Category: Graphic Novel

Title: Anne of Green Gables
Author: Mariah Marsden
Genre: Graphic Novel
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Source: NetGalley
Release Date: October 24, 2017
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Schoolyard rivalries. Baking disasters. Puffed sleeves. Explore the violet vales and glorious green of Avonlea in this spirited adaptation.

The magic of L.M. Montgomery’s treasured classic is reimagined in a whimsically-illustrated graphic novel adaptation perfect for newcomers and kindred spirits alike. When Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert decide to adopt an orphan who can help manage their family farm, they have no idea what delightful trouble awaits them. With flame-red hair and an unstoppable imagination, 11-year-old Anne Shirley takes Green Gables by storm.

Anne’s misadventures bring a little romance to the lives of everyone she meets: her bosom friend, Diana Barry; the town gossip, Mrs. Lynde; and that infuriating tease, Gilbert Blythe. From triumphs and thrills to the depths of despair, Anne turns each everyday moment into something extraordinary.

Review:

It’s been many years since I read Anne of Green Gables. As a Canadian girl, this was part of our “required reading.”

This is a great graphic novel adaptation. Marsden stays faithful to the original story. It is also very brief because a lot is said through the illustrations rather than words.

I loved Anne (with an ‘e’)! She’s funny, sarcastic, and dramatic. She kept me laughing through the whole book.

I liked the bright illustrations in the story. They would be very appealing to young children. Anne reminded me a lot of the girl who plays her on the most recent TV series, so she looks like the contemporary image of Anne.

This graphic novel would be great for fans of the original novel and new readers! I highly recommend it.

 

Title: Harley Quinn, Vol. 1: Hot in the City
Author: Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti
Genre: Graphic Novel
Publisher: DC Comics
Source: Purchased
Release Date: October 28, 2014
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Fresh from BATMAN: DEATH OF THE FAMILY and SUICIDE SQUAD, Harley Quinn returns to her first solo series in the New 52! The writing team of Jimmy Palmiotti (ALL STAR WESTERN) and Amanda Conner (BEFORE WATCHMEN: SILK SPECTRE) unleashed Harley on an unsuspecting DC Universe, as she encounters various heroes and villains … and leaves no one unscathed in her wake! With art by Chad Hardin and a slew of comics’ best artists including Darwyn Cooke, Sam Kieth, Tony S. Daniel, Paul Pope, Walter Simonson and Art Baltazar!

Collects HARLEY QUINN #0-8.

Review:

Since I’ve been reading the Harley Quinn Rebirth series, I decided to venture into the previous Harley series.

This first volume introduced many of the people and things that are in the latest Harley series. For example, we get to see the creation of the “scatapult,” and how Harley became the landlord of the building.

I loved the first issue in the collection! Harley decides that she wants to have her own comic book (how original!). The creators, Amanda and Jimmy, give her some ideas of how different artists would draw her. Almost every page is drawn by a different DC artist, with Harley in many different situations. It was so cool to see Harley interact with the writers and artists of the graphic novels.

I also liked it when Harley got a job at a nursing home as a psychologist. I could relate to this storyline because my grandmother is in a nursing home with Alzheimer’s disease. There was a twist at the end of that storyline that made me laugh, and I could totally believe it from my experiences.

I have the next volume of Harley Quinn lined up to read soon! I can’t wait to read more of her adventures.

Title: Super Sons, Volume 1: When I Grow Up
Author: Peter J. Tomasi
Genre: Graphic Novel
Publisher: DC Comics
Source: NetGalley
Release Date: October 17, 2017
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Superboy (aka Jonathan Kent) and Robin (aka Damian Wayne) make their super hero duo debut in this all-new series SUPER SONS, part of DC Rebirth.

This debut series looks at the lives of Robin and Superboy and their destiny to follow in their fathers’ footsteps, while we meet a new villain whose ascension parallels the boys’ own understanding of their powers-except that he believes it’s his right to rule over every being on the planet!

Review:

This is a funny graphic novel.

I like that it’s aimed at a young adult audience, though it could be entertaining for adults too. Many DC comics are for adults, and some are for kids, but this one fits nicely in the middle.

Robin and Superboy make an unlikely team. They don’t always succeed in defeating the villain. Actually, they often end up trapped. But that makes for comical situations.

Their families make small appearances in the story, but it mostly focuses on the sons. I like this, since I find that many spin off series can focus too much on background information. Damian and Jon are the sons of Batman and Superman, but their fathers aren’t featured in the story. They boys get to go off and have their own adventures.

I liked this graphic novel and I’m looking forward to the rest of the series!

Title: The Comic Book Story of Video Games
Author: Jonathan Hennessey, Jack McGowan
Genre: Graphic Novel
Publisher: Ten Speed Press
Source: NetGalley
Release Date: October 3, 2017
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

A complete, illustrated history of video games–highlighting the machines, games, and people who have made gaming a worldwide, billion dollar industry/artform–told in a graphic novel format.

Author Jonathan Hennessey and illustrator Jack McGowan present the first full-color, chronological origin story for this hugely successful, omnipresent artform and business. Hennessey provides readers with everything they need to know about video games–from their early beginnings during World War II to the emergence of arcade games in the 1970s to the rise of Nintendo to today’s app-based games like Angry Birds and Pokemon Go. Hennessey and McGowan also analyze the evolution of gaming as an artform and its impact on society. Each chapter features spotlights on major players in the development of games and gaming that contains everything that gamers and non-gamers alike need to understand and appreciate this incredible phenomenon.

Review:

I liked this comic book history of video games.

It gives a thorough history of video games, right from the invention of TVs. It’s fascinating to see how far back the idea of video games goes.

I liked the way that classic video game characters, such as Mario and Sonic, appear throughout the history. It reinforces the video game theme.

Some points in the book were a little dry. There were a lot of details about the World Wars that were boring at times. But the story was always brought back to video games, even if it took a while.

I recommend this book for video game players, especially children, because it teaches about history from a video game perspective.

Title: Wonder Woman, Volume 1: The Lies
Author: Greg Rucka, Liam Sharp, Laura Martin
Genre: Graphic Novel
Publisher: DC Comics
Source: Purchased
Release Date: February 28, 2017
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

New York Times best-selling writer Greg Rucka returns to Wonder Woman! After suffering an unimaginable loss, Diana must rebuild her mission as Earth’s ultimate protector and champion. However, in the midst of her grief, her Lasso of Truth stopped working! Start down the rabbit hole as dark secrets from Wonder Woman’s past unravel her present!

Review:

This is my first Wonder Woman comic, and I really liked it. 

The graphics are amazing in this graphic novel. They are very realistic and detailed. There wasn’t as much dialogue as I expected, so the illustrations are important to the story. Everything from the scenery to the costumes are spectacular. 

I liked this introduction to the character and her story. I liked Wonder Woman right away. She’s a beautiful character. 

I didn’t watch the recent Wonder Woman movie, but I really want to now that I’ve read this story. 

Title: Suicide Squad, Vol. 1: The Black Vault
Author: Rob Williams, Jim Lee
Genre: Graphic Novel
Publisher: DC Comics
Source: Purchased
Release Date: March 7, 2017
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Harley Quinn. Deadshot. Killer Croc. Enchantress. Captain Boomerang. Katana. They’re dangerous. They’re deadly. They’re deeply unstable. And they’re our only hope. They’re the characters from the smash-hit film and they’re here in this great new starting-point graphic novel, SUICIDE SQUAD VOL. 1: THE BLACK VAULT, as part of DC Rebirth!

Assembled by the tough-as-nails intelligence expert Amanda Waller and overseen by disgraced military genius Captain Rick Flag, the men, women and monsters of the Suicide Squad—a.k.a. Task Force X—do the jobs that are too dirty for any superheroes to soil their capes over.

Their latest mission should be easy enough: recover a powerful cosmic weapon called the Black Vault from enemy hands. But what happens when the Black Vault begins turning them into their own worst enemies?

As the object’s dark influence spreads and the team is driven to madness and mayhem (more than usual, that is), there’s only one person sane enough to save the Squad from certain destruction…the Clown Princess of Crazy herself, Harley Quinn!

Review:

After reading Harley Quinn graphic novels, I decided to try out the Suicide Squad, to see her in her glory. This is a great introduction to this group.

This graphic novel was never boring! It was exciting to see the group fighting together. I always had to laugh when Harley messed something up (can you tell she’s my favourite?).

The main story was fairly short. The last half introduced each of the characters individually. Since I wasn’t familiar with most of these characters, I liked reading these mini stories.

I also liked how Waller was the clear leader of the group. She brings them all together, out of their prison cells, and tries to direct their destructive tendencies toward fighting evil.

I enjoyed this graphic novel. It’s a great start to this series.

Title: Rust: Boy Soldier
Author: Royden Lepp
Genre: Graphic Novel
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Source: NetGalley
Release Date: April 5, 2016
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

The story of the Boy Soldier begins!

Made to look like a boy but built for battle, Jet Jones is a robot caught in the middle of an ongoing war. While trying to save as many people as he can, Jet discovers there is more to who he is and what he was made for than he could have ever imagined. His experiences in the war set him off on a journey to learn what it means to both hero and human. It is the first adventure of many for the rocket boy.

Review:

This is a beautiful graphic novel.

I loved the images in this story. It has a sepia colour scheme, which gives it a flashback quality to it. The artist was able to convey perspective very well. Some parts would be in focus while the rest of the panel was out of focus, making it look three dimensional.

I also like the way this story shows the consequences of using artificial intelligence in war. Jet has a conscience so he feels bad about what he does, leading him to wonder if he should continue fighting in the war.

After I read this book, I discovered it is the prequel to a series. It was a quick read but I understood it without that background information. I will have to look for the rest of the series!

Title: Harley Quinn, Volume 3: Red Meat
Author: Jimmy Palmiotti, Amanda Conner
Genre: Graphic Novel
Publisher: DC Comics
Source: NetGalley
Release Date: September 19, 2017
Rating: ★★★★★

NetGalley Synopsis:

The Suicide Squad’s deadliest member continues to wreak havoc all across the DC Universe in the latest installment of her best-selling graphic novel series in HARLEY QUINN VOL. 3!

Harley’s managed to carve out a kind of peace with New York’s corrupt mayor…but once she gets wind of his plans for the city’s homeless population, the deal is most definitely off! She’ll have to take the fight to City Hall–but who will be her ally in her most desperate hour?

Review:

There were many different subplots in this new volume. Personally, there wasn’t enough Harley in it for me. But I still loved the graphic novel.

One subplot has the cannibals that the mayor’s assistant brought to town to kill all the homeless people. Harley’s sadness at the disappearance of the homeless show how caring she is.

Another subplot is a former Arkham Asylum inmate who has been sent on a quest. This story wasn’t really connected to Harley yet, but I think in the next volume it will become clearer.

The third subplot is a Batman fan from the future who is sent back in time to kill Harley. The ending of this one was so amazing! I loved the twist.

Once again, this was another thrilling Volume in the Harley Quinn rebirth series. I can’t wait for the next one!