A fun little episode of Captain Marvel's adventures. How I missed Carol!
'Rise of Alpha Flight' is basically an homage to 'Star Trek' and other sci-fi franchises. Specifically, it "borrows" its themes and character dynamics from 'Deep Space Nine' and 'Alien'. Captain Janeway - er, I mean Captain Marvel is clearly the Captain Kirk to Abigail Brand's Spock. Reading this was like watching a TV pilot in comic form, with more cheesiness than technobabble that even tries to make sense.
But it's a fun, celebratory homage. Helped along by the likable characters who bounce off each other nicely.
Carol Danvers is back, and is as brave, tough, impulsive but cunning and compassionate as ever. A new swagger to go along with her short haircut, too. Will this lady of fire and lightning cope with a desk job? Carol would certainly prefer to go out on missions in order to punch bad guys and asteroids - no grey areas, or boring meetings; just the deceptively-uncomplicated life of an action hero. Her past, alien powers, and new status as a starship commander and planetary diplomat are explored and challenged rather intensely. While I might miss Kelly Sue DeConnick's quick and witty dialogue, plus a personal, human touch, from previous issues, Tara Butters and Michele Fazekas manage to do a good job bringing Carol to life with a personality which shines like a supernova. She's had a lot of careers in her run, hasn't she?
How fantastic to have more female writers, from the 'Agent Carter' TV series (now things make sense), too - keep it up, Marvel!
Now onto Captain Marvel's crew, the Alpha Flight:
Abigail Brand, as already stated, is the Spock of the story about aliens and spaceships. She's cold towards Carol at first, seriously doubting her capabilities as commander-and-chief, and displays no emotion beyond barely-contained fury. But the defrosting ice queen warms up towards the end of the volume, as expected; and Brand and Carol slowly become trustworthy friends. I adored Puck, and the unassuming Aurora (who bears a striking resemblance to Asami Sato from 'Legend of Korra'). Wendy Kawasaki, the young scientist and lieutenant, is cute, and I mean that in the most uncondescending way possible. I admire her awkwardness, her youthful optimism, and sisterly relationship with Carol. Like the rest of the cast and crew, Wendy serves a very useful purpose to the plot and is treated with respect. Rocket Raccoon, Black Panther and Rhodey (the beginning of the first issue is so similar to that of 'Higher, Further, Faster, More' it's kind of funny) make cool cameo appearances, as well.
Can I just take a moment to praise the diversity in 'Rise of Alpha Flight'? About 75% of the cast is female, and there are more POC humans, space aliens, and even animals, than there are white people. Now here's a progressive starship crew I can get behind!
The artwork is colourful and expressive - I love the bright, contrasting palettes. It's delightfully serviceable for a comic set almost entirely in space.
The Bryan Adams reference, as well as humorous, brought me back to my childhood. I thought it'd be too obscure to end up anywhere like this! Incredible.
Of course there are glaring flaws in the comic. Like a few unanswered questions seemingly forgotten about as soon as they're spoken of; like why did Brand turn down becoming the captain of her own space station, yet is hostile to Carol for taking the same job? And when is Wendy's sick younger brother going to be mentioned again? A couple of times speech balloons come out of the wrong characters in the same panel - amusingly it made me think they had switched bodies for a moment. Some plot elements don't make a lot of sense, and are contrived: Things happen too conveniently and end too quickly, because the story needs to move on to the next point. Building up to a very predictable twist at a snail's pace. Though at least nearly every plot point and theme isn't abandoned, not entirely. 'Star Trek' fans also might not care for the overall homage to the franchise; seeing a "rip-off" easily.
But damn it, 'Captain Marvel, Vol 1: Rise of Alpha Flight' is so entertaining. Captain Marvel is amazing! Undeniably flawed, yes, but fun! Another colourful sci-fi chapter in the legacy of Carol Danvers - worthy of Captain Kirk, Biggles and Flash Gordon. Her presence alone makes me wish to see her and her crew and friends boldly go where no man or woman has gone before!
Final Score: 4/5
Saturday, 17 September 2016
Thursday, 15 September 2016
Non-Fiction Book Review - 'The Princess Saves Herself in This One' by Amanda Lovelace
The best modern poetry book I've ever read, bar none. It speaks of contemporary times, to the young adults of today, about the state of being a woman living under the brutal, burning hand of the patriarchy and rape culture. It's fucking tragic. I actually almost cried while reading this. It made me reflect on my own life, perhaps unlocked memories, and think how scarily similar the author and myself might be. Not least because we both love fairy tales and are utterly "bookmad". There is hope at the end of her book, however (not the end of her story, for no story has an ending, only a beginning, or many beginnings of our choosing). Amanda Lovelace chronicles her life so far in little astonishing verses, divided into four parts - "the princess", "the damsel", "the queen" and "you". She's a wonderful writer, and a proud feminist, who teaches us that we - young girls and women - can and will save ourselves. Our past and other people shouldn't define us. You don't have to be a helpless damsel and a child surviving the scary world of relationships, old and new. Stand up to abuse, and move on. Things done to you are never your fault. Be whoever you want to be. Be a mermaid, if you wish. You are the queen of your own life. You deserve to be happy.
It's inspiring. Personal. Haunting. Lush. Mesmerizing. I could read every poem in this over and over and my heart will skip a beat every time.
'The Princess Saves Herself in This One' isn't a fairy tale. It's life. Life presented in blissful and bittersweet poetry craft, scattered on pages like a broken heart, and like stars. Read it as soon as possible.
It might change - no, save - you.
Final Score: 5/5
It's inspiring. Personal. Haunting. Lush. Mesmerizing. I could read every poem in this over and over and my heart will skip a beat every time.
'The Princess Saves Herself in This One' isn't a fairy tale. It's life. Life presented in blissful and bittersweet poetry craft, scattered on pages like a broken heart, and like stars. Read it as soon as possible.
It might change - no, save - you.
Final Score: 5/5
Book Review - 'Night of Cake and Puppets (Daughter of Smoke and Bone. 2.5)' by Laini Taylor
2021 EDIT: A sweet and beautiful thing. A refresher - a short, understated, hot-and-cold, slushy, velvety, chocolatey retread into the world of Laini Taylor, that can last for one night. A reread I won't soon forget.
I do not care one morsel for the grossly insensitive African stereotyping on page 34 (in text messages between Zuzana and Karou), however.
But the rabid fairy/marionette and violin boy romance in Prague - involving a scavenger hunt, puppets, snow in darkness, origami, a morbid café, a boat in a dock, peacock footprints, and of course cake - is enough to win me over.
The magic part should go without saying.
Final Score: 3.5/5
Original Review:
Oh to dive into the world of 'Daughter of Smoke and Bone' again!
'Night of Cake and Puppets' centers on our favourite mortal, earthling-but-wholly-otherworldly teen characters, Zuzana and Mik - the perfect odd couple whose love transcends physical bodies, blood and the stars.
This novella is about their first finding each other via a scavenger hunt, in the snow at night, started by the awesome Zuzana: "rabid fairy", puppeteer and theatre extraordinaire. She sneaks Mik a treasure map, and she's the treasure! With a little bit of magic - scuppies courtesy of her best friend Karou - things go a long way one single night in Prague, and in unexpected directions, too. "Jackass" Kaz, Karou's ex, also makes a cameo, and Zuzana thrills in chewing him up without lifting a finger.
Yet when it comes to first love, she's just so shy! But Zuzana's always a girl who takes charge of everything in her life. Of course she makes the first move; don't expect anything less of her or she'll give you pleasurable pain - the pleasure being all hers!
Told from both Zuzana's and Mik's perspectives, it's such a joy to read Laini Taylor's language again! So substantial and magical. I so desperately want to go to the Poison Kitchen café. The vivid imagery described and implemented in the story is spectacular and clever, as expected. I'm sure 'Night of Cake and Puppets' would make a classic, gorgeous picture book, to be read by everyone every Christmas.
The pretty fairy tale misses a star because, well, despite the lovely writing and chemistry between the petite-and-delightfully-morbid Zuzana and the darling violin boy Mik, I get underwhelmed by love stories easily, especially pure romance short stories like this. It's like, why would I want to read the emotions and overblown sensations of other people falling in love, when I either don't care (but I do care that they get together, one way or another), or they're too corny and co-dependent, or I've already experienced it myself? So it all seems a little redundant. How Zuzana and Mik become entwined with the universe - with each other - is interesting though, while the end goal is predictable. They end up together, the end. And at least there is some self-awareness of the stalkerish behaviour in the story. Love is a game these starry-eyed teens play, I guess.
'Night of Cake and Puppets' is a deliciously sweet, cute magical romance. A relief from the war-and-death intensity of the rest of the 'Daughter of Smoke and Bone' series. Small but adorable, like theatre puppets, and sugary and surprising, like cake. Like Zuzana herself. She would be a devil cake, and a puppet (or harlequin). Mik would be a yummy dark chocolate angel cake with vanilla icing, and an angel puppet. The couple would love dark flavours; with tea, in the snow, on a gondola.
Wow, I'm hungry now.
Final Score: 4/5
I do not care one morsel for the grossly insensitive African stereotyping on page 34 (in text messages between Zuzana and Karou), however.
But the rabid fairy/marionette and violin boy romance in Prague - involving a scavenger hunt, puppets, snow in darkness, origami, a morbid café, a boat in a dock, peacock footprints, and of course cake - is enough to win me over.
The magic part should go without saying.
Final Score: 3.5/5
Original Review:
Oh to dive into the world of 'Daughter of Smoke and Bone' again!
'Night of Cake and Puppets' centers on our favourite mortal, earthling-but-wholly-otherworldly teen characters, Zuzana and Mik - the perfect odd couple whose love transcends physical bodies, blood and the stars.
This novella is about their first finding each other via a scavenger hunt, in the snow at night, started by the awesome Zuzana: "rabid fairy", puppeteer and theatre extraordinaire. She sneaks Mik a treasure map, and she's the treasure! With a little bit of magic - scuppies courtesy of her best friend Karou - things go a long way one single night in Prague, and in unexpected directions, too. "Jackass" Kaz, Karou's ex, also makes a cameo, and Zuzana thrills in chewing him up without lifting a finger.
Yet when it comes to first love, she's just so shy! But Zuzana's always a girl who takes charge of everything in her life. Of course she makes the first move; don't expect anything less of her or she'll give you pleasurable pain - the pleasure being all hers!
Told from both Zuzana's and Mik's perspectives, it's such a joy to read Laini Taylor's language again! So substantial and magical. I so desperately want to go to the Poison Kitchen café. The vivid imagery described and implemented in the story is spectacular and clever, as expected. I'm sure 'Night of Cake and Puppets' would make a classic, gorgeous picture book, to be read by everyone every Christmas.
The pretty fairy tale misses a star because, well, despite the lovely writing and chemistry between the petite-and-delightfully-morbid Zuzana and the darling violin boy Mik, I get underwhelmed by love stories easily, especially pure romance short stories like this. It's like, why would I want to read the emotions and overblown sensations of other people falling in love, when I either don't care (but I do care that they get together, one way or another), or they're too corny and co-dependent, or I've already experienced it myself? So it all seems a little redundant. How Zuzana and Mik become entwined with the universe - with each other - is interesting though, while the end goal is predictable. They end up together, the end. And at least there is some self-awareness of the stalkerish behaviour in the story. Love is a game these starry-eyed teens play, I guess.
'Night of Cake and Puppets' is a deliciously sweet, cute magical romance. A relief from the war-and-death intensity of the rest of the 'Daughter of Smoke and Bone' series. Small but adorable, like theatre puppets, and sugary and surprising, like cake. Like Zuzana herself. She would be a devil cake, and a puppet (or harlequin). Mik would be a yummy dark chocolate angel cake with vanilla icing, and an angel puppet. The couple would love dark flavours; with tea, in the snow, on a gondola.
Wow, I'm hungry now.
Final Score: 4/5
Monday, 12 September 2016
Graphic Novel Review - 'Princeless: Raven the Pirate Princess Book 1: Captain Raven and the All-Girl Pirate Crew' by Jeremy Whitley (Writer), Rosy Higgins (Artist), Ted Brandt (Artist)
2023 EDIT:
Reread: Lady pirates. Lady pirate crew. What's not to love? (Even though it is only an introductory setup comic.)
Final Score: 4/5
Original Review:
This is the spinoff of the 'Princeless' comic series, which stars the teenage POC adventurer princess Adrienne, and it is blatantly, unabashedly feminist. It's as feminist as 'Bitch Planet' (Kelly Sue DeConnick even makes an artful appearance here, along with G. Willow Wilson and Marjorie Liu), if not more so. MRAs, mansplaining, misogynistic trolling, the "fake geek girls/pirate girls" male fabrication, the dangerous epidemic of so-called emasculation, the "friend zone", and the dehumanization of activists of social justice; these are all in this comic and are given the blunt kicking up the backside they deserve. The importance of representation to children is snuck in too.
And it is effing glorious.
An all-female pirate crew - what a wonderful idea! None of the same old boring, male-oriented stories to be discovered here: This small comic book is a map to its own buried treasure!
Book 1 of 'Princeless: Raven the Pirate Princess' serves as an introduction; the start of a quest (revenge against men taking from a woman what's rightfully hers) that's to come. It's an excellent intro to each awesomely dynamic, memorable character; not just the pirate princess Raven Xingtao, an Asian LBGTQ female lead, reminiscent of Disney's 'Mulan'. Each lady and future member of Raven's crew is so diverse and smart and brave in her own way that I want to praise their creation to the heavens. Cookie, Raven's old pirate friend, is pretty much the only three-dimensional male character, but he's as important as everyone else to Raven's development, so it's good. The story is also surprisingly multilayered and touching.
The comic only gets four stars from me because of, oddly enough, Raven herself. She isn't a captain yet, and she is getting started on her own individual adventures away from Adrienne. But she's largely ineffectual in a story that's about her. She gets beaten up a lot of the time, and is even knocked unconscious at the end of the first issue - a tired cliché. The first few pages are a flashback, showing Raven being a master hand with the bow and arrow - she's known as the "Black Arrow" among pirates and the rich and robbed. But for the rest of the book she never picks up a bow. Raven is more awkward and easily-fooled than a badass pirate seeking revenge. She doesn't even come up with any plans near the end of her recruitment of female pirates, and is mostly in the sidelines while the important action is happening. Granted, the climax shows how brilliant Raven's childhood friend, Ximena the navigator, is - with whom she has a complicated past and is clearly secretly in love with. The wide range of fully-realised female characters in this epic do potentially overshadow the main lead girl herself. Hopefully Raven receives her due quickly in future issues.
'Princeless: Raven the pirate Princess Book 1: Captain Raven and the All-Girl Pirate Crew' - it's exactly what you'd expect from a title like that, and from Jeremy Whitley and the diverse fantasy-subversion world he created with the 'Princeless' series.
No heterosexual romances here. It is full of nonstop girl power action, and even some important life lessons. Above all, it's bloody fun. Just my cup of tea!
Final Score: 4/5
Reread: Lady pirates. Lady pirate crew. What's not to love? (Even though it is only an introductory setup comic.)
Final Score: 4/5
Original Review:
This is the spinoff of the 'Princeless' comic series, which stars the teenage POC adventurer princess Adrienne, and it is blatantly, unabashedly feminist. It's as feminist as 'Bitch Planet' (Kelly Sue DeConnick even makes an artful appearance here, along with G. Willow Wilson and Marjorie Liu), if not more so. MRAs, mansplaining, misogynistic trolling, the "fake geek girls/pirate girls" male fabrication, the dangerous epidemic of so-called emasculation, the "friend zone", and the dehumanization of activists of social justice; these are all in this comic and are given the blunt kicking up the backside they deserve. The importance of representation to children is snuck in too.
And it is effing glorious.
An all-female pirate crew - what a wonderful idea! None of the same old boring, male-oriented stories to be discovered here: This small comic book is a map to its own buried treasure!
Book 1 of 'Princeless: Raven the Pirate Princess' serves as an introduction; the start of a quest (revenge against men taking from a woman what's rightfully hers) that's to come. It's an excellent intro to each awesomely dynamic, memorable character; not just the pirate princess Raven Xingtao, an Asian LBGTQ female lead, reminiscent of Disney's 'Mulan'. Each lady and future member of Raven's crew is so diverse and smart and brave in her own way that I want to praise their creation to the heavens. Cookie, Raven's old pirate friend, is pretty much the only three-dimensional male character, but he's as important as everyone else to Raven's development, so it's good. The story is also surprisingly multilayered and touching.
The comic only gets four stars from me because of, oddly enough, Raven herself. She isn't a captain yet, and she is getting started on her own individual adventures away from Adrienne. But she's largely ineffectual in a story that's about her. She gets beaten up a lot of the time, and is even knocked unconscious at the end of the first issue - a tired cliché. The first few pages are a flashback, showing Raven being a master hand with the bow and arrow - she's known as the "Black Arrow" among pirates and the rich and robbed. But for the rest of the book she never picks up a bow. Raven is more awkward and easily-fooled than a badass pirate seeking revenge. She doesn't even come up with any plans near the end of her recruitment of female pirates, and is mostly in the sidelines while the important action is happening. Granted, the climax shows how brilliant Raven's childhood friend, Ximena the navigator, is - with whom she has a complicated past and is clearly secretly in love with. The wide range of fully-realised female characters in this epic do potentially overshadow the main lead girl herself. Hopefully Raven receives her due quickly in future issues.
'Princeless: Raven the pirate Princess Book 1: Captain Raven and the All-Girl Pirate Crew' - it's exactly what you'd expect from a title like that, and from Jeremy Whitley and the diverse fantasy-subversion world he created with the 'Princeless' series.
No heterosexual romances here. It is full of nonstop girl power action, and even some important life lessons. Above all, it's bloody fun. Just my cup of tea!
Final Score: 4/5
Sunday, 11 September 2016
Book Review - 'Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda' by Becky Albertalli
2021 REEDIT: Read 'Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda' a second time, and it remains just as good. A very cute and positive LBGTQ YA book with lots of swearing and understated yet "indeed, it's a big deal" drama, that can be binge-read (is that a thing?) in a day. The family, and the individual friendships, are awesome, and the romance is beautiful. My heart! The pop culture references are adorable (I'm also amused that Tumblr is called "the Tumblr" instead of just "Tumblr". 2014 is such a long time ago now).
I'm happy this has received the attention it deserves.
Final Score: 4/5
2021 EDIT: Finally I remembered to update! Yes, the film adaptation is very good, thank goodness. Great job, everyone!
2018 EDIT: Yep, this is now a movie. I only hope it's as good as the book, no watered-down, downplaying BS.
Original Review:
Here, for my 300th book review, I have decided to shine the spotlight on an important YA novel for this day and age: 'Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda' by Becky Albertalli.
Such positive representation of the LBGQ community; particularly for young people during such a vulnerable and scary time in their lives: high school - the "coming out" issue, and why should it even be an issue? In the book there is a cast of endearing, likeable and diverse characters included like it's nothing. 'Simon vs.' is a great holiday read, as well.
'Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda' is like a box of chocolates. That's the best way I can describe it in one sentence. You're bound to find something which suits your tastes in this charming little coming-of-age teen book. It's like the mature spiritual successor to middle-school/YA books such as 'Wonder' and 'The Incredible Adventures of Cinnamon Girl'.
The highest of fives for the one 'Fruits Basket' reference, too.
I can confidently tell you right now that, whatever your sexual orientation, you will fall in love with Simon Spier. He is real, soulful, spontaneous, not too awkward, quirky without being annoying, and awesomely-sweet. He's a gay teenage boy given a chocolate box-variety of likes and dislikes and totally believable character traits - his favourite flavour is Oreos, for a start. He loves music, 'Harry Potter', and performing impressions for his loved ones' entertainment.
Simon's friends and family are equally funny - their dialogue is delicious - and they each bounce off the pages like in a feel-good musical movie. Everyone has an arc, not just Simon. I cared about them almost instantly.
Simon's contemporary story is sweet and cute. This adds to its charm while also discussing vitally important issues of human equality. In 'Simon vs.', every action leads to consequences - often devastating ones - and unlike in a lot of YA contemporaries, no "quirk" is thrown in for the sake of it and as a lazy afterthought in place of genuine character development. Everything is in this book for a reason.
Straight white male should not be the default, indeed. There's a hopeful and original romance in 'Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda'; beginning its progress as first love in its awkwardness, confusion, strong caring compassion, and heartbreak.
It's an absolute shame that this won't likely receive a film adaptation anytime soon. Culture has been favouring things like 'Grease' for far too long.
Homophobia needs to be viewed as an all-out atrocity and embarrassment in society, no excuses. And as an amusement, logically. I mean, why is being attracted to another person anyone's business but that of the couple themselves?
No one deserves ignorance and hatred in their lives. No one should be made to feel like they shouldn't exist.
Let us believe in hope, now more than ever. Hope that things will get better.
This is 2016. Happy 300th review.
Final Score: 4/5
I'm happy this has received the attention it deserves.
Final Score: 4/5
2021 EDIT: Finally I remembered to update! Yes, the film adaptation is very good, thank goodness. Great job, everyone!
2018 EDIT: Yep, this is now a movie. I only hope it's as good as the book, no watered-down, downplaying BS.
Original Review:
Here, for my 300th book review, I have decided to shine the spotlight on an important YA novel for this day and age: 'Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda' by Becky Albertalli.
Such positive representation of the LBGQ community; particularly for young people during such a vulnerable and scary time in their lives: high school - the "coming out" issue, and why should it even be an issue? In the book there is a cast of endearing, likeable and diverse characters included like it's nothing. 'Simon vs.' is a great holiday read, as well.
'Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda' is like a box of chocolates. That's the best way I can describe it in one sentence. You're bound to find something which suits your tastes in this charming little coming-of-age teen book. It's like the mature spiritual successor to middle-school/YA books such as 'Wonder' and 'The Incredible Adventures of Cinnamon Girl'.
The highest of fives for the one 'Fruits Basket' reference, too.
I can confidently tell you right now that, whatever your sexual orientation, you will fall in love with Simon Spier. He is real, soulful, spontaneous, not too awkward, quirky without being annoying, and awesomely-sweet. He's a gay teenage boy given a chocolate box-variety of likes and dislikes and totally believable character traits - his favourite flavour is Oreos, for a start. He loves music, 'Harry Potter', and performing impressions for his loved ones' entertainment.
Simon's friends and family are equally funny - their dialogue is delicious - and they each bounce off the pages like in a feel-good musical movie. Everyone has an arc, not just Simon. I cared about them almost instantly.
Simon's contemporary story is sweet and cute. This adds to its charm while also discussing vitally important issues of human equality. In 'Simon vs.', every action leads to consequences - often devastating ones - and unlike in a lot of YA contemporaries, no "quirk" is thrown in for the sake of it and as a lazy afterthought in place of genuine character development. Everything is in this book for a reason.
Straight white male should not be the default, indeed. There's a hopeful and original romance in 'Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda'; beginning its progress as first love in its awkwardness, confusion, strong caring compassion, and heartbreak.
It's an absolute shame that this won't likely receive a film adaptation anytime soon. Culture has been favouring things like 'Grease' for far too long.
Homophobia needs to be viewed as an all-out atrocity and embarrassment in society, no excuses. And as an amusement, logically. I mean, why is being attracted to another person anyone's business but that of the couple themselves?
No one deserves ignorance and hatred in their lives. No one should be made to feel like they shouldn't exist.
Let us believe in hope, now more than ever. Hope that things will get better.
This is 2016. Happy 300th review.
Final Score: 4/5
Friday, 9 September 2016
Jersey holiday - September 2016
Back from holiday. Here's more merchandise I got, and other pics from a zoo and the Devil's Hole, all from the lovely land of Jersey! :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)