MARVEL COMICS
APR201036 AERO #12 $3.99
AUG200643 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #50.LR $3.99
AUG200644 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #50.LR VICENTINI VAR $3.99
AUG208253 CABLE #4 2ND PTG NOTO VAR $3.99
FEB201014 CONAN THE BARBARIAN #15 $3.99
AUG200717 DAREDEVIL #23 $3.99
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AUG200671 FANTASTIC FOUR #25 $5.99
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JUL200696 HELLSTROM TP PRINCE OF LIES $24.99
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AUG208254 MARAUDERS #12 2ND PTG DAUTERMAN VAR $3.99
APR200924 MARVELS X #6 (OF 6) $4.99
AUG208255 MILES MORALES SPIDER-MAN #18 2ND PTG CARNERO VAR OUT $3.99
JUL200697 SILVER SURFER BLACK TP $15.99
AUG200654 SPIDER-WOMAN #5 ALEX ROSS SPIDER-WOMAN TIMELESS VAR $4.99
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AUG200657 SPIDER-WOMAN #5 GLEASON SPIDER-WOMAN NIGHT HORROR VAR $4.99
AUG200650 SPIDER-WOMAN #5 GREG LAND CVR $4.99
AUG200651 SPIDER-WOMAN #5 JUNGGEUN YOON CVR $4.99
JUN209237 SPIDER-WOMAN #5 MOMOKO VAR $4.99
AUG200653 SPIDER-WOMAN #5 TAKEDA VILLAIN VAR $4.99
AUG200658 SPIDER-WOMAN #5 YOUNG VAR $4.99
AUG200722 STAR WARS BOUNTY HUNTERS #6 $3.99
AUG200724 STAR WARS BOUNTY HUNTERS #6 CHRISTOPHER ACTION FIGURE VAR $3.99
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AUG208259 THOR #7 2ND PTG KLEIN VAR $3.99
FEB200842 TRUE BELIEVERS BLACK WIDOW & AVENGERS #1 $1.00
FEB200841 TRUE BELIEVERS BLACK WIDOW DARKSTAR #1 $1.00
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AUG200707 VENOM #29 $3.99
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FEB200856 WEREWOLF BY NIGHT #1 (OF 4) $3.99
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JUL208871 X-MEN #13 QUESADA FORTNITE VAR XOS $3.99
AUG200626 X-MEN #13 XOS $3.99
Monday, October 19, 2020
Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for October 21, 2020
Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for October 21, 2020
COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS
JUN200997 ALT PATHS RAVEN HEX THE SWORDMAIDEN #1 DLX LITHO ED (MR) $31.99
JUL201389 ANGELA DELLA MORTE TP VOL 01 UNLEASH THE BEAST (RES) $12.95
AUG201551 ANGELA DELLA MORTE VOL 2 #2 $3.95
AUG201174 ARCHIE & KATY KEENE TP $12.99
AUG201179 ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #314 $7.99
AUG201118 BABY BLUES COLLECTION TP BB3X $19.99
AUG201427 BARBARELLA TP (RES) (MR) $22.99
AUG201629 BLADE RUNNER 2019 #11 CVR A DAGNINO (MR) $3.99
AUG201630 BLADE RUNNER 2019 #11 CVR B MEAD (MR) $3.99
AUG201631 BLADE RUNNER 2019 #11 CVR C GUINALDO (MR) $3.99
JUL201347 BLOOD GN $19.99
AUG201547 BUTCHER QUEEN PLANET OF THE DEAD #1 CVR A BEN SAWYER $3.95
AUG201548 BUTCHER QUEEN PLANET OF THE DEAD #1 CVR B TIM BRADSTREET $3.95
JUL201600 CHOBITS 20TH ANNIVERSARY ED HC VOL 02 $24.99
AUG201555 CHRIS WARE MONOGRAPH HC $29.98
AUG201833 DAILY LIVES OF HIGH SCHOOL BOYS GN VOL 02 $12.95
AUG201087 DEAD DAY #4 $3.99
AUG201218 DEVILS HIGHWAY #4 (OF 5) (MR) $3.99
JUN201101 DISNEY MASTERS HC VOL 12 CAVAZZANO DONALD DUCK FORGETFUL $29.99
AUG201463 DRY FOOT #2 (OF 4) $3.99
AUG201095 EDGAR ALLAN POE`S SNIFTER OF BLOOD #1 (MR) $4.99
AUG201569 ELECTRIC BLACK PRESENTS #1 $3.99
AUG201720 ENGINEWARD #4 CVR A EISMA $3.99
AUG201721 ENGINEWARD #4 CVR B HICKMAN $3.99
APR201963 FRANKIE COMICS HC $17.99
AUG201333 GEORGE HERRIMAN LIBRARY HC VOL 02 KRAZY & IGNATZ 1919-1921 ( $35.00
JUL208821 GG ALLIN ROCK & ROLL TERRORIST ACTIVITY & COLORING BOOK $14.95
JUL201789 GIRL FROM OTHER SIDE SIUIL RUN GN VOL 09 $12.99
AUG201612 GOITER #5 $5.99
JUL201727 HAPPY SUGAR LIFE GN VOL 06 $13.00
JUL201599 HEAVENS DESIGN TEAM GN VOL 01 $12.99
APR202163 HEIST HOW TO STEAL A PLANET #7 $3.99
AUG201365 HISTORY COMICS GN CHALLENGER DISASTER $12.99
AUG201366 HISTORY COMICS HC GN CHALLENGER DISASTER $19.99
AUG201227 HOTLINE MIAMI WILDLIFE #2 (OF 8) (MR) $3.99
MAR202004 INVADER ZIM HC VOL 04 DLX ED $49.99
APR201959 INVISIBLE DIFFERENCES ASPERGERS LIVING LIFE FULL COLOR HC $19.99
AUG201122 JUMPSTART TREASURY TP VOL 01 ON A ROLL $19.99
JUN200805 JUST BEYOND WELCOME TO BEAST ISLAND ORIGINAL GN $9.99
AUG201104 KING TANK GIRL #1 (OF 5) CVR A PARSON $3.99
AUG201105 KING TANK GIRL #1 (OF 5) CVR B POWELL CARDSTOCK $5.99
JUL201123 LADY DEATH SCORCHED EARTH #2 (OF 2) CVR A STANDARD (RES) (MR $4.99
JUL201124 LADY DEATH SCORCHED EARTH #2 (OF 2) CVR B SKULL STORM ED (RE $4.99
JUL201125 LADY DEATH SCORCHED EARTH #2 (OF 2) CVR C TYNDALL PREMIUM FO $25.00
JUL201126 LADY DEATH SCORCHED EARTH #2 (OF 2) CVR D ALE GARZA NAUGHTY $40.00
JUL201726 LAST CRUSADE RISE NEW WORLD GN VOL 03 $13.00
AUG201169 MADAM SATAN ONE SHOT CHILLING SABRINA #1 CVR A OHTA (MR) $3.99
AUG201170 MADAM SATAN ONE SHOT CHILLING SABRINA #1 CVR B HACK (MR) $3.99
AUG201539 MAGIC FISH HC GN $23.99
JUL201798 MAGICAL GIRL SPECIAL OPS ASUKA GN VOL 09 (RES) (MR) $12.99
AUG201088 MILES TO GO #2 CVR A MOLNAR $3.99
AUG192393 MONSTER HUNTERS SURVIVAL GUIDE CASE FILES TP $12.99
JAN202008 MS TREE TP SKELETON IN THE CLOSET $29.99
JUN201230 MY RIOT SC OGN $17.99
AUG201229 NECROMORFUS #1 CVR B HOMAGE VAR (MR) $3.99
JUL201802 NICOLA TRAVELING AROUND DEMON WORLD GN VOL 03 (RES) $12.99
JUN201545 OSSAN IDOL EVEN 36 NEVER TOO LATE MANGA GN VOL 01 $12.99
JUL201805 PANDORA IN CRIMSON SHELL GHOST URN GN VOL 13 (MR) $12.99
APR208967 PERFECT WORLD GN VOL 03 $12.99
AUG201895 PERSONA 5 MANGA GN VOL 04 $9.99
JUL201237 PHANTOM COMP SUNDAYS HC VOL 08 1963-1966 $70.00
AUG201208 PHANTOM OF THE OPERA GN $16.99
AUG201574 PHANTOM STARKILLER #1 $3.99
AUG201897 RADIANT GN VOL 13 $9.99
APR202138 RAI (2019) #8 CVR A SIMONSON $3.99
APR202139 RAI (2019) #8 CVR B BLEVINS $3.99
AUG201806 RENT A GIRLFRIEND GN VOL 03 (MR) $12.99
JUL201724 RESTAURANT TO ANOTHER WORLD GN VOL 02 $13.00
AUG201483 RICK AND MORTY GO TO HELL #5 CVR A $3.99
AUG201484 RICK AND MORTY GO TO HELL #5 CVR B $3.99
AUG201549 RIPTIDE DRAKEN #2 (OF 4) $3.95
APR201517 ROCKY & BULLWINKLE SHOW #1 LTD ED RETRO CVR CGC 9.8 $99.99
AUG201807 SAILOR MOON ETERNAL ED VOL 10 $27.99
FEB202101 SERA & ROYAL STARS #8 $3.99
AUG201715 SHADOW SERVICE #3 CVR A HOWELL $3.99
AUG201716 SHADOW SERVICE #3 CVR B ISAACS $3.99
JUN201229 SMOOVE CITY SC OGN $19.99
JUL201371 STAR WARS EMPIRE STRIKES BACK SCREEN COMIX $14.99
AUG201903 STAR WARS LEIA PRINCESS OF ALDERAAN GN MANGA VOL 01 $13.00
AUG201537 STAR WARS RISE OF SKYWALKER SCREEN COMIX VOL 01 $14.99
APR208968 SWEAT AND SOAP GN VOL 04 $12.99
AUG201740 TALES OF TERROR QUARTERLY 2020 HALLOWEEN SPECIAL #1 CVR A VI $8.99
AUG201741 TALES OF TERROR QUARTERLY 2020 HALLOWEEN SPECIAL #1 CVR B GA $8.99
AUG201742 TALES OF TERROR QUARTERLY 2020 HALLOWEEN SPECIAL #1 CVR C JI $8.99
MAR202223 VAGRANT QUEEN PLANET CALLED DOOM #5 $3.99
JUL201167 WALT DISNEY DONALD DUCK HC BOX SET PEG LEG BLACK PEARLS $59.99
JUL201610 WAVE LISTEN TO ME GN VOL 04 (MR) $12.99
JUL201603 WHISPER ME A LOVE SONG GN VOL 01 (MR) $12.99
AUG201452 WITCH PT 7 NEW POWER GN VOL 01 $15.00
APR202249 WOTAKOI LOVE IS HARD FOR OTAKU GN VOL 04 (MR) $17.99
JUN201520 YUZU PET GN VOL 03 $10.99
AUG201550 ZERO DAY THREAT #5 $3.95
AUG201454 ZO ZO ZOMBIE GN VOL 09 $12.00
AUG201128 ZORRO GALLEON OF DEAD #2 CVR A MARTINEZ (RES) $3.99
AUG201129 ZORRO GALLEON OF DEAD #2 CVR B PULP LTD ED (RES) $9.99
MAGAZINES
AUG201277 COMIC SHOP NEWS [90CT BUNDLE] #1731 $PI
BOOKS
AUG201257 ART OF PIXAR COMP COLOR SCRIPTS 25 YEARS REVISED & EXPANDED $60.00
AUG201258 ART OF SOUL HC $40.00
JUN201316 BACK TO THE FUTURE MAGNETIC HOVERBOARD KIT $12.95
AUG201047 BLACK WIDOW MY MIGHTY MARVEL FIRST BOOK BOARD BOOK $10.99
JUL201818 BUCK NAKED IN ANOTHER WORLD NOVEL SC VOL 02 (MR) $14.99
AUG201445 DARK CRYSTAL TOUCH & FEEL BOOK OF OPPOSITES BOARD BOOK $9.99
AUG201259 DC CHRISTMAS CAROLS WE WISH YOU A HARLEY CHRISTMAS HC $14.95
AUG201437 GREMLINS GIZMOS 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS BOARD BOOK $16.99
JUN201317 JAWS WERE GOING TO NEED BIGGER BOAT KIT $12.95
JUL201107 JIM BALENT KEY CONJURINGS TAROT ART BOOK SC (RES) (MR) $20.00
JUL201824 KUMA KUMA KUMA BEAR NOVEL SC VOL 03 $13.99
JUN200827 MAGIC THE GATHERING LEGENDS VISUAL HISTORY HC $19.99
JUL201825 MUSHOKU TENSEI JOBLESS REINCARNATION LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 07 ( $13.99
AUG201729 NEIL GAIMAN READER HC $40.00
JUL201828 ROLL OVER AND DIE LIGHT NOVEL VOL 01 $13.99
AUG201377 SOUL LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK $4.99
AUG201441 STAR WARS COMP MARVEL COMICS COVERS MINI HC VOL 02 $11.99
AUG201443 STAR WARS LIGHTSABER COLLECTION HC $29.99
AUG201354 WAKANDA FILES TECHNOLOGICAL EXPLORATION AVENGERS & BEYOND (R $60.00
AUG201339 WHAT CARTOONING REALLY IS SC INTERVIEWS CHARLES SCHULZ $24.99
JUL208782 WORLD OF CRITICAL ROLE HIST BEHIND EPIC FANTASY HC $35.00
DC Comics from Lunar/UCS Distributors for October 20, 2020
DC COMICS:
Aquaman #64 (Cover A Robson Rocha & Daniel Henriques), $3.99
Aquaman #64 (Cover B Gilbert Vigonte), AR
Batman #101 (Cover A Guillem March), $3.99
Batman #101 (Cover B Francesco Mattina Card Stock Variant), AR
Batman #101 (Cover C Jorge Jimenez Card Stock Variant), AR
Batman Volume 1 Their Dark Designs HC, $29.99
Batman White Knight Presents Harley Quinn #1 (Of 8)(Cover A Sean Murphy), $5.99
Batman White Knight Presents Harley Quinn #1 (Of 8)(Cover B Matteo Scalera), AR
Batman White Knight Presents Harley Quinn #1 (Of 8)(Cover C Blank Variant), AR
Catwoman #26 (Cover A Joelle Jones), $3.99
Catwoman #26 (Cover B Jenny Frison Card Stock Variant), AR
Dark Nights Death Metal Robin King #1 (Cover A Riley Rossmo), $5.99
Dark Nights Death Metal Robin King #1 (Cover B Jeremy Roberts), AR
DC Graphic Novels For Kids Box Set #1, $39.99
DC Graphic Novels For Young Adults Box Set #1, $49.99
Fables Compendium Volume 1 TP, $59.99
JSA By Geoff Johns Volume 4 TP, $39.99
Justice League #55 (Cover A Liam Sharp), $3.99
Justice League #55 (Cover B Simone Bianchi), AR
Metal Men #11 (Of 12)(Cover A Shane Davis), $3.99
Metal Men #11 (Of 12)(Cover B Jose Luis García-Lopez), AR
Nightwing #75 (Cover A Travis Moore), $5.99
Nightwing #75 (Cover B Alan Quah), AR
Scooby-Doo Where Are You #106, $2.99
Teen Titans #46 (Cover A Bernard Chang), $3.99
Teen Titans #46 (Cover B Peach Momoko Card Stock Variant), AR
Young Justice Volume 5 TP, $34.99
Sunday, October 18, 2020
#IReadsYou Review: SCOOBY-DOO, Where Are You? #105
DC COMICS – @DCComics
STORY: Sholly Fisch; Barney Topper
PENCILS: Walter Carzon; Dan DeCarlo
INKS: Horacio Ottolini; Dan Davis
COLORS: Silvana Brys; Paul Becton
LETTERS: Saida Temofonte; Jenna Garcia
EDITORS: Courtney Jordan; Joan Hilty (reprint)
COVER: Walter Carzon and Horacio Ottolini with Silvana Brys
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (October 2020)
Ages 8+
“Clearing the Troll Posts”
Welcome, dear readers, to my continuing journey through the Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? comic book series, which began publication in 2010. I renewed my subscription (for a second time), and this is the seventh issue of my third subscription run that I have received.
Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #105 opens with “Clearing the Troll Posts,” which is written by Sholly Fisch and drawn by Walter Carzon and Horacio Ottolini. Mystery Inc.: Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Fred, Daphne, and Velma discover that Daphne's favorite “vlogger” (video blogger), “Screengirl,” is in trouble. It seems that she is being trolled by the monstrous “Internet Troll” who is trashing Screengirl's tech. Can Mystery Inc. unravel the mystery of the Internet Troll, or is there more to this i-haunting than some trolling?
The second story, “Scare Wear,” is, as usual, a reprint and is written by Barney Topper and drawn by Dan DeCarlo and Dan Davis. [This story was originally published in Scooby-Doo #51 (cover date: October 2001).] Mystery Inc. is excited about seeing pop star, Ashley Stunn, who is also a fashion icon. Ashley's outfits, designed by Tim Goodfiger, are a sensation... but those outfits are also haunted! And the spooks are threatening Ashley's well-being. Can Mystery Inc. unravel the threads of this designer mystery?
“Clearing the Troll Posts,” the new story in Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #105, does not amount to much, and it is hardly worth talking about. However, the reprint story, “Scare Wear,” is of interest because its pencil art was produced by the late Dan DeCarlo (1919-2001), the great Archie Comics artist who developed Archie Comics' house style, the visual and graphic style that would shape the art of Archie Comics for over 40 years.
DeCarlo and is one of the creators of such popular Archie Comics' franchises as Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Josie and the Pussycats, and Cheryl Blossom. It was because of his lawsuit against Archie Comics over the rights to Josie and the Pussycats that got DeCarlo banished from the publisher. Before he died, DeCarlo drew comics for other publishers, including two Scooby-Doo comics stories, one of which is “Scare Wear.”
I recommend Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #105 to fans of Scooby-Doo comic books, and, this time, especially to fans of the late, great Dan DeCarlo. So, until next time, Scooby-Dooby-Doo!
B
6 out of 10
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.
-----------------------------------
Saturday, October 17, 2020
#IReadsYou Review: BLACK CLOVER Volume 17
BLACK CLOVER, VOL. 17
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia
MANGAKA: Yuki Tabata
TRANSLATION: Taylor Engel, HC Language Solutions, Inc.
LETTERS: Annaliese Christman
EDITOR: Alexis Kirsch
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0616-7; paperback (September 2019); Rated “T” for “Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK
Black Clover is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yuki Tabata. It has been serialized in the manga magazine, Weekly Shonen Jump, since February 2015. VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series under its “Shonen Jump” imprint since 2016.
Black Clover focuses on a hopeful boy named Asta. He and his friend, Yuno, are found abandoned in the village of Hage of the Clover Kingdom. Both Asta and Yuno dream of one day being the “Wizard King,” the greatest mage in the land. Asta has one big problem; he can't use magic. When he is 15-years-old, Asta receives the rare “five-leaf-clover grimoire” (a book of magic), which gives him the power of anti-magic. Can Asta become the Wizard King without being able to use magic? Is he worthy of being in the “Magic Knights” squad, “the Black Bulls?”
As Black Clover, Vol. 17 (Chapters 151 to 160; entitled “Fall, Or Save the Kingdom”) opens, disaster has struck the Magic Knights. The souls of elves who claim to have been killed by humans have taken over the bodies of members of the Magic Knights. Now, these elves are going to use their new bodies and enhanced powers to kill humans. Asta and the Magic Knights are in trouble, but that doesn't mean that Asta is going to give up? But which side is Yuno on?
[This volume includes bonus material: “The Blank Page Brigade;” an “Afterword;” and sketches.]
THE LOWDOWN: The Black Clover manga is one of the best shonen battle manga available to English-speaking audiences. I have read seven volumes so far this year, and every time I read one it is like rediscovering how amazing this series is.
Black Clover Graphic Novel Volume 17 moves deeper into this shocking elves-possession story line. It just came out of nowhere, and truthfully, it could have turned out to be a disaster. Elvish ghosts; elvish genocide; possession; revenge: yeah, that could have been a disaster. Instead, Vol. 17 is the latest volume in a really fun to read graphic novel series. I practically tore through this volume.
I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of the top Weekly Shonen Jump manga will definitely want to try the “Shonen Jump” series, Black Clover.
A+
10 out of 10
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
https://www.viz.com/
https://twitter.com/VIZMedia
https://www.instagram.com/vizmedia/
https://www.facebook.com/OfficialVIZMedia
https://www.snapchat.com/add/vizmedia
The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.
------------------------
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Friday, October 16, 2020
#IReadsYou Review: GREY Chapter 2
GREY. CHAPTER 2
THE GREY ROOM
[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]
STORY: Kris Hornett
ART: Ardee Arollado
SPECIAL PROJECTS ART: Kenet Guevarra
COVER: InHyuk Lee
EDITOR: Lisa Taylor
28pp, B&W, $10.00 (August 2020)
Chapter 2 “Nimbus”
Grey is a recently-launched. independently published comic book series from writer Kris Hornett and artist Ardee Arollado. Published by The Grey Room, Grey is a hybrid, a combination of an American comic book format and Japanese manga. Grey is similar to OEL manga or “original English language” manga, American graphic novels in which the storytelling borrowed or mimicked the aesthetics, styles, attitudes, genres, graphics, pacing, etc. of Japanese manga (comics).
Grey is set in the realm of Ketiyama (apparently an archipelago) and takes place some time after an event known as “the Sonoma Incident.” This outbreak of the lethal “Moon Virus” on Nacirema, one of Ketiyama's islands, led to chaos, destruction, and division. As a sign of good faith and as a last attempt to restore order, the ruling Board of Officials allowed the people to elect a team of highly trained tactical agents, known as “the Bureau,” to serve and protect them. Within the Bureau is an elite unit known as “Nimbus.” This team of five agents are sworn to maintain moral balance and to enforce the law. The agents of Nimbus are also able to manipulate their “prana” (“life energy”).
The agents of Nimbus are Samara Asuhara, Kouken Masimuto, Shuyin Hagamuri, Manu Yagyu, and Kale Schaefer. Belisia Asuhara is their handler and the creator of Nimbus.
As Grey. Chapter 2. (“Nimbus”) opens, the media confronts Renee Dubois, the commissioner of the Bureau, about recent events. There was the shocking murder at the International Fashion Fest (IFF). There was an invasion of Bureau headquarters in which nine agents were killed. The Bureau's evidence room was also infiltrated and an “okami mask,” with a notorious past was stolen. Belisia Asuhara is pushing her agents of Nimbus to get involved in this case because everything about it is abnormal and beyond the scope of ordinary Bureau agents.
Meanwhile, Samara does some pushing of her own. She wants Shuyin to accept that Willow, a woman from his past, is connected to their case, but Shuyin really has no idea what Willow is doing. But first, Shuyin receives a special visitor.
THE LOWDOWN: As I wrote in my review of the first issue: Grey is not one of those comic books that you read and toss in the already-read-pile before moving on to the next comic book. Grey is conceptually well-developed, and the world in which it is set has a complex history.
Grey Chapter 2 begins the deep dive into the narrative, after Chapter 1's teasing nature, in which the creative team of Kris Hornett and Ardee Arollado teased readers through the door and into the world of Grey. In Grey Chapter 2, Hornett seems to be establishing the independence and the individuality of the characters. Even the bit players, some of whom might be captives for all I know, come across as persons with their own lives outside of game of which they are part.
Part of that also comes from Arollado's strong art and graphical storytelling. No character really looks like another. It is as if Arollado actually approaches each new figure to draw as a new character. He or she may be a face in the crowd, but it is HIS or HER face in the crowd and it belongs to no one else. There are no filler characters; instead, there are players with potential.
I think the strongest element in Grey are the characters. Each and every one has his or her own motivation, and motivation can be a dangerous thing. Danger is good for drama. So let's come back for more Grey. By the way, Grey Chapter 2 has a beautiful cover drawn by Marvel Comics cover artist InHyuk Lee... which would make a gorgeous poster.
I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of manga-inspired comic books will want to read Grey.
[This comic book includes additional informative text pieces.]
8 out of 10
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
https://thegreyroom.org/
https://www.instagram.com/thegreyroom_/
https://twitter.com/Hornett_
The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.
---------------------------
Thursday, October 15, 2020
#IReadsYou Review: FUSHIGI YUGI: BYAKKO SENKI Volume 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia
[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]
CARTOONIST: Yuu Watase
TRANSLATION: Matt Treyvaud
LETTERS: Sara Linsley
EDITOR: Nancy Thislethwaite
ISBN: 978-1-9747-1164-2; paperback (August 2020), Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
200pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S. $12.99 CAN, £7.99 UK
Fushigi Yûgi Byakko Senki is a shojo manga series written and drawn by Yuu Watase. It is the second prequel series to Watase's Fushigi Yûgi. Byakko Senki began with a one-shot story, entitled Fushigi Yûgi Byakko Ibun, before beginning as a serial in the Japanese manga magazine, Monthly Flowers, in August 2017. VIZ Media began publishing an English-language edition of Byakko Senki as a paperback graphic novel series under its “Shojo Beat” imprint in August 2020.
Fushigi Yûgi: Byakko Senki, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 4) opens in Japan in the year 1923. Suzuno Ohsugi is a young girl who is doted upon by her devoted mother and father. Her father, Takao Ohsugi, works in book publishing, which gives him access to the papers of Einosuke Okuda, the translator of the book, “The Universe of the Four Gods.” Okuda is a controversial figure whom the public believes killed his daughter high in the mountains before taking his life in some kind of murder-suicide ritual.
Suzuno's father now has possession of The Universe of the Four Gods, and he absolutely does not want his daughter to touch it. Then, “the Great Kanto Earthquake” occurs, and in a bid to save his daughter, Takao sends her into The Universe of the Four Gods.
THE LOWDOWN: The Fushigi Yûgi: Byakko Senki manga is an “isekai fantasy.” This is an “accidental travel” genre that is prominent in Japanese entertainment, including light novels, manga, anime and video games. Isekai fantasy revolves around a normal person from Earth being transported to or reborn in a parallel universe or fantasy world. The entire Fushigi Yûgi series is an isekai fantasy.
The series began with Fushigi Yūgi, a Japanese shojo manga series written and illustrated by Yuu Watase. It tells the story of two teenaged girls, Miaka and Yui, who are pulled into the world of a mysterious book, “The Universe of the Four Gods.” Fushigi Yûgi was serialized in Shōjo Comic from May 1992 to June 1996. VIZ Media published an English language edition of the manga as an 18-volume paperback graphic novel series under its “Shojo Beat” imprint from December 2003 to April 2006.
Watase produced a prequel to Fushigi Yūgi, entitled Fushigi Yûgi Genbu Kaiden. It was serialized over a period beginning March 2003 and ending February 2013 in four magazines over the course of its run. This prequel series details the creation of The Universe of the Four Gods and tells the full story of the Priestess of Genbu. VIZ Media published an English language edition of the manga as a 12-volume paperback graphic novel series under its “Shojo Beat” imprint from July 2005 to March 2014.
Fushigi Yûgi: Byakko Senki Graphic Novel Volume 1 begins a story that is familiar to anyone who has read the previous two series. While Byakko Senki is a prequel to the original series, it is also a sequel to Genbu Kaiden, while occurring before the original. I read at least the last five or six volumes of Genbu Kaiden, but I am not sure if I read any of the original. If I did, it was no more than the final volume or volumes of the series.
I like this first volume, but it is sort of all over the place, as it takes place in two time periods, in the Universe of the Four Gods, and in flashbacks. Matt Treyvaud's translation keeps the story together and coherent. The lettering by Sara Linsley also helps to establish setting as much as it does tone.
If you, dear readers, are familiar with the work of Yuu Watase, you will like this first volume of Fushigi Yûgi: Byakko Senki, as I do. There are so many things left unsaid and unfinished in this first volume that I can't wait to return to the story. However, I must add that you do not need to have read the earlier series to enjoy Byakko Senki.
I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of the Fushigi Yûgi series will like the “Shojo Beat” title, Fushigi Yûgi: Byakko Senki.
8 out of 10
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
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