Comic Book Review: DC Special Blue Ribbon Digest #8: Legion of Super-Heroes edited by Jack C. Harris We’re skipping quite a few stories of the Legion of Super-Heroes since the last digest I posted about. This collection reprints the Legion stories from Adventure Comics #355-357 plus stories from Superboy #198 and #202. By this point,… Continue reading Comic Book Review: DC Special Blue Ribbon Digest #8: Legion of Super-Heroes
Tag: Japan
Book Review: Strange Houses
Book Review: Strange Houses by Uketsu A young couple is in the market for a house, and they’ve found one that might meet their needs. It’s practically new, the exterior is attractive, and it has all the modern conveniences. But something about the interior layout feels off. They decide to consult their friend Uketsu, who… Continue reading Book Review: Strange Houses
Magazine Review: Pulp Review #22: Vulture Coast
Magazine Review: Pulp Review #22: Vulture Coast edited by John P. Gunnison As I mentioned in my review of High Adventure #200, that pulp reprint magazine was known as Pulp Review for its first 23 issues, and I have some of those earlier issues, that I hope to get to before I die. Let’s look… Continue reading Magazine Review: Pulp Review #22: Vulture Coast
TV Review: Human Vapor
TV Review: Human Vapor (Japanese title “Gasu Ningen”) When Professor Sano is killed by a mysterious mist on live television, it’s a big case. So much so that police detective Kenji Okamoto (Shun Oguri) is pulled off suspension to lead the investigation. He has mixed feelings about running into Kyoko Kano (Yu Aoi), a television… Continue reading TV Review: Human Vapor
Manga Review: Homunculus Volume 1-2
Manga Review: Homunculus Volume 1-2 by Hideo Yamamoto “Car Man” is called that because he’s living in his car. For the last few weeks, he’s placed his automobile at the edge of a city park, marking the border between a homeless camp and the fancy hotel he used to visit frequently. He hasn’t quite fit… Continue reading Manga Review: Homunculus Volume 1-2
Manga Review: Billy Bat 1
Manga Review: Billy Bat 1 by Naoki Urasawa with Takashi Nagasaki Billy Bat is a private detective in a world of anthropomorphic animals. He’s a hard-boiled type in the noir tradition with a cynical personality who refuses to use his wings unless he absolutely has to. (Or perhaps he can’t fly at all.) His current… Continue reading Manga Review: Billy Bat 1
Manga Review: If Witch, Then Which? Vol. 2
Manga Review: If Witch, Then Which? Vol. 2 by Ato Sakruai (Japanese title Majo Raba Majo Reba) Previously: When Haruka was a child, he was severely injured and was only saved by a blood transfusion from his friend Maruna. Ever since, he’s felt that he’s owed her his life and wanted to repay her. This… Continue reading Manga Review: If Witch, Then Which? Vol. 2
Movie Review: The Bloody Fists
The Bloody Fists (1972) dir. Ng See-Yuen It is the 1930s in China. A certain fugitive named Jang Wu-dip (Sing Chen) attacks a dignitary’s automobile, but it turns out to be a police trap. (Jackie Chan is one of the cop extras!) The fugitive barely escapes. Cut to a rural village best known for growing Dragon… Continue reading Movie Review: The Bloody Fists
Manga Review: Japan Inc.
Manga Review: Japan Inc. by Shotaro Ishinomori It is the 1980s, and Mitsumoto Trading Company is attempting to navigate the “bubble economy” that Japan is experiencing. We follow the activities of a small group of their office workers, and in particular the contrasting efforts of the amoral Tsugawa and compassionate Kudo. Which approach is better,… Continue reading Manga Review: Japan Inc.
Anime Review: Tanzaburou Toujima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider
Anime Review: Tanzaburou Toujima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider First, let’s talk about Kamen Rider. It’s a children’s superhero television show that started airing in 1971 in Japan. In it, the evil organization Shocker, founded by surviving Nazis and their collaborators, wants to take over the world. To do so, they used cybernetic and… Continue reading Anime Review: Tanzaburou Toujima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider