5 comments about Fahrenheit 451.

1. Good read!
   
   The most amazing part of "Fahrenheit 451" is that it was first written in 1950. Wow! That blows me away, a futuristic book written 58 years ago that in many ways is was right on.
   
   The characters and story are excellent. Some of the writing in the book, I found to be difficult to grasp. Alot of intense dialogue between the main characters, several times, I wasn't quite sure who was talking to who.
   
   Overall, a very good book, I look forward to reading some of Ray Bradbury's other classics!



2. Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451" is one of his finest works. It was first published in October of 1953, and then serialized in the March - May issues of Playboy magazine. The novel originally began as a short story "Bright Phoenix", though that was not published until 1963, and from there it was lengthened into the novelette "The Fireman" which was published in February of 1951 in "Galaxy Magazine". It is a novel of a dystopian society, and stands along with George Orwell's "1984" and Aldous Huxley's "Brave New World" as the best early examples of that type of work.
   
   Though it is easy to find similarities between "Fahrenheit 451" and the other two books, there are some key differences between them. In the earlier two works, the State appears to be the controlling force. We see this in the education centers in "Brave New World" and every aspect of the society in "1984", but in this work the society seems to have evolved from this through a change in social norms. People are judged by the number of wall sized televisions they have; books and intellectuals are spurned and eventually considered harmful to society. One should be happy, so news of the war is all in the background, and even the attempted suicide, or someone's death are mentioned in only in passing quickly and then the focus is back on happier subjects. People spend more time being entertained by a program called "My Family" then they spend interacting with their actual family, and for some children are a nuisance, so they are either not had, or if one has them they are sent off and only seen for short periods.
   
   One of the most effective parts of this short novel is the way he incorporates the feel of the society into his writing style. One of the key descriptions of the life which the hero, Fireman Guy Montag, is living is noise. He can't think, because of the noise of the televisions his wife has on, and it is apparent that he didn't even notice this until he met Clarisse McClellan, a free-spirited teenager who has moved in next door with her parents and her uncle. His conversations with her are different, they require thought, and there is time for him to think because they happen outside of the noise of life. This noise continues and gets worse when Clarisse disappears from his life, but she has helped bring forward his natural curiosity. The noise continues, and as Guy deals with his wife, her friends, his boss, the mechanical hound, the other firemen, the signs of war, an old professor acquaintance, etc. This noise is felt by the reader two, as Bradbury throws this mix together, though leaves it clear enough that the reader picks up on what is really going on.
   
   This noise is there through the first two sections of the book, and into the third section where at last Guy is pushed over the edge and commits the most desperate of acts, and by doing so he frees his mind. From then on, Guy is able to focus on the situation at hand, his being hunted, his escape, and his desire to save the thoughts and words of the books he has been destroying for so many years. He is able to discuss and think about the war and about Clarisse, his wife Mildred, and his actions; even though those are mostly sad and disturbing thoughts. The reader also feels the noise pressure is lifted, though he is certainly in danger.
   
   This is a tremendous book, though very short as far as novels go. It is not simply a rewrite of "Brave New World" or "1984". Those works were produced first, and those authors are often given more literary merit while Bradbury is too often thought of as a writer of speculative fiction. Those works teach us to be wary of the government becoming too powerful, while this work teaches us to be wary of our own laziness and the anti-intellectual movement of our society through entertainment such as television. This work also teaches us to be tolerant of those who are not like everyone else. This work was selected to receive the Retro Hugo in 2004 for novels written in the year 1953.



3. I am sad to say I had not read this book till age 27. What was wrong with my high school? No Bell Jar, no 451?
   
   *Anyway* fascinating read and crazy to think that books may be obsolete in the future, quite sad, since I'm an avid reader. The premise of the story is about a fireman who knows nothing else but his job and what life is like now, until he meets a young "strange" girl who discusses actual real life with him. After that, Montag starts to wonder things outside the realm of what he always knew and starts to question his job and the purpose of burning books. He ends up rebelling and fighting for the cause.
   
   If you liked 1984, this book is similar is some aspects (to me at least). The sad bleak future that these authors dreamed up with the loss of individualism and the control of telescreens/televisions everywhere with lack of intellect.



4. Having not have read it in high school, this year I felt compelled to read it because of a sudden interest in Ray Bradbury.I regret having waited so long to read.Bradbury introduces themes that are more relevant today than ever before.My recommendation is to buy or borrow and read this book ASAP.



5. I read Bradbury's book on two different levels. The first being the themes of communism and censorship. The other level being the tone in which he wrote which reflected the primal instinct that we as individuals have to function in society and to stay alive. Also, how he writes (he is a genius, literally), one can decipher how the thought process works in a fight or flight situation. The book is fantastic. I found nothing boring about it and there was always action going on to where you looked forward to turning the page. A must read.

5 comments about Dungeons and Dragons Core Rulebook Gift Set, 4th Edition.

1. I have been looking over the 4th edition have a lot of complementary things to say about it. One is it reminds me of first edition. It is simple to play and get started. Characters are created quickly and all of a role in the game.
   
   Here are the positives:
   All players are useful during combat. No longer is your mage the weakest member of the party at low level. The at will powers for each member allows them to contribute to combat through out combat. Encounter powers allow players to unleash a big spell for each fight. Daily powers are their signature powers, but are limited.
   
   Character creation is fast. You can roll or you can use a point buy system. If you use the point buy system you don't feel vastly inferior to other characters. The game now gives players 3 stats to focus on for their powers.
   
   Feats are similar to the 3.5. If you pick correct feats you can sort of multiclass or make your character more unique. Wizards can begin to train up to plate armor or use a sword. You can get some abilities of other classes, but it is not a true multiclass, but rather a mixture of abilities. You generally won't get fireball casting fighters, but it only takes 2 skills (as feats) to get a fighter who can cast utility spells called rituals.
   
   Combat favors levels. Some can argue against that, but it is nice that your 30th level fighter is not screwed if he doesn't have armor. Players heal quickly so this helps speed the game to more heroic combats.
   
   They cut down on skills and languages. They also made it so each player has some training in basic skills. Training represents a bigger advantage (+5). Also weapon skills make more sense so a wizard can use a crossbow because it is simple rather than arbitrarily limit them. No longer does it make you have to focus on a few core skills just to keep pace with a skill requirements. Also makes character creation much faster.
   
   Rituals are cool as they allow players to cast utility spells outside of combat and aren't wasting spell slots. If you need comprehend languages you don't stop for the day and relearn a spell for comprehend languages. It was one thing when there were multiple players who were wizards, but basic party of 4 or 5 usually meant you were either prepared for combat or for utility and if you picked wrong you were screwed or slowed the game down.
   
   1st level characters are decent and meaningful. No longer are the first 2 levels sneeze and die levels. You can be heroic from the start.
   
   The dungeon master's guide is improved. It has advice for new DMs, but the ability to modify the monsters for -+3 levels it works well. Some people complain about the monsters not being like they remember there are rules to help fix that in the DMs guide. I think this is a big improvement where you know what happens. Traps are good as well and XP is better explained.
   
   For the monster manual the mnsters are given clear xp and you have minions (basically fodder) and other monsters in different roles. At the end are helpful hints if you want to make them PCs.
   
   Now for the negatives of the system.
   Only a few classes. Everyone has particular classes they favor and many have been omitted. There is PHB2 coming out next year and truthfully I think that is ok. It is a problem is you only have a few players (2-3) who can't fill all roles.
   
   Combat runs on miniature expectations. I like miniatures myself, but I would be happy without having to have tiles and miniatures to run combat. At least it is not WYSIWYG.
   
   Players lack powers outside of combat. Almost all of the powers involve combat. Almost every power does damage and they are intended for a violent confrontation. Rituals help offset that for spellcasters. Still the games seems to focus more on combat and less about influence, charms, etc. The xp system says to overcome a monster/trap gives xp as long as the threat of failure has some consequence. There do not seem to be bonuses for talking or overcoming through non violent means others than the bluff skill.
   
   The DMs guide for experienced DMs has maybe 40 pages worth reading. The rest is fluff, advice or examples.
   
   The monster manual lacks fluff. It does not seem like much, but there is very little as far as history, social organization or anything that gives flavor to monsters. It is hard to get excited. Fine for experienced DMs, but not so good for those who want a 3 dimensional world ready for them.
   
   Overall it is a good system. Level based class systems aren't my favorite, but players who play have a distinct role. The DM will worry less about rule lawyers and he can focus on making a believable world. If you want to play a quick pickup game you can do that. No player will be sitting around because he can't hit a monster because he ran out of spells. The point of roleplaying is to spend time with friends and have a good social activity and this fosters that kind of activity.



2. Love the newest edition of D&D. So far its been a blast to play, and i can't wait for more books to come out. I highly recommend to anyone that likes D&D, RPGs and even for fans of MMO RPGs. I find it easier to learn than 3rd edition.



3. This is a great product for anyone who is going to be DMing. While everything you really need to play as a player is in the PHB, the Monster Manual and the DMG will be indispensable to any DM. The slipcase is made of a great cardboard that is about as thick as the covers of the books. I actually dropped mine when I got it and the case took all the shock and kept the books in perfect condition. I highly recommend this product for its price, looks, and quality.



4. First off, yes I have played using the 4E rules, not once, but twice and never again.
   
   Secondly, before I get accused of being some old-school, hard-core grognard (despite my 20+ years of D&D campaigning) I should say that I play World of Warcraft (WoW) regularly, even more than I play D&D. I like WoW for what it is , and like D&D even more so for what WoW is not. WoW and it's ilk are not role playing games in the sense that there is no character development. Yes there is statistical development, but not character; personality, traits, habits and so forth. And therein lies my chief complaint about 4E.
   
   While many reviewers have said that 4E is an attempt at making a tabletop game out of a MMORPG, I think it is just the opposite. I beleive WOTC/Hasbro had every intention from the start of design to take D&D into the MMORPG world. Just look at the rules, it reads like a video game manual already.
   
   Gone are all of the background information and flavor text, replaced by statistics and mechanical rules which easily translate into hot keys for the computer or console controller. No thinking or problem solving required here, you just keeep hitting the hot key until the monster drops.
   
   The most glaring proof that the designers have given up on role playing and are eyeing taking D&D to an electronic format is the almost linear character developement, which forces players into preset roles. Tanks, Crowd Controllers, yaddy yadda, yadda, again its like reading a WoW manual. These limiting factors are clearly present to set parameters that are easily written in code by some programmer.
   
   It is also evident that the designers have gone after the younger "Instant-Gratification" generation by handing out gonzo powers from the moment your character sheet is filled out. 1st level characters need not fear death no matter the odds unless they run into a streak of bad die rolls (and even then maybe not).
   
   The designers in their efforts to build a game that is cross-platform capable forgot that at its heart D&D is not a game about gaining powers and increasing your character's ability scores. It is about developing your character and the interactions with your fellow adventurers.
   
   4E's focus is clearly not in this vein and any role playing that may occur while using this version of the game is probably a bug that they will fix in patch 4.1.000123133.



5. This is not D&D. It's a new game, not a particularly good one, with the D&D "logo" slapped on the front. Third Edition tinkered a little bit with the iconic elements of D&D, but could still be seen as an upgrade. For fourth edition however, all prior editions might as well have never existed. It is obvious that the publisher's driving motivation was to trade on the D&D label, while making absolutely certain that no prior edition products would be in any way useful for this game. Great way to alienate your entire market Hasbro. Thanks.

5 comments about Batman: Year One.

1. It might've been a great story when it was first written - but I don't think it stood test of time. It is a retelling of what everybody knows anyway. Miller does good storytelling but that doesn't help when the story is weak.



2. "Batman;Year One" has been called many things. "Masterpiece" is probably the most commonly used abbreviation & rightly so. "Year One" went beyond my wildest expectations & provided countless hours of entertainment & food for thought.
   Never has the Batman Origin story been told in such light. The worlds of a somewhat younger James Gordon & Bruce Wayne are brought colliding, each fighting individual battles in their own way, but contributing to the eventual retribution of Gotham. 'Nuff said.
   This book,in my opinion, is a must-have.



3. If you enjoyed Batman begins, and have not yet read this, what are you waiting for???? It is a great, great read ( i could not put it down once i started reading it).



4. Many "Classic" Batman stories don't live up to the hype and Frank Miller's work is not always 100%, but this tale definitely is.
   
   I don't see it as a re-telling of the Batman origin as it is often touted to be, since the story mostly focuses on Jim Gordon and his introduction into the world of the GCPD. Batman is only seen in brief glimpses.
   
   Miller's often extreme tendencies are toned down a bit in this book, although it still has plenty fo rough edges and he does a good job of non-chalantly mixing in recognizable characters with new plot points.
   
   Definitely worth a read, it's just too bad it seems so short. Although the sign of a good book is when it leaves you wanting more, so I guess that means they did their job!



5. I was excited to read this graphic novel since it is considered to be one of the top Batman stories to be printed. However, when I finally got to read it, the story felt rushed, and the whole thing seemed to be from Sparknotes rather than the actual text. With a day being one panel on a page, I began to find myself wishing I could see more of what happened. Especially towards the end, everything seemed to fall into place too easily. The friendship between Batman and Gordon seemed to pull a 180 between the two last pages.
   
   Even though the story had it's problems, I enjoyed that we got to see both Batman and Gordon start their careers, and both of their hardships and emotional strain that each of them go through. We finally get to see the Gotham Police truly corrupt, rather than simply being told. This is the only part of the story Miller shows us what is needed to make a great story.
   
   Check it out or borrow it from a friend, it may grow on you. It was a quick read, had good writing, nice artwork, decent, but known story, and never really quite fit all into a nice little package for me.

No comments about Turbulent Sea (Drake Sisters, Book 6).

5 comments about The Road (Oprah's Book Club).

1. I'm going to keep this brief.
   
   I just did not enjoy it. The premise was interesting, granted, but it was dark, dreary, and it felt like I was reading the same thing over and over. I understand that the core of the story is not necessarily the setting, but the relationship between the man and the boy, but I just didn't get a whole lot out of it. I've enjoyed a few of McCarthy's other works, "No Country for Old Men", to name one, but this just didn't do it for me.
   
   I personally do not think it lives up to the constant praise it gets, but that's just me. A lot of people enjoyed this book, and there's nothing wrong with that. I was just not one of those people.



2. Interesting story of a not unknown concept. post apolyptic wanderers However the story is dull and repetative. The theme changes little and , and any dialog between characters is fairly close to stupid and repeatative. A obvious and silly attempt has been made to stretch a very short book into something resembling a full size paperback by using larger text and big spaces between lines. With out this trick the book could have been less than 100 pages. NOT WORTH THE MONEY OR TIME.



3. If you are looking for fun or cheap adventure, pass your way. This book is bleak in tone and desperate in perspective, with only a faint touch of hope, like the last remnants of dying embers from a fire.
   
   The story features the struggle for survival of a father and son after the end of the world, on a post-apocalyptic Earth that has become dark due to ashes ever present in the air, blown by the wind. Obviously, these two people have managed to stay alive for a number of years after the events that led to the destruction of almost all life on the planet, save for a few human beings. Animals and plants have become extinct en masse. What remains is the rusted testimonies of a bygone world, groups of survivors that can not be easily distinguished from foe to ally. Worse, with the scarcity of food, a great number of survivors have turned to cannibalism.
   
   The father and son's objective is to reach the ocean in the Southern part of the USA. The story features their voyage to the intended destination.
   
   The book is extremely somber, with bits of hopes here and there. Hope comes primarily from their successful finds of food in deserted houses, and from the affection that, in spite of all odds, still links the two together.
   
   McCormack has produced here a superb work. After a while, one gets IN the book, with a dreadful and real feeling of what the end of our world would be. In terms of description, atmosphere, perspectives, dialogues and feelings, the book is beyond criticism. It feels real. Its genuine power is that it can be taken as a forewarning of what a totally devastated and desperate society would look like. Difficult to feel at ease in it, but should these events ever occur, we won't be able to say that we hadn't been warned before hand, thanks to McCormack's genius...



4. Cormac McCarthy's The Road is one of those rare novels which is capable of showing the great brutality inherent in human beings, alongside and contrasted with, our capacity for love, kindness, and charity, with unflinching equity. Set in a post-apocalyptic world where an unnamed man his unnamed son wander about a countryside of ashes and ruins, this terse, swift novel has a curiously uplifting biblical feel. In one chapter, the father and son meet an old man on the road named Ely, who admits Ely is not his real name, and refuses to reveal his true name. This is an echo of Jacob's wrestle with the man, or God, in Genesis, and the refusal of that mysterious combatant to give strenght to Jacob by revealing the inherent power in his very essence, the name by which he is called. The Road's prose is sparse, but McCarthy intersperses it with prophetic diction and phrases, giving hints at the real meaning of this novel: In a word seemingly abandoned by God, we become God's replacement. By even simple gestures of kindness and mercy, in a world where men and women act like animals to survive, we become godly; for McCarthy, being created in God's image means acting as God's stand in on a barren, dead earth. Powerful, gripping, sad, terror invoking and in the end hopeful, The Road is a fully realized, masterful work.



5. Of course I'd heard plenty about this book before I picked it up, and I was afraid it would be overrated and since my expectations were high I'd be disappointed. I wasn't.
   
   You know the plot is about a man and his young son who spend their days moving from the northern U.S. to the south after the world has turned into a postapocolyptic ash-covered graveyard, and every moment is a struggle to survive.
   
   The beauty in this book is the way McCarthy delivers simple, touching phrases in description and dialogue. The relationship between the man and the boy is so perfectly perfectly strong. Their human love is so clear when the rest of the world is so grey.
   
   It's weird. The plot wasn't action-packed, but I had to find out what happens to these two. I thought I'd ruined it by reading ahead to the last few pages while I was still in the middle of the story. But even though I expected what happens to happen... I still wasn't ready for it. The whole book was a slow burn up until the very end.
   
   I was touched, moved, stirred, heartbroken, inspired. I wanted to wipe the tears from my eyes and call everyone I know to tell them I love them. It's a full day later and I could still crumble just thinking about it.
   
   This book is entirely recommended.

5 comments about Batman: The Dark Knight Returns.

1. I picked this book up in an earlier edition when I was in high school. I was a semi-fledgling to the world of the Bat, but I found myself easily drawn into the story. It's easy to read even if you aren't as knowing of everything as others are.
   
   The idea of a semi-apocalyptic future with no real superheroes is a grim one. The only superheroes that exist are there merely to look good and even Superman is strangely muted in this world. Nearly everything is corrupt, whether people realize it or not. It's into this that Wayne decides to take up the mantle of Batman once more & free Gotham from the crime sprees. However he's not the only one who has once again taken up his old job...
   
   
   I REALLY enjoyed this book. It's one of my favorites & always will be. I loved the female Robin, the neat artwork, and the story... the story was just about perfect!



2. That all you need as moral guides on this earth are The Dark Knight Returns, Kingdom Come (another graphical novel) and the Holy Bible. While I would probably omit the latter and include the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius or Plato's Republic I can surely concur with the first two selections as being critical in developing a tempered moral compass. While this might come off as an exaggeration, it is only barely - the three works offering quintessential guidance in times of befuddlement while also offering inspiration to trudge forward in times of injustice and betrayal. All the great questions of life are encountered by the protagonists and a righteous code of ethics is codified in response, inspiring the reader to be greater than what he was before by observing the examples of heroic conduct and so being transformed.
   
   The Dark Knight Returns is by the standards of today primitively drawn and inked, but this fact is irrelevant as the graphics are well enough to keep our interest drawn to the engrossing moral lessons and satire. Each page of this precious work is chocked full of words and intelligently written dialogue, historically serving as the first serious "graphic novel" - an expanded literary comic that was intended to be read by adults and to have included in it serious subject matter. While most comics are centered around the plates (the art), graphic novels were supposed to be primarily stories, with the artwork intended to support and not overshadow the core writing, all originally starting off as novellas rather than storyboards. This being said, I will not hover too indulgently over the topic of the art - which is presented in stark, grimy, dark, vile environments, contemptuous caricatures of pop culture figures and lingering, desolate existential stages.
   
   The story focuses on the question of what justice is while also (perhaps more importantly) criticizing the irrationally bellicose cold war climate and its corresponding destructive materialism, untempered indulgence and superficiality, issues which are very much still afflicting our society today as we rot in the wake of renewed imperialism and corruption. Bruce Wayne is presented not as a flawless super hero but rather as a broken and doubting latter-day Cincinnatus being summoned to once more repel the enemies of justice and civilization. Labeled a vigilante terrorist by the police and ostracized as a dangerous and unstable sociopath by the morally bankrupt public and their "expert" talking heads, the Batman heroically serves an ideal of justice in hopes of restoring reason and truth to a diseased, collapsing society bent on global nuclear destruction, all while expecting no reward and never abusing his power. Through Bruce Wayne's selfless sacrifice and devotion, the people of Gotham City are inspired by example to off their complacency and take back their city from the drug dealers, pimps, corrupt officials, thieves and rapists, all the while developing a sense of fidelity and brotherhood to one another.
   
   Ultimately The Dark Knight Returns is about the proper conduct of a human being: even though the people around you may be corrupt and morally bankrupt, and even though they may have surrendered their faith to denial and apathy, and abandoned their community - a true man does not, even if he must be stabbed by a thousand blades in a day or swim through a lake of fire. While Bruce Wayne at times feels that his efforts to bring order to the lawless and miserable Gotham City are futile he continues to do what is just and good, in the face of all possible rejection and criticism. The reward for acting like a human being is not riches, or fame, or even respect of your peers, but rather the fleeting satisfaction in knowing that the people left in your wake would have been treated justly, and maybe, just maybe, would so be inspired to treat others with justice, breeding a righteous culture.



3. I've been a Batman fan for as long as I can remember. Had the toys, watched the movies a million times, the Adam West TV show, the Animated Series. I loved it all.
   
   As a kid, I was big into comic books. I consider myself fortunate to have come of age in the late 80s/early 90s when the medium was really exploring the darker aspects of these characters people have loved for decades. Bane "breaking" Batman. The Killing Joke. Robin dying. Batman vs. Spawn. The death of Superman (a pretty big deal with my peers). Grim stuff, but I ate it up. Years passed and I eventually just stopped reading. I remained a Batman fan, but I simply got out of buying comic books. Most of what I was into is a big blur now.
   
   In anticipation for Christopher Nolan's new Dark Knight movie, I went on a Batman binge. Trouble is, I already have most of the DVDs (and that's a lot of DVDs). What else is there?
   
   I wasn't even aware of this book's existence until AFTER I got over comic books. How can that be? I have no idea. Apparently, it was a pretty big deal twenty years ago. Yet I was into the big deals of the time and somehow The Dark Knight Returns slipped from my grasp. I suppose I have no excuse. So, finally, after over a decade of not even so much as looking at a comic book, I ordered this (plus a few other Batman tales).
   
   My order arrived today. I spent my evening reading the entire book. Know what? I absolutely loved it. Frank Miller has a fairly chaotic way of telling a story. He throws so many ideas into this graphic novel and not a single one of them bogs the story down or seems out of place. It's a long read (at least in my comic reading experience), but I enjoyed every minute of it. I even caught myself laughing out loud a few times. In lesser hands, this story might seem disjointed or even absurd, but Miller knows how to tell it right. Great artwork and great text. Also a lot of fun to see what became of some of Batman's rogues gallery's biggest baddies.
   
   So, is this the book that will get me back into comic books as it did for so many people twenty years ago? I guess that remains to be seen. No matter what, I'm certainly glad I finally read this. A good story is a good story and The Dark Knight Returns excels.



4. shows the real man behind batman and yet proves why he's the best comic character to some of us. a great graphic novel that incorporates a new robin and a reluctant batman that's doing his job and an awesome showdown with mr. superman at the end that has a great twist that'll make you appreciate batman's logic and strength even more. it's cool to see how some details are taken from the novel (and Year One) and incorporated into batman begins and the dark knight movies. this is the end of batman's career, and batman:year one is the beginning, both are must haves for any batman fan.



5. The Dark Knight Returns was written and drawn by Frank Miller, inked by Klaus Janson, and colored by Lynn Varley. It was originally published as a four-part series in 1986.
   
   Here, Bruce Wayne is in his fifties, and he hasn't been Batman in ten years. A massive crime wave drives him back into action. There's a lot going on here: crime is out of control, Commissioner Gordon is retiring, superheroes have been done away with, the Cold War is escalating, several of the old, classic Batman villains are on the loose, and Batman's not what he used to be.
   
   The story here is so multi-layered, so complex, and Miller does an excellent job of keeping hold of all the threads. He also does a great job of blending old, classic characters with new ones. Miller's one-page vignettes with crime victims make the story personal.
   
   Miller likes to give us characters' internal narration of events. This works most of the time, but once in a while it's just too much ("I get sick of the arm...and kill it below the elbow."). Miller typically does this when the artwork doesn't show us all he wants it to, and he feels compelled to tell us the rest. This is the most obvious weakness in Miller's work.
   
   Miller's art isn't pretty. It's dark, it's sloppy at times, and it's often downright ugly. But it fits the story, and it, along with Janson's inks and Varley's colors, really sets the mood. Even the layout of the panels, which are often cramped and crowded together, add to the story's smothering feel.
   
   There's so much here, and Miller gives the reader a lot to think about. All told, The Dark Knight Returns has held up over time, and is one of the two or three greatest comic works ever created, hands down.

5 comments about Batman: The Killing Joke.

1. First off I had this book when I was young...the original print and then one day while shopping here on Amazon I find it in a hardcover edition and free shipping with my Prime membership....whoooooosssssshhhhhh in my cart faster then a speeding bullet!....Wait that's Supes not Bats....well you get the idea.
   
   I must honestly say...the Killing Joke is without a doubt one of my all time favorite comic book self contained stories! How good is it, you ask? If I was stranded on a desert island and I could only take 5 of my all time favorite reads with me....Killing Joke would be one of them. Let me try to review without spoiling anything for those of you that may have never read this gem...and believe me it's been around for years!
   
   First off the scribe of Alan Moore is nothing short of incredible to intense to at times insane. Mr. Moore can bring up feelings in his readers that make you want to turn you head to advert your eyes....but alas you can't and you won't....like a rubber necker driving past a car wreck you are doomed to stare all slacked jawed as you slowly roll by. That is the Killing Joke....Alan Moore at his best....teamed up with Brian Bolland (best known for his Judge Dredd vs. Judge Death in 2000AD comics) at his best. Brian has the spectacular talent to feed your eyes these unbelievable images and leave you wanting more. Even when they are ugly...haunting images....you still can see the beauty of his work.
   So one of the best Batman Stories?? Without a doubt. Should you own it??? God yes! 5 out of 5 Stars....I would have given it 10!
   
   Thanks for reading!



2. "Batman: The Killing Joke" is one of the seminal Batman comics as well as one of the finest comics ever published. That's hardly a surprise considering that it was written by Alan Moore, the Shakespeare of comic books, who the year before had written "Watchmen," the greatest comic of all time. For "The Killing Joke," he teamed with artist Brian Bolland to craft a psychological look at what made the Joker, what makes him who he is now, and how the threads of Batman's fate are inextricably woven between those of the Joker.
   
   In "The Killing Joke," the Joker escapes from Arkham Asylum. He then proceeds to cripple Barbara Gordon and kidnap her father, Commissioner James Gordon, and hold him hostage. Meanwhile, Batman frantically searches for the Clown Prince of Crime. As one of the many comics published in the 1980s which upgraded the medium from children's entertainment to serious literature, "The Killing Joke" is very mature and very disturbing. Unlike the Joker of Tim Burton's "Batman" or of the legendary animated series, this Joker's jokes are not amusing to us. They are disturbing. As if the crippling of Barbara Gordon was not heartbreaking enough, the Joker takes disturbing photographs of her nude -- in a pool of her own blood -- then kidnaps and abuses the naked and chained Jim Gordon, laughing all the way. This is not Caesar Romero's mischievous clown from the 60's TV series.
   
   Through a series of flashbacks, we see how the Joker came to be. Moore cleverly draws from the original origin tale created for the Joker in the 1950's. Initially intended as a throwaway story, now that tale becomes something meaningful and intriguing, an important piece of a tragic puzzle. The Joker is such an interesting character in "The Killing Joke" because at once one is appalled by him, by his ghastly actions, by his complete disregard for humanity, and yet, at the same time, one feels horrible for him. He became the horror he is after one bad night -- and, as the Joker points out, so did Batman.
   
   Introducing that notion was just one of the ways that "The Killing Joke" influenced the future of Batman comics. The notion that Batman was a similar creature to the Joker, perhaps even the same, had never been explored before. But that's just what Moore did. "The Killing Joke" suggests that Batman needs the Joker and vice versa, as though they are yin and yang, two pieces of a puzzle, neither of which can exist without the other. Batman needs to put the Joker in his place, just as the Joker needs to be put in his place by Batman. At first it seems like an insane idea -- but out of that apparent insanity comes the frightening realization that that may be the most sane idea yet.
   
   Moore himself has distanced himself from the books since its publication, saying that he felt that the book was devoid of "real human importance," and that the characters felt like just that: characters. He may be right in some regards. "The Killing Joke" hasn't the "human importance" of "Watchmen," but its examination of what makes these two unusual humans tick, what created them, and its suggestion that one should step back and see the big picture, makes it important enough in my book. It's true that some of the characters with less scenes, such as Barbara Gordon or even Batman himself, do come off as characters more than people, but those characters that Moore focuses on, namely the Joker and Jim Gordon, come across as real human beings.
   
   Bringing additional depth to the story is Brian Bolland, whose eerie, muted artwork perfectly compliments Moore's chilling story. When the book was first published in 1988, it was colored by John Higgins, who used a sort of rainbow-tinged brightness in his coloring, which didn't quite fit the story. This edition is re-colored by Bolland, so all the artwork looks the way it was intended to look: splendid. Most noticeably, he's sucked most of the color out of the flashback scenes, which adds an additional bitterness to them. Bolland's muted colors are utterly perfect for Moore's writing. The Joker may never have looked so good as he does when Bolland draws him.
   
   "The Killing Joke" was highly influential. For one thing, it brought about the creation of the crippled Barbara Gordon's alter-ego, Oracle, who would be one of the leads of the "Birds of Prey" comics (and TV series). For another, it inspired both Tim Burton's depiction of the Joker in his film and Christopher Nolan's depiction of the character in "The Dark Knight." And while Moore and Bolland have often questioned the relevancy and overall quality of the book, it remains a fan favorite.
   
   So for those looking to acquaint themselves with Batman comics, or those who want to know just what the comic fuss is about, "The Killing Joke" is a must. It remains the greatest Joker story ever told, as well as one of the best Batman stories told, period. It's dark, disturbing, thoughtful, and revelatory. If you're interested in comics and you haven't read it, well -- the joke's on you.



3. Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3CAS7DS48K807 "The Killing Joke" is widely considered to be the be-all-end-all of Joker stories, so what better way to pay homage to the greatest comic book villain of all time near the eve of his re-unveiling in The Dark Knight than by reviewing his definitive story? This is the comic that (sort of) revealed the origin of The Clown Prince of Crime, humanizing him to an extent never before, and truly examined -with pictures rather than words- the antagonistic symbiosis that exists between Joker and his arch nemesis, The Batman. A beloved Gotham regular will never be the same and another will be put through hell before this story is done. Oh, and there are creepy little henchmidgets as well. Gotta love the henchmidgets.
   
   The art is outstanding, the storytelling superb, and the character examinations are vital to understanding both combatants. The "one bad day" premise highlights the "two sides of the same coin" argument that Batman and Joker are in fact more alike than dissimilar. As if Bruce Wayne took a right when his arch-nemesis took a left. The controversial ending leaves little doubt as to Alan Moore's take on the debate, and I like it like that. While many critics have strongly resisted both the comparison and the somewhat sympathetic look at The Joker's past, the truth is that every great character -villain or hero- needs that sort of intricacy to their story to remain relevant in the world of modern fiction. Comics are no longer for children and adults realize that the world is seldom black and white, that all monsters were once men, and that unspeakable darkness and insanity resides deep inside each human mind. It can take years of suffering to bring them out or it can take one bad day. One bad day could ruin your very existence and everything you were; it's a frightening reality that cannot be overlooked while reading this comic. The more the reader is willing to ponder the ideas put forth by this story, the more you are likely to appreciate "The Killing Joke". An outstanding achievement in storytelling any way you look at it.
   
   I was tempted to knock this down to four stars because with this book you are buying a single issue of a comic for what you could easily pay for a full trade paperback or graphic novel of equal quality like, say, Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns, which is so good it may very well cure cancer (can you prove it doesn't?). But the fact is no Batman fan should be without "The Killing Joke" and I would rather stick to reviewing based on quality rather than haggling over price. The bonus story at the end (written and illustrated by TKJ artist Brian Bolland) is a killer little mini-comic that serves as a perfect companion piece to the main story and definitely sweetens the pot for those wondering if they should get this hardcover edition. "The Killing Joke" is an absolute mindless must-have for fans of the comic book medium and even more so if you claim to be a follower of The Caped Crusader or his twisted nemesis. End of story.



4. The art in this book is quite good. However, the story lacks something.
   
   Okay, the Joker had a rough life, and then goes crazy? Got it. Batman tracks his arch-enemy and captures him, and somehow finds time for a hearty laugh with Joker while Barbara Gordon, a.k.a. Batgirl, lies in the hospital with a shattered spine? Got it. And Batman's friend Jim Gordon was pretty much driven to the brink of insanity, but the character is just fine the next time we see him? Got it.
   
   This comic was basically an excuse to make sure Barbara Gordon never became Batgirl again, or Batwoman, for that matter. And the book glorifies the Joker's violence to an almost sickening point. It's not intelligent; it's not artistic. It's just that: violence.
   
   If I were going to make a list of classic Batman comics, this would never make the list. It's a mess, and it's not good writing.



5. There are far too many people out there clamoring about this book. Why? Because there is a new Batman film in theaters. Admittingly, this is one of the Joker's finest moments, albeit darkest. And yes, it is one of the greatest Batman books ever.
   
   That being said, it is very short. The story itself is only 46 pages. The extras aren't really that good. I liked Brian Bolland's re-coloring of his Batman: Black and White piece, but otherwise, they are pretty corny. Not enough to buy the hardcover. The re-coloring of the story itself is nice and gives it a cleaner, more up-to-date look, but the original coloring gave it more of a gritty feeling.
   
   This is one of the best Batman books, and definitely is The Joker's finest moment. It is Joker at his darkly funniest, and most malicious. Perhaps short of killing Jason Todd, this is the sickest the Joker has ever been. The origin story pushes the point of the "One bad day" that the Joker is trying to convey. Not totally necessary, but cool.
   
   Alan Moore's weakest work, but it is Alan Moore, who is greater than any other writer in his sleep. You really cannot go wrong. This book is a must for any Batman fan, and for a easy look at the mentality of the Joker, pick it up.

5 comments about Replay.

1. Out of so many science fiction books, my favorite theme is time-travel stories or related thereof. There can be similar plots from many stories, but Grimwood's "Replay" is different in such respect because one would have no idea what the outcome to be. The plot of "Replay" is unique and fascinating.
   
   This is a story about a man who died in 1988 of a heart attack, then suddenly finds himself back in time as a college student in 1963 with all of the memories of his future intact. There lies a paradox: will he change the future or re-experience the same life as he lived before? The main character, Jeff, chose the former. He tried to changed things for the "better," in his view, but things do not always work out as he expected. He would gain some things, but he would lose others. Each time he died, he would experience his life over and over, with several attempts to change things. But, as one read on, he is not the only one who is experiencing the replays.
   
   I personally enjoyed reading this book, and I could not put it down as I felt enthralled by its twisting and intriguing plot and the fascinating details. My fascination with time travel may have to do with my enjoyment of this novel, but it is a well worth reading in general.
   
   While the novel is fascinating and won an award in 1988, it actually holds a moral lesson for the readers: will you set your life on a different direction if you knew your own future?



2. Hard to put-down book- enjoyed every page. Not a new novel- 1986 - but timeless. Have a few pages left to read and trying to stretch it out...one of those you hate to finish!



3. Wow is right! What a fantastic read. Ken Grimwood has written a fantastic book that grips you from page one and never lets go. I wasn't sure if this time travel science fiction would be something I would like, but I sure did. I highly recommend this one.
   
   Editor of TV director Raymond Austin's mystery series The Eagle Heist (Beauford Sloan Mysteries)



4. This book really struck a chord with me. I certainly wished I could have relived parts of my life to avoid certain mistakes. It became even sweeter when I was able to get back together with my soul mate after many years of being apart, and sharing the book with her. Am very surprised and happy to see this show up on Amazon's bestseller list at #80 - it seemed to be a bit of an unknown gem. Ken Grimwood deserves the recognition (although his next book Into The Deep was disappointing in comparison). There has been talk for years of this getting made into a movie, but alas, it doesn't look like it will happen. Highly, highly recommended.



5. I won't bother summarizing this as many other reviewers already have. I'll just say that this is one of those novels that you think about even after you've finished it. I got through it in 2-3 days because it never boring.
   
   All in all, this is a good read.

5 comments about The Host: A Novel.

1. ... However it is exceedingly well written; not in the fashion of Twilight, where an exciting story is just presented straight up, but more in the fashion that it's thought provoking and presents us with truly unique material and situations.
   
   The Host is a science fiction novel in the truest sense, and takes the reader on a journey through a 'cornered rat' mentality of humanity being oppressed by altruism rather than by dominance or violence. The only violence is on the part of the humans, yet they are still the ones being eliminated in a depressing fashion. As long as you don't try to read into this in a political sense, it's a very, very enjoyable read.
   
   Again, please do not read this expecting Twilight; you will need to proceed slowly at the start of the novel so that you truly understood the world view, and the world, that Meyes is presenting you with in this great novel, rather than just diving into a story. I promise you that the back story to understand exactly what it is you'll be told in the remainder of the book is well worth the time to read (Not to mention, it's of course pleasurable in and of itself). That really seems to be the main complaint of most folks, but in the world of science fiction (generally) one of the first things you have to do is establish the world and boundaries a story will be operating under, and this is no exception.



2. This book was hyped as Ms. Meyer's first "adult" fiction. Assuming you mean adult as those between the ages of 13 and 20, ok. If you mean adult as someone that is capable of following complex plot, complex character development and reading a book that isn't totally predictable, then not ok. Cute little story that could have been told in about 250 pages instead of the almost 600 it is. Interestingly, she develops the character of Uncle Jeb much more deeply than the main characters, Melanie and Wanderer! We know almost nothing about Melanie, except that she tried to kill herself to avoid implantation...and for someone that traveled all over the universe, we learn almost less than nothing about the Soul in her. Also, the struggle for "control" of the body/mind complex is pretty superficial until after they become "buddies".
   Story cute, predictable and really fits more with her younger readers than truly adult science fiction.



3. I first loved SM for her Twilight Saga, but I enjoyed The Host just as if not more. While it took me a while to get started, once I was into the book, there was no putting it down. The characters were engaging, the plot was interesting, and the message was profound.
   
   After seeing SM's comment about sections of the book store I have to agree. This was marketed as her first "adult" novel, but then Amazon puts it in the list of the best "teen" paranormal novels. As SM said, a good book's a good book. Read it.



4. Mrs. Meyer can really write in a way that feels comfortable to me. She doesn't go out of her way to use words that don't fit the characters or situations. This book was entertaining, and a pleasure to read. I think it only took me about 6 or 7 hours to read, and I immediately wished I'd had more from her to read.



5. OMG! this has got to be the WORST book i have Ever read! i only finished because i was on a 15 hour drive and i can't slam it fully unless i really read the whole thing. Every thing about the story was stupid the "Souls" were so stupid i can't even think of words to tell you how lame their views and take on life is. And the people in the book were stupid in the extreme as well if the world really was being taken over by aliens i don't think the survivors would be all 'Oh thats ok we forgive just you guys because you feel a little bad about it but not bad enough to give us our lives all back' like WTF?! thats all i have to say htis is a waste of time in its self that this book hasn't even truly earned.

No comments about Breaking Dawn (The Twilight Saga, Book 4).