World Comic Book Review

28th March 2024

Hotel: Since 2079 (Review)

Hotel: Since 2079
Kodansha, 2004/2006
Author: Boichi (Mujik Park)

In 2004, South Korean Manhwa artist Mujik Park wrote and illustrated a sci-fi manhwa titled “Hotel: Since 2076” under the nom de plume “Boichi.” The manhwa told the story of an artificially intelligent tower tasked with preserving DNA samples of life on Earth, as the planet had become uninhabitable and all living things ceased to exist.

In 2006, Boichi’s “Hotel: Since 2079” was picked up by Japanese manga publisher Kodansha for its “Weekly Morning” magazine. An updated version was created as the first in a 5-chapter serial anthology under the “Hotel” brand. In addition to the updated “Hotel: Since 2079”, the serial also includes “Present”, “Subete wa Maguro no Tame data” (“It Was All for the Tuna”), “Stephanos”, and “Diadem”. Some of these stories reference events in “Hotel: Since 2079” but are not necessarily beholden to its continuity.

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Per Aspera Ad Astra: Doctor Aphra #1 (review)

Star Wars: Doctor Aphra #1
Marvel Comics, December 07, 2016
Writer: Kieron Gillen

“Doctor Aphra” #1 marks the start of a new ongoing series from American publisher Marvel Comics’ line of “Star Wars” comic books (facilitated by multinational entertainment company Disney’s ownership of both Marvel Comics and Lucasfilms Ltd, the latter being the corporate vehicle for the Star Wars properties).

The title features a female character created originally as a side character in the recently published “Darth Vader” comic book series. The character is, curiously, a rogue archaeologist (which should be a concept overflowing with potential, given the setting). She is characterized as a technological and mechanical savant, an above average marksman, and a risk-taker only kept alive by quick wits and willingness to commit morally dubious acts. Despite (or perhaps because of) the conceptual similarity to the “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider” franchise, Aphra stands out as one of the few likeable antiheroes in a franchise full of characters that only deal in moral absolutes.

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Kaiju, History, Rage, and Mythology – Godzilla: Rage Across Time

Godzilla: Rage Across Time IDW Publishing, August, 2016-ongoing Writer: Jeremy Robinson (#1), Chris Mowry & Kahlil Schweitzer (#2) The globally famous, fictional giant reptilian monster “Godzilla” was originally introduced in a 1954 Japanese motion picture. The movie was a way of addressing the consequences of nuclear warfare, a concept all too real to Japan. Over … Read more

Rapid Eye #1 (review)

Rapid Eye #1 (review) Tenacious Comics, 2016 Writer: Bobby Torres There is a memorable sequence in the beginning of this comic which best describes the title’s worth. An audience member asks a question of a speaker: “What risks or side effects does dream invasion technology present? The answer, from Dr Krupke, the man responsible for … Read more