First, the cartoony artwork is very charming and feels nostalgic in a way.
“If you take responsibility but make an excuse, you’re not really taking res
First, the cartoony artwork is very charming and feels nostalgic in a way.
“If you take responsibility but make an excuse, you’re not really taking responsibility.”
I enjoyed how the shark from Jaws haunts Paul as his toxic masculinity ghost but really as his insecurities personified. The author managed to tie in the movie Jaws well to where it was relevant to the narrative.
Young Paul struggles with trying to be cool but not being a jerk, which is a tough balance with the neighborhood bully, Swain always harassing him. He even gets mixed messages from his own father about how he should act, and how boys should be.
Ultimately, Paul's journey to learning how to be himself and not live up to others' expectations was great. Despite the story being set in the 70s, kids (any reader) will understand the timeless themes....more
This volume dialed down some of the dumbness/silliness and resolved some conflicts. I enjoyed it much more than the first, but I'm just not invested iThis volume dialed down some of the dumbness/silliness and resolved some conflicts. I enjoyed it much more than the first, but I'm just not invested in these characters or the story....more
First, the artwork is very pretty. All of the characters look stylish.
This is just vibes, really. It's not trying to be deep. Instead, it's supremely First, the artwork is very pretty. All of the characters look stylish.
This is just vibes, really. It's not trying to be deep. Instead, it's supremely silly.
Taemu: It's my marriage, and I want it now!
Taemu, like many other male leads, won't take 'no' for an answer, but at least as of now, it's not in an abusive way. He's just deadset on this woman. If a lampost with lipstick would have come to his blind date, he'd married it.
If I didn't already have volume 2, I probably wouldn't continue reading as nothing here is keeping my attention....more
This series is still so fun and charming. I particularly enjoyed the arc where Phoebe meets her dad as a kid in the most mundane time travel trip everThis series is still so fun and charming. I particularly enjoyed the arc where Phoebe meets her dad as a kid in the most mundane time travel trip ever. Good stuff!...more
I thought the story was very cute with its portrayal of grief and self-isolation. Depending on who you are, you will either love or hate the cartoony I thought the story was very cute with its portrayal of grief and self-isolation. Depending on who you are, you will either love or hate the cartoony style.
I don't know if all the themes got resolved well, but I liked that Ziki stood up for himself, eventually, and wasn't easily swayed as most of these stories tend to go.
SN: The doggy in love with the goat was so cute. All the animals here were bonafide cuteness!
Great! The artwork was so cute and this was a simple, quick read. I would have liked it to be expanded more as the narrative felt slightly thin, but IGreat! The artwork was so cute and this was a simple, quick read. I would have liked it to be expanded more as the narrative felt slightly thin, but I enjoyed the reading experience.
I came in expecting the memoir to solely discuss the author’s experience growing up with an incarcerated parent, and it did to an extent. But the brunt of the memoir explores how Patton's interest in STEM (coding specifically) first sparked and how the PhotoPatch Foundation came to be.
SN: Why was the mama so beautiful lol? I loved it when I saw her on the page. ...more
“Hi, I’m Abby. Once upon a time, my life was ordinary. Then the mirror in my basement ate us.”
PERFECT OPENER!
This was so much fun! I enjoyed the subve
“Hi, I’m Abby. Once upon a time, my life was ordinary. Then the mirror in my basement ate us.”
PERFECT OPENER!
This was so much fun! I enjoyed the subversion of fairytales in this case being Snow White’s. The humor was wonderful, and I liked the constant twists and turns. Anything mentioned has a purpose. ...more
The story continues from the last volume with Cast and Philomena trying to save Klaus, and the introduction of the big bad, the KingWon in a giveaway!
The story continues from the last volume with Cast and Philomena trying to save Klaus, and the introduction of the big bad, the King. We also see what may be glimpses of Philomena’s past.
This volume explains a little more of the worldbuilding concerning Nextkin and Old Kin and the inciting war that set things into place. Now, the languages German and Spanish exist here but so do Zodiac animals and fire wolves, a good mix of fantasy and real-world elements. The animal mutation coding power was super cool though it came with a peeing/marking territory gene for some reason.
Cast is still a spunky, bright-eyed engineer. Not much seems to get her down. I did think it was a little ‘not like other girls’ how she thought dolls, dresses, and flowers were inferior to engineering tools, but it was in response to a sexist, condescending comment. And she’s also like what 10-11 years old, so I won’t read too deeply into that.
Philomena is still mysterious and overpowered, but I enjoyed how the story balanced her strength. She’s extremely lethal but (view spoiler)[ as a half–machine (android?), there are weaknesses to exploit. She was thwarted by fighting a 100% human who was just as strong as her, so her usual code-hacking was null and void. (hide spoiler)] A great example of you can have an overpowered character and still keep the tension and readers on their toes.
Anyway, for a B&W manga, I was pleasantly surprised by the extended colored flashback. I think the pop of color helped dramatize everything more, indicating a clear contrast from the present narrative. The artwork is excellent and shines in fight scenes or with Cast’s different hairstyles.
Like, a final hurrah road trip after high school! At no point, was this book not weird, but it kept my attention.
I love how the post-apocalyptic worldLike, a final hurrah road trip after high school! At no point, was this book not weird, but it kept my attention.
I love how the post-apocalyptic world that’s recovering is just in the background. Mutant zombie squirrels roam, and it’s a thing but not the main thing. Young adults woes like applying to college and leaving your hometown and best friend behind take the center stage instead. Some things never change no matter how destroyed planet Earth becomes.
The dialogue is really quirky in a way I don’t like. Very frat boy meets iCarly with a sprinkle of ‘how do you do fellow, kids?’ But it added a unique personality to the story though I couldn’t get into any of the character’s speech.
But at the heart, the story shows human’s preservation for survival. Also, I loved the coloring in this book. It made things feel atmospheric, and I felt like I was listening to music with them every time they turned on a song.
This one might hit a little close to home with the characters dealing with paranoia from the Coronavirus pReceived a free copy from author, thank you!
This one might hit a little close to home with the characters dealing with paranoia from the Coronavirus pandemic and the constant references to it, but it was fun. The humor was silly and light-hearted, and the illustrations were cute and plenteous. I also liked the facts/info about marine biology. Shoutout to Ken!
In this book, Robin, the MC, his smart-mouthed, energetic best friend Charlie, and other friends take a trip with his family to a lavish sea resort. I liked the characters for the most part though Robin only plays the straight man. Majority of the jokes come from Charlie, who is always complaining or eating/hungry, which Robin never lets him forget. But the Robin-Charlie dynamic isn’t bad.
At first, the story’s very slow-paced with us seeing how rich Robin’s fam is until they go on the vacation. Once Robin sees a mysterious boy under the sea, everything changes! When the cast meets the boy, the story really finds its rhythm and even builds tension. Overall, this should be fun for kids.
3.5
Merged review:
Received a free copy from author, thank you!
This one might hit a little close to home with the characters dealing with paranoia from the Coronavirus pandemic and the constant references to it, but it was fun. The humor was silly and light-hearted, and the illustrations were cute and plenteous. I also liked the facts/info about marine biology. Shoutout to Ken!
In this book, Robin, the MC, his smart-mouthed, energetic best friend Charlie, and other friends take a trip with his family to a lavish sea resort. I liked the characters for the most part though Robin only plays the straight man. Majority of the jokes come from Charlie, who is always complaining or eating/hungry, which Robin never lets him forget. But the Robin-Charlie dynamic isn’t bad.
At first, the story’s very slow-paced with us seeing how rich Robin’s fam is until they go on the vacation. Once Robin sees a mysterious boy under the sea, everything changes! When the cast meets the boy, the story really finds its rhythm and even builds tension. Overall, this should be fun for kids.
He’s one of the top-tier shoujo male leads. He left NO ROOM for doubt. Came with a plan. The parents love him, and he’s financially staItsoumi: [image]
He’s one of the top-tier shoujo male leads. He left NO ROOM for doubt. Came with a plan. The parents love him, and he’s financially stable too? Let's go!
A thoughtful, patient prince! He’s so loving and caring.
The parents (the dad) bring up an issue we don't often see in the media. Like, any parents they wanted to find out his intentions and prevent their child from getting hurt. (view spoiler)[ The dad was worried Itsoumi wouldn't be interested in Yuki long-term. Their son's ex-girl couldn't see a future with him because she was concerned about her future children inheriting deafness. (hide spoiler)]
Also, Itsuomi’s straightforwardness, influenced by his international upbringing, adds such a humourous contrast to the other characters.
I'm not invested in Emma and her rebound Shin, but their scenes together are drawn beautifully....more
As always, the author excels at body language. This man is caressing her with his whole heart and those huge hands! Does Itsuomi have a distinctive peAs always, the author excels at body language. This man is caressing her with his whole heart and those huge hands! Does Itsuomi have a distinctive personality besides a MAN STANDING ON BIDNESS? Not really. I guess he's chill and playful, but it’s still heartwarming to watch.
The lack of miscommunication and foolishness (on Yuki and Itsuomi’s end) is so refreshing for a shoujo or media in general. He communicates his feelings and has been steadfast that he wanted Yuki from the beginning. He sees her as an equal.
Yuki also has strong communication skills. When Itsuomi springs two big declarations on her, she naturally feels apprehension. But she speaks up about her realistic insecurities and acknowledges her strengths too.
Most stories have some form of conflict even if they’re very minor. I thought Itsuomi’s quick feelings would be the barrier, but the story has circled back to a dead-on-arrival love triangle.
Now, Oushi is bordering on pathetic. This man is praying for these two to break up. You had years to make a move! On a different note, he has some supportive friends. Terrible advice (just steal her, bro!) but good friends.
As always, something I love about the IDW franchise is that while it adds new characters, it never forgets the old ones. Here, Amy and Knuckles get anAs always, something I love about the IDW franchise is that while it adds new characters, it never forgets the old ones. Here, Amy and Knuckles get an adventure on Angel Island. That’s new! Amy and Knuckles don’t interact much one-on-one, and I loved them just exploring the island together.
And…
“I trust you [Amy] and about five others, max” – Knuckles
Look at that growth! Knuckles has friends that he trusts!
Please keep the Sonic comics (and franchise, really) in the hands of the IDW writers. They know how to make Sonic goofy without being obnoxious, and how to tease cute moments without dipping into shipping wars.
One-star deduction for the miscommunication trope. It is no fun to read a character be gaslit though I’m happy Whisper knew what was up. Realistically, it makes sense why no one believed him, but it’s so unsatisfying from a reader’s perspective.
Sailor Moon’s relevance will never die! I mean Pretty Princess Warrior Dragonetta’s.
I was floored by the super cute designs and the simple but effectiSailor Moon’s relevance will never die! I mean Pretty Princess Warrior Dragonetta’s.
I was floored by the super cute designs and the simple but effective story. All the characters here are fusions (cloud puppies, bear unicorns, deer rabbits, etc), and it adds to the story's quirky charm.
Kids interested in nerd culture (anime, comics, superheroes, jrpgs, etc) will especially relate to the adventures here. Cloud Puppy visits her first comic convention but has a falling out with her best friend because they both want to cosplay as Sailor Moon Dragonetta. Unthinkable!
Overall, this was so much fun to read. I would love to read more from this series or watch this become a cartoon....more
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