i spy with my little eye

Blowing My Cover: My Life as a CIA Spy by Lindsay Moran 2005 (295 pgs)

A humorous recounting of Moran’s experience joining the CIA. It’s not so much a “fish out of water” tale as it is a “fish thrown in the deep end of a lake with 100-pound backpack and told to swim for shore.” With sly observation and an appreciation of the absurd, Moran relates what it’s actually like to interview for the CIA and train to become a spy. From a stern psychologist who convinces her she’s a sexual deviant to insanely realistic POW training, every step along the way has her simultaneously questioning what she’s doing with her life and strengthening her resolve.

i’ve always relied on the kindness of comics

Queen & Country vol 8: Operation- Red Pandawritten by Greg Rucka, art by Chris Samnee 2007

Rucka consistently writes solid espionage and presient politics. This round, a hostage situation triggers Tara’s PTSD as she deals with the aftermath of her lover’s death.

Jack of Fables vol 2: Jack of Heartswritten by Bill Willingham, various artists 2007

Jack heads to Vegas. Pretty amusing, but I’m ready for Willingham to get back to Fables.

Nextwave: Agents of H.A.T.E. vol 2: I Kick Your Facewritten by Warren Ellis, art by Stuart Immonen 2007

This series cracks me up- a madcap send-up of classic superhero comics that’s like a low-rent version of SHIELD, complete with over-the-top villain, inept superheros, and ridiculous foes.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Season 8 vol 1: The Long Way Homewritten by Joss Wheden, various artists 2007

A fun look at the slayer universe post-Sunnydale. We get to see what the slayers have been up to, introduces new villains, and checks in with our favorite characters. The writing and dialogue are just as snappy as the TV version, and the plot-lines promise lots of fun to come. Makes me wish the show was still showing weekly.

War Fix  written by David Axe, art by Steve Olexa 2006

A semi-biographical look at a boy who grows up inundated by war images in the media, which results in an addiction to violence and a career as a war reporter.

Chance in Hell  by Gilbert Hernandez 2007

Gilbert’s second solo project is the story of an orphan girl growing up in a slum, traumatized by the brutality around her, but also somewhat protected by her fellow residents.

The Clarence Principle  written by Fehed Said, art by Shari Chankhamma 2007

Strange story of a post-suicide down-the-rabbit-hole style purgatory with individually tailored hells.

Southland Tales, vol 1: Two Roads Diverge & vol 2: Fingerprints  written by Richard Kelly, art by Brett Weldele 2006

Picked this up because of the interesting Ben Templesmith-ish and wasn’t aware until halfway through that these volumes (with a third) constitute a prequel for a film from the Donnie Darko director. Somewhat nonsensical tale of time-jumping, apocalypse, and destiny. But enjoyable.

like a kid again

Read a couple of grown-up picture books this week:

The Tale of the Unknown Island  by Jose Saramago, illustrated by Peter Sis 1999 (51 pgs)

The Very Persistent Gappers of Frip  by George Saunders, illustrated by Lane Smith 2000 (84 pgs)

 

They’re both fanciful illustrated fables. Island  is about seeking the unknown for it’s own sake and following your dreams, but was somewhat forgetable.  Gappers  was hilarious- spikey orange balls who love nothing more than goats, and shriek with joy unendingly when they find one. Much to the goats’ dismay. Great illustrations from the guy who illustrates The Stinky Cheese Man. Also a moral about misfortune being random, not earned and living the golden rule.

that old black magic

Seeing Redd  by Frank Beddor (#2 in The Looking Glass Wars) 2007 (371 pgs)

As she adjusts to her regained rule and strengthens her imaginative powers, Alyss faces double the trouble as two villainous despots separately scheme to steal her queendom. Her evil aunt Redd is back for another round- raising an army from earth where, after escaping through the Heart Crystal she and The Cat have been re-imagined by an accommodating artist, albeit a bit fuzzily. King Arch of neighboring Boarderland has also been coveting the crown, laying plots and WWMDs under cover of political friendship. And if besiegement weren’t enough, Alyss is also struggling with her feelings for her childhood friend Dodge, now leader of her personal guard. A strong entry in a meticulously imagined series. I look forward to more. 

tippecanoe and comics too

Embroideries  by Marjane Satrapi 2005

My second go-round for this winsome tale with the feel of an afternoon family gathering. Satrapi captures the universality of women’s friendships as she transcribes an afternoon’s gossip with her Iranian friends and family. Her characters feel like women you’ve known for years as they swap tales of love and sex, marriage and divorce.

Run Far, Run Fast  by Timothy Decker 2007

Little tale of a girl on the run from the black plague in an engaging blend of woodcut and charcoal styles.

Street Angel vol 1: The Princess of Poverty  written by Jim Rugg and Brian Maruca, art by Jim Rugg 2005

Hilarious! Yet another re-read. How could you not love a book that mixes skateboarding, ninjas, astronauts, pirates, and an Aztec god? Awesome.

Blue Pills: A Positive Love Story  by Frederick Peeters 2008

Great biopic. Deals honestly with the complexities of a relationship with an HIV-positive partner.

Scott Pilgrim vol 4: Scott Pilgrim Gets It Together  by Bryan Lee O’Malley 2007

This great entry in the hilarious series features the absolute best line ever- “If your life had a face, I’d punch it.

Skeleton Key vol 1: Beyond the Threshold  by Andi Watson 1996

Story with lots of potential (I may pick up others) but the art is clunkier than I was expecting from having enjoyed Watson’s later clean-lined work.

Ex Machina vol 6: Power Down  written by Brian K. Vaughan, art by Tony Harris

Vaughan must never sleep. How else could he keep three stellar series running at top caliber? This issue which features a power-outage that mysteriously affects The Machine’s abilities.

Iron West  by Doug TenNapel 2006

Genius! Cowboys and robots, can it get any better than that? TenNapel’s smart dialogue and wry expressions make the tale an enjoyable one.

some things are best left unfinished

“Chaotic“ by Kelley Armstrong in Dates From Hell 2006 (112 pgs)

Novella focusing on a couple of sideline characters from Armstrong’s Women of the Otherworld series. Twas ok but I prefer her in full-book form.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky 1999 (213/read 12)

A thousand worlds of ick. A friend picked this for our “excuse to get together and drink beer” bookclub. Sophomoric writing and moronic dialogue.

Many Bloody Returns 2007 (read 72)

Things that go bump in the night have birthdays too. So just for them- a collection of bday stories of the undead. Read a so-so one by Kelley Armstrong and an enjoyably madcap one by Jim Butcher, both set in their respective series.

Orpheus Lost by Janette Turner Hospital 2007 (358/read 23)

In this modern take on the myth, Orpheus/Mishka is a street musician and Euridice/Leela a mathematician fascinated by him. I was less than fascinated. The only thing I find more boring than reading about music (as opposed to actually listening to it), is reading about people listening to music.

Tesseracts 10: A Celebration of New Canadian Speculative Fiction 2006 (301/read 40ish)

There were a couple interesting stories, but mostly the sci-fi was too hard (spaceships & artificial intelligence) to interest me.

Stranger Things Happen by Kelly Link 2001 (266/read 240)

Excellent bizzarity and nonchalant weirdness. I’d pecked at this previously, so some stories were re-reads & a couple I’d just read in other collections.