Comics Worth Reading

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9 #6

Johanna — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 19:19:40 +0000

Even knowing he represents a lot about when and why the show fell apart, Spike remains my favorite Buffy the Vampire Slayer character, so I was glad to see more of him in this issue, the start of a two-part story with big implications for Buffy. (Someday, I’m going to find out how he wound up riding around in a spaceship staffed by cockroaches.)

As shown by the variant cover by Georges Jeanty, this issue also features a flashback to significant incidents in the life of Nikki Wood, the 1970s slayer (and mother of Robin) who was killed by Spike. Her presence helps explore the nature of romance and relationships once you bring in slayers and vampires and prophesied purposes.

This is the kind of Buffy comic I want. It reveals important additional information about past characters, and it moves the cast’s lives forward in significant ways. We’ve seen the show and the comic try to treat Buffy as an adult before, but she always falls back to seeming like a teen. Perhaps that’s because that’s many people’s favorite version of the character, during those three TV years in high school, but it might also be because it’s hard to write a fantasy adventure character who struggles with real-life complications in a believable way.

This issue is a glimpse of what the show was at its best, using monsters to tackle real-life issues. Spoilers follow for a tough subject that will cause a lot of discussion.

Buffy, after letting loose at the party that opened this series, doesn’t remember everyone she’s had sex with, and when she winds up pregnant, she has to decide whether she’s ready to have a baby. That’s why Nikki’s example is so significant; Robin is the only child of a slayer we’ve seen in the series.

I appreciated the way her uncertainty and number of sex partners wasn’t handled in a judgmental way. This topic, whether to have an abortion, has shown up in popular media before, but usually, the pregnancy turns out to be a scare or an accident occurs, making the actual decision unnecessary. We rarely — none that I can remember — see a sympathetic character actually deciding to go through with it. We need those kinds of examples, especially from someone who’s written by Andrew Chambliss as demonstrating a great amount of self-knowledge of her strengths, weaknesses, what she’s capable of, and most importantly, what she can’t do.

Fundamentally, this issue is about communities, about finding friends and relatives that will support you through difficult situations. That’s the best part of Buffy, and on a fannish level, I was glad to see Spike as the person she turned to when she most needed help with a difficult task.

Shonen Jump Alpha Launches; Print Magazine Goes Digital

Johanna — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 16:21:24 +0000

Here’s an important signifier of changing times, especially when it comes to the print/digital divide. Viz’s monthly manga anthology magazine Shonen Jump has been discontinued in favor of the digital Weekly Shonen Jump Alpha. The online version launched two weeks ago, while the issue cover-dated April 2012 (on sale next month) will be the last in print.

The digital magazine is only available in the U.S. and Canada for now, and it requires a Flash-enabled browser or a Viz Manga app to access its approximately 120 pages. Print subscribers have to convert their accounts, but they’ll get three free online volumes of manga for doing so. The biggest bonus is that publishing online allows the company to stay more current with the original Japanese run. The digital manga chapters are scheduled to be only two weeks behind the Japanese print versions (in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine).

For the launch, the magazine contains Bakuman, Bleach, Naruto, Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan, One Piece, and Toriko. Since some of them had to jump ahead in order to match the Japanese serialization, Viz has also put together a synopsis page to bring readers up-to-date. (If you’re reading the series in book form, spoilers!) John Jakala has posted a chart showing where the series are in terms of serialization.

Issue #1 also included an interview with the creator of Naruto, Masashi Kishimoto — however, since I’m late talking about it, and since Viz doesn’t sell digital back issues, you’ve missed it. As they say in their FAQ, “If fans of the manga series want to maintain a permanent collection, both the digital and print options are available to them in the graphic novel format.”

One of the big draws for print subscribers were exclusive Yu-Gi-Oh! cards included in the magazine. To keep those fans interested, subscribers will be sent those cards free four times a year. It’s $25.99 for a year’s subscription (48 issues, considering some weeks will have double issues). If you only want a particular issue (although considering the serialization, I’m not sure why), it’s 99 cents to get that issue available to you for four weeks.

As I write this, there are two preview issues available for free: one contains the first chapters of all of the magazine’s series, while the other is an issue #0, containing the most recent chapters before launch.

Diamond Digital Update: They Built an App

Johanna — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 01:03:49 +0000

Diamond Digital, the program to allow comic shops to sell digital comics through Diamond Comic Distribution, was supposed to launch last September. It still hasn’t rolled out. However, ICv2 has a small update from the recent ComicPro retailer meeting. There they announced that iVerse has built a “Digital Comic Reader App”. Comic stores will sell digital comics either in-store or online using the app, which does not connect to iVerse’s existing store. The quote from iVerse CEO Michael Murphey indicates that someone apparently had some concerns:

“This is a much cleaner solution for retailers and will give them the same kind of tools companies like Amazon and Barnes & Noble are using to sell digital on these devices.”

However, this is yet another example of building something readers and customers don’t care about. Is anyone looking for yet another app to read and buy comics through? With comiXology and various publisher-specific apps, most readers have too many online comic access points as it is.

Red Velvet’s Cupcakes Available Today

Johanna — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 01:02:17 +0000

The latest downloadable offering from Saturday Morning Webtoons is Red Velvet’s Cupcakes, a downloadable short comic in PDF form.

It’s written by one of my favorites, J. Torres, based on “The Little Red Hen”, with distinctively designed art by Paz Huichaman. Here’s a sample, a panel I particularly like because it reminds me of how women often have to deal with messes.

The ending of the comic is a little abrupt — and sick-making. I love cupcakes, but more than two at once… I would rather have seen the pets do some work before the end. But that’s quibbling. It’s lovely to look at and a fun idea.

Only the Pearls: The Pearls Before Swine iPad App

Johanna — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 15:10:42 +0000

Thanks to the publisher, I got a chance to try out the Pearls Before Swine iPad app, Only the Pearls, that launched last month. There’s more information in that link, but the short version is, creator Stephan Pastis selected his 250 favorite strips and enhanced their presentation with audio and video clips.

One of the earliest video links explains that he’s aware that his favorites may not match yours or mine, a nice introduction. It’s interrupted by a sound from off-camera, which highlights one of the things that made me feel uncertain about some of this content: Much of the video content turns on Pastis pretending to be a jerk. (At least, I’m assuming he’s pretending.) That doesn’t match my sense of humor, but it does coordinate well with the tone of some of the Pearls Before Swine strips.

The app allows the user to explore however they wish, or if, like old-fashioned me, you prefer a chronological approach, you can swipe the pages, as though moving through a book. (Pastis, in some of his comments, refers to the project as “the book” also, which I found revealing.) It’s a very nice presentation, and dedicated fans of the strip will appreciate the “greatest hits” approach. It’s fun to see the first appearances of various characters, such as the Crocs or Zebra.

All the pages have an accessible table of contents, which lets you see only the strips with video, only those with audio, only those animated, and a couple of the special areas. Comparing Pastis in real life to his self-caricature was eye-opening. Plus, it’s neat hearing the story of how the strip started in his own voice. A bulletin board section contains some ephemera related to the strip, and each has an audio story behind it.

There’s a lot of content in the app, making for hours of reading and listening. Really, the only drawback I can see to this app is that it’s so audio-visual and interactive that I couldn’t find a good time to play with it. I do a lot of my surfing while watching TV, and this was something that demanded attention. With all the sound, I had to be sure I was checking it out in a quiet environment, one where I wouldn’t bother other people. There’s really no reason why Pastis’ comments had to be audio — they could have been readable notes under each strip — but it does provide the illusion of being closer to the artist. Here’s another writeup with some screenshots.

DC Nation Animation Block Premieres March 3

Johanna — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:05:22 +0000

Warner Bros. Animation has announced that the DC Nation animation block will be debuting on Cartoon Network on Saturday, March 3, at 10 AM. (That’s a month before Marvel’s similar project.) This hour is being promoted as “exclusive kids’ television programming and shorts based on DC Comics characters … full of action and humor”.

The anchor series are the CG-animated Green Lantern: The Animated Series and the continuing Young Justice. Green Lantern launched with an hour-long movie last November, but this spring marks the debut of the recurring series. The premise is that Hal Jordan fights the evil Red Lantern Corps along the Guardian Frontier in deep space. (Emphasizing the space-faring no-Earth-connection setup I didn’t care for in the movie.) The voice cast includes:

Josh Keaton as Hal Jordan (he previously was the lead in The Spectacular Spider-Man cartoon)
Jason Spisak as Razer, former Red Lantern (he also plays Kid Flash in Young Justice)
Kevin Michael Richardson as Kilowog (also Martian Manhunter in Young Justice)
Grey DeLisle as Aya (she’s the excellent Daphne in Scooby Doo! Mystery Incorporated)

The original programming block will also include new short cartoons featuring other DC characters. From the press release:

With fresh designs and concepts, fan favorites such as Plastic Man and Doom Patrol will finally take center stage next to the likes of Wonder Woman and Teen Titans. Bringing them to life will be the result of a collaboration with some of the top talents in the animation industry, which include award-winning Aardman Studios (Arthur Christmas, Wallace and Gromit) with its stop-motion clay animation techniques, and the unique direction and character designs of Lauren Faust (The Powerpuff Girls, My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic). In addition to these shorts, DC Nation will also feature event programming, interstitials, exclusive behind-the-scenes looks at theatrical motion pictures, and an insider look into the world of all things DC Comics.

Here’s some sample art, showing Ardman’s version of the characters:

And a couple of Plastic Man stills:

Plus, I’m not sure why this Teen Titans image was included, but I love it:

Overall, DC Nation sounds like lots of opportunities to advertise cross-platform media projects to kids. That probably explains this company description at the end of the PR: “DC Entertainment, home to iconic brands DC Comics (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables), and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating its content across Warner Bros. Entertainment and Time Warner. DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment and interactive games.”

Flashmob Fridays: Time Warp

Johanna — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:53:54 +0000

The latest Flashmob Friday takes a look back at one of DC’s Dollar Comics, Time Warp, a science fiction anthology that ran five issues from 1979-1980.

Johnny Bacardi provides some background on the line and its contributors, while Christopher Allen sums up the pros and cons of the series, and I provide a list of lessons I learned from the first issue. (For example, “I’ve always been surprised that science fiction isn’t more successful in comic form, since it seems the perfect medium for it: idea-driven, cheap to show the most outrageous concept, capable of portraying anything that can be imagined, sharing much of the same fandom.”) Joseph Gualtieri, meanwhile, considers the series “a pale imitation of EC” and Scott Cederlund ponders comic memory and why he never heard of Time Warp before.

Win Pepe Le Pew on DVD

Johanna — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:59:42 +0000

Pepe Le Pew:
Zee Best of Zee Best

Not from me this time. Warner Bros. is offering its Warner Rewards members a chance to win its new Looney Tunes Super Stars: Pepe Le Pew: Zee Best of Zee Best collection, being promoted for Valentine’s Day.

Featuring 17 cartoons, this DVD has all the amorous skunk you could possibly want. All the cartoons have basically the same plot — cat gets white stripe on back, French skunk chases her — and they feel a little like date rape jokes these days, but it is Chuck Jones animation. Plus, the disc includes “Dog Pounded”, a Sylvester and Tweety piece with a Pepe cameo.

To enter, sign up or log in and visit the Warner Rewards giveaways page before February 15.

Win the Second Season of Jem and the Holograms on DVD

Johanna — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:58:58 +0000

Jem and the Holograms:
Season Two

Jem and the Holograms: Season Two comes out on DVD on February 14. Thanks to Shout! Factory, I have a copy you can win before then!

In case you’re not familiar with the show, KC did a writeup of the Complete Series when it came out on DVD last year. The Season Two set includes 26 episodes on four DVDs plus a Video Jukebox special feature, so you can hear all of the band’s tunes easily.

To enter this contest for your chance to win, post a comment here with your favorite pop song from the 80s. Winners will be picked randomly from all entries on Monday, February 13.

(U.S. and Canada addresses only. Winners will be emailed to confirm email address. If email is not answered within 24 hours or a valid email address is not provided, a replacement winner will be selected. Your email won’t be used for any other purpose.)

Two Great Advice Posts: Ballooning and Pitching

Johanna — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:38:16 +0000

Friends With Boys

Faith Erin Hicks continues her glimpses into the life of a freelancer by telling you how to pitch a graphic novel to a publisher. Or how she did it, anyway. As she says,

They’re tough to do, because you’re trying to convey a lot through the shortest and most succinct language possible, and you’re also trying to do it in a way that is 1) enthusiastic (“you really want to buy this comic, publisher!”) and 2) clear eyed and cool (“I believe in this project, but I am not acting like it is the second coming of Star Wars because that’s obnoxious and people can see through that hucksterism”).

She also shares her pitch and outline for Friends With Boys, due out later this month, pointing out “it shows I have a good idea of what kind of story I want to tell, and the publisher I’m pitching to can judge whether or not it’s the kind of story they want to publish.” In the comments, there’s also discussion about how to find an agent.

I so hope that all this supplementary material is released somehow. Just having it on the web isn’t enough (especially since I suspect that, once the book is out, the full reprint online will go away). I want a volume, even if it’s a self-published minicomic, with all these notes and commentary, to sit next to the book on my shelf.

In other example of valuable professional advice, Jesse Post reviews his work lettering and ballooning the excellent Johnny Hiro. He takes several examples from the book, following the reader’s eye flow through the work, both good and those where compromises had to be made.

If you take in the entire page and follow along naturally, one balloon to the next, you start to see how the balloons act as guides. They ask your eye to linger over artwork you might otherwise skip, back and forth across images, leaping over dead space and further enlivening the live space, words and pictures harmonious at last.

This is an important craft that not enough people pay attention to. It’s one of those “silent skills” that is most noticeable when it fails, while great work goes unremarked because of its achievement.

Princess #4: Mea Culpa

Johanna — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:17:08 +0000

I owe the guys behind Princeless an apology. It’s a good read, a fresh take and an entertaining story, the kind of wonderfully surprising discovery it’s a joy to find among independent small-press comics.

After previewing the first issue, I reviewed issue #2 and issue #3, and I was critical of the series based on what I had hoped to see, not what it was. I had certain expectations, based on how the title was presented to me, and those weren’t met, but it wasn’t fair of me to be as harsh as I was. A new comic has a huge uphill battle, and I want to be clear that this is a title worth reading.

In this issue, Adrienne and her new friend Bedelia defeat their assailants and get everything in place to set off to rescue Adrienne’s sister Angelica. I love the way the two girls are drawn by M. Goodwin, with strength and gumption and humor. Take, for example, this closeup:

The two demonstrate that a young person can make a difference, can be responsible for their own choices, and can accomplish great things with the right plan, smarts, and determination.

There’s a Princeless collection coming in April, and I encourage you, if you haven’t tried the series yet, to check it out. There will be more stories to follow, continuing the adventures of Princess Adrienne, and I’m looking forward to all of them. Find out more in this interview with the writer Jeremy Whitley.

Next Amelia Rules! Book to Be the Last

Johanna — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:52:27 +0000

In this lengthy interview with Jimmy Gownley at PublishersWeekly.com, the author looks back at the history of his series Amelia Rules! From being self-published to being picked up by Simon & Schuster in 2008, his series has been running for over 10 years. It’s a wonderful overview of what used to be possible in the comic market, how much things have changed over the years, and how Gownley has adapted to the changing industry. The most recent Amelia Rules!, The Meaning of Life… and Other Stuff, was one of my Best Graphic Novels of 2011.

However, in the article, he also reveals that “The eighth book, Her Permanent Record, is the last Amelia book that Gownley plans for a while.” He’s instead thinking of putting out a how-to book that focuses more on “why to” create art.

Manga Out Loud Looks at Fan Behavior and Bakuman

Johanna — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:17:52 +0000

In the latest Manga Out Loud podcast,

* Ed and I talk about Bakuman

* Erica briefly discusses the MangaNEXT convention

* and then Erica Friedman, Ed, and I discuss the questions of fan entitlement, education, and the future of companies in the industry.

We’re hoping for plenty of feedback, here, at MangaOutLoud.com, or on Twitter.

I’m Part of Love and Capes Now!

Johanna — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:38:33 +0000

Thom Zahler offered a chance to buy his MegaCon Orlando print and get drawn in line with Mark and Abby, so that’s me and KC there on the left. (In green and purple. Together, we’re a supervillain.)

I’m thrilled to be part of the Love & Capes universe, since it’s one of my favorite comics going right now, never failing to make me smile. And since KC and I spent our tenth anniversary at the park that shall not be named, I couldn’t pass up a combination of both those fun things.

A new Love & Capes miniseries starts later this year, in case you wanted a jumping-on point. In the meantime, Thom will be appearing at MegaCon next weekend, where he will have copies of this print for sale as well as books and commission slots.

Genshiken Sequel Series Coming to US This Fall

Johanna — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:23:03 +0000

Genshiken Book 2

ANN is reporting that Kodansha will release the first book of Genshiken: Second Season in the U.S. on September 4. (There have been two volumes out so far in Japan.)

It took me a couple of tries to appreciate the fan-favorite series, about an anime/manga/cosplay/videogame club, before I got the appeal, but once you know the characters, it’s a lot of fun. The first series ran nine volumes (published by Del Rey), ending with graduation. To prepare for the sequel, Kodansha will also release an omnibus volume of the first three books on May 22.

KC’s Previews for April 2012

Johanna — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:07:37 +0000

In his Westfield column, KC runs down some exciting books coming out in April, including those from Dynamite, Fantagraphics, Image, IDW, Dark Horse, and of course, DC and Marvel. Find out which company’s new project is said to look like “drums of radioactive waste”! And not for the reason you’d expect.

A Month of Media: January Movies and DVDs

Johanna — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 04:09:25 +0000

I’m experimenting this year, putting up this list of movies I watched this past month that I didn’t talk about elsewhere. I find it fun to share my short thoughts on these; hopefully readers will too.

Movies

Arise, My Love (1940) — I’ve liked Ray Milland since I saw The Major and the Minor; this political romantic comedy pairs him with Claudette Colbert in a little-known film notable for being co-written by Billy Wilder. It’s very much of its time, both in tackling the questions of World War II before the U.S. was officially involved and in showing a woman as an equal partner to a man, both professionally (she’s a reporter) and personally (she doesn’t take his guff).

Death on the Nile

Death on the Nile (1978) — My favorite Agatha Christie movie, with an amazing all-star cast. (I like it better than Murder on the Orient Express because I like Peter Ustinov as Hercule Poirot better than Albert Finney.) A nearly unsolvable mystery starring Bette Davis, Angela Lansbury, Maggie Smith, David Niven, Mia Farrow, and Manimal (Simon MacCorkindale).

Eyes Wide Shut (1999) — the most boring orgy movie possible, but I’m not a Kubrick fan. I did expect it to be more equal between the partners, instead of being just his story. Watched it because it was a Christmas movie, and the decorations are lovely.

The Ghost Writer (2010) — I didn’t realize this was a Polanski film until it was over, or I wouldn’t have watched it. It provided what I expected from an “important” movie; it was slower than I would have liked, and at the end, not much had really happened. But Ewan McGregor and Pierce Brosnan were in it.

John Loves Mary (1949) — A Ronald Reagan film that has him returning from the war to fiancee Patricia Neal. The premise — he married the girlfriend of the buddy who saved his life overseas in order to get her into the country, only to find the buddy didn’t really care that much about her — should have been light and frothy, but it winds up dull, and all the scenes take longer than they should. Slow and ponderous.

Just You and Me, Kid (1979) — I recall watching this I don’t know how many times on HBO one summer as a youngster, so it was interesting to revisit. George Burns and Brooke Shields star in a labored odd-couple caper. He’s a retired vaudevillian full of stories, a wonderful portrait of nostalgia. She learns to care about others, although she’s out of her depth playing a hard-boiled orphan on the lam from a drug dealer. In a supporting role is Chris Knight, still looking like Peter Brady. More interesting are the old pros who play Burns’ buddies, including Ray Bolger, Carl Ballantine, Keye Luke, and Burl Ives. Better than I feared it might be, mostly due to Burns’ character’s stories and props.

The Unguarded Hour (1936) — I don’t recall much about this Loretta Young oldie at this point. There’s some blackmail. It felt like one of those movies where the plot changes abruptly in the last 15 minutes because back then, you couldn’t have a star do anything really bad.

That Uncertain Feeling (1941) — Lesser Lubitsch. Melvyn Douglas and Merle Oberon are married, only she wants to run away with Burgess Meredith because he’s more artistic and interesting. That in itself shows one of the big problems with the film: I thought the only well-cast role was Douglas. Eve Arden is nice in a supporting role as a legal secretary.

DVDs

Bad Girls From Valley High — Julie Benz and Monica Keena are two snobby high school girls who get cursed into prematurely aging. Janet Leigh’s final movie, sadly. This was the 4th on a $5 four-pack of school movies.

The Big Bang Theory Season 4

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs — Very well-written and great voice cast, especially Anna Faris as the former nerd who feels she has to hide her smarts.

Community Season 2 — It’s so sad not to have more of this show available regularly. I hope NBC brings it back soon.

Dave — An amazing job by Kevin Kline playing two people who look alike but clearly have different personalties, conveyed by the way he carries himself. It’s The Prisoner of Zenda recast in the American Presidency. Hard to believe this movie is 20 years old.

Good News (Warner Archive) — This disc includes the movie trailer, two numbers from the earlier 1930 version (starring Penny Singleton, better known as the movie’s Blondie), and a deleted number, which was surprising. Classic old-school musical with huge, colorful numbers featuring a cast of 40 or so, led by the gone-too-soon Joan McCracken.

From the Warner Archive Jean Harlow set: The Girl From Missouri, Reckless, Suzy, Personal Property

Leave Her to Heaven — One of those old movies that seems surprised that beautiful women can be evil, but with gorgeous old-school production design and rich colors.

Monsters vs. Aliens — Disappointing and predictable.

The Shadow — Wow, look at young, hairy Alex Baldwin (his first scenes feature him shirtless). This is a pulp film, which makes it true to its roots, but an enjoyable trifle for a Sunday afternoon, with gorgeous period sets and costumes — and what a cast! Ian McKellan, Penelope Ann Miller, Peter Boyle, Tim Curry, Jonathan Winters, and more.

Sleeping Beauty

27 Dresses — I like James Marsden, what can I say?

Shojo Chibis: Otomen 12, Dawn of the Arcana 2, @Full Moon 2, Arisa 6, Saiunkoku 6

Johanna — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 02:41:08 +0000

Otomen Book 12

by Aya Kanno, $9.99, Viz

Ah, if Otomen has returned, warmer weather must be on its way, since we saw the previous volume at the end of last summer. That’s appropriate, since this is a lighter book, better read in a balmy frame of mind.

Since Asuka’s mother has been cracking down at school, enforcing rigid gender roles, Asuka and his friends have escaped to a men-only baking class to avoid the pressure placed by living up to old-fashioned stereotypes. The panel where Asuka ponders how good life would be “if we didn’t have to run and hide… if we could tell people who we really are…” will strike a chord with most teens. Everyone has secrets they’re taught to be embarrassed about, and seeing a light-hearted take on how to be happier being yourself is a welcome escape from the worries.

Much of the book deals with Asuka’s discovery of the truth about his father, who’s been gone for much of his life. There’s a kidnapping, to force things even more dramatically, and the combination of pastry and criminals reminded me of Antique Bakery, in a good way. The sparse panels, full of full-face reaction shots, make for a quick page-turner.

Dawn of the Arcana Book 2

by Rei Toma, $9.99, Viz

The royal couple, married for political reasons, find themselves misunderstanding each other frequently. Prince Caesar tries to give his new wife a gift that would please her, but fancy clothes and a shopping trip don’t matter to Nakaba. The small incidents, simply told, are given more significance through the foreboding, “had I but known then”-style narration. We’re told that her happiness was short-lived, and she should have never have forgotten that she was living in an enemy kingdom.

We start getting hints of the melodrama as Nakaba begins having prophetic dreams, although she doesn’t always know how to interpret them. Meanwhile, her companion Loki confides in her his desire to overthrow the kingdom to free his people, even murdering the prince if necessary. So Nakaba, like a typical shojo heroine, founds herself torn between two pretty men — only the consequences are life-threatening in this historical fantasy.

She’s accused by the queen, confused by her roiling emotions for her husband, stupidly loyal to her assistant, struggling to understand her new powers, and finally, finding herself overwhelmed by stolen kisses. Girls should love it.

@Full Moon Book 2

by Sanami Matoh, $10.99, Kodansha Comics

Second and final volume of this series, but it’s a sequel to the two-volume Until the Full Moon series, originally brought to the U.S. by Broccoli Books in 2005 and republished last year by Kodansha.

It’s goofy. Marlo is a half-vampire, half-werewolf guy who becomes a girl under the full moon. She/He has married childhood friend David, who’s a doctor and also a vampire. However, in this book, little witch Mona has cast a spell keeping Marlo female, which frustrates her/him immensely.

The art is full with detail, costume, setting, and characters. There’s plenty to look at, which is good, since I wasn’t always sure I was keeping track properly of the various cast members and their schemes. (That’s my fault, for trying to start with what’s effectively the fourth book in the series, but that’s the one I had.) Still, I can see why this is appealing; the romantic scenes are hot, and the light-hearted tone is a welcome change from traumatized, brooding vamps.

The new element in this volume is stalker Ingrid kidnapping David, so Marlo has to find and get him back. That happens relatively quickly, so this is a good manga for readers who don’t like drawn-out plots. Every few pages, there’s something else happening or a new person introduced. With the misunderstandings and the crushes, it’s kind of like a really twisted Archie comic.

Arisa Book 6

by Natsumi Ando, $10.99, Kodansha Comics

Having missed a couple of books since I last read the series, I was hoping I’d be able to catch up, but apparently more happened there than I realized. However, the mystery doesn’t seem to have progressed any further.

I think there’s a disconnect between what I was hoping for with this series and what the author wants to do. I wanted to follow an actual mystery, with clues and progression on finding out who the King is; Ando seems to want to use the framework to tell stories about teen friendship without advancing our understanding of the underlying setup. Which is her right, of course, but it’s not the series I’m looking to read, because I’ve seen plenty of that already.

This volume tells the story of Shizuka, who has a bunch of the special King cellphones, and she struggles with how to use them. She’s after some kind of revenge, but Tsubasa thinks being friendly can defuse her. A bunch of characters then talk about friendship and whether it’s pretending or not. If you’re looking for a lot of emotional showdowns that don’t accomplish much, this is the series for you. I liked best the two bonus stories. One is a flashback to seeing the younger twins together; the other is a short in which the artist talks about taking a research trip.

The Story of Saiunkoku Book 6

by Sai Yukino and Kairi Yura, $9.99, Viz

These characters are really pretty, all the more so in the color two-page spread that opens the book. I’m glad I had that eye candy to tide me over, since the book opens with the conclusion of a fight I didn’t remember starting in the previous volume. Soon enough, though, that’s settled, and we’re back to Shurei’s quest to become a civil servant in a world that doesn’t believe females should be allowed in that role. With the help of the city’s leading courtesan, who gives her makeup lessons, because she is told to remember she’s still a woman.

However, passing the nation’s service exam is only the beginning. Performing well on a test doesn’t convince the bigots that she belongs in the work, and obstacles keep being placed in her way by those who hold grudges. Of course, she keeps a good attitude throughout, inspiring those who know her, and the Emperor continues to stand behind her and support her. It’s grueling just reading about what she’s put through, but her dedication is inspirational.

(The publishers provided review copies.)

Super Bowl Movie Ads: Avengers, John Carter, More

Johanna — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 02:06:15 +0000

I gotta admire the publicity people working this weekend — the game isn’t even over, and I’m already getting email about the geek movies promoted in the ads so far. (Ok, maybe they scheduled their email ahead of time, but I prefer to think they were waiting by the keyboard.)

Here’s the biggest comic-fan release of the summer — Marvel’s The Avengers, out May 4.

Neat finally seeing all the heroes in one shot, with that circle at the end.

Also from Disney is John Carter (no “of Mars”, not after their last film with that in the title), out March 9.

I don’t even like sword-and-sandals battle pics when they’re set on Earth, so that one’s not for me, but I suspect it will be hard to avoid hearing about it.

Also aired so far are trailers for Battleship and GI Joe 2: Retaliation, which look like they could be the same movie.