BATMAN BLACK & WHITE VOLUME TWO

The sequel to the first volume(obviously), which had won the Eisner award, so we might be forgiven for having high expectations, might we?

It’s a collection of short stories, most of them too short to properly showcase the talents of the writer, though the artist’s skills can be gleamed(all in B&W). This volume has many great (famous) artists and writers, by the way, though not all of the stories are of very high caliber.

So I thought I’ll just list all of them, and my views. Should suffice.

Revolutionary Road

The novel by Richard Yates, first published in 1962, remains relevant even today (in 2012 that is). It's very well-written, and parts of it seem so real, so authentic. Let me just start by saying that part of the theme of the book is about 'non-conformity' and not fitting in with others of your own class. The book is about a (married)couple, in the most basic sense, their beginnings and the path leading up to the end. But they're not a normal couple, oh no, they're thinkers(at least they fancy themselves to be intellectuals), dissatisfied with their drab everyday lives.

             Richard Yates says of the book, "an indictment of American life in the 1950s. Because during the Fifties there was a general lust for conformity all over this country, by no means only in the suburbs — a kind of blind, desperate clinging to safety and security at any price."

The Day of the Triffids

  The beginning of the novel deals with mass blindness and its effect on 1951 London. Breaking down of society, social commentary etc. follows. What I realized while reading was that a lot of literature[apocalyptic], both past and current, is in some way based on this book.[Especially Zombie Stuff like The Walking Dead].

Bjork

 

Bjork's voice is haunting. Her oooh's in this song bring the rest of it together. This song is from a movie she acted in, Dancer in the Dark (2000) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0168629/ A very excellent movie, I highly suggest you watch it if you haven't already. 

 Bjork is a Highly talented individual, not to mention incredibly beautiful and artistic. She's one of.. THEM.

She's also been in a few political controversies lately, in her home country of Iceland. Iceland is also where Sigur Ros hail from, who also make some great music. What is it about Iceland then that gives their people ethereal voices and the gift of melody? Cold and loneliness I;m thinking.. Same thing goes for Canadian writers I guess.

My, she's so pretty...

OK, ADD inspired change, I'm going to dedicate this whole post to Bjork!

Prospero Lost (Review)

Prospero Lost by L. Jagi Lamplighter

This is a fantasy novel. Reader's of Shakespeare's 'The Tempest' will be familiar with some of the back-story, but it isn't really important even if you haven't read it, because it explains everything to you anyways. The best parts of this story are the flashbacks which are incredibly detailed, which you see through the mind-eyes of the main protagonist(Miranda). Most of the history of the Prospero family is told through flashbacks, and let me tell you this, innumerable mentions have been made in this book to countless gods, magic, mythological creatures, fairytales and whatnot from various nationalities even.

Catwoman: When in Rome (Review)

Catwoman is Smexy. That is a fact. It is also a fact that Tim Sale and the lush surroundings of the capital of Italy only add to her smexiness. There is no doubt that the art in this book is better than the writing.

Catwoman is in Rome(obviously) with our dear E. Nygma and a blonde Italian hitman for company, to meet with the head of the Italian mafia and to attempt to piece together pieces of her past. The story seems a bit convoluted, Selina is sexy as ever, with AND without the costume on, the covers are gorgeous, most of the book is narrated from her point of view, and boy, that's one of the few things that pulls this book off. Because her thoughts are dirty, dirty thoughts and almost always witty/humorous. Batman makes a few imaginary cameos in the beginning of every issue(its a collection of 6 gorgeous issues) and though it feels like there are plotholes (and there probably are) it doesn't detract MUCH from the action or the story.

So all in all, decent read, good artwork, nothing exceptional, but worth reading once or twice.