Comic Corner Roundup: May
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 the month of May which include an aspiring monster hunter, a magical spin on the slice-of-life genre, and an exciting thriller.
Scarlett Hart: Monster Hunter by Marcus Sedgwick (Author) & Thomas Taylor (Illustrator) (2018)
Scarlett Hart, orphaned daughter of two legendary monster hunters, is determined to carry on in her parents’ footsteps—even if the Royal Academy for the Pursuit and Eradication of Zoological Eccentricities says she’s too young to fight perilous horrors. But whether it’s creepy mummies or a horrid hound, Scarlett won’t back down, and with the help of her loyal butler and a lot of monster-mashing gadgets, she’s on the case.
With her parent’s archrival, Count Stankovic, ratting her out to T.R.A.P.E.Z.E. and taking all the monster-catching rewards for himself, it’s getting hard for Scarlett to do what she was born to do. And when more monsters start mysteriously manifesting than ever before, Scarlett knows she has to get to the bottom of it and save the city . . . whatever the danger!
Review: Scarlett Hart gave me a mashup of Sherlock Holmes and Van Helsing vibes from its very first pages. Mixing fantasy and paranormal elements in its narrative, Scarlett is doing her best to follow in her parent’s footsteps. She is determined to be a great monster hunter like them but also is making a path for herself (while challenging gender and social norms). The story is great for readers who enjoy fast-paced adventure stories.
There were so many action scenes as Scarlett & Napoleon take down everything from zombies to deadly gargoyles (including her arch-nemesis, “The Count”). The illustrations are brilliant and the I enjoyed the added details to the monsters making them extra creepy.
Final Verdict:
Generation Witch Vol.1 by Uta Isaki
Generation Witch is a new slice-of-life manga series with a magical twist. This charming storyline follows the lives of several young witches as they struggle with the dual challenges of wielding magic and teenage angst, and will appeal to fans of Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Witchcraft Works .In the world of Generation Witch,1% of the population are witches. Most non-magical people look up to these witches and envy their power, but as witches already know, sometimes these abilities can be more of a curse. When growing up already requires all the luck and effort a teenager can muster, what happens when you throw spells, brooms, and bubbling cauldrons into the mix?
Review: Generation Witch acts as a collection of short stories with a slice-of-life feeling compared to other manga featuring witches. As with most anthologies, the connection to the stories is a hit or miss depending on the reader. My favorite story in volume one involved a guy and the president of a magic club helping students while developing a kindred friendship. The other stories (for me) felt like semi-duds or were just so-so. It’s definitely a matter of preference for enjoying the stories while the artwork is very nice. Some of the panels are very detailed and channel other magical films like Kiki’s Delivery Service.
I appreciated that the author tried to put her own spin on tales of a witch in the modern world. The end result is a collection of stories where each one feels unique. Overall, I thought the first installment was just “okay”, but maybe I might enjoy the next batch of stories more.
Final Verdict:
City of Secrets by Victoria Ying (2020)
Ever Barnes is a shy orphan guarding a secret in an amazing puzzle box of a building.
Most of the young women who work at the building’s Switchboard Operating Facility, which connects the whole city of Oskar, look the other way as Ever roams around in the shadows. But one of them, Lisa, keeps an eye on the boy. So does the head of the Switchboard, Madame Alexander . . . a rather sharp eye.
Enter Hannah, the spunky daughter of the building’s owner. She thinks Ever needs a friend, even if he doesn’t know it yet.
Good thing she does!
Lisa and Madame Alexander are each clearly up to something.
Ever is beset by a menacing band of rogues looking to unlock the secret he holds–at any cost.
And whatever is hidden deep in the Switchboard building will determine all of their futures.
On a journey that twists and turns as much as the mechanical building Ever Barnes calls home, he and his new friend Hannah have to and out what’s really going on in this mysterious city of secrets . . . or else!
Review: City of Secrets is vividly stunning with its grand illustrations and thriller elements. So much so that reading the novel felt like watching a movie. This graphic novel was an exciting page-turner and it appeals to people who love solving mysteries and piecing together literal puzzles. I loved the main characters, Ever, and Hannah, who end up becoming fast friends over the course of the story. Their spunk and wit not only helped them on their journey but they just have natural personalities the reader will gravitate to.
I appreciated the blend of a Victorian and Steampunk world which added to the overall fantasy elements. The illustrations are brightly colored and very detailed. They feel whimsical at times to give the novel its immersive feel. This graphic novel delivers on everything from thrills to action-packed scenes.
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.
