Grant Morrison's Batman

I have been following Grant Morrison's run on Batman with interest. He always writes a great story, even if you can't always follow it the first time. Now that we have reached the end of Batman RIP we can look at the run as a whole, and admire the work that Morrison has managed to put into this run. Anyone who can write Batmite into a story is to be commended.

Sure at times Morrison's invention is hard to follow, but as a whole the story is fairly mind blowing. Sure DC were never going to allow Batman to be to changed by the end, but Morrison sure took him on a roller-coaster ride to get there.

I encourage people to read this run and sit back and just enjoy the ride. Morrison will not let you down.

Fun read

Neal Asher's book Prador Moon is a fun space opera novel that leaves you wanting more. Part of this is helped by the fact that the novel itself is only about 200 pages long, and this short space allows Asher's prose to zing, as we see the Polity encounter the first ever space faring alien species. And what a species they turn out to be, massive crab-like creatures who are nearly indestructible and called the Prador.

Sure it is full of Asher's trademark violence, and tough characters, but it also manages to make both sides of this conflict real, as we have different narrators, Prador and Human. As always Asher will raise issues with the reader, but then gives his reader's space to think about it in their own time without preaching to them if they so choose. Or they can concentrate on the many characters getting gutted in various vicious ways.

Overall another great read, from an author who never fails to deliver.

Alias

I've been reading my way through Brian Michael Bendis' run on Alias and realising how much I enjoy his writing when he is in tune with a character. His stories of Jessica Jones as a private detective are wonderfully constructed and we see Jessica deal with her cases and her personal life, ex-superhero, single woman etc.

Rather than trying to run massive company wide crossovers, Bendis is much better off telling small stories with a noir twist and allowing big name superheroes to make cameos. As he tells his story of power and the responsibility that comes with it, and how having superpowers impacts on your life (to a lesser degree).

Find the TPB and start reading, and you will discover why so many people rate this series.

Back to work

Now that my holidays are over I can look back at the mountain of books I tried to read and shake my head. I must be mad ...
Anyway here are some of my favourites that I did finish,

• R. Scott Bakker - The Darkness That Comes Before. Wow, really enjoyed this, the world he describes is vivid and the characters are interesting, can't wait to read the rest.
• Kristin Cashore - Graceling. Quick, fun read that left me wanting more.
• Nick Stone - King of Swords. Thriller set in 1980s Miami.
• Jack Kirby - Jack Kirby's Fourth World Omnibus Vol 1. Mind blowing comics from one of the best.

Just a quick glimpse at what I've been reading, I'll be back with proper reviews soon.

Basketball God

I love playing and watching basketball, and I also love reading about players and coaches as well. I have just finished Robert Cherry's Wilt. Larger Than Life and I must say it was a great read.

It is always hard to say who the greatest basketballer was, or is, different eras played in different ways, and it is more than just comparing statistics and championships. But some players are always going to stand out, Jerry West, Michael Jordan, Elgin Baylor, Bill Russell, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Oscar Robinson and the list goes on. One name who would be near the top of most lists is Wilt Chamberlain.

Cherry's book does a great job of exploring this complex individual, while also highlighting the amazing things he could do on a basketball court. Some of the records he holds will never be broken, and it is rare to find someone of his height 7'1" who was so athletic.

Some of his stats:

Career average of 30.1 points per game (equal first)

Career average of 22.9 rebounds per game (first)

Career average of 45.8 minutes per game (first)

Only player to score 100 points in a game

Only player to grab 55 rebounds in a game

Only centre to lead the league in assists

4 time league MVP

Won Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same year ('59-'60)

A book for all fans of the game.