Saturday, March 2, 2019

Review: RWBY Official Manga Anthology, Volume 3 - From Shadows

RWBY OFFICIAL MANGA ANTHOLOGY, VOL. 3 – FROM SHADOWS
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

CARTOONISTS:  Ritsu Hayami; Tsutanoha; Sumiwo; monorobu; Rojine Kio; Natsutaro; Mochiyama; mojojoj; Sun Hiura; Kaogeimoai; Mugupo; Ogurapan; Sora; Siguma Koko; Sorappane; Mikanuji; Ohtsuki; Umiya
TRANSLATION: Joe Yamasaki
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Jason A. Hurley
LETTERS: Evan Waldinger
EDITOR: Joel Enos
MISC. ART: mojojoj, Mugupo, ryuga, Sai Izumi
COVER: Ein Lee and Meteo
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0281-7; paperback (November 2018); Rated “T” for “Teen”
168pp, B&W, $12.99 U.S., $17.99 CAN, £8.99 U.K.

Based on the animation from Rooster Teeth Productions; RWBY created by Monty Oum

Streamed over the Internet, “RWBY” is an American animated series.  The late Monty Oum created the series for Rooster Teeth Productions (an American company), which is known for its streaming and web animated series.  “RWBY” is produced in a Japanese anime style, although some consider it to be an actual anime series.  It is the first western-produced anime series to be distributed to Japanese television.

“RWBY” is set on the world of Remnant, which is beset by “Grimm,” horrific monsters bent on the destruction of humanity.  The kingdoms of Remnant have risen to combat these monsters by training powerful Huntsmen and Huntresses at academies around the planet. “RWBY” focuses on Ruby Rose, Weiss Schnee, Blake Belladonna, and Yang Xiao Long, four such Huntresses-in-training who are collectively known as “Team RWBY.”

RWBY The Official Manga Anthology collects original short manga and comics set in the world of RWBY.  Each graphic novel in the series showcases a particular member of Team RWBY.  RWBY The Official Manga Anthology, Vol. 3 is subtitled “From Shadows.”  It focuses on Blake Belladonna, the RWBY member who belongs to a race known as the “Faunus.”

The stories reveal how Blake initially worries about how she will fit in with her human teammates, who are also her roommates.  A few of the stories reveal that Blake uses her hair ribbons to hide the most obvious sign of being a Faunus, her cat-like ears.  In the story, “Curiosity Killed the Cat,” Blake tackles a school legend about a cursed mirror – with help of her teammate, Yang Xiao Long's dog, Zwei.  In the story, “Proof of a Black Cat,” an early period story, Blake learns to trust a new teammate when it comes to helping with her sword work.

[This volume contains commentary one-panel cartoons from the cartoonists that contributed to this volume.  It also includes “Message from Ein Lee.”]

As I have stated in previous RWBY manga reviews, I had not heard of “RWBY” until I received a VIZ Media press release that it was going to collect Shirow Miwa's 2015-2017 manga adaptation of the anime.  My VIZ Media press rep has sent me all three volumes of the RWBY The Official Manga Anthology manga published to date.

RWBY The Official Manga Anthology Graphic Novel Volume 3 is, thus far, my favorite volume of the series.  Why?  For one thing, I think the manga/comics contained within this volume, short as they are, seem the most focused.  Many of them have a plot or solid concept, and only a few of them seem to be nothing more than a gathering of girl friends having a chat and a laugh.

I think another element that makes Vol. 3 strong is that Black Belladonna belongs to a persecuted minority.  Thus, the cartoonists can take various aspects of Blake's character or life and create conflict or drama about her fitting in at the academy or learning to trust her fellow RWBY teammates.  Even something as simple as Blake's hair ribbons can yield interesting moment and vignettes.  I would actually enjoy more Belladonna stories like this.

A-
7.5 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Friday, March 1, 2019

Barnes and Noble Announces March Author Store Appearances

Stars Shine at Barnes & Noble in March with Karamo Brown, Kobe Bryant, Harlan Coben, Hoda Kotb, Lisa See, And Many More

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS), the world’s largest retail bookseller, announced March 2019’s distinguished lineup of events, featuring bestselling authors, television stars, world-renowned athletes and more. Fans can come to Barnes & Noble throughout March to meet "Queer Eye’s" Karamo Brown, basketball legend Kobe Bryant, thriller writer Harlan Coben, "The Today Show" host Hoda Kotb, and many more.

Below are just some of the events Barnes & Noble is hosting this March. Customers can visit the Barnes & Noble Store Locator to find more great authors and events in their area.

    Laurie Halse Anderson, Shout, Barnes & Noble Woodland Plaza in Tulsa, OK, on March 25 at 7 PM.

    Karamo Brown, Karamo: My Story of Embracing Purpose, Healing, and Hope, Barnes & Noble Union Square in New York City on March 5 at 7 PM; Barnes & Noble The Grove in Los Angeles on March 7 at 7 PM.

    Kobe Bryant, The Wizenard Series: Training Camp, Barnes & Noble Union Square in New York City on March 20 at 7 PM.

    Harlan Coben and Anna Quindlen, Run Away, Barnes & Noble Upper West Side in New York City on March 19 at 7 PM; Harlan Coben at Barnes & Noble Paramus in Paramus, NJ, on March 28 at 7 PM.

    Tara Conklin, The Last Romantics: A Novel (Barnes & Noble Book Club Selection), Barnes & Noble Northgate in Seattle, WA, on March 5 at 7 PM.

    Greg Iles, Cemetery Road: A Novel, Barnes & Noble Baton Rouge in Baton Rouge, LA, on March 15 at 6 PM; Barnes & Noble Lincoln Park in Dallas, TX, on March 21 at 7 PM.

    Marlon James, Black Leopard, Red Wolf, Barnes & Noble Upper West Side in New York City on March 6 at 7 PM.

    Tayari Jones, An American Marriage, Barnes & Noble at The Shops at Riverside in Hackensack, NJ, on March 14 at 7 PM.

    Hoda Kotb, You Are My Happy (Barnes & Noble National Storytime Selection), Barnes & Noble Park Slope in Brooklyn, NY, on March 7 at 6 PM; Barnes & Noble Eastchester in Scarsdale, NY, on March 9 at 11 AM.

    Geddy Lee, Geddy Lee’s Big Beautiful Book of Bass, Barnes & Noble Corte Madera in Corte Madera, CA, on March 2 at 2 PM.

    Christopher Paolini - Barnes & Noble Author Residency Tour, The Fork, The Witch, and the Worm: Tales From Alagaesia (Volume I: Eragon), Barnes & Noble Gallatin Valley Mall in Bozeman, MT, on March 4 at 5 PM.

    Andrew Rannells, Too Much is Not Enough: A Memoir of Fumbling Toward Adulthood, Barnes & Noble Union Square in New York City on March 12 at 7:30 PM.

    V.E. Schwab and John Scalzi, The Near Witch, Barnes & Noble Union Square in New York City on March 19 at 7 PM.

    Lisa See, The Island of Sea Women, Barnes & Noble Thousand Oaks in Thousand Oaks, CA, on March 5 at 7:30 PM.

    Don Winslow, The Border, Barnes & Noble at The Shops at La Cantera in San Antonio, TX, on March 8 at 7 PM.

Barnes & Noble hosts over 100,000 events annually at its stores across the country. Customers should visit the Barnes & Noble Store Locator for a full list and stay tuned for the next announcement of exciting events in April.


About Barnes & Noble, Inc.
Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS) is the world’s largest retail bookseller, and a leading retailer of content, digital media and educational products. The Company operates 630 Barnes & Noble bookstores in 50 states, and one of the Web’s premier e-commerce sites, BN.com (www.bn.com). The Nook Digital business offers a lineup of popular NOOK® tablets and eReaders and an expansive collection of digital reading and entertainment content through the NOOK Store®. The NOOK Store (www.nook.com) features digital books, periodicals and comics, and offers the ability to enjoy content across a wide array of popular devices through Free NOOK Reading Apps™ available for Android™, iOS® and Windows®.

General information on Barnes & Noble, Inc. can be obtained by visiting the Company's corporate website at www.barnesandnobleinc.com.

Barnes & Noble®, Barnes & Noble Booksellers® and Barnes & Noble.com® are trademarks of Barnes & Noble, Inc. or its affiliates. NOOK® and the NOOK logos are trademarks of Nook Digital, LLC or its affiliates.

For more information on Barnes & Noble, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Snapchat (bnsnaps), and like us on Facebook. For more information on NOOK, follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

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Thursday, February 28, 2019

I Reads You Juniors February 2019 - Update #94

Support Leroy on Patreon.

Leroy's Amazon Comics and Graphic Novels Page:

From Newsarama:  Tom Bilyeu, the co-founder of the protein bar company, Quest Nutrition, is starting a comic book company, Impact Theory.

From SoutheastMissourian:  Saturday, February 23, 2019, the city of Jackson, Missouri celebrated native son, Roy Thomas' comic book career.  Thomas was a writer and editor-in-chief at Marvel Comics and also a longtime writer at DC Comics.

From BoundingIntoComics:  Actor Dean Cain, who portrayed Superman/Clark Kent in "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman," roasted Comic Book Resources (CBR) after they wrote an article asking, “Man of Tomorrow: Does #Superman Need to be White?

From ANN:  An interview with Mikio Ikemoto, the artist of the "Boruto" manga, the sequel to "Naruto."

From Newsarama:  DC Comics will make those 100-page giant comics that are exclusive to Wal-Mart stores available to comic book shops.

From Newsarama:  Marvel Studios' "Black Panther" film won three Oscars at the 91st Academy Awards.

From Newsarama:  "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" won the "Best Animated Feature" Oscar at the 91st Academy Awards last night (Sun., Feb. 24th).

From Newsarama:  Stan Sakai is taking his long-running comic book series, "Usagi Yojimbo," to IDW Publishing after 24 years at Dark Horse Comics.

From BleedingCool:  Ed Piskor's "X-Men: Grand Design" returns in May for his take on the "X-Tinction Agenda."

From Newsarama:  There will be an ongoing "Lois Lane" comic book from writer Greg Rucka and artist Mike Perkins.  There will also be a "Jimmy Olsen" comic book from writer Matt Fraction and artist Steve Lieber.

From GoodReader:  Shueisha Launches Global MANGA Plus Service, with 50 titles and 13 complete series.

From TheWeekUK:  Why Christians are outraged over DC Comics’ Jesus series

From Newsarama:  Batman will take on zombies in the new DC Comics series, "DCeased."

From Newsarama:  DC Collectibles will offer an exclusive version of its "Batman: Black and White" statue line to Walmart stores as 4-inch mini-figures.  The original versions were 9 inches.

From CBB:  Herve St. Louis launches a new webcomic, "Spit."  Here is strip #1 in English.
From CBB:  Spit webcomic, strip #1 in French.

From Newsarama:  Ivy Noelle Weir and Christina "Steenz" Stewart's graphic novel, "Archival Quality" (Oni Press) is the winner of the Fifth Annual Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics.

From Newsarama:  DC Comics unveils the complete story lineup for "Detective Comics #1000, which hits stories March 27, 2019.

From ANN:   Naoki Urasawa's Asadora! Manga Returns in April

From MetroUK:  Who is Gerard Way, the creator of "The Umbrella Academy" comic book.

From ANN:  Q Hayashida, the creator of the Manga, "Dorohedoro," has drawn a cover for "Bloodborne: The Death of Sleep," the comic book adaptation of Software's video game.  The "Bloodborne" comic book is produced by Ales Kot and Piotr Kowalski.

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics relaunching rumors.

From SyfyWire:  DC Comics' 25 cent "Year of the Villain" special coming before Free Comic Book Day 2019.

From Endgadget:  "Shonen Jump" announced an apparently new cheaper subscription program.

From DreadCentral:  VIZ Media announces new Junji Ito manga for the fall, "No Longer Human."

From Newsarama:  Red Sonja and Vampirella Meet Betty and Veronica.

From Newsarama:  Writer Brandon Thomas and artist Khary Randolph bring their comic book, "Excellence," to Image imprint, Skybound.

From Newsarama:  Archie Comics is changing the name of its long-running "Archie" comic book series to "Archie and Sabrina."

From Newsarama:  DC Comics cancelled its upcoming and controversial comic book, "Second Coming."  Now, writer Mark Russell is looking for another publisher.

From Bustle:  What are the origins of "Alita: Battle Angel?"

From Deadline:  Aftershock Comics previews its upcoming series, "Mary Shelley: Monster Hunter."

From IGN:  DC Consumer Products has entered a three-year license with Todd McFarlane's McFarlane Toys to produce action figures based on the "DC Multiverse."  The first figures will appear in 2020 and be 6" to 12" posable figures.

From TCAF:  Horror manga master, Junji Ito, will be the featured guest and official poster artist of the 2019 Toronto Comics Arts Festival (TCAF).

From Deadline:  Marvel TV and Hulu ink deal to produce a "Howard the Duck" "adult" animated series and a number of other animated series.  Kevin Smith will apparently oversee the "Howard the Duck" project.

From BleedingCool:  Is "The Exceptionals" a new Mark Millar Netflix project?

From Deadline:  Netflix and Sugar23 win a bidding war for film rights to "Faun," an upcoming short story from comic book writer and bestselling author, Joe Hill (a child of bestselling author, Stephen King).

From Newsarama:  Music from Marvel Studios' hit film, "Black Panther," wins two Grammys at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards.  Its music received eight nominations overall.

From CBR:  "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" has won Best Animated Film at the 2019 / 72nd BAFTA Awards.  This  British Academy Award is the twenty-sixth major award the animated film has earned since its release in December 2018, according to CBR.

From Newsarama:  The most excellent Dan Brereton is seeking to publish his late 1990s giant monster comic, "Giantkiller," in a new edition.

From Newsarama:  Warner Bros. is developing a spin-off of its global box office hit, "Aquaman."  Entitled "The Trench," it will reportedly have a "horror-tone."

IN MEMORIAM:  From Newsarama:  Comic book colorist, James Rochelle, died at the age of 48, Saturday, February 2, 2019.  He worked long stints for WildStorm and CrossGen, making his debut on "Gen 13 #1 in 1994.  Rochelle also colored comic books for Marvel and DC Comics, to name a few.  Rochelle also worked extensively in the video industry.

From CriticalHit:  Rob Liefeld offers a peek at his last Deadpool comic book story, "Deadpool: Badder Blood."

From Newsarama:  Comic book writer David F. Walker is launching his own comic book company, Solid Comix.

From Newsarama:  Aaron McGruder revives his beloved comic strip, "The Boondocks," for a short run.  The six new strips are drawn by Seung Kim, the animator on Cartoon Networks, "The Boondocks" animated TV series.  There may be more to come.

From Newsarama:  Greg Cox will bring back the Court of Owls in the prose novel, "Batman: The Court of Owls."

From Deadline:  "Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" is a new "Turtles" film headed to Netflix.  It will not be associated with the current Nickelodeon series of the same title.

From CBR:  Actor Harry Lloyd will portray Professor X in the third and final season of FX's X-Men TV series, "Legion."

From BleedingCool:  Ben Dunn of Antarctic Press proposes a coalition of independent comic book publishers.

From BleedingCool:  The graphic novel, "Fun Home," and the manga, "Assassination Classroom," are being removed from high school libraries.

From TheWrap:  "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" won all seven awards for which it was nominated at the 2019 / 46th Annie Awards, including for "Best Animated Feature."  70 percent of best animated feature winners at the Annie Awards wins the "Best Animated Feature" at the Oscars.

From TheWrap:  "Black Panther" was one of three top winners at the 23rd annual Art Directors Guild Awards.

From PasteMagazine:  The most anticipated comics of 2019:  Part One and Two.

From ANN:  Yen Press announces licenses for six manga, three novels, and one art book.

From Newsarama:  Comic Books' 10 Most Game-Changing Black Superheroes

From ANN:  VIZ Media's SuBLime imprint for yaoi manga announced that it has licensed "Scarlet Beriko's Fourth Generation Head: Tatsuyuki Oyamat" manga and plans to release it in print and digital this August.

From Crunchyroll:  The "Ultraman" manga will go on a two-month hiatus due to the health of Tomohiro Shimoguchi.

From ComicBook:  Lucasfilm gives some details on "Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge" tie-in comic books and novels.  Galaxy's Edge is an upcoming Disney resort.

From CBR:  Mike Grell is reviving his 1990s Image Comics title, "Maggie the Cat."  He will launch a Kickstarter to finish the series which saw only two issues published.

From Newsarama:  Mark Millar confirms a sequel to his [fantastic] miniseries, "The Magic Order."

From Newsarama:  Oni Press announces its Fall 2019 comics titles.

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FEBRUARY 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Full DC Comics catalog
From BleedingCool:  AfterShock for Feb. 2019
From Newsarama:   BOOM! Studios for Feb. 2019
From AdventuresinPoorTaste:  Dark Horse Comics for February 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics solicitations for Feb. 2019
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for Feb. 2019
From BleedingCool:  First Second for Feb. 2019
From Seibertron:  IDW Publishing for Feb. 2019
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for Feb. 2019
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for Feb. 2019

MARCH 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama: 01 First Second for March 2019
From Newsarama: Adhouse Books for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Alterna Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Aspen Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Avatar Press for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Avery Hill for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Black Mask Studios for March 2019
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for March 2019
From BleedingCool:  Cave Pictures Publishing for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Dark Horse Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Devil's Due/1First Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertaiment for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Fantagraphics Books for March 2019
From BleedingCool:  First Second for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Graphix for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Humanoids for March 2019
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Impact Theory for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Lion Force for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Mad Cave Studios for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama: Oni Press for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Rebellion for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  VIZ Media for March 2019
From BleedingCool:  Zenescope Entertainment for March 2019

APRIL 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  All publishers' solicitations link in one place.
From Newsarama:  01 First Second for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Albatross Funnybooks for April 2019
From Newsarama:  AC Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Aftershock Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Ahoy Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Amigo Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Aspen Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Alterna Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Black Mask Studios for April 2019
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Caliber Press for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Cave Pictures Publishing for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Dark Horse Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Drawn & Quarterly for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Fantagraphics Books for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Heavy Metal for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Hero Tomorrow for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Humanoids for April 2019
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Joe Books for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Keenspot for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Lion Forge for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Mad Cave Studios for April 2019
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Titan Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  VIZ Media for April 2019
From Newsarama: Yen Press for April 2019

MAY 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  AC Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  AfterShock Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Ahoy Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Alterna Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Black Mask Studios for May 2019
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for May 2019
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for May 2019
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for May 2019
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Kevin Eastman Studios for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Lion Forge Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Mad Cave Studios for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Oni Press for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Rebellion/2000 AD for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for May 2019
From BleedingCool:  Source Point Press for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  VIZ Media for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Yen Press for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Zenescope Entertainment for May 2019


Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Review: RWBY Official Manga Anthology Volume 4 - Burn

RWBY OFFICIAL MANGA ANTHOLOGY, VOL. 4 – BURN
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

CARTOONISTS:  Ohtsuki; Ritsu Hayami; mojojoj; Xily; Mochiyama; Mugupo; Moromoimaru; Mikanuji; Meteo; Sun Hiura; Natsutaro; Sora; Tsutanoha; Kaogeimoai; Rojine Kio; EMO; monorobu; Umiya
TRANSLATION: Joe Yamasaki
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Jason A. Hurley
LETTERS: Evan Waldinger
EDITOR: Joel Enos
MISC. ART: monorobu; Ritsu Hayami; Ohitashi; Honojirotowoji
COVER: Ein Lee and Meteo
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0282-4; paperback (February 2019); Rated “T” for “Teen”
168pp, B&W, $12.99 U.S., $17.99 CAN, £8.99 U.K.

Based on the animation from Rooster Teeth Productions; RWBY created by Monty Oum

Streamed over the Internet, “RWBY” is an American animated series.  The late Monty Oum created the series for Rooster Teeth Productions (an American company), which is known for its web animated series.  “RWBY” is produced in a Japanese anime style, although some consider it to be an actual anime series.  It is the first western-produced anime series to be distributed to Japanese television.

“RWBY” is set on the world of Remnant, which is beset by “Grimm,” horrific monsters bent on the destruction of humanity.  The kingdoms of Remnant have risen to combat these monsters by training powerful Huntsmen and Huntresses at academies around the planet. “RWBY” focuses on Ruby Rose, Weiss Schnee, Blake Belladonna, and Yang Xiao Long, four such Huntresses-in-training who are collectively known as “Team RWBY.”

RWBY The Official Manga Anthology collects original short manga and comics set in the world of RWBY.  Each graphic novel in the series showcases a particular member of Team RWBY.  RWBY The Official Manga Anthology, Vol. 4 is subtitled “Burn.”  This volume focuses on Yang Xiao Long, the RWBY member who is also the older half-sister of Ruby Rose.

The stories offered in “Burn” reveal how hard Yang works at her warrior skills, at being a sister to Ruby, and at being a good teammate.  Sometimes, she finds herself walking the dog, Zwei.  Other times, she fights with two sisters over a teddy bear.  Yang worries about her weight and tries to plan a party.  Often, she has to play make up to her sister, when the entire team isn't fighting demons.

[This volume contains commentary one-panel cartoons from the cartoonists that contributed to this volume.  It also includes “Message from Ein Lee” and “Message from Barbara Dunkelman.”]

As I have stated in previous RWBY manga reviews, I had not heard of “RWBY” until I received a VIZ Media press release that it was going to collect Shirow Miwa's 2015-2017 manga adaptation of the anime.  My VIZ Media press rep has sent me all four volumes of the RWBY The Official Manga Anthology manga published to date.

RWBY The Official Manga Anthology Graphic Novel Volume 4 is a nice read, although it is not as good as Vol. 3, the best volume of the series, thus far.  Yang Xiao Long is not a particularly strong character in these stories, as she seems one note.

The stories here are written by new, emerging, and amateur manga creators.  Some the stories are pleasant, but nothing is standout material here.  I do like the work of some of the artists, for instance EMO, who offers a particularly strong panel featuring only a pair of eyes.  Beyond that, I think Vol. 4 is especially for RWBY fans.

B
6 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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Tuesday, February 26, 2019

Review: PUMPKINHEAD #1

PUMPKINHEAD No. 1
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT – @dynamitecomics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Cullen Bunn
ART: Blacky Shepherd; Kyle Strahm
COLORS: Thiago Ribeiro; Kyle Strahm
LETTERS: Troy Peteri
COVER: Kelley Jones with Chris O'Halloran
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Kelley Jones with Chris O'Halloran; Kelley Jones; Ken Haeser and Buz Hasson with Blair Smith
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S.

Rated “Teen+”

Pumpkinhead is a1988 horror and dark fantasy horror film.  It is the directorial debut of special effects artist Stan Winston, a multiple Oscar-winner (Aliens, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Jurassic Park).   Pumpkinhead is the titular monster, a grotesque creature summoned when hillbillies and assorted backwoods denizens and people of the “holler” wanted supernatural revenge – usually against a person or persons who killed a loved one.

Pumpkinhead yielded straight-to-video and television movie sequels and a two-issue, never completed comic book series from Dark Horse Comics.  Because everything old is retread again, Dynamite Entertainment has obtained the license to produce comic books based on Pumpkinhead.  Dynamite's debut title, Pumpkinhead, is written by Cullen Bunn; drawn by Blacky Shepherd; colored by Thiago Ribeiro; and lettered by Troy Peteri.

Pumpkinhead #1 opens on Bradley Mountain “long ago,” and reveals a ritual that involves finding demons.  The story moves to the present day small town of Wrightson MillsSheriff Andi Ferris, a woman of color, is trying to get cooperation concerning the hit-and-run death of two local (i.e. hillbilly) children.  Meanwhile, the perpetrator of that crime, Clayton Reese, sits tight, waiting for his bosses to help him escape from the consequences of his actions.  The consequences are more dire than he can realize or even dream in his worst nightmares.

The plot of Pumpkinhead #1 is similar to the plot of the original film, and the first issue's script basically follows the film's formula.  I liked the movie when I first saw it in a theater decades ago, and I have watched it a few times since.  So I enjoyed the fact that Pumpkinhead #1 does not veer from the film in that respect.

However, I don't like the new origin slash explanation of Pumpkinhead's existence and of what he is.  Sure, I wanted to know more about the whys, hows, and wheres of Pumpkinhead as I left the theater after seeing the film for the first time, but there is something to be said in favor of keeping the mystery, or at least some of it, unsolved.

Writer Cullen Bunn has become quite prolific in the last several years, writing a number of comic books, especially for Marvel.  Some of his comic books are imaginative, even a little scary; some of his other comics writing is ordinary superhero hackwork.  Pumpkinhead #1 reflects both Bunns.  Some of it is good storytelling, roiling with anticipation and a sense of dread.  Some of it, like Pumpkinhead's back story, is the kind of screwy, pretend inventiveness we get from that process called “re-imagining.”

The art and coloring by Blacky Shepherd and Thiago Ribeiro is perfect for visualizing scary stories and for comics that have a folktale bent, like Pumpkinhead #1.  Shepherd's graphical storytelling and page design creates a milieu perfect for a comic book story that sometimes reads like a campfire tale, and Shepherd even manages to brings dignity to the ridiculous “origin” story.

And no scary comics story is complete without lettering that strikes the right tone, which Troy Peteri does, especially with the dialogue.  Peteri uses his lettering to give each character a voice – from the creepy old lady to the vengeful mountain man and from the stalwart lady lawdog to the sleazy hood.  Everyone “sounds” right.

Pumpkinhead #1 shows how good and important it is to have a complete skilled graphics team of artist, colorist, and letterer.  Colorist Thiago Ribeiro and letterer Troy Peteri are making me push aside my few reservations about Pumpkinhead the comic book series.

7.5 out of 10

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


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

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Monday, February 25, 2019

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for February 27, 2019

DC COMICS

DEC180527    ACTION COMICS #1008    $3.99
DEC180528    ACTION COMICS #1008 VAR ED    $3.99
DEC180533    BATGIRL #32    $3.99
DEC180534    BATGIRL #32 VAR ED    $3.99
DEC180535    BATMAN BEYOND #29    $3.99
DEC180536    BATMAN BEYOND #29 VAR ED    $3.99
NOV180538    BATMAN SHADOW OF THE BAT TP VOL 04    $24.99
NOV180545    BOMBSHELLS UNITED TP VOL 03 TAPS    $16.99
DEC180541    BOOKS OF MAGIC #5 (MR)    $3.99
AUG180675    DC ESSENTIALS HARLEY QUINN AF    $26.00
AUG180673    DC ESSENTIALS NIGHTWING AF    $26.00
DEC180553    DETECTIVE COMICS #999    $3.99
DEC180554    DETECTIVE COMICS #999 VAR ED    $3.99
NOV180556    FIRE TP NEW ED    $14.99
DEC180517    FLASH #65 THE PRICE    $3.99
DEC180518    FLASH #65 VAR ED THE PRICE    $3.99
DEC180557    FREEDOM FIGHTERS #3 (OF 12)    $3.99
NOV180557    GREEN LANTERN BY GEOFF JOHNS TP BOOK 01    $24.99
DEC180521    HEROES IN CRISIS #6 (OF 9)    $3.99
DEC180522    HEROES IN CRISIS #6 (OF 9) VAR ED    $3.99
DEC180568    HEX WIVES #5 (MR)    $3.99
DEC180576    JUSTICE LEAGUE ODYSSEY #6    $3.99
DEC180577    JUSTICE LEAGUE ODYSSEY #6 VAR ED    $3.99
DEC180579    MARTIAN MANHUNTER #3 (OF 12)    $3.99
DEC180580    MARTIAN MANHUNTER #3 (OF 12) VAR ED    $3.99
DEC188981    NAOMI #1 2ND PTG    $3.99
DEC180567    OLD LADY HARLEY #5 (OF 5)    $3.99
DEC180589    SHAZAM #3    $3.99
DEC180590    SHAZAM #3 VAR ED    $3.99
NOV180569    SHAZAM ORIGINS TP NEW ED    $12.99
DEC180591    SIDEWAYS #13    $2.99
DEC180592    SILENCER #14    $3.99
DEC180600    TERRIFICS #13    $2.99
NOV180582    UNEXPECTED CALL OF THE UNKNOWN TP    $19.99
DEC180608    WONDER WOMAN #65    $3.99
DEC180609    WONDER WOMAN #65 VAR ED    $3.99
DEC188982    YOUNG JUSTICE #1 2ND PTG    $4.99

Dynamite Entertainment from Diamond Distributors for February 27, 2019

DYNAMITE

DEC181108    ARMY OF DARKNESS BUBBA HOTEP #1 MANDRAKE VIRGIN CVR    $50.00
NOV181233    BARBARELLA TP VOL 02 HARD LABOR (MR)    $17.99
DEC181168    HACK SLASH VS CHAOS #3 CVR A SEELEY (MR)    $3.99
DEC181169    HACK SLASH VS CHAOS #3 CVR B CERMAK    $3.99
DEC181170    HACK SLASH VS CHAOS #3 CVR C HOTZ    $3.99
NOV171560    JOHN WICK #5 (OF 5) CVR A VALLETTA    $3.99
NOV171561    JOHN WICK #5 (OF 5) CVR B MCWILLIAMS    $3.99
NOV171562    JOHN WICK #5 (OF 5) CVR C PHOTO    $3.99
DEC181213    PETER CANNON THUNDERBOLT #2 CVR A ZDARSKY    $3.99
DEC181214    PETER CANNON THUNDERBOLT #2 CVR B GANUCHEAU    $3.99
DEC181215    PETER CANNON THUNDERBOLT #2 CVR C WIJINGAARD    $3.99