The Star Online: Lifestyle: Bookshelf
The Star Online: Lifestyle: Bookshelf |
| Posted: 28 Oct 2011 01:08 AM PDT COMIC shop Earth 638 is having an "open house" event called Comics Are Cool (4pm onwards) tomorrow at its premises in Kelana Mall, Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Prominent comic publishers, creative talents and artists from the homegrown scene like Tan Eng Huat, Alan Quah, Sheldon Goh, Lefty Kam, alongside Gilamon Studios and Pekomik's finest will be part of the independently organised event. Activities include book signings, meet-the-fans, live sketching and basically, a networking session to get to know the good people in the local comics scene. Loads of merchandise and local/mainstream comics on sale. For more info, call 03-7804 8380 or e-mail: earth638@yahoo.com. Visit their Facebook page or check out the event trailer at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5iq3SVhojU Earth 638 is located at the 2nd Floor, Kelana Mall, Jalan SS6/12, Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Full content generated by Get Full RSS. |
| Posted: 28 Oct 2011 01:07 AM PDT The DC 52 event's second issues event have hit the racks but I am still playing catch up with my pile of # 1s from the last few weeks. Better late than never, this week offers a quick run down of a few premiere issues ... at least before the hype dries up. Action Comics # 1 (US$3.99) Grant Morrison is no stranger to the idea of remodelling the Man of Steel. He did turn Kal-El into a nerd during his All Star Superman stint (with Frank Quitely). As expected, Morrison ups the ante here by ditching everything familiar with the Man of Steel, starting with the red undies! Shockingly, that's not the main deviation. It's Superman's attitude change that hogs the limelight. Forget the holier than thou persona. No more Mr Nice Guy! Now we have a hero who is grittier than the Dark Knight. The changes are distinct with this Superman rarely flying and he has no qualms about tormenting his victims. The timeline here is set during Clark's early Metropolis days as he adopts a more direct approach against the city's "Rats". Lois and Jimmy also assume bit part roles in their "debuts". All said, I like the new version of Lex Luthor, whose newfound ruthlessness makes him a joy to follow. A promising revamp and I am looking forward to the upcoming escapades. Batgirl # 1 (US$2.99) FOR me, the most anticipated DC 52 revelation takes place here, with Barbara "Babs" Gordon resuming her crime-fighting career! Despite being crippled waist down by the Joker (in the classic Killing Joke) two decades ago, Babs remained a prominent figure in the Bat-family, courtesy of her Oracle-role and Birds of Prey influence. However, Jason Todd's return from the grave further fuels the outcry to accelerate Babs' "healing process," more so when the Joker has survived uncountable near death experiences. The controversy ends with this issue as Babs gets her long-awaited "miracle" and resumes her Batgirl role. While it would have been poetic justice for her first mission to be against the Joker, we are left shortchanged as the Clown Prince of Crime only does cameos and Babs ends up freezing against a B-grade "villain" named the Mirror (!). Bearing no connection to the Flash's Mirror Master, what we have here is a crazy vigilante who is hell bent on balancing the scales. Fingers-crossed that writer Gail Simone's long association with Babs will result in sturdier story arcs ahead. The Fury of Firestorm – The Nuclear Men # 1 (US$2.99) The cover is a bombshell and the interiors are equally explosive. Deviating from the usual "two-hosts-to-one-hero" concept, this Gail Simone/Ethan Van Sciver repackaging has Ronnie and Jason assuming the lead roles (once again) with Professor Stein in tow. What remains unchanged is Ronnie and Jason's hatred for each other and the saving grace is that they both become individual Firestorms with the option of "merging" as Fury (of Firestorms). Permutations aside, this is an interesting revamp of the Nuclear M(e)n, especially with the post-Brightest Day animosity. The chemistry between Ronnie and Jason drives the plot and it's also what makes the new Firestorms an interesting read. My only gripe here is Van Sciver not handling the illustration duties, but Yildiray Cinar delivers a decent job – bearing shades of 1980s Firestorm artist, Paul Kupperberg. Suicide Squad # 1 (US$2.99) Sticking to its original concept of convicts-turned-covert agents, the reformation process is a painful and bloody one as evident by the individual torture programme tailor made for each Suicide Squad member. While a roll call comprising Deadshot, El Diablo, King Shark, Savant, Voltaic and Harley Quinn wouldn't make many heads turn, their personal reasons for being part of the team and their contribution towards team dynamics are what makes this book tick. Strong contender for DC 52's flagship team book. Justice League International (US$2.99) THIS United Nations' sanctioned Justice League team falls short on humour and imagination. It's more like an excuse to cater for the masses, with Booster Gold leading a team of foreign heroes. Yes, the Dark Knight is also the unofficial advisor. Dan Jurgens may have done wonders to Booster's solo career but team books are a different ball game and with the absence of the "Blue and Gold," Maxwell Lord's sarcasm, Kevin Maguire's facial expressions and Power Girl's ugly cat, this spells disaster! Batman should have stayed in Gotham. Batman # 1 (US$3.99) After the Justice League, this book comes in a close second on the hype-o-meter and it certainly lives up to the hype. With Scott Snyder a steady and proven hand in scribing the Dark Knight's exploits, the inclusion of Greg (Spawn) Capullo's pencils makes this a formidable Batman creative team since Frank Miller-David Mazzuchelli. This flagship Bat-title has all the right ingredients as Bruce Wayne re-establishes his role as the Bat-alumni head honcho, Arkham's looniest and there is even a swipe at the Joker. The cliffhanger ending is enough to make you bug your local comic shop on the next issue's arrival. Full content generated by Get Full RSS. |
| Posted: 27 Oct 2011 11:41 PM PDT Love Times Three Author: Joe, Alina, Vicki and Valerie Darger Publisher: HarperOne, 294 pages ON the outside, they look like a regular family: he runs his own business and coaches baseball. She drives a minivan and can't live without her Blackberry. The kids attend public schools and take music lessons. The thing is, the adults are polygamists. Joe, Alina and Vicki were married on the same day; Valerie, Vicki's twin sister, joined the family later. They have 24 kids between them. This is a riveting memoir in which the Dargers explain why they chose this path and why they believe it should be an accepted lifestyle. Unsinkable Author: Sonia Ricotti Publisher: Advantage Quest, 192 pages What do you do when life knocks you down? How do you achieve serenity in the midst of chaos? How do you turn obstacles into opportunities? This book provides tips and strategies on how to survive a tough world. It discusses how to transform your way of thinking, take action and grab the bull by the horns, live the way you've always wanted to and create a new and exciting future. Blue Nights Author: Joan Didion Publisher: Fourth Estate, 188 pages After her husband of almost 40 years died suddenly of a heart attack in 2003, novelist and literary journalist Joan Didion wrote about the loss in The Year Of Magical Thinking, which became a bestseller in 2005 – and in that same year, Didion lost her only daughter, Quintana Roo, aged just 39, to septic shock. In this, the sixth year since that tragedy, Didion once again turns to words to try to express her pain. Blue Nights is an account not only of Quintana's life and death, but also Didion's experience of loss and ageing. 50 Ways To Feel Great Today Author: David B. Biebel, James E. Dill, Bobbie Dill Publisher: Advantage Quest, 222 pages There is no such thing as a happy pill, but there are things you can do to make yourself happier. Changing how we feel often begins with something small: you can lift your spirits by listening to your favourite songs, painting a picture, playing in the rain or watching the sunset. This manual shows you how to deal with the unexpected curveballs that life throws your way, beat stress, ward off worries, and banish the blues. God Is Red Author: Liao Yiwu Publisher: HarperOne, 225 pages A critic of the Chinese regime, much of this author's writings are banned in China. His works have landed him in jail before. From his time spent with a vibrant Christian community in secular China, Liao documents the untold stories of believers and their struggle against a totalitarian government. It includes the tale of a surgeon who gave up a lucrative post to treat villagers for free, and a 100-year-old nun who was beaten, starved and has done decades of physical labour. This book is translated by translator-writer Wenguang Huang. Every Day Counts Author: Mark McKeon Publisher: Advantage Quest, 259 pages How do you do it all – raise a family, spend time with friends, manage a company, develop your mind and be fit, healthy and balanced, all at the same time? This is a practical guide to a lifestyle change. The system includes scoring points for different categories, so you can chart and change the way you lead your life. Before you know it, a pattern of sensible eating habits, exercise and relaxation will become part of you. I'm Feeling Lucky Author: Douglas Edwards Publisher: Allen Lane, 401 pages When the author, the first director of consumer marketing and brand management at Google, turned up for a job interview, little did he imagine that he was going to spend the next few years in an unconventional workplace. The early signs were there: he was interviewed by a young man dressed in roller hockey gear and bouncing on a white ball. This book captures what it's like to be part of the company as it grew from a handful of employees to tens of thousands. Empowerment Author: John Tschohl Publisher: Advantage Quest, 135 pages Are rules really meant to be broken? According to this author, the correct way is to learn how to bend the rules, not break them. The most valuable asset of an organisation is its people. And these employees should be taught how to act fast, make quick decisions in favour of customers, and bend rules to keep them happy. Full content generated by Get Full RSS. |
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