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Metro Survive vol.2 [end] 

Author: Yuki Fujisawa

ISBN: 978-1-59796-126-4

Date Published: 05/25/2008

Format: Paperback / B&W

Number of Pages: 192

Rating: 15+

Price: $9.95

A glimpse of hope comes to the survivors as they are joined together with another party that was stranded in the upper basement. However, their relief is short-lived as they see no signs of rescue and the shortage of food creeps up on them. Frustration ensues. After a hostile takeover the other party’s leader, Mishima and his party are threatened to leave the basement back to the Metro. How long will they be able to survive in the rodent-infested Metro?

I’ll mention here that this book arrived just as news of the

China earthquake was hitting the news so I really didn’t want to read through it.  However,delays have meant that I can now read the book.

What did I think?  Firstly,this is only a two volume series [I reviewed the first a while back] so you don’t have to stretch your finances!  Secondly,I have to say that the plot and twists are as good as

Fujisawa’s art.

It looks as though the good guys are really losing out to the villains in this tale of survival and things seem to take a turn for the worst when a rescue team turns up. I’m not going to spoil any surprises but I’d seriously recommend this series to you if you haven’t bought it yet.  It is that good.

 

Magic Lover’s Tower vol. 1 

Author: Kao Yung / Kuan Liang

ISBN: 978-1-59796-153-0

Date Published: 02/27/2008

Format: Paperback / B&W

Number of pages: 176

Rating: 13+

Price: $9.95

Roxanne the nerdy class cleanliness rep, is secretly in love with the bad boy of the class, Logan. One day, she accidentally releases Baphalen, a magical being who was sealed by the Heavenly Courts as punishment. Baphalen is the guardian of the incense urn of the Old Man Under the Moon, and in return for Roxanne’s help, he decides to use his Magic Lover’s Staff to grant her wish of winning

Logan’s heart. However, in order for her wish to be fulfilled, Roxanne must participate in a magical game in the realm of the Magic Lover’s Tower, where she must get Logan to kiss her and say “I love you,” within the time limit. Or else,

Logan will hate her even more when she returns to reality! In the meantime, Baphalen has moved into Roxanne’s room and starts attending her school as well. Commotion ensues, and Roxanne’s once-peaceful life soon heads off in a totally unexpected direction!

And as for volume 2..

 

Magic Lover’s Tower vol.2 [end]

Author: Kao Yung / Kuan Liang

ISBN: 978-1-59796-154-7

Date Published: 05/27/2008

Format: Paperback / B&W

Number of pages: 176

Rating: 13+

Price: $9.95

Who will Roxanne love, Baphalen or Logan? To make this love triangle more complicated, a beautiful lady appears out of nowhere and claims that she loves Logan as well! Roxanne enters the realm of the Magic Lover’s Tower once again, but this time as Snow White’s mother. But when she attempts to give Snow White the poisoned apple something goes horribly wrong. Will Roxanne and Logan eventually be together? Don’t miss out on the magic, drama and romance in the conclusion Magic Lover’s Tower!

That’s the company blurb and details so what is this series like?  Well,Kao Yung and Kuan-Liang are possibly two of

Taiwan’s top ‘Manga’ creators.  Sadly,this involves those “big eyes” that can be such a turn-off for many –it certainly was for me but,ever the comic book geek,I read.

The story is quite interesting and apart from those big eyes,which I’ll confess I got quite use to,the artwork is wonderful.  Very stylish. And showing why these are top Taiwanese artists –though,surely,their work should be Manhau?

An added treat was the humorous back-up strip “Harry’s Corner” in each of the books.  With stylish covers these are a couple of treats fans ought to enjoy if they can get past the big eyes!

Chinese Hero:Tales Of The Blood Sword vol.6 

Author: Wing Shing Ma

ISBN: 978-1-59796-131-0

Date Published: 5/27/2008

Format: Paperback / Soft cover/ Color

Number of pages: 208

Rating: 13+

Price: $18.95

After heeding the Heavenly Umbrella Elder’s advice, Jian finds the Heavenly Umbrella to uncover the secrets hidden within it, and learns several new mysterious techniques. However, Jian’s arrongance leads to the death of someone close to him… Meanwhile, Wu Yuan has arrived in Shafe

Town to find Lohan’s friends, Luna and Lupin. But shortly after their introductions, Lupin is kidnapped by a mysterious vampire, who is one of the Q level Face Card Assassins!

I really am stumped.  What more can I write about Ma’s work that I haven’t written before?  There is a superb painted cover that I have to admit I’d love as a poster!

Combat below the water!  A fire-fight –and I do mean a “fire-fight”!  Some terrific use of an umbrella in combat!!  A mysterious ‘pregnant woman’ –or is it a woman? Is she really pregnant and why is she fighting?!  Okay,you get my point;there is a lot going on,far more than I’ve indicated here.

Ma’s use of colour is incredible and even using tones of a specific colour [green as in the underwater scenes] looks superb.  I’d really love to see Ma at work because he makes me look at my work and want to retire!

This is not “just” a Hong Kong Manhua classic.  Chinese Hero –Tales Of The Blood Sword is an experience.  I simply can’t believe that comic buyers will spend money on some of the really bad/awful

US comics on the market but will not try a copy of this book [though it is best to start with volume 1].

If you cannot buy Dr Master books at your store then visit their site and order there –or pester your local store.

Ma needs to be recognised as the comic genius he is!