#millennium graphic novels

[adaptations-polls]

Which version of this do you prefer?

[mjdrawsalot]

Jon Kent (pretty much) Complete Reading Order

Compiled first for my personal use and tidied up for @jonkentweek ! Goes up to June 2024 and includes every appearance of this character that I could find. I used ComicVine's archive to track these down, which is both fallible and constantly being updated, so there might be some mistakes. Also, I did my best to highlight the occasions where Jon was a significant character in a story and to skip the ones that were just a non-speaking, one-panel cameo, but those were personal judgements and your mileage might vary.

Color key (and apologies for the eye strain): Red are issues in which Jon is a central character, not just a cameo, Blue are crossover events, Orange are stories that take place in alternate universes/are non canonical

Optional stuff you can read for historical context:

Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow? (1997) a classic possible future story, which is, to my knowledge, the 1st time a character named Jon who is Superman’s kid appears

Son of Superman (1999) a self-contained, now AU, story about a teen Jon Kent, very classic 90s young adult comic with all the tropes that come with that, but enjoyable as the proto-iteration of Jon as an idea

Canon appearances start here

The Final Days of Superman crossover event: Superman (2011) 51-52, Batman/Superman (2013) 31-32, Action Comics (2011) 51-52, Superman/Wonder Woman (2013) 28-29 (This is the origin story of the Clark, Lois and Jon that the comics follow in Rebirth. Largely ignored by writers, as it was written to patch up New52 weirdness, but there are occasional references that might be confusing if you skip it completely.)

Convergence (2015) 5, 8

Superman: Lois and Clark (2015) 1-8 (Establishes Jon and his family in the DCU)

Superman (2016) 1-11, 13, 17-28, 30, 32-36, 38, 40-45, Special 1

Action Comics (2016) 957-972, 974-978, 980-983, 985, 987, 989-1000, 1002, 1005, 1016, 1022-1035, 1042, 1045-1048, 1050-1057, 1059-1060, Special 1, Annual 2023

Justice League (2016) 3-6, 15, 18-19, 22, 28

Trinity (2016) 1-6, 16

Super Sons (2017) 1-16

Dark Nights: Metal (2017) 3, 6

The Man of Steel (2018) 1-6 (central from issue 4 onwards)

Superman (2018) 1, 4-12, 14-16, 20, 29-32

Adventures of the Super Sons (2018) 1-12

Justice League (2018) 9, 23-25, 34, 52, 75, Annual 2022

Super Sons/Dynomutt Special (2018)

Super Sons: The Polarshield Project (AU trilogy of graphic novels)

Supergirl (2016) 8, 30-33

DCeased (2019) 1-6 (what if DC but zombies?)

Super Sons: The Foxglove Mission

Lois Lane (2019) 3-4, 6

Legion of Super-Heroes: Millennium 2

Legion of Super-Heroes (2019) 1-12

Dark Knight Returns: The Golden Child

Green Lantern: Blackstars 2-3

The Terrifics (2018) 25

Teen Titans (2016) 15, 43, 45-46

DCeased: Hope at World’s End (2020) 1, 4-5, 9-15

Robin 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular (in the short Super Sons story)

DCeased: Dead Planet (2020) 1-7

Super Sons: Escape to Landis

Batman/Superman (2019) Annual 1

Challenge of the Super Sons (2020) 1-14

Dark Knights: Death Metal The Last Stories of the DC Universe (2020) (in the Superman short story)

Dark Knights: Death Metal The Secret Origin (2021)

Dark Knights: Death Metal The Last 52 War of the Multiverses (2021) (in the Superman parts of the story)

DC Nation Presents Future State (2020) (intro, information and behind-the-scenes for Future State)

Future State: Superman of Metropolis (2021) 1-2 (Future State is another possible future, meaning that it’s not necessarily canon, but it takes place in the future of the main canon, not in a complete AU, like say, Dark Knights of Steel. Technically not necessary to understand main universe stories, but a few popular characters and characterizations were brought over to the main universe.)

Future State: Justice League (2021) 1-2

Future State: Superman/Wonder Woman (2021) 1-2

Future State: Kara Zor-el, Superwoman (2021) 1

Future State: Legion of Super-Heroes (2021) 2

Infinite Frontier (2021) 0 (establishes the main universe status quo from this point on, feat. a synopsis of Jon’s life up to here)

Challenge of the Super Sons (2021) 1-7

Superman: Son of Kal-el (2021) 1-18, Annual 1

Shazam! (2021) 1

Superman Red and Blue (2021) 6 (in the short story The Special, but this mini series in general is cute and I recommend it)

Justice League vs. The Legion of Super-Heroes (2022) 1-6

Superman & Robin Special (2022) 1

DC’s Round Robin (2021) 2 (in the short story Superboy: The Man of Tomorrow)

Nightwing (2016) 89, 91-92, 101-104, 110, 112-113

Earth-Prime (2022) 2 (story based on the CW show Superman and Lois)

DC Pride (2022) (in the short story Super Pride)

Justice League: Road to Dark Crisis (2022) (in the short story Team Up)

Dark Crisis (2022) 1-7

Dark Crisis: Young Justice (2022) 1

Dark Crisis: Worlds Without A Justice League: Superman (2022) 1

DCeased: War of the Undead Gods (2022) 1, 4-5, 7-8

DC’s Terrors Through Time (2022) (in the short story Trick or Treat)

Dark Crisis: The Deadly Green (2022) 1

The Death of Superman 30th Anniversary Special (2023) (in The Life of Superman short story)

Dark Crisis: The Dark Army (2023)

Superman: Kal-El Returns Special (2023) (in the short story Distractions)

Lazarus Planet: Assault on Krypton (2023) (in the short story Electric)

Batman (2016) 131-132 (in the Tim Drake Robin chapters)

Superman (2023) 2-3, 9

Lazarus Planet: Omega (2023)

Power Girl Special (2023)

Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent (2023) 1-6

Superboy: The Man of Tomorrow (2023) 1 (edited version of the story in Round Robin)

DC Pride (2023) (in the short story My Best Bet)

Titans: Beast World (2024) 3-4, 6

Titans: Beast World Tour: Metropolis (2024)

Trinity Special (2024) (taken from the backups of Wonder Woman 2023 plus some extra)

[stra-tek]

Star Wars in Star Trek

Not as long ago or far away as you might think

That's the Millennium Falcon helping out against the Borg in Star Trek: First Contact

R2D2 among the debris and bodies over Vulcan in Star Trek (2009)

They must have rescued him and made him a crewmember, because here's R2 getting sucked into space when engineering is hit in Star Trek Into Darkness (CG for Star Trek movies was usually done by Industrial Light and Magic, who also did Star Wars, and director JJ Abrams would go on to direct 2 Star Wars movies)

I can't make it out, but Memory Alpha says these two graphics (from TNG "Measure of a Man" and DS9 "A Man Alone") list Alderaan as a planet in the Trek universe

One of these is a Breen from Deep Space Nine. The other is Princess Leia in disguise. I'm not 100% sure which is which I just know Star Wars did it first and someone on DS9 liked the look

Among a half dozen other unauthorised crossovers, Barbara Hambly's novel Ishmael has a "scruffy looking spice smuggler" get into a scuffle on page 13

In David Mack's Vanguard: Precipice, there's a teardrop-shaped ship with a pod on one side described on page 74

I'm also pretty sure a Star Wars planet or two was snuck into the 1980 Star Trek Maps

Did I miss any?

[helix-enterprises117]

What is an "Ultimate Universe?"

In my psychotic and incoherent ramblings about an AU that I've kept FAR TOO LONG to myself, I'm sure you all have occasionally seen me use "Ultimate Universe" as a means of describing my AU; hell, it's literally on on the summary paragraph for my AU's series on Ao3.

That's begs the question, a question no-one asked: What's an Ultimate Universe?

To put it simply, for those who don't know: An Ultimate Universe is an alternate-continuity reboot of an older IP that's meant draw in the general audience (who know little of the source-material) to this new work so that they can become new fans of both the work itself AND the franchise at large.

The term was coined by Marvel Comics, who created the "Ultimate Comics" line-up (a series of graphic-novels that can be found on store-shelves anywhere) in the Turn Of The Millennium to draw in new fans with their "Hip, Trendy, Edgy, New Wave and Experimental" alternate-universe take on classic Marvel. It worked. So well, in fact, that just last year... they rebooted the Ultimate Comics, reusing the name but doing everything in a completely different way.

Other examples beyond Marvel include:

The Kelvin-Timeline Star Trek films by JJ Abrams.

The Dark Knight Trilogy and Smallville were this for both Batman and Superman respectively.

The recent Planet Of The Apes films by Matt Reeves.

The Legends EU became a retroactive inverted example after Disney rebooted the main-universe.

And most appropriately, Paramount+'s Halo The Series is basically this for the Halo franchise.

That last example is more or less why I made this post. Basically, I saw what the show was trying to do and decided that I wanted to follow the same concept, but do it my way.

Halo Reloaded, aka 'The Reloaded!AU,' is MY attempt at an 'Ultimate Universe' for Halo.

Hopefully, that clears things up. Thank you for coming to me TED Talk.

[all-or-nothing-baby]

FIVE TEN OF MY COMFORT CHARACTERS

i was tagged by the lovely @greyhavenisback, thanks love. didn't feel like tight restrictions today, so i picked ten instead of the intended five characters.

.

The Doctor (Doctor Who)

Castiel (Supernatural)

Jennifer Goines (12 monkeys [TV])

Eric Draven (The Crow [film]/graphic novel of the same name by James O'Barr)

Holly Gibney (Mr. Mercedes/The Outsider/various Stephen King novels)

Rupert Giles (Buffy The Vampire Slayer [TV])

Lisbeth Salander (The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo/The Millennium series, Stieg Larsson Novels)

Sheriff Stilinski (Teen Wolf)

John Keating (Dead Poets Society/novel of the same name by Nancy H. Kleinbaum)

Ronan Lynch (The Raven Cycle/The Dreamer Trilogy, Maggie Stiefvater novels—art is my illustration which you can find HERE)

.

tagging, play or nay: @shealynn88 @sharkfish @novemberhush @petrichoravellichor @rauko-is-a-free-elf @winchester-reload @sailorsally @ltleflrt @slytherkins @jmeelee @kikiroo @halinski @blue-eyedbeta @demonlandline @princecharmingwinks @catboynecromancy @deklo @stevewhoreington @grey-sides @lovebillyhargrove @outtoshatter @fogsy-ficrec and anybody else who wants to do the thing xp

[xxbloodchildxx]

Chilling Investigations #1, Part 1: Bloodchilde #0

Bloodchilde is a rather obscure title from now-defunct Millennium Publications written by Faye Perozich, known for her adaptations of Anne Rice novels, that published four issues between 1994 and 1995. They are frequently sold secondhand, either individually or together, and I have not found any scans of individual pages, and based on what I have seen, buying them is the only method of reading available.

The comic revolves around the titular character and vampire, Childe, as well as Agent Turner of the FBI who is hunting for him, Nico, his mysterious vampiric companion and potential enemy, Camus, his father-figure and the one who turned him, Kami, the embodiment of death itself, and an unknown character who is never officially named but is built up to be an antagonist to Childe. I will summarize the story of each individual issue in a separate post as this one is not about the story it tells, but rather, about the comics themselves. Bloodchilde is peculiar in the fact that it ends very suddenly in the middle of the climax. The tension builds throughout all four issues, but then, when Childe is finally cornered, it simply ends with no resolution. One of the author's notes indicates that the series was meant to be much longer, however no other issues are ever mentioned online.

The easiest explanation is that it was cancelled before it could be completed. This is the most probable and seems like a clean-cut end to Bloodchilde. However, there is one more intriguing element of this series. In the third issue, a special issue, issue 0, is mentioned.

This could easily be brushed off as having been cancelled, along with the twenty other issues supposedly meant to be produced. However, within the final issue, #4 Sweat & Tears, there is an advertisement for Bloodchilde #0 that shows a cover and date for release.

Bloodchilde #0: The origin, supposedly coming out in October of presumably the same year (1995). It having an advertisement and cover art is not solid proof of its existence, though. But it seems likely that production of the comic at least started at some point, even if it was never released to the public. However, one crucial piece of information made me think it may have been.

This is the only mention of Bloodchilde Issue 0 I have ever managed to find on the internet and the only indication at all that it was actually sold. The date of the estimated sales lines up with the supposed release date of Issue 0, October 1995. None of the other issues were released in October aside from the first, with Issue 1 in October of 1994, Issue 2 February of 1995, Issue 3 May of 1995, and Issue 4 in July of 1995. It is possible that, because of the fact these were pre-orders, the comics were never received, however there is no way to know for certain one way or the other just from this source. However, this source does provide reason to suspect that Issue 0 could be out there somewhere, whether distributed or not. Diamond Comic Distributors would likely have records on whether or not it was actually sold, however getting into contact with them could prove difficult. First, I am looking for other routes. More research online provided no other mentions of Issue 0, however, I did find another source for Bloodchilde related media.

Within this database, the four issues of Bloodchilde are named. However, Bloodchilde and its characters are mentioned within three other pieces of work. "After Dark" the anthology #1, "The Collector's Dracula" #2, and "Tiger Woman" #1. All of these works predate the supposed release of Issue #0 of Bloodchilde, however they could provide more information on the franchise as a whole. I will be attempting to collect them as soon as I can.

Which leaves another dead end. The only option left to find the truth on Issue #0, with sources readily available online not leading to any solid conclusions, is likely contacting those involved with the production of Bloodchilde. Many different people worked on this comic through it's inception and run, which leaves many options, but the most obvious is the writer, Faye Perozich. I will be attempting to find a way to contact her to see if I can find the answers I'm seeking, but in case I get no reply or she does not want to or can't comment, there's many other avenues available. This concludes Part 1 of this investigation, hopefully there will be new developments soon, but until then, this is it for Bloodchilde.

[puzzledmemories]

𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐀𝐒 / 𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐄: Doesn't really matter! By default, Sam is fine (I think it's listed somewhere on the blog, it's also my discord default nickname), any abbreviation of my url is fine, whatever you want to call me. On some parts of the internet I go by Shadesong! The list goes on.

𝐁𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐇𝐃𝐀𝐘: April 17th

𝐙𝐎𝐃𝐈𝐀𝐂 𝐒𝐈𝐆𝐍: Aries

𝐇𝐄𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓: in the realm of 5'6"

𝐇𝐎𝐁𝐁𝐈𝐄𝐒: writing, reading, coloring, video games

𝐅𝐀𝐕𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐑: Blue

𝐅𝐀𝐕𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐄 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊:  Warriors: The Darkest Hour, The Adventure Zone graphic novels, I'm sure there's others that aren't coming to me

𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐆:  Creep by Radiohead 😔

𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐌𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐄 / 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐖:  The original Disney Descendants movie // Yugioh: Go Rush (i'm on episode 46?)

𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃: forgive me for linking a fanfic? The Midlife Crisis of Seto Kaiba by Fortune_Maiden

𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍: fantasy stories, every yugioh series, Kingdom Hearts, angst (who said that?), other games I grew up with (Mario, Sonic, etc), Warriors, The Guardians of Ga'Hoole, tarot cards

𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐁𝐄𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐃 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐔𝐑𝐋: Yugi has a Millennium Puzzle, and Yami is on a search for his memories. puzzledmemories! For recusantmemories and dungeonmemories, i wanted to keep the -memories naming scheme because i thought it would be fun.

𝐅𝐔𝐍 𝐅𝐀𝐂𝐓: Idk, some yugioh ships I'm a fan of I guess: puzzleshipping, rivalshipping, heartshipping, thiefshipping, monarchshipping, mobiumshipping, competitorshipping...after that i start forgetting the names for the ships. foilshipping, firestormshipping... the list goes on much further, but i do not have it in me to start looking these up, i apologize. sharing this list makes me nervous that people are gonna feel like i wanna force ships onto them. i don't, i promise! these are just fun facts with puzzledmemories.

i stole this, and i feel bad tagging anyone in case anyone doesn't want to do it... so, feel free to steal from me if you want!

[haveyoureadthistransbook]

Kisses for Jet by Joris Bas Backer

goodreads

A striking and emotive graphic novel from trans creator, Joris Bas Backer about coming to terms with who you are in a world which is utterly confusing and overwhelming. In 1999, when most people think that the world is about to end with the Y2K crash on the eve of the new Millennium, Jet is just trying to get through high school. When their Mom moves to another country to work on fixing the Millennium bug, Jet is forced to stay at a boarding house while they finish the school year, and they’re not pleased about it. But something’s not quite right, and it’s not just the out-of-control kids that Jet has to live with, or the staff who look after the boarding house who act super suspiciously. As Jet slowly starts to feel overwhelmed by their peers, they begin to notice that they don’t feel like the other girls in their class. As new feelings start to emerge, Jet slowly begins to realise that they may be more of a boy than a girl. Is that even possible? And who do they talk to about these feelings when there’s not even any internet around, and cell phones are barely used? This coming-of-gender graphic novel debut from trans creator Joris Bas Backer is an enlightening and often hilarious tale that casts light on what it was like to be transgender before information and help was more accessible and widespread.

Mod opinion: I haven't read this graphic novel yet, but if I can get my hand on a copy I might check it out someday.

[fvriva]

my nimona take:

loved it visually. I'm kind of a basic bitch when it comes to animation (easily pleased as long as there's something relatively different to latch on to) and the stylizations of everyone's shapes were fun

I'm not gonna pretend i didn't go through and obsessively capture my favorite nimona faces and in-betweens because i absolutely totally did

that said, it does feel like while the environments were on the whole nice, individual elements felt a little bit... i dunno, utilitarian? serviceable? they were more of an afterthought in comparison with the characters, but i also get that they weren't the focus so they probably didn't really need that same polish

i didn't read the graphic novel (not overly fond of nd stevenson's kind of adventure timey noodle-bean style) but i do hear that because of its more grey handling of the subject matter that it probably had more to really latch on to

i do feel like the overly heavy-handedness of the metaphor, while effective for the message, did kind of damage the world's integrity. like Bigotry Bad™ but one thousand years is a LONG TIME to justify having the institute when the supposed threat was basically a little girl that hasn't been seen in a millennium (where'd she go lol). it removes the ability of the audience to believe that a fear of monsters is reasonable in any way when we haven't actually met one yet, though this was also probably by design

where were the close calls? the rumors? there were kiddified dragons and whatnot in media to demonstrate the banality of the society's blind hatred, but no bad actors? even if there were more than just the one monster at the beginning of the millennium, that would've been more than enough to justify having the institute around (look at our military system in the usa when the last real existential threat was nearly one hundred years ago during wwii) AND long enough to call into question the modern need for the institute

it's a shame there's so few animals within the city as well, getting to see more of nimona vibing with the beasts™ and/or continue to get reflected by them throughout the story would have just been juicy

this movie did a NUMBER on me going back home to my [queerphobic] parents. like ohhhh man that shit hurted

all in all, it was fun, i enjoyed it, it made me feel things, but it's not perfect. i might be checking out the graphic novel maybe. 6/10

[eeriemusick]

Tag people you'd like to get to know better -

Tysm @enigmaticxbee 💕💕

3 Ships: I'm not super into shipping anymore but MSR has taken over my life. Other faves are always elizabeth/darcy and fuck it, bob/linda

First Ever Ship: Romione ruled my entire world baby

Last Song: "Cities On Flame With Rock And Roll" Blue Oyster Cult lol

Last Movie: Just finished watching Possession for the first time it was SO good 5 stars

Currently Consuming: Just ate my first ever cannoli from a local Italian bakery I pass nearly every day on my way to work!!

Currently Reading: "To the Lighthouse" by Virginia Woolf, Collected Poems of WB Yeats, and "I See a Darkness", a graphic novel about Johnny Cash

Currently Watching: Millennium to (unsuccessfully :/) fill my x files void and rewatching Bob's Burgers

Currently Craving: Sleep ♡

Tagging: @shelbyisreal @chefpizza @midnightportals & any other mutuals please ♡

[arg-machine]

Comics at machine HQ

Well, looking back at the posts on this blog, arg sees that it’s almost time for a new Comics at machine HQ post, since the most recent one was published nearly half-a-year ago! So here’s one this week!

As regular visitors to this blog know, arg has been tackling a crisis arising out of a family member’s passing and, with so many issues to be resolved, he hasn’t been able to read as many comics and/or graphic novels as he’d have liked to… As a result, this instalment of Comics at machine HQ has fewer titles than usual.

And yes, though not all the issues have been resolved, things are gradually returning to a new normal and this, as he explained in his previous post, may mean that arg will finally be able to get back to machine HQ work [provided no new hurdles/problems arise]...

Anyway, let’s move on now, to the comics/graphic novels that arg has enjoyed in the past few months…

Funnybooks! Here are the comics/graphic novels arg has read [and enjoyed!] in the last few months. All titles are arranged alphabetically, and related titles – or titles from related genres – are listed in the Also recommended sections. Keep in mind that a few of these titles are suitable for mature readers only.

“In 1969, a feisty new comics magazine emerged to rival the popular horror magazines Creepy and Eerie: Web of Horror. Conceived by a plucky, independent publisher, Web of Horror showcased instant classics of horror and science fiction by such rising stars of comic art as Bernie Wrightson, Michael Kaluta, Bruce Jones, Ralph Reese, Frank Brunner, Roger Brand, and Wayne Howard, as well as seasoned veterans such as Syd Shores and Norman Nodel, illustrating stories written by Otto Binder, Nicola Cuti, and others.

Now, over 50 years later, Fantagraphics presents the complete Web of Horror in one expertly edited and designed volume. In addition to all three published issues, this collection includes over a dozen stories intended for subsequent issues that have been rarely or never-before published, several long thought to be lost and recently unearthed…” Pretty freaky!

Also recommended: Epitaphs from the Abyss, Tales of the Unnamed - The Blizzard, The Midnite Show, Brynmore and Destiny Gate.

“Compelled to oblivion, driven to entropy, all life in our cosmos can only end in one place: COMPLETE ANNIHILATION! For the first time in 70 years, the limitless fury of EC Comics rages back to life to shred the very fabric of the universe itself and wrench bizarre tales of time and space into our dimensional plane!

Our guides across this double-sized, 40-page introduction to a cosmic maelstrom of strange extra-terrestrial entities, malevolent scientists, and terrifying technological catastrophes? Learn to fear the void with the irradiated imaginations of various acclaimed writers and artists.

The unpredictable return of EC Comics continues with the quantum comics event of the millennium! Galaxies will collapse. Space-time will be distorted. And your very will to exist, too, shall be broken… Just remember: it's all in the name of science!” A lot of fun, this one.

Also recommended: Judge Dredd: The Complete Case Files 44, Dandelion, Cyn, Crave, The Singularity and Hexagon Bridge.

arg loooves ducks! Especially when they’re called Daffy or… Donald! And yes, that short-tempered, lovable waterfowl is now 90 years old!

“In honor of Donald Duck's 90th anniversary, join us in tracing his comics career from 1934 to the present!

Carl Barks' Lost in the Andes and Don Rosa's Return to Plain Awful take the Ducks to the legendary land of square eggs while Romano Scarpa's Legend of Donald Hood pits Donald against Scrooge in a feature-length Sherwood Forest spoof! Marco Rota's Life and Times of Donald Duck traces our hero from birth as a wild duck in a nest, while William Van Horn's The Black Moon finds outer-space peril threatening Duckburg!

From Daisy to Gladstone to Gyro and the Beagle Boys, the gang's all here for an unprecedented look at everybody's favorite duck!”

Also recommended: The Goon - Them That Dont Stay Dead, Groo - In the Wild, Marvel and The Heavy Bright.

“Andrew Vachss' writing has been described as ‘red-hot and serious as a punctured lung’ (Playboy), hypnotically violent… made up of equal parts broken concrete block and razor wire’ (Chicago Sun-Times), and ‘short and choppy, like the ticking of a time bomb’ (Seattle Post-Intelligencer).

In this graphic novel, dozens of comics writers and artists bring to life an assortment of Vachss' trademark life-at-ground-zero stories. This edition of Hard Looks contains 15 entries from the first Dark Horse edition as well as "Half Breed," a never-before-published prose story by Vachss, with illustrations by Geofrey Darrow, creator of Shaolin Cowboy and conceptual designer for The Matrix trilogy of films. Darrow also provides a new cover illustration.”

Also recommended: Leone - Notes on Life, Pocket Full of Rain, Seoul Before Sunrise, The Really Complete Paradise Too, Memoirs of a Man in Pajamas and Monica.

“An FBI agent from the cult crime beat and a woman with a past linked to the Satanic Panic are drawn into a terrifying hunt for an insane killer hiding in the shadows of the underworld. Can you ever escape your past, or are all your bad decisions just more ghosts to haunt you, wherever you go?

Houses Of the Unholy is a riveting horror thrill ride from bestselling creators Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips, the award-winning team behind Criminal, Reckless, Night Fever, and Where The Body Was.”

Also recommended: The Horror, Men of Wrath, FATCOP, Out of the Blue - The Complete Series, Ain’t No Grave, Lost Boy and Invisible Wounds.

…and now, it’s time for a machine HQ’s Retro Pick!

“Sandman Mystery Theatre was an ongoing comic book series published by Vertigo Comics, the mature-readers imprint of DC Comics. It ran for 70 issues, one annual, and a cross-over special between 1993 and 1999 and retells the adventures of the Sandman, a vigilante whose main weapon is a gun that fires sleeping gas, originally created by DC in the Golden Age of Comic Books. In a similar vein to Batman, the Sandman possesses little to no superhuman powers, though he has minor precognitive abilities through his prophetic dreams, and relies on his detective skills and inventions.

In this film noir-like series by writers Matt Wagner and Steven T. Seagle, Wesley Dodds (the Sandman) and his girlfriend Dian Belmont (daughter of the District Attorney) encountered several, often grotesque, foes in multi-issue storylines…” Classic stuff!

That’s it for this new comics/graphic novels list, visit The Apocalypse Project on Mastodon, twitter/X and on tumblr, and don’t forget to check out the machinstagram too!

Header image features artwork from Weird Work and from Voices That Count - A Comics Anthology by Women.

[asteria8silver]

Intro and Virtual Sketchbook

Hello, I'm Ashleigh. A little-known detail about me is that I draw and sketch manga and anime. I'm also interested in video games and graphic novels.

"The Throne of the Third Heaven of the Nations Millennium General Assembly" by James Hampton is the piece of art that was selected, and I am assigned to number 17.

While completing his handcrafted pieces at home, James Hampton worked as a janitor.

The picture represents both the Old and New Testaments.

This renowned piece of art is currently at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington DC.

The artwork wasn't discovered until after Mr. Hampton's death in 1964 when the owner found Mr. Hampton's work in a garage where he had kept his project a secret from his family and friends.

James Hampton used tape and glue, old furniture, desk blotters, as well as gold and silver aluminum foil which he assembled to create the artwork.

Nothing affected my opinion of James Hampton's work once I viewed it for the first time. I see that the artist depicts religion and how, even in difficult times, an artist must find a way to busy himself with what he likes to do while never failing to create passionately and with great faith in oneself and one's vision. It also demonstrates the distinction between the Old and New Testaments. On top of the third throne, the words "Fear Not" conveys the idea that there is nothing to fear from the future.

2. The image I glanced at is the cover for my sketchbook. To draw the cover of my book, I use a pencil and some paper. I think the artwork I chose is stylish and engaging since it represents a character I created. My inspiration for a graphic novel's plot also comes from the drawing.

3. My personal struggles from the past and now have led me to this point where I am now attempting to finish my education. This is the "baggage" I bring with me. I am currently in my late twenties. I identify as a black woman. Two years ago, I was a member of a Geek Club, but I left. I have been in Florida for a decade. In addition to streaming on Twitch and Discord, I play video games. I worked as a customer service/security agent. Reading books from the Romantic Era, like Dracula, The Picture of Dorian Gray, and Great Expectations, is one of my strongest suit. This, in my opinion, makes me unique.

4.

[oggrrrl]

It was this or Medium…

I feel like I just opened a MySpace account. Do people still use this? Can I tell you how much I hate social media today? In the beginning, it was all very much like Tumblr which is, I suppose, why I’m here, what attracted me to say fuck it, let’s go. Time to leap into the new Millennium! Hell, I was pretty damn content with AOL. I forget completely what it was but I forgot the name of something the other day and it wasn’t something I could Google. Do you know how nice that feeling was? A feeling I’d felt thousands of times before but never knew I’d miss one day: lying in bed thinking, trying to come up with the name of something and having nothing but my own brain to rely on.

And it made me realize, how many feelings like that have I not felt in 15 years that I don’t know because the internet stops me from feeling them? Waiting for the phone to ring or someone’s car to come down my street. Putting something in my pocket a day walking out of a store knowing that there is no camera or loss prevention person looking at me. Just walking down the street knowing there’s no camera looking at me. Waiting to get photos developed. Writing notes to people on paper (typed or on loose leaf) and passing them in class or putting them in the mail. Calling Moviefone. Hurrying to pee and get a snack during the commercial break. Being so OVER MTV because their commercial breaks were twice as long as every other channel. Walking every Sunday to my aunt’s house so excited for the next 2 totally new hours of Sopranos and 6 Feet Under. Or the bittersweet feel of Sunday night: school the next day but first, the Simpsons and at least 1 other good show whether it was Herman’s Head or Family Guy. Knowing that if I Love Lucy was on, I had stayed up to the point where I would be exhausted the next day. If I heard The Andy Griffith whistling theme, I was in real deep shit.

There is a disconnect from life now. There is an expectedness. There is a way things will go and a world we have each tailored to ourselves, half on a screen and half in our heads. And we live there more often than not and only sometimes do some of us realize that it is not real, that it is built on the masks we wear and the compulsions we hide from others even if they are a foot away, staring right at us. That kids are growing up in this world. That some people spend so much time in it that not only do they entertain the notion at some point that the other, the physical world, is really just secretly like their pretend world but that it becomes painful for them to have to interact in physical space, anxiety inducing and wrong-feeling.

Great first post. Like people actually read anymore? 2 lines of text is a “novel” (bring back Cometbus dear god. Walls of text so true they can’t not be read) and teenagers can’t read cursive. Well, that last bit is kind of funny as it means that we have a secret language, a de oder ring built into our brains with which we can communicate about people under a certain age (when did they stop teaching it?) without their knowledge, in front of them. If I had kids I would so use thisfailing of the svhool system against them. Bwa ha ha.

And now, as this is a blog, and the word aesthetics has replaced authentic at some point and the most meaningful career choice has become graphic design, a photo. And some hashtags as they even feel rather quaint at this point. And, hey, question. What’s the rules re: NSFW content on this? Asking for a friend. Ha! Jules

[vulpixbookpix]

5 out of 5 stars

Pedro Martín has written a hilarious graphic novel memoir that is great for young and old audiences. Martín tells all about his life in the early 70s as the seventh of nine children, half of whom were called Barn Babies because they were born in Mexico "in an adobe barn with cattle around. Probably." while the other half were Hospital Babies because they were born in America, where "there were no good adobe barns" to have babies in.

All of the family head to Mexico in the family Winnebago (lovingly called The Millennium Falcon by Pedro and his Star Wars loving siblings) to pick up their Abuelito and bring him back to America with them to live. With nine kids in tow, of course there's going to be chaos as they cross the border. Pedro and his family face empty gas tanks, being stopped by border patrol, and their father refusing to stop at any sightseeing locations (the horror!).

Along the way, Pedro is told stories of his grandfather, who had a faithful mule and transported goods to people he knew amidst the Spanish Revolutionary War. Pedro imagines Abuelito to be a Jedi, or like Hulk, or some other legendary character--at least, legendary to a child from the 70s.

This was a hilarious memoir with lots of notes on Mexican culture to help introduce people who don't know anything about the history. Pedro's family reminds me of my own and, I'm sure, that feeling will be the same for anybody who grew up in a large family. There's lots of funny moments, while also containing some poignant ones as the life of Pedro's Abuelito is unfolded before him.

I recommend this to anyone who likes memoirs about familial history.

[ramirezd4nna]

ARROYO WINTER 1999 - WATER CONSERVATION

In recent times, the concept of water conservation has taken center stage, garnering significant attention and recognition. It appears to be an idea whose time has finally arrived. However, if we define water conservation as the prudent and responsible utilization of water resources to ensure the continued availability of this vital element, we must acknowledge that it is not an entirely novel concept. What distinguishes the present moment is our evolving perception of water conservation, which has assumed a newfound significance and urgency in the face of contemporary environmental challenges.

Water conservation has been practiced in one form or another in what is now Arizona for a very long time, ever since the first humans arrived. Upon observing the scarcity of water in these desert lands, early inhabitants then calculated what efforts would be required to live with the available supply. They then lived their lives to fit the arid conditions of the area, taking care that the sparse water supplies were carefully and fairly used.

Now fast forward to the nineteenth and twentieth centuries: Later arrivals, now called Arizonans, also confronted desert dryness and lived accordingly, but due to their technological prowess, they soon found ways to circumvent arid conditions. In the face of water scarcity, they built concrete dams, reservoirs and canals, to capture, store and deliver water. They sought new supplies by pumping water from underground and later from distant locations.

(From armed conflict to water conservation, various strategies have been adopted to cope with water scarcity in the West. In western history, however, the general trend has been a move away from armed conflict to water management strategies, including water conservation - although lapses have occured along the way.)

Backed by the wealth and power of the federal government, many Arizonans in the early and mid-twentieth century believed new water supplies would be forthcoming to meet whatever future needs might arise. These were the salad days of water resources development. During these times, Arizona had as little interest in water conservation as it did in developing its own foreign policy. In fact, many Arizonans at this time likely viewed water conservation as a foreign policy.

(In truth, a utilitarian version of water conservation was being honored. Espoused by Gifford Pinchot, U.S. Forest Service head and close associate of Theodore Roosevelt, this philosophy advocated using natural resources to the best benefit of humankind, with resources developed for "the greatest good, for the greatest number, for the longest time.")

This issue of Arroyo comes with a redesigned format. Kyle Carpenter, WRRC's talented graphic artist, created what we consider to be a new and improved design. Its debut at the end of 1999 has nothing to do with the approaching millennium. It is just that after ten years of the same format a change was due. Also, with the new design, Arroyo and the Arizona Water Resource, the other

Whatever illusions Arizonans might have had about unlimited water supplies were eventually cut short by reality. Projects to obtain additional water supplies were proving to be prohibitively costly, both economically and environmentally. Not only that, but all the available water sources had been tapped, and Arizona had run out of renewable water supplies to exploit. A federal water resource project of grandiose proportions, the Central Arizona Project stands as a monument to the Age of the Big Water Project, its last hurrah.

[roamanddiscover]

The Girl Who Played with Fire Book Summary

The Girl Who Played with Fire Book Summary

The Girl Who Played with Fire is a gripping thriller novel by Swedish author Stieg Larsson. This book is the second installment in the widely popular Millennium Trilogy, which features the iconic character of Lisbeth Salander, a unique and complex computer hacker with a troubled past. The plot of the book revolves around the investigative journalist Mikael Blomkvist, who tries to clear Lisbeth's name after she becomes the prime suspect in a triple murder case. As the story progresses, Mikael and Lisbeth find themselves embroiled in a web of corruption and deceit, with dangerous consequences for themselves and those around them. Larsson's writing style is fast-paced and intense, with vivid descriptions of the characters and settings. The book is notable for its exploration of themes such as power, gender, and societal injustice, which are interwoven into the plot in a subtle and thought-provoking manner. The Girl Who Played with Fire is a must-read for fans of suspense and crime fiction. It seamlessly combines intricate plot twists, complex characters, and social commentary to create a truly immersive reading experience. Whether you're a longtime fan of the Millennium Trilogy or just discovering the series for the first time, this book is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. If you're looking for a thrilling page-turner that will leave you breathless, look no further than The Girl Who Played with Fire. With its compelling storyline and unforgettable characters, it's a book that you won't be able to put down. Throughout the novel, Larsson builds a rich, layered world populated by flawed but relatable characters. From the seedy underbelly of Stockholm's criminal underworld to the halls of power in the Swedish government, the book takes the reader on a journey through a complex and fascinating landscape. Ultimately, The Girl Who Played with Fire is a testament to the power of storytelling. Larsson's masterful use of language and structure creates a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking, leaving a lasting impression on readers long after they've turned the final page. So if you're looking for an enthralling read that will captivate your imagination and leave you wanting more, be sure to check out The Girl Who Played with Fire.

Book Description

The Girl Who Played with Fire is a thrilling novel that tells the story of Lisbeth Salander, a computer hacker who is drawn into a web of deceit and murder. When Lisbeth becomes the prime suspect in a triple murder investigation, journalist Mikael Blomkvist sets out to clear her name and uncover the truth about her past. Lisbeth Salander is an enigmatic character with a troubled past. She is a gifted hacker with a photographic memory and a penchant for violence. As the story unfolds, we learn more about her traumatic childhood and the events that have led her to become the person she is today. Mikael Blomkvist is a journalist with a keen sense of justice. He is known for his investigative reporting and his ability to uncover hidden truths. When he learns of Lisbeth's predicament, he sets out to help her, even if it means risking his own life. The Girl Who Played with Fire is a fast-paced thriller with plenty of twists and turns. It keeps readers on the edge of their seats as they try to unravel the mystery behind the murders and Lisbeth's past. The novel explores themes of power, corruption, and gender. It shows how society can fail those who are different and how those who are in power can abuse their position to silence their opponents. The Girl Who Played with Fire has received widespread critical acclaim since its publication in 2006. It has been praised for its complex characters, intricate plot, and social commentary. The novel has also been adapted into a successful film series and a graphic novel. If you enjoy thrillers with strong female leads, complex characters, and thought-provoking themes, The Girl Who Played with Fire is a must-read. It will keep you guessing until the very end and leave you wanting more.

Character Analysis

The Girl Who Played with Fire showcases two main protagonists: Lisbeth Salander and Mikael Blomkvist, both of whom are very distinct characters within the novel. Lisbeth Salander is a computer hacker and social outcast, who throughout her life has been subjected to abuse and neglect. Her character embodies the themes of strength and freedom, as she fights against societal norms in order to maintain her independence and pursue justice. Her passion for social justice and her computer skills make her a valuable ally in solving the triple murder case in the novel. She is a headstrong character who often takes reckless risks, but her loyalty and dedication to her cause make her a compelling character. In contrast, Mikael Blomkvist is a journalist who is known for his integrity and for his persistence in uncovering the truth. He has a keen mind and a natural ability to empathize with others, which makes him very appealing to readers. His character is driven by a desire to expose corruption and bring injustice to light, and this is evident throughout the novel in his tireless pursuit of the truth behind the murders. The two characters come from very different backgrounds and have different motivations, yet together they make a powerful team as they work to uncover the truth behind the murders and clear Lisbeth's name. Their strengths and weaknesses complement each other, and their interactions help to create a dynamic and compelling story that engages readers at every turn. Throughout the novel, both Lisbeth and Mikael undergo a variety of challenges and face difficult decisions, which ultimately add depth and complexity to their characters. Their respective backgrounds and experiences, as well as their personalities and motivations, are seamlessly woven into the story, creating a rich and immersive world that readers will not soon forget.

Analysis

The Girl Who Played with Fire is a complex novel that explores important themes such as gender, power, and corruption. The novel's main protagonist, Lisbeth Salander, is a complex character who challenges traditional gender roles and stereotypes. She is portrayed as a survivor who has overcome significant trauma in her past. The novel uses symbolism to explore Lisbeth's character further. For instance, the dragon tattoo on her back symbolizes her strength and her ability to fight. It also represents her complexity and the fact that she is not easily understood. The use of the tattoo is an important literary technique used by the author to convey the novel's themes. One of the main themes in The Girl Who Played with Fire is power. The novel portrays power as a corrupting force that can be used to manipulate and control others. Lisbeth's struggle to overcome the abuse that she has experienced in her life is a powerful example of how power can be used for evil. - One of the ways power is explored in the novel is through the character of Zala, the antagonist. He is a powerful man who uses his power to control and manipulate those around him. The novel shows how his corrupt use of power leads to devastating consequences. - The novel also explores the theme of corruption. It portrays corruption as a systemic problem that exists within institutions such as the police force, the government, and the media. It shows how corruption can be used to protect those in power and to suppress the truth. The Girl Who Played with Fire is a powerful novel that uses literary techniques such as symbolism and the exploration of themes to convey important messages. The novel's portrayal of gender, power, and corruption is thought-provoking and challenges readers to think critically about these issues.

Reviews

The Girl Who Played with Fire has received mixed reviews from literary critics and readers alike. While some praised the book for its fast-paced plot and complex characters, others criticized it for its graphic violence and lack of depth. Here is a roundup of some of the reviews: - The New York Times - "The Girl Who Played with Fire is a riveting thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Lisbeth Salander is a fascinating character, and Stieg Larsson's writing is sharp and suspenseful." - The Guardian - "While the book is undoubtedly gripping, it doesn't quite live up to the hype surrounding it. The plot feels contrived at times, and the characterizations are a bit simplistic." - Goodreads - "The Girl Who Played with Fire is an enjoyable read that will keep you turning the pages. However, it's not without its flaws, and some may find the violence too disturbing." Despite the mixed reviews, the book has become a bestseller and has earned a dedicated fan base. Many readers appreciate its social commentary on issues such as gender and power, as well as its portrayal of complex female characters. Whether you love it or hate it, The Girl Who Played with Fire is certainly a book that leaves an impression.

Details

The Girl Who Played with Fire is the second novel in Stieg Larsson's Millennium Trilogy, published in Sweden in 2006, and in English in 2009. The book was an instant success, reaching the top of bestseller lists in the United Kingdom and the United States. The novel continues the story of journalist Mikael Blomkvist and computer hacker Lisbeth Salander, and their quest to uncover the truth about a sex trafficking ring. The book received critical acclaim for its fast-paced plot and its complex and compelling characters, particularly Salander, who has become an iconic figure in popular culture. The Girl Who Played with Fire has had a significant impact on popular culture, inspiring multiple adaptations, including a film adaptation of the same name in 2009, and a graphic novel adaptation in 2014. The novel has also been translated into over 30 languages worldwide. In addition to its impact on popular culture, The Girl Who Played with Fire has been recognized for its literary merit, and has received several literary awards, including the Glass Key award for best Nordic crime novel. The novel has also been the subject of controversy, with Svenska Dagbladet, a Swedish daily newspaper, claiming that parts of the book were plagiarized from another author, Eva Gabrielsson. However, Larsson's estate denied these claims, and the controversy has not affected the book's popularity. The Girl Who Played with Fire remains a cultural and literary phenomenon, continuing to captivate readers and inspire adaptations and discussions about its themes and messages.

News about The Girl Who Played with Fire

The Girl Who Played with Fire has been a popular novel since its release, and many adaptations and spin-offs have been made. The book was adapted into a film in 2009, starring Noomi Rapace as Lisbeth Salander and Michael Nyqvist as Mikael Blomkvist. The film was successful, and two sequels followed, covering the other books in the trilogy. In 2011, a Hollywood adaptation of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo was released, starring Rooney Mara and Daniel Craig. The adaptation was met with mixed reviews, but it was successful at the box office. There have also been adaptations of The Girl Who Played with Fire for the stage. In 2012, a Swedish-language stage production premiered in Stockholm, and in 2013, an English-language adaptation opened in London. The popularity of the novel has also led to controversy. In 2010, Larsson's partner, Eva Gabrielsson, claimed that Larsson's family was trying to take legal control of his work and exclude her from any decision-making. The legal battle caused a delay in the release of the fourth book in the Millennium series, which had been partially completed by Larsson before his death. In 2020, it was announced that a television series based on the novel is in development, with Claire Foy set to star as Lisbeth Salander. The series is set to be produced by Amazon Prime Video and is expected to be released in the coming years.

Ratings

The Girl Who Played with Fire has received high praise from readers and literary critics alike. On Goodreads, the novel has an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars based on over 800,000 ratings. The book has also received over 20,000 reviews on Amazon, with an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars. In addition to user ratings, The Girl Who Played with Fire has been recognized with literary awards. The novel was nominated for the Glass Key Award for Best Nordic Crime Novel in 2006 and won the Swedish Academy of Crime Writers' Award for Best Swedish Crime Novel the same year. The success of The Girl Who Played with Fire has led to the creation of film adaptations and spin-offs. The Swedish film adaptation of the book was released in 2009 and was followed by an American adaptation in 2011. In 2019, it was announced that a television series adaptation was in development. While the book has received widespread acclaim, some controversy has also arisen. The portrayal of violence and abuse towards women in the novel has been a subject of criticism and debate. Some readers and critics feel that the graphic nature of the violence is unnecessary and exploitative, while others argue that it is necessary to accurately portray the realities of abuse and misogyny. - Goodreads Rating: 4.2/5 - Amazon Rating: 4.5/5 - Glass Key Award Nomination, 2006 - Swedish Academy of Crime Writers' Award, 2006 The Girl Who Played with Fire has received strong ratings and recognition from the literary community. However, its content has also sparked important conversations about the representation of violence towards women in literature and media.

Book Notes

If you're a fan of The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson, you might be interested in these supplementary notes on the novel. Here are some interesting trivia, quotes, and recommended reading: - Stieg Larsson originally intended to write ten books in the Millennium series but unfortunately passed away after finishing only three. - The novel was published posthumously in Sweden in 2006 and later translated into English by Reg Keeland in 2009. - The Girl Who Played with Fire features the first appearance of Lisbeth Salander's famous dragon tattoo, which covers her entire back. - The novel was adapted into a Swedish film in 2009 and an American film in 2011. Here are some powerful quotes from The Girl Who Played with Fire: "She was one of the few people he knew who could make him feel uncomfortable simply by looking at him." - Mikael Blomkvist "All the evil in the world is created by men... Women are just as capable of mayhem, but they don't generate so much hell doing it." - Lisbeth Salander If you enjoyed The Girl Who Played with Fire, here are some other books you might enjoy: Book Title Author The Silence of the Lambs Thomas Harris Gone Girl Gillian Flynn The Da Vinci Code Dan Brown These books share similar themes of mystery, crime, and intrigue. They'll keep you on the edge of your seat just like The Girl Who Played with Fire. Read the full article