Fables #75 (War and Pieces 3 of 3)
Story: Bill Willingham
Art: Mark Buckingham, Steve Leialoha, Andrew Pepoy
Coloring: Lee Loughridge
Letters: Todd Kline
Cover: James Jean
Publisher: Vertigo (2008)
ASIN: B001F26WQI

Review by Budd Black

Fables #75 is not a starting off point, but it is a must read to go forward. It is the culmination of the War and Pieces storyline that brings Fabletown head to head with Homelands. The artistic team deserves acclaim for bringing these epic battles to life. Willingham knocks the story out of the park as it changes everything. Sacrifices are made, fugitives are brought to justice, and lives are lost. The uncertainty and horrors of war are conveyed with words and images in this book. My only complaint is that it seemed almost rushed. Things are wrapped up with a little bow on top very quickly once the divisive blow is struck.
» Continue reading “Comic review: Fables 75″

CUT
Story and Art: Toko Kawai
Published by the Juné Imprint of Digital Manga, Inc.
ISBN-10: 1-56970-043-5
ISBN-13: 978-1-56970-043-3

Review by Kris

Life is tough. If there is anyone out there that says any differently they are lying through their teeth. CUT by Toko Kawai shines a light on some serious but real problems that face not only teenagers but adults as well in today’s world. I am going to inform you now that CUT deals with some very intense and heavy subject matter and it is a manga not for the faint hearted. Because of that if the synopsis seems a bit spoilery it’s actually like that so you are aware of how deep this story really is.
» Continue reading “Yaoi Review: Cut”

Cut
Story and Art by Toko Kawai
Published by the Juné Imprint of Digital Manga, Inc.
ISBN-13: 978-1-56970-043-3

Review by Ginger Mayerson

“They fuck you up, your mum and dad.
“They may not mean to, but they do.
“They fill you with the faults they had
“And add some extra, just for you.

“But they were fucked up in their turn
“By fools in old-style hats and coats,
“Who half the time were soppy-stern
“And half at one another’s throats.

“Man hands on misery to man.
“It deepens like a coastal shelf.
“Get out as early as you can,
“And don’t have any kids yourself.”

Philip Larkin – This Be The Verse

I knew Philip Larkin was a genius, but I had no idea he’d sum up “Cut” in one poem. Although the parents and step-parents in “Cut” are more villainous than those in Larkin’s poem, he still nails it with:

“Get out as early as you can,
“And don’t have any kids yourself.”

And being yaoi, you can be pretty sure the last line will be true.
» Continue reading “Yaoi review: Cut”

Up Till Now, The Autobiography
By William Shatner with David Fisher
Published by Thomas Dunne Books, St. Martin’s Press, New York
ISBN: 0312372655

Review by Ida Vega-Landow

What can one say about Bill Shatner that hasn’t been said already by so many? Hero, ham, hack, has been, he’s been there, done that, and gotten the tee shirts. He was the first captain of the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE in the never ending story of Star Trek, whose five year mission was cut short by two years, yet who lives on in eternity through syndication. He was T.J. Hooker, a good cop who made Los Angeles a little safer every week and always managed to get in a chase scene, as well as a little gratuitous exposure of female flesh. He was the host of Rescue 911, true stories of people who survived disasters, who never dreamed that one dark night he’d have to live through one himself when he discovered his third wife had drowned herself. And most recently he was Denny Crane of Boston Legal, whose appetite for sex and guns could never equal his affection for his young protégé Alan Shore, who was his willing partner in legal mayhem every week, helping him to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.
» Continue reading “Book reivew: Up Till Now, The Autobiography”

Ghost Medicine
Written by Andrew Smith
Published by Feiwel and Friends
ISBN10: 0312375573
ISBN13: 9780312375577

Reviewed by Lauren Lapinski

Ah, the coming-of-age story. It is a tale often told of dealing with situations of real life and how they help us grow up and become more mature while we are teenagers. Such is the case of “Ghost Medicine”. It is the story of a young boy dealing with the recent loss of his mother and how his life and mentality are forever affect by this event.
» Continue reading “Book Review: Ghost Medicine”

Desire – Dangerous Feelings
Story by: Maki Kazumi
Illustrated by: Yukine Honami
Published by the Juné Imprint of Digital Manga, Inc.
ISBN-10: 1-56970-573-9
ISBN-13: 978-1-56970-573-5

Review by Kris

It seems that many of the yaoi novels that are published are ones that are based on popular yaoi manga. You have Passion: Forbidden Lovers, Only the Ring Finger Knows, and now Desire – Dangerous Feelings. Desire is a yaoi manga written by Maki Kazumi and illustrated by Yukine Honami. If you are interested in reviews for the manga you can check out my review or Ginger Mayerson’s fantastic review of this manga.
» Continue reading “Yaoi Novel Review: Desire – Dangerous Feelings”

St. Dragon Girl vol. 1
Story and Art: Natsumi Matsumoto
Published by VIZ Media
ISBN-10: 1-4215-5040-9
ISBN-13: 978-1-4215-2010-0

Review by Kris

Kenpo. Many know of this martial art but don’t know much about it. Kenpo, literally translates to “Fist Law”. Here in the United States we use the term Kung Fu to designate any form of Chinese martial art (just like Karate is often used to designate any form of Japanese martial art). In Japan the term Kenpo is used to describe Chinese systems. You’re probably wondering why on earth I’m defining martial arts terms. I found that knowing the difference with terms helped in making St. Dragon Girl a much more enjoyable manga to read.
» Continue reading “Manga Review: St. Dragon Girl vol. 1″

Wanted
Story and Art: Matsuri Hino
Published by VIZ Media
ISBN-10: 1-4215-1934-8
ISBN-13: 978-1-4215-1934-0

Review by Kris

Pirates are hot, especially ones created by famed mangaka Matsuri Hino (mangaka behind Vampire Knight and Captive Hearts). Thanks to Johnny Depp and popularity of the Pirates of the Caribbean pirates are hip once again. Wanted was published in Japan in 2005 after original movie was released. Was that the inducement for creating a pirate manga? I don’t really know, but pirates are definitely cool.

Armeria lost her family while she was young and was adopted into a traveling musical troupe. Armeria possesses a beautiful singing voice. During her travels she meets Luce, the nephew of a rich landowner, and falls in love with him. One evening while performing at their estate the infamous pirate crew led by Skulls kidnaps Luce for ransom. On that night Armeria vows that she will find and rescue Luce. She knew who she had to find due to the unique tattoo that Skulls had.
» Continue reading “Manga Review: Wanted”

Reported by Jilly Gee and Linda Yau
Photographs by Eric M. Chu and Linda Yau

First day of NYCC

After a very cold week in New York City, the Jacob Javits Center was host to the fourth New York Comic Con. Similar to San Diego’s Comic Con, NYCC is the East Coast’s representation of this American tradition. NYCC welcomes all types of fans, so there was programming suitable for industry professionals, video gamers, science fiction lovers, fantasy enthusiasts, Japanese animation, cosplayers, and even children.

This was the Journal of Lincoln Height’s first time attending the NYCC, which is also a companion con to the New York Anime Festival. » Continue reading “New York Comic Con 2009″

Blue Sheep Reverie
Story and Art: Makoto Tateno
Published by the Juné Imprint of Digital Manga, Inc.
ISBN13: 9781569706060
ISBN10: 1569706069

Review by I-hsiu Lin

A man searching for the one who killed his girlfriend. Becoming a bodyguard to seek revenge. A blue ring, rival gangs, fights and guns. Sounds like a manga for guys rather then a manga about boys love. But skillfully woven together by Makoto Tateno, it’s a story that envelopes everything and sets the stage for Steal Moon. First, it was Blue Sheep Reverie.
» Continue reading “Yaoi Review: Blue Sheep Reverie”

Tricky Prince
Story and Art: Yukari Hashida
Published by the Juné Imprint of Digital Manga, Inc.
ISBN-10: 1-56970-607-7
ISBN-13: 978-1-56970-607-7

Review by Linda Yau

Eugene is an impoverished scholarship student at a university, where it just so happens that Prince Willis is also a student at. One night at a holiday bash, Eugene’s classmates decided to play a joke on him, and he ends up getting the attention of the prince. Upon their first Cinderella-esque meeting, let’s just say that Eugene’s life has not been the same again, as Willis tries to get his attention to the point of kidnapping him. Is there no end to suffering Eugene? » Continue reading “Yaoi Review: Tricky Prince”

Sea View
Story and Art: Ayumi Kano
Published by the Juné Imprint of Digital Manga, Inc.
ISBN-10: 1-56970-584-4
ISBN-13: 978-1-56970-584-1

Review by Linda Yau

Every year from when he was a young boy, Kei Tsuwabuki contacted his estranged famous architect grandfather, and would get response. It wasn’t until one year, the letters stop, so he journeys to his grandfather’s island home to find him. Upon arriving, he meets Michiru Bangi,a student at the school his grandfather taught at. Apparently, there is more than the eye can see, so now Kei must find out what secrets Michiru has with his grandfather. » Continue reading “Yaoi Review: Sea View”

White Brand
Story and Art: Youka Nitta
Published by the Juné Imprint of Digital Manga, Inc.
ISBN13: 9781569706039
ISBN10: 1569706034

Review by I-hsiu Lin

White skin and dark skin.

Youka Nitta’s White Brand takes a different approach on romance. Though the topic seems to be ‘skin color’, the story doesn’t take much of a political or controversial view. Five stories about a variety of characters with romances that are more then just color of skin, height or nationality. Instead, the focus is on the emotions and the trauma that Asano suffered from his father’s death. Fukaya hopes to draw Asano out from his aversion to his darker skin. As Asano agrees to try to overcome his fear, his feelings are drawn out as well. At least that’s the first story….
» Continue reading “Yaoi Review: White Brand”

Make More Love and Peace
Story and Art: Takane Yonetani
Published by the Luv Luv Press Imprint of Aurora Publishing, Inc.
ISBN-10: 1934496529
ISBN-13: 978-1934496527

Review by Kris

The adventures in and out of the bedroom for Ayame and Koichi continue in Make More Love and Peace. This time around things are a bit more rocky from Ayame’s point of view. After catching a girl shoplifting at a grocery store Ayame invites the girl over for dinner (the girl claimed she hadn’t eaten for two days.) But a surprise is in store for Ayame. The girl, Nono, is just a common trouble making delinquent who had been taken in to the police while Koichi was working. Nono is just looking for attention and plays Ayame for a fool. Because Ayame is such a sweetheart she can’t refuse when Nono begs to tag along on Ayame and Koichi’s date. Nono plants seeds of doubt within Ayame that her kindness is just a front and that Ayame is just a fake.
» Continue reading “Josei Review: Make More Love and Peace”

Secret Moon
Story by: Siira Gou
Illustrated by: Satou Tomoe
Published by the Juné Imprint of Digital Manga, Inc.
ISBN-10: 1-56970-616-6
ISBN-13: 978-1-56970-616-9

Review by Kris

I didn’t know that there were werewolves in Japan but thanks to Secret Moon I have been illuminated on that fact. In Secret Moon we meet Akihiro Tomoe a mysterious gentleman who has just moved from England. There seems to be something strange about Akihiro. He hardly ever leaves his house and if he does leave it’s always later on in the evening or at night. Akihiro lived in Japan many years ago then moved to England. He’s back in Japan and enjoying all of the changes he’s seeing in the country. There is definitely something different about him. Not only is he an absolutely stunning specimen of man, but he seems to give off vampire vibes. But Akihiro isn’t a typical vampire. He has to drink blood like a vampire but he doesn’t have the fangs to draw blood. Since he’s a man he can only partake of female blood. Akihiro doesn’t really like to be around women because of the desire to drink their blood but he’s not attracted at all to women. Yes, Akihiro is gay.
» Continue reading “Yaoi Novel Review: Secret Moon”

Glitter and Dust
Written by Camilla Bruce
Published by Torquere Press

Review by Linda Yau

I have a couple of these Torque Press ebooks on my computer’s hard drive to still review – my apologies on falling behind them. I was greatly reminded of a need to review my pile of very overdue ebooks, after reading Ida’s recent review.
» Continue reading “eBook Review: Glitter and Dust”

Porn Nation: Conquering America’s #1 Addiction
Written by Michael Leahy
Published by Northfield Publishers
ISBN10: 0802481256
ISBN13: 9780802481252

Review by Chad Denton

As with my review of a left-wing anti-pornography book, Getting Off, I am somewhat conflicted about what I should write in this review. However, it’s not because of the difficulties of critiquing a heartfelt screed, but the fact that this book, “Porn Nation”, which offers an approach to pornography from the opposite end of the ideological spectrum from “Getting Off”, carries the sincere testimony of a recovering porn addict, its author Michael Leahy. It’s not quite as in-depth or devestating as the film Auto Focus (or as it was known to me for a while, “that film about that ‘Hogan’s Heroes’ guy”), which could very well be the most disturbing and realistic exploration of sex addiction out there in American cinema, if not the entire Englsh-speaking world. While Auto Focus was, true to its title, unflinching and unapologetic, “Porn Nation” is very much written in a distinctly conservative fashion, attempting to achieve a friendly intimacy with the reader but avoiding any truly salacious details, which, maybe appropriately enough, sets a tone for the entire book.
» Continue reading “Book Review: Porn Nation”

Make More Love & Peace
Art and Story by Takane Yonetai
Published by Luv Luv Press imprint of Aurora Publisher Inc.
ISBN10: 1934496529
ISBN13: 9781934496527

Review by Linda Yau

I was very surprised when I realized that there was a continuation to Make Love & Peace, and I find that I enjoyed this volume more than the first volume. Surprising enough, there wasn’t that much sex scenes drawn as there was cuddling scenes. While I cannot excuse for the fact that there was still sex scenes, it was not every three pages as I had noted from my first review of this story. » Continue reading “Josei Review: Make More Love & Peace”