#IReadsYou Review: DOWNFALL

DOWNFALL
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

MANGAKA: Inio Asano
TRANSLATION: Jocelyn Allen
LETTERS: Joanne Estep
EDITOR: Pancha Diaz
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0936-6; paperback (February 2020); Rated “M” for “Mature”
246pp, B&W, $14.99 U.S., $19.99 CAN, £9.99 U.K.

Reiraku is a manga created by Inio Asano, the author of such manga as Dead Dead Demon's Dededede Destruction and Goodnight Punpun.  Reiraku was published in the Japanese manga magazine, Big Comic Superior (Shogakukan), from March 10 to July 28, 2017.  VIZ Media is publishing an English language edition of Reiraku as a single-volume graphic novel, entitled Downfall, released under the VIZ Signature imprint.

Downfall (Chapters 1 to 7 to Final Chapter) introduces Kaoru Fukuzawa, a successful manga artist.  He recently finished his breakthrough series, “Goodbye Sunset,” and the fifteenth and final tankobon (graphic novel) collection of the series has just been released.  Although Fukuzawa has ended his manga, he does not know how to start a new one.

All that matters in the manga industry, Fukuzawa believes, is selling copies.  Sales of “Goodbye Sunset” collections had been slipping towards the end, and Fukuzawa believes that such cruel realities of the industry have destroyed his “pure love” for manga.  Also, Fukuzawa's marriage to Nozomi Machida, a manga editor, seems to be failing, and she appears to be moving on from him to work with new manga artists.  If Fukuzawa can figure out the formula for creating a new hit manga, will everything be okay?  Can he fill the void inside himself?  Or maybe Fukuzawa himself is the problem.

The Downfall manga, like some of Inio Asano's other manga, is about self-absorbed young men.  They tend to be cruel to others in ways that they themselves might not recognize... if they bothered to care.  Sex is defined only by these young men's needs, as seen by the number of young women with whom Fukuzawa's “engages” and by how he ultimately treats them.

The Downfall Graphic Novel is the portrait of the manga artist as a “monster,” in the context of his relationships with those closest to him personally and professionally.  Downfall is not so much about watching a guy fall apart as it is about him fulfilling a prophecy; years prior, a “cat-eyed” woman already told him what he was and would be.  I think Kaoru Fukuzawa's “downfall” had already begun by the time readers meet him in the present day of the story.

The English translation by Jocelyn Allen captures the essences and layers of Asano's earthy and blunt dialogue with its sense of realism.  Asano's beautiful, textured art tells the story in a painfully human style, alternating between intimate and aloof.  Allen's translation gets that the dialogue is what drives the story and is what defines the conflict between characters.

The lettering by Joanne Estep is both elegant and precise, and Estep seizes upon Fukuzawa's unrelenting self-absorption.  Once again, Inio Asano has produced a powerful story of a calamitous personality, and the English edition is an engaging, absorbing read.

9 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 reprint and syndication rights and fees.


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I Reads You Juniors September 2019 - Update #94

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DC CINEMA - From YahooMoviesUK:  Director James Gunn starts production on "The Suicide Squad" with a message to both Marvel and DC Comics fans.

From DigitalArtsOnline:  The late musician Prince was the star of two DC Comics titles.  Now, this "lost comic book past" has been animated.

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From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics had to stop the presses in order to remove Mark Waid's Captain America essay from the throughly mediocre "Marvel Comics #1000."

DC TV - From Newsarama:  HBO's "Watchmen" cast-to-characters revealed in Tweet.

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From WeGotThisCovered:  The site is reporting that Robert Pattison will play Batman in Warner Bros.' reboot of its "Justice League" film franchise.  Pattison is Batman in director Matt Reeves' "The Batman."

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From THR:  First "Birds of Prey" poster releases.

From Newsarama:  Mark Millar is teasing a secret project released from Christmas, which will be a sequel to one of his beloved "Millarworld" comic books series.

From Deadline:  Aaron McGruder's beloved comic strip, "The Boondocks," become a wildly popular Cartoon Network animated series, "The Boondocks."  Now, McGruder and Sony Pictures Animation is rebooting the series for WarnerMedia's streaming service, HBO Max.

From ComicBook:  Kodansha is working on new "Ghost in the Shell" manga.  "Ghost in the Shell: The Human Algorithm" is due this week in Japan.

From ANN:  Noted manga creator, Inio Asano ("Goodnight Punpun") has published a collection of essays on the subject of manga and himself.  "Introduction to a Manga Creator" is available in Japan.

From ComicBook:  Citing unspecified sources, the site is reporting that the current Iron Man series, "Tony Stark: Iron Man" is being cancelled.

From THR:  Matt Mair Lowery and Cassie Anderson have created a short story that has been released in conjuction with the second volume in their graphic novel series, "Lifeformed."  "Lifeformed Vol. 2: Hearts and Minds" is out in comic book shops and is due in bookstores soon.

CROWDFUND - From Kickstarter:  The vampire indie comic book, SUCKER, has a Kickstarter crowfunding campagin.

From JoeShusterAwards:  Canada's "Joe Shuster Awards" for 2019 have been announced.  Chip Zdarsky was named "Outstanding Writers" and Karl Kerschl was named "Outstanding Artist" for his work on "Isola."

From BleedingCool:  In June 2020, DC Comics will begin reprinting its 1970s, "Super Friends," comic book, with the first hardcover volume reprinting "Super Friends #1-26."

DC CINEMA - From BatmanNews:  Todd Phillips, director of "Joker," sets the record straight about comics influencing his film, which stars Joaquin Phoenix in the title role.

From CBR:  Gary Larson's classic newspaper comic, "The Far Side," is apparently returning.  "The Far Side" website says, "Uncommon, unreal, and (soon-to-be) unfrozen. A new online era of The Far Side is coming!"  Readers await more details.

From Newsarama:  The late Joe Kubert's family has sold the school for comic book artists, "The Kubert School," to writer-artist Anthony Marques.

From Variety:  Steven S. DeKnight has quite as the showrunner for Netflix's upcoming "Jupiter's Legacy" series based on the Mark Millar-Frank Quitely comic book.

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From Newsarama:  It was 28 years ago, Sept 13, 1991 that Rob Liefeld's Levi's "501 jeans" television ad debuted.  It was directed by Spike Lee.

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DC CINEMA - From BleedingCool:  James Gunn officially announces the cast of his upcoming film, "The Suicide Squad."

From Newsarama:  Frank Miller will return to the world of his "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns" with a one-shot comic book, "The Golden Child," which will be drawn by Rafael Grampa.

From THR:  The "Harbinger" film, based on the Valiant Comics title, is moving from Sony Pictures to Paramount Pictures for development.

From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics will be adapting more of Robert E. Howard's characters to comics, including Solomon Kane, a character that previously appeared in Marvel titles.

From BleedingCool:  The Wachowskis are bringing "The Matrix" comics back, following a recent announcement of a reboot of the film franchise.  "Doc Frankenstein" comics are also being reprinted.

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From CNN:  The mayor of Rio de Janeiro has been chasing after a Spanish edition of Marvel's trade paperback, "Avengers: The Children's Crusade," because of the depiction of a "gay kiss" between two male characters.  That made the comic book sell out at Rio's biennial box fair.

From ComicBook:  Marvel and Japanese publisher Shueisha are uniting to create six new manga series based on Marvel Comics characters.  The manga will appear in Shonen Jump in Japan.

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From BleedingCool:  Apparently, "Doctor Strange: Surgeon Supreme" is coming soon.

From Variety:  WarnerMedia's Crunchyroll, an anime streaming service, is now majority owner of VIZ Media Europe.

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From Newsarama:  Marvel Entertainment announces its plans for 2019 New York Comic-Con (Thurs., Oct. 3rd to Sun., Oct 6th, 2019).

From Newsarama:  There is a "leaked" teaser for Warner Bros./DC Comics' "Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)."

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From TheBeat:  Dark Horse Comics has cut ties with writer Brian Wood in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations.

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From BleedingCool:  Hot gossip says that there will be a "black Batman," or black man will assume the identity of Batman.  But he won't be a new African-American version of Bruce Wayne.

From MentalFloss - The reason adults were never seen in the "Peanuts" comic strip is that creator Charles Schulz believed they were not needed.

DC CINEMA - From LATimes:  Comic book movies may never be the same after "Joker."

From DigitalArtsOnline:  This interview of book and graphic designer, Chip Kidd, talks about his association with Batman and about a Society of Illustrators exhibit for items from Kidd's private collection.

From Vulture:  Adult Swim/Toonami is apparently working on a four-part adaptation of Junji Ito's classic horror manga, "Uzumaki."

From Newsarama:  Artist June Brigman talks about her return to "Power Pack," the comic book she co-created in the 1980s.

DC CINEMA - From Variety:  Todd Phillips' "Joker," starring Joaquin Phoenix in the title role, got an eight-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival.

DC CINEMA - From DigitalSpy:   Todd Phillips, director of "Joker," said that comic book are like Shakespeare because of their continual re-imaginings, as the works of Shakespeare have continually been reworked and re-imagined.  Phillips' "Joker" is a re-imagining of the origin of the ultimate Batman villain, The Joker.


SEPTEMBER 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  September 2019 comics solicitations for 24 publishers on one page
From Newsarama:  AfterShock Comics for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Ahoy Comics for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Aspen Comics for September 2019
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Dark Horse Comics for September 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Drawn & Quarterly for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Fantagraphics Books for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Humanoids for September 2019
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Insight for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Lion Forge Comics for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Mad Cave Studios for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Oni Press for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Titan Comics for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for September 2019
From Newsarama:  VIZ Media for September 2019

OCTOBER 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  AC Comics for October 2019
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for October 2019
From BleedingCool:  Albatross Funnybooks for October 2019
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for October 2019
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for October 2019
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for October 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for October 2019
From Newsarama:  Hero Tomorrow for October 2019
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for October 2019
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for October 2019
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for October 2019
From Newsarama:  Lion Forge for October 2019
From Newsarama:  Mad Cave Studios for October 2019
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for October 2019
From Newsarama:  Oni Press for October 2019
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for October 2019
From Newsarama:  Titan Comics for October 2019
From Newsarama:  Valiant Comics for October 2019
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for October 2019
From Newsarama:  VIZ Media for October 2019
From Newsarama:  A Wave Blue World for October 2019
From Newsarama:  Yen Press for October 2019

HALLOWEEN COMICFEST 2019:
From Newsarama:  28 comic book titles for the industry's fall event taking place Saturday, October 26, 2019 at participating comic shops worldwide.

DC's HILL HOUSE COMICS Debut Solicitations:
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NOVEMBER 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for November 2019
From BleedingCool:  Action Lab for Novmeber 2019
From BleedingCool:  Aftershock Comics for November 2019
From Newsarama:  Ahoy Comics for November 2019
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for November 2019
From Newsarama:  BOOM Studios for November 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for November 2019
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for November 2019
From Newsarama:  Fantagraphics Books for November 2019
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for November 2019
From Newsarama:  Lion Forge for November 2019
From Newsarama:  Mad Cave Studios for November 2019
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for November 2019
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for November 2019
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for November 2019
From BleedingCool:  Source Point Press for November 2019
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for November 2019
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for November 2019
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for November 2019
From Newsarama:  VIZ Media for November 2019

NOVEMBER 2019 "ADVANCED" COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  DC Comics advanced solicitations for November 2019 (for acetate covers)
From Newsarama:  "Dawn of X" for November 2019
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for 2019 with some guessing on the site's part


DECEMBER 2019 COMIC SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for December 2019
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for December 2019
From Newsarama:  Dark Horse Comics for December 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for December 2019
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for December 2019
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for December 2019
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for December 2019
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for December 2019
From BleedingCool:  Storm King Productions for December 2019
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for December 2019
From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for December 2019


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I Reads You Juniors September 2018 - Update #66

Support Leroy on Patreon.

Leroy's Amazon Comics and Graphic Novels Page:

From UndeadWalking:  "The Walking Dead" comic books are very profitable for Robert Kirkman.

From BleedingCool:  Comic book painter and cover artist Glenn Fabry talks about being diagnosed with lung cancer.

From BleedingCool:  "Diversity & Comics" guy, Richard Meyer (who hates diversity in comic books) is suing Mark Waid.

From BleedingCool:  Marvel to publish a giveaway volume with "Secrets of the X-Men," in conjunction with the "Uncanny X-Men" relaunch.

MEMORIAM - From BleedingCool:  The comic book artist Norm Breyfogle died at the age of 58, Monday, September 24, 2018.  He was best known his extensive relationship with Batman, drawing Batman comic books form 1987 to 1195.  He also drew the comic book "Whisper" (First Comics), written by Steven Grant, in the mid 1980s.

From THR:  BOOM! Studios has acquired the license to produce comic books and graphic novels based on Lev Grossman's novel, "The Magicians."

From FortressofSolitude:  There was a "Comic Con Africa" in South Africa.

From ComicBook:  Dark Horse announces a deluxe edition of "Beserk," the manga it has been publishing in English for over a decade.

From MangaTokyo:  Seven Seas Entertainment announces three more manga licenses for Summer 2019 release: "Creature Girls: A Field Journal in Another World," "My Next Life As a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!" and "Blank Canvas: My so-called Artist’s Journey."

From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics announces its plans for New York Comic Con 2018.

MEMORIAM - From AnimeMojo:  Manga creator Yasuyuki Kunimoto died September 20th, 2018.  He was known for such manga as "10 Billion Men" and "Junk Boy."

From Newsarama:  A list of films based on comic books and manga scheduled for release from 2018 to 2022, with an emphasis on Marvel and DC Comics movies.

From Newsarama:  As were await the release of DC Comics' "Heroes in Crisis," here, is a look back at "Identity Crisis."

From Newsarama:  DC Comics will reprint Walter Simonson's 2000s era "Orion" comic book series.

From Newsarama:  "Death of Daredevil" starts in October.  This will be writer Charles Soule's final story arc for the "Daredevil" ongoing comic book.

From BleedingCool:  Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips "Criminal" returns in January 2018.

From TheDailyBeast:  As her comic book, Man-Eaters, prepares to hit store shelves, Chelsea Cain rips into Marvel Comics and the comics industry.

From BleedingCool:  "Superman vs. Muhammad Ali is one of DC Comics' best-selling comics.  It was originally published in 1978.

From TCJ:  There is a defamation lawsuit roiling around the small press comics community.  Keep up with it at this link.

From BleedingCool:  "Jesusfreak" is a graphic novel from writer Joe Casey and artist Benjamin Marra that is due from Image Comics in 2019.

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics will adapt the hit film, "Avengers: Infinity War" into a comic book.

From Marvel:  Erik Killmonger, the villain in Marvel Studios' "Black Panther" film, gets his own miniseries from Marvel Comics, starting in December 2018.

From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic Johnny Bullet "Epilogue" in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic Johnny Bullet "Epilogue" in French.

From TheStarCalgary:  Calgary (Canada)-based millennial cartoonist, Eman Elkadri, uses her comics to combat racism.

From TheOuthousers:  Martian Manhunter gets a new solo comic book series from DC Comics.

From BleedingCool:  It's "Batman Day 2018."

From TechCrunch:  The new streaming service, "DC Universe Online" debuts tomorrow, Sat., Sept. 15th.

From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #176 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #176 in French.

From ComicBookMovie:  The CW's "The Flash" television series starts off Season 5 with a new costume for the title character.

From AnimeMojo:  "The Promised Neverland" manga is coming to an end soon... in Japan.

From MyArkLaMiss:  There is a new comic book shop, "Villains Comics & Collectibles," in Monroe, Louisiana.

From BleedingCool:  Horror show U.S. President Trump will appear in Todd McFarlane's long-running comic book, "Spawn."

From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #176 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #176 in French.

From CBCBooks:  CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) Books website talks to Georgia Webber about her graphic novel, "Dumb Living Without a Voice (Fantagraphics).

From DarkHorizons:  A live-action series based on "Swamp Thing" will be part of the "DC Universe" streaming package.  Apparently, the series will offer "graphic violence" and will emphasize the use of practical effects over computer-generated effects.

From QVoiceNews:  Prism Comics promotes queer comic visibility.

From CNET:  Skin or CGI? Alita: Battle Angel takes manga to photorealistic levels

From TheAVClub:  The Incredibles didn't need comic-book source material (or origin stories) to do superheroes right

From BleedingCool:  "Superior Spider-Man" is returning, and Doctor Octopus is returning as the series star, "the Superior Spider-Man."

From Newsarama:  Valiant outlines its plans for the 2019 Baltimore Comic-Con.

From BleedingCool:  Diamond Comics Distributors will hold its 2019 Retailer Summit in Las Vegas.

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics abandons its pursuit of a "Monster Unleashed" trademark

From BleedingCool:  The streaming service, "DC Universe" has revealed its panels schedule for New York Comic Con 2018.

From BleedingCool:  One of the comic book's greatest writers, Roy Thomas, speaks on the passing of Marie Severin, Gary Friedrich, Steve Ditko, and Russ Heath.

From BleedingCool:  DC "Black Label" imprint will apparent offer up obscure characters and obscure corners of the DC Universe and not just focus on the big three: Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman.

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics to give Nightwing (Dick Grayson) a new direction.

From BleedingCool:  There will apparently be a Canadian version of the "DC Universe" streaming service.

From ANN:  Haruichi Furudate's volleyball manga, "Haikyu!!" will be adapted an a claymation short for an anime event.

From CBR:  Christina Merkler is the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund's new president.

From BleedingCool:  Bill Jemas and Axel Alonso are talent hunting for new comics publishing venture.

From BleedingCool:  Jock, Scott Snyder, Greg Capullo, Tom King, and Jason Fabok to be among the contributors to "Detective Comics #1000."

From TheAtlantic:  Remembering the woman, Marie Severin, who changed Marvel Comics.

From Newsarama:  Eminem teases a song for the "Venom" soundtrack.

From PasteMagazine:  An interview of Inio Asano, the creator of "Goodnight Punpun" and "Dead Dead Demon’s Dededede Destruction."

From SmallPressExpo:  The 2018 SPX Ignatz Award nominations have been announced.


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OCTOBER 2018 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  AfterShock Comics for October 2018
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for October 2018
From BleedingCool:  Caliber Press for October 2018
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for October 2018
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for October 2018
From TheOuthousers:  Dynamite Entertainment for 2018
From BleedingCool:  Fantagraphics Books for October 2018.
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for October 2018
From CBR:  Marvel Comics for October 2018.
From Newsarama:  Rebellion for October 2018
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for October 2018
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertaiment solicitations for October 2018.

NOVEMBER 2018 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for November 2018
From Newsarama:  Dark Horse Comics for November 2018
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for November 2018
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for November 2018
From TheOuthousers:  Fantagraphics Books for November 2018
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for November 2018
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for November 2018
From BleedingCool:  Lion Forge solicitations for November 2018
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics solicitations for November 2018
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion 2000AD for November 2018
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for November 2018

DECEMBER 2018 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for December 2018
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for December 2018
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for December 2018
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for December 2018
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for December 2018

Review: DEAD DEAD DEMON'S DEDEDEDE DESTRUCTION Volume 1

DEAD DEAD DEMON'S DEDEDEDE DESTRUCTION, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Inio Asano
TRANSLATION: John Werry
LETTERS: Annaliese Christman
EDITOR: Pancha Diaz
ISBN: 978-1-4215-9935-9; paperback (April 2018); Rated “M” for “Mature”
196pp, B&W, $14.99 U.S., $19.99 CAN, £9.99 U.K.

Dead Dead Demon’s Dededede Destruction is seinen manga (comics for adults) from creator (mangaka), Inio Asano (Goodnight Punpun).  Beginning in April 2014, the manga is being serialized in the seinen manga magazines, Big Comic Spirits (Shogakukan).  VIZ Media is publishing the manga in English in North America as a graphic novel series under its “VIZ Signature” imprint in both print and digital formats.

Dead Dead Demon’s Dededede Destruction is about the life mundane and an alien invasion.  On August 31st – also known as 8/31 – three years ago, an alien mothership arrived on Earth and parked itself above Tokyo.  Now, the impending doom is starting to feel like an ordinary thing.  Kadode Koyama and her best friend, Ontan Nakagawa, track the aliens movement with enthusiasm and study for college entrance exams with less enthusiasm.

Dead Dead Demon's Dededede Destruction, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 8) introduces two high school students who are longtime friends.  Kadode has a mad crush on their teacher, Mr. Watarase, and Ontan is really tired of the rest of humanity.

Meanwhile, conventional weapons have not done anything to defeat the aliens.  The Japanese Self-Defense Force (SDF) now has a new weapon, a green weapon, that will not contaminate the city the way another weapons have.  Kadode and Ontan monitor the situation closely on social media, but they still have their own teen melodramas upon which to focus.

[This volume includes an “extra” chapter.]

The Dead Dead Demon's Dededede Destruction manga is a strange one.  This is, however, the work of Inio Asano, and his strange is usually a very good strange.

Dead Dead Demon's Dededede Destruction Graphic Novel Volume 1 is more about the comedy-drama of Kadode and Ontan than it is an alien invasion genre drama.  This manga is like Independence Day mixed with a tame, teen girl spin on the film, Superbad.  It is odd and offbeat, but I really want to read more Dead Dead Demon's Dededede Destruction.  You never know where Asano will take his narratives, but you will realize (eventually) that you are really, really glad that you are following the highways and byways of his storytelling.

Fans of the manga of Inio Asano will want to read the VIZ Signature title, Dead Dead Demon's Dededede Destruction.

8 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: GOODNIGHT PUNPUN Volume 7

GOODNIGHT PUNPUN, VOL. 7
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Inio Asano
TRANSLATION: JN Productions
LETTERS: Annaliese Christman
EDITOR: Pancha Diaz
ISBN: 978-1-4215-8626-7; paperback (September 2017); Rated “M” for “Mature”
272pp, B&W, $14.99 U.S., $19.99 CAN, £9.99 U.K.

The English-language publication of the manga Goodnight Punpun comes to an end with the publication of the seventh volume.  The creation of Inio Asano, Goodnight Punpun is a coming-of-age story that focuses on Punpun Onodera and chronicles his life from middle school through his adolescent and into his twenties with its trials and tribulations.  VIZ Media is publishing Goodnight Punpun as a seven-volume graphic novel series.  Each volume (except the final one) is an over-sized manga paperback containing two individual volumes (called “parts).

Goodbye Punpun, Vol. 7 contains Part 13 (Chapters 135 to 146 to Final Chapter) and opens with the final conflagration of the cult leader, charlatan, sorcerer, Toshiki Hoshikawa, a.k.a. “Pegasus,” and his obedient followers.  Meanwhile, Punpun and his “girlfriend,” Aiko Tanaka remain on the run, more or less, in the wake of Punpun killing Aiko's mother.  The star-crossed couple is moving towards a doomed ending... at least for one of them.

Some volumes of the Goodnight Punpun manga have left me feeling down with stories of death and despair (Vols. 3 and 4) and others have thrilled me with bold and scathing examinations of callow youth (Vol. 6).

Goodnight Punpun Volume 7 closes out the series as if the characters were entering a state of death.  Considering the ambitions and dreams these characters had when they were younger, well, maybe they are dead... in a manner of speak, of course.  There have been a few manga that I enjoyed that did not end in a spectacular fashion; they just sort of ended.  I am not disappointed in the ending of Goodnight Punpun; in fact, I don't want the series to end.  The ending is a new beginning, or maybe I am missing the point.  What begins is really no story at all, but if there is a story, it's certainly not like the one that came before it.

A
9 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Manga Review: GOODNIGHT PUNPUN Volume 2

GOODNIGHT PUNPUN, VOL. 2
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

MANGAKA: Inio Asano
TRANSLATION/ENGLISH ADAPTATION: JN Productions
LETTERS: Annaliese Christman
ISBN: 978-1-4215-8621-2; paperback (June 2016); Rated “M” for “Mature”
432pp, B&W, $24.99 U.S., $28.99 CAN, £16.99 U.K.

Creator Inio Asano (Solanin, What a Wonderful World!) has a new manga.  Entitled Goodnight Punpun, the series is a coming-of-age story that focuses on Punpun Onodera, a boy in middle school and his adolescent trials and tribulations.

VIZ Media is publishing Goodnight Punpun as a seven-volume graphic novel series.  Each volume is an over-sized manga paperback containing two individual volumes (called “parts).  Goodbye Punpun Vol. 2 contains Part 3 (Chapters 24 to 34) and 4 (Chapters 35 to 46).

In Part 3, Punpun agonizes over former elementary school crush, Aiku Tanaka.  They have had no contact for two years and now Aiku seems to be dating Mamoru Yaguichi, Punpun's teammate on the badminton team.  Yaguichi, rumored to be well-endowed, also has his own doubts, about both Aiku and badminton, so he is ready to bargain with Punpun about Aiku.

In Part 4, Punpun's uncle, Yuichi Onodera, his mother's younger brother who lives with them, is also going through a crisis.  He has seemingly had a reunion involving Midori Okuma, a 25-year-old.  She resembles a 16-year-old girl with whom Yuichi once had a trouble/edgy relationship.  Meanwhile, Punpun has a chance to be with the girl of his dreams...

The Goodnight Punpun manga is bold and adventurous.  It is a teen drama that goes where only the best teen drama comics dare to go.  Teen angst, family dysfunction, sex and sexual tension, and social politics bubble and toil under the surface of what looks to be straight-forward adolescent drama and melodrama – but is more..

Truthfully, Goodnight Punpun Volume 2 defies description.  It deals with the turmoil and struggles of early teens, of course.  However, creator Inio Asano digs hard into the dread that is the uncertain future.  The stress of the now always seems to coexist with the unknown shape of things to come.  We could always tell the characters to not worry about tomorrow – to simply live in the now.  But where is the fun in that?  We wouldn't have the wonderful Goodnight Punpun and its constantly agonizing characters if they didn't worry about next year.

A

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


The text is copyright © 2016 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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VIZ Media a Hit with YALSA

Press release from VIZ Media:

VIZ MEDIA TITLES RECOGNIZED BY YALSA’S 2010 GREAT GRAPHIC NOVELS FOR TEENS

Annual Booklist By Young Adult Library Services Association Recognize Acclaimed Manga Titles For Quality And Broad Appeal

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced that several of its manga titles have made the list of 2010 Great Graphic Novels For Teens by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA).

The noteworthy list of Great Graphic Novels for Teens was presented at the ALA Midwinter Meeting last week. The VIZ Media manga, recommended for those ages 12-18, meet the criteria of both good quality literature and appealing reading for teen readers.


The VIZ Media titles making the list included:
CHILDREN OF THE SEA Vol. 1 • by Daisuke Igarashi • rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens
KIMI NI TODOKE Vol. 1 • by Karuho Shiina • rated ‘T’ for Teens
KIMI NI TODOKE Vol. 2 • by Karuho Shiina • rated ‘T’ for Teens
OOKU: INNER CHAMBERS Vol. 1 • by Fumi Yoshinaga • rated ‘M’ for Mature Audiences
OTOMEN Vol. 1 • by Aya Kanno • rated ‘T’ for Teens
MIXED VEGETABLES Vol. 1 • by Ayumi Komura • rated ‘T’ for Teens
PLUTO Vol. 1 •  by Naoki Urasawa • rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens
PLUTO Vol. 2 •  by Naoki Urasawa • rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens
PLUTO Vol. 3 •  by Naoki Urasawa • rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens
SOLANIN • by Inio Asano • rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens
TEGAMI BACHI: LETTER BEE Vol. 1 • by Hiroyuki Asada • rated ‘T’ for Teens
WE WERE THERE Vol. 1• by Yuki Obata • rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens
WE WERE THERE Vol. 2 • by Yuki Obata • rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens
WE WERE THERE Vol. 3 • by Yuki Obata • rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens
WE WERE THERE Vol. 4 • by Yuki Obata • rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens


“We’re very pleased to announce this diverse collection of manga titles that have been recognized by YALSA’s 2010 Great Graphic Novels For Teens, with 3 making it to the top ten.” says Gonzalo Ferreyra, Vice President Sales & Marketing for VIZ Media. “These series were created by some of the most imaginative minds in the manga genre and offer readers great stories ranging from science fiction and historical-based drama to romantic shojo and slice-of-life graphic novels aimed at female readers. YALSA provides librarians with valuable tools and information to help them select compelling titles for readers, and we invite them to consider these series which have been recognized for their innovation and quality.”

For more than 50 years, YALSA has been the U.S. leader in selecting books, videos, and audio books for teens. For more information about YALSA or for lists of recommended reading, viewing and listening, go to www.ala.org/yalsa/booklists.

For more information on these and other manga titles from VIZ Media, please visit http://www.viz.com/. [END]

Fourth Quarter Books from VIZ Media

Press release from VIZ Media:

VIZ MEDIA SERVES UP SCIENCE FICTION, ACTION FANTASY, ROMANCE AND JAPANESE CUISINE FOR NEW FOURTH QUARTER MANGA RELEASES

New Titles Span A Variety Of Genres To Delight Fans Of All Ages And Interests

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has previewed an array of new manga (graphic novel) releases scheduled to debut throughout the Fourth Quarter of 2009. The new titles span a diverse range of genres everywhere from science fiction, fantasy/adventure, and crime thrillers to shojo (comics for girls) and teenage coming-of-age stories.


The new manga titles debuting are as follows:
YU-GI-OH! r, Vol. 1 · Rated ‘T’ for Teens · MSRP: $9.99 US / $12.99 CAN · Available Now!

YU-GI-OH! R is the shocking manga-only sequel to Yu-Gi-Oh!: Duelist and the prequel to Yu-Gi-Oh!: Millennium World. Volume 1, with story and art by Akira Ito, begins when the follower of an old enemy returns to take revenge. Yugi Muto must duel to save a friend's life, but can he overcome the power of the three "Jashin," the terrifying Evil God Cards? Creator Kazuki Takahashi built an action-packed adventure based on themes of friendship and fighting, and combined lots of weird and imaginative monsters to make YU-GI-OH! an international smash hit that spawned a real-world card game, multiple video games, and three anime series. Exclusive bonus card in the first print run!



RIN-NE, Vol. 1 · Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens · MSRP: $9.99 US / $12.99 CAN · Available Now!

RIN-NE is the brand new series from celebrated manga creator Rumiko Takahashi (INUYASHA). As a child, Sakura Mamiya mysteriously disappeared in the woods behind her grandma’s home. She returned whole and healthy, but since then she has had the power to see ghosts. Now a teenager, she just wishes the ghosts would leave her alone! At school, the desk next to Sakura’s has been empty since the start of the school year, then one day her always-absent classmate shows up, and he’s far more than what he seems!

WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 · Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens · MSRP: $12.99 US / $16.99 CAN · Available Now!
A poignant collection of intersecting vignettes depicting twenty-something angst, Inio Asano’s WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD explores the various ways that modern life can be at once ridiculous and sublime, terrible and precious, wasted and celebrated. In Volume 1, what begins with a college dropout bored of her mediocre routine soon becomes a fantastic series of stories about the unexpected ways that different lives intersect. Filled with magical realism in the face of the cold reality of daily modern life, at their core these stories are about young people discovering something precious amidst the chaos of existence.

BEAST MASTER, Vol. 1 · Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens · MSRP: $9.99 US / $12.99 CAN · Available November 3rd
Leo Aoi looks like a crazy animal with wild eyes, and he goes berserk whenever he feels threatened and sees blood. That doesn't stop animal-lover Yuiko Kubozuka from befriending him, however. In fact, Yuiko is the only person Leo will listen to when he has one of his violent fits...

DEATH NOTE: L, change the WorLd (Novel) · MSRP: $17.99 US / $24.00 CAN · Available Now!

DEATH NOTE: L, Change the WorLd introduces the unwritten chapter of DEATH NOTE and reveals how the legendary detective “L” (Kenichi Matsuyama) spends the final 23 days of his life. The story begins as L takes on the “Kira” case, in which countless criminals are dying under mysterious circumstances. L successfully solves the case and stops Kira, but only after sacrificing his life, leaving him with only 23 days left to live. For his final case, L faces down a bio-terrorist group trying to wipe out humanity with a deadly virus ten times more potent than Ebola. As L tries to formulate an antidote with a scientist, he must also save the lives of two children who have no one else to turn to.

The DEATH NOTE novel features the same format as the original Japanese printing with a hardcover and clear acetate jacket with metallic ink. DEATH NOTE is one of VIZ Media’s top five bestselling properties, with over 1 million copies of the manga sold in the U.S. The character of L is extremely popular with fans and has inspired various products such as apparel and stationery as well as spinoff novels and two live action DEATH NOTE films (available from VIZ Pictures).

POKÉMON: Giratina & the Sky Warrior! Ani-Manga, Vol. 1 · Rated ‘A’ for All Ages · MSRP: $11.99 US / $15.99 CAN · Available November 3rd

Shaymin, the Gratitude Pokémon, usually leads a peaceful life in forests and among flowers. But when it gets swept up in a great battle between Legendary Pokémon Giratina and Dialga, it accidentally becomes part of a struggle to maintain the delicate balance between the Real World and an alternate dimension called the Reverse World. Ash, Dawn and Brock join the fight and soon discover that there's more to Shaymin than meets the eye!



INUYASHA (VIZBIG), Vol. 1· Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens · MSRP: $17.99 US / $24.00 CAN · Available November 10th
Rumiko Takahashi’s epic manga adventure INUYASHA is given an omnibus VIZBIG treatment that combines the first three volumes of the smash hit series. Pulled back in time to Japan's ancient past, Japanese high school girl Kagome finds her destiny linked to a dog-like half-demon named Inuyasha, who remembers Kagome's previous incarnation as the woman who killed him - and to the Shikon Jewel, or "Jewel of Four Souls," which can fulfill the greatest dreams of any man or monster. Now Kagome and Inuyasha must work together to search for the scattered shards of the jewel before everyone's nightmares are given the power they need to come true. Beginning October 3rd, fans can also catch animated episodes of INUYASHA THE FINAL ACT (subtitled) on ShonenSunday.com/anime and Hulu.com mere hours after they air in Japan.

GO GO MONSTER, Vol. 1 · Rated ‘T’ for Teens · MSRP: $27.99 US / $36.00 CAN · Available November 17th
Third grader Yuki Tachibana lives in two worlds. In one world, he is a loner ridiculed by his classmates and reprimanded by his teachers for telling stories of supernatural beings that only he can see. In the other world, the supernatural beings vie for power with malevolent spirits who bring chaos into the school, the students' lives, and even nature itself.

This gorgeous edition is available in hardcover format with a four-color slipcase.

GO GO MONSTER was created by Taiyo Matsumoto, whose other works include BLUE SPRING, NO. 5 and TEKKONKINKREET: BLACK & WHITE, which are all published in North America by VIZ Media. TEKKONKINKREET won a prestigious Will Eisner Award in 2008 and was also adapted into an animated feature film.

OISHINBO THE JOY OF RICE, Vol. 6 · Rated ‘T’ for Teens · MSRP: $12.99 US / $16.99 CAN · Available November 17th
Japanese cuisine is the star in this appetite-inducing series that has sold more 100 million copies in Japan. In this volume, Tōzai newspaper writer Shiro Yamaoka and his colleagues look into the single most essential food in Japanese cuisine: rice. Cultivated for millennia, a staple meal in itself and the basis of countless other dishes, rice is an important component not only of the Japanese kitchen but also of Japanese culture. When Yamaoka is asked by Tōzai's head chef for help in coming up with a new rice dish, what starts out as a simple culinary request rapidly grows into a disquisition into the past, present and future of Japan's food culture.

THE ART OF GENTLEMEN’S ALLIANCE †, ARINA TANEMURA ILLUSTRATIONS · MSRP: $19.99 US / $27.00 CAN · Available November 17th

Renowned manga artist Arina Tanemura created this acclaimed series that exemplifies the shojo style with highly stylized artwork and romantic plot twists presented with a swirl of billowing ribbons, romance and heartbreak. The gorgeously illustrated edition features designs for all the major characters from THE GENTLEMEN’S ALLIANCE † and also includes two exclusive images for North America, author commentary, and a double-sided, full color fold-out poster. Tanemura is a prolific manga artist and is also the creator of several popular shojo series such as I-O-N, TIME STRANGER KYOKO and FULL MOON (all of which are published in North America by VIZ Media).

BUTTERFLIES & FLOWERS, Vol. 1 · Rated ‘M’ for Mature Audiences · MSRP: $9.99 US / $12.99 CAN · Available December 1st

Choko Kuze is the sensible daughter of a venerable family who went bankrupt. She joins a real estate company as an entry-level office worker, but her eccentric boss is harder on her than anyone else in the company! After hearing him inadvertently call her "milady," she realizes he was the young servant boy she knew as a child. At work he's a tyrant, but after hours he insists on treating her like a lady of the nobility. Is romance even possible for a couple locked in such a crazy role reversal? [END]

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Inio Asano's New Wonderful World

I finished reading What a Wonderful World!, Vol. 1

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin. I liked it, but I wish the focus would have been on a single character rather than an ensemble.

Two-Book Inio Asano Set Coming Soon

Press release from VIZ Media:

VIZ MEDIA TO PUBLISH THE POIGNANT NEW MANGA SERIES WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD

Series Offers A Powerful Collection Of Realistic Vignettes That Explore The Angst-Ridden Lives Of Young People On The Brink Of Adulthood

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, expands its notable VIZ Signature manga imprint with the publication of Inio Asano’s WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD! on October 20th. The 2-volume series (each sold separately but launch simultaneously) is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens and will carry an MSRP of $12.99 U.S. / $16.99 CAN.

A poignant collection of intersecting vignettes depicting twenty-something angst, WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD! explores the various ways that modern life can be at once ridiculous and sublime, terrible and precious, wasted and celebrated. In Volume 1, what begins with a college dropout bored of her mediocre routine soon becomes a fantastic series of stories about the unexpected ways that different lives intersect. Filled with magical realism in the face of the cold reality of daily modern life, at their core these stories are about young people discovering something precious amidst the chaos of existence. Volume 2 explores similar themes including the cruelty of childhood, the delusion of adulthood, the permanence of death, and how people find a way to remain resolute and laugh in the face of reality.

“Inio Asano masterfully captures the essence of youth, and WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD! depicts both the exhilaration and frustration felt by a diverse group of twenty-somethings trying to find their place amidst the impersonal urban sprawl of Tokyo,” says Candice Uyloan, Director, Brand Management for VIZ Media. “Fans of everything from Catcher in the Rye to Reality Bites will find this series an impressive and heartfelt read. Asano’s realistic story is ultimately a commentary on how modern life and the choices one makes impact the struggle to grow up and fit in and we look forward to readers discovering this thought-provoking new title.”

Creator Inio Asano drew initial attention for his short story HELLO FROM OUTER SPACE, which won the 1st Sunday GX rookie prize in 2001. WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD also appeared in the pages of Sunday GX. Asano’s other works include CITY OF LIGHT, OYASUMI PUN PUN and the acclaimed SOLANIN (which is published in North America by VIZ Media and was nominated for a Will Eisner Comic Industry Award).
For more information on this titles, and others from VIZ Media, please visit www.viz.com.