The All-New Bunrab

I have this whole bunch of graphic/comic stuff I'm returning to the library, and I thought I'd tweet each of them, while we were in the car on the way. But it turns out I have more than 140 characters to say about each. So here I am, sitting at one of the library's computers, before returning the books.

Let"s see. The first two, Locke & Key and Johnny Bunko, have some tweets that"ll show up, so I don't need to say too much more about those. L&K is a good fantasy, lots of content, nice spooky premise. I actually look forward to the next volume of this one. JB is confused about who its audience might be - it claims to be a book of serious career advice, that happens to be done manga style, but it seems as though people reading manga want story, not advice. Luckily, the story is pretty funny - magic take-out chopsticks!

Para by Stuart Moore - I wanted to like this one, because it's got lots of text - some pages are illustrated text, rather than cartoons with words. And the starting premise is good - an alternate history where the Supercollider in TX turns into a big radioactive pit... and it's some 20 years later and researchers want to find out exactly what happened. The FBI is hampering their efforts. Unfortunately, for my tastes, it turns into paranormal bullshit, woo-woo pseudo-science. Despite that, though, I have to say I actually liked the UFO guy as a character - he has a nice sense of humor about his own endeavors. And the nasty FBI agent turns out to have her good spots. Drawing style: realistic tending toward dark, lots of grey-blue; aliens are stupid-looking. And the frogs never do get explained.

WE3 by Grant Morrison - reminded me a lot of Dean Koontz's Watchers. Three weaponized animals - a dog, cat, and rabbit - escape the termination of their project. I love how they have bits of speech; I was sad that the bunny was the one that died; I liked the ending. Style: colorful (the shell armor looks like a cross between pastel easter eggs and water lotuses, crossed with pillbugs).

The Book of Lost Souls by Straczynski and Doran. Fantasy, dark; not always sure who the good guys are. The episode with the battered woman- interesting. And the hired killer, who finally gets his - good. Still, though, sorta woo-woo in here about tortured savior and how people are "saved." But I like the Road.

Also read: Aya of Yop - couldn't get into it; teenage angst is teenage angst even if it's in Cote d'Ivoire - just as pointless as Ghost World, to me. Not enough story. And Megillat Esther, which I had seen reviews of - sort of a must-do, if one is of Jewish background. It does a nice job of pointing out some of the ridiculousness and some of the repetition-but-with-contradictions that occurs in many bible stories.

OK, now to take these over to the return desk.

by popular demand: pix of amigurumi. First, lemur #1 (#2 is just started):

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and second, Creepy Cute Cthulhu:

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Will the Vampire People Please Leave the Lobby by Allyson Beatrice - essays about cult fandom, particularly Buffy fandom, online. No surprises for those of us who are active here on LJ and have made friends whom we've then met in RL.
The Margarets by Sherri Tepper. As with much Tepper, there are parts that are needlessly complex, and other parts that are screamingly obvious, to make sure you get the complex stuff, and a happy ending that's a little obvious - and yet, she's a good writer, and it's readable, with some fun moments. The alien race the Qataar are so bad they're good, and I really liked our brief meeting with the Hayfolk.
The Heart of Valor by Tanya Huff - third in her Valor series, milfic featuring space Marines. This one's a bit contrived - eeevil shape-shifting alien plastic hive mind! - and the situation with Sergeant Beyhn pretty obvious from the get-go - but it's still fun to read; Torin Kerr, now a gunnery sergeant, is a fun character - and we also get to see more of our Katrien newscaster and discover she has hidden depths.
No Humans Involved by Kelley Armstrong - latest in the "Women of the Otherworld" series, this one is mainly about Jaime Vargas, the Necromancer. A decent murder mystery, a genuinely surprising perpetrator, lots of good plot detail along the way. Major werewolf involvement, no vampires to speak of this time.
Theories of Everything by Roz Chast - a collection of her cartoons. Those of you who don't think that's reading haven't seen her cartoons.

I'm sure there's more, but I can't think of it right now, till I've had more caffeine.