I Luv Halloween

Last updated
I Luv Halloween
I Luv Halloween v2.jpg
Cover of I Luv Halloween vol. 2 (2006),
art by Benjamin Roman
Genre
Author Keith Giffen
IllustratorBenjamin Roman
Publisher Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Flag of the United States.svg Tokyopop
DemographicTeen
Original run 2005–2007
Volumes3

I Luv Halloween is a horror-comedy original English-language (OEL) manga written by Keith Giffen and illustrated by Benjamin Roman. In North America, Tokyopop released the series in three volumes from October 2005 to September 2007 and re-released it as one volume in October 2008. Menford Electronic Art also adapted it into animated short episodes which premiered on Myspace. Set on Halloween, the series focuses on a group of trick-or-treating children and their misadventures.

Contents

Roman envisioned the concept of the series and after he moved to Los Angeles, Tokyopop agreed to publish it with Giffen, who had adapted several Tokyopop manga, as the writer. Though positively received by readers, I Luv Halloween gained mixed-to-negative reviews from critics. The Young Adult Library Services Association, a division of the American Library Association, placed the first two volumes on its 2007 list of "Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers".

Plot

Incorporating dark comedy, [1] I Luv Halloween follows a group of children as they go trick-or-treating each Halloween: [2] Finch, the leader of the bunch; Moochie, his homicidal younger sister; Devil Lad, who only appears on Halloween to join the group; Pig Pig, a simple-minded boy; the perverted Mr. Kitty; and his mostly silent younger brother Spike. [3] [4]

I Luv Halloween consists of three self-contained volumes. [5] In the first volume, the children seek revenge after receiving apples, pennies, and candy which they dislike. Meanwhile, Moochie wanders away from Finch and kills the town bullies with a brassiere stolen from Nips, the town cheerleader. Obsessed with teeth, Moochie also extracts the molars of her victims. Finch and his group attempt to retrieve the brassiere from Moochie; however, after a series of deaths, they end up prematurely burying Nips. In the second volume, they learn that the townspeople have become zombies. Moochie embarks on a quest to drive out the "Chonkolit monkeys", and encounters a group of sisters: Vera, Vivian, and Vincent. Moochie takes Vera with her to hunt the king of the monkeys. Meanwhile, Finch and Mr. Kitty escape from a Christian couple by severely burning the wife. Her husband chases after them, only to be killed by Moochie. She then has Vera exorcise the king of the monkeys from him. In the third volume, Finch and his group discover that the town is experiencing an alien invasion. Mr. Kitty sneaks into one of the aliens' spaceships when he sees them carrying off Nips. Finch and Pig Pig follow him onto the spaceship, only to discover that the aliens have sewn his head to Nips's body. Curious about abortions, Moochie sets out to revive a fetus whom she believes is her sister. Along the way, she tortures and kills the town doctor. His son, whom Moochie also tortures, sees this as a hate crime and sets off a biochemical targeting all the people of Caucasian descent. He and Devil Lad leave the town afterward.

Development and publication

Illustrator Benjamin Roman made his professional debut with the first volume of I Luv Halloween; he wanted to create "something that was offbeat and a little gory, but with a kind of humor and playfulness." [6] Having spent years trying to get into the comic book industry, he moved to Los Angeles, California, in 2003, [4] and worked at Kinko's in Hollywood; there, he met a Tokyopop employee, who passed along some of his "rejected proposals" to now-former editor Mark Paniccia. [7] Keith Giffen, an American comic book illustrator and writer who had previously adapted the Tokyopop-licensed manga Battle Royale and Battle Vixens for an English-language audience, joined the project as the writer. [7] Together, they spent three to four years working on the series. [7] Although Roman did not draw the series with any particular influences in mind, he read Calvin and Hobbes and Marvel books as a child. [6] Drawing inspiration from science-fiction and horror films in general, Roman acknowledged that "some of that same kitsch finds itself in I Luv Halloween." [6] For the plot, Roman and Giffen were given "a lot of leeway creatively," [8] and Roman commented: "I think that we were seeing how irresponsible we could go with that story and still get away with it. We were just trying to let loose with the characters, however violent that mentality m[a]y have turned at some points." [6] As a way to celebrate the conclusion of the series, Roman gave away more than one hundred pages of I Luv Halloween artwork and five hundred replicas of Finch's mask at the 2007 San Diego Comic-Con. [7] [9]

The three I Luv Halloween volumes were published in North America by Tokyopop from October 11, 2005, to September 11, 2007. [10] [11] Tokyopop later re-released the series in a single volume, I Luv Halloween: Ultimate Twisted Edition ( ISBN   978-1-4278-1072-4), with colored illustrations and a bonus story on October 1, 2008. [12] The series is also published in Germany by Tokyopop Germany and in France by Akileos. [13] [14] However, in May 2011, Tokyopop shut down its North American branch, with the publishing status of original, OEL titles left unclear. [15] I Luv Halloween also spawned an animated adaptation produced by Menfond Electronic Arts and released by Tokyopop in July 2007 as featured content on MySpace TV. [16] Ben Chan wrote an original music score for the I Luv Halloween short episodes. [17]

Volume list

No.Release dateISBN
01 October 11, 2005 [10] 978-1-59532-831-1
  • 01: "Finch"
  • 02: "Pig Pig"
  • 03: "Bubbles and Squeak"
  • 04: "Li'l Bith"
  • 05: "Mush"
  • 06: "Moochie"
02 March 7, 2006 [18] 978-1-59532-832-8
  • 01: "Dead Things"
  • 02: "Nose Candy"
  • 03: "Chonklit Monkeys"
  • 04: "Hhhik uh Heeet"
  • 05: "King of the Chonklit Monkeys"
  • 06: "Yay!"
03 September 11, 2007 [11] 978-1-59532-833-5
  • 01: "White Boys Can't Fly"
  • 02: "Triple K"
  • 03: "Becky-Beck"
  • 04: "Jumping the Shark"
  • 05: "Close Encounters of the Wrong Kind"
  • 06: "Mutually Assured Destruction"

Reception

I Luv Halloween was positively received by English-language readers. The first volume debuted at the 49th spot on a list of the top 100 bestselling graphic novels and sold an estimated 1,650 copies. [19] The second volume sold 1,403 copies and appeared at the 92nd spot. [20] The third volume debuted at the 73rd spot with 1,440 copies sold. [21] Daily Variety named I Luv Halloween one of Tokyopop's top ten biggest titles. [22]

I Luv Halloween received mixed to negative reviews from critics. The art style drew criticism, [23] [5] and two critics compared the character designs to those of the Garbage Pail Kids. [24] [5] Conversely, KJB of IGN wrote that Roman's art style complemented Giffen's writing nicely. [1] PopCultureShock's former senior manga editor Katherine Dacey thought that the colored illustrations in the re-release improved the art style. [5] Another point of criticism was the use of dark comedy. Leroy Douresseaux of Coolstreak Cartoon compared the characters and tone of the series to "a lame version of the TV show “Jackass”". [24] Dacey wrote that the inclusion of fan service and "truly tasteless jokes" prevented I Luv Halloween from becoming an enjoyable read. [5] While writing that the series "isn't the best original manga to hit the shelves", KJB commented on the "wickedly perverse sense of humor at play here" that at times became "a little too broad", and enjoyed that the first volume did not end on a cliffhanger. [1] Another reviewer for IGN, A.E. Sparrow put the series on his list of the ten best horror/thriller manga. [2] The Young Adult Library Services Association, a division of the American Library Association, placed the first two volumes on its 2007 list of "Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers". [25]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tokyopop</span> German-American entertainment company

Tokyopop is an American distributor, licensor and publisher of anime, manga, manhwa and Western manga-style works. The German publishing division produces German translations of licensed Japanese properties and original English-language manga, as well as original German-language manga. Tokyopop's US publishing division publishes works in English. Tokyopop has its US headquarters near Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, California. Its parent company's offices are in Tokyo, Japan and its sister company's office is in Hamburg, Germany.

<i>Rave Master</i> Japanese manga series

Rave Master, Rave, and alternatively, The Groove Adventure Rave in Japan, is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Hiro Mashima. The series follows Haru Glory, a teenager on a quest to find the five fragments of the sacred stone of light Rave in order to bring peace to the world by defeating the criminal group Demon Card. Mashima created this series with the idea of travelling around the world and was presented with difficulties in its serialization due to its considerable length.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keith Giffen</span> American comic book artist and writer (1952–2023)

Keith Ian Giffen was an American comics artist and writer. He was known for his work for DC Comics on their Legion of Super-Heroes and Justice League titles as well as for being the co-creator of Lobo, Rocket Raccoon, and Jaime Reyes.

An original English-language manga or OEL manga is a comic book or graphic novel drawn in the style of manga and originally published in English. The term "international manga", as used by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, encompasses all foreign comics which draw inspiration from the "form of presentation and expression" found in Japanese manga. This may also apply to manga-inspired comics made in other languages.

<i>Bizenghast</i> Graphic novel series by M. Alice LeGrow

Bizenghast is a debut gothic graphic novel series written and illustrated by M. Alice LeGrow. The first seven volumes were published by Tokyopop, with the final volume released in late April 2012. After placing in Tokyopop's Rising Stars of Manga competition with her short story "Nikolai", LeGrow successfully pitched the series to Tokyopop's editors. She worked on the series from 2004 to 2011. Set in the haunted New England town of Bizenghast, the story follows Dinah, an orphaned teenager who is tasked with returning each night to an ancient mausoleum to free the ghosts within the building.

<i>Your and My Secret</i> Japanese manga by Ai Morinaga

Your and My Secret, known in Japan as Boku to Kanojo no Peke Mittsu, is a manga series by Ai Morinaga. The series was first published in Enix's Monthly Stencil in January 2001, was later obtained by Mag Garden who published it in Monthly Comic Blade then Monthly Comic Avarus where it concluded its serialization in August 2011. The individual chapters were collected and released into eight tankōbon volumes by Mag Garden. A continuation of the manga, subtitled as Extra-Part, was serialized in Mag Garden's online magazine, Web Comic Beat's, between June 2012 and March 2013; it was later released in a single tankōbon volume. In Japan, Boku to Kanojo no Peke Mittsu has been adapted into three radio dramas and a live action film. Your and My Secret follows the effeminate Akira Uehara who switches bodies with the tomboy Nanako Momoi due to an accident.

<i>Planet Ladder</i> Japanese manga series by Yuri Narushima

Planet Ladder is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yuri Narushima. Appearing as a serial in the shōjo manga magazine Crimson from the March 1998 issue to the May 2003 issue, the chapters of Planet Ladder were published by Sobisha/Shueisha in seven tankōbon volumes from December 1998 to May 2004. Based on the Japanese folktale The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter in which a girl is discovered to be the princess of the moon, the story focuses on a teenager named Kaguya, who is prophesied to save only one of the nine parallel worlds, and her quest to bring peace to a warring universe while finding her true identity.

<i>Dramacon</i> Original English-language manga

Dramacon is an original English-language manga written and illustrated by Svetlana Chmakova. It was published in three volumes by Tokyopop from October 11, 2005 to December 11, 2007. Dramacon is considered one of Tokyopop's best OEL manga.

Christy Lijewski is an American comic book artist and illustrator who specializes in OEL manga.

<i>Return to Labyrinth</i> Original English-language manga series

Return to Labyrinth is an original English-language manga based on the Jim Henson 1986 fantasy film Labyrinth. Jake T. Forbes is credited as the creator, and Chris Lie is the illustrator. The covers for all four volumes were drawn by Kouyu Shurei. It is published by Tokyopop.

<i>Star Trek: The Manga</i>

Star Trek: The Manga is an original English-language manga from Tokyopop based on Star Trek: The Original Series that began in September 2006. Writers in the three volumes included Diane Duane, David Gerrold, Mike W. Barr and former Star Trek: The Next Generation cast member Wil Wheaton. Tokyopop released an additional manga based on The Next Generation in April 2009.

<i>Battle Royale</i> (manga) Japanese manga series

Battle Royale is a Japanese manga series written by Koushun Takami and illustrated by Masayuki Taguchi. It is based on Takami's novel of the same name, telling the story of a class of junior high school children who are forced to fight each other to the death. It was serialized by Akita Shoten in Young Champion from 2000 to 2005, and later combined into 15 tankobon volumes, which were released in English by Tokyopop from 2003 to 2006. In October 2007, a special edition of the manga began being released.

<i>Trinity Blood</i> Japanese light novel series and media franchise

Trinity Blood is a series of Japanese light novels written by Sunao Yoshida with illustrations by Thores Shibamoto and originally serialized in The Sneaker. Set 900 years after an apocalyptic war between humans and vampires, the series focuses on the ongoing cold war between the Vatican, the human government, and the "New Human Empire", the government of the vampiric Methuselah. Fighting on the Vatican's side is Abel Nightroad, a Crusnik—a vampire that feeds on vampires. The novels blend science fiction, fantasy, and political intrigue, with some in the Vatican and the Empire striving for peace, and the Rosen Kreuz Order doing anything in its power to stop it.

<i>12 Days</i> (book) 2006 graphic novel

12 Days is a debut graphic novel/global manga written and illustrated by June Kim. Basing the plot partially on a story told to her by a stranger, Kim began an early version of 12 Days as a sophomore in college to help herself cope with the end of a relationship. After moving on emotionally with her break-up, she stopped developing the comic and later left South Korea to attend the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan, New York, United States, from which she graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in cartooning. Following her successful pitch of 12 Days to manga publisher Tokyopop, she resumed work on it in early 2005 and finished in the middle of August 2006. 12 Days focuses on Jackie Yuen, who decides to drink the ashes of her former lover for twelve days in beverages as a way to cope with her grief over her death.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amy Reeder</span> American comic artist

Amy Reeder, formerly known as Amy Reeder Hadley, is an American comic book artist and writer known for her work on titles such as Fool's Gold, Madame Xanadu, Batwoman, and Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur.

<i>Doors of Chaos</i> Japanese manga series

Doors of Chaos is a manga written and illustrated by Ryoko Mitsuki. The manga's first tankōbon volume was released by SoftBank Creative on June 30, 2008. It was licensed in North America by Tokyopop.

<i>A Midnight Opera</i>

A Midnight Opera is an original English-language (OEL) manga by Hans Steinbach. It was published by Tokyopop in North America from November 8, 2005 to November 7, 2006.

Mary Alice "Marty" LeGrow, better known by her pen name M. Alice LeGrow, is an American alternative comics artist, best known for her gothic, dark fantasy graphic novel series Bizenghast.

<i>Dragon Sister!</i> Japanese manga adaptation of Romance of the Three Kingdoms

Dragon Sister! is a Japanese manga adaptation by Nini of the 14th century novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms by Luo Guanzhong. It was published in Comic Blade Masamune and was licensed by Tokyopop.

References

  1. 1 2 3 KJB (16 September 2005). "I Luv Halloween Vol 1 Review". IGN . Retrieved 24 December 2009.
  2. 1 2 Sparrow, A.E. (30 October 2007). "IGN: Top 10 Horror/Thriller Manga". IGN . Retrieved 28 January 2010.
  3. ↑ Giffen, Keith; Benjamin Roman (2005). "Finch". I Luv Halloween. Vol. 1. Los Angeles: Tokyopop. ISBN   978-1-59532-831-1.
  4. 1 2 "Manga+Comics: I Luv Halloween Ultimate Twisted Edition". Tokyopop. Archived from the original on 20 November 2009. Retrieved 24 December 2009.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Dacey, Katherine (31 October 2008). "Hallowinis". PopCultureShock. Archived from the original on November 7, 2008. Retrieved 29 November 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  6. 1 2 3 4 Ong Pang Kean, Benjamin (9 October 2008). "Ben Roman on 'I Luv Halloween' Twisted Edition and More". Newsarama . Retrieved 22 June 2011.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Parkin, JK (24 July 2007). "Blog@Q&A: Ben Roman". Newsarama . Retrieved 22 June 2011.
  8. ↑ Ong Pang Kean, Benjamin (24 June 2008). "Tokyopop's Changes: From the Creators's P.O.V." Newsarama. Archived from the original on 6 February 2009. Retrieved 24 December 2009.
  9. ↑ Parkin, JK (10 August 2007). "SDCC Aftermath: Ben Roman". Newsarama . Retrieved 23 June 2011.
  10. 1 2 Roman, Ben; Giffen, Keith (11 October 2005). I Luv Halloween, Volume 1. ISBN   1595328319.
  11. 1 2 Roman, Ben; Giffen, Keith (11 September 2007). I Luv Halloween, Volume 3. ISBN   978-1595328335.
  12. ↑ "Manga+Comics: I Luv Halloween-- Ultimate Twisted Edition--". Tokyopop. Archived from the original on 20 October 2009. Retrieved 18 August 2009.
  13. ↑ "Bücher: Manga: I Luv Halloween" [Books: Manga: I Luv Halloween] (in German). Tokyopop. Archived from the original on 26 February 2009. Retrieved 5 November 2009.
  14. ↑ Roman, Benjamin; Giffen, Keith (7 December 2006). I luv Halloween, Tome 1. ISBN   2915168466.
    Giffen, Keith; Roman, Benjamin (16 May 2007). I luv Halloween, Tome 2. ISBN   978-2915168679.
    Giffen, Keith; Roman, Benjamin (20 November 2007). I luv Halloween, Tome 3. ISBN   978-2915168907.
  15. ↑ "Tokyopop: Japanese Manga Licenses to Revert to Owners". Anime News Network. 24 May 2011. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
  16. ↑ Luther, Katherine (30 July 2007). "Anime News - 7/30/07". About.com. Archived from the original on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 28 December 2009.
  17. ↑ "Tokyopop Markets OEL Manga on My Space". ICv2. 17 July 2007. Retrieved 28 December 2009.
  18. ↑ Roman, Ben; Giffen, Keith (7 March 2006). I Luv Halloween, Volume 2. ISBN   1595328327.
  19. ↑ "Top 100 Graphic Novels Actual --September 2005". ICv2. 25 October 2005. Retrieved 6 January 2010.
  20. ↑ "Top 100 Graphic Novels Actual--March 2006". ICv2. 17 April 2006. Retrieved 6 January 2010.
  21. ↑ "Top 100 Graphic Novels Actual--September 2007". ICv2. 15 October 2007. Retrieved 6 January 2010.
  22. ↑ Lewis, David (25 October 2007). "Tokyopop top ten: the biggest titles from the imprint's first decade". Daily Variety . Retrieved 11 March 2010.
  23. ↑ Johnson, Craig. "I Luv Halloween v1". Manga Life. Archived from the original on 14 May 2006. Retrieved 8 December 2009.
  24. 1 2 Douresseaux, Leroy (11 March 2006). "I Luv Halloween". Coolstreak Cartoon. Retrieved 17 January 2010.
  25. ↑ "2007 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers". American Library Association. Archived from the original on 9 October 2010. Retrieved 28 January 2010.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.