The stories we read along the way

Justice League VS Godzilla VS Kong The DC Universe is about to get shaken-up when the Legion of Doom unlocks a portal to another dimension, unleashing the fiercest Monsters in the Multiverse. Godzilla, the King of the Monsters has emerged from the deep seas of Metropolis, interrupting Superman s proposal to Lois Lane. King Kong is taking on the world s greatest heroes in his home turf, Skull Island. Can the Justice League send these creatures back to their own dimension before it s too late? How do you destroy the Justice League? The question has been plaguing Lex Luthor and his Legion of Doom since the two titanic groups first came to blows. When confronted with the colossal entities of Skull Island, Lex believes he's found the answer to their eternal question. It's Superman vs. Godzilla, Wonder Woman vs. Behemoth, Green Lantern vs. Scylla, Batman vs. Camazotz, and Supergirl vs. Kong in this all-out battle for the fate of the DC Universe. 1602 As twilight descends on the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, all is not well. England is in the grip of terror as strange, violent storms lash the countryside and the Witchbreed, beings with amazing powers, stalk the land - all the while persecuted by the Holy Inquisition! A host of Marvel heroes and villains including Spider-Man, the X-Men, Nick Fury, Doctor Strange, Captain America, Daredevil, Doctor Doom, Magneto and more emerge during the dark days of 1602 and are drawn into a plot of treason and treachery - whilst the end of the world seems nigh! The Last Count Of Monte Cristo An Afrofuturist retelling of Alexandre Dumas’s classic 19th century novel The Count of Monte CristoThe Last Count of Monte Cristo is a bold retelling of Alexandre Dumas’s classic tale of love, betrayal, revenge, and redemption. This speculative update pushes the narrative into a future hundreds of years after the polar ice caps have melted and submerged our planet into a new era of technology and culture. In this futuristic reinterpretation, author Ayize Jama-Everett and illustrator Tristan Roach revisit the original inspiration of The Count of Monte Cristo—Alexandre Dumas’s own father. A greatly respected general during the French Revolution, Dumas was one of the highest-ranking officers of African descent in a Western army in history. Like the protagonist of his son’s story, General Dumas was betrayed and spent years in prison before getting a chance to return to his beloved France. The Last Count of Monte Cristo is a radical and powerful graphic novel update that reclaims the cultural heritage of Dumas’s tale and suggests the terrible future that could threaten the human race if we continue to destroy our planet. Men In Love It’s the late 1980s. Separated after a drug deal gone wrong, Renton, Sick Boy, Spud and Begbie each want to feel alive. They fill their days with sex and romance and trying to get ahead; they follow the call of the dance floor, with its promise of joy and redemption. Sick Boy begins an intense relationship with Amanda – rich, connected, his ‘princess’. When the pair set a date for their wedding, he sees a chance for his generation to take control at last. But as the 1990s dawn, will finding love be the answer to the group’s dreams or just another doomed quest? I had seen the Trainspotting film in the 90s. There was a sequel movie. This is a new book. Katabasis Grad student Alice Law has only ever had one goal: to become the brightest mind in the field of analytic magick. But the only person who can make her dream come true is dead and – inconveniently – in Hell. And Alice, along with her biggest rival Peter Murdoch, is going after him. But Hell is not as the philosophers claim, its rules are upside-down, and if she’s going to get out of there alive, she and Peter will have to work together. That’s if they can agree on anything. Will they triumph, or kill each other trying?

Graphic

Deadpool Kills The Marvel Universe One Last Time You loved it when Deadpool killed the Marvel Universe. You couldn't believe your luck when Deadpool killed the Marvel Universe again! Now, brace yourselves -- because Deadpool is about to kill the Marvel Universe...one...last...time! But we meet the murderous Merc with a Mouth at a low ebb -- alone, broken, bereft of purpose. Far from the sassin' assassin we know and love -- until a multiversal explorer arrives with a mission across realities that only Deadpool can complete. He has a kill list filled with familiar and surprising versions of your favorite heroes, and teleporting tech that can take him from universe to universe -- so it's time to get bodyslidin' and body-pilin'! Wade is back on the hunt -- and it's Marvels season! Batman Vol. 1: I Am Gotham (Rebirth) A part of DC Universe: Rebirth! "I AM GOTHAM" The Caped Crusader has never been stopped. Not by the Joker. Not by Two-Face. Not even by the entire Justice League. But now, in the wake of DC UNIVERSE: REBIRTH, Batman must face his most challenging foe ever--a hero who wants to save Gotham...from the Batman! The Night Eaters: Her Little Reapers The second volume in the graphic novel horror trilogy from award winning duo of Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda - the creative team behind the New York Times bestselling series Monstress! Four months after their nightmare encounter in the abandoned house, Milly and Billy have started to explore their family's supernatural heritage - and they're starting to discover it's a vast and shadowy one, full of powerful creatures and supernatural elites. Eisner Award-winning and bestselling author Marjorie Liu and illustrator Sana Takeda continue the story of Night Eaters in Her Little Reapers, spinning an epic tale of gods and monsters!

The revolution will be live streamed

Wonder Woman: Earth One For years, Diana of Paradise Island yearned to leave the only home she knew behind for adventures that laid beyond its shores. Now, after a fateful meeting with Air Force pilot Steve Trevor, the Amazon Warrior finds herself in Man’s World. And she is ready for anything that it may throw at her. But is the world ready for Wonder Woman? An American government, fraught with dissension and conflicts foreign to Diana, has deemed her a danger to society. How will Wonder Woman carry out her mission of peace and love in a world that can’t get out of its own way? That is, unless there are more insidious forces at play... This was a good book. Mixed reviews. Some label it as satire, others call it misandrist. I understood the feminist messaging. There is homoeroticism. The artwork is great. Birds of Prey Vol. 1: Megadeath The Birds of Prey are back, breaking hearts and breaking faces with the most intimidating lineup in team history including Black Canary and Harley Quinn! Every mission matters. Every life saved is a miracle. But this time, it's personal. Dinah Lance is one of the DC Universe s most elite fighters, and combined with her sonic scream, she's a fearsome foe in any scenario. But sometimes even the Black Canary needs help. Faced with a personal mission brought to her by a mysterious new ally, and up against near-impossible odds, she re-forms the Birds of Prey with an unrivaled group of badasses Cassandra Cain, Big Barda, Zealot, and Harley Quinn and only one goal: extraction without bloodshed. What could possibly go wrong? In Search of Gil Scott-Heron Gil Scott-Heron is one of the most important artists of the past 60 years, and is widely credited as laying the foundations for modern hip hop as we know it. This gorgeous graphic novel follows the author as he attempts to track down the elusive "Godfather of Rap" for an interview that never seems to happen, while examining his target's music, controversial life, and lasting political and cultural legacy. Also included is a bonus article extensively reviewing Gil Scott-Heron's career and influence on music history. This is an interesting comic, good artwork. I have a few of his songs. His daughter Gia went off on one because I tagged her in a tweet where someone was talking about her. I was interested in seeing what the author has done since. The revolution won't be televised, it will be live streamed.

Library

 THE MINISTRY OF COMPLIANCE VOL 1

The Devolution’s invasion of Earth will be thwarted by coups and conspiracy unless Avigail can unite her extraterrestrial brethren. Comics’ next sci-fi epic begins in this oversized series from John Ridley.

Thirty-seven years ago, Earth was secretly invaded by an alien force known as the Devolution, and they’ve been shaping the direction of humanity ever since. Why? To prepare us to be assimilated into their empire…

The Devolution has 13 ministries, each responsible for manipulating a different aspect of human life. The Ministry of Compliance, the most feared of all the ministries, led by the fierce Avigail Senna, keeps every ministry in line and focused on the empire’s mission. Just as their mission is on the verge of success and Earth is about to be assimilated, the empire suffers a horrific blow.

For the survival of her people and herself, Avigail must rally the ministries together. A feat made near impossible as tensions and conspiracies run rampant.

I enjoyed this book. It did remind me of John Wick and Mission Impossible. Great artwork and story. I will continue the series. The protagonist is tough as Amanda Waller. Kingsley is an attractive woman. The greymatter weapon I liken to a lightsabre. It is does contain gory scenes. MS MARVEL FISTS OF JUSTICE A deadly swarm of robotic parasites are terrorising New York - and Ms. Marvel's determined to find out who's behind it. But this is one mission she's not undertaking alone! Teaming up with Wolverine, Moon Knight and Venom, the young hero and her allies uncover a sinister plot that could have devastating consequences for the entire planet! Reprinting Ms. Marvel & Wolverine #1, Ms. Marvel & Moon Knight #1 and Ms. Marvel An interesting team up. Some messed up things do happen. I have been following the films and tv series. VIXEN NYC VOLUME SIX Navigating your first year of college is hard just imagine having to navigate newfound superpowers at the same time! Mari's first year of college is full of exciting new things she's just reconnected with her extended family, moved to New York City, and is ready to step into her power. And with the ancestral totem her family passed down, her power is about to mean a whole lot more! Turns out this family heirloom also can give you the powers of the animal kingdom? Now it's up to Mari to learn how to use her powers and protect the world around her! If you liked Black Panther, Thor, Loki, Ironheart, Wonderman, Luke Cage, Black Lightening then check it out. I like the colours. There are various members of the Justice League that are featured. MILES MORALES SPIDER-MAN Ultimatum is here - and New York doesn't know what hit it! But while chasing this mysterious villain from a familiar place, Miles Morales finds himself in an awkward situation involving his uncle. And when something huge happens, the young Spider-Man is faced with a dilemma that could threaten everything he holds dear! Caught in the middle of a war between Ultimatum and the old guard, Miles crosses paths with a classic Spidey villain - and the lives of more than one Morales are on the line! Collects Miles Morales: Spider-Man (2018) #16-21. It's Moraleses vs. monsters as the Ultimatum saga reaches its chaotic conclusion! Miles is taking on his biggest responsibility yet: babysitting his new little sister, Billie! But fussiness and feeding time are the least of their problems, because there's something horrific stirring underground! Meanwhile, Miles' uncle Aaron has made a deal with a different kind of monster - the villainous Ultimatum - and he's about to get bitten! And to make things worse, when the government outlaws teenage super heroes, life must change for Brooklyn's young Spider-Man! It's time for the next generation to stand together - or fall apart! But will Miles' greatest enemy be. ANNE FRANK THE DIARY OF A YOUNG GIRL The Diary of a Young Girl abridged for younger readers and published in memory of Anne Frank, who died 70 years ago, just weeks before the end of World War II. Sensitively edited and with a connecting commentary by editor, Mirjam Pressler, the abridged edition of The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank gives younger readers their first introduction to the extraordinary diary of an ordinary girl who has long become a household name. This abridged edition has a short prologue written by the editor, Mirjam Pressler, as well as a connecting commentary. There are beautiful line drawings, family photographs, and an Afterword to explain why the Diary ends so abruptly. This shorter edition is suitable for younger children who want to read Anne's diary for themselves. NATIONAL BESTSELLER • Updated with enlightening new material, this is the complete, definitive edition of Anne Frank’s diary, “the single most compelling personal account of the Holocaust” This is a book that I had been meaning to read.

 Anne was intelligent and honest. The book had contained topics which an adult would have discussed. The version I read was abridged and translated. I do wonder what she would make of 2026. I do feel sorry for her. Her story needed to be told. 

DOCTOR WHO: IN THE BLOOD All over the world, people are venting their fury at one another on social media. Dropping their friends, giving vent to their hatred, and everywhere behaving with incredible cruelty. Even Donna has found that her friend Hettie, with her seemingly perfect life and fancy house, has unfriended her. And now, all over the world, internet trolls are dying... As more and more people give in to this wave of bitterness and aggression, it's clear this is no simple case of modern living. This is unkindness as a plague. From the streets of London to the web cafes of South Korea and the deepest darkest forests of Rio, can the Doctor and Donna find the cause of this unhappiness before it's too late? An original novel featuring the Tenth Doctor and Donna, as played by David Tennant and Catherine Tate. I purchased this book from the library. The book is available online.

The Librarian

HARLEY QUINN VOL 5: WHO KILLED HARLEY QUINN? The Quinn is dead! Long live the Quinn! Harley needs to solve her own murder in the finale to writer Stephanie Phillips fan-favorite time on Harley Quinn! Who killed Harley Quinn? Somebody needs to solve her murder, and the only worthy candidate is Harley herself! Though, since she s dead there are certain hurdles to overcome. The wild final arc of writer Stephanie Phillips Harley Quinn stint has murder, Multiversal mischief, guest appearances, and stunning art from Matteo Lolli! Plus, don t miss the terrifying debut of the Harley Who Laughs! This volume collects Harley Quinn #21-27. BATMAN: JOKER'S ASYLUM The Joker spins dastardly tales of evil starring your favourite Batman's rogues: Penguin, Poison Ivy, Scarecrow, Two-Face, The Riddler, Harley Quinn, Mad Hatter, Killer Croc, and Clayface. And all the stories are narrated by the Asylum's leading homicidal maniac The Joker! I wasn't keen on some of the artwork. A bit of the dialogue was hard to read. TITANS VOL 1: OUT OF THE SHADOWS The Dark Crisis is over, and the Justice League is no more. Now, a new team must rise and protect the Earth Titans, go! The Teen Titans are ready to grow up. Each member joined as a much younger hero, certain that one day they'd be invited to join the Justice League. But the time has come for them not to join the League but to replace it! Are the no-longer-teen heroes ready for the big leagues? Danger lurks around every corner as heroes and villains alike challenge the new team before they ve even begun. Will the DCU ever be the same? BATMAN: ARKHAM RISING Arkham Asylum may have been decimated during A-DAY, but its legacy lives on. Bloody, broken, and beaten…but Batman has a mission. When the terrorist organization known as THE RED CROWN took control of Mayor Nakano's personal security detail, only the Batman could protect Gotham's highest-ranking city official from certain death! But when the pair is thrust into the sewers below, a much more sinister threat lurks in the darkness. Better look sharp, Batman, because a hundred thousand eggs with a hundred thousand little monsters inside are about to hatch…and they look HUNGRY… And outside of the sewers, the city streets being overtaken by larger, (somehow even more) horrific creatures! Goodreads THE LIBRARIAN OF AUSCHWITZ Fourteen-year-old Dita is one of the many imprisoned by the Nazis at Auschwitz. Taken, along with her mother and father, from the Terezín ghetto in Prague, Dita is adjusting to the constant terror that is life in the camp. When Jewish leader Freddy Hirsch asks Dita to take charge of the eight precious books the prisoners have managed to smuggle past the guards, she agrees. And so Dita becomes the secret librarian of Auschwitz, responsible for the safekeeping of the small collection of titles, as well as the ‘living books’ – prisoners of Auschwitz who know certain books so well, they too can be ‘borrowed’ to educate the children in the camp. But books are extremely dangerous. They make people think. And nowhere are they more dangerous than in Block 31 of Auschwitz, the children’s block, where the slightest transgression can result in execution, no matter how young the transgressor . . . This comic is based on the best selling novel. Very graphic. For anyone wanting to learn about the Holocaust.

Knowledge is power

The Incredible Hulk Vol 1: Age Of Monsters A new age of monsters! As an enraged Hulk tries to take permanent control of the body he shares with Bruce Banner, a mysterious immortal turns every monster on Earth against him in an attempt to free their creator, the primordial Mother of Horrors! With the help of an unlikely new friend, Banner must stop the world from being plunged into darkness - and his journeys take him from an abandoned coal-mining town that gives terrifying new meaning to the term "ghost town" to swamplands where a sultry seductress lures unsuspecting victims into her trap! What is her connection to Marvel's macabre muck-monster - and will the Hulk burn at the Man-Thing's touch? This story is more horror than scifi action. RED HOOD: OUTLAWS The Outlaws try to go legit -- and fail spectacularly. The Justice League has issued a challenge to DC’s Dark Trinity, forcing Red Hood, Artemis of Bana-Mighdall, and Bizarro to try and replace their goody-two-shoe counterparts as the heroes the world neither deserves nor needs. In this original series, the Outlaws battle some of DC’s biggest Super-Villains and Super Heroes—but their biggest battles are among themselves. Can this team last? And can they find their own identities separate from Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman? There is some feminist theme in this story. JUSTICE LEAGUE: THE WORLD'S GREATEST SUPERHEROES These classic works for all ages feature the iconic DC characters in a unique storytelling format that combines aspects of both comics and picture books. Also included are several pages of promotional art, preliminary art and thumbnails, art done for DC Direct product, model-to-finished-painting comparisons, reflections by the book's creators and much more! This landmark volume also features an introduction by award-winning book designer and author Chip Kidd, and an eight-page foldout featuring an image of every JLA member by Ross. I was impressed by the artwork and storytelling. They wanted to take the characters back to origins and what was happening at the time each character was created. The book was released in 2005. The copy that I got from the library. I liked Clark trying to solve world hunger and he is telling the reader about the obstacles he faces. With Diana, the way it is written it was more white feminism. MOTHER NATURE After witnessing her engineer father die in mysterious circumstances on one of the Cobalt Corporation’s experimental oil extraction projects, Nova Terrell has grown up to hate the seemingly benevolent company that the town of Catch Creek, New Mexico, relies on for its livelihood and, thanks to the “Mother Nature” project, its clean water. Haunted by her father’s death, the rebellious Nova wages a campaign of sabotage and vandalism on the oil giant’s facilities and equipment, until one night she accidentally makes a terrifying discovery about the true nature of the “Mother Nature” project and the malevolent, long-dormant horror it has awakened, and that threatens to destroy them all. This was originally a film script which became a graphic novel. Written by Jamie Lee Curtis. A supernatural horror. Good artwork. I sometimes couldn't figure out what was happening. It does discuss climate change. Indigenous characters are featured. DELILAH DIRK AND THE KING'S SHILLING Globetrotting troublemaker Delilah Dirk and her loyal friend Selim are just minding their own business, peacefully raiding castles and traipsing across enemy lines, when they attract the unwanted attention of the English Army. Before they know it, Delilah and Selim have gotten themselves accused of espionage against the British crown! Delilah will do whatever it takes to clear her good name, be it sneaking, skirmishing, or even sword fighting... But can she bring herself to wear a pretty dress and have a nice cup of tea with her mother? Delilah Dirk may be defeated at last. This is a good comic. Full of action. A strong female lead. A period piece. You should compare it to Bridgerton, Pride And Prejudice And Zombies, Tomb Raider, Sherlock Holmes etc. The Author is Canadian and so uses 'mom' instead of 'mum'. Biblio

Lit

Tomorrow Will Be A Good Day by Captain Sir Tom Moore. 

Embark on an enchanting journey into our country's past hundred years through the remarkable life of Captain Sir Tom Moore.

He was full of empathy. Saw everyone as equals. The fascists would no doubt try to cancel him. It is a fascinating book. I have a copy which I will donate to charity. 

THE SATSUMA COMPLEX This is a book by Bob Mortimer. Set in London. Gary is a single man, a solicitor. He will sometimes run into a squirrel which he does the talking for. He has his neighbour Grace who is a pensioner living with her dog. He had met up with a friend named Brendan who would go missing. He did spark off a conversation with a lady named Emily who would disappear. This is a comedy drama. A good book. I got my copy from the library sale. I am giving it to a charity shop. BATMAN VOL 1 FAILSAFE Batman has battled all manner of criminals, monsters, and super-villains, but nothing could have prepared him for what’s coming with Failsafe, an unstoppable foe that can outfight and outthink the Dark Knight—could this all be connected to a dark secret in Bruce Wayne’s past? BATMAN VOL 2 THE BATMAN OF GOTHAM The mean streets of Gotham City have gotten meaner as the likes of Harvey Dent and Killer Croc roam free, brutalizing the population. Where is Batman and why hasn’t he responded to the cries of a city in peril?! Can Bruce Wayne find the answers before the mysterious Red Mask captures him? I liked the multiverse element. The art and writing are good. I had to look up the Zurr character. There had been a retcon. WHAT IF:MILES MORALES What if Miles Morales had never been bitten by a genetically enhanced spider? What if, instead, the US government made him their new Super-Soldier? Or perhaps Miles was taken from his family and transformed into the weapon of war known as the Wolverine! Might the many versions of Miles across the Multiverse have become super heroes other than Spider-Man? Learn what makes Miles Morales a hero no matter the circumstances, no matter the reality! A good book. Interesting artwork and writing. I had watched the What If series on Disney Plus. Also followed the Soiderverse films. THE FLASH: THE ONE MINUTE WAR This was a good story. It was a little difficult trying to work out who was who. I had watched The Flash movie and CW series. As any super-speedster worth their salt will tell you, time can move pretty slow for the incredibly fast. A lot can happen in sixty seconds... So what happens when an entire armada of conquering speedster aliens shows up on Earth's doorstep? The most intense battle the Earth has ever waged in the span of 60 seconds begins! HARLEY QUINN: BLACK AND WHITE AND REDDER The short tales of Gotham s most unpredictable antihero unspool in black, white, and red ink (because she s never seen the world in just black and white)! Harley and Ivy deep into the heart of the Fortress of Solitude! See into Harley s teenage past as a high-flying gymnast with vengeance on her mind! And send former Joker sidekicks Harley and Gaggy Gagsworthy on a heist that s worth the risk but can the pair walk out on their vendetta in 30 seconds flat when they feel the heat around the corner? All these and more in Harley Quinn: Black + White + Redder! Different artists and writers with each story. Interesting use of colours. Great humour. If you like Family Guy, South Park and Deadpool. There is The Harley Quinn Show which I have seen reactions too. I might watch the show. I like some of her designs as she looks hot. I am a fan of Margot Robbie who played the character in the Snyderverse. I remember the animated Batman series. There is a fourth wall break in a later story.

How it ends

Oliver Tree vs Little Ricky ALIEN BOYS

Death-defying scooter stunts, Ukrainian tanks, sharks, monster trucks… these are just some of the indignities facing Oliver Tree as he is thrown into the meat grinder of the music industry to promote his debut retirement album "Ugly is Beautiful".

Bill Bailey

In his first memoir, beloved comedian and national treasure Bill Bailey shares stories of his life - and the animals he's met along the way.

Garth Marenghi

This is a surreal book. I had seen Darkplace and decided to check it out. I did sometimes think to just stop reading it. It is funny but tedious too. If you decide to read it, grab a glass of Kombucha, put on some Barry Man-ilo and dive in.  

Horror author Nick Steen is having visions . . . A sinister Black Steeple; eerie lights in the sky that look like a Catherine wheel but are not remotely a Catherine wheel . . . Plus a giant skeleton with a moustache. Are they omens? Auguries? Portenderings of things to come? (Spoiler: yes, they are.)

For Nick Steen's imagination is bursting out of his brain and threatening to burst in turn the entirety of Stalkford.

Can Nick stop the aforesaid bursting? Or have things already slightly burst regardless? Is all that we see or seem merely a dream within an Earth that's been bursted?