The One I Love

Customer Reviews:

Get it!.......2006-12-12

This is one of those rare perfect manga that you come across once in a blue moon. Perfect for all ages, (I go for adult free content in my choice of manga). The stories are cute and very true to life. They've covered things I've experienced, and it's nice to have those subjects touched on in these uplifting cute stories. A must buy!!!!

"The One I Love": The Anthology I Adore.......2006-11-27

When I read a description of this anthology, I was skeptical, because I'd yet to find a piece of work that could develop deep and genuine relationships in only seven pages per story. But CLAMP hadn't yet let me down, so I swallowed my apprehension and bought it.

And let me tell you, I'm so glad I did.

The artwork, as always, is exquisite. The first story is in color, and the colors have a soft, gentle, watercolor-esque feel to them; the remainder of the book is in black and white. Each short story is about a different, unnamed heroine in a different situation, and each one is followed by an essay written by Nanase Ohkawa. The essays themselves are sweet, though sometimes too brief or vague for my liking. Still, they always provide a nice bit of insight into CLAMP's own experiences with the kind of love written about in the preceding story.

The stories themselves are as follows:

Scene 1: Different. A girl wanders through the park after an argument with her boyfriend. She wishes she could have apologized, and to help her learn to do so, she wears a kimono so she can be "different."

Scene 2: Cute. A girl and her (male) friend take a walk, and the girl muses on her distrust of the word "cute," saying it can be used to describe everything from babies to manholes. Yes, I'm serious.

Scene 3: I Miss You. A girl in love with a manga artist spends an evening home alone, wishing she could see the man she loves more often. But who could that be at the door...?

Scene 4: A Younger Man. A twenty-four year old girl remembers her previous boyfriend, who was younger than she and broke up with her for that reason. Now, it's Christmas again, and as she helps in her family's bakery, she has no idea that another "younger man" has his eye on her...

Scene 5: Suddenly. A girl working at a publishing company reflects on how sometimes, love can come from the place you least expect it- with the person you never thought you'd look at twice.

Scene 6: Together. A girl remembers how she fell in love with her kindergarten classmate who offered her his harmonica when she didn't have an instrument, and this leads to her thinking about how much it means to her to do things together with the person she loves.

Scene 7: Pretty. A girl has a minor meltdown, desperately trying to find an outfit that will make her look "pretty" for her boyfriend. In despair, she arrives for their date a half-hour late under the impression that she is the ugliest girl alive... and then her boyfriend proceeds to dispel that mistaken impression with complete sincerity and sweetness.

Scene 8: Insecure. After a nightmare about her boyfriend no longer needing her, a girl shows up at his house in terror that she's no longer welcome there.

Scene 9: Courage. A student in love with her teacher muses on Valentine's Day and how it seems to give girls the courage to reveal their feelings that they lack on the other 364 days of the year.

Scene 10: Normal. A young woman, cooking for her serious boyfriend, wonders if she can accept his proposal of marriage when she has no idea what being married will really be like. How does she know that she loves him enough for marriage?

Scene 11: Apart. As she waits for her long-distance boyfriend to arrive, a girl thinks about how tough it is to be so far apart and how afraid she is that the physical distance might cause their hearts to grow apart- a fear that is not helped by the fact that her boyfriend is late...

Scene 12: Marriage. A case of pre-wedding jitters has a young bride terrified that she or her fiance might change after being married and their love might change as well. Her fiance's response: "Well, what's wrong with that?"

My favorite scene is probably "Normal" because of how closely I can understand the heroine's fears, followed closely by "Together" - I love the innocence of a childhood love that grew into something stronger. As a whole, I can't say I'm disappointed in any of the scenes, though "Suddenly" was a bit *too* sudden... it gave me emotional whiplash. The essays weave the book into a harmonious whole that seamlessly flows from one story to the next, and when it's over, I find myself wanting more. Since there isn't any more, I generally go back to the beginning and read it again. ^_^

I can't recommend this highly enough. It's a beautiful, poignant, and deeply introspective treatise on that which makes the world go 'round: love.

Beautiful and delicate!.......2005-03-01

I loved this book! The stories were heartwarming and sweet. If your into romance, this book is for you!

The name speaks for itself.......2004-12-30

When it comes to magical girls and whimsical themes of romantic entertainment, I avoid. When it comes to anthologies, "GIMME!"

~REVIEW~

It was in 2003 that I bought and reviewed CLAMP's other anthology, the winter sense of collective fairy tales "Shirahime-Syo." It was beautiful, thoughtful, sad, and it's a four-star manga. Now, in 2004, Tokyopop released another anthology from the Femme Four, so I bought what's possibly one of their best work they have ever done. "The One I Love: Watashi no Sukinahito" is a gem of anthology in its own right.

Like every anthology that was made, "The One I Love" is collection of short stories that followed a similar theme (guess this book's theme). This manga contains 12 "scenes" with a different female protagonist (all nameless) in each one, all at nearly 130 pages. Yea, if you know your math correctly, each of these "scenes" are REALLY short; as short as a celebrity relationship. However, I understood the limitations of anthologies, so I don't consider the length to be a flaw like I use to. As short as they are, the quality of these stories cannot be ignored:

Scene 1 - DIFFERENT: A tomboy, seemingly enough, waits at a park to apologize to the guy she cares about over a little argument, while wearing a pink kimono to look like a different girl. That is, until, she complains if she wears to wrong color kimono (A girl`s gotta look appealing to please her man).

Scene 2 - CUTE: A perky young lady, who has a nerve to think that a manhole is cute, began analyzing how the word "cute" doesn't always justify the mean.

Scene 3 - I MISS YOU: This main girl's lonely, and her boyfriend works at a full-time job as a manga artist. She tries to cope with this limited relationship, but she's so frustrated over her loneliness, because all she wanted was for him to be with her.

Scene 4 - A YOUNGER MAN: She's upright, a reasonable worker, and in her mid-20s. It's Christmas time, and that would've been a great time for her and her lover, if they didn't break up months ago due to an age difference. She was older than her ex, so from the break-up, she became apparent that age made her feel insecure with her love life.

Scene 5 - SUDDENLY: What can I say: it's "instant love" for this girl. Work was stressful for a girl in a design studio, as she has to accomplish many things in a day-only deadline. It wasn't until later in her strict working schedule that she suddenly fell in love with "the big cheese."

Scene 6 - TOGETHER: A short-haired lady reminisces about her kindergarten days where she met her first crush when he lend her a harmonica to play for some "kindy" orchestra. His skills with the harmonica made her tried to be as good with the harmonica, so she can share a similar interest with him. Even to this day, her older self, waiting for him in the street, wonders what else both might share to deepen their relationship.

Scene 7 - PRETTY: She wants to look good for her date, maybe even look pretty. Unfortunately for her, it's raining on the day of her date and she was running late, so she quickly had to wear some unappealing clothes and suffer through the dampness of the weather condition. What will her date think of her now?

Scene 8 - INSECURE: A girl dreamt that she was a cat and that she got her butt thrown out of house, because her boyfriend doesn't need her anymore (typical). She thinks her dream was more of a premonition, believing that her boyfriend might dump her, so she felt insecure of what's going to happen to her.

Scene 9 - COURAGE: The main girl in this scene is probably the most "ugliest" one compare to the different babes from other scenes. It's Valentine Day, and she decides to buy a gift for someone she admire a while back. Now all she needs is the hubris to admit her feelings to that guy.

Scene 10 - NORMAL: When a man and a woman fall deeply in love, they either have a child in a premarital way or they get hitched. Fortunately for saints, this story's about proposal, but the main woman doesn't know if she wants to tie the knot, since she and his "fiancée" didn't interact much together. She doesn't know if she will love him through marriage.

Scene 11 - APART: Let's face it: long-distance relationships almost never work for any couple. This main girl thinks so otherwise, but she decides to give love a chance and asked her lover to meet at the train station, hoping that the distant between each other didn't cause for him to move on with other people.

Scene 12 - MARRIAGE: "...and to love each other `till death do us part." This vow would eventually be spoken from the bride, who starts having second thought about marriage because of what might happen in the aftermath. She has the right to be concerned of possible marital consequences: constant verbal abuse, irreconcilable compromises, divorce. Can she accept the obstacles to be with her hubby?

To make the scenes more enhanced, each scene ends with a written essay by one of the members of CLAMP, Nanase Ohsawa. There's more reading involved, but they brings better insight to how the stories were made; some were semi-autobiographical to CLAMP members. Not only are they stories, they surprisingly worked as life lessons . Though I have some favorites, the best scene has to be "A YOUNGER MAN", because I always had that similar problem with age being the focus of my love life. It used to bother me when the girls I like are older than me, which distant me from them, but thanks to that scene, it broadens my way of thinking and decided to not let age bother me from having dates.

Not only is the content and the art wonderful, but so is the packaging. The book feels so smooth to the touch and not plastic-y like the majority of the manga selection. The manga has color pages, and the paper quality (color and black/white) has that same smoothness as the cover. It'd be perfect if the book is in hardcover format, but as it is, I applaud Tokyopop for producing one of the best packaging I've ever held.

THE FINAL WORD: Lovely. This is a remarkable anthology that deals with issues that can help others adjust to certain parts of intimacy. Despite its female appeal, there's something within this book that can be suitable to any gender. Whether or not you're into romance or CLAMP, you must do yourself a favor and check this out. "The One I Love" is the one I highly recommend.

Fluffy and sweet.......2004-10-31

This is perfect if you want something ooey and gooey and lovey-dovey. It advertises that it asks deep questions about love, but all it does is barely brush the surface of things such as age, what "cute" means or how people can transition from dating into a marriage. It seems to be based quite a bit on the author's actual experience, so it's pretty interesting to read their little introductions before each short story. The characters are drawn beautifully in Clamp style...but it IS a slender volume, so may not be quite worth the price they are asking for.

I Love My Grandpa: A For Better or For Worse Book

Average customer rating:

The "grandpa" seems nice enough of a man.
Almost like poetry
It's a Children's book...
too small
I feel cheated

I Love My Grandpa: A For Better or For Worse Book
Lynn Johnston
Manufacturer: Andrews McMeel Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0740756796

Book Description

Some people joke that the best part about being a parent is that eventually you get to be a grandparent. When a man is on the brink of this exciting time, the anticipation of being able to pass on family history and traditions, and relive precious memories of years gone by, sets in.

I Love My Grandpa! celebrates the relationship a child has with his or her grandfather through the eyes of grandchildren from around the globe, including the Patterson family from the classic comic strip For Better or For Worse. By way of a heartwarming poem, this charming book covers some of the thrills and spills of becoming a "grandpa"-surprised by the unexpected joy of holding a baby again-and playing a special role in the life of a growing youngster.

I Love My Grandpa! radiates the universal love of a grandchild and makes an ideal gift for any expectant or new grandfather.

Customer Reviews:

The "grandpa" seems nice enough of a man........2007-09-28

He's a decent, long-suffering daddy of three bickering kids who has developed a slight paunch (as well as obsession with toy trains) and chased after young skirts even in front of his aging wife.

Too bad he's now a grandfather to a blond-curled maternal fantasy with the face of a beauty queen (she's gonna win countless child beauty pageants and eventually become an overconfident leader of the giggliest and cattiest high school clique in whole history) and a miniature clone of the good-looking young father, complete with wavy chestnut hair and a dimpled, chiseled chin.

At least the comic strip is semi-retired, so we won't have to see the latest additions grow up to be such impossible creatures one day.

Almost like poetry.......2007-03-30

This is a nice and very fast read. It just makes you think and brings a smile to your face.

It's a Children's book..........2007-03-12

I collect paperback comic books - as opposed to "magazine" style - and, normally this would have been a delight, but this is a childrens' book; I was expecting a book roughly 100+ pages long, and this is a tiny one - not at all what I expected. My error though; I'll contribute to the local Children's Hospital, so that everyone wins!

too small.......2006-08-30

If I had know that this was a small book with only 22 pages and not about the For Better or For Worse family I would not have bought it , not worth the $8.95

I feel cheated.......2006-03-19

Okay, first off, let me say that I adore this series and the auhtor. Which is why I was so excited by another book being issued.

The problem is, this book is not really part of the For Better of For Worse series. Sure, it is the same author and there are a few characters that are in it, but overall this is more a look at grandafthers and their grandchildren - comic style.

Also, the book is tiny. About 20 to 30 pages and measures about 5 inches X 5 inches. The cost is around $9.95US (even more in Canada which is where I bought it).

Each page has one tiny little comic with a few sentences. Mind you - not a comic strip on each page - just one image.

Anyway, I feel extremely cheated by this book.

Average customer rating:

Having a beauty on double each arm
A.I. Love You, Vol. 1
some funny stuff
This was a Great Manga!
An excellent manga series

A.I. Love You, Vol. 1
Ken Akamatsu
Manufacturer: TokyoPop
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1591826152
Release Date: 2004-02-03

Book Description

Behind every great man is a great Artificial Intelligence. Hitoshi Kobe is a poor student, a bad athlete and may be the unluckiest man alive . . . though he does have a knack for creating Artificial Intelligences. Number Thirty is Hitoshi's favorite A.I. and the only girl he can talk to. But if a freak accident can turn Thirty into a real girl, can Thirty turn Hitoshi into a real man?

Customer Reviews:

Having a beauty on double each arm.......2007-09-27

I'm a Japaese, so I've read this manga in Japanese before. The heroine, Saati, and her rival, Cindy have constracting personalities. The autorher of this manga, Ken Akamatsu, is drawing charming girls all the while, but scripts leave something to be desired, I guess. I'm just thinkling that "A.I. Love You" has it both way for charming characters and interesting scripts. If you wanna know what Japanese otaku culture's keyword "moe" is , I recommend this manga!

A.I. Love You, Vol. 1.......2007-03-22

Another Brilliant work from Ken Akamatusu! Gives you the same feeling of Love Hina, well all the characters have a similiar representation. The idea of a computer program coming to life is original, it is rare to find works which have a original story line rather than following normal manga and anime trends. Some elements will make you laugh like Saati's cooking using oil paints. I think Ken Akamatsu should have skipped saati's ability to talk to other machines it seems to overdo it a bit too much and reminds you to much of 'Ah my goddess'. Overall it was worth reading and will become part of your manga collection.

some funny stuff.......2006-12-13

the book starts with some slow chapters that dont involve too much comedy. about midway, the chapters lay off the drama and start to show ken akamatsu at his finest.

this book is worth it even just for the latter half.

This was a Great Manga!.......2006-07-17

When I first went into the manga setion of borders to pick out something to read, I came across A.I Love you. To tell you the truth, I was not a manga wiz myself, I just knew about one manga called Ranma 1/2. Anyways, I pcked it up and started reading it. Hitoshi a poor sport, bad grades, and unpopular kid kinda of reminded me about myself (the whole unpopular thing, I have an A average in all my subjects, including sports hehehe, not to brag!). The whole school knows me because of my "musical Geniosity". Anyways, I loved the Manga! It was absolutely the best as far as I can tell! Whenever I can find time, I just read the books. They sure keep me Busy! And I loved the story line..

An excellent manga series.......2006-05-06

AI Love You (1994.) A Manga series by Ken Akamatsu.

INTRODUCTION:
One of the hottest names in Japanese Manga comic titles is Ken Akamatsu. With series like Love Hina and Negima to his name, his popularity ranks among top of Japan's many Manga writers. But, there was a time when Akamatsu wasn't so popular. A time when he was still an up-and-coming artist trying to make a name for himself. During that era was the time in which he released AI Love You, the series that would first expose the world to him. In many ways it was seen as his first major triumph! Read on, and see how AI Love You measures up!

OVERVIEW (INFORMATION):
Ken Akamatsu first released the AI Love You series in 1994. The volumes were originally smaller, broken-down stores that were featured in Japanese Manga showcase periodicals. This American edition was first released in 2004, roughly a decade after the Japanese debut, and the new edition features bonus material - character sketches, interviews with Akamatsu, and more.

OVERVIEW (STORYLINE):
AI Love You follows the story of a young man in high school. He's a total loser, unable to do anything well. Sports, school work, a social life - this guy fails in every area. Except for one - computer programming. Using an artificial intelligence program, he created the perfect girl. And she was just a pigment of his imagination inside of his computer - until a freak accident during a storm brought her out of his computer and into the real world! Now the loser nobody liked has the best-looking girl around at his side.... But it's not as great as it seems! Being an artificial intelligence, she lacks several common sense traits that people have. And because of this she always unintentionally screws things up or hurts people. But her creator stands by her all the way, trying to make her into the ideal girl he always dreamed of. As if he didn't have enough issues on his hands already....

REVIEW (STORY):
Wow. I never would have guessed that Ken Akamatsu would have had a story out this good prior to his magnum opus Love Hina! How wrong I was. This is not only an excellent story in its own right, it also seems like a premonition to his later work in many ways. For instance, the main character here is very similar to Keitaro, the male protagonist in Love Hina. His two male friends are also similar to Keitaro's two male friends from that series. There are a bunch of other little similarities, too. The art style is fairly primitive compared to his later works, and yet it still looks great. The storyline is instantly going to sound familiar to anyone who has seen the film Weird Science, but this is no rip-off of that film by any means! With plenty of interesting plot lines, drama, romance, and humor alike, it's an awesome series all its own. Akamatsu also makes the smart move of not introducing too many characters at once - a mistake he'd be making way too often in his later works (Negima comes to mind.) Likewise, at this point he wasn't using the same plot lines over and over again, making this one of his most unique and interesting works. This is one of the best Manga titles I have read in a long time. It definitely gets my highest recommendation.

REVIEW (EDITION):
These tenth anniversary reissues of AI Love You give the reader more than just the story. Much like the reissues of Love Hina, you get bonus content! The bonuses include interviews with Akamatsu, early/rough sketches of many of the characters, and plenty of other little things here and there. There are also the usual ads for other Manga series. Great series, and these bonus features make the deal even sweeter.

OVERALL:
This series exceeded my expectations. I was expecting a rough, underdeveloped half-assed take on Love Hina - but I got something that blew my mind! This is easily one of the best Manga titles out there, and it's unfortunate that it's not among the more popular works that Akamatsu has created over the years. If you're a fan of Manga, and you want a little bit of everything, AI Love You is for you. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

EDITION NOTES:
This Manga series was reissued in 2004 with the bonus content mentioned above. Those are the versions readily available in America, and any bookstore or Manga retailer should have plenty of them in stock.

Drawing a Blank: Or How I Tried to Solve a Mystery, End a Feud, and Land the Girl of My Dreams

Average customer rating:

Unexpectedly Amusing
it has cartoons!
An ok beggining to a real good book
Courtesy of Teens Read Too
Fun read!

Drawing a Blank: Or How I Tried to Solve a Mystery, End a Feud, and Land the Girl of My Dreams
Daniel Ehrenhaft
Manufacturer: HarperTeen
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0060752521
Release Date: 2006-04-25

Book Description

I don't know how this happened

One day I'm snug in my loner existence at Carnegie Mansion School, and the next I'm tramping through the Scottish wilderness looking for my dad. Who's been kidnapped. Because of a feud that started in medieval times. Or something. Suffice it to say, I never paid too much attention because I thought the whole thing was some twisted figment of my dad's imagination.

Now my only company is a wannabe cop who just might be my superhero dream girl. And if I don't deliver some piece of mysterious "proof" to the kidnappers, my dad is toast. I've got my fair share of issues with my dad, but I don't really want to see him burned to a crisp.

Anyway, you in?

This is not the first time I've been wrong about something.

Customer Reviews:

Unexpectedly Amusing.......2007-06-14

Drawing a Blank by Daniel Ehrenhaft is a surprisingly enjoyable read. The main character, Carlton Dunne the IV, is an introverted graphic artist. Carlton has drawn forever as a way to escape the world around him. His eccentric father, Carlton Dunne the III, is obsessed with a legendary family fued that dates back to 13th century Scotland. This fast-paced read combines all the elements of a good book. The intriguing mystery surrounding his father's kidnapping, the fictional fued whose proof of existance appears in unexpected places, and Carlton's psychotic but fun partner makes this book all that more delightful. The comics dispersed throughout this book add more pleasure and wit to this novel than the text alone. The humor, intrigue, and charm of this novel will enchant readers from the first page to the final picture, anyone will enjoy Drawing a Blank.

it has cartoons!.......2007-05-27

This book has a lot going for it. The story (as the full title explains) follows Carlton Dunne IV as he tries to rescue his father who is embroiled in an age-old family feud with another Scottish clan. In the process, Carlton runs away from his boarding school, visits the comic con from hell, meets a crazy girl who wants to be on "Cops" and continues working on his comic strip that runs in a local paper. As you might have guessed, Carlton wears many hats.

The story is exciting and includes comic strips between chapters throughout the novel. Carlton is also a really fun character, likeably neurotic he brings to mind the protagonist of the Wessex Papers--a trilogy that Ehrenhaft wrote under the pen name of Daniel Parker.

Although the book is a significant length, the chapters are short--averaging about three pages at a run. This is good because you can read them quickly. On the other hand, Ehrenhaft's preference to end chapters on a cliff hanger becomes redundant after the eightieth time.

The story takes a while to get to the action, a fact Carlton himself acknowledges early on, but the time is well-spent introducing memorable characters and explaining Carlton's personal history.

A definite must read for any comic fans :)

An ok beggining to a real good book.......2007-04-12

Drawing a Blank was about how this young, cartoon aritist goes on this journey to Scotland because his father was kidnapped. Hid Dad's family has gone way back with this rival clan about how their two families fought for Agricola's Dagger. Carlton also met the love of his life throughout his journey.

My favorite part of the book was when Carlton went to Comic Expo in place of his father. Carlton wrote comics for this newspaper and said that his Dad made them. Carlton's Dad had no clue about writing comics and his boss invited him to Comic Expo. Carlotn went in his place and saw some very interesting people. I think it was funny because his Dad had no clue about Carlton's job writing comics. Overall that was my favorite part in the book.

I deffinetly recommend this book. I thought this book was really good. The beginning of it wasn't that good but the end was awesome. The beginning was kind of boring but the end sure wasn't. This book showed me that nothing is impossible. Carlton Solved a Mystery, Ended a Feud, and Landed the Girl of his Dreams all in one adventure. He wasn't even one of the popular kids, he was just a kid at a private school that sat in his dorm and created comics. I recommend this book to anyone who likes a funny book with a great storyline and message.

Courtesy of Teens Read Too.......2006-11-02

How does one describe Carlton Dunne IV? Here's how I think he would describe himself:

*Comic book geek
*Trust fund kid
*Loner
*Incapable of being attentive or focused
*Afraid of people
*VERY afraid of female people
*Non-adventurous
*Off-spring of a nutcase

Unfortunately, his dad might not be crazy. Carlton's grown up hearing about some ridiculous, centuries-old feud with some guy in Scotland. He's always just assumed it was his father's insanity, but now his dad is missing, and Carlton's getting really weird phone calls. So, the guy who's scared of people is about to be forced to deal with a whole bunch of them that he's never met before. One of those people might be a dangerous lunatic who is holding his father hostage, one of them is definitely the prettiest girl Carlton's ever seen, and he's also about to have the adventure of a lifetime.

Let me start by confessing I'm not a comic book fan. When I opened the book and I saw a comic strip, I groaned out loud. See, one of Carlton's quirks, of which there are quite a few, is that he draws comic strips when he's unhappy or uncomfortable. He kind of re-draws his circumstances. But I made myself sit down and start reading. Carlton also makes random comments in footnote form. I like random comments, and that's what I always thought footnotes should be used for anyway, so the book started to grow on me. A lot of the footnotes actually contain useful and interesting information, as well. He also continuously gives birth and death dates, which I didn't quite get, but still found amusing. I really started to like Carlton, and his book. By the end I had laughed out loud, in public no less, quite a few times. And I'm not saying I'm ready to go to ComicCon or anything, but I have a newfound appreciation for comics.

Reviewed by: Carrie Spellman

Fun read!.......2006-05-02

Subtitled: Drawing a Blank: Or How I tried to Solve a Mystery, End a
Feud, and Land the Girl of My Dreams

Told through the eyes of 17-year-old Carleton Duane (the IV), the story takes us from a boarding school in upstate Connecticut, to New York City, to Scotland.

Carleton is a rather reserved teen who has been sent to a ritzy boarding school. He is artistic and spends time in class doodling and drawing his comics (which are printed in the local paper under his father's name--whom the editor to believes he is).

Carleton's life is thrown into chaos when he receives a late night phone call from Scotland telling him that his father has been kidnapped, and the only way to free him is to bring the "proof" of this age-old feud between two Scottish clans. The problem: Carleton believes his father was nuts, that the feud was made up. He has no idea what the "proof" required is. What follows is a wacky tale of Carleton's travels to try and rescue his father.

Carleton sneaks out of school to go home to New York City, usetting off a panic about his disappearance. His apartment was ransacked by someone else looking for the "proof" his mysterious caller had mentioned. A very strange last will and testament written by his father years earlier (which refers to the feud but does not explain it at all) was in his father's desk drawer usually kept locked. He flies to Scotland, and is almost run over by a van. A girl, who might not be what or whom she seems to be, rescues him.

Author Daniel Ehrenhaft and artist Trevor Ristow have collaborated to make an intently humorous story. Ehrenhaft's delightful tale is punctuated with Ristow's drawings that illustrate how Carleton looses himself in his drawing and uses his comics to explore his emotions at the time of drawing. While not a graphic novel, but fiction with inserted illustrated comic pages scattered throughout the book, it might also interest fans of the graphic novel genre.

Armchair Interviews says: Readers will have a fun time reading about Carleton's travels; finding out how he manages to solve the kidnapping mystery; end a feud that has lasted generations; and find the time to meet the girl of his
dreams.

Midnight Panther: I'll Love You To Death

Average customer rating:

GOTTA LOVE LADY ASSASSINS

Midnight Panther: I'll Love You To Death
Yu Asagiri
Manufacturer: Central Park Media
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1562199080

Book Description

The first Midnight Panther Graphic Novel! Collecting the first six issues of the sold out manga series! Lou, Kei and Sonya are a popular trio of female singers who tour the country performing concerts and shows. However, the women have a secret - a deadly secret! The singing act is only a guise for their true profession - high-paid undercover assassins! Re-live the first adventures of the Pussycats as they take on dangerous missions against impossible odds...and have fun doing it! Original Story and Art by Yu Asagiri. Suggested for Mature Readers. ISSN# 1092-3268.

Customer Reviews:

GOTTA LOVE LADY ASSASSINS.......2005-07-27

Despite the maturity warning, this series has some cool characters. From a woman who can turn into a cheetah, to a woman with a sword, and a woman who simply strangles people with her hair. And it just so happens they are a pop idle group by day and assasins by night. However all these girls have a past behind them which carries good plot development.

Like a lot of fantasy stuff, you can't take the plot too seriously, but the light-hearted tone that the characters' personalities exhibit keep the otherwise morbid storyline moving quickly, which more than makes up for any logical gaps. Plus, there are quite a few comedic moments (that I won't spoil for you)!

Ultimately, the artwork is really the star in this volume, and Ms. Asagiri's renderings of the women are quietly haunting. If you enjoyed the anime, give the book a try.

Average customer rating:

Those who love Zeppelin will soon betray Floyd...

I Love Led Zeppelin
Ellen Forney
Manufacturer: Fantagraphics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1560977302

Book Description

Ellen Forney's guide to alternative experiences, with cameos by Camille Paglia, Kristin Gore, Margaret Cho, and others.

"Ellen Forney's comics are smart.
Ellen Forney's comics are sexy.
Ellen Forney's comics are funny.
Ellen Forney's comics are hotter than five-star curry."
—Sherman Alexie (from his Introduction)

I Love Led Zeppelin is a long-awaited collection of strips created for several alternative newsweeklies and magazines over the last several years by the Harvey and Eisner Award-nominated cartoonist Ellen Forney.

This book includes full-page comics published in prestigious weeklies such as the L.A. Weekly and Seattle's The Stranger, as well as the leading feminist magazine, Bust, and the Oxford American. Her strips are characterized by bold, sensual brushstrokes and striking images of powerful, butt-kicking women.

While most of the stories sprang from Forney's own inspiration, some are collaborations with such luminaries as comedienne Margaret Cho, novelist (and Al Gore's daughter) Kristin Gore, writer and editor Dan Savage, writer David Schmader, cartoonist Ariel Bordeaux, writer Tamara Paris, Forney's beloved Grandma Florence, and Camille Paglia.

Several of Forney's strips fall into the "How-To" category, although this is not your standard advice column fare: topics range from the practical ("How to Tip Your Server") to the whimsical ("How to Twirl Your Tassles In Opposite Directions") to the fascinating but hopefully never-needed ("How to Sew On an Amputated Finger").

Other strips include "The Final Soundtrack," a death fantasy involving blood, glamour, and Led Zeppelin; "How to Smoke Pot and Stay Out of Jail"; "How to Talk About Drugs With Your Kid"; "How to Fuck a Woman With Your Hands"; "How to Be a Fabulous Fag Hag" (an illustrated interview with Margaret Cho); "Seattle's Erotic Landmarks"; and "Memories of Love," a graphic tour of Courtney Love's rise and fall of celebritydom.

Customer Reviews:

Those who love Zeppelin will soon betray Floyd..........2007-01-20

It's funny and informative. I reattached my own severed finger with the help of one particular cartoon.

Will You Still Love Me If I Wet The Bed?

Average customer rating:

So perfect!
charming and delightful - glimpses of everyday love
Heartwarming
love it love it love it
Fantastic

Will You Still Love Me If I Wet The Bed?
Liz Prince
Manufacturer: Top Shelf Productions
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1891830724

Book Description

Will You Still Love Me If I Wet The Bed? started out as an exercise in keeping a personal comic journal of the finer points of a relationship, but quickly evolved to become Liz Prince's first solo full length comic. Described as a mix between Jeffrey Brown and James Kochalka, Liz's comic is made up of short vignettes that capture all the cute, gross, and endearing aspects of relationships.

Customer Reviews:

So perfect!.......2007-06-22

Liz Prince's little work perfectly captures the underrated romantic nuances of love. I immediately wanted to share it with my boyfriend. This would make a really adorable little gift. Very uplifting and warm!

charming and delightful - glimpses of everyday love.......2007-02-25

i didn't buy this from amazon (sorry), but i found this comic at a local store in french "tu m'aimerais encore si je fais pipi au lit?" my boyfriend stumbled upon it and started chuckling to himself. i took a look at what he was enjoying and was immediately enchanted myself. each simple 4 panel comic gives you a glimpse into the amazing and mundane moments in a relationship which liz captures so well. i am a big fan and looking forward to more comics from liz!

Heartwarming.......2006-08-30

This is the most adorable set of images I've ever seen in my life. Life is a collection of moments, and this book is filled with moments of character and humor beyond what words are able to describe. It's all so simple, but hits a person somewhere much deeper. In all seriousness, it makes my heart fuzzy.

love it love it love it.......2005-11-12

i couldn't put this book down at a local comics store, and my boyfriend kept looking over at me wondering why i was laughing so hard - as soon as he looked at it, he understood. :) i absolutely had to own it, and i keep reading it over and over again. more comics soon please, liz! :)

Fantastic.......2005-10-11

This is a series of the cutest, most real comics you'll ever read.
It leaves you with a warm, fuzzy feeling, not to mention the desire for endless pages.

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Gen 13: I Love New York (Gen13)
John Arcudi
Manufacturer: Wildstorm
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1563895439

Vampire Kisses: Blood Relatives, Volume I (Vampire Kisses: Blood Relatives)

Average customer rating:

Better Than the Books
Great Art, Good Find.

Vampire Kisses: Blood Relatives, Volume I (Vampire Kisses: Blood Relatives)
Ellen Schreiber
Manufacturer: Katherine Tegen Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0061340812
Release Date: 2007-09-25

Book Description

The absolute last thing goth-girl Raven and her vampire boyfriend, Alexander, need is another hitch in their nighttime-only romance—but dark trouble hovers on the horizon when Raven and Alexander discover four freshly dug graves filled with empty coffins. When a crew of sketchy vampires takes up residence in Dullsville's lonely graveyard, Alexander finds this motley bunch led by his very own blood-sucking cousin, Claude Sterling. Shocking! Claude and his creepy crew can only spell out more problems for the pair, especially when Raven finds them in daylight in the very last place she could ever imagine. What could Claude and his invaders be doing—or searching for—in Dullsville?

Customer Reviews:

Better Than the Books.......2007-10-10

Ellen Schreiber's Vampire Kisses definitely translates well into Manga. I've read the first three books in her series, and reading all the meticulously described clothing gets kind of old. Not to mention how after a while it just feels like overused goth sterotypes in her written works. I was worried that the Manga wouldn't be better than the novels. I was wrong.

The Manga has a good flow, it's cute and funny. It introduces a lot of new characters, meaning it isn't necessary to have read Schreiber's Vampire Kisses novels - so far Alexander, Raven and Becky are the only characters to get lots of play in both the novels and Manga. The art is good (although that's coming from someone who's never read Manga before).

The length was the only part I could fault. It was a very quick read, and it didn't feel like it got deep enough into the story, although it did set up a good foundation and background.

Great Art, Good Find........2007-10-07

Raven has an idyllic relationship with her boyfriend, Alexander. The one catch--they can only be outside at night, because he's a vampire. This fact doesn't deter the Gothic sixteen year-old Raven, in fact, she wishes she was a vampire herself! Their cemetery escapes are abruptly halted one night when they encounter four upturned graves, and Alexander finds a toy from his past...

I'm pretty new to the world of manga--even graphic novels, and this one was the first one I ever bought. It didn't leave me very disappointed, except for the size of the book. I really wish it was longer, because by the time I really got to know the characters it was nearly done [I have yet to read the series this is based on]. Also, the size of the book didn't let the story develop, and like the characters, by the time I got into the story it was nearly done. However, the art is really nice, and it added a lot to the plot.

Real Fake Princess Volume 4 (Real/Fake Princess)

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Real Fake Princess Volume 4 (Real/Fake Princess)
I-Haun
Manufacturer: Dr. Master Productions Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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