April 2017 New Comics To Watch For

Yup, I am posting my list on the correct month for once. And what a massive month this is, lots to look forward to this time.

GODSHAPER #1
Written by Simon Surrier
Art and Cover by Jonas Goonface

Written by Eisner Award-nominated writer Simon Spurrier (The Spire, X-Men Legacy) and illustrated by breakout talent Jonas Goonface, Godshaper introduces a vast world where there's a god for every person and a person for every god...though for Ennay, unfortunately exceptions may apply.
People like him are Godshapers, godless social pariahs with the ability to mold and shape the gods of others. Paired with Bud, an off-kilter but affectionate god without a human, the two travel from town to town looking for shelter, a hot meal, and the next paying rock'n'roll gig.

 

BLACK CLOUD #1
Written by Lvan Brandon and Jason Latour
Art and Cover by Greg Hinkle and Matt Wilson

Zelda was born in a world of dreams, and hers burned bigger than anyone had ever seen. Now she's on the run in our world, the dreams broken in her hands. But the pieces are for sale, the rich and the powerful are buying, and suddenly her world isn't the only place Zelda's running from. From the creators that brought you Spider-Gwen, SOUTHERN BASTARDS, and DRIFTER, and the incredible colorist of THE WICKED + THE DIVINE, comes a place where dreams come true--and today, they go to war.

 

PLASTIC #1
Written by Doug Wagner
Art by Daniel Hillyard and Laura Martin

Retired serial killer Edwyn Stoffgruppen is in love with Virginia, a girl he “met online.” Her affection quiets his vile urges. Together, they tour the back roads of America in their LTD, eating doughnuts and enjoying their healthy appetites for each other. Life is good…until a Louisiana billionaire kidnaps Virginia, forcing Edwyn to kill again in exchange for her freedom. Oh, and did we mention that Virginia is a sex doll?

 

REDNECK #1
Written by Donny Cates
Art by Lisandro Estherren

he Bowmans are VAMPIRES who have quietly run the local barbecue joint in their small town for years, living off cow's blood. Their peaceful coexistence ends as generations of hate, fear, and bad blood bubble to the surface--making it impossible to separate man from monster! Critically acclaimed writer DONNY CATES (GOD COUNTRY) and artist LISANDRO ESTHERREN serve up the tale of a DIFFERENT kind of family just trying to get by, deep in the heart of Texas.

BATMAN / THE SHADOW #1
Written by Scott Snyder and Steve Orlando
Art and Cover by Riley Rossmo

Two of history’s greatest vigilantes are reunited at last! Murder has come to Gotham City, and Lamont Cranston appears to be the culprit…but he’s been dead for over fifty years! Batman will go to the ends of the Earth to unravel the mystery of Cranston’s life, but the mysterious Shadow will do everything in his power to stop him from learning too much…
The superstar team of writers Scott Snyder and Steve Orlando and artist Riley Rossmo brings you a dark and twisty modern noir like nothing you’ve seen before, with a brand-new villain unlike any either hero has faced! This is the unmissable crime series of 2017, so get on board now! Co-published with Dynamite.

BLACK PANTHER & THE CREW #1
Written by Ta-Nehisi Coatees and Yona Harvey
Art by Butch Guice

Black Panther, Storm, Luke Cage, Misty Knight and Manifold band together to take on a dangerous wave of street-level threats in this new ongoing series by co-writers Ta-Nehisi Coates (New York Times best-selling author of Between the World and Me and Marvel’s Black Panther) and Yona Harvey (Black Panther: World of Wakanda) and legendary artist Butch Guice!
The death of a Harlem activist kicks off a mystery that will reveal surprising new secrets about the Marvel Universe’s past and set the stage for a big story in the Marvel Universe’s near future.
Fear, hate and violence loom, but don’t worry, The Crew’s got this: “We are the streets.”

X-MEN : GOLD #1
Written by Mark Guggenheim
Art and Cover by Adrian Syaf

FROM THE ASHES OF INHUMANS VS X-MEN, AN ALL-NEW TEAM OF X-MEN RISES! Xavier’s dream comes full circle as KITTY PRYDE takes the reins and assembles a squad of the most iconic X-Men to fight at her side. STORM. COLOSSUS. NIGHTCRAWLER. OLD MAN LOGAN. PRESTIGE. They are X-MEN GOLD! And they’re on a mission to be Earth’s finest heroes, even when that means defending those who hate and fear them. Brought to you by an all-star creative team of Marc Guggenheim (X-MEN, S.H.I.E.L.D., television’s Arrow) and Ardian Syaf (BATGIRL, SUPERMAN/BATMAN, BRIGHTEST DAY), a new beginning for the strangest heroes of all starts here!

 

X-MEN : BLUE #1
Written by Cullen Bunn
Art by Jorge Molina and Mtteo Buffagni

Join MARVEL GIRL, CYCLOPS, BEAST, ICEMAN and ANGEL as they reclaim the title of X-MEN. After the world-shaking events of IVX, the original five X-Men are here to bring mutant criminals to justice and restore a heroic sheen to their team. But with a new leader in JEAN GREY and a new mentor in their “arch-frenemy” MAGNETO, will old rivalries and new conflicts tear these heroes apart?

WEAPON X #1
Written by Greg Pack
Art and Cover by Greg Land

Decades ago, the Weapon X program produced the deadliest mutant killers on the planet. Now, with more research, more funding and more Adamantium at its disposal, the Weapon X program is creating new killers for old targets: Old Man Logan. Sabretooth. Lady Deathstrike. Weapon X isn’t just experimenting on mutants anymore…it’s eradicating them. All of them.
Plus: Deadlier and more shadowy than ever, you won’t believe who’s taken the job as Director of Weapon X! Reuniting X-Men: Phoenix — Endsong creative team GREG PAK (World War Hulk) and GREG LAND (Uncanny X-Men)!

ROYALS #1
Written by Al Ewing
Art and Cover by Jonboy Meyers

THE “RESURRXION” OF THE INHUMANS BEGINS!
A myth from the future. A quest to the far stars. A legend written across galaxies. Guided by the other-dimensional Kree warrior known as Marvel Boy, the Inhuman Royal Family departs on an odyssey across all creation on search for lost secrets — and the last hope — of their people.
Penned by fan-favorite Al Ewing (The Ultimates, New Avengers, Loki: Agent of Asgard) and drawn by the white-hot Jonboy Meyers (Teen Titans, Spawn), ROYALS is a Marvel-style space epic that takes the Inhuman Royal Family and plunges them into the unknown! The knowledge they seek could change the course of Inhuman destiny, but it cannot be attained without cost...for at the end of days, the Last Inhuman tells the tale of how seven left Earth for the stars...but only six returned.

NICK FURY #1
Written by James Robinson
Art and Cover by ACO

FURY. NICK FURY.
The world is a dangerous place. And there’s danger in drawing attention to your plans. When S.H.I.E.L.D. needs a lone agent to infiltrate, capture and remain anonymous, there’s no one better than NICK FURY. An all-new era for the superspy begins here, as Fury is sent on a top-secret mission to the French Riviera. He’ll need to outmaneuver the enemy as the complex dance of espionage begins, but will he meet his match in the mysterious FRANKIE NOBLE? Grab the edge of your seat and don’t let go — this caper’s just getting started!

SECRET EMPIRE #0
Written by Nick Spencer
Art by Daniel Acuna and Rod Reis

What if your greatest ally was secretly your greatest enemy? What if the most trustworthy, stalwart hero history has ever known has been planning in secret a massive betrayal? That time is now!
The Marvel Universe is under siege from within! Captain America, secretly a true believer in the cause of Hydra, has turned his back on the Super Hero community. Using the trust and respect he has gained over the years he has ascended to a position where he can enacts Hydra's ideals. The death of Jack Flag, the trial of Maria Hill, the second Civil War, the alien Chitauri Queen. All of the dominos of Captain America's plan have been laid out -- and it will take only the slightest push to set them into action!
Now, the Avengers, the Champions, the Defenders, the Guardians of the Galaxy, the X-Men and more will be tested. As Hydra's grip tightens around the Marvel Universe, the heroes stand at the precipice of an unprecedented challenge. How will they Marvel Universe cope with this shattering betrayal by the most trusted among them?

BRITANNIA : WE WHO ARE ABOUT TO DIE #1 (of 4)
Written by Peter Milligan
Art by Juan Jose Ryp

Valiant’s critically acclaimed, 10-time sold-out magnum opus returns with a brand-new journey into myth and mystery, from comics master Peter Milligan (Shade, The Changing Man) and incendiary artist Juan José Ryp (Britannia)!
Fifty thousand Romans stand on their feet, watching from the stands of the coliseum with captured breath as Achillia, a gladiator unlike any seen before, faces incredible odds as one lone warrior against five of the empire’s greatest. Such is the tradition, when a female combatant enters the fray. When the carnage is complete, the crowd roars its approval as Achillia stands victorious. Now only one match away from winning her freedom, she has begun to gain renown. The women of Rome, suppressed by their husbands and fathers, have noticed. The men, husbands and fathers to a growing horde of women entertaining ideas of independence, have noticed as well.

WORLD READER #1
Written by Jeff Loveness
Art and Cover by Juan Doe

Meet Sarah, an astronaut traveling from dead planet to dead planet, talking to the ghosts of the dead worlds...as she fights to discover the secret that’s killing the universe.  But Death doesn't give up its secrets so easily, and as Death hunts her from planet to planet, Sarah struggles to maintain the trust of her crew and her own sanity in the endless ocean of lives. Every world has a story, and if she can find the secret tying them all together, she can save Earth from being the next world to die.
From GROOT and THE JIMMY KIMMEL SHOW writer Jeff Loveness and AMERICAN MONSTER, ANIMOSITY: THE RISE artist Juan Doe, comes the chilling, epic new series that will be sure to appeal to fans of THE ARRIVAL, INTERSTELLAR, and THE EXPANSE.
   

[ Some very interesting new stuff from Marvel and also some promising non-superhero stuff starting this month as well. Probably one of the biggest month of this year for comics so far. Lots of good stuff here, a total of 14 series' that caught my attention, wow!  ]

April 2017 New PC Games To Watch For

A promising month with some awesome ports and some amazing new stuff as well. May be its time to upgrade my Computers for better gaming? Damn, I just wish I had enough time to experience some of these at least.

Bayonetta

Bayonetta is a third-person action game developed by PlatinumGames and published by Sega. The game was originally released for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in Japan in October 2009, and in North America and Europe in January 2010. Bayonetta takes place in Vigrid, a fictional city in Europe. The game stars the titular character, a witch who is capable of shapeshifting and using various firearms. She also possesses magical attacks, and she can use her own hair to summon demons to dispatch her foes. The game features a rating system, which gives players a grade based on their performance, and a combat system that is similar to the Devil May Cry series. A port for Microsoft Windows was released in April 11, 2017.

Yooka-Laylee


Yooka-Laylee is a platform video game developed by Playtonic Games and published by Team17 for Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. Yooka-Laylee was developed by Playtonic Games, a group of several former key personnel from Rare during the Nintendo 64 era, as a spiritual successor to their game series Banjo-Kazooie and other works. Among them, Banjo-Kazooie staff Chris Sutherland, Steve Mayles, Steven Hurst, and Grant Kirkhope reprised their respective roles. Similar to the title of Banjo-Kazooie being a play on the banjo and kazoo musical instruments, the title of Yooka-Laylee is a play on the ukulele. Gameplay bears resemblance to Banjo-Kazooie and its sequel, Banjo-Tooie, featuring items and characters that play similar roles to those found in these games. One player controls two characters working together simultaneously, a male chameleon named Yooka, who is being described as "sensible", and likewise controls a female bat named Laylee, who is being described as "a little bit crazy". It was released on April 11, 2017 on Steam for PC.

Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series

Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series is an episodic graphic adventure video game series developed and published by Telltale Games. The plot centers on the Guardians finding an artifact of great power that each individually covet, but must protect it from a malicious entity that wants it for themselves. Guardians of the Galaxy plays similar to other Telltale adventure games, in which the player character talks to other characters, explore environments and interact with objects within it, and at times, complete action sequences made up of quick time events. Players make choices, such as dialog selection, that create determinants within the story affecting later actions within the episode and in future episodes. Within the series, the player primarily plays as Star-Lord, but may at times briefly take the role of another Guardian during action sequences. Based on Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy comic book series, the game's first episode was released in April 18, 2017.

Dragon Quest Heroes II

Dragon Quest Heroes II is a hack-and-slash game developed by Omega Force and published by Square Enix for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Nintendo Switch, and Microsoft Windows. The game is a sequel to Dragon Quest Heroes: The World Tree's Woe and the Blight Below. Dragon Quest Heroes II mixes the hack-and-slash combat of Koei Tecmo's Dynasty Warriors series of video games with the characters, monsters, universe, and lore from Square Enix's Dragon Quest series. The game is heavier on the RPG elements than most of Omega Force's other titles. World exploration was changed to resemble the typical Dragon Quest experience. It was released in Japan in May 2016, and worldwide in April 25, 2017.

Outlast 2

Outlast 2 is a first-person survival horror video game developed and published by Red Barrels. It is the sequel to the 2013 video game Outlast, and features a journalist named Blake Langermann, along with his wife Lynn, roaming the Arizona desert to explore the murder of a pregnant woman, Jane Doe. Unfortunately, Blake and Lynn get separated in a helicopter crash, and Blake has to find his wife while traveling through a village inhabited by a sect that believes the end of days is upon them. The game was released on April 25, 2017 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One to generally favorable reviews.

BlazBlue: Central Fiction

BlazBlue: Central Fiction, released in Japan as BlazBlue: Centralfiction is a 2-D fighting video game developed by Arc System Works. It is the fourth game to the BlazBlue series, and is set after the events of BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma. A location test appeared mid-July. It was released for the arcades on November 19, 2015. A console version was released in Japan on October 6, 2016, in North America on November 1, 2016, and Europe on November 4th, 2016 for the PlayStation 3 and the PlayStation 4, both physically and digitally. It also introduced the playable appearances of Hibiki Kohaku, Naoto Kurogane, Nine the Phantom, Saya/Hades Izanami, Es, Mai Natsume, and Susano'o. It serves as the conclusion of the Azure Saga that began in Calamity Trigger. The arcade mode stories are separated into three acts. A Steam port was released on April 26, 2017.

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War III

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War III is an upcoming real-time strategy game, currently being produced by Relic Entertainment and Sega in partnership with Games Workshop, the creators of the Warhammer 40,000 universe. It is the third stand-alone title in the Dawn of War series, and the first new release in the series since Dawn of War II: Retribution in 2011. The initial races available for play will be the Space Marines of the Blood Ravens (who have appeared in the other Dawn of War games), the Eldar, and the Orks. In addition to returning to the traditional RTS basebuilding (as seen in the first game and its expansions), Dawn of War III also includes larger-scale walker units – Imperial Knights for the Space Marines, Wraithknights for the Eldar, and Morkanauts for the Orks. It was for Microsoft Windows on April 27, 2017.

BONUS ENTRY
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Persona 5 (released on PS3 & PS4 so far)

Persona 5 is a role-playing video game developed by Atlus for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 video game consoles. Persona 5 is chronologically the sixth installment in the Persona series, which is part of the larger Megami Tensei franchise. Persona 5 takes place in Tokyo, and follows a silent protagonist after his transfer to the fictional Shujin Academy after being put on probation for an assault of which he was falsely accused. During the course of a school year, he and other students awaken to their Persona powers, become masked vigilantes dubbed the "Phantom Thieves of Hearts", and explore the supernatural Palace realm to steal ill intent from the hearts of adults. As with previous titles in the series, the party does battle with supernatural enemies using manifestations of their psyche called Personas. The game incorporates role-playing elements and dungeon exploration alongside social simulation scenarios. Published by Atlus in Japan and North America and by Deep Silver in Europe and Australia, the game was released first in Japan in September 2016, and worldwide in April 04, 2017. In Western regions, Persona 5 was the first main game in the series since Persona 2: Eternal Punishment to omit the Shin Megami Tensei moniker.

[ The port of 'Bayonetta' was a pleasant surprise to say the least. I am also quite interested in 'Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series' and 'Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War III'. If only I didn't have a life and had enough time to spend on my hobbies. ]

Mini-Comic Review - Flash #21

Name - Flash #21
Published by - DC Comics
Written by - Joshua Williamson
Art by - Howard Porter
Coloring by - Hi-Fi
Letters by - Steve Wands
Release Date: April 26, 2017

We get to see Flash's perspective on this second part of 'The Button', which, while not as action or moody as the first part is still almost as enjoyable in its own way. Flash uses his experience as a crime scene investigator to try to solve the mystery of the button which has gotten rather complicated by the death of Thawne. Desperate times results in desperate measures as our two heroes use extreme means to get to the bottom of things and literally stumbles into the next cliffhanger ending.

New Novella Review - Agents of Dreamland

Novella - Agents of Dreamland  
Writer - Caitlin R. Kiernan    
Published By - Tor.com
 
I am not very familiar with works by H. P. Lovecraft, only read a few of his short stories so far. But decided to check out this novella solely based on the blurb which seemed quite interesting to me. And I am quite glad that I did; 'Agents of Dreamland' is a story filled with suspense, horror, mesmerizing prose prowess and intriguing characters. I finished this in one night and was left with an intense desire to read more about this world, characters and overall more of Caitlin's writing and a strong conviction that I need to check out what this Lovecraft guy is all about once and for all.

Mini-Comic Review - Secret Empire #0

Name - Secret Empire #0
Published by - Marvel Comics
Written by - Nice Spencer
Art by - Daniel Auna and Rod Reis
Letters by - VC's Travis Lanham
Release Date: April 19, 2017
 
To be able to truly appreciate the 'Secret Empire' crossover you have to be vested in the idea that Captain America: Steve Rogers series' is built upon, that Steve Rogers thinks himself to be a secret Hydra agent. This event is the ultimate culmination of that fact as Steve Rogers uses his brilliant strategic mind to achieve his goal of one nation under Hydra rule. And this 0th issue of Secret Empire does more than enough to launch this new event based on all the build up from the last year.

Mini-Comic Review - Batman #21

Name - Batman #21
Published by - DC Comics
Written by - Tom King
Art by - Jason Fabok
Coloring by - Brad Anderson
Letters by - Deron Bennett
Release Date: April 19, 2017

This story, or rather this crossover was a long time coming and there were lots of expectations regarding this one to say the least. Ever since DC Rebirth started and its ties to 'Watchmen' or rather to 'Dr. Manhattan' were revealed fans all over the world were waiting for further insight into the matter. And 'The Button', after its announcement was surely added excitement with its promise of revealing more about this exciting new direction of DC characters.

March 2017 New Comics To Watch For

As the saying goes, 'Better late than never'. So here is me finally being better with my march list for new comics.

HELENA CRASH #1 (of 5)
Written by Fabian Rangel Jr.
Art and Cover by Warwick Johnson-Cadwell

From writer Fabian Rangel Jr (Space Riders) and artist Warwick Johnson-Cadwell (Tank Girl) comes a new pulse pounding, caffeine fueled, sword swinging, machine-gun firing, car crashing sci-fi adventure comic! In a future where coffee is illegal, Helena is a courier, delivering black market goods to anyone who can afford her services. When Rojo, a ruthless crime boss, asks her to assassinate his rival, the alien mobster known as White Demon, Helena finds herself in the middle of a gang war! To survive, Helena must use all of her skills, and seek help from her friends to stay ahead of her enemies!

ROYAL CITY #1
Story, Art and Cover by Jeff Lemire

NEW ONGOING SERIES written and illustrated by JEFF LEMIRE (DESCENDER, A.D., Sweet Tooth). ROYAL CITY charts the lives, loves, and losses of a troubled family and a vanishing town across three decades. Patrick Pike, a fading literary star who reluctantly returns to the once-thriving factory town where he grew up, is quickly drawn back into the dramas of his two adult siblings, his overbearing mother, and his brow-beaten father, all of whom are still haunted by different versions of his youngest brother, Tommy, who drowned decades ago. ROYAL CITY is a return to the literary and thematic territory of LEMIRE’s breakthrough graphic novel Essex County and is his most ambitious, and most personal, project to date.

EXTREMITY #1
Story, Art and Cover by Daniel Warren Johnson

Thea dreams. Not of a better life, but of revenge on the clan that ruined her family. With ferocious battles between man, machines, and monsters ahead…who knows where her quest for vengeance will take her? Creator DANIEL WARREN JOHNSON (Space Mullet) and colorist MIKE SPICER present a bold new vision, where the beauty and imagination of Studio Ghibli meet the intensity of Mad Max, in this all-new Skybound Original.

THE MAGDALENA #1
Written by Ryan Cady and Tini Howard
Art and Cover by Christian Dibari

The Magdalena has always defended the world from demonic evil, empowered by the blood of Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene in her veins. But when a brush with death leaves her gravely wounded, Patience decides to seek out the next in the bloodline and train her replacement. The replacement, meanwhile, is having enough trouble with finding her purpose even without the whole holy- warrior gig.

SAVAGE THINGS #1 (of 8)
Written by Justin Jordan
Art by Ibrahim Moustafa

Twenty-five years ago, a secret government organization kidnapped children and trained them to be chaos agents who went on to foment unrest and execute enemies of the state around the world. When these cold and unfeeling creations proved too difficult to control, the powers that be exterminated their kill squad with extreme prejudice.
Too bad it didn’t work.
Now a rogue band of the worst monsters the world has ever known is cutting a swath of terror across the United States, threatening not just a disruption of the peace but to expose secrets their handlers never wanted to come to light. The only way to stop them is to call back the only man who ever walked away from them. His code name is Abel, and he’s not afraid of getting his hands bloody.

BATWOMAN #1
Written by Marguerite Bennett and James Tynion IV
Art and Cover by Steve Epting

“The Many Arms Of Death” part one! At last—Batwoman is back in her own ongoing series! On the island nation of Coryana, anything goes for members of the criminal underworld…and during her lost years after being drummed out of the military, Kate Kane found a kind of refuge there. But now, a deadly new bioweapon is available in the markets of Coryana, and Batwoman will have to face up to the things she did in those days…and the people she left behind, some of whom would be happier to see her dead than alive!
Writer Marguerite Bennett (DC BOMBSHELLS) is joined by James Tynion IV (DETECTIVE COMICS) and superstar artist Steve Epting (Captain America, Velvet) to present an epic Batwoman story that will alter the course of her life forever! This one’s unmissable!

AMERICA #1
Written by Gabby Rivera
Art and Cover by Joe Quinones

At last! Everyone’s favorite no-nonsense powerhouse, America Chavez, gets her own series!
Written by critically-acclaimed YA novelist Gabby Rivera (Juliet Takes A Breath) and drawn by all-star artist Joe Quinones (HOWARD THE DUCK), Marvel Comics’ brand new AMERICA series shines a solo spotlight on the high-octane and hard-hitting adventures of the one and only America Chavez!
America has always been uncontestably awesome, and as the newly appointed leader of the Ultimates, she’s now officially claimed her place as the preeminent butt-kicker of the Marvel Universe! But while leading a team of heroes and punching out big bads is great and all, it doesn’t really leave much time for self-discovery… So what’s a super-powered teenager do when she’s looking for a little fulfillment? She goes to college!
She just has to stop an interdimensional monster or two first, plus shut down a pesky alien cult that’s begun worshipping her exploits!

IRON FIST #1
Written by Ed Brisson
Art by Mike Perkins

THE GAUNTLET STARTS HERE!
K’un Lun is in ruins. The chi fueling Danny’s fists is wavering. Is there a future for the Iron Fist? Danny Rand pushes himself to the breaking point, finding fights to prove his worth. But a bigger fight than he can handle may have found him…

 

X-O MANOWAR #1
Written by Matt Kindt
Art by Tomas Giorello

WAR IS COMING!
Born under the oppressive thumb of the Roman Empire, Aric of Dacia learned warfare at an early age. It was amid such violence that he was abducted by an alien race. Forced into slavery, he survived where others perished. His escape would come from bonding with a weapon of immeasurable power: the X-O Manowar armor. With it, he returned to Earth...only to find himself stranded in the modern day.
But that was a lifetime ago.
Now, far from home on a strange and primitive new world, Aric has begun a new life. Liberated from his past, he tends to his crops. Free from war. Free from violence. Free from the armor.
But the machinery of death marches his way once again. Conscripted into an alien army and thrown into an unforgiving conflict, the fury inside him finds voice as he is forced to embrace the armor once more. With it, he will decimate armies, topple empires and incite interplanetary warfare as he rises from SOLDIER to GENERAL to EMPEROR to VISIGOTH. They wanted a weapon. He will give them war!

[ In March I am mostly interested in the new 'X-O Manowar', 'Batwoman' and 'Iron Fist'. But who knows the other new series' just might surprise me. ]

Promising Sci-fi, horror & Fantasy - April 2017

It seems April is a huge month for fiction with lots of interesting releases. There are new books from old and tested writers as well as some new blood starting their way into weaving new tales.

"Borne" by Jeff VanderMeer from HarperCollins Publishers

"Am I a person?" Borne asked me.
"Yes, you are a person," I told him. "But like a person, you can be a weapon, too."
In Borne, a young woman named Rachel survives as a scavenger in a ruined city half destroyed by drought and conflict. The city is dangerous, littered with discarded experiments from the Company—a biotech firm now derelict—and punished by the unpredictable predations of a giant bear. Rachel ekes out an existence in the shelter of a run-down sanctuary she shares with her partner, Wick, who deals his own homegrown psychoactive biotech.
One day, Rachel finds Borne during a scavenging mission and takes him home. Borne as salvage is little more than a green lump—plant or animal?—but exudes a strange charisma. Borne reminds Rachel of the marine life from the island nation of her birth, now lost to rising seas. There is an attachment she resents: in this world any weakness can kill you. Yet, against her instincts—and definitely against Wick’s wishes—Rachel keeps Borne. She cannot help herself. Borne, learning to speak, learning about the world, is fun to be with, and in a world so broken that innocence is a precious thing. For Borne makes Rachel see beauty in the desolation around her. She begins to feel a protectiveness she can ill afford.
"He was born, but I had borne him."
But as Borne grows, he begins to threaten the balance of power in the city and to put the security of her sanctuary with Wick at risk. For the Company, it seems, may not be truly dead, and new enemies are creeping in. What Borne will lay bare to Rachel as he changes is how precarious her existence has been, and how dependent on subterfuge and secrets. In the aftermath, nothing may ever be the same.

[ Well, I had read very good things about Jeff VanderMeer's Southern Reach series. Hopefully, this one is as good or better.]

"Special Purposes" by Gavin Smith from Abbadon

At the height of the Cold War, a Russian special forces team target New York with a horrifying new virus.
Vadim Scorlenski is the sergeant in charge of an elite Spetznaz squad at the height of the Cold War. Sent by the Politburo on a training exercise to the Eastern Seaboard of the United States, Scorlenski and his men discover too late that the practice ‘weapon’ they’re carrying – an exotic chemical agent – is all too real. Betrayed by their allies and cut down by the American police, they go to their deaths...
...and awaken to a scene of turmoil. New York City has been overwhelmed by a horde of the walking dead, a plague that even now is spreading across the globe. Somehow holding onto their identities where all others have become mindless monsters, Scorlenski and his squad set out to return to Russia, to take revenge for what has been done to them. 

[ Zombie army action, with quite an interesting setting. Should be fun. ]

"Avengers of the Moon" by Allen Steele from Tor Books

The solar system needs a hero and it's about to get one in an old-fashioned pulp adventure with modern sensibility
It was an age of miracles. It was an era of wonder. It was a time of troubles. It was all these things and more . . . except there were no heroes.
Naturally, one had to be created.
Curt Newton has spent most of his life hidden from the rest of humankind, being raised by a robot, an android, and the disembodied brain of a renowned scientist. This unlikely trio of guardians has kept his existence a closely guarded secret since the murder of Curt's parents.
Curt's innate curiosity and nose for trouble inadvertently lead him into a plot to destabilize the Solar Coalition and assassinate the president. There's only one way to uncover the evil mastermind—Curt must become Captain Future.
With the permission of the Edmond Hamilton estate, Allen Steele revives the exciting adventures of Captain Future.  

[ Ah, rewriting of Space pulp. Captain Future is a hero I have yet to check out, why not start from the newest version. ] 

"Winter Tide" by Ruthanna Emrys from Tor.com

After attacking Devil’s Reef in 1928, the U.S. Government rounded up the people of Innsmouth and took them to the desert, far from their ocean, their Deep One ancestors, and their sleeping god Cthulhu. Only Aphra and Caleb Marsh survived the camps, and they emerged without a past or a future.
The government that stole Aphra's life now needs her help. FBI agent Ron Spector believes that Communist spies have stolen dangerous magical secrets from Miskatonic University, secrets that could turn the Cold War hot in an instant, and hasten the end of the human race.
Aphra must return to the ruins of her home, gather scraps of her stolen history, and assemble a new family to face the darkness of human nature.

[ Another Cthulhu novella from Tor.com, this is always an interesting setting that makes readers wanna come back for more. ]

"Red Sister (Book of the Ancestor #1)" by Mark Lawrence from Ace

I was born for killing – the gods made me to ruin.
At the Convent of Sweet Mercy young girls are raised to be killers. In a few the old bloods show, gifting talents rarely seen since the tribes beached their ships on Abeth. Sweet Mercy hones its novices’ skills to deadly effect: it takes ten years to educate a Red Sister in the ways of blade and fist.
But even the mistresses of sword and shadow don’t truly understand what they have purchased when Nona Grey is brought to their halls as a bloodstained child of eight, falsely accused of murder: guilty of worse.
Stolen from the shadow of the noose, Nona is sought by powerful enemies, and for good reason. Despite the security and isolation of the convent her secret and violent past will find her out. Beneath a dying sun that shines upon a crumbling empire, Nona Grey must come to terms with her demons and learn to become a deadly assassin if she is to survive… 

[ Anybody who knows about my taste in fantasy, knows I am a huge fan of Mark Lawrence. 'Red Sister' is the first book of his new series, need I say more? ]

"Within the Sanctuary of Wings (Lady Trent #5)" by Marie Brennan from Tor Books

The conclusion to the thrilling memoirs of Lady Isabella Trent and her legacy of dragon evolutionary research and anthropological adventures.
After nearly five decades (and, indeed, the same number of volumes), one might think they were well-acquainted with the Lady Isabella Trent--dragon naturalist, scandalous explorer, and perhaps as infamous for her company and feats of daring as she is famous for her discoveries and additions to the scientific field.
And yet--after her initial adventure in the mountains of Vystrana, and her exploits in the depths of war-torn Eriga, to the high seas aboard The Basilisk, and then to the inhospitable deserts of Akhia--the Lady Trent has captivated hearts along with fierce minds. This concluding volume will finally reveal the truths behind her most notorious adventure--scaling the tallest peak in the world, buried behind the territory of Scirland's enemies--and what she discovered there, within the Sanctuary of Wings. 

[ Last book in the acclaimed series by Marie Brennan. I have been meaning to check these out for a while now, now that the series is done, I know I should finally get on with it. ]

"Skullsworn" by Brian Staveley from Tor Books

Brian Staveley’s new standalone returns to the critically acclaimed Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne universe, following a priestess attempting to join the ranks of the God of Death.
Pyrre Lakatur doesn’t like the word skullsworn. It fails to capture the faith and grace, the peace and beauty of her devotion to the God of Death. She is not, to her mind, an assassin, not a murderer--she is a priestess. At least, she will be a priestess if she manages to pass her final trial.
The problem isn’t the killing. Pyrre has been killing and training to kill, studying with some of the most deadly men and women in the world, since she was eight. The problem, strangely, is love. To pass her Trial, Pyrre has ten days to kill the ten people enumerated in an ancient song, including "the one you love / who will not come again."
Pyrre is not sure she’s ever been in love. If she were a member of a different religious order, a less devoted, disciplined order, she might cheat. The Priests of Ananshael, however, don’t look kindly on cheaters. If Pyrre fails to find someone to love, or fails to kill that someone, they will give her to the god.
Pyrre’s not afraid to die, but she hates to quit, hates to fail, and so, with a month before her trial begins, she returns to the city of her birth, the place where she long ago offered an abusive father to the god and abandoned a battered brother—in the hope of finding love...and ending it on the edge of her sword. 

[ Brian Staveley is one of the new stars of epic fantasy, 'Skullsworn' is his newest standalone. May be its high time I jump on the bandwagon. ]

"Warlord: Fury of the God-Machine" by David Annadale from Black Library

The mighty Warlord Titans of the Adeptus Titanicus go to war against the forces of Chaos.
The Battle Titans of the Adeptus Titanicus are towering war engines, striding to war as holy effigies of the Omnissiah, and the mighty Warlord Titans are the most renowned among all the forces of the Imperium of Man. Their weapons bring righteous death to the alien and the heretic alike, and the merest glimpse of them on the march has stalled entire planetary rebellions. But as the galaxy burns before the rampaging hordes of Chaos, it will take more than any one single Titan Legion to hold the line...  

[ Latest Black Library novel from David Annadale, featuring Adeptus Titanicus action, what more does a fan need? ]

"Perturabo: Hammer of Olympia (The Horus Heresy: Primarchs #4)" by Guy Haley from Black Library

While crusading to build the Imperium, Perturabo, mercurial primarch of the Iron Warriors, hears ot turmoil on the world where he was raised, and abandons the crusade to return home and save his people.
Born to a life of political conflict, Perturabo was always considered a child prodigy among the people of Olympia – indeed, his philosophical and scientific works were beyond compare. But then, after his rediscovery by the Emperor and decades of thankless military campaigning on the Great Crusade, the primarch begins to resent his Legion’s place in the Imperium. When word reaches him of turmoil on his adoptive home world, he orders the Iron Warriors to abandon their campaign against the alien hrud and crush this emerging rebellion by any means necessary...
Focusing on Perturabo during his youth on Olympia, in the Great Crusade and upon his return to the world that defined him, this is a definitive look at what makes the master of iron tick. 

[ Fourth book in the Primarchs series gets its limited edition release this month, should be a good read. ]  

Book Review - City of Stairs

Book - City of Stairs 
Writer - Robert Jackson Bennett
Series - The Divine Cities #2   
Published By - Broadway Books 

I can hardly say anything about this book that hasn't already been said, so I will keep my review short. 'City of Stairs' is a book that I started reading with a mind that it might not reach the high expectations I was having of it based on the reviews on the internet. But I am delighted to say that it reached far beyond. This is an extraordinary tale of fantasy slash murder mystery with quite a memorable and powerful cast of characters and such fascinating world building as I have ever experienced.

Best New 3ds games of 2016

Well, on with my 3rd list of 2016 and I know I am way late, its the 4th month of 2017 already. But better late than never I guess.

This time I'll be keeping the list list very short while only including 5 titles. This list is totally based on my opinion and it is a bit biased obviously due to my preferences in genres and franchises.

In an ascending order -

No. 5: Monster Hunter Generations

Monster Hunter Generations is an action role-playing video game developed and published by Capcom for the Nintendo 3DS.  Like other titles in the Monster Hunter series, players undertake quests that involve hunting dangerous creatures. Major additions in this installment include special attacks, new combat styles, and the ability to play as Felynes, who have traditionally only appeared as a companion to the player. Announced in May 2015, the game was released in Japan in November 2015, under the title Monster Hunter X, and was released internationally in July 2016.

[ Though I am not that much skilled in the style of the Monster Hunter series, I do like the premise and execution of this franchise. Generations seems to be the latest entry improving greatly on previous ones, tempting stuff. ]

No. 4: Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse

Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse, known in Japan as Shin Megami Tensei IV: Final, is a post-apocalyptic role-playing video game developed and published by Atlus for the Nintendo 3DS. It is set in the same universe as Shin Megami Tensei IV and forms part of the Shin Megami Tensei series, the central series of the Megami Tensei franchise. It was released in Japan in February 2016, in North America in September 2016, and in Europe and Australia in December 2016.

[ Something about the setting and game play of this series intrigues me, and I know it is a series that I will like a lot and I need to start playing. ]

No. 3: Fire Emblem Fates

Fire Emblem Fates, known in Japan as Fire Emblem If, is a tactical role-playing video game for the Nintendo 3DS handheld video game console, developed by Intelligent Systems and Nintendo SPD and published by Nintendo. It is the twelfth game in the Fire Emblem series, and the second to be developed for Nintendo 3DS after Fire Emblem Awakening. Fates was released in three versions, each following a different storyline centered around the same characters: Birthright and Conquest as physical releases, and Revelation as downloadable content. The overarching story follows the protagonist, a customizable Avatar created by the player, as they are unwillingly drawn into a war between the Kingdoms of Hoshido (their birthplace) and Nohr (their adopted home), and must choose which side to support. In Revelation, the Avatar rallies both sides against the true mastermind behind the war. The gameplay, which revolves around tactical movement of units across a grid-based battlefield, shares many mechanics with previous Fire Emblem games, although some elements are unique to each scenario. It was released in June 2015 in Japan, then released internationally in 2016.

[ While not really my cup of tea, this game just might No. 1 on many peoples list for 3ds library this year. I did play a bit (never really delved into the depth of the mechanics) and I know I need to get back in on the fun soon. ]

No. 2: Zero Time Dilemma

Zero Time Dilemma is an adventure video game developed by Chime. It is the third entry in the Zero Escape series, following Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors (2009) and Virtue's Last Reward (2012). The story is set between the previous two games, and follows nine people who are kidnapped by a masked person known as Zero. They are divided into three teams, and forced to play a death game called the "Decision Game". The player takes the roles of three of the characters, and plays through the chapters the story is made up of: these consist of animated cinematics, escape-the-room puzzles, and moral decisions for the player to make. The chapters represent 90-minute periods, and can be played out of order. The game was directed and written by series creator Kotaro Uchikoshi, and features music by Shinji Hosoe and character designs by Rui Tomono. It was released for Nintendo 3DS and PlayStation Vita in June 2016, by Spike Chunsoft in Japan and Aksys Games in North America and Europe.

[ 999 provided me with a experience that I am doubtful I will ever forget; the suspense, the characters and the slow revealing of the story is something that I still reminisce fondly even years after I finished the game. I bought the second one for my 3ds and can hardly wait devouring the trilogy as a whole. ]  

No. 1: Pokémon Sun and Moon

Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon are role-playing video games developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 3DS. They are the first installments in the seventh generation of Pokémon games. As with previous installments, each game follows the journey of a young Pokémon trainer (and the trainer's friends) as they train Pokémon. This time, the game takes place in the Alola region—based on Hawaii—with the object of the game being to thwart the schemes of Team Skull, and later the Aether Foundation, all while attempting to challenge various Pokémon trainers of gradually increasing difficulty. Sun and Moon introduced 81 new Pokémon species, and includes new features such as Alolan forms of previous generation Pokémon, powerful moves known as Z-Moves, new, powerful creatures known as Ultra Beasts, updated battle and training mechanics, and improved polygonal 3D graphics. First announced in February 2016 through a special Nintendo Direct, both Sun and Moon were released worldwide in November 2016, commemorating the franchise's 20th anniversary.

[ Pokemon has had a huge impact on my childhood, it introduced me to the joy of adventure and the pleasure accomplishment upon reaching your goal. I have played at least one game of each generation and completed some as well. Well, as a matter of fact, I bought my 3ds so that I could enjoy Pokemon as it was meant to enjoy. While Sun and Moon may not be as fun with new stuff as the last generation, it definitely adds enough new mechanics and interesting new Pokemons to keep me occupied for a long time. So, without a doubt, it is my best 3ds game of 2016. ]