Review: UGLIES: Cutters

UGLIES: CUTTERS
BALLANTINE BOOKS/DEL REY – @delreyspectra

CREATOR: Scott Westerfeld
WRITERS: Scott Westerfeld, Devin Grayson
ART: Steven Cummings
TONES/LETTERS: Yishan Li
COVER: Steven Cummings with Espen Grundetjern
ISBN: 978-0-345-52723-3; paperback (December 4, 2012)
176pp, B&W, $10.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN

Scott Westerfeld is an American science fiction author who has written several book series aimed at the young adult market (YA). The Uglies is a series of young adult, science fiction/fantasy novels written by Westerfeld. The series, which began in 2005 with the publication of Uglies, is set 300 years in the future in a time in which everyone is turned “pretty” by extreme cosmetic surgery. The Uglies’ central character is Tally Youngblood, a teen girl who rebels against this forced conformity.

Uglies: Cutters is the second of two original graphic novels that are set in the world of the Uglies and tell new stories through the eyes of Tally’s friend, Shay, another teen girl. Like the first graphic novel (Uglies: Shay’s Story), Uglies: Cutters is scripted by Devin Grayson from a story by Scott Westerfeld and is drawn by artist Steven Cummings.

Uglies: Cutters apparently takes place after the second prose novel in the series, Pretties (2005). The series’ lead character, Tally Youngblood, and her best friend, Shay, have undergone “the Surge,” which is the rite-of-passage surgery that transforms them from “Ugly” to “Pretty.” Shay now lives in New Pretty Town enjoying the good life, and she is hoping to be inducted into Tally’s clique, the “Crims” (short for “criminal”).

Shay, however, is troubled by her new life as a stunning beauty. She is plagued by bad dreams and is somewhat distressed that she cannot remember much about her time in “The Smoke,” a wilderness camp where runaways live. She also has noticed that both Tally and Zane, a boy Shay likes, are always together and have been acting strangely. Suddenly, distrustful of her friend, Shay starts to gather a rebellious group of her own, the “Cutters.” But Shay is fighting on three fronts: against Tally, the mysterious Special Circumstances, and Dr. Cable, and this fight will be tougher than she realizes.

Like Shay’s Story, Uglies: Cutters deals with adolescent themes of emotional and physical change, but Cutters is more about the aftermath of such changes. Cutters also emphasizes the conflict within social groups, depicting rivalries and jealousies. Cutters is about suspicious minds, and Shay’s mind is full of suspicions, and, in a way, that makes her something akin to an unreliable narrator. For instance, is she creating a love triangle (involving herself, Tally, and Zane) where none exists? The fun is that you never know how much truth there is to her inklings.

Early in Cutters, the authors focus in on the shallowness of Pretty life, so much so that the story turns as shallow as party-happy Pretty. Gradually, however, the narrative comes together, and Cutters reveals itself to be something more than just science fiction-fantasy. It is also a mystery story, with the lead characters trying to unravel a conspiracy and uncover secrets, all the while going through some mean teen angst. Uglies: Cutters starts off badly, but gets better as the story goes along. It ends with a bang, maybe even leaving you wanting more.

B

www.delreybooks.com
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

Albert Avilla Reviews: Hit Girl Issue 4

Hit Girl Issue 4
Marvel Comics/ICON

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Writer: Mark Millar
Artist: John Romita Jr.
Finishes/Inks: Tom Palmer

Say My Name! (Spoilers!)
The best female character in comics, and she has no boobs. We thought Hit Girl was caught in an untenable situation. She not only gets out of trouble with the most violence she can muster, she also gets home in time to protect her cover story. You have to love a little cutie who can mop the floor with blood-thirsty thugs. She has all the little bees at school in check; her position as alpha female is firmly established. Her plan to take down Genovese is set with pictures to go along with it. Red Mist is getting mystical martial arts training from con artists in Asia.

I got cramps in the old abdomen from laughing. How can someone make you cringe at the amount of blood splattered and at the same time laugh at the stupidity of the criminal? Talent has something to do with it. Sweet and spicy like General Tso's Chicken. The step-dad is locking down Mindy's room; I can imagine her planning how she'll pick the locks while Marcus is installing them. When Genovese's hit squad comes to kill Marcus, they grab Mindy and drag her to Marcus; they want Marcus to beg them not to kill her. They think that they are going to be pulling the wings off of a butterfly when they really stepped in a nest of pit vipers.

There is no moment while reading this story that you are not thoroughly entertained. Millar is the leader of the pack when we are discussing storytelling in the comic book format. I have to wait until next issue to see what Hit Girl has up her diabolical little sleeves. We are in store for some poetic violence.

John Romita Jr. is an icon in the industry. This is some of his best work. When you see his name on a comic book, you know that it is a major event. He has his own signature style which enhances any story.

I rate Hit Girl Issue 4 Recommend it to a Friend. Al-O-Meter's Highest Ranking

Black Bird: Teen-Something and Pregnant

I read Black Bird, Vol. 15

I posted a review in ComicBookBin (which has free smart phone apps and comics).

Albert Avilla Reviews: All New X-Men #1

All New X-Men #1
Mavel Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Pencils: Stuart Immonen
Inks: Wade Von Grawbadger

Spoilers!
Bendis on the X-Men, gentlemen, I think we have a hit. This story is getting back to the roots of what the X-Men are about, finding new mutants and preparing them for the realities of the world.

Beast is going through another mutation that may kill him. Cyclops is still tripping, finding mutants, and recruiting them to his side. I thought he was locked up. He’s leading Magneto and the White Queen and calling themselves the X-Men. This is sure to be a real public relations problem for the real X-Men who are ready to shut Cyclops down; but Storm, the wise leader that she is, wants to take the high road. Saving lives is more important to her than her own agenda. Beast gets the idea that Cyclops needs to get back to who he is. Beast goes to the past to get the original X-Men to do just that.

I don’t like to say that one creator is better than another, but I can say that Bendis is an industry leader. This story is Claremont-esque. We get interesting plotline within interesting plotline. Hopefully, these plotlines won’t be resolved in a neat four issue format, but be true to Claremont form and have each plot leading into story after story. The possibilities are endless. I’m not ashamed to say that my expectations for this book were low; when I would see the ads for this book I would say, “What?” Bendis has made me so happily wrong. I’m ready to ride this rollercoaster.

The art speaks for itself. All that I can say is look at the rug when Scott and Hank are arguing in the past. I liked the contrast between youngster Cyclops and grown man Cyclops on the cover. Keep this creative team together. This was a symphony of art and words.

I rate All New X-Men #1 Recommend It to a Friend. #1 (of 5) on the Al-O-Meter Ranking

An I Reads You December to Remember

Welcome to I Reads You, a ComicBookBin blog (www.comicbookbin.com). We blog about the things we read: mostly comic books (we love 'dem comics), comics, and related books. Sometimes, we’ll write about or link to other topics: typically books, politics, and entertainment.

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Albert Avilla Reviews: Gambit #4

Gambit #4
Marvel Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Writer: James Asmus
Pencils: Clay Mann and Leonard Kirk
Inks: Seth Mann and Leonard Kirk

She’s the End of the World (Spoilers!)

This issue is the conclusion to the first story arc of the new Gambit series. Nothing significant happens in the story. Gambit and his lady open a portal to the realm of the gods to face a non-sentient feathered serpent. The story allows Gambit to show his resourcefulness and acrobatic abilities. He has an opportunity to save the damsel in distress. At one point Gambit enters the serpent and blows up its head from the inside. Where have we seen this before? Finally, Gambit gives up on trying to use the relic to close the portal and uses his powers to do the deed.

One prop that I can give the story is that it had action from beginning to the end. Gambit’s lady’s name is Joelle, and she has super powers which she doesn’t use to help Gambit. The story’s ending threw me for a loop. One minute Joelle is kissing Gambit and in the next, she’s knocking him out. If you want to break up, lets be cordial about it; there is no need for the violence.

On his return to New York, Gambit jumps into a car with a stranger. He ends up in the hands of Cich. I wonder what Cich has planned for him? Do you think he wants Gambit to steal something? A conclusion to a story arc should have a little more bang for your buck; this ended in a fizzle. The greatest challenge that Gambit faced was the hostile environment. This god didn’t wield very much power; it was just another big snake.

The art was an asset to the story. The artists were able to put large scenes in every panel. The scenes with Gambit and the serpent illustrate the size of the challenge that Gambit must overcome.

I rate Gambit #4 Read a Friends Copy. #3 (of 5) on the Al-O-Meter Ranking

Bleach: End of Bond

I read Bleach, Vol. 52

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin.