Independent Opinions, News, and Reviews of Graphic Novels, Manga, and Comic Books
Jason Thompson talks about one of the greatest shojo series of all, Fruits Basket, when he decided to reread all 23 volumes over a weekend. As Jason points out, “this is the manga that kept Tokyopop alive from 2004 to 2009.” It was remarkably popular in the U.S. market and probably the best-known shojo at the time. It’s the story of a self-sacrificing girl who gets involved with a family where everyone turns into one of the animals from the […]
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Those folks at ArchieFans.com have been carefully examining Archie Comics’ subscription offerings. The Jughead title is no longer offered by the publisher. Another reader claims that the subscription department told him, “I’m sorry at this time the title has been canceled.” Certainly, whether a company chooses to offer a subscription to a particular title isn’t necessary related to its continuing health. DC doesn’t allow subscriptions to all of their titles, for example. Last time this discussion came up in regards […]
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The eighth and final book in the outstanding Amelia Rules! series ends as it began: with hope. In the face of all her uncertainties and crazy friends, Amelia still has a clear head on her shoulders and the determination to see things through as best she can. We won’t see any more of Amelia for a while, if ever, but Her Permanent Record is a satisfying conclusion to her story. (For now, I hope.) Most all the key characters are […]
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Just as happened with Captain America, a big company is bringing out a superhero catalog movie to tie into the upcoming release of a much better relaunch. This time, it’s Disney putting the 1995 Sylvester Stallone Judge Dredd on Blu-ray just before the new film opens in theaters. This Blu-ray will be available Tuesday, September 18. (It’s also timely with Stallone’s career renaissance in The Expendables movies.) My favorite part was the opening credits, which took place over images of […]
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As I predicted, the fourth and final Joss Whedon-written Astonishing X-Men arc, Unstoppable, will be available from Shout! Factory in motion comic form on DVD on November 13. Astonishing X-Men: Unstoppable Astonishing X-Men Blu-ray Box The three previous releases are Gifted, Dangerous, and Torn. In case you’d like to get all four in one handy package, Shout! Factory is also releasing a two-disc Blu-ray set on the same day. In that box, for a list price of $39.97, you get […]
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I wish I’d paid more attention to the book information that says “first volume of a series”. I somehow was expecting Tune: Vanishing Point to conclude in this book, or even to reach a satisfying stopping point. I don’t think it did. There may not be a volume two for another few years, and by that point, I won’t remember much of this one. It also takes the story a long time to get started. I don’t think it’s spoiling […]
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Out this Wednesday is the second issue of the newest Spike miniseries, this time from Dark Horse. (Which means it’s at least reasonably priced at $3.) [Huge apologies — just realized that I got my weeks mixed up and this isn’t out until next week, September 19.] Spike is my favorite Buffy cast member, but he’s a tricky one to handle. You want to keep him snarky, but without ignoring all the soulful character development that’s become part of his […]
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To go along with their picking up the amazing Finder series, Dark Horse is re-releasing one of the best story arcs, Talisman, in hardcover. I’ve previously praised the story for so beautifully capturing the love of books and the wonders of storytelling. On October 3, this release is available in regular or limited signed edition that replicates the book at the center of the story. Dark Horse has provided the following four pages to give you a taste of Carla […]
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