Blog Archives
Snoodles in Space: Escape from Zoodletraz
When Droodle the Poodle and Doo Doo Kidoodle tied the knot, they shattered the biggest rule on planet Zoodle: no pets allowed! As punishment, poor Droodle finds himself locked away in Zoodletraz, a prison from which no one has ever escaped. The question that drives the story is irresistible: can Droodle outsmart his captors and return to his beloved Doo Doo Kidoodle?
From the very first page, what stands out most is the comic book format. Children’s literature rarely embraces this style, making Snoodles in Space a delightful exception. Its layout instantly captures attention, not only from young readers but also from parents and educators seeking something fresh and visually engaging. Even reluctant readers will be drawn in, eager to follow the wild adventures of this eccentric cast.
Steven Joseph brings remarkable depth to his characters. In just a few panels, each one comes alive with personality and charm. Readers quickly form connections and root for them as if they’ve known them for ages. This emotional resonance, achieved through vivid details and playful dialogue, ensures that children will feel immersed in the world of Snoodles, Zoodles, and beyond.
The story also shines in its portrayal of community spirit. Whether celebrating victories or lending a hand in tough times, the inhabitants of Zoodle remind young readers of the value of kindness and cooperation. Through these moments, Joseph subtly imparts a lesson: helping others, no matter your age, shapes you into a compassionate, well-rounded person.
Andy Case’s illustrations elevate the story even further. His dynamic art bursts with energy, color, and imagination. Presented in a comic-book style, each page feels alive with detail and movement. The unique character designs and bold hues keep the reader’s eyes dancing from panel to panel. It’s the kind of book that invites you to linger and explore every corner of the artwork.
Snoodles in Space: Escape from Zoodletraz is a story that entertains both children and adults alike. With its clever concept, lively illustrations, and heartfelt humor, it’s a comic adventure that will have readers laughing, learning, and turning pages long past bedtime.
Pages: 80 | ASIN : B0FMKSM2CK
Snoodles in Space, Episode 2: The Zoodles Strike Back
Steven Joseph’s latest addition to the Snoodles in Space series, Episode 2: The Zoodles Strike Back, continues the engaging sci-fi adventure of Ricky and Briana. Having previously saved Earth, they are celebrated heroes, honored with the key to the city. However, their new-found fame attracts the ire of Grumpy Grimy Groodleman, a disgruntled inventor. Groodleman’s creation, the Groodle, a pungent and polluting vehicle, has not only tarnished his reputation but also led to his children’s disgrace over a candy scandal. Determined to undermine Ricky and Briana and reclaim his status, Groodleman allies with Evil Kidoodle from Planet Zoodle, setting the stage for a fresh cosmic threat.
Joseph’s storytelling opens with a cinematic recap, a technique that smoothly immerses readers into the current plot while recalling past events. This approach provides a seamless context, making it accessible even for those new to the series. His creative narrative style stands out, offering a world brimming with whimsical names and inventive elements. The plot, filled with unexpected twists and engaging complexities, is bolstered by a diverse cast of characters, each with distinct and well-defined traits that add depth to the narrative. This dynamic ensemble ensures that the story maintains its momentum, keeping readers intrigued throughout.
The comic format of the book is visually compelling, featuring a retro aesthetic that brings a unique charm. The character designs are vibrant and varied, adding depth and interest to the story. The environments are colorful and dynamic, enhancing the visual appeal. The playful language and inventive wordplay contribute to the book’s distinctive and engaging style.
The rich vocabulary and intricate wordplay add to its charm. Fans of imaginative and humor-filled science fiction will find Snoodles in Space a delightful read, rich with humor and a captivating adventure that sparks the imagination of children.
ASIN : B0D3WVVH5K
The Adventures of Captain Polo: The Climate Change Comic
Alan J. Hesse’s The Adventures of Captain Polo: The Climate Change Comic offers a unique and engaging take on climate change through the eyes of its protagonist, a polar bear named Captain Polo. Displaced from his melting Arctic home, Polo embarks on a global journey, uncovering the far-reaching effects of environmental degradation. As he encounters various communities, Polo transforms from a curious wanderer into a messenger, charged with the vital task of raising awareness about climate change.
This graphic novel skillfully combines education and entertainment, making it an appealing read for children and adults alike. Hesse weaves important environmental facts and figures into the narrative, providing an informative backdrop to Polo’s adventures. The inclusion of footnotes enhances understanding, making complex issues accessible to younger readers. The book doesn’t shy away from addressing the dire consequences of deforestation, pollution, and carbon emissions, presenting a clear call to action: halt the destructive behaviors contributing to global warming.
The Adventures of Captain Polo: The Climate Change Comic stands out with its vivid illustrations and clear, engaging narrative. It’s not just a story about a talking polar bear; it’s a compelling invitation to understand and engage with the critical issue of climate change. By framing this global challenge through the lens of adventure, Hesse encourages readers to consider their own impact on the world and promotes awareness in an approachable, memorable manner.
Pages: 42 | ASIN : B085W984R3
Mystical Force: Vol. 3
Mystical Force Volume 3: The Kolri and the Koldar tells the story of a detective and how he stumbles onto otherworldly connections much bigger than his current unsolved case. Detective Shinjo is transported to a world he didn’t know existed after a Taman Knight from the planet Thalia crosses his path.
The story begins with a detective trying to catch a local gang called ‘The Poison Starfish’. While investigating, a female battles the men at the harbor. She is unlike anyone the detective has ever come across. While searching for answers the detective is mugged and she appears just in time to help. Her name is Shi-ria, and she has a moral obligation to protect those in need. A sorceress sets Shi-ria and the detective on a path to discover a secret spell and transports them to the planet Thalia.
I have been following this series since book one and I can say that the writing gets sharper with every new entry. This story is relentlessly moving forward through a rollercoaster of emotion and action. Readers are provided with some background on Thalia and the Taman soldiers, but I would have enjoyed the story more if the other characters were just as detailed, because what is given is intriguing and the characters in this story are what really pull you in.
This is book three in a rollicking metaphysical action story and there is not much time spent covering things from previous books, so I recommend reading those two books before diving into this one. For two reasons really, because they build a fascinating story line, and you’ll understand the world better and have a greater appreciation for things that happen. In either case, there is still good fun to be had in this novel as the book does have a plot that can stand on its own as it provides just enough context for readers to follow this individual story.
I am consistently impressed with the visionary fantasy world that is meticulously developed in the Mystical Force series. There is a backstory that feels deep and readers can really immerse themselves in the lore if they wanted to.
Mystical Force Volume 3: The Kolri and the Koldar, by Craig Weidhuner is a character driven metaphysical fantasy story. With a storyline fit for comics, an innovative backdrop, and a stimulating mystery at its core, this is a gripping novel that will surely entertain readers.
Pages: 80 | ASIN: B09HRLQVTF
The Role of Music in Storytelling
Gotham City Sounds: The Music of Batman Villains is a case study on the psychological and emotional impact of the music used in the Batman franchise. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I’ve always been fascinated with the role of music in storytelling. Whether it’s on a stage or a screen, music can absolutely affect an audience on a primal level. A great score can inform how you connect with a specific character or story. I also think pop culture entertainment is a great window into deeper conversations about important things. It’s why I’m a professor who consistently use pop culture references and examples in my college courses I teach. And if I want to navigate readers through the psychology of music for tormented characters, I figured analyzing Batman villain scores would be a fascinating way to go about it!
What villain’s theme music is your favorite and why?
I personally have a deep love for Danny Elfman’s Batman Returns score. The way he aurally connects the three main characters (Batman, Catwoman, Penguin) with complementary yet individualized music themes is masterful and emotionally powerful. In my opinion, that score is perfection.
What were some goals you set for yourself as a writer in this book?
I wanted to make sure my second full-length book met the bar I had set for myself with my first full-length book Cool Cats and a Hot Mouse: A History of Jazz and Disney. I was so honored and humbled by the reception Cool Cats and a Hot Mouse received (including it earning half a dozen national award recognitions). Just like my Disney Jazz book, I wanted my Batman villain book to educate readers about our history of entertainment in a captivating way.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I have several upcoming chapters in scholarly books being published in the next year. I’m also excited to be launching a new pop culture hub called POP PROFESSOR, which will be a website where I’ll offer blogs and videos covering bite-size presentations of fascinating pop culture things (similarly to my books). That can be found at http://www.popprofessor.com, and my professional website is http://www.matthodge.com. I’m also still a full-time university professor, and enjoy spending my days in classrooms with students.
Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads | Website
Move aside, Batman. It’s time for Gotham City’s infamous villains to take center stage! Whether through film, television, or video games, members of the Dark Knight’s notorious rogues gallery consistently come to life on screen with the help of creative scores constructed by masterful composers — the true unsung superheroes of Hollywood.
Award-winning composer, professor, and author Matthew Hodge shines a fascinating spotlight on the psychological and emotional musical representations constructed by composers for numerous portrayals of Batman’s iconic villains. These pages discuss dozens of Gotham City characters, including well-known villains and lesser-known troublemakers. From flamboyant tricksters and monstrous brutes to seductive femme fatales and complicated antiheroes, the musical possibilities are endless.
Gotham citizens, beware! Evil doesn’t just have a name and a face — it has a sound.
Just as Unforgiving
J.R. Dunbar Author Interview
Saint follows a man who’s given his wish to be a superhero but finds that the super hero life is not what he expected. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
To be honest, part of my inspiration comes from a fleeting, and perhaps juvenile, frustration. Every so often I find myself pondering the fact that superheroes don’t exist, yet super villains kind of do, you know? As soon I have this notion of a hero coming out of the woodworks to save humanity, it is quickly checked by the reality that it just wouldn’t work that way in real life. That is where Saint’s flaws come from; he played hero out of passion and it killed him, then he came back as what he had dreamed of, yet life was just as unforgiving.
Jake is an intriguing and well developed character. What were some driving ideals behind his character development?
Thank you! I liked the idea of a truly altruistic protagonist, yet wanted a character who wasn’t afraid to kill when it was necessary. I enjoyed exploring this concept because it initially seems contradictory, and is intended to make the reader question their assessment of ethics. His journey from a rock-solid, “perfect” character into a flawed, heavily emotional character is also derived from contradiction: “How can I make this character get better in some ways, yet worse in others?” was my mindset. I find it can be boring if characters go in one direction or have too much linear development.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this graphic novel?
An important theme in Saint is self growth while staying true to yourself. Jake stumbles upon his new life as Saint, but ultimately has to revert back to his roots when his back is against the wall. Another theme readers will find is vengeance. I really tried to layer the vengeance and feuds to create a classic cat-and-mouse feel.
Do you have plans to continue this comic series or develop it in other types of media?
Yes! I have plans for two more volumes of equal length, as well as two short novels that will fill in the gaps between. I may explore other media in the future, but for now I am just writing away!
Author Links: Instagram | Website
Jake Barker always wanted to be a superhero. Acting as a vigilante for years, one day he finally got his wish…too bad he had to die for it. As the world’s first superhero, he’s finding that his new life is not all that it’s cracked up to be. Now out for vengeance, will his abilities be enough, or will vengeance find him first?
This contains the full compilation of all 5 chapters, plus an epilogue and bonus art!
Saint: A Graphic Novel
![Saint: Full by [J.R. Dunbar]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51AZVWzzl-L.jpg)
Saint a graphic novel by J.R. Dunbar is a compelling and kinetic action adventure comic that is a strong addition to anyone’s graphic novel collection. At its heart, Saint is the story of a child who is consumed by the superhero genre. He dreams of the day that he’ll become a crime fighter like his favorite characters. This becomes an obsession that sets his his life on a singular course.
Unlike many reluctant heroes, he undertakes the hero’s journey out of the desire to do good. To make a difference. Helping others is a principle factor in his development, which is refreshing to see in an overcrowded superhero market where so many main characters have tragic backstories, or are conceited, self-centered people forced to change, even Clark Kent in the new Superman movies is being bent in this new direction of dark hero’s. J.R. Dunbar has created a hero who aspires to do good, reminiscent of the classic comics of the genre, but he’s able to do it with a gritty contemporary feel that never feels out of place with today’s comics.
The artwork has a unique sketched art style with lots of bright colors that contrasts with the darker shading throughout the story. Some scenes are very detailed, even gory, but other scenes have a flat color that I would have liked to have seen given some texture. One scene I really enjoyed is the one where one character is crushed and the blood spatter comes out of the cell; very fun, unique and vivid.
Saint has plenty of profanity and graphic violence, if that’s what you’re into, but we’re also given a great action packed story that puts our hero to the tests in some very creative ways against some bad guys that are interesting and well crafted. This is a graphic novel, as it combines several of J.R. Dunbar’s comics, so readers get a more well rounded story arc then what’s found in a regular comic. If you enjoy a backstory that’s detailed and provides ample time in fleshing it out then you will definitely like this graphic novel. This is all the character development we get as we’re only given a bit more pieces throughout the novel as Saint fights crime in a uniquely Saint type of way.
Saint is an interesting take on the super hero genre. A great addition to anyone’s graphic novel collection. This is an imaginative story that will hook readers with a well-conceived story line and a likeable hero.
Pages: 155 | ASIN: B08P3NS2F8
Start Off With Their Flaws
Kevin James Breaux Author Interview
Your novels always have in depth characters and twisting plots. What is your writing process like before and during the process?
Thanks for mentioning that. I work hard to make my characters interesting. I think the most important detail is to create characters that are flawed. Start off with their flaws and build up to the traits that make them likeable and then move slowly, for some, to things that are redeeming.
My characters are meant to seem like everyday people. I do not like to paint them as black or white, I like to use the hundreds of shades of grey in-between. That, in my opinion, makes them more believable and fascinating.
Have you ever thought about exploring different mediums to tell your stories; ex. comics, games, etc.?
This year, I translated one of my novels into comic book script format and submitted it to IDW Comics. I then sent AND even hand-delivered those scripts and copies of my novels to them. I am waiting to hear back. I should be meeting with a representative of the company in the new year.
I am very much a fan of comic and anime. I would love to write for them. While it would be amazing to do so with my own properties, I would also like a shot at writing something like G.I. Joe or something else from the 80’s.
The way I write is imagining my story as a movie. So, my goal would be to have one of my novels or series to become a movie or TV series. With Netflix and Amazon picking up so many books these days, I need to get my works into their hands. If you are reading this Netflix, give me a call. 😊
Writers often find inspiration everywhere and in everything they do. Do you find yourself often looking at the world through the lens of a writer?
Well… I will point out weak writing in a TV show or movie I am watching, but for the most part I separate my two worlds now.
That being said, I do look at the world and see things as a visual artist. Which might be why people often compliment my writing as being so vivid. I spent so many years in art school struggling to force what I saw in my head onto paper in pencil, charcoal, paint, etc…. Over time, I realized I could take those imagines in my head and translate them to words. It was the only way I was able to truly creatively express myself. And it turned out to be much easier.
Since I am both an artist and an author, I do wish to experience life, but my inspiration comes from surrounding myself with the things I love and bring me happiness. Sometimes it just takes watching a good episode of one of my favorite shows to get me fired up.
What novel are you working on right now and when will it be available?
Good question. I finished the Water Kingdom Series and its final book is just being prepped for release. It should be out in late January 2019. It is called THREE BURNING RED RUNAWAY BRIDES.
Then, I will start editing book three in the four book SOUL BORN Series. It is written but needs work. It was originally 180,0000 words long, so I had to break it into two books.
Lastly, I will get back to working on the follow-up to THE LIFEBLOOD OF ILL-FATED WOMEN. Hopefully have that released in early 2020.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
![Soul Born by [Breaux, Kevin]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51ouWps%2BNIL._SY346_.jpg)
All Opal wanted was to be respected as a wielder of magic, but her teachers passed her over time and time again. When a mysterious warlord embarks on a conquest to destroy the lands of Illyia, Opal seizes the opportunity to step out from the shadows of her instructors and take her rightful place among them. Tala, an alluring young elf, was banished from her tribe, hunted and nearly killed by the beasts of the deep forests, but more than anything else she is a survivor. Joining forces with an ancient elemental power, Tala finds herself in the center of an unrelenting human war. Flesh like leather and bone as strong as steel, Karn, a veteran from the first kingdom to fall, is fueled by vengeance. While pushing headlong into battle Karn begins recalling memories of another life: ghosts that haunt his dreams. Through death of soul, their new world is born.
LITERARY TITAN 