Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for September 26, 2018

IMAGE COMICS

JUL180186    COLD SPOTS #2 (OF 5) (MR)    $3.99
MAY188966    COLD SPOTS #2 (OF 5) CVR B CBLDF CHARITY VAR CENSORED (MR)    $3.99
MAY188967    COLD SPOTS #2 (OF 5) CVR C CBLDF CHARITY VAR UNCENSORED (MR)    $3.99
JUL180197    CYBER FORCE #6 (MR)    $3.99
JUL180198    CYBER FORCE AWAKENING TP VOL 01 (MR)    $9.99
JUL180230    GASOLINA #12 (MR)    $3.99
JUL180126    GREEN MONK BLOOD OF MARTYRS TP    $16.99
JUL180148    INFIDEL TP (MR)    $16.99
JUL180103    MAN-EATERS #1    $3.99
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JUL180281    PORT OF EARTH TP VOL 02    $16.99
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JUN180221    REALM #9 CVR B MITTEN (MR)    $3.99
JUL180292    REDNECK #15 (MR)    $3.99
JUL180293    REGRESSION #11 (MR)    $3.99
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JUL180297    SAGA TP VOL 09 (MR)    $14.99
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JUL180396    WICKED & DIVINE 1373 CVR B KELLY (ONE-SHOT) (MR)    $3.99
JUL180405    WITCHBLADE #8 (MR)    $3.99

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for September 26, 2018

MARVEL COMICS

JUL181041    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #6    $3.99
JUL181042    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #6 RENAUD COSMIC GHOST RIDER VAR    $3.99
JUL181184    AVENGERS FOREVER TP    $29.99
JUL181204    AVENGERS WEST COAST EPIC COLLECTION TP HOW THE WEST WAS WON    $39.99
JUL181055    BEN REILLY SCARLET SPIDER #24    $3.99
JUL181186    BEN REILLY SCARLET SPIDER TP VOL 04 DAMNATION    $15.99
JUL181088    BLACK PANTHER #4    $3.99
JUL181089    BLACK PANTHER #4 FERRY COSMIC GHOST RIDER VAR    $3.99
JUL181196    DARKHOLD TP PAGES FROM BOOK OF SINS COMPLETE COLLECTION    $39.99
JUL181112    DOMINO ANNUAL #1    $4.99
JUL181113    DOMINO ANNUAL #1 CHO VAR    $4.99
JUL180989    EDGE OF SPIDER-GEDDON #4 (OF 4)    $3.99
JUL180990    EDGE OF SPIDER-GEDDON #4 (OF 4) HAMNER VAR    $3.99
JUL181203    EXILES COMPLETE COLLECTION TP VOL 01 NEW PTG    $34.99
JUL181190    EXILES TP VOL 01 TEST OF TIME    $17.99
JUL181122    EXTERMINATION #3 (OF 5)    $3.99
JUL181123    EXTERMINATION #3 (OF 5) HAWTHORNE CONNECTING VAR    $3.99
APR180850    GUARDIANS OF GALAXY BY GERRY DUGGAN OMNIBUS HC    $75.00
JUL181183    HULK WORLD WAR HULK II TP    $17.99
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JUL181081    MOON KNIGHT #199    $3.99
JUL181075    OLD MAN HAWKEYE #9 (OF 12)    $3.99
JUL181133    OLD MAN LOGAN #48    $3.99
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JUL181152    STAR WARS POE DAMERON #31    $4.99
JUL181206    THOR EPIC COLLECTION TP FALL OF ASGARD    $39.99
JUL181072    TRUE BELIEVERS BLACK WIDOW BY GRAYSON & JONES #1    $1.00
JUL181064    TRUE BELIEVERS HELLCAT FIRST APPEARANCE #1    $1.00
JUL188764    TRUE BELIEVERS MK 20TH ANNV LUKE CAGE FANTASTIC FOUR #1    $1.00
JUL181071    TRUE BELIEVERS PUNISHER BY ENNIS DILLON & PALMIOTTI #1    $1.00
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JUL181052    VENOM FIRST HOST #5 (OF 5)    $3.99
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JUL181128    X-MEN RED #8 CAMPBELL COSMIC GHOST RIDER VAR    $3.99
JUL181182    YOU ARE DEADPOOL TP    $15.99

Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for September 26, 2018

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

JUL181746    100 DAYS IN URANIUM CITY    $18.00
MAY182277    12 BEAST GN VOL 06 (MR)    $12.99
JUL181939    ADVENTURE VAN #2 (OF 5)    $3.99
JUL181946    AMULET HC GN VOL 08 SUPERNOVA    $24.99
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JUL181598    BETTY AND VERONICA VIXENS #10 (OF 10) CVR A ANWAR    $3.99
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JUL181508    BEYONDERS #2    $3.99
JUL181938    BLASTOSAURUS #2    $3.99
AUG182129    CAMUS STRANGER GN    $25.95
MAY182264    CAPTAIN HARLOCK CLASSIC COLLECTION GN VOL 02    $27.99
JUL182012    CATALYST PRIME ASTONISHER TP VOL 02    $14.99
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MAY181881    COSTUME QUEST GN INVASION OF CANDY SNATCHERS    $8.99
JUL181424    CRISIS ON INFINITE CEREBI #1 (OF 1)    $4.00
JUL182005    CURTAIN CALL HC (MR)    $19.99
JUN188005    DARK TOWER BEGINNINGS HC VOL 04 FALL OF GILEAD    $24.99
JUN181826    DC COMICS BEFORE SUPERMAN MAJ WHEELER NICHOLSON PULP COMICS    $60.00
JUL182195    DEADLIFE #3 (OF 3)    $6.99
JUL181812    DF ACTION COMICS #1000 SUPER STARTER SET    $193.80
FEB181509    DF AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #797 STAN LEE GOLD SGN ED    $797.00
MAR181590    DF AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #800 GOLD SGN STAN LEE    $800.00
JUL181822    DF AVENGERS #1 SGN GREG LAND GOLD SIG    $89.99
JUN181706    DF AVENGERS INFINITY WAR NICIEZA & DELBEATO SGN    $100.00
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OCT171559    DF MARVEL LEGACY #1 CAMPBELL MIDTOWN EXC LEE SGN    $699.99
DEC171547    DF PETER PARKER SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #300 LEE SGN    $699.99
JUL181629    DISSENSION WAR ETERNAL #3 CVR A GUNDERSON    $3.99
JUL181630    DISSENSION WAR ETERNAL #3 CVR B TO    $3.99
JUL182165    DOCTOR WHO 13TH #0 CVR A IANNICIELLO    $7.99
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APR182085    DRAGON HALF OMNIBUS GN VOL 02    $20.99
JUL182022    ENCOUNTER TP VOL 01    $12.99
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JUL182137    F$$$ OFF SQUAD GN (MR)    $15.00
JUL182253    FAITH DREAMSIDE #1 (OF 4) CVR A SAUVAGE    $3.99
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JUL182148    FANTASMAGORIA #1    $1.99
JUL182154    FARLAINE THE GOBLIN #7 CVR A    $5.00
JUL182285    FEARSCAPE #1 CVR A KRISTANTINA (MR)    $3.99
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JUL182006    FRATERNITY HC    $19.99
JUN182100    FRIENDO #1 CVR A SIMMONDS (MR)    $3.99
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MAY182129    GRIMM FAIRY TALES #20 CVR A SALAZAR    $3.99
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JUL182261    HARBINGER WARS 2 AFTERMATH #1 CVR A ALLEN    $3.99
JUL182262    HARBINGER WARS 2 AFTERMATH #1 CVR B LAROSA    $3.99
JUL188765    HARBINGER WARS 2 AFTERMATH #1 CVR D PRE-ORDER BUNDLE ED    $3.99
JUL181525    HIGH HEAVEN #1 (MR)    $3.99
JUL181527    HILLBILLY RED EYED WITCHERY FROM BEYOND #2 (OF 4)    $3.99
MAR181746    IDEAL COPY GN (MR)    $12.00
JUL188258    ILLEGAL GN    $14.99
JUL182052    INVADER ZIM #35 CVR A    $3.99
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JUL182298    KAFKAESQUE 14 SHORT STORIES GN    $19.95
JUN181879    LITTLE PIERROT HC VOL 03    $14.99
JUL182051    LONG CON #3    $3.99
JUL182197    MIKE HAMMER #4 CVR A RONALD    $3.99
JUL182198    MIKE HAMMER #4 CVR B GUGLIELMINI    $3.99
JUN182148    NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS ZEROS JOURNEY #4    $3.99
JUL181879    NOW #4 NEW COMICS ANTHOLOGY (MR)    $9.99
JUL182316    PARADISE COURT #3 (OF 5) CVR A RIVEIRO    $3.99
JUL182317    PARADISE COURT #3 (OF 5) CVR B TOLIBAO    $3.99
JUL182318    PARADISE COURT #3 (OF 5) CVR C OTERO    $3.99
JUN182299    PRECARIOUS WOMAN MISS BLACK GENERAL GN VOL 02 (MR)    $12.99
JUL182278    QUANTUM & WOODY (2017) #10 CVR B ULTRA FOIL SHAW    $3.99
JUL182107    REDCOATS-ISH 2 SC    $14.99
JUL182054    RICK & MORTY #42 CVR A    $3.99
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MAY181890    RICK AND MORTY HC BOOK 03    $49.99
MAY182008    SEASON OF THE SNAKE TP    $24.99
JUL182036    SILENT INVASION GN VOL 01 SECRET AFFAIRS & RED SHADOWS    $16.99
MAR181747    SOMNAMBULANCE GN (MR)    $29.95
JUN182102    SONGS FOR THE DEAD TP (MR)    $19.99
MAR181097    STARGATE UNIVERSE #6 FLASHBACK PHOTO LTD ED CVR    $9.99
JUL182336    STREET FIGHTER THE NOVEL    $12.99
MAY181887    STUMPTOWN TP VOL 03 CASE OF KING OF CLUBS (MR)    $19.99
JUL181709    TAROT WITCH OF THE BLACK ROSE #112 (MR)    $2.95
JUL181763    THOREAU AT WALDEN HC GN    $17.99
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JUL182293    WASTED SPACE TP (MR)    $19.99
MAR181392    WEEGEE SERIAL PHOTOGRAPHER GN    $18.00
MAR181748    WESTERN WORLD GN (MR)    $22.95
JUL181613    WORLD OF ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #82    $6.99
JUL182484    WORLDS END HAREM GN VOL 03 (MR)    $12.99
JUL182264    X-O MANOWAR (2017) #19 (NEW ARC) CVR A ROCAFORT    $3.99
JUL182265    X-O MANOWAR (2017) #19 (NEW ARC) CVR B QUAH    $3.99
JUL182266    X-O MANOWAR (2017) #19 (NEW ARC) CVR C SUAYAN    $3.99
JUL182267    X-O MANOWAR (2017) #19 (NEW ARC) CVR D 19 - 22 PRE ORDER EDI    $3.99
JUL182280    X-O MANOWAR (2017) TP VOL 05 BARBARIANS    $9.99
MAR181749    XTC69 GN (MR)    $12.00
JUL182130    ZINNOBER #4    $3.99

MAGAZINES
JUL181739    COMIC SHOP NEWS #1632    $PI
APR181831    MEGAMI JULY 2018    $20.00
APR181832    NEWTYPE JULY 2018    $20.00
JUL182008    ROLLED AND TOLD #1    $7.99

BOOKS
JUL181615    AGONY HOUSE YA ILLUSTRATED NOVEL HC    $18.99
JUL181765    FROM ALL OF US TO ALL OF YOU THE DISNEY CHRISTMAS CARD HC (C    $50.00
JUL183080    HALO OFFICIAL SPARTAN FIELD MANUAL    $14.99
AUG181822    HOW TO SLAY THE BUFFY WAY HC    $19.99
JUL182227    MAGIC MIRROR OF MC ESCHER HC    $20.00
JUL181771    MARVEL STUDIOS VISUAL DICTIONARY HC    $30.00
JUN182297    NEW GAME GN VOL 03    $13.99
JUL182228    ROBERT CRUMB SKETCHBOOK HC VOL 04 DEC 82- DEC 89 (MR)    $40.00
JUL182115    SHADOW DOUBLE NOVEL VOL 134 CREEPING DEATH & BANSHEE MURDERS    $14.95
JUL182232    WALT DISNEYS DISNEYLAND HC (RES)    $60.00

Review: KICK-ASS #1

KICK-ASS No. 1 (2018)
IMAGE COMICS – @ImageComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Mark Millar
PENCILS: John Romita, Jr.
INKS: Peter Steigerwald with Megan Madrigal
COLORS: Peter Steigerwald
LETTERS: John Workman
COVER: John Romita, Jr.
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Olivier Coipel with Sunny Gho; Frank Quitely
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (February 2018)

Rated M/Mature

Kick-Ass created by Mark Miller and John Romita, Jr.

Kick-Ass is a comic book series created by writer Mark Millar and artist John Romita Jr.  It began as an eight-issue miniseries published by Marvel Comics under the company's Icon imprint, starting in February 2008 and concluding in February 2010.

Kick-Ass is the story of Dave Lizewski, a teenager who sets out to become a real life superhero.  Dave's actions are publicized on the Internet and inspire other people to put on costumes and play hero.  Dave gets caught up in the activities of two costumed, ruthless vigilantes, an exceptionally talented fighter/killer, Hit-Girl, and her father, Big Daddy.  Father and daughter are on a mission to take down the gangster. John Genovese.

Kick-Ass became a comic book franchise with three follow-up miniseries, the seven-issue Kick-Ass 2 (October 2010 – March 2012),  the five-issue Hit Girl (June 2012 – February 2013), and the eight-issue Kick-Ass 3 (July 2013 to October 2014).  The Kick-Ass comic books yielded two movies, Kick-Ass (2010) and Kick-Ass 2 (2013).

Last year, Mark Millar announced that the Kick-Ass and Hit-Girl comic books were going to be revived in a new series of miniseries slash ongoing series.  The first new six-issue miniseries, entitled Kick-Ass, is written by Mark Millar; drawn by John Romita, Jr. (pencils) and Peter Steigerwald (digital inks); colored by Steigerwald; and lettered by John Workman.

Kick-Ass #1 introduces Staff Sergeant Patience Lee, a combat veteran in the Afghanistan part of the “(Global) War on Terror.”  When she returns to civilian life in Albuquerque, New Mexico, as a wife and mother, Patience discovers that her husband has left her and the children.  Short on money and have to put her dreams on hold, SSG Lee decides that it is time to get paid.  So she puts on a familiar costume...

Because the original Kick-Ass miniseries kept selling out, I originally read the story in its first hardcover collection.  I loved it.  Kick-Ass is so gloriously deranged, and it seems like the ultimate encapsulation of writer Mark Millar's oeuvre, at least to that point in time.

Kick-Ass 2018 is quieter.  It also seems like more of a study of the post-Barack Obama America, with its resentful white middle class, its seething white working class, and its newly invigorated white supremacy slash white nationalist culture.  It is an America in which the balance between the haves and have-nots is completely out of whack because the haves not only want more, they also want it all.  They want it all and will have it all by any means necessary – legal, illegal, or otherwise.  In this America, even black people are turning into the very people and turning to the very systems they have traditionally lambasted – most of which revolves around violence.

John Romita, Jr.'s illustrations, compositions, and graphical storytelling are as powerful as it ever is when put to use for an intense story.  Let's be honest; drawing “real” superhero comic books are mostly a waste of JRJr's time, but Kick-Ass brings out the power, heft, and meatiness of his storytelling.  Here, Romita's art is served by a really good colorist, Peter Steigerwald, and John Workman is one of the few comic book lettering heavyweights capable of placing his fonts inside the Romita, Jr. graphics package.

So Kick-Ass is back, as strong as ever.

8.5 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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

Review: HIT-GIRL #1

HIT-GIRL No. 1 (2018)
IMAGE COMICS – @ImageComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Mark Millar
ART: Ricardo Lopez Ortiz
COLORS: Sunny Gho
LETTERS: Melina Mikulic
COVER: Amy Reeder
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Kim Jung Gi with Sunny Gho; Rafael Albuquerque; John Romita, Jr. with Dean White; Rob Doyle
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (February 2018)

Rated M/Mature

Hit-Girl created by Mark Miller and John Romita, Jr.

Hit-Girl is a comic book vigilante character created by Mark Miller and John Romita, Jr.  She first appeared in the comic book series, Kick-Ass (2008) and is Mindy McCready, a 'tween girl trained from an early age by her late father to be a costumed superhero and assassin.

Hit-Girl appeared in all three initial Kick-Ass comic book miniseries and also appeared in her own five-issue miniseries, Hit-Girl (2012, Marvel Comics/Icon).  Mark Millar announced last year that he was bringing Kick-Ass and Hit-Girl back in new miniseries.  The new Hit-Girl is written by Millar, drawn by Ricardo Lopez Ortiz; colored by Sunny Gho; and lettered by Melina Mikulic.

Hit-Girl #1 opens in Palmire, Columbia, South America.  We meet hit man Fabio Mendoza a.k.a. “Mano.”  A member of “Perros de Guerra,” the notorious gang, Mano is on his way to prison where he will begin serving 10 life sentences.  But Hit-Girl has what she thinks is a better deal for Mano.  She is still trying to find a new Kick-Ass to replace the retired original, but has Hit-Girl chosen the right, right-hand-man replacement?

I am not crazy about the cover art for Hit-Girl #1, drawn by Amy Reeder.  I really dislike the interior art by Ricardo Lopez Ortiz; my imagination does not want to read it.  And it pales in comparison to the art of Hit-Girl's originator, John Romita, Jr.  Millar's story does have some intriguing bits in this first issue... or maybe I'm just reaching.

But I love Hit-Girl, so I will make the best of this comic book.  You never know what surprises Mark Millar will pull out of his writer's hat, and Ortiz's art might grow on me.  And again, maybe I'm reaching...

5 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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

Review: JIMMY'S BASTARDS #2

JIMMY'S BASTARDS No. 2
AFTERSHOCK COMICS – @AfterShockComix

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Garth Ennis
ARTIST: Russ Braun
COLORS: John Kalisz
LETTERS: Rob Steen
COVER: Dave Johnson
22pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (July 2017)

Mature Readers

Created by Garth Ennis and Russ Braun

“Ninety-Nine Percent”

Jimmy's Bastards is a new comic book series created by writer Garth Ennis and artist Russ Braun.  Ennis is known for the seminal DC Comics/Vertigo title, Preacher, and for his work on such titles as The Punisher and his controversial creator-owned title, The Boys.  Braun is known for his work on Vertigo titles like Fables, Fairest, and Jack of Fables.  John Kalisz as colorist and Rob Steen as letterer are Ennis and Braun's collaborators on this series.

Jimmy's Bastards focuses on James “Jimmy” Regent, Great Britain's number one super-spy.  He has all the intrigue and adventure he can handle, and he has a license to shoot whomever he likes.  Jimmy has a veritable legion of beautiful and willing women, but his new partner, Nancy McEwan, isn't sold on his charms, though.  Their is also a new threat mounting against Jimmy.

Jimmy's Bastards #2 (“Ninety-Nine Percent”) is enjoying a round of golf with Sir X of MI6 and not-so-much enjoying a round of golf with X's son, Rupert.  Suddenly, there is an attack from Jerry Fokker's crew, but there is something strange about this racist group this time around.  Nancy thinks there is a larger conspiracy.  Maybe, they are both missing the big picture.

After reading the first issue, I thought that the central premise of Jimmy's Bastards was ripe with possibilities.  However, I did not like Jimmy Regent the character, although I think that he is supposed to be a likable unlikable rogue.  Still, he barely registered to me as a character, but he registers, now.

After reading Jimmy's Bastards #2, I find everything about this series more likable.  I think that Jimmy and the conspirators who want to kill him are a lot of cads and clowns, but they will yield comedy gold.  I expect Nancy McEwan to play the straight woman to this mess of idiots.  Now, I am having fun reading this comic book and can't wait for the third issue.

I heartily recommend Jimmy's Bastards to Garth Ennis fans.  I think that he is going to deliver his usual bucket of blood, and artist Russ Braun seems like the perfect artist (this time around) to bring that bucket to comic book life.

7.5 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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

Review: SHORTCAKE CAKE Volume 1

SHORTCAKE CAKE, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

MANGAKA: suu Morishita
TRANSLATION: Emi Louie-Nishikawa
LETTERING: Inori Fukuda Trant
EDITOR: Nancy Thislethwaite
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0061-5; paperback (August 2018); Rated “T” for “Teen”
176pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Short Cake Cake is a shojo manga created by Suu Morishita (or “suu Morishita”).  The manga began serialization in the Japanese manga magazine, Margaret, in 2015.  VIZ Media is publishing the manga in a series of English-language graphic novels, entitled Shortcake Cake.

Shortcake Cake, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 5) introduces Ten Serizawa, a freshmen at Nekochiya High School.  In order to attend the high school, however, Ten has a two-hour commute through the mountains, both ways, every school day.  Ten's friend, Ageha Haruno, suggests that she move into the boarding house where Ageha stays.  If she does move in, Ten will have to contend with three high school boys who, to varying degrees, are attracted to her.

[This volume includes bonus manga and eight pages of cover and chapter-page illustrations.]

In the tradition of Honey So Sweet, the Shortcake Cake manga is a like a warm cup of cocoa.  It does manage to be a bit off-beat as far as shojo high school romances go; the boarding house element is the reason.

Shortcake Cake Graphic Novel Volume 1 introduces a nice cast of six boarding house residents, all of high school age, and also the adult “house mom.”  They are all good characters, and I like that there is a bit of tartness to Ten Serizawa.  I found that each character is different from the other, and while they are familiar high school shojo types, they are interesting, maybe even a little intriguing.  I enjoyed reading this first volume and look forward to the second volume.  I think that Shortcake Cake will reveal a bit more edge in upcoming volumes.

7 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


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