There’s a new manga column at the Pulse, and it looks pretty terrific. The first installment of Manga Fan Service, by manga editor Jake Forbes, is informative and funny. Excuse me for a moment while I go weep salty tears of bitter envy, then break to rehydrate.
I’m in total agreement with Dave at Yet Another Comics Blog that the pick of the week is the first issue of Shojo Beat from Viz. Greg McElhatton reviews the anthology at iComics, and I definitely share his enthusiasm for Crimson Hero, though I thought the introduction to Absolute Boyfriend worked just fine. (This might be a side-effect of my Yû Watase fixation.)
Of course, one shouldn’t discount this week’s arrival of the 10th volume of Fruits Basket from Tokyopop, which I’m willing to swear has subliminal messages on every page. (Tohru’s wide eyes are actually some kind of hypnotic device compelling innocents to buy, buy, BUY.) Volume 9 is still selling strong, both in bookstores and in the Direct Market.
To the folks who read my review of Digital Manga’s Passion and suggested that Only the Ring Finger Knows is much, much better, you’re right, and thanks for the pointer. It was actually Lyle’s review at Crocodile Caucus that tipped the scales. (Well, Lyle’s review and a well-timed trip to a Borders up in Pittsburgh.)
If you read only one on-line manga column this week, make it the aforementioned Manga Fan Service. If you have time for two, there’s another Flipped up.