Book Review: I, Barbarian by Jay Scotland (John Jakes) James the Frank is not called that because of his honesty, though he does have a tendency to tell the truth even when it’s not convenient. He’s called that because his Crusader father got very lost and wound up at a yam station (kind of an… Continue reading Book Review: I, Barbarian
Tag: murder
Book Review: Thrilling Adventure Yarns 2026
Book Review: Thrilling Adventure Yarns 2026 edited by Robert Greenberger Disclaimer: I contributed to the Kickstarter for this book, and there’s an advertisement for this blog on page 44. It’s time for another annual installment of this pulp-style anthology! Some returning authors, some new ones, and some familiar characters to follow. This year, the genres… Continue reading Book Review: Thrilling Adventure Yarns 2026
Manga Review: Billy Bat 1
Manga Review: Billy Bat 1 by Naoki Urasawa with Takashi Nagasaki Billy Bat is a private detective in a world of anthropomorphic animals. He’s a hard-boiled type in the noir tradition with a cynical personality who refuses to use his wings unless he absolutely has to. (Or perhaps he can’t fly at all.) His current… Continue reading Manga Review: Billy Bat 1
Comic Strip Review: Blood Orange Volume 1: National Secrets
Comic Strip Review: Blood Orange Volume 1: National Secrets by Tim Avers & Paul Fricke Constanze is a famous fashion model, actress and platinum-certified recording artist. These days she’s the spokesperson for i0, a top fashion house. She’s also got a taste for blood orange mimosas. However, there was a time when she wasn’t any… Continue reading Comic Strip Review: Blood Orange Volume 1: National Secrets
Comic Book Review: Star Trek: Red Shirts
Comic Book Review: Star Trek: Red Shirts written by Christopher Cantwell, art by Megan Levens One of the running jokes among Star Trek fans, especially when talking about the original series, is the “redshirts”, characters whose only purpose in the story is to die to establish that the situation was dangerous and how the danger… Continue reading Comic Book Review: Star Trek: Red Shirts
Book Review: The Complete Max Carrados Volume II
Book Review: The Complete Max Carrados Volume II by Ernest Bramah Disclaimer: I contributed to the Kickstarter for this project. To recap from my review of the first volume, Max Carrados is a blind detective published in stories from 1913-1934. A resident of a ritzy London suburb who’d been blinded in a riding accident, Max… Continue reading Book Review: The Complete Max Carrados Volume II
Movie Review: Once Upon a Time in the West
Movie Review: Once Upon a Time in the West (1968) directed by Sergio Leone Three gunslingers in duster coats (Jack Elam, Woody Strode and Al Mulock) wait at a train station. When the train arrives, at first it seems there were no passengers. But then music is heard, and as the train pulls away we see… Continue reading Movie Review: Once Upon a Time in the West
Comic Book Review: Adventure Comics #503
Comic Book Review: Adventure Comics #503 edited by Nicola Cuti All good things must come to an end, they say, and this digest issue was the last one of the original Adventure Comics run. (It would be picked up again as a title 2009-11 before being cancelled for the New 52 reboot.) At the end… Continue reading Comic Book Review: Adventure Comics #503
Movie Review: The Cowboys (1972)
Movie Review: The Cowboys (1972) directed by Mark Rydell 1877. the Montana Territory. Wil Andersen (John Wayne), an aging, flinty rancher, needs to start his cattle on a drive to Bell Fourche, South Dakota, the nearest railhead. Problem is, a gold strike has been made the other side of Bozeman, and the ranch hands have deserted… Continue reading Movie Review: The Cowboys (1972)
Movie Review: Live and Let Die
Movie Review: Live and Let Die (1973) directed by Guy Hamilton Three British agents die in 24 hours. One in New York at the United Nations, one in New Orleans, and one on the Caribbean island of San Monique. This may have something to do with the connection between President Kananga (Yaphet Kotto) of San Monique… Continue reading Movie Review: Live and Let Die