Justice (Graphic Novel)

Check out the Wiki

Recently, I received the trade paperback of Justice from a close friend as a Christmas gift.  I wanted to read this book as soon as I was aware of it being out.  I am a big fan of Kingdom Come and Marvels and wanted the next work of Alex Ross to fill out my bookshelf.  I couldn't get a hold of this epic soon enough.

Justice is 12 part story set in the DC universe written by Alex Ross and Jim Krueger, with Ross also doing the amazing art.  The story begins when many classic super villains are dreaming the same dream, seeing the Justice League fall short and the world ending from some unknown threat.  Convinced the Justice League will fail, the Legion of Doom comes together to save the world.  Sensing there is more to this plot besides a prophetic vision, the Justice League bands together, along with some unexpected allies, to find the truth and save the world from doom.

The Rouges Gallery

Like - First and foremost, the art is exemplary.  This was the main reason I wanted to read this.  Knowing Alex Ross was doing the art was enough reason for me to take the time to read this story.  After reading Kingdom Come and Marvels, I wanted to get my next fix.  Ross's art is on point here and I especially loved some of the characters armors and teaks that were made here and there.  Really just amazing stuff with great attention to detail.

The heroes, suited up for an unprecedented threat.

The next big thing I liked was the story itself.  Not caught up in continuity or trying to make things fit in the bigger picture, Ross and Krueger were able to really create a realistic and challenging story.  Having the villains band together for the greater good and doing a better job of pushing mankind forward then the Justice League ever did really shows not only how capable the villains are but also that the lines drawn between factions are drawn in sand, not stone. It was a very compelling experience, one where I found myself reading the whole book in one sitting.  The final chapter was a strong and fitting climax to a well written plot.

Green Lantern, Hal Jordon

Dislike - My only dislike was when I finished reading it.  I wanted more!!

Overall - I loved this book.  I felt that this story really took it's time and created a new universe on the back of the well known DC Universe that we are familiar with.  It was a challenging read, examining who really is the good guy and who is the bad guy.  The art is unparalleled.  I highly recommend reading this.  5 out to 5.  Thanks for this great book Megan!

Similar to: Kingdom Come, Marvels, Earth X trilogy

Shangri-la (anime)

Read the Wiki!

Kuniko's parent Momoko

Hi Everyone and Happy New Year!  To to kick off this new year, I am going to review Shangri-La, a 22 episode anime I watched on Hulu.  I had to dig a little deeper then usual through my recommendations to find this one.  But I was glad to have done so.  This was a high concept anime that really did it's homework and made for a very entertaining time.

Shangri-La follows Kuniko, a vibrant and charasmatic young girl.  As the heir to the Metel Age presidency, many eyes look to her, some for guidence, some for scrutiny.  Metal Age is a terrorist group in direct oppoistion to Atlas.  Atlas is a corportation in charge of rebuilding Tokyo in a new world based on a carbon market. A massive earthquake devistated the metropolis and shifted Japan's place in the global market.  Kuniko goes though a journey, along with friends, family, and peers joined together through unknonwn forces.  This may seem a little jumbled but hear me out.

Mikuni

Good - So my above description may seem all over the place.  Really though, it is a testament to how much was packed into the series.  Without much belaboring or long explanations, Shangri-La is able to create a complex world similiar to our own.  One controlled by limited resoucres and global markets.  A world run by corporations and military powers.  It took me some time to full understand what was driving the groups Metal Age and Atlas, but I figured things out eventually.  And I enjoyed the process.  It was fun and it paid off with the story and character development.  I still had some trouble following the global buying and selling of the stocks, but I've never watched any show or movie that made the Stock Exchange mor exciting the Shangri-La.
Another great aspect of this show was the character development.  Following not only Kuniko but Mikuni and many others, you could see real growth.  Chacracters weren't being rewarded for who they were but more who they were becoming.  It made me feel really attached to the whole cast and made me excited to watch each new episode.
Lastly, anyone whose watched enough anime knows that some of the best series can be crippled by a week ending.  Shangri-Laa does not suffer this.  In fact, it was one of the best series endings I've watched

Detestable Ryoko Naruse

Bad - There is nothing bad about this series.  The only challenge, as I would label it, is this is a series that can be tough to crack at the beginning.  It can be hard to understand how things fit and what is actually happening.  Trust me though, if you stick with it, the pay off is worth it.

Overall - I loved this series.  This was smart and even felt very real considering how true-to-life the concerns were.  The characters were all great - heroes you loved and villains you loathed.  A great flow of mystery and plot.  All of this capped off by a truly solid ending.  5 out of 5 stars.  Watch this anime as soon as you can.

Similar - Full Metal Alchemist, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Future Diary

Watch it on Hulu for free!