It's Graphic Time: Runaways Vol 2: Teenage Wasteland by Brian K Vaughn

Title:Runaways Vol 2: Teenage Wasteland

Author:  Biran K Vaughn
Publisher: Marvel
Publishing Date:  July 19th, 2006

Pages: 144
Genre: Superhero Graphic Novel 

Series:  Runaways Vol 2 (issues 7-12)
Source:  Graphic Novel Paperback

 

Still on the run from their super-villain parents, this motley crew of super-powered kids finds a kindred spirit in a daring young stranger and welcomes him into their fold. But will this dashing young man help the teenagers defeat their villainous parents...or tear them apart? One troubled member finds out, as she leaves the group's hideout with their new recruit, who reveals his startling secret, putting the entire team in jeopardy Plus: Who do you send to catch a group of missing, runaway teenage super heroes? Marvel's original teen runaway crimefighters, Cloak and Dagger, making their first major appearance in years.

I really enjoyed the first volume for this collection and couldn’t wait to read the second. I started to read this graphic novel series after watching the show on Hulu. I fell in love with the show and decided to check out the series. I really enjoy the series to read as much as I do the show. What is great is the show and the graphic novel are a bit different so I was able to really enjoy both without knowing the entire story or the direction it was going. I am sure the end game is similar but the differences keep me interested.

The runaways are now living on their own trying to escape their parents, stay away from the cops, stay alive, and figure out a way to bring their parents down. Oh and still trying to figure out what really their parents are up to and who they really are. Powers are coming into play more and a bit more of pride is being revealed. There is a traitor amongst the group too. someone is on the parents side. We just don’t know who.

Well it’s hard to have a lot of thoughts on a graphic novel after the first volume is read. This volume follows in the footsteps of its predecessor and is exciting and wonderful. The story did take a bit of a strange turn and I will see how that comes together in volume three. It did give me a bit of a strange vibe but nothing to deter me from reading more or enjoying this one. I do love the characters and the story line… or at least what has been revealed. There are some parts I of course love more than the other aspects but all in all it’s a very enjoyable read.

Things I do love…. The dinosaur. I still love the dinosaur. I also love that this graphic novel brings in aspects from everything sci-fi- time travelers- mutants- aliens and then we have some fantasy- witches and now vampires. Yes vampires. This is the bit of the weird turn the story took. I really didn’t see vampires coming into the mix. Now I can say I am a big fan of vampires but I wasn’t expecting them in this story. So it did take me aback some. But I will see how it all plays out in the story. This might be the only part that has vampires not sure.

So vampires were a bit strange for me but what I really don’t love- the traitor in the mix and some of the drama. I know the drama is needed and I know this story is about teenagers. But…how I feel.

First about the traitor- I just don’t want one. I love all the runaways and I don’t want any of them to be of the dark side.

Second- the drama- okay it’s not horrible but these teens are trying to fight for their lives… the romance drama- it can go. I like romance and don’t want the romance to leave- just all the high school teen drama of the romance.

That said. These things in no way make me not love this series or this volume. I do love it, I so enjoy it, and I will read so much more.

Also- the dinosaur- really awesome. The artwork is beautiful too.


Yup I love it, more will be added to my graphic novel library.

Born in Cleveland in 1976, Brian K. Vaughan is the Eisner, Harvey, and Shuster Award-winning writer and co-creator of the critically acclaimed comics series Y: The Last Man, Runaways, and Ex Machina (picked as one of the ten best works of fiction of 2005 by Entertainment Weekly).

Recently named "Writer of the Year" by Wizard Magazine, and one of the “top ten comic writers of all time” by Comic Book Resources, Vaughan’s work has been featured and/or reviewed in countless mainstream media outlets, including The New York Times, MTV, National Public Radio, and feminist magazine Bust, which photographed him for their “Men We Love” issue (don’t ask).
As an undergraduate film student at New York University, Vaughan got his big break as part of Marvel’s Stanhattan Project, a workshop for aspiring comic book writers. In the ten years since, he has written nearly all of the major DC and Marvel characters, everyone from Batman to the X-Men.
In September of 2006, Vertigo released Vaughan’s first original graphic novel, Pride of Baghdad, lavishly illustrated by artist Niko Henrichon. Inspired by an unbelievable true story of four lions who escaped the Baghdad Zoo during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Pride is equal parts anthropomorphic adventure and Animal Farm-like parable about the ongoing conflict in Iraq, and was described as "the best novel so far" about the war by the UK's Telegraph.
Along with his creator-owned work, Vaughan is currently writing The Escapists, a Dark Horse miniseries inspired by Michael Chabon’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, as well as a new Doctor Strange limited series for Marvel with artist Marcos Martin.
This summer, the new WGA member/CAA client transplanted his poor playwright wife to Los Angeles, where Vaughan is currently working on the screenplay adaptations of Y and Ex Machina for New Line Cinema, as well as other new creations in film and television.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Illustrator: Adrian Alphona is a Canadian comic book artist best known for his work on Marvel Comics' Runaways, which he co-created with writer Brian K. Vaughan.
Slated to be pencilling the second volume of Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane when writer Terry Moore took over writing duties from Sean McKeever, Alphona instead chose to leave comics entirely, only supplying the covers for the new series, whilst art duties were handed over to Craig Rousseau. However, Alphona made a return to comics in June 2009, doing art for the Captain Britain and MI: 13 annual.[1] He later drew Uncanny X-Force alongside Ron Garney.
In August 2013, Marvel Comics premiered the monthly series Ms. Marvel, with Alphona as artist and G. Willow Wilson as writer.

Review: The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

Title: The Darkest Minds 

Author: Alexandra Bracken

Publisher: Disney Hyperion 

Publishing Date: December 18th, 2012

Pages: 488
Audio Length: 14 Hours

Genre: Young Adult Dystopian

Series: The Darkest Minds

Source: Audio

 

When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something frightening enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that got her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government “rehabilitation camp.” She might have survived the mysterious disease that had killed most of America’s children, but she and the others emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they could not control.
Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones. When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. She is on the run, desperate to find the only safe haven left for kids like her—East River. She joins a group of kids who have escaped their own camp. Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can’t risk getting close. Not after what happened to her parents. When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people who will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at having a life worth living.

Jenn's review of The Darkest Minds here

What made me pick this book up: 

My dad has had this book for years, of course I've seen it around. I actually had zero desire to read it, because I judged a book by it's cover. 

From the cover it totally did not look like my type of book. So I really didn't pick it up... technically. 

What did I like about the cover:I like the newer covers, the older ones just look boring and... I don't know. I don't like them.

What made me read this book: 

I saw the preview for the movie and it looked awesome. So I read it for two reasons. The first is that once I saw the preview, I realized how awesome this book might actually be. The second reason is, as a rule, I always try to read the book before I see the movie.

What did I like the most: 

I like the story of it. The idea that a virus was killing off kids, but not just that the kids were being killed off, suddenly they had super powers!? Well, sort of super powers. Powers in general. That was really cool.

The characters were great, especially considering what they've been through. Ruby really has no idea what's going on, but she does the best she can with what she has. 

Chubs ended up being my favorite. He cracked me up, and I loved Zu. I mean honestly all the main characters were really great and there was definitely parts that had me on the edge of my seat not knowing what was happening next.

I think it was really well written, I felt everything that the characters felt.

What didn't I like: 

I wish it had explained the powers better. The powers were green, blue, yellow, orange, and red. And it didn't really explain what each one was. 

It did say that some of the people were either red, or yellow, or what not but it never explained like "Blues are mind readers" or anything like that. I wish it would have. 

I really didn't like one of the other characters, I won't say who. But I hate who he turned out to be.

The ending also sucked. I mean I see why it happened and how it fits in with the story. But it still sucked. 

Would I read the rest of the series/more from this author?
I will most definitely finish the series out

Overall I'm really glad I ended up reading this book. If I didn't see the trailer for the movie I would've never given it a choice. Guess that's what I get for judging a book by it's cover.

“It feels like we should do something," he said. "Like, send her off on a barge out to sea and set her on fire. Let her go out in a blaze of glory."
Chubs raised an eyebrow. "It's a minivan, not a Viking.” 
― Alexandra Bracken, The Darkest Minds

Hi! I'm Alex and I write books. Please note that I don't respond to messages here on GoodReads. Please send me a note on twitter (@alexbracken) on on Tumblr (alexandrabracken.tumblr.com). xx A

Review: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Title: Shatter Me

Author: Tahereh Mafi
Publisher: HarperCollins

Publishing Date: November 15th, 2011

Pages: 338
Genre: YA Dystopian

Series:  Shatter Me #1
Source:  Audio

 

Juliette hasn’t touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette’s touch is fatal. As long as she doesn’t hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don’t fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war – and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she’s exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

This book took me forever to get to. I really didn’t even have it on my TBR for the longest time. For some reason, I really didn’t feel the need to read it. Recently though I saw all these waiting on Wednesdays and reviews posted for the latest installment and decided to give it a try. I really enjoyed the book. I wasn’t really big on the narrator at first but she grew on me. I will continue this series on audible but it may be better as a read. I just have more time for audiobooks. I did like the book. I liked the story. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I first started to read. I am glad it took the turn it did for dystopian and rebellion and all that good stuff. It was really really good.

Juliette has a strange ability. She can kill with just a touch. She has been in confinement for a very long time because of this ability. She can’t touch, she is alone, she is desperate for love. Everything changes when a boy is put in her prison cell. With this boy, she finds companionship and maybe just way out. She knows what is going on in the world outside. She knows of the government, she knows of the disease, she knows of the lack of food. She knows the world is slowly dying. The boy tells her she can help. She now feels that maybe she can be used for good instead of being seen as a monster. She will do what she can to atone for her past mistakes. To show others she is not a monster. To prove to herself she is not a monster. To maybe possibly find love.

Okay, so this will be somewhat of a short review. I am sure many of you guys out there have read or heard about this series. I am doing my review to share my thoughts and get ready for the next installment. Which I will be reading hopefully soon.

I liked this read. I felt there were some issues with it. Some YA tropes yes. There is insta-love there is a set up for a love triangle… The main characters are drama for sure. There is the “ you are the one to save us” feel to it. The main character Juliette is a little annoying at times and so naïve… not that it is her fault. So there were some things I could complain about that other may find they can’t read this series because of these things. Well, I was able to look past these things because I liked the main character and I liked the story and the world.

Juliette was annoying at times like I said. I almost think for me the narrator made it a bit worse but I was able to get over it. I felt for Juliette. I really wanted her to find a place that not only she belonged and was accepted but a place where she could find some goodness, some forgiveness from herself, and somewhere she could be used for good. She has had a horrible life and it must really suck (there is no other word to use) not to be able to touch a single person without doing any damage. So I understood Juliette and I was rooting for her all the way through the book. Towards the end, she was becoming a strong person and becoming someone she should have always been. She found herself. SO that was good and yay.

The romance I didn’t as much like. I mean it was sweet and all but it was so insta-love and just didn’t make sense in my world. Maybe for the younger crowd, it makes sense but really just because you respect someone for some of their past actions… this does not mean love. You can’t love those you don’t know. You must spend time with a person, speak to a person, to know them. Not just know who they are and how they react to unwanted situations. So yes I did have an issue with the romance and from what I have read… not on purpose… spoilers for me… the romance has issues in this series. But I will continue to read the books because I like the story.

The story is what I liked. I mean I am all over the entire superpower thing. If I had known from the beginning this book was set in a dystopian world with people with superpowers. Yes, I would be all over that. I am all about superheroes and villains. I was surprised I enjoyed the action scenes as much as I did in this book. I normally don’t like or get along with action scenes. Kudos to the writer, they were done well in this book and I loved them. The action and the superpowers were my favorite part of the book and unfortunately, this all happens at the end and if it ended differently this would have only been an okay read for me. So I am rambling. I like the world I like the story very very much. So I will for sure continue with this series and try to read them all before I read too many more spoilers.

Really quite enjoyed this read.

She was born in a small city somewhere in Connecticut and currently resides in Santa Monica, California, where she drinks too much caffeine and finds the weather to be just a little too perfect for her taste.
When unable to find a book, she can be found reading candy wrappers, coupons, and old receipts.

Review: Blackout by Robison Wells

Title:  Blackout
Author: Robison  Wells

Publisher:  HarperTeen
Publishing Date: October 1st 2013

Pages: 432
Genre:  YA Sci-Fi Thirller

Series: Blackout #1
Source: Audio

  

Laura and Alec are trained terrorists.

Jack and Aubrey are high school students.

There was no reason for them to ever meet.

But now, a mysterious virus is spreading throughout America, infecting teenagers with impossible powers. And these four are about to find their lives intertwined in a complex web of deception, loyalty, and catastrophic danger—where one wrong choice could trigger an explosion that ends it all.

I love stories about superpowers. It's the old feel of comic books for me. X-men, Fantastic Four, Justice League, and The Avengers that gets me all excited. All great superpower teams. For the longest time there weren't many books with the superhero feel. This book brings that back but with an end of the world edge. I loved the tone, the characters, and the story. It worked well together and left me wanting more. 

There was a virus, teens now have superpowers. Some are awesome, some are pretty much useless, but they are all considered dangerous. The government is locking testing every teen and locking those with the virus behind bars... until they need them. The government need these teens to track down and stop the super powered teen terrorist group. These terrorist are destroying the country... landmarks, tourist attractions, crowded buildings... anything to scare and destroy Americans. 

To be honest, I didn't have a high expectation of this book. There have been very few superpower books that I have enjoyed. For me, the tone was never right. There are a couple good ones and this one joined that club. 

The story was full of twists and turns, thrills and excitement, and even a bit of romance. The story starts off with the point of view of the terrorist and switches to other teens who are trying to escape the crazy government. I really liked the characters. There was a wide variety of them and they were each very unique and held their own. I liked every one of them, even the bad guys It was difficult at the beginning to see who the prominent character would be and how the characters would eventually intertwine, but it all worked out in the end with a couple of pretty awesome prominent characters.... which were Aubrey and Jack.  There story just begun and I can't wait to see where it goes from here. 

Aubrey was a great character. I loved her strength, her determination, and her loyalty. She had a very hard life. Her father was pretty much worthless and loved his beer more than his daughter. She had a best friend that was using her for her powers and before that really didn't have any friends, except Jack. Aubrey hit things head on. She didn't let circumstance determine her outcome. She made it all her own and on her own terms. 

Jack was pretty sweet, he loved Aubrey from afar for a very long time. Even though she had changed and not for the better, he still had hope. He knew the real Aubrey. When the right place and the right time threw him into Aubrey's path, he did everything right. He always seemed to be just what Aubrey needed. 

The romance between Aubrey and Jack was very sweet and though it seemed pretty quick they were friends for the past and they seemed to pick up where they left off pretty easily.They just seemed perfect for each other. Each with  good heart, strong will, and a ton of self preservation. Totally cute together. The romance didn't take center stage either. I actually enjoy books that have romance but as the secondary story. 

I really enjoyed the tone of the book. It wasn't totally gloomy but it had tons of desperation and decimation, it was definitely the feel I was looking for. It was a bit twisted in parts, some of teens were a bit demented and had a very strange idea of what was good and what was bad. I did get the good vs.evil feel and loved it. 

The story was pretty interesting. I would of loved a bit more background and more of my questions answered. This was definitely a build up story for more to come. The story seemed to focus on the character building and not so much the world building and I am really hoping to get more of that in the books to come. I can be patient too, because as much as I didn't get the why or the how I did get a lot of the who doing what. 

This book had non stop action and was full of suspense. Even though I didn't seem to get to far in the story I was completely entertained through out the book. The pacing was excellent, I didn't feel any section of the book dragged. I was pleased with the ending even if it didn't wrap anything up for me except that Aubrey and Jack had to make a choice and that they did. I am really excited to see the direction the next book takes. 

I had a lot of fun reading this book. It was quite enjoyable.