About Heroes

Bleach vol. 22
Story & Art: Tite Kubo
Translation: Joe Yamazaki
Adaptation: Lance Caselman
Publisher: Viz

So much is going on in Bleach that it’s hard to keep track of. I really do mean that in a good way. Even though it’s a very linear story, the focus jumps from so many characters to others that each chapter keeps me in suspense. Last volume left us with the revelation that Ichigo’s dad Isshin was once a Soul Reaper (and very much still is). He also has some kind of connection with Urahara and has finally avenged his deceased wife. Meanwhile the Vizards have taken an interest in Ichigo and are taking their time approaching him with their intentions. Two new villains appear in town: Ulquiorra and Yammy, the first of the Arrancar. A few bystanders are killed when they arrive, but when Yammy tries to suck Tatsuki’s soul the cavalry arrives. We learn just how powerful these new menaces are and who they are working for. That’s right, Aizen is back! But not to worry, Soul Society has sent reinforcements to Earth to help Ichigo and gang with this new battle. I loved the tribute to the arrival of Vegeta and Nappa on Earth with these two new characters. The art just keeps getting better and better and the story really seems to be hinting that we are in for a new long arc. I have to say that I’m really glad Viz decided to leave the artwork as is for the graphic novel release. After what just two of the Arrancar did to Chado and Orihime the good guys are in for the fight of their lives. One quick note though, this is actually more to do with the translation. Ichigo’s dad says that for the last 20 years he has regretted not avenging his wife, but how can this be when Ichigo is only 15/16? That’s just a small little confusing bit of info, other than that a flawless book. A

Hellgate: London vol. 1
Story: Arvid Nelson
Art: J.M.
Publisher: Tokyopop

This book already had two strikes against it going into it. 1) It was an original English Language Manga and 2) It was the prequel to a video game. From my experience, I have yet to read a good OEL manga and most of the time I end up disappointed on books based on videogames. Damn, I love it when I am wrong. All I knew about the Hellgate world is that it is a computer game made by the same guys that did Diablo. Seriously it really doesn’t take that much previous knowledge to enjoy the book. On Halloween 2020 there is a demon invasion that strikes at several major cities around the world. This particular story begins on October first and focuses on the city of London, more particularly around John and Lindsey Fowler. John is a rugby player haunted by nightmares of things to come and along with his sister attempts to discover the meaning behind all the bizarre occurrences. It seems that both siblings are descendants of a Knight Templar family and John’s grandfather seems to be the black sheep of the family. Unfortunately the siblings can’t stay together by the end of the volume because John is a demon hybrid. J.M. can tell a good story with some great sequential art. Clean when it needs to be and really dark and gory when the Fowler’s family are being killed. The book was such a good prequel that it has me interested in playing the game or reading more about the characters. It’s your typical action/horror story, but come on, how can you go wrong with a chick whacking demons with a cricket paddle? I really would like to know what happens to John and Lindsey, so if anyone has played the game, shoot me an email. B+

Kurohime vol. 3
Story & Art: Masanori Ookamigumi Katakura
Translation: Joe Yamazaki
Adaptation: Lance Caselman
Publisher: Viz

Quick little recap on the story of the buxom bullet witch. Kurohime was a witch with the power to control magical guns. She once made the mistake of challenging the gods and for her foolishness, she was cursed! The curse changed Kurohime into a little girl named Himeko, and now she can only regain her true form and her powers when she is in love. After 10 years of living with this curse, Kurohime/Himeko meets a skilled gunfighter named Zero. It turns out that when Zero was a boy, Kurohime saved his life, and he's been in love with her ever since. Together, the two have set out to find a way to permanently break the curse. Himeko and Zero hear about a witch who loves terrorizing villagers by turning them into household goods and prepare to do battle. However they end up getting turned into a plate and a chair…so a lot of good they did. We are also introduced to Asuna, a mysterious girl that wants to help Kurohime get rid of the curse. Of course things are never that easy when a God interferes and challenges Kurohime. Katakura is an artist of different styles. Most of the art is done in a simplified shonen style, but when Kurohime manifests in her full adult form, she’s rendered with the detail (of a more seinen (mature) title. Just when you start thinking this might be a love story, those wonderful crotch shots show up to remind us what this book is mostly about. B

Ral Grad vol. 1
Story: Tsuneo Takano
Art: Takeshi Obata
Adaptation: Kelly Sue DeConnick
Publisher: Viz

I wasn’t really sure what to call the title of the book, because to be accurate it would have to be Ral Omega Grad. When I think of Ral Grad, for some reason I think of Ra’s Al Ghul from the Batman comic, but I think it’s just the name. Sorry…rambling again. From the artist that brought you Hikaru no Go and Death Not e comes a new fantasy adventure story. When I started reading this, I was really reminded of Bastard!!! And you all know how much I love Bastard!!! Fifteen years before this story starts Le Noir (an army of shadow creatures) invaded the world of light. Led by the crazy Lady Bira, who wants to make all the beautiful women part of her and devour their souls. Ral was an infant and he was merged with the shadow dragon Grad and they were sealed away. Lady Bira’s forces have become stronger over the years and Lord Roy decides to release Ral and Grad in hopes that they can turn the tide in the battle front. In this new world he is befriended by his robust tutor Miss Mio and another human that was partnered with a shadow creature. This human also happens to be a 13 year old girl by the name of Aia. This book had such a great mix of fantasy, adventure, humor, and so much sexual innuendos that to me it became an instant page turner. Of course the art helps carry the story, because to sum it up in one word I would have to use stunning. The character designs are top notch the battle scenes keep you wanting more and the facial expressions really give you a look at the depth of the characters. It’s a shame I have to wait until October to read volume 2. A+

Toto! The Wonderful Adventure vol. 1
Story & Art: Yuko Osada
Translation: Elina Ishikawa
Publisher: Del Rey

Alright time to come clean. I was not interested in reading this book at all. I’ve had it for a couple of weeks now and looking at the cover I just kept putting it at the bottom of the manga pile. I think it was the colors that really turned me off from reading the book. I am so glad I finally got around to reading this book though, because as you will see I regret not reading it sooner. We meet Kakashi a small town boy who dreams of being a world adventurer much like his father, who left him a journal. He ends up stowing away on a zeppelin. Unbeknownst to him the zeppelin was being hijacked by the Man chicken family. Only Kakashi and a stow-away puppy remained on board the zeppelin. Unfortunately the zeppelin is blown out of the sky and after befriending the Man Chicken family Kakashi and Toto (the puppy) are the only ones left alive out of the invasion. It seems that the military is after Toto, because he did turn into a giant demon-dog to save Kakashi’s life not once, but twice. Along with Toto and his new found friend Dorothy Kakashi has sworn to see the world. From the very beginning I couldn’t put the book down; I was so hooked with the characters and the art. I really felt sorry for Kakashi for not only losing his father, but the friends he made in the Man Chicken family. I love all the little references to OZ and the feel of the story just reminded of one of those classic Miyazaki films. Its books like this that makes me glad I read manga and keep reading. A+