attack on titan, vol. 1

attack on titan, vol. 1
hajime isayama
graphics/sci fi/action
kodansha comics
published 2011

Humanity has been devastated by the bizarre, giant humanoids knows as the Titans.  Little is known about where they came from of why they are bent on consuming mankind.  Seemingly unintelligent, they have roamed the world for years, killing everyone they see.  For the past century, what's left of man has hidden in a giant, three-walled city.  People believe their 100-meter-high walls will protect them from the Titans, but the sudden appearance of an immense Titan is about the change everything.

I can see why everyone freaks out about this series.  It was definitely a good beginning with an amazingly ridiculous cliffhanger.  There are so many things that are only briefly touched upon that the book is soaked with mystery.  I was thinking I would just read the first volume, but seeing as how it ended I have to read the second one now.  And I doubt stuff wraps up so I'll probably be in this for the long haul!

suicide squad, vol. 3: death is for suckers

suicide squad, vol. 3: death is for suckers
adam glass, henrik jonsson & sandu florea
the new 52 issues 14-19
graphic novels/crime
dc comics
published 2013

As the Suicide Squad closes in on Basilisk leader Regulus, Deadshot and Harley discover multiple Basilisk sleeper agents within their ranks.  Regulus, makes one final desperate gamble to save himself by controlling Harley's mind, but Deadshot makes the ultimate sacrifice for his teammate.  Harley's lost "love" the Joker casts a poisonous rain over Deadshot's funeral, leaving only Harley conscious to face the clown prince of crime.  Angered and unable to trust Harley because of her relationship with Deadshot, the Joker tests Harley's loyalty, a test which may cost both of them their lives.

The Joker's back and he's a little pissed that his lucky lady has moved on.  It doesn't matter that Deadshot is six feet under, Joker still has a score to settle.  He wants to make absolute sure that he can trust Harley.

Always happy to see the Joker!  And they went all out with the title because truly, death is for suckers.  It seems that everyone has died at least once since the beginning of the series, some characters twice.  There's something Waller is doing to the Suicide Squad members, but none of that has been made perfectly clear yet.

Suspense and action and a bit of a cliffhanger at the end.  Who survives to the next round?

suicide squad, vol. 2: basilisk rising

suicide squad, vol. 2: basilisk rising
adam glass & federico dallocchio
the new 52 issues 8-13
graphic novels/crime
dc comics
published 2013

As the surviving Squad members attempt to recover from their disastrous Gotham City mission, we learn a dark secret that has been festering in the team since issue #1: a traitor stalks the Suicide Squad!  The saboteur's mission: assassinate Amanda Waller, expose the Squad and leave Task Force X in ruins!  The Basilisk strikes!

Another action packed volume!  Saboteur's abound!  Mind control!  Guns!  It's all in here.

I thoroughly enjoy these Suicide Squad books.  Harley plays quite a central role and Deadshot is the best male anti-hero around.  The art is good, the writing is edgy.  What more could a girl want?

suicide squad, vol. 1: kicked in the teeth

suicide squad, vol. 1: kicked in the teeth
the new 52 issues 1-7
adam glass, federico dallocchio & clayton henry
graphic novels/crime
dc comics
published 2012

The story begins with the Suicide Squad defeated, imprisoned and being interrogated about their newest mission.  Harley Quinn, King Shark, Deadshot and company must make it out alive without revealing who's pulling the strings behind their illegal operations.  Who will be the first to crack under the pressure?  More importantly will they make it all out alive?

There's a lot going on in this first volume of the New 52's Suicide Squad.  Zombies in a stadium, prison riots, bad guys chasing bad guys for other bad guys....and Harley Quinn's on the loose.

There can't ever be enough Harley Quinn as far as I'm concerned.  She's creepy and crazy and I just love her.  In the last two issues of this volume Harley's escaped from Belle Reve and she's headed to Gotham to find out if what everyone's told her is true.  The Joker's dead and GCPD has his face stored away.

Deadshot and the other members of the Suicide Squad are tasked with bringing her back dead or alive.  Easier said than done for a girl who doesn't have any 'powers'.

It's fun to watch the bad guys not being completely bad.  Plus, there's this never ending pool of villains to grab from so we're exposed to more characters with each mission.  This series is a keeper.

the search, part 1

the search, part one
avatar: the last airbender
gene luen yang & huriguri
graphic novels/comedy/action
dark horse comics
published 2013

For years, fans of Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra have burned with one question - what happened to Fire Lord Zuko's mother?  Finding a clue at last, Zuko enlists the aid of Team Avatar - and the most unlikely ally of all - to help uncover the biggest secret of his life.

Dun-dun-DUUUUNNNNNNNN!!!!!

Whoa, big reveal!  

Zuko is searching for his mother along with the usual cast of characters except one odd choice, Azula who has freaking lost her marbles big time.

We follow along with flashbacks to where Ursa (Zuko & Azula's mother) is from and how she became the Fire Lord's wife.  This is definitely a good story line because like the description says everyone has always wanted to know what happened to Ursa and where she is now.

We end with a GIANT cliffhanger and now I've got to go find the next book.  *sigh*