Showing posts with label Ballantine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ballantine. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

#IReadsYou Review: Bryan Lee O'Malley's SECONDS

SECONDS
RANDOM HOUSE/Ballantine Books – @randomhouse

CARTOONIST: Bryan Lee O’Malley
ART ASST: Jason Fischer
COLORS: Nathan Fairbairn
LETTERS: Dustin Harbin
COVER: Bryan Lee O’Malley
ISBN: 978-0-345-52723-3; paperback (July 15, 2014)
336pp, Color, $25.00 U.S.

Born in Canada, Bryan Lee O’Malley is a cartoonist and comic book artist and letterer.  He is best known as the creator of the bestselling graphic novel series, Scott Pilgrim, which began in 2004 with Scott Pilgrim’s Precious Little Life.  The series was adapted into the 2010 film, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (directed by Edgar Wright).

O’Malley’s first original graphic novel since Scott Pilgrim ended is entitled Seconds.  A full-color, hardback (6.2” x 8.2”), Seconds was just released by Ballantine Books (a division of Random House).  Seconds is the story of a talented young chef who misuses the magic that allows her to correct a blunder.

Seconds focuses on Katie Clay.  She is 29-years-old, and her 20s have been very good to her.  Once upon a time, she opened a restaurant with some friends; named “Seconds,” the place was successful.  Four years later, though, Katie is ready to move on and open a new restaurant, and she wants to name it “Katie’s.”  She has even found what she thinks is the ideal location, an old building that seems to have a magical charm about it (at least to her).

All at once, however, progress on the new location bogs down.  Seconds still calls to her – it doesn’t help that she lives in a room above the restaurant.  Her ex-boyfriend, Max, starts showing up again.  Katie is having a fling with Andrew, the 25-year-old chef she chose to replace her at Seconds, but that relationship seems to be souring.  Then, Hazel, a gorgeous young waitress at Seconds, is hurt in an accident caused, in some measure, because of Katie’s actions.  Katie’s life seems not to be so very good anymore.

If only she could have a second chance…

A mysterious girl named Lis suddenly appears in Katie’s room in the middle of the night.  Lis has simple instructions that will magically allow Katie a second chance to change a bad thing that happened into something much better.  And it works!  The problem is that Katie is only supposed to use that magic once.  Katie’s drive to fix everything will take her down the road to hell.

I am a huge fan of filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, and I have enjoyed the work of cartoonist and comic book creator/theorist, Scott McCloud.  I received a review copy of Seconds from Ballantine Books, and it came with a one-page press release for the book that included one-line quotes from both Del Toro and McCloud.  I don’t know if they actually read Seconds in its entirety or just parts of it, but neither of quotes conveyed what a truly unique comic book Seconds is.  With that said, let’s see if I can do some conveying.

Ever since I first came across the phrase “great read” in a book review I have used it in many of my reviews to let the reader know what fun I had reading a particular book.  Seconds is a great read.  I found myself going back over many pages, which is why I am a little late with this review.  Seconds is the kind of graphic novel that keeps me reading comic books, knowing that this medium can and does deliver unique and rewarding works like this.  Seconds is exemplary of that kind of supremely entertaining and imaginative work that only comic books can do.

Seconds is an uncanny mixture of magical realism and the fairy tale.  It is as if Bryan Lee O’Mally makes Katie’s story both a realistic drama and a Grimm-like cautionary, timeless in that it can be retold for any period.  Thematically, Seconds is about regret, the cycle of creation and dissolution in relationships, the ambivalence of change, and the yearning for supernatural (especially if it can solve our problems), among others.

The story suggests that trying to exert total control of the perceived chaos in our lives only brings actual terrible chaos instead of order.  Katie’s frantic desire to fix every problem, blunder, setback, etc. seems to make her more frantic.  The chaos that ensues drives this narrative, making it simmer like a potboiler.  It’s fun for us, but not for her.  Still, Seconds is more than just a thrill ride through Katie’s mounting problems.  It is also a funny, beautiful, and haunting examination of the human desire to make things work out just the way we want them to be.

Fans of Bryan Lee O’Malley and readers look for exceptional comic books will want to ask for Seconds.  This is a truly exceptional comic book.  And it’s a great read!

A

www.ballantinebooks.com

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.



Monday, December 3, 2012

Review: UGLIES: Cutters

UGLIES: CUTTERS
BALLANTINE BOOKS/DEL REY – @delreyspectra

CREATOR: Scott Westerfeld
WRITERS: Scott Westerfeld, Devin Grayson
ART: Steven Cummings
TONES/LETTERS: Yishan Li
COVER: Steven Cummings with Espen Grundetjern
ISBN: 978-0-345-52723-3; paperback (December 4, 2012)
176pp, B&W, $10.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN

Scott Westerfeld is an American science fiction author who has written several book series aimed at the young adult market (YA). The Uglies is a series of young adult, science fiction/fantasy novels written by Westerfeld. The series, which began in 2005 with the publication of Uglies, is set 300 years in the future in a time in which everyone is turned “pretty” by extreme cosmetic surgery. The Uglies’ central character is Tally Youngblood, a teen girl who rebels against this forced conformity.

Uglies: Cutters is the second of two original graphic novels that are set in the world of the Uglies and tell new stories through the eyes of Tally’s friend, Shay, another teen girl. Like the first graphic novel (Uglies: Shay’s Story), Uglies: Cutters is scripted by Devin Grayson from a story by Scott Westerfeld and is drawn by artist Steven Cummings.

Uglies: Cutters apparently takes place after the second prose novel in the series, Pretties (2005). The series’ lead character, Tally Youngblood, and her best friend, Shay, have undergone “the Surge,” which is the rite-of-passage surgery that transforms them from “Ugly” to “Pretty.” Shay now lives in New Pretty Town enjoying the good life, and she is hoping to be inducted into Tally’s clique, the “Crims” (short for “criminal”).

Shay, however, is troubled by her new life as a stunning beauty. She is plagued by bad dreams and is somewhat distressed that she cannot remember much about her time in “The Smoke,” a wilderness camp where runaways live. She also has noticed that both Tally and Zane, a boy Shay likes, are always together and have been acting strangely. Suddenly, distrustful of her friend, Shay starts to gather a rebellious group of her own, the “Cutters.” But Shay is fighting on three fronts: against Tally, the mysterious Special Circumstances, and Dr. Cable, and this fight will be tougher than she realizes.

Like Shay’s Story, Uglies: Cutters deals with adolescent themes of emotional and physical change, but Cutters is more about the aftermath of such changes. Cutters also emphasizes the conflict within social groups, depicting rivalries and jealousies. Cutters is about suspicious minds, and Shay’s mind is full of suspicions, and, in a way, that makes her something akin to an unreliable narrator. For instance, is she creating a love triangle (involving herself, Tally, and Zane) where none exists? The fun is that you never know how much truth there is to her inklings.

Early in Cutters, the authors focus in on the shallowness of Pretty life, so much so that the story turns as shallow as party-happy Pretty. Gradually, however, the narrative comes together, and Cutters reveals itself to be something more than just science fiction-fantasy. It is also a mystery story, with the lead characters trying to unravel a conspiracy and uncover secrets, all the while going through some mean teen angst. Uglies: Cutters starts off badly, but gets better as the story goes along. It ends with a bang, maybe even leaving you wanting more.

B

www.delreybooks.com
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Comics, Magazines, and Books from Diamond Distributors for August 8 2012

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

JUN120946 ADVENTURE TIME MARCELINE SCREAM QUEENS #2 MAIN CVRS [DIG] $3.99

MAY121337 AI ORE GN VOL 06 $9.99

MAY121301 ANTI #1 $1.00

JUN121323 ARCHER & ARMSTRONG (NEW) #1 PULLBOX HENRY CVR $3.99

JUN121322 ARCHER & ARMSTRONG (NEW) #1 REG SUAYAN CVR $3.99

MAY121266 ATOMIC ROBO FLYING SHE DEVILS O/T PACIFIC #2 $3.50

MAY121267 ATOMIC ROBO REAL SCIENCE ADV #5 $2.75

MAY121324 BAKUMAN TP VOL 13 $9.99

MAY120847 BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #204 [DIG/D+] $3.99

MAY121171 BIRD & SQUIRREL GN VOL 01 ON THE RUN $8.99

MAY121325 BLEACH TP VOL 44 $9.99

MAY121326 BLEACH TP VOL 45 $9.99

MAY121172 CARDBOARD GN $12.99

MAY121173 CARDBOARD HC $24.99

APR120765 CAVEWOMAN NATURAL SELECTION #1 BUDD ROOT SP ED PI

MAY121336 DAWN OF THE ARCANA TP VOL 05 $9.99

MAY121194 DELTORA QUEST GN VOL 07 $10.99

MAY121335 DEVIL & HER LOVE SONG GN VOL 04 $9.99

JUN121155 DISTRICT COMICS UNCONVENTIONAL HIST WASHINGTON DC GN $24.95

MAY121252 DOCTOR ATLANTIS GN VOL 01 $9.99

APR121218 DPD DOKTORMENTOR JAIL BABE SURGEON #7 (MR) $9.95

JUN120836 EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT ASSASSINS #2 CVR A RYAN $3.99

JUN120837 EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT ASSASSINS #2 CVR B DEBALFO $3.99

MAY121183 EYES OF THE CAT HC (MR) $34.95

APR121131 FAIRY TAIL GN VOL 20 $10.99

JUN120934 FANBOYS VS ZOMBIES #5 MAIN CVRS [DIG] $3.99

MAY121100 FEVER MOON GN $25.00

MAY121317 FLOWERS OF EVIL GN VOL 02 (MR) $10.95

JUN121354 FLUFFY FLUFFY CINNAMOROLL GN VOL 04 $7.99

JUN121188 GAME FOR SWALLOWS TO DIE TO LEAVE TO RETURN GN $9.95

APR121024 GARTH ENNIS JENNIFER BLOOD TP VOL 02 (MR) $19.99

MAR120723 GOLD DIGGER #140 $3.99

MAR120708 GOLDEN AGE GREATS SPOTLIGHT VOL 09 CATMAN AND KITTEN $29.95

MAY121318 GTO 14 DAYS IN SHONAN GN VOL 04 $10.95

APR121307 GTO EARLY YEARS GN VOL 13 (MR) $12.95

MAY121338 HARUKA BEYOND THE STREAM OF TIME GN VOL 17 $9.99

JUN120827 IDOLIZED #1 CVR A ADAMS $3.99

JUN120828 IDOLIZED #1 CVR B PHOTO $3.99

MAY121093 JIM BUTCHER DRESDEN FILES FOOL MOON #7 (RES) $3.99

APR121240 JOHNNY HIRO GN VOL 01 HALF ASIAN ALL HERO (MR) $16.99

MAY121339 KAMISAMA KISS TP VOL 10 $9.99

MAY121340 KAZE HIKARU GN VOL 20 $9.99

MAY120851 KEVIN KELLER #4 REG CVR [DIG/D+] $2.99

MAY121341 LA CORDA DORO TP VOL 16 $9.99

MAY121292 LENORE VOLUME II #6 $3.99

JUN121189 LITTLE PRINCE GN VOL 01 PLANET OF THE WIND $7.95

JUN121190 LITTLE PRINCE GN VOL 02 PLANET OF THE FIREBIRD $7.95

JUN121191 LITTLE WHITE DUCK CHILDHOOD IN CHINA GN $9.95

JUN121196 LITTLE WOLF GN $7.99

JUN121192 LOU GN VOL 03 DOWN IN THE DUMPS $8.95

MAY120854 MEGA MAN #16 [DIG/D+] $2.99

APR121334 MHSG CASE FILES CHUPACABRA A CVR QUALANO (MR) $5.99

APR121335 MHSG CASE FILES CHUPACABRA B CVR CACAU (MR) $5.99

MAR121108 MILES EDGEWORTH ACE ATTORNEY GN VOL 01 (MR) $10.99

MAY121207 MOONSTONES MODERN MYTHS THOR THUNDER CHRIST #1 $2.99

MAR120753 MOUSE GUARD BLACK AXE #5 $3.50

MAY120809 NATHAN HALES HAZARDOUS TALES GN VOL 01 ONE DEAD SPY $12.95

APR121133 NEGIMA GN VOL 35 (MR) $10.99

MAY121198 NEGIMA OMNIBUS GN VOL 05 (MR) $19.99

JUN121215 NINJAGO GN VOL 04 TOMB O/T FANGPYRE $6.99

JUN121216 NINJAGO HC VOL 04 TOMB O/T FANGPYRE $10.99

MAY121327 NURA RISE O/T YOKAI CLAN GN VOL 10 $9.99

MAY121208 OMEGA PARADOX #4 $2.99

JUN121053 PANTHA #3 $3.99

MAY121348 POKEMON ADVENTURES GN BOX SET VOL 01 $49.99

JUN121287 PRINCESS OF MARS ILLUSTRATED CLASSICS GN $15.95

MAY121013 RASL TP VOL 04 LOST JOURNALS OF NIKOLA TESLA $19.95

JUN121022 RED SONJA ATLANTIS RISES #1 $3.99

APR121134 SAILOR MOON TP KODANSHA ED VOL 06 $10.99

MAY121234 SCOTT PILGRIM COLOR HC VOL 01 $24.99

JUN121177 SHADOWS TREASURE DLX HC (MR) $69.95

APR128384 SHADOWS TREASURE DLX HC (MR) $69.95

FEB121080 SHUGO CHARA CHAN GN VOL 04 $8.99

APR121206 SLAINE TREASURES OF BRITAIN GN $24.99

MAY121328 SLAM DUNK GN VOL 23 $9.99

MAY120857 SONIC SUPER SPECIAL MAGAZINE #4 [D+] $9.99

JUN120900 SPONGEBOB COMICS #11 $2.99

MAR120821 STORM RIDER #2 $3.99

MAY121214 TAXES TEA PARTY & THOSE REVOLTING REBELS HC $14.99

MAY121329 TEGAMI BACHI GN VOL 10 $9.99

JUN121011 THUNDA #1 $3.99

APR128216 TORIKO GN VOL 10 $9.99

MAY121330 TORIKO GN VOL 11 $9.99

MAY121331 ULTIMO GN VOL 07 $9.99

APR121008 VAMPIRELLA #20 $3.99

MAY121048 VAMPIRELLA ANNUAL #2 $4.99

MAY121088 VOLTRON YEAR ONE #4 $3.99

APR121338 WAKING DREAM END #3 A CVR RUFFINO (MR) $3.99

APR121339 WAKING DREAM END #3 B CVR MALGAPO (MR) $3.99

MAR120955 WARRIORS OF MARS #4 (MR) $3.99

JUN121219 WASTELAND #39 (MR) $3.99

JUN121334 WILL EISNERS CONTRACT WITH GOD TRILOGY HC NEW PTG (NOTE PRICE) $35.00

APR121277 X 3-IN-1 ED TP VOL 03 $19.99

MAY128153 X-O MANOWAR (ONGOING) #2 2ND PTG $3.99

MAR121143 XOC JOURNEY OF A GREAT WHITE HC $19.99

FEB121130 YI SOON SHIN WARRIOR & DEFENDER HC VOL 01 (MR) $25.00

MAY121323 YU GI OH GX GN VOL 09 $9.99

MAGAZINES
JUN121409 COMIC SHOP NEWS #1312 PI
APR121384 DRAW #23 $7.95
MAY121491 GIRASOL PULP DOUBLES THE SPIDER VOL 24 $14.95
JUN121476 GIRLS AND CORPSES MAGAZINE SUMMER 2012 (MR) $8.95
APR121412 HOBBY JAPAN JUL 2012 $16.60
MAR121383 HOBBY JAPAN JUN 2012 $16.60
MAY121495 STAR WARS FIG COLL MAG #55 LOBOT $14.00

BOOKS
MAY121474 ART & MAKING OF PARANORMAN HC $40.00
JUN121461 BEWITCHED HISTORY BOOK SC $49.95
MAY121477 DARK KNIGHT RISES OFF NOVELIZATION MMPB $7.99
JUN121480 DOC SAVAGE NEW ADV SC VOL 03 INFERNAL BUDDHA $24.95
JUN121445 HAMMER FILMS EXHAUSTIVE FILMOGRAPHY SC $25.00
MAY121347 MAMESHIBA HOW TO BE BEST FRIEND EVER SC $6.99
JUN121470 SEAVIEW 50TH ANNIV TRIBUTE VOYAGE BOTTOM OF SEA SC $39.95
MAY121436 SUPER HISTORY SUPERHEROES & AMERICAN SOCIETY SC $40.00
MAY122131 WARHAMMER LEGEND OF SIGMAR OMNIBUS $17.50
JUN121416 WE GO POGO WALT KELLY POLITICS & AMERICAN SATIRE HC $65.00
JUN121417 WE GO POGO WALT KELLY POLITICS & AMERICAN SATIRE SC $25.00

Friday, July 27, 2012

Review: Karen Marie Moning's Fever Moon

FEVER MOON (OGN)
BALLANTINE BOOKS/DEL REY

STORY/CREATOR: Karen Marie Moning
ADAPTATION/SCRIPT: David Lawrence
PENCILS: Al Rio, Cliff Richards
INKS: Julia Pinto, Joe Pimentel, and Dan Borgones
COLORS: Katrina Mae Hao and Rainier Beredo
LETTERS: Zachary R. Matheny
COVER: Al Rio with Stephen Youll and Mae Hao
ISBN: 978-0-345-52548-2; hardcover
192pp, Color, $25.00 U.S., $29.95 CAN

Karen Marie Moning is a New York Times bestselling author and has won the RITA Award from the Romance Writers of America. Moning is the author of a popular series of urban fantasy novels known as the “Fever Series.” Moning makes her first foray into the world of comic books with Fever Moon, an original graphic novel. Fever Dream corresponds with the events depicted in Moning’s novel, Shadowfever (January 2011).

Moning wrote a new story specifically for this graphic novel, which David Lawrence turned into a script for a comic book. Lawrence is known for his work adapting novels into comic books, having adapted the works of fantasy novelist Patricia Briggs into comic book for Del Rey. Al Rio provided most of the pencil art for this graphic novel before his death; fellow Brazilian artist, Cliff Richards, finished penciling the Fever Moon.

As in the “Fever” novels, the star of Fever Moon is MacKayla Lane, who was a normal 20-something, small town, Georgia girl before tragedy struck. She travels to Ireland to investigate the murder of her sister, where she learns that the Celtic folklore concerning fairies is true. The “Fae” are split into the Light (Seelie) and Dark (Unseelie) and their war has spilled over into the human world. MacKayla becomes a “sidhe-ser,” a person who can see the Fae for who and what they are, even when they use glamour to hide their true appearances.

Now, MacKayla is facing an eerie, dangerous being that steals parts of people faces – an ear here, an eye there, a random mouth, etc. Appearing as a tall, gaunt, faceless man nattily dressed in tailcoat and spats, he is terrorizing Dublin and leaving his victims in a coma. MacKayla not only has to discover what kind of creature the attacker is; she must also find a way to stop him. And time is not on MacKayla’s side.

I must admit that it was not until I received a review copy of Fever Moon with press materials from Del Rey that I learned that Al Rio had died. I had become a fan of his work in recent years because his art style was a funky kind of ersatz J. Scott Campbell. Rio did his Campbell thing on Fever Moon; in fact, MacKayla Lane looks like she came out of Campbell’s infrequently published comic book property, Danger Girl. The art here is such a Danger Girl knockoff that I often found it off-putting. Rio’s style is so prominent that it is hard not to notice the change when Cliff Richards takes over as pencil artist. Richard’ style, at least the one here, is non-descript.

Perhaps, the easy thing to do is to say that the art, regardless of style, works from a storytelling point of view; there is a functional quality to it. Combined with the captions and word balloons, the reader can easily figure out what’s going on in the story because of the clear graphical storytelling. Like the art, the story is also efficient. Lawrence translates Moning’s story and the world of “Fever” in such a way that he quickly gets the reader into the story, lest that reader become frustrated and leave, which you won’t.

Lawrence makes sure you understand the characters, settings, and over-arching plot, and “Fever,” at least as far as Fever Moon is concerned, is a fun place to be. Whatever the novels may be, Fever Moon works as a comic book. It has a weird, pulp-inspired quality that made me think that Fever Moon exists outside of any book series. It is genuinely a comic book, so the people behind this graphic novel succeeded. They created an independent urban fantasy comic book, and a good one, at that.

B+


Wednesday, June 6, 2012

I Reads You Review: STAR WARS: Darth Plagueis

STAR WARS: DARTH PLAGUEIS
DEL REY/BALLANTINE BOOKS

["Star Wars Central" review page is here.]

AUTHOR: James Luceno
COVER: Torstein Nordstrand
ISBN: 978-0-345-51128-7; hardcover
394pp, B&W, $27.00 U.S., $29.00 CAN

Star Wars: Darth Plagueis is a 2012 science fiction novel written by James Luceno and is set in the Star Wars Expanded Universe. The novel belongs to the “Rise of the Empire Era,” which is the one thousand year period before the events depicted in the original Star Wars film (1977), also known as Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope.

Star Wars: Darth Plagueis also takes place over the 35-period that leads into Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. However, of the last 30 pages of this novel, 22 pages transpire during the events depicted in The Phantom Menace and 8 pages occur immediately afterwards.

Darth Plagueis is the Sith Lord of legend mentioned by Supreme Chancellor Palpatine to Anakin Skywalker about mid-way through Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. Now, Star Wars: Darth Plagueis tells the story of Darth Plagueis, one of the most brilliant Sith Lords ever to live. He is Hego Damask, a member of the powerful Banking Clan, and as an apprentice to the Dark Side, Damask embraced the ruthless ways of the Sith. After killing his master, Darth Tenebrous, however, Damask is determined to never suffer the same fate. He wants power over both life and death.

Using his vast financial resources, Damask plunges into wicked scientific research. He even meets the young man, Palpatine, scion of a noble family from the resource-rich planet of Naboo. Palpatine eventually becomes Plagueis’ apprentice, Darth Sidious, and the master sets his apprentice on course to one day rule the galactic government. In the meantime, Sidious is determined to learn the secrets of the Sith, the ones of which even Plagueis is unaware and also the ones his master wishes to keep from him. The ultimate goal of both Sith is the destruction of the Jedi Order, but this quest is a path fraught with peril as the traps they set for their enemies also threaten to ensnare them.

For me, Star Wars novels take the science fiction action and adventure of the films and transform that into riveting prose. That prose is supposed to help me mentally visualize something similar to what I’ve seen (countless times) in six Star Wars movies. James Luceno does not do that for me with Star Wars: Darth Plagueis; he wrote something different. I was initially disappointed, especially while reading the early chapters of the book, but like the father in that classic television series, Luceno knows best.

Star Wars: Darth Plagueis is a political novel. Call it a political thriller, a political conspiracy drama, or even a political character drama, but this novel is filled with backstage politicking, back-biting, back-stabbing, subterfuge, manipulation, political assassination, trumped-up wars, etc. In creating this kind of story, Luceno could not rely on X-Wing dogfights and space battles. He has to focus on characters, and so he fills this novel with an ensemble of engaging characters. They are the kind of sly and salty players that you will love even when you are thinking that you would like to put them to the lightsaber. Either Plagueis or Sidious alone could carry an entire novel, and despite what the title says, this novel is more about Sidious than it is about his master. To me, it is clear that Luceno loves Sidious, and it is hard not to love the man who would become Emperor of the known galaxy. Palpatine is the thinking man’s bastard: always plotting, surprisingly droll, witty and thoughtful, and always three steps ahead of everyone else.

Readers will be interested to know that we learn about the young Palpatine, which is his family’s surname, but we don’t learn his first name. The origin of Darth Maul is presented, and we see how Nute Gunray moved up the Trade Federation ladder. There are lots of other tidbits, but I leave that up to you, dear reader, to discover, because this book is worth reading. I will tell you, however, that Star Wars: Darth Plagueis is the Star Wars novel that takes you to the halls of power and to the places where secret deals are made. You’ll find blood on the floor, bodies around every corner, and a story that will grab you by the neck. Plus, there is some kind of creepy Anakin reveal that I’d rather not think about again. Go. Read.

A-

----------------------------------


Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Comics and Magazines from Diamond Distributors for March 14 2012

COMICS

JAN128240 ADVENTURE TIME #2 $3.99

JAN128109 ADVENTURE TIME #1 (3RD PTG) (PP #1011) $3.99

DEC111037 AMBIGUOUS RELATIONSHIP GN (MR) $12.95

NOV110711 AMOUR GN VOL 01 (MR) $14.95

NOV110712 AMOUR GN VOL 02 (MR) $14.95

DEC110815 ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #227 $3.99

DEC110816 ARCHIE THE MARRIED LIFE TP VOL 02 $19.99

DEC111036 BEAST & FEAST GN (MR) $12.95

DEC111128 BLACK BAT GN (O/A) $8.99

DEC111038 BLUE SHEEP REVERIE GN VOL 05 (MR) $12.95

DEC111126 BUCKAROO BANZAI #1 (RES) $3.99

DEC111264 CHARMED #19 (MR) $3.50

DEC110832 COMEBACK KINGS #2 (RES) $2.99

SEP110834 COMICS THREE STOOGES (ONE SHOT) $3.99

DEC111081 COMPLETE CRUMB TP VOL 01 EARLY YEARS OF BITTER STRUGGLE $24.99

DEC111082 COMPLETE PEANUTS HC VOL 17 1983-1984 $28.99

JAN121272 CORTO MALTESE TP VOL 01 BALLAD OF THE SALT SEA $25.00

JAN120877 CROSSED BADLANDS #1 (MR) $3.99

JAN120878 CROSSED BADLANDS #1 TORTURE CVR (MR) $3.99

JAN120879 CROSSED BADLANDS #1 WRAP CVR (MR) $3.99

JAN120871 CROSSED HC SGN ED VOL 03 PSYCHOPATH (MR) $34.99

JAN120870 CROSSED HC VOL 03 PSYCHOPATH (MR) $27.99

JAN120869 CROSSED TP VOL 03 PSYCHOPATH (MR) $19.99

NOV110923 DARK SHADOWS #4 $3.99

DEC111035 DEPRESSION O/T ANTI ROMANTICIST GN (MR) $12.95

DEC111054 DF NINJETTES #1 EXC RED CVR $5.00

OCT111079 DF WARLORD OF MARS #15 EXC RISQUE JUSKO CVR PLUS $19.99

OCT111081 DF WARLORD OF MARS DEJAH #10 EXC RISQUE CVR $14.99

OCT111082 DF WARLORD OF MARS DEJAH #10 EXC RISQUE CVR PLUS $19.99

DEC111064 DF ZOMBIE INVASION HAESER SET $69.99

JAN120937 ELRIC THE BALANCE LOST #9 $3.99

JAN120955 EXILE ON THE PLANET OF THE APES #1 (OF 4) $3.99

DEC111117 FAIRY TAIL GN VOL 18 $10.99

JAN120861 FATHOM KIANI VOL 2 #0 CVR A NOME $2.50

JAN120862 FATHOM KIANI VOL 2 #0 CVR B TAKEDA $2.50

DEC110788 GEARHEARTS STEAMPUNK GLAMOR REVUE #2 $3.99

DEC111266 GFT DREAM EATER SAGA TP VOL 02 (MR) $15.99

DEC111268 GFT MYTHS & LEGENDS TP VOL 02 (MR) $15.99

OCT111290 GFT PRESENTS NEVERLAND HOOK #4 A CVR GARZA $2.99

OCT111291 GFT PRESENTS NEVERLAND HOOK #4 B CVR MYCHAELS $2.99

NOV110690 GOLD DIGGER #136 $3.99

NOV110677 GOLDEN AGE GREATS SPOTLIGHT VOL 08 GOOD GIRL ART (MR) $29.95

OCT111283 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #68 A CVR YANG (MR) $2.99

OCT111284 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #68 B CVR QUALANO (MR) $2.99

SEP111301 GRIMM FAIRY TALES SINBAD TP $15.99

NOV110713 GRUNTS TP $14.95

DEC110799 HYPER ACTIVES GN (RES) $14.95

OCT111217 INTREPID ESCAPEGOAT TP $12.95

DEC111113 KNIGHTS OF THE DINNER TABLE #184 $5.99

DEC110823 MEGA MAN #11 $2.99

NOV110779 MISADVENTURES OF ADAM WEST ONGOING #2 $3.99

OCT111152 MONSTER HUNTER ORAGE TP VOL 04 (MR) $10.99

NOV110717 MOUSE GUARD BLACK AXE #4 (OF 6) $3.50

NOV110714 NIEVES GN (MR) $14.95

JAN121032 NINJETTES #2 (MR) $3.99

NOV110951 NOWHERE MAN #2 (OF 4) $3.99

NOV110791 ORBIT CAST OF DOCTOR WHO BK MKT ED $7.99

NOV110790 ORBIT CAST OF DOCTOR WHO DIRECT MARKET ED $3.99

NOV110792 ORBIT JACK KIRBY $3.99

DEC110899 POLITICAL POWER RON PAUL $3.99

JAN120823 PRIMORDIA HC W/ DUST JACKET (RES) (MR) $19.95

NOV110781 QUATERMAIN #2 $3.99

DEC110889 QUATERMAIN #3 $3.99

NOV110715 REDFOOT GN $8.95

JUL110800 RICHIE RICH DIGEST GN VOL 01 BOON UNDER THE BAY $6.99

DEC110802 ROMEROS REQUIEM GN (MR) $9.95

DEC110803 SCIONIC GN (RES) $14.95

JAN121215 SECRET HISTORY OF DB COOPER #1 $3.99

NOV110782 SHERLOCK HOLMES VICTORIAN KNIGHTS #2 $3.99

DEC110804 SIDESHOWS GN $9.95

JAN120925 SIMPSONS COMICS #188 $2.99

JAN121203 SMURFS GN VOL 11 SMURF OLYMPICS $5.99

JAN121204 SMURFS HC VOL 11 SMURF OLYMPICS $10.99

OCT111219 STUFF OF LEGEND TP VOL 03 $15.95

SEP110739 SUBCULTURE WEBSTRIPS GN RETURN OF THE KINGS THRONE (MR) $9.95

JAN121309 TWIN SPICA GN VOL 12 $13.95

DEC111045 UGLIES SHAYS STORY GN $10.99

JAN121319 ULTIMATE 7 TP VOL 01 $14.95

NOV110849 WAR GODDESS #6 (MR) $3.99

NOV110851 WAR GODDESS #6 GORE CVR (MR) $3.99

NOV110850 WAR GODDESS #6 WRAP CVR (MR) $3.99

NOV110891 WARLORD OF MARS #16 (MR) $3.99

JAN121218 WASTELAND #35 (MR) $3.99

NOV110786 WILLIAM SHATNER MAN O WAR ONGOING #1 (MR) $3.99

MAGAZINES
DEC111297 COMICS BUYERS GUIDE #1688 APR 2012 $5.99
JAN121376 DRAW #22 $7.95
JAN121398 HORRORHOUND #34 $6.99
DEC111333 RUE MORGUE MAGAZINE #120 $9.95
JAN121250 SUNDAY FUNNIES COLLECTED VOL 01 $30.00

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Leroy Douresseaux Reviews: UGLIES: Shay's Story

UGLIES: SHAY’S STORY
BALLANTINE BOOKS/DEL REY

CREATOR: Scott Westerfeld
WRITERS: Scott Westerfeld, Devin Grayson
ART: Steven Cummings
TONES/LETTERS: Yishan Li
ISBN: 978-0-345-52722-6; paperback
208pp, B&W, $10.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN

Scott Westerfeld is an American science fiction author who has written several book series aimed at the young adult market (YA). One of them is the Uglies series, a quartet of science fiction and fantasy novels that began in 2005 with the publication of Uglies (Simon Pulse). The Uglies is set 300 years in the future in a time in which everyone is turned “pretty” by extreme cosmetic surgery. The Uglies’ central character is Tally Youngblood, a teen girl who rebels against this forced conformity.

Uglies: Shay’s Story is the first of two original graphic novels set in the world of the Uglies and tells new stories through the eyes of Tally’s friend, Shay, another teen girl. Uglies: Shay’s Story is scripted by Devin Grayson from a story by Scott Westerfeld and is drawn by artist Steven Cummings.

As Uglies: Shay’s Story begins, Shay is a few months shy of her sixteenth birthday, the age at which one undergoes “the Surge,” which is the rite-of-passage surgery that will transform her into a “Pretty.” Currently, she is an “Ugly,” an ordinary human who has not had the surgery. Shay befriends “the Crims” (criminals), a group of fellow teens who say they don’t want to have the surgery. She joins the Crims: Zane, Croy, Astrix, and Ho by exploring past the monitored borders and going into the forbidden, ungoverned wild. This journey makes her think about her future. Shay must decide the path she will choose: become a Pretty or remain one of the Uglies.

Like the source material (the Uglies novels, of course), Uglies: Shay’s Story deals with adolescent themes of emotional and physical change. What really drives Shay’s Story is conflict. The central conflict is a personal one: preservation of one’s personal will versus the longing to conform. The other line of conflicts pits a dystopian society’s need for uniformity against the Uglies’ rebellious urges.

The conflicts play out in the most interesting ways because the players are teenagers about to enter adulthood, but who are also about to enter a world of choice and responsibility. Is becoming a “Pretty” about evolution and accepting adulthood? Are the teens who runaway just afraid to grow up? Uglies: Shay’s Story is a pop concept tailor-made for Hollywood, but the narrative plays out as a coming-of-age story that wants to be more complicated than the latest hot thing. It’s exciting and edgy, like our teenage years.

B+