unihighlibrary's reviews from LibraryThing

Mars, Book 1 by Fuyumi Sōryō

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 14:18:50 -0500

unihighlibrary's review: "This series chronicles the romance between high school students Kira and Rei. Kira is a shy artist, who does not fit in at school and prefers to keep to herself and her drawings. Rei is an outgoing, popular guy who loves the thrill of motorcycle racing. The two are drawn to each other and must find a way to make their love work, while encountering obstacles of all kinds. This is your typical shoujo romance, but it's wonderful and sweet--and luckily, fairly short as far as manga series are concerned. Good for an introduction to shoujo manga. -Natalie Sapkarov"
Los Angeles, Calif. : Tokyopop, c2002.

The facts in the case of the departure of Miss Finch by Neil Gaiman

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:21:27 -0500

unihighlibrary's review: "This was originally a short story by Neil Gaiman adapted into a graphic novel, and graphic it is. Miss Finch is on somewhat of a blind date, to join a group of friends, who all end up at a freak show circus. The graphic novel's main events take place at this circus, where truly unusual and sometimes frightening things take place. This "night in the life of" type story turns fantastical at the end, but I won't spoil it. For those who appreciate Gaiman's odd and complex personality, this will be a sure hit. For those who prefer the mainstream and conventional, I would suggest a word of caution. Personally, I thought it was refreshingly strange and didn't mind feeling a bit disturbed at the end. -Natalie Sapkarov"
Milwaukie, Oregon : Dark Horse Books, 2008.

Robot Dreams by Sara Varon

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:40:30 -0400

unihighlibrary's review: "In this wordless graphic novel, the dog featured on the cover seeks out a friend by putting together a robot from the electronics store. The two are great friends for a time, until the dog accidentally leaves the robot at the beach. The robot is devastated and has no way of getting back home. The rest of the novel is told in panels of the robot's dreams, with a heartbreaking finale of an almost reunion. The soft colors and brush strokes make this tale all the more touching. The longing of the two friends is acutely felt--a novel for all ages. -Natalie Sapkarov"
First Second (2007), Edition: First Edition, Paperback, 208 pages

The Arrival by Shaun Tan

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:31:17 -0500

unihighlibrary's review: "This wordless graphic novel aptly tells the tale of one man's journey to a new land through sepia-toned illustrations. Because the location is completely foreign to all, a new world created by Tan, the message is universally understood. His experiences with new food, pets, work, and other everyday things are touching and his homesickness is deeply felt. A great book to use during a unit on immigration--but really, a great book overall. This is one you can leave out for others to peruse at their leisure (and they will!). -Natalie Sapkarov"

300 by Frank Miller

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 15:33:44 -0400

unihighlibrary's review: "This is book was the basis for the new and popular movie 300. This is an amusing read. If you are a fan of the movie I would highly recommend the book. Its not entirely factual, but it is a graphic novel, not a history textbook. This happens to be one of my favorite stories and the book does a good job of immortalizing the Spartans. It follows the battle of the 300 Spartans at Thermopylae. Also, this graphic novel is not disturbing, it could easily be read to a child without causing nightmares due to violence, etc. EY"
Milwaukie, Or. : Dark Horse Comics, 1999.

Astérix aux jeux olympiques by Goscinny

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 15:16:39 -0400

unihighlibrary's review: "This is the perfect read for any French student. It is understandable--though you will learn some new words! What also helps is there is an English translation in the graphic novel collection if you want to compare. This is a humorous comic about Asterix's entry to the Olympic games in Athens. Asterix originally plans on using a magic potion, but eventually decides against it because there is more shame if he is caught using a magical potion than losing the Olympic games for France to Greece Or Italy. Who will win the games? EY"
Paris, Dargaud, 1968.

Book Club: An Unshelved Collection (Unshelved) by Bill Barnes

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:43:19 -0400

unihighlibrary's review: "Well, it's a comic strip collection. About a library. With really, really weird patrons. If you have an intense desire for illogic, it's a good book. J.D."
Overdue Media (2006), Edition: 1, Paperback, 120 pages

The Professor's Daughter by Joann Sfar

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:10:40 -0400

unihighlibrary's review: "This book is about the daughter of an Egyptology Professor who falls in love with a mummy. The Professor's daughter and the mummy must fight for their love; Archaeologists try to put the mummy back where he belongs (in the British Museum). This is quite an amusing read and I would highly recommend it. I read it in half an hour, it really is a page turner! E.Y."
First Second (2007), Edition: First Edition, Paperback, 80 pages

The Days are Just Packed: A Calvin and Hobbes Collection by Bill Watterson

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 15:34:17 -0400

unihighlibrary's review: "It's a comic strip collection about a small, hyperactive, whiny, etc. 6-year old and his best friend, a stuffed tiger. It's funny. If you like this sort of thing. J.D."
Andrews McMeel Publishing (1993), Paperback, 176 pages

Batman : year 100 by Paul Pope

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 15:38:53 -0400

unihighlibrary's review: "This book is really creepy. Tim Burton could not have made this book darker. Batman is 100 years old, or so the government thinks, but he's still fighting a corrupt new government with futuristic tools. They suspect Batman of killing a federal agent. This book does get very bloody, so the squeemish shouldn't read. I really don't recommend this books even for big Batman fans like me. I could take the rubber nipples on Tim Burton's Batman suit, but this Book goes too far. D.P."
New York : DC Comics, c2007.

Romeo and Juliet by Richard Appignanesi

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:16:16 -0500

unihighlibrary's review: "I didn't think they could do it, but they did. They put Romeo and Juliet in Japan, with both of the families retaining their Italian names. To make it work in Japan, they had to make the Capulets and the Montagues warring Yakuza families. If you don't know what Yakuza is, its basically the Japanese Mafia. They made Romeo a rock idol, with groupies always following him. His best friend Mercutio is basically what you would imagine if someone told you he was a gangsta. His pants are low, and he wears an open shirt. Romeo's dad is Japanese, and his Mom is Caucasian. Juliet, on the other hand is a Shibuya girl, meaning she is form Shibuya, one of Tokyo's wards. Her cousin, Tybalt, has a dragon tatoo on his back, which I have been told is not authentic, because it is not colored in. The Prince is now a police officer, and Paris is a detective on the force. If you like Manga, I would recommend this book. If you're just looking at this for the Shakespeare, don't read it, it really butchers the real play. They don't even have the part where they bite their thumbs at each other! D.P."
New York : Amulet Books, 2007.

Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:08:10 -0400

unihighlibrary's review: "This is an amazing book. It is easily on my top 10 (and I am not even a fan of graphic novels!) This is a quick read and one can lean about the Iranian Revolution. The books starts out with the young Marjane, a deeply religious Muslim before an oppressive, conservative leader takes power. Marjane has a Communist father, and a mother who protests wearing the veil. Marjane was once able to go to school with boys and she was not forced to wear a veil. You see Marjane grow, when she is little she gets into trouble for telling her class she wants to be a Prophet when she grows up, though her grandmother supports this. Eventually her family considers feeling to the US, but will they decide? Read the book and find out! Its amazing! E.Y."
Pantheon (2004), Paperback, 160 pages

Zits Supersized: A Zits Treasury by Jim Borgman

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:12:38 -0400

unihighlibrary's review: "It's a collection of comic strips about a teenager. Be warned. J.D."
Andrews McMeel Publishing (2003), Paperback, 264 pages

Malcolm X : a graphic biography by Andrew Helfer

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 15:40:07 -0500

unihighlibrary's review: "This is a quick read on the life of Malcolm X, it covers everything from Jim Crow laws, to the life of Malcolm X's parents. I learned interesting things from this book, for example, Malcolm X became a petty thief during his adolescence, eventually he was caught and then jailed. Soon to follow would be his conversion to Islam, his journey to Mecca (hajj), and eventually his assassination. This was a delightful little read. Was not disturbing (considering the subject material). The book was also extremely subjective, the facts are laid out well, but it is up to each individual to think what he/she wants. E.Y."
New York : Hill and Wang, 2006.

Simpsons comics royale by Matt Groening

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:07:14 -0400

unihighlibrary's review: "The first time around, this book was very funny. It had stories including all of the Springfield, from Lenny and Carl to Moe the bartender. Krusty has his date leave him for a chimp, he tells you where to go in time for a decent meal, which is nowhere besides Krusty Burger. The coyboy Matt "Tex" Groening gives you a wonderful tour inside Bongo Comics. Lisa takes on the mob when they open up a childrens play house as a front to launder money. Like I said, it was very good the first time around, but I'd say just check it out from a library, because unlike the TV show, these stories get very repetitive. D.P."
New York : Perennial, c 2001.

Emily's book of strange by Rob Reger

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 15:26:13 -0400

unihighlibrary's review: "This book is about a 13 year-old named Emily who has 4 black cats and her strange world. This book discusses Emily's world in a negative, darker manner. For example, "A picture speaks a thousand weirds...". The book also preaches things Emily finds important, such as being strange. This is an overall easy read, there is barely even 1 sentence per page. Though, the book is very dark. There are only 3 colors used: red, white, and black. One should be warned, the subject material is depressing and can be considered "emo". E.Y."
San Francisco : Chronicle Books, c2002.