Tuesday, December 31, 2019

#IReadsYou Review: A TROPICAL FISH YEARNS FOR SNOW Volume 1

A TROPICAL FISH YEARNS FOR SNOW, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

MANGAKA: Makoto Hagino
TRANSLATION & ENGLISH ADAPTATION: John Werry
LETTERS: Eva Grandt
EDITOR: Pancha Diaz
ISBN: 978-1-9747-1043-0; paperback (November 2019); Rated “T” for “Teen”
172pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Nettaigyo wa Yuki ni Kogareru is a manga from Makoto Hagino.  It is currently being serialized in the Japanese magazine, Dengeki Maoh, where it began in June 2017.  VIZ Media is publishing an English language edition of the manga as a graphic novel series, entitled A Tropical Fish Yearns for Snow.

A Tropical Fish Yearns for Snow, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 4) introduces high school student, Konatsu Amano.  When her father gets a job overseas, Konatsu has to leave Tokyo and the life she’s always known.  She relocates to a small seaside town to stay with her aunt.

The move also means starting at a new school surrounded by complete strangers, and that is a lot to handle for a girl who has trouble with change.  On her first trip to Nanahama High School, Konatsu arrives at the open house for the school's “Aquarium Club,”  There, she meets Koyuki Honami, an older girl who is the sole member of the Aquarium Club.  Konatsu has introverted tendencies that are hard for her to overcome, but she finds herself drawn to Koyuki.  Maybe, she has found something and someone worth coming out of her shell for?

[This volume includes an “Afterword.”]

The A Tropical Fish Yearns for Snow manga seems to be the latest LGBTQ-themed manga from VIZ Media.  That it arrives shortly after the conclusion of VIZ's release of That Blue Sky Feeling, a manga about a teen boy who has a very close relationship with a gay teen boy, does not feel like a coincidence.

A Tropical Fish Yearns for Snow Graphic Novel Volume 1 introduces two high school girls who are obviously drawn to one another.  They may even be smitten with one another.  Creator Makoto Hagino has an anime-inspired drawing style that features girls with big, emotive eyes, which conveys the narrative's highly emotional tone.

John Werry's translation and English adaptation is gentle and sweet, and the best thing about it is that it captures both the awkwardness of the girls and their desire to be connected with one another.  Eva Grandt's lettering presents sound effects as melodic tones that indicate important moments in the development of Konatsu and Koyuki's relationship.

There is something about A Tropical Fish Yearns for Snow that firmly holds my attention.  It is as if I have to follow whatever romance may or may not be happening.

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 syndication rights and fees.

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I Reads You Juniors December 2019 - Update #78

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

Support Leroy on Patreon.

Leroy's Amazon Comics and Graphic Novels Page:

From Newsarama:  U.S. Rep. John Lewis (George's 5th Congressional District), the star of Top Shelf Productions' graphic novel trilogy, "March" (based on Lewis' life), has announced that he was Stage IV pancreatic cancer.

From CBR:  Kohei Horikoshi already has plans for the end of his smash hit manga, "My Hero Academia."

DC CINEMA - From ScreenRant:  Actor Michael B. Jordan says that if he played Superman (which he is rumored to be), the character would be authentic to comic book history.

From WCCFTech:  Valiant Comics is partnering with Blowfish Studios for the latter to produce games based on Valiant's characters.

COMICS-TO-FILM - From Newsarama:   Sony Pictures has moved the release date for its "Bloodshot" film (based on the Valiant Comics titles) from Feb. 21, 2020 to March 13, 2020.  The film stars Vin Diesel in the title role.

DC CINEMA - From Collider:  Director Patty Jenkins said that "Wonder Woman: 1984" is complete done - six months before its release.

REVIEWS - From Patreon:  My review of "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker."

From Newsarama:  Apparently, Jeff Kinney's comics slash illustrated books hybid series, "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" sold 10 million copies in 2019.  It has sold 200 million copies since the first book made its hardcover debut in 2007.

FOX X-MEN MOVIES - From Newsarama:  The X-Men film, "The New Mutants," is one of the films Disney inherited when it bought 20th Century Fox.  It has had numerous release date changes, from both Fox and Disney.  The film's director, Josh Boone, hints that there will be a new trailer for the film in January 2020.

From TheHollywoodReporter:  IDW Publishing is partnering with Dark Horse Comics for the four-issue comic book mash-up miniseries, "Transformers vs. The Terminator."  The series is due in comic book stores March 2020.

MEMORIAM - From Newsarama:  Comic book artist, Gerry Alanguilan, has died at the age of 51.

From BleedingCool:  So Mark Millar's secret "Project X-mas" turned out to be "American Jesus," which is apparently a reworking of a Millar series once published by Dark Horse Comics.

DC CINEMA - From Newsarama: "Bird of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)" has received an R-rating from the American movie ratings board, the MPAA.

IMAGE COMICS CINEMA - From Newsarama:  Oscar-nominated director Lee Daniels will direct a film adaptation of Robert Kirkman and Marc Silvestri's "Stealth" for Universal Pictures.

From Newsarama:   Marvel's "Free Comic Book Day 2020" offering, an "X-Men" comic book, will reportedly lead to Marvel Comics' next mega crossover event.

From Newsarama:  The "Free Comic Book Day" Committee has announced the "Gold Titles" for "Free Comic Book Day 2020" (May 2, 2020).

DC CINEMA - From CinemaBlend:  Gal Gadot explains why Wonder Woman does not have a sword and shield in "Wonder Woman: 1984.

DC CINEMA - From GamesRadar:   Here are some stills from the upcoming film, "Bird of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)," with the ridiculous title.

From AcadianaAdvocate:  Baton Rouge, Louisiana newspaper, "The Advocate," offers this feature on Louisiana comic book artist, "Farmhand."

DC TV - From BleedingCool:  Are HBO DC Comics adaptations or announcements of future ones fueling the bookstore sales of certain DC Comics graphic novels and trade paperbacks.

From SoraNews:  A Japanese manga artist shows the difference between erotic manga for men vs. women in a simple side-by-side comparison.

From BleedingCool:  Writer Alan Brennert and artist Jerry Ordway to launch the "Marvel Snapshots" series.

DC TV - From Variety:  Showrunner Damon Lindelof and cast and crew talk about the smash hit HBO series, "Watchmen."

From Newsarama:  Barry Windsor-Smith's long-awaiting project, "Monsters," will debut as a 250-page-plus graphic novel in 2020.

DC CINEMA - From Variety:  "Shazam 2" gets a new release date, April 1, 2022.

From BleedingCool:  Long at odds, "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird are reuniting to work on a new TMNT comic book.

MANGA CINEMA - From Newsarama:  The film version of the legendary manga, Akira, to be directed by Taika Waititi has been bumped from Warner Bros. film release schedule.

DC TV - From Deadline:  Actor Thomas Lennon, best known for the TV series, "Reno 911," will play classic Superman villain, Mr. Mxyzptlk, in the fifth season of The CW's "Supergirl."

From ClevelandMagazine:  Writer Mike Sangiacomo feels that the city of Cleveland, Ohio isn't embracing its comic book heritage, which includes being the birth of Superman.

MARVEL STUDIOS - From ComicBook:  Here is a look at the action figures for Marvel Studios' "Black Widow" movie.

From CBR:  The 10 best historical manga as ranked by CBR's John Witiw.

From Newsarama:  Here is a two page preview of the "Dylan Dog/Batman #0," the first issue of the crossover event between DC Comics and Italian publisher, Sergio Bonelli Editore (Dylan Dog).

From BleedingCool:  Hot gossip says the new Batman writer will be a Black man, Oscar-winner John Ridley, and that the new Batman will be Luke Fox, a young Black man.

From Newsarama:  Marvel Entertainment has moved to a new location... partially by President Trump's organization.

DC CINEMA TRAILER - From YouTube:  Here is the first official trailer for "Wonder Woman 1984," which is due June 5, 2020.

DC CINEMA - From THR:   "Wonder Woman 1984" director Patty Jenkins says that she and "Wonder Woman" actress, Gal Gadot, already have a story for a third "Wonder Woman" film.  She said that the two of them are already considering a spinoff film focusing on the Amazons.
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DC CINEMA - From ComicBook:  Apparently, the plan for The Rock's "Black Adam" movie is to be "inventive" and "reshape what the comic book movie is."  That is according to its cinematographer, Lawrence Sher, who also shot Todd Phillip's "Joker."

DC TV - From Newsarama:  HBO's acclaimed "Watchmen" TV series has received two nominations at the Writers Guild Awards.

SONY MARVEL U - From Deadline:   Actor Stephen Graham, currently appearing in "The Irishman," has been cast in an unknown role in "Venom 2."

DC CINEMA - From THR:  Actor Peter Sarsgaard has been cast in Matt Reeves' "The Batman," possibly to play Harvey Dent (the Gotham City district attorney who would become the villain, Two-Face).

From Newsarama:  Oscar-winning filmmaker and "Mad Max" mastermind, George Miller, defends superhero films... in response to the criticism of superhero cinema from Martin Scorsese, among others.

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics will publish "The James Jean Poster Portfolio" in August 2020, highlighting the art of the award-winning artist, James Jean.

From Newsarama:  Stout Club Entertainment – the powerhouse creative group composed of comic book creators Rafael Albuquerque, Eduardo Medeiros, Mateus Santolouco, and Rafael Scavone – announced a multi-book deal for four new comic book series to debut exclusively through the comiXology Originals program.

DC CINEMA - From TheNewYorker: "The Incendiary Aims of HBO’s 'Watchmen”'"

From WeGotThisCovered:  Crystal Dynamics, creator of "Tomb Raider," is producing a prequel comic book to "Marvel's Avengers."  It is due Summer 2020.

DC CINEMA - From WeGotThisCovered:  British actor Henry Cavill may still want to be the current "Superman" of the cinema, but "sources" say that Warner Bros. is eyeing actor American actor, David Corenset, best known for the Netflix series, "The Politician."

From RSN:  Acclaimed author, Margaret Atwood ("The Handmaid's Tale") extols the life lessons of the classic newspaper comic strip, "Little Lulu."

From BleedingCool:  Yoe Press will delve into the history of Black comic book artists in "Invisible Men: Black Artists of the Golden Age of Comics."

From CBR - Manga reading tips and tricks.

From BleedingCool:  Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips, and Jacob Phillips will launch the original graphic novel, "Pulp," in May 2020.

From XinhuaNet:  Chinese sci-fi comic strips to be published in France

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DECEMBER 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for December 2019
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for December 2019
From Newsarama:  Dark Horse Comics for December 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for December 2019
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for December 2019
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for December 2019
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for December 2019
From Newsarama:  Red 5 for Comics for December 2019
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for December 2019
From BleedingCool:  Storm King Productions for December 2019
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for December 2019
From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for December 2019

JANUARY 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  January 2020 comics solicitations from 26 publishers
From Newsarama:  Ahoy Comics for January 2020
From BleedingCool:  Amigo Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for January 2020
From BleedingCool:  Black Box for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Black Mask Studios for January 2020
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for January 2020
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Fantagraphics Books for January 2020
From Newsarama:  HarperCollins for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Humanoids for January 2020
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Mad Cave Studios for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Oni Press for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Red 5 Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Seven Seas Entertainment for January 2020
From BleedingCool:  Source Point Press for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Titans Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Vertical Comics solicitations for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Yen Press for January 2020

FEBRUARY 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  01: First Second for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Albatross Funnybook for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Action Lab Entertainment for February 2020
From Newsarama:  AfterShock Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Ahoy Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Black Mask Studios for February 2020
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for February 2020
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Fantagraphics Books for February 2020
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Lion Forge for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Oni Press for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Random House for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Rebellion for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Red 5 Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Titan Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  VIZ Media for February 2020

MARCH 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  Action Lab Entertainment for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Ahoy Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Artists, Writer and Artisans for March 2020
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Dark Horse Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Fantagraphics Book for March 2020
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Oni Press for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for March 2020
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for March 2020

MAY 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS
From Newsarama:  A full-list of titles available for "Free Comic Book Day 2020" on May 2, 2020.


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Monday, December 30, 2019

BOOM! Studios from Diamond Distributors for January 1, 2020

BOOM! STUDIOS

JUL191326    DREW & JOT DUELING DOODLES ORIGINAL GN HC    $14.99

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for January 1, 2020

DARK HORSE COMICS

MAY190209    BLACK HAMMER TP VOL 04 AGE OF DOOM PART II    $19.99
NOV190238    CRONE #3 (OF 5)    $3.99
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AUG190316    MINIATURE FINAL FANTASY NO ADVENTURE TOO LARGE HC    $19.99
NOV190262    RUBY FALLS #4 (OF 4) (MR)    $3.99
JUN190349    SWORD DAUGHTER #9 CVR A OLIVER    $4.99
JUN190350    SWORD DAUGHTER #9 CVR B CHATER    $4.99
SEP190310    TOMB RAIDER OMNIBUS TP VOL 02    $29.99

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for January 1, 2020

DC COMICS
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NOV190003    DC PREVIEWS #21 JANUARY 2020 EXTRAS    $PI
OCT190521    DETECTIVE COMICS #1018    $3.99
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OCT190607    DIAL H FOR HERO #10 (OF 12)    $3.99
SEP190470    DIANA PRINCESS OF THE AMAZONS TP    $9.99
OCT190618    DOLLAR COMICS BATMAN #613    $1.00
OCT190599    DREAMING #17 (MR)    $3.99
OCT190527    FLASH #85    $3.99
OCT190528    FLASH #85 CARD STOCK VAR ED    $4.99
OCT190537    HARLEY QUINN #69    $3.99
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OCT190675    INJUSTICE VS THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE TP    $16.99
SEP190500    JOKER HARLEY CRIMINAL SANITY #2 (OF 9) (MR)    $5.99
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OCT190555    JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #18    $3.99
OCT190556    JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #18 VAR ED    $3.99
OCT190563    LOIS LANE #7 (OF 12)    $3.99
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OCT190588    TERRIFICS #23 VAR ED    $3.99
SEP190472    WONDER WOMAN WARBRINGER TP    $16.99

Dynamite Entertainment from Diamond Distributors for January 1, 2020

DYNAMITE

SEP191227    BOYS COLL HOMELANDER TWO DOLLAR BILL (MR)    $25.00
OCT191314    BOYS OMNIBUS TP VOL 01 ENNIS SGN PHOTO CVR ED (MR)    $29.99
OCT191315    BOYS OMNIBUS TP VOL 02 ENNIS SGN PHOTO CVR ED (MR)    $29.99
MAR191201    ELVIRA SHAPE OF ELVIRA #1 CGC GRADED PHOTO CVR    $89.99
JUL191174    JAMES BOND LIVE & LET DIE HC    $24.99
APR191096    RED SONJA VAMPIRELLA BETTY VERONICA #2 DALTON VIRGIN    $50.00

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for January 1, 2020

IDW PUBLISHING

OCT190739    DUCKTALES FAIRES & SCARES #1 (OF 3) CVR A GHIGLIONE & STELLA    $3.99
OCT190740    DUCKTALES FAIRES & SCARES #1 (OF 3) CVR B GHILLONE & STELLA    $3.99
OCT190778    GI JOE #4 CVR A WALTER    $3.99
OCT190732    I CAN SELL YOU A BODY #1    $3.99
JUL190811    LOAC ESSENTIALS HC VOL 14 BARNEY GOOGLE 1928    $29.99
AUG190746    MARVEL VAULT OF HEROES HULK BIGGEST & BEST TP    $17.99
JUN190743    MIGHTY ELVIS A GRAPHIC BIOGRAPHY HC GN    $19.99
SEP190736    PANDEMICA #3 (OF 5) SANCHEZ    $3.99
OCT190767    SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #24 CVR A GRAY & GRAHAM    $3.99
AUG190794    STARCADIA QUEST #3 (OF 3) CVR A MAZZARA    $4.99
OCT190719    TMNT URBAN LEGENDS #20 CVR A FOSCO    $3.99
OCT190720    TMNT URBAN LEGENDS #20 CVR B FOSCO & LARSEN    $3.99
SEP190683    TRANSFORMERS #15 CVR A PEREZ    $3.99
SEP190684    TRANSFORMERS #15 CVR B BURCHAM    $3.99
JUL190691    TRANSFORMERS IDW COLL PHASE 2 HC VOL 10    $49.99