Vampire Hunter D's Island in the Sky

I read Hideyuki Kikuchi's Vampire Hunter D Manga Volume 4 (Vampire Hunter D Graphic Novel)

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin.

I Reads You Review: THE RECORD OF A FALLEN VAMPIRE, VOL. 8

Creators: Kyo Shirodaira (story) and Yuki Kimura (art) with A.J. Katsurada
Publishing Information: VIZ Media, paperback, 208 pages, $9.99 (US), $12.99 CAN
Ordering Numbers: ISBN: 978-1-4215-2901-1 (ISBN-13)

The Record of the Fallen Vampire is a manga series from Kyo Shirodaira (the writer of the manga, Spiral: The Bonds of Reasoning) and artist Yuki Kimura. The series focuses on a powerful vampire king named Akabara “Red Rose” Strauss.

One thousand years ago, Strauss lost both his sovereignty, The Kingdom of the Night, and his wife, Queen Adelheid. Akabara’s enemies, dhampires (humans with vampire blood), entombed Adelheid behind an enchanted seal in a secret location. They erected thousands of false seals to keep Akabara from finding Adelheid’s true location. Akabara’s quest has always been haunted by various incarnations of the Black Swan, his appointed assassin. Inhabiting the body of a young girl, a new, the 50th Black Swan has come to kill Akabara.

By the end of The Record of a Fallen Vampire, Vol. 8, most of the series mysteries have unfolded. The biggest is the revelation of the origins of the Black Swan line and its intimate connection to Akabara. Meanwhile, the dhampires and their human allies struggle with the invading alien force, the Fio.

After reading The Record of a Fallen Vampire, it is easy to believe that Kyo Shirodaira is a novelist. This series doesn’t quite have a cast of thousands, but it seems to be getting there. So many characters mean a sticky web of conflicts and competing motivations. It might seem impossible for a new reader to understand this, but Shirodaira somehow, magically delivers a crisp story.

I have not read this series since Vol. 3, but by the second chapter, practically everything made sense. All the shocking revelations, alone, make this a very nice read, especially for those that are familiar with this series. Because it mixes both shojo and shonen manga, with elements of science fiction, vampire fantasy, horror, and political intrigue, The Record of a Fallen Vampire has something for many tastes.

B

Consume The Record of a Fallen Vampire, Vol. 8

The End of Re:Play

I read Replay Volume 3 (RE: Play)

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin.  This is the final volume of the OEL manga series by Christy Lijewski.

Japanese Pop Art Exhibit at SUPERFROG Gallery

Press release from VIZ Media:

BE MY VALENTINE WITH JAPANESE POP ART AT THE NEW PEOPLE ARTIST VILLAGE


All-Day Event On February 13th Celebrates With A Valentines Themed Art Emporium And Grand Opening Of New Exhibit At SUPERFROG Gallery

NEW PEOPLE partners again with BAZAAR BIZARRE SF to present the NEW PEOPLE ARTIST VILLAGE Vol. 2, a brand new Japanese pop art extravaganza to celebrate the debut of the NEW PEOPLE COLLECTION at the SUPERFROG Gallery.

The NEW PEOPLE ARTIST VILLAGE Vol. 2 kicks off on Saturday, February 13th with a Valentines-themed art emporium taking place from 12:00 noon to 8:00pm. The one-day-only event will feature eleven vendors stationed in kiosks throughout the building offering works from an eclectic mix of Asian and Western artists influenced by Japanese pop culture. The NEW PEOPLE COLLECTION opens the same day in the SUPERFROG Gallery and runs through Sunday, March 21st. Plan a fun and visually enticing trip to NEW PEOPLE and find the perfect gift for your significant other. The event is free to attend; additional information is available at http://www.superfroggallery.com.

Nine dynamic artists featured in one room. The NEW PEOPLE COLLECTION in the SUPERFROG Gallery brings together a vivid mix of pop art visionaries. Enjoy new works from edgy Japanese film director Katsuhito Ishii, Sidney Pink, one of Japan's most inspirational gaijin (foreign) artists, as well as inspired pieces from Junko Mizuno, Kim Songhe, Mikito Ozeki and Yoshitaka Amano. A special opening party will be held on Saturday, February 13th from 5:00pm – 8:00pm. To attend, please sign up for an e-mail newsletter at www.newpeopleworld.com.

Visitors are also invited to explore the TOKYO CREATORS GARDEN, a serene and sunny new boutique on NEW PEOPLE’s 2nd floor that is inspired by the work of artists and craftsmen from Japan. Visitors may browse the many pieces on display or just relax in the colorful environment.


Artists Featured In The NEW PEOPLE COLLECTION Include:

Katsuhito Ishii
Known for his creative vision as a director of feature films, television commercials, and animation, Katsuhito Ishii is here to reveal an imaginative art project that has been secretly developing for the last few years. Ishii formed an art team called "49S" with several designers and sculptors he admired. For a year-and-a-half, Ishii worked away from his film director realm and opened his first art exhibition in France in 2009. For the NEW PEOPLE COLLECTION at the SUPERFROG Gallery, Ishii has selected a special series called FACES, which are illustrations that symbolize "the revival of pop culture.”

Sidney Pink
Sidney Pink is an American artist that creates small pencil and watercolor drawings. Pink also lived and worked in Japan for four years where he found tremendous inspiration for his art. Pink has exhibited in New York, Baltimore, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Berlin, and Tokyo and was nominated for a Jury Prize at Takashi Murakami's art festival, “GEISAI Museum 2.” Japanzine magazine described Pink as, "one of Japan's most inspirational gaijin [foreign] artists."

Junko Mizuno

Junko Mizuno currently resides in San Francisco and enjoys a huge following in the U.S. and is acclaimed for her provocative and strong feminine imagery. She has published numerous manga comics and brings to this exhibition her 3D wall pieces, another expression of her original style.

Kim Songhe

Kim Songhe, a Korean national born in Tokyo, is known for sculptures made of natural materials and reusable wastes. Currently, she designs shop window displays as well as creating original made-to-order chandeliers. She says that she creates to bring new life to objects that are almost dying.

Mikito Ozeki

Mikito Ozeki describes his work as ‘an ambiguous something with no answer’. The BODY series is commonly depicted as “figures like robots”. By presenting the ambiguous ‘something’ with the distinct clear lines and forms of a paper cutout, Ozeki simulates the wavering of human values.

NORITAKE

Noritake uses simple lines and numerous motifs that have nothing in common. He picks out and draws a portion of an image he finds in his own photos, old magazines, and picture books, as well as adding in new elements. Viewers may make their own discovery while glancing at his images.

YOSHITAKA AMANO
Best known for his character designs for Final Fantasy, Yoshitaka Amano brings his newest works to SUPERFROG. His breathtaking and vibrant pieces are boldly coated with auto paint and metallic glitter, an ode to his childhood love for American comics and automobiles.

KAZMO aka Tomomi Kazumoto
Kazmo, screen printer extraordinaire, entertains your eyes with kitschy playfulness and dark nostalgia. She reminds us of our childhood when the world was a blank coloring book ready to be doodled on. Part of the NEW PEOPLE ART Detour, Kazmo is back with a new line of expressive prints.

Yuichi Yokoyama
Yuichi Yokoyama delivers his art in the form of comic illustrations often consisting of nameless characters in transit or in action. With a global following that grew from his manga publications, this is a rare chance to encounter his work on display here in the U.S.


About Bazaar Bizarre San Francisco
Bazaar Bizarre began in 2001 in Boston as an offbeat entertainment extravaganza to showcase the DIY movement and handmade goods. Bazaar Bizarre has spread across the nation to places such as Los Angeles, Cleveland, Maker Faire Bay Area and Austin. Bazaar Bizarre San Francisco is a handmade market, indie entertainment extravaganza and D.I.Y. festival all under one roof. We have quality handmade arts and crafts for sale, DIY workshops and entertainment. More information at: http://www.bazaarbizarre.org/sanfrancisco

About NEW PEOPLE
NEW PEOPLE offers the latest films, art, fashion and retail brands from Japan and is the creative vision of the J-Pop Center Project and VIZ Pictures, a distributor and producer of Japanese live action film. Located at 1746 Post Street, the 20,000 square foot structure features a striking 3-floor transparent glass façade that frames a fun and exotic new environment to engage the imagination into the 21st Century. A dedicated web site is also now available at: http://www.newpeopleworld.com/. [END]

Jormungand Meets the Orchestra

I read Jormungand, Vol. 2

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin.  This was better than the first volume.

Ikigami the Last Lesson

I read Ikigami: The Ultimate Limit, Vol. 4

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin.

Vampire Kisses Blood Relatives Comes to an End with Third Volume

I finally read Vampire Kisses: Blood Relative, Volume III.

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin.  I would go back and say that this was one of the best manga of the year.