Marina's Sequential Art Journal

The magazines, which are two issues of Maya The Bee (La Abeja Maya) in Spanish I found on eBay, are old , having been printed in 1982. They are not in the best of shapes --the pages are spotty and worn. But they were only $3.00 each and the shipping was free, so that's okay.

They are issues #14 (La Venganza Es Dulce / Revenge Is Sweet) and #17 (Probando Suerte / translates to something like Trying Your Luck.)

They are funny and charming, although the font chosen to letter the comics is awful. Still, it was nice to read a Maya story again. I had read but a single one, when I was little.

The books are two manga volumes, Dr. Slump Vol. 18 (the last one) and Baby & Me Vol. 13. But the nicest one is the Little Lulu one, which is in full color. I am so glad Dark Horse decided to continue with their Little Lulu reprints!

I'm looking forward to all this good reading.

-Marina

My, I hadn't posted anything here in quite some time.

I guess that's because I wanted to dedicate this blog exclusively to comic and graphic novel reviews, and reviews only. As exclusively as possible, anyway --I must admit I haven't always adhered to this rule. Still, in my attempts to do so, I ended up neglecting this blog once again, simply because I cannot allow myself to post a less-than-perfect review. I sometimes work on them for days until I deem them worthy of being posted!

In consideration of this, I've decided that from now on I will just talk about comics here, whenever I want, regardless of whether what I have to say is of much consequence. After all, if I can't talk freely about comics on my own Sequential Art Journal, where else?

That said, I will make a sincere attempt to not let them all be random blabberings.

-Marina

Tail of the Moon Prequel: The Other Hanzo(u) Coming in June 2009!

I was really hoping for this, but didn't expect it to actually happen: Viz will be printing the story that would eventually inspire Rinko Ueda to create one of my favorite manga, Tail of The Moon. This story focuses on Hanzou and Princess Sara. Here's the book description as it appears on Amazon:

Planet Saturday Comics (Vol. 1) by Monty S. Kane

91 pages | Planet Saturday, LLC

Rating: D+

Summary: A series of cute childhood short  stories sometimes featuring Emory, a boy with an overactive imagination, and sometimes the same boy now grown up and with a daughter of his own, Dot.

Some thoughts: It was rather difficult for me to review this little book, of which I received a courtesy copy from the publisher. While I wasn't particularly crazy about it, I really wanted to like it, and it is so clearly a labor of love, that it's though for me to be as brutally honest as I usually am.

First, the good points. I love the artwork. The characters are solid and very dynamic, and the detailed crosshatching is beautiful. However, at places the original pencil lines are still visible; the art is printed in grayscale and there doesn't seem to be a solid, consistent style to the way the drawings (and stories) are presented throughout the book. Given the quality of the crosshatching, I believe the comic would greatly benefit from being printed as pure, no-frills black and white.

I also found the paragraphs that preceded each little comic to be somewhat distracting. While the anecdotes themselves are interesting, I don't feel like I need a preamble to enjoy each story. It disrupts the flow of the book for me.

Finally, I am frankly at a loss of what this book's target audience would be. While some of the comics are ageless and truly charming, others seem to be directed at parents, and yet others are childish and much too simple for my liking. For the record, I believe that an "all ages" book should be entertaining for anyone. I did find some of the stories interesting and/or funny, and all of them were cute, but most didn't really engage me all that much.

Verdict: A sweet, short little book. It took me less than fifteen minutes to read it from cover to cover, so I wouldn't really spend $12.95 on it. I'll keep an eye on the webcomic, though.

-Marina

Happy New Year, folks!

Like many other people, these past few months I've had no recourse other than to cut back on my expenses. This meant buying almost no books at all (not that I'm using that as an excuse for the lack of reviews lately, since my backlog is huge anyway.) The end of the year, however, has blessed me with a pretty decent haul, and then some:


For Christmas, I received Owly: Tiny Tales, Harvey Comics Classics: Baby Huey, Black Jack Vol. 1, and Little Lulu: The Expert. My dear mother gave me two packages, and each package had two books! I was very surprised and delighted.

Not only that, but I got a nice gift card from my boss, which I used to buy The Wicked Wiles of Iznogoud, and some books that aren't comics but I'm very excited about anyway. One of them is Frontier Living, basically a history book detailing the lives and customs of American pioneers in the 18th century. This is a subject that has always fascinated me. It has many detailed illustrations, too, and will be an excellent reference source for me.

The last two books I got are royalty-free illustration collections from Dover. One is all about children, and the other one shows various line-engravings of trinkets and furniture from the Victorian era. Both books contain black and white, very old-style illustrations, which I will use both for reference and inspiration.

You'd think that would be all, but it's not: my design got chosen to be printed on as a sticker for my favorite comic book store, Tate's Comics, and I got a $20.00 gift certificate there.

I haven't spent it yet, but when I do, it will likely be spent on two manga volumes, since that's one of the few things I cannot usually get an Amazon discount on.

As far as comics are concerned, 2008 was a great year for me. I had the pleasure of meeting Andy Runton, Scott McCloud and Art Spiegelman and was able to add some real classics such as Little Orphan Annie and Prince Valiant to my collection.

With the releases of other priceless reprints such as Nancy, the first volume of The Don Rosa Library and Harvey Comics Classics Vol. 5: Harvey Girls among others, this year is looking quite promising as well. I look forward to writing reviews of them all!

-Marina

Prince Valiant, Vol. 30: Arn, Son of Valiant - by Hal Foster

Volume: #30 of #50 | 48 pages | Fantagraphics Books

Rating: A+

Note: In case you never heard about this amazing comic strip by the great Hal Foster, here's an excerpt from its Wikipedia entry (and I recommend you check out the rest of the article):

Prince Valiant in the Days of King Arthur, or simply Prince Valiant, is a comic strip created by Hal Foster. It is an epic adventure that has told a continuous story for its entire history. Today it stands out for its realistic panoramas and intelligent and often humorous narrative, which appears below the pictures, without word balloons. The events shown are historically accurate, but taken from various different time periods ranging from the late Roman Empire to the High Middle Ages, with a few very brief scenes from more modern times commenting on the "manuscript".

Summary:  While I already had an idea of the premise of Prince Valiant, volume #30 was my true introduction to this excellent vintage comic strip.

The book begins as Val and Aleta are headed back to Camelot after a long journey. With them they are bringing Wojan, a kind, honest-looking evangelist monk, as well as his two shady-looking scholars, Sleath and Dustad.

Soon after their arrival, Val is summoned before King Arthur, to whom he must relay the news that he has failed in his mission to establish a safe road to Rome. Once the audience is over, Val heads for the stables, and on his way there he notices that a small crowd has gathered in the courtyard --servants who have interrupted their work to listen to Wojan's preachings.

At the stables, Val learns that his great war horse, Arvak, has become a man-killer again in his absence. But with the help of Aleta (and some oatcakes) Arvak is soon brought back to his old self. 

Meanwhile, more and more of King Arthur's knights and servants are neglecting their duties in order to listen to Wojan, and the king is not at all happy with the situation. A solution presents itself rather unexpectedly when Wojan's scholars declare that they will leave to preach in other places as soon as their are properly equipped with a wagon, horses, supplies, and gold. Reluctantly, King Arthur agrees.

Wojan and his scholars leave the castle, but to the amazement and shock of Val and King Arthur, they are followed by all of the castle servants, guards, hostlers --everyone who had been listening to the monk's compelling sermons.

As they travel, they add more followers to their already numerous group, and soon Wojan's hungry pilgrims are pillaging the land. This only adds to King Arthur's worries and to the urgency of the situation, but Val has an idea: since hunger is the driving force of these fanatics, perhaps food could help to make them listen to reason.

The focus of the rest of the volume is on young Arn, Prince Valiant's son, first as he becomes lost exploring the fens where his father spent his boyhood, then as he finds himself kidnapped and rescued in a rather amusing manner, and finally as he is promoted from page to novice, thus beginning his training as a warrior. His prowess and cunning both are soon put to the test in the events that follow.

The book contains pages 1321 (July 15, 1962) through 1372 (May 26, 1963.)

Some thoughts:  I had seen a couple of Prince Valiant pages on one of Will Eisner's books on sequential art; I forget exactly which one. And despite the poor quality of the black-and-white printing of those pages, I was as much taken by the beautiful artwork as by the original manner of storytelling.

Then I came across more of it online, in color, and liked it even better. After I had the good fortune of running into scans of certain scenes featuring Val and Aleta, I was absolutely, completely hooked, and felt I had to have this in my library.

Well... Easier said than done. Most Prince Valiant volumes, which were reprinted by Fantagraphics, are out of print, incredibly expensive (sometimes upwards of $150.00) and that is if you can even find the books. They're paperbacks too, hardly over 50 pages long, which only makes it harder to find them in decent shape.

But not all of them are unaffordable, so I decided to buy only certain volumes, at least for the time being. I've given up on buying the ones I want the most for now (such as Vol. #10 "Aleta" and Vol. #11 "Intrigues at Camelot") since they are especially rare and expensive, though not the rarest or most expensive of all. I'm sure a good chance to snag them will come along eventually.

Favorite page: Page #1344 (or page #20 in the book) in which Aleta, weary of court life, takes Arn along and goes to see Val. Their meeting is very sweet.

Favorite panel: It'd have to be the last panel in the page mentioned above (panel #6, page #1344.) Val and Aleta are caught in a fond embrace as Arn scowls in the background.

What I liked best: The artwork --gorgeous, dramatic, detailed and adding to the excellent narrative with all sorts of little details. The panels are the kind you get absolutely lost in.

What I didn’t like: I can't say there's anything other than the smell of cigarette smoke the book had, being secondhand, but that doesn't count, of course!

Verdict: A classic that puts any newspaper comic strip of today to shame, Prince Valiant is definitely worth hunting down --but upwards of $100.00 can be a painful price to pay for some of the rarest volumes. This ought to be reprinted again, simple as that. But I fear if they do reprint it, chances are it will either be recolored (ugh!) or in black and white. So, if I have the chance to get an extremely rare volume in really good condition at such a price, chances are I'd buy it. That ought to tell you something about how highly I think of this comic.

Buy this book on Amazon.com.

-Marina

Okay, I usually post only comic and graphic novel reviews on this journal, but this is relevant enough. Last Saturday I went to the Miami Book Fair International for the first time. Not only it was fair's 25th anniversary, but it was also the first time it featured the Comix Galaxy. This included a series of comprehensive programs pertaining comics and graphic novels, which included panels by  well-known authors such as Art Spiegelman, Scott McCloud and many others, as well as a number of popular webcomic authors.

There was also a huge, air-conditioned tent for the comic book vendors to set up their booths in. There I was delighted to see Tate's Comics, my local comic book store (which, if you live in the area, you have got to check out!) At this tent you could snag a few goodies, which of course I did:
Aah...!! Was he glaring at me? I really got a chill down my spine! In any case, I put my camera away! I'm sorry, Mr. Spiegelman! Am I just too paranoid? Sigh...

Here are the sketches he drew for me, by the way:


Before Spiegelman began to speak, Scott McCloud introduced him. I love the guy and his books, and meeting him was really what I looked forward to most of all. I got to shake his hand after Spiegelman's panel, and he had such a warm, strong, honest handshake that gave me a really good feeling. What a guy! I asked him if he could sign my books later, and he said he would.

Well, when I approached him again after his panel (which was also very interesting and a lot of fun) a Fair volunteer said a place had been set up for him to autograph books. Mr. McCloud then said that I would be first in line because he had promised me earlier that he'd sign them for me (nobody else had actually gone and asked him, I guess.) So I waited, along with another guy, for him to leave the conference room and go wherever the line would be. But then, that line was terribly long and I got lost among the people. I didn't want to bother anyone so I went to the end of the line. And wouldn't you know --he actually asked a volunteer to find me! It was a little embarrassing, but I sure felt special! Ha ha... It made me very happy. I had Making Comics and Understanding Comics with me, and he was nice enough to sign them both:


All in all the Fair was crazy fun, despite the long lines and waits (well, except in the case above, heh.) I may just go next year, too, provided their continue with this Comix Galaxy thing. Now, if only they'd invite Marjane Satrapi...!

-Marina

The Shiniest Jewel: A Family Love Story - by Marian Henley

176 pages | Springboard Press

Rating: B+

Summary: The Shiniest Jewel: A Family Love Story, is a memoir. It isn't mushy, and it isn't gentle --it's raw, it's real, heartrending and ultimately uplifting.

In it, Marian, an unmarried cartoonist whose 50th birthday is looming, makes the life-changing decision of adopting a child from Russia.

This, however, is a feat that turns out to be much easier said than done, and it proves to be an emotional roller-coaster for Marian, one that is only made harder to bear when her father's health begins to deteriorate from complications after a surgery. Soon Marian finds herself on a race against time --one in which all she can do is wait and hope that the adoption process will be completed in time for her adopted son to meet her dying father.

Marian also finds her life rapidly changing when Rick, the kind, caring man she has been seeing for seven years, finally asks her to marry him. But can she get over their age difference (he's 13 years younger than she is) and her fear of being tied down?

Some thoughts: As someone who has been interested in adoption since childhood, I had a lot of interest in this book. I really did not imagine that adoption could be such a harsh, unfriendly process, and seeing what Marian has to go through before her son is finally by her side was at times appalling and at times heartbreaking.

Favorite panel: Page #6 in page 109, which shows a door opening, and Igor's little leg as he comes into the room. I held my breath at that frame. Probably because I, too, hope to adopt a child someday, and wonder what it will be like, meeting him or her. I also liked page 29, which is a whole panel in itself. The falling snow was drawn with such care and attention to detail. The illustration captures the magic of the moment very well.

What I liked best: The story flows very smoothly, and the artist's visual metaphors are excellent, in particular those that show all the pains, ups and downs that her poor heart is made to go through. It was funny, tender, and accurate as well. 

What I didn’t like: The art style, while definitely expressive and charming, was not my cup of tea. That's not to say I hated it --but it's what I liked the least about this book.

Verdict: Overall, this is a touching, poignant memoir that merits a place on your bookshelf right next to Craig Thompson's Blankets and Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis. Worth reading and sharing with others.

This review is based on a complimentary copy kindly provided by publisher Springboard Press.

Buy this book on Amazon.com.

-Marina

Baby & Me (Vol. 10) - by Marimo Ragawa

Volume: #10 of #18 | 210 pages | Viz

Rating: B+ (The chapters dedicated to the Kimura family dragged on a little for me. Otherwise, this is a great volume.)

Summary:  On chapter #51, Mr. Mukai makes his second appearance, much to my delight. The mysterious and slightly creepy (but very devoted) director of Minoru's nursery school wants to cheer the children up on a dreary, rainy day. To this purpose he makes 200 little teru-teru bozu dolls, but, as usual, he only manages to scare the children instead.

Later, the teachers become curious as to how old Mr. Mukai is, and what he looks like behind the sunglasses that he never, ever takes off. But Mr. Mukai isn't about to tell them or show them his eyes, which only adds to their curiosity (personally, I'm suspecting he must be young and/or quite good looking, though I do wonder if we will get to find out before the series ends.)

Chapters #52 thru #54, a good chunk of this volume, are all about the Kimura family (Seiichi, Tomoko and baby Taichi.) There is intense bickering going on in the Kimura household, and as usual the cause of it are Seiichi's gambling habits. As in the past, Takuya and his family find themselves involved in the feud whether they like it or not.

Chapter #55 was my favorite. I just can't get enough of Ichika and Ma-Bo! In this chapter, their big brother Akihiro (Takuya's classmate) is sick with a cold. He's weak, dizzy and mildly delirious, and Ichika and Ma-Bo's well-meaning attempts at making him feel better all backfire. The situation looks bad for Akihiro until Takuya comes to the rescue of his feverish friend.

The last chapter concerns another classmate of Takuya's, Nanami Takenaka. He's a gentle boy who sorely feels the absence of his father, a seaman who is gone from home for months at a time. One day, when he wakes up, Nanami has an, erm, surprise... And it's one he needs to talk to his father about. With his father not there and his mother not being an option, the troubled boy goes over to Takuya's house, to talk to Takuya's father Harumi. Though Nanami's fears are apparently appeased, Takuya isn't very happy that his father and his classmate are keeping a secret from him...

Recommended to fans of: Aishiteruze Baby, Yotsuba&!

Some thoughts: In one of the author talks on the side of the page, Marimo Ragawa fumes about a letter than a Japanese reader sent her, asking her to "get her act together" and complaining that this series is turning into "Co-Stars & Me." While I think this reader was rather harsh and rude, I do have to agree that there was a lot more focus on the relationship between Takuya and Minoru in the first few volumes, and that seems to have come to a bit of a standstill. I'm alright with lots of side-characters so long as the stories that feature them prominently have some sort of impact in Takuya, Minoru or the relationship between them, at least in some or most of them. Many don't, even if Takuya and Minoru appear in them.

I can't complain about stories that only concern the Fujii household, however. Akihiro is cool, his older brother Tomoya is cool and hot, and little Ichika and Ma-Bo are as cute as Minoru, and even cuter when they are together. I can't get enough of them all.

Favorite chapter: Chapter #55, in which Akihiro is sick with a cold and he must endure what to him feels like merciless torture from his little brother and sister, who only mean to help him feel better. While poor Akihiro is trying to rest, Ichika and Ma-Bo break a mirror and a thermometer, then drop soup on the floor (and complain that they are hungry and there is nothing else to eat.) Takuya eventually comes to take care of things, but peace doesn't last very long. When Ichika cuts some of Ma-Bo's hair and her exhausted, angry older brother scolds her, she runs away, taking Minoru and Ma-Bo with her... to Takuya's house.

The chapter is very cute, as are all the stories featuring these two little ones. I hope Ragawa-sensei keeps drawing stories with them.

Favorite panel: Panel #2 in page 153, in which Takuya suddenly takes Minoru over his knee and starts spanking him. That was so funny and cute and unexpected! The surprised look on Minoru's face was priceless, I loved it!

Favorite quote: "They're all going thwough pooberty. They're emotionally unstable." Ma-Bo to Harumi, referring to his older brothers and sisters. I love how intelligent Ma-Bo is and how well he talks even though he is younger than Minoru!

What I liked best: The chapter in which Akihiro is sick and Takuya comes over to take care of him. Also, in chapter #52, I liked when Seiichi asks Takuya to read him a letter that Tomoko sent him (Seiichi's staying over at the Enokis' because Tomoko kicked him out.) Whatever the note says, we never find out, but Takuya starts to cry, and after his father takes a look at the letter, he tells Seiichi that children shouldn't read such words. It was so funny!

What I didn’t like: The whole thing about the Kimuras was a little too long for me.

Verdict: An enjoyable read. Baby & Me is one of the few manga that I can read again and again while I wait for the next volume to come out. If you've never taken a look at this series, do so. It's worth every penny and should be part of your collection.

Buy this book on Amazon.com.

-Marina

Tail of the Moon (Vol. 13) - by Rinko Ueda

Volume: #13 of #15 | 210 pages | Viz

Rating: B

Summary: (Warning: Spoilers ahead!) Usagi, Mamezo and Yukimaru continue their journey to visit the hermit, with the added company of Kotaro "Taro" Fuma, the dangerous leader of the Fuma clan who is seeking Usagi to kill her (she has stolen a scroll from Odawara Castle.)

Neither Kotaro nor Usagi and her companions know of the other's identity, at least for a while. When Mamezo opens his cute big mouth to boast of Usagi's ninja skills, including her recent achievement at Odawara, Kotaro morphs into his comically ferocious clan-leader self and is ready to kill Usagi when two familiar faces show up to the rescue: Usagi's great-grandfather Master Tanba and her grandfather Sandayu! They soon make short work of Kotaro and there is a happy, tearful reunion.

Usagi and her companions are led to a small village built at the top of the mountain by the survivors of the Iga clan (which include Yuri and the elder.) Usagi is at first upset that they did not come to get her, and her grandfather tells her that he would have liked to, but Master Tanba wanted to watch Usagi stand on her own two feet and grow up. Which worked out well, I guess, though it still feels a little cruel to me. I suppose Usagi wouldn't have become independent any other way.

Sadly, Usagi's hopes that Hanzo may too be alive are soon dashed --he is not among the survivors. She also hears that Goemon has been stealing things at the capital, and follows her great-grandfather to find him and bring him to his senses.

When they find Goemon, who is stealing in order to rebuilt the Iga clan, he professes his love for Usagi once again, and tells her that he will only stop stealing if she marries him. Usagi is torn. She does not love Goemon that way and still cannot forget about Hanzo.

Adding to her worries is a sudden confession from Yukimaru, who claims to love her too, though he does not pressure her, as he merely wanted to be able to express his feelings to her. Usagi, touched by Yuki's devotion to her, makes the sudden decision of asking him to make her his wife (to which Yuki responds by fainting.)

Of course, Yukimaru agrees once he comes to. But while they still are at the capital, Usagi is kidnapped and taken to Ranmaru. Ranmaru also wants Usagi for himself, but he is not happy with what she has become (a real kunoichi.) He is about to kill her when a fire breaks out. Ranmaru leaves Usagi to die. Trapped, she eventually faints due to the smoke, only to be rescued by a mysterious masked man who returns her, unconscious, to Yukimaru. Though the man --a ninja-- leaves as quickly and silently as he arrived, Yukimaru is almost certain that he is Hanzo.

When Usagi awakes, she thinks Yuki saved her... and Yuki lets her believe it. How long will he be able to keep this secret to himself? Knowing him, probably not past the next volume's first chapter. But is that mysterious man really Hanzo, or will Usagi's hopes be dashed all over again?

Some thoughts: When Usagi cries because she could not fulfill her promise of giving birth to Hanzo's children and showing them to the hermit, I was reminded that "bearing Hanzo's child" is Usagi's main objective. Having Hanzo fall in love with her and marry her was an obvious, necessary  step, and indeed this much she has accomplished. But it made me realize that we should get to see Hanzo and Usagi's children provided the story has a happy ending. I can't imagine that Ueda-sensei wouldn't draw them since she has previously stated that she loves to draw little children. I wonder if they'll have a whole bunch of them? This has now become what I look forward to seeing the most!

Favorite chapter: Chapter #85. It was the one that featured Kotaro Fuma the most and he was what I liked the most about this volume. He was very funny and a nice change from the previous tragic chapters.

Favorite panel: I liked page 75, which is a whole frame in itself. Usagi is hugging Goemon from behind and crying. It's a pretty frame, and I like the pleased look in Goemon's face.

Favorite quote: "You stare at me like that again and I'll △△ your ◯◯◯!!" a young Suzune to lechy toddler Hanzou in one of the "Little Hanzo" four-panel comic strips (yes, it was written with those symbols!)

What I liked best: Kotaro Fuma. Back in volume #12, he was so frightening and savage-looking in his first appearance, and so creepily friendly, loud and good-humored in the second, that I didn't know what to make of him. I expected him to become a terrible foe to Usagi and her companions. And well, he does almost kill Usagi, but that doesn't make him any less appealing. I love the guy! He's hysterical. His entire demeanor changes in the wink of an eye along with his mood --and he's either murderous, livid with rage, or amiable and full of enthusiasm; there's no middle ground with him. Watching not just his whole face, but his entire body language change along with his unstable moods is as entertaining as it is scary! I hope we get to see a lot more of him before this series ends.

Also, as in volume #12, I loved all the "Little Hanzo" four-panel comics.

What I didn’t like: Master Tanba is too cruel... I know Usagi had to grow up for better or worse when she thought there was no one left but her and Mamezo, but still. Living a whole year with the belief that everyone is dead. Usagi would have become more mature just by losing Hanzo. To think that almost everyone else was alive! (all the characters we care about anyway.) I would have been very resentful, had I been her. But I guess she was too happy to have everyone back to stay angry for very long.

Also... Yukimaru annoys me. As a man, I mean. He's the kind of man I can't stand, weak both in body and spirit, and even more delicate and whiny than some girls. He's sweet, and  a good guy, but I feel pity and even some contempt for him. Goemon would have been a better choice for Usagi, I think... Especially since she was excited about marrying him way back when, before she and Hanzo met.

Speaking of Goemon, poor Yuri. I wonder if she'll have enough time to win his heart before the series ends? She's so devoted to him. I'm sure she will, but at this point it may not be quite believable... Goemon has loved Usagi for so long!

Verdict: It was a good one. Feels a tad slow in comparison to the previous, very intense, emotionally charged volume --but only in comparison. I liked it. Just two more volumes and Tail of the Moon will be over... Overall, I'm glad I'm following this series until the end. It's among my favorite ones. I have to admit I'm with mangamaniac: why wasn't  it made into an anime?

Buy this book on Amazon.com.

-Marina</lj>

Inubaka (Vol. 10) - by Yukiya Sakuragi

Volume: #10 of #13* | 216 pages | Viz

*This series is still undergoing publication in Shueisha's Weekly Young Jump.

Rating: C (An okay volume. I'm hoping at some point this series will again touch me as it did back in volume #8.)

Summary: There's basically three stories in this volume. The first and second chapters deal with Zidane-chan's weight problem, continued from volume #9 (in case you don't remember, Zidane is the cute little French bulldog belonging to pop-idol otaku Hidoshi Akiba.) It was funny and cute; these were my favorite chapters in the book.

The third chapter is a short, cute little story in which we learn how Lupin got his name. We see a lot of puppy Lupin in it. I must say, with some surprise, that I find adult Lupin cuter. Or rather, I don't find puppy Lupin as cute as I thought I would. I wonder why? Other than that, the fact that we never get to hear the story behind Suguri's dog collar (and how Lupin's grandfather once saved her life) seems to be becoming sort of a running gag...

The rest (and most) of the book deals with an event that may forever alter the fate of pet shop Woofles --and certainly not for the better. An enormous new pet shop, operated by major online pet store WanWan, opens right across the street from Woofles with much fanfare. Its dazzling amenities worry Teppei, and even cause him to feel jealous. To think that someone else could create the pet shop of his dreams so easily!

But the dangers of this new rival aren't limited to taking away Woofles's customers: they plan to steal Suguri and her valuable skills as well! To this purpose, they plant a spy in Teppei's pet shop, young Ryusuke Mikage. Will he be able to convince Suguri to leave Woofles and become a Wan Kaw employee instead?

Favorite panel: Panel #2 on page 61, chapter #100: Legend of Little Lupin. Of all the drawings of puppy Lupin in the chapter, this close-up of his face is the cutest.

What I liked best: Lots of Zidane in this book. He's one of my favorite canine characters in Inubaka.

What I didn’t like: Somehow, I found puppy Lupin's penchant for sticking his nose up girls' skirts more off-putting than comical.

Verdict: Eh, it's alright. It was a little dull when compared to earlier volumes. Not enough interaction between Teppei and Suguri, nor any changes in their very slow moving (okay, pretty much non-existent) relationship. Not a book I would  normally buy except for the fact it's part of a series I really like. Hoping the next one is better.

Buy this book on Amazon.com.

-Marina

Heaven!! (Vol. 1) - by Shizuru Seino

Volume: #1 of #3 | 200 pages | TokyoPop

A little note: This book doesn't have page numbers at all, or even well-defined chapters, so I had to count the pages in order to point out my favorite frames, scenes and such. I'm hoping I got them right.

Rating: A (Ridiculous, yet absolutely delightful.)

Summary: I picked this book up because I liked the cute monkey on the cover. When I flipped it open, the first few pages seemed so out there, the premise so weird and yet oddly clichéd, that I was put off almost enough to place it back on the shelf. I'm so glad that I didn't!

In volume #1 of Heaven!!, high school student Rinne Ito storms into the scene swinging a harisen around her classroom as she tries to smack a wayward, cute little ghost all the way to Heaven. This is because she's a medium, though neither her classmates nor her teachers buy that, since she is the only one who can see these ghosts.

Rinne runs out of the school chasing the little ghost, and, in her distraction, almost gets run over by a truck. However, she is saved by the school delinquent, Masaharu Uzaki, who ends up in a coma as a result.

Uzaki's angry disembodied spirit, which Rinne can of course see clearly, haunts her to get him back to his body. Rinne has no idea how to accomplish this. Still, she and Uzaki go see his comatose body in the hospital --only to find it busy groping a pretty young nurse!

It turns out a promiscuous god by the name of Keiju has possessed Uzaki's body, and is adamant to have its fun with it before giving it back. Uzaki has little choice in the matter, especially after Keiju traps his spirit inside a pink stuffed monkey. He can only watch in dispair as Keiji ruins his yankee reputation, becomes the adored child of his family, and dazzles all of the school's female contingent --Rinne more than anyone else!

Favorite panel: Panel #1 on page 126. The expression on Rinne's face as she prompts Keiju to apologize is hilarious, frightening, and priceless. She looks like a yakuza!

Favorite quotes: "I'm the god of good times!! The god of tastiness!!" Keiju, on panel #2 of page 51, along with this one by pink-monkey Uzaki on panel #4 of page 79: "What you're clutching so lovingly in your hands... are my sister's dirty panties!!"

What I liked best: The artwork. Clean, controlled, and beautifully toned. Also, the character's facial expressions in certain scenes were hysterical. The only other manga I've read in which the character's faces have made me laugh out loud like this would Kubonouchi Eisaku's Chocolat (that, if I might add, is a manga I'd really love to see licensed.)

And of course, I loved the fact that tough-guy Uzaki gets trapped into the body of a pink (pink!) stuffed monkey. That's what attracted me to this manga in the first place.

What I didn’t like: There was nothing in this book I didn't like. I just have a horrible fear that the story will be ruined in the next two volumes, because I liked this one way too much!

Verdict: An unexpectedly delightful romp. While it doesn't ever seem to take itself seriously, it is perfectly executed, and I am looking forward to more.

Buy this book on Amazon.com.

-Marina

Baby & Me (Vol. 8) - by Marimo Ragawa

Volume: #8 of #18 | 194 pages | Viz

Rating: A+ (Moving, funny and adorable as always. This volume's cover is especially cute!)

Summary: As it is generally the norm with Baby & Me, each chapter in this volume covers an individual story.

Chapter #39 introduces the character of Minoru's nursery school principal, Mr. Yoji Mukai. Mr. Mukai is a bit of an odd guy with a strong love and devotion for children. Unfortunately, children are generally afraid of him, so his hopes that they will celebrate his upcoming birthday aren't very high...

Chapter #40 is a Christmas story featuring the Fujii family, and it is my favorite chapter in this volume. See "Favorite chapter" below for a more detailed review.

In chapter #41, Takuya and Minoru find an old abandoned dog. They would like to keep him, but they will have to convince their father first.

In chapter #42, Harumi's coworkers come over to the Enoki residence for a late (and unplanned) New Year's party. Later, Tomoko, Seiichi and baby Taichi join in, and most everyone gets quite drunk, with the exception of Harumi and (of course) the kids. As Harumi interacts with his coworkers, Takuya gets a glimpse of what his father is like at work.

I found chapter #43 a bit confusing and a bit dragging. In it, Seiichi takes Takuya and Minoru along when he goes to play pachinko. There they meet two little girls who are waiting for their mother with their "uncle" Matsuda (their mother's boyfriend.) The girls' mother is supposed to bring money to pay a loan that Matsuda guaranteed. But when the loan shark and his cronies show up before the girls' mother does, it'll be up to Seiichi to save Matsuda from them.  

Chapter #44 is my second favorite in this volume. Poor Takuya gets the mumps, and he and his father have a hard time until he starts to get better. But it's then that things get really bad: Minoru gets an even worse case of them, and Harumi can hardly cope with the burden of work along with taking care of him. Both he and the boys feel the lack of a mother in the house, and Takuya feels hurt when his overworked father won't allow him to stay from school to take care of Minoru so that he can get some rest, which leads to one of the most tender moments in the book.

Recommended to fans of: Aishiteruze Baby, Yotsuba&!.

Favorite chapter: Though it's always a hard choice with Baby & Me, I have to say chapter #40. Not only it is my favorite chapter in the book, it is one of my favorite chapters of all I've read of this series so far.

It's an adorable little Christmas story featuring the Fujii family. Ma-Bo and Ichika, who've never actually had a Christmas party at home, are excited and wondering if Santa will bring them presents.

Bored after the whole family except Akihiro has left the house, they decide to prepare a Christmas party all by themselves. So they pool their savings (which amounts to about $3.30) and go out to buy cake and chicken. To Ma-Bo's disappointment, all they can buy are two chicken wing tips and and a slice of strawberry shortcake. They take this home, along with a little bottle of sparkling cider that Takuya gives them.

When the rest of the family gets home, they are rather puzzled, but they play along and so Ichika and Ma-Bo get to have their little Christmas party with everyone. Their selflessness does not go unrewarded, as their siblings and parents have all bought them presents for them to find the next morning.

The chapter is drawn and written with such tenderness, it really left me longing for Christmas season. I'm glad it's not too far off!

Favorite panel: Panel #2 in page 164, chapter #44. A teary Minoru is biting his spoon while asking where his "bwaza" is (Takuya is in bed because he has the mumps.)

Favorite quote: "How can grownups say they feel bad, then shrug things off like that?" Takuya, on frame #2 of page 74, chapter #41, when his father won't let him keep an old abandoned dog. This really got to me, because I remember thinking literally the same thing when my mother would not let me keep or even feed a stray puppy or kitten even though she also felt sorry for it. Nowadays, I feel I have become like this, too, and it makes me a little sad.

I also liked Minoru's "Happy Boofday," to Mr. Mukai on frame #4 of page 32, chapter #39.

What I liked best: How creeped out Minoru gets when he sees Takuya's sleeping face after someone put heavy makeup on him. And then, when he goes off to find his father, the latter is wearing dinosaur pajamas, so Minoru doesn't recognize him and is frozen stiff with horror. That was very funny.

I also liked the bits when Takuya is crying. It makes him look more like a kid (which he is, really.) He acts very mature a lot of the time, so it's especially heartbreaking when something hurts him so much that he actually cries. Usually, it makes me cry too, and this time was no exception (see chapter #44.)

What I didn’t like: There isn't anything I truly disliked in this volume. Chapter #43 was my least favorite, but I wouldn't say it was bad.

Verdict: Another really good volume, definitely worth buying. Baby & Me is one of the best slice-of-life manga out there!

Buy this book on Amazon.com.

-Marina

Lucky Luke, Vol. 2: Ghost Town - by Morris & Goscinny

Volume: #2 of #14* | 48 pages | Cinebook

*Up to 14 volumes have been announced so far by publisher Cinebook.

Rating: B

Summary: As he wanders astride Jolly Jumper along with a loaded mule, Lucky Luke runs into two men of questionable character; tall, smooth-talking Denver Miles and his short, less intelligent companion Colorado Bill. They introduce themselves as business men, though Lucky Luke suspects them to be cheating gamblers from the start due to their being covered in feathers and tar.

Nevertheless, he allows one of them to ride the mule, and together they follow a stream in hopes of finding a town. They do, but it's a deserted ghost town, Gold Hill. It isn't altogether uninhabited, however, as they come to find out. An old man, Powell, soon shows up with his gun and tells them to scram: he thinks Lucky Luke and his companions are after some mine of his. He shows them the way to a nearby town, Bingo Creek.

Once there, they learn that old man Powell, back when he was a young prospector, was cheated into buying an empty, worthless mine under the false promise that there was gold in it. Soon, word got around that there was gold in that hill, causing a town to be built practically in a matter of days as men came from all over looking for it. Of course, no one found any, and the town became deserted as quickly as it had been built. Powell, however, with nothing left to his name but a worthless mine, refused to give up, and continued to look for gold year after year, all the while afraid that someone would steal his mine.

Upon hearing this story, Denver Miles and Colorado Bill decide they will get Powell's mine and plant some gold there to resell it. Their nefarious plan causes a false gold rush all over again, and when the crooks attempt to pit the town against old Powell, it'll be up to Lucky Luke to save the day.

Recommended to fans of: Asterix, Yakari, The Smurfs, and other European comics.

Favorite panel: Panel #4, on page 19. Lucky Luke and old Powell are talking inside an abandoned school building. The blackboard shows an unfinished triangle, and Lucky Luke observes, "People must have really left this town quickly."

Favorite quote: "We had an accident... We fell into a barrel of tar, which blinded us, and so we stumbled into a chicken hutch... Confused, we quickly left the town where this accident happened..." Denver Miles, explaining why he and his partner are covered in tar and feathers in panel #3 of page 3.

What I liked best: I found Denver Miles and Colorado Bill to be just hilarious. The graphics, as usual, are stunning; the dialog cleverly written.

What I didn’t like: Nothing. I loved it from cover to cover.

Verdict: This is one of my favorite Lucky Luke albums so far.  For a comic that's only 48 pages long, it takes a while to read, too, which is good. You get a solid, funny, long story for a mere ten bucks.

Buy this book on Amazon.com.

-Marina

Tail of the Moon (Vol. 12) - by Rinko Ueda

Volume: #12 of #15 | 176 pages | Viz

Rating: A+ (Shocking, heartbreaking, leaves you desperate for more.)

Summary: Warning: This review contains MAJOR spoilers! So if you don't want to have this volume --and possibly the climax of the story-- spoiled, then please don't read it. Or you'll hate me (though really, you'll be the only one to blame.)

Now, if you don't care about that, then read on.

(...takes deep breath...)

Usagi is officially a ninja! She and Hanzo get married! Yes, for real! Then comes Nobunaga's surprise attack on Iga, and.... Hanzo dies. Along with a score of other people, including Usagi's childhood friend Kame.

Okay, we know Hanzo can't *really* die. Tail of the Moon is a romantic comedy, after all, and he's present on the last volume cover. But to Usagi, for all appearances, he does die, and because you know how much this hurts her, it hurts you, too, as if he had died for good. And it's not only him, but also Usagi's great-grandfather, master Tanba, and her grandfather Sandayu. Yuri's fate isn't known for sure, but it is assumed everyone in Iga has perished under Oda Nobunaga's attack. Only Usamaru, the puppy, is found alive by Mamezo, hidden among the rubble in the body-littered battlefield.

The only death of a more or less important character that is definitely irreversible is that of Usagi's childhood friend Kame. She gives her life to protect Usagi, and dies in her arms. Usagi finds her body again days later, in the bloody field where the battle took place, along with the bodies of the rest of the Iga ninja. It's heartbreaking and quite a shock, as much as to Usagi as to the reader.

Still, it's not as heartbreaking as Hanzo's apparent death. It is especially poignant because a whole year goes by, and we see Usagi looking much more mature, with an older (but still cute) Mamezo. The thought that during this entire year Usagi has believed Hanzo to be dead really got to me. Especially when it becomes known that she has not shed a tear since the events took place. Usagi looks --and acts-- like a completely different woman.

A year after the attack, Usagi is again working for Lord Ieyasu in Okazaki castle, along with Mamezo. Yukimaru, Lord Ieyasu's previous herbalist, has just come back from the West, and Usagi is so changed with her long hair and strikingly different demeanor, that he does not recognize her right away. When he gives her his condolences, Usagi avoids the subject, which puzzles and worries Yuki. Hanzou (Princess Sara's Hanzou) tells him how he found Usagi and brought her to Okazaki after the attack on Iga, but she would not speak for a whole month, which only worries Yukimaru more.

We also find out that Goemon is alive and well and has been coming to visit Usagi, but she does not want to see him.

Away from there, in Odawara castle, trouble is brewing for Usagi. She stole a blueprint of the castle for Lord Ieyasu, and in doing so angered a very dangerous, fearsome man: Kotaro Fuma, leader of the Fuma clan, which is known as the greatest ninja clan in the Kanto region.

Determined to help Usagi come to terms with Hanzo's death, Yukimaru convinces Lord Ieyasu to give Usagi the assignment of going up to the mountains of Iga, where a "monster" is rumored to be living. Yuki is certain this must be the ancestor Usagi met a long time ago.

Usagi goes, but reluctantly, and fakes being ill in an attempt to have the trip cancelled. When she does not succeed, they continue traveling, and come across a man who is "looking for a certain woman" and who calls himself "Taro." He is clearly Kotaro Fuma (the name, the fangs, the hair) but he looks a lot less savage than in his previous appearance. Which creeps me out something awful, along with his constant, loud laughing for no clear reason. He does not seem to be aware of Usagi's identity.

As they approach Iga, Usagi sees a broken statue carved by her great-grandfather, and her grief finally becomes too much to hold as her memories catch up with her. After she falls apart on Yukimaru's arms and finally cries her heart out, Usagi is a little bit back to her old self, and is ready to go visit her ancestor, the hermit. So they continue to travel, with the dangerous company of "Taro" Fuma.

Favorite chapter: Chapters #80-81, the last time Usagi sees Hanzo, and her discovery of his death along with the destruction of the Iga clan. Painful to read, to be sure, but worth every pang. I didn't imagine this series would manage to make me cry.

Favorite panel: Page 97, which is a whole frame in itself. It comes after Usagi realizes that Hanzo has been killed, and she tells Mamezo, "Don't raise your voice when you cry."

Favorite quote: "I can't pay you back, but I'll repay you with my body!!" Taro (Kotaro Fuma) to Usagi, who has paid his tab after he tried to eat and run, in frame #2 of page 157, chapter #83.

What I liked best: It was great to see Mamezo grow up. Best of all were the four-panel "Little Hanzo" comic strips. Adorable!

What I didn’t like: It makes me sad to know that the Iga clan really is destroyed for good. The book itself was great, I haven't any real complaints.

Verdict: The best volume in the series yet.

Buy this book on Amazon.com.

-Marina

Tail of the Moon (Vol. 11) - by Rinko Ueda

Volume: #11 of #15 | 184 pages | Viz

Rating: B- (Not one of my favorites, but not too bad either.)

Summary: (Warning: Spoilers ahead!) This volume continues --appropriately-- where volume #10 left off: Hanzo and Usagi are still in the cave, naked, and starting to get busy. Usagi's loud moan literally makes Hanzo's ears ring. That's pretty hilarious.

They are soon interrupted, however, by a Kouga ninja who attacks them. Hanzo is wounded by a poisoned ninja star while protecting Usagi with his body, which leaves him pretty useless for the rest of the volume. Usagi must then make use of her cunning as well as her skills as a herbalist in order to get the herbs she needs and prepare the medicine that will save Hanzo's life.

Later, Mamezo is kidnapped by a strange but kindly bearded man whom we had already seen briefly in a previous volume. He turns out to be Mamezo's grandfather. Mamezo (whose real given name is actually Yasuhito) belongs to the noble Ichijo family, and Usagi must make the very hard choice to give him up and force him to stay with them, where he would have a promising future. Mamezo is heartbroken. So is Usagi, but she and Hanzo still leave for Iga without him.

Soon afterward, Mamezo gets to meet his father, mother and baby brother Fumihito, but he gets no comfort or tenderness from them. His mother claims she cannot love a child who suddenly turns up and whom she had already accepted as spirited away years ago.

So Mamezo, unhappy and troubled, stays with his grandfather, who seems to care for him but shows no tenderness toward him either. When Usagi forces her way into the house to see Mamezo one last time, Mamezo's grandfather realizes it is too late for the boy to become a court noble, and leaves him under Usagi's care.

All seems well as everyone arrives in Iga, a happy Mamezo in Hanzo's arms. Yet, unbeknownst to them, Nobunaga has been informed of Mitsuhide's treason by Ranmaru, and is sending Mitsuhide himself to attack Iga...

Some thoughts: I am writing this review after reading volume #12. I remember that, when I first read volume #11, I was a little taken aback by Usagi's demeanor in some scenes, most of all when she realizes that Watari's sick "father" is the Kouga ninja that attacked and poisoned Hanzo. In this scene, Usagi is so livid with rage, she begins to choke the defenseless man. I was shocked by her murderous expression and the fact that she was really trying to kill him, even if she stopped herself and saved his life instead. It seemed out of character for her (the murderous intent, I mean.)

Now, as I re-read it, this to me hints at what Usagi will be like after the experiences she goes through in volume #12. I'm not sure if I'm explaining myself correctly here. If you've read both volumes, drop me a comment and tell me if you don't see a connection there, too.

Favorite chapter: Chapter #77, when Mamezo is reunited with Usagi. The drawings are adorable. Mamezo looks cuter in this chapter than in any other yet.

Favorite panel: Frame #4 on page 37 of chapter #72, where Hanzo has (apparently) healed completely and Usagi is hugging him, crying tears of relief. I really like Hanzo's flustered expression on this frame.

What I liked best: I'd have to say it would be Mamezo finding his folks. Those chapters are beautifully drawn, and they didn't bore me as much as the rest of the book.

What I didn’t like: This volume was a little more serious than most. I prefer the more lighthearted ones. I was also rather disappointed by the attitude of Mamezo's parents. It seemed too cruel to me, and a tad senseless even. It could perhaps have been handled differently.

Verdict: It was an okay volume. Not one of my favorites, but a good one nonetheless.

Buy this book on Amazon.com.

-Marina

Dr. Slump (Vol. 15) - by Akira Toriyama

Volume: #15 of #18 | 188 pages | Viz

Rating: A+ (So much fun, such a cute manga. It’s too bad there are only three volumes left!)

Summary: Midori and Senbei’s bouncing baby boy has finally been born… only to get run over eleven pages later by an alien spaceship. These aliens, however, are nice enough to save Turbomaru’s life by performing surgery and then giving him an O.B. shock. This brings Turbo back to life alright… with some side effects. He can now talk, fly, make things float, and is super intelligent. But, he still has difficulty pronouncing words, like a baby–and he either crawls or floats to get around, but doesn’t yet walk.

Anyway, it takes the whole next chapter for the family to realize what’s going on (except for the talking bit). And since Midori’s got a bonus from work, they all get dressed up and go to a restaurant to celebrate, where they have such a good time that the restaurant doesn’t want them to ever come again.

Later, Senbei tries to help out the ghost of a young woman with a little help from Turbo, and finally, the rest of the book is a long, long –but hilarious– baseball game. It’s Penguin Village High against Metropolis Island’s District American High (and some of the names of the members of the latter team are a riot, like the manager Tish U. Paper and the centerfield, Fry D’Chicken).

On Penguin High’s team are Arale, Obotchaman, Tsun Tsuru-Rin, Tsun Tsuku-Tsun and the Gatchans. Guess who wins?

Favorite chapter: “Terrifying Tag”, in which Arale, Obotchaman and the Gatchans experience Turbo’s superpowers firsthand in –you guessed it– a crazy game of tag.

Favorite panel: Panel #24 on page #35. It’s really just frustrated Midori’s hand, and the cup she is trying to make float in the air with her “powers” (unaware yet that it’s Turbo doing these things.) The cup going “nuh-uh” and it’s incredibly cute stubborn expression had me squealing silently. Dr. Slump’s gotta be one of the cutest manga in existence! =D Ah, but Turbo smashed the little cup against the ceiling when his mama couldn’t do it. Poor little cup.

Favorite quote: “This does warrant a ho-yo-yo indeed!” Obotchaman, after he hears Turbo suddenly speak.

What I liked best: Turbomaru, and the cameo of Toriyama’s own Turbo (his dog) on panels #1 and #2 of page #24. Such short legs!! So cute~~!

What I didn’t like: Heck, it’s Dr. Slump, I loved it all from cover to cover!

Verdict: Excellent, solid artwork, deliriously funny as always. If you haven’t read Dr. Slump yet, you are seriously missing out, so read it! And if you have, you don’t need me to tell you to get this book.

Buy this book on Amazon.com.

-Marina

Guru Guru Pon-Chan (Volumes 4-9) - by Satomi Ikezawa

Volumes #4-9 of #9 | Del Rey

Rating: C- (A nice series ruined by a senseless ending. Blagh.)

Some thoughts: I know that this is supposed to be a review of volumes #4 to #9, but I can’t help focusing on this manga’s ending. (Warning, SPOILERS ahead!)

There were so many better ways for this story to end. Mirai could have stayed with Gang’s owner, and Gang could have stayed with Ponta. I suppose that, this being a romantic comedy and all, a beautiful ending in which Ponta actually died, for real, would not have worked out well (Ponta technically dies near the end, even coming dangerously close to being cremated, only to come back to life with little to no explanation.)

A happy ending would have been great, had it been executed properly. Instead, the ending was ridiculous.

If you recall, I said in my review of the first three volumes of this series that I did not see how Ponta and Mirai could ever become a real couple and get married, since Ponta’s human form aged in dog years.

Well, that fact was completely and absolutely ignored. How absurd! It’s either a really stupid mistake (which I doubt) or the mangaka was too lazy to explain this properly. Or the manga got cancelled before she could. I can’t imagine why else would such a vital detail like this one would go ignored for no reason. But, it was. Mirai and Ponta marry, and presumably live happily ever after other than for the fact that Ponta still changes rather spontaneously into her dog form when she is startled, surprised or excited (erm, couldn’t that become, you know… a problem?)

So what happened to Ponta’s body having become like a roken (old dog) due to overuse of the guru-guru bone? Was that really cured by her going into a deep sleep (or being temporarily dead, whatever that was)? If it was, that’s a lame excuse.

What happens in 7-10 years, when Ponta becomes an elderly dog (and woman)? Didn’t think about that, huh, Mirai?

What I liked best: While I hated the ending, there were plenty of adorable and hilarious moments to be enjoyed all throughout this quirky series. It was very funny to watch Mirai dealing (or rather, being unable to deal) with Ponta while she was in heat. And, the chapters featuring Ponta as a baby were really cute.

Oh yeah, and kudos to Del Rey for all the extras, including preview pages of upcoming volumes. They also did an excellent job translating this series, leaving honorifics and even expressions like “wan-chan” (something like “doggie”) intact.

The art: Well, same as before. Decent, cute (especially Ponta as a dog) but nothing I haven’t seen before. Gang’s eyes creeped me out.

What I liked the least: The ending. So stupid, rushed, so many things that were not thought out properly. Also, I hated the times when someone would go, “This can’t be happening! This isn’t a manga!” or something to that effect. This exact same “joke” shows up four times. Alright, already. I get it! It wasn’t so bad when Grandpa Koizumi would retort, “But it is a manga.” In fact, that is exactly the excuse given for this lame ending. But guess what, Grandpa: just because it’s a manga it doesn’t mean it can get away with making no sense. You’ve been misinformed!

Verdict: I don’t think a manga with such a careless ending deserves to win the Kodansha Manga Award for shoujo. It was a fairly enjoyable read overall, though. Still, when Ponta and Mirai finally did it, I just couldn’t get it out of my head, no matter how poetic and romantic it was meant to be: Dude, she’s a dog.

Buy volume #4, volume #5, volume #6, volume #7, volume #8 or volume #9 of this series on Amazon.com.

-Marina

Guru Guru Pon-Chan (Volumes 1-3) - by Satomi Ikezawa

Volumes #1-3 of #9 | Del Rey

Rating: C (It’s, erm… different. But, in a good way.)

Summary: A havoc-breaking yellow lab puppy named Ponta eats the Guru-Guru bone, which the Koizumi family’s grandfather invented with the hope that it would give any animal who licks it the power to talk. However, Ponta transforms into a little human girl instead. When she rushes out into the street and comes near getting run over by a car, she is saved by a popular, good-looking young man by the name of Mirai Iwaki, with whom she eventually falls in love. Using the Guru-Guru bone, Ponta enrolls in the same school as Mirai and tries to get him to love her, as well.

Some thoughts: Guru Guru Pon-chan is a manga with a premise so weird, that I had serious reservations about buying it despite my curiosity. But, when I had a chance to buy the entire series of nine (9) like-new volumes off someone on Mangatude for 50% off the cover price, I took it. It would prove to be either a great choice or a horrible mistake, I was sure.

My main worry was that something so bizarre as a female dog that turns into a human to be with the human boy she loves, while retaining all of her dog-like instincts and behaviors, was going to make for a creepy, unsettling read unless it was perfectly executed. And Guru Guru Pon-Chan isn’t always perfect, yet Satomi Ikezawa manages to make this a solid, entertaining series despite that fact.

Of course there’s the underlying issue of bestialism here– the subject is definitely heavy of the mind of Mirai Iwaki, the boy Ponta loves. Ponta is a dog after all, no matter how cute a girl she can change into. And her actions don’t let you forget it. She waves her arms wildly around when she’s happy much like a dog would wag a tail, catches frisbees, balls and even fish with her teeth, eats (in the beginning) without using any utensils, is loud, terrified of thunder and lightening, and doesn’t have any self control at all. She’s not just a dog, she’s a badly behaved, obnoxious (but well-meaning) dog. I’ve had a couple of dogs like her in the past, and her behavior is very accurate.

Still, you can’t help but root for her. She is funny, tireless and adorable.

I don’t see, however, how she and Mirai can have a happy ending, no matter how much they love each other. If Ponta’s human body ages in dog years as was already proven in the first volume, then she will live as long as a dog possibly can, and age much faster than Mirai will. I wonder what will happen…

What I liked best: As far as characters go, Ponta herself. Maybe because I was always so impatient with the dogs I had that were just like her, and I see them in her.

The art: It’s alright, nothing special, really. Ponta is cute both in her human form and dog form. The funnier, more gag-like drawings scattered all over the place –this is a comedy after all– are the best part, they really add to the story and make for a bouncy, dynamic pace.

What I liked the least: I felt that Ponta did too much pooping and barfing to my liking in the first chapter. Even if it was as little-girl Ponta, seeing her naked and pooping like a dog was creepy rather than cute. It made me laugh, though. I guess that was the point.

Also, Mirai is so forgettable-looking… I wish that physically he had been drawn a little more interesting.

Verdict: Worth reading, if only for the originality of the story. Personally, I like it enough to keep it on my bookshelf forever (for now– I have only read three volumes.) A word of advice, though– don’t take it too seriously, and don’t think too hard about the human-dating-a-dog issue. This is a comedy above all else, read it like a comedy and you’ll enjoy it.

Buy volume #1, volume #2 or volume #3 of this series on Amazon.com.

-Marina

Little Lulu Vol. 7: Lulu’s Umbrella Service - by John Stanley & Irving Tripp

Volume: #7 of #18 | 230 pages | Dark Horse

Rating: A+

Summary: More Little Lulu! Interestingly enough, the story referenced in this volume’s cover –Lulu’s Umbrella Service– was printed in the volume I reviewed prior to this one, which was volume #6, Little Lulu: Letters To Santa.

This volume has a good number of “silent” one-page or half-page stories; 12 total, along with 23 regular stories, the majority of which are well-drawn and a lot of fun to read. Some of the better ones include “Great Day”, “Friends And Enemies”, “Rainy Day” and “Gilbert The Gorilla.” “Great Day” and “Friends And Enemies” were particularly charming, while “Rainy Day” is one of the most hilarious, well-thought-out Little Lulu stories I’ve read so far.

Recommended to fans of: Classic comics in general. Old Disney comics, Harvey comics such as Casper, Little Audrey, Richie Rich, Hot Stuff, Little Dot, Little Lotta, etc.

Favorite story: “Rainy Day”, in which Lulu and Tubby want to meet up to play, but neither one of them wants to go over to the other one’s house under the rain. They both pretend to have colds over the phone –talking with “stuffy” noses and sniffling– but neither one will believe the other, and so they both hang up. However, thinking that perhaps she really did have a cold, Tubby leaves for Lulu’s house. Meanwhile, Lulu thinks the same, and goes over to Tubby’s place. With the rain coming down so hard, they walk right past each other on the street without noticing –and that’s just the beginning. The rest is very funny and I won’t spoil it for you, so just buy this great little book and have fun reading it yourself!

What I liked best: A lot of my favorite Little Lulu stories are in this book. They are more charming and innocent than most. I also love the cover, and Gilbert the gorilla’s blunt, expressive and unchanging “G-runt!”

What I liked the least: “The Date”. It felt like a story done in a hurry –because it happened inside a movie theather, most panels were black squares with nothing but dialog balloons and eyes in them! I didn’t like “The Old Master” all that much either.

Verdict: Another one of my favorite volumes. I always say this about Little Lulu, but just in case you don’t know it: this is a classic, a priceless reprint that your kids deserve a chance to read! I definitely recommend buying it while it is available!

Buy this book on Amazon.com.

Please click on the link below to see a summary of every story in this volume (23 total.)

( More... )

-Marina