cover image Re: Play

Re: Play

, . . Tokyopop, $9.99 (173pp) ISBN 978-1-59816-737-5

Cree and the remaining band members of Faust find themselves in the hot seat after their bassist abandons them in this new English-language manga. Cree stumbles upon Izsak, a talented bassist living in the subway, who just happens to be playing a song that she holds dear. Much to the objections of close friend and guitar player Rail, Cree not only invites Izsak to join the band but also asks him to move in with her. Though Cree and Char (Faust's drummer) accept Izsak with open arms, Rail remains suspicious of a man with no past and no future. Watching Cree grow close with Izsak only succeeds in pushing Rail to dislike him further, and he eventually goes so far as to trail Izsak. But things are not exactly as they seem, and the mysteries surrounding Faust's new bassist run deep. Lijewski seamlessly blends American and Japanese comic styles to create a hybrid, punk manga look that easily catches the eye. Her storytelling is strong, the plot intricate and engrossing, and the characters ultra likable. This is a catchy manga title with an upbeat mood and a style that sets it apart. (Aug.)