glecharles's reviews
70 reviews

Witch Hat Atelier, Volume 8 by Kamome Shirahama

hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A delightful interlude that centers two side characters while also moving the larger plot forward.

Pluto: Urasawa x Tezuka, Vol. 2 by Osamu Tezuka, Takashi Nagasaki, Naoki Urasawa

adventurous emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Pluto: Urasawa x Tezuka, Vol. 1 by Osamu Tezuka, Takashi Nagasaki, Naoki Urasawa

adventurous emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

A fascinating take on the original Astro Boy story arc — shifting perspective and fleshing out side characters to give the underlying plot a lot more emotional weight. An excellent start!

Astro Boy Omnibus, Volume 1 by Osamu Tezuka

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Most of the stories hold up surprisingly well (except for White Planet), making it a good read for its time and today. Tezuka's intros are a nice addition, too.

Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art by Scott McCloud

informative inspiring medium-paced

5.0

First read this back in '03 when I got back into comics as an adult, and it still holds up as an invaluable must-read for anyone who wants to, well, UNDERSTAND the art (and history) of the comics medium.

Becoming Who We Are: Real Stories About Growing Up Trans by Sammy Lisel

emotional hopeful inspiring fast-paced

4.0

A diverse range of stories about childhood experiences growing up trans, written for kids but as important for adults.

Mission to Kala by Mongo Beti

adventurous funny sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

An entertaining and thought-provoking romp with a bittersweet ending.

The Many Deaths of Laila Starr by Ram V

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Believe the hype! I now wish I'd bought the hardcover edition because it's going on my all-time favorites shelf.

Quince by Sebastian Kadlecik, Kit Steinkellner

adventurous emotional funny inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The first few chapters didn't quite grab me because I'm becoming a cranky old man, but they were just confidently setting the table for an unexpectedly delightful story that actually had me tearing up by the end! ♥️ (I read this digitally, but the bilingual hardcover is beautiful!)

The Strange Tale of Panorama Island by Suehiro Maruo

dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Weird, shallow, but beautifully illustrated.