( M ) Books - Page 6

Family Values (Sin City, Book 5: Second Edition)

Frank Miller

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 31 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Sin City Slumps 2 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

After the fast start of THE HARD GOODBYE, the Sin City series seemed mostly able to keep its steam. Although THE BIG FAT KILL was not up to snuff, both A DAME TO KILL FOR and THAT YELLOW BASTARD were solid entries that kept the momentum rolling. Alas, every series hits a dry spell and for Sin City, that dry spell is entitled FAMILY VALUES. Both the story as well as the art work is below the par we have come to expect.

The story is the type of revenge plot that is familiar in the Sin City catalogue. Yet it is not as well developed as others and the characters themselves simply are not as interesting, largely because they are not as fleshed out as they should be. Sure, some of the artwork here is good. But it should be. Frank Miller did not become successful by giving the reader junk. The problem is that, while some of the artwork is solid, some is not only below par but, hate to say it, rather amateurish. This is especially so with respect to some of the portrayals of Miho.

One cannot help but think that Frank Miller was simply going through the motions here and needed a break to regain some fresh ideas. If you plan on reading the whole series, well then of course you will include this book. But if you are only interested in picking the best to spend some time with, pass this one by.

Editorial Review:

Marking a departure for Miller from an entire career of serialized stories, this 128-page epic spilled out of him all at once... and you can't help but read it the same way! Family Values is a milestone among Miller's work, allowing him enough room to tell this classic story of grit and revenge exactly the way he wanted to. With deadly Miho running on roller-blades, Dwight running on adrenaline, and the Sin City mob on clean-up detail, this yarn from the Town Without Pity is not to be missed.

Hard Boiled

Frank Miller, Geof Darrow

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 14 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

One Hell of a Ride 5 out of 5 stars.
6 of 8 people found this review helpful.

The artwork alone will blow you away.

Loosely based on the same story that inspired "Blade Runner," this book is an irreverant thrill-ride from start to finish. Every page is a masterwork of illustration, and the detail is beyond belief.

It's classic Miller, with over-the-top violence, coupled with a disenfranchized cynicism that writers often imitate but can't duplicate. In this book, he masters the use of understatement, recognizing exactly when to step aside and let the art speak for itself.

You won't be disappointed.

Nifty 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

Haven't bought a comic in a while. Hollywood, having finally admited to running out of ideas has turned to the great and ultra-cool comics (Hellboy, Sin City, V for Vendetta, etc) in order to make some dough, has once again sparked my interest in graphic novels. I bought this one based soley on the art and was not dissapointed.

The ultra-violence can get a bit tedious (If you like tons of bloody naked people getting mauled by flaming vehicles....then prepare for your boat to float), but overall its not a bad read.

The story is ok. Not amazing but interesting never-the-less.

The cool thing about this book is the illustration. Which, is a virtual "Where's Waldo" of advertising icons, naked people, drug parephanilia, blood, and robots. Folks who say you can reread this a few times just to look at the amazing detail are telling it to you straight.

Editorial Review:

Carl Seltz is a suburban insurance investigator, a loving husband, and devoted father. Nixon is a berserk, homicidal tax collector racking up mind-boggling body counts in a diseased urban slaughterhouse. Unit Four is the ultimate robot killing machine - and the last hope of the future's enslaved mechanical servants. And they're all the same psychotic entity.

Hell and Back (Sin City, Book 7: Second Edition)

Frank Miller

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 33 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Neither a Bang Nor a Whimper 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

The final book in the Sin City series, HELL AND BACK is a solid conclusion that neither reaches the heights of some of the earlier books though, thankfully, also does not reach some of the low points we have seen. Any reader who makes it through everything will not be disappointed.

HELL AND BACK's main character is new to the Sin City collection. Wallace is a war vet with fighting skills that rival those of Marv. Like Marv, he is motivated by an altruisitic, indeed tender, concern for others that he deems worthy of his troubles. The girl he just meets and saves, Esther, is worthy enough. When Esther is kidnapped, Wallace kills about...oh, exact numbers are hard to come by, but an awful lot of scum bags to get her back.

We once again encounter Delia, the beautiful yet deadly assassin introduced in Book 6, BOOZE, BROADS & BULLETS and we get a better understanding of exactly what kind of organization she works for. Let us just say, not many people will be busted up over the pile of bodies left in Wallace's wake. I do not know if there are any plans to make this book into a Sin City movie, but if there are, some of the more tender-hearted may experience some sleeping problems after seeing it.

Given that HELL AND BACK introduces new and interesting characters, it is hard to complain that the book is considerably bigger than the others in the series. (Who would do so anyway?) If Frank Miller ever writes more of these stories, picking up right here would be a-ok.

Editorial Review:

Can anything be darker than noir? Try Frank Miller's Sin City series. The tasty Hell and Back features Wallace, a brooding artist with a decided talent for hurting people, and Esther, a stunningly beautiful actress accidentally mixed up in a slavery ring that extends far and deep enough to transcend the word conspiracy. The tale twists, turns, and backtracks, teasing the reader with hints of terror to come--until the explosive climax. Miller's art is exactly right for his words; he uses more black than white, and color only when appropriate. The chapter dealing with Wallace's drug hallucinations is beautiful, heartbreaking, and terrifying in turn. Readers interested in the human dark side should find out what fans of Sin City already know: Frank Miller has seen it and wants to share. --Rob Lightner

Booze, Broads, & Bullets (Sin City, Book 6: Second Edition)

Frank Miller

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 21 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

"It turns out I'm good at killing. And I like it. I like it a lot." 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

BOOZE, BROADS, & BULLETS gets the Sin City series back on track after the unfortunate swing and miss of Vol. 5, FAMILY VALUES. A collection of short stories, it intermixes familiar faces while introducing some new ones. Marv, the old favorite from THE HARD GOODBYE, is in a couple of stories and we see his two-fisted philosophy of protecting the unprotected in action. Dwight from THE BIG FAT KILL also helps out a damsel-in-distress de jour. While Miho and the girls of Old Town dispense their own rough justice to the deserving saps who ask for it.

As for the new faces, the most interesting is the female killer Delia, the subject of three stories here. She provides the quote which constitutes the title of this review and she means what she says. Delia does enjoy killing and she is awfully good at it. Delia represents exactly what I like about the Sin City books - female characters that can be not only the source of solace and comfort to men, but the exact opposite as well. Besides Delia, we also meet Amy, aka Daddy's Little Girl. Amy may not kill people directly like Delia, but she sure is a catalyst for their deaths. Although these characters might be new, the hard stories and noir edge are exactly what we have come to expect from the residents of Basin City.

All in all, BOOZE, BROADS, & BULLETS is a solid addition to the Sin City catalogue. Everyone will have their favorite stories in this volume and everyone will see some of the stories as not quite as good. But looked at as a whole, if you have made it this far into the series, you probably will not be disappointed with this book.

Editorial Review:

The most diverse volume of Sin City material available, Booze, Broads, & Bullets, showcases Frank Miller's vignettes and color experiments from throughout the years of his groundbreaking crime series, and includes art created especially for the original collection. A good entry point for new readers wondering what Sin City is all about - or longtime readers who can't get enough - Miller has painted a gritty, decadent, and gloriously dirty portrait. Have a taste of the city ... just one little taste. Just one.

Absolute Dark Knight

Frank Miller, Klaus Janson

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 14 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

DC Comics Absolute Editions set the standard for the highest quality, most in-depth presentation of classic graphic novels. Each oversized volume is presented in a slipcase and includes unique additional material making each Absolute Edition a cornerstone of any serious comic collection.

On its publication in 1986, Frank Miller’s THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS changed the landscape of the graphic novel irrevocably. With its dark vision of Batman’s future and its stunning artwork, THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS set the world on fire. 15 years later, Miller’s sequel, THE DARK KNIGHT STRIKES AGAIN, further redefined the boundaries of the superhero genre.

Now, both of these comics masterpieces are collected in one giant-sized slipcase edition for the first time ever. Frank Miller has provided a new introduction, a new cover and new art for the slipcase. This edition is also filled with bonus material featuring an excerpt from Miller’s original plot for DARK KNIGHT RETURNS #4, sketchbook material and much more.

The DC Comics Guide to Inking Comics

Klaus Janson

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 14 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

The BEST book on INKING, yet.... 5 out of 5 stars.
10 of 10 people found this review helpful.

I've read a lot of books on how-to-do comic art, some on writing and publishing, and this book stood out as soon as I began reading it. Last night I finished, and have to recommend this as the best book I ever read on the subject of comic book inking, and there is little need to improve over it as a feast of information. What Janson leaves out can be found in other books, but he carved the meat off the bone where others before were clawing off unappetizing chunks.

Absolutely brilliant tips, tricks and approaches are found in these pages. The reviewer that calls this book 'preachy' merely is set to stumble into the holes awaiting most comic book artists on their way to mediocrity. Janson's primary lesson through every chapter is TO CONVEY INFORMATION TO THE COMIC READER. An inker clarifies and improves on the pencils, tightens them, and makes sure the storytelling in improved from pencils if not maintaining. Inside he covers light and dark, feathering, line weight, textures, and other basics that just aren't touched on in other books with the insight Klaus provides. And to help, he provides lots of lush B&W inked art from a period that probably influenced him - the Adams/Giordano/Wrightson/Kane period of DC comics. He also compared pencils to inks with more current art he inked over from Kane and Miller.

While Janson's own ink style is rough and appears heavy handed, it does everything it has to with grit. Sometimes the art cries out, "USE THE CIRCLE TEMPLATE!!" but over all it demonstrates how he thinks in planning textures, placement of black and white or tone, and use of feathering to describe form. What the neo-Amero-Japo-manga artists need to learn, as does any art student going anywhere, is that art books give you information, and the more information they give you then the more their worth. Super enticing, glossy, sex bent art work should be reserved for the books people buy to enjoy the art and story, not the training manuals telling you info you use to plug into your own work. Janson hit it right on with this book, the rest is left up to you to DO and IMPROVE.

Other books with good inking information - "Marvel Way" by Lee/Buscema has nice beginning info, and quick but pertinent info on weak and strong inking examples. "Rendering in Pen and Ink" by Guptill is a genius book on how to render and draw in ink for illustrators (or comic artists). "How To Draw Manga: Pen & Tone Techniques" by Ryo Touda handles a brilliant look at manga pens and tones. Everything else I fail to mention by name because it really isn't worth buying. You can put together a foundation of inking information with these 4 books that can't be beat at any art school in the nation.

Top Ten (Book 1)

Alan Moore

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 36 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Funny spoof of the superhero genre 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This is an entertaining series, following the antics of a squad-room of big-city cops in a world populated entirely by super-powered beings. The Top Ten are the toughest of the tough, and they take on every kind of disturbance - domestic, extraterrestrial, whatever. The text and art are densely cluttered with inside jokes, stuff to make brainiac fanboys laugh themselves silly. Because it's all so farcical, the story arcs aren't terribly involving, but the book is really about the inside humor and oddball characters, and Alan Moore's fans will get a big kick out of this one. (ReadThatAgain book reviews)

A good Read 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

BOOK ONE Review :

It took me a while to get into this book. For the first two chapters I was less than impressed by what seemed a genereric superhero story but from chapter 3 onwards the interesting story lines and subplots really began to grab my attention. The characters are pretty strange but Moore develops them nicely as the book goes on and this really is a satisfying read.
The artwork within the book is good although the quality of the paper could be better. There is a lot of things going on in the frames and it is worth a second read to pick out some of the funny things going on in the background.
This book is definitely recommended for Moore fans. A lighter read than "The Watchmen" but none the worse for that.

BOOK TWO Review:

I really enjoyed book one and this book contined to impress. Moore does an excellent job of developing the characters from the first book and adds a few new ones to the mix. The most enjoyable of the new characters is officer Joe PI who is a robot with a sense of humor. Joe PI integrates very nicely with the old team and generates some good story lines and one liners. The plots in book two are as good if not better than the first collection.
There are tons of things going on on every page (many of them you will miss on the first read) but the book never becomes a chore to read. Highly recommended but you must read book one first.

Dreamsongs: Volume II

George R.R. Martin

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Dubbed “the American Tolkien” by Time magazine, #1 New York Times bestselling author George R.R. Martin is a giant in the field of fantasy literature and one of the most exciting storytellers of our time. Now he delivers a rare treat for readers: a compendium of his shorter works, all collected into two stunning volumes, that offer fascinating insight into his journey from young writer to award-winning master.

Whether writing about werewolves, wizards, or outer space, George R.R. Martin is renowned for his versatility and expansive talent, highlighted in this dazzling collection. Included here, in Volume II, are acclaimed stories such as the World Fantasy Award-winner “The Skin Trade,” as well as the first novella in the Ice and Fire universe, “The Hedge Knight,” plus two never-before-published screenplays. Featuring extensive author commentary, Dreamsongs, Volume II; is an invaluable chronicle of a writer at the height of his creativity—and an unforgettable reading experience for fans old and new.

Elric: To Rescue Tanelorn (Chronicles of the Last Emperor of Melniboné, Vol. 2)

Michael Moorcock

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Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

“Moorcock’s writing is intricate, fabulous, and mellifluous. Reading his words I was, and am, reminded of music. His novels are symphonic experiences. They dance and cry and bleed and make promises that can live only in the moment of their utterance.”
–from the Foreword by Walter Mosley, New York Times bestselling author of Blonde Faith and Devil in a Blue Dress

Elric of Melniboné. The name is like a magic spell, conjuring up the image of an albino champion and his cursed, vampiric sword, Stormbringer. Elric, the last emperor of a cruel and decadent race, rogue and adventurer, hero and murderer, lover and traitor, is mystery and paradox personified–a timeless testament to the creative achievement of Michael Moorcock, the most significant fantasy writer since Tolkien.

Now comes the second in this definitive series of Elric volumes. Gorgeously illustrated by acclaimed artist Michael Wm. Kaluta and including a new Introduction by Michael Moorcock, this collection features, along with Elric, such renowned characters as Erekosë, Rackhir the Red Archer, and Count Renark von Bek. Readers will delight in adventures that include “To Rescue Tanelorn . . .,” “Master of Chaos,” “The Singing Citadel,” “The Black Blade’s Song,” and the novella version of “The Eternal Champion.”

Elric: To Rescue Tanelorn is essential reading for every fantasy fan and provides indelible proof–if any was needed–of the genius of Michael Moorcock.

“The most significant UK author of sword and sorcery, a form he has both borrowed from and transformed.”
–The Encyclopedia of Fantasy

Swamp Thing Vol. 5: Earth to Earth

Alan Moore

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

His Blue Heaven 5 out of 5 stars.
14 of 14 people found this review helpful.

If you've read the prior collections in this series and you thought things couldn't get any better, well you ain't seen nothing yet. This installment of the Swamp Thing graphic novel series contains just six issues from Alan Moore's run (#51-56), but that does include the double-sized blockbuster issue #53. In any case, quantity is meaningless here because Moore and his artistic team have reached the dizzying heights of their powers, unleashing the most mindboggling and gutwrenching stories in comic history. The basic subplot running through the series at this point is Abby's arrest for immoral conduct while Swamp Thing was off saving the universe, and her escape to Gotham City. As Swampy is searching for his true love, she is being held by the authorities in Gotham. In the overwhelming "Garden of Earthly Delights" (issue #53) Swamp Thing unleashes his full elemental powers on the uncaring city that imprisons his lover, and even temporarily defeats Batman in the process. Sadly, Swampy is supposedly assassinated by government agents, and finds his spirit floating in outer space. This is where Moore's imagination really goes into overdrive, giving us the highly unique and moving story "My Blue Heaven" (issue #56), a tremendous tale of loneliness and soul-searching, where Swamp Thing is blue in more ways than one. This episode is also another pinnacle for the artistic team, and much credit must go to colorist Tatjana Wood for her moody and unconventional work. By this point regular artists Stephen Bissette and John Totleben had mostly moved on - Bissette was only doing the covers and Totleben's only major contribution is "Garden of Earthly Delights." The artistic torch had been passed to the outstanding team of Rick Veitch and Alfredo Alcala, who barely miss a beat in keeping the series' haunting and lovely artwork rolling. The only sad thing about this edition of the Swamp Thing series is that fact that Moore's run would soon come to a close.