It's Been a Long, Long Time or Skitt!!

Hi all you hepcats out in the "Land o Blog!!!!" Ronin Librarian Bill has been wondering the nether regions, fighting book banners, saving damsels in distress, fighting crime where ever it rears its ugly head so I've been off the radar for some time. If you don't believe me check it out:

Oh No, I may have shown to much. Just hope those reading this know that I am not the best at what I do!!!!!

 

 

Oh well enough silliness lets talk books and Graphic Novels.

 

 



Green Lantern, Volume 2, The Revenge of Black Hand by Geoff Johns, Doug Mahnke, Ethan Sciver, and more - If you go to the post I put up here you will see my review of Volume 1. This volume continues the very interesting team up of Hal Jordan (Earth's First Green Lantern) and his mentor and nemesis Sinestro (now back in the Green Lantern Corps...it's a long story to explain his history). In this roller coaster ride of a story as the two team up to not only take on the crazed Black Hand (of The Black Lantern Corps) but also take on The Indigo Corps when their power source is turned off. Now the Indigo Corps have always been portrayed as on the side of the angels so why would this cause problems? Man if you have not read this GN yet you are in for a real shock! What makes this GN so great besides what I have laid out is the interaction between Jordan and Sinestro. They often have dynamically different opinions on how to solve problems (Jordan being more diplomatic and Sinestro more whatever it takes). Yet for all their differences they really have great chemistry and make a great team. Also before this GN is done you get a glimpse at the next big threat coming down the pike for the universe. It's called "The Third Army" and man it looks like it's gonna be a great story!!!

Before Watchman: Minutemen & Silk Spectre by Darwyn Cooke and Amanda Conner - DC did several very controversial prequels to one of the greatest Comics/Graphic Novels ever; The Watchmen (Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons). The main controversy being other writers and artist telling stories involving characters so much belonging to these two creators and putting their spin on what came before. Moore more or less dismissed the titles as he has become a Comic/Graphic Novel recluse, however Gibbons was more supportive of the efforts but forth by others on these stories. I really liked "The Minuteman" story (a collection of the 6 issue miniseries) by Darwyn Cooke with such great characters with real depth as Hooded Justice, The first Silk Spectre, The first Nite Owl, The Comedian, Mothman, Dollar Bill, The Silhouette and Captain Metropolis. The story centers on the true story of the Minute Men as told by Hollis Mason (The Original Nite Owl) to be published in his tell all book named "Under The Hood." The story starts in the present (hat being 1962) with the story of The Minute Men being told through flash backs as early as 1939. The GN is beautifully written and illustrated. It is full of intrigue, shining moments, despicable lows, true heroism, true vileness, hilarious goofs and spectacular highs. It is the story full of tribute to "The Watchmen" as it tells the story of what if super heroes existed in the real world. Well worth reading and a darn good tale at that. It does nothing in my opinion to hurt the classic Watchmen story. The Silk Spectre story by Mr. Cooke and Amanda Conner is a spotlights on the second Silk Spectre which happen to be the daughter of the original carrying on in the super hero business. The story is not as strong as the Minutemen one, but Mrs. Conner supplies the collected 4 issue miniseries with some great artwork. It is worth reading but just pales when compared to "The Minute Men." Some familiar faces show up, one being one of my most favorite amoral characters in both The Minute Men and The Watchmen. I must caution here that as in "The Watchmen" this GN is targeted at an older audience due to language, violence, nudity and such. Great stories, great artwork.... well what are you waiting for? Go check it out!!!!!

Hopefully you will hear from me sooner than last time. Anyway peace all,

Bill

 

 

 

 



Sinestro & Hal Jordan - The New Dynamic Duo

Hiya out their in Blog-o-Land. It's the "Strange Ninja Librarian With No Name." formerly known as "Ninja Librarian Bill" and soon to be.......  Well here is some more review stuff. Enjoy!!!!!

Green Lantern Volume1: Sinestro by Geoff Johns and Doug Mahnke - Okay I know some of you remember my comment about not liking DC's direction with The New 52, but Green Lantern for the most part seems unaffected except for this GN being labeled Volume 1. I missed event's leading up to this GN (yea I have had to give up comics for awhile due to an incredibly shrinking wallet) but Hal Jordan is no longer a Green Lantern having been given the boot by The Guardians of the Galaxy on OA. Sinestro is forced back into the Green Lantern Corps, but as we all know a tiger cannot change his stripes. Sinestro quickly finds himself, much to his chagrin, in deep trouble. His home world, Korugar, has been taken over by the former Corps he lead "The Sinestro Corps." He knows he needs help so he recruits one of the only former Green Lantern's he ever respected, Hal Jordan. Hal is happy to be free of the Green Lantern mantle and he joins Sinestro extremely reluctantly after Sinestro forges him a ring from his own. Together they take on The Sinestro Corps although things do not go exactly according to plan. Read it to see what I mean. Johns and Mahnke but together a pretty sweet story. Recommended for ages 12 and up!!!!!

Avengers: X-Sanction by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness - Last we heard from the X-Men Camp Cable was dead. Well as we all know in comics death is not necessarily permanent. Cable, with the techno-organic virus running rampant, has come back in time because he foresees events in which The Avengers Captain America, Iron Man, Red Hulk, The Falcon and Spider-Man will oppose the X-Men in something to do with the Phoenix Force and Hope (Cable's daughter). To protect Hope from future events he goes after our heroes one by one, even Wolverine (both an X-Man and an Avenger). Epic fights ensue and this basically sets up the current summer event in comics "X-Men Vs. Avengers" Epic. This is a fun GN of superheroes doing some supper brawling. If you are looking for something deep, this is not it. If you are looking for something just fun, this is it. Recommended for ages 12 and up.



Until next time all, peace,

Bill

Green Lantern, Spider-Man and Thor, maybe more!

Hey ho all in the "Land o Blog." Tis the Library Ninja who has forgotten his name. Wait a minute, a moment of clarity. My name is Bob. No doesn't sound right. Well I'll figure it out eventually. Bobo, darn it's on the tip of my tongue.

Before I start today's Graphic Novel reviews, I want to share some pretty silly cartoon stuff about our favorite heroes. Check out this into from a Thor cartoon series from the 60's:









Pretty bad right? Well let's be fair and show one of DC's big guns at one of his low moments:







Yikes overly dramatic and cheesy at the same time. I love it though it's good fun!!!!


And now some musings on recent reads:


Green Lantern: Secret Origin by Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis - First let me say that I have not seen the Green Lantern movie yet (boo me!!!). This GN rocks and if the movie resembles it in anyway then I can't wait to see it. This GN starts off by showing the special bond that a young Hal Jorden has with his father who is a pilot. The worst day in Hal's life happens (understandably) when his father dies protecting people when the plane he is flying breaks down and he has to crash land it in a safe place. From that day forward Hal Jorden has no fear (having witnessed his worst fear in his father's death). Flash forward to the future where Jordan is just barely still flying aircraft for Carol Ferris and something totally unexpected comes into his life. He obtains from a dying alien, Abin Sur who has crashed landed on Earth, a green ring that makes flight possible along with manifesting any creation you can think of into reality to be used to fight the powers of evil. Jordan is then taken away to the Plant OA, home of the Guardians of the Galaxy and The great Green Lantern Corps, to be trained as a replacement Green Lantern for the space sector Abin Sur served. It is there he is noticed by a particular Guardian and Abin Sur's apprentice Sinestro, hailed by all as the greatest Green Lantern ever, who decide to take a special interest in Hal Jordan because they see his great potential. Sinestro and Jordan team-up to take on the powerful and evil Atrocitus and eventually become friends. Sinestro takes on Jordan's training and everything seems to be turning out all right, but the rumblings of The Darkest Night have already started and deception creeps into the Corps future. Read the Graphic Novel to get the full story and go on one heck of a ride. Recommended for ages 12 and up.



Marvel Adventures: Thor and Spider-Man by Various - This Graphic Novel collects Spider-Man and Thor team-ups that have happened throughout the years in comics. The first story has Spider-Man being enchanted by one of the evil Norse Gods The Enchantress, traveling to Asgard, fighting with the Gods and eventually the big guy himself Thor!!!! The next two stories have this famous twosome taking on time traveling (and time stopping) Trolls and the supervillainThe Mongoose. The last story in the GN has Thor and Spider-Man, with a guest appearance by Valkyrie, fighting and trying to figure out what is going on with two aliens, the only survivors of their world, battling each other. Who is the good guy? Who is the bad guy? How did all this come to pass. Take a look at this excellent GN to find out. Recommended for those 9 and up. 


Well all you good and noble people that's all Ninja Bill has for now. Hey I just remembered my name!!!!! Cool!!!!

Well I hope you all are having a great summer and look forward to talking again to you all soon.

Peace,
Bill

The First Rule of Pet Club and Tales Dark and Grim

Heyo all there out in the Land Of Blog, Tis I again the lone, nomadic, forever wandering Library Ninja Bill. Times have been tough, I have to be honest with you, but reading goes on. So without further adieu:

First I'm gonna talk about The fourth GN in The Tiny Titans Series, so to set the mood check out this video that totally rocks:

The First Rule of Pet Club by Art Baltazar, Franco and Geoff Johns - This Tiny Titans Graphic Novel collects issues 19 -25 of the monthly series. Problems abound for Robin as Wayne Manner and the Batcave has been overrun by bunnies from a magic trick gone wrong by Zatara and penguins from Robin opening a forbidden door in the Batcave. Now all the bats have flown the coup from the Batcave and Batman tasks Robin with getting them back. Thank goodness for a little help from your friends...that's right it's Tiny Titan Time, aw yeah!!!!!!! Also this issue has the powerful tale (well maybe powerful is the wrong word, but it sure is funny) that ties into (not really) "The Darkest Night!" Gotta love those Tiny Titans, aw yeah!!!!!! Great for all ages!!!!



Next a totally rocking book based on the fairy tales of The Brother Grimm:

A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz - Now if you like sweet and safe, watered down fairy tales, this is most definitely not the book for you!!!!! The author of this book has taken two famous Grimm Fairy Tale characters, Hansel and Gretel, and woven a phenomenal story that ties other Grimm Fairy Tales into one fantastic ride. The book starts before the birth of these two children with the Tale of "Faithful Johannes" servant of the King and Queen of The Kingdom of Grimm. If this opening story does not grab you, twist you and leave you aghast, please get help soon? Hansel and Gretel are born to the King and Queen and the adventures of these two siblings rocket you through the rest of the book.  This book is a page turner from front to end. Think you know your favorite fairy tales? Well guess again as the author puts them back into there somewhat original and gruesome versions. There may even be tales new to you that are expertly woven into this most excellent story. If you are a little squeamish, never fear, the author often butts into the story to make sure you really want to know what happens next? Sometimes ignorance is bliss, but not with this book. Two Thumbs high in the air!!!! Great book recommended for those 9 and up, who believe it or not, like things not so sweet and sugar coated.

Also check out this little tease:





Until next time all you hepcats,
Peace,
Bill

The Blackest Night is Here!!!! Along with Some Dead Boys and Batman!

Hayo all me bukoos in "The Land of Blog." It's the wondering Librarian with Kung Foo Gripping Action, Ninja Librarian Bill. I have been very busy but have managed to squeeze in some good reads to let you know about. So lets get to it!!!!

Blackest Night by Geoff Johns, Ivan Reis and others - The Dead are rising and they want all to join them (being dead that is). The Blackest Night long ago prophesied in The Great Book of OA is happening now!!!!!! Lead by The Black Hand, the dead are being brought back to life/death by Black Lantern Rings seeking them out. There is no good news in this as The newest Lantern Corps, The Black Lanterns, want everyone and everything dead. The Seven Emotional Spectrum Corps (The Green Lanterns (Will Power), The Sinestro Corps (Ability to Install Great Fear), The Red Lanterns (Great Rage), The Orange Lantern (Great Avarice), The Star Sapphires (Great Love), The Blue Lanterns (Great Hope) and The Indigo Tribe (Great Compassion)) must set aside their differences and fight together or all is lost. OA (home of The Guardians and The Green Lantern Corps) and Earth are assaulted hard by the Black Rings, bringing former Green Lanterns back to life on OA and deceased superheroes and villains on Earth. Let me introduce you to some of The Black Lantern Corps (without giving away to many surprises): The Martian Manhunter, The Elongated Man, Aquaman, Hawk (of Hawk and Dove), The Original Firestorm (Ronnie Raymond), Dr. Light, Maxwell Lord, Azrael, Jade, Airwave, Tomar-Re, Solomon Grundy, Psycho-Pirate, Captain Boomerang, The Original Question, Professor Zoom and many more. Our DC heroes and villains that are among the living really have their backs to the wall. This story needs to be read if you are a Green Lantern fan or just enjoy good comics/stories & art and I feel the more I say, the more I will rob the reader of this wonderful tale. Let's just say a whole lot happens, no one is safe, and when you think things are going one way they go just the opposite. This GN is really a terrific ride!!! Recommended for age 12 and up.   

If that was not enough to get you interested take a look at this:

Pretty Intense eh?

Next on my list is a really cool book for guys who like mysteries and scary stuff:

The Dead Boys by Royce Buckingham - In this book 12 year old Teddy and his Mom have moved to Richland, Washington where his Mom has gotten a job at the local Nuclear Plant. What they do not know is that during the past, going back to around World War II, radioactivity has contaminated the area. What does this have to do with anything? Well it is the summer when they move there and Will's Mom demands that he go out and find friends in the area. Well he does meet a couple of guys on different occasions, but has trouble finding them afterwards. Also the areas he finds them at change dramatically when he revisits them. Oh and one more thing, the house next to Teddy's is abandoned and has this giant sycamore tree in the front yard. What's so interesting about that you ask? Well Teddy could swear that the tree is trying to open the window to his bedroom and even catch him with its limbs. Is this all in his imagination or is something very strange going on in Richland, Washington? Read the book and find out. Recommended for guys around 9 and over. 

Batman: Battle for The Cowl by Tony S. Daniel, Fabian Nicieza, Dustin Nguyen and others - Batman is dead (Bruce Wayne was killed by Darksied at the end of Final Crisis) and Gotham City is in a state of chaos. Without his presence criminals are fearless in their assault on Gotham's citizens. Many heroes associated with Batman show up to try to reinstate order to the city under siege (Nightwing - Dick Grayson, Robin - both Tim Drake and Damian Wayne, Catwoman, Jason Todd and others). It becomes apparent that one of those close to Bruce must takeover as the new "Batman." Jason Todd starts dressing as him, but has gone off the deep end maiming and killing those he perceives as criminals. Dick Grayson finds himself being drawn by Jason's actions into not only stopping him, but taking on the identity he never wanted. The very role he was groomed for: Batman! Great read recommended for those 12 and up.





That's all folks!!!! Until next time Peace,

Bill

Wimpy Kid, Manja, Graphic Novels and Turkeys Fighting Back!!!!!

Hello all,

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. I would have but when I went to get my turkey for the feast, I ran into a one with a serious attitude!!!! Check it out:

Ultimo - The Turkey Who Stood Up!!!!

Needless to say, I had tofu this Thanksgiving. Anyway lets talk good reads:

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth by Jeff Kinney - Well I just finished reading the latest installment in "The Diary of a Wimpy Kid" series, "The Ugly Truth," and it was great. Just as funny as it's predecessors with our hero Greg Heffley telling of the struggles of being a kid in a world that just does not understand him. It seems as Greg and Rowley (his best friend) have had a falling out and Greg has to start the school year out all on his lonesome. In this book Greg learns responsibility, um or not, when hired by a neighbor to take care of her plants while she is gone away. Greg goes to a school Lock-In and has a blast, well um not exactly. Greg's mom goes back to school and decides to get a maid to help with the house work making his life so much easier. Oh wait a minute, that's not exactly right either. Anyway this is a hilarious book and series that just keeps hitting on all pistons, so check it out. Highly Recommended!!!!!! (unless you hate laughing then this book is definitely not for you)  Others in the series if you want to check them out are:
Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Roderick Rules, The Last Straw and Dog Days. Again great stuff!!!!!

Death Note by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata - This Manga is intended for Young Adult (teens). Well it seems there are death gods (Shinigami) in another dimension who keep tabs on us human beings. When it is time for them to power up they write a person's name down in a journal and that person dies. They don't do this very often and one among them named Ryuk has become bored. So he drops a journal (A Death Note) down into the human world to see who will pick it up and what will happen. Light Yagami a very bright teen finds it and soon figures out what it can do through experimentation and visits by Ryuk. There are rules to how the "Death Note" can be used and it is not as simple as it seems. Light decides to use it to take out criminals and those he sees as deserving to die. The police soon catch on to all these criminals dying and are soon in hot pursuit of this mass murderer. They even bring in a special agent, whose true identity is known by no one, known only as "L." From there the game is afoot, as Sherlock Holmes would say. This is a really fascinating read that makes one think about what are the responsibilities of those with great power. 

Green Lantern: Agent Orange by Geoff Johns, Philip Tan, etc. & Green Lantern Corps: Emerald Eclipse by Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason - The War of Light also known through prophecy as "The Blackest Night" is quickly approaching and both of these GNs are integral leads into this upcoming storyline. In "Green Lantern: Agent Orange" Hal Jordan and the rest of the Green Lantern Corps meet an enemy long known by The Guardians but kept a secret through treaties made long ago. Well the treaty is broken and all heck is about to brake loose. Orange Power Rings, representing greed, and all owned by an ancient entity known as Agent Orange or Larfleeze has declared war on The Green Lantern Corps. As the story and fight rages on other Corps such as The Sinestro Corps, The Blue Lantern Corps and The Star Sapphires are drawn into this mess. Things are heating up to critical mass and we have not even talked about The Red Lantern Corps or The Indigo Tribe. Sound like a bunch happening, eh? Well it is and "Green Lantern Corps Emerald Eclipse" adds even more to the impending War of Light. It seems that that Sinestro has gone missing and in his place Mongul decides to take over. That leads to a battle royal within The Sinestro Corps. On top of that a Red Lantern has shown up on OA (The official home of The Green Lantern Corps and The Guardians) and set loose all the prisoners being held there. The Green Lantern Corps really finds it's back against the wall in trying to not only maintain order, but staying alive. There is much more going on in both these books than I have described, if you can believe that, so check them out for some really good reads!!!!!!

Well, that's all this Library Ninja has for now guys and girls, until next time, HiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiYaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.

Library Ninja Bill



Bond, James Bond, Monstrumologist, and Graphic Novels

Greetings all in "The Land o Blog" it is I once again. The Library Ninja that wonders the world righting wrongs, Library Ninja Bill. It's a dirty job, but someones got to do it. Speaking of Ninjas here are some of my all time favs:

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!!!!!!

Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow!!!

Iron Fist (Marvel Comics)!!!



The Naruto Crew!!!!

And Lastly The Great

Hong Kong Phooey!!!!!

Alright is this sight about Ninjas or cool reads? Well I guess it's more about cool reads, so here goes!!!!!!

First let's start with some reads I have talked bout before. Something old (that's new again):

Silverfin: A James Bond Adventure by Charlie Higson - I have read the first three books in the Young Bond Series and they all are awesome. The first book of the Series is this one and once I read it I was seriously hooked. In this first book we are introduced to Bond when he is a 12 year old student attending Eton Boarding School in England. He has few friends, although the ones he does have are good ones, and he is very much a loner. We find out that his parents died when he was 7 years old and he is being raised by his Aunt Charman. James is a new student at the school and he immediately runs afoul of an older student George Hellebore who is a bully and the son of Lord Hellebore, a wealthy and powerful arms dealer. Lord Hellebore comes to the school and sets up a tournament that involves shooting, running and swimming all in the hopes that his son George will win by any means necessary. Let's just say that James prevents George from winning and their relationship does not improve. Break comes to Eaton and James travels to Scotland to meet his Aunt Charman who is there taking care of his Uncle Max who is dying of cancer. Just when James thinks he is getting away from his troubles at school, he discovers that the Hellebores live in an old castle by Lock Silverfin; right in the very same area that his uncle lives. James meets new friends in Scotland in Red Kelly, who sneaks on a train in England with Jame's help, and Wilder Lawless as they try to figure out what has become of Red's brother who was last seen in this area. Needless to say all clues lead to Lock Silverfin and the Hellebores. This is a great book for both Bond and Non-Bond fans (if that is possible?). Two Thumbs Up!!!!!!

Man if you are looking for a book that is:

*Scary;

*a great story that will have you turning and reading page after page;

*Has great characters.

I have the book for you!!!!!!!!

The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey - Let me give you a little taste from the inside front jacket of this book: "These are the secrets I have kept. This is the trust I never betrayed. But he is dead now and has been for more than forty years, the one who gave me his trust, the one for whom I kept these secrets. The one who saved me.....and who cursed me."

This book is about a young boy named Will Henry living in the mid/late 1800s, whose parents have passed away, that lives and assist the great Monstrumologist Dr. Warthrop. What is a Monstrumologist you ask? Well let me give you the definition given in the book:

mon*stum*ol*ogy (n.)

1: the study of life forms generally malevolent to humans and not recognized by science as actual organisms, specifically those considered products of myth and folklore

2: the act of hunting such creatures

This book starts with the Doctor and Will discovering the remains of a male creature known as an Anthropophagi. The creature appears somewhat human, except that it has no head. Its eyes are found on it's shoulders. It has very long arms that end in razor sharp claws. Its mouth with shark like teeth are found in it's chest area. It is extremely muscular and dangerous whether it be male or female. Lastly, and most frightening, they prey on humans.

Somehow these creatures, normally found in northern and western Africa and the Caroli Islands, have found there way to the good Doctor's home in New Jerusalem, North America. This discovery starts the beginning of a story of adventure and horror that will haunt Will Henry for the rest of his days. Another great but creepy character that helps the Doctor and Will Henry hunt and attempt to destroy these creatures is one Dr John Kearns, whose true identity will shock you.

This is a great book that will have you turning pages in quick succession to find out what happens next in the book. However, I feel obligated to warn all that this is probably not for young children. This book contains some extremely gory scenes in addition to just being down right frightening. It scared the living "you know what" out of me and I'm far from being a child. So before starting to read this book make sure it is cool with your parents and you are not frightened easily. This is a great book and I hope there are more in the near future such that this could become a series. Highly recommended!!!!!!!!!!!

Now for some fresh and hot of the presses reviews. Something new:

The Donner Party by Scott Welvaert, Ron Frenz and Charles Barnett - This Graphic Novel for ages 9 and up tells the true story of the ill-fated Donner Party and there journey in the mid 1800's to reach California starting from Missouri. The group that would become known as "The Donner Party" was made up of a group of 87 people and 23 wagons. Many incidents and bad decisions would lead this group of people to being remembered through history. What exactly happened to them and what makes them so infamous in history. Read this terrific Graphic Novel and find out!!!

Green Lantern: The Sinestro Corps War (Volumes 1 and 2) by Geoff Johns, Dave Gibbons, and more - This story collected into Graphic Novel format is epic and kicks butt!!!! It collects a storyline that ran through the comic series Green Lantern and The Green Lantern Corps along with various special one shots. Okay here is a quick overview, Sinestro, a one time Green Lantern and mentor to Hal Jordan, has come up with the perfect plan to put OA (the home of The Guardians of the GL Corps and the Corps itself) and The Green Lantern Corps on a path he desires.

He forms The Sinesto Corps and recruits members who have the ability to install great fear. Each Sinesto Corp member is armed with a yellow power ring, mirroring the green ones of the Green Lantern Corps. Amongst Sinestro's allies are Parallax, The Anti-Monitor, Cyborg-Superman, Superboy-Prime among others. On the Good Guys side we have The Green Lanterns Hal Jordan, John Stewart, Guy Gardner, Kyle Rayner, Sodam Yat, Kilowog and many more. That's a bunch of good guys and bad guys. The reason is this story is epic. Blood is spilled on both sides as both heroes and villains fall. Will the Yellow Power Ring Bearers who represent fear prevail or the Green Power Ring Bearers who represent good (at least as far a we can tell) and overcoming fear. This GN is recommended for ages 13 and up because of some language and violence.

Also the follow up "The Rage of The Red Lanterns" rocks pretty hard!!!!!!

Well that's all for now all you mighty ninja readers!!!! Peace out with a Kung Fu Grip,

Library Ninja Bill