Review: Reagan Youth by Rick Remender

Title: Reagan Youth

Author: Rick Remender

Artist(s): Wes Craig, Lee Loughridge

Genre: Graphic Novel, Fiction, Crime

Pages: 160

Publisher: Image Comics

Year Published: 2014

Format: Paperback Copy

"It's 1987. Marcus Lopez hates school. His grade sucks. The jocks are hassling his friends. he can't focus in class. But the jocks are the children of Joseph Stalin's top assassin, the teachers are members of an ancient league of assassins, the class he's failing is 'Dismemberment 101' and his crush has a double-digit body count. Welcome to the most brutal high school on earth, where the world's top crime families send the next generation of assassins to be trained. Murder is an art. Killing is a craft. At Kings Dominion School for the Deady Arts, the dagger in your back isn't always metaphorical."

My Rating: 1/5

I love trying different graphic novels on a whim. Sometimes those graphic novels are winners and other times, they just aren't for you. This one fell into the latter category. It just wasn't what I expected it to be. It was a lot of drugs, and a bit of killing. I was hoping for those two things to be switched. I doubt I'll continue the series, but I may be persuaded if someone can tell me it gets a lot better. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Outer Aspects of Inner Attitudes by Rick Remender

Title: Outer Aspects of Inner Attitudes
Author: Rick Remender
Artists: Greg Tocchini, Dave McCaig
Series/Standalone: Low Series (Volume  #4)
Genre: Graphic Novel, Science Fiction
Pages: 136
Publisher: Image Comics
Year Published: 2017
Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"War is brewing in the deepest oceans, as the last two aquatic civilizations on earth gear up for a final, apocalyptic conflict. The surviving members of the Caine family must band together what few brave souls still carry hope for a better future in their hearts, and fight to preserve what's left of their own humanity before all is washed away in a torrent of fire and blood."



My Rating: 2.5/5

I found that this instalment was rushed and disappointing. It is definitely the last instalment in the series. It wasn't good overall. I think that the ideas presented in the series were interesting (the idea of hope as a religion), thinking about whether it is a self-fulfilling prophecy. I also really appreciated how the story is a little open-ended so you yourself can have hope.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Shore of the Dying Light by Rick Remender

Title: Shore of the Dying Light
Author: Rick Remender
Illustrator/Colourist: Greg Tocchini, and Dave McCaig
Series/Standalone: Low Series (Vol. 3)
Genre: Comics, Graphic Novel, Science Fiction
Pages:128
Publisher: Image Comics
Year Published: 2016
Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"Stel Caine rises from the depths to the surface of the Earth, the first human in millennia to walk on the sun-blasted wasteleand. Her daughters aren't far behind, and not everyone shares Stel's hopeful outlook of the future. Will this family reunion reveal the key to mankind's salvation... or snuff out the light forever?"

My Rating: 4.5/5

I've been waiting for this series to really grab me and this was the one. I really got invested in the storyline and the world. Especially during the final battle scenes and seeing how the family reunion is changing different elements of the faith of hope. I also think the idea that hope is a religion makes for an interesting aspect of the story. I can't wait to continue the series and see where it goes. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Before the Dawn Burns Us by Rick Remender

Title: Before the Dawn Burns Us
Author: Rick Remender
Artist/Colourist: Greg Tocchini and Dave McCraig
Series: Low Series (Vol. 2)
Pages: 104
Publisher: Image Comics
Year Published: 2015
Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"Will Stel Caine rise from the depths to become the first human in millennia to set her foot on the surface of the Earth? Who is the relentless Minister of Thought on a quest to put an end to Stel's attempt to restore the light to a dying world?"

My Rating: 4/5

This volume was far easier to follow. There were still twists and turns but due to a better understanding of the dynamic of the story, I was able to follow it better. I will say that this is a series that dumps you in headfirst and it is up to you to sort out what the hell is going on. If that is something you enjoy, you'll likely enjoy this. If it's something you find difficult, I would recommend reading the first two volumes and then deciding where to go with your reading. I really enjoyed this one. It showed other worlds, but also explained the reason that Stel is so hopeful. It helps the reader understand what really brought her to be so hopeful.
I plan on continuing the series for now and seeing where it takes us.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: The Delirium of Hope

Title: The Delirium of Hope
Author: Rick Remender 
Artists: Greg Tocchini, Dave McCaig
Series/Standalone: Low Series (Vol. 1)
Genre: Graphic Novel, Science Fiction
Pages: 144
Publisher: Image Comics
Year Published: 2015
Format: Paperback Copy (Library Edition)

"Millennia ago, mankind fled the earth's surface into the bottomless depths of the darkest oceans. Shielded from the merciless sun's scorching radiation, the human race tried to stave off certain extinction by sending robotic probes far into the galaxy to search for a new home and among the stars.
Generations later, one family is about to be torn apart in a conflict that will usher in the final race to save humanity from a world beyond hope. Dive into an aquatic fantasy like none you've ever seen before, as writer Rick Remender (Fear Agent, Uncanny Avengers) and artist Greg Tocchini (Last Days of American Crime) bring you a tale mankind's final hour in the cold,m deathly dark of the sea."

My Rating: 3/5

I don't know how I feel about this graphic novel. I couldn't help but be confused by some of the premisses. I enjoyed the art but at times without the distinct lines it was difficult to see what was where, especially during action scenes. I'm unsure how I feel about the series so far but I plan to continue the series to see where it goes at this point. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny