Review: LEVIUS

LEVIUS
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

CARTONIST: Haruhisa Nakata
TRANSLATION: John Werry
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Jason A. Hurley
LETTERS: Joanna Estep
EDITOR: Joel Enos
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0502-3; hardcover (September 2019); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
672pp, B&W with some color, $34.99 U.S., $46.99 CAN, £25.00 UK

Levius is a seinen manga (comics for adult men) created by Haruhisa Nakata.  It was serialized in 18 chapters from 2012 to 2014 in the Japanese manga magazine, Ikki.  In Japan, Levius was collected in three tankobon (graphic novels).  VIZ Media is publishing the entirety of Levius in English as a omnibus hardcover, entitled Levius.

Levius is set on an alternate Earth.  It is the 19th century, and the world has entered the “Era of Rebirth,” as it recovers  from a devastating war.  Seventeen-year-old Levius Cromwell lost his father to war, and his mother lies in a coma in a hospital because she suffered grave bodily injuries in the battle in their neighborhood, Green Bridge.  Five years earlier, Levius came to live with his uncle, his late father's brother, Zack Cromwell, and his paternal grandmother.

Now, Levius is a fighter in the sport of mechanical martial arts (M.M.A.), which has galvanized the nations of the world.  Cybernetically augmented fighters turn their blood into steam and their bodies into brutal and sometimes monstrous fighting and killing machines.  Young Levius is one of those arena battlers, a mechanical martial artist prodigy, hell-bent on winning in order to simply survive in a sport where combatants often enter the “Final Cage,” death.

There are five levels in M.M.A., I, II, III, IV, and V, and Levius is Level II.  In order to move up to Level I, Levius will have to fight the monstrous Hugo Stratus and a young woman named A.J. Langdon.  To defeat them, to maybe save them and himself, Levius may have to enter the Final Cage.

The Levius manga is appropriate for high school age readers, although it is classified with the adult seinen manga label.  Creator Haruhisa Nakata depicts some shockingly brutal fights, but Levius' mixture of dystopian science fiction, mecha, and martial arts will attract a number of manga readers who are familiar with titles like Full Metal Alchemist and Ghost in the Shell.

The art is richly detailed and the fights and behind-the-scenes segments about cybernetics will remind readers of Ghost in the Shell.  In the drama scenes, Nakata's art reminds me of the work of Katsuhiro Otomo (Akira).

I found this manga to be an exciting read.  However, there were times that the story seemed to become repetitive.  I will not say that the story is padded, but Nakata often needs to draw out fights to the gruesome end in order to convey the story's plot and themes.  The consequence is that readers may find that some of the mechanical martial arts battles will simply wear them down, as it did me a few times.

Otherwise, Levius is a unique alternate Earth, futuristic drama and action-thriller.  Its stylish art and powerful graphical storytelling left me wanting more.  And there is more, a follow-up, entitled Levius/est, which hopefully makes it way to American readers.

8 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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Review: BEHIND THE SCENES!! Volume 7

BEHIND THE SCENES!!, VOL. 7
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Bisco Hatori
TRANSLATION/ENGLISH ADAPTATION: John Werry
LETTERS: Sabrina Heep
EDITOR: Pancha Diaz
ISBN: 978-1-9747-9768-3; paperback (August 2019); Rated “T” for “Teen”
200pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Urakata!! is a shojo manga (comics for teen girls) from creator Bisco Hatori (Ouran High School Host Club).  Urakata began publication in 2014 in the Japanese shojo manga magazine, LaLa.  In 2016, VIZ Media began publishing an English-language edition of Urakata!! as a series of graphic novels under the title, Behind the Scenes!!

Behind the Scenes!! focuses on 18-year-old, Ranmaru Kurisu, who blames himself for everything.  As an outcast from a village of fisherman, Ranmaru is not crazy about people and is not crazy about being around them.  He is now a first year student as Shichikoku University (“Shichi U”), and while he initially planned on trying to find a group into which he could fit, he is back to being his old isolated self.  Then, fate brings him into contact with “The Art Squad.”

As Behind the Scenes!!, Vol. 7 (Chapters 34 to 38 to Last Scene) opens, the members of the Art Squad prepare for change.  It is the final year for their chief, Ryuji Goda, who has decided to embark on directing a film.  Meanwhile, Tomu Tenba worries that he has no talent.  Ruka Enjoji decides to leave the squad because of family troubles at home.  Soh Kobora goes on her first date.  Izumi worries about his amnesia, and Maase may give up her love zombies.  So is it up to Ranmaru Kurisu, the newest member of the Art Squad, to save the spirit of the squad.

[This volume includes bonus text and art and a glossary.]

The Behind the Scenes!! manga is all about making costumes, make-up, and special effects for film and theatrical productions and also for festivals and events.  Clearly, creator Bisco Hatori has done her research well.

Behind the Scenes!! Graphic Novel Volume 7 is the series' final volume.  I think that there is a lot left to say, so this volume seems like a hurry to an ending.  However, Hatori does not wrap things up in a neat bow – quite the contrary.  Readers will find that there is a world of possibilities for her characters, as their lives will go on Behind the Scenes!!  This is not the best volume of the series, but readers will like this final volume's hope for the future ending.

B+
7 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: KOMI CAN'T COMMUNICATE Volume 1

KOMI CAN'T COMMUNICATE, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

MANGAKA: Tomohito Oda
TRANSLATION & ENGLISH ADAPTATION: John Werry
LETTERS: Eva Grandt
EDITOR: Pancha Diaz
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0712-6; paperback (June 2019); Rated “T” for “Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Comi-San Wa, Comyusho Desu (Miss Komi is Bad at Communication) is the most recent shonen manga from creator, Tomohito Oda (whose previous manga was the series, Digicon).  VIZ Media is publishing Miss Komi is Bad at Communication in English in North America under the title, Komi Can't Communicate, as a graphic novel series.  Komi Can't Communicate focuses on a group of socially awkward high school students who try to help each other gain new friends and fit in with the other students.

Komi Can't Communicate, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 19) introduces a high school girl named Shoko Komi.  Her skin is porcelain, and her hair is silky.  Her large eyes are almond-shaped, and she smells good.  Komi is the most beautiful person most of her classmates have ever seen.  However, she has crippling social anxiety so bad that she can barely speak.  Most people think her silence is because of her “cool reserve,” so they keep their distance.  Her communication disorder is keeping her from making friends.

Into her life arrives a new classmate, an awkward boy named Hitohito Tadano.  He is timid and has average communication skills.  However, he recognizes that Komi is not aloof, but merely super awkward.  So Tadano decides to help Komi attain her goal of making 100 friends.  All he needs to do is get her to speak, a single conversation at a time.

[This volume includes bonus comics.]

I won't call the Komi Can't Communicate manga a great graphic novel... yet.  However, this series is one of those shonen (comics for teen boys) and shojo manga (comics for teen girls) mixes that offer readers young male and female characters forced together for a common goal, with some romantic elements, although that is not the central focus.

Komi Can't Communicate Graphic Novel Volume 1 is basically comprised of a series of comic situations.  The chapters vary wildly in size.  Many are only three to six pages each.  Others are 10 to 15 pages in length, with one being 19 pages long.  Regardless, Komi Can't Communicate is a situation comedy, and creator Tomohito Oda is quite adept at creating small situations out of this narrative's central conceit.

The characters have potential, but are mostly thin on personality this early in the series.  I have faith that over time, I will be surprised what depth they will gain.  John Werry, who writes the English adaptation for Komi Can't Communicate, shows quite a bit of skill at making the sometimes crazy, sometimes almost non-existent dialogue convey humor.

7 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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Review: DEMON SLAYER: Kimetsu No Yaiba Volume 1

DEMON SLAYER: KIMETSU NO YAIBA, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

MANGAKA: Koyoharu Gotouge
TRANSLATION: John Werry
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Steve “Stan!” Brown
LETTERS: John Hunt
EDITOR: Mike Montesa
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0052-3; paperback (July 2018); Rated “T” for “Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 U.K.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba is a shonen manga (comics for teen boys) from creator Koyoharu Gotouge.  VIZ Media is publishing this manga as a series of graphic novels both in print and digital form.  Demon Slayer follows a boy's quest for revenge against a demon that murdered his family and transformed his sister into a demon.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 7) opens in the Taisho era of Japan (1912 to 1926).  The story introduces Tanjiro Kamado, a kindhearted boy who sells coal in order to support his mother and four siblings.  After one particularly taxing trip to sell coal, Tanjiro returns to his home in the forest to find his family slaughtered.  He discovers that a younger sibling, his sister Nezuko, has herself been transformed into a demon by the unknown demon that killed his family.

Tanjiro and his sister leave their home, but they meet a demon slayer, Giyu Tomioka, who wants to kill Nezuko.  Now, Tanjiro also wants to be a demon slayer, but can he survive the cruel tutelage of Lord Sakonji Urokodaki, a trainers of swordsman?

The Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba manga is the latest in a line of fine titles that VIZ Media has released in the last year.  Some others high-quality titles include the supreme Golden Kamuy and The Promised Neverland.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba Graphic Novel 1 is one of Summer 2018's best comic book debuts.  What makes it so exceptional?  It is Demon Slayer's ability to convey power in simplicity.  Koyoharu Gotouge's art is nice looking, but is not overly detailed, nor are her compositions crowded.  The dialogue and exposition are straight-forward, which makes for graphical storytelling that advances with conviction – relentless like Tanjiro's quest for revenge.

Gotouge's characters are also immediately likable.  There is something universal in Tanjiro's quest; we can feel his pain.  Gotouge presents him to us as a boy full of love and focused on his family.  We can like him for that, so when he wants to cure his sister of being a demon and to slay the demon that destroyed his family, we not only buy into his quest, but we also want to follow him.  There are several good characters in this first volume, but Tanjiro is the star of this excellent manga.

9 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: DEAD DEAD DEMON'S DEDEDEDE DESTRUCTION Volume 1

DEAD DEAD DEMON'S DEDEDEDE DESTRUCTION, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Inio Asano
TRANSLATION: John Werry
LETTERS: Annaliese Christman
EDITOR: Pancha Diaz
ISBN: 978-1-4215-9935-9; paperback (April 2018); Rated “M” for “Mature”
196pp, B&W, $14.99 U.S., $19.99 CAN, £9.99 U.K.

Dead Dead Demon’s Dededede Destruction is seinen manga (comics for adults) from creator (mangaka), Inio Asano (Goodnight Punpun).  Beginning in April 2014, the manga is being serialized in the seinen manga magazines, Big Comic Spirits (Shogakukan).  VIZ Media is publishing the manga in English in North America as a graphic novel series under its “VIZ Signature” imprint in both print and digital formats.

Dead Dead Demon’s Dededede Destruction is about the life mundane and an alien invasion.  On August 31st – also known as 8/31 – three years ago, an alien mothership arrived on Earth and parked itself above Tokyo.  Now, the impending doom is starting to feel like an ordinary thing.  Kadode Koyama and her best friend, Ontan Nakagawa, track the aliens movement with enthusiasm and study for college entrance exams with less enthusiasm.

Dead Dead Demon's Dededede Destruction, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 8) introduces two high school students who are longtime friends.  Kadode has a mad crush on their teacher, Mr. Watarase, and Ontan is really tired of the rest of humanity.

Meanwhile, conventional weapons have not done anything to defeat the aliens.  The Japanese Self-Defense Force (SDF) now has a new weapon, a green weapon, that will not contaminate the city the way another weapons have.  Kadode and Ontan monitor the situation closely on social media, but they still have their own teen melodramas upon which to focus.

[This volume includes an “extra” chapter.]

The Dead Dead Demon's Dededede Destruction manga is a strange one.  This is, however, the work of Inio Asano, and his strange is usually a very good strange.

Dead Dead Demon's Dededede Destruction Graphic Novel Volume 1 is more about the comedy-drama of Kadode and Ontan than it is an alien invasion genre drama.  This manga is like Independence Day mixed with a tame, teen girl spin on the film, Superbad.  It is odd and offbeat, but I really want to read more Dead Dead Demon's Dededede Destruction.  You never know where Asano will take his narratives, but you will realize (eventually) that you are really, really glad that you are following the highways and byways of his storytelling.

Fans of the manga of Inio Asano will want to read the VIZ Signature title, Dead Dead Demon's Dededede Destruction.

8 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: SWEET BLUE FLOWERS Volume 2

SWEET BLUE FLOWERS, VOL. 2
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

Leroy's Amazon Comics and Graphic Novels Page

MANGAKA: Takako Shimura
TRANSLATION/ENGLISH ADAPTATION: John Werry
LETTERS: Monalisa De Asis
EDITOR: Pancha Diaz
ISBN: 978-1-4215-9299-2; paperback (December 2017); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
360pp, B&W, $24.99 U.S., $33.99 CAN, £16.99 UK

Sweet Blue Flowers is a yuri manga from creator Takako Shimura.  “Yuri” is “girls' love” manga, a genre which depicts romantic situations between female characters.  Sweet Blue Flowers is a coming-of-age manga that depicts love and friendship between two girls, Akira Okudaira and Fumi Manjome, attending separate high schools.

As Sweet Blue Flowers, Vol. 2 (Part 3: Chapters 14 to 18; Part 4: Chapters 19 to 25) begins, Kyoko Ikumi invites a group of her friends to join them at the summer home of her fiance, Ko Sawanoi's family.  There is camping, ghost stories, and horseback riding, and there is time for Fumi to confirm her romantic feelings for Akira.

Later, Akira and her drama club prepare to perform a play at her high school, Fujigaya Women's Academy High School.  Now, a freshman girl, Haruka Ono, wants Fumi to play a part... because she is probably in love with Fumi.

[This volume includes an afterword and the following “Little Women” bonus stories:  “Kuri and Komako, Part 1,” “Orie and Hinako,” and Kuri and Komako, Part 2,” and Shinako and Kaoruki.”]

I have not read many yuri manga titles.  The Sweet Blue Flowers manga is the second yuri manga that I've read, following creator Yuhta Nishio's After Hours (also published in English by VIZ Media).

Sweet Blue Flowers Graphic Novel Volume 2 is, like the previous volume, filled with so many young female characters.  It can be hard to keep up with them, but creator Takako Shimura makes each one so vivacious and engaging.  Also, rather than be catty and completely melodramatic, the characters are full of budding romance and yearnings.  Yes, this can sometimes be teen-soapy, but mostly it is full of interesting characters.

A
8 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: SWEET BLUE FLOWERS Volume 1

SWEET BLUE FLOWERS, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Takako Shimura
TRANSLATION/ENGLISH ADAPTATION: John Werry
LETTERS: Monalisa De Asis
EDITOR: Pancha Diaz
ISBN: 978-1-4215-9298-5; paperback (September 2017); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
384pp, B&W, $24.99 U.S., $33.99 CAN, £16.99 UK

Sweet Blue Flowers is a yuri manga from creator Takako Shimura, whose manga, Wandering Son, was published in English by Fantagraphic Books.  “Yuri” is “girls' love” manga, a genre which depicts romantic situations between female characters.  Sweet Blue Flowers is a coming-of-age manga that depicts love and friendship between girls from two high school.

Sweet Blue Flowers, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 7) introduces two girls.  Akira Okudaira attends Fujigaya Women's Academy High School.  Fumi Manjome attends Matsuoka Girls' High School.  Akira and Fumi were friends when they were in kindergarten; Akira comforted Fumi who was a crybaby.

Now, the girls are starting high school, and although they are attending different schools, they leave for school at the same train station, where they reunite on the first day of school.  Now, Fumi is glad to have Akira back in her life, but Fumi is coming off a failed romance.  Fumi will need Akira more than ever.

[This volume includes the two afterwords, “The Kamakura Quest” and “The Mansion Visit,” and the bonus story, “Little Women –Orie and Hanako–.”]

The Sweet Blue Flowers manga is the second yuri manga that I've read, following After Hours (from creator Yuhta Nishio).  VIZ Media provided me with review copies of the first volumes of both titles.

Sweet Blue Flowers Volume 1 can be confusing because there are so many girls and so many conflicting feelings, which is actually appropriate.  Takako Shimura can use all these characters and conflicting motivations and desires to create the sense of confusion these teen girls have about themselves and their feelings and emotions.  I find myself rooting for all of them, and this soapy teen melodrama is irresistibly readable.

A
8 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: MASTER KEATON: The Perfect Edition, Volume 12

MASTER KEATON: THE PERFECT EDITION, VOL. 12
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

CARTOONIST: Naoki Urasawa
STORY: Hokusei Katsushika, Takashi Nagasaki, and Naoki Urasawa
TRANSLATION/ENGLISH ADAPTATION: John Werry
LETTERS: Steve Dutro
EDITOR: Amy Yu
ISBN: 978-1-4215-8380-8; paperback (September 2017); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
322pp, B&W with some color, $19.99 U.S., $22.99 CAN, £12.99 U.K.

VIZ Media has completed its initiative to publish Master Keaton in English for the first time.  This is one of the early works from award-winning mangaka, Naoki Urasawa.  Master Keaton was first published beginning in the late 1980s and was created and drawn by Urasawa, who co-produced the story with Hokusei Katsushika and frequent collaborator, Takashi Nagasaki.

The English-language version of Master Keaton is a 12-volume, graphic novel series, published in a deluxe format called the “Perfect Edition.”  Each volume includes a few pages of full-color material to go along with the black and white comics.  VIZ Media began publishing Master Keaton quarterly under the VIZ Signature imprint in December 2014.

The hero of Master Keaton is Taichi Hiraga Keaton, the 30-something son of a Japanese zoologist and an English noblewoman and mathematician.  Although Keaton is an archaeology professor, he does not have a job at a university.  Thus, most of the series' action focuses on Keaton's job as a part-time insurance investigator.  Known for his successful and unorthodox methods of investigation, Keaton's abilities are based on his Oxford education in archaeology and also on his time as a member of the British elite special forces, the S.A.S. (Special Air Service).  Keaton uses his knowledge and combat training to uncover buried secrets, to thwart would-be villains, to pursue the truth, and sometimes just to lend a helping hand.

Master Keaton: The Perfect Edition, Vol. 12 (12 chapters) opens with the story, “The Scholar's Day.”  Keaton is on the verge of finally getting a job at a university, but he discovers that his superiors are quite disappointing.  Then, Keaton learns of the recent death of his mentor, Professor Urey W. Scott.  It was through Prof. Scott that Keaton came to believe European civilization was born on the plains around the Danube river.  Scott may have left something behind for Keaton, but the professor's daughter, Maggie Scott, is not impressed with Keaton.

Later, Keaton heads to Romania to investigate a car theft and smuggling ring.  The case seems like providence to Keaton, as Prof. Scot's final work may have discovered in Romania the proof for he and Keaton's Danube theories.  However, Keaton becomes involved in a conspiracy that ties into Romania tumultuous recent history, and his quest to help an orphaned boy may cost Keaton his own life at the place that could provide the answers he seeks.  On the lighter side, Keaton's daughter, Yuriko, makes plans to attend Oxford, like her father, and is laser-focused on her future... until a young man with bad luck captures her interest.

The Master Keaton manga has come to an end with the publication of the twelfth graphic novel in its English-language publication.  And as it was for the end of 20th Century Boys and Pluto, I am having a difficult time accepting that the series has ended.  Dammit, I want more!

Master Keaton: The Perfect Edition Volume 12 offers some of the best of what has become familiar in this series.  We get international intrigue filled with murder, secret police, vicious killers, people in need of a hero, and buried treasure.  There is some nice family comedy featuring Keaton's daughter and his father, Taihei Hiraga, and some surprisingly entertaining workplace drama featuring a longtime colleague, and old friend/rival, and a newcomer.  As sad as I am about the ending, at least I know that Keaton is leaving us behind to do what he has wanted to do for a long time.

Hopefully, Master Keaton will remain in print for a long time to come, but it is also available on various platforms for readers who prefer to read digital manga.


A+
10 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: Legendary Edition - Majora's Mask/A Link to the Past

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: LEGENDARY EDITION (VOL. 3) – MAJORA'S MASK/A LINK TO THE PAST
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Akira Himekawa
TRANSLATION: John Werry, Honyaku Center, Inc.
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Steve “Stan!” Brown
LETTERS: John Hunt
EDITORS: Mike Montesa; Joel Enos
ISBN: 978-1-4215-8961-2; paperback (March 2017); Rated “A” for “All Ages”
402pp, B&W with some color, $17.99 U.S., $24.99 CAN, £12.99 U.K.

The Legend of Zelda is a high-fantasy themed action-adventure video game series published by Nintendo.  Since 1986, Nintendo has published over 20 Zelda games and spin-offs.  For two decades, Nintendo has also officially endorsed and commissioned manga adaptations of The Legend of Zelda.  The Legend of Zelda revolves around Link, a brave knight/warrior, and Princess Zelda of Hyrule, who guides, encourages, instructs, and summons Link to battle evil.

Mangaka Akira Himekawa has produced several multi-chapter manga serials based on particular Legend of Zelda video games.  VIZ Media is reprinting these Himekawa manga under the title, The Legend of Zelda: Legendary Edition.  The third release in this series is The Legend of Zelda: Legendary Edition – Majora's Mask/A Link to the Past.  Majora's Mask is a 2000 video game in the Zelda series.  Himekawa's  manga based on the 1991 game, A Link to the Past, was originally titled Triforce of the Gods, but is entitled A Link to the Past for its new English-language release.

In Majora's Mask,  Link is a famous swordsman.  He stops to give lessons at the school of an old friend before continuing his search for his missing friend, Navi the fairy.  On his journey, Link is transported to the land of Termina, where he is accosted by someone named “Skull Kid.”  This character wears the cursed Majora's Mask, and he also imprisons Link's face inside a mask.  Now, Link must not only unravel the mysteries of the masks, but he must also solve the troubles that besiege Termina and stop Skull Kid from dragging the moon down so that it will crash into the Termina village of Clock Town.

In A Link to the Past, Link is an apple farmer in Hyrule, and he grows apples so good that they can heal the body.  With his Uncle's help, Link is ready to make his farm the best apple orchard in Hyrule.  However, one night, Link hears a mysterious female voice calling him.  The voice belongs to Zelda, Princess of Hyrule, and she is being held captive by the traitorous royal adviser, Agahnim.  He wants the legendary Triforce, and the only way Link can stop him and rescue Zelda is to find the legendary “Master Sword.”  With the help of the female bandit, Ghanti, Link goes on a journey that takes him to many lands and that may also answer questions about Link's past.

In the last year, VIZ Media has sent me several volumes of The Legend of Zelda manga so that I might review them.  I have discovered that these manga are better reads than I ever imagined – not that I took much time to think about Zelda manga.

The Legend of Zelda: Legendary Edition – Majora's Mask/A Link to the Past manga is not as awesome a volume of the previous volume of the Legendary Edition series, The Legend of Zelda: Legendary Edition – Oracle of Seasons/Oracle of Ages, but it is still quite good.

Majora's Mask is a quest fantasy that has nothing to do with Link rescuing or serving Princess Zelda, at least in the manga.  Majora's Mask, as a narrative, has a weak opening, but the story picks up strength and momentum when Link starts looking for the “four giants.”  Majora's Mask definitely finishes better than it started.

A Link to the Past is a strong, exciting story from beginning to end, and I have to admit that I was disappointed that it had to end.  It is a pure Link-rescues-Zelda story.  Both Majora's Mask and A Link to the Past are well served by the clean drawing style of the art, which makes for clear storytelling.  Akira Himekawa presents his Legend of Zelda manga in a graphic style that makes the story attractive to readers young and young-at-heart.

B+

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


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: Twilight Princess Volume 1

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: TWILIGHT PRINCESS VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Akira Himekawa
TRANSLATION: John Werry
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Steve “Stan!” Brown
LETTERS: Evan Waldinger
ISBN: 978-1-4215-9347-0; paperback (March 2017); Rated “T” for “Teen”
200pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 U.K.

The Legend of Zelda is a high-fantasy themed action-adventure video game series that debuted in 1986 and is published by Nintendo.  Nintendo has also officially endorsed and commissioned manga adaptations of The Legend of Zelda for over two decades.  The Legend of Zelda revolves around Link, a brave knight/warrior, and Princess Zelda of Hyrule, who guides, encourages, instructs, and summons Link to battle evil.

VIZ Media has been publishing manga based on The Legend of Zelda in America.  The latest is The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, which is based on the 13th video game title in the franchise.  The Twilight Princess manga is written and drawn by mangaka Akira Himekawa.  VIZ collected Himekawa's other Zelda manga in the recent mini-omnibus, The Legend of Zelda: Legendary Edition – Oracle of Seasons/Oracle of Ages.

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 8) opens with a brief retelling of the story of upstart wizards whose rebellion in the country of Hyrule got them exiled from the World of Light and into the Twilight Realm.  The darkness, however, has reawakened and stirs in the Twilight Realm with its eyes on regaining power.

The story moves to Ordon, a small and prosperous agricultural village on the edge of Hyrule.  Here, the mysterious ranch hand, Link, found a home two years ago.  The people of Ordon love him, especially the children, but Link struggles with his tragic past, which might be returning in the form of the troubling dreams he has.  Link does not realize that he will soon have to face the darkness which once destroyed everything he knew.

In the last two years, VIZ Media has sent me two graphic novels from The Legend of Zelda as copies-for-review.  I have enjoyed them, but I am surprised by The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess manga.  It is not as playful as the two earlier titles I read.

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Volume 1 introduces a Hyrule steeped in a foreboding atmosphere.  Even when the sun is out and the farmers are happily bringing in their crops, there is something ominous on the edges.  The tone of the narrative is darker and maybe even a little more mature than the stories in The Legend of Zelda: Legendary Edition – Oracle of Seasons/Oracle of Ages.

In Twilight Princess, Akira Himekawa makes the idea of people being transformed seem more like an act of destruction and also an act of penetrative violence.  In fact, in this story, violation seems more fearful than death.  I think this series is going to be a good read, and manga readers who normally avoid The Legend of Zelda comics may want to give it try.

A

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


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.

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THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: Legendary Edition - Oracle of Seasons/Oracle of Ages

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: LEGENDARY EDITION (VOL. 2) – ORACLE OF SEASONS/ORACLE OF AGES
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Akira Himekawa
TRANSLATION: John Werry, Honyaku Center, Inc.
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Steve “Stan!” Brown
LETTERS: John Hunt
EDITORS: Mike Montesa; Joel Enos
ISBN: 978-1-4215-8960-2; paperback (January 2017); Rated “A” for “All Ages”
404pp, B&W with some color, $17.99 U.S., $24.99 CAN, £12.99 U.K.

The Legend of Zelda is a high-fantasy themed action-adventure video game series published by Nintendo.  Since 1986, Nintendo has published over 20 Zelda games and spin-offs.  For two decades, Nintendo has also officially endorsed and commissioned manga adaptations of The Legend of Zelda.  The Legend of Zelda revolves around Link, a brave knight/warrior, and Princess Zelda of Hyrule, who guides, encourages, instructs, and summons Link to battle evil.

The first Zelda comic was published in 1992, a full-color comic, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, which was loosely based on a 1991 game of the same title.  Mangaka Akira Himekawa has also produced Legend of Zelda manga based on video games.  Himekawa created a multi-chapter serial for each of two Zelda video games, Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages, games that were first released in Japan around 2001.  VIZ Media reprinted each serial in a graphic novel edition back in 2009.

Now, VIZ has returned these two graphic novels to print in an oversized paperback edition, The Legend of Zelda: Legendary Edition – Oracle of Seasons/Oracle of Ages.  In Oracle of Seasons, we are introduced to Link who has been raised by his grandmother and his grandfather.  The grandfather was formerly a brave knight of Hyrule, and that is what he wants Link to be.

Although he wants to chart his own destiny, Link leaves home to participate in a tournament of knights, but he ends up in the land of Holodrum where meets Din the Dancer.  Din turns out to be the Oracle of Seasons, who is being hunted by Onox, General of Darkness.  If Onox can capture Din, he will also have possession of the powerful relic, the Rod of Seasons.  Of course, Link, with the help of brave allies, must stop him.

In Oracle of Ages, Link gets caught up in the quest to find Nayru, the Oracle of Ages.  Veran, the sorceress of shadows, also wants Nayru, and eventually takes possession of her body.  Veran then travels through time, deep into the past of the land of Labrynna, where she uses her dark influence to build a tower that shall reach the skies.  Now, Link and someone with a surprising connection to him must stop her, a long and arduous campaign of many twists and turns.

As I have said before, I am not sure if I ever realized that there were comics and manga based on The Legend of Zelda, although I was aware of the 1989 American animated television miniseries.  Apparently, there are lots and lots of Zelda comics.

If the rest of these comics are like The Legend of Zelda: Legendary Edition – Oracle of Seasons/Oracle of Ages, I want more.  These two stories are even better than the colorful (but kind of simplistic) The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past   Oracles of Seasons and Oracle of Ages are some of the most enjoyable all-ages manga that I have ever read.

I like the clean drawing style of the art, which makes for clear storytelling.  There are some shifts in setting – by either time or region – that seem arbitrary and contrived, but for the most part, this straight-forward quest fantasy and epic adventure proves to be delightful.  This isn't “Game of Thrones” or Lord of the Rings, but Akira Himekawa isn't wary of offering a bit of darkness and character drama to the story for the sake of making the narrative stick with the readers.

A-

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


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: MONSTER HUNTER: Flash Hunter Volume 2

MONSTER HUNTER: FLASH HUNTER, VOL. 2
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Keiichi Hikami
CARTOONIST: Shin Yamamoto
TRANSLATION: John Werry
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Stan!
LETTERS: John Hunt, Primary Graphix
ISBN: 978-1-4215-8426-3; paperback (June 2016); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
224pp, B&W, $10.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 U.K.

Monster Hunter: Flash Hunter is a 10-volume manga series written by Keiichi Hikami and drawn by Shin Yamamoto.  Monster Hunter: Flash Hunter is based on Capcom's Monster Hunter video game series that was initially developed for the PlayStation 2.

Monster Hunter: Flash Hunter is set in an age when monsters rule the world:  soaring through the sky, treading the earth, and filling the seas.  These monsters have forced humanity to survive on the fringes, so people rely on a special kind of hero to defend them from danger – the Monster Hunters.

Monster Hunter: Flash Hunter, Vol. 2 (Chapters 8 to 15) finds our Monster Hunter trio:  fledgling hunter, Raiga; veteran hunter, Keres; and hunter-scholar, Torche taking on a monster called a Rathian.  Known as the “Queen of the Land,” this creature is nearly impossible to defeat.  Can the Hunters stop a monster that can block out the sun?  Plus, the trio reunite to defend a small village from a monster rampage, but Raiga will find that this mission has summoned someone from his past.

[This volume includes the bonus chapters “Another Hunter,” Story 2 and Story 3 and also “Monhun and Me.”]

The Monster Hunter: Flash Hunter manga is a comic book for fans of the Monster Hunter game... I guess.  I don't think I had ever heard of the game before this manga.  In fact, in spite of its “Teen” rating, I think that preteen readers will like this; it is not as if this manga (or at least this volume) contains material that is inappropriate for them.

Monster Hunter: Flash Hunter Volume 1 does offer a menagerie of interesting and fearsome-looking monsters.  That is the one thing that attracts me to this manga because the characters are not doing much to interest me.  Monster Hunter: Flash Hunter, however, does have potential.  I can see the creative team getting more assured of what they are doing with each chapter.

B-

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


The text is copyright © 2016 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Hayate the Combat Butler: Nagi Wants to Be a Mangaka

I read Hayate the Combat Butler, Vol. 27

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin.  Follow me on Twitter and Tumblr or Grumble.  Support me on Patreon.

Master Keaton: The New Adventures of David Bobbid

I read Master Keaton, Vol. 5

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin.  Follow me on Twitter and Tumblr or at Grumble.  Support me on Patreon.

Terra Formars: Joseph C. Newton - Superstar

I read Terra Formars, Vol. 10

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin.  Follow me on Twitter and Tumblr or at Grumble.  Support me on Patreon.

Review: BEHIND THE SCENES Volume 1

BEHIND THE SCENES!!, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Bisco Hatori
TRANSLATION/ENGLISH ADAPTATION: John Werry
LETTERS: Izumi Evers
ISBN: 978-1-4215-8524-6; paperback (February 2016); Rated “T” for “Teen”
200pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Bisco Hatori is known for such manga as Millennium Snow and Ouran High School Host Club, both of which were published in English by VIZ Media.  Her new series is the shojo manga, Behind the Scenes!!, which VIZ Media recently started publishing in English.

The series focuses on Ranmaru Kurisu, an 18-year-old who blames himself for everything.  An outcast from a village of fisherman, Ranmaru is not crazy about people and is not crazy about being around them.  He is now a first year student as Shichikoku University (“Shichi U”), and while he initially planned on trying to find a group into which he could fit, he is back to being his old isolated self.  Then, fate brings him into contact with “The Art Squad.”

As Behind the Scenes!!, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 5) opens, it is two months into Ranmaru's college career.  Now, he is sure that he does not want to be around other people.  Then, he bumps into a young woman who is seemingly being attacked by a zombie, which causes Ranmaru to faint.  As things turn out, this incident is simply part of a college movie shoot.

Shichi U has four film clubs and all of them make their own movies.  The Art Squad works behind the scenes creating costumes, building sets and backdrops, designing special effects and make-up and more for these collegiate film productions.  The Art Squad is full of loud and friendly people, and their leader, Ryuji Goda, puts Ranmaru to use helping them.  Is this the group of weirdos that Ranmaru's been looking for all his life?

As a movie buff with an interest in film-making, I am attracted to the Behind the Scenes!! manga.  As far as subject matter, Behind the Scenes!! is similar to Gimmick!, a manga series by Youzaburou Kanari and Kuroko Yabuguchi.  Gimmick! was a mystery series in which the leads used their movie special effects skills to solve cases.

Behind the Scenes!! Volume 1 makes it clear that this series will be light in tone.  What is not clear is its direction.  It is a college-set ensemble comedy with hints of romance and some family drama.  Although he is a male, Ranmaru Kurisu is like a heroine trying to find her way in a new setting.  In this first volume, Bisco Hatori offers lots of friendship building, and she makes the characters intriguing.  I am interested to see where this series goes.

B+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2016 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

One-Punch Man: Giant Meteor

I read One-Punch Man, Vol. 4

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin.  Follow me on Twitter and Tumblr or at Grumble.  Support me on Patreon.

One-Punch Man: The Rumor

I read One-Punch Man, Vol. 3

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin.  Follow me on Twitter and Tumblr or at Grumble.  Support me on Patreon.

Terra Formars: Bullet Ant

I read Terra Formars, Vol. 9

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin.  Follow me on Twitter and Tumblr or at Grumble.  Support me on Patreon.

Black Rose Alice: Past Loves

I read Black Rose Alice, Vol. 6

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin.  Follow me on Twitter and Tumblr or at Grumble.  Support me on Patreon.