Matt’s Short Manga Reviews, Edition 2
Angel Cup #3, Tail of the Moon #3, Yakitate!! Japan #3, 0/6 (Zero/Six) #3
When I posted the first batch of capsule reviews, I thought it might become a regular (even weekly) feature. Since six weeks have passed since the last one, I guess we can all see that I was […]

Transformers: Movie Prequel #1
February 2007
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Story By: Chris Ryall
Writers: Simon Furman & Chris Ryall
Artist: Dan Figueroa
Colors: Josh Burcham
Letters: Robbie Robbins
Edits: Dan Taylor
22 pages
Rating: 1 out of 5
##
Premise: The Allspark is what gives life to Cybertron and all of the Transformers. Megatron wants it.
Synopsis:
Cybertron was a place of peace and equality for years […]

Suzuka, Vol. 3
Published by: Del Rey Books
Writer & Artist: Kouji Seo
208 (190) pages.
Original Language: Japanese
Orientation: Right to left
Vintage: 2004. US edition February 2007.
Translation & Adaptation: David Ury
Lettering: Janice Chiang
Publisher’s Rating: M, ages 18+
Previously Reviewed: Vols. 1 & 2
Rating: 3 out of 5
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Premise: Yamato, an average […]

And so, as we now do on every Tuesday, I’ll be looking at the Diamond Shipping List and let you know what I’m going to be laying down actual cash for (i.e. what I’m reading for me - not for you folks).
There seems to be a nice mix. We’ll see whether it was truly […]

Let me take some points from column #1 and also from #10 posted just two weeks ago, mix, mash and compound those, and see if the end results give us a little more perspective on why the kids love the manga.
[you really should imagine your grandmother saying it: “Oh, that Matt, yes he and […]

Elephantmen #7
February 2007
Publisher: Image Comics
Writers: Richard Starkings & Joe Kelly
Artists: Moritat & Chris Bachalo
Colorist: Aron Lusen
Cover Inks: Tim Townsend
Letters: Richard Starkings
39 pages
Rating: 3 out of 5
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Premise: Hip Flask – an anthropomorphic hippo – tries to get a runaway girl to go home. He tells her a little parable to help her see the correct […]

A couple of caveats for this week’s watch list: First, there seems to be a difference of opinion amongst the several sources as to whether some of the Tokyopop titles are releasing on the 27th, or if they won’t be seen until 13 March. That, and if it’s a Dark Horse comic, there’s no way […]

I went to New York to hang out at the New York Comic Con on Saturday. Overall, it was a good experience, and I’d go again, but it’s still not quite what it could be, and most of that rests on the shoulders of Reed Exhibitions.
It was my first BIG convention. I’ve been to […]

O-Parts Hunter, Vols. 1 & 2
Published by: Viz Media
Writer & Artist: Seishi Kishimoto
Page counts: 192 each (364 net)
Original Language: Japanese
Orientation: Right to left
Vintage: 2002. US editions December 2006 & February 2007.
Translation & Adaptation: Tetsuichiro Miyaki
Touch-up Art & Lettering: Gia Cam Luc
Design: Amy Martin
Editor: Kit Fox
Publisher’s Rating: Older Teen, Ages 16+ (realistic and fantasy violence, and […]

Local #8
2007
Publisher: Oni Press
Writer: Brian Wood
Artist: Ryan Kelly
Letterer: Douglas E. Sherwood
26 pages
Rating: 5 out of 5
##
Premise: Megan is working in a restaurant in Chicago, and is in a relationship with the chef. A well-off guy starts showing up and tipping her well. She’s forced to choose between her two suitors.
Synopsis:
The issue opens […]

To Terra, vol. 1
Published by: Vertical
Writer & Artist: Keiko Takemiya
344 (338) pages.
Original Language: Japanese
Orientation: Right to left
Vintage: Original series 1977-80. US edition February 2007.
Translation: Dawn T. Laabs
Production: Hiroko Mizuno & Shinobu Sato
Cover Design: Chip Kidd
Publisher’s Rating: None given. Like many publishers, I’ll err on […]

This week’s column is up a day early. I’m heading to New York this afternoon, so I wanted to make sure I get a forum topic set up for you folks to post in before I leave.
Is the 22-page format (or the 32 or the 48 or any floppy page format) dead? Is […]

Roadsong, Vols. 1 & 2
Published by: Tokyopop
Writer: Allan Gross
Artist: Joanna Estep
Page Counts:  200 & 192 (354 net)
Original Language: English
Orientation: Left to right
Vintage: January 2006 & January 2007.
Retouch & Lettering: Fawn Lau (1) and Kimie Kim (2)
Production Artist: Bowen Park (1)
Cover Artist: Joanna Estep
Cover Design (1) and […]

Gold Key Champion #2
Publisher: Gold Key Comics
May 1978
Cover Price: 50 cents
Writer: ?
Artists: Don Heck, Jack Sparling, & Frank Thorne
I picked this book up in the cheapo bin a couple of weeks ago. Flipping through it, I’m reminded of other Gold Key books I had as a kid. I can barely remember those […]

For those of you who forgot, or who are just now surfing in off of a link (as always, thanks for linking!) Bob and I are in week five (of six) of a really stoopid bet that I proposed back in January: daily posts from each of us until the end of February.
While it’s been […]