Bruno Books

This is Doom Patrol at it's best. You won't miss much by skipping the first 2 volumes. They hit their stride when Beast Boy joins up. This title must have been an odd ball when it was first on the racks. This volume holds up well even 40 years later. The art is pretty decent, and the stories are pretty fun. I've heard that there's gonna be a Doom Patrol movie, and I hope this volume is the main influence.

Unlike most of the super-hero books of the 60s -- a genre dominated by the books of Julie Schwartz, Mort Weisinger and Stan Lee -- the Doom Patrol was always a little different. The spin on the characters was somewhere between DC's "we're all the best of pals" and Marvel's "we're real people so we argue with each other all the time." And it made for entertaining reading. If you haven't already picked up Volumes 1 and 2 of Doom Patrol Archives, do so. This is a series worth reading and enjoying from the beginning.

This is one of the greatest comics of it's time, and the artwork and design is before it's time. In this volume in particular there is only one complaint. It hasn't been released yet!!! I have been waiting since the 1st of February to get this volume and it keeps getting pushed back a week. It is now March and I still haven't got solid word on it's exact release date. I've tried to look it up online, and all the info I've come across is inconclusive. Does anybody know whats going on. Anyway...I still give this a good review because the material is great. I own the first two volumes and the quality of the reprints were great.

You know I had never read a single issue of the old Doom Patrol until reading their tales in the fantastic Archive editions. In fact, I had really own ever seen one issue as a kid and that was the very first issue in this, the third Archive Volume. My older brother used to have issue #98 when we were kids. I remember that cover distinctively, but I don't think I ever read it. This volume contains issues #98 - 105 as well as Challengers of the Unknown #48. It's safe to say that Doom Patrol was probably a third string book (at best) at DC back in the 1960's and that may have been a good thing judging by these stories. DC was known to exercise pretty tight editorial control over its top characters like Superman and Batman, but clearly Doom Patrol flew under the radar.

Much like many Marvel comics of the day like Fantastic Four and The Avengers, the heroes of the Doom Patrol didn't always get along. Heck! They didn't USUALLY get along when it comes down to it as Negative Man and Robotman were constantly at each other's throats leaving Rita, AKA Elasti-Girl to try and place peacekeeper. Throw in the later editions of Beast Boy and Mento, and you had one very dysfunctional super team. In that regard Doom Patrol was far ahead of its time when compared to say The Justice League of America. The stories were by Arnold Drake with art by Bruno Premiani and Bob Brown, not exactly names that stand out in comic lore. Nevertheless, this trio produced stories that were both exciting and more aimed at adult readers than the typical mid-60's DC fare and the art was well above average.

In issue #98 the Chief tells them that he his disbanding the Doom Patrol and throws them out of his office. The team soon finds that the Doctor is suffering from radioactive copper poisoning and is dying. The team not only has to battle Mr. 103 who can turn himself into any element, but find a way to cure the chief as well.

Issue #99 finds Robotman and Larry Trainor (Negative Man) again going at it as they perform for a crowd of fans. Trainor even goes at it with his Negative Man alter ego, thinking himself useless as Negative Man always saves the day. This was in some ways similar to Jim Corrigan's clashes with his Spectre alter ego.

Later the team joins the Challengers of the Unknown in a two-part epic as four villains: Kra the alien robot, Volcano Man, Drabny, and Multi-Man escape from the prison the challengers had them in and nearly kill them until Doom Patrol manages to save them from death.

Issue #100 introduces readers to Gar Logan, Beast Boy who would later become a member of the Teen Titans. Again Drake shows a strong Marvel influence as Beast Boy just saunters into Doom Patrol headquarters and demands to be a part of the team. Very reminiscent of Spider Man once demanding to be made a member of the Avengers way back in the day.

If you never read the original Doom Patrol these Archive editions are well worth the investment. This book was a well-kept secret in the mid-1960's but proves it is every bit as good as the frontline titles.

Reviewed by Tim Janson

I couldn't agree more with the previous reviewer - great stuff, just as it was when I read the individual comics when much younger!

The problem with Amazon showing it as not yet releasd (when I wrote this it showed 4 to 6 weeks out) is 2 fold - one is though the specialist comic stores receive comic books on their scheduled release dates, Amazon receives and therefore releases them some time later (it is the same situation with "regular" book stores - they don't get them in until several weeks after release date).

The second reason is that Amazon sometimes finds that customer orders already placed "eat up" their initial order, causing them to be temporarily out of stock until they get more copies in. (This happened to me with a T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents Archives title I tried to order from them a while ago - I knew it was released but Amazon showed it as not released for some time.

If it is any consolation, though I've not seen it on sale in a store (I live in a small town so cannot check it "in the flesh") Midtown Comics, a large comic store in NY, web site showed the Doom Patrol Archives Volume 3 as released on 2/15/06. They are very reliable, I've found (much more than say Marvel at keeping to publication dates!)

I use Midtown to keep my "wants" comic list up to date & then order the books from Amazon when they have them in @ their excellent discounts.

I agree with the reviewer, the first 2 Doom Patrol Archives were first class (as are all the Archive titles) & will be buying it once Amazon has it in! I will also be doing the same with the Metal Men Archives in due course - another title from the 60s that was not your "usual" comic book. Now, if only DC would publish one on Eclipso (another "quirky" title), I'd be a happy man!

This book is a perfect idea for a movie. Its was a new concept in this boring world. J. Bruno is definitely the new up and coming. I highly recommend reading it.

I tried to put this book down. I tried really hard to study for finals, but it didnt work. I finished this book in a day and a half. It's a great story, with colorful and interesting characters, and a plot line that will grab you and never let go.

This was an awesome book. It kept you captivated from the very beginning. Author kept a high intensity level throughout the whole book keeping you guessing the entire time.

Engrossing from the first page. What a concept, I can't wait for the movie.

Kept me guessing the whole time. Loved the ending. Hope someday J. Bruno writes a second book about about Euthanasia Island.

I bought this book for my niece. I can hardly wait until Christmas to give it to her! I found it really interesting. Kids get to learn about 60 different animals, bugs, fish, and plants. Each is described as if it were talking to you. The illustrations are wonderful. Kids can look up the creatures described on related websites.

These two books are great for capturing the "Yuck" factor in lots of stuff you encounter in the great outdoors and in your study of science! Why did God make things that seem unappealing or weird? Ms. Bruno does a good job bringing something relevant out of each object/animal's Weirdness that applies to children. They are great for Sunday school as well as bedtime; I use them for both! Boys and girls both respond well and interestedly to these great short devos! Thanks!!!

Does that thing really spit glow-in-the-dark stuff? No way! Look out for that critter's two-foot long tongue! It brings what home for dinner? Yikes that's weird. It lives in a thick, icky tube? Yuck! It's three inches long and can jump at me from six feet away? It's what color? Does that thing ever move? You're kidding-it can't be real!

But it is! God's strange and slimy creations are just as much a part of His world as we are. Author Bonnie Bruno has singled them out and brought them into our realm for the duration of her unique, delightful book. Kudos also to Kevin Brown, whose illustrations capture the "personality" of every animal, bug, and bird featured.

Two pages of fascinating facts are devoted to each strange or slimy creature, as well as a suggested web site for more information. A short Tell-a-Friend devotional, a verse of scripture, and a prayer gives children sound and imaginative tie-ins to the Word of God.

This book is both fun and educational-an outstanding gift for any child and a must for every library.
Sally Chambers (www.sallychambers.com)

"Strange and Slimy" sounds like something I might "eek!" over, but actually it is something I have invited into our home where boys abound. Bonnie Bruno, in God Thought of Everything Strange and Slimy, uses off- the- wall creatures to spin riddles, spiritual jumpstarts and simple fun for our breakfast table. In 60 different slices, she serves up info about one of God's creatures that can be shared with a friend, applied to our spirit, and then followed on the web as a family activity. In an age where mealtime is usually a mad dash, we have found this book to be a great reason to linger. You might even have them ask for second helpings --of something Strange and Slimy!

Have you ever stared at those weird-looking creatures in National Geographic and wondered, "Ohhhh, look at that slick and slimy animal. Why did God make that one?"

Young readers look at these creations with fascination and amazement. Best-selling author, Bonnie Bruno, shows the reader that God made everything with order and careful, creative planning. This book combines teaching about different animals and a few plants with devotional thoughts and Bible verses. This combination allows preteen readers to celebrate the creator God and his creativity with animals and plants

The reader climbs into the mind of the animal or the plant such as the Surinam Toad which begins, "I live in muddy canals, swamps, and slow-flowing rivers like the Amazon. If you could peer down into my murky brown home, you'd find me sitting motionless in the mud, waiting to snatch an earthworm, minnow, or other small water creatures. Covered with tiny sensory hairs, my star-shaped fingers help me locate food quickly."

Each of these 60 devotions contains spiritual insight. From the pages about the Surinam Toad, Bonnie Bruno draws this spiritual twist, "The Surinam toad is surrounded by water, yet never drinks any of it. In the same way, our lives are surrounded by choices-both good and bad. The Bible helps us make wise choices. It is a special guidebook-a gift from God. Have you thanked him for it lately?"

...

Each page of this remarkable book includes fascinating illustrations from Kevin Brown which will engage the reader and keep them turning the pages. Now young 8-12 year old readers can connect their physical world with spiritual lessons.

Parents who want to have these values instilled in their pre-teens should be eager for this book. It combines excellent writing with thoughtful educational lessons about the world and God. I highly recommend this devotional and prayer resource.

W. Terry Whalin

Nice for those who are familiar with first generation Bel Ami models. Lukas, Johan, Ion, and Daniel Valent are the highlights here. There are photos of other not as attractive models that kind of spoiled it for me, but this book was a nice trip down memory lane.

If you're a fan of Bel Ami, then this book is for you. It's a hardback book with beautifully photographed images of the Bel Ami men. I would recommend adding this book to your collection.

This book has been reprinted several times since 1996 and now is available in hardcover for the first time. "Intimate Friends" features all of the most famous and popular Bel Ami models like, Johan, Lukas, & Ion Davidov. It's a beautifully designed book, with all of his handsome nude young men in living color. All of these models who appear in his videos plus prints are very handsome and in the prime of their life. I think Bel Ami has been a true pioneer in presenting us with some of the best looking European men ever to be photographed and published in America and worldwide. He enjoys an almost cult status now. If you're a fan of the Bel Ami stable of models be sure and have this wonderful book in your collection. We would all like to have "Intimate Friends" in our lives who are this handsome and beautiful. Highly Recommended!

The gorgeous Bel Ami guys are featured in this high quality artbook. All illustratiuons are in color on thick stock paper. Featuring your favorites Lukas and Johan.

Intimate Friends is another of Bel Ami's offerings that his beautifully compiled and presented. Youth at its finest. And the Hawks will hover....and...sigh.

As other reviewers pointed out, this is indeed a nice work on Java Messaging. For the most part, the concepts are presented clearly and I had no trouble following them. What's good about this book is that there are enough examples to play with and most of them indeed work as promised in the book. This book uses ActiveMQ 2.1 for JMS Provider while the current version is 5.x. However, the ActiveMQ 2.1 libraries are included in the CD, so using those you will have no problem in running most of the examples. I could not get the examples that use Java Web Service Developer Pack (JWSDP) to work however (chapters 8 and 9). This book uses JWSDP 1.4 version which I could not find on the web (at the time of this writing only JWSDP 2.0 is available for download on Sun's site). The book says that JWSDP 1.4 is included on the CD but it was not. Except for these minor issues, this book is worth reading and owning. Highly recommended.

Although the book uses a specific JMS engine for the examples the details and the concepts were all right on and covered everything I needed for JMS. It literally saved my bacon, especially the peer to peer stuff over topics. Whew!

Super job.

Sam

Eric Bruno's JAVA MESSAGING explores different ways of messaging using Java software, from JavaBean events and JMS to SOAP. Web programmers receive all the basics to using these features, tips on how and why to use each feature and when to choose something else, how to combine features, and more. The basics of Java communication processes are revealed in chapters which form 'classes' to link related information in a logical progression. An excellent, basic foundation for Java users.

As we look at how much we use the web, it is sometimes hard to remember just how new this concept of worldwide packet switching really is. Java was started as a new language before a lot of the new concepts like XML and SOAP were conceived. But as a new language it has been able to move into using these new concepts faster than nearly any other language.

What I especially liked about this book was the first chapter. So often computer books start with programming. This one starts with a description of what we're trying to do here. He gives several examples of the types of communications that he is going to cover in the book. I had a particular application in mind when I got the book, but in reading the first chapter I began to see several other ways that messaging would help our system.

After the first chapter, I've go to say that it's a pretty regular computer software book. It tells you how to do the things that you want to do. It is quite clear on all the different software protocols, packages, and philosophies. Basically it is all that a Java programmer needs to implement messaging in Java.

The CD included with the book gives you all the sample code from the book, as well as the complete messaging toolkit and several open source tools.

Excellent introduction to messaging, including healthy portions on JMS and web services.

The writing style is clear, consistent, and to the point. Probably what I liked most was this no-nonsense writing style. If it's on a page, it's important to understand. The author doesn't waste your time with irrelevant discussions or out of scope topics.

Editing and code presentation are top notch, making it easy to follow, and build upon from one example to the next. The author also shares some gotchas and considerations that I wouldn't have expected to see in an introductory discussion which were particularly valuable.

Another great feature is one of the drawbacks of the book. The framework presented in the book is elegant, but in many of the examples, there is too much cognitive overhead involved in grokking the level of abstraction in the framework, and this takes away from actually learning the concepts. I would have liked to see more non-framework code for the introduction, which is then tied together with the framework.

I cannot say enough with how Howard Roffman can photograph young men. He does it in a way that you can understand personal things about the man. The young man is nude but it is done in a classic way with style. You are not looking at a porno book you are looking at an artist showing his works. Buy the book you will not be sorry you did.

Again I'am a very big fan of Howard Roffman .. so this is a MUST BOOK TO HAVE ,, HE IS ENDLESS WITH GREAT WORK

For anyone who enjoys this type of genere, you will enjoy this book. The pictures are beautiful, whether you are gay or straight.

What a totally beautiful book. This is a photographic essay of merit. Real good coffee-table stuff.

"A great look at a man exploring his sexuality. Howard Roffman goes into the world of an 18-year-old male, Brian, and documents the journey on film. Don't Miss this 2006 Collector's Edition! FULL COLOR!"--© zebraz

I love Lukas and continue to follow his images as he gets older. This book presents wonderful images of him, but not enough! The other boys are handsome, but I thought there'd be more photos of Lukas, since he was the name holder in the title. In spite of the shortage of Lukas' photos, the book is a good addition to a well rounded collection of male nude books. I'd recommend it to anyone who smiles when viewing young, handsome, male nudes.

What can I complain about? This book is so beautiful. Lukas is twice as handsome at 30 as he was at 18. All the boys are breathtaking, beautiful and perfect.

"Bel Ami magazine brings you Lucas in Love the most adorable young male diary around. This twelve month diary features the most beautiful young men from Bel Ami magazine showing all their stuff in full color images. Fill your year and each day with these hot boys because you know they`re worth it.
Don`t Miss this 2006 Collector`s Edition! 9" x 12" FULL COLOR!"--© zebraz

No matter how many photo books I buy, BelAmi will always rank number 1 with me. The photos are always clean and crisp with the most beautiful young men.

Lukas is one of those boys who can evoke a smile on just about anyone's face. He can also evoke a stirring in just about anyone's libido. The book is wonderful. The boys are adorable. This is just PRIMO.

Escher's work is so engaging and interesting. Everyone has seen Escher's work, even if they don't know the name. I've used his work to teach math, graphics, and problem solving. My college students love analyzing his work.

I bought this book as a gift, and it was an excellent choice. There are many example works in the book, plus interesting explanations.

In The Magic Mirror of M.C. Escher, Bruno Ernst, an acquaintance of Escher's until Escher's death in 1972, presents a thorough summary of the life and work of Escher. Ernst devotes a chapter to the life of Escher, and uses the rest of the book to describe his amazing work. He includes the different themes and styles that Escher used, and devotes a good amount of space to each work discussed. The book is extremely thorough and includes large clear illustrations of the works themselves and also of earlier drafts of the works and mathematical descriptions to assist the reader. This is the most concise book of Escher and his work I have ever seen, and Ernst has done a fabulous job on it.

The work of Escher has captured the imagination of many people and in this book Bruno Ernst (a personal friend of Escher) expands our understanding of the artist. After a brief but concise biography, the author throughly analyses the most important facets of Escher's artistic output: the illusion in drawing, the use of perspective, the creation of impossible realities, simultaneous and contrasting realities, crystals, and the infinite. Escher was an artist who was unique in in his work, he stands by himself, and this book is a helping tool in understanding and appreciating the unparalleled magic of his work.

The greatness of this book on the work of M.C. Escher is that it shows how he worked up his ideas for various pieces. It also gives a thorough explanation of his thought and design process. It is truely a shame that this book has gone out of print. I sincerely hope that the publisher brings it back.

I just picked this book up thinking that there has been a "NEW" book published on M.C.Escher's work.When I got it home ,I checked it against other Escher books and was disappointed to find it is the same book published several times before and by different publishers.
As you can see the ,publication date of this edition is shown as April 6,2007.Therefore, the reviewers here must have been looking at a previous publication,possibly the one also listed here as a paperback in 1987.The copy I had was even earlier,published by Ballantine in 1976.
The quality of this Taschen Edition is very good, in fact, superior to the paperback editions I have seen; and will be enjoyed by anyone who likes M.C. Esher's work ;but the material included has not changed.
I believe this is an excellent book ,and agree with the reviews already written on other editions.
I guess what we have here is A 25 Year Celebration of its first publication.
This is an excellent chance to obtain this book and will be enjoyed,particularly by people new to Escher's work.The fact that this edition has now come out speaks volumes about what a great book this was,and it's great to see it available again.

They are all beautiful boys out of daily reach. But they are so real, just in front of you. There even contain some hardcore pictures, but presented in a different way. So get it.

Sensational imagery- depicting every essence of manhood. This book features lots of gorgeous guys in natural poses.

Reed Massengill's men are young. His extrovert models present themselves cheeky and playful, teasing us pleasurably with their beauty.

Published by Bruno Gmunder Oversized. The next in a long line of fantastic black and white photo books by Bruno Gmunder featuring fresh-faced college-age guys. A nice addition to your coffeetable-book collection.

Gradually, with the fine art stature achieved by photography, we are begining to see the male body in unashamedly homoerotic contexts. Reed Massengill has gathered a bevy of beautiful young men, asked them to relax and enjoy the sensual pleaure of their youthful bodies, and recorded this activity with simple, casual, quiet elegance. No manipulation here for artsy looks (gimmicks, overly dramatic lighting, fetishism). These are simply beautiful men enjoying being beautiful. Books like this help us overcome the national double standard of "nudity is OK in advertising, TV, movies, but NEVER put it into art form". Humbug!

Mel Bay Art of Picking (Paperback) by jimmy Bruno.
This is a terrific book/DVD package. It is valuable for players from beginners to advanced and the presentation is marvellous. The DVD is especially well produced - you can clearly hear and see how Jimmy does it.Mel Bay Art of Picking

This is a straight forward approach with some great examples and a great DVD. Your guitar technique will improve no matter what style you play. A lot of the techniques in this book are tricks in thrash metal as well as in be-bop jazz guitar playing. Jimmy Bruno's no-nonsense approach makes it easy to just open the book and start learning. Lastly, pay attention to detail when going through the exercises. There are some mistakes, but they're pretty obvious if you keep an eye out.

This is a MUST HAVE Guitar Book for all Jazz Player.
Jmmy Bruno teaches in a very professional manner all the fondamental scales and arpeggios associated with the right technique for both hands.

The great Jimmy Bruno de-mystifies so called "sweep picking"( in fact he doesn't use or like the term. Here he presents a picking strategy which is essential for every guitarist. Whether you are a shredder,a be-bopper or whatever, if you play with a plectrum, this book will set you free. Highly recommended.

If you want to sound like a jazz player then you have to learn how to economy pick and this is the ultimate book to learn it. This book is not for rockers, country boys, or classical geeks, it's for guys who want to play jazz in a smoky bar and sound authentic. Jimmy is great because he makes it simple and clear.