Yu-Gi-Oh: Volume One 1996

**There is just so much to discuss about the Yu-Gi-Oh comics, I'm going to keep it short and simple and just talk about volume one and maybe a little bit of the other volumes and comics. Also, I am using the english names of the characters not Japanese. 

What can I say about Yu-Gi-Oh? Probably one of my favorite comics of all time. I still keep up with the franchise. Kazuki Takahasi is a huge influence on why i wanted to get into the art industry. Yu-Gi-Oh truly means the world to me, it shaped me who I am today. It's funny how many life lessons you can learn from a comic or a TV show. Now listen up kids, the comic is EXTREMELY DIFFERENT from the anime. Takahasi wanted to create a horror comic which involved games. Soon Yu-Gi-Oh turned into something completely different. Which I guess is ok, I feel that the comic has a bit more substance to it while the anime had a whole lot of love. So the characters do act differently from the comic to the anime. I guess its nice to see different renditions of the story even if Takahasi wanted to go in a totally different direction with the comic. The story talks about how in ancient Egyptian times, Egyptians would play shadow games which allowed for souls to be destroyed and let you see into the future. Enters Yugi, the main character, to be at school playing games by himself. Yugi was bullied a tremendous amount and at times taken advantage of. Anyways, Yugi then proceeds to take out an ancient Egyptian artifact, a puzzle which he wishes to solve. The golden box has an inscription on it which states "This treasure can be seen but you haven't seen it" which is basically an unfinished puzzle. Joey and Tristan come into panel and swipe Yugi's box and begin to bully him. Yugi frantically dances around for them to give the box back but they continue to bully him. You learn a little about Yugi's character since he doesn't like to fight and doesn't have any backbone to stand up for himself. In the comics, it is key that you see Yugi develop his character and end up being able to fight his own battle. Back to the story: Tea grabs the box from Tristan and tells and aids Yugi. 

Joey and Tristian scoot away as Tea defends Yugi. Since it is Japan, and almost every older comic is pervy, tea goes on to say that she's not too fond of Joey and Tristian since they are bullies and that apparently playing basketball they were trying to look up her skirt. Typical, everyday boys. Yugi is oddly pervy as well and starts to fantasies about Tea's skirt. Its so insane how different each character is in the anime. Tea starts to ask about the box and Yugi proceeds to show Tea the inside of the box which contained a puzzle. Yugi goes on to tell Tea that he lives in a game shop his grandfather owns. The puzzle is a momento of his grandpa. The puzzle was apparently found in Egyptian ruins and that the person who solves the puzzle will have one wish granted. Yugi has been trying to solve the puzzle eight years. 

I'm going to end the story of the comic their and talk about the comic itself. The story of Joey and Tristian bullying Yugi ends up changing as they all become very close friends. Their friendship grows over time and that is a huge key to the story. Friendship is something very important to the author and he really wanted to emphasis the relationship between Joey and Yugi. Tea also becomes very close with the gang and they all go on adventures together. Grandpa Solomon, Yugi's grandfather, is completely different from the comic to the anime. He is a little more sarcastic and funny and is also oddly a pervert. Yugi finished the puzzle in the first comic after the seen where he is beaten and threaten by another character you do not see in the anime (when i say anime I'm talking about the recent Yu-Hi-Oh anime first season, you see everyone from the comics in Yu-Gi-Oh season 0). Yugi finished the puzzle and a power starts to consume Yugi. You can guess that Yugi wished for him to be stronger, to be able to fight and have courage. His body now shared a soul of a 3,000 year old Nameless Pharaoh. The spirit for now is called Dark Yugi, who like to play games called penalty games, which punishes the player if they fail. These penalty games are a serious change from the anime to the comic, there were no chilterns card games. Instead, if you possibly lose  the game you would die or become extremely hurt. Victims of Dark Yugi's have been burned alived, killed, handicapped, mentally damaged, etc. This story is also inspired by symbolism in Christianity and horror. Dark Yugi does not remember who is he, when he first arrives in the first volume he is completely insane. Dark Yugi and Yugi change each other for the better and this is such a huge thing in the comics and anime. They are both brought together to better one another. Yugi's good nature eventually influence Dark Yugi and he becomes light while Dark Yugi show Yugi how to be strong. Dark Yugi stops his penalty games in the manga because he grows, he also begins to feel what its like to endure that pain. Dark Yugi learns compassion from Yugi and truly loves hims. Yugi and Dark Yugi's bond grow throughout the comics but their change for each other is what gives this story such love and emotion. You also see a bond and love grow between the group of friends and the many more they meet during the comic. 

There is so much more to write but I think I wrote too much.

Batman: Hush

Probably one of my favorite Batman comics I ever read. The artist who drew for the comic I feel truly captures each and every Batman character perfectly. Jim Lee is such a legendary comic book artists, his comics are my favorite to delve into. The story goes into detail about Batman and Catwomans relationships. Batman deals with his trust issues towards her and also deals with the lost of Jason Todd (Robin). Batman has to fight a mimics of Jason and relive the pain he went through losing his side quick. You see Batman in this comic with so much  more emotion and thats why I feel that I enjoyed reading it so much. Te comic features Riddler, Poison Ivy, Dick Grayson, Talia, and Ra's al Ghul. It features other characters but getting to a key point, Ra's al Ghul wants Batman to join the League of Assassins and you learn about Talia wanting to be with Batman. At the end of the story Catwomen tells Batman about Hush, which then leads to Bruce to have trust issues with Selena. It goes on to say that one day, their relationship will work out, Batman wants to learn to trust Selena. This Batman comic I feel holds such emotion, I love reading the dynamics of each character. Jim Lee's art was really have got me into Batman comics. His use of lines and colors make each page absolutely gorgeous. I highly recommend picking up a Jim Lee comic, especially Hush. 

Anya's Ghost

What an artist, Vera is another talented artist that takes her style to other levels. This particular story is very strange, it is about a girl named Anya, who is Russian living in the United States. Anya is not very popular at school and one day she discovers a skeleton in the forest. She learns that the skeleton belongs to Emily and that she is trapped. Anya eventually leaves but has taken a finger bone from the skeleton. Anya is able to see Emily, which she proceeds to tell her that her lover died in WWI and that she was running from a killer when she died. Anya's promises Emily to find her killer and bring her death to justice. The story goes on with Emily meddling in Anya's life and constantly lying to her. Anaya later finds out that Emily did not have a lover but she actually murdered a young couple after the man rejected her. Countless lies after another, Emily starts to take advantage of Anya. Emily was trying to live vicariously through Anya but this all comes to an end when Anya throws Emily's skeleton down a well. Anya lost a friend because of Emily but the two later rekindle their friendship. This story Isn't too long and shows how easily friends can become jealous of one another. Be careful you trust, unfortunately people don't realize this until it is too late. The book is very cute yet has a dark story. Its interesting to see how Anya handles the situation but I feel like the story is missing something. It draws you in by the art and curiosity. I feel that this story needed something more to make it grand, it was just ok. 

Everything We Miss

Stories about love draw me in, anything with love catches my attention. Love is important. Now if you want to read a really surreal comic then pick this one up! Also if you like Adventure Time, the artist creates story boards for the show. The story is quite and eerie one about failing relationships. If this book doesn't tug your heart strings, I'm not sure what will. The story itself is depressing. Failing relationships are never easy and letting go is the worst pain to endure but the story goes from negative to positive. He sends the message that their is still beauty in life, one should not give up due to love. I guess a bigger message is not to rely on others, you need communication and to focus on yourself. There must be balance, this is what really got to me. I feel the author conveyed this story so well, I am assuming due to experience. The author is aware that humans are so caught up with the little things we end up gaining tunnel vision. We never look around us and see he beauty in the world. Yet its hard to see this when you feel like everything is falling apart. Our brains can easily make us miserable, but its not the end of the world. This story is a perfect example of depression, how we can easily lose ourselves. Everyone I feel has experience this one way or another, I feel that we shouldn't have to have things end. It's just unfair. I guess that is just me being selfish. I wish that time didn't matter, everything would just keep going on. The weird creatures that no one seems to notice in the comic represent that we never look around.  

Scott Pilgrim vs. The

This. Comic. Is Amazing.

Not only is the comic amazing but the book is cinematically ingenious. Not to mention the art, the art! So so good. Scott Pilgrim is about a guy living in Toronto Canada that was to defeat his girlfriend, Ramona, seven evil ex boyfriends. Scott is very desperate to get over his ex girlfriend so he starts dating a high school and cheats on her for Ramona. The story delves in to a lot of surreal relationship meanings and finding yourself as a person. Love is a huge part of the the story and at the end of the comic, Scott discovers he is no better then Gideon, Ramona's last evil ex. Scott reaches closer with his ex Envy as he also does with Knives. Knives moves on and goes to college while Scott and Kim start a new band together band. Ramona decides to give Scott and her relationship another chance and they whisk off into sub space together. The story centers around change and being able to move on. Scott also versus Nega Scott which was basically Scott fight his inner demons. He makes the decision to change for the better, for his friends but more importantly himself. You see this when Scott uses the Sword of Understanding rather then the Sword of Love. How can you love someone if you can't have compassion for them? Their is no room in a relationship for selfish behavior, someone as young as Scott develops as a person. He gains that compassion and understand for others.

Don't you just wish that ever everyone was like that? able to learn life lessons as quickly as characters do in comics/movies/books/etc. I guess one can only dream that people will learn in time, unfortunately others never change and they always revert back to their old ways. Instead of people running from their mistakes like Scott did, they have to face them head on.

Mouse

MAUS

I read this comic a long time ago with my brother for a school project and I never really fully understood certain elements of what was happening. Reading back, I understand now that the concept is almost like Animal Farm. The artist tries to get his point across using animals. I feel children can be easily impacted by this book, I know I was heavily impacted by Animal Farm. I found the concept so fascinating. As anyone reads this novels its upsetting to have someone relive their tale. I feel that people could learn from this though, hopefully. I like to think that, I like to think positively. I'm not so keen on reading anything regarding actual holocaust. During high school and middle school they drowned us in information regarding concentration camps. I prefer comics that take you away from reality, as poetic as this book is. I can't help but feel awful after rereading this comic again. I felt the same way after watching and reading Bare Foot Gen. They both have a powerful message. Reading as these mice go through starvation. pain. heart-ache, and suffering is not something that draws me in, since it is based on a true story. The author, Vladek, died before the book was completed and thats jus as painful to hear as the rest of his story is. 

The Killing Joke

The Killing Joke

 When I was younger I went over to Barns and Noble and picked up a  copy of The Killing Joke. I started getting into DC comics and Batman is just one of my favorite characters to read about but the Joker comes in at a close second. I think The Killing Joke is beautiful in every sense, illustration and psychologically. It touches upon some important details that shape The Joker and make him who he is today. When I first read the comic I couldn't put it down and I ended up blowing through it as soon as I got my hands on it. I love weird relationships and their relationship is so pretty. The Joker also touches on some pretty good points of depression. If the Joker really feels the way he does then the only thing keeping him alive is his fascination with Batman? that's interesting. 

I can't even tell you how much I adore the relationship with Batman and Joker, it's so good. It's just so good. One can't live without the other, they both give their lives meaning. In the end, it is up to your interpretation whether or not the Joker really dies, does Batman actually have the guts to go against everything he believes in and kill his one true enemy. Grant Morrison will tell you that Batman finished the Joker, hence the name killing joke. A lot of people disagree with his opinion. The end joke really got to me, it really delved into a dynamic of their relationship. Batman wants to save the Joker but the Joker flat out says to Batman that he doesn't trust him and that they are both too completely obsessed with each other to kill each other. The story about what makes him Joker the Joker is interesting but the relationship between Batman and him is my favorite part. Also, the fact that Barabra grows so much after this comic is super nice to read about. 

I would not change anything, its a really well done comic. It truly paints The Joker as who he is. The Killing Joke became an animated film and it was just ok. They changed a few things from the comic and it didn't look as gritty as the comics did. This is just my opinion, I know Moore did work on the animated film but I don't know the extent. There hasn't been one phenomenal portrayal of the Joker in any of the live-action Batman movies. I gave up on Hollywood making Batman into other mediums a long time ago (after Suicide Squad). Just put an end to it, I rather read the comics. I would hope others would read the comics too, especially The Killing Joke. 

Barefoot Gen ✿ By: Keiji Nakazawa

                               

BAREFOOT GEN

Keiji Nakazawa

After watching the anime in class, I couldn't help but try and read some of the manga for my own well being. The topic of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombing is one of histories topics that peaks my interests. Growing up, I was taught that if those bombs never were dropped America never would have ended the war. Whether that is true or not is under debate but knowing that Ken lived to create what he saw for the purpose of influencing people to not use nuclear arms just really tugs at my heart strings. It is so sad, I wish people knew more about this comic, it really opened my eyes. Talk about creating for a purpose, he inspired me to always create for a purpose. The story takes place in Hiroshima where Gen Nakaoka has to deal with his family struggling through poverty. Gen's mother is carrying her fourth child and it is already hard enough to feed the children they already had. People have created movies, comics, or tv shows about people who suffer from poverty. Even though it is an issue that is talked about a lot through media, I don't think any of them really hit home for me more than this one. What really stands out to me, why this story touched me is because that Nakazawa had a mission. He had a mission to teach people what it was like living on the other side of those bombings. I never knew what it was like and never gave it much thought when I was learning about it in school. I was taught it had to happen, that what came out of those bombings were good. Whether you want to believe that or not, all I know is that this man had a purpose to stop nuclear warfare. He created so people can become aware of how destructive and tragic it really is. I just think that is so powerful that he dedicated his life and art to this mission. Honestly, this comic really opened my eyes. The anime is especially powerful and can probably impact more people since I feel most people rather visually take something in than having to read it but I guess that just depends on the person. 

Dairy of a Teenaged Girl

  Dairy of A Teenaged Girl 

The first page is a whirlwind of teenage angst and sexual frustration. I'm not even so sure what I would call this illustrative read. It is a comic/novel/illustrated book/wow this is based on a true story book, all in one. This one of a kind comic changed, for me, the definition of comics themselves. When you think of a comic you don't think "oh! I'm going to read a comic in a novel form and then comic form". I feel that if you aren't into comics or maybe you're not into novels this will give you the best of both worlds. I just find it really interesting this comic can easily satisfy to all types of readers. First getting into the story you find out that Minnie Goetze has not only a ton of insecurity issues but she is also having an affair with her mother's boyfriend. Yes, the man who her mother has slept with took her daughters virginity. If that doesn't disgust you but also peak your interest I don't know what else could possibly. And by peaked interest, I mean by I wanted to know more about her. I wanted to know why Minnie would make the decision to do that. I know she hates her mother and doesn't get along with her and that Monroe is apparently gorgeous. But I guess maybe her hatred for her mother is severe it just didn't bother her. Her mother does seem to be the stem of her insecurity issues so maybe sleeping with Monroe meant to her that she was just as pretty as her mother? How weird. How ballsy. On a side note, Minnie has a thing for blonde men with blue eyes, not sure if that is supposed to stem from something (maybe her dad since he is out of the picture) or if that's just what turns her on but I highly doubt that. I read the whole comic and it ends with a date with Monroe. She ends up acting like such a child the whole date, I just don't understand what Monroe would see in Minnie or even her mother. They both are kind of annoying. Anyways, from what I read about Monroe's personality I really didn't have a problem with him. He seemed like a genuine guy, expect for the fact that he cheated on his girlfriend with her daughter, he is pretty ok. I guess what I'm trying to say is that he is the only character I enjoyed reading about. When Minnie went on her sexual adventures they were interesting to read about but her character, in general, can be extremely annoying. Maybe I'm just over the highly angsty teenaged bull crap. 10/10 I would recommend this to someone. The story was so interesting and just kept drawing me in. The parts when Pascal wrote to Minnie were kind of boring since he really didn't fully understand him since he would just make an appearance through letters. Other than that, her story is raw and powerful. I'm pretty sure I didn't have the chance to read all of the comic since the PDF only had 49 pages and ended abruptly. I still enjoyed what I read, I'll probably just look up the ending. Seriously reader, give it a read. It's pretty interesting. 

P.S apparently there is a movie so check that out too? if you want. I've never seen it but it sounds cool. 

P.S.S if you don't like imagery like this (bottom picture) don't read it. Also, I'm including this scene that I never got to in the PDF because it basically describes the whole comic in a nutshell. 1) Minnie is confused and wants to be loved and also has a lot of psychological issues 2) she gets into drugs 3) she finds out she is bi 4) she lost her virginity to her mother's boyfriend 5) etc. etc. etc....

Snot Girl ✾ Volume One

      

SNOT GIRL

Would you read a comic girl called Snot Girl? Strange name for a comic right? I couldn't help but read this comic since it is written and illustrated by two of my favorite artist; Leslie Hung and Bryan Lee O'Malley. Is it wrong to be to only read a comic just because of the illustrations? Well, this is what drew me to this comic. The illustrations are simply beautiful. I only got my hands on volume one, I expected some of the comic to be illustrated by Bryan, but the whole volume was illustrated by Hung. 

The comic starts off questioning who Lottie Peron is, a social media socialite. Lottie is a fashion blogger who keeps up her perfect appearance online. Her blog defines who she is, it is who she want's to become. Her insecurity disappears when she posts to her blog. Lottie has an allergy issue and when they start acting up snot tends to drip from her nose. She becomes unperfect in her eyes and by taking her new allergy pills she feels that they will make her perfect. In the real world, she is unperfect so she tries anything she can to make herself a "fresh start" on being perfect. It is almost like New Years for everyone, we always say we will do something and when we don't we say we will do it, at this day, at this time. We never end up doing it anyway but in Lottie's case, these allergy pills seem to be doing more harm than good.

Lottie's problems that pertain to the issues surrounding her ex-boyfriend, her abnormal anger issues, and the stunning new fashion blogger, all stem from these new pills the new doctor has prescribed for her. Since I am already on volume one, I can't say whether or not my hypothesis is correct. On a personal level, I can understand Lottie's desire to be the perfect self. Isn't that what we all are striving to attain? To one day look at our life and say, "I finally reached (insert your name here) 2.0".  

The transitions in the comic are not my favorite, sometimes it can be a little confusing but that is all made up for by re-reading and the art style. Other than dealing with Lottie's personal problems, she has to deal with living in a fake fantasy world these fashion blogger put on for themselves, having artificial friends, and yearning for on person to truly accept her. Oh, and that she almost murdered one of thew new fashion bloggers who gave her this embarrassing nickname, Snottie Lottie. I want to see her prevail, from being Snottie Lottie to being just Lottie. I'll have to get my hands on volume two and find out.

to be continued...

                                 

The Arrival⌇week one⌇Shaun Tan

❝ The Arrival❞

☞  week one ☜

The Arrival is so visually appealing and captivates the audience because it is so relatable to people during that time. The Arrival is relatable and that is why people are so easily drawn into the comic. Analyzing each picture, you can tell that the comic is about immigration, people traveling to a new world.  Immigration at the time was difficult for families, leaving your home and uprooting somewhere across the world. People start to feel isolated and afraid of the future. Each picture tells a story about what these people experienced and their raw emotion. The author, Shaun Tan, uses vivid use of characters and surrealism to bring the everyday story of immigration to life. Creating more of a feeling of alienation, Tan creates unique little creatures and mystical settings to symbolize a new world. The Arrival is mostly upbeat with serious tones sprinkled throughout the comic. 

The Arrival is a whimsical story of a man who leaves his family to discover a new world with new opportunities. Throughout his journey, he discovers new creatures and beautiful locations. Even though he does not speak the language and he is in a new world. The man meets other immigrants and finds work. This simple story is told beautifully without the need of words. Just the use of elegant illustrations.