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MANGA REVIEWS

Vol 1: ISBN4-08-878076-0
23 Apr 1997
Vol 2: ISBN4-08-878077-9
24 Sept 1997
Vol 3: ISBN4-08-878201-1
24 Jan 1998
SC ALLMAN



—by Jennifer Au

A delightfully refreshing look at life with a family that's full of surprises, F.COMPO (FAMILY COMPO) is Hojo Tsukasa's latest manga series. However, unlike UNDER THE DAPPLE SHADE and RASH!!, F.COMPO has already proved that it can survive beyond the 3-manga volume lifespan. No longer in Shonen Jump, F.COMPO debuted in ALLMAN last year. And whether because of its new home, or the fun storyline, F.COMPO is still going strong.
  After the death of his parents, protagonist Masahiko is invited to stay with relatives. Looking forward to a real family home environment, Masahiko soon learns that there's more to this family than meets the eye. But not to worry, Shion, the family daughter, is determined to broaden the way Masahiko looks at the world. Meanwhile Sora, the father and a manga artist, watches as his daughter grows up. And his wife, Yukari, deals with the ghosts of her past. What makes this storyline interesting is that it doesn't always center on the kids. Although Masahiko is obviously the main character in the series, there are chapters where he does not make more than a cursory appearance. Each individual in the family seems to have their fair share of the limelight, which allows each character to really develop in the eyes of the reader. The reader never really feels like he/she is being wrenched from one character to another. And yet, the characters retain their unique identities, including their relative age differences and experiences.
  True to classic Hojo style, the characters have remarkable depth. Hojo's attention to detail is ever-present. The manga art hasn't improved much since the end of the CITY HUNTER manga series; however, it's still Hojo at his finest. Little nuances have been improved, such as character expressions and gender differences. Hojo fans will be happy to know that details of fashion, background, inanimate objects, and humor have carried over from his previous works. Hojo's mastery of the pen can easily be seen in the subtleties of his characters' expressions, as if you could read their thoughts.
  And what about cameos? Keep your eyes open in volume 1 for an old, if somewhat confused, friend. For the most part characters look and act refreshingly new in this series. The main character is in his mid-teens. F.COMPO always keeps the reader guessing. You never know what'll happen from one day to the next. As of this date, 3 volumes have been released. And, while the first two volumes are fairly "straightforward" (once you get the basics of the characters and plot worked out), the third book is an exercise in doubletakes as Masahiko takes on an avalanche of sudden surprises and a very unique role. In fact, the cover of the third volume may even surprise the reader.
  As a longtime Hojo fan, I am very fond of FAMILY COMPO. But, readers expecting another CITY HUNTER may be in for a disappointment. The humor is there and so is the quality of the art, but there is much less gun slinging. FAMILY COMPO falls into the "feel good" category, much like UNDER THE DAPPLE SHADE and the SPLASH! short stories. These characters aren't out to save the world, or even a metropolitan city. What counts here is "Family."


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