list.co.uk/books COMIC
SUPERHERO COMIC MARK MILLAR & JOHN ROMITA JR Kick-Ass 2 (Titan) ●●●●●
Mark Millar’s Kick-Ass was a darkly humorous, violent take on the idea of men in spandex. It also made for a fantastic film. Now we’re back on the streets of New York, where real life superheroes have come out of the closet and patrol the night; while none of them have real superpowers, they’re happy just doing their best. The problem is that while it’s swearier, nastier and gorier, it doesn’t feel as edgy as the first volume. The inventiveness has
gone, only to be replaced by mean-spirited, large-scale set-pieces. There’s nothing like a perfectly placed ‘fuck’ in the dialogue for a good belly laugh, but Kick-Ass 2 is more like a teenage boy standing in the street shouting expletives at the top of his voice and thinking it’s the funniest thing in the world. It may not be especially offensive but it’s like a sledgehammer rather than a perfectly placed sniper bullet of satire, lacking the black humour that made the first instalment so engaging. Even John Romita Jr’s art feels sloppy this time round.
On the plus side, the fast pace will keep you hooked, there are a few great moments of pathos for Dave Lizewski (Kick-Ass himself), and even a sketchy JRJ is better than most artists. Worst of all though, we’re now suffering the law of diminishing returns that is expected with Hollywood sequels rather than from one of the best writers in the comics medium. A disappointing follow-up. (Simon McKeown)
ALSO PUBLISHED MEMOIR
Why has Salman Rushdie penned an autobiography entitled Joseph Anton: A Memoir (Jonathan Cape), you’re definitely thinking? Well, because that was the moniker he chose for the police to call him during his time under the Ayatollah’s fatwa, and this book details the life he was forced to lead in the years after that death sentence was pronounced.
Another leftfield literary memoir comes from Paul Auster as he writes of the abandonment of the family by his father. Nothing odd about that you might think, except Winter Journal (Faber) is a stream-of-consciousness written from the perspective of his mother, but also featuring the boy Auster’s own memories from that dark time.
There are also some bleak passages in a couple of celeb DJ autobiographies but you sense that blokey hilarity will probably wind up victorious. Danny Baker’s Going to Sea in a Sieve (Weidenfeld) looks at his recent treatment for cancer, while Scott Mills’ Love You (Sphere) tackles his anxiety attacks, alcohol problems and weight issues. No less miserable will be Loose Women presenter Denise Welch’s Starting Over (Sidgwick), which seeks to put the record straight about some of the tabloid storms and gossipy rumours that have revolved around her over the past few years.
Pretty quiet on the political memoir front this summer, but Jack Straw breaks the camel’s silence on the Blair/Brown years (maybe) in Lucky Jack (Macmillan), the ‘memoirs of a political survivor’. Another heavyweight individual is Sir Justin of Bieber, who has a booky wook out reflecting on the ups and downs of his 37 years in showbusiness. It’s called Just Getting Started (HarperCollins). Oh, goody. (Brian Donaldson)
EVENTS Events are listed by date, then city. Submit listings at least 16 days before publication to books@list.co.uk. Listings are compiled by Laura Ennor. ✽ Indicates Hitlist entry
Thursday 23 Glasgow FREE Unwind with a Book Glasgow Women’s Library, Mitchell Library, 15 Berkeley Street, 248 9969. Noon–2pm. Women-only reading group.
Friday 24
Glasgow ✽ Mike Scott Òran Mór, 731–735 Great Western Road, 357 6200. 7pm. £8.50. The Waterboys mainman reads from his memoir Adventures of a Waterboy and performs a short live set with Steve Wickham. Saturday 25
Glasgow ✽ FREE Bryan & Mary Talbot Plan B Books, 55 Parnie Street, 237 1137. 3pm. Book signing with the golden couple of graphic novels.
Sunday 26 Edinburgh FREE Rogue Writers Pulp Fiction, 43 Bread Street, 229 4444. 7pm. Informal meet-up and sharing of work for writers, followed by a pint or two, every second Sunday.
Monday 27 Edinburgh FREE Edinburgh Creative Writers Pulp Fiction, 43 Bread Street, 229 4444. 7–9.30pm. Social meet-up for creative writers: most bring something to read and contributions have ranged from poetry, short stories, children’s stories and flash fiction to excerpts from scripts and novels. There are also discussions on (usually) writing-related matters, such as getting a publisher or dealing with writers’ block.
Tuesday 28
Glasgow FREE Reading the Leaves Tchai- Ovna House of Tea, 42 Otago Lane, 357 4524. 8pm. Join guest writers for an evening of poetry and creative writing. Edinburgh FREE Launch: New Writing Scotland 30 Blackwells, 53–59 South Bridge, 622 8222. 6pm. Celebrate the publication of the biggest volume of New Writing Scotland so far: A Little Touch of Cliff in the Evening. FREE Scottish Poetry Library Poetry Workshop Hemma, 75 Holyrood Road, 629 3327. 6–8pm. Informal regular poetry workshopping session, for writers of any age and level of experience, with poetry discussion and writing exercises as well as the occasional special guest.
Biggar FREE Peter Robinson Atkinson- Pryce Bookshop, 27 High Street, 01899 221225. 12.30pm. The creator of DCI Banks signs copies of his latest book. Dundee FREE John Connolly and Russel D McLean Crime Panel Central Library, The Wellgate, 01382 431500. 7pm. The two renowned crime writers get together to discuss their newest novels (Connolly’s The Wrath of Angels and McLean’s Father Confessor) and talk about their inspiration.
EVENTS Books
Wednesday 29
Peaceniks, Love and Glasgow ✽ (What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Understanding The Old Hairdressers, Opposite Stereo, Renfield Lane, 222 2254. 7pm. £6 (£5). Rodge Glass hosts this night of spoken word and music in aid of the Middle East Alliance for Peace. Featuring music from Beerjacket, Rick Redbeard, Emma Pollock, Paul M Carlin and Adam Stafford, and words from Alasdair Gray, Alan Bissett, Allan Wilson, Kirstin Innes and Ewan Morrison.
Thursday 30
Glasgow FREE Unwind with a Book Glasgow Women’s Library, Mitchell Library, 15 Berkeley Street, 248 9969. Noon–2pm. See Thu 23. Edinburgh FREE Sharing Your Story: Blogging Stockbridge Library, 11 Hamilton Place, 529 5665. 5.45–7.30pm. An informal workshop on blogging. Booking essential.
Friday 31
Edinburgh ✽ Neu! Reekie! Scottish Book Trust, Sandeman House, Trunks Close, 55 High Street, 524 0160. 7pm. £6 (£5). Avant-garde spoken word, film and music fusion night. Last show before the gang moves to a new venue at Summerhall. An all-star line-up includes Tom Leonard, Tim Wells, Paul Hullah, Kid Canaveral and Teencanteen (with Duglas T Stewart of BMX Bandits). Guid Crack Club Waverley Bar, 1 St Mary’s Street, 557 1050. 7.30pm. Entry by donation (suggested £3). Regular storytelling club. Wild Things is the theme this time, with special guest Alex Patience.
Saturday 1 Edinburgh Ordinary Joy: Reading, Writing, Drawing, Slowing Down Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton’s Close, Canongate, 557 2876. 1–3pm. £20. A writing workshop for slowing down and learning to reconnect with your inner creativity.
Monday 3
Edinburgh FREE Discovering Family History at NLS National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, 623 3700. 2pm. Delve into your family’s past as NLS reveals research techniques in this practical workshop. Includes a short tour of the library. Please book. FREE Blackwell Book Quiz Blackwells, 53–59 South Bridge, 622 8201. 5.45pm. Test your literary credentials in teams of up to five. FREE Edinburgh Creative Writers Pulp Fiction, 43 Bread Street, 229 4444. 7–9.30pm. See Mon 27. FREE Drinking Skeptically: Pub Quiz and Social Blind Poet, 32c West Nicolson Street, 07896 745991. 7.30pm. General knowledge pub quiz for the skeptically inclined.
Tuesday 4
Milngavie ✽ Milngavie Book and Arts Festival Various venues, 0141 956 4752. Times vary, until Sat 8 Sep. Prices vary (£3-£15). This charming wee book and arts festival is home to the Fish, Chips and Champagne Crime Night, and this year also features events with Fred MacAulay, Julia Donaldson and Sara Sheridan. Aside from the literary moments – featuring many a Scottish author – the programme includes music, workshops and art exhibitions. 23 Aug–20 Sep 2012 THE LIST 39
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