Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for January 9, 2019

IMAGE COMICS

NOV180099    AUNTIE AGATHAS HOME FOR WAYWARD RABBITS #3 (OF 6)    $3.99
NOV180100    BIRTHRIGHT #35    $3.99
NOV180101    BITTER ROOT #3 CVR A GREENE (MR)    $3.99
NOV180102    BITTER ROOT #3 CVR B YOUNG (MR)    $3.99
NOV180103    BITTER ROOT #3 CVR C STROMAN (MR)    $3.99
NOV180104    BITTER ROOT #3 CVR D SOTO (MR)    $3.99
NOV180105    BLACKBIRD #4 CVR A BARTEL    $3.99
NOV180106    BLACKBIRD #4 CVR B TAKEDA    $3.99
NOV180109    BULLY WARS #5 CVR A CONLEY    $3.99
NOV180110    BULLY WARS #5 CVR B YOUNG    $3.99
NOV180114    CEMETERY BEACH #5 (OF 7) CVR A HOWARD (MR)    $3.99
NOV180115    CEMETERY BEACH #5 (OF 7) CVR B IMPACT VAR (MR)    $3.99
OCT180058    CREATURE TECH GN (NEW EDITION)    $14.99
NOV180021    CRIMINAL #1 (MR)    $3.99
OCT180172    CURSE WORDS #19 CVR A BROWNE (MR)    $3.99
OCT180173    CURSE WORDS #19 CVR B LEVITATION BROWNE (MR)    $3.99
OCT180174    CURSE WORDS #19 CVR C HERO INITIATIVE VAR (MR)    $3.99
OCT188783    DIE #1 2ND PTG (MR)    $3.99
NOV180129    DIE #2 CVR A HANS (MR)    $3.99
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NOV180137    FREEZE #2    $3.99
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NOV180143    HIT-GIRL #12 CVR B B&W ALBUQUERQUE (MR)    $3.99
NOV180144    HIT-GIRL #12 CVR C ROE (MR)    $3.99
NOV180156    KICK-ASS #11 CVR A FRUSIN (MR)    $3.99
NOV180157    KICK-ASS #11 CVR B B&W FRUSIN (MR)    $3.99
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NOV180176    PRODIGY #2 (OF 6) CVR C CHAREST (MR)    $3.99
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NOV180185    SELF MADE #2 (MR)    $3.99
NOV180187    SLEEPLESS #11    $3.99

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for January 9, 2019

MARVEL COMICS

OCT181027    ASTONISHING X-MEN BY MATT ROSENBERG TP UNTIL OUR HEARTS STOP    $17.99
NOV180880    AVENGERS #12    $3.99
SEP188839    AVENGERS #12 MARVEL RISING ACTION DOLL HOMAGE VAR    $3.99
NOV180881    AVENGERS #12 NOTO MARVEL 80TH VAR    $3.99
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NOV180945    BLACK ORDER #3 (OF 5) CHRISTOPHER VAR    $3.99
NOV180783    CAPTAIN MARVEL #1    $4.99
OCT188634    DAREDEVIL #612 2ND PTG NOTO VAR    $4.99
NOV180966    DOMINO #10    $3.99
NOV180793    FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN #1    $4.99
NOV180794    FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN #1 ARTGERM VAR    $4.99
NOV180964    ICEMAN #5 (OF 5)    $3.99
OCT188635    IRONHEART #1 2ND PTG VECCHIO VAR    $4.99
NOV180827    MAN WITHOUT FEAR #2    $3.99
NOV180829    MAN WITHOUT FEAR #2 CAMUNCOLI CONNECTING VAR    $3.99
OCT181041    MARVEL GRAPHIC COMIC BOXES CONAN BARBARIAN (BUNDLE OF 5) (NE    $50.00
NOV180854    MARVEL PRESENTS #3 GOTG FACSIMILE EDITION    $3.99
OCT181022    MARVEL SUPER HERO ADVENTURES GN TP CAPTAIN MARVEL    $9.99
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NOV180906    MILES MORALES SPIDER-MAN #2    $3.99
JUL181163    MMW MARVEL TEAM-UP HC VOL 04    $75.00
JUL181164    MMW MARVEL TEAM-UP HC VOL 04 DM VAR ED 269    $75.00
OCT181020    MS MARVEL EPIC COLLECTION TP WOMAN WARRIOR    $34.99
NOV180929    PUNISHER #6    $3.99
NOV180908    SPIDER-GWEN GHOST SPIDER #4    $3.99
NOV180910    SPIDER-GWEN GHOST SPIDER #4 RUBIO GOTG VAR    $3.99
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NOV180888    THOR #9 NOTO MARVEL 80TH VAR    $3.99
NOV180763    TRUE BELIEVERS CONAN DEVIL-GOD OF BAL-SAGOTH #1    $1.00
NOV180764    TRUE BELIEVERS CONAN SWORDS IN NIGHT #1    $1.00
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NOV180866    UNCANNY X-MEN #9 CHRISTOPHER ACTION FIGURE VAR    $3.99
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NOV180948    X-23 #8    $3.99
NOV180949    X-23 #8 KEOWN GOTG VAR    $3.99
OCT181026    X-23 TP VOL 01 FAMILY ALBUM    $17.99

Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for January 9, 2019

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

OCT181402    2200 THE ADVENTURES OF FRAN AND PICKY    $9.99
OCT181743    ADVENTURE VAN #5 (OF 5)    $3.99
NOV181543    ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #295    $6.99
NOV181532    ARCHIE MEETS BATMAN 66 #6 CVR A ALLRED    $3.99
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OCT181851    BARBIE 3IN1 GN VOL 01    $14.99
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OCT181813    BLACK DAHLIA SC    $9.99
AUG181519    BLACKENING #1 (OF 6) (MR)    $3.99
OCT181742    BLASTOSAURUS #5    $3.99
OCT181350    BLOOD REALM #3 (OF 3)    $1.50
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MAY181665    DF VENOM #1 MIDTOWN MATTINA EXC    $29.99
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OCT181351    EXILIUM #3 (OF 6)    $1.50
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NOV182062    FAITH DREAMSIDE #4 (OF 4) CVR B MEYNET    $3.99
SEP181948    FORMIDABLES #4    $3.99
OCT182017    GRIMM FAIRY TALES #25 CVR A    $5.99
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NOV182140    HAIKYU GN VOL 30    $9.99
NOV182169    HAYATE THE COMBAT BUTLER GN VOL 33    $9.99
OCT182196    HIMOUTO UMARI CHAN GN VOL 04    $12.99
NOV181768    HOBO MOM HC    $14.99
AUG182047    HUNTERS OF SALAMANSTRA #13 (MR)    $4.99
OCT182131    INVITATION FROM A CRAB GN    $12.95
OCT181352    IT CAME OUT ON A WEDNESDAY #4    $1.99
AUG181533    ITS NOT QUITE MALIBU #1 (OF 1) CVR A MASSEY (MR)    $3.99
AUG181538    ITS NOT QUITE MALIBU #1 (OF 1) CVR F VALENTINA LTD ED    $PI
NOV182134    KAKURIYO BED & BREAKFAST FOR SPIRITS GN VOL 01    $9.99
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AUG181819    LITTLE GIRL #3 (OF 4) (MR)    $3.99
AUG181820    LORD OF GORE TP (RES)    $19.99
OCT181353    MIDNIGHT MYSTERY #2 (OF 4)    $1.50
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AUG181521    PHANTASMAGORIA #2 (OF 5) (MR)    $3.99
NOV181878    PHILIP K DICK A COMICS BIOGRAPHY HC    $24.99
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AUG182257    RIVERS OF LONDON VOL 06 WATER WEED (MR)    $16.99
SEP181354    ROCK & ROLL BIOGRAPHIES TOOL    $3.50
NOV181971    SALVAGERS TP VOL 02 WRECK RAIDERS (MR)    $17.99
NOV181970    SAVANTS #1 (OF 5)    $3.99
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NOV181392    STRANGERS IN PARADISE XXV #9    $3.99
SEP181676    TAROT WITCH OF THE BLACK ROSE #113 DLX LITHO ED (MR)    $19.99
NOV181968    TORSOBEAR TP VOL 01 YARNS FROM TOYBURG (MR)    $14.99
OCT181861    TRISH TRASH ROLLERGIRL OF MARS OMNIBUS GN    $19.99
OCT181862    TRISH TRASH ROLLERGIRL OF MARS OMNIBUS HC    $29.99
NOV182162    TWIN STAR EXORCISTS GN VOL 14    $9.99
NOV182098    VAN HELSING SWORD OF HEAVEN #3 (OF 6) CVR A WHITE    $3.99
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JUL182186    WARHAMMER 40000 TP DEATHWATCH    $16.99
OCT181585    WARREN TUFTS COMPLETE LANCE 1955-1960 HC    $100.00
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SEP181418    WICKED RIGHTEOUS TP (MR)    $14.95
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MAGAZINES
SEP182065    ALTER EGO #156    $9.95
OCT188715    AMAZING FIGURE MODELER #66    $10.00
NOV181691    CINEFEX #162    $12.50
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OCT181896    CINEMA RETRO MOVIE CLASSICS: ROADSHOW EPICS OF THE SIXTIES    $13.95
NOV181698    COMIC SHOP NEWS [90CT BUNDLE] #1647    $PI
SEP182068    RETROFAN MAGAZINE #3    $8.95

BOOKS
NOV181802    A FRIEND LIKE PIKACHU POKEMON LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK    $4.99
NOV181803    ALL GROWN UP RUGRATS LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK    $4.99
OCT181766    ART AND MAKING OF AQUAMAN HC    $45.00
NOV182143    ART OF MAGIC THE GATHERING HC RAVNICA    $39.99
AUG181838    BATH TIME WITH AQUAMAN BATH BOOK    $9.99
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NOV182035    BRITISH SUPERHERO TRACKING SURPRISING RISE SC    $30.00
NOV181804    CAPTAIN MARVEL LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK    $4.99
NOV181935    DC SUPER FRIENDS SECRET OF SHAZAM YR SC    $4.99
SEP181821    DOCTOR WHO COMP HIST HC VOL 85 5TH DOCTOR STORIES 133-135 (C    $18.99
OCT182130    FUTURELOG ART BOOK SC    $59.95
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NOV181801    I AM MR SPOCK LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK    $4.99
NOV181806    I AM THE GENIE DISNEY ALADDIN LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK    $4.99
SEP182194    LOVE MOM & 2 HIT MULTI TARGET ATTACKS LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 01    $14.00
NOV181704    MAX AND THE MIDKNIGHTS ILLUS YA NOVEL HC    $13.99
OCT181879    SHADOW DOUBLE NOVEL VOL 137 GREEN EYES & GRAY FIST    $14.95
NOV181807    SMALL AND MIGHTY ANT-MAN & WASP LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK    $4.99
JUL188260    STAN LEE STORY TASCHEN DLX ED    $1500.00
NOV181821    STAR TREK DESIGNING STARSHIPS HC VOL 02 VOYAGER  AND BEYOND    $29.95
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NOV181680    SUPERGIRL IS PATIENT YR PICTURE BOOK    $4.95
NOV181498    SUPERGIRL YA NOVEL VOL 03 MASTER OF ILLUSTION    $13.99
NOV181681    SUPERMAN IS COOPERATIVE YR PICTURE BOOK    $4.95
OCT181571    TIMELY CONFIDENTIAL WHEN GOLDEN AGE OF COMICS WAS YOUNG SC (    $39.95
NOV181682    WONDER WOMAN PERSEVERES YR PICTURE BOOK    $4.95
OCT181572    ZORRO AND THE LITTLE DEVIL SC    $19.95

Review: BLUBBER #4

BLUBBER No. 4
FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS – @fantagraphics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

CARTOONIST: Gilbert Hernandez
EDITOR: Eric Reynolds
COVER: Gilbert Hernandez with Paul Baresh
24pp, B&W, $3.99 U.S. (January 2017)

Gilbert “'Beto” Hernandez is the cartoonist, comic book creator, and graphic novelist best known for being one-half of the duo known as “Los Bros.” Gilbert and his brother, Jaime Hernandez, are Eisner Award (Will Eisner Comics Industry Awards) winners, and they have produced the seminal, alternative comic book series, Love and Rockets (Fantagraphics Books), for the better part of four decades.

As a “solo act,” Gilbert (a.k.a. “Beto”) has also produced numerous original graphic novels and several comic book miniseries for publishers like Dark Horse Comics, DC Comics, and Drawn & Quarterly, as well as for his original publisher Fantagraphics.  In 2015, Fantagraphics launched Beto's most recent solo offering, Blubber.

This black and white comic book series offers short stories and vignettes featuring a cast of misfits, monsters, and anthropomorphic types.  Beto also presents his usual mix of bizarre characters, strange stories, and outlandish sex and sexual acts, all hallmarks of his comix going back to the beginning of his public work.

Blubber #4 (which was released earlier this year) opens with the one-page comix about semen and barbecue, “Shit for Fuck,” starring X-25.  Then, in the “Tower of the Sindog” a mother and son each find their pleasure, but there is violence in that mummified love.  Then, you will never believe the adventures of “Red Tempest XXX.”

I gave rave reviews to Blubber issues #1 and #2, but I did not rave about Blubber #3, although I did enjoy it.  I won't rave about Blubber #4, although it is rave-worthy.  After reading this fourth issue, I am simply flustered by Gilbert's imagination because I am starting to believe that he owns some bottomless well of ideas.  From this well, he draws forth inventiveness that seems to spill over the rim of a metaphorical bucket.  Every time I think that Gilbert cannot top himself, I find another story and another – graphically graphic and visually splendid.

Blubber is a true Underground Comix; it is not just in that tradition of... It is the real thing.  Like classic Underground Comix, Blubber is a true comic book, as fun and fanciful as those old-timey comic books I read as a child... without the nose-dicks and the sucking of yard-long cocks.

Well, I have said this before:  Gilbert Hernandez is the best comic book writer in North America.  Well, he is also a pretty, damn good cartoonist, and Blubber needs to go above ground – perhaps riding high on a cock rocket like Slim Pickens' “Kong” in Dr. Strangelove.

9 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.

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

Review: RECORD OF THE GRANCREST WAR Volume 1

RECORD OF GRANCREST WAR, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

MANGAKA: Makoto Yotsuba
ORIGINAL STORY: Ryo Mizuno
CHARACTER DESIGNS: Miyuu
TRANSLATION: satsuki yamashita
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Steven “Stan!” Brown
LETTERS: James Gaubatz
EDITOR: David Brothers
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0188-9; paperback (November 2018); Rated “M” for “Mature”
168pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 U.K.

Record of Grancrest War is a light novel series created by author Ryo Mizuno, who may be best known for the fantasy novel series, Record of Lodoss War.  Writer-artist Makoto Yotsuba adapted the Record of Grancrest War novels into a manga that began serialization in 2016.  VIZ Media has begun publishing an English-language edition of that manga as a graphic novel series, entitled Record of Grancrest War, which will be published on a quarterly basis.

Record of Grancrest War is set in a world where the noble elite are supposed to fend off the threat of the terrifying and mysterious force known as “Chaos.”  Instead, these nobles engage in pointless, petty squabbles, most of it involving two political entities, the “Fantasia Union” and the “Factory Alliance.”

Record of Grancrest War, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 6) introduces a young mage named Siluca Meletes, who dreams of bringing justice to the land.  She is about to witness a wedding that will unite the Fantasia Union and the Factory Alliance when tragedy strikes.  Determined to forge a new future for the world, Siluca joins a talented fighter, named Irvin, and a knight errant with potential, named Theo, to change the world order via the magical power of “crests.”

The Record of Grancrest War manga is a fantasy adventure series that reminds me of another fantasy manga, Mitsu Izumi's 7th Garden.  Both manga have deep back stories, and the territories in which they are set have long histories.

Record of Grancrest War Graphic Novel Volume 1 introduces a lot of terms:  crest, “Grancrest,” chaos, artist, etc., and not to mention a long list of titles of nobility and levels of social class.  Luckily, this first volume focuses on introducing characters' personalities and character dynamics.

The English adaptation written by Steven Brown a.k.a. Stan! is quite efficient.  Stan! focuses on conveying to readers motivations, conflicts, and introductions.  This makes for a breezy read, for which James Gaubatz's clean lettering and art touch-up should also get credit.  I don't know if I will fall in love with this series, but I would like to read more.  Fans of medieval set fantasy may also like Record of Grancrest War.

7 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 syndication rights and fees.

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Review: THE MIGHTY CRUSADERS Volume 3 #1

THE MIGHTY CRUSADERS, VOLUME 3 No. 1 (2018)
ARCHIE COMICS/Dark Circle Comics – @ArchieComics @DrkCircleComics

[This review was originally published on Patreon.]

STORY: Ian Flynn
ART: Kelsey Shannon
COLORS: Matt Herms
LETTERS: Jack Morelli
EDITORS: Alex Segura and Vincent Lovallo
COVER: Kelsey Shannon
VARIANT COVER: Matthew Dow Smith
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (January 2018)

Rated Teen

“Heroes for Today”

The Mighty Crusaders is a superhero team from Archie Comic Publications, Inc.  The team debuted in the 1960s, apparently as an answer to DC Comics' Justice League of America and Marvel Comics' The Avengers.  Sporadically over the next 50 years, various Archie Comics and DC Comics imprints published comics titles featuring The Mighty Crusaders.

Under Archie Comics' Dark Circle Comics, there is a new title, The Mighty Crusaders (Vol. 3), that recently debuted.  It is written by Ian Flynn; drawn by Kelsey Shannon; colored by Matt Herms; and lettered by Jack Morelli.

The Mighty Crusaders, Vol. 3 #1 opens in Washington D.C. where the latest incarnation of The Crusaders is in a furious battle royale slash throw-down with the furious prehistoric terror, Dino Rex.  The current team is a mixture of veteran and new heroes sworn to be peacekeepers of the world.  They are The Shield (Victoria Adams); The Comet (Greg Reeves); Steel Sterling (Jack Sterling); Firefly (Kelly Brand); Jaguar (Ivette Velez); and Darkling.

But is this new team up to the task?  Team leader, The Shield, has her doubts.  Meanwhile, a sinister plan begins with the awakening with an ancient evil.

I cannot remember if I have ever read a comic book starring The Mighty Crusaders, and if I have, it was sooooooo long time ago.  This new Mighty Crusaders #1 is truly a teen superhero comic book.  It is not as intense or as big (in terms of scope or action) as current superhero comic books like The Avengers and Justice League are.  The character drama is the kind readers might encounter when watching an animated superhero television series like the various Justice League and Avengers animated TV series of the last two decades.  That means character drama that involves conflicts between teammates and certainly not the kind of dark interpersonal melodrama found in The Amazing Spider-Man as written by Dan Slott.

The art by Kelsey Shannon is mostly like the clear-line style, with the coloring by Matt Herms playing a big part in the composition.  It reminds me of the Disney animation-style comic book art found in IDW Publishing's recent Star Wars comic books.

That said:  I don't know if readers who gravitate towards Marvel and DC Comics' big superhero titles will care for this.  I don't think so, but I find myself a little intrigued by this.  I think there is probably an audience for The Mighty Crusaders, Vol. 3, but it might be outside the confines of the Direct Market.  I plan to take a look at future issues.  The Mighty Crusaders #1 is not great, but it looks like it could be a fun superhero comic book.

B+
7 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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Review: RAN AND THE GRAY WORLD Volume 1

RAN AND THE GRAY WORLD, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

MANGAKA: Aki Irie
TRANSLATION: Emi Louie-Nishikawa
LETTERING: Joanna Estep
EDITOR: Amy Yu
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0362-3; paperback (November 2018); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
216pp, B&W, $14.99 U.S., $19.99 CAN, £9.99 UK

Ran and the Gray World is a manga from Aki Irie.  The series focuses on a girl who wants to be like her mother, who is a powerful sorceress.  VIZ Media is publishing this manga in English as a graphic novel series on a quarterly basis.

Ran and the Gray World, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 6) introduces a girl named Ran Uruma.  She lives with her father, Zen, and her annoying older brother, Jin.  Ran wants to be a sorceress like her mother, Shizuka, who does not live with Ran and her brother and father.  Ran can't wait until she actually grows up, so she uses the help of a magical pair of sneakers that transforms her into a young woman.  Her brother and father try to keep her safe, but Ran is also determined to have her own adventure.

The Ran and the Gray World manga is a strange one, but part of its allure is that it seems like it is going to be... eclectic?  And the art is certainly pretty.

Ran of the Gray World Graphic Novel Volume 1 is a coming-of-age story in which the character that is coming-of-age of age already seems to be quite self-possessed.  As a child or in her adult form, Ran Uruma is trying to discover the world and to discover what she can be in that world.  Creator Aki Irie presents Ran's mother's visits to her family as a great raucous thing of magic and creation, and Ran's journey seems to be much like that.

This first volume of Ran and the Gray World is beautifully drawn, and it introduces characters and concepts more than it delves into them.  It all seems like a tease, and I want to know more about the delightfully taciturn older brother, Jin, as well as about the obligations of the vivacious, but largely absent mother, Shizuka.  I must admit that Ran and the Gray World's sense of the magical and the  whimsical make me want to come back for more.

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 syndication rights and fees.

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