The Mythmakers: The Remarkable Fellowship of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien

I found this 2024 work in the graphic novel new release section of my local library. Though I am not really sure that you could classify this book as a graphic novel. It's more of a hybrid graphic novel/prose non-fiction biography. I'd say a good 50% of this book is prose. Plus the dialogue is very wordy. But I think that's to be expected as the subjects of this book by John Hendrix were both academics and philosophers.

C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien were the 20th century's most distinguished fantasy writers. Lewis wrote dozens of works in many genres, including early science fiction, children's literature and Christian theology. Tolkien was a perfectionist with anxiety and writer's block. But he managed to create an entire universe with his 4 volumes of completed stories set on Middle Earth. 

For a good period of time, the two were the best of friends and if it wasn't for the other encouraging their mates on, we wouldn't have Aslan, Frodo, the White Witch or Gandalf the Grey. They were each other's biggest fans and harshest critics. But as iron sharpens iron, Lewis and Tolkien refined each other into becoming 2 universally beloved authors. Unfortunately, as happens with many friendships, the two men grew apart. Yet, the respect and love the two had for each other was unwavering.

I had a difficult time getting through the first chapter. It wasn't about the history of Lewis or Tolkien. Instead, it was more of an introduction of what made a story either a myth, a legend, or a fairy tale. While I learned how a fairy tale could be as such without the inclusion of a fairy, I was very lost in this opener. Plus, I didn't like how close to calling The Bible a fairy tale or myth the author got and he's supposed to be a Christian author and illustrator!

Our narrators are a Wizard in full garb along with a pointed hat and a Lion dressed in rather a shabby looking blazer. I took me a while to figure out that the Wizard personified Tolkien, who was essentially one of the first cosplayers, and that the Lion in a shabby flannel coat was Lewis, as a lion is the main heroic character in The Chronicles of Narnia, and Lewis wasn't known to be a very flashy dresser 

While the opening chapter was a bit of a chore to get through, the rest of the book was not. It was a fascinating history of the two authors, growing up at the turn of the century, during an industrial boom, experiencing the horror of World War I and then witnessing the sun set on the British Empire after the devastation of the second World War. I even felt that the trio of appendices were really good. They felt more geared for the lay person as opposed to the introductory chapter which was too academic for my tastes.

While I wasn't too keen on John Hendrix in how he kept comparing Jesus to the great stories of myth and legend, I would not mind having him act as my guide through history. I see that Hendrix wrote a graphic novel about Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a pastor who became a spy and potential assassin of Adolf Hitler. I've been wanting to read a biography of this complex figure in World War II history and this seems up my alley.

So as much of an issue I might have had with some parts of this work, I think it speaks volumes that I am willing to give John Hendrix another try. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Full Throttle: Stories by Joe Hill

I've been in the mood to read Joe Hill lately. 

This 2019 collection of Joe Hill stories is a baker's dozen of short stories that have seen print previously in anthologies or magazine form. The two stories that Hill co-wrote with his famous father, Stephen King were my least favorite as they lacked the voice of the younger author which I have become a fan of over the past decade. But overall, this was a great read filled with excitement and a whole lot of chills for someone who is interested in reading Halloween themed stuff but couldn't yet because it wasn't October yet. 

My favorite stories were the tragic 'By the Silver Water of Lake Champlain', which later became the focus of an episode of the Creepshow series on Shudder, 'Dark Carousel' with it's perfectly eerie ending set across the pond, and 'Mums' which may or may not be about a young boy who grows a menacing plant-like version of his late mother. My absolute favorite was 'Late Returns', which along with 'Mums', was published for the first time ever in this book. It's about a young man who takes a part-time job driving his hometown's bookmobile and discovers that he can recommend great final reads to dearly departed members of the local library. I so very much did not want this story to end and I would love for it to be a movie or even a mini-series.

Another story that I would like seen put on film is 'You Are Released'. It's about the early hours of a nuclear holocaust as experienced by the passengers on a jumbo jet. Although I really want this story to be longer as well, with everything that has been happening in Israel in the past week, I think I could wait for the movie as I get this eerie feeling that right now, life is imitating art. 

Don't skip out on Hill's foreword nor his afterword. Both are amazing non-fiction reads. The foreword talks about how having 2 famous writers for parents influenced him to become a writer. There's also a great story about Hill when he was a little fella starring in the framing sequences of the original Creepshow movie. Hill's afterword discusses where you might have come across many of the stories collected in this book, along with sources of inspiration for those tales. Hill claims he's not a story teller but I would love to read a collection of his thoughts. He's that good a writer!

I think I am done with Joe Hill novels for a little bit. Not because I'm tired of him. Nor is it because I'm scared crapless; though Joe Hill is the only author that can write about non-demonic things and scare me cleaner than Ex-lax. It's just that as we are now in October, I am burning through a bunch of those Halloween reads that I've been saving up to read. Thanksgiving and Christmas are up next and I really want to dip into those reads too. Maybe when it's time to spend the holidays in St. Louis this Christmas, I'll bring another Joe Hill work that I haven't read yet with me. Hopefully, the author will have something new on the horizon as I am running out of things of his that I haven't read yet.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Twig (Family Comic Friday)

When George Lucas created Star Wars, he didn't just make a movie, he gave birth to an entire universe. That's what it feels like after reading Skottie Young's Twig.

Twig is filling in the role of his late father as a 'Placeling'. Twig originally wanted to be a chef. But as he's the only able person with knowledge of the job of his pop's, Twig is the logical choice. Only on his first day of work, Twig wakes up late, setting in motion a number of errors and delays that threaten the very existence of the universe. 

As a placeling, Twig is responsible for taking special stone known as a heart stone to a legendary expert called the Pathsayer who knows the powers of all the different gemstones. Once the source of the stone's power is assessed, it will be Twig's job to place the bauble in a special place for a hero to discover and save the world. There's only one problem, the Pathsayer is dead and when Twig does his best to ascertain what his entrusted stone does, Twig accidentally breaks it, draining the jewel of its magic. Now Twig, along with his wise pal Splat must go on an epic quest to repair the gem before an amassing source of great evil is unleashed on Twig's world. 

I loved this book. Though I admit that I had to read ahead at the ending to make sure none of the adorable main characters died. I didn't want to this story to end. It was such a quick read, it didn't feel like it was 5-issues long. Now that the story is over, I hope Skottie Young takes us on another epic quest with Twig and friends.

Star Wars couldn't have become the expansive universe it has without a great design. Filling the role of Ralph McQuarrie is Kyle Strahm. I was just in awe of his work. There's dozens of panels where we see these new and fanciful lands that Twig must transverse in order to achieve his assignment. All were so different and yet it never felt like we were ever taken away to another world. There always was a hint of the main region Twig was from. I really can't put into words how marvelous the artwork was. But I haven't felt this way since I last saw a Star Wars film in theaters. I truly am in love with this world created by Young and Strahm.

The back cover says that this book is appropriate for ages Teen and up. I disagree. There is 1 swear in the whole book and it's really minor. The story quest seems timeless and something that can be appreciated for all ages. Rumor has it that George Lucas added the scene of Luke's uncle and aunt's charred corpses to keep the first Star Wars film from earning a G-rating. Did Skottie Young add those two scenes of skeletons to keep Twig from being rated for all ages?

We see visions of the world terror to come. Menacing, sure. But nothing nightmare inducing. There is a baddie who wants very much to eat Twig. But kids probably have seen worse in a retelling of Hansel and Gretel. Let's just say that if a rating of all ages is off the table, then let's say that this book is suitable for readers 10 and up.

A truly magical story set in a world beyond your wildest dreams.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Willow #1-3 (2023 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

During the 1982 filming of Return of the Jedi, in the forests of the Pacific Northwest, a young child actor is making a giant impression. Warwick Davis, a British actor with dwarfism, is playing a tiny version of a Wookiee called a Ewok. In his first ever role as Wicket, Davis is showing such professionalism and passion for acting that Star Wars creator George Lucas promises the lad to create a movie for the newcomer to star in. 

Jump to 1987 and George Lucas kept his word. Working on an idea he first developed in 1972 originally called Munchkins, Lucas created the story of Willow. Set in an unnamed mystical world, Willow Ufgood is a struggling farmer and amateur magician with aspirations at becoming chief sorcerer of his race of little people called Nelwyns. 

One day, Willow's children find a baby girl floating on a makeshift cradle in the nearby river. The infant is a Daikini, the name of full-size humans who share the land with the Nelwyns. Tasked by his people to deliver the child to the first Daikini he sees, Willow begins an epic quest that promises to restore freedom to all of the people of the land.

The Daikini child is in reality Elora Danan, an infant princess who has been prophesied to one day overthrow the evil ruler of the land of Nockmaar, Queen Bavmorda. In order to stop Bavmorda, who wishes to sacrifice Elora Danan in a demonic ritual, Willow must find the aged sorceress Fin Raziel. Which Willow does. Unfortunately, Fin Raziel has been rendered powerless as Bavmorda changed her into a possum. All seems lost, unless the aspiring Nelwyn sorcerer can restore her back into human form. 

Aiding Willow in his quest is the mercenary Madmartigan; a mercenary of questionable character but unsurpassed swordsmanship. A pair of brownie warriors named Rool and Fanjean, whose diminutive sizes make Willow look like a Colossus in comparison add comic relief and some assistance as tiny combatants. Adding to the adventure is the warrior princess Sorsha, daughter of Queen Bavmorda, whom Madmartigan becomes enamored with and just might have a shot with, if she doesn't kill him and the infant first!

Willow was directed by Ron Howard. A protege of George Lucas, Howard starred in the Lucas' 1973 homage to the early 1960s, American Graffiti. With a script by first time movie screenwriter Bob Dolman, Lucas had hoped that Willow would be on par with E.T. as the new all-time money maker at the box office. While the film was a moderate hit, mostly bolstered by international movie sales, Willow face stiff competition against a 1988 American film slate included colossal blockbusters such as Big and Rambo III.

Willow went on to become a kind of cult classic. In the early 90s, George Lucas tasked X-Men's Chris Claremont to pen the Chronicles of the Shadow War trilogy. Set 15 years after the first film, a teenaged Elora Danan is the central character. Last year, an 8-episode sequel starring Warwick Davis aired on Disney+. Also titled Willow, conflicting reports list the series as cancelled after one season or in indefinite hiatus. 

As part of Lucasfilm and MGM's original marketing campaign, a number of tie-in products were issued. TOR issued a 6-player board game as well as a RPG source book. Tonka's 'action figures' were in reality die-cast figurines much like tin soldiers and lacked vital points of articulation. 

In the realm of comics, Marvel was tasked with a 3-issue adaptation. Star Wars' Jo Duffy penned the script. Artwork was by Bob Hall (Super-Villain Team-Up) with assists and inks by Romeo Tanghal (The New Teen Titans). The miniseries was later collected in 2 formats: as a tabloid sized Marvel Graphic Novel and in as an illustrated edition much like a trade paperback.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Completing this review completes Task #5 (A Movie Adaptation) of the 2023 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

Rickety Stitch and the Gelatinous Goo: The Road to Epoli

If ever a book needed a soundtrack, it's this one. Rickety Stitch is the skeleton of a bard, which is a sort of travelling news reporter that sings as he roams. Stitch has no clue who he used to be. But he's bedeviled by a song of a place called Epoli. Could this mythical place be his homeland? Or does the nightly song Rickety Stitch dreams have a more sinister origin?

The Road to Epoli is not only the subtitle of this book, it's also the name of the song that haunts Rickety Stitch. The lyrics to this ballad are by the creative team behind this book: Ben Costa and James Parks. Comprising 7 massive stanzas, the tune runs throughout this 200-page plus graphic novel. Every time Stitch dreams this song, music notes accompany it. I can't read music. I've tried and just have never been able to do it. So when I come across these parts of the book, I miss out on something special. Well, I think I do.

At the end of this book, there's a link where you can hear the song in its entirety. And it's a long song, clocking in at over 9 minutes. The tune is composed and performed by folk artist Evin Wolverton. This book is from 2017 and I know for a fact that there were QR codes back then. I think the creative team should have added QR codes throughout the story so readers could have heard the song in pieces whenever they come across it. It's an interactive step that I hope is utilized in the 2 follow-up works.

The Gelatinous Goo in this book is Rickety Stitch's sidekick, a clear mass of ooze named Goo that only our hero can understand. Goo is an homage to the Gelatinous Cube from Dungeons & Dragons fame that can absorb organic matter. Speaking of D&D, this book series is one of two graphic novels based on the Land of Eem, an all-ages RPG produced by Costa and Parks in collaboration with indie game publisher, Exalted Funeral.

Though the art definitely carries a family friendly tone, I honestly didn't feel like this book was for all ages. Amazon recommends this book for readers aged 7-9. But there are some really scary moments in this book. Add some potty humor (which, I admit, did make me chuckle a few times) and a smattering of jokes that were PG-13 at best and I would have to rate this as a book for readers 12 and up.

I would like to know what happens next in the adventures of Rickety Stitch and his friend, Goo. But knowing that music is a massive part of this book, I am kinda put off of any burning desire to do it any time soon. I can't believe I am saying this, but I'd actually be okay waiting for the movie. 

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars. 

Edison Beaker, Creature Seeker: The Night Door (Family Comic Friday)

Edison Beaker is about to learn that there's more to the family business than getting rid of those pesky bugs. Edison's uncle is the owner of Creature Seekers. What appears to be your average extermination service is actually earth's last line of defense from dark creatures that sneak over from an alternate universe known as the Underwhere.

One night, Edison and his sister Tesla join their uncle on a call. When a dragon destroys the building their uncle is working in, the siblings learn that this isn't one of those standard pest control gigs. The Night Door that prevents an army of dark creatures from invading earth has been damaged and a mysterious orb that acts as a lock to the barricade has been stolen. 

With his sister and uncle kidnapped by the minions of the evil Baron Umbra, Edison must transverse the Underwhere in order to find the orb. Armed with the flashlight given to him by his missing father, Edison will take a dark and fanciful journey to find a way to save the earth, his family, and maybe himself!

It was the artwork that immediately caught my eye. By page 5, I really felt that creator Frank Cammuso's (Knights of the Lunch Table) style was influenced by Bill Waterson's iconic Calvin and Hobbes comic strip. After completing this book, I notice that one of the reviewers made the connection as well. So a big pat on the back for that.

I felt that the artwork on this graphic novel was so lively and fluid, I didn't think I was reading a book- I was watching an animated feature movie! The character of Uncle Earl just screamed the voice of Patton Oswalt. I couldn't really tell who the other characters voices were in my head. But the dialogue was so rapid fire and funny. 

I really enjoyed this 2018 release. A sequel dropped in 2019. I hope I can get my hands on that one because The Night Door left me wanting more- in a good way! I must know what happens next! 

Beautifully illustrated. Smartly and humorously written. And full of action and adventure!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Cardboardia: The Other Side of the Box (Family Comic Friday)

Cardboardia is a new graphic novel series for middle schoolers that shows a lot of promise. It follows 6 year old Pokey, her older brother and his two best friends as they travel through a discarded cardboard box into a magical realm made entirely of paper!

This first volume was really interesting to me because the creative team pulled a page from acclaimed Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa's playbook. Just like in Kurosawa's Rashimon, the first 4 chapters of this book are told from the perspectives of the 4 students. While you think you understand everything that is going on from Pokey's perspective, it all changes when you experience the story from the other's POV. And for a middle school graphic novel, I thought that was really creative!

The multiple perspective plotting also helps this story stay fresh. The first volume isn't even 110 pages long and to tell this story from only one viewpoint would really dull the mystery that is buried deep inside the meaning of the story's title of CARDBOARDIA. There's a really popular children's book and movie franchise that I believe writer Richard Fairgray (Blastosaurus) and first time graphic novel illustrator Lucy Campagnolo take inspiration from. But I don't want to mention it as I think it was give away the big twist ending. 

I will say, while I liked the twist, (actually, I think there's 2 big twists) I was disappointed in the ending. That's because it ended with a "To Be Continued.' Established readers of my blog will know that I hate those kinds of endings, especially for kids. Back when I was a child who lived in a more rural area, it wasn't easy to go to a comic book store every month to get the next installment of a book. At least now with Amazon and Kindle, it's a little more accessible for kids to get the next chapter. Unfortunately, when it comes to Cardboardia Book 2, you'll have to wait until October to find out what happens next. 

Still, that's plenty of time to get your hands on this debut segment. And read it again and again and again. 'The Other Side of the Box' was imaginative, quirky, and a tad mysterious. Even though it's a book aimed at middle school readers, those in grades 4 and 5 should really enjoy this adventure book as well! 

Parents and guardians should enjoy it too as there's really nothing overly objectionable in this book. There's no fighting or violence. Just your normal squabbles between siblings. Pokey seems to have a warped sense of what her older friends talk about in their spare time. But it's more for laughs than the author attempting to be crude. 

Now, there is a creepy looking queen who might be a bit too scary for younger readers. Thankfully, she's not in the book for long. But her minions, who do have more presence in the story, are more comical than intimidating. 

Perhaps the biggest issue is the lack of respect the students seem to have for their teachers and principal. Though, again as those segments are told from the students' perspective, that insolence might be due to perceived hatred that all pupils feel from their instructors from time to time. But those parts of the story could be great talking points in order to help get kids back into the right mindset for the coming school year! 

An enjoyable read that takes inspiration from a wide variety of classic mediums that should thrill the entire family. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Tis The Ugly Sweater Season! Advent 2021: Day 18

 For Day 18 Advent, we look at ugly sweaters with a sci-fi and/or fantasy theme.

Poor Barb got a raw deal!

yum...

For the Next Gen fans.

For original series fans...

My wife has complained that there hasn't been enough Doctor Who Sweaters. Thus, a second entry in today's Advent.

My Advent gift for you today might be the biggest one I've ever posted. It in itself is a sci-fi B-movie holiday classic- it's the complete Santa Claus Conquers the Martians from 1964! Running at about 80 minutes, this is a long video. But fitting for today's theme.

Enjoy!

Dragon Whisperer (Family Comic Friday)

Family Comic Friday takes a look at Dragon Whisperer from Red 5 Comics. The four issue fantasy epic is set to conclude in August! It’s a fanciful all-new tale about a young girl with a special gift and a captain whose life has literally been consumed by revenge!

Dragon Whisperer

Written by Alex Deluca
Art by Glen Fernandez
Published by Red 5 Comics
Retail: $3.95 per issue

Rosalinda is a young girl with a special gift. She is able to talk to animals. In her tiny
village, her abilities have made her the community’s de facto veterinarian. But when tragedy strikes her family, Rosalinda decides to leave her past life behind. Thus, she pursues a new job: cabin ‘boy’ of the powerful airship, The Carina!

The captain of the Carina is a man possessed. Cursed with immortality, Captain Faulk is tasked with destroying the last existing dragon in order to find peace in the afterlife. Upon discovering Rosalinda’s special abilities with animals, the girl is now to use her gifts in order to locate and to infiltrate the dragon’s lair. Then she will speak to
it, hopefully, luring the dragon out of their cave and into its doom.

There’s only one problem with that new plan: The dragon can speak with humans. And
it knows of Captain Faulk’s plan to kill him!

Dragon Whisperer has been a delight. Writer Alex Deluca (Star Trek: First Contact) has
created an entire universe for readers. Glen Fernandez was the right artist for this miniseries. The DC Comics Legends trading card artist blends ancient dragon lore with
steampunk technology. I even feel like there’s a smidgeon of Moby Dick added to this story as Faulk searches for his ‘white whale’ in the pursuit of the final dragon. In all, Fernandez’s work adds so much life to the world Alex Deluca created. Dragon Whisperer
is not just a story but an experience. 

After reading a sneak preview of issue #4, I am convinced that the story of Rosalinda is far from over. I think we shall see more of the Dragon Whisperer in the future. But in order
to do that, young readers who are fans of such series as Eragon and The Golden Compass will need to grab all 4 issues of Dragon Whisperer. 

A fantastic read for those aged 11 and up. It’s a book parents will approve of. Though the battle scenes in issues 3 and 4 are quite intense. There is some red ink being used in this fantasy story for the ages. But if that’s something that the young reader in your life is used to in books and visual media, then by all means, make the adventures of Dragon Whisperer a new classic in their remaining summer break readings!

Dragon Whisperer will debut on Wednesday August 5th, 2020. Issues #1-3 are available now in print and digital formats.

Worth Consuming!

Overall Series Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Raising Steam by Terry Pratchett

The steam engine has come to Ankh-Morpork. Clearly, this is an invention that has debuted way before it's time. While the Patrician has an uneasy feeling about it's presence in his city-state, Lord Vetinari is not one to pass up an opportunity. Thus, Vetinari recruits Moist Von Lipwig for another assignment in which not just Ankh-Morpork but perhaps the entire disk will prosper. Discworld is about to have a train!

Raising Steam was the last of many things. It's the last book in what fans call the 'Moist Von Lipwig' trilogy. This book is also the last adult Discworld novel. So, there's quite a few farewells. 

Normally, you do not have to read the Discworld novels in order. Though it very much helps. But in this case, there are at least 3 books you need to read before you crack open Raising Steam. 

Obviously, you must read Going Postal and Making Money. But you also need to read THUD! See in this book, a rogue segments of dwarfs called grags are disgusted with the modern Ankh-Morpork ways adopted by the Low King. The grags want to return to those old dwarfish ways. Things like mining for gold and gems- and then hoarding it. Living in the moist deep dark crevices of the Disc. And not knowing whether a dwarf is in reality male or female. 

I had read THUD! But gee, it must have been 5-10 years ago when I did. That book sets up Raising Steam quite a bit more than the first two Moist books do. And so if you can't remember much about THUD!, like I couldn't, then you are going to have trouble following the first half of this book. And you will not enjoy it as much.

Thankfully, Wikipedia and the Discworld wiki was able to help fill in some gaps. But I think once this quarantine is over, I'm going to have to seek out a copy of THUD! for a quick re-read. 

Being the final book of the Moist trilogy, the pacing is all wrong. Moist really feels more like a second character. At least for that first half. Plus, there's some new (to Discworld) creatures that have taken residence in this book without a true introduction. I don't want to spoil who they are. But unless they popped up in Snuff, the only book immediately prior that I haven't read yet, I do not understand why they are working with Adora Belle with the clacks system.

And why is Adora Belle working the clacks system all of a sudden? In Making Money, she was working with the Golem Trust. That book makes no mention of her love of the clacks industry though in Going Postal, it's her family who created that system of communication. 
What I am saying is that the pacing between the 3 Moist Von Lipwig books is so very uneven and this book seemed rushed at times to tie up a lot of loose plot ends.

Did the late Terry Pratchett know that his time on earth was coming to a close? It does feel that the author was trying to give Discworld a proper sendoff to his fans. But that doesn't quite explain why he then work one more Tiffany Aching book. I guess I will have to read that one to find out.

A good Discworld book. But it's definitely not my favorite either.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Going Postal by Terry Pratchett

A week ago I finished Terry Pratchett's Making Money. It was the second book of what fans call the 'Moist Von Lipwig' trilogy. I didn't have book one and I sure as heck wasn't going to start on book 3. Regardless, starting in the middle, while a good read, it wasn't the best read, especially in terms of having read about 3/4 of the Discworld series. 

The day after I completed Making Money, we were notified that all book stores were to shut down by 5pm. So I rushed off to the book stores in search of some more Discworld books. It was at a Barnes and Noble that I finally found the opening chapter of Moist's adventures in 'honest' business.

Here in Going Postal, Moist Von Lipwig is offered the job of a lifetime. (That's because if he refuses Lord Vetinari's employment opportunity, it will be the end of Lipwig!) Moist is to become the postmaster general for Ankh-Morpork's fledgling post office. Who are we kidding here? The post office had gone way past failed. 

Armed with the Discworld's oldest junior mail sorter, a quality control inspector obsessed with pins and a golem parole officer, Moist Von Lipwig will play the odds (and probably cheat) to make the post office relevant again.

That plan isn't going to be easy as Moist and the post office must compete against big communication in the form of the clacks system. It's a corporation that is just as devious as Lipwig. Only, Lipwig has a heart! And that very well could be the con man's downfall- especially when Moist falls in love!

I wish I had read Going Postal first. It made me appreciate Making Money all that much more. I thought I hated Lipwig. But in a lot of ways, Moist is like me. Not, I am not a shyster. But I do have an amazing ability to remember faces. I might not remember names, but I can always carry on a conversation with anyone I've ever meet as I can remember such details of a person's life just like Lipwig. 

I used to based how I conducted business like Bart Simpson when he turned his tree house into a casino. But I might start schmoozing with folks based on how Lipwig runs the postal service.  

There is one downside to having read this book out of turn. A lot of what Pratchett has planned for Moist is hinted at throughout almost the entire 470 plus pages of the book. Instead of being a surprise, I was more of like 'oh, I see where he's going with this.'

I just started reading the third and sadly final book in the trilogy, Making Steam. With this one, I can see already that same formula as things hinted in the last third of Making Money is already happening here in the last book's opening 25 pages.

When if comes to Pratchett's Discworld books, one is not required to read any of the books in order. Well, I think that rule does not apply here! If you own (and haven't read yet) Making Money and Raising Steam- don't! That is until you get a copy of this novel and read it first. You will enjoy the second book a whole bunch more if you do follow my advice. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Imaginary Friends

Rex Montana is the greatest imaginary friend of them all. His ability to craft adventures with nothing but a pack of pencils, a teddy bear and the mind of an 8-year old in a thing of beauty. Rex has helped dozens of youngsters enjoy childhood to the fullest. Now Rex Montana is the world's greatest hope!

Along with an odd assortment of characters, Rex Montana must travel through the mythical realms of folklore and tradition in order to stop a rogue bunbury named Shift Valentine from becoming real and turning the domain of humans!

This was a pretty clever story in the vein of Inside Out and Toy Story. If it was for the fact that this book was rated for ages 14 and older, Imaginary Friends could have been a Pixar classic. For all we know, we might see this story could one day get that Pixar treatment. The Ninja Turtles were originally designed for adults but was crafted into a beloved franchise for fans of all ages. It could happen here too!

Created by Praetorian's Jason M. Burns, I really dug the creativity of this book. But some of the dialogue stunk. There's a character called Bones MaGee, who is a bit of a cut up (literally). His jokes are awful. So bad, that I couldn't figure some of them out. I could have done without him. But Cindy- wow! She's a character that I would love to have seen another miniseries starring just here. 

The artwork was very wild and colorful. It's got the right balance of fancy and cartoonish mirth. It's the work of Richie Rich: Rich Rescue's Dustin Evans and I loved how it was both innocent and quite adult at the same time. 

I got this at a dollar used book store in the Raleigh area. I don't know if such a thing exists in other parts of the country. But my state has had quite a few pop up over the years. Why it took me so long to read this, I don't know. But it was a very good distraction from the insanity of 2020. Hopefully, one day when we all get to go to the movies once again, we might see an adaptation of Imaginary Friends on the silver screen one day!

Worth Consuming!

8 out of 10 stars.

(Note: upon further research in my database, this is a re-read for this Madman. Review is based on that second reading.)

Making Money by Terry Pratchett

Perhaps my least favorite book in the Discworld series. 

Con man turned Ankh-Morpork's postmaster general, Moist Von Lipwig, has been given a new assignment. Lord Vetinari want's Moist to head up one of the city's banks. With Moist's experience with money, he'd be more at home holding up the bank. 

But there's some secrets buried deep in the vaults of the old bank and the Patrician puts Moist in charge in hopes of getting to the bottom of things. If Moist ends up changing the way citizens look at money by incorporating a new current- so be it. The rest of the bank's board members won't be happy with their new leader. But then again, Moist isn't really all that happy with this new assignment either. 

I will say that this book is filled with a ton of extra characters and that made me happy. Most of the City Watch pops up. So does quite a few wizards, a certain hot dog vendor, as well as a host of dwarfs, postmen and a golem who is going through a sort of identity crisis. The only thing missing were one or more of the Wyrd Sisters. 

Making Money is basically the second book of a trilogy that stars Moist Von Lipwig. There may have been more books on the way, but Pratchett's untimely death, and his daughter's insistence that no further Discworld books will even be published, might have paved the way for these books being known as the 'Von Lipwig Trilogy'.  

Maybe I should have read book 1 first. But I didn't have book one and I surely didn't want to start with book 3, which I also have. Social distancing has made other things a priority at the moment. And when you want to read Terry Pratchett, you'll take what you can get. 

I'm trying to be fair here with this rating. But there were a couple of characters that I absolutely hated. In fact, at least one of them felt just totally unnecessary. The ending solution was pretty awesome. And I love the Patrician, and Carrot and Sam Vimes and all three have some big roles here! That's a plus. But this still isn't my favorite book. It actually knocks Carpe Jugulum up a notch. 

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.

The Sunken Tower (A Family Comic Friday Extra!)

Are you looking for some excitement? How about some adventure? Maybe a few laughs? Then let’s go exploring The Sunken Tower in this week’s Family Comic Friday Extra!

The Sunken Tower, Book One
Written and Illustrated by Tait Howard
Published by Oni Press
Pages: 136
Retail: $17.99

When young Dig is kidnapped by a group of blood cultists, things look very grim. Dig, along with his cellmates Iana and Crina are about to be sacrificed to an ancient subterranean evil. But thanks to some magical abilities, Dig is able to help his colleagues escape. 

The flight from the cult won’t be easy as the captives find themselves in the middle of a sunken city. With the rabid followers on their heels, Dig and company’s only hope of escape is to find their way to daylight. That means a lengthy trek through the center of the abandoned town and straight up the stairs of the sunken tower!

The Sunken Tower promises to be the beginning of a new series of humorous adventures starring a young wizard, a warrior and rogue. This new epic from Oni Press is recommended for ages 8-12. Even though the baddies are members of a death cult, I don’t think that these guys could strike fear into just about anyone. They’re quite bumbling and they have some of the best lines in the whole book!

This book features characters of different races as well as lifestyles. Both Iana and Crina are two young ladies in love and another character makes some comments that suggest that he too is part of the LGBTQ community. Future volumes might reveal if that’s true. But to go any further into speculation will actually spoil one of the book’s many twists and turns.

I really enjoyed The Sunken Tower. It had some very funny moments. Plus, the action scenes rivaled some segments of The Lord of the Rings. The art was quite cartoony. But it actually fits with those scenes that made me laugh out loud! 

It really looks like Oni Press has a fantasy/comedy hit on it’s hands with this one!

The Sunken Tower debuted in hardcover print on March 11th, 2020.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

This review was concurrently published on Outrightgeekery.com.

Unseen Academicals by Terry Pratchett

Yes! I know! I read a book without any pictures! The recent news about the BBC's forthcoming The Watch based on Terry Pratchett's Discworld series inspired me to dig into my to-read pile and pull out this novel! 

Unseen Academicals stars the wizards of Unseen University. Upon a review of university endowments, it is discovered that if the school does not produce a sports team soon, they will lose a hefty portion of their food budget. At the same time, in the city of Ankh-Morpork, Lord Vetinari is working behind the scenes to transform the illegal game of foot-the-ball into something a little more respectable. Thus, the mages of Unseen University now have permission to field a team. Only they must reorganize the rules into something a little less deadly... and they can't use their magic to win the game either!

Unseen Academicals introduces several new characters to Discworld. There's Trev Likely, whose father was a foot-the-ball legend, once scoring 2 goals in 1 game! We're introduced to the stern but rather lovely Glenda, the head mistress of the night shift kitchen. Lastly, we've got Mr. Nutt. He was my favorite of the new introductions. Nutt is a goblin who is relegated to the candle-making detail for the entire university. But there's more than meets the eye to this mythical creature who is literally a Renaissance man. 

I Googled Mr. Nutt and it appears that this book the character's only appearance. Unseen Academicals was published in 2009. Terry Pratchett sadly left us in 2015 and it seems that he never got around to giving us more of Nutt. The way this book ended, I could have seen 1 or 2 more novels continuing the evolution of the character in other realms of the Discworld. 

I devoured this book like a shark through chum. I was hungry for more Discworld and when I got my teeth on some, I couldn't put it down. Yes- I went almost a week reading nothing but Discworld. No comics or graphic novels. And I don't think my appetite has been sated yet!

A very fun book that skewers organized team sports, gender dynamics, class and status, psychology, romance and much much more!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.