Friday, September 20, 2013

Review: IKIGAMI: The Ultimate Limit Volume 9

IKIGAMI, VOL. 9
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

CARTOONIST: Motoro Mase
TRANSLATION:  John Werry
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Kristina Blachere
LETTERER: Freeman Wong
ISBN: 978-1-4215-5307-8; paperback (August 2013); Rated “M” for “Mature”
232pp, B&W, $12.99 U.S., $14.99 CAN, £8.99 UK

Motoro Mase is the artist of such manga as Kyoichi and HEADS.  His series, Ikigami, is published in North American as Ikigami: The Ultimate Limit.

Ikigami takes place in a new near-future version of Japan.  The government of Japan believes its citizens are apathetic, lazy, and unmotivated.  To make citizens appreciate life, the government creates the National Welfare Act, a law that mandates the killing of a portion of the population that is age 18 to 24.  Each day, a civil servant, like Kengo Fujimoto, from the Ministry of Health and Welfare delivers an ikigami – a death paper – to a young citizen, informing the recipient that he or she will be killed within 24 hours.

In Ikigami: The Ultimate Limit, Vol. 9, two more young people receive an ikigami in two stories that share as a theme, the morality of immunization.  As one struggles to protect vulnerable children, the other is a prisoner of fate, but the actions of both may earn them the label of being a “social miscreant.”

In Episode 17 (“National Welfare Immunization”), Hitomi Oba is a nurse in the neonatal intensive care unit at Musashigawa General Hospital.  The fate of the premature infants in her care and the attitudes of their parents trouble her.  As she tries to adjust to a new position, Hitomi meets her new supervisor, Dr. Nishikawa, and the doctor’s terrible secret brings Hitomi to the brink.

In Episode 18 (“Two Fallen in War”), the fate of two fellow students, Yoshiki Miike and Isokichi Futaba, are intertwined, perhaps for longer than they ever realized.  After one of them receives an ikigami, the other seeks revenge for an old grievance, and now, only the grandfather of one can save them both by telling a story of the other boy’s grandfather.

Meanwhile, the country moves towards war as the Federation becomes aggressive and Japan’s hopes for protection rest in its “Ally.”

Over the course of 18 story arcs, the Ikigami: The Ultimate Limit manga has quietly developed into a rich tale that balances plot, setting, and characters.  Initially, the series seemed like a high concept manga that used characters as mere agents by which creator Motoro Mase delivered shocking scenes and heart-rending endings.

While Mase told intimate stories filled with deeply personal details about his characters, he also slowly unveiled the setting, providing more glimpses of a near-future Japan that were both broader and more detailed.  Being about interesting times in a remarkable place is what moves Ikigami past being just a science fiction character drama with tragic overtones and poignant moments.

I always thought that the series had potential to be speculative fiction with social commentary – satirical, metaphorical, and literal.  Ikigami: The Ultimate Limit Volume 9 delivers on that potential.  Ikigami speaks of things to come, but with each story, Motoro Mase depicts a world that is like our own.  Is this story a warning or a mirror held up to us or both?

Ikigami: The Ultimate Limit is an excellent and exceptional series.  If Motoro Mase were British and Ikigami were published by DC Comics’ imprint, Vertigo, it would already be a multiple-Eisner Award nominee, probably with at least one win.

A+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

The text is copyright © 2013 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.




Thursday, September 19, 2013

I Reads You Review: CONSTANTINE #2

CONSTANTINE #2
DC COMICS – @DCComics

WRITERS: Ray Fawkes and Jeff Lemire
ARTIST: Renato Guedes
COLORS: Marcelo Mailolo
LETTERS: Carlos M. Mangual
COVER: Juan Jose Ryp and Brett Smith
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (June 2013)

Rated T+ (Teen Plus)

The Spark and the Flame Part 2: “The Blind Man”

It has been a few months since I read Constantine #1, the re-launch of the long-running comic book series, Hellblazer.  I thought that first issue showed promise for the series and as a fresh start for title character, John Constantine.  Now, I’ve just read the second issue, and I am not so sure.

Constantine #2 is the second part of the opening story arc, “The Spark and the Flame.”  Issue #2 continues John Constantine’s search for Croydon’s Compass, a powerful tool of divination that, of course, has the potential for evil in the wrong hands.  Also looking for Croydon’s Compass is the Cult of the Cold Flame (or simply “Cold Flame”), a group of powerful malevolent magic-using types.

Croydon’s Compass has been broken into three parts.  John has the first part, the needle, and now, he has arrived in Myanmar to find the second piece, the dial.  Waiting for him is Mr. E. and The Spectre, who really wants to get his spectral hands of John.

Constantine #2 is a comic book full of characters trying to be clever, but they are neither particularly interesting nor especially boring.  Their cleverness simply registers nothing.  Even this chapter of “The Spark and the Flame” seems as if it is inconsequential to the larger narrative.  This is the first time I am really starting to wonder about the wisdom of ending Hellblazer in order to start Constantine.  Or maybe DC Comics just needs to cut back on the use of writer Jeff Lemire.

C

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

The text is copyright © 2013 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.




Wednesday, September 18, 2013

2013 Harvey Award Winners Complete List

Comic Professionals Honor Peers at the 2013 Harvey Awards Banquet

Comic Professionals came together Saturday night, September 7, 2013 to honor their peers during the presentation of the 2013 Harvey Awards.

The 2013 Harvey Awards were sponsored by presenting Sponsor Guinness; Platinum Sponsors Baltimore Comic-Con and Cards, Comics & Collectibles; Gold Sponsors Boom! Studios, DC Entertainment, Third Eye Comics; Silver Sponsors ComicMix, Comic WOW!, Geppi's Entertainment Museum, Insight Studios; Friend Sponsors Steve Conley's Bloop, Fantastic Forum, Graphitti Designs, and Painted Visions Comics, Cards & Games; and Gift Bag Sponsors Abrams ComicArts, BOOM! Studios, Dark Horse, DC Entertainment, Dynamite Entertainment, Fantastic Forum, Honest Tea, IDW Publishing, Popfun Collectibles, Random House publishing, Scholastic, and Valiant. The banquette to honor those nominated and the winners in more than 20 categories was hosted by the Baltimore Comic-Con and Cards, Comics & Collectibles.

Named in honor of Harvey Kurtzman, the Harvey Awards recognize outstanding achievement in the field of comics, and is the only industry award both nominated and selected by comic professionals. First awarded in 1988, it is one the industries oldest and most respected awards.

Writer Bill Willingham, best know as the scribe of Vertigo's Fables, acted as host and Master of Ceremonies for this year's event.

Special thanks go to the sponsors who generously donated to the 2013 Harvey Gift Bags, including: Abrams ComicArts; BOOM! Studios; Dark Horse Comics; DC Entertainment; Dynamite Entertainment; Fantastic Forum; Honest Tea; IDW Publishing; Popfun Collectibles; Random House Publishing; Scholastic Books; and Valiant Entertainment.

The 2013 Harvey Award winners include:

Best Original Graphic Album:  RICHARD STARK'S PARKER: THE SCORE, IDW

Best Continuing or Limited Series:  SAGA, Image Comics

Best Writer:  Brian K. Vaughan, SAGA, Image Comics

Best Artist:  Fiona Staples, SAGA, Image Comics

Best Cartoonist:  Jaime Hernandez, LOVE AND ROCKETS: NEW STORIES

Best Single Issue or Story:  SAGA # 1, Image Comics

Best Letterer:  Todd Klein, FABLES, DC Comics

Best Colorist:  Fiona Staples, SAGA, Image Comics

Best Syndicated Strip or Panel:  DICK TRACY, Joe Staton and Mike Curtis, Tribune Media Services

Best Online Comics Work:  BATTLEPUG, Mike Norton, http://www.battlepug.com/

Best American Edition of Foreign Material:  BLACKSAD: A SILENT HELL, Dark Horse

Best Inker:  Klaus Janson, CAPTAIN AMERICA, Marvel Comics

Best New Series:  SAGA, Image Comics

Most Promising New Talent:  Dennis Hopeless, AVENGERS ARENA, Marvel Comics

Special Award for Humor in Comics:  Ryan North, ADVENTURE TIME, KaBOOM! Studios

Best Original Graphic Publication for Younger Readers:  ADVENTURE TIME, KaBOOM! Studios

Best Graphic Album Previously Published:  ALIEN: THE ILLUSTRATED STORY, Titan Books

Best Anthology:  DARK HORSE PRESENTS, various, Dark Horse

Best Domestic Reprint Project:  DAVID MAZZUCHELLI'S DAREDEVIL BORN AGAIN: ARTIST'S EDITION, IDW

Best Cover Artist:  David Aja, HAWKEYE, Marvel Comics

Best Biographical, Historical or Journalistic Presentation:  ROBOT 6 WEBSITE, Comic Book Resources

Special Award for Excellence in Presentation:  BUILDING STORIES, Chris Ware, Pantheon Books

Dick Giordano Humanitarian of the Year Award:  Paul Levitz

Hero Initiative Lifetime Achievement Award: Sal Buscema

In addition, the Baltimore Comic-Con would like to thank those individuals who presented at this year's award ceremony, including: Joe Staton, Roger Langridge, Mark Buckingham, Ron Frenz, Dinesh Shamdasani, Bob Chapman, Josh Adams, Ramona Fradon, Mark Waid, Steve Geppi, Joe Hill, Dean Haspiel, Terry Moore, Neal Adams, Dan Parent, and Stan Sakai.  We would also like to thank Mark Wheatley for his contributions to our voting ballots, program guide for the evening, and awards ceremony presentation, and Glenn Hauman for his "web mastery".

The Baltimore Comic will host the Harvey Awards for the ninth year during the 15th annual show, taking place September 5-7, 2014.

In the coming monthss, look for more announcements from the Baltimore Comic-Con. We are looking forward to highlighting our guests, the Harvey Awards, industry exclusives, and programming. The latest developments can always be found on our website, Twitter, and Facebook pages.

Contact Information
Please use the following e-mail addresses to contact the Baltimore Comic-Con:

press@baltimorecomiccon.com - for any general press inquiries or to be added to our PR distribution

promoter@baltimorecomiccon.com - for requesting exhibitor, publisher, and Artist Alley applications

registrar@baltimorecomiccon.com - for inquiries about submitted registrations

harveys@baltimorecomiccon.com - for the Harvey Awards ceremony and banquet

general@baltimorecomiccon.com - for general Baltimore Comic-Con inquiries

About The Baltimore Comic-Con
The Baltimore Comic-Con is celebrating its 14th year of bringing the comic book industry to the Baltimore and Washington D.C. area. For more information, please visit www.baltimorecomiccon.com.

About The Harvey Awards
The Harvey Awards are one of the comic book industry's oldest and most respected awards. With a history of over 25 years, the last 7 in conjunction with the Baltimore Comic-Con, the Harveys recognize outstanding achievements in over 20 categories. They are the only industry awards nominated and selected by the full body of comic book professionals. For more information, please visit www.harveyawards.org


Tuesday, September 17, 2013

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for September 18 2013

DC COMICS

JUL130267 100 BULLETS BROTHER LONO #4 (MR) $2.99
JUL130178 ACTION COMICS #23.3 LEX LUTHOR $3.99
JUL138008 ACTION COMICS #23.3 LEX LUTHOR STANDARD ED $2.99
JUL130215 ARROW #11 $3.99
JUN130265 ARROW TP VOL 01 $16.99
JUL130187 BATMAN #23.3 PENGUIN $3.99
JUL138014 BATMAN #23.3 PENGUIN STANDARD ED $2.99
JUL130212 BATMAN 66 #3 $3.99
JUL130191 BATMAN AND ROBIN #23.3 RAS AL GHUL $3.99
JUL138018 BATMAN AND ROBIN #23.3 RAS AL GHUL STANDARD ED $2.99
JUL130217 BATMAN BEYOND UNIVERSE #2 $3.99
JUL130195 BATMAN THE DARK KNIGHT #23.3 CLAYFACE $3.99
JUL138020 BATMAN THE DARK KNIGHT #23.3 CLAYFACE STANDARD ED $2.99
MAY130225 BATWOMAN HC VOL 03 WORLDS FINEST (N52) $22.99
JUN130269 BATWOMAN TP VOL 02 TO DROWN THE WORLD (N52) $14.99
JUL130199 DETECTIVE COMICS #23.3 SCARECROW $3.99
JUL138025 DETECTIVE COMICS #23.3 SCARECROW STANDARD ED $2.99
JUL130259 FABLES #133 (MR) $2.99
JUL130172 FLASH #23.3 ROGUES $3.99
JUL138028 FLASH #23.3 ROGUES STANDARD ED $2.99
JUL130203 GREEN LANTERN #23.3 BLACK HAND $3.99
JUL138029 GREEN LANTERN #23.3 BLACK HAND STANDARD ED $2.99
JUL130158 JUSTICE LEAGUE #23.3 DIAL E $3.99
JUL138032 JUSTICE LEAGUE #23.3 DIAL E STANDARD ED $2.99
JUL138228 JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #22 2ND PTG (TRINITY) (NOTE PRICE) $3.99
JUL130165 JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #23.2 ECLIPSO $3.99
JUL138035 JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #23.2 ECLIPSO STANDARD ED $2.99
JUL138227 JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #6 2ND PTG (TRINITY) $3.99
JUL130162 JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #7.3 SHADOW THIEF $3.99
JUL138038 JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #7.3 SHADOW THIEF STANDARD ED $2.99
JUN130272 SECRET SOCIETY OF SUPER VILLAINS TP VOL 01 $19.99
JUN130273 STORMWATCH TP VOL 03 BETRAYAL (N52) $16.99
JUL130182 SUPERMAN #23.3 HEL $3.99
JUL138040 SUPERMAN #23.3 HEL STANDARD ED $2.99
JUL130205 SWAMP THING #23.1 ARCANE $3.99
JUL138042 SWAMP THING #23.1 ARCANE STANDARD ED $2.99
JUL130207 TEEN TITANS #23.2 DEATHSTROKE $3.99
JUL138043 TEEN TITANS #23.2 DEATHSTROKE STANDARD ED $2.99
MAY130251 UNWRITTEN HC TOMMY TAYLOR & THE SHIP THAT SANK TWICE (MR) $22.99
JUL130174 WONDER WOMAN #23.1 CHEETAH $3.99
JUL138045 WONDER WOMAN #23.1 CHEETAH STANDARD ED $2.99
JUN130284 WORLD OF WARCRAFT PEARL OF PANDARIA TP $16.99

DC COMICS/DC COLLECTIBLES

MAY130286 HUSH SCARECROW NIGHTWING POISON IVY AF 3 PACK $49.95


Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for September 18 2013

MARVEL COMICS

JUN130678 ALL NEW X-MEN PREM HC VOL 03 OUT OF THEIR DEPTH NOW $24.99
JUL130688 CABLE AND X-FORCE #14 $3.99
JUL130600 CAPTAIN MARVEL #16 INF $2.99
JUL130644 DAREDEVIL #31 $2.99
JUL138068 INFINITY #1 2ND PTG CHEUNG VAR $4.99
JUL130570 INFINITY #3 $3.99
JUN130693 INHUMANS TP ORIGIN OF INHUMANS $39.99
JUN130697 IRON MAN EPIC COLLECTION TP ENEMY WITHIN $39.99
APR130708 MMW DAREDEVIL HC VOL 07 $69.99
JUL130626 MORBIUS LIVING VAMPIRE #9 $2.99
JUL130577 NEW AVENGERS #10 INF $3.99
JUN130666 POWERS BUREAU #7 (MR) $3.95
JUN130685 RED SHE-HULK TP VOL 02 ROUTE 616 NOW $15.99
JUN130647 SAVAGE WOLVERINE #8 $3.99
JUL130610 SECRET AVENGERS #9 $3.99
JUL130622 SUPERIOR CARNAGE #3 $3.99
JUL130621 SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN #18 $3.99
JUL130628 THOR GOD OF THUNDER #13 $3.99
JUL130595 THUNDERBOLTS #15 INF $2.99
JUN130681 THUNDERBOLTS TP VOL 02 RED SCARE NOW $15.99
JUL130614 ULTIMATE COMICS X-MEN #31 $3.99
JUL130670 UNCANNY X-MEN #12 $3.99
JUL130624 VENOM #41 $2.99
JUL130692 WOLVERINE MAX #11 (MR) $3.99
JUN130694 WOLVERINE TP RETURN OF WEAPON X $44.99
JUL130690 X-MEN LEGACY #17 $2.99


IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for September 18 2013

Digital Comics: Digital new releases available from your local comic book shop are marked below. [DIG] = Digital version available. [DIG/P+] = Print-Plus digital/print combo pack available. For more information, go to www.digitalcomicsreader.com.

IDW PUBLISHING

JUL130341 DOCTOR WHO CLASSICS #4 $3.99
JUL130336 DOCTOR WHO VOL 3 #13 $3.99
JUN130360 GHOSTBUSTERS #7 [DIG/P+] $3.99
JUL130369 HALF PAST DANGER #5 [DIG/P+] $3.99
MAY130334 JOE HILL THE CAPE HC DELUXE ED $39.99
APR130362 POPEYE CLASSICS HC VOL 02 $29.99
JUL130309 POPEYE CLASSICS ONGOING #14 [DIG/P+] $3.99
JUN130408 STAR TREK BEST OF KLINGONS TP $24.99
JUL130345 STAR TREK NEWSPAPER STRIP HC VOL 02 $49.99
JUL130350 THUNDER AGENTS #2 [DIG/P+] $3.99
JUN130369 TMNT CLASSICS TP VOL 06 $19.99
JUL130382 TMNT NEW ANIMATED ADVENTURES #3 $3.99
JUL130354 TRANSFORMERS REGENERATION ONE #0 [DIG/P+] $3.99
JUL130361 TRANSFORMERS ROBOTS IN DISGUISE TP VOL 04 $19.99
JUL130328 X-FILES SEASON 10 #4 [DIG/P+] $3.99