Book Review: MY NAME ISN'T PAUL by Drew Huff

MY NAME ISN’T PAUL by Drew Huff (Kindle Edition, publication date November 18, 2025) ISBN #9798990790650 / ASIN # B0F87WT171 

Synopsis on the Goodreads website . . . . .

He pretended to be human for seven years. Until he couldn't.

He's a traveling salesman named Paul Cattaneo, except he isn't. He's a Mirror Person--a hyper-empathetic eldritch abomination. He found the human Paul Cattaneo's mangled corpse seven years ago and decided to mimic it. It's just what Mirror People do. Mimic. Absorb. Control.

But breeding season for Mirror People comes around every seven years, inducing a sociopathic state... and Paul's time is up. Unable to avoid the reality of what he truly is, Paul has a mental breakdown, goes on a cross-country road trip...and runs afoul of something far, far more inhuman and dangerous than himself.

A cosmic horror tale like nothing you've ever read before.

MY FOUR-STAR REVIEW ON THE GOODREADS WEBSITE . . . 

     Weird, wild, quirky, and amusing. A different spin on Lovecraftian mythos with the last of the Ancient Ones traveling through a portal to Earth and generating a race of bug monsters.

     These bugs then become Mirror People, assimilating into the human skin of dead people and trying to assume the life of the prior occupants (like Invasion of the Body Snatchers). They carry on for approximately seven years, when their gestation period begins as they go into heat (and sociopathic behavior) and produce a multitude of eggs.

     Paul a.k.a. Uxon is the main character, who is nearing his "in-heat" time and worrying that he may end up committing suicide like his best friend (also a bug monster) did. He receives plenty of coaching and advice from other Mirror People, but takes off on a journey of self-discovery (like a mid-life crisis).

The conclusion was expected but not entirely satisfactory. This novella was meant to be funny, and it is, but in a really dark way. I also thought it was slightly longer than necessary.

Kudos to the author for a vivid imagination. That elevated this Three-Star one-note story into a Four-Star Rating for me because of the creativity.

Thanks to Book Sirens and the author for providing me a digital advanced review copy.

Book Review: FOURTH WING by Rebecca Yarros

FOURTH WING by Rebecca Yarros (Red Tower Books, September 2024) Paperback, 544 pages. ISBN #9781649377371 

Synopsis on the Goodreads website . . . . .

Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general―also known as her tough-as-talons mother―has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders.

But when you’re smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away… because dragons don’t bond to “fragile” humans. They incinerate them.

With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their own chances of success. The rest would kill her just for being her mother’s daughter―like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant.

She’ll need every edge her wits can give her just to see the next sunrise.

Yet, with every day that passes, the war outside grows more deadly, the kingdom’s protective wards are failing, and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret.

Friends, enemies, lovers. Everyone at Basgiath War College has an agenda―because once you enter, there are only two ways out: graduate or die.

The Empyrean series is best enjoyed in order.

Book #1 Fourth Wing

Book #2 Iron Flame

Book #3 Onyx Storm

MY FOUR-STAR REVIEW ON THE GOODREADS WEBSITE . . .

     With over 30,000 reviews on Goodreads, this title certainly doesn't need any help from me, so I'll be brief.

     Epic. Great world-building. Highly detailed. Characters to care about. Equally compelling secondary characters. Touches all the bases. A good debut for this series.

     It took me almost a month to read this, simply because I found the length daunting and never became so engrossed that I would read in 100 page batches - more like one or two chapters at a time. Still, it's a great story and I'm not sure I can identify what sections to cut to make this a shorter novel without taking out any important elements. They are all important. I think I would have enjoyed this more if it was divided into two separate novels - - that might have elevated my rating to Five Stars.

NEON ICIBAN offering signed comics in digital format

EDITOR'S NOTE: While I'm still an old-school, tactile, print media reader I have nothing against digital platforms for reading comics. Although, I would hope that those who utilize these media still support local comic shops - - those are the front-runners who make it all possible for comics publishers to have a sustainable business. With the demise of Comixology, several new platforms have sprung up - the latest being Neon Ichiban. The founders also are responsible for DSTLRY Media, so they have experience.  What's different about Neon Ichiban is that you can re-sell your digital comic through their media platform. Now, they are offering signed digital comics that you can also re-sell via Neon Ichiban. If I'm going to the trouble of getting a signed comic, I want to meet the creator in person and have something to hold in my hands - - - but I realize the times are changing - -  so I share this information for blog readers who have a different opinion regarding digital comics. New details as outlined below . . . . from the official Neon Icihban press release . . . . .

NEON ICHIBAN UNVEILS PATENT-PENDING REMARQUES & ANNOUNCES COMMISSIONABLE REMARQUES: A GAME-CHANGER FOR THE CREATOR ECONOMY

DELIVERS 350 EXCLUSIVE REMARQUES TO EARLY ADOPTERS BY SUPER STAR CREATORS LIKE TULA LOTAY, BECKY CLOONAN, AND PATRICK HORVATH.

Come Find Me #1 Digital Remarque by Becky Cloonan Los Angeles, CA / New York, NY — October 6, 2025 — Following its successful late-summer debut, Neon Ichiban—the next evolution in digital comics and manga—is announcing its first major post-launch innovation: Neon Ichiban Remarques. This patent-pending feature revolutionizes how fans connect with creators and how creators earn in the digital economy. With Remarques, creators can sign and sketch directly onto digital comics, transforming each issue into a one-of-a-kind collectible authenticated by Neon Ichiban. Unlike traditional signatures, resold editions continue to generate royalties for participating rights holders such as creators or publishers—ensuring artists can share in the long-term value of their work while fans gain a personal connection to the comics they love. Huck: Big Bad World #1 Digital Remarque by Rafael Albuquerque  How It Works: Fans show a QR code tied to an issue or volume in their Neon Ichiban library. Verified creators scan the code with their device and add a digital signature or sketch. The collectible is instantly authenticated, permanently tied to that edition with provenance of the signature or sketch on that date,  Remarques can be resold in the marketplace—with royalties for each resale to rights holders “I've joked for years about signing someone's iPad, and now I actually can! I love that fans with digital collections can get in on the fun, and creators like me have a chance to reach new readers!,” said creator Becky Cloonan. As part of today’s launch, Neon Ichiban is fulfilling its promise to early adopters: every fan who joined the pre-launch waitlist gets to pick a free digital collectible comic from a select group, which includes 350 unique Remarqued covers created by celebrated artists including Tula Lotay, Becky Cloonan, Natalie Andrewson, Joshua Hixson, Patrick Horvath, and more. These editions can be treasured as keepsakes or resold on the Neon Ichiban marketplace, ensuring early fans are part of both comics history and its future. The Missionary #1 Digital Remarque by Ryan Stegman   Building on this debut, Neon Ichiban will soon roll out Commissionable Remarques—a Cameo-style model for comics. Instead of requiring fans and creators to meet live, artists can accept signature and sketch requests on their own schedule, from anywhere in the world. For fans, it means global access to their favorite creators; for artists, Commissionable Remarques creates a new revenue stream where creators can set their own prices, work on their schedule, and connect without convention constraints. “Remarques prove that digital comics can do something print can’t: offer creators new ways to connect with readers while extending the value of their work,” said David Steinberger, CEO & Co-Founder of Neon Ichiban. “We’ve built a sustainable model where creators benefit not just at release, but across the lifetime of their work.” “This is just the beginning,” added Chip Mosher, CCO & Co-Founder. “Neon Ichiban is live, and with Remarques we’re showing how digital comics can truly empower the people who make them.” For more information on NEON ICHIBAN and to keep up with the vast catalog of frontlist and backlist titles, with more content added weekly, sign up here. Somna #1 Digital Remarque by HamletMachine Follow NEON ICHIBAN on social: Twitter / BlueSky / Facebook: @NeonIchiban Instagram: @Neon_Ichiban

About Neon Ichiban NEON ICHIBAN is the next evolution in digital comics and manga—a future-forward platform where fans don’t just read, they can buy, sell, collect, and connect. Founded by Comixology veterans David Steinberger and Chip Mosher, NEON ICHIBAN delivers unprecedented digital control, direct access to creators, and a resellable marketplace. This isn’t just a platform—the future of fandom is here. About the Founders David Steinberger and Chip Mosher bring decades of digital comics innovation and leadership to NEON ICHIBAN. David Steinberger, former CEO and co-founder of Comixology, led the revolutionary digital comics platform acquired by Amazon. Under his guidance, Comixology transformed how readers access and enjoy sequential storytelling. Chip Mosher previously led content acquisition and marketing at Comixology and Amazon. A comics publishing veteran, Mosher is known for his editorial eye and creator-first publishing approach.   Together, they co-founded DSTRLY Media, which launched in 2023. The company’s first year debut series SOMNA won the 2024 Eisner Award for Best New Series. DSTLRY’s innovative digital marketplace—pioneering resellable digital comics—laid the foundation for NEON ICHIBAN, where fans don’t just read, they collect and connect.

BCC 2025: Chiang, Chiarello, Johnson, King, Lin, Marzan

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - October 6, 2025 - We will see you at the 2025 Baltimore Comic-Con on October 17-19 at the Inner Harbor's Baltimore Convention Center. The Baltimore Comic-Con is pleased to announce the addition of Cliff Chiang, Mark Chiarello, Dave Johnson, Tom King, Rachta Lin, and Jose Marzan Jr. to our 2025 event. Avoid waiting in additional lines -- get your tickets online!

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Cliff Chiang’s artwork has been hailed for its “fluid and confident storytelling” and “sweeping linework and nuanced style.” Graduating from Harvard University with a joint degree in English Literature and Visual Arts, he worked in editorial at Disney Adventures Magazine and Vertigo/DC Comics before making the leap into freelance illustration. Best known as the artist of the New York Times best-selling Wonder Woman (with writer Brian Azzarello) and Eisner Award-winning Paper Girls (with writer Brian K. Vaughan), his most recent work is the acclaimed Catwoman: Lonely City which he both wrote and drew.

Mark Chiarello is an American painter and illustrator based in Burbank, CA, known for his work with companies such as Lucasfilm, Disney, Mondo, Criterion, Carhartt, Topps, DC, and Marvel Comics. After attending the Pratt Institute in the 1980s, he began his career in the comic book industry. Chiarello painted the Batman/Houdini: The Devil’s Workshop graphic novel, winning the 1993 National Cartoonists Society Award for Best Comic Book, and was the first colorist on Mike Mignola's Hellboyseries. He served as SVP, Art and Design Director at DC Comics for 27 years, overseeing projects like Batman: Black and White, Solo, and Wednesday Comics, and was the editor of New Frontier. Chiarello also played a key role in the Batman: Hush collaboration between Jim Lee and Jeph Loeb. He co-authored The DC Comics Guide to Coloring and Lettering Comics with Todd Klein. In 2007, Chiarello painted portraits for Heroes of the Negro Leagues, which was featured in Juxtapoz Magazine. His other notable works include the 2009 Carhartt fashion campaign, a 2015 Mad Monster Party poster for Mondo, and artwork for Paul Simon’s Stranger to Stranger album. In 2020, he self-published Baseball 100 with Nel Yomtov and illustrated his first children's book, Alien to Zombie (2021).

An officially ordained Methodist Deacon, "Reverend" Dave Johnson may be best known for his minimalist covers on the noir Vertigo series, 100 Bullets. He has done all 100 covers. He has also done a number of covers for DC Comics, primarily Batman and Detective Comics. Dave also worked with Erik Larsen on the mini-series Superpatriot: Liberty & Justice. He is also known for his work with Marvel on Deadpool. Dave is the principal founder of "Drink and Draw", a get-together of professional artists that spawned an art book by the same name. Mr. Johnson earned the 2002 Eisner Award for Best Cover Artist. He was also nominated for an Eisner in 2004 for his work on the critically-acclaimed DC Elseworlds miniseries Superman: Red Son, which is now a perennial bestseller in graphic novel form.

Ringo and Eisner Award-winning Tom King was the long-term writer of Batman at DC Comics, where he has also written Mister Miracle, Grayson, The Omega Men, DC Nation, Swamp Thing Winter Special, and has a story in Action Comics #1000, not to mention his award-winning work at Marvel on The Vision. King’s first book, A Once Crowded Sky, a postmodern super hero novel, was recognized by USA Today as one of the best Graphic Novels of the year. He was named by the Hollywood Reporter as one of the five comic creators to watch in 2015.

Rachta Lin grew up around Japanese anime and manga and has always enjoyed drawing her favorite characters. In 2015, after years of working as a Creative Director for a multi-national corporation, she quit her job to pursue her dreams of becoming a full-time illustrator. A trailblazer, she was one of the first South-East Asian artists to go international to work with brands such as Overwatch, DC Comics, and Magic: the Gathering. After years of honing her abilities with renowned Japanese publishers, Rachta is finally living her dream of publishing her very own manga series.

Jose Marzan Jr. is a 42-year veteran of the comic book industry. He has worked for DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Dark Horse, and Disney Comics. Some titles from his long list of credits include Y: The Last Man, The Flash, Action Comics featuring Superman, The Adventures of Superman, Jack of Fables, The House of Mystery, Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, The Justice League of America, Time Masters, Dr. Strange, The Silver Surfer, GI Joe, Marvel Comics Presents, and Roger Rabbit. Jose Marzan Jr. received two 2008 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards for work on Vertigo Comics’ Y: The Last Man. One award (along with penciller Pia Guerra) for Best Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team for their work on Y: The Last Man(Vertigo/DC Comics), and an award (alongside his fellow creators Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra) for Y: The Last Manas Best Continuing Series. Recent work has included contributing to DC Comics‘ Hellblazerand Batgirl titles, Marvel Comics’ Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, and cover and interior illustrations for O’Reilly Media. His paintings were exhibited in the 1990 and 1991 Society of Illustrators Annual exhibitions in New York. https://www.josemarzan.com/ https://josemarzan.substack.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@marzantv https://www.facebook.com/josemarzan https://www.instagram.com/josemarzanjr/