slr2moons: a self-portrait, of me in my usual habitat: in front of my computer monitors! (chibi L)
slr2moons ([personal profile] slr2moons) wrote2010-03-16 08:52 pm
  • Add Memory
  • Share This Entry
  • Current Mood: contemplative
Entry tags:

First Chapter Reviews #3

I've been talking about posting my third set of first chapter reviews, and here it is at last. ^^ Two Korean manhwa in this installment!

Adventures of Young Det by Gyojeong Kwon, published by Net Comics, at least 3 volumes as of March 16th. This book's opening scene is a head-first dive into the trope classic Prophetic Vision of Future Doom, though an assembly involving all Important Bigwigs obsessing about fatalism in regards to the Vision is kind of different. This first chapter drops names like crazy, be they people, places, historical events, or the various races of this world. Seriously, I felt like I needed to start a list. O.o The book has two main characters, both teenagers and powerful magical prodigies. *yawn* Male MC possesses powerful dark magic and Female MC of course has the contrasting light vision power. She's the one who saw the Vision of Future Doom, BTW. Male MC is arrogant about his power, but to his credit, not irritatingly so. He spots FMC in that aforementioned assembly when she relates the Prophetic Vision of Doom. Of course he's immediately obsessed with her vast power and her short stature, scarred face, and rather plain demeanor, and particularly that she notices him (his power, rather) but does not react to him. She's almost apathetic about the Vision and him. ("OMG how dare she ignore my wonderful self?" *snicker*) MMC decides to become close to FMC "to help his clan as much as possible through the coming disaster". Mmhmmm, so very noble. The art is plain and straight-forward, without much variety and no creativity in poses or expression. Mid-chest up portrait-style shots everywhere. I read the first 59 pages and was uninspired to continue. MMC's personality could have maintained my interest, but FMC and the generic Prophetic Vision of Doom opening are serious turnoffs. Meh. It might improve in later volumes, but I already have plenty to read. :P

Alcohol, Shirt, & Kiss by Kuwabara Yuko. Published by June. One-shot. Rookie cop Main Character just broke up with his girlfriend and his fellow cop Partner took him drinking to drown his sorrows. The next morning, MC awakens to discover himself in Partner’s bed…along with Partner, who says MC was too drunk to go home. The next day, it happens again. The third day, MC wakes up naked this time, and Partner remarks he was quite frisky the night before. MC freaks out because he can’t remember anything. Partner reveals in a conversation with their captain (huh?) that nothing really happened, he just likes messing with MC, but he does kind of want him now because MC isn’t boring. The fourth night, MC has an erotic dream starring Partner, who is now rather sorry about his plan. Art is typical bishounen shoujo style, so pleasing to my eye, at least. Interestingly, MC is not the uber cute uke but is also a mature sexy man like Partner. It’s nice to see a change from the stereotypical BL standard. I found the first chapter amusing despite myself. I did buy my own copy of this manga a couple months later. I read the whole thing and enjoyed it. Let my try to redeem my tastes (if only a smidge) by saying it actually has some dark themes about deserving love and allowing yourself to have it. :B

Angel Diary, by Lee YunHee (story) and Kara (art). 11 volumes as of March 16th, 2010. Published by Danbi/Ice Kunion. Main Character is the Princess of Heaven, and she is very pretty and elegant. She runs away to Earth to avoid being forced to marry the Prince of Hell, leaving a rather hilarious note of explanation in her wake. She disguises herself as a boy in classic gender bending style and goes to school as a regular person. Two years later, supernatural hunters known as the “Four Guardians” are sent to look for MC, armed with a photo of her in her elegant princess guise. By this time, evil sprits are stalking her as well. MC is goofy and fun as cute uke type human boy. Fangirl-style fellow students in her school want “him” to date another guy, who is the classic Seme. Seme approves of this and steals a kiss. MC blushes, then decks him in a properly manly fashion. It’s rather obvious something is going on within Seme’s depths. He definitely knows MC is female, and I would not be at all surprised if he turned out to be the Prince of Hell. This title is typical shoujo fluff. I do like the character designs, though I think the plot suffers for setting up pretty art moments and squeeful fun. Clearly this is a title for younger or less discerning readers. The tones have moiré going on, at least in the copy I read. I have no interest in reading more, though I wouldn’t object if it was readily available and nothing more interesting was around. The art is pretty.

Past first-chapter reviews can be found on the Master Index Page.