Manga Retrospective: My Hero Academia Last week, the long-running shounen manga series My Hero Academia (Boku no Hero Academia) by Kouhei Horikoshi finished its publication in Weekly Shounen Jump. So it’s time to look back fondly at this homage to Western comic book-style superheroes. In the world of the story, several decades ago, a glowing… Continue reading Manga Retrospective: My Hero Academia
Tag: tragic backstory
Movie Review: Negadon: The Monster from Mars
Movie Review: Negadon: The Monster from Mars (2005) directed by Jun Awazu In the near future of 2025, Earth’s resources are running out, so the humans are terraforming Mars. While doing so, they discover a giant cocoon-like object and decide to take it home. Unfortunately for the crew of the Izanami and everyone else in Japan, the creature… Continue reading Movie Review: Negadon: The Monster from Mars
Manga Review: Rooster Fighter 01
Manga Review: Rooster Fighter 01 by Shu Sakuratani Keiji was once a normal carefree chicken, enjoying his day to day life on the farm. But that all changed when a demon appeared who burned down the coop and killed Keiji’s little sister. Since that day, he has wandered Japan looking for that demon to extract… Continue reading Manga Review: Rooster Fighter 01
The Continental Literary Magazine: Beast (2023)
The Continental Literary Magazine: Beast (2023) edited by Sándor Jászberényi The Continental is a Hungarian literary magazine dedicated to widening recognition of Central European authors in the English-speaking world. It comes out quarterly, and I happened to notice a copy at the bookstore. The theme of this issue is “Beast”, both actual animals and the… Continue reading The Continental Literary Magazine: Beast (2023)
Manga Review: Mao, Volumes 11-13
Manga Review: Mao, Volumes 11-13 by Rumiko Takashashi Quick recap: Nanoka Kiba is by this point not at all an ordinary Japanese schoolgirl. Years ago she was transported to the Taisho Era (the 1920s) and “cursed” by the cat spirit Byoki. When she reached puberty, Nanoka became able to pass between the 21st Century and… Continue reading Manga Review: Mao, Volumes 11-13
Comic Book Review: Baltimore Omnibus Volume One
Comic Book Review: Baltimore Omnibus Volume One written by Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden, art by Ben Stenbeck Lord Henry Baltimore was once a happily married man, wealthy enough and fairly privileged. But then World War One happened, and his country called. But this was not quite the WWI you may have read about in… Continue reading Comic Book Review: Baltimore Omnibus Volume One
Webtoon Review: Skull Island
Webtoon Review: Skull Island Years ago, Annie was stranded on an island in the South Pacific after the death of her father. She bonded with a creature she named “Dog” which helped her survive the bizarre wildlife of what she called “Annie’s Island.” Recently, people with guns came to Annie’s Island, tried to kill Dog… Continue reading Webtoon Review: Skull Island
Movie Review: The Man with the Iron Fists
Movie Review: The Man with the Iron Fists (2012) directed by RZA Jungle Village is a lawless town, inhabited by various clans (most named after animals) that engage in frequent turf wars. The Blacksmith (RZA) is one of the few important neutral parties. He uses his skills to make superior weaponry for anyone who can pay… Continue reading Movie Review: The Man with the Iron Fists
Book Review: Flash Gordon Book Four: Forces from the Federation
Book Review: Flash Gordon Book Four: Forces from the Federation by David Hagberg At long last, Colonel Steve “Flash” Gordon and his companions Dr. Hans Zarkov and Dale Arden are headed home in their refurbished starship, the Intrepid. They’re looking forward to briefing the Federation government about their adventures fighting the android robot warlord Martin… Continue reading Book Review: Flash Gordon Book Four: Forces from the Federation
Magazine Review: High Adventure #98: The Crimson Mask
Magazine Review: High Adventure #98: The Crimson Mask edited by John P. Gunnison When Robert Clarke was young, he watched his police officer father be gunned down by criminals. The image of his father’s blood-soaked face never left him. So after training himself in disguise, hand to hand combat, criminology, and becoming a PhG (Graduate… Continue reading Magazine Review: High Adventure #98: The Crimson Mask