Tegami Bachi: The Dead Letter Office

I read Tegami Bachi, Vol. 9 (Tegami Bachi, Letter Bee)

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin (which has FREE comics).

Review: BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER SEASON 9 #6

"Nikki the Vampire Slayer"
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER SEASON 9 #6
DARK HORSE COMICS

WRITER: Andrew Chambliss
PENCILS: Georges Jeanty
INKS: Karl Story
COLORS: Michelle Madsen
LETTERS: Richard Starkings and Comicraft’s Jimmy Betancourt
ALTERNATE COVER: Georges Jeanty with Dexter Vines and Michelle Madsen (Cover A by Phil Noto)
28pp, Color, $2.99 U.S.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8 is a comic book series that debuted in 2007 and ended in 2011. Produced by the creator of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer television series, Joss Whedon, the comic book expanded on the events of the TV show’s last televised season, which was Season 7. Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9 is a sequel to Season 8, and both series are canonical, meaning that the events in these comic book series are part of the television series’ universe and continuity.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9 #6 (“On Your Own” Part One) opens in New York City in 1973, where it finds the Pam Grier-like slayer, Nikki, and her Watcher, Crowley, dealing with vampires. Nikki, however, has an even bigger problem that may actually be more complicated than dealing with slaying vampires.

Back in the present, Spike stands in for Buffy. The bleached-blond vampire assists San Francisco Police Department Detective Dowling in dealing with zompires, and also gives the cop some information on vampires, in general. Meanwhile, Buffy’s own personal problems lead her to Nikki’s son, Robin Wood, and a momentous decision.

I think that it’s been about five years since I’ve read a Buffy comic book, although I did read an issue of Angel & Faith last year (which I liked). I doubt that this ninth issue of Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9 will create many new Buffy fans (if any), but I think Buffy fans will likely enjoy it.

This story isn’t necessarily about slaying, although there is some slaying. On Your Own is a story of mother and child, and it is a bit surprising, even poignant. It shows the dramatic side of Buffy, and the character drama is what makes Buffy the Vampire Slayer like no other vampire thing.

B+

"Study Group" Holds Study Session in Fantagraphics Bookstore Exhibition

Study Group Comix Exhibition at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery on May 12th

A movement is emerging of resourceful young artists and cartoonists forming regional associations to publish and distribute small press comix and zines. Portland, Oregon is home to some of the most promising participants in this developing approach to contemporary comix production. Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery is pleased to present a group show of these cartoonists with “Study Group,” curated by Portland cartoonist and small press publisher Zack Soto.

The “Study Group” exhibition features original art, prints and book works by a diverse group of cartoonists including Aidan Koch, Jennifer Parks, Farel Dalrymple, Kazimir Strzepek, Levon Jihanian, David King, Malachi Ward, Tom Neely, Ian MacEwan, François Vigneault, and more. The exhibition takes its name from Portland artist Zack Soto’s new periodical and publishing imprint. Many of these artists self-publish or are involved in small press cooperative publishing approaches. Their work reflects an independent aesthetic presented in unorthodox formats. These often handcrafted publications reveal a great deal of the artists’ creative process.

The exhibition opens Saturday, May 12 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. Many exhibiting artists will be present. The show continues through June 6, 2012. Fantagraphics Bookstore is located at 1201 S. Vale St., minutes south of downtown Seattle. Open daily 11:30 to 8:00 PM, Sundays until 5:00 PM. Phone 206.658.0110. This event coincides with the colorful Georgetown Art Attack featuring art, music, and more throughout the historic neighborhood.

Listing information:
“Study Group” An Exhibition of Emerging Cartoonists curated by Zack Soto
May 12 – June 6.
Opening reception Saturday, May 12, 6:00 – 9:00 PM.

Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery
1201 S. Vale Street Seattle, WA
206.658.0110

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for May 9 2012

DC COMICS

MAR120200 BATGIRL #9 (NIGHT OF THE OWLS) $2.99

MAR120184 BATMAN #9 (NIGHT OF THE OWLS) $3.99

MAR120187 BATMAN #9 COMBO PACK (NIGHT OF THE OWLS) $4.99

MAR120196 BATMAN AND ROBIN #9 (NITE OF THE OWLS) $2.99

JAN120384 BATMAN ARKHAM CITY SER 2 BATMAN (TEC MODE) AF PI

JAN120383 BATMAN ARKHAM CITY SER 2 CATWOMAN AF PI

JAN120385 BATMAN ARKHAM CITY SER 2 HUSH AF PI

JAN120382 BATMAN ARKHAM CITY SER 2 RIDDLER AF PI

MAR120237 BATMAN ARKHAM UNHINGED #2 $2.99

JAN120300 BATMAN HC VOL 01 THE COURT OF OWLS $24.99

JUL110248 BIBLE HC $29.99

FEB120255 BRIGHTEST DAY TP VOL 02 $19.99

FEB120262 DC UNIVERSE LEGACIES TP $24.99

MAR120224 DEATHSTROKE #9 $2.99

MAR120220 DEMON KNIGHTS #9 $2.99

MAR120274 FAIREST #3 (MR) $2.99

MAR120217 FRANKENSTEIN AGENT OF SHADE #9 $2.99

MAR120204 GREEN LANTERN #9 $2.99

MAR120207 GREEN LANTERN #9 COMBO PACK $3.99

MAR120223 GRIFTER #9 $2.99

MAR120277 IZOMBIE #25 (MR) $2.99

FEB120250 JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL TP VOL 01 SIGNAL MASTERS $14.99

MAR120233 LEGION LOST #9 (THE CULLING) $2.99

AUG110255 LEGION OF SUPER HEROES ARCHIVES HC VOL 13 $59.99

MAR120281 MYSTERY IN SPACE #1 (MR) $7.99

MAR120238 NIGHT FORCE #3 (OF 6) $2.99

MAR120219 RESURRECTION MAN #9 $2.99

MAR120267 SCOOBY DOO WHERE ARE YOU #21 $2.99

MAR120225 SUICIDE SQUAD #9 $2.99

MAR120182 SUPERBOY #9 (THE CULLING) $2.99

FEB120265 SUPERMAN GROUNDED TP VOL 01 $17.99

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for May 9 2012

MARVEL COMICS

MAR120577 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN PARALLEL LIVES #1 $4.99

MAR120696 ASTONISHING X-MEN BY WEAVER POSTER $8.99

MAR120677 ASTONISHING X-MEN TP VOL 07 MONSTROUS $16.99

MAR120645 AVENGERS ACADEMY PREM HC SECOND SEMESTER $24.99

MAR120548 AVENGERS ASSEMBLE #3 $3.99

MAR120644 AVENGERS BY BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS PREM HC VOL 03 $29.99

DEC110697 AVENGERS CROSSING OMNIBUS HC DEODATO DM VAR ED $99.99

DEC110696 AVENGERS CROSSING OMNIBUS HC SCHERBERGER CVR $99.99

DEC110703 AVENGERS PRIVATE WAR OF DR DOOM PREM HC $29.99

DEC110704 AVENGERS PRIVATE WAR OF DR DOOM PREM HC DM VAR ED 89 $29.99

MAR120698 AVENGERS VS X-MEN BY OPENA POSTER $8.99

MAR120570 AVENGING SPIDER-MAN #7 $3.99

MAR120583 CAPTAIN AMERICA #11 $3.99

MAR120585 CAPTAIN AMERICA AND HAWKEYE #630 $2.99

MAR120658 CAPTAIN AMERICA BY ED BRUBAKER PREM HC VOL 02 $19.99

FEB128243 DEADPOOL #51 2ND PTG JOHNSON VAR (PP #1018) $2.99

FEB128244 DEADPOOL #52 2ND PTG JOHNSON VAR (PP #1018) $2.99

MAR120627 DEADPOOL #54 $2.99

MAR120695 ESSENTIAL BLACK PANTHER TP VOL 01 $19.99

MAR120687 HALO FALL OF REACH COVENANT TP $16.99

MAR120592 HULK #51 $2.99

MAR120551 HULK SMASH AVENGERS #2 (OF 5) $2.99

MAR120697 INCREDIBLE HULK BY KORMARCK POSTER $8.99

MAR120602 JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #637 EXILED $2.99

MAR120675 MAGNETO NOT A HERO TP $14.99

MAR120610 MARVEL UNIVERSE AVENGERS EARTHS HEROES #2 $2.99

MAR120599 MARVEL ZOMBIES DESTROY #1 (OF 5) $3.99

DEC110708 MMW AVENGERS HC VOL 12 $59.99

DEC110709 MMW AVENGERS HC VOL 12 DM VAR ED 179 $59.99

MAR120542 NEW AVENGERS #26 AVX $3.99

MAR120670 OZ OZMA OF OZ GN TP $19.99

FEB120643 POWERS PREM HC VOL 06 SELLOUTS (MR) $24.99

MAR120607 PUNISHER #11 $2.99

MAR120576 SCARLET SPIDER #5 $2.99

DEC110714 SILVER SURFER PARABLE PREM HC $24.99

DEC110715 SILVER SURFER PARABLE PREM HC DM VAR ED 91 $24.99

MAR120691 SPIDER-MAN IDENTITY CRISIS TP NEW PTG $24.99

JAN120731 SPIDER-MAN SEASON ONE PREM HC WITH DIG CDE $24.99

MAR120632 TAKIO #1 $3.95

DEC110716 THING SERPENT CROWN AFFAIR PREM HC $24.99

DEC110717 THING SERPENT CROWN AFFAIR PREM HC DM VAR ED 92 $24.99

MAR120561 ULTIMATE COMICS ULTIMATES #10 $3.99

MAR120563 ULTIMATE COMICS X-MEN #11 $3.99

DEC110720 ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN HC VOL 12 $39.99

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MAR120617 WOLVERINE #306 $3.99

MAR120540 WOLVERINE AND X-MEN #10 AVX $3.99

MAR120546 X-MEN LEGACY #266 AVX $2.99

NOV110604 X-MEN MUTANT GENESIS 2.0 HC $49.99

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for May 9 2012

IDW PUBLISHING

FEB120390 ANNE RICE SERVANT OF THE BONES HC $24.99
JAN120480 ARCHIE SUNDAYS FINEST HC $49.99
MAR120390 DEAD RISING ROAD TO FORTUNE TP $17.99
MAR120314 DOCTOR WHO CLASSICS SERIES IV #4 (OF 6) $3.99
FEB120326 DUNGEONS & DRAGONS FORGOTTEN REALMS #1 $3.99
MAR120318 FRANKENSTEIN ALIVE ALIVE #1 $3.99
MAR120326 GI JOE VOL 2 ONGOING #13 $3.99
FEB120379 MEMORIAL #5 (OF 6) $3.99
MAR120377 NIGHT OF 1000 WOLVES #1 (OF 3) $3.99
MAR120372 TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES COLOR CLASSICS #1 $3.99
FEB120358 TRANSFORMERS IDW COLLECTION HC VOL 06 $49.99
MAR120320 TRIO #1 $3.99

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for May 9 2012

DARK HORSE COMICS

MAR120048 ALABASTER WOLVES #2 (OF 5) $3.50
JAN120107 BLOOD BLOCKADE BATTLEFRONT TP VOL 02 $10.99
MAR120046 BTVS SEASON 9 FREEFALL #9 JEANTY VAR CVR $2.99
MAR120045 BTVS SEASON 9 FREEFALL #9 NOTO CVR $2.99
FEB120072 DRAGON AGE II EMBROIDERED PATCH CHANTRY $4.99
FEB120073 DRAGON AGE II EMBROIDERED PATCH KIRKWALL $4.99
FEB120074 DRAGON AGE II EMBROIDERED PATCH QUANARI $4.99
FEB120075 DRAGON AGE II EMBROIDERED PATCH TEMPLARS $4.99
JAN120105 FLCL OMNIBUS GN $19.99
MAR120041 LOBSTER JOHNSON THE BURNING HAND #5 (OF 5) $3.50
JAN120102 SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN TP VOL 11 $19.99
MAR120016 STAR WARS KNIGHTS OF THE OLD REPUBLIC WAR #5 (OF 5) $3.50