Graphic Novels, Pirates, Princesses and GOOF OFF Day; AAArrrhhh!!

Hello all in "The Land of Blog," tis I, Capt'n Blackheart Bill. It is time again to talk about some some good reads. But first something completely different:







Mrs. Yingling had this to say about our recent review of "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins (to see the review click Here): "It was with great reluctance that I turned over Catching Fire to one of my students before I read it. Maybe he'll turn it in late on Friday afternoon and I can take it home for the weekend..." Well, Mrs. Yingling, I hope you get hold of it soon because dare I say, I do, I do, it may be even better than the first book!!!!!!!


G-Man: Learning to Fly by Chris Giarruss - This is a great Graphic Novel featuring G-Man and his brother Great-Man and all their superhero buddies.They're superhero friends (all kids also) such as Billy Demon, Tan Man, Sparky among many others. Also in this Graphic Novel are special appearances by "The Mighty Skullboy Army," Santa Claus, a Psychotic Christmas Tree, "The Savage Dragon" and more. Enjoy such epic storylines as the Origin Stories of G-Man and Great Man and The Crisis of Multiple Dimensions. This is definitely one of the most fun Graphic Novels dealing with Superheroes I have read in a long time. The artwork is too cool and the stories are hilarious so you really need to check this book out (literally)!!!! As a side not I met Mr. Giarruss at Heroes Con this summer and he drew me this great picture of Spider-Boy (from Mini Marvels) who both fights crime and delivers papers and you would be surprised at the challenges posed by both occupations. Great stuff from a great guy!!!!!!





Amulet (Book 2): The Stonekeeper's Curse by Kazu Kibuishi - This is the second book in the Amulet Graphic Novel Series (The first: Amulet: Book One, The Stonekeeper I reviewed on this blogs 3/27/2008 posting - Click Here to see that review. This Graphic Novel has brother and sister Navin and Emily continuing on their quest to save their sick mother. At the start of this book the elves are in hot pursuit of the new Stonekeeper (Emily), who must travel via walking house to the city of Kanalis (where people are cursed to slowly turn into animals but they do retain their intelligence and ability to speak). In this city they pickup an ally in the swashbuckling fox Leon Redbeard. When they find a doctor in the city, he tells them that the only way their poisoned mother can be saved is through the fruit of the Gadoba Tree which grows at the peak of Damon's Mountain. The only problem with this is that anyone who has taken this journey has never returned from it. Also Emily finds the Magical Stone that grants her magical abilities trying very hard to take control of her. Leon Redbeard offers to train her how to use the Magic Stone, but can she trust this mysterious mercenary? The artwork and story in this Graphic Novel are breathtaking. You really should tag along in this great quest full of action, strange machines, stranger creatures and all manner of good and evil characters. Highly Recommended!!!!!!!


Artemis Fowl, The Graphic Novel: The Arctic Incident by Eoin Colfer, Andrew Donkin and Giovanni Rigano - In three simple words: Artemis Fowl Rules!!!!!!!!!! This is the second Graphic Novel adaption of the second book (duh....am I stating the obvious????) "The Arctic Incident." The highest praise I can give to this Graphic Novel is that it is just as good as the book (which is excellent)!!!! The story starts with Artemis discovering that his father who he thought was dead showing up alive, but there is one small catch. He is being held hostage by the Russian Mafia. While this is happening underground where the creatures of fairy live an uprising is taking place in the form of a goblin revolution. Through a misunderstanding Artemis (a teenage criminal genius) and his bodyguard Butler are arrested by Captain Holly Short (an elf) of the LEPrecon fairy police. After the misunderstanding is cleared up Commander Root (a cigar smoking, short tempered elf), head of the LEPrecon fairy police, and Holly agree to help Artemis and Butler rescue his father. Things quickly go from bad to worse for Artemis and company, as soon as the reach Russia, Commander Root is betrayed by a disgraced former associate and ally Cudgeon (an elf) and the brilliant, but not very stable scientist Opal Koboi (a Pixie). Let's just say things really just go to heck from there. This Graphic Novel is a great read so what are you waiting for???? Read it already!!!!!! Oh I just remembered that although I did not review it, I also read the first Artemis Fowl Graphic Novel that deals with his first encounter with the fairy folk that you should definitely cheek out also. Artemis Fowl Rules!!!!!!

Well that's all for now yea scallywags!!!!

Until next time this is Blackheart Bill saying,

Aaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!

Congrats, Young James Bond, Spider-Man and Catching Fire!!!

Hi everyone in the Land of Blog. I have returned from the reaches of outer space after a very enjoyable week off. It is also my happy and sad news to report we have lost our last single guy of the three of us who run this blog. Last week Jedi Master Zack tied the knot with a very lovely young lady. Here's looking at you kids:

The Zack Man and his lovely wife Laura!!!!

Congrats from Darth Bill and wishing you a very happy future together!!!!

And Congrats from the CARLMAN! We're both very happy for you and I join Bill in wishing the two of you a long and happy life!

Well enough sappy stuff, let's talk books and such!!!!. First I have to tell you I just finished the second book of "The Hunger Games" Trilogy by Suzanne Collins and literally flew through it!!!! I can't wait for the final installment and the waiting is going to kill me!!! If you have yet to read "The Hunger Games" check it out now and do so!!!! You will not be disappointed. To see my review of this book click HERE. So you, come over here and let's talk:

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins - Well without blowing too much for those who have yet to read the first book (see above), Katniss and Peeta from District 12 have won the 74th Hunger Games. That's the good news. The bad news is that President Snow, who runs the Capital and the defeated Districts, is not happy at all about the series of events that have lead to their co-victory (the first ever in the games). He is so unhappy that when their victory tour is about to start he visits Katniss and warns her to be on her best behavior as she has become a sort of symbol of rebellion for some of the Districts. Well even with the best intentions everything begins to fall apart and some of the Districts go into full rebellion mode. To hopefully solve this problem President Snow fixes the 75th Hunger Games so that previous winners must compete against one another. District 12 only has three living victors: Katniss, Peeta and Haymitch. At the very minimum, because she is the only living girl winner, Katniss is horrified to learn she must again go into the games to fight for her life (or perhaps some else's). I guarantee you will love this book, so if you are not on the waiting list for it get on it NOW!!!!!!!

Marvel Adventures Spider-Man, Issue 53 (All Ages) by Paul Tobin & Matteo Lolli - I didn't plan on doing a review of a Comic Book again this soon, but I just got finished reading this one and was very impressed. This story gives a recap of how Peter Parker became Spider-Man no thanks to some mind probing by the very mischievous Emmy Frost (X-Man with telepathic abilities). Her friend Chat (mutant with the ability to talk to animals) does not like Emma's intrusion into Peter's life but with Emmy what can you do. In the end a new soon to be important character (whose name is not given) is introduced into the Spider-Man mythos; along with Chat developing a crush on Peter and her asking Emmy if she can use her mental powers so she can become a student at the school. This was a very cool story showing a slice of life in Peter Parker's world. If your local library does not have it, you may want to think about picking it up at your local comic shop (We do carry this title at ImaginOn). Most Excellent indeed!!!!

Blood Fever by Charlie Higson - On my week off I finished this one and can't wait to pick up the next one!!!!! What's so cool about these Young Bond books is they are written in a very realistic manner. Nobody is safe and James is in just as much danger as anyone (although we know he can't die because he grows up to be the coolest spy ever, 007). In this book James is up against pirates and a secret society bent on world domination. It all starts out very innocently with James joining a school trip to the Italian island of Sardinia. From there things get strange and exciting. James learns about an ancient Roman secret society called the Millenaria that is up to no good and the kidnapping by pirates of a girl who is the sister of one his friends from school. How is all this connected or is it? That's what James has to figure out without being crushed by some serious bad guys. My favorite villain in this book is Zoltan the Magyar, leader of the pirates, he has such a strong personality and likability to him that even though he is clearly bad to the bone you still like him. I highly recommend this book and series and can't wait to read the next one (Double or Die).

Lastly I want to remind everyone that on September 24th at 6:30 the Comics Camp Program starts back at ImaginOn after breaking for the summer. Check it out:

Hello one and all!!! Comics Camp is back and the next event will be held at ImaginOn in the Round on 9/24/09 with registration starting on 9/10/09. Come join local artists & comic book creators John DaCosta and Eraklis Petmezas (Herc) as they present this awesome workshop that focuses on many different areas of Comics, Graphic Novels and working on creating your own. The only requirement is that you be between the ages of 8 to 12 years old. The program starts at 6:30 p.m. and last approximately 1 1/2 hours. John and Herc will answer any questions you have about how Comics and Graphic Novels are made such as writing, drawing, the process and what ever else you can think to ask!!! Also a continuing part of the program will be creating from your own ideas and art your own comic stories. These workshops have limited space so be ready to sign-up starting 9/10/09 to attend. The number to call and register is 704-416-463.

<--Artwork by Eraklis Petmezas (Herc)

Artwork by John DaCosta-->

Peace until next time all,

Bill