Happy New Year! Welcome 2011 (AKA the year of awesome!)

 The cast of THE BIG BANG THEORY (AKA Scott's other favourite TV show) celebrate the end of 2010.

Hey all, from both of us here at Iceberg Ink, may we wish you all a safe, happy and healthy (alcohol, junk food and nerdy fantasy sci-fi comic-fueled) New Year!

For me, New Years is kind of a bogus holiday. I mean I get the day off, but all in all I NEVER go out anymore to a due....as they always fall short and getting a cab home is like summoning an ancient Sumerian god: Hard as hell and if you accomplish it, that god is never that happy. Sufficed to say a house party with your closest friends is the best avenue in my eyes. Which is what I'll be doing!

Enjoy!

Stay tuned this week for a review of Felix Gilman's latest THE HALF-MADE WORLD, and probably the next Star Wars Fate Of The Jedi volume BACKLASH by Aaron Allston.

eBooks: Free Star Wars eBooks from Del Ray!

Hello all. Hope all your Christmases were good, and you aren't too stuffed full of turkey to have a bit of a read. Or maybe being stuffed and only being able to lay down and breathe heavily will lend itself to your reading. Either way, the written word is your bud, your friend, your dark master...

...speaking of dark masters...

Over at Suvudu you can find the first 5 volumes of the Star Wars: Lost Tribe of The Sith eBook series to download completely for free!

I can personally vouch for the current series of Star Wars books as being very good and ups the ante significantly on the previous series. This eBook series is KIND of a companion series.  It takes place 5,000 years before the first Star Wars film (OT) and concerns a sect of Sith that crash land on the planet Kesh and are stranded there. Instead of trying to get offworld though, they instead decide it is better for them to build and grow their ranks, train and master in the force, so that when they finally emerge they can begin a glorious Sith empire. The way it connects to the current books series is that the Fate Of The Jedi books (reviews for the first three books are HERE, HERE, and HERE respectively) finally see that emergence of Sith from Kesh into the galaxy to find it overrun with Jedi instead of Sith.

Anyways, I think it's pretty nice to be able to read these eBooks completely free, and I look forward to reading them myself.

Book Review: Stonewielder by Ian Cameron Esslemont

Greymane believed he'd outrun his past. He now ran a school for swordsmanship in Falar and was looking forward to becoming fat and lazy. With him was Kyle, though the plains youth was not quite so contented with civilian life outside the mercenary company the Crimson Guard. Yet it is not so easy to disappear when you are an ex-Fist of the Malazan Empire, especially one denounced and under a death-sentence from that very Empire.

For there is a new Emperor on the throne of Malaz, and his thoughts turn to the lingering drain of blood and treasure that is the failed invasion of the Korel subcontinent. In the record vaults beneath Unta, the Imperial capital, lie the answers to that disaster. And out of this buried history surfaces the name Stonewielder.

In Korel, Lord Protector Hiam, commander of the Stormguard, faces the potential annihilation of all that he loves as with the blood of his few remaining men and a crumbling stone wall that has seen better days, he labours to stave off the sea-borne Stormriders who would destroy his lands.

Meanwhile, religious war has broken out all across these lands as the local cult of the Blessed Lady, who has stood firm for millennia against the assaults of the Stormriders, seeks to stamp out all rivals; a champion refuses to stand against the alien 'Riders' and takes up arms in rebellion; and a local magistrate innocently pursuing the mystery of a series of murders is brought to the very heart of a far larger and far more terrifying ancient crime that has stained the entire subcontinent.

Ian Cameron Esslemont has had to contend with his share of criticism and fanatic fandom when it comes to his co-created world of the Malazan Empire. Steven Erikson, who writes the main books for the series has established his fanbase and after 9 books it seems as solid as it ever was. That’s not to say there aren’t folks who have issues with the main series. I myself feel that the last two books were not of the same sort of caliber that the ones that came before it were. They are still good, but there is a bit too much rumination and abstract desription. All told, Erikson can do next to no wrong in the eyes of his fans. Those are awfully big shoes to fill for ICE (Ian Cameron Esslemont) when he started writing companion books in this world he co-created. The first such effort, NIGHT OF KNIVES, which concerns the infamous night when then Malazan emperor and mage Kellanved, and his assassin companion Dancer ascend and become quasi-gods of a fragment of the elder warren of Shadow. It was okay, but for me failed on a lot of fronts simply for not engaging me enough. His second effort, THE RETURN OF THE CRIMSON GUARD fixed a lot that was wrong with the first book. It was more engaging, with better characters and plotlines and it concerned the fabled, much-discussed, but seldom seen character of the Crimson Guard avowed enemies of the empire. It had a few issues, but really was superior in nearly every way, at least for me.

The third book from ICE, called STONEWIELDER (one of the names of the infamous, dissident commander of the Malazan forces first attempt to take the archipelago of Korel, Greymane) for me, solidifies this guy into the spot next to his more published friend. ICE does nearly everything right here in this book. Are there bits that kind of go nowhere and seem a little pointless? Yes, but they are still mostly interesting to read, with probably only one plotline that falls kind of flat and left me a tad annoyed. The rest of the plotlines certainly make up for it though. As well, the secrets about Korel, the Stormwall and the Malazan Empire’s footholds there are just staggering and by the time I reached the ending and the Stormwall is explained I kind of had a jaw drop (I didn’t see that coming) moment. The characters here are more interesting than in previous volumes, partly because they get fleshed out more from their parts in the second book (those that continue into this one that is) and partly because they are given something interesting to do. The Malazan 17th including main POV Suth are fun and easy to read about, as are the murder plotline with Bakune The Assessor, Iron Bars and Corlo on the Stormwall, the spectacular sea battle with Mare, Ivanr’s plotline is the only one that went nowhere for me, but it was still decent to read about (a pacifist Toblakai?). I also liked Kiska’s storyline (though disconnected to the whole) because of the appearance of a familiar character from the main books (though with a different name) and her interaction with him, and another…ahem…fisherman they meet in shadow.

I have very few complaints though, as this is every bit as good as a number of the main Erikson-penned Malazan volumes…and is even better than a few of them. I had a kind of Memories of Ice vibe while reading this, in that a few mysteries were explained, more were opened up and there was oodles and oodles to talk about afterward. The action is thrilling and visceral; the mysterious bits are significant without being overwrought; and the character relationships were everything I have come to expect from this world and the people who populate it.

Yes, STONEWIELDER is totally worth the hype surrounding it. This isn’t just another book that leads up to Erikson’s final Malazan book THE CRIPPLED GOD, but instead it acts as companion to that forthcoming volume and is in every way deserving of the early praise that was awarded to it.

Personally, I think this is ICE’s triumph. NIGHT OF KNIVES had a lot of issues, THE RETURN OF THE CRIMSON GUARD had less but still wasn’t the best, but in this third book I think ICE found his legs and is striding alongside his co-creator with his head held high.

A fantastic entry in the Malazan world and one that is not worth missing. Get out and order a copy today!

Review: DOCTOR WHO - A Christmas Carol

 

I don’t think I can recall a time where DOCTOR WHO showrunner, writer extraordinaire, and all around nice guy Steven Moffat has let me down. After watching his first written Christmas Ep. Of DW I am happy to report that track record is not only clean, but also gleaming.

While I love a lot of episodes from Russell T. Davies-Era WHO, there are still some stinkers in there and most especially I will complain that his Christmas specials were never very Christmassy. They took place at Christmas, but never really INVOLVED Christmas all that much.

Moffat decided to put the tinsel back into DOCTOR WHO Christmas. This years entry, aptly titled A CHRISTMAS CAROL fires on all pistons from the very get-go.
A swanky looking passenger starship (with a bridge like the new Star Trek, bright white outfits, fancy gadgets and all the lens flare you can handle) is heading through the atmosphere of a cloudy planet and crashing. Luckily intrepid companions of the Doctor (and newly married honeymooners) Amy & Rory are aboard and call for the Doctor’s help. Thus begins a romp that includes a miserly old scrooge character (willing to let the 4000 people aboard that ship die), a beautiful , flash frozen opera singer who is essentially collateral against debts, flying mist-swimming fish and the Doctor trying to sort it all out.

This episode has everything I have come to expect from the Moffat/Matt Smith-era of DW. Clever dialogue (not just the Doctor’s, but everyone else as well), wonderful sets and special effects, but most of all an endearing story that never feels tacky or over-the-top. Christmas is everywhere in this episode and so is time travel. It’s nice to see that Moffat is still using a lot of time travel in his series, which is something I always found lacking in Davies-Era WHO. You have a guy with a time machine, so USE him. Moffat always does, and makes especially unique use of him here dropping back and forth through the scrooge characters’ (Kazran Sardick) past behaving like a ghost of Christmas past of sorts.

This is pretty much what I have come to expect from the Moffat/Wenger camp. A Solid, well-scripted and directed WHO entry with the proper amounts of wit, charm and clever time-twisting.

If you haven’t seen it, do yourself a favour and give it a watch. Your time won’t be wasted folks!

I honestly can’t think of anything about it that I disliked, and it gets me very excited for the new 6th Series that will come our way this spring. Which apparently includes the infamous, as yet unknown, first time River Song meets the Doctor. If you watch the Coming Soon Trailer below, you will also see a slightly different version of the console in the alien ship in last years Ep. THE LODGER, the Doctor in a Stetson (Stetson’s are cool), and in what looks like a presidential office ordering jammy dodgers and a fez, bearded and possibly imprisoned and even an Ood!

Very exciting things appear to be on the horizon.

Christmas 2010: The Haul

Every Christmas I populate the lists people ask me for with books. Some years I am more indulged by family and friends than other years. Last year, for example was decidedly dry. This year however, I was spoiled like I can't recall ever having been before. The ever so wonderful miss Freckles always indulges my nerdiness and gets me good stuff. This year is no exception cause she got me various Doctor Who-themed items: a remote control Dalek, the 11th Doctor's Sonic Screwdriver, a disappearing TARDIS mug, and even a little blue hardcover book on the TARDIS by Steve Tribe. I also got Big Bang Theory Season 1 (second fave show after DW), and the new A Christmas Carol DVD...amongst other various clothes and gift certificates.

But I know you aren't here for the regular gifts...you are here about the books. This year was pretty epic for me in that arena, so without further adieu:


THE HERO OF AGES - Brandon Sanderson

PANDORA'S STAR - Peter F. Hamilton

THE HALF-MADE WORLD - Felix Gilman

PALO ALTO (Stories) - James Franco

KNIFE OF DREAMS (Wheel Of Time 11) - Robert Jordan

THE GATHERING STORM (Wheel Of Time 12) - Robert Jordan & Brandon Sanderson

TOWERS OF MIDNIGHT (Wheel Of Time 13) - Robert Jordan & Brandon Sanderson

GREEN MANOR Vol. 1 (Assassins & Gentlemen) - Bodart & Vehlmann

DOCTOR WHO: THE TARDIS HANDBOOK - Steve Tribe

It may not seem like a huge list, but believe me this is a banner year for books for me, and I am so excited by these that I am kind of fumbling which one to dig into first! It also makes me realize how very spoiled I am by my wonderful family and friends.
 
I hope everyone else got what they wanted for Christmas too.

Merry Christmas!!

From both of us here at Iceberg Ink, we wish you all the very Merriest Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Hope everyone gets the books and things they are looking for and the time spent with loved ones, family and friends is everything it should be.

2010 Iceberg Ink Comic Book Awards

Drat and blast. Seeing Scott’s 2010 Iceberg Ink Awards I was moved to match it with my own comic book themed version of said awards.

Please keep in mind that I’m a DC guy and while I have no anti-Marvel bias I also don't have the kind of budget necessary to read the entire breadth of either’s company’s line.

Also, if the stuff I’m talking about happened in 2009 or earlier, than please keep that information to yourself and I’ll try harder (and fail) to embarrass myself less in the new year.

BEST WRITER
Geoff Johns
Maybe I should retitle this one MOST PROLIFIC WRITER. Being named DC’s Chief Creative Officer, commensurate with all the new responsibilities that entails, has in no way slowed Johns down. He continues to pump out some of the most enjoyable and accessible super-comics available on shelves today. GREEN LANTERN, THE FLASH, SUPERMAN, BRIGHTEST DAY and BLACKEST NIGHT might not be everyone’s cup of tea but the mere fact that Johns can juggle that many ongoing series and not drop the ball says a lot about the level of talent on display here.




BEST ARTIST
Doug Mahnke
Look, I’m just going to go ahead and say Doug Mahnke here allright? I love seeing the inventive and brilliant ways he keeps the Green Lantern series crackling. Even when a pair of characters are just sitting around jawing Mahnke always manages to keep something interesting going on in the background. Um, that’s not a basis for giving the award, ok? I just like the way the man draws.






BEST SERIES
The Walking Dead
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAnd I ‘ll saaaaaaay THE WALKING DEAD. Once a month I get to eat chocolate chip peanut butter ice cream. It fills me up, it’s always delicious and it leaves me wanting more. And then I anxiously wait another 30 days before I can have it all again. If that’s not worth a 'Best of' award than I clearly I fail to understand the concept of award giving on a fundamental level. THE WALKING DEAD is always the first thing I open up when I get home and I’m forever foisting it off on other people who I think might even have an outside chance of picking up the series. I even got my wife to read and that is saying something.










BEST MINI SERIES
The Rise of Arsenal
THE RISE OF ARSENAL, FTW. Obviously, In this instance I’m using ‘best’ as a substitute for ‘painful and bizarre’. Look, he fights crime high on life and wielding a dead maggot ridden cat, and he only had to have his arm ripped off and his daughter summarily dispatched to do so. Poor Roy Harper has had a rough go of things lately and while it might be harder to write a story about a well adjusted recovering drug addict and single father I also think that’s a relatively untapped demographic in superhero comic books these days. We already have enough wigged crazy killers and now Arsenal is just one of many. Boo-urns I say.

BEST COMIC BOOK MOVIE
Iron Man II
IRON MAN II. While it may have been a tad more bloated and slower than the original it still managed to hit just enough of the right notes to keep it in the same irreverent and light hearted vein as the original. Kudos go to the franchise’s twin pillars of strength, director Jon Favreau and actor RDJ. It’s a crying shame that Fav has left the series but, knowing Hollywood, I wouldn’t count him out quite yet.

2010 Iceberg Ink Awards

It's that time of year. Everyone is doing their lists, best of ect. I always find those fun to do and read. So we here at Iceberg Ink decided to do one as well. Though please note this is Scott's list only, as Chris has been bogged down with school and his family obligations and didn't get through as much in volume so he will await next years awards to participate.


Best Read of 2010: 

This one is a tie between THE CROWN CONSPIRACY by Michael J. Sullivan and THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins. Both novels really affected me, and both were astonishingly simple in their core idea yet brilliant in their execution. Both are also relatively newer authors too, so this is quite a feat really. Kudos to these two for keeping me awake till the wee hours. Do yourself a favour and read both of them.


Best New Fantasy Novel 2010:

This one is easy. THE WAY OF KINGS by Brandon Sanderson simply blew away the competition. For a novel that clocks in at just over 1000 pages in hardcover, this one had my eyes glued to the pages reading so voraciously that I finished in only a couple of sittings. Sanderson has become a heavyweight in the genre and this first of his planned ten-book Stormlight Archive is the proof of that.







Best New Sci-Fi Read 2010:

I don’t read a lot of sci-fi so I only have a small window of books to choose from that I can have in this category. I also realized I haven’t read any sci-fi that was specifically NEW in 2010, so we are going to go with my fave sci-fi read which came out a number of years ago. OLD MAN’S WAR by John Scalzi really was a rollicking good read. It was simple while at the same time being clever and endearing, which is something I wasn’t expecting.







Best New Author on the Scene 2010:

Another easy choice. British hottie author Alex Bell, even though her debut novel THE NINTH CIRCLE came out in 2009, it only reached my ears and eyes over here in Canada this year. So she wins. Her books are thoughtful, fantastical and Gaiman-ish. I also have heard nothing but amazing things about her YA series LEX TRENT books and they are on my radar for 2011.













Best Publishing House 2010:

Gollancz. Easy Peasy. Even though I’ve read more TOR books this year than I ever have before, Gollancz still wins for marketing, presentation and the chances they take on new authors. Who knows if we’d have folks like Joe Abercrombie, Alex Bell or Alastair Reynolds without them. For that, I think the fantasy book world can be eternally grateful.








Best Dialogue 2010:

I’m kind of cheating on this one (as I’m only a couple of hundred pages into it…), but Ian Cameron Esslemont’s 3rd Malazan book STONEWIELDER wins. There is some back and forth dialogue between the soldiers of the 17th Squad Malazan heavies that is priceless, and then there is Manask…not to mention Ivanr.








Best Old Book Read of 2010:

THE FIRES OF HEAVEN by Robert Jordan. I finally got around this year to reading this series. The 5th Wheel Of Time book had quite an impact on me. I don’t know why…though it probably has something to do with that scene with Moiraine or the one in Rhuidean…and then this was also the volume where I stopped hating Nynaeve and starting loving her. All told made up for a great read.







Best Short Fiction Story 2010:

Within the pages of the well-received SWORDS & DARK MAGIC anthology are two pieces of short fiction that stood out to me. But one I flat out LOVED. The always brilliant Joe Abercombie’s FOOL JOBS was the best damned short story I’ve read this year bar none (and in fact you can add last year to that statement as well). It had everything an Abercrombie story should have and had an ending that I absolutely howled at. Just sheer top-notchery from the Abercrombie camp yet again. If this story was any indication, THE HEROES  (pssst, which you can pre-order!) has a shot at being in the top for next years list.






Best Blog of 2010:

I’ve got to go with the one that I read the most frequently and that’s A DRIBBLE OF INK. I read it daily, laugh daily and enjoy his reviews daily, not to mention his inside info on cover art. It was one of the blogs that I used to read and wonder if I could do that. Impressively laid out, and yet simple and easy to read, Aidan Moher runs what is probably one of the best blogs about all the stuff we read out there.

Runners Up: I also have to give props to a couple of other folks.

Sarah Chorn over at Bookworm Blues does a splendid job and her reviews are always lucid, thoughtful and exacting. I read her blog daily, and never is there a dull moment.

Graeme Flory who runs Graeme’s Fantasy Book Review is another that I constantly check for updates and find not only to be informative, but comprehensive and fun to read as well. His reviews are witty and insightful and I hope to aspire to be half the reviewer he can be.

Comic book reviews for the week of December 22nd in six sentences (or less)

Guts and gore and…unpleasant sexual situations in this week’s Six Sentences (or less). Just the kind of thing you really want to delve into right before the holidays. Ho ho ho and all that. So upsize your egg nog as we present you with the holiday edition of Toronto’s favourite comic book mini-reviews.

Batman Incorporated #2
Bruce Wayne throws down with the Japanese super-villian, Lord Death Man, on his first stop around the world recruiting potential new Batmen to fight crime under the Batman Inc. brand. Surprisingly its a completely straightforward issue, full of almost none of the ticks and tricks that Grant Morrison loves to employ. Instead Morrison appears to be riffing on the essential elements on some of the core Batman mythos, only eerily devoid of the dark bleakness that’s inhabited the character for years. We have glimpses into Bruce the master-detective, the Kyle\Wayne forbidden love angle and some of the good ol’ hand on hand Batman ultra-violence. From any other author I’d say this is a solid Batman story by the numbers, from Grant Morrison I need more.

DC Universe: Legacies #8
DC’s illustrated history of the world continues. This issue deals with one of the darkest chapters of comic publishing, we call it the mid 90s. That’s when DC tried to reboot, revamp and otherwise rethink the basic tenants behind many of their core characters. Superman got a new haircut, Batman got his back broken, Green Lantern became a bad guy and a lot of other characters got otherwise replaced or shuffled off into the sidelines. The grand experiment lasted a couple years before, almost without exception, every single one was returned to their roots and the embarrassing saga was swept under the rug to be jeered at mockingly by sarcastic fanboys for years to come. Len Wein does a good job synthesizing the events of the time period into a single issue, but the real treat is a back up story drawn by Frank Quitely about DC’s Kirby era creations. Quitely is my all time favourite penciller and he’s able to make even a mediocre story imminently readable. Throw Kirby characters at him and I start to suffer Pavlovian responses by drooling uncontrollably on the page.

Green Lantern: Larfleeze Christmas Special #1
Of all the new characters introduced by Geoff Johns as part of the zombie epic BLACKEST NIGHT I think Larfleeze is easily the most popular. Of course it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to make that deduction, considering that Larfleeze is the only character in the entire DCU to get his own Christmas book. Which is pretty good for a guy who’s only claim to fame is being a supporting character in the GREEN LANTERN expanded universe. When Larfleeze first burst on the scene he was portrayed as an aloof alien with a dark, malicious streak. Since then, he’s undergone a slight personality shift and now he comes across as a mix between the Grinch and a spoiled child. Now Larfleeze is played more for comic relief rather than any kind of serious threat.

Anyway, in this issue Larfleeze goes on a rampage in search of Santa Claus after he determines the big guy has neglected to give him any of the Christmas presents he asked for. Which means it’s up to Green Lantern to help show Larfleeze the true meaning of Christmas.

I think Larfleeze is a fun character and it’s always been amusing to see his more anarchistic and irreverent side. But unfortunately, from a plot point of view, this is a pretty thin issue when you get right down to it. Writer Geoff Johns is clearly playing this whole thing just for laughs and by doing so he’s in danger of cementing Larfleeze as a one note character – more so than he already is. There’s a small pay off at the end, setting up a future story arc in GREEN LANTERN I’m sure, but its material that’s already been hinted at in other places. In the end, another good but not a great issue.

Invincible #76
While Invincible might not deal with material as explicit as Neonomicon it is, in its own way, just as stomach turning. Penciller Ryan Ottley seems to have developed a knack for breaking, mutilating and otherwise disfiguring the human body. I’ve never seen near as many graphic disembowelments as I have before I started reading this comic. Eye gouging, decapitation and exposed internal organs are the new norm in these pages. The reason why the violence is so notable is that, at times, Invincible has the air of an all ages family style comic book. Blame the bright colours and teenage protagonists I guess.

Neonomicon #3
I think its important to step outside of your comfort zone once in awhile. If you don’t expose yourself to new stories and new ideas you end up slowly constructing a very safe little box for you to inhabit, where nothing ever challenges you. I think comic book readers often lock themselves inside those little boxes. Too many people get hooked on the capes and tights genre and they never look back. And there’s nothing wrong with that. If you’ve found something that works for you, then by all means enjoy it. You’re under no obligation to try something else.
But having said all that, Neonomicon pushes my tolerance levels for ‘something different’ right into the red zone. If you can get past the surface story about the extended rape scene and digest some of the unsettling implications of what appears to be the lead character’s acceptance of those events then you might be able to enjoy the deeper story that writer Alan Moore is trying to tell. But, to be honest, I’m getting hung up on the subject matter and I can’t look very far beyond that.

Superior #3
Otherwise known as the Superman who swears. Writer Mark Millar continues to put his Superman-analogue through his origin story paces. There’s not much to the issue in the way of story. We’re introduced to a super-sexed Lois stand in and treated to a few standard rescue scenes. But Leinil Yu makes the whole thing look so good that its easy to forget you’re watching something you’ve seen a hundred times before.

Mega Event Madness! (A random musing on FEAR ITSELF)

So it seems like the silly season of comic books is back.

As nice as its been to take a break from the over-hyped, over-indulgent and over-exposed big two mega events you had to know it was never going to last. Company wide crossovers where ‘everything changes’ have been the norm for a long time now.

FEAR ITSELF, announced today by Marvel comics, is simply the latest entrant in this proud comic book publishing tradition.

Helmed by writer Matt Fraction and one of my fave artists, Stuart Immonen (among others), the mega-event apparently deals with Marvel’s pantheon of superheroes throwing down with the 616’s God of Fear.

There’s a tried and true pattern to these things now, so I’m going to go out on a limb here and make a couple predictions.

1. The little corner of the Internet where us comic book fans gather is going to erupt in rage and indignation for a day and a half. Some of us will complain about event fatigue. Others will look forward to the event itself and argue that people shouldn’t say anything until they see the actual product.
2. Marvel will create elventy-billion FEAR ITSELF spin offs, one offs and minis, all of which will be read exactly once and then stuffed in someone’s longbox, never to see the light of day again.
3. There will be a brief spike in sales, followed closely by a return to business as usual when the event is over.
4. The main series will be delayed. Several times.
5. There will be a new Marvel Universe status quo that will last less than a year before everything gets encased in amber again.
6. Life will go on.
7. And because the whole thing has to do with fear I’m guessing Daredevil will show up at some point in time, just because. And yes, I know he’s dead.

I’m not a Marvel guy so none of this stuff really affects me. But let’s be honest, its really just a matter of time before DC shines a light on its own mega event and I’m forced to wade through the morass of titles that are sure to pop up in its wake.

I think the creators behind this event are really strong and without reservation I enjoy a lot of their work. If anyone can pull this off, I’d be hard pressed to point at more capable hands. So I wish them the best of luck and I hope they accomplish everything they’re looking to achieve.

(Oh, and can we please find some way to get Stuart Immonen back in the DCU? Seriously, he’s one of the most gifted artists working in the biz and his pencil hasn’t drawn a DC character in what feels like forever.)

New Comic Day - Buy List for December 22, 2010

Here’s a list of what I’m picking up at my LCS tomorrow. A big pull, looks like an early Christmas present to myself.

Batman Incorporated #2
DC Universe: Legacies #8
Green Lantern Corps #55
Green Lantern: Larfleeze Christmas Special #1
Hellblazer #274
Invincible #76
Justice League of America #52
Superior #3
Ultimate Comics Doom #1
Ultimate Comics Spiderman #151
Wonder Woman #605

Movie Review: The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader

I thought THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE, first film in the series was a little heavy-handed and a stuck a little too close to the book narrative. For me it came across not as a film series to compete with the splendid Harry Potter series, but a sort of poorer little brother. One people may initially pay attention to, but in the long run I doubt anyone is really going to remember it. Then the second film, PRINCE CASPIAN came along. It dropped a fair amount of the religious allegory that peppers ALL of C.S. Lewis’ work (not to mention the first film), upped the action and made it a tad darker with a decent villain and a WAY better soundtrack. I enjoyed that one A LOT more, and even though it didn’t do as well at the box-office, I felt that it had succeeded at being a viable and memorable film. Moreso than the first.

So, after Disney dropped as distributor due to CASPIAN’S underperformance in their eyes, Fox picked up the gauntlet and gave directorial reigns to Michael Apted.

I want to tell you that THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER was better than CASPIAN. Sadly, it isn't really. In fact, I’d even go so far as to say it doesn’t even succeed at being the first film. That’s not to do with any of the leads, as they all do a splendid job with the material they are given. I’d have to blame the script first and foremost, as it jumps around a lot and picks the wrong passages of the source material to follow making for an non-cohesive whole. There is no flow. Events happen but aren’t really connected smoothly and the result is a bit jarring to be honest. Secondly, the effects are sort of mid-90’s in quality. The Eustace-dragon in fact isn’t even as good as the Dragon invented for the 90’s flick DRAGONHEART. When we are talking like 15 years down the road and the dragons in the Harry Potter films were amazingly well-created like 5 years ago I expect more. It’s not like they had no budget either, it just seems like they skimped in the wrong area. Nice special effects might have gone a long way in helping this struggling failure.

Georgie Henley (Lucy Pevensie) and Will Poulter (Eustace Scrubb) both deliver great performances, while Skandar Keynes (Edmund Pevensie) less so as he comes across as a bit more childish even than his younger costars. Simon Pegg of course steals the show in the swansong of swashbuckling mouse character Reepicheep, and Ben Barnes is as good as he can be as King Caspian (reprising the role he played in the second film) who isn’t given a whole lot to do (which is sad because Barnes oozes the character so well).

Now, I’m not going to say much about the religious allegory, as my opinions may not be everyone’s, and I wouldn't want to offend. Basically they ramped up the religion and christian allegory and it sticks out like a sore thumb and I disliked it...but that's me.

Did I hate the film? No. It suffers under the weight of a poor script and bad choices about paths and flow. At times the dialogue suffers as well and feels kind of hackneyed and juvenile. My recommendation for it is that if you have ANY interest in seeing it, then do so on DVD or Blu-Ray, cause the 3D isn’t that great and the big screen will do nothing to improve it.

Book Review: Wintertide by Michael J. Sullivan

A FORCED WEDDING. A DOUBLE EXECUTION. TWO THIEVES HAVE OTHER PLANS.

The New Empire intends to celebrate its victory over the Nationalists with a day that will never be forgotten. On the high holiday of Wintertide the empress will be married. Degan Gaunt and the Witch of Melengar will be publically executed. Then the empress will suffer a fatal accident leaving the empire in the hands of the new emperor. It will be a perfect day. There is only one problem-Royce and Hadrian have finally found the lost heir.

Talk about setting up the finale.

Michael J. Sullivan’s 5th book in the Ryria Revelations series doesn’t only set up the finale, but does so with an unforgettable third act that contained ALL the best things about this series in one section.


WINTERTIDE is for lack of a better word, incredible. It is an achievement that not only can Sullivan be very proud of, but one that could easily satisfy the toughest of critics. Not that he really needs to do so with the series being quite well-received at this point, not to mention and having done so with five books on the table which is impressive.

My job as a reviewer is to attempt to tell you about this book, without spoiling anything. I am pretending some folk who read my review will not have even read the first one yet (though you should, it is staggeringly awesome and fun!), and that’s a tough request seeing as we are five books in here and I have to avoid big story spoilers. I will do my best.


WINTERTIDE picks up fairly soon after book 4 THE EMERALD STORM. Aquesta is starting to fill with holiday revellers, and the schemers in the palace are preparing to marry puppet Empress Modina off, and execute the two biggest thorns in their side (Princess Arista of Melangar and rebel leader Degan Gaunt). Hadrian Blackwater, guardian of the heir of Novron is doing his level best to do the right thing and free the imprisoned, whilst his partner is fleeing north back to the charred remnants of sacked Melangar in the hopes that his one true love Gwen is safe and escaped to the Winds Abbey. Neither is initially aware of Arista having been captured and imprisoned by Saldur and Luis Guy.

That’s where we start, but it is FAR from where we end up. What a rollercoaster!! Hadrian’s journey takes him in a very interesting direction with an ultimatum that will either compromise his own valor and honour, or cost him the life of someone dear to him. Royce starts to experience good tidings from some of the good things he’s done in his more recent past and it kind of astounds him. Arista is doing her best to not give Modina up to Saldur as her help in infiltrating the palace, but the evil bishop is becoming such a dirty, filthy creature in his threats that it tests her as well.

Myron. Oh Myron. You can be on the page for like a half a chapter and you own it. Seriously Michael. Arista is probably my second fave, Royce and Hadrian are incredible, Saldur is deliciously evil incarnate, Alric and Mauvin are heroic...but Myron sir... is your masterpiece. From the minute he showed up in the first book to whenever you described him throughout the books he was not in I smiled from ear to ear. Now we get to see him again, and the newly constructed Winds Abbey, and the best goddamned new tree ever! Man that was nice to see. I actually cracked open the first book again and read that passage about the Squirrel tree again. Late in WINTERTIDE, Myron shows up again (falling off a horse) and once again the pen that sketches him out is deft and pulls at every heart string I have. Sorry, I know I go on an on, but Myron to me, represents the innocence in the world of Elan, and that’s always refreshing to read and experience in a world that has become decidedly war-torn and divided. It’s almost as if Sullivan is aware of how dark a lot of the paths have to be at this point in the story and Myron shows up to say “Hey, it’s not all bad I promise you, and we are going to make it better.”

There is a love story buried in these last few books that has been a lovely slow burn. We get snippets of it here and there and you can see it budding into something more but I don’t need to tell you how great it is to see an author spend the time (ie. More than one book) developing it into something that rings true of a worldly love that he can be proud of creating.

Modina finally comes into her own and shows those who think they keep her in chains how wrong they might just be. There is a revelation about just what she did with some of her time that I kind of slapped my head and went “Oh man! I can’t believe I didn’t realize that!”, and then her actions 3 chapters from the end are kind of series changing and I loved it.

Then we have the final 3 chapters. Oh. My. Gods.

I can’t even START to tell you how amazing the last three chapters of this book are. I can’t tell you cause I’d spoil stuff. Sufficed to say they knocked me right on my ass. My mouth was on the floor for like an hour, and I haven’t actually stopped thinking of the ramifications to certain characters and places. Let’s just say that as far as endings go, this is probably the best Sullivan has done yet in the series. Bar none. The revelations are fast and furious but it is the events of those last pages that will haunt you into the wee hours thinking about them, not to mention where they will take us...

...in APRIL! Dammit! Now I have to wait till the spring release of PERCEPLIQIUS to find out how it all ends! I haven’t been this excited about the concluding volume in a book series since probably Jim butcher’s final Codex Alera book FIRST LORD’S FURY.

Oh, and Michael, I actually pumped my fist in the air when Alric and Mauvin showed up. Not kidding. Haha!

This book is an absolute TRIUMPH. A true classic worthy of anyone bookshelf and hopefully years from now I’ll sit down and read them to my kids. I think I need to thank you for that sir. It is a seasoned storyteller who is able to weave such incredible tale that ties up a bunch of older plot threads and set us up for the final book with not just a cliffhanger, but the mother of all cliffhangers AND a promise for something really special in the future for the whole world and all the characters we know so well now.

I can’t recommend another series this year that has affected me like this one. It is worth every penny I spent on the first three books, late night online looking for new fantasy to read. I haven’t looked back since.

Upcoming: Robyn Young's Insurrection series rights bought for Canada

And...colour me excited!

It's bad enough that I had to wait for the final book in Robyn Young's Brethren trilogy over here in Canada. Considering that I could have picked it up in one of the nineteen Waterstones I went into while I was in the UK in summer 2008, but sadly I hadn't yet discovered her at that point. Then I hear she is doing this series about Robert The Bruce and I was all over amazon.co.uk thinking about paying for shipping just to get my hands on it in October of this year when the first book was released overseas.

I stayed my hand though and even though this amazing author has become one of my go-to authors for historical fiction I decided to wait. Thankfully, someone at Harper Collins Canada was a smart cookie and snatched up the rights to the new series in Canada...

And now we do the dance of joy!

So yeah, I am a bit excited. Just a bit.

Anyways, you don't have to believe me but head on over to Robyn's website and see it for yourself on the news page.

If this series is anything like Young's Templar one, we are all in for a heck of a treat!

Book Review: Star Wars Fate Of The Jedi: Abyss - Troy Denning

Following a trail of clues across the galaxy, Luke Skywalker continues his quest to find the reasons behind Jacen Solo’s dark downfall and to win redemption for the Jedi Order. Sojourning among the mysterious Aing-Tii monks has left Luke and his son Ben with no real answers, only the suspicion that the revelations they seek lie in the forbidden reaches of the distant Maw Cluster. There, hidden from the galaxy in a labyrinth of black holes, dwell the Mind Walkers: those whose power to transcend their bodies and be one with the Force is as seductive and intoxicating as it is potentially fatal. But it may be Luke’s only path to the truth.

Meanwhile, on Coruscant, the war of wills between Galactic Alliance Chief of State Natasi Daala and the Jedi Order is escalating. Outraged over the carbonite freezing of young Jedi Knights Valin and Jysella Horn after their inexplicable mental breakdowns, the Jedi are determined to defy Daala’s martial tactics, override Council Master Kenth Hamner’s wavering leadership, and deal on their own terms with the epidemic of madness preying on their ranks. As Han and Leia Solo, along with their daughter Jaina, join the fight to protect more stricken Knights from arrest, Jedi healers race to find a cure for the rapidly spreading affliction. But none of them realize the blaster barrel is already swinging in their direction–and Chief Daala is about to pull the trigger.

Nor do Luke and Ben, deep in the Maw Cluster and pushing their Force abilities beyond known limits, realize how close they are–to the Sith strike squad bent on exterminating the Skywalkers, to a nexus of dark-side energy unprecedented in its power and its hunger, and to an explosive confrontation between opposing wielders of the Force from which only one Master–good or evil–can emerge alive. 

Troy Denning always seems to ramp up the tension and the adventure. In the new Star Wars: Expanded Universe story arc style (ei. 9 books, 3 authors, one continuing story) adopted with the Legacy Of The Force books (about the fall of Jacen Solo to the dark side) and continued with these, the Fate Of The Jedi books the plot needs to stretch out and the authors are aware of this. What’s funny, is that in both series everything is going along tickety-boo till volume 3 and then Denning enters the fray and starts to ramp everything up. The best thing about that is that it makes for a stellar third book that has everything I love about Star Wars and nothing I don’t.

That’s how I knew going in that I was bound to love ABYSS (as I loved TEMPEST, third book in the LotF series before it), cause Denning always brings the show.

ABYSS picks up immediately after the previous volume (Christie Golden’s very decent OMEN) and finds a few plotlines headed towards one another. On Coruscant, two more Jedi go wonky with the plague but both spent time as children at Shelter (a hiding place during the Kilik crisis inside the Maw, a place in the center of a number of black holes) solidifying the theory that it started there. Han & Leia are trying to hatch a plan to get Tahiri Veila offworld to hide her from Daala’s government witchunt. Jaina Solo and Jagged Fel are trying to use political avenues to show the public that this persecution of the Jedi is inhumane. Meanwhile Luke Skywalker and his son Ben are inside the Maw at a replica of Centerpoint Station where the fabled Mind Walker’s reside and both get closer to not only the Dark Side, but death in their studies of Jacen’s path. Then add Vestara Khai and the rest of the lost Sith Tribe on a collision course with the Skywalkers and you have what? A recipe for awesome. Just sayin’.

Let me say first off that Ben shines in this book. He literally jumps off the page with teenage angst that is being tempered by Jedi knowledge and restraint. That’s a really great thing to witness. It was also something Jacen never had. Jacen blazed his own path and it led him to the Dark Side, he was powerful, but completely untempered. Watching Ben exhibit early signs of those same strengths, but having them be checked and molded by his father, Grand Master of the Jedi Order (not to mention the most powerful Jedi in the galaxy) is not only amazing, but gives me hope for the future that he will one day make a good Grand Master himself. He seems to epitomize a lot of the same traits his namesake (Obi-Wan Kenobi) had.

Then you have Jaina and Jag’s impending nuptials and their parents’ aversion to it. To me, Jag really IS a little too honourable and straight-laced to ever put Jaina ahead of his job as Head Of State for the Imperial Remnant. It’s nice that Denning does nothing to sway us to believing he is. He isn’t. Which makes me believe that at some point down the road he will either start to do so….or Jaina won’t marry him….or even better, he doesn’t change and Jaina DOES marry him and it creates a myriad of problems.

I think the only lackluster bit here is that once again Han & Leia are using the Falcon to try to help someone escape against orders ect. In the beginning of the novel the two are doing things that they don’t normally do and it was refreshing that they weren’t up to their tricks that they do in every volume…they were growing a little. Unfortunately it doesn’t last and one of the two action sequences at the end of the book is back to status quo for H & L Solo which can be a bit boring after they’ve done it for the twentieth time. Thankfully, the OTHER action sequence between the Skywalkers and their initial meeting with members of the lost Tribe of Sith is all blaster sizzle, lightsabers, and grenades. Loved it!

Anyways, this one was great most of the way through and to me was easily the best in this series so far. I wholeheartedly look forward to the 4th book BACKLASH. Moreover though I am starting to get an inkling of where the series is headed and I feel it is a very interesting story and it seems like we’ll be in for a treat at the end, especially because Denning will be the one writing the final book.

Great stuff!

Comic book reviews for the week of December 15th in six sentences (or less)

Best of the Week

Green Lantern #60

In contrast to last issue’s talky-talky vibe writer Geoff Johns has come back with a heavy fighty-fighty one. The mysterious bandaged figure, who’s been kidnapping the various colour spectrum entities, turns out to be Krona. And, as near as I can remember, the last time we saw Krona was in the pages of TRINITY where he was forced back into the Cosmic Egg from JLA\Avengers. There’s no explanation offered for his return, or why he‘s interested in the spectrum entities. So expect a Johns-style continuity patch in the next issue or so.

GREEN LANTERN often straddles the line between ludicrous and awesomeness, but the more I read it the more I’m convinced I’m privy to an institutionally sanctioned fan-fic adventure. It always seems like Johns is trying to create fantasy versions of established characters. “What if Batman was in the Sinestro Corp?” or “What if the Flash was taken over by Parallax?” If I’m being pessimistic I’d say its a cheap way to create new action figures based on a couple panels of story.

With Johns and artist Doug Mahnke continuing to rock out this title every month, GREEN LANTERN is easily one of the most consistent titles put out by DC. With a GL movie hitting the screens in 2011, anyone with a casual interest in the franchise should be looking to pick up this title to get a feel for the character and his extended universe.

Batman and Robin #18

Featuring the origins of Batman’s (and Bruce Wayne’s) newest enemy, The Absence. This issue is mostly explanatory back story. The Absence is born when rich socialite Una Nemo is shot in the head and dumped into the Gotham River. Through a combination of river pollution (really, are we still using pollution as a viable method of creating villains?) and Dandy Walker Syndrome, which are fluid filled spaces in the human brain, Nemo survives her experience to become The Absence. Scarred and traumatized as a result of her near death experience Nemo develops an obsession with capturing the attention of Bruce Wayne with whom she had a brief romantic fling before she was shot.

Paul Cornell serves up a perfectly serviceable, if a bit slow, origin story. And if wasn’t for the fact that DC put two artists on this thing in order to push this issue out in time I think we’d be looking at a better than average Bat-issue. But, in reality, the whole thing feels a bit rushed and I’ve come to expect something more than ‘perfectly serviceable’ from the writer of ACTION COMICS and KNIGHT AND SQUIRE. Better luck next time.

Brightest Day #16

Hey, it’s the untold origin of Aqualad y’all. Turns out he’s the son of Black Manta and an Atlantean prisoner from the inaccessible undersea prison colony of Xebel. (Don’t you just love comics?) Ivan Reis draws pretty pictures and writers Geoff Johns and Peter J. Tomasi do a good job in creating an intriguing backstory for Aqualad. Interspersed throughout are brief snippets of the Firestorm plot, which is a shame because the Firestorm story is the weakest ongoing in BRIGHTEST DAY. Barring that unfortunate misstep this series is a great example of what bi-weekly storytelling can do when you put top drawer talent behind the wheel.

Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #5

Guy Gardner and co. continue their exploration of the unknown sector when they’re waylaid by a squadron of rogue green lanterns who seem to think our heroes are Sinestro Corps soldiers. Of course that means we’re about to be treated to some lantern on lantern violence and writer Peter J. Tomasi succeeds in delivering the goods. Artist Fernando Pasarin continues to rock this title as well displaying an incredible range of action. From shoot em up battle segments to lower key emotional interactions Pasarin manages to capture the nuances of each scene perfectly.

A couple points to quibble with. Looks like there’s some broken telephone at play amongst the GL titles. First of all, over in GREEN LANTERN #60, we’re told that its been six weeks since the events of BLACKEST NIGHT, but EMERALD WARRIORS states that the events within its pages are taking place almost twice that amount of time later. Furthermore, in GL #60, Sinestro goes running when he’s told that his daughter’s life is in danger. This is a direct contradiction to what’s happening in GREEN LANTERN CORPS where Kyle Rayner pleaded unsuccessfully with Sinestro for help using the exact same argument.

When you try to run three separate titles in the same shared story space these kinds of things are going to happen. It’s minor irritant but it says something to the level of quality of the story telling when I’m reduced to complaining about these kind of minutiae.

Superman #706

So, with the departure of uber-writer it JMS it turns out that last month’s fill-in issue wasn’t really a fill in after all, but a declaration of the new status quo. Picking up the reins of the title are writer G.Willow Wilson and artist Amilcar Pinna. Sadly, the results are fairly uninspiring. This issue takes us away from the Grounded storyline to check in with Perry White and the staff of the Daily Planet. Apparently without Superman stories to print the planet has fallen on hard times and has come under attack from a local journo-blog. This issue grates on my nerves. A financially strapped Daily Planet is clichéd Superman plot line #42. I can’t begin to count the number of times this hackneyed story has been trotted out.

I’m convinced that Willow hasn’t actually checked in with a major print publication in the last ten years. He tries to portray the Planet like an out of touch dinosaur, unable to keep up with the changes in technology. Perry White doesn’t know what a blog is, he doesn’t know how it works and he sure as hell doesn’t want one near his newspaper. In reality, newspapers today have been forced to embrace new media a long time ago, employing bloggers and a vibrant web presence in order to retain readers. When a writer clearly doesn’t understand what it is he’s talking about it destroys any interest I have in the story, especially when he uses it as central plank of the whole story.

Oh, and one more thing. Perry White doesn’t smoke. He developed cancer a few years ago, almost died and he f@cking gave up cigars as a result. Do me a favour and stop trying to put a cigar back in his mouth, because when you do that what you’re telling me is that cancer scare was pointless.

Nerdvana: Star Wars The Clone Wars Season 3 Trailer

You want a reason to love Star Wars again?

Seriously. Aside from the Expanded Universe books and Comics (both of which are still awesome).

You should be watching The Clone Wars. The most photo-realistic computer animation on TV bar none. The most amazing storylines, character development and action.

Did you dislike Hayden's prequel portrayal of Anakin Skywalker? Did you hate the poorly written love storyline in those films? Did you loathe Jar Jar? One can amass a huge bucket of complaints with the prequel films. I challenge you to find the same issues with The Clone Wars.

It succeeds on every level. It makes me swoon over Star Wars again. It makes me excited and giddy on a level I can't recall the prequels producing in me.

Anakin is WAY better here than he ever was in the films, Obi-Wan is badass, the Sith are better (Assaj Ventress and the newly minted Darth Maul brother Savage Opress), and the aciton and plotlines leave me salivating for the next episode!

You NEED to watch this show. 3 Seasons in and it's the best thing to happen to the SW universe in recent memory.

To prove it, here is the kickass trailer for season 3. Watch it and rejoice!

A tale of two trailers - Green Lantern vs. Thor

A couple trailers for big 2011 comic book movies have hit the net recently.

First up is GREEN LANTERN where unfortunately, if first impressions are any indication, we’re looking at another Ryan Reynolds nudge and wink fest.



Feeling more like THE PROPOSAL than BURIED the trailer opens with some driving rock guitar and Reynold’s hastily extracting himself from a presumed one night stand. Viewers can understandably be forgiven for thinking they’ve wandered into a VAN WILDER blooper reel.

Considering DC’s stated intention that new film properties need to work off the strengths of Christopher Nolan’s hugely successful BATMAN franchise it’s a little puzzling to see that there aren’t any traces of the dark and edgy themes that currently populate the Bat-world. Granted Green Lantern is not Batman and what works for one character won’t necessarily work well for others.

But the trailer feels distinctly like a late 90’s interpretation of a comic book property, good looking pretty boy fronting the cast, straightforward action movie feel, static set pieces and not much in the way of serious character exploration.

The trailer tries to switch up the tone halfway through and present us with a darker take but unfortunately it retreats back to jocular chuckles pretty quickly. And its too late, to be honest, the film’s mood has been set.

But I’m not willing to give up on this film based on two and a half minutes of footage put out half a year before the film’s release date. It helps immensely that GREEN LANETERN is helmed by the immensely capable Martin Campbell, whose resume boasts more successes than stinkers. It’s just too bad that this film has to succeed in spite of its trailer, not because of it.

When you stack the THOR trailer next to the GREEN LANTERN one it becomes quickly apparent that the former demolishes the latter.



Watching the trailer I can’t help but get excited about this movie. Directed by Kenneth Branagh, who is better known for his Shakespeare than his Stan Lee, the trailer manages to hit all the right notes.

Where Green Lantern tussles anonymously in the parking lot with muggers, Thor is battling gods and frost giants. Instead of enduring Ryan Reynolds flirtatious posturing THOR treats us to Sir Anthony Hopkins chewing up the scenery. And rather than plodding through the stereotypical origin story paces Thor starts the film already a hero in his own right.

THOR shows us glimpses of forbidden love, fallen gods, epic battles and otherworldly intrigue. Sounds pretty good to me.

It’s a bit unfair to compare these two trailers. Beyond the fact that their source material is rooted in the four colour medium, there are more differences than similarities between the two stories.

But nonetheless comparisons will be made. And sadly, based on these initial offerings, I think that the GREEN LANTERN trailers comes up sadly lacking.

Scott: Anticipation 2011!

2011 is shaping up to be a huge banner year for book releases. In late 2009 I made a post on my old personal blog about titles I looked forward to in 2010, and I certainly got to read them all, with Brandon Sanderson’s THE WAY OF KINGS stealing the gold medal for my favourite book this year. I am not going to speculate who will take the prize in 2011, but from the looks of the 2011 list the contenders have doubled since last year. In that same vein, please stay tuned over the Christmas Holiday’s as we will be posting a list of Awards for Iceberg Ink for the best of 2010.

So, without further ado, in completely random order, I give you:

ANTICIPATION 2011!

LEVIATHAN WAKES (1st book in Expanse series) - James S.A. Corey (pen name of Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck)

I’ve not read Daniel Abraham’s The Long Price Quartet, but I’ve heard nothing but good things about it. That said, the prospect of his foray into Space Opera Sci-Fi has me excited.

THE CRIPPLED GOD (10th Tale Of The Malazan Book Of The Fallen) – Steven Erikson

This is a no-brainer. The final book in Erikson’s epic fantasy series will certainly clock in at over 10,000 pages total when done and will stand as one of the most respected and complex fantasy stories ever told.

THE HEROES – Joe Abercrombie

Still utilizing and fleshing out the world he created for his First Law Trilogy, Abercrombie brings us another standalone volume, this time concerning a bunch of characters that are likely not (considering the man’s style of storytelling) heroes at all. But therein lies my excitement!

THE WISE MAN’S FEAR (The Kingkiller Chronicle: Day 2) – Patrick Rothfuss

Delayed, but not as much as other books (*wink wink*) have been, the second volume in Rothfuss’ much lauded Kingkiller series about Kvothe is finally set to drop next spring and personally I can’t wait as the first book (THE NAME OF THE WIND) was one of my faves for 2007.

REPUBLIC OF THIEVES (3rd book in the Gentlemen Bastard Sequence) – Scott Lynch

Oh how delicious the first two books in this series are. Like Ocean’s 11 in a fantasy setting, Lynch’s very realized world of Camorr is both wondrous and dirty. I absolutely fell in love with the first book (THE LIES OF LOCKE LAMORA), and have been patiently awaiting this volume (delayed due to the passing of the author’s father), so I pleased to see it will be dropping in the spring as well.

BLUE REMEMBERED EARTH (1st book in Poseidon’s Children trilogy) – Alastair Reynolds

Reynolds is one of those Gollancz authors that I came to late, as my sci-fi taste is small compared to fantasy, but his Revelation Space books are some of the best space opera’s I’ve read ever, so I am very excited about this new series and where Reynolds plans to take us next.

FUZZY NATION – John Scalzi

Another new sci-fi guy whose work I discovered this year and devoured. His Old Man’s War series is currently kicking my butt with awesome when I read them, and the thought of him doing a revamp of a previous book has potential to be very fun!

HIS FATHER’S FIST (4th book in The Acts Of Caine series) – Matthew Stover

I can’t say much, cause every other word would be the “f” word, but sufficed to say, this 4th book about foul-mouthed, kickass Caine/Hari is one that will totally be an EFFING pre-order. Nuff Said.

IRON JACKAL (3rd Tales Of The Ketty Jay book) – Chris Wooding

Steampunky airships? Check. Pirates? Check. Rip-roaring, swashbuckling tales of adventure? Check. Chris Wooding’s third Ketty Jay Book. Check!

THE MEASURE OF MAGIC (2nd in The Legends of Shannara duology) – Terry Brooks

The second in a duology about the pre-history of Shannara. I liked the first one well enough, and look forward to see where we go with the second. I am also a bigger fan of his new stuff than I am his old stuff.

SNUFF (39th Discworld novel) – Terry Pratchett

Okay. This guy is a machine, and probably one of the most respected authors in the genre. He also has early onset Alzheimers and continues to push out books (simply amazing man). Add to this the fact that this new 39th Discworld book will be a Night Watch book about Vimes & Co…oh my god, my excitement knows no bounds. This is probably in my top 3 picks I am looking forwards to reading, no question.


THE DRAGON’S PATH (1st in The Dagger & The Coin series) - Daniel Abraham

A new Abraham Fantasy series, which he has gone on record as saying will be more “classically fantasy-like” than his previous series. Definitely one to look out for.

PERCEPLIQUIS (6th book in the Ryria Revelations series) – Michael J. Sullivan

I was privileged enough to have discovered this author’s books this year and haven’t been disappointed by one of them yet, so it is with great impatience that I await the final book in this series, cause I wanna know where it all ends up! Very excited.

THE ALLOY OF LAW (New Mistborn novel) &
THE RITHMATIST (New series for YA) - Brandon Sanderson

Fantasy It-Boy Sanderson can do me no wrong recently and with the recent announcement of not only a new Mistborn novel (with Guns?! Awesome!!), but a new YA series about magic users battling chalk creatures I am even more excited! Can't wait for late 2011 for these.

GHOST STORY (13th book in The Dresden Files series) – Jim Butcher

Last, but certainly not least, ever…If you asked the impartial version of me which book I was looking to most next year, the answer is easy. The twelfth book in this series which came out last year, CHANGES, was such a cliffhanger that you will be hard-pressed not to find me with my nose against the glass of the doors to the bookstore the day this drops in the spring. One of my fave series, and my favourite author ever…yep. This is gonna be good!

Upcoming: Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides Trailer

Hey all,

Johnny Depp reprises his role as wonderful Captain Jack Sparrow in the fourth film in the series. With  Rob Marshall in the directors chair this time and newcomers to the series Ian McShane, Penelope Cruz and Astrid Berges-Frisbey, this is shaping up to be a return to glory for the series which suffered a bit from the drawn out story of the last two films. Depp pretty much guarantees me in the theatre seat. It's like a no-brainer really. He is easily one of the greatest and most versatile actors the 20th century produced. Add McShane as Blackbeard and Geoffrey Rush back as Barbossa (now a Privateer to King George!) and the Fountain of youth...oh and zombies. Yep, that sounds good to me!


But don't take my word for it. Check out the new trailer below.

Personally, the Teen-Wolf-style carriage roof riding through regency London, is the highlight for me. Looks great!

Upcoming: Sigma Book #7 The Devil Colony by James Rollins covert art & synopsis

 Could the founding of America be based on a fundamental lie, one coded in secrets that stretch back to before the birth of Christ, to a mystery buried in the prehistoric past? The truth lies hidden within the ruins of a cursed lost colony of the Americas. A place known only as: THE DEVIL COLONY. During a sweat lodge ceremony in an Indian cave in the Rocky Mountains, a horrible massacre ensues. Bodies are found blistered and burned and purposefully positioned to form two shapes: a five-pointed star and a sickle-shaped moon. One man recognizes the warning behind the gruesome murders: Painter Crowe, director of Sigma. He has seen these two symbols before and knows the deaths were a personal threat - one of the dead is his beloved cousin. From the frozen volcanic peaks of Iceland to the blistering deserts of the American Southwest, from the tombs of dead presidents to the gold vaults of Fort Knox, Painter Crowe joins forces with Commander Grayson Pierce and an unlikely ally - a woman who may have had a hand in the murders - to penetrate the shadowy heart of a dark cabal that has been manipulating American history since the founding of the thirteen colonies. But can he discover the truth - one that could topple governments - before it destroys all he holds dear? Including the woman he loves.


This is probably a bit old news, since this book was meant to come out in August, but I thought I'd post now considering the release date change.

It turns out that James Rollins publisher decided because of their tight release schedule (and I would also expect because they like to release his books in summer as thriller's seem to do very well with vacationing readers) to delay release till summer 2011.

I was pretty bloody excited about this one. I have been a flag-carrying Rollins fanboy for a number of years now. His Sigma series is probably my favourite thriller series and the last couple of books have upped the ante on the tension, thrills and fun. I had many a sleepless night reading those last few.

Basically, Rollins does what Dan Brown does but in all the areas where Brown fails, Rollins succeeds across the board. He makes smart, thrilling adventures that always concern more than one aspect of history and science and he weaves them together in a fashion that makes them nearly impossible to put down.

At any rate, the seventh Sigma book THE DEVIL COLONY is, like I said, due to drop in summer next year and I for one am really excited to get back to our stalwart Sigma operatives.

Art: Fables #100 Cover

There is just something about the amazing artists that DC Vertigo use for their cover art for Bill Willingham's  FABLES series. They are always gorgeous. Like high art gorgeous. Whether it was James Jean (who used to do the covers) or the current cover artist Joao Ruas or even forthcoming Cinderella mini-series cover artist Chrissie Zullo, they are always like the most amazing fairytale arthouse pieces.

Anyways, I love how completely simple the cover for the 100th issue is, and still really awesome.

Oh, you haven't read FABLES you say? Heretics! Nah, I'm just kidding, but seriously get out there and read one of the very best comic series of the last decade....heretics.

More you say?

Okey day. So here is the awesome Chrissie Zullo cover art from the forthcoming second CINDERELLA: FABLES ARE FOREVER mini-series, written by Chris Roberson hot on the heels of the first mini-series CINDERELLA: FROM FABLETOWN WITH LOVE written by Roberson also with cover art by Zullo. I can't wait to read this new one!

Comic book reviews for the week of December 8th in six sentences (or less)

Best of the Week

John Constantine: Hellblazer - City of Demons#5
You need five things to have a great Hellblazer story, booze, cigarettes, a cranky English bastard, black magic and a horrific personal tragedy. City of Demons has all of the above, in spades. In this final issue of the mini series Constantine comes up against the architects behind the demon blood infections and has a nasty surprise from them. And of course, this being a Hellblazer story, there's always a nasty surprise waiting for him as well.

There have been a lot of Hellblazer stories over the years, sadly of varying quality, but this particular one manages to condense what it is that makes John Constantine such a captivating character. It distills the essence of the pissy SOB and makes him as compelling and interesting as he ever was. Hats off to Si Spencer for writing one of the best 'blazer tales since Garth Ennis helmed the book. And Sean Murphy continues to blow my mind with his art. His work on JOE THE BARBARIAN and this title have rocketed him up list of personal favourites. I can't say enough good things about him.

27 #1
So, according to this, 27 is supposed to be the next big thing to hit your LCS. Apparently its getting a lot of positive buzz and the first print run of the title even sold out. In fact Bleeding Cool even goes as far as to suggest picking up an issue and flipping it for a quick buck, its just that hot. Usually I’m immune to buying the next big thing, but because it was a light week for me I bought my store’s second to last copy to see if the end product lived up to all the hype.

Sadly, it doesn’t.

The titular 27 refers to the age where several famous musicians died, including Jimi Hendrix and Kurt Cobain. Will Garland is simply the latest guitarist to face personal tragedy when hitting that tricky age, contracting a debilitating disease known as sympathetic dystrophy that leaves him unable to play the guitar. Unable to find a conventional cure he starts exploring alternative methods, including contacting crackpot-scientist types, in the hopes they can treat his illness. However, he doesn’t bargain on the strange mechanical device that ends up in his chest, one that actually seems to let him play the guitar again.

It’s a setup issue so there isn’t anything really very attention grabbing here. Writer Charles Soule seems concerned with getting all his pieces in place more than anything else. The lead in issue was interesting but didn’t reach out and really grab me, which is what I want for something as hyped as this title was. I was hoping to hit the ground running with elaborate theories and pseudo-scientific conspiracies and what I got was a slow burn instead. Now that’s patently unfair to the writer who doesn’t need me projecting my expectations on the work sight unseen. But the story hook, the untold tale of 27 and musicians, was such an interesting plot that I started to craft my own plot before I even cracked the cover on the real thing. The art, by Renzo Podesta, is good, but a little too stripped down and cartoony to really be my bag. On the whole 27 was interesting but I don't think I'll have any problems leaving the second issue on the shelf.



The Flash #7
It's another famous Geoff Johns Flash break issue, where we take a pause for the cause from the regular plot line to do a little indepth examination of one Flasher's Rogues Gallery. This time out we're looking into the origins of the Flash's second most deadly White Lantern resurrection, Captain Boomerang. This issue covers Boomerang's start as a poor Australian boy, his time as one of Flash's Rogues and his career on the Secret Six. (Of course it wouldn't be a Johns secret origin tale if he didn't graft a bloody tragedy onto the Rogue's past, in this case having Captain Boomerang murder his own father at his mother's funeral.) There's also a small plot here with Boomerang having a discussion with fellow resurrectee, the Reverse Flash, about what the future holds for him. It's a typical solid effort from Johns and Manapul and as long as they both keep on keeping on I'll be happy to read what they're putting out.

Knight and Squire #3
Look, I love all things British but for whatever reason KNIGHT AND SQUIRE never really caught on with me. I don't know if it was because I found the humour wasn't universal enough or some of the British motifs were too obscure for me, whatever the reason reading KNIGHT AND SQUIRE was more obligation than enjoyment. Until this week. Reading about British Batman's Twitter battle - sorry, Twunter battle - with a clone Richard the Third, who can seemingly only speak in Shakespearian asides finally snuck its way past my defenses. The whole thing felt like a goofy Silver Age story told through a uniquely British lens and I absolutely loved it. Kudos to Paul Cornell for turning out a great story and now I'm looking forward to reading what else he's got on tap for K&S

Rants: Release Date & Stocking Issue

I have an issue. It requires a rant. So here we go…

Basically it stands like this. Ian C. Esslemont’s 3^rd book set in the Malazan world STONEWIELDER was released November 29^th 2010. So it says on Amazon, and Chapters/Indigo, amongst other bookseller websites. Since that date, I have frequented my local bookstores, and those online sites in search of said title. To no avail. Though the release date is correct, and the book should be in stock. Tis not, and doesn’t appear to be showing up soon either.

This is not the first time I have run across this issue. Funnily enough this happened with Erikson’s last few Malazan books. I’m not going to blame Esslemont and Erikson’s publisher Transworld. For although the Canadian authors’ publisher is a UK one, the booksellers who list the release date on their sites ought to actually HAVE those items in stock on the release date for purchase.  If this means placing your order for however many copies early so they arrive on time, then so be it. Do so.

This is not a time of year issue either as the last Erikson book was meant to come out in summer and this new Esslemont one is clearly fall-winter.

If you go to amazon.ca and look to order a copy, it says it will be 2-3 weeks to send it out. If you go to Chapters/Indigo it says it is in stock but if you try to order it the shipping time is way in the future, not to mention the stores don’t have it in stock anywhere. So basically, if I want this item shipped from a Canadian company I will be waiting a long time, between 2 weeks to maybe even a month all told to my doorstep.

Then there is another option. Ordering it from amazon.co.uk, and pay a tad extra in shipping. Their website says it will ship to me tomorrow, and be here in less than 2 weeks. So explain to me how that makes any kind of sense.

I try to order it from Canada, but Canadian companies have decided to not order copies ready to dispatch, but rather seem to have to get it shipped to them on a case-by-case or order-by-order basis from the UK and THEN ship it out to the customer. This makes for a very long ended order and to me makes zero sense. It’s not like these titles don’t sell, cause if they got even 5 copies of STONEWIELDER at my local Indigo, I guarantee they’d sell out in a week. The Erikson ones always seem to sell out most copies and they have the same issue.

So instead of making it easy for customers to get a hold of a book title by having at least a few in stock ready to either be shelved at stores or ready to dispatch from online, they make it difficult enough that either the reader will wait until the store finally decides to put them out on the shelf, or they will go to the other route and order it from the website that will get it to them on or near the release date.

I’ve said it before, but Chapters/Indigo’s ordering system and cataloging system is fairly bad. I love the store, don’t get me wrong, I spend oodles of time there clearly, but it pisses me off to no end that their customer service on this sort of thing is sketchy at best. With both the two last Malazan books by Erikson and now with this latest ICE title I have gone into the store (or phoned) and the CSR looks, finds the same info I found….the computer says it’s been released but they don’t have it on the premises. What’s funny is I could tolerate a week or so delay…but with the DUST OF DREAMS by Erikson it was somewhere in the realm of TWO MONTHS before the store had it. I mean, this is a company I spend a lot of my money at and they lose my custom for something so ridiculous as poorly managed catalogs.

It’s been a week since the release of STONEWIELDER and I got fed up today after speaking with a CSR at my local Indigo who, as usual, had no way of telling me when they would have it in store OR online, so I ordered it from amazon.co.uk….it will be shipped tomorrow and get to me before Dec.17^th. Which makes me happy, but I wanted to rant about it.

Chapters/Indigo have issues with this, and amazon.ca just seems to not bother stocking it on this side of the pond unless someone orders it, at which point they become a middle man you can avoid. Well sorry amazon.ca I don’t plan on waiting a month for an order to ship, that’s ridiculous.

These are CANADIAN authors both, and two of the most prolific fantasy authors we've produced, yet finding their books anywhere close to a release date it nigh impossible. Meanwhile, you can find 200 copies of any given books by Margaret Atwood out on the shelves the morning they are released...which adds a whole other level to my upset, but you get the point.

Sigh.