Death Note The Movie Will be playing at Showcase Cinemas Davenport 53 May 20th and 21st at 7:30pm. For more information go here or call Showcase Cinemas at (563) 441-0242.
This presentation is from fathomevents.com. The following description of Death Note is from their website:
DEATH NOTE is based on the hit supernatural action-mystery manga, and follows the story of Light Yagami, an ace student who finds the Death Note, a notebook dropped by a rogue Shinigami death god named Ryuk. Any human whose name is written in the notebook dies, and Light has vowed to use the power of the Death Note to rid the world of evil. But when criminals mysteriously begin dropping dead, the authorities send the legendary detective “L” to investigate, and he is soon hot on the trail of Light, who must now reevaluate his noble goal. Both Light and L believe themselves to be on the side of justice, and the two match wits as they attempt to prove which one of them is “good” and which one of them is “evil.”
And be sure to check out our Death Note manga collection at the Bettendorf Public Library!
May 17th, 2008
Shazam! The Monster Society of Evil by Jeff Smith
Who hasn’t dreamt of being a superhero? I have, and to be honest I still do. Yes, I am 29 and I daydream about being a superhero. But it’s all good because it only takes up like 75% of my day. I think I sleep and eat that other 25%… and work… and family… and read… and video games. How do I fit 150% of stuff in a 100% day? 
Jeff Smith, the creator of Bone, has produced a wonderful new spin on the Captain Marvel mythos. Billy Batson is a young homeless boy who is called upon by the ancient wizard Shazam to be a force of good in the world. By saying a magic word, (Shazam!), he turns into the mighty superhero Captain Marvel. Although he has similar powers to Superman, I believe he is far superior because he has the heart and the outlook of a child. These new powers of Billy’s are put to the test when he comes up against the villains of Mr. Mind (an intelligent worm) and Dr. Sivana (a super genius that happens to be the Director of Homeland Security). He does have help along the way. He guide for this journey is the talking tiger Talky Tawny and his little sister who shares his powers Mary Marvel. He can also rely on the ghost of the wizard Shazam who resides in the Rock of Eternity (which is located before space and time!).
I really enjoyed this for a variety of reasons. First off Jeff Smith’s art is astounding. A color comic has never looked this good. I was entranced by how he drew the ideas from the book from many different religious traditions, while making everything entirely accessible to readers of any age. Another aspect of the book is how great the characters are. They all have internal struggles, that are externally expressed with great dramatic effect. Billy as Captain Marvel is at once a kid and an adult and must balance the two. Mary Marvel is a six year old girl with powers to match her brother, but she never loses her sense of fun. This book has great depth but yet is still relevant for the young or young at heart. Smith also adds in references to the our own world, our fear of terrorism and how our government has reacted. Although this could have been very preachy it really adds a new flavor to the story, and I think it works well as a representation of how a child would respond to the world we live in.
All in all, this is a fun read. If you like Bone, if you like superheroes, you’ll love this. Highly recommended for all ages.
April 22nd, 2008
Godland by Joe Casey & Joe Scioli
What a wonderful graphic novel. This comic is a new riff on the Kirby Fantastic Four. Adam Archer is an astronaut that gets evolved into a superhero by a group of aliens. His powers transform his body so that it totally looks all glow-y; like he is about to explode. Not only that but he has super strength, the ability to fly, can shoot energy projectiles, and even teleport. He has an extensive supporting cast: three sisters (the supportive one, the adventuresome one, and the who looks after him), an alien ally (a giant green dog, like 15 feet big), the US government, and a cadre of colorful villains (a floating skull, a robot, and a dude in a big castle and his daughter).
This is the most fun I have had reading a graphic novel since the first hardcover of Invincible Vol. 1. It feels like anything can happen at any moment any where. The locales range from Mars to the Arctic, to New York and Las Vegas. The villains are appropriately over the top and continually challenge Adam Archer to explore the limits of his new powers. This volume also sets the groundwork for mythology of this comic universe, literally how the universe was created and its impact on Adam Archer and Earth. It’s mind boggling delightful. 
April 11th, 2008
This graphic novel takes you inside to a REAL high school wiccan teenager who experiences a weird kind of love for the first time. If you are into weird, gothic, or both you should check this out.
April 5th, 2008
