Category: Graphic Novel

Title: Captain Canuck, Volume 1: Aleph
Author: Kalman Andrasofsky
Genre: Graphic Novel
Publisher: Chapterhouse Publishing
Source: NetGalley
Release Date: February 13, 2018
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Born of the true north and tested in war, Captain Canuck is thrust into battle at the head of the global crisis intervention agency called Equilibrium. He must find his way as warrior, leader, and ultimately, hero to save humanity from the machinations of Mr. Gold, Blue Fox, and the even more menacing forces that watch from the shadows. Collects issues #1-6.

Review:

Before getting this book, I had never heard of Captain Canuck. I was glad to find such a patriotic, Canadian super hero.

In general, the story was interesting. The villain created a kind of gold that invaded and controlled people. It was very hard to remove from a person, and creepy to read about. I also liked the Toronto references. One of the final issues in the volume was even set right in the heart of the city, in Nathan Phillips Square beside the famous TORONTO sign.

There were a few problems with the story. I wish there was more of an introduction to the story. I wasn’t familiar with the characters so I would have liked to get to know them before being thrown into the story. One of the characters was French, which was an awesome inclusion of another aspect of Canada. However, there was a part where she was speaking French and there was no translation. I know some French, but these French passages really slowed me down. It would be difficult for people who don’t speak French to read that part.

Overall, this was a pretty good graphic novel. It’s great for Canadian superhero fans.

Title: Archie, Volume 2
Author: Mark Waid, Veronica Fish
Genre: Graphic Novel
Publisher: Archie Comics
Source: Gift
Release Date: December 20, 2016
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

The all-new ARCHIE adventure continues! Superstar writer Mark Waid teams up with the best and brightest artists in comics to bring a modern take to the legendary Riverdale cast of characters. The book will captures the bite and hilarious edge of Archie’s original tales in a modern, forward-looking manner, while still retaining the character’s all-ages appeal. If classic Archie is a Saturday morning cartoon, this new series is prime time!

Review:

I love this new Archie series. I was hooked on Archie comics when I was little, so I love being able to read this updated version.

This story continues from the first volume. Mr. Lodge still hates Archie. He tries to get Veronica to date Reggie instead, but she loves Archie. At the same time, Betty and Archie’s friendship is rocky. They’re both dating new people, so they have to adjust to not dating each other. It even leads to a fight that ends at the talent show.

I love the art in these graphic novels. Sometimes the art slows down the pace of the story, by having frames without any words. Some frames drift slowly from Archie’s house to Betty’s house, to show that they aren’t speaking. There is still a lot to be read into these frames, even though there isn’t actually any dialogue.

I love this series. This volume ended on a cliffhanger, so I’m going to have to read the next one soon!

Title: Harley Quinn, Volume 3: Kiss Kiss Bang Stab
Author: Amanda Conner
Genre: Graphic Novel
Publisher: DC Comics
Source: Purchased
Release Date: December 15, 2015
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

NOW HIRING: ASSISTANT HARLEYS!

What with working full time as a psychiatrist, managing an apartment building full of needy tenants and rambunctious pets, skating in the roller derby and trying to start up a new romance, Harley Quinn has precious little time left over for her mission of do-gooding. Time to expand her operation with her very own team of assistants!

But only the best can trusted to spread Harley’s values of honor, trustworthiness and insubordination. The hiring process will be competitive…and bloody!

And that’s not all! In this volume, Harley also breaks into Arkham Asylum to save her bestie Poison Ivy, falls hard for dashing millionaire Bruce Wayne and spreads her own unique brand of holiday cheer.

Review:

This is another entertaining story featuring my favourite villain, Harley Quinn.

As you can tell from the cover, Harley encounters Bruce Wayne aka Batman in this story. Harley enters an auction to purchase a date with the millionaire. Of course, he knows that she’s Harley Quinn, but she doesn’t know that he is Batman, and the nemesis of her ex-boyfriend, the Joker. That made a very funny and one-sided situation.

Like other Harley Quinn comics, this one refers to the artists of the graphic novels. Sometimes, Harley had daydreams which are illustrated by different artists. She says it’s to give the artists a break so they can continue to draw the rest of the story. I love these funny comments on the creation of the graphic novel.

At the end of the story, Harley has recruited some personal assistants who will become her gang of Harleys. I look forward to seeing these new characters in the next graphic novels!

Title: Harley Quinn, Vol. 2: Power Outage
Author: Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti
Genre: Graphic Novel
Publisher: DC Comics
Source: Purchased
Release Date: April 14, 2015
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

The first rule of Skate Club is…you do not mess with the Mistress of Mayhem! Harley stumbles across an underground fight club where big money winds with a body count. She’s in…and she’s making Sy Borgman her agent for the fights. And wha would happen if the demented Clown Princess of Crime visited the most popular comic con out there? Find out when Harley Quinn invades Comic-Con!!

Review:

This is another fabulous graphic novel featuring Harley!

In this graphic novel, we learn more about Harley’s past, such as how she got her pet beaver.

There was so much that happened in this collection. I wish I had read this series before reading the current Rebirth series, because there is so much background given on Harley in these graphic novels that carry on to the current series.

I love it when Harley ventures into the real world. She wants to have her own comics published so she goes after DC artists and executives at Comic-Con. And as you can imagine, Harley causes chaos!

I loved this graphic novel! I have the next ones in the series, so I will be reviewing them soon.

Title: Batman/Shadow: The Murder Geniuses
Author: Steve Orlando, Scott Snyder
Genre: Graphic Novel
Publisher: DC Comics
Source: NetGalley
Release Date: November 28, 2017
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

From the incredible minds of iconic authors Scott Snyder and Steve Orlando comes the resurgence of a classic noir character. The Shadow was a major influence of the Batman himself and now appears in this incredible six issue crossover event.

While investigating the murde of a Gothamite, Batman identifies his prime suspect as Lamont Cranston… but there are two problems with that. One, Batman is not aware Lamont’s alter ego is the master detective known as the Shadow. Two, and more importantly, Cranston seems to have died over half a century ago!

Collects BATMAN/THE SHADOW #1-6 and stories from BATMAN ANNUAL #1.

Review:

This is the first Batman comic I’ve read and I really enjoyed it.

The graphics looked older, so it looks like a classic Batman comic. This is great for such an iconic character, like Batman.

I liked the way the story arc was completed through the whole graphic novel. It was a great mystery that left a cliffhanger at the end of each issue. This made me want to keep reading.

Though I know of the Batman characters, I’ve never read a Batman comic before, but I really enjoyed this one. I didn’t feel like I was missing out on anything. This is a great graphic novel!