2 Graphic Novels

*Book source ~ A review copy was provided by NetGalley & IDW in exchange for an honest review.

Title ~Star Trek Volume 9: The Q Gambit

Author ~ Mike Johnson

Artist ~ Tony Shasteen

Publisher ~ IDW Publishing

Published ~ 24 March 2015

Genre ~ Graphic Novel | Sci-Fi

Pages ~ 132

My Rating ~ 5 bites

It’s Q. No other summary is needed.

Q is back and, boy, have I missed him! I’d have to say that he is my favorite guest alien in Star Trek: The Next Generation. If he were a real boy, I believe he would drive me insane. But since he’s not (I think) I can sit back and enjoy his antics. This time he’s fucking with the original crew of the Enterprise. Well, I guess I should differentiate the ‘new’ original crew. You know, in the alternate timeline created by the 2009 movie.

Anyway, Q swings by to chat with Picard, before toddling off to screw with the oldtimers. As it turns out, he’s not just messing around for the fun of it. Say it ain’t so! In the alternate timeline, there’s a whole lot at stake. He just doesn’t say anything until nearly the end. I loved the whole story even the parts that made me sad. And that ending…I do love me some Picard.

The artwork is gorgeous. The colors, the lines, everything. I love it. If you’re a fan of Star Trek, graphic novels and, most especially, Q then this is one that shouldn’t be missed.

*Book source ~ A review copy was provided by NetGalley & IDW in exchange for an honest review.

Title ~ Godzilla: Cataclysm

Author ~ Cullen Bunn

Artist ~ Dave Wachter

Publisher ~ IDW Publishing

Published ~ 31 March 2015

Genre ~ Graphic Novel | Sci-Fi

Pages ~ 100

My Rating ~ 3 bites

It’s been years since monsters destroyed Earth. There are pockets of human survivors who scavenge for supplies and try to stay alive. Hiroshi is one of the few left who remembers the time before. Many call them gods, but Hiroshi knows they are just monsters and one day they will be back.

This Godzilla tale is a bit weak. It follows Hiroshi and his grandson as well as a few others as they scramble to find a safe place when the monsters come back. Hiroshi’s story is slowly revealed and how he is connected to the monsters, Godzilla in particular. I’m not a huge fan of Godzilla, but my son is and I enjoyed the newest movie incarnation, so I thought this might be a good read. I can't say I was all that excited about it. Although I did enjoy seeing all the various monsters shown in this book.

The artwork is very detailed and beautifully drawn. However, it was a bit too dismal and dreary for me with the few bright colors given to the monster fighting. Yes, I know this is a post-apocalyptic story and I will say the colors are perfect for it. However, I have to judge on what I like and it wasn’t my mug o’tea. Fans of Godzilla will most likely enjoy it though.