Comic Books Books

You see I've read the non-manga version of comics of the movies, honestly I was disappointed. The artwork was bad, they screwed things up, left parts out. but this, this is the proper star wars comic. I'm not really a fan of the japanese style of drawing but I think star wars wears it well.
this book ends just when luke comes across his home set on fire. I was a little disappointed that they can't just put all the books into one longer one to save the reader money you know instead of buying 4 books for ten bucks each. that is really the only flaw I see with this series. As I was saying, although Han Solo is on the front cover he doesn't come into the series till the 2nd book.
For all of you that are old fans looking for a comic that is actually fit to wear the star wars name, I think you will like this series and I did. There are 4 books in this series, there is also a manga version of Empire strikes back and return of the jedi, so if you get into this there are more.
I feel this japanese art style worked so well with star wars is because of all the action in it. That was one of the big problems with the non-manga version was that they were unable to draw all the action in it. This does it all really well. Also a good thing about this is that the expressions on the characters tell volumes about they are feeling. Sometimes the artists over-do it a little bit, but its really not a problem.
So, I'd say that this is for new fans, long-time fans, old fans, young fans everyone really. You won't be disappointed, really its good.

Well at least this is a more complete version of the film than the American one, I'm a great lover of anime and manga, and you can be sure that I loved reading Star Wars in this highly expressive style, This volume features many scenes scripted that never made even to the Special Edition.

Certainly artist Hisao Tamaki took some liberties like changing a little bit of Princess Leia's look, but I can asure you that it looks great and true to the original style... hey! by the way if George Lucas got inspired to create Star Wars by watching Akira Kurosawa's films then you can be sure this is a wonderful adaptation!

I wasn't sure what to expect with the Star Wars: Manga series. I wasn't sure if it would just be a tired retread of familiar material done with big eyes, or if it would be the first really quality adaptation of the Star Wars films. Because lets face it, most Star Wars comics suck. The art is lacklustre, with artists often trying to make their character look too much like Harrison Ford or Mark Hamill. The dialogue is flimsy, with characters either spouting catchphrases from the movies or just dropping awkward speech balloons all over the place. No, Dark Horse has not done much with the coveted Star Wars franchise to crow about. Until now.
I'm not one of those fans that preaches the unfailing superiority of Japanese manga. Nor do I decry the often exaggerated facial expressions and unfamiliar art style. I simply appreciate good comics, and this is good comics. This is the best graphic novel adaptation of Star Wars: A New Hope that anyone could ever ask for. The well-known script is adapted directly from George Lucas' original script, and so it includes the new scenes of the Special Edition releases from a few years back (Though Han does seem the shoot first in a highly satisfyingly violent scene). This is not merely a storyboard adaptation, but a true utilisation of what comics do best. Hisao Tamaki, who adapts and draws this story, uses plenty of panels just to establish mood and setting, most noticeable in the Mos Eisley Cantina scene. The characters, thankfully, are not modelled on their silver screen counter-parts, but rather have a life of their own. Action scenes are a beauty to behold, and Tamaki's kinetic style is really showcased. The lightsaber duel between Vader and Obi-Wan is infused with a distinctly Japanese aesthetic, giving the samurai-esque Kenobi a mobility that the honourable Sir Alec Guiness could simply never achieve. The destruction of Alderaan is handled far more dramatically than in the film, flashing panels of the people of that doomed world with the Death Star as it charges its cannon. The blast is one of those truly impressive sights that make your eyes widen in an attempt to take it all in.
Perhaps the most appealing part of this series is the way Tamaki exploits the lighter moments to brilliant effect. The Jawa's incessant jabbering, the mugging of Luke and Han, and especially the frantic chases through the Death Star in the third volume all illicit great little moments. Once one becomes accustomed to Tamaki's visual language, including little teardrops and pulsing forehead veins, it's easy to follow the laughs.
If there are any drawbacks to this story, they involve the inevitable problems in translating a Japanese work for an English market. Virtually all panels are mirrored to accommodate our left-to-right reading style. It seems that some action scenes devoid of dialogue were left in their original format, making the transition a bit jarring if your eye's sharp enough to spot the gaffes. I've read other reviews that disapproved of the sound effect lettering, arguing that it distracted from the art in certain scenes. I agree that the sound effects are occasionally overwhelming, but they are clearly an important part of the art style, and are used so effectively in certain scenes that I'm willing to forgive this minor sin.
For any fans of the Star Wars films or comics series, this set is a valuable and highly entertaining addition that lets you appreciate the classic tale in a new medium. I look forward to reading the following Star Wars: Manga adaptations.

I used to love Star Wars more than anything. It was the end-all, be-all of sci-fi. Then I started to read sci-fi books and watch anime. My opinion of Star Wars went down considerably. And over the years I saw the movies so many times I thought I would never want to see them again. Well, I am once again VERY excited about Star Wars...

What do I love about this Manga? Where do I start? First, this Manga is pretty much word-for-word exactly the same as the movie. Secondly, the art style is more than good. It's incredible. I never thought I could get into a comic book without color, but man this one changed my mind. Then there is the character designs.

Some people might not like their favorite Star Wars characters remade into anime-style characters with big eyes, but personally I REALLY dig it. I never really liked Princess Leia in
A New Hope, but man, get a load of what she looks like now! She just went from a character I didn't like to a fantasticly beautiful and deeply soulful character (well, that how I feel about it anyway).

Lastly, I will say that the action in this Manga series is truly amazing. From the first time a light saber lights up you will be amazed. If you love Star Wars you need this Manga. If you used to like Star Wars and now like comic books, check it out anyway.

This is a truly wonderful adaption. I love the style, and the whole thing is just so good you won't care that you've already seen the movie. It's like, you can really look over the good parts, taking in every detail. Thank God they kept it in black and white! The artist does an incredible job with shading and character likeness, and you can almost hear Mark Hamill's voice... This manga also includes a flash back and a cool pic of the sandtroopers on dewbacks. I'd recommend this for Star Wars fans in general, Japanese or American.

For fans of the anime and the manga, this light novel will show you more of what goes on in the character's heads than before. Seeing things from Shizuma's side puts a whole new spin on her relationship with Nagisa; as does more insight from Amane's POV shed light on her relationship with Hikari.
As in the manga a few characters (Shion, Kaname and Momomi) are way different and, in my opinion, much better looking and well-rounded than they were in the anime.
So far, this was my first light novel, and I'm hooked.

This book is the novel form of the wonderful anime Strawberry Panic!, and the base for the manga of the same title.
and if you don't already know that you probably don't want this book.
What this book did right was add a new, and significantly different telling of Shizuma and Nagisa's relationship. It expands well on some things barley brushed on in the anime (such as anything to do with St. Lilum) And expand the Perfect Yuri World that is Astrea Hill. It is an EASY read and provides a slice side of fanservice.

What this book did wrong lies largely in the terrible translation. It reads like a poorly written squealing fan-boy's fanfiction. There are more awkward sentences then I could count, and some just BAD translations. I know that Japanese is a hard language to translate from, but I have seen it done very well on multiple occasions. Also the characters are shallow, and the book is just short of plotless.

Basically if you are familiar with Strawberry Panic! or are just in search of a yuri-fix, this book is worth getting. I enjoyed reading it personally as I am a huge fan of the Strawberry Panic! anime. If you are looking for a quality book of the same mold of Kamikaze Girls, you are in for a bit of a let down.

The anime was a fine iteration into the genre, as well as the manga - quirky, realistic animation, beautiful artwork and an original storyline blending into a great franchise full of livery and twist.
All three - anime, manga and especially novel - are adaptions for the rest of us of a story that must be told - this Strawberry Panic. To refer to it as simply 'a yuri' is almost degrading to the quality of each installment.
It's great to finally have a well-written novel that tells what should be a classic story all over again, this time for those of us who find beauty in words. Strawberry Panic a fine example of the concept of the immortalized story, that will shine in picture, on screen, and, most importantly, in the written word.

The light novel of strawberry panic was great.
it allowed myself to picture was happening during the story line with what i previously knew from reading vol 1 of the manga and watching the entire series. the light novel covers the first two manga volumes of strawberry panic. i had actually just finished reading this right as i got volume 2 of the manga so it was nice to see how my thoughts on how it happened actually compared to how it was drawn.

all in all
this was a great light novel, and i cant wait for the second one

Totally loved this Light Novel
It has very nice illustrations, in black and white and in color.
Very beautiful and delicate, acompanied by "moe" desings all over the book (I loved the mini strawberrys at the begining of the chapter lol)
Highly recommended to drama and romance lovers and of course Yuri (shoujo ai or Girls Love)lovers.

Very nice, awesome drawings made by the great MASAHIKO NAKAHIRA! A must for all SF's Fan!
The story is only about CAMMY, but is very nice!
BUY IT GUYS!!

Al

I have been a Cammy fan since she appeared in the Super Street Fighter II game. I don't what is about this pint sized British brawler but I think she's cool. One thing that probably attracts me to this character is her crazy life story. Most gamers already know that she has ties to Shadowloo and M.Bison and this book expands on that plot. The art is great. Loved the cameos from other SF characters such as Vega and Guile. SF fans will also be relieved by how faithful the book is to the video game. You would think some Capcom exec was standing right over the writers and artists when they made this book. It's just that true to the source material. It was a treat to see Cammy operate away from the arena as a top notch special agent. It's a nice little read and true Cammy fans will be re-reading this for a long time.

Cammy's a Street Fighter, a secret agent, an amnesiac and much much more. If you already like Cammy, you can't afford to miss this wonderful comic! If you don't know Cammy, let this comic be your introduction to one of the most fascinating characters ever created! Nakahira's art and writing capture Cammy's look and spirit perfectly. I guarantee you'll love every bit of this comic and you'll reread it over and over... I know I have! ^_^

Great artwork and battlescenes, nice plot. I really enjoyed the book, it was worth the price. Not too gory or violent, but not too little, not a lot of swearing either.

You might've seen one or two STREET FIGHTER comics over the years, but this one is pretty much the only actual Japanese manga to have been done in English. Originally run in Viz's Game On! magazine, SUPER STREET FIGHTER II-CAMMY is mainly centered around the title character. This is pretty good cause we're always being told about Chunli, Ken, Ryu, and the others. Don't worry though, a few of the regulars like Dhalsim, Guile, and even the rarely seen Deejay show up, though Cammy is really the star. She is an agent for Britain's MI6 which is like the U.K. version of the FBI. She is highly trained in martial arts, although she has no real memory of her past. We learn that Cammy was first captured by Shadaloo to be part of a secret team of sleeper agents and given treatments to make her into a living killing machine. But Cammy rebels against her former masters and goes for Shadaloo's grand poobah, M. Bison. Masahiko Nakahira's artwork is really boss in this and make it the best non-animated STREET FIGHTER story so far!

Ok, so I don't even usually read for "fun." But, I my sister had this book so I read it a while back, and it was HILarious! THen, luckily, she still had it. So I just read it again yesterday. It made me laugh just as much as it did the first time I read it! PLus, it's easy enough to breeze through in just one sitting because it's so good. Even though I'm only 20 and not necessarily in the age range that this book seems to target, I can definitely still relate to certain parts. I rate "The Moe Chronicles" the best book I've read so far when it comes to humor! It's the type of book you just can't stop to put down the first, second, or even third time you read it! I don't have one bad thing to say about it....

This was given to me a gift recently, with a short explanation of how it was decided that was for me. That was judged by the cover: a crudely drawn man sitting on a couch, clutching a beer in one hand saying somewhat jocularly "I should write a screenplay." Needless to say, though I'm only 18, I enjoyed this book immensely, and look forward to having similar experiences to draw experiences from. Yes, I was kidding, but when Erik Moe looks back on them, even the most horrible of all the mundane catastrophies abound in urban life seem funny.

I grabbed this book right off the sale rack and flipped through exactly one page and went up and bought it. I'm not what you'd call an 'impulse buyer' (read cheap). This book is for anyone who is 25-35. In that age group this book is nearly autobiographical! For anyone who's ever spent more on a case of beer than they have on that week's groceries. Read this. There are only about 5 books that are truly funny in my opinion- this is one of them.

Woo-hoo! Go you crazy Moe! You rocking, sleazing, bad-copywriter-drawing, carnivorous creative director-dream-having crazy piece of wordboy. You're an inspiration, Moe, to anyone who ever got laid off from an ad agency, watched bad TV with his pixel-monkey, went without for more days than any man should and really truly believes three chords and a Mexican-built Stratocaster makes for an instant ticket to Credville. Why'd they stop printing your book Moe? Why? Whyyyyyyyyyyyy!

(I know this review is already here under another @ress, but I wanted to put it on my member's page...)

A friend and I stumbled across this book in a Barnes & Noble three years ago, and though we opened our copies to different pages, we both started laughing so hard we were doubled over, and we couldn't get to the cash register fast enough. I let people borrow my copy occasionally, but only for short times and after extracting a promise to care for it. Erik Moe captures *everything* about the awkwardness of transitioning from kid to adult in your 20s, watching your friends get married, being stuck in the lame dues-paying job with jerk coworkers, struggling to become a grownup while still enjoying the things you loved in college. I can't do this book justice with mere words. Find yourself a copy!

I am pretty picky with the manga I read, because in general I think the stories are just crap... and the art is often times... well generic boring manga (at least most of the stuff that makes it to America). But Black and White is truly a gem. The line work in the art is so beautiful and contoured and slightly haphazard. It is hard to imagine a better style of art to tell this dark and childish story. It is whimsical and violence rolled into a big katamari of wonderful manga!!

So if you are the type who occasionally dabbles in manga and are on the fence about this, then: definitely check this one out.
And if you already love manga, well then also read this because it is awesome.

If you love sequential art, give this one a try. It's a unique and touching story, exploring the question of what love brings out in us (both the good and the bad.)

Summaries of this book make it seem simplistic, but there is a lot here. The art, and the story, are messy, violent, sad, and beautiful. I can't recommend this book highly enough. It's a shining example of what sequential art can be.

this is by far one of the best manga i've ever read. i'd gotten away from manga, but decided to pick this up when it was published in a single volume. entirely worth. highest possible reccomendation.

Excellent manga and anime. I didn't think I would like the animation but it's amazing. I especially liked White's dream sequences.
The Black & White in the title does refer to the characters. The original title of the manga is Black & White. Also, Viz does a lot of mangas in the left to right format. This one wasn't singled out for special treatment.

During a trip to Japan recently I came across the film version of this book, which had just won many awards. When I learned it was based on a graphic novel, I scoured the bookstands here in the US for it to no avail. Luckily Amazon had it (along with the English-subtitled movie). Tekkon Kinkreet is a richly engaging graphic narrative, its visual language referencing French comics but with the horizontal, angled paneling of more traditional Japanese Manga. Though it's about two scrappy kids, this is most definitely NOT a comic book for children: it's full of violence and references to the seedy underworld of the city (gangsters, strip clubs, etc.). Though those things would usually turn me off, I found this to be a completely absorbing narrative. Beyond the violence it elegantly explores the issues of gentrification, friendship, identity, and change. The film's great too, but you should definitely read the book first. Totally different visual styles going on. Great stuff. Check it out.

Eric Sansom has been entertaining readers for years with his comic strip, Toy Trunk Railroad. An excellent stylist and writer, he creates an imaginary world that's a pleasure to stop and visit time and again. A "must read" for true comic strip enthusiasts.

Give me some good, old timey comics and I'm happy. Erik Sansom has done one better: a new strip full of fun adventures of Casey, Jeb and a whole cast of goofy, well-drawn, well-meaning folks. It's the kind of fun comics work that isn't being done anymore. Well worth reading by a fellow who genuinely loves cartooning.

There are two amazing things about TTR: the art is modern, while giving the impression that it was drawn by a master of years past. And when the final panel pulls into the station, the punchline equals the art.

Actually, there are three amazing things about TTR and this first collection: I have zero interest in the paraphrenalia of trains -- the consequence of being friends with a railfan -- but a complete fascination with surefooted humor. TTR may get about on a rail, but its feet are firmly planted on the ground; smartly dressed in clown shoes.

I'd mention that the main characters are sharply penned and entirely convincing, but I've already surpassed my list of two amazements; I'll leave the rest of the wonders to your discovery.

I'm very impressed by the shifts in alternate realities that take place within the strip, as the inhabitants of a model train layout come to life. It's reminiscent of "Calvin & Hobbes."

If you like fun cartoons with an imaginative flair look no further, your train has arrived. Hop aboard Toy Trunk Railroad for a ride of laughs and chuckles. This book contains all the best aspects of cartooning: stylish artwork, well written jokes and imaginative storytelling. I would recommend it to anyone; in fact I am. Buy this book today and experience the ride you have been waiting for.

This is a great series! Absolutely worth to begin an excellent Star Wars series! The art is great and there are a lot of details and things to watch in these magazines.

Excellent story and artwork. Brings forth 2 new villians Asajj Ventress a dark jedi and Durge the bounty hunter. Dark horse comics truely know what they are doing with these comics. i deffinetly recommended this comic.

This comic- excuse me, 'graphic novel' is part of one of my favorite series. The artwork is OK, but some of the characters look a little odd at certain angles. However, the slight flaws in the art disappear form your mind as you get wrapped up in the plot and the new characters- Durge (he's really cool, even though he's really evil) and Asajj Ventress (who isn't technically new because she appeared on Volume 1. This was the first time she and Obi-Wan met) This one also interested me because Obi-Wan was the most featured character. Everyone mostly thinks about Anakin and his turn to the dark side, and not about the other important and interesting characters, like Mace Windu, Obi-Wan, Quinlan Vos, Darth Maul (yeah, he didn't last that long, but wasn't he cool anyway?) and General Grievous. At least Vol.1 had a lot of Mace in it. Anyway, the first story is about the Seperatists bio-weapon, and the first Obi-Wan vs Ventress fight. The second story is about Obi-Wan's mission to find the antidote to the weapon, and he teams up with four jedi legends to do it. We learn about their histories breifly, then a detailed acount of "how their histories ended" anyway, as a lame way to finish this, this is good. Buy it with vol.1.

This GN was better than vol. 1 in many ways. The main reason is that it focuses on Obi-Wan for a change instead of Anakin(Yay!). Contains an excellent story about a Seperatist bio-weapon. It involves Durge and Asajj Ventress, which makes everything much more fun. Also, Durge is much improved from his cartoon version in how he knows how to talk. To improve things, what he has to say is usually intelligent (and funny), contrast from most little-known Star Wars villains.
A good Durge quote:

Durge: "You know, it's been over a century since I killed a Jedi... and today, I get to kill four of you. Add that to the Gungans I already murdered, the hostages I'm going to kill later, and all the Naboo who will die tomorrow, and it's a damn good week."

Out of the first 4 Clone Wars novels, this is the best.

After the disappointing Volume 1, this was a much better story. It introduces an extremely interesting Jedi named Master Fay, who is much too short lived. I know that tons of tons of Jedi die in the clone war, but it doesn't make it any easier when it does happen. I'm much more a fan of the prequels because of the Jedi and the abundance of them. Luke Skywalker is so weak whines even more than Anakin and is never really a real Jedi. Even though I was born in the mid 70's, the classic era isn't as interesting and the victories seem so far fetched, just like all the death of the Jedi seem in the Clone Wars. Anyway, both Asajj Ventress and Durge are present in this book for fans of those two characters.

I read.
I wept.
I am humbled by this great, great work of literature.
Thank you Bill Keane.
Thank you.

Hear me people! The scribble on the front cover held up by PJ is not an origianl scribble! I knew I had seen it before, but I could not quite place it. Finally like a bolt of lightning, I sat up in bed at 2:45 AM and knew where I saw that scribble! I quickly opened my bottom drawer and pulled out my copy of the Necronomican. It was right there on page XVIII!!

I only had two hours before I started my shift at McDonald's. It was Thursday morning and that meant I had to be there very early to unload the truck delivery. I looked at the cover of this Family Circus book and could not unlock my gaze on Jeffy. "What does this say?" "What does this say?" "What does this say?" It mocked me, it called me, it demanded my attention.

Then from out of nowhere I got an idea. I opened this Family Circus novel to the LAST page. I then proceeded to read the book BACKWARDS! Then true horror struck my heart.

Start with the last cartoon, write down the last letter of each caption and work your way backwards to the first cartoon where Dolly is trying to take the skin off a cupcake. When you have all the letters written down, this message will appear.......

"Thel is the goddess of lust and desire. She lives for the pleasure of the flesh. Prices slashed at Jerrys, all items must go. Buy one spatula get one free."

Cold chills ran up and down my spine as I deciphered the what I now call the "Da Keane Code". I have quit my job at McDonald's and now work full time at home with a mountain of Family Circus books, the Necronomican, and the Book of Revelation, I believe I can pinpoint the exact time of the Rapture. I will report my findings as I discover them.

Yeats once wrote, "None other knows what pleasures man/At table or in bed." Bil Keane, however, seems to have found in his latest 'Family Circus' opus a treasure-chest of pleasures for each and all of us.

There are some who chafe at the seeming repetitive themes within Keane's major works; I would respectfully submit that all great stories are about life and death, love and loss, fear and triumph. If not Keane, then so go Shakespeare, Lewis Carroll, Sor Juana Inez de la Cruz and Callimachus, too, for good measure. It is not originality that spawns thought and wonderment; it is the vessels of those themes (Billy, Grandma, Barfy, PJ) that inspire and enlighten.

Keane, as carrier of these vessels, reminds us of a truth so eloquently immortalized by Ralph Waldo Emerson: "Some books leave us free and some books make us free." In 'What Does This Say', it is clear that the tome achieves the latter, with gusto and aplomb.

I absolutely love this book! It is so, so funny. I have loved the Family Circus all my life. This book is filled with funny moments as well as some touching moments involving everyone. I have developed quite a collection of Bill Keane's "Family Circus" books, and this is another wonderful, funny book to read and laugh out loud about for years to come.

If there is a finer piece of work every written in the history of comics, I have yet to see it! Once again Bil Keane has published an anthology just as sure to raise the bar for his peers in the comic industry as it is to delight his legions of fans. Though he utilizes only a single, circular panel in his art, time and time again Keane has proven that in no way does this format limit his genius of comic delievery. He consistantly produces panels of a dazzling scope and depth, which hide layers upon layers of humor that seem to demand multiple readings. Although enourmously complex and even at times displaying a dark sense of humor, Keane nevertheless is able to keep even the youngest of readers amused through his delightful art and the uplifting messages his panels hide. Sad to say, but since the death of Charles Shultz, Bil Keane has been left without a true peer in the world of comics. ...No, truly each period of human exsistence has produced a select few men whom society can look up to. Just as the Roman Historian Sallust could proudly say he lived in the Republic of Caesar and Cato, and past generations could say they lived in the days of Washington and Jefferson, so can we say we knew the time of Keane and Roy, and thus are we more fortunate than all others who came before.

Sweet comic about relationships and love. My husband & I laughed together over how true it is and how sweet.

THIS SHORT BASIC GRAPHIC NOVEL WAS SUCH A LAUGH OUT LOUD PLEASURE TO READ. PRINCE IS AMAZING! MUCH LOVE TO SCIENCE...

Liz Prince's little work perfectly captures the underrated romantic nuances of love. I immediately wanted to share it with my boyfriend. This would make a really adorable little gift. Very uplifting and warm!

i didn't buy this from amazon (sorry), but i found this comic at a local store in french "tu m'aimerais encore si je fais pipi au lit?" my boyfriend stumbled upon it and started chuckling to himself. i took a look at what he was enjoying and was immediately enchanted myself. each simple 4 panel comic gives you a glimpse into the amazing and mundane moments in a relationship which liz captures so well. i am a big fan and looking forward to more comics from liz!

This is the most adorable set of images I've ever seen in my life. Life is a collection of moments, and this book is filled with moments of character and humor beyond what words are able to describe. It's all so simple, but hits a person somewhere much deeper. In all seriousness, it makes my heart fuzzy.

you've got to get this book and check out page 97 - tell me what you think.

If you're even a remotely Addams family or cartoon fan, you wouldn't have to read these reviews. Just buy it!

If you are a fan of black humor, then these cartoons are for you. This book contains many of his "Addams Family" cartoons, but there is MUCH more in there as well. A collection of classic cartoons that will have you rolling read after read!

AAAHHHHHH. Now this is an art book. Experience the dark and clever world of Charles Addams in this once-in-a-lifetime treasury of high-quality images. Finally, a masterful collection of his work. Addams' widow, Tee, should be proud of this book, which she assembled, in tribute to good ol' Charlie. God rest his soul.

Charles Addams was the man behind hundreds of delightful and dastardly illustrations for the prestigous New Yorker. Here, in one volume, are 300 of his best pieces. Included are several pictures involving the all together kooky Addams family and the macabre events that to them seem so normal. It is from these illustrations that the popular televison series, The Addams Family, emerged. And if you ever watched and liked the show, you'll love the cartoons it was based on. A great book for the coffee table!