Eternal Empire Vol. 2

Title: Eternal Empire Vol. 2

Author: Sarah Vaughn, Jonathan Luna

Publisher: Image Comics 2018

Genre: Comic

Pages: 136

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges:

In the concluding arc of this fantasy epic, Tair and Rion use their fire power to try to take down the Empire, while the Eternal Empress plots to use the duo for her own devices. Can the two avoid her clutches, or will they be the weapon the Empress needs to finally control all of Saia?

With the conclusion, we learn more about the daraka and the prophecy of the three. I liked seeing Tair and Rion come to understand each other and their place in the world. I would have liked a bit more about the lore and legends of the daraka, but we speed past most of that to get to the showdown with the Empress. Decent comics for an afternoon’s reading.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Eternal Empire Vol. 1

Title: Eternal Empire Vol. 1

Author: Sarah Vaughn, Jonathan Luna

Publisher: Image Comics 2017

Genre: Comic

Pages: 128

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges:

JONATHAN LUNA (ALEX + ADA, THE SWORD, Spider-Woman: Origin) and SARAH VAUGHN (ALEX + ADA, Deadman: Dark Mansion of Forbidden Love, Ruined) return with ETERNAL EMPIRE, a fantasy epic!

The Eternal Empress has waged war against the countries of Saia for over 100 years, and now her sights are set on the last country standing. But within the brutal Empire’s workforce, a young man and woman discover they share a synergistic power that could change the fate of the entire world. Collects issues 1 through 5.

A fun saving the world comic involving dragons with a limited run? Sign me up! I have enjoyed other comics from Vaughn and Luna and this was no exception. We slowly sink into the world of Saia and the lore of the daraka and the triple suns. We meet two characters somehow connected. The first trade shows them meeting and learning of their purpose. We have to wait until the second trade to see if they succeed.

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Low Low Woods by Carmen Maria Machado

Title: The Low, Low Woods

Author: Carmen Maria Machado, Dani, Tamra Bonvillain

Publisher: DC Black Label 2020

Genre: Comic

Pages: 168

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges:

There's something in the woods...

Shudder-to-Think, Pennsylvania, has been on fire for years. The woods are full of rabbits with human eyes, a deer woman who stalks hungry girls, and swaths of skinless men. And the people of Shudder-to-Think? Well, they're not doing so well either.

When El and Octavia wake up in a movie theater with no memory of the last few hours of their lives, the two teenage dirtbags embark on a horrifying journey to uncover the truth about the strange town that they call home.

We get shades of Silent Hill and the creepy atmosphere from the real-life Centralia mixed with magic and transformation. Horrifying yet poignant look at the treatment of women and memory. I was confused for the first issue or so, trying to get my bearings in this very strange town. And then I started to suspect that not all the occurrences were random. The truth slowly unfolds over the issues to reveal decades-long horrors. I loved the interjection of the witch to give council, but it’s the two main characters that have to made the ultimate choice for everyone. I imagine that I will be thinking about this short comic for awhile after reading.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Once & Future Vol. 4

Title: Once & Future Vol. 4

Author: Kieron Gillen, Dan Mora, Tamra Bonvillain

Publisher: Boom Studios 2022

Genre: Comics

Pages: 160

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges:

WAR OF THE KINGS!

Bridgette, Duncan, and Rose, – along with the entirety of Britain – are dragged into the Otherworld. It's a land of predatory monsters and things seem like they can't get any worse.

Of course they can. A rival king rises to confront Arthur, plunging the land into civil war... and both pursue Bridgette, Duncan and Rose as they travel across the land, desperately trying to find a way to return Britain to its senses...

New York Times bestselling writer Kieron Gillen joins Russ Manning Award winning artist Dan Mora, and colorist Tamra Bonvillain present the next chapter in the Hugo and Eisner Award nominated series.

Collects Once & Future #19-24.

Another great collection of issues from this series. The tension is definitely ratcheting up from our last trade. Things are becoming dire and the final war is looming closer and closer. In this volume, we get some maneuvering and more insight into the enemy camps. We also encounter two more story characters, one of which I gasped out loud at the reveal. I really loved the inclusion of Shakespeare and his works. Can't wait to see what happens next.

Next up on the TBR pile:

My Favorite Thing is Monsters by Emil Ferris

Title: My Favorite Thing is Monsters Book 1

Author: Emil Ferris

Publisher: Fantagraphics 2017

Genre: Comic Horror

Pages: 416

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fall TBR

Set against the tumultuous political backdrop of late ’60s Chicago, My Favorite Thing Is Monsters is the fictional graphic diary of 10-year-old Karen Reyes, filled with B-movie horror and pulp monster magazines iconography. Karen Reyes tries to solve the murder of her enigmatic upstairs neighbor, Anka Silverberg, a holocaust survivor, while the interconnected stories of those around her unfold. When Karen’s investigation takes us back to Anka’s life in Nazi Germany, the reader discovers how the personal, the political, the past, and the present converge. Full-color illustrations throughout.

This volume has been on my radar for awhile now, but I finally picked it up to enjoy. I dove straight in to this book not knowing the premise at all. Right away we learn that we are reading a murder mystery, but one filled with internal musings from our protagonist as well as observations of life. We follow Karen who thinks of herself as werewolf. We learn about her life in a small urban apartment with her mother and brother. We slowly meet the neighbors and learn about the rhythms of life in the particular neighborhood. All throughout, at the heart of the story is the question of who killed Anka Silverberg. I was a bit upset to learn the the story does not actually conclude with this volume, but intrigued enough to continue reading.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Through the Woods by Emily Carroll

Title:Through the Woods

Author: Emily Carroll

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books 2014

Genre: Comics; Horror

Pages: 208

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges:

Journey through the woods in this sinister, compellingly spooky collection that features four brand-new stories and one phenomenally popular tale in print for the first time. These are fairy tales gone seriously wrong, where you can travel to “Our Neighbor’s House”—though coming back might be a problem. Or find yourself a young bride in a house that holds a terrible secret in “A Lady’s Hands Are Cold.” You might try to figure out what is haunting “My Friend Janna,” or discover that your brother’s fiancée may not be what she seems in “The Nesting Place.” And of course you must revisit the horror of “His Face All Red,” the breakout webcomic hit that has been gorgeously translated to the printed page.

Already revered for her work online, award-winning comic creator Emily Carroll’s stunning visual style and impeccable pacing is on grand display in this entrancing anthology, her print debut.

This volume caught my eye on the library shelf and I checked it out immediately. This short collection of horror stories hit the spot for me. I wanted something a little fun, a little terrifying, with lots of twists and turns. Just the art gives the reader a tremendous sense of dread. I was completely terrified, especially with the last story. A lovely creepy collection that I am glad that I found randomly.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Lore Olympus Vol. 2 by Rachel Smythe

Title: Lore Olympus Volume 2

Author: Rachel Smythe

Publisher: Random House Worlds 2022

Genre: Fantasy Comic

Pages: 368

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

Persephone was ready to start a new life when she left the mortal realm for Olympus. However, she quickly discovered the dark side of her glamorous new home—from the relatively minor gossip threatening her reputation to a realm-shattering violation of her safety by the conceited Apollo—and she’s struggling to find her footing in the fast-moving realm of the gods. Hades is also off-balance, fighting against his burgeoning feelings for the young goddess of spring while maintaining his lonely rule of the Underworld. As the pair are drawn ever closer, they must untangle the twisted webs of their past and present to build toward a new future.

This volume collects episodes 26–49 of the #1 WEBTOON comic Lore Olympus.

Another great volume from my favorite Webtoon! We get further development between Hades and Persephone as well as learning more about some of the side characters. I really love Hecate and Hera. I definitely want to see more of them in future issues. Minthe causes me such distress. I really hope the next volume starts unraveling that particular relationship so we can see the development of the one that I want.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Anya's Ghost by Vera Brosgol

Title: Anya’s Ghost

Author: Vera Brosgol

Publisher: First Second 2011

Genre: Graphic Novel Fantasy

Pages: 224

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

Anya could really use a friend. But her new BFF isn't kidding about the "Forever" part . . .

Of all the things Anya expected to find at the bottom of an old well, a new friend was not one of them. Especially not a new friend who's been dead for a century.

Falling down a well is bad enough, but Anya's normal life might actually be worse. She's embarrassed by her family, self-conscious about her body, and she's pretty much given up on fitting in at school. A new friend―even a ghost―is just what she needs.

Or so she thinks.

Interesting… I had no idea what this graphic novel was actually about until after I started reading it. I was pleasantly surprised by this strange story involving a girl and a ghost she found in a hole. We follow Anya as she navigates balancing life at home and at school as she attempts to create her own identity; And then things start to change, and not really for the better. I sped through this one and really fell for Anya’s struggles. She finds her fitting in the end, but it is a journey.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Displacement by Kiku Hughes

Title: Displacement

Author: Kiku Hughes

Publisher: First Second 2020

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 283

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

Kiku is on vacation in San Francisco when suddenly she finds herself displaced to the 1940s Japanese-American internment camp that her late grandmother, Ernestina, was forcibly relocated to during World War II.

These displacements keep occurring until Kiku finds herself "stuck" back in time. Living alongside her young grandmother and other Japanese-American citizens in internment camps, Kiku gets the education she never received in history class. She witnesses the lives of Japanese-Americans who were denied their civil liberties and suffered greatly, but managed to cultivate community and commit acts of resistance in order to survive.

Our June book club selection and a completely new-to-me book. This graphic novel details the experiences of Americans during the Japanese interment of WWII. While I knew a decent amount of the specifics, this slim book conveys a lot of information in a gentle, concise way. We follow a modern girl as she experiences what her grandmother did in WWII. The treatment of the people is brutal, but the book doesn’t dwell on the gore. There are very emotional scenes between characters. I imagine that we are going to have a lot of interesting discussions And I’m definitely put this one onto my homeschool TBR for future years.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Lore Olympus Vol. 1 by Rachel Smythe

Title: Lore Olympus Volume 1

Author: Rachel Smythe

Publisher: Del Rey 2021

Genre: Fantasy Comic

Pages: 384

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

Persephone, young goddess of spring, is new to Olympus. Her mother, Demeter, has raised her in the mortal realm, but after Persephone promises to train as a sacred virgin, she’s allowed to live in the fast-moving, glamorous world of the gods. When her roommate, Artemis, takes her to a party, her entire life changes: she ends up meeting Hades and feels an immediate spark with the charming yet misunderstood ruler of the Underworld. Now Persephone must navigate the confusing politics and relationships that rule Olympus, while also figuring out her own place—and her own power.

This volume collects episodes 1–25 of the #1 WEBTOON comic Lore Olympus.

A friend had been demanding that I read this one and I finally picked it up. In truth, I started reading the Webtoons but put a hold on the physical book also. The Webtoons on my phone was a bit annoying as it didn’t like to load that fast. The book is all right there. Anyway, I started reading this and completely full in love with this version of the Hades and Persephone story. I love the juxtaposition of modern in the immortal realm and the classical in the mortal realm. The world building is great and then we move into the characters. I loved how Smythe constructed each character relying on their classical stories, but also injecting some modern traits and quirks. Seriously, Hermes is my favorite. Hades becomes properly layered with heroic tendencies, but also really big flaws. Persephone can be a bit too naive for my tastes, but hopefully her character will evolve. So sad that this volume only contains the first 25 issues and that the second volume hasn’t hit the library yet. Guess I will have to go back to the Webtoon to continue reading.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Sapiens Vol. 1 by Yuval Noah Harari

Title: Sapiens Vol. 1: The Birth of Humankind

Author: Yuval Noah Harari

Publisher: Harper 2020

Genre: Comics

Pages: 248

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

One hundred thousand years ago, at least six different species of humans inhabited Earth. Yet today there is only one—homo sapiens. What happened to the others? And what may happen to us?

In this first volume of the full-color illustrated adaptation of his groundbreaking book, renowned historian Yuval Harari tells the story of humankind’s creation and evolution, exploring the ways in which biology and history have defined us and enhanced our understanding of what it means to be “human.” From examining the role evolving humans have played in the global ecosystem to charting the rise of empires, Sapiens challenges us to reconsider accepted beliefs, connect past developments with contemporary concerns, and view specific events within the context of larger ideas. 

Featuring 256 pages of full-color illustrations and easy-to-understand text covering the first part of the full-length original edition, this adaptation of the mind-expanding book furthers the ongoing conversation as it introduces Harari’s ideas to a wide new readership.

I didn’t really learn anything from this comic version of Harari’s book, but it was enjoyable. I really enjoyed how accessible this one is for every person.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Far Sector by N.K. Jemisin

Title: Far Sector by

Author: N.K. Jemisin, Jamal Campbell

Publisher: DC Comics 2021

Genre: Comics

Pages: 213

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges:

The first murder in 500 years. Twenty billion suspects. One hope.

The City Enduring, a booming metropolis at the edge of the universe, hasn’t experienced a violent crime in generations. The Emotion Exploit has erased its citizens’ full range of feelings, allowing three resident races to overlook their turbulent history and coexist peacefully—until now.

Rookie Green Lantern Sojourner “Jo” Mullein is still adjusting to her assignment to protect this strange world when a brutal murder rattles its social order, threatening to undo centu r ies of controversia l pro gress . As the populace rises up against the legacy of the Emotion Exploit and leaders grapple for power under threat of a new war, Jo must rely on her unique instincts—as a Green Lantern and the only human in this sector—to solve the crime and guide the City Enduring toward a more promi sing future.

I don’t usually read “cape” comics, but I made an exception for one written by N.K. Jemisin. I mean, who an resist another story from Jemisin? For this one, Gerard Way resurrected some of the side stories from the DC Universe into a new series called Young Animals. In this volume, we get a story about a solo Green Lantern in the far searches of the sector struggling to understand the culture, the people, and the murder of a citizen. Immediately, I fell for the complicated society full of rogues and confusion. And then we get the murder mystery to keep up going. And finally, we get Sojourner herself. I loved the weaving of her background on Earth and her current standing as a Lantern. Strong, yet flawed women are my catnip and Sojourner is exactly what I needed. I really enjoyed this story.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Once & Future Vol. 3

Title: Once & Future Vol. 3

Author: Kieron Gillen, Dan Mora, Tamra Bonvillain

Publisher: Boom Studios 2020

Genre: Comics

Pages: 160

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges:

When an ancient helmet at the British Museum is taken, Bridgette and Duncan are confronted by another hero of yore, one who will lead them to facing off against their most formidable challenge yet...a beast and his mother.

Although Bridgette and Duncan stopped Arthur from retrieving the Grail and separated him from the legendary scabbard of Excalibur, the undead King of the Britons still has his sights on returning to our world and returning to power. By inadvertently changing the story of the famous King, Duncan and Gran have thrown the Otherworld into shambles, allowing for new legends and characters to make their appearance - and bring a world of trouble along with them.

But when an ancient helmet at the British Museum is taken, Bridgette and Duncan are confronted by another hero of yore, one who will lead them to facing off against their most formidable challenge yet...a beast and his mother.

New York Times bestselling writer Kieron Gillen (The Wicked + The Divine, Star Wars) and Russ Manning Award-winning artist Dan Mora (Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Klaus) deliver the next chapter of the critically-acclaimed series that took the world of comics by storm!

Collects Once & Future #7-12.

Oh I am so incredibly into this comic series. We get appearances from three more story characters and learn more about Merlin and Nimue and Arthur. Lots of action in this volume and lots of gore. Love it! Can’t wait for the next one.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Lumberjanes Vol. 20

Title: Lumberjanes Vol. 20

Author: Shannon Watters, Kat Leyh, Brooklyn Allen, Alexa Bosy, Kanesha C. Bryant

Publisher: BOOM! Box 2021

Genre: Comics

Pages: 144

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges:

THE END OF SUMMER IS HERE. Jo, Mal, Molly, April, Ripley and the scouts of Miss Qiunzella Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet's Camp for Hardcore Lady Types are running out of time to fight back against the mysterious force known as the Grey! And even if they succeed, they will have to deal with their biggest challenge yet - saying goodbye as summer finally comes to an end. The team of Kat Leyh, Shannon Watters, Alexa Bosy, Kanesha C. Bryant and returning series co-creator Brooklyn Allen conclude one of the most important and acclaimed comics of the century by taking Friendship To The Max one last time. Collects Lumberjanes #75 and Lumberjanes: End of Summer #1.

And so we come to the end of the summer at camp and one last big adventure. At the end of the last trade, all the inhabitants of Roanoke cabin had set out one last activity before summer ends. We get to see those various activities, but also everyone both in camp and in the forest must come together to save the area from a malevolent gray mass. We get to see all our favorites. This was such a lovely way to end the series. I’m going to miss all characters, but especially Ripley!

Next up on the TBR pile:

Bloodlust & Bonnets by Emily McGovern

Title: Bloodlust & Bonnets

Author: Emily McGovern

Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing 2019

Genre: Comics

Pages: 216

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

Set in early nineteenth-century Britain, Bloodlust & Bonnets follows Lucy, an unworldly debutante who desires a life of passion and intrigue—qualities which earn her the attention of Lady Violet Travesty, the leader of a local vampire cult.

But before Lucy can embark on her new life of vampiric debauchery, she finds herself unexpectedly thrown together with the flamboyant poet Lord Byron (“from books!”) and a mysterious bounty-hunter named Sham. The unlikely trio lie, flirt, fight, and manipulate each other as they make their way across Britain, disrupting society balls, slaying vampires, and making every effort not to betray their feelings to each other as their personal and romantic lives become increasingly entangled.

What a delightfully funny little graphic novel! I randomly picked this one up from a shelf at the library and let it sit on my floor for weeks. I grabbed it after starting a very disappointing novel. This was just what i needed. Right away, we meet Lucy and then Byron (you know, like in the books) and encounter a cult of vampires. From there we follow a twisty and turny path to reconnect with those vampires to slay them? Questions and declarations and puns and double entendres abound! I was snort laughing throughout most of the book. I especially loved the little interactions with Napoleon the Eagle and Castle. Oh so good! If you need a pick-me-up that actually discussions love and duty and fate, pick this one up!

Next up on the TBR pile:

Injection Vol. 3

Title: Injection Vol. 3

Author: Warren Ellis, Jordie Bellaire, Declan Shalvey

Publisher: Image 2017

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 120

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

An archaeological dig in Cornwall has gone very wrong, very quickly. And Maria Kilbride has her hands full already, as the effects of the Injection begin to dig in. So Brigid Roth, her old comrade from the CCCU, gets hired to go to a stone circle in the middle of a moor, under a granite tor, to find out why a ritual murder might have torn a hole in the world.

What is the Cold House?

We’re back to the very strange dip into the supernatural while following Brigid’s adventures. I think she is my favorite out the five so far. I loved her approach to information and tackling the unknown. Plus, we get some great folklore and a very interesting archaeologist. I cannot wait to read more in this series. Unfortunately, it looks like this series has not continued to be written.

Injection Vol. 2

Title: Injection Vol. 2

Author: Warren Ellis, Jordie Bellaire, Declan Shalvey

Publisher: Image 2016

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 120

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

Consulting detective Vivek Headland, originally of the group that caused the release of a haunted artificial intelligence into the world, lives and works in New York, dealing with all the strangeness that very strange city can throw at him. But a case involving a stolen ghost and human deli meat causes him to call for help, as the details of the investigation reveal a new battleground between humanity and The Injection.

Oh I see! Every trade focuses on one of the people who created the Injection. This time, we get more insight into Vivek Headland and his very unusual life. I loved learning more about Vivek and more about what they created. The revelation of the ham sandwich was very disturbing.

Injection Vol. 1

Title: Injection Vol. 1

Author: Warren Ellis, Jordie Bellaire, Declan Shalvey

Publisher: Image 2015

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 120

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

Once upon a time, there were five crazy people, and they poisoned the 21st Century. Now they have to deal with the corrosion to try and save us all from a world becoming too weird to support human life.

Injection is the new series of graphic novels created by the acclaimed creative team of Moon Knight: From The Dead, about how loud and strange the world is getting, about the wild future and the haunted past all crashing into the present day at once, and about five eccentric geniuses dealing with the paranormal and numinous as well as the growing weight of what they did to the planet with the Injection. Beginning with Maria Kilbride, the troubled troubleshooter for the research wing of mysterious multinational FPI, dragged from hospital to investigate a case of a possessed laboratory and a disappearance that, impossibly, has the hallmarks of ancient folklore.

I randomly picked this series up from the library. It’s strange and convoluted and has some gruesome scenes Right up my alley. I am not quite sure what was happening in some of the scenes, but eventually I figured out what caused the world to go all weird. I will definitely be continuing to read this series.

Lumberjanes Vol. 19

Title: Lumberjanes Vol. 19:

Author: Shannon Watters; Kat Leyh

Publisher: BOOM! 2021

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 112

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

THE END OF SUMMER IS ALMOST HERE! With the end of summer coming up soon, Jo, Mal, Molly, April and Ripley decide to go on one last adventure each, finishing up their summer to-do list with a bang! For April, that’s getting her very last Lumberjanes’ badge for the perfect, most completed sash the world has ever known. Jo and Ripley head into a vortex and over to the Land of Lost Things for one last farewell with Ripley’s dinosaur bestie, Jonesy. And Mal and Molly? Well, they mostly want to spend just a little bit more time together. But no one’s ready for the shocking secret force that’s heading straight for the ‘Janes!

It’s the penultimate trade for the series. Things are so close to ending for the Janes and I am so sad that they are going away soon. I loved the April storyline featuring her quest to attain the last patch on her sash. The other storylines were lacking a bit. I wanted more for Mal and Jo, but maybe they were get more in the last few issues.

Lumberjanes Vol. 18

Title: Lumberjanes Vol. 18:

Author: Shannon Watters; Kat Leyh

Publisher: BOOM! 2021

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 112

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

THEY’RE NOT OUT OF THE WOODS QUITE YET! When April, Jo, Mal, Molly, and Ripley get in trouble with Rosie, the mysterious director of Miss Qiunzella Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet's Camp for Hardcore Lady-Types, they figure the punishment is gonna be a walk in the park… er, woods. That’s before a super gross, and seemingly-sentient creeping vine starts popping up everywhere and scooping ‘Janes up! And then there’s Rosie’s best friend from long ago: the elegant and enigmatic Abigail, who’s appeared out of the woodwork to join forces with the Lumberjanes once more!

I love these storyline where we get to learn more about the camp’s past. Every once in a while, there’s a small snippet of information or we even get to meet someone from the past. In this volume, we get to revisit Abigail (yeah, loved her character previously) and learn about the founding of the Lumberjanes. I’m sad that the series is coming to an end, but the ladies have been at camp for a very long time now… We’ll see how they wrap up their summer. Maybe we will get more information about the past and why the forest is just so strange.