Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (Frank Miller)

[****] ISBN: 9781563893421

This is a 5-star graphic novel, but only a 3-star book. I split the difference. The problem I have in being more enthusiastic about this book is that by now, twenty years after it was first published, this ground has been thoroughly covered and trampled to the point where it's hard to turn new dirt. It's obvious why it was considered groundbreaking at the time, but there are ways in which it doesn't wear well (Reagan and the communists are gone, you know). That makes it difficult for it to stand up as a true 'classic' piece of literature.

That being said, I do give it high marks for fresh story telling (especially for the time) and for overall endurance (it still is a decent read).

Lost in Space: Voyage to the Bottom of the Soul (Bill Mumy, Michal Dutkiewicz)

[***] ISBN: 0976543605

This is Bill Mumy's long unfinished epic graphic novel of the Robinson family finally reaching Alpha Centauri. I'm very glad to finally read the whole thing, after having it interrupted when Innovation went out of business over 10 years ago. I liked the story, swiftly read the entire thing in a couple of sittings, and was pleased with the ending. But I have to report some disappointment in the execution.

The good: the story was interesting, true to the characters and held my attention; the preface material by the creators that outlined the history of the book and their history with the franchise was almost the best part

The bad: the storytelling was a bit stiff in spots; the art struck me as varying from lush and beautiful to mushy and awkward; several misspellings in the text

I would recommend this to fans of the series.