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Comic review: Fables 75

Fables #75 (War and Pieces 3 of 3)
Story: Bill Willingham
Art: Mark Buckingham, Steve Leialoha, Andrew Pepoy
Coloring: Lee Loughridge
Letters: Todd Kline
Cover: James Jean
Publisher: Vertigo (2008)
ASIN: B001F26WQI

Review by Budd Black

Fables #75 is not a starting off point, but it is a must read to go forward. It is the culmination of the War and Pieces storyline that brings Fabletown head to head with Homelands. The artistic team deserves acclaim for bringing these epic battles to life. Willingham knocks the story out of the park as it changes everything. Sacrifices are made, fugitives are brought to justice, and lives are lost. The uncertainty and horrors of war are conveyed with words and images in this book. My only complaint is that it seemed almost rushed. Things are wrapped up with a little bow on top very quickly once the divisive blow is struck.
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Yaoi Review: Cut

CUT
Story and Art: Toko Kawai
Published by the Juné Imprint of Digital Manga, Inc.
ISBN-10: 1-56970-043-5
ISBN-13: 978-1-56970-043-3

Review by Kris

Life is tough. If there is anyone out there that says any differently they are lying through their teeth. CUT by Toko Kawai shines a light on some serious but real problems that face not only teenagers but adults as well in today’s world. I am going deals with some very intense and heavy subject matter and it is a manga not for the faint hearted. Because of that if the synopsis seems a bit spoilery it’s actually like that so you are aware of how deep this story really is.
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Yaoi review: Cut

Cut
Story and Art by Toko Kawai
Published by the Juné Imprint of Digital Manga, Inc.
ISBN-13: 978-1-56970-043-3

Review by Ginger Mayerson

“They fuck you up, your mum and dad.
“They may not mean to, but they do.
“They fill you with the faults they had
“And add some extra, just for you.

“But they were fucked up in their turn
“By fools in old-style hats and coats,
“Who half the time were soppy-stern
“And half at one another’s throats.

“Man hands on misery to man.
“It deepens like a coastal shelf.
“Get out as early as you can,
“And don’t have any kids yourself.”

Philip Larkin – This Be The Verse

I knew Philip Larkin was a genius, but I had no idea he’d sum up “Cut” in one poem. Although the parents and step-parents in “Cut” are more villainous than those in Larkin’s poem, he still nails it with:

“Get out as early as you can,
“And don’t have any kids yourself.”

And being yaoi, you can be pretty sure the last line will be true.
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Book reivew: Up Till Now, The Autobiography

Up Till Now, The Autobiography
By William Shatner with David Fisher
Published by Thomas Dunne Books, St. Martin’s Press, New York
ISBN: 0312372655

Review by Ida Vega-Landow

What can one say about Bill Shatner that hasn’t been said already by so many? Hero, ham, hack, has been, he’s been there, done that, and gotten the tee shirts. He was the first captain of the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE in the never ending story of Star Trek, whose five year mission was cut short by two years, yet who lives on in eternity through syndication. He was T.J. Hooker, a good cop who made Los Angeles a little safer every week and always managed to get in a chase scene, as well as a little gratuitous exposure of female flesh. He was the host of Rescue 911, true stories of people who survived disasters, who never dreamed that one dark night he’d have to live through one himself when he discovered his third wife had drowned herself. And most recently he was Denny Crane of Boston Legal, whose appetite for sex and guns could never equal his affection for his young protégé Alan Shore, who was his willing partner in legal mayhem every week, helping him to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.
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Book Review: Ghost Medicine

Ghost Medicine
Written by Andrew Smith
Published by Feiwel and Friends
ISBN10: 0312375573
ISBN13: 9780312375577

Reviewed by Lauren Lapinski

Ah, the coming-of-age story. It is a tale often told of dealing with situations of real life and how they help us grow up and become more mature while we are teenagers. Such is the case of “Ghost Medicine”. It is the story of a young boy dealing with the recent loss of his mother and how his life and mentality are forever affect by this event.
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Yaoi Novel Review: Desire – Dangerous Feelings

Desire – Dangerous Feelings
Story by: Maki Kazumi
Illustrated by: Yukine Honami
Published by the Juné Imprint of Digital Manga, Inc.
ISBN-10: 1-56970-573-9
ISBN-13: 978-1-56970-573-5

Review by Kris

It seems that many of the yaoi novels that are published are ones that are based on popular yaoi manga. You have Passion: Forbidden Lovers, Only the Ring Finger Knows, and now Desire – Dangerous Feelings. Desire is a yaoi manga written by Maki Kazumi and illustrated by Yukine Honami. If you are interested in reviews for the manga you can check out my review or Ginger Mayerson’s fantastic review of this manga.
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Manga Review: St. Dragon Girl vol. 1

St. Dragon Girl vol. 1
Story and Art: Natsumi Matsumoto
Published by VIZ Media
ISBN-10: 1-4215-5040-9
ISBN-13: 978-1-4215-2010-0

Review by Kris

Kenpo. Many know of this martial art but don’t know much about it. Kenpo, literally translates to “Fist Law”. Here in the United States we use the term Kung Fu to designate any form of Chinese martial art (just like Karate is often used to designate any form of Japanese martial art). In Japan the term Kenpo is used to describe Chinese systems. You’re probably wondering why on

earth I’m defining martial arts terms. I found that knowing the difference with terms helped in making St. Dragon Girl a much more enjoyable manga to read.
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Manga Review: Wanted

Wanted
Story and Art: Matsuri Hino
Published by VIZ Media
ISBN-10: 1-4215-1934-8
ISBN-13: 978-1-4215-1934-0

Review by Kris

Pirates are hot, especially ones created by famed mangaka Matsuri Hino (mangaka behind Vampire Knight and Captive Hearts). Thanks to Johnny Depp and popularity of the Pirates of the Caribbean pirates are hip once again. Wanted was published in Japan in 2005 after original movie was released. Was that the inducement for creating a pirate manga? I don’t really know, but pirates are definitely cool.

Armeria lost her family while she was young and was adopted into a traveling musical troupe. Armeria possesses a beautiful singing voice. During her travels she meets Luce, the nephew of a rich landowner, and falls in love with him.

One evening while performing at their estate the infamous pirate crew led by Skulls kidnaps Luce for ransom. On that night Armeria vows that she will find and rescue Luce. She knew who she had to find due to the unique tattoo that Skulls had.
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New York Comic Con 2009

Reported by Jilly Gee and Linda Yau
Photographs by Eric M. Chu and Linda Yau

First day of NYCC

After a very cold week in New York City, the Jacob Javits Center was host to the fourth New York Comic Con. Similar to San Diego’s Comic Con, NYCC is the East Coast’s representation of this American tradition. NYCC welcomes all types of fans, so there was programming suitable for industry professionals, video gamers, science fiction lovers, fantasy enthusiasts, Japanese animation, cosplayers, and even children.

This was the Journal of Lincoln Height’s first time attending the NYCC, which is also a companion con to the New York Anime Festival. Continue reading “New York Comic Con 2009”

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Yaoi Review: Blue Sheep Reverie

Blue Sheep Reverie
Story and Art: Makoto Tateno
Published by the Juné Imprint of Digital Manga, Inc.
ISBN13: 9781569706060
ISBN10: 1569706069

Review by I-hsiu Lin

A man searching for the one who killed his girlfriend. Becoming a bodyguard to seek revenge. A blue ring, rival gangs, fights and guns. Sounds like a manga for guys rather then a manga about boys love. But skillfully woven together by Makoto Tateno, it’s a story that envelopes everything and sets the stage for Steal Moon. First, it was Blue Sheep Reverie.
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