Comics

Lulu Anew: Tell my family Adieu? (Review)

Story and art by Étienne Davodeau Publisher: NBM Publishing (2012) Length: 158 Pages Much like Disappearance Diary, Lulu Anew promises a deeply introspective experience, one that explores the soul-sucking mundanity of domestic life, and the mindset one must possess to drop it all. Unfortunately, that insight is never truly given. While I commend the piece for describing this experience as a harsh necessity of living … Continue reading Lulu Anew: Tell my family Adieu? (Review)

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Comics

Three Shadows Analysis

Story and art by Cyril Pedrosa  Original publisher: First Second (2008) Length: 1 Volume (268 pages) ‘Three Shadows’ has been conceptualised as “an artist’s way to understand his friend’s suffering after his son’s cancer diagnosis”. As you’d expect, the resulting piece is a highly introspective experience, one which is filled with polarising feelings of adoration and frustration. Its abstract art and effective symbolic gestures manifest … Continue reading Three Shadows Analysis

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Manga

Screw-Style (and the Gekiga Movement)

Story and art by Yoshiharu Tsuge Original publisher: Garo Magazine (1968) Length: One-shot  I’ve wanted to discuss this piece for awhile now, but my limited experience with abstraction has made formulating my thoughts difficult. Early on this article morphed into a showcase, as opposed to a review, as the piece itself is less than 30 pages. If anything, this article on Tsuge’s piece embodies feelings … Continue reading Screw-Style (and the Gekiga Movement)

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Book

My Book about Brains, Change and Dementia – What we Should be Reading

Today, I’m taking a departure from what I’m usually comfortable discussing. While my passions lie with mediums like manga and video games, when pieces outside these realms move me, I almost feel a duty to showcase them. Particularly when said pieces cater to an audience at least a decade younger than me. Yet, I’ve been fortunate enough to find an outstanding children’s book, one that … Continue reading My Book about Brains, Change and Dementia – What we Should be Reading

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Manga

Disappearance Diary Review

Story and art by Hideo Azuma  Originally published by East Press  Length: 1 volume Synopsis:  This autobiographical piece documents the numerous “disappearances” of alternative manga author Hideo Azuma, who, unable to cope with the pressures of a lifestyle afforded by his occupation, abandons his work and family to travel around Japan.  I appreciated that, while littered with ineffective comedy, Azuma never attempts to romanticise his … Continue reading Disappearance Diary Review

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Comics

My Friend Dahmer Review

Story and art by John “Derf” Beckderf  Published by Abrams Comic Arts (2012) Length: 1 Volume “My Friend Dahmer” provided some disturbing insight into the mind of future serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, and the poisonous roots with which his conception was laced. While sympathy for Dahmer may end after his first act of atrocity, to see such depressive events unfold leaves the reader reflecting on … Continue reading My Friend Dahmer Review

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Manga

Dream Fossil: A look at life

Dream Fossil (Yume no Kaseki) Story and art by Satoshi Kon  Original Publisher: Kodansha (2011) Length: 1 Volume (15 stories) Whenever I describe Satoshi Kon’s works, I use the term cinematic, which is the closest word to articulate how my mind works when I experience his pieces. However, I don’t think these stories would work as animated pieces, yet an indescribable fluidity means my mind … Continue reading Dream Fossil: A look at life

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Manga

Doing Time Review

Story and art by Kazuichi Hanawa  Originally serialised in AX (1999) Length: 1 Volume (12 chapters) In early December 1994, manga artist Kazuichi Hanawa was arrested by Hokkaido police for violating the law on firearms, having been caught in the woods trying out his modified guns collection. To the surprise of his lawyers, who believed he would receive leniency, Hanawa was sentenced to three years … Continue reading Doing Time Review

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Manga

Ranma 1/2: Manga’s Classics

Story and art by Rumiko Takahashi Original Publisher: Shogakukan (1988) Length: 38 Volumes (407 Chapters) Ranma ½ possesses many of the structures I dislike in the comedy genre of manga. It has a completely detached episodic form of storytelling, a frustrating relationship between protagonists and a general lack of story progression. Yet, I cannot help but love this manga. The characters and universe Rumiko Takahashi … Continue reading Ranma 1/2: Manga’s Classics

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Manga

Your Lie in April Review

Story and art by Naoshi Arakawa Original Publisher: Kodansha (2011) Length: 11 Volumes (44 Chapters) Your Lie in April is an excellent, excellent manga. It’s a simple manga, one that may be unfavourably categorised for the interests it explores (music) and the sub-genres it relies on (high school life). It also possesses clichè, shonen-esque lessons for the reader, teaching us to work hard, love our … Continue reading Your Lie in April Review

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