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Writer: Shobo / Artist: George Kambadais / Boom! Studios
Last issue saw Toba enter into the temporally odd Elseverse reunite with his father while his friends defended the portal to the best of their abilities to buy their companion as much as time as humanly possible. After a lot of bearing of various emotions, it looked like the day was won when Toba discovered the existence of the Eben Sword, but unfortunately their nemesis Ewon also escaped. Thus set the stages for the final issue of the Buckhead mini-series.
With Ewon and his legions slowly wreaking havoc on Buckhead, Toba and the team have to make a final one stand to save their town. Shobo and Kambadais had to cover a lot of ground with this issue. While we had a grand action set piece last issue, we had yet to have the final definitive fight, and the creative team had a lot of ground to cover with the standard twenty pages. Everything moves at a blinding quick pace as Toba retrieves the Eben Sword in the real world, and the group finally fights Ewon head on.
Shobo manages to be efficient with the storytelling, but there is very little time to breathe. Each page is full to the brim with action and exposition and even the moments of rest that the character gets are brief pages before we get to the narrative beat. Furthermore, given that the majority of the issue deals with the action-packed climax, there’s not a lot of real estate to unpack the implications of the ending. While it wraps everything up, I feel like one more issue could have helped with the pacing.
Kambadais makes Buckhead #5 a spectacle to look at though, and Jim Campbell’s lettering is absolutely on fire between Ewon’s altered speech text and the exposition boxes. All of the actions are easy to follow even though it’s very dense, and Ewon’s final design is truly a site to behold and stare at in wonder. The visual elements of the book are dynamic and kinetic, and it makes for a great read.
All in all, Buckhead was a tight, if not filled to the brim, mini-series that did a lot of intriguing things with the intersection of video games and mythology. There’s a lot to love and the world provided a fun, thrilling jaunt. I would have appreciate maybe just a couple more pages to fully appreciate all of the effort that went into constructing Toba’s journey.
8.4 “Elseverse Mods” out of 10
Enjoying Buckhead? Check out BNP’s other reviews here.
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The post Buckhead #5 Review appeared first on Black Nerd Problems.
Writer: Shobo / Artist: George Kambadais / Boom! Studios
Last issue saw Toba enter into the temporally odd Elseverse reunite with his father while his friends defended the portal to the best of their abilities to buy their companion as much as time as humanly possible. After a lot of bearing of various emotions, it looked like the day was won when Toba discovered the existence of the Eben Sword, but unfortunately their nemesis Ewon also escaped. Thus set the stages for the final issue of the Buckhead mini-series.
With Ewon and his legions slowly wreaking havoc on Buckhead, Toba and the team have to make a final one stand to save their town. Shobo and Kambadais had to cover a lot of ground with this issue. While we had a grand action set piece last issue, we had yet to have the final definitive fight, and the creative team had a lot of ground to cover with the standard twenty pages. Everything moves at a blinding quick pace as Toba retrieves the Eben Sword in the real world, and the group finally fights Ewon head on.
Shobo manages to be efficient with the storytelling, but there is very little time to breathe. Each page is full to the brim with action and exposition and even the moments of rest that the character gets are brief pages before we get to the narrative beat. Furthermore, given that the majority of the issue deals with the action-packed climax, there’s not a lot of real estate to unpack the implications of the ending. While it wraps everything up, I feel like one more issue could have helped with the pacing.
Kambadais makes Buckhead #5 a spectacle to look at though, and Jim Campbell’s lettering is absolutely on fire between Ewon’s altered speech text and the exposition boxes. All of the actions are easy to follow even though it’s very dense, and Ewon’s final design is truly a site to behold and stare at in wonder. The visual elements of the book are dynamic and kinetic, and it makes for a great read.
All in all, Buckhead was a tight, if not filled to the brim, mini-series that did a lot of intriguing things with the intersection of video games and mythology. There’s a lot to love and the world provided a fun, thrilling jaunt. I would have appreciate maybe just a couple more pages to fully appreciate all of the effort that went into constructing Toba’s journey.
8.4 “Elseverse Mods” out of 10
Enjoying Buckhead? Check out BNP’s other reviews here.
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The post Buckhead #5 Review appeared first on Black Nerd Problems.
From classic novels to modern classics, from tweens to teens and beyond, these are the best top books to read for kids!
Hello all, I’m back once again. Today we’ll be discussing books. The best top books to read, to be more clear. Now, being a big library kid, I read many a chapter book snuggled up in a cozy reading chair. Growing older led me to broaden my tastes, branching out into different genres and formats, like dystopian sci-fi and manga. For this list, I found some classics that all of you should give a chance, young or old. And never fear, I’m giving you plenty of options, and I swear whatever you pick, it’s going to be amazing. So, with all of that in mind, let’s get into the list!
Perhaps, you’re looking for something a little more visual for your kids to read? Check out our list of the best graphic novels for kids by age! Or maybe your kids want to read Harry Potter and you’re not sure if they’re age appropriate. Be sure to visit our Harry Potter reading level guide, and let us help you make an informed decision!
Okay, great, time to begin!
Top Chapter Books to Read
So, I was very young when I first came across Junie B. Jones, and to me, she’s iconic. Seriously, anyone who’s read her books has nothing but praise for her. Truly, she made a lot of people’s childhoods. The thing about her that charmed me the most was the way she carried herself. She knew what she liked and never felt bad about it. In addition, she was confident and never afraid to be weird. Also, she had attitude but wasn’t a brat. Something I’m still working on myself, but that’s another story.
Some of my earliest reading memories are the wacky stories of Amelia Bedelia, the world’s most literal maid. She would always turn everything upside down with her semi lack of understanding. Not gonna lie, she was one of my very first comfort characters because she always meant well and, honestly, always trying her best. Even years later, I still aspire to try the lemon meringue pie that always managed to save her job.
Come with me on a journey back to the days of the school Book Fair. What a time to be alive! And honestly, whether you got anything or not, there was something magical about that type of setting. Let’s be real, you didn’t even have to like reading to want something; that’s how alluring the Book Fair was! In my younger years, Captain Underpants became a staple in most kids’ lives. Which makes it still so shocking that the Captain Underpants movie didn’t come out until twenty years later in 2017! It was worth the wait though because, just like the book, that movie’s hilarious.
Franny K. Stein, Mad Scientist
I genuinely believe I am one of the rare few that read all the original books. I say original, as I learned that currently more exist, and to be honest the excitement I feel about that might be considered strange. Moving on, this series follows a young mad scientist named Franny, who makes up for what she lacks in height with extreme intelligence. Though, sometimes, her experiments backfire very badly. But that’s half the fun!
Historical events and disasters brought to life through the eyes of a child. This intense book series immerses readers with its accurate facts and relatable characters, as kids tell their stories of survival. I gave this to my nephew, a very picky reader, and he ate it up like it was chocolate cake for the brain. There’s 21 books in the series so far, and even a few graphic novels too!
Top Books for Middle Grade
Another Book Fair classic! Does anyone else remember when this series first appeared, how the book was everywhere? Seriously, you couldn’t go anywhere without seeing Greg Heffley’s face. It impacted an entire era, and to me this nailed what middle school is about. Middle schoolers and their families are sure to love this relatable story about popularity, bullying, and the meaning of true friendship. Plus, it’s hilarious, so don’t be surprised if you hear your kid randomly laughing out loud from their bedroom.
Following a concept similar to Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Dork Diaries follows the adventures of Nikki Maxwell as she navigates starting eight grade at a new school. During the year, she deals with a mean-girl rival, manages crushes, and has adventures with her friends Zoey and Chloe. This series still gets new books, and personally I will fight on this hill, saying Dork Diaries deserves the same respect and treatment as Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Hopefully, one day…
Okay so question time: Did anyone else see the Wayside TV show on Nickelodeon first, then read the book? At the time, I didn’t know it was a book and after reading it, I noticed the differences. One of the first instances of me noticing how different adaptations can be. Though they were very similar, the show obviously changed the characters a lot too. Thankfully, the zany characters are hilarious in both forms. Not gonna lie, I’d probably feel right at home with all the Wayside madness.
Ever After High: The Storybook of Legends
Ever After High, a place for the children of fairy tales, both that of heroes and villains, each separated into two categories: royals and rebels. During their time here, the kids learn to follow in their parents destinies and continue their stories. However, Raven Queen, daughter of the Evil Queen, wants to follow her own path. But, could not vowing to follow her destiny ruin her life? Mind you, I loved both the show and the books, so either is a great choice.
Yep, another book fair classic. I saw it and honestly thought Judy looked cool. Who else grabs books based on the cover before they ever even read the back description? Much like Franny K. Stein, learning this actually has newly published books makes my younger self happy. Judy Moody is something I lowkey feel got slept on, and I’m here to change that!
Best Young Adults Books to Read
Follow Kaz Brekker and the rest of his team as they attempt the impossible. A heist to not only bring back a brilliant inventor but also keep a massive secret from being exposed to the world. Also, though I am here to totally encourage all of you to read, Netflix’s fantastic Shadow and Bone series is a great introduction to this band of unique thieves. Having said that, however, I recommend reading both books in this two-book series for the truest experience.
So, personally, I’d never heard of this until I was doing research for this article. Now, after learning more about it, I’m so invested. Like, I need to be caught up so when the movie comes, I’m ready. Sorry, I’m getting ahead of myself. The Gilded Ones follows 16-year old Dreka as the day she’s been fearing most of her life approaches. That being, the blood ceremony to determine if she will be a part of the tribe or an impure outcast. Soon she discovers what happens when the thing you feared becomes the reality you’ve been dreading.
Another series (this one a trilogy) I wasn’t totally familiar with, but now that I am, is on the top of my to-read list. When Yarvi’s father, the King, dies, the young prince becomes king. Soon he’s betrayed by his family, usurped, and cast out. Unable to live the traditional warrior lifestyle due his disabled hand, Yarvi takes a more academic, calculating path. The book follows his struggles as he gathers a band of similarly unwanted outcasts to try to retake his throne. With so many amazing fantasy authors praising this series, I don’t know how I missed it! So, don’t you miss it too!
I’ve always liked a story that kept me wondering. I got that here, and personally I liked the message. Life could be as perfect as you want but that doesn’t mean the harsh evils of the world don’t exist, and if you ignore them, then they’ll never truly go away. Not entirely like our world, but not too far off either, to be honest. In this story, Jam is taught that monsters don’t exist anymore. However, when a strange creature named Pet appears, Jam must reconsider all that she’s been taught if she wants to uncover the truth and protect the one’s she loves.
In more ways than he ever could have imagined, Titus’s entire life turns upside down when he meets Violet. In a world, where the majority of the population connects to the Feed, Titus and his friends are attacked by hacker, causing them to lose access. This book’s dystopian setting creates a vision of a future that, though technologically advanced, is environmentally devastated. Imagine not even your clouds being real. And, as Violet attempts to convince Titus to fight the Feed in order to break free from its control, Titus must decide what’s more important, love or that new pair sneakers that everyone on the Feed is talking about. As you can guess, Feed’s brutal satire, in the vein of Brave New World, was made for the digital age. Honestly, everyone should read this book, young and old. It’s brilliant.
The post Best Top Books to Read for Kids by Reading Level appeared first on Nerdy With Children.
There’s nothing better than when the villain that’s been lying, sneaky, manipulative, or just plain cruel finally gets what they’ve had coming to them. @Tiffie Starchild is here with a few villain deaths that were extremely gratifying to watch.
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Writer: Chris Ryall / Artist: Ashley Wood / Image
Back when I was first getting into comics circa the early 2010s, one of the trades that caught my eye was a copy of Complete Zombies Vs Robots. There was no grand pretense, no elaborate arc. Just a simple, simple premise: ‘what if zombies fought robots?’ That was it and that’s all it ever needed to be: the undead and the machine locked in a hyper-violent conflict. It was a fun romp to experience because it knew exactly what it was. Now, whether you wanna call it rising from the grave like a zombie or rebooting after a long slumber like a robot, Zombies Vs Robots is back on the shelves with a fresh coat of chrome and viscera – ready to entertain.
Zombies Vs Robots Classics is kinda like a remix of the original comic, with some added material there for those who weren’t already embroiled in this series. It features a new intro that does a very quick summary of the events of the first run, before quickly returning to a new Ashley Wood cover and a familiar page. Admittedly, this page is $#%@ing awesome, so I’m here for more readers to experience it firsthand.
The first three chapters are a spruced-up version of the origin story (at least my feeble eyes seem to think, compared to the original printed version I dug up), but still holds up after a decade. Between the hilariously snarky dialogue from Chris Ryall and the pulpy illustrations from Ashley Wood, the intro is a welcome romp through memory lanes for the first three-quarters of the issue, before introducing some new bespoke content in the form of an equally campy outro.
If you’re familiar or otherwise vividly remember the first run, I don’t think you necessarily need to rush out and buy it. But if you’re like me and had fond memories of the original, or are completely indoctrinated, let this be a sign to add this to your pull. There’s no greater scope. It’s the story of how a bunch of zombies ended up fighting a bunch of robots, and it’s bemusing and fun to read.
I’m glad to see Chris Ryall and Ashley Wood resume full creative control over the IP and I’m excited to revisit the world and get some new tidbits of content along the way I hope you’ll join me in basking in the carnage.
9.3 “Existential Questions” out of 10
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