I'll Give it My All... Tomorrow: The Final Chapter

I read I'll Give It My All...Tomorrow, Vol. 5

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

Yaoi Manga Review: HIDE AND SEEK Volume 1

HIDE AND SEEK, VOL. 1
SUBLIME – @SuBLimeManga (Asuka Comics CL DX)

CARTOONIST: Yaya Sakuragi
TRANSLATION: Satsuki Yamashita
LETTERING: Annaliese Christman
COVER: Yaya Sakuragi with Courtney Utt
EDITOR: Jennifer LeBlanc
ISBN: 978-1-4215-5572-0; paperback (July 2013); Rated “M” for “Mature”
186pp, B&W, $12.99 U.S., $14.99 CAN, £8.99 UK

Yaya Sakuragi is a creator known for such manga as Hey, Sensei?, Tea for Two, and Bond of Dreams, Bond of Love.  One of her more recent series is Hide and Seek, a yaoi manga.  Yaoi manga is a subset of boys’ love manga (BL) and features explicit depictions of sex between male characters.

Hide and Seek, Vol. 1 (Acts 1 to 5) introduces Shuji Tanihara, a divorced single father who runs a modest corner candy shop, called Tanihara Store.  His young daughter, Chisuzu, is somewhat independent, so Tanihara is always looking for something to break the boredom.  Into the store walks a handsome pediatrician.  Takafumi Saji of the Saji Clinic is serious and reserved, but he has another side.  He is gay, and he’s about to put a romantic move of Shuji.

Although it has sex scenes, Hide and Seek Volume 1 is a gentle love story about star-crossed lovers.  It is a tale of two people who have different personalities, but can somehow become intimately tangled.  The dramatic tension comes from the fact that the leads may be star-crossed sex partners and star-crossed best pals, but they may not be able to have a long term relationship because of personalities and intentions.

Yaya Sakuragi slyly inserts the idea into readers’ heads that Shuji and Saji may not really be compatible.  Perhaps, there is a streak of independence or perhaps they are two alpha males.  Whatever it is, it made me think that every time I turned a page, there would be scene that would depict an end of the affair.  Anticipation is a good thing.  The best praise that I can give Hide and Seek Volume 1 is that I did not want the fun to end.

Fans of Yaya Sakuragi will be glad to know that Hide and Seek is a spin-off of her previous series, Bond of Dreams, Bond of Love.  Ryomei, the priest and patissier of the earlier series, turns out to be a friend of Shuji’s.

A-

www.SuBLimeManga.com

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

DC Comics Announces 2013 San Diego Comic-Con Plans

DC Entertainment Unleashes Impressive Slate of Stellar Events at Comic-Con International: San Diego 2013

Superman 75th Anniversary Celebration of World’s Greatest Super Hero Continues

Neil Gaiman Awakens THE SANDMAN For All-New Series

Journey To The Dark Side As Villains Take Over DC COMICS - THE NEW 52

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DC Entertainment, home to the World’s Greatest Super Heroes and the most talented writers and artists in the business, announced today it will storm Comic-Con International: San Diego 2013 with an impressive line-up of events, announcements and giveaways that promise to amaze fans and continue to cement its position as a leader in the comic book industry.

The largest English-language publisher and the leader in digital comics innovation, DC Entertainment will conquer Comic-Con with a selection of can’t-miss events. Fans can look forward to an unprecedented celebration of the greatest and most iconic hero in history, Superman – including a look at the best-selling new series SUPERMAN UNCHAINED and the return of Neil Gaiman’s acclaimed Vertigo series with THE SANDMAN: OVERTURE, featuring the breathtaking artwork of J.H. Williams III. But the San Diego fireworks don’t end there, as DC Entertainment will be giving fans a sneak peek at the dark future within DC COMICS - THE NEW 52 and unveiling the JUSTICE LEAGUE KIA car featuring custom artwork from DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Jim Lee to benefit the WE CAN BE HEROES giving campaign, and more.

DC Entertainment’s interactive 4,500 square foot booth (#1915) will take flight this year with a staggering collection of Superman costumes highlighting the Super Hero’s various eras and donned by actors including Henry Cavill, Christopher Reeve, Dean Cain and Tom Welling. The costume gallery anchors a booth that also boasts video game demos, creator signings, a special fan green-screen photo area, giveaways and exclusive video footage.

Plus, with a schedule packed with over 15 panels, DC Entertainment is set to deliver to fans a stellar collection of appearances, announcements and events.

•All hail the world’s first Super Hero as Superman celebrates 75 years! DC Entertainment will join its partners across Warner Bros. Entertainment to salute the most revered and influential comic book character of all time with a slew of must-see events in celebration of both the Man of Steel’s history – including a special Superman 75 panel featuring an all-star roster of guests, including Jack Larson (the original Jimmy Olsen from Adventures of Superman), first-time Comic-Con panelist Tim Daly (Superman: The Animated Series) and reigning animated Supergirl Molly Quinn (Castle) to comics luminaries Paul Levitz, Grant Morrison and Dan Jurgens plus talent from the current blockbuster, “Man of Steel,” and a first look at the animated short chronicling the character’s rich history, produced by “Man of Steel” director Zack Snyder – plus more information on the powerhouse comic book series SUPERMAN UNCHAINED from acclaimed artist Jim Lee and writer Scott Snyder.

•Be there as the legendary Neil Gaiman offers fans a first look at his return to the comic book series that launched his career with Vertigo’s THE SANDMAN: OVERTURE. Brought to life by renowned artist J.H. Williams III, the new 6-issue miniseries set for release on October 30, will also be the subject of an all-star panel featuring Gaiman, Williams and artists Dave McKean and Sam Kieth.

•Dive into Vertigo’s upcoming slate of genre-defying titles - including the dark fantasy COFFIN HILL, the epic adventure HINTERKIND, the post-apocalyptic SUICIDERS, THE SANDMAN spin-off THE DEAD BOY DETECTIVES, and the erotic thriller THE DISCIPLINE, along with the return of the fan-favorite series from Scott Snyder and Rafael Albuquerque, AMERICAN VAMPIRE.

•Terror takes over when Villains Month hits in September. Get an inside look at the shocking events facing our heroes as the first DC COMICS – THE NEW 52 universe-wide event is unleashed. The event, spearheaded by the 7-issue FOREVER EVIL series by superstar writer Geoff Johns with art by the incredibly talented David Finch will also feature 52 jaw-dropping villain-centric titles boasting 3-D Motion covers. Fans will also be able to delve into the structure of this summer’s Justice League event Trinity War with a whiteboard animation video narrated by Johns, which will be showcased at the DC Entertainment booth. Plus, fans can get an early look at “Necessary Evil: Super-Villains of DC Comics,” an all-new documentary to be teased along with a panel headed by Johns, Kevin Shinick (Robot Chicken), Andrea Romano (Batman: The Animated Series) and Scott Porter (Friday Night Lights).

•Don’t miss DC Entertainment’s display of seven Justice League-inspired KIA cars (Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, The Flash, Aquaman and Cyborg) featuring custom automobile detailing and artwork by legendary artist Jim Lee at the Interactive Zone at Petco Park, Official Comic-Con Partner. Comic-Con will mark the unveiling of the centerpiece to the collection – the JUSTICE LEAGUE KIA – to be auctioned off to benefit the WE CAN BE HEROES giving campaign to help fight the hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa.

•DC Entertainment, firmly established as the industry leader in digital comics, will debut its first-ever panel dedicated to the space – slated to reveal new art, innovations and an all-star cast behind some of DC Comics Digital’s most popular releases including BATMAN ’66, INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US, SMALLVILLE SEASON 11, LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT, ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN, BATMAN: LI’L GOTHAM, and BATMAN BEYOND!

•Fans will be able to pick up a wide offering of exclusive items only available at this year’s Comic-Con - including variant cover editions of some of DC Comics’ most popular series JUSTICE LEAGUE, BATMAN, SUPERMAN UNCHAINED, and BATMAN ’66, along with five new DC Collectibles items like the Aardman: Superman Action Figure, a three-pack of Super Best Friends Forever Action Figures, Batman Arkham City: Hugo Strange, a “Man of Steel” 1:6 scale Icon Statue black costume variant and DC Comics’ Super Heroes of Green Lantern four-pack.

•Superman gets an altogether different take in the fractured alternate universe of Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox, the highly anticipated DC Universe Animated Original Movie to premiere Friday at Comic-Con.

•Get an inside look at INSIDE MAD, the hugely anticipated forthcoming collection from “The Usual Gang Of Idiots” at MAD Magazine and get a dose of the magazine’s wit and snark at the annual MAD panel – orchestrated by Editor John Ficarra and a side-splitting cast of characters.

Can’t make the Con? DC Entertainment’s website is the go-to place for behind the scenes coverage and in-depth interviews. Visit the “Con Away From Con” page at http://www.conawayfromcon.com.

About DC Entertainment:
DC Entertainment, home to iconic brands DC Comics (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables) and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating its content across Warner Bros. Entertainment and Time Warner. DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world. In January 2012, DC Entertainment, in collaboration with Warner Bros. and Time Warner divisions, launched We Can Be Heroes—a giving campaign featuring the iconic Justice League Super Heroes—to raise awareness and funds to fight the hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa.

Natsume's Book of Friends: Soundless Valley

I read Natsume's Book of Friends , Vol. 14

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin.

Blue Exorcist: Dinner with Mephisto

I read Blue Exorcist, Vol. 10 I posted a review at the ComicBookBin.

Albert Avilla Reviews: X-Men #1 (2013)

X-Men #1
Marvel Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Writer: Brian Wood
Pencils: Olivier Coipel
Inks: Mark Morales and Olivier Coipel
Cover: Olivier Coipel and Laura Martin

Primer (Spoilers!)

They had me at the cover. They hit on all the important B’s: brawn, brains, beauty, boobs, and booty. Who else can put together a better all-female team? Even the villain in this piece is female. Girls just want to wreck it. Don’t let the good looks fool you; this is a band of thieves, ninjas, and former mutant-hunters who will kick some ass. If they did a survey of the top ten favorite female comic characters, where would most of these women place?

Mr. Wood doesn’t waste our time with origins; he hits the ground running. He gives a quick background of what the X-Men will be facing. Then, we have Jubilee with a baby running from a mysterious foe. She calls the X-Men, and they go running to save her. John Sublime goes to the Jean Grey School to ask for help against his sister who has an affinity for technology. Back on the train, the X-Men reunite with Jubilee. The baby is causing havoc with the electronics on the train. The X-Men jump into action to save the passengers. They take Jubilee and the baby back to the Grey School, where Sublime’s sister proceeds to take control of Karima Shapandar’s body. Yeah, that’s right; a being that has a biological imperative to dominant the earth has the powers of the Omega Sentinel. That’s the way you kick off a series.

Wood hits us with a fast-paced story and leaves us anticipating the story to come. With a team of characters with dynamic personalities and rich histories, Mr. Wood has a source of inspiration that should lead to a multitude of great stories.

The art is great. All of the different aspects of the art accentuate each other, which make for visual pleasure. Coipel has a great hand with faces and expressions. The costume design is also good.

I rate X-Men #1 Buy Your Own Copy. #2 (of 5) on the Al-O-Meter.

Albert Avilla Reviews: Captain America #7

Captain America 007
Marvel Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Writer: Rick Remender
Pencils: John Romita Jr.
Inks: Klaus Janson, Scott Hanna
Colors: Dean White

Spoilers!

This is the best kept secret in comics, and it should not be. Get your !@#&%#$ out there and buy this book.

This is the seventh issue since the re-launch, and Remender has not given us a chance to catch our breath. The action has been kinetic. Cap has been stretched to his super soldier limits, and he has never hesitated in his assault on evil. Cap is being attacked on every level possible.

Zola’s mutates, and Jet has tested Cap’s fighting skills with brute force and superior physical abilities. Zola is taking over Cap’s body from within. Cap’s emotions have been wrecked by the kidnapping of his son, Ian. All of this is occurring in a hostile environment that requires super-human effort to survive. The only person that Cap has to depend on through these trying times is himself. Cap doesn’t sit back and moan about his situation; he is concerned about the faith of others. He pushes himself beyond his limits to make a difference.

Remender is telling an epic for the ages, and this issue continues what began in the previous issues. Cap keeps battling against all obstacles. He defeats Captain Zola. He fights Jet again, but leaves the fight to save a Phrox from becoming a Zola mutate. This inspires Jet to help Cap. She tells Cap that Zola City is actually a battle station, and that Zola is planning to attack Earth with a mutate army that will infect the Earth with the consciousness of Zola. This could have been the end of the story, leaving us filled with anticipation, but, no, the story continues. Cap pulls his demolished body off the ground to save his son. Then glazat! Cap is shot by his son. Double-thriller ending! Remender is giving us an epic for the ages. This is a great family story wrapped in kick-ass action.

Romita’s art is visual ecstasy. My copy is in horrendous condition from me repeatedly looking at the art.

I rate Captain America 007 Recommend It To A Friend. #1 (of 5) on the Al-O-Meter