Scott's Take: Avengers Mech Strike by Jed MacKay

 

Avengers Mech Strike by Jed MacKay is a self contained stand alone Avengers title that is supposed to sell the toys aka the mech suits the characters use. In this tale, the Avengers are fighting giant monsters that are attacking the whole world. Each attack is becoming more frequent. To combat the threat, the Avengers build giant mech suits to pilot. So, such as the movie Pacific Rim, superheroes will be piloting big robots vs giant monsters.

This is well written as one would expect from Jed MacKay and he does a great job of exploring each member of the team. This book is surprisingly deep for something designed to provide the background for the toy line. For one example, Spider-Man deals with having to face his insecurities as being part of the Avengers since he is not one of their most powerful members.  The art is really good in this tale.

The reader gets the feeling that this book is the reason that Jed MacKay is now in charge of the current main Avenger book. Several of the characters in this book have journeyed on to the current Avengers read that has yet to be put out in trade format.  This is a good book to hold one over while the first trade is still being collected.

 

 

My reading copy came from the Vickery Park Branch of the Dallas Public Library System.

 

Scott A. Tipple ©2023

Scott’s Take: Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures #1

From the massive archive…

Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures #1 was written by Mathew K. Manning and has art by Jon Sommariva. This graphic novel features Batman from the animated television series in the 1990s teaming up with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles from the 2012 animated television series. They unite with Bat Girl and Robin to face off against Shredder, Joker, Poison Ivy, Scarecrow and others.

Along with the battles, this funny graphic novel features various hijinks that happen while the heroes interact with each other and deal with how different their worlds are. If you are a fan of either group of characters you should find this most enjoyable. I found it worth reading just to watch Batman eat pizza, which I found funny. The heroes learn to respect each other and interact in the six issues collected in this graphic novel. The “serious” Batman character having to play off the more fun-loving turtles makes any interaction between the heroes groups entertaining. Especially funny was Batgirl’s reaction to Splinter (a talking Ninja Rat) and Ice Cream Kitty (a living kitty made out of ice cream) were especially goofy and entertaining. I enjoyed it.

If you find this collection enjoyable, you should also like Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Volume 1, Volume 2, and the upcoming Volume 3, which all feature different versions of the characters crossing over. Those stories focus on versions of the characters from the DC Rebirth and the current TMNT comic.  Those stories are more mature and also added more characters such as Bane, Alfred, Damian, and others. Having Alfred deal with the Turtles and Batman at the same time made for some interesting interactions.

 

 

Material was obtained from the Lochwood Branch of the Dallas Public Library System. The Dallas System has a far more extensive collection of graphic novels than what I was able to access in the Plano Library System.

 

Scott Tipple ©2019, 2022

Scott's Take: Black Hammer Vol 1: Secret Origins by Jeff Lemire

 
Black Hammer Vol 1: Secret Origins by Jeff Lemire is strange. A group of superheroes are stranded on a farm in a small town somewhere. They have been stranded for the last ten years and are unable to escape despite several attempts to do so. They work to keep their secrets from others while also trying to uncover why they are trapped here. This is a big getting to know the characters volume since they are all original characters inspired by various genres and characters elsewhere.

For example, there is a Martian warlord, there is a Shazam rip off, there is a robot, there is a science fiction 80s style hero called Colonel Weird, and others. This is a series that is fairly unique and kind of hard to explain. 

There is some flashback origins style action while most of it the pages are character drama contrasting who they were with who they are now. Most of the characters are not doing well, except for one. I have in my TBR pile the second volume called The Event.

 

My reading copy came via the Hoopla app and the Dallas Public Library System.

 

Scott A. Tipple ©2022

Scott's Take: Invincible: The Ultimate Collection, Volume 1 by Robert Kirkman

Invincible: The Ultimate Collection, Volume 1 by Robert Kirkman collects the first 13 issues along with extra from this series which is being adapted for release on Amazon as an animated series later this year. The series has also been purchased by Amazon to adapt as a live action movie separate from the animated television series. Robert Kirkman who is most famous for creating the comic book horror series The Walking Dead launched the TV show. Instead of writing another horror series, he created his own Superhero Universe through 144 issues and numerous tie in titles. It was one of their most successful titles published by Image.

 

Being an Image Comic allows more leeway than a DC title or a Marvel title would allow. A typical DC or Marvel comic expects more than one writer to write the character over time. Therefore, major changes are not allowed to happen that unravel or break the status quo of the universe. Often a writer with those publishers comments about “putting the toys back in the toy box” for the next writer. Meaning, for example, that characters can’t stay dead or if a bad guy becomes good he has to eventually return back to evil. It is expected that the character will be used again and therefore had to be returned to the original status quo. 

Since this is Robert Kirkman’s creation, if he kills off a character, they stay dead. Changes can and often are permanent and there are definite end points. This also means the writer working in this universe can just tell the story in their vision and not have to set up any return to the status quo. For example, in this universe, a character stays dead unlike elsewhere that the reader knows the death of Batman is temporary. This can be used by a good writer to make things more interesting.

 

This book collects the comics that covered the origin of Mark Grayson who is the hero known as Invincible. He is a typical teenager except for his major secret. His Dad is Omni-Man. Omni-Man is the most powerful hero in this universe and considered the paragon of what a hero should be. Mark Grayson is developing powers of his own and wishes to become a hero in his own right. He is still in high school but thinks he can find a balance between being a hero and a teenager.

 

While this does not sound like the most interesting storyline ever, there is a major twist that makes the story very different than what many readers expected and caused the series to be incredibly so successful. That twist is one of the main reasons that Amazon bought the rights to this series. That twist also comes to play in the last few issues and turns things far more violent and more of an adult story. In the comic book community, it is widely accepted that this is a series that gets better as it goes. That was also my experience here with Invincible: The Ultimate Collection, Volume 1 by Robert Kirkman.

 

The sequel, Invincible: Ultimate Collection, Volume 2, is here in my TBR pile from the library.

 

 

Invincible: The Ultimate Collection, Volume 1

Robert Kirkman

https://imagecomics.com/creators/robert-kirkman

Image Comics

https://store.skybound.com/products/invincible-ultimate-hardcover-vol-1-invincible-issues-1-12

2008

ISBN#: 978-1582405001

Hardback

400 Pages  

 

My reading copy came from the Hampton-Illinois Branch of the Dallas Public Library System. 

 

Scott A. Tipple ©2021

Scott's Take: Infinite Crisis by Greg Cox

Infinite Crisis by Greg Cox is a novelization of the seven issue comic book series. Because the Dallas Library System remains closed due to the pandemic, I have read most of the library books I had checked out when the system shut down. This 2006 published book comes from my personal TBR pile and was a gift from my Mom back in 2008.

Because this book came out more than ten years ago, it uses the canon of the time and not how things are being reimagined today. Set during the “post crisis” it is a low point for Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman personally as well as in their relationships with each other. After the revelations and decisions that led to this novel, Batman recently found out that multiple heroes were mind wiping villains once they learned the secret identities of various Justice League members. Batman also learned that he had been mindwiped as well after he objected to the actions of his fellow heroes. This betrayal led him to start the OMAC project and build brother Eye. 

At a later point, when Superman was mind controlled by Maxwell Lord, he brutally beat Batman until he was barely alive. He then went after Wonder Woman and tried to kill her. The only way to stop him was the death of Maxwell Lord which Wonder Woman made happen by snapping his neck.  Batman believes that Wonder Woman crossed a moral line as no hero kills. The mind wiping that was done on him remains a major issue in their relationship.

The preceding sets up the multiple storylines in this book. Infinite Crisis is one of the more complicated “event comics” I have read. There are numerous deaths, huge battles, and lots of violent action. Heroes and villains die. Many minor heroes and several major heroes find even the most powerful among them will not survive the events in this novel. The comic series that was adapted into this book changed the DC Universe with repercussions that continue today through numerous series.

The story is told from multiple perspectives of heroes and villains. Many readers will be familiar with the major players. Many will not be familiar with many of the minor ones such as Omega Men, the Freedom Fighters, the Justice Society, Power Girl, Max Mercury, and more. This book features minor and major heroes as well as minor and major villains. Just about anyone and everyone is here in this read.

This is all hands-on deck situation with tragedy after tragedy and a massive body count among heroes and civilians. While Infinite Crisis by Greg Cox is a really good book, it is probably over complicated for casual readers. But, I think it is worth a read for any DC Comics fan especially one who enjoyed the comic. 

Scott A. Tipple © 2020

Scott's Take: Dear Justice League by Michael Northrop with Illustrator Gustavo Duarte

Dear Justice League by Michael Northrop with illustrator Gustavo Duarte is a graphic novel for middle school aged readers. This is a book built around the concept of members of the Justice League answer their fan mail and address topics important to such readers. The book features superheroes such as the Flash, Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, and others, answering questions about making mistakes, dealing with bullies, self-esteem, and more. The heroes answer these questions and more while dealing with dealing with their own lives and an alien invasion. It is a light hearted, humorous, book aimed at younger readers that teaches a few things while also containing great art and plenty of jokes. 

While Amazon has the book listed as intended for readers in the second and third grade, the use of language as well as the jacket copy of the book makes it clear the read is intended for the older crowd in middle school. Obviously, it could be read by younger readers who are ready to read this sort of material and there is plenty of content that appeals to adult readers as well.

If you think Superman getting a ticket for texting while flying is funny or Aquaman being worried about smelling like fish, Dear Justice League by Michael Northrop with illustrator Gustavo Duarte is the book for you as well as any younger reader in your life. This fun read has also generated a planned sequel titled, Dear Super-Villains. Following the idea of answering fan mail, this book will address the fan mail of villains and is scheduled to be out sometime in the fall of 2020.

Dear Justice League

Michael Northrop

https://michaelnorthrop.net/

Illustrator Gustavo Duarte

https://www.instagram.com/_gustavoduarte/?hl=en

DC Zoom

https://www.dccomics.com

August 2019

ISBN# 978-1-4012-8413-8

Paperback

176 Pages (includes two short previews of other books)

Material supplied by the Kleberg-Rylie Branch of the Dallas Public Library System.

Scott A. Tipple ©2019

Scott's Take: JLA: Earth 2

JLA: Earth 2 by Grant Morrison and artist Frank Quitely is a story that features a good Lex Luthor from Earth 2. In fact, he is the lone hero of Earth 2. In Earth 2, The Justice League is evil and goes by the name of The Crime Syndicate Of Amerika. The Crime Syndicate rules the world with an iron fist led by Ultraman (evil Superman), Owlman (evil Batman), and more. Desperate for any chance to win his war against the evils of his world, Lex Luthor makes a bold plan to go to Earth 1 and beg The Justice League to return with him to his Earth. He has a plan to save his Earth. He needs 48 hours and their help to implement it. The Justice League members agree and the fight is on to save Earth 2.

This story was published back in October 2000 so the roster of the Justice League is different from the current books. At this time the roster includes seven members: Batman, Martian Manhunter, Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash (the Wally West version--not Barry Allen), Aquaman (post losing his hand and sporting a hook for a hand and never wearing a shirt), and the Green Lantern (Kyle Rayner). It is worth noting that this is when Kyle Rayner was either a rookie green lantern who was the last green lantern or one of the last depending on the artist and the time period.

This was also when they had Aquaman was going through a phase where the writers tried to make him a Conan the Barbarian type dude or some sort of weird /pirate/warrior/king hybrid so that he theoretically would be cooler to readers. Hence, he is depicted as bearded with long hair and shirtless, and has a hand missing which means he now has a hook. His look is completed by having him wearing some sort of metal breast plate on his chest that gives folks a nice target by exposing one nipple.  Someone thought this was a good look for him during that time. Why? Who knows, but they thought this nonsense worked and so they made him look like this for awhile.

JLA: Earth 2 is one of several tales that Grant Morrison wrote over several years that were centered on The Justice League. This particular one can be read as a stand-alone and without having read the other books in the series that some readers refer to as the “Big Seven of The Justice League” books.    

The art style in the read takes some time to get used to as the male characters are also ripped to extreme levels and their faces are a bit rough. Superman and Lex Luthor suffer the worst art wise and are depicted not even fitting in chairs. Then there is the cover which depicts Superman with a very prominent bulge in his clothing.  The art is not the highlight of this collection. The story is and it is a good one.

I enjoyed the debates on ethics and whether The League should intervene in the affairs of another Earth was fun. Seeing twisted versions of the Justice League and the interactions between them and the heroes is one of the cooler parts of this story. The ending is not very typical for a comic book and surprised me. Every heroic character gets their time to shine in this story and the villains get their time to remind people they are nothing like the good guys. I enjoyed this story. It is a short read and I wish they went into more detail about the parallel world and their villains. 

JLA: Earth 2 is a fun and enjoyable read, but it is dated thanks to the unintentionally funny depiction of Aquaman. The person who approved this depiction of Aquaman has some serious issues. While it would be fine to just read this one, if you want to read the rest of the run start with Justice League of America: New World Order which features a mullet sporting Superman and the rest of the Justice League vs an army of White Martians. 

 

JLA: Earth 2

Writer: Grant Morrison

Artist: Frank Quietly  

DC Comics

http://www.dccomics.com

ISBN# 1-56389-631-1

July 2000

Paperback (also available in hardback and digital formats)

96 Pages

Material supplied by the good folks of the Dallas Public Library System. My particular copy came from the Timberglen Branch.

Scott A. Tipple ©2019

Scott's Take: Captain America: Winter In America Volume 1

Captain America: Winter In America Volume 1 by author Ta-Nehisi Coates with art by Leinil Francis Yu is very typical of the work by Mr. Coates as it is a very political story. In this story, the real Captain America has returned after being replaced by an evil doppelganger that used his face and the people’s trust to overthrow the American Government and betray the superhero community. While the real Captain America was successful in his quest to overthrow and remove his evil doppelganger from Hydra and regain the trust of the superhero community, the people and the American Government no longer trust him. The country has fundamentally changed thanks to the Hydra takeover and the real Captain America no longer recognizes his country thanks to the changes that have come to pass. As is Bucky, Black Panther, and Sharon Carter, Captain America is also trying to find his place in the new America.

He is facing new enemies from his past that have ties to his old lesser known enemies suck as Taskmaster and others. Someone had managed to turn prisoners of war into Nukes (America Super Soldiers that use a template of failed attempt--the original Nuke-- to replicate Captain America) and is using them to attack the American people. Captain America may not recognize himself anymore or his country or the people, but he remains true to his driving core principal. If there are bad men hurting people, Captain America is going to take them on no matter what anyone else, including his own government says or wants him to do.  

The art in Captain America: Winter In America Volume 1 is great and the story itself is very interesting. There are some twists toward the end of the issue that makes the reader very interested to see where this story is headed. The story plays heavily into Captain America’s past while still being new reader friendly. Captain America has to use his brains, his leadership skills, and get help from his friends help to win the day though it does seem possible that his action may be exactly what his enemies want to finally destroy him and everything he holds dear.

If you would like a good place to start reading Captain America stuff, Captain America: Winter In America Volume 1, is a good place as long as you do not mind very political stories. I highly recommend this volume highly. Readers are cautioned that this is tale has very strong political elements and tone and therefore may offend some readers.

Captain America: Winter In America Volume 1

Writer: Ta-Nehisi Coates

Artwork: Leinil Francis Yu

Marvel Comics

https://www.marvelcomics.com

March 2019

ISBN #978-1-302-91194-2

Paperback (also available in digital format)

152 Pages

$17.99

My copy came from the Arcadia Park Branch of the Dallas Public Library System.

Scott A. Tipple ©2019

Scott’s Take: Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures #1

                                                                                     

Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures #1 was written by Mathew K. Manning and has art by Jon Sommariva. This graphic novel features Batman from the animated television series in the 1990s teaming up with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles from the 2012 animated television series. They unite with Bat Girl and Robin to face off against Shredder, Joker, Poison Ivy, Scarecrow and others.

Along with the battles, this funny graphic novel features various hijinks that happen while the heroes interact with each other and deal with how different their worlds are. If you are a fan of either group of characters you should find this most enjoyable. I found it worth reading just to watch Batman eat pizza, which I found funny. The heroes learn to respect each other and interact in the six issues collected in this graphic novel. The “serious” Batman character having to play off the more fun-loving turtles makes any interaction between the heroes groups entertaining. Especially funny was Batgirl’s reaction to Splinter (a talking Ninja Rat) and Ice Cream Kitty (a living kitty made out of ice cream) were especially goofy and entertaining. I enjoyed it.

If you find this collection enjoyable, you should also like Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Volume 1, Volume 2, and the upcoming Volume 3, which all feature different versions of the characters crossing over. Those stories focus on versions of the characters from the DC Rebirth and the current TMNT comic.  Those stories are more mature and also added more characters such as Bane, Alfred, Damian, and others. Having Alfred deal with the Turtles and Batman at the same time made for some interesting interactions. 

Material was obtained from the Lochwood Branch of the Dallas Public Library System. The Dallas System has a far more extensive collection of graphic novels than what I was able to access in the Plano Library System.

Scott Tipple ©2019

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson: Reviewed by Ambrea Ten years ago, when Calamity arrived in the night sky, ordinary people were given extraordinary powers—and ...

KRL This Week Update for 4/29/17

Up in KRL this morning reviews & giveaways of several fun new April mysteries-"No Charm Intended": A Cora Crafts Mystery by Mollie Cox Bryan, "A Good Day to Buy": A Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mystery by Sherry Harris, "Occult and Battery": A Bay Island Psychic Mystery by Lena Gregory, and "Called to Justice": A Quaker Midwife Mystery by Edith Maxwell

http://kingsriverlife.com/04/29/april-mysteries-for-your-spring-reading/

We also have a review & giveaway of "Of Books and Bagpipes" by Paige Shelton http://kingsriverlife.com/04/29/of-books-and-bagpipes-by-paige-shelton/

And a review & giveaway of "The Decorator Who Knew Too Much" by Diane Vallere, along with a fun guest post by Diane http://kingsriverlife.com/04/29/the-decorator-who-knew-too-much-by-diane-vallere/

Also a review & giveaway of "Date with Death" by Julia Chapman, along with an interesting interview with Julia http://kingsriverlife.com/04/29/date-with-death-by-julia-chapman/

And we have a review of the mystery TV series" Jack Taylor", on Acorn TV http://kingsriverlife.com/04/29/jack-taylor-on-acorn-tv/

And the latest mystery Coming Attractions from Sunny Frazier http://kingsriverlife.com/04/29/may-coming-attractions-mothers-day-edition/

For those who also enjoy fantasy and superheroes,  a review & giveaway of "Dreadnought" by April Daniels, the first in a trilogy about a transgender superhero http://kingsriverlife.com/04/29/dreadnought-by-april-daniels/

And on KRL Lite a review & giveaway of "The Logan Triad" by Nathan Walpow

http://kingsriverlife.blogspot.com/2017/04/the-logan-triad-three-bullet-riddled.html

Happy reading, Lorie

--

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