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Comics Books sorted by Average customer review: high to low .

Comics
Cut My Hair
Published in Paperback by Oni Press (2000-07-07)
Authors: Jamie S. Rich, Andi Watson, Scott Morse, Judd Winick, Renee French, Chynna Clugston-Major, and Mike Allred
List price: $15.95
New price: $9.46
Used price: $1.29

Average review score:

Forget Hollywood Endings...
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-01-15
With "Cut My Hair," Jamie Rich has recreated the mythos of the early '90s music scene as seen through the eyes of one who had lived during the time. (No, it's true... there was some good stuff going on back then, though coming on the tail of the Decade of Greed, those who lived during the time are characteristly cynical over any reminder of said years.)

Mason, the narrator/protagonist of the novel, could concievably be a real-life person. None of his insights, emotions, or actions are one-sided. In fact, he most resembles a modern-day depiction of J. D. Salinger's Holden Caulfield, though somewhat more adjusted to the life in which he lives. And a life of glamour and rock 'n' roll it is not! Mason abides with parental apathy, poverty-line conditions, and a super-heated drought-stricken California, while discovering that life holds none of the Hollywood-esque promise made to his generation. In Mason's life of change and uncertainty, the only possession to which he places any trust and security is his leather jacket - his shell.

This book delves into the alternative music scene, and successfully captures its heart and soul. It doesn't apologize for retroactive weaknesses, because it doesn't feel it has to. It's merely presenting a backdrop which is as rich and vibrant as Mason and his inextricable band of friends and associates.

Most of the sporadic artwork contained therein equally displays a good feel for the characters and their times (Andi Watson's efforts especially accomplish this; Judd Winick's, not so much), and give the book a considerable amount of character.

Fantastic book, well-deserving of multiple readings.

A truly great rock and roll novel
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2004-11-10
Cut My Hair is written by former Oni Press Editor Jamie S. Rich with illustrations by such noted comic book artists as Judd Winick, Chynna Clugston-Major, Scott Morse, Mike Allred and Andi Watson, with the title taken from the Who song of the same name off of their Quadrophenia album. As I am a huge fan of both comic books and The Who, Cut My Hair sounded like it was right up my alley. Cut My Hair is a smart, well written, coming of age story. It's also about being in love, not only with another person, but with music. Specifically, Punk rock music.

Set in the early 90's, Cut My Hair is narrated by 19-year old Mason, who lives with his best friend Jack. Jack isn't just his best friend, but also his protector and as close to family as anyone he knows, as Jack hasn't spoken to his abusive, alcoholic mother since he moved out after High School. Nicknamed "Jailbate" (incorrect spelling intended) because of his small size and stature, Mason's life consists of working full time at a comic store, going to Punk rock shows and pining away for Laine, his High School crush. As with all things in life, nothing stays the same. Mason's life begins to change, as he meets and falls passionately in love with Jeane. Before Mason can fully enjoy his newfound happiness, an event occurs which sends him over the edge into a deep, alcohol-fueled despair, from which even the music he loves cannot save him.

Cut My Hair, filled with the longing and heartache of teenage angst, explores both the lifestyle and the music of the Los Angles Punk rock scene of the early 90's with authority and affection. Regardless of whether you're a Punk or not, you'll be quickly drawn into this fascinating, often violent world that, in it's own way, is infused with an underlying sense of romanticism, hope and love.

Cut my hair
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2003-12-23
OMG! This book was amazing. I read about this book a few years ago in some music magazine. Somehow, I remembered the title and decided to look it up on amazon. I found it and ordered it and I am greatful I did. Jamie S. Rich did an excelent in developing the character of Mason. The way he uses the first person and really captures what it is like to be a teenager who feels like he doesn't fit in. He finds a way to really show the ups and downs in a teen's life. I could not put this book down. I would recomend it to anyone. I could not have agreed more with the musical taste in this book. And I was able to see myself through Mason. If you are a teenager or not, this book is definetly one to read!!!

Close to My Heart
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2005-04-23
I bought this book on a whim. As many of the people who have read it, I first heard of it through Oni Press. And I was not disappointed one bit.

My reaction was surprising most of all to me, since I've made the analysis of literary works my life (and my degree). There's nothing about this book that makes it astoundingly unique compared to all the other coming-of-age novels out there. But that's the beauty of it.

For different people with different experiences, certain elements of this book resonate on a deeper level than can be described. For those who cannot live without their music and all that's connected therein. For those who have the small store job and find happiness just fine. For those yearning away for the "Eternal Girl."

For me, who suddenly recognized a very close friend and was delighted at last to know who he was. I showed my friend this book and he wondered how on earth this author had picked up scenes from his life like they were pennies lying face-up on the ground. He started telling me about concerts he'd driven half the day to get to, fights he'd been in wondering who he was fighting... life's realization. Music. Friendship. Love.

So, for me, up to my neck in all the Shakespeare, Hemingway, and Palahniuk I can stand-- and this is my favorite of them all. There's something about it that just resonates deep inside. I *know* Mason. I know him even better now. His name may not be Mason, but he's got all the bad haircuts and scars to prove otherwise.

Not a Graphic Novel
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 9 total.
Review Date: 2004-11-01
I bought this thinking it was a graphic novel, after enjoying Blue Monday and Scooter Girl.

It's not. Just a novel.

Caveat Emptor.

Comics
The Far Side Gallery 5
Published in Hardcover by Andrews McMeel Publishing (1995-09-15)
Author: Gary Larson
List price: $19.95
New price: $24.98
Used price: $9.99

Average review score:

great fun!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2006-02-16
This collection, as the other 4, are one of the best comics you can read! Great! Yuo must have it!

The best of a cartoonist genius
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2007-09-21
As a satirical cartoonist, Gary Larson has no peer. His biting and hilarious insights often require a great deal of thought before you get the point. If you are not familiar with the reference used to create the cartoon, it is unlikely that you will get the point.
For example, on page 42 there is a cartoon showing deer engaged in an excavation project with a mounted cowboy observing them while perched on a hill. The caption is "Where the deer and the antelope work." If you do not know about the song, "Home on the range", then you will not understand the joke. Another example on the same page shows three frogs lying among cattails holding wine bottles. The caption here is "Yeah, I remember Jerry. Good friend of mine ... You know, I never understood a single word he said, but he always had some mighty fine wine." Once again, if you are not familiar with the song "Joy to the World" by Creedence Clearwater Revival, the joke will most likely pass you by.
Gary Larson is a genius, where that quality is manifested in ways that are twisted, yet profound. This book is hilarious.

Very Unique!
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 7 total.
Review Date: 2002-01-22
gary larson is one he best cartoonists ever! you have to travel to the far side! all of his comics will have you thinking! its great! buy it, you'll love it!

Hilarious
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2005-03-12
Here's another omnibus edition of Gary Larson's weird, wacky and utterly hilarious cartoons. To enter Larson's world is to enter a world where animals have meaningful conversations, bugs make their homes in nice suburban houses, flies fly planes etc, etc. Certainly not the mainstream kind of cartoon but for anyone who likes 'off the wall' type humour this is a 'must buy'. Absolutely hilarious.

I AM A LARSEN JUNKIE!!! I NEED MORE!!!
Helpful Votes: 7 out of 9 total.
Review Date: 2002-07-17
Larsen is the world's greatest cartoonist. Too bad he retired. I have envelopes filled with his cartoons clipped out of the newspaper (10+ years ago!) that I still can't bear to throw away. So I suppose this book was a good idea. It will take up less space than several bulging envelopes.

For younger people who can't remember his cartoons in the paper every day, you need to hurry up and start collecting his books so you can always be within arm's length of a smile or a laugh.

Also, I love the story about the "Jane Goodall Cartoon"

--George Stancliffe

Comics
Flight, Volume Three
Published in Comic by Ballantine Books (2006-06-27)
Author: Various
List price: $24.95
New price: $13.91
Used price: $9.95

Average review score:

Less Awesome
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-09-07
While I enjoyed this collection, it doesn't have as much depth as Flight #2. The imagery in general doesn't take you to a unique universe like really great comics should. Some of the writing is quite mundane which makes this collection seem like second string work. However, in a field ironically devoid of real creativity the stories are still some of the best to be seen. Perhaps the amazing level of Flight 2 was just too hard to sustain. Despite the general, everyday, autobiographical nature of many of these stories there are still enough gems that create their own unique world that I recommend this book to all serious admirers of the comic genre.

Roseann the Librarian ....and new mom
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-09-05
I love this one...and ordered a copy for myself after seeing it at the library. Unique, colorful, clever imagery and stories in comic form that are not to be missed. A real treat after a long day. I have not read issues 1 & 2 yet myself, but heard several times that this one is even better than both those prior editions.

Awesome.
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-07-31
It's an amazing book, I did not expect to find treasure like this :)
I really love the fact that different artists have put their short comic stories. I get to see different styles, stories and very diverse ideas. Amazing!

A brilliant comics anthology
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-05-09
I was first attracted to Flight Vol. 1 because of the story by Kazu Kibuishi, who had done the very entertaining comic Daisy Kutter. As I began to read Vol. 1 I was astounded by the quality of each succeeding story. Most were terrific and even the few could be considered to be "clunkers" were actually interesting experiments that only partially failed for some reason or another. Amazingly enough Flights 2 and 3 were even better. I swear that there's not a bad story in the lot and I'm sure that the upcoming Flight 4 will continue this high level of quality. Cudos to Erik (Savage Dragon) Larsen for using his position as Image Comics publisher to get the first two entries published.

Very good condition, very fast delivery!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2007-01-29
The Flight series books are great! These comics have the greatest comic art I have seen and many of them have very intellectual meanings. Thank you.

Comics
Hi-Fi Color For Comics: Digital Techniques for Professional Results
Published in Paperback by Impact (2008-03-03)
Authors: Brian Miller and Kristy Miller
List price: $24.99
New price: $15.53
Used price: $15.99

Average review score:

Neat book, but liked another better
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-14
Having perused many books on animation, illustration, etc. and having purchased a few I thought this was pretty cool. The coloring style may not be for everyone, but the book is helpful in many areas. I thought the quality of the work was not as good as GURU's book, and I would recommend that book over this one. That being said, you may be able to pick up different points from each, as I did.

Finally, a Photoshop book for Art
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-12
There are a lot of books dedicated to Photoshop, for improving photos. Which is understandable since that's what Photoshop is mainly for. There are few books that go deep into the art possibilities. (and I have quite a few Photoshop books).

This book is heavy into comic related art, mainly, how to color comics and really make them pop. But don't let that stop you if you are not into comics. This book helps with taking simple line art and making into a good pieces of art or graphic quality. It covers scanning, stitching, layout, and it full of coloring tips from end to end.

Forget 2-dimensional line art. This book takes a basic line art and shows you how to make it fantastic visually. There are so many ideas here, it will keep you busy for quite sometime. Highly recommended.

Great book. Learn for "real" how to be a colorist.
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-11
I use this book as a teaching tool. Fantastic. If you are need to know digital color and the all the means (printing, and so on) you need this book. The best book of it's kind. Very well done.

The best book on computer coloring
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-24
I've just started coloring a comic, and I wish I had purchased this book before I started! It contains SO MUCH information, from scanning, to prepping your drawings for coloring, to flatting and finally to coloring itself. Sure, some of this may be in the Internet here and there, but never in one place and never, ever explained so well.

In addition to the valuable information on coloring, he also includes some invaluable scripts from Hi-Fi, which removes the tedious process of setting up your channels, etc., as well as a script for color holds and finishing up the page.

All I can say is this is the best resource I've found on computer coloring for comics. In fact, it was so good, I ordered copies for two friends.

Fabulous book with a truly valuable cd.
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-19
This book is an excellent resource. The authors are talented colorists, but more importantly for the reader, they're people with real experience teaching others how to color comics professionally.

There are a hundred ways to do ANYTHING in photoshop -- what I love about _Hi-Fi Color for Comics_ is it stops to explain WHY they do it the way they're showing. I've colored a lot of comic pages and other illustrations over the years, and have my own way of doing things. I'm changing a lot of my approaches for the better because of this book.

The book covers Hi-Fi's "house style" of coloring, but the meat of the book is valuable for all styles of colorists. You've got to flat well, you've got to produce good backed-up blacks, all the rest. No matter what coloring style you're shooting for, my bet is you're going to pick up some valuable tips from this book.

And finally we have the included cd -- it's not just some sample files for practice and a couple custom brushes, it has a number of complicated photoshop actions that are serious high-quality time-savers for colorists. Any one of the actions would be worth the cover price alone.

Just starting out? This book will tell you what you need to know.
Experienced colorist? Boost your productivity, get this book.

Comics
The Incredible Hulk: Future Imperfect (Marvel's Finest)
Published in Paperback by Marvel Entertainment Group (1994-06)
Author: Peter David
List price: $12.95
New price: $29.99
Used price: $22.44
Collectible price: $39.95

Average review score:

Hulk at his finest
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2004-05-29
The Ultimate Comic Book Fight, Hulk vs. Hulk. Hulk in thrown into the future where his future self controls everything. That pretty much sets everything off. One of the finer moments in Hulk History. So just buy this, now, and be preparded to see how a real Hulk Story is written.

The HULK smahing story ever told
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2006-08-11
This grafic novel, shows the powerful hulk can be, in a caotic future, that he can kill all the marvel universe if he is mad enough, the drawings are fenomenal, if you don't like the hulk character, with this book sure you will change your mind

Boy did i make a make mistake...
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2004-12-20
by NOT buying this masterpice when i had the chance! My Library had a copy and i took it out, read it and loved it! i thought that i could just go back there for when ever i had a craving to read this great story, but now it's listed as "missing," i.e. some kid borrowed it and never returned it. Now it's out of print, hard to find, and when u can find it it's pricey. Well, it's availble here and i'm gettin' my copy before the're all gone, and if you like the
Hulk or super-hero comics in general, buy this baby while you still can.

Hulk: Future Imperfect
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2004-10-21
What can I say that hasn't already been said by others? I have read and re-read this book many times. It is one of the best Hulk stories you'll ever read and the art is great, too. Almost no prior knowledge of the Hulk is necessary to fully enjoy this masterpiece. Buy this thing now!

The enemy is me.
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2004-11-05
Another masterpiece from the mind of Peter David, Future Imperfect is praised by fans and critics not only as some of his best Hulk work, but as some of his best work overall!

Brought forward in time ninety years and arriving in a post-apocalyptic future, the Hulk is beseeched by a group of resistance fighters to take down the being responsible for all the devastation. A being known only as "the Maestro."

But the battle won't be a simple one, for the Hulk soon learns that the Maestro is none other than a bizarre future incarnation of himself! Driven insane by decades of persecution, made even stronger by the free-floating radiation of the era, and having nearly a hundred years more experience than his younger self, the Maestro will rank as the Hulk's greatest challenge ever...... assuming he survives it.

Featuring art by George Perez and colors by Tom Smith, Future Imperfect is a modern-classic that belongs in every fan's collection.

Comics
It's Happy Bunny: Love Bites
Published in Hardcover by Scholastic Inc. (2005-01-01)
Author: Jim Benton
List price: $7.99
New price: $2.83
Used price: $0.01
Collectible price: $13.00

Average review score:

VERY VERY GOOD
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-12
I really liked this book. It was short and extremely funny. I personally loved the hilarious quizzes.

It's cute
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-02
I love the Happy Bunny. It was purchased as a gift so hopefully the recipient will like it as much as I did.

Laugh Out Loud
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2006-03-06
If you are looking for a laugh, this book will provide it! Jim Benton's humor may be offensive to some but as Happy Bunny says, "I know how you feel. I just don't care." This book makes a great gift for pre-teens on up. I love Happy Bunny!

The best book ever......
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2005-12-16
It's soooooo funny. Happy Bunny makes me extra happy and my friends too. Happy Bunny is soooooo funny. Boys are stupid. Boys in my class.... when you see them that's all the proof you need.

5+++ SNOT BUBBLE INDUCING!!!!!!!
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2005-12-23
This might have been the funniest thing I have ever read...I literally could not stop laughing. Terrific quick read that will leave you relating, comtemplating and pontificating all the while with a smile on your face.....

Comics
Margarita, está linda la mar (Alfaguara)
Published in Paperback by Santillana USA Publishing Company (1998-01-01)
Author: Sergio Ramirez
List price: $21.95
New price: $16.94
Used price: $1.70

Average review score:

Novela histórica, nicaragüense y universal.
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2005-06-04
Novela ganadora del prestigioso Premio Alfaguara (Madrid, 1998) cuyo jurado fue presidido por Carlos Fuentes. Sergio Ramírez se consagra como un gran escritor con esta documentada y entretenida novela que cuenta la historia de dos vidas tan contrarias como paralelas: la del príncipe poeta Rubén Darío y la del tirano Anastasio Somoza García. Espíe o hágase cómplice de los conspiradores del asesinato! Siga a Rigoberto López Pérez en su entrenamiento para convertirse, a un mismo tiempo, en mártir y asesino. Vea cómo "Tacho" Somoza bailaba al son de un rico mambo de Pérez Prado poco antes de ser tiroteado con balas envenenadas por un arrecho y cellinesco orfebre. Llore o ríase de la esperpéntica y triste historia de la Caimana, la lesbiana más famosa de Nicaragua. Conozca a Margarita, la niña inmortalizada en el célebre verso que da título a la novela. Admire o apártese del bisturí del Sabio Debayle, amigo de Darío y difícil suegro de Somoza. Lea cómo todos estos "dramatis personae" integran humorosa comedia o tragedia sangrienta. Sergio Ramírez, respetado político y escritor, conoce la espada, y conoce la pluma. En esta novela nos ha obsequiado con literatura seria, con gracia original, y con estilos y formas modernos y variantes. Creo que este hombre se ha merecido los ciento setenta y cinco mil dólares del Premio Alfaguara. En el 2004 fue publicada su MIL Y UNA MUERTES. Como siga así, siguiendo los pasos de García Márquez, Ramírez podría un día llegar a recibir el Nobel.

Ramirez writing history at its best!!!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2001-06-13
Whether you are Nicaraguan or not and whether you know or do not know about their history, this is something you definitely need to read. Ramirez wrote an excellent story from history's point of view with a great touch of imagination. Furthermore, there are touches of humor throughout the whole story that will suit the reader in the right moment. The author has succesfully written a story which contains history as well as fiction. I do not want to say more for it will be better for you to discover what a great story this. Yo will also enjoy the book for it is rich in culture ...

Historia novelada nada de aburrida
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2005-06-22
Esta novela es más de lo que dicen los demás lectores que la recomiendan y que por aquí han dejado sus comentarios. Es el ejemplo claro de cómo un autor como Sergio Ramírez utiliza su talento literario para narrar en forma novelada, artística y educativa, y con alturas universales, eventos históricos que a primera vista pueden parecer cansinos y efímeros relatos de provincia. Si, por otro lado, usted no es de los que siguen de cerca la literatura hispanoamericana -centroamericana en este caso,- y no necesariamente quiere añadir este tomo, materialmente más perdurable a su colección, le recomiendo la edición de bolsillo de Punto de Lectura, también de la editora Alfaguara, disponible a mitad de precio. Después de todo, es la misma novela, sólo que más barata.

An exceptional book
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2004-06-08
Even if your native language is Spanish, this is a hard book to read and comprehend. But what an unforgettable experience it brings to the reader! This book will haunt you and impact you for a long time. It is one of the best books of modern Spanish literature. A must read!

Margarita, esta linda la mar... but the poetry is missing
Helpful Votes: 6 out of 9 total.
Review Date: 2001-01-09
The poetry is definitely missing from this novel. It is beyond me how Sergio Ramirez could portray Ruben Dario, the greatest Nicaraguan poet and one of the greatest Hispanic poets ever, as a womanizer and a drunkard. He is a disgusting character. To make things worse, Ramirez does not reveal Ruben Dario's brilliance as a poet, omitting the poem that gives the book its title (Sergio: not everybody reading the book knows the poem by heart). The good side of the book is the story relating to Somoza's assassination, though the sexual innunedoes are very strong here too. Whether or not the assassination plot is fact-based, it is interesting and sort of a cliffhanger. Rigoberto Lopez-Perez, the hero/assassin, has a poignant story; the description of Somoza's first lady is unforgettably humorous. Nevertheless, this could have been a better book.

Comics
Mermaid's Scar, Volume 2 (Viz Graphic Novel)
Published in Paperback by VIZ Media LLC (1996-02-05)
Author:
List price: $17.95
New price: $4.95
Used price: $0.20
Collectible price: $18.00

Average review score:

Why should you buy this? There are many reason...
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2001-05-21
When I started to read manga's I was always looking for something new. Not the same old "shoot 'em up" or "magical girl" story but something unique. Mermaids Scar is an excellent example. I recived this novel with much delight, and was even more enthralled with the series afterwards. Rumiko Takahashi gives a reader an array of emotions that help to create one of the most emotional and interesting novels to read. It is well worth your money to purchase this book, I guarentee you will not be disapointed!

Before Inu Yasha....
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2001-01-07
Like the Mermaid books that preceed and follow it, this work is a masterpiece. This is an edgy, disturbing horror story with likable characters and a friendly drawing style. People who started with Inu Yashu should try the Mermaid stories next. (Mermaid Forest is the first of three). They may notice some similarities between the two heroines! Anyone who enjoyed the video should also read the manga, since the story is slightly different, and the second part of this book was never animated. Enjoy!

Dark glory
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2004-02-12
Rumiko Takahashi is better known for her romantic comedies than for dark fantasies. But her brief Mermaid series is an excellent display of Takahashi's dark side, in a world where a handful of humans who eat mermaid flesh become immortal, and the rest turn into fishlike, monstrous creatures called "lost souls."

Like the other two collections of Mermaid stories, "Mermaid's Scar" focuses on the immortal duo Mana and Yuta. In "Dream's End," Mana encounters a lost soul who has somehow retained his human soul, turning him into a tormented monster. "Mermaid's Promise" brings Yuta back to where he once met a young girl who fell in love with him -- and who has somehow been brought back to life as a soulless creature. "Mermaid's Scar" brings Mana and Yuta to a town where a woman somehow recovered from deadly burns -- and discovers an immortal boy with a horrifying secret. "The Ash Princess" goes back to 17th-century Japan, when Yuta was still wandering alone. Here, he finds a travelling old man and his young daughter -- a girl brought to life with a mermaid's liver.

Perhaps the most common comparison to the Mermaid series is the action/fantasy/romance series "Inuyasha." However, the Mermaid stories have none of the humor and goofiness that pop up in "Inuyasha" (although the story of the undead, tormented ex-girlfriend is quite familiar). The tone is melancholy, sometimes outright macabre, with a few sweet scenes of romance between the two immortals. Perhaps the best scene is the hauntingly lovely last moments with Nae and Yuta.

The relationship between Yuta and Mana is pure Takahashi -- they love each other but somehow won't admit it (and Mana gets pretty jealous at times). They stick with one another through thick and thin, and occasionally show little indications of how they actually feel. ("It sounds like you've fallen for me," Yuta says half-jokingly at one point)

Takahashi's dark "Mermaid's Scar" is a fantastic mixture of dark fantasy and gently understated romance. Sweet, terrifying and deeply satisfying.

Blood, violence... what more could you want?
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2000-10-15
This is a very, very violent manga, even by MY standards. Even though it's JUST a comic book, I often found myself cringing and flinching just looking at the drawings (I didn't even flinch while reading 3x3 Eyes, but this one... just the way things are drawn makes them look REALLY painful)... speaking of that, the art is very good, obviously Takahashi-style. Anyways, even though it is SO violent and bloody, it is actually quite enjoyable. In fact, after reading it I almost completely changed my taste in manga and went on the reading more violent ones instead of the usual silly ones, and even drawing one of my own (heh heh don't ask!). Yes, it really entertained and inspired me! Nice, creepy story! Hard to believe it was created by the same woman who made Ranma 1/2 and Lum!

A macabre tale of immortality's price...
Helpful Votes: 5 out of 7 total.
Review Date: 2001-09-23
Legend has it that whoever eats the flesh of a mermaid will be granted eternal life and youth. Yuta is one of those who have received this "gift". But is it really a gift? Yuta has been forced to watch his loved ones age and die through the years. For five centuries he has roamed the world searching for a "cure", or for someone like himself. As fate would have it, Yuta chances upon a girl named Mana. She too has been bestowed with immortality like Yuta. Together they travel through Japan longing for a normal life. Soon, they meet others who have also experienced the mermaid's "gift". But as they soon discover, mermaid's flesh affects each person differently. Yuta and Mana are just the more fortunate ones...

Rumiko Takahashi's Mermaid Series is really quite a masterpiece. Each chapter presents a different tale and yet everything is tied together by the main characters, Yuta and Mana. It's like a group of short stories unfolding inside one main plot. It's not episodic, as the stories can stand alone. They are, however, greatly enriched by the base storyline about the legendary mermaid flesh. It's really quite an inventive approach, and I really admire Ms. Takahashi's imagination. The overall atmosphere is grim. The tone is serious, as darker facets of human nature are revealed. Everyone wants a piece of the mermaids, and all for various reasons. Greed, vengeance, selfishness... they are the driving forces in the pursuit of the elusive mermaid flesh. Yuta and Mana are plunged into the situation, being immortals on an unending quest for something... even they cannot be sure of what they're truly seeking. The art is simple in style, yet pleasant to look at and effective -- as is always the case with Ms. Takahashi's works. Panel layout is quite conservative if compared to her later works like "Inu-Yasha". The Mermaid Series definitely is a suspenseful page-turner which will leave readers very satisfied. Each volume packs a lot of punch. It's a pity because this is not enjoying as much exposure as "Ranma 1/2", "Urusei Yatsura", and "Maison Ikkoku" are. In some ways, this series is even better than Ms. Takahashi's more popular works.

Comics
MeruPuri, Volume 1 (Merupuri)
Published in Paperback by VIZ Media LLC (2005-07-05)
Author:
List price: $8.99
New price: $4.50
Used price: $4.00

Average review score:

Meru Puri
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-09
Meru Puri Vol. 2 is a great shojo manga. If you like romantic comedies then this manga is worth owning. Hino Matsuri did a great job. Buy it, seriously. You don't know what you are missing.

Great shojo title
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-03-24
Take a school and a magical world, a fifteen-years-old girl who searches for true love, a bratty but cute little prince, connect them with a star-shaped mirror, add some idiot brother, a lot of misteries and - above all - love... and you'll have a very fresh and funny manga, definitely worth reading!
Plus, Matsuri-sensei's style is gorgeous, rich and sensual at the same time, so you won't be disappointed.
The icing on the cake is Viz's edition: best image editing, lettering, paper quality, image-printing.
I'm very happy with this item <3

The Best in Fantasy Romance
Helpful Votes: 14 out of 14 total.
Review Date: 2006-04-22
Let me start off by saying that "MeruPuri" is one of the best manga I have ever read. I read the first volume at Borders several months ago and loved it, but I did not want to start buying a new series. Recently though, I found out that it was only four volumes long, so I immediately went out and bought it. And I'm really glad I did.

"MeruPuri" is a story about a girl named Airi who dreams of finding her soul mate and living a simple life with him, raising a family and appreciating the simple things in life. Things are going well, and Airi has found a boy named Nakaoji whom she thinks would be a perfect match for her. But things are about to change. One day, much to her chagrin, Airi's plans are disrupted when a little boy named Aram, who claims to be from the magical kingdom of Astale, appears from her heirloom mirror. He is rude and a little annoying, but cute, and he and Airi quickly become friends. The next day, Airi is shocked to find that a spell has transformed Aram into a handsome young man, and worse, he says that she is his "favorite", and only her kiss can return him to his original self. And it just gets better from there.

I absolutely fell in love with this series, mostly because of the characters and their relationships. Airi is a well-balanced heroine. She is not too whiny or perfect or unbelievably strong like the girls in a lot of the manga I read. I can easily relate to her. And you can't help but love Aram. He's a prince in every way, courageous and fair, but he's still acts childish. The romance between Airi and Aram is really sweet, it really has me hooked. The supporting characters all have personalities of their own and contribute to the story well.

This is also a pretty funny manga, especially when Aram looks like a teenager but acts like a child. Airi too, is humorous in her obsessive quest to find the perfect man.

The art is beautiful, and the story is very interesting and creative. I love all the fantasy elements. It's a bit of a cliched subject, but Matsuri uses original and fresh concepts.

I cannot reccommend "MeruPuri" strongly enough. Everything about it is absolutely wonderful. But don't take my word for it, read it for yourself! You won't be disappointed!

Pretty...
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-02-26
Tired of manga where guys are surrounded by hot girls who are all in love with him, a la Tenchi Muyo, Love Hina or Ranma 1/2? Try a manga where a girl is surrounded by a bunch of hot guys who love her. Toss in some magic, mirrors, and mayhem, and you have something of an idea of what MeruPuri is like.

Airi Hoshina searches tirelessly for the perfect man. She wants a family life just like the ones in her favorite soap operas. One day, whlie checking her appearance in her antique mirror, a boy climbs out of it. A cute little boy, too. He tells her his name is Aram and that he is a prince. Airi decides to take care of him because he has no place to go, but imagine her surprise when she finds out that he turns into a gorgeous teenager in the darkness, an appearance which can only be reverted by her kiss. This bizarre change is a side effect of a spell placed on Aram by his older brother, Jeile. After meeting Aram, Airi is constantly surrounded by...er...very NICE looking boys, like Aram, Jeile (Aram's goofy older half brother, caster of the spell), Nakaouji ( her prime suitor, the only non-magical one in the bunch), Raz (who doesn't love her but wants revenge on her over something that happened in the past), and Lei(also doesn't love her, just surrounds her because he is Aram's servant), but are any of them the perfect man she's always dreamed of?

Hino-sama's often funny, sometimes touching love/comedy/drama story is made even more appealing by her gorgeous, flowing artwork. The characters are, as a bonus, fleshed out and believeable, even though the story sometimes isn't. And, of course, the guys are all totally gorgeous.

If you like MeruPuri, try Hino-sama's other stateside published manga, Vampire Knight, which, though an entirely horse of a different color when compared to MeruPuri, is still very, very good.

Page Turner
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2006-10-05
I was given this 4 volume set by a 15 yro friend, I am 31. She said I would like it. AND I DO! - to the point that I wish there was an after story or even a movie. A movie off this book would be good.
Story is good; makes one want to turn the page.
Characters are good.
Illustrations are good.

Comics
Naruto, Vol. 3
Published in Comic by VIZ Media LLC (2004-04-14)
Author:
List price: $7.95
New price: $3.98
Used price: $1.69

Average review score:

Naruto x's great = awsome
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-11
Wow another great book from naruto, this book was sweet and great the fight between haku and sasuka was great, and the whole thing of this book is awsome nice and enjoyable books to read i have 14 naruto books and there were awsome iam going to get more but this was great.

collect the entire series
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-06-28
My 9 year old son won't rest until he collects the entire series; I'm just happy he wants to read!

Trees
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 7 total.
Review Date: 2005-10-20
Time for climbing...and more training...and more Tazuna and family and find out about Inari's Dad. More of all cool manga. Guess who's baaaaaaaaack You'll have to find out

Trees
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 7 total.
Review Date: 2005-10-20
Time for climbing...and more training...and more Tazuna and family and find out about Inari's Dad. More of all cool manga. Guess who's baaaaaaaaack. You'll have to find out by reading

Take a break
Helpful Votes: 5 out of 6 total.
Review Date: 2005-06-30
Kakashi is resting his poor body with training Sasuke,Naruto,and Sakura.Let's see if they can get the hang of runing up trees.Also,Naruto unknowing meets Haku who he thinks killed Zabunza.We also see Inari's real problem with heroes.Last but not least,a final confrontation between Zabunza and Kakashi.Wait a minute...he seem to have brought a friend...


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