All That JAZZ
Or, What About BOB (Boobies On the Beach)
I’m baaaaaaAAaaAaaAaaaaaaaAaaAAAAaaack!!
Honestly, it really feels like forever since I wrote a review for a book. Thankfully, things are calming down a little more. Though, it’s definitely the calm before the storm… I've been placing orders for materials, packing supplies, stickers, mailers, and of course books for fulfillment of my latest Kickstarter, American Yakuza, Act I.
Speaking of American Yakuza, the prelaunch page is live for Act II!!
The Latest Book I Read for Review is JAZZy!
Christyle, Inc., let me read their JAZZ - Juggernauts Against Zealous Zealots #1 recently and I’m glad I got a chance to check it out. They just launched and funded #2, so this is good timing, haha.
JAZZ: Juggernauts Against Zealous Zealots #1-2
The Neo-Haven Government strikes back in this 24+ page manga comic!
White People Ya’ll Can’t Hear Jimi…
JAZZ #1 opens up with two fine ladies chillin’ on the beach. We quickly figure out they’re agents and there’s a game afoot. I won’t spoil what, don’t worry. Most of my reviews are generally spoiler-free (but if I think something is a spoiler, I’ll flag it in advance so you can avoid it).
Now, one thing to note is that JAZZ #0 came before this as noted on the inside front cover:
This is a continuation of the prior chapter 0. Our heroes have been tasked with connecting the link between the portal excursions and the Neo Haven government. JAZZ, a group formed by the tech genius J. Morgan aka Hex, has become a thorn in the government’s side ever since the speculations began to appear. With their multiple advancements in their own abilities sought from the defeated portal monsters, will it be enough to shed light on this corporate evil?
So, if you’re a little confused at some things either pick up JAZZ #0 from Christyle, Inc., or just keep reading — I felt pretty caught up by the time I reached the end of #1 (though knowing the origin and purpose of JAZZ was helpful from that inside cover blurb).
The mission is to break into a server room for the opposition and download some files (related to what I won’t tell). The two agents we met on the beach are aided by another agent, a male, and an android of sorts (not the smartphone type).
Will they succeed? For what purpose? What’s on these files? Why does the Neo Haven gov’t need this intel? Why is JAZZ full of such cute agents??
Oh, and boobies are always a distraction for me, too. I feel that.
His Whole Damn Band is White!
The book is very dialogue-driven. That’s not to say it’s wordy at all, but the characters do most of the exposition for you in a very shōnen manga way (which I’m sure is intentional based on the art, theme, and format).
The art by Ash Kohari is just great. There are a few moments where their style could use some minor tweaks or redos (little things a good, pro editor would pick up), IMO, but 97% of the book is as gorgeous as the art I just posted above this paragraph. It’s really clean, with good composition, solid storytelling, and packed with visual humor (when the script calls for it). I’d love to work with Ash one day on a cover or even a backup story for one of my books!
I Tried to Listen to the Woman and You're the One Who Talked Me Out of It.
Overall this is a really, really fun book and very well-assembled. The team is fantastic, the concept is fun, and the story is entertaining! I’m looking forward to seeing JAZZ collected in a tankōbon some day, with 200+ pages of story and art from this team.
I’m a backer for Issue #2, and you should join me. I’m 💯 confident you will enjoy it if you like manga, sexy agents, spy-like adventure, and books that don’t feel the need to fill the pages with massive spreads, but instead finds a pace that suits the story, the context, and gives the art (and story) time to breathe. I’m sure there will be plenty of action in issues to come, but for now this is a very strong first issue.
