LEon の话: Books

The passing of Michael Turner

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 01:37:24 GMT

I came across this pieces of news at Wizard website that the co-creator and artist of Witchblade, Michael Turner dies of cancer last Friday, 27th June 2008 . After battling Cancer for 8 years... At 37... that's a young age.

I collected Witchblade comic when in was serving my national service. I remember heading down to Serene Centre with my one of my army friend who was into English comics. Witchblade was one of those rare English comic I collected. The style of Michael's drawing appeal to me and I remember his name. Since I was there when the first book was out, I started collecting it. As you like the artist, you will likely to follow his works.

I found some of his press release during his battle with cancer and working toward his dreams.

“ I want to express my apologies to the fans and retailers who’ve stuck by me throughout this arduous Soulfire run and the many delays on the book’s release. The past several months have honestly been incredibly painful to me not only physically, but also mentally trying to finish up the last few issues in the series and meet our return ship date. Towards the end of last year after completing my commitment to Marvel for a run of their covers, I dove right back into the Soulfire work, completely ready to get everything finished up in time for the big return and finale. At the time we announced the books return date, I had believed many of my health issues to be behind me, but unfortunately the pain in my leg and hip came back strong and fast. It became time again for me to address the situation before something worse happened. I’m closing in on an 8 year battle with my cancer and I know I’ll beat this eventually, I’m just backed into a corner right now and need to fight my way back out again. Unfortunately, the Soulfire schedule takes the hits too.”

“I’m going as fast as my body lets me,” says Turner. “My goal is to go at a steady pace and try to get a couple of pages done each week. Some days are good for me, and some are not. I’ll just need to deal with those as they come and stay on track. Thankfully, the pages are turning out well and I’m excited for everyone to check out all of the new things I’ve been putting into the book. I want to make sure it’s worth the wait for everyone.”

Read more here.

Art by Michael Turner

It's inspiring to see how Michael kept going in life and battle cancer head on for 8 years from setting up his own comic company to continue with his art with his fans. He fought a good fight. May he now find peace.

More about Micheal Turner
More about Michael's Artworks

Completing of Harry Potter book series

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 14:50:58 GMT

Call me slow but I have finally finish reading the last book of Harry potter series. I started reading the first book in 2001 slightly before the movie is out. I read the book first before I go catching the movie. The book in the series kept getting thicker and thicker.

With my friend Donny, we both share and race each other in reading Harry potter whenever a new book is out.

I felt the ending was wonderful and satisfying. I must admit that the story keep you guess at the end. You can't really skip a book and get to another as many details were interconnected between the books. The emotion, history and bonding of characters make you love them and hate them.

The big showdown of the Voldemort at Hogwarts was exciting. Harry was blessed to have friends and support around him.

It was a fun 7 years chasing the series. I will definitely reread it again later. Meanwhile waiting for the movies to be completed.

J.K.Rowling Offical Site

Dogs don't Bite when a Growl will do

Thu, 17 Aug 2006 14:16:36 GMT

The other day I was at Kinokunniya, this book title caught my eyes. Initially I was expecting to be a "How to train and understand your dog more" kinda book. I was hoping to gain more insights of dog so I can understand both of my GF's dogs. As I begin reading, I realized that this book was not about what you can teach your dog, but about what your dog can teach you.

It is a easy read as the chapters are short and the content started to make some simple sense. The writer takes the reader to see a dog's attributes and hopefully to learn a thing or two. One example:

Dogs ain't Shy about saying Hello

"...Dogs have a kind of basic trust that the world is a safe and welcoming place, and the optimistic way they greet strangers reflects that point of view. That's why we humans respond so positively to a dog's friendly greeting. However we rarely greet other with quite that same degree of friendliness."

On this note, I would like to add that I personally have experience such love from my GF's dogs whenever I went over to her place. Their greeting were warm and filled with excitement. Not only that, whenever I take my leave from my GF's home, Buffy, one of my GF's dog will walk me to the door and gave me a sad look. When I went off, my GF would tell me that Buffy had been sitting at the door looking out for some time hoping that I will return. I must say that I was deeply touched by such gesture. The only person whom I remember showing sad feeling when I departed from their place will be my 5 year old niece as she was hoping that I will stay and played with her.

I am currently half way through the book and I derive that the main theme of the book is to be simple and to be happy.

Harry Potter & Half Blood Prince

Sat, 01 Jul 2006 15:15:16 GMT

Finally I have found the long waited "Harry Potter & the half blood Prince" Trade Paper Bag version in english. All this while it was in hard cover and after almost one entire year, I have found the trade paper bag verison.

Why I go for trade paper bag and not hard cover? If to collect, then hard cover will be fine but I had a habit to read a book from home to work, to and fro and to carry a hard cover will be heavy and bulky.

The last installment, 'Order of the phoenix'. Harry was once again confronted by Lord Voldemort and manage to be saved by Prof. Dumbledore. It seems like the action is heating up.

I heard by some readers and reviews that "someone" will be a betrayer and "someone" important will be dead in this installment. Yet I shuted my ears because I want to read for myself.

Don't steal my fun away!! I paid S$19.90 for it! hehehe