Jim Butcher’s the Dresden files. Storm front. Volume one, The gathering storm/ adaptation by Mark Powers

ISBN: 9780345506399

A graphic novel adaptation of Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files.

This is one of the (what I see as an) increasing number of works based on the theme of “old world magic in a modern hi-technology society”.

Dresden is a true-blue magic wielding warlock, working as a private investigator in Chicago.

Apparently, he is in trouble with an elder council of warlocks. He is being watched and there are orders to kill him if he breaks the rules. He is able to exercise his magic but limited by some rules.

In this story, he’s been hired by the police department to help unravel a mysterious occult-related killing.

The sub-plots include Dresden’s investigation of a suspected cheating spouse, and demon being sent to kill Dresden.

There are hints of his immense and probably world-destroying powers, something that he seems to be unaware.

Peng’s complete treasury of Chinese radicals/ Tan Huay Peng

ISBN: 9789814302418

I thought this was about dissident Chinese nationals through the ages. But I was wrong, in a good sort of way LOL.

It’s about the origin and explanation of various sets of root characters (radicals) in the Chinese written language.

Didn’t read the entire book, but it’s a easy-to-understand reference. I’ll be buying a copy for myself. Useful and handy-sized reference material for my home.

Living a charmed life: Your guide to finding magic in every moment of every day/ Victoria Moran

ISBN: 9780061649899

The book may be written for women in mind, but is inclusive towards male readers.

Certain passages may come across as “spiritual new age” writing and (for the cynics, perhaps encouraging self-denial). E.g. from the inside cover jacket: “Living a charmed life is your birthright… practical and spiritual tips”.

The author may have anticipated this with the chapter “proceed despite detractors”.

But I found the ideas are in fairly ‘secular’ fashion overall. Most have their basis in eastern philosophies (from Gandhi to yoga to Buddhism). I don’t detect any big BS factor, but more of one person’s personal passionate, but not fanatic, opinions. The words are generally grounded to reality, e.g. P185, on ageing and author states that it’s a physical fact. Some ideas are just common sense, packaged in a nice handy way. E.g. Chpt 43, “start where you are with what you have”, “focus on vision everyday”, “plan your day”, “get enough sleep”, “if what you’re doing isn’t working , do something else”, “don’t stop because it’s hard”, “adapt to a changing world”, “adjust when life has a different idea”.

Most, I thought, was about “being good” and working towards harmonious co-existence. Like “letting others be other”, “don’t try to convert others” p211.

In the final analysis, this is a nice handy book if you’re looking for a renewal of ideas and perspectives for personal development.

And like many things in life, I suppose it’s does to what you ultimately believe and how open-minded you are.

P45. Wash the dishes with all your heart (be present with all that is with you; “in a charmed life, the best thing going is what is happening now”).

P102. “Nurturing one tiny part of the Divine in expression — yourself or myself, for instance– increases the bliss in (and value of) the universe.”

P161. “The fear in your life is like the kid at your door selling magazine subscriptions. Both will blow in every now and then, but you don’t have to invite them to spend the evening.”

P163. People living a charmed life isn’t immune to down times; they just make those times short. Suggests a “pity party”, where one is allowed to indulge in self pity from 15mins to four hours. Fundamentals of bouncing back: take a shower, tidy the house (not perfection cleaning), watch a funny movie, play uplifting music, go out/ walk/ breathe.

Persepolis: The story of a childhood/ Marjane Satrapi

ISBN: 9780375714573

Have heard so much about this graphic novel but it was frequently off the shelf. Until recently, when I came across it at one of our public library by chance.

From the inside cover blurb:

WISE, FUNNY, AND HEARTBREAKING, Persepolis is Marjane Satrapi’s memoir of growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. In powerful black-and-white comic strip images, Satrapi tells the story of her life in Tehran from ages six to fourteen, years that saw the overthrow of the Shah’s regime, the triumph of the Islamic Revolution, and the devastating war with Iraq.

It is all that the blurb says, and more.

I couldn’t help but like the precociousness of the little girl. And I get a sense why people are able to live through the tyranny. And why they finally cannot.

With each ‘chapter’, I was progressively drawn into the life of the Satrapi family (they are directly related to Iran’s last emperor), against the backdrop of an oppressive regime. The protests. The violence. A divided populace. A shock of war with Iraq. National pride. Inept leaders and futility sacrifice of the nation’s young (child-soldiers being sent to battle with no more than mental indoctrination).

Yet, there is celebration and defiance (both covert and overt): arguments with unreasonable teachers, youthful rebellion, wearing jeans beneath formless skirts, smuggling in contraband posters of pop singers, parties and secret wine-making at home.

Life still finds a way to go on. Or at least, people still try to.

Up to a certain point.

And I saw, from the author’s eyes, the anguish and heartbreak when her parents decided to send her away from the country.

The introduction, by the author herself, gives a concise overview of the history of the country/ region. And this line was especially poignant:
“… this old and great civilization has been discussed mostly in connection with fundamentalism, fanaticism, and terrorism. As an Iranian who has lived more than half my life in Iran, I knpw that this image is far from the truth. that is why writing Persepolis was so important to me. I believe an entire nation should not be judged by the wrongdoings of a few extremists…”

I thought that’s why works like Persepolis is important, in addition to reading what journalists portray on TV and print.

Persepolis goes beyond mere telling of facts. It’s a story of the human condition. Of the ordinary citizen.

Wise, funny, and heartbreaking. Indeed.

Batman: The killing joke/ Alan Moore & Brian Bolland

ISBN: 9781401216672

From the inside cover blurb:

“Twenty years ago, writer Alan Moore and artist Brian Bolland gave the world a glimpse of the events that made The Joker who he is. Now their brilliantly nightmarish vision returns in a new, definitive edition.”

I’m not sure if I have this right… So this is THE original ‘origins’ of The Joker?

A different one from what has been commonly portrayed.

All the movies and most graphic novels that I’ve come across, so far, tells that The Joker (whose real name remains unknown) was a mere common petty criminal. He was the one who killed Bruce Wayne’s parents. And ironically, in murdering the Waynes, he indirectly creates the Batman and subsequently ends up being chased and falling into a chemical bath.

In this version, the man who would be The Joker started off as a lab assistant. He has quit his job to become a stand-up comic. Wasn’t good at it. He has a pregnant wife and was somewhat conned to help some criminals. He only wanted to do that one job and make a better life for his family. But the heist falls apart.

Batman comes onto the scene. A chase. A fall. Chemical contamination. The Joker is born.

In between pages, we also learn of how Commissioner Gordon’s daughter, Barbara, became crippled.

My only complaint is that the graphic novel seems too short. But maybe that’s for the better. A longer one would mean an unduly long drawn story, whose end is widely known.

Two thumbs up, in any case.

Foreword by Tim Sale (artist for Heroes) and Afterword by Brian Bolland.

Two caravans/ Marina Lewycka

ISBN: 9780670916382

From strawberry picking, to chicken slaughtering, to escaping from murderous thugs. And in between, a blossoming romance.

Newcomer Irina joins the team of “Seasonal Agricultural Workers. Yola the female Polish supervisor, Marta (Yola’s niece), and two chinese girls (one from China and one Malaysian).

Andriy (Ukrainian), Tomasz (Polish), Vitaly (fellow migrant and later “recruitment consultant”), Emanuel (from Zomba, Malawi; “harsh staff of chastisement” aka ruler). And a dog.

They are illegal farm workers. One night, after a bit of run-in involving the farmer’s jealous wife, they all suddenly find themselves on the run.

An insightful novel, no doubt fictitious but probably with some basis from real life, about the exploitation of the transitory migrant (often illegal) workers in Europe.

Halo: Uprising/ Brian Michael Bendis & Alex Maleev

ISBN: 9780785128380

Brian Bendis is one of my favourite graphic novelist (I’ve not found any of his works, posted in this blog, to be short of expectations).

For those familiar with the Halo video game, this story takes place between Halo 2 and 3 (I’m citing Bendis, from his interview at the end of the graphic novel).

The story starts with the “Master Chief”, sole surviving Spartan, on board the Forerunner Dreadnought . There’s not much about the Master Chief subsequently, in that in he spends most of his time causing mayhem and kicking Covenant butts in their mega ship.

The main story really takes place on Earth. In Cleveland. Where the Covenant forces are searching for “The Key of Osanalan”.

The Main protagonists turn out to be two civilians. One is the younger brother of a UNSC Special Forces colonel (held captive by the Covenant) and the other a female singer.

Basically, all hell breaks loose in Cleveland. Covenant forces are herding people into a stadium. The aliens are seeking The Key of Osanalan. The male lead character is shocked to know he’s connected with the said key.

The only plot-giveaway I’d write is that the Covenant are caught out in a joke of sorts. Humans show their ingenuity against the technologically superior aliens, and manages to kick-butts.

Sounds like a cheesy B-grade film plot, doesn’t it? But no, it doesn’t come across that way. That’s why Halo is a hit beyond just the video game, thanks to writers and artists like Bendis and Maleev.

End part includes an interview with Bendis, where he shares his thoughts and insights into creating a story based on an established videogame ‘multiverse’. He also gives a concise summary of what the Halo game is about.