Comics Books

Years ago, I decided to purchase the first volume of Shaman King after hearing it from an unknown source. I really had no clue what it was about, or though I think. After purchasing it, I read it, but after three and a half years, I re-read it since I forgot what it was about. Now, I plan to purchase volume two. This volume was heart-racing and exciting. Each chapter had an amazing plot involving ghosts, and the last one was great.

Yoh is a Shaman King. Manta is.. some kid who can see ghosts but can't do a thing about it. They are both friends. Yoh fights ghosts and he helps them.

This whole volume was great. I wonder what is to be stored in the future for this Manga, since I haven't even taken a peak at the next volume as far as I know. This volume was excellent, and I am begging for more.

Great manga, but stay away from the 4kids TV show. That's a waste of time.

over all this magna is very good but with 9 swear words.it is not a good choice for a kid. but over all this magna is a great comedy and fantasy.i reccemend it to be read by 13-30 years of age but i think yo is the way to go.

I loved this book. I read it in two days. Its about this teenager named Yoh and he is a shaman (someone who sees and can talk to ghosts and spirts) and he meets someone named Mantana (something like that) and he can also see these spirts (but he's not a Shaman) and so since they both can see spirts they become freinds. And near the end of the book they meet another shaman named Ren and he is a mean shaman and thinks that spirts are tools and not freinds and so Yoh diden't like that and they fought. Also Yoh units with this 100 year old (or I think more then 100 years) samuri or spirt named Amedimaru and Ren can unit with Bason a Chinese Worlock or spirt.And so thats pretty much what this first book is about. Also after Yoh and Morty become freinds they go on a little adventure. This book is T for Teens and I agree because this book has swears in it. Just to let parents know.

I've read this manga by downloading it on the internet. The rating is unacceptable, why is it rated 13+, it doesn't look that bad. As for my rating, 11+ for blood, swearing, and violence. Oh yeah, I am 12 years old.

What started as a project to print every single Spy Vs. Spy strip Prohias did (plus some that were done by his successors) evolved into a tribute to their creator.

The strips are all here, but there are also a couple of nice essays and rememberences detailing Prohias flight from Castro's Cuba and life in America. Plus they printed some of his pre-Spy Vs. Spy strips.

These strips were meant to be read once a month or more. I've noticed if you read too many in a row, they lose their edge. Still, that's no knock on the work. If you remember these strips from childhood or liked the animated Mad TV segments, this book is well worth a look.

Spy vs. Spy has always been my favorite section in MAD magazine since I first started reading it many years ago. Each new issue I got, I would immediately turn to the "Joke and Dagger Department" which is specifically reserved for this strip. It was not until I was much older however did I realize that Spy vs. Spy were really a parody of the cold war. This book is the complete collection of Antonio Prohias's iconic creation including every Spy vs. Spy he ever illustrated. Additional biographical and bonus information on Prohias is another amazing feature of this collection and his immense contribution to MAD magazine is truly shown. The Spy's elaborate methods of destroying one another will keep you laughing for hours with this book! Which Spy will win next? Black or White?!

I loved the unexpectited endings. I liked seeing them beet up each other. They also tell abought the auother`s life in the begening.

Classic book with background information. Creative, imaginary, entertaining & impossible enterprises detailed. Great for adults to younger teens. Originally purchased for my 12 year old and so popular he and his friends that we gave several as gifts to his friends. My 8 year old also picked up the book and spent time studying the pictures and laughing at the absurd lengths these spys go to.

"Spy vs. Spy: The Complete Casebook" collects the complete run of the late Antonio Prohias' comic strip from 1961-1987, published by MAD Magazine. The title characters are two equally sinister agents--one dressed in black, the other in white--who constantly war against each other with many a different scheme.
On occasion, the Spies are joined by the Gray Spy--a female operative who always triumphs over the Spies, who are blinded by their love for her. This book also contains artwork by Bob Clarke and Peter Kupfer. There are also extras in this book, including photographs of Spy merchandise, unpublished sketches and essays by Prohias' friends at MAD.
This book has a secret agent, film noir feel to it. It appears that the comics were easily inspired by The Shadow--but to a greater extent, the Cold War.

How can second-rate gory horror comics be so much fun? I reread THE ZOMBIE FACTORY three enjoyable times, and I still can figure it out!

If you enjoy violent and unsettling comics in the tradition of the legendary EC Comics, look no further. These classic 1960s' "wet" tales of undead rampages will surely satisfy your carnivorous comic book cravings.

THE ZOMBIE FACTORY, with its black-and-white retro horror comics, is a superb example of why the comic industry instated a Comic Code. Left to their own devices, it would have just been a matter of time before Bob Kane or Jack Cole had Batman or Plastic-Man disembowel or behead some hapless jewel thief. Fun, bloody, and a cool glimpse into a world of comics that might have been.

Crammed with all manners of undead evil, THE ZOMBIE FACTORY will most certainly delight the most discrimination horror comic reader with its tales of unbridled evil. My favorite story involves a nazi war criminal and a pair of gloves made from human skin.

These delightfully degenerate comics, the kind not suitable for the sensibilities of the easily disgusted, are deliberately designed to dishevel one's nerves with its relentless excesses of bloodshed at the rotting hands of the undead. Anyone of these blood-splattered tales would feel right at home residing a movie theater screen with the caption, "directed by George Romero."

I gave this book as a birthday present to my boyfriend, who is a lover of vintage robots. He was thrilled with the book! Lots of great pictures and interesting bits of information. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys in robots or vintage toys, either as a serious collector or just someone with a general interest.

As the author of ZAP! Ray Gun Classics, I've looked at a LOT of books on vintage space toys and in my opinion this is the very best one. The diversity of items, production values, factual information and other comments are all superb. I return to this book whenever I need a space toy "nostalgia fix" and I always seem to find something new. No vintage space toy collection should be without it.

More than merely a definitive catalogue of the subject, Blast Off is a socio-historical journey. Toys offer provide the prism through which the authors examine fascinating sociological phenomenon. Make no mistake this is the definitive book for this topic, but it becomes a tour de force by examining the history, economics, and sociology implied by these fascinating products from our recent past.

More than merely a definitive catalogue of the subject, Blast Off is a socio-historical journey. Toys offer provide the prism through which the authors examine fascinating sociological phenomenon. Make no mistake this is the definitive book for this topic, but it becomes a tour de force by examining the history, economics, and sociology implied by these fascinating products from our recent past.

Blast Off! is a fun and fascinating read for any fan of science fiction, space toys, or comic books. It's a beautiful coffee table-sized book with sexy images of robots, ray guns, and toys of all types that make you feel nostalgic even if you don't remember these toys from the first time around.

This book offers a history of "in the know" type stories about specific toys and the personalities who created and purchased them. There's the Buck Rogers XZ-31 rocket pistol that led Macy's and Gimbels into their most vicious price war ever, dropping prices by the hour to support the most successful toy promotion the world had ever seen. And there's the collector Bob Lesser who pays double the sticker price to win dealer loyalty. And there's a never-been-published story of the untimely death of Flash Gordon creator Alex Raymond. Plus the authors offer insight into how toys have affected history, entertainment, and the space program.

If you're a fan of Buck Rogers like I am, you should also check out Blast Off! author S. Mark Young's interviews with Erin Grey in Filmfax (Oct/Nov 2002 and Feb/Mar 2003) for a sensitive rendering of a sensational story.

This is possibly the most beautifully rendered graphic novel (if something of these dimensions can be called a novel) ever. Dave McKean is best known for doing the cover art for all 75 issues of Neil Gaiman's landmark Sandman comics series, and as the director of the independent film Mirrormask. Not all of his fans may know about McKean's solo comics work. Cages, his magnum opus, was originally released in 10 issues, over a period of 6 years, dogged by publishing difficulties and McKean's busy schedule. It was worth the wait, for within it McKean shows himself to be an extraordinary storyteller in his own right, as well as being a wonderful draughtsman and illustrator.

Worth every penny of the fifty bucks.

I read this book a couple of years ago, and reread it a few weeks ago. I have never come across a story like this, in particular a story TOLD like this. With an incredibly impressive array of visual/narrative techniques, McKean presents an allegory (if that's what it is; the book can be ambiguous concerning certain developments) of creativity as well as despair, abandonment, frustration, and above all, the realization that things are actually pretty wonderful, if we can manage to alter our perspectives.
This is one of the crowning achievements of the graphic medium, and a landmark in literature.

I've bought this graphic novel 3 years ago.
I've just read it in past 4 days.
Why?
I don't know.
Maybe I was afraid of it, maybe I wasn't ready for it yet.
I didn't know what to expect from that pages, that cages...
When I finished it today I was just... it's hard to explain the combination of feelings in my head and soul.
As a painter, graphic novel artist and comic strip teacher, I use to search for a new worlds, to find some new stories to tell to my friends and people that surrounds me.
And I'm aware of numerous traps that lurking behind every corner of creation.
I use to tell my students: Be creative, free your mind and fly through the limitless fields of mind, through the many rooms and hidden windows.
And than again, I find myself captured in some sort of cage.
But the love always sets me free.
Dave McKean is one of my few favorite artists.
A genius that combines techniques, always searching for some new expression.
In this complex and moving book, you can find him using sometimes scratchy ink outlines an rapid brush movenents, everything black and white, (with some blue and greenish tone).
Also a few in colour painted panels, an photomontages.
The storyline is good, sometimes monotone but filled with phylosophy about God, art, creation, love, meanings of existence...
I think that I'm going to read it few more times... There's something left, hidden between those dark walls, and spattered lines.
But all I can do is recommend this amazing 500 pgs long book to you,
and you will be next to enter that other- but so close to us - world.

I passed this large 500pg graphic novel in my bookstore many times before i decided to 'staisfy my curiosity'. So i bought it. Upon opening the cover, I was awestruck at the pages in front of me. The book is simply (in my opinion) one of the finest examples of visual story-telling (in the comicbook sense) that I have ever seen. It's a book I can point to and say, "There, THATS how far you can go with the medium!".

Dave McKean is not one of my favourite writers or artists, but this is one of the best 'books' i have ever held in my hands. The story is interesting, layered & strange. This book is not a 'snack'. It's a big 'meal', that you'll put in the freezer & reheat again to consume over & over. The visuals are not 'text-book' comic style illustrations, but rather 'artistic'. It's stylised. The book is a piece of art. The quality of the book itself (Cover, inside pages & size) - is something you rarely (if ever) see on shelves. This book is not cheap, but once you open the pages, you wouldn't care if you paid twice the price. It's that good.

The often used cliche, "If you only buy one graphic novel a year, make it this one" is perfectly valid for this book.

.

Okay, well there's lots of things to say about this book. On first glance, Dave McKean's artistic style seems rough and unskilled. But I knew him from the amazing images he put together for the Sandman series. And as I read this book, I saw how behind all the scribbly lines was a clear vision, and the ability to portray emotions and scenes with precision. And yet it's not beautiful. It's scribbly and rough.

His storyboarding is amazing. He can show time and movement and emotion incredibly well. He uses the medium of comics in an expert manner.

The characters are interesting, and the dialogue is very authentic and real. You can sink yourself into any scene and believe it. He paints the characters in terms of their words and emotions as well as he depicts their movement, the passage of time, and the images behind the images. It feels much like Gaiman's work. There's an intimacy of character that draws you in, past any dislike you may have of the artistic style at first.

But what I didnt like, and the reason I gave it a 3, is that there isnt an overall story. McKean hints at a story, and brings in elements with a lot of potential, from the supernatural to gods and conspiracies, but he doesnt go anywhere with them or attempt to explain them or justify their existence in the story. It's as if he read imaginative stories all day long and this was the confusing, odd dream he had afterwards. I kept hoping he'd weave it all together in the end, but he doesnt. It meanders without purpose. The telling is good, but what is it telling? I really dont know. And thus, it is unsatisfying.

A little bit longer than some other books like this, so perhaps slightly more complex. This is a just post Pantheon Hulk, stuck in reverse, intelligent and green, or mindless savage and human.

A younger relative Major Talbot reforms the Hulkbusters and fails, the Banners are forced to move a couple of times. Betty gets pregnant.

Siamese twins, enter Dr Strange in a complicated surgical procedure to try and save them.

Enter the Maestro, taking one son.

The Hulk follows through the Crossroads and dimensions, to track him down. A planet with a stuffed Rick Jones, and an elite unit of Hulks, including WolvaDeathlok Hulk, Thing Hulk and Elric Hulk. The Hulk's son is now a grown half-Hulk, too. In a nasty twist, the name of this unit is also the Hulkbusters.

All in all, one of those crazy Hulk stories with the lot, tragedy, Hulkbusting and bashing.

The Hulk and Major Talbot discuss Les Miserables, and Banner and his son have an argument about Nietzsche! Didn't see those coming. Something here for everyone almost, and really, a 3.75 I'd say.

While I enjoy stories about the Hulk, I've grown so very tired of 'evil army people' after the Hulk. Yes, I know that the military chasing and hunting the Hulk as been there since the beginning but I really wish they would do away with it. After all if the military chased down super-being because of the damage they coul dor have done they would be after everyone. It just isn't a story line that should be kept up. Aside from not liking the military involvement in the Hulk "What Savage Beast" was a decent read. It was a quick read (finished in 2 days) and you really don't have to strain yourself to follow along.

To have been a really good book the author should have delved into the relationship problems between Bruce and Betty. If there were ever a place to show the most powerful being in the world to be completly helpless it would be as he faced the wrath of his wife. That I would have payed extra to read. But alas the tension in the marriage was never used to full effect and only briefly touched on.

Again not a baad book but I would borrow it from a friend or library and spend my $ on something better.

I've been a fan of the Hulk for almost two decades now, so I was very excited when I first heard he would be featured in a full-length book.

Having been ousted by his former Pantheon teammates, the Hulk is left with only one alternative: to keep a low-profile and try to lead a normal life with his beautiful and understanding wife, Betty. However, things have never been that simple for the Hulk, and soon he must deal with an endless array of obstacles including a single-minded army major, an unexpected pregnancy, and a bizarre new series of transformations.

Peter David, a magnificent writer of both comic books and novels, manages to blend the two distinct mediums together and produce a story that has an instant all-around appeal. The first chapter tells new readers everything they need to know, most notably how the Hulk changed from a raging child-like brute to an intelligent and self-confident genius.

David's descriptions of the characters and their surroundings are expressed with such vivid detail that it's easy to picture the workings of each scene in our minds. From a mundane suburban apartment to a mysterious otherworldly dimension, everything is always perfectly clear.

Also featuring illustrations by renowned comic book artist George Perez (Incredible Hulk: Future Imperfect, Avengers/JLA), What Savage Beast is an action-packed, emotionally-gripping tale that more than lives up to its reputation. Strongest one there is!

Now THIS is what I'm talking about. Finally a novel worthy of its main character. You can tell that Peter David knows his stuff, and *GASP!!!* actually CARES about his characters instead of just writing about them. I was actually shocked by how much turmoil that the main characters (Bruce Bnner/Hulk, Betty Banner, Doc Samson)went through in this book, OUTSIDE of normal comic continuity. This is quite literally a "page turner" as the sotry is just, literally, all over the place. My only complaint is that the end conclusion feels abrupt and rushed. Maybe Mr. David was on a deadline, or maybe he just couldn't come up with a worthy enough conclusion to his fantastic story. Who knows, but it won't diminish the impact of what happened before. It's a shame that Mr. David didn't write another Hulk novel, as the Hulk novels are actually some of the better ones. Oh well, definately check this out!

The Incredible Hulk was my favourite marvel superhero ever since I was a kid ,that is why I purchased this book because I had hoped that it would bring me back to the childhood days of yesteryears,boy did I got more than what I bargained for!!I was stuck with the savage Hulk when last I read about him ,and when I read this book....it took me to new planes of where the Hulk is now,his multiple personality disorder and his temporary cure by Dr Leonard Samson,His relationship with Betty Thunderbolt Ross,the miraculous cure of the Hulks transformation dilemma was really a cool twist in this book ,and most of all,The Hulks/Bruce Banners sons!!!!!I shouldn't say anything more!this book kept me at the edge of my seat and made me beg for more.If you're a fan of the Hulk,this is an epic,if you're not a fan ,you'll become a fan !!!!!!

ok. Let me start of by saying this. ANY WHO ARE FANS OF ANIME/MANGA NEED THIS BOOK! Ok. The rest of you who don't know what I"m talking about need this book for two reasons.
1. It'll get you into the world that is manga/anime
2. It spoofs both rather well.
So, why are you still here. GET THIS NOW!

THis is possibly one of the funniest things I've ever read. The plot is good and the is a ton of humor. SW33t.

If you have read any of Fred Gallagher's recent comics, you may find them good, but slightly boring. Well, chapter zero, when Rodney Caston was still co-writing was, in my humble opinion, the best of the comics. It may be a thin book, but it's worth its weight in gold.

This was written as a 7th grade school project.

After being kicked out of a game convention, two college grads take a trip to Tokyo, Japan. Suddenlt stranded with no money, food, or place to live, they must find their way back from Tokyo to America. They begin to settle into their new enviroment, starting off anew in this strange place. Throughout their "adventure' they met many new friends, including a humanoid PS2 accessory, and a hamster that is supposedly one of their "consciences." In the end, however, they begin to blend into this strange new world and live in it, wondering whether or not going back home would be better than styaing in Tokyo.

I loved this book since it is, basically, a story for gamers, nerds, and artists by gamers, nerds, and artists. It has a morbid sense of humor that many people enjoy, and it shows some problems that happen in real life. The true purpose of this book, to show how life looks from the views of people that are called "geeks," is amazing, and somehow inspiring. This book still makes me want to sit down and create a novel of my own, to show the life of these two guys is like the ones other people do live. In summary, this book should be read by everyone, no matter what age, or interest.

This book is currently also a webcomic. Read it at- www.megatkyo.com

When my brother sent me the link to MT (MegaTokyo) about a year ago, I really wasn't into reading webcomics. Well, I blame him for my time online reading and the money I spend buying great books like this.

Fred began MT just to shut up a friend... well you see where its gone from there. ^_^ I think you will find a character for just about anyone, male, female, shy, outgoing or simply out-of-touch. That's why there is such a great reader following... MT isn't just for guys, girls or gamers. This is a great book written with a flavor of manga. (though not written backwards, so no worries there if you don't want to adjust)

This issue is Pre-Dark Horse publishing, that is why the cover is different and is out of print. DH is publishing Vol 1 again (possible rerelease in March) and Vol 2 is due for release this month.

For further info, read Fred's rants on www.MegaTokyo.com. He keeps us up to date. (probably out of fear) :P

I hope this helps! Maybe I'll see you on the forums. ;)

Initially I thought this was going to be a book only about storyboarding, but as the title suggests, it "Prepares" you for the story boarding process. It was great to have all the different aspects of character and story developement all in one book.

Ms. Beiman's book is exceptional; it not only discusses storyboarding, but also the entire pre-production process, from character design to art direction to using cinematic lighting and camera angles. I'm never boarding without using tonal drawings again!

I'm going to be the Teaching Assistant for the Storyboarding class at UCLA's MFA Animation Workshop in the fall, and I'm going to tell all the newbies to GET THIS BOOK!!!

This is a truly wonderful book filled with practical, concrete knowledge about how to plan for an animated production.

In the past, I have seen a few somewhat superficial treatments of similar topics, and I was initially a little bit skeptical of this book. Suffice it to say that my expectations were vastly exceeded. Storyboarding is a central part of animated movie production, and it has finally gotten a definitive treatment in book form. This book is highly entertaining, beautifully illustrated, and really packed with information.

Many readers of my own book Introducing Character Animation with Blender are interested in creating animated movies. I highly recommend that they take a look at this inspiring and informative book to ensure that they get off to a good start.

Well written and well organized, "Prepare to Board!" is a wonderful source for learning the ins' and outs of animation boarding.

Nary a step in the process is glossed over or a stone left unturned. I'm quite impressed with the book all around, and have learned a lot about the inner workings of animation.

A definite recommendation.

Nancy Beiman's book "Prepare to Board" is a must-have for animators. If you're serious about working in the industry then this book is for you.

The quick little lessons are excellent tools for practice and improving skills. This books helps to increase creativity and really gives great advice. No other animation book has achieved what "Prepare to Board" has.

Nancy Beiman knows the ins and outs of the animation world and you can tell why she's worked on so many great projects - she's the best at what she's talking about. Nancy Beiman is a professional and this book will help you along your path to a career.

If you're not lucky enough to know her and have her as a Professor (or even if you do), then it goes without saying BUY THIS BOOK!

Every Asterix rules, doesn't matter which one, it rules!
These things are hilarious, has anyone ever read the French version?

Wonderful. what more can I say. You got to have it.

Thanks to the magic potion of the resident druid, Getafix, Asterix and Obelix triumphantly defend the borders of their village against Caesar's legions, to the legions' great dismay ("I hate those Gauls"). My personal favorite is "Asterix and Cleopatra" where they travel to Egypt to help Getafix's buddy Edifis win an architectural contest between Ceasar and Cleopatra. Oh, and the Sphinx's nose? Obelix did that.

In this graphic novel series there is great storytelling, superb drawing, awful puns, wonderful sound effects (yes, really), and sneakily, insidiously, while you're laughing, you're learning.

Asterix and Obelix are Immortal!!

Miss them and you miss some of the more pleasant, happy moments in your life!

Asterix lives in the Gaulish part of the Roman Empire. Doesn't he? Not quite, his village resists the Romans thanks to a magic potion. The Romans want some of this potion for themselves...

"Asterix the Gaul" was the first Asterix comic, published in 1961. Rene Goscinny made the words and Albert Udzero did the pictures. It's a pretty good way to start the series though the sequel "Asterix and the Golden Sickle" (1962) sets up the vibe the other comics enjoy.

This is a great ending to one of the best adventures of all time. All the mystery of Alita is explained in the conflict between Alita and Desty Nova, and the future of the scrapyard and tiphares is brought into a new world as Alita's power over her own destiny is realized with one final battle between fate and heroism.

WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL! WHAT MORE CAN I SAY? PERFRECT! SPECTACULAR! A MUST-READ!

Battle Angel Alita is a series I wish I could like more, and while it was good, it seemed to lose its soul after the second volume. It had equal parts romanticism and graphic death. Once Alita got past that, especially when she became a part of the RollerBall/DeathSport thing, this series began to take a downturn. So it's not a surprise that the final volume of Alita comes to an unsatisfying and hokey end.

Alita has a final confrontation with Desty Nova as the mad scientist tries to conquer Alita's will from the inside out, by deceiving her mind. But we just might find out that that Nova has a soft and cuddly side during the process. And after all, he finally does reveal the hidden secret of Tiphares, a secret that drove Dr. Ido mad! Meanwhile, the forces of Den and Barjack embark on a hopeless mission to destroy Tiphares and bring it crashing to the ground.

This last volume of Alita suffered from the same faults as most of the series. It's just plain goofy. The characters, while going through horrible ordeals, never rise beyond Walt Disney caricatures. It just doesn't seem like much deep thought went into the plot or the conflicts that the characters endure. You could've went into some social commentary instead of following the insane ramblings of a Godzilla size Centaur. And the ultimate sacrifice that Alita makes in this comic is totally contrived and really disrespects her. You're left wondering at the end of the book, "Is that it? This is the great resolution that the entire series has been working towards?". The only thing that saves this series is the lead character herself. If only the story constructed around her had went somewhere.

I can only admire Kishiro's way of ending so magnanimally a perfect series in the critical condition he was in. Talk about inspiration. The series could only end in Gally finding happiness or Gally dying, and I was surprised by the ending, my imagination was not prepared for the mental and heart blow he delivered. Do I recommend it? More than that, I urge you all to get the whole series, a must have, a Bible for some of us.

All good things must come to an end, at least temporarily. With this volume, Yukito Kishiro lifts ramps Alita's story up to a surprising new level, as the final stages of her battle with Desty Nova unfold. Nova, surprised that Alita has broken free of his mental trap, uses the truth about the citizens of Tiphares to cause enough confusion to escape. Alita follows, and is trapped again in Nova's mental coils. This time the Doctor seeks to sap her will to live. As the struggle develops, we get flashes of what might have been parts of Alita's past and future, which are in many ways the only explanation we will ever get.

At the scrap yard, Lord Den and Koyomi have arrived for the final assault on Tiphares. In a last dramatic gesture, Den challenges the might of the sky city on his own, little realizing that the real struggle for the city's survival was happening elsewhere, as Alita challenges Nova and the city for the last time. Suffice it to say, the book becomes one incredible series of images after another, as Alita transcends her limitations in an entirely mind-boggling and innovative fashion.

I always feel slow on the uptake when I completely miss a mystical reference. Until I was staring at the final imagery of the series, I failed to realize that the names Tiphares (and Ketheres) are drawn from the Sephiroth of the Kabalah. Tiphares means beauty, and Ketheres is the crown. These have a natural explanation in the story, so it is hard to decide how deep this metaphysical layer runs. I'll leave it for readers to judge for themselves. It is curious how often such symbolism works it's way into Japanese anime as a metaphor for the mysterious. Of course Evangelion comes to mind, and recently, X (the series) has made such references. A surprise addition to an already complex tale.

In any case, this phase of Alita's story comes to an end with a complete transformation of the order of her world. We know there is more, because a new volume is promised. This is a special manga, combining an intensely violent action story with an underlying theme of the nature of humanity and love. One can find material to think about while watching the parts fly, all beautifully illustrated by an artist who should be considered one of Japan's best. 'Ascension' is a unique work of art in an already outstanding series. I hope that Kishiro will keep the series alive for further incarnations.