Past Due Reviews [6]

 

Have you ever read a book and then forgotten to review it? Yeah? Well, that happens to me all the time! That's how I got the idea for Past Due Reviews. They won't be long posts, they'll likely contain a lot of comics, and my memories of the books themselves probably won't be great (some of them were read months ago, and I didn't sit down and review them for this or that reason). Hopefully the content is still relevant and helpful! 

Wicked Things #5-6 by John Allison, Max Sarin

Review for #5: That. Was. Terrible. I really liked the last issue and thought the story was finally going somewhere, but then #5 did NOT pick up where #4 left off. Why would the writer do this? What about continuity and consistency? Instead of a smooth and seamless transition from one issue to the next, we get a very confusing story that left me feeling lost and like I'd missed something. I even went back and re-read the ending for #4, but my memory wasn't the problem. The story simply took off in a completely different direction without even referencing the big stuff that had happened previously! WHYYY?

The inconsistencies were annoying, but I also hated that the misogynistic comments and views still weren't addressed this far into the series. (★★☆☆☆)

Review for #6: WHAT? THAT DIDN'T EVEN MAKE SENSE! AAARRGH - this series was a huge waste of my time. Additionally, the story started off with an attempted murder, jumped to robbery, and then ended with a shooting. Why am I mentioning this? Because only the last one had any sort of resolution. There were only six issues, so I'm not entirely sure how it managed to go from bad to worse in such a short amount of time. (★★☆☆☆)

Spider-Man: Noir (2020) #1-3 by Margaret Stohl, Juan E. Ferreyra, Dave Rapoza

Synopsis (via Goodreads): MURDER AND MYSTERY IN THE MIGHTY MARVEL MANNER! DATELINE, 1939! As the specter of war looms on the horizon, SPIDER-MAN: NOIR fights the good fight at home, stopping the injustices of a more friendly-neighborhood variety. But after a dame is murdered at The Black Cat nightclub and all clues point overseas, Spidey will have no choice but to board the next flight to Europe and kick off a globetrotting adventure through yesteryear of the Marvel Universe!

Review for #1-3: OMGGG - SO BORING. I honestly don't even know what this story was supposed to be about. A necklace? A murder? A terrible detective? What were they even trying to do??? I thought the time period would be fun to read about, but I was WRONG. The writing was dense, the story was snooze-worthy, and the characters themselves left a lot to be desired. I actually DNF'd the third issue! I couldn't make myself read another page of a comic book, which is really saying something since they have so few pages to begin with. (★★⋆☆☆)

We Only Find Them When They're Dead #1-3 by Al Ewing, Simone Di Meo

Synopsis (via Goodreads): For fans of Decorum and Something is Killing the Children comes a new sci-fi epic from Al Ewing (Immortal Hulk) and Simone Di Meo (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers). Captain Malik and the crew of the Vihaan II harvest resources from the giant corpses of alien gods found on the edge of human space. While other autopsy ships race to salvage the meat, minerals, and metals that sustain the human race, Malik sees an opportunity to finally break free from this system by being the first to find a living god. But Malik's obsession with the gods will push his crew into danger at the darkest reaches of space and face -- unless the rogue agent on their trail can stop them first...

Review for #1-3: I went into this series knowing very little about it, but I was pleasantly surprised by the story! It's a little hard to get into at first, but that's because it takes place in the future and the characters use terminology I'm not familiar with. I'm still not 100% sure what the bells mean, or what they're used for, but I think it has something to do with when they're allowed to start slicing and dicing in space. I wish we'd been given more background information on the world and how it had changed over time, and more character development would've been appreciated. We only get glimpses into their personal lives (sadly there were no flashbacks to the distant past), which made it hard to connect with them in the present.

The illustrations were phenomenal. I am obsessed with Simone Di Meo and cannot wait to see how she portrays people and places in future issues. Seriously, the artwork was stunning. Gorgeous coloring, breathtaking details, and even the morbid parts were beautifully conveyed. I just wish the characters had been written as well as they'd been drawn.

I'm always willing to give stories a few issues to find their rhythm, but I was super invested in this one from the start. However, the most recent issue (that I've read) really bummed me out. This one character's need for vengeance was fierce, but we don't really know why she's so obsessed with blowing this other character to smithereens. It seemed to be her sole purpose in life - innocent bystanders be damned - and it just wasn't believable with what little information we did have.

I was disappointed by the turn of events and felt like Ewing rushed the characters from point A to point B without much explanation. I get that they need to do the thing, but I'm still unsure about the why. A lot happened really quickly, and I wish the author had taken their time getting there. All in all, I'm happy with the series so far and looking forward to seeing where the story goes from here, but really hope Ewing explains more while doing less. (★★★★☆)

Past Due Reviews [4]

Guardians of the Galaxy #1-3 by Al Ewing, Juann Cabal, Belen Ortega, Chris Sprouse, Nina Vaqueva, Ivan Shavrin

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Once, they were a team of misfits. Now they’re a family, and they’ve earned their peace. But the universe is not a peaceful place -- and it’s only getting worse. The Great Empires are in turmoil. The rule of law is dead. And amidst the chaos, the Gods of Olympus have returned -- harbingers of a new age of war, reborn to burn their mark on the stars themselves. Someone has to guard the galaxy - but who will accept the mission? And will they survive it? Al Ewing (IMMORTAL HULK) and Juann Cabal (FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN) bring you in on the ground floor of a whole Marvel Universe of action and suspense!

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It's been a while since I've read a Guardians of the Galaxy series, despite Jacob telling me I would have enjoyed the previous run. I caught glimpses of what he was reading, and it looked really sad. I'm not entirely sure what was going on with Rocket (it's only briefly mentioned at the start of this new series), but I was worried the story would make me cry. I didn't feel like crying, which is why I chose to skip it. Ironically, Ewing had me sobbing by the third issue of this one, so now I might as well go back and read the previous story. 😐 Seriously, I was ugly crying on the couch.

I really, really loved how the third issue was written. Normally, Groot doesn't speak in a language readers can understand. We depend on the other characters in the story to translate for him within their dialogue, and we get the gist of what he's saying, albeit indirectly. However, in the most recent issue, it's everyone else that speaks like Groot, and he alone has the clearly defined dialogue. It was beautifully written, and really conveyed the emotions swirling through the various characters. I think Ewing is clever, and he made sure something specific had a very large impact on readers.

The story itself has been enjoyable, and I'm looking forward to seeing what adventures Ewing will take the Guardians of the Galaxy on next. Their group is fluid, and new characters are constantly being introduced. Like that little blue bunny on the third cover (for the life of me, I cannot remember his name), and the villains they're currently fighting. If you're looking for something new to read, and don't mind getting emotional, definitely check this one out!

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Hawkeye: Freefall #1-3 by Matthew Rosenberg, Kim Jacinto, Otto Schmidt

Synopsis (via Goodreads): When a mysterious and ruthless new Ronin starts tearing a destructive path through the city, suspicion immediately falls on Hawkeye, but Clint has more to worry about than who’s wearing his old costume. After a clash with the Hood ends badly, Hawkeye gives himself a new mission that will place him in the crosshairs of one of New York’s most dangerous villains. Hawkeye’s mission and Ronin’s secret plans will set them on a collision course that only one of them will walk away from. Fan favorite Clint Barton returns in a brand new series from Matthew Rosenberg (UNCANNY X-MEN, THE PUNISHER) and Otto Schmidt (Green Arrow).

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Hawkeye is my favorite Marvel character! It doesn't matter if it's Clint Barton or Kate Bishop, I'm going to read it! I absolutely adore them both. They're quirky, sarcastic, skilled characters (they're talented because they're so good, and they don't have actual super powers) that I've always related to. They've worked hard to make a name for themselves, and they persevere despite various setbacks. 

However, I am really struggling with Clint in this one, despite understanding his actions and his reasoning. He's tired of seeing the bad guys get away with doing bad things. There are corrupt politicians, mayors, and police chiefs𑁋people with power and political ties that cheat the system. He wants to do everything by the book, but gets frustrated when his efforts are overruled the very next day. What's the point in fighting evil, if the same evil gets released back onto the streets without a trial or repercussions? What happened to delivering a punishment befitting the crime? 

Speaking of punishment, Clint has some very strong Frank Castle vibes in this one. He's decided to take the law into his own hands, and starts making very questionable decisions. There is a lot going on in this story, with time travel and the morality of his choices. On the one hand, I agree that something needs to be done, but I'm not sure his methods are the right route. Especially when he starts lying and deceiving his friends, who are honestly there trying to help. They care about him, and they're concerned about the carnage his actions are leaving in his wake.

Clint has really gotten himself stuck in some serious shit this time, and I'm not sure how he's going to get out of it unscathed. I'm pretty sure something drastic will have to happen before he stops what he's doing, and I feel like everything is going to come to head sooner rather than later.

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Daughter of Smoke & Bone (Daughter of Smoke & Bone, #1) by Laini Taylor
Narrated by Khristine Hvam

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Around the world, black hand prints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil’s supply of human teeth grows dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherworldly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real, she’s prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands", she speaks many languages - not all of them human - and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she’s about to find out.

When beautiful, haunted Akiva fixes fiery eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

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Daughter of Smoke & Bone is a series I started years ago, but sadly never finished. I stumbled across the trilogy at a used book store shortly before our most recent move, and decided it was finally time to find out what happens to the lovely Karou and the tortured Akiva. Laini Taylor is a master storyteller, and I absolutely loved the world she created within the pages of this book. It was dark, magical, and otherworldly, but strangely realistic. I can't believe it has taken me this long to jump back into this world of flawed angels and misunderstood demons. 

I really enjoyed Karou as a character. She's relatable and just wants to carve out a spot for herself in the world. It's not easy when you're privy to secret doors and friendly monsters, but she's well-cared for and loved. She's not sure how she came to live with Issa and Brimstone (there are two others, but their names elude me), but she's happy with her life. Collecting teeth for Brimstone is weird, and he doesn't always tell Karou what they're for, but he has taught her how to tell them a part. Karou has a knack for stringing them together, but doesn't understand their significance. Her history is blocked from her𑁋for a very good reason𑁋and I really liked the slow reveal. Taylor doesn't make us wait until the very end, but wraps Karou's past and present into a wonderful web of tangled memories and misinformation. 

Brimstone is a fantastically creative and amazing character that I adored, and one that will forever have a place in my heart. He's gruffy and severe on the outside, but has always had a soft spot for Karou. I can't say more without spoiling something, but The Wishmonger is easily one of my favorite characters ever. 

Understandably, Karou is curious about the secrets the chimaera keep, so she makes less-than-stellar decisions when it comes to respecting rules and boundaries. She knows Brimstone and the others have secrets, and that there are times when she's not allowed to be in the shop. They don't mind when she's around their human visitors, but she's not allowed to see who or what enters through a door in the back. Brimstone did his best to protect Karou (from herself and others), but the past has a way of catching up to you, despite your efforts and intentions. When Karou's world is irrevocably changed, my heart broke alongside hers, and felt her fury deep in my soul. 

Akiva is an interesting character. He's tortured, but not broody. His anger and vehemence is warranted based on what happened in his past (especially the part shared with Madrigal), but his actions afterwards will be hard to forgive. He took his pain and rage, let them twist the person he had the potential to be, and became the monster he feared he was. Madrigal's softly spoken words, shared comforts, and midnight laughter did little to diminish his need for revenge. In fact, it was likely because of those things that he lost himself.

The juxtaposition of who the characters were before, and who they are now, was simply amazing. It's like Taylor wrote two versions for both Karou and Akiva, and now she's blending them together. Only time will tell who they will chose to be. Does Akiva deserve forgiveness? Is Karou willing to overlook something that stemmed from indescribable pain? There are no right answers, and they're not decisions I would personally want to make, so I'm anxious to see how the two will resolve their current circumstances.