This series is still fun and manages to include tension. The story doesn’t treat kids like they’re stupid and the threat of dangerous is very real; it doesn’t censor the word “kill” or its implications. But, of course, everything is still overall lighthearted.

In this volume, there’s a strong environmental message, and the villain has a believable background. The characters, humor (some particularly funny digs at the slowness or lack of change in government/politics), and the story are charming. 

Not for me. This isn’t a graphic novel. Instead, it’s more like an edgy adult picture book. I only liked some of the latter comics like the pandemic ones or the ones where Stabby found out babies didn’t bring happiness.

 [rating from personal enjoyment] 

Jack and the Beanstalk (3 stars) 

The artwork really gave this story personality. It had a few touches to give the story a different spin too. 

The Singing Bone (2 stars) 

I had never heard of this story before, but it was all over the place. Drunk bunnies? Dead boars? MURDER! This was a little morbid overall. Reminds me of those Brothers Grimm stories because they feel so unsatisfying and dark. Eh, I like the cartoony artwork though. Very expressive! 

Puss in Boots (1 star) 

Dumb. The Cat’s got the brains tho. 

Tatterhood (2 stars) 

Loved that the sisters got a long and the parents didn’t sow discord between them. 

Rapunzel (3 stars) 

Loved the art. This one was incredibly sad. 

Kid Brother (1 star) 

Didn’t get it. And the overly inked layouts made everything confusing. 

The Nixie of the Mill-pond (2 stars) 

??? 

Bisclavret (1.5 star) 

Trifling. 

Hamelin’s Piper (2 stars)

Normally, I don’t mess with anything horror, but the artwork was so appealing I had to read it. In particular, Dr. George P. Scare looked very menacing. Some of the dialogue feels so dated, and it makes me wonder if this is a direct adaption. This is also not scary in any form or way.

Anyway, a trio of kids get into some shenanigans when they see a robot at their school. Marco is the comic relief, but he WASN’T funny. Don’t nobody need to waste time listening to his dry jokes. Overall, not bad.

plot twist. I wasn’t expecting the ending.

This book krumped all over the place with its creativity and how quirky it is. Loved the humor, the characters (Nemo’s my favorite), and artwork too. Pandora is fun. I think watching her humanity… uh devilishness grow will be interesting. 

Devils Candy plays with common manga tropes but repackages it in a fresh way. The juxtaposition of the cutesy art style with the eldritch horrors everywhere is great. There are info dumps packaged at the end of each chapter, and, at times, the panels get so overloaded with (beautiful) artwork it's hard to decipher what's going on. There are also some occult references, which I don't typically care for, but it adds to the worldbuilding.

I would definitely read more of this series. 

 A half-kitsune (fox) girl and a ninja with a demon-infused sword that wants to possess him, working together to find a magical scroll so a dragon can grant a wish??? This sounds amazing, right? 

Unfortunately, I didn’t mesh with the storytelling. It was so DRY, man. At times, it felt info-dumpy or just bland. I don’t think this is any fault on the author, but this bare-bones-telling style is not for me. I didn’t connect with the characters emotionally. I was even skipping paragraphs because my interest kept waning. I also don’t see why this needed a dual pov. Yumeko’s pov was never all that interesting; it could’ve been relegated to a prologue. At least, Tatsumi’s struggle with darkness and his ruthless upbringing was better. 

But I think the story took a turn in the right direction when Okame appeared. “Rough characters who are secretly decent deep down” are always endearing to me. This dude brought a little style to this blandness, but he did get annoying with his constant “filthy ronin dog” drivel. Like, sir shut up. 

This started terribly slow and unseasoned to me but ended fine. While it is tempting to see how Yumeko and Tatsumi’s slow burn connection ends or Okame’s tragic backstory, I don’t know if I’ll continue with this series. My reading experience was too lackluster.