Psy-Comm, Volume 1: Volume 1

Non-Japanese, yet Japanese-style comics haven't really been so popular in the past. The Japanese largely think of them as rip-offs, and for the most part they'd be right. Every once in a while something comes along that's so good it ranks among the top of the art form it imitates. This is one such manga. The first volume quickly sets up a distopian sci-fi world that somehow seems all-too-familiar. Super-corporations wage wars and make stars of the combatants. Super-powered soldiers wipe out normal ones in huge swaths of carnage, and everything is a super-coated reality tv show version of a grim reality. The world of Psy-comm is cool, to be sure, but that's not the hook. What is, is the wonderful anime-style character development. There's two friends who are stars of the battlefield, but while one of them loves his celebrity status the other couldn't care less and more or less does what he does because it is his job. He's your typical anime/comic style loner who can't get over his past (a girl he cared about died in a battle and he blames himself). When he's on a mission and sees a girl who looks just like her, he decides there and then that he's done with killing, and runs away. Simple plot. Even clique'. But guess what? It works. The art style is clean and sharp and pulls you in, the action sequences are fantastic, moving at a fast pace and continually throwing surprises your way as powers are used in unusual ways. The pacing and way the story unfolds keeps you in anticipation of what will happen next. I waited years after the first volume was released for the second one, and feared that it had been canceled. Now I'm desperately anticipating the third volume. Right now, this is the ONLY comic I am still following volume by volume. If you enjoy anime, sci, or especially anime sci-fi, this is the manga for you.

Fast paced with an intriguing plot, nice dialogue and an inventive background. I really enjoyed it and recommend it to fans of Battle Angel Alita, Appleseed and Grey.

Psy-Comm is a fun romp through a sci-fi future in which war is a form of entertainment controlled by the media. It's running-man meets Mutant X. Its got a little bit of everything: action, politics, super-powers, romance... This first book (in what I hope ends up as a long on-going series) sets up the world and story very quick and very efficiently. I think it uses a lot of familiar themes from old cartoons/comics to its advantage, yet does not feel like more of the same. The writing does not over/underexplain and the art is very detailed. You can tell alot of thought and effort went into both. All around this is a quality book and if you are interested in US-bred manga then it is not one to pass up. Can't wait til the next one comes out.

I'm terribly excited about this book and where it's going! The art was absolutely beautiful and polished (in just about every way conceivable), and the story was captivating. And as far as a book made by Americans under the name of "manga", this is definitely one of the best I've seen so far. It's clearly not imitating and it has a lot to offer! Most importantly, it's not the type of sci-fi that only sci-fi fans will be able to enjoy. It has some real human elements that I think will help it to cross all types of genres. Take me--I read almost nothing but shoujo (Japanese comics geared toward girls that are more drama based), and yet I can't wait to read their next book. Go Psy-Comm!

This book is awesome! It is totally relevant with the present administration and the wars going on. This presents a future that is not too unbelievable. The basic idea is that wars are pretty much staged by corporations in the future (hah- aren't they now?)There are these psychic soldiers with different powers -think X-Men meets Logan's Run. The art is great, and the book is action packed. I can't wait too see what happens in book 2!