OK. The story is picking up. Real vague maybe slightly spoiler-ish Star Wars thoughts under the cut.

I read the first issue of Poe Dameron a while back and it didn't really interest me. Having seen Ep XI now, I was more interested in his previously established back story. Since this run is now complete, I thought I'd give it another try since I really want to like Poe but the movies made it so difficult to actually like him.

What? This isn't an 'Animorphs' review!

A new technology, developed now, will transform society. With 'the Flash' people can transport their consciousness into another living person for an hour, a day, a week, so long as they can pay for it. Everything has been effected: employment, travel, prostitution, and even war. There are two rules hardwired into the tech. The first is that if the host body dies, both bodies die. The second is that a consciousness must return to their own (or prime) body before flashing into someone else. This world is a familiar one to us, but corrupt in ways that only humanity could think of.

The story is broken into two narratives. The first follows a scientist who accidentally discovers the technology when she finds herself in her husband's body. She immediately realizes the dangers of the technology and sets out to protect her discovery. The second is set twenty-five years in the future where much good has been caused - the end of mass global travel has improved health and reduced carbon emissions significantly - but also highlights the dark flash, where illegal activity is conducted in the bodies of those desperate enough to risk their lives and reputation.

It's clear that something has gone wrong, but Soule skillfully keeps you guessing. This is a world where appearances mean nothing, anyone can be ANYONE. Like the best science fiction, Soule analyzes the society that is created by technology X, but doesn't forget the humanity of his characters. I had a great time with this and couldn't put it down. His first novel, 'The Oracle Year' (out for some time now in paperback), was a lot of fun, but the characters and the plotting is much improved here. It's official, this is a writer to keep an eye on.

The second volume in the Superman/Wonder Woman title is two stars.  As a person who does not read Superman, I was horribly lost for part of this. There were some nice touches, but half the story is missing. The ending shorter stories were okay. The best being the one with the plant that Clark gave Diana.  

Now Rat Queens is five stars.  Because, in part, bluebirds are not on Dave's shoulders, but in his beard. DO NOT TOUCH THEM! They make him extra sexy.

Rat Queens is about a sell sword group of women who are basically a D&D group come to life (magic user, priest, fighter, thief). Like many D&D stories, they work out of a village/town/city that hires them and various other groups to destroy things. And there the similarities to D&D end unless you have played D&D with crazy people.

Which I have, but never this crazy.

You have in this book people of different beliefs, races, genders, skin colors, and body types. And sexualities. There is also plenty of blood and humor. This is not a book for children.

The book is surprising touching in some places as well. It's great fun.

OMG! Margaret is back to best Margaret.

And breaking my heart.

Be warned some questions are answered, and more questions are raised because you know, they went you to keep buying the series. It isn't as funny as the earlier volumes, but far more emotionally honest and touching.