Comic Corner Roundup: December
Comic Corner Roundup is a bi-monthly segment that compiles mini-reviews of comics, graphic novels, and manga that I’ve read recently. Here are my reviews for December which includes stories of Yuletide chaos, monsters that lurk in plain sight, and cozy recipes.
Monsters We Make Vol. 1 by CoryxKenshin (Author), Corey Mikell (Author), Andrew Gong (Illustrator) (2025)
Jabari Booker thought New Edyn Academy would be his ticket to a brighter future—a place to hone his gifts and pursue his passion for music. But from the moment he arrives, it’s clear: this school hides something sinister.
Born during The Eternal Night—a mysterious event that plunged the world into darkness 17 years ago—Jabari and his classmates were always different. But now, those differences are turning deadly.
As secrets unravel and bodies begin to fall, Jabari is pulled into a chilling web of hidden powers, haunted halls, and a darkness that refuses to stay buried. To survive, he must confront not only the horrors lurking in New Edyn’s shadows, but the truth about himself.
As a longtime watcher of CoryxKenshin’s gaming content on YouTube, I was very intrigued to hear he was releasing a manga. For the first volume of Monsters We Make, it did not disappoint. I can see the inspiration pulled from older series and for me I best say its similar to Attack on Titan and Kaiju No. 8 (two series I absolutely love). Jabari, the main character, is instantly likable even if he’s a bit overconfident as he’s determined to have a better life for himself and his family. He adapts very well to a situation that he can’t even fathom mostly because he becomes tied to something that is much more sinister about New Edyn Academy.
I think volume one does a great job of setting up the story as well the world building. The society of New Edyn feels a bit dystopian and bleak even after the world previously went dark. The main cast of characters have a smooth introduction and I’m curious to learn more about their backstories in volume 2. It is action-packed and fast-paced which kept me engaged in the story the entire time!
Final Verdict:
Yuletide #1 by George Northy (Author), Rachele Aragno (Ilustrator) (2025)
Have you ever wondered why our brightly colored and joyously cheerful Christmas festivities are held at the peak of winter’s frigid darkness? That is no mere coincidence—and now the truth about the monsters the yuletide holds at bay will finally be revealed in a gleaming gift of epic holiday adventure from creators George Northy (EC’s Shiver SuspenStories) and Rachele Aragno (Leonide the Vampyr)!
Welcome to the small town of Christmas, Pennsylvania—the merriest place on Earth . . . or so they’d like everyone to think. When December rolls around, these folks pull out all the stops for America’s biggest, brightest holiday display . . . but not everyone in Christmas, PA, is so enthusiastic. Teens Jake, Abe, and Wyn are more interested in the dark side of the holiday that their parents like to pretend doesn’t exist . . . The ancient legends of mythic monsters and pagan pandemonium that are deeply tied to the festival’s long-forgotten origins. So when their hobby leads them to an abandoned wing of the local Christmas museum to investigate, they’ll discover an ancient relic that, when activated, will bring a furious procession of yuletide horrors long since banished from our plane—and with it, a darkness that has been waiting centuries for its chance to overtake the world!
Always love to discover more holiday themed comics and the first issue of Yuletide stands out well among the rest due to its spin of the traditions of Yule. The rag-tag group of friends in this first installment get a brief introduction and then launching into working together to stop the chaos they’ve unleashed. It definitely gives the readers the holiday vibes they make seek out for a Christmas themed tale due to the setting of a Christmas obsessed town.
The artwork is immersive and makes you feel as if you’re in a frozen winter wonderland. I like the artwork style over and the attention to extra detail for the villain designs in this story. They look especially menacing while also taking inspiration from folklore based into the stories the teens discover. I would say that this read is geared towards YA readers and older. It grabbed my attention in the first installment and I look forward to seeing what will happen next in the second issue.
Final Verdict:
Campfire Cooking in Another World with My Absurd Skill by Ren Eguchi (Author), Akagishi K (Illustrator) (2021)
It’s great being a hero! Super powers, loved by every– wait, what? Brought over by mistake? These stats are awful, and the kingdom sure seems sketchy…
And so begins Mukouda Tsuyoshi’s life in another world. And if he thought his strength was bad, his special skill is… accessing his old online supermarket?! It’s useless for combat, but if he plays his cards right, there’s gold in rare goods. At least, that’s what Mukouda thinks, but it turns out his modern food might be more special than it appears – and in this world, Japanese food isn’t an everyday sight! Quiet days lead to silent storms, especially once a gluttonous fenrir starts causing trouble and asking for seconds!
It’s been a while since I’ve read an Isekai manga. Those looking for a more lighthearted and low-stakes will enjoy this story of a salaryman who loves to cook delicious dishes (that look absolutely mouthwatering in the artwork) and navigate his way in a new world. It’s a comedic fish out-of-water story where he actually get to use the world wide web of our universe to help him along with his journey. The first volume does a great job of setting up the story and giving readers a background of Mukouda. He handles situations much better than i would in his predicaments and his easy-going attitude makes him a likable character.
Being a long-time fantasy fan, I was excited to see all of the vast lands and kingdoms that Mukouda gets to traverse through on his journey. He meets with guilds and runs into mythical creatures especially Fenrir who becomes his familiar. Both are absolute foodies so it’s fun to see what fun recipes get created using the resources around them. The artwork is detailed and creates an immersive experience for the reader. Looking forward to reading volume two!
Final Verdict:
What comics, graphic novels or manga have you read lately? Share your thoughts in the comment section below. If you have any recommendations, feel free to share those as well.
FTC Disclaimer: I received Monsters We Make IDW Books and Yuletide from Oni Press in exchange for a fair and honest review.
That last one looks really fun!
It is! The action gradually amps up with each volume, but the story still stays lighthearted and fun.
Adding Yuletide to my TBR. Love me a holiday comic.
Yay! I still need to read the rest of the series.
Cooking Campfire makes me think of the times in Terrace House when they go camping or when they’re outside the house making and sharing a meal. (Can you tell I was rewatching Terrace House a few weeks ago?) Some low-stakes manga sounds perfect for the holiday season and post-holiday season.
It’s a lot of fun for sure! It has the elements of an isekai manga with food, but manages to stand out among other recent similar stories.