#IReadsYou Review: PLATINUM END: Volume 10

PLATINUM END, VOL. 10
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: Tsugumi Ohba
ARTIST: Takeshi Obata
TRANSLATION: Stephen Paul
LETTERS: James Gaubatz
EDITOR: Alexis Kirsch
ISBN: 978-1-9747-1054-6; paperback (December 2019); Rated “M” for “Mature”
208pp, B&W, $9.99 US, $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Platinum End is a Japanese manga series written by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata.  It has been serialized in the manga magazine, Jump SQ, since November 2015.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a graphic novel series under its “Shonen Jump” imprint since late 2016.

Platinum End focuses on Mirai Kakehashi.  He attempts suicide by jumping from the roof of a building simply because he is tired of living.  Instead of dying, however, Mirai is saved by an angel named “Nasse.”  Through her, Mirai learns that 13 humans have been chosen as candidates to replace God, who plans to retire in 999 days.  Each candidate has a guardian angel, and Nasse is Mirai's, and the two have befriend another candidate/angel duo, Saki Hanakago and “Revel.”

As Platinum End, Vol. 10 (Chapters 32 to 36) opens, Kakehashi, Saki, and Minamikawa continue to search for other god candidates.  In a suburban house, they meet Shuji Nakaumi and Ogaro, the Angel of Darkness.  All Shuji wants to talk about, however, is committing suicide!  Plus, Minamikawa has a big announcement!

Meanwhile, police agent, Mr. Hoshi, and his subordinate, Ms. Yumiki, who are both secretly working with the god candidates, are at the center of a plan to gather all the remaining living candidates.  But no one knows who the sixth remaining candidate is.

THE LOWDOWN:  The Platinum End manga is another odd and alluring and oddly alluring manga from the mangaka super duo of writer Tsugumi Ohba and artist Takeshi Obata.  Their previous work includes the controversial Death Note and the illuminating industry insider manga, Bakuman。.

Platinum End Graphic Novel Volume 10, like Vol. 9, somewhat eschews the darkness and edginess of Vols. 7 and 8.  Ohba and Obata move the series away from the homicidal machinations of the murderous mastermind, Metropoliman.  They also offer a shocker when one of the angels reveals some information to the candidates that they need to know, but perhaps, should not know.  The creators also tease the sixth candidate, which is an example of why the more I read, the more I feel I have to keep reading

As usual, readers get another excellent translation by Stephen Paul that is filled with engaging dialogue that clearly conveys the new secrets revealed.  Also, the lettering by James Gaubatz deftly establishes conversational tone, and tone, as usual, turns out to be quite important here.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Readers looking for good comic books will want to read Ohba and Obata's latest “Shonen Jump” title, Platinum End.

A
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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DC CINEMA - From Deadline:  J.J. Abrams' "Bad Robot" production company is apparently developing film and TV ideas based on DC Comics' "Justice League Dark."

From CBSNewYork:  The Schomburg Center’s 8th annual Black Comic Book Festival is a black comic book festival that celebrates the art of science fiction, fantasy, and storytelling.  The event was held Fri., Jan 17th to Sat., Jan 18th, 2020.

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DC CINEMA - From CheatSheet:  Zoe Kravitz will play Catwoman in Matt Reeves "The Batman," but she also provided Catwoman's voice in 2017's "The LEGO Batman Movie."

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COMICS TO STREAMING - From BloodyDisgusting:  Netflix has released a behind-the-scenes video featurette for its upcoming series, "Locke & Key," which is based on the long-running IDW Publishing comic book by writer Joe Hill and artist Gabriel Rodriguez.

From BleedingCool:  For what its worth, the site "Cash Lady" says that "Black Panther" is the most popular superhero in the United States.

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COMICS TO TV - From Deadline:  "The Walking Dead: World Beyond," the second spin-off of "The Walking Dead," is scheduled to debut April 12, 2020.

From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics will republish its classic and seminal graphic novel, "God Loves, Man Kills" ("Marvel Graphic Novel #5), as a two-issue miniseries, beginning April 2020.  The original storytellers, writer Chris Claremont and artist Brent Anderson, will create a new story for the miniseries, which will act as a modern day framing device.

From Newsarama:   Former "Saturday Night Live" performer, Taran Killam, will writer the three-issue comic book miniseries, "Empyre: Spider-Man."

FILM TO COMICS - From THR:  Dark Horse Comics will adapt the late Dan O'Bannon's original screenplay for the film, "Alien" (1979) as a five-issue comic book miniseries.  They will use O'Bannon's original work, not the screenplay heavily rewritten by producers Walter Hill and David Giler.

COMICS TO TV - From Newsarama:  TNT has released a teaser trailer for its upcoming TV series, "Snowpiercer," which is based on the French comic, "The Escape," which was also adapted into an acclaimed 2013 from director Bong Joon-Ho.  "Snowpiercer" is scheduled to premiere May 31, 2020.

DC TV - From USAToday:  Daniel Lindelof has made it official that he will not work on a second seaxon of his critically acclaimed HBO series, "Watchmen."  And HBO seems unlikely to do a second season with him.

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From 2000AD:  Rebellion Publishing has launched a line that will reprint important and popular Judge Dredd comics.  "Essential Judge Dredd" will launch September 2020.

MEMORIAM - From 2000AD:   Longtime British comic book letterer, Ellie deVille, died at the age of 72, Tuesday, December 24, 2019.  She was working up to the time of her death and was one of the longest serving and most prolific letterers for the venerable British comics magazine, "2000 AD."

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JANUARY 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  January 2020 comics solicitations from 26 publishers
From Newsarama:  Ahoy Comics for January 2020
From BleedingCool:  Amigo Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for January 2020
From BleedingCool:  Black Box for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Black Mask Studios for January 2020
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for January 2020
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Fantagraphics Books for January 2020
From Newsarama:  HarperCollins for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Humanoids for January 2020
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Mad Cave Studios for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Oni Press for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Red 5 Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Seven Seas Entertainment for January 2020
From BleedingCool:  Source Point Press for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Titans Comics for January 2020
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From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Vertical Comics solicitations for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Yen Press for January 2020

FEBRUARY 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  February 2020 comics solicitations for 25 publishers
From Newsarama:  01: First Second for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Albatross Funnybook for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Action Lab Entertainment for February 2020
From Newsarama:  AfterShock Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Ahoy Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Black Mask Studios for February 2020
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for February 2020
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Fantagraphics Books for February 2020
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Lion Forge for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Oni Press for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Random House for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Rebellion for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Red 5 Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Titan Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  VIZ Media for February 2020

MARCH 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  March 2020 comics solicitations for 23 publishers
From Newsarama:  :01 First Second for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Action Lab Entertainment for March 2020
From Newsarama:  AfterShock Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Ahoy Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Artists, Writer and Artisans for March 2020
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Dark Horse Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Fantagraphics Book for March 2020
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Oni Press for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Rebellion for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for March 2020
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama:  VIZ Media for March 2020

APRIL 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze Media for April 2020
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for April 2020
From BleedingCool:  Amigo Comics for April 2020
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for April 2020
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for April 2020
From Newsarama:  Dark Horse Comics for April 2020
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for April 2020
From BleedingCool:  Devil's Due for April 2020
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for April 2020
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for April 2020
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot for April 2020
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for April 2020
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for April 2020
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for April 2020


MAY 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS
From Newsarama:  A full-list of titles available for "Free Comic Book Day 2020" on May 2, 2020.

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Review: PLATINUM END Volume 1

PLATINUM END, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: Tsugumi Ohba
ARTIST: Takeshi Obata
TRANSLATION: Stephen Paul
LETTERS: James Gaubatz
EDITOR: Alexis Kirsch
ISBN: 978-1-4215-9063-9; paperback (October 2016); Rated “M” for “Mature”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 US, $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

Platinum End is the new manga from the mangaka team of writer Tsugumi Ohba and artist Takeshi Obata.  They are best known for their bestselling and controversial manga, Death Note, and also for the insider manga, Bakuman。.

Platinum End, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 3) introduces orphan Mirai Kakehashi.  He is tired of life and attempts suicide by jumping from the roof of a building.  Instead of dying, Mirai is saved by an angel named Nasse.  Through her, Mirai learns that 13 humans have been chosen as candidates to replace God.  Each has a guardian angel, and Nasse is Mirai's.

Nasse gives Mirai the “angel's arrow” which can make anyone, male or female, hit with that arrow love Mirai for 33 days.  She gives him wings that allow him the freedom to go anywhere he wants.  The problem is that these new powers and this God candidate contest both have a dark side.

The Platinum End manga, like the Death Note manga, is shockingly edgy.  It is obvious from the beginning that this new manga by the Ohba-Obata team will be dark, but by the end of this volume's three chapters (which are rather longish), events reveal a sinister mood that is beyond the obvious.

Platinum End Volume 1 is the kind of first volume that practically forces the reader to return for more.  And I love this sinister.  Dear reader, I should admit that I am a huge fan of Ohba and Obata's Bakuman。and plan to read it again.  I think that Obata certainly deserves his nickname, “the god of drawing;” he is that good.  Trust me, however; Platinum End is going to be a helluva manga, and it has a heckuva first volume.

A

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


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

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Review: BAKUMAN Volume 20

BAKUMAN。, VOL. 20
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: Tsugumi Ohba
ARTIST: Takeshi Obata
TRANSLATION: Tetsuichiro Miyaki
LETTERS: James Gaubatz
EDITOR: Alexis Kirsch
ISBN: 978-1-4215-5370-2; paperback (August 2013); Rated “T” for “Teen”
176pp, B&W, $9.99 US, $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

I remember when I first started reading Bakuman three years ago – sometime in early August 2010.  It was the start of a beautiful reading friendship.

Bakuman is a manga series written by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata, and was serialized in the Japanese manga magazine, Weekly Shōnen Jump, from August 11, 2008 to April 23, 2012.  VIZ Media has just published the North American edition of Bakuman Volume 20, the graphic novel collecting the final chapters of the series.

Bakuman is about two boys with a dream to make it in the world of manga.  Moritaka Mashiro and Akito Takagi meet in middle school.  Mashiro loves to draw.  Takagi is an aspiring writer, who discovers Mashiro’s talent.  Takagi convinces Mashiro that they should unite to create manga.  Working under the penname, “Muto Ashirogi,” the boys achieve success over the next decade by getting their manga published in the magazine, Weekly Shonen Jump.  The duo’s newest series is Reversi.  How long can these two young men make it in the manga-publishing world?

A decade ago, two young men set about to create manga.  One of them, Mashiro, promised a fellow student, Miho Azuki, that he would marry her when both their dreams came true.  His was to create a manga that would be adapted into an anime, and hers was to be the voice actress who would play the lead role in that anime.

Bakuman, Vol. 20 (entitled Dreams and Reality – Chapters 169 to 176 – the final chapter) opens with dreams imperiled.  Miho takes to the radio to address the scandal that threatens to destroy her career and possibly Muto Ashirogi’s.

Muto Ashirogi’s latest manga hit, Reversi, is being adapted into an anime series.  Miho seemed destined to play the role of Reversi’s female lead, Naho Minadori, until a controversy.  Now, the audition for the part will be broadcast live and has been turned into an Internet contest with a fan vote determining which actress wins the part.  Will Miho win the part of Naho, and if she does, will that mean that Mashiro and Miho’s dreams will finally and completely come true?  Are there wedding bells in their future?

The Bakuman (stylized as Bakuman。) manga has reached its final volume.  There is a happy ending, but Bakuman Volume 20 offers both the present and hints about the future, without going into every detail.  This is sort of “make your own happy endings and assumptions,” and that is a good thing.

This is the way of Bakuman’s creators, writer Tsugumi Ohba and artist Takeshi Obata, the masterminds behind the Death Note manga.  Ohba offers fiction, but plays so close to reality.  Visually, Bakuman’s storytelling belies its realist streak.  Obata’s quirky graphic style suggests the fantastic and surreal nature of cartoons, but his draftsmanship plays it straight.  It is as if Bakuman’s masterminds want to say that this series is true – in a manner of speaking.

Bakuman is one of the great recent works of insider fiction, and is likely the best workplace comic book ever produced.  I highly recommend Bakuman and look forward to reading it again.

A+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

Bakuman: Decision and Joy

I read Bakuman., Vol. 19

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin (which has free smart phone apps and comics).

Bakuman: One-Shot and Stand Alone

I read Bakuman., Vol. 17

I posted a review at ComicBookBin.

Bakuman: Rookie and Veteran

I read Bakuman., Vol. 16

I posted a review at ComicBookBin (which has free smart phone apps and comics).

Bakuman: Support and Feeling

I read Bakuman., Vol. 15

I posted a review at ComicBookBin (which has free smart phone apps and comics).

Bakuman: Mind Games and Catchphrases

I read Bakuman., Vol. 14

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin.

Review: BAKUMAN Volume 13

BAKUMAN, VOL. 13
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: Tsugumi Ohba
ARTIST: Takeshi Obata
TRANSLATION: Tetsuichiro Miyaki
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Julie Lutz
LETTERS: James Gaubatz
ISBN: 978-1-4215-4208-9; paperback; Rated “T” for “Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 US, $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Takeshi Obata is a Japanese manga artist. In his published work, he has been the artist in collaboration with a writer. Tsugumi Ohba is a writer of manga whose identity/gender is a secret (although I refer to Ohba as “he” or “him”). Ohba has twice collaborated with Obata, first on the controversial series, Death Note. The second is Bakuman, a shonen manga. This slice-of-life comedy/drama/romance is about two ninth grade boys who set out to become manga creators.

Akito Takagi is an aspiring writer. Moritaka Mashiro likes to draw. After the two meet in high school, Akito begs Mashiro to join him in creating manga, and they eventually become the manga team, “Muto Ashirogi.” They achieve success by getting their manga published in the magazine, Weekly Shonen Jump. After having two series cancelled, this duo creates its longest-running hit, PCP: Perfect Crime Party. But do these young men have what it takes to make it in the manga-publishing world?

As Bakuman, Vol. 13 (entitled Fans and Love at First Sight) opens, Moritaka and Akito learn that PCP is unlikely to become an anime, which was their goal for the series. Each begins thinking about his next move. One of their assistants, Shun Shiratori, is working on a proposal for his own series, entitled “Loveta & Peace.” Moritaka enters Weekly Shonen Jump’s “Love Fest” contest, which is to create a one-shot manga with a romantic theme, but without his writer, the young artist struggles. Plus, Muto Ashirogi gets to judge new talent and comes across a stunning new series proposal.

Practically every time I review the Bakuman (stylized as Bakuman。) manga, I write that it gets better. I like it so much that I just can’t stand it anymore. I find myself slowly reading it so that I can savor each page as if it were a delicious bite for the mind. Actually, Bakuman is one of several VIZ Media titles of which I receive review copies, so I can’t be playin’ around and taking my own sweet time with reading and reviewing.

Of all the comic books and books I’ve read about creating comics (fiction and non-fiction), this is my favorite. What makes it work is the superb character writing by Tsugumi Ohba; this series is a joy to read when you buy into the lives, conflicts, and desires of the characters.

The other reason Bakuman is such a success is artist Takeshi Obata, who is one of the best comic book artists working today. He is a master at composition and at fitting style and pace to capture the setting, plot, and mood at any point in the story. Some artists have trouble changing direction just once in a single issue or chapter. Obata can change multiple times on a single page. Bakuman is the work of supreme manga creators who have mastered their art.

A

Bakuman: Artist and Manga Artist

I read Bakuman., Vol. 12

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin (which has free comics).

Bakuman: Title and Character Design

I read Bakuman., Vol. 11

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin (which has free comics).

Bakuman: Visualization and Imagination

I read Bakuman., Vol. 10

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

Bakuman: Talent and Pride

I read Bakuman., Vol. 9

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

Bakuman: Panty Shot and Savior

I read

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin (which has FREE comics).

Bakuman Yearbook and Photobook

I read Bakuman., Vol. 5

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

Bakuman Phone Call and the Night Before

I read Bakuman., Vol. 4

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

VIZ Media and Deleter Manga Shop Present the "Bakuman" Contest

TAP YOUR INNER MANGA ARTIST FOR THE OFFICIAL BAKUMAN。ART CONTEST

Love To Draw? Win Valuable Prize Packages Of Art Supplies From The DELETER Manga Shop, Sakura Of America, and More!

VIZ Media and SHONEN JUMP Magazine invite fans and artists to participate in a new art contest inspired by the hit manga (graphic novel) series BAKUMAN。. Contest submissions will be accepted until April 29th and may be mailed to:

BAKUMAN Fan Art ContestC/O VIZ Media P.O. Box 77010 San Francisco, CA 94107-9913 A release form must be signed and included with each submission. More information and the release form is available at: www.ShonenJump.com/bakumanfanartcontest. Winners will be announced on June 7th.

One First Place winner will receive a DELETER Manga Manga Tools Set ST, a Sakura Pigma Manga Comic Pro 8 Piece Set and a Manga Studio EX 4 software package. Three runner-up winners will each be awarded a DELETER Manga Tools Set ST along with a Manga Studio Debut 4 software package. Special Honorable Mention awards will go to five other winners who will each receive a Sakura USA Pigma Manga - Comic Pro 6 Piece Set.

BAKUMAN。(Rated ‘T’ for Teens) is written by the author of DEATH NOTE, Tsugumi Ohba, with artwork by Takeshi Obata, the artist known for series such as DEATH NOTE, HIKARU NO GO, and RALΩGRAD. The story follows average student Moritaka Mashiro, who enjoys drawing for fun, but when his classmate and aspiring writer Akito Takagi discovers his talent, he begs Moritaka to team up with him as a manga-creating duo. But what exactly does it take to make it in the manga-publishing world?

For more information on BAKUMAN。 or other Shonen Jump titles, please visit http://www.shonenjump.com/.

Since 1984, DELETER has manufactured an innovative line of high quality manga art supplies and accessories, including pens and markers, paper, screentones and instruction books. The company’s products are sold in Japan and 25 other countries. More information is available at: http://deleter-mangashop.com/.

Sakura of America supplies art products exclusively from their parent company, Sakura Color Products Corporation of Japan (founded in 1921), whose history of product innovation and superior product quality is recognized around the world. Product brands include Cray-Pas® oil pastels, Pigma® Micron® fine line pens, Gelly Roll® pigmented roller pens and Solid Markers. More information may be found at: http://sakuraofamerica.com/.

Bakuman Debut and Impatience

I read Bakuman., Vol. 3

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

Death Note (Always Bet on) Black Edition

I read Death Note Black Edition, Vol. 1

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