Graphic Novel Review - Star Wars Clone Wars Adventures Vol. 3

Name: Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures Vol. 3

Published by: Dark Horse Comics

Writer: Haden Blackman, Ryan Kaufman, The Fillbach Brothers, Tim Mucci

Artists: The Fillbach Brothers

Colorist: Sigmund Torre, Pamela Rambo, Sno Cone Studios

Letterer: Michael David Thomas 

It's been a while since I read the first two volumes of this series, but after starting this third one I was instantly transported into the world this series was inspired by. 

The first story 'Rogue's Gallery' features some of the fan favorite villains of the prequel era fighting between themselves, which was quite fun, but somehow seemed like a missed opportunity.

'The Package' is clearly the best story in this volume (maybe the best is the series so far) and the twist at the ending is such an enjoyable gut punch reminding us of the overall grimness of the situation.

The third story named 'A Stranger in Town' is kind of like a wild west story featuring Yoda and a bit weird with its action scenes.

'One Battle' is a Plo Koon story which is quite mediocre except for the interesting last line.

Overall score - 3.5 out of 4 stars.

Retro Comic Review - Gizmo and the Fugitoid #2

Name: Gizmo and the Fugitoid #2

Published by: Mirage Comics

Writer: Peter Laird and Michael Dooney 

Artist: Michael Dooney 

Letterer: Steve Lavigne 

The second issue picks up just where the first one left off. We find our heroes prisoners of the Triceratons and trying to figure out a way to get out this prickly in one piece.

The story suffers a bit with some unlikely coincidences as the author tries to finish everything in this issue and the Triceratons come out a bit out of character because of this. 

Although the art is as good as ever, even better than the first at times with the detailed spaceships and background work. Throughout the whole two issue series, I kept coming back to back pages just to goggle at the detailed art.

This gets another nostalgic 4 out of 5 stars. 

Retro Comic Review - Gizmo and the Fugitoid #1

Name: Gizmo and the Fugitoid #1

Published by: Mirage Comics

Writer: Peter Laird and Michael Dooney 

Artist: Michael Dooney 

Letterer: Steve Lavigne 

I have been checking out the original Mirage comics and came upon this 2 issue mini-series. Initially I was a bit sceptical about checking this out as these didn't feature the turtles at all and although I knew Fugitoid and I had no idea about who this Gizmo guy was. I am glad I decided to check this out.

The first issue does a fine job of introducing us to the main characters, the humourous dialogues of Gizmo and Fluffy was quite enjoyable and I really did feel for the strange situation Fugitoid was in.

The story was fast paced and enjoyable, but the thing I really liked was the detailed art, once again one of the most attractive things of these old Mirage black and white issues. And it also ended in a cliffhanger throwing one of my favorite extraterrestrial factions into the mix, great stuff so far.

4 out of 5 stars from me.

Short Story Review - Blood Harvest by Richard Swan

Name -  Blood Harvest 

Writer - Richard Swan 

Series - Warhammer 40k

Published By - Games Workshop/ Black Library 

This was my second read from Richard Swan. My first one was another Black Library short, which I found average and only started this one because this story was related to ' Tears of Raphaela'. This one was certainly much better and I kind of ended up wanting to read more about these characters and this conflict.

This is the story of a planet dealing with the onslaught of a Tyranid wave. We are introduced with some lowly conscripts who seem quite unlikeable at the beginning, then we get introduced with a fearsome warrior who seems to have some hidden agenda about helping the normal humans at first. Then the struggle for survival starts.

The action sequences are quite engrossing, and Tyranids are as fearsome villains as always. Despite the short scope the characters get interesting development, the dialogues are very enjoyable and the ending is quite different from typical 40k short.

All in all, this is one of the best black library short stories of last year in my opinion. 4.5 out of 5 stars from me.

New Book Review - How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix

Name -  How to Sell a Haunted House 

Writer - Grady Hendrix

Published By - Berkley Books

Grady Hendrix can write in a very engaging style; with his unique mixture of horror and dark humor; his relatable, interesting and well developed cast of characters and his unique knack of using well used tropes in fun ways to entertain. But unlike his previous writings this one does drag a bit in the middle and might have done well with cutting out 100 or so pages. 

After their parents' sudden death Louise must deal with the house they left behind and her complicated relationship with her brother Mark, while also dealing with something sinister that also inhabits their childhood home. Throughout the story we get to slowly learn more about the eventful history of the house and her family. 

The prose by Hendrix was as enjoyable as ever, with his unique style of slowly divulging information and coloring his characters. I especially enjoyed how he brilliantly transformed Mark from an annoying and selfish prick into someone who is quite smart and thoughtful and sympathetic person. 

Despite the strength of the characters, the story really suffered from the plodding pace during the second half the book. It does pick up its tempo closer to the ending, but by then finishing it felt like a bit of a chore. 

I will definitely check out future works by the author, especially because I really like his character building and sense of humor. I just really he keeps things a bit more compact and focused. 

This was a mixed bag, 3 out of 5 stars from me. 

Short Story Review - The Pram by Joe Hill

Name -  The Pram

Writer - Joe Hill

Series - Creature Feature 

Published By - Amazon Original Stories 

Despite meaning to check out his works for a while, this is my first foray into the writing of Joe Hill. And I am quite glad that I did read this one and am thankful that Amazon Original Stories for publishing these short stories that can read in a single or few sittings. 

The Pram deals with the story of Willy and his desire to have a son. It begins with a saddened atmosphere as we come to know the circumstances leading to Willy's anguish and resentment and then slowly builds into the horror of what it might finally lead him to. 

The character of Willy is the main focus and Hill does an admirable job of letting readers ease into his psyche and personality. None of the other characters were much fleshed out due to the shirt scope of the story, but Hill's uncanny ability to create relatable and realistic characters are clearly visible through the small glimpses on offer. 

The story progresses gradually and almost effortlessly into a crescendo and ends in a veritably shocking and explosive ending. And the aftertaste left made me immediately interested to check out more from the author and also from other stories in the series. 

A job well done, 4.5 out of 5 stars from me. 

New Book Review - 101 Horror Books to Read Before You're Murdered

Name - 101 Horror Books to Read Before You're Murdered

Writer - Sadie Hartmann

Published By - Page Street Publishing

Well, if you are like me and have gotten into the intriguing world of horror fiction in the last few years after traversing through other branches of genre fiction, this book is specifically curated for the likes of you. If you are like me, you have often wondered if it was possible to ignore the vast richness of the past works of horror fiction and check out the good stuff from the last decade this book is for you. If you just want to test out the different sub-genres of the immensely versatile world of horror for the first time, well, what do you know, this book is also for you. 

'Sadie Hartmann' did a brilliant job of just taking post 2000 books and making a huge list putting in varied tastes of modern readers into consideration. There are also some delightful author spotlights focusing on some lesser known yet highly imaginative authors who are emerging into the genre as future giants. Also some short non-fiction pieces from some of these authors. 

I really loved the way Sadie arranged her recommendations into various sub-genres (would have loved a few more like space horror, medieval horror, etc. though) and then listed them with not only a synopsis type post but rather her take on the novel or collection. I loved her little at a glance feature below the review particularly. 

Overall, I would definitely recommend this to people like me who love books about books, and also to people looking for some solid modern horror recommendations and also to people who are trying to get into the genre. Solid and thoroughly enjoyable reading material. 

I'll give this one full marks, 5 out of 5 stars.