glecharles's reviews
108 reviews

Even Though We're Adults, Vol. 1 by Takako Shimura

emotional funny tense fast-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

Adorable but also kind of heavy, I'm unexpectedly hooked and want more.

Marketing: Manga for Success by Takashi Yasuda

informative medium-paced

2.5

Decent (but awkwardly translated) marketing 101 combined with a bizarre manga (marketing angels?!?) depicting some of its themes in action. A very weird book! 

Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Pérez

challenging informative sad medium-paced

4.5

Insightful and infuriating.

Hairball by Matt Kindt

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? It's complicated

3.0

Competent but not terribly scary nor original bit of cat horror.

They Came Before Columbus: The African Presence in Ancient America by Ivan Van Sertima

challenging medium-paced

3.0

A compelling argument that, while being an engrossing read, uses loose citations and heavy-handed speculation to make its case — as one might expect from an enthusiastic graduate student. I'd love to read a more recent assessment of his evidence because the core of his thesis seems plausible.

Wonder Woman Historia: The Amazons by Kelly Sue DeConnick

adventurous dark hopeful medium-paced

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

4.0

A stunningly beautiful example of Sequential Art, and also a compelling retelling (?) of Amazonian mythology that exceeded my wildest expectations.

Tomie by Junji Ito

dark mysterious 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? It's complicated

3.0

Like a TV show that starts out interesting and ultimately runs way too long, there's some interesting vignettes that stand out, but the overall story doesn't really go anywhere or say anything, and it gets repetitive after awhile. Ito is an intriguing talent, though, and you get hints of his potential here.

Breath of the Giant by Tom Aureille

adventurous emotional hopeful 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

Solid, but maybe lost a bit of emotional weight in the translation.

Ripple Effects by Jordan Hart, Bruno Chiroleu

adventurous hopeful fast-paced

4.0

Solid superhero story with a unique twist, supported by five insightful essays that give it added weight.

Your Black Friend and Other Strangers by Ben Passmore

challenging funny fast-paced

3.5

Indie comics and punk aren't typically my thing, and Passmore misses as often as he hits, but there are enough good,  thoughtful vignettes here for an entertaining read.