About Heroes

Alive: The Final Evolution vols. 4 & 5
Story: Tadashi Kawashima
Art: Adachitoka
Translation: Anastasia Moreno
Publisher: Del Rey

What started out as a high-school horror manga has certainly changed over the last few volumes. The premise was an intriguing one; a strange otherworldly virus was making people commit suicide. Taisuke Kano was just an average high school student who was always taking up for his friend Yuichi Hirose. The tables have now turned though. Hirose acquired powers and has turned on his friend. He kidnapped Megumi (Taisuke’s girlfriend) and is on the run. Meanwhile Taisuke is traveling with Yuta and Nami. Of course teaming up with Nami wasn’t that easy, after she nearly killed Taisuke and Yuta she decided to team up with them to find Katsumata’s Comrades and find her brother’s killer. On their way to Hokkaido the trio run into of Katsumata’s comrades: Gou Okada (he looks like your stereotypical otaku), who uses his Grim Reaper powers to kill people that have broken promises to him. Meanwhile Katsumata and his gang head to Hokkaido, where Acro’s Heart, an object that is the key to his plans, is hidden. I have to say that after reading volume 5, I really don’t think there is any coming back for Hirose to the side of the angels. While volumes 2 and 3 really felt like they were lacking in depth and action. These last volumes have more than made up for that. The action has become more gruesome than it has ever been in the series. Particularly in one flashback with Nami that was both emotional and graphic. While the main plot still lingers about the end of the world, the characters manage to keep realistic reactions and human emotions that make it fun to read. Unfortunately Katsumata, Yura, and Morio still seem like one dimensional villains, but the addition of Nami to the cast has really strengthened the story. B+

Daemonium vol. 1
Creator: Kosen
Retouch & Lettering: Michael Paollili
Publisher: Tokyopop

I really didn’t know what to expect from this title. I had never heard of Kosen and didn’t know if it was an OEL or a manhwa. However, when I saw that it was a horror title I really didn’t care where it was originally printed. As most of you know I am sucker for the horror genre and if you throw horror in with comics than that is a sealed deal for me. After reading the first three pages I immediately started reminiscing about episodes of Twilight Zone and couldn’t wait to see where this ride took me. Siezu has an emotional and physical scar from a car accident that killed his parents. He still suffers nightmares and has haunting visions of that day. For some reason that scar on his face seems to bring him trouble at school and after a fight his sister Alys takes him to monastery for a little getaway. It is here where he meets the mysterious Yabrail and together they search for Siezu’s sister. It seems that the hotel staff needed his sister to open up a gate. Now with Ophel another angel he must find a way to get his sister and his newly found friend back. I think I really built my hopes up too high for this book what I thought was supposed to be a horror book, turned into more of a fantasy/love story. Sure it’s got gore and supernatural elements, but that doesn’t make it horror. The story itself was okay and the art while beautiful at times got a bit confusing. I appreciate the love and time that went into this project (based on the character sketches and the narration by the creators), but the end result left me wanting. C

Kasumi vol. 1
Story: Surt Lim
Art: Hirofumi Sugimoto
Translation: Harumi Ueno
Publisher: Del Rey

One of my favorite things to do with manga is jump right in and get on with the story. I hate reading the backs or reading anything about the title. I really don’t want to know what the book is about. Unfortunately you can’t do that with 90% of American comics, because 9 times out of ten they turn out to be about superheroes. So reading Kasumi, I was really surprised every time she used her magical powers. I had no idea this was going to be another magical girl story. But it was more than that, it was a story about a girl that feels alienated at school because she lost her mom and her dad has to keep moving from town to town due to his job. She never got a chance to settle down and grow up like a normal kid, despite her use of magic. When she is introduced to her new school Seiran High, it really brought back memories of my first few days of high school and how big and scary a place like that was. She has always used magic powers to make friends, but for some reason these people here aren’t easily impressed……well until she turns invisible But lucky for Kasumi, she made some friends right away despite getting bullied by everyone else; an otaku Yuuta, a mute girl name Maiko (who seems to have mystical abilities herself, and Ryuuki the pretty boy at school seems to have an interest in Kasumi. This of course doesn’t sit well with Reina, who wants Ryuuki to herself. This story was a delight to read and it would be a great book for kids. The art style is cute and poppy and it fits the story perfect, the only bad thing I can say about the art is that the adults look like kids too….just with facial hair sometimes. Still an enjoyable read that has an innocent humor to it. A-

Oh My Goddess! vol. 9
Story & Art: Kosuke Fujishima
Translation: Dana Lewis
Adaptation: Toren Smith
Publisher: Dark Horse

Does this book ever start off with a normal day at the Morisato household? I have been reading this book for 14 years now and it seems that just when we get a chance at a little R&R something always happens. It reminds me of the X-men stories of days of old: X-men never go looking for trouble, but trouble always finds the X-men. Am I complaining? Not one bit, I love the insanity that comes attached to this book. I hate to say this, but this is not the best volume of Oh My Goddess, but even a less-than-stellar volume is better than the vast majority of comics. What appears to be a normal day is just a set up to introduce us to Hikari and Senrigan; the two small ninjas that have come to kill Kodama for leaving their clan (It’s a bit confusing considering they were all rats to begin with). In the end everyone leaves Mara and stays with Belldandy. Speaking of Belldandy, Keiichi finally gets to spend some alone time with her, because Urd and Skuld have to leave for a while. Keiichi wants to make best use of the time alone with Belldandy, but she falls sick - so while trying out various medicines on his own self before giving them to her, Keiichi undergoes changes into a woman. Other plot threads include a visit from an old flame of Urd's, and a classmate of Keiichi's who thinks she's a mystical healer. Oh My Goddess is at its best when it's at its most innocent and good-natured. Several of the stories stray from this pattern: in particular, the pre-gender change and the story involving Keiichi receiving an anonymous love letter. That's not to suggest it’s sleazy, but the story simply loses its stride. Of course two small gripes that are overshadowed by some beautiful artwork and great dialogue. This volume includes four pages of color, Mini-Goddess strips, and a message from creator Kosuke Fujishima. I again recommend anyone wanting to know what manga is about to pick up this series. B

Presents vol. 2

Story & Art: Kanako Inuki
Translation: Sheldon Drzka
Publisher: CMX

After reading what I thought was supposed to be a horror comic, I really felt the need to read something spooky. And let me tell you, Kurumi gives me the shivers every time I look at those damn covers of Presents. There is something really creepy about those giant dead-eyes and that sinister grin. Presents volume 2 continues the story of Karumi the psycho dead girl that never got a present on her birthday, she was always overlooked or purposely forgotten and by some weird twist of fate this made her into the spirit of presents. She is the only recurring character, and she creepily brings ruin to everyone she comes across. Sometimes it seems really unfair, but then again some people deserve what they get. Most of the unsuspecting victims of her presents are selfish and petty, and prove that karma can be a bitch. By far the story that stands out the most in this volume is Santa Claus. His presents were not the same as we have grown up to believe. The format of the book remains the same and unfortunately that is the biggest problem with the series. Each chapter is relatively short and lightning paced, it’s hard to get to know the characters that populate the pages. Without having an emotional connection to them, it’s hard to get worked up when they meet up with Karumi and ultimately when they meet their end. There is more gore in this volume, but the scary factor was really turned down a notch. B-

Private School vol. 1
Story: Brandon Montclare
Art: Michael Shelfer
Lettering Michael Paolilli
Publisher: Tokyopop
I have to wonder if there is an unrated version of that cover, because judging by the interior artwork I seriously doubt that this final version is what the artist was shooting for. While the story does borrow elements from different comics/manga it seems that it has done something original here. Young looking government killers are bused into a top secret military training facility which has been disguised as a high school in order to receive federal education funds from the government. The nation's Black Ops budget is over-burdened and the best way to secretly re-allocate money is to trick people into thinking they are using their tax dollars to fund a normal school. The cadets not only have to look like high school students, they unfortunately have to act like them too. They have to train to be the stereotypical nerds, bullies, jocks, emos, and cheerleading dimwits. The two main characters are Debbie Doll (Grunt) and Francine Yo (Tsunami). They seem like best friends and mortal enemies at times and there is plenty of sexual tension there…..including a fight in a bathtub with some inappropriately placed bubbles. My biggest complaint with book is that there were so many supporting characters and so many sub-plots mixed into the first volume. It didn’t seem like there was adequate time devoted to any of them, and so they mingled all together. Nobody had a distinctive voice and to be honest I found the leading ladies a little boring. While the story is a bit derivative, borrowing elements from The Initiative and Tenjho Tenge, Shelfer’s artwork is crisply appealing. Panels can be on the cluttered side, but the character designs are clean and even sexy. I see a lot of potential in both the artist and writer so I will definitely be checking out future volumes. B-

Vassalord vol.1
Story & Art: Nanae Chrono
Translation: Alexis Kirsch
Adaptation: Jennifer Keating
Publisher: Tokyopop

When I saw the name Nanae Chrono I just had to check this out. Now the creator of Peacemaker now sinks his teeth into a new vampire story, sorry it’s been a long day and that’s all I could come up with. Cherry…err umm Charley is a cyborg vampire (yeah, that’s right) who happens to do the Vatican's dirty work. Johnny Rayflo happens to be his vampire master and also the local playboy. The two live together in LA and of course they fight crime and solve mysteries. It seems that they can’t help but get into to some kind of trouble everywhere they go whether is helping Vampire Princess Marie or solving the murder crimes at the Holy Neo Union church. With the help of their dog and now Cheryl Shane Kates they really do make an unbeatable team. I have to say that this book really took no time to read. Unfortunately some sacrifices had to be made in order to have some fantastic art. Those sacrifices include some clarity in the story. There seems to be a long history between the two leading characters, but the flashbacks at inappropriate times confuse me. Maybe that was Nanae’s goal all along; give you enough confusing clues to keep you reading further volumes. If that was his task, he achieved it. The book is full with plenty of fast-paced action, thrilling suspense, and enough plot twist to keep me hook for future volumes. A-