fantasy comics

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Lenni Reviews: “Centuria” Vol. 4, by Tohru Kuramori

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Flying into a rage after Angvall’s death, Julian unleashes his power on Argos without thinking of the toll it would take on his body.

This volume also introduces The Supreme Lord (Argos’ father) and adds witches to those with special abilities. Clearly, Oracle Elstri has never heard of any stories where someone goes barreling toward their destiny while trying to avoid it because she is dead set on killing a child to prevent her prophecy. This makes her an interesting villain since she’s less of a zealot than her lord, who has some nuance to him. You’d expect the reverse. This is a cool world, and I can’t wait for this journey to continue. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Colette Decides to Die” Vol. 9, by Alto Yukimura

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Hedes offers his skeletons the chance to name themselves, while Colette covers at a clinic for a while until another roving healer can take her place.

One of the major plot points is Colette returning to the village where she was born and why she’s the only one left from it. I’m not ashamed to say this volume made me tear up. It’s absolutely tragic and maybe a little triggering for some post-COVID. It really goes to show how strong Colette had to be and still is. It took some doing to climb out of that emotional chasm, but this volume managed to do it and give some fun moments. What an impactful volume. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Creatures & Corridors” Bill Sienkiewicz Premiere Edition, by Brandon Auman & Andrea Mutti

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

In the summer of 1992, a group of teenagers plays the game Creatures and Corridors, unintentionally releasing a real curse that forces them to play for their lives.

I had more fun reading this than I thought I would. It has excitement, humor, and just the right amount of chaotic energy. It’s not afraid to get violent and bloody. Think more dark fantasy mixed in with the horror. I was never a tabletop person, so it misses a bit of the nostalgic element for me, and I know it was trying to go for that. And – no spoilers – I give it credit for not holding back when it came time to up the peril by killing characters. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Colette Decides to Die” Vol. 8, by Alto Yukimura

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Since Hades’ mirror has cracked causing a storm, Colette is working at a shelter while it gets repaired.

Aphrodite is in this volume and I dunno how I feel about how she’s represented. She’s got the silly with the serious undercurrent going on, which is a bit predictable. I think I would have liked to see more serious sides of her but she’s ok. I to enjoy how all the dead are just shades, a nice way to depict how in death everyone is equal. Baby Lord Chronos can get annoying when he’s throwing his tantrums but when he’s joined with the cast, he’s much better. The series still shines when Colette is being an amazing apothecary. Even being so skilled, she is still learning and I enjoy those parts the best. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Mao” Vol. 25, by Rumiko Takahashi

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

The Bronze Mirror is causing havoc and when Mao and Nanoka go to fix it, Shiranui comes to claim the cursed item for the Goku Clan. When Daigo appears to aid in an assault against Shiranui, his motives are uncertain.

Off topic, the name Shiranui unlocked a core memory of wearing out this VHS as a teen. I think I still have it somewhere…

None of this went how I thought it would and that’s what I love about it. Even the supposed villain of the week stories are woven in to the larger story about the Goku Clan, Byokki, and all the interpersonal things going in. And it’s done in a way that I’m not confused about all the intrigue. It may sound silly at 25 volumes deep but I am SO invested in this story! 5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Choujin X” Vol. 13, by Sui Ishida

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

The Yamato Mori is in the upper level of the Tower of Mourning to eliminate Zora. When Zora makes an offer to go with the Yamato Mori, Batista has other plans.

Batista going berserk lets us go into his past and what happened to him to put him in this position. It’s a fairly classic tragic backstory. As that takes up a good portion of this, the battle against him isn’t concluded yet. The reality and time warping powers are amazing to see. You can tell it took a LOT of talent to make it look so overwhelming and off-putting. Very good volume. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Magical Girl Dandelion” Vol. 3, by Kaeru Mizuho

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

While Tanpopo and Peony are on a mission to protect Peony’s friend, Karakusa, Ice goes to great lengths to get back his old friend, Shade.

Prima and Stella are frightening. They have some amazing character designs. There isn’t much down time in this volume. Once Peony asks Tanpopo to help with Karakusa, the fiends show up and the action goes full throttle. I’m not happy about the cliffhanger but other than that, this was a lot of fun. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Kagurabachi” Vol. 8, by Takeru Hokazono

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

While taking refuge at the Kyoto Slaughter Hotel, Iori contemplates restoring her memories as Chihiro risks his life to protect her.

This volume dives into Iori’s past and growing up with a famous swordman like Samura. Now, there’s also a prophesy about the sword bearers causing a great calamity (reminds me of Choujin X) The action is fantastic and there’s a lot of heart tugging events here, too. And it’s paced well enough that while cluttered, it’s easy to read and flows very well. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Tsumiki Ogami’s Not-So-Ordinary Life” Vol. 7, by Miyu Morishita

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Yutaka is doing a lot if inner work on his feelings and making friends; including his student council duties and helping Tsumiki make Valentine’s Day treats.

Much like with Komi, Tsumiki’s earnest and positive attitude is so refreshing and nice to read. I would like to know more about other beings – Raizen’s portion was interesting – but our main two are adorable. You can tell Tsumiki is working slyly to help Yutaka. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Centuria” Vol. 3, by Tohru Kuramori

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Angvall is forced into an impossible choice: obey the orders from the empire she’s pledged her life to, or protect her found family.

This does feel like an Oedipus situation (minus the incest) where by desperately trying to avoid a dismal fate, they’re running headlong into it. Elstri is so certain that Diana will destroy the kingdom, but maybe hunting her down and killing those she loves would give her good reason to? But she’s a zealot and this keeps the story going. It’s still action packed and gives us more characters with other powers. I am super hooked and if you’re into dark fantasy, this series (so far) does not disappoint. 4 out of 5.

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