Book Description

Breaking into his 20th year of award-winning anthropomorphic samurai adventures, master storyteller Stan Sakai opens this collection with a deadly ambush on the fugitive Lone Goat Assassin and his child, Gorogoro. Lone Goat is victorious, but wounded - and his son is too young to help. Unable to seek proper medical attention, Lone Goat collapses in an abandoned house. What he needs is a knowledgeable ronin, and soon! Elsewhere, Usagi is in a desperate search for his young companion, Jotaro, who has eluded murderous kidnappers. His is a panic that only rises out of fatherly love, though he has kept the secret of Jotaro's parentage from the boy throughout their travels together. If they are able to continue on to Kitanoji Temple, will the rabbit samurai confess before they part ways? ... Read more

Book Description

Mike Mignola's story notes accompany the long out-of-print stories, giving insight into their creation and inspiration. Some consider Mignola's short stories better than the full-length novels, and this collection makes a strong argument for that, especially with Mignola's masterpiece, "The Corpse." ... Read more

Reviews (8)

best short stories in comics
I recently decided to review a couple of the graphic novels that I thought were the best I had read. This one popped into my head and was one of the handful that made the short list.

Mike Mignola's character, Hellboy, is a devil who works for the BPRD, an X-Files type organization dedicated to protecting the world from the paranormal. For his stories, Mignola draws deeply on mythology, the occult and folklore from around the world. Some characters are familiar, like the villain Rasputin or the mythological Baba Yaga. I had as much fun reading about the underlying myths as I did reading the actual stories.

If you have not read any Hellboy before, you may want to start with the first collection, Seed of Destruction. That being said, you really can't go wrong with this one. I think Mignola's real strength lies in his shorter stories, rather than the 4 or 5 issue ones. Here we have some of his best shorter work and I will say a bit about my two favorites. "The Iron Shoes" is a funny little story about a goblin that lives in a tower and attacks passers-by with his iron boots. Hellboy steps in to investigate. Not a long story and not much dialogue but I like its simplicity. "Almost Colossus" is another gem and tells the second part of the origin of one of Hellboy's partners at the BPRD. Great story from Norse Myths coupled with eye-popping art makes this one a winner. The remainder of the stories are equally good; these are just my personal preferences.

This collection of stories should not be missed by anyone who enjoys comics. Mignola's art is great to look at, somewhat stylized and uses heavy shadows and blacks. His dialogue is great too. Hellboy's dry, witty lines fit him like a glove. Overall a must read.

Absolutly stunning!
The art is wonderful. The coloring is stunning. The stories are highly entertaining. There is no reason for me to go on because the preceding reviews say it best - "Hellboy" is fabulous entertainment. If you have any interest in Graphic Novels or the comic medium then "Hellboy" needs to be on your bookshelf.

"What do little babies like? I know. Iron!"
"Hellboy: The Chained Coffin and Others" is my favorite Hellboy compilation. As shown by HP Lovecraft and Edgar Allen Poe, the short story works well for horror. This book is a collection of Hellboy short stories.

Each story has roots in traditional fairy mythology combined with Lovecraftian overtones and just a splash of Nazi occultism. Magnolia has given his character Hellboy a very dry sense of humor, which works well in contrast to the talking corpses and various devils. The art is some of the finest seen in comics.

"The Corpse" and "The Iron Shoes" is a short fairy stories. Clever and fun with a nice nod to Celtic mythology.
"Christmas Underground" highlights Magnolia's wit.
"The Chained Coffin" is one of the best in the collection, showing the folly of loving the devil. It has some of the best dialog. "God? Was not I God in ancient Babylon?"
"The Baba Yaga" Always nice to see this ancient evil. Only available in this collection.
"Wolves of Saint August" is a werewolf tale, with a twist. Very good.
"Almost Colossus" adds a new member to the Hellboy cast.

I would say, if you are curious about Hellboy, this is the collection to start with. Every one a gem.

Filling in the Gaps
First, I have to begin this by saying that I am a bit bias when it comes to Mike Mignola. I do enjoy his Hellboy work, and recommend it to anyone who likes Lovecraftian influences meshed with Nazi conspiracies and other, even more bizarre, tidbits of folklore.
With The Chained Coffin and Others, I had read the reviews here and had noticed the gaps left in the questioning mind. For instance, I couldn't find a complete listing of what was compiled here, nor did the reviews truly state how good some of the stories, especially the Baba Yaga only printed here, actually were. So, here's a brief listing of the stories a few notes:
1) The Corpse: A baby goes missing and a deal has to be struck to return it. And how hard is it to bury a corpse anyway?
2) The Iron Shoes: This seemed more like filler, actually, but is still not all that bad.
3) The Baba Yaga: I like this story a lot, and had to have it. Unfortunately, it was only available in this TPB. If you read Wake the Devil, you'll want this side story, because references made are gaps to be filled in order to complete the entire Hellboy picture.
4) Christmas Underground: Spirits looming, a castle under siege by some strange curse, and Hellboy Claus? Besides being creepy, it also provides a little laughter.
5) The Chained Coffin: A true gem, presenting the origins of Hellboy (not to be confused with "how Hellboy arrive on Earth") in a most interesting format. Even people who have the original presentation of this should check it out, because the first page has been revamped a bit. Beautiful.
6) Wolves of Saint August: All the pieces of this tale needed to be collected somewhere, so I'm happy for this. As the name implies, something Lupine plagues a town and Hellboy has to investigate. The backgrounding to this story is nice, in addition to the normal Mignola features.
7) Almost Colossus: Another needed piece if you want to understand the inner workings of the BPRD. Here, an addition is made to the cast, and "he" almost ends to life of two field agents right from the get-go. It is referenced to a lot, and is definitely worth checking out.
Anyway, like I said, I am biased. Still, if you like Hellboy, even a little, this is a nice collection that is extremely inclusive. The only problem is finding a copy of it.

Spooky
Buy this book if only for THE CORPS and THE WOLVES OF SAINT AUGUST.

THE CORPSE is just downright spooky, which isn't an easy thing to pull off in a comic book.

THE WOLVES OF SAINT AUGUST are the coolest looking werewolves you've ever seen.

All the stories are great. Hellboy should be read by everyone, particularly fans of the supernatural. If you've never read Hellboy, check out the first graphic book (compilation) entitled SEED OF DESTRUCTION. ... Read more

Book Description

Witness classic cosmic clashes between the God of Thunder and his evil stepbrother Loki, the Absorbing Man, the Destroyer, and more of his most fearsome foes! Plus: Thor's first journey into the Black Galaxy and a reporter's firsthand account of Asgard! Guest-starring the Avengers and featuring the first appearance of Hercules! Collects Journey Into Mystery #113-125, Thor #126-136 and Annual #1-2. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Lee and Kirby take a while to get the god of thunder right
Volume 1 of "The Essential Thor" provides the stories of the Thunder God that appeared in "Journey Into Mystery" #83-112, including the five-page "Tales of Asgard" that started appearing in issue #97.In the Sixties I did not start reading Thor until the comic had taken on his name, so this was the first time I had read most of these stories, although I did pick up the "Tales of Asgard" collection that Marvel put out way back when.In retrospect it is hard to ignore that the original conception of this particular superhero was rather lame.However, once Stan Lee, Larry Leiber and Jack Kirby began to take the Norse mythology aspects of the character more seriously, the dynamic of these stories changed considerably.

The initial story is that Dr. Don Blake, an American physician vactioning in Europe, is fleeing from Stone Men from Saturn who have landed in their spaceship when he stumbles into a cave and discovers an ancient cane.When he strikes the cane against an immoveable boulder it transforms into a hammer and Blake becomes the legendary god of Thunder.The hammer has an inscription, in English no less, proclaiming "Whosoever holds this hammer, if he be worthy, shall possess the power of...THOR (yes, the inscription even includes the elipses).

Don Blake, with his bum leg, and his secret affection for his pretty young nurse, Jane Nelson, is set up in the mold of mild mannered Clark Kent and bookworm Peter Parker, where he is two-thirds of a love triangle all by himself (and his alter-ego).On the one hand the first couple of issues clearly give Thor the powers of the Norse thunder god--he not only calls forth rain and thunderstorms, but makes a volcano erupts--but the stories do not deal explicitly with whether he is indeed a deity.However, all of that begins to change in the third story when Loki, god of mischief, shows up and starts living up to his name.

Loki's arrival is crucial in Thor's transformation, not only because it is the beginning of taking the Norse mythology angle seriously (and the Thor comics would provide a scholarly fidelity to the subject), but also because the god of mischief became Thor's major foe.The opposition was ideal because unlike Thor's human opponents, such as the Cobra and Mr. Hyde, Loki could keep coming back for more issue after issue, either directly or through a proxy.Loki only arrived on earth after sneaking by Heimdall, the warder of the rainbow bridge called Bifrost, and once that door was open Odin, Balder and the rest of the Norse gods and goddesses were close behind.

Unfortunately the Tales of Asgard fillers are uniformly superior to the main adventures in "Journey of Mystery."Part of it is that they were written by Lee and drawn by Kirby, unlike the other stories (Lee and Kirby actually do less than half of the actual writing and drawing in this collection), and part of it was that they stuck to the ancient Norse legends about the gods.The other flaw was that they stuck with Don Blake and his romance with Nurse Jane, even while Odin went off on his "no son of mine is going to marry a mortal" rant.Eventually we will get around to the Lady Sif, but that is still a long ways off.For now, the more these early issues focus on Thor, Loki and the rest of the Asgardians, the better the stories.The rest require us to believe mere mortals and various meta-humans have a chance against an actual thunder god.But we still are not up to the glory days of the charcter, which is why the next volume of "The Essential Thor" is way past due.

The Beginnings Of A Classic Comic Book
Although some of the comics in the middle of this essential tome miss the mark, it's the bookend collaborative efforts of Lee & Kirby that make this collection a must for any comics library.

Now, if they'd only get around to publishing ESSENTIAL THOR VOL. 2; that's where things really get interesting...!

"He lived at home until he was thirty, worked for his father
...and his mother thought he was god!"

In Spiderman, Marvel played with the idea of the hero as everyman. To bring the Superhero down to earth. In "the Mighty Thor" they elevated the superhero as mythological figure. In so doing they exploited the vulnerabilities, the "fatal flaws" of pagan heroes. In a sense "Thor" is an extrapolation on the question posed by George Carlin: "Does Superman have 'super-anxieties' as well as super-powers?" With Thor the answer is a resounding "YES"!

We see the gradual evolution of the comic, moving from one-shot adventures--rather formulaically ending with Nurse Jane Foster, asking why Don Blake can't be more like Thor, and Blake replyingsome variation of "we can't all be heroes"--and moving away from somewhat contrived situations (How many times can Thor/Blake thoughtlessly drop his hammer/cane?) towards more 2 and three part adventures with the love triangle (quartet?) between Jane, Don/Thor, and Odin the driving theme. We see Thor gradually adopt the *faux* Elizabethan idiom we've come to know and love: from just in discourse with Odin, to when he in Asgard,
until it's all the time.

While Thor will develope a gallery of stock villians (most of them stereo-typic "mad scientists"), Thor's great advesaries will be other gods, and his own internal torment. But that will come later. Interestingly enough the idea of a double is used quite frequently in the early issues. Does this reflect the tentativeness of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby over who/what Thor was supposed to be?

The romance with Jane Foster is interesting is itself interesting. In issue 84 she's calle Jane *Nelson*, much later when she's mentioned she's become Foster. He relationship with Don Blake is distinctly maternal, doting over him as though he were a helpless child. Her early fantasies of Thor are likewise domestic, thinking how she would give him a haircut, press his cape, and polish his hammer (!!!!!!!!) Is it a coincidence that Jane is a *nurse* and her last name is *foster*? Or that Odin should insist of coming between them! ("Paging, Dr. Wertham, we need a Freudian on aisle 5!")

These are the first 30 issues of Thor's appearance in "Journey into Mystery", by the end of the book the comic is "journey into mystery with THE MIGHTY THOR" and well on its way to becoming just simply THE MIGHTY THOR. Can't wait for Vol II!

Essential Thor Vol 1
After the first couple of pages, you don't even notice it's in black and white.The artwork is fantastic. Thor is illustrated with more realistic athletic proportions as was typical of the earlier comics.I guess it wasn't until the eighties or so that they started drawing the characters with muscles bulging down to the pinky level.The stories are very imaginative and top of the line. Of course, you'd expect that with Stan Lee at the wheel.Share it with your kids, or read it yourself to bring back those comic book memories.After reading the "Frog Thor" series (Thor 363 - 366) to my six year old son (who laughed hysterically when the frog lifted the hammer), he's requested that one Thor adventure be read each night.With over 500 pages, this comic should last about a month for the littlest comic book junkie in the family.
P.S.Don't buy a six year old a Thor hammer.Ouch,even those plastic ones really smart!!! Just kidding. Thanks, Stan.

Essential Thor worthwhile but just a prelude...
Essential Thor Vol. I is worth having if for no other reason than it shows what this classic Lee/Kirby character was up to before he really built up a head of steam.Like the very first Fantastic Fours, this series started out sort of mediocre and then later developed into one of the best series of comics of all time.The Tales of Asgard secondary stories are probably the best thing about this volume - they started off strong, relying on minimalist dialogue and true Kirby power right off the bat.Looking forward to Volume II. ... Read more

Book Description

Dark Horse Comics is proud to present one of the authentic landmarks in graphic fiction, Lone Wolf and Cub, to be published in its entirety for the first time in America. An epic samurai adventure of staggering proportions -- over 7000 pages -- Lone Wolf and Cub (Kozure Okami in Japan) is acknowledged worldwide for the brilliant writing of series creator Kazuo Koike and the groundbreaking cinematic visuals of the late Goseki Kojima, creating unforgettable imagery of stark beauty, kinetic fury, and visceral thematic power that influenced a generation of visual storytellers both in Japan and in the West. Don`t missthis monumental monthly release, twenty-eight volumes, with each collection approximately 300 pages! ... Read more

Reviews (31)

A great manga to read.
I'm a big fan of the Lone Wolf and Cub fan movies. They are some of the bloodiest movies I've ever seen, but they're fascinating at the same time with their interesting display of the Japanese people during the Edo period. However, I was dubious when I heard about the manga series. I assumed that the manga was based on the movie series (an incorrect guess), thought it was too small (I've had bad experience with small manga books, read my review of Gundam Wing #1 to see what I mean), and while flipping through it, wasn't immediately attracted to the artwork like I was with the Blade of the Immortal series. However, when I gave it a closer inspection, I found the artwork to actually be pretty detailed and well done if you just gave it a chance. ... So I bought it. And I most certainly don't regret it. The stories are great, the art is great, the characters are cool, the dialogue is interesting, the different challenges Ogami faces are all unique and interesting...everything about it is great. Since continuity isn't a huge issue with the series the way it is with other mangas, I don't have to sweat it if I don't buy the books in proper order. Another great thing to not just this volume but to the entire series is the Buddhist mythology, beliefs, and tradtions inserted into the story. If you want to learn about Buddhism, don't pick up a "For Dummies" book. Instead read this manga and see the role Buddhism played in people's lives, as well as learning plenty about meifumado, the six paths and four ways, and other parts of everday Buddhism.

Last to mention, one of my favorite things about this series, that has brought it near and dear to my heart, is that it's portable...it's the perfect size that I can still read it, but it fits in my pocket and I can carry it with me anywhere. This is a great manga, and you won't regret buying it (as long as tasteful nudity, rare and minimalistic sex scenes, and incredibly gory and violent action).

Warmup for Rest of Series
In the first few stories, the character of Ogami Itto is shrouded in mystery. At first his name is mentioned without any one realizing who he is. Its the last two stories that his background is fully disclosed. The first story is interesting because of the shadowly introduction of the Lone WOlf and CUb within the first couple of pages. My favorite from this volume are A FATHER KNOW'S HIS CHILD'S HEART AS A CHILD KNOWS HIS FATHER'S, BABY CART AT THE RIVER STYX, SUIO RYU ZAMBATTO, AND THE last two stories. Marvelous blend of action, historical ideass, and character development. Maybe not the best but a good way to become acquinted with what I think is the best Graphic novel series of all time.

A good beginning to probable greatness
I wasn't all that moved to adoration by this first volume but overall I was entertained and interested enough to pick up the second volume. Vol. 1's artwork is much more interesting than the story therein. The second volume is where the series begins to come into its own.

Don't hestitate! Draw out your wallet!
This is by far the best manga I have ever read. I've enjoyed Koike and Kojima's work in other manga -- but these stories are incredible. I couldn't put the book down. If you're reading this review, thinking about buying the book -- just proceed to checkout. It is worth the purchase.

One reviewer commented on how the stories from the Dark Horse comics were different. The guys at my comic store set me straight: the owners of the series only allowed Dark Horse to reprint it in paperback if they did it THEIR way, by presenting the material exactly how it is sold in Japan (format, sequential order, etc.). So you're really getting an incredible work of artistry here, held up to high standards.

The translation and notes (useful!) are really quite good. I love the manner the original Japanese is handled and am in awe. This is an awesome import from Japan.

My favorite story is the 7th, Gomori-juku Hot Springs. Incredible mix of psychology and action.

sequential art classic
It doesn't really matter if you like Japanese comics or American ones, in this case... This is a book you should read reguardless. It really is a classic.

For those of you who don't really dig the whole manga thing, don't worry. There are no big eyes, cute mascots, or bouncy schoolgirls in this series. The art is gritty, and the stories are dark. Some will stick with you for years after reading them, and the two main characters are unforgettable as well.

There's a reason why this series has the reputation it does. If you have any interest in sequential art or comic books at all, and if you can stand blood, gore, and some dark themes, you should without a doubt read this series. You won't regret it. ... Read more

Book Description

Marlo has a problem. On the night of the full moon, this half-werewolf, half-vampire undergoes a mysterious and terrifying transformation: He turns into a girl. Desperate for a cure, his parents call on Doctor Vincent, a long time family friend. But Marlo wants to keep his condition secret from Vincent's son, the vampire playboy David.Unfortunately, the secret gets out, and a new problem surfaces: David is interested in Marlo's female form! If a remedy can't be found, their parents believe the next best solution is marriage - a marriage between Marlo and David! ... Read more

Book Description

Rapper Busta Kapp has no shortage of enemies, so when he turns up dead in his limo, Gil Grissom and his crew of CSIs have no shortage of suspects. ... Read more

Book Description

She’s beautiful with a bullet! Modesty Blaise — the cult creation of best-selling author Peter O’Donnell — returns for another searing slice of ‘60s chic thrills set in the shadowy underworld of espionage and mystery.

In the wilds of Tibet, Modesty battles to repay the debt she owes to an ancient mystic who once saved her life by seeking the mysterious Black Pearl. Before her stand marauding bandits, the might of the Himalayas and the power of Red China!

Also collecting The Magnified Man, The Jericho Caper and The Killing Ground, the fourth volume in this spectacular Titan series is packed with rare interviews, exclusive story introductions and masses of rare and previously unseen artwork! ... Read more

Book Description

The hippest bounty hunters in the galaxy are back! Spike Spiegel, Jet Black and Faye Valentine are on the hunt for new targets, inspired by the hit anime series. Cowboy Bebop blends science fiction, spaghetti westerns, film noir, and jazz music into a new genre that's all about style. As each volume features four stand-alone adventures, this is the perfect time to find out what all the excitement is about. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Bebop novels don't disappoint
... but you may want to see the series first. I bought the manga before I owned the TV series, having heard all about Cowboy Bebop, but I'll warn you, it can get a little confusing if you're not already familiar with the characters. The first three books read like a typical episode of Cowboy Bebop, and they don't waste time on introductions and character development. If you've finished the series, these books are a good way to see your fave characters reunited again in more origianl and wacky plots to get cash. The manga is exquisitely drawn, and is presented in "100% Authentic Manga style" ((it reads right to left.))
One of the cutest stories is about Ed's past, when she meets an old firend under unusual circumstances.. but I won't spoil it for you!! *wink*
For die-hard Bebop fans, this is a must have. If you want an introduction to the series... well, it worked for me, it was just a little confusing at first. I think you'd enjoy it none the less...

Great collection of quality manga
I'm fairly new to reading manga, so I figured my first encounter would be with a series I'm familiar with from my anime collection. This series as an anime is great and the manga is just as wonderful. The first 3 books of this collection go around the crew of the Bebop as they take on the most dangerous and sometimes wacky bounties in the solar system. Plenty of action and comedy for all. The second 2 books, stardust memory, is basically what the anime series was loosely based on. Even if you have the anime, its worth reading this collection. Overall I give this set a great score not only because of its high quality writing and artwork, but also because this set has inspired me to keep increasing my manga collection. ... Read more

Book Description

As the summer approaches, Brandy secretly falls in love with Frank. But around the corner, a catastrophe of global proportions awaits. Brandy must battle her evil counterpart from a parallel universe to save Frank and the animal sanctuary! This is the third collection of the award-winning comic book series, Liberty Meadows. All the comic strips within are completely remastered and uncensored, and this volume also includes a cover art gallery, extensive sketch and illustration sections, plus a complete, never-before-published Liberty Meadows short story. ... Read more

Book Description

In Italy, select teenage girls have been transformed into cyborgs and subjected to a brainwashing process known as "Conditioning." These girls are then paired with fully human supervisors, called Handlers, and are made to carry out assassinations on behalf of a shadowy government agency. The girls are fiercely loyal to their Handlers and would do anything to protect them. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Funny and yet...
There was some substance to the book and yet at the same time it managed to stay funny which is a rarity if I do say so my self. I am not particularly a fan of manga art but I loved this book, story and art work and I read both volume one and volume 2 without setting them down. Now I just have to get my hands on the third one :)

Our family read it non-stop, cover to cover
Our family read this book and it's companion, Kapilavastu, cover-to-cover, just about non-stop. They were both totally engaging.
As a Buddhist, I was wondering what this treatment of the Buddha's life would be like. This is my first exposure to manga style. My only reference point is comic books. I had enjoyed another "comic book," illustrated treatment of the life of a Buddhist saint, Milarepa. That was well done. I very much wanted a book that would capture the interest of my two children, 10 and 14 years old. It did. My 14 year old read the book in two days. My 10 year old and I read it aloud together.

What is facinating is the way the author creates the historical context using a mixture of historical figures and people of his own imagination. We are given an insight to the caste system of ancient India and the stage is set for the Buddha's questions about suffering, it's origins, and his strong desire to put an end to suffering.

I'd say that this is appropriate for 9 year olds and up. For adults: my wife and I kept reading ahead. It is captivating. It has the air of an adventure story. I also enjoyed explaining and discussing the context of the story with my children.

Hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

Sweeping Vision of the Buddha's Time
I read a lot of books on Buddhism (I even write some), but, alas, very few have pictures. This elegant (if one is allowed to use such an adjective to describe a graphic novel) series from Vertical of course goes way beyond "pictures." It tells the story of the Buddha and, in effect, the society he came from, through the expansive envisioning of Tezuka, The Man of La Manga. (Sorry, couldn't resist the pun. In case you don't know, "manga" means "graphic novel" in Japanese, and Tezuka really is The Man, having pretty well created the genre). So it's not about a text with pictures, it's about telling the story of the Buddha as a *vision*, rather than as a collection of words. It works.

Seriously, volume two carries on the dual track of intriguing characters who illustrate overarching themes, bringing them to life in a way that mere text almost never does. These are not scholarly books, by any means, but they depict the cultural milieu from which the Buddha and Buddhism arose. We haven't yet gotten to where Tezuka lets the Buddha expound the dharma, but, if he follows his established pattern, he's going to get things pretty straight.

I'm really looking forward to future volumes this series and think a whole range of others will soon be waiting with me. ... Read more

Book Description

Student and teacher. Man and... man. Taboo upon taboo is what Hikaru and Shima have to overcome if they want to pursue their feelings for one another. Uikaru, a second year high school student, is obsessed with Shima, a male teacher. Surprisingly, Shima is not averse to the boy's affections. He even convinces Hikaru to study hard so that when he graduates, they would openly become lovers. However, Amamiya, an ex-lover of Shima, steps into the picture and tries to win him back. Will Hikaru and Shima's passion prove great enough to hurdle all the obstacles stacked against them? ... Read more

Reviews (8)

IT CAN'T BE
I have loved 'Love Hina' from the beginning. Most of the people that I've come in contact I try to get them to read it but they look at say it's just a simple comic it's for kids (which is just so wrong) or I try to explain about and they go. "oooh it's a porno comedy!" So, I had to stop! 'sigh' however, if your looking at this book do yourself a favor and get from the beginning! Trust me!!!

OH MY GAWD!!!
This Is the best of all the comics and it's so sad. A must have. So Funny. The Best i swear!!!

An awesome ending to an awesome series
PLOT SUMMARY (for those who may not have read this installment yet):
Keitaro, Naru, and the rest of the Hinata crew head home from Molmol to confront Grandma Hinata about the mysterious fax she sent for Keitaro. However, things don't go like they were supposed to (when do they ever with this bunch?) and Keitaro ends up losing his chance to finally find out the identity of his promise girl. Complicating things more are a surprise visit from a long-unseen friend with startling news for Keitaro, and Naru running headlong into her old insecurities about whether or not she's the promise girl, which cause her to break things off with Keitaro. Will the hapless couple ever reach a resolution? You'll just have to read and find out. ;-)

Wow. After all this time, it's finally over. This is an excellent final chapter to Love Hina, and although it leaves some minor character details unresolved, it wraps up all the major storylines beautifully and gives Keitaro and Naru time to really shine. The last few pages of the main story are a textbook example of a great ending, and the epilogue is both a hilarious re-working of Love Hina's beginning and a big step towards a new future for all of the characters.

Ken, wherever you are, my hat is off to you for a job VERY well done.

no its not over
for those of you who didnt know, love hina again is not over yet. the manga "love hina again" has already come out in japan.

*choke* must...hold back...tears...be a man....WAAAAAAAHH!!!
IT'S OVER! NOOOOOOO HOW CAN IT BE OVER!?! love hina was the best thing to ever happen to me....AND NOW IT'S GONE!!! GAAAAAHHHH!!!! *ahem* sorry. i just get overly emotional when these things die. i remember acting more or less the same way when sandman ended or kurt cobain commited suicide....anyways. the comic. in my eyes, things like this are proof that there is a god. we are truly blessed withh the likes of this comic. it's funny, cool, deep, and romantic. it will make you laugh, cry (okay, i didnt really cry. only on the inside), but most of all it will make you happy. whenever your faith in religion is shaken, just point to a love hina book and say, "well, that proves it." maybe i'm going a little overboard with describing how great this comic is. just buy the whole series, even if it means you must sell stuff. those back issues of nickelodeon magazine aren't doing you any good: sell em cheap at a garage sale. recycle bottles, check the change slots on payphones, even *gasp* work. just get these comics some way or another. also get some anti-depressants, because you'll be as sad as me when you realize it's over... ... Read more

Book Description

This first book from Chicago author Chris Ware is a pleasantly-decorated view at a lonely and emotionally-impaired "everyman" (Jimmy Corrigan, the Smartest Kid on Earth), who is provided, at age 36, the opportunity to meet his father for the first time. An improvisatory romance which gingerly deports itself between 1890's Chicago and 1980's small town Michigan, the reader is helped along by thousands of colored illustrations and diagrams, which, when read rapidly in sequence, provide a convincing illusion of life and movement. The bulk of the work is supported by fold-out instructions, an index, paper cut-outs, and a brief apology, all of which concrete to form a rich portrait of a man stunted by a paralyzing fear of being disliked. ... Read more

Reviews (76)

The Greatest Show on Earth
I picked this up on a whim at the college bookstore; apparently a lit class is studying it.

As someone formerly somewhat wary of 'graphic novels,' Chris Ware has finally won me over. This book makes full use of the medium's benefits: It brings the bits and pieces of mental images and wanderings that any of us are apt to follow during the course of a day, wanderings that bring the past all too present.

Interwoven through the lives of the Corrigan men, the story itself is one that would stand up to any other medium: the story's great, the art work is fantastic.

This book is definitely a force in the movement to legitimize graphic novels. Like any great work of any medium, Jimmy Corrigan invites second, third, billionth glances, and has mysteries that are rewarding, not confusing.

The Melancholy Tale of Jimmy Corrigan
Wow, Chris Ware did a great job with this book. Let me start out by stating how deceptively simple the art is. At first, you start out thinking this'll be a cute and fun read, but as you read further into it, things get much darker and more depressing.

The story revolves around 37 year-old James Corrigan who we find out is a lonely, emotionally-impaired, human castaway. All the sudden his father, whom he's never met, decides he wants to spend time with Jimmy. Throughout the entire book, we go through not so seamless transitions into his fantasies and daydreams. At times, it can get confusing as to where they begin or end, but that's the whole point sometimes. We also go through other generations of Jimmy's family to take a look at their tribulations.

The story can get really depressing at times. Throughout the book, you're hoping for something good to happen to the protaginist. But just because of the overall depressing elements in the book doesn't mean there isn't any humor in it. There are some funny moments, but they tend to be subtle.

If you're into graphic novels, or even if you're not, I urge anyone who's in for a decent story to read this. Just don't expect the feel-good story of the year.

the loneliest man on earth
quite simply put: buy this book. This is one of the most beautiful and heart breaking books i have ever read. This book will change your life if you open up and listen.

A Landmark Achievement
Years from now, people won't remember that the graphic novel was once a marginal format, consigned to hobby shops and newsstands. Literary historians, however, will point to Chris Ware's Jimmy Corrigan as the book that brought graphic novels out of the dark and into the cultural spotlight.

Amazing, lifting, and magnificent
Ware does an amazing job of creating one of the most moving graphic novels I have ever read. The painstakingly detailed drawings add an unparalleled scope to this novel following the meek Jimmy Corrigan, as well as the 1893 story arc following his equally downtrodden grandfather of the same name. The dream tangents are vivid and beautiful, and only occasionally introduced before hand ("I allowed myself to luxoriate in one of my favorite semi-conscious conceits"). Do yourselves a favor and READ THIS NOVEL RIGHT NOW! ... Read more

Book Description

The world's deadliest mutant Wolverine embarks on a dangerous mission of revenge, seeking justice for a young neighbor who was murdered in her sleep.Logan must use all of his lethal skills to take on a mysterious organization hell-bent on keeping its dark secrets hidden from the world. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A great read!!!
Wolverine, as the editorial review previously stated, is the best X-Man. This graphic novel portrays him very well and is very accurate to his character. Old fans and new fans will see everything they love about Wolverine if they pick up this book. We see softy Logan, the animal Logan, and the deep Logan over the course of this book. The story of revenge and the animal within is really faithful to the over-all story of Wolverine that we follow each month when we buy his comic. This is a must-have for Wolverine fans. The only thing better than this is the Wolverine Saga.

Babe and berserker, not that there's anything wrong w/ that.
As a fan of Greg Rucka's novels and comics, I've come to expect a few things: lean, punchy writing; attention to operational detail in depicting assorted spies, assassins, bodyguards, etc.; and women. In most of the books I can think of, Rucka prominently features, not just females, but larger-than-life Amazons who are often tougher than their male counterparts. Wolverine:The Brotherhood is no exception, giving the reader a rootin'-tootin', suspect-slappin', stereotype-bustin' female ATF agent who could probably eat nails and crap tacks. While this obsessive commitment to feminist ideals could be off-putting to some readers, it's a small price to pay for the quality stories Rucka consistently spins. He skillfully references aspects of Wolverine's character, such as his military/intelligence background and animalistic tendencies, weaving them into the story with a commendable lack of clunky exposition. Rucka crafts an oppressively gritty setting, filled with the kind of twisted villains a character like Wolverine was born to fight.
Someone once said that art could be defined as the selective interpretation of reality according to the artist's values. Judging from his characters, it seems that Rucka has a fairly large sexual axe to grind. Taken individually, his characters are quirky and engaging. However, after the third or fourth story, a pattern becomes apparent, and I begin to feel like what I'm reading is a well-disguised sermon or morality tale.
As good as Wolverine: The Brotherhood is, I find myself looking fondly back on the writing of Chris Claremont. In his classic and definitive X-men run, he introduced me at a very early age to strong female characters, such as Storm and Callisto. Without a whiff of preachiness, he made them both likable and believable. Their actions and attitudes arose naturally from character and situation, and never seemed to be part of some program on Claremont's part. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (6)

A Jolly Good Thing , What?
A particularly amusing Asterix album , it was first published in 1966 ,in French , as Astérix chez les Bretons and in English in 1970.
After the Roman conquest of Britain ( veni vidi vici and all that...) , a small village of Britons holds out against the Roman invaders just like their counterparts in Gaul.
British chief Mykingdomforanos -aided by his right hand man the Hibernian (Irishman) Overoptimistix and the Caledonian (Scotsman) McAnix- asks one of his favourite men , Aticlimax , to visit his cousin Asterix in Gaul , to seek help.

The result is that he returns to Britain with Asterix , Obelix and a barrel of magic potion. The Romans have however got wind of the news , and they do everything in their power to make sure that the barrel of magic potion does not reach it's destination.

Jam packed with all things British , there are guest appearances by the Beatles ( this book was written when Beatlemania was at its height) and Boadicea. The adventure takes place in such places as the governor's palace in Londinium (Buckingham Palace) , London Bridge , the Tower of London and the Thames.
Our friends are introduced to Rugby and British food (which both the authors and Obelix do not hide their contempt very well) as well as tea (which unbeknown to our heroes plays a large part in the resolution of the story).
There is even a reference to the Channel Tunnel (even though this was written in 1966 , 21 years before construction of the Chunnel begun-the idea was only being talked about then!).

A family favorite
This is my daughter Andrea's (16) favorite Asterix - her favorite word at the moment is "guano" if that makes any difference. Just goes to show you. Her brother Mark (10) has read 'Asterix in Britain' until it's dog-earred.

Funny, funny stuff!

The translation isn't the best, but the story is
As others here have noted, and harshly critized, the translation is not upto the golden standard set by Derek Hockridge and Anthea Bell. I don't particularly mind the name changes, they still convey the characters in a clever way, but a good portion of the book feels like a translation (most of the books amazingly don't seem this way). I need not comment any more on this topic as it has been well explained.

But I want to make another point, one that may be overshadowed by the less perfectionate (though adquate—you can still read the story and understand it) translation: The story is still very good as are the drawings. I would like to rate this version of the book 3.5 stars, but I went up to 4 because of the wonderful illustrations and plot. For the British version though, I would rank it 5 stars. If you can, try getting the British version on ....

TERRIBLE translation
I agree with the reviews above-the translation in this one is horrible. The name changes are universally poor, the jokes have been forcibly removed, and it feels like a skeleton of the original. Getafix will always be Getafix, Vitalstatistix the same. Beg or plead for an earlier English translation, it would be worth twice what you pay for this one.

I agree with the reader from Dallas.
Not only is the translation disappointing, the key characters around Asterix and Obelix have "NEW" names! (example - Druid Getafix's name is 'Magigimix' in this book! ). However the illustration is exactly as the original. I found 2 more books with the same translation problem - Asterix and the Great Crossing and the Olympic games (both paperback). If you are serious fan do not buy these books. ... Read more