Audiobook of the Week: Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer by James L. Swanson, performed by Richard Thomas. I didn’t realize that after Lincoln was shot, John Wilkes Booth evaded pursuers for almost two weeks. I always thought he broke his leg jumping down from the balcony and that was the end of it. But, you know, public schools. Swanson brings to the book the full picture of what happened in the wake of Lincoln’s death, and Thomas’ reading brings it to life for your car trips. This hits from Harper Audio and is very recommended. (Buy it)
Book of the Week: 30 Days of Night: Rumors of the Undead by Steve Niles & Jeff Mariotte. Building on the mythos that Niles and company created for the original comic series, which was the best vampire concept I’ve read in ages–what if Salem’s Lot took place but there was no sun to contend with…because you’re in Alaska–this time around it’s an FBI agent who loses his partner to the undead, and tries to figure out what the hell happened in Alaska while he tries to put his partner to eternal rest. This hits from Pocket Books. (Buy it)
Graphic Novel of the Week: Dungeon: Twilight, Vol. 1: Dragon Cemetery. This NBM release had us going from the get-go, since we looked at the cover and said, “Is that a heavily-armed red rabbit having just cloven a dragon in two or something?” And it just goes from there. Welcome to Terra Amata, where our protagonist, Marvin, is at the end of his days, and sets out with a couple of friends to find the cemetery of the title. Interesting fantasy title, now we’ve got to go back and find the previous releases. (Buy it)
CD of the Week: Resonator by Tony Levin. Tony Levin is the bass player for Peter Gabriel and also a member of King Crimson. I’ve heard a couple of his solo bits on collections over the years, but this is the first full-on album I’ve gotten and I must say that I’m pleased. This Narada release features Levin on vocals as well, which is a change, and I’m pleased to say that it doesn’t throw things off in the least. Check out “Break It Down” and “Throw the God a Bone” for some nice samples. (Buy it)
Magazine of the Week: Back Issue! #15. TwoMorrows chunks a hundred pages of goodness at your head, all of which feature “weird heroes” of the 70s and 80s. There’s features on Deadman, Ragman, Ghost Rider, The Demon, Werewolf by Night, Phantom Stranger and on and on and on. There was supposed to be a Gorilla Grodd series? WTF? Among those being talked to are Matt Wagner, Joe Kubert, Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez, with a ton of art brought to you by Gene Colan plus more. If you miss the days when comics were good, then TwoMorrows is here to save you. (Buy it)
