The Mighty Avengers: The Unspoken

Title
The Mighty Avengers: The Unspoken


Library Link
The Mighty Avengers. The unspoken / plot, Dan Slott ; script, Christos N. Gage with Dan Slott (issue #31) ; pencils, Khoi Pham (issues 327-29) & Sean Chen (issues #30-31) ; inks, Allen Martinez (issues #27-29) & Mark Morales with Craig Yeung (issues #30-31) ; colors, John Rauch ; letters, Dave Lanphear Slott, Dan.

10 Second Review
The Mighty Avengers team consists of old Avengers members that are no longer welcome on Norman Osborn’s Dark Avengers team. They run into problems with the Scarlet Witch and the unfinished business of the Inhuman royalty.

The Chinese super team joins in on the fun

Notes
Hank Pym gets a big promotion!

Learning Curve
Moderate: New readers will likely be confused.

Reading Order
Chronological

Dark Reign Skull Kill Krew

Title

Dark Reign Skull Kill Krew

Library Link
Dark reign : Skrull kill krew / Adam Felber ; artist, Paul Siqueira Felber, Adam. New York : Marvel ; London : Diamond [distributor], 2009.

10 Second Review
Remember when Reed Richards turned the first Skrull’s into cows?

Well, some folks ate those cows and it gave them Skrull-like powers and an intense hatred of all things Skrully. Now they roam the country side hunting shape-shifters to kill.

An interesting story line with some nice twist but this is pretty obscure stuff.
An action heavy book that will likely appeal to Punisher fans.

Notes
Wolverine shows up…for some reason.

Learning Curve
High: Even Marvel fans might get confused.

Reading Order
n/a

DO NOT OPEN

Title

DO NOT OPEN: An encyclopedia of the world’s best kept secrets

Library Link
Do not open / John Farndon. Farndon, John. London : Dorling Kindersley, 2010.
10 Second Review
This is a fun book that explores many strange events and theories.

Presented with lots of illustrations, this book explores topics from time travel, famous criminals, Atlantis, World War II secrets, magic and mummies.

A very large variety of topics which should appeal to a wide audience.

Notes
Oh, and body language, camouflage, safe-cracking and aliens!

Learning Curve
Low: Good for new readers

Reading Order
N/a

Dark Avengers Assemble

Title

Dark Avengers Assemble

Library Link
Dark Avengers. Assemble / writer, Brian Michael Bendis ; artist, Mike Deodato, Will Conrad ; color art, Rain Beredo ; letterer, Virtual Calligraphy's Cory Petit Bendis, Brian Michael. New York : Marvel Publishing Inc., c2009.

10 Second Review
Norman Osborn takes over Tony Stark’s job as the nation’s top cop. Since most of the original Avengers are MIA, Norman looks to the criminal element for replacements.

The first job is to deal with something Dr. Doom can’t handle.

This is a good place to start for those interested in the Dark Reign series.
This book introduces all of the new team members and provides some background.

Notes
Morgana Le Fay plays a role

Learning Curve
Low: Should be good for new readers with a basic understanding of Marvel

Reading Order
After Secret Invasion

Interpreting Your Dreams

Title

Interpreting Your Dreams

Library Link
The complete idiot's guide to interpreting your dreams / by Marci Pliskin and Shari L. Just. Pliskin, Marci.
New York, NY : Alpha Books, c1999.
10 Second Review
From the libraries summary:
“…two dream experts start readers on their quests for knowledge about their dreams, with engaging theories as to why we dream, what the main symbols signify, and how we can utilize dreams to help face everyday realities.”

Some dream books are like dictionaries where the reader simply looks up the subject of their dream.
This book takes a deeper look and encourages the reader to take a more subjective view of the experience.

Notes
Includes techniques for remembering dreams.

Learning Curve
Low: Good for new readers but may be too dense for younger teens.

Reading Order
n/a

Siege New Avengers

Title

Siege New Avengers

Library Link
Siege. New Avengers / writer, Brian Michael Bendis ; artist, Stuart Immonen Bendis, Brian Michael.

10 Second Review
Norman Osborn decides to attack Thor’s home with the help of the Sentry and various reformed villains. Clint Barton (Ronin) decides to attack Norman solo, Spiderman and Spider Woman play with some monkeys and the team takes on Nefaria.

This book focuses on Hood’s crew and the New Avengers including Ronin (aka Hawkeye), Mockingbird, Luke Cage, Capt. America (the new one) and Spider woman. Good story and lots of info but it doesn’t really add much to the Siege storyline.

Notes
Captain America is back!

Learning Curve
Moderate: New readers will be confused

Reading Order
Siege
Siege: Dark Avengers
Siege: Avengers – The Initiative
Other Siege titles

Ninja: The Shadow Warrior

Title

Ninja: The Shadow Warrior

Library Link
Ninja : the shadow warrior / Joel Levy Levy, Joel.

10 Second Review
From the libraries summary:
“For centuries, the ninja has occupied a unique place in Japanese culture, straddling the border between fact and folklore. Through classical art, traditional proverbs, and superb research, this exquisitely designed volume takes a look back into the origins and history of these notorious shadow warriors.”

This is a fun book filled with drawings, facts and fables about the ninja.
Should be accessible for a wide range of readers.

Notes
Learn how ninja’s can stay underwater for hours

Learning Curve
Low

Reading Order
n/a

Siege: Avengers – The Initiative

Title

Siege: Avengers – The Initiative

Library Link
Siege. Avengers : the initiative / writer, Christos Gage ; artist, Rafa Sandoval Gage, Christos.

10 Second Review
Norman Osborn decides to attack Thor’s home with the help of the Sentry and various reformed villains like Taskmaster.
Taskmaster was the head teacher at Norman’s new hero training camp.
While a different perspective on the same Siege story, this book focuses on Taskmaster and the relationship between Constrictor and his double agent girlfriend.

Good story that compliments the main event but includes minor characters that may not appeal to all readers.

Notes
Tigra shows off her new baby!

Learning Curve
Low if read in order

Reading Order
Siege

Siege: Dark Avengers
Siege: Avengers – The Initiative
Other Siege titles

The Manga Cookbook

Title

The Manga Cookbook

Library Link
The manga cookbook / presented by the Manga University Culinary Institute [with recipes by Yoko Ishihara] ; illustrations by Chihiro Hattori Ishihara, Yoko.

10 Second Review
So, you want to learn to cook but hate those stuffy ‘Martha’ books?
Maybe you want to eat what your manga heroes eat?
Well, this book might fit the bill.

The Manga Cookbook includes recipes for Udun, Dango, Gyudon and even Japanese pizza!
Everything is presented in a manga style that is easy to read and easy to follow.

Notes
Learn to use chop sticks!
Learning Curve
Low: Good for new readers

Reading Order
n/a

Siege Dark Avenger

Title
Siege: Dark Avengers

Library Link
Seige. Dark Avengers / Brian Michael Bendis, writer ; Olivier Coipel, penciler ; Mark Morales, inker ; Laura Martin, colorist ; Chris Eliopoulos, letterer Bendis, Brian Michael.

10 Second Review
Norman Osborn decides to attack Thor’s home with the help of the Sentry and various reformed villains.

This book focuses on the Sentry and will address many of the questions readers may have after reading ‘Siege’.

An excellent edition which compliments the first Siege book very well.

Notes
Includes the Sentry’s origin story.

Learning Curve
Low: If read in order

Reading Order
Siege
Siege: Dark Avengers
Siege: Avengers – The Initiative
Other Siege titles

Beat Stress: The Exam Handbook

Title

Beat Stress: The Exam Handbook

Library Link
Beat stress! : the exam handbook / [author, Anita Naik] Naik, Anita.

10 Second Review
Do test stress you out? 
Have trouble managing all your homework and papers?
Do you study and study and still fail?
This book may offer some help.

It covers study tips and how to deal with stress.
Presented in a teen friendly fashion, this book is easy and fun to read.

Notes
The art of 'cramming' is addressed.

Learning Curve
Low: Good for new readres

Reading Order
n/a

Siege

Title

Siege

Library Link
Siege / Brian Michael Bendis, writer ; Olivier Coipel, penciler ; Mark Morales, inker ; Laura Martin, colorist ; Chris Eliopoulos, letterer Bendis, Brian Michael.

10 Second Review
Norman Osborn (aka The Green Goblin) is now the top cop in the U.S.
Thor (Norse god) has parked his home of Asgard over Oklahoma.
Norman doesn’t like this so he decides to attack Thor’s house.

Crazy? Not when you have the Sentry on your side.
This story has been building for a long time and this book does not disappoint.
Lots of shocks, thrills and surprises.  Marvel fans will enjoy this book.

This book focuses largely on the ‘good guys’

Notes
Includes a short story that seems out of continuity.

Learning Curve
Moderate: Likely to confuse readers that are new to Marvel

Reading Order (Suggested)
Siege
Siege: Dark Avengers
Siege: Avengers – The Initiative
Other Siege titles