Tom Batten
136 Articles
Graphic Novels from Baudoin, Brubaker/Phillips, de Radiguès, Gaiman, Buckingham, & Co., Nowak, Roberts, Typex, Van Sciver, and Walker | LJ Reviews, Dec. 2018
Translated into English for the first time, this volume is a worthy choice for larger collections; this stand-alone novella is a fine addition to a staggering body of work; Gaiman fans looking for his usual rich worldbuilding might find this a little slight, but the artwork makes it worthwhile for urban fantasy collections; the struggles of Nowak’s characters are familiar and very entertaining; Skroce’s dynamic style and pacing keeps the pages turning so fast that fans might want to read this one two or three times; a great conclusion to a wonderful series that works fairly well as a stand-alone volume
PREMIUM
Nowak's characters banter, bicker, and yearn for love, connection, and acceptance. Their world isn't quite ours, but their struggles are familiar and very entertaining.
Girl Town
Nowak's characters banter, bicker, and yearn for love, connection, and acceptance. Their world isn't quite ours, but their struggles are familiar and very entertaining.
PREMIUM
Likely Stories
Gaiman fans looking for his usual rich worldbuilding might find this a little slight, but the artwork makes it worthwhile for urban fantasy collections.
PREMIUM
Andy: The Life and Times of Andy Warhol; A Factual Fairytale
The meticulous level of research is almost a hindrance, as the story sometimes seems to move at the pace of real life. But as an art object, it's unlikely to be outdone by any new release any time soon.
PREMIUM
Bastard
While the pace quickens to near breakneck speed in the final pages, skimming some content that would have been nice to see fully developed, this is a crime story that ultimately delivers an emotional experience much richer than a typical bloody romp of underworld deceit.
PREMIUM
An unusually unfolded autobiographical farce with soul, this work is quite funny, and the personal nature of the witticisms help bind the events of the quietly touching narrative together and are what will remain stuck to your funny bone like peanut butter.
Chlorine Gardens
An unusually unfolded autobiographical farce with soul, this work is quite funny, and the personal nature of the witticisms help bind the events of the quietly touching narrative together and are what will remain stuck to your funny bone like peanut butter.
PREMIUM
Maestros
Skroce's dynamic style and pacing keeps the pages turning so fast that fans might want to read this one two or three times in order to catch the exquisite detail (enhanced by the work of colorist Dave Stewart) and impressive worldbuilding on display. Tons of fun, with the welcomed promise of future volumes.
PREMIUM
While lacking the scope of Brubaker and Phillips's longer, serialized stories, this stand-alone novella is a fine addition to a staggering body of work.
My Heroes Have Always Been Junkies
While lacking the scope of Brubaker and Phillips's longer, serialized stories, this stand-alone novella is a fine addition to a staggering body of work.
PREMIUM
A great conclusion to a wonderful series that works fairly well as a stand-alone volume, although the entire series is well worth seeking out.
A Perfect Failure: Fante Bukowski Three
A great conclusion to a wonderful series that works fairly well as a stand-alone volume, although the entire series is well worth seeking out.