Category: Graphic Novel

Title: Bad Girls
Author: Alex de Campi, Victor Santos
Genre: Graphic Novel
Publisher: Gallery 13
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Release Date: July 17, 2018
Rating: ★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

In this heart-pounding, starkly colored, and visually stunning graphic novel, three women have twelve hours to get out of Cuba with six-million dollars on the night of New Year’s Eve 1958.

Gangster’s moll Carole, jazz singer Taffy, and mambo queen Ana all have their reasons for needing to escape the El Eden Casino in Havana. And on the tumultuous night of New Year’s Eve, when Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista flees the country and the nation falls to Fidel Castro, they get their chance…with the help of six suitcases filled with stolen dirty money. Of course, it’s one thing to get the cash…and quite another to get off the island alive.

From the Eisner-nominated writer Alex de Campi and virtuoso artist Victor Santos, this story of three strong and multifaceted women struggling to leave their pasts behind in a tension-filled getaway is timely, fast-paced, and gripping.

Review:

The description of this book makes it sounds like an Oceans Eleven-type heist. But it wasn’t quite like that. There was a lot of murder and politics involved.

I found many of the scenes confusing. The style was a little noir and a little art deco. The scenes were done in monochromatic colours with a lot of shadows, so it was hard to distinguish between characters unless you look very carefully. The men all looked alike and wore similar suits so I got them mixed up, but the women wore different dresses and had different hair styles so it was easy to differentiate between them.

There was a lot of tension in this book. There were some murders and an attempted rape. Some of these scenes were hard to read. There was also a lot of political upheaval in terms of the communists taking over Cuba.

Unfortunately, this book isn’t for me. It wasn’t the type of story I usually like, but I’m sure other readers will enjoy it.

What to read next:

• Mayday by Alex de Campi, Tony Parker, Blond

  

• Smoke 1: Good Boys Grow Up To Be Soldiers by Alex de Campi, Igor Kordey

  

Have you read Bad Girls? What did you think?

 

Title: Morning Glories, Vol. 1: For a Better Future
Author: Nick Spencer
Genre: Graphic Novel
Publisher: Image Comics
Source: Library
Release Date: February 16, 2011
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Morning Glory Academy

One of the most prestigious prep schools in the country…But behind it’s hallowed doors something sinister and deadly lurks. When six brilliant but troubled new students arrive, they find themselves trapped and desperately seeking answers…and escape from a place where nothing is what it seems to be!

Review:

This graphic novel is part teen thriller, part horror. I made the mistake of reading it before bed one night and I couldn’t sleep because there are some particularly gruesome scenes at the beginning, and also because I wanted to see what would happen next.

This first volume set up some potential storylines that could make the rest of the series very exciting. There is a strange connection between all of the new students, because they were all born on the same day. There is also a connection between a Spanish prison in the 15th century and their school. I’m curious to see how these plots develop.

There were some very bloody horror scenes, which I almost had to look away from. One reason why these scenes were disturbing was because the graphics were so good. The images were realistic, so it looked like these things were really happening.

I enjoyed this book, and I can’t wait to find out what happens after the cliffhanger at the end. Have you read this book? What did you think of it?

Title: DC Comics Bombshells, Vol. 1: Enlisted
Author: Marguerite Bennett, Marguerite Sauvage
Genre: Graphic Novel
Publisher: DC Comics
Source: Library
Release Date: March 8, 2016
Rating: ★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

In these stories from issues #1-6 of the hit series, learn the story behind this alternate reality where the Second World War is fought by superpowered women on the front lines and behind the scenes! It all begins with the stories of Batwoman, Wonder Woman and Supergirl.

Review:

In this graphic novel, the super hero women of DC Comics fight in World War II. They were given the name Bombshells, since they were the secret weapon.

Each of the characters were introduced individually. I recognized Wonder Woman’s origin story, when she met Steve Rogers. However, I was confused at the story of Supergirl and Stargirl. In this graphic novel, they were presented as Russian sisters who became the army’s secret weapons. I had no idea who they were until they were introduced by their super hero names. The different backgrounds for them really threw me off.

There was too much going on in this graphic novel. There were a few pages devoted to each super hero, who were all stationed in different places across Europe. It was hard to keep track of them all, especially the ones I wasn’t very familiar with. I wish they had come together in some way to see how they all worked together.

Have you read this book? What did you think of it?

Title: Batgirl, Vol. 1: The Darkest Reflection
Author: Gail Simone, Ardian Syaf, Vicente Cifuentes
Genre: Graphic Novel
Publisher: DC Comics
Source: Library
Release Date: July 7, 2018
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

As a part of the acclaimed DC Comics—The New 52 event of September 2011, Barbara Gordon is finally back as Batgirl!

The nightmare-inducing brute known as Mirror is destroying the lives of Gotham City citizens seemingly at random. Will Barbara be able to survive her explosive confrontation with this new villain, as well as facing dark secrets from her past? A new chapter in the riveting adventures of Batgirl continue in stunning fashion, with script by fan-favorite Gail Simone and stellar art by superstar Ardian Syaf!

This volume collects issues 1-6 of Batgirl, part of the DC Comics—The New 52 event.

Review:

I really liked this graphic novel.

Barbara is a complex character in this story. She is targeted by the villain Mirror. Mirror is trying to kill everyone who survived accidents where others died, and they should have died too, but by some miracle they survived. Barbara is one of the people on his list.  She has to track him down, and stop him from killing all of those survivors.

The graphics were great. Sometimes, the images were too dark because Batgirl and the Mirror were both wearing black. Their battle scenes were a little complicated because I couldn’t tell them apart when they were fighting. But that also shows the intensity of their fighting.

This is a great introduction to this Batgirl series. I’m looking forward to continuing it.

What to read next:

• Batgirl, Vol. 2: Knightfall Descends
  
• Gotham Academy, Vol. 1: Welcome to Gotham Academy
  

Have you read this volume of Batgirl or any others? What did you think?

Title: Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Vol. 1: The Crucible
Author: Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Robert Hack
Genre: Graphic Novel
Publisher: Archie Comics
Source: Library
Release Date: August 16, 2016
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

On the eve of her sixteenth birthday, the young sorceress Sabrina Spellman finds herself at a crossroads, having to choose between an unearthly destiny and her mortal boyfriend, Harvey. But a foe from her family’s past has arrived in Greendale, Madame Satan, and she has her own deadly agenda. Archie Comics’ latest horror sensation starts here! For TEEN+ readers. Compiles the first six issues of the ongoing comic book series Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.

Review:

It’s been a long time since I thought I shouldn’t read a particular book before bed. This one was so creepy and disturbing, that I thought it would give me nightmares!

This definitely isn’t the same Sabrina the Teenage Witch that I grew up reading and watching on TV. She lives in a much darker town with murdering witches and dark spells. I didn’t realize just how “chilling” this graphic novel would be.

My favourite character has always been Salem, and he was just as great in this book. He’s sarcastic and funny, but he’s always looking out for Sabrina.

I also liked the cameo appearances of the gang from Riverdale. Two witches from their coven come to visit and help out at the end: Betty and Veronica!

I enjoyed this graphic novel, though I had to look away from the bloody graphics at times. Have you read it? What did you think?

Title: Giant Days, Vol. 3
Author: John Allison, Lissa Treiman, Whitney Cogar
Genre: Graphic Novel
Publisher: BOOM! Box
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Release Date: October 11, 2016
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Best friends Susan, Esther, and Daisy are rounding out their first semester at university. The girls, along with their male hall-mates Ed and McGraw, find that college is more than academics and bad microwavable meals. Add some pub-hopping, hookups, breakups, and political scandal and this might just be the most eventful first semester ever.

Review:

I liked this volume the best so far. The characters developed and the story moved along quickly.

Ed met a few girls and had hookups that didn’t all work out as planned. Esther’s old friend Lindsay came to visit and made them all party way to hard. Meanwhile, the student union president was kicked out, and Susan was pressured by an unknown person to abolish the student government. They also visit the great outdoors and the dark night world.

I really like the complexity of these graphic novels. There is a lot more that goes on around the main characters, such as drama with their student union or classes.

Have you read this volume or the rest of the series? What did you think?

Title: Guardians of the Galaxy, Volume 1: Cosmic Avengers
Author: Brian Michael Bendis, Steve McNiven, Sara Pichelli
Genre: Graphic Novel
Publisher: Marvel
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Release Date: August 28, 2013
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

There’s a new rule in the galaxy: No one touches Earth!

But why has Earth suddenly become the most important planet in the galaxy? That’s what the Guardians of the Galaxy are going to find out!

Join Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, Rocket Raccoon, Groot and–wait for it–the Invincible Iron Man as they embark upon one of the most explosive and eye-opening chapters of Marvel NOW! The secrets these galactic Avengers discover will rattle Marvel readers for years to come! But while London deals with a brutal invasion by the Badoon, the fate of the Guardians may have already been decided millions of miles away! Why wait for the movie? It all starts here!

Review:

The Guardians of the Galaxy movies are some of my favourite Marvel movies. This is the first Guardians of the Galaxy graphic novel I’ve read, and I enjoyed it.

This story is a great intro to the Guardians. It starts with Star-Lord’s parents meeting. They had a different life than in the movie, but it still ended in his father leaving Earth. His father was not a nice person in this story, which is not surprising from the movies.

One change that I didn’t like was Groot! He is adorable in the movie, but he looks like a giant tree monster in this graphic novel. I guess that’s how he was originally drawn, but he is just so cute in the movie that it was a little scary to see this version of him.

I will definitely look for more Guardians of the Galaxy graphic novels! Have you read any? What did you think of them?

Title: Lumberjanes, Vol. 2: Friendship to the Max
Author: Noelle Stevenson, Grace Ellis, Shannon Watters
Genre: Graphic Novel
Publisher: BOOM! Box
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Release Date: October 13, 2015
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

What a mystery!

Jo, April, Mal, Molly, and Ripley are not your average campers and Miss Qiunzella Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet’s Camp for Hardcore Lady-Types is not your average summer camp. Between the river monsters, magic, and the art of friendship bracelets, this summer is only just beginning. Join the Lumberjanes as they take on raptors and a sibling rivalry that only myths are made of.

This New York Times bestseller and Eisner Award-nominated series is written by awesome all-star Noelle Stevenson and brilliant newcomer Grace Ellis, and illustrated by the tremendously talented Brooke Allen.

Review:

This is another great Lumberjanes story!

The story arc that was started in the first volume was completed in this one. It was unpredictable. You never now what’s going to happen at Miss Qiunzella Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet’s Camp for Hardcore Lady-Types.

My favourite part was the introduction of Greek mythology. I suspected it when Diana appeared, but I was so excited to see more of the myths explored. I was surprised at who Apollo was too! It was a great conclusion to this chapter of the story.

Have you read this book or other Lumberjanes books? What did you think?

Title: A Quick & Easy Guide to They/Them Pronouns
Author: Archie Bongiovanni, Tristan Jimerson
Genre: Graphic Novel
Publisher: Limerence Press
Source: Paperback from Publisher
Release Date: June 12, 2018
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Archie, a snarky genderqueer artist, is tired of people not understanding gender neutral pronouns. Tristan, a cisgender dude, is looking for an easy way to introduce gender neutral pronouns to his increasingly diverse workplace. The longtime best friends team up in this short and fun comic guide that explains what pronouns are, why they matter, and how to use them. They also include what to do if you make a mistake, and some tips-and-tricks for those who identify outside of the binary to keep themselves safe in this binary-centric world. A quick and easy resource for people who use they/them pronouns, and people who want to learn more!

Review:

This is a great guide to gender pronouns.

I learned a lot from this book. I recently read a book with a non binary character, and it was hard to get used to the use of “they” to refer to a single person. I was always taught that you shouldn’t use “they” to refer to one person in your writing if you don’t know the gender, or you want it to be universal, and instead you should use “one” or “a person.” This book shows how the pronouns “they/them” and others should be used today.

The book also gives examples of how to handle situations where you are unsure of or use the incorrect pronoun. For instance, it is better to try and use the correct pronoun, rather than just ignoring the person’s wishes. You shouldn’t ask someone what pronoun they “prefer” because their gender identity isn’t a preference. Gender identity is who they are, so they can’t change it. Instead you should ask what pronoun they use. These kinds of sensitivities are important in the modern world of multiple different gender identities.

This is a great guide to pronouns, in an accessible graphic novel format. It is short and informative, with some humour in the illustrations.

Have you read this guide? What did you think of it?