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comics_librarian

comics_librarian

Joined January 2017

“When the wine is in, the wit is out.“- Thomas Becon. Follow me at jackphoenix.com
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comics_librarian
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Pickpick

This iteration of TMNT continues in excellent fashion with a volume that focuses on the interpersonal relationships (and trauma) of the characters, while introducing some fabulous new mutants.

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comics_librarian
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Pickpick

My review for this book will be forthcoming in LIBRARY JOURNAL.

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comics_librarian
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Pickpick

Featuring one of the cutest illustrated dogs ever, MAYOR GOOD BOY'S surprising combination of appealing art, potty humor, and appeal to activism will make it a pleasure for middle-grade readers and more.

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comics_librarian
PAWS: Gabby Gets It Together | Nathan Fairbairn
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Pickpick

A beautiful illustrated graphic novel for anyone who loves doggos at any age, featuring some very relatable young characters.

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comics_librarian
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Pickpick

The high energy artwork will draw the young and young-at-heart in and the lighthearted spy gags will keep them hooked.

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comics_librarian
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Pickpick

Fans of BABYMOUSE and DOG MAN will likely delight in this crisply-illustrated, comical superhero tale.

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comics_librarian
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Mehso-so

Reviewed @ jackphoenix.com

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comics_librarian
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Pickpick

With the compelling "City Fall" story arc and the wildly entertaining introduction of two fan-favorite characters, this series shows potential to get even better.

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comics_librarian
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Mehso-so

It‘s surprisingly judgmental for a true crime book, but this anthology of mostly interesting cases throughout Greater Cleveland‘s history is still worth a glance.

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comics_librarian
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Pickpick

It‘s a bit murky at times, but ultimately this an exciting and emotional conclusion to King‘s magnum opus.

KathyWheeler I hated the ending of this book when it first came out, but the more often I‘ve read the series, the more I appreciate that ending. 2y
12 likes1 comment
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comics_librarian
Chef's Kiss | Jarrett Melendez
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Mehso-so

The art is crisp, the conflict is corny, and it has all the ingredients those with a taste for sweet romance could want.

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comics_librarian
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: the IDW Collection Volume 2: The IDW Collection | Tom Waltz, Joshua Williamson, Erik Burnham, Mike Costa, Paul Allor, Kevin B. Eastman, Ben Epstein, Barbara Randall Kesel
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Pickpick

This modern retelling continues to add rich, new elements to the TMNT mythos while not skimping on the action.

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comics_librarian
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Idw Collection | Tom Waltz, Erik Burnham, Brian Lynch, Valerio Schiti, Mateus Santolouco, Kevin B. Eastman, Charles Paul Wilson III, Dan Duncan
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Pickpick

By introducing some new ideas into the mythology, this reimagining of the classic TMNT property is off to a strong start.

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comics_librarian
Southernmost | Silas House
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Pickpick

This is sweet tale about judgement, courage, and reevaluation of one's life and beliefs, even if the plot does meander just a bit.

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comics_librarian
Manhunt | Gretchen Felker-Martin
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Pickpick

Unlike any survival horror you'll ever read, but worthy of inclusion as the best of the sub-genre, this merciless tale of bodies, burdens, and belonging is a must-read.

Reggie Ughhh I can‘t wait until the end of the month for it to come out! 2y
comics_librarian @Reggie you‘ll love it 2y
12 likes2 comments
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comics_librarian
The Toll | Neal Shusterman
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Pickpick

By shifting the focus to multiple lead characters, this series finale takes the story a welcomely unexpected conclusion, while keeping the death count just as high.

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comics_librarian
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Pickpick

It doesn't condescend by spoon-feeding Japanese folklore, and it waltzes between whimsy and tension; overall, this is a simple and eerie ghost story.

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comics_librarian
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Mehso-so

It‘s not one of Dickens‘s best, but this is a simple and saccharine tale for the holidays.

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comics_librarian
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Pickpick

A sweet and educational tale with a surprisingly emotional end, made even better with vibrant colors.

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comics_librarian
The Last Battle | C. S. Lewis
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Mehso-so

It's possibly the most heavy-handed of all the Narnia books, but the themes of religious hypocrisy in the earlier chapters are still relevant today.

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comics_librarian
Creepshow | Stephen King
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Pickpick

It was retro three decades ago, and it‘s barely aged a day; a ghoulishly good time when paired with its film counterpart.

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comics_librarian
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Pickpick

One of the darkest Spider-Man stories ever told, this tale lives up to its reputation thanks to writing and artwork that is dismal, dirty, but discerning.

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comics_librarian
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Pickpick

With a life nearly as gonzo and bonkers as his movies, Charles Band manages to entertain, charm, and even manipulate the reader with insight into his weird world.

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comics_librarian
Scooby Apocalypse Vol. 6 | Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis, Heath Corson
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Mehso-so

SCOOBY APOCALYPSE ends on a fizzle, but a comic doesn‘t make it to this many volumes if it‘s boring; this has been a fun, gory adventure.

LibrarianRyan I agree. I wish it had a stonger finish. The first book was so promising. 2y
7 likes1 comment
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comics_librarian
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Pickpick

Thanks to Mark Waid's writing and Javier Rodriguez's brilliant artwork, this very simple premise becomes a comic that is encyclopedic, entertaining, and beautiful.

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comics_librarian
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Mehso-so

It won‘t fail on all the malicious, gory, splatter-punk violence, or pitch black humor, but it might disappoint if you‘re looking for a single, cohesive story.

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comics_librarian
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Pickpick

Ottens's librarian experiences will be familiar to those in the profession and may be at least an interesting glimpse to those who are not; either way this is a quick read with warmth.

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comics_librarian
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Pickpick

A blast of fun, nostalgia, and information, this book is a must-read for any Full Moon fan or all-around cinephile.

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comics_librarian
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Pickpick

Boosted by stunning artwork, this seemingly simple story gives us Wonder Woman at her finest; compassionate, earnest, and torn between two worlds.

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comics_librarian
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Mehso-so

An invaluable resource for anyone researching movie novelizations, Larson has written a bibliography with lots of utility despite its age.

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comics_librarian
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Mehso-so

The final collection of Rucka‘s original Wonder Woman run is sadly bogged down in chunks of event crossovers, but Rucka‘s writing shines through as best it can.

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comics_librarian
Imaginary Friend | Steven Chbosky
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Panpan

Though it has moments of emotional beauty, ultimately Imaginary Friend reads as an envious and highly inferior clone of Stephen King‘s It.

Reggie Omg this was sooooo much longer than it needed to be. 2y
6 likes1 comment
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comics_librarian
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Pickpick

Tom King once again brings emotional weight equal to the brutality and giving the fans a glimpse of what a pleasure a happy Batman could be to read.

Leftcoastzen 🐶 Cuteness! 2y
10 likes1 comment
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comics_librarian
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Pickpick

Funny, charming, and an overall delight, this Victorian-set comedy of errors is a devilishly good time.

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comics_librarian
Spider-girl: Endgame | Tom DeFalco
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Mehso-so

The dialogue is so dated you‘ll slap your forehead, but the ideas are there and, when they manage to come through, are full of heart.

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comics_librarian
Jaws | Peter Benchley
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Pickpick

The shark isn't as mystified as in the film and there is a greater focus on domestic drama between the characters, but Jaws the book still holds up as a perfectly thrilling summer read.

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comics_librarian
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Mehso-so

It's probably even more problematic than the other Narnia books, but The Horse and His Boy is still a fun little romp for young and old.

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comics_librarian
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Pickpick

Shame on DC for not continuing the Deluxe Editions, but King's writing, particular Bruce's confrontation with his dimensionally-displaced father, make the packaging irrelevant.

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comics_librarian
Bath Haus: A Thriller | P. J. Vernon
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Mehso-so

It suffers from the typical flaws as any domestic thriller, but the "make it gay" gimmick may make it feel like something new to typical domestic thriller readers, including the the bathhouse shaming.

KathyWheeler I heard the author talk about this book on a podcast during Pride Month. The author of The Guncle was on the same podcast. I couldn‘t decide if I wanted to read this one or not. 3y
8 likes1 comment
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comics_librarian
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Mehso-so

Some of the plot elements feel a bit thin, even for high concept fantasy, but the continued character growth easily outweighs the flaws.

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comics_librarian
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Pickpick

With insight and utility, particularly the chapters on nonfiction, cataloging, and graphic medicine, this is a valuable resource for academic libraries.

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comics_librarian
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Pickpick

A rare second sequel that feels even fresher than the prior, Pocket‘s continuing adventures through the Bard‘s world is a fond pageant you must see.

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comics_librarian
Clown in a Cornfield | Adam Cesare
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Pickpick

With gore galore, a cinematic sensibility, and some biting social commentary, this YA horror novel has intergenerational appeal.

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comics_librarian
Spider-Man: Life Story | Chip Zdarsky
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Mehso-so

It focuses much on Peter‘s trauma without the familiar offset of humor, but this off-beat, standalone, Spidey story still has lots of heart.

Moonprismpower Well your reading buddy seems to like it. 😄 3y
11 likes1 comment
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comics_librarian
My Heart Is a Chainsaw | Stephen Graham Jones
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Pickpick

With a literary quality that astonishingly complements its myriad pop culture references, this slasher-obsessed piece will have you stupefied until its frantic conclusion.

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comics_librarian
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Mehso-so

The writing and the art seem nearly ready to buckle as the series goes on, but this entry is salvaged by some emotional surprises.

LibrarianRyan I agree. Ihave not posted my review of the last and final book. If you were reading the books instead of the issues, I think book three was the worse. And I hate all the other mini comics like Secret Squirrel and Adam Ant inbetween. I liked the Scrappy ones because they connected directly to the story and eventually merge, but the others... no thank you. 3y
4 likes1 comment
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comics_librarian
The Oracle Year: A Novel | Charles Soule
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Pickpick

A deftly-paced tale with an excellent supporting cast, this novel about power and free-will manages to surpass its already solid premise.

11 likes1 stack add
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comics_librarian
Mexican Gothic | Silvia Moreno-Garcia
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Pickpick

A read-alike for “Lovecraft Country,” “The Ruins,” and more, “Mexican Gothic” still stands alone with a compelling main character worth rooting for and villains and a setting that will make you shudder.

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comics_librarian
Whisper Down the Lane: A Novel | Clay McLeod Chapman
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Pickpick

With astute commentary about truth and the “satanic panic” from the ‘80s, this thriller invites the reader to enjoy the ride from intriguing beginning to the stinger of an ending.

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comics_librarian
Ring Shout | P Djeli Clark
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Pickpick

If you‘re not woke by the plot, you‘ll be adrenalized by the action; regardless, RING SHOUT is monstrously fun.

SamAnne Just got my copy from the library. Will be front and center this coming week-end. Looks great. 3y
11 likes1 comment