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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

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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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