The Sandman, Vol. 2 : The Doll's House By: Neil Gaiman Review

So I read the first volume in The Sandman series about a year ago and I liked it (I rated it 3 stars), but I didn't love it. I bought the second one and I've put off reading it since then because I wasn't 100% sold on the series. So when I began the Insane Genre Challenge I decided to read this one for the Graphic Novel genre. I'm happy to say that I did like this one better. Hooray!

While the first Sandman volume was a bit confusing and a little dull in places, The Doll's House held my attention a lot better. There was still a slow part or two for me, but I liked the characters in this one better and it was a lot darker. I just LOVED Rose! The parts with her were my favorite. I also loved the parts with Morpheus. Everything about Morpheus is just intriguing to me. I hope we get to see more of his story in the next volumes.

Overall The Sandman, Vol. 2 : The Doll's House was pretty great. This series is still a bit weird to me, but yet there is something about it that is fascinating. I'm happy that I liked this volume better than the first and I can't wait to read the third volume! 

I recommend The Doll's House for anyone that's read the first volume, even if you were iffy about that one. It gets even better in Volume 2 so give it a try. :D 

The Chew Vol. 1 Review

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Chew is a graphic novel about a detective named Tony Chu who is Cibopathic. Which means whatever he eats (including parts of corpses) he gets psychic impressions from it. The only thing he can eat that doesn't give him psychic impressions is beets. Tony's Cibopathic ability kind of reminded me of iZombie (I've seen a little of the CW TV show, but I haven't read the graphic novel yet) where the main girl eats brains and she gets information.

Honestly the whole Volume 1 was pretty darn gross. All of the things Tony has to nibble on is just disgusting. It also didn't help that when I read this I was sick with a stomach bug!! I made the wrong choice on what to read that day. I maybe would have given this 5 stars, but I took off a little bit because I was already sick and it made me more nauseated. So at some point I may go back and change it to 5 stars. We'll see.

Other than the nastiness (which it's a cool ability though), I loved everything else about Chew! There is a great plot, lots of action, a little bit of mystery, and fantastic artwork. Chew is a bit bizarre, but it's well written, funny, and very unique.

I recommend Chew Vol. 1 for fans of detective/crime novels, if you like graphic novels like Locke & Key and Nailbiter, and for anyone with a somewhat strong stomach.

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Punky Brewster Vol.1 By: Joelle Sellner with Illustrations By: Lesley Vamos Review

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Thank you to NetGalley and Lion Forge Publishing for allowing me to read and review an ebook copy of Punky Brewster Vol. 1 by Joelle Sellner.

Recently I found this Punky Brewster comic on NetGalley and also a comic for Saved by the Bell. I can't even describe to you how much my inner 90s girl has been freaking out. I have enjoyed both comics and I hope Roar Comics comes out with more comics like these. If you would like to see my review for the Saved by the Bell one here is the link Saved by the Bell Vol. 1 Review.

I LOVED the Punky Brewster TV show when I was a little girl. I remember this spunky girl with pigtails and mismatched socks always getting into some trouble, but she had a heart of gold! As a kid I adored Punky's free spirit, crazy fashion sense, and high energy. Punky Brewster Vol. 1 definitely brought back some great 90s nostalgia.

In Punky Brewster Vol. 1 Punky is an 8 year old who has been abandoned by her mother. She starts off getting picked up by the police and taken into the foster system. A cousin of her mother's (Henry) is found, but he has no interest in taking care of Punky. Together with her sidekick dog Punky has to use her Punky Power to convince everyone that being with Henry is the right home for her.

The thing I love best about this comic is how Punky is just how I remembered her. Her character is pretty much the same, only updated. Punky Brewster Vol.1, like the Saved by the Bell comic, has been updated with technology and such to fit into today's world. That really helps breathe some freshness back into it. It's just a lot of fun to see these characters that I loved as a kid come back to life. It also makes me want to go back and re-watch the shows! 

I recommend Punky Brewster Vol.1 for all 90s kids, fans of the Punky Brewster TV show, girls ages 8-12, and for anyone who could use a little Punky Power in their life. 

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Saved By The Bell Vol. 1 By: Joelle Sellner & Chynna Clugston Flores with Illustrations By: Tim Fish

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Thank you to NetGalley and Lion Forge Publishing for allowing me to read and review an ebook copy of Saved By The Bell Vol. 1 by Joelle Sellner and Chynna Clugston Flores.

I was so excited when I saw this graphic novel available on NetGalley. I had no clue that there was a Saved by the Bell graphic novel out there! I LOVED the show when I was a kid (I'm definitely singing the theme song in my head right now) and reading this brought back some good 90's nostalgia. GOOD 90s nostalgia, unlike that Lifetime movie based on the Dustin Diamond novel. That movie was just mean spirited and a major disappointment. 

In Saved by the Bell Vol. 1 the gang is all together again as freshmen at Bayside High in these 8 different stories. All of my favorite characters (Zach Morris!) are back and updated. The characters have the same personalities from the show, but their looks and technology have gotten a makeover. This series is no longer in the 90s. They all have iPads, laptops, Facebook, and everything else that we have today. 

I really enjoyed that the stories in the graphic novel are very reminiscent to the show. Lisa has a fashion vlog, Jessie is a a vegan trying to get the best grades, and Zach still has a million bad ideas on how to make Kelly his girlfriend. There are also some good jokes about the old technology, which really cracked me up. There was a great joke referring to the notorious old cell phone Zach used in the show. This is just a fun, light, and cheesy read. It is perfect reading material for a lazy Sunday afternoon. 

Overall this is a great comic for those of us who grew up watching the show and cried when it was over. This is for us fans who rooted for Zach to win over Kelly, because he really is a good guy. This is for anyone who loved the show and has never forgotten the gang at Bayside High over the years. 

I recommend this for fans of the Saved by the Bell TV show, 90s nostalgia lovers, and for anyone looking for a funny and airy read. 

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Jim Butcher's Dresden Files: Down Town Graphic Novel Review

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Thank you to NetGalley and Dynamite Entertainment for allowing me to read and review an ebook copy of Jim Butcher's Dresden Files: Down Town.

Just in case you don't know yet, I LOVE The Dresden Files series! It is one of my favorite series of all time. The 16th book in the series (Peace Talks) is going to be released in 2016. Despite having 15 books in the series so far, the series is still going strong. That is mind blowing! I find it hard for a series to continue on this long and the quality not go downhill. Let me give you a prime example, the Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series by Laurell K. Hamilton. I love the early Anita Blake books so damn much, but that series just went cuckoo. Anita's character was lost, she completely turned into someone else, and the series became too focused on sex instead of the plot. Well I digress, the point is that I commend any author who can keep a series running and not compromise the quality.

Jim Butcher's writing is always on point. The plot is always interesting and I never know where it will go. Down Town takes place sometime between the events of  White Night (book 9) and Small Favor (book 10). Molly is still his new apprentice and together they investigate to end the work of a crazy sorcerer. I do recommend that you read the books up to this point before reading the graphic novel. I don't think you would miss very much, but I do think it is better having read the books first.

The story was pretty good and Harry Dresden is a sarcastic badass as always...

BUT I think what I liked best though, was seeing Molly. I haven't read a Dresden graphic novel yet with her in it. I have to say I loved the artwork on her. Overall the artwork was fantastic, but Molly looked kick ass. She was really cool looking and similar to how I pictured her.

Well I know I haven't said much about the actual STORY, but I can't say much else without giving away spoilers. So just go read it! You know you want to. :)

I recommend Down Town for Dresden Files fans that have read at least the first 10 novels, wizard lovers, fans of badassery, and fans of sarcastic humor.

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