LEVIUS/EST, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia
[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]
CARTONIST: Haruhisa Nakata
TRANSLATION: John Werry
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Jason A. Hurley
LETTERS: Joanna Estep
EDITOR: Joel Enos
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0639-6; paperback (November 2019); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
212pp, B&W with some color, $12.99 U.S., $17.99 CAN, £8.99 UK
Levius/est is a sequel to the manga, Levius, with both manga being the creation of manga artist, Haruhisa Nakata. A currently ongoing series, Levius/est is published in the Japanese manga magazine, Ultra Jump. VIZ Media is publishing an English-language edition of Levius/est as a series of graphic novels, and also published Levius in English as a single-volume hardcover omnibus edition.
Levius/est, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 5) opens in the 19th century. The world has entered the “Era of Rebirth,” as it recovers from a devastating war. Seventeen-year-old Levius Cromwell, who lost his parents to war, is a fighter in the sport of mechanical martial arts (M.M.A.), which has galvanized the nations of the world. Cybernetically augmented fighters turn their blood into steam and their bodies into brutal and sometimes monstrous fighting and killing machines.
Levius managed to become one of the “Grand Thirteen,” the 13 M.M.A. fighters in the sport's top level, “Grade I.” However, Levius is currently in a coma, and his gravely injured uncle, Zack Cromell (his father's brother), is determined to save him. To do so means engaging a dangerous young woman named A.J. Langdon, the fighter who caused Levius' injuries.
The Levius/est manga is a necessary sequel to the Levius manga. After reading Levius, dear readers, it was clear to me that there was more story to be told.
Levius/est Graphic Novel Volume 1 is appropriate for high school age readers, as was the original, although both are classified with the adult seinen manga label. Creator Haruhisa Nakata depicts some shockingly brutal fights in the original series, but here, he focuses on back story, flashbacks, and character relationships. For instance, Nakata offers us the first look at the events that led to Levius' mother's grievous injuries, and he shows us a more detailed and different side of A.J. Langdon.
Nakata's art reminds me of the work of Katsuhiro Otomo (Akira), and I expect this series will sometimes seem like a steampunk spin on Ghost in the Shell. Nakata's art makes for effective graphical storytelling and is also eye-candy.
John Werry and Jason A. Hurley's work on the English script for Levius/est won't fail us, and Joanna Estep's lovely lettering is perfect for this series. That is why I am recommending Levius/est. There is so much potential here, both in terms of action and in terms of character drama. Levius/est may be a sequel, but I don't think it will be a retread.
8 out of 10
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.
-----------------------------
[“We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.”]
Wednesday, January 8, 2020
Review: LEVIUS/est: Volume 1
Labels:
Haruhisa Nakata,
Jason A Hurley,
Joel Enos,
John Werry,
manga,
Review,
VIZ Media,
VIZ Signature
Tuesday, January 7, 2020
#IReadsYou Review: THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN Vol. 4 #1
This summary is not available. Please
click here to view the post.
Labels:
Alan Moore,
Ben Dimagmaliw,
IDW,
Kevin O'Neill,
Knockabout Comics,
LoEG,
Review,
Todd Klein,
Top Shelf
Monday, January 6, 2020
BOOM! Studios from Diamond Distributors for January 8, 2020
BOOM! STUDIOS
NOV191242 BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #11 CVR A MAIN ASPINALL $3.99
NOV191243 BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #11 CVR B WADA $3.99
NOV191244 BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #11 CVR C CONNECTING MORRIS VAR $3.99
NOV191245 BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #11 CVR D PREORDER INZANA VAR $3.99
OCT198626 BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #11 FOC SLAYER VAR $3.99
NOV191233 FIREFLY OUTLAW MA REYNOLDS #1 CVR A YOUNG $7.99
NOV191234 FIREFLY OUTLAW MA REYNOLDS #1 CVR B WALSH $7.99
SEP191297 GUNNERKRIGG COURT TP VOL 06 $16.99
NOV191294 MAGICIANS #3 (OF 5) CVR A KHALIDAH (MR) $3.99
NOV191295 MAGICIANS #3 (OF 5) CVR B SHARPE (MR) $3.99
NOV191247 POWER RANGERS TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #2 CVR A MORA $3.99
NOV191251 POWER RANGERS TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #2 DON MONTES $3.99
OCT198900 POWER RANGERS TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #2 FOC VAR $3.99
NOV191248 POWER RANGERS TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #2 LEO MONTES $3.99
NOV191250 POWER RANGERS TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #2 MIKE MONTES (C $3.99
NOV191249 POWER RANGERS TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #2 RAPH MONTES (C $3.99
SEP191305 ROCKOS MODERN AFTERLIFE TP VOL 01 $14.99
NOV191268 RONIN ISLAND #9 CVR A MILONOGIANNIS $3.99
NOV191269 RONIN ISLAND #9 CVR B PREORDER YOUNG VAR $3.99
NOV191265 STRANGE SKIES OVER EAST BERLIN #4 $3.99
OCT198903 STRANGE SKIES OVER EAST BERLIN #4 FOC BERGARA VAR $3.99
NOV191242 BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #11 CVR A MAIN ASPINALL $3.99
NOV191243 BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #11 CVR B WADA $3.99
NOV191244 BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #11 CVR C CONNECTING MORRIS VAR $3.99
NOV191245 BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #11 CVR D PREORDER INZANA VAR $3.99
OCT198626 BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #11 FOC SLAYER VAR $3.99
NOV191233 FIREFLY OUTLAW MA REYNOLDS #1 CVR A YOUNG $7.99
NOV191234 FIREFLY OUTLAW MA REYNOLDS #1 CVR B WALSH $7.99
SEP191297 GUNNERKRIGG COURT TP VOL 06 $16.99
NOV191294 MAGICIANS #3 (OF 5) CVR A KHALIDAH (MR) $3.99
NOV191295 MAGICIANS #3 (OF 5) CVR B SHARPE (MR) $3.99
NOV191247 POWER RANGERS TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #2 CVR A MORA $3.99
NOV191251 POWER RANGERS TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #2 DON MONTES $3.99
OCT198900 POWER RANGERS TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #2 FOC VAR $3.99
NOV191248 POWER RANGERS TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #2 LEO MONTES $3.99
NOV191250 POWER RANGERS TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #2 MIKE MONTES (C $3.99
NOV191249 POWER RANGERS TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #2 RAPH MONTES (C $3.99
SEP191305 ROCKOS MODERN AFTERLIFE TP VOL 01 $14.99
NOV191268 RONIN ISLAND #9 CVR A MILONOGIANNIS $3.99
NOV191269 RONIN ISLAND #9 CVR B PREORDER YOUNG VAR $3.99
NOV191265 STRANGE SKIES OVER EAST BERLIN #4 $3.99
OCT198903 STRANGE SKIES OVER EAST BERLIN #4 FOC BERGARA VAR $3.99
Labels:
BOOM Studios,
Buffyverse,
comics news,
Diamond Distributors,
Joss Whedon
Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for January 8, 2020
DARK HORSE COMICS
NOV190247 BUTCHER OF PARIS #2 (OF 5) (MR) $3.99
NOV190249 CRIMINAL MACABRE THE BIG BLEED OUT #2 (OF 4) $3.99
NOV190223 ELFQUEST STARGAZERS HUNT #2 (OF 6) $3.99
MAY190298 GOT JON SNOW PREMIUM FIGURE $49.99
NOV190239 KILL WHITEY DONOVAN #2 (OF 5) CVR A PEARSON (MR) $3.99
NOV190240 KILL WHITEY DONOVAN #2 (OF 5) CVR B BARAHONA (MR) $3.99
NOV190176 STRANGER THINGS INTO THE FIRE #1 (OF 4) CVR A KALACHEV $3.99
NOV190177 STRANGER THINGS INTO THE FIRE #1 (OF 4) CVR B LAMBERT $3.99
NOV190178 STRANGER THINGS INTO THE FIRE #1 (OF 4) CVR C WILSON $3.99
JUL190436 WITCHER 3 WILD HUNT REGIS VAMPIRE DLX FIGURE $59.99
JUN190389 WITCHER 3 WILD HUNT YENNEFER FIGURE SERIES 2 $49.99
NOV190247 BUTCHER OF PARIS #2 (OF 5) (MR) $3.99
NOV190249 CRIMINAL MACABRE THE BIG BLEED OUT #2 (OF 4) $3.99
NOV190223 ELFQUEST STARGAZERS HUNT #2 (OF 6) $3.99
MAY190298 GOT JON SNOW PREMIUM FIGURE $49.99
NOV190239 KILL WHITEY DONOVAN #2 (OF 5) CVR A PEARSON (MR) $3.99
NOV190240 KILL WHITEY DONOVAN #2 (OF 5) CVR B BARAHONA (MR) $3.99
NOV190176 STRANGER THINGS INTO THE FIRE #1 (OF 4) CVR A KALACHEV $3.99
NOV190177 STRANGER THINGS INTO THE FIRE #1 (OF 4) CVR B LAMBERT $3.99
NOV190178 STRANGER THINGS INTO THE FIRE #1 (OF 4) CVR C WILSON $3.99
JUL190436 WITCHER 3 WILD HUNT REGIS VAMPIRE DLX FIGURE $59.99
JUN190389 WITCHER 3 WILD HUNT YENNEFER FIGURE SERIES 2 $49.99
Labels:
comics news,
Dark Horse,
Diamond Distributors,
Elfquest
DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for January 8, 2020
DC COMICS
OCT190486 AQUAMAN GIANT #2 $4.99
NOV190411 BATMAN #86 $3.99
NOV190412 BATMAN #86 CARD STOCK VAR ED $4.99
NOV190437 BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #9 $3.99
NOV190438 BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #9 VAR ED $3.99
OCT190629 BATMAN ARKHAM BLACK MASK TP $19.99
OCT190635 BATMAN BY NEAL ADAMS TP BOOK 03 $24.99
MAY190541 BATMAN VS DEATHSTROKE BATTLE STATUE $350.00
NOV190442 CATWOMAN #19 $3.99
NOV190443 CATWOMAN #19 CARD STOCK VAR ED $4.99
NOV190415 DAPHNE BYRNE #1 (OF 6) (MR) $3.99
NOV190416 DAPHNE BYRNE #1 (OF 6) CARD STOCK VAR ED (MR) $4.99
MAY190539 DC BOMBSHELLS DEATH STATUE $125.00
NOV190517 DOLLAR COMICS THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #197 $1.00
NOV190502 DOLLHOUSE FAMILY #3 (OF 6) (MR) $3.99
NOV190503 DOLLHOUSE FAMILY #3 (OF 6) VAR ED (MR) $3.99
OCT190657 DREAMING TP VOL 02 EMPTY SHELLS (MR) $16.99
NOV190454 GEN LOCK #3 (OF 7) $3.99
NOV190455 GOTHAM CITY MONSTERS #5 (OF 6) $3.99
NOV190458 HARLEY QUINN & POISON IVY #5 (OF 6) $3.99
NOV190459 HARLEY QUINN & POISON IVY #5 (OF 6) CARD STOCK HARLEY VAR ED $4.99
NOV190460 HARLEY QUINN & POISON IVY #5 (OF 6) CARD STOCK POISON IVY VA $4.99
NOV190461 HAWKMAN #20 $3.99
NOV190462 HAWKMAN #20 VAR ED $3.99
NOV190507 HOUSE OF WHISPERS #17 (MR) $3.99
OCT190676 INJUSTICE GODS AMONG US YEAR FIVE COMPLETE COLL TP $34.99
NOV190486 SUPERGIRL #38 $3.99
NOV190487 SUPERGIRL #38 CARD STOCK VAR ED $4.99
SEP190602 SWAMP THING THE BRONZE AGE TP VOL 02 $39.99
NOV190515 YOUNG JUSTICE #12 $3.99
NOV190516 YOUNG JUSTICE #12 CARD STOCK VAR ED $4.99
OCT190486 AQUAMAN GIANT #2 $4.99
NOV190411 BATMAN #86 $3.99
NOV190412 BATMAN #86 CARD STOCK VAR ED $4.99
NOV190437 BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #9 $3.99
NOV190438 BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #9 VAR ED $3.99
OCT190629 BATMAN ARKHAM BLACK MASK TP $19.99
OCT190635 BATMAN BY NEAL ADAMS TP BOOK 03 $24.99
MAY190541 BATMAN VS DEATHSTROKE BATTLE STATUE $350.00
NOV190442 CATWOMAN #19 $3.99
NOV190443 CATWOMAN #19 CARD STOCK VAR ED $4.99
NOV190415 DAPHNE BYRNE #1 (OF 6) (MR) $3.99
NOV190416 DAPHNE BYRNE #1 (OF 6) CARD STOCK VAR ED (MR) $4.99
MAY190539 DC BOMBSHELLS DEATH STATUE $125.00
NOV190517 DOLLAR COMICS THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #197 $1.00
NOV190502 DOLLHOUSE FAMILY #3 (OF 6) (MR) $3.99
NOV190503 DOLLHOUSE FAMILY #3 (OF 6) VAR ED (MR) $3.99
OCT190657 DREAMING TP VOL 02 EMPTY SHELLS (MR) $16.99
NOV190454 GEN LOCK #3 (OF 7) $3.99
NOV190455 GOTHAM CITY MONSTERS #5 (OF 6) $3.99
NOV190458 HARLEY QUINN & POISON IVY #5 (OF 6) $3.99
NOV190459 HARLEY QUINN & POISON IVY #5 (OF 6) CARD STOCK HARLEY VAR ED $4.99
NOV190460 HARLEY QUINN & POISON IVY #5 (OF 6) CARD STOCK POISON IVY VA $4.99
NOV190461 HAWKMAN #20 $3.99
NOV190462 HAWKMAN #20 VAR ED $3.99
NOV190507 HOUSE OF WHISPERS #17 (MR) $3.99
OCT190676 INJUSTICE GODS AMONG US YEAR FIVE COMPLETE COLL TP $34.99
NOV190486 SUPERGIRL #38 $3.99
NOV190487 SUPERGIRL #38 CARD STOCK VAR ED $4.99
SEP190602 SWAMP THING THE BRONZE AGE TP VOL 02 $39.99
NOV190515 YOUNG JUSTICE #12 $3.99
NOV190516 YOUNG JUSTICE #12 CARD STOCK VAR ED $4.99
Labels:
Batman,
comics news,
DC Comics News,
DC Direct,
Diamond Distributors,
Neal Adams
Dynamite Entertainment from Diamond Distributors for January 8, 2020
DYNAMITE
SEP191218 BOYS OMNIBUS TP VOL 01 ROBERTSON SGN ED (MR) $29.99
SEP191219 BOYS OMNIBUS TP VOL 02 ROBERTSON SGN ED (MR) $29.99
OCT191316 BOYS OMNIBUS TP VOL 03 ENNIS SGN PHOTO CVR ED (MR) $29.99
SEP191220 BOYS OMNIBUS TP VOL 03 ROBERTSON SGN ED (MR) $29.99
OCT199101 ELVIRA MISTRESS OF DARK #11 CASTRO FOC BONUS VAR $PI
APR191044 ELVIRA MISTRESS OF DARK #11 CVR A SEELEY $3.99
APR191045 ELVIRA MISTRESS OF DARK #11 CVR B CERMAK $3.99
APR191046 ELVIRA MISTRESS OF DARK #11 CVR C ROYLE $3.99
APR191047 ELVIRA MISTRESS OF DARK #11 CVR D PHOTO $3.99
JUL191290 PETER CANNON THUNDERBOLT OVERSIZED HC $29.99
AUG191323 QUEEN SONJA OMNIBUS TP VOL 01 $39.99
OCT199113 RED SONJA #12 CASTRO FOC BONUS VAR $3.99
NOV191135 RED SONJA #12 CVR A CONNER $3.99
NOV191136 RED SONJA #12 CVR B LINSNER $3.99
NOV191137 RED SONJA #12 CVR C PHAM $3.99
NOV191138 RED SONJA #12 CVR D COLAK $3.99
NOV191139 RED SONJA #12 CVR E COSPLAY $3.99
OCT199107 VENGEANCE OF VAMPIRELLA #4 CASTRO FOC BONUS VAR $3.99
NOV191207 VENGEANCE OF VAMPIRELLA #4 CVR A PARILLO $3.99
NOV191208 VENGEANCE OF VAMPIRELLA #4 CVR B OLIVER $3.99
NOV191209 VENGEANCE OF VAMPIRELLA #4 CVR C SEGOVIA $3.99
NOV191210 VENGEANCE OF VAMPIRELLA #4 CVR D COSPLAY $3.99
SEP191218 BOYS OMNIBUS TP VOL 01 ROBERTSON SGN ED (MR) $29.99
SEP191219 BOYS OMNIBUS TP VOL 02 ROBERTSON SGN ED (MR) $29.99
OCT191316 BOYS OMNIBUS TP VOL 03 ENNIS SGN PHOTO CVR ED (MR) $29.99
SEP191220 BOYS OMNIBUS TP VOL 03 ROBERTSON SGN ED (MR) $29.99
OCT199101 ELVIRA MISTRESS OF DARK #11 CASTRO FOC BONUS VAR $PI
APR191044 ELVIRA MISTRESS OF DARK #11 CVR A SEELEY $3.99
APR191045 ELVIRA MISTRESS OF DARK #11 CVR B CERMAK $3.99
APR191046 ELVIRA MISTRESS OF DARK #11 CVR C ROYLE $3.99
APR191047 ELVIRA MISTRESS OF DARK #11 CVR D PHOTO $3.99
JUL191290 PETER CANNON THUNDERBOLT OVERSIZED HC $29.99
AUG191323 QUEEN SONJA OMNIBUS TP VOL 01 $39.99
OCT199113 RED SONJA #12 CASTRO FOC BONUS VAR $3.99
NOV191135 RED SONJA #12 CVR A CONNER $3.99
NOV191136 RED SONJA #12 CVR B LINSNER $3.99
NOV191137 RED SONJA #12 CVR C PHAM $3.99
NOV191138 RED SONJA #12 CVR D COLAK $3.99
NOV191139 RED SONJA #12 CVR E COSPLAY $3.99
OCT199107 VENGEANCE OF VAMPIRELLA #4 CASTRO FOC BONUS VAR $3.99
NOV191207 VENGEANCE OF VAMPIRELLA #4 CVR A PARILLO $3.99
NOV191208 VENGEANCE OF VAMPIRELLA #4 CVR B OLIVER $3.99
NOV191209 VENGEANCE OF VAMPIRELLA #4 CVR C SEGOVIA $3.99
NOV191210 VENGEANCE OF VAMPIRELLA #4 CVR D COSPLAY $3.99
IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for January 8, 2020
IDW PUBLISHING
SEP190739 BRITISH ICE SC GN $14.99
NOV190664 DYING IS EASY #2 (OF 5) CVR A SIMMONDS $3.99
NOV190665 DYING IS EASY #2 (OF 5) CVR B RODRIGUEZ $3.99
AUG190765 GI JOE A REAL AMERICAN HERO #269 CVR A ATKINS $3.99
AUG190766 GI JOE A REAL AMERICAN HERO #269 CVR B SULLIVAN $3.99
MAY190661 LOEG VOL IV TEMPEST HC $29.99
OCT190748 MY LITTLE PONY FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC #85 CVR A COLLER $3.99
OCT190749 MY LITTLE PONY FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC #85 CVR B NEOFOTISTOU $3.99
OCT190724 TMNT ONGOING #101 CVR A CAMPBELL $3.99
OCT190725 TMNT ONGOING #101 CVR B EASTMAN $3.99
OCT190737 UNCLE SCROOGE #52 CVR A MAZZARELLO $4.99
SEP190739 BRITISH ICE SC GN $14.99
NOV190664 DYING IS EASY #2 (OF 5) CVR A SIMMONDS $3.99
NOV190665 DYING IS EASY #2 (OF 5) CVR B RODRIGUEZ $3.99
AUG190765 GI JOE A REAL AMERICAN HERO #269 CVR A ATKINS $3.99
AUG190766 GI JOE A REAL AMERICAN HERO #269 CVR B SULLIVAN $3.99
MAY190661 LOEG VOL IV TEMPEST HC $29.99
OCT190748 MY LITTLE PONY FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC #85 CVR A COLLER $3.99
OCT190749 MY LITTLE PONY FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC #85 CVR B NEOFOTISTOU $3.99
OCT190724 TMNT ONGOING #101 CVR A CAMPBELL $3.99
OCT190725 TMNT ONGOING #101 CVR B EASTMAN $3.99
OCT190737 UNCLE SCROOGE #52 CVR A MAZZARELLO $4.99
Labels:
Alan Moore,
comics news,
Diamond Distributors,
Disney,
IDW,
Kevin O'Neill,
Knockabout Comics,
LoEG,
Top Shelf
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)