Review: FARLAINE THE GOBLIN: Book 4: The Twistlands

FARLAINE THE GOBLIN #4
STUDIO FARLAINE – @TreeGoblin

CARTOONIST: Anonymous
COVER: Anonymous
VARIANT COVER: Charles Paul Wilson III
ISBN:  978-0-9890058-4-5; paperback (September 2015)
56pp, B&W; $5.00 U.S.

All-Ages

I am having fun reading the Farlaine the Goblin graphic novels series.  Published by Studio Farliane, this all-ages comic is written and drawn by a cartoonist credited  as “Anonymous.”  I contacted Studio Farliane, and they sent me review copies of two Farlaine the Goblin books.

This graphic novel series focuses on Farlaine the Goblin.  He is a tree goblin and a shaman from the forest of Fin-Din.  He has spent many years wandering the many Oddlands of Wug in search of a forest that he can call his own.  His companion is Ehrenwort, a tree he carries in a sack on his back; Farlaine also talks to Ehrenwort, whom he describes as his “Verdan.”

Published this past September, Farlaine the Goblin, Trade Paperback, Book 4, The Twistlands (landscape dimensions 11.8” x 7.75”) is the most recent release in the series.  As The Twistlands begins, Farlaine only has seven lands left in which to find his own forest.  The story opens with Farlaine and his new friend and companion, “Tink,” of the Tinklands, entering the “Twistlands.”

Farlaine and Tink soon learn just why this place is called the Twistlands; it is full of twisters, and one of them just spirited away Ehrenwort.  With the help of the cute “Twistcatchers,” Farlaine chases the tree-napper, which just so happens to be the most powerful twister in the land, the “Dowager.”  Can this home-seeking tree goblin and Tink and their new companions survive an arduous journey to the domain of this most powerful twister.

After reading Farlaine the Goblin, Trade Paperback, Volume 1, which collects the first three graphic novels in the series, I was surprised that a series this good could not find a publisher, forcing the creator to self-publish it.  After all all, many North American comic book publishers and some book publishers that publish comics claim to want to publish graphic novels for young readers.  The black and white Farlaine the Goblin is so worthy of being published by a big company, one that has major advertising and marketing resources.

This imaginative series, which mixes fantasy with situation comedy, is appropriate for young readers, but does not condescend to them.  The stories are action and adventure-oriented without being explicitly or aggressively violent.  Whatever its magic is, Farlaine the Goblin is appropriate for adult readers; after all, we deserve good comics, too.

In my review of the trade collection, I noted that Anonymous was going to improve in terms of his storytelling, as he was already a strong artist and illustrator.  I see that growth in Farlaine the Goblin, Trade Paperback, Book 4, The Twistlands.  The story is tight and efficient, and this time, the guest stars, the Twistcatchers, are every bit as likable as Farlaine and Tink.  I find these little fellows to be both endearing and fascinating.

Sigh.  I did not want Book 4 to end, which is a feeling that a good comic book should evoke in a reader.  Still, like the best fantasy adventures, Farlaine the Goblin, Trade Paperback, Book 4, The Twistlands is worth another read.  Fantasy readers of every age will want to try the imaginative, all-ages Farlaine the Goblin.

facebook.com/FarlianeTheGoblin
www.farlaine.com

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

Review: YO-KAI WATCH Volume 1

YO-KAI WATCH, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA/Perfect Square – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Noriyuki Konishi
ORIGINAL STORY: Level 5, Inc.
TRANSLATION: Tetsuichiro Miyaki
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Aubrey Sitterson
LETTERS: William F Schuch
EDITOR: Joel Enos
ISBN: 978-1-4215-8251-1; paperback (November 2015); Rated “A” for “All Ages”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN

Yo-Kai Watch is a video game created by Japanese video game developer, Level-5.  It is published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 3DS.  Yo-Kai Watch inspired a manga produced by mangaka, Noriyuki Konishi.  This manga is the latest addition to VIZ Media's “Perfect Square” imprint, and November sees the release of the first two volumes of Yo-Kai Watch.

Yo-Kai Watch, Vol. 1 (entitled Nate's Lucky Day; Chapters 1 to 7) introduces Nate Adams, an ordinary elementary school student.  One day, Nate meets a strange yokai (called “yo-kai” in this series) named “Whisper.”  The floating, blob-like Whisper gives to Nate a gift.  It is the “Yo-Kai Watch,” which allows Nate to see yo-kai that are invisible to the human eye.  Soon, Nate is helping yo-kai and collecting from each one a “Yo-Kai Metal,” a memento of friendship that allows him to call on each one when he needs help.

[This volume includes the bonus story, “Late to School!!]

The Yo-Kai Watch manga is a good graphic novel series for young comics readers, especially those already familiar with Yu-Gi-Oh! manga.  In fact, I would not be surprised to learn that Yo-Kai Watch is inspired by Yu-Gi-Oh!  Both franchises encourage fans to collect franchise-related creatures and creature-inspired objects and ephemera.

That aside, Yo-Kai Watch Volume 1 is a good read.  The stories are not exactly taken from the “wheel of morality,” but each offers a lesson to learn.  Also, Nate Adams is an all-around good guy, who is always up for adventure and discovery, which is a good thing in a lead character, whether the story is for young or old.

B

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

Review: THE SPIRIT #1

THE SPIRIT #1 (2007)
DC COMICS – @DCComics

WRITER/PENCILS: Darwyn Cooke
INKS: J. Bone
COLORS: Dave Stewart
LETTERS: Jared Fletcher
EDITOR: Scott Dunbier
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S., $4.00 CAN (February 2007)

The Spirit created by Will Eisner

“Ice Ginger Coffee”

Beginning in 2007, DC Comics brought Will Eisner’s classic comics character, The Spirit, back with a new monthly comic book series, the first of two DC published over a five-year period.  The first 12 issues of the first series were written and drawn by acclaimed cartoonist and writer/artist, Darwyn Cooke.  I reviewed the first issue for the 105th edition of my old “Mr. Charlie” column for the ComicBookBin.

Here’s is that review:

In 1997-98, the now-defunct Kitchen Sink Press published eight issues of The Spirit: New Adventures.  It was an anthology title wherein a number of writers, artists, and cartoonists chronicled new, post-Eisner Spirit tales.  Over the course of those eight issues, Alan Moore wrote two stories:  an issue-length tale drawn by Dave Gibbons and a short story drawn by Daniel Torres.  Neil Gaiman teamed with Eddie Campbell.  Paul Chadwick and Paul Pope were two of the many artists who drew stories for the new series.  Perhaps, it was The Spirit: New Adventures that opened my mind to the idea of new Spirit tales from modern comic book creators.  I was saddened when Kitchen Sink Press troubles meant the cancellation of this series, and if I remember correctly, at least a nine issues was published.

Now, it’s DC Comics' turn to launch a new Spirit comic book.  When I learned that Darwyn Cooke would write and draw The Spirit in a new ongoing series, I instantly knew that I was likely going to like this book, and after reading the first issue, I look forward to #2, #3, #4…

I think I like this because so far it seems as if Cooke doesn't plan on making major changes to Will Eisner's famous costumed hero.  Even in this first issue, Cooke eschews "making the character his own," by transforming The Spirit into something else.  He's modernized the setting, the sets, and backdrops, but the characters are basically the same.  The plots are similar in style, but Cooke takes more pages to do what Eisner did in fewer pages (and need I say better).

The sole major change Cooke makes is to Eisner's lovable Sambo, Ebony White, The Spirit's "colored" sidekick for much of the 1940's.  The character, a thick-lipped, black kid who spoke the way many White people still think African-Americans speak (broken, minstrel English), remains hugely controversial.  Eisner apologists and/or racists defend Ebony's characterization as being acceptable at the time Eisner and others wrote Spirit stories (well, at least it was acceptable to White folks).  Now, Ebony is a sassy, young Negroid who spouts the kind of witty banter that might make him safe for The Disney Channel.  He's urban and hip-hop-ish, but not so dangerous that he couldn't date Raven of the Disney’s Channels’ “That’s So Raven.”

This first issue story, entitled "Ice Ginger Coffee" finds The Spirit racing to rescue a cable news network anchor.  Ginger Coffee (a light-skinned African-American type who blends Halle Berry and Gabrielle Union) has just been promoted to anchor of National News Network.  Her big expose to celebrate her rise is an interview of a mystery guest with insider information on the criminal organization of Amos Weinstock, aka "The Pill."  The Pill, whose obese body is covered in pustules that secrete flesh-dissolving fluids, has Ginger kidnapped.  It's The Spirit to the rescue, but Ginger, ever determined to break news, has found a way to give her audience an insider's view of her precarious situation, much to The Spirit's chagrin.  She may cost her and The Spirit their lives.

Cooke's art (inked by J. Bone) is a close relative of the style Eisner and his studio used on The Spirit back in the 1940's.  Dave Stewart's coloring is good, but comes across as a candy-coated version of Batman's dreary world.  The Spirit's world is vibrant and four-colored, and I'm hoping to see more of that in future issues.  In the meantime, I'm a satisfied fanboy and I'm curious about the future of this new series. [END]

So that’s what I had to say about The Spirit #1.  You can see the original version of this review at this link: http://www.comicbookbin.com/thespirit200701.html

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

 --------------------------

Review: IDOL DREAMS Volume 1

IDOL DREAMS, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Arina Tanemura
TRANSLATION: Tetsuchiro Miyaki
LETTERING: Inori Fukuda Trant
EDITOR: Nancy Thislethwaite
ISBN: 978-1-4215-8256-6; paperback (November 2015); Rated “T” for “Teen”
184pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Idol Dreams is a shojo manga from mangaka, Arina Tanemura, the creator of such manga as Full Moon and The Gentlemen's Alliance †, to name just two of many.  A series for adult readers, Idol Dreams follows an ordinary office worker who becomes a teenager again and gets a shot at becoming a star.

Idol Dreams, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 5) introduces Chikage Deguchi, an office worker who believes that she has missed out on love and success.  During her high school reunion, it is revealed that she is 31-years-old and is still a virgin.  Although she is humiliated, Chikage gets a chance to be 15-years-old again, thanks to high school friend, Tokita.  On her first day being a teen again, a chance at stardom comes her way, but is Chikage really ready to change... everything.

[This manga includes the bonus, “Arina Way of Manga.”]

In her cartoon essay, mangaka Arina Tanemura says that when she was trying to decide what her next project should be, a publisher asked her to create a “magical girl” manga for adult readers.  The result is the Idol Dreams manga.

Idol Dreams Volume 1 has a “T for Teen” rating, but the series, in many ways, is indeed for older readers.  Teen can certainly read Idol Dreams, but you have to have at least reached a certain age well into adulthood in order not just to understand, but also to feel Chikage's sense of regret about what could have been.  The smart thing that Tanemura does is that she immediately confronts the reader with this reality:  how many of us would really do things differently if given the chance “to do it all over?”

I have liked many Tanemura manga, but Idol Dreams is the first one that I have liked unconditionally after only one volume.  I am dreaming of the chance to read the next volume.


A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

Review: BATMAN/SPIRIT #1

BATMAN/THE SPIRIT #1
DC COMICS – @DCComics

SCRIPT: Jeph Loeb
PENCILS: Darwyn Cooke
INKS: J. Bone
COLORS: Dave Stewart
LETTERS: Comicraft
48pp, Color, $4.99 U.S., $6.75 CAN (January 2007)

The Batman created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger

The Spirit created by Will Eisner

“Crime Convention”

Batman/The Spirit was a one-shot, stand-alone comic book starring Batman and Will Eisner’s classic comic book character, The Spirit.  The comic book was released in late 2006, but has a 2007 cover date.  This crossover comic book is a collaboration between award-winning and celebrated creators, Jeph Loeb and Darwyn Cooke.  I reviewed it early 2007 as the 104th edition of my old “Mr. Charlie” column at the Comic Book Bin.

Here, is the classic review:

Sometime in the last few years or so, DC Comics obtained the rights to publish new comic books featuring Will Eisner's famous costumed hero, The Spirit.  As a prelude to the new series, DC presents Batman/The Spirit #1 with a script by Jeph Loeb and pencils by Darwyn Cooke (who will write and pencil the new Spirit title).  Entitled "Crime Convention," it tells of the first meeting of Batman (Bruce Wayne) and The Spirit (Denny Colt), which apparently happened several years in the past.  Robin is only 13 in the story.

The denizens of Batman's Gotham City and The Spirit's Central City come together in Hawaii for The Policeman's Benevolent Association's Annual Law Enforcement Convention.  Commissioners Gordon of Gotham City and Dolan of Central City are eager to take this working vacation.  What they don't know is that the convention is the epicenter of a diabolical plot with The Spirit's mysterious nemesis, The Octopus, as the mastermind.

Aiding him are such Spirit villains as P'Gell (who has seduced Commissioner Gordon), Carrion, The Vulture (and his pet vulture, Julia), among others.  From The Batman's rogue's gallery, many bad guys join the plot including The Joker and Harley Quinn, Catwoman, The Penguin, and Poison Ivy (who gains control of Commissioner Dolan through her poisonous kisses).  Gordon's daughter, Barbara (who apparently hasn't become Batgirl at this point), and Dolan's daughter, Ellen, also make small appearances.

Batman (and Robin) and The Spirit join forces in Hawaii to discover the details of plot and foil it, but first Batman and The Spirit have a small tussle.  It's after their first misunderstanding they find that with so many of their adversaries in town, they might have their hands full, so joining forces is the way to go.

Batman/The Spirit is like a love letter to both the creators and fans of these two venerable characters and their supporting casts and places.  Jeph Loeb's story is light, breezy, and moves fast - being more like Will Eisner's comix than what Bob Kane and Bill Finger did in their Batman comic books.  It should be no surprise that Loeb, who brought together the most prominent Bat-characters in the 12-part serial, Batman: Hush, does much the same thing in Batman/The Spirit, although in a lighter… spirit.  Still, the story is a bit dark.  There are murders committed in the background of this tale, and readers may interpret the scene in one panel to mean that Commissioner Gordon had sex with P'Gell, the long-time Spirit villainess.

The real treat here is Darwyn Cooke's art (with inks by J. Bone).  One of those artists with a "cartoony" style, Cooke worked on the popular "Batman: The Animated Series" television series.  Cooke draws a great looking Batman.  His art has a tone and style that captures the fun, B-movie, sci-fi spirit of DC Comics from the 1950's and 1960's.  Cooke displayed that so well in DC: The New Frontier, and his comic art for Batman/The Spirit looks like an untold tale set in the era of The New Frontier.  Cooke brings his own style to the table, though he references Eisner and also some of the Batman comic book artists who worked from the 1930's to the 60's without mimicking them.  You could say that he captures the spirit of those artists and those times.

I'd love to see Batman team up with The Spirit again, but only face one villain each from their respective rogue's gallery.  There are many other writers besides Loeb who could write this possible sequel, but if Cooke isn't available to draw it, hopefully DC will realize that the shortlist of artists who could do this project justice is indeed very short. [ENDS]

----------------

So that’s what I had to say about this comic book 7(!) years ago.  You can find the original version of this review at the following link: http://www.comicbookbin.com/batmanandthespirit2006.html

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for November 4, 2015

DC COMICS

SEP150256     BAT MITE #6     $2.99
SEP150193     BATMAN AND ROBIN ETERNAL #5     $2.99
SEP150258     BATMAN ARKHAM KNIGHT #10     $3.99
JUL150305     BATMAN ARKHAM TWO FACE TP     $19.99
AUG150264     BATMAN LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT TP VOL 05     $16.99
MAY150234     BATMAN THE DARK KNIGHT SAGA HC     $49.99
JUL150312     BIRDS OF PREY TP VOL 01     $19.99
SEP150254     DETECTIVE COMICS #46     $3.99
SEP150217     GREEN ARROW #46     $2.99
SEP150276     GREEN LANTERN #46     $3.99
AUG150242     HARLEY QUINN & POWER GIRL #5     $3.99
AUG150169     JUSTICE LEAGUE DARKSEID WAR FLASH #1     $3.99
AUG150171     JUSTICE LEAGUE DARKSEID WAR SUPERMAN #1     $3.99
SEP150220     LOBO #12     $2.99
AUG150269     LUTHOR TP     $14.99
SEP150222     MIDNIGHTER #6     $2.99
SEP150282     MORTAL KOMBAT X #12 (MR)     $3.99
AUG150276     ROBIN TP VOL 01 REBORN     $19.99
JUL150333     SANDMAN OVERTURE DELUXE ED HC (MR)     $24.99
SEP150283     SCOOBY DOO TEAM UP #13     $2.99
SEP150230     SENSATION COMICS FEATURING WONDER WOMAN #16     $3.99
JUL150341     SUICIDERS HC VOL 01 (MR)     $22.99
SEP150328     SURVIVORS CLUB #2 (MR)     $3.99
SEP150319     UNFOLLOW #1 (MR)     $3.99

DC COMICS/DC COLLECTIBLES

MAY150294     BATMAN BLACK & WHITE HARLEY QUINN STATUE BY DINI     $79.95
JUN150331     FLASH TV CENTRAL CITY POLICE BADGE     $29.95

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for November 4, 2015

MARVEL COMICS

AUG150882     AGE OF APOCALYPSE TP WARZONES     $16.99
SEP150737     AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #3     $3.99
MAY150812     AVENGERS BY BUSIEK AND PEREZ OMNIBUS HC VOL 02     $125.00
SEP150730     AVENGERS VS INFINITY #1     $5.99
SEP150845     BLADE UNDEAD BY DAYLIGHT TP     $7.99
SEP150803     CONTEST OF CHAMPIONS #2     $3.99
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SEP150811     DOCTOR STRANGE #2     $3.99
SEP150691     DRAX #1     $3.99
AUG150752     EXTRAORDINARY X-MEN #1     $4.99
JUL150839     GEORGE ROMEROS EMPIRE OF DEAD TP ACT THREE     $19.99
MAY150817     GUARDIANS OF GALAXY SOLO CLASSIC OMNIBUS HC     $125.00
AUG150905     HAWKEYE TP VOL 05 ALL NEW HAWKEYE     $15.99
SEP150711     HERCULES #1     $3.99
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SEP150649     INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #3     $3.99
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SEP150848     MIRACLEMAN BY GAIMAN AND BUCKINGHAM #4 (MR)     $4.99
MAY150813     NEW AVENGERS BY JONATHAN HICKMAN HC VOL 02     $34.99
SEP150662     NOVA #1     $3.99
SEP150800     SPIDER-GWEN #0     $4.99
AUG158711     STAR WARS #1 CASSADAY 7TH PTG VAR     $4.99
AUG150870     STAR WARS #11     $3.99
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AUG158722     STAR WARS LANDO #3 MALEEV 2ND PTG VAR     $3.99
JUN150822     STAR WARS PRINCESS LEIA TP     $16.99
MAR150760     UNCANNY X-MEN #600     $5.99
SEP150758     VISION #1     $3.99