Saturday 30 July 2016

COMIC BUNDLE AT NET COMICS: PERFECTLY WANN


Perfectly Wann




This bundle includes four completed series by Wann : - 9 Faces of Love - Can't Lose You - So, I Married an Anti-Fan - Talking About....  

Wednesday 27 July 2016

OCCULT MYSTERY REVIEW: WARLOCK HOLMES: A STUDY IN BRIMSTONE BY GS DENNING


Warlock Holmes: A Study in Brimstone by GS Denning


You might have read Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes a Study in Scarlet, so you will know what you're getting yourself into with this classy spoof where Dr Watson has been shot in action in Afghanistan only to return to London a broken man, hopeless, injured and destitute. His only hope is in boarding with another man if he doesn't want to starve to death. However, a good solution appears to Dr Watson, he doesn't take into account that this Holmes is a warlock, not a man, with Torg Groggson, a house-proud ogre who can be seen on the front cover sporting a tie and wearing his underpants!

SUPERHEROES REVIEW: POWERS: THE SECRET HISTORY OF DEENA PILGRIM


Powers: The Secret History of Deena Pilgrim by Brian Michael Bendis and Neil Klied.


With  comics being made into movie and series there are also novels featuring the kind of characters from tie-in novels such as the lead character, homicide detective Deena Pilgrim who has left her home town to be closer to her partner to try and make a difference to the city she works in. She had been a normal woman with the hopes of a serious career until a Powers virus had spread among the people and with it the cruel abilities of a killer. Deena.

HARD SCI-FI REVIEW: A FIGHTING CHANCE: A LEGION OF THE DAMNED NOVEL BY WILLIAM C DIETZ

 
A Fighting Chance: A Legion of the Damned Novel by William C Dietz


Already we have been through eight of the Legion of the Damned novels, seeing the dangers of live in space to defeat aliens whose main desire is to threaten the peace they have. This ninth and last in the series continues the story of Captain Antonio Santana and Christine Vanderveen as they try to beat the aliens and save billions of men, women and cyborgs.

LGBT REVIEW: BEST GAY STORIES 2015 EDITED BY STEVE BERMAN



Best Gay Stories 2015
Editor: Steve Berman
Authors: Various
Publisher: Lethe Press
Genre: Gay Stories
ISBN: 1590210506
Reviewed By: Sandra Scholes


Synopsis:
The table of contents to this book features fresh ideas, old hands, burly faces, genderqueer souls, shades of skin and hair as much as it does timber of voice, both actual and authorial. Best Gay Stories 2015 starts and ends with a kiss--between pressed lips are stories about our lives, our daydreams we want to leave our lives for, our oubliettes of our own making that define some lives. And there is laughter and tears and passion and pain, and between these kisses you find pasts, presents, and futures that leave you breathless and mindful that a lot can happen after as well as before you share that kiss.

Sunday 24 July 2016

SCI-FI REVIEW: WHEN DUTY CALLS BY WILLIAM C DIETZ

When Duty Calls by William C Dietz

In the latest of The Legion of the Damned series, When Duty Calls has Captain Santana taking the Legion out of an alien swarm that could destroy them without his guidance. After their escape from the mine, Santana feels bad about the loss of half his men and valuable supplies. When he is confronted by Commander Quinlan, he makes no excuses for his actions. He is further amazed to find that Quinlan thinks he has been too hard on himself.

Thursday 21 July 2016

FIGURE REVIEW: ATTACK ON TITAN LEVI 1/8TH SCALE

“Attack on Titan” Levi 1/8th Scale Figure 進撃の巨人1/8スケールフィギュアシリーズ 1/8 リヴァイ
Attack on Titan Levi 1/8th Scale 
Figure and Toy Company: Sentinel
Available: Now!

As part of Sentinel's new line of figures, this Levi model from popular anime and manga Attack on Titan has a realistic look fans of the series will be more than happy with.

Here Levi looks ready for battle with his dual swords in hand and other weapons at his side. Levi is 200 millimetres tall and has several neat accessories that are sure to thrill: a movable head which is excellent for posing, a removable cape, swords that can be removed. The most interesting part of this figure is that the swords can be replaced by dusters (as fans will know he's a serious neat freak!).

I can imagine the hours of painting that will go into making this look as realistic as the photo, and there are some very skilled painters out there who will do this model justice.

ARTBOOK REVIEW: EXPOSE 11 BY BALLISTIC PUBLISHING


Expose 11
Publisher: Ballistic Publishing
ISBN-10: 0987403613
ISBN-13: 978-0987403612
Pages: 240
Reviewed By: Sandra Scholes

Synopsis:
You won't believe a book can be this good until you hold it. Expose 11 showcases the world's best digital art in 23 categories, including: Comic/Manga; Portrait (Painted and Rendered); Fantasy; Fantasy Femmes; Architecture (Exterior and Interior); Concept Art; Environment; Matte Painting; Science Fiction; Robotic/Cyborg; Warriors and Conflict; Whimsical; Surreal; and Transport.

Wednesday 20 July 2016

FANTASY REVIEW: THE PAGAN NIGHT: THE HALLOWED WAR 1 BY TIM AKERS


The Pagan Night: The Hallowed War 1 (Long Winter) by Tim Akers

Tim Aker's novel, North Carolina heritage and theologian hinging that his father has inspired him to create this, the first in a series of novels about the wars between the church and others pagan beliefs. Burn Cycle and The Horns of Ruin and other novels, but The Pagan Night is the first in a series with The Hallowed War, The Iron Hound build for much later in 2017.

Tuesday 19 July 2016

SHONEN JUMP'S FREE READS REVIEW: NARUTO: CHIBI SASUKE'S SHARINGAN LEGEND

Naruto: Chibi Sasuke's Sharingan Legend
Manga-ka: Masashi Kishimoto
Chapter: 1
Shonen Jump
Manga type: Chibi short manga

This is one of Shonen Jump's free reads of which they have many and deals with the shinobi world and how it looks from Sasuke Uchiha's perspective. It is set around the time Sasuke left Lord Orochimaru and formed Team Taka along with his new friends and once he runs into some rogue shinobi, they think they can deal with him like they have everyone else. Luckily, Sasuke does know how to deal with them, but one burst of his fire-style fireball technique does something he never expected.

Sunday 17 July 2016

ART BOOK REVIEW: D'ARTISTE: FASHION DESIGN BY ALESSIA ZAMBONIN, ANNIE STEGG AND LOIS VAN BAARLE


d'artiste
Publisher: Ballistic Publishing
Pages: 208
ISBN-10: 1921828102
ISBN-13: 978-1921828102
Reviewed By: Sandra Scholes

Synopsis:
d'artiste Fashion Design features talented fashion artists Alessia Zambonin, Annie Stegg, and Lois van Baarle, who show you the painting and design techniques to create compelling costume designs for characters. Each page is jammed full of techniques and approaches that will take your design and illustration skills to the next level. An invited artist gallery showcases the artists whose work inspires and excites the featured artists, and they offer creative commentaries on what makes the invited work great. This, the twelfth book in the d'artiste series, sets the standard for inspiration with a wide selection of fashion styles and influences.

Saturday 16 July 2016

FANTASY BOOK REVIEW: THE HIGH GROUND BY MELINDA SNODGRASS


The High Ground by Melinda Snodgrass

According to Melinda's introduction pace, she created the High Ground universe and George RR Martin enjoyed it so much he wanted to be a part of it, handing her two characters he thought would be a perfect fit into the story. Part of the Imperials Saga, the Emperor's daughter has to make a difference when she enters into The High Ground, an elite training academy if she wants to take the throne. Tracy also wants to make something of himself, he needs to become a captain in order to get the distinction of being a hero.

FANTASY BOOK REVIEW: THE EDGE OF DAWN BY MELINDA SNODGRASS


The Edge of Dawn by Melinda Snodgrass

As I already have an interest in fantasy fiction, this is an urban fantasy novel and the conclusion to the Edge trilogy starting with The Edge of Reason and The Edge of Ruin. With an endearing quote from George RR Martin, readers will be assured that this novel has what it takes to be up there with the big names in fantasy fiction.

SCI-FI REVIEW: THE MACHINE AWAKES BY ADAM CHRISTOPHER

 
The Machine Awakes: A Spider Wars Novel by Adam Christopher


From the author of The Burning Dark and Made to Kill, comes his latest in the Spider Wars trilogy where Special Agent von Kodiak investigates a psi-marine who has killed a replacement commander after a rebellion to get rid of the mechanical race who have threatened humanity.

Friday 15 July 2016

YAOI PREVIEW:TWITTERING BIRDS NEVER FLY VOL:1 BY KOU YONEDA

 
Twittering Birds Never Fly vol.1
by Kou Yoneda

Synopsis:
Yashiro is the young leader of Shinseikai and the president of the Shinseikai Enterprise, but like so many powerful men, he leads a double life as a deviant and a masochist.

YAOI REVIEW: LIGHT HORSE & CANNON BY LLYNX RUFUS

Light Horse and Cannon by Llynx Rufus
Light Horse & Cannon
Llynx Rufus

Synopsis:
American artist Llynx Rufus brings us a light-hearted tale from the Napoleonic War era in Light Horse and Cannon. When Hungarian Voros Macska (his friends call him Paprika) of the 5th Hussars wanders wounded into the Hess-Darmstadt Artillery camp, German Corporal Hans Mintz is eager to tend to his wounds using an aromatic extract from the family PFEFFERMINTZ industry.

Wednesday 13 July 2016

YAOI PREVIEW: NEW BEGINNINGS BY KOTESUKO YAMAMOTO


New Beginnings 
Kotesuko Yamamoto

Synopsis:
Time and distance – perhaps the two greatest trials a relationship must withstand for love to be proven true.

Time and distance is what Keigo has to conquer, when – at a very young age – he gets separated from best bud Chihiro, due to his family’s moving overseas. As the years go by, his separation from his friend becomes so unbearable that it forces Keigo to become a withdrawn shut-in. Chihiro’s mother, after hearing the news, takes pity on the boy and offers to watch over him if he wishes to come home.

ACTION REVIEW: KOKO THE MIGHTY BY KIERAN SHEA

 
Koko the Mighty by Kieran Shea

In the second in the series of futuristic action novels, Koko has come back to her island retreat at the Sixty Islands. Koko and her friend Flynn thinks they have time to kick back and relax, but not before bounty agent Jackie Wire comes to kill Koko for a prized bounty. Koko and Flynn have to leave for their submarine.

SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW: AN ANCIENT PEACE BY TANYA HUFF

 
An Ancient Peace by Tanya Huff


Synopsis:
With over 25 novels to her credit, Tanya Huff is a Canadian born fantasy author who has had her fiction stories published since the late 80s, five fantasy series and one science fiction series, the Blood Books featuring detective Vicki Nelson got adapted for TV under the name of Blood Ties.

ACTION REVIEW: KOKO TAKES A HOLIDAY BY KIERAN SHEA


Koko Takes a Holiday by Kieran Shea

Kieran Shea's début novel after his fiction collection D*cked: Dark Fiction Inspired by Dick Cheney, Koko Takes a Holiday is the story of Koko Martstellar, a brothel-owning mercenary who is enjoying her retirement on the Sixty Islands tropical resort archipelago renowned for the sex and violence - and synthetic komodo dragons. Koko is relaxing with hardly anything to do, so naturally something comes along to change things - Portia Delacompte sends her assassins to the island to kill her.

Sunday 10 July 2016

DARK FANTASY REVIEW: A GATHERING OF SHADOWS BY VE SCWHAB

 
A Gathering of Shadows by VE Scwhab

A darker Shade of Magic set up the characters to see if we'd take to them. Judging by the fact we have a sequel novel, we did. Two of the most interesting ones is the book Kell the magician and Delilah Bard, the pirate woman seems to have got our interest. One of the things this book intrigues readers with are the many novels that feature games pageants in them after the success of the Hunger Games series. I can think of one other Titan Books title that has done this with a readership who will lap it up.

ACTION REVIEW: ANTI HERO BY JONATHAN WOOD

 
Anti-Hero by Jonathan Wood

The M137 is the government agency that has the tiresome job of protecting citizens from anything unusual, strange or plain weird. Arthur Wallace is one of these brave souls who stops cyborg wizards and aliens from doing far too much damage to the world. This isn't all Arthur has to face; his co-workers make him crazy and his new co-director wants to axe him from his job.

STEAMPUNK REVIEW: THE IMMORALITY ENGINE BY GEORGE MANN

 
The Immorality Engine by George Mann

Sir Maurice Newbury is Queen Victoria's secret weapon in the fight against crime on the foggy streets of London. While in the Affinity Bridge, Newbury and Hobbes investigated a crashed airship, in The Osiris Ritual a mummy is revealed to possibly have been murdered, making others think of it as a curse and now this is hailed as being their "hardest and darkest investigation to date."

Saturday 9 July 2016

FANTASY BOOK REVIEW: THE SECRETS OF DREARCLIFF GRANGE SCHOOL BY KIM NEWMAN

 
The Secrets of Drearcliff Grange School by Kim Newman

St Trininans was a school to the naughtiest children, Drearcliff Grange might look like a normal boarding school to the untrained eye, but inside the girls who stay there have strange gifts. Amy Thomsett is one of those special girls who has the habit of sleeping on the ceiling. Set in the 1920s Amy finds her way around the school to be easier than expected once she has found the right friends and is soon initiated into the Moth Club where she and her friends have to find a girl who has been abducted by an arcane hooded person.

HARD SCI FI REVIEW: LEGION OF THE DAMNED BY WILLIAM C. DIETZ

 
Legion of the Damned by William C. Dietz

In the future criminals and the terminally ill all have two choices, be executed or join up for the Legion of the Damned These fighters are cyborgs soldiers and humans who have had their bodies changed, and their minds put into huge war machines that will fight off the enemy. This is the first in the series that mixes military science fiction and adventure. It is this series which incidentally started the Andromeda prequel series of novels.

HARD SF REVIEW: BY FORCE OF ARMS BY WILLIAM C. DIETZ

 
By Force of Arms by William C. Dietz

In By Blood Alone, Colonel Bill Booly got sent down to Earth as punishment for not changing his testimony about another officer. His feeling on his betrayal have to be kept aside though as there are more pressing matters to deal with. Now he is General Booly and his men have to save every person in the universe as a killer technology threatens to destroy them.

Friday 8 July 2016

ANIME REVIEW: PARASYTE: THE MAXIM

Parasyte The Maxim Collection 1 (episodes 1-12) DVD
Parasyte: The Maxim Collection 1
Released By: Animatsu
Rating: 15
Running Time: 300 Mins
Audio: English & Japanese DD 2.0
Release Date: Out Now!
Reviewed By: Sandra Scholes 

What looks to everyone else like a kid attending school and going about his teenage life in a normal way changes when Shinichi Izumi dreams of an alien parasite burrowing its way into his arm one night, only to find out it wasn't a dream!

YAOI PREVIEW: UNRULY PROTEGE BY KATSURA AND YURAMEI

Unruly Protege (Yaoi Novel)
Unruly Protege by Katsura and Yuramei

Synopsis:
Two young men from startlingly different backgrounds, take the bold and dangerous decision to enter the secretive, yet alluring world of the Yakuza.

Thursday 7 July 2016

YAOI PREVIEW: DINING BAR AKIRA BY TOMOKO YAMASHITA

Dining Bar Akira
Tomoko Yamashita
BL
Age 16+
NETCOMICS

Synopsis:
In Tomoko Yamashita's Dining Bar Akira, romantic passions battle with cool logic behind kitchen doors.

There's always drama when you're trying to run a busy bar and restaurant.

Wednesday 6 July 2016

MANGA PREVIEW: OTOMEN VOL:2


Otomen Vol:2
Aya Kanno

Synopsis:
Asuka Masamune is a guy who loves girly things--sewing, knitting, making cute stuffed animals and reading shojo comics. But in a world where boys are expected to act manly, Asuka must hide his beloved hobbies and play the part of a masculine jock instead. Ryo Miyakozuka, on the other hand, is a girl who can't sew or bake a cake to save her life. Asuka finds himself drawn to Ryo, but she likes only the manliest of men! Can Asuka ever show his true self to anyone, much less to the girl that he's falling for?

Tuesday 5 July 2016

LGBT REVIEW: HIS STEADFAST LOVE AND OTHER STORIES BY


His Steadfast Love and Other Stories
Author: Paul Brownsey
Publisher: Lethe Press
Genre: Gay Stories
ISBN:1590214382
Reviewed By: Sandra Scholes

Synopsis:
In the world of Paul Brownsey, God is a camp old queen trying to split up a gay couple. Judy Garland did not die in 1969 and instead ended up wowing her fellow residents in a Scottish care home on karaoke night. A fan of musical theatre steals an Irving Berlin lyric as a Valentine's poem and spends decades contriving to hide the theft from his lover. After a one-night stand, two men maintain a distant awareness of each other's lives for a quarter of a century and then face the question: are we in love?

JAPANESE THRILLER REVIEW: NIGHTSHADE: AN ONLY IN TOKYO MYSTERY FROM JONELLE PATRICK


Nightshade: An Only in Tokyo Mystery
Author: Jonelle Patrick
Publisher: Bancroft and Greene
Pages: 344
ISBN: 978-0-9975709-0-8
Rating: * * * * *

Synopsis:
First in an all-new series of mysteries that could happen only in Tokyo...

Yumi Hata went to school in the U.S., but now—back in Tokyo, living with her parents and working as an English translator—she no longer fits in with the fiercely traditional Japanese. If not for her friend Rika, Yumi would feel completely isolated, so when Rika is found dead—suspected of jisatsu, taking part in a suicide pact—Yumi is devastated.

JAPANESE THRILLER PREVIEW: NIGHTSHADE: AN ONLY IN TOKYO MYSTERY FROM JONELLE PATRICK


Nightshade: An Only in Tokyo Mystery
Author: Jonelle Patrick


Synopsis:
First in an all-new series of mysteries that could happen only in Tokyo...

Yumi Hata went to school in the U.S., but now—back in Tokyo, living with her parents and working as an English translator—she no longer fits in with the fiercely traditional Japanese. If not for her friend Rika, Yumi would feel completely isolated, so when Rika is found dead—suspected of jisatsu, taking part in a suicide pact—Yumi is devastated.

Sunday 3 July 2016

YAOI ARTIST PREVIEW: KYOUX'S SENSUAL COLLECTION

Kyoux - Reflection
Kyoux's Sensual Collection

Kyoux's sensual collection of her original characters Nivan and Marcin, is now available in 8X10 prints or 11X17 posters. Six new designs in all!

Saturday 2 July 2016

POPULAR ANIME: RINNE (AVAILABLE ON CRUNCHYROLL


Rinne
Available on: Crunchyroll
Average Rating:
Seasons: 1 and 2

Synopsis:
The adventure of Sakura Mamiya, who has the power to see ghosts after a childhood incident, and her classmate, Rinne Rokudo, who is half shinigami and helps lost spirits pass on to be reincarnated.

Friday 1 July 2016

YAOI REVIEW: TAIMASHIN: THE RED SPIDER EXORCIST VOL: 5



Taimashin: The Red Spider Exorcist Vol: 5
Author/Artist: Hideyuki Kikuchi/Shin Yong-Gwan
Genre: Action, Horror, Supernatural
Age: 16+
Publisher: DMG
Reviewed By: Sandra Scholes

Synopsis:
While Akamushi prepares to face the Laughing Face in one final epic showdown, he finds himself unexpectedly indisposed due to some unexpected surgery at the hands of one very deranged doctor. Is it the end for Akamushi, or does the surprise re-appearance of a certain old lady bring hope to our demonic hero and his future bride? And just who is the mysterious beautiful man with the mansion that has Akamushi's teeth set so edge? One thing is definitely for certain- Akamushi, needles of exorcism and parked cars do not mix...