Comic Corner Roundup: March Edtion
“Comic Corner Roundup” is a segment that compiles mini-reviews of comics, graphic novels, and manga that I’ve read recently. Here are my reviews for the month of March which features stories a magical girl adventure, bringing history back from the dead, and celebrity romance tale.
Zodiac Starforce Vol.1 By The Power of Astra by Kevin Panetta, Paulina Ganucheau (Illustrator) (2016)
Synopsis: They’re an elite group of teenage girls with magical powers who have sworn to protect our planet against dark creatures . . . as long as they can get out of class! Known as the Zodiac Starforce, these high-school girls aren’t just combating math tests. They’re also battling monsters–not your typical afterschool activity! But when an evil force from another dimension infects team leader Emma, she must work with her team of magically powered friends to save herself–and the world–from the evil Diana and her mean-girl minions!
Review:
This story is essentially the modern day magical girl story which interested me in picking up at my local comic shop. The cover art gave me 90’s anime/Sailor Moon vibes instantly. Each character brings their own flavor to the story. Even though they may bicker at the end of the day, they are one big family/sisterhood. The artwork is incredibly stunning with use of vivid colors to bring out the Zodiac Girls outfits while also paying homage to past “magical girl” stories done in the past.
My main issue with this graphic novel was the pacing. Everything felt incredibly rushed and packed together in such a short time. I wanted to learn more about the backgrounds of the characters and the history of the Starforce. I this this graphic novel would read better as a full-length series or as a webtoon. I recommend this book if you like diverse, shojo manga-like stories.
Final Verdict:
New Romancer #1-2 by by Peter Milligan, Brett Parson (Artist), Brent Parson (Artist), Hi-Fi (Illustrator) (2015)
Synopsis: Fired from a cushy job in Silicon Valley, Lexy becomes a coder for New Romancer, an Internet-dating app that’s seen better days. To create fake profiles, she plunders characteristics from history’s most notorious lovers. Using little-known writings by Ada Lovelace, the world’s first computer programmer, Lexy pushes the boundaries of coding and accidentally unleashes history’s greatest lover: Lord Byron.
Review:
New Romancer follows the story of Lexi, a tech genius, who has a very unhealthy obsession with Lord Byron. Once at the top of her game at her dream company she has fallen into a less than desirable job. Somehow she awakens the A.I./real Lord Byron using a computer program and chaos ensues.
Lexi feels like an outsider most times as she has an unconventional upbringing as well as her love for 18th century poetry. She finds a lot of comfort in Lord Byron’s poems. Byron, on the other hand has been thrust into the 21st century and is trying to adapt the best way he knows how.
The two ultimately pair, making an unlikely duo, but will it turn into love? I have so many unanswered questions after reading the first two issues, but I can’t wait to read the rest of this mini-series.
Final Verdict:
Maid at My House Vol. 1 by Mihoko Kojima (2018)
Synopsis: Runako is studying hard to someday succeed as owner of her family’s maid dispatching service company. One day, a request comes in from an entertainment production company and shockingly, it’s for their super-popular star, Seirei Moroboshi! But could it be that the image he projects on the TV is far different than his true secret face…?!
Review:
I’ve been looking around for some new manga series to try and I found this manga while sifting through my Kindle TBR. The Maid at My House is somewhat like a celebrity mixed with a workplace romance style story. You have Runako, a somewhat klutzy and hard-working woman who tries her best at her family’s company. And Seirei is an idol who looks perfect on the outside, but after the cameras turn off his true personality comes through.
The two constantly but heads at each other and never see eye-to-eye. Since Runako is assigned to be his housemaid she tries to tolerate his bad behavior so she can move up in the company. While I’ve read many predictable manga, this one just has no substance. I think the problem was the story and character fell very flat. There’s nothing to hook the reader into wanting to continue reading the story. I’ll pass on reading this series.
Final Verdict:
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.
Ah! You’ve read my mind! I was just thinking that I needed to order some comics from my favorite comic book shop in order to support it, but I wasn’t sure what I wanted. New Romancer sounds like just the thing!
Yay! I hope you enjoy New Romancer Jenny! Happy Reading. 🙂
I was debating whether to get the full first volume of Zodiac Starforce. I still might because I do love the illustrations. I was hoping for from the story.
I loved the illustrations, but the story ultimately was just too flat for me.