Jenny's Journal: Twilight: The Graphic Novel Volume 1
When Isabella Swan moves to the gloomy town of Forks and meets the mysterious, alluring Edward Cullen, her life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. With his porcelain skin, golden eyes, mesmerizing voice, and supernatural gifts, Edward is both irresistible and impenetrable. Up until now, he has managed to keep his true identity hidden, but Bella is determined to uncover his dark secret… By Stephenie Meyer; Art & Adaptation by Young Kim Publisher: Yen Press Age Rating: Teen Genre: Supernatural/Romance Price: $19.99 Rating: 1 out of 5 stars Buy This Book INTRO: The book I’m reviewing now is called Twilight: The Graphic Novel Volume 1. I think I regret reading this, and I may never touch it again after setting my eyes upon it. But hey, as long as I’m allowed to bash it for … Read entire article »
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Review: Deka Kyoshi Volume 1
Deka Kyoshi Volume 1 By Tamio Baba Publisher: CMX Age Rating: Teen Plus Genre: Drama/Suspense Price: $9.99 Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars Toyama, a tall and beefy detective, goes undercover as a fifth-grade teacher. The previous teacher was discovered on the ground outside of her condo and rumors say she jumped…or was she pushed? Toyama is determined to get to the bottom of this mystery, but it seems like he has a more pressing task at hand: his rowdy students. One student, Makoto is a little strange and his eccentricities make him a prime target for bullies. Makoto can actually see the demons inside people, which manifest themselves as visions of horrible monsters. Will this strange student be able to help Toyama? Sounding more like a take off of Kindergarten Cop, Deka Kyoshi is actually a title … Read entire article »
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Property Taste Test
A few days ago on Twitter, @debaoki mentioned she liked Animal Academy, an all ages title from Tokyopop, and thought that kids would like it. She mentioned she thought the books based on properties, like Disney were boring, but ended by saying, she didn’t know, since she wasn’t the target audience. Well, I have a daughter that’s in the target audience range, and both Animal Academy and Disney’s Kilala Princess. So, I gave both books to my youngest daughter Krissy and asked her to read them. When she finished, I asked her questions about the books. … Read entire article »
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Brian’s Spot: Broken Blade Volume 1
Broken Blade Volume 1 By Yunosuke Yoshinaga Publisher: CMX/Flex Comics Rating: T+ (Older Teens) Price: $9.99 ISBN: 978-1-4012-1882-9 Rating: 2 out of 5 stars Rygart Arrow is a man with a problem. He’s one of the tiny minority, perhaps one in a million, who cannot charge the quartz crystals that power all of the machines in his world. He cannot drive vehicles, he cannot use machinery, he’s what is known as an “unsorcerer”. However, he is well educated and old college friends with the King and Queen of Krisna, who are facing an incursion from their neighboring nation of Athens. When they learn that the Athen army is led by Zess, the final part of their college foursome and he’s marching on their borders, they call on Rygart in their time of need. Can he figure out … Read entire article »
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Krissy’s Korner: Pokemon Adventures Volume 1
Pokémon Adventures Volume 1 By Hidenori Kusaka Publisher: Viz Media Age Rating: All Ages Genre: Game/Action Price: $7.99 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars Red doesn’t just want to train Pokémon, he wants to be their friend too. Bulbasaur and Poliwhirl seem game. But independent Pikachu won’t be so easy to win over! What was the story about? This story is about a 10 year old trainer named Red. He goes through many adventures. What did you like about the story? I loved the part when Bill was picked up by Fearow. I just couldn’t stop laughing at Mr. Director. I love the part when a Pidgey poops on Professor Oak. I think the pokemon Red chose were great because they help him. What did you dislike about the story? I just hate Blue for hurting the Kangaskhan and it’s young. Would you recommend … Read entire article »
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Brian’s Spot: Gimmick Volume 3
Gimmick! Volume 3 By: Youzaburou Kanari & Kuroko Yabuguchi Publisher: Viz Media Genre: Action Age Rating: T+ (Older Teens) Price: $9.99 ISBN: 1-4215-1780-9 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars Gimmick! is the story of Kohei Nagase, an up-and-coming young makeup and special effects artist who loves his work and is capable of amazingly intricate work. If you ever saw the movie F/X, starring Bryan Brown and Brian Dennehy, you get the idea. If you didn’t see it, go out, rent the movie and watch it right now. Go. I’ll wait. This volume finishes the “Over the Rainbow” story started in the last volume, plus most of a second story, “TB Confidential” and a one-shot. There aren’t any spectacular reveals in “Over the Rainbow”, it’s obvious it was simply room that prevented it from being printed in the previous volume … Read entire article »
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Brian’s Spot: Gimmick Volume 2
Gimmick! Volume 2 ByYouzaburou Kanari & Kuroko Yabuguchi Publsiher: Viz Media Genre: Action Rating: T+ (Older Teens) RRP: $9.99 ISBN: 1-4215-1779-5 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars Volume 2 opens with the continuation of the Alien Panic storyline, Kohei and his partner Kannazuki are hot on the trail of the criminals who tricked him into constructing a complex alien animatronic creature in the last issue. Now they’re using the prop as a diversion while they commit crimes and Kohei is none to happy about it. What’s worse, the criminals have framed Kohei for their crimes! Next, in The Mask of Del Fuego one-shot, Kohei helps a famous actor disguise himself from a stalker, only to find that she’s not the only one out to get him. Finally, in the beginning chapters of Over the Rainbow, a young woman … Read entire article »
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Review: Zombie Powder Volume 4
Zombie Powder Volume 4 By: Tite Kubo Publisher: Viz Media/Shonen Jump Manga Genre: Action Ratng: T+ (Older Teen) Price: $7.99 ISBN: 1-4215-1122-3 Rating: 3 out of 5 stars Wolfina fights a solo battle for her brother’s life as Emilio, his body fused to a locomotive racing across the desert, faces a fate worse than death. Luckily, Gamma and C.T. Smith manage to stop the train just before it plows into Alcantara and we get a happy ending and an obvious way for the story to continue… … Read entire article »
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Brian’s Spot: Gimmick Volume 1
Gimmick! Volume 1 By Youzaburou Kanari Publisher: Viz Media Age Rating: T+ (Older Teens) Genre: Action Price: $9.99 ISBN: 1-4215-1778-7 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars In 1986, the movie F/X, starring Bryan Brown as special effects maestro Rollie Tyler and Brian Dennehy as Lt. Leo McCarthy came out, followed by F/X 2 in 1991. It was so popular that they made a TV series out of it in 1996 which ran for 40 episodes. Now we get the manga adaptation… wait, it isn’t? Could have fooled me. Gimmick is the story of Kohei Nagase and his crew at Studio Gimmick, a small special effects house that seemingly does work for just about everyone. Kohei is a makeup wizard that can do just about anything with his silver spatula and people come to him from far and wide for his … Read entire article »
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Krissy's Korner: Case Closed Volume 1
Case Closed Volume 1 By Gosho Aoyama Publisher: Viz Media Age Rating: Teen+ Genre: Mystery Price: $9.99 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars Parental Note: Yes, this title is rated for older teens, and yes, it has a lot of death and blood. However, this title is written for a younger audience in Japan, and is closer to an all ages in terms of characters and plot. That’s why I let my younger daughter read this when she asked if she could. I don’t have a problem with the blood and death if she doesn’t. What is the story about? It’s about a teenage detective that is turnded into a kid, and names himself after famous detective authors. He solves all the cases the adults can’t. What did you like about the story? I like it when Rachel does Kung Fu. … Read entire article »
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Krissy's Korner: Mail Order Ninja Volume 1
Mail Order Ninja Volume 1 Story by Joshua Elder; Art by Erich Owen Publisher: Tokyopop Age Rating: 8-12 (Youth) Genre: Comedy, Action Price: $5.99 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars What is the story about? It is about Timmy ordering a ninja from a catalog named Jacques Co. Industries. What did you like about the story? I like the drawings. I also like the ninja. And I like the comic ad for Jacques Co. Industries. What did you dislike about the story? Nothing. Would you recommend the story to kids your age? Yes. … Read entire article »
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Jenny’s Journal: Warriors: The Rise of Scourge
Warriors: The Rise of Scourge Written by Erin Hunter and Dan Jolley Art by Bettina Kurkoski Publisher: Tokyopop (Harper Collins) Age Rating: Y (10+) Genre: Fantasy Price: $6.99 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars Storyline: Tiny, a small kit with a loving mother and two siblings that dislike him, at one point, visited the forest. He was attacked by the patrol from Thunderclan (Tigerstar attacked him) and Bluefur pulled them away. Tiny went to the city in fear of being thrown into a river. He then stuck a dog tooth into his coller, and told a lie, which made him change his name to Scourge. Review: I liked this side-issue. It completely changed how I thought about Scourge. Before, I thought of him as an ugly cat with hatred but from this manga, I learn that it was his bad past … Read entire article »
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