Reading Over Shoulders
Hey, can I share your pumkin-spice latte?
The Manga Critic has a couple of posts – first a few reviews and then a list of truly bad manga.
There’s a new Evangelion installment. I’m not sure how I feel about all of these reimaginings. (link via MangaBlog)
Speaking of manga, go get yourself some! Go Gomi is running a pretty big sale.
Comics Should Be Good sparked a lively discussion with this review of Dark Reign.
A.D. New Orleans After the Deluge sounds really powerful. (link via Journalista)
07-Ghost Review or Why I don’t read Shonen
Here’s the basic plot of 07-Ghost volume 1, or as much of it as I could figure out: There’s a kid, Teito who was once a slave but is now an elite student at a military academy. He’s got his best friend Mikage and that’s pretty much it. He overhears something he shouldn’t and ends up having to hijack an aircraft. He crashes into a mountain but is saved by four (hot) bishops who take him to the church where he’s granted sanctuary and nuns give him a bath. Then, he has flashbacks and other stuff happens and a demon tries to eat his soul by giving him his one wish? But thankfully the bishops are skilled fighters and finally a mermaid shows up. Yay, a shape- shifting mermaid! He and the mermaid fall in love but he also has confusing feelings for Mikage. I made that last part up. But that’s what I wanted to happen once I got to the mute mermaid.
I realized then that I am not this book’s reader. I should probably not be its reviewer either but here I am. The problem with 07-Ghost is not that it’s a conventional shonen manga but that I’m not a conventional shonen reader because:
1 There’s about a million characters in a shonen manga and practically all of them are male. There’s only so many hairstyles you can use to differentiate the enormous testosterone driven cast and, inevitably, a few thousand of them are going to look alike. In 07-Ghost I have lost track of who’s who and it’s only the first volume.
2. The fight scenes give me vertigo. I have to hand it to the Japanese. I had never seen fighting like this until I opened a manga. It makes Batman look downright lethargic. There’s extreme close ups, fast action lines, panels crossing each other and blood splatter everywhere, it’s amazing. Unfortunately, there’s extreme close ups, fast action lines, panels crossing each other and blood splatter everywhere. I can’t keep up and usually end up flipping to the end of the battle and hope I can tell who won by who’s left standing. If the main character is in a battle that makes it easier since he’s almost certain to win.
3. The storylines are plot driven and therefore somewhat convoluted. In 07-Ghost Teito is a slave raised by a Father in the church and is a the true son of the King of Raggs. (Yes, the kingdom is actually named Raggs.) And they are protecting the Eye of Mikhail which is now in Teito but the neighboring kingdom broke a treaty and on and on and on. I can’t even get into the demons and church politics which are actually somewhat interesting. Now, if you’re a regular shonen reader you’ll probably love it. If you’re used to all the clans in Naruto then two kingdoms with about 10 Districts seems simple, I’m sure.
I have the other two volumes – thanks Go!Comi sale – so I’m going to be a trooper and stick with it. My final assessment is that it’s a conventional shonen series. It’s lacking the heart and humor of better series like Yu-gi-oh but for regular readers there is probably a lot to enjoy. Goodreads shonen readers certainly seem to like it so I trust there’s something there that I’m missing.
Happy Valentine’s Day
Our week of love comes to an end. You still have today though – so grab a glass of champagne, hug your loved one and read these -
Top 5 Graphic Novels for Valentine’s Day (according to me)
1. Ouran High Host Club -having one boy fall all over himself to get to you is great. Having six (including some hot twins) is even better!!!
2. Fake – this yaoi features a touching relationship between two men who actually appear to like and respect each other. It’s also funny and smiles on Valentine’s are always good.
3. Sand Chronicles – sometimes being in love means breaking your heart and taking that chance is the bravest thing you do.
4. Empowered – ok, so suggesting a graphic novel where the main character sheds her clothes every time she uses her superpower might seem like a weird recommendation coming from me but I promise, you will melt at Empowered’s relationship with one of the villian’s henchman.
5. Canterella – I’m not exactly sure if this is romantic or not, on account of all the evil manipulation, but it is exciting! Anything with the Borgias in it is bound to be a good read.
Or if you hate this holiday, like I know many of you do here’s
The Top 5 Anti-Valentine’s Graphic Novels (once again, according to me)
1. Y the Last Man – you would think that a story about the last man on earth would include some romance or at least a date but nope.
2. Death Note – the only relationship in this manga is soooo cold! .
3. Watchmen – no love lost between these superheroes.
4. V for Vendetta – if Valentine’s Day makes you feel like getting revenge on the world, then this is your pick
5. Marvel Zombies – Spiderman ripping into Mary Jane, literally.
Reading over Shoulders – manga edition
What are you getting the kids for Christmas? Oh, Naruto? Duh.
Welcome to the manga edition. Here’s some links to reviews of I’ve read recently, or not so recently and never found time to review on my own. Plus, a lot of these reviewers are so much more eloquent than me!
If you are looking for a ton of manga news, reviews and industry insider stuff definitely visit MangaBlog. Go, right now!!
I can’t believe About.com has manga reviews but here’s one of Wendy Pini’s Masque of the Red Death. I pretty much agree with this reviewer’s assessment except for one thing: how can “steamy love scenes” possibly be a con?
Apparently, I’m twisted cause I love Fairy Cube.
The Anime News Network reviews Vol. 1-2 of You’re So Cool. While I really enjoyed the artwork, especially “punk” Seung-Ha, this manhwa was just ok.
High School Debut is definitely one of my favorite series this year and volume 6 is reviewed here!
It’s not a new release but Junko Mizuno’s Hansel and Gretal is definitely worth your time. Find out what it’s all about!
