Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for September 30, 2020

 COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

JUL201719    ACCA 13 TERRITORY INSPECTION DEPT PS GN VOL 01    $15.00
MAR201999    AGGRETSUKO HC VOL 01 METAL TO THE MAX    $11.99
JUL201390    ANGELA DELLA MORTE VOL 2 #1 (RES)    $3.95
AUG201881    AO HARU RIDE MANGA GN VOL 13    $9.99
JUL200996    ARTEMIS & ASSASSIN #5    $3.99
JUL200945    BATVARK PENIS ONE SHOT    $4.00
APR208412    BATVARK XXXXX ONE SHOT    $4.00
JUL201059    BEST OF ARCHIE CHRISTMAS CLASSICS TP    $9.99
APR201534    BIG NATE STAYS CLASSY TP    $14.99
JUL201102    BIGS AND TINY #3 (MR)    $3.99
JUL201623    BLOOD ON TRACKS GN VOL 02 (RES) (MR)    $12.95
APR201979    BRINA THE CAT GN VOL 02 CITY CAT    $9.99
APR201980    BRINA THE CAT HC GN VOL 02 CITY CAT    $14.99
JUL209247    BRONX HEROES IN TRUMPLAND GN    $11.95
JUL201174    CARMEN SANDIEGO GN VOL 03 CHASING PAPER CAPER    $10.99
JUL201175    CARMEN SANDIEGO HC GN VOL 03 CHASING PAPER CAPER    $21.99
JUL201633    CASTE HEAVEN GN VOL 03 (MR)    $12.99
AUG201364    CASTLE IN THE STARS HC GN VOL 04 FRENCHMAN ON MARS    $19.99
AUG201873    CHAINSAW MAN GN VOL 01    $9.99
SEP191549    CINEMA PURGATORIO COMP STORY BOX SET    $39.99
JUN201184    COMPLETE PENULTIMATE QUEST GN    $25.00
JUN201493    CREATURE GIRLS HANDS ON FIELD JOURNAL WORLD GN VOL 04 (MR) (    $13.99
APR201861    DARK TOWER DRAWING OF THREE HC TP VOL 04 BITTER MEDICINE (MR    $26.99
JUL201226    DEADPOOL COMEBACK CREATOR HC    $16.99
AUG201899    DEMON PRINCE OF MOMOCHI HOUSE GN VOL 16    $9.99
AUG201874    DEMON SLAYER KIMETSU NO YAIBA GN VOL 17    $9.99
JUL201209    DRAGON PRINCE GN #1 THROUGH MOON    $12.99
JAN201501    GOLD DIGGER #275    $3.99
JUL201012    GOON #12 CVR A POWELL (RES)    $3.99
JUL201013    GOON #12 JOHNSON CARDSTOCK VAR CVR (RES)    $5.99
APR202035    GREAT GATSBY GN    $20.00
APR202036    GREAT GATSBY HC GN    $30.00
JUL201014    GRUMBLE MEMPHIS & BEYOND THE INFINITE #3 (OF 5) (RES)    $3.99
JAN201902    GUDETAMA HC ADULTING FOR THE LAZY    $9.99
AUG201880    INCURABLE CASE OF LOVE GN VOL 05 (MR)    $9.99
JUL201314    INVADER ZIM BEST OF WORLD DOMINATION TP (RES)    $9.99
JUL201410    JOHN CARPENTER STORM KIDS HYPERBREED TP    $17.99
JUL201412    JOHN CARPENTERS TALES FOR A HALLOWEENIGHT TP VOL 06 (MR)    $24.99
JUL201413    JOHN CARPENTERS TALES SCIFI VORTEX 2 #4 (MR)    $3.99
AUG201877    JUJUTSU KAISEN GN VOL 06    $9.99
JUN201488    KIMAGURE ORANGE ROAD OMNIBUS GN VOL 02    $24.95
JUL201624    KINOS JOURNEY BEAUTIFUL WORLD GN VOL 06 (RES)    $12.95
AUG201367    LAST PICK GN VOL 03 (OF 3) RISE UP    $17.99
AUG201368    LAST PICK HC GN VOL 03 (OF 3) RISE UP    $26.99
AUG201492    LON CHANEY SPEAKS GN    $25.00
JUL201797    MADE IN ABYSS ANTHOLOGY GN    $12.99
JUL201616    MAGATSUKI GN VOL 11-13 (RES)    $24.99
JUL201407    MARIE & WORRYWART GN    $5.00
APR201914    MONSTER ALLERGY GN VOL 04 MONSTER TAMERS MANUAL    $10.99
AUG201887    MORIARTY THE PATRIOT GN VOL 01    $9.99
AUG201079    MTSYRY OCTOBRIANA 1976 ONE SHOT (MR)    $10.00
AUG201875    MY HERO ACADEMIA GN VOL 25    $9.99
AUG201962    NEW GATE MANGA GN VOL 03    $11.95
AUG201369    NICO BRAVO & CELLAR DWELLERS SC GN    $14.99
APR191390    OFFBEATS TP    $19.99
FEB201492    OFFWORLD SCI FI DOUBLE FEATURE #3 (MR)    $3.99
AUG201876    ONE PUNCH MAN GN VOL 21    $9.99
JAN201504    PLANET COMICS #2 CVR A SHANNON    $3.99
JAN201505    PLANET COMICS #2 CVR B HUTCHINSON    $9.99
JUN201010    POSSESSED #2 (OF 2)    $7.99
AUG201882    PRINCE FREYA GN VOL 03    $9.99
JUL191546    PUNCHLINE TP VOL 02 BEST FRENEMIES    $19.99
JUL201087    RESISTANCE #6 (OF 6)    $3.99
AUG201879    REVOLUTIONARY GIRL UTENA AFTER THE REVOLUTION GN    $12.99
JUL201318    ROGUE PLANET #5 (MR)    $3.99
MAR202133    SHERLOCK SCANDAL IN BELGRAVIA TP    $12.99
JUL201397    SHIVER BUREAU GN    $19.99
APR202000    SHOW ME HISTORY GN SUSAN B ANTHONY    $12.99
APR202001    SHOW ME HISTORY GN WALT DISNEY MAGICAL INNOVATOR    $12.99
JUL201307    SPACE BATTLE LUNCHTIME TP VOL 03 A DISH BEST SERVED COLD    $14.99
JUN201068    STAR WARS CLONE WARS #1 MORECI SGN    $19.77
JUL201576    TALES OF TERROR QUARTERLY HELLFIRE #1 CVR A VIGONTE (MR)    $8.99
JUL201577    TALES OF TERROR QUARTERLY HELLFIRE #1 CVR B VITORINO (MR)    $8.99
JUL201578    TALES OF TERROR QUARTERLY HELLFIRE #1 CVR C KROME (MR)    $8.99
JUL201398    TINKERS OF WASTELAND GN    $16.99
JUL201748    TRIAGE X GN VOL 20 (MR)    $14.00
JUL201020    VICTOR CROWLEY HATCHET HALLOWEEN TALES II CVR A MARTINEZ (MR    $3.99
JUL201021    VICTOR CROWLEY HATCHET HALLOWEEN TALES II CVR B CARVED BONK    $4.99
JUL201022    VICTOR CROWLEY HATCHET HALLOWEEN TALES II CVR C RACY WOLFER    $9.99
JUL208674    VLAD DRACUL #1 (OF 3) 2ND PTG    $6.99
JUL208673    VLAD DRACUL #2 (OF 3) 2ND PTG    $6.99
AUG201896    WE NEVER LEARN GN VOL 12    $9.99
APR191391    WILLIAM THE LAST TP VOL 02 FIGHT AND FLIGHT    $19.99
JUL201064    WORLD OF ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #103    $7.99
JUL201091    YEAR ZERO #5    $3.99
AUG201883    YONA OF THE DAWN GN VOL 26    $9.99

MAGAZINES

AUG201610    AMAZING FIGURE MODELER #70    $10.00
AUG201515    CARTOONS MAGAZINE #29    $6.99
JUL201131    COMIC SHOP NEWS [90CT BUNDLE] #1728  (RES)    $PI
AUG201728    CREEPS ANNUAL #3 2021 SPOOKTACULAR (MR)    $9.95
JUL201288    SCARY MONSTERS MAGAZINE #118 (RES)    $9.95
JUN201383    STAR WARS MANDALORIAN ART COLL ED HC VOL 01 (RES)    $19.99
JUN201384    STAR WARS MANDALORIAN ART COLL NEWSSTAND ED #1 (RES)    $12.99
JUN201385    STAR WARS MANDALORIAN ART COLL PX ED #1 (RES)    $12.99

BOOKS

APR201730    ARCHIE ANDREWS WHERE ARE YOU SEEK AND FIND BOOK    $4.99
JUL201181    BAD GIRLS ART OF MARCELO TROM SC (MR)    $19.95
AUG201288    DISNEY VILLAINS ESSENTIAL GUIDE REVISED ED HC    $12.99
AUG201532    ELF POP CLASSIC ILLUS STORYBOOK HC    $18.99
JUL201751    LAST CRUSADE RISE NEW WORLD LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 04    $15.00
AUG201289    LEGO MINIFIGURE HANDBOOK    $14.99
APR202098    NIGHT TRAIN MMPB    $14.95
AUG201293    POKEMON VISUAL COMPANION 3RD ED    $14.99
AUG201963    REPRISE OF THE SPEAR HERO LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 02    $13.95
JUL201255    STAR WARS BATTLE STATIONS MAKE OWN AT-AT BOOK & MODEL HC    $11.99
JUL201256    STAR WARS LAST JEDI BOOK & MODEL HC    $11.99
JUL201258    STAR WARS SMUGGLERS STARSHIP ACTIVITY BOOK & MODEL HC    $11.99

#IReadsYou Review: OUR LAST CRUSADE... Volume 2

OUR LAST CRUSADE OR THE RISE OF A NEW WORLD, VOL. 2
YEN PRESS

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

MANGA-KA: okama
ORIGINAL STORY: Kei Sazane
CHARACTER DESIGN: Ao Nekonabe
TRANSLATION: Jan Mitsuko Cash
LETTERS: DK
ISBN: 978-1-9753-0837-7; paperback (April 2020); Rated “T” for “Teen”
192pp, B&W, $13.00 U.S., $17.00 CAN

Our Last Crusade or the Rise of a New World is a Japanese light novel series written by Kei Sazane and illustrated by Ao Nekonabe.  Fujimi Shobo has published the series since May 2017 under its “Fujimi Fantasia Bunko” label.  A manga adaptation by writer-artist, okama, began serialization in Hakusensha's Young Animal magazine in May 2018.  Yen Press is producing English-language editions of both the manga and the light novel series.

Our Last Crusade or the Rise of a New World is set in a world where “the Nebulis Sovereignty” and “the Empire” are embroiled in a war without end.  Aliceliese Lou Nebulis IX a.k.a. “Alice” is the “Ice Calamity Witch,” a Nebulis “Astral mage” of incredible power.  Iska is the youngest swordsman of the Empire ever to become a “Saint Disciple.”  Alice and Iska find themselves face-to-face, and each seeks to bring a close to this ceaseless conflict.  Little do they know, however, that their meeting will be the catalyst that shapes the fate of the world!

As Our Last Crusade or the Rise of a New World, Vol. 2 (Chapters 6 to 13) opens, fate has guided Iska and Alice together once more as they cross paths at an Imperial painter's art exhibit in “the Desert Neutral City Ain.”  There, they agree to meet again; only this time, it will be on the field of battle to settle the score.

When an ancient power awakens to threaten their very lives, however, Alice is forced to choose between her country (Nebulis) and her ideals.  Iska must forsake the will of the Empire and save a witch – an unforgivable act.  Up against an all-powerful foe, will the two heroes form an unlikely alliance, or will they find themselves unable to overcome their allegiances?

[This volume includes an original short story set in the world of Our Last Crusade or the Rise of a New World.]

The Our Last Crusade or the Rise of a New World manga is new to me.  Its source, the light novel series by Kei Sazane (with character designs and illustrations by Ao Nekonabe), is also unfamiliar to me.

Our Last Crusade or the Rise of a New World Graphic Novel Volume 2 is a thrilling manga (or graphic novel).  Writer-artist okama offers action sequences that recall that found in Tite Kubo's beloved manga, Bleach.  Okama manages to present the complex, international dynamics and intrigue while also offering exciting action.  Even if a reader missed Vol. 1 (which I have), Vol. 2 is good enough to tempt readers to return for more of the series.

Jan Mitsuko Cash offers an English-language translation that makes the back story and politics readable.  Cash also captures the rapidly developing relationship between Alice and Iska.  DK's lettering conveys the drama and action and... romance?  Let's come back for more, dear readers.

7.5 out of 10

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


https://yenpress.com/
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https://www.facebook.com/yenpress/
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The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint or syndication rights and fees.


---------------------------

#IReadsYou Review: NIGHTSCHOOL: The Weirn Books Collector's Edition 1

NIGHTSCHOOL: THE WEIRN BOOKS – COLLECTOR'S EDITION 1
YEN PRESS

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

CARTOONIST:  Svetlana Chmakova
TONES: Dee DuPuy
LETTERS: JuYoun Lee
ISBN: 978-1-9753-1289-3; paperback (May 2020); Rated “T” for “Teen”
396pp, B&W with some color, $24.00 U.S., $31.50 CAN

Nightschool: The Weirn Books is an American or original English-language (OEL) manga written and illustrated by Svetlana Chmakova.  A supernatural fantasy, Nightschool first appeared as a 24-chapter serial in the monthly manga magazine, Yen Plus, from 2008 to 2010.  Yen Press later collected the manga in a four-volume graphic novel series.

In anticipation of the impending release of Chmakova's new graphic novel, The Weirn Books, Vol. 1: Be Wary of the Silent Woods, Yen Press is collecting the four Nightschool: The Weirn Books as two mini-omnibus paperback graphic novels.  Nightschool: The Weirn Books Collector's Edition 1 collects Nightschool: The Weirn Books, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 6) and Nightschool: The Weirn Books, Vol. 2 (Chapters 7 to 12) in one book.  Collector's Edition 2 will collect Nightschool: The Weirn Books, Vol. 3 and Nightschool: The Weirn Books, Vol. 4 in one book.

Nightschool: The Weirn Books Collector's Edition 1 is the subject of this review.  Nightschool focuses on Alexius “Alex” Treveney, a 13-year-old “weirn” (a particular breed of witch).  Talented, Alex has always been home-schooled, but she is about to have a reason to go to a public school.

Alex's older sister, Sarah Treveney, works at PS 13W, where there is a “Dayschool” and a “Nightschool.”  Sarah is the new “Nightkeeper” at “Nightschool,” the place where vampires, werewolves, and weirns learn the fundamentals of everything from calculus and spell-casting.  When Sarah vanishes and all memory and evidence of her existence is erased, Alex is determined to get to the bottom of it.

What better place to start than Sarah's place of employment, Benjamin Theron Nightschool a.k.a. PS 13W.  Sneaking into Nightschool is difficult, however, so Alex must enroll at the school.  Is she prepared for what she mind find, which includes conspiracies, broken seals, and a secret conflict between the city's supernatural communities?

[This volume includes the “Afterwords” for Volumes 1 and 2]

I requested a copy for review of The Weirn Books, Vol. 1: Be Wary of the Silent Woods shortly after I received a press release announcing it.  Later, I received a box of review copies and a copy of Nightschool: The Weirn Books Collector's Edition 1 was among them.  Initially I thought Nightschool was the new Weirn Books title.  But the cover images did not match, and Nightschool seemed, to me, bigger than it should be if it were new release.

Several minutes of Internet research later, I discovered Nightschool: The Weirn Books, of which I had never heard, although I had heard of Svetlana Chmakova.  I did not know what to make of it upon first glance, but after reading Collector's Edition 1, I now know what to make of it.  Nightschool is a fantastic young readers graphic novel, and I am confident that it is a comic book that I would have read if such comics existed when I was a middle-grade, YA, and teen reader (which they didn't).

One of the first things that surprised me was that, although Alex is the story's main character, her aunt, Sarah Treveney, seems to be the dominate player for much of the story's first six chapters.  Chmakova reveals more of her personality than she does of Alex's.  Sarah is a peacemaker, and although she often seems meek, she is clearly open to new ideas (such as creating school activity clubs for the Nightschool students).  When she disappears, I genuinely regretted seeing her go.

Alex dominates the remainder of the first six chapters and of Chapters 7 to 12.  Although she has bouts of fear, Alex is a strong and forceful character; she is bold and takes initiative.  That boldness is what allows us to discover the other characters and subplots as well follow Alex.

Besides Alex or perhaps connected to her, Chmakova has a lot going on in these first 12 chapters, which are breezy, enthralling reads.  However, she offers enough characters, settings, and plot lines stuffed in 12 chapters for 24 chapters.  If Nightschool were not such a good read, that would be a problem.  A lot of the elements in these first 12 chapters:  names, groups, connects, relationships, obligations, conflicts, etc. are needlessly oblique and mysterious.  You know, there is nothing wrong with using a caption box in which to indicate the name of a character or group.

Still, I love Nightschool: The Weirn Books Collector's Edition 1.  I could read the second collection right this minute.

8 out of 10

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


https://yenpress.com/
https://twitter.com/yenpress
https://www.facebook.com/yenpress/
https://www.instagram.com/yenpress/
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https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/23045551-yen-press


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and  syndication rights and fees.


--------------------------------

Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for August 26, 2020

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

MAR202461    A CENTAURS LIFE GN VOL 18 (MR)    $13.99
JUN200995    ACCELERATORS #18 FORWARDS AND BACKWARDS (MR)    $3.99
JUN201668    ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF DUKES DAUGHTER GN VOL 06 (RES) (MR)    $12.99
JUL201183    AGENT MOOSE GN VOL 01    $10.99
MAR202462    AKASHIC RECORDS OF BASTARD MAGICAL INSTRUCTOR GN VOL 9    $12.99
JUN200996    ALT PATHS RAVEN HEX THE SWORDMAIDEN #1 (MR)    $21.99
JUN200859    AMALGAMA SPACE ZOMBIE MOST WANTED #1 CVR A YOUNG (MR)    $4.99
JUN200860    AMALGAMA SPACE ZOMBIE MOST WANTED #1 CVR B YOUNG RISQUE (MR)    $4.99
JUN200861    AMALGAMA SPACE ZOMBIE MOST WANTED #1 CVR C MCCOMB (MR)    $4.99
JUN200862    AMALGAMA SPACE ZOMBIE MOST WANTED #1 CVR D MCCOMB RISQUE (MR    $4.99
JUN200863    AMALGAMA SPACE ZOMBIE MOST WANTED #1 CVR E CELOR (MR)    $9.99
JUN200864    AMALGAMA SPACE ZOMBIE MOST WANTED #1 CVR F CELOR RISQUE (MR)    $9.99
JUN200822    AMICABLE SPIDER VARK ANNUAL ONE SHOT    $8.00
MAR202463    ARIFURETA COMMONPLACE TO STRONGEST ZERO GN VOL 03    $12.99
JUN201670    ARIFURETA I HEART ISEKAI GN VOL 03    $12.99
JUL201768    ASCENDANCE OF A BOOKWORM GN VOL 01 PT 1    $14.99
MAR202018    ATTACK OF THE STUFF HC    $14.99
JUL200988    BENDY CRACK UP COMICS COLL SC    $12.99
JUN201037    BERLIN TP COMPLETE (MR)    $39.95
JUN200951    BETTY & VERONICA JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #286    $7.99
JAN202007    BIG HOAX HC    $24.99
JUN200887    BILLIONAIRE ISLAND #5 (OF 4) (MR)    $3.99
JUN201369    BLADE RUNNER 2019 #9 CVR A EDWARDS (RES) (MR)    $3.99
JUN201370    BLADE RUNNER 2019 #9 CVR B MEAD (RES) (MR)    $3.99
JUN201371    BLADE RUNNER 2019 #9 CVR C GUINALDO (RES) (MR)    $3.99
JUN201372    BLADE RUNNER 2019 #9 CVR D CALTSOUDAS (RES) (MR)    $3.99
JUN201373    BLADE RUNNER 2019 #9 CVR E EDWARDS B&W (RES) (MR)    $3.99
MAR201783    BLESSED MACHINE COMPLETE COLL TP    $14.95
JUN201337    BUG BITES #1    $3.99
MAR201549    CARSON OF VENUS REALM OF DEAD #3 CVR A MESARCIA MAIN    $3.99
MAR201550    CARSON OF VENUS REALM OF DEAD #3 CVR B LTD ED PULP VAR    $9.99
JUN201528    COMPLETE CHIS SWEET HOME BOX SET (RES)    $109.80
JUL201373    CRABAPPLE TROUBLE YR GN    $12.99
JUN201672    CUBE ARTS GN VOL 01    $12.99
JUN201249    DANCE CLASS 3IN1 GN VOL 02    $14.99
JAN201623    DEVIL WITHIN TP (MR)    $16.99
JUL201186    DISPLACEMENT HC GN    $24.99
JUL201185    DISPLACEMENT SC GN    $17.99
APR202151    DOCTOR TOMORROW #5 (OF 5) CVR A HENRY    $3.99
APR202152    DOCTOR TOMORROW #5 (OF 5) CVR B KANO    $3.99
APR202015    DRAGON WHISPERER #4    $3.95
JUN201446    ENGINEWARD #2    $3.99
APR208344    ENGINEWARD #2 CVR B HICKMAN    $3.99
JUL201233    FLAMER HC GN (MR)    $25.99
JUL201232    FLAMER SC GN (MR)    $17.99
JUL201497    GINSENG ROOTS #6    $6.00
JUN200882    GODKILLERS #5 (RES)    $3.99
APR201428    GOLDEN AGE GREATS SPOTLIGHT VOL 20    $29.95
FEB202108    GRATEFUL DEAD ORIGINS GN VOL 01    $24.99
JUN201469    GRIMM FAIRY TALES #40 CVR A COCCOLO (RES)    $3.99
JUN201470    GRIMM FAIRY TALES #40 CVR B VITORINO (RES)    $3.99
JUN201471    GRIMM FAIRY TALES #40 CVR C LEARY JR (RES)    $3.99
JUN201472    GRIMM FAIRY TALES #40 CVR D ABRERA (RES)    $3.99
APR202021    GRIT #2    $3.99
JUN208524    I WANT YOU GN (MR)    $21.95
JUN201353    JOHN CARPENTERS TALES SCIFI VORTEX 2 #3 (RES)    $3.99
MAR202008    KAIJUMAX SEASON 5 #4 (MR)    $3.99
JUN201039    LITTLE LULU HC VOL 02 FUZZYTHINGUS POOPI    $29.95
JUN201261    LOUD HOUSE GN VOL 10 MANY FACES OF LINCOLN LOUD    $7.99
JUN200881    MAN WHO EFFED UP TIME #5 (RES)    $3.99
JUL201192    MAP TO THE SUN HC GN    $24.99
JUL201191    MAP TO THE SUN SC GN    $17.99
APR208489    MTSYRY OCTOBRIANA 1976 ONE SHOT (MR)    $10.00
APR202462    MY MONSTER SECRET GN VOL 21    $12.99
APR201735    NO ONES TP VOL 01    $14.95
MAR202475    NON NON BIYORI GN VOL 13    $12.99
JUN201264    ONLY LIVING GIRL GN VOL 02 BENEATH THE UNSEEN CITY (SEP18842    $8.99
JUN201265    ONLY LIVING GIRL HC VOL 02 BENEATH THE UNSEEN CITY (SEP18842    $13.99
JUL201368    PACEY PACKER UNICORN TRACKER GN VOL 01    $12.99
JUL201236    PHANTOM COMP DAILIES HC VOL 19 1964-1966    $60.00
JUL201109    PIRATE QUEEN LEGEND OF GRACE O MALLEY SC GN    $12.99
JUN201449    PLOT #6 (RES)    $3.99
APR208351    PLOT #6 CVR B    $3.99
JUN200982    RED BORDER #4 (OF 4) (RES) (MR)    $3.99
JUL201776    RISING OF THE SHIELD HERO GN VOL 14    $11.95
JUN201236    ROGUE PLANET #4    $3.99
APR201934    SAVAGE BASTARDS #5 (OF 5)    $3.99
JUN201266    SCHOOL FOR EXRATERRESTRIAL GIRLS GN VOL 01    $12.99
JUN201267    SCHOOL FOR EXRATERRESTRIAL GIRLS HC VOL 01    $19.99
JUL201385    SLAINE HORNED GOD COLL ED TP (RES)    $24.99
APR201432    SWEET HEART #4 (OF 5) (MR)    $3.99
JUN201551    UNDEAD MESSIAH MANGA GN VOL 03 (RES)    $10.99
JUN200918    UNDERDOG #1 AM EXCLUSIVE COVER ED    $10.00
MAR202252    VAN HELSING VS LEAGUE MONSTERS #4 CVR A WHITE    $3.99
MAR202253    VAN HELSING VS LEAGUE MONSTERS #4 CVR B VITORINO    $3.99
MAR202254    VAN HELSING VS LEAGUE MONSTERS #4 CVR C DIPASCALE    $3.99
MAR202255    VAN HELSING VS LEAGUE MONSTERS #4 CVR D METCALF    $3.99
JUN201092    VISION GN GFORER    $16.99
APR202030    WHITE ASH #6    $3.99
APR201936    WOLVENHEART TP    $19.99
JUN200952    WORLD OF ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #102    $7.99
APR202017    XIRA #2    $3.95
JUN200980    YEAR ZERO #4    $3.99
APR202018    ZERO DAY THREAT #3    $3.95

MAGAZINES

APR201753    COMIC SHOP NEWS [90CT BUNDLE] #1723    $PI
JUL201184    NIB POWER    $14.95

BOOKS

JUL201769    ANIMETA LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 04    $14.99
JUL201770    ARCHDEMONS DILEMMA HOW LOVE ELF BRIDE LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 07    $14.99
FEB202057    FANTASTIC PAINTINGS OF FRAZETTA HC    $39.95
JUL201777    GADGETRY SHIROW MIWA DESIGN ARCHIVES UPDATED ENGLISH ED    $39.95
JUL201771    HOW NOT TO SUMMON DEMON LORD LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 11    $14.99
JUL201838    HOW TO CREATE MANGA DRAWING CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES    $17.99
JUL201772    I SHALL SURVIVE USING POTIONS LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 01    $14.99
JUL201773    INFINITE DENDROGRAM LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 08    $14.99
JUN201419    JOHN JENNINGS CONVERSATIONS SC    $25.00
JUL202570    LETS BAKE PUSHEEN COOKBOOK    $19.99
JUL201462    MAKING OF ALIENS HC (RES)    $60.00
MAR202487    NEON GENESIS EVANGELION ANIMA LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 03    $13.99
JUL201774    SEXILED PARTY KICKED ME OUT LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 02    $14.99
JUN201639    SO IM SPIDER SO WHAT LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 09    $14.00
JUN201144    STAR WARS LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK RISE OF SKYWALKER    $4.99
JUL201116    THEY DREW AS THEY PLEASED HC VOL 06 DISNEY`S NEW GOLDEN AGE    $50.00
JUL201348    ZAWA ZAWA TREASURED ART WORKS ASHLEY WOOD BILINGUAL ED    $35.00

#IReadsYou Review: THE ALCHEMIST WHO SURVIVED... Volume 2

THE ALCHEMIST WHO SURVIVED NOW DREAMS OF A QUIET CITY LIFE, VOL. 2
YEN PRESS

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

MANGA-KA: Guru Mizoguchi
ORIGINAL STORY: Usata Nonohara
CHARACTER DESIGN: ox
TRANSLATION: Erin Husson
LETTERS: Liz Kolkman
ISBN: 978-1-9753-0853-7; paperback (April 2020); Rated “T” for “Teen”
160pp, B&W, $13.00 U.S., $17.00 CAN

The Alchemist Who Survived Now Dreams of a Quiet City Life is a fantasy manga written and illustrated by Guru Mizoguchi.  It is a manga adaptation of the light novel series of the same title, written by Usata Nonohara with character designs by ox.  Yen Press is publishing an English-language edition of the manga.

The Alchemist Who Survived Now Dreams of a Quiet City Life focuses on a young woman named Mariela.  She awakens from a deep sleep that has lasted two hundred years to discover that she is the last alchemist alive in a place called Labyrinth City.  She wants to keep the fact that she is an alchemist a secret, but she does make a living brewing and selling potions.  With her bodyguard/assistant, Siegmund, at her side, Mariela wants to live the quiet life.

As The Alchemist Who Survived Now Dreams of a Quiet City Life, Vol. 2 (Chapters 7 to 12) opens, Mariela is making good money selling potions, but she is warned that she must hide the fact that she is an alchemist.  She decides that she is going to live undercover as a chemist and seeks a guild license with the hopes of opening her own apothecary.  Meanwhile, Siegmund wonders if he is really of any use to Mariela, who once saved him poverty.

[This volume includes bonus manga, “The Humble Alchemist's Everyday Life: The Difference Two Hundred Years.”]

The Alchemist Who Survived Now Dreams of a Quiet City Life manga  is another new title to me.  As I gradually delve deeper into Yen Press' catalog, I am finding manga that I like and may want to follow as a series.

The Alchemist Who Survived Now Dreams of a Quiet City Life Graphic Novel Volume 2 is a quite pleasant read because Mariela is a quite pleasant, if not endearing, character.  I am not at all familiar with the light novel series upon which this manga is based, so I don't know its author, Usata Nonohara's intentions for the narrative.

However, this manga adaptation by Guru Mizoguchi presents this fantasy-set narrative as something like a medievalist slice-of-life serial.  The readers follows the everyday activities of Mariela, as if this were a domestic comedy-drama.  Erin Husson's translation gives the narrative an engaging quality and also hints at some darker moments to come later in the series.

Vol. 2 probably makes as good an introduction as Vol. 1, which I have not read.  I would recommend The Alchemist Who Survived Now Dreams of a Quiet City Life on this volume alone because... well, I intend to read more.

7 out of 10

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

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--------------------------------

#IReadsYou Review: INTERSPECIES REVIEWERS Volume 1

INTERSPECIES REVIEWERS, VOL. 1
YEN PRESS

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Amahara
ART: masha
TRANSLATION: Ko Ransom
LETTERS: Rochelle Gancio
ISBN: 978-1-9753-0200-9; paperback (November 2018); Rated “M” for “Mature”
130pp, B&W, $13.00 U.S., $17.00 CAN

Interspecies Review is a fantasy and sex-comedy manga series written by Amahara and illustrated by masha.  It has been serialized through Nico Nico Seiga's manga website, Dragon Dragon Age, since August 2016.  Yen Press is publishing an English-language edition of the manga.

Interspecies Reviewers, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 11) opens in a world where all kinds of different species:  humans, elves, fairies, hybrids, angels, and demons, to name a few, coexist.  With so many species, some of them are bound to operate “sexy shops” (brothels), places where one can partake of the pleasures of “succu-girls,” females of each species that have succubus blood in their veins.

“Stunk,” a human male and “adventurer of the succubus districts,” and “Zel,” a “pervy” male elf, are the ringleaders of a group of men who have sexual relations with succu-girls and then, review and rate the girls' performances.  These reviews are published in a kind of broadside-like publication called the “Yoruno Gloss Review” that is posted on “the Adventurer's Billboard.”

From elves to succubi to cyclopes and more, the Yoruno Gloss reviewers and their newest member (a shy angel named “Crimvael” who has both male and female genitalia and a broken halo) are here to rate the red-light delights of all manner of monsters girls and creatures of the female persuasion.  They just don't all agree on which species is the best!

[This volume includes “End-of-Volume Bonus Manga.”]

I had not heard of the Interspecies Reviewers manga until my Yen Press rep sent me a copy of the manga for review.  During my research on the series, I discovered that there is a notorious 12-episode anime adaptation that was apparently released for streaming in the U.S. and then quickly pulled from distribution earlier this year.

Interspecies Reviewers Graphic Novel Volume 1 is a fun read.  It is a mixture of shonen comedy and hentai manga, just not as explicit as the latter.  Creators Amahara (story) and masha (art) are unapologetic in the coarseness of their storytelling.  Really, there is not much of a plot here, and the story is really a collection of vignettes about Stunk and Zel's sexual escapades with Crimvael and a rotating band of reviewers in tow.

Amahara and masha portray Stunk and Zel as being shameless in their “adventures,” but the authors seem to use Crimvael, who identifies as male to avoid harassment, to ground the narrative via his struggles.  I will not call Interspecies Reviewers a great manga, but in small doses, like this first volume, which is a 130 pages in length, it is enjoyable.  It is funny if for no other reason than that the creators are so inventive in the kinds of brothels they create.  There is one in which the customers have their genders swapped.  I'll come back for that.

7 out of 10

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


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------------------------

#IReadsYou Review: IV'E BEEN KILLING SLIMES... Volume 2

I'VE BEEN KILLING SLIMES..., VOL. 2
YEN PRESS

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

MANGA-KA: Yusuke Shiba
ORIGINAL STORY: Kisetsu Morita
CHARACTER DESIGN: Benio
TRANSLATION: Jasmine Bernhardt
LETTERS: Katie Blakeslee
ISBN: 978-1-9753-0916-9; paperback (May 2020); Rated “T” for “Teen”
178pp, B&W, $13.00 U.S., $17.00 CAN

I've Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level is a Japanese light novel series written by Kisetsu Morita and illustrated by Benio.  In June 2017, Square Enix began publishing a manga adaptation of the series produced by Yusuke Shiba in their online website and smartphone app, “Gangan Online.”  Yen Press began publishing an English-language edition of the manga in 2019.

[I sometimes shorten I've Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level as I've Been Killing Slimes...]

I've Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level focuses on Azusa.  Once upon a time, she was an office worker who ended her short, painful life by dying from overworking.  She was born again in a new world, reincarnated as an undying witch who also does not age.  Azusa vows to live as stress-free and as pleasantly as possible, and makes a living hunting down “the slimes,” the easiest targets she can find.  After centuries of doing such a simple job, however, Azusa has ended up being insanely powerful, so how can she maintain her low key life now?

As I've Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level, Vol. 2 (Chapters 7 to 12) opens, Asuza is living the simple life on an isolated homestead with her two daughters, Shalsha and Falfa, and her apprentice, Laika, a “red dragon” who lives with them in her human form.  Asuza's laid-back life is interrupted when a buxom female elf named Halkara comes looking for sanctuary.  Why is this elf in such trouble?  It seems that Beelzebub is after Halkara for poisoning him.  But the nature of Beelzebub is far different from what Asuza and Halkara were expecting.

Then, it's time for Laika to return to her home on Mount Rokko where her dragon clan lives.  However, this simple family gathering turns out to be more complicated than Asuza and company expected.

[This volume includes an “Afterword” and “Translation Notes.”]

The I've Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level manga is another series that is new to me.  I had also not heard of the light novel series of the same name by writer Kisetsu Morita and illustrator Benio.

I've Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level Volume 2 is cute and mild entertainment.  Although this volume is filled with pretty female characters (and pretty art), writer-artist Yusuke Shiba offers very little fanservice, and what is offered is quite tame.  My reading of this second volume of I've Been Killing Slimes... is that the series is like a middle grade readers version of the manga, Hayate the Combat Butler, and that is not a bad thing.  I love Hayate, and for the time being, this is all I can say about I've Been Killing Slimes...

6 out of 10

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


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-------------------------

#IReadsYou Review: A WITCH'S PRINTING OFFICE Volume 2

A WITCH'S PRINTING OFFICE, VOL. 2
YEN PRESS

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Mochinchi
ART: Yasuhiro Miyama
TRANSLATION: Amber Tomasaitis
LETTERS: Eric Hickman
ISBN: 978-1-9753-9934-4; paperback (April 2020); Rated “T” for “Teen”
162pp, B&W with some color pages, $15.00 U.S., $19.50 CAN

A Witch's Printing Office is a fantasy manga that began as a digital manga written and illustrated by Mochinchi.  Later, Yasuhiro Miyama became series artist, and it began serialization in the manga magazine, Dengeki G's Comic, until the magazine was discontinued.  Yen Press is publishing an English-language edition of the manga in North America as a series of graphic novels.

Returning home from a recent “Comiket,” Mika Kamiya is about to enjoy her haul of comics when she is whisked away to a strange fantasy land.  Searching for a spell that will send her home, Mika does two things.  She establishes Protagonist Press, a publishing house that focuses on spell books, scrolls, summoning contracts, and other magical tomes.  She starts “Magiket” or “Magic Market,” a place where authors, publishers, and creators and makers of spells can sell magical tomes to witches, wizards, mages, and magic users of all skill levels.  Via these two ventures, Miya hopes to meet someone who has the spell that will transport her home.

A Witch's Printing Office, Vol. 2 (Chapters 7 to 12) opens in the magical city of Aile, young Aile Tennos the Eighth hopes to escape her responsibilities by hopping aboard an airship.  She hopes to be taken far away from home, but she meets Mika and soon finds herself at the latest Magiket.  But among the attendees is another surprise for the runaway.

Then, the Demon Lord Satziiko is coming to bring doomsday to the human world.  Oh, wait!  The Demon Lord Satziiko is coming to the Holy Land to attend Magiket?!  Also, Mika meets an usual “Red Dragon” and equally unusual wizard.

[This volume includes miscellaneous art and text.]

The A Witch's Printing Office manga is the first Yen Press title in which I have read two volumes.  This manga, however, is not the first time I have come across a manga about a young woman involved in the business of creating and selling magical spells.

A Witch's Printing Office Graphic Novel Volume 2 is the volume that begins to pay off on what I saw as potential and promise in the first volume.  Each volume is its own independent story, but each story expands the narrative's internal mythology, introduces new cast members, or reveals more of the world in which this story is set.  Sometimes, it does all three.

Creators Mochinchi (story) and Yasuhiro Miyama (art) offer six delightful chapters that make this magical world in which the hero, Mika, finds herself feel like a place a reader wants to visit.  The good guys are not necessarily heroes and the bad guys aren't necessarily villains; everyone simply has a story to tell.  Those stories are personified by a love of books, such as the Red Dragon's, who has some rather surprising demands to make of a certain young book publisher and market organizer.

Amber Tamosaitis offers a hugely readable English-language translation that I read, except for one chapter, in one sitting.  I am more sure of A Witch's Printing Office after reading Vol. 2 than I was after reading Vol. 1 (which I did like).  I highly recommend it.

8 out of 10

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

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--------------------------------

#IReadsYou Review: TOILET-BOUND HANAKO-KUN: Volume 1

TOILET-BOUND HANAKO-KUN, VOL. 1
YEN PRESS

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

MANGA-KA: AidaIro
TRANSLATION: Alethea Nibley and Athena Nibley
LETTERS: Jesse Moriarty and Tania Biswas
ISBN: 978-1-9753-3287-7; paperback (January 2020); Rated “T” for “Teen”
178pp, B&W with some color pages, $13.00 U.S., $17.00 CAN

Jibaku Shōnen Hanako-kun is a Japanese manga series by AidaIro, the pen name of an artist named “Aida” and a writer named “Iro.”  It has been serialized in Square Enix's shōnen manga magazine, Monthly G Fantasy, since 2014.  Yen Press is publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a graphic novel series, entitled Toilet-Bound Hanako-Kun.  Yen originally published the first volume as an eBook in August 2017.

Toilet-Bound Hanako-Kun, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 5)  introduces Nene Yashiro, an occult-loving girl entering her first year of high school at Kamome Academy.  This school is also infamous for its “school ghost stories” known as the “Seven Mysteries.”  “No. 7” of the Seven Mysteries is the ghost story of Hanako-san of the Toilet.  Said to occupy the third stall of the third floor girls' bathroom in the old school building, Hanako-san, the ghost of former female student, grants any wish when summoned.

“Hanako-san, Hanako-san...are you there?” Nene Yashiro calls out, as she ventures into the haunted bathroom.  The Hanako-san she meets there, however, is nothing like she imagined.  Kamome Academy's Hanako-san is actually Hanako-kun, a boy!

[This volume includes bonus manga, “Teach Me, Hanako-kun: Ideals Arc,” and “Translation Notes.”]

Yen Press launched the print edition of the Toilet-Bound Hanako-Kun manga this past January.  The publisher initially released the first volume of the series as an eBook back in 2017.

Toilet-Bound Hanako-Kun Graphic Novel Volume 1 shows all the signs of being a narrative that is very early in the story.  Nene Yashiro and Hanako-kun have potential, but, at this point, creators AidaIro don't focus much on character development.  They zero in on introducing the supernatural world of this series and on bringing in the first supernatural adversaries that the heroes will face.

The art is playful in style, and the graphical storytelling is shadowy and abstract, which heightens the atmosphere of the supernatural and of the otherworldly.  The translation by Alethea Nibley and Athena Nibley conveys the sense of young characters still learning their stations, even in the case of Hanako-kun.  Vol. 1 also ends with a killer of a cliffhanger, and that makes it likely that readers will heavily consider returning for the second volume.

7 out of 10

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


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-------------------------

Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for July 22, 2020

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

FEB209284    ACT-AGE GN VOL 01    $9.99
MAR201591    ARCHIE GIANT COMICS JUMP TP    $9.99
APR202041    BACKFIRED #1 (MR)    $3.99
OCT191498    BAD RECEPTION #5    $3.99
APR202375    BARAKAMON 18 PLUS 1 GN VOL 19    $18.00
FEB209285    BEASTARS GN VOL 07    $12.99
MAR201529    BILLIONAIRE ISLAND #3 (OF 4) (MR)    $3.99
APR202460    BL METAMORPHOSIS GN VOL 02    $12.99
APR201701    BLACKOUT TP    $14.99
MAR202085    CANOPUS #4    $3.99
JAN201486    CARSON OF VENUS REALM OF DEAD #2 CVR A MESARCIA MAIN    $3.99
JAN201487    CARSON OF VENUS REALM OF DEAD #2 CVR B LTD ED PULP VAR    $9.99
FEB209288    CHILDREN OF WHALES GN VOL 15    $12.99
APR201990    CHLOE GN VOL 05 CARNIVAL PARTY    $9.99
APR201991    CHLOE HC GN VOL 05 CARNIVAL PARTY    $14.99
APR202043    DANGER DEVIL #2    $3.99
FEB209289    DAYTIME SHOOTING STAR GN VOL 07    $9.99
FEB209290    DEMON SLAYER KIMETSU NO YAIBA GN VOL 14    $9.99
JAN201725    DEPARTMENT OF MIND-BLOWING THEORIES TP GAULD STRIPS    $21.95
FEB209368    DONT BE CRUEL GN VOL 09 (MR)    $12.99
FEB209291    DR STONE GN VOL 12    $9.99
MAR202467    DRAGON GOES HOUSE HUNTING GN VOL 05    $12.99
MAR201567    EZEQUIEL HIMES ZOMBIE HUNTER #2 (OF 2)    $3.99
APR201814    FRANK & NOW SIR THIS YOUR MISSING GONAD HC WOODRING    $21.99
APR202044    FUHRER AND THE TRAMP #4 (OF 5)    $3.99
FEB201864    GIANT HC GN    $24.99
APR202045    GUTTER MAGIC SMOKE & MIRRORS #3    $3.99
FEB209292    HAIKYU GN VOL 39    $9.99
MAR201971    HELLFIGHTER QUIN #3 (OF 5)    $3.99
FEB209293    HELLS PARADISE JIGOKURAKU GN VOL 03 (MR)    $12.99
APR202381    HERO OVERPOWERED BUT OVERLY CAUTIOUS GN VOL 02    $13.00
APR202452    HIGH RISE INVASION GN VOL 07 (COLLECTS VOL 13 & 14) (MR)    $19.99
APR202046    HOLLOW #1 (MR)    $3.99
MAR201691    HOTELL #3 (OF 4) (MR)    $3.99
FEB209294    INCURABLE CASE OF LOVE GN VOL 04 (MR)    $9.99
FEB209369    JEALOUSY GN VOL 01 (MR)    $12.99
FEB209295    KAGUYA SAMA LOVE IS WAR GN VOL 15    $9.99
MAR201429    KIDZ #5 CVR A CRISTOBOL GORILLAZ ALBUM PARODY (MR)    $3.99
MAR201430    KIDZ #5 CVR B SAUVAGE (MR)    $3.99
MAR201431    KIDZ #5 CVR C JORET (MR)    $3.99
MAR201432    KIDZ #5 CVR D LANKRY    $3.99
APR202456    KING OF FIGHTERS NEW BEGINNING GN VOL 03    $12.99
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FEB209296    LEVIUS EST GN VOL 05    $12.99
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APR202047    MONSTROUS WITCH HUNT #1    $3.99
FEB202008    MOORCOCK LIB CORUM HC VOL 04 BULL AND SPEAR (MR)    $24.99
APR201939    MR INVINCIBLE GN    $15.99
FEB209299    MUJIRUSHI SIGN OF DREAMS GN URASAWA    $19.99
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MAR201498    NMIK GN    $22.00
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FEB209301    ONE PUNCH MAN GN VOL 20    $9.99
MAR208055    OUT OF THE BLUE COMP HC GN    $29.99
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FEB209304    RADIANT GN VOL 12    $9.99
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MAR201687    RESISTANCE #3 (OF 6) CVR A RAHZZAH    $3.99
MAR201688    RESISTANCE #3 (OF 6) CVR B DEODATO JR    $3.99
FEB209306    RIN-NE GN VOL 34    $9.99
DEC192047    ROSE OF VERSAILLES GN VOL 02    $38.99
MAR201972    RV9 TP VOL 01    $14.99
FEB209307    RWBY OFFICIAL MANGA GN VOL 01 BEACON ARC    $12.99
APR202388    SACRIFICIAL PRINCESS & KING BEASTS GN VOL 10    $13.00
APR202051    SEANCE ROOM TP (MR)    $12.99
FEB209308    SERAPH OF END VAMPIRE REIGN GN VOL 19    $9.99
MAR202302    SEVEN DEADLY SINS GN VOL 38    $10.99
FEB202120    SHANG #2 (OF 3) CVR A KROME    $5.99
FEB202121    SHANG #2 (OF 3) CVR B CASAS    $5.99
FEB202122    SHANG #2 (OF 3) CVR C BURNS    $5.99
FEB202123    SHANG #2 (OF 3) CVR D SANTACRUZ    $5.99
APR202052    SKYLIN #3    $3.99
FEB209309    SNOW WHITE WITH RED HAIR GN VOL 08    $9.99
JAN202024    SNOWPIERCER TP EXPLORERS    $19.99
FEB202018    SNOWPIERCER TP VOL 3 TERMINUS    $24.99
MAR202297    SOMETHINGS WRONG WITH US GN VOL 02    $12.99
FEB209310    SPLATOON SQUID KIDS COMEDY SHOW GN VOL 01    $9.99
JAN202023    STAR TREK BEST OF DISCOVERY TP    $24.99
APR202063    STORM KIDS HYPERBREED #5    $3.99
MAR201873    STUCK RUBBER BABY 25TH ANNIV HC ED (MR)    $24.99
FEB201386    SWEET HEART #2 (OF 5) (MR)    $3.99
FEB209311    TAKANE & HANA GN VOL 15    $9.99
FEB201969    TART TP    $19.99
APR202053    TRANQUILITY TP (MR)    $6.99
DEC191614    UMMAS TABLE GN    $29.95
JUN201116    UNRIG HC GN    $28.99
MAR202094    VLAD DRACUL #1 (OF 3)    $6.99
APR202054    WARCORNS COMBAT UNICORNS FOR HIRE ONESHOT    $3.99
APR201576    WORLD OF ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #100    $7.99
FEB209270    WYND #2 (OF 5) CVR A MAIN    $4.99
MAR202067    XIRA #1    $3.95
APR202032    YASMEEN #1    $3.99
JAN201424    ZOMBIE TRAMP ONGOING #70 CVR A MACCAGNI (MR)    $4.99
JAN201425    ZOMBIE TRAMP ONGOING #70 CVR B MACCAGNI RISQUE (MR)    $4.99
JAN201426    ZOMBIE TRAMP ONGOING #70 CVR C RUDETOONS REYNOLDS (MR)    $4.99
JAN201427    ZOMBIE TRAMP ONGOING #70 CVR D RUDETOONS REYNOLDS RISQUE (MR    $4.99
JAN201428    ZOMBIE TRAMP ONGOING #70 CVR E CELOR (MR)    $4.99
JAN201429    ZOMBIE TRAMP ONGOING #70 CVR F CELOR RISQUE (MR)    $4.99

MAGAZINES

MAR201799    COMIC SHOP NEWS [90CT BUNDLE] #1718    $PI
JAN201712    G FAN #127    $7.95

BOOKS

FEB209286    BLEACH CANT FEAR YOUR OWN WORLD LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 01    $14.99
FEB202219    DEVIL IS PART TIMER LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 16    $14.00
MAR202389    HIGH SCHOOL PRODIGIES EASY ANOTHER WORLD NOVEL SC VOL 01    $15.00
FEB202222    LAST CRUSADE RISE NEW WORLD LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 03    $15.00
MAR202396    LEADEN BATTLEGROUNDS LEAVE NO TRACE NOVEL SC VOL 01    $15.00
FEB202302    MAGIC USER REBORN MAX LEVEL WIZARD LIGHT NOVEL VOL 02    $14.99
APR202476    MUSHOKU TENSEI JOBLESS REINCARNATION LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 06 (    $13.99
APR201492    TARZAN CONQUEROR OF MARS SC    $24.95

#IReadsYou Revew: I'M A BEHEMOTH: Volume 1

I'M A BEHEMOTH, VOL. 1
YEN PRESS

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

MANGAKA: Taro Shinonome
ORIGINAL STORY: Nozomi Ginyoku
CHARACTER DESIGNS: Taro Shinonome and Mitsuki Yano
TRANSLATION: Caleb DeMarais
LETTERS: Barri Shrager
ISBN: 978-1-9753-9923-8; paperback (April 2020); Rated “M” for “Mature”
160pp, B&W, $13.00 U.S., $17.00 CAN

S Rank Monster no “Behemoth” dakedo, Neko to Machigawarete Elf Musume no Pet Toshite Kurashitemasu is a light novel series written by Nozomi Ginyoku with character designs by Taro Shinonome and Mitsuki Yano.  Taro Shinonome is producing a manga adaptation of the novel, which was first serialized in the manga magazine, Young Animal Arashi (until it was canceled) and later in the manga magazine, Young Animal.  Yen Press is publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a series of graphic novels under the title I'm a Behemoth, an S-Ranked Monster, but Mistaken for a Cat, I Live as an Elf Girl's Pet.  It is also referred to as “I'm a Behemoth,” for short.

I'm a Behemoth, an S-Ranked Monster, but Mistaken for a Cat, I Live as an Elf Girl's Pet, Vol. 1 (Chapters 0 to 6) introduces Tama, an S-ranked monster and a fearsome behemoth.  He also a cub and behemoth cubs look like adorable kittens.  Buxom elf girl, Aria, a D-ranked adventurer, finds his soft and cuddly self and names him “Tama.”  The problem is that Tama was once a great knight, but he was killed by an assassin.  Now, reincarnated, Tama is a behemoth, an S-ranked monster, but has been mistaken for a cat, and lives as an elf girl's pet.

[This volume includes bonus art and text and a bonus short story by Nozomi Ginyoku]

The I'm a Behemoth, an S-Ranked Monster, but Mistaken for a Cat, I Live as an Elf Girl's Pet manga has a way too long title.  I think “I'm a Behemoth and an Elf Girl's Pet” would be just fine, especially if that title hung over an illustration of a cute kitten and a big-breasted elf girl.

I'm a Behemoth, an S-Ranked Monster, but Mistaken for a Cat, I Live as an Elf Girl's Pet Graphic Novel Volume 1 is all about the breast shots.  Aria's breasts play a huge part in the graphical storytelling and in the art, and artist Taro Shinonome perches Tama atop Aria's melons and also, often squeezes him into Aria's generous cleavage.  I am curious about how writer Nozomi Ginyoku, author of the original light novel series, depicts all this boob play.

Still, I think female readers will like this series in spite of the generous fan service.  It is powerfully cute, and the story is a strong one about intimate friendship and love and devotion.  I'm a Behemoth, which is set in a medievalist-type world, has a lot of potential.  It is funny and irresistibly adorable, and it seems ready to explode with Dungeons and Dragons-like action-fantasy.  Big breasts, pretty girls, a cross-dressing spin on Arnold Schwarzenegger, a cute and loyal kitty, and D&D:  what's not to like?

7 out of 10

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


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--------------------------

#IReadsYou Review: COMBATANTS WILL BE DISPATCHED!: Volume 1

COMBATANTS WILL BE DISPATCHED!, VOL. 1
YEN PRESS

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Natsume Akatsuki
ART: Masaaki Kiasa
CHARACTER DESIGNS: Kakao Lanthanum
TRANSLATION: Noboru Akimoto
LETTERS: Brandon Bovia
ISBN: 978-1-9753-0609-0; paperback (September 2019); Rated “OT” for “Older Teen”
180pp, B&W with some color pages, $13.00 U.S., $17.00 CAN

Combatants Will Be Dispatched! is a Japanese light novel series, written by Natsume Akatsuki and illustrated by Kakao Lanthanum.  A manga adaptation, drawn by Masaaki Kiasa, has been serialized in Media Factory's seinen manga magazine, Monthly Comic Alive, since March 2018.  Yen Press is publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a series of graphic novels.

Combatants Will Be Dispatched!, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 5) introduces Agent Six.  He has spent his career as a “combat agent” and as an evil minion in service of the Kisaragi Corporation, an evil giant conglomerate with plans to take over the world.  Six has been slapping down superheroes, but now, Kisaragi has a new task for him.

Via its teleportation technology, Six will travel to a fantasy world – and invade it!  Traveling with Six is Alice Kisaragi, a “pretty-girl” and “high-spec” android.  Together Six and Alice initiate the first phase of their invasion – partner with the locals.  Before he knows it, however, Six is serving the Kingdom of Grace and is leading a troop of misfits that includes an irascible royal guard, an “artificial battle chimera,” and a wheel-chair bound magic user.  And they will help him take on demon-hordes.

[This volume includes an “Extra Episode;” an illustrated “Afterword;” and an original Combatants Will Be Dispatched! short story by Natsume Akatsuki.]

The Combatants Will Be Dispatched! manga is another new-to-me title.  I had not heard of the light novel series or of its manga adaptation until I received a review copy of the latter from my Yen Press rep.

Combatants Will Be Dispatched! Graphic Novel Volume 1, upon first glance, did not impress me.  However, there was this small voice in my head that said, “You might like this.”  Still, I avoided reading Vol. 1 for a bit.  Silly me – I just finished reading it and I enjoyed it way more than I ever thought I would.

Creator and writer Natsume Akatsuki has fashioned a cast of funny, eccentric, self-centered, randy, and occasionally obnoxious characters that are endearing when placed in the right setting.  This fantasy world, a medievalist type that one might find in a role-playing game, is just the right setting.

Artist Masaaki Kiasa delivers storytelling that reminds me of the graphical storytelling of Kenjiro Hata in his comic fantasy manga, Hayate the Combat Butler.  Combatants Will Be Dispatched! has a tone similar to Hayate's, a mixture of breezy comedy, fantasy, and scheming, but lovable characters.  I can't wait to read more because I want to see what happens next.

8 out of 10

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


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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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Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for July 8, 2020

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

FEB201686    ADVENTURES OF DRIPPY THE NEWSBOY TP VOL 03 (OF 3)    $12.00
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MAR202000    AGRETSUKO #4 CVR A PATABOT    $3.99
APR201699    ALL WE EVER WANTED STORIES FOR A BETTER WORLD GN 2ND PTG    $19.99
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MAR201692    ARCHANGEL 8 #3 (OF 5) (MR)    $3.99
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MAR201595    B & V FRIENDS JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #281    $7.99
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MAR201993    BRONTES INFERNAL AGENDA GN    $15.99
SEP192279    BTOOOM GN VOL 26 DARK ENDING (MR)    $17.00
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MAR201424    CIMMERIAN RED NAILS #2 CVR B HETRICK (MR)    $3.99
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APR201830    COMPLETE PEANUTS TP VOL 13 1975-1976    $22.99
MAR201882    DARK TOWER DRAWING OF THREE HC TP VOL 03 LADY OF SHADOWS (MR    $26.99
OCT191847    DF ABSOLUTE CARNAGE #5 SGN CATES    $49.99
SEP191707    DF MARVEL 2099 #1 SPENCER SGN    $49.99
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NOV191682    DF SPIDER-MAN 2099 #1 SGN SPENCER    $29.99
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MAR202006    DRYAD #3    $3.99
NOV192121    ECLAIR BLANCHE RESONATES HEART GN GIRLS LOVE YURI ANTHOLOGY    $13.00
MAR201855    EIGHT-LANE RUNAWAYS HC    $24.99
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MAR201540    MONSTER MEN #1 CVR A MARTINEZ (MR)    $3.99
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MAR202091    NORTH BEND #3    $3.99
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APR201757    ONCE UPON A SPACE TIME GN VOL 01    $13.99
MAR202100    ONE MILLION TINY FIRES ONE SHOT (MR)    $10.00
APR201702    OSIRIS PATH #2 (OF 3) (MR)    $3.99
MAR201976    PAYING THE LAND GN    $29.99
OCT192360    PLEASURE & CORRUPTION GN VOL 02    $12.95
FEB202089    QUANTUM & WOODY (2020) #4 (OF 4) CVR A NAKAYAMA    $3.99
FEB202090    QUANTUM & WOODY (2020) #4 (OF 4) CVR B RAHZZAH    $3.99
APR202171    QUEEN OF THE SEA SC GN    $14.99
MAR202382    RADIANT GN VOL 11    $9.99
MAR202378    RAN & GRAY WORLD GN VOL 07    $14.99
JAN202255    REBORN AS POLAR BEAR LEGEND HOW FOREST GUARDIAN GN VOL 03 (C    $15.00
JAN201909    RICK & MORTY TP VOL 11    $19.99
MAR202387    RIN-NE GN VOL 33    $9.99
JAN201944    RISE AND FALL OF TRIGAN EMPIRE TP VOL 01    $24.99
APR208107    SABRINA SOMETHING WICKED #1 (OF 5) 2ND PTG    $3.99
MAR201583    SABRINA SOMETHING WICKED #2 (OF 5) CVR A FISH    $3.99
MAR201584    SABRINA SOMETHING WICKED #2 (OF 5) CVR B BOO    $3.99
MAR201585    SABRINA SOMETHING WICKED #2 (OF 5) CVR C GONZALES    $3.99
MAR201998    SCULLION DISHWASHERS GUIDE TO MISTAKEN IDENTITY TP    $19.99
OCT192335    SHOULDER A COFFIN KURO TSUIOKA TABUNOWA GN VOL 01    $17.00
MAR202037    SHOW ME HISTORY GN BENJAMIN FRANKLIN    $12.99
FEB201980    SKYLIN #1    $3.99
MAR202374    SPLATOON MANGA GN VOL 09    $9.99
MAR201702    SPORES GN VOL 01 (OF 3) PROM OF THE DEAD (MR)    $14.99
APR202061    STORM KIDS HYPERBREED #3    $3.99
AUG191494    TIME O1 GN (MR)    $25.95
MAR202385    TWIN STAR EXORCISTS ONMYOJI GN VOL 18    $9.99
FEB201461    UNDERDOG & PALS #1-3 READER SET    $10.99
MAR202388    URUSEI YATSURA GN VOL 06    $19.99
FEB202102    VAGRANT QUEEN PLANET CALLED DOOM #4    $3.99
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MAY191265    WAYWARD SONS #1 LTD HOLOGRAPHIC FOIL VAR    $4.99
JAN202262    WITCHS PRINTING OFFICE GN VOL 02    $15.00

MAGAZINES

APR201739    CINEFEX #171    $15.00
FEB201684    COMIC SHOP NEWS [90CT BUNDLE] #1716    $PI
MAR201912    HEAVY METAL #299 CVR B BROM (MR)    $9.99
MAR201913    HEAVY METAL #299 CVR C MURRAY (MR)    $9.99
FEB201814    ILLUSTRATION MAGAZINE #68    $15.00
APR208280    RUE MORGUE MAGAZINE #194 (MR)    $9.95

BOOKS

MAR201778    ARCHIES KEVIN KELLERS FAVORITE COLORS BOARD BOOK    $7.99
APR202330    ART OF DARKSIDERS GENESIS HC    $49.99
APR201887    BECOMING SUPERMAN JOURNEY FROM POVERTY TO HOLLYWOOD SC    $18.99
JAN202232    BOTTOM-TIER CHARACTER TOMOZAKI LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 03    $14.00
MAR202038    DISNEY ANIMATED CLASSICS LITTLE MERMAID HC    $16.99
APR201764    DISNEY JUNIOR ENCYCLOPEDIA ANIMATED CHARACTERS HC REVISED (C    $14.99
APR201395    ENCHANTED HISTORY OF FANTASY ILLUSTRATION HC    $45.00
MAR202077    GASTRONOGEEK HC    $25.00
MAR201940    GHOSTBUSTERS ARTBOOK HC    $39.99
FEB202299    GRIMGAR OF FANTASY & ASH LIGHT NOVEL VOL 13    $13.99
MAR201941    HARRY POTTER FILM VAULT HC VOL 09 GOBLINS HOUSE ELVES DARK C    $16.99
MAR201942    HARRY POTTER FILM VAULT HC VOL 10 WIZARDING HOMES & VILLAGES    $16.99
MAR201943    HARRY POTTER WAND COLLECTION SC    $19.99
MAR202076    HARRY POTTER YOURE MAGICAL FILL IN HC    $12.00
APR201955    HILDA & GREAT PARADE MOVIE TIE IN SC NOVEL    $10.99
MAR202486    KUMA KUMA KUMA BEAR NOVEL SC VOL 01    $13.99
MAR201530    LEAGUE OF SECRET HEROES YA NOVEL SC VOL 01 CAPES    $8.99
SEP192269    SAGA OF TANYA EVIL LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 07    $14.00
APR202488    SHARING A HOUSE WITH NEVER ENDING MAN 15 YEARS STUDIO GHIBLI    $19.95
FEB201806    STAR TREK USS VOYAGER NCC 74656 ILLUS HANDBOOK HC    $34.95
APR201760    STAR WARS ALPHABET SQUADRON HC NOVEL SHADOW FALL    $28.99
MAR202040    STAR WARS EMPIRE STRIKES BACK STORYBOOK DIE CUT CVR    $9.99
MAR202039    STAR WARS NEW HOPE STORYBOOK DIE CUT CVR    $9.99
APR201763    STAR WARS QUEENS PERIL HC NOVEL    $17.99
MAR202041    STAR WARS RETURN OF JEDI STORYBOOK DIE CUT CVR    $9.99
NOV198477    STREET FIGHTER SWIMSUIT SPECIAL COLLECTION HC (MR)    $39.99
FEB202182    STREET FIGHTER WORLD WARRIOR ENCYCLOPEDIA HC ARCADE EDITION    $44.99

#IReadsYou Review: ECLAIR BLANCHE

ÉCLAIR BLANCHE
YEN PRESS

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Various
ART: Various
TRANSLATION: Eleanor Summers
LETTERS: Alexis Eckerman
MISC. ART: U35; Yutaka Hiiragi; Non
COVER: Fly
ISBN: 978-1-9753-5909-6; paperback (May 2020); Rated “M” for “Mature”
276pp, B&W, $13.00 U.S., $17.00 CAN

Éclair (stylized as “éclair”) is a series of girls' love or “yuri” (lesbian) manga produced by Japanese publisher, ASCII Media Works (a brand company of Kadokawa Future Publishing).  Yen Press published an English-language edition of the first Éclair collection in June 2018.  The publisher will also release three more Éclair collections in 2020, including the recently published Éclair Blanche (stylized as éclair blanche).

Éclair Blanche: A Girls' Love Anthology that Resonates in Your Heart contains 15 girls' love short stories and vignettes.  The girls' love anthology, Éclair, returns with new stories from popular girl's love authors.  This new volume features works from favorite girls' love mangaka such as Canno (“The Unemployed Woman and the High School Girl”), Mushu (“Happy Yellow Chick”), and Fly (“Flowers in a Storm”), who also provides the cover art.  This new addition to the Éclair lineup will sweep lovers of girls' love off their feet!

[This volumes contains an authors' “Postscript.”]

The Éclair Blanche manga is one of the few girls' love manga that I have read.  I am pretty sure that Éclair Blanche is the first girls' love anthology that I have read, because I certainly didn't read the original collection, Éclair.  [On the other hand, I have read quite a few boys' love anthologies over the last two decades.]

The Éclair Blanche: A Girls' Love Anthology that Resonates in Your Heart Graphic Novel has some powerful stories and some poor stories.  Many of the stories here are more like vignettes than they are like a full-fledged manga short stories.  Fly's “Flowers in a Storm” is a strong open with its tale of Eri, a high school student who is about to lose the young woman she loves to a faraway college.  The volume ends with a misfire, Auri Hirao's magical girl offering, “Secret Sharing.”

“Something Only I Know” by Kagegichi Tadano offers the volume's only love triangle, and the story proves to be a bit edgy.  “The Unemployed Woman and the High School Girl” by Canno is the tale of 28-year-old Mao, who wants to be a kept woman, and Hazumi, the 16-year-old rich girl who wants to use her money to take care of Mao.  Some readers will no doubt be put off not so much by the age difference between these characters, but by the fact that Hazumi cannot legally consent to have a sexual relationship with the adult Mao, at least in many states in the U.S.  I think that Canno gets around the legalities by having the characters tell each other that they are willing to wait one another out.

I won't call Éclair Blanche a great collection, but it contains enough quality girls' love comics to make it worthy of a girls' love fan's attention.  There is also some strong illustrators in this volume, with diverse styles and approaches to graphic storytelling.  That is another reason to get  Éclair Blanche.

7 out of 10

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


https://yenpress.com/
https://twitter.com/yenpress
https://www.facebook.com/yenpress/
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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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