Book 8 of 2024: Batman: The Killing Joke

 Batman: The Killing Joke

Author: Alan Moore (words), Brian Bolland (pencils)

Genre: Graphic Novel, Noir, Detective

Pages: Not that many, can't be bothered to check

Finished: Yes
Final Rating: 7.5/10

I've never been a huge Batman fan outside of the animated series in the 90s, so in order to change that, I figured I would give one of his seminal stories a whirl and see what happened.

This is really more of a Joker story than a Batman story, and I guess it's one of the better ones. Brian Bolland's art is fantastic, and not just on a technical level (although it shines there, too). His visual storytelling is on a completely different level and is something that I think can only accomplished in a comic book.

The story is decent, I just wish there was a little more of it. It centers around the Joker, who escapes from Arkham and holes up in an abandoned amusement park. After attacking Barbara Gordon and uh, doing unsavory things to her (this really didn't sit well with me) he kidnaps Commissioner Gordon with the ultimate goal of driving him insane. Of course, Batman must come to the rescue.

In between plot points, we get flashbacks to the Joker's previous life where he was a struggling stand-up comedian with a beautiful girl and a baby on the way. In an effort to try and earn a bit more money, he ends up taking a job with the local organized crime outfit which goes horribly wrong. I believe you know the rest.

One bad day turned a good man into the Joker, and one bad day turned a kid into the Batman.

And then the story kind of just... ends. It's weird.

Book 7 of 2024 - Cosmic Detective

Cosmic Detective

Author: Jeff Lemire, Matt Kindt, David Rubin (Art)

Genre: Graphic Novel, Sci-Fi, Noir

Pages: 208

Finished: Yes
Final Rating: 8.4/10

Cosmic Detective is a gritty, hardboiled graphic novel about a detective trying to solve the murder of what could be called a god. In true noir fashion, the more he discovers the shittier his life gets. 

The art really drives home what a cross between cosmic horror and sci-fi detective work might look like. Strange allies, mysterious technology, and a backstory that's really only hinted at serve to draw in the reader even more.

I read this in a single sitting, and I would recommend it to fans of the genre. Give it a shot.

Game 2 of 2023: The Case of the Golden Idol (2022)

 The Case of the Golden Idol

Developer: Color Gray Games
Publisher: Playstack
Platform: PC
Genre: Mystery, Puzzle

Difficulty: Moderate
Date Started: Jan 19th 2023
Date Ended: Jan 21st 2023
Hours: ~5

Finished: Yes
Final Rating: 9/10

I'm told this is a lot like Return of the Obra Dinn. If that's the case, I'm going to need to play it. 

The Case of the Golden Idol is a detective puzzle game, where you need to solve the mystery of twelve strange deaths over 40 years. Despite the premise, this game is lean and mean and no character or plot point is wasted.

It's fucking awesome.

In Exploration Mode, you can explore the environment and characters to gather keywords.

The Case of the Golden Idol lets you take your time with each case, and they are all re-playable in case you want to go back and refresh your memory. There is an overarching story and each case reveals a little bit more of the plot, with well developed characters and motivations. 

Oh, you would. You would spontaneously combust during an important meeting, wouldn't you?

The story centers around the aforementioned Golden Idol and various groups that desire to possess it. It takes place in a fictionalized 18th century England with a sort of supernatural element. As I played it, I really felt a connection to the story and characters, probably because each scenario requires you to closely examine each and every detail at the scene of death.

This is one of the most engrossing mystery games I've played in a while. 

Pros

• The graphics. They're rendered in a charming old-school adventure game aesthetic that I really liked. 
• It's relatively short. This is always a plus in my book. Great characters and an interesting story that doesn't overstay it's welcome makes this guy with limited free time happy!
• The challenge. The cases remain challenging enough without ever seeming overwhelming or making extreme leaps of logic.
• The story: Not only is the deduction part of the game fun, but the story you uncover just hooks you in with just the right amount of mysteries and plot hooks.

Cons

• Also the graphics: Many have referred to the characters as 'fugly,' and yeah, they're not exactly lookers. I felt it contributed to the game, but this might be an acquired taste.
• I honestly can't think of anything else.