Beauty and The Beast Manga Movie Adaptation by Mallory Reaves

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Disclaimer: The original photos were created by Tokyopop and Mallory Reaves based on the Disney's musical live-action movie Beauty and the Beast. I just used Paint to manipulate and tweak the photos. I do not own the original pictures or the story. 

 

Synopsis  

In Disney's live-action film Beauty and the Beast, Belle, a bright, beautiful and independent young woman, is taken prisoner by a beast in his castle. Despite her fears, she befriends the castle's enchanted staff and learns to look beyond the Beast's hideous exterior and realize the kind heart and soul of the true Prince inside. This manga explores Belle's innermost thoughts as she learns that true beauty comes from within. Belle's Tale - Goodreads

A tale as old as time ... told in timeless manga style

Disney's much-anticipated live-action adaptation of "Beauty and the Beast" hits theaters in March 2017, and it stars Emma Watson and Dan Stevens. This original two-part manga series is based upon the upcoming movie... but you've never seen this classic love story told quite this way before.
The "Beauty" manga delves into Belle's deepest thoughts as she's taken prisoner by the Beast in his majestic castle. Where the "Beast" manga explores Beast's deepest thoughts as he captures Belle in his castle and finds himself falling in love with her feisty attitude and adventurous spirit. The Beast's Tale - Goodreads

My Opinion

Belle's Tale - 3.75/5.00 stars The Beast's Tale - 4.75/5.00 stars

I am going to start by saying that the graphics of this manga were exquisite. (Oh! Look at me using big words.) The overall story was not very far from the original Disney's Beauty and the Beast, the cartoon. I know. I haven't seen my most anticipated 2017 movie, yet. Notice the "yet."

Since it is based on the movie, there may be lots of spoilers.

We learn more about the characters' backgrounds. Belle's part was confusing-ish and felt cut short, in a way, while The Beast's was intriguing. Probably because we knew so little about the beast in the previous Disney's adaptation. Or the manga story makes more sense the second time and it happens to be The Beast's point of view. The overall dialogue combined with the images made the tale to flow rather nicely. Since the manga focused on Belle and The Beast, we do not see too much of Gaston and LeFou. Some plot holes are here and there because of the shift from third person - seen in the movies - to first person in the manga (e.g. the crowd from the castle).

This was a great quick read. And if you are a Beauty and the Beast, you might want to ask Mrs. Potts for some tea because this might be your cup of tea. ;)

Also, are you caving for more Beauty and the Beast? Feel free to check out my review on the French adaptation, La Belle et la Bête, here. 

 

This is my sole opinion. ^_^ 

 

I would like to say thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Fairy Tale, Manga, Graphic Novel, Sequential Art
Language: none
Sexual content: none to mild
Violence: moderate to heavy
Drugs/Alcohol: none

 

Awake by Susan Beneville, Brian Hess (Illustrator) - Comic Volume 2

This post may contain spoilers

Comic Book Synopsis

 

Having successfully completed her first mission to wake up and heal the planet Gremon, Chkarta Dola Regn should be celebrating. Instead she is fleeing from the brutal and greedy Baron Korup. Meanwhile, her brother Picar and her mentor Operi attempt to rescue their friend Chay from the clutches of the duplicitous Gen and the conniving Gurk. This all-ages trade paperback collects Regn and Picar’s further adventures on Gremon in AWAKE #5-8. Awake Vol 2

My Opinion

4.65/5 stars

The epic story continues. The planet is yet again in danger. Our main character are struggling to survive and escape the Baron.

The art is once again great and I can say the same thing about the dialogue.

Finally, we get more in formation about the Dolla. And, more important, we get the background story which caused all the trouble on Gremon. (It felt a little short but it was alright).

If you liked the first volume, you should definitely check out volume 2.

 

This is my sole opinion. ^_^

 

I would like to say thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

 

Also, feel free to check out my review for Awake Vol 1

 

 

Genre: Children Fiction, Fantasy, Magic, Middle grade, Sequential Art
Language: none to mild
Sexual content: none to mild (flirting)
Violence: moderate
Drugs/Alcohol: none to mild 

 



Awake by Susan Beneville, Brian Hess (Illustrator) - Comic Volume 1

Comic Book Synopsis

Twelve year-old Regn has the power to wake and heal planets. But, on her first mission, she lands on Gremon where she discovers an angry planet tearing itself apart, an irresponsible big brother, and a greedy baron who stokes the chaos for his own benefit. Her power may not be enough when she comes face-to-face with the planet’s consciousness. Awake

My Opinion

5/5 stars.

Fans of the Italian comic W.i.t.c.h. will love to read this comic. It has magic. It has people who maintain of the balance in the universe.

The art was amazing.

The story was interesting.

It is a comic for all ages.

I was engaged in the story the whole time. I read issue one through four in one day. So, it is a fun and quick read.

If you like magic, multiple worlds/planets, and adventure, this is definitely your cup of tea.

 

This is my sole opinion. ^_^

 

And, if you are interested in finding other comics to read, you can click the following links Sun Dragon's Song 1 and Sun Dragon's Song 2

 

 

Genre: Children Fiction, Fantasy, Magic, Middle grade, Sequential Art
Language: none to mild
Sexual content: none to mild (flirting)
Violence: moderate
Drugs/Alcohol: none to mild 

Sun Dragon's Song #2 by Joyce Chng, Kim Miranda; Comic Review

 

Publication Date: 01 March 2017

 

Book synopsis - May contain spoilers

Yo Hi's life's dream has finally come true: He's been accepted into the Dragon Riding Academy. While his life will never be the same, unfortunately, some things may never change. Sun Dragon's Song 2

My opinion

5/5 stars.
The second issue was beautiful. It was better than the first one. We learn more about the dragons and the academy. The art is gorgeous. I loved the color scheme. The storyline is captivating.
I recommend this if you love a quick read with and interesting story about war, dragons, magic, and will power.

This is my sole opinion. ^_^

I would like to say thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Coming Soon

Also, feel free to check out my review on the first issue Sun Dragon's Song 1

Genre: Children Fiction, Fantasy, Magic, Sequential Art
Language: none to mild
Sexual content: none
Violence: moderate
Drugs/Alcohol: none

Sun Dragon's Song #1 by Joyce Chng, Kim Miranda

 

Book synopsis

More than anything, young Ho Yi wishes to become a Sun Dragon Rider, the courageous human guardians of the magnificent beasts that roam the sky and keep watch over the land. But confined to crutches, bullies giving him a hard time, and his parents being away at war, Yo Hi is up against almost impossible odds! Can he still keep hope alive, while suffering in his tiny village, to become the valiant hero only he feels he's destined to become? Sun Dragon's Song

 

My opinion

4/5 stars.

This is a cute quick read. The art is great and cute. The storyline is interesting and it deals with powerful themes like hard work, never give up, bulling, and being invisible or singled out in the society because of a defect. Oh! I forgot about the war and warrior parents themes.

I will recommend this if you are a fan of dragons and fantasy.

 

This is my sole opinion. ^_^

 

Genre: Children Fiction, Fantasy, Magic, Sequential Art
Language: none to mild
Sexual content: none
Violence: moderate
Drugs/Alcohol: none

Mer by Joelle Sellner (writer), and Abby Boeh (artist)

Graphic Novel

 

 

Publication Date: 19 April 2017

 

Book synopsis

Twilight meets the legend of Atlantis in this gripping graphic novel from writer Joelle Sellner and artist Abby Boeh. After the death of her beloved mother, Aryn’s father has moved her family to a new town hoping for a fresh start. At first things seem to be going well—Aryn is making friends and has even caught the eye of one of the hottest guys in school. But there are dark forces moving under the surface that Aryn cannot see; and her new crush may not be … human. Mer

My opinion

3.5/5 stars. Rounded to 4 stars based on Goodreads rating.

Mer is a good graphic novel. It has great art and a captivating story. The story is great for a quick read. I liked that at the end of the novel the artists and the author offered more information about the characters' design and the myths behind mer people.

Although, the story felt rushed and there is not enough character development. It feels like the characters are jumping from one emotional/psychological stage to another. Because of this, the storyline does not flow and it is rather... chunky... if this is an actual word. :D

Before publishing, the writing does need some polishing to make the characters' dialogue to flow also.

This graphic novel has a lot of potential if it is going to have more instalments. (Let us hope that that is the case based on the ending.) We need to learn more about the mer people and their world.

Overall, this graphic novel does not have something we have not seen before; although, it has the power to captivate you. Which, in my opinion, that is a good thing.

I am looking forward for the finished product and the possible next instalments.

If you love graphic novels, good art, mermaids, young adult, and romance, this might be your cup of tea.

This also reminded me a lot of the TV shows H2O - Just Add Water and Mako Mermaids - an H2O Adventure.

 

This is my sole opinion.

 

I would like to say thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

 

Genre: Sequential Art, YA, Fiction, Fantasy, Romance
Language:  mild
Sexual content: mild
Violence: moderate
Drugs/Alcohol: mild