I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin. This is the first collection of the online comic and OEL manga from the UK-based Sweatdrop Studios.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Aya and Takeo's First Book
I read Aya Takeo Volume 1
I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin. This is the first collection of the online comic and OEL manga from the UK-based Sweatdrop Studios.
I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin. This is the first collection of the online comic and OEL manga from the UK-based Sweatdrop Studios.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
I Reads You Review: CROQUIS (Yaoi)
CROQUIS
Creator: Hinako Takanaga
Publishing Information: BLU, B&W, paperback, 208 pages, $14.99 (US), $18.99 CAN
Ordering Numbers: ISBN: 978-1-4278-1799-0 (ISBN-13)
In the yaoi manga, Croquis, from creator Hinako Takanaga (A Capable Man
, You Will Fall in Love
), the ever-so-delicate subject of first love is explored. Young men not only struggle with their feelings, but also with coming out to the objects of their affections.In the title story, Croquis, Nagi Sasahara always wanted to be a girl. Now, he works as a sort of drag queen-in-training at a gay bar called the Pink Cat. Nagi also has a part-time modeling gig at an art school. Why does he have two jobs? Nagi is saving money for a boob job-breast augmentation, so that he can have big breasts and appear more feminine.
The art school is where the problems begin. Nagi notices that one of the students, Shinji Kaji, stares at him. Kaji is certainly friendly enough, but Nagi is afraid of telling Kaji that he is gay or even revealing his biggest secret: that he is a fledgling drag queen. Nagi just can’t stop believing that Kaji doesn’t totally accept him for what he is.
Croquis, the graphic novel in this collection, plays at being the usual yaoi romance about a small of stature uke (bottom) smitten with a tall, dark seme (top). While it does have such romance comics tropes as lovers quarrels, spats with jealous friends, sleepless nights, etc., Croquis also addresses body image issues, coming out, and virginity, among others, giving this fictional romance a bit of an edge.
Some yaoi manga, which depict explicit sex between male lovers, can be sweet even when featuring randy sex scenes. Croquis is tart; it offers a happy ending, but never pretends that lovers, even soul mates, have an easy affair. It isn’t as if this is some powerful drama, because it doesn’t go into depth about anything, but just the fact that it makes coming out and body image issues such a part of the story is surprising.
The other two stories are a bit lighter and more standard yaoi. In the two part “On My First Love,” each of the two chapters is told from the point of view of one of the former classmates, Torii and Kamota. It is fun to see how each man bungled the romance in his own unique way. “Wish upon a Star” about Sei Mayama, a high school sophomore who hates stars (for the most ridiculous reason), is silly. The object of his affections, a senior named Daiki, is equally ridiculous, but the story is a nice read.
Overall, Croquis is another good yaoi manga from Hinako Takanaga. Her deft touch with character drama makes her worth watching.
Buy CROQUIS
Le Sketch #09 is Out
The ninth issue of Le Sketch is available.
In this issue, cartoonist and illustrator Matthew Thurber presents an array of 14 sketches featuring electric demigods, esoteric scribbles, smiling cats and dogs and allegorical creatures that would happily eat you up in a blink. All printed in red carnelian and a spanky purple!
About Matthew: he publishes the comic book series 1-800-MICE. His work has appeared in Kramer's Ergot, The Ganzfeld, and many other anthologies - and he also contributes with comics to Vice Magazine. He performs occasionally as Ambergris.
Stay tuned, in early March, the publisher will give away 10 free signed copies by Matthew.
Le Sketch is available for free in these locations - get your free copy now!
In this issue, cartoonist and illustrator Matthew Thurber presents an array of 14 sketches featuring electric demigods, esoteric scribbles, smiling cats and dogs and allegorical creatures that would happily eat you up in a blink. All printed in red carnelian and a spanky purple!
About Matthew: he publishes the comic book series 1-800-MICE. His work has appeared in Kramer's Ergot, The Ganzfeld, and many other anthologies - and he also contributes with comics to Vice Magazine. He performs occasionally as Ambergris.
Stay tuned, in early March, the publisher will give away 10 free signed copies by Matthew.
Le Sketch is available for free in these locations - get your free copy now!
AIR Sends Letters from Narimar
I finally read Air Vol. 1: Letters from Lost Countries.
I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin. This is the first collection of the Vertigo series, which I believe is up to issue 18 and which also has a second trade paperback collection.
----------------------------
I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin. This is the first collection of the Vertigo series, which I believe is up to issue 18 and which also has a second trade paperback collection.
----------------------------
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Dark Horse to Publish Denis Kitchen Art Book in June
DARK HORSE ANNOUNCES THE PUBLICATION OF THE ODDLY COMPELLING ART OF DENIS KITCHEN
NEW COLLECTION FEATURES INTRODUCTION BY NEIL GAIMAN
A well-known personality in the comics world, Denis Kitchen has worn many hats. While he is best known as a longtime publisher, founder of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, author, and literary and art agent, his career as a pioneering underground comix artist has been overdue for rediscovery.
First announced for publication from his own Kitchen Sink Press over twenty years ago, but never produced, The Oddly Compelling Art of Denis Kitchen is the first collection of work by the underground cartoonist and acclaimed publishing pioneer. In addition to his comix, this book features a wealth of unpublished material: paintings, covers for underground newspapers and comix, rare strips and illustrations, and historic photos of Kitchen and many of his contemporaries.
Acclaimed writer Neil Gaiman provides a funny and insightful introduction, and an essay by Charles Brownstein (Eisner/Miller) provides context and a career overview.
The Oddly Compelling Art of Denis Kitchen
finally brings Kitchen the artist to the stage. This compendium includes approximately two hundred illustrations, most of which have remained unseen since their original publication in the late ’60s and ’70s, and is guaranteed to serve as an essential piece of history for modern comics fans.
“I think Oddly Compelling is a very good title for a book of Denis Kitchen’s work, and describes it very well,” said legendary artist R. Crumb. “I always thought it was rather a shame that Kitchen became a publisher and businessman to the neglect of his artistic talent . . . He was a gifted and exceptional artist . . . I think his downfall was women . . . The big sap!”
Designed by John Lind, winner of a 2009 American Graphic Design Award for his work on Underground Classics
, The Oddly Compelling Art of Denis Kitchen will appeal to underground comix fans and comics historians alike.
The Oddly Compelling Art of Denis Kitchen is a full-color, 200-page, nine-by-twelve-inch hardcover priced at $34.99.
Currently offered in this month’s Previews catalog with a Diamond code of FEB100040, the book arrives on shelves on June 23, 2010.
NEW COLLECTION FEATURES INTRODUCTION BY NEIL GAIMAN
A well-known personality in the comics world, Denis Kitchen has worn many hats. While he is best known as a longtime publisher, founder of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, author, and literary and art agent, his career as a pioneering underground comix artist has been overdue for rediscovery.
First announced for publication from his own Kitchen Sink Press over twenty years ago, but never produced, The Oddly Compelling Art of Denis Kitchen is the first collection of work by the underground cartoonist and acclaimed publishing pioneer. In addition to his comix, this book features a wealth of unpublished material: paintings, covers for underground newspapers and comix, rare strips and illustrations, and historic photos of Kitchen and many of his contemporaries.
Acclaimed writer Neil Gaiman provides a funny and insightful introduction, and an essay by Charles Brownstein (Eisner/Miller) provides context and a career overview.
The Oddly Compelling Art of Denis Kitchen
finally brings Kitchen the artist to the stage. This compendium includes approximately two hundred illustrations, most of which have remained unseen since their original publication in the late ’60s and ’70s, and is guaranteed to serve as an essential piece of history for modern comics fans.“I think Oddly Compelling is a very good title for a book of Denis Kitchen’s work, and describes it very well,” said legendary artist R. Crumb. “I always thought it was rather a shame that Kitchen became a publisher and businessman to the neglect of his artistic talent . . . He was a gifted and exceptional artist . . . I think his downfall was women . . . The big sap!”
Designed by John Lind, winner of a 2009 American Graphic Design Award for his work on Underground Classics
, The Oddly Compelling Art of Denis Kitchen will appeal to underground comix fans and comics historians alike.The Oddly Compelling Art of Denis Kitchen is a full-color, 200-page, nine-by-twelve-inch hardcover priced at $34.99.
Currently offered in this month’s Previews catalog with a Diamond code of FEB100040, the book arrives on shelves on June 23, 2010.
Vampire's Portrait Reveals True Faces
I read Vampire's Portrait Volume 2 (Yaoi)
I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin. This is the concluding volume. Also, I see a touch of Tomb of Dracula
here.
I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin. This is the concluding volume. Also, I see a touch of Tomb of Dracula
here.Tuesday, February 23, 2010
DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for February 24 2010
DC COMICS
DEC090153 BATMAN AND ROBIN #9 $2.99
NOV090168 BATMAN CHRONICLES TP VOL 09
$14.99
NOV090169 BATMAN KING TUTS TOMB
TP $14.99
NOV090252 BATTLE OF GENRYU ORIGIN VOL 02 $9.99
DEC090232 BILLY BATSON AND THE MAGIC OF SHAZAM #13 $2.50
DEC090148 BLACK LANTERN GREEN ARROW #30 (BLACKEST NIGHT) $3.99
DEC090133 BLACKEST NIGHT #7 (OF 8) $3.99
DEC090142 BLACKEST NIGHT JSA #3 (OF 3) $2.99
JUL090329 COVER GIRLS OF THE DCU POWER GIRL STATUE $99.99
NOV090176 FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH RUN
TP $17.99
JUL090202 FLASH REBIRTH #6 (OF 6) $2.99
DEC090163 GOTHAM CITY SIRENS #9 $2.99
NOV090172 HITMAN TP VOL 02 10000 BULLETS NEW PTG $17.99
DEC090311 JUSTICE LEAGUE CRISIS TWO EARTHS OWLMAN MAQUETTE $99.99
DEC090187 JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #36 $2.99
DEC090276 MADAME XANADU #20 (MR) $2.99
DEC090277 NORTHLANDERS #25 (MR) $2.99
NOV090239 SCALPED #35 (MR) $2.99
DEC090169 SUPERMAN #697 $2.99
DEC090194 TEEN TITANS #80 $3.99
DEC090282 UNKNOWN SOLDIER #17 (MR) $2.99
DEC090246 VICTORIAN UNDEAD #4 (OF 6) $2.99
DEC090199 WEB #6 $3.99
DEC090239 WILDCATS #20 $2.99
DEC090200 WONDER WOMAN #41 $2.99
DEC090153 BATMAN AND ROBIN #9 $2.99
NOV090168 BATMAN CHRONICLES TP VOL 09
$14.99NOV090169 BATMAN KING TUTS TOMB
TP $14.99NOV090252 BATTLE OF GENRYU ORIGIN
VOL 02 $9.99DEC090232 BILLY BATSON AND THE MAGIC OF SHAZAM #13 $2.50
DEC090148 BLACK LANTERN GREEN ARROW #30 (BLACKEST NIGHT) $3.99
DEC090133 BLACKEST NIGHT #7 (OF 8) $3.99
DEC090142 BLACKEST NIGHT JSA #3 (OF 3) $2.99
JUL090329 COVER GIRLS OF THE DCU POWER GIRL STATUE $99.99
NOV090176 FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH RUN
TP $17.99JUL090202 FLASH REBIRTH #6 (OF 6) $2.99
DEC090163 GOTHAM CITY SIRENS #9 $2.99
NOV090172 HITMAN TP VOL 02 10000 BULLETS NEW PTG $17.99
DEC090311 JUSTICE LEAGUE CRISIS TWO EARTHS OWLMAN MAQUETTE $99.99
DEC090187 JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #36 $2.99
DEC090276 MADAME XANADU #20 (MR) $2.99
DEC090277 NORTHLANDERS #25 (MR) $2.99
NOV090239 SCALPED #35 (MR) $2.99
DEC090169 SUPERMAN #697 $2.99
DEC090194 TEEN TITANS #80 $3.99
DEC090282 UNKNOWN SOLDIER #17 (MR) $2.99
DEC090246 VICTORIAN UNDEAD #4 (OF 6) $2.99
DEC090199 WEB #6 $3.99
DEC090239 WILDCATS #20 $2.99
DEC090200 WONDER WOMAN #41 $2.99
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