23:100 Ghost*Spider, Vol. 2: Party People by Seanan McGuire

 On Earth-65, Jonny and Sue Storm were online influencers when they suddenly disappeared and now 5 years have passed and they have mysteriously returned home claiming no memory of what happened to them during that time but now with superpowers. Meanwhile, Gwen is continuing to try and balance living and crime-fighting in her native dimension of Earth-65 while going to college on Earth-616. When Sue and Jonny offer a team-up with Ghost-Spider in Earth-65, she's happy to no longer be the only superhero in the are and hopeful that together, they can help her rep. Unfortunately, nothing is ever that easy or simple.

Fun series and I hope Seanan is able to keep writing this!

Page count: 112p/6,145p ytd/353,535p lifetime

5:100 Black Panther Vol. 8: The Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda Pt.3 by Ta-Nehisi Coates

The worlds of Wakanda Prime and the Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda are colliding and T'Challa is in the middle of it all. Finally able to return to Wakanda Prime and trying to relearn who he was and recapture some of the memories that were stolen from him but N'Jadaka will not let things stand.  

Complex character arcs and rich storytelling, it continues to be an enthralling read.

Page count: 136p/1,023p ytd/348,404p lifetime

1:100 Ghost-Spider: Dog Days Are Over by Seanan McGuire

 Gwyn Stacy, the Spider-Woman of Universe 65, has been outed in her own universe which makes leading anything resembling a normal life impossible. She just wants to go to school and get an education without the hassle so decides to jump over to the regular Marvel universe, 616, and go to school at Empire State University with the help of Peter Parker. So during the day, Gwyn can be found in U-616's ESU doing the school thing but then she returns home to U-65 for homework, band practice, and crime fighting. Unfortunately, jumping between dimensions has the additional problem of having two versions of Miles Warren after her. The one from her home dimension wants to take her out and the one from U-616 seems to have the hots for the Gwyn Stacy of his universe who is no longer and is willing to transfer his affections to this new one.  Neither seems to be ideal for Gwyn's plans.

As stated before, I have only recently started reading Marvel comics and even then tend to limit to characters I'm interested in by authors I like. I just don't have the time or brain power to deal with the constant reboots and artwork/story lines that don't work for me so I tend to not know a lot of the backstories or previous information. This means that I'm kind of lost on what is up with either version of Miles Warren in this collection. There is enough filled in that I have an idea but not much more than that. Also not really sure what is up with Jameson and the Man-Wolf. Again, there was enough that I could figure out basic motivations but there is obviously a lot that I am missing. It made certain things less clear so this was less enjoyable than the last couple of volumes I read. I think a little less time spent on setting up the cross-dimensional stuff and a little more on understanding these villains motivations would have helped tremendously.

Page count: 112p/112p ytd/347,493p lifetime

94:100 Spider-Gwyn: Ghost-Spider Vol.1: Spidergeddon by Seanan McGuire & Rosi Kampe

Gwyn is generally just trying to kick it on her Earth, do band stuff, catch bad guys, the usual, when she gets pulled into another dimension and her usual transport back to her own seems to be broken. She hooks up with that universe's Peter Parker and Mary Jane only to find out that in this universe, Gwyn has turned into the Gwyn-Goblin and Peter and MJ want Spider-Gwyn to help them get their friend back.

That covers the first couple of issues in this graphic novel. The rest is dealing with the deaths of different Spiders across the multi-verse and Gwyn volunteers to help let those universes that have lost their Spiders know what happened to them so they aren't left wondering. By the end of that, she is feeling lost and deciding to stay home for a while but that's when Spider-Ham shows up and convinces her that she has to come with him.

So full disclosure, I'm not a huge comic fan (that's my husband). I enjoy the movies but really, my only true comic love has been Elfquest (seriously, go check it out. It's AMAZING!) but my husband keeps bringing stuff into the house and I've started picking out certain ones that I'm interested in. My interest is really simple; I have to have a reason to like the character before I even consider reading the comic, the artwork has to be at least reasonable (if it's too messy or ugly in my opinion, I can't get over it and will walk away without reading it no matter how good the story might be), and I tend to go for comics written by authors I like.  This means that I generally have zero idea of the other storylines that are going on with that particular character and how things all work together and I'm ok with that.

That being said, my first exposure to Spider-Gwyn was from the "Into the Spidervsere" movie.  I thought she was fun so when I saw that Seanan McGuire, a favorite author, was writing a comic series for her, I was in. I have zero knowledge of how this ties in with any other comics about Spider-Gwyn. The story was entertaining and didn't make me feel lost (which I appreciated) and the art was generally fine.  I'll keep going with this series.




Page count: 112p/22,711p ytd/331,408p lifetime

92:100 Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 1: Cosmic Avengers by Brian Michael Bendis

This volume seems to be bringing everyone together after something separated them.  Peter's father looks to be coordinating with some other potential baddies that want to see the Guardians, and especially Peter, dead. Earth has been declared off-limits and the Guardians and Iron Man may be teaming up to keep it that way.

A free read on the Kindle. Looked potentially interesting but not sure that it's interesting enough to want to pay for it.


Page count: 144p/22,383p ytd/331,080p lifetime

46:100 Saga Vol. 9 by Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples

NONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONO!!!!!!

And did I mention NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

Seriously, I can't give any other review to this.  It's fabulous but heartbreaking and I many never be okay again.

And then it's going to be who knows when before we get the next installment.  I just can't.


Page count: 152p/11,145p ytd/321,840p lifetime

42:100 Blood Crime by Kim Harrison

The 2nd graphic novel giving us some backstory on Ivy and Rachel before we meet them in "Dead Witch Walking".  When your usual collars are two-bit, petty criminals it definitely seems strange when you start having several close calls with death while on a case but that is just what is happening to Ivy and Rachel.  Somebody is definitely trying to stop them and they need to figure out why before their luck runs out.

Always nice to get the backstory on favorite characters and this is definitely a fun medium for that.

Page count: 150p/10,327p ytd/321,202p lifetime

35:100 Blood Work by Kim Harrison

A Hollows graphic novel detailing the meeting of Ivy and Rachel and how things did not go so well when they first met and how their friendship started to develop.

I miss Rachel, Ivy, Jenks, and the Hollows in general so it was nice to return for a little bit with this.


Page count: 169p/8,741p ytd/319,626p lifetime

26:100 Bounty Hunt by Kelley Armstrong

Reese hasn't wanted to talk about his past with anyone but that doesn't mean that his past has forgotten about him.  The Australian pack wants him back for their own reasons especially since they can use this to try and get their hands on the daughter of a non-pack member as well.  Reese will have to learn to trust his new pack if he wants to survive this.

Story was ok but nothing amazing.  I'm not a fan of this artist's style and had a really hard time telling the different North American pack members apart.  I like that authors are branching out to tell new stories via comics but this one just needed something a bit more to make it memorable.


Page count: 80p/6,216p ytd/317,421p lifetime

24:100 Black Panther: Avengers of the New World Part Two by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Really hard to summarize this series as there are plots and subplots and just a lot going on.  I'm reading slowly trying to catch it all.  In order to not give stuff away, I'm going to just use my review from the first volume for all subsequent volumes.  Know that I'm really enjoying them but I think the way they unfold means they are best experienced fresh.

I have so much to say about this but it's hard to nail it all down.  Having read Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates and completely loved the Black Panther movie, I was super excited when I saw that Mr. Coates would be writing for the comic.  I was not disappointed.  The story was a bit slow in this as it was the first installment but that is because there was so much being set-up.  There is a lot of depth to T'Challa (from my understanding drawing from many different comic versions of the character), the "villains" are ones that are understandable even sympathetic, the questions being asked are not simply answered and force T'Challa to question so much of what he thinks he knows and understands.  Layers upon layers.  On another note, I also really enjoyed the art which I tend to be incredibly picky about (or why I don't read tons of comics).

Page count: 144p/5,976p ytd/317,181p lifetime

18:100 Black Panther: Avengers of the New World Part One by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Really hard to summarize this series as there are plots and subplots and just a lot going on.  I'm reading slowly trying to catch it all.  In order to not give stuff away, I'm going to just use my review from the first volume for all subsequent volumes.  Know that I'm really enjoying them but I think the way they unfold means they are best experienced fresh.

I have so much to say about this but it's hard to nail it all down.  Having read Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates and completely loved the Black Panther movie, I was super excited when I saw that Mr. Coates would be writing for the comic.  I was not disappointed.  The story was a bit slow in this as it was the first installment but that is because there was so much being set-up.  There is a lot of depth to T'Challa (from my understanding drawing from many different comic versions of the character), the "villains" are ones that are understandable even sympathetic, the questions being asked are not simply answered and force T'Challa to question so much of what he thinks he knows and understands.  Layers upon layers.  On another note, I also really enjoyed the art which I tend to be incredibly picky about (or why I don't read tons of comics).

Page count: 144p/4,790p ytd/315,695p lifetime

10:100 Black Panther: A Nation Under Our Feet Book three by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Really hard to summarize this series as there are plots and subplots and just a lot going on.  I'm reading slowly trying to catch it all.  In order to not give stuff away, I'm going to just use my review from the first volume for all subsequent volumes.  Know that I'm really enjoying them but I think the way they unfold means they are best experienced fresh.

I have so much to say about this but it's hard to nail it all down.  Having read Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates and completely loved the Black Panther movie, I was super excited when I saw that Mr. Coates would be writing for the comic.  I was not disappointed.  The story was a bit slow in this as it was the first installment but that is because there was so much being set-up.  There is a lot of depth to T'Challa (from my understanding drawing from many different comic versions of the character), the "villains" are ones that are understandable even sympathetic, the questions being asked are not simply answered and force T'Challa to question so much of what he thinks he knows and understands.  Layers upon layers.  On another note, I also really enjoyed the art which I tend to be incredibly picky about (or why I don't read tons of comics).

Page count: 144p/2,465p ytd/313,370p lifetime

6:100 Black Panther: A Nation Under Our Feet Book two by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Really hard to summarize this series as there are plots and subplots and just a lot going on.  I'm reading slowly trying to catch it all.  In order to not give stuff away, I'm going to just use my review from the first volume for all subsequent volumes.  Know that I'm really enjoying them but I think the way they unfold means they are best experienced fresh.

I have so much to say about this but it's hard to nail it all down.  Having read Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates and completely loved the Black Panther movie, I was super excited when I saw that Mr. Coates would be writing for the comic.  I was not disappointed.  The story was a bit slow in this as it was the first installment but that is because there was so much being set-up.  There is a lot of depth to T'Challa (from my understanding drawing from many different comic versions of the character), the "villains" are ones that are understandable even sympathetic, the questions being asked are not simply answered and force T'Challa to question so much of what he thinks he knows and understands.  Layers upon layers.  On another note, I also really enjoyed the art which I tend to be incredibly picky about (or why I don't read tons of comics).


Page count: 144p/1,751p ytd/312,656p lifetime

2:100 Black Panther: A Nation Under Our Feet book 1 by Ta-Nehisi Coates, Illustrated by Brain Stelfreeze

I have so much to say about this but it's hard to nail it all down.  Having read Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates and completely loved the Black Panther movie, I was super excited when I saw that Mr. Coates would be writing for the comic.  I was not disappointed.  The story was a bit slow in this as it was the first installment but that is because there was so much being set-up.  There is a lot of depth to T'Challa (from my understanding drawing from many different comic versions of the character), the "villains" are ones that are understandable even sympathetic, the questions being asked are not simply answered and force T'Challa to question so much of what he thinks he knows and understands.  Layers upon layers.  On another note, I also really enjoyed the art which I tend to be incredibly picky about (or why I don't read tons of comics).



Page count: 144p/496p ytd/311,401p lifetime

86:100 All-Star Superman by Grant Morrison, Frank Quitely, and Jamie Grant

Superman has saved the planet again but this time taken a lethal dose of radiation that will kill him as soon as he finishes his 12 great tasks.  Of course his parents, Lois Lane, and Jimmy Olson are there but so is Lex Luthor, Bizarro from the backwards planet with Zibarro, Ultra-Sphinx, alternate Supermans from may other dimensions and time lines, and so much more.

This was another in my son's college Comics as Literature class. The stories were good and solid and well illustrated but none really stood out for me but I can definitely see what it was part of the class.


Page count: 304p/15,456p ytd/307,472p lifetime

70:100 Saga Vol. 8 by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples

During a violent jump, Alana was thrown against a wall and her baby has died.  They have to find a way to remove the dead child before it kills her but finding someone to perform the procedure with as far along as she is and under their fugitive conditions will not be easy.  It has also had the unexpected side effect of giving Alana some Wreath magic abilities including being able to conjure up a ghost version of their son that is visible to the whole family. Unfortunately, that may just kill her if they don't do something soon.

The Will has been kidnapped by the fiance of someone he killed and they are looking to kill everyone he ever loved before finishing him off.  It didn't take long before they found out about Gwyn, Sophie, and Lying Cat.

Prince Robot needs to get back home to Squire and after his behavior with Alana, he is left of find his own way but ends up coming back and then...

Well, you just need to read it.


Page count: 146p/12,064p ytd/304,080p lifetime

69:100 Saga Vol. 7 by Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples

The ship needs fuel and the family needs a rest so they manage one last jump to a comet named Phang to try and get both while Alana continues along with her new pregnancy.  However, The March is a new freelancer trying to find them for all the different parties who want them all dead and their new home is scheduled for termination.  Now might be a good time to try and get off Phang.

The Will has reunited briefly with Gwyn and Sophie but only to try and get Lying Cat back and pick up Sophie to train her to be a freelancer like he was until he was fired but Sophie decides to stay with Gwyn and Lying Cat decides to stay with Sophie so The Will walks off into the sunset.  Pretty sure we haven't seen the last of him.

More gradual plot development in this one which was a nice change of pace after the totally action packed previous one.

Page count: 152p/11,918p ytd/303,934p lifetime

67:100 Saga Vol. 6 by Brian Vaughan & Fiona Staples

Marko and Alana are reunited but Hazel and Klara have been taken to a detention center on Landfall.  Prince Robot has his son back but is a fugitive from his own family so is hanging out with Gus and Friendo on their planet, teaching his son the old ways.  Gwyn and Sophie have save The Will but at the cost of his sister's life for which he can't forgive them or himself. But now with her dead, the reporters who had been forced to stop working on the story of Alana, Marko, and Hazel are free to get back to it.

Alana and Marko need to get Hazel and Klara back but the only person they can think of to help them is Prince Robot.  He joins them, reluctantly, leaving his son behind with Gus.

Hazel lets her teacher know just how very special she is (being half-wing/half-horn) and her teacher understands just how much danger she is in and works out an escape plan that coincidentally, happens just as Marko, Alana, and Prince Robot show up to rescue her and Klara, but when Klara doesn't want to go, another prisoner, Petrichor, jumps through the gate.

The reporters follow the leads and end up bumping into The Will who is searching for Prince Robot to get revenge for his killing of The Stalk whom he loved.  They then lead him to the planet where Gus is watching the Princeling.

Gotta read more!

Page count: 152p/11,590p ytd/303,608p lifetime

50:100 Saga Volume 1 by Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples

Landfall and it's moon, Wreath, have been at war for longer than anyone can remember. Their war has spread across the galaxy and is being fought on many planets at the point when Hazel is born to Marko, a criminal from Wreath, and Alana, a guard from Landfall.  Word has reached many of Hazel's birth and those that want the war to continue want her parents dead and Hazel brought to them.  They have called in mercenaries and all the troops but Alana and Marko will do everything in their power to protect their child.  This is how things started...

My son read this in his college class "Comics as Literature" and went nuts for the series and insisted I read it.  It's taken me some time as I tend to be really picky about my comics because I want it to be pretty (or at least not super ugly) but this one while it has some scenes that make me cringe is nicely put together with an engaging cast of characters (seriously love the babysitter!) and an interesting plot.  I'll definitely keep reading.

Page count: 160p/8,679p ytd/300,696p lifetime

70:120 Batman: City of Owls Vol. 2 by Scott Snyder, Greg Capullo, Jonathan Glapion, James Tynion IV, Rafael Albuquerque, and Jason Fabok

The conclusion of the City of Owls storyline. Batman must try to figure out what links the Court of Owls, Andrew Lincoln, and his family's past have if he wants to survive this most deadly game.

Also included are some other stories featuring the secrets that the Pennyworth family keeps for the Waynes and more about Dr. Freeze and his past with the Wayne family.

In all, the stories were good and engaging but pretty standard comic book fare, no real surprises.


Page count: 208p/13,992p ytd/285,096p lifetime