Comics: what are you currently reading?

[Hex_Enduction_Hour]

Orochi Perfect Edition 1 continues my dive into Kazuo Umezz horror manga. Sisters and Bones comprises the two tales in this first of four books. Sparse dialogue and panels keeps the pace brisk and flowing. Readers are dropped directly into the premise of an odd little blonde girl with as-yet unspecified abilities, dabbling in and manipulating strangers' affairs. Both stories resolve with a twist revealing why Orochi is there to leverage some ounce of justice. Horror and oneiric moments are not unlike Dario Argento films Suspiria and Phenomena. I've read Umezz is an influence on Junji Ito and the flair is there, for sure. Books 2, 3, and 4 will be purchased and read at some point.

[Sherman Davies]

I haven't read a lot of horror manga, but one of them is Junji Ito's Uzumaki, which I liked; I might give Sisters and Bones a shot if it's got those same vibes.

I recently reread an old favorite of mine, James Robinson and Paul Smith's The Golden Age:





It was originally published as a 4-issue Elseworlds miniseries back in the '90s. It basically started Robinson's long association with DC's WWII-era characters, since he followed the series up with his runs on Starman and Justice Society of America. I've always considered it to be like a more accessible version of Watchmen. Definitely worth checking out for those who haven't.

[Hex_Enduction_Hour]

Originally Posted by Sherman Davies

I haven't read a lot of horror manga, but one of them is Junji Ito's Uzumaki, which I liked; I might give Sisters and Bones a shot if it's got those same vibes.

Currently reading Umezz's Cat-Eyed Boy. It's just as curious and entertaining in moments as Umezz's other work in that old school style of manga.

The insightful YT channel, Famicon Collects, has me scouring for other fascinating manga. The Early Works of Hanawa Kazuichi looks incredible, but pricey to acquire a Japanese edition. Just this morning I found it available on the Internet Archive ....and in English! Downloaded the PDF and though Famicon Collects provides a thorough, breakdown of each story, I plan to read it myself, soon.

Originally Posted by Sherman Davies

I recently reread an old favorite of mine, James Robinson and Paul Smith's The Golden Age:

It was originally published as a 4-issue Elseworlds miniseries back in the '90s. It basically started Robinson's long association with DC's WWII-era characters, since he followed the series up with his runs on Starman and Justice Society of America. I've always considered it to be like a more accessible version of Watchmen. Definitely worth checking out for those who haven't.

I remember that series, though Never read it. Paul Smith art is always excellent.

[Sherman Davies]

Originally Posted by Hex_Enduction_Hour

I remember that series, though Never read it. Paul Smith art is always excellent.

Yeah, Paul Smith is definitely one of those "artists' artist" types who sometimes seems overlooked by fans but is highly regarded by other artists. He and Robinson continued their collaboration a few years after doing Golden Age with another series I remember fondly, Leave it to Chance:





It was a series about a young paranormal investigator named Chance Falconer. Sort of a "Nancy Drew, but with magic" vibe to it. I always thought it should've run longer than the 2 or 3 years that it did, especially considering it debuted around the same time as the Harry Potter books which were spurring an increased interest in young adult fantasy at the time.