Tag / comic books

by Erik McManus | Breakeven Books

Book Review: Saga Vol 2-5

I love me some graphic novels!! And I read the first one of the Saga series a long time ago but remember loving it so it was about time I got back into the series. Markus bought me Saga Volumes 2 to 5 for Christmas and I can tell you that I read through all of these so fast!

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I will try and give one synopsis since this review post is entailing 4 volumes but essentially it is about 2 people from different races (their races are at war with each other) that fall in love and have a child together. They are constantly on the run since they are being pursued by both sides for committing the crime of being with someone of the opposite race in an affectionate manner. Also, it is set on multiple planets and in space so there is that!

Jumping back into this series was like a breath of fresh air. It feels so good to read these graphic novels because they have everything you could ask for: intense action sequences, family drama, political intrigue and random bouts of vulgarity that brings lots of laughter every time I encounter it. Plus they never let up on entering new characters into the series (probably because not a lot of them last that long, real Game of Thrones vibes).

The entire storyline is told in a narration style of the child as they are growing up. It’s a very cool perspective that unravels in the kind of innocence a small child would have when this story is anything but innocent. They don’t squander away from any of the explicit scenes which is another reason why it is so great. Those scenes are short and fun but they keep it real to benefit their audience and give it that authenticity that makes this series so popular.

If you haven’t heard of saga then you need to check it out! They are made by Image Comics and I feel like it is an underrated series that needs a little more spotlight!

Book Ratings:

Volume 2: 5/5
Volume 3: 5/5
Volume 4: 4/5
Volume 5: 4/5

You can buy these books on Amazon and find them on Goodreads.

Disclaimer: These books were given to me as a gift and I read and reviewed them because I wanted to. I was not compensated in any way for this review.


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This video was so much fun to film! It’s the book version of “Kiss, Marry, Kill”. If you haven’t done this yet, I suggest you try. It was hard! So many books I love. It was like The Hunger Games book edition LOL. 

by Erik McManus | Breakeven Books

Book Review: Heralds

I read this graphic novel in December for my Blitzen prompt of the Reindeer Readathon and it did not really live up to my expectations of it.

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Synopsis: Powerful forces are converging on Earth and the women of the Marvel Universe are at the center of it! Years ago, a herald of Galactus sacrificed her life for the universe. Little did anyone realize, a shred of that spirit lived on…and now she’s back for vengeance on those who abandoned her. The most powerful super heroines of the Marvel Universe must put aside their differences to stop this threat before the Earth is destroyed. Emma Frost, She-Hulk, Agent Abigail Brand, Hellcat, Valkyrie, Monica Rambeau, Sue Storm…these mighty women will be put to the test as never before, as cities are destroyed, families are torn apart, and a cosmic resurrection changes the heroes’ lives forever! COLLECTING: Heralds #1-5

I was kind of unimpressed with this graphic novel. I was looking forward to it when I read that it was about a bunch of badass, strong female characters but they didn’t really live up to the badass part. There were barely any intense fight scenes. It was just lacking in a strong story arc.

The one thing I liked was Valkyrie and the comments she makes in every dire situation. She doesn’t seem to understand being subtle due to her Norse heritage and it comes off in an entertaining way.

You could read this graphic novel if you want and I am sure that it gets better (if there are more to the series) but I will probably not pick up any more issues because I know there are many other great graphic novels out there.

Book Rating: 2/5

You can buy this on Amazon or find it on Goodreads.

Disclaimer: I bought this book with my own money and read it because I wanted to. 

2019 was a year full of reading and I compiled a list of the top 10 books of the year that I read. Watch the video and let me know if you agree with any of them!

by Erik McManus | Breakeven Books

Book Review: Cyclops – A Pirate’s Life For Me

Hey bookworms! It has been a while! And by that, I mean about a week. I have been reading like crazy and am behind in writing reviews because I have about 3 in the queue right now. My latest read was a Cyclops (from the X-men) graphic novel called A Pirate’s Life For Me.

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Synopsis: RESCUED! But by whom? And is it really a rescue…or does this put Scott at greater risk than before? And what bounty are they hunting? Lots of shooting and things blowing up! The bad news: the Starjammers are about to die! The good news: Cyclops is no longer a Starjammer. Scott Summers is aboard a new space pirate ship, with a cruel, cutthroat captain, and a crew of criminals and killers. None of them trust Scott– and a few just might want to kill him! But, hey, that Captain’s daughter is kinda cute, right?

Comicbook reviews are always short and sweet so I will keep the tradition with this one. I really enjoyed seeing Cyclops as a kid and bonding with his father.  And space pirates?! I mean that is pretty awesome.

I do have one question though….where was Alex? You know, his younger brother?

The graphic novel had a pretty good pace and kept me interested. I thought it was for a pretty young audience until that ending which surprised me. I can honestly say that I dd not expect it to take the turn it did.

I believe Cyclops is a pretty underrated X-men and deserves more respect considering he is powerful enough to blow a hole through a mountain. SO getting a comic just centered on him and his struggles was fun and enjoyable.

I would say to pick this one up if you want a quick read about adventure and space pirates!

Book Rating: 4/5

You can buy this book on Amazon and find it on Goodreads.

Disclaimer: I bought this graphic novel with my own money and read it because I wanted to.

If you want to see the rest of the books on my shelves, check out this bookshelf tour! This is part 2. Part one can be found on my youtube channel! Let me know if we have any of the same books!

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by Erik McManus | Breakeven Books

Book Review: Sons of Ares

For all of you that know me, Red Rising is my all-time favorite book. The graphic novel came out a while ago and I never got around to purchasing it. Lucky for me, Markus got it for me as a present for my birthday! It is a prequel graphic novel to the series called Red Rising: Sons of Ares by Pierce Brown.

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Synopsis: In the future, when mankind has spread across the stars, the hierarchy of man is dictated by the color of one’s caste. The Golds rule all, but what will happen when one falls for a lowly Red? See how a forbidden love will set the course of events for the future and lead to the formation of the formidable Sons of Ares!

It was really good. I enjoyed the prequel in how it was written and how it explained certain things that were not revealed in the book series. It gave just enough backstory to show you how some characters came to be and it was done in a visually pleasing way.

I will say the art style was not my favorite. I feel like this could have been much more intense if it was drawn by different artists. Nothing against the art style done here, I just feel like it could have been conveyed better if it was drawn by some other artists I prefer that draw for Marvel and DC. This is purely my personal preference.

Learning about Ares was fun because he is a pivotal character and his actions will set a pace for the rest of the series. Plus it answers questions that I have been asking since I finished the main trilogy.

Overall, it was a great prequel graphic novel and I would read more graphic novels about the Red Rising series because I just can’t get enough of this amazing world created by Pierce Brown.

Book Rating: 4/5

You can buy this book on Amazon and find it on Goodreads.

Disclaimer: This book was purchased for me as a gift and I read it because I wanted to. I was in no way compensated for my honest review.

It is finally September and I completed my NEWTS TBR but until I make that video, here is my September TBR where I talk about the books I will be reading this month and announce my giveaway winner!

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by Erik McManus | Breakeven Books

Book Review: X-men Necrosha

I took some time to myself and enjoyed a graphic novel in all the hustle and bustle of readathons because I felt like I deserved a little break. This one was called Xmen: Necrosha and it is made by Marvel and a bunch of their artists.

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Synopsis: The Necrosha event hits X-Men: Legacy! Selene’s master plan is clicking into place, but she got something she didn’t plan for when destiny was brought back to life. a major X-villain snuck back into the world of the living along with destiny, and now a who’s who of X-Men are being sent to Muir Island to deal with their resurrected foe. Join Nightcrawler, Colossus, Psylocke, Rogue and the X-Men’s newest member – the master of magnetism, Magneto – as they dive into Necrosha.

This was a quick and fun read for me. I picked it up on sale at a comic book shop and decided to read it one day on a whim. It was nice to get back into the world of X-men and to see some of the newer mutants that I was not aware of up until this point. The X-men team is ever-changing in leadership and this keeps it interesting. I like that some of the mutants powers continue to evolve and that the storylines for X-men and always so fun and intense!

Overall, I would suggest this graphic novel if you want to pick something up and jump right into the story without much buildup to the main event because this one starts you off right at the main event.

Book Rating: 3.5/5

You can buy this book on Amazon and find it on Goodreads.

Disclaimer: I bought this book with my own money and read it because I wanted to.

August has arrived and with it the Magical Readathon!! It is time to take my N.E.W.T.S! Watch this video to see which books I will be reading for my exams!

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by Erik McManus | Breakeven Books

Book Review: The Serpent Bearer and The Prince of Stars

 

Serpent Bearer

Welcome to The Serpent-Bearer and the Prince of Stars blog tour! Read on to learn more about this beautifully illustrated graphic novel by C.S. Johnson, and a chance to win a copy for yourself!

The Serpent-Bearer and the Prince of Stars

Publication Date: November 7th, 2018

Genre: Manga Style/ Graphic Novel

Length: 30 Pages

A tiresome task.
A deceptive dragon.
A prince that changes everything.

Ophiuchus is a celebrated warrior of the Celestial Kingdom and a warrior among the Stars. He has been always been a dutiful servant of the Prince of Stars. So when the prince asks him to watch over the crafty serpent, Naga, Ophiuchus agrees. But as time passes and discouragement—both from Naga and others—Ophiuchus wonders if the Prince of Stars was right in asking him to take on the burdens of his task.

Will Ophiuchus honor his duty, or give into his heart’s weariness?

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Excerpt

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Available on Amazon!

Book Review

It was quite quick and it was interesting to learn about the different gods of the zodiac as characters. I believe that at parts, there was too much speech in the bubbles and it could have been split up a bit into more graphics but the overall feel was fun.

I liked Cancer the most. He was an adorable little crab. I am not sure if I would continue with the series but I did enjoy this one.

About the Author

Author Pic

C. S. Johnson is the award-winning, genre-hopping author of several novels, including young adult sci-fi and fantasy adventures such as the Starlight Chronicles, the Once Upon a Princess saga, and the Divine Space Pirates trilogy. With a gift for sarcasm and an apologetic heart, she currently lives in Atlanta with her family. Find out more at http://www.csjohnson.me

CS Johnson | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest

For a chance to win your own copy of The Serpent-Bearer and the Prince of Stars, click the link below!

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The Serpent-Bearer

Blog Tour Schedule

July 22nd

Reads & Reels (Spotlight) http://readsandreels.com

I Smell Sheep (Review) http://www.ismellsheep.com/

Tsarina Press (Spotlight) https://www.tsarinapress.com

I Love Books and Stuff (Spotlight) https://ilovebooksandstuffblog.wordpress.com

Quirky Cats Fat Stacks (Review) https://quirkycatsfatstacks.com/

Perspective of a Writer (Review) http://perspectiveofawriter.com/

July 23rd

Breakeven Books (Review) https://breakevenbooks.com

Jessica Belmont (Review) https://jessicabelmont.wordpress.com/

Tranquil Dreams (Review) https://klling.wordpress.com/

B is for Book Review (Spotlight) https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com

July 24th

Books Teacup and Reviews (Spotlight) https://booksteacupnreviews.wordpress.com/

Graphic Novelty2 (Review) https://graphicnovelty2.com/

Bri’s Book Nook (Review) http://brisbooknook.wordpress.com

The Faerie Review (Review) http://www.thefaeriereview.com

I’m All About the Books (Spotlight) https://imallaboutbooks.com/

July 25th

My Comic Relief (Review) https://mycomicrelief.wordpress.com/

The Bibliophagist (Review) http://thebibliophagist.blog/

Adventures Thru Wonderland (Review) http://adventuresthruwonderland.blogspot.com/

Where Dragons Reside (Review) https://kernerangelina.live/

July 26th

Sophril Reads (Spotlight) http://sophrilreads.wordpress.com

Triquetra Reviews (Spotlight) http://www.triquetrareviews.blogspot.com

J Bronder Book Reviews (Review) https://jbronderbookreviews.com/

The Magic of Wor(l)ds (Review) http://themagicofworlds.wordpress.com

Dash Fan Book Reviews (Spotlight) https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/

Blog Tour Organized By:

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R&R Book Tours

Watch my Small Booktuber Tag video where I talk about what it is like to be a small booktuber and all the amazing people in the community!

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by Erik McManus | Breakeven Books

Book Review: Enigma In Time

Here is the review for the second graphic novel sent to us by Bad Aura. This one was called Enigma In Time by Chris Kostecka.

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Synopsis: A speck, the size of a drop of blood, driven mad by eons of silence, filled with unimaginable power senses its missing piece on earth. It finds this essence inside an unimaginably cruel human named Gordon. It sets off toward earth traveling across the universe destroying many planets, solar systems, and civilizations along the way.

Meanwhile, on earth, Neal, a seemingly ordinary boy witnesses the suicide of his father and is traumatized by this unexpected act. A frightening man in a red shirt stands over his father’s crushed body. 

Years later Neal is adopted by a loving family and his life changes for the better.

Eventually, the speck arrives at earth. Gaea, the earth’s sworn protector, is quickly overwhelmed by the speck and its power; in the last ditch effort to save the earth she merges with the speck empowering it with a conscience. Gaea redirects it from Gordon into Neal. Enigma in Time is a story about something that should not exist but does. It is a story about Set’s rebirth.

This was quite an interesting comic book. It was kind of an origin story but then kind of not at the same time. The main character Neal keeps going in and out of time (at least I am presuming that is what is happening) throughout his life growing up.  Sometimes he is in his bedroom then all of a sudden he is in medieval times.

Many events happen throught Neal’s life that are traumatic and he plays the part of a hero in a lot of them. He has this force inside of him that is always there and he can feel it but can’t access it.

The girl/woman he loves is also experiencing this time traveling which makes me curious to know if the two of them are tangled in the same time web and if they will come to play a more prominent part in each other’s stories.

I enjoyed the graphic novel overall but I wouldn’t say it was one of my favorites. The storyline gets a little confusing at times and the dialogue is very straight forward. That being said, I would be interested to see what happens in future issues as the ending insinuated that there would be more to come.

Book Rating: 3.5/5

You can buy this book on the Bad Aura website.

Disclaimer: This book was sent to us in physical format by Bad Aura to read and give an honest review.

Purium©

by Erik McManus | Breakeven Books

Book Review: Hippo Ocracy

Welcome back to the blog, bookies. We have a new review for a graphic novel called Hippo Ocracy by a company called Bad Aura. They sent us two graphic novels (the other will be reviewed tomorrow) and we are more than happy because graphic novels are the best.

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Synopsis: Khipo leads the hippo kingdom with his energetic blonde hair, political savvy, and lackadaisical demeanor. Along with his rhino wife Ronda and their half-breed, pacifier sucking son Rhipo they rule with total devotion from their subjects.  Watch the insanity within his kingdom unfold as elephant royalty visits, and enemies from the past threaten to destabilize everything. All along the way, you will be introduced to fantastic over the top characters and subplots. Will the hippo’s triumph over their enemies?

Honestly, this graphic novel was hilarious. Yes, it may have been a very simple storyline that didn’t have much substance to it but it was very creative in the way it portrayed many huge media references. Such references include:

  • the hippos building a wall to keep the crocodiles out (Trump’s wall)
  • A reporter showing up during the battle called Clark Potamus (even had the classic hair swirl that Clark Kent aka Superman has)
  • The enemy crocodile leader wearing crocs to battle (this was just funny)

The hilarity even went as far as a zebra being a referee due to its obvious colors. He then gets mad and uses beavers as chainsaws to wreak havoc on the battlefield. I was laughing out loud while reading this and kept snorting while enjoying this lovable, slightly ridiculous, fun comic book. It really reminded me of Happy Tree Friends.

I would recommend this comic book to literally everyone because it gave me about 20 minutes of complete entertainment. It is a very quick read.

Book Rating: 4.5/5

You can find this book on the Bad Aura website!

Disclaimer: This book was sent to us by Bad Aura in physical format to read and give an honest review.

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by Erik McManus | Breakeven Books

Book review: The Mighty Thor – Lord of Asgard

Bookworms! I read a graphic novel as a little in between books break because we all need those every once and awhile. This one was called The Mighty Thor – Lord of Asgard by Dan Jurgens and Joe Bennett. This graphic novel collected Thor (1998) #44-50.

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Synopsis: Thor is called upon to fulfill his father’s legacy as lord and master of the Eternal Realm—leaving Earth’ protection in the hands of the untested Tarene! But an old foe of the Thunder God has embarked on a quest for immortality, one that may spell the end of both Midgard’s fledgling guardian and Thor’s new reign! And then it’s Thor, Lord of Asgard vs. Desak, Destroyer of Pantheons!

This review will be short and sweet because well it was a graphic novel so there is not much to say about it. I enjoy Thor as a hero but I must say that I prefer his brother Loki. He is very cunning and entertaining as he will always throw a loop into Thor’s plans which keeps the storyline flowing.

I feel like there could have been a bit more action and less narration in this comic but overall it was set up for future issues so that is understandable. The art was pretty great! I always marvel at the art in comic books. This style of art is what inspired me to go to school for Graphic Design so thank you Marvel (and all the other comic publishers out there ;P).

Book Rating: 4/5

You can find this book on Goodreads!

Disclaimer: I bought this book at a comic book shop for an amazing discounted rate and read it because I wanted to.

Fusion Belts

by Erik McManus | Breakeven Books

Book Review – Peanut Butter and Jelly by Ben Clanton

I recently read Peanut Butter and Jelly (A Narwhal and Jelly Book #3) by Ben Clanton. It was a short graphic novel about the friendship of a narwhal and a jellyfish. This was an ARC (Advanced Reading Copy) and it will be published March 27th, 2018.

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Synopsis: Narwhal and Jelly are back and Narwhal has a new obsession . . . peanut butter! He’s so obsessed he even wants to change his name to . . . that’s right . . . Peanut Butter! Ever-sensible Jelly isn’t so sure that’s the best idea but is all for Narwhal trying new things (instead of just eating waffles all the time, no matter how delicious waffles are).

In this third book, Narwhal and Jelly star in three new stories about trying new things, favorite foods and accepting who we are. Always funny and never didactic, this underwater duo charms again through their powerful combination of positive thinking, imagination, and joyfulness.

This graphic novel was really fun! It is very simple so great for young readers and it had a lot of wit to it. There were some puns which made me laugh and the narwhal’s element of just pure innocence puts a smile on your face. And you can’t go wrong with waffles and peanut butter, these are just two amazing food options.

The characters reminded me of some classic duos where there is a funny and serious portrayal. The one creature is the serious and methodical one (Jellyfish) and the other creature was humorous and spontaneous (Narwhal).

Overall, it was a fast-read with fun characters and a simple storyline that would be great for a younger audience.

Book Rating: 4/5

Disclaimer: I received this ARC through NetGalley for an honest review.