<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: May the Force (Manga Style) be with you...
Review: A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, Hisao Tamaki made the best comic adaptation of a movie the US and Japan has ever seen. If you want something original...then your'e outta luck. But if you're a Star Wars fan, or just want something new...then you better get a copy of Star Wars Manga. It's amazing how movies and manga fit so well together(i.e. Neon Genesis Evangelion, Patlabor, Ranma 1/2, Battle Angel Alita, and Sailor Moon). The series throws in some extra goodies like the sandtroopers on dewbacks and a flashback.The text is based off of the script of the movie, so don't expect something out of the ordinary. (Everyone has memorized the script anyways), but what lacks in text that we already know make up in the stuningly visual art. From the menacing Star Destroyers to the scorched remains of Luke's aunt and uncle, it truly is something to read. The character designs are slightly modified, but don't worry, Princess Leia still has two cinnimon buns on her head.
Rating:
Summary: Star Wars: A New Manga
Review: I used to love Star Wars more than anything. It was the end-all, be-all of sci-fi. Then I started to read sci-fi books and watch anime. My opinion of Star Wars went down considerably. And over the years I saw the movies so many times I thought I would never want to see them again. Well, I am once again VERY excited about Star Wars...What do I love about this Manga? Where do I start? First, this Manga is pretty much word-for-word exactly the same as the movie. Secondly, the art style is more than good. It's incredible. I never thought I could get into a comic book without color, but man this one changed my mind. Then there is the character designs. Some people might not like their favorite Star Wars characters remade into anime-style characters with big eyes, but personally I REALLY dig it. I never really liked Princess Leia in
A New Hope, but man, get a load of what she looks like now! She just went from a character I didn't like to a fantasticly beautiful and deeply soulful character (well, that how I feel about it anyway). Lastly, I will say that the action in this Manga series is truly amazing. From the first time a light saber lights up you will be amazed. If you love Star Wars you need this Manga. If you used to like Star Wars and now like comic books, check it out anyway.
Rating:
Summary: Best Star Wars Comics Money Can Buy
Review: I wasn't sure what to expect with the Star Wars: Manga series. I wasn't sure if it would just be a tired retread of familiar material done with big eyes, or if it would be the first really quality adaptation of the Star Wars films. Because lets face it, most Star Wars comics suck. The art is lacklustre, with artists often trying to make their character look too much like Harrison Ford or Mark Hamill. The dialogue is flimsy, with characters either spouting catchphrases from the movies or just dropping awkward speech balloons all over the place. No, Dark Horse has not done much with the coveted Star Wars franchise to crow about. Until now.
I'm not one of those fans that preaches the unfailing superiority of Japanese manga. Nor do I decry the often exaggerated facial expressions and unfamiliar art style. I simply appreciate good comics, and this is good comics. This is the best graphic novel adaptation of Star Wars: A New Hope that anyone could ever ask for. The well-known script is adapted directly from George Lucas' original script, and so it includes the new scenes of the Special Edition releases from a few years back (Though Han does seem the shoot first in a highly satisfyingly violent scene). This is not merely a storyboard adaptation, but a true utilisation of what comics do best. Hisao Tamaki, who adapts and draws this story, uses plenty of panels just to establish mood and setting, most noticeable in the Mos Eisley Cantina scene. The characters, thankfully, are not modelled on their silver screen counter-parts, but rather have a life of their own. Action scenes are a beauty to behold, and Tamaki's kinetic style is really showcased. The lightsaber duel between Vader and Obi-Wan is infused with a distinctly Japanese aesthetic, giving the samurai-esque Kenobi a mobility that the honourable Sir Alec Guiness could simply never achieve. The destruction of Alderaan is handled far more dramatically than in the film, flashing panels of the people of that doomed world with the Death Star as it charges its cannon. The blast is one of those truly impressive sights that make your eyes widen in an attempt to take it all in.
Perhaps the most appealing part of this series is the way Tamaki exploits the lighter moments to brilliant effect. The Jawa's incessant jabbering, the mugging of Luke and Han, and especially the frantic chases through the Death Star in the third volume all illicit great little moments. Once one becomes accustomed to Tamaki's visual language, including little teardrops and pulsing forehead veins, it's easy to follow the laughs.
If there are any drawbacks to this story, they involve the inevitable problems in translating a Japanese work for an English market. Virtually all panels are mirrored to accommodate our left-to-right reading style. It seems that some action scenes devoid of dialogue were left in their original format, making the transition a bit jarring if your eye's sharp enough to spot the gaffes. I've read other reviews that disapproved of the sound effect lettering, arguing that it distracted from the art in certain scenes. I agree that the sound effects are occasionally overwhelming, but they are clearly an important part of the art style, and are used so effectively in certain scenes that I'm willing to forgive this minor sin.
For any fans of the Star Wars films or comics series, this set is a valuable and highly entertaining addition that lets you appreciate the classic tale in a new medium. I look forward to reading the following Star Wars: Manga adaptations.
Rating:
Summary: different, but worth it!
Review: I've yet to see any adaptation that fits as perfectly as StarWars does to the manga drawing style. Hisao Tamaki does an _excellent_ job of fitting the story to the pages, word for word it follows the original script to a T. It's such a cute idea, I chuckled the first time I saw them. A great idea for the StarWars lover who has everything. Hey Mr Tamaki! when are we going to get to see the other movies, huh? :)
Rating: 
Summary: IT'S STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE LIKE YOU'VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE!!
Review: Luke, Leia, Han, Chewie, Obi-Wan, and Darth Vader all drawn (Japanese) MANGA style! Taken directly from George Lucas' script for Episode IV of Star Wars, this book is masterfully drawn by Hisao Tamaki, with a cover by Adam Warren (Dirty Pair). Note: This is the first of 4 volumes that make up the entire Star Wars story.
Rating: 
Summary: The Star Wars comic for people who hate Star Wars comics!
Review: Remember when Star Wars was actually fun? When the merchandising didn't overshadow the actual movie? When Colonel Sanders didn't wield a lightsaber? If not, read the manga version -- and you will. Hisao Tamaki's adaptation is fluid, juicy, and funny, his mecha are solid, and his character design and depiction inject a familiar cast with new life. Simply wonderful.
Rating:
Summary: The Star Wars comic for people who hate Star Wars comics!
Review: Sure, it's a little pricy for 1/4 of another adaptation of the classic Star Wars, but it is different than most anything we have seen to this point. The manga art style is very well done, to a point where it puts the comics of this country to shame. Also there are a few surprises, such as a scene with Dewback mounted Stormtroopers and a certain Sandcrawler. If youre after something original story-wise this isnt it. However the almost word for word use of the script causes the John Williams score to play in the background of your thinking. Overall a beautifully illustrated volume. Worth it for all those fans who MUST have all things Star Wars.
Rating:
Summary: For Hard Core Star Wars Fans...A Must Read
Review: Sure, it's a little pricy for 1/4 of another adaptation of the classic Star Wars, but it is different than most anything we have seen to this point. The manga art style is very well done, to a point where it puts the comics of this country to shame. Also there are a few surprises, such as a scene with Dewback mounted Stormtroopers and a certain Sandcrawler. If youre after something original story-wise this isnt it. However the almost word for word use of the script causes the John Williams score to play in the background of your thinking. Overall a beautifully illustrated volume. Worth it for all those fans who MUST have all things Star Wars.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful and entertaining.
Review: This is a truly wonderful adaption. I love the style, and the whole thing is just so good you won't care that you've already seen the movie. It's like, you can really look over the good parts, taking in every detail. Thank God they kept it in black and white! The artist does an incredible job with shading and character likeness, and you can almost hear Mark Hamill's voice... This manga also includes a flash back and a cool pic of the sandtroopers on dewbacks. I'd recommend this for Star Wars fans in general, Japanese or American.
Rating:
Summary: Incredible!
Review: Well at least this is a more complete version of the film than the American one, I'm a great lover of anime and manga, and you can be sure that I loved reading Star Wars in this highly expressive style, This volume features many scenes scripted that never made even to the Special Edition. Certainly artist Hisao Tamaki took some liberties like changing a little bit of Princess Leia's look, but I can asure you that it looks great and true to the original style... hey! by the way if George Lucas got inspired to create Star Wars by watching Akira Kurosawa's films then you can be sure this is a wonderful adaptation!
<< 1 >>
|
