1958-1959 (collected 1960) / Ecomics / 62 pages / Belgium
***
Cutting down on the ensemble and the comic cutaways, this late entry felt like a retro throwback, comparisons further encouraged by the return of a character from 25 real-time years ago who naturally hasn't aged like the rest of them. Keeping the politics vague makes the shifting context less glaring than it could have been.
1993-94 / Ecomics / 144 pages / USA
***
The first substantial Dark Horse original, and the longest, this develops the comics/games continuity that further volumes would disappointingly abandon, integrates education without feeling lecturing, and adds a depressing self-deprecating knife-wielding servant boy sidekick for... relatability?
2000 / Ebook / 160 pages / Germany
***
Cosmopolitan sequel.
Yoshitoshi and Tamara Tjardes, One Hundred Aspects of the Moon: Japanese Woodblock Prints by Yoshitoshi
1885-92 (collected 2003) / Ebook / 112 pages / Japan/USA
***
This completed Panini sticker album commemorates a couple's successful 26-year quest to catch 'em all. Nice nature scenes, but I could do without all the people and metamorphosing foxes getting in the way.
Faves: 'The Moon's Four Strings,' 'Mount Ji Ming Moon,' 'The Moon and the Abandoned Old Woman.'
Colin Odell and Michelle Le Blanc, Studio Ghibli: The Films of Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata
2009 / Ebook / 160 pages / UK***
Choreographing my daughter's magical childhood entertainment a bit far in advance (I'll probably let her play outside sometimes), these have always seemed promising as Disney alternatives and I dig the hippie values. Some extracurricular viewing didn't really live up to the gushing praise, but they're not aimed at me. Includes analysis of themes for your GCSE essay.
