Let’s get something straight: I don’t like manga. I have no need for a doe-eyed youth wielding a katana or an octopus raping a schoolgirl. That’s just the way I roll. (And that rolling ain’t right to left.)
So I had reservations about Battle Royale: Ultimate Edition 1. But after reading the first volume, I opted for the full ultimate edition which collects volumes 1-3.
While manga can often bring the crazy. in this case it’s crazy awesome. Get this premise: one class of 42 school children are selected at random by a futuristic totalitarian government to go to an island and participate in “the most dangerous game.”
Dozens of school children forced to hunt and kill each other with graphic, graphic violence? Man, no one does it better than the Japanese!
The Story
Once you wrap your head around a premise like that, anything I could add would pale in comparison. Ug, all right…
One of the things I love about this book is how recognizable each character is. The authors do a great job of both quickly weeding the wheat from the chaff (17 of the 42 die in this first ultimate edition!) and in differentiating each character visually and in enough background to be memorable.
Sure, there’s the “good guy,” “the sports star,” and “the pretty girl.” But the larger narrative is much more engaging than these stereotypes.
One of my favorite sections is one where student Mitsuru Numai narrates. His story starts predictably, but soon veers into a terse, engaging story where he weaves his own backstory into the current events. The reader is drawn in to the action while getting enough history to flesh out many characters at once.
And since there can be only one winner of this game, you have a constant sense of foreboding. You are drawn into each character knowing that they could be the next to go.
Like The Walking Dead, the reader can never tell who is going to buy it. The tension is mouth-watering and the payoff most often deliciously gory. Wow.
Can My Kids Read It?
For the love of all things holy, no.
Can I Read It On The Train?
Meh, sure, why not? Though I doubt you want to lug it around. This 632 page tome weighs 2 lbs according to Amazon. Cart it on the subway and you’ll think it’s more like 50 lbs.
Will My Spouse Mind Having It In The House?
S/he might make a little fun of the kiddie pictures, but show ‘em the point-blank facial gunshots and they’ll think twice.
The Final Word
It’s a pretty sweet book if you can get used to reading it backwards. My only hesitation is whether it’s sustainable over 4 more volumes. But I’m certainly going to try.
If this sounds good – and I suspect it will if you read IHateOurCat – try out Battle Royale: Ultimate Edition 1.
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P.S.: I can’t believe I got through this review without mentioning the movie! It’s a crazy, blood-gushing gore fest. It’s not totally like the book and certainly lacks a lot of the depth, but it’s a good way to kill a couple hours.
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Tags: Battle Royale, graphic violence, manga
November 20th, 2009
Update: I think I was too negative in this review. Let me be clear: there’s a lot to like here. The world is well-conceived, there are a lot of interesting characters to play with, and the options for cool future stories seems limitless. Pwesh, OK. Onto the review:
It was my last $10.
I’d been at the Chicago Comic-Con for a couple hours and had totally depleted my resources, save for a tenner burning a hole in my pocket. I started chatting with artist Christopher Mitten and, before long, bought a copy of Wasteland – Cities of Dust (volume 1).
Wasteland is about a post-apocalyptic (P.A.) world after “The Big Wet.” A wanderer named Michael gets sidetracked in his journey to find a fabled city, falling in with townsfolk who are soon on the road, penniless.
Think Water World meets Mad Max in Death Valley.
I think Wasteland has potential, but it’s too safe. There are a lot of options – Michael can heal with his mind, there’s religious tension and bigotry, genocide looms, everyone could fall victim to the slave trade, etc. – but Johnston and Mitten play it safe in this first volume.
Over the six collected issues (including a double-sized premier), there isn’t one “gasp” moment. And there’s so much potential here! I wanted to LOVE this! Sadly though, I didn’t.
The art and story share the same problem. Johnston weaves a good story, but it’s never killer. Likewise, Mitten does a great sparse desert, but never really shows off his potential chops, despite hinting at great talent throughout.
There are no payoffs. There are no explosive moments. It’s just a string of events in a sort-of interesting world. It’s just not enough.
Then again, maybe it’s because I’ve only read volume 1. iFanboy had a positive review, striking down most of what I find fault with (storyline, character development, etc).
Don’t get me wrong: I’m glad I spent that last $10 on Wasteland – Cities of Dust…I’m just not sure how soon I’ll get around to volume 2.
The Final Word
If you’re a big Johnston or Mitten fan, go for it. Or an uber-P.A. fan. It’s a safe bet for a long airplane trip.
But in the end, Wasteland: Cities of Dust is just overwhelmingly decent in my opinion. I’d love to hear if you disagree though. What am I missing? Do subsequent books make volume 1 worth it? Please leave comments below.
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Tags: Antony Johnston, Christopher Mitten, Cities of dust, Wasteland
November 10th, 2009
Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez weave a masterful tale of family drama and loss in Locke & Key: Welcome To Lovecraft (vol. 1).
The story revolves around the Locke family – especially the three children – after their father is brutally murdered. They retreat to the family mansion in Lovecraft, Massachusetts. (Note: if you’re in a horror comic, never move to a place named “Lovecraft.”)
The twist (one of many) is that special keys used in the house allow anyone who walks through them to do something strange. When the youngest child discovers the first one, his body collapses, dead, while his spirit is able to roam about ghostlike (after his spirit returns to the doorway, he springs back up, alive). Other keys allow the user to switch gender or go anywhere.
You still with me?
That’s the gist of the story, but the real genius of Locke & Key is two-fold:
- While under the auspices of a horror story, this is really a family drama with real depth of character.
- The pacing is on-point, always ratcheting up the tension until you can barely stand it, like the “dun-un, dun-un, DUN-UN” Jaws theme.
Hill is incredible, introducing one piece of the puzzle, then another, then foreshadowing, then flashbacking – all the while never confusing the reader. And Rodriguez really shines here, delivering the staid and harrowing each when appropriate and each with amazing talent. (I liked his art in The Great and Secret Show – which I don’t recommend – and it’s nice to see him with a good story to back up his images.)
As the murderer pursues the family, and as a sinister spectral character entices Bode Locke, the reader can feel the walls closing in. Both the reader and the Locke family are never safe from the machinations of truly evil characters.
Needless to say, it’s a chillingly good read.
Can My Kids Read It?
Would you let them watch a movie with “adult situations?” Because that’s what Locke & Key presents: not graphic violence or nudity, but flashlight-under-the-bedsheets kind of creepiness. Your call.
Can I Read It On The Train?
Totally. But don’t be surprised if your fellow commuters peek over your shoulder to catch some of the story.
Will My Spouse Mind Having It In The House?
Doubtful. This is a classy tome that fits the adult story inside.
The Final Word
Do it. Just go out and buy this book. Or rather, order it from Amazon today: Locke & Key: Welcome to Lovecraft.
This is a freaky tale that will stay with you for a long time. It’s totally worth the money – trust me.
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Tags: Gabriel Rodriguez, horror, Joe Hill, Locke & Key
November 4th, 2009
Powers volume 1: Who Killed Retro Girl, written by Brian Michael Bendis with art by Michael Avon Oeming, had everything going for. It’s the equivalent of the high school football quarterback. He just can’t lose.
Instead, he ends up with a beer gut, a couple divorces, and a job at Radio Shack.
The premise has promise: in a world where superheros run rampant, a special police unit is assigned to keep them in line. On paper, it’s a strong start.
The execution is terrible, however. We’ve got the brooding protagonist harboring dark secrets…check. We’ve got the spunky partner with a touch of sex appeal…check. We’ve even got a tag-along kid providing occasional (and tepid) comic relief…check.
These old tropes are dusted off, but there’s no twist. The dialogue is “meh” and consists of these stale character types bouncing predictably off each other. Yawn…
And then there’s Oeming’s art. OK, we’ve basically got the potential for a crime/noir story here. However, the art is so mismatched – drawn in an overly cartoon-y style frequently offset by bright colors – that it kills any hardboiled aspect of the story.
For real – just look at that chin! Cripes.
Can My Kids Read It?
Would they really want to? Who Killed Retro Girl? is basically a murder mystery, though it’s never terribly graphic. And you probably have more mature fighting on Saturday morning cartoons. Yeah, throw it to the kids. Maybe they’ll enjoy it.
Can I Read It On The Train?
Sure. There’s nothing here that could offend your fellow passengers.
Will My Spouse Mind Having It In The House?
It’s not an overly classy-looking book. S/he will probably relegate it to the closet or wherever you keep your action figures.
The Final Word
If anything I’ve mentioned entices you to buy Powers volume 1: Who Killed Retro Girl? I’d say…really? Seriously?
There’s just nothing here for a grown-up reader to sink his/her teeth into. It’s bland, pedestrian fare. I advise that you skip it.
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If you do end up getting Powers volume 1: Who Killed Retro Girl?, please do so at Amazon.
Also, do you think I’m way off base? Is there something I forgot to mention? Let us all know what you think in the comments section below.
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Tags: Brian Michael Bendis, Powers, Retro Girl, suck
October 29th, 2009
Reserve yourself some special time, dim the lights, throw on an LP, and crack the spine of The Killer by Luc Jacamon and Matz. It’s gonna be a good night, baby.
This tour-de-force revolves around an assassin who needs just one more score to retire. The story avoids cliche, however, by focusing on the methodical planning that goes into these murders rather than just over-the-top action.
Perfect for fans of The Professional, this other French killer for hire story is also a pantheon to pacing. The hit preparation bits draw you slowly in while the action is explosive, unexpected, and vicious. The story surprises, beguiles…and makes you furious that volume 2 isn’t out yet.
There are subtle touches that new readers may not catch right away as well. Watch for word balloons on top of other images totally changing the meaning of the words. This has the same effect as a menacing bass line in a movie – it foreshadows violence and unnerves you completely.
But, this book isn’t without its flaws. The main character is supposedly amoral, but spends time justifying his actions, comparing what he does to the Nazis, for instance (a wee bit heavy-handed, no?). Also, while the reader is placed firmly within the mind of this killer, his coldness and methodical nature may repel readers looking for a more emotional resonance.
Can My Kids Read It?
That depends more on your parenting style. The Killer is without a doubt R-rated.
That said, I would have killed for a book like this growing up. It’d be tough to officially condone, but if you just left it lying around and s/he found it…
Can I Read It On The Train?
Probably. There are a few enticing lady bits that get shown off, often while in flagrante delicto. Be mindful of that if you’re the shy type, but don’t worry about the violence. While brutal, it’s rarely that graphic.
Will My Spouse Mind Having It In The House?
I think s/he will welcome it. I’ve got the hardcover and it looks great on the shelf and unassuming on the coffee table. Fear not – no garish colors or word balloons visible from the cover.
The Final Word
The Killer is the type of book you buy for a friend who says he doesn’t like comic books. It’s serious, methodical, with more meat than most Hollywood fare.
I highly recommend it. Get it, but please – savor it. Such fine offerings only come by every so often.
P.S.: For more on this book, check out fellow Chicagoan Bobby Digital’s review on AllThingsDork and Blair Butler’s Fresh Ink review (around 1:30).
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Tags: French comics, great graphic novels, Jacamon and Matz, The Killer
October 26th, 2009
For my (new) inaugural post, I will be reviewing Joe Matt’s The Poor Bastard.
This B&W trade paperback reads like a journal of Matt’s life, complete (or very not complete) with tales of deception, weakness, sloth, viewmaster slides, masturbation, and porn (dear lord, the scads and scads of porn).
Needless to say, I was interested from the get-go.
More conservative types might consider this book an investigation of the depraved. I think that’s giving it a tad too much credit.
The Poor Bastard is a fun tale of several months in Matt’s life. The treat for the reader is a light (if repetitive) story, Matt’s tightly boxed illustrations which mesh completely with his claustrophobic rental units, and a hefty dose of schadenfreude.
You can’t help feeling like your life isn’t so bad after reading this book. Or you can redirect these feelings back on Matt, himself. Heck, I was a nerd in high school and I wanted to beat him up by the end of this.
That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy it – I did. It doesn’t matter if you are laughing with or at this protagonist – he just wants you to chuckle along. And you will.
But those of you looking for character development should look elsewhere. Matt’s protagonist (a cartoonist named Joe Matt…) is an unapologetic leech – emotionally, monetarily, and socially. And there is little to no development in this character from the first page to the last.
Like one of the minor characters (and heck, me too), you may find yourself smitten by his plight, or maybe just his honest rendering of himself, with all the warts in plain view. I understand why this minor character wanted to buy Matt dinner and get him high – it’s a thrill to be around someone who knows himself so well.
As to whether you want to know him, this seems to be a question asked too late by girlfriends and acquaintances alike. But it certainly is a fun process finding out, that’s for sure.
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Tags: Comics for adults, graphic novels, Joe Matt, The Poor Bastard
October 20th, 2009
Thanks to everyone who has enjoyed IHateOurCat.com and Mimi’s shenanigans. Your loyalty has meant a lot to me (for reals).
But, you might have noticed that I’ve lost steam. It’s tough to put out regular updates, along with capturing the right photo(s) and developing themes to wrap it all up.
I’ve failed at creating consistent ideas. And frankly the blog has failed to reach a critical mass in terms of web traffic and affiliate sales (it’s a tough reality that I do this for some sideline cash…sorry to ruin any utopian dreams).
So, IHateOurCat.com is changing.
The site will now feature graphic novel reviews from an adult perspective – a pretty dramatic change, I know. I totally understand if you choose to unsubscribe – it’s not everyone’s cup of tea.
The focus won’t be on superhero “capes ‘n’ cowls” comics. Instead, you should expect more mature fair. Black and white books, independent publications, horror/noir/crime books – creative stuff for big boys and girls.
I will write reviews from an adult perspective. I’ll give you the low-down about which books speak to a more mature audience. Which ones you can feel confident reading on the train or with the spouse. The ones that rely on good writing rather than deus ex machina magical powers. The ones that kick ass.
I hope you will join me on this journey. You might even find something unexpected that you end up loving. Come along – it’ll be a hoot and a holler, pinkie swear.
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(Image courtesy of DC Comics. Please don’t sue me.)
Tags: changing formats, comics, graphic novels, mature graphic novels, TPB
October 18th, 2009
We all know that cats consider themselves the paramount of stealth (though I find that the constant mewling gives them away). They slink and sneak and spy and generally weasel their way through life.
Take Mimi for example.
She is somehow always perched around the house, keeping watch. You know what I mean:
It’s like in the movies when the protagonist feels a paw on his shoulder, spins around with his arms pinwheeling all over, and gets a face full of cat. You haven’t seen that movie? Phwesh. It’s terrifying.
She also makes forts. It’s like she’s hunkering down in a foxhole. I can’t image what kind of battle she’s preparing for, but I’m pretty sure it is one I’m fated to lose.
I also thought it was odd that issues of Guns ‘n’ Ammo were starting to pop up around the house, but I think the culprit is clear.
Mimi bought a damn pair of night-vision goggles. Can you believe that shit?
And now, with all of her preparation and equipment, this camouflaged cat is now practicing covert ops.
Yesterday morning, I reached into the closet to get a pair of shoes. Little did I realize I’d come face to face with “the horror…the horror…”
I was told that Mimi’s methods were unsound. But honestly, I can’t see any “method”…at all.
[Shudder.]
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Tags: Camouflage Cat, Life with cat, She's really going to kill me someday, terror
August 18th, 2009
It goes without saying that I hate my cat. But it occurs to me that I never elucidated exactly why.
In what I’m sure will become a regular fixture post, here are just five reasons why I hate my cat.
1. She sleeps in a comma shape
Seriously, what are you trying to prove? That your spine is a Slinky?
You wanna impress me – forget the comma. Sleep in a semi-colon shape. Or brackets. Otherwise, stop showing off.
2. She’s super sneaky
Mimi skulks around the house and wedges herself into the tightest of corners. It’s just plain creepy the way she appears underfoot.
She’s the Peter Lorre of our household. Would you want to run into this first thing in the morning when you aren’t expecting it? Yeesh.
3. She doesn’t like Chinese food
I mean, what self-respecting creature does not love a good take-out? Nope, she turns up her nose at anything from sweet ‘n’ sour chicken to General Tso’s. For shame.
4. She never watches the channels I want
If I want Mad Men, she’s watching Gilmore Girls. If I want The Sopranos, she insists on The Three Tenors.
There’s no arguing with a bitch with claws who needs her Must See TV. It just ain’t worth it.
5. She’s got an ugly, stupid, doo-doo face
‘Nuff said.
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July 28th, 2009
I was sick this week. In a Hall’s menthol haze and drunk on honeyed tea, I read this article: Cats ‘Exploit’ Humans By Purring.
Naturally, my head exploded. It took hours to get the mucus off the walls.
As regular readers of this blog know, I’ve been warning humankind about the feline interlopers in our midst for some time now. And the BBC thinks this is NEWs?
Here’s my terse response to Cats ‘Exploit’ Humans By Purring: NO SHIT.
Let’s break out some elements of this story:
- First, why does the BBC feel the need to add quotations around “exploit” in the title? Not quite convinced after centuries of domestication? Afraid the powerful cat lobby will go after your funding?
- Second, I’m not sure what kind of “science” they’re teaching over at the University of Sussex, but I suspect it’s of the pop-rocks-and-soda variety.
- This is your fault, humans. From Dr. McQuacky in the article: “But we think that [your new cat masters] learn to dramatically exaggerate it when it proves effective in generating a response from humans.” You created this beast.
- Not only is it your fault, but you asked for it! “She added that the trait seemed to most often develop in cats that have a one-on-one relationship with their owners.” This manipulation is deliberate, people.
- This all may go deeper than we all thought. It turns out that the campus of the University of Sussex is laid out in the shape of a cat. Why would an aerial view of the campus look like a cat? I suspect it’s so our alien feline overloads can find their new Ministry of “Science.”
Can we all just agree to train ourselves to respond Pavlovially (like the good doggies from the experiment) the next time we hear a cat’s purr?
Remember, comrades, that cats are just using the purr to exploit you. You have nothing to lose but your chains.
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(Image courtesy of Sarz.K via Flickr)
Tags: all your base are belong to the feline overloads, Deter the purr, human slavery
July 16th, 2009
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