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.

Book Review: LOVECRAFT COUNTRY

LOVECRAFT COUNTRY
HARPERCOLLINS – @HarperCollins

AUTHOR: Matt Ruff – @bymattruff
ISBN: 978-0-06-229206-3; hardcover (February 16, 2016)
384pp, B&W, $26.99 U.S.

Lovecraft Country is a 2016 fantasy novel from acclaimed cult novelist, Matt Ruff (Fool on the Hill; The Mirage).  Blending fantasy, historical fiction, Lovecraftian horror, and weird fiction, Lovecraft Country focuses on a Black man, his father, his uncle, and a small circle of Black friends and relatives who take on sorcery and Jim Crow-era secret occult societies.

It's 1954.  22-year-old African-American, Atticus Turner, recently received a letter from his estranged father, Montrose Turner.  The letter was a summons for Attitcus, a Korean War Army veteran, to return home to Chicago.  When he arrives at his father's apartment, Atticus learns that Montrose left several days earlier in the company of a young White man.  His destination – a mysterious, small village named Ardham, deep in the Sabbath Kingdom Woods of Devon County, Massachusetts.

Atticus embarks on a road trip to New England to find Montrose.  He is accompanied by his Uncle George Berry, his father's brother and the publisher of The Safe Negro Travel Guide, a periodical that informs African-American travelers which hotels, restaurants, and business serve “Colored” people.  Letitia Dandridge, a childhood friend of Atticus', insists on tagging along.

Shortly after arriving in Ardham, they find Montrose in chains, held prisoner by Samuel Braithwhite, the leader of a secret cabal known as the Order of the Ancient Dawn.  Braithwhite and his fellow conspirators plan to orchestrate a bizarre ritual that requires Atticus' participation.  To escape, Atticus and company will need the help of Braithwhite's son, Caleb, who has his own need of the Turner clan.

Late last year, I saw the movie, American Ultra, which basically failed at the box office and received mixed reviews from film critics.  I, however, loved it, and I had a blast watching it.  American Ultra reminded me of why I watch so many movies:  no matter how many bad or disappointing movies I watch, I will always find movies that thrill me, spark my imagination, inspire me to make a difference, or just make me happy.

Lovecraft Country does all those things.  I am embarrassed to admit that I seem at a lost to completely and accurately describe how much I enjoyed this book and what it did to me.  There are so many shocking and amazing things about Lovecraft Country.

For one thing, author Matt Ruff is a White man.  His depiction of how African-Americans had to live in segregated, racist, Jim Crow America match what other authors have detailed in non-fiction books written by Black and White Americans, who lived in that America or researched it.  What boggles the mind, however, is that a White man captures the indignities heaped on Black people and the dangers they faced during Jim Crow with such intensity that you might think that he is a Black man.

And let's be honest, Jim Crow may have lost a lot of feathers, but he is still alive.  There are quite a few things that Ruff depicts in this book that I have experienced in our allegedly more enlightened times.  Ruff gets it, so much so that he must be a secret Negro, or he has some kind of telepathic connection with a lot of Black folks – past and present.

The copy on the back of the book jacket calls Lovecraft Country a “...brilliant and wondrous work of the imagination....” and “...a devastating kaleidoscopic portrait of racism—the terrifying specter that continues to haunt us today.”  That's the triple-truth Ruth.  Lovecraft Country blends the modern fantasy inventiveness of writers like J.K. Rowling and Neil Gaiman with the inspired pulp fiction imaginations of H.P. Lovecraft and Robert E. Howard and their contemporaries.

Matt Ruff does these writers one better, however.  His fantastic fantasy invention does not leave out the true darkness and terror, and that is the real malevolence of venomous racial hate, bigotry, and prejudice.  By making his characters Black people living under the yoke of oppression, Ruff dares to imagine a world of magic that is as poisonous as it is wondrous.

Readers are always looking for great books.  Some want the kind of novels that are usually called the “best of the year.”  Well, they should travel to Lovecraft Country.

A+

http://www.bymattruff.com/

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

Review: SHURIKEN AND PLEATS Volume 1

SHURIKEN AND PLEATS, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

CARTOONIST: Matsuri Hino
TRANSLATION: Katherine Schilling
LETTERS: Inori Fukuda Trant
EDITOR: Nancy Thislethwaite
ISBN: 978-1-4215-8525-3; paperback (March 2016); Rated “T” for “Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Matsuri Hino created the bestselling manga, Vampire Knight.  Her other popular series include Captive Hearts and MeruPuri.  Her latest series is Shuriken and Pleats.

It focuses on teenager, Mikage Kirio, a skilled ninja.  After the master that she is sworn to protect is killed, Mikage moves to Japan to start a new, peaceful life for herself.  Soon after she arrives, Mikage finds herself fighting to protect a man being attack by two ninja.

Shuriken and Pleats, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 5) finds Mikage totally dedicated to her master, James G. Rod, who has already lost family members to assassins.  Despite her best efforts, James is killed.  In Japan, Mikage hopes to enjoy the life James had planned for her.  Mikage enrolls in high school, where she finds other teenagers, especially Kotaro Suzuki, to be curious.  Soon, however, Mikage is drawn into the machinations of a powerful family, after she saves a man named Mahito Wakashimatsu.

The Shuriken and Pleats manga is another of those manga that are tailored made for me to love.  I am a fan of ninja manga, such as Tail of the Moon and especially the recently completed Naruto.  Shuriken and Pleats is a different kind of ninja manga, which is what I would expect from Matsuri Hino.

Shuriken and Pleats Volume 1 offers plenty of action involving ninja and also lots of intrigue.  I find it odd that Hino fills the first five chapters of this manga with so much back story, plot twists, plot lines, etc.  It is as if Hino is hurrying to finish this story.  In fact, there were times when I thought that the story was racing to its conclusion because it was a single-volume manga.

I have to admit that I am a little confused about the protagonist or antagonist status of several characters.  Perhaps, that is how Hino intends it, so I hope that Shuriken and Pleats reaches it potential because I do like my ninja manga.

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.

Review: GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #1

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY (2015) No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review originally appeared on Patreon.]

WRITER: Brian Michael Bendis
ART: Valerio Schiti
COLORS: Richard Isanove
LETTERS: VC’s Cory Petit
COVER: Art Adams with Dave Stewart
VARIANT COVERS: Valerio Schiti with Richard Isanove; Jason Latour; Shawn Crystal with Chris Brunner; Mike and Laura Allred; John Tyler Christopher; Contagious Costuming and Judy Stephens
28pp, Color, $3.99 (December 2015)

Rated “T”

The Guardians of the Galaxy are a Marvel Comics superhero team.  Created by writer Arnold Drake and artist Gene Colan, the team first appeared in Marvel Super-Heroes #18 (cover dated: January 1969).  However, the best known version of the Guardians of the Galaxy first appeared in 2007.  Created by writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, the team's initial roster included Star-Lord, Rocket Raccoon, Quasar, Adam Warlock, Gamora, Drax the Destroyer, and Groot.

Star-Lord, Rocket Raccoon, Gamora, Drax the Destroyer, and Groot would go on to be the stars of Marvel Studios' surprise 2014 hit film, Guardians of the Galaxy.  With the launch of the “All-New, All-Different Marvel,” there is a new Guardians of the Galaxy comic book.  The series is written by Brian Michael Bendis; drawn by Valerio Schiti; colored by Richard Isanove; and lettered by Cory Petit.

Guardians of the Galaxy #1 features the team of Kitty Pryde as Star-Lord, Drax, Rocket Raccoon, Groot, The Thing, and Venom.  A run-in with the Chitauri leaves the group with a mysterious item and no knowledge of how powerful or dangerous that object is.  Meanwhile, on Planet Spartax, Peter Quill, the original Star-Lord, finds his new life as King to be an utter bore.  He does not realize that excitement is bound to return in many ways...

I last read Guardians of the Galaxy during the story arc, “The Trial of Jean Grey,” a crossover event with All-New X-Men.  Then, I didn't find a reason to keep reading.  I am not sure that this first issue gives me a reason to keep reading this new series, now.  It is not as if this new Guardians of the Galaxy #1 is awful or anything; besides, I am a fan of writer Brian Michael Bendis.  New series artist Valerio Schiti delivers some pretty art and solid storytelling.

I guess it is just that I got this first issue because I am trying to read as many #1 issues in the “All-New, All-Different Marvel” as I can.  I don't plan on reading as many #2 issues, I can tell you that, dear reader.  This is not a bad comic book... I reiterate.  I think fans of the modern incarnation of the Guardians of the Galaxy will enjoy this comic book.  It is just that if money is tight for you, dear reader, this comic book is not worth $3.99 if you are not a fan.

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 March 23, 2016

DC COMICS

JAN160349     ART OPS #6 (MR)     $3.99
JAN160227     BATMAN #50 (NOTE PRICE)     $5.99
JAN160286     BATMAN AND ROBIN ETERNAL #25     $2.99
NOV150269     BATMAN ARKHAM KNIGHT GENESIS HC     $19.99
JUN150278     BATMAN BLACK & WHITE HC VOL 1 BOOK & DVD BLU RAY SET     PI
JUN150280     BATMAN YEAR ONE HC BOOK & DVD BLU RAY SET     PI
JAN160255     CYBORG #9     $2.99
DEC150318     CYBORG TP VOL 01 UNPLUGGED     $14.99
JUN150279     DEATH OF SUPERMAN HC DVD & BLU RAY SET     PI
JAN160256     DEATHSTROKE #16     $2.99
DEC150320     DOCTOR FATE TP VOL 01 THE BLOOD PRICE     $14.99
JAN160288     GRAYSON #18     $3.99
JAN160293     HARLEY QUINN #26     $3.99
JAN160355     JACKED #5 (MR)     $3.99
JUN150282     JLA EARTH 2 HC BOOK & DVD BLU RAY SET     PI
JAN160259     JUSTICE LEAGUE 3001 #10     $2.99
JUN150281     JUSTICE LEAGUE VOL 1 HC ORIGIN BOOK & DVD BLU RAY SET     PI
JAN160356     LAST GANG IN TOWN #4 (MR)     $3.99
NOV150267     ROBIN SON OF BATMAN HC VOL 01 YEAR OF BLOOD     $22.99
JAN160267     SECRET SIX #12     $2.99
DEC150325     STARFIRE TP VOL 01 WELCOME HOME     $14.99
JAN160262     SUICIDE SQUAD MOST WANTED DEADSHOT KATANA #3     $4.99
DEC150344     SUPERMAN & THE JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA TP VOL 01     $17.99
JAN160282     SUPERMAN LOIS AND CLARK #6     $3.99
JAN160271     TEEN TITANS #18     $2.99
JAN160299     WE ARE ROBIN #10     $3.99
JAN160246     WONDER WOMAN #50 (NOTE PRICE)     $4.99
JUN150283     WONDER WOMAN GODS & MORTAL HC BOOK & DVD BLU RAY SET     PI
DEC150347     WONDER WOMAN WAR OF THE GODS TP     $24.99

DC COMICS/DC COLLECTIBLES

DEC150378     BATMAN THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS 30TH ANNIV BUST     $50.00

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for March 23, 2016

MARVEL COMICS

JAN160776     ALL NEW ALL DIFFERENT AVENGERS #7 ASO     $3.99
JAN160864     ALL NEW HAWKEYE #5     $3.99
JAN160869     ANGELA QUEEN OF HEL #6     $3.99
JAN160837     CARNAGE #6     $3.99
JAN160944     CIVIL WAR HEROES FOR HIRE THUNDEBOLTS TP     $34.99
JAN160943     CIVIL WAR MARVEL UNIVERSE TP NEW PTG     $24.99
JAN160946     CIVIL WAR YOUNG AVENGERS AND RUNAWAYS TP NEW PTG     $19.99
JAN160866     CONTEST OF CHAMPIONS #6     $3.99
JAN168296     DARTH VADER #16 ANDREWS 2ND PTG VAR     $3.99
JUN150833     DEXTER DOWN UNDER TP     $19.99
JAN160953     GUARDIANS OF GALAXY TP VOL 05 THROUGH LOOKING GLASS     $19.99
JAN160786     HOWLING COMMANDOS OF SHIELD #6 ASO     $3.99
JAN160734     HYPERION #1     $3.99
JAN160883     ILLUMINATI #5     $3.99
JAN160730     INFINITY ENTITY #3     $3.99
JAN160958     INFINITY WATCH TP VOL 01     $39.99
JAN160754     MARVEL UNIVERSE GUARDIANS OF GALAXY #6     $2.99
JAN160775     NEW AVENGERS #8 ASO     $3.99
JAN160920     OBI-WAN AND ANAKIN #3     $3.99
JAN160872     PATSY WALKER AKA HELLCAT #4     $3.99
JAN160959     PUNISHER MAX TP COMPLETE COLLECTION VOL 02 (MR)     $39.99
JAN160954     ROCKET RACCOON TP VOL 02 STORYTAILER     $17.99
JAN160915     STAR WARS #17     $3.99
JAN160961     STAR WARS LEGENDS EPIC COLLECTION TP VOL 02 NEW REPUBLIC     $39.99
JAN160807     TOTALLY AWESOME HULK #4     $3.99
JAN160801     ULTIMATES #5     $3.99
JAN160903     UNCANNY X-MEN #5     $3.99
JAN160822     VENOM SPACE KNIGHT #5     $3.99
JAN160901     X-MEN WORST X-MAN EVER #2     $3.99

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for March 23, 2016

IDW PUBLISHING

JAN160483     ANGRY BIRDS SUPER ANGRY BIRDS TP     $9.99
NOV150333     AVENGERS GEORGE PEREZ MARVEL ARTIST SELECT HC     PI
JAN160511     DANGER GIRL RENEGADE TP     $17.99
JAN160386     GI JOE DEVIATIONS (ONE SHOT)     $4.99
DEC150522     LOCKE & KEY MASTER ED HC VOL 02     $49.99
NOV150403     ROCKETEER AT WAR #2     $4.99
JAN160395     STAR TREK GREEN LANTERN TP SPECTRUM WAR     $19.99
NOV150467     SUPERMAN ATOMIC AGE SUNDAYS HC VOL 02 1953-1956     $49.99
JAN160436     TMNT ONGOING #56     $3.99
NOV150427     WALT DISNEY DONALD DUCK SUNDAY NEWPAPER COMICS HC VOL 01     $49.99