Review: BATMAN AND ROBIN 6: THE HUNT FOR ROBIN by Peter Tomasi

Disclaimer: I received a free, advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. 

Release Date: June 30, 2015

Type: Graphic Novel, Comics, Comic Books, Superheroes, Batman and the Batlings, Hard to have Batman and Robin without Robin..

About the Book: After losing his son Damian—a.k.a. Robin—Batman has finally found peace with his death. Damian's grandfather Ra's al Ghul, however, has not. In order to resurrect Robin, he's stolen the body and now Batman will stop at nothing to reclaim him. 

Nearly two years of storylines—including threads from Grant Morrison's BATMAN INCORPORATED and Scott Snyder and Greg Capulo's BATMAN—conclude here in BATMAN AND ROBIN VOL. 6: THE HUNT FOR ROBIN. 

Collects BATMAN AND ROBIN #29-34 and ROBIN RISES OMEGA. [Description from Netgalley.com]

My Review: Despite Robin being no longer with us, he still has a strong presence in this graphic novel series. But then, I guess it is hard to continue a series bearing his namesake without having him there in some way shape or form. My biggest issue with this graphic novel, was that it felt like since they couldn't team Batman up with Robin, they would just team him up with whomever else was handy - Aquaman, Wonder Woman, even Frankenstein. In a way, it makes sense - hard to have a series based on a team up without some sort of team-ing happening. But it just felt rushed and so-so.

What I think this series does well is the tiny bits of humor they manage to sneak into such a dark series. Even in Bruce's moments of lightness and healing, though they be very few and far between, it is still gritty, like a true Batman comic should be. As a fan of Robin in all his (or maybe her?) forms, I was happen to see a small reunion of former title holders, though I will not spoil how or why.

There is a lot this series does well - the tone, the story lines.. but I will be happy to either move on from Damien, or find a way to bring him back to the story. Frankly, I would prefer bringing him back. I loved Damien. Not my favorite of the past and present sidekicks, but he had his own flair, and I loved seeing him and Bruce work together.

Cover Lovin': Very fitting cover. This title may be called Batman and Robin, but Robin is not exactly in the picture any more - as this cover accurately portrays.

Recommendation: For hardcore Bat-fans, and only for those that have kept up with this series. This is not a volume you can just pick up without the backstory.

Final Rating: FOUR out of FIVE stars (4/5). Good, but not as dark and gritty as it used to be. This felt like it was missing something (maybe Robin?!).

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

REVIEW: Batgirl 1: The Batgirl of Burnside by Brenden Fletcher, Cameron Stewart, and Babs Tarr

Disclaimer: I received a free, advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. 

Release Date: June 16th, 2015

Type: Graphic Novel, Comics, Comic Books, Superheroes, Girl Power, Motorcycle Assassins?

About the Book: It’s a reinvention of Batgirl from the boots up, focusing on Barbara Gordon’s amazing eidetic memory and how she balances her dual lives—one as a masked hero and the other as a grad student.

The new creative team of Cameron Stewart (BATMAN AND ROBIN, SEAGUY, SEVEN SOLDIERS), Brenden Fletcher and Babs Tarr set Barbara Gordon off in a brand-new direction in BATGIRL VOL. 1! Collects BATGIRL #35-40 and a story from SECRET ORIGINS #10.

Batgirl Vol. 1: The Batgirl of Burnside will also be available in a $24.99 hardcover volume. [Information from Netgalley.com]

My Review: This is one of those volumes that I put down after two issues, and it took me a few days to pick it back up. But I'm glad I did, and not just because I promised a review. While this is a volume one, it is also a continuation of Batgirl's story from previous story arcs, so it shouldn't have felt like it was on unsteady legs, but it did. The very beginning of this volume felt juvenile. I like Batman and all this former sidekicks because the story lines are usually dark and gritty, but Batgirl didn't have that going for it. It wasn't until the latter half of this book that I finally got into it.

The villains of each issue felt like the whole thing was some sort of joke. And when the final review came about, the mastermind behind all the recent crimes, I almost laughed out loud. I won't spoil it for you, but.. Really? That's what they came up with? Like out of some super cheesy straight-to-DVD science fiction movie. And sure, not all of Batman's villains are A-listers, but at least they can feel scary during the action. Not here.

So you may be wondering why I was enjoying this by the end. And for me, what saved this graphic novel, enough for me to give it a three star rating, was the secondary characters and relationships within the novel. Babs/Batgirl's friendships were compelling. And there was multiple examples of diversity throughout the graphic novel, including quite a few kick-butt chicks - something much needed in the comic book world.

Cover Lovin': This is a cute cover, for sure. And it goes along with one of the later story lines in the book.

Recommendation: For fans of the Batlings, or Batgirl specifically. Or Superhero junkies.

Final Rating: THREE out of FIVE (3/5). An interesting start to Batgirl's move to Burnside.

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

REVIEW: "Grayson, Volume 1: Agents of Spyral" by Tim Seeley

Disclaimer: I received a free, advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. 

Release Date: June 9th, 2015

Type: Graphic Novel, Comics, DC, Spies, Thrillers, Former Superheroes Still Being Super, Mysteries, Secret Organizations, Hey - that's Batman!

About the Book: Dick Grayson. Former Sidekick. Former Superhero. Former dead man. Agent of Spyral?! A thrilling new chapter of Dick Grayson's life begins here. A super-spy espionage thriller that will shock you and prove one thing: you might think you know Nightwing--but you don't know Dick. 

Collects GRAYSON #1-4, GRAYSON ANNUAL #1 and a story from SECRET ORIGINS #8. [Description from Goodreads.com]

My Review: First I'm going to mention what I didn't like. Or rather, I should say "what frustrated me." I understand why, but that doesn't make it any less frustrating. I dislike feeling confused because more and more questions are being raised, and nothing is being answered. You don't have to answer everything, and if you want me to keep reading, you probably shouldn't - but one small mystery solved along the way, while raising bigger questions as you go can't be too much to ask, right? That kind of thing drives me up the wall.

Now on to the better part. All the stuff I enjoyed about reading the first of this new series. I talk like I don't enjoy thrillers and suspense movies and novels, but then I read something like this, and I'm all in. Grayson gives you that good edge of your seat feeling while reading. I wanted to know what would happen. Is Dick going to get caught? Who are these people? Oh no, that person has a gun and it's aimed right for him! Just some examples of the fun you will find within.

I also enjoyed all the goodies in the back. I'll admit, I really love cover variants. I like to see other artists' vision for a character, or maybe just see someone have fun with their art. And speaking of art - Grayson volume 1 has some good stuff. I love the fight scenes. Dick Grayson doesn't have powers, but he is super agile, and that can be difficult to show in comics. How do you convey in a few small panels how he managed to flip around and save the day? But the artist does a great job.

And for those of you that are dying to know - yes, Dick Grayson is ten times cuter inside the comic than he is on the cover. There's even some good shirtless shots if you're interested. I read these comics for the story and the action. Doesn't mean I can't enjoy the art too, hm?

Cover Lovin': Well, since this book isn't out yet, I wasn't able to find a final cover. The other ARC covers I've seen actually do have the author's name and the title on it, but they also have big "ARC" splotches all over. But what you see here is the basic idea. I like it - very bond-esque. Also very pink, which I find interesting.

Recommendation: For fans of Batman and the Batlings (as I like to call them). And really, I think this could appeal to the mystery/spy thriller lovers as well.

Final Rating: A little less than a four, a little more than a three, so I guess I will go with 3.5. This had a lot of potential, and I really like where it's going. But it can get frustrating with all the lack of answers.

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

REVIEW: "Jupiter's Legacy" by Mark Millar!

Disclaimer: I received a free, advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Type: Graphic Novel, Superheroes, Comic Books, Now and Then, Kids grow up so fast (and horrible), Diamond Books

About the Book: The children of the world’s greatest superheroes may never be able to fill their parents’ shoes. When the family becomes embattled by infighting, one branch stages an uprising, another goes into hiding. How long can the world survive when one family’s super-powered problems explode onto the global stage? [Description provided by Netgalley.com]

My Review: I almost want to review the first half of this graphic novel separately from the last half, because I felt so differently about each. But no, this is one story and must be judged as such - which is why my final rating will be a three. Which I think is being charitable.

The concept of this is fantastic. Superheroes change the world - but how does that superstardom change their families? Like the spoiled brats most of them are, I hated pretty much every character in this book, honestly. It wasn't until the last few issues that some of the characters redeemed themselves in my eyes, and I started enjoying the story. I think the introduction was just so heavy that it made this less like reading, and more like wading through sludge.

Cover Lovin': Uh, I don't know. I might find this cover a little off-putting. Or expect it to be about aliens, or at least space, rather than superheroes and their progeny.

Recommendation: This is one of those books that will appeal to people who like odder graphic novels. Maybe things that are more meta?

Final Rating: THREE out of FIVE stars (3/5). The first half would get one star, but the last two issues were our star worthy - so three total.

Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's.. a REVIEW of "My Superhero Sister" by Toni LoTempio!

Why this book?: I'm a fan of Toni LoTempio, and she asked if I would be interested in reviewing her YA novel - Heck yes! Also, it counts for my Teen Reading Challenge at work!

Disclaimer: This book was given to me in exchange for a review.

Type: Young Adult, Superheroes (and Heroines!), Highschool can suck, Freaks and Geeks, BUGS, The uncool little sister, I'll take both Ed and Tad, thanks.

About the book: Holly Hamilton is a normal highschooler. That wouldn't be so bad if her Dad hadn't been a superhero, and now her sister is one too - Suprema. Talk about pressure, not only is her sister Miss Perfect, but she saves the city on a daily basis, how is a mortal younger sister supposed to deal? But when an evil supervillian steals Suprema's powers, it's up to normal Holly to save the day. But being super isn't as easy as she always thought...
My Review: "My Superhero Sister" is an incredibly cute young adult novel with some adult appeal. I used to love reading comic books, and I'll admit, I still love watching superhero movies. There's something about having powers that is just so.. cool. And if you read comics, as gritty as they can be sometimes, they also have moments of extreme cheesiness, or hookyness. This book has all of that hookyness that I've been missing. I think a lot of middle grade and teen readers will enjoy picking up "My Superhero Sister" because it is quick, easy, and amusing.

Some of this book was a little too predictable, and just when I thought I could guess what was going to happen next, a little curve ball was thrown into the playing field and I was surprised by what happened. Characters that I thought would turn out evil ended up being the good guys, and how Holly rises to the occasion at the end - I could have never seen that coming! With cute boys, family pressure, and school troubles, "My Superhero Sister" is an excellent, clean story for young adults.

Cover Loving: I love it! I think it's incredibly cute.

Recommendation: This was a fun read. Fans of quick, amusing young adult novels will enjoy "My Superhero Sister."

Final Rating: FOUR out of FIVE (4/5). Fun, quick, good read. Enjoyable for sure.

Have you read "My Superhero Sister" or another book by Toni LoTempio? Share your thoughts in the comments! Would you like to pick up a copy of this book? Get it from Amazon.com! Or by clicking here.

Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda ~!~