Reading: WONDERFUL WOMEN OF THE WORLD - Laurie Halse Anderson (editor)

1st Line: "When I was a kid, I did a project for school about the different sections of the newspaper."

Prose (Story): In honor of Wonder Woman's 80th Anniversary! Extolling the virtues of strength, compassion, justice, truth, and equality - like Wonder Woman herself - this YA graphic novel/anthology, spotlighting 23 women around the globe who have waged their own battles for all the above values (Serena Williams, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Greta Thunberg, Beyonce, Keiko Agena, Mari Copeny, more), each profile written and illustrated by some of the biggest talents in the business, is a colorful, important, and long-overdue tribute to the wonder women of real life, who fight every day so that all who cannot speak up may still be heard. 

Don's (Review): Wow, whoever at DC came up with this idea was a bit of a genius. Having read a number of graphic novels, I have never come across one that I'd automatically attach the word "important" too - but that was my constant feeling while reading this. Though "just a guy," as a gay male I have some knowledge of trying to live and love within a community constantly under fire - and like to keep updated on current and world events as I can, because of it - but with nearly every one of the 23 women covered here, I found myself at some point in each profile raising my eyebrows when coming upon a fact about the subject that I didn't know. It's a fascinating collection, one I would love to buy for every young person I know, because I can't imagine how many times someone just coming into his, her or their own as an adult would treasure the inspiration they could repeatedly come back to, just re-reading the stories of these remarkable ladies. And while a second, third, etc. volume could easily be forthoming as well, I loved the fact that the profiles here were of women affecting change across the board - whether in entertainment, science, education, sports, politics, activism, it's realy astounding what this anthology can teach you, while still being enthralling and entertaining. And with each profile being covered by a different writer or artist - literally many of the best in the comics industry, each with obvious love for the subjet their covering here - each story, each page bursts with color and energy and life. Kudos on whoever came up with this one, DC!  4.5/5 stars

NOTE: I received a free ARC of this title from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.

Reading: IT FELL FROM THE SKY - The Fan Brothers (Terry Fan, Eric Fan)

1st Line: "It fell from the sky on a Thursday."

Prose (Story): One day a remarkable, colorful sphere falls from the sky. Ladybug, Inchworm, the Walking Stick, Grasshopper  - all the insects and animals living nearby gather to agree it's a strange and wondrous object ... though what, exactly, is it?  No one knows, nor can even guess, but when Spider concocts a small fib to claim ownership of the mystical sphere, and makes plans to put it on a Grand Exhibit for all to view, he sets in motion what may end up a hard-learned lesson in family, community, and giving back. 

Don's (Review): I go into every Fan Brothers picture book expecting to be dazzled, and the guys have yet to disappoint. Here, finely-drawn art, rendered in black and white to further highlight the wondrous color of the strange object that so has the insects bedazzled - takes your breath away on every page, as usual. From the way the fireflies light up the object as it sits on display, to the pristinely-detailed dandelions that look as if they could shed floaties right off the page, to the intricate patterns and textures of the insects and animals themselves (especially our anti-hero Spider) - as with most Fan Brothers books, you have to read through for the first time just finding glory in the art, before a second read-through to fully capture the story. Here, said story results in a lesson learned for Spider that leads to growth, and that's all I want to say to keep things spoiler-free. Needless to say, another beauty of a picture book that should be on the shelf of any kid, or kid at heart, with art and texture and characters all beautifully connected to a simple, inspiring message. Outstanding - at least for this Fan fan - as always.  5/5 stars

Reading: TEEN TITANS: BEAST BOY LOVES RAVEN - Kami Garcia (author), Gabriel Picolo (illustrator)

1st Line: "ON A TRAIN IN TENNESSEE"

Prose (Story): Raven Roth, with barely a few days to get herself together after both learning of the true nature of her father and getting her heart broken, finds herself on a bus to Nashville to meet up with Slade Wilson, whom she's hoping has some badly-needed answers to the many questions Raven has about both her father and her new-found powers. At the same time, Garfield Logan, feeling his own isolation after learning his parents kept the secret of his power to transform into various animals a secret from him, finds himself on a similar mission to Nashville and a meeting with Slade, hopefully to learn how to better control/use his newly-discovered abilities. When the two meet by accident in Nashville, neither one knowing of the others talents or connection to Slade, the scene is set not only for nefarious forces awaiting them in Music City who have their own agenda ... but also for a potential romance, as Gar finds himself smitten immediately by Raven, even as she pushes her own interest in Gar back, determined not to be betrayed again.

Don's (Review): Oh my God, how I loved this graphic novel. While still reading Gar and Raven's individual stories in each of their own books (also available to buy, please check back soon for those separate reviews), I picked up this volume to read a page or two ... and that was it. Kami Garcia has crafted a near-perfect story that has it all - humor, action, suspense, thrills, mystery - but to add to that, the budding romance between Gar and Raven, while they hang out together in the city as each (unbeknownst to the other) awaits his/her meeting with Slade, comes across as possibly the most organic, realistic and real-world build-up to potentially falling in love that I have read in any piece of fiction for a long time. The goofiness of Gar's growing affections, Raven slowly eroding wall of protection that Gar tries valiantly to chip away at, as they tour the city - wow, it just all comes off so sweet and real, and by the time the action begins you are already so emotionally invested in these characters and their possibly getting together, catapulting through pages until the end is a no-brainer (and even then, the story and action are worthy of the rest of the book, easily just as satisfying). Possibly my favorite graphic novel of the year (certainly in my Top 3), and beyond Garcia's awesome story I have to say the Gabriel Picolo's artwork here is nothing short of breathtaking. He can create panels for action scenes and Nashville places of interest, etc. to perfection, as he does throughout the entire book - but for me, the painstaking attention to detail in the quiet moments, such as (no spoilers) when Raven is nursing an ill-feeling Gar and it appears they may share their first kiss in his cheap motel room ... well, the artwork it just that; art. Picolo is a master, and he and Garcia together make for one hell of a book that works equally well as action-adventure, superhero semi-origin story, and true romance. I couldn't love it more.  5/5 stars

NOTE: I received a free ARC of this title from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.

Trailer Battle: License to Kill vs. Butcher Knife to Kill With - It's a Bloody Box Office in October!

October has two huge - okay, HUGE - films opening in theaters: Daniel Craig's final Bond film (hitting the scrren at last!), NO TIME TO DIE ... and the sequel to 2018's feminist reboot of the John Carpenter classic, Halloween, this one call HALLOWEEN KILLS, in which - damnit - after ALL that trouble Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) took to set Michael Meyers up in the first one, the dang fire department helps him get out again! 

Am a huge fan of both Craig as Bond and the 2018 horror reboot (which can't touch Carpenter's original, but is still SO much better than that dreck Rob Zombie came up with - ditto 99% of the sequels within the original franchise), so am seriously looking forward to both. So thought it'd be nice to do a post featuring both trailers, to let everyone else decide on whether Her Majesty's #1 (moody/always potentially rogue) secret agent is your #1 choice ... or if October puts you in more of the mood for a knife-wielding maniac still going strong, after what has to be well past his sixtieth birthday? 

Side note: Rami Malek throwing off major Joker vibes in the Bond trailer is awesome-sauce to the nth degree. OH, and I believe that the Halloween films is also available on Peacock, either on or around the film's theatrical release date.

Leave a comment if you want; either way, enjoy!

Reading: EGG MARKS THE SPOT (SKUNK AND BADGER #2) - Amy Timberlake (author), Jon Klassen (illustrator)

(BLOG TOUR SPOTLIGHT!)

1st Line: "RAP-RAP."

Prose (Story): When Skunk, seeking to get out of the house on Sunday because he knows his New Yak Times Book Review section will be stolen by a sticky-fingered hedgehog "friend," talks roommate Badger into a rock-finding expedition to replace the one-of-a-kind agate stolen years ago by Badger's cousin Fisher, the best buddies learn that Campsite #5 at Endless Lake holds a (literally) much bigger, older secret than they could ever imagine. One that will find the boys fighting to save a chicken friend ... and Badger confronting his old nemesis at last.

Don's (Review): I was privileged to do a Blog Spotlight Tour for the first book in this "insta-classic" children's series (you can find my original review for Skunk and Badger HERE), so jumped at the chance to do the same for the sequel. Though for me this one took a bit longer for the story to get going, from page one it was still brilliant to get back to the irascible Badger - who has only mildly chilled out in regards to his patience with Skunk, and his boisterous, wide-eyed and occasionally melodramtic friend and roommate. 

Author Timberlake obviously has so much love for both the boys, and expertly shows their growing friendship as the hike to Endless Lake has Badger watching out for his small friend and one gi-normous backpack, even as Skunk's made it clear that Badger must replace that agate and more forward with his rock collection (and rock work; there is always the rock work). It's sweet, funny and charming, watching the boys settle in at Campsite #5, but for me the story really came to life with the introduction of the "bad guy" - Badger's cousin Fisher. Fisher makes the Grinch look like Mary Poppins, even more so once we learn why Fisher has come to Endless Lake in the first place - and then it's all chickens and action and an amber wall holding a bit of treasure ... the boys finding themselves way in over their heads, but never backing down. Because best friends who have each other's backs never do. 

Timberlake builds up the action beautifully, escalating the tension and raising the stakes for our heroes - all aided by the timeless, elegant line drawings of illustrator Jon Klassen, which alone will remind adult readers of some of their favorite classics from childhood, such as Charlotte's Web or Winnie the Pooh. Things wrap up to a very satisfying conclusion here, by the end, with - yay! - the last-minute introduction of a couple new characters hinting at a third book coming down the road. Which is fine with me; I haven't loved a couple of classically mistmatched roommates this much since I watched reruns of "The Odd Couple" as a kid. Bring on book three!  4/5 stars

NOTE: I received a free ARC of this title from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review. 

Photo Credits - Amy Timberlake: Phil Timberlake; Jeff Klassen: Carson Ellis

Praise (so well-deserved!) for book one, Skunk and Badger:

Reading: ARTIE AND THE WOLF MOON - Olivia Stephens

1st Line: "Oregon. Early September."

Prose (Story): When teenager Artemis "Artie" Irvin accidentally discovers she comes from a long line of werewolves, she sets out to learn more about not only the history or her family, but also of the relationship between her mother and late father - who died before she was even born. But among the many other things Artie's mother needs to teach her is that a far more fierce predator awaits in the darkness. One that takes particular pleasure in hunting fresh, young werewolves.

Don's (Review): Though the trope of a young girl missing the long-deceased father she never knew, trying to learn more about him from a mother who doesn't talk much about the past - period - is fairly familiar, author Olivia Stephens makes Artie a fresh and sympathetic character from the beginning. So much so, when the girl accidentally sees her mother transforming from wolf to human and learns her full heritage at last, the reader is just as frustrated when Artie's mom still manages to avoid revealing more about her past, their family, and especially Artie's dad. But it's hard to ignore your dauther's budding werewolf traits - especially when the girl has a mild freakout at school, while being bullied by classmates, and very nearly transforms in front of them - so things become clearer at last when Mom brings in some loving found-family members to help teach Artie how to best handle her lineage. It's no spoiler to reveal that Artie also soon learns of the real enemy out there - vampires - and for me at least here is where the book faltered just a bit; the author makes a couple of change-ups to the vampire legend, including what happens when you kill one, that felt just a bit forced, as if changed only to better fit the story here. That said, this graphic novel remains a winner, with strong characters you care about (especially our heroine), plenty of action, and dark, moody illustrations that fit the tale perfectly - not to mention the LGBTQ+-inclusive  storyline (Artie develops a crush on another girl) and largely African-American cast. There's a lot to enjoy here, and while I feel the book could have benefitted from one more edit been a bit shorter, it's a no-brainer to recommend this werewolf vs. vamps tale with bite. Yeah - I went there.  4/5 stars 

NOTE: I received a free ARC of this title from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review. 

August Wrap-Up: A Novel Concept

Much as I love middle-grade and YA novels, not to mention graphic novels and manga, I always feel a bit disappointed with myself when - at the end of a month - I have not finished more adult or narrative works (novels), for said month, as well. In the case of August, this hurts a bit less because the two adult novels I did finish - two of my most anticipated reads of the year - were, while still very good, slight disappointments from what I had hoped!

By contrast, I think I read what may well be my favorite manga/graphic novel for the year in August: The Decagon House Murders, Vol. 1. A very cool, very Agatha Christie-type mystery set on an island off Japan, based on the popular novel. Both story and art are brilliant, and UGH that cliffhanger it ended on! Can't wait for volume two; even better, should read the novel before continuing! Other graphic novel highlights, easily, included Old Head and The Bright Family, with The Little Yak easily leaping onto my list of fave picture books ever. So yeah, all in all a good month for reading, regardless of the material.

Films ... only two, both just okay but not bad. Worth checking out. The obsession remains with books.

As always, reviews to come - am working on catching up by year's end - so whatever you don't see reviewd here, please check back and be patient! Cooler weather coming, hope it brings equally cool books for us all ...