Along with new North American TENCHI MUYO, MOLDIVER and EL HAZARD comics, Pioneer has come out with PHANTOM QUEST CORP. (or YOUGEN KAISHA).
After I first heard that these were not to be imported from Japan but designed and written in America, I was certainly wary. I had wished for the existing EL HAZARD manga to be imported, for instance, and had never seen a manga version for PHANTOM QUEST CORP. But similarly, with the new TENCHI MUYO version (the story is written by Jose Calderon) this turned out better than I had expected.
First off, the style of the art is much clearer than other less successful manga imitations. It is lacking the use of different shades of grey (entire "How-to-draw-Manga" books can be dedicated to the proper use of this topic), but was certainly created with black and white publishing in mind. The lines are thick and clear, and the art style remains consistent throughout this issue. The lettering is also very clear and easy to read.
The story seems to be continuing in the theme of the anime, with the GHOSTBUSTER-esque plotline. This time a man tired with his day to day job discovers an ancient codex and becomes a rather powerful sorcerer. Also, Ayaka (the president of the PQC) gets invited, fully paid, as a guest of honor to a spirit conference in New York. Mamoru (the young boy who handles the business end of things) still cannot reform Ayaka from her spending and drinking habits, and other characters also show up as invited guests.
However, I found nothing truly special about this first issue. It succeeds as a re-introduction to the characters and a setting of the stage, but lacked a focus that would make me rush for the next issue.
YOUGEN KAISHA itself was a tame OVA rendition of GHOST SWEEPER MIKAMI to many, but the series did have its moments and likeable characters. This first issue does not pull any punches and tries its best to create another episode (although in New York). Fans of the series should check this out, but PHANTOM QUEST CORP. is an average comic in a world of many better--and many worse--tales.

PHANTOM QUEST CORP. Number 1 "The Howling Book" Copyright © 1997 Pioneer Entertainment (USA) L.P. Story by Jose Calderon Art by Dave Cooper U.S.$2.95, Can$3.95 Issue 1 Shipped March 1997