In some ways, I don’t really need to write another review of One Piece. Its virtues remain the same—a likeable core cast of characters who show how far friends will go to help friends and Oda’s sure hand guiding what might otherwise devolve into scenes of chaos—as does its one chief flaw: a tendency for fights to go on and on. And yet, I enjoyed this trio of volumes so much … [Read more...] about One Piece 22-24 by Eiichiro Oda: B+
Comics
Afterschool Charisma 1 by Kumiko Suekane: B-
Sigmund Freud. Florence Nightingale. Napoleon Bonaparte. These are not merely the names of eminent historical figures. They are also the names of students at a certain high school. These children are the fruit of leading-edge genetic engineering technology. In other words… they are clones. It’s the year 2XXX A.D. and St. Kleio Academy is home to many students, all clones of … [Read more...] about Afterschool Charisma 1 by Kumiko Suekane: B-
Dengeki Daisy 1 by Kyousuke Motomi: B+
From the back cover: After orphan Teru Kurebayashi loses her beloved older brother, she finds solace in the messages she exchanges with DAISY, an enigmatic figure who can only be reached through the cell phone her brother left her. Meanwhile, mysterious Tasuku Kurosaki always seems to be around whenever Teru needs help. Could DAISY be a lot closer than Teru thinks? One day … [Read more...] about Dengeki Daisy 1 by Kyousuke Motomi: B+
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Omnibus 1 by Joss Whedon, et al.: B
From the back cover: The definitive collection of the first Buffy comics series starts here. This volume begins at the beginning—"The Origin," a faithful adaptation of creator Joss Whedon's original Buffy screenplay. The newly chosen Slayer's road to Sunnydale continues by way of Vegas and a mental institution, and scenes of high school, the early Scoobies, and an English … [Read more...] about Buffy the Vampire Slayer Omnibus 1 by Joss Whedon, et al.: B
NANA 12 by Ai Yazawa: A
Cut for spoilers! From the back cover: Hachi tells herself that she's got her eye on the future and her life with Takumi, but she just can't let go of the past and her friendship with Nana and the rest of Blast—especially Nobu. And the tangle gets thicker when Hachi's wedding has to be postponed in favor of Nana and Ren's nuptials. Can Hachi handle another delay in her … [Read more...] about NANA 12 by Ai Yazawa: A