CAPTAIN BLUE HEN Revives The Outdoor Comics Flea Market Tomorrow

 

EDITOR'S NOTE: No, that photo to the right is not the specials I am offering at my outdoor tent sale during CAPTAIN BLUE HEN'S Memorial Day Sale.

But, I thought it was a good enticement to get your attention and consideration for some morning travel tomorrow, Monday May 31, to Captain Blue Hen's store and parking lot for an outdoor comics flea market.

I will be there along with other comics and toy vendors from 9 - 12  (or maybe longer, depending on customer participation). What do I have to offer?  Just a lot of good reading at bargain prices - -  story sets, many current issues as low as $1, a special box of comics selling at 50 cents each, some reasonably priced back issues of Avengers, Iron Man, Spider-Man, and X-Men series. Even Marvel's Micronauts and John Carter of Mars.  Also some Star Wars Essential Guides, and  a box of special interest magazines. 

The address is 280 East Main Street, Newark DELAWARE. Hope to see you there!

Mike Clarke a.k.a. pghhead

Graphic Novel Review: HIT-GIRL IN HOLLYWOOD by Kevin Smith / Pernille Orum

HIT-GIRL IN HOLLYWOOD by Kevin Smith, writer;Pernille Orum, artist; Francesco Francavilla, cover artist. (Image Comics, June 2019) Trade paperback, 112 pages. ISBN # 1534312250/9781534312258. 

Summary on the Goodreads website . . . . . 

HIT-GIRL: THE GOLDEN RAGE OF HOLLYWOOD. The adolescent assassin tears Tinsel Town a new one when she realizes her life's being dramatized for the silver screen. Hit-Girl storms sets, wages war on fat-cat movie bosses, and lures old enemies out of hiding in this kamikaze Californian bloodbath.

Collects Hit-Girl Season Two #1-4.

My Three-Star Review on the Goodreads website . . . .

     I’m surprised that this barely received an average of Three Stars by Goodreads reviewers. I liked this, although it's not even close to the premium quality that Kevin Smith is capable of (apparently when he wants to). But it's purely Kevin Smith's style, so my expectations were met. 

     Much of the disgruntlement and outrage seems to be centered around the first issue, although that's not the full extent of it. Issue #1 relates a high school shooting, for which many readers/reviewers called out Smith for insensitivity in featuring it. It's a risky choice, but I wasn't offended and didn't see it as unsympathetic on Smith's part. After all, the high school student shooters are foiled after only two victims (but more than enough blood) by our hero - - Hit-Girl. It serves as the rationale for the rest of the four-issue series, as Hit-Girl knocks over a library bookshelf on one of the shooters and discovers a non-fiction work about her (Heretofore Hit-Girl) that she was completely unaware of. 

     This annoys Hit-Girl enough that she makes a trip to Hollywood, where the book has been optioned for a movie by current celebrity actor Juniper Florence. Hit-Girl meets Florence, whose prep for the movie includes method-acting by roleplaying as a superhero in her own right: The Dick-Taker who brings justice to a score of Hollywood producer/execs engaged in sexual predation. 

     There's some clever nods to the excesses of both Hollywood and the Me-Too Movement along the way, all in fun and not necessarily trying to make a statement. 

     HIT GIRL IN HOLLYWOOD is a fast-paced and fun read, a bit of fluff to enjoy and then forget about it. Thanks, Kevin!  For the most part, I think you hewed closely to the Mark Millar canon on Hit-Girl. The art is just this side of Archie comics wholesomeness in a perhaps intentional contradiction, until the bloody scenes.

Graphic Novel Review: HOTELL by John Lees & Dalibor Talajic

HOTELL by John Lees, writer; Dalibaor Taljic, artist; Lee Loughridge, colors; and Sal Cipriano, letters. Covers by Kaare Andrews (Issue #1) and Keron Grant. (AWA Studios, 2020) Paperback.  

Summary on the Goodreads website . . . .

You won't find it on any map, but if you happen to be driving down Route 66 late at night and you're truly desperate for shelter, sanctuary or secrecy, you might see a battered sign on the side of the road: The Pierrot Courts Hotel. - where many check in but few check out.

My Five-Star Review on the Goodreads website . . . . .

I read this in the monthly issues HOTELL #1-4 of 4 (AWA/Upshot, March-August 2020).  

John Lees is an inventive Scottish writer of horror comics who has a penchant for scripting tales that reveal the darker sides of human nature, the things that get under your skin and start to itch. I recommend this title to all fans of horror comics, especially if you haven’t read anything by Lees before. If you like HOTELL, seek out his SINK series (ComixTribe) and the more recent MOUNTAINHEAD (IDW). 

   The anthology format, short horror stories linked by a creepy host who introduces each tale, has been a staple of horror comics ever since the days of the ground-breaking TALES FROM THE CRYPT (1950’s EC Comics) and popularized even further by the black-and-white CREEPY and EERIE magazines (1960’s & 1970’s Warren Publications).  

Lees takes that format and puts his own spin on it. The linking device is not so much the host here, although there is one — helpful but dour motel clerk John Lynch. The connection is that all the stories take place in one setting, Pierrot Courts, the small four-room motel off Route 66 whose worn-out neon sign can only be seen by select drivers, like a foreshadowing beacon. It’s located at the end of a side road that “most travelers will never discover. Some things, not all eyes are meant to see.”  Instead of three or four short stories introduced by the host and broken up with dark comedic commentary, each issue is one longer story. There are no funny segues to break up the horror. Each story is a punch to the fright gut. All the stories are linked together, with each issue previewing a related scene from a former or future issue. What goes on in the rooms is what brings it all together.

I read a lot of horror and don’t get bothered easily. None of these stories disappointed me. The most disturbing tales reside within the pages of Issues #1 and #3. Expressive and often horrific art by Dalibor Talajic is equal to the task of illustrating these dark stories.

ISSUE #1: Alice, a pregnant woman, flees her abusive husband Ted and hides from his pursuit at Pierrot Courts. She experiences dreams in which her unborn son speaks to her and nurses at her breasts each night. However, is that really her son conversing with her? She awakes with bleeding nipples. Her angry husband arrives just in time to receive the news. Along with the dread there is a bit of satisfaction in the ending. This one gave me shivers. 

ISSUE #2: Bobby, an unhappy husband with murder on his mind believes the isolated Pierrot Courts and the surrounding woods to be the perfect place to dispatch of Muriel. A chance discovery of a mysterious pond complicates things repeatedly. 

ISSUE #3: A distressed Kristin investigates the last known whereabouts of her older sister Lisa, the roadside hotel where the also-missing serial killer Wilbur Finch kept her captive and allegedly tortured. Kristin’s discoveries are very unsettling. 

ISSUE #4: A depressed father who believes his young bipolar son has been possessed by the devil enlists the assistance of a disgraced Catholic priest. The site they choose for the exorcism rites is the Pierrot Courts. First mistake. All four issues tie in here as an eclipse occurs in a fiery climax. 

The final words of clerk John Lynch, as he poses near the disturbing painting of the Pierrot clown/mime put a neat bookend on the whole series, and hint at a possibility of more:

   

   “I think about them often. The ones who get to leave. . . . Do they leave with a deeper understanding about themselves? . . . Can that understanding come without comprehension of what exactly happened here? . . . I’ve been in Pierrot Courts longer than I can remember, and even I don’t understand it. . . . Some things are just unknowable. . . . I miss them, you know. So many people come and go, each with their own story, and I can’t help but get attached. . . . But the good thing is, it’s never too long before a new story begins.” 

PGHHEAD'S 2021 COMICS ODYSSEY, Part Fourteen

 In 2021 I’d like to cross over the 1,000 comics review barrier, meaning reviews that I (Mike Clarke a.k.a. pghhead) contribute to the blog. That’s what this odyssey is about, beginning January 01, 2021. Wish me luck . . . . .

 

#320-321  EDEN (AfterShock, May 5 release) My absolute favorite of the new comics releases for May 5. I'm going to spotlight this incredibly well-done novella ("one-shock") on my blog, but wanted to get the word out right away to everybody else who loves a complete-in-one issue tale. 

A horror romance with a chilling Twilight-Zone vibe. Beautiful for its simplicity but careful crafting in both story and art. FIVE STARS.

#322  IMMORTAL HULK #46 (Marvel, July 2021) “You And Me Against The World” 

Another month goes by, and this remains my #1 favorite current Marvel book. That misshapen distorted version of the Hulk with an upside down Rick Jones fused to a phantom monster continues to give me shivers every time Joe Bennett draws him. Bennett is the master of depicting body horror in comics. 

  The U-Foes put a different version of the Hulk down, but he’s not out. He escapes to drink a beer at a Manhattan pub while Agent Gyrich calls on The Avengers - - again. Thor gets there first; then it’s seven to one versus the Hulk. But wait, monster Betty Brant shows up to help. And Gamma Flight can’t be far behind.

 I see a real knockdown, cage match spectacle coming up. FOUR STARS.

#323  THE MARVELS #1 (Marvel, June 2021) The original Marvels mini-series from 1994 by Kurt Busiek and Alex Ross is one of my favorites. It told the story of the Marvel universe from the street-level perspective of a news photographer, just an ordinary guy, and brought back that initial sense of wonder that I felt when first experiencing super-hero comics as a youngster. Marvel has re-bottled the magic several times since then, but nothing comes close to the original. 

       Busiek is back on script; but Ross is only doing covers for this one. The theme for this series, as described on the contents page and in an afterwords is “Anyone. Anywhere. Any Time.” Indeed, there are eleven different settings in a range of time periods featuring multiple characters in this first, introductory issue. However, bigger is not necessarily better. I have a feeling that Marvel has milked the cash cow of Marvels too many times, and now it’s dried up. 

      The ordinary guy (maybe) this time is new character Kevin Schumer, who acts as a tour guide for visitors who want to see the super-hero sights while visiting NYC. He transports them in a used, hovering FantastiCar (no explanation as to how he comes to possess it), repainted with the name of his service - Kshoom. I just can’t warm up to this character the way I did to Phil Shelden in the original series - - he has no charm, just a lot of wind. 

    I keep giving these Marvel sagas a chance to engage me, and keep coming away disappointed. I’m done with this one. TWO STARS.

#324-#329  RECKLESS graphic novel by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips (Image, December 2020) Brubaker and Phillips are the team supreme of crime fiction in comics. So awesome! A longer review appears on this blog for May 10. FIVE STARS

#330  VIETNAM HORROR #2 (Behemoth, April 2021) I picked this up on impulse while making my rounds. Only copy on the shelves, and no sign of a #1 issue. But, skimming through it while in the shop, the art really caught my eye. Black & white illustrations with incredible use of shading and a photo-realistic look. Took a chance hoping it was a stand-alone story. It wasn’t, but I could still catch up to the plot.

  February, 1968 Ke Sanh province. A small squad is sent downriver to support Major Tundo and his team, who are isolated in the jungle at the foot of a mountain with a scary local reputation - also criss-crossed with tunnels and crawling with Vietcong. 

   Meanwhile back at the encampment, soldiers are breaking out with a mysterious rash/fever. Is it related to the drug the local prostitutes were giving them to smoke? Back at the mountain, a tunnel rat finds an alarming surprise waiting for him.  Damn, a continued story - but this is good enough to cause me to look for more. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.

#331  JAMES BOND, AGENT OF SPECTRE #3 (Dynamite, May 2021) 

The middle issue of this Christos Gage/Luca Casalanguida min-series does not disappoint. Bond’s uneasy alliance with Spectre’s Blofeld is tested as he makes yet another bargain with the enemy. This time it’s Blofeld’s rival Titania Jones. 

Can he survive both? How far will he go to maintain the ruse? Kill an ally? Double and triple crosses. If you like the Bond films, this will satisfy. 

Great Steranko tribute cover by Aaron Lopresti. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.

#332-#334 PUNK TACO children’s graphic novel (AWE, 2018)I bought this for my grandson (Dylan) at the 2019 Baltimore Comic Con. He wasn’t quite ready for it at that time so I held it back.

I’ll give to him when we visit this month. He’s almost six now (July birthday), but reads at a third-grade level. Hope I can read this with him. A longer review appears on this blog for May 11.  FOUR STARS.

#335-#337  OWLY: FLYING LESSONS (Graphix, April 2021) Children's graphic novel by Andy Runton. A great series to introduce children to reading. My grandson loves these. A longer review appears on this blog for May 12. FIVE STARS.

#338-#343  MAX MEOW, CAT CRUSADER children’s graphic novel by John Gallagher (Random House Graphic, 2020) 

Funny and cute. MAX MEOW, along with TINY TITANS are the comic series/graphic novels I would recommend for introducing young readers to super-heroes. The stories are engaging. The art is colorful. There are themes of friendship and responsibility along with some silly humor that can also be appreciated by middle-grade readers. 

Another gift for my book-loving grandson. FOUR STARS.

#344-#348  IRON FIST: HEART OF THE DRAGON #1-5 (Marvel, March-July 2021) 

Pure action-adventure as only the gifted Larry Hama (G.I Joe, etc) can script it. The art enhances the proceedings so well, and helps make the book what it is, from the gorgeous covers by Billy Tan to the interior art by Dave Wachter. 

The Eighth City and an army of undead ninjas, assisted by Taskmaster and Lady Bullseye are killing the dragons of the Seven Cities under Heaven and taking their hearts in order to open a portal for the Eighth City to emerge. Iron Fist and Power Man enlist The Immortal Weapons to stop them. Okoye of Wakanda also gets involved. 

Lots of mysticism and philosophy mixed in, but not too overwhelming. I didn’t realize there was one more issue left in this story. Otherwise I would have waited to read all six issues at once. FOUR STARS.

#349-#350  ZOEY AND KETCHUP: DAYDREAM BELIEVER by John Gallagher with Katie Gallagher (Skydog Press) 

Another fun children’s book from the talented Mr. Gallagher. Young Zoey has a vivid imagination as her dog Ketchup (on the tip of his tail) can attest, since he serves as the narrator of the book. This time Zoey’s creativity takes her and Ketchup on a very funny Indiana Jones adventure. 

Yep, this is for my grandson. FOUR STARS.

#351-#354  A QUARTET OF AWESOME! I’d love to write a more in-depth review of these four AfterShock books came out this week, but lack the time (since I should be packing for a trip). But I wanted to mention that I read these books this week while the ink and/or blood is still fresh. . . . . . .

 SILVER CITY #1 A great debut issue with amazing art. A tragic accident takes down a crowd of people, who awake to find themselves in Silver City, a version of Purgatory with an elaborate set of rules. Young and attractive Ru finds herself paired up with very young Junie, separated from her parents (who perhaps survived the big accident). A pair of English punk/hipsters offer to be their guides, but can they be trusted? FOUR STARS.

PROJECT PATRON #2 

The leader is down and chaos ensues among the remaining members of the task force responsible for maintaining the Patron ruse. This just got intense. 

FOUR AND ONE-HALF STARS.

MANIAC OF NEW YORK #4 

Harry the Maniac and the survivors (for now) engage in a round of pursuit, retaliation, and evasion inside a bloody subway car. I held my breath through most of this issue, which leads up to an exciting final round next month.

 Love the little foreshadowing twist at the end. FOUR STARS.

SCOUT’S HONOR #5 finale.

This has been consistently good from the get-go, and the ending is very satisfying. 

Tough, noble female protagonist beats the odds in a post-apocalyptic world (like Mad Max) where many take their cues from a Ranger Scout manual. 

FIVE STARS.

#355  BUNNY MASK #1 (Aftershock, release date June 9th) Scary in that way that makes fans of horror comics squirm with delight . . . Reservations recommended, with a longer preview/review posted to this blog for Saturday, May 15. FOUR AND ONE-HALF STARS.

#356-#360 WE LIVE #1-5 (Aftershock) 

Now that the series has concluded I re-read these issues at one sitting. This science-fiction tale has it all: incredible world-building, a fantastic story, and amazing art.

 If someone asked me to suggest some titles that give a good indication of what Aftershock Comics are all about - and I was limited to just one selection - - it would be WE LIVE without question.

 I definitely want to say more about this in a lengthy review, but I’ll have to delay that for now as I’m getting books ready for sale at the Captain Blue Hen outdoor comics flea market on Memorial Day. I also just purchased the trade paperback edition of WE LIVE, as this title is easily accessible to all through your local comic shop. 

This one definitely belongs on the bookshelf for multiple readings in the future. FIVE STARS.

Book Review: BAYOU WHISPERS by R. B. Wood

BAYOU WHISPERS by R. B. Wood (Crystal Lake Publishing - April 29, 2021) Kindle Edition, 199 pages. ASIN # B092JQXK9R 

Summary on the Goodreads website . . . . .

Bayou Whispers, the latest thriller from horror writer R.B. Wood, is the story of no-nonsense New Orleans native, Jeannine LaRue, the sole survivor of her family after the devastation brought on by Hurricane Katrina. In the aftermath of the storm, she believed she'd been saved, but soon found herself held hostage and sexually exploited, rescued months later by sheriff’s deputy Curtis Jones.

Twelve years after Katrina, Jeannine is a new attorney who returns to New Orleans to save her old friend Curtis Jones—now a local thief and trafficker of stolen goods—after he is arrested for the murder of Jeannine’s captors, whose bodies have recently been found. But Jeannine discovers more than she bargained for when she uncovers a family history of dark voodoo magic and an unholy alliance with an ancient evil Haitian god. 

My Four-Star Review on the Goodreads website . . . . .

     Trying to capture the essence of this novel in a quick "elevator pitch" by checking off genres, I wanted to categorize BAYOU WHISPERS as a "mythological thriller". But that doesn't do it justice. Scrolling down through all the Goodreads shelves I chose, I realized that this is a unique novel that touches upon many well-loved bases/genres and just can't be pigeon-holed so easily. 

     It's crime. It's action-adventure. It's horror. It's voodoo lore. It's zombies/undead, golems, ghosts, and spirits - even a ghost ship. 

     More importantly, it's a captivating read and highly entertaining. That is due not to all the boxes checked off, but to the rich descriptions of New Orleans life and culture post-Katrina and the fine job Wood does with fleshing out the complex characters, of which there are many.

     No one's had a rougher life than main character Jeannine and disgraced cop Curtis, her protector and the closest thing she has to a remaining family. 

     Just read the thing. You won't regret it. 

     I received an advance coy for free and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.

Reservations Recommended: BUNNY MASK by Paul Tobin & Andrea Mutti

BUNNY MASK #1 (AfterShock, release date June 9th - reserve your copy with your comic shop by Monday, May 17) Paul Tobin, writer. Andrea Mutti, art and colors. Taylor Esposito, letters. Main cover by Andrea Mutti. Variant cover by Charlie Adlard (pictured below).

     One of the perks of my part-time job is getting to read digital previews of upcoming comics. This one exceeded my expectations. Writer Paul Tobin is going for something very eerie here, that will sneak up and seep under your skin. And, if you’ve seen the art of Andrea Mutti on MANIAC OF NEW YORK then you know why he’s the perfect choice to illustrate this - very unsettling. 

     The first half of BUNNY MASK is off the wall with fearful and disturbing content. Fourteen years ago, child welfare worker Tyler Severin and his partner were on a call to investigate the alleged abuse of young Bee Foster by her crazed father Leo.That visit set into motion a chain of events that left Tyler the only one rescued by emergency personnel.  

   

     In the present day Tyler has a chance meeting with Bee Foster, presumed dead and missing but alive, healthy, and creating disturbing art. And that’s not the half of it!  

Writer Paul Tobin tells it best in these excerpts from his interview on the AfterShock website . . . . .

PAUL TOBIN ON WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT AND WHY HE’S EXCITED FOR IT TO COME OUT:

“Bunny Mask is the story of Tyler Severin, who—due to traumatic incident—uncovers and releases Bunny Mask herself, an ancient, supernatural creature, incredibly powerful and possibly evil, but the thing is…she likes him. It’s almost as if she’s imprinted on Tyler, since he helped her “hatch.” The series is about the ripple effects, or more honestly the tsunami effects, on Tyler’s life and the world.”

PAUL TOBIN ON (3) REASONS WHY COMIC READERS SHOULD PICK THIS BOOK UP:

“We’re hitting on that mixture of overt and sublime horror that I love and that I played with in my last foray into horror, the Eisner nominated Colder series. And we’re playing with the aspect of how encountering the unknown, dealing with terrible forces beyond understanding, can change someone. And I like to think that in the character of Bunny Mask herself we’ve created a character that, much in the same manner as Tyler Severin, people will be drawn to her. I think those are all elements that should convince readers to come along with us on this ride!”

The Man With The Iron Fists Official Trailer #1 (2012) Russell Crowe, RZ...

Stay-At-Home Theater: THE MAN WITH THE IRON FISTS on HBO.

Crazy, over-the-tops martial arts escapist film. So much fun. FOUR STARS.

Creepshow (2019) - Official Trailer [HD] | A Shudder Original Series

Stay-At-Home Theater: CREEPSHOW SEASON ONE on AMC Network 

and Shudder streaming online. True to the spirit of the classic Creepshow

movie, this combines scares with dark comedy in the best ways. Stand-out 

episodes are the dollhouse, the man in the suitcase, and the miracle weight

loss method. Took me too long to get through the series. My fault, too

much on the DVR, need to watch. I won't take as long to get through Season

Two. FOUR AND ONE-HALF STARS.

Graphic Novel Review: OWLY, FLYING LESSONS by Andy Runton

OWLY: FLYING LESSONS by Andy Runton (Graphix/Scholastic, April 2021) Paperback, 144 pages. ISBN #1338300695 / 9781338300697 

Summary on the Goodreads website . . . . .

Facing fears can be scary...

Owly and Wormy love making new friends, and when they spot an unfamiliar animal flying through the trees, they can't wait to meet her! Unfortunately, Shadow the flying squirrel doesn't want to be friends with Owly because she's afraid of him. Wormy tries to convince Shadow that she can trust Owly, but she's still scared... When Wormy gets stuck high up in a tree, Owly's own fear of flying keeps him grounded. Can Owly overcome his fears? And will Shadow be able to do the same?

Through a unique blend of words and symbols, Owly can be read by the youngest readers, and is a great introduction to graphic novels!   

My Five-Star Review on the Goodreads website . . . . .

     I gifted my grandson some of the original black & white illustrated, text-free OWLY books from Top Shelf Comix when he was nearly three years old. The warm, whimsical stories were great for helping him develop his processing and imaginative skills. He would look at the images and tell the story to me as he figured out what was happening. They remain among his favorite books in a growing collection (avid reader). 

     He's now approaching six-years old, reading at a third grade level, and these revised editions of Owly by Graphic/Scholastic add color and text to those stories. They are much easier for young readers to grasp, and that's a good thing as the stories always convey important lessons about caring, sharing, and cooperating. An even bigger benefit is that my grandson can now read these stories to his two-year old brother and sister (twins). I'll be gifting him this volume when I visit in May. 

     In Flying Lessons, Owly and Wormy try to make friends with a flying squirrel, who naturally is afraid of owls. As Shadow (the squirrel) eventually warms up to Owly, he returns the favor by helping Owly overcome his fear of flying. Full of simple charm and wisdom, the art is equally sweet and appealing to younger readers.

Graphic Novel Review: PUNK TACO by Adam and Makana Wallenta

PUNK TACO by Adam and Makana Wallenta graphic children’s novel (Adam Wallenta Enterprises, 2018) Hardcover, First Edition. 

Summary on the Goodreads website . . . . .

Across the galaxy, an evil, tyrannical king has enslaved citizens from countless planets using them as soldiers in his quest for domination. When one young refugee is displaced from his family, Punk Taco and his band of misfits befriend him and vow to reunite their new friend and his loved ones. 

With a mysterious alien and race, they join forces to battle the mad king and spread peace, love, and unity across the cosmos. Action adventure and humor abound in this tale of kindness and understanding created by Ada Wallenta and his six-year-old son, Makana.  

My Four Star Review on the Goodreads website . . . . .

     I don't know if main creator Adam Wallenta pitched this self-published children's book to any publishers. It may be a little too quirky and too advanced for a children's book, and maybe too hard to pigeonhole into a specific category or genre. Hats off to Adam and Makana, his then six-year old son, for making the decision to self-publish and continue pursuing their dream to see this in print. 

     I was impressed enough by this work and the wonderful engaging art to purchase a copy direct from the Wallentas at the 2019 Baltimore Comic Con. After thoroughly reviewing the contents, I judged it to be too advanced to give as a gift to my then four-year old grandson. I'm planning to present it to him (he'll be six in July, but reads at a third-grade level) when we finally get to visit again this month. 

     The format and presentation are excellent. In an over-sized hardcover the comic panels are large enough for young eyes to clearly see all the details. The colors are bright and vivid and very appealing. 

     The story carries several positive messages about friendship, working together, persistence, and especially anti-bullying with some very subtle and slight political references (no names) that should not offend. They may be included more for the benefit of parents or grandparents who will read this aloud to children. Although that, as well as some of the bigger vocabulary words and references, may result in a good conversation with youngsters. 

     The situations are cute, the character comments sure to elicit a chuckle, and the overall message is very up-lifting. I'm hoping to be able to read this with my grandson. However, if he wants to read it for himself (he often does this now), I'll make sure to remind him to ask for my help if he stumbles over any of the words (quarantine, etc) or doesn't quite understand their meaning. 

     Here's hoping this creative team produces another book like this one.

Graphic Novel Review: RECKLESS by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips

RECKLESS by Ed Brubaker, writer and Sean Phillips, artist  (Image Comics, December 2020)  Hardcover, 144 pages  ISBN # 1534318518 / 9781534318519  

Summary on the Goodreads website . . . . .

Sex, drugs, and murder in 1980s Los Angeles, and the best new twist on paperback pulp heroes since The Punisher or Jack Reacher. ED BRUBAKER and SEAN PHILLIPS, the modern masters of crime noir, bring us the last thing anyone expected from them—a good guy. 

A bold new series of original graphic novels, with three books releasing over the next year, each a full-length story that stands on its own. Meet Ethan Reckless: Your trouble is his business, for the right price. But when a fugitive from his radical student days reaches out for help, Ethan must face the only thing he fears…his own past.

“Oh man this book pushed EVERY crime fiction button for me. Working class setting covering up for a deeper societal rot, a battered, damaged (literally) protagonist against the beast, and all of it squirming and lunging through an over-lit early 80s L.A. Noir bleached to bleakness. Bliss." —Patton Oswalt 

“Imagine Redford at his peak, ambling through sun-drenched, eighties L.A. in a serpentine plot that is equal parts Long Goodbye and Point Break. No one does crime fic like BRUBAKER and PHILLIPS and their collaboration has never felt more new. Explosive. Vital. And yes...reckless. I love this book.” —Damon Lindelof (Lost, HBO’s Watchmen) 

"RECKLESS is an absolute rush: on the same level as golden age Travis McGee novels and the hardest-hitting Richard Stark stories. This one comes at you as fast as Steve McQueen in a souped-up Mustang and as hard as Charles Bronson with a baseball bat. You gotta have it." —Joe Hill (Locke & Key, N0S4A2) 

Look for Book Two in the RECKLESS series in April 2021!  

My Five-Star Review on the Goodreads website . . . . .

     RECKLESS recalls the former great pulp detective/heroes of the paperback 1960's and 1970's and moves the action a little forward into the 1980's. This would have made a great print novel that could place itself on the same plateau as Parker and Travis McGee, etc. - - but it works so much better as a graphic novel. Brubaker and Phillips are the team supreme when it comes to crime fiction in comics, each enhancing the other's words and images for the greatest impact. 

     Normally releasing their excellent crime comics in monthly issues (Criminal) and then collecting in trade paperback, the pandemic shut-down forced the creative team to come up with a different method for their art - - - hardcover collections.

      Two tales of Ethan Reckless (appropriate name) have been released so far (Installment #3 later this year). The presentation here is far superior, printed on quality paper that makes the color work come alive. I hope they continue with this format in the future.

Book Review: THE LAW OF INNOCENCE by Michael Connelly

THE LAW OF INNOCENCE by Michael Connelly (Little, Brown and Company, November 2020)  Hardcover, 432 pages. ISBN # 0316485624 / 9780316485623  

Summary on the Goodreads website . . . . .

Defense attorney Mickey Haller is pulled over by police, who find the body of a client in the trunk of his Lincoln. Haller is charged with murder and can't make the exorbitant $5 million bail slapped on him by a vindictive judge.

Mickey elects to defend himself and must strategize and build his defense from his jail cell in the Twin Towers Correctional Center in downtown Los Angeles, all the while looking over his shoulder – as an officer of the court he is an instant target.

Mickey knows he's been framed. Now, with the help of his trusted team, he has to figure out who has plotted to destroy his life and why. Then he has to go before a judge and jury and prove his innocence. 

 

My Four-Star Review on the Goodreads website . . . . .

     You’re always in for a great, engaging read when you pick up a Michael Connelly novel. This one is no exception. 

     I was wondering (and worrying) right up until the final pages how lawyer Mickey Haller was going to make his case for innocence in his concluding remarks. Connelly manages several twists within the story and keeps readers on their toes. 

    I always learn something about law enforcement methods and criminal justice proceedings when reading his books, and this was full of courtroom drama and examples. I also appreciate the first-person perspective which allows readers to understand what kind of character Mickey Haller really is. Otherwise, I might not root for him if all I could judge him on were his courtroom performances. Haller is a mastermind in front of a jury. It almost seemed like he might lose the most important case of his career, obtaining a not guilty verdict when he's been accused of murder.