If you've made it this far, congratulations, stick with it, amazing things are being revealed in this mystery. One problem with any series built arounIf you've made it this far, congratulations, stick with it, amazing things are being revealed in this mystery. One problem with any series built around a mystery is that at some point you have to start giving answers or readers will walk away; Moreover, for 11 books readers have been taunted by the question of who is the "Friend?" Who is this architect of the Bloody New Years Eve, mass murderer and leader of the "Friendship" Party and ruler of the shadow government of Japan?
Introducing book 12, where we finally get those answers, and wow, Urasawa delivers in extraordinary style.
Yes Urasawa has dragged it out. But I believe that he has done a fine job of it.
This volume is a real page turner filled with tense scenes and dramatic twists.
This volume is chock full of flashbacks at the elementary school science lab, and reveals the lies of 1970 and 1971. I quite enjoyed Maruo's mental struggle and realization that he isn't cut out to be a suicide bomber. From New Years Eve past to New Years Day present, much is revealed.
If you're worried about whether or not to continue with 20th Century Boys trust me, stick with it, it's worth the wait. ...more
More of a filler volume, which any long series needs to drive the plot slowly with dropping hints such as "The Conspiracy of 1970?!?" What is that? SoMore of a filler volume, which any long series needs to drive the plot slowly with dropping hints such as "The Conspiracy of 1970?!?" What is that? Sounds ominous? We shall find out next time on Naoki Urasawa's 20th Century Boys!!! Same time, same channel!
There was one big plot point dropped about Kiriko at the lab which was a jaw dropper, and whenever they bring in Kenji's music it's always a heartfelt moment. Those were some great highlights of this volume, along with Mon-Chan's note/research....more
The more I read by Urasawa, the more lame other comics seem by comparison. Urasawa is a rare breed of writer that has complFantastic... Great volume.
The more I read by Urasawa, the more lame other comics seem by comparison. Urasawa is a rare breed of writer that has complete grasp of the medium of comic books. His storyteller skills are simply incredible; moreover, he can lead the reader down exactly the paths he wants you to follow, dropping clues you never see until either he tells you or you read it over again, most of the time surprising me at every turn. The Sadakiyo story in this volume was a true shocker.
This volume focuses on 3 things: Kyoko and Kanna meeting, Sadakiyo's backstory, and the revelation about Kanna's father and "The Holy Mother."
Once again this is a heavy Koizumi Kyoko volume, she if newly back from Friendland; however, she is not as re-educated as the Dream Navigators would like. She doesn't want to go to Friendworld but has been told she will be going very soon. In school she tries to make connect with her classmate Kanna, Kanna blows her off leaving Kyoko to her own devices and slowly going mad. She saw the face behind "Friend's" mask. That knowledge alone and the horror it holds, paired with going to Friendworld is too much for her to handle alone. But her erratic behavior is drawing eyes, and the Dream Navigators tell her they see everything, don't try to run. ...more
Things really begin to pickup with the reveal of "The New Book of Prophesy," we aren't sure who wrote it or where it came from but Mon-Chan stumbled uThings really begin to pickup with the reveal of "The New Book of Prophesy," we aren't sure who wrote it or where it came from but Mon-Chan stumbled upon a few pages of it and we find out some startling things that are prophesied to unfold. I can see many readers becoming frustrated by this point with this "New Book," meaning the story will probably get dragged out even longer and we still don't know who "Friend" is, but I see it as an opportunity to get to know the characters more and more drama and suspense by the master Urasawa.
Kanna takes center stage in this volume, turning a casino upside down and introducing all of us to a crazy Russian card game, I believe that was invented by Urasawa, called "Rabbit Nabakov." A lot happens here in this volume, Kyoko sees the face under the mask, Kanna plays Rabbit Nabokov gives the Thai and Chinese mafia a fortune to join forces against "Friend," the yakuza priest in Shinjuku takes Kanna's confession, the New Book of Prophecy is revealed, Otcho jumps through windows literally to save "The Last Hope," and we hear the first mention of the Holy Mother.
Things are getting VERY VERY INTERESTING! So many cliffhangers that keep me coming back for more to see where the next piece of the jigsaw puzzle will fit....more
The suspense as to what happened on the Bloody New Years Eve of 2000 has came to a head, In this book we FINALLY get some information on what happenedThe suspense as to what happened on the Bloody New Years Eve of 2000 has came to a head, In this book we FINALLY get some information on what happened in 2000, what was the secret of the Friend's robot and the killer gas it is emanating, and the next chapter of the plot begins to unfold.
This chapter introduces Koizumi Kyoko, she is a fairly sympathetic and surprisingly staunch new schoolgirl heroine who only wanted to do a book report on the Kenji Faction. Instead she gets a forced visit to 'Friend Land,' and upon becoming the top student, a visit to the Friends' virtual reality Bonus Level (which drives some people to suicide, or provides the final touch to their brainwashing and insanity). From there it gets a little wild and spooky.
I love the build up with the giant robot, if you know Urasawa you are used to this method, the build up of a story with the flashbacks and flashforwards, he does it well. I learned from the great Monster series. The stuff that we get flashed back to is fun; moreover, after seven volumes of build-up for the giant robot, the way Kenji and company attack it, with utter hatred trying to find "Friend," during bloody New Year's Eve is great.
Really liking where this story is going. I can possibly see this series surpassing Monster in greatness.
We finally get more answers to the Bloody NewReally liking where this story is going. I can possibly see this series surpassing Monster in greatness.
We finally get more answers to the Bloody New Year's Ever; however, the story isn't completely told as to what happened. This volume ended on a cliffhanger on that story line, but it was great to see the original gang more then the previous volume. The time jumps in storytelling are seamless and never confusing, Urasawa seems to have mastered the craft.
I wanna know what happened to the robot! To volume 8, HURRY!...more
Since the time jump we are in 2014, with Kanna, the daughter of "Friend" and Kenji's sister.
This isn't an action driven volume, there is a good charaSince the time jump we are in 2014, with Kanna, the daughter of "Friend" and Kenji's sister.
This isn't an action driven volume, there is a good character driven storyline featuring Kanna and Detective Chono who appears to have a bigger role in this storyline. Nothing is revealed to what happened to Kenji and the gang but we do see Otcho (Shogun), chained and possibly tortured within a alcatraz like island prison. If anything, I enjoyed this volume as it shows how much the "Friends" have permeated into regular society and are now so powerful that they would be difficult to stop. We knew before that they had a strong reach but over time that grasp and reach is much stronger.
I have no idea where Urasawa is going to take the seventh volume of the series but from reading vol. 6, I can't wait. I know Kenji and the gang are going to jump in and take the reigns at some point, but who knows when that is. Another excellent volume of "Naoki Ursawa's 20th Century boys," his art and storylines are always top notch, sometimes slow to develop but always worth it. Highly recommended....more
For 4 books 20th Century Boys has teased and built towards the final battle to save world on December 31, 2000, there have been flashbacks and flash-fFor 4 books 20th Century Boys has teased and built towards the final battle to save world on December 31, 2000, there have been flashbacks and flash-forwards to hint at would happen.
In book 5 the day they have been prepping for finally arrives and Kenji and his band come together for the final battle against the friends. You turn the page and... BADABOOM! It's 14-15 years later. We have a new status quo, new characters and newer conflicts. The results of that battle are hinted at and teased some more but nothing is confirmed. We'll just have to keep reading to find out.
It's a bold move that could have gone very wrong but Urasawa pulls it off in grand style. And it's one that's sure to keep me on the hook for a good long time. I find I like it when creators shift things and mix up everything in a serious way, upsetting what had become the serial formula of the story, bringing the new & unknown and instilling a new spark of life. Jumping straight into the thick of where you thought things might go without boring you with telling you every inch of the route to getting there.
I'm not sure where things are going but jumping from 1999 to 2014 in the middle, right over a climactic event IS A HUGE transition, I'm eager to see how it plays out. Still loving the series....more
From strong to strong, that's what I think of Urasawa's "20th Century Boys" thus far. This one stacks up well with the other books in the series. I haFrom strong to strong, that's what I think of Urasawa's "20th Century Boys" thus far. This one stacks up well with the other books in the series. I have to admit, this volume has a segway story that leads the story a few years down the road from where we last left Kenji. The segway story features the mysterious not yet seen Otcho though, and it was very interesting.
The jump in time takes us to the summer of 2000, where most of the "present day" story is taking place. The 'Friends' have infiltrated the Japanese government at the highest levels starting their own "Friendship Party" and are moving ahead with their plans. It is funny to step back and think that the only thing standing between the world and a giant robot induced devastation of the world as we know it is a homeless guy who wears a bunny suit and his friends. I do like that time, and the little details about them growing up, aging and forgetting things from their childhood play a role in the story. Urasawa is great with the details.
Amazing series, and the art is beyond subtle in its ability to show mood. So good. Just found out they did a movie trilogy of this as well, tempted to want to order that when I finish this series....more
Can Urasawa keep one-upping himself? I think he can, and he continues to do so by grabbing my attention volume to volume of this amazing series.
This Can Urasawa keep one-upping himself? I think he can, and he continues to do so by grabbing my attention volume to volume of this amazing series.
This volume focused heavily on Kenji's present and his difficulties in understanding what is happening, after the revelation in the last chapter of Volume 2, Kenji mind starts spinning. Why is this happening? What did that guy mean 'This was all your plan'? Why did Donkey want to talk to him? Why was Donkey killed? Who is 'Friend' really? As Kenji rushes home to sort things out he desperately tries to think of a reason, any other reason, that this string of craziness could be happening, but using logic just makes him more paranoid. The bottom line is this though: whatever they cooked up in their secret hideout as kids playing games, is coming to life FOR REAL!
As the plot thickens things start getting a little creepy, in a good mysterious sort of way. I mean weren't some of the games you played as a kid stupid and immature? What if someone played them as an adult and took them seriously? What if cops and robbers became real to someone? Cowboys and Indians? RISK?!?
A lot begins to come to light, his sisters history, a little of who 'Friend' is, that his sisters baby Kanna is somehow linked to 'Friend,' etc. Sometimes there is flashbacks in this volume but they are short and it comes right back to Kenji in the present day and his running all over town trying to get to the bottom of things and save who he loves because it has been prophesied by some crazy homeless guy nicknamed "God" that he will "save the world."
20th Century Boys can really be considered the opposite of the normal 'ordinary kid gets super powers' storyline. Kenji doesn't have any super powers, he's about as ordinary as you can get, but because of who he is, and what he did as a kid, he can make a difference. It is a powerful story that has engulfed me. Urasawa = A great writer/artist....more
This volume is more of a commentary on 'how human are humans' when interacting with robots. The series has started exploring the nature of the dividinThis volume is more of a commentary on 'how human are humans' when interacting with robots. The series has started exploring the nature of the dividing line between robots and humans, and the impact of high functioning AIs (like Gesicht) on human society, and the introduction of a group not unlike the Ku Klux Klan that's sole purpose is to destroy and eradicate robots' existense.
Vol. 03, unlike the first two volumes focuses on character development, and of the newly introduced sister of Atom, Uran. In this volume we get a clear picture certain people who are against the peaceful co-existence between man and robot.
Overall, it is another enjoyable volume that definitely is setting up for a major showdown between man and robot, or is it? Can Gesicht get to the bottom of things before something crazy happens? ...more
Being the sixth volume in the Sandman series, "Reflections and Fables" takes a different twist than readers are accustomed to - a volume entirely of tBeing the sixth volume in the Sandman series, "Reflections and Fables" takes a different twist than readers are accustomed to - a volume entirely of the past. There are nine stories in the volume, each relating to the Sandman universe in its own way, yet each remarkably different and unique in their own way (minus the Orpheus volumes).
The opening chapter, Fear of Falling, really a prologue, is in itself wonderfully written and in only a few pages it packs a powerful message. Other notable chapters include Ramadan, August, Parliament of Rooks, Three Septembers and a January, and The Hunt.
Gaiman's short stories are always well written, you can tell Gaiman does his historical homework. He always weaves Dream into that tale splendidly, and he touches on myth, fable, and legend that most readers might know a little about, or have heard about somewhere, and expand and teach the readersomething; moreover, the deviation from a direct story line in this collection may appeal to some readers, as it did me, but then again it may not to all. Gaiman enriches the universe and the power of Dream, without using Dream as a main character, as he has done before in volumes like "Dream Country." Some readers will enjoy this aspect, and perhaps enjoy the historical aspect of the stories; whereas, others may wish to stay on track with the Dream as the main character. I am not the latter, I love these short stories, and how Gaiman weaved Dream into them in very clever ways.
Regardless, Fables and Reflections is a volume that should not be missed, and is one of the better Sandman volumes so far. Excellent work by Gaiman. I also thought the art was great in this volume, maybe the best so far, it was nice to see Dream's brother Destruction for once instead of just hearing about him and to get some background for the Calliope story that was in a previous volume. I also loved the chibi Death and Dream in "The Parliament of Rooks," and I'm always fascinated by how different artists represent Dream and his family....more
**spoiler alert** "It's like we fell down the rabbit hole, woke up in... I don't know. Stephen King's basement..." (Wanda to George's head) (91)
I lov**spoiler alert** "It's like we fell down the rabbit hole, woke up in... I don't know. Stephen King's basement..." (Wanda to George's head) (91)
I love how Gaiman brings back former characters, and is able to intertwine them all. The overarching story has also moved along, ever so slightly. The last three volumes of The Sandman have completely outdone what came before. I thought there was a good story in the first two volumes, but it was hard to find what really made me keep reading. I'm glad I kept reading though, because Gaiman really came into his own in volumes 3-5, and the fifth volume, "A Game of You," is easily the best written installment so far, and I think I said that about the last two volumes as I read them.
While the Sandman himself hardly appears in this volume, he didn't really need to be and it did not draw away from the story as a whole. Gaiman has begun to write from character, and that really helps the story move forward in unpredictable but great ways. It's about a girl who dreams herself into a fantasy realm that is endangered by "the Cuckoo," who sends agents into the real world to have her and her friends killed. The story alternates between New York and "The Land," and it's so well done that you won't even wonder where Morpheus is.
Not only is this a great story, it also functions in tying the previous volumes together. The main character is Barbie, who was part of the goody-goody couple Barbie and Ken in Vol. 2: The Doll's House; furthermore, Foxglove is actually the lover of the lesbian woman at the diner from Vol. 1: Preludes and Nocturnes. It's a very tight story, and in some ways is a good sequel to "The Doll's House."
Now I see what people were talking about when they gushed about this series. I really enjoyed this, from start to end, and have loved every volume. Little things like how Hazel and Foxglove weren't the most perfect couple, but they were able to work out their differences, that was nice. I liked how Wanda's family wasn't so accepting, but Maisie, the crazy homeless lady, is able to. I liked the characters, and I liked seeing Barbie changed and change more throughout.
"But surely you want to go home," (Wanda's aunt to Barbara) "I'm... I'm not sure about that. I don't think home's a place. It's a state of mind." (177) ...more
What happens when Lucifer decides to leave hell? Season of Mists, the fourth volume of The Sandman answers that question as Dream heads to Hell once aWhat happens when Lucifer decides to leave hell? Season of Mists, the fourth volume of The Sandman answers that question as Dream heads to Hell once again, this time to release a former lover who has been imprisoned and tortured for thousands of years. Upon arrival, he finds Hell deserted, and Lucifer ushering out the stragglers he has banished from the lands, he then hands dream the key to the kingdom.
This is the best of the first four volumes in the series, with "A Doll's House" a close second, this should not be missed by fans, nor casual observers.
Gaiman always adds epic storytelling and mythology in the series and this volume is no exception, Season of Mists takes on a lot: sin, redemption, both personal and religious, and the battle between good and evil. To discuss too much of the plot would ruin some of the rich suprises to come, but Gaiman's inventiveness is to the max here, with a gleefully funny and fascinating scene involving intrigue and lobbying by any number of demons, gods, and demigods, this provides an interesting look at the interactions between them (Thor getting ridiculously drunk and hitting on women during the banquet, for example). There is also a great ghost story set in a boys school that's not really like any haunted house tale you've ever read. But in the midst of his epic scope, Gaiman never neglects the smaller and more intimate touches, and scenes involving nothing more than an unlikely character commenting on a sunset or an unexpected birth revealing unexpected depths and complexities to Gaiman's creations. The character of Lucifer is excellent and intriguing as well, and God's reward to the two angels who oversaw Dreams decision? Well, that's up to the reader to decide. It's become apparent just a little ways into the volume that Gaiman has constructed something akin to a new cosmology and mythology here, and while it's wonderful to get lost in his worlds, it's the surprisingly human characters that keep us enthralled and reading volume after volume....more
Gaiman's The Sandman Vol. 3 "Dream Country" is more or less a collection of short stories that are related to the the series, but unrelated in terms oGaiman's The Sandman Vol. 3 "Dream Country" is more or less a collection of short stories that are related to the the series, but unrelated in terms of the main storyline that's been going on in the first two volumes. I hate when good storylines like that in "The Doll's House (Vol. 2)" get cut off with something unrelated like this book, but this tangent was good. I have heard Gaiman's short stories are amazing and the volumes in Dream Country are all unrelated short stories that touch on little things we know and let us learn more about Dream and his sister Death. You could almost read these stories alone if you had some knowledge of the Endless. There are four stories in this collection and they are as follows Calliope (which is very disturbing and my favorite), Tale of Thousand Cats (an interesting story where we learn cat's dream too), A Midsummer's Night Dream (an award winning short story that reintroduces Mr. Bill Shakespeare), and then there is Facade (which is my second favorite and features Dream's sis Death).
Dream Country is smart, creepy, complex, moving, and like all Gaiman I have read thus far, very well-imagined. I enjoyed how Gaiman played with notions of dreams and reality, how the four stories all seemed to speak to the idea of sacrifice, especially the sacrifice of writers. I wish I could remember enough about Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" to really get that story and say something smart about it. My favorite part of the edition though, was Gaiman's reproduction of his script & his notes for "Calliope" at the end of the book. It's neat to get inside the mind of a writer and get their thoughts on things as they were writing it.
I would not be so down on this book if it was in relation to the actual story that is unfolding. What was great about "The Doll's House" is it left off where "Preludes and Nocturnes" started. "The Doll's House" also introduced some new characters to the fold. I gave this book three stars because while I don't dislike it, it is a far better read then alot of crap that's out there today. Maybe in the grand scheme after finishing the series I will appreciate this one more, I have heard that volume 2 and 4 are the favorites of most people, this one is the bridge between those two, that has to count for something....more
Whoever thought to market the books of Castle from the series was a genius. I love getting in the mind of fictional character Richard Castle. He is wiWhoever thought to market the books of Castle from the series was a genius. I love getting in the mind of fictional character Richard Castle. He is witty, egotistical, jumps to conclusions, clumsy, jealous, real, and paints a beautiful picture with words.
The story was about what I expected from a Richard Castle plot: a little over the top, kind of goofy, and doesn't take itself very seriously, but still well-written and very entertaining; Moreover, The art was flawless. I'd love to see more of Derrick Storm, whether in text or in graphic novel form.
At this point I think I would buy anything with Richard Castle's name on it. I got a good kick out of his "Introduction" and "About the Author" sections. I have loved the Nikki Heat series....more
This was an easy read, great story by Jonathan Ames, really touching, and very awesome art by Dean Haspiel.
A true to life almost memoir by Ames, my fiThis was an easy read, great story by Jonathan Ames, really touching, and very awesome art by Dean Haspiel.
A true to life almost memoir by Ames, my first read of his. I have been a long time supporter of his show Bored to Death, he always entertains me in his noir sort of way. He does, in his own way, remind me of Woody Allen. He writes humor but there is a great tragic aspect to his characters and the way Ames writes that character is sublime and unique, it truly makes him an artist.
The story itself is one of a very personal nature. One that you can't help but feel is a window into the past of Jonathan Ames. In "Bored to Death" the main character is named Jonathan Ames and in "The Alcoholic" he is named Jonathan A. Draw your own conclusions.
Any addict of any sort will find this graphic novel hitting close to home and too real for comfort. The constant ups and downs of life, struggling with interesting subplots concerning family, friendship, homosexuality, virility, and death.
Endings that aren't quite an ending are sometimes the best ending to me because they leave you thinking, wait did he? Is he going to? Did this mean that? or did it mean this? After a wild 136 pages of everything under the sun, from binging, to confession, from detox, to counseling. I'm not sure if Jonathan A. or Ames knew what was going on, so we the reader are left to wonder where he will go from here, is his glass half empty, half full, is it going to be completely full or is it going to stay empty? The choice is yours....more
Right now that this is currently my favorite Sandman book (Mind you this is only the 2nd volume). I read volume one "Preludes & Nocturnes" and liked iRight now that this is currently my favorite Sandman book (Mind you this is only the 2nd volume). I read volume one "Preludes & Nocturnes" and liked it, but the beginning was a little slow and didn't grab me right away. That cannot be said for "The Doll's House," this volume hooked me from page one, and it didn't let up, I wanted to devour every page. Even when there is a side story in the middle of the book, I was still fascinated by the tale because I knew, Gaiman is going to make this awesome story somehow weave into the main story. It's been a nice ride getting to learn about Dream and his history and back story, and seeing little bits and pieces of his fellow Endless siblings.
What makes Gaiman's writing so unique is that it is all about the story and not a huge climactic battle to save the world, Dream is not even the central character in these stories; Instead, Rose Walker is. She is the one who is threatened and who goes on the emotional roller-coaster that keeps the reader wondering what will happen next. Exemplary writing, Gaiman is a true word artist, this story is a must read....more
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