Ex Machina, Vol. 2: Tag

Book Description

This second volume of Eisner Award-winner(Best Writer, Best New Series) Brian K. Vaughan's Ex Machina collects the TAG story arch. Plus, learn how much the National Security Agency had on the career of the Great Machine.What forced Mayor Hundred to make one of the most controversial decisions in the history of New Yrok politics.This volume features an introduction by the Wachowski brothers and an all new cover by Eisner Award-winning artist Tony Harris

Customer Reviews:

A good comic gets better.......2007-09-06

Mitchell Hundred continues his third career: engineer, unwilling superhero, and now willing but inept mayor of NYC. Well, if you want something done strangely, count on an engineer. They're generally so honest that there's no way to guess what they'll do next - something logical, usually, and that always takes everyone by surprise.

This fictional world moves through the year or so after the 9/11 attacks on NYC and DC. In that world, though, Hundred managed to save one of the towers. And now, as mayor, he has the privelege presiding over the wedding of one of those heroic first responders, Todd Wylie, and his boyfriend. While that ruckus gets up to full volume, something quieter and more deadly is taking shape under the city ...

Vaughn and crew give a lot to like. The story is current and topical, but distant enough for escapist fiction. Vaughn's artwork carries the book - it's skilled and expressive, it has some of Chaykin's monumental quality, but with livelier and more natural poses. Continuing that "more natural" theme. Vaughn isn't afraid of ladies with shoulders, hips, and curves, or of the occasional goofy look on someone's face. The lines are gentler and the palette more subdued than Chaykin, too - but there's nothing imitative in the visual style.

I alrady have the next collection of Ex Machina on my to-read heap, and I expect more to follow it. It got that Eisner award for a reason - if you've read this far and haven't tried this title yet, you probably should.

-- wiredwierd

Graphic SF Reader.......2007-09-03

Mitchell, now Mayor Hundred, still has the superhuman abilities gained from a strange accident. He no longer operates as The Great Machine, but something from he past may have triggered a serial killer that is now operating.

Taking some unpopular political stances, a good looking writer goes out with him, and will offer some advice and perhaps more.

Sci-Fi Politics.......2007-05-10

This second installment in the Ex Machina series explains how the main character got his powers and became mayor.

Ex Machina's story really takes off.......2007-02-25

'Tag' the second volume in the Ex Machina really takes off. Not only do we get a better understanding of Mitchell Hundred's powers and how he came to be Mayor but we get an outstanding thriller. Deaths are being linked throughout the city to a symbol that has some link to Mitchell's origin and he has to figure things out fast to save lives.
Meanwhile, Mitchell also has to deal with the day to day politics of New York and the hot button issue he sparks when he agrees to marry a gay firefighter and his lover. An excellent second volume really moves the series into high gear and we get a taste of how this might evolve into one of te best comic book series of all time.

Vaughan's Political Sci-Fi Continues To Impress.......2006-05-20

In the next five issues of Ex Machina, Brian K. Vaughan's story of a superhero-turned-mayor of New York City, Mitchell Hundred's administration has to contend with more hotbed political issues as well as some "unnatural" occurreneces that are connected to the device that gave Hundred his powers.
After a brief, and fairly unsuccessful, stint as the superhero The Great Machine, Hundred hung up his tights and jetpack and became New York City's mayor. A strange device gave him the ability to "communicate" with machines, but while he tries to put that life behind him in his new political career, Hundred can't seem to get away from his old life.
Hundred's political career is put in jeopardy when he decides to not only endorse, but perform a gay marriage between the brother of his Deputy Mayor and his conservative boyfriend. If that weren't enough, a mysterious symbol that was found on the device that gave Hundred his powers has been showing up throughout the city, and it is having dire effects on people who stare at it for too long. Along the way, we see flashbacks of Hundred's life during his campaign and we see his history with the NSA.
While the explanation for events at the end was a little confusing, this is still a solid collection. Vaughan can't seem to go wrong as there is nothing by him that I've read that I haven't liked. Runaways, Y: The Last Man, Ultimate X-Men, and this have all been great reads.

Average customer rating:

The next level
Short Stories of Love
Adult Yaoi at its Best
Getting Better with Each Edition
Love at it's Best!

Embracing Love 4
Youka Nitta
Manufacturer: Be Beautiful
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1933440171

Book Description

"Be Beautiful has released an excellent version of Embracing Love."-BoysOnBoysOnFilm.com

Drama and passions ignite when Katou and Iwaki are selected for the leads in opposing drama series. As their busy schedules keep them apart, each man's yearnings surge within until they reach a boiling point. When Katou finally reaches his limit and rushes to Iwaki's work, the two lovers consume each other in a parked car. Is this the beginning of an exciting new chapter in their lives, or the last gasp of a love that's finally run its course?

Customer Reviews:

The next level.......2007-07-17

Iwaki and Katou are cast in opposing tv shows; their demanding schedules keep them apart and put a strain on their relationshp. Katou decides to take drastic action (hot sex in the parking lot) to bring him close to Iwaki.

This romantic yaoi gets better with every volume, as we get to know the characters more and their relationship goes through realistic bumps (such as careers, time management and family problems). Highly recommended!

Short Stories of Love.......2007-05-10

Love, emotion, and sex tie this collection of short stories together as we follow the lives of two lovers. The artwork adds even more to the beautiful story.

Adult Yaoi at its Best.......2007-03-25

I have to admit I am a huge fan of Youka Nitta's Embracing Love. Her unique art has its critics, but I find her extremely detailed art realistic and pleasing, and find the men she draws to be very attractive. Embracing Love was mostly written as individual short stories in an anthology but when compiled into a volume, it flows beautifully. There's plenty of love, emotion, and sex, making it a truly great Japanese yaoi aimed at adult readers. I highly recommend it! (One warning - I would stay away if you like very soft yaoi because it's quite explicit)

Getting Better with Each Edition.......2007-03-23

Our two lovers are living together now, with the occasional personal issue popping up to cause a bit of trouble. I really, really enjoy the artwork and the storyline. Looking forward to reading the entire series.

Love at it's Best!.......2007-02-03

This story just keeps getting better and better! when they are in the car and Iwaki wants to wait until they get home Katou tells him he can't wait another second thats what I call lust in true form. In The other chapter when Katou looks at Iwaki and tells him to remove his clothes and then says he's kidding and Iwaki tells him he'll do it because he wants to erase any doubts. that lets you know he really is in love with Katou even if he is unwilling to say it in words. Buy the book, you won't be sorry!

Shout Out Loud! Volume 4: (Yaoi) (Shout Out Loud!)

Average customer rating:

Amazing Characters
Excellent Volume 4
An excellent Volume 4. Do not miss this!
Another Great Installment!

Shout Out Loud! Volume 4: (Yaoi) (Shout Out Loud!)
Satosumi Takaguchi
Manufacturer: Blu
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1598163191
Release Date: 2007-04-03

Book Description

Grandmother Tsuzaka drops in on Shino and Nakaya to present them with a portfolio containing information and photos of a potential wife for Shino! She's set on hooking Shino up with Misato, a woman who lost her hubby two years ago and has an adorable five-year-old girl. But Nakaya is dead-set against the idea! Shino faces hiding his love for one person and satisfying the wishes of another. Did the kiss from Tenryu mean anything to him...or was it a mistake?!

Customer Reviews:

Amazing Characters.......2007-05-21

Yaoi fans will fall in love with the characters in this series. Although not full of sex scenes like many books in this genre, you won't miss it in this series.

Excellent Volume 4.......2007-05-12

The story just gets better and better.Developing each characters with care wherein you get this connection with the characters almost.If this was a novel I would buy it and I dont buy novels.I prefer buying instructional books.
Of course this manga is moderate when it comes to the "scene", so for hardcore Yaoi fans might not be satisfied with this one.I am just glad the guys are NOT drawn in a feminine fashion.

An excellent Volume 4. Do not miss this!.......2007-04-06

Oh this series just keeps getting better. Vol 4 is a winner, its story emotionally driven and gripping, yet it has its lighthearted and comical moments too. The interaction among the characters is simply one delightful read and of course above all there is the relationship development between the guys. Shino is such an endearing character. His struggle to be a good father, his agony over his feelings for Tenryu and his regrets over his lost during his youth are some moving and emotional story telling by Takaguchi. And you just have to love Tenryu. He is so cool yet this is the volume where we are shown how much he truly loves Shino. His vulnerability and pain as he thought he has lost Shino really gets to "sappy old" me.
On the other couple Nakaya and his hockey player, I thought the mangaka handle their feelings very well too. And let's not forget Mizusawa, one have to wonder what this talented mangaka has installed for him.
As for Shino and Nakaya, you just have to read Vol 4 to appreciate how well the mangaka handle their fragile yet caring father-son relationship.
Sex is not something I miss in this wonderful series though Vol 4 does have it. I am simply captivated by the gripping story line, the marvellous interaction and the emotional inter-play among the characters.
And this mangaka's artwork is beautiful, her guys are just gorgeous. Tenryu is one handsome seme.

Another Great Installment!.......2007-04-05

I'm totally in love with this series. There's such an intricate dance going on between all the characters and it's absolutely fascinating to watch. It's a pure delight trying to decipher their motivations and how their actions will affect each other. The main character, Shino, is such a sweet guy. My heart goes out to him as he tries to become a father to the teenage son he's just met while trying to make sense of his own life and the opportunities for love that are suddenly coming his way.

The story line is clear, and easy to follow. The drawings are wonderful and so much nicer than one is lead to believe they will be by the cover art. There is actual sex between two of the characters in Vol. 4. It's not explicitly drawn but you definitely know it's happening. All in all this is a truly wonderful, story-driven series. I've already preordered Volume 5!

Average customer rating:

Male Erotica!

Stripped: The Illustrated Male

Manufacturer: Bruno Gmünder
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 3861878712

Book Description

Stripped down and playing.

This stately collection gathers the highlights of gay comic art, painting and drawing. Whether comic strip or pin-up, with text or completely without words, in colour or in black-and-white - this book presents an exciting cross-section of this young and dynamic branch of gay art. Many big names, as well as yet unknown talent show off their expertise on 352 pages filled to bursting - at "nice price"! This collection sets a new standard for comic art - erotic, sexy and playful.

Customer Reviews:

Male Erotica!.......2007-06-05

This is an outstanding collection of erotica. Illustrations and drawings are really high quality and very erotic. Trust me, folks, these are not "cartoons" - but very stimulating and suggestive drawings of stylized "men" (no, these guys don't really exist....). Most people think that "explicit" equals "erotic". Wrong. Erotic is evoked through the imagination, and these artists have LOTS of imagination!

Average customer rating:

Excellcent!!
Good vs. Evil
An Engaging Story
Lovely.
Nice art but....

Innocent Bird Volume 1: (Yaoi)
Hirotaka Kisaragi
Manufacturer: Be Beautiful
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1598168312
Release Date: 2007-03-13

Book Description

Part of the angelic bureaucracy, Karasu is sent to earth to retrieve a demon living among humans. However, he's surprised to discover that the demon Shirasagi wants to throw away his heritage and his powers, and live as a human--and a holy human at that. As he works out of a bar in the city, Shirasagi teaches children and is generally an all-around wonderful person. But Heaven and Hell both want him back and it's going to be quite a battleâ€¦

Customer Reviews:

Excellcent!!.......2007-05-28

This book is very well written. Its about an angel and a devil who fall for each other through unusual circumstances...The angel is suppose to take the devil back to where he belongs but finds out that the devil is actually a priest, wishing to be human....

The artwork is pretty good and and beatufully drawn. There is one drawback, these no yaoi in this book but more of a seducation kind of thing going on....

Good vs. Evil.......2007-05-13

An angel sent to earth to send a demon back where he belongs. But wait! Could it be that said demon isn't evil after all? That little twist makes this story very intriguing. The artwork is crisp and clean, and the boys sure are pretty. I can't wait to see what happens next.

An Engaging Story.......2007-04-29

I just bought this the other day, and I'm already eagerly awaiting the next volume. I thought the main story was very well written and I found myself unable to put it down until I finished it. There aren't many books that do that.

The little side story was rather cute and fluffy, if a little cavity-inducing in some areas XD. I wonder if there will be a continuation to it?

If you like moral conflict between Heaven and Hell, or stories of pure fluff, I'd recommend checking this title out.

Lovely........2007-03-30

The first volume to a very touching story, though, since it plays off the Christianity religion, readers should be liberal before picking this up. This is also Kisaragi's semi-earlier artform, so some of the drawings are a bit rough. Still, they're very beautiful nonetheless. For a BLU title, the Mature rating is quite misleading, because throughout this volume, there are no smut scenes. Innocent Bird is more seduction rather than smut, more plot driven. For those who are expecting sex, you'll be disappointed, but for a bittersweet fantasy tale, it's a plus.

Nice art but...........2007-03-25

This is the first of a 3 volume series by Hirotaka Kisaragi, better known as an illustrator in Japan than manga artist. It's a story about angels and demons - vaguely reminiscent of Angel Sanctuary. The art is quite good and I liked it, but it may depend on the taste of the reader. Her color illustrations are definitely much better than the actual manga art inside, which is somewhat rough in its finish. The story is rather choppy and difficult to follow. There seems to be a attraction between the two main characters but this storyline progresses very slowly, with not much happening in this volume. I have read the Japanese version of 2 and 3, and there is little yaoi in it until the end of vol. 3, and even then, it's very little. While this book may satisfy those who are looking for soft yaoi romance with angel/devil theme, the story isn't quite as good as other non-yaoi fantasy manga, and not much happens for true yaoi fans. I would rate it a 3.

Average customer rating:

Extraordinary from cover to cover!
Summer may have moved on, but memories of Breyettes work stay with you.
Beautiful and Erotic

Summer Moved on
Michael Breyette
Manufacturer: Bruno Gmunder Verlag Gmbh
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 3861878534

Book Description

Michael Breyette's "Summer Moved On" presents an excellent cross-section of the paintings of this American artist. Breyette uses warm colors and harmonic forms; his paintings convey ease and radiate meditative power. The bodies of the men melt into the landscape. The artist paints American icons, baseball players, cowboys, surfers, all in everyday scenes that are full of confidence and the relaxing warmth of the late summer's heat.

Customer Reviews:

Extraordinary from cover to cover!.......2007-06-14

This collection of erotic male art by Michael Breyette is simply beautiful and a must have for your coffee table! He is truly a uniquely gifted artist and this comes to life in every page of "Summer Moved On.

Summer may have moved on, but memories of Breyettes work stay with you........2007-05-20

I discovered Michael Breyettes work a few years ago. He quickly has become one of my favorite American artists. What is it about Michaels work that is so great. One word. Realism. Michael's art speaks volumes. Whether it's a glance or a stare, a day at the beach, a memorable encounter or a fantasy, Breyettes work stirs many emotions within you. I should say that those emotions are always pleasurable. What also comes through Michael's art is the man himself. I have yet to meet him, but have had many online dealings with him. He is a very personable, easy going guy. He answers his own emails. His "realism" shines through.
Buy this book. You won't be disappointed.

Beautiful and Erotic.......2007-05-19

This is an amazing collection of high quality male erotic art work. Michael's eye dor detail comes through in each of his pictures along with his deep appreciation for the male form.

Each piece in the book is unique and shows the bredth of his imagination and talent.

JUNJO ROMANTICA Volume 2: (Yaoi) (Junjo Romantica)

Average customer rating:

Excellent!
Great Series!
Pretty, But Noticeably Flawed

JUNJO ROMANTICA Volume 2: (Yaoi) (Junjo Romantica)
Shungiku Nakamura
Manufacturer: Blu
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Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1598167200
Release Date: 2007-01-30

Book Description

Misaki and Usagi have been living together for over a month now, but when a beautiful editor named Aikawa enters the picture, will Misaki question his love for Usagi? Later, things get rocky in Hiroki and Nowaki's relationship when Nowaki contemplates leaving to study abroad! Will anything give these couples a happy ending?

Customer Reviews:

Excellent!.......2007-04-05

A fantastic book, great story and wonderful graphics. I hope this story can be continued in future novels.

Great Series!.......2007-02-20

This series has a great story about a young man comming to terms with his love of another man. In this book he has to come to terms with the fact he is jealous of his lover's beautiful publisher. In the second story line the younger of our lovers has just come back when he left he didn't leave a note and didn't write for a whole year. Misunderstanding abound all for a happy ending.

Pretty, But Noticeably Flawed.......2007-02-04

I feel kind of bad giving this book 3 stars. It's sort of on the brink of four stars, but there were just some problems that kept on nagging at me.

Let me first say that while I was reading this, I was totally engrossed. The art is very pretty, the storyline flows pretty well, and the romance is nice. Especially during romantic scenes, the art is lovely. I won't say I regret buying it, but...

After I finished reading it, the problems just kept hanging over my head. I can't say I like the coersion and rape and whatnot. I don't mind it if it's meant to be sadistic, but when they should be in love...
In its defense, there is much less coersion than in the first volume, and I love the Junjo Egoist story, which is sweeping and romantic and beautiful and whatnot.
But the Junjo Romantica story is beginning to get on my nerves. Manipulative, rich, talented, intelectually-perfect seme occasionally force-smexing inferior, struggling uke.

Unfortunately, I may also be comparing this to Hybrid Child again, which was visually stunning and unbelievable, but it just doesn't seem to live up.

I don't necessarily regret buying it, and I may (by my own masochistic nature) buy the third volume when it arrives, but it won't necessarily become one of my absolute most favorite mangas ever.

Tom of Finland: the Comic Collection: The Art of Pleasure (Boxed Set)

Average customer rating:

heart thumping
GORGEOUS REPRODUCTIONS--BUT THEY'RE CROPPED!
It's NOT a quality collection
Small enough to make you so much bigger
A timeless classic best buy for the buck! Buy it now!

Tom of Finland: the Comic Collection: The Art of Pleasure (Boxed Set)

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ASIN: 3822838497

Customer Reviews:

heart thumping.......2007-05-08

Just happened to see this item on Amazon. Had never heard about Tom or his work. Took a chance and ordered the book.Just one word should describe it - MINDBLOWING !

Although the art and line drawings are repetitive, the way the whole story is conceptualised and brought to life in the drawings is indeed amazing.

Am a fan now and forever, have also ordered a couple of his other books.

The only reason I give a four star rating is that the Book could have been published in one volume and the size and layout could also have been slightly larger, which would have enhanced the visual appeal.

All in all a book worth keeping and prying into as and when the need "ARISES"!

GORGEOUS REPRODUCTIONS--BUT THEY'RE CROPPED!.......2006-02-22

I can't agree with most of the niggling in other reviews about this set. The images are beautifully reproduced in crystalline detail, many of them in rich duo-tones, and the binding is a beautiful black leatherette with rich-looking gold-foil lettering and line images. The small size is no drawback, either-it gives a jewel-like aura to the whole set, and while some previous collections (such as one I first purchased in the 1980s) used an 8-1/2 by 11 format, they also reproduced four panels to a page, so that the actual pictures were no larger (and considerably less well reproduced).

HOWEVER, in comparing this set with previous ones, I noticed that where the original drawings had no distinct boundaries, the pages here are circumscribed by a hairline box, which results in the images being "cropped"-that is, a small amount of the drawing on each side is cut off. In most cases the overall effect is not too damaging, but there are images of group scenes in which what had been full figures are reduced to merely a hand or a nose. Considering that this is presumably meant to be a "definitive" publication of all of Tom's cartoons, I'm amazed that the Tom of Finland Foundation would permit this sort of trimming.

That being said, I must add that overall I think they did a beautiful job, and the price is very modest for a collection of this quality.

It's NOT a quality collection.......2006-02-20

This is REALLY sub-par work. There are so many errors in the text that a corrected version is rumored to be coming, and there are more "mizsphelings" than one of Durk's emails! One recent customer review, also peppered with misspellings (so wonder who wrote THAT one, Mr. D.D.) sings the praises of this volume and suggests that because ANOTHER reviewer who panned the collection also sells it on ebay, it should not be criticized...BULL.

If the Tom of Finland Foundation is gonna make a buck on this dreadful collection, why shouldn't others! The illustrations are TINY and the text is BORING! It's VERY "old school" and irrelevant. The price is CHEAP because the collection is cheaply done and it is insulting to the artistry and memory of Tom of Finland. These illustrations are SMALLER than post cards, so unless you like to do your one-handed reading with a magnifying glass, pass this one up. It's just a mess.

Small enough to make you so much bigger.......2006-02-03

The next must-have collection of TOF if you only got the "huge and thick" book - The Art Of Pleasure.

I will save the space here for others' words but just to give you an idea how turned-on I am to get my copy... A friend would re-order it in Singapore (Kinokuniya's first 50 copies sold out in less than 2 weeks as Christmas gift alone in last December), fly out and give it to me in Bangkok so I could bring in via KLIA easily. Get the picture?

P/S: This review refers to the 5-in-1 collection in a black slipcase 3.8" x 5.5", 960 pages.

A timeless classic best buy for the buck! Buy it now!.......2005-12-30

This is a best buy and Amazon's price is most favorable when compared with other retailers. It should be noted that some of the authors of complaints about this book sold copies of it on e-bay for over $60 before Amazon got stock in. If they did not like the book, why did they sell it at competing sites? The larger versions mentioned went for $20 each story, so to purchase a collection of this size it would be well over $500 and out of the price range of most.

Now as to the content. The repros are the best I have seen in awhile and I own the 8.5" x 11" copies reffred to by most other reviewers. In addition not all the books were ever released at the so called larger size. "Beach Boys" , for example, was only slightly larger that the size of this edition. So do not be fooled by some of the other reviews. Again I know because I either own or have read originals on most of the contents. Also note that the size reflects what these books really are, namely Gay "Tiahuana Bibles" (sic). This was the term used to refer to straight material of the same nature in the early part of the last century. As such the size is that of the average "bible". In fact in many cases it is somewhat larger.

The Media is an excellent choice, soft pliable, thread reinforced, spine which will not wear easily desipte the heavy reading these books will get. The paper is gloss stock heavy bond which also shoul wear well. The covers or synthetic, so they will not stain easily or tear.

All in all better stock than the originals and highly doubtful that you will see a better edition any time soon.

A side note, if this material is of interest to you buy it now. Print runs on this stuff tend to be rather low and 2nd editions tend to be rare. If you want it buy it or risk paying 10x more in a year on ebay.

Thunderbolt Boys Excite Volume 1 (Thunderbolt Boys Excite)

Average customer rating:

Beware of incompleteness...
I love Asmai Tojo! xD
pretty art, jarring start
Incomplete Work
Starting in the middle

Thunderbolt Boys Excite Volume 1 (Thunderbolt Boys Excite)
Asami Tojo
Manufacturer: Media Blasters
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1598830694

Book Description

Kodaka Natsui, a naturally beautiful young boy, and a drop-dead gorgeous rich kid named Ritsu Yasaka both work as models. One day, their agency requires both boys to attend an overnight retreat. Kodaka decides he wants to become a man worthy of Ritsu, so he begins to undergo training under Ritsu's valet ...in more.

Customer Reviews:

Beware of incompleteness..........2007-09-17

Thunderbolt Boys Excite is a total of five volumes, but only the last two are released in English. There's a whole 'nuther story about how the main characters met, briefly had a band, and then became models. As for the two volumes that are released in english, they can be a little confusing at first. The begining of vol 1 makes a referance to something that happened in the Japanese books and kinda leaves you confused. I had to read the beginning a couple times before I finally understood it all.

As for plot, there is none. Well, none worth mentioning, anyways. It's the typical angsty uke (bottom) whining because he doesn't think he fits in with his seme (top) and all his gorgeous friends. However, when Kodoka's not being angtsy, he's a very fun character. He has good heart and is so naive *cough*stupid*cough* it's funny.

The most redeaming quality of this manga though is most definetly the art work. The characters, scenes, everything really, is beautifully done. The first volume has little boy on boy action, but the second volume is almost all pure sex. Very nicely drawn sex, might I add.

Anyways, this series lost two stars from me for lack of plot, but kept three for it's awesome art work. If you're looking for the standard, "I'm not good enough, Yes you are, okay, let's have sex" this is something you'll love. If you want plot or romance, go look up Our Kingdom or Only the Ring Finger knows series. That's it, hope it helped someone.

I love Asmai Tojo! xD.......2007-04-19

I didn't epxect my doujishi is small. But this is stroy awesome! My favortie character are Ritsui and Natsui!Sex is too perfect! I love her drewing. Also I have verions of japanese doujinshi same!

pretty art, jarring start.......2007-04-17

As other reviewers have noted, this book starts smack in the middle of an ongoing story. If you can get past the very, VERY disorientating beginning, the book's not bad. I like the art, and there's plenty of angst, misunderstanding, and humor.

NOTE: To add to the confusion, two pages in the first half of the book are missing - two pages from the second half appear instead (as well as where they're supposed to). The missing pages are included at the end of Thunderbolt Boys vol. 2, ready to tear out and insert into vol. 1. (My copy worked OK, with a bit of trimming.) I doubt we'll see a fixed printing of vol. 1 anytime soon, but this is better than nothing. I think.

Incomplete Work.......2007-03-20

As the previous review states, this is actually the 4th volume in the series. In addition, the author has stopped writing this series midstream, never completing it. No further installments are planned in Japan. So beware when buying this book....

Starting in the middle.......2007-02-27

There is clearly a book or books printed before this volume, which have apparently not been released in English. This led to confusion for me, and in fact I had to read the first three pages several times because I couldn't figure out if the love scene was a flash back or a premonition - until I realized it was just Shigure being a perv. (not that I have a problem with Shigure being a perv!) ;) The issue here is that it was relating to an incident in the (apparent) book previous to this, but because we haven't seen this book it caused great frustration for me. I wanted to know - and by knowing I meant I wanted to read the manga and see the pretty pictures! But, this is not the artist's fault, so I can't really judge the book negatively based on that.

The only two negative issues that I have with the book itself therefore are:
1) It jumps a bit quickly during certain scenes - leaving me confused. This is apparently not a Yaoi to be read with wine, so I'll have to keep my copy of 'Brother' around for that purpose! There was also a section in which a page repeated (but I was not sure if this was printer error or supposed to be that way.)
2) The main Uke, Natsui is one of the most clueless Uke's I have run into. Don't get me wrong, I adore a befuddled Uke (Shigure from `Our Kingdom' is one of my favorites!), but Natsui seemed to take normal information, process it through his special `Uke mode' and come up with a response which is destined to get results completely at odds with his intention. People will see what I mean when they get to the section detailing his special `model training'.

On the positive, the comic can be seen as nothing less than brilliant in some ways - It's very engaging and interesting, and if it possibly *can* move onto sex or molestation - it does. I liked both couples, even the sarcastic, rather bratty pretty boy who has a crush on Shigure. The characters are beautifully drawn and the sex scenes are nothing less than smutastic (though for some reason there was more pixilation in the first part of the book than in the second). The author has a very clear liking for slight non-con which led to some disturbingly hot scenes.

In summation, it's apparent that the artist of this manga is very talented and has a knack for drawing a person into the story - I really believe if I had been able to read whatever came before this I would be giving a very different review of this title.

Ending on a very positive note - this is definitely a manga that lends better to a repeat reading than the first time - there will be less confusion and one can just focus on the pretty pictures and the smut.

Black Knight Volume 3: (Yaoi) (Black Knight)

Average customer rating:

Continuation of an Intricate Story
Very good
Very happy with this installment.

Black Knight Volume 3: (Yaoi) (Black Knight)
Kai Tsurugi
Manufacturer: Blu
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1598165240
Release Date: 2007-02-27

Book Description

Eager to prove his worth to his kingdom, Prince Christian has taken cover in Brigadoon's caravan as a hostage to infiltrate the Dundalk Empire. Negotions for peace between the kingdoms is all the young prince yearns for, but the rebellious Falcon's Talon group has something else in mind...Now Zeke's loyalty as Christian's knight and lover will be put to the test in this heroic quest for justice!

Customer Reviews:

Continuation of an Intricate Story.......2007-05-21

You should read all the volumes in this series if you want to understand the intricate relationships going on between all the characters.

Very good.......2007-04-05

A great series and wonderful graphics, a complicated story in many ways so you need to read all the volumes to understand all the different relationships. I look forward to the next book.

Very happy with this installment........2007-02-28

I get now why we were given all that backstory in volume 2 about Chris' father. There is a ton of stuff going on politically and that side story really helped keep it straight, even though it monopolized half the volume. I really have to say that this story is very deep and intricate and if you are not paying attention you are going to get lost fast. This is not your typical yaoi storyline. I actually had to go back and reference previous volumes several times to keep all of the plotlines and characters straight.

One thing in particular that made me do a doubletake was Prince James' character. In volume 2 all of the Falcon's Talon stuff was completely confusing and I had a hard time understanding the dynamics of the characters involved, particularly as it concerned James. I was at that time left very suspicious of him, thinking his motives to be a lot more sinister than they turn out to be at the end of volume 3. I went back and reread those scenes in the previous volume and discovered that a lot of my assumptions must have been based on some kind of personal bias that made me read into things too far. You have to be careful with this series and pay close attention or you'll miss the subtle details or see things that just aren't there.

As for the content of volume 3, there were no graphic scenes this time around, but Zeke's character seems to be deeper than it appeared at the end of volume 2. In volume 2 I just felt like I had a handle on him and he was the steady one and utterly devoted to Chris, but now we're seeing his limitations and flaws and insecurities. It's refreshing in a way that did not require some compicated plot twist to pull off. It flowed very naturally from the events of the previous volumes.

Chris as well continues to grow as a character. He is still human and flawed, but it is nice to see him becoming more of an adult and taking on responsibilities. Volume 4 promises to continue this progress very nicely. I can't wait to see how their plot to infiltrate the Empire turns out when they actually arrive there. It's such a strange change of pace when I am just as interested in the universe of a BL title as I am in the BL themes of a BL title. A mark of an excellent series, I would argue.

In all, I do not recommend starting Black Knight with this volume, but I do recommend reading this series. It is wonderful, and while light in its BL/yaoi themes, very beautifully expressed.

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