Rapid Reviews - 22 September 2004 - Part III

Daisy Kutter #2: I really like the artwork in this book. It's stylish and fun, and the world is such a neat mix of modern and ... not. I like Daisy, and this issue gives us more of her history as well as some really funny scenes with Tom. And I liked the back-up story a lot, too. Recommended.

Yellow Jar: I can't say this is perfect, but it's very, very nice. A couple of Japanese tales retold, with simply magnificent artwork. The first story involves a yellow jar, a lie, a demon, and the power of love. The second story is about a couple of weeds and a garden. The artwork is both classic and modern enough to satisfy my pickiness with storytelling. In some places, the only way I can describe this book is exquisite. Highly recommended, particularly for anyone who enjoys folktales and folklore.

Silk Tapestry: This book features three Chinese folktales. The first is a very short creation myth. The second is a beautiful story with an ambiguous ending that I found extremely sad. The third is a fun little tale of a little boy with a special talent. I didn't enjoy this one as much as I enjoyed the first volume, but that had to do with the choice of stories and not the quality of the retelling. It is an excellent book, and recommended. Again, particularly for anyone who enjoys traditional stories.

Still to review: Noble Causes and Smallville.