This book takes off from go and doesn't stop. It's engaging as hell but also frustrating because it's one of those where no one can finish a damn sentThis book takes off from go and doesn't stop. It's engaging as hell but also frustrating because it's one of those where no one can finish a damn sentence (which I think a character actually says near the end) and the narrator withholds information by constantly getting sidetracked (because it's cover to cover crap hitting the fan).
Really, that's a refreshing change from most books starting slowly and getting good half way through, well, if they get good. And I think because it's one thing after another that the irritations shine brighter than what's done well. Because the irritations aren't needed and detract from what's done well, and I'm left questioning why they're there in the first place.
Take Garrett questioning whether Madison is trying to be a boy or a girl upon arriving at the island. Ok, so in that moment I'm trying to envision a trans teenager who was either born female and possibly transitioning to male, or vice versa. Then Sadie asks for pronouns. She/her. So...I keep reading thinking this is going to be important, or part of the character development, but nope. It's never brought up again. It just shows Garrett being an ass which was already apparent and makes no sense later on. Sadie asking pronouns shows polite etiquette and would've been enough to show modern cognizance. Otherwise, Madison spent most of the book as a faceless, genderless (veering female, but I didn't know what to think and there's not much description) teen that everyone over protects. And we get into that before really even knowing why the hell Garrett and Sadie are even there. Even by the end I had to stop and think it through to figure it out.
Every character seems to be there to check a box. Rich Black family who doesn't flaunt their wealth. Black lesbian. Bi-female. She/her teen possibly? wanting to become he/him but never addressed again? Entitled, manipulative white lady. Asshole cop. Bi-racial Vegas marriage. I think the book spent more time on these agenda items than it did on building the actual story. I'm not crying "woke." I hate that term. I'm not like that. Diversity and representation are important. Inclusion is good. But this feels exploitive. It's not necessarily organic to the story. Madison's pronouns don't matter at all. Jayla being a lesbian and Laney being Bi do matter but things could have been better integrated without seeming like someone's standing there with a giant flag, screaming - hey! We've got _____ represented here! (Insert giant arrows pointing at each character because they all tick a box.) I wish the characters had seemed more like real people and not a shoehorned stereotype. So much about these people felt forced at times and if the story has just unfolded, all of this could've come out naturally through their interactions.
And with everything going a hundred miles an hour, slowing down for the back story or awkward pointless conversation pulled me out. There are times the backstory made sense. But I wanted to throttle Laney when Kit started giving us real information and she had an internal freak out instead of listening to him. Omg. Give us something! Damn. I hate narrators that hold the reader hostage because they know some big thing but don't share it with the reader. And by the time we're told concretely about the big thing, we already know, because the clues are not subtle, and it's not a satisfying pay off. If anything, the way it's explained through Laney's pov makes dragging it out worse. It's realistic, yes, but not satisfying in any way. And the big secret thing has nothing to do with the happenings on the island. In many ways, this is a book about domestic things that just happen to intersect with a horror situation.
I wanted to give it 5 stars. The pacing alone disserves it. But this is two ideas in drastically different genres mashed together and needed more finesse to make it fully work. I'll still recommend the hell out of this book. It's a good read. And sometimes I nitpick the books I really like because they could have been better and I see the missed opportunity.
The ending does wrap everything up with a nice little bow and that's awesome, but even that's not wholly satisfying. It's a bit out of left field since we're focusing on other things, but not unseeable, and it's executed almost too perfectly. The way it's pulled off makes it seem like other concessions could be made, or something. Just. Something.
This is my first book by this author and she mentions at the end that it's her first horror novel. I'd read her next one for sure if she's writes horror again, and I'm curious to check out her other books.
I liked this volume. Parts were really good and some were tedious. Most of what I said in volume 5's review still stands. We don't get to see Hikaru-CI liked this volume. Parts were really good and some were tedious. Most of what I said in volume 5's review still stands. We don't get to see Hikaru-Chan as much as Hikaru-Kun. Yes Haruka asks about it, but I think that's an excuse. Later, another character also asks why he's not presenting as his other self, and he offhandedly says that it takes too long and too much effort. Another excuse. I'm not sure if the author is getting shoehorned into the traditional shojo recipe box and this is a way of staying true to what was started, or if it's genuinely going to tie into the story and let us see Hikaru fully embrace his identity after a tribulation of some sort.
Still love the series, but it's reading closer to traditional shojo now....more
This is weird. Doesn't say much since the whole series is weird, but here we are. I think DC has done something like this before, where the 4th wall iThis is weird. Doesn't say much since the whole series is weird, but here we are. I think DC has done something like this before, where the 4th wall is essentially broken and we end up on the cutting room floor, but this doesn't quite go that far. I didn't look into all the characters, but *I think* we see the original Superman who leaps buildings (the Superman we have today didn't come about until mid-century and was retroactively called the Earth-One Superman), the Supergirl that died in the original Crisis, Cave Carson, and Richard Dragon. I wish they had dug in a bit more on who we see since these are dead characters or dead versions of characters. It would've made this excursion more interesting for those of us who haven't read all of DC Comics back to the 1930s. Besides the obvious Crisis references, this feels like it could be a cool Crisis-like story....more
First, The End is creepy. Second, cool to see the Upside-Down Man, although I wish it was more than a passing cameo. Third, who tf is Drummer?? Stars First, The End is creepy. Second, cool to see the Upside-Down Man, although I wish it was more than a passing cameo. Third, who tf is Drummer?? Stars rounding up.
This was kind of a walk into Kate's past via Nocturna. While I love (and write) vampires, I wasn't really a fan of this turn in Kate's history when it happened. It pretty much signaled the beginning of the end for her.
As far as the story goes, I'm confused as hell. I don't know what is going on or what the ultimate goal is here. Just when it starts to get good, it seems like something is skipped over to get to the next scene. Or maybe to keep Drummer's goal a secret? After this issue, I'd love to see her and John Constantine go up against each other....more
Best issue yet. Cool and entertaining story, although it feels like pieces of it are missing in a few places. Not really sure what's going on with DruBest issue yet. Cool and entertaining story, although it feels like pieces of it are missing in a few places. Not really sure what's going on with Drummer, but finally curious enough to care about the central thread of the plot.
And yes, strive to be a decent human and leave the world better than how you found it. ✌️...more
I have to confess to being a little lost at points due to the time that passed between reading number three and number four. But! And that's a big butI have to confess to being a little lost at points due to the time that passed between reading number three and number four. But! And that's a big but! I am definitely here for all the Sesshomaru action, and this volume is heavy in it. I'm loving the backstory and the little nuggets we're getting for the present day predicament. The nostalgia factor is big here and this team is doing a fantastic job....more
While this volume does address the issues I had in volume 7 (stated in my review), I still feel like this is dragging on and lacks the punch of previoWhile this volume does address the issues I had in volume 7 (stated in my review), I still feel like this is dragging on and lacks the punch of previous volumes. There are so many panels of scenery or facial expressions and few words to explain the exact issue. Normally, I'd love for a book to leave this much for the reader's interpretation, but it's not coming off well. *And* I don't like Mafu's redesign. I thought he looked different so I compared him to earlier volumes and he is. His face is a different shape and the lines on his eyes are darker. He looks more like a stereotypical yaoi boy and less like an individual. I hope this series starts to pick up. ...more
That one page panel of Pam is phenomenal. The rest of this isn't anything new. This 3-part mini series was hardly a "secret" origin and it all seemed That one page panel of Pam is phenomenal. The rest of this isn't anything new. This 3-part mini series was hardly a "secret" origin and it all seemed too easy and rushed in the end. There are so many times where she has feared and hated what Woodrue did to her, and, yes, emotional abuse certainly played a huge role, but she volunteered, he injected something (would've been nice to know what it was) into her, ran away, and the rest is history. Given what we've seen in the past, and what's happened in her previous origin stories, I expected far more experiments, secret experiments even, from Woodrue. Pam is so strong and so confident now that the levels of fear we've seen in her when it comes to The Floronic Man don't line up with what he did. I mean, one injection and he ran away like a scared child? Pam has had Superman under her control. I expected more out of this....more
Reading 18-21 back to back, so coming off what I learned for #19's review, I'm still feeling like we're treading old water. Adding Bella freshens it uReading 18-21 back to back, so coming off what I learned for #19's review, I'm still feeling like we're treading old water. Adding Bella freshens it up a bit and opens the door the future HQ relationship, at least, but even that feels a bit...been here, done that. I do appreciate that we're back to this art style and meant to mention that in my review of #19.
(view spoiler)[Also had an eye roll at Ivy's whole "I could see the madness in his eyes" moment because, wtf, is she books to his*plant body*?? Fuck the madness in his eyes. He's clearly insane. (hide spoiler)]...more
I love these two! Especially when they are being true to themselves. That said, there is so much blushing going on here that they come across more likI love these two! Especially when they are being true to themselves. That said, there is so much blushing going on here that they come across more like teens than adults, and the majority of the volume takes the traditional shojo route. Boy likes girl. Boy takes girl to fireworks. Boy who dresses as girl doesn't appear and the pronouns are inconsistent, which I've mentioned before.
Btw, Shiu is an ass and hardly comes across as someone considered a close friend. He also comes across as a character placed so Hikaru can firmly and conveniently declare his sexual orientation to the reader. Everything involving Shui could've been handled better. More tactfully.
But!
The date. I feel like it disintegrates in a very real way with miscommunication that is true to both characters and I was dreading its progression. Which let the rest of the volume give off a palpable feeling of relief.
This story is breaking the shojo recipe and norms. That is awesome. I suppose hiccups are expected. I do hope, however, that this volume isn't a harbinger that we'll see fewer of those "rules" being broken as we progress....more
The art is gorgeous but the story structure is odd, like trying to unwind a jumbled ball of knotty yarn. I didn't read the blurb before I bought it, sThe art is gorgeous but the story structure is odd, like trying to unwind a jumbled ball of knotty yarn. I didn't read the blurb before I bought it, so I went in blind and was pleasantly surprised, and confused, but that's ok. I'm looking forward to getting more of this; I'm all in. ...more
I tend to enjoy King's storytelling, so it's not surprising to me that I liked this issue even though it counters itself to make most of what we read I tend to enjoy King's storytelling, so it's not surprising to me that I liked this issue even though it counters itself to make most of what we read irrelevant. I'm finally appreciating that the Sovereign's narration makes it clear that he loses this fight. It's been like this from the get go, but not having Sgt. Steele speaking *at all* helps this aspect stand out even more. We aren't distracted by all of his misogynistic screaming. This is a tale being told by the losing side to Wonder Woman's daughter sometime in the future and the back up stories are giving us that daughter's origin.
I've loved Yara Flor from day one and was so sad that her title and proposed tv show were cancelled. She is a ball of spit and fire and passion and humor. I agree with others that the way she talks to Diana seems it of character, but within the context of being annoyed with the constraints of Amazonian rituals and oaths, it does make sense. She's pissed at the situation and at Diana for forcing a tournament to decide, and she's using her attitude and words to edge under Diana's skin with hope to skew her focus.
Cassie's fairly recently developed relationship with Zeus gives her confidence a deserving boost and she is 100% true to herself and to Diana.
Donna - we don't get to see these two working together all that often, and when we do, it seems like most artists shy away from Donna looking like Diana. Here, they've taken great pains to set them up as identical except for the changes that come with age, and differentiate mostly with color (Donna in black & Diana in white), and with Diana's glasses. But there are smaller things, too, like the length of Diana's nose, the width of her lips, the fullness of her face. Side by side, it truly is like looking at Diana and a younger version of herself. Also really loved the analysis of Batman vs Superman seeing as that's an age of debate of geeks everywhere. I liked this interaction the most. Donna is very much her own person, but she's the closest to Diana's equal as one can get and it truly shines here.
The backup continues to entertain. I love how what the S means continues to be a teasing point as the years grow on all of them. I'm looking forward to reading Trinity's one shot.
Circe's "interaction" with Steele was a highlight. Talk like a pig, act like a pig......more
Opening to a wall of text wasn't a great start, but I did appreciate how each news panel built upon the one before it and we quickly saw how Delgado'sOpening to a wall of text wasn't a great start, but I did appreciate how each news panel built upon the one before it and we quickly saw how Delgado's death sparked a roaring flame. I hate Amanda Waller so much that I don't even have to type her name. My phone's predictive text provides it for me. Diana's part of the story is so touching from start to finish. Seeing the hate and anger building as she's displaying the ultimate loving and compassionate act just says so much about how we work ourselves into frenzies based on lies and what comes of it. Delgado's death was a tragedy, but there are two things here - one being the obvious manipulation with the Lasso of Lies to murder him and create a martyr, and two - why does know one question or blame the officers in control who ordered that attack on WW in the first place? There's no accountability. Everyone is too eager for a target for their anger. It's very pertinent today, and that makes this a must read but also diminishes the fun factor. It's not fun reading about crap that's really happening or a metaphor for such divisive hatred happening in real-time. But Diana's day with Jack is just amazing and I wish the real world would learn from that.
Loved the back up. These three together are so cute. The ages and art don't add up, but that's minor with such a fun story and seeing Jon and Damian charged with watching over Lizzie....more
This series doesn't have to the feel of one that you read and get into and maybe go back and reread to catch what you might have missed, except that wThis series doesn't have to the feel of one that you read and get into and maybe go back and reread to catch what you might have missed, except that with Llovet's art, that second or even third look is warranted. And that's where I find myself now. Wondering if I need to reread this and take a harder look at the art.
Life's thrown a bunch of curve balls at me all at once and it's been possibly a few weeks since I've read anything at all, so I grabbed this trade and read it real quick this afternoon. The story didn't stick out too much and the art didn't grab me like it usually does. My heart wasn't really into it, you know? I liked what I read. I understood it. I got the symbolism and so forth, but I didn't read it to the level that I did with volume 1 (review here for reference: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...)
After reading that review and thinking about this volume, I realized that I need to read it again. I want a better look at the magic circles and Solomon's tattoos. Llovet puts so much detail into her art that I know I missed stuff. And I want to know why Faith thinks she's so special. I don't think she's misguided into falsely thinking that she's special to Louis in a way perhaps he makes all his playthings feel. I think it's a core belief or something she feels is true even beyond Louis. But I also see her as someone who thinks (or knows?) she's got control over her power, and I'm curious to see who this backfires on because there are a lot of cooks in Faith's, um, "kitchen." There were several moments that made me think of John Constantine when he was young and foolish and thinking he could control things he couldn't, and I literally looked at the spine to see Boom! there and not DC because a Constantine crossover here would be epic.
Giving 5 stars because it's Llovet. The story is spotty and could use a bit more context or just more substance here and there, but it's art, and the art also tells a story. I enjoy stories with angels and demons that explore themes of love and freewill and magic and theology. I write about those themes myself. I'm definitely going to reassess and update this when my head is in a better place. Grief and stress interfere with so much that even reading a comic isn't easy. :(...more
Omg, this whole volume...stfu and look at the puppy dog eyes Haruka gives Hikaru near the end!! (ﾟοﾟ人)) (ﾉ*0*)ﾉ ＼(◎o◎)／ To steal a line from the book, it'Omg, this whole volume...stfu and look at the puppy dog eyes Haruka gives Hikaru near the end!! (ﾟοﾟ人)) (ﾉ*0*)ﾉ ＼(◎o◎)／ To steal a line from the book, it's "totes adorbs"! I can't even. I stared at that panel for so long I swear it came to life. That's a moment. That's the moment that will change everything.
Okay, backing up, a lot happens in this volume and everyone involved handles everything like responsible and reasonable adults. That is so refreshing. It gets so tiring being stuck in Highschool Shojo with immature antics and inexperience leading to dumb hijinks. Sometimes these kids look younger than they are, but more often than not, it's very easy to see them as college students.
I could go on, but others have summed it up nicely. I want to add on something I noticed about the characters and the scenes that the mangaka is deliberately doing - blurring gender lines, and making it look as effortless as Hikaru does makeup. Just to be safe and not ruin anything... (view spoiler)[It was heart wrenching to watch Hikaru trying to decide to wear a skirt or pants. ಥ╭╮ಥ And then all the "no, no, no, no,..." scenes. I can't say Hikaru is *trying* to be a good friend. They *are* a good friend. The best kind!
Ok, so then H&H go out shopping, both dressed as women, and other shoppers wonder if they're gay because of how lovey dovey they seem. So we get to to see them as a female couple. Later, with Haruka's haircut, we see a more gender neutral version of her. She's not quite androgynous, but it's close enough to get a glimpse of them as a male couple, and I think this is where the deliberate blurring of lines is happening.
The more "normal" content like this becomes, the more the stigma fades in society. It's not pointed out. No one makes a big deal. No one says Haruka looks like a boy. We don't see her agonizing over pants or a skirt, etc. As a straight person (tomboy), I can identify with Haruka, and as an lbtgq+ ally, I appreciate the author showing the added layers to Hikaru's decisions. Dressing for a date with someone you really like is already hard - try adding the need to pick a gender first because you have two identities even though you're one person. That sounds very black or white and I don't mean it like that, but that is how it's presented. The nuances are there enough to be filled in by the reader. Thankfully, Hikaru doesn't ask or think aloud something like, "who does Haruka want on this date?" I love that they chose based on what they wanted. I really like what the author is doing here. That's obviously coming from my perspective. I hope Hikaru's perspective rings true for others in their shoes. (hide spoiler)]...more
Not as strong as volume 1, but still a fun read. I don't read much fantasy, so I tend to enjoy it when I do. This collection seems a little rushed or Not as strong as volume 1, but still a fun read. I don't read much fantasy, so I tend to enjoy it when I do. This collection seems a little rushed or maybe so busy that things slipped by the editors. Zala is called Zara in at least one panel and Waller calls Deadshot "Wade" :/ -I hate Waller, for the record, but even she would get the names right. Little things like that caught my eye and had me flipping back pages to double check. There are a bunch of dangling strings in the end, but I suspect that's on purpose. Not much other analysis from me. Just enjoyed this as a break from the norm!...more
I really enjoy Taylor's storytelling. This definitely does not disappoint. I had a literal, out loud, "Oh damn!" moment and I can't wait to gw(°ｏ°)w!!
I really enjoy Taylor's storytelling. This definitely does not disappoint. I had a literal, out loud, "Oh damn!" moment and I can't wait to get into volume 2. I opted not to get this title in comics because I knew it would read better as a trade and I think I made the right decision. I love every bit of this and how true all of the characters ring to their main continuity counterparts (as much as possible within story context). I'm not as sure about Jefferson's paranoia being true to Black Lightning, but I believe him as someone who wants to do what he believes is right to protect his people. (view spoiler)[I did not see Clark stabbing Bruce. ༼⁰o⁰；༽ I guess we're tapping into Red Son there a bit? Haha! And Green Lantern Luthor Joker? Awesome. (hide spoiler)] plus, the art is gorgeous....more
I love the idea of this series. I dislike the execution. I want cool adventures, not over the top Shonen-Mecha groups standing in thಠಿ_ಠ I don't know.
I love the idea of this series. I dislike the execution. I want cool adventures, not over the top Shonen-Mecha groups standing in the way because...conflict! Ooh! Ohh! ರ_ರ
And really - if you're going to call them something, why Power Rangers? They look more like Gundams or Transformers. Anyway...
Did not like the Challengers. Loved the creature. Poor timing, I think, on calling for an imploder to kill our heroes in their submersible.
I have this set in my pulls through issue 4. I only started getting it for Kate, but she's not enough to save it since she's been given a pretty generic characterization here. Issue 3 will determine if I drop it or not....more
I wish the bonus chapter had been inserted somewhere in the middle of this book so I could sit with the final panel a bit.
Seeing Hikaru'sI am hooked.
I wish the bonus chapter had been inserted somewhere in the middle of this book so I could sit with the final panel a bit.
Seeing Hikaru's death from multiple viewpoints was interesting. This was also about the time I realized how much he looks like Yukine from Noragami Stray God and I think the tragedy of Yukine's death compounded my initial response to these scenes. (view spoiler)[From Yoshiki's pov, it was extremely emotional and gut wrenching and creepy. It also implied (to me) that he was murdered. Then seeing it from Hikaru's side...that fell apart. He slipped and fell and died because of a sexy tree? Wtf? It's strongly implied that these boys had feelings for each other. Doesn't mean Hikaru couldn't enjoy a sexy, womanly tree, but it's just too weird for the tone of the manga. The mountain's dangerous. We've been told that numerous times. He could have easily slipped and fallen and died without the sexy tree. (hide spoiler)]
I'm starting to get Parasyte vibes, too, where I don't think the thing inside Hikaru's body has a conscience. He's kind of doing what he wants without regard to others - but that could also be part of its self-discovery. It's a very interesting aspect to explore. If it's wrong, does he know it's wrong and does it anyway? Or is childlike curiosity and he doesn't know better until afterward and learns it wrong? ...more
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