Grimms Manga Tales by Kei Ishiyama

Fairytales with a manga twist!

Grimms Manga Tales is a traditional Japanese manga, meaning you read the book what would be back to front to a European or American reader, and from upper right to lower left down the page. There are a handful of stories, including popular ones like Puss in Boots, to more uncommon ales like The Twelve Hunters. 

I adored the artwork! I tend to be a big manga/anime fan. There’s just something to it that’s lacking in Western animation. Probably because it’s an even mix for the likelihood of being for adults Vs children. I was glad to see that there were some rarer tales here, rather than just the well-known, worn out ones, and they all had unusual quirks and new twists to them. This short read is sure to appeal to any who either love manga or love fairy tales.

***Many thanks to Netgalley and Diamond Book/Tokyopop for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

 

 

Fantasy Genesis Characters by Chuck Lukacs

Combine creative elements to craft your own fantasy characters!

Fantasy Character Genesis is a neat art craft book that helps artists craft new fantasy characters using a 20 sided die, and random word lists to mix emotion, behaviours, culture, costumes, and the like. Ok, honesty, I requested this book because I thought it was a writingcraft book. Once I realised my mistake, after being miffed it wasn’t what I’d thought, I dove in and found it quite enjoyable. It was neat to mix and match things even if I can’t draw them as well. I think this would be of greatest interest to those who are already established artists.

***Many thanks to Netgalley and F+W Media Publishing for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

 

 

The Campbells by Jose Luis Munuera

Sometimes you just can’t outrun the past.

The Campbells follows a retired pirate who’s hung up his sword in order to raise his children. Done with the swashbuckling life, all Campbell wants to do is give his kids a normal life. Unfortunately, the villainous Inferno has other plans, and sends the pirate Carapepino to get rid of the whole family.

This is a middle-grade graphic novel, the first in a series. The story was cool, and I enjoyed the wordplay at times. Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy the art style. It was too caricaturish for my tastes, and the more action laden the scenes, the less I liked the art. Our older cubs had a mix of like and dislikes. Mainly, it was boys who enjoyed it and not the girls. Perhaps explains my lukewarm feelings?

***Many thanks to Netgalley and Europe Comics for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.