March 23, 2023 Johanna Other Prose Leave a comment

Sherlock Holmes in 221 Objects

The catalogue for the Sherlock Holmes in 221 Objects exhibit is a worthwhile read for more than just Sherlockians — it provides intriguing insight into some publishing history. The exhibit, featuring items from the collection of Glen S. Miranker and curated by him and Cathy Miranker, has appeared in several key locations for fans of the great detective: the New York Grolier Club from January through April 2022; the Lilly Library in Bloomington, Indiana (where I saw it), from August […]

March 22, 2023 Johanna Graphix / Scholastic Leave a comment

The Tryout

Christina, whose father came to Texas from Thailand, and her best friend Megan, Iranian-American, decide to try out for cheerleading now that they’re in seventh grade. The Tryout (written by Christina Soontornvat; art by Joanna Cacao) is based on the author’s own experience, and that’s why this reads so authentically. Occasional racism is part of her everyday existence, unsurprising for a small Texas town, but of more immediate impact to Christina’s life is what this competition means to her friendship. […]

March 20, 2023 Johanna Titan Comics One comment

Sherlock: A Scandal in Belgravia Part Two

The fan-favorite storyline concludes in this volume, collecting the four issues of the miniseries. The previous book ended with John coming face-to-face with Irene Adler, thought to be dead, in a mysterious, deserted power station. That’s where Sherlock: A Scandal in Belgravia Part Two picks up. Irene and John spat, Sherlock rescues Mrs. Hudson from the Americans, and events spiral wildly out of control from there. It was so much fun reliving the events of this episode. The second season […]

March 20, 2023 Johanna DC / Vertigo Leave a comment

Batman’s Mystery Casebook

It’s such a pleasure to see Batman’s detective skills emphasized in Batman’s Mystery Casebook, a surprisingly educational graphic novel written by Sholly Fisch and drawn by Christopher Uminga. Batman explains some basic crime-solving techniques to Batgirl and Robin, including brief history lessons. Fingerprints, footprints and other tracks, DNA, and eyewitness testimony, among others, are covered, then those techniques are used in mini-mysteries. The reader is told when to stop and figure things out, then they can see if they found […]

March 20, 2023 Johanna First Second Leave a comment

History Comics: The Roanoke Colony: America’s First Mystery

History Comics: The Roanoke Colony: America’s First Mystery by Chris Schweizer is a fact-filled, fascinating read that uses the mystery of what happened to the Roanoke Colony to explore many political and cultural questions stemming from English settlement attempts in North America. In case you’re not familiar with the story — I’d heard it before, but I grew up in North Carolina, and I still learned more from this book than I ever did there — the Roanoke Colony was […]

March 16, 2023 Johanna Boom! Studios / Archaia One comment

Fence Volume 5: Rise

The boys’ fencing school series continues with a new original volume, and I’m so glad to see it’s still going. In Fence: Rise (the fifth volume of the graphic novel series, written by C.S Pacat, art by Johanna the Mad), the fiercely competitive Seiji is finding himself more open to his first friendship with his roommate, the scrappy, garrulous Nicholas. The team goes to a training camp, where their members face off against several other schools and fencers, revealing more […]

March 16, 2023 Johanna Seven Seas Manga Reviews Leave a comment

Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou: Deluxe Edition Volume 1

With patience, sometimes we get what we wish for. I first encountered Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou in a pirated, scanlated online version back in 2009. I’d only been reading manga for a handful of years at that point, diving in as an escape from superheroes and maudlin autobio — it was give up comics, or find a new enthusiasm. Manga meant more genres, and books featuring young women, and more approaches to storytelling, such as this one. The series, a pastoral […]

March 15, 2023 Johanna Seven Seas Manga Reviews Leave a comment

The Masterful Cat Is Depressed Again, Today Volume 5

In Hitsuzi Yamada’s The Masterful Cat Is Depressed Again, Today volume 5, the cat Yukichi meets Saku’s parents! Which is kind of appropriate, as he’s the perfect boyfriend, except for the whole being-a-human-sized-cat thing. It’s New Year’s, and the parents have pulled out the guilt stops to get Saku to come visit, when all she wanted was a quiet holiday at home. That means plenty of favorite plot points, from a road trip to meeting former classmates to a shrine […]

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