Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for November 18, 2015

IMAGE COMICS

SEP150552     BEAUTY #4 CVR A HAUN (MR)     $3.50
SEP150553     BEAUTY #4 CVR B ROSSMO (MR)     $3.50
SEP150554     BEAUTY #4 CVR C KOSCHAK (MR)     $3.50
SEP150568     HUCK #1 CVR A ALBUQUERQUE     $3.50
SEP150569     HUCK #1 CVR B ALBUQUERQUE     $3.50
SEP150570     I HATE FAIRYLAND #2 CVR A YOUNG (MR)     $3.50
SEP150572     INVINCIBLE #125     $2.99
AUG150536     LOW TP VOL 02 BEFORE THE DAWN BURNS US     $14.99
SEP150540     PHONOGRAM THE IMMATERIAL GIRL #4 (MR)     $3.99
SEP150574     PRETTY DEADLY #6 CVR A RIOS (MR)     $3.50
MAY150521     RAT QUEENS #13 (MR)     $3.99
SEP150576     REYN #10     $2.99
SEP150544     SAVAGE DRAGON ARCHIVES TP VOL 05     $19.99
SEP150545     SAVIOR #8     $2.99
SEP150577     SHUTTER #17 (MR)     $3.99
SEP150546     TOKYO GHOST #3 CVR A MURPHY & HOLLINGSWORTH (MR)     $3.99
SEP150547     TOKYO GHOST #3 CVR B MURPHY & MCCAIG (MR)     $3.99
SEP150583     WAYWARD #11 CVR A CUMMINGS & BONVILLAIN (MR)     $3.50
SEP150584     WAYWARD #11 CVR B BRADSHAW & BONVILLAIN (MR)     $3.50
SEP150585     WAYWARD #11 CVR C BRINE & BONVILLAIN (MR)     $3.50
AUG150570     WITCHBLADE 20TH ANNIVERSARY HC     $39.99

IMAGE COMICS/MCFARLANE TOYS

AUG150641     WALKING DEAD TV SERIES 8 AF     $15.99
AUG150644     WALKING DEAD TV SERIES 8 BOB STOOKEY AF     PI
AUG150643     WALKING DEAD TV SERIES 8 DALE AF     PI
AUG150646     WALKING DEAD TV SERIES 8 EUGENE PORTER AF     PI
AUG150642     WALKING DEAD TV SERIES 8 MORGAN AF     PI
AUG150645     WALKING DEAD TV SERIES 8 RICK AF     PI

Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for November 18, 2015

PREVIEWS PUBLICATIONS
OCT152830     GAME TRADE MAGAZINE #190     $3.99

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

JUL151479     101 ARTISTS TO LISTEN TO BEFORE YOU DIE HC     $22.99
SEP151160     ADVENTURE TIME FIONNA & CAKE CARD WARS #5     $3.99
SEP151161     ADVENTURE TIME FIONNA & CAKE CARD WARS #5 SUB WONG VA     $3.99
JUN151551     ANGEL TP VOL 01     $19.99
SEP151140     BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA #18     $3.99
AUG151281     BLACK CAT MYSTERY #50 (MR)     $14.99
AUG151288     BLAKE & MORTIMER GN VOL 21 PLUTARCHS STAFF     $15.95
SEP151660     BLOODSHOT REBORN #8 CVR A SUAYAN     $3.99
SEP151661     BLOODSHOT REBORN #8 CVR B JOHNSON     $3.99
SEP151662     BLOODSHOT REBORN #8 CVR C FABRY     $3.99
SEP151275     BOBS BURGERS ONGOING #5 RARE WONG VIRGIN ED     $50.00
AUG151684     BODACIOUS SPACE PIRATES ABYSS OF HYPERSPACE GN VOL 02     $12.99
SEP151133     COGNETIC #2     $4.99
SEP151482     COPS FOR CRIMINALS #1     $3.99
AUG158591     DAWN VAMPIRELLA #5 RARE LINSNER VIRGIN ED     $50.00
SEP151235     DEAN KOONTZ FRANKENSTEIN STORM SURGE #2     $3.99
OCT151432     DF 3 UNDER THE TREE HOLIDAY PK     PI
JUN151303     DF ARCHIE #1 HAESER VERONICA SKETCH SGN     $41.00
OCT151423     DF BACK TO THE FUTURE #1 PLUS 2 HOLIDAY PK     PI
AUG141461     DF CHASTITY #1 DYNAMIC EXC CVR     $5.00
OCT151413     DF INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #1 DF EXC MAYHEW     $10.00
AUG141452     DF MARVEL 75TH ANNIV CELEBRATION #1 RIVERA SGN PK     $29.99
JUL151303     DF SECRET WARS #1 DF EXC LAND CVR SILVER SGN     $40.00
JUL151320     DF SECRET WARS #1 HAESER SPIDER-MAN SKETCH SGN     $84.00
JUN141207     DF SPIDER MAN 2099 V2 #1 MIDTOWN EXC SGN JONES     $29.99
SEP151345     DISNEY ROSA DUCK LIBRARY HC BOX SET VOL 03 & 04     $49.99
SEP151344     DISNEY ROSA DUCK LIBRARY HC VOL 04 LAST CLAN MCDUCK     $29.99
SEP158010     DOUBLE TAKE SUPER PACK #2 (MR)     $20.00
SEP151138     ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK #12     $3.99
SEP151575     EVIL DEAD 2 TALES OF THE EXMORTIS #1 SPECIAL EDITION     $5.99
SEP150904     F1RST HERO FIGHT FOR YOUR LIFE #4     $3.99
AUG151588     FAIRY GIRLS GN VOL 01     $10.99
JUL151454     FAIRY TAIL MASTERS ED TP VOL 01     $39.99
AUG151117     FATHOM BLUE #5 DIRECT MARKET CVR A     $3.99
AUG151118     FATHOM BLUE #5 DIRECT MARKET CVR B     $3.99
SEP151565     FILMISH GRAPHIC JOURNEY THROUGH FILM GN     $24.95
AUG151051     FURREVER FRIENDS: A CAT NAMED HAIKU ANTHOLOGY     $11.95
SEP151098     FUTURAMA COMICS #77     $2.99
SEP151093     FUTURE PROOF #8     $3.99
SEP150956     GET FUZZY TP CLEAN UP ON AISLE STUPID     $14.99
SEP151771     GFT 2015 ROBYN HOOD HOLIDAY SPECIAL A CVR TOLIBAO (MR)     $5.99
SEP151772     GFT 2015 ROBYN HOOD HOLIDAY SPECIAL B CVR INGRANATA (MR)     $5.99
SEP151773     GFT 2015 ROBYN HOOD HOLIDAY SPECIAL C CVR DOONEY (MR)     $5.99
SEP151774     GFT 2015 ROBYN HOOD HOLIDAY SPECIAL D CVR REYES (MR)     $5.99
SEP151786     GFT WONDERLAND #41 A CVR MALSUNI (MR)     $3.99
SEP151787     GFT WONDERLAND #41 B CVR TOLIBAO (MR)     $3.99
SEP151788     GFT WONDERLAND #41 C CVR DELARA (MR)     $3.99
SEP151154     GIANT DAYS #8     $3.99
AUG151215     GIANT DAYS TP VOL 01     $9.99
JUN150922     GOLD DIGGER #226     $3.99
AUG151367     GRUMPY CAT #1 HAESER HAND DRAWN ORIG ART ED     $59.99
SEP151146     HACKTIVIST VOL 2 #5     $3.99
SEP151634     HERO HOURLY #1     $3.99
SEP150917     HOLY F*CKED #3 (MR)     $3.99
AUG151681     HYSTERIA GRAPHIC FREUD SERIES GN     $24.95
OCT151696     JAMES BOND OMNIBUS TP VOL 01 NEW PTG     $19.95
SEP151008     JIRNI VOL 2 #4 CVR A MARION     $3.99
SEP151009     JIRNI VOL 2 #4 CVR B LORENZANA     $3.99
SEP151010     JIRNI VOL 2 #4 CVR C CAFARO     $3.99
SEP151011     JIRNI VOL 2 #4 CVR D QUALANO     $3.99
JUN150474     JUNCTION TRUE GN     $29.99
SEP151193     KENYA GN VOL 05 ILLUSIONS     $11.95
AUG151682     KLAXON GN     $19.95
OCT151281     LADY DEATH (ONGOING) #25 SEATTLE VIP CVR (MR)     $19.99
OCT151282     LADY DEATH APOCALYPSE #2 CENTURY FIRESTARTER CVR (MR)     $39.99
FEB151114     LADY DEATH APOCALYPSE #3 CGC NUMBERED ED CVR (MR)     $99.99
OCT151280     LADY DEATH PREMIERE UNVEILED CVR (MR)     $5.99
SEP151087     LADY MECHANIKA TP VOL 01 MYSTERY OF MECHANICAL CORPSE     $19.99
AUG158602     LCSD 2015 WRATH OF THE ETERNAL WARRIOR #1     $3.99
AUG150326     LOEG NEMO TRILOGY HC SLIPCASE ED (MR)     $39.99
SEP151246     LOOKING FOR GROUP #8     $4.99
SEP151194     LUCKY LUKE TP VOL 55 ARIZONA     $11.95
SEP151152     LUMBERJANES #20     $3.99
SEP151107     LUMBERJANES TO MAX ED HC VOL 01     $39.99
SEP151195     MARQUIS OF ANAON GN VOL 02 BLACK VIRGIN     $11.95
SEP151247     MASKS 2 #8 CVR A GUICE     $3.99
SEP151248     MASKS 2 #8 CVR B LEE     $3.99
SEP151249     MASKS 2 #8 CVR C EXC SUBSCRIPTION CVR     $3.99
SEP151428     MISTRY PI #5     $2.99
AUG151282     MOON GIRL #5     $14.99
SEP151644     NEW CONSTRUCTION 2 MORE STORIES GN     $17.95
SEP151080     NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD THE BEGINNING COMP BOX SET (MR)     $99.99
SEP151711     OOKU INNER CHAMBERS GN VOL 11 (MR)     $12.99
SEP150465     OUR EXPANDING UNIVERSE TP     $19.99
SEP151349     PEANUTS EVERY SUNDAY HC VOL 03 1961-1965     $49.99
SEP150939     PROJECT NEMESIS #2 REG CVR FRANK     $3.99
SEP151281     PUBLIC RELATIONS #3 (MR)     $3.99
JUL151293     PUMA BLUES COMPLETE SAGA HC     $29.95
APR150987     QUIT YOUR JOB AND OTHER STORIES GN (MR)     $19.95
JUL150859     RACHEL RISING #37     $3.99
AUG151289     RED BARON GN VOL 03 DUNGEONS & DRAGONS     $15.95
SEP151276     RED SONJA CONAN #1 PREMIUM AOD COLLECTABLES EXC     $6.99
JUL151482     RICK & MORTY TP VOL 01     $19.99
SEP151624     RIVERS OF LONDON #5     $3.99
SEP151283     SERVING SUPES #1     $4.99
SEP151293     SHIGERU MIZUKI HITLER TP (MR)     $24.95
SEP151095     SIMPSONS WINTER WINGDING #10     $4.99
SEP151408     SIX #1 CVR A CHATER     $4.99
SEP151409     SIX #1 CVR B ANTONIO     $4.99
SEP151112     SIX GUN GORILLA PEN INK #1     $14.99
AUG151089     SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #278 REG CVR A PEPPERS     $3.99
AUG151290     SPOOKS GN VOL 05 MEGAN     $13.95
APR151001     STEAMBUSTERS #2     $3.99
FEB150917     SUNBEAM ASTRONAUT GN (MR)     $9.95
SEP151723     TERRA FORMARS GN VOL 09 (MR)     $12.99
SEP150919     TOMBOY #1 ELY CVR (MR)     $4.99
SEP150918     TOMBOY #1 MAIN CVR (MR)     $3.99
SEP151722     ULTRAMAN GN VOL 02     $12.99
JUL151695     UNITY DLX HC VOL 01     $39.99
SEP151219     VAMPIRELLA #1969 CVR A HACK     $7.99
SEP151220     VAMPIRELLA #1969 CVR B JADSON     $7.99
SEP151261     VOLTRON FROM THE ASHES #3     $3.99
AUG151233     WELCOME BACK #3     $3.99
SEP151490     WES CRAVEN COMING OF RAGE #2 (MR)     $3.99
SEP151492     WES CRAVEN COMING OF RAGE #2 ULTRA RARE BLOODY SKY LT     $24.99
SEP151278     WILL EISNER SPIRIT #1 PREMIUM AOD COLLECTABLES EXC     $6.99
SEP151652     WRATH OF THE ETERNAL WARRIOR #1 CVR A WRAPAROUND LAFUENTE     $3.99
SEP151653     WRATH OF THE ETERNAL WARRIOR #1 CVR B ALLEN     $3.99
SEP151654     WRATH OF THE ETERNAL WARRIOR #1 CVR C NORD     $3.99
SEP151655     WRATH OF THE ETERNAL WARRIOR #1 CVR D MARTIN     $3.99
SEP151656     WRATH OF THE ETERNAL WARRIOR #1 CVR E BLANK CVR     $3.99
SEP151682     X-O MANOWAR #1 DOLLAR DEBUT ED (NEW PTG)     $1.00
AUG151304     ZEN HARD BOUNTY #1     $3.99

MAGAZINES
SEP151900     COMIC SHOP NEWS #1483     PI
JUN151766     DC BATMAN AUTO FIG MAG #70 BATMAN RETURNS MOVIE SUB     $21.00
AUG152042     DOCTOR WHO MAGAZINE #492     $9.99
SEP151906     HORRORHOUND #56     $6.99
AUG151675     JUDGE DREDD MEGAZINE #365     $12.40
AUG152045     LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS #35     $10.95
SEP151915     LOCUS #658     $7.50
SEP151916     STAR TREK MAGAZINE 2016 SPECIAL     $14.99
SEP151917     STAR WARS INSIDER 2016 SPECIAL     $14.99

BOOKS
OCT151010     AGATHA H & VOICE OF THE CASTLE GIRL GENIUS NOVEL HC     $24.99
SEP151820     COLLECTING CHILDRENS BOOKS ART MEMORIES VALUES HC     $26.99
SEP151341     DINOMANIA HC LOST ART WINSOR MCCAY KING KONG NEW YORK     $95.00
AUG151919     DISNEY PRINCESS MAGICAL POP UP WORLD HC     $65.00
OCT151901     DOCTOR WHO COMP HIST HC VOL 04 1ST DOCTOR STORIES 1 & 2     $18.99
OCT151885     GLAMOURAMA PIN UP ART CARLOS VALENZUELA SC (MR)     $14.95
AUG158434     GREEN LAMA CRIMSON KING PROSE NOVEL     $14.99
JUL151819     MICHAEL ALLRED CONVERSATIONS HC     $40.00
OCT151886     SAVAGE ART OF BOB LARKIN SC VOL 01     $19.95
SEP151854     THUNDERBIRDS AGENTS TECHNICAL MANUAL 50TH ANNIV ED HC     $21.95
SEP151849     ULT GUIDE COLLECTIBLE LEGO SETS IDENTIFICATION & PRICE GUIDE     $26.99
AUG152008     WALKING DEAD POP UP BOOK HC     $65.00
SEP152606     WARHAMMER 40K DEATHFIRE TP     $16.00
SEP151855     WORLD OF VIKINGS HC     $35.00

Twin Star Exorcists: Into Magano

I read Twin Star Exorcists, Vol. 2: Onmyoji

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin.  Follow me on Twitter and Tumblr or at Grumble.  Support me on Patreon.

Review: STAR WARS #8

STAR WARS (2015) No. 8
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[A version of this review first appeared on Patreon. And visit the "Star Wars Central" review page.]

STORY: Jason Aaron
PENCILS: Stuart Immonen
INKS:  Wade von Grawbadger
COLORS: Justin Ponsor
LETTERS: VC's Chris Eliopoulos
COVER: Stuart Immonen and Wade von Grawbadger with Justin Ponsor
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (October 2015)

Rated T

Book II, Part I: “Showdown on the Smugglers' Moon”

I have already reviewed two issues of Marvel Comics' revival of its Star Wars comic book series, which began earlier this year and now includes two other ongoing series and two miniseries (thus far).  I reviewed Star Wars issues #1 and #7.  I did not expect to review another issue of Star Wars for at least half a year.

However, Star Wars #8 (“Showdown on the Smugglers' Moon”) introduces the new art team of penciler Stuart Immonen and inker Wade von Grawbadger.  As a team, they are known for their work on writer Brian Bendis' All-New X-Men and on All-New Captain America, in which Sam Wilson/The Falcon becomes the new Captain America.

When last we left our heroes (Star Wars #6), Princess Leia and Han Solo were traveling together, searching the galaxy for a suitable site for a new base for the Rebel Alliance.  They ran afoul of Imperial patrol ships and ended up landing on a remote planet in an uncharted region of the Outer Rim.  There, they have an even more shocking encounter when they meet a woman named Sana Solo, who claims to be Han's wife.  Sana is thinking about killing Han and selling out Leia, but the Imperials have plans of their own to pursue their quarry rebels.

Meanwhile, Luke Skywalker has just left his home world of Tatooine, where he discovered the secret journal left for him by Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi a.k.a. “Old Ben Kenobi.”  However, Luke believes that he needs more information than what he has thus far found in the journal, if he is going to become a true Jedi.  So he decides to travel to the former home of the Jedi, but first he makes a stop on Nar Shaddaa, “The Smuggler's Moon.”

I must be honest and admit that I was shocked by the art that Stuart Immonen and Wade von Grawbadger delivered for their debut issue.  Combined with Justin Ponsor's gorgeous coloring, this team has delivered stellar work that blends the best of Adam Hughes, Bryan Hitch, and Kevin Nowlan.  Both in terms of graphical storytelling and style, Stuart and Wade create a kind of Star Wars comic book art that is classic Star Wars.  In addition, their Star Wars also recalls the vivid colors and snappy adventure storytelling of Marvel's 2014 Guardians of the Galaxy film.

Once again, the creators of a Marvel Star Wars comic book title have me chomping at the bit to read the next issue.  In the case of Star Wars, I am not ashamed to be a fanboy.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

Review: YUKARISM Volume 4

YUKARISM, VOL. 4
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Chika Shiomi
TRANSLATION/ENGLISH ADAPTATION: John Werry
LETTERS: Rina Mapa
ISBN: 978-1-4215-7971-9; paperback (November 2015); Rated “T” for “Teen”
200pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

It seems as if VIZ Media published the first volume yesterday.  However, the English-language, graphic novel publication of Yukarism, the nostalgia-tinted historical romance, has come to an end.  Created by Chika Shiomi, this manga follows an accomplished teenaged author who can slip into time and  assume his past life as a courtesan.

As a 17-year-old high school student, Yukari Kobayakawa is already an accomplished author.  Yukari's historical novels are set in Japan's Edo Period of the early 1800s, of which he writes about with amazingly accurate detail.  Shockingly, Yukari has the ability to slip into a past life in the Edo period, where he is a beautiful, renowned courtesan (Oiran) named Yumurasaki.

As Yukarism, Vol. 4 (Chapters 14 to 17) opens, Yukari is confronted by his ailing health.  He seems to be afflicted by Yumurasaki's fatal illness from the past, and the reason may be because Yukari is spending more and more time in the past.

Yukari is apparently also taking his compatriots into the past.  In the past, fellow student, Mahoro Tachibana, was Shizuka Takamura, a witch-doctor who was in love with Yumurasaki.  In the Edo past, his temporary housekeeper, Katsuhiko Satomi, was Kazuma, Yumurasaki's bodyguard.  Caught in the mystic energies of the past, Mahoro believes that Kazuma killed Yumurasaki, so now, she must kill Satomi to save a life.  Are the three fated to repeat their tragic connection?

[This volume includes bonus manga.]

Like Chika Shiomi's prior series, the Yukarism manga is a short-run manga.  Yukarism Volume 4 is the final volume of this series.  The story is a fireworks-like display of mystic energies and time-shifting that rivals Steve Ditko's Doctor Strange comics.

The short bio at the back of this volume states that one of Shiomi's favorite artists is Gustav Klimt, and I can see the Klimt-ish in her art.  This final volume is filled with pages of lovely art, including many pages with big close-ups of romantic moments.  There is a happy ending, but it is as melancholy as it is sparkly and fizzy.  I like that Shiomi insists on complicating the little things and the big things.  Even here, the typical must be at least a little atypical.

Fans of Chika Shiomi will have four easy volumes in which to love the Shojo Beat title, Yukarism.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

Review: BATMAN/SUPERMAN #21

BATMAN/SUPERMAN No. 21
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review originally appeared on Patreon.]

WRITER: Greg Pak
PENCILS: Ardian Syaf
INKS: Vicente Cifuentes
COLORS: Ulises Arreola
LETTERS: Rob Leigh
COVER: Ardian Syaf and Danny Miki with Ulises Arreola
VARIANT COVERS: Jock (Joker 75th Anniversary variant)
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (August 2015)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

“Truth Hurts” Part One

Superman and Batman have been teaming up in various comic books for decades.  The best known Superman/Batman team-up series was the long-running World's Finest Comics (1941 to 1986).  The current incarnation of a Dark Knight/Man of Steel team-up comic book is Batman/Superman, which is currently written by Greg Pak; penciled Ardian Syaf, inked by Vicente Cifuentes; colored by Ulises Arreola; and lettered by Rob Leigh.

Batman/Superman #21 (Truth Hurts” Part One) is essentially the first DCYou issue of the series.  As the story begins, Superman is fighting for his life, when he shouldn't.  You see, Superman has lost his powers (as seen in Gene Luen Yang and John Romita, Jr.'s run on Superman, beginning with issue #41), and the world knows that he is also Clark Kent.  A visit to Lex Luthor pays off in information.  The source of the thugs that are plaguing Superman seems to be located in Gotham City.  But Superman does not know about the current Batman...

I would normally not spend a dime on Batman/Superman.  If I want to read about Batman and Superman partnering up, I will read a Justice League comic book or find a back issue of World's Finest.  However, I decided “what the heck?” because I want to read as many DCYou first issues and first chapters as I can.

This actually is not bad.  Ardian Syaf's art, which is awkward like a teen boy struggling through puberty, and Greg Pak's functional storytelling capture the struggles of this “new era” in both Superman and Batman titles.  This comic book is worth reading just to see how the new status quo works out for DC Comics' “Big Two” characters as a unit, at least for the time being.  In fact, I'm curious enough to read a few more issues of (DCYou) Batman/Superman.

B

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

Review: MY HERO ACADEMIA Volume 2

MY HERO ACADEMIA, VOL. 2
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Kohei Horikoshi
TRANSLATION/ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Caleb Cook
LETTERS: John Hunt
ISBN: 978-1-4215-8270-2; paperback (November 2015); Rated “T” for “Teen”
208pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 U.K.

Mangaka Kohei Horikoshi created a short manga series, Barrage, that I enjoyed when VIZ Media published it in a two-volume set in 2012.  Horikoshi's new series, currently being published in Weekly Shonen Jump, is My Hero Academia, which VIZ Media is also publishing.

In the world of My Hero Academia, 80 percent of the population has superpowers called “Quirks.”  If you want to be a superhero, you enroll in the Hero Academy.  What would you do, however, if you were one of the 20 percent who were born Quirkless?  Middle school student Izuku Midoriya wants to be a hero more than anything, but has no chance of ever getting into the prestigious U.A. High School for budding heroes.  Then, Midoriya meets the greatest hero of them all, All Might, who gives him a chance to change his destiny…

As My Hero Academia, Vol. 2 (entitled Rage, You Damned Nerd; Chapters 8 to 17) opens, Midoriya is about to enter U.A. High School.  The 15-year-old has powers because All Might shared his abilities with him.  His mother is ever at the ready, even fashioning a superhero uniform for her boy.

The first day of school means an immediate course in battle training.  Is Midoriya ready?  He better be.  One of his opponents is a childhood friend/rival.  Plus, the villains arrive!

As a longtime fan of superhero comic books, I am delighted to read the My Hero Academia manga (thanks to a review copy from my VIZ Media rep).  Like Tiger & Bunny and One-Punch Man, My Hero Academia proves that manga can do superhero comic books that are every bit as imaginative as American superhero comics (if not more).

My Hero Academia Volume 2 finds our young hero Izuku Midoriya being thrown into the fire of serious field training.  Series creator Kohei Horikoshi shows that in superhero school, classroom study takes place on the field of battle, where saving lives is every bit as important as battling bad guys.  My Hero Academia has a comic side, but the series' humor does not come from mocking the superhero genre.  Horikoshi takes seriously the idea of being a hero – personal sacrifice to help others, and youngsters trying to learn that makes for good comedy and drama. Fans of superhero comics and shonen battle manga will want to enroll at My Hero Academia.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.