Short book Review: Captain Harlock, Classic Collection, Volume 3

Reiji Matsumoto (author and artist), Zack Davisson (translator), Captain Harlock, Classic Collection Volume 3. New York: Seven Seas, 2019. ISBN: 9781626929524.

Genre: science fiction, space opera

Subgenre: manga

Format: trade paperback

Source: Eastside Branch, Lexington (KY) Public Library

 

The story continues as Harlock, Tadashi, and the crew of the Arcadia go deeper in discovering the Mazon's  nature and connection to Earth. The story does have some moving moments, such as the First Mate's confrontation with a couple of Mazon. 

The art is in black and white. The story has a good pace, and it draws you in. If you've ever watched the animated series, reading this feels very much like watching an anime. This is a series I enjoyed. If you are new to the series, you will enjoy a classic immersive story. If you are familiar with the series, it will be fun rediscovering Captain Harlock and his crew. The volume includes a bonus story about Queen Emeralda and airships. The bonus story can stand on its own. 

Overall, I really liked the volume for a good and well paced story. 

4 out of 5 stars.

Top 10 Graphic novels, comics, and manga read in 2024

Continuing with my series of top books I read in 2024, this week we are looking at the graphic novels, comics, and manga I read in 2024. This does not mean they were books published in 2024. These are books that were new to me and that I read in the last year. For this list, some titles have more than one volume. These are titles that I rated four or five stars. Find the list below in no particular order. If reviews are available on this blog, I will provide a link. 

Eerie Archives, Volume 1

 

Eerie Archives, Volume 2

Dark Horse Books is doing a labor of love publishing these classic Warren Publishing horror comics for a new generation.  If you enjoy horror and the macabre, with a twist here or there you'll likely enjoy these. 

The Punisher: the Complete Collection Volume 1

 

The Punisher: the Complete Collection Volume 2

 

The Punisher: the Complete Collection Volume 3

 These three volumes are part of the Marvel MAX series, designed for adult readers. The three volumes feature Garth Ennis' run of the series. The series features good writing and some very good but also gruesome art at times. I will also add a warning due to graphic violence. 

Captain Harlock Classic Collection Volume 1

Captain Harlock Classic Collection Volume 2

 For me, Captain Harlock and his pirate crew were a major part of my childhood, and I watched the anime back in the day. So when I came across this series, I knew I had to read it, and for me, it was a trip back down Memory Lane. If you are fan of the series, you should read this. If you've never experience Captain Harlock, here is your chance. 

The Puerto Rican War; a Graphic History

From my review: "This graphic novel is both a work of history and a work of art. The book looks at the 1950 Nationalist armed insurrection in Puerto Rico, including an assassination attempt on U.S. President Harry Truman." 

 

Spawn Origins Collection, Volume 1

 While I have read Spawn stories here and there, I never really read it from the beginning. This collection takes us back to the beginning. Spawn first came out in 1992. Time has flown since then it seems. 

The Vault of Horror, Volume 1 (EC Archives) 

Another excellent collection of classic horror comics, this time part of the EC Archives series from Dark Horse. I am really enjoying reading these classics, and I hope to read more down the road. 

And that is the list. Thank you for stopping by and reading this. If you have read any good comics, graphic novels, and manga, feel free to share them in the comments. I may find something new to add to my TBR list. 

Next I will be publishing my annual list of cartomancy and esoterica books I read in 2024. This is a little different as I list all the books I read on the topic during the year. I do that as a bit of service to the esoteric community as well as for reader's advisory. So feel free to come back for that. 

Happy reading. 

Book Review: Captain Harlock Classic Collection, Volume 2

Reiji Matsumoto (author and artist) and Zack Davisson (translator), Captain Harlock Classic Collection, Volume 2. Los Angeles, CA: Seven Seas, 2018. ISBN: 978162928497.

Genre: manga

Subgenre: science fiction, pirates

Format: hardcover

Source: Interlibrary Loan via Hutchins Library. It came from the Palm Beach County Library System, West Palm Beach, Florida 

The adventure continues, and the mystery goes deeper. As Earth stands on the brink of an alien invasion, most Earth people are pretty much indifferent, clueless, and apathetic. Only Captain Harlock and his space pirates stand to fight the Mazon. 

In this volume, the crew of the Arcadia begin to unravel some of the Mazons' mysteries, such as realizing the aliens have been infiltrating Earth for centuries. Meanwhile, the Mazon queen starts realizing that Harlock and his crew do pose a threat to her invasion plans. 

The story's pace picks up a bit in this volume. The story continues to draw readers in. As we get to the end, the story starts to set up the eventual confrontation. This is a very good science fiction and adventure story. While it is a fun tale, intriguing, it also says a thing or two about society that is still relevant today. This is a series I will keep on reading. 

4 out of 5 stars. 

Book Review: Captain Harlock Classic Collection, Volume 1

Reiji Matsumoto (author and artist); Zack Davisson (translator), Captain Harlock Classic Collection, Volume 1. Los Angeles, CA: Seven Seas, 2018. ISBN: 978162927704.

Genre: manga

Subgenre: science fiction, pirates

Format: hardcover

Source: Eastside Branch, Lexington (KY) Public Library  

 As a child in younger days, I used to watch the anime adaptation, Captain Harlock, Space Pirate (Capitan Raimar in Spanish).  So when I came across this classic collection, I knew I had to read it. 

In the future, an alien force is about to invade Earth. In fact, it soon becomes apparent to Harlock and his crew that those aliens, the Mazon, have been infiltrating Earth for centuries. However, by now Earth people are about as lazy and hands off as can be. Only the fiercely independent Captain Harlock and his pirate crew make a brave stand and choose to fight the invasion. 

This first volume's pace is a bit slow, but it is because it is setting up the story. Harlock and his crew investigate and follow various leads. We also learn about the characters, especially the crew of the Arcadia. The story does offer depth, and it keeps the reader interested. 

If you've read this before, or maybe like me watched the anime, this is a nice trip down memory lane. If you are brand new to the story,,  you'll discover a science fiction adventure with depth, substance, and even a bit of social commentary. To be honest, some parts such as the arrogantly complacent  Earth people seems relevant even today; the manga was published in first in 1977. New or old reader, this is a good space tale with some action and a bit of mystery. On a side note, the art is a bit more cartoonish in this manga. It appears they refined the style a bit for the anime; it's just a small detail I noticed. 

I really liked this volume. I will be looking for the next two in the series to keep reading. So far, enjoying the tale. 

4 out of 5 stars.