Ink and Riffs: Daydreams and doomsday scenarios

Ink and Riffs is a regular review series written by me, Citywide Co-Host Max Bowen, to talk about what I’m reading and listening to and why I think it’s awesome. Feel free to send suggestions to citywidemax@yahoo.com. 

Jadelyn, “Daydream Diaries” (music)
I first heard Los Angeles-based Jadelyn’s music when she released “Throw it Back,” and was immediately hooked. When I came across her recent LP, “Daydream Diaries,” I immediately gave it a listen.

The five tracks cover a lot of ground, from “Throw it Back,” a tribute to the best times of yesterday and “Halfway Out the Door,” which touches on love lost that is made all the more painful for all the memories made.

The album title really encompasses the different tales—a musical journal remembering what came before, the things from the past we sometimes think about when something from the present reminds us.

The sound of the album is a slick pop style that shifts around from song to song. The core sound remains in the same lane, but weaves around with a mellow sound to one song and into a real foot-tapper in the next.

I really enjoyed Jadelyn’s vocals—a skillful, melodic voice that’s easy to enjoy. Looking at her discography, she’s been very active since releasing “Hard” in 2020, and her vocals have an essence of experience and passion for the music.

The Sacrificers (comic)
Imagine a world where the sun, moon, water, and more are all kept going by a pantheon of god-like beings. But these are not meant to be immortal dietitians. No, they’re meant to bond, have children, and die, leaving the next generation to take over.

Now imagine how these beings could throw off the shackles of mortality, and what—or who—it would take to make this happen, and what transpires when one supposed sacrifice says “No.”

That’s the world of “The Sacrificers,” an ongoing series from Image Comics, by New York Times-bestselling writer Rick Remender (LOW, DEADLY CLASS, Uncanny X-Force) and artist Max Fiumara (Amazing Spider-Man, FOUR EYES, Lucifer).

I was immediately drawn into this comic by Fiumara’s engaging artwork. The world he creates is powerfully emotional and diverse in its design. From the different forms of the pantheon that we’re introduced to, to the many races of the world, each page has something new and interesting to offer.

But let’s not forget the imaginative story that Remender has given us. The protagonist Pigeon is broken by the world, but still determined to keep moving to protect those most precious to him. The twists and turns are organic and keep the story moving at a strong pace.

Give this one a read—you won’t be disappointed.

Burn to Shine (audiobook)
The latest chapter in the Joe Ledger series by Jonathan Maberry continues in his unique nail-biter of a writing style. I’ve been a fan since the beginning and was eagerly awaiting the new release. Here’s a look at the story that awaits:

A covert group is infiltrating the world’s most secure bio-weapons research sites. All across the country, people are acting as human ‘disease bombs’ by infecting themselves and walking into public places. And heavily-armed groups of illegal private soldiers are massing for some unknown strike.

Joe Ledger and the members of Rogue Team International, still reeling from the devastation and heartbreaking losses of their last mission, are forced into relentless action to try and save the country, if not the entire world.

Old enemies are rising and joining forces to hit Joe and his team with one devastating blow after another. What is the end game for all of this madness and terror? Outnumbered, outmaneuvered, and outgunned, Joe Ledger has to find a way back from the fires of grief in order to make a stand between these enemies and millions of potential innocent lives. But Joe has allies, too. His team, the vicious fighters of Arklight, and friends who may or may not be entirely human.

I opted for the audiobook, though the physical book was also purchased, because Ray Porter is an absolute legend in the world of voice acting. He captures the complex emotions of the story, from the more lighthearted moments to when all seems lost and the darkness is closing in.

One things I’ve loved about Porter’s work is how he does the different voices, which range in tone, race, and gender. He does it all well and it’s clear he spends a lot of time crafting the real-life sound of each character. Check out the entire series, it’s an amazing listen.