Attack on Titan: Volume 7 by Hajime Isayama *Spoilers*

The poor Survey Corps! Another fruitless mission. The only thing they learned was that there is another human who can turn into a Titan. I'm fairly certain the commanding officers already knew about the existence of this female Titan. Their attempt to capture her significantly reduced their numbers as only 20% returned home from battle. Needless to say, Wall Maria was not recovered.

Reading this volume has shown me that the Isayama has improved significantly as manga artist. On a quick comparison of the illustrations in volume 1 to the panels in volume 7, I see a noticeable improvement in the perspective of many of the panels. Where I felt that much of volume 1 had a minimalist style due to a lack of skill, I do not feel this way about the panels in this later volume. There is more detail and movement within the action scenes and the characters expressions feel less cookie cutter and more varied.

I did purchase volume 8 & 9 yesterday. I am a sucker for mystery so I need to know who the female Titan is and whatever their intention may be. Sucker.. I know. I do not even know if the author has written the answer yet. I won't research it for fear of ruining the plot for myself.

Pretty Deadly #4 by Kelly Sue DeConnick & Emma Ríos

A bit of direction has materialized with issue #4 and it feels as if the book is now truly beginning. Sissy is in the hands of  Coyote and Fox fesses up to Sissy's true lineage.

Oh whole thus far, the book has been pacing itself, letting a dead rabbit and a butterfly lead us in cryptic narration. It was pretty cute (how morbid am I that I think a dead rabbit makes a cute narrator?). Yet I can feel this story becoming more cohesive and all the pieces fitting together where up until now, they felt jumbled.

I've said it before, but I might as well say it again, the artwork is gorgeous. It's so up my alley and the whimsy I experience while reading it is not unlike the first time I read the Sandman series. Which may speak more about the metaphor and symbolism spattered throughout, than the actual art.

I look forward to seeing where the author takes the story from here on in.

Saga # 18

Lying Cat on the cover!! AWESOME!

I know I am so late getting me hands on this but I finally grabbed it yesterday and gave it a good read. As often said by most Saga fans, it really sucks reading it monthly issue by monthly issue. You really want it all! All now! Brian K. Vaughn is the kind of cliff hangers. Y the Last Man drove me absolutely mad with wonder at the end of a chapter.

I do not feel like giving a summary of what happened because I do not feel like spoiling it! There are a few surprises in this issue. However, I will let you know that after this article we will be thrust into the future to witness a walking Hazel. I was beginning to wonder when we were going to see more growth in our narrator. Finally eighteen issues in, we're getting somewhere.

Something else I noticed, there weren't any particularly vast and memorable panels in this issue. Panels that grab you for their artistry. Sometimes I feel like Fiona Staples is a bit rushed. It could be simply because I've seen much of her previous work which is more detailed. At any rate, it must be terribly difficult to stay on schedule art-wise with a monthly release and it really is STILL very much fabulous. What did you think? I would love some feed-back. Feel free to argue with me. ;)

Attack on Titan : Volume 6 by Hajime Isayama

This is getting very confusing.. Female Titan?? no wait, female-esq Titan that is being controlled by a human being?? Let's see them explain this one. As long as it's explained by magic, mysticism or some other such nonsense, I will be happy.

One detail worth noting is the lack of romantic side plot in the series. Sure, a lot of people might see something happening in the future regarding the relationship shared between Eren and Mikasa. However, I see their bond as a deep sense of loyalty resulting from a childhood of trauma and mistrust of others. When adults couldn't be trusted, Eren and Mikasa found trust in each other and it stabilized their world. I don't think that the author wishes to construe this unique friendship as romantic. At the very least I hope he leaves a romantic relationships out of the story entirely. The future of Attack on Titan? If anything, I suspect Mikasa of being able to transform into the lady Titan but that does wrap everything up in especially neat package and I have never been a fan of such things. Too convenient. I have thrown books across the room for less. 

If you think about it, Mikasa and Eren would make a terrible couple. Mikasa is always slapping people for their terrible behavior and Eren is generally erratic and poorly behaved. Unless they intend to implement some dom/sub 24/7 regime, I would see the relationship quickly going south and the two will be a pair of unhappy drunks slapping each other about. Of course, I don't think law behind the walls have any concern over domestic abuse with the threat of Titan looming everywhere about. The two certainly would not be receiving any help from counselors, AA or law enforcement when Mikasa smacks puny Eren into oblivion. Unless of course he turns into a Titan and kills her and everyone else during a drunken brawl. Nope, I do not think romance between these two is good for the story at all. hmm... this all got very real and dark. Moving on.... Volume 7 tonight!

Attack on Titan : Volume 5 by Hajime Isayama

A huge step up from the disappointing majority of volume 4, we finally are back on track with volume 5 and back to reading about the present. I don't mind flashbacks. Some of my favorite manga series are built on flashbacks. For instance, Berserk's 15 volumes of flashback at the beginning of the series (teehee) but I was really bored and uninspired by the last volumes less than dramatic trainee tale. I am very happy that this story and back in full swing.

Volume 5 starts out with a side-story of immense importance! A talking Titan! The importance and explanation behind this revelation is yet to unfold but the survey corps has uncovered a diary containing this first-hand information. A soldier sacrifices themselves to write this truth. I have shivers!!

In addition, Eren, Mikasa and Armin are reunited when Mikasa and Armin join the survey corps where Eren is held under special supervision. His titan powers to be used for the good of humanity. This is where the story gets really interesting. If you didn't like the first couple books, hold out for this one! I am beyond excited to read volume 6! Getting in on it right about.........NOW!

Attack on Titan: Volume 4

This was not my favorite Attack on Titan volume to date. In fact, I did not start having fun until 10-15 pages towards the end. I found the back story of the characters to be boring. Up until this chapter I found flashbacks to be captivating but this… I put it down several times because of the slow pace. For me to do that with a volume of manga, it’s pretty damn bad.

For the majority of the book, we are in the training corps with the main characters and watching them starve for the most part. I did not find much interest in the personalities of the characters. Mostly I just feel they lack defining characteristics, so much that the author bothers to point out for 3 pages what personality traits each character has! Ineffective writing.

Towards the end of the book, we’re back with Eren who’s just awoke from his coma. It looks as if he’ll get his wish because the Survey Corps shows interest in him and his new Titan Transformation ability. 

I'm BACK! A little update~

I took a little break from writing to reset, re-assess and recharge. Anyway I feel quite good despite my recent bout with the flu that finally allowed me a little reading time. (In between the bouts of watery eyes, of which there were many.) I'm please to let you know that there will soon be posted some Attack on Titan reviews among other things and I'll be visiting the comic shop this week to get back on track with my singles. Although I haven't missed much I'm afraid. I've been very disappointed in The Walking Dead as you all know and I don't care to read it much at all anymore (although I will).

Lately, I have had little spare time as most of my time away from the office has been dedicate to bettering my physical health at the gym and ramping up the Nightshade events. As some of you know, I co-host a costume party that happens every three weeks here in Halifax. As a result, I'm often working on costumes and decorations for the events. It's actually a lot of work. As a result I have been obsessed with costuming and just got a sewing machine. My recent pursuit in Lolita costumes has led me into the study of sewing circle and bustle skirts. The bustle skirts of course coming in handy with my love of Steampunk (also an upcoming Nightshade theme).

I have also been working on the condo. My wonderful partner Chris and I have finally finished making it a proper home and I get to come home and make dinner, rather than opening boxes and finding places for things. I am looking forward to going home tonight and making bimbimbap, or bibibap.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentines Day! I spent mine quite sick with the flu but Chris made it wonderful despite the whole virus thing. ;) More to come!