Diamond Life 2, Under the Rose 4, Nanase Fire Investigator 3 (Level Comics manga out now)

Diamond Life 2 (Level Comics)

Diamond Life © Fujiwara Akira/Shogakukan (First serialized in Petit Comic)
Published in Indonesia by Elex Media Komputindo/Level Comics
[Artwork provided by Level Comics]

Also, Priest 5, Ole! 4 (penultimate), The Ravages of Time 2, and Go Go Hanasaki Detective Office 2

Disregarding the Keep away! warning signs posted by Itaru, Kanae declares her love for Money is the best! wunderkind Haruki, only to be rejected. Not long after, Haruki also issues a cease and desist order to stop Kanae from ever coming over to his mansion again, before blithely going off to play shogi. Quo vadis the Haruki x Kanae relationship? Find out in the penultimate volume of Diamond Life, the top DO WANT! of this Level manga release.

Meanwhile, in the increasingly frantic, tragic, melodramatic(?) Under the Rose: Spring's Paean, Rachel, the virtuous governess of Roland's children, continues to suffer at the hands of cold-blooded second son William. Desperate, Rachel decides to drown herself. But before she can do so, she learns that the darkness enshrouding Roland's family extends farther than William...

Level Comics manga, manhua, and manhwa (2010.05.12)

Release links are hide/unhide. Click for more details and cover scans.

  1. Diamond Life 2 of 3 by Fujiwara Akira
  2. Go Go Hanasaki Detective Office (Go-Go Kochira Shiritsu Hanasaki Tantei Jimusho) 2 of 4 by Watanabe Wataru
  3. Nanase Fire Investigator (Kasai Chousakan Nanase) 3 of 7 by Hashimoto Izo & Ichikawa Tomoshige
  4. 火災調査官ナナセ 3

    Kasai Chousakan Nanase火災調査官ナナセ
    by Hashimoto Izo & Ichikawa Tomoshige
    Shinchosha Bunch Comics, seinen
    Volume 3 first published in Japan 2006.06

    Fire Investigator Nanase published in English by CMX (volume 4 released 2010.05.11 • volume 5 street date: 2010.08.24)

  5. Officer Monju (Seigi Keikan Monju) 5 of 9+ by Miyashita Hiroki
  6. 正義警官モンジュ 5

    Seigi Keikan Monju正義警官モンジュ
    by Miyashita Hiroki
    Shogakukan Sunday GX, seinen
    Volume 5 first published in Japan in 2008.03

  7. Ole! 4 of 5 by Nohda Tatsuki
  8. オーレ! 4

    Ole!オーレ! 」 by Nohda Tatsuki
    Shinchosha Bunch Comics, seinen
    Volume 4 first published in Japan 2007.09

  9. Priest 5 of 16+ by Hyung MinWoo
  10. Priest 5 (Level Comics)

    Priest프리스트 」 by Hyung MinWoo
    Daiwon C.I. Champ Comics, seinen
    Volume 5 first published in Korea 2000.01
    Series on hiatus from volume 16

    Priest published in English by TOKYOPOP (16 volumes; Priest: Purgatory, an original GN, is slated for release August 2010, before the Screen Gems film adaptation starring Paul Bettany, Cam Gigandet, and Maggie Q premieres on 14 January 2011 in the U.S. (It had been formerly scheduled for an August 2010 release; the movie will start its Indonesian run on 2 February 2011.)

  11. The Ravages of Time (Huo Feng Liao Yuan) 2 of 37+ by Chan Mou
  12. 火鳳燎原 2

    Sanguozhi Qunxiongzhuan: Huo Feng Liao Yuan
    火鳳燎原 」 by Chan Mou
    Tong Li New Youth, seinen
    Volume 2 first published in Japan 2001.07

    Published in simplified Chinese by Chuang Yi (latest: volume 37)

  13. Tomo'o (Danchi Tomoo) 8 of 16+ by Oda Tobira
  14. 団地ともお 8

    Danchi Tomoo団地ともお 」 by Oda Tobira
    Shogakukan Big Comic Spirits, seinen
    Volume 8 first published in Japan 2006.09

  15. Under the Rose: Spring's Paean (Under the Rose - Haru no Sanka) 4 of 6+ by Funato Akari
  16. Under the Rose 4

    Under the Rose - Haru no Sanka by Funato Akari
    Under the Rose 春の賛歌
    Gentosha Birz Comics Deluxe, josei
    Volume 4 first published in Japan 2006.11

    Related series: Honey Rose (prequel; one volume, complete)

Level Comics European comics (2010.05.12)

  1. Spirou: Air Keabadian (Spirou et Fantasio, tome 48: L'homme qui ne voulait pas mourir) by Morvan, Munuera, Nemiri, Lerolle
  2. Spirou: Penyihir di Champignac (Spirou et Fantasio, tome 2: Il y a un sorcier à Champignac) by Franquin

Level Comics reissues (2010.05.12)

  1. [RE-STO] Harlequin: The Case of Missing Secretary by Diana Palmer
  2. [RE-STO] Harlequin: Emma and The Earl 1 by Paula Marshall
  3. [RE-STO] Harlequin: Emma and The Earl 2 by Paula Marshall

NOTE
(1) Sources: Elex Media STO 12 May 2010 (release schedule) and Komikologi (synopses, except where noted)
(2) All listed manga are priced at IDR 17,000 each, except Officer Monju 5 and Under the Rose: Spring's Paean 4 (SRP: IDR 18,000). The reissued Harlequin manga retail for IDR 12,000 apiece; the Spirou ROMICS are IDR 35,000 per volume.
(3) Links like this are Amazon.com (or other online merchants) search and/or product links (commercial), in case you're interested in another language version.

Moar summaries

Officer Monju 5 by Miyashita Hiroki

Junpei accidentally unearths a prototype of Red Monju and brings it to the police station. Christened Fugen, Red Monju captures the hearts of everyone around, inciting Monju's envy. But all of a sudden, Fugen goes berserk and attacks Junpei and Monju! What caused Fugen to go nuts? And can Monju and Junpei stop the rampaging Fugen?

Ole! 4 by Nohda Tatsuki

Finally, the deciding match in the N2 Division kicks off, but the rival team has the funding, player, and home team advantage. Can Kazusa Ole stay in N2 or will it be demoted to the amateurs' league?

Priest 5 by Hyung MinWoo

Vascar de Guillon, the Holy Knight who has lost his faith in God after his wife and children were burned alive, finds Temazorela's “crypt” and is possessed by the fallen angel. Temozarela in Vascar de Guillon's body encounters Betheal, the priest who would later turn into Beliel. Thus marks the beginning of the protracted war between the two.

[With additions from Wikipedia's Priest article]

The Ravages of Time 2 by Chan Mou

The retelling of the Three Kingdoms classic from the viewpoint of the Sima clan that would unite the warring Wei, Shu, and Wu nations continues with the Canbing assault to save Sima Lang—Sima Yi's brother—from the Luoyang prison.

Canbing leader Liaoyuan Huo succeeds in infiltrating the Guandong forces and Luoyang. But before the fearless Liaoyuan Huo can free Sima Lang, he first has to face the God of War, Lu Bu.

ROMICs: Spirou et Fantasio

Spirou and Fantasio, as Wikipedia points out, are the journalist protagonists of one of the most popular classic Franco-Belgian comic strips around, along with Hergé's Tintin and Goscinny and Uderzo's Asterix. (Not to mention the also Level-released Smurfs and Lucky Luke series.) Accompanying the newshound pair on their exploits are Spip, Spirou's pet squirrel, and scientist friend, the Count of Champignac. Franquin (André Franquin) is considered the comics' definitive author, even though it was originally created by Robert Velter (Rob-Vel) in 1938. Spirou et Fantasio would later be handled by a long line of cartoonists, among them, Jijé (Joseph Gillain); Jean-Claude Fournier; Yves Chaland; and Tome & Janry. Morvan (Jean-David Morvan) & Munuera (José-Luis Munuera) brought Spirou et Fantasio to the 21st century — with a hint of manga about it.

Level brings us two of Spirou and Fantasio's adventures in this release, one by the original Franquin and the other by the Morvan & Munuera team.

Spirou et Fantasio, tome 48: L'homme qui ne voulait pas mourir

Spirou: Air Keabadian by Morvan & Munuera

Spirou et Fantasio, tome 48: L'homme qui ne voulait pas mourir (The Man Who Didn't Want To Die)
by Morvan & Munuera (Dupuis SA, 2005)

Spirou and Fantasio travel to Guaracha to help Fantasio's uncle Tanzafio hunt down Fantasio's cousin Zantafio, after Zantafio stole his uncle's journal containing the map to the fabled fountain of youth. The chase leads Spirou and Fantasio and squirrel Spip through the dense South American jungle, facing warring Guaracha Indian tribes along the way. But whatever happens, the trio will do everything to keep the petty (and not so petty) tyrant Zantafio from hogging the eternal springs.

[With additions from Spirou et Fantasio: L'homme qui ne voulait pas mourir (Amazon France)]

Spirou: Penyihir di Champignac

Spirou et Fantasio, tome 2: Il y a un sorcier à Champignac (There is a Sorcerer in Champignac)
by Franquin (Dupuis, 1951)

Spirou et Fantasio, tome 2: Il y a un sorcier à Champignac

Spirou and Fantasio's bicycle camping trip is disturbed by strange happenings in the village of Champignac-en-Cambrousse, where they meet the egotistic windbag, Mayor Gustave Labarbe, and local aristocrat Pacôme Hégésippe Adélard Ladislas de Champignac, a genius inventor. The bizarre phenomena besetting the village include mushrooms sprouting everywhere, small animals suddenly becoming huge, calves turning into full-grown cattle only to die — all occurring in the space of mere hours. The villagers blame a passing gypsy, but the perp is actually...

[With addition's from Spirou et Fantasio: Il y a un sorcier à Champignac (Wikipedia)]

Written by Henri Gillain, this volume features the first appearance of the recurring character, the Mayor of Champignac, and the Count of Champignac who would go on to accompany Spirou and Fantasio in later adventures.

~niki DBA huamulan03 (花木蘭03) who owes a debt of gratitude to Priest editor Lenny-san for the Level covers and blurbs

disclaimer

Cover images and source summaries used here for reference are © their respective intellectual rights holders. No infringement intended.

manga currently available (12 May 2010 street date)

  • Elex Media: Burning Pen by Shimamoto Kazuhiko · Cross Game 16 · Eyeshield 21 V37 of 37 · Fantastic Tales 2 · The Fifth Columnist 2 of 2 · K-ON! 1 by Kakifly · Kuro Memanggul Peti Mati 1 by Kiyuduki Satoko · Pangeran Kacamata 3 · School Rumble 10 · Shugo Chara! 9 Tokkyu! 11 · V.B. Rose 1 by Hidaka Banri · Vitamin Cat 1 by Sugiyama Ryoko · Wazabo 3 · Nakayoshi 80/2010
  • m&c!: Beauty Pop 6 · Bleach 24 · Blizzard Axel 9 · Goong [Palace Story] 20 · Innocent Revenge by Hazuki Rei · Nekomachi Shop Guide 1 by Sakamoto Miku · Princess Bouquet 1 by Aomata Pink · Shanimuni GO 29 · Shanaou Yoshitsune volumes 18-22 box set

related monthly schedules

Level Comics May 2010 manga
Premiering Dolls of God by Yamamura Hajime, Oh Butterfly Oh Flower by Yoshihara Yuki · Second Engage by Aikawa Momoko (standalone)

Level Comics April 2010 manga
Premiering Historie by Iwaaki Hitoshi and Pandemic by Kakizaki Masasumi (one-shot) · Concluding Doubt and My Lovely Honey

other invaluable resources

7net Shopping ·Baka-Updates Manga · Wikipedia · manaworld.com · Amazon France

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