In today’s ever-changing comics industry, there are two universal truths. The first one is dog man is an iconic comic of our time. The second is that more people are reading comics and online comics (also known as vertical comics) than ever before. So, we at Comics Beat have chosen to embark on a new adventure: Beat’s Bizarre Adventure. Each week, three authors recommend some of their favorite books and series from Japan, Korea, and elsewhere. This week we have food comics, restless souls, and of course memes.
It’s not love but delicious food that makes me so happy!
Writer/Artist: Ji Yongwen
Translator: William Flanagan
Publisher: Yen Press
I don’t usually flock to food comics for entertainment because I’m not really a foodie myself. But as America recently celebrates Thanksgiving, I thought it would be a good opportunity to talk about a story that’s a little outside of my comfort zone; a story about food.
Ji YongwenThe restaurant’s focal piece follows the self-insert character “F-mi Y-naga” and a rotating cast whose lives are intertwined with F-mi’s love of food. Whatever drama is happening around these characters is usually resolved or discussed through well-choreographed meals and then broken down in incredible detail through mouth-watering dialogue.
While the book considers the resemblance to the real-life character to be mere coincidence, Yoshinaga’s love of food is anything but. Every restaurant and dish (served at every restaurant) is authentic, and each chapter ends with the name of the restaurant, a map of its location and address, information on opening hours, and even whether there’s parking nearby. and additional reviews of each restaurant from Yoshinaga himself.
Since this book was originally published in Japan about 20 years ago, I can’t guarantee that every restaurant is still open, but one can hope! I didn’t google them. If you’re traveling to Japan, take a copy with you and look for these attractions. I bet this would make Yoshinaga happy.
This is a great book and only one volume. I recommend you give it a try, especially if you like food comics. — Derek Crow
Takahashi overslept
Writer/Artist: Goodbye little tree
Translator: Frank J/E Spinelli
Engraving: Cristina de la Cruz
Publisher: Comics Plus
Takahashi overslept is a new comic series Yahei Noblewhich will be serialized on “Shōnen Jump+” starting from July 2024. At its core, the comic blends romance, comedy, and action with some exorcism tropes to create a compelling and unique narrative.
The plot revolves around Takahashi, a laid-back student known for being always late for school. But beneath his lethargic appearance lies a hidden identity tied to the supernatural world. Megumi is a spirited classmate who is determined to give Takahashi a taste of normal life while pushing him toward romance. The story balances its elements with an unusual charm as the two endure an exorcism battle and a budding relationship.
What settings Takahashi overslept What sets it apart is its fresh perspective on exorcism-themed comics. While many entries in the genre are deeply rooted in dark action and intense combat, this series feels more like a romantic comedy set against the backdrop of an exorcism. The lighthearted humor and relatable characters give it an approachable, refreshing vibe. I love the characters in this series, especially the ghosts. My favorite is the cute and silly Arguing Cat. Even those who don’t normally like exorcism comics will find something to like here.
The highlight of the comic is its character dynamics. Megumi’s brash antics and motivations help Takahashi add a unique layer to their interactions, making the romance feel focused and balanced. Chapter 2 does an especially good job of developing the two protagonists, showing Megumi’s independence yet endearingly committed to Takahashi.
Artistically, Koki Aguro blends crude illustrations, chibi-style expressions, and beautiful details. The villains in particular exude coolness. Small gags like the ghost mask flying off, as well as big jokes sprinkled here and there, make this comedy a highlight.
If you’re a fan of romantic comedies or just looking for a feel-good series with a supernatural edge, Takahashi overslept Worth adding to your list. It’s a delightful mix of humour, romance and quirky exorcisms – perfect for anyone looking to escape the ordinary. — Ilkin Side Soybeans
gay sisters
Writer/Artist: Bunbei
platform: webcomic
WEBTOON memes are not common in the West. There are some memes circulating on the Internet similar to “I have armor locks, you can’t hurt me.” Skeleton soldiers failed to defend the dungeon. But today we have the now infamous “Queen Never Cry” meme, which took on a life of its own thanks to an online comic called “Queen Never Cry.” gay sisters.
i started reading gay sisters After finding the source of this meme. That alone created some crazy expectations for this story. Does it meet the above expectations? Oh, there’s definitely more! The series centers on the titular Ki sisters, including the eldest, second and third daughters, Jaerim and Jenny. They live in a home with pastel colors and old furniture. They are also goth girls, with black hair, black lipstick, black clothes and eye shadow, contrasting with their pale skin. The Key sisters’ look was inspired by characters like “Wednesday Addams.” addams family and characters from Tim Burtonworks.
In each episode, the sisters solve new dilemmas in strange ways. These include Jenny searching for her boyfriend through intense eye contact; searching for her crow-like father; and Jenny going to school to be with her crush. Each scene may sound simple, but the sisters and their actions make for a fun and memorable panel.
BunbeiThe art is outstanding. Despite the obvious use of 3D assets (which sometimes don’t blend well with their own artwork) and some easily identifiable Clip Studio Paint brushes, they know how to push the character’s expression to elicit the right emotion in the reader and sell the scene. I have no words to describe the amount of emotions Bunbae brings to the Ki sisters. But it’s their expressions combined with detailed line art and design that lead to unforgettable memes like “Queen Don’t Cry.”
For those wondering, the viral meme appeared in episode 34 of the Naver original. As of this writing, the official English WEBTOON version has reached episode 20. One thing I do wonder is why WEBTOON doesn’t promote and promote this series. I saw a banner for it during the launch a few weeks ago, and while the official WEBTOON X/Twitter account referenced the meme, it didn’t specify where it came from. This would have been a great opportunity for the WEBTOON marketing team to promote gay sisters. But that hasn’t happened yet, so I will. — Justin Guerrero
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