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July 29, 2008

Summer Reading Blog: Video Game Reads

Video Game Books At UGL

This blog post was originally supposed to focus on video games. After dying for the zillionth time in Capcom Classics, it became obvious that summer would be long gone long before enough video games had been played in full. Instead of the video games themselves, this post will point out some books in the UGL’s collection whose characters are shaped by them. Sound not as cool as video games? Read on and learn otherwise.

Feed by M.T. Anderson
813 An2375f

M.T. Anderson is a professor of creative writing with a focus in youth literature. If you don’t put much stock in those credentials, you will if you read even one chapter of Feed. This book is fast-paced, original, and scary as h-e-double-hockey-sticks. Its characters live in the not-too-distant future, and have computers implanted in their brains from the time they are children. The feeds (hence the title) advertise to them, show them where to find the coolest video games, and try to predict what they will want to buy, from cargo pants to trips to the Moon. What happens when a feed breaks down? I won’t give it away, but it’s not pretty.

One caveat is that the slang in this book makes its world more believable, but it also takes some getting used to. Don’t be discouraged if the first couple of chapters are slow going: Feed will be worth your time. Seriously. If this book was a Jack LaLanne Power Juicer, I’d offer to give you a full refund if you weren’t madly in love with your first glass of mango-kiwi-carrot goop.

Lucky Wander Boy by D.B. Weiss
813 W43622l

Imagine a video game that parallels real life so perfectly that if you can find your way to its final level, it will show you your own face, followed by your personal vision of heaven. Adam Pennyman believes he has played such a game, but just as he was ascending to the last level, somebody pulled the machine’s plug. Now, years later, he may have a chance to play it again. What will he sacrifice for that chance?

Lots, it turns out. Pennyman will make you cringe, repeatedly, as he plows through jobs and relationships in pursuit of his goal. Along the way, though, he offers insights into life, video games, and the connections between them that are intelligent and disarming.

If you’re interested in metafiction (or meta-anything, really), this book was written for you. Weiss’s self-conscious form and voice never let you forget that you are reading something deliberately crafted. The ending alone should send meta- fans into comatose bliss.

Here are some more video game-themed books in the Undergrad’s collection:

Fiction:
Ender’s Game
813C178e1985

Attack of the Bacon Robots (graphic novel!)
741.5973H718pa

Snow Crash
813St4465

Nonfiction:
Everything Bad Is Good For You: How Today’s Pop Culture Is Actually Making Us Smarter 306.0973J637e

Grand Theft Childhood: The Surprising Truth About Violent Video Games And What Parents Can Do 302.231K969g

Masters of Doom: How Two Guys Created An Empire And Transformed Pop Culture 794.80922K

Posted by undergrad at 11:21 AM | Comments (2)

July 9, 2008

Summer Reads: The Undergrad's Graphic Novel Collection

The Avengers: Disassembled

By Brian Michael Bendis and David Finch

Call Number: 741.5973 B433ac

One could say that the current events rocking the Marvel Universe began here with this groundbreaking series. The Disassembled storyline marked the "end" of one of Marvel comics' flagship titles and it's premiere superhero team, but more importantly, signaled acclaimed writer Brian Michael Bendis's essential creative control over the major events of the Marvel universe. The massive cross-over events of the last few years such as 2005's "House of M," last year's "Civil War" and this summer's "Secret Invasion" are all either the brainchildren of Bendis or involved his collaboration. Rising to the top ranks of Marvel writers from indie series such as Powers, and an ongoing, celebrated run on Ultimate Spider-Man, Bendis has presented himself as a writer unafraid to shake things up or write off a few important characters in the name of keeping things exciting and Avengers: Disassembled sees him in fine form.

The Avengers, comprised of Marvel stalwarts such as Captain America, Iron Man, and Thor, face perhaps their greatest challenge in this thrilling story. Events culminate in the destruction of Avengers mansion, the death of several team members, and the revelation of the identity of the team's most shocking foe. With Disassembled, Bendis adds an emotional and psychological depth to the quintessential comic storyline of heroes facing their "greatest challenge." The shocking revelation of the story's antagonist interrogates the infallibility of the "superhero" archetype. The extraordinary abilities which define a hero, can just as easily cause the sort of insanity born from the burden of responsibility. And it's these themes of darkness and paranoia which were introduced here and have eventually come to characterize Bendis' take on the core characters of the Marvel Universe. In fact, this volume provides an excellent introduction for readers interested in the current Avengers ongoing series New Avengers also written by Bendis and picking up right where this series left off. The newer, grittier, Marvel Universe begins here. Get into it this summer.

If You Enjoyed Avengers: Disassembled You Might Also Enjoy:

The Avengers: Ultron Unlimited

by Kurt Busiek and George Pérez

Call Number: 741.5973 B964s

In this classic Avengers story the team faces off against Ultron, an all-powerful, hyper-intelligient robot bent on the eradication of the human race. After witnessing Ultron wipe out an entire Eastern-European country, Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Vision, The Scarlet Witch and others must battle through an army of Ultron robots to save the human race. Busiek has a gift for team adventures, balancing the personalities of each equally throughout the story. George Pérez remains the premiere Avengers artist, and his incredibly detailed illustrations never fail to capture the majesty of the world's greatest superhero team in this action-packed volume.

Ultimate Spider-Man: Power and Responsibility

By Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley

Call Number: 741.5973 J398up

In this acclaimed series Bendis demonstrates his innate ability to hone in on exactly what makes a classic character appealing. Restarting the Spider-Man story in a contemporary setting, with a young Peter Parker still in high school, Ultimate Spider-Man hearkens back to the classic Stan Lee era of everyone's favorite wall-crawler, when the drama of Parker's life rivaled his high-flying fist fights above the New York city skyline. Mark Bagley stands as one of the top Spider-Man artists, equally capable of illustrating an agile fight sequence or a heart-rending moment. The Undergraduate Library owns almost the entire run of Ultimate Spider-Man, easily one of the most compelling super hero titles being published today.

Posted by undergrad at 2:06 PM | Comments (1)

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