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I guess this was quite the way to get introduced to the TMNT Graphic Novels instead of the early 90s cartoon and the absolutely peerless 1990 film.

The art is absolutely stellar, the colors and lighting are fantastic. The dialogue and subject material are darker and more down-trodden than I had expected, but this apparently tracks with the original graphic novels.

I loved seeing the final epiphany of the Last Ronin written in the notebook. A poignant way to try and set the next generation on the right path and to avoid the suffering that came before.

In the words of Big Panda, sometimes words are not adequate for all things.

The art is gorgeous, the lessons bite-sized and easy to understand, but the whole is so profound and healing.

Can not recommend sitting with this in a quiet moment enough.

In this volume we get introduced to Onemine and Otori, both of whom befriend Komi by the end.

The focal point of this book is the Itan Culture Festival, which is a huge turning point in the relationship between Tadano and Komi, with some help from Onemine.

Bonus comics are excellent, and the anime missed the entire ramen shop subplot which shows us how intensely Agari takes her food, which is a shame.

Inaka gets introduced, and just as quickly swept aside due to her timid character.

We see the Sports Festival, and how the anime toned-down some of the more questionable/inappropriate oogling of older male staff to the students.

It ends with the photobooth, which is a warm moment for all.

This seems to be the first time I note a significant difference between the manga and anime, and the anime made the right call here.

This volume exposes a bit of the corrupt culture built around the Hero Association as well as the difficulties of having a name/face in the public's mind.

We see some cool short fights, but overall feels a bit thin on interesting developments.

We are introduced to two Saitama rivals, Snek and Sonic, and get a bit more of a look into Hero Association operations.

Not much by way of commentary on social or mental health in this volume, but we do get more of Saitama's early history.

This starts weaving in more social commentary, mostly by virtue of the Paradisers (who are very much not wrong), as well as giving us more insight into Saitama's past.

We also finally learn the secret to his strength, which I am going to try doing 🤷

Excellent start to the One Punch Man story, and a great introduction to Saitama, Genos, and a young Mumen Rider.

I wish it delved more into the mental health aspects of OPM, but I hope I will see Saitama deal with his depression and despair of being completely invulnerable in the coming issues.

Everything great about the first book has been tuned up a bit in this entry.

The themes of grief, loss, and community are explored once again, and I think to greater effect, given the worldbuilding accomplished in the first.

Once again, pleasantly surprised that such a graphic novel would give me pause to appreciate some of the lines, or to wipe away a tear, but here we are.

Definitely hoping for more from Mason in this universe.

I am not normally one to read poetry, but this is exceptional.

It is beautiful, hopeful, strong, and honest.

The hope and faith Gorman shows through her writing makes reading it all the more painful, as we look at the state of the US and how we treat everyone domestically and abroad.

This is an excellent Volume as it focuses most on Komi and her existing relationships with Tadano and Najimi, instead of introducing lots of new characters.

The start of exams, summer break, a pool visit, and the Summer Festival are excellent backdrops to Komi's progress in learning how to exist with friends and how to express herself.

Some cute moments, and some vile (thanks, Yamai) intervowen between chirps of the cicada and the wistful feeling of Summer.

More great humor and exposing the awkward phases many go through trying to find their personality.

Yamai might be even creepier in the manga, and we get to see more of middle school Tadano and how awful he was.

I cringe for myself in retrosoect.

Reading the manga is really interesting coming from the NetFlix show, which apparently is a quite faithful adaptation, even down to artstyle.

We get a few extra panels and some better clarity of dialogue and background bits and pieces of text that aren't all subtitled in the show, so I feel like I have a better look into the world and characters.

This volume ends with the infamous Saito game, a highpoint for how ridiculous trying to fit in can get.

I watched the movie first with no foreknowledge of what the source material was, the universe, anything.

I found that I much preferred the book's handling of the core characters and events in the story.

It is a bit more dark than the movie, while also giving a better peek into how ridiculous some of the character's personalities and motivations really are, even in-universe.

I think the movie handled the chaotic aspect of Nimoa herself quite well visually.

Intriguing short story adapted from Austrian folktale, accompanied by some beautiful art.

The tale is simplistic, but melancholy, and is easy enough to follow for someone young, though I was left a bit puzzled by the motivations of the characters.

I think I would like to read the original tale Klassen adapted this from.