Tag: 1 Star Reviews

Special 25-page preview! “CAPTURED BY THE KAPRE!” Eight months after the storyline chronicled in the BANZAI GIRL manga trade, Jinky Coronado and Michelle have become bona fide popstars! Their new CD is out, and they’re touring the world , but all is not well at home. A massive, hairy creature known as the Kapre` has been spotted in the woods, and kids inciting its wrath are disappearing. Katie J is all grown up and has plans to take on the hirsute Kapre` by herself. Jinky Coronado returns to school and has a special secret admirer, and it’s NOT the class lech. Is he…something more? It’s all-out action, fabulous fights, pleated skirts, and everyone’s favorite Asian schoolgirl back in action. Whoever thought a strict schoolgirl dress code could be this much fun? A special sequence plotted by novelist Paul S. Brittain, AND an all-new KATIE’S WORLD strip, all written and illustrated by Jinky Coronado!

This comic book aims to capture me personally with its blend of fantasy, action, and teenage drama, but unfortunately falls short. At the same time this comic book struggles with narrative clarity and character development, leaving much to be desired.

The story in this comic book follows Jinky Coronado and her friends as they navigate a world filled with supernatural elements and personal challenges. While the premise holds potential, the execution is lacking. The plot feels disjointed, jumping between scenes without providing adequate context or cohesion. This lack of structure makes it difficult for me personally to engage with the storyline or understand the stakes involved.

The character development in this comic book is minimal, with the protagonists presented as superficial caricatures rather than fully realized individuals. The dialogue often comes across as forced and unnatural, failing to capture the authentic voices of teenagers. This hampers any emotional connection we as readers might form with the characters, making their journeys feel inconsequential.

The artwork in this comic book is pretty vibrant, but it lacks consistency and detail. The illustrations often appear rushed, with backgrounds that feel sparse and characters that lack depth. While the art style aims to be dynamic and engaging, it ultimately detracts from the storytelling by failing to convey the necessary atmosphere or emotional nuance.

The pacing in this comic book is another area of concern. The narrative moves rapidly from one event to the next without allowing time for tension to build or characters to develop. This hurried approach results in a preview that feels more like a collection of loosely connected scenes than a cohesive story. I personally was left with a sense of confusion rather than intrigue, as crucial plot points are glossed over or inadequately explained.

Despite its shortcomings this comic book does contain moments that hint at its potential. The concept of blending everyday teenage life with fantastical elements is intriguing, and with more focused storytelling, it could become a compelling narrative. However, the preview fails to capitalize on this potential, offering little more than a surface-level exploration of its themes.

I Give This Book 1 / 5

Preface The Power Project The Furies was the first manga I ever made with my brother. The fledging manga was begot in High School. When my skills became good enough, I started it again using better paper. Each page took a single week. In time, I was able to complete a page a day. We have been toying with the idea of having it published. Recently, we got around to it. The story is about a Sumerian magic user who happens to be named Gilgamesh, who happens to have a friend named Enkiku. 

This comic book sets out to deliver a gripping tale of revenge and mythological intrigue but unfortunately falls short. Despite this comic book’s intriguing premise it struggles a lot with narrative coherence, character development, and overall execution.

The story in this comic book attempts to weave together elements of mythology and modern-day drama, following a group of characters as they seek vengeance. While the concept holds potential for a captivating narrative, the plot quickly becomes convoluted and lacks a clear direction. Scenes feel disjointed, with transitions that disrupt the flow and make it difficult for me personally to engage with the story.

The character development is notably lacking in this comic book. The protagonists, who should drive the narrative with their motivations and conflicts, are presented with minimal depth. Their personalities and backstories are not adequately explored, resulting in characters that feel flat and unrelatable. Without meaningful character arcs or emotional stakes, it’s challenging for me personally to connect with or care about their journeys.

The writing in this comic book while aiming to capture a sense of epic drama, often falls flat. The dialogue lacks the sharpness and emotional resonance needed to elevate the story, resulting in interactions that feel forced and uninspired. This diminishes the potential for dynamic exchanges and meaningful character development, had left me feeling disconnected from the characters’ experiences.

The artwork in this comic book, while attempting to capture the mythological elements of the story, does little to enhance the overall reading experience. The illustrations in this comic book often lack detail and vibrancy, failing to convey the intensity and grandeur that the narrative demands. The visual style feels underdeveloped and doesn’t fully engage me personally, further diminishing the impact of the story.

The pacing of this comic book is another significant issue I had with this comic book. Because this comic book had scenes either drag without adding value or rush through potentially important moments. This inconsistency disrupts the flow and makes it challenging for me and probably other picky readers as myself to maintain interest or fully grasp the plot’s progression. The lack of a clear narrative arc further exacerbates this problem, had left me without a satisfying sense of direction or resolution.

I Give This Book 1 / 5

This comic follows two characters, Luke and Dendra, on their journey in your child’s immune system. These characters/cells get increasingly better weapons to fight with depending on how much sleep your child gets. This comic teaches kids how much sleep impacts their immune system. The comic has spaces to write your child’s name and bed time.

This comic book aims to provide a comforting bedtime story for children, but unfortunately falls short in execution. Despite this comic book’s well-intentioned premise, the book struggles with narrative coherence, engagement, and effectiveness in achieving its goal.

The story in this comic book centers around a group of “Sleepytime Warriors” who embark on nightly adventures to help children embrace sleep. While the concept is charming, the narrative lacks structure and focus, making it difficult for me personally to follow or become invested in the story. The plot feels disjointed, with abrupt transitions that disrupt the flow and hinder the calming atmosphere that a bedtime story should cultivate.

The character development in this comic book is notably lacking. The Sleepytime Warriors, intended to be relatable and comforting figures for children, are presented with minimal depth and personality. Their motivations and roles in the story are not clearly defined, leaving them feeling more like abstract concepts than engaging characters. This lack of connection makes it challenging for me personally to relate to or find comfort in them.

The writing style in this comic book, while attempting to capture a whimsical and soothing tone, often falls flat. The language is overly simplistic and lacks the lyrical quality often found in successful bedtime stories. Rhythmic and poetic elements, which could enhance the soothing nature of the narrative, are largely absent. As a result, the text fails to create a calming or enchanting environment conducive to sleep.

The artwork in his comic book, do little to enhance the overall reading experience. While they capture the fantastical elements of the Sleepytime Warriors’ adventures, the artwork often lacks detail and consistency, failing to convey the warmth and coziness that bedtime stories typically exude. The visual style does not engage picky readers such as myself, further diminishing the book’s impact.

The pacing of this comic book is another significant issue I had with it. Since this comic books scenes that either drag without purpose or rush through potentially significant moments. This inconsistency disrupts the soothing rhythm that a bedtime story should maintain, making it difficult for me personally to relax and unwind.

Despite this comic book’s shortcomings, the book’s concept of using imaginative adventures to encourage sleep holds potential for future development. With a more structured storyline, deeper character exploration, and enhancements to both language and visuals, subsequent versions could better capture the calming and engaging experience that bedtime stories aim to provide.

I Give This Book 1 / 5

Meet Sasaki, an overworked, middle-aged office worker. His days are marked only by the passing of more unrewarding corporate drudgery. Smoking helps take the edge off, but other than that, the only bright spot of his day is when he goes to the nearby supermarket and sees Yamada’s smiling face. So, one evening after yet another exhausting day, he heads to the supermarket to find he missed Yamada’s shift. Dejected, he decides to go find a smoking area but discovers there isn’t one to be found. Just as he’s about to leave, a girl in a biker jacket named Tayama asks him to join her at a secret smoking area!

This comic book aims to explore themes of nostalgia and connection in a mundane setting, but unfortunately, it falls short of delivering a compelling narrative. Despite having an intriguing premise that could delve into introspective storytelling, the execution lacks depth and fails to engage me personally.

The story in this comic book centers around a chance encounter behind a supermarket, where the protagonist frequently meets an enigmatic companion. The creators of this comic book attempts to create a slice-of-life narrative that captures the quiet moments and unspoken bonds formed in everyday life. However, the plot feels stagnant and fails to develop the characters or their relationships in a meaningful way. The lack of progression leaves the narrative feeling empty and repetitive.

The character development is notably lacking in this comic book. The protagonist and their companion are introduced with minimal background or personality, making it difficult for me personally to connect with their experiences. Their interactions, intended to be intimate and revealing, often come across as superficial and bored. This lack of depth makes it challenging for me to invest emotionally in their story.

The artwork in this comic book, while competent, does little to elevate the narrative. The illustrations capture the setting with a straightforward style, but the lack of dynamic expression and creativity in the art fails to add any significant emotional weight to the story. The visual presentation is serviceable but lacks the distinctiveness needed to enhance the narrative’s themes or mood.

One of the primary issues I had with this comic book is its pacing. The story moves slowly without building tension or interest, resulting in a narrative that feels tedious and meandering. The absence of a clear direction or purpose in the plot contributes to a sense of aimlessness, making it difficult for me personally to remain engaged or find value in the story.

The dialogues in this comic book are minimal and lacks the depth needed to develop the characters or advance the plot effectively. Conversations between the protagonist and their companion are often mundane and fail to reveal any significant insights or emotions. This lack of engaging dialogue further detracts from the overall impact of the story.

I Give This Book 1 / 5

Introduction to Trenchcoast, Cigarettes and A new kind of crime family begins to emerge in New York City. One that uses ancient satanic rituals to gain the speed, strength and other attributes of demons. When the demonic mob murders the friend of a mysterious hit man named Trypp, he begins to leave a path of death and destruction to avenge her. With this bloodlust he also begins to embrace the darkness lurking within his soul.

Let me start this review by saying that this one is just a preview for the entire comic book. And I read it because I wanted to see if the full comic book was worth the money and time I would spend on it. And I’m gonna give you the answer for that at the end of this review.

This preview aims to deliver a gritty, noir-inspired tale but unfortunately falls short. Despite its intriguing title and potential for a hard-boiled narrative, this preview struggles with coherence, character development, and overall execution.

The story in this preview attempts to immerse us as readers in a world of crime and intrigue, drawing on classic noir elements. However, the plot quickly becomes muddled and lacks direction, failing to establish a cohesive storyline. Scenes jump erratically which have left me personally confused and disconnected from the narrative. This lack of clarity severely undermines the potential for an engaging and immersive experience.

The character development is a significant weakness in this preview. The protagonist, presumably a tough, world-weary figure typical of the noir genre, is presented with minimal depth. His motivations and personality are barely explored, reducing him to a cliché rather than a compelling character. The supporting cast fares no better, serving as flat archetypes without meaningful contributions to the plot or the protagonist’s journey.

The writing style in this preview while attempting to capture the terse, gritty style of noir fiction, often falls flat. The dialogues in this preview lacks the sharpness and wit necessary to elevate the narrative, coming across as forced and uninspired. Conversations serve more as exposition dumps rather than organic interactions, which detracts from the potential for dynamic character exchanges and meaningful development.

The artwork in this preview, though capturing the dark and moody aesthetic of the genre, does little to enhance the overall reading experience. The illustrations often lack detail and dynamism, failing to convey the tension and atmosphere that the story demands. The visual style, while thematically appropriate, feels generic and does not engage readers, further diminishing the impact of the narrative.

The pacing of this preview is another significant issue I had with this preview. There are scenes in this preview that either drag without purpose or rush through potentially important moments. This inconsistency disrupts the flow and makes it challenging for us as readers to maintain interest or fully grasp the plot’s progression. The absence of a clear narrative arc further exacerbates this problem, which have left me without a satisfying sense of direction.

So will I buy and read the full version of this comic book ? I don’t think I will. The main reason behind this is how poorly this preview was very uninteresting for me personally.

I Give This Book 1 / 5

Kamakura Monogatari follows the mystery writer Masakazu Isshiki and his young bride, Akiko, on their heart-warming life in Kamakura–but it’s not all fun and games! Masakazu and Akiko get caught up in a series of mysterious events on right after another that require all their wits and sleuthing skills to solve. Full of mysteries and romance, this charming story was chosen as the grand prize winner in the 2015 Manga Translation Battle, and was even turned into a movie in 2017!

This comic book aims to transport us as readers to a world of mystery and intrigue, but unfortunately falls short. Despite the potential this comic book had for an engaging narrative set in the picturesque town of Kamakura, it does struggles with coherence, character development, and overall execution.

The story in this comic book attempts to blend everyday life with elements of the supernatural and the mysterious, centering on a writer who encounters various oddities in Kamakura. While this premise holds promise for unique storytelling, the plot quickly becomes disjointed and difficult to follow. The narrative lacks a clear direction, jumping from one vignette to another without establishing a cohesive storyline, leaving readers confused and disengaged.

The character development is notably lacking in this comic book. The protagonist, a writer supposedly drawn to the mysteries of Kamakura, is presented with minimal depth. His motivations and personality are not fully explored, reducing him to a passive observer rather than an active participant in the unfolding events. This superficial treatment makes it difficult for me personally to connect with or care about his journey.

The writing style in this comic book introduces elements of mystery and intrigue, but the execution is uneven. The dialogues often feels stilted and lacks the wit or charm needed to bring the characters and their interactions to life. Conversations serve more as exposition rather than meaningful exchanges, which detracts from the potential for dynamic character interactions and narrative development.

The artwork in this comic book while capturing the serene beauty of Kamakura, does little to enhance the overall reading experience. The illustrations often lack detail and vibrancy, failing to convey the atmosphere and energy that the story demands. The visual style feels dated and does not engage the picky readers as myself, further diminishing the impact of the narrative.

The pacing of this comic book is another significant issue I had with this comic book. Because this comic book have scenes that either drag without purpose or rush through potentially important moments. This inconsistency disrupts the flow and makes it challenging for me personally to maintain interest or fully grasp the plot’s progression. The lack of a clear narrative arc further exacerbates this problem, which have left me without a satisfying sense of direction.

I Give This Book 1 / 5

It’s the return of series creator Ben Dunn to NHS! But is it the same NHS? Fast-forward a few years and enter the world of Ricky Feeple. He’s just trying to get by at Quagmire High School, but who can study when your girlfriend’s a super hero… a female ninja wants to fight you to the death… and an alien lives in your spare bedroom!? It’s a whole new cast of characters along with plenty of the old favorites, ready to delight longtime fans and new readers alike – and all in full color!

This comic book aims to capture the charm and humor of its quirky premise but unfortunately falls short. Despite the potential which this comic book had for a fun, engaging narrative, it struggles with coherence, character development, and overall execution.

The story in this comic book is set in the unique world of Quagmire High School, where ninjas, aliens, and other fantastical elements coexist. While the premise offers ample opportunity for creativity and excitement, the plot quickly becomes muddled. The narrative lacks a clear direction, jumping from scene to scene without a cohesive storyline which have left me feeling lost and disconnected from the characters.

The character development is notably lacking in this comic book. The protagonist and supporting cast are introduced with little depth or motivation, making it difficult for me personally to connect with or care about their journeys. The lack of clear character arcs or relatable traits further detracts from the potential engagement with the story.

The writing style in this comic book fails to capture the humor and charm that the series is known for. The dialogues in this comic book often feels forced and lacks the wit needed to elevate the comedic elements. Conversations serve more as filler than genuine interactions, which detracts from the potential for dynamic character exchanges and meaningful development.

The artwork in this comic book while reminiscent of classic manga-inspired styles, does little to enhance the narrative experience. The illustrations often lack detail and consistency, failing to convey the energy and vibrancy that the story demands. The visual style feels dated and does not engage picky readers as myself, further diminishing the impact of the narrative.

The pacing in this comic book is another significant problem I had with this comic book. Because this comic book has scenes that either drag without purpose or rush through potentially important moments. This inconsistency disrupts the flow and makes it challenging for me personally to maintain interest or fully grasp the plot’s progression. The lack of a clear narrative arc further exacerbates this problem.

Despite its shortcomings, the concept this comic book had of a high school filled with ninjas and other fantastical elements holds potential for future development. With a more structured storyline and deeper exploration of character motivations, subsequent issues could better capture the fun and excitement inherent in the premise.

I Give This Book 1 / 5