Fantastic noir set during the entirety of the Second World War. It's definitely one of the best Hard Case Crime novels I've ever read. It starts off aFantastic noir set during the entirety of the Second World War. It's definitely one of the best Hard Case Crime novels I've ever read. It starts off as your usual serial killer story, but turns into so much more.
None of the reviews I've read have come close to preparing me for the experience that Swan Song was or even painted a picture of what the heart of theNone of the reviews I've read have come close to preparing me for the experience that Swan Song was or even painted a picture of what the heart of the story was, aside from taking place after a nuclear war. I could do no better in explaining without getting into spoiler territory, so I will not try to explain.
I will say this has some great character work, some over-the-top villains that oddly work in this setting and a heck of a lot of cool moments. So, if you've never read anything by McCammon before, this is a wonderful place to start (or the Wolf's Hour because I can't seem to shut up about it ever since reading it back in August of 2023 and that book was ALSO a great novel).
How does this book fare against King's the Stand?
Well, for one, I actually finished this. To be fair though, I read the Uncut one during middle school, so perhaps I wasn't in the right mindset to complete it. I might just add that to my newly-crafted "To Be Finished" list. Overall, though, I enjoyed this one much more than I had the Stand. Definitely a lot less filler.
Highly recommended, but a fair warning, there are a lot of dark elements throughout....more
I've said it before and I'll say it again: I've never read a bad book by Robert McCammon. Whether it's the Wolf's Hour or Boy's Life, McCammon always I've said it before and I'll say it again: I've never read a bad book by Robert McCammon. Whether it's the Wolf's Hour or Boy's Life, McCammon always knows how to paint a masterful story.
Even with the Night Boat, which is nowhere near the level of his best works, he was still able to describe a scene incredibly to really put you there. The atmosphere is also really well done and reminds me of Sleepy Hollow. This might just be one of his best works, in fact. The story is so intriguing and though there are a handful of mysteries themselves sprinkled throughout, in the end, they all come together in the main story.
And the character work is some of the best I've ever read. The dialogue feels mostly real and the characters you either love or hate---there's no in between. McCammon knows what the people want to read. He truly makes all his novels worth the price of admission.
Would absolutely recommend it. You bet I'll be buying the Queen of Bedlam and the rest of the Matthew Corbett sequels that follow....more
I read this after the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (LWW), despite chronologically taking place before that. I read that it spoils some important eI read this after the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (LWW), despite chronologically taking place before that. I read that it spoils some important events from that book, and in a way, it does. I'm glad to have read this after LWW.
Though I prefer LWW, this was still a great book, with a lot of world-building, some questions answered and some good characters, something the first book did very well also.
This was actually my first time reading and honestly? I'm glad I waited for my adult years because wow. C. S. Lewis wrote something brilliant with somThis was actually my first time reading and honestly? I'm glad I waited for my adult years because wow. C. S. Lewis wrote something brilliant with some great Christian symbolism in it, along with a handful of other messages. There is no way I would have understood or made the connections in my younger years, so I'm so thankful I decided to break it open last night after all this time.
The great thing about this book is that not only is it easier to understand as an adult, but it's also the kind of book you can still enjoy as an adult. The characters and world-building are really strong and I'm really looking forward to diving into the rest of the series.
Chronologically, "the Magician's Nephew" takes place before "the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" (LWW), but after seeing numerous reviews that state it can somewhat spoil LWW for the reader, I have decided I'm going to read the Magician's Nephew AFTER this one.
Highly recommended for fans of fantasy, Christian symbolism, or just a really fun time. You don't need to be a kid to enjoy this one!...more
A surprisingly great start to the Aliens vs Predator Universe. I say surprisingly, since generally, crossovers from the late 80's and early 1990's areA surprisingly great start to the Aliens vs Predator Universe. I say surprisingly, since generally, crossovers from the late 80's and early 1990's are some of the worst things my eyes have ever bared witness to, but I'm a sucker for 'em, so I trudge through the madness, hoping to one day find one worth my time on this precious earth.
This is that book.
I mean, I know I'm probably overselling it. I also know that I may be a bit bias, since I enjoyed the novelization by Steve Perry and Stephani Perri so much. Even though there was a lot less depth to this, I was able to fill in the gaps with what I knew happened in the book, but this was still a fantastic read. It's a perfect blend of sci-fi, horror and action.
I cannot believe I'm only just now getting to it either. I've owned the single issues with glorious cover art by Phil Norwood for a while and I've read dozens of the Alien/Predator/AVP stuff, so I figured it was probably time to break this open. I don't regret it whatsoever.
You need only have seen the first two Predator films, first two Alien films or have just a bit of info on who or what either of these franchises are, to fully enjoy this.
Classic 90's Dark Horse stuff, but that's not a bad thing. The interior art, while of course not matching the covers, is still great. And consistent. Which is not something that can be said for most books of the time.
The story makes sense too. That's also something that cannot be said about most comics from this time. The Predators are using a planet to plant already laid Xenomorph eggs on the surface, so they can hatch and the Predators can use the planet as a hunting ground. They've done it before, but in between them leaving the planet while the eggs grew, a group of humans have colonized there,
Oh, and get this: the human characters are good too! The dialogue feels very real/organic. I know I'm in the majority when I say I love Machiko Noguchi's character in this. I'm looking forward to seeing more of her later too, when I jump into AVP: War, which I believe has the same writer too....more
The first part of this book featuring a Predator during the Civil War was good stuff with decent art, but I was in it for the main attraction: 1718; aThe first part of this book featuring a Predator during the Civil War was good stuff with decent art, but I was in it for the main attraction: 1718; a short, Predator 2 prequel story. It was so much fun and it's no wonder this has gone down as a favorite among fans.
I'm looking forward to owning this in a collected format, once the Predator Dark Horse Years Omnibus volume 2 hits stores next year!...more
Wow, that was incredible. It's no wonder that this not only rivals every other novelization in existence, but the original 1978 John Carpenter film itWow, that was incredible. It's no wonder that this not only rivals every other novelization in existence, but the original 1978 John Carpenter film itself as number one. There's so much to love here.
There's really a whole lot added here to make it a whole other experience: the prologue, Michael's time in Smith's Grove Sanitarium with Dr. Loomis, and...well, I could go on, but I urge you to read it yourself...if you can somehow get your hands on this rare, out-of-print gem.
This is a worthy novelization and just might be my favorite so far. It even adds a great supernatural element to the story that really adds to the Halloween aspect of the story. It works too.
If you like audiobooks, I know there's some dude named the 80's Slasher Librarian on YouTube who does audiobooks for the rare, OOP horror novelization and tie-ins. I think he rightly deserves a call-out after all the hard work he puts in uploading all those books. I've listened to a couple of his audios and he often adds music or sound effects to them.
The story follows retired "Muddy" Davis, who wrote a long-running series of comic strips for many years, nIt's campy, but I loved the heck out of it.
The story follows retired "Muddy" Davis, who wrote a long-running series of comic strips for many years, named "Junkyard Joe." The strip was based on real events as Joe and Muddy fought side-by-side during the war. Joe ended up saving their squad on numerous occasions.
Many years later (after Muddy retires), Junkyard Joe finds his way to Muddy's doorstep, one chilly winter morning.
Man, this was so good. I know I'm probably biased since I love the Geoff Johns and Gary Frank comic book duo, but with that aside, it was still done pretty well. It brings me back to films like E.T. or Short Circuit. I can't say much more about it without getting into spoiler territory, but I would definitely recommend for anyone looking for a good comic series you don't need to read a hundred other series to understand or really anyone just looking for a good time.
TRIGGER WARNINGS INCLUDE language and some pretty brief, yet graphic violence. Most of which takes place during 'Nam, but there are a few other instances sprinkled throughout....more
Real good stuff. Geoff Johns and Gary Frank deliver yet again!
After a nuclear war, Geiger was unable to make it to the bunker his family had taken reReal good stuff. Geoff Johns and Gary Frank deliver yet again!
After a nuclear war, Geiger was unable to make it to the bunker his family had taken refuge in. Geiger becomes this glowing, nuclear man when all else around him is destroyed.
Other survivors of the war have heard the myths of the nuclear man and venture to his bunker in hopes of unlocking its treasures. But Geiger is not going to let that happen. Geiger himself won't even open the bunker. Not until it's safe for his family to come out into the world they once knew.
Though it can be read on its own, I highly recommend checking out Junkyard Joe first. It takes place before this and eventually, all of these series are going to tie together. No spoilers, but knowing the tale of Junkyard Joe can also help you to enjoy this story more. Especially since there are some references to that story throughout....more
When I found "the Wolf's Hour" by Robert R. McCammon in the basement of an antique store, on a dusty bookshelf, under an orange, glowing light, I thouWhen I found "the Wolf's Hour" by Robert R. McCammon in the basement of an antique store, on a dusty bookshelf, under an orange, glowing light, I thought this looked like a fun, werewolf vs. Nazis kind of book. So, I bought it. It would be a fun book to laugh at with my friends and jokingly call it a masterpiece. What I would eventually find out though, was that it was so much more and even started my fascination with Paperbacks From Hell.
I've never judged a book by its cover, but I often find myself collecting books, simply because of the cover art. Rarely, will a horror novel with subjectively good artwork contain a fantastic story within its pages, but I am glad to say that this one indeed did so.
Yes, it has its share of werewolves vs Nazis, but it has so much more. At its core, it's a story of family, loss and survival...WITH all the stuff I was also hoping for. Michael Gallattin is a character we, the reader not only roots for but sees as a believably conflicted human being as he tries to prevent Doomsday and uncover the secret of "Iron Fist", a plan put together by the Nazis, that is heavily secretive.
Yes, there are some horror elements to this, but very little relating to the wolf. Most of the horrors involve the war. Regarding the war and his pre-war Origins, the story really delves into some sad aspects, that I will not say more of, to prevent spoilers.
The writing in this is fantastic. The entire time Michael finds himself on the enemy lines, you feel nervous, as if he's truly surrounded by danger and not just in the presence of two bad guys he could easily knock out. I found myself sad, on the edge and even laughing at some times, as I grew to love the characters throughout and if book succeeds in doing that for me, I consider it to be a good, well-written book. This went from me jokingly calling it a masterpiece to unironically considering it to be one of the best books I've ever read. So, yeah. I would definitely recommend....more
I put off on reading this for the longest time because the single issue I picked up at a Comic Convention had "issue one" or some such thing on it, soI put off on reading this for the longest time because the single issue I picked up at a Comic Convention had "issue one" or some such thing on it, so I was hoping to find the rest of the series before diving in.
Come to find out, this was a one-shot (a one-issue story/comic). So I finally read it. About 5 or so years after I bought it. I'm glad I did too. I never knew much about the Spirit (I still don't). But from this issue, I gathered, like Batman, he's a vigilante/detective, stopping crime through the night. His Police Commisioner is named Dolan and he's basically Commisioner Gordon, except he's a lot more of a close friend than Gordon is to Batman. I am unsure, but I'm close to being sure that he knows the Spirit's identity, since he gives him car rides with his daughter and such.
Anyway, the story starts with Batman and Robin in their classic suits, stopping a plane that was hijacked and we later find out it was by the Joker and the back of the plane is full of Batman's Rogue Gallery.
One thing leads to another and Batman and the Spirit's Rogues are working together to stop both of them. It's real fun stuff and since the artwork is done by Darwyn Cooke, I'll say again, the art is fantastic. Cooke left us way too soon, but I am so incredibly thankful for what he left us. Though he has a ton of great artwork, I'd go as far as to say this was among his best. I know. Crossovers with good artwork? But Darwyn Cooke delivered and made me look past the really fun, yet simple story.
Oh, and that cover is so darn good. I'd love a poster of that, despite knowing next to nothing about the Spirit!...more
It really helps if you check out Fantastic Four no. 51 (1966), as this serves as a satisfying sequel/conclusion to that story.
A simple tale that takeIt really helps if you check out Fantastic Four no. 51 (1966), as this serves as a satisfying sequel/conclusion to that story.
A simple tale that takes the Fantastic Four back to its roots, accompanied by glorious artwork by Alex Ross. The humor and relationships between these characters are spot on.
I heard someone say you had to read Jonathan Hickman's FF run in its entirety before reading this too, but I haven't checked that out yet and I followed everything in this story pretty well, without having any questions....more
Although every comic book crossover wants to be a Batman vs Predator, more often than not, they become a Superman vs. The Terminator. But very rarely Although every comic book crossover wants to be a Batman vs Predator, more often than not, they become a Superman vs. The Terminator. But very rarely will you get something that perhaps rivals the greatest crossovers throughout comic history. This is one of them.
I loved this tale. Let it be known my only ounce of Conan I've experienced was with 1981's Conan the Barbarian starring Arnold Schwarzenegger (I plan on watching the sequel later this week). But other than that, I've only CONSIDERED checking out the original poems and stories from creator, Robert E. Howard. I have no idea how faithful this take on Conan is to the books, but I can assure you, he wasn't at all made into a joke and that this whole story was pretty much a Conan tale. Wonder Woman does play a huge part, of course, but I'd consider this a Conan story overall.
Conan is captured right at the start and finds our Wonder Woman also captured with no memory of who she is. Conan sees her and recognizes her as perhaps his first love, long lost and thought dead. The signs are all there, Diana and Conan's childhood friend both come from female only tribes, they have the same eyes, etc. It really works well as a love story/mystery. The writer did a fantastic job with it, so not only was Conan trying to figure out if Diana was that girl, but we, the reader, also tries to piece it together. I really grew attatched to these characters. A fantastic story, followed by some good art too.
Unfortunately, (but also thankfully), this story serves as one of Conan's last adventures before being bought by Marvel. I say thankfully because I truly believe it ended on a high note. I have heard Conan's own comic book run left off on a cliffhanger, but I'm really happy this book got to exist before the rights were sold....more
What a fun read this one was. It was cheesy, violent and actually humorous at times. With it being Prednesday at the time of typing this, I wanted to What a fun read this one was. It was cheesy, violent and actually humorous at times. With it being Prednesday at the time of typing this, I wanted to read something Predator-related. I've been wanting to check this one out for quite a while, so I figured this would be the best thing for me to read today.
This was exactly the right blend of two franchises that couldn't be any different. Of course, this is a non-canon adventure, but that's what makes it more fun. Something that separates this from all the crossovers of the 90s, is this one actually takes risks. As I said before, this is non-canon, so the writer could do anything they wanted to do, which meant the Predator could start running out of room for trophies, if you get what I'm saying.
So many references to both universes and I even caught an Archie Meets the Punisher reference in Chapter 4. Would definitely recommend, if you're looking for a great crossover....more
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