Akira Toriyama is best known for the manga/anime series Dragon Ball Z, but he has done a good deal more. One of his most entertaining is COWA!, the tale of a half-vampire/half-werekoala named Paifu and his friends as they seek a cure for Monster Flu – a disease that affects ghosts, were-beings, vampires and all other monsters, but not humans.
The world of COWA! is one where humans and monsters generally co-exist in peace – human children go to school during the day, while their monster counterparts go to the same schools at night. Paifu and his best friend, a ghost named Jose Rodriguez, are typical kids who like to play pranks, skip school and enjoy their lives/unlives. When a strange illness strikes their friends and relatives, the two set out to find the cure. They enlist the aid of a curmudgeonly former sumo named Mr. Maruyama – but known as The Volcano – and another kid, Arpon, who considers himself Paifu’s arch-enemy, tags along [to swipe the credit if they’re successful].
Toriyama’s storytelling is clever enough, and his art guileless enough, that COWA!, although aimed at younger readers, is terrific fun for everyone. The characters are beautifully developed; the plotting is more than sufficient to hold one’s attention; the twists aren’t telegraphed, and the ending is satisfying enough that I, for one, would love to see more of the characters.
The first chapter [sixteen pages] of the book are in color – and beautifully done – which allows the reader to imagine the “real” look of the black & white remainder of the story. It’s kind of amazing to see the range of color to be found in Toriyama’s nights.
Before he was the Master of Magnetism and the most radical mutant rights activist mankind has ever seen – Magneto was just a boy growing up in Nazi Germany. In the Marvel Knights tradition of Spider-Man: Reign and Silver Surfer: Requiem comes X-Men: Magneto Testament #1 (of 5)! Witness the evolution of one of the most popular and controversial X-Men villains of all time! Superstar writer Greg Pak (World War Hulk, Incredible Hercules) is taking fans back to the year 1935 to show the difficulties and horrors Erik Lensherr faced growing up Jewish in Nazi occupied Germany. From award-winning artist Carmine Di Giandomenico (Daredevil: Batllin’ Jack Murdock), comes the definitive origin story of the Master of Magnetism! It all begins with a silver chain, a first crush, and a dictator’s rise to power…
With Iron Man occupied in the Savage Land, the Skrulls may think they’ve eliminated their armored opposition, but War Machine is out to prove them wrong in this must-read Secret Invasion tie-in! Iron Man: Director S.H.I.E.L.D #33, from acclaimed Thunderbolts writer Christos Gage and fan favorite artist Sean Chen (Nova), kicks off “War Machine: Weapon on S.H.I.E.L.D,” which redefines War Machine’s place in the Marvel Universe as a result of Secret Invasion…and setting the stage of his upcoming ongoing series! A major new chapter in Tony and Rhodey’s history begins right here! With Secret Invasion and related tie-ins selling out quickly at Diamond, and a lead in to the hotly anticipated War Machine series, Marvel urges retailers to check their orders on Iron Man: Director S.H.I.E.L.D #33. It’s time for the Skrulls to say hello to Tony’s not-so-little friend!
Joss Whedon’s final issue on Runaways is here! Runaways #30, the final issue in Whedon’s and superstar artist Michael Ryan’s time traveling epic ties everything up and wraps it in an antique bow. With our heroes trapped in 1907, they continue to try and find a way back to the future they belong in. But once a super-powered war breaks out on the streets of New York, it makes finding a solution that much harder. This is the arc has everyone talking and raving about Runaways! Matthew J. Brady of Comicsbulletin.com says “It’s all rather eventful, and Whedon makes it enjoyable, delivering the trademark Runaways dialogue that Brian K. Vaughan established” and Daniel Crown of IGN.com states “Rough, yet strangely endearing. And most importantly, at least to me, it feels definitively different from the current Marvel Universe, serving its purpose as a nice break from the status quo.” This series has been a smash hit from the beginning of Whedon’s run right up to the very end. Will our heroes find their way back and will someone else be joining them? Find out in Whedon’s monumental conclusion Runaways #30. You can see a preview of the issue after the jump.
Three universes collide this year during writer Mark Millar’s run on exciting Marvel titles. Beginning with his newest epic tale, 1985, Millar lays down the foundation for things to come as Marvel:1985, FANTASTIC FOUR and WOLVERINE all intertwine in a very big way. After his run on Ultimates, and his unforgettable blockbuster Civil War, Millar explores remote and familiar corners of the Marvel Universe in ways that only the man behind such past blockbuster series could. Watch as these stories come to life with the help of long time Ultimates collaborator Bryan Hitch, Civil War’s Steve McNiven, and renowned film and comic artist Tommy Lee Edwards.
Hey there True Believers, here’s your official list of comic books, collections and posters arriving in comic stores on May 29th, 2008. For more information on any of these titles, and on upcoming mighty Marvel releases, please visit http://www.marvel.com/catalog/?date=2008-05-29 or contact your local comic book retailer at 1-888-comicbook. Stay tuned each week for a brand new list of Marvel releases so that you’ll never miss your favorite heroes in action!
I love the swashbuckler and there’s no greater story than the Three Musketeers. The folks at Marvel Comics are bringing this classic book to comics and we have some the early pages. It’s brought to us by the team that did their last adaptation - The Man In The Iron Mask, which I started reading on Marvel’s frustratingly half-assed digital comics service. The 6 issue mini-series hits the shelves this month. Take a gander at this beautiful artwork.
I fancy myself an avid reader, but I’m hardly “literate.” I generally read magazines and text books but rarely do I sit down and attempt to read something like Shakespeare for fun. I need it dumbed down and get rid of all thos, thous, etc. Speak English man! Maybe CliffNotes new series of Manga inspired Shakes is what I need. From what I’ve seen the art looks beautiful. I’m in the process of setting up an interview with the author of the books and will be reading them in the next few days. In the meantime check out the press release. I’m actually looking forward to getting these in my grubby little hands. Throwing on a Beret, sip some Expresso and read these. I’ll be part of the literati in no time.
With the WGA strike about to hit the three month mark, and with limited new episodes of our favorite programs remaining [and most done for the year, or at least until late April/early May], here’s a suggestion: try a few cable series that have recently premiered on DVD. Today we’re looking at one of USA’s earliest series, Swamp Thing: The Series, the first season of which – from Shout Factory! – is now in stores.
The folks at Sega sent over the link to download the trailer for the upcoming Iron Man game. But I’m too lazy to download it and am grabbing this clip from one of my favorite sites on the web gametrailers.com. I had a chance to watch them play it at Comic Con last year and the game is shaping up really nice. Take a gander.
Entries (RSS)