Reading Wednesday
I signed up for this year's Remix Revival. I'll probably sign up for the madness round too. The real question is, should I sign up for the Alternate Universe Exchange? It comes due a basically the same time as the remix, but assignments go out sooner. I did both last year, but last year I had ambition. Quick, someone who isn't me, make a decision and tell me what to do!
On to the book review!
Just Finished
Supersons of Tomorrow - Alternate universe Tim Drake shows up to kill Superboy for something he might do in the future and shit gets dumb. Fractures among the Teen Titans are revealed while Damian and Jon grow closer. Jon and Damian were adorable, but I was deeply frustrated with the treatment of alt!Tim. He dies trying to fix the crisis he created and gets celebrated as a hero/savior after nearly getting everyone killed and I just...::sigh:: Comics. ,
Batman vols. 8 & 9 - I re-read the Superheavy and Bloom arcs as research for an up coming fic about amnesia!Bruce. After Bruce loses his memory and becomes a youth councillor, Jim Gordon is hired to become the new corporate Batman. A mad scientist giving random citizens superpowers prompts Bruce to restore his memory via the plot device machine, but ultimately it's Jim who saved the day. The arc has some pretty neat things to say about authoritarianism vs individuality vs collectivism. The basic argument is that superheroes can be inspirational, but ultimately, it's up to average citizens to build, maintain, and protect their communities. And then it immediately undermines that argument painting Bruce as selfish for wanting to help traumatized kids instead of being Batman in order to push him into taking up the mantle and restoring the status quo. ::sigh:: I don't know why I keep reading DC comics expecting positive character growth like they're Marvel or something.
Currently Reading
The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin - This book was profiled in the PBS book club and I thought I'd check it out. I'm only a few chapters in, but the world building and writing style are best so far. It's the first book in a trilogy, so I'll be reading those next.
On to the book review!
Just Finished
Supersons of Tomorrow - Alternate universe Tim Drake shows up to kill Superboy for something he might do in the future and shit gets dumb. Fractures among the Teen Titans are revealed while Damian and Jon grow closer. Jon and Damian were adorable, but I was deeply frustrated with the treatment of alt!Tim. He dies trying to fix the crisis he created and gets celebrated as a hero/savior after nearly getting everyone killed and I just...::sigh:: Comics. ,
Batman vols. 8 & 9 - I re-read the Superheavy and Bloom arcs as research for an up coming fic about amnesia!Bruce. After Bruce loses his memory and becomes a youth councillor, Jim Gordon is hired to become the new corporate Batman. A mad scientist giving random citizens superpowers prompts Bruce to restore his memory via the plot device machine, but ultimately it's Jim who saved the day. The arc has some pretty neat things to say about authoritarianism vs individuality vs collectivism. The basic argument is that superheroes can be inspirational, but ultimately, it's up to average citizens to build, maintain, and protect their communities. And then it immediately undermines that argument painting Bruce as selfish for wanting to help traumatized kids instead of being Batman in order to push him into taking up the mantle and restoring the status quo. ::sigh:: I don't know why I keep reading DC comics expecting positive character growth like they're Marvel or something.
Currently Reading
The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin - This book was profiled in the PBS book club and I thought I'd check it out. I'm only a few chapters in, but the world building and writing style are best so far. It's the first book in a trilogy, so I'll be reading those next.