Unusual U

(Radio Comix, 2002)
TM and (c) Radio Comix

You’d think that Ninja High School would have the whole of the mock-manga high-school comedy genre covered, but Unusual U (it automatically earns 10 points just for the title, which just begs to be repeated endlessly) wins a place for itself on the stands by trying softer. It may have fun with manga clichés and situations but, at heart, it’s every bit as much influenced by Archie as it is anime (“Anime Archie” — no doubt, coming sooner than we think).

The opening salvo is the traditional “new kid in town” story, the newcomer quickly bonding to a group of Sexnader High (which is, point of a fact, not a “U”), members having their own secrets or powers, and who resembles a distorted Archie archetype. Creators James Hanrahan and John Barrett fully commit to the bit, the results are lighthearted and breezy, and, page after page, the crisp, clean art just keeps getting better and better.

— S.A. Bennett

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Notes

Writer

Artist

#1

June, 2002
Cover Price: $2.99
2 copies available from $0.94

James Hanrahan

John Barrett