Yipee! It's Akira! Or rather, oh sodding nass. It's Akira. I've read up to issue 21 in the Epic series only to find I don't have 22 or 36 for that matter. I was sure I'd read it all the way through before too. But I guessed I just skipped past the missing ones on my last reread.
As for the others, Alchemist certainly has some interesting story turns, but the art style didn't really work for me.
I read some Golgo 13 quite a while ago, but didn't pick up any more. I just didn't see much of the depth that I've read about it since. I recall thinking I'd read better Euro versions of similar themes. Possibly one to reread. As it's been going on such a long time, the styles are quite retro now.
Speaking of Euro, Monster has some locations there. This is one that I've only read a little of, and out of sequence. Again, I've seen similar themes elsewhere, but I don't think I gave it quite the look it deserved.
Saturn Apartments I've not seen at all. But I thought it was interesting and added it here as a reminder to myself
I think there's a bit of Halo Jones in there.
Which brings me to the last three. I generally prefer the near future tech of manga, which is why the list didn't have any fantasy types really.
I have the late '90s versions of Patlabor, but it was the films that made me go back for a second look.
Ghost in the Shell is a favourite, as much for the hints of an emsemble cast we sometimes see. Certainly for the detailed techno-politically motivated plots. While the lead characters are interesting, It's never been why I read it (note recent anime, where I'm muttering "get on with it" when it's another Kusanagi scene.) Shirow's art was just superb and even more innovative in the sequel.
Which leaves us with Akira, which remains stunning, even when Kaneda is such a jerk. I didn't get it when the first few epic issues came out. I was waiting at a comic shop before going to meet someone, when I took a glance. The format would suggest it was more expensive, and to sacrifice a few mainstream comics for one of something else was always a decision. The film wouldn't have been far away by that point either. I saw that first before I ever got my paws on the back issue I had missed.
The divergence between the mediums is striking and shows that not everything has to stay faithful in order for it to be as good. But, off to get those issues. Who knows what happened to them?
Over to you Ibby...
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