Book Review: Eerie Archives, Volume 4

Various authors, Eerie Archives, Volume 4. Milwaukie, OR: Dark Horse Books, 2024. ISBN: 9781506736228. 

Genre: horror

Subgenre: comics

Format: trade paperback

Source: Eastside Branch, Lexington (KY) Public Library 

 

The series continues to be a good and entertaining read. This volume features issues 16-22 of Eerie Magazine. Some of the authors and artists featured include Archie Goodwin, Frank Frazetta, Al Williamson, and Steve Ditko. The variety in art styles is a good reason to read this volume and the series. This volume features an interview with Al Williamson where he discusses his work for EC Comics,  Warren Publishing, and Archie Goodwin.

Some of my favorite stories in this volume include: 

• "Dracula's Guest," an adaptation of a Bram Stoker story.
• "The Final Solution."
• "The Death of Halpin Frayser," an adaptation of an Ambrose Bierce tale. 
• "Side show," about a group of carnival side show performers and a murder mystery. This one offers a solid twist at the end. 

The quality of the tales overall in this volume is a bit inconsistent compared to previous volumes, but there are still plenty of good tales to keep you reading. I always enjoy the literary adaptations. I also enjoy the twists at the end. The best stories in this series usually deliver that twist or surprise at the end that stays with you after reading. 

This continues to be a good series overall. I do recommend it for libraries with graphic novel and comics collections. It makes for good Halloween reading, but you can read it any time. Overall, I really liked it, and I'll keep reading the series down the road. 

4 out of 5 stars. 

This book qualifies for the following 2025 Reading Challenge: 

 

Book Review: Eerie Archives, Volume 3

Archie Goodwin, et.al., Eerie Archives, Volume 3. Milwaukie, OR: Dark Horse, 2023. ISBN: 9781506736211.

Genre: comics, horror

Subgenre: vintage, suspense, mystery

Format: trade paperback

Source: Eastside Branch, Lexington (KY) Public Library 

I continue reading this series and enjoying it. If you enjoy suspense and horror tales with a twist, this volume may be for you. Some of the artists featured include Archie Goodwin, Joe Orlando, and Reed Crandall. The volume includes a foreword by Gail Simone. The volume features two adaptations of Edgar Allan Poe short stories: "The Telltale Heart" and "The Masque of Red Death." The book collects issues 11-15 of Eerie Magazine. 

As Gail Simone describes in her foreword, this was a "dark period" for the publisher as Archie Goodwin, the editor, left along with some of the original artists. Still, I enjoyed the volume. I like the variety of art by different artists. Overall, I found the stories entertaining. 

Some of my favorite tales in this book include: 

• "The Mummy." 
• "The Monster from One Billion B.C." 
• "The Masque of Red Death." 
• "The Past Master." This is an adaptation of a Robert Bloch tale. This tale shows what happens when warnings are not heeded. 
• "The Talkers" reminded me of some classic Twilight Zone episodes. 

In the end, I really liked this volume, and I continue enjoying the series. It was an easy reading. If you like horror with suspense and a bit of the unexpected, this can be for you. The art is black and white, but makes up for it in good use of shadows to bring the tales to life. 

I recommend this for libraries that collect graphic novels and comics. Volumes like this one make it easy for new readers to discover and experience these tales. I'd order it for our library and for my personal collection. 

5 out of 5 stars .

 

Book qualifies for the following 2025 Reading Challenge: 

 

 

Book Review: Eerie Archives, Volume 2

Archie Goodwin, et.al., Eerie Archives, Volume 2. Milwaukie, OR: Dark Horse, 2023. ISBN: 9781506736204. 

Genre: comics, horror

Subgenre: vintage, magazines

Format: large trade paperback

Source: Eastside Branch, Lexington (KY) Public Library  

I continue enjoying this series. This volume collects issues 6-10 of Eerie Magazine. Each issue features seven tales. In addition, the issues include a "Monster Gallery," highlighting a specific monster or creature, the letters to Cousin Eerie with readers commenting on stories, and great covers by Frank Frazetta The cover art is a great reason to pick up this volume. You can get it also for the fun stories of mystery, horror, and supernatural. Eerie had various artists on staff, so you get a great variety of art styles throughout the stories. Most of the scripts were done by Archie Goodwin, but there are a few stories written by others including an adaptation or two of a classic tale. Additionally, I love the inclusion of various vintage ads. One that caught my eye was the ad for Sax Rohmer's early Fu-Manchu novels.

If you enjoy horror and supernatural fiction and comics, you'll enjoy this volume. The stories often have a twist or sudden revelation at the end that adds to the horror. I enjoyed reading the tales two or three at a time, just relishing the horror, suspense, and art. This volume can be a great selection to read in the Halloween season, but you can enjoy it any time of the year. Once in a while you want some horror but nothing too heavy. This volume is perfect for that. The stories and art draw you in, and you want to keep reading. 

Some of my favorite stories in the volume include: 

• "The Curse of Kali." A British expedition in India messing with local curses despite the warnings. Naturally, they fail to heed or even acknowledge the warnings and signs until it is too late. 
• "Witches' Tide." This is about a town wanting to destroy a local witch, but there is a deadly twist. 
• "Oversight." This one is a bit reminiscent of the later film "They Live." 
• "Dark Rider." A small group of cowboys caught in a snowstorm realize something or someone sinister is following them. This is an example of what is often called a "weird Western." 
• "Fair Exchange." In this story, an old greedy rich man wants to live forever by transferring his mind to a younger body. He should've done better due diligence.
• "An Occurence at Owl Creek Bridge." This is an adaptation of the Ambrose Bierce tale. The first time I read the tale as a kid I did not quite get it. I wish I had this adaptation back then. The visual element would've helped a lot. I ended up liking the tale now. 

Overall, I highly recommend this volume. Libraries that collect comics and graphic novels need to add this. You get some good value with this collected set and some seriously fun reading. I would buy it for my personal collection.

5 out of 5 stars. 

Top 10 Graphic novels, comics, and manga read in 2024

Continuing with my series of top books I read in 2024, this week we are looking at the graphic novels, comics, and manga I read in 2024. This does not mean they were books published in 2024. These are books that were new to me and that I read in the last year. For this list, some titles have more than one volume. These are titles that I rated four or five stars. Find the list below in no particular order. If reviews are available on this blog, I will provide a link. 

Eerie Archives, Volume 1

 

Eerie Archives, Volume 2

Dark Horse Books is doing a labor of love publishing these classic Warren Publishing horror comics for a new generation.  If you enjoy horror and the macabre, with a twist here or there you'll likely enjoy these. 

The Punisher: the Complete Collection Volume 1

 

The Punisher: the Complete Collection Volume 2

 

The Punisher: the Complete Collection Volume 3

 These three volumes are part of the Marvel MAX series, designed for adult readers. The three volumes feature Garth Ennis' run of the series. The series features good writing and some very good but also gruesome art at times. I will also add a warning due to graphic violence. 

Captain Harlock Classic Collection Volume 1

Captain Harlock Classic Collection Volume 2

 For me, Captain Harlock and his pirate crew were a major part of my childhood, and I watched the anime back in the day. So when I came across this series, I knew I had to read it, and for me, it was a trip back down Memory Lane. If you are fan of the series, you should read this. If you've never experience Captain Harlock, here is your chance. 

The Puerto Rican War; a Graphic History

From my review: "This graphic novel is both a work of history and a work of art. The book looks at the 1950 Nationalist armed insurrection in Puerto Rico, including an assassination attempt on U.S. President Harry Truman." 

 

Spawn Origins Collection, Volume 1

 While I have read Spawn stories here and there, I never really read it from the beginning. This collection takes us back to the beginning. Spawn first came out in 1992. Time has flown since then it seems. 

The Vault of Horror, Volume 1 (EC Archives) 

Another excellent collection of classic horror comics, this time part of the EC Archives series from Dark Horse. I am really enjoying reading these classics, and I hope to read more down the road. 

And that is the list. Thank you for stopping by and reading this. If you have read any good comics, graphic novels, and manga, feel free to share them in the comments. I may find something new to add to my TBR list. 

Next I will be publishing my annual list of cartomancy and esoterica books I read in 2024. This is a little different as I list all the books I read on the topic during the year. I do that as a bit of service to the esoteric community as well as for reader's advisory. So feel free to come back for that. 

Happy reading. 

Book Review: The Vault of Horror, Volume 1

Various authors, The Vault of Horror, Volume 1. Milwaukie, OR: Dark Horse, 2021.ISBN: 9781506721156.

Genre: comics and graphic novels

Subgenre: horror, vintage, suspense

Series: EC Archives

Format: large trade paperback

Source: Eastside Branch, Lexington (KY) Public Library 

This is another good entry in the EC Archives series from Dark Horse. This volume includes issues 12-17 of the horror comics series. Some of the artists featured include Jack Davis, Al Feldstein, Bill Gaines, and Harvey Kurtzman. 

In this volume, the strips are in full color, which makes the art look better. There is some variety in the horror stories. Many of the stories deal in some element of crime; this may reflect the magazine's previous title: War Against Crime. You also get tales of suspense, occult, and horror. Stories are good and entertaining. Many of the stories have some morality element or lesson, a common feature in these kind of comics. Stories are relatively short, so they are quick and easy reads. If you are looking for some light suspense and horror, this volume is a good choice. 

In addition, the volume includes features such as the Vault Keeper's Corner (letters to the editor) and the vintage advertisements. Those features add to the charm of the book, and they take us back in time a bit. 

Overall, this is another great addition to the series. I do recommend it for libraries collecting comics and graphic novels. This would be a teens and up reader. I really like this one, and I will look for others in the series. 

4 out of 5 stars.

 

Qualifies for the following 2024 Reading Challenge: 

 

 

Book Review: Eerie Archives, Volume 1

Archie Godwin, et.al., Eerie Archives, Volume 1. Milwaukie, OR; Dark Horse Books, 2023. ISBN: 9781506736198.

Genre: graphic novels and comics

Subgenre: horror, macabre, vintage

Format: trade paperback

Source: Eastside Branch, Lexington (KY) Public Library

 

This volume collects the first five issues of Eerie Magazine as published by Warren Publisher. The magazine first appeared in 1962 in part to take advantage of Creepy Magazine's success. With stories by Archie Goodwin, the magazine features art from artists such as Frank Frazetta, Al Williamson, and Steve Ditko. The volume features a foreword by Forrest J. Ackerman. 

On a bit of trivia note that this is a magazine, not a comic book. As Ackerman explains, "Like Creepy, Eerie was a magazine-format publication and thus avoided having to earn the seal of the Comics Code Authority" (4). That was a savvy choice. Another advantage of the large format, which I highly appreciate, is that it enhances readability. The print and writing are a lot easier to read. In addition, you can appreciate the art and make out the details a lot better with the larger format. 

If you enjoy horror thrillers and the macabre, often with a twist at the end, you'll enjoy these stories. You get stories about monsters, mad scientists, and zombies plus ghosts, crimes, and other mysteries. There is something for just about every reader. Stories are not terribly long, just a few pages each, so you can read one or a few in one sitting. The stories draw you in along with the black and white art. 

I really enjoyed reading these. Granted, not all stories are original; variants of Frankenstein's monster are plentiful, but they are fun to read. There are still plenty of original stories as well. Some of my favorites in this volume include: 

• "Death Plane."
• "Eye of the Beholder."
• "Under the Skin."
• "Hatchet Man." 

I am sure readers will find favorites here as well. These are stories and art that are a pleasure to read. I enjoyed taking my time reading through this volume. 

The publisher of this archives edition has done a great job in terms of format and aesthetic. They even include the magazine's letters to the editor and the old time magazine ads. That just adds to the overall charm. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this, and I will look for the next volume in the series. I highly recommend it for libraries that collect comics and graphic novels. These volumes are a great way to introduce these tales to a new generation of readers. This is one I would personally add to my collection. 

5 out of 5 stars. 

 

Qualifies for the following 2024 Reading Challenge: 

 

 

Miscellaneous short booknotes

These are some short quick reviews of items I've read recently, but that may not need a regular review, or I just do not have the time to write a long review or feel like writing one. Anyhow, here we go.

Kia Asamiya, Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace- Manga. Volumes 1 and 2. Milwaukie, OR: Dark Horse Comics, 1999.

This is the two-volumes manga adaptation of the film. Dark Horse basically
takes the Japanese manga adaptation and translates it into English. Overall, the manga looks good, and it is pretty faithful to the film. It's an easy and fun read overall, and I really liked them.

4 out of 5 stars.

ISBN (Vol. 1): 1-56971-483-5.
ISBN (vol. 2): 1-56971-484-3.


Randel Plowman, curator. Masters: Collage: Major Works by Leading Artists.. New York: Lark Books, 2010. ISBN: 978-1-60059-108-2.

Another volume in the Masters series of art books from Lark Books. This one looks at 40 artists who create collages in a broad range of forms from retro art to abstract art. The curator/editor picked these forty artists from a list of 200 plus artists to present "the work of some of the most exceptional collage artists working today" (7). Overall, it is a nice book to look over. Quality in the art can vary; I liked some of the pieces better than others, but your mileage can vary.

3 out of 5 stars.


Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman, Are We Out of the Driveway Yet? Zits Sketchbook 11. Kansas City, MO: Andrews McMeel, 2006. ISBN: 978-0-7407-6199-7.

The 11th sketchbook collection in the popular series where the authors catch teenage character and
angst oh so well. Maybe a bit too well because I'll be honest, if I was Jeremy's parent, I might have smacked him once or twice for his misbehavior. The authors also catch well what it is like to be parents of a teenager. Highlights in this volume include Jeremy learning to drive, online package tracking, and other hijinks. Overall, I really liked it for a light and entertaining read.

4 out of 5 stars.


Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman, Dance Like Everybody's Watching. Kansas City, MO: Andrews McMeel, 2018. ISBN: 978-1-4494-9511-4.

This collection is an oversized volume. If features weekly strips in black and white and full color for the Sunday strips. Highlights here include Jeremy working at the grocery store missing the plantains (believe me, for Puerto Ricans and other Latinos, that is funny), Jeremy losing his cell phone (how can you tell time without it?), and looking over DNA results. Again, if you enjoy this series, you'll like this one. It is fun, light, and humorous reading. I really liked it.

4 out of 5 stars.


Jim Davis, Garfield Slurps and Burps: His 67th Book. New York: Ballantine Books, 2019. ISBN: 9781984817730.

The series keeps on going. Strips in this volume start on Christmas season, which felt timely for me
as I read it around Thanksgiving at the time. There is not much really new here. These comics are basically comfort reading; by now you know what you are getting. A highlight in this volume is Jon not knowing what to do with the telephone land line he forgot he had.  Made me wonder if there are people like that out there. In the end, I liked it. It's cute, amusing, and a quick read.

3 out of 5 stars.


Christine Heap, Big Book of Trains. East Rutherford, NJ: DK Publishing, 1998.  ISBN: 978-0-7894-3436-4.

An oversize book from the National Railway Museum in York, England. It is a big picture book for
children, and it is pretty good. The book features some good photographs of historical and modern trains. In addition, the book offers a good amount of information and trivia on these trains. It may be written in simple language for children, but I found myself learning quite a bit from it. The book even features some pull out pages. Though geared for children, I think that children of all ages who like trains will enjoy this book, I really liked it.

4 out of 5 stars.

Jim Davis, Garfield Chickens Out: his 61st Book. New York: Ballantine, 2016. 

I thought I had read this before, but it turns out it was new to me when I picked it up at the public library. Another nice comfort read. If you are a fan, you'll like it, but this is just good overall for anyone looking for nice and light humor. 3 out of 5 stars.



Charles M. Schulz, Snoopy: What's Wrong With Dog Lips? A Peanuts Collection. Kansas City, MO: Andrews McMeel, 2017.

This is a Peanuts collection with a bit more focus on Snoopy. In this series, Snoopy fractures a foot, gets a visit from his brother Spike, and travels to Wimbledon but ends up in Kansas City. It's a nice collection, and it is also in full color. It does have one or two fairly dark strips such as Charlie Brown wanting to be black topped on his pitcher's mound (hints suicide). Of course, Lucy remains the bully she always is but that is toned down a bit here. Otherwise, most of the comics are amusing. I liked it overall, and it was a nice light read. 3 out of 5 stars.

Booknote: Star Wars: Crimson Empire

Mike Richardson, et.al., Star Wars: Crimson Empire. Milwaukie, OR: Dark Horse Comics, 1998. ISBN: 1569713553.

 

Genre: comics and graphic novels

Subgenre: science fiction, space opera, Star Wars

Format: trade paperback

Source: I own this one. 

 

After the fall of the Empire, Carnor Jax, a member of the Imperial Guard, betrays the Emperor and the other guardsmen. Fiercely loyal guard Kir Kanos vows to avenge his master. Circumstances make Kanos have to work with the Rebel Alliance in order to get Jax. 

This volume collects issues 1-6 of the series. This is a fairly light story with not much substance. It does give glimpses into the lore and training of the Imperial Guard. Otherwise it is a story of revenge leading to a final confrontation. The art is good for the comics. On another positive, this is one of those stories before Disney bought Star Wars and drove it to the ground. 

Overall, I liked this one. It was a quick and light read. It was an OK story in Star Wars featuring other than the usual main characters. 

3 out of 5 stars. 

Book qualifies for this 2020 Reading Challenge: 

Booknote: Star Wars Return of the Jedi- Manga, Volume 4

Shin-ichi Hiromoto, Star Wars Return of the Jedi- Manga, Volume 4. Milwaukie, OR: Dark Horse Comics, 1999. ISBN: 1-56971-397-9.

Genre: manga
Subgenre: Star Wars, film adaptations, science fiction
Format: paperback
Source: Berea branch of the Madison County (KY) Public Library

This slim volume is part of a series that Dark Horse comics published in parts for the original trilogy of films. It is an English translation of the Japanese manga adaptation of the films. My local public library has some of the volumes, but their collection is not complete (and like public libraries often do, they have not bothered replacing the missing volumes).

Overall, this manga is a pretty close and faithful adaptation of the film. This particular volume covers the last segment of Return of the Jedi. If you are a fan of the films, you will probably like this. I sure did. The art is good, faithful to the material. It captures the fun and excitement of the film well.

I think if Dark Horse or someone else reprinted this series in omnibus editions, it could make a successful venture. In the end, I really liked it, and I do recommend it; hopefully you can find the full set.

4 out of 5 stars.

Booknote: Star Wars: The Stark Hyperspace War

John Ostrander, et.al., Star Wars: the Stark HyperspaceWar. Milwaukie, OR: Dark Horse Comics, 2004. ISBN: 1569719853.

Genre: comics and graphic novels
Subgenre: Star Wars, science fiction
Format: paperback
Source: I got this at Half Price Books

The description says this was "another major battle" before the Clone Wars. It was not quite. In a nutshell, Iaco Stark, pirate, smuggler, and shady trader, schemes to limit the supply and create a monopoly on bacta, a crucial healing agent. He gets together a bunch of other pirates and smugglers into a "commercial combine" to carry out his plan. The Trade Federation hopes to use Stark's aggressions to their own ends. Naturally it falls to the Jedi to stop it.

Overall, the main issue is that the story is not that good, and the plots can get messy at times. The story is told as a flashback of older Jedi telling the story to younger ones. This frame device makes no difference; the author could have done the story without it. Aside from seeing some favorite Jedi in younger days, like Obi-Wan Kenobi and Quinlon Vos, the story is not much. For me, this was just OK. This is definitely a book to borrow and move on.

2 out of 5 stars.

Short booknotes on graphic novels 25 plus an extra or two

This is another list of comics and graphic novels that I have read recently. These are mostly quick reads, so I am just doing some short review notes. Most of these came from the Madison County (KY) Public Library unless otherwise noted.

Lincoln Pierce, Big Nate: Great Minds Think Alike. Kansas City, MO: Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2014. ISBN: 978-1-4494-36353.

In this volume, Nate's dad basically ruins Halloween by handing out soy nuts. Believe me, you do not want to have him for a dad. The plot with Mr. Ross the art teacher was pretty amusing. In the end, it was an amusing collection, some strips better than others. I liked it, but this is basically a volume to borrow.

3 out of 5 stars.


Kris Wilson, et.al., Cyanide and Happiness: Stab Factory. Los Angeles, CA: Boom! Box, 2015. ISBN: 978-1-66886-769-1.

This is a collection from the webcomic. It features comics you probably saw online plus 30 strips new for the book. Honestly, it amazes me this comic survives. It tries to be subversive, edgy, and dark, but if this book is an indicator, most of the strips' humor just falls flat. As I read, I counted about five strips in the whole collection that could be considered humorous. The rest are just blah overall. They are not bad, but they are nothing to write home about.  Do note the book has an advisory that  it is for mature readers.  But to be honest, it's not really that edgy. As kids would say, it was mostly meh. Borrow it if you must, or just read the comic for free online if you have to.

Borrowed from Hutchins Library, Berea College.

2 out of 5 stars (barely).


Jim Davis, Garfield Cleans His Plate: His 60th Book. New York: Ballantine Books, 2015. ISBN: 978-0-345-52608-3.

By now, Davis is in his stride. Jon continues getting along with Liz, and Garfield is up to his usual antics. Some highlights in this book include Jon losing his cellphone (and liking it, a feeling I can relate to), Garfield watching the Laughing Baby Channel (now there is an idea for a television channel), and Jon calls a fortune teller. Overall, I liked it. Nice easy read.

3 out of 5 stars.

Jim Davis, Garfield Cooks Up Trouble: His 63rd Book. New York: Ballantine Books, 2017. ISBN: 978-0-425-28562-6.

Though the title suggests this book might emphasize food and cookery humor, it is just another basic compilation of strips. It is a nice, easy read but no big deal. Highlights include Jon having a smart ass mobile phone assistant (think Siri), Garfield watching scary movies, and Garfield trying to convince Santa Claus he's been good.

3 out of 5 stars.


Jim Davis, Garfield Feeds His Face: His 64th Book. New York: Ballantine Books, 2017. ISBN: 978-0-425-28567-1.

It was a nice and light read with some cute and amusing moments. Davis does strive to keep up with trends such as cellphone use. Otherwise, the book is not much different from others. I am enjoying Jon's interactions with Liz.

3 out of 5 stars.


Jim Davis, Garfield Eats and Runs: His 65th Book. New York: Ballantine Books, 2018. ISBN: 978-0-425-28572-5.

Another Garfield collection. Still amusing and entertaining though the humor can be a little inconsistent on this one. A nice easy read.

3 out of 5 stars. 


Greg Farshtey, et.al., Night of the Nindroids (LEGO Ninjago #9). New York: Papercutz, 2014.

This is a nice little comic featuring the Ninjago ninjas from LEGO. In this issue, Zane, the droid ninja, is tempted to join the Nindroids. Will he betray his friends? The book has a few twists and turns. It's a good story, but it does not feel to be among the better ones in the series. The art is nice and very colorful. The volume also features a bonus story with Lloyd the green ninja. Fans will likely enjoy it. For me, it was a quick read. Unless your kids or you are fans, it is better to borrow this one. For libraries that already get LEGO books for children, this is likely a good option.

3 out of 5 stars.


Joel M. Hoffman, The Bible's Cutting Room Floor. New York: Thomas Dunne Books, 2014. ISBN:  9781250047960. 

A look at the many books and parts of what we know as the Bible that got left out, cut out, edited out over time for a variety of reasons, but often to enforce control and uniformity. Sure we know that Adam and Eve got kicked out of Eden, but did you know there are stories of what happened to them right afterwards? Also, there are way more psalms than the 150 you find in the Bible.  The book looks at various old texts that did not quite make it to answer a variety of questions. Like most scholarly books, it is fairly dry and not easy to read. I wanted to like this, and the topic seemed interesting, but it was a drag to read. Professor Hoffman does provide a good section of notes and bibliography for folks wanting to learn more. 2 out of 5 stars.

 
Tom Taylor, Star Wars: Darth Maul-- Death Sentence. Milwaukie, OR: Dark Horse Comics, 2013. ISBN: 978-1-61655--077-6.

Darth Maul, after being rescued and restored from his almost lethal duel with Obi Wan Kenobi, is wreaking havoc with his brother Savage Oppress. When mining magnate Ja'Boag puts a bounty on their heads, they decide to target him. However, Ja'Boag has his own private army, and the Jedi are willing to help him.

The story is a quick read with a good amount of action. It takes place after the events of Star Wars Episode One: The Phantom Menace. It is entertaining and a light story overall. Fans will likely appreciate it. I liked it overall.  3 out of 5 stars.

Max Bemis, et.al., Centipede. Volume 1: Game Over. Mt. Laurel, NJ; Dynamite Entertainment, 2018. ISBN:  9781524105860.

I do not have much to say about this book. It took me so long to post feedback because honestly I wanted to like this, and it was just a disappointment. I grew up on the classic Centipede game of the 80s, and this comic just does not do any justice to that. It starts out well, then it turns into a convoluted incoherent mess that one just does not know what or where to focus on. Overall, I usually like Dynamite Comics (often a lot), but this was not good. Oh well, I will wait for something better down the road. I do not recommend libraries adding this to their graphic novel collections (I am not adding it to ours).  1 out of 5 stars (barely). 

Booknote: Star Wars Omnibus: Boba Fett

John  Wagner, Star Wars Omnibus: Boba Fett. Milwaukie, OR: Dark Horse, 2010. ISBN: 978-1-59582-418-9.

Genre: comics and graphic novels
Subgenre: Star Wars, adventure, science fiction
Format: trade paperback
Source: Main branch of the Madison County (KY) Public Library 

This is a Dark Horse compilation of comics featuring the feared bounty hunter. The volume contains nine stories of varying length. Stories range from serious to some light humor here or there. The stories overall were good and entertaining.

The art is another matter entirely. Art in this volume is somewhat  inconsistent in terms of quality. The comics are drawn by different artists, which provides a good art sampling. Unfortunately that sampling is just not that good. The art really fails to do justice to these stories. I like the volume overall, but I wish the art was better, a bit less cartoonish perhaps.

If you enjoy Star Wars before Disney got their hands on it, these compilations are a good value and good reading if you can  find them. Like many series, quality can vary. I'd say if you are a Boba Fett fan, this is for you. For other readers, pick it up for the plots and tales.

3 out of 5 stars.

Booknote: Neil Gaiman's Forbidden Brides

Neil Gaiman, with Shane Oakley (artist), Forbidden Brides of the Faceless Slaves in the Secret House of the Night of Dread Desire. Milwaukie, OR: Dark Horse Books, 2017. ISBN: 978-1-50670-140-0.

Genre: graphic novels and comics
Subgenre: Gothic fiction
Format: hardcover
Source: Berea branch of the Madison County (KY) Public Library

I was not impressed by this comic. The story feels more like filler than anything substantial. The plot is about a Gothic writer in his castle who want to write "serious" literature in order to gain respect. Instead, to his chagrin, he writes Gothic literature about frail women, the undead, and other night mysteries. To complicate things, he gets interrupted by his raven and his butler among others.

The comic is supposed to be a satirical take on writers who take themselves too seriously. It does not really work. The plot seems like a mess. The one positive feature is Shane Oakley's art, which captures the Gothic atmosphere well.

I did some looking around after reading this volume. This comic, it turns out, is an adaptation of a short story in Gaiman's anthology Fragile Things. A few fans swear "the joke" works better in prose. I say if you need explain the joke or identify it as a joke, it does not work. This was a case of a short story adaptation to comics that was  not needed. I usually like Gaiman's work, but this is nowhere near his  best. It was OK. . . barely.

2 out of 5 stars (barely).

This book qualifies for the following 2017 Reading Challenges:

Booknote: Usagi Yojimbo, Vol. 31: The Hell Screen

Stan Sakai, Usagi Yojimbo, Volume 31: The Hell Screen. Milwaukie, OR; Dark Horse Books, 2017. ISBN: 978-1-50670-187-5.

Genre: graphic novels and comics
Subgenre: samurai, furries/anthros, feudal Japan
Format: trade paperback
Source: Berea branch of the Madison County (KY) Public Library

For me, this series is always a pleasure to read. This volume contains fiver stories, including the  title story. The title story is divided into three parts. In this book, Usagi faces various situations from floods and famine in villages to a murder mystery to a perilous journey. Through them all, he is an honorable, brave, and generous samurai. Sakai continues his way of writing good stories, stories that can also often be moving and have at times unexpected turns.

"The Fate of the Elders" is a short piece in this volume, but the outcome makes for a touching and unexpected turn. It was a nice piece overall.

The title story is a murder mystery, and it is a good story that also has a twist at the end. Just when you think the case is solved, the author reveals another layer.

Overall, this is another excellent volume in the series. I definitely recommend it.

5 out of 5 stars.

This book qualifies for the following 2017 Reading Challenges:

Booknote: Usagi Yojimbo: Thieves and Spies

Stan Sakai, Usagi Yojimbo: Thieves and Spies. Milwaukie, OR: Dark Horse Books, 2016. ISBN: 978-1-50670-048-9.

Genre: graphic novels and comics
Subgenre: adventure, feudal Japan, anthropomorphic animals
Format: trade paperback
Source: Berea branch of the Madison County (KY) Public Library. 

This book, volume 30, collects issues 145-151 of the comic book series; these are presented as five stories in the volume. A nice thing about reading this is that you do not need much prior experience to pick up the volume and start reading.

Usagi is a ronin samurai. As a wanderer, he gets into all sorts of situations from helping out a bride to meeting a one-armed samurai. My favorite story was "The One-Armed Swordsman," which is about the samurai with one arm. It has a great ending that is very satisfying. In the series, wherever he goes, Usagi strives for justice and making things right.

The comic does have some light violence, but it overall it is good for most ages. I liked the simple art style that is still very evocative of feudal Japan. It also has some nice humor. Overall, I really liked this one, and I will seek out other volumes in the series.

4 out of 5 stars.

Book qualifies for these 2016 Reading Challenges:

Booknote: Monsters! and Other Stories

Gustavo Duarte, Monster! & Other Stories. Milwaukie, OR: Dark Horse, 2014. ISBN: 978-1-61655-309-8.

Genre: graphic novels and comics
Subgenre: horror, humor
Format; Trade paperback
Source: Berea branch of the Madison County Public Library  

This book collects the title story and two other stories. In "Monsters!", giant monsters invade a city and begin to cause mayhem. It seems to be your typical giant monster story until you get to the twist. In "Có!", a farmer experiences a UFO abduction. In "Birds", two business partners find colleagues in the office dying and the Grim Reaper at their window. Will they be able to stay alive?

The great thing about these stories is the combination of horror and humor. These stories are well within anthology traditions like The Twilight Zone, plus charms and twists that will stay with you well after you are done reading the book. Perhaps I should say looking through the book given the stories are wordless. However, his evocative and charming art tell you all you need. The art is rich and detailed, filled with humor, making this book a pleasure to read. And then you get the story twists that leave you pondering well after the stories are done. Duarte does a great job with story twists. 

Though wordless, this is not a book for children; it does have horror elements. Adults who enjoy some horror blended with humor will definitely enjoy this. I enjoyed  it very much, and I highly recommend it. It is one I would add to my personal collection. 

5 out of 5 stars. 

This book qualifies for the following 2016 Reading Challenges: 

 

Booknote: The Star Wars

J.W. Rinzler, et.al., The Star Wars. New York: Dark Horse Books, 2014. ISBN: 9781616553807.

Genre: graphic novels and comics
Subgenre: science fiction, space opera, Star Wars, films, adaptations
Format: Hardback
Source: My local public library

This is a graphic novel adaptation done by Dark Horse of George Lucas' rough draft screenplay for what would become Star Wars as we know it now. Notice the article "The" as part of the title; that little detail does make a difference. As I read it, I saw some familiar characters and concepts, but it is a very different story than the end product we got at the movies.

If you read this, don't go looking for parallels to the end product. Sure, some elements made it, and others were radically modified in the editing and revision process. For instance, this version is heavy on detail and a lot of minutiae that clearly got cut on the way to make a more (commercially) viable product. Now, you can read as a different story on its own. It's pretty good, though the story's pace can be a bit slow and dense at times. You will find some filler here, so remember this was a rough draft. The rough elements do show.

In the end, it is a decent tale, and yes, it is very different from what we know today. As an adventure tale, it's entertaining and an overall good read. The book is also interesting as a way to see Lucas' creative process in the early stages, and I think some fans will enjoy that. The volume also features a supplement on the making of the comics, a variant cover art gallery, and some draft pages Dark Horse commissioned to show Lucas for approval.

I think libraries with graphic novel collections will want to acquire this one. If they already collect a good amount of Star Wars comics, this can be a nice addition to that collection. Older fans will likely appreciate it not just for the story but as a trivia piece. 

Overall, I really liked this one.

 4 out of 5 stars.

Booknote: The Ghost Fleet, Volume 2

Donny Cates, The Ghost Fleet, Volume 2: Over the Top. Milwaukie, OR: Dark Horse Books, 2015. ISBN: 978-1-61655-711-9.

 Genre: Graphic novels and comics
Subgenre: thriller, mysteries, supernatural, conspiracies
Format: trade paperback
Source: Berea branch of the Madison County (KY) Public Library

With this reading, I complete the series since the series overall got cancelled by the end of issue 8. However, the author and artists decided to go out with a bit explosion of mayhem, giving us an ending of epic proportions.

Trace Morales, trucker for the Ghost Fleet, had his truck stolen, and he is somewhat insane now. He will go through any lengths to get the truck back and keep its cargo from being unleashed. To complicate things, the Ghost Fleet has sent a hit man after Trace, but that may be the least of Trace's concerns.

The volume picks up right where volume 1 left off. It does not let got until the very end. The action is intense and nonstop as the inevitable reckoning arrives. The volume also features great art drawn with solid skill. It is a pity the series was cancelled as the concept had great potential. Overall, this was one I really liked.

4 out of 5 stars.


This book qualifies for the following 2016 Reading Challenges: