The last time I reviewed Black Cat, I said, “There are six volumes left of this series, and if they’re comprised of a huge epic battle between the sweepers and Creed and his goons, I think I could be quite happy indeed.” Well, I was wrong. Oh, my prediction as to the contents of these volumes was correct, but I wouldn't describe myself as “quite happy” with the results. Not … [Read more...] about Black Cat 15-17 by Kentaro Yabuki: B
Comics
Saturn Apartments 1 by Hisae Iwaoka: B+
In this low-key, dystopic sci-fi story, a boy named Mitsu takes up his missing father’s occupation as a window washer in the hopes that it will yield answers about his disappearance, or maybe just life in general. Humanity has vacated Earth. They were not, however, willing to move too far away from their former home, now declared a vast nature preserve, and have instead … [Read more...] about Saturn Apartments 1 by Hisae Iwaoka: B+
Banana Fish 5-6 by Akimi Yoshida: A-
I've always been intrigued by Ash Lynx, the lead character in Banana Fish, but suddenly I feel like I understand him so much better after reading these two volumes. We begin with Ash and friends still in Los Angeles at the home of Dr. Alexis Dawson, one of the creators of Banana Fish. When Ash and Max are drawn away by a threat against Max’s family, Chinese mafia member … [Read more...] about Banana Fish 5-6 by Akimi Yoshida: A-
Portrait of M & N 1-2 by Tachibana Higuchi: B-
Much as with Natsuki Takaya's Tsubasa: Those with Wings, I had been looking forward to the English release of Portrait of M & N by Tachibana Higuchi only because I enjoy later work, Gakuen Alice. Aaaand, much as with Tsubasa: Those with Wings, I ended up somewhat disappointed. Portrait of M & N is a love story starring a beautiful girl named Mitsuru Abe and a handsome … [Read more...] about Portrait of M & N 1-2 by Tachibana Higuchi: B-
Time and Again 1-3 by JiUn Yun: A-
It's China during the Tang Dynasty. Exorcist Baek-On Ju travels with his bodyguard, Ho-Yeon Won, dealing with ghosts, crafting talismans for his customers, and advising on various mysterious phenomena. The series is primarily episodic but is nonetheless affecting, owing to the quality of the stories and the painful memories that unite Baek-On and Ho-Yeon in self-incriminating … [Read more...] about Time and Again 1-3 by JiUn Yun: A-