Invincible Comic Series

 After seeing the wonderfully done Invincible animated series on Amazon Prime, and having the comic series it was based on recommended to me, I decided to use some gift cards and cash to get the first compendium. After starting to read the volume, it was apparent that I wanted to read the rest. Five weeks later I had finished all 144 issues in the three compendiums and was very happy about the series run.

Robert Kirkman was the writer for the entire series and he co-created the character with illustrator Cory Walker. In a nutshell the series is about a teenager becoming an adult and developing powers, akin to superman without the heat vision, like his father who is one of Earth's most powerful heroes. The overarching theme is the consequences and temptations power can bring both to the main character but to those he fights against or alongside, which becomes fluid as some persons alter their goals. It is also about what matters to the characters and how it shapes what they do right and wrong with those choices. Having one main writer allowed the series to have clear vision. It was also nice that the series ended with a nice bow tied around it, not having gone on too long nor not long enough, having said what needed to be said on the subjects brought up.

The compendiums do take up a lot of room on the graphic novel bookshelf but fortunately I have downsized a little.

The art inside was also extremely well drawn and suited to the activities taking place, whether it was fight scenes or dramatic character development. I will read it again every five years I think.

Alleys of Chinatown

When I was having my car serviced near Downtown Victoria, on a day off, I decided to visit some familiar areas of downtown. It was early morning so nicely vacant of people. Some of the more interesting sights I revisited were the alleyways of Chinatown, off of Fisgard between Government and Store streets. The alleyways were Dragon, Fan Tan, and 

The following are pictures in Dragon alley.

The buildings beyond the alley, in the center of the block, used to be in rough shape. Recently they were torn down and new buildings made with many being commercial on the main level. 

Here is an example of one of the side branches off of Dragon alley, going to one of the businesses.

It also connects to Herald street, with a coffee shop at the end.

There is the famous Fan Tan alley, home of many shops and leads to Pandora. If you visit one allet in Victoria, this is it.

There is another alley, West of Fan Tan alley, that leads to Pandora street.

Like Dragon alley, it had many older brick buildings that were torn down to make condos. Up the stairs is an extensive open greenery area for residents. You can get a good look at it with google maps here.

The other side of the alley also looks like a little oasis in the middle of downtown Victoria.

If you are new to Victoria, or are a longtime resident of Victoria, why not visit the alleys of Chinatown.

Fall Drive from Okanogan valley to Victoria

 The drive back from a little stay in the Okanogan valley was especially nice because of the fall colours. Here is a sample of what it looks like.

Once we saw the changing leaves of the blueberry plants of Chilliwack we knew we would soon be on the ferry to Victoria.