Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8, Issue 2

Product Description

The destruction of Buffy's hometown, plus covert and powerful slayer "cells" around the world, add up to a new label for the Scoobies: Terrorist threat. Speaking of Sunnydale, the crater formerly known as, has opened to reveal the witch Amy, and boy is she mad. Season Eight continues as Buffy creator Joss Whedon brings Buffy back to Dark Horse in this direct follow-up to Season Seven of the smash-hit TV series.

Customer Reviews:

And the story continues.......2007-04-22

Warning: Thar be spoilers ahead!

Remember each week those exciting words (which alerted us that we were about to get a new exciting episode of the best show on TV)? "Previously on BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER . . . " The new comic series seems to be doing something along these same lines. On the inside of the outer cover are printed the following:

"This story takes place after the end of BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER Season Seven.

"The Slayer population of the world has gone from two to nearly two thousand. Almost five hundred are working around the world with Buffy's organization in squads--or "terrorist cells," according to the American military. Buffy, Xander, Dawn, and a passel of Slayers are currently bunked out in a Scottish castle, where the latest mission revealed a strange symbol carved into human bodies.

"Also, Dawn's a giant."

This may be a summary that is rewritten each month to reflect what has happened in the previous issues.

The first episode in Season Eight established the situation; this one begins moving the story forward. The U.S. military (or rather, a military leader who has on his chest the strange symbol referred to in the monthly summary) has authorized Amy the witch and her army of zombies to go after Buffy and her cohorts. After the story begins with three very different approaches to training the new slayers by first Giles, then Buffy, and finally Andrew (who actually couldn't be said to be training them at all) we find Xander explaining why Dawn took the form of a giant when it was possible she could have assumed other forms instead (obviously, she is trying to get her sister's attention in the most blatant manner possible). The catch is, does Xander really tell any of this to Buffy or is it all just part of what we later learn is a spell-induced sleep in which she experiences an unbroken nightmare. And in a fairy-tale twist she can only be awakened by the kiss of true love. We can, of course, imagine a line of possible candidates for that: Angel and Spike fighting to be first in line. Well, of course Buffy will be awakened, and sooner rather than later. Can't imagine her being asleep at the end of the next episode. The tricky part is how one defines "true love." That needn't mean romantic love. My gut tells me that the kiss won't come from any of the usual suspects. My money is on Dawn. Yeah, I know. No one likes Dawn. But the brute fact is that except for struggling to save her in Season Five, Buffy has been a truly awful sister. Not in a Cinderella step sisterly way, but in the completely neglectful, can't-spare-her-a-minute way. But early in Season Six, Dawn seemed to miss her more than anyone. Like I said, my money is on Dawn.

The issues ends with Buffy asleep, the castle under assault by hundreds of zombies they can't keep at bay, Amy gloating that she could handle slayers with ease, so there was no one there who could take her on. The final frame is of someone who says that they would "like to test that theory." And thus Willow makes her first appearance in the story.

I am going to say something that I don't think I can say often enough. I don't want Joss Whedon writing comics. I want him creating new television shows. I suspect he enjoys the control that a comic gives him. I am sure he is tired of battling studios and networks. I can understand that. But once the battles have been waged and the BS has been waded through, Joss Whedon has been able to create some of the most extraordinary, most timeless television that has ever been made. He needs to get back to it. That being said, I am so much happier with him doing BUFFY Season Eight than either his X-Men project or the Runaways (and mind you, I like both the X-Men and the Runaways). There are others who can tell further stories about the X-Men and the Runaways, but Joss Whedon is only one who can give us authoritative Buffy stories. So I am acquiring these with joy and my heart and impatience in my soul. But I want him back in television. We've had some great TV since BUFFY and ANGEL left the air. LOST, 24, VERONICA MARS, and especially BATTLESTAR GALACTICA have filled the huge gap BUFFY left at its departure. But LOST needs to start winding down (whether it will has to be seen), BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (the only show to completely match the brilliance that was BUFFY) has possibly only one more season left and at most two before Ron Moore brings his series to an end. 24 is definitely in decline. VERONICA MARS might be cancelled. In short, JOSS! WE NEED YOU TO COME BACK TO TELEVISION! But in the meantime, I'll wolf down every one of these issues.

Episode Two: Attack of the Rat.......2007-04-05

Buffy fans will be expecting a lot after seven stellar seasons on television and the success of the first issue of "Season Eight." So the question here is this: Does Issue #2 deliver?

In short, yes. I have to say though--there is so much going on, so many jokes, and so much foreshadowing that I wasn't able to completely enjoy the Jossy goodness until my second read. The first read intrigued me, but the second wow-ed me.

The plot continues directly from the previous issue. Amy (the former rat) is working with the government to take out Buffy and the slayers, and she has an army of zombies to back her up. The ending sequences are amazing--I'm already itching for May 2nd to come so I can get my hands on the third issue. There was a big revelation about half-way through the comic, and clues to who the Big Bad of the season will be as well. Giant Dawn is great, Buffy is true to herself, and Xander is playing the biggest role he's played since the first season.

This issue also re-introduces two fan favorites: Giles and Andrew. So, all in all, this issue is just as good as the first. But did anybody expect anything less? I mean, come on--Joss Whedon wrote it.

9/10

Average customer rating:

A good book
Best of the X-men Novels

X-Men: The Return (X-Men)
Chris Roberson
Manufacturer: Pocket Star
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

X-Men | Characters | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

Movie Tie-Ins | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Adventure | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 1416510753

Book Description

Feared and mistrusted by the very people they have sworn to protect, the X-Men are a band of mutant heroes dedicated to defending humanity from those who would use their powers to harm and destroy. The X-Men are often Earth's last defense against villains and mad-men...and the future's only hope.

An alien race calling themselves the Kh'thon descend upon the planet, announcing that they are the former occupants and rightful owners of Earth. The evidence they present is startling: Their ships are manned by Homo sapiens, supposedly descendants of human beings who served the Kh'thon on Earth countless millennia ago. And their will is enforced by the Exemplar, humans augmented with a dizzying array of powers, each the match of any one of the X-Men. The Kh'thon claim that they are responsible for the creation of the x-gene, devised so that they could breed whatever traits or abilities they required of their servants. And now they've returned to take back what they believe is rightfully theirs: the planet Earth, and everyone living on it.

It is up to Wolverine, Kitty Pryde, Nightcrawler, and the rest of the X-Men -- working in conjunction with Scott Summers, currently a member of X-Force -- to find a way to repel the Kh'thon before humans and mutants alike are enslaved by alien masters....

Customer Reviews:

A good book.......2007-06-07

The original rulers of Earth land on the planet and attempt to take it over. These people have the same powers as the X-men, and they can manipulate their servents DNA, allowing them to possess whatever ability their masters think they need.
These original inhabitants of Earth claim that they developed the X-Gene and that they can use it more effectively than the mutants of Earth, but of course, the X-Men and the other mutants of Earth were able to overpower their invaders by using their genious, as well as brute force. This book read just like any other X-Men novel or comic book, and it was just as typical as any other novel or comic book. It was a good read, and I would recommend it to anyone who has enjoyed the comics.

Best of the X-men Novels.......2007-05-21

Yay! Finally an awesome X-men novel. This one is the best of the recent X-men novels. Chris Roberson does a great job in writing an X-men story that will entertain both old fans and new comers. I'm glad that Marvel is getting better writers on these books and am looking forward to reading Matt Hughes take on Wolverine.

Average customer rating:

Watchers on the Wall Review
Not a bad X-Men tale with all the right characters.
Good Charactorizations, So-So Plot
Real X-Men fans will be real dissapointed.
A brutal choice to make

Watchers on the Walls (X-Men)
Christopher L. Bennett
Manufacturer: Pocket Star
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

X-Men | Characters | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

Movie Tie-Ins | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Adventure | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

General | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

General | Mystery & Thrillers | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 1416510672

Book Description

For years, many have believed that the rise of superpowered mutants represents a threat to the survival of ordinary humans. The uncanny X-Men have dedicated their lives to proving that peaceful coexistence is possible. When a refugee spacecraft crashes on Earth, hounded by a warship bent on its destruction, the X-Men race to the rescue -- only to learn that it carries beings of an entirely different order whose very existence may jeopardize life as we know it.

Now, facing a direct threat to all life on Earth, the X-Men grapple with an impossible moral dilemma -- to defend the aliens whose only crime is being born different . . . or to embrace the methods of those who have long condemned mutantkind, joining forces with their own greatest persecutors to go hunt down their common enemy and end the evolutionary menace, once and for all.

Customer Reviews:

Watchers on the Wall Review.......2007-02-26

Watchers on the Wall by Christopher L. Bennett, is a story that pits mutant against mutant. It plays a lot like the movie which I felt was a good however I also felt it was in a way extending it in some manner. I thought that the storyline was intriguing and couldn't help but wonder if the author was trying to relay a message of things going on in the real world.

The novel moved at a swift paced and unlike the author's Trek books, this wasn't bogged down with science stuff. This is a stand alone so you don't have to be a comic geek to follow the story. Throughout the book, Bennett makes references to other Marvel heroes but never by name although I was waiting for some cameo from someone at some point. Regardless, the story works as is and it has a satisfying ending.

It is a little predictable though early on but doesn't spoil anything. I thought the Latin chapters were interesting and wondered why it was done. Actually, I thought it was amusing. But, when all is said and done, Watchers on the Wall makes a good edition to your library.

Not a bad X-Men tale with all the right characters........2006-10-15

I have been reading comics since I was 9 and I have to say that I really enjoyed this book. X-Men rollcall for this book - Cyclops, Jean Grey, Wolverine, Nightcrawler, Rogue, Beast, Kitty Pryde and Lockheed. The only one of the X-Men that I missed was Colossus as he was always my favorite.
This book starts out with a new group of young mutants making their first visit to the Xavier Institute and quickly turns into an exciting race against time to save a group of alien refugess called the Chlorites from a pursuing alien race called the Diascar along with the help of the Imperial Guard from the Shi'ar Empire which is run by the love of Charles Xaviers life the Majestrix, Lilandra Neramani.
This book has action almost from start to end and even includes the Sentinels which are reprogrammed to work alongside the X-Men to search for Chlorites but as with all things Sentinels you know it can't last long, or does it?
I definetly recommend this book to any X-Men fan because I know that like me they will truly enjoy this great ride.

Good Charactorizations, So-So Plot.......2006-08-14

The author hits the charactorizations spot on, and picks most of the best X-men to include in this book, but the plot is not equal to the charactors. Could have used more action.

Real X-Men fans will be real dissapointed........2006-07-24

The author has talent, but it makes me wonder why he never did much research about the X-Men. This is the worst X-Men book ever. I own all the books and sad to say Watchers on the Walls is the first X book I will never re-read. It was a total waste of money. Christopher L.Bennett didn't understand the characters or their relationships. He tried to write a deep-thinking X-Men novel, and ended up writing an offensive story with a poorly written conclusion. Maybe, just maybe if you've never heard of the X-Men (and you write the ending yourself) you should read the book.

A brutal choice to make.......2006-05-30

I used to read superhero comics all the time, but I've moved away from them (mostly for lack of storage space and how much they cost more than anything else). I knew that some superheroes were making the transition to novel form, but I hadn't bothered to go find any and see what they were like. However, I stumbled across X-Men: Watchers on the Walls, by Christopher L. Bennett, at the library and thought "he's a Trek author I've talked to on the Star Trek boards, and I like the X-Men, so why not give this one a try?" After doing so, I'm glad I did. It's an interesting book, with only a couple of missteps which I'm not sure are Bennett's fault anyway.

It's a normal day at the Xavier Institute of Higher Learning, with a brand new batch of students finding out what they're in for. Unbeknownst to the rest of the world, these children are mutants, children born with an extraordinary power that makes them more than human. In a world where humanity treats mutants with fear and some loathing, Professor Xavier takes them in, trains them to use (or at least control) their powers, and how to live amongst humans. But the school is also home to the X-Men, mutant heroes who are also instructors at the school. On a training mission with Jean Grey, Professor Xavier happens upon a spaceship in distress, being chased and fired upon by another ship. The fugitive ship crashes and the X-Men are called to protect them. However, they may be more menace than prey. The form of life on that ship is deadly to most carbon-based life forms, and if they aren't dealt with, the whole of humanity could be destroyed. The X-Men must balance the safety of the Earth against the persecution of a people whose only crime is being born different; a sentiment that many humans share about mutants.

Bennett does a great job with the characters all X-Men fans know and love. All of them are recognizable, even as I kept on trying to figure out where in the comics continuity this novel was taking place. Bennett has said that he was told to create a stand-alone novel, but he was able to mix in a few references to ground the reader who is familiar with these things, and his characterization definitely fit my image of these heroes at the time (about five or so years ago). Wolverine is irascible but with a good heart. Rogue is extremely idealistic, taking the side of the fugitives often. I wanted to smack her a few times because of how much I disagreed with her, but she was definitely in character. The others are well-done too.

Make no mistake, this novel is definitely set in the comics universe, despite its release being timed to coincide with the new movie. In the movies, it seems like there are no other superheroes around at all, but in this one, many of them are mentioned. None of them are actually on screen, but there are plenty of mentions of the Fantastic Four (though oddly, not by name), Spider-Man, and myriad other Marvel heroes. A lot of mutants show up as well, including some who have worked with the X-Men before, such as Banshee. If you're not familiar with the comics universe, however, don't be alarmed. None of the references are strange enough that you won't know what Bennett's talking about.

Bennett writes an exciting tale, too. The plot is interesting and the resolution is definitely appropriate, though I have a bit of a problem with the main key to the resolution being a mutant who just happens to have come to Xavier's school very recently, and is introduced in this book. That's the only real fault with the plotting that I could find, and it's certainly a debatable point whether or not it detracts from the book. It did for me. Everything else is grand, though. The arguments from all sides just felt right and they were well-presented by Bennett. Rogue goes a bit too far over to the side of the fugitives, but she's always been a huge idealist, so I don't fault her for that. It was nice to see that it took other circumstances happening before others began to join her.

The writing in this book was great, except for one thing: I don't know if it's because it was two groups rather than two individuals fighting, but the standard fight scenes that every comic has to have just fell flat on their faces for me. I'm not sure that comic book fight scenes translate that well to the novel format, though I'd have to check out an individual's book (like a Spider-Man) before I figure that out. Whether it's Bennett's fault or a fault of the format, the two or three huge fight scenes left me cold, and I couldn't wait for them to be over. The description of one person's powers affecting another person almost felt like exposition in the middle of the battle. Unfortunately, the ultimate fight with the Sentinels was one of those instances. One thing that does lead me to guess that the problem is more the size of the fights is that when Bennett breaks the X-Men up into smaller groups, the scenes do work a little better. Not a lot, but some.

All in all, though, Watchers on the Walls is an excellent example of a superhero book done well. It brings up interesting philosophical points, provides good characterization, and tells an interesting story. If you like your X-Men, then it's definitely worth a read.

David Roy

Average customer rating:

x men is the best
Better than the first
roman rocks
best series of books I've ever read
Amazing

X-Men/Magneto: The Chaos Engine, Book 2
Steven A. Roman
Manufacturer: I Books/Marvel
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

X-Men | Characters | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

Movie Tie-Ins | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Science Fiction & Fantasy Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0743445465

Book Description

First Mass-Market Edition!

X-MEN/MAGNETO: THE CHAOS ENGINE, BOOK 2

By Steven A. Roman

One week: That was all the time given to the X-Men to correct a universe-threatening flaw after it was discovered that unknown forces had severely altered the structure of the heroes' home dimension. It hadn't taken them long to track down the source of the disruption: the tyrannical Doctor Doom, in possession of the Cosmic Cube -- a device that allows its owner to twist reality and create their personal vision of a perfect world. But now their old enemy Magneto has the Cube, and the danger has only gotten worse...

• X-Men is the most successful comic book series ever published.

• X-Men: The Movie grossed over $400 million worldwide.

• X-Men 2 is scheduled for May 2003 release.

Customer Reviews:

x men is the best.......2005-07-19

I find these book really exciting i already have book 1 and 3 of the trilogy. i hope more of these will be written. I am a fan of x men

Better than the first.......2003-09-22

I enjoyed this book much more than the first one. I didn't like the first novel (Doctor Doom), because the villain was written just like a madman. (Dr. Doom's behavior was very illogical and abrupt. It bothered me a lot.)
In this book, Magneto's personality was portrayed very carefully and thoroughly. In his new world, Magneto was written as a person with a noble soul and ideal and I could understand him better than in any other novelization. I was touched by his conversation with Professor X.

This book is above the average and definitely worth to read. But as a person who read both Legacy Quest and Chaos Engine trilogies, I will recommend the Legacy Quest trilogy over this one. Legacy Quest has more interesting plots and character development.

roman rocks.......2003-05-05

x-geeks, this is for you. nice job of putting lee/byrne cast into chaos.

best series of books I've ever read.......2003-02-16

I thought that the third installment of the chaos series was probibly the best that Roman wrote. His back and fourth sequence of events made you feel like you were right there in the story. Please read the first two before reading the third, or at least the second one first (that's actually what I did) because after reading the 2nd, you'll HAVE to buy the last installment to find out what happened. It was beautifully written and I loved every moment of it

Amazing.......2003-02-08

Ok, before I start, read the first two before you read this one, as they were excellent books as well, and you really have to read the other two just to get the story in this one.

This book was amazing. Roman finds a way to perfectly balance out all the different characters in the book and it is well written...simply put.

This part of the trilogy takes you to the version of earth where the Red Skull comes upon the cosmic cube, bringing about the Fourth Reich where the nazis had defeated the allied forces in World War 2. Mutants are considered the scum of the earth and the Skull goes by means of special task forces, and sentinels to apprehend these genetic impurities. Cyclops (who's secret as a mutant isn't discovered until mid-story) and his wife (Frau Sommers) are the poster-couple of the empire, Storm presides in Africa where all colored humans and mutants were sent to- her powers deactivated genosha-style, Magneto is in a concentration camp, Nightcrawler is on the Lightning Force strike team of the empire (though he is still considered scum, he only gets to be on the team because he is a true german), rogue is a tool of the empire, gambit is a collared worker, professor x is a traitor to the mutant race, leaving Psylocke and Warren the only 2 X-Men left unaffected by the cube. The story has 2 plots really that are going on. Betsy and Warren are up in the citadel where Doom is ascending to god-hood (won't tel you how), and of course you have the cube/Red Skull storyline. Definitely a 2 thumbs up!!!

Average customer rating:
Marvel Zombies vs. Army of Darkness # 2: Marvel Team-Ups (Marvel / Dynamite Comic Book 2007)
John Layman
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Comic

General | Comic Strips | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
General | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
General | Graphic Novels | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
Marvel | Publishers | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
Antiquarian & Rare Books | Books & Reading | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Batman | Media | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
General | Star Trek | Media | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Marvel Zombies vs. Army of Darkness #1: Earth's Mightiest Zero (Marvel / Dynamite Comic Book 2007)

Marvel Zombies vs. Army of Darkness # 3 : Night of the Livid Dead (Marvel / Dynamite Comic Book 2007)

Marvel Zombies

Marvel Zombies vs. Army of Darkness # 4 : The Book of Dooms (Marvel / Dynamite Comic Book 2007)

Marvel Zombies vs. Army of Darkness #5 : The Stalking Dead (Marvel / Dynamite Comic Book 2007)

ASIN: B000P648WK

Product Description

The Zombie plague spreads, turning an entire world of super-powered heroes and villains into bloodthirsty walking dead! And only one manarmed with a deadly boomstick, a sharp tongue and movie star looks can stand against them. Its Ashley Williams against the zombie incarnations of Spider-Man, the Punisher, the Avengers and dozens more. These guys dont stand a chance!

Average customer rating:

Meet the X-Men (DK READERS)
Clare Hibbert
Manufacturer: DK CHILDREN
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Popular Culture | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

X-Men | Characters | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

General | Comic Strips | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

General | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

General | Graphic Novels | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

General | Comics & Graphic Novels | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0756619289

Book Description

Featuring some of the most popular characters from the X-Men universe, these books take young readers on an action-packed tour of the world of mutant heroes.

Average customer rating:

Awesome book
loved this book
This was better than the first!
cant wait for the third book
this book rocks

X-Men: Magneto (Chaos Engine Book 2)
Steven A. Roman , and Stan Timmons
Manufacturer: I Books/Marvel
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Action & Adventure | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

X-Men | Characters | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

Movie Tie-Ins | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Adventure | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0743400232

Book Description

One week: That was all the time given to the X-Men to correct a universe-threatening flaw after Roma, Supreme Guardian of the Omniverse, discovered that unknown forces had severely altered the structure of the heroes' home dimension. It hadn't taken them long to track down the source of the disruption: the tyrannical Doctor Doom, in possession of the Cosmic Cube -- a device that allows its owner to twist reality and create their personal vision of a perfect world.

The X-Men failed in their mission, though, and now the Cosmic Cube is in the hands of their longtime enemy Magneto, the Master of Magnetism. Like his former friend Professor Xavier, Magneto has a dream for all mutant-kind -- but his is of a day when Homo Superior freely walk the Earth, not as equals to the human race, but as their masters.

Now that day has come, and the only hope the world has to survive the mutant overlord's reign is in the hands of Professor Xavier and the one X-Man not affected by the reality-changing powers of the Cube: Betsy Braddock -- the ninja-trained telekinetic known as Psylocke.

But unknown to any of the players in this cosmic chess match there is one final participant waiting in the wings, and he is about to make his first move....

Customer Reviews:

Awesome book.......2004-03-04

This book is extremely well written, and exciting. A major character dies (not telling which one!) in a creepy and emotional way. I would recommend the entire set of books to any reader who is a fan of the X-Men.

Also, is it just me or does the author put a lot of the locations in the DC/Metro area? I guess he is from there!

loved this book.......2003-02-16

I came into this series with this first novel. It wasn't hard to gather what happened at all with the wonderfull writing of roman. He brought you up to speed quickly and enveloped you in the book. It was very creative. I had to buy the third installment the day after I finished this one, because i had to know what happened next. There wasn't a whole lot of action, but it was enough to be percieved as a novel and not a comic book. I think that if the movie studios got a hold of this series, it would make a ton. I loved it!

This was better than the first!.......2002-06-29

This book was so cool because it showed how smart Dr. Doom really is (smarter than that cretin Reed Richards)Even in a place where no weapons can be fired Doom still makes a weapon and eliminates Roma the omniversal majestrix(The supposed protector of the omniverse) The Red Skull also one of my favorite villains defeats the highly over-rated Magneto and Prof. X and gets the Cosmic Cube! In the third one The Red Skull and Dr. Doom (my favorites) will have to fight and The Red Skull has an advantage with the Cosmic Cube, but as we've all seen Dr. Doom has a trick up his sleeve.

cant wait for the third book.......2002-04-29

I've probably read all of the X-men novels out and this trilogy is looking to be as good as the mutant empire one. THe first book set up a dictatorship with Doom and this one shows how Magneto's dream could work and shows sympathy for magneto because he only fight's for his dream. I have no idea how Roman will fix this situation because of the bleak ending. This isn't as action packed as the mutant empire trilogy but the intrigue and suspense is better.

this book rocks.......2002-03-02

this book has everything that i could want. adventure, mystery, and a large bit of suprise. get it and the first, chaos enigine

Average customer rating:

half good, half bad
Comic to big screen
The comic book of the movie that was based on a comic book
woooooooow!!!!!!!1 this is great!!!
It's not a 'book'.

X-Men: Beginnings
Marvel Comics
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

X-Men | Characters | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

General | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

General | Graphic Novels | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

Marvel | Publishers | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

General | Movies | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Movie Tie-Ins | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0785107509

Customer Reviews:

half good, half bad.......2006-06-13

The first half of the book, which is the adaptation for the first X-men movie, is horrible. It feels like the writers didn't have much space, so they crammed the movie into a handful of pages. It gives some of the action a jerky, incomplete feel that leaves you wondering what just happend. The dialogue in places is some of the corniest I have seen in a long time. Characters state the obvious very eloquently during tense moments. Finally, the artwork is so dark overall that I find myself wishing there was a magic light switch to make the pages brighter.
The second half is worth the buy though. A few of the older comics are included after the first one, and they have class. They are intelligent, funny, suspenseful, and great for people who are just getting in to the x-men universe. They are what made me glad I purchased this book.

Comic to big screen.......2005-03-30

First installment of the X-Men movie trilogy. Characters are very close to the comic books with minor exceptions to continuity. The authors provide and excellent storyline filled with mutant mayhem which is sure to entertain. As a long time X-Men fan, the book is well written despite changes from the well known stories of the comics.

The comic book of the movie that was based on a comic book.......2002-03-07

It is always interesting to see the official comic book adaptation of a movie that is based on a comic book in the first place. Ralph Macchio has the honors of adapting the screenplay, with penciler Anthony Williams and inker Andy Lanning handling the artwork. Obviously this is really no place to talk about how the X-Men comic was adapted to the silver screen, but rather how it makes the transition back to its original art form. My criticism boils down to one basic comment: 48-pages is not long enough to tell this story. Macchio gets all the words in but Williams is pretty much handcuffed from turning the movie into a "real" comic book. Entire scenes are crammed into a couple of pages and outside of a few splash panels there is no opportunity to use the medium to the advantage of the story. Look at what the big fight between Sabertooth and Wolverine boils down to. We have seen entire comic books devoted to epic fights between a single superhero and a single supervillain. This is just too crammed into this few pages and despite Williams's efforts you know he could have done better with half again as many pages with which to work.

Also included in this collection are reprints of a pair of X-Men issues focusing on Magneto and arguably their best confrontation, #112 "Magneto Triumphant" and #113 "Showdown" (both illustrated by John Bryne), as well as #171 "Rogue," penciled by Walt Simonson and finished by Bob Wiacek. There are also pages from Marvel Comics Presents #72-75, which was the Weapons X storyline focusing on Wolverine and drawn by Barry Windsor-Smith, who drew the worst looking X-Men comic of all time as one of his first gigs at Marvel (he drew it on benches in the park). Of course, these efforts showcase some of the better examples of comic book storytelling and artwork and you have to wonder what it would be like if the movie adaptation was twice as long and half of the reprints were jettisoned. Final note of curiosity: So how much the credits are only provided for one of the four reprints? Hmmmmm.

woooooooow!!!!!!!1 this is great!!!.......2001-02-26

this comics are so great.... i've buy it separatly (the three prequels feat rogue, wolverine et magneto whit is friends Professor charle xavier + the movie adaptation....) all include in this one... darm the ilustration are cool... the storyline superbe... a little bite deferent from the movie but superbe....

It's not a 'book'........2000-10-29

I'm an X-Men fan, and I have been for many years. With slight trepidation and nervousness I went and saw the movie...I LOVED IT!! Stupid me, in my haste to read a written novelization of the movie, I ordered this 'book' with mighty expectations. I expected a written adaptation of the movie...sort of like what Terry Brooks did for SWI: The Phantom Menace.

Nope, this is not a book revealing the innermost thoughts of the characters...It's a glossy comic book...and the art wasn't even that great.

Book Description

TAKE A STAND.

The world has acquired a lethal new weapon against X-gene mutants, whose superhuman powers separate them–for better, for worse, forever–from ordinary mortals. Now, for the first time, mutants have a choice: retain their godlike abilities, though their powers may isolate and alienate them, or surrender them and become human. The mutant antibody is called a cure, but its invention may trigger a struggle that destroys every living soul on Earth.

As Magneto declares all-out war against humanity and its dreaded cure, the U.S. president mobilizes the military. But it is Charles Xavier and the X-Men who truly must brace for the ultimate battle, for they alone are powerful enough to determine the outcome.

Lessons of the past are useless in the coming life-and-death conflict, as new players–mutants possessing unprecedented, unearthly skills– take center stage. With so many joining forces with Magneto’s evil Brotherhood, the X-Men will face their ultimate test against an enemy whose forces far outnumber their own.

Now, as the world trembles, the Phoenix slowly rises. . .

Customer Reviews:

Companion piece to the movie!.......2007-09-18

For those of you who need to know what the character is thinking at a particular moment and everything else that did not/cannot translate to the silver screen, this book is for you!

Super Reader.......2007-08-07

This is really quite good, and Claremont throws in some things of interest.

An extended danger room sequence, and Lockheed hovering in the shadows in Kitty's room. Green uniform mentions, and other little tidbits like President David Cockrum sketching when stressed.

Lucas Bishop is a cop in District X, where one of the cure clinics is located.

You get to see what many of the characters are thinking.

Bobby melts down at the end of the fight, leaving him a little embarrassed.

Beast is seen taking a class with Kitty in it.

The end is different, as Magneto is working for Aletys Forrester on a fishing boat, until Moira MacTaggart approaches him, while playing chess with himself.

Wolverine, at the end, is taking a danger room session of new students. Remy LeBeau, Danielle Moonstar, Sam Guthrie, and Sage.

Definitely a cut above your average novelisation, and at 330+ pages has the room to be.

Any okay novelization.......2007-05-21

The war between mutants and man is coming. Some are standing with Magneto including Jean Grey who is back from the dead. While other are with Professor X and the X-men. Caught in the middle of all this are a group men who have created a drug to destory the X-gene. Sides must be choosen. Heros will fall and not all will live the end of the last stand.
Okay I have to confess that I had this book for about a year before I read and I only read it after I had saw the movie, a movie that I really didn't like. While the backgroud story into Jean's childhood was interesting, the book left with the same feelings that the movie did. It could have been so much more.

They Should Have Named Them The Expletive Men.......2006-11-18

If you are a mild fan of the X-men, as I am, you may be thinking of picking up this novel to get a little more back story. While this book adds quite a bit to the movie in the way of added material, the language in this book is awful. Seriously, why couldn't I read more than 3 pages with getting hit with some kind of profanity? It's just stupid. And it isn't just minor swear words either. If what was in this book was in the movie, it almost certainly would have been rated R. If the language wasn't such a problem, I would most certainly recommend reading this. But it is, so I can't.

3.5 stars for a novelization..........2006-09-21

Claremont did a fairly good job of capturing the action of the movie. I picked up this book after I had seen the movie, assuming it would help me take the movie with me more than just seeing it a couple times in the theater would. This was accomplished; however, I must admit that the only reason this book did not get 4 stars from me is because I was severely annoyed by how many times Claremont used the word "bub".

Average customer rating:

3 stars instead of 4 because xmen should be better
This Book Is Awesome
Pretty cool, with more to come
A perfect book for vacations
Excellent, one of the best movie novelizations I've read!

X-Men 2
Chris Claremont
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

X-Men | Characters | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

General | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

General | Graphic Novels | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

Movie Tie-Ins | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Science Fiction & Fantasy Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

General | Comics & Graphic Novels | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0345461967
Release Date: 2003-03-04

Book Description

The action-packed adventure continues as simmering tensions explode with a vengeance.

X-MEN 2

They live among us, each possessing special superhuman abilities—sometimes a blessing, sometimes a curse. Mutants. Since the discovery of their existence, they have been regarded with fear, suspicion, and often hatred. Across the planet, the debate rages: Are mutants the next link in the evolutionary chain or simply a new species of humanity, fighting for their share of the world?

Either way, one fact remains: Sharing the world has never been humanity’s defining trait.

There are two sects of mutants: One aims to coexist peacefully with a world that despises them; the other group strikes at intolerance with a relentless, often murderous force. But now there is a new insidious enemy, and no one will be safe. . . .

Download Description

Now a Major Motion Picture from Twentieth Century Fox!

They live among us, each possessing special superhuman abilities -- sometimes a blessing, sometimes a curse. Mutants. Since the discovery of their existence, they have been regarded with fear, suspicion, and often hatred. Across the planet, the debate rages: Are mutants the next link in the evolutionary chain or simply a new species of humanity, fighting for their share of the world?

Either way, one fact remains: Sharing the world has never been humanity's defining trait.

There are two sects of mutants: One aims to coexist peacefully with a world that despises them; the other group strikes at intolerance with a relentless, often murderous force. But now there is a new, insidious enemy, and no one will be safe...

A novelization by Chris Claremont based on the motion picture screenplay
Story by Bryan Singer & David Hayter and Zak Penn
Screenplay by Dan Harris & Mike Dougherty

Customer Reviews:

3 stars instead of 4 because xmen should be better.......2007-08-16

I wish they had put the ending from the actual movie in the book, I would have liked to read that, but what can you expect when the movie novalization comes out 2 months before the movie? I guess they didn't want to spoil it. But good overall.

This Book Is Awesome.......2006-01-12

I really liked this book. I loved how the Auther tells the story. I love The X-men. when i found out that there was a X-men 2 novel i couldn't wait to read it and i don't regret it. I recomend this book for everyone. You'll like it.

If you liked this book check out the movie, soundtrack and all other X-Men merchindise

Pretty cool, with more to come.......2006-01-03

I remember going into borders looking for a good read. the x-men movie had recently been put into theaters, and I wanted to go see it but my parents really weren't interested so I knew I wasn't going to see it any time soon. I was combing the sci-fi section when I saw it. I really wanted it. I couldn't see the movie, so I would read the book.
I was through it in two days ( it's not short so you know, i just read fast) it was gripping, and I couldn't put it down. I found myself wanting to know what happened next.
it's about how Stryker (the man who made Wolverine who he is) kidnaps the professor and steals cerebro, so he can kill every mutant in the world.
Claremont is able to describe the character's emotions perfectly. He manages to tell exactly what is going through the character's mind excellently.
And there is more to come, Claremont is also writing the 3rd X-men book for the movie. I can't wait, it comes out on May 26, so preorder.
So if you liked the movie and want it in book form, get this. Or if you haven't seen the movie but want to, get this. It won't do you wrong.

A perfect book for vacations.......2004-07-19

I liked this book mostly because of its length, but also because it simply was told in a good way. Not too fast, not too slow. (Well, occasionally it was too slow, but that happened very rarely.) The end differs a little from how the movie ends, though, which is pretty hard to comment. After all, this isn't the movie - this is a book. And so, it seems stupid to say it is bad because it differs from the film, since people reading this book might not have seen the film. But, let's face it: They are likely to have seen it. Still, I think this book does deserve a four - After all, the new ending was more of the kind of ending that I like than the one in the movie. And since it's 400 pages long, it's perfect for vacations. And other occasions, as well.

About the story: It's pretty nice, and introduces many new mutants. In fact, this book features mutants never shown in the film, giving you a nice feeling of reading deleted scenes from the film.

Excellent, one of the best movie novelizations I've read!.......2003-07-22

I'm a really big movie fan and because I also love to read, I love to read movie novelizations. If a novelization is written well, it's such a pleasure to read more about your favorite movie characters, how the were feeling during certain parts of the movie, plus get to find out lots of extra trivia. And I must say, "X-Men 2" was written exceptionally well!

"X-Men: A Novelization" is a novelization from the 2000 action packed movies starring Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, and Ian McKellan. Genetic mutants are very real in the 'not too distant future'. Made outcasts from societies, these mutants are rejected, feared, and hated for their superhuman powers. Some mutants want to strike out against mankind, these mutants being led by the powerful Magneto. But then again, there are some mutants who uses their special abilities for the greater. They battle against prejudice and agents of intolerance to save mankind, these mutants are the X-Men. But now there is a new enemy whose cunning and evil plan may lead to the destruction of all mutants and until the enemy is stopped, no one is safe...

First off I would like to say that I've never been an X-Men fan, never even have read any of the comics. It was only recently that I saw the movie "X-Men", read the first X-Men novelization, then saw "X-2". I found the movies a totally must-see experience! So naturally I wanted to pick up the novelization. A great read I must say!

Compared to the first movie novelization by Kristine Kathryn Rusch, "X-Men 2" was written with a better style. Instead of focusing on just one main character, Chris Claremont delves into each and every character, from the main X-men characters to the small characters of the soldiers or police involved. The action is put into words with great care, neither hunkering it down with too many details nor shortening the action into boring little incidents.

The only major problem with this book is the ending which I'm sure other reviewers have mentioned. What exactly had happened? It's totally different from the movie! My only question is, what's going to happen when X-3 comes out, which it inevitably will. Since the movie and book endings are different, how is the X-3 movie novelization going to turn out.

Overall, I can highly recommend this book for all "X-Men" or "X-Men 2" movie fans. I'm not sure if "X-Men" comics fans might enjoy this, since I don't know if the characters are very different from the comics. The movie was rated PG-13 so I guess this book is more for older teens and adults because of some swearing, violence, and sexual innuendos.

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books