Comics & Graphic Novels Books - Page 4

Shards (Star Wars: Legacy, Vol. 2)

John Ostrander

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Great Book! 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

While it was a little annoying that it did not follow a complete story, Star Wars Legacy: Shards is a great book. It shows the complete story of the Sith's plan and it shows the origin of how Cade Skywalker became a bounty hunter. Not to mention some old characters make appearances.... Bottom line, I would reccomend this book to any Star Wars fan!

A nice continuation 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

It's a great continuation of the story started in "Broken," despite its somewhat Imperial focus for much of the book. It manages to maintain the pace of "Broken" while still getting the story across and finding a place for a little humour.

Editorial Review:

Cade Skywalker returns to the place of his father's last stand against the Sith and finds far more than ghosts in this volume filled with revelations about the future of Star Wars! Discover how the Empire joined forces with the Sith to defeat the Galactic Alliance in the war to dominate the galaxy - only to have Darth Krayt and his legion of followers usurp ultimate power for themselves! Follow the fate of an Empire divided, with battles pitting stormtrooper against stormtrooper, and Sith assassins bent on taking the life of deposed Emperor Roan Fel! Witness a galaxy in turmoil, and the decisions that will shape its future forever!

Tintin in the Land of the Soviets (The Adventures of Tintin)

Herge

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 27 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Not at all great but a must-have for a collector 2 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

this was herge's first tintin. it's in b&w and very crude. the story is only so-so and expresses extreme bias against the soviets at that time, so if you're looking for a good read don't buy this book. it's a far far cry from his later works in everything from style to storyline. i'm keeping this just for my collection.

Soviets, adventure, cromic 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Reviewed by Ben Weldon (age10) for Reader Views (1/08)

"Tintin in the Land of the Soviets" by Hergé is the comic adventure of Tintin and his loyal dog Snowy in Soviet Russia. Tintin, reporter for "Le Petit Vingtième," is sent to Soviet Russia to write about the situation there, but he is continually thwarted by Soviet agents. Will Tintin return alive with the truth about Soviet Russia?

In his efforts to penetrate Russia and observe the goings on, Tintin is bombed, shot at, chased, captured, stuck in sewage, encrusted in ice, and his vehicles are sabotaged. The Soviet secret police, who don't want Tintin to let the rest of the world knows what is going on in Russia, capture him and send him to the torture chamber. Snowy saves Tintin from the red hot poker, and Tintin saves Snowy from a wicked-looking sword. Hilariously, in the end, it is the torturer who is tortured. Tintin and Snowy repeatedly rely on their wit, resourcefulness and luck to outwit the evil agents.

This story first appeared in 1929 as a comic strip in a Belgian newspaper to alert people to the injustices occurring in Soviet Russia. In the story, Tintin discovers that the Soviet's "efficient" factories are really fakes. They are burning straw to make smoke and banging on pieces of metal to make it sound like there is operating machinery. Tintin also witnesses hungry orphans standing in a bread line. They have to state support for the communists or else they get kicked and get no bread. I am sure glad that I didn't live in Soviet Russia during this time period.

If you have ever read another Tintin book, you will be very surprised when you first get your hands on this book. The drawings are in black and white and are less detailed. The drawings are bigger and there are only six frames per page rather than the usual twelve. The book is longer, however, which more than makes up for less content per page. The story and humor are just as good as ever. This was Hergé's first book, so it is interesting to see how his characters changed.

I would highly recommend "Tintin in the Land of the Soviets" to my friends because it is very funny and adventurous, and you can even learn a little bit about the history of Soviet Russia. This book was so good that I read it three times the day I got it!

Editorial Review:

Little, Brown is celebrating 100 years of Hergé with 3 titles never before published in the U.S. Join traveling reporter Tintin and his faithful dog Snowy, along with well-known friends such as Captain Haddock, as they embark on extraordinary adventures spanning historical and political events, fantasy and science-fiction adventures and thrilling mysteries. These full-color graphic novels broke new ground when they were first released and became the inspiration for countless modern-day comic artists.

The Snowman

Raymond Briggs

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 37 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Who needs words to tell a story? In Raymond Briggs's charming tale, told with 175 softly hued, artfully composed frames, a little boy makes friends with a snowman. He wakes up on a snowy day, tells his mother he's going outside, then begins a flurry of snowman-building. That night, he can't sleep, so he opens the front door and lo! the snowman has come to life. The amiable yet frosty fellow enjoys his tour of the boy's cozy home; he admires the cat, but is disturbed by the fire. The boy shows him other wonders--the TV and a lamp and running water. Predictably perhaps, he is disturbed by the stove, but likes ice cubes quite a bit. Soon it is the snowman's turn to introduce the boy to his wintry world. They join hands, rise up into the blizzardy air--presumably over Russia and into the Middle East--and then safely back to home sweet home. The boy pops into bed before his parents get up... but when he wakes up the next morning he races outside only to find his new buddy's melted remains, scattered with a few forlorn lumps of coal. Since the book is wordless, you can make up any ending you want... like "Then, in a puff of pink smoke, the snowman recomposed himself and went to live in the boy's garage freezer." Or you could just resign yourself to a peaceful "And that was that." Raymond Briggs's The Snowman won the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, and this wintertime classic continues to win the hearts of kids every year. (Preschool and older) --Karin Snelson

Asterix Omnibus 2: Includes Asterix the Gladiator #4, Asterix and the Banquet #5, Asterix and Cleopatra #6 (Asterix (Orion Paperback))

Rene Goscinny, Albert Uderzo

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Editorial Review:

In this fabulous collector's edition of Asterix, books four to six are collected in one volume for the first time ever. In Asterix The Gladiator, the Romans capture Cacofonix as a gift for Caesar who plans to throw him to the lions. To rescue their bard, Asterix and Obelix have to become gladiators. In Asterix and the Banquet, the Romans build a barricade around the village. So Asterix and Obelix demonstrate their resistance by going on a journey around the entire country, collecting local specialities on the way. Asterix, Obelix and co visit Egypt in Asterix and Cleopatra, where they are entranced by the Sphinx, the pyramids and Cleopatra's nose.

Clone Wars Adventures, Vol. 1 (Star Wars)

Haden Blackman, Ben Caldwell, Matt Fillbach, Shawn Fillbach

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 5 Average rating: 3.0 of 5

A pleasant distraction 2 out of 5 stars.
14 of 17 people found this review helpful.

The Clone Wars Adventures series is a comic spinoff of the animated show. Those familiar with the cartoon will more or less know what to expect: short, lighthearted action stories. No more, no less.

I'm not a huge fan of the art style, but I feel the cartoon made up for this with its fluid animation. Likewise, the comic features great, stylish action shots and a good sense of movement. However, it lacks the show's visual intensity, which is perfectly understandable given the limitations of the medium.

Writer Haden Blackman has penned some of the darkest (and arguably most powerful) stories in the franchise to date (with Jango Fett: Open Seasons and Clone Wars Volume 2: Last Stand on Jabiim being two brilliant examples). The three stories in Clone Wars Adventures, however, are clearly written with kids in mind. As such, it obviously lacks the darker themes of the Republic series' Clone Wars stories. Older readers looking for a little emotional depth should best look elsewhere, but kids who enjoyed the series should find this a good enough read. CWA is therefore an ideal choice for Star-Wars-obsessed parents keen to share their interest with their children.

However, this is a bit on the expensive side for something that can be finished in 10-15 minutes. Like the show, CWA is fun while it lasts, but is over far too quickly. Furthermore, it simply isn't as compelling as the cartoon - more a fault of the comic book format than the actual writing or art. Casual fans should best steer clear. Younger readers and completists, however, might find this of reasonable interest.

Editorial Review:

On the night-world of Nivek, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker must first overcome the limitations of fighting in the dark before they can take on the dreaded Shadowmen! Meanwhile, Jedi Masters Mace Windu and Saesee Tiin discover that push can come to shove when using the Force to fight battledroids. And, fresh from leading an underwater assault against Separatist forces on the water planet of Mon Calamari, Jedi Master Kit Fisto and his remaining clone troops reach the surface to find a new threat awaiting them! Incredible action, hot art, and lightning-fast pacing are coming your way in this new take on the Star Wars galaxy!

World of Warcraft

Walter Simonson

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

From PC to paper, does it translate? 3 out of 5 stars.
9 of 14 people found this review helpful.

I am a longtime fan of the Warcraft game series going all the way back to Warcraft: Orcs & Humans the first PC title.

I have been buying this comic since the first issue came out and by issue 10 I have yet to be totally impressed. First off don't be fooled by the cover art of this trade collection, neither Samewise nor Metzen (the usual Warcraft artists) contribute art to the inside of this book. The art's not bad it's just nothing like what we're used to seeing over the years. The story is a rather blandly told romp of a cast of characters that begins similarly to the movie Gladiator. The story centers on an amnesic Human Warrior, a Blood Elf and a Night Elf Druid who must band together to rise through the ranks of arena fights and ultimately overthrow their Orc master and discover the true destiny of said amnesic human. Would you believe that destiny might involve becoming a noble warrior and hero of the land? I guess you'll have to read to find out but let's just say this book is filled with a fair amount of clichés.

The story telling isn't horrible for a comic book I have just read better in the likes of books likes Batman: The Long Halloween or Ultimate Spider-Man. The book's mythology does seem to get deeper with each issue and the universe they live in doesn't seem too dissimilar to me from the like of Gargoyles the animated series during the flashbacks. In fact the book at time seems to employ Saturday-morning-cartoon-like plot devices from time to time.

If you are coming in as a fan of the series you need to know that familiar characters from the game seldom make an appearance. By issue10 we've seen Jaina Proudmoore but there are few other references the make this comic familiar to fans of the PC world. I personally think there have been missed opportunities to show characters like Cairne Bloodhoof in the issue features Tauren or to even showcase Tharall in some of the more Orc-centric locations. Actually, quite a few of the characters in this comic have been adapted from the current line of DC Direct World of Warcraft Action figures. The first issue alone features 3 characters from wave 1 and 2 of the toyline with 2 more toy personalities showing up relatively soon thereafter.

Bottom line is, if you're a real fan of Warcraft there is the potential for entertainment to be had with this series. However, if you're a casual fan of the franchise and are hoping this comic will give you some extra insight in the world you love know you're better of pickup of the actual Warcraft Novels or just run through the campaign modes of all three original games again.

Crown Of Horns (Bone)

Jeff Smith

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Editorial Review:

It's full-fledged war as Briar, the rat creatures, and the Pawan army storm the city of Atheia. The Bone cousins, Thorn, and Gran'ma Ben are all there to defend the Valley and stop the return of the Lord of the Locusts. When Thorn goes inside a ghost circle, she hears a voice urging her to seek the Crown of Horns. What follows is another dangerous journey for Thorn and loyal Fone Bone as they race to the sacred grounds of the dragons, searching for the one thing that may save them all. This is the breathtaking conclusion to Jeff Smith's nine-book graphic novel series.

Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl Adventure!, Volume 2 (Pokemon Diamond and Pearl Adventure!)

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Editorial Review:

The fourth generation of the franchise, Diamond and Pearl, debuted in Japan in 2006, and is the most successful Pok - mon release since the original series, selling more than 10 million video game units worldwide (and 3.4 million units in the U.S. since its 2007 debut).

The Savage Sword of Conan Volume 4 (Conan (Graphic Novels))

Roy Thomas, Various

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Ahhhh, Classic Conan!! 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

I owned all of these originals when I was a teen back in the mid-to-late 70's. Back then, Savage Sword of Conan was cutting edge in comics.

Both in size and scope, as well as edgy violence and nudity, something the comics code was ALL against back then, Savage Sword was eye-catching, non-stop action/adventure fantasy that brought together top-notch artists and writers that broke new ground.

And these old ones are STILL better than the newr Conan comics. (That's how great they are!) They still hold up in all areas.

Why can't Hollywood handle Conan like they now do with Batman and The Hulk and Ironman? With an all-new movie, hopefully fully computer animated like Beowulf, it would be a major blockbuster if it were rated R and done like it's creator, Robert E. Howard wrote it.

Collect all of these titles. You won't be sorry.

Editorial Review:

Editing and charting Conan's course in the influential Savage Sword of Conan magazine, Roy Thomas led a phenomenal assemblage of talented illustrators boldly through the end of the seventies and into the eighties, unfettered by page counts and the limiting thumb of the Comics Code. Thomas scripted the continuing adventures of Conan, drawing from Robert E. Howard's original tales - along with other Conan adventures - and working with such esteemed artists as John Buscema, Sal Buscema, Ernie Colon, Klaus Janson, and the amazing Gil Kane! The Savage Sword of Conan brought the world thrilling adaptations of "Sons of the White Wolf," "The Legions of the Dead," and "The Treasure of Tranicos."

Clone Wars Adventures, Vol. 2 (Star Wars)

Haden Blackman, Welles Hartley, Matt Fillbach, Shawn Fillbach

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

Strong second volume in the series 4 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures is an ongoing series from Dark Horse comics that takes its inspiration from the extremely successful Clone Wars cartoon series. This inspiration is visible in both the short, action-packed nature of the stories as well as in the art style itself. Volume Two contains three stories as follows:

1) "Skywalkers" - Like Volume One, this book kicks off with an Obi-Wan/Anakin adventure. Their aerial antics defending the planet Terra Sool stretch belief about as far as this format can take it, but the cartoon did the same thing on more than one occasion. The chief distinguishing feature of this tale is the use of scenes from A New Hope to bookend it, making for an effective emotional underpinning to the action.

2) "Hide in Plain Sight" - Jedi Master Luminara Unduli and her Padawan Barriss Offee defend Nadiem against a Separatist attack personally coordinated by General Grievous. Great story all around, with a perfect balance of dry humor and fun Jedi action. The art in this one is particularly well done: the panels are jam-packed with small background details.

3) "Run Mace Run" - Shorter than the first two stories, Mace is involved in a nasty gunship crash on a Separatist-controlled planet. He must shake off the effects and stop a planet-destroying weapon from being tested. Yoda's Zen-like advice wafts through his head along the way. Not much substance to this story, but it does have a cool ending.

The first three volumes of this series use lower-quality paper than volumes IV and up and present ads for Dark Horse/Gentle Giant products between each of the stories. The choice to eliminate the ads and improve the book quality for subsequent volumes was a good one and makes the later books feel less disposable.

Clone Wars Adventures Volume Two continues the high standard set by the first volume.

Editorial Review:

In the rolling asteroid rings above a remote planet, General Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker play a deadly game of cat and mouse against Separatist droid fighters - and a squadron of highly skilled human pilots who have pledged their guns to Count Dooku. Find out why Anakin is known as the greatest pilot in the galaxy! Also in this volume, Jedi Master Luminara Unuli and her Padawan Barriss Offee race against time to evacuate farmers and their families before the droid forces of General Grievous overrun their village. When Barriss and her squad of clone troopers are caught in the path of the enemy army, only fast thinking and steel resolve can save the day! Incredible action, hot art, and lightning-fast pacing are coming your way in this new take on the Star Wars galaxy!