The Ideal Woman competition proposed by Megumi’s self-appointed rival, Keiko, continues into volume fourteen. Megumi and Genzo, who have been partnered up for the contest, begin the volume by finishing off a random thug who’d threatened them, and successfully make it to the inn that serves as their goal for the day. After a random chapter in which Keiko and Megumi attempt to … [Read more...] about Cheeky Angel 14-15 by Hiroyuki Nishimori: B-
Vanish with the Rose by Barbara Michaels: B+
From the back cover: Diana Reed has much to hide when she arrives at the Nicholsons' 18th-century estate. Masquerading as a landscape architect specializing in "ancient" roses, she's hired by the eccentric couple to restore the gardens, but her real interest lies in the manor's more recent history. Sinister scenarios ensue at the Nicholsons' estate. Ghostly music echoes in … [Read more...] about Vanish with the Rose by Barbara Michaels: B+
Marvel 1602 by Neil Gaiman, Andy Kubert, and Richard Isanove: B
From the front flap: The year is 1602, and strange things are stirring in England. In the service of Queen Elizabeth, court magician Dr. Stephen Strange senses that the bizarre weather plaguing the skies above is not of natural origin. Her majesty's premier spy, Sir Nicholas Fury, fends off an assassination attempt on the Queen by winged warriors rumored to be in service to a … [Read more...] about Marvel 1602 by Neil Gaiman, Andy Kubert, and Richard Isanove: B
Ethel & Ernest by Raymond Briggs: B
From the front flap: Poignant, funny, and utterly original, Ethel & Ernest is Raymond Briggs's loving depiction of his parents' lives from their chance first encounter in the 1920s until their deaths in the 1970s. Ethel and Ernest were solid members of the English working class, part of the generation that lived through the most tumultuous years of the twentieth century. … [Read more...] about Ethel & Ernest by Raymond Briggs: B
Black Cat 9-11 by Kentaro Yabuki: B+
I'm at somewhat of a loss to explain how Black Cat manages to be so incredibly appealing, but these three volumes were a real pleasure to read and left me wanting to devour more of the series as soon as possible. Volume nine begins in the middle of a confrontation between Cerberus, a trio of elite members of the Chronos Numbers, and Creed, the villain of the piece who is … [Read more...] about Black Cat 9-11 by Kentaro Yabuki: B+