There are two universal truths in today’s rapidly changing comics industry. The first is that Junji Ito is the defining artist of our time. Second, more people than ever are reading horror comics and webtoons (aka vertical scrolling comics). Therefore, we at Comics Beat have chosen to embark on a new venture called Beat’s Bizarre Halloventure. Each week through October, three writers will recommend their favorite scary books and series from Japan, Korea, and beyond. This time, we’ll be looking at scary topics like immortality. Frozen meat! Animal mask!
live forever
Writer/Artist: Raul Trevino
Editor: Becca Kayden
Background assistant: Andres Baquerizo
Project consultant: E. Dieter
Platform: WEBTOON, Rocketship (print version)
Come on, monkeys! Do you want to live forever?
It’s spooky season. We’ve selected pieces that are perfect for Beat’s Bizarre Halloventure. This was one of the first WEBTOONs I re-read when I first downloaded the app, and it has had a huge influence on my own work. The series is Raul Trevino’s supernatural thriller “Live Forever.” The film tells the story of Sarah, a teenage girl who searches for a way to gain eternal life after a tragic event in her family forces her to confront her own mortality.
Live Forever is one of the only WEBTOON originals I’ve read that is completely black and white. This is a big problem considering that the majority of the original must be in full color. This series stands out for the way it uses line art and black to emphasize shadows, creatures, clothing, and landscapes. Red is also used to grab the reader’s attention, as in comics like Sin City and movies like Schindler’s List.
Raul Trevino’s art is also unique, featuring simple character designs that strike a balance between detail and simplification. The charm of his character art cannot be expressed in words. It is enough to read his works and look at his art to understand how he achieved it.
The webcomic is very short, only 52 episodes. So it’s a short, sweet read that’s perfect for this time of year. Without spoiling the story, fans of mysterious murders and supernatural beings won’t be disappointed. Also, if you read and enjoy this webtoon, we recommend you check out Raul’s other webtoon original Magic Soda Pop. — Justin Guerrero
Vampire and his friends
Writer/Artist: Marishige Ragawa
Original work: Naruse Konohara
Translator: Taylor Engel
Lettering: Abigail Blackman
Publisher: Yen Press
It’s hard to explain why you’re naked in the women’s bathroom at a meat processing plant when you don’t understand the language. Especially when it comes to bats that were accidentally shipped to Japan in frozen meat packages. But this is the predicament Albert finds himself in.
Although he is a vampire, his transformation was not executed properly. Although he now lives as a bat, he unconsciously transforms into a human at night. A series of events leads him to Akira, an embalmer who seemingly teases him with a cross. We accompany Albert as he grapples with life, makes friends, and finds the meaning of his existence.
Marimo Ragawa is a famous manga artist. Two of her other series, New York, New York and Snow White’s Notebook, have been licensed in English. The latter is animated. Her new series “Vampires and Their Fun Friends,” a collaboration with novelist Naruse Konohara, is a slow-paced, bittersweet boys’ love manga featuring strange pairings that never miss a chance to clash.
The series carefully balances goofiness, tragedy, tenderness, and romance. Of course, vampires also appear, so it’s not very “realistic”. However, Albert faces incredible difficulties when he is transformed into a creature unable to maintain his human form. Losing family and friends, having no identification, and being homeless as a result, and having to work a part-time job that barely pays, is now “normal” for him.
Life with the gloomy Embalmer Akira was not always smooth sailing. Still, having allies and a roof over his head is enough for Albert to shine. He is energetic, full of love and kindness. Maybe he is impulsive and accident-prone. But he tries his best to survive in a world that pushes him away. Akira is slow to open up, but he and Albert make a great pair, and his growing trust in his bat apartment mates as the chapters progress is very rewarding to read. .
Mr. Ragawa’s “Vampires and Their Merry Friends” is a moving manga that is perfect for reading in October, especially for people like me who don’t like horror but still want to get into the Halloween spirit. Volume 5 has just been released, so there are still many volumes I want to read! — Merve Girai
Version 1.0.0
everything is fine
Writer/Artist: Mike Birchall
Editor: HB Klein
Platform: WEBTOON, Webtoon Unscrolled (print version)
In a quiet and peaceful neighborhood, a couple named Maggie and Sam live in a lovely house with their dog Winston. Everything seems normal and fine. Until you realize things aren’t right. Winston is no longer…the real Winston. Maggie and Sam avoid things they don’t want or can’t talk about. If I say something wrong, my eyes will turn red and I’ll forget about it. Everything else. teeth. It’s perfect. Are you okay.
Everything is Fine is unsettling primarily because of its very simple art. The colors are simple and solid, and the lines are clean and simple. Virtual conveys eeriness through the use of shadows and enlarging characters’ faces. No dialogue is required here. The reader knows something is wrong, but cannot pinpoint exactly what is wrong. The disturbing atmosphere is also skillfully expressed through the character designs. They all wear animal head masks, so you can’t tell their emotions just by looking at their faces. The eyes of this mask do not blink. It doesn’t sparkle. Whether you’re angry, scared, or happy, it’s the same dull black.
The ominous atmosphere is felt from the beginning, down to the smallest detail. Maggie stares at the three swings in the park, Charlie buys a bunch of foil, and Sam barely makes eye contact (figuratively, not literally) when the supposed attacker stumbles into the garden. The situation is not good, but everyone is too afraid to point it out. This makes writing virtual dialogue even trickier, as characters say things without actually saying them out loud.
Everything is Fine is a webcomic remake of George Orwell’s 1984 where people wear animal heads all day long. Still, the personal stakes feel much higher in Everything is Fine. — Hilary Leon
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