Deadman: Dark Mansion of Forbidden Love Review

Posted on June 19, 2017June 7, 2017 by Lilyn G

Deadman: Dark Mansion of Forbidden Love

Boston Brand is a dead man walking. More than walking, actually—his uncanny abilities enable him to float, fly and seize control of the bodies of the living. He’s no mere ghost. He’s something more powerful, more heroic. He is Deadman! And he’s about to meet Berenice—a living woman with powers of her own.

Berenice’s complicated life and loves have driven her to the haunted halls of the sprawling mansion known as Glencourt Manor. It’s a place where the forces of darkness are known to gather—a house where a person with Berenice’s power to talk to the dead could accomplish great good…or unleash incredible evil.

Separated by the boundary between life and death, yet able to walk between both worlds, Deadman and Berenice must work together to unravel the mystery of the Manor and defeat the dark forces that threaten to erupt. Mystery, murder, resurrection and romance await. The only question is, are their hearts and souls strong enough to survive?

Unlock the answer in DEADMAN: DARK MANSION OF FORBIDDEN LOVE, from acclaimed creators Sarah Vaughn (ALEX + ADA), Lan Medina (FABLES) and José Villarrubia (SWEET TOOTH). This Gothic tale of passion and betrayal is an all-new twist on the character of Boston Brand. Collects DEADMAN: DARK MANSION OF FORBIDDEN LOVE Books #1-3. – Goodreads

Deadman: Dark Mansion of Forbidden Love Review

I went into Deadman: Dark Mansion of Forbidden Love completely blind. I had never heard of the character Deadman/Boston Brand before. I don’t think I’ve ever read anything by either the writer or illustrator for this book. So, yeah, completely unfamiliar with all aspects of it.

The art for Deadman: Dark Mansion of Forbidden Love was simple yet effective. Very straightforwardly illustrated for the most part. It served to make Deadman himself stand out that much more. The color choices went along well with the illustration style. However, one area that gave me a lot of trouble reading Deadman was the white words on the light blue background that relayed the main female character’s internal thoughts. The white on red of Deadman’s was a bit easier. Because I read this as an epub, it was hard to find a ‘just right’ setting that enabled me to easily see the character’s internal thoughts and not have to scroll inch by inch down through the pages. It made for a somewhat uncomfortable reading experience that left me with a minor headache every time I tackled the story. A more clear font might have made a world of difference.

I liked the diverse representation in Deadman: Dark Mansion of Forbidden Love. Berenice is (appears to be, at least) bi/ possibly pan-sexual, and Sam is non-binary as well as African American. I also appreciated the fact that that Berenice wasn’t your typical model-looking knockout so often found in comic books. She was actually rather plain and dressed in clothes normal women actually wear.

As for the story itself, it was interesting. Deadman: Dark Mansion of Forbidden Love is sort of a superhero and gothic ghost story mashup. It takes place inside an old mansion that had been closed up for over 150 years. The story is dark with a definite air of mystery to it. The interactions between Brand and Berenice are fun. The twist with one of the other characters caught me by surprise. (It was a good thing, as some of the other elements of the book aren’t exactly subtle.)

Given the headache that I suffered through to finish Deadman: Dark Mansion of Forbidden Love, I can’t say I’ll ever pick up another volume. However, fans of paranormal fantasy and superhero novels should definitely give Deadman a shot. If it wasn’t for the headache, I would have enjoyed the story a lot more than I did. It’s not the most well-written or meaningful, but it is entertaining nonetheless. And the message of acceptance is a nice one.

Saga Vol 3 Review (SFF Graphic Novel)

Posted on May 25, 2017May 25, 2017 by Lilyn G

Saga Vol 3

From the Hugo Award-winning duo of Brian K. Vaughan (The Private Eye, Y: The Last Man) and Fiona Staples (North 40, Red Sonja), Saga is the sweeping tale of one young family fighting to find their place in the universe. Searching for their literary hero, new parents Marko and Alana travel to a cosmic lighthouse on the planet Quietus, while the couple’s multiple pursuers finally close in on their targets.

Collecting: Saga 13-18.

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What I Learned When I Started Reading Graphic Novels

Posted on May 21, 2017May 20, 2017 by Lilyn G

I’ve never been a huge fan of graphic novels. I’ve made that pretty clear. They just never did it for me. The art didn’t appeal and I had trouble sometimes figuring out what panel I was supposed to read next. While I wasn’t the type of person to say ‘Well, it’s not really reading, is it?”, I definitely thought it at least once or twice. However, given my partner reads them, and my eight-year-old loves them… Let’s just say it was inevitable I would say “Okay, geesh, what’s the big deal?” and give them a proper try.

So, what did I find out?

Well, first off, and probably most surprisingly – I found that I wasn’t the only one who sometimes had trouble figuring out what panel I was supposed to read next! You have no idea how happy I am to have found that out. I felt like an idiot because so many people enthuse about how awesome graphic novels are, and I would get a headache just trying to read them sometimes. I like things to be neat and orderly, and that was a rare find in the world of graphic novels.

The biggest help for me with this has been ComiXology.com (no, this isn’t a paid ad or anything.) ComiXology has this thing called ‘guided reading view’. When you double-click on a panel, it automatically enters you into guided reading view. That starts showing you the book one panel at a time – blown up large to fit your screen – and then when you swipe, it leads you straight to the next panel! Seriously, my enjoyment of graphic novels went up by AT LEAST 25% when I could suddenly just sit back and just read the story. And it’s not one of those things you had to search to find, either. Guided Reading is easy to spot and start. I love it.

I learned that I have no interest in superhero comics. And that that’s okay. Because there are lots of graphic novels out there for me to read that don’t involve superheroes! (Who else out there basically had that misconception? I know it couldn’t just have been me.) I think I started to realize this when I was reading some of my child’s graphic novels with her. Books like Ghosts and El Deafo. But those are kids books, so I didn’t really even consider if it would apply to adult books, too. The possibilities for adult reads hit my awareness when I snagged a copy of Saga Vol 1 while at Barnes & Noble and gave it a read. And then when I read Lumberjanes Vol 1 shortly thereafter, I started to really get interested.

Finally, I saw Scooby Apocalypse at B&N and every time I was in there, I found myself wandering over to have a look at it. I just couldn’t convince myself to pay $16.00 for a comic book! And that, ladies and gents, led to me voluntarily buying my very first (e-book) graphic novel. And I loved it. Absolutely loved it. So much more than I thought I would. I got into Scooby Apocalypse in a way I normally only get into purely-print books.

I discovered that I’m definitely a bit of a style snob. There were several books that I picked up, looked at a few pages, and then put right back down. The ‘look’ of them did nothing for me, so I didn’t want to keep reading. I’m probably missing some good stories, but if I don’t enjoy what I’m looking at, what’s the point? And then, right on the heels of learning that I’m a style snob, I also learned that if I give a story a chance, it might hook me anyways. (Still not going to stop me from not giving most books a chance because of the artwork, though.) The Manhattan Projects Vol 1 brought that point home to me. I disliked the artwork intensely, but I needed to read more.

So, all positive things thus far, right? I’m painting a rosy picture of reading graphic novels, aren’t I? I’ve learned a lot of positive things about graphic novels since I started reading them. And I have to say I’ll definitely pick up more of them in the future to read. I’m learning what I like and don’t like, and figure my experience can only get better.

But…Graphic Novels Still Lack Something

I still don’t get the same feeling of fulfillment from graphic novels that I get from reading books. (Maybe this is because they stretch out their stories over issue upon issue instead of just giving me one complete story?) I don’t like it when writers parcel out their story into bite-sized pieces, and I don’t like it in graphic novels either. I know it’s a different format, and that the drawing and stuff takes longer to do. I also don’t care. I’ll borrow these from the library, but I’m not going buy a lot of graphic novels. I’m just not interested in spending a lot of money on a story that if, in written format, I could probably get in one or two books.

And I learned that I still prefer non-illustrated work. Graphic novels are definitely fun, but they have a place and a time for me. They’re good for me to read when I don’t feel like devoting the brain power to reading a non-illustrated work. The horror/scary themed ones I’ve read were mostly fun to read (Wytches aside), but they didn’t even come close to spooking me. Scooby Apocalypse is fun, but if it wasn’t for a lingering affection from watching Scooby Doo growing up, I can’t say I’d have ever sought it out. I’ll read more of it in the future, but it just didn’t have the sci-fi bones I crave.

Overall…

Overall, I have to say that it’s been an interesting and positive experience reading graphic novels. I can no longer say that graphic novels just aren’t my thing because some of them definitely are. I’ve learned that even the graphic novels like Lumberjanes and Scooby Apocalypse are fun to read with my kiddo. Once I started enjoying them, it ratcheted up my enjoyment of reading them with her. We were both in stitches over Lumberjanes Vol 1. And finally, I’ve learned to appreciate the depths of what is available for people like me, who aren’t interested in superhero books but still want to read graphic novels.

What about you? Are you a graphic novel fan? What are some of your favorites?

Did you ever have trouble reading graphic novels?

Talk to me!

Wytches Vol 1 Review (Horror Graphic Novel)

Posted on May 18, 2017May 20, 2017 by Lilyn G

Wytches

Everything you thought you knew about witches is wrong. They are much darker, and they are much more horrifying. Wytches takes the mythology of witches to a far creepier, bone-chilling place than readers have dared venture before. When the Rooks family moves to the remote town of Litchfield, NH to escape a haunting trauma, they’re hopeful about starting over. But something evil is waiting for them in the woods just beyond town. Watching from the trees. Ancient…and hungry. – Goodreads

Collecting: Wytches 1-6

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Channel Evil Vol 1 Review (Horror Graphic Novel)

Posted on May 10, 2017May 2, 2017 by Lilyn G

Book cover for Channel Evil Vol 1

Channel Evil: Jez Manson is on the road to success, his chat show ratings are going through the roof, he has a beautiful girlfriend and the world of entertainment at his feet. Unfortunately it’s all been built on the power of an ancient God intent on using Jez as a way to unleash chaos on humanity. – Goodreads

Note: This was a 4 issue series that has been collected into a single volume.

–S&S–

Channel Evil Review

The first issue of Channel Evil, Don’t Touch That Dial, just introduced us to the main characters, got him channeling, and hinted at what might come. Death and destruction was kept to a pretty small scale for what I thought would happen. Jez Manson is a completely unlikable character. I found myself pretty much hoping immediately that something horrible would happen to him.

The second issue, Chamber of Horrors, really started to step things up. (Well, you get that sense at least, even though very little actually happens.) I still didn’t like Jez. He proved himself a coward. He knew what was happening was wrong, and continued to go forth with it anyways. I definitely wanted to reach through the pages and slap some sense into him. Still, nothing stands out as remarkable, though.

The third issue, The Price of Fame, tried to tie Pagan and Christian religion together. It didn’t have the same sense of mounting urgency that the second issue had. While I’m still wasn’t a fan of Jez, it became obvious that Fast Mick was the dangerous one of the bunch. It’s amazing how through just a few illustrations and less than a full page of text, you can dislike a fellow so much you want to rip his bits off.

The fourth issue, Remote Control finally saw some positive action happening. About time! Of course, this is the issue in which the feces finally hit the fan, too. Things moved swiftly and a few of the panels were difficult to follow. Still, it’s enough to get the gist of what happens and… I was left unsatisfied. Channel Evil felt like it had potential to be awesome, but just couldn’t quite get there.

The art was interesting but not attractive. I like clean lines and simple colors in general, but apparently not when it comes to comics. The patchy artwork with bold lines and shades of gray didn’t really keep my attention. Also, it was hard to follow what was going on in some of the action sequences. I found it was very easy to zoom through Channel Evil. I had no desire to take my time with it and savor it like I have some of the other graphic novels I’ve read lately. Though I will say that the artist was very good at conveying the dream sequences and possession with surreal artwork. There was one or two panels in the third issue that I really liked.

There is an additional short story included, An Evening with Ba’al, which is drawn by D’israeli. (I have no clue who this is, but apparently s/he is “one name” famous.) I liked the art a bit better in the short story. There’s one panel where Ba’al rather resembles a naked cat that had me snickering. This one was amusing in the sort of ‘I wanna slap you’ way that you start feeling when someone with a $300,000.00 house and brand new car starts talking about how poor they are.

Channel Evil is definitely a teen+ read. Curse words are used very casually in this book. In fact, the sheer amount that Ba’al curses diminishes the scariness factor he had going on at first. F-bombs don’t exactly make people feel menacing. Overall, I can’t say I was a big fan of Channel Evil. It had potential, but nothing really stood out about it. And it’s the first graphic novel in a long time that gave me a headache from reading it. I’m not sure why. I’m not eager to pick up any more work from this artist or author, but would encourage you to check it out and see for yourself. It might be right up your alley.

Shutter Vol 1: Wanderlust Review (Graphic Novel)

Posted on May 3, 2017May 23, 2017 by Lilyn G

Shutter Vol 1: Wanderlost

INDIANA JONES FOR THE 21st CENTURY! Marvel Knights: Hulk and Glory writer Joe Keatinge teams up with artist extraordinaire Leila del Duca for her Image Comics debut in an all-new ongoing series combining the urban fantasy of Fables and the globe-spanning adventure of Y: The Last Man. Kate Kristopher, once the most famous explorer of an Earth far more fantastic than the one we know, is forced to return to the adventurous life she left behind when a family secret threatens to destroy everything she spent her life protecting. Collects Shutter #1-6. – Goodreads

Shutter Vol 1 Review

Shutter Vol 1 has an interesting storyline of mystery, adventure, and drama. One young heiress finds out she’s not nearly as alone as she thought she was. Not that’s necessarily a good thing for her – or anyone else.

The world in Shutter is a familiar one, at least anymore. Multiple races of aliens and humans live side by side is an often portrayed science fiction/fantasy dream. In Shutter, it’s a glorious world filled with all sorts of interesting life forms, including the somewhat typical race of cat-people. (Though in this case they’re lion-people and they’re gangsters. Keatinge, Gieni, and del Duca get points for the sheer amount of ways they slightly twist cliche appearances in science fiction and keep them interesting. Even Kate Kristopher’s cat is a Felix-esque robot that immediately charms and seems to be her version of a teddy bear.

Kate is a walking trope. Explorer/adventurer turns her back on what she used to do, settles down into a normal life, and then things go to hell. And then you find out there’s even more to it than that – book has gotta have a sob story in there somewhere, of course. Suddenly she’s back in the thick of things, but obviously, her untold number of years away haven’t really lessened her skills at all. But, tropes exist for a reason. They work frequently, and that success is continued in Shutter Vol 1.

I liked that Kate is adult enough not to blame everything on her little brother. No, she shouldn’t blame anything that happened on him, but we’re all human and sometimes resentment is ladled on the closest available person. I’m kind of curious to see how the relationship we start to see form in this book pans out in the rest of the series.

The illustrations are decent in Shutter Vol 1. Not my favorite, but I can study them for a few minutes without getting bored. The coloring work is well done. Especially on the lion-people. The panels are very easy to follow.

Overall, Shutter is a solid graphic novel from Image Comics. I’ll be checking out more in the series.

Three Non-Superhero Comics to Read With Your Kids

Posted on April 22, 2017April 21, 2017 by Lilyn G

I don’t know about you, but one of the things I don’t have any interest in reading about in comic books is… super-heroes. So, of course, I stayed away from comics/graphic novels for the longest time for a few reasons, but mainly because I thought they were all going to be about superheroes. Turns out, luckily, that’s not true at all! So here are three (one from each genre of SF/F/H) non-superhero comics worth checking out with your kiddos. (Pictures lead to Goodreads.)

Pinky and Stinky by James Kochalka

Pinky and Stinky are fat little piglets, but because they’re cuties that doesn’t mean they’re not brave astronauts. Packed with action, adventure, and little cuties.

Color or B/W: Black and White

Violence: Some violence and threats of violence, but very basic stuff with no blood, etc.

Opinion: At first I didn’t think I was going to like Pinky & Stinky, but it grew on me fairly quickly. Definitely one for younger readers, but adults might have fun reading it out loud with their kids. It’s silly and delightful.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Alabaster Shadows by Matt Gardner and Rashad Doucet

Carter Normandy knows there’s something weird about the neighborhood he and his family move into. Maybe it’s the physics-defying leak in the basement, or the way all the adults seem to look down on kids like they’re scum. With the help of his new friends, Carter discovers a whole other world alongside his seemingly normal community-a world filled with terrifying monsters. A world the adults of the community already know all about. Now it’s up to Carter and his friends to keep these monsters from crossing over into our world, or face the dire consequences!

A gorgeously illustrated mystery perfect for fans of Gravity Falls with just a hint of Lovecraftian horror.

Color or B/W: Color

Violence: Basically none. A small fight with a sea monster that just shows a kid getting wrapped up in a tentacle.

Diversity: Yes, racial.

Opinion: Oh, I loved this one. I could have done a full review on it. (And might in the future.) Beautifully drawn and colored, with an intriguing storyline and interesting characters, Alabaster Shadows is a great pick for middle-grade+ readers.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Princeless by Jeremy Whitley and Mia Goodwin

Still waiting for your prince to come? Tired of spending night after night locked in a secluded tower? Ready for your own adventure? So are we.Princeless is the story of Princess Adrienne, one princess who’s tired of waiting to be rescued. Join Adrienne and her guardian dragon, Sparky, as they begin their own quest in an all-ages action adventure designed specifically for those who are tired of waiting to be rescued… and who are ready to save themselves.

Color or B/W: Color

Violence: Inferred, never witnessed. And typical getting eaten by dragons stuff.

Diversity: Yes, racial.

Opinion: While this probably technically for middle grade+ readers, I would have no problem with (and intend on) reading it with my 8-year-old. Princeless has a sassy, bold main character who is determined to get control of her life and be the hero her sisters need. It’s well-drawn, funny, and well-worth reading.

Rating: 5 out of 5

These were all very entertaining reads for various reasons. I’ll definitely be continuing on with two of the series. I do recommend pre-reading them to see if they’re suitable for your particular child. Alabaster Shadows is the one that has a horror tinge to it, but it’s really just a tinge. If you’re wanting to get your child introduced to the Lovecraft mythos, it would be a great way to ease them into it.

Let me know if there are any non-superhero comics you recommend for kids so I can check them out!

Scooby Apocalypse Issue 1 Review (Sci-Fi Graphic Novel)

Posted on April 6, 2017May 23, 2017 by Lilyn G

Scooby Apocalypse Issue #1

Those meddling kids-Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy, and their dog, Scooby-Doo-get more ghost-debunking than they bargained for when faced with a fundamental change in their world. The apocalypse has happened. Old rules about logic no longer apply. The creatures of the night are among us, and the crew of the Magical Mystery Machine has to fight to survive because in the apocalyptic badlands of the near-future, the horrors are real!
This new monthly series takes Scooby and the gang to a whole new level and features character designs by comics superstar Jim Lee! – Goodreads

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Pandora: End of Days Review (Horror Manga)

Posted on March 22, 2017March 12, 2017 by Lilyn G

Book cover for Pandora: End of Days Pandora: End of Days: The most amazing archaeological discovery of our time– a sarcophagus from an ancient civilization that predates the Egyptian Pyramids by more than fifty thousand years–is being broadcast as a live public exhibit on national TV.

But in their haste to reveal a glimpse of what could be the origin of mankind, the scholars of the OBARI Foundation instead unleash an ancient plague upon the modern world.

This is the age-old story of the curious–and of those who must race to close the door on what should never have been opened . . .

This is PANDORA, the End of Days…

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Ten Sci-Fi & Horror Graphic Novels We Want to Read

Posted on January 31, 2017January 31, 2017 by Lilyn G

A banner with the words The Top Ten Tuesday List on it.

This Tuesday we’re talking graphic novels. Scary words, especially to the sci-fi half of the Sci-Fi & Scary duo. Graphic novels are defined as ‘a novel in comic strip format’. In the past ten years or so, the graphic novel industry has fairly exploded. Something that’s evident by the varied offerings now being displayed.

Graphic novels are also good for starting debates with people. For example, just lean over and whisper to someone reading one: “But, well, they’re not really books are they?” and then… run. Running is good. Probably the only question about books that would raise greater insult would be to insist that listening to an audiobook isn’t really ‘reading’.

The Top Ten Tuesday weekly prompt is brought to you courtesy of Broke and Bookish. (PS: Covers go to Goodreads.)

Lilyn’s 5 3 Sci-Fi Graphic Novels to Read

Alright, I’d like to remind everyone yet again that I don’t do graphic novels. Well, unless they’re kids books. Those are okay. I’ve found one, maybe two, graphic novels for adults that I’ve enjoyed. So, for me to say I want to read these actually means something because I look at most of them and go “Eugh”.

Faith is on my list because it’s not some slim, svelte chick with perfect hair who is a seductress by day on the cover. Instead, Faith looks happy and like she genuinely enjoys life. Plus, who can’t empathize with just wanting to post cat videos and snark online?

Author: Jody Houser

Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur‘s cover caught my attention immediately. Then I read the description, eyeballed a preview, and decided I needed to read this. Bright colors, dinosaurs, and a diverse MC. What’s not to like?

Author: Amy Reeder

I’ve seen Saga everywhere! After a while, it just sort of seeps into your head that “you really oughtta read that one”. Plus, I mean, multiracial couple with the chick nursing on the cover. I really need to know what the deal with the rams horns and odd wings. Actually, now I’m really curious. Hmm.

Author: Brian K. Vaughan

GracieKat’s 5 Horror Graphic Novels to Read

I like the story of Tomie in Museum of Terror and the art style looks appealing. Sometimes that’s all it takes.

Author: Junji Ito

The art style looks cool in Le Portrait de Petite Cossett, the story looks very interesting and I’m a sucker for haunted/cursed paintings! (Who isn’t? Except for Dorian Grey. That’s just…creepy.)

Author: Asuka Katsura

Silent Hill: Sinner’s Reward is one of the few Silent Hill comics I don’t have. Even though they’re not really considered canon with the series they’re still interesting stories.

Authors: Steph Stamb, Tom Waltz

I actually do have this one but I haven’t gotten a chance to read it yet. I wanted it because I’ve liked other books by Joe Hill and…Lovecraft!

(Side note from Lilyn: I actually have the audible dramatised version of this. I haven’t got very far through it because I get distracted by other things, but it’s creepy as all beat!)

Authors: Joe Hill, Gabriel Rodriguez

I love the movie From Hell but, as always, I’ve heard the book is better.

Authors: Alan Moore, Eddie Campbell

Tag: graphic novels

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