Sunday, March 8, 2015

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for $1.99

Amazon.com Review

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and its sequel, Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator, along with Roald Dahl's other tales for younger readers, make him a true star of children's literature. Dahl seems to know just how far to go with his oddball fantasies; in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, for example, nasty Violet Beauregarde blows up into a blueberry from sneaking forbidden chewing gum, and bratty Augustus Gloop is carried away on the river of chocolate he wouldn't resist. In fact, all manner of disasters can happen to the most obnoxiously deserving of children because Dahl portrays each incident with such resourcefulness and humor.Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a singular delight, crammed with mad fantasy, childhood justice and revenge, and as much candy as you can eat. The book is also available in Spanish (Charlie y la Fabrica de Chocolate). (The suggested age range for this book is 9-12, but nobody this reviewer has met can resist it, including New York City bellhops, flight attendants, and grumpy teenagers.)

From School Library Journal

Gr 3-6-Who doesn't know Dahl's story of poverty-stricken little Charlie Bucket who finds one of Willie Wonka's golden tickets and, along with four other children, gets a tour of his amazing chocolate factory? Each of the other children demonstrates a common childhood failing, to extreme-gluttony, greediness, excessive gum-chewing, and TV addiction. As, one by one, they fall prey to the factory's enticements, soon only Charlie is left and he gets the ultimate prize. What's not to love in a story that circles around niceness and chocolate? Listeners will find themselves once again rooting for Charlie as Douglas Hodge performs the book with vim, vigor, tons of expression, and the occasional sound effect. This is a joyous leap into a childhood classic that both children and adults will enjoy.-Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary, Federal Way, WAα(c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

About the Author

Roald Dahl (1916-1990) was born in Wales of Norwegian parents. He spent his childhood in England and, at age eighteen, went to work for the Shell Oil Company in Africa. When World War II broke out, he joined the Royal Air Force and became a fighter pilot. At the age of twenty-six he moved to Washington, D.C., and it was there he began to write. His first short story, which recounted his adventures in the war, was bought by The Saturday Evening Post, and so began a long and illustrious career.

After establishing himself as a writer for adults, Roald Dahl began writing children’s stories in 1960 while living in England with his family. His first stories were written as entertainment for his own children, to whom many of his books are dedicated.

Roald Dahl is now considered one of the most beloved storytellers of our time. Although he passed away in 1990, his popularity continues to increase as his fantastic novels, including James and the Giant PeachMatildaThe BFG, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, delight an ever-growing legion of fans.

Learn more about Roald Dahl on the official Roald Dahl Web site: www.roalddahl.com

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Star Wars Omnibus Kindle Books $9.99

All of them (but one) at $9.99 each

Star Wars Omnibus Episode I-VI (608 Pages) 
Star Wars Omnibus Dark Times Vol. 1 (344 Pages) 
Star Wars Omnibus Dark Times Vol. 2 (456 Pages) 
Star Wars Omnibus: Droids (432 Pages) 
Star Wars Omnibus: X-Wing Rouge Squadron Vol. 1 (295 Pages) 
Star Wars Omnibus: X-Wing Rouge Squadron Vol. 2 (288 Pages) 
Star Wars Omnibus at War with the Empire Vol. 1 (408 Pages) 
Star Wars Omnibus at War with the Empire Vol. 2 (464 Pages) 
Star Wars Omnibus the Other Sons of Tatooine (440 Pages) 
Star Wars Omnibus: Infinities (280 Pages) 
Star Wars Omnibus: Clone Wars Vol. 2 - The Enemy On All Sides (416 Pages) 
Star Wars Omnibus: Clone Wars Vol. 3 - The Republic Falls (432 Pages) 
Star Wars: The Crimson Empire Saga (504 Pages) 
Star Wars Omnibus: X-Wing Rouge Squadron Vol. 1 (296 Pages) 
Star Wars Omnibus: X-Wing Rouge Squadron Vol. 2 (288 Pages) 
Star Wars Omnibus: X-Wing Rouge Squadron Vol. 3 (360 Pages) 
Star Wars Omnibus Knights of the Old Republic Vol. 1 ($11.11, 424 Pages) 
Star Wars Omnibus Knights of the Old Republic Vol. 2 (440 Pages)


Suicide Squad Vol. 1 for $4.99

160 Pages of Suicide Squad (New 52) by Adam Glass


Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Batman: The Complete Television Series

For a couple hours: get the Blu-ray version (13 discs + Hot Wheels Batmobile Replica) for $135.99 or the DVD version (18 discs) for $99.99. This would be the perfect gift for me, in case you were wondering...





Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Star Wars - Darth Vader (2015)

Star Wars: Darth Vader (2015) #1
Writer: Kieron Gillen
Art: Salvador Larroca 
Cover: Adi Granov
Length: 34 Pages (Estimated)

It has to happen sooner of later. After having Dark Horse handling Star Wars over 2 decades, with Disney's purchase of Lucas Arts and Marvel, it was expected to have Marvel releasing new Star Wars titles.

How long has it been since Disney closed the deal? it was 2012 when Disney acquired Lucas Arts / Lucas Films and 2009 when it acquired Marvel.

















Thursday, February 5, 2015

Avengers, Captain America, Thor Titles $3.99 (Marvel Comics)

Marvel Masterworks: Avengers 1 - 248 pages
Thor: Vol 1 (2007) - 160 Pages
Captain America: Vol 1 by Ed Brubaker - 120 pages
Avengers: The Origin by Joe Casey - 120 pages
Avengers: Season One - 136 pages



Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Vertigo Comics: Mild Discounts

Not the greatest discounts we've seen but still, $4.99 for 352 pages of the Preacher is pretty good. For the other 2 I would suggest to wait until they drop down to $3.99.


Preacher Book One $4.99 (352 Pages) 

Fables Vol. 1: Legends in Exile (Fables (Graphic Novels)) $6.34 (128 Pages)

Y: The Last Man, Vol. 1: Unmanned $8.26 (128 Pages)







 

Monday, January 12, 2015

X-Men: Days of Future Past, Siege & Deadpool Titles $3.99!

Get them now, I'm not sure how long it's going to last!


Friday, January 2, 2015

Batman #1

Batman (1940) #1
Writer: Bob Kane
Pencils: Bob Kane
Ink: Jerry Robinson
Length: 55 Pages (Estimated)


Can I start with this issue or do I need to know something?:


You will understand this issue even if it is your first comic ever. It is not the first appearance of Batman but it basically starts with an origin story.



What is it about?

At this point the plan was to publish Batman in a quarterly basis. This issue is 55 pages long and has 5 stories:


Story 1: The Legend of Batman (Who he is and how he came to be)

Basically an origin story. Bruce's parents get killed, he swears he'll avenge them. The main difference from the story we know today is that as he grows up he becomes a "Master Scientist". 


Story 2: (no title)

First appearance of the Joker.


Joker's body count: Henry Claridge, Jay Wilde, Brute Nelson, Judge Drake = 4

For such naive writing I thought the body count was going to be zero, with only mild mischief to happen. I was wrong. The story is simple but I won't spoil the end.

Story 3: (no title)

They introduce Hugo Strange as an imprisoned arch-criminal. Once he breaks out of jail, he begins creating giants to rob banks. Something interesting in this story is that Batman has guns on the bat-plane, which goes against popular canon (Batman does not use guns, Batman does not kill).

Story 4: (no title)

We get Dick Grayson working a case on his own while Batman is busy. A rich lady held a party in a yacht, there's a valuable necklace on board and Dick is monitoring the assistants to prevent any trouble. This story introduces Catwoman, at this point called just "The Cat"

Story 5: The Joker Returns

Although all 5 stories are stand alone, this one follows up the fact that Joker is in jail and has some continuity on Batman #2. After Joker escapes from prison, Batman and Robin try to catch the Joker ending in a fatal fight.

Did I like it?
The first couple Batman stories that I read were written by Grant Morrison, it seems like he did his homework and read every Batman issue available, so he likes making references to them.

I find these first stories to be very naive, although they can be fun if you are aware of what you are getting; more less like watching B-Movies or one of those Adam West episodes.

I'm definetely interested reading other early issues to see how myth and cannon were built.

Have you read this issue? What do you think about the Bob Kane years? What are your favorite/least favorite stories?





Saturday, December 27, 2014

Eerie & Creepy Archives $3.99

More than 200 pages per issue featuring work from many of the masters of comics storytelling, including Gray Morrow, Frank Frazetta, Alex Toth, Neal Adams, Joe Orlando, and others. For fans of spectacular spookiness, mind-bending sci-fi, and astonishing artwork, the New York Times bestseller Eerie Archives is a must-have.