Magazine Review: The Spider #85: The Council of Evil

Magazine Review: The Spider #85: The Council of Evil by Norvell Page While Richard Wentworth, the Spider, is well known for having a policy of “shoot first, take no prisoners” towards criminals, he doesn’t always kill. If a crook is knocked out or otherwise incapacitated, the Spider will merely brand their forehead with a spider… Continue reading Magazine Review: The Spider #85: The Council of Evil

Manga Review: Ultimate Muscle Battle 24

Manga Review: Ultimate Muscle Battle 24 by Yudetamago Years ago, Kinnikuman (“Muscle Man”) was the world’s worst superhero. When he wasn’t causing disasters due to his profound stupidity instead of stopping them, civilians were actively embarrassed to be saved by him. (This is, after all, a man who flew using the power of compressed farts.)… Continue reading Manga Review: Ultimate Muscle Battle 24

Webtoon Review: Kid Cosmic Season Two

Group hug!

Webtoon Review: Kid Cosmic Season Two Quick recap of Season One: Comic book-obsessed orphan Kid discovers five alien Cosmic Stones of Power, turns them into rings, and takes the name Kid Cosmic. He’s joined by his grandfather Papa G, teen waitress Jo, little girl Rosa and cat Tuna Fish to form the Local Heroes. Together… Continue reading Webtoon Review: Kid Cosmic Season Two

Movie Review: Ponyo

Ponyo is the Shockwave Runner.

Movie Review: Ponyo (2008) directed by Hayao Miyazaki Brunhilde’s father, Fujimoto, is a sorcerer in love with the sea, in the person of the Ocean Goddess Granmamare. He has long abandoned the land and no longer considers himself human. He’d prefer that Brunhilde and her sisters stay safe under his protection forever in the depths of… Continue reading Movie Review: Ponyo

Book Review: If This Goes On

Gotta love this cover "old man yells at rocket."

Book Review: If This Goes On edited by Charles Nuetzel The “if this goes on” story is a staple of short science fiction. Pick a current trend like “women not wearing hats anymore” or “cat videos” and extend it out to an exaggerated conclusion. For example, the Robert Heinlein story of that name, which posits… Continue reading Book Review: If This Goes On

Anime Review: Gegege no Kitaro (2018)

Kitaro and friends.

Anime Review: Gegege no Kitaro (2018) Two decades into the Twenty-First Century, most humans have lost the belief in yokai, folkloric monsters that exist on the fringes of the world. They can’t even see yokai. So when a Logan Paul-like video prankster accidentally unleashes a creature that turns humans into trees, the authorities are helpless… Continue reading Anime Review: Gegege no Kitaro (2018)

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: Murder on a Stick

Book Review: Murder on a Stick by S.L. Smith It is 2013, and the Minnesota State Fair is crowded with thousands of people eating food on sticks. Usually the worst that could happen is a case of indigestion. But today, someone has put one of the sticks to a more sinister use–murder! Virginia Green is… Continue reading Book Review: Murder on a Stick

Book Review: Nova 2

Book Review: Nova 2 edited by Harry Harrison In the introduction to this 1972 anthology, Mr. Harrison talks some about the internationalization of science fiction beyond North America and Western Europe. In recognition of this growing trend, he’s included a Brazilian author’s story. “Oh, and we have one story by a woman.” In reality, there… Continue reading Book Review: Nova 2

Manga Review: Rin-ne Volumes 7,8 & 9

Manga Review: Rin-ne Volumes 7, 8 & 9 by Rumiko Takahashi Quick recap: Rinne Rokudo is a shinigami, a psychopomp who helps ghosts and wandering spirits move on to the next life. Because he’s part human, Rinne’s powers are relatively weak and he must use gadgets, often expensive, to bolster his attempts. Moreover, due to… Continue reading Manga Review: Rin-ne Volumes 7,8 & 9