Comics Wrap Up - In Any Other World

Single Issues

Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man #1 (UK - USA) - this is the Spider-man from the 'Ultimate' universe.

Just to make it clear, Marvel has so many canon (i.e. - official,) alternate universes that they are now numerically coded.

The Ultimate Universe - the biggest and most well-explored alternate - is Earth-1610; and now you know that useless fact thanks to yours truly.

There are so many versions of Spider-man, that it's sometimes referred to as the Spider-verse, which can be called upon sometimes when the big sh** goes down. And if they're ever desperate enough to call Spider Ham aka Peter Porker, then they're desperate.

This is an awesome comic with some fab artwork - and Miles is of Black-Hispanic heritage: yay for diversity! Even if it is outside of the mainstream Marvel universe (which is Earth-616, in case you were wondering.)

Silver Surfer #1 (UK - USA) is just the right blend of outer-space kookiness and down-to-Earth sweetness. With an interesting angle for the series going forward, I really enjoyed it.

Graphic Novels

Two graphic novels I reviewed last week - Grumpy Cat Vol 1 and Red Sonja/Conan: The Blood of a God - were published on Tuesday. Click the links to see my reviews.

Other Stuff

Claire Napier over at Women Write About Comics made exceptionally good points this week about the outfit for Marvel's newly resurrected black female superhero, Misty Knight. Check out her post Misty Knight and the Case of the Ridiculous Males: Bra Holster Hell for an explanation.

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Not entirely sure how I haven't come across the 'Marvel Super Heroes: What the--?!' web series before, but wow is this random. Take a look at the Valentine's episode:



Is anybody else scared now? All of you? Great, my work here is done.


Like this post? Try these:

• Review (Graphic Novel Edition!) - Grumpy Cat Volume 1
• Review! (Graphic Novel Edition!) - Red Sonja/Conan: The Blood of a God
• Comics Wrap-Up - Ain't We All Just Runaways?

Mini-Review! - Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief

Title: Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief (also published as just 'The Lightning Thief.')

Author: Rick Riordan

Genre: Kids, Fantasy, Mythology

Series: Percy Jackson (aka Percy Jackson and the Olympians) #1

Amazon: UK - USA

Verdict:

I really enjoyed this - though perhaps not to epic fangirling levels, like most people seem to.

It was fun though, as well as interesting and entertaining. I loved the random chapter titles.

The ebook I borrowed from the library was clearly aimed at a British market because it took Americanisms like 'mom' and 'chips' and anglicised them to things like 'mum' and 'crisps.' Unfortunately, this came across as just strange - particularly as it wasn't consistent throughout. 

I really did enjoy it though - and will probably read more of the series in future.

Buy Now UK – Buy Now USA – Goodreads – Author's Site

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Review Time! - The Thing About Wolves by Leigh Evans

Title: The Thing About Wolves (also published as The Thing About Weres)

Author: Leigh Evans

Genre: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Werewolves, Fairies/Fae

Series: The Mystwalker Series (#2)

Amazon: UK - USA

A few starting notes:

This was another pretty random read from my library. Honestly, I wander around just going 'ooh! mine now!' and that is how I choose what to read the majority of the time.

This is a sequel (not that I've read the first one,) so I will keep the spoilerage to a minimum (i.e. the level that's in the blurb for this book.)

Premise:

Hedi Peacock-Stronghold is half-fae (fairy,) and half-werewolf.

She's trying to keep her mate's werewolf pack (that's mate in the animalistic sense, rather than a friend) together in his absence. But what about when he returns?

She thought it would be all her wishes coming true: her mate, Robson Trowbridge, returned to her, and bringing Lexi, her brother, in tow. But things are rarely that simple.

Oh, and there's people trying to kill her. Can't forget those!

Best bits:

A lot of this was really fun - I love Hedi's sarcasm, and some of the situations she ends up in are so complex and random that I enjoyed the sheer 'hell, just go for it!' attitude of the author.

I found Lexi an exceedingly complex character - if you don't feel at least some sympathy for him, you are made of stone. Simple as.

And my mental squeals at Hedi to 'not be stupid and do this instead' seemed to actually be heard! I know! I'm so used to characters taking the stupid route, that it's a pleasant surprise when they decide to do the smart thing for once.

Not so great bits:

There were moments when I lost interest because the plot slowed down or the author seemed to lose some degree of control - these were noticeable, but overall the book managed to scramble its way back on-track.

There are, obviously, spoilers for the previous book in the series - if you want to avoid that then read the books in order.

There's a bunch of swearing and some violence that won't be to everyone's taste - and a few sex-bits (fans self,) so if that isn't your thing, you've been warned.

There's also references to torture, addiction, and child abduction - and probably some other stuff too - that some people may find distressing.

Verdict:

I really enjoyed this book - and it grabbed me. I felt sorry for Lexi, loved Hedi's attitude (and willingness to listen to my mental suggestions,) and the whole fae and werewolf deal-y that was going on; really enjoyable.

Buy Now UK – Buy Now USA – Goodreads – Author's Site

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Nerd Church! - Share the Love

OK, so its Valentine's day. And I don't have any problems with the lovey-dovey people. But, I'm one of the terminally single (which is fine by me, by the by.)

There are more ways to spread love than just the romantic sort. We can start by not being jerks - it helps, all I'm saying.

You can spread love in zillions of ways - supporting charities, friends, families, or just random people.

Maybe I'm not being clear - what I'm trying to say is, why don't we use Valentine's as an excuse to be loving? To everyone.

Do something nice. Make the world just one little bit better :)

 

 

 

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The Alternative Valentine's Playlist Part 3 - Destructive Love

Part 3 - the final part! - of my alternative Valentine's playlist. Aren't you excited? :P

Sooooo, this third part is all about destructive love - y'know, the down-side of things, the burn-a-hole-in-your-heart side of things. That's fun, right? ;)

A reminder that this is my personal taste in music - which tends to err on the emo/rock/indie/punk side of things.

And there's probably swearing in here somewhere.

Green Day - Brutal Love

Argh! This song! I love this song! It's like a soul-filled punch to the chest - in a good way. :)

 

My Chemical Romance - I Don't Love You

 

Soooo many levels to this song - all of them very tragic. A beautiful song, and one of my favourites.

 

 

 



 

All American Rejects - Hope He Gives You Hell

 

A bitter break-up song if ever there was one.

 

 

Fall Out Boy Ft. Foxes - Just One Yesterday

 

This is an incredible song about how love hurts. I love this song. So much. So very much!

 

 



James Blunt - Love Love Love

At first glance, you may think this is a lovely song - then, as with all James Blunt songs, you listen to the words and realise it's all about pain :) Enjoy.

 

Hope you've enjoyed my slightly-wacky list-making! :) I know I have.

 

 

 

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• The Alternative Valentine's Playlist Part 1 - Diverse Love
• The Alternative Valentine's Playlist Part 2 - Unusual Love Songs

The Alternative Valentine's Playlist Part 2 - Unusual Love Songs

So, here's part 2 of my alternative Valentine's playlist: here bright and shiny and new.

Sick of sappy love songs? Here's some alternatives from your dear Cee Arr (me, in case you were wondering) - this post is all about 'unusual' love songs.

'Unusual' love songs - for the purposes of this post at least - are songs about the things that normally mean love: weddings, kisses, love in general; that are slightly off-key, quirky, and/or unexpected. Listen to the lyrics, you'll get it.

Again, this is my personal taste in music - which tends to err on the emo/rock/indie/punk side of things.

There's probably swearing in here somewhere.

The Killers - When You Were Young

'He doesn't look a thing like Jesus...'

 

Panic! At the Disco - I Write Sins Not Tragedies

 

'But what a shame the poor groom's bride is a whore...'

 



 

Fall Out Boy ft Big Sean - The Mighty Fall

 

"How the mighty fall/ the mighty fall/ how the mighty fall in love...'

 

 

AFI - Love Like Winter

 

"She wanted love/ I tasted blood...'

 



 

So, there you go! Tomorrow's (last) portion of the list will be about Destructive Love (yes, I know some of today's could've gone in there - shhh.)

 

 

 

Like This Post? Try this:

• The Alternative Valentine's Playlist Part 1 - Diverse Love



Friday Fics Fix! - Love and Loki

This week's Friday Fics Fix is FrostIron. Again. (Reminder: FrostIron is a Tony Stark and Loki romantic relationship. It works surprisingly well. And I read a worryingly large amount of it.)

I know, I have a problem. But I kind of don't care!

So this week's rec (recommendation,) is...

The God Who Fell To Earth by semaphore27

This is a loooong fic - I'm still on the last couple of chapters because it's like novella-length or something. But it's worth it.

This fic will make you feel things - if it doesn't, then you need some serious sensitivity training. Like, seriously.

So, to give you a little idea of what this is about:

Loki, in his Jotun (frost-giant) form has been banished to Midgard (Earth) by the ever-a**hole-y Odin. (Odin in fanfiction is usually about ten times more of a jerk than he is in the films, maybe even more.)

Loki isn't doing too well on Earth, and ends up homeless and ill on the streets of New York.

Eventually, a seriously unwell Loki is taken in by the Avengers. And Tony has sort of a soft spot for him.

There's also some crossover with the X-men: including the ever brilliant Nightcrawler. The fic-author manages to make this seem unforced and natural, which is quite an achievement.

You will want to hug Loki, and probably Tony, more than once.

It's also written really well, which is refreshing. Sure, it has some spelling/grammar issues here and there - but this is fanfiction, it doesn't have fancy-schmancy proofers to check through for typos.

There's also some swearing, alcoholism, homelessness, prejudice, bigotry, massive abuse and neglect by terrible parents, and some pretty icky medical moments. Just to warn you.

But, this is really well-developed and thought-provoking.

Honestly, this is one of those fics that remind you that fanfiction can be beautiful and genuinely worthwhile.

Read it, you'll love it.


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