Our Fresh Friday Features spotlights characters navigating the challenges of change with resilience and courage. These comics capture the essence of transformation, as protagonists confront their fears, adapt to new circumstances, and ultimately find strength in the face of adversity. Whether it's embarking on a journey of self-discovery or standing up against the tides of change, these stories inspire readers to embrace the evolving nature of life and the unwavering spirit within us all.
This week, ArtCrumbs picked four titles that'll give you a peak into the ordinary lives that maybe aren't so ordinary anymore!
- Comic - Progression: After his parents' tragedy, Edison's move unveils trials, testing him and friends.
- Manga- Hyper Morphosis: Centuries post-apocalypse, the Earth's sectors are controlled by the mysterious Mafiosos, Pirates, and Yakuza gangsters. Follow an anxious worker, a fugitive bodyguard, and undiscovered twins in a world of secrets and potential.
- Manga - Spread Your Wings!: Ryuu Shimizu, has been shunned since 'the incident' in middle school. Now he seeks solace in a new friendship with a small boy who holds the promise of healing during his freshman year.
- Webcomic - Your Future Past: Iren aspires to follow his father's warrior legacy, until a prophecy entangles him in resurrecting a goddess and averting an interdimensional conflict by reviving ancient deities.
Progression, 25 pages - Published by Grand Myth Entertainment, (cc/ @LFran06)
In the wake of his parents’ tragic demise, Edison’s relocation to a small town unravels a string of enigmatic trials that push him and his friends to their breaking point.
Story and Art by Grand Myth Entertainment
Comments from @ArtCrumbs:
Life can change in the blink of an eye in devastating ways. I really felt for Edison in this one, as he clearly suffers from nightmares quite regularly. It was fun the way this was set up, not knowing what's real, what's not, what's safe to say, what should stay hidden. Edison clearly has some more baggage than we've seen so far, and I'm curious to see how this develops. I'm wondering what will come of his new friends and his lingering feelings? What kind of character progression can we see? Sometimes we blame ourselves unfairly, but maybe there's more than meets the eye here.
The art is also beautiful, fantastic inking, color, and smooth lettering. It was so easy to read in one sitting, and I can't wait for more. Great work team!
Hyper Morphosis, 34 pages - Published by Unmasked Studios, (cc/ @hypermorphosis)
Hundreds of years after the apocalypse, the earth has been separated into different sectors ran by Mafiosos, Pirates and the Yakuza. Hyper Morphosis tells the story of an anxious office worker with a secret, a bodyguard running from her past, and a pair of twins who have yet to learn their true potential.
Story and Art by Unmasked Studios
Comments from @ArtCrumbs:
Hyper is a good way to describe this manga. Working hard at your job, working overtime, and no daytime in the sky, what a rough life! Our fashionable character Rox has her life, quite literally multiple time, turned upside down when Val comes along. It's a fast-paced chase that I was completely unable to predict! Every new corner was a new threat or some wild action. Val really is an unpredictable wild-child, and I'm all here for it! It was so much fun to read the following sequence of events.
Combine that with the vibrant colors, beautiful backgrounds, and incredibly dynamic perspectives and angles - Hyper Morphosis quickly became one of my new favorites. I read everything to get up to date, so I'm eagerly waiting for more! Fantastic job, Unmasked Studios!
Spread Your Wings!, 14 pages - Published by SunIsMessy, (cc/ @SunIsMessy)
Ryuu Shimizu has always been avoided ever since 'the incident' happened in his middle school rowing club. He is unable to forgive himself and is filled with regret; but as he starts his freshman year of high school, he meets a tiny boy who might be able to help him get through his pain of the past.
Story and Art by SunIsMessy
Comments from @ArtCrumbs:
As a military brat, being the new kid is tough. It's even harder when you have other things to deal with, like an inner self trying to take over and a past dragging down your mood. Ryuu clearly has some ghosts he needs to deal with, but that won't stop him from trying to live out his day to day live. I like the glimpses we get into seeing him hold his control, or actually struggle with it. It's hinted throughout the story so far and I'm wondering what he could have done that has him so worried.
There's a lot going on beneath the surface and I'm can't wait to see what happens with this new friendship!
Your Future Past, 414 pages - Published by PI-Dye, (cc/ @EilyJacobs)
Iren wants to be just like his father - a strong Warrior and a hero to all. But that changes when he gets roped into a prophecy of reviving a goddess and bringing back godly beings of old... all to stop an inter-dimensional war.
Story and Art by PI-Dye
Comments from @ArtCrumbs:
Iren wants to be a warrior, eh? Well if he can beat the clock, first! I found this to be a nostalgic read in the sense that it felt like reading some of the manga back in the 2000s. It's got adventure and action, but it also has a good friend relationship. I liked seeing main characters that aren't perfect, have flaws, but things still work out. Adding in humor can be hard, and you have to time it well and this does that!
Your Future Past flows super well, it's funny, dynamic and clean art. It was recommended to me on Twitter by a friend and now I can totally see why! I happily await the next update, Pi-Dye!
That's all for now, but we'll have another set of Fresh Friday reading recommendations next week. If you're looking for more recommendations, make sure to opt-in for our weekly reading list email! You can find that in your User Profile Notification settings. You can also browse through our Featured Comics news section!
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