#IReadsYou Review: BORUTO: Naruto Next Generations: Volume 8

BORUTO: NARUTO NEXT GENERATIONS, VOL. 8
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

CREATOR/SUPERVISOR: Masashi Kishimoto
ART: Mikio Ikemoto
SCRIPT: Ukyo Kodachi
TRANSLATION: Mari Morimoto
LETTERS: Snir Aharon
EDITOR: Alexis Kirsch
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0879-6; paperback (April 2020); Rated “T” for “Teen”
176pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 U.K.

Boruto: Naruto Next Generations is a Japanese manga series written by Ukyo Kodachi and illustrated by Mikio Ikemoto.  Boruto is a spin-off and a sequel to the shonen manga, Naruto, which was written and illustrated by Masashi Kishimoto.  Boruto was first serialized in Shueisha's shonen manga magazine, Weekly Shonen Jump, beginning in May 2016, and then serialized in Shueisha's monthly magazine, V Jump, in July 2019.  VIZ Media began publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a graphic novel series under its “Shonen Jump” imprint beginning in April 2017.

Boruto: Naruto Next Generations follows the exploits of Naruto Uzumaki's son, Boruto Uzumaki.  Naruto was once a young shinobi (ninja) who lived in the shinobi Village of Konohagakure.  Naruto went on to become the world’s greatest ninja and the Hokage, leader of his village.  But this is not Naruto's story.  This is the story of Boruto and his ninja team:  leader, Konohamaru Sarutobi (Naruto's protégé ); and teammates Sarada Uchiha (the daughter of Sasuke and Sakura Uchiha) and and Mitsuki (Orochimaru's artificial son).

As Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, Vol. 8 (Chapters 28 to 31; “Flowers”) opens, the mysterious boy, Kawaki, slowly begins to open up to both Naruto and Boruto.  He joins the Hokage and Sarada for a visit to Yamanaka Flower Shop, but on the way, Kawaki, reveals a little of his dark side.  Kawaki is burdened by a traumatic past, and it is about to return to him.   Kashin Koji and “Delta,” two leaders in the the mysterious Ohtsutuski-connected organization, Kara, attempt to retrieve what was once their cargo, Kawaki.

[This volume includes bonus manga, “The X Cards' Dark Side” and “The X Cards' Dark Side 2.”]

THE LOWDOWN:  The Boruto: Naruto Next Generations manga has turned out to be a great replacement for and sequel to the classic shonen manga, Naruto, which is one of my all-time favorite comics.  Boruto's creative team of artist Mikio Ikemoto and script writer Ukyo Kodachi are making their own way with this manga, although Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto supervises this series.

Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Graphic Novel Volume 8 focuses on Kawaki.  The creators use a drip-drip approach to revealing his past, but in revealing his personality, they move quickly – sometimes in spurts.  Vol. 8 also gives readers some Boruto vs. Kawaki sparring and training, and if that were not enough, readers see Naruto the Seventh Hokage in a really intense and violent battle against a most formidable opponent.  That alone is worth the cover price of Vol. 8.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Naruto will want the Shonen Jump title, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations.

A
9.5 out of 10

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


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



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

#IReadsYou Review: BATMAN: Last Knight on Earth #2

BATMAN: LAST KNIGHT ON EARTH No. 2 (OF 3)
DC COMICS/DC Black Label – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Scott Snyder
PENCILS: Greg Capullo
INKS: Jonathan Glapion
COLORS: FCO Plascencia
LETTERS: Tom Napolitano
EDITOR: Mark Doyle
COVER: Greg Capullo with FCO Plascencia
VARIANT COVER: Jock
56pp, Color, $5.99 U.S. (September 2019)

Mature Readers

Batman created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger

Parts (Five) “Who's There?,” (Six) “The Miracle,” (Seven) “Paradise”

Batman: Last Knight on Earth is a three-issue comic book miniseries written by Scott Snyder and drawn by Greg Capullo (pencils) and Jonathan Glapion (inks).  Colorist FCO Plascencia and letterer Tom Napolitano complete the creative team.

Batman: Last Knight on Earth is the second release in DC Comics' new prestige and event publication imprint, “DC Black Label.”  The series follows Batman as he travels a ruined Earth, with the bottled, still-alive head of The Joker in tow, trying to find the mysterious power that devastated the world.

Batman: Last Knight on Earth #2 opens as Batman awakens from a nightmare featuring Joe Chill, the man who killed Bruce Wayne's parents.  During Batman and Joker's continued travel, they encounter what is left of the Flash, the Unknown Soldier, and the Swamp Thing.  They also encounter the strange union of the Scarecrow and Bane, and more.  Then, it's off to “The Plains of Solitude” where Batman meets two old friends.

However, things are not what they seem when that reunion with old friends also comes with the appearance of a familiar super-villain, who may be the cause of the devastation of the Earth.  Finally, “Omega” the master of this scorched Earth, steps forward, and Batman learns that this monster has an uncomfortable connection to him.

Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo are the most popular Batman writer-artist pairing of this still young twenty-first century, and they are also among the most prolific of the last 50 years.  Snyder has portrayed Bruce Wayne as young and sleek with a humanitarian bent.  Snyder's Batman seems like a continuation of the Batman/Bruce Wayne that Frank Miller and artist David Mazzuchelli introduced to readers in the Batman: Year One story arc (originally published in the comic book, Batman, issues #404-407).  In artist Greg Capullo's Batman, science fiction and technology sit side by side with dark conspiracy and horror.  Capullo's clean-line style makes Batman and his world seem fresh, thanks to the contributions of inker Jonathan Glapion.

So is Batman: Last Knight on Earth Snyder and Capullo's Batman swan song?  If it is, this miniseries will only make readers want more.  Hugely imaginative and possessing high tension, Last Knight on Earth presents shocking twists and heart-breaking turns that don't seem contrived.  Snyder makes Batman so human and so vulnerable, and Capullo's sharp illustrations present eye-catching hellish landscapes designed to break us down as Batman's journey heightens his sense of guilt

FCO Plascencia continues to offer colors that recall the late Moebius' color art; the colors are pretty, but they smack that apocalyptic ass.  Tom Napolitano letters the end of the world, but saves some clever fonts in order to make the Joker's silliness seem genuinely funny.

Batman: Last Knight on Earth #2 is a fine middle issue, and teases an excellent final issue.  If you are only reading one Batman comic book, then, this is the one to read.

8 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.

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

#IReadsYou Review: JUJUTSU KAISEN: Volume 2

JUJUTSU KAISEN, VOL. 2
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Gege Akutami
TRANSLATION: Stefan Koza
LETTERS: Snir Aharon
EDITORS: John Bae
ISBN: 978-1-9747-1003-4; paperback (February 2020); Rated “T+” for “Teen Plus”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 U.K.

Jujutsu Kaisen is a horror-action manga written and illustrated by Gege Akutami.  It has been serialized in the Japanese manga magazine, Weekly Shonen Jump, since March 2018.  VIZ Media is publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a series of graphic novels under its “Shonen Jump” imprint, beginning in December 2019.

Yuji Itadori is a first year high school student in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture.  Especially fast and strong, Itadori is athletically gifted, but does not care about school.  One day, to protect his school from a Curse, Itadori swallows the severed finger of the legendary and feared demon, “Ryomen Sukuna.”  Now, Itadori houses the soul of Sukuna, and his fate is sealed with a death sentence.  The only way he can save himself is to enter the world of the Jujutsu Sorcerers and also to collect and consume the remaining pieces of Sukuna.

As Jujutsu Kaisen, Vol. 2 (Chapter 8 to 16; “Fearsome Womb”) opens, Itadori and a few other first year students from Jutusu High were dispatched by their teachers to handle a situation involving a “cursed womb.”  However, the curse they encounter is far more powerful than they expected, and now, Itadori is the only one who can save his classmates.  But it might cost him his life.

Meanwhile, a group of powerful Curses plot against special-grade Jujutsu Sorcerer, Gojo Satoru.  Satoru himself sees this plot against him as a chance to give Itadori some extra-special training.

[This volume includes bonus manga, “Extra.”]

THE LOWDOWN:  The Jujutsu Kaisen manga seems like it would be perfect for me, dear readers.  I enjoy manga that pit a secret society of warriors and demon fighters against man-eating demons, curses, and cursed objects.

Jujutsu Kaisen Graphic Novel Volume 2 begins to peel away the layers of the series' internal mythology.  Vol. 1 rushed readers into its world of Jujutsu Sorcerers and “special-grade cursed objects.”  Now, creator Gege Akutami focuses on introducing a band of adversarial monsters and demons (Curses) and reveals the internal politics in the world of Jujutsu Sorcerers.  Akutami is also showcasing the characters he thinks will be stars or at least the ones he wants to be stars.

With his English translation, Stefan Koza captures Jujutsu Kaisen's odd mixture of teen comedy and gruesome horror.  Letterer Snir Aharon captures the series' loudness; this series seems awfully noisy.  I am still not sure how exceptional Jujutsu Kaisen will be, if for no other reason than that Gege Akutami seems to be holding something back.  Still, I would like to read another volume.

POSSIBLE AUDIENCE:  Fans of demon-fighting shonen manga will want to try the Shonen Jump title, Jujutsu Kaisen.

B+
7 out of 10

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


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



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

#IReadsYou Review: USAGI YOJIMBO #1

USAGI YOJIMBO No. 1 (2019)
IDW PUBLISHING – @IDWPublishing

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

CARTOONIST: Stan Sakai
COLORS: Tom Luth
LETTERS: Stan Sakai
EDITOR: Bobby Curnow
COVER: Stan Sakai
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Daniel Warren Johnson with Mike Spicer; Walter Simonson with Laura Martin; Kevin Eastman with Tomi Varga; Maria Caligari; Chris Johnson; Mike Choi; J. Scott Campbell with Nei Ruffino; J. Scott Campbell; Alex Kotkin with Ivan Nunes; Mike Vasquez; Charles Vess; Tessa Rose; Buzz with Brittany Peer; Ian Nichols; Stan Sakai and Tom Luth; Stan Sakai with Tom Luth; Stan Sakai and Tom Luth with Emi Fujii and Matt Enterline; Linh Nguyen
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (June 2019)

Usagi Yojimbo created by Stan Sakai

“Bunraku” Part One

Usagi Yojimbo, which means “rabbit bodyguard,” is an anthropomorphic rabbit ronin who is sometimes hired as a bodyguard.  His adventures take place in Edo-era Japan (specifically the 17th century).  Created by Stan Sakai, Miyamoto Usagi first appeared in the small press comic book, Albedo Anthropomorphics #2.  He is the star of a long-running comic book series, Usagi Yojimbo, which has previously been published by Fantagraphics Books (1987-1993), by Mirage Publishing (1993-1995), and by Dark Horse Comics (1996-2018).

Now, Usagi Yojimbo has a new publisher, IDW Publishing.  This 2019 iteration of the venerable creator-owned comic book title is also the first ongoing Usagi Yojimbo comic book series to be published in full-color.  Once again the series is written, drawn, and lettered by creator Stan Sakai, and is colored by Tom Luth.

Usagi Yojimbo #1 opens with Sasuke, the fox who is a demon hunter, swordsman, and archer.  He is in the middle of a battle against “the demons of Mount Funai.”  Then, Lord Shoki the Demon Queller (the ghost who is also Sasuke's mentor) appears and sends Sasuke to the town of Kuroyama Mura.  Meanwhile, Usagi (“Usagi Yojimbo”) is already in town and is enjoying a “Bunraku” (a classical form of Japanese puppet theater), unaware of how close he is to the evil that Sasuke seeks.

Every single time I have read a Usagi Yojimbo comic book or story, I have enjoyed it – sometimes immensely.  Yet I cannot explain why I have read Usagi Yojimbo so little over the past three decades.  So I thought that this series relaunch at IDW was the perfect time to reengage this beloved samurai rabbit.  So how is the new comic book?

It's good, of course.  I am quite intrigued by this opening chapter in what will be an introductory three-issue arc, apparently before a longer story arc begins.  I don't think I'm telling people who have previously read Usagi Yojimbo something they don't already know.  Stan Sakai is an accomplished comic book creator, artist, and illustrator, and his comic books have always shown that.  Tom Luth, himself and accomplished comic book illustrator and colorist, also does good work here, of course.

What I can say is that readers unfamiliar with Usagi Yojimbo will find, in this new series, high-quality and delightful comic book storytelling.  Usagi Yojimbo often has the timeless quality that classic fantasy literature has.  If you are only interested in superhero comic books, dear reader, you may find that Stan Sakai and his samurai rabbit can still capture your imagination.

8 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.

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

#IReadsYou Review: AMERICAN GODS: The Moment of the Storm #1

AMERICAN GODS: THE MOMENT OF THE STORM No. 1
DARK HORSE COMICS – @DarkHorseComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Neil Gaiman
SCRIPT: P. Craig Russell
LAYOUTS: P. Craig Russell
ART: Scott Hampton
COLORS: Scott Hampton and Jennifer T. Lange
LETTERS: Rick Parker
EDITOR: Daniel Chabon
COVER: Glenn Fabry with Adam Brown
VARIANT COVER: David Mack
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (April 2019)

American Gods is a fantasy novel first published in 2001 and written by Neil Gaiman.  The novel won several fantasy-literary awards and has been developed into the current hit television series for the cable network, Starz Media.  American Gods blends Americana and also ancient and modern mythology to tell the story of a man caught in a war between the gods of the Old World and the new American gods.

American Gods is currently being adapted as a comic book series by frequent Gaiman collaborator, P. Craig Russell, and publisher, Dark Horse Comics.  Russell is the guiding hand behind the American Gods comic book adaptation.  Russell writes the script adaptation of Gaiman's novel and provides the layouts for the artist.  American Gods the comic book is drawn and colored by Scott Hampton and lettered by Rick Parker.

This comic book adaptation will yield 27 issues over three nine-issue series (or story arcs).  American Gods, the first series, ended late in 2017.  The second series, American Gods: My Ainsel, concluded at the end of 2018.  The final series is American Gods: The Moment of the Storm.

American Gods: The Moment of the Storm #1 opens in Minneapolis.  There, Shadow Moon, Czernobog, and Mr. Nancy meet Alviss, a dwarf, who provides them with a new mode of transportation.  The trio heads for “the Center” of the United States, near Lebanon, Kansas.  There, they will meet the people who killed Mr. Wednesday, and who now want to surrender his corpse.  The battle's just begun.

In my previous reviews of the American Gods comic book series, I have informed you, dear reader, that I am a big fan of American Gods the novel, although I did not read it upon its original release in 2001.  I read the American Gods:  Tenth Anniversary Edition (June 2011, William Morrow) which features a longer text and is the author, Neil Gaiman's preferred edition.  I also feel that I must admit that I loved that book, and that “love” is not a strong enough word in this case.  American Gods: The Tenth Anniversary Edition is one of my favorite books, and I consider the reading of that edition of American Gods to be a life-changing event for me in terms of my life as a writer.

P. Craig Russell continues his excellent work, capturing both the details and spirit of American God's narrative through balance, knowing what text to retain and what to translate into illustrations.  He makes Shadow Moon really stand out and evolve.  He makes American Gods: The Moment of the Storm #1 as much a joy to read as the opening issues of the previous series.

Scott Hampton drawings and colors are more eccentric and ethereal than ever, but also quite solid in storytelling.  Still, Hampton infuses his art and storytelling with a sense of magic.  Letterer Rick Parker  hums along, capturing the magic with his stylish fonts and with the deftness in where he places exposition and word balloons.

As before, I implore you, dear readers, to set aside your four dollars each month so that you can buy this lovely comic book.  I still think that American Gods may end up being on the short list of great comic book adaptations of a prose novel.

8 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 for reprint and syndication rights and fees.


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

BOOM! Studios from Diamond Distributors for June 10, 2020

BOOM! STUDIOS

FEB201291    FAITHLESS II #1 CVR A LLOVET (MR)    $3.99
FEB201292    FAITHLESS II #1 CVR B EROTICA CONNECTING VAR (MR)    $4.99
JAN208931    FAITHLESS II #1 FOC ANKA VAR (MR)    $3.99
FEB201286    GO GO POWER RANGERS #32 CVR A CARLINI CONNECTING    $3.99
FEB201287    GO GO POWER RANGERS #32 CVR B MERCADO VAR    $3.99
FEB201289    GO GO POWER RANGERS #32 WRAPAROUND FOIL VAR    $4.99
FEB201328    JIM HENSON DARK CRYSTAL AGE RESISTANCE #8 CVR A FINDEN    $3.99
FEB201329    JIM HENSON DARK CRYSTAL AGE RESISTANCE #8 CVR B MATTHEWS CON    $3.99
JAN201318    JUST BEYOND HORROR AT HAPPY LANDINGS ORIGINAL GN    $9.99
FEB201323    SOMETHING IS KILLING CHILDREN #7    $3.99
MAR201361    SOMETHING IS KILLING CHILDREN TP VOL 01    $14.99

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for June 10, 2020

DARK HORSE COMICS

DEC190266    ABRAHAM STONE TP    $19.99
NOV190213    BALTIMORE OMNIBUS HC VOL 02    $34.99
DEC190311    COUNT CROWLEY RELUCTANT MONSTER HUNTER TP    $19.99
DEC190234    CRITICAL ROLE HC VOL 01 CHRONICLES OF EXANDRIA MIGHTY NEIN (    $44.99
DEC190303    DISNEY LADY & THE TRAMP STORY MOVIE IN COMICS HC    $10.99
JAN200387    DISNEY PRINCESS FOLLOW YOUR HEART TP    $10.99
JAN200349    ETHER TP VOL 03 DISAPPEARANCE OF VIOLET BELL    $19.99
NOV190200    GRAFITYS WALL HC    $19.99
DEC190253    LADY KILLER LIBRARY ED VOL 01 (MR)    $39.99
JAN200339    LUTHER ARKWRIGHT TP    $39.99
JAN200355    MASK I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE MASK TP    $17.99
JAN200307    NEIL GAIMAN AMERICAN GODS HC VOL 03 MOMENT STORM    $29.99
DEC190267    RUBY FALLS TP (MR)    $19.99
JAN200333    SCARY GODMOTHER OMNIBUS (MR)    $29.99
JAN200354    STEAM TP    $14.99
JAN200356    STEEPLE TP    $19.99
DEC190264    TRIAGE TP 1 01    $19.99