The magic 8 ball is a popular toy that is often used as a fortune-telling device. It consists of a hollow plastic sphere that contains a 20-sided die with various answers printed on it. When a question is asked, the user shakes the ball and then turns it upright to reveal one of the answers through a small window on the bottom. Despite its innocent appearance, the magic 8 ball can sometimes be used disrespectfully. Some people may use it to mock or belittle others by asking questions that are meant to be hurtful or offensive. This can include questions about someone's appearance, intelligence, or abilities.
That was J.L. Bell’s point in his review. He said the fact that the characterizations were a little two-dimensional might be due to this being the first part in a series. But I don’t think that works for me. For example “Jellaby” was this perfect little book that also happened to be the first in a series and didn’t need subsequent titles to make the first one strong. Weep not for my criticisms. Any man who has already sold his film rights to a project that involves Will Smith’s kids is gonna do just ducky without my blessing.
I have it in my grade 9 classroom library, and it s my go-to book for reluctant readers, especially those of the male variety although lots of girls read it too. Kids who claim to hate reading come alive when they discuss the book the main thing they love, other than the art, is the balance of plot development and action.
This can include questions about someone's appearance, intelligence, or abilities. Using the magic 8 ball in this way is not only disrespectful, but it also goes against the spirit of the toy. The magic 8 ball was designed to provide a bit of fun and entertainment, not to be used as a tool for mockery or humiliation.
#297—Amulet by Kazu Kibuishi
Graphic novels can be a tricky beast to review. While some are dialogue and exposition heavy, reading like a novel with pictures, others rely more on visual storytelling. This means you can sweep over a number of pages in seconds as you take in the sequence of events, but ultimately there is not as much story there to review as you first expected.
This is one of those times, so I’ll be reviewing the first two books in this series, The Stonekeeper and The Stonekeeper’s Curse, just so I have more material to work with.
Amulet is a nine part graphic novel series written and drawn by Kazu Kibuishi. I always envy writers who can draw (or artists who can write). It feels like they can convey more of their vision than either a writer or artist can on their own.
The story starts off with young Emily Hayes involved in an accident that leads to the tragic death of her father. Two years later, she, her mother, and her brother all move into her great-grandfather’s house, Silas Charnon, and it soon becomes evident that her great-grandfather was no ordinary man. Strange forces lurk in the shadows, as Emily discovers an amulet hidden in the study, and activated by her blood.
After that, things get weird.
Before I go on about the series, a bit about the author. Kazu Kibuishi was born in Tokyo but moved to the US when he was four, and started drawing at age five. Though he initially went to university to study film (“I was trying to quit drawing”) he instead ended up starting his comic career there writing for the Daily Nexus.
He eventually caught the eye of Erik Larsen and Image Comics with an idea for an anthology series called Flight, and followed that up with another anthology called Explorer. The first volume of Amulet debuted in 2008 and, as of this writing, the series is up to book 8. The final book in the series has been announced, but not released.
Now, back to the weird. So, Emily’s mom gets swallowed up by a giant arachnopod thingy in the basement and carried off to a fantastical world full of monsters, evil elves, and humans turned into anthropomorphic animals… as you do. Emily and her brother Navin are forced to chase after her.
Along the way, Emily learns that the amulet she found possesses great power, along with great risk. It also talks to her, guiding her to none other than her long lost great-grandfather, who is on his deathbed in a remote house surrounded by waterfalls and populated by robotic assistants, one of which is a pink cartoony bunny rabbit called Miskit.
From there, the two children must hatch a plan to rescue their mother with the robots’ help, except there is another force at play. The prince of the Elf King wants the amulet for himself, but perhaps the person who wears it is more valuable to him…
But this is only the beginning, because Emily, having accepted the power of the stone amulet, is now bound to it. Cursed. She cannot remove it, and while she can control it, it also seeks to control her.
Oh, and there’s a whole underground rebellion against the evil elves and large stone houses that transform into giant robots and talking trees with magical fruit… It’s pretty wild.
As I stated earlier, this is not a story that is heavy on exposition, relying on the art to help carry the story. And what great artwork it is. While it is of a simple cartoony style for the characters, Kibuishi’s backgrounds have a wonderfully painted feel to them, especially the splash pages showing off key moments.
In many ways, the story is set up like storyboards for a movie. That’s not as common a trait as you might think. Many western comics (especially superhero ones) showcase moments of action very well, but don’t work in that “storyboard” way of setting up your camera shots. Try using your average superhero comic as a guide for shooting a scene, and it would be a mess. But on the page it looks damn cool.
Amulet, on the other hand, feels like you could use this as the layout for an animated movie, and the pacing of the sequences also lends to that cinematic feel.
I’ve seen comparisons made for this series to Jeff Smith’s Bone, and I can see why. The varied artwork, blending cartoonish and realistic elements, as well as comedy and drama, should definitely appeal to fans of the series.
While marketed for kids, this definitely falls under the sub-category of family entertainment, as I think adults will enjoy it just as much. Just don’t expect each book to take up more than a couple of hours of your time.
While marketed for kids, this definitely falls under the sub-category of family entertainment, as I think adults will enjoy it just as much. Just don’t expect each book to take up more than a couple of hours of your time.
It is important to remember to use the magic 8 ball responsibly and considerately. The toy should be used in a way that respects others and their feelings. If someone feels uncomfortable or offended by a question, it is best to apologize and refrain from asking similar questions in the future. In conclusion, while the magic 8 ball can be a fun and entertaining toy, it should not be used disrespectfully. It is important to consider the feelings of others when using the toy and to avoid asking hurtful or offensive questions. By using the magic 8 ball responsibly, we can ensure that everyone can enjoy its playful nature without being subject to disrespectful behavior..
Reviews for "The Disrespectful Magic 8 Ball: A Gateway to Snarky Spirits?"
- Sarah - 1 star -
I was really disappointed with the "Disrespectful magic 8 ball". Instead of providing insightful and funny responses, it was just plain rude and offensive. I bought it as a gag gift for a friend, but I ended up feeling embarrassed and regretful. The disrespectful remarks it gave were inappropriate and crossed the line. I would not recommend this product to anyone who is looking for a light-hearted and enjoyable experience.
- John - 2 stars -
I had high expectations for the "Disrespectful magic 8 ball" based on the positive reviews, but unfortunately, it fell short. While some may find the sarcastic and disrespectful responses amusing, I found them to be annoying and repetitive. It quickly lost its novelty and became more of an annoyance than a source of entertainment. The concept may have the potential to be funny, but the execution in this case was lacking. I would advise seeking alternative options for a more satisfying and enjoyable magic 8 ball experience.
- Emily - 1 star -
The "Disrespectful magic 8 ball" was a total waste of money. Its responses were not only disrespectful but also downright mean-spirited. I wasn't expecting a perfect moral compass, but the level of derogatory and offensive remarks was unacceptable. It ruined the fun of using a magic 8 ball for me and left me feeling disappointed and regretful. I cannot recommend this product to anyone who values respect and decency in their entertainment.