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Larry Marder’s Beanworld is a whimsical place populated by bean-like creatures. It’s a weird fantasy dimension with its own rules and laws, a truly original creation. But all of the characters ultimately depend on each other for survival, hence the description “ecological fantasy” on the back cover. Marder explains each new character and situation as he introduces them, so everything always makes internal sense, no matter how strange. And above all else, his creations are extremely cute, which makes for a fun read. This volume collects the first nine issues of the black and white comic, originally published in the 1980s.

Reviewed by Mark S., University City Regional

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Skipping the spandex costumes for street clothes, Misfits gives the “X-Men” characters a fresh incarnation with a manga version of the Marvel Comics icons. Kitty Pryde, a high school student, arrives at the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters as its newest pupil. The school educates mutants, those with superhuman powers, and Kitty—who can step through walls—also has the distinction of being the only female student. Fitting in takes awhile with the students in different camps about their temperament and using their mutant powers but Kitty persists and even finds romance. “X-Men” fans should like this creative series while most would relate to the comic “chibis” instances (the manga term for having a sudden vivid emotion and turning into a short person) for Kitty.

Reviewed by Lawrence T., South County Regional

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Kenji dreamed of becoming a rock star, but finds himself owner of the family convenience store instead. When one of his friends mysteriously commits suicide, he reconnects with his childhood gang. Their private gang emblem starts appearing everywhere. Could it be related to the bizarre new cult that has been implicated in several other murders and disappearances? Kenji finds himself drawn into the investigation, and he and his old friends are starting to remember things. As children they set out to save the world, and now it looks like they might actually be called to the task. With this compelling first volume, Urasawa has begun a series that looks like the equal of his earlier Monster and Pluto: Urasawa x Tezuka.

Reviewed by Mark S., University City Regional

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Logan is special. The 14-year-old orphan—-his age is a guess—-is like many that age with the inclination to be headstrong and to prove himself through fights. Logan, though, has genuinely freakish abilities. His talent to heal miraculously from wounds is other worldly--not to mention the secret long claws that can spring from his clinched fists. To become a model citizen beyond the walls of his marital arts school however, Logan slowly learns while his schoolmaster Elliot instructs him. But the outside world Logan wants to see offers much more personal peril than he could imagine from Lady Silence and her associates. With his fighting technique and background story, popular Marvel Comics character “Wolverine” is a perfect fit for the manga story-telling venue.

Reviewed by Lawrence T., South County Regional

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Barbara is an outsider at school, her head constantly buried in a book. She claims to be a giant killer, and she means it literally: those books are full of magic lore. Her sarcasm and temper get her in trouble at school and at home. Soon she finds herself having regular sessions with the school psychologist, and even alienates her new friend Sophia during a fight with the school bully. When the psychologist learns that Barbara’s mother is battling cancer, she encourages her to face her fears, sure that the metaphorical giant has been discovered. But then a real giant appears…and Barbara must do battle with them both. Kelly and Niimura have crafted a heartwarming story about growing up, with just a touch of fantasy.

Reviewed by Mark S., University City Regional

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