The proportions (and colors) aren’t the best, but I spent like 10 minutes on the little guy. I’ll make a better one next time (…but maybe not better colors bc I only have so many…)
I tried to attach a video, but for some reason this sub has all media blocked.
Anyways, I was doing the speaking challenges, but the phrase “昼ご飯を食べます。” was giving me trouble. I did it like a dozen times and kept comparing my audio, yet it kept giving me a score of 82.
I finally gave up and recorded the example audio for my submission. Guess what? THAT got an 82 as well!
If the audio they’re using to teach us only gets an 82, what does their recognition AI want from me?? I won’t be doing those challenges anymore, but it’s insanely disappointing that such an expensive product has such a bad voice detection.
I’ve been doing the week trial of Pimsleur and it’s helped immensely. However, I hit lesson 5 and noticed a massive error that has me concerned for future lessons where I might not catch the mistakes.
I reported it, but in this lesson, they ask “won’t you eat anything?”
A simple question and one I’ve already learned the answer to. In Japanese, you answer a negative question opposite of how you would in English. For example, “Yes, I won’t eat anything” or “no, I will eat something.”
However, Pimsleur has it the opposite. They want you to reply like you would in English which is incorrect.
Furthermore, they even have you reply “いいえ、けっこう” to “won’t you eat something” as a “no, I’m alright as-is”which would be wildly confusing as it would seem to be saying that’s alright, you WILL eat something.
Is this a common thing in the course of getting basic things incorrect and I’ll to know Japanese already to catch it or is it just a glaring one time thing and the rest of the course is good?
Daredevil by Ed Brubaker & Michael Lark Volumes 1 & 2
Cover Price: $100 (Volume 1) & $75 (Volume 2)
Recommended Pre-Reading: You absolutely must read both Daredevil by Bendis omnis before this book! Those 2 omnis end at issue #81 while this picks up at issue #82 and it’s a direct continuation of the story. You might still enjoy the story, but you’d be doing yourself a major disservice by starting here.
Note: My reviews can be long-winded and more like a summary. Skip to the bottom “Overall” section for a shorter summary/score out of 10, why you should/shouldn’t buy it, etc!
Note 2: Same as the Bendis reviews, I refer to it as “this omni” in my review because these two books feel more like one large omni than two smaller ones and should be read as one thing (especially because of how short they are by themselves). Unless I specify a volume, it applies to both!
Review:
Coming from the Bendis omnis, I was hesitant to see a new writer take over the story from where Bendis left it. However, this run immediately put all my worries to bed.
Although it picks up from where Bendis left it with a new writer, this omni wasted absolutely no time and kept the ball rolling as if nothing behind the scenes had changed.
Rather than trying to reinvent the wheel, this book takes what the previous run did so well and keeps on doing it. We get to see the aftermath of where the previous run left us, but it truly feels like the same characters getting put through the ringer rather than a new “voice” taking over.
What’s more, this run gives us a look into Matt (and the supporting cast) that we don’t often see with him first in prison and (minor spoiler warning next) later on the run.
His time in prison (especially with some of the things that happen while he’s there) makes Matt seriously contemplate the type of man he wants to be. Will he let prison completely change him or will he fight it and come out stronger than before? This honestly seemed like it could go either way until a friend (who I won’t name to avoid major spoilers) gets himself arrested to make Matt realize the type of man he doesn’t want to become.
(I’m always a sucker for character growth and introspection when done well, so having this opportunity to approach it in a completely new setting was one I welcomez` with open arms!
Even as the story progresses and settings change, it’s beautiful to see Matt going on a journey desperately trying to avoid self-destruction while clinging to things he’s completely in the dark about. He knows who he wants to be at this point, but can he live up to his own lofty expectations?
What’s more, while Matt is no stranger to life putting him through the wringer, this run of the character really feels like it hits a new low after a new low. Just when you think Matt’s had enough, something else gets thrown his way to bring him down a few more notches.
It’s definitely not treading completely new ground, but the way it’s done feels unique. I’m used to Matt losing those closest to him by now, but the way Brubaker does it here feels so much more hopeless and real. It’s not just someone Matt loves getting killed, but so much more (which I won’t specify to avoid spoilers).
Ultimately, this book is an excellent follow-up to Bendis’ run. It keeps the same highs Bendis achieved while being its own story and not being afraid to get dark. It rips at your heart, but it never loses sight of what makes Matt Murdock who he is.
Favorite Issue(s): Daredevil #116; it’s strange to me that some of my favorite Daredevil issues have been so light on the Daredevil side of things, but that’s what this issue is. We get a look at the inner mind of Wilson Fisk (the entire issue is told with him as the narrator), but it’s almost sad. This terrible person who knows he’s awful is finally setting out to break free of the cycle. Not because he wants to and not because it’s easy, but out of respect for Vanessa. We see a side of Uncle Wheelie that we rarely (if ever) see, yet it comes and goes far too quickly. I never would’ve thought that I’d want an entire mini series about Wilson’s adventures when he’s trying to be a changed man, but this issue made me want exactly that. It was short and bitter sweet and beautiful.
Overall: 9/10 (both); to me, these two volumes + the two volumes from Bendis rank the same. They tell a complete story where each part is just as enjoyable as the part that came before it. While they’re quite dark at times (and far more depressing than I would’ve expected even after seeing where Bendis left the character), they’re still true to Daredevil’s core. Some areas might be commonly-treaded ground, but it’s all executed in a way that feels new and refreshing.
You should buy this book if (if you read my review of the main Daredevil by Miller or Bendis omnis, the reasons here are mostly the same):
You should skip this book if (these are mostly same as well):
Let me know your thoughts and thanks for reading mine!
Previous Reviews:
Batman by Grant Morrison Volume 1
Batman by Grant Morrison Volume 2
Batman by Grant Morrison Volume 3
Batman by Scott Snyder Volumes 1 and 2
Batman and Robin by Peter J. Tomasi & Patrick Gleason
Batman Eternal and Batman & Robin Eternal
Injustice: God's Among Us Volumes 1 and 2 & Injustice 2
The Batman Adventures and The Batman & Robin Adventures
Superman: The Exile & Other Stories
Hawkeye by Matt Fraction and David Aja
Superman Adventures Compendium 1
Sandman Mystery Theatre Compendiums One and Two
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Compendium Volume 1 (Mirage)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Compendium Volume 2 (Mirage)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Compendium Volume 3 (Mirage)
Daredevil by Frank Miller & Klaus Janson
Daredevil by Frank Miller Companion
Daredevil by Brian Michael Bendis & Alex Maleev Volumes 1 & 2
Daredevil by Brian Michael Bendis & Alex Maleev Volumes 1 & 2
Cover Price: $100 each
Recommended Pre-Reading: You don’t really need to read anything before these (the very first issue has enough lines describing Daredevil’s origin that you’ll get the drift). However, I’d recommend reading Daredevil by Frank Miller first. There’s a LOT of callbacks to that era (especially in the first arc) and it feels like a soft sequel. I went straight from Frank Miller to this and, while not strictly necessary, it flows beautifully that way and I would highly recommend it.
Note: My reviews can be long-winded and more like a summary. Skip to the bottom “Overall” section for a shorter summary/score out of 10, why you should/shouldn’t buy it, etc!
Note 2: I refer to it as “this omni” in my review because these two books feel more like one large omni than two smaller ones and should be read as one thing (especially since a lot of volume 2 ended up being flashbacks). Unless I specify a volume, it applies to both!
Review:
I started this omni right after the Frank Miller omnis and I was genuinely surprised by just how good they connected. A lot came between them, yet somehow, this book felt like the perfect continuation of what came before even without knowing anything that happened in between.
I was hesitant to jump straight to this omni, but it’s what I owned and I’m very glad I did. It had a surprising start of featuring barely any Daredevil, yet it set the tone beautifully for the rest of the book. This book isn’t a “popcorn” book filled with nonstop action and very little story, it’s a book you sit and read.
A big part of why I love Daredevil is his supporting cast and this book recognizes their importance and gives them the focus they deserve. It never loses sight of its main character (it’s still a Daredevil book), but it knows when to put him in the backseat for another character to shine (while still highlighting the impact Daredevil has had on that person).
Another element I find vital to a Daredevil book is how they handle Matt Murdock. Here, he is handled just as beautifully as everyone else. The lawyer aspects of his life are given time to shine while also highlighting the unique duality of Daredevil many other superheroes lack: a man that dedicates his life to the law while also taking the law into his own hands.
Furthermore, this book explores many questions I’ve had in the past. What could be the legal repercussions if his secret identity ever got out? How does his actions impact those closest to him? How unwavering is Matt’s commitment to being Daredevil? So many little things that are interesting enough on their own, but together make something special.
Ultimately, it’s a lot of little elements like these that are easily overlooked that make this book stand out. Little things that wouldn’t ruin the book if they were absent, but by being included, they help elevate it to another level.
Even more (major spoiler warning, but I will keep it vague-ish), having volume 1’s last arc turn Matt Murdock into the new Kingpin was a twist I never saw coming, but they stuck the landing beautifully. Getting to see Matt’s relationship with other heroes as all the pieces fell together (and apart) was fantastic.
Favorite Issue(s): Daredevil #16-#19 (Wake Up); this isn’t a single issue, but rather, the first arc in the book. However, the entire arc is executed brilliantly so I couldn’t pick just one part of it. Having the entire thing narrated by Ben Urich with barely any Daredevil/Matt was a bold choice to start off a Daredevil omni, but it paid off phenomenally. Daredevil’s presence was felt throughout the entire thing, but the focus being on Ben made it feel more grounded and gave the book a connected and cohesive start. I’m most likely biased since it ties quite a lot into Frank Miller’s run and that made it feel even more special, but remove that from the equation and it’s still an excellent first arc.
A close runner- up is Daredevil #56-#60 (The King of Hell’s Kitchen). It was nearly as good and took a genuinely unique approach on the character I would’ve never expected but absolutely love!
Overall: 9/10 each; This book excels at taking the little things about a story that rattle around in your head and expanding on them to the point you think “wow, why hasn’t this been done to this degree before?” It follows in the footsteps of its predecessors in a way that feels satisfying rather than disrespectful. Ultimately, it’s an excellent edition to the Daredevil mythos that knows what it wants to do and does so brilliantly.
You should buy this book if (if you read my review of the main Daredevil by Miller omni, the reasons here are mostly the same):
You should skip this book if (these are mostly same as well):
Let me know your thoughts and thanks for reading mine!
Previous Reviews:
Batman by Grant Morrison Volume 1
Batman by Grant Morrison Volume 2
Batman by Grant Morrison Volume 3
Batman by Scott Snyder Volumes 1 and 2
Batman and Robin by Peter J. Tomasi & Patrick Gleason
Batman Eternal and Batman & Robin Eternal
Injustice: God's Among Us Volumes 1 and 2 & Injustice 2
The Batman Adventures and The Batman & Robin Adventures
Superman: The Exile & Other Stories
Hawkeye by Matt Fraction and David Aja
Superman Adventures Compendium 1
Sandman Mystery Theatre Compendiums One and Two
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Compendium Volume 1 (Mirage)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Compendium Volume 2 (Mirage)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Compendium Volume 3 (Mirage)
I always have seasonal igloo designs, but never a "main" igloo. This isn't exactly conventional, but I found it fun to put together!
Double coin weekend + double coins on Pufflescape is the most beautiful thing in the world! I farmed out the stamps for Pufflescape today just to get a few rounds of double double in and it was well worth it.
Daredevil by Frank Miller Omnibus Companion
Cover Price: $100
Recommended Pre-Reading: This is technically a companion to the Frank Miller & Klaus Janson omnibus so you wouldn’t hurt yourself reading that first, but it’s not necessarily required. As long as you understand the basics of Daredevil, you can enjoy this on its own (and even then, the first first issue gives you a quick summary of Daredevil’s origin so starting here is fine)!
Note: My reviews can be long-winded and more like a summary. Skip to the bottom “Overall” section for a shorter summary/score out of 10, why you should/shouldn’t buy it, etc!
Review:
This book started in a way that made me think it would be just like the Daredevil by Miller omnibus (which isn’t a bad thing, that omni is beautiful). However, after just a few issues of the “same” type of stories, it quickly took on a life of its own.
This is one of the few books I don’t have a clue how to review without spoilers so I’m putting a spoiler warning here! I’ll try to avoid anything major, but the “biggest” spoiler needs addressed for the rest of the review to make sense.
The concept of Kingpin discovering Daredevil’s secret identity and using that to not destroy Daredevil, but rather, Matt Murdock’s life is a brilliant approach. Instead of sending someone to take him out of the picture right away, we get to watch Matt’s life slowly unravel.
“Unpaid” bills, assets frozen from audits, false testimonies against his character. Life seemingly refuses to go Matt’s way, but the whole time we get to sit back and know the cause from the very start. It’s the type of story I didn’t know I needed, but after reading it, it’s become my new standard for a beautiful Daredevil story.
What’s more, this book manages to capture all of the above while also keeping its connection to the wider Marvel universe apparent. Going down a rabbit hole of Captain America questioning the government in a Daredevil book was about the last thing I’d expect, but they executed it so well that it made me want to keep reading Captain America after the fact.
Everything I’ve liked about reading Daredevil up until this point was in this book to at least some degree, but it took each thing to the next level.
(This also includes the Kingpin that the Spider-Verse movies seemed to base their proportions off of in one issue and, as far as I can tell, the first “main” appearance of the black bandana vigilante costume for Daredevil which was a nice surprise.)
Favorite Issue(s): Daredevil #219; This issue is interesting because it’s hardly a Daredevil issue at all. However, the style of the story had me hooked from the start. The standalone nature of things forced it to be a complete, self-contained story, but it achieved that beautifully. A stranger coming to town and discovering the town’s hidden sins of the past isn’t an entirely unique concept, but it was executed very well. (The “Born Again” arc itself is my favorite, but I didn’t want to pick that many issues, so this is my favorite standalone!)
Overall: 9.4/10; characters are portrayed brilliantly, the world feels truly lived-in, and choices all have weight. Comics from this era aren’t always my favorite, but even with that in mind, this book blew my expectations out of the water and excelled in its era rather than being held back by it. Ultimately, it set my new standard for Daredevil stories.
You should buy this book if (if you read my review of the main Daredevil by Miller omni, the reasons here are mostly the same):
You should skip this book if (these are mostly same as well):
Let me know your thoughts and thanks for reading mine!
Previous Reviews:
Batman by Grant Morrison Volume 1
Batman by Grant Morrison Volume 2
Batman by Grant Morrison Volume 3
Batman by Scott Snyder Volumes 1 and 2
Batman and Robin by Peter J. Tomasi & Patrick Gleason
Batman Eternal and Batman & Robin Eternal
Injustice: God's Among Us Volumes 1 and 2 & Injustice 2
The Batman Adventures and The Batman & Robin Adventures
Superman: The Exile & Other Stories
Hawkeye by Matt Fraction and David Aja
Superman Adventures Compendium 1
Sandman Mystery Theatre Compendiums One and Two
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Compendium Volume 1 (Mirage)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Compendium Volume 2 (Mirage)
Daredevil by Frank Miller & Klaus Janson
Cover Price: $100
Recommended Pre-Reading: It starts abruptly so you might benefit from reading some earlier Daredevil issues, but I started here and it made perfect sense with their quick summaries so nothing is needed. There’s also his origin retold a few issues in so just get there and you’ll be fine!
Note: My reviews can be long-winded and more like a summary. Skip to the bottom “Overall” section for a shorter summary/score out of 10, why you should/shouldn’t buy it, etc!
Review:
This book starts right out throwing you in the heat of things that could potentially be confusing. However, they explain just enough with context and text bubbles that made me feel instantly invested and dive into greater details later to tie it all together.
I will say, this era of comics isn’t always my favorite unless it’s done right. I find a lot of comics around this time are unnecessarily wordy in a way that doesn’t add to the story (ex: you see Spider-Man swinging around town and get a whole paragraph explaining “Look at this, true believers. Spidey is back in action web-swinging away!…”).
However, this comic, while wordy like that to some extent, is mostly wordy in areas that matter and doesn’t come across as frivolous just for the sake of it. I actually enjoyed the extra context given in some of the longer word blocks and felt that they added to the story instead of artificially extending the page count. Don’t get me wrong, there are still some that felt unnecessary, but not nearly as many as the average comic from this time period.
This book also does an excellent job of making sure the reader knows what’s going on without feeling like it’s over-explaining everything. For example, we get the origin of Daredevil re-told a few issues in, but the way they justify it feels natural rather than just “here’s what you might have missed if you’re just joining!”
Finally, this book has great character progression while introducing characters incredibly important to the Daredevil mythos. They handle these introductions and subtle retcons very well and it never feels jarring. Instead, it feels like a great expansion on a character that always had a great concept, but whose execution wasn’t always the greatest before this run.
Favorite Issue(s): Daredevil #164; This issue is a great example of why I love this book in general. It covers important details (like the retelling of Daredevil’s origin), but it does so in a natural way. It also showcases the relationship between Daredevil and Ben Urich beautifully as well as the forces that drove him to become a hero (and a lawyer). The only thing missing to cover “everything” that makes Daredevil who he is is some good ol’ Catholic guilt, but the rest is here in full force!
Daredevil #169; This issue is beautifully done. It explores the broken psyche of Bullseye, but even more beautifully, it shows who Matt Murdock is at his core. Does he despise Bullseye and all he’s done? Absolutely. Will he still do everything in his power to save his life? Of course he will. It’s a ton of fun and the perfect mix of out there and serious that I love!
Daredevil #170-#172; These issues are an honorable mention because the arc introduces Kingpin into Daredevil’s roster instead of Spider-Man’s. It does a beautiful job at showcasing his strength and tenacity while setting up many more future interactions. It’s not often you hear Daredevil admit defeat willingly and walk away without a fight, but “You win, Kingpin. This time,” rings out the arc beautifully.
Overall: 8.8/10; This book is a fantastic entry point into the world of Daredevil. It has some elements of its time (being largely from the 80s), but those elements never hold it back. It gives an excellent look at everything that makes Daredevil who he is and throws Kingpin into the mix as an unstoppable force to be reckoned with. The start was a slow ramp up to understanding since it throws you right in the action, but it does a great job of feeding information along the way. By the time it hit issue six (#164), the ball was rolling at a beautiful pace that didn’t let up for the rest of the book!
You should buy this book if:
You should skip this book if:
Let me know your thoughts and thanks for reading mine!
Previous Reviews:
Batman by Grant Morrison Volume 1
Batman by Grant Morrison Volume 2
Batman by Grant Morrison Volume 3
Batman by Scott Snyder Volumes 1 and 2
Batman and Robin by Peter J. Tomasi & Patrick Gleason
Batman Eternal and Batman & Robin Eternal
Injustice: God's Among Us Volumes 1 and 2 & Injustice 2
The Batman Adventures and The Batman & Robin Adventures
Superman: The Exile & Other Stories
Hawkeye by Matt Fraction and David Aja
Superman Adventures Compendium 1
Sandman Mystery Theatre Compendiums One and Two
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Compendium Volume 1 (Mirage)
I'm using the 1.5k Anki deck and trying to understand each sentence as they come along, but this one for the word なる has me a bit confused.
日本語の勉強が好きになりました。
I understand it's saying "I've come to like Japanese study," but I don't know why に is used after 好き. I've read through the Tofugu article explaining the に particle, but none of those seem to apply to using it after 好き.
Any explanation would be greatly appreciated!
Edit: this makes sense now, thank you all!
Such a relief knowing when I hit 2,500 I’ll have both! I haven’t decided if I’ll keep going for it right away or take a break to complete other sets though :)