Book Review: Great Supernatural Stories: 101 Horrifying Tales

Book Review: Great Supernatural Stories: 101 Horrifying Tales compiled by Stefan Dziemianowicz This hefty volume collects a variety of public domain stories concerning the supernatural. While the majority fall roughly into the category of horror, some are more what we’d call “dark fantasy” and a handful are just “well, that’s a weird thing that happened.”… Continue reading Book Review: Great Supernatural Stories: 101 Horrifying Tales

Book Review: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice

Book Review: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice edited by Jack Zipes Most likely, when you saw this title, you immediately thought of the Fantasia sequence with Mickey Mouse, or perhaps the more recent Disney film with Nicolas Cage. But the multiplying of brooms is only one aspect of the tales gathered under the general title of “The… Continue reading Book Review: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice

Manga Review: Shonen Jump (2019)

The Shounen Jump stars wearing pirate hats, like the long term logo of the magazine.

Manga Review: Shonen Jump (2019) by various It’s my blog anniversary again, so time to look at the current state of Shonen Jump! The official Shonen Jump website has undergone drastic changes this year. No longer does it simulate a magazine with a cover and stories that are printed in a certain order. Instead, each… Continue reading Manga Review: Shonen Jump (2019)

Manga Review: Devilman: The Classic Collection 1

Manga Review: Devilman: The Classic Collection 1 by Go Nagai In the beginning, demons ruled the Earth. Beings devoted to survival of the strongest, devouring lesser creatures and each other in a never-ending hunger for greater power. But then the Earth’s climate changed drastically (possibly due to a conflict with beings from space later known… Continue reading Manga Review: Devilman: The Classic Collection 1

Manga Review: Berserk Volumes 31 & 32

Manga Review: Berserk Volumes 31 & 32 by Kentaro Miura Heads up, there will be major SPOILERS for earlier volumes as I briefly recap the series so far as this first review is so far into the story. This seinen (men’s) manga series began publication in 1989 and is still running. Or perhaps I should… Continue reading Manga Review: Berserk Volumes 31 & 32

Anime Review: Dororo (2019)

"Dororo" in Japanese.

Anime Review: Dororo (2019) Lord Daigo has a problem. The lands under his control suffer from floods when it rains and droughts when it doesn’t, the crops wither, the people are afflicted with disease, and bandits and enemy soldiers roam freely. As a result, Daigo’s province is poverty-stricken and low-status. In desperation, Daigo turns to… Continue reading Anime Review: Dororo (2019)

Book Review: The Vessel of Ra

Book Review: The Vessel of Ra by Catherine Schaff-Stump It is October 1837, and the acqua alta, the fall flooding, has come to Venice. Lucy Klareon has also come to Venice, as part of her Grand Tour, but she doesn’t plan to leave in the usual way. For on her sixteenth birthday, October 31st, All Hallows Eve, Lucy must do battle… Continue reading Book Review: The Vessel of Ra

Comic Book Review: The Clandestinauts

Comic Book Review: The Clandestinauts  by Tim Sievert The Clandestinauts are adventurers for hire in a harsh fantasy world.   Currently, they are tasked with retrieving an item in the possession of the mysterious Red Wizard.  To do so, they’ll have to penetrate his fortress lair, evade or slay his many minions and monsters, make a side… Continue reading Comic Book Review: The Clandestinauts

Comic Book Review: Over the Wall

Comic Book Review: Over the Wall  by Peter Wartman The girl shouldn’t be here.  Only boys come to the walled city, and only for their coming of age ceremony.  The city has nothing in it but demons who eat names, and bones. But the girl’s brother did not return from the ceremony.  Perhaps he got… Continue reading Comic Book Review: Over the Wall

Comic Book Review: Showcase Presents Robin the Boy Wonder Vol. 1

Comic Book Review: Showcase Presents Robin the Boy Wonder Vol. 1 by various creators In 1940, a year after Batman debuted, he gained the first superhero kid sidekick in comic books.  Robin aka Dick Grayson served several functions.  Kid appeal, merchandising, lightening up the tone of the stories a bit, and giving Batman someone to have… Continue reading Comic Book Review: Showcase Presents Robin the Boy Wonder Vol. 1