Making Comics: Storytelling Secrets of Comics, Manga and Graphic Novels

Amazon.com

Scott McCloud's Understanding Comics was published in 1993, just as "Comics Aren't Just for Kids Anymore!" articles were starting to appear and graphic novels were making their way into the mainstream, and it quickly gave the newly respectable medium the theoretical and practical manifesto it needed. With his clear-eyed and approachable analysis--done using the same comics tools he was describing--McCloud quickly gave "sequential art" a language to understand itself. McCloud made the simplest of drawing decisions seem deep with artistic potential.

Thirteen years later, following the Internet evangelizing of Reinventing Comics, McCloud has returned with Making Comics.

Designed as a craftsperson's overview of the drawing and storytelling decisions and possibilities available to comics artists, covering everything from facial expressions and page layout to the choice of tools and story construction, Making Comics, like its predecessors, is also an eye-opening trip behind the scenes of art-making, fascinating for anyone reading comics as well as those making them. Get a sense of the range of his lessons by clicking through to the opening pages of his book, including his (illustrated, of course) table of contents (warning: large file, recommended for high-bandwidth users):

Book Description

Scott McCloud tore down the wall between high and low culture in 1993 with Understanding Comics, a massive comic book about comics, linking the medium to such diverse fields as media theory, movie criticism, and web design. In Reinventing Comics, McCloud took this to the next level, charting twelve different revolutions in how comics are generated, read, and perceived today. Now, in Making Comics, McCloud focuses his analysis on the art form itself, exploring the creation of comics, from the broadest principles to the sharpest details (like how to accentuate a character's facial muscles in order to form the emotion of disgust rather than the emotion of surprise.) And he does all of it in his inimitable voice and through his cartoon stand–in narrator, mixing dry humor and legitimate instruction. McCloud shows his reader how to master the human condition through word and image in a brilliantly minimalistic way. Comic book devotees as well as the most uninitiated will marvel at this journey into a once–underappreciated art form.

Customer Reviews:

Fun to read and very informative.......2007-08-25

I read Understanding Comics and liked it so much I decided to check this book out as well, and found it to be even more enjoyable. McCloud's artwork is very fun and whimsical, his writing is humorous and he puts many concepts about the writing and drawing of comics in very easy-to-understand language. I never thought about making comics before, but this volume was so inspiring I'm convinced it might be fun to try!

A Great Learning Tool.......2007-08-15

If you've ever wondered about the finer points of crafting a comic this is the book for you. This is not a how to draw book and if thats what you are looking for than this isn't for you. It IS a very intelligent and thought provoking insight into the story telling aspects of the creation of comics. This is a MUST HAVE for anyone serious about comics.

Scott McCloud is the Alton Brown of Comics.......2007-08-07

Alton Brown is not a world-class chef but 'Good Eats' is indispensible educational television. It's the same thing with Scott McCloud, reviewers who say he hasn't produced anything earth shaking in the comics medium are missing the point. Making Comics is a wide-ranging, free-wheeling and passionate examination of what makes comics (and much visual art) tick, and provides a toolbox we can use to create our own stories. This is the best thing since Understanding Comics and goes more into the details of visual storytelling, the chapter on facial expressions alone is worth the price of admission. I want to send this book to Edward Tufte. Anyone interested in visual communication needs to read this book, and that goes double for aspiring comics creators.

Must-Have for Aspiring Artists.......2007-07-05

You need to own Understanding Comics to accompany this one. Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art
Making Comics is a complete book that refers to many of the topics that Understanding Comics expands upon. It is a great starting point for aspiring artists to look at approaching their own comic. McCloud explains the mutlitude of styles involved and how each of them works to engage the reader. He is truly a master of his craft.
He strips away the layers of superhero masculine fantasy to reveal comics as a storytelling vehicle. Not your typical how-to-draw book.

Review of book.......2007-05-28

Excellent book - very well presented and detailed. Well worth the price. Our kids (9 and 7) are using it to create better comics

The Adventures of Tintin: The Crab With the Golden Claws / The Shooting Star / The Secret of the Unicorn (3 Complete Adventures in 1 Volume, Vol. 3)

Average customer rating:

Haddock is introduced in the Golden Claws
A little disappointing
Tintin on his adventures!
A rich part of this bilingual Canadian's heritage
The Adventures of Tintin: The Crab With the Golden Claws / The Shooting Star / The Secret of the Unicorn (3 Complete Adventures

The Adventures of Tintin: The Crab With the Golden Claws / The Shooting Star / The Secret of the Unicorn (3 Complete Adventures in 1 Volume, Vol. 3)
Herge
Manufacturer: Little, Brown Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0316359440

Customer Reviews:

Haddock is introduced in the Golden Claws.......2007-08-23

Thundering Typhoons!! Had been trying to get my hands on this issue as it introduces my fave. character!! It compliments the package well because the issues are in a sequence and one ends up getting more of blistering barnacles! I would recommend this to Haddock's admiration club and otherwise as well!

A little disappointing.......2007-02-07

The quality of the printing is far from perfect. It smooches on several pages.Also, I read the French version first and the English one is, in my opinion, rather lame. A lot of work would need to be done to improve it.

Tintin on his adventures!.......2007-01-21

I have read many Tintin adventures and love them all. Herge can make very funny adventure stories.
In the book, The Crab with the Golden Claws, Tintin meets Captain Haddock. Captain Haddok loves whisky. Professor Calculus is not here. He comes in Red Rackham's treasure.
Reviewed by my child, C.B. Patras

A rich part of this bilingual Canadian's heritage.......2006-09-09

Volume 3: The Crab With the Golden Claws (1942), The Shooting Star (1942), The Secret of the Unicorn (1943). This is the third instalment of my reviews of each of the seven volumes.

As I mentioned in my review for Volume 1, as a child I read these stories in no particular order. So, when reading The Crab With the Golden Claws, I was surprised to see Captain Haddock in such a pitiable state, having made his acquaintance in later adventures...

But this is where he is introduced, and the friendship that develops between Haddock and Tintin not only allows the alcoholic captain to bloom, it lifts the curtain on one of the most entertaining, impulsive (Haddock = ad hoc, get it? In French, the pronunciation of the two is exactly the same...), flawed, and in essence loyal, good hearted and lovable characters in all comicdom. His irascible nature will be abundantly prodded with insufferable foils (Wagg, Abdullah, Castafiore, the Thom(p)sons, and sundry villains) throughout the series. We also meet the sinister Allan for the first time. The story takes place in Morocco, and the child sees yet more of our planet's vistas, while the adult continues to revel in Hergé's textured adventures and detailed settings, as well as a terrifying dream sequence.

Michael Farr's "Tintin: The Complete Companion" (highly recommended), gives a glimpse at why Tintin did not take in the USA as it did in the rest of the world, and that has to do with a couple of panels from The Shooting Star. Though with some brilliant sequences, such as the cinematic seasickness scene, it is not as captivating as the usual Tintin standard, but again, one does not want to miss a single adventure.

The Secret of the Unicorn has a number of threads, one of which develops into the sequel, Red Rackham's Treasure.

The Adventures of Tintin: The Crab With the Golden Claws / The Shooting Star / The Secret of the Unicorn (3 Complete Adventures .......2006-08-31

Good book for kids and aldult as well

Average customer rating:

Classic Marvel
A Good Premise
Not worth it
Good story idea, poor delivery
so so

Secret War (New Avengers)
Brian Michael Bendis , and Gabrielle Dell'Otto
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0785113312

Book Description

Starring Wolverine, Spider-Man, Daredevil, Captain America, Black Widow, Luke Cage and more! Brian Michael Bendis, the most popular and acclaimed writer in comics, reveals the darkest chapter in Marvel Universe history! When Nick Fury finds a disturbing connection between many of Marvel's deadliest villains, he puts together a ragtag team of the MU's most misunderstood heroes for a secret mission to do what the U.S. government could never allow, eventually leading to a super-powered blowout between a who's who of NYC heroes and mutants! Collects Secret War #1-5; From the Files of Nick Fury.

Customer Reviews:

Classic Marvel.......2007-08-05

This felt like an old school Marvel comic with a modern edge. I liked it a great deal.

A Good Premise.......2007-04-13

What could have been a great story, superheroes going undercover in a foreign land, ends up being poorly executed. The painted art is often dark and difficult to follow. The story is muddled by a non-linear narrative which doesn't flow through past to present, and requires a new character to come in and explain the whole plot to the characters and the readers. Not the worst thing I've ever read, but I couldn't recommend it, either. Go get David Mazzechelli's and Paul Aster's City of Glass, instead.

Not worth it.......2007-03-19

This book reprints the SECRET WAR 5 issue mini-series and the SECRET WAR: FROM THE FILES OF NICK FURY one shot. The story by Bendis is disappointing, particularly how the ending transpires. The (painted) art is by Gabriele Dell'Otto, which at the time the mini-series was being published was being hyped by Marvel as the next Alex Ross (that prediction didn't come to pass). While the art wasn't bad, it did not possess the take-your-breath-away impact the Alex Ross' work does. It also was an odd pairing with Bendis, whose work is more light-hearted in tone (Spidey has some one-liners in this book) while the painted art conveys a dark and moody tone.

What really is the downfall of this book is that HALF of this book is made up of chat logs, dossiers, etc. Again, HALF OF THE BOOK (I counted the pages - the story was 128 pages). While they do add to the story, this takes away from the enjoyment experience of the book immensely. A few pages I would understand, but when you cannot proceed to the next chapter of the story due to the voluminous pages of text material (which one cannot ignore if one hasn't read the book before), then it becomes a chore to go through the book.

At this price point, even with the online discounts, it simply is not worth it. Save your money.

Good story idea, poor delivery.......2007-03-09

This graphic novel had the story idea potential to be on par with V for Vendetta, but in the end the plot line was over about halfway through. The rest of the book was marginally interesting, but mostly useless information about the characters. The drawings were excellent though.

so so.......2007-02-25

It spent a lot of time looking for things in this book. The artwork makes it a little hard to identify characters. And the story jump around a little too much. And its resolved with another unknown super character. Still I bought it and kind of like it. Maybe its because I like the way they presented Fury.

Average customer rating:

Secret Wars 2?
Um...Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars Awesome Review-Stylz?
Graphic SF Reader
The Smell of Nostalgia
Best of the best...

Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars
Jim Shooter , Mike Zeck , and Bob Layton
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 078511873X

Book Description

The first mega-crossover of its kind, Secret Wars still stands as a milestone in the comic-book industry. The fate of the entire Marvel Universe hangs in the balance as all of Earth's greatest super heroes face their deadliest foes on the mysterious planet known as Battleworld! The classic 12-issue limited series is back in print!

Customer Reviews:

Secret Wars 2?.......2007-10-06

This was a great story my son and I read it together. It intertwines the story and entangles you exactly how all the heroes, Villains and Galactus would act. I cant wait to read Secret Wars 2 and hope a movie is published of Secret wars 1.

Um...Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars Awesome Review-Stylz?.......2007-09-15

The product was in great condition. I happen to love comics, and this is a classic mini-series. Secret Wars paved the way for many comic book crossovers and epic storylines in the future, the most recent being Civil War: A Marvel Comics Event.

Incredible. Thanks, Amazon. I would do you if you weren't simply a series of html code pasted together and trapped as a web page on the internet, with my monitor serving as the only barrier standing between you and I.

Damn you, monitor! DAAAAAMN YOUUUUUU!

Graphic SF Reader.......2007-09-03

A fun, no holds-barred superhero slugfest in the grandest sense. Yes, it is a Marvel pimpfest for their line, but in this case, it doesn't stop it from being entertaining in the biff the bad guy sense. They probably wanted an event to match up with Crisis a little bit to get back some attention. Sound familiar?

Anyway, a whole bunch of popular Marvel Heroes and villains are kidnapped from earth for a small time via an all powerful being called the Beyonder, sent to a planet, and ordered to beat each other up, basically.

Much craziness and violence ensues. Hulk get mad, Hulk lift mountain range, etc.

The Smell of Nostalgia.......2007-06-12

The issue of Crossovers always was some kind of a big deal to fans. On one hand it combines, mostly, the greatest characters in the comics-world, sometimes even cross-companies. On the other hand the oh-so-high cost.

This is the first Crossover. It is the one who started it all, at least in the large-scale sense of it. It's not perfect, it got some holes in it both story/plot-wise and both continuity problems, but do not mistaken - it is a great story. The question is - why?

It got the best of the best characters in the Marvel Universe, and not skipping even the mighty Galactus himself. It got a great theme that maybe can't work in the modern days in a modern comic-book but back in its day - it was an amazing concept. It had many plot-twists, for the good. Great dialogues - it's been a long time now since I actually felt the character's personality via the dialogues, and it fits their back-then character marvelously. It's even funny!

But still, it just don't sit well in this fast-pace modern world, because it's too slow, taking it's time to explore the characters thoughts too much for the modern reader, and it's not the best story there is in the modern very harsh comics world.

I still think that it's one of the best there is,
Maybe because I'm simply old-fashioned.

Check my blog -
The issue of Crossovers always was some kind of a big deal to fans. On one hand it combines, mostly, the greatest characters in the comics-world, sometimes even cross-companies. On the other hand the oh-so-high cost.

This is the first Crossover. It is the one who started it all, at least in the large-scale sense of it. It's not perfect, it got some holes in it both story/plot-wise and both continuity problems, but do not mistaken - it is a great story. The question is - why?

It got the best of the best characters in the Marvel Universe, and not skipping even the mighty Galactus himself. It got a great theme that maybe can't work in the modern days in a modern comic-book but back in its day - it was an amazing concept. It had many plot-twists, for the good. Great dialogues - it's been a long time now since I actually felt the character's personality via the dialogues, and it fits their back-then character marvelously. It's even funny!

But still, it just don't sit well in this fast-pace modern world, because it's too slow, taking it's time to explore the characters thoughts too much for the modern reader, and it's not the best story there is in the modern very harsh comics world.

I still think that it's one of the best there is,
Maybe because I'm simply old-fashioned.

Check my blog -
http://mindlessechoes.blogspot.com/

Best of the best..........2007-03-08

The one and only. Simply the best of the best in sagas/stories!!! A must buy...

Average customer rating:

What if you had Superman's Powers?
Comic Books Don't Get Anymore "Super" Than This
Great alternate-reality Superman miniseries
Secret
One of the Best!

Superman: Secret Identity
Kurt Busiek
Manufacturer: DC Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1401204511

Customer Reviews:

What if you had Superman's Powers?.......2007-08-12

The first time I read this book I had borrowed it from the Library...Ohhh Maaaannnnn....what an amazing story!!! I couldn't put it down and at first I couldn't even comprehend the fullness of the story. It was this book that not only got me to read the "Astro City" series, but when I found out that Kurt Busiek was now writing the Superman Comics for DC...I started buying Superman Comics again after a 35 year lapse. I thought I had outgrown Comic Books until I read Kurt Busiek writing. This story is such a grabber that I had read it 3 times in less than 7 months before I broke down and bought it. And then I read it again and even had my Wife read it, she doesn't even like "Graphic Novels", but she likes this one. I highly recommend it and encourage people to buy it, because it is and will become classic reading in the annals of illustrated books. Way to Go Kurt Busiek!!! Definately one of your Best!!!

Comic Books Don't Get Anymore "Super" Than This.......2007-07-19

Yes, it is an "Elseworlds"-type story set in an alternate universe (a non-superpowered "real world" like our own...). And yes, it doesn't star the "Man of Steel" that we're all familiar with, but another boy named Clark Kent. After reading the re-imagining of Superman's origin in Mark Waid's "Birthright," I was expecting a similar "Superboy"-type story here. Not the case, though--what we have is simply the best Superman tale ever told. This is Superman's equivalent to "The Dark Knight Returns." The artwork is amazing, and the story itself is at turns exciting, sad, and wonderful. One of the top ten comic books ever produced, in my opinion.

Great alternate-reality Superman miniseries.......2007-05-06

This is a thoroughly engrossing, tightly scripted, rather intense Superman story, set in an alternate-ish reality where -- like our own world -- Superman is a fictional character, not a real person. At least that's the case until a young man named Clark Kent (named that as a joke by his lame but well intentioned parents) develops superpowers that exactly mimic those of the fictional man of steel. Is it a fever dream? A fantasy? Has he been brainwashed? Well, no. He really has become Superman, but is his world ready for a real, live superhero? Like many super-books of recent vintage, this story places a metahuman character in the midst of a hostile, invasive political system -- the government simply can't leave Clark alone, so he has to grapple with constant intrusions and attempts to curtail his freedom... In the meantime, he finds love, builds a family and grows old. Kurt Busiek has crafted a powerful tale, backed by rich, realistic artwork -- a real saga that will draw you in from start to finish.

This is a very good read -- highly recommended!

Secret.......2007-03-16

This is very well written and the story flows.
It is a new take on what it means to be Superman.

One of the Best!.......2007-02-26

I'm not a big fan of Superman, but this book is great even for those that don't care for anything in the "super-hero" genre. Busiek writes a story that tries to take a truly realistic take on superheros - what would it be like if someone one day actually woke up with powers?
Clark Kent grows up in a world like our own, where superheroes only exist in comic books, and is constantly ridiculed for the irony that a mild-manner boy from a small town in Kansas is named after a powerful comic book character of the same name. After Clark one day realizes he actually has Superman's powers, the story portrays its bittersweet nature, balancing the bad - having to worry about the government, being afraid to go public or share your secret with those you love, and the effect that such power can have on good people - with the obvious benefits of having super powers as we see different stages of Clark's life.
The art is good, but it is Busiek's excellent ability to help us sympathize with his main character and convincing storytelling that makes the book outstanding. I'd recommend it to anyone!

The Secret of the Unicorn (The Adventures of Tintin)

Average customer rating:

The beginnings of true greatness.
Great album by Tintin
Full of adventure and fun-filled confusion
"Now why were they both so keen to buy my ship?"
A nautical treasure hunt

The Secret of the Unicorn (The Adventures of Tintin)
Herge
Manufacturer: Little, Brown Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Action & Adventure | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0316358320

Amazon.com

The Secret of the Unicorn was one of the first truly great Tintin adventures and Herge's personal favorite, combining a puzzling mystery with a ripping pirate yarn. When Tintin finds a magnificent model ship in the street market, his attempt to buy it for Captain Haddock leads him on a trail of pickpockets, burglars, and secret treasure, and Haddock enthralls him with a tale of his seafaring ancestor, Sir Francis Haddock (who was exclaiming "Thundering typhoons!" generations before the Captain ever did), and his fateful encounter with the fearsome pirate Red Rackham. The story is also notable for Herge's fantastic eye for ship detail as well as the first appearances of Nestor and Marlinspike Hall. The Secret of the Unicorn was Tintin's first official two-book adventure, continued in Red Rackham's Treasure. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

The beginnings of true greatness........2007-04-13

Herge, The Secret of the Unicorn (Methuen, 1946)

This is where Herge really started to get great. A series of wallet-snatchings in plaguing Brussels, which Thomson and Thompson are investigating. Meanwhile, Tintin buys an old model of a ship as a present for Haddock, and is immediately accosted by two people who want to buy it from him. Both stories converge when the ship and one of the missing wallets become parts of the key to the final resting place of the Unicorn, Sir Francis Haddock's legendary ship. Just before the Unicorn went down, Haddock had been involved in a great battle with notorious pirate Red Rackham-- and the Unicorn is believed to hold Red Rackham's final treasure. But that's another story. Despite the fact that there's very little story to be found here (this is, after all, setup for Red Rackham's Treasure), Herge throws in all sorts of diversions and red herrings to keep the readers entertained. It's a wonderful read. *** ½

Great album by Tintin.......2007-02-03

This might not be the best Tintin album, but I considered it a special one for me, as it was the first one I ever read (I still had the copy I bought around 1978, when I was about 9, tattered, and with writings in the margin, as I tried to comment on the action). This was one of the albums that Herge wrote during World War II, when he thought prudent not to dabble into politics as he has done in his previous albums. In Unicorn, Captain Haddock founds that the memories of an ancestor of him, seems to hold clues to a mysterious treasure. The book includes during several pages a very funny story-within-a story of that ancestor, Captain Francis Haddock. Soon, though, Tintin and Haddock found themselves on the run by the Bird brothers, evil antiquaries who have also found about the treasure and want a piece of it. The mansion of Marlinspike (or Moulinsart, in the original) as well as Nestor are introduced in this book. Unicorn, by the way, has a less interesting sequel (though still worthwhile reading), Red Rackham's Treasure, where Tintin and friends rent a boat to try to recover the treasure in the Caribbean. Calculus is introduced in that album.

Full of adventure and fun-filled confusion.......2006-07-09

First published in French in 1943 as The Secret of the Unicorn (Le Secret de la Licorne. An epidemic of wallet snatching in and around Brussels affects the Thom(p)son twins as theylose wallets by the dozen. Meanwhile Tinin sees a curious model ship and decides to buy it for his friend , Captain Haddock , after which he is pestered by dealers to sell it to them.
The Captain unpieces the mystery of the adventures of his ancestor Sir Francis Haddock , who lived in the reign of Charles II , and his battle against the pirates. Meanwhile Titnin finds himself on the wrong side of rogue art thieves , the Bird brothers, and gets kidnapped by them where he does battle with them at their headquarters at Marlinspike Hall.
This is the first in a two part series leading up to Tintin's search for the centuries old lost treasure in Red Rackham's Treasure.As usual , full of adventure and fun-filled confusion, not to mention the historical flashbacks to the escapades of Sir Francis Haddock and the villainous pirate chief , Red Rackham.

"Now why were they both so keen to buy my ship?".......2005-05-18

The Secret of the Unicorn - La Mystere de La Licorne, or the Mystery of the Unicorn, in the original French - is the eleventh installment in the Tintin series. It was also evidently the personal favorite of author Herge.

Like many other Tintin adventures, it spins out of something as seemingly innocuous as can be: Tintin goes to a street fair, sees a model of a ship that he likes, and decides to buy it. Almost instantly two mystery men are hot on his heels as he leaves the place, offering him exorbitant amounts of money. He manages to lose them before he gets back to the flat, but needless to say, this is not the last we've seen of these two in The Secret of the Unicorn.

It later turns out that the ship is a small replica of a real vessel, the Unicorn, that was commanded by none other than Sir Francis Haddock, ancestor of the Captain and possible originator of such Haddockisms as "thundering typhoons," etc. It also comes to light that hidden in the model are parchment scrolls indicating something important about the original ship, which sank ages ago. But by the time Tintin finds this out, his ship has mysteriously disappeared...!

The Secret of the Unicorn as it was originally published in the magazine Le Petit Vingtieme was far too long to be contained in one book; it spills over into a sequel, Red Rackham's Treasure, in which Tintin and friends take the sea to find the sunken Unicorn - but that will have to wait for another review!

(Incidentally, to anyone who wonders, the scale on which I am rating these books is one to five for Tintin, not one to five for everything else. In other words, it starts with great and goes on up from there. Three stars = no slouch.)

A nautical treasure hunt.......2004-11-27

Tintin purchases a model ship at an antiques market. Just after he purchases it two strangers arrive who want to buy the ship. Tintin won't sell it to them even though they offer him ten times what he paid for it. It is a gift for his friend Captain Haddock. The captain is amazed to get the model ship. He shows Tintin a painting of his ancestor, a captain. The captain's ship is visible in the background, and is identical to the model Tintin purchased. The secret to buried treasure is somehow hidden in the model ship, but other parties are also after it...

This particular Tintin book was my favorite when I was a child, mostly because of Captain Haddock. The Captain is continually hollering fake profanities, such as, "Billions of blue blistering barnacles!" I guess that could be a little disturbing now, since the captain acts funny because he is a raging alcoholic (trying to quit though which is a plot point, and I don't think that that is a reason to keep the book from children). This story cuts back and forth in time as bits and pieces of Captain Haddock's family history are shown and trigger new events in the search for treasure.

Average customer rating:

a big disappointment!
"Secrets" by Danielle Steel
Predictable but still a Page Turner
Unforgetable.
Oh my gosh, go get this book!!!!

Secrets
Danielle Steel
Manufacturer: Delacorte Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0385294182
Release Date: 1985-10-01

Customer Reviews:

a big disappointment!.......2005-10-28

i love danielle steel! i`ve read ALL of her books so far.but secrets was a big disappointment to me.as far as i am concerned,ms.steel tried to change her style of writing in this book more to the kind of judith krantz or jackie collins (some explicit "parts" i didn`t like at all).simply NOT the danielle steel we like. the story itselfs is ok(gives the readers some "insights" behind the scenes of hollywood)but....
some of her books i`ve read over and over again. i am not going to touch secrets for a second time,however.

"Secrets" by Danielle Steel.......2004-06-20

Danielle Steel's "Secrets" is a story that focusses on several people who all want to succeed in the Hollywood movie industry. These people are all very different but they have this same ambition in common and also the fact that they are all involved in a new TV series that everyone is convinced will take the world by storm.

"Secrets" is a story about what people will sacrifice for Hollywood and the lies that they will tell to further their own careers in the movie industry.

The good things about this book is how the characters develop throughout it and that they all have such different personalities. I also enjoyed the romance element of the book as well.

My main criticism of this book is that the plot was fairly predictable in places. Other than that though, I enjoyed reading this book.

All in all, I found this book a enjoyable book to read.

Predictable but still a Page Turner.......2004-03-18

Danielle Steel is my favorite author and I have read a lot of her books. Although, it was predictable, is still was a page turner. If you like romantic hollywood novels this book is for you. You will read about, Jane, a woman who realizes she is married to a horny drunk, Zachory, who hasn't been with a woman in years; Bill, who is secretly married to a former actress who is now a drug addict; Gabrielle, who is not what she seems; and Sabina, the famous movie actor who seems like perfection to everyone around her but in the end she like everyone else is hiding her own secret.

Unforgetable........2003-06-05

I was looking at some books by Steel and ran across this one and remember I've read this one in my 10th grade year in high school. I don't remember exactly what it's about...I remember that the main charcter gets blamed for murdering his wife...they were going through some rough times at that point and he found it hard to deal with. He goes to trial and while all this is going on he is in soap opera bussiness. Obiously if I rememberd this story from 3 years ago it must have been pretty good. And it is.

Oh my gosh, go get this book!!!!.......2002-04-25

This is such a great read! Can't pass it up. Reminds me a lot of jackie collins. This story is so much fun. It has so many surprises...I think you'll be shocked, not predictable.

Average customer rating:

A more than solid middle chapter
vols 1 and 2 were very good, 3 was awful and ruined it all...
Warren Ellis at his best.
Gah Lak Tus is Coming!
This series is Ultimate!

Ultimate Galactus Vol. 2: Secret
Warren Ellis , Steve McNiven , Mark Bagley , and scott Hanna
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0785116605

Book Description

A new propulsion system devised by the U.S. government puts Mars just days away. It creates interplanetary opportunities unprecedented for the human race. But someone - or something - wants Earth's progression into space to stop. What does that mean to the Ultimates and the Ultimate Fantastic Four! And yes, that mysterious white-and-green figure is Ultimate Captain Marvel! Collects Ultimate Secret #1-4.

Customer Reviews:

A more than solid middle chapter.......2007-02-27

As far as I was concerned, Ultimate Nightmare, the first chapter in Warren Ellis' re-imagining Ultimate Galactus trilogy, was spectacular. While Ultimate Secret doesn't live up to the first chapter of the trilogy, it is a more than solid middle chapter that sets up the pivotal things to come. Taking place briefly after Ultimate Nightmare, Ultimate Secret picks up with Nick Fury recruiting the Fantastic Four to help with a big problem: something called Gah Lak Tus is coming to destroy the planet and obliterate all mankind. What helps make this TPB good is Ellis' reinvention of Captain Marvel (or Mahr-Vell); an alien soldier posing as a human and fighting on our side. Iron Man, Thor, and Hawkeye are also here for the ride, as the stage is set for the apocalyptic events of Ultimate Extinction. Steve McNiven and Mark Bagley provide great artwork, and Ellis manages to churn out a compelling story while further fleshing out the relationship between Reed Richards and Sue Storm like he has during his run on Ultimate Fantastic Four. All in all, if you picked up Ultimate Nightmare, consider this a must read as the end is clearly in sight.

vols 1 and 2 were very good, 3 was awful and ruined it all..........2007-02-14

in vol 2, the kree try to prevent mankind from gaining efficient space travel because they want us to remain earthbound for when the big g hits. vol 2 is very good, however i would not recommend this trilogy because vol 3 is so incredibly awful it made reading the first two volumes a waste of time. in addition, i hate the robot hive galactus idea. yes galactus is supposed to be a world eating force even when he's a big purple dude, but the big guy galactus is way cooler than this stupid idea. i just hope they don't stink up the fantastic four movies with the robot galactus idea (as rumored), but since the first ff movie was pretty bad i really have no hope.

Warren Ellis at his best........2006-11-10

This series was great, the best of the ultimate titles.

Gah Lak Tus is Coming!.......2006-06-29

Coming on the heels of Ultimate Nightmare, Ultimate Secret continues the Ultimate Galactus saga. Ultimate Secret features the Ultimates again, this time teamed with the Fantastic Four and Mar Vehl (the Ultimate version of Captain Marvel), a Kree warrior who decided to help Earth survive Gah Lak Tus's arrival, instead of watching the planet die, as the rest of the Kree are content to do. In fact, the Kree are so determined to see Earth die that they send a horde of robot/alien/bad guys to sabotage the space program (that Mar Vehl helped with) to ensure no Earthlings escape the coming doom.

I'm not typically a fan of the cosmic storylines, but this is the Ultimate Universe so I had to at least check it out. Writer Warren Ellis does a fine job with this series, particularly with the dialogue. The scenes with Thor, the Human Torch, and the Thing literally had me laughing out loud, and Ellis's take on Tony Stark and Carol Danvers is spot-on. The background information Ellis provides on Gah Lak Tus and the death of civilizations is pretty grim stuff, so the snappy dialogue helps keep the story fun. Also, since this is a middle chapter, the ending didn't offer much in the way of a satisfying conclusion, but that is to be expected.

The artwork, as always, is top notch. Steve McNiven (one of the best artists to come along in quite some time) did a fantastic job on the first two chapters, and Tom Raney's work on the last two chapters was excellent as well. It made me nostalgic for the classic Ellis/Raney Stormwatch run (which deserves the Absolute hardcover treatment, in case anyone from DC is reading this).

All told, Ultimate Secret is a worthy addition to the Ultimate Galactus saga and the Ultimate Universe as a whole.

This series is Ultimate!.......2006-06-23

My favorite Ultimate volume, this first issue will literally blow you away!

if you look in the dictionary for the definition of "cool" you will find "Ultimate: Secret."

If you liked Ultimate Nightmare, get this, NOW!

Emily's Secret Book of Strange: Emily the Strange

Average customer rating:

Emily is beautiful
i love everything Emily The Strange!
Long live Emily!
read this then go away!
emily the strange is amazing!

Emily's Secret Book of Strange: Emily the Strange
Rob Reger
Manufacturer: Chronicle Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0811839869

Book Description

The secret life of Emily the Strange is quite a bit more strange than was previously understood. Uncover the truth behind her mysterious world in this recently discovered volume, Emily's Secret Book of Strange, the revealing companion to the best-selling Emily the Strange. Enter, if you dare, the house that Emily built. Decipher the secret language of the Emily Strange Posse: Morose Code. Learn little known facts, like what's developing in Emily's darkroom. In the same graphic style, with the same high production values, and featuring all new art, Emily's Secret Book of Strange is an irresistible sequel for Emily fans everywhere.

Customer Reviews:

Emily is beautiful.......2006-08-22

I love Emily the Strange. A lot of people would call her Goth, but she isn't about that. Sure, she might fit, but she isn't about fitting in with a trend or group. Emily is Emily. She scares away scary things by making them her friends. The scary friends also serve to keep sheep-people (who are often scarier) at a safe distance.

The illustrations are beautiful. The few words are often cliches slightly turned. Emily the Strange is clever and lovely.

There is no award for being the weirdest, most morbid, or most violent. Emily wouldn't win those competitions, or enter them. Enjoy Emily or don't. No one cares whether or not you like Emily. No one cares whether or not I like Emily. Least of all, Emily.

This is one librarian's opinion of Emily the Strange. I hope it helps you decide whether or not to buy the book. Anyway, reviews stoke my vanity. If you aren't ready to buy, you could borrow it from your library and form your own opinion first.

i love everything Emily The Strange!.......2005-08-24

Hey there, my name is Emily, that's not why I love Emily The Strange. I am also 12 years old, but 2 years ago, thanks to someone special, I got into Emily stuff. My friend Ashley, well, her big sister showed me some of her Emily stuff, I really liked Emily then, she told me to look out for some Emily the Strange stuff and that it's probably right up my alley. And she's right, 2 years later, I'm an Emily the strange freak! I collect all the cards, I 've got tons of stuff, actually, I think that's all the stuff I have, Emily the Strange stuff. Maybe a few hello kitty stuff, but nothing else. I went onto hot topic, and spent some of my birthday money on Emily the Strange stuff, I have a really nice bed spread and pillow cases that match. Anyway, about the book, I love every single thing about it. It really inspires me. I like the way Emily can speak cat, I like the plan with the cats to attack the dog, I'm an animal lover, and I would never hurt one, I wouldn't hurt someone either. I like the way in one of the pages it says hell-o-kitty, you have to see that. I have 2 cats, who are very friendly, I have my own posse. This book is a must have, I do recommend the Emily's good nightmares book, I only have 2 of Emily's books, I'm looking out for the other one. I know Emily's morose code all by heart, so does my friend Ashley, we do all sorts of letters to each other with the morose code, that way, no one knows what it says but us!But this book is really cool, I like that it has such big, and discriptive pictures, but with such little words, I like that it's simple. A good item for a strange collection, like mine!
Now, get strange, or get lost!
Emily the strange, the stranger!

Long live Emily!.......2004-03-26

Emily is an intelligent little black and white child who started out as a small internet idea but spawned into a large merchandise line and nows the chance to see for yourself why this little goth girl is so popular. With wit, sarcasm, insight, and her four dangerous cats, Emily will show you the dark side of life that has already been favored by many of us. I love the awesome cover, the illustrations and each page in the book has many secret codes and messages for you to find. I've had this book for months and theres still things i find myself noticing for the very first time! Rock on Emily!

read this then go away!.......2004-01-31

It's essential for any chick who is drawn to the darker things in life to own at least one Emily item but once you enter her bizarre world it's hard to go back. I received both "Emily's Book Of Strange" along with the 2004 calendar for my birthday and those were a perfect introduction to this quiet (but nowhere near shy) cat-luvin' Goth grrl who's preferred favorite color is everything black...or red. Her attitude is anything but cheery but sometimes us open-minded people have to shield ourselves from the ones that are afraid to venture outside the box and to explore what's beyond the edges. I could be wrong but I believe her image is a symbol of encouraging individuality. Or, in other words, to think for yourself without following the crowd by listening and dressing according to what's considered "normal".

There's not a lot of text within these pages (there's often a bare minimum of two words) but the illustrations by Rob Reger and Buzz Parker are creatively "strange" and pure (or is that tainted?) candy for the eyes.

I especially enjoy perusing this on cold, rainy days.

emily the strange is amazing!.......2003-10-24

I really like the Emily's Secret Book of Strange because it has really cool pictures. Although, it doesn't really have that many words in it either but the pictures are amazing and fun to look at. the secret messeges that are on the pages are really cool, but you have to look closely to see them. If you like to look at a lot of pictures, Emily's Book of the strange has a lot of them.

Fruits Basket Uncovered 10: The Secrets of the Sohmas (Mysteries and Secrets Revealed)

Average customer rating:

only for completists
Cheap Imitation...not authorized by Hakusensha or Takaya
My daughter is the judge
very informative

Fruits Basket Uncovered 10: The Secrets of the Sohmas (Mysteries and Secrets Revealed)
Kazuhisa Fujie , and Sian Carr
Manufacturer: DH Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1932897216

Book Description

The enigmatic Sohma family shares a great secret: each member is possessed by spirits of the Chinese Zodiac, and when they are hugged by members of the opposite sex, they transform into their personal Zodiac animal! Tohru Honda, an orphaned high school freshman, is given lodging in the Sohma household in exchange for taking care of household chores. The humble Tohru is quite grateful for the Sohma family's generosity, and the longer she stays with them, the more they realize what a blessing she is in their lives, as well. Designated a top ten manga property by pop-culture watchdogs ICV2, this best-selling series is now a smash-hit anime on Funimation.

Customer Reviews:

only for completists.......2007-09-09

I found "Uncovered" disappointing. Not for the lack of art from the manga (it's unauthorized, after all - see the fine print on the cover), but for failing to uncover much of anything. Personally, I'm OK with spoilers for volumes that aren't yet out in English, but if you're up-to-date with English releases of the manga, you know 95% of this already. You may even find yourself writing corrections in the page margins, as I did. There's at least one significant contradiction - one statement early in the book (Akito is accepted as the zodiac god because Akira said Akito is the god) is completely overturned late in the book (several zodiac Sohmas knew Akito would be born because they shared a dream of meeting their god). It would have been easy to catch and correct, and I'm not impressed.

There isn't a lot here, either. The print is surprisingly large, and there's a good deal of white space on each page - this is a very thin 183 pages. The text lays out basic facts, but offers scant insight or analysis. I expected more, given all the Japanese material that's available; honestly, I'd send people to Wikipedia before I'd recommend this book. To be blunt, I was left with the impression that the authors were assigned to summarize a series they weren't familiar with, and decided to publish their notes. I bought this out of curiosity, but I'd urge people to get the "Fruits Basket Fan Book - Cat -" instead - while it doesn't cover the full series, it's jammed with art, character profiles, summaries, relationship charts, and new material. You'll get a lot more from the "Fan Book" than you'll find in "Uncovered".

Cheap Imitation...not authorized by Hakusensha or Takaya.......2007-08-24

Don't buy this book! Any fan of Fruits Basket could have written this. It is an unauthorized book (part of a series) that reveals no new information. There are no pictures or illustrations (other than shadow outlines) from the series. Mainly it is character profiles and basic explanations, with most of the information seeming to come from the extras sections of the manga.

Also, it also has spoilers!! They don't seem to care that the series hasn't finished yet in English. Don't waste your money. Wait for the official fanbooks from Takaya. They are much better.

My daughter is the judge .......2007-08-15

My daughter is a Fruits Basket fan. She loved this book because it gave her detailed information about her beloved characters.

very informative.......2007-06-17

This book gives answers to some of the questions that we've all probably had every once and a while. It does have spoilers because it was made after the last book was published in Japan (number 23). But if you don't mind being spoiled it is the perfect book for any FB fan. It clears things that you might not have even thought about like why Toru is so polite or why the title on all the books are pink. All in all I was not disapointed and that it was definetly worth the money.

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