Book Review: The Pocket Book of Adventure Stories

Book Review: The Pocket Book of Adventure Stories edited by Philip Van Doren Stern In his introduction, the editor talks about the thrill of adventure stories, how often they are churned out as cheap entertainment, and that he has selected twelve really good ones for the reader. This 1945 book was designed to be easily… Continue reading Book Review: The Pocket Book of Adventure Stories

Anime Review: Welcome to Demon School, Iruma-kun! Season Two

Iruma and a large chunk of the supporting cast.

Anime Review: Welcome to Demon School, Iruma-kun! Season Two Quick recap: Iruma’s abusive parents sold him to a demon for great wealth. This turned out to be a pretty good deal for the boy, as Sullivan is a jolly old fellow who wanted a grandchild to spoil and love. As part of his new life,… Continue reading Anime Review: Welcome to Demon School, Iruma-kun! Season Two

Movie Review: The Amazing Transparent Man

The joke is that our title character isn't even in this shot!

Movie Review: The Amazing Transparent Man (1960) directed by Edgar G. Ulmer We open with the daring escape of notorious safecracker Joey Faust (Douglas Kennedy) from prison. We swiftly learn that his release has been sponsored by Major Paul Krenner (James Griffith), who received a medical discharge due to a shrapnel wound. (Joey snarks that it… Continue reading Movie Review: The Amazing Transparent Man

Magazine Review: Analog Science Fiction Science Fact December 1984

The cover by Jack Gaughan for "The Elemental" is more symbolic than an actual scene from the story.

Magazine Review: Analog Science Fiction Science Fact December 1984 edited by Stanley Schmidt Continuing to dig through my pile of stuff that I’ve been meaning to reread, I found this issue from the year I actually subscribed to Analog.. This was an indulgence as I was underemployed at the time, but a magazine in the… Continue reading Magazine Review: Analog Science Fiction Science Fact December 1984

Manga Review: .Hack//Legend of the Twilight Vol. 3

Manga Review: .Hack//Legend of the Twilight Vol. 3 Art by Rei Izumi, Story by Tatsuya Hamazaki Note: The following review contains SPOILERS for both earlier volumes of this manga and other works in the .Hack franchise. In the near future of 2014, “The World”, an immersive VR experience, is the most popular Massively Multiplayer Online… Continue reading Manga Review: .Hack//Legend of the Twilight Vol. 3

Anime Review: Golden Kamuy Season 3

Sugimoto's group is offered an indecent proposal.

Anime Review: Golden Kamuy Season 3 Note: SPOILERS for the previous seasons! Recap: A couple of years after the Russo-Japanese War of 1905, former soldier Sugimoto learns of a cache of stolen gold, the location of which is tattooed on the torsos of a number of escaped prisoners. He teams up with the Ainu girl… Continue reading Anime Review: Golden Kamuy Season 3

Movie Review: Supercop

Officers Chan and Yang decide on their next move.

Movie Review: Supercop (1992) directed by Stanley Tong After two spectacularly successful cases, Chan Kar Kui (Jackie Chan, “Kevin” in the dub) has acquired the nickname “Supercop.” And now there’s a new dangerous assignment on the horizon. His superiors trick him into volunteering by letting overhear a conversation about how they feel the case is too… Continue reading Movie Review: Supercop

Anime Review: Baki (2018)

From left to right: Retsu Kaioh, Kaoru Hanayama, Mitsunari Tokugawa, Baki Hanma, Doppo Orochi and Gouki Shibukawa. Or as Kaoru likes to call them, "Idiots from Planet Strong."

Anime Review: Baki (2018) Baki Hanma is not your average high school student. He may look normal if a teensy bulky and with a dull expression on his face with his school uniform on, but once he doffs his outer clothing, it’s clear that he’s possessed of superior musculature and covered in scars. For in… Continue reading Anime Review: Baki (2018)

Anime Review: Golden Kamuy

Asirpa and Sugimoto don't understand each other's cultures.

Anime Review: Golden Kamuy Japan may have won the Russo-Japanese War in 1905, but not all of the soldiers came home…not even the living ones. Sugimoto, nicknamed “Immortal Sugimoto” for his ferocity and amazing ability to survive battles and wounds, came home just long enough to learn his best friend’s widow was going blind. He… Continue reading Anime Review: Golden Kamuy

Comic Book Review: Essential Ms. Marvel Vol. 1

Comic Book Review: Essential Ms. Marvel Vol. 1 by Various In 1976, Marvel Comics felt the time was right for another try at a overtly feminist superhero to appear in a solo book.  (Their first stab was 1973’s The Cat, who became Tigra.)  Someone, probably Gerry Conway, who would be the first writer on the series,… Continue reading Comic Book Review: Essential Ms. Marvel Vol. 1