July 16, 2007 Johanna First Second One comment

The Professor’s Daughter

The Professor’s Daughter is a slim, lovely tale, much like its heroine. The daughter of a famous Egyptologist, her adventures begin when she takes the mummy of a Pharaoh, dressed like a Victorian gentleman, out on a walk. They have so much in common, you see, both having to deal with the strict professor treating them like possessions (with more justification in one case, perhaps). Joann Sfar (The Rabbi’s Cat, Dungeon) writes and Emmanuel Guibert illustrates. The two have worked […]

July 15, 2007 Johanna Other Publishers Leave a comment

Jane’s World Volume 6

It’s a bit intimidating coming into a soap opera webcomic series at this late date, especially when the first pages show an interlocking web of over 40 characters. I’ve found, in such cases, that it’s best for me to ignore those introductions and the “story so far” page (although I’d like to read the part where Jane apparently went to a furries convention) and jump right into the comic, picking up what I can. Turns out in this case that’s […]

July 12, 2007 Johanna DC / Vertigo 5 comments

The Plain Janes

DC Comics launched its Minx graphic novel line with The Plain Janes, written by young adult novelist Cecil Castellucci and illustrated by Jim Rugg (Street Angel). It’s the story of four high school girls named Jane who act out teenage rebellion through guerrilla public art. It’s got a surprisingly disturbing beginning — Jane is a popular blonde girl whose parents, seeking safety above all, move her from the city to the suburbs after she survives a bombing. Once there, Jane […]

July 9, 2007 Johanna Digital Manga Reviews 2 comments

Flower of Life Volume 2

As with volume one, Flower of Life volume 2 surprised me by taking off in a different direction than expected. This time, it’s more traditional shojo, with a class play and unexpected romance, both focused on know-it-all Majima. Even though many of the twists reminded me of other books, it was an entertaining read that kept me interested. Sumiko, a shy girl who hides behind long straight hair (she looks like The Wallflower), draws surprisingly good manga. Majima discovers it, […]

July 7, 2007 Johanna Digital Manga Reviews 4 comments

Flower of Life Volume 1

Fumi Yoshinaga previously created Antique Bakery. I liked the premise of that near-yaoi title, especially the dessert-heavy setting, but it was a bit scattered and dissatisfying for me in terms of plotting. Flower of Life isn’t strong on plotting, either, but here, it works better for me. Everything’s so dramatic and overplayed (in a gripping, enjoyable way) that it’s hard to notice that all that happens is kids getting to know each other (and finding out some teachers’ secrets). Harutaro […]

June 28, 2007 Johanna Manga News 3 comments

More Manga Drops

The discussion in the Manga I’ve Given Up On post, combined with David Welsh’s comments, reminded me of several more titles. These didn’t come to mind originally because I’ve been disposing of the volumes, so they required a bit more memory-prodding. Baby & Me — Cute characters, but too many of them too quickly (with all the siblings of the family down the street), and not enough depth. Stopped with book 3. Cheeky Angel — Not enough forward movement, and […]

June 27, 2007 Johanna Manga News 12 comments

Manga I’ve Given Up On

John Jakala writes up manga series that have stopped appealing to him. Like him, I also gave up on Yakitate!! Japan after book four, although he’s completely wrong about Hikaru no Go. And I’m sorry to hear about Death Note — I have most of the volumes but haven’t started them yet. It’s a good question. Reading superhero comics out of habit at $3 a month is bad enough; buying manga series beyond the point you’re enjoying them at $10 […]

June 25, 2007 Johanna Other Publishers 2 comments

Finder: Mystery Date

The previous volume in this series, Dream Sequence, explored artistic creation; Mystery Date explores another art form, that of sexcraft. Vary, a former temple prostitute, is off in the big city studying paleozoology while working at a brothel. Her art form is very well-regarded and only suited for the best of the best, as in the historical days of the courtesan. Her school is an oasis to an overworked, overstimulated populace where the students are encouraged to learn how to […]

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