Manga Review: The Crater

Manga Review: The Crater by Osamu Tezuka In the late 1960s, Osamu Tezuka’s career was facing a crisis. He was still popular, with publishers quite willing to buy more of the kid-friendly material he’d become famous for. But he wasn’t a trend-setter anymore. The new generation of manga creators was into gekiga, more serious and… Continue reading Manga Review: The Crater

Book Review: The Crystal Stopper

Book Review: The Crystal Stopper by Maurice Leblanc Arsène Lupin should probably have been more cautious when two members of his gang, Vaucheray and Gilbert, asked him to assist with the burglary of the Enghien country home of government deputy Daubrecq. But Vaucheray is experienced, and Lupin is impressed with Gilbert’s good character (for a… Continue reading Book Review: The Crystal Stopper

Movie Review: Casablanca

Rick doesn't pretend he likes Ugarte, but his honest despite is more valuable to the thief than false friendship.

Casablanca (1942) dir. Michael Curtiz It is early December, 1941. In French Morocco, the port city of Casablanca, the hot night spot is Rick’s Cafe Americain. With an abundant supply of liquor, gambling, and the music of pianist/singer Sam (Dooley Wilson), it’s no surprise that “everyone comes to Rick’s.” The owner, Richard “Rick” Blaine (Humphrey Bogart), was… Continue reading Movie Review: Casablanca

Book Review: Ding Dong Bell | Certain Sleep

Book Review: Ding Dong Bell | Certain Sleep by Helen Reilly It’s time for another Ace Double, paperbacks with two short books bound upside down from each other. This one, G-528, is from the Giant Double Novel Book series of mysteries. Although it wasn’t advertised as such, this line was entirely devoted to female authors.… Continue reading Book Review: Ding Dong Bell | Certain Sleep

Anime Review: Super Crooks

Most of the gang.

Anime Review: Super Crooks Johnny Bolt used to be, well, not a “sweet” kid, exactly, but one with at least a little idealism. Comic books based on the Utopian and other superheroes gave him hope that there could be a better life. One night he discovers that he has electrical powers (his mother never has… Continue reading Anime Review: Super Crooks

Comic Book Review: Castle Waiting Volume 1

Comic Book Review: Castle Waiting Volume 1 by Linda Medley Once upon a time there was a castle whose inhabitants had slept for a hundred years. You may have heard of it long ago. But the princess who woke went off with her prince, abandoning her people who in turn abandoned the kingdom. The castle… Continue reading Comic Book Review: Castle Waiting Volume 1

TV Review: Lupin: Dans l’Ombre d’Arsene Part 2

Despite recent setbacks, Assane still has a plan.

TV Review: Lupin: Dans l’Ombre d’Arsene Part 2 Quick recap: Assane Diop (Omar Sy), a Senegalese immigrant to France, believes his father Babakar (Fargass Assande) was framed by his employer Hubert Pellegrini (Herve Pierre) for the theft of the fabulous Queen’s Necklace. Taking inspiration from Maurice LeBlanc’s tales of Arsene Lupin, Assane has fashioned himself… Continue reading TV Review: Lupin: Dans l’Ombre d’Arsene Part 2

Book Review: After Vertigo

Book Review: After Vertigo by Amanda Meuwissen Six months ago, the phenomenon the press has dubbed “Vertigo” swept Earth. Two-thirds of the human population were apparently unaffected, and have become the Powerless. The vast majority of the remainder became Enhanced, gifted with small abilities like being able to regulate their own body temperature. But a… Continue reading Book Review: After Vertigo

TV Review: The Adventures of Dr. Fu Manchu | Flash Gordon | Sheena , Queen of the Jungle | The Joe Palooka Story

Sheena teases Bob.

TV Review: The Adventures of Dr. Fu Manchu | Flash Gordon | Sheena, Queen of the Jungle | The Joe Palooka Story In my quest to watch all the DVDs I have purchased and never gotten around to, I have come to a collection of four random episodes from 1950s adventure television. Let’s see what… Continue reading TV Review: The Adventures of Dr. Fu Manchu | Flash Gordon | Sheena , Queen of the Jungle | The Joe Palooka Story

Comic Strip Review: Guilded Age Volume Three

Comic Strip Review: Guilded Age Volume Three written by T. Campbell & Phil Kahn, illustrated by John Waltrip Note: The following review contains SPOILERS for the previous two volumes. The Peacemakers are an elite band of adventurers who are contracted by the city state of Gastonia, which is majority human but has people of other… Continue reading Comic Strip Review: Guilded Age Volume Three