Tuesday, April 03, 2007
The Uncanny X-Goddesses
I think I may have figured out what's been causing the long delays with Dark Horse's Oh My Goddess! series. It appears that the long-running manga series has a new writer as of volume twenty-five. Although series creator Kosuke Fujishima is still providing the book's artwork, the writing duties are now being handled by none other than Chris Claremont. This change in authors may not be readily apparent, since Claremont's name is inexplicably absent from the book's credits, but I think an examination of the evidence at hand makes a strong case for Claremont's authorship. First up, consider this development:
That's right, it's Dark Belldandy. Tell me that's not something straight out of an old X-Men comic written by Claremont. "Oh no! Our virginally pure teammate has started wearing fetish outfits that are even more revealing than usual! She must be possessed by an evil force!"
That alone pretty much clinches it for me, but in case you need more convincing, here are other signs that Oh My Goddess! Volume 25 is a Claremont comic:
But really, all you need to know is:
(Hmm, kind of reminiscent of Spiky Supergirl as well, now that I think about it.
Was Jeph Loeb a co-writer?)
It does appear that Claremont needs a little time to adjust to writing a manga series, however. He hasn't quite got a hang of the pacing yet, ending this volume abruptly and awkwardly in the middle of a fight scene. (Mid-lunge, even, which is really weird to think of that character sustaining that pose for months until the next volume comes out.)
At any rate, it should be interesting to see what Claremont has in store this venerable manga series. I look forward to the inevitable plot points of Belldandy losing her powers; Belldandy leaving the team; Keiichi falling for Urd; Keiichi and Belldandy's daughter from an alternate future traveling back in time to try to prevent the eradication of all goddesses; Skuld moving to London to form her own team when she mistakenly believes everyone else died; etc, etc. 11:01 PM | |
I think I may have figured out what's been causing the long delays with Dark Horse's Oh My Goddess! series. It appears that the long-running manga series has a new writer as of volume twenty-five. Although series creator Kosuke Fujishima is still providing the book's artwork, the writing duties are now being handled by none other than Chris Claremont. This change in authors may not be readily apparent, since Claremont's name is inexplicably absent from the book's credits, but I think an examination of the evidence at hand makes a strong case for Claremont's authorship. First up, consider this development:
That's right, it's Dark Belldandy. Tell me that's not something straight out of an old X-Men comic written by Claremont. "Oh no! Our virginally pure teammate has started wearing fetish outfits that are even more revealing than usual! She must be possessed by an evil force!"
That alone pretty much clinches it for me, but in case you need more convincing, here are other signs that Oh My Goddess! Volume 25 is a Claremont comic:
- Two female characters (one completely naked, natch) share a tender moment that's completely innocent — what do mean there's implied lesbianism to titillate male readers?
- A fierce female warrior struggles to understand simple human interactions, such as compliments.
- An eeeeee-vil villainess mocks the heroes for their weakness.
- The heroes retort that their weaknesses of compassion and camaraderie are really strengths that the villain could never hope to understand.
- Teammates manage to share/swap each other's powers in unexpected ways to combat the villain.
- Heroes endure great pain and suffering to escape the villain's trap through sheer force of will.
- The battered hero makes an impressive last stand against the villain.
- The lettering is done by Tom Orzechowski.
But really, all you need to know is:
DARK BELLDANDY!!
(Hmm, kind of reminiscent of Spiky Supergirl as well, now that I think about it.
Was Jeph Loeb a co-writer?)
It does appear that Claremont needs a little time to adjust to writing a manga series, however. He hasn't quite got a hang of the pacing yet, ending this volume abruptly and awkwardly in the middle of a fight scene. (Mid-lunge, even, which is really weird to think of that character sustaining that pose for months until the next volume comes out.)
At any rate, it should be interesting to see what Claremont has in store this venerable manga series. I look forward to the inevitable plot points of Belldandy losing her powers; Belldandy leaving the team; Keiichi falling for Urd; Keiichi and Belldandy's daughter from an alternate future traveling back in time to try to prevent the eradication of all goddesses; Skuld moving to London to form her own team when she mistakenly believes everyone else died; etc, etc. 11:01 PM | |