Comic Corner Roundup: November
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 November which includes a slice of life story via video games, an elf’s magical quest, and a creepy old mansion.
Level Up by Gene Luen Yang, Thien Pham (Artist) (2011)
Dennis Ouyang has always struggled in the shadow of his parents’ expectations. His path is laid out for him: stay focused in high school, become a gastroenterologist. It may be hard work, but it isn’t complicated–until suddenly it is. Between his father’s death, his academic burnout, and his deep (and distracting) love of video games, Dennis is nowhere near where his family wanted him to be. In fact, he’s just been kicked out of college.
And that’s when things get… weird.
Four adorable–and bossy–angels, straight out of a sappy greeting card, appear and take charge of Dennis’s life, and Dennis finds himself herded back onto the straight and narrow: the path to gastroenterology. But nothing is ever what it seems when life, magic, and video games collide.
Review: Level Up is an intriguing graphic novel of a self-discovery journey told through video game concepts. Readers follow Dennis as he struggles to find purpose in his life as he forces himself through med school, is haunted by his past, and is torn by wanting nothing more than to find solace in video games. Through deep reflections and multiple obstacles, he realizes her need to discover his passion.
I think this story is relatable to many as we’ve all been on journies to find what we want in life. I enjoyed how the plot was written and the throwback/appreciation of classic video games such as Pac-Man.
Final Verdict:
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, Vol. 1 by Kanehito Yamada (writer), Tsukasa Abe (illustrator) (2020)
Elf mage Frieren and her courageous fellow adventurers have defeated the Demon King and brought peace to the land. But Frieren will long outlive the rest of her former party. How will she come to understand what life means to the people around her?
Decades after their victory, the funeral of one her friends confronts Frieren with her own near immortality. Frieren sets out to fulfill the last wishes of her comrades and finds herself beginning a new adventure…
Review: I wasn’t sure what to expect from this series at first glance, but I’m so glad I picked it up. Frieren can be best described as a fantasy adventure with a much slower pace. Even though it’s full of action-packed magical battles, death, and harsh truths its slow pace gives this fantasy series a slice-of-life feeling.
While immersive and transporting readers to a brand new world it feels realistic and bittersweet as Frieren has many self-realizations on her journey. She soon comes to terms with the concept of time and the purpose of life as she reminisces about friends who have passed. on. Each chapter brings new excitement and I can’t wait to read more of these adventurer’s stories!
Final Verdict:
Courtney Crumrin and the Night Things #1 by Ted Naifeh (2003)
Presenting the initial COURTNEY CRUMRIN miniseries in a new digest-sized format. Courtney’s parents have dragged her out to a high-to-do suburb to live with her creepy Great Uncle Aloysius in his spooky old house. She’s not only the new kid in school, but she also discovers strange things lurking under her bed.
Review: Courtney is a young girl who lives in a spooky old house with her family and estranged uncle. But this new move proves to be a turning point in her life as she delves into magic and goes head-to-head with goblins in the dead of night. naifeh creates this eerie atmosphere to put you in Courtney’s footsteps.
Though she is terrified at first we can see Courtney become a more confident person by the end of the first volume. She is not afraid to take on some of the most unsettling creatures. It’s spooky and fun with Courtney’s witty one-liners and sassy attitude. It’s definitely an entertaining read and I’ll be checking out the rest of the series soon.
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.
