Monday 27 May 2019
Saturday 25 May 2019
Graphic Novel Review - 'The Legend of Korra: Ruins of the Empire, Part One' by Michael Dante DiMartino (Writer), Michelle Wong (Artist), Vivian Ng (Artist)
Heh, solid.
Could have used more action, though. It felt like the first episode of a whole season.
But 'The Legend of Korra: Ruins of the Empire, Part One' is a nice and relevant follow-up to the series, where you just have to find out where it's going. 'The Legend of Korra' comics are getting more and more political, but it's never boring, nor is it overt in its allusions to certain political climates in the real world. It feels like a natural progression, organic even, not a smack-on-the-head, "GET IT? GET IT? GET IT? RELEVANCE!" preachy message. Despite the politics - the teaching of the ways of a successful and/or failing democracy - there's plenty of room to breathe and enjoy a good story, with characters you care about.
Everyone is in-character and lovely and understanding of one another. The dialogue is genuine and humourous at times. As usual, the art is great and stays true to the animated show. I barely noticed the change in artists.
And who could neglect to mention Korrasami! The couple are a good team, and they do kiss again! Finally! Yey!
Plus, I'm relieved that, while the comic saga seems to be building up Kuvira's redemption arc, her terrible crimes (like attempted murder, and actual murder) are not glossed over or forgotten about. Each character has good reason for not forgiving her and trusting her. I do like her - I love complex female villains; we get so little of those - but I know she shouldn't be given an easy pass. I want to see a female villain go through well-written character development and redemption, which have nothing to do with falling for a guy (seriously, in all fiction, name me one other female ex-baddie who DOESN'T change because of a guy on the good side. I don't think there are any).
Korra is less impulsive, and more calm, level-headed and reasonable than before. It's a nice, consistent progression for her; as a person, a friend, and as the Avatar. Other shout-outs to female characters in this comic include: President Zhu Li Moon, and Naga the polar bear-dog! And of course Asami and Kuvira. Since this arc will focus on the Earth Kingdom, there will be little to no inclusion of the Air nomads and characters associated with Republic City, and will feature Suyin Beifong and her family.
'The Legend of Korra: Ruins of the Empire, Part One' - Too short! But I'm looking forward to Part Two.
Final Score: 4/5
Could have used more action, though. It felt like the first episode of a whole season.
But 'The Legend of Korra: Ruins of the Empire, Part One' is a nice and relevant follow-up to the series, where you just have to find out where it's going. 'The Legend of Korra' comics are getting more and more political, but it's never boring, nor is it overt in its allusions to certain political climates in the real world. It feels like a natural progression, organic even, not a smack-on-the-head, "GET IT? GET IT? GET IT? RELEVANCE!" preachy message. Despite the politics - the teaching of the ways of a successful and/or failing democracy - there's plenty of room to breathe and enjoy a good story, with characters you care about.
Everyone is in-character and lovely and understanding of one another. The dialogue is genuine and humourous at times. As usual, the art is great and stays true to the animated show. I barely noticed the change in artists.
And who could neglect to mention Korrasami! The couple are a good team, and they do kiss again! Finally! Yey!
Plus, I'm relieved that, while the comic saga seems to be building up Kuvira's redemption arc, her terrible crimes (like attempted murder, and actual murder) are not glossed over or forgotten about. Each character has good reason for not forgiving her and trusting her. I do like her - I love complex female villains; we get so little of those - but I know she shouldn't be given an easy pass. I want to see a female villain go through well-written character development and redemption, which have nothing to do with falling for a guy (seriously, in all fiction, name me one other female ex-baddie who DOESN'T change because of a guy on the good side. I don't think there are any).
Korra is less impulsive, and more calm, level-headed and reasonable than before. It's a nice, consistent progression for her; as a person, a friend, and as the Avatar. Other shout-outs to female characters in this comic include: President Zhu Li Moon, and Naga the polar bear-dog! And of course Asami and Kuvira. Since this arc will focus on the Earth Kingdom, there will be little to no inclusion of the Air nomads and characters associated with Republic City, and will feature Suyin Beifong and her family.
'The Legend of Korra: Ruins of the Empire, Part One' - Too short! But I'm looking forward to Part Two.
Final Score: 4/5
Book Review - 'The Loneliest Girl in the Universe' by Lauren James
2023 REREAD: Remains a brilliant YA sci-fi novel. A masterpiece. Wonderfully written, addictive, heartfelt, heartbreaking, and hopeful.
Final Score: 4/5
Original Review:
I'm writing this review on a whim, immediately after finishing the book, so it'll be messy. But hey, the book can be read in a day, on the fly, too, so here goes nothing and everything.
'The Loneliest Girl in the Universe' is everything other reviews have promised: It's an addictive and amazing page-turner; it's a strong subversion of YA tropes, especially romance tropes which we've all been sick of for well over a decade now; it's science-fiction, slice-of-life, and a thriller rolled into one fascinating story about a naïve teenage girl, Romy Silvers, who was born and raised in a ship in deep space, and has been all alone, the only surviving crew member, for the past five years, and who is braver and smarter than she, a Commander, believes herself to be; it's about human endurance, survival, anguish, and needs such as comfort and support and company, any company; it can be cute, sad, and scary, but it's very clever and well-plotted; fanfiction and fictional characters are key plot devices; and towards the gripping climax, you'll realize how feminist the book really is. It's perhaps more thoughtful, challenging, clever, exciting, and risky than any 'Star Trek' and 'Doctor Who' episode I've ever seen. It's like a deliberate antithesis to the movie 'Passengers', which is a horror film passing off as a romance, for it's the ultimate misogynistic, male entitlement, rape culture fantasy (even more depressing is that it is the perfect film to end 2016 on).
If more science-fiction were like 'The Loneliest Girl in the Universe', I might like the genre more.
Despite some horrific moments and twists, for me personally nothing beats the moment when Romy extracts her own rotten tooth using pliers. It's enough to make me never neglect flossing ever again.
I don't dare mention any details concerning the plot, and risk spoiling. I just highly recommend 'The Loneliest Girl'. After reading, only a few niggling things bothered me, and there are plot holes (not black holes!), but the journey, the experience; it's achingly raw. It's human, yet hopeful and kind of sweet, nothing to manipulate or overwhelm or depress readers too much.
The reader is Romy. She's fantastic. For someone so young who has had no physical human contact for so long and is stuck in the middle of nowhere in the universe with only an old ship keeping her alive, she's curious; living like any normal, authentic teenager. She's trying to keep optimistic and hopeful, because there are no other options left for her. Romy suffers from PTSD, and minor panic attack episodes, but she copes well. Fiction, like TV and books, and writing soppy fanfiction, appear to keep her occupied and sane, but under real pressure she finds she can succeed at whatever she tries. She pilots, exercises, cooks, cleans, gardens, solves maths equations, and makes origami and models out of anything as well! She even tries drinking alcohol. And has a sexual awakening. Romy Silvers is beyond admirable.
You'll love her, the loneliest girl in the universe.
With all her issues and day-to-day life in endless space, trillions of light years away from human civilization, maybe she'll come to realize she's not so alone.
Final Score: 4/5
Final Score: 4/5
Original Review:
I'm writing this review on a whim, immediately after finishing the book, so it'll be messy. But hey, the book can be read in a day, on the fly, too, so here goes nothing and everything.
'The Loneliest Girl in the Universe' is everything other reviews have promised: It's an addictive and amazing page-turner; it's a strong subversion of YA tropes, especially romance tropes which we've all been sick of for well over a decade now; it's science-fiction, slice-of-life, and a thriller rolled into one fascinating story about a naïve teenage girl, Romy Silvers, who was born and raised in a ship in deep space, and has been all alone, the only surviving crew member, for the past five years, and who is braver and smarter than she, a Commander, believes herself to be; it's about human endurance, survival, anguish, and needs such as comfort and support and company, any company; it can be cute, sad, and scary, but it's very clever and well-plotted; fanfiction and fictional characters are key plot devices; and towards the gripping climax, you'll realize how feminist the book really is. It's perhaps more thoughtful, challenging, clever, exciting, and risky than any 'Star Trek' and 'Doctor Who' episode I've ever seen. It's like a deliberate antithesis to the movie 'Passengers', which is a horror film passing off as a romance, for it's the ultimate misogynistic, male entitlement, rape culture fantasy (even more depressing is that it is the perfect film to end 2016 on).
If more science-fiction were like 'The Loneliest Girl in the Universe', I might like the genre more.
Despite some horrific moments and twists, for me personally nothing beats the moment when Romy extracts her own rotten tooth using pliers. It's enough to make me never neglect flossing ever again.
I don't dare mention any details concerning the plot, and risk spoiling. I just highly recommend 'The Loneliest Girl'. After reading, only a few niggling things bothered me, and there are plot holes (not black holes!), but the journey, the experience; it's achingly raw. It's human, yet hopeful and kind of sweet, nothing to manipulate or overwhelm or depress readers too much.
The reader is Romy. She's fantastic. For someone so young who has had no physical human contact for so long and is stuck in the middle of nowhere in the universe with only an old ship keeping her alive, she's curious; living like any normal, authentic teenager. She's trying to keep optimistic and hopeful, because there are no other options left for her. Romy suffers from PTSD, and minor panic attack episodes, but she copes well. Fiction, like TV and books, and writing soppy fanfiction, appear to keep her occupied and sane, but under real pressure she finds she can succeed at whatever she tries. She pilots, exercises, cooks, cleans, gardens, solves maths equations, and makes origami and models out of anything as well! She even tries drinking alcohol. And has a sexual awakening. Romy Silvers is beyond admirable.
You'll love her, the loneliest girl in the universe.
With all her issues and day-to-day life in endless space, trillions of light years away from human civilization, maybe she'll come to realize she's not so alone.
Final Score: 4/5
Saturday 18 May 2019
Graphic Novel Review - 'Shuri, Vol. 1: The Search For Black Panther' by Nnedi Okorafor (Writer), Leonardo Romero (Artist)
If Shuri is one of your favourite characters in 'Black Panther', if not the number one fave, then check out her solo comic series, which she has well earned. Marvel is taking the right step in putting more female POC characters in the spotlight.
Written by acclaimed writer Nnedi Okorafor, 'Shuri, Vol. 1: The Search For Black Panther' is fun, spiritual, political, and intellectual. It showcases Shuri's can-do attitude and tech wizardry (as well as the gauntlets, she has invented silver wings that she keeps in her pocket!). She is a true hero in her own right; not just a princess, or Black Panther's kid sister, or a potential succeeding Black Panther after T’Challa's disappearance into space. Her main objective, as the title spells out, is to find her brother: exactly what it says on the tin.
Shuri is a genius - one of if not the smartest person in the entire Marvel Universe - who is unsure of her future, and she loves her family, friends and the people of Wakanda.
Speaking of, the comic contains well-developed worldbuilding of the great nation to boot. Wakanda feels real, as it should, and the artwork aids in its wonder.
Shuri gives teenage girls a fantastic name - such a rarity in mainstream media. They have long deserved this kind of positive representation. Shuri the young black royal, and inventor, tech master, and fighter - the importance of this, and her recognition and popularity.
Guest heroes include Storm (I didn't know she and T'Challa were an item, and finally - a story where I like her!), Rocket and Groot, and typically, Tony Stark. Is there any Marvel comic and movie he doesn't appear in? Give more women a chance, Iron Clod! Shuri's mother Queen Ramonda and Okoye are here too and are badass in their own way.
I won't give much of the plot away, but I will mention that the primary reason 'Shuri, Vol. 1' is kept from being exceptionally brilliant is that I was confused about its message towards the end. What is the moral meant to be? Give in to peer pressure? Do as your elders say without question? Stick to tradition? Never change a monarchy into a democracy? Or is it something to do with responsibility? The story isn't finished, and major plot threads are as yet unsolved. But at least Shuri, a little faltering of agency at the end aside, remains the star, and the spectacular art shows her off splendidly as a hero.
Watch out for the gorgeous art covers!
Cultural traditions, African teachings, female friendships, female support, beautiful artwork, gadgets, a space battle with a bug that makes wormholes that can devour the universe (as you do, Marvel) - what more is there to entice you? The volume is a must for Shuri fans. She is sprightly, fun, assertive, brave, and brilliant.
She is no traditional Disney princess.
Wakanda, forever.
Final Score: 4/5
Written by acclaimed writer Nnedi Okorafor, 'Shuri, Vol. 1: The Search For Black Panther' is fun, spiritual, political, and intellectual. It showcases Shuri's can-do attitude and tech wizardry (as well as the gauntlets, she has invented silver wings that she keeps in her pocket!). She is a true hero in her own right; not just a princess, or Black Panther's kid sister, or a potential succeeding Black Panther after T’Challa's disappearance into space. Her main objective, as the title spells out, is to find her brother: exactly what it says on the tin.
Shuri is a genius - one of if not the smartest person in the entire Marvel Universe - who is unsure of her future, and she loves her family, friends and the people of Wakanda.
Speaking of, the comic contains well-developed worldbuilding of the great nation to boot. Wakanda feels real, as it should, and the artwork aids in its wonder.
Shuri gives teenage girls a fantastic name - such a rarity in mainstream media. They have long deserved this kind of positive representation. Shuri the young black royal, and inventor, tech master, and fighter - the importance of this, and her recognition and popularity.
Guest heroes include Storm (I didn't know she and T'Challa were an item, and finally - a story where I like her!), Rocket and Groot, and typically, Tony Stark. Is there any Marvel comic and movie he doesn't appear in? Give more women a chance, Iron Clod! Shuri's mother Queen Ramonda and Okoye are here too and are badass in their own way.
I won't give much of the plot away, but I will mention that the primary reason 'Shuri, Vol. 1' is kept from being exceptionally brilliant is that I was confused about its message towards the end. What is the moral meant to be? Give in to peer pressure? Do as your elders say without question? Stick to tradition? Never change a monarchy into a democracy? Or is it something to do with responsibility? The story isn't finished, and major plot threads are as yet unsolved. But at least Shuri, a little faltering of agency at the end aside, remains the star, and the spectacular art shows her off splendidly as a hero.
Watch out for the gorgeous art covers!
Cultural traditions, African teachings, female friendships, female support, beautiful artwork, gadgets, a space battle with a bug that makes wormholes that can devour the universe (as you do, Marvel) - what more is there to entice you? The volume is a must for Shuri fans. She is sprightly, fun, assertive, brave, and brilliant.
She is no traditional Disney princess.
Wakanda, forever.
Final Score: 4/5
Thursday 2 May 2019
Wednesday 1 May 2019
2019 Calendar Art - May
Dragon Witches, by Nene Thomas:
Veritessa Lady of Whispers
Wow that's spooky, and it isn't October.
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