Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for February 2, 2022

MARVEL COMICS

NOV210937 ALIEN #9 $3.99

NOV210938 ALIEN #9 RAHZZAH VAR $3.99

DEC210933 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #88 $3.99

DEC210934 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #88 BAGLEY VAR $3.99

DEC210936 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #88 MANNA X-GWEN VAR $3.99

OCT211017 AVENGERS TECH-ON #6 (OF 6) $3.99

OCT211018 AVENGERS TECH-ON #6 (OF 6) MOMOKO VAR $3.99

OCT211019 BLACK PANTHER LEGENDS #3 (OF 4) $3.99

OCT211020 BLACK PANTHER LEGENDS #3 (OF 4) BUSTOS VAR $3.99

OCT211011 CAPTAIN AMERICA TRUTH TP BAKER DM VAR (MR) $24.99

OCT211010 CAPTAIN AMERICA TRUTH TP QUESADA CVR (MR) $24.99

OCT211004 CONAN CHRONICLES EPIC COLLECTION TP BLOOD IN HIS WAKE (MR) $44.99

DEC210918 DAREDEVIL WOMAN WITHOUT FEAR #2 (OF 3) $3.99

DEC210919 DAREDEVIL WOMAN WITHOUT FEAR #2 (OF 3) BAGLEY VAR $3.99

NOV210900 FANTASTIC FOUR LIFE STORY #6 (OF 6) $4.99

NOV210901 FANTASTIC FOUR LIFE STORY #6 (OF 6) MORRIS VAR $4.99

AUG218316 FANTASTIC FOUR RECKONING WAR ALPHA #1 $4.99

AUG218317 FANTASTIC FOUR RECKONING WAR ALPHA #1 CASELLI VAR $4.99

AUG218318 FANTASTIC FOUR RECKONING WAR ALPHA #1 HITCH VAR $4.99

NOV218768 HELLIONS #18 2ND PTG SEGOVIA VAR $4.99

OCT211028 KA-ZAR LORD SAVAGE LAND #5 (OF 5) $3.99

OCT211030 KA-ZAR LORD SAVAGE LAND #5 (OF 5) ACUNA VAR $3.99

OCT211029 KA-ZAR LORD SAVAGE LAND #5 (OF 5) GARCIA MAP VAR $3.99

OCT211015 MIGHTY MMW DOCTOR STRANGE WORLD BEYOND GN TP VOL 01 $15.99

OCT211016 MIGHTY MMW DOCTOR STRANGE WORLD BEYOND GN TP VOL 01 DM VAR $15.99

OCT211012 MOON KNIGHT BY BENDIS & MALEEV COMPLETE COLL TP $29.99

AUG218320 SABRETOOTH #1 $4.99

AUG218322 SABRETOOTH #1 BROWN VAR $4.99

AUG218321 SABRETOOTH #1 NAUCK HEADSHOT VAR $4.99

AUG218323 SABRETOOTH #1 SUAYAN VAR $4.99

DEC210948 SAVAGE SPIDER-MAN #1 $3.99

DEC210953 SAVAGE SPIDER-MAN #1 (OF 5) PEREZ VAR $3.99

DEC210950 SAVAGE SPIDER-MAN #1 BAGLEY VAR $3.99

DEC210952 SAVAGE SPIDER-MAN #1 LUBERA VAR $3.99

DEC210951 SAVAGE SPIDER-MAN #1 RON LIM VAR $3.99

DEC210949 SAVAGE SPIDER-MAN #1 SANDOVAL VAR $3.99

DEC210957 SAVAGE SPIDER-MAN #1 YOUNG VAR $3.99

NOV210926 SHANG-CHI #8 $3.99

NOV210927 SHANG-CHI #8 CHEUNG HEADSHOT SKETCH VAR $3.99

NOV210913 SPIDER-WOMAN #19 $3.99

NOV210914 SPIDER-WOMAN #19 PEREZ VAR $3.99

NOV210954 STAR WARS CRIMSON REIGN #2 (OF 5) $3.99

NOV210960 STAR WARS CRIMSON REIGN #2 (OF 5) ANINDITO CONNECTING VAR $3.99

NOV210958 STAR WARS CRIMSON REIGN #2 (OF 5) CRAIN ENEMIES DAWN VAR $3.99

NOV210957 STAR WARS CRIMSON REIGN #2 (OF 5) GIANGIORDANO WARRIORS VAR $3.99

NOV210959 STAR WARS CRIMSON REIGN #2 (OF 5) PHAM SYNDICATE VAR $3.99

NOV210956 STAR WARS CRIMSON REIGN #2 (OF 5) RAHZZAH KNIGHTS REN VAR $3.99

NOV210943 STAR WARS HALCYON LEGACY #1 (OF 5) $4.99

NOV210946 STAR WARS HALCYON LEGACY #1 (OF 5) FERRY VAR $4.99

NOV210944 STAR WARS HALCYON LEGACY #1 (OF 5) SLINEY CONNECTING VAR $4.99

NOV210945 STAR WARS HALCYON LEGACY #1 (OF 5) WIJNGAARD VAR $4.99

DEC211058 STAR WARS HIGH REPUBLIC #14 $3.99

DEC211059 STAR WARS HIGH REPUBLIC #14 MCKONE VAR $3.99

NOV210915 THE MARVELS #8 $3.99

DEC210994 THE THING #4 (OF 6) $3.99

DEC210995 THE THING #4 (OF 6) CASSARA STORMBREAKER VAR $3.99

OCT211008 THOR EPIC COLL TP TO WAKE MANGOG $39.99

OCT211013 WOLVERINE BY CLAREMONT & MILLER DLX ED TP $19.99

JUN210766 WOLVERINE X-MEN BY AARON OMNIBUS HC BACHALO CVR NEW PTG $125.00

JUN210767 WOLVERINE X-MEN BY AARON OMNIBUS HC DM VAR NEW PTG $125.00

NOV210794 X LIVES OF WOLVERINE #2 $4.99

NOV210799 X LIVES OF WOLVERINE #2 BAGLEY TRADING CARD VAR $4.99

NOV210798 X LIVES OF WOLVERINE #2 COELLO STORMBREAKERS VAR $4.99

NOV210797 X LIVES OF WOLVERINE #2 SAIZ LIVES OF WOLVERINE VAR $4.99

DEC210972 X-CELLENT #1 $3.99

DEC210973 X-CELLENT #1 MANHANINI VAR $3.99

DEC210975 X-CELLENT #1 YOUNG VAR $3.99

NOV210886 X-MEN LEGENDS #11 $3.99

NOV210887 X-MEN LEGENDS #11 LASHLEY CLASSIC HOMAGE VAR $3.99

-----------

Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for February 2, 2022

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

NOV211412 ABOVE & BELOW THE VOYAGES OF VIRIGILIO $25.00

NOV211535 ARCADE WORLD GN CHAPTERBOOK HC VOL 01 DINO TROUBLE $17.99

NOV211534 ARCADE WORLD GN CHAPTERBOOK VOL 01 DINO TROUBLE $9.99

DEC211344 ARCHIES VALENTINE`S DAY SPECTACULAR #1 $2.99

OCT211883 BELLE ANNUAL #25 CVR A VITORINO $7.99

OCT211884 BELLE ANNUAL #25 CVR B SEAN CHEN $7.99

OCT211885 BELLE ANNUAL #25 CVR C TAO $7.99

OCT211886 BELLE ANNUAL #25 CVR D JOSH BURNS $7.99

OCT211887 BELLE ANNUAL #25 CVR E CAANAN WHITE $7.99

OCT211888 BELLE ANNUAL #25 CVR F BLANK SKETCH ED $10.00

DEC212007 BLACK CLOVER GN VOL 28 $9.99

NOV211500 BONYEER AROMATIC #1 CVR A PIYOTYCHO $4.99

NOV211501 BONYEER AROMATIC #1 CVR B KLAUS $4.99

NOV211502 BONYEER AROMATIC #1 CVR C GIENI $4.99

NOV211503 BONYEER AROMATIC #1 CVR D HONNE $4.99

NOV211504 BONYEER AROMATIC #1 CVR E BLANK SKETCH $9.99

NOV211636 CARRIERS #3 CVR A BELCHER AND VALENCIA $3.95

AUG211487 CAT SHIT VOL 03 #1 (OF 3) $3.99

NOV211044 CEREBUS IN HELL 2022 PREVIEW ONE SHOT $4.00

DEC211987 CHAINSAW MAN GN VOL 09 $9.99

NOV211075 CHICKEN DEVIL #4 $4.99

AUG211491 COOKIE & KID VOL 02 #4 $3.99

OCT211092 COSMOS TP $14.99

NOV211972 DANCE IN VAMPIRE BUND AGE OF SCARLET ORDER GN VOL 05 (MR) (C $12.99

NOV211638 DARK AGE TP VOL 01 $19.95

NOV211068 DARK RED WHERE ROADS LEAD ONESHOT #1 CVR A HOWELL $6.99

DEC211556 DF BATMAN #118 HOMAGE CGC GRADED $99.99

DEC211560 DF DEVILS REIGN #1 PAREL COMICXPOSURE EXC $29.99

DEC211990 DR STONE GN VOL 20 $9.99

AUG212056 FAB GN BOOK 01 PANDORA $7.99

DEC211401 FIGHT GIRLS TP $9.99

OCT211483 GEORGE HERRIMAN LIBRARY HC KRAZY & IGNATZ 1922-1924 $49.99

NOV211678 GERALDINE PU & HER CAT HAT TOO YR GN $6.99

NOV211679 GERALDINE PU & HER CAT HAT TOO YR HC GN $17.99

FEB211041 GOLD DIGGER #285 $3.99

SEP211199 GOON #14 (RES) $3.99

NOV211439 GREATEST THING GN $17.99

NOV211440 GREATEST THING HC GN $25.99

DEC211590 HALCYON HC $24.99

OCT211086 HATH NO FURY #4 $3.99

NOV211779 HUMAN REMAINS #5 CVR A CANTIRINO $3.99

NOV211780 HUMAN REMAINS #5 CVR B HIXSON $3.99

OCT212070 IM IN LOVE WITH VILLAINESS GN VOL 02 $12.99

OCT211997 INTERSPECIES REVIEWERS GN VOL 06 (MR) $13.00

DEC211988 JOJOS BIZARRE ADV PT 5 GOLDEN WIND HC VOL 03 $19.99

DEC211989 JUJUTSU KAISEN GN VOL 14 $9.99

AUG211493 JUNGLE COMICS #5 $3.99

DEC212002 KINGS BEAST GN VOL 05 $9.99

NOV218870 KNIGHT OF ICE GN VOL 09 $12.99

SEP211613 KNIGHTS OF THE DINNER TABLE #290 $6.99

SEP212147 LAUGHING UNDER THE CLOUDS VOL 06 $12.99

SEP211156 LEGEND & THE VANGUARD #1 $3.99

NOV218871 LOVESICK ELLIE GN VOL 02 $10.99

NOV211640 MACHINE GIRL TP VOL 02 SPACE INVADERS (RES) (MR) $14.95

NOV211965 MULTI MIND MAYHEM GN VOL 02 ISEKAI TENSEI SOUDOUKI (MR) $12.95

NOV211987 MUSCLES ARE BETTER THAN MAGIC GN VOL 04 $12.99

NOV211221 NINE STONES #6 CVR A SPANO (MR) $3.99

NOV211222 NINE STONES #6 CVR B SPANO (MR) $3.99

NOV211217 NOBODYS CHILD #5 (OF 6) (MR) $3.99

AUG212057 ONLY HOPE GN BOOK 01 FEAR FARM $7.99

NOV218872 ORIENT GN VOL 07 $10.99

SEP211233 PIXELS OF YOU GN $16.99

SEP211234 PIXELS OF YOU HC GN $22.99

DEC211391 PRIMOS #1 (OF 4) CVR A JOHNSON (MR) $3.99

DEC211392 PRIMOS #1 (OF 4) CVR B DEODATO JR (MR) $3.99

DEC211393 PRIMOS #1 (OF 4) CVR C BARBERI 15 COPY INCV (MR) $3.99

DEC211394 PRIMOS #1 (OF 4) SPANISH ED (MR) $3.99

NOV211577 RICK AND MORTY PRESENTS HERICKTICS OF RICK #1 CVR A STERN $4.99

NOV211578 RICK AND MORTY PRESENTS HERICKTICS OF RICK #1 CVR B PATRICIA $4.99

DEC212006 SERAPH OF END VAMPIRE REIGN GN VOL 23 $9.99

NOV211048 SERIAL #10 (OF 10) $3.99

NOV211233 SHI NO KAGE #6 (OF 6) CVR A $3.99

OCT211093 SOUTHSIDE #2 CVR A CHEPE RIOS (MR) $3.99

DEC211714 SPEED REPUBLIC #1 CVR A PARASCANDOLO & MONTE $3.99

DEC211715 SPEED REPUBLIC #1 CVR B FABIAN LELAY $3.99

NOV211484 STAR WARS INNER JEDI HC $19.99

DEC211439 STARTUP #1 STARTING POINT $4.99

OCT211368 TAROT WITCH OF THE BLACK ROSE #131 COSPLAY PHOTO CVR ED (MR) $19.99

OCT211370 TAROT WITCH OF THE BLACK ROSE #131 DLX LITHO ED (MR) $19.99

SEP211157 TITAN THE ULTRA MAN #1 $3.99

AUG212058 UNITED STATES OF MAGIC GN BOOK 01 GRAND THEFT GLOBAL $7.99

OCT211095 WAR GUARD #1 $2.99

DEC212008 WE NEVER LEARN GN VOL 20 $9.99

DEC211346 WORLD OF BETTY & VERONICA JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #12 $8.99

DEC212000 YONA OF THE DAWN GN VOL 34 $9.99

JUN211186 ZOMBIE TRAMP ONGOING #84 CVR A MACCAGNI (MR) $4.99

JUN211187 ZOMBIE TRAMP ONGOING #84 CVR B MACCAGNI RISQUE (MR) $4.99

JUN211188 ZOMBIE TRAMP ONGOING #84 CVR C AVELLA (MR) $4.99

JUN211189 ZOMBIE TRAMP ONGOING #84 CVR D AVELLA RISQUE (MR) $4.99

MAGAZINES

SEP211702 2000 AD NOVEMBER 2021 PROG PACK $26.50

NOV211323 COMIC SHOP NEWS (90CT BUNDLE) #1798 $PI

OCT211537 HORRORHOUND #92 $8.99

SEP211703 JUDGE DREDD MEGAZINE #438 $10.99

DEC211665 NIB NATURE $14.95

NOV218144 STAR WARS INSIDER #208 FOC VAR $9.99

OCT218860 STAR WARS INSIDER #208 FOC VIRGIN VAR $9.99

NOV211739 STAR WARS INSIDER #208 NEWSSTAND ED $9.99

NOV211740 STAR WARS INSIDER #208 PX ED $9.99

BOOKS

AUG201046 BLACK PANTHER MY MIGHTY MARVEL FIRST BOOK BOARD BOOK $10.99

OCT212100 DISCIPLE OF LICH NOVEL SC VOL 02 $13.99

NOV212003 GRIMGAR OF FANTASY & ASH LIGHT NOVEL VOL 17 $13.99

JUL211466 ILLUSTRATION ART GALLERY THROUGH THE AGES PETER JACKSON HC ( $37.99

OCT211072 MAGNIFICENT WOMEN OF MARVEL POP UP PLAY & DISPLAY $16.99

SEP212135 NPC IN VILLAGE SIM GAME MUST BE REAL NOVEL VOL 02 $14.99

AUG212327 SEVEN DEADLY SINS OMNIBUS GN VOL 01 $19.99

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

DC Comics from Lunar Distributors for February 1, 2022

DC COMICS:

Arkham City The Order Of The World #5 (Of 6)(Cover A Sam Wolfe Connelly), $3.99
Arkham City The Order Of The World #5 (Of 6)(Cover B Derrick Chew Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Batman #120 (Cover A Jorge Molina), $4.99
Batman #120 (Cover B Francesco Mattina Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Batman #120 (Cover C Dan Hipp Card Stock Variant), AR
Batman #120 (Cover D Jock Card Stock Variant), AR
Batman White Knight Presents Harley Quinn TP, $17.99
Dark Knights Of Steel #4 (Of 12)(Cover A Yasmine Putri), $3.99
Dark Knights Of Steel #4 (Of 12)(Cover B Joshua Middleton Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Dark Knights Of Steel #4 (Of 12)(Cover C Bengal Character Sheet Card Stock Variant), AR
Dark Nights Death Metal #1 (Of 7)(Soundtrack Special Edition Rise Against With Flexi Single Broken Dreams Inc.)(2nd Printing), $24.99
Dark Nights Death Metal #2 (Of 7)(Soundtrack Special Edition Grey Daze With Flexi Single Featuring Anything Anything)(2nd Printing), $24.99
Dark Nights Death Metal #3 (Of 7)(Soundtrack Special Edition Denzel Curry With Flexi Single Featuring Bad Luck)(2nd Printing), $24.99
Detective Comics #1051 (Cover A Irvin Rodriguez), $4.99
Detective Comics #1051 (Cover B Lee Bermejo Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Detective Comics #1051 (Cover C Jorge Fornes Card Stock Variant), AR
Joker Presents A Puzzlebox #7 (Of 7)(Cover A Chip Zdarsky), $4.99
Joker Presents A Puzzlebox #7 (Of 7)(Cover B Reilly Brown Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Justice League Incarnate #4 (Of 5)(Cover A Gary Frank), $4.99
Justice League Incarnate #4 (Of 5)(Cover B Jorge Fornes Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Justice League Incarnate #4 (Of 5)(Cover C Chris Burnham Card Stock Variant), AR
Milestone Compendium Volume 1 TP, $59.99
Monkey Prince #1 (Of 12)(Cover A Bernard Chang), $3.99
Monkey Prince #1 (Of 12)(Cover B Stanley Artgerm Lau Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Monkey Prince #1 (Of 12)(Cover C Team Zao Dao Card Stock Variant), AR
Monkey Prince #1 (Of 12)(Cover D Habchi Hicham Card Stock Variant), AR
Monkey Prince #1 (Of 12)(Cover E Dustin Nguyen Card Stock Variant), AR
One-Star Squadron #3 (Of 6)(Cover A Steve Lieber), $3.99
Represent HC, $24.99
Sandman The Deluxe Edition Volume 5 HC, $49.99
Suicide Squad #12 (Cover A Eduardo Pansica Julio Ferreira & Marcelo Maiolo), $3.99
Suicide Squad #12 (Cover B Jonboy Meyers Card Stock Variant), $4.99
World Of Krypton #3 (Of 6)(Cover A Mico Suayan), $3.99
World Of Krypton #3 (Of 6)(Cover B Dave Johnson Card Stock Variant), $4.99

----------

#IReadsYou Review: MAO: Volume 2

MAO, VOL. 2
VIZ MEDIA

MANGAKA: Rumiko Takahashi
TRANSLATION: Junko Goda
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Shaenon Garrity
LETTERS: Susan Daigle-Leach
EDITOR: Annette Roman
ISBN: 978-1-9747-2058-3; paperback (November 2021); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £7.99 UK

Mao is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Rumiko Takahashi.  It has been serialized in the Japanese manga magazine, Weekly Shōnen Sunday, since May 2019.  In September 2021, VIZ Media began publishing an English-language edition of Mao as a series of paperback graphic novels under its “Shonen Sunday” imprint.

Mao focuses on 15-year-old Nanoka Kiba.  Eight years ago, she was in a mysterious car accident in which she and her parents died, but Nanoka continues to live on.  One day, while visiting the shopping alley on Fifth Street, Nanoka inadvertently enters a portal that transports her back to Japan's Taisho era.  There, Nanoka meets a young-looking exorcist named Mao and his helper, Otoya, a shikigami that resembles a small boy.  As they try to discover what thread of fate connects them, they'll kick demon butt along the way.

As Mao, Vol. 2 (Chapters 1 to 10) opens, Nanoka, Mao, and Otoya investigate the strange cult of Priestess Shoko in hopes of bringing her to justice.  However, diabolical forces surround her, and they will kill anyone who stand in their way.  Meanwhile, Shoko reveals a shocking doomsday prophecy.  Later, Nanoka and her friend, the boy who wants to date her, Shiraha, do some historical research and discover a cataclysmic event that is yet to occur in Mao's timeline.

THE LOWDOWN:  The Mao manga is the latest multi-genre manga from Rumiko
Takahashi.  As usual, this title pairs a young female touched by the supernatural with a youngish male whose trade is in the supernatural.

Mao Graphic Novel Volume 2 finds Nanoka hopping back and forth between timelines.  She and Mao investigate all manner of demons.  Meanwhile, a historical disaster connects the two different worlds in which they live, but history may not be entirely correct about the details of event.  The Princess Shoko story arc reveals that while both their personalities and their methods sometimes clash, Nanoka and Mao are actually a rather nice match.

As she did in the first volume, Shaenon Garrity once again offers an English-language adaptation that is a delightful read, capturing the magic that infuses this volume and also the curious and inquisitive nature of Nanoka.  I couldn't stop reading Mao Vol. 1, and by the time I finished Vol. 2, I really wanted to read more.  I heartily recommend this series to any fans of supernatural fantasy comics and graphic novels even if they have never previously read Rumiko Takahashi.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Readers who love Rumiko Takahashi’s manga will want the Shonen Sunday title, Mao.

A

9 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 © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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

Amazon wants me to inform you that the link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the ad below AND buy something(s).

#IReadsYou Review: KAIJU No. 8: Volume 1

KAIJU NO. 8, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA

MANGAKA: Naoya Matsumoto
TRANSLATION: David Evelyn
LETTERS: Brandon Bovia
EDITOR: Karla Clark
ISBN: 978-1-9747-2598-4; paperback (December 2021); Rated “T” for “Teen”
212pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £7.99 U.K.

Kaiju No. 8 is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Naoya Matsumoto.  It has been serialized for free on Shueisha's Shōnen Jump+ application and website since July 2020.  VIZ Media began publishing an English-language edition of the manga as series of paperback graphic novels under its “Shonen Jump” imprint in December 2021

Kaiju No. 8, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 7) opens up in a world where Japan is plagued by the giant monsters known as “kaiju.”  Thirty-two-year-old Kafka Hibino is a kaiju corpse cleanup man.  Kafka works for Monster Sweeper, Inc., a professional kaiju cleaning company, but he wishes that he was a member of the Japanese Defense Force, which is tasked with neutralizing kaiju.

Kafka and childhood friend, Mina Ashiro, both wanted to be members of the Defense Force.  Mina is now captain of the JDF's “Third Division” and has neutralized hundreds of kaiju.  Kafka is training a new part time worker, 18-year-old Reno Ichikawa, who is determined to take the JDF's exam to join the force as a kaiju fighter.  That inspires Kafka to revive his dream to join Mina in the Defense Force, but there is one serious complication.  Kafka has recently made the Defense Force's neutralization list as the kaiju code named Kaiju No. 8!

THE LOWDOWN:  The Kaiju No. 8 manga made its North American debut this month (Dec. 2021).  With its striking cover art, the first volume may tempt fans of kaiju comics to try it.

Kaiju No. 8 Graphic Novel Volume 1 offers a familiar scenario.  A hero is forced into becoming the very kind of monster that he fights, or, in the case of Kafka Hibino, the very monsters which he cleans-up after.  Rather than treating his lead character as tragic, creator Naoya Matsumoto creates a comedy in which the hero makes the best of the situation.  That will probably lead to enough imaginative comic scenarios to keep Kaiju No. 8 running for several volumes, at least.

The translation by David Evelyn captures the moods, styles, and elements in which the manga plies its narrative trade.  Right now, the story focuses on the nastiness of Kafka's job, his growing friendship with Reno, the rigors of training, and how he faces becoming a kaiju.  So far, I like that Kafka is making the best of it.  Maybe, this manga will ultimately be about a hero who overcomes obstacles.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of kaiju manga will want to read the Shonen Jump title, Kaiju No. 8.

A

8 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 © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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

Amazon wants me to inform you that the link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the ad below AND buy something(s).

#IReadsYou Review: SAGA #1

SAGA #1

IMAGE COMICS

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Brian K. Vaughan

ART/COLORS: Fiona Staples

LETTERS: Fonografiks

44pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (March 2012)

Rated M / Mature

Chapter One

Saga is an award-winning comic book series created by writer Brian K. Vaughan and artist Fiona Staples.  Vaughan is best known for the comic book series, Y: The Last Man.  Saga follows a husband and wife, each a member of two long-warring extraterrestrial races, fleeing authorities from both sides as they struggle to care for their new-born daughter.

Saga #1 is set against the the backdrop of a ceaseless war between “Landfall,” the largest planet in the galaxy, and its satellite moon, “Wreath,” that has spread across the galaxy.  On Cleave, an ancient planet caught in the war, two people from each side of the war meet.  Private First Class Alana of Landfall and Marko, a foot solider from Wreath who is also known as Prisoner #9763572, are deserters and a married couple.  Alana has just given birth to their first child, a daughter, and now, the forces of their home worlds are arrayed against them.

THE LOWDOWN:  Saga is not the first tale of “star-crossed lovers,” nor is it the most famous.  That would be William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.  Still, Saga may prove to be the most imaginative take on the story of lovers who come from opposite sides in a bloody, endless, and seemingly pointless conflict.  The more people that read it, the more fans Saga will likely gain.

Writer Brian K. Vaughn offers two delightful characters who make up our-lovers-on-the-run; witty and charming, they make their flight seem a romantic romp as much as it is a race for survival.  There are wicked and charming supporting characters like Special Agent Gale (of Secret Intelligence), Prince Robot IV, and The Will and his lying cat.  Also for a narrative that mixes science fiction and low fantasy, Vaughn's dialogue is refreshingly modern and vulgar.

Probably the most striking thing about Saga, the thing that makes it so fresh, snappy, and mesmerizing is Fiona Staples illustrations and graphical storytelling.  It is like Ralph Bakshi meets Eddie Campbell, a screwy blend of trippy animation style and matter of fact comic book design.  Each panel has its own interior graphic design that is ordinary and elegant at the same time.

I originally received a PDF review copy of Saga #1 that Image Comics provided to media outlets, which I never got around to reading.  I found a nice-looking copy of the fifth printing of the first issue on eBay that I could not pass up, so now it is time for me to catch up.  And after one issue, I see why this series has won so many awards.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Brian K. Vaughn will want to read Saga.

A

9 out of 10

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

https://twitter.com/ImageComics

https://imagecomics.com/

The text is copyright © 2022 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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

Amazon wants me to inform you that the link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the ad below AND buy something(s).

BOOM! Studios from Diamond Distributors for January 26, 2022

BOOM! STUDIOS

SEP210763 BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER TP VOL 08 $14.99

OCT210733 DARK BLOOD #6 (OF 6) CVR A DE LANDRO $3.99

OCT210734 DARK BLOOD #6 (OF 6) CVR B BA $3.99

NOV210709 FIREFLY #36 CVR A BENGAL $3.99

NOV210710 FIREFLY #36 CVR B CARPENTER $3.99

NOV210779 GETTING DIZZY #3 (OF 4) CVR A MOSCOTE $4.99

NOV210780 GETTING DIZZY #3 (OF 4) CVR B MCGEE $4.99

NOV210744 HOUSE OF SLAUGHTER #4 CVR A SHEHAN $3.99

NOV210745 HOUSE OF SLAUGHTER #4 CVR B DELL EDERA $3.99

NOV210746 HOUSE OF SLAUGHTER #4 CVR C BLANK SKETCH VAR $3.99

NOV210764 ONCE & FUTURE #24 CVR A MORA $3.99

NOV210720 POWER RANGERS UNIVERSE #2 (OF 6) CVR A MORA $4.99

NOV210725 POWER RANGERS UNIVERSE #2 (OF 6) CVR F FOC REVEAL VAR $4.99

NOV210743 SOMETHING IS KILLING THE CHILDREN SLAUGHTER PACK (BUNDLE) #1 $39.99

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