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Book/Comic/TV Recs and Meanderings, 4/19/09
Sunday, April 19th, 2009 12:58 pmIn Books:
The Lost Fleet: Dauntless, by Jack Campbell: I am surprised at how much I'm enjoying this book, given how much space opera talk there is littering up the story. But I have great sympathy for the main character, the Fleet Commander stuck in the midst of terrible interstellar battle, who was presumed dead until he was disocvered and awoken from stasis 100 years after his actions made him a legendary hero. Now he's dealing with leading an entire fleet through space warfare, resources stretched thin by said war (which has continued in the intervening 100 years), and underlings who alternately worship and loathe him for things that he did 100 years ago for them, but just 2 weeks ago for him. I am also liking the strong female characters, a politician and a captain of the ship he's commanding from. So, yes, very impressed with this, and may just have to buy the rest of the series.
In Comics:
Lackadaisy, Volume 1, by Tracy J. Butler: So much LOVE for this slim volume, published by 4th Dimension Entertainment, and written by Tracy J. Butler, who's put her own money on the line to publish the work. Unlike most self-published works, though, this book is brimming over with talent and personality. (Concept artwork for the series can be seen on Butler's website here.) The series is set during Prohibition in St. Louis and features a great cast of characters (some of whom are waiting to be fleshed out in future volumes, but that's OK.) Butler has enormous talent for facial expressions and witty dialogue and uses these to great advantage as she lays the groundwork for her story. Her added research notes about the characters, city, and historical melieu are short and to the point, but add further layers of interest and fun. Normally, I don't go for the furry artwork, but there is nothing approaching any squick here--just fabulous and beautiful cartooning, all done in pretty sepia tones that suit the tone of the story. I really recommend this--but you have may have trouble getting your hands on it. S. at the comic book store said it's not been picked up by a distributor yet.
In Manga:
Sunshine Sketch, Vol. 3: This is my other "guilty pleasure" manga, and Vol. 3 does not disappoint. The stories are cuter than ever, although the sexual tension between two of the characters seems thick enough to slice with a spatula. I can't figure out if the author thinks it's fanservice, or actually intends for the two of them to get together.
OnTV Hulu:
Heroes: BLARGH. With the exception of one major plot twist, this is bad fanfiction right about now. Who are these characters, and what are they doing? I'm all for giving a story time to come to fruition and make its point slowly, but what the hell is the point of the show these days? And now with the rumored plot twist/spoiler I read about over on Fandom_Wank, I don't see any further good points making themselves to the head of the line.![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
yebisu9 is disappointed as well and we've agreed that the finale is going to be the make-it-or-break-it episode for this. I really, really want to like this show; the first season was so good, enthralling. But now it just feels like an exercise in cardboard character drama. It's a shame to see something that was good squandering its potential so thoroughly.
The Lost Fleet: Dauntless, by Jack Campbell: I am surprised at how much I'm enjoying this book, given how much space opera talk there is littering up the story. But I have great sympathy for the main character, the Fleet Commander stuck in the midst of terrible interstellar battle, who was presumed dead until he was disocvered and awoken from stasis 100 years after his actions made him a legendary hero. Now he's dealing with leading an entire fleet through space warfare, resources stretched thin by said war (which has continued in the intervening 100 years), and underlings who alternately worship and loathe him for things that he did 100 years ago for them, but just 2 weeks ago for him. I am also liking the strong female characters, a politician and a captain of the ship he's commanding from. So, yes, very impressed with this, and may just have to buy the rest of the series.
In Comics:
Lackadaisy, Volume 1, by Tracy J. Butler: So much LOVE for this slim volume, published by 4th Dimension Entertainment, and written by Tracy J. Butler, who's put her own money on the line to publish the work. Unlike most self-published works, though, this book is brimming over with talent and personality. (Concept artwork for the series can be seen on Butler's website here.) The series is set during Prohibition in St. Louis and features a great cast of characters (some of whom are waiting to be fleshed out in future volumes, but that's OK.) Butler has enormous talent for facial expressions and witty dialogue and uses these to great advantage as she lays the groundwork for her story. Her added research notes about the characters, city, and historical melieu are short and to the point, but add further layers of interest and fun. Normally, I don't go for the furry artwork, but there is nothing approaching any squick here--just fabulous and beautiful cartooning, all done in pretty sepia tones that suit the tone of the story. I really recommend this--but you have may have trouble getting your hands on it. S. at the comic book store said it's not been picked up by a distributor yet.
In Manga:
Sunshine Sketch, Vol. 3: This is my other "guilty pleasure" manga, and Vol. 3 does not disappoint. The stories are cuter than ever, although the sexual tension between two of the characters seems thick enough to slice with a spatula. I can't figure out if the author thinks it's fanservice, or actually intends for the two of them to get together.
On
Heroes: BLARGH. With the exception of one major plot twist, this is bad fanfiction right about now. Who are these characters, and what are they doing? I'm all for giving a story time to come to fruition and make its point slowly, but what the hell is the point of the show these days? And now with the rumored plot twist/spoiler I read about over on Fandom_Wank, I don't see any further good points making themselves to the head of the line.
yebisu9 is disappointed as well and we've agreed that the finale is going to be the make-it-or-break-it episode for this. I really, really want to like this show; the first season was so good, enthralling. But now it just feels like an exercise in cardboard character drama. It's a shame to see something that was good squandering its potential so thoroughly.
