I got major Spider-Verse vibes from a story preceding it by over two decades. Impressive in its ingeniuty! More Cthulu references! A very obvious twisI got major Spider-Verse vibes from a story preceding it by over two decades. Impressive in its ingeniuty! More Cthulu references! A very obvious twist ending, though. But there is always phase four to look forward to. ...more
Aside from the written chapters at the end, I mostly enjoyed this installment. So, usually, I'm one of the few that actually enjoys those written chapAside from the written chapters at the end, I mostly enjoyed this installment. So, usually, I'm one of the few that actually enjoys those written chapters in the back. I love all allusions to literature. This time, I didn't feel the wit or all the allusions I normally enjoyed, but a drab chore to get through. This might have been tempered because of my mixed feelings about the ending. So our updated LXG crew gets a story that spans a century, thus the title. I loved the adaptations and costumes and mannerisms for all the characters for each time period. But I was disappointed by the lack of thorough fullfillment of the Nautilus story line. At the end, a true mission of the Nautilus is alluded to, but unless they were just dropped something off for one of the LXG members, that mission was not realized. Will there be another volume? I doubt it. So, story-wise, there is a major ball dropped; or, if that story was fullfilled, then it was too weak to justify the inclusion, while neat, at all.
I was. however, tickled by the update to the references throughout the book. As the story progressed towards modern times, more and more allusions to (mostly) British TV and movies. Here's what I found: Several Harry Potter references - at first, slight, then pivotal to the plot. A reference to Lost! - through Drive Shaft. Westwing and 24. Transmetropolitan! I loved the Spider Jerusalem references. Thick of It Doctor Who (so obvious that I wouldn't be surprised if a TARDIS is hidden in one of the panels that I missed). Mary friggin' Poppins! And quite possibly, Lion King? Anyone else get Lion King vibes at the end?
Upon a reread, I'm sure I'll catch even more pop culture references. ...more
Now that I'm getting the mythos of this series, my enjoyment of it has increased. Still wanting and waiting to read the rest, but I am enjoying where Now that I'm getting the mythos of this series, my enjoyment of it has increased. Still wanting and waiting to read the rest, but I am enjoying where this is going. I'm not a fan of the art style, but that's just me. And then again, there have been plenty of comics whose art I didn't like at first, but was completely absorbed by the story. ...more
I didn't add it to the horror shelf; however, this story being so close to something that could actually happen, I was horrified. And saddened. Which I didn't add it to the horror shelf; however, this story being so close to something that could actually happen, I was horrified. And saddened. Which I suppose is Butler's point. I can see this just slightly post-apocalyptic, where the government still exists, but barely, actually happen. The human nature that's explored in this book is horrifying. While a fictionalized drug makes up some of the origins of the horror, I have so little faith in humanity now (because of the pandemic and Trump), that I can see the atrocities still being done, only without the excuse of a drug-induced manic state. ...more
As brilliant as the Discworld series is, this book (and I guess the others in this specific series), stands apart and stands on its own brilliance. ThAs brilliant as the Discworld series is, this book (and I guess the others in this specific series), stands apart and stands on its own brilliance. This is another story that I'm sharing and rereading with my daughter, and like Fearless, we are both engaged and love the strong and young central female character, Tiffany Aching. The loose connections to the Discworld series doesn't detract nor distract from the story and the book can stand alone without having to have any knowledge of Pratchett. I especially enjoyed the written out Scottish accent. Whether reading silently or reading aloud, the thick Scot's accent is heard and provides much of the humor of the story. This is another adventure of a young girl learning that her own wits are worthy and make up what the simpletons' would interpret as "magic," as her quest is also a quest of her maturing into a witch. ...more
If I were to express how much I enjoyed this book, the review would be as long as the bible and with as many, if not more characters - and probably thIf I were to express how much I enjoyed this book, the review would be as long as the bible and with as many, if not more characters - and probably the same characters! I would have written this book as the review. So instead, my review is to read it. Love it. Sex, drugs, rock and roll, and Biff. I really don't need to say more. ...more
This was #5 of a series? What? Well, so now I know. Not knowing that before I read it, as a stand alone, I would say it's about 50-100 pages too shortThis was #5 of a series? What? Well, so now I know. Not knowing that before I read it, as a stand alone, I would say it's about 50-100 pages too short. The book was fantastic and I loved every moment of it. Great sci-fi, great satire (which good sci-fi can do fantastically well), and great characters. Aspects were predictable, various character motivations were predictable, but taken all together a great read and great story. So, why does it need more? I wasn't as satisfied with the ending. It was very abrupt and there were many things (no spoilers - sorry so vague) I wanted to see happen before it's end. But it didn't happen. Maybe it happens in future books in this series. It's a pretty old series, but I enjoyed this book enough that I may have to explore this series in depth. But as a stand alone story, I thought it was brilliant. ...more
It was a fine collection. I did, however, expect more. There are so many richer Yiddish stories that to par down for a collection of old and new, I woIt was a fine collection. I did, however, expect more. There are so many richer Yiddish stories that to par down for a collection of old and new, I wonder how these were narrowed down to and selected. Some were good. Some were okay. Some, I have no idea why the worth of the story would make it included. So, all in all, the collection is fine, is okay. But could have been so much better. ...more
Yawn. And overly didactic. Presenting a future VERY anti-Ayn Rand and VERY unrealistic, with condescending explanations to illustrate and satirize theYawn. And overly didactic. Presenting a future VERY anti-Ayn Rand and VERY unrealistic, with condescending explanations to illustrate and satirize the ills of that society and the society it could have been. And the twist at the end. While this book was written long before this twist was a cliche, it still felt like I was cheated. ...more
Actually Volumes 1, 2, and 3. So, a bit uneven. Still, enjoyable and filled in some of the gaps left by the X-Men books I read last summer. But then tActually Volumes 1, 2, and 3. So, a bit uneven. Still, enjoyable and filled in some of the gaps left by the X-Men books I read last summer. But then there are some wacky out from left field reveals that weren't very well supported and seeing this as a larger work rather than a monthly comic, I didn't feel that everything that happened was satisfying for the reader. I'm no stranger to surprises, but they only work if they are earned and not everything in this collection was earned. There was some sloppy and lazy writing and plot threads not as tight as they could be. Still, Wolverine and all his awesomeness. ...more