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Batman: Under the Hood (Batman)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Comics and Graphic Novels
by: Judd Winick, Doug Mahnke

January 23, 2006
The crime-lord Black Mask has controlled the Gotham underworld by coming out of the last gang war in the strongest position. Now the mysterious figure of the new Red Hood is muscling in on the action but his true motives remain uncertain. Batman must now deal with the Black Mask as well as this new threat that seems strangely familiar.

This story is looking very interesting with some good action and some great twists to the plot including a certain blast from the past. The art is very good throughout and the story does have some short cameos from various other heroes and villains that, although they are slightly frivolous, are a nice addition. The cliff-hanger at the end of this volume of the story is also a very good one, even ... Read More:

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The Adventures of Tintin: "Tintin in the Land of the Soviets", "Tintin in the Congo" v. 1 (Adventures of Tintin)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Comics and Graphic Novels
by: Herge

February 05, 2007
I loved Tintin when I was younger, something like a quarter century ago. To try to disprove the second part of my title, I reread some of my favourites, such as "The Black Island", "Land Of Black Gold" et al. and found I still thought they were great!

I think the review which criticises the dimensions of the book is a bit churlish; that isn`t my area of complaint at all. I quite like the hardback format. Firstly, "...Soviets" is black and white and drawn rather too amateurishly for my liking. It`s tempting, as a reasonably talented artist, to redo the thing as it should be, in colour, and with Tintin not carrying about five stone of fat around his midriff! The story lacks the subtlety and humour that I expected too. Which leads ... Read More:

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Cosmic Motors: Ships, Cars and Pilots of Another Galaxy

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Comics and Graphic Novels
from: Design Studio Press

February 01, 2008
I loved Tintin when I was younger, something like a quarter century ago. To try to disprove the second part of my title, I reread some of my favourites, such as "The Black Island", "Land Of Black Gold" et al. and found I still thought they were great!

I think the review which criticises the dimensions of the book is a bit churlish; that isn`t my area of complaint at all. I quite like the hardback format. Firstly, "...Soviets" is black and white and drawn rather too amateurishly for my liking. It`s tempting, as a reasonably talented artist, to redo the thing as it should be, in colour, and with Tintin not carrying about five stone of fat around his midriff! The story lacks the subtlety and humour that I expected too. Which leads ... Read More:

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Absolute Sandman: v. 3

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Comics and Graphic Novels
by: Neil Gaiman

June 27, 2008
Neil Gaiman's Sandman collects the first 20 issues of the comic series , and highlights one of the UK's brightest talents in the industry . The story focuses on an immortal being , Dream , who is one of the seven Endless . These demigods are eternally tied to all living things in the universe ( not just on Earth as is demonstrated in the first few issues ).

The book is presented in an enlarged "prestige" format , with high quality paper and binding , as well as recoloured artwork throughout the book . There is also the added extras of Neil Gaiman's initial pitch and plot synopsis for the first few issues , and a complete script for the award winning 'Midsummer's Night Dream' issue .

The book is beautiful , and as you read on ... Read More:

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Sin City: The Big Fat Kill Bk. 3 (Sin City (Dark Horse)): The Big Fat Kill Bk. 3 (Sin City (Dark Horse))

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Comics and Graphic Novels
by: Frank Miller
by: Frank Miller

February 16, 2005
Once again Frank Miller knocks it out of the park in this, the 3rd Sin City installment.
This is a welcome return for some characters, namely Dwight from Dame to Kill for, and the girls from Old Town, and the evil Manute (big, creepy guy that he is!) Dwight is out to put a stop to Jacky-Boy's drunken violence, but he gets whole lot more than he bargained for, when the voluptous Gail steps in. Theres some rough justice, Old Town style, and a fantastic showcase for deadly little Miho and some suprisingly funny use of shruiken! Then things get a whole lot worse, with the discovery of the "Atom Bomb," turns out Jacky-boy was kinda important! Another great crime noir from Miller, with all the amazing characteristics you expect from Sin City. The black ... Read More:

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The Complete Future Shocks

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Comics and Graphic Novels
by: Alan Moore

May 05, 2006
Some of Alan Moore's earliest work, this is a collection of - mostly - unconnected short stories published in "2000AD" in the early 1980's. Considering their age, they remain remarkably fresh and inventive, with flashes of dark humour. What sets these tales out from his later work is a certain economy of style; in a few pages Moore can make readers laugh whilst prompting some quite profound questions in their minds.
Thoroughly recommended - if only as light relief whilst working through the "Travellers Almanac" in volume 2 of the LoEG!

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Watching the Watchmen

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Comics and Graphic Novels
by: Dave Gibbons, Chip Kidd, Mike Essl

October 24, 2008
Some of Alan Moore's earliest work, this is a collection of - mostly - unconnected short stories published in "2000AD" in the early 1980's. Considering their age, they remain remarkably fresh and inventive, with flashes of dark humour. What sets these tales out from his later work is a certain economy of style; in a few pages Moore can make readers laugh whilst prompting some quite profound questions in their minds.
Thoroughly recommended - if only as light relief whilst working through the "Travellers Almanac" in volume 2 of the LoEG!

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Marvel Platinum: The Definitive Iron Man (Marvel Platinum)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Comics and Graphic Novels
by: Lee, Stan, Micheline, David

May 15, 2008
The latest offering from panini is a collection of Iron Man tales spanning 40+ years. Reprinted (on very good quality paper) are Tales of Suspense 39, (Iron Man's first appearance) Iron Man issues 99-100, 128, 131-133, 149-150, 200, 256 and vol.3 issue 30. The issues by David Michelinie Bob Layton and John Romita Jr. are outstanding and the others range from readable to quite enjoyable. The package as a whole is exellent value.

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Moomin Book 2: The Complete Tove Jansson Comic Strip Book: The Complete Tove Jansson Comic Strip: Bk. 2

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Comics and Graphic Novels
by: Tove Jansson

October 31, 2007
This is another collection of hilarious, bizarre, fascinating and unique picture-strips and it is entirely worthy as a companion to book 1.

Such riches here, but to tell all would be to spoil. But how can I not mention the masterly linework, the intrisic design, the delicacy of the lunacy, the understated wit: all brought to life through the usual favourites - Moominmamma, dignified in disaster (and delightfully eccentric in her approach to housework), befuddled Moominpappa , the Mymble and her multitudinous kiddies, Fillyjonks, Misabel and of course spiteful Little My?

Herein, Moomintroll builds a house with the aid (???) of the Snork Maiden,
The Moomins resist hibernation and pine needles to embrace winter - a story that's a little ... Read More:

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Horrid Henry's Annual 2009 (Annual)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Comics and Graphic Novels
by: Francesca Simon

October 30, 2008
This is another collection of hilarious, bizarre, fascinating and unique picture-strips and it is entirely worthy as a companion to book 1.

Such riches here, but to tell all would be to spoil. But how can I not mention the masterly linework, the intrisic design, the delicacy of the lunacy, the understated wit: all brought to life through the usual favourites - Moominmamma, dignified in disaster (and delightfully eccentric in her approach to housework), befuddled Moominpappa , the Mymble and her multitudinous kiddies, Fillyjonks, Misabel and of course spiteful Little My?

Herein, Moomintroll builds a house with the aid (???) of the Snork Maiden,
The Moomins resist hibernation and pine needles to embrace winter - a story that's a little ... Read More: