A Sunday Review

TV this week:

• Doctor Who: "Listen" - Massive logical error to start the episode. There is no perfect hunter, nor is there a perfect defense. So the following notion doesn't follow. Follow? From that moment on I wasn't sure what to make of the episode. I'm afraid there were a couple of plot holes that really bothered me, so it wasn't a satisfying show... but the dialogue and acting almost made up for it.
  
  Ok, some thoughts... Danny and Clara are really having a rough time to start, aren't they? I enjoyed the trip into the past. Particularly the speech the Doctor gave Rupert:

  Let me tell you about scared. Your heart is beating so hard I can feel it through your hands. There's so much blood and oxygen pumping through your brain it's like rocket fuel. Right now you can run faster and fight harder and jump higher than ever in your life, and you're so alert it's like you can slow down time. What's wrong with scared? Scared is a superpower. It's your superpower. There is danger in this room and guess what, it's you.

  Pure music. That's something worth listening to. The dialogue was pretty sharp in this episode, with a lot of quotable bits. I also like creepy nursery rhymes, and here's another one for my collection:

  What's that in the mirror, or the corner of your eye?
  What's the footstep following, but never passing by?
  Perhaps they're all just waiting, perhaps when we're all dead.
  Out they'll come a-slithering, from underneath the bed.

  Any time I get some new stuff for my quotefile I'm happy. Ok, there's also some stuff that really bothered me. (SPOILER ALERT!)What was the lump on the bed? What was the "thing" that snuck up behind them? It was something, right? A classmate? Or something else? What was it? Also, who moved the chalk? I can believe the Doctor wrote "LISTEN", but the chalk moved. And what punctured the air shell on the ship?(END SPOILER) In short there's a few things that weren't answered by the nice little wrap-up that Clara gave. Either there was more going on... or they all had perfectly logical reasons that weren't ever explained to the audience. That's kind of annoying. So, while it's still better than 99.9% of the rest of television, this wasn't the best episode as a total package.
  
  

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Here are reviews of the DCBS comic books that I've gotten around to reading and reviewing, sorted by the original shipping date:

• Aug 13th
• Justice League United #4 - Ok, that's just a crummy situation for Adam and Alanna. But at least the book is beginning to make sense. For some of these books, they are writing for the trade... maybe I should go to waiting for the trade.
• World's Finest #26 - So they're home, but they left some surprises behind... I get why Helena is more than a little upset at their choice. What's she going to think when she meets Batman?
• Green Lantern Corps #34 - Well, didn't expect that ending. I thought she'd just kill him. So, all's well that ends well?
• Smallville Chaos #1 - So... let me get this straight... Lois and Superman are in an alternate universe while Eclipso is becoming a threat at home? Ok, got it. I think DC has been doing an awful lot of alternate universe stories lately.
• Astro City #14 - I'm pulling for the old lady, which is what we're supposed to do. But I really wonder how she got to the point where the story started.
• Spider-Man 2099 #2 - Ah, Miguel... two women in your life already and you are barely hanging out in 2014... what a charmer.
• Spongebob Comics #35 - I am really enjoying the Mermaid Man story, as goofy as it is. The bit with the submarine is really quite amusing. I'm curious, though a little scared, to see what the conclusion will be.
• Aug 20th
• Multiversity #1 - Strange but awesome. I want more of Aquawoman of Earth-11.
• Trinity of Sin: Pandora #14 - That's one of the strangest team-ups I've ever seen, but it works pretty well.
• Green Lantern: New Guardians #34 - Wow, that's a bummer. Not to mention fairly gross. It appears that DC may have inadvertently created a great jumping off point for the DCU with Future's End one shots...
• Infinite Crisis: Fight for the Multiverse #2 - Oooh, polybagged. As for the story, it's moving along nicely. It no longer seems quite as familiar. I very much like the knight lantern. Just wish there was an Aquaman variant. All the Bat-variants bore me.
• Scribblenauts Unmasked #8 - Shadow-Aquaman is not nearly as cute as the regular Scribblenaut Aquaman. I would like to see the regular one back again. Oh, and the story is good. Can't wait to see the residents of Limbo in action.
• Teen Titans Go #5 - Hey, this one starts out with Aquaman being prank-called. A fun little book. Glad to see Aquaman, even if it's just a shadow.
• Fables #143 - Oh, poor Bigby. But hey, superhero Ozma! There's some fun bits in this one, but it's mostly a severe downer.
• Litle Nemo: Return to Slumberland #1 - I wasn't sure what to expect, but this is really cool. I wonder how the kid will fit in once he finally gets to where he's headed.
• Steampunk BSG 1880 #1 - I like when a version of a universe takes the initial premise and runs with it. If it sticks too close to the original, it can get boring fast. But it's a fine line. So far, this book is racing right along that line. Fun!

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Past Sunday Reviews -- Comics at Amazon.com -- Previews -- My Wishlist -- My Kindle Wishlist -- My Camera Wishlist

Some Links

People go to a mall in Steampunk clothing to ride a Victorian carousel... and are kicked out by overzealous mall cops.

Mercury is indeed cool, but don't take a pound of it and spill it on a school bus. Sheesh. Part of me is jealous that the kids got to play with the stuff before somebody warned them how dangerous it is, part of me hopes none of them suffer from nasty effects from it.

I don't drink pop any more, but this is a pretty good ad event.

Review - Phoenix Rising: A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences Novel

Phoenix Rising: A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences Novel by Pip Ballantine and Tee Morris

Release date: April 26, 2011, pre-order now!

I got an advance copy of this book via NetGalley, and enjoyed it quite a bit. This is Steampunk meets the Avengers, and it's a very fun ride.

This book introduces us to the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences, a British secret service, and two of their agents. Books is a archivist with a mechanical bent, and Braun is a brassy New Zealander with a fondness for explosives. The characters are introduced in the same manner as their natures: we are allowed a look into Books' logic-filled thoughts as he first appears, while Braun makes a dramatic entrance in a haze of chaos.

The book starts on a high action note, and doesn't really slow down all that much throughout. There are places with a more sedate pace, but those are generally setting up more action or important plot points. The setting is a Victorian England with plenty of fun steam-powered gadgets, nicely but not off-puttingly described, to keep the reader entertained. Besides the main pair of agents, we also get some nicely fleshed out side characters, which always makes for a better read. The Ministry itself has endless plot potential, with the Archives being a focal point for artifacts and mysteries. And the book conveys a strong sense of both history, of the world and our characters, and future, as there are unresolved plot points clearly pointing to a sequel or sequels. At the same time, the main story within the book is self-contained and complete.

I'd recommend this to fans of action, anyone into Steampunk as a genre, and readers looking for a strong female character. There are a few disturbing adult scenes, but the action cuts away or changes dramatically quickly enough to take a squeamish reader safely through them. Definitely a fun read.

Steampunk Music Video

I'm surprised at how much I enjoyed this video, which tells a story involving funeral customs in a steampunk world.

Thank Goodness It's A Linkdump

The AQ Test tries to determine if you are on the Autism-Spectrum. I scored 42 the first time I took it, and 43 the second.

Someone recently gave me some rationing coins as seen at Boing Boing here, and I wasn't sure what they were. Now I know.

Oh no! Phables is over. One of my favorite webcomics (I just wish someone would do the same with Seattle). I wish I had money to pre-order the book and make sure it happens.

Monty Python's YouTube Channel Boosted DVD Sales. Putting up free content helps sales.

Steampunk Cyclon Contest. Cylons are cool again!

Wow, a Warren Ellis entry I'm not afraid to link to. These are incredible photographs that combine WWII photos with modern photos of the same place.

Obama Inauguration Headlines.

Speaking of, I almost want the Obama action figure. But frankly, I'd rather have something tasteful and yet in my realm of "things I already collect". I need a LEGO Obama.

The Whitehouse has a blog. With RSS feeds (summary feed, not full-text like I prefer). This is a good way to keep up with the government, along with Obama's weekly "fireside" chats (which are nicely short yet still informative).

Scientists suddenly figure out that three fish are the same species! They wondered why they never saw mature examples of one type of fish, or males of another, or females of a third... well, now they know. All the same fish, but with remarkable differences in gender once they mature.

Ah, wartime urban legends are very Fortean. Investigations have sometimes revealed little pockets of truth in the tales, others (like perhaps the Angel of Mons) seem to be based on old fiction misremembered.

A Comcast repairman broke the power pole. He said Comcast would fix it. Another Comcast repairman said, no, it's owned by Commonwealth Edison, they have to fix it. The ComEd employee said, no, it's owned by the landowner, fix it yourself. Oh, and if you don't fix it in 30 days, we'll shut off your power. Homeowner tries to find a contractor to fix it, but the ground it too cold to put in a new pole. Burying the wires would cost $6000 that the homeowner doesn't have. Homeowner's insurance refuses to pay. In desperation, the homeowner contacts the Chicago Tribune Problem Solver who got Comcast to do the right thing, and ComEd to promise not to turn off the poor lady's power in the middle of winter. But good grief! Why does a person have to contact the media before a corporation will be responsible?

Pug for the in-laws.

And lastly, Coraline:

Wednesday Linkdump

Comic Book Urban Legends Revealed #173: Spidey's Marriage, Bob Kane's Swipes, and Watchmen.

I think maybe I ought to bind my collection of books that I reference a lot and don't plan on ever trying to sell.

Read all of Local #3 for free.

Trio of nested Klein bottles. Oooooh, cool.

Tidal power moves forward in Maine.

How about the 20 Best Websites to Download Free E-Books.

Really, I'm only linking to this article because I really like the headline. I suppose I could also say I want one.

If I were still in the King County Library System, I might be able to find this book recommended by Todd Klein, but the local system doesn't have it. Interlibrary loan may have to be invoked.

Five Thoughts on the Popularity of Steampunk. I like Steampunk. Not in an I'm-going-to-redo-my-house-in-Steampunk-style way, but I enjoy well-made Steampunk artifacts. I particularly like #3.

An actual study on near-death experiences. I wonder what they'll find, although I have my suspicions. Let's just say I'll be very surprised if anyone can describe the images.

Yeah, I looked up my Sarah Palin Baby Name. My preferred name results in "Copper Catfish Palin". Huh.

Random Thought: I enjoy having Sirius Music on my TV because I can listen to a song come on, look at the TV and find out who the group is and what the song is called. If someone tells me the same information, I don't retain it. But when I see it, I remember it. Plus it's just nice to have a channel of good ol' '80s music.

LOLCat Theology: Ceiling Cat Creates and Young and Foolish.

Another Linkdump

A word about Wowio: Let's let Scott Sava of Dreamland Chronicles tell you about it. In short, free and legal downloads of various books and comics, and the publishers get paid when you download them. My only complaint is that they are all PDF only, which is a sucky format. I'd much prefer CBR for comics.

Recent Aquaman references on The Simpsons (self-link).

A 24-hour comic: Everything You Never Wanted To Know About Crohns Disease.

Oooh, looking forward to Dramacon 3!

The winners of Pimp My Bookcart 2007. My favorites are the Mystery Machine and the Yellow Submarine.

Heh, Futurama Al Gore. Heh.

25 Photographs Taken at the Exact Right Time. While most of them are very cool, the look on the face of the photographer about to be run over by a football player is classic.

Jamming Cell Phones (NYTimes). Illegal, but sometimes so tempting.

Dog is Gun.

Whoa. Jabba the Hutt costume. Too big, too much. But funny.

Steampunk Laptop. WOW.

Common surnames began as insulting nicknames. "Both the English names Nott and Cave probably described someone who was bald. A Barrett was a fraud, a Mallory someone unlucky and a Purcell a little pig. In France, a Bechard was a gossip."

Cats: TacocaT, Lazor Cats, and Gossipping Kittehs.

Links

Yay! New Mad Bun Tale! Ok, well, it's technically a rerun, but most of you folks haven't read it.

Andy Runton cares for a hummingbird.

Comic Book Urban Legends Revealed #95.

Peep Research aka Peeps Go To The Library.

Kaja Foglio has some cool links, including one to the alarm clock that runs away from you.

A duck, a shoplifter, and a Petco employee. Sounds like the set-up for a bad joke? No, it's real enough.

Steampunk Star Wars, now as desktops.

Augie usually has some good links, but this one just had me cringing and cringing some more.

Find your child with a USB drive. (via)

As a proud member of Lesser Seattle, I approve.

Jeff Parker posts a touching tribute.

My heart goes out to Elayne.