#IReadsYou Review: DRAGON BALL SUPER: Volume 5

DRAGON BALL SUPER VOL. 5
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: Akira Toriyama
ART: Toyotarou
TRANSLATION: Toshikazu Aizawa, Christine Dashiell, and Caleb Cook
LETTERS: Paolo Gattone and Chiara Antonelli
EDITOR: Marlene First
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0458-3; paperback (May 2019); Rated “T” for “Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 US, $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Dragon Ball was a long-running Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Akira Toriyama.  It was originally serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump from 1984 to 1995 and was comprised of 519 individual chapters.  The hero of Dragon Ball was Son Goku, and the series began with the story of his childhood.

Dragon Ball Super is written by Toriyama and drawn by Toyotarou, a writer-artist who has produced Dragon Ball spin-off manga.  Dragon Ball Super has been published in the Japanese manga magazine, V Jump, since June 2015.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series since May 2017, under its “Shonen Jump” imprint.

Dragon Ball Super is a sequel to the Dragon Ball manga and to the “Dragon Ball Z” anime series.  This sequel is set several months after Goku's victory that brought peace back to Earth.  Goku and his friends must defend Earth, this time from fighters from other universes and timelines.

As Dragon Ball Super, Vol. 5 (Chapters 25 to 28; entitled “The Decisive Battle! Farewell, Trunks!”) opens, Goku, Vegeta, and Future Trunks continue their battle on the “Future Parallel World” of Universe 7.  Their adversaries are “Goku Black” and Zamas, who have now fused into “God Zamas,” a being even harder to beat than its formidable progenitors.  And just when Goku and Vegeta think that they have beaten God Zamas, their problems multiple...

Next, Goku has been itching for an “interuniverse tournament” that would pit the greatest fighters of 12 universes against one another.  It turns out that two “Lords of Everything” want the same thing.  Thus, begins the “Tournament of Power,” in a way most unexpected by many beings, including Goku!

[This manga includes a bonus story that was originally published in the Jump Victory Carnival Official 2017 Guidebook.]

THE LOWDOWN:  I began as an occasional reader of the Dragon Ball manga, and I do enjoy the franchise.  The Dragon Ball Super manga, which is a nice fresh start for new readers, has made me a semi-regular Dragon Ball reader.

Dragon Ball Super Graphic Novel Volume 5 follows Vols. 2 to 4, which moved the series beyond its original premise – the fight between Universes 6 and 7, and introduced the villains Zamas and Goku Black, as well as a future parallel world.  I will play spoiler and say that by the middle of Vol. 5, that Zamas-Goku Black story arc is resolved... with finality.  I'm glad, as I was tired of this story line.

This “Tournament of Power” feels like a return to classic Dragon Ball battle manga.  In between the end of the previous story line and the beginning of the next, Toyotarou draws a fantastic, fifteen-page battle between Vegeta and Beerus, which makes this one of the better recent volumes.  He also draws a large group of new characters, which makes this volume sound like a must-have for Dragon Ball manga fans.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Readers looking for more Dragon Ball will want to try the “Shonen Jump” title, Dragon Ball Super.

A
8 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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I Reads You Juniors July 2020 - Update #100

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Leroy's Amazon Comics and Graphic Novels Page:

COMICS - From Previews:  NBA and NCAA champion and pro basketball legend, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, will write the introduction to Z2 Comics upcoming graphic novel about ground-breaking jazz musician, Charlie "Bird" Parker.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics just charged $4.99 for a comic book with 20 pages of story.

TOP SHELF - From AJC:  The real-life comic book hero that was the late Congressman John Lewis.

COMICS TO TV - From Variety:  The site has a preview of the second season of Netflix's "The Umbrella Academy" (based on Gerard Way's comic book series), which starts today (July 31st).

BOOKS - From BleedingCool:   The late Lin Carter's "Flashing Swords!" fantasy anthology book series is coming back... But some authors are already asking that their stories be removed from the upcoming "Flashing Swords! #6."

MANGA - From ANN:  Manga Planet, the digital manga platform, has obtained three more licenses from publisher, Thirdline, which will give Manga Planet a total of five new offerings in August 2020.

STAR WARS - From BleedingCool:  Writer Si Spurrier accepts a 2020 GLAAD Media Awards as a representative for the creative team of the Marvel Comics titles, "Star Wars: Doctor Aphra."

FRANK MILLER - From CBR:  Legendary comic book creator, Frank Miller, is being sued over the TV rights to two of his biggest creator owned properties, "Sin City" and "Hard Boiled."

COMICS - From TheBeat:  Pantheon won the rights, at auction, to cartoonist Ben Passmore's upcoming "graphic history" of Black activism, "Black Arms to Hold You Up."

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Dave Sim will reprint his long-running "Cerebus" comic book in a series of hardcover editions through Waverley Press.  The first book will collected will be "High Society."

IMAGE - From BleedingCool:  The team of writer Ed Brubaker and artist Sean Phillips will release three full length graphic novels in 2021, according to Brubaker's newsletter.

MARVEL TV - From Deadline:  Actor Peter Shinkoda claims the former head of Marvel Television, Jeph Loeb, made anti-Asian comments during production of the Marvel/Netflix series, "Daredevil."

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  A planned Batman comic book by writer Warren Ellis and artist Declan Shalvey has been cancelled.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  The rumor is that Marvel Comics may have cancelled its planned "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" comic book adaptation.

IDW - From BleedingCool:  IDW talks about its publishing projects for the rest of the 2020 and into 2021.

DC COMICS - From CBR:  Here is some preview art from writer Geoff Johns and artist Jason Fabok's "Batman: Three Jokers."

FOX MARVEL U - From THR:  Director Josh Boone and the cast of "The New Mutants" reveal the opening scene of the movie.  The film, one of the last of Fox's "X-Men" films produced before Disney bought the studio, is still due to be releases August 28th... 2020...

DC CINEMA - From THR:  Director Zack Snyder talked about the "Snyder Cut of Justice League," his edit of his 2016 film, "Justice League," which ended up being finished by director Joss Whedon.

EISNERS - From BleedingCool:  The winners at the "Will Eisner Awards Comic Industry Awards 2020" were announced Friday night, July 24th.

SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON 2020 - VIRTUAL:

From Deadline:  The breaking film news has a page dedicated to San Diego Comic-Con 2020.

From YouTube:  Thursday, July 7/23, 4:00pm — Teaching and Making Comics - Virtual Panel
Ebony Flowers (Hot Comb), Roman Muradov (Vanishing Act), Trina Robbins (Flapper Girls), and Sophie Yanow (The Contradictions) are four vital cartoonists who have taught classes on comics themselves. They speak with James Sturm (Off Season) about their teaching philosophy, and how teaching has transformed their perspectives on the comics canon and their own work.

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From Variety:  The Hollywood news site lists its "best panels of panels of SDCC."

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Actor Oscar Isaac (Star Wars' Poe Dameron) is part of the creative team of a "Head Wounds: Sparrow," a graphic novel from Legendary Comics.

IDW/MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  IDW will publish the four-issue, biweekly Marvel Comics kids' comic, "Marvel Action: Chillers," beginning in October 2020.

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  The site has info on the PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) loan applications filed by comic book companies.

IDW/MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  A hot rumor is that IDW Publishing plans to publish a weekly Marvel Comics anthology comic books series aimed at young readers.

MANGA - From ABSCBN:  In Japan the long-running volley manga, Haikyu!!, recently ended with Chapter 402.

MARVEL - From ComicBook:  Marvel Comics is using its "Free Comic Book Summer" push to tease the future of the X-Men.

VALIANT - From BleedingCool:  Writer Jeff Parker and artist Javier Pulido are the creative team behind Valiant's 2021 relauch of its "Ninjak" franchise.

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics will publish Mark Russell's Jesus Christ comic book, "Second Coming," which was originally to be published by the Vertigo Comics imprint until DC Comics cancelled it.  The series is now called "Second Coming: Only Begotten Son."

DC TV - From TheBeat:  Neil Gaiman gives out some details on Netflix's in-development TV adaptation of Gaiman's beloved comic book series, "The Sandman."

IMAGE COMICS - From TheBeat:   The new twice-monthly comic book series, "The Walking Dead" deluxe will present the series in color for the first time.

COMICS TO TV - From Variety:  Actors Zachary Queinto and Khary Payton have joined the voice cast of the Amazon prime animated series adaptation of Robert Kirkman's comic book, "Invincible."

IN MEMORIAM -  From CNNPolitics:  Iconic American Civil Rights Movement leader and comic book creator, Congresmman John Lewis (D-Georgia), has died at the age of 80, Friday, July 17, 2020.  Lewis was chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), and he was one of the "Big Six" leaders of the groups who organized the 1963 March on Washington.  Lewis played many key roles in the movement, including being one of the original 1961 Freedom Riders.  With his Congressional staffer, Andrew Aydin, as co-writer, and with Nate Powell as artist, Lewis created the "March" graphic novel trilogy, which chronicled the Civil Rights Movement through Lewis' perspective.

From IReadsYou:  Leroy Douresseaux's review of "March Book One."

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FRANK MILLER - From BleedingCool:  Frank Miller shows off some concept art from "Cursed," his book project that is an upcoming Netflix series.

DC TV - From YahooEntertainment:  "Stargirl" actress, Anjelika Washington, said that early in her career she confronted a producer about providing her with a stunt double... in blackface.

BOOM STUDIOS - From BleedingCool:  The superstar comic book that BOOM! Studios will unleash on the world later this year is "BRZRKR," written by Keanu Reeves(!) and drawn by Alessandro Vitti.

DC Comics - BleedingCool:  "Batgirl #50," "Justice League Odyssey #25," and "Batman And The Outsiders #17" are the final issues of those series.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Writer Kevin Shinick and artist Clayton Henry will be the new creative team on "Flash" later this year.

FCBD - From IBPost:  "Free Comic Book Day 2020" is now "Free Comic Book Summer" every Wednesday.

COMICS TO STREAMING - From Deadline:  Netflix is producing an animated TV series based on Stan Sakai's long-running comic book series, "Usagi Yojimbo."  The TV series will have the title, "Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles."

MEXICAN COMICS - From Tor:  The website, "Tor," offers a brief history of Mexican horror comic books.

ARCHIE COMICS - From THR:  Archie Comics has made a deal to produce superhero comic books based on characters the late comic book legend, Stan Lee, created after he left Marvel.

TELEVISION - From Variety:  Grant Morrison talks about his adaptation of the 1932 novel, "Brave New World" (Aldous Huxley), for NBCUniversal's streaming service, "Peacock."

WATCHMEN - From THR:  DC Comics has announced a 12-issue comic book series starring popular "Watchmen" character, Rorschach.  "Rorschach" the comic book will be written by Tom King, drawn by Jorge Fornes, colored by Dave Stewart, and lettered by Clayton Cowles.

DC COMICS - From THR:  DC Comics will release "Wonder Wonder 1984 No. 1," a special comic book that will act as a prologue to the upcoming film, "Wonder Woman 1984," which has seen its release delayed several time.  The comic book will debut in Walmart stores before receiving a wider release.

7/14 - SCANDAL - From BleedingCool:  In the wake of allegations against Warren Ellis, Image Comics has removed from its website the article, "An Oral History of the Warren Ellis Forum."

7/13 - SCANDAL - From BleedingCool:  There is a new website, SoManyOfUs.com, in which women share their stories of allegedly being groomed by noted comic book writer, Warren Ellis.

7/12 - SCANDAL - From TheDailyBeast:  The website has a new article the comic book industry's "sexual misconduct crisis."  The author argues that the industry is "running precisely as designed."
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COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Stjepan Sejic has made all six volumes of his erotic romance comic book, "Sunstone," available as a free PDF.

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Darryl McDaniels of Run DMC is uniting with longtime "G.I. Joe" writer, Larry Hama; "Poison Ivy" writer, Amy Chu; and "Farmhand" creator Rob Guillory, for a new comic joint project called "Outta This World."

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  The tale of the forgotten comic book and manga tie-in to the 2004 film, "Blade: Trinity."

BOOM STUDIOS - From BleedingCool:  The launch later this year of Tom Taylor's "Seven Secrets #1" may be BOOM's biggest ever launch of a creator-owned comic book series.

COVID-19  - From TheBeat:  Which comic book companies received small business COVID-19 PPP (Payment Protection Program) loans?

DC TV - From THR:  Spinning out of director Matt Reeves' "The Batman" film will be a HBO Max TV series similar to the fan-favorite comic book series, "Gotham Central."  Terrence Winter, the creator of "Boardwalk Empire," will write and executive produce the series.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Marvel and Scholastic, the largest producer of graphic novels in the U.S., have united in a multi-year, multi-graphic novel deal to produce a line of graphic novels for middle grade readers.  They will be released under Scholastic's "Graphix Media" line, and the first release will be a Spider-Man original graphic novel, "Miles Morales: Shock Waves."

BOOM STUDIOS - From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios has signed artist Jenny Frison to a deal to produce 20 covers, likely of the variant cover kind.

From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios signed a deal with artist Mirka Andolfo to produce 12 cover illustrations.

From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios signed a cover art deal with artist Miguel Mercado.

From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios has signed a cover art deal with Japanese comics creator and cover artist, Peach Momoko.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  The future of Superman, Jonathan Kent, and "5G" at DC Comics.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  "Plastic Man: Rubber Banded - Deluxe Edition," a hardcover collection of Kyle Baker and Scott Morse's 2004 Plastic Man comic book, will come with an actual rubber band.

DC TV - From Variety:  Actress Javicia Leslie will replace actress Ruby Rose as the series lead in the second season of The CW's "Batwoman."  Leslie will play a new character named Ryan Wilder, who will replace Rose's "Kate Kane" as Batwoman.

COMICS - From Looper:  Comic book artist, Kaare Andrews, talks about transitioning from comic books to film directing.

COMIC STRIPS - From GamesRadar:  Retired cartoonist Gary Larson draws his first new episodes of his beloved comics strip, "The Far Side," in 25 years.

IMAGE COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Image Comics is teasing a big crossover comic book event for November 2020.

BRITISH COMICS - From 2000AD:  The July 7th installment of the "2000AD Thrill-Cast Lockdown Tapes" features a podcast interview with British comics legend, Bryan Talbot.

BLACK COMICS - From DW:  A brief history of Black superheroes

COMICS TO TV - From Inverse:  Comic book writer Greg Rucka insists that comic books are not just fodder for movie adaptations.  He even claims that he did not create the comic book, "The Old Guard" to be movie fodder and that he DID NOT want it to be a movie. [As Eminem said, "Go 'head, girl. Run that game.]

SCANDAL - From TCJ:   Journalist Michael Dean offers a detailed history of sexual misconduct and bullying at the CBLDF, with an emphasis on alleged drunk and disorderly lout, Charles Brownstein.

From BleedingCool:  The site has some additional details and recent developments concerning the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF).

From TheBeat:  Also, the Cody Pickrodt, Whitney Taylor et al lawsuit and counter-suit were settled out of court last month.

COMICS - From CBR:  Christopher Priest reflects on his career and how he wants to be known as a "comic book writer" and not necessarily a "black comic book writer," which he is.

COMICS - From FandomWire:  The "comic book industry" is dying.

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Dave Sim is going to republish "Spawn #10."  He wrote and Todd McFarlane, who created Spawn, drew the issue which Image Comics published in 1993.  The issue featured a crossover between Spawn and Cerebus, the character created by Sim.

DC TO TV - From Variety:  The DC Universe series, "Stargirl" has been renewed for a second season, but it will be exclusive to the broadcast network, The CW," and its digital platforms.

DC TO STAGE - From BleedingCool:  In 1972, DC Comics was going to produce a musical stage show starring the Justice League Of America aimed at the student college circuit.  It never happened.

COMICS TO TV - From BleedingCool:  Is Disney+ casting an actress to play "Echo," the "Daredevil" character created by David Mack and Joe Quesada?  Mack certainly seems to think so.

SOCIAL MEDIA - From IGN:  Georgia State University visual effects student, Julian Bass, gets attention with his TikTok video, including from former Disney CEO Bob Iger.  Of course, he gets attention from jealous people too.

MARVEL COMICS - From IGN:  The licenses to produce comic books based on the iconic sci-fi film properties, "Alien" and "Predator," are moving from Dark Horse Comics to Marvel Comics.

SONY MARVEL U - From YahooEntertainment:  Gina Prince-Bythewood was supposed to direct a movie starring Marvel Comics' Spider-Man line characters, Black Cat and Silver Sable, for Sony Pictures.  Now, Prince-Bythewood says that Sony does not believe the movie, entitled "Silver and Black," could work without an appearance by Spider-Man.

MANGA - From BleedingCool:  At "Anime Expo Lite," Yen Press announces new manga and light novel titles for December 2020.

BLACK COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Here Comes A New Challenger: BIC Distro Brings Black Comics To Retail

DC CINEMA - From CBR:  "Justice League" producer Jon Berg denies the accusations that "Justice League" actor, Ray Fisher, made against himself, Geoff Johns, and director Joss Whedon.

MANGA - From BleedingCool:  Yen Press announces six new manga title acquisitions.

MANGA - From ANN:  When the 21st volume of the historical manga, "Ooku: The Inner Chambers" debuts in early 2021 in Japan, it will be the final volume of the series by the acclaimed and prolific creator, Fumi Yoshinaga.  VIZ Media is publishing the series in English.

MANGA - From Bounding:  UDON Entertainment has announced that it will publish the final three volumes of the "Persona 4" manga later this year.  VIZ Media is currently publishing the "Persona 5" manga.

DC CINEMA - From Variety:  "Justice League" actor, Ray Fisher (Cyborg) accuses director Joss Whedon of abusive behavior on the set of "Justice League."

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Is there a new "Watchman" comic book coming from writer Tom King?

LCS-COVID-19 - From BizJournal:  Local comic book retailers face COVID-19 challenges — and industry upheaval.

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COMIC BOOK INDUSTRY SEXUAL MISCONDUCT SCANDAL:

SCANDAL - From TheBeat:  On the heels of harassment allegations against comic book figures like Jason Latour, Scott Allie, and Cameron Stewart, to name a few, comes new allegations against veteran writer, Scott Lobdell.

SCANDAL - From TheBeat:  Dark Horse Comics and its biggest star, Mike Mignola, release statements about their editorial pal, Scott Allie, who is allegedly a serial abuser.

SCANDAL - From BleedingCool:  Charles Brownstein Resigns as Executive Director of the CBLDF (about damn time!).

SCANDAL - From BleedingCool:  Comic book writer and artist, Cameron Stewart, becomes the latest comics creator whose career hits a snag because of abuse allegations.  DC Comics withdrawn an unannounced comics project by Stewart from their schedule.

6/26- From TheBeat:  There are sexual misconduct allegations against comic book writer-artist, Jason Latour.

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JULY 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Behemoth Comics for July 2020
From ComicsPit:  BOOM Studios! for July 2020
From Comicon:  DC Comics for July 2020
From BleedingCool:  Hero Collector for July 2020
From ComicsPit:  IDW Publishing for July 2020
From CBR:  Image Comics for July/August 2020
From Scout:  Scout Comics for July 2020
From AllComics:  VIZ Media for July 2020
From BleedingCool:  Yen Press for July 2020

AUGUST 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for August 2020
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for August 2020
From BleedingCool:  AWA for August 2020
From CBR:  DC Comics for August 2020
From FirstComicsNews:  IDW Publishing for August 2020
From Seibertron:  IDW Publishing's "Transformers" solicitations for August 2020
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for August 2020
From CBR:  Marvel Comics for August 2020
From BleedingCool:  PS Artbooks for August 2020
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for August 2020
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for August 2020

SEPTEMBER 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Red 5 Comics for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for September 2020

OCTOBER 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Albatross Funnybooks for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  Behemoth Comics for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  Hero Collector for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for October 2020



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#IReadsYou Review: INTERSPECIES REVIEWERS Volume 1

INTERSPECIES REVIEWERS, VOL. 1
YEN PRESS

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Amahara
ART: masha
TRANSLATION: Ko Ransom
LETTERS: Rochelle Gancio
ISBN: 978-1-9753-0200-9; paperback (November 2018); Rated “M” for “Mature”
130pp, B&W, $13.00 U.S., $17.00 CAN

Interspecies Review is a fantasy and sex-comedy manga series written by Amahara and illustrated by masha.  It has been serialized through Nico Nico Seiga's manga website, Dragon Dragon Age, since August 2016.  Yen Press is publishing an English-language edition of the manga.

Interspecies Reviewers, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 11) opens in a world where all kinds of different species:  humans, elves, fairies, hybrids, angels, and demons, to name a few, coexist.  With so many species, some of them are bound to operate “sexy shops” (brothels), places where one can partake of the pleasures of “succu-girls,” females of each species that have succubus blood in their veins.

“Stunk,” a human male and “adventurer of the succubus districts,” and “Zel,” a “pervy” male elf, are the ringleaders of a group of men who have sexual relations with succu-girls and then, review and rate the girls' performances.  These reviews are published in a kind of broadside-like publication called the “Yoruno Gloss Review” that is posted on “the Adventurer's Billboard.”

From elves to succubi to cyclopes and more, the Yoruno Gloss reviewers and their newest member (a shy angel named “Crimvael” who has both male and female genitalia and a broken halo) are here to rate the red-light delights of all manner of monsters girls and creatures of the female persuasion.  They just don't all agree on which species is the best!

[This volume includes “End-of-Volume Bonus Manga.”]

I had not heard of the Interspecies Reviewers manga until my Yen Press rep sent me a copy of the manga for review.  During my research on the series, I discovered that there is a notorious 12-episode anime adaptation that was apparently released for streaming in the U.S. and then quickly pulled from distribution earlier this year.

Interspecies Reviewers Graphic Novel Volume 1 is a fun read.  It is a mixture of shonen comedy and hentai manga, just not as explicit as the latter.  Creators Amahara (story) and masha (art) are unapologetic in the coarseness of their storytelling.  Really, there is not much of a plot here, and the story is really a collection of vignettes about Stunk and Zel's sexual escapades with Crimvael and a rotating band of reviewers in tow.

Amahara and masha portray Stunk and Zel as being shameless in their “adventures,” but the authors seem to use Crimvael, who identifies as male to avoid harassment, to ground the narrative via his struggles.  I will not call Interspecies Reviewers a great manga, but in small doses, like this first volume, which is a 130 pages in length, it is enjoyable.  It is funny if for no other reason than that the creators are so inventive in the kinds of brothels they create.  There is one in which the customers have their genders swapped.  I'll come back for that.

7 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


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#IReadsYou Review: IV'E BEEN KILLING SLIMES... Volume 2

I'VE BEEN KILLING SLIMES..., VOL. 2
YEN PRESS

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

MANGA-KA: Yusuke Shiba
ORIGINAL STORY: Kisetsu Morita
CHARACTER DESIGN: Benio
TRANSLATION: Jasmine Bernhardt
LETTERS: Katie Blakeslee
ISBN: 978-1-9753-0916-9; paperback (May 2020); Rated “T” for “Teen”
178pp, B&W, $13.00 U.S., $17.00 CAN

I've Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level is a Japanese light novel series written by Kisetsu Morita and illustrated by Benio.  In June 2017, Square Enix began publishing a manga adaptation of the series produced by Yusuke Shiba in their online website and smartphone app, “Gangan Online.”  Yen Press began publishing an English-language edition of the manga in 2019.

[I sometimes shorten I've Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level as I've Been Killing Slimes...]

I've Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level focuses on Azusa.  Once upon a time, she was an office worker who ended her short, painful life by dying from overworking.  She was born again in a new world, reincarnated as an undying witch who also does not age.  Azusa vows to live as stress-free and as pleasantly as possible, and makes a living hunting down “the slimes,” the easiest targets she can find.  After centuries of doing such a simple job, however, Azusa has ended up being insanely powerful, so how can she maintain her low key life now?

As I've Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level, Vol. 2 (Chapters 7 to 12) opens, Asuza is living the simple life on an isolated homestead with her two daughters, Shalsha and Falfa, and her apprentice, Laika, a “red dragon” who lives with them in her human form.  Asuza's laid-back life is interrupted when a buxom female elf named Halkara comes looking for sanctuary.  Why is this elf in such trouble?  It seems that Beelzebub is after Halkara for poisoning him.  But the nature of Beelzebub is far different from what Asuza and Halkara were expecting.

Then, it's time for Laika to return to her home on Mount Rokko where her dragon clan lives.  However, this simple family gathering turns out to be more complicated than Asuza and company expected.

[This volume includes an “Afterword” and “Translation Notes.”]

The I've Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level manga is another series that is new to me.  I had also not heard of the light novel series of the same name by writer Kisetsu Morita and illustrator Benio.

I've Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level Volume 2 is cute and mild entertainment.  Although this volume is filled with pretty female characters (and pretty art), writer-artist Yusuke Shiba offers very little fanservice, and what is offered is quite tame.  My reading of this second volume of I've Been Killing Slimes... is that the series is like a middle grade readers version of the manga, Hayate the Combat Butler, and that is not a bad thing.  I love Hayate, and for the time being, this is all I can say about I've Been Killing Slimes...

6 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


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The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and  syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Review: A WITCH'S PRINTING OFFICE Volume 2

A WITCH'S PRINTING OFFICE, VOL. 2
YEN PRESS

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Mochinchi
ART: Yasuhiro Miyama
TRANSLATION: Amber Tomasaitis
LETTERS: Eric Hickman
ISBN: 978-1-9753-9934-4; paperback (April 2020); Rated “T” for “Teen”
162pp, B&W with some color pages, $15.00 U.S., $19.50 CAN

A Witch's Printing Office is a fantasy manga that began as a digital manga written and illustrated by Mochinchi.  Later, Yasuhiro Miyama became series artist, and it began serialization in the manga magazine, Dengeki G's Comic, until the magazine was discontinued.  Yen Press is publishing an English-language edition of the manga in North America as a series of graphic novels.

Returning home from a recent “Comiket,” Mika Kamiya is about to enjoy her haul of comics when she is whisked away to a strange fantasy land.  Searching for a spell that will send her home, Mika does two things.  She establishes Protagonist Press, a publishing house that focuses on spell books, scrolls, summoning contracts, and other magical tomes.  She starts “Magiket” or “Magic Market,” a place where authors, publishers, and creators and makers of spells can sell magical tomes to witches, wizards, mages, and magic users of all skill levels.  Via these two ventures, Miya hopes to meet someone who has the spell that will transport her home.

A Witch's Printing Office, Vol. 2 (Chapters 7 to 12) opens in the magical city of Aile, young Aile Tennos the Eighth hopes to escape her responsibilities by hopping aboard an airship.  She hopes to be taken far away from home, but she meets Mika and soon finds herself at the latest Magiket.  But among the attendees is another surprise for the runaway.

Then, the Demon Lord Satziiko is coming to bring doomsday to the human world.  Oh, wait!  The Demon Lord Satziiko is coming to the Holy Land to attend Magiket?!  Also, Mika meets an usual “Red Dragon” and equally unusual wizard.

[This volume includes miscellaneous art and text.]

The A Witch's Printing Office manga is the first Yen Press title in which I have read two volumes.  This manga, however, is not the first time I have come across a manga about a young woman involved in the business of creating and selling magical spells.

A Witch's Printing Office Graphic Novel Volume 2 is the volume that begins to pay off on what I saw as potential and promise in the first volume.  Each volume is its own independent story, but each story expands the narrative's internal mythology, introduces new cast members, or reveals more of the world in which this story is set.  Sometimes, it does all three.

Creators Mochinchi (story) and Yasuhiro Miyama (art) offer six delightful chapters that make this magical world in which the hero, Mika, finds herself feel like a place a reader wants to visit.  The good guys are not necessarily heroes and the bad guys aren't necessarily villains; everyone simply has a story to tell.  Those stories are personified by a love of books, such as the Red Dragon's, who has some rather surprising demands to make of a certain young book publisher and market organizer.

Amber Tamosaitis offers a hugely readable English-language translation that I read, except for one chapter, in one sitting.  I am more sure of A Witch's Printing Office after reading Vol. 2 than I was after reading Vol. 1 (which I did like).  I highly recommend it.

8 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

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The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and  syndication rights and fees.


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JUN200897    LUMBERJANES BEASTIARY HC    $16.99
JUN201141    MARVEL AVENGERS FALCON LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK    $4.99
JUN201182    MARVEL EAT THE UNIVERSE OFFICIAL COOKBOOK HC    $29.99
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JUN201143    STAR TREK ALPHABET BOOK LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK    $4.99
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DC Comics from Lunar/UCS Distributors for July 28, 2020

DC COMICS:

Batman Overdrive/Batman Tales Once Upon A Crime Flipbook (FCBD 2020 Edition), AR

Batman Superman #10 (Cover A Clayton Henry), $3.99

Batman Superman #10 (Cover B Riccardo Federici Card Stock Variant), AR

Batman The Deluxe Edition Volume 5 HC, $34.99

DC Cybernetic Summer #1, $9.99

Deathstroke R.I.P. TP, $16.99

John Constantine Hellblazer #8, $3.99

Legion Of Super-Heroes #7 (Cover A Ryan Sook), $3.99

Legion Of Super-Heroes #7 (Cover B Alex Garner Card Stock Variant), AR

Legion Of Super-Heroes #7 (Cover C Ryan Sook Gold Lantern Card Stock Variant), AR

Lucifer Volume 3 The Wild Hunt TP, $16.99

Plunge #5 (Of 6)(Cover A Jeremy Wilson), $3.99

Plunge #5 (Of 6)(Cover B Gary Frank), AR

Red Hood Outlaw #47 (Cover A Paolo Pantalena), $3.99

Red Hood Outlaw #47 (Cover B Philip Tan), AR

Suicide Squad #7 (Cover A Daniel Sampere & Juan Albarran), $3.99

Suicide Squad #7 (Cover B Jeremy P. Roberts), AR

Wonder Woman #759 (Cover A David Marquez), $3.99

Wonder Woman #759 (Cover B Jim Lee Card Stock Variant), AR

Wonder Woman Come Back To Me TP, $16.99

Wonder Woman The War Of The Gods Omnibus HC, $99.99

RANDOM HOUSE BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS
DC Super Heroes Wonder Woman Three Big Bullies SC, $5.99

Merchandise
DC Connect Checklist Poster #2, AR
POP Heroes Batman 1989 Joker With Hat With Chase Vinyl Figure, AR
POP Heroes Batman Forever Riddler Vinyl Figure, AR

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#IReadsYou Review: SERAPH OF THE END: Vampire Reign Volume 16

SERAPH OF THE END: VAMPIRE REIGN, VOL. 16
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: Takaya Kagami
CARTOONIST: Yamato Yamamoto
STORYBOARDS: Daisuke Furuya
TRANSLATION: Adrienne Beck
LETTERS: Sabrina Heep
EDITOR: Marlene First
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0397-5; paperback (March 2019); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
184pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 U.K.

Seraph of the End is a Japanese dark fantasy manga series written by Takaya Kagami and illustrated by Yamato Yamamoto, with storyboards produced by Daisuke Furuya.  It has been published in the manga magazine, Jump SQ, since September 2012.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language adaptation of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series, entitled Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign, since June 2014.

Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign is set in a world in which the trumpets of the apocalypse proclaimed the fall of humanity in the year 2012.  Vampires rose from the shadows and began their reign over the Earth.  A mysterious virus killed almost all adult humans, sparing those younger than 13 years of age.  The children were subsequently enslaved as livestock for vampires.  In 2016, the orphan, Yuichiro “Yu” Hyakuya, stepped forward, seeking revenge; his goal was and is to kill each and every vampire.

As Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign, Vol. 16 (Chapters 60 to 63) opens, the battle to save the vampires, Lord Ferid Bathory and Krul Tepes, begins in full force.  They are undergoing exposure torture (via sunlight) by the “Fifth Progenitor” vampire, Ky Luc.  The plan is for Lt. Guren Ichinose and the “Shinoa Squad” to launch a series of diversions at the nearly unbeatable Luc.  That will allow Yuichiro to unleash the Seraph inside himself and to use it to overwhelm Luc.  But can Yuichiro keep himself in control long enough to do the job?  Is his power enough to defeat Ky Luc?

Later, Yuichiro is confronted by memories from his past, and even Asuramaru, the demon spirit of his cursed katana, cannot access all those memories.  What else exists inside Yuichiro, and was he part of Lt. Guren's experiments?

[This volume includes a bonus chapter, “The Demon Army of Ikebukuro;” an “Afterword;” miscellaneous text, and a full-color mini-poster insert.]

THE LOWDOWN:  The Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign manga always delves in intrigue.  It is one of my favorite vampire comics.  With its tales of military politics and demonic possession, this series is as much a dark fantasy as it is a vampire manga.

Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign Graphic Novel Volume 16 is a pivotal volume in the series.  Like previous editions, Vol. 16 digs deep into the secrets and lies of this narrative and of its cast.  This time, however, creators, artist Yamato Yamamoto and writer Takaya Kagami, open up the can of worms that is its star character, Yuichiro Hyakuya's lost memories.  I would say that Kagami and Yamamoto have given readers another reason to keep this series close to their hearts and in their blood.  Despite Yu's blasé attitude about his memories, they hold the potential for riveting storytelling.

Adrienne Beck's translation ably serves this volume which offers a lot of dialogue in terms of revealing conversations.  Sabrina Heep's lettering conveys the intense sounds (especially the yelling and the grunting) that shape the intense battle against Ky Luc that dominates the early part of Vol. 16

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of vampire manga will want to try of the “Shonen Jump Advanced” series, Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign.

A
9 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.



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#IReadsYou Review: SCOOBY-DOO, Where Are You? #103

SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU? No. 103 (2010)
DC COMICS – @DCComics

STORY: Ivan Cohen; Robbie Busch; Sholly Fisch; John Rozum
PENCILS: Walter Carzon; Scott Jeralds; Scott Neely; Leo Batic
INKS: Horacio Ottolini; Jeff Albrecht; Scott Neely
COLORS: Silvana Brys; Heroic Age
LETTERS: Saida Temofonte; Mike Sellers; Swands
EDITORS: Jim Chadwick; Jeanine Schaefer (reprint); Harvey Richards (reprint)
COVER: Walter Carzon and Horacio Ottolini with Silvana Brys
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (April 2020)

Rated “E” for “Everyone”

“The Black Knight Returns”

Welcome, dear readers, to my continuing journey through the Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? comic book series, which began publication in 2010.  I renewed my subscription (for a second time), and this is the fifth issue (at least) that I have received from that renewal.

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #103 opens with “The Black Knight Returns,” which is written by Ivan Cohen and drawn by Walter Carzon and Horacio Ottolini.  Mystery Inc.:  Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Fred, Daphne, and Velma are V.I.P. guests on a movie set.  There is going to be a reboot of Scooby-Doo's favorite film franchise, “Star: Dog Ranger.”

The original “Star” was a human in a dog costume, but in the modern take on the franchise, “Star” will be a composite of an on-set animatronic dog, Andy Circuit, and post-production computer effects.  The “Star” reboot production may be haunted, however, as “The Black Knight,” a ghostly invader, frequently rides onto the set, declaring that the movie will never be completed.  Can Mystery Inc. unravel the mystery of this seemingly cursed reboot?

The second story, “Abe Misbehavin',” is, as usual, a reprint and is written by Robbie Busch and drawn by Scott Jeralds and Jeff Albrecht.  [This story was originally published in Scooby-Doo #120 (cover date: July 2007).]  The “Ghostly Gorilla,” a glowing white and blue apparition, is haunting a movie set.  Can Mystery Inc. solve this case, or is there more to this case than meets the eye?

There are two one-page stories.  First is “Learn to Draw with the M.I. Gang – Learn to Draw: Fred,” which is written by Sholly Fisch and drawn by Scott Neely.  [This feature was originally published in Scooby-Doo #123 (cover date: October 2007).]  Shaggy and Scooby learn to draw Fred, with scary results.

Next is “Velma's Monsters of the World: Pricolici,” which is written by John Rozum and drawn by Leo Batic and Horacio Ottolini.  [This feature was originally published in Scooby-Doo #158 (cover date: September 2010).]  Readers, sit back as Velma regales you with the story of the Romanian werewolf known as the “Pricolici”.

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #103 stands out a little from most of the recent run of issues in this series.  “The Black Knight Returns” will remind readers of a frequent theme of Scooby-Doo cartoons, the old resenting the new.  “Abe Misbehavin'” has a rather unique twist that I did not see coming.  I also found myself intrigued by the Pricolici in this installment of “Velma's Monsters of the World.”  In the real world, the Pricolici is a creature from Romanian folklore that is a werewolf fused with either a vampire or a dhampir (half-human and half-vampire), depending on the source material.

I recommend Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #103 to fans of Scooby-Doo comic books.  So, until next time, Scooby-Dooby-Doo!

B
6 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

[This comic book includes a preview of the original graphic novel, Batman: Overdrive, by Shea Fontana and Marcelo DiChiara.]



The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Review: YONA OF THE DAWN Volume 16

YONA OF THE DAWN, VOL. 16
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Mizuho Kusanagi
TRANSLATION: JN Productions
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Ysabet Reinhardt MacFarlane
LETTERS: Lys Blakeslee
EDITOR: Amy Yu
ISBN: 978-1-4215-8798-1; paperback (February 2019); Rated “T” for “Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Yona of the Dawn is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Mizuho Kusanagi.  It has been serialized in Hakusensha's shojo manga magazine, Hana to Yume, since August 2009.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series since August 2016 under its “Shojo Beat” imprint.

Yona of the Dawn focuses on the only princess in the Kingdom of Kohka, Yona.  She lives an ideal life, and her father, King Il, dotes on her.  Her faithful guard, Son Hak of the Wind Tribe, protects her.  Yona even cherishes the time spent with the man she loves, her cousin Lord Su-won of the Sky Tribe.  However, everything changes for Princess Yona on her 16th birthday when the king is killed and Hak is blamed.  Soon, Yona is on the run with Hak, but she is determined to reclaim her throne.  To do so, she begins a journey to find the Four Dragon Warriors.

As Yona of the Dawn, Vol. 16 (Chapter 89 to 94) opens, Yona and her companions continue their fight against the drug known as “nadai,” which has spread swiftly through the coastal towns of the “Water Tribe” territories.  Their fight has earned them the ire of the nadai's kingpin, the drug dealer, Hyo, who has called on his allies in South Kai to help him defeat all those who have massed against him.

Now, a fleet of South Kai ships sails into the waters of the port town of Sensui.  Can Yona and her friends stop Hyo and his allies?  Can Yona's new friend, Lady Riri, the pampered princess of the Water Tribe's chief, General Jung-Gi, convince enough of her people to follow her?  Plus, Yona comes face to face with a dear friend turned adversary.

THE LOWDOWN:  The Yona of the Dawn manga concludes its adventure into the land of the Water Tribe, one of five tribes that comprise the Kingdom of Kohka (Sky, Wind, Fire, Earth, and Water).  This is my favorite story arc of the series, thus far.

Yona of the Dawn Graphic Novel Volume 16 is a tale of two princesses, as was Vol. 15.  Creator Mizuho Kusanagi seems to have initially used this story arc to contrast Yona and Riri.  While Yona seems so brave and self-assured to Riri, readers know that Yona is still discovering herself and what she can do.  Riri, however, is struggling to come into her own, but Kusanagi depicts her as being stronger and more capable than she thinks herself to be.

The fun in reading this arc is not only in seeing the “Nadai conspiracy”play out, but also in watching Riri come into her own, which plays a part in the formation of Yona of the Dawn's next arc.  JN Productions (translation) and Ysabet Reinhardt MacFarlane (English adaptation) always reveals the romantic side of this shojo historical fiction and romance, but in Vol. 16, they capture the evolution of a princess and the ongoing journey of discovery of another.

Also, in hopes of avoiding spoilers, I can say that in a way, Vol. 16 throws a spotlight on Hak.  His actions here are bound to come back to haunt future story lines...

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of historical romantic adventure will want to try the “Shojo Beat” title, Yona of the Dawn.

A+
10 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.



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