Some interesting stuff this time around so lets get right into it..............
Non-Fiction
I decided to add this as a separate category, since I seem to be finding more and more non-fiction that piques my curiosity. I even have a biography back there in THE PILE somewhere that I'll get to eventually.
The Portable Obituary - Michael Largo ($14.95/$2.50, 273 pages, copyright 2007, Trade Paperback) Come on - who doesn't want to know how famous (and some not so famous) people died. This is an alphabetical listing of Presidents and Kings, Writers and Entertainers, and others who may be familiar to you. There's also some interesting information on how certain musicians died in similar fashions, and how TV show cast members passed on. Interesting.
One Up Trivia - Ken Weber ($9.95/$2.50, 205 pages, copyright 2006, Trade Paperback) Here's something interesting, a book that asks the next question. For example, we all know that the Wright Brothers made the first flight but..Which one flew the plane? It's set up in several categories such as Classic Movies, Sports, Weirdness, etc., some of which attracted me immediately. Interesting.
Series
Promise Me - Harlan Coben ($9.99/$.50, 489 pages, copyright 2006, Paperback) I'm pretty sure I've written about a Coben book before. He bases all of his novels in New Jersey, and once in a while I actually recognize something he mentions. This is one of his Myron Bolitar books. Myron was a Sports Agent who had expanded his business to include other celebrities. This book has nothing to do with them. It's more a personal situation that causes Myron to reconsider what he does on the side - help other people. It raises questions about just how far a parent will go for his/her child. I enjoyed it.
Sherlock Holmes
Son of Holmes - John Lescroart ($14.00/$7.50, 243 pages, copyright 1986, Trade Paperback) I found this in a second-hand store in Metuchen. Not only is it about Holmes (a hobby of mine) but it's written by Lescroat who I'm a big fan of (he writes the Dismas Hardy books). This takes place in France during the early years of WW2 and involves espionage (peripherally) and murder. Once I got it - who the Son of Holmes is - the book became even more enjoyable. There have been rumors in the past. I enjoyed it.
The Sherlock Holmes Handbook - Ransom Riggs ($16.95, 221 pages, copyright 2009, Hard Cover) This book touches on all the various aspects of Holmes life and career, with the added pleasure of instructing the reader on how to use these to become an investigator on his own. I enjoyed it.
Extra Note:
My local library held a book sale over this passed weekend. I went Friday and brought home copies of The Maltese Falcon, A Clockwork Orange, and Slaugther-house Five all for a grand total of $.75. You can't beat it. I'm looking forward to reading these again.
That's it for now. Keep Reading!
Monday, April 26, 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010
Chapter Six
Spring is here, and I've got some interesting stuff to tell you about - including a couple of Holy Crap Look What I found items.
Series
The Girl in the Plain Brown Wrapper - John D. MacDonald (256 pages, $4.95/$.50, copyright 1968, Paperback)
The first of the Holy Crap items - a Travis McGee novel! I haven't seen one of these in about 30 years. McGee is still the salvager with a past, who does things when he needs the money, usually. This time he does his thing for someone he once knew. He meddles, he takes his lumps, and he figures it out. And he gets the girl. I enjoyed it.
Murder on the Eiffel Tower! - Claude Izmer (286 pages, $23.93/$.50, copyright 2003, Trade paperback)
This is supposed to be the first in a series centering on a bookseller in Paris in the late 1800's, along with his oriental partner/father figure, clerk, and mistresses. The method of the murder is interesting, as is the murderer, but I would've liked a little more historical information. After all this is set during the exhibition when the Tower was opened to the public, and Buffalo Bill and his Wild West Circus were there. OK.
A Catskill Eagle -Robert B. Parker (368 pages, $4.95/$.50, copyright 1985, Paperback)
Spenser at his best. Hawke is in jail, and Susan is in trouble. All of the usual comfortable characters help them out on both coasts. I enjoyed it.
Miscellaneous
You Don't Love Me Yet - Jonathan Lethem (224 pages, $24.95/$.25, copyright 2007, Hard Cover)
If you've been reading this blog, you may remember that back in Chapter One I enthused over Lethem's Motherless Brooklyn. This is totally different. The alternative rock scene in Los Angeles, with the band mates, their day jobs, and a Complainer. I tried for about 50 pages but lost interest, even though the way Lethem writes is very entertaining. Back on the pile.
Bored of the Rings - The Harvard Lampoon (Henry N. Beard and Douglas C. Kenney) (160 pages, $1.00/$.50, copyright 1969, Paperback)
You read that title right. This is the second Holy Crap item, a spoof of The Lord of the Rings. I read this back in 1969, after having read the Trilogy. I still found myself laughing out loud at some of the inventive things the Lampooners came up with. It does drag from time to time, since they do tend to overdo it. But then again, so did Tolkien. I enjoyed it.
Comics
Kick-Ass - Mark Millar (writer) and John Romita, Jr. (penciller) (Issues 1 - 8, $24.99/30% off coupon, Copyright 2010, Hard Cover Trade Edition)
This has been made into a movie that opens soon, so I was very curious about it. Simply, it's about the real world, and what happens when a young man attempts to become a "superhero" in it. It's very graphic, and very interesting. But it's only one man's opinion as to how the world would react. I enjoyed it.
That's it for now.
Read on!
Series
The Girl in the Plain Brown Wrapper - John D. MacDonald (256 pages, $4.95/$.50, copyright 1968, Paperback)
The first of the Holy Crap items - a Travis McGee novel! I haven't seen one of these in about 30 years. McGee is still the salvager with a past, who does things when he needs the money, usually. This time he does his thing for someone he once knew. He meddles, he takes his lumps, and he figures it out. And he gets the girl. I enjoyed it.
Murder on the Eiffel Tower! - Claude Izmer (286 pages, $23.93/$.50, copyright 2003, Trade paperback)
This is supposed to be the first in a series centering on a bookseller in Paris in the late 1800's, along with his oriental partner/father figure, clerk, and mistresses. The method of the murder is interesting, as is the murderer, but I would've liked a little more historical information. After all this is set during the exhibition when the Tower was opened to the public, and Buffalo Bill and his Wild West Circus were there. OK.
A Catskill Eagle -Robert B. Parker (368 pages, $4.95/$.50, copyright 1985, Paperback)
Spenser at his best. Hawke is in jail, and Susan is in trouble. All of the usual comfortable characters help them out on both coasts. I enjoyed it.
Miscellaneous
You Don't Love Me Yet - Jonathan Lethem (224 pages, $24.95/$.25, copyright 2007, Hard Cover)
If you've been reading this blog, you may remember that back in Chapter One I enthused over Lethem's Motherless Brooklyn. This is totally different. The alternative rock scene in Los Angeles, with the band mates, their day jobs, and a Complainer. I tried for about 50 pages but lost interest, even though the way Lethem writes is very entertaining. Back on the pile.
Bored of the Rings - The Harvard Lampoon (Henry N. Beard and Douglas C. Kenney) (160 pages, $1.00/$.50, copyright 1969, Paperback)
You read that title right. This is the second Holy Crap item, a spoof of The Lord of the Rings. I read this back in 1969, after having read the Trilogy. I still found myself laughing out loud at some of the inventive things the Lampooners came up with. It does drag from time to time, since they do tend to overdo it. But then again, so did Tolkien. I enjoyed it.
Comics
Kick-Ass - Mark Millar (writer) and John Romita, Jr. (penciller) (Issues 1 - 8, $24.99/30% off coupon, Copyright 2010, Hard Cover Trade Edition)
This has been made into a movie that opens soon, so I was very curious about it. Simply, it's about the real world, and what happens when a young man attempts to become a "superhero" in it. It's very graphic, and very interesting. But it's only one man's opinion as to how the world would react. I enjoyed it.
That's it for now.
Read on!
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Special Insert
Soooo, I have the use of a computer all day today and since I've read a lot of comic book stuff these last few days, I think it's time for a Special Insert.
Comics
Defenders - Keith Giffins and J. M. DeMatteis writers; Kevin Maguire, penciler. ($19.99/$6.98, copyright 2006, Hard Cover)
If you recognize the names then you know that this is the same creative team that is "famous" for the Justice League International phenomena. This Hard Cover edition includes all 5 issues of their take on the Marvel Super team. It's a typical Earth-in-danger-by-mystic-forces tale where Doctor Strange rounds up Namor, the Hulk, and tries for the Silver Surfer. What makes this one great is Namor telling Strange he sounds like bad Shakespeare, and the remarkable facial expressions that Maguire draws. I enjoyed it.
Batman: Gotham After Midnight - Steve Niles, writer and Kelley Jones, artist ($19.99/Gift Card, Copyright 2009, Trade Edition)
This edition includes all 12 issues in the miniseries. Here Batman faces off against several of his usual villains while trying to figure out who's really behind everything. A good story made better by a good part for Bruce Wayne (for a change) and an involved Alfred. I enjoyed it.
Showcase Presents: Sgt. Rock - Robert Kanigher, writer and Joe Kubert, artist (for the most part) (543 pages, $16.99/30% off coupon, Copyright 2007, Trade Edition)
Included here are sort of an origin story from the January, 1959 issue of GI Combat and the Easy Company stories from Our Army At War dating from April, 1959 to April, 1962. All of these tales revolve around DC's WW2 hero. I remember them fondly, but unfortunately they tend to drag when you read them all at once. Rock finds a way out, Rock teaches a lesson, Rock overcomes wounds. That's pretty much it. It's OK, but I recommend reading a few stories at a time.
In the last chapter, 5 I think, I ran on about my problem with single issue purchasing. Briefly, I had to wait months before I was finally able to pick up the last issue of the Flash:Reborn initial story arc. I got last Thursday so I should be happy, but I'm not. The story was OK, and sets up an ongoing, but my gripe now is with the number of pages devoted to the story. I didn't look back at the first 4 issues, but issues 5 and 6 came with excerpts of other DC upcoming specials each numbering about 5 pages. This means that I got 5 less pages of story and artwork for the comic I was buying. That just doesn't seem fair.
Keep reading.
Comics
Defenders - Keith Giffins and J. M. DeMatteis writers; Kevin Maguire, penciler. ($19.99/$6.98, copyright 2006, Hard Cover)
If you recognize the names then you know that this is the same creative team that is "famous" for the Justice League International phenomena. This Hard Cover edition includes all 5 issues of their take on the Marvel Super team. It's a typical Earth-in-danger-by-mystic-forces tale where Doctor Strange rounds up Namor, the Hulk, and tries for the Silver Surfer. What makes this one great is Namor telling Strange he sounds like bad Shakespeare, and the remarkable facial expressions that Maguire draws. I enjoyed it.
Batman: Gotham After Midnight - Steve Niles, writer and Kelley Jones, artist ($19.99/Gift Card, Copyright 2009, Trade Edition)
This edition includes all 12 issues in the miniseries. Here Batman faces off against several of his usual villains while trying to figure out who's really behind everything. A good story made better by a good part for Bruce Wayne (for a change) and an involved Alfred. I enjoyed it.
Showcase Presents: Sgt. Rock - Robert Kanigher, writer and Joe Kubert, artist (for the most part) (543 pages, $16.99/30% off coupon, Copyright 2007, Trade Edition)
Included here are sort of an origin story from the January, 1959 issue of GI Combat and the Easy Company stories from Our Army At War dating from April, 1959 to April, 1962. All of these tales revolve around DC's WW2 hero. I remember them fondly, but unfortunately they tend to drag when you read them all at once. Rock finds a way out, Rock teaches a lesson, Rock overcomes wounds. That's pretty much it. It's OK, but I recommend reading a few stories at a time.
In the last chapter, 5 I think, I ran on about my problem with single issue purchasing. Briefly, I had to wait months before I was finally able to pick up the last issue of the Flash:Reborn initial story arc. I got last Thursday so I should be happy, but I'm not. The story was OK, and sets up an ongoing, but my gripe now is with the number of pages devoted to the story. I didn't look back at the first 4 issues, but issues 5 and 6 came with excerpts of other DC upcoming specials each numbering about 5 pages. This means that I got 5 less pages of story and artwork for the comic I was buying. That just doesn't seem fair.
Keep reading.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Chapter Five
OK, it's been a strange month full of good news and bad. It looks like this chapter is going to fall into the same categories as well.
Miscellaneous
The London Pigeon Wars - Patrick Neate (323 pages, $24.00/$.50, copyright 2003, Hard Cover) One of the blurbs on the jacket compared Neate's use of language to "A Clockwork Orange", so I bought it. My mistake. It was interesting at first, a group of 30-something Brits bemoaning their lives meets up with a friend from 20 years passed and plan a bank robbery, interspersed by section narrated by a pigeon involved in the War. Unfortunately, it got too involved with the language, and I began to lose interest towards the end. OK.
The Worst-Case Survival Handbook - Joshua Piven and David Borgenicht (176 pages, No price marked/$.25, copyright 1999, Soft Cover) Definitely worst-case! I can't see anyone who grew up in the Bronx ever being in any of these situations. I'll help you out - in the situation involving wild animals - STAY AWAY! No opinion, since it's not a novel.
Series
PlayBack - Raymond Chandler (168 pages, $2.25/$.50, copyright 1958, Paperback) This should go under the heading of "Holy Crap! Look what I found! Philip Marlowe! What more could you want. Marlowe is the archetype for all the wise-cracking, hard as nails PIs that came after him. This one is no real mystery just classic Marlowe doggedly getting at the truth. Enjoyed it.
Downside to Library Shopping
Yes, there are two drawbacks to library shopping, and they are perfectly illustrated by the following:
Everglades - Randy Wayne White (351 pages, $7.99/$.50, copyright 2003, Paperback) To paraphrase the Stones - You can't always like what you get. I could see where this one was going after 94 pages (about 1/4 of the way through). The main character is a Marine Biologist with a past, and the action hadn't even left his boat. I've got too many other books piled up to keep struggling with one. Back on the Pile.
Person or Persons Unknown - Bruce Alexander (325 pages, $5.99/$.50, copyright 1997, Paperback) Draw back number 2. I read it already. This is part of a series, and I wasn't sure I'd read it, but I had. Nevertheless, it's a great series centered on Sir John Fielding (brother to Henry Fielding of "Tom Jones" fame), who was the blind magistrate who started the Bow Street Runners in London. Excellent period piece, and a good mystery to boot.
Comic Books
The Brave and the Bold: The Book of Destiny - Mark Waid (writer), George Perez and Jerry Ordway (pencils) ($12.99/30 percent off coupon, copyright 2008, Hard Cover) This volume includes issues 7 through 12 of the individual comic. I bought it because in addition to the usual superheroes (i.e., Superman, Wonder Woman, etc.) on the cover, there were - THE CHALLENGERS OF THE UNKNOWN -one of my favorite groups ever, and sadly underused for most of the last decade. Anyway, there were some different pairings, and some unusual situations not normally found in a team-up book. To tease you into looking for this it included The Doom Patrol, and the BlackHawks along with The Flash and Green Lantern. Enjoyed it.
Now, a reason for buying comics in Trade Editions. When I was a kid, you'd get your dose of your favorite superhero monthly. Each issue was a stand alone adventure, and it was an Event if there was a two-parter or a cross-over. Nowadays, most story lines run in 6-issue arcs. I was lucky to get the first 3 issues of the recent Flash:Reborn series from my brother. This was back in August. Now all I had to do was collect the last 3 issues of the arc, and I'd have the whole set. It's now March, 7 months later and I'm still waiting for issue number 6 - THE LAST ISSUE - to come out. The guy in the store said maybe next week. This is why I usually wait for the Trade to come out. No muss, no fuss.
ALSO, for anyone who actually reads this, I finally started the jigsaw puzzle from Christmas.
Talk to you later.
Miscellaneous
The London Pigeon Wars - Patrick Neate (323 pages, $24.00/$.50, copyright 2003, Hard Cover) One of the blurbs on the jacket compared Neate's use of language to "A Clockwork Orange", so I bought it. My mistake. It was interesting at first, a group of 30-something Brits bemoaning their lives meets up with a friend from 20 years passed and plan a bank robbery, interspersed by section narrated by a pigeon involved in the War. Unfortunately, it got too involved with the language, and I began to lose interest towards the end. OK.
The Worst-Case Survival Handbook - Joshua Piven and David Borgenicht (176 pages, No price marked/$.25, copyright 1999, Soft Cover) Definitely worst-case! I can't see anyone who grew up in the Bronx ever being in any of these situations. I'll help you out - in the situation involving wild animals - STAY AWAY! No opinion, since it's not a novel.
Series
PlayBack - Raymond Chandler (168 pages, $2.25/$.50, copyright 1958, Paperback) This should go under the heading of "Holy Crap! Look what I found! Philip Marlowe! What more could you want. Marlowe is the archetype for all the wise-cracking, hard as nails PIs that came after him. This one is no real mystery just classic Marlowe doggedly getting at the truth. Enjoyed it.
Downside to Library Shopping
Yes, there are two drawbacks to library shopping, and they are perfectly illustrated by the following:
Everglades - Randy Wayne White (351 pages, $7.99/$.50, copyright 2003, Paperback) To paraphrase the Stones - You can't always like what you get. I could see where this one was going after 94 pages (about 1/4 of the way through). The main character is a Marine Biologist with a past, and the action hadn't even left his boat. I've got too many other books piled up to keep struggling with one. Back on the Pile.
Person or Persons Unknown - Bruce Alexander (325 pages, $5.99/$.50, copyright 1997, Paperback) Draw back number 2. I read it already. This is part of a series, and I wasn't sure I'd read it, but I had. Nevertheless, it's a great series centered on Sir John Fielding (brother to Henry Fielding of "Tom Jones" fame), who was the blind magistrate who started the Bow Street Runners in London. Excellent period piece, and a good mystery to boot.
Comic Books
The Brave and the Bold: The Book of Destiny - Mark Waid (writer), George Perez and Jerry Ordway (pencils) ($12.99/30 percent off coupon, copyright 2008, Hard Cover) This volume includes issues 7 through 12 of the individual comic. I bought it because in addition to the usual superheroes (i.e., Superman, Wonder Woman, etc.) on the cover, there were - THE CHALLENGERS OF THE UNKNOWN -one of my favorite groups ever, and sadly underused for most of the last decade. Anyway, there were some different pairings, and some unusual situations not normally found in a team-up book. To tease you into looking for this it included The Doom Patrol, and the BlackHawks along with The Flash and Green Lantern. Enjoyed it.
Now, a reason for buying comics in Trade Editions. When I was a kid, you'd get your dose of your favorite superhero monthly. Each issue was a stand alone adventure, and it was an Event if there was a two-parter or a cross-over. Nowadays, most story lines run in 6-issue arcs. I was lucky to get the first 3 issues of the recent Flash:Reborn series from my brother. This was back in August. Now all I had to do was collect the last 3 issues of the arc, and I'd have the whole set. It's now March, 7 months later and I'm still waiting for issue number 6 - THE LAST ISSUE - to come out. The guy in the store said maybe next week. This is why I usually wait for the Trade to come out. No muss, no fuss.
ALSO, for anyone who actually reads this, I finally started the jigsaw puzzle from Christmas.
Talk to you later.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Chapter Four
These last few weeks saw the passing of several writers whose work will stand the test of time. Erich Segal wrote "Love Story" and the movie of the same name which was probably THE Chick Flick of my generation. Robert Parker wrote the Spencer and Jesse Stone books which were made into TV programs that were quality entertainment. J. D. Salinger wrote "The Catcher in the Rye" which is still being read by high school students who almost always identify with the main character. Each will be missed by their respective followers.
What I have for you this time are several books, only one of which was written by one of the previously mentioned, recently passed, writers.
Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes in America - Martin H. Greenberg, Jon. L. Lellenberg and David Stashover, Editors, (375 pages, $14.95/gift card, copyright 2009, Trade Paperback).
16 stories by various authors all dealing with the exploits of Sherlock Holmes in the New World - America. Some address his early years preparing for his career, before Watson. Some include Watson and deal with follow ups to previous recorded cases. One, in particular, is "written" by Holmes himself, and serves as a lead in to his Final Bow. Most are well-written, especially the one leading up to his Final Bow, but I must admit I was a little disappointed. Holmes should be in England, dealing with the fog, hansom cabs, and Scotland Yard. Not bad.
Series
Night Passage - Robert B. Parker (324 pages, $6.99/$.50, copyright 1998, Paperback)
This is the first in the Jesse Stone series, and the first one I've read. It's different from the Spenser books - not as light, and told in the 3rd person. We have a flawed character in a new situation, and faced with controlling his demons in order to do his job as Chief of Police in a small New England town. I enjoyed it.
Cross Country - James Patterson (406 pages, $27.99/$2.00, copyright 2008, Hard Cover)
This is another of the Alex Cross novels that Paterson finds the time to churn out amidst his other literary endeavors. I've always liked these, and this is no exception. Murder in DC leads to a manhunt in Nigeria, and Cross' brutal realization of the realities of life in many of the countries in Africa. I thought the ending was a little too pat, and a bit rushed, however. I enjoyed it.
The Vig - John Lescroat (376 pages, $7.99/$.50, copyright 1990, Paperback)
This is one of the Dismas Hardy/Abe Glitsky novels that have always been a pleasure to read. This is one of the earlier ones in the series, and is set during the time that Hardy has left the DA's office and is tending bar. An old friend dies(?), murder threats, ex-cons, San Francisco and Mexico, and the personal lives and problems of our heroes all mixed together nicely. I enjoyed it.
The Mile High Club - Kinky Friedman (223 Pages, $13.00/$.50, copyright 2000, Paperback)
A while back I reviewed Richard Belzer's first book, and this is of the same genre. Kinky writes about himself, as he investigates a crime. We have a mysterious woman, the State Department, terrorists, and Kinky's assortment of friends/characters who circle around him at his loft in the Village. The writing started out interesting, but grew stale rapidly, as he tends to use the same phrases over and over. If you liked his past as a county music personality (Kinky Friedman and the Texas Jewboys) you may enjoy this. I found it to be passable.
That's all for now. As Ringo says, Peace and Love.
What I have for you this time are several books, only one of which was written by one of the previously mentioned, recently passed, writers.
Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes in America - Martin H. Greenberg, Jon. L. Lellenberg and David Stashover, Editors, (375 pages, $14.95/gift card, copyright 2009, Trade Paperback).
16 stories by various authors all dealing with the exploits of Sherlock Holmes in the New World - America. Some address his early years preparing for his career, before Watson. Some include Watson and deal with follow ups to previous recorded cases. One, in particular, is "written" by Holmes himself, and serves as a lead in to his Final Bow. Most are well-written, especially the one leading up to his Final Bow, but I must admit I was a little disappointed. Holmes should be in England, dealing with the fog, hansom cabs, and Scotland Yard. Not bad.
Series
Night Passage - Robert B. Parker (324 pages, $6.99/$.50, copyright 1998, Paperback)
This is the first in the Jesse Stone series, and the first one I've read. It's different from the Spenser books - not as light, and told in the 3rd person. We have a flawed character in a new situation, and faced with controlling his demons in order to do his job as Chief of Police in a small New England town. I enjoyed it.
Cross Country - James Patterson (406 pages, $27.99/$2.00, copyright 2008, Hard Cover)
This is another of the Alex Cross novels that Paterson finds the time to churn out amidst his other literary endeavors. I've always liked these, and this is no exception. Murder in DC leads to a manhunt in Nigeria, and Cross' brutal realization of the realities of life in many of the countries in Africa. I thought the ending was a little too pat, and a bit rushed, however. I enjoyed it.
The Vig - John Lescroat (376 pages, $7.99/$.50, copyright 1990, Paperback)
This is one of the Dismas Hardy/Abe Glitsky novels that have always been a pleasure to read. This is one of the earlier ones in the series, and is set during the time that Hardy has left the DA's office and is tending bar. An old friend dies(?), murder threats, ex-cons, San Francisco and Mexico, and the personal lives and problems of our heroes all mixed together nicely. I enjoyed it.
The Mile High Club - Kinky Friedman (223 Pages, $13.00/$.50, copyright 2000, Paperback)
A while back I reviewed Richard Belzer's first book, and this is of the same genre. Kinky writes about himself, as he investigates a crime. We have a mysterious woman, the State Department, terrorists, and Kinky's assortment of friends/characters who circle around him at his loft in the Village. The writing started out interesting, but grew stale rapidly, as he tends to use the same phrases over and over. If you liked his past as a county music personality (Kinky Friedman and the Texas Jewboys) you may enjoy this. I found it to be passable.
That's all for now. As Ringo says, Peace and Love.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Chapter Three
OK, so I've got some interesting stuff this time around, including an expansion of what I've been posting so far. Not a lot, mind you, due to the demands of this past Christmas season, but some good stuff.
Trade Paperbacks
"Showcase Presents: DC Comics Presents: Superman Team-ups" ($17 bucks less a 30% coupon at Borders, Issues 1 to 26, July/August 1978 to October 1980)
Think about it, Superman - the first superhero - teamed up with other heroes from the DC Universe. Should be a no-brainer but I found these stories to be uneven, at best. The "Team mates" ran the gamut from the Flash (first 2 issues), Wonder Woman, Green Lantern (twice), to Adam Strange, Swamp Thing, and Red Tornado. Just reading this list you can see that some of these would work and some wouldn't. Come on.....Red Tornado! Authors included Martin Pasko, David Micheline, Len Wein, Denny O'Neil and others. Artist included Dan Adkins, Joe Stanton, Jim Starlin and others. Not too bad, overall, since it does run for 26 issues.
Miscellaneous
"Not Dead Enough" - Peter James (486 Pages, copyright 2007, Trade paperback, 12 Pounds 99 pence/ $.50 at the library)
That's right, 12 Pounds, 99 pence was the printed price. This is an English edition. Also, it's a pre-publication edition, so there's next to no editing and . . . it's AUTOGRAPHED. You'd be amazed what you can find at the library. A murder mystery but told in alternating chapters from the points of view of the inspector (or whatever his English title was), the killer, and the victim(s). I enjoyed it.
"High Citadel" - Desmond Bagley (295 pages, copyright 1966, paperback, $.50/$.50)
Another oddity. The price I paid turned out to be the original cover price. Of course, it was originally published in 1966 by Pocketbooks when I was a Freshman in High School (and YES they did have schools back then). This one involves a plane crash in the Andes, civilians against the communist army, and medieval weapons versus modern. I found myself "casting" the movie with Errol Flynn as the pilot, George Kennedy and Gilbert Roland as the 2 who go over the mountain, and other actors/actresses who I can visualize but can't, unfortunately, name. I enjoyed it.
"The Book of Lies" - Brad Meltzer (336 pages, copyright 2008, Hard Cover, $25.99/$.50)
This was the reason that I read "The Book of Fate" previously. I wanted to see how Meltzer wrote. I liked that one. I liked this one, also, but part of the plot seemed similar to the previous book. The protagonist (like that term?) is an easily recognizable character due to some physical abnormality, and there's a crazy guy after him. Other then that, this one had themes involving father/son relationships, trust issues, some religion, and the similarity between Cain's murder of Abel and the murder of Jerry Siegal's father. Oh, and I should mention that Jerry Siegal created Superman (WOW, a link back to the first entry this time around). I enjoyed it.
Something Different
I believe I said originally that I would be posting my likes/dislikes about books, movies, etc. on this page. Well, here comes my first movie review, although it is a DVD release. I still can't see myself going to movies by myself (Look what happened to PeeWee.).
"Star Trek"
Someone asked me if I thought it was too pat that all the familiar characters wound up on the Enterprise so easily. My answer is that this is how it happened, and it doesn't matter if it was easy or not. (At least as far as J. J. Abvrams feels.) This was great! The actors have their archetypes nailed! I thought the changes make for a more interesting dynamic amongst them. And I loved that, in the scenes set in space, there was NO NOISE! I thoroughly enjoyed this, and I hear that the next one centers on KHAN. I may actually reconsider my movie-going policy.
Brief note.
I got a gift card to Target for Christmas, ans used part of it to buy myself a jigsaw puzzle. 2000 pieces, with a final measurement of 38" by 26" (a little over 3 feet by 2 feet). It's Van Gogh's "Starry Night", which is my favorite picture. I bought it the week after Christmas, and so far, did remove the wrapper and look in the box. I need to find a place I can work on it without the cat messing it up. I'll keep you posted.
Trade Paperbacks
"Showcase Presents: DC Comics Presents: Superman Team-ups" ($17 bucks less a 30% coupon at Borders, Issues 1 to 26, July/August 1978 to October 1980)
Think about it, Superman - the first superhero - teamed up with other heroes from the DC Universe. Should be a no-brainer but I found these stories to be uneven, at best. The "Team mates" ran the gamut from the Flash (first 2 issues), Wonder Woman, Green Lantern (twice), to Adam Strange, Swamp Thing, and Red Tornado. Just reading this list you can see that some of these would work and some wouldn't. Come on.....Red Tornado! Authors included Martin Pasko, David Micheline, Len Wein, Denny O'Neil and others. Artist included Dan Adkins, Joe Stanton, Jim Starlin and others. Not too bad, overall, since it does run for 26 issues.
Miscellaneous
"Not Dead Enough" - Peter James (486 Pages, copyright 2007, Trade paperback, 12 Pounds 99 pence/ $.50 at the library)
That's right, 12 Pounds, 99 pence was the printed price. This is an English edition. Also, it's a pre-publication edition, so there's next to no editing and . . . it's AUTOGRAPHED. You'd be amazed what you can find at the library. A murder mystery but told in alternating chapters from the points of view of the inspector (or whatever his English title was), the killer, and the victim(s). I enjoyed it.
"High Citadel" - Desmond Bagley (295 pages, copyright 1966, paperback, $.50/$.50)
Another oddity. The price I paid turned out to be the original cover price. Of course, it was originally published in 1966 by Pocketbooks when I was a Freshman in High School (and YES they did have schools back then). This one involves a plane crash in the Andes, civilians against the communist army, and medieval weapons versus modern. I found myself "casting" the movie with Errol Flynn as the pilot, George Kennedy and Gilbert Roland as the 2 who go over the mountain, and other actors/actresses who I can visualize but can't, unfortunately, name. I enjoyed it.
"The Book of Lies" - Brad Meltzer (336 pages, copyright 2008, Hard Cover, $25.99/$.50)
This was the reason that I read "The Book of Fate" previously. I wanted to see how Meltzer wrote. I liked that one. I liked this one, also, but part of the plot seemed similar to the previous book. The protagonist (like that term?) is an easily recognizable character due to some physical abnormality, and there's a crazy guy after him. Other then that, this one had themes involving father/son relationships, trust issues, some religion, and the similarity between Cain's murder of Abel and the murder of Jerry Siegal's father. Oh, and I should mention that Jerry Siegal created Superman (WOW, a link back to the first entry this time around). I enjoyed it.
Something Different
I believe I said originally that I would be posting my likes/dislikes about books, movies, etc. on this page. Well, here comes my first movie review, although it is a DVD release. I still can't see myself going to movies by myself (Look what happened to PeeWee.).
"Star Trek"
Someone asked me if I thought it was too pat that all the familiar characters wound up on the Enterprise so easily. My answer is that this is how it happened, and it doesn't matter if it was easy or not. (At least as far as J. J. Abvrams feels.) This was great! The actors have their archetypes nailed! I thought the changes make for a more interesting dynamic amongst them. And I loved that, in the scenes set in space, there was NO NOISE! I thoroughly enjoyed this, and I hear that the next one centers on KHAN. I may actually reconsider my movie-going policy.
Brief note.
I got a gift card to Target for Christmas, ans used part of it to buy myself a jigsaw puzzle. 2000 pieces, with a final measurement of 38" by 26" (a little over 3 feet by 2 feet). It's Van Gogh's "Starry Night", which is my favorite picture. I bought it the week after Christmas, and so far, did remove the wrapper and look in the box. I need to find a place I can work on it without the cat messing it up. I'll keep you posted.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Chapter Two
I don't like everything I read, and if it's really bad, I don't finish it. Here's the latest set of books I've read, in no particular order.
Trade Paperbacks
I'm very fond of the old, silver age comics so I look for the compilations that the 2 big publishers put out. DC calls theirs "Showcase Presents" and Marvel calls theirs "Essentials". They run about $17, but the older ones run to 500 pages, or approximately 20 issues. I try to buy them when I have a coupon from Borders who stocks a lot of them but their supply is limited. I recently found a comic book store near me and they had quite a few so we'll see what happens in the future.
"Showcase Presents: Green Lantern #4" (issues 60 to 75, April 1968 to March 1970, writers Gordon Fox and Denny O'Neil etc., artists Gil Kane etc.)
Gotta say I was disappointed. When these started, GL was established and yet most of the villains in the book are common, everyday 1950s thugs. Sure there were a few space adventures, and a Sinestro appearance, but come on....GL is probably the second most powerful guy in the DCU and his stories should reflect this.
"Showcase Presents: The Flash #1" (Flash #104, Showcase#4, 8, 13, 14, Flash #105 to 119, February 1949 to March 1961, writers Robert Kanigher and John Broome, artist Carmine Infantino)
This is what I'm talking about. This collection starts with the last golden age Flash (Jay Garrick) story then carries on through the introduction of the silver age Flash (Barry Allen). You can find the introduction of many of the Flash Rogues gallery of villains, and see Flash use his knowledge as a scientist to get him out of tight spots. Thoroughly enjoyed this.
Miscellaneous
"Cross Bones" - Kathy Reichs (459 pages, $9.99/$.50 at the library, copyright 2005)
I'm a big fan of the TV series "Bones" and this is one of the series of books that it's based on. This particular one starts with a murder in Montreal and leads to tombs in Israel that may cause religious problems. I was disappointed to learn that most of what makes the show fun for me is not part of the series. The Jeffersonian and the lab crew of "squints" don't exist in the series (at least not in this book) and Temperance's back story is different. Also, it took place partially in Montreal. Who cares about Montreal? Not bad, but disappointing. What it was missing sort of colored my opinion of it.
"Good Omens" - Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett (367 pages, $6.99/$.50 at the library, copyright 1990)
In a nut shell, this is the story of Armageddon (you know, the end of the world, heaven versus hell) as told by a couple of irreverent, humorous English writers. The action takes place in England but fortunately they include footnotes to explain some of the more obscure English references, and these are almost as funny as the rest of the book. Enjoyed it very much.
"The Man Who Tried to Get Away" - Stephen Donaldson (357 pages, $7.99/$.50 in the library, copyright 1990)
Donaldson, at least to me, is more popularly known as the author of the Thomas Covenant series of fantasies. In those, the main character has leprosy, and the main conflict, played out in a fantasy world is balanced on his inner struggle to accept his fate. This book appears to be part of another series centering on a PI named Axbrewster. Most of it involves his struggle with his feelings of inadequacies, and his past as an alcoholic. It's a locked room, people trapped in a snow-bound cabin kind of thing. I figured out part of it early on, which normally doesn't detract from the enjoyment. But, I found his constant defeatism to be dragging down the story. I was disappointed, because I did like the Covenant books, but it was a long time ago that I read them. Somethings changed.
See you next time.
Trade Paperbacks
I'm very fond of the old, silver age comics so I look for the compilations that the 2 big publishers put out. DC calls theirs "Showcase Presents" and Marvel calls theirs "Essentials". They run about $17, but the older ones run to 500 pages, or approximately 20 issues. I try to buy them when I have a coupon from Borders who stocks a lot of them but their supply is limited. I recently found a comic book store near me and they had quite a few so we'll see what happens in the future.
"Showcase Presents: Green Lantern #4" (issues 60 to 75, April 1968 to March 1970, writers Gordon Fox and Denny O'Neil etc., artists Gil Kane etc.)
Gotta say I was disappointed. When these started, GL was established and yet most of the villains in the book are common, everyday 1950s thugs. Sure there were a few space adventures, and a Sinestro appearance, but come on....GL is probably the second most powerful guy in the DCU and his stories should reflect this.
"Showcase Presents: The Flash #1" (Flash #104, Showcase#4, 8, 13, 14, Flash #105 to 119, February 1949 to March 1961, writers Robert Kanigher and John Broome, artist Carmine Infantino)
This is what I'm talking about. This collection starts with the last golden age Flash (Jay Garrick) story then carries on through the introduction of the silver age Flash (Barry Allen). You can find the introduction of many of the Flash Rogues gallery of villains, and see Flash use his knowledge as a scientist to get him out of tight spots. Thoroughly enjoyed this.
Miscellaneous
"Cross Bones" - Kathy Reichs (459 pages, $9.99/$.50 at the library, copyright 2005)
I'm a big fan of the TV series "Bones" and this is one of the series of books that it's based on. This particular one starts with a murder in Montreal and leads to tombs in Israel that may cause religious problems. I was disappointed to learn that most of what makes the show fun for me is not part of the series. The Jeffersonian and the lab crew of "squints" don't exist in the series (at least not in this book) and Temperance's back story is different. Also, it took place partially in Montreal. Who cares about Montreal? Not bad, but disappointing. What it was missing sort of colored my opinion of it.
"Good Omens" - Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett (367 pages, $6.99/$.50 at the library, copyright 1990)
In a nut shell, this is the story of Armageddon (you know, the end of the world, heaven versus hell) as told by a couple of irreverent, humorous English writers. The action takes place in England but fortunately they include footnotes to explain some of the more obscure English references, and these are almost as funny as the rest of the book. Enjoyed it very much.
"The Man Who Tried to Get Away" - Stephen Donaldson (357 pages, $7.99/$.50 in the library, copyright 1990)
Donaldson, at least to me, is more popularly known as the author of the Thomas Covenant series of fantasies. In those, the main character has leprosy, and the main conflict, played out in a fantasy world is balanced on his inner struggle to accept his fate. This book appears to be part of another series centering on a PI named Axbrewster. Most of it involves his struggle with his feelings of inadequacies, and his past as an alcoholic. It's a locked room, people trapped in a snow-bound cabin kind of thing. I figured out part of it early on, which normally doesn't detract from the enjoyment. But, I found his constant defeatism to be dragging down the story. I was disappointed, because I did like the Covenant books, but it was a long time ago that I read them. Somethings changed.
See you next time.
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