Assassin's Creed: The Ezio Trilogy (2009-11)

Assassin's Creed II (2009)  |  Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (2010)  |  Assassin's Creed: Revelations (2011)

Wonder Woman '77: Volume 01 (2016)

Wonder Woman '77: Volume 01 (2016)

Author: Marc Andreyko  |  Illustrators: Drew Johnson / Matt Haley / Richard Ortiz / Jason Badower / Cat Staggs  |  Page Count: 168

"Why don't you pick on someone who can fight back?"

I didn't buy any of the Batman '66 collections because I already have more Batman comics on my overstuffed shelves than any sane person should have, but I'm sure glad that it was a success because it likely had a large part to play in the launch of Wonder Woman '77.

Like the Batman title, WW '77 is based on the TV Series of yesteryear and uses the likenesses of its lead actors, in this instance that's Lynda Carter and Lyle Waggoner.

Because the characters had been established decades before, the comic can forego introductions and instead jump feet first into the action. By the third page of the first issue DC's finest lady is throwing villains about, the lasso has come into play, a woman is tied up, and the adoration of Steve Trevor is earned. Yes, the tongue is placed in cheek but it's held there lovingly. And since a comic doesn't have the same limitations that a TV production has that love can reach spectacular levels.

Gunsmoke (1953)

Gunsmoke (1953)

Dir. Nathan Juran

Gun for hire Reb Kittredge (Audie Murphy) receives a mostly cold reception when he arrives in town; it's a reaction that turns out to be somewhat warranted when we find out why he's actually there.

But Reb is used to such responses. His no nonsense approach to life extends in all directions. Never faltering, he remains calm and ever-ready even in heated situations. The script gives him ample opportunity to prove it, using both bullets and loaded dialogues as ammunition.

A lot of 1950s westerns were formulaic, repeating what worked before because it was easy and accepted. Gunsmoke shares a lot of the same ingredients as that type, but it keeps pace with the pack leaders, not with the stragglers at the back.

The short running time (79 mins) means everything has to move at a hurried pace, including the characterisation, but it's well-played, with even the most overly-used stock types feeling purposeful during their sometimes brief appearances.

NOTE: it's not related to the long-running TV Series (1955–75) of the same name.

Songs of Innocence and of Experience (1789-94)

Songs of Innocence and of Experience:

Shewing the Two Contrary States of the Human Soul (1789-94)

Author: William Blake  |  Page Count: approx 50 

"Love seeketh not itself to please, nor for itself hath any care, but for another gives its ease, and builds a Heaven in Hell's despair."

The book, as it’s collected here, was originally written in two parts: Songs of Innocence was published in 1789, with Songs of Experience following in full five years later. The first part is closely tied with the conventions of Romanticism; the second is dependent upon the same but for very different reasons.

It’s unknown if Blake always planned to have Experience follow Innocence or if it was a result of Innocence failing to sufficiently shake the system as much as he'd hoped it would, heightening his need to push further buttons. Either way, the two books work in tandem to express an opposition to each other and to cement an idea.

H.R. Giger Tarot (2000)

H.R. Giger Tarot (2000)

aka: Baphomet: The Tarot of the Underworld

Author: Akron  |  Illustrator: H.R. Giger  |  Page Count: 223

It's the usual type of bundled Tarot package, which means it’s a book giving details of readings and spreads and a deck with which to use.

The individual cards are beautifully presented, large format but totally impractical for use; nor is it a full deck, it’s just the Major Arcana.

Worse, some of them have been changed. The Hanged Man is now The Hanged Woman, to better represent the painting Akron has chosen, and Temperance has become Alchemy.

It doesn't really matter because they weren't painted to commission; like I said, they were simply chosen, the paintings existed before the book was conceived and therefore lack the traditional imagery or symbolism that a serious practitioner of the art might prefer.

The Brood (1979)

The Brood (1979)

Dir. David Cronenberg

A film that explores the manifestations of human rage and the violent impact it has on society, in particular the family unit.

Nothing about the story is conventional, even if on the surface it might seem to be.

It’s a candid blend of autobiographical realism and fantastical psychological horror that turns the intimate into something terrifyingly perverse, as only David Cronenberg can.

Professional drunk Oliver Reed is perfectly cast as a doctor who dabbles in some rather odd therapy techniques. His primary subject, Samantha Eggar, gives a performance that will shock and repulse most viewers.

I shudder to think how Rule 34 might apply.

Judge Anderson: The PSI Files: Volume 01 (2009)

Judge Anderson: The PSI Files: Volume 01 (2009)

Authors: Alan Grant / John Wagner  |  Illustrators: Brett Ewins / Cliff Robinson / Robin Smith / Barry Kitson / Jeff Anderson / Will Simpson / Mark Farmer / Mick Austin / David Roach / Arthur Ranson / Carlos Ezquerra / Kim Raymond  |  Page Count: 384

'I’m hurting inside, deep down in my mind, in the secret places only the PSIs know.'

When something is considered too weird for the regular Judges of Mega-City One to deal with they’ll often step aside and call in PSI Division. The PSI Judges have abilities that enable them to literally get inside the minds of criminals.

The best of them, Judge Cassandra Anderson, is a psychic and a telepath with some limited precognition powers. Being receptive to the thoughts of others makes her a little eccentric. She’s accountable to the law the same as everyone, but sometimes PSI Judges are granted special dispensations; she's been known to take advantage of such things.

Since Rebellion acquired 2000 AD they’ve been re-releasing some long out of print material in very attractive editions with a large page count that would make any shelf envious. The first Anderson volume collects together her earliest adventures in chronological order (see end of post for full list).