Book Reviews – March 13, 2015

The Starman Omnibus Vol. 1 – I heard that this was a series not to be missed so I decided to pick it up when I was at the library. Boy, were they right! From the first pages of the opening comic, it’s obvious that what James Robinson is doing is telling an epic through several different characters as stories, always aiming for something bigger. With appearances by the different eras of superheroes and other Starmans (Starmen?), it creates a world that not only conceivably realistic (as far as a comic with a cosmic rod can be realistic), but more importantly, believable. This is a tale for those who want to think, who aren’t always interested in the flash-bang world that some comics present. This is a comic for those who are interested in a hero who is good because he is a nice person. I cannot wait for the second volume. Everyone should read this now.

DC Universe: The Stories of Alan Moore – A great assortment of Alan Moore’s work, including “The Killing Joke,” “For The Man Who Has Everything,” and “Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?”. Looking at this collection, it’s easier to see where some his later works would spring from and maybe why he left DC (in my opinion, Moore appears to want to tell his darkly-tinged stories the way he wants to tell them, and playing with other people’s established characters does not allow full control). Pick it up for some food for thought.

Soccernomics – Soccernomics does the near impossible: it makes economics and statistics interesting to the common soccer fan, and does it without dumbing down the material. Written by Simon Kuper and Stefan Szymanski, this book explains the beautiful game with beautiful numbers. Why doesn’t England win? Is Brazil an anomaly? Do more people kill themselves after a terrible match? All these questions and more are answered in this text. More than Freakonomics for the sports set, this is an eloquent study of mathematics on the soccer pitch. I’d definitely recommend it to any soccer fan who wants to understand the mental workings of the game or any stats fan with an interest in soccer.

The Toledo War: The First Michigan-Ohio Rivalry – There has always been competition between Michigan and Ohio. While in the present day it consists of Wolverines vs. Buckeyes trash talk and a lot of derogatory remarks, the 1830s were a bit more exciting. How? WAR. In 1835, both Ohio and Michigan felt that they had a claim to the Toledo Strip due to the Mitchell map used to create the Northwest Ordinance of 1787. Don Faber does an admirable job of explaining the intricacies of the Toledo War, presenting the buildup towards the war and both sides’ arguments (legal or otherwise) in a coherent, non-partisan manner. Coupled with an epilogue, a timeline of events, and peppered with fun facts throughout (for example, why Michigan residents are referred to as wolverines, when there aren’t any in the state) this slim volume is a valuable book for anyone interested in antebellum America.

Baseball Fever: Early Baseball in Michigan– Peter Morris does a brilliant job of describing the very early days of baseball in Michigan. Beginning with the foundations of baseball in New York, we quickly slide over to theGreat Lakes State and the multitude of clubs that were created from the late 1850s to the mid 1870s. Some noteworthy gems include the Unknowns of Jackson, the Chief Club of Tecumseh, the Hungry Nine of Birmingham, and more Peninsulars and Wolverines than you could ever imagine. Baseball may have waxed and waned in 19th century Michigan, but it was never forgotten. Well-written and easily read, this book is great for every baseball aficionado.

Book Reviews – June 20, 2011

The Gunslinger Born

Authors: Stephen King, Peter David, Robin Furth

Illustrator: Jae Lee

Wonderful. Absolutely wonderful. Grabbing the story of Roland’s adolescence straight from Wizard & Glass, the artwork deftly retells the story of how Roland became the Gunslinger. There’s nothing new provided in the text (sorry folks) but the comic series is still one to enjoy if you liked reading the Dark Tower series. Or even if you haven’t read the series. Go pick it up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Civil War Adventure: Real History Stories of the War that divided America

Author: Chuck Dixon

Illustrator: Gary Kwapisz

A good compilation of short comics detailing the first year of the Civil War. I would say this is for younger children (as the dialogue is very simple); however, with implied suicide and, you know, actual death, I’m not quite sure who this is geared for. Still, it’s not a bad way to get a quick and dirty understanding of some of the battles and reasons for the Civil War.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Story of Beautiful Girl

Author: Rachel Simon

A very solid story by Rachel Simon, crafting three different, believable stories out of the catalyst of one event. A hidden birth, a girl captured and locked away, and an escapee from a terrible institution all form a delightful colorful tapestry of lives lived and discovered. The Story of Beautiful Girl is really less a story about Lynnie (the “Beautiful Girl”) and more about the triumph of the spirit as a whole. However, the story ended much too simply for me; don’t get me wrong, I’m a sucker for everything ending well but…well, it just seemed like Simon tried too hard to get everything to fit. Also, while I don’t doubt the ability of differently-abled people to do wonderful things, it seemed that by the end of the novel that Lynnie was the same as the rest of the characters in her thoughts and actions. Now I’m not sure if the author did that to impress upon the reader that we’re all the same when it gets right down to it, but once again, it just seemed so…well, almost trite. And where did Homan (the escapee) get the money to fund his final project (I’m trying to avoid spoilers as much as I can)? In the end, this novel starts off very well, has a solid middle section, but the ending, while nice, just wasn’t as satisfying as it could have been. Still a worthwhile read.

The Queen’s Governess

Author: Karen Harper

Karen Harper obviously researched Kat Champernowne Ashley’s life thoroughly before embarking on this book. Therefore, it is beyond me why there was so much romanticism in this novel. Don’t get me wrong; the writing is simple, easy, and fun to read. However, there’s something to be said for reality making an appearance every once in a while. At the heart of the text though is a compelling story about a woman and the child that she loves and helps to flourish. If you’re interested in that, you should pick up this novel. If not, best to stay away.

 

 

 

 

 

Shakespeare Undead

Author: Lori Handeland

Cheesy and simple to read, not that that’s a bad thing. However, this story is uneven in its execution. Filled with brilliant…okay, amusing ideas such as Shakespeare getting his stories from the actual ghosts that lived them or the plagues striking London actually being a zombie infestation, this could have been a fun romp through 16th century England with vampire Shakespeare at the helm. Unfortunately, forcing a romance with the other main character made it all a bit silly. I found myself questioning the logic (okay, I know I’m reading a story about Shakespeare being a vampire, but there needs to be some semblance of realism) of how Kate could sneak out of her house ALL of the time without anyone noticing or how she became such a splendid fighter with lessons from her nurse who just happened to fight zombies as well! This book could have been two with all the ideas that weren’t allowed to flourish and I found myself a bit dissatisfied at the end.

Book Reviews – April 23, 2011

Northlanders Vol. 1: Sven The Returned

Author: Brian Wood

Artist: Davide Gianfelice

A bloody, violent, visceral rampage through northern Viking-held lands. The plot may not be the most complex or original (heir returns from a faraway land to claim his inheritance from the uncle who took it from him), but the artwork by Davide Gianfelice more than makes up for it. It’s a one man bloodbath right up until the end. For the comic that totally forgoes your higher brain functions in order to satisfy your id, this is it.

 

 

 

 

Northlanders Vol. 2: The Cross and the Hammer

Author: Brian Wood

Artist: Ryan Kelly

Keeping up with the visceral quality of its predecessor, this next installment in the Northlanders series takes the reader to Ireland in the midst of the Norse occupation. The protagonist, Magnus, travels the countryside with his daughter, slaughtering countless Norsemen who occupy his country’s land. However, he is being hunted by Lord Ragnar Ragnarsson, right-hand man to the King. In the end, that proves to be the least of his concerns.

Ryan Kelly’s artwork perfectly captures Brian Wood’s storyline, weaving yet another bloody, stunning story that sticks with you long after you’ve turned the last page. I look forward to getting the third installment soon.

 

 

Batman: The Black Casebook

Introduction by Grant Morrison

An assorted collection of weird Batman tales from which Grant Morrison pulled several of the deaths that Batman experiences in his work, Batman R.I.P. Campy and silly (and not the good forms of either), the only reason to invest in this is to see the origin stories for Morrison’s works. Otherwise, it’s best left forgotten.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Glorious World Cup: A Fanatic’s Guide

Authors: Alan Black and David Henry Sterry

While short (very short, actually) and admittedly very easy to read, Alan Black and David Sterry seem to be confused concerning the purpose of their work. Is it supposed to be a lighthearted look at the World Cup? An informative inquiry into the teams and history? I don’t know and it appears neither do they and for that, this book suffers tremendously. Mediocre all around.

 

 

 

 

 

The Thinking Fan’s Guide to the World Cup

Editors: Matt Weiland and Sean Wilsey

This well-written, thought out take on the World Cup is one to treasure. Thirty-two writers, thirty-two essays on a country competing in the 2006 World Cup. From Saїd Sayrafiezadeh’s exploration of his Iranian-American heritage and his complex relationship with his father amid the backdrop of Iran’s appearance in the 1998 World Cup to Courtney Brkic’s discussion of Croatian National Team’s effects on the psyche of their people, Matt Weiland and Sean Wilsey have done a wonderful job editing this collection of essays. Sometimes brilliant, sometimes personal, almost always thought-provoking, this is a book that belongs on the shelf of every fan of the beautiful game.

 

 

Wastelands: Stories of the Apocalypse

Editor: John Joseph Adams

A solid collection gathering 22 different stories concerning the end of the world and its aftermath. From Stephen King’s “The End of the Whole Mess,” in which an attempt to bring peace to all ends tragically for everyone to Nancy Kress’s “Inertia,” where a forced quarantine colony may hold the key to restoring a balance to civilization. There were a couple weak links in this bunch but overall another solid editing effort by John Joseph Adams. (Also, as a bonus there is a “For Further Reading” list of post-apocalyptic fiction included in the back of this anthology that would be of interest to any fan of the genre.)

Book Reviews – March 13, 2011

History is Dead: A Zombie Anthology

Editor: Kim Paffenroth

A collection of short stories introducing zombies into historical time periods, from Neanderthals to the beginning of the 20th century. While Kim Paffenroth did a good job in picking a variety of eras to explore, it seemed to me that that a good portion of these stories were short with very abrupt endings. Furthermore, none of the stories really stood out. I was especially surprised by the blandness of the Jonathan Maberry story as I’ve liked other works by him, but while his “Pegleg and Paddy Save the World” story was fun, it just wasn’t that memorable. Overall, this compilation was merely average.

 

 

 

 

 

Sum: Forty Tales From the Afterlives

Author: David Eagleman

Thought provoking and challenging, David Eagleman’s “Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives” explores the different supposed paths that an afterlife, or God, or even the cosmos might take. From a waiting room where you must wait until your name is no longer remembered by anyone to God’s existence as a microbe, these stories are laced with wit, humor, and ultimately leave you pondering about what really happens after we shuffle off this mortal coil. However, I would suggest that you not read all forty stories in one sitting (it IS tempting, seeing as they’re one to three pages a piece); by reading all of them in one shot, it dilutes the purpose and power of the tales.

 

 

 

 

Johnny One-Eye: A Tale of the American Revolution

Author: Jerome Charyn

Pretty mediocre as far as I was concerned. Jerome Charyn obviously knows a lot about colonial America and the idea of a one-eyed young man living in a whorehouse in Manhattan sounded like the perfect premise for an interesting fun romp through the American Revolution. Boy, was I wrong. It certainly doesn’t help when you can’t sympathize with any of the characters; I cannot begin to recall how many times I wanted to reach through the pages of the books to slap both John Stocking and Clara around. All the characters were fairly one-sided and left no real room for growth or character development. This book really is the embodiment of a promise unfulfilled.

 

 

 

 

A Canticle for Leibowitz

Author: Walter M. Miller

When someone says “post-apocalyptic world” certain images immediately spring up unbidden, most of them concerning a Mad Max-esque setting.

This is not that sort of book.

What Walter Miller has crafted here is a thoughtful, balanced approach to the reconstruction and dissolution of a society over the span of 2000 years through the eyes of the monastic Order of St. Leibowitz. Through Leibowitz’s writings (he was a scientist before the nuclear blast that destroyed the world as it once was), the order attempts to keep the light of knowledge burning throughout what is left of society and struggles to find a firm footing in the ever-evolving world. Deftly exploring the issues of science in a faith-based world and faith in a science-based one, A Canticle for Leibowitz offers no judgments or conclusions but instead leaves you to tease out your own thoughts and meanings, staying with you long after the book is done. Everyone MUST read this book at some point.

(On a personal note, as an archivist, I’m well-acquainted with the difficulties of preserving information throughout the years, so of course I was fascinated by the idea of a monastic order’s struggle to maintain and provide access to one-of-a-kind records. I was also tickled to discover that 2000 years after the nuclear apocalypse, microfilm was still viewed as the most reliable way to provide access to papers.)

What To Do When No One Has A Clue: Advice for the Brave New World

Authors: Stephanie Pierson and Barbara Harrison

This book tries its best to be interesting and while having a few interesting questions answered (for example, “Who gets the dog’s ashes in the divorce?” Answer: discuss that before you get married or split the ashes in half) a lot of the questions would have never crossed my mind. Asking a lesbian how they got pregnant? Excuse me, that’s not anyone’s business but theirs! Why would you ask ANYONE that? What should you do if you’re a vegetarian and you own a dog? Uh, I think your top priority is keeping the animal healthy. If you can do that without meat, that’s great. If not, no one’s going to make the dog suffer on account of a lifestyle choice (at least I hope not). At any rate, it was an interesting brief read, but most of the scenarios are pretty bunk.

 

Book Reviews – February 13, 2011

Great Architecture of Michigan

Text: John Gallagher

Photos: Balthazar Korab

An overview of seminal architecture in Michigan, paired nicely with photographs by Balthazar Korab. Note though that the vast majority of the buildings are in the Lower Peninsula and a staggering amount of those were in the Detroit area, so I’m sure there are many other wonderful buildings throughout the state.

*I picked up this book since I’ve been handling a lot of Korab images at work recently and I DO live in Michigan…

 

 

 

 

 

Handling the Undead

Author: John Ajvide Lindqvist

Picking it up after my enjoyment of “Let The Right One In”, I’d have to say that Lindqvist’s work here isn’t bad. In most cases that would be a compliment, but I just expected more out of the author. To be fair, this was (refreshingly) not like other zombie novels; the zombies proper did not go lumbering around the countryside looking for brains, not did the government blindly ignore/attempt to overkill the problem immediately. Through the eyes of different characters, we get the chance to see how death (and the reprieve from it) would affect folks from all walks of life. Musing on the concepts and forms of souls and the meanings of mortality and loss, Lindqvist does an admirable job of making a realistic world, but the spark within it seemed to be missing.

 

 

Feed (Newsflesh, Book 1)

Author: Mira Grant

Operating under the guise of a post-apocalyptic zombie novel,, what Mira Grant does is firmly state the case for freedom of the press (tempered, as it should be, with the wisdom of restraint), the importance of access, and the need for folks to be able to find out their own truth, all wrapped up what starts as three journalists’ “big break” and ends with a full-fledged conspiracy.

It’s the year 2039, and Georgia and Shaun Mason (a “Newsie” and an “Irwin”, two different types of blogger-reporters) and their partner “Buffy” Meissonier (A “Fictional”, one who writes fiction based on their experiences) have just gotten the scoop of their lives, covering the presidential campaign of Senator Ryman. Of course, nothing can be that simple and before long, things are spiraling out of control so fast that it’s all they can do to hold on and keep doing what they do best: get the truth out there.

The writing is absolutely superb and you really get a feel for both the characters and the world in which they live. By the end, I felt as if I had known Georgia and Shaun for years. This is the first in a trilogy and I can’t wait to pick up the sequel.

 

A God Somewhere

Author: John Arcudi

I found this graphic novel…well, disturbing. Very disturbing. Following the path of a man granted superpowers, we see (through the eyes of his best friend, mostly) how he grapples with the fame, the reactions of others, and of course, the power. Unfortunately, while this could have been a beautiful story of shades of gray, what it ended up as was blunt force trauma embodying Lord Acton’s “Power corrupts…” quote. The violence is excessive, and to what end? Arcudi tries to evoke pathos and only ends up with a shade of it that’s painful to read. Get it from your library, but don’t bother paying for it.

 

 

 

 

Workin’ It!: RuPaul’s Guide to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Style

Author:  RuPaul (well, that’s a DUH)

Rupaul’s “Workin’ It” is a fun book that touches base on all things that a woman (or up-and-coming drag queen) may need to know. In a light-hearted, down-to-earth manner, she alights upon how to better present yourself, how to dress yourself better, and the essentials of makeup and more, serving it up in a tone that’s never condescending, always comprehending. While there were certain sections of the book I could have personally done without (I do not wear wigs and did not need half a chapter dedicated to wig maintenance; I also didn’t need to know about Ru’s first high colonic), overall this was a solid short book full of collectible gems of wisdom. You better work!

Book Reviews – February 6, 2011

The Passage

Author: Justin Cronin

Wow. Just wow.

Justin Cronin’s writing is brilliant and his take on a super-secret government project gone awry is fabulous. When a project to create immortal beings goes haywire, it results in a vampire plague sweeping the US (yes, I am aware of how that sounds; no, the vampires don’t sparkle in the sun) and the downfall of society as a whole. 90 years later, we’re introduced to a colony of survivors and how they cope with the threat always lurking outside their walls. At times striking a pseudo-mystical chord and at other times remaining firmly practical, Cronin does a great job in presenting several nuanced characters and a fascinating, believable storyline. Definitely can’t wait for the second book.

 

 

Brains: A Zombie Memoir

Author: Robin Becker

What if you were a zombie with higher brain function? What would you think and how would you cope? These are the questions that Robin Becker tries to answer in her book Brains: A Zombie Memoir. Her protagonist, an English professor turned zombie, shuffles around the Midwest hoping to make it to Chicago to find the creator of the zombie virus. Along the way, he meets up with other unique zombies and attempts to find a way for zombies and humans to co-exist peacefully. At times heavily prose-laden (which I suppose you would expect from a zombie English professor), Becker does a good job of articulating what might be called a zombie roadtrip. A quick, breezy read.

 

 

 

 

This Republic of Suffering

Author: Drew Gilpin Faust

I picked up this book on a recommendation and was delighted to find a well-written, ambitious work contained within its pages. Drew Gilpin Faust analyzes the overwhelming presence of death during the American Civil War and the effects of having 2 percent of the entire US population never return home on the populace and American culture. Admittedly, with such a broad scope it really serves more as an introduction to the concept than an in-depth undertaking, but that’s to be expected. In addition, while Faust does try to separate her different ideas into chapters, there’s enough blending of ideas to almost make it unnecessary. Highlights consist of the discussion of religion and faith, the creation of Federal cemeteries, and the coping mechanisms of survivors. Faust definitely convinces the reader of her assertion that death in American Civil War was unique and changed the way Americans thought and reacted to it and I’d recommend this book to anyone looking for a different take on the American Civil War.

 

The Mammoth Book of Zombie Apocalypse!

An interesting concept, this book presents the first year of a zombie outbreak through diaries, newspaper articles, letters, websites, texts, blogs, and tweets. Though I admit that I thought the origin of the zombie plague was pretty weak, the variety of stories/voices within the book kept me reading to the end and ultimately left me wanting more. Definitely a fun time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Superman: Red Son

Author: Mark Millar

In this story arc, Mark Millar places the Superman origin story not in America, but in the Soviet Union and lets the chips fall where they may. In addition to a great storyline, Superman: Red Son is also accompanied by artwork that captures the bleakness of 1950s Soviet Russia. A brilliant exercise in shades of gray and the definition of heroism, this is a definite must-read for fans and non-fans alike.

Book Reviews – January 30, 2011

Dead High Yearbook

Author: Ivan Velez

Dead High takes the reader into a special sort of yearbook club; you see, everyone in it is dead. Throughout the pages, we discover how every member of the yearbook committee died (or didn’t, in the case of one), whether senseless, appropriate, or tragic. Ivan Velez does a good job of keeping the plot moving and intertwining the different storylines. You get just enough insight into the characters’ lives before you send them away. Short, but worth it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Batman: The Killing Joke

Author: Alan Moore

Artwork: Brian Bolland

Well-written take on the origins of one of Gotham City’s foremost villains, the Joker. Alan Moore’s storytelling is once again above par and Brian Bolland’s artwork is fabulous. Nihilistic violence splatters the pages, leaving nothing but chaos in its wake. Great work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hungry For Your Love: An Anthology of Zombie Romance

Editor: Lori Perkins

Zombie romance, you say? EW! Well, admittedly, this book has a little false pretense as it’s mostly the humans that are…uh, romantic in these stories, but for those who might want to read about the softer and dare I say, sexier side of the zombie apocalypse, this would be the anthology. That being said, it’s not really romance injected into zombie tales so much as it’s zombies thrust into a romantic story. While there’s no bodice ripping, there’s enough soft-core moments to satisfy the lustiest romantic. Unfortunately, I’m not that kind of reader so I found most of the stories disappointing and a bit over the top. There are still quality stories, however; some that come to mind are “Romance Ain’t Dead” by Jeremy Wagner, “Undying Love” by Regina Riley, “Captive Hearts” by Regina Riley, and “Later” by Michael Marshall Smith. Lori Perkins worked with what she knew as an editor, and while it definitely could have come out better, at least it didn’t come out worse.

Book Reviews – January 16, 2011

The Stupidest Angel: A Heartwarming Tale of Christmas Terror

Author: Christopher Moore

This is truly a solid effort from Christopher Moore, which makes it all the more annoying that I couldn’t really get into it. For every brilliant/comedic scene from a character like Theo Crowe and his wife Molly Michon (or as she sometimes is called, the Warrior Babe of the Outlands), you have general douchebag behavior from a character like Tucker Case (no, not even his fruit bat Roberto could save me from the dislike of this guy). Of course, the banter of the dead/soon-to-be undead was hilarious as well, along with their insistence on going to IKEA after eating brains.

Sadly, I could care less about the rest of the characters in the town of Pine Cove. It’s really a pity. I wanted to enjoy this book, but found in the end that I couldn’t.

 

 

Eternals

Author: Neil Gaiman

Artwork: John Romita Jr.

A good-faith effort to restart the Eternals series, but I just couldn’t get into it. The art was fabulous, but by attempting to tie it into the Marvel Civil War, it both dates it and drags it down. The characters at times seemed one-note and boring, though I’m pretty sure that blame lies at Jack Kirby’s door, not Neil Gaiman’s. Overall, this series reboot was just not for me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Zombie Combat Manual: A Guide To Fighting The Living Dead

Author: Roger Ma

It would be easy to say “Oh, look at the Max Brooks ripoff” when it comes to Roger Ma’s book, but the truth is that while it takes on the format of Brooks’s work (practical advice with “survivor” stories), it’s not quite the same. It’s called the Zombie Combat Manual for a reason: it’s totally dedicated to fighting zombies. That’s it. No thoughts on rebuilding society or stockpiling for the coming zombie apocalypse, just pure out-and-out warfare. Exceedingly practical and full of recommendations of weapons, attack methods, and percentages of survival, this would definitely be one of the books I’d have with me when I ran from the horde.

 

 

 

 

Scurvy Dogs: Rags to Riches

Authors: Andrew Boyd and Ryan Yount

This collection of comics suffers from Diablo Cody syndrome: too fast, witty, and pop culture-tied for its own good. Oh, admittedly it’s clever, but its real humor shines with the small vignettes (a good example would be “The Captain’s Night Out”, a small comic dedicated to the Captain’s disastrous date) instead of the overlong comic arc (Jefe being from “Menudo Island” and the Hobo King are funny ideas, but not so great in the execution). I could take this 5 comic series or leave it.

 

 

 

 

 

The Sad Tale of the Brothers Grossbart

Author: Jesse Bullington

What a fun read this turned out to be! Hegel and Manfried Grossbart are pious (in their own way), violent (always), and just plain crude, but their adventures lead them all the way from Dark Ages Germany to “Gyptland” in rollicking, bloodstained style. With that being said, my only real objection is the ending, which felt abrupt and left me with the distinct feeling of having been cheated. Of course, it also felt as if the writer had tied up all the loose ends and had no idea where to take the brothers next, so perhaps that was to be expected. Obviously not for everyone (for example, cursing and murder IS the order of the day), but definitely a bit of lighthearted reading for those willing to give the Brothers Grossbart a shot. Just don’t turn your back on them.

 

 

 

999: Twenty-nine Original Tales of Horror and Suspense

Editor: Al Sarrantonio

Some of the stories in this collection: “Amerikanski Dead at the Moscow Morgue” by Kim Newman, “Keepsakes and Treasures: A Love Story” by Neil Gaiman, “Excerpts from the Records of the New Zodiac and the Diaries of Henry Watson Fairfax” by Chet Williamson, and “Mad Dog Summer” by Joe R. Lansdale were absolutely fabulous, being at times amusing, creepy, and haunting. But for every one of the quality stories that I ran across in this anthology, there would be two or three afterwards that were boring, or as was often the case, just trying too hard. In the end 999 falls victim to an uneven assortment of stories, leaving it merely mediocre instead of magnificent.

Book Reviews – January 9, 2011

Saving America’s Treasures

A very good collection cataloging several of the projects that National Trust for Historic Preservation was (and in many cases, still is) working on at the time of publication. While providing historical context for the projects, the most valuable part of this book are the essays. Eloquently written, the authors have taken their love of history and turned it into something beautiful by describing both the practical importance of preserving the places and objects covered in this book and the metaphorical meanings behind doing so. Definitely a book worth purchasing.

 

 

 

 

Murder Mysteries

Author: Neil Gaiman

Artwork: P. Craig Russell

This was a fabulous story in its own right, but combined with P. Craig Russell’s artwork, it becomes magnificent. Presenting the first murder in Heaven during the creation of the universe itself, Gaiman creates a noir story that stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page. The threads of murder, forgiveness, fate, and omniscience are woven together to make a beautiful tapestry that offer up a different perspective on faith and vengeance. Definitely worth reading more than once.

 

 

 

 

 

Destiny: A Chronicle of Deaths Foretold

Author: Alisa Kwitney

Destiny, Dream’s brother, appears to receive his own storyline in this short graphic novel. However, this really is not the case; instead, we’re introduced to John Ryder, the unwilling Horseman of the Apocalypse. The storyline does its best to be interesting, but having had the bar raised by Gaiman’s interpretation of Destiny, this story only ends up being a pale imitation. The artwork is lovely and taken only on its own merits, the story isn’t that bad (it’s just unfortunate that it has to compete with Gaiman’s work). Good waste of time for those jonesing for a cheap Sandman-esque fix, but not much else.

 

 

 

 

From Hell

Authors: Alan Moore, Eddie Campbell

Conspiracies, serial killers, and murders, oh my!

From Hell is an always interesting fictional take on the Jack the Ripper killings, taking the theory that Queen Victoria ordered the murders in order to hide certain improprieties committed by Prince Albert Victor, her grandson, and running with it. Of course, the story isn’t nearly as simple as that and the reader will find themselves dabbling in the occult, secret societies, and the general baseness of human life in 1880s Whitechapel. As is often the case with Moore’s work, however, the intricate details that make this work so fabulous are also its weakest point: it’s too much to process in one sitting. But then again, why would you?

Definitely take the time to give this a proper look and you’ll be rewarded with a rich story that will make you think long after you’ve finished reading it.

The Secret History of Fantasy

Editor: Peter S. Beagle

An overall solid collection with a few good standouts (Neil Gaiman’s “Snow, Glass, Apples” being the first one to come to mind, although Gregory Maguire’s story on the beginnings of the Scarecrow was another good one). In addition, a splendid essay by Ursula LeGuin on the subject of fantasy is included in the back for perusal/food for thought. With a variety of stories on different themes, there’s something for everyone in this collection. Definitely pick it up.

 

 

 

 

 

He Is Legend: An Anthology Celebrating Richard Matheson

Editor: Christopher Conlon

When you think about Richard Matheson, you automatically think quality. Several of his stories (I am Legend, Hell House, The Shrinking Man to name a few) are absolute classics. I suppose that’s why I expected more from this homage to his works.

Don’t get me wrong; some of the stories in here like the Stephen King/Joe Hill collaboration “Throttle” (based on Duel) and Nancy Collins’s “Return to Hell House” (based on Hell House) are very good, very well-written and genuinely capture the spirit of Matheson’s writing. However, there are some pieces (“Quarry”, based on Prey and “Cloud Rider,” based on Matheson’s Collected Stories, to name the ones that come to mind) that just don’t seem to work. I’m not sure whether that’s a failing on the respective author’s parts or if lightning just can’t strike twice.

At any rate, this anthology tries to honor Matheson (and succeeds) but not in the way it intends. For me, it just proved that no one does it better than Richard Matheson and most probably shouldn’t try.