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The Walking Dead #53 [Review]

Posted on November 23, 2011 by Walt

Quick Rating: Good

Rick, Carl, and Michonne find they’re not alone, and actually get some down-time.

walkingdead053Creator, Writer: Robert Kirkman
Penciler, Inker, Cover: Charlie Adlard
Gray Tones, Cover Colors: Cliff Rathburn
Letterer: Rus Wooton
Publisher: Image Comics

Last issue’s cliffhanger saw our heroes being approached by a couple of figures on horseback…Glenn and Maggie, who apparently have managed to survive. These two take Rick, Carl, and Michonne back to where they’ve been staying–Hershel’s farm. Once there (and into a bit of relative safety) the three try to decompress, each in their own ways, and we get some nice character moments…and then a new development threatens the safety they have, and some answers might just be forthcoming.

Story-wise, there’s not a lot of progression in this issue. Oh, there’s progression, don’t get me wrong. But as with so many issues of this series, it’s very character and story-driven…so I for one would probably be just as happy with no zombies in the issue as I would with an issue full of zombie-butt-kickin’ action. Kirkman maintains such a sense of consistency in his writing…I continue to enjoy the story he is laying down month after month, and after so long with these characters, he certainly knows them (and created them, for that matter); other than the fact that I’m now intrigued at where he’s going to take things from this issues cliffhanger page, I’m quite satisfied.

Visually, Adlard & Rathburn continue to also maintain a consistency on the visual front that keeps me impressed. Even characters I haven’t seen in half a year are recognizeable, and as with the writing….I just don’t have any complaints.

All in all, another strong, consistent issue. While not a lot happens, we’re introduced to several new characters, and reintroduced to some old. Not a horrible point to jump on board to check things out, though one might prefer to start with the beginning of the arc, if not the beginning of the series for the full scope and context.

Certainly worth the cover price!

Ratings:

Story: 4/5
Art: 4/5
Overall: 4/5

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The Walking Dead #52 [Review]

Posted on November 22, 2011 by Walt

Quick Rating: Very Good

Though reunited with an old friend, Rick & Carl are far from safe.

walkingdead052Creator, Writer: Robert Kirkman
Penciler, Inker, Cover: Charlie Adlard
Gray Tones, Cover Colors: Cliff Rathburn
Letterer: Rus Wooton
Publisher: Image Comics

Rick and Carl continue to go about their lives–such that they are–seeking survival in this unsafe world they live in. Rick tries to teach Carl to drive–a practical thing that Carl takes a bit differently. The two presently discover that they are not alone, and this reunion changes the outlook of their evening. Though mistakes are still made, their survival skills seem to be holding…though they probably wonder at it when a pair of horses and riders approach.

The story in this book continues to be engaging, month after month–so much so that I’d love to have this as a weekly (or at least more frequently than once monthly) book. Kirkman‘s characters continue to hold my interest, and all the more after the previous major story, I find myself drawn into the issue, wondering what’s going to happen next, and even if the characters will survive the issue or otherwise emerge relatively unscathed. In short, the writing is of the same high quality I’ve come to expect on this title, and this issue does not leave me disappointed.

Similarly, the art is also of the same high quality I’m used to. There’s not too much to say on the art other than that. Everyone’s recognizeable, I’m not left wondering what’s going on in any of the panels where that’s not the intention, and it simply looks ‘n feels like The Walking Dead.

If you’re willing to sorta jump in, get wet, and check out your surroundings, this is about as good an issue as any to jump in on. I don’t imagine it’d be too hard to get the basic idea of what’s going on and catch the surface-level story. Obviously a long-time reader will find more depth than the newer, though.

As with previous issues, this current issue is a comic that I’m willing to buy monthly now…and then buy again when the collected volume eventually ships.

Ratings:

Story: 4/5
Art: 4/5
Overall: 4/5

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The Walking Dead #49 [Review]

Posted on November 21, 2011 by Walt

Quick Rating: Very Good

Rick and Carl face an uncertain future as they begin to deal with all that they’ve lost…and still, those pesky zombies abound!

walkingdead049Creator, Writer: Robert Kirkman
Penciler, Inker, Cover: Charlie Adlard
Gray Tones, Cover Colors: Cliff Rathburn
Letterer: Rus Wooton
Publisher: Image Comics

This issue seemed like a very quick read. On the one hand, that’s not so good: I’m not a huge fan of plonking down $2.99+ for something I read quickly and then have another few weeks to wait for the next segment of story. At the same time…the story is engaging, and I’m very interested in finding out what happens–interested enough to forego waiting for a collected volume to read an entire arc in one go.

We were told that “no one was safe,” and that Big Changes were in store for this title. Those promises have been delivered, and while it’s sad to see the loss of so many familiar characters, this issue is like the first issue of a whole new series. The world is full of zombies. A man and his son are on the run, seeking only to survive, both nursing the loss of loved ones. Even as they hold to each other, safety isn’t likely to be found…and life is certainly not to be taken for granted. While the bulk of this issue’s story focuses on Rick and Carl, we’re also showing a couple other characters, hinting at their whereabouts and present situation. As with most issues in this series, the individual issue seems mostly character-focused, as the characters dialogue and face the world in which they find themselves.

The art remains perfectly suited for the story, and is as instrumental in conveying the mood as the writing itself. The story without these visuals would not be the same at all.

While the impact of this issue would be greatly increased by having read the prior issues if not the entire series…I think this is a decent jump-on point if you’ve been hearing about the series or otherwise been curious, but wondered where to begin. This is certainly worth checking out!

Ratings:

Story: 4/5
Art: 3.5/5
Overall: 3.5/5

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The Walking Dead #47 [Review]

Posted on November 20, 2011 by Walt

Quick Rating: Very Good

The prison survivors continue to suffer losses as the Woodbury survivors, led by the Governor, are determined to take the prison from them.

walkingdead047Creator, Writer: Robert Kirkman
Penciler, Inker, Cover: Charlie Adlard
Gray Tones, Cover Colors: Cliff Rathburn
Letterer: Russ Wooton
Publisher: Image

This issue is as much fallout to the last few issues as it is forward movement of the story in general. The characters react to the brutal death that happened last issue, and everyone reacts as events keep moving with no real break for any grieving.

The Michonne/Governor interaction continues to be quite brutal and messy…an over-the-top sort of thing that simply works with this series. Lori hears from Rick about Tyreese’s death, and Rick’s decision last issue provides a solid stressor between husband and wife. Rick prepares Carl a bit for what may come, as the Governor launches yet another attack on the prison. There is further loss on both sides of the conflict…as things escalate beyond anyone’s control…and the final page leaves one wondering all the more at this “no one is safe” business.

Overall, the story continues with the strength and momentum I’ve come to expect from this title…and the cliffhanger leaves me all the more eager for the next issue. The art continues to hold true to form as well–maintaining the darkish grittiness that adds to the feeling of unease for the characters all around.

Overall, another fine issue of a great title. I wouldn’t consider this new-reader-friendly as a single issue…but for continuing readers, this is NOT to be missed.

Ratings:

Story: 4/5
Art: 3.5/5
Overall: 4/5

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The Walking Dead #46 [Review]

Posted on November 19, 2011 by Walt

Quick Rating: Very Good

The survivors at the prison continue to deal with having been attacked by The Governor’s group of survivors.

walkingdead046Creator, Writer: Robert Kirkman
Penciler, Inker, Cover: Charlie Adlard
Gray Tones, Cover Colors: Cliff Rathburn
Letterer: Russ Wooton
Publisher: Image

This issue shows the prison survivors continuing to deal with the aftermath of the assault by those survivors led by The Governor. While dealing with their recent losses, the Governor returns with a hostage to make his demands known…as he acts on assumptions of his own.
It also continues to show us that the ads have been true–that no one is safe, which helps remind us just how realistic this book is.

The art holds true, clearly showing what it needs to show and conveying the necessary mood. Testament to its effectiveness–I felt rather nauseous after reading a particularly gruesome scene in this issue.

The story is certainly moved forward, and a number of good character moments are shown.

While this is certainly not something to hand to a young’un…it continues to be a great human drama.

Well worth picking up–though as a single issue, this may not be the best point for a new reader to jump in. As a continuing reader, you won’t want to miss this chapter.

Ratings:

Story: 4/5
Art: 3.5/5
Overall: 4/5

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The Walking Dead #42 [Review]

Posted on November 18, 2011 by Walt

Quick Rating: Very Good

The prison group braces for impending attack while facing a new loss…

walkingdead042Creator, Writer: Robert Kirkman
Penciler, Inker, Cover: Charlie Adlard
Gray Tones, Cover Colors: Cliff Rathburn
Letterer: Rus Wooton
Publisher: Image Comics

There’s not really too much to be said about this issue that I didn’t say in my review of the previous issue. The characters react to Carol’s having gone over the edge, and deal with the increased reality of the danger that still faces them. As they continue to interact with the conflicting tension of impending attack and wondering why it hasn’t already come, we get a few more character moments before the last-page cliffhanger that promises some extra depth to this title, as if there wasn’t already.

The story is definitely good–and this issue at once wraps another arc while firing stuff into high gear for the next arc. The characters are all believable and acting in-character, and nothing seems to–in retrospect–be outta thin air or anything…it all makes sense in context of the characters’ lives and such.

Visually, another good job by the art team, maintaining the visual style/consistency we’re used to on the title. Other than feeling–as even the collected volumes have–too short, I have no complaint with this issue.

If you’ve not checked the title out before, you’re better off checking out any of the first 6 collected volumes before coming to the current arc (and this is the final issue of what I believe will be in the 7th volume, due out before too long here). If you’ve been following the current arc, I see no reason for you to not pick this up.

And the title in general, I certainly recommend, particularly if you’re looking for something character-driven with realistic human beings rather than over-the-top action and idealized characters.

Ratings:

Story: 4/5
Art: 4/5
Overall: 4/5

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The Walking Dead #41 [Review]

Posted on November 17, 2011 by Walt

Quick Rating: Good

The gang at the prison continue to prepare for an attack they feel is imminent from a neighboring group of survivors…

walkingdead041Creator, Writer: Robert Kirkman
Penciler, Inker, Cover: Charlie Adlard
Gray Tones, Cover Colors: Cliff Rathburn
Letterer: Rus Wooton
Publisher: Image Comics

Except for the final page of this issue, in a way it doesn’t seem like much happens. The survivors are all relatively safe (given they’re living in a post-zombie-apocalypse world), and a couple major plot points have recently been dealt with, and the next major bit isn’t quite here.

But that’s the beauty of this title…it’s NOT full of all-out, non-stop action. The characters have all had their shares of trauma and horrible experiences and seen things no human should rightfully ever have to see…but they’re still human. They haven’t (generally speaking) degraded to mindless beasts or anything. They live, they love, they talk, they eat, they have relationships…life goes on, just changed by the obvious zombie presence that has–41 issues in–become more a backdrop to the human drama than an in-your-face action-filled focal point.

Rick and Lori discuss the state of their life–and that of their son–at present, as well as an improving relationship with Carol. Others in the party spend some time practicing with guns and live ammo, preparing for the invasion they feel is coming from Woodbury, and find themselves in a potentially lethal situation with zombies hanging around. A new guest is taken on, and Carol finds that her new friend isn’t going to judge her on her past.

All in all, this is another fine issue of an enjoyable series. The story moves forward–however slowly–and we continue to see the days march on for the characters living at the prison, while zombies continue to exist outside the protective fences. This feels less like a “chapter” and more like a “segment”–it picks up right where the previous issue left off with no real break (just the “previously:” blurb on the inside cover) and the ending will presumably lead right into the first page of the next issue the same way.

The art may not be terribly iconic or poster-worthy and whatnot…but it holds its own with the words of the story, showing what isn’t said, and playing its integral role in the overall storytelling. The black-and-white/greytones work well, and bring the standard, integral tone to the book–it doesn’t feel sketchy, and it’s far from some bright/colorful thing (which would take away from the mood of the book). I have no problem with the art in this issue, that’s for sure.

It might be sorta tough to simply “break in” on this series, with 40 issues’ stories already played out, and not a lot of exposition. At the same time, it’s more an issue of time having passed for the characters than deep intricacies and revelations from the past and future converging on the present or anything. Assuming the standard 6-issue arc(s), this is the penultimate chapter to this particular arc, so not exactly an ideal point for a new reader to jump in.

I’d encourage you–if you’re at all interested in zombie stuff, or just a very well-written human drama to consider checking out the TPBs for this series (6 volumes are already out), and if you like those, jump in with the next arc.

Ratings:

Story: 4/5
Art: 4/5
Overall: 4/5

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The Rest of the Stack: Week of November 16, 2011

Posted on November 16, 2011 by Walt

image

The Rest of the Stack is my general mini-review coverage of new comics for any given week. It’s in addition to (or in place of) full-size individual reviews. It’s far less formal, and more off-the-top-of-my head thoughts on the given comics than it is detailed reviews.

BATMAN #3

batman003I still can’t get over how great it is to see that Bruce Wayne–the man UNDER the Batman cowl–is actually being treated as a useable, viable character again. After so many years of being a virtual non-character, here we see that yeah, Batman is a huge part of him…but there’s still SOMETHING to Bruce Wayne. And his life AS Bruce Wayne, as a Wayne, plays into his life as Batman. This issue sees Bruce/Batman learn more about whatever this stuff going on with the Owl imagery is, including a costume that (well ahead of me reading this issue, I saw over at Bleeding Cool with that site’s comment on the costume being obviously like Owlman from Watchmen) I agree would have at least put me in mind of Watchmen, though having it spoiled I don’t feel like going to actually look up the comparison. I like the dynamic between Bruce and Alfred…Snyder definitely has a good feel for this character, and builds a story that doesn’t feel like I turn two pages and find a to-be-continued. There’s more substance here, it seems, than a lot of other comics…though this still feels rather short. At least the issue is only $2.99, and does NOT include one of those stupid 5-7 page “previews.” The art continues to also be quite good…and I’m coming to very much enjoy Capullo‘s take on these characters. I was curious if this week’s issue would change my mind at all, but this issue keeps me interested enough that Batman will survive a likely culling of my already-limited pull-list in the coming weeks. (8.5/10)

GHOSTBUSTERS #3

ghostbusters003I’m really tired of variant covers in comics today. I can understand, possibly even condone variants in actual special circumstances…but not on every freaking issue. Combine that with a $3.99 price point, and the physical package of this issue has a lot going against it in my mind, with a good dose of grouchiness before I’ve even opened the issue to read it. Shaky ground on principle, that. But actually reading the issue…I’m enjoying the story. I like the story itself, and I like the visual style. This feels like the story is firmly rooted in the movie continuity, and yet is delving deeper and building from there. Yeah, elements come FROM the films…but this is not trying to BE the films, nor is it trying to be a third film. This is something that is working well as a continuation of that universe and its characters…and for now, I’ll stick around. At present, even if I would drop this title…it would be a statement on IDW‘s constant use of variant covers every single issue and the price point, and not at all due to the quality of the content itself. (8/10)

JUSTICE LEAGUE #3

justiceleague003I hate Darkseid. Offhand, I cannot think of one single story involving Darkseid that I’ve particularly enjoyed…except perhaps Superman/Doomsday: Hunter/Prey, wherein Darkseid was giving quite a beating by the beast that had killed Superman. For me, the Fourth World stuff is a huge bore–I won’t debate that a lot of people enjoy it, and I’m not speaking on its technical merits. I just don’t enjoy it. So the Fourth World elements to this story do nothing positive for me. Wonder Woman feels like a caricature here with little/no depth. And if this first arc is only 5-6 issues, we’re at least halfway through now, with no room for actual, deep character development…which as such makes it feel so pointless to have just this one story to “introduce” these characters, especially with the title launched as “the” flagship title of the New 52. That there are 22 content pages is diminished by the splash pages. And the back matter neutralizes it as well–put the darned sketches and such online, instead of wasting pages with them in-print…or save them for the collected edition or inevitable “Absolute” edition. The History of Atlantis pages are not at all cute–if they were on top of a 30ish content-pages story, sure, the effect would be kinda entertaining. But wasting time with a “cover,” a library-card page, a dedication, a table of contents (of stuff we won’t even get to see) and so on feels like a complete waste of space, padded out to fill this thing to claim it justifies $3.99. Johns‘ characterization is missed on this book, and Lee‘s art–while not bad to look at–doesn’t seem his best, and doesn’t begin to make up for the steep cover price. (5/10)

WALKING DEAD #91

walkingdead091Something about this issue felt a bit more substantive than usual for a single issue. We check in on several different plot points and character groups, moving stuff forward. And there’s some definite development between Rick and Carl…somehow, feeling like Carl shows more personality here than I can recall for years of reading this title. The art of course is the usual high quality; zero complaints there. And given we’re 91 issues in and Kirkman‘s still at the helm of his creation…zero complaint there as well. I’m pretty sure this is the first issue of a new six issue sequence, so is as good a jump-on point as any. And the entire rest of the series is available in-print through 14 TPBs (15th coming next month, I believe) as well as a couple different hardback formats, and a 48-issue compendium edition. So…I’m probably not going to change your mind yay or nay on this title. But I enjoyed this issue…and continue to enjoy the series even after 90 issues. This isn’t perfect…but I don’t expect it to be. 90+ issues and I still want to keep reading. Not every comic series has that going for it. (7.5/10)

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The Rest of the Stack: Week of October 26, 2011

Posted on November 1, 2011 by Walt

The Rest of the Stack is my general mini-review coverage of new comics for any given week. It’s in addition to (or in place of) full-size individual reviews. It’s far less formal, and more off-the-top-of-my head thoughts on the given comics than it is detailed reviews.

ANGEL & FAITH #3

angelandfaith003Angel and Faith continue the search for Mohra blood, and though the two find themselves at odds with one another, they do make a pretty good team. By issue’s end, they find themselves facing a threat more powerful than they imagined–and though he doesn’t yet know it, Angel’s in greater danger than even he knows. Three issues in, and I’m not yet finding the overall story. of course, if memory serves this is a 24-issue series, so we’re a mere 1/8th in so far. The story doesn’t seem to be really shaping up in a big way yet–but we’re getting plenty of smaller moments. The art continues to do a good job showing the characters as themselves, with a hint of the actors but not slavishly modeled after the human counterparts. I like that this is steeped in established continuity, and that for a licensed comic, it holds at $2.99 rather than the $3.99 so many others have embraced. I don’t know that this is in itself a jumping on point…but if you want to jump in and get your feet wet, snag this and the previous couple issues. I imagine this’ll be neatly collected into 4 6-issue volumes, so halfway in, may also be as well served to wait for the collected edition. (7/10)

THE FURY OF FIRESTORM: THE NUCLEAR MEN #2

furyoffirestorm002I’m definitely liking the whole “in from the beginning” this title’s letting me do. I’m intrigued by where things are going to go…but the issue itself is rather forgettable. Ronnie and Jason each are “a” Firestorm, and they’ve fused at least once into this “Fury” creature. Whether they can do that at will or will fight to avoid becoming it remains to be seen. This issue wastes no time cutting the characters completely loose from their established lives–which at least at this point has me a little wary–it seems this might be veering off a little quick from what I’d hoped for in the book. We do seem to have a front-running for supporting cast member, but it’s hard to tell for certain. I’ll be back for #3, but I had the rather disturbing thought of just how easy it would be to passively shed this book from my pull list without missing it much. I enjoy it as I read it, but it’s not all that stand-out impressive in and of itself. (6.5/10)

STAR TREK (IDW) #2

startrek002While I would be irked to see classic ‘Trek episodes adapted into 6 issue arcs featuring this version of the characters…I can’t help but wonder if two issues is enough space. I thought for sure I was in for a 3-6 issue arc when the first issue wasn’t in and of itself a complete adaptation. The crew rallies and deals with their threat here. and before long the Enterprise is back off on its continuing mission. The story’s solid enough–and while I can’t decide what would be an ideal size for each adaptation, I continue to really enjoy the concept of experiencing classic Trek through the filter of the 2009 characters. Unfortunately, I’m already guessing that nothing truly major or unexpected will happen with the characters in this series–which makes this a rather “safe” sort of series, where sure, we’ll get the twists of this cast, but ultimately the toys are all going to stay in the toybox for the next movie, so there seems little chance of major character beats. The $3.99 cover price doesn’t help, either. While this is one of only about 3 $3.99 books to make my recent cuts…when I thought this had NOT actually been pulled for me, it didn’t bother me–so for better or worse, this is one of the books I could most easily “give up,” especially with the notion of just getting the collected volumes. (7/10)

TEEN TITANS #2

teentitans002I didn’t get nearly the thrill out of this issue as I did the opener. Which isn’t to say this was bad or anything, but it lacked something the first issue had. I’m not sure what to make of this story so far–but the whole “let’s gather a group of potential victims together to strike back before the group chasing them can get any others” seems somehow rather cliche and overly familiar. This ‘Skitter’ character isn’t interesting to me, so whether she returns or not, I don’t much care. That she may be part of the new lineup really doesn’t thrill me…but then, this is only the second issue. It’s kinda crazy to think about what now-long-established favorites weren’t exactly embraced the moment they first appeared. Still…I think my enthusiasm at the New 52 has waned a lot more (and faster) than anticipated. Maybe I’ll force myself to stick with what titles I chose to go beyond #1 with for their first arcs…or at least, through the 3rd issues beginning tomorrow. (7/10)

THE WALKING DEAD #90

walkingdead090Hard to believe this is another arc down (at least, if we’re going with “arc” as being “another 6 issues.”) I’m amazed at the way the human stuff gets played up, the interactions between the cast. As I’m presently re-reading the earlier volumes, it’s also kind of amazing to see how much has changed, and that much of the key stuff that so defined this series for me, the most powerful moments, are mostly in the first half of what we have so far. At issue 45 we were in the midst of that story where we were told no one was safe, and saw horrific deaths of some beloved characters. Having been desensitized to that a bit, I’ve yet to really care much about new characters since, even while seeing these longer-term characters evolve along the way. This issue IS the end of the next 6 issues, and the cliffhanger is something I saw coming a couple pages before getting to it, though I don’t know I truly EXPEcTED it. It definitely holds a lot of potential, though it could be a major developing point, or just as easily little more than a moment given extra attention. Still…I’m enjoying this version as much as I’m enjoying the tv version, and thankful they’re separate entities. (8/10)

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The Missing Dead: Why Amazon Wins

Posted on October 12, 2011 by Walt

halloweendisplayofbooksYesterday was the release date for the new hardcover prose novel The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor. I’ve been looking forward to the book for months.

I don’t buy NEW books in hardback often–usually I’m buying stuff from the used-books stores like Half-Price Books or M&P or using a coupon from Borders and picking up something recent-ish but not generally still classified as a new-release. But a few times a year, I’ll buy a brand-new hardback–usually the new Brad Meltzer book, or John Grisham in particular, or something that just really strikes me.

Rise of the Governor was to be one of those books. Go to the store, get the book, start reading, and I figure I’ll dive in right away.

BUT.

Two trips to Walmart–no luck. Target…no luck there, either. Walmart‘s offering it via their website–but I’d have to wait til at LEAST early next week for it to arrive, whether shipped to my apartment or using the Site-to-Store shipping.

Figuring despite my consternation over big retailers like that not having the book where I could expect a ~30% discount off cover price, I knew that surely Barnes & Noble, a dedicated book-seller, would have a new hardback novel based on one of the top cable television shows with a new season debuting in under a week. Surely, a new novel based on a hit comics-and-tv series about survivors in a zombie apocalypse would be available, given it’s October where horror and the like seem to get top billing genre-wise.

Nope.

Oh, you can order it through their website, and while offhand I forget the discount. But I didn’t want to order the book online. I wanted to buy the book in-person, have it already, take it with me upon handing over payment, and start reading the thing.

Even if I’d manage to find some independent bookstore (I don’t know of any near me) it’d likely be a “special order” and highly unlikely the store would be willing (to say nothing of whether or not they’d be “able”) to give me much of a break off the cover price, and I’d still have to wait for the book to come in.

So I was forced online.

Amazon wins. They had the best discount, I’m familiar with their services, and over the past decade they’ve successfully branded themselves as THE place to order new books online (and I’ve even had success with their 3rd-party sellers, but that’s a different post entirely).

Annoyed and frustrated from going to multiple stores, the simple fact no one seemed to stock this book physically, and the fact that I’d already resigned myself earlier to paying full price for the book to get it same-day, I noticed something rather interesting.

For $2 more than cover price, including SHIPPING…I was able to ALSO order The Walking Dead Chronicles, which I’d also been eyeing but was going to hold off on.

This morning I woke to an email saying my Amazon order has shipped, and ought to arrive Monday. The same wait I’d have ordering the book any other way…but here from a familiar brand/service, with another related book, and though I don’t get to read the thing “in preparation” for the new season of the tv show…I get to see the premiere, and on a Walking Dead “high” (assumably), get another “fix” the next day.

And I notice there’s a new Grisham book coming out soon, and a new Stephen King as well. Might as well order through Amazon–and save myself even the potential hassle of stores randomly not stocking it, or just to spite ’em (even if the only one who cares is me).

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