Batman: Odyssey (2011-2012) #7 by Neal Adams
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Note: As part of my profession and training involves cartooning and comics, I’m trying to include these in my reading material. I’m trying to read something of graphic novel length a month.

Here’s part 1 of the second set of …No, it’s the 7th part of a 2 part of a… No, it’s….Frankly, in this case, it doesn’t really matter.

This mini-series, or whatever it is, seems a matter of DC Comics/Warner Brothers/ AOL/ etc./etc. handing Neal Adams a check to do whatever he wanted. Earlier efforts should’ve had DC attach some controls. Adams went about re-re-creating Batman and much of what else he created while at DC Comics. Apparently things went long and two parts of two sets of comics were created. This review if of the first of the second set.

It’s pretty clear with the second offering that Adams or someone realized the tale needed to be straightened out a bit. After six issues of utter confusing mess, this issue has quite a bit of explanation in it. But it’s trapped in the worse, so far, of Adams’ inability to tell a story as woman chop through walls, apparent convicts being slaughtered, more seemingly endless unfocused dialogue and Batman riding an enormous bat among dinosaurs.

Wasn’t this reviewed before publication? Did no one suggest psychological treatment for Adams and every single person who let this get printed? How on earth did this see print? ….I ask again.

The artwork is better than the latter part of the first set of this series. But, I am now subtracting for that as it’s clear waaaaay too much time was spent drawing and not enough time given to creating a decent story to tell.

Bottom line: i don’t recommend this book. 2 out of ten points.

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During the live drawing I did here Friday the commenting got me to drawing two of the participants as mermaids for #MerMay.

Here’s, illustrator, Jack Pittman as a MerMAN!

The Clique: The Manga by Lisi Harrison
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Note: I’m trying to read more comics related material as I continue to create such material. As i travel and I find such material free or for a few bits, I’m picking it up, plan to read and then hand over to a friend. This is one such volume.

This is a disturbing lot. First this story is supposedly about 12-13 year olds. The illustrator failed that task miserably. As drawn, these are 6 foot kids with 4 feet of legs. I get the manga style tactic, but I have seen other manga and not seen this effort of elasticizing.

The writer fails to illustrate 12-13 years olds by, as the illustrator did, writing of 20 year olds than dumb kids. Adding to this is no background to any of the characters but for the main character. So there is no real foundation for the actions written. Apparently there is a written novel of all of this. Maybe more involved characters are there. If this is written for young people to read, this is an irresponsible action. The book is more surreal in portrayal than real.

As written here, there are no dumb kids. The parents are portrayed in foolish ways. With the exception of the main character’s mother, who is the only one competently written and illustrated. This is also the only character that is likable. The rest, including the main character, are either nasty or so shallow to be meaningless.

There really isn’t a story. Basically the length is devoted to antics involving the above. There is something involving one being particularly snotty. I thought a story would spark from that. Instead it began a tit for tat exchange that was empty.

Bottom line : i don’t recommend this book. Especially not for young people. 2 out of 10 points.

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My Ha-Ba-Da-Bee Warm-Up illustration for April 27th:
An angel!
I’ve been drawing more angels as I get ready a new series of inspirational panels for The Log Whisperer at Old Log Houses by Thomas page. The panels should start next week.

In a Small Motel by John D. MacDonald
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A thrilling short story by MacDonald set in south Georgia that is set in a favorite spot of the author. He wrote a number of books and short stories set at the roadside motels and all illustrate life as it was for owners of facilities during the late ’50s through the ’60s. This one reminded me initially of, a favorite of mine of MacDonald’s, ‘Crossroads’. But the truncated structure has this tale develop differently and takes angles not quite expected.

Bottom line: I recommend this book. 7 out of 10 points.

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Black Caesar’s Clan : a Florida Mystery Story by Albert Payson Terhune
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I see Terhune’s expertise was dogs. Well, he sure as heck knew Florida at the time of this writing, too. His description of a mangrove swamp is one of the best i’ve read in fiction. He nails all sorts of details and writes of actual locations that existed at the time. Excellent job of portraying Florida around 1920. Pre-Boom.

One error he made was writing of the structure that is the main focus in the book being built during the Seminole War days. First, the overall setting could not have such a structure built and the style of the structure described did not exist at that time.

The story is very good with all sorts of revelations unveiled throughout. It’s mostly well written. Though at times a bit over written and an editor could have trimmed a bit to make it all more solid.

The biggest trouble I found was an odd about face by the main character that was not logical. Especially for the time period. I’d expect as much today. The change didn’t fir the character as had overall written. I believe Terhune got so involved in trying to jolt the reader during a story, this was his 2/3rds of the way through the book jolt. Also one jolt too many.

Despite the ridiculous jolt, the various characters written are really good. The odd representations of “Conchs” is really another error. But the use of the same characters is fascinating.

Bottom line: I recommend this book. 6 out of ten points.

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