Yikes, I probably should be getting some form of schoolwork done, but I'd much rather be blabbing about all kinds of random fun stuff now. So I shall, mwhaha!

Woohee, a new month of Tokyopop's Manga Online is up now, so naturally I have to go and splurge. XD This also reminded me that I was going to do some kind of critiques of the OEL manga that's come out thusfar and that I've managed to pick up. A little late on that matter, whoopsies. So I'll just give overall impressions/thoughts/what I liked and didn't like. Many others have already beaten me to the whole thorough critique thing, and I'd have to go back and really reread everything to go as in-depth as you like. So here's some little blurb-type thingies! Also threw in a few opinions from some of my roomies, so there's more of a sense of a "general manga audience."

Steady Beat - Yeys, I'd been waiting for this to come out for awhile, and was happy to finally get it! ^^ I'm not much of a traditional shoujo gal, but I had fun reading it anyway, mostly because I could *relate* to the general culture depicted. I have lots of relatives in Texas (and was born there, go figure!) and it would be interesting to see how they would react to this kind of story. I think fans see so much yaoi and yuri series (and fanon) coming from Japan and soak it up so much that it's easy to forget just how much controversy surrounds it here in the States, and actually deal with its impact in a cultural sense. So it was almost a breath of fresh air in a world of manga where gay relationships are almost more "normal" than straight ones. I do want the second one so that I can find out what the heck happens, bwuuuuuh!
As far as art goes, while it has its setbacks, there were many great things, too. I of course loved the toning and the hair, and certain angles were really well done (although at times these angles were almost overdone.) There was something about the faces in some shots that bugged me, but that may have been a style issue. (Haha, I know, I'm so specific...) However, I can only see it getting better!
I lent this book to one of my roommates, and they said they really enjoyed reading it and wanted to find out what happens next! (Didn't get much more in-depth than that, but hey...good review = yay!)

Van Von Hunter (#2) - Once again, had to continue on with the hilarity. The two roomies who have read it laughed their asses off (I think they enjoyed it even more than I did!) The art was about the same as the previous volume, and I found this one to be a leeettle less funny. Not quite sure why. It just seemed like last time there was more of a direction that Van Von Hunter and Sidekick were going in; here it just kind of seems all over the place. And at times, it feels like the secondary characters take over the book by getting all the jokes and funny themselves. It was nice to see Adonette again, though. (Did I spell that right?) And of course overall it's still funniness. Will be buying the third volume.

Off*Beat This was a very interesting read for me, mostly because it's not really like any other manga I've read through before. The pacing was a little slow, but I was interested the entire time, and I loved how "quietly" the suspense was built. I especially like how the first page with the mention of the red duffelbag on the corner was able to establish Tory's character thoughout the *entire* book. That seemed really strong to me. The art was...unusual, like the rest of the book, but still strangely appealing. I like the fact that it wasn't OMG-sexy-bois-getting-it-on-RIGHTNOW (not that I'll deny myself any OMG-sexy-bois, woohoo! XD) It was just a different kind of approach to shounen-ai, which made it stand out all the more. Will also be buying the next one.

Dramacon This comic PWNS my soul. Again, not typically a fan of teen drama, but this book's SO well written and the characters are so terrific that I can't help but fall in love with it. I was laughing out loud most of the time, and occasionally screaming my head off (stupid Derek! XP) The art is a little busy at times as the pages are jam-packed, but I never found it difficult to follow. As this has gotten a lot of positive reviews, and because it takes place at an American con, I think this manga will be the most likely to reach out and grab the attention of the picky manga-buyer that won't look unless it's OMGJAPANESE. To which I say...more power to it! XD I can't wait for the next one!

I Luv Halloween Hmm...this was definitely an interesting read, and not quite what I was expecting. I'll admit, it wasn't ultimately my cup of tea, but I think that had mostly to do with personal taste. It just...creeped me out! Which I guess was the whole point all along. It was a little disconcerting on how the story didn't really seem to go anywhere, and while the characters' speech was really unique, it made it a bit tougher to read. My main quip with the art was how there were so many grays in it, which made all the pages seem to muddle together. But the character designs fit the story perfectly, and I can see this appealing to a very specific audience (and yes, it is the cute-goth Tim Burton-and/or-Johan Vasquez crowd). In that sense, this manga could really carve itself out a niche in the market. It just won't be a niche that I'll be visiting often. ;P

And now, some blurbs on the stuff that's on Manga Online now! XD I haven't had the chance to read through everything that's new yet (dangitall!) including the new how-to or the recent letters. I also want to try out these new "mangapods," since I've heard some interesting things about them. Well, there is always tomorrow during work, so I'll do my manga catching-up then. ^^ (May follow up today's post with more of what I read tomorrow.) But here are some of the things I am still following on Manga Online (obviously, I'm no longer reading the ones I already have in print!)

Fool's Gold - Yaays, tentopet's comic is up at last! XD Great first chapter, and if nothing else, I'll be buying the book for the art. The characters are...realistic yet expressive, which is something I wish I could do better. I also wish I could do costume design better, which is what a good chunk of the story is about, so maybe I'll steal...I mean get some ideas from them. ;)

Road Song - The more I read of this, the more I want it! This definitely seems like my type of story, and my type of art...I love the expressive, cartoony look, I'll admit. I love how there's action right from the get-go, and can't wait to read more. My only complaint is that I sometimes have trouble telling Simon and Monty apart, but that'll probably be easier to do in print than squinting at the pictures online while also sifting through music, five different AIM windows, and the Man Machine for work. ;) (Methinks I multitask too much?...)

Sorcerers and Secretaries - Simple an' sweet, and it's still been one of the ones I head for first when Manga Online is updated. ^^ Yet another romance story that I find distinctly appealing (maybe I'm more of a shoujo girl than I first thought? Who knows...) Several of my roomies have also mentioned really liking this one, so I get the feeling that even though this one doesn't have as "manga-ish" art as some other books, it'll still appeal to a wide audience out there because of the story. In fact, I think this book will be the most likely to catch the attention of someone who isn't into manga. We shall see!

Dogby Walks Alone - Woohaa, first chapter of this is up! I actually didn't really like the story as it first appeared in RSOM, but then it really grew on me, and I have the feeling this story's going to grow on me, too. It's just so uniquely bizzare, but at the same time isn't incomprehensible like many "avant garde" manga out there. It's...a hilarious crime drama, if that makes any sense at all. So I'll be following this one, too.

Mark of the Succubus - I wants more! The art is pretty, the story's fascinating, and Ashley and Irene just rock anyway 'cause I said so. XD There are hawt demon mens and cute human mens, what's not to love? No seriously, Aiden's a cutie, and I want to see more of him. I also really like the way blacks are handled in this manga.

Psy-Comm - Actually, I've *really* been enjoying this comic, it's a perfect blend of sci-fi action and intrigue without ever going over the top, and the art and writing work together really well. Not nearly enough new shounen titles coming out, so this has been fun to read. Haven't read the latest chapter yet; will do it tomorrow so I know what's happened so far!

Re: Play - I need to read the next chapter of this tomorrow as well. I love the art style, as always, but I'm not sure how I feel about the story yet. We shall see!

The Dreaming: *Really* liked the first chapter of this, but then again, I figured I'd love this horror manga since "Block 6" was ultimately what made me subscribe to Wirepop in the first place. ;) I like the crosshatch-y art (mostly because it baffles me and I could never do it) and how the story's set up.

Man, I feel like I'm starting to repeat myself with the whole "I loved it! I want more!" bit...I think I'm just a really easy person to please. XD

A Midnight Opera - I love the art style here, but I must admit that the story's really incomprehensible to me. Perhaps it will make more sense in print, but I haven't really latched on to any of the characters yet or their story yet. (I likes the werewolves tho...hee! ^^) Again, I think this will appeal to a very specific crowd.

The Abandoned - I love how unique this manga is: the setting, the style and especially the use of color. The fact that is has a very hand-made feel is a great effect...but for the life of me, I can't read it online! And so unfortunately, I lost interest in it fairly quickly. I may flip through it once it's in print and see if it catches my eye again.

Juror 13 - Oooh, this is an interesting conundrum. I am loving the story and have been following it with interest, but the art doesn't seem to match the feel of the story somehow. I could envision this story going better with an art style closer to what's seen in 'Monster,' for example. Ehh, but oh well. Need to read the next chapter of this tomorrow as well.

I'm afraid I lost interest in War on Flesh for the same reasons as above: art is unique and interesting, but the story's incomprehensible. I haven't yet read Ark Angels, Idiotz, Riding Shotgun or Yonen Buzz, so those will come tomorrow.

And DUUUUDE, I'm waiting all bouncy-like for Work Bites and My Cat Loki! Get those suckers online, TP! XD

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...HOOYAH, I think that's enough blurbing about manga for now. Here's some recently-finished art, with attached description copy-pasted from the dA description!



Just off of Halloween, and I'm drawing...Christmas-themed pictures? Maybe I need to reset my artistic clock.

I must be getting into some kind of weird holiday-ish mood again, because around then I always come back to Snow Phoenix. I've always felt like there's some kind of longer, more involved story behind just the animation and the little backstory that goes with it, but I've never been able to figure out what it was. It always eludes me, and at the same time feels too much like the general cliche fantasy story for it to stand out. Something about it needs to be different, but I don't know what. Oh well, maybe someday it'll smack me upside the head. In the meanwhile, random scenes will pop up from it here and there, such as with this. Jared and his pegasus are at the Winter Festival in the town, which is the last time Jared can visit before the weather becomes too bad for a trip between the town and his home. Something's obviously caught his eye; what I don't know.

I was happy with the pencil of this, but something seems to be lost in the inking, and Jared's head looks kinda funky twisted that way. Guhh! Maybe when I get scads of time (closer to Christmas) I'll color it or something. It still feels like something didn't come out right. *grumbles to self, thinking*
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Aaaaaand, finally...KHU updated with a completely new and even more completely awesome trailer for KH2! Holy frell, the more I see, the more I want this game NOW, dammit! The graphics and rendering look gorgeous, the co-op and triangle moves are going to kick ass, and I'm going mad wanting to know what the story will be, especially with all the scenes they showed. But I think the best part was hearing the characters' voices in Japanese. DiZ sounds...significantly more evil than he first appeared in Chain of Memories! Sora sounds older and still adorable, although his Japanese voice still sounds a little higher than what I remember of Haley Joel Osmet's lines from the demo I played. Namine and BHK sound great; I want to see how they're handled in English. And naturally, hearing Disney characters such as Donald Duck, Minnie Mouse, the Genie and Captain Jack Sparrow in Japanese is nothing short of hilarious. (I'm sorry, but I don't think Donald is really doable in Japanese...no clue why...)

But DAYAM that trailer was awesome and droolworthy, and makes me absolutely loathe Japan for getting the game months before I will. C'mon Squeenix, get your stuff together and get this thing Stateside! *begs on hands and knees; babbles senselessly*
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Otherwise, I've conquered my sickness almost completely and have shifted into full-gear in trying to get done the million and one things I need/want to do. We'll see how long I can keep this pace up before I go asplodey again.

Drawing: Whelp, I sent away the RSOM 6 pages in the mail yesterday. Eeeeek! I hope that they get there okay, and that the entry is liked, and that the proportions aren't too big of an issue...*is full of nervous energy now...er, again!* I've also pencilled about two pages of the short comic. If I'm lucky, I can do more on Thursday and Friday. I've been trying to get my homework done while at work, 'cause I *really* want to do a good job on the comic. At the same time, I think I'm getting so nervous about it that it's messing with my head! *smacks some sense into self*

Writing: I do believe I am ahead of the game when it comes to my play. Woohoo! I'll have a lot more free once I get the actual writing for it done and out of the way. However, I've got an essay in Science Fiction/Fantasy that I'll need to get done this weekend, too...and eventually, a project for the Edgar Allan Poe that will steal away my time. Still haven't had a chance to work on the Serenity puppet show yet, curses.