The Star Online: Lifestyle: Bookshelf
The Star Online: Lifestyle: Bookshelf |
| Posted: 11 Nov 2011 01:44 AM PST THE way that the much hyped Dark X-Men: The Confession's storyline fizzled out two years ago has made me wary of new developments in the X-Men universe. It will take something massive to get me back on board. Schism, this year's main mutant event, looks the part to reignite my interest in the X-Men – more so as it aims to split them up. Let's roll out three X-Men books built to reshape the Marvel mutant landscape. X-Men: Schism #5 (of 5 / Marvel / US$3.99) Writer: Jason Aaron Artist: Adam Kubert Every ending has a beginning and this is where the X-Men commence their reconstruction. The plot revolves around Cyclops and Wolverine's differing leadership and views on mutant upbringing. The presence of the Hellfire Club's new Black King, Kade Kilgore, also makes things interesting in terms of mayhem. Unlike his suave predecessors (Sebastian Shaw and Shinobi Shaw), Kade's barely reached the age of puberty but is already a master strategist when it comes to creating chaos. As read earlier, Kade instigates a mutant incident at an International Arms Conference (in X-Men: Schism #1). This Sentinels' "smokescreen" certainly distracts the X-Men's attention, particularly its leader Cyclops, resulting in a series of misunderstandings between Wolverine and him. The last straw comes in the form of a direct assault on Utopia by a Sentinel, prompting both Cyclops and Wolverine to retaliate in different ways. The two senior X-Men's love-hate relationship is driven to boiling point. Ironically, it is the Sentinel's onslaught that stops them from killing each other. When the dust settles, it is obvious that Utopia isn't big enough for the both of them. Wolverine decides to leave ... but not without his own band of mutants (read the X-Men: Regenesis one-shot for full details). The idea of ending Cyclops-Wolverine's "bromance" is inevitable but I wonder why Marvel took this long to capitalise on it – more so when the movie version had already done it. Despite this, Schism still qualifies as a milestone event and this cover (as well as any cover featuring a Sentinel) is worthy of a full poster treatment! Consequently, life post-Schism diverts into two main titles: Wolverine And The X-Men and a new Uncanny X-Men title. Wolverine And The X-Men #1 Writer: Jason Aaron Artist: Chris Bachalo When Wolverine first set foot in Professor X's school three decades ago (the now infamous Giant Size X-Men #1), the bets were that he wouldn't make it past half-a-dozen issues. Apart from being a loner, what worked against him most was his infatuation for the late Jean Grey (then Cyclops' beau). Last month, the unthinkable happened – ol' Canucklehead rebuilds Xavier's school (aptly renamed Jean Grey School For Higher Learning) and assumes his role. This is extremely remarkable as it shows Wolverine's transition from rogue mutant to complete mutant persona. Having rooted for Team Cyclops during Jean's time, I used to have this bias against Wolverine's contribution to the team. The thought of a cigar-smoking wild card leading the team was not my cup of tea. More of a concern was his growing influence, resulting in various Wolverine permutations (Weapon X, Nyx, Lady Deathstrike, etc) and the constant memory-teasers. It took me this long a time to acknowledge that Wolverine is actually a great (not just the "best at what he does") influence to the Children of the Atom and this issue marks the renaissance of a true mutant. After Schism #5, Wolverine leads his group of Utopian mutants to familiar territory – the ruins of 1407 Graymalkin Lane. He succeeds in not only rebuilding the school but also fortifying its premises – check out the new Danger Room! However, nothing could have prepared him for this challenge. While Xavier's original team had to fend off visits by Magneto and his Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, the damage by them is nowhere as devastating as a visit by the Big Apple's Education Department. In case you have the impression that this Jason Aaron-inspired title mirrors a "Damage Control" spoof, rest assured that there is some logic to the situation. Unlike past battles, the school's failure to meet the Education Department's "fit and proper" test is a serious problem.It points to a dismal future for the Utopian leavers and other new mutants. Fortunately for Wolverine, he is supported by an able administration, comprising Kitty Pryde (Headmistress), Hank Pym @ Beast (Vice Principal) and a host of senior staff members (Rachel, Rogue, Iceman and Gambit). Overall, I enjoyed this issue, not because of the Cyclops-free element, but mainly due to its concept. The idea of adding "responsibility" into Wolverine's persona is always a refreshing change and the traces of Fables (DC-Vertigo's superb series) gives the Jean Grey School For Higher Learning a good platform for future stories. Uncanny X-Men #1 (Marvel / US$3.99) Writer: Kieron Gillen Artist: Carlos Pacheco WHILE I'm not surprised that Emma Frost is still wearing Cyclops' pants, I have no idea why once ego-maniacs like Namor and Magneto are now obedient team players. Equally puzzling is Colossus' ability to transform into the Juggernaut but I am glad that his sister, Illyana Rasputin @ Magik is back (from the dead). Apart from Magneto, I thought Danger was once an X-villain but her induction into the team certainly boosts its firepower. Confusion aside, what I do like about this Uncanny title is Cyclops' "backbone", especially when it comes to standing up for the mutants. On paper, Cyclops has the most powerful X-Men roll call to date and if he can balance the egos and self interest of his team mates, without further losing his dignity, he might just turn out to be the greatest leader in mutant folklore. However, threatening to rain on Cyclops' parade are two people – Mr Sinister, who's back with a vengeance (with a Celestial at his disposal). Then there's also Emma, whose flirtatious dealings with Namor opens up a new dimension to teamwork. While this gathering may be a recipe for disaster, my gut tells me otherwise. Comics courtesy of Earth 638 (2nd Floor Kelana Mall, Jalan SS6/12, Kelana Jaya, Petaling Jaya, Selangor). Hotline: 03-7804 8380, e-mail: earth638@yahoo.com. Full content generated by Get Full RSS. |
| Posted: 11 Nov 2011 01:40 AM PST If Jack's In Love Author: Stephen Wetta Author: Amy Einhorn Books, 358 pages IT'S hard being a boy genius, and 12-year-old Jack Witcher knows this better than anyone else. He lives with his family in a Virginia suburb where the neighbours stay away from their house. His dad has lost his job again and his older brother, a pot-smoking hippie, gets involved in the disappearance of the town's golden boy. Life is tough, especially since he is in love with the missing boy's sister. But the only Jew in town, Mr Gladstein, is on his side, and together they must work to overcome the prejudices of the town people. Headhunters Author: Jo Nesbo Publisher: Vintage Crime, 263 pages ROGER Brown is an expert at what he does – corporate headhunting. But his and his wife Diana's luxurious lifestyle means they spend more than he earns. One night, he meets Clas Greve, who is not only the perfect candidate for a CEO job, but also might be the answer to his financial woes. But when Roger breaks into his apartment to steal a valuable painting, he finds more than he bargained for. Then people start dying, and he realises that Clas is not who he seems to be. The book is translated from Norwegian by Don Bartlett. The Truth Will Out Author: Anna McPartlin Publisher: Penguin, 392 pages Interior designer Harri Ryan never felt like she belonged in the family, despite her close relationship with George, her twin brother. She has tried to marry the love of her life before, but it didn't work out. Now, she's attempting it a second time, but a panic attack strikes and she ends up in the hospital in her wedding dress. As the celebrations are called off and the truth behind the odd turn of events start to emerge, she finds herself struggling to cope. It's a different reality than the one she grew up in and she doesn't really know what to do. Final Witness Author: Simon Tolkien Publisher: Harper, 351 pages SIR Peter Richardson has it all: a loving family, a grand country house and a promising career as the British minister for defence. But he neglects his family and spends all his time on his job and the beautiful Greta Grahame. Then his wife is murdered by two armed robbers. His son, Thomas, is a witness and he accuses Greta as the mastermind. Unfortunately, this dreamy 16-year-old is known for his overactive imagination, so no one knows whether to take him seriously. The Affair Author: Lee Child Publisher: Bantam Press, 427 pages Lee Child is back with his man's man hero, Jack Reacher, this time delving into Jack's past. In this novel, Jack is still an MP in the Army and is sent off to keep tabs on the investigation into the murder of a woman that took place in a little town right next to a hush-hush army base. He's supposed to keep his distance from local authorities but, naturally, Jack disobeys. Besides, the local authorities come in the form of a very beautiful former Marine, Elizabeth Deveraux. The plot twists and turns come fast and furious, as Jack finds himself having to choose between his conscience and his orders. Shine Author: Jenny Ungless Publisher: Advantage Quest, 258 pages WANT to move ahead in your career? You might be just three steps away from achieving that dream. You just need to take control, get noticed and shine. This book provides the reader with a manual to climb the corporate ladder. There's a lot of talent out there, so you have to make sure that you stand out. Learn how to set goals, refine your strengths, grab opportunities and become indispensable in the workplace. English Language & Composition Author: Maureen Lindner Publisher: Advantage Quest, 349 pages WHY do you use a comma? When do you use it? Why is punctuation so important? What are the most common errors students make when they write an essay? How do you stop making the same mistakes? This book focuses on various aspects of writing. Among other topics, it includes exercises on types of sentences, grammatical errors, exceptions to the rule and the writing process. Full content generated by Get Full RSS. |
| Posted: 11 Nov 2011 01:29 AM PST Here's a book for our times that all Malaysians should read. WHILE many witness momentous events in their lives, few participate in them, much less leave their mark. Dr M.K. Rajakumar (1932-2008), on the contrary, left an indelible mark at every phase of his eventful life. An Uncommon Hero: M.K. Rajakumar In Politics And Medicine, to be launched tomorrow, is the recollection of the life of a man who was very much the rakyat's champion. As a medical student at the Singapore campus of Universiti Malaya, he co-founded the University Socialist Club and later faced a charge of sedition for an editorial in the club's newsletter, Fajar, that condemned Western imperialism and aggression in Asia. While he was practising medicine in Malaya in the 1960s, he also became part of the leadership of the Labour Party and Barisan Sosialis. Because of his convictions, Dr Rajakumar spent 1966 to 1969 behind bars under the ISA. In an article in The Star reporting Dr Rajakumar's death, aged 72, in 2008, historian Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Khoo Khay Kim was quoted as saying he had first met Dr Rajakumar at UM in the 1950s, when the doctor was active in the Socialist Club there. "Dr Rajakumar was very dedicated to his cause. As a medical doctor he could have spent his time making money, but he was only interested in helping people." The same report also quoted former Bar Council president Haji Sulaiman Abdullah, who held Dr Rajakumar in high regard: "He was a very caring person and was adored by those who knew him. I was told that he used to have a very run-down clinic in flats in Loke Yew (in Kuala Lumpur). When asked to move, he simply answered that the people were too poor and couldn't afford a doctor and if he moved out they would have no one." After the Labour Party was deregistered in 1972, Dr Rajakumar immersed himself fully in the medical profession with the same zeal and commitment he had shown for politics. His core concerns were equitable and affordable universal health care and holistic medicine as embodied by family practice. Dr Rajakumar devoted three decades to founding and nurturing the Academy of Family Physicians of Malaysia. He elevated his crusade for primary health care and family medicine to the international level through the World Organisation of Family Doctors. Posthumously, a global movement for mentoring young family doctors, The Rajakumar Movement, was named after him. Through historical investigations, personal recollections and tributes from colleagues, friends and family – including Syed Husin Ali, Jomo K.S., Wang Gungwu, and Ronald McCoy, among many others – this book constructs the portrait of a remarkable man who inspired many with the power of his intellect and the force of his convictions. The book's launch tomorrow will be followed by a panel discussion with the book's author/editor, history researcher Tan Pek Leng; Dr Poh Soo Kai, a key player in the history of Malaya and Singapore who spent much of his adult life as a political detainee; and historian and activist Fahmi Reza. The discussion will be moderated by Jacqueline Ann Surin, co-founder and editor of online weekly, The Nut Graph. After the discussion, there will be a reading of the poem SahabatKu, written by National Laureate Datuk Usman Awang for Dr Rajakumar. The launch is open to the public and will begin at 2.30pm tomorrow at NN Gallery (No. 53A & 56 Jalan Sulaiman 1, Taman Ampang Hilir, 68000 Ampang, Selangor). For enquiries, call Ivy at 012-212 9278 or Sherry at 012-291 9925. Full content generated by Get Full RSS. |
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