Comic Corner Roundup: March
“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 the month of March which include a tale set in an apocalyptic world, a journey of love in Tokyo, and princess who wants to write her own story.
Princeless, Vol. 1: Save Yourself by Jeremy Whitley (2012)
Synopsis: Princeless is the story of Princess Adrienne, one princess who’s tired of waiting to be rescued. Join Adrienne, her guardian dragon, Sparky, and their plucky friend Bedelia as they begin their own quest in this one of a kind, action-packed, all-ages adventure!
Review: Princeless is the anti-fairytale story about a princess that wants to save herself and go on her own adventures. Adrienne is besties with the dragon that guards her tower and hates waiting for someone to come and save her. So she decides to write her own narrative and rescue all of her sisters who have been put away for safety herself. Right off the bat, I really liked her character. She’s smart, quick-witted, brave, and confident. Adrienne sees through the social norms that have been placed upon her and wants to shake things up.
I liked the first volume so much! It’s light-hearted and comical as it plays on a lot of the typical fairytale tropes that you seen in classic stories. It gives the tale a much more modern spin and it also exudes lots of girl power and independence. Though it’s aimed at younger readers, I think it’s a good read for all audiences. The artwork is vivid and really heightens all of the fantasy elements in the story.
Final Verdict:
Tokyo Tarareba Girls Vol.1 Akiko Higashimura (2017)
Synopsis: “I spent all my time wondering ‘what if,’ then one day I woke up and I was 33.” She’s not that bad-looking, but before she knew it, Rinko was thirty-something and single. She wants to be married by the time the Tokyo Olympics roll around in six years, but…that might be easier said than done! The new series by Akiko Higashimura erupts with sharp opinions on girls and tons of laughs!!
Review: I have been eyeing this series for such a long time since I was a huge fan of Higashimura’s popular manga Princess Jellyfish. This is another Josei manga that is focused on three friends in their 30s. They’ve spent so much time wondering what if and found that they have missed out on many opportunities because of their behaviors. Because these three women are of such age they face sexism for being unmarried and spending their nights drinking in their favorite bar spot.
I thought this manga is relatable because it’s got themes of self-discovery and reflections on life. Rinko pities herself for biased views of relationships in her past. She realizes if she wasn’t so focused on the negatives it could have opened up new opportunities or different career options for her. It also is relatable because Rinko feels like she’s stuck and not progressing in life. She wants to challenge herself more. So far this comedy is on point in this first volume and so are the characters. It’s got enough to hook me into continuing with the series and there might be a possible age-gap romance. It’s highly entertaining!
Final Verdict:
Adorned by Chi, #1by Jacque Aye, Magus Ato (Illustrator) (2020)
Synopsis: Adorned by Chi tells the tale of Adaeze, a painfully shy Nigerian college student who discovers she has Goddess-like powers and must, reluctantly, lead a team of young warriors to defeat an apocalyptic monster that threatens to destroy humanity.
Review: I’ve had this manga sitting on my backlog for way too long. Adorned by Chi is a website that I love because it celebrates geeky things and diversity. I love their products and I got introduced to their items through their debut manga. This first issue sets up an interesting magical girl-esque story about a college student that must save the world. It gave me lots of Sailor Moon vibes and most importantly it showcases diversity!
The character designs are fun and I like that there are magic elements in a contemporary story. Though we are just introduced to a small part of Adaeze’s story in the first issue I instantly got the sense that she is a character I can root for. I’m curious to see how Aye puts her unique spin on this shojo-style story.
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.
I read the first Princeless and I thought it was a lot of fun too. Another that made me laugh similarly was Rat Queens (but I’ve lost track of the series after the first three, so I can’t vouch for the rest).
Rat Queens is one of my favorite series. I need to finish reading it still, but I’m slowly collecting all of the volumes.
I love Adorned by Chi. Hear it’s getting adapted into a cartoon. Hope you stick it out.
I haven’t heard it’s being adapted into a cartoon! Thanks for sharing, I’ll be looking forward to it when it releases.