Graphic Novel

'The course of love never did run smooth', if you're like me and had a boyfriend your parents hated, but you're adamant that you're going to see this relationship through then you'll relate to this Shakespeare novel. Now I'm not really a romance reader, I'm more of Troll Slayer kind of a gal, however, I was pleasantly surprised to pick up this book and keep on reading...with interest! ..read more

The 6th volume of Keikp Tobe's With The Light sees Hikaru trying to fit in with a bigger world as he grows out of childhood, ready to begin puberty. His younger sister, Kanon, also starts elementary school and their parents Sachiko and Masato start to unwittingly draw comparisons about how Kanon is able to manager her life easily whereas Hikaru is still stumbling on. Sometimes it seems that even the littlest things can cause the biggest upsets, and with the onset of puberty looming just how much worse can things get?

'Twelfth Night' Manga style, a truly inviting way to read Shakespeare. Never have I been able to understand, let alone particularly follow, Shakespeare's literature. If you're like me, you always struggled at school to understand the wit and mirth of Shakespeare's plays. The way the manga characters convey the emotional intent of the writing makes it so easy to undertstand characters. So as a result I found myself reading on and laughing at the characters and the cocktail of conniving schemes and mixed messages. And most importantly, I understanding it.

I'll be honest, I'm not too sure what to make of this as it's the first time I've seen the American Civil War treated this way. This is certainly an amusing read and borders on farcical at times, reminding me of Asterix & Obelix in so many ways -but that is probably down to the style of illustration than anything else.

Well, this story doesn't disappoint. The intrigue keeps building as the tale unfolds, but rather than answering all the questions it poses many more, allowing the narrative to unfold in an almost dreamy pace. The artwork is uniformly superb and heightens the atmosphere adding so much character and realism to the story.

But, yet another cliff-hanger!!! This, to me, is the one downside to these graphic novels, they need to be far longer. Just when I've gotten into the story, the chapters over and I have to wait for the next one to be released!

I enjoyed this - Blake & Mortimer seem to be the French Equivalent of Holmes and Watson; but with far friendlier banter and no constant grandstanding from "Holmes". In this episode, their "Moriaty" Olrik escapes and steals a priceless necklace and flaunts this in front of the press threatening to create a very nasty diplomatic incident.

One of the greatest comic series to come out of the 1980's, and should really be counted with the likes of Watchmen; Dark Knight Returns and Miracleman. The artwork and writings of Messirs Miller and Sienkiewicz have never been so darn cool or groundbreaking. The story is told in fractured pieces; almost schizophrenic in style and the artwork is deliriously brilliant and inspired.

It has to be experienced -as it's far more than a casual read. It's like an explosion to the senses and somehow all other comics seem almost two dimensional in relation.

I shall have to admit, from the start, that I have never read the original novel - so can't really compare it. However, I can say that as a stand alone read I was fascinated by it. The story is deceptively simple, running alongside the Faust myths: Dorian Gray sells his soul after seeing a portrait of himself - he is so much in love with the portrait that he wishes that he could remain the same way forever.

Like Thomas Ligotti, I was not familiar with Cory Doctorow's work and I really wish I'd been told about him before now. Doctorow's branch of science-fiction borders on being too computer nerdy sometimes, but it's inspired and fresh none-the-less.

The adaptations are all so different to what I'm used to; very quirky and full of personality. My own favourite is "Craphound" which is about one man and his alien as they trawl through the various "bring and buy" sales looking for the perfect bargains! Inspired, as I said.

One of the best horror comics I've read, this follows the lead from films such as Dawn of the Dead and 28 Days Later and shows the long term effects of zombie attacks on society and one mans goal to find safety amongst the madness.