Gurl! Finish it! Week of 7/13/2017

Every Thursday I share what I am reading and watching. This is just a nice little feature for myself partially to have a record of stuff I have started, finished, read, watched, and all that business. I will also include a little bit of why I am reading it or watching that particular thing. Also it will help keep ME on track because I stop reading or watching stuff way too much, so this will help me hold tight to sticking with one darn thing. Anyone reading this also can hold me accountable on what I have been reading and if never moves to "Last Finished" or "Recently Finished" you can be like GURL!!! FINISH IT. 

Last Finished: Lady Mechanika: La Dama De La Muerta (Graphic Novel), "You Can't Touch My Hair and Other Things I Still Have to Explain" by Phoebe Robinson, and Vidia and The Fairy Crown (Manga and Book). 

Review Here

Literally all of these are getting a review on this blog (Lady Mechanika was reviewed yesterday). I am shocked because I am finally getting books read and ready for review on the site. I feel like I am building myself up and finding new ways to engage with the blog. I am really happy this week that I am getting the chance to actually get some blog postings up and out there. I am thankful for NetGalley for that right now. I also appreciate the local library that had a copy of the book edition of "Vidia and the Fairy Crown" as I wanted to review both the book and the manga at the same time. That will come next week as the manga will be my "Comic Book Wednesday" post.


Currently Reading: Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates, Bearing an Hourglass by Piers Anthony and The Witching Hour by Anne Rice


I know I literally changed yesterday my currently reading book to "Vidia and the Fairy Crown", but that was a children's book that I finished literally in one night. I am going to be starting tonight, right after I finish this post actually, the Ta-Nehisi Coates book. I picked this book up because the local library recommended it as a book that is similar to "You Can't Touch My Hair." I am using these two books to get a bit of an idea on how I want to do the "diverse conversations" part of this blog. 

Once I finish this book I am returning to Piers Anthony. I put that book off to try to get through some of these library books and also figure out how I wanted to do the "conversation" portion of this site, but I have run out of excuses when I get this next book marked off my list. I am again, however, considering taking "The Witching Hour" off my list for now. I think I am focused on other reads to the point that this one has gotten pushed to the side for perhaps another time when I am more cemented in what I am doing with this blog. Also when I am more invested in a thousand page read. 

Currently Watching: "The Handmaid's Tale"

This last week has been a little shocking for me in regards to watching things. Normally I have been forcing myself to watch something, heck anything. This week though I forced myself to read more often. This being said I still did get a few things done though, which you will see in the next group. Focusing my time away from television though is how I have been able to get through more of the reading that I have wanted to do for this blog. I guess I am making trade-offs right now. I still, however, want to finish "The Handmaid's Tale" show on Hulu. I believe I will probably start doing the two episodes I have seen in one review and use it as a draft until I have all the episodes finish for review. I am going to have to pick up another show though soon. Any recommendations people?


Recently Finished: "Castlevania" (Season 1) on Netflix and "Steven Universe" (Season 3) on Hulu, and "The Flintstones Meet Rockula and Frankenstone" on DVD.

I heard awhile back that Netflix was going to do a "Castlevania" cartoon series. I had waited for it and actually forgot that they were doing it. Suddenly across my Facebook feed came information regarding the series. Turns out that I found out that it was on Netflix the day it was released. My partner and I devoured the four episodes of the series in one night. I am not one to "binge watch" a show, but this was epically good. I couldn't stop watching until I knew exactly what was going to happen. I am only somewhat familiar with the game franchise, just enough to be like a BELMONT? Woo hoo. That is literally the only thing I am going to "spoil" about the series for you. It is well done and I highly recommend it since there are only 4 episodes at roughly 20+ minutes each. This isn't going to take a lifetime to watch. There are some gory moments, but overall it is a straight-up action animated program. My partner told me that it primarily seems to be taking its story from "Castlevania 3" if that means anything to you gamers out there. Regardless of the source material, anyone can enjoy the show. 

I am continuing to finish up my "Halloween" reviews for my friend, Alexis (Alexis' Treasures on my blog list). This is one of the four items I will be reviewing over there in October. I will say this though I am going to find and get the rest of The Flinstones specials (i.e. I Yabba Dabba Do or whatever it is called) since I rather enjoyed this one. My full thoughts will be made available when the posting has went live on her blog. Not fair to spoil the fun of "Halloween" in advance too much.

I also forced my partner to let us finally finish up the third season of "Steven Universe" even though it meant we would be out of Steven until whenever Hulu decides to put up the next season. Sometimes it feels like forever between us getting to see them and when they were aired. Probably just me complaining because I want them faster. I want to SEE THEM ALREADY! Can we get an exclusive day of deal with this show please Hulu? I am begging you. Okay, No? I Guess I will wait around until you can get them. I love this show though. It always is so encompassing of diversity related issues. I also found my two favorite characters of any show ever in Peridot and Lapis (the two pictured above). These characters are all flawed, but understand that they are flawed and learn to live with it and embrace it. The entire show had a beautiful message that makes my heart so happy. This is why I continue to watch it ever single time I see new episodes put up. It will forever be one of my favorite shows ever.

Comic Book Wednesday- Lady Mechanika: La Dama De La Muerte

I received this book to review for free from NETGALLEY in exchange for an honest review. All the opinions shared are my own and are my honest feelings regarding this book. If you know me I am not one to mix my words simply because something was free. These are my feelings on the book, both the good and the bad. So lets begin!!!

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Lady Mechanika: La Dama De La Muerte

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Created by Joe Benitez

Story by: 

Joe Benitez and M.M. Chen

Pencils by:

Joe Benitez and Martin Montiel

Colors by: 

Peter Steigerwald, Beth Sotelo and Mike Garcia

Letters by: 

Michael Heisler

Collects Mini-Series of Same Name

Synopsis:

The story surrounds Lady Mechanika going to a town called "Santa Catrina" in Mexico to try to get over the recent passing of a fellow comrade in arms, but little does she know that she is going during their festival for the dead. She is faced, full-force, with the realities of her loss. 

When the town is attacked during its festivities by the Jinetes Del Infierno (The Demon Riders), Lady Mechanika realizes she must take matters into her own hands to protect this town. Through many trials and tribulations, Lady Mechnika fights through hell and back to redeem herself from her own past, but in the process she suffers more loss and this is when vengeance has no wrath like Lady Mechanika as "La Dama De La Muerte." 

Central Theme:

The central theme of this particular graphic novel should be self-evident, but just in case you need a clue: DEATH! I mean come on, her friend died, she is at the festival for the dead, Demon Riders, DEATH DEATH DEATH. ;) It also is about coming to terms with loss, coming to terms with parts of your own life, and ultimately about making sure evil people get what the heck is coming to them. 

My Feelings:

I had heard of "Lady Mechanika" in passing because I used to love to read comic books. When I saw this as a "read now" on NetGalley I was like, "Oh, This could be fun." It wasn't fun, IT WAS GOOD! No, let me be more clear: This was a great graphic novel. The artwork was superb. Don't believe me? You doubt my reviewing skills on this artwork? BE SCHOOLED:

Still doubting this artwork is superb? Saying "Cassie, but that is a cover." 

BAM! Artwork: The Sequel - (Interior Edition)

Every single page is this detailed, this thought out. Every nuance, every shape, every line serves a purpose to keep you within the world created by Joe Benitez. The craft of storytelling through artwork is done so masterfully here that you forget that you are reading a graphic novel and momentarily will believe you are watching a film before your eyes. This is coming from someone that is pretty jaded on comic books due to the big two (they pretty much killed off every single one of my favorite characters and brought them back as weird versions that I do not recognize: DONNA TROY was a horrible villain anyone?) This made me remember that there are projects out there that are well-done that are not published by these big two publishers. There are labors of love, like this one, that are projects comic book geeks (I include myself here) should be supporting. We should be supporting projects that encompass superb artwork and masterful storytelling. We, however, seem to continue to pull from the same place over and over again. We need to stop doing that, but that is a conversation for another time and another place. Simply put, WE NEED TO SUPPORT THIS BOOK! 

Okay, so you are saying "I get it we need to support this book, but you haven't even told us why the storytelling is good, outside of it being masterful. That is a cliched word, just saying." Yes, I am not the freaking Ernest Hemingway of reviews here, so sorry I use cliched words like masterful, beautiful, and superb a lot more than I should, sorry (not really). The reason that this has really good storytelling is that from the moment that Lady Mechanika steps off the train in Mexico the story flows. Each moment we understand. We move forward in logical sequences. There is no jarring, "What is happening?" element to the overall storytelling that is sometimes apparent in less "mainstream" comic book publishing. Also the character's motivation does not come out of nowhere. She is dealing with the recent death of a loved one, so her actions within this story make sense. She is also grappling with her own inner demons over her past mistakes, so every moment feels reflective of that character point. It drives her forward to a conclusion that feels like fireworks because we understand where she has been. We understand her pain and in that conclusive moment we are one with Lady Mechanika and the decision she makes. 

Who I Would & Wouldn't Recommend This To:

I wouldn't recommend this book to people that are only into the "superhero" genre because this is not that. This is a well-done story involving a character with depth and emotional baggage. It is more than just "who is the big bad that (insert superhero name) has to fight this time around?" This is about a character that is flawed, deeply, that has to come to terms with that aspect of themselves and how it has influenced her past decisions. If you are not into that, then move along. You may also not enjoy this if you are into more "subversive" styles of comic storytelling. The artwork is very "mainstream" oriented, even if it is an indie publication. This does not try to reinvent any wheels here (in other volumes it may, but not here). 

I would recommend this graphic novel to anyone that enjoy a good story and enjoys well-done artwork (duh, since I mentioned those above). I would also recommend this to anyone that is dealing with their own sense of loss in their life. Seeing the process that Lady Mechanika has to go through may help you deal with your own issue, whatever loss you are dealing with. I would also recommend this to anyone that respects the "Day of the Dead" festivities in the Hispanic culture. It shows it in a positive light and showcases why they celebrate their deceased. If you are not aware of this aspect of that culture it will help you to. I was one of those that kinda knew about the festivities, but not enough to say I was versed in it (I am still not, but this helped me to understand it significantly better). 

Things to Consider: 

Since obviously Lady Mechanika is dealing with the death of a friend, a comrade, or at least someone in her life... This means that there have been other tales with this character that have come before this. 

Three volumes to be precise: 

and it turns out that a current series is being published with the sub-heading:
The Clockwork Assassin

so if you read this volume and enjoy it, there are plenty of other offerings with the character and you can also get the backstory of how she got to this particular point in her life. 

Lady Mechanika: La Dama De La Muerte will be published on September 26, 2017. 

You can pre-order it here: 

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Half Price Books- Not Currently Available

Book Depository