The Shipping News, 7/28/10

It’s Austerity Week at Midtown Comics, with only three new manga arriving on store shelves: Korea as Viewed by 12 Creators (Fanfare/Ponent Mon), volume two of Red Hot Chili Samurai (Tokyopop), and volume eight of Yubisaki Milk Tea (Tokyopop). It’s a safe bet that you can skip the two Tokyopop titles; the former earned the dubious distinction of being named “one of the worst manga of 2010″ by an expert panel at San Diego Comic-Con, while the latter earns demerits for its underage fanservice. The much-anticipated Korea as Viewed by 12 Creators, however, sounds like a solid addition to any grown-up’s library. It’s a collection of twelve short stories by Korean, Italian, and French artists — six by Korean artists, six by European — exploring the question, “What is Korea? What does it mean to be Korean?” Click on the link above to preview one of the stories.

If you’re still itching to part with cash tomorrow, Dark Horse releases volume twenty-four of Stan Sakai’s brilliant Usagi Yojimbo, while Oni Press debuts a new title that has strong crossover potential, Jarrett William’s Super Pro K.O.!:

Joe Somiano is late to his first match in Super Pro K.O.!, and has no clue what awaits him in the rowdy ring! A seasoned sumo wrestler, a jolly luchador, a flambouyant tag team, suspicious executives, and a drunken Heavyweight Champion all stand between him and the superstardom that is his destiny. If the huge egos, clothesline take-downs, and broken chairs across the head don’t squash Joe’s dreams, he may just come out on top. But if he’s going to take home the champion’s belt, he’ll need to bring his best moves against the likes of S.P.K.O.! stars Tomahawk Slamson, Yoko No-No, Mr. Awesomeness 2, and many more in this grand slamma jamma event of a graphic novel!

I read the twenty-seven page preview at the Oni website and liked what I saw; the crazy, vaguely Toriyama-esque artwork seems like the perfect vehicle for depicting the flamboyant world of professional wrestling. Poking fun at the WWE is the equivalent of shooting fish in a barrel, I know, but the story’s cheeky, affectionate tone and anything-for-a-laugh spirit carry the day. And really, what’s not to like about a comic whose villains have names like Mr. Awesomeness 2, Tomahawk Slamson, and Yoko No-No? (And doesn’t Yoko No-No sound like the name of Lady Gaga’s arch nemesis? Think of the costumes!)

For an alternative list of this week’s new arrivals, visit the ComiXology website. A reminder for Boston-area readers: be sure to visit Examiner.com, where Melinda Beasi is posting a weekly run-down of what’s new at Kenmore Square retailer Comicopia. Click here for the inaugural column; click here to subscribe to her Examiner feed.