horror comic

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Lenni Reviews: “Dark Gathering” Vol. 16, by Kenichi Kondō

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

Yayoi’s plan (Operation Bellflower Regicide) reaches its final stage. Now, the graduates must to their part to weaken and destroy the god to save Ai.

Even though this volume stops to expound or flashback a lot, this battle does not disappoint. I actually started to feel bad for some of the spirits that didn’t make it. We’ve spent so much time with them at this point that it was a shame that some necessary sacrifices were inevitable in the fight. It’s amazing to see everything Yayoi has experienced and fought for coming together in a fantastically illustrated battle. This was so satisfying, even though it’s clearly not over. 4.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “I’m the Grim Reaper” Vol. 3, by Graveweaver

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

As a result of interrupting an attempted robbery, Scarlet is revealed to be a reaper in order to save Chase’s life. They cut a deal, but Satan – as he says – always gets what he wants.

This volume dives heavily into the morals of what makes a sinner worthy of reaping, which kinda shows why Chase is marked. Even with his backstory, he’s a bit too keen on knocking people off. No wonder his ass got fired. This brought to mind The Good Place and what standards send souls where they need to go. Yeah, Scarlet has to kill at least one sinner to save herself from being sent to hell, but Chase’s “we’re gonna cleanse the world of evil” spiel is dangerous. They still make a great team and the battles are well done. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Manhole” Vol. 1, by Tetsuya Tsutsui

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*This book is recommended for mature audiences.

After a sick naked man collapses in the street, the police try to track down where he came from, leading to a blood trail coming from the sewers. Meanwhile, whatever he was afflicted with seems to be spreading.

The parasite/virus is gross. If you don’t like body horror, skip this. It’s not a bad opener to a plague/zombie/infected type story but it’s pretty typical. The infection is slowly spreading, an investigation, creepy source of all the chaos; pretty standard for the genre. The two cops on the case. Nao and Ken, are the gruff experienced one, contrasted with the plucky newbie. The art can really get your stomach churning, showing postules, the parasite squelching under the skin, close-ups of bugs and blood… I am waiting for something to make this stand out from the rest. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Moan” by Junji Ito

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

This is a collection of short stories:

  • Supernatural Transfer Student – The “Supernatural Club” in a school invites the strange new kid to join them
  • Moan – A mother becomes obsessed with cleaning to the point that it corrupts the home
  • Blood Orb Grave – After a car accident, a couple ends up in a village where the residents are obsessed with blood
  • Flesh Colored Mystery – A woman is attacked with a strange substance
  • Near Miss – A flight suddenly goes missing and the desperate search to find it
  • Under the Ground – The graduating class of 1974 has its 20-year reunion, unearthing a time capsule but one classmate can’t let go of the past

None of these stories went where I thought they would, and that didn’t always work for me. They’re not BAD by any means, and a wild twist is preferable to something blandly predictable. I have to admit though, I was left confused more than scared most of the time. 3.9 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “After God” Vol. 6, by Sumi Eno

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

After Waka was kidnapped by Volov – who is demanding something from Alura – she attempts to escape only for Alura to awaken against Waka’s will.

Alura’s design is amazing. A real eldritch nightmare and gave me a real feeling of wrong, and is so very disconcerting. Overall, the volume is WILD but also sad. A LOT of plot points happen, and it balances the serious moments with some wackiness very well. It’s a total package, showcasing the best of this series: the horror, the action, great characters, and some amazing art. I honestly didn’t see things going the way they are and it’s been so much fun to read. 5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Dark Gathering” Vol. 15, by Kenichi Kondō

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

Yayoi has begun her assault on Yin Jiao while Eiko and Keitaro fight the god’s shikigami and recover the scattered graduates.

Yup, The Courtesean is still my favorite. It would be so interesting to have her and The Soldier working in tandem, given the unique suffering between them. What we got of them in this volume is phenomenal. Yayoi’s preparations and tactics built up over all this time are coming to fruition like dominoes falling. It’s beautiful and terrifying and I fucking love it. I know this is animated now and I can’t wait to see this absolute fabulousness actually move. 5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Fool Night” Vol. 6, by Kasumi Yasuda

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

Those against transfloration are attacking Transflora Medical while Hourai sets a trap for the antitransfloration movement.

I’d read an entire side series where Kanaeno is just being a badass. The absolute highlight of this volume. The plan was to lure out Dr. Kodai in order to clear the name of the company since everyone thinks they made Ivy. While that may seem simple, this volume turns it into bloody carnage. The fight scenes are so well done and while the art for Ivy’s killings always has an impact, it really shines here. Things are ramping up and I can see why; with all the rampant exploitation built into this system. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Dark Gathering” Vol. 14, by Kenichi Kondō

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

With all the sites claimed, Yayoi, Keitaro, and Eiko prepare for a showdown with Yin Jiao. Their plan is in place, but this vicious god has incredible strength.

Yeah, this turned out to be as intense as I thought it would be. The art for the spirits is still 10 out of 10 terrifying and interesting to look at when you get into the details of their designs. The fights are awesome! We’ve been building up to this for so many volumes, and so far, I feel it’s paying off. Yayoi is so fucking clever and Yin Jiao lives up to all the hype behind him. I don’t even wanna say much other than just go read this. It’s horror gold. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “After God” Vol. 5 Sumi Eno

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

Tokinaga has negotiated a treaty with the snake god, but Alura, the god inside Waka, is not in control of the transformation and is training to be of use to the Anti God Research Institute.

Waka can’t catch a break. She agrees to knuckle down and train to control Alura? Gets kidnapped instead. Again. Alura is so much trouble, even other gods are after both of them. I still feel like things are being set up for some larger plotlines later; like a cult, different kids with powers, sentient parasitic candy… All absolute madness, and I find it very intriguing! 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Stray Dogs: Omnibite Edition” by Tony Fleecs, Trish Forstner, Brad Simpson & Tone Rodriguez

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

Sophie can’t remember how she ended up in this new house with all these other dogs. They all seem nice enough, but she is certain The Master is hiding a terrible secret.

This story doesn’t take long to go from cute rescue dog meets other cute rescue dogs to the actual horror, and the type that’s grounded in real life. These aren’t magical dogs, it’s just told from their perspective. Trigger warning for murder of people and animals. I hope this doesn’t spoil too much, but I know people may want to avoid those if possible. As this is from the dog’s perspective, the art for them is more detailed and expressive for them than for the humans, who are mostly in shadow or off-panel. It’s a sad story but it’s very well done. I don’t entirely believe what they say about a dog’s memory, though. 4.5 out of 5.

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