Dustin Cabeal 1/29/18 Dustin Cabeal 1/29/18

Review: Umami #3

By Dustin Cabeal

As I said on my podcast, if Umami had released just one more issue in 2017, it would have likely ended up on my best of list. The inner debate with myself was non-stop about this book a one or two more that were also very close to making the top five. What Umami has going for it above all other comics, is the overwhelming feeling of happiness that it fills you will. That is the main dish that Ken Niimura’s two characters are cooking up, joy and happiness.

Smrithi S 1/29/18 Smrithi S 1/29/18

Review: The Water Dragon's Bride Vol. 1

By Thea Srinivasan

This is going to be really strange to say, but seeing a child growing up within a matter of one volume makes enjoy this manga even more. It’s a really bad thing to say when everything is falling apart for one character, but I think that brings more emotion within the reader themselves. It’s almost like they’re a spectator for the godlike author. But really, what I’ve read in one volume makes me hope for more to come.

Cat Wyatt 1/29/18 Cat Wyatt 1/29/18

Review: Theatrics vol. 1

By Cat Wyatt

If you've taken a look at the description for Theatrics, you’ve probably noticed that it’s pretty vague and short. Don’t let that put you off from the series. Despite the description, Theatrics is a deep and intriguing study of human nature; the good, the evil, the flexibility and ability to recuperate and recover, and everything in between.

Smrithi S 1/29/18 Smrithi S 1/29/18

Review: Söngr #1

By Thea Srinivasan

For the first time in my life, I listened to Led Zeppelin. While I will never fall in love with them, I now understand why the authors of this piece chose to showcase their lyrics. But are the lyrics what readers want to read? Or are they just another menagerie of long-held desires by the author?

Cat Wyatt 1/29/18 Cat Wyatt 1/29/18

Review: Out of the Woods: A Journey Through Depression and Anxiety

By Cat Wyatt

Where to start; Out of the Woods is a beautiful and thought-provoking story that helps to explain the experiences one has when dealing with depression and anxiety. The main character, Brent is suffering from both, and like many people in today’s society is afraid of the stigma that comes with treatment. More than that, he feels it is wrong to have to take a medication or see a psychologist like they’re a sign of weakness. But the truth is, like any disease out there, the best way to handle it is to go see the appropriate medical professional to get help. Depression and anxiety are no exceptions, no matter how society may feel about it.

Kelly Gaines 1/29/18 Kelly Gaines 1/29/18

Review: Raven - Daughter of Darkness #1

By Kelly Gaines

The half human, half demon teenage superhero of the DC universe has gotten herself into another sticky situation. Raven- Daughter of Darkness #1, picks up where 2016’s Raven left off, with the deeply troubled Teen Titan trying for fit into ordinary suburbia and make a life with her devout Catholic aunt’s family. Being a demon in a church group is the least of Raven’s worries. In her efforts to prevent evil forces from taking hold of the innocent, Raven meets a young superhuman (well, more of a super being at this point - there’s no confirmation that she’s human yet) whose extraordinary powers have attracted the attention of government agents. Raven finds herself caught in the crossfire of a rescue mission gone bad, and comes face to face with another super-powered teenager with a murky moral history and a strong affinity for wearing hoods.

Dustin Cabeal 1/29/18 Dustin Cabeal 1/29/18

Review: Killing Bites E.01

By Dustin Cabeal

Killing Bites is a story that you can understand the existence of, but at the same time question the existence. If it were a video game, you would totally understand it. In fact, for those that remember and have played Blood Roar will probably find something to like about this series.

Usually, I would say that at the core, this is a story about people that can morph into animals and fight to the death. More than likely you’d be like, cool, I gotta check this out! But, it’s not just that. That’s what it could have merely been about, and hell, maybe it started off that simple but got lost in the boobies along the way.

Erika Suarez 1/29/18 Erika Suarez 1/29/18

Review: DARLING in the FRANXX- E.02

By Erika Suarez

Episode one lays out the mechanics of the piloted mecha suits and provides a deeper understanding how they’re used. The mecha crew we got a glimpse of in the previous episode was properly introduced. Hiro doesn't recall any memory of piloting Strelizia and only remembers the special "kiss" he had with Zero-Two. Fan Service crept up on us but is something expected from Studio Trigger and succeeds in maintaining.

Dustin Cabeal 1/29/18 Dustin Cabeal 1/29/18

Review: Dagashi Kashi 2 E.02

By Dustin Cabeal

My only concern after the first episode was how the shortened time length would affect the character development and plot progression. Thankfully, that fear was addressed here in the second episode of the Dagashi Kashi sequel.

What is particularly nice about this episode is that the time isn’t split. Often the series feels as if it’s in two parts so that two candies/snacks can be addressed realistically. With this episode, it all takes place in one day. Saya and Kokonotsu are hanging out at the candy shop when a big storm rolls in and in essence traps everyone. Of course, that doesn’t stop Tou and Hotaru from still showing up. This is after they’ve introduced baseball candy in which you press a button trying to get a winner and the idea is that kids will press it a lot and pay more than they intended. Saya says it’s shady, but Kokonotsu defends it… then they hear Hotaru pressing the button way too many times trying to get a winner, which she never does.

Erika Suarez 1/26/18 Erika Suarez 1/26/18

Review: Dragon Ball Super- E.124

By Erika Suarez

The tables turn when the Saiyans incredibly new power pushes back Jiren and is almost at his breaking point to release his full strength. The elevating fight is set back for this episode, and Super solely focuses on the rest of the warriors with the battle including Dyspo, Frieza, And Gohan. We see true leadership from Gohan when he takes the shots against Universe 11’s fastest warrior while he works as a team with Frieza. Sadly, the respected warrior is let down by an unsatisfying elimination.

Erika Suarez 1/26/18 Erika Suarez 1/26/18

Review: How To Keep A Mummy- E.02

By Erika Suarez

Episode 2 changes up it's setting when Sora Takes Mii-kun to school, and we find out that keeping a mummy is actually a handful, much like caring for any pet. Tazuki is eager to know what contains inside the pudgy mummy while the episode delivers simple and effortless character development between Mii-kun and Tazuki.

Dustin Cabeal 1/26/18 Dustin Cabeal 1/26/18

Review: Dagashi Kashi 2 E.01

By Dustin Cabeal

At first glance, Dagashi Kashi is a ten-minute-long candy commercial. There is no denying that, it’s a candy commercial through and through which is why I almost gave up on the first season of the show. If I hadn’t run out of shows to watch I may never have discovered the wonderful story that’s running alongside that candy commercial.

Dustin Cabeal 1/26/18 Dustin Cabeal 1/26/18

Review: Godzilla – Part 1, Episode 1 “Planet of the Monsters”

By Dustin Cabeal

Is it just me or does seeing anything labeled “Part 1” just kind of making you cringe. It’s like, Nah, just tell me how many parts there are already. Because frankly, if you told me there were six parts left, I would be a one and done.

The story for Godzilla, Netflix’s original 3-D animation produced by Toho, is that humans have abandoned Earth after Godzilla takes over. With the help of two alien races, they blast off into space looking to find another planet to fuck up. It’s been 22 years, and they haven’t found anything. Meanwhile, their resources are running low, so they are encouraging old people to basically piss off on suicide missions. Our main character Haruo is referred to as Captain, though it’s never and I mean never established why the fuck anyone calls him that.