Greetings manga lovers! There’s been some great stuff coming out lately, and you’ll find even more great stuff below. If you’re new to the site or this column, each month I take Diamond’s Previews catalog and comb through it to find the best or most important volumes (like first and final volumes) of manga within its pages. Hopefully helping you create your own list of books to order or look forward to! All product descriptions are from Amazon.com unless otherwise noted.
Kris’s Pull List:
Mass Effect: Homeworlds #3, by John Dombrow, with art by Garry Brown. From Previews: “Mass Effect: Homeworlds returns with a brand-new tale of turian Garrus Vakarian, from Garrus’s Mass Effect 3 writer John Dombrow! Garrus has fought valiantly alongside Commander Shepard, but his time away from his home planet Palaven has seen crime and corruption take hold there, a contradiction that becomes clearer as he investigates the murder of a turian on Omega.” July 2012, $3.50, from Dark Horse Comics.
Cardcaptor Sakura volume 4 omnibus, by CLAMP. “The conclusion of the Cardcaptor Sakura saga! Now is the time for people to admit the feelings for other people they’ve held secret…but there are so many feelings, running in so many directions! What are the true desires of Eriol, the powerful young boy who is the reincarnation of Clow Reed…and why did he wish that Sakura would replace him as Master of the Clow?” September 2012, $19.99, from Dark Horse Comics.
Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time: The Eye of the World #27, by Chuck Dixon with art by Francis Nuguit. From Previews: “In the latest chapter of Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time: The Eye of the World, Lan rescues Perrin and Egwene from their Whitecloak captors, delivering them back into Moiraine’s hands. There’s no time to waste – they need to find Rand and Mat, now, before it’s too late!” From Dynamite Entertainment, $3.99.
Miles Edgeworth: Ace Attorney volume 2, by Kenji Kuroda. From Previews: “Miles Edgeworth is a long-time friend of ace attorney Phoenix Wright, and they were rivals in their early days as lawyers. When Miles himself was accused of murder, Phoenix stepped in to defend him. Inspired by Phoenix, Miles rededicated himself to the pursuit of justice. Now Miles Edgeworth must uncover the clues in a series of murder investigations. Are they separate crimes, or is each a piece of a sinister puzzle?” From Kodansha Comics, August 2012, $10.99.
Penny Arcade volume 8: Magical Kids in Danger, by Jerry Holkins and Mike Krahulik. “We understand there are a variety of child-rearing techniques, but exposing them to wizardism, or leaving them with phylacteries, lycanthropes, and nosferatu don’t seem like sound tactics. Is there a Bureau for Paranormal Children Services? They need a call about now. And tell them this collection includes every Penny Arcade strip from 2007, handcrafted creator commentary from Jerry Holkins (Tycho Brahe), mystical cover process from Mike Krahulik, and a foreward by Cliff Bleszinski.” August 2012, $14.99, from Oni Press.
Sakuran volume 1, by Moyoco Anno. “Kiyoha may wear the similar fancy kimono-dresses but she is not your everyday geisha. The hairstyle may be the same and she may have some of the finest clientele comparable to those of the most refined women in all of Kyoto, but she is not in the home of geisha and their maiko assistants. Instead, Kiyoha is in Yoshiwara, the infamous red-light district located in northeast Tokyo. And instead of being a respected geisha artisan, she is an oiran, a courtesan.” July 2012, $16.95, from Vertical Inc.
A Devil and Her Love Song volume 4, by Miyoshi Tomori. “Maria encourages antagonistic Ayu to be true to her feelings, but that simple action snowballs into a huge rift within their class! As secret crushes and hidden motives are revealed, the backlash of honesty just might destroy Maria’s efforts in uniting everyone for the choral competition!” August 2012, $9.99, from Viz Media.
Dawn of the Arcana volume 5, by Rei Toma. “Princess Nakaba of Senan and Prince Caesar of Belquat only married each other for the sake of peace between their two warring countries, and no one expected there to be love between the unlikely couple. But as Nakaba and Caesar grow close, political forces threaten to tear them apart— especially when Caesar’s brother Cain leads an attack on a village Nakaba is trying to save! As things heat up, will Caesar be able to protect Nakaba against his own brother?” August 2012, $9.99, from Viz Media.
Kamisama Kiss volume 10, by Julietta Suzuki. “Kuruma’s father, the Sojobo of the Kuruma tengu, is gravely ill. Nanami thinks she can cure him with her supply of Momotan, but first she needs to get past the magic shields of Jiro, the next in line for the leadership of the mountain. And Jiro isn’t the only thing on the mountain the gang needs to watch out for…” August 2012, $9.99, from Viz Media.
20th Century Boys volume 22, by Naoki Urasawa. “The time has come. The Friend reveals all about his conspiracy and declares that he shall destroy the world within seven days. Kanna plans a music festival to evacuate people to the Expo venue, which is the only place the dictator holds sacred and the only place safe from destruction. While the 20th Century Boys race toward the final battle, Kenji is coming back to Tokyo!!” August 2012, $12.99, from Viz Media.
Black Butler volume 10, by Yana Toboso. From Previews: “His royally sanctioned dinner party a shambles and a murderer on the loose, Ciel Phantomhive is a veritable prisoner in his own home, alongside those of his guests who still love. And in the most shocking of turns, the young earl finds himself now without his indispensable manservant, Sebastian. Never one to take misfortune lying down, Ciel seizes control of the investigation into the mysterious deaths. But as the mystery deepens, there happens upon the young Earl’s door an odd prieset, wearing an insolent smile and an Inverness cape!” July 2012, $11.99, from Yen Press.
Pandora Hearts volume 11, by Jun Mochizuki. From Previews: “Once, following the tragedy of Sablier, Jack Vessalius made a valiant sacrifice to stop his best friend, Glen Baskerville, by allowing his body to anchor a set of seals by which Glen’s soul was confined. But now these seals, long guarded by mages under the watchful gaze of Pandora, are being smashed one by one at the hands of the Crimson Shinigami, whose aim is to return their master to his once-whole state. The fragile peace achieved over the last century begins to writhe, like a horror released from Pandora’s forbidden box.” July 2012, $11.99, from Yen Press.
Also From Dark Horse Comics:
Angelic Layer Book 1, by CLAMP. “Angelic Layer is the prequel to the acclaimed Chobits series! Junior high student Misaki Suzuhara has just arrived in Tokyo to live with her glamorous TV news star aunt and to attend the prestigious Eriol Academy. But what excites her above everything is Angelic Layer, the arena game where you control an “Angel” – a miniature robot fighter whose moves depend on your mind! Misaki’s small, just like her Angel, Hikaru (named after her favorite manga, Magic Knight Rayearth), but her natural battle skills have been recognized by a very odd scientist, Ichiro “Icchan” Mihara. Before she knows it, Misaki is an up-and-coming contender in Angelic Layer…and in way over her not-very-tall head! How far can enthusiasm take her in an arena full of much more experienced fighters…and a game full of secrets?” September 2012, $19.99.
Oreimo volume 1, by Tsukasa Fushimi and Sakura Ikeda. “High-school student Kyosuke doesn’t get along with his cranky, dismissive, and secretive 14-year-old little sister Kirino, but he finds himself somehow protecting Kirino’s secrets – she’s not only a fashion model and a great student, but she’s got a huge collection of naughty video games and anime! This hilarious, charming hit series is filled with surprises and outrageous laughs. Who says girls can’t be otaku, too?” September 2012, $10.99.
Berserk volume 36, by Kentaro Miura. From Previews: “What Guts the Black Swordsman and his companions had seen as an island refuge from monstrous sea creatures and the ghost ship of the demonic Bonebeard is in fact the very lair of the malefic sea god that controls them. With no avenue of escape, Guts must once again don the Berserker armor to give his company any chance of survival. But without the protective influence of the sorceress Schierke, Guts risks being forever lost within the cursed armor and becoming an even greater threat to his comrades!” September 2012, $14.99.
From Digital Manga Publishing:
Itazura na Kiss volume 9, by Kaoru Tada. “Oh no!! Kotoko’s grades have her in danger of failing to graduate, while her beloved naoki moves forward with his plans to become a doctor. What does this mean for her plans to get herself into the nursing school program? if she doesn’t make it, she won’t be able to remain at his side, even at work! Add in the very real personal dramas of her classmates and it becomes quite apparent…the road to happily ever after sure is rough!” July 2012, $16.95.
I’ve Seen it All volume 1, by Shoko Takaku. “The Saikawa Clinic- where men with penile related issues come for treatment. The doctor there has seen it all…and quite frankly, it’s not as erotic a job as it sounds. That is, until gorgeous cell phone clerk Asano walks in the door with a simple case of phimosis. Asano just might be what the doctor ordered, to bring beauty, and maybe even love, back into his world!” July 2012, $12.95.
The Man I Picked Up, by CJ Michalski. “When men’s club owner Tamaki closes up, he’s surprised to find a battered man lying out front in the open. Responding to the man’s fear and need, he picks up the stray and takes him home to bind his wounds. It soon becomes all-too apparent that Kouta is much more like a stray, beaten down puppy than even Tamaki had first realized, but it also becomes rather apparent that Kouta feels more than mere gratitude. Is it only pity that Tamaki’s generous nature feels tugging at his heart strings, or has the stray Kouta found his home?” July 2012, $12.95.
Replica volume 3, by Karakara Kemuri. [Final volume.] “Manji the notorious killer Red Dog and his friends return with even more action as they face down their foe. In the final showdown, just who will be victorious? Find out in the action packed final volume of the popular action adventure series!” July 2012, $12.95.
From Seven Seas Entertainment:
I Don’t Like You at All, Big Brother!! volumes 1-2 collected edition, by Kusano Kouichi. From Previews: “Junior High School student Takanashi Shuusuke has a problem. His childhood friend Iroha has returned with a massive crush on him. And so does class president (and yaoi fanatic), Mayuka. While Shuusuke must choose between them, his biggest problem is his younger, adopted sister Nao, who has become jealously possessive of him. As all three girls vie for Shuusuke’s attention, he soon learns that all is fair in love and war!” August 2012, $16.99.
Lizzie Newton: Victorian Mysteries volume 1, by Hey-Jin Jeon and Ki-ha Lee. From Previews: “Jane Austen meets Agatha Christie in an all new shoujo series! Lizzie Newton, a young upper crust lady with a budding career as a mystery writer, is expected to know her place in Victorian society. Her father has arranged for her to marry the handsome Edwin White, who has put his rising career as a lawyer on hold to prove his love to Lizzie. While the headstrong Lizzie tolerates earnest Edwin, she is not yet ready to accept him as her fiancé. Besides, Lizzie is distracted by something far more important: an apparent suicide has occurred in the manor, and Lizzie is ready to solve her first real life murder case!”
My Boyfriend is a Vampire volume 5-6, by Han Yu-Rang. [Final volume.] “My Boyfriend is a Vampire is an all new shoujo comedy series in the vein of Vampire Knight, presented in two-volumes-in-one omnibus format. Seven Seas will release the entire angsty series across seven low-priced omnibus editions. Being beautiful is never easy, especially if you’re an eighteen year old boy like Ryu who is constantly mistaken for a girl because of his delicate good looks. Ryu is, in fact, anything but delicate. He is the ringleader of a group of tough kids in an all boy’s school, and he’s quick to beat the living daylights out of anyone who even hints that he resembles a girl.” July 2012, $15.99.
Also from Vertical Inc.:
Flowers of Evil volume 2, by Shuzo Oshimi. From Previews: “Bookworm Takao falls in love with Nanako but he cannot express his feelings through words. Instead he secretively acts out in a heat of passion which creates a huge scandal in his school. And there is one person who knows his true nature and this girl will do anything to nurture [what] this Charles Baudelaire hides.” July 2012, $10.95.
GTO: 14 Days in Shonan volume 4, by Tohru Fujisawa. From Previews: “Biker turned educator Eikichi Onizuka heads home to his sleepy surfer town and finds his hometown in desperate need of education reform.” July 2012, $10.95.
Also From Viz Media:
Yu-Gi-Oh! GX volume 9, by Naoyuki Kageyama. [Final volume.] “Battle to the Finish… The possessed Principal Mackenzie makes his final bid to crush the students of Duel Academy and seize Chazz and Jaden’s Spirit Cards! Jaden will need all his dueling skill as he battles his way through to the final Duel, fighting for his friends, his mentor Koyo Hibiki, and the fate of Duel Academy itself!” August 2012, $9.99.
Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan volume 10, by Hiroshi Shiibashi. “Yokai continue to break the eight seals of Hidemoto, which keep their leader, the dark Hagoromo-Gitsune, bound and powerless. In Kyoto, the scene of the main battle, Rikuo’s friend Yura and her allies face one of their own comrades, who is now possessed by an age-old yokai. Meanwhile Rikuo and his fellow Nura clansmen are speeding toward Kyoto via flying boat. But the followers of Hagoromo-Gitsune are determined to make sure their journey is anything but smooth sailing.” August 2012, $9.99.
Slam Dunk volume 23, by Takehiko Inoue. “Now that they’ve made it to the Nationals, Shohoku learns exactly where they rank in the overall standings compared to some of the other teams, and they don’t like it! Shocked to learn that they’re only a C-ranked team, they’ve got to get their game on to beat their A-ranked first round opponent, Toyotama. Even if they beat Toyotama, Shohoku’s opponent in the second round is last year’s champion, Sanno Kogyo. For Sakuragi, Akagi, Rukawa and the boys of Shohoku High, the real game begins now!” August 2012, $9.99.
Tegami Bachi volume 10, by Hiroyuki Asada. “With Lag out sick, Aria Link, second in command at the Beehive, takes over the job of delivering his letters. But even with Niche at her side, Aria finds that Amberground has become a dangerous place. Can she defend herself armed with nothing but a violin? Meanwhile, Lag’s illness takes a strange turn…” August 2012, $9.99.
Dorohedoro volume 7, by Q Hayashida. “Deep in the world of sorcerers, Caiman devises a daring plan to sneak into En’s mansion under the guise of a meat-pie competition, posing as Tanba’s wife (!) in order to infiltrate the darkest recesses of the crime lord’s sprawling estate. Unfortunately, the contract Nikaido was forced to sign with En is affecting her memory, and she may not even remember Caiman when he manages to get to her. Meanwhile, the Professor and his friends engineer their own escape from En’s dungeon with the help of a surprising friend from the Professor’s past. And finally, the mysterious Risu does a little digging of his own, tracking down the Cross-Eye hideout in a distant town.” August 2012, $12.99.
Genocidal Organ, by Project Itoh. “The war on terror exploded, literally, the day Sarajevo was destroyed by a homemade nuclear device. The leading democracies transformed into total surveillance states, and the developing world has drowned under a wave of genocides. The mysterious American John Paul seems to be behind the collapse of the world system, and it’s up to intelligence agent Clavis Shepherd to track John Paul across the wreckage of civilizations, and to find the true heart of darkness—a genocidal organ.” August 2012, $14.99.
Also From Yen Press:
Soul Eater Not! volume 1, by Atsushi Ohkubo. “Ding-dong! DEAD-dong! Class is about to start, and you don’t want to be late on your first day of school! Join new student Tsugumi Harudori in the NOT class at Death Weapon Meister Academy, a school dedicated to training transforming Weapons like Tsugumi and the Meisters who will wield them. Tsugumi is super-nervous about enrolling at DWMA-and even more anxious about choosing her p-p-partner! Featuring an all-new cast as well as a few familiar faces, Soul Eater NOT! gives readers an exciting peek at the lives of new DWMA students!” July 2012, $11.99.
The Disappearance of Nagato Yuki-Chan, by Nagaru Tanigawa, Noizi Ito, and Puro. “This spin-off of the bestselling Haruhi Suzumiya series takes place in the world of the “Disappearance” arc of the original novels, focusing on the high school life (and romance!) of a tentative and bashful Yuki Nagato quite unlike the one you’ve come to know and love through the usual exploits of the SOS Brigade…but no less charming!” July 2012, $11.99.
Durarara!! volume 3, by Ryohgo Narita and Akiyo Satorigi. “At the invitation of an old school friend, introverted high school student Mikado Ryuugamine, yearning for a life less ordinary, makes his way to Tokyo. His destination: Ikebukuro, a hotbed of madmen living out their most unusual lives. On his first day there, Mikado encounters a cast of characters so colorful, the rich hues of his rural hometown pale in comparison! As if the naïve stalker chick, the high school senior obsessed with the rather creepy object of his affections, the hikikomori genius doctor, the hedonistic information dealer, the strongest man in all of Ikebukuro weren’t enough…Mikado also chances upon a sight that leaves him rubbing his eyes and scratching his head – the Black Biker, who from bodysuit to license plate is black as night, soundlessly weaving through the streets like a figure out of an urban legend. Who is this “Headless Rider” on the jet-black metal and rubber steed!? And why does it seem like Mikado’s already gotten himself neck- deep into the insanity that’s the norm in his new home!?” July 2012, $11.99.
Book Girl and the Wayfarer’s Lamentation novel, by Mizuki Nomura. “Tohko will be graduating soon. Although that thought makes him sad, when he spends New Year’s with Kotobuki, Konoha feels the distance between them closing ever so slightly. However, when he hears that Kotobuki has been suddenly hospitalized and goes to visit her, he is reunited with a girl he never for a moment forgot! A girl who smiles exactly like she used to. However, Konoha’s bonds with those around him begin to creak loudly, and she is at the center of it all. What exactly is the truth? What is it that she wishes for? What are the girl’s true feelings, as the Book Girl imagines them? The long-awaited fifth volume!” July 2012, $11.99.
Misc:
There’s a few scattered things this month. A gorgeous looking D-Arts action figure of Konohana Sakura (Yukiko’s Persona) from Persona 4. Several doodads for Portal fans, including a Wheatley LED flashlight key chain, Portal cookie cutters, and a flashing, talking turret. Upcoming anime releases include: Bakuman season one part one, Fractale: The Complete Series LTD. Edition, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood collection two, K-On! season two volume one, Hetalia: World Series 2 (season four), Kurenai: The Complete Collection (which I highly recommend), Sacred Blacksmith: The Complete Series, Maria Holic Alive: The Complete Collection, and the Armitage III: Move Collection.
That’s it for this month. Happy pre-ordering!
My apologies for the lack of formatting, images, and links. I had considered not posting this at all, but I don’t know who reads these things or finds them useful. WordPress basically imploded on itself while I was trying to put this together, and it became impossible to do anything. So again, my apologies.
Kris
kristin@comicattack.net
@girlg33k_kris
