Review: DEADMAN WONDERLAND Volume 13

DEADMAN WONDERLAND, VOL. 13
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: Jinsei Kataoka
ART: Kazuma Kondou
TRANSLATION: Joe Yamazaki
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Stan!
LETTERS: James Gaubatz
ISBN: 978-1-4215-6419-7; paperback (February 2016); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
212pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Deadman Wonderland is a science fiction manga written by Jinsei Kataoka and drawn by Kazuma Kondou.  It began publication in the Japanese manga magazine, Shonen Ace, in 2008.  TOKYOPOP began publishing an English-language edition of the series, releasing five volumes before shutting its North American publishing division in 2011.  Then, VIZ Media picked up the Deadman Wonderland license and publishing the series in English.

Deadman Wonderland focuses on 14-year-old Ganta Igarashi.  He is framed for the brutal murders of his classmates; then, he is sentenced to death.  Ganta is imprisoned in Deadman Wonderland (DW), a privately run, carnival-like penitentiary built on the ruins of Tokyo.  This bizarre and fatal theme park is a place where the prison bosses force the inmates to perform in notorious gladiatorial fights to the death.  This is the near-future, ten years after the Great Tokyo Earthquake put 70% of Japan underwater.

As Deadman Wonderland, Vol. 13 (Chapters 53 to 57) opens, the notorious prison begins to collapse and sink beneath the waves.  Meanwhile, Ganta faces off against Shiro, as she begins to reveal her past.  It is intimately connected to Ganta's and is the reason that Shiro wants Ganta to kill her.

Now, learn the origin of the Great Tokyo Earthquake.  Why did Ganta's mother conceive him?  Who bought Shiro?  What is the source of Ganta's powers and why does he have them?  Can either Ganta or Shiro have a happy ending?  Can both their wishes come true in the end?

The English-language publication of the Deadman Wonderland manga has finally been completed.  VIZ Media published the entire series in a graphic novel format over the course of 13 volumes on a bimonthly basis.

Deadman Wonderland Volume 13 offers a satisfactory ending, in a battle manga fashion.  Still, this dark series does not push aside its cautionary tale side, as to the end, it warns about the dangers of ruthlessly ambitious scientists and savagely opportunistic politicians.  Like many sci-fi shonen manga, Deadman Wonderland offers a finale that is merely the end of one part of the story.  The theme park and prison Deadman Wonderland has legacy, and the part that creators, Jinsei Kataoka and Kazuma Kondou, revealed to us was a darn good read.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

Deadman Wonderland: The Big Go-Back

I read Deadman Wonderland, Vol. 10

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

Review: LOVE STAGE!! Volume 2

LOVE STAGE!!, VOL. 2
SUBLIME MANGA– @SuBLimeManga / (Asuka Comics CLDX)

STORY: Eiki Eiki
ART: Taishi Zaou
TRANSLATION: Adrienne Beck
LETTERS: Wally
EDITOR: Jennifer LeBlanc
ISBN: 978-1-4215-7992-4; paperback (July 2015); Rated “M” for “Mature”
192pp, B&W, $12.99 U.S., $14.99 CAN, £8.99 UK

Written by Eiki Eiki and drawn by Taishi Zaou, Love Stage!! is a boys' love manga.  Boys' love (or BL) manga depicts amorous situations between male romantic leads.  Love Stage!! focuses on college student, Izumi Sena, an average, but cute guy from a family of celebrities.  He becomes romantically entangled with Ryoma Ichijo, one of Japan's most popular young male celebrities.

When Love Stage!!, Vol. 2 (Chapter 6 to 10) opens, Izumi runs into Ryoma, although he had been avoiding the popular young star ever since their misguided moments of foreplay play.  And they keep running into each other.  Ryoma is finding it harder and harder to deny himself; he totally has the hots for him, but this is also true love...

Meanwhile, Izumi, an unrepentant otaku (fanboy), wants to be a mangaka (a creator of manga).  He has no time for romance, and he certainly does not want to love another guy.  Izumi is focusing all his efforts on being a published manga creator.  Rei Sagara, who manages the Sena family's celebrity endeavors, wants to make Izumi an idol.  Sagara makes a deal with Izumi regarding his future, and when things go bad, Izumi runs not to Sagara, but into the arms of Ryoma?!

[This volume includes two bonus chapters.]

The Love Stage!! manga is a delightful romantic comedy.  Its sense of humor is thoroughly well-developed, which helps sell the romance.  When comedy is working, love has such an easier time blooming.

Love Stage!! Volume 2 reveals Ryoma to be a true romantic.  Yeah, he wants to do some X-rated things to Izumi, which he does; believe me when I say that Love Stage!! earns its “Mature” rating.  Still, readers buy the notion that what Ryoma wants is real love.  Ryoma's feelings and Izumi's oblivious uke routine create a push-pull rhythm that helps to keep the narrative tight; there is virtually no extraneous or filler material here.  Real funny, really sexy, and true love: this is a excellent series.

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.

Deadman Wonderland: Earthquake Party

I read Deadman Wonderland, Vol. 9

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

Deadman Wonderland: Ninben

I read Deadman Wonderland, Vol. 7

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin, which is seeking donations.  Follow me on Twitter or at Grumble.

Deadman Wonderland: Scar Chain vs. Undertakers - Round 2

I read Deadman Wonderland, Vol. 5

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Deadman Wonderland: Scar Chain's Plot

I read Deadman Wonderland, Vol. 4

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Tiger and Bunny: Mad Bears

I read Tiger & Bunny, Vol. 5

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin, which is seeking donations.  Follow me on Twitter.

Deadman Wonderland: Liar Flower

I read Deadman Wonderland, Vol. 3

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Deadman Wonderland: Necro Macro

I read Deadman Wonderland, Vol. 2

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin, and I have a Indiegogo campaign for this comic and follow me on Twitter.

Manga Review: DEADMAN WONDERLAND Volume 1

DEADMAN WONDERLAND, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: Jinsei Kataoka
ARTIST: Kazuma Kondou
TRANSLATION: Joe Yamazaki
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Stan!
LETTERS: Annaliese Christman
ISBN: 978-1-4215-5548-5; paperback (February 2014); Rated “T+” for Older Teen
216pp, B&W, $9.99 US, $12.99 CAN, £6.99 U.K.

Several years ago, TOKYOPOP sent me a copy of Deadman Wonderland Volume 1 for review.  Now, VIZ Media has the license to publish Deadman Wonderland in North America, and they sent me a copy of Vol. 1 for review.  VIZ Media announced in a press release that they plan to publish Deadman Wonderland as a 13-volume graphic novel series, scheduled to be released bi-monthly.

Deadman Wonderland is a manga from the team of writer Jinsei Kataoka and artist Kazuma Kondou.  A science fiction comic, the series takes place in a near-future world version of Japan.  The story opens ten years after the Great Tokyo Earthquake put 70% of Japan underwater.

The action occurs in Deadman Wonderland, a privately run, carnival-like penitentiary that has risen from the ruins of Tokyo.  It is a bizarre and fatal theme park, where the prison bosses force the inmates to perform in notorious gladiatorial fights to the death.  While the inmates are the performers, the tourists who watch them pay the money that helps to finance the Tokyo reconstruction.

Deadman Wonderland, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 4) introduces 14-year-old Ganta Igarashi, a student at Nagano Prefectural Middle School No. 4.  On the day of a class trip to Deadman Wonderland, Ganta’s 21 classmates are slaughtered before his very eyes.  Ganta is charged with the murders, convicted at trial, and sentenced to death for a crime that he did not commit.

Now, Ganta is Prisoner #5580 at Deadman Wonderland.  The other inmates are strange, and the guards are brutal.  And the real killer of his classmates, the mysterious “Red Man,” has also found his way to Deadman Wonderland.

Just the fact that Deadman Wonderland was set in a prison was enough to give me the chills back when I first read it.  I liked it, then, and I may like it even more, now.  The characters were what really interested me the first time I read the series.  Now, I find myself intrigued by the setting.

Deadman Wonderland is like a co-lead character with Ganta Igarashi, and it is good that the authors make Ganta both a prisoner and an explorer of his new home.  I think this prison drives the characters to act the way they do.  If they were someplace else, they might still be bad guys, but they would likely do things differently.  Readers who like the venerable future-prison science fiction subgenre will want to try Deadman Wonderland.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.

Review: TIGER AND BUNNY Comic Anthology 2-in-1, Volume 2

TIGER & BUNNY COMIC ANTHOLOGY 2-IN-1, VOL. 2
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

CARTOONISTS: Various
PLANNING/STORY: Sunrise
TRANSLATION/ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Labaamen and John Werry, HC Language Solutions
LETTERS: Evan Waldinger
COVER:  Chinatsu Kurahana with Masami Suzuki
EDITOR: Asuka Henshubu
ISBN: 978-1-4215-5560-7; paperback (December 2013); Rated “T” for “Teen”
372pp, B&W, $12.99 U.S., $14.99 CAN, £8.99 U.K.

Some of Japan’s top amateur manga creators enter the world of Tiger & Bunny in Tiger & Bunny Comic Anthology.  A science fiction and superhero anime series, Tiger & Bunny ran for 25 episodes in 2011.  The series was also adapted into manga, produced by manga and comic book artist Mizuki Sakakibara.  Tiger & Bunny takes place in a world where 45 years earlier, super-powered humans, known as NEXT, started appearing in the world.

The setting is Sternbild City (a re-imagined version of New York City).  There, superheroes promote their corporate sponsors while appearing on the hit television show, Hero TV (or HERO TV).  Each season, the superheroes compete to be named the “King of Heroes.” Tiger & Bunny focuses on two superheroes, Wild Tiger and Barnaby Brooks, Jr.  Kotetsu T. Kaburagi (Wild Tiger) is a veteran superhero whose his ratings keep declining.  His new employer, Apollon Media, forces him to team-up with the newest NEXT sensation, Barnaby Brooks, Jr., the “Super Rookie,” whom Tiger calls “Bunny.”

The latest Tiger & Bunny manga for English readers is the two-volume Tiger & Bunny Comic Anthology.  Back in 2011 and 2012, Kadokawa Shoten Co. Ltd. published the four-volume series, Tiger & Bunny Official Comic Anthology.  VIZ Media published the four Japanese volumes in its 2-in-1 edition format, which collects two graphic novels in one double-sized graphic novel.  VIZ Media gave me a copy of Tiger & Bunny Comic Anthology, Vol. 2 for review.

Inspired by the Tiger & Bunny anime, Tiger & Bunny Official Comic Anthology is a collection of humorous manga shorts created by an all-star manga artist line-up and by Japan’s top doujinshi, self-published, and amateur manga artists.  The stories extend the world of Tiger & Bunny with new adventures, featuring Wild Tiger, Barnaby Brooks Jr. and other memorable characters from the anime.  Some of the stories reveal a whole new “off-duty” side of the characters, in particularly depicting stories set in the rural hometown where Wild Tiger grew up.

First, I have to admit to being a new, but huge fan of Tiger & Bunny, although I have yet to see the original anime series.  I have enjoyed the manga that I have thus far read, and I was happy to hear about the publication of Tiger & Bunny Comic Anthology when it was announced a few months ago.  Tiger & Bunny Comic Anthology Volume 2 reprints Tiger & Bunny Official Comic Anthology #3: Hitch Your Wagon to a Star and Tiger & Bunny Official Comic Anthology #4: The Age of Miracles is Past…!?

The stories featured in this volume are mostly humorous and nearly all are built on a various comic situations and scenarios.  In “Hero Freak” (by Ryoji Hido), Tiger and Barnaby try to come up with a dramatic entry they can use whenever they spring into action.  In “My Story” (by Sana Kirioka), Fire Emblem and Dragon Kid help Blue Rose do her homework, which is to write a short story, with hilarious results, of course.  There is actually a story built around Wild Tiger’s popular recipe for friend rice (“Fried Rice!!!!” by Majiko!).  Origami, whose power is similar to Mystique of the X-Men, pretends to be Tiger for a parent-teacher conference at his daughter’s school in “Mimic Panic! (by Ryo Nakajo).  Blue Rose dreams of teachers in “If Heroes Were Teachers” (by Waka Sagami).

For the most part, the mangaka and cartoonists capture the humor of Tiger & Bunny, offering new spins on the characters, while mostly staying true to what they are.  Many of the stories emphasize Blue Rose’s unrequited love for Wild Tiger in humorous, even occasionally poignant ways.  The glimpses into Wild Tiger’s personal life make this volume worth having for Tiger & Bunny fans.

In fact, these amateur and self-published artists show themselves quite well with their work here.  They prove that Tiger & Bunny is a concept that is strong enough to be interpreted by many different kinds of manga and comics creators.


A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

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

Yaoi Review: BOND OF DREAMS, BOND OF LOVE Volume 4

BOND OF DREAMS, BOND OF LOVE, VOL. 4
SUBLIME – @SuBLimeManga (Asuka Comics CL DX)

CARTOONIST: Yaya Sakuragi
TRANSLATION: Satsuki Yamashita
LETTERING: Annaliese Christman
COVER: Yaya Sakuragi with JAY
EDITOR: Jennifer LeBlanc
ISBN: 978-1-4215-5235-4; paperback (May 2013); Rated “M” for “Mature”
186pp, B&W, $12.99 U.S., $14.99 CAN, £8.99 UK

Yaya Sakuragi is a creator of yaoi manga and has produced such series as Hey, Sensei? and Tea for Two. Yaoi manga is a subset of boys’ love manga (BL) and features depictions of explicit sex between male characters.

One of Sakuragi’s recent yaoi manga series is Bond of Dreams, Bond of Love, which SuBLime Manga is publishing in a four-volume graphic novel series. The series focuses on Ao, a high school student who falls in love with Ryomei, whom Ao has known since he was a child. Ryomei, who is several years older than Ao, ignores the younger man’s advances.

As Bond of Dreams, Bond of Love, Vol. 4 (Acts 14 to 18) opens, Ryomei and Ao finally become intimate. Ao should be happy, but he starts to believe that their first time was merely pity sex. Ao has also been living with his Grandma Teruko, but now, she finally insists that Ao move in with his estranged mother. Moving also means being farther away from Ryomei. What can Ao do? Can he accept Ryomei’s newfound affection as real? Can Ryomei help Ao and finally express his love for him? The drama of not-so-unrequited love must finally reach a conclusion – happy or sad.

The Bond of Dreams, Bond of Love manga is the epitome of the seme (guy on top)-uke (guy on bottom) dynamic in yaoi manga. Ryomei is tall, dark, and handsome, and when he wears his priestly vestments (as he is a shrine priest), he looks like a dashing samurai. With his small frame, tousled hair, and large, expressive eyes, Ao is the quintessential, smitten, BL girlish teen boy – ready to stand by and to love his man.

Jokes aside, Bond of Dreams, Bond of Love Volume 4 is deeply romantic. I have not read the prior three volumes, and had not heard of the series until my SuBLime media rep sent me a copy of Vol. 4. I’m glad I read this. It is the comfort food version of yaoi manga reading material; the depictions of sex are more about lovemaking and being sweet than being raunchy, erotic, or even funny. There are two lovey-dovey side stories to spike your blood sugar even higher, but this volume is a good way to end a series.

Readers looking for sugary yaoi manga from the dessert cart will want Bond of Dreams, Bond of Love.

B+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

www.SuBLimeManga.com

Manga Review: X: 3-IN-1 EDITION Volume 5

X 3-IN-1 EDITION, VOL. 5
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

CARTOONIST: CLAMP
Story and Script and Book Design: Nanase Ohkawa
Art/Cover Illustration: Mokona Apapa
Art Direction: Mick Nekoi
Art Assistance: Satsuki Igarashi
TRANSLATION: Lillian Olsen
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Ysabet Reinhardt MacFarlane
LETTERS: Annaliese Christman
ISBN: 978-1-4215-4045-0; paperback, Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
560pp, B&W with some color, $19.99 U.S. $22.99 CAN, £12.99 UK

X, which is also known as X/1999, is a shojo manga from the manga creating collective, Clamp (or CLAMP). The series debuted in the May 1992 issue of Monthly Asuka and follows a young man who must deal with the fact that his destiny will determine the fate of humanity. VIZ Media is currently publishing the series as “X” in their omnibus 3-in-1 editions, which collect three volumes in one large-sized paperback volume.

The series focuses on Kamui Shiro, a powerful young esper (someone with powers based on extra-sensory perception). He is at the center of a prophecy foretold by Hinoto, a young blind woman. She is Japan’s greatest seer, and she has foretold the end of the world. There are two competing forces battling over Earth. The Dragons of Earth (The Seven Angels) believe that the conflict between man and nature cannot be resolved peacefully, so man, as destroyers, must be destroyed.

The Dragons of Heaven (The Seven Seals) believe that the conflict between man and nature can be resolved peacefully. Hinoto hopes to win Kamui, who possesses tremendous arcane powers, to the side of the Dragons of Heaven. Kamui just wants to protect the two people most important to him, Fuma Monou and his sister, Kotori. Fuma, however, is also called “Kamui,” and he has sided with the Dragons of Earth.

X 3-in-1 Edition: Vol. 5 collects X/1999 Volumes 13 to 15. In X/1999 Volume 13, one of the Seven Angles attack a city, and Yuzuriha Kishu raises a kekkai (magical barrier) to protect the city. That Angel confronts Yuzuhira with a big question, “Why is it wrong to kill people?” Inuki’s attempt to protect Yuzuhira comes at a great cost. Also, the city of Shinjuku is attacked. Plus, the history of Karen Kasumi is revealed.

In X/1999 Volume 14, Kakyo Kuzuki, the male Dreamgazer of the Dragons of Earth, visits Kamui Shiro. Fuma attacks the cities of Ebisu and Shibuya, in the continuing bid to destroy Tokyo. Hinoto receives an unwanted visitor, and the kekkai protecting Tokyo continue to fall.

In X/1999 Volume 15, Kakyo meets Hokuto Sumeragi and develops strong romantic feelings for her. Yuzuhira declares her love for Kusanagi. Kamui battles Fuma, and an insidious plot grows inside the Dragons of Heaven.

In my earlier readings of the X 3-in-1 Edition manga, I found some things to like about X/1999. Of course, I latched onto the battle scenes, with all their displays and depictions of magical energy, either exploding on some pages or igniting across double-page spreads.

However, I found much of the graphical storytelling to be raw. The compositions were full of sound and fury, as if CLAMP were letting everything fly loose in a fury of pencil art and inking. At this point in the series, however, the story and the art are polished, and the storytelling is clear and concise. I feel the passions of the characters, and the hotter blood of conflicts and motivations come through to me. Now, X/1999 is gripping and engaging reading. I’m ready for more, which I wasn’t before now.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

Review: TIGER AND BUNNY Volume 1

TIGER & BUNNY, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

CARTOONIST: Mizuki Sakakibara
PLANNING/STORY: Sunrise
ORIGINAL SCRIPT: Masafumi Nishida
ORIGINAL CHARACTER DESIGN: Masakazu Katsura
TRANSLATION/ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Labaamen and John Werry, HC Language Solutions
LETTERS: Stephen Dutro
ISBN: 978-1-4215-5561-4; paperback (April 2013); Rated “T” for “Teen”
172pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 U.K.

Produced by Sunrise, the Japanese animation studio and production company, Tiger & Bunny is a 2011 science fiction and superhero anime series. It ran for 25 episodes in 2011 and yielded a one-shot manga during its original television run in Japan. Shortly afterwards, manga and comic book artist Mizuki Sakakibara began producing a regular manga series based on anime, also entitled Tiger & Bunny.

Tiger & Bunny takes place in a world where 45 years earlier, super-powered humans, known as NEXT, started appearing in the world. Some of them fight crime as superheroes in Sternbild City (a re-imagined version of New York City). They promote their corporate sponsors while appearing on the hit television show, Hero TV (or HERO TV). Each season, the superheroes compete to be named the “King of Heroes.”

Tiger & Bunny, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 4) introduces two of these superheroes, Wild Tiger and Barnaby Brooks, Jr. Kotetsu T. Kaburagi AKA Wild Tiger is a veteran superhero, but his ratings have been declining. Under orders from his new employer, Apollon Media, Wild Tiger teams up with the newest NEXT sensation, Barnaby Brooks, Jr., the “Super Rookie.” The two heroes don’t want to work together, but they will have to do just that if they are to stop a new NEXT from destroying the city.

I’ll be upfront about Tiger & Bunny. I really enjoyed reading this manga, even after one volume. I’ll be shocked (Shocked!) if I don’t really like the second volume. Why do I feel the love for Tiger & Bunny? I think it appeals to me so much because it is a manga that is a genuine superhero comic book.

I also think that Tiger & Bunny is the kind of quality, honestly kid-friendly, superhero comic book of which the North American market needs more. This manga is more about superhero action than it is about action violence. It is snarky and humorous, but does not parody or make fun of superheroes or the superhero genre. The story also digs deep into what it means to be a hero, to overcome adversity and scorn, to make amends for transgressions and such. Over the course of the series, it seems as if the dominant theme will be about comprise and partnership. Tiger & Bunny looks like it is going to offer a good time for a long time.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

Review: NEON GENESIS EVANGELION: 3-in-1 Edition Volume 2

NEON GENESIS EVANGELION 3-IN-1 EDITION, VOL. 2
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

CARTOONIST: Yoshiyuki Sadamoto
ORGINAL CONCEPT: khara GAINAX
TRANSLATION: Lillian Olsen, William Flanagan, David Ury
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Fred Burke, Carl Gustav Horn
LETTERING: Wayne Truman, John Clark
EDITORS: Megan Bates, Carl Gustav Horn
ISBN: 978-1-4215-5305-4; paperback (March 2013); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
572pp, B&W, $19.99 U.S., $22.99 CAN, £12.99 UK

The anime, Neon Genesis Evangelion, first aired on Japanese television in late 1995. The manga adaptation of the anime, also entitled Neon Genesis Evangelion, actually debuted in 1994. VIZ Media is publishing single-volume Neon Genesis Evangelion graphic novels and is reprinting the series in 3-in-1 editions, which gather three graphic novels in one large-sized, single volume.

Neon Genesis Evangelion is the story of humans at war with hostile beings called Angels. The human side of the conflict is led by NERV, a paramilitary organization. NERV created giant biomechanical units (or mecha) called Evangelions (also known as EVA or Evas) that are piloted by teenagers. The lead character is 14-year-old Shinji Ikari, EVA “Unit-01” pilot, who is also known as the “Third Child.”

Neon Genesis Evangelion 3-in-1 Edition, Vol. 2 (Chapters 20 to 40) reprints Neon Genesis Evangelion, Volumes 4 to 6. In Volume 4, Asuka Langley Soryu (the “Second Child”), the EVA Unit-02 pilot, comes to the fore. The golden-red-haired teen is dismissive of Shinji. When they meet a powerful Angel with a surprising ability, Shinji and Asuka must learn to work together. That training will bring them closer than they ever wanted to be.

In Volume 5, roommates Shinji and Misato Katsuragi, the 29-year-old NERV operations chief, get a new roommate. Shinji confronts his father, 48-year-old Gendo Ikari, the Supreme Commander of NERV, at this mother’s grave. Misato also discovers secrets about Ryoji Kaji and his loyalties.

In Volume 6, meet 14-year-old Rei Ayanami, the “First Child” and EVA Unit-00 pilot. Wait; you’ve already met her… Shinji’s pal, Toji Suzuhara, has an admirer. Also, NERV recruits the “Fourth Child,” who receives a baptism by fire.

Having never seen Neon Genesis Evangelion the anime, I was curious to read Neon Genesis Evangelion the manga, once I learned that it existed. The more I read the manga, the more I liked it. I would suggest that readers start at the beginning with these 3-in-1 editions. I started reading Neon Genesis Evangelion with Volumes 12 and 13 of the graphic novel series. They were enjoyable, but I was somewhat lost.

The early chapters of Neon Genesis Evangelion the manga are simple and straight forward. They develop slowly, and author Yoshiyuki Sadamoto allows the reader to get to know the characters – some more than others, but always enough to tell the story or to entice the reader to keep reading to learn more.

Shinji Ikari is the vehicle through which we are introduced into the world of NERV and the Evangelions. Shinji starts off a bit soft and unfocused for a lead. By Vol. 4, Sadamoto has fleshed out Shinji, so the moody, sad boy has developed a playful side and even becomes more forceful. Why am I writing about a character and not about the giant robot battles – because I want more of the characters than I want of the giant robots, which are cool, though.

Readers looking for classic mecha must look for Neon Genesis Evangelion 3-in-1 Edition.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

Review: X 3-IN-1 EDITION Volume 1

X 3-IN-1 EDITION, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA

CREATORS: CLAMP
Story and Script and Book Design: Nanase Ohkawa
Art/Cover Illustration: Mokona Apapa
Art Direction: Mick Nekoi
Art Assistance: Satsuki Igarashi
TRANSLATION: Lillian Olsen
LETTERS: Annaliese Christman
ISBN: 978-1-4215-4041-2; paperback, Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
584pp, B&W with some color, $19.99 U.S. $22.99 CAN

CLAMP (or Clamp) is an all-female manga artist group and studio. The group began in the mid-1980s as a self-publishing collective of amateur artists. The group’s first professional work, RG Veda, apparently was started when the creators were still amateurs. Some of their best known titles are Cardcaptor Sakura, Chobits, and xxxHolic.

One of CLAMP’s most famous/infamous series is X, which is also known as X/1999. The series debuted in 1992 in the manga magazine, Monthly Asuka. X follows a young man who must deal with the fact that his destiny will determine the fate of humanity. VIZ Media is currently publishing the series as “X” in their omnibus 3-in-1 editions, which collect three volumes in one large size paperback volume.

X 3-in-1 Edition: Vol. 1 introduces the major players. After the recent death of his mother, Kamui Shiro moves back to Tokyo following a six-year absence. His dear friends, Kotori Monou and her older brother, Fuma Monou, find that Kamui is not like they remember him. Now, sullen and withdrawn, Kamui seems to have the weight of the world on his shoulders, and he actually does.

According to the blind seer, Hinoto, the fate of humanity rests on Kamui’s narrow shoulders. Meanwhile, the Seven Seals, who are Kamui’s allies, and the Seven Angels, who are to be his adversaries, gather. The year 1999 will be the year of the great battle in which Kamui will decide the outcome. Or will he? Could there be another?

I was brief in my summary of the first volume of X 3-in-1 Edition, but so much more happens and practically all of it is fun to read. X is not as polished as Clamp’s later work, and its unrefined nature shows on every page. However, there is something very alluring about this rawness. Lacking the ability or, more likely, desire to be subtle, Clamp filled X with high-strung characters whose emotions are not hidden or quiet. The conniving are really conniving. The sullen are particularly sullen. And when a young woman is in love, as Kotori is, she’s ready to stand by her man and make him soup if he won’t eat what she has already cooked.

The art emphasizes big panels which usually contain battle scenes. Those battle scenes depict energy and magic unleashed in a fast and furious display. What the art lacks in draftsmanship, composition, and figure drawing, it makes up for in sheer bravado. The characters are likeable and though the subplots are a mess, X is that kind of large scale fantasy that attracts readers – like me.

B+

I Reads You Review: TRINITY BLOOD, VOL. 11

Creators: Kiyo Kyujyo (cartoonist) Sunao Yoshida (original story) with Christine Boylan (English adaptation) and Beni Axia Conrad (translation)

Publishing Information: TOKYOPOP, B&W, paperback, 188 pages, $10.99 (US), $13.99 CAN

Ordering Numbers: ISBN: 978-1-4278-1638-2

Action; Rated “OT” for “Older Teen Age 16+”

Trinity Blood was a series of science fiction novels by author Sunao Yoshida who died at the age of 34 before he could finish the series. Trinity Blood takes place in a distant future, after Armageddon and during a time called the Second Moon. A seemingly perpetual war rages between vampires and humans. Using character designs by Thores Shibamoto, manga-ka Kiyo Kyujyo created the Trinity Blood manga.

As Trinity Blood, Vol. 11 begins, Esther Blanchett, the Lady Saint, has joined forces with the rebellious vampire, Scheherazade (“Schera”) al-Rahman. But wait! Schera just attacked Esther! Why has the Lady Saint betrayed the Vatican?

Now, the Vatican is using this supposed betrayal to create another martyr and has sent Monica Argento a.k.a. the Black Widow to the city of Istvan to kill Esther and Schera. Father Abel Nightroad (Trinity Blood’s star), at the behest of the young Pope who loves Esther, races to Istvan to save Esther. Many other players, however, plan on joining the chase, but whose side will each new player take?

Some years ago, I read a Trinity Blood manga for the first time. Back then, I’d already seen a few episodes of the Trinity Blood anime and had also read two of Sunao Yoshida’s original novels. Although I enjoyed the manga, Trinity Blood, Vol. 1, I found it wanting compared to the anime and novels. However, I find this 11th volume of the manga to be a huge improvement over that first volume.

First of all, the four chapters found herein (Chapters 39-42) are actually coherent, which is a bit unusual for a franchise that seems to suffer occasionally from narrative wanderlust. While these chapters have the usual palace intrigue and court conspiracies, there are also cool fights and cleverly staged action sequences, including one that is right out of a Hollywood action blockbuster. Plus, Kiyo Kyujyo (who also uses the name Kiyo QJO) creates kinetic art that is as beautiful as ever.

The first time I read a Trinity Blood manga, I didn’t feel the need to read more. Now, I have to hope that Vol. 12 isn’t out of print.

A-

Neon Genesis Evangelion Stages 77 to 83

I read Neon Genesis Evangelion, Vol. 12 (Neon Genesis Evangelion (Viz) (Graphic Novels))

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin (which has FREE smart phone apps).