Naruto Volume 49: The Gokage Summit Commences

This feels like the beginning of the end.  I can't imagine Naruto not being Hokage by the end of this arc, and once he's fulfilled his dream, is there much point in continuing the story?

Naruto Volume 48: The Cheering Village

Unlike Bleach, Naruto has really grown in both attitude and in story telling.  Naruto is no longer the brash "act before thought" youth that he was in the beginning of the series.  Now, he's not only more powerful, he's more mature.

Bleach Volume 41: Heart

I know I just complained that Bleach was one long fight scene.  But holy cow was this a cool fight scene!

And then back to the battle over Karakura Town.  sigh

Bleach Volume 40: The Lust

I keep waiting and waiting for something other than a major battle to happen in this series.  Maybe I'm reading the wrong series.  Things happen in Naruto though.  Not so much in Bleach.  I was rewarded with the return of Ichigo this issue though.  Orihime seems to be going through something.  I do want to see where she ends up.

Death Note Volumes 3 & 4

I couldn't find the regular editions of Death Note so ended up with this combo volume.  No matter, it got me further ahead in the story.  Ohba and Obata are really good at conveying Light's emotions as L gets closer to finding out the truth.  The second carrier of a death note has bought him a little time but not that much. 

Having read this right after The Psychopath Test was an interesting juxtaposition.  I found myself referencing the check list to confirm Light's status.  His use of Amane clearly points to him lacking empathy.  He's a strong contender for the psychopath label.

The Psychopath Test

I picked up this book because I was waiting around for an appointment.  I'd heard about it, and it was a recommended book in the store I was in so I gave it a try.  I'm so glad I did.  It was such a great read.

Now, when one hears psychopath one thinks about serial killers.  This book is not really about them.  They are mentioned, but it's more about the psychopaths that you might run into in your daily life.  It's written in a very conversational style and I could certainly see myself sitting down with the author to discuss what he's written.  I like that everything is told in a way that references him.  It makes the subject very approachable.  It also makes me want to read some of his other books.

Bakuman Volume 4

I feel bad for Mijo.  Things are going so well for Moritaka and she's getting into the creepy area of voice work.  Things are much different in Japan.

Bakuman Volume 3

I like that they separated and still came up with the same kind of story to tell.  It really gives the feeling that they have a great partnership.  They're also growing as characters.  This work is more complex than I would have thought it would be.

Hawk and Dove: Ghosts and Demons

I'd been reading Hawk and Dove in the new 52 and was reminded how much I liked these characters.  I was disappointed when it was cancelled and felt it had something to do with Rob Liefeld.  His art brought it down and his prose didn't help.  I picked up this graphic novel because it reminded me of when the characters were written well and Liefeld could draw feet.  His 90s hairstyles fit with this story because it was originally published in the 90s.

Batman: Under the Red Hood

I've been reading a lot of comics lately.  One of them has been Red Hood and the Outlaws and I realised I really didn't know much about Jason Todd.  I knew he'd died, but the details about him coming back to life and taking up the mantle of the Red Hood were not in my lexicon.

I really liked this story.  There were so many elements that I've really enjoyed in the Batman mythos that are all present here.  Plus, it's always nice to see Nightwing.  I lost the story a bit in the second act because I didn't recognise some of the players.  But a good story.

I'd also seen the Batman: Under the Red Hood movie recently.  The first act was pretty much lifted whole for that script.  A few minor changes to make it more accessible to someone who didn't follow all of DC comics.