Yep, I put the exclamation mark in the post title on purpose. This isn't just "Ninja High School Week." It's "Ninja High School Week!" Just so we're clear.
Comics like today's have had me a bit vexed. Much like the DC Who's Who and Marvel Official Handbook, Perfect Memory is a recap, profile, non-fiction sort of thing that's long on text and short on comics. But as an entry into the series, it actually works absolutely perfectly. There are recaps of the first 19 issues in this comic, which filled me in on exactly who the main cast are, what their relationships are, and a some of their early adventures. I wonder how much of the previous two issues of NHS I've read would make much more sense now?
There's also a cool little comic either by or about Ben Dunn and the process an issue goes through from drawing board to comic store. It's kind of cool, and happening around the same time that Scott McCloud is putting together the first of his definitive looks at the art form.
What I also get from this comic is that Ninja High School is a comic aimed at a very specific demographic. It's for the anime fan, but specifically the anime fan of the late 70s to the late 80s, stuff like Starblazers and Robotech and Battle of the Planets. This is a comic for the people who tracked down what little manga and anime found its way into the comic shops. As such, there's references that I couldn't possibly get, to old anime series and characters that are parodied/homaged. It's fascinating.
To be continued.
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