52, Vol. 1

Book Description

After the INFINITE CRISIS, the DC Universe spent a yearwithout Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman -- a year in which those heroeswere needed more than ever as the fate of the world hung in the balance.This is 52, a four volume collection of the unprecedented, criticallyacclaimed weekly series of death, danger, romance, terror and thenever-ending search for heroism in the DC Universe's most eventful yearever. The series features the best and brightest writers from the comic-bookfield: Geoff Johns (INFINITE CRISIS), Grant Morrison (ALL STARSUPERMAN), Greg Rucka (WONDER WOMAN) and Mark Waid (KINGDOMCOME), working together to tell the tale of a world awakening from anightmare to face a new day.With their leaders gone, which heroes willstand tall?Who will fail at the most critical moment? Who will live --and who will die?

Customer Reviews:

Way better then the actual event........2007-09-27

I've been VERY critical of the Infinite Crisis. Rightfully so; it kinda sucked. 52, however, makes up for a lot of DC's mistakes. 52 is nail-bitting! The story for Vol. 1 is really a few different stories: Elongated Man still realing from the events of Identity Crisis, Adam Strange, Animal Man and Starfire stranded on an alien world, the Question and Montoya taking on Intergang, what's looking like a very interesting story about Black Adam and Lex giving everyday people powers after he is cleared from wrong doing as Alex's body has been found aquiting him of guilt for recent events.

I have not read past Vol.1, but so far, so good. Although a very strong story, some of the artwork is not the best, although, it is still pretty good; just not fantastic. That being said, I do recommend this to the DC disillusioned or anyone who likes a good super-hero story.

52, Vol. 1 and 2.......2007-09-16

For fans of the DC universe this is an awesome collection. Collecting the first titles in the 52 comic series in a trade paperback collection. If you're like me and love comics but don't have time to hunt them down each week this is the way to go. The story line is that for 1 year Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman have gone missing/walkabout to rediscover themselves and see what life holds for them outside of being a super hero. In the meantime all the other DC heroes are holding the line against the forces of evil. This collection also helps to tie together some loose ends that have come up since the last Crisis. Things like what has happened to the Elongated Man since the death of his wife. Whats going on with Black Adam and his rise to power in the middle east. What about the missing heroes from the war in space. Things like that. A great collection and after each chapter is a word from the creators. Well worth the price.

Engrossing serial from DC Comics.......2007-09-03

'52' is a DC Comics series that printed one comic book a week between Mays 2006 and 2007. This volume collects issues #1 -#13 and is the first of an anticipated four books.
Four writers and dozens of artists (led by Keith Giffen's layouts) interwove over ten distinct yet simultaneous plotlines into this massive series. Individual '52' comic books also featured a two page 'Origin' backstory that while not contained herein are readily available on DC Comics' website. These should help readers (like me) that are unfamiliar with the current DC Universe. Along with notes from the creators, the end of each chapter offers an unfinished script or page layout accompanied by a 'compare this to finished Page XX' note.
At nearly 300 pages this book seems ideal for a long plane or train ride. The heft also allows the reader to flip back to previous issues, definitely an asset with a plot this complex. I finished reading this within 2 days and then immediately bought Book 2. Looking forward to Volume 3's release at the end of September.

The Lost Year in the DCU.......2007-08-09

52 Vol 1 is a very enjoyable story. It is an interesting take on the DCU when Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. Most of the characters and story archs are quite interesting. The Question and Black Adam's story are by far the most engulfing. The Elongated Man plays the role of Detective in replace of the absent Dark Knight. In 52 you truly see what a horrible character Booster Gold. The only parts I found really boring were that of Animal Man, Starfire, and Adam Strange. I just did not care for them. Though I do really like Starfire the rest I did not feel for. Black Adam is truly a deep and strong character. 52 even gives an added depth to Captain Marvel who to date other than in Kingdom Come is really a waste of a character. The artwork at times is a little lax only because the push to get a weekly story out on time force the artwork to suffer. All and all it is a good story and one to definitely read.

A Challenging Work... both to the good and the bad.......2007-07-17

52 was, if nothing else, a grand experiment. Initially, it purported to show what would happen in the DC Universe during a year without Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman.

Well, the answer there is, as you might expect, pretty much exactly what happens in the DCU books that aren't constantly pandering to the Big Three.

That said, what we do get in these books is an array of talent rarely seen in one place and at one time -- especially as regards third string characters.

While the quality of the artwork varies at times (and with the huge panel count pages no one involved in 52 could be considered a slouch), the writers miraculously provide a consistent and unified tone.

And while 52 does not directly embody the intricacy of an extended Rucka plotline, the unbridled insanity of Morrison, or the straight-up sass of Waid cutting loose; it does show delightful touches of all of three of these authors while remaining generally faithful overall to the work of tried-and-true DC stalwart Geoff Johns.

52 feels more like Geoff Johns on JSA than anything else -- only maybe a bit deeper, a bit nuttier, and a bit funnier -- and for the most part that's a very good thing.

Like Geoff Johns' JSA, you also wouldn't consider 52 an "easy" read. There are lots of panels, lots of tiny text bubbles, lots of storylines running haywire all over the place.

Countdown, the follow-up to 52 headed by Paul Dini, by counterexample, is a much simpler and more straight forward execution. Because of this, in the moment, it feels more engaging -- but does it resonate so thoroughly? Only time will tell.

As befits a book of 52's stature, there are highs and lows, bits that work (Black Adam, Skeets) and bits that don't (Adam Strange, Animal Man, Batwoman). If you plan to read it all, you'll enjoy it. You certainly won't feel gypped. Is it a story that resonates for the ages? No. Is it quote unquote important? No. Does it rival the best work of any of these authors individually? No.

But 52 is a solid story overall and one that in places does manage to captivate the soul.

Casual buyers, bear in mind that none of these trades will contain anything resembling an arc. For a complete story, you must purchase ALL of the 52 trades.

This book: 5 stars. 52, the series: 4 stars.

Average customer rating:

Written by committee.
Still good, but momentum slows from Volume 1
Another Great Volume
Not as Good as Volume One
Top creative team in fine form

52, Vol. 2
Geoff Johns , Grant Morrison , Greg Rucka , and Mark Waid
Manufacturer: DC Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1401213642

Book Description

After the INFINITE CRISIS, the DC Universe spent a yearwithout Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman.A year in which those heroeswere needed more than ever as the fate of the world hung in the balance.The story of 52 continues in this incredible second volume as BoosterGold's dubious heroism comes under fire, Lex Luthor's scheme for givingordinary citizens super-powers explodes, and The Question heads intohostile territory to confront Black AdamThe series combines the brightest and best talents from the comic bookwriting field: Geoff Johns (INFINITE CRISIS), Grant Morrison (ALL STARSUPERMAN), Greg Rucka (WONDER WOMAN) and Mark Waid (KINGDOM COME).

Customer Reviews:

Written by committee........2007-09-23

The strain of holding together a story written by four people is beginning to show. The art by committee is nothing to brag about either.

Still good, but momentum slows from Volume 1.......2007-09-12

The '52' series slows in this second volume that collects issues #14-#26 of the weekly DC serial. The better subplots from Volume 1 are less prominent here while lesser characters like Luthor's new team Infinity Inc. are overexposed. I especially disliked the segment with Lobo. Despite these qualms I still enjoyed reading most of this, hence the four stars.
I lack the perspective of hardcore DC fans as I'm familiar with most of these characters only through '52'. To echo previous reviewers, I'm less excited about the series but still planning to order Volume 3 as soon as it is released. Is the '52' novelty wearing thin or will the series regain its original energy? Were my expectations too high after the first 13 issues?

Another Great Volume.......2007-09-09

52 Volume Two picked right up where volume one left off. The Black Adam story line continues to disappoint in this volume. The Question/Montoya wa salso rather stale but, some good character interaction saved it from being a complte bust. The Ralph Dibny storyline was far and away the best point in the whole book. It is still a solid book building up for volume three.

Not as Good as Volume One.......2007-08-20

In my review of volume one I wrote that I was hooked. And now? Not quite as much. Some of the storylines have increased my interest particularly the Doc Magnus/T.O. Morrow/Oolong Island thread but most (I'm looking at you Question/Montoya) have grown rather stale. My favorite from the first volume was the Booster Gold story and that one takes a MAJOR swerve but it gets kind of short shrift here. My least favorite storyline was anything to do with Kahndaq and that one is the centerpiece of volume two even getting prominence on the cover. This was my experience throughout the book. Wishing the story would get off of ponderous ones like the Steel/Luthor story and onto the more interesting ones like Ralph Dibney (who is now collection powerful magic items including Fate's helmet).

One of my favorite features of the 52 collection is the author/artists notes at the end of each issue. They give the reader a glimpse into the mind of the creators including revealing information like the chronological error in the Kahndaq storyline where Intergang began plotting to disrupt Black Adam/Isis's wedding even before he proposed to her. Speaking of Intergang, that is one of the storylines that is really picking up steam and seems to be the thread that may bind together the entire series. Intergang has already touched on at least three storylines and in volume two we get to peer into the inner workings of their top echelon include the introduction of a truly creepy Chang Tzu (Egg Fu).

Hopefully volume two was just an aberration. It wasn't bad it just was a letdown after the first volume. I had hoped that as the storylines progressed the intrigue would increase but instead... Oh well, I'll still be ordering volume three the week it comes out.

Top creative team in fine form.......2007-08-19

52 made history as the first comic ever to cover one week at time, while published on a weekly schedule, for a full year. Written by a dream team of top writers (Johns, Morrison, Rucka, and Waid) with layouts by Keith Giffen, the book definitely had the talent assigned to be a success. This volume is the second of four (the latter two will both be out by the end of this year) and covers issues 14-26. The storylines all continue from 52, Vol. 1 and you should certainly read that first as this is not a series that should be picked up in the middle!

The story follows Black Adam as he marries and builds a family for himself somewhat similar to the Marvel Family. The Question and Renee Montoya follow a quest that makes them Adam's temporary allies. Doc Magnus is kidnapped and learns what happened to all the scientists that have gone missing in recent months. Adam Strange, Starfire, and Animal Man meet the main man himself. Lobo, as they try to find their way back to Earth, and... well, if you're getting the idea that there are a lot of little stories woven together in 52 then you just might be on to something.

52 is a project that was extremely ambitious both in scope and scale. Gathering four top writers could have been a disaster but in this case it seems as if we get the very best out of all of them. Grant Morrison has always been known for his big ideas but left on his own he tends to lose focus and not know which ideas to use and which to lose. But the other writers seem to have picked up on his best concepts and left the rest. Each writer seems to have his best aspect represented in 52 and Keith Giffen was at the top of his game providing layouts and ensuring that the story would be told exceptionally well with the art. There are aspects of 52 that some fans objected to, but overall it earned a great amount of respect and is a great read. Buy all four volumes and enjoy the ride.

The Key to The Name of the Rose: Including Translations of All Non-English Passages (Ann Arbor Paperbacks)

Average customer rating:

The Key to the Name of the Rose
The Key to "The Name of the Rose"
excellent resource for artists
A must-have for Name of the Rose neophytes
A very helpful companion volume

The Key to The Name of the Rose: Including Translations of All Non-English Passages (Ann Arbor Paperbacks)
Adele J. Haft , Jane G. White , and Robert J. White
Manufacturer: University of Michigan Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0472086219

Book Description

Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose is a brilliant mystery set in a fictitious medieval monastery. The text is rich with literary, historical, and theoretical references that make it eminently re-readable. The Key makes each reading fuller and more meaningful by helping the interested reader not merely to read but also to understand Eco's masterful work. Inspired by pleas from friends and strangers, the authors, each trained in Classics, undertook to translate and explain the Latin phrases that pepper the story. They have produced an approachable, informative guide to the book and its setting--the middle ages. The Key includes an introduction to the book, the middle ages, Umberto Eco, and philosophical and literary theories; a useful chronology; and reference notes to historical people and events.

The clear explanations of the historical setting and players will be useful to anyone interested in a general introduction to medieval history.

Adele J. Haft is Associate Professor of Classics, Hunter College, City University of New York. Jane G. White is chair of the Department of Languages, Dwight Englewood School. Robert J. White is Professor of Classics and Oriental Studies, Hunter College, City University of New York.

For more information on Umberto Eco's work, please visit Libyrinth's web site at http://www.libyrinth.com/eco http://www.libyrinth.com/eco"

Customer Reviews:

The Key to the Name of the Rose.......2003-06-18

After reading The Name of the Rose with few helps, discovering this book was quite wonderful. It goes into adaquate detail with the historical background, and I found the translations to be good and very helpful. A must for those trying the novel for the first time or for those who felt the lack of endnotes frustrating. A wonderful suppplement.

The Key to "The Name of the Rose".......2002-09-12

The Key to "The Name of the Rose" by Adele J. Haft, Jane G. White, and Robert J. White is a wonderful little book. When was the last time you used your Latin that you had in High School? You say, you never had Latin... well how do you expect to solve the clues that Brother William of Baskerville in "The Name of the Rose" gets.

Well, the answer is in this little tome as it includes translations of all of the Non-English passages making you as "smart" as Brother William. This book furthers your experience when reading "The Name of the Rose" as you now can decode the juicy clues. Umberto Eco's "The Name of the Rose" is about crimes in a medieval abbey and the obsession of it monks with heresies, apocalyptic visions, and forbidden knowledge.

This "Key" is a delightful guide to the phrases and bizarre characters and has mirthful anecdotes that you're sure to enjoy and you'll solve the mystery of the seven deaths as fast as Brother William and enjoy the intrigue in doing so.

excellent resource for artists.......2002-03-20

i am hoping to do an intricate performance art piece based on the novel "the name of the rose;" however, many of the lush details and layers were lost on me, because i am not a historian or a scholar well-versed in semiotics... the task is still daunting, but i feel more confident having this "hint book" to fill me in on the background information. it renders the novel much more accessible to a lay person, and makes the story even MORE fascinating than it already is. i suggest that anyone reading "the name of the rose" should have a copy of this to help them along... also, there is a text that does this same task for dante's "divine comedy" (dante has a large influence on the novel, so reading dante will help the reader to understand the apocolyptic attitudes of the characters). joseph gallagher wrote "a modern reader's guide to dante's 'the divine comedy'" which you may also find helpful.

A must-have for Name of the Rose neophytes.......2001-08-06

I'm enjoying Umberto Eco's NAME OF THE ROSE, but I don't understand so much as a tenth of the Latin. Before I reached page 200, I came to the sinking conclusion that I was missing out on something. I checked KEY TO NAME OF THE ROSE out at my local library, but soon realized that I needed to own my own copy to keep beside my copy of NAME OF THE ROSE. This book is a God-send for those NAME OF THE ROSE fans like me who lack a reading knowledge of Latin. Having other scholars' comments at hand really helps. If you're intrigued by NAME OF THE ROSE, but just don't get it, buy this book!

A very helpful companion volume.......1999-11-10

This is a very good guide to The Name of the Rose. Not perfect, but good. The non-English translations are very helpful, and beat sitting next to a Latin dictionary. The biographical information for historical characters is very good too. My only beef about this is that it doesn't address the historical backdrop of the novel well enough: the Renaissance of the previous century, the conflicts in the Church at the time, and the looming disasters of the 14th century between the time the novel takes place and the time the narrator lays the tale down. Get this volume if you're going to read the book. But don't rely strictly on this.

Nervous Water: A Brady Coyne Novel (Brady Coyne Novels)

Average customer rating:

Nervous Water
Another page turner by William Tapply
First Brady Coyne novel I have read
A Dense Family Mystery That Doesn't Quite Make Sense
A glimpse into Brady's Coyne family

Nervous Water: A Brady Coyne Novel (Brady Coyne Novels)
William G. Tapply
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Minotaur
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0312337442
Release Date: 2005-08-11

Book Description

In one of the finest novels yet in Tapplys long-running series, Nervous Water explores the previously hidden past of his much beloved character, Boston attorney Brady Coyne. Contacted by an aged relative with whom hed long lost touch, Brady agrees to help his Uncle Moze with a sensitive family matter. Having received a diagnosis of terminal cancer, Moze is looking to mend fences with his only daughter. But the daughter seems to have simply disappeared, leaving no clues or hints as to her whereabouts. As Brady tackles the seemingly impossible task of finding his cousina case that looks less and less like a simple missing person caseit becomes clear that whatever is going on now is related to a dark, undiscussed episode in his familys past: the brutal, still unsolved murder of another of Bradys uncles.

Customer Reviews:

Nervous Water.......2006-12-25

"Nervous Water" is the 21st Brady Coyne novel by William G. Tapply whom I feel is one of the finest mystery writers working today. Brady is called by his Uncle Moze in Maine to try to find his daughter Cassie who has apparently disappeared. Cassie is actually Moze's niece, but he and his wife had raised Cassie as their own. Brady begins to search for his cousin and finds that most people who are close to her are not cooperative. Her husband Richard Hurley is not helpful to Brady and he wonders if Hurley knew something of her disappearance. When Cassie's former lover is killed, Brady knows that someone will stop at nothing to keep Cassie's whereabouts a secret. He even wonders if Cassie is still alive. When Moze suffers a heart attack, Brady knows that he needs to find Cassie. There is also a suplot in which Brady's girlfriend, Evie, is acting strangely. I gave this novel a 5 star because it is a fast paced and very suspenseful read. The only thing I felt was strange about the plot was the fact that Brady had not visited his uncle in 30 years, but I overlooked that and highly recommend this book.

Another page turner by William Tapply.......2006-06-15

William Tapply has written another winner in his Brady Coyne series. All books will stand on their own. I won't give away the plot. (Read the Amazon summary and other reviewers)
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and read it in two sittings. Lots of twists and turns, there are some surprises and some---well you could guess whodunit. Great book for beach, poolside or plane.

First Brady Coyne novel I have read.......2006-03-22

I enjoyed this novel-an interesting and easy read. Storyline was intriging, plot twists convincing, and character development about as deep as a book of this length can provide. I could best describe the book as Greg IIles-lite.

A Dense Family Mystery That Doesn't Quite Make Sense.......2006-02-05

Brady becomes reacquainted with is favorite uncle from Maine, whom he hasn't seen or heard from in 30 years. Already you can see one problem with this book. That's an unlikely set of circumstances.

If you get past that one, Mr. Tapply throws you another unlikely event, Brady's uncle's daughter won't talk to her father and has gone missing. Uncle Moze wants Brady to be sure Cassie is all right and to get her to call Moze. Even if Brady can succeed in finding her, will she be willing to call?

Brady finds himself drawn to do something, especially after Moze has a heart attack. Brady isn't sure that Moze will survive without seeing Cassie.

Arriving at Cassie's house, Brady finds a family that seems to be pretending that nothing's wrong . . . but something clearly is.

As Brady checks out the alternatives by visiting with her family and friends, he seems stymied when a lead suddenly appears. From there the story takes many unexpected turns that will keep you turning the pages.

If you can buy into the story of Brady's connection to Moze and Cassie's relationship with Moze, you have a four or five star book on your hand. There are marvelous scenes of lobstering and fishing that make you want to head for Maine. The title theme of "nervous water" is nicely developed in the book. The mystery itself isn't all that mysterious, but it'll do.

There's an edgy backdrop of tension between Evie and Brady that adds a little personal touch to the story without advancing the plot very much.

After reading the book, I found myself wishing that Mr. Tapply had written this book as a case involving non-relatives of Brady's. I think the story would have worked better.

A glimpse into Brady's Coyne family.......2006-01-02

His uncle who he has not seen in thirty years contacts Boston lawyer Brady Coyne. It seems his Uncle Moze had a falling out with his daughter Cassandra and he has not seen her in a year and a half. Recently finding out that he has heart problems, Moze wants to make amends before it it is too late. The problem is that Cassie cannot be found. Moze wants Brady's help in finding Cassie. Is it a missing person or is it murder?

This is another fine entry in this underrated mystery series. NERVOUS WATER gives us a glimpse into Brady's family on his mother's side. There are a few skeletons rattling around on the old family tree. The story was well plotted and very engaging. In addition to the missing person case, there are a few sub plotlines that are interesting and keep the story moving forward. Brady is not the most dynamic of characters, he is a little to laid-back for that, but the character dynamic keep the pages turning....Brady and his girlfriend, Brady and his secretary, Brady and his dog. Tappley did a great job in setting the scene in small-lakeside town Maine.

Gray Ghost: A Stoney Calhoun Novel (Stoney Calhoun Novels)

Average customer rating:

Good plot, great characters, excellent dog--and lots of fly fishing too!
A second encounter with Stoney Calhoun
Excellent follow-up to Bitch Creek
YUCK
Maine fish guide's second outing is atmospheric and pleasingly grisly

Gray Ghost: A Stoney Calhoun Novel (Stoney Calhoun Novels)
William G. Tapply
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Minotaur
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0312363036
Release Date: 2007-03-06

Book Description

Seven years ago, Stoney Calhoun woke up in a VA hospital with no memories. He still remembers nothing from before then, except that he has a few unexplained skillsa gift for angling, an ability to read Frenchand recently its been made clear to him that it would be best if he never does. Working as a guide on Casco Bay, Stoney is out with a client on an early morning fly fishing expedition when they find the charred remains of a recent corpse on a small, uninhabited island. A couple of days later, Calhouns client turns up in the driveway of Stoneys cabin in the woodsshot dead in the front seat of his SUV. In the midst of a couple of inexplicable murders, both of which clearly have something to do with Stoney, past or present, its up to him find out the truth...or risk becoming the next victim.

Customer Reviews:

Good plot, great characters, excellent dog--and lots of fly fishing too!.......2007-05-26

This is more than a good mystery yarn; it's a well-written novel. It's thoughtful; it has interesting, flawed, mature characters; it's often eloquent. Stoney Calhoun is a keeper. Let's hope for more of him from Tapply.

A second encounter with Stoney Calhoun.......2007-05-06

We first met man-of-mystery and Maine fishing guide Stoney Calhoun in [...] CREEK. There we learned that Stoney didn't always live a slow, simple, and rustic life -- but exactly what he'd done before he was zapped by lightning, only the Man in the Suit knows, and he never reveals much during his occasional visits.

A Gray Ghost is a Maine salmon streamer, a fly that Stoney ties in the outdoor gear shop that he and Kate run. But Stoney also sees a few gray ghosts in human-like form in the area around Quarantine Island, where hundreds of people were once burned to death in a terrible hospital fire. When Stoney and one of his customers find a newly-burned body on that outcropping, they report it to Sheriff Dickman. The county sheriff admires Stoney's obvious investigative prowess so much that he offers to deputize the guide; and this time around, Stoney is glad to help. At first. But after that tourist is also murdered, and Stoney and Dickman find out that the first body belonged to a registered sex offender, our favorite fishing guide begins to have second thoughts about his new, albeit non-paying, duties. How are the two deaths related, anyway? And how can you be objective about the murder of somebody who probably deserved what he got?

And while Stoney steadily mulls over the investigation and who the possible suspects might be, he's also dealing with growing tension in his real job. Kate has toned down their personal relationship, and Stoney's finding it difficult to interact with her on a strictly-business basis. Will they ever get back to the way they were?

Told in a style that reflects not only Stoney's leisurely style of thinking, but also the pace of rural life in Maine ("The Way Life Should Be"), GRAY GHOST is an excellent stand-alone follow-up to [...] CREEK. In any event, you gotta admire someone who owns a Brittany spaniel named Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Excellent follow-up to Bitch Creek.......2007-04-25

William G. Tapply's second Stoney Calhoun novel is a well-written (as you'd expect from Tapply) novel that combines two mysteries, romantic intrigue between the main characters, and a whole gang of mutilated bodies. Stoney Calhoun is more 'hardcore' than Tapply's other character, the good-natured Brady Coyne, and far more willing to break necks, faces, and heads in order to save his friends, his dog, and his fragile existence. I especially liked the hints and allusions to Stoney's mysterious past. I hope that Tapply illuminates it more in further books.

YUCK.......2007-04-22

Double YUCK. This has to be one of the SLOWEST books I've ever tried to read! NOTHING HAPPENS. I started scanning about about page 10 and FINALLY on page 17 we find a body! I'm sorry I don't care a fig about fishing so probably shouldn't have pick up this POS, but I THOUGHT it was a mystery! I read a bit beyond discovery of the body but it never got better, just more depressing! We find out Stoney is in love with a married woman who's husband is disabled and Stoney has not memory and he loves to fish and...at that point I headed for the bathroom to gargle with razor blades. I also gave up before reading 30 pages. The author can have all the friends he wants review this book with a five star rating - when others start to try and read it - the truth will come out! How on EARTH did this get published??????

Maine fish guide's second outing is atmospheric and pleasingly grisly.......2007-04-17

Stoney Calhoun's second appearance (after "Bitch Creek") finds the laconic Maine fishing guide still in love with his business partner, bait shack owner Kate Balaban, and still finding himself - literally.

Calhoun was struck by lightning seven years ago - or so he's been told. His previous life is a blank, but he keeps discovering talents, such as fly-fishing, and French. And more sinister abilities too - a knack for weapons, including his bare hands, and an eye for dangerous detail. "The man in the suit," an occasional visitor, has hinted he shouldn't remember too much.

As the story opens Calhoun embarks on a pre-dawn fishing trip with a new and amiable client, a professor, which ends in the discovery of a charred body on an uninhabited island in Casco Bay.

Then the new client is murdered on Calhoun's front porch. He takes that personally and agrees to help his friend Sheriff Dickman investigate. The charred body is a missing child molester with a roster of people who wanted him dead. But who would want to kill the professor?

The mystery is nicely handled and well paced, but the real pleasure here is Calhoun's character and the Maine outdoors. Calhoun's laid-back stubbornness and relationship with Kate make him both likable and admirable and you can just about smell the crisp Maine air and feel the tug of the fish on your line.

New Hampshire writer Tapply, author of the long-running series featuring Boston lawyer Brady Coyne, has another winner.

Three Complete Novels: "G" Is for Gumshoe, "H" Is for Homicide, and "I" Is for Innocent

Average customer rating:

Gotta Read!!
Wonderful, I love Kinsey
I loved them all
"G" is for Gumshoe
Splendid

Three Complete Novels: "G" Is for Gumshoe, "H" Is for Homicide, and "I" Is for Innocent
Sue Grafton
Manufacturer: Wings
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0517221047
Release Date: 2002-08-06

Book Description

Here is our third exciting collection of crime novels in the alphabet mystery series by New York Times bestselling author, Sue Grafton. Featuring former cop turned private investigator, Kinsey Millhone, one of the most popular female sleuths in modern mystery fiction, these three complex stories demonstrate the intricate plots, conflicted relationships and strong heroine that Grafton consistently portrays. Loyal fans and new friends alike will welcome this hardcover volume of bestselling novels, where G is for great read, H is for highly entertaining, and I is for instant classic.

Customer Reviews:

Gotta Read!!.......2007-07-07

I love all the alphabet books, but even better was having three in one!
I am currently reading K is for Killer, each one gets better and better!

Wonderful, I love Kinsey.......2007-06-14

I have read almost all of Grafton's books, I still have a few that I have missed, she is ingenious, every single novel is original. The reading is easy, I can devour a book in one to two days, and then I am looking around for another. I have just finished J,K,L,M, am working on N, and am now looking for the ones in between that I have missed.

Dorothy Harper, Northridge, CA

I loved them all.......2007-06-03

I've read the whole series and can't wait for the next one to come out.

"G" is for Gumshoe.......2007-05-14

This novel by Sue Grafton is very light hearted and fun to read. Reading a novel about Kinsey Millhone is addictive! I can't put it down.

Splendid.......2006-11-11

Sue Grafton's writing is catchy and her characterization is superb. I don't want to regurgitate what must be countless remarks regarding how great it is to have a believable strong female character, but suffice to say I want to be Kinsey Milhoune when I grow up.

The collection of three is a lot more convenient for someone who plows through books like I do. I don't have access to a bookstore, so Amazon is my primary source of books right now. This way I can order the collection and take the time to move through three books while placing the next on order and not have to worry about running out of reading material or dealing with numerous paperbacks taking up space. Also, even though you can really pick up the books at any time throughout the series, you still get a better sense of continuity this way.

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Surprisingly Entertaining!

Heckuva Job, Bushie!: A Doonesbury Book
G. B. Trudeau
Manufacturer: Andrews McMeel Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0740762001

Book Description

Roland's ubiquitous epaulets have recently come home from Rummyworld, "that vast, tumultuous terrorist theme park that used to be known as Iraq." At its chaotic outer edges, in al-Amok, Proconsul Duke survives numerous assassination attempts and the alleged courting of his sidekick by Iraqi suitors. But the serious new action is in New Orleans ("Looting, graft, profiteering ¿ it's all about the skill set, Honey") and Team Duke, like Halliburton, embarks for the Golf Coast, and sets up a command post on a FEMA-provided cruise ship.

Elsewhere on the home front a fully-prostheticized B.D. is increasingly ambulatory, yet finds the struggle to reclaim his mind and emotions is by far the harder part of his journey. The collateral casualty count continues to rise as Zonker is forced to make a traumatic foray into the job market.

The option-aware Alex launches an ambitious seven-school college tour, including Walden, where she is clued to her father's unbuttoned-down past. "You were a communist?" "That communard!" When campus total-insiders Jeff and Zip give her the ultimate tour, both are smitten by gal Doonesbury's formidable charms: "So how hot is she?" "Easy, Dude, that's my future wife."

Customer Reviews:

Surprisingly Entertaining!.......2007-02-13

This collection of Doonesbury comics focuses a lot on B.D.'s attempts to reenter American life after having his leg amputated due to an incident in Iran. That being said, the sheer number of laughs present in these pages is simply amazing. The strips focusing on Alex's search for the right college and Zonker's on-the-job- faux pas at McFriendly's are hilarious, and serve as much-needed counterpoints to the multitude of strips depicting George Bush's incompetence.

Overall, this collection was much better than I expected, and I recommend it highly.

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THE MONGREL COUSIN OF WATCHMEN
Graphic SF Reader
Astounding, but...
No More Heroes
Keeps you coming back...

Wanted
Mark Millar , and J.G. Jones
Manufacturer: Top Cow Productions/Image Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1582404976

Book Description

What if everything in your life was out of your hands and those around you propelled your fate? Your girlfriend left you for your best friend; your boss gave your job to someone better. What if then, after all this, someone gave you back total control? What if he revealed you were the next in line to join a secret society of super-villians that controlled the entire planet? Mark Millar and J.G. Jones provide a look at one man who goes from being the world's biggest loser to the deadliest assassin alive.

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THE MONGREL COUSIN OF WATCHMEN.......2007-09-30

Touted as "WATCHMEN for Villains" when it first appeared as a six-issue mini, WANTED was certainly a much anticipated if not over-hyped comic that certainly had big shoes to fill, or at least try to fill. Did it succeed? Well, that all depends on one's personal expectations and opinions, which I won't even attempt to go into. Suffice to say that they are both very different breeds of comic, Watchmen being a more detailed and analytical work whereas Wanted is ultimately a much more conventional superhero work. Sure, it may be a whole lot more profane than the average Wolverine or Punisher title would like to be, however, realistically speaking, it is simply put, a comic that has far more style than substance. That is not to say that it is a bad or poorly conceived work. Just that Watchmen was less interested in the influence of modern-day Hollywood than Wanted is. Which automatically makes them diametric opposites. I guess one could argue that Wanted is the relative of Watchmen, you know, that one relative that no-one ever really wants to talk about much less acknowledge it's existence. Which really does work in Wanted's favor, considering what it is that Mark Millar set out to say when he created it.
It benefits the reader immensely if they know their comics inside and out. That way all of the black humour of the series is "got" and all of the full weight of the events (particularly what has made the world depicted the way it is) are truly understood.
Before going any further, one needs to be aware of another series/TPB which mirrors Wanted in very crucial and telling ways. I refer to Grant Morrison and Chris Weston's THE FILTH. If you have not read THE FILTH and profess to "know" Wanted, then let me tell you, YOU NEED TO READ THE FILTH! Morrison and Millar are good friends and, having written together previously, both Wanted and The Filth no doubt were born as a result of discussions they had. Now let me just say that The Filth handles the ideas/concepts of "super-hero deconstructionism" (as detailed in both works) much more originally and successfully than Wanted. Whereas Morrison runs with the ball, so to speak, until he passes the touchdown line and then keeps on running, Millar doesn't fully seem to know what to do with what he's been handed and simply attempts to let some fancy footwork compensate for any other shortcomings.
Now let me state that I believe Millar to be one of the most talented and vital writers currently in comics today. However, Wanted (unlike say AUTHORITY or ULTIMATES or even SUPERMAN:RED SON) is rife with so much unfulfilled potential.
The issue of what happened to (their world's Superman) is raised. His tattered cape, which should have been destroyed, exists as a secret trophy of Prof Seltzer's. This would have been known as foreshadowing in any other story, but here it is simply a nod to DCs DEATH OF SUPERMAN arc, nothing more or less. Millar does nothing with the consequences of Seltzer possessing the cape. It's like the whole sum of Wanted is simply a drive by the car wreck of superhero-dom or somesuch. Any twists or turns are simply played for shock value. They do little or nothing to drive the plot into fresh and original areas. Wesley, the main character, learns absolutely nothing enlightening or enriching from his experiences and the finale where he enacts his father's wish plays so much like a near-similar scene from one of Frank Miller's Sin City arcs that it's intended surprise impact is rendered flat.
As to the very last page, sure, this IS a series about villains and particularly "supervillains" but really, does that mean they have to be so predictably boorish and simplistic. Villains in comics, by their very role and nature, are "agents of change" whereas their "heroic counterparts" are "agents of stability". That said, by having changed the wold in such a drastic manner, it would seem that they have become just like what they hated - predictable and incapable of change. Was this part of Millar's intention? Who really knows? It remains just another unfulfilled and unexplored aspect of Wanted.
Maybe Millar might one day write a sequel (maybe that's his intention?)and address many of these unresolved aspects, but as it stands now, Wanted is too similar to Fight Club to be deserving of many of the accolades it has been heaped with.

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

A look at life from the supervillain side. A young man discovers he is the child of one of the supervillains that rule the world, having teamed up years ago to beat the superheroes in a 'crisis'.

Starts off ok and deteriorates quickly, as he quickly moves out of his crappy job and gets rid of his cheating girlfriend.

He learns his talent is shooting, and by shooting, shooting the wings off moving flies, that sort of good.

Unfortunately, the promising start wanes quickly.

Astounding, but..........2007-08-13

First off - brilliant concept & execution on every front - the art, the story, the arc of the main characters, no complaints.

The choice to model three of the lead characters however, at least visually, to Eminem, Halle Barry and Tommy Lee Jones was incredibly distracting, especially when I despise Eminem. But perhaps it also aided in not liking these amoral psychos too much, lol.

There was quite a nod to "Fight Club" as well, that I was easy to forgive, but still, and again, distracting.

However, I digress - the strengths of this highly bold and daring project are so intense and raw, not many a publisher in the U.S. would even think for a second about attempting to back it - this would be like a Hollywood distributer breaking "Battle Royale" wide in a national U.S. re-release. The backlash would be ten-fold that of the "Natural Born Killers" fallout.

Top Cow definitely has the cajones of Paul Bunyon - kudos.

I just hope the movie adaptation coming out in 2008 isn't another "Punisher"/"Daredevil" farce.

Stick to the original material, make it a hard "R" rated affair (like "Sin City" and "300"), and enjoy the success that will follow.

No More Heroes.......2007-07-23

The super-hero comic is something I normally stay away from. Maybe I just got bored with all the spandex, good intentions and the fact that you almost always knew the good guys were going to win. But a comic about super-villains? Now that I'll give a chance.

Mark Millar's Wanted is the story of 24 year old Wesley Gibson. He's an average, under-achieving, timid loser. He goes about his life getting picked on by his boss, spit on by his neighbors and cheated on by his girlfriend (with his best friend no less).

But everything changes when he finds out he's the son of one of the world's most feared assassins and super-villains "The Killer." And if that's not enough The Killer's been killed and Wesley stands to inherit everything - the name, the millions and his father's place in the world-wide criminal fraternity - if he can fill the shoes.

Only Wesley doesn't have to contend with super-heroes in the world that Millar has created. Oh no. They've all been killed. In 1986 the bad guys from around the world all teamed up to annihilate every last super-hero in a war that climaxed above Manhattan. Only their deaths weren't enough. They wiped the very memories of those super-heroes from the face of the planet, obliterating all traces of their existence.

The detailed drawings by J.G. Jones are exquisite and highly detailed, expertly illustrating an entire world and the colors of Paul Mounts vividly bring this gritty world to life.

The only real complaint I have about this comic is that it was too short. By the time everything was done and concluded I didn't want to put the book down. I'm not saying it felt unfinished, in fact it was very well crafted. Besides, there's something to be said for a writer that can tell a compelling story and not lose track of the plot for 100 pages (or a few TPB's for that matter).

Be warned however, this series is graphic and explicit. It is certainly not intended for younger readers.

Keeps you coming back..........2007-07-16

Wanted is a great read, but not a likable one. Pretty much every character in it is reprehensible as they come, including the main character. I feel that Millar goes too far on more than a few occassions (mainly the new found rape/murder habits of the main character), but that's sort of the point. Supervillains, unchecked and unopposed, would take every chance to do whatever they pleased, regardless of who they hurt. There are truly some heartbreaking moments and it's a little hard to take at times. I do have gripes with certain details of the story and how they contradict other details in the story. Also, like certain Authority members, the Killers powers are somewhat poorly defined. He's defined as having perfect aim, but displays other abilities that suggest other powers...sort of. It's a constant throughout Millar's other works too. All in all a good read.

The War Within: One More Step at a Time (Doonesbury Books (Andrews & McMeel))

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potent
insights and support
Highly recommended
Worth the wait!
A service to our country's fighting men and women

The War Within: One More Step at a Time (Doonesbury Books (Andrews & McMeel))
G. B. Trudeau
Manufacturer: Andrews McMeel Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0740762028

Book Description

The initial stages of B.D.'s recovery from losing a leg in Iraq were dramatically portrayed in The Long Road Home: One Step at a Time, but his healing journey was far from over. As this powerful sequel shows, the "war within" can be a long and lonely struggle, hardly the life of a "glamorous amputee" imagined by his daughter's jealous classmate. With his coaching job at Walden re-secured and the marathon PT sessions paying off, B.D.'s return to normalcy seems to be progressing well. But those who love him see alarming signs of trouble, namely anger and alcohol.

First there's the punching of an MP. Then there's the daily breakfast of beer, a subject not open for discussion even with a best-intentioned friend like Mike Doonesbury. And "the screaming at night isn't very Christmassy," Boopsie notes. As B.D. admits to his doctor, "I'd rather sleep with my weapon than my wife! How messed up is that?" Messed up enough that our wounded warrior forces himself to begin circling the local Vet Center, where he is gently and skillfully reeled in by a remarkable counselor and fellow Vietnam Vet named Elias. Their sessions together form an extraordinary and moving chronicle of catharsis and coming-to-terms. The words "Welcome home, soldier," are powerful and transformative, and B.D. is fortunate in finally getting to a place where he can hear them.

Proceeds from sales of The War Within benefit Fisher House.

Customer Reviews:

potent.......2007-10-06

Doonesbury has always been cutting edge and great social and political satire. But Trudeau's work has always had a serious, important edge to it. The War Within shows that. It shows the struggle of returning vets.

insights and support.......2007-01-10

connecting veterans and those who share their lives with the reality of their struggles, in this easily understandable format, is a great service. "If we cannot learn our history, we are doomed to repeat it."

Highly recommended.......2006-10-04

Featuring a foreword by General Richard B. Myers (USAF, Ret., Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff) The War Within: One More Step At A Time is a unique collection of G. B. Trudeau's Doonesbury newspaper comics that is not only humorous, but also cutting-edge relevant . The strips follow the daily life Vietnam, Gulf War, and Iraq War veteran B.D., whose tour of duty was cut short by a near-death experience, the loss of his leg, and perhaps most shockingly, the loss of his iconic helmet. Far more life-altering than the physical damage is the post-traumatic stress disorder that leaves him increasingly disoriented, hostile, withdrawn, and turning to alcohol to self-medicate. When B.D. is on the verge of mistaking friends and family for mortal enemies, the turning point comes when he overhears his own daughter say that she has become afraid of him. Help comes in the form of the local Vet Center, and the skillful aid of counselor and fellow Vietnam vet Elias. The War Within brims with classic Trudeau wit, yet also reveals the author's resolve to accurately portray the harrowing pressures America's armed forces are subject to during and after risking their lives in the service. Highly recommended. Proceeds from "The War Within" are to benefit Fisher House, a "home away from home" for families of patients receiving medical care at major military and VA medical centers.

Worth the wait!.......2006-09-27

Received and read "The War Within" last week but find it hard to characterize this one. While BD was the central figure in "The Long Road Home" I think this one has a cast of figures with equally important stories to tell. BD continues his journey but one gets a much deeper understanding of his pain and struggles as well as those of his family.

Adding to the story are his counselor Elias, as skillful and intuitive as any of us could hope to ever be and the ever clever Celeste... an equally skillful counselor in secretarial clothing! "The War Within" will be required reading in one of the classes I teach Spring semester.

A service to our country's fighting men and women.......2006-09-07

These are some most heart-rending yet funny cartoons I have ever read. For a man who has never "been there" Trudeau does an outstanding job of showing the long road that a miltary man has to walk to "recover" from war. B.D. is wounded both on the outside and the inside and as Trudeau shows in a daily comic strip, sometimes it's the hidden wounds that are the worst. If any comic strip is worthy of a Pulitzer, it is the current run of Doonesbury with the ongoing journey of B.D. If you have any empathy for the American fighting man/woman these strips will bring tears to your eyes. They are Art with a capital A.

G.I. Joe - America's Elite Volume 3: In Sheep's Clothing (G. I. Joe (Graphic Novels))

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G.I. Joe - America's Elite Volume 3: In Sheep's Clothing (G. I. Joe (Graphic Novels))
Joe Casey , and Josh Medors
Manufacturer: Devil's Due Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1932796797

Book Description

A classic G.I. Joe character returns to the title, just in time to face the most audacious threat that the team has faced to date!

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