Rising Stars of Manga, Volume 2

This is a collection of the winners' art from the second Rising Stars of Manga contest over in the USA. Consequently, there are many different genres represented here, which means that everyone will probably find something they really like and one piece they really really hate. Overall, I enjoyed these brief insights into the potential future of western manga and I recommend this to anyone who is interesting in something a little bit different within the manga 'classification'. I'll break it down, story by story, and summarise and review each one, which will hopefully help you form your own opinion of whether or not you'll want to buy this product. Peach Fuzz: This is a very cutesy story about a girl and her unwilling pet ferret, told from the point of view of both characters. While I personally don't think this should have won, it was very sweet and fun to read. Unmasked: I loved the idea behind this one. Taking a girl in a very typical manga setting (adoring fangirls, cat-girl, giant robots), and having her snap out at the bizarrity of her surroundings, was sufficiently different to attract and hold my attention throughout. Though I wasn't so fond of the ending, I loved most of it and particularly liked the style of the artwork. Possessions: Very Akira-like, this one shows how everyone has different priorities in the underworld of a slightly futuristic setting. The artwork is very good and the plot is intriguing throughout - this is definitely one of the best. The Calling Grounds: A little bit too clichéd fantasy for my liking. In a class of potential summoners, the one boy (boys don't become summoners, but this one is special) struggles to prove his worth. Mediocre, though the artwork is very pretty. Lovesketch: Awful. This is the one I truly hated. An utterly clichéd story about how a high school girl angsts that none of the guys like her (yawn) and hopes that a field trip will bring her and one of them together (predictable ending). I could barely finish this one, but I guess this kind of thing appeals to some people. Fowl Play: This one is hilarious. A little boy fears that the Thanksgiving turkey will eat him, but none of the adults believe him - so he takes matters into his own hands! This one had me grinning the whole way through. Dogby Walks Alone: Classic. I enjoyed this one so much I've just ordered the series version of this that Wes Abbott (the manga-ka) has just started. The main character is Dogby, a guy who works at a theme park - he's the guy in the dog suit. But when he suspects a shady plot, things get far more serious. I loved how many of the characters act within their themepark roles. It's such an unusual setting for manga that it had me hooked straight away. It'll appeal to fans of the more typical 'American' action-hero comics. Nikolai: M. Alice LeGrow makes her stunning debut with a short story of how an orphaned young girl finds a ghost in her new house and must help him rest in peace. With gorgeous, intricate