Review: Batman, Volume 5: Rules of Engagement

Another Batman comic book review, because even Pastors need a break from time to time from heavy theological reading (And I will be reviewing more now that I’ve been back from my trip and getting back to my routine!).

Tom King.  Batman, Volume 5: Rules of Engagement. Burbank, CA: DC Comics, May 1st 2018. 160 pp.

4 out of 5

Purchase: Amazon

This is volume five of the Batman’s Detective Comics in the New DC Comics’ Rebirth series/era.  This work collects BATMAN #33-37 and BATMAN ANNUAL #2.  I finished this volume less than a month after it was officially released and I read several other Batman titles during the same time though I enjoyed this more than the other two works with one of them being Batman: Detective Comics, Volume 5: A Lonely Place of Living which came about a few weeks earlier than this volume.

Advertisements

Read Full Post »

Review: The Kingdom of God and the Glory of the Cross

Patrick Schreiner. The Kingdom of God and the Glory of the Cross.  Wheaton, IL: Crossway, March 31^st, 2018.  160 pp.

4 out of 5

Purchase: Westminster | Amazon

This is the fourth book I read from the “Short Studies in Biblical Theology” series published by Crossway.  I have immensely enjoyed the other three volumes that I read from this series and since they were so good I want to eventually read all the works in this series.  This present work explores the theme of “the kingdom of God” in the Bible and is authored by Patrick Schriener.  If the last name jumps out at you that’s because he’s the son of New Testament scholar Thomas R. Schreiner.

Read Full Post »

Review: Batman: Black And White

A light-hearted weekend leisure reading book review…because Pastors also need a break from heavy theological reading!

Mark Chiarello.  Batman: Black And White. New York, NY: DC Comics, September 26th 2007. 240 pp.

4 out of 5

Purchase: Amazon

This work is unique in that it is a Batman volume that is in black and white instead of color.  It is also further unique in that it is a collection of various famous, writers, inkers, etc., contributing to this volume.  As the editor mentioned in the beginning it is not easy to get the top contributor in the field to submit something on Batman when they all have their own quirks, deadlines and personalities.  This volume is even more of a challenge as the contributors are “who’s who” of comics.

Read Full Post »

Review: Batman: Detective Comics, Volume 5: A Lonely Place of Living

After weeks of serious posts, here’s a light hearted comic book review!  Because Pastors also need a break from heavy reading!

James Tynion IV.  Batman: Detective Comics, Volume 4: Deus Ex Machina. Burbank, CA: DC Comics, April 10th 2018. 144 pp.

4 out of 5

Purchase: Amazon

This is volume five of Batman’s Detective Comics.  The volume collects Detective Comics issues # 963-968 and DETECTIVE COMICS ANNUAL #1.

The bulk of this volume is the multiple chapter story “A Lonely Place of Living.” This story started off with Timothy Jackson Drake being alive contrary to what many have thought in previous Batman stories.  Timothy is held in an isolated placed where some mysterious and hidden individual asked him question about his past and how he eventually became Robin.  Whom the mysterious interrogator was turned out to be quite a surprise for Drake.  Drake was able to send out a message to get help only for the alleged Batman that showed up turning out to be the Drake of tomorrow.  Again this was a total surprise for Drake especially since the Drake of tomorrow is more cynical but also more better in his intelligence and combat ability.  As the story progress the Drake of today along with other team members helping Batman has to fight off the Drake of the future from hurting one of their own.  But the fight feature great dialogues that raises the issues of the whole Batman and caped crusaders’ enterprise.  Very well written!  The story also leaves readers wondering of what happened in the future that would result in such a cynical Drake.  It left me as the reader with a lot of questions though it was a compelling storyline that made me want to know more and anticipate future issues and volume that would answer my questions.  But then the volume transition to other stories that did not seem to be related to the rest of the volume that was rather anticlimactic and leaves fan rather confused.  I think it was a rather big letdown and volume five should have ended with the story of “A Lonely Place of Living” instead of smaller stories that felt more like fillers.

NOTE: This book was provided to me free by DC Comics and Net Galley without any obligation for a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

Read Full Post »

Review: The Mystery of the Holy Spirit by RC Sproul

RC Sproul. The Mystery of the Holy Spirit.  Ross-Shire, UK: Christian Focus Publications, November 1st 2009. 191 pp.

5 out of 5

Purchase: Westminster | Amazon

The author RC Sproul was a gifted theologian who has the gift of explaining things in terms that are clear and understandable for the lay people.  This book is no exception.  In this work Sproul looks at the Holy Spirit and other doctrines related to the Spirit.

Read Full Post »

Review: Knowing the Holy Spirit through the Old Testament

Christopher J.H. Wright.  Knowing the Holy Spirit through the Old Testament.  Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, November 5^th, 2006.  159 pp.

5 out of 5

Purchase: Westminster | Amazon

This was a good exploration of the topic of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament.  It is definitely the most thorough book-length treatment of the Spirit in the Old Testament I have come across.  In the preface the author Christopher Wright mentioned that when he was first approached to speak on a five part series on the Spirit in the Old Testament he wondered at first if there was even enough materials for one talk, let alone five.  But Wright was in for a pleasant surprised when he started his studies to discover “far more than my first impressions” (9).  This book is the result of his 2004 lectures.

Read Full Post »

Three New Children’s Books Reviewed: April 2018

Note: I’ve been immensely busy with preparing for my seminary courses I’m teaching overseas this month.  I thank God for those of you who are praying for my preparation to go overseas to teach.  Again thank you again very much.  In the midst of studies and preparation I don’t want to neglect my preschool kids.  Among other things I want to make the time to read to them.  Which means more late nights study in order to make time for my young little ones.  Also since I’ve been posting some heavy stuff concerning Bible contradictions, exegesis and Messianic prophecies last week I thought this post being more lighthearted is appropriate.  I’m reviewing new Children’s books that has been published or will be published early 2018.  They are not spiritual books, just simple kids stories.

Ellen Mayer. Banana for Two. Cambridge, MA: Star Bright Books, January 25, 2018. 20 pp.

5 out of 5

Purchase: Amazon

This is a board picture book that the publishers intended for ages 0-2.  A little book to teach young ones about the number 1 and 2 from the everyday experience of being at the groceries.  It follows a mom and a toddler shopping and going home with the purchased food.  I love the illustrations of this book, the illustrator Ying-Hwa Hu has done a good job.  My daughters appreciated it.  Both the author Ellen Mayer and the illustrator have collaborated on other board books that feature everyday teachable experiences that feature characters of different ethnic background which I thought was pretty neat.  This particular book features a Hispanic mother and her toddler; previous works have included an Asian American family and an African American family.  Yet the experience in this book is relatable for everyone of any background.

NOTE: This book was provided to me free by Star Bright Books and Net Galley without any obligation for a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

Read Full Post »