Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, vol. 2
adapted by Andy Seto
This is not, as you might suspect, an adaptation of the film of the same name. Rather, it is an adaptation of Wang Du Lu's five volume epic Crane - Iron Pentalogy (of which Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is the fourth volume). The events in this present volume take place earlier than those depicted in the movie, as we get to see the roots of the unrequited love between Li Mu Bai and Yu Shu Lien. It's nothing terribly original, but what really makes this comic shine is the absolutely gorgeous art from Andy Seto. Rendered in full color, no detail is too small for Seto's fine linework. There are some fabulous one- and two-page spreads, and even the smaller panels show a loving attention to detail. The feel of ancient China just pours out of the pages. As if that weren't enough, Seto is one of a very few comic artists who can capture the furious motion of a martial arts movie in the static images of a comic. These are some of the most amazing combat scenes you'll ever see in a comic. For a pure visual treat, this is definitely worth your while.
Rating: 3.5 (of 5)
Electric Girl, vol. 1
by Michael Brennan
Virginia was born with the ability to generate and conduct electricity, but she doesn't use it to fight crime or any such nonsense. No, Ginny just wants to live a normal life. Too bad that she has an invisible gremlin 'friend' whose job it is to cause mischief. But she does have a cute dog with a very cool name: Blammo; and a supportive family and good friends. It's mostly all-ages fun, the exception being an out-of-place story where a younger Virginia has a near run-in with a child molester. If AiT/Planet Lar had decided to shink this collection down to manga-size, I suspect they could have had a huge hit.
Rating: 3 (of 5)
1 comment:
Man, I'm so far behind on my Crouching Tiger/Hidden Dragon reading. It's shameful. But I always flip through it as soon as I get one, and they ARE gorgeous. I wish they were printed in two-foot tall books.
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