Comic Book Review: Yokaiden 1

Comic Book Review: Yokaiden 1 by Nina Matsumoto Shamoji Village is way out in the boonies of Japan. It’s said that there is a portal to the yokai realm in the nearby forest, and certainly the area has more than the usual number of those mysterious creatures. Most of the villagers are afraid of the… Continue reading Comic Book Review: Yokaiden 1

Movie Review: Lady Snowblood

Even Yuki can appreciate the beauty of a flower.

Movie Review: Lady Snowblood (1973) directed by Toshiya Fujita Yuki (Meiko Kaji) was born in prison, the result of her mother Sayo (Miyoko Akaza) seducing multiple guards in order to get pregnant. Sayo’s husband and son had been murdered, and herself raped and tortured, by four criminals as a byproduct of the criminals’ scheme to defraud… Continue reading Movie Review: Lady Snowblood

Manga Review: Treasure Hunter Book One: Eternal Youth

Manga Review: Treasure Hunter Book One: Eternal Youth by Hitoshi Tomizawa Jubei is a merchant. But he’s a specialized merchant. If there’s a specific hard to find item you need to acquire, hire Jubei, and he will get that item for you, guaranteed. Unlike some other merchants, Jubei isn’t as much known for his ability… Continue reading Manga Review: Treasure Hunter Book One: Eternal Youth

Comic Strip Review: Batman: The Sunday Classics 1943-1946

Comic Strip Review: Batman: The Sunday Classics 1943-1946 by various creators Batman was a big success in the comic books, so it wasn’t long at all before it was decided that he’d probably be a hit in the newspaper comic strips as well. Once that was decided, the problem of Sundays had to be considered.… Continue reading Comic Strip Review: Batman: The Sunday Classics 1943-1946

Comic Strip Review: Al Jaffee Gets His Just Desserts

Comic Strip Review: Al Jaffee Gets His Just Desserts by Al Jaffee Al Jaffee was born in 1921 and is as of this writing still alive and working! He’s perhaps best known for his “Fold-Ins” and other features for MAD but also had enough of his independent work published to fill several volumes. In this… Continue reading Comic Strip Review: Al Jaffee Gets His Just Desserts

Manga Review: Samurai Executioner Omnibus 2

Manga Review: Samurai Executioner Omnibus 2 written by Kazuo Koike, art by Goseki Kojima Yamada “Decapitator” Asaemon is the o-tameshiyaku, sword-tester for the shogun and official executioner of criminals.  It’s not a pretty job, but at least he has one in Edo-era Japan, during a time of peace.  Without wars to fight, many of the samurai… Continue reading Manga Review: Samurai Executioner Omnibus 2