horror” but am happy I gave this a go. I am still rather new to the comic book world but am loving it (don’t worry I have no intention of giving up my YA Fantasy’s or any other books for that matter).

I enjoyed Outcast. I liked Kyle, I felt for the bloke. When we first meet Kyle he is living out his days in filth as a hermit, stuck in his own personal hell. Through a series of flash backs we learn of the major events in Kyle’s life and it quickly becomes evident that there has always been some sort of demonic force behind his downfall.  His mother was possessed when he was only a little boy. His wife becomes possessed, sending his little girl to hospital clinging to life and he is blamed for it. The Demons seem drawn to him. Kyle ends up with the local Reverend carrying out an exorcism, and we see him come to life again with the passion to discover the truth. That’s where this volume ends, with Kyle Vowing to discover the truth.

I intend to follow this series, I actually liked it that much. I want to see if Kyle can clear his name and get his little girl back. I want to see what happens with the big bad demon that was threatening the Reverend. And I want to find out why the demons all keep calling Kyle ‘Outcast’. I’d say i’ll wait until they do volume two rather than individual issues, so i’ll probably be waiting another six months (I’m going off of the fact that Saga a issue comes out once a month and every six they do a ‘volume’ combining the six). I don’t think I’d get enough substance in one issue, I fly though one volume as it is.

Anyway I’m rambling – five stars.

Five Stars

Author’s Links mk3

Robert Kirkman on Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/12425.Robert_Kirkman

OUTCAST Picked Up as a TV series – http://www.skybound.com/outcast-pilot-officially-picked-up/

Robert Kirkman with Skybound – http://www.skybound.com/about-us/

Luv from Dog by Murray Ball

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Romances come and go. But when a man suffers the scorn of a scented seductress, the pain of parting, the ache of a lonely heart, when he’s bursting with shame, humiliation and jealousy, where can he turn? To his best friend, of course: his dog.

luv from dog

 

‘Luv from Dog’ is a selection of Murray Ball’s 1975 – 1990 Footrot Flats cartoon strips and standalone images all dealing with love and lust. It is a light and humours read that I really enjoyed. You cannot help but fall in love with “Dog” and wish him success in chasing away that She Devil Cheeky Hobson.dog heart

There is not much more I can say really – 5 out of 5 stars for an iconic comic and the Man, Mr Bell behind the DOG.go on