TV Review: Human Vapor

The Human Vapor takes on an entire Yakuza gang.

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: 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

Comic Book Review: Adventure Comics #502

This cool cover by Hannigan + Janson.

Comic Book Review: Adventure Comics #502 edited by Nicola Cuti We are getting towards the end of the digest version of Adventure Comics, and presumably the people putting these together were already aware of this, but there’s no hint about that in this issue. “Plastic Man” (no subtitle) written by Martin Pasko, art by Joe… Continue reading Comic Book Review: Adventure Comics #502

Comic Book Review: Adventure Comics #501

Cover by Hannigan & Paris

Comic Book Review: Adventure Comics #501 edited by Nicola Cuti After the all-Legion issue #500, the digest-sized Adventure Comics returned to featuring multiple characters. Let’s see what it has to offer! “Codename: Pinkeye!” story by Martin Pasko, art by Joe Staton & Bob Smith, picks up right after the killing of foreign agent Dmitri Dervish.… Continue reading Comic Book Review: Adventure Comics #501

Manga Review: Case Closed, Vols. 95 & 96

Manga Review: Case Closed, Vols. 95 & 96 by Gosho Aoyama Note: SPOILERS for past volumes, start with an earlier review if you’re new to the series! Quick recap: Conan Edogawa appears to be a child, but is actually the famous teen genius detective Shinichi Kudou (Jimmy Kudo in the dub), who’s been reverted to… Continue reading Manga Review: Case Closed, Vols. 95 & 96

Movie Review: Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman

Batwoman interrogates the Penguin.

Movie Review: Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman (2003) directed by Curt Geda Gotham City is once again the scene of crime. In this case, Oswald “Penguin” Cobblepot, Rupert “Boss” Thorne and Carlton “I’ve Been Here All Along” DuQuesne, three crimelords, have joined forces in an arms smuggling deal. It’s perhaps not surprising when a bat-winged silhouette… Continue reading Movie Review: Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman

Book Review: Lost in Underspace

Cover by 100 Covers.

Book Review: Lost in Underspace by Kate Dane Kate Dane is a Minnesota speculative fiction author whose first novel is a romance between a lawyer and a werewolf. This is the second collection of her short stories. “The Interplanetary Olympics” starts us off with the story of Jackie, a world-class swimmer who’s trying to get… Continue reading Book Review: Lost in Underspace

Anime Review: Detectives These Days Are Crazy!

Nagumo's everything hurts.

Anime Review: Detectives These Days Are Crazy! A few decades ago, Keiichirou Nagumo was a famous teen detective, solving bizarre murders and impossible thefts on a weekly basis. In addition to being a master of instant deduction, he was also extremely athletic and quite handsome. But as time went on, the cases began to dry… Continue reading Anime Review: Detectives These Days Are Crazy!

Movie Review: Too Many Winners

Mike isn't giving answers the interrogator likes.

Movie Review: Too Many Winners (1947) directed by William Beaudine Private eye Michael Shayne (Hugh Beaumont) and his secretary Phyllis Hamilton (Trudy Marshall) have been invited for a duck hunting vacation with one of her relatives. Phyllis is looking forward to this, so is irritated when Gil Madden (Ben Welden) enters, looking like a client. She… Continue reading Movie Review: Too Many Winners

Manga Review: Happy Kanako’s Killer Life Volumes 1-4

Manga Review: Happy Kanako’s Killer LIfe Volumes 1-4 by Toshiya Wakabayashi Kanako NIshino has had a pretty miserable life until now. She was relentlessly bullied in school, and once she got a job as an office lady, harassed and belittled every day there. Kanako’s boss bullied her into quitting, and then mocked her for being… Continue reading Manga Review: Happy Kanako’s Killer Life Volumes 1-4