Relish: My Life in the Kitchen – Lucy Knisley

Publisher’s Summary:
“Lucy Knisley loves food. The daughter of a chef and a gourmet, this talented young cartoonist comes by her obsession honestly. In her forthright, thoughtful, and funny memoir, Lucy traces key episodes in her life thus far, framed by what she was eating at the time and lessons learned about food, cooking, and life.”

Relish was my answer to having to read a food memoir for work. (One of two food memoirs, actually, which is asking a lot of this fiction-only-please reader.) And, you know, it was a damn fine choice, if I do say so myself. First off, it’s a graphic novel. All of the lovely, lovingly drawn illustrations make settling in with non-fiction infinitely easier, because, speaking for myself, I know that the “long haul” isn’t going to actually be all that long. What would typically take me months to read flies by in a matter of hours spent looking at colorful details rather than solely reading – and promptly forgetting – them. Plus, Knisley’s recounting of her childhood, split between the city and the country but with food at its heart no matter where she found herself, was lively and engaging.

The book leads off with this:

How do you remember things? What are your clearest memories?…My most vivid memories consistently jog my brain with the recollection of how things tasted…Sometimes it’s frustrating, this selective memory. I can remember exactly the look and taste of a precious honey stick, balanced between my berry-stained fingers, but my times tables are long gone, forgotten, in favor of better, tastier memories.

Right then and there I knew Knisley and I were going to get along. One, what are times tables? If ever I knew them by heart I’ve also forgotten them, given them up to let favorite characters, songs, and scents have those pesky numbers’ place in my mind. Two, those things I just mentioned – books and certain scents, but music specifically – are very much associated with memories and my own stories of growing up. So I understood where she was going to be coming from with this memoir; I had a sense that tagging along into her past would be fun, and it so happened I was right on that score.

Along with stories about her days working alongside her mother at farmers’ markets, traveling with her father, and pursuing her education in Chicago are recipes, including one for chocolate chip cookies that you better believe I’ll be trying ASAP. The recipes seem easy to follow and are completely illustrated (of course).

Relish is a quick treat in and of itself.

Sold On the Summary (1)

Summaries are tricky, treacherous things. I loathe writing them and, on occasion, I wince when reading them. They should reveal enough plot to tease, yes, but be mindful of shedding too many details. Summaries are at once a burlesque show and a tight-rope act, and every now and again I come across one that thoroughly entertains, one that seduces and sells. There’s no set criteria for what works; nothing that’s guaranteed to hook me. Let’s take the book that prompted this post as a for instance: the summary sold me on it because it is glorious in its absurdity. I would have read it no matter what, sure, because Doctor Strange. But, here:

“A window-crashing, high-flying, globe-traveling, ghost-battling adventure from the earliest days of Doctor Strange’s training in the mystic arts! Part Indiana Jones, part Lord of the Rings, this brand new tale of how a selfish arrogant surgeon collided with a hot-headed martial artist to become the greatest team the mystic arts have ever seen! If only they can stop hitting each other and figure out how all this magic stuff works anyway…”

Let’s just take a moment to wrap our heads around an Indiana Jones/Lord of the Rings mash-up. Imagine it: Indy and the Ents! Gimli and the Mines of Hey, That Alien Just Killed More Orcs Than You! Got that all worked out? Alright. Now let’s appreciate the beauty that is that last line, because that, right there, is the money-maker, folks; the reason why I could not, in a million years, pass this book up even if I were of a mind to:

“If only they can stop hitting each other and figure out how all this magic stuff works anyway…”

“If only they can stop hitting each other”…!!!

I can’t. I just can’t with that. I mean, raise your hand if you simply must see this happen. What, with the cape and the…the…extra long, swishy belt! *supports held high, wildly waving arm with hand at elbow*

(Don’t even try to tell me it’s not going to be like Vicent Price possessed by Curly from The Three Stooges. I won’t believe you.)

After that imagery smacks you in the face, consider this quote, taken from Wikipedia’s Doctor Strange entry, if you will:

“People who read ‘Dr. Strange’ thought people at Marvel must be heads [e.g., drug users],” recalled then-associate editor and former Dr. Strange writer Roy Thomas in 1971, “because they had had similar experiences high on mushrooms. But … I don’t use hallucinogens, nor do I think any artists do.”

Again, I can’t. (But now I know why I get strange looks every time I start giggling after saying, mock-serious, Eye of Agamotto. But I digress. [Which is maybe an omen that I should wrap this up because, on reflection, I think I might be the only one delighted by the possibilites of this Doctor Strange reboot. Seriously, though, the slapstick potential is, like, huge. Undeniable. Even if it's not the intent.]) Now that this post has gone completely off the rails – and I’m not even sure how it happened (Yes, I am. It was the Eye of Agamotto. Does it to me every time, gosh darn it.) – let me bring this baby back around…

Three cheers for sublime (or trippy – whatever works!) summaries!

Makeshift Miracle: The Girl From Nowhere (Book 1) – Jim Zub, Shun Hong Chan

Publisher’s Summary:
“A young boy named Colby Reynolds searches for meaning in the world around him and discovers a place where dreams can come true – if he’s willing to pay the price! Along the way he’ll see sights he’s never fathomed and encounter hidden truths about himself he’ll wish he never knew.”

Makeshift Miracle is an online graphic novel recently published in a gorgeous hardcover edition. And it’s because of the fact that, if you were of a mind to, you could just click over to read it for yourself that I’m going to keep this post short and to the point. (One note on the web version: it is not yet complete. Four of the six chapters are currently available with new updates added to the site on Mondays and Fridays.)

There’s one reason why you might want to consider borrowing the book from a library – or purchasing a copy, if you prefer – and that’s because the art is so lovely, so dreamy, that you might want to run your fingers across each and every smooth page, taking in the color as it melts into another shade under your fingertips. The color palette, soft and occasionally muted to highlight a change in scene or landscape, was one of my favorite things about the art, which, since I’m going on about it, was my favorite thing about the book.

As for the story…there’s not much to it or, for that matter, all that much happening in this first volume. We meet Colby and Iris, find out next to nothing about the latter (mostly because ‘the girl from nowhere’ seems to be suffering from selective amnesia), and a third character bursts on the scene about whom we know nothing (other than the fact that he’s searching for Iris and is clueless when it comes to all things Earth). The elements are interesting if completely and unfortunately underdeveloped. Here’s to hoping the story picks up and strengthens in the next volume!

Image credit – Click on either to make larger (naturally).

Steve Rogers: Super-Soldier – Ed Brubaker, Dale Eaglesham

Publisher’s Summary:
“Steve Rogers was America’s first Super-Soldier – Captain America – and he’s fought for his country since World War II. Now a face from the past reappears, a woman that cannot be alive because Steve watched her die! Steve has fought for so long, and lost so much — is his past coming back to haunt him now? Or could this be the plot of an old enemy who controls nearly everything he touches, including Steve’s mind?”

In my review of Brubaker’s Captain America, Volume 1, I noted: “Despite my devotion to [Steve Rogers], I do understand that I may not actually enjoy all of the story arcs he is at the heart of or, for that matter, every graphic novel he turns up in.” Yeah, well. About that…I suspect that claim may not be true; that I may, in fact, be hardwired to enjoy every graphic novel featuring Steve Rogers that I get my hands on. Because Steve Rogers: Super-Soldier was not an exception. I enjoyed the story’s trajectory, even if I did trip over a piece (or two) of information that I had not before been privy to, and Dale Eaglesham’s art knocked my socks off.

Several twists propel this story to its ultimately unresolved ending – Volume two? You’re not too far off, are you? I mean, Brubaker waving goodbye to Cap isn’t going to affect your release, is it? *tries not to panic* – which means, of course, that I need to tread carefully. And that means that I’ll be steering clear of dissecting the plot until its details show. Basically, I can give you the following two (long, because that’s the way I like ‘em) sentences: Informed of the allegedly successful recreation of the serum that transformed him, Steve heads to Madripoor to track down a man with a startling connection to his past, hoping to talk some sense into him before he can sell the serum to the highest bidder. Should that plan fail, Steve will do whatever it takes in order to keep it from falling into the wrong hands, including confronting ghosts from his past and revisiting an old heartache.

More succinctly put: Feels everywhere, folks. Everywhere.

I’ve mostly shaken off my clumsy, prone to toe-stubbing lack of knowledge when it comes to the Avengers’ history and backstories. (That is not to say that I know everything. Far from it. But I’m passing familiar with enough of it to see me through.) So I’m reading, reading, and then all of a sudden *thud* – Down I go, tripping over an old flame of Steve’s that seemingly came out of nowhere. *splutters* Her backstory - their backstory – packs a wallop, which I most certainly would not have forgotten had I encountered a mention of it before. Really, this can only mean one thing: I must seek out and read even more Captain America/Steve Rogers graphic novels. (I can hear you, you know. And, no, it’s not like I needed an actual excuse to do just that, but it’s always nice when an obsession is given a reason to thrive. Who is this woman and how dare she curl up so close to Steve?)

Join the club, lady.

Er, and the villain! (The main one. The in-your-face one.) I’ll keep his name under wraps, but that – along with a handful of facts picked up while reading an Avengers character guide – was about all I knew in regards to him. I had no contextual sense for what type of threat he posed, when he may have tangled with Steve – or any of the others – in the past, etc. As a result, he came off as rather…silly. I was far more interested in the people pulling the strings, who were only just briefly revealed – to an extent – when the volume came to a close. (Curse you, unresolved ending! Double curse you if volume two is not imminent!)

Bottom line on the story: It was solid and engaging and helped along immensely by its reliance on Steve’s inner narrative.

Now. Dale Eaglesham’s art.

I’d like to note, before going further, that the cover was not his doing. That credit goes to Carlos Pacheco, Tim Townsend and Frank D’Armata. And while I don’t mind the cover illustration, it’s not, in my opinion, nearly as whoa and hot damn as Eaglesham’s interior art. At the risk of sounding superficial, Steve Rogers has rarely been drawn so…so…[insert appreciative fangirl sigh here].

Ever since he took up the shield on screen, Chris Evans is Steve Rogers in my mind. When I picture the character, it’s his outrageously attractive face that takes shape. That said, when I’m able to blank his image and concentrate on my own idea and sense of what comic!Steve looks like…it’s eerily similar to how Eaglesham portrays him here. And that’s going beyond his appearance to Steve’s physicality, on wondrous display in this book, and to his grace, poise, determination and skill in a fight, all of which also comes through in spades. Just look at that image on the right. It has badass written all over it.

Setting aside the fact that Steve as drawn here is aesthetically pleasing (understatement), Eaglesham imbued so much emotion in his art. Steve’s story – and I’m referring to before he became Captain America here – tugs at me mercilessly. Couple Steve’s thoughts on his youth with panels like the ones below, and…I’m left a mess of feelings. This isn’t the only instance in which Eaglesham’s art stripped Steve bare (figuratively, alas), but these images are lasting, and they elevated this entire graphic novel to…something more. Which is why I’ll be buying my own copy shortly.

Brody’s Ghost (Books 1 & 2) – Mark Crilley

Publisher’s Summary: (Book 1)
“Brody hoped it was just a hallucination. But no, the teenaged ghostly girl who’d come face to face with him in the middle of a busy city street was all too real. And now she was back, telling him she needed his help in hunting down a dangerous killer, and that he must undergo training from the spirit of a centuries-old samurai to unlock his hidden supernatural powers.”

Publisher’s Summary: (Book 2)
“Brody knew that being mixed up with Talia, a dead girl turned ghost, was going to change his life forever. He just didn’t realize it would involve going head to head with one of the most vicious gangs in the whole city. But here he is, giving himself over to the bizarre training methods of Kagemura, an ancient samurai ghost, to transform himself from a flabby slacker to a peak-condition fighter capable of brining the city’s most dangerous criminals to their knees.”

Typically, I might tack this bit of advice onto the end of my thoughts, but seeing as how it will handily set-up what follows, let’s cut straight to it: If your interest in this graphic novel series has been piqued – either by the summaries or covers – have at least the first two volumes at hand before you begin reading. (To date only three have been published.) Now, that insistence is likely deceiving; it might suggest that each volume was so good, so promising that devouring the next wasn’t a question but a necessity. While the series got off to an okay start, that’s…not it.

That paragraph was flashing a barrage of mixed signals, I realize, so here’s my attempt at clarification:

Each volume is small – in both stature and length. Book one, for instance, is eighty-nine pages; the first several of which are devoid of text. The illustrations depict a slovenly guy (Brody) whose appearance reflects the state of the world beyond his door: run down and falling into disrepair, maintenance forgone in favor of willful neglect. They succeed in provoking several questions you can’t help but want answers for. And the initial textual hook, when it comes, delivers well enough to serve its purpose:

“Some days you’re better off staying in bed. That day was one of them. For sure. I look back now and marvel at how much trouble I’d have saved myself—Trouble? Make that flat-out physical pain—if I’d just rolled over and gone back to sleep that day.”

Book one is all about the set-up and it unfolds at a leisurely pace. The reader learns a bit more about Brody’s past, the reason behind his slacker lifestyle; and you meet Talia, the ghost who would rouse him from his lassitude (if only to help her own agenda along). It’s all well and good, but by the end of the volume I wasn’t satisfied. That initial hook didn’t dig deeper as the pages turned. Brody was kind of cute in his shocked state; Talia’s shallow personality and healthy ego was something of an annoyance; and the most interesting character was an old ghost introduced too late in the story to make much of an impact.

But.

The second volume was sitting right there. I thought, Why not? – and picked it up. Within a matter of pages my investment in the story materialized. Brody began to train in earnest with that old ghost; Talia wasn’t a constant in the volume, and her character, when she did appear, began to show another, more sympathetic side; and in general, the plot began to gain traction and speed. The ending was predictable – honestly, it could be seen coming a mile out – but that didn’t prove to be a detracting factor because I wanted to read beyond that last page.

And that’s just what I meant: Had the second volume not been nearby, I probably wouldn’t have continued with the series. There just wasn’t enough substance in that first book to make it worth my while or time. Reading the two books as a pair made a world of difference, and I was actually disappointed that the third wasn’t available in my library system for immediate request. Now I’m more willing to track a copy down; to see the story out through its six-volume run.

Regarding the art, it’s black and white throughout, and simple but endearing. Initial sketches are included in the back of one volume and a tutorial on how to draw Talia at the end of the other; I appreciate when the publisher makes the decision to print extra, behind the scenes type material. Additionally, the author/illustrator discusses in brief some of the story’s development, which puts the environment and characters in perspective somewhat.

Overall, there are enough familiar themes and situations to make these quick reads oddly comforting ones, and worth a look when taken together.

Avengers: The Children’s Crusade – Allan Heinberg, Jim Cheung

Publisher’s Summary:
“The Young Avengers return in an epic saga by series creators Allan Heinberg and Jim Cheung. When Wiccan’s reality-altering powers begin to rival those of the Scarlet Witch, the young hero sets out on a quest to find her that spans the Marvel Universe and pits Wiccan against both the Avengers and the Young Avengers. But will Wiccan’s desire to solve the mystery of his parentage be his salvation or his undoing? With three words, the Scarlet Witch changed the world forever…and now with her return, nothing will ever be the same for the Marvel Universe.”

In spite of the fact that, at the time, I had another Young Avengers graphic novel on my desk, one that would have likely been better suited to serve as my official introduction to the group, I chose to dive in with The Children’s Crusade because I could not resist the lure of a single page of art and a handful of words. But as it turned out, this book and I, we got along just fine. It should be noted, however, that my enjoyment of it was derived in part from knowledge I brought with me. Namely, I was aware of the main series of events, which is mentioned in brief in the summary above, that triggered the conflict the Young Avengers find themselves embroiled in in this particular storyline, and knew – at least to some extent – all of the players on the board. Without that, I can’t say how well it would work – or even if it would at all – as a primer to this group of young superheroes.

So, yes, I knew that the Scarlet Witch unleashed…hell, for lack of a better word, and that the resulting ripples of disquiet and unease and outright antagonism touched most everyone within the superpowered community. The Children’s Crusade hints at the shattering effect that event had on the Avengers and X-Men, but this is very much the Young Avengers story, and as such the focus is on how the fledgling squad deals with the aftermath and infighting among their mentors. And even then, Wiccan is at the forefront of the story; it’s his determination to settle the question of his parentage once and for all that acts as a catalyst for the ultimate conflict that pits former allies against one another, as well as an exponentially stronger but well-known enemy.

(What I really meant to convey with that paragraph was: While Heinberg did an admirable job of recapping the events that led up to this, I was glad for the knowledge I brought to it, because I could see what was on the fringe of this story, and that led to a deeper emotional connection to everyone involved, including those I maybe didn’t know quite as well. Also: Both Civil War and Siege are mentioned in this title. I cut the part from the summary that claimed The Children’s Crusade was a “self-contained event” because, in my opinion, it relies on too much backstory for that to be entirely true.)

The next thing I should probably cover – as briefly as possible, which is proving rather harder than it should be – are the Young Avengers themselves. Several of them, after all, sunk their hooks in me: Billy Kaplan (Wiccan) because his voice drives the narrative, yes, but also because he’s sweet and unsure and his coming-of-age is accompanied by an immense amount of power he’s still learning to control; Teddy Altman (Hulkling) because his fierce loyalty to and love for Billy gave me that fluttery feeling; Tommy Sheperd (Speed) wasn’t quite what I expected, but his smartass, boderline self-absorbed personality won me over anyway; and…Okay, just about every one of them worked exceptionally well. (I don’t yet fully understand Eli (Patriot) or Kate (Hawkeye), but that will no doubt change as I continue with my Young Avengers reading.) Seeing as how I liked them as individuals, I couldn’t help but become invested in them as a team. They are wonderful advocates of each other and their friendship shines through, often in humorous exchanges like the one below:

(Source)

To go into further detail would risk spoiling the story, so I’ll stop here. Suffice it to say, I was thoroughly taken in by The Children’s Crusade, and I will absolutely be seeking out any and all future (and older) Young Avengers titles.

*Screeches to a halt with the cursor over ‘publish’*

I didn’t mention the art! Quickly: It was great. I liked Cheung’s style, appreciated the consistency, and the fact that the Young Avengers actually looked young.

[Note: That page I mentioned in the first paragraph? I'd include it here, but it might be considered spoilerish. Ultimately, the aspect of the story it covers is also my favorite, and it hurts just a little to not gush about it, but...I won't. I'll just go...sit on my hands before my fingers can start typing without my conscious consent. But! If you don't mind being spoiled - or have an idea of what I'm referring to and just want it confirmed - click here.]

Anticipating: The Graphic Novel Edition

Avengers: Mythos - Paul Jenkins,Paolo Manuel Rivera (April)

Publisher’s Summary: “The origins of Earth’s Mightiest heroes collected! Marvel has produced some of the most mythic heroes of our time. Much like the pantheon of the gods cast a spell over the Greeks, the stories of the Marvel heroes and their populist underpinnings have become legend in the hearts and minds of generations of fans. But behind the adventure, action and pathos, who are these heroes? Why do they exist? And how did they come to be? These stories all capture the essence of Marvel’s most heroic and iconic characters. AVENGERS: MYTHOS captures the essence of Marvel’s most high-profile and iconic characters: Hulk, Captain America, Ant-Man & the Wasp, Luke Cage, Quicksilver & the Scarlet Witch, Vision and Thor.”

Several of the original Avengers are still a mystery to me – Janet van Dyne (Wasp), for instance – while others, like Luke Cage, have appeared as side characters in stories I’ve read, which provided me with a blurry picture of who they are and what they are capable of. I’m hoping this title will fill in some of the gaps in my knowledge.

Captain America, Volume 2 – Ed Brubaker (May)

Publisher’s Summary: “Cap struggles to find his faith while the new Hydra rises from the ashes and makes their first deadly moves! And what secret has Cap been keeping throughout Fear Itself? Superstar artist Alan Davis joins the all-star creative team as best-selling Cap writer Ed Brubaker brings you action-packed espionage in the Mighty Marvel Manner!”

Is it just me or is that a rather unfortunate cover? Something about Cap’s face puts me in mind of…an enraged zombie? A ticked off skeleton with a wee bit of skin? I don’t know. But! I must have this second volume, because the first volume did things to me. Good things. How could I possibly love Steve Rogers even more? things. It even urged me to think more kindly of Sharon Carter than I was inclined to, considering…well, we won’t go there. I just hope the interior art is a bit more reminiscent of the first volume’s, because I certainly would not say no to more wind-blown, see-how-sincerely-I-brood Cap.

Avengers: Hawkeye Solo - Jen Van Meter and Roger Robinson (April)

Publisher’s Summary: “The arrowed avenger returns! When a stranger lies dead at the Avengers’ doorstep, Hawkeye won’t let his world be implicated in a grisly murder. But what seems to be a simple murder gives way to a gruesome conspiracy – one Hawkeye can’t walk away from – and one that involves …the Trapster?! Also, Hank Pym and the class of Avengers Academy leave the school behind for a mystery too fantastic to believe!”

First of all, that cover? Has Yes, Please! drawn all over it. Seriously. I’ve been caught just staring at it. And then there’s the actual story bit, which, actually, sounds pretty fantastic in its own right, and will give me the chance to dig deeper into Clint Barton’s life and times.

Hawkeye: Blindspot – Jim McCann, Paco Diaz Luque (Now)

Publisher’s Summary: “Hawkeye is left blindsided after the events of WIDOWMAKER, with a new vision of the world around him. To move forward with his new life, he must first reexamine how it all began. An all-new era for the Avenging Archer begins here as writer Jim McCann brings you a Clint Barton you’ve never seen before! Plus: a classic tale of marksmanship as Hawkeye faces off against Batroc, Oddball and the Taskmaster!”

Okay. It took me forever to realize that Jim McCann meant Jim McCann – as in Return of the Dapper Men. Which, you may recall, I loved. Right there, this is a must have for me. Plus, again, I do love Clint Barton, and I haven’t given him enough time and attention so far. I’m hoping that, between these two, I’ll get a better handle on his character so I can get to work on some Clint-centric fan fiction.

Nightwing – Kyle Higgins (October)

Publisher’s Summary: “Haley’s Circus, the big top where Dick once performed, makes a stop on its tour in Gotham City – bringing with it murder, mystery and superhuman evil. To uncover more clues as to why a mysterious assassin is targetting him, Nightwing joins the Haley’s Circus tour in order to find more clues and protect those he loves. But as Dick becomes closer acquainted with the big top he grew up with, he discovers there’s a much deeper, darker secret to be discovered.”

While I do prefer him in blue, I recently had a look at some of the artwork that, I believe, is going to appear in this reboot, and I liked what I saw. And besides, it’s Nightwing. Dick Grayson. The superhero I fell hard for in The Great Leap.

Nightwing: The Great Leap – Peter J. Tomasi

Publisher’s Summary:
“Stepping out of Batman’s shadow, the original Boy Wonder now breaks the circle of crime and corruption on the mean streets of New York City as Nightwing. When the Dark Knight’s adversary Two-Face steps in to take a bite out of the Big Apple, it’s up to Nightwing to pluck the city from the crazed madman’s grasp. NYC’s only hope may lie in the hands of an old flame from Two-Face’s past–but Nightwing better hurry before an assassin’s bullet cuts her down.”

Perhaps you recall the post from a couple of weeks back; the one in which I stated my intention to become better acquainted with Nightwing? After waiting on and receiving the five graphic novels I requested through the library, I settled on this one, Nightwing: The Great Leap, to act as my introduction to Dick Grayson and his superhero persona. It was an excellent choice.

In Peter Tomasi’s hands, Nightwing is this vulnerable, resolute, deeply human character. He is a badass, certainly, and his circus/trapeze artist background gives him a graceful edge when it comes to slipping in and out of places – unnoticed or otherwise – but he is not impervious to pain (both physical and emotional), and he wears his devotion to his city and its people, to fighting evil with good, as so many scars scored into his skin. Two particular pages (one page at right) stopped me in my tracks for a moment. This is, surprisingly, perhaps, the first graphic novel I’ve read in which the superhero gets seriously injured; that you get to see the toll the battles he’s waged has taken on his body. And because I read for character – because once I’m invested, I’m all in – the sight of all those scars got to me, and made me care for Dick Grayson that much more. Adding to that, a bit later on in the story, Dick juxtaposes his and Bruce Wayne’s pasts, specifically how they both lost their families and how that single event changed them. It was – and this is putting it mildly – effective. In fact, between his internal monologue during that scene and the art (below) that accompanied it, there was just no help for it: I was a goner.

There is a great deal more to like and enjoy about The Great Leap over and above Nightwing himself. For instance, the predominant villain of the piece is Harvey “Two-Face” Dent; his manic, chillingly psychotic personality switches lent the story true menace. Harvey’s history with Dick when he was still Batman’s Robin amplified the tension as events progressed. Also, there was Alfred. Dick and Tim Drake’s (the current Robin – Red Robin, as it were) relationship with Alfred (Bruce Wayne’s butler; the man who, for all intents and purposes, raised him after his family was murdered, in case the name didn’t ring a bell with you) is beautifully depicted in this story. It is exquisitely clear how deeply these men care for each other, and I’ve made no bones about the fact that I am a sucker for those kinds of bonds; it should come as no surprise, then, that that dynamic was one of my favorite aspects of the story. Additionally, there were cameo appearances from some of Batman’s most tenacious enemies, and also by members of the Justice League of America, which provided a few interesting moments.

If I had a complaint, it would be that 1) the story has one or two overarching plot points, but there were shifts along the way that didn’t immediately (if at all) make sense in light of the big picture (and I’ve a sneaking suspicion that maybe they weren’t meant to), and 2) I was unclear about Dick’s relationship with two women featured at various times throughout the book. That may be because what I know of his history is not all inclusive; once I read more, I may have a better understanding of where each of the women stand with him, what their history is, and so it’s actually not a complaint, but more a point of frustration (because I want to know everything all at once, and that’s just not reasonable).

The art was quite good – though not nearly as striking as that fantastic, eye-catching cover – and, for having been done by several different pencillers, fairly consistent throughout. If I were to express a preference, it would have been for part one, which was done by Don Kramer. His action scenes really captured Dick’s background and showed how fluid, how graceful, Dick can be in the thick of a fight, but also how self-assured he is in his skills. He was also responsible for a scene between Nightwing and Alfred that really got to me (at left). Flipping through the book, the other two parts I noticeably appreciated were also done by Kramer, so there you go.

After this outing, I am very much looking forward to continuing my Nightwing education.

It Might Be Time To Admit I Have a Problem

Before you look, I can explain. Um…

Okay. So maybe I can’t. Because this stack doesn’t take into account three additional titles that were on the floor in my library at the time this picture was taken (or the eight new graphic novels that just came in for me at the library *cough*). (On a somewhat unrelated note, I also cannot explain my inability to take a clear cell phone picture.)

At this rate, I’m going to have to read three a night in order to get them back to the library before their due dates are upon me. And that…is unlikely to happen. (After all, there’s Tumblr. And AO3 [not to mention my own fan fiction to write [and that's not to mention the original stuff I'm working on]]. And superhero movies to rewatch for the gazillionth time. And, you know, life. Work. Starbucks runs! [That last one is a whole other problem - especially for my wallet. Ouch. And still yum.] And other books. Non graphic novel books. [What are those again...?]) So.

Motivation to plow through these is in order! I think a ‘my lady, you had best hasten your reading ‘fore it is too late to partake enjoyment from the many books you have so readily at hand’ Luke Evans gif should do it. (Okay, maybe he’s being a bit more judgey than that. The man’s got a point.)

(source)

In any event, I hope you all aren’t getting tired of the graphic novel posts, because, as you can see, there are going to be a lot more of them.

Marvel Fairy Tales – C.B. Cebulski

Publisher’s Summary:
“Re-imagining the greatest Marvel stories through folktales, myths, and fables from across the globe! In Avengers Fairy Tales, see Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, and the rest of the Avengers as you’ve never seen them before with all-new interpretations of Peter Pan, Pinocchio, Alice in Wonderland, and the Wizard of Oz. In Spider-Man Fairy Tales, Mary Jane fills the shoes of another famous red-head in this retelling of Little Red Riding Hood with super hero sensibilities! Will Spider-Man be able to save her on her way to Aunt May’s house? And in X-Men Fairy Tales, it’s a re-imagining of the tragic origin of Professor Xavier and Magneto! In the ancient African tale, “The Friendship of the Tortoise and the Eagle,” dangerous circumstances cause two pals to take violently different life paths…”

I am fairly certain I smiled my way through Marvel Fairy Tales, because, from start to finish, this graphic novel was a delight.

The most pressing question regarding this book is likely: Must you “know” the superheroes that have been recast as classic fairy tale characters in order to enjoy the six stories collected in it? The simple answer: No. It’s not necessary. The complicated answer: Even superficial knowledge will greatly enhance the reading experience, adding layers of emotion to the simplest of actions, and feeding the aforementioned delight as connections are made between the superhero and the role they were given within the fairy tale. My experience takes into account both sides of the coin; while I knew the majority of the superheroes featured in the book, I did not know others as well (if at all), and you’ll see how that affected my reading as I touch on each of the individual stories.

The last generalized note I’d make before moving on is that the didactic tone inherent to fairy tales is magnified here to the nth degree. In one case, the story is being told by an Avenger to a group of young children, and is literally being used as a cautionary tale. In other cases, it’s harder to discern why the moral or lesson was made so painfully obvious, but, either way, it didn’t put me off my stride in the least. Rather, it was almost…charming.

“Once Upon a Time”

My favorite of the bunch! The reason being twofold: The Avengers – namely Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Hawkeye, and the Black Panther – are perfectly suited to the roles of Peter and the Lost Boys; and Joao Lemos’ artwork is outstanding.

Wanda (the Scarlet Witch) and her brother Pietro (Quicksilver) wake one night to find a strange boy chasing his shadow across their room. The Captain urges the siblings to join him as he journeys back to Neverland, but once there, Wanda and Pietro are separated, and it falls on Wanda to lead the Lost Boys against Klaw in order to rescue her brother.

At first, I had wondered at Captain America being cast as Peter, but it makes perfect sense when you take into consideration how time works in Neverland, how it basically stands still, and that Cap – superhero Cap – is considered to be a “man out of time.” When that sunk in, gleeful would be an accurate way of describing my response (after I kicked myself for being slow on the uptake, that is). The remaining Lost Boys are true, in many ways, to their superhero counterparts – Iron Man is called Shellhead here; he offers Wanda a drink immediately after introducing himself (oh, Tony) – and the Wasp is a wonderful stand-in for Tinkerbell. Admittedly, going into this story I knew little about Panther (the Black Panther) and nothing at all about Klaw (the villain, but that probably goes without saying, yeah?), but found that that hardly mattered. (Although I did look up Klaw after the fact simply because it frustrated me that I had yet to run into him in my graphic novel reading frenzy.)

And the art! I would wax poetic about it if I could find the right words to do so, and just now they’re escaping me. Suffice it to say, I ADORED each and every page and panel. The way the characters were depicted tugged on my heartstrings – they look so innocent, so very young and sweet (even if mischief is their game). Joao Lemos’ art was whimsical and transportive; it pulled me into the story so completely, and, though I hate to use the word again, delighted my inner child.

“Created Equal” (Art by Nuno Plati)

In this Pinocchio retelling, Hank Pym is Gepetto to Vision’s Pinocchio. My knowledge of Vision is very, very basic, but it was enough to know that his superhero-self is an android – hence, not a “real boy.” I also knew little about the villain of the piece: Ultron. Despite that, it worked quite well for me, and I enjoyed the darker tones used in the art, how they echoed the somber themes that cast a shadow across the first three quarters of the story.

“Avengers Fairy Tales: Alice in Wonderland”

I have yet to officially meet the Young Avengers, and while I know some of them by sight – Wiccan and Speed, most notably – it wasn’t enough to truly assist my interpretation of this story, or how the young superheroes corresponded to their fairy tale roles, which meant that some of the nuances likely went over my head. While it felt a bit rushed, this piece was a solid addition to the collection. (And it certainly made me want to hasten my progress through the graphic novels I have at home in order to get to the Young Avengers.)

“Avengers Fairy Tales: Wizard of Oz” (Art by Takeshi Miyazawa)

My second favorite of the bunch! This one finds Jennifer Walters (She-Hulk) stepping into green slippers, setting off down the yellow brick road to find the wizard, picking up a motley crew of misfits along the way. This story once again features Captain America, Iron Man and Thor, and you would be absolutely correct if you assumed that that had a whole lot to do with my enjoyment of it. Rather than go on at length about how fantastic it was, I’m just going to stick in a page (to the left) (and one of the panels [above]) that I loved (and it should be evident – if you’re at all familiar with my superhero biases – to understand why both made me immeasurably happy).

“Off the Beaten Path” (Art by Ricardo Tercio)

If I had to pick a third favorite, this would be it, which is surprising because I don’t consider myself to be a big Spider-man fan. (Though, to be fair, I haven’t read enough to have gotten into the character.) What I liked about this particular story was that Mary Jane is represented as a strong woman, ready and willing to defend herself; she wants her relationship with Peter to be an equal partnership. Peter, for his part, accepts Mary Jane for who she is, embracing her strength and independence, and stands beside her in the final confrontation. The whole thing was well-done, up to and including Ricardo Tercio’s art (sampled above).

“The Friendship of the Tortoise and the Eagle” (Art by Kyle Baker)

Honestly, this was my least favorite of the collection, but the story it was based on was a perfect fit for Professor X and Magneto and their troubled history/friendship. The art is harsher, less fluid, and relies on a more obvious but limited color palette.

Bringing this epic post to a close, I feel as though I only scraped the surface of the treasures found in this graphic novel. If you are even remotely interested in this and can get your hands on a copy, I would strongly urge you to do so.