Before 1984, there was this cautionary tale about the dangers of Stalinist authoritarianism taking over leftist movements. It's a personal tale of theBefore 1984, there was this cautionary tale about the dangers of Stalinist authoritarianism taking over leftist movements. It's a personal tale of the author's misadventures in the Spanish civil war, but there's also of course a deeper political point. The tragedy of how the idealism against fighting fascism becomes betrayed. Something that is consistently misinterpreted from Orwell/Blair's writings, is that despite what happened he always remained a democratic socialist. Future generations of leftists should take note....more
Kevin Smith, I'd argue, is an overrated filmmaker. But he's a surprisingly good adept comic book writer, and although he doesn't write those scripts vKevin Smith, I'd argue, is an overrated filmmaker. But he's a surprisingly good adept comic book writer, and although he doesn't write those scripts very often those occasional graphic novels are welcome reads. This one is better than Green Arrow, in this reviewer's humble opinion.
Daredevil: Guardian Devil is a cliched Daredevil story in many ways. It's dark, it's about how his life is ruined yet again for the nth time. It also has some dialogue that has aged rather badly. That said, it's a high-quality mystery story that is a near-perfect book for anyone intrigued by the streaming series. Some of that series was indeed inspired herein.
It's very religious as well, leaning on Catholicism in imagery and plot (kind of like the film Dogma but serious). Another thing to appreciate is that Kingpin isn't the villain, which has been overused, as another character turns out to be pulling the strings in the end. There are the fights with Bullseye, other Marvel universe tie-ins peppered throughout, all in ways that works well while still feeling like it's Daredevil's world.
And the art by Joe Quesada is among his best ever. Eight issues in a row was pretty good for him, and after this his 'Marvel Knights' line would be so successful it would lead to him becoming the editor-in-chief of the entire company. A well-deserved classic, worthy of adaptation, just note this is still a time capsule into late 90s angst. ...more
If you're familiar with Douglas Rushkoff (and I'd recommend the Team Human podcast very much), there isn't a lot of new information in his latest bookIf you're familiar with Douglas Rushkoff (and I'd recommend the Team Human podcast very much), there isn't a lot of new information in his latest book. The main thing, as some recent headlines have shown, is the story of meeting tech billionaires who hope to survive the end of the world. Otherwise, this is a good summary of technology critiques from this important social writer.
There's also the chapter on Burning Man, showing how giving capitalists psychedelics doesn't really improve anything in the world when they can't escape the fundamentalist of their mindset. The part on Q-Anon and internet addiction is also very poignant. But overall, I'd recommend other of Rushkoff's older books. He's an important thinker, and I hope the world will further pay attention and think harder about what's not working in society. With a focus on humanity, perhaps we can do better. ...more
Peak Warren Ellis, taking an established mainstream property and just riffing in dialogue about transhumanism and psychedelic-drug themes that he findPeak Warren Ellis, taking an established mainstream property and just riffing in dialogue about transhumanism and psychedelic-drug themes that he finds interesting. Honestly, this is what works.
The storytelling structure is fairly straightforward in the Iron Man classic of Extremis, beautiful realistic art with high concept scifi and simple occasional fight scenes. Although not quite as pithy and trying to be funny as the film version, it is always interesting to see how these iconic 21st century graphic novels ended up influencing the MCU...
Well, canon or not, the perfect succinct story to introduce the character to hardcore geeks and casual novices alike. ...more
Neal Stephenson is still a genius, and there are always so very many interesting factoids one can learn from reading a tome like Termination Point.
HoNeal Stephenson is still a genius, and there are always so very many interesting factoids one can learn from reading a tome like Termination Point.
However, don't expect much of a plot in the conventional sense. This climate change speculative fiction has a lot of interesting things to say about the fall of America (although not as good as the first half of his previous book Fall), and of course the unique scientific take on how geo-engineering with a giant sulfur gun could be the answer to environmental disaster is a hell of a Big Idea premise. Then there's the global politics of it all, the somewhat coherent story of India going to war with Texas while China secretly manipulates, which happens to be from point of view of Netherlands royalty.
But besides whether or not one finds 700 pages of that a bit of a slug... Something feels off. Perhaps being too socially conscious these days prevents me from enjoying things, like I never minded the libertarian ethos of Cryptonomicon back in the day, but there's some awfully weird political subtext I currently can't seem to get over. It's a book about how fossil fuels have destroyed the planet, which is undeniable, and yet there are so many off lines about how it's the Greens who are the problem and won't let anyone make real progress. That the European far right going from climate denial to a pro-geoengineering stance overnight would be a good thing. And the moral of the story is basically to trust an oil billionaire to innovate out of this worldwide problem.
Don't get me wrong, it's fascinating. But it's been a long time since Stephenson wrote the excellent epic Anathem and the outstanding Americana satire Snow Crash. Perhaps he's best at tech thrillers now, not social critiques. I'm still ever curious to know any of his near-future predictions about the state of the country and the world, just can't say it quite works in this particular book....more
I really needed this, something hopeful and backed by data as a reason to be optimistic about the world...
Bregman offers a strong argument that the cI really needed this, something hopeful and backed by data as a reason to be optimistic about the world...
Bregman offers a strong argument that the cynical default state we are so accustomed to in media is not actually true. Stories of drama and conflict and misery might be more interesting, but not in fact good representations of human nature.
From debunking famous studies, to showcasing many more lesser-known ones, it's important to understand that it's not all grim. A lot of history going back to hunter-gatherer era and the whole Hobbes & Rousseau debate. One interesting term on evolved friendliness would be 'homo puppy'
Overall, it's key to remember that humans are cooperative by nature. Not competitive. Don't trust those leaders who say otherwise! ...more
This first "solo" Venom story (although it doesn't seem that way when Spider-Man constantly shows up), is a poor attempt at making this villain/antiheThis first "solo" Venom story (although it doesn't seem that way when Spider-Man constantly shows up), is a poor attempt at making this villain/antihero become his own character. The story is so convoluted, Eddie Brock relocates to San Francisco and then there is an underground city fighting an evil businessman he gets caught up in for some reason?
The idea of other symbiotes to fight is a good idea, which is barely used and frankly just wasted. The only saving grace is the Mark Bagley art in the first half, which is the epitome of 90's fun.
So I guess the first Venom film--which also isn't that good--is moderately based on the premise of Lethal Protector. But even if one thinks that movie works, and to each their own, it's hard to argue that the comic source material is much worth a reread... ...more
Frank Miller's Daredevil origin story might not be as iconic as Batman: Year One, but that's a high bar and this is about as good and as gritty as MarFrank Miller's Daredevil origin story might not be as iconic as Batman: Year One, but that's a high bar and this is about as good and as gritty as Marvel gets. 1990s Miller was in his prime, around the time he was doing Sin City, telling punchy urban tales that the Daredevil character fits into perfectly. John Romita Jr's art showcases powerful and simple storytelling, a good match for the script. As well as the eponymous protagonist's childhood, there's the introduction of mentor Stick, femme fatale Elektra, and of course the ultimate villain Kingpin. Doesn't seem to be canon, if one is a continuity buff and cares about that sort of thing, as Matt kills and Wilson is even darker than he is usually portrayed. Still, it's nice and self-contained and makes for an excellent literary graphic novel to recommend for fans of the series. ...more
Well, it is a quality Marvel comic that makes for a good jumping-on points with new readers. Good art, somewhat well written, etc.
It's a new iteratioWell, it is a quality Marvel comic that makes for a good jumping-on points with new readers. Good art, somewhat well written, etc.
It's a new iteration of the Avengers, so that's always easier for those intimidated by too much continuity.
However, I am an old school fan and I never likes Bendis's dark style with these iconic characters... I'm still upset about his Disassembled arc years later. And the way it was simultaneously trying to be like the Justice League--with Spider-Man and Wolverine joining--yet also down to earth and edgy. It didn't work for me, but to each their own...more
I consider myself a Stephenson aficionado, but perhaps I am not intelligent enough for the Baroque Cycle after all.
While I consider Cryptonomicon at I consider myself a Stephenson aficionado, but perhaps I am not intelligent enough for the Baroque Cycle after all.
While I consider Cryptonomicon at least my third-favorite of his tomes, this prequel to the saga does not work for me. Yes, one can learn quite a bit by reading about Daniel Waterhouse's conversations with Newton and Leibniz and even a young Benjamin Franklin, covering the Enlightenment period well. And the 'vagabond' sections with Jack Shaftoe's adventures, along with the impressive Eliza, are the more fun parts.
But overall, it can't be avoided how hard to follow this is. Generally, I find Neal Stephenson to be excellent at being a readable author who makes the most complex concepts interesting for a lay reader like myself. Yet, with this it does not work. This is not necessarily because of the thousand-plus page length. His science fiction world of scholars in Anathem is a far more successful attempt.
It was surely worth a try, and hopefully I do now have more of a sense of historical Europe and the natural sciences. What an effort it was, however.
So I suppose I shall not continue the trilogy, nor reread by way of audiobook any time soon......more
Seems appropriate to be writing this review on one of the worst Independence Days in recent memory…
What a horrifying book. Though titled The Next CivSeems appropriate to be writing this review on one of the worst Independence Days in recent memory…
What a horrifying book. Though titled The Next Civil War, it’s not exactly about civil war but rather about the inevitable fall of America. Multiple dispatch scenarios are laid out, thoroughly researched and written in a readable novelistic style, detailing plausible ways the country is about to implode.
Probably alarmist, and also probably accurate. The author being Canadian, it is written with the outsider’s point of view which makes it quite objective. Politically speaking, there is more blame to go around for the right-wing’s current tendencies towards violence and incoherent misinformation now tearing apart the nation’s social fabric. Some reviewers don’t like his taking sides, but the facts are facts.
Major causes include income inequality and climate change, and there seem to be no solutions. Irreconcilable partisan lines, racial animus, and illegetimate outdated electoral systems. Violent outbreaks will be one thing, but the coming economic collapse exacerbating everything else is going truly upend the relatively stable upward mobility we've enjoyed in the last century.
Oh well. Nothing lasts forever and it was fun for a while. Of course, nobody can truly know the future for sure. But we should be honest about what a deep hole we are, in if there’s any hope to get out of this growing mess. Unfortunately, such honesty does not seem to be in the cards at this time....more
The Midnight Library very interesting and heartfelt magical realism story, or maybe it counts as science fiction/speculative fiction though the genre The Midnight Library very interesting and heartfelt magical realism story, or maybe it counts as science fiction/speculative fiction though the genre is not the point.
A little hokey at times, but with such an original take on the 'It's a Wonderful Life'-type story...
(In fact, I might argue that stories about quantum consciousness are having a bit of a zeitgeist at the moment.)
But in any regard, the fantastical rationale for the how the multiple lives works isn't what makes it uniquely literary. The novel is really about infinite possibilities and why life is a gift, and that's all lives sad or successful, whether we know it or not.
The protagonist Nora doesn't want to live, and then goes on a strange journey from one alternate life to the next, lives as different as can be, discovering alternative versions of herself and learning a little more what existence is about each time. It's quite sweet actually.
Matt Haig is a solid storyteller, with prose reminiscent of Neil Gaiman. The premise may not be as explored as it could, too much just grazing the surface and not as much as a deep dive as could be, but it is a lovely little novel that will stick with you and maybe even make you think....more
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