One Piece, Volumes 41-42 (Oda)

(Not a review, just some notes to help me remember the things I've read. But written this way because it's the Internet, and some people will stumble across this page.)

The Water Seven story line has moved to Eines Lobby where Nico Robin is being judged (more than tried) for her crimes, and nothing will stop Luffy of the rest of the pirates from saving her, even if Nico doesn't wished to be saved.

The new twist comes as Nico is handcuffed with shackles that cancel out fruit powers and are unbreakable with the correct key. Each of the villains has a key and takes off in different directions, so the pirates have to split up and try to take each of member of CP9, a highly elite government organization, down. And they have to do this before Nico Robin is whisked away to someplace where all hope will be lost.

The fights are slow moving and a bit repetitive but we get to see more of the CP9 agents in actions. The highlist of these two volumes is seeing Nico Robin's past and learning what it is that she's supposed to have done or what it is that she's capable of doing. Her quest for knowledge will not only be her undoing but will undo the world government.

Something happened nearly a millenium ago that isn't talked about or written down. It's the missing century in history. But the answers are out there if one knows where to look. This seems to be something as valuable to find as the One Piece itself that the series is named for (that I doubt we'll ever see, along with a return of Red-Haired Shanks.)

I'll keep reading, but I'm reading more regular graphic novels, and I wouldn't mind sampling other manga as well. I know this series goes on nearly forever. (I had an interesting conversation with my adult son who's been binging the cartoon so he can catch up with his friends. I believe he's at episode 1100, or a number equally ridiculous.)

If you stumbled across my page via the Internet, please check out my short book series, Burke Lore Briefs. A fantastical foursome of flash fiction and short stories.

A Silent Voice #01-03

A Silent Voice, Volume 1-3, by Yoshitoki Ōima (2015)

(Not a review, just some notes to help me remember the things I've read. But written this way because it's the Internet, and some people will stumble across this page.)

I was out for a walk when I came across a Little Free Library on a one-block-long side street between Atlantic Ave and Herkimer Street. Inside were six of the seven Harry Potter paperbacks, a copy of the Once and Future King, and three manga books from a series called A Silent Voice. A quick scan showed by it was a teen drama and I didn't see any images that would be awkward in my classroom. (Yes, I know they've seen worse, but I don't have to bring them in.)

I read one, and then decided to read all three. I've since discovered that there were seven books, which appear to be available as ebooks. Also, there was a movie based on the series that covered the main plot lines. (A student of mine told me.) However, it seems that Netflix won't show it to me because I have Netflix with ads and their licensing agreement won't allow it to be shown on a platform with ads.

The books follow Shoya Ishida, a bully who get ostracized by his friends and years later seeks redemption. The target of his bullying is a deaf classmate,Shoko Nishimiya, who he tormented so much that she switched schools. They meet in high school. He doesn't think he deserved to be forgiven or have anything good in his life (in fact, he's contemplating suicide but doesn't go through with it), and Shoko starts to like him as he starts to care about her.

I'm enjoying it so far, and I'll probably continue reading this during the summer when I have more time. (I have other things to catch up on.)

If you stumbled across my page via the Internet, please check out my short book series, Burke Lore Briefs. A fantastical foursome of flash fiction and short stories.

One Piece, Volumes 30-40 (Oda)

One Piece, Volumes 30-40, Eiichiro Oda, 1997-2003

(Not a review, just some notes to help me remember the things I've read. But written this way because it's the Internet, and some people will stumble across this page.)

Sometime in 2017, I made an entry for the first 29 issues of One-Piece. I read more after that, but I never made another entry. I guess I was waiting until I read another bunch of issues. For whatever reason, that didn't happen.

I will say that I took a break from the comic for a while because it did seem to drag quite a bit. This is by design. Manga unfolds slowly. But the pacing was really slow.

The break lasted long enough that when I started rereading sometime in the past year, I couldn't remember what issue I'd been up to. The first couple of guesses were incorrect. I had no idea because I hadn't posted anything. And yet I didn't fix this then, either.

Just recently, I finished Vol 41, and I'm starting volume 42. There are waits for the ebooks, but I got Volume 40-42 in one big book, so I had two choices.

In brief:

The Sky City arc finished and the Straw Hats come crashing back down to Earth -- or rather sea.

There's a short arc where the Monkey Go is challenged by another pirate to a Davy Back Fight where the losing ship must give a member of its crew to the winner.

And, finally, there's the Water 7 Arc with the Galley-La Shipbuilding Company, which is winding down, except that many people from the Water 7 arc carry over to the Eines Lobby arc and the rescue of Nico Robin.

Next update soon. Not nine years from now.


If you stumbled across my page via the Internet, please check out my short book series, Burke Lore Briefs. A fantastical foursome of flash fiction and short stories.

Remote, Volume 02

Remote, Volume 02, by Seimaru Amagi and illustrated by Tetsuya Koshiba (2005)

(Not a review, just some notes to help me remember the things I've read. But written this way because it's the Internet, and some people will stumble across this page.)

I couldn't find the correct cover online, so I posted the one above from an eBay auction. It looked better than the photo I took.

I believe I found this book in a Little Free Library although I suppose it could've come from Philcom. I saw it was volume 2, but I figured there would be a recap to bring me up to speed. Not really, just a description of the two main characters.

As with all graphic novels I find (and the ones that are donated), I flip though them before I put them into my library. Like Crazy Food Truck, this one had nudity in the first few pages as the young woman from the cover steps out of the shower. Unlike CFT, she's only naked this one time. Unlike CFT, this manga gets its kick with unnecessary, gratuitous upskirt shots. This is a specific camera angle used multiple times, instead of just showing the woman in her underwear or a skimpy bathing suit. If anyone wants to discuss my concerns offline sometime, come find me, possibly at the next convention. (Also, to highlight the fact that she's wired, there is only panel where her clothing is transparent but her body and underwear are not grayed out.)

The crux of the matter: this book is not going into the rotation in my classroom. It's going back into a Little Free Library in my neighborhood -- and not the one in front of the K-5 school!

Kurumi Ayaki is a police officer who is assigned to an elite unit in charge of solving crimes that have been classified as unsolvable. She does the legwork for Kōzaburō Himuro, a recluse, a "guy in the chair", who lives in the basement of his manor and doesn't come out. He's a genius with a tragic, traumatic past.

There are 9 or 10 chapters (I forget) in this book. The first few are dedicated to the crime from the first book, which gets solved here. This segues into a second crime involving students from a local high school. Ayaki goes to investigate -- to ask questions while her boss feeds her questions. While she's there, the school is threatened will bombs in the building, so Ayaki goes under cover as a new student, which catches the interest of a number of possible suspects. (The calls are coming from inside the school.)

If you stumbled across my page via the Internet, please check out my short book series, Burke Lore Briefs. A fantastical foursome of flash fiction and short stories.

My Hero Academia Volume 41 and 42

My Hero Academia Volume 41, by Kōhei Horikoshi (2025) My Hero Academia Volume 41, by Kōhei Horikoshi (2025)

(Not a review, just some notes to help me remember the things I've read. But written this way because it's the Internet, and some people will stumble across this page.)

Somehow, I never posted a review for Volume 41, so I'll comment on what I remember about it.

It's just as well that I cover both volumes at the same time because, in reality, the story ended in volume 41, and all that's left is to pick up the pieces.

SPOILERS -- Because there's just no other way.

In 41, Bakugo stands up to the rejuventated All-for-One, which makes sense because Bakugo has been a protagonist alongside Deku the whole ride. There are two major villains and he should be get to deal with one of them. It's at this point that you realize that All for One is not the bigger of the two threats even as he's been pulling the strings with Tomura Shigaraki. And then there's the fact that there's a mental connection between the two, which makes them something of a hybrid individual.

Seeing Bakugo taking on All For One after getting messed up royally by Shigaraki is absolutely heroic.

Deku's fight with Shigaraki takes a weird twist in 41. He gives up One for All to Shigaraki, knowing (guessing, really) that Shigaraki's body can't handle it, the same way that Deku couldn't at first.

So in the matchup at the very beginning of volume 42, the story is already over. Deku finally realizes that that little boy that he wanted to save is beyond saving. He gives him a punch that sends Shigaraki into eternity, now that he's powers, including his healing, aren't working.

And that's it. Story over.

Almost the entire volume is epilogue.

We see Class 1A become 2A. We see Aoyama leave the school voluntarily, making room for Shinso to join class 2A. New kids come in, idolozing the Class 2. We see Kota being aged up to being only a year younger than Deku (instead of probably 6 years younger), just so he can be there. (The author acknoledges this.)

And then everything jumps to 8 years later. Crime is down. There's less work for heros, but they still exist and have agencies. Deku is teaching. Bakugo has his own agency.

We get to see new hero rankings, which include most of the former 1A and 1B. A few people have relationships. They all meet for dinner, but, of course, it's interrupted. And finally, it's up to Bakugo, of all people, to give Deku relationship advice, and Deku finally goes after Ochaco. And it's a wrap on the series.

It was a fun ride while it lasted, and I hope there are more side projects where we get to see these kids as actual heroes, even if Deku has only embers of All for One remaining.

If you stumbled across my page via the Internet, please check out my short book series, Burke Lore Briefs. A fantastical foursome of flash fiction and short stories.

Crazy Food Truck #1 (Ogaki)

Crazy Food Truck #1
Rokurou Ogaki (2024)

(Not a review, just some notes to help me remember the things I've read. But written this way because it's the Internet, and some people will stumble across this page.)

This was a graphic novel (manga) that I found in a Little Free Library. I'll bring it back to another one.

I look for graphic novels to bring into my classroom for my high school students to read in a Graphic Novel class (because few, if any, bring in their own). However, withing three pages, there was a naked lady (a young woman, age unknown, actually) in an open sleeping bag. Everything was obscured by fog and whatnot, but I could imagine the reaction. That, in itself, was borderline. However, within a few pages, she was buck naked and fully visible. It's not too much for my students, but it's too much for me as the adult in the room to bring it into the class.

Okay, then...

In some fanciful post-apocalyptic wasteland, Gordon runs a food truck. He sets up shop and starts cooking depsite there not being any people around. While he's driving, he sees a sleeping bag in middle of the road. He goes to yell at the owner when he discovers Arisa who is sleeping naked in the bag. When she wakes up, she eats everything in the truck with her ridiculous appetite.

We later find that the military is looking for Arisa and that she's escaped from some government institution or whatever. We also later learn that Gordon is former military who now just wants to drive his truck.

There isn't much to this. Looking online, I see that the entire run of comics was collected into three volumes, so I could read it but only if one of my libraries picks it up. It's not something I'm going to go looking for -- and definitely not something I'd pay for another volume of. But if volume 2 shows up in a LFL, I'll grab it.

This one is definitely going back somewhere. I'm not leaving it in my classroom or my basement.

If you stumbled across my page via the Internet, please check out my short book series, Burke Lore Briefs. A fantastical foursome of flash fiction and short stories.

Eden: It's an Endless World! Volume 1 (Endo)

Eden: It's an Endless World! Volume 1
Hiroki Endo (1997/2005)

(Not a review, just some notes to help me remember the things I've read. But written this way because it's the Internet, and some people will stumble across this page.)

This was a book that I picked up at Readercon in Boston, MA back in July. It was on the freebies table, and I only took it because it was volume one.

From Good Reads:

Eden Volume One is both a brilliant love song to the post-apocalyptic survival genre and the beginning of a deep exploration on man's role in the natural order. In the near future, a large portion of humanity is wiped out by a brutal, new virus that hardens the skin while dissolving internal organs. Those who aren't immune are either severely crippled or allowed to live with cybernetically enhanced bodies. Taking advantage of a world in chaos, a paramilitary force known as the Propater topples the United Nations and seeks world domination. Elijah, a young survivor searching for his mother, travels towards the Andes Mountains with an artificially intelligent combat robot. When he encounters a group of anti-Propater freedom fighters, a maelstrom of unique characters unfolds. Graphic, cyberpunk, and philosophical, Eden is a place where endearing heroes face a constant struggle for survival and violent surprises wait around every corner!

It was an interesting story and a quick read. It's not available from any of the local libraries. The series was popular when it came out in English, or so I've read.

The story follows two immune teens and a scientist who is succumbing to the disease and who also had a hand it its spread. There are a lot of flashbacks to a time when the virus started and pockets of humanity are protected within governmental walls.

It then jumps ahead a generation where the child of the two teens is traveling with a robot.

No, I'm not describing it well. Also, I'm curious what happened to his parents.

My Hero Academia Volume 40

My Hero Academia Volume 40, by Kōhei Horikoshi (2024)

(Not a review, just some notes to help me remember the things I've read. But written this way because it's the Internet, and some people will stumble across this page.)

The story is winding down with the former All-Might facing off against the foe that ended his career. All Might had been using all sorts of technology to mimic the powers of the students in 1A (who should be in 2A by now, right?)

All Might had no chance at victory, but as with Batman said in an episode of Justice League, I'm not trying to beat you, I'm trying to stall you. Bakugo arrives for a final showdown. Remember that Bakugo holds himself responsible for All Might retiring.

The story is winding down, and Deku will have to take down Tomura Shigiraki.

I'll be sorry when this story ends if it means that publication ceases. The story will have been told, but there's more stories to tell with all these heroes.

Volume 41 is on hold at the library.

If you stumbled across my page via the Internet, please check out my short book series, Burke Lore Briefs. The fourth book will be available by the time you see this!

My Hero Academia Volumes 38 and 39

My Hero Academia Volume 38 and 39, by Kōhei Horikoshi (2023)

(Not a review, just some notes to help me remember the things I've read. But written this way because it's the Internet, and some people will stumble across this page.)

Not really a lot to say other than I enjoyed them. This blog entry is mostly so they'll be counted in the year-end total. The final battle is still being drawn out. As with a lot of manga, the more action there is, the more difficult it can get for me to tell what's going on. But some of those background scenes and cityscapes are just amazing.

The books (in English) have caught up to the show (in Japanese with subtitles). The show recently eclipsed the books, particularly with Ochaco Uraraka and Himiko Toga.

Next book will be reserved as soon as possible.

My Hero Academia Volume 37

My Hero Academia Volume 37, by Kōhei Horikoshi (2023)

(Not a review, just some notes to help me remember the things I've read. But written this way because it's the Internet, and some people will stumble across this page.)

Spoilers for the "final battle", which may or may not be final because I don't know how long this fight and this manga continue afterward.

Deku arrives to confront Tomura Shigaraki, who is now melded with All For One (or possibly not). Bakugo is done but may survive with another hero's sacrifice. Spinner's added quirks cause trouble for some members of Class 1A (or 2A now, I guess), but they also cause trouble for Spinner whose mind is becoming as beastly as his body. And Todoroki's victory over Dabi may have been premature.

It was a quick read that became available sooner than I expected, and I plowed right through it, putting other things on hold.

Volume 38 is on hold. Hopefully, I'll have that in a few weeks.

My Hero Academia Volume 36

My Hero Academia Volume 36, by Kōhei Horikoshi (2022)

(Not a review, just some notes to help me remember the things I've read. But written this way because it's the Internet, and some people will stumble across this page.)

Now that I'm caught up, I'm reading these once every few months, so I'll list them separately.

The "final battle" continues. I notice that the anime that I'm watching on Hulu has almost caught up with the books. This past Saturday, Monoma copied powers that allowed him to use Kurogiri warp gate abilities to separate all of the villains into groups where heroes would be waiting. (Deku unfortunately gets snagged and dragged into the wrong portal.)

As shown on the cover, the highlight is the showdown between brothers Dabi and Shoto. Dabi notes that Endeavor didn't come himself and assumes he's too ashamed to be there. This doesn't bother Dabi because he wants to destroy everything Endeavor holds dear before disposing of him.

At the coffin in the sky, Tomura Shigaraki still has the power to create more hands from his body as a natural ability. However, his Decay quirk is being negated by Monoma who is standing by Aizawa so that he can use his ability past the normal time limit. (Aizawa has one eye bandaged -- I don't remember if he lost it entirely -- and his ability isn't what it had been.)

Without Deku, they can't finish off Shigaraki.

Three month wait for the next book.

Fangirl: the Manga (Volumes 1, 2, 3)

Fangirl: the Manga (Volumes 1, 2, 3)
Manga adaptation of Rainbow Rowell's Fangirl by Sam Maggs (2020-2023)

(Not a review, just some notes to help me remember the things I've read. But written this way because it's the Internet, and some people will stumble across this page.)

Looking for random manga and the New York Public Library website recommended "Fangirl", which was a four-part adaptation of a novel, which I wasn't familiar with. So I started reading it. What I wasn't aware of at the time was that the fourth and final book has not been published yet. Arg.

Yes, I'll borrow it sometime after it comes out.

There are twins named Cath and Wren, whose mother only had one name picked out (Catherine). The two were fans of "Simon and Baz", two characters from popular fiction (I'm guessing similar to Twilight, but I never read that and has no plans to). They are "shipped" together despite the fact that neither of the characters are gay in the source material. For that matter, neither of the sisters are gay either (at least in the first three volumes).

The two are going off to college, but they won't be rooming together. Wren knows that they need to spread their wings and be individuals. Cath is a little afraid of this. Wren is the extrovert which gets her into trouble sometimes, and Cath is an introvert who stays in her room if her roommate doesn't drag her out of it.

Wren has given up on the fanfic. Cath still lives for it, so much so that it interferes with her creative writing class.

Wren starts to reconnect with their mother, who abandoned the family when the kids were little. Cath hates her mother and doesn't want to see her again.

And Cath falls for her roommate's ex-boyfriend who is a fan of Cath's stories.

Nothing objectionable. An interesting read. Obviously, I'm not the target demographic for this.

If I had any complaint, it would be the construction of the books that I got from the library. The first book was formatted like a regular graphic novel, not magna. The front page was on the left. The second and third books start on the right BUT ... and this is the annoying part ... the pages themselves are meant to be read from left to right, not right to left. THAT was confusing.

But I dealt with it.

Waiting for part 4. I don't think I'll read the actual book though.

Manga: The Devil in a Part-Timer, Volume 17

The Devil in a Part-Timer, Volume 17
(2017)

(Not a review, just some notes to help me remember the things I've read. But written this way because it's the Internet, and some people will stumble across this page.)

This is just here for completeness.

Walking past the library one Saturday morning a couple months ago, someone had left a bunch of books outside on top of the book return bin for anyone to take. There wasn't anything of real interest, but I saw this one volume of a manga that I hadn't heard of. Even though it was Volume 17, I figured it'd be enough for me to decide if it was something I'd like to find the first volume of and read through.

If what I guessed is true, the devil is a teenager for some reason, and in this particular episode, he's concerned about getting his driver's license. At the same time, another character is missing, and others show up looking for her.

By the end, demons are showing up and there's a showdown, which you'd expect any manga to have.

Nothing gripping. I didn't hate it, but I don't think I would've read volume 2 if I'd picked up volume 1 instead. I'm not planning on looking for this series.

Note: After I read this (more than a month ago), I was looking at the anime listings on a couple of platforms, and I saw that this is a show. If I had time, I might watch the first two episodes, but it's low on the list.

My Hero Academia Volumes 32-35

My Hero Academia Volumes 32-35, by Kōhei Horikoshi (2021-2022)

(Not a review, just some notes to help me remember the things I've read. But written this way because it's the Internet, and some people will stumble across this page.)

Apparently, I haven't listed a review of one of these manga books since last November. I've been requesting them whenever they become available at the library. These are the past four books. There is one more listed online, but it isn't available at any library at the moment.

We're getting new adult heroes as the continuation of the All-For-One story line continues, along with the development of Shiguraki, and the big reveal over who Dabi really is. There is less about the students, but they do get bck into the action.

The time jump has Deku out of school on his own. It gets dark as he pushes himself farther and farther, and the heroes let him. Eventually, his former classmates are able to bring him home before he falls too far. He costume is fuzzy and raggedy, and it isn't so obvious that he's a hero.

The world isn't happy with heroes, especially with all the villains on the loose. (The prisons have been emptied.) And my heroes are just quitting. And then we learn that there was a traitor in the midst at the Academia, and the writers even pointed out just where they planted the seeds and nearly did the reveal sooner.

One book brings in another new American hero into Japan so we see more of what is happening around the world.

If anything bothers me here, it seems like the end of the series is coming with the conclusion of these story lines, even though this is the story of how Deku became the world's greatest hero, according to the intro of every issue. He hasn't even graduated high school yet.

Next issue isn't available at the library, but as soon as it is, I'll have it on hold.

My Hero Academia Volume 31

My Hero Academia Volume 31, by Kōhei Horikoshi (2017-2019)

(Not a review, just some notes to help me remember the things I've read. But written this way because it's the Internet, and some people will stumble across this page.)

This is the most recent issue available, and it merits a separate entry even if it was only 40 minutes of reading.

I'll have a separate entry for the spinoff My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, which I'm also up to date on.

This book came as a little bit of a surprise. I put a hold on it at the library a while back and suddenly there it was.

The series has gotten a bit dark, with its emphasis on the League of Villains and the Paranormal Liberation Front. but now we discover Dabi's true secret, and the revenge that he's been waiting for. No spoiler, but it's dark, and it concerns the new Number 1 Hero.

Despite being on the cover, Izuku Midoriya (Deku) has little to do since he's in the hospital from his battle with All for One's vassal Shiguraki.

So if I had a problem with this series, it's this: it's supposed to be about a high school. While I'm happy Japan's active heroes appear and get showcased, and even happier that a squad of high schoolers do NOT run off and save the world every issue, the focus has shifted. The bigger issues in the world have taken center stage. But we seeing it from the front lines, not through the lens of the teens in training.

And, again, without a spoiler, after 30+ issues that just about got us through a single year, the reveal on the last page with Mioriya was a head scratcher. There's a sudden jump in the timeline (a few months) and a rash decision for someone training to be the world's greatest hero. And it's practically an off-the-cuff aside.

Oh, yeah, I'll have the next issue on hold at the library.

My Hero Academia Volumes 22 Through 30

My Hero Academia Volumes 15 Through 21 , by Kōhei Horikoshi (2017-2019)

(Not a review, just some notes to help me remember the things I've read. But written this way because it's the Internet, and some people will stumble across this page.)

I am now caught up with all the books that are currently available at the New York Public Library in ebook format. I could switch to one of the spin-offs next month or later.

In these 9 volumes, I have caught up with and passed the TV series. Now I know why the last season of the show obsessed with the League of Villains for almost the entire run. Because the manga was obsessed with it and Re-Destro for several volumes, and beyond.

The thing is, this was a show about a high school for future heroes. And while it's great to get more backstory, and see more of the active heroes, the high school itself gets lost. There are occasional training bouts between the classes. And we've gotten more of Midoriya, Bakugo and Shoto and a few of the others, but the rest are almost minor characters. Yes, there's a greater storyline going on, but it does seem to drag out a bit.

The students in Class 1-A still haven't finished their freshmen year yet.

If there's another complaint, it's that Shigaraki has the powers of All-for-One, but Eraser stared at him for a couple of volumes to nullify his powers. Even still, he withstood super furnace blasts from Endeavor, which should've incinerated him. Now, the hero isn't looking to kill the villain, but if he's pumping his power up that high, how is the guy still standing?

The last volume I read (30) had a big reveal for Dabi, and what the source of his powers are, and what's up with that jaw of his. I wonder if that had been planned from the start or they thought it up along the way. The creator said that he could imagine the story running 30 issues, and here we are, so maybe. But there's more to do. Midoriya hasn't become the Number 1 hero yet. He hasn't finished school yet. And he hasn't had all of his powers manifest yet (even if they didn't all manifest for prior holders of One-for-All.)

I'll have to keep an eye out every so often for the next volume. Then again, I read 8 of the 9 parts of that other thing. I wonder if it ever came out.

My Hero Academia Volumes 15 Through 21

My Hero Academia Volumes 15 Through 21 , by Kōhei Horikoshi (2017-2019)

(Not a review, just some notes to help me remember the things I've read. But written this way because it's the Internet, and some people will stumble across this page.)

The Yakuza line plays out (and some of the visuals get very complicated to look at) and Eri is saved, and her power saves Deku.

After this, it's time for the school festival which is a chance for the non-hero courses to be recognized. Class 1-A decides to put on a dance for the students, allowing Jiro to shine. Bakugo is a mad drummer. (He's a mad everything, I guess.)

This also introduces the Gentle Criminal arc, which is thankfully brief. He just wasn't that good a villain on TV and his sidekick was annoying. I thought she was a child at first, but she's just a very short woman.

Next Endeavor steps up as the Number One hero, and he needs to show the world who he is. He immediately gets his chance facing a more evolved Nomu. It's a long fight that he finally wins, with a little assist from Hawks (who is hiding things). Finally, it's back to training for Class 1-A and 1-B. Shinso shows up to train with them and he has Eraser's scarf on him. By the end of book 21, there have been two of the five matches before the classes.

Side Note: I borrowed the first volume of SMASH!, to see what that was about. It's like daily strips (4-panel vertical) that satirize or parody the main story line. I didn't make it through the first half of the book. Maybe it's the cartoony 3-head artwork, maybe it's the level of the humor, I don't know. I tried. Couldn't do it.