It’s been a bit slow-going new purchases wise for me as of late – time to put a stop to that! Plus last week’s Swag Bag was late, so I figure why not slip this one in early? While my preferred and go to location for shopping is always my local comic store, Strange Adventures, I had some gift cards and coupons that sent me to one of Halifax’s Chapters bookstore chain stores. When it comes to pricing, I wouldn’t recommend Canadians buy their books at Chapters because they charge full CDN price regardless of our dollar’s strength. That said though, it’s hard not to drool over the sheer amount of selection they have. With that in mind, I enjoyed purchasing from a few different publishers with my assortment of books this week.
It was boys’ love time first – and ouch do these take a chunk of your wallet at full cover price. Each new BLU Manga book (Tokyopop‘s BL imprint) are $18.99 each. None the less, I purchased the second and final volume of Madness because I wanted some more of that demon x priest action. What can I say – I love that dynamic! Going for something a little more straight-forward, into the pile went the one-shot You and Me, Etc. As one of BLU’s most recent releases, it has the larger cut size which is really great to see.
Speaking of larger cut sizes, I bought the second volume of Viz Media‘s Afterschool Charisma. The book is part of their SigIKKI line-up meaning it has both the large trim size and extra shiny cover design. I really liked the first volume so I’m eager to read this second part. The same can be said for volume three of 7 Billion Needles (from Vertical Inc.) – amazing first two volumes so here’s to volume three being as entertaining. Also an absolutely-must-buy was the thirteenth volume of 20th Century Boys – cue the zombie apocalypse without the zombies.
One more seinen to the pile, I bought volume four of Deadman Wonderland. The last couple of volumes have been a little messy execution-wise but the violence, intensity and in-prison conspiracy story makes it more than worth a continued read. But should I need a break from the darker content of the bulk of the books I bought, I topped off the receipt with the eighth volume of Silver Diamond. Pretty boys fighting with flowers and vines to save a dying kingdom – Lissa approved!
So what did you purchase this week?
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If it makes the sting on your wallet any better, Madness definitely has higher page counts, etc. than the standard manga does. Plus there's color pages, etc. (And I edited the second volume.)
I definitely noticed the extra bulk the second volume of Madness has – no complaints there for sure :) And great to hear about the colour pages too. I haven't unwrapped it yet so I haven't had the chance to oogle them.
I nabbed Bokurano Vol.3, and a volume of Rasetsu from the used manga pile :) This was mostly a comic week though, it seems. Should be getting the new Needles next week. Last week, I nabbed the 2nd volume of Sorcerors and Secretaries [had been meaning to get it for ages], and the Mistress Fortune oneshot GN, which had a nice foldout colour poster [pretty elaborate for a short series- just 1 book!], and an appearance by VIZ editor Nancy Thistlewaite :)
The Mistress Fortune one-shot was pretty cute; I especially liked the cover with the baby blues and pinks – so adorable! Nancy's cameo was really neat too, made for a great connect between the artist and western society. Pretty neat ^^
I think Afterschool Charisma gets better and better. I've really enjoyed reading it at sigikki.com, especially how it gets darker and darker with each twist. And any week with a new 20th Century Boys is a good week.
I really liked the first volume so I'm excited to read the second. I tried reading a few chapters on SigIkki.com but I just can't read manga on screen – I always seem to lose interest. I've no doubt it was worth waiting for print though :) And agreed on 20th Century Boys!
I got volumes 12-15 of I"s sonow I have the compleate set next on my list is the last four volumes of Sundome than last four of Sand Chroncles and Honey and Clover volumes 2 and 3. Than it's time to scramble my brain by buying Gantz and Fishugi Yuugi together
[…] Rice looks at this week’s new releases at Japanator, and Lissa Pattillo shows off her latest purchases at […]
I think I might end up checking out the next Arina Tanemura series too- the artworks so manic, it's fun stuff. Wish I'd nabbed the Full Moon set I saw awhile ago.