The Dreaming, vol. 1by Queenie Chan
TokyoPop, $9.99
I love gothic-style stories, so it's a treat to read this first volume in Queenie Chan's new OEL title. This comic has it all: a remote location, a boarding school in an old mansion, a dark forest, mysterious old ladies, secret twins, and seances. The twins in question, Amber and Jeanie, arrive at an old exclusive Australian boarding school, and are soon caught up in mysterious late-night happenings and other spooky stuff. Honestly, I eat this stuff right up! Chan's art is very good. She gives her characters a manga-style look without being derivative, her backgrounds are strong without being overpowering, and her layouts flow well. The tones are good too, providing excellent balance and enhancing the art. In all, this is the strongest of the TokyoPop OEL titles that I've read so far.
Rating: 3.5 (of 5)
Serenity, vol. 1: by Buzz Dixon & Min Kwon
Real Buzz Studios, $7.97
Serenity Harper, the new girl at school, it short and mad at the whole world. She swears, gets in fights, and tries to steal boyfriends. Luckily for her, the James A. madison High School Bible Club decides to take her under their wing, and is determined to introduce her to Jesus Christ, whether or not Serenity knows that she wants to be. I'm all for having positive religious messages in comics, but Serenity is so full of cliched characters and situations that it's nearly unbearable. Kwon's figure art is good at aping a manga style, but her layouts could be stronger and the backgrounds, when they appear, are merely servicable. For its intented audience--Christian youth who want a manga fix--I suppose this will do, and the comic doesn't completely shy away from teen-oriented issues (e.g. sex). But I prefer religious themes in my comics that are more challenging (e.g. Testament--golly but I miss Metron Press.)
Rating: 2 (of 5)
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