Comic Corner Roundup: March

Comic Corner Roundup is a bi-monthly segment that compiles mini-reviews of comics, graphic novels, and manga that I’ve read recently. Here are my reviews for February which include an office romance, an epic space take, and a supernatural otaku.

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Home Office Romance by Kintetsu Yamada (2024)

Nokoru has been working brutal overtime at a demanding job when the pandemic lockdown finally gives him the chance to telework from home. This new situation (and the time he saves on his commute) lets him rediscover old passions and new hobbies. The lush garden he creates on his apartment balcony provides a chance to get to know his cute neighbor, Natsu, a graduate student in archeology.

How do two adults build a relationship amid “social distancing,” when face-to-face interaction is frown upon, even dangerous? It feels like a tall tale to find an office romance at home, but these are strange times…

Review: This cozy romance is a standalone manga that takes place during the pandemic. The story is a opposites attract that feels realistic as the characters feel fleshed out rather than formulaic. Reading this manga took me back to the days of lockdowns and the author captured some of conflicted feelings and uncertainty of those days. The relationship between Nokoru and Natsu starts out as a neighborly friendship and develops into something more. I appreciated the slow burn nature of the manga as it can be read in one sitting or a couple of days.

I liked the overall artwork and felt the story/panels were easy to follow for the reader. The story is enjoyable and cozy-feeling making it a easy read. I don’t think this is a manga I’ll keep on my bookshelves, but I feel like it makes a great palette cleanser read.

Final Verdict:

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On a Sunbeam by Tillie Walden (2018)

A ragtag crew travels to the deepest reaches of space, rebuilding beautiful, broken structures to piece the past together.

Two girls meet in boarding school and fall deeply in love―only to learn the pain of loss.

With interwoven timelines and stunning art, award-winning graphic novelist Tillie Walden creates an inventive world, breathtaking romance, and an epic quest for love.

Review: I wasn’t sure what to expect when reading On a Sunbeam, but what I got exceeded my expectations. I picked this novel up as part of a local Graphic Novel Book Club I’m trying out and I can’t wait to discuss it with other members. The artwork alone is stunning and truly transports its readers to a world unknow. Walden captures the vastness, wonder, and sometimes empty feelings that come with traveling through the solar system through the landscape depictions alone.

The novel though long was never dull and it felt like a space epic (ex. Star Trek) where we follow dual timelines throughout space. Though the novel is a queer love story it also reads as a coming-of-age story seeing each crew member’s journey of growth. This story is memorable and I loved the depth of the characters portrayed in the story. I’d be interested in reading more of Walden’s works.

Final Verdict:

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Otaku Vampire’s Love Bite Vol. 1 by (2024)

Hina Alucard is a modern vampire who drinks blood from bags instead of from humans. But she’s also a complete shut-in who hasn’t left the house in 30 years. In an effort to reach her, Hina’s dad does something that changes her life—he gives her a DVD of the Vampire Cross anime! Hina is instantly obsessed, especially with the character Mao. But it’s difficult to fangirl as hard as she wants from her bedroom in Romania, so now Hina is out of the house and off to Japan to live her otaku dream!

Hina’s so busy collecting Mao merch that she almost doesn’t feel bad about missing out on the Vampire Cross cafes. If only she had a human friend who could eat all the themed food for her! But connecting with humans isn’t easy until Hina literally bumps into her neighbor Kyuta, a prickly boy who looks just like Mao. Having her best friend live next door will be so convenient! Now if she can just convince him to actually be her friend…

Review: The title, cover art, and concept combined was enough for me to try this new manga at my library. What awaits readers inside the first volume is a story of celebrating fandoms, finding yourself, and a few action scenes too. The manga’s story seems like pure fun and whimsy on the outside, but it actually has a lot of heart as the main characters of Hina and Mao quickly grow on the readers. They have a opposites attract narrative at first but it’s actually a story of a budding friendship founded on an anime.

Reading this manga reminded me of how fandoms connect us and how I was able to connect some of my closest friends through conversations about anime. This manga made me smile and giggle at its constant wacky antics and I’ll be continuing to read the series to see how it evolves.

Final Verdict:

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What comics, graphic novels or manga have you read lately? Share your thoughts in the comment section below. If you have any recommendations, feel free to share those as well.